Crimson X

Chatper 5: Dog Kisses

Shar Channing walked into a sterile room once more. Her arms were full of various books; all of which had puzzles or brain teasers. She placed them down on an end table; that already had some puzzle books. She sighed and sat down in a chair near the bed while looking at the patient.
“I’m sorry, Mister Nigma,” She ran a hand through her hair.
“Feeling sympathy for one of your patients?”
Shar stood up at the sound of Strange’s voice. Her eyes narrowed into an icy glare at the bald man. She watched him warily, wondering if he was going to try and kill him right there.
“You should know better than this, Doctor Channing,” Strange looked over at Nigma’s unconscious form. “It could lead to them getting hurt.”
Her eyes widened, “What did you do to him!?” She held herself back from lunging at the man as tears threatened to run down her face. “Why did you slip him!? Tell me!”
“How accusing, Doctor Channing. If I didn’t know better I’d say you’d started to develop feelings for this man, but I assure you…We don’t need another Harley Quinn.”
“I’ll never turn into a criminal,” Channing growled. “Unlike you I have some respect for my patients! I don’t run experiments on them!”
Strange’s eyes widened slightly. Could she have known about Patient X? But how? It’s not like it’s easy to find. Perhaps she was simply talking about Mad Hatter. Yes, that would make more sense. That could be why her rage was so fueled towards him. He relaxed slightly at the thought.
“I assure you, I am above those scum,” Strange glared at her. “I’m working to clean of Gotham’s streets. Then, I will be the hero.” He turned around. “Good day, Doctor Channing.”
“Go to Hell!” Shar yelled after him as he exited the room. She growled and punched the wall, putting a hole in it. The pain in her fist pulsated, but she ignored it. “Damn…I’m going to have to take my anti-depressants again.” She sighed and sat back down in the chair.
“You’re loud, you know that?” Shar looked up and at Nigma who was smirking at her.
Shar blushed slightly out of embarrassment and muttered, “Sorry.”
“So Strange tried to kill me?”
“Or just hurt you,” Shar crossed her arms glaring. “Did you notice if he snuck you something?”
“The pill I took looked a bit different, they just said it was a higher dosage,” Edward grimaced. “I told them I didn’t want it, so they forced me to take it.”
“From now on I’ll give you your medications,” Shar spoke firmly. “Do not take anything from anyone else. I’ll inform the guards, that way they won’t even bother with taking you to the doctor.” She shook her head. “It might just be better if I quit this place.”
“No!” Edward shouted. “You can’t simply give up! You’re the only psychiatrist that I can stand!”
Channing was slightly taken back by his sudden outburst, “If it’s your trophies you’re worried about I’ll still put them where you want them. I just won’t work here.”
“I’m not worried about that,” Nigma scoffed and crossed his arms. “I could just hide all of them.” He looked at Channing. “Oh, and you only have six more days to hide all of them.”
“Six!?” Shar nearly fell out of her chair. “I have nine more places to go, though!”
“Not my problem,” Nigma smirked at her. “Unless of course you want me to tell everyone who you really are, I suggest you hide them all.”
“Fine,” Shar hung her head and grabbed one of his puzzle books. “I’m going to keep this, then.”
Nigma quickly snatched it out of her hands, “It’s mine. You bought it and gave it to me. You can’t do that.”
Shar laughed at his reactions, thinking it was like a child. Nigma glared at her, but she couldn’t stop laughing. After everything that had happened with in the past few days of working at the Asylum, it was nice that something such as this happened.
---Time Skip---
Crimson X walked through the Medical Facility. Nigma was still in there, so she’d thought she’d hide all of the trophies and then pay him a visit. It took all of her will power to not find Strange and beat him up for what he’s done.
“First, it’s Patient X. Then, it’s me, and then, it’s Nigma,” X muttered as she placed a trophy down and glanced at the map. “And whatever the Hell he’s planning to do with Arkham City. It doesn’t take an idiot to realize it’s a bad idea.” She walked off to the next destination, “Then again…He said he wanted to be a hero. So he’s planning on Arkham City being a bad idea?” She ran a hand through her hair. “Gotham is one messed up city.” She placed the trophy onto a desk and walked out. “Now to see how Nigma’s doing.”
She carefully walked through the facility. Luckily, this place wasn’t as heavily guarded as the intensive treatment building. She nearly was spotted a few times when she was placing the trophies in the building.
Crimson peeked into the room that Nigma was staying in and walked in. He was nowhere to be seen. His puzzle books were still there, and there was no sign of a struggle, so he must be walking about. She sighed and leaned against the wall. The thought of him having insomnia ran through her mind.
“And what are you doing here, Doctor Simpleton?”
Crimson X turned around to see Nigma standing in the door way, “Just finished dropping off the trophies here, so I’d thought I’d come to check up on you.” Her British accent rolled off her tongue, even though Edward knew who she was. “Where were you?”
“Just taking a walk throughout the asylum is all,” Nigma shrugged his shoulder and sat on his bed. “I’ve been wiring some offices.”
“Whose?”
“Oh, just Strange’s for right now. He’s going to pay for what he did to me,” His eye narrowed.
Crimson X smirked at this, “I’ll make sure he does, Mister Nigma.” She turned her head towards the door as her ear twitched. “Time to go, a guard’s coming. I’ll see you in a couple of days. I have the day off tomorrow, so you won’t go to therapy tomorrow.”
“Fine.”
Crimson X glanced behind her and smiled at him, with a slight wave of her hand, she was off.
---Time Skip---
“Mmm, hello?” Shar answered a phone while yawning. “Oh, hey mom. Yeah, I just woke up. I know, I’m picking you guys up from the airport in…” She looked over at her clock, “Four hours….Yeah, just call when you get there. Okay. Love you too. Bye.”
Shar put her phone back on the charger and sat up on her bed. Her crimson hair dangled freely. Stretching she stood up and threw some more casual clothes on; jeans and a sweater. It was fall, so she’d have to dress to stay warm. She just hoped that the patients in the asylum didn’t get cold while they stayed there.
“Get to see my puppy today,” Shar skipped through her apartment.
Her parents were bringing her dog to her place of residence. Shar decided that it’d be better for her to get situated in the city for a little bit before her dog was brought over. The dog was a Norwegian Elkhound. This dog was well known where Shar used to live, as she used it to help treat some of her patients. They are good dogs for therapy with their people loving personality.
Shar squealed in excitement as she was going to see her baby soon. She quickly made lunch to eat, seeing as she slept in pretty late and ate quickly. Her finger then tapped the counter as she stared at the time. Sighing, she needed something to distract herself. Shar ran around her apartment making last minute pickups and hid all of her Crimson X stuff. She knew that it’d be a bad thing if her parents knew what she was up to. They were already hesitant enough about her moving to Gotham City, one of the most notorious places for crimes.
Seeing as she was done, Shar flopped onto her couch and turned on the television.
A blond looked at the camera while she spoke, Vicki Vale was her name. She was in front of the asylum, which caused Shar to gulp nervously. Did something happen? Was everyone alright? Did The Joker make his move?
“Throughout this past week, Arkham Asylum has seen its handful of complications. Prisoners from Blackgate Prison have been transferred to the asylum after a so called mental breakdown. Whether this is true or another act of corruption is up to debate between law enforcers and the citizens of Gotham. Also, The Joker escaped and is still on the run. He killed multiple guards, which isn’t that much for his criminal record. He’s been spotted on security cameras walking throughout the asylum the past few days, spray painting his signature face. Authorities are stepping up the security to try and catch The Joker should he come back. They’re also working to catch a new face here in Gotham, Crimson X. Not much is known about her. It’s been said that while she’s stopping various crimes, she’s also working with The Riddler as she’s been seen with his trophies. Whether she’s a vigilante or another criminal is still unknown. Then, there’s the attack of Doctor Shar Channing. She was stabbed in her side by Jervis Tetch, otherwise known as Mad Hatter. Doctors at the asylum say that she’s in a good condition. Will this madness at the asylum come to an end? Or is it just a sign that a storm is coming? This is Vicki Vale, live, at Arkham Asylum.”
---Time Skip---
A dog tackled Shar to the ground. She burst out giggling as the dog happily licked her face. Her arms wrapped around the dog, giving it a giant hug. The dog got off her and wagged its tail while panting in excitement.
“It’s good to see you too, Riolu,” Shar stood up and dust herself off. “Now let’s go home, okay?” She opened the door for the dog to jump in, which he did so eagerly. Shar turned around and gave a hug to her mother and father. “Hey! Welcome to Gotham, the scariest city in America.” Shar laughed in got in the car. “I’ll avoid the streets that are dangerous, just this once.”
“Shar!” Her mother scolded. “That’s not funny!”
“Ah, come on mom,” Shar stuck her tongue out, “I’m only joking!”
“What’s this thing about you being attacked at the asylum?” Her father spoke in a concerned tone.
Shar glanced at him through the rearview mirror as she drove away from the airport, “One of the patients stabbed me.” She held in the part of her suspecting it to be a murder attempt. “Lucky for me one of my patients was there and warned me that the attacker had a knife. That’s probably the only reason I’m still alive.” Shar’s voice then turned to the one people use to talk to babies or young children, “But now I have Riolu, so I’ll be okay!”
“You should quit your job and move back,” her mother warned. “It’s not safe here.”
“No can do, mom,” Shar grinned. “I have some unfinished business here. Maybe when it’s all done and over with I’ll go back.” She glanced out a window, “And there’s a hooker.” She sighed and shook her head. “Just as long as you act like you belong here you won’t be messed with. Still, I suggest you don’t go out after dark, got it?”
“You shouldn’t either, Shar,” her mother warned.
This caused Shar to laugh lightly, “I have some meetings during the night.”
Her father quirked an eyebrow, “What kind of meetings, young lady?”
“I meet with Bruce Wayne to discuss Arkham City. We’re trying to stop it from actually happening,” Shar turned the car down a street. “It’s nothing of that type, dad.” Channing rolled her eyes, “I’m not some whore that just sleeps with everyone. Hell, I’m still a virgin.”
Her dad cleared his throat, “Glad to hear that.”
“So is there any guy that you have your eye on?” Her mother piped up curiously.
Riolu tilted his head at Shar. In a way he was saying there better not be another guy in her life. Shar glanced over at Riolu and giggled at her dog’s behavior. Then, her thoughts lingered back to what Strange said about Nigma. No, she couldn’t develop feelings for her patient.
“No mom, no one,” Shar pulled up to a parking space and parked. “I’m too busy for a relationship.”
Her mother pouted, “You should find a man, or woman soon, Shar!”
Shar took the key out of her car and stepped out, “Maybe someday, mom. I am straight, though.” She laughed, “Even so, thanks for having an open mind.” She looked over at Riolu, “Come on boy! Time to see your new home!”
Riolu bounded out of the car and bounced around eagerly as he looked at the building. Channing giggled at his behavior and picked up some of her parent’s luggage. She then led all of them up to her apartment. Riolu followed close behind her, smelling the environment and getting to know everything.
“Here we are,” Shar unlocked her door, “Home sweet home.”
Riolu walked in, his tail wagging. It smelt like his girl. Running, he jumped up onto the couch and looked over to Shar to make sure he was okay there. Shar shook her head with a grin and didn’t do anything to move him off the couch. She really did spoil him.
“It’s a nice place,” her mother chimed and walked in while placing down her baggage. “I’m glad that your schooling paid off.”
Shar rolled her eyes, “You didn’t have to pay for any of it, I didn’t have to pay for any of it. I was on a full ride, so I have no debt to worry about.” She grinned, “That’s what you get for being a good student in high school and not studying.”
“You did your homework,” her father walked around the place and looked out the window, “That’s how you got good grades.”
Shar stuck her tongue out at him, “Still didn’t try all that hard, dad. Anyways, you guys want something to eat? We can go somewhere, get takeout, or I can make something.” Riolu tilted his head at her, “We’ll just have to make sure he can come if we go somewhere.”
“Why don’t we just get takeout?” Her father suggest, “That way you don’t have to cook. I’m sure you being attacked is enough on your mind.”
“Not really,” Shar shrugged, “There are more things that are on my mind more.”
“Oh? Like what?” Her mother grinned at her.
“Not a boy, mom,” Channing took out a phone book. “At least not in that way. There are two patients in the asylum that have me worried. One of them I’m their psychiatrist, but the other…Well, let’s just say something’s going on that I don’t like.”
“Do you need me to find out what’s going on?” Her father smirked.
Shar glanced at him and shook her head, “Already hacked into their database, dad. And no, I didn’t use a computer here or my computer for that matter. I used one of their own.”
Her mom watched both of them seemingly clueless as her father spoke, “Good, I taught you well.”
“Yep,” the doctor smiled and looked at her book, “Alright, what do you want? Chinese, pizza?”
“Chinese will do,” her mother smiled. “Go ahead and order whatever you want, we’ll eat it.”
Shar nodded and dialed the number for takeout, hoping that it would be a good place. She ordered the food and about half an hour later it arrived. Riolu trotted over to the door, wagging his tail to indicate that the person was here. Not a minute later there was a knock. The family ate dinner together, laughing about old times and catching up. Every now and then, Riolu would beg for some food, but it would go dismissed and he wouldn’t get any of the human food. Though, after a while, Shar stood up and fed him some dog food, which he happily consumed.
“I think I’m gonnna hit the sack,” her father stood up, “Be careful when you go to that meeting with Wayne, alright?”
“Sure thing dad,” she smiled at her parents as they head off to the guest bedroom. Then, Shar looked down at Riolu, “I’m going to have to leave you here for a few hours.” She pet her dog and gave him a kiss at the top of his head, “I’ll be back, though. Hold down the fort for me, make sure no on breaks in besides me.” She took off the wig on her head, “This is what my hair looks like, so if you see this everything’s alright.”
Riolu tilted his head catching a few words that he understood and go the overall message. Its ears tilted backwards and stooped its head down. The dog was sensitive.
“Hey,” Shar hugged the dog, “I’m going to be back, I promise. Just at night I’ll have to leave for a little bit.” She looked at the dog and pet him, “I’ll even let you come with me to work, alright? Besides, grandma and grandpa will be here, so you won’t be alone.” The dog licked her face and wagged its tail. “Good,” Shar stood up and walked to her room, Riolu following close behind, “Now, I’m going to change into my disguise, I don’t want you attacking me when I get back in.” She laughed lightly and quickly got into her Crimson X look. “I’ll be back, Riolu.” She pat the dog on the head and walked out of her apartment.