Idea from: Living the Dream in Gotham by Siampie1990

The first thing I noticed was the cold. It seeped through my fingers, my skin, and felt as though it was aiming for my heart. Grit and some liquid was beneath my hands. Sluggishly my eyes opened and I saw red.

Blood.

I blinked a few times before trying to stand. My arms obeyed, but my left leg was definitely out of commission. A low groan and few not so nice words later I was leaning against what felt like brick. It finally occurred to me to check my surroundings.

"Mom would be so proud." I murmured. All the times she tried to train me and of course I forget one of the most important things.

"Jackie, always, always check your surroundings. You can't fight or flee if you don't know where you're going." Her voice whispers to me, and I immediately look around. It's hard to make out anything, my vision is blurry. Now, at least, I know that it's nighttime. Two buildings and a trash can with me in between. Why am I in an alley? What happened and why can't I remember? For a moment, I panic and the fear is so strong I completely miss the shadow skulking towards me. It's not until I feel the cold bite of steel at my throat that I realize I'm not alone.

"Pretty little thing like you shouldn't be out in Gotham this late at night. A little change for the advice? How about your wallet in exchange for your life?"

I let a little cry like gasp seep from my lips and my left hand creeps up in the universal sign for please don't shoot. Or, in this case, please don't stab.

"My c-car broke down, I just-" My right hand shoots and up and in one fluid movement I grip the knife wielding hand and turn it away from my neck before dipping under and flipping the situation. Now his arm is twisted with his face pressed against the same wall I was leaning against.

"I got a couple questions, crook." I'm practically wheezing, I haven't practiced that move in far too long. He's spouting off some pretty rude terms for a moment, and I'm guessing that's a product of the pain.

"Where am I? Tell me and maybe I won't break a finger or two."

"Watchu mean where we at? We in the narrows, idiot!" Well, he didn't say idiot but daddy always said to not repeat such things in polite company.

"Obviously you're incredibly intelligent, so you're going to help understand me why I'm here and where exactly-", an extra shove to help him understand the question better. "we are." He looks like he might cry, so I loosen my hold the slightest bit.

"Fine, fine! Agh, we're right off James and 18th, ok? It's right down there."

"James?" I never heard of a James street, at least not in NYC. Although, to be fair I haven't lived there long. But, just to be sure.."What city am I in?"

"Gotham, ahhh, ah that's my ARM you're holdin' lady!"

"Gotham? I'd like to hear you try and say we're in England but I haven't been out long enough for a plane ride. Mind telling me where we really are?"

"I told you! We're in Gotham, Gotham city! I ain't fibbed 'bout that!" I'm so very tempted to ah, persuade him to tell me the truth, but the guy seems to believe it. He's probably on drugs and doesn't even know where he is. I doubted that he was the one to bring me here, anyway. I sigh and release him with a quick kick to the shin and a warning. I keep the knife, it could come in handy. He scurries off and I slowly make my way towards a street light I see towards the left. My leg is marginally better than it was when I woke up but nowhere near where it needs to be to support my weight. As I'm limping, I catch sight of the glare from a window. A dirty blond with a pixie cut and tired hazel eyes grimly stares at me in my reflection.

My situation hits me like a punch to the gut. I'm alone in an unknown place with no phone, no money, no anything! I feel like crying and a few tears escape as I desperately try to plan. Plans, that's what saves me, planning, researching, preparedness. Except I know absolutely nothing about my current predicament, and that's not likely to change until I find someone who's not a thieving pothead. A few calming breaths later and I'm making my way down the street once again.

Time to see about some pros and cons. I can still protect myself reasonably well. I've got some mobility. I'm probably in NYC. I'm not dead. Oh, and I've got pot head's knife. Cons: I'm injured, any real threat comes along and I'm toast. No way to contact anyone. No money to pay for some water and maybe get a disreputable hospital to let me buy some morphine. Again, I sigh. Then I see the library up ahead with the lights still on. Any chance they're open and I can hide somewhere for an uncomfortable night's rest? Apparently it's not as late as I thought it was, because the library closes at 7 and the door is still open. I silently creep in and scout for any librarians that might have noticed my entrance. There's no one around so I make my way to a little room for studying. This library seems to be pretty big, so no one should find me until late morning. The pain is flaring up again, more insistent, demanding rest. I curl up into a ball in the corner and let the world fade away.

A/N

Okay, so I've never written a story as long as this one is probably going to be. I've got this vague idea of what it's gonna be about but I'll figure it out as I go. I'm not like Jacqueline, I plan too much and the story gets boring and sounds flat. Anyhoo, Jacqueline here has managed to end up in a certain caped vigilante's universe. (and no, I don't mean Thor, although that would be fun!) She's not gonna take too well to it, either. The story will of course hold true to canon with my own flair thrown in here and there. Then again I could completely go off track... ACK! Too many options! I'm just gonna go now. *grabs jet-pack and starts to fly away* *falls to the ground* Dang, I forgot to get some more fuel. Oh right, I'm pretty much broke. I'm gonna, uh, step out.

Reviews are greatly appreciated.

Updates will be irregular.