Working in the forensic unit had already proven to be the best decision in your career. You were situated in the basement, so you had more privacy than most. And there was only two of you, so no unnecessary noise or leering gazes from the men upstairs.

Yep. Just you and Nygma. All day.

Detective Bullock and Captain Essen had whispered apologies to you on your first day. Bullock had even promised to "check in" every once in a while. You'd been nervous after that, how bad could this Nygma guy be? But you'd quickly realized that Edward wasn't nearly as bad as others made him sound. Awkward and eccentric? Yes. But you quite liked working with him.

"Morning, Eddie," you said, dropping your bag under your desk. Edward was bent over a watermelon, testing out various knives to match the markings to the victim's wounds.

He glanced up at you over the rim of his glasses, "I have no voice, but I hear your secrets; I have no body, but I share your burdens; I can be near or far, but always there when you call; I'm not family, but often feel like it. What am I?"

The giddiness in his smile made you smile too. Working with Edward had also made you excellent at riddles. "A friend?"