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Hunger ate at her stomach as Ace paced back and forth in the small space of her "Aunt" Red's apartment. Her tired mind had lost the concept of time. She kept the shades closed and had pushed the now ruined couch against the broken door.

Sleep lay heavily in her eye lids as she pinched herself as she tried to stay awake and waited. Waited for her Mother to come back and move to another city, for her Father to finish the job, for the police and Batman who have the same thoughts in the matter, and for Robin.

For the first few nights, the young thief was almost certain Robin would creep through her window. With a big plate of spaghetti or to finish her off, Alice was not sure. In this state of loneliness, she did not care if he took her away from Gotham and its many horrors or if he would cement her to the dirty sidewalk. At least I would be close to him again.

As she sat in front of the clothed window, half of her wanted to rip the curtain away and stick her head out the window. His name would erupt itself from her lips and plead for forgiveness. However her paranoia of it being someone who had poor intentions would be at the window, grinning at her with mad eyes, she didn't dare disturb it.

After three nights, Alice sat hunched toward the window, staring at it. Her body ached with exhaustion. Her arms were covered with red spots where she had pinched herself to stay wake. Her tired green eyes were gazing at the floral curtain, she thought about things. They should be here by now. If their coming Alison. Who would want you? I don't even want you. "Shut up!" she whispered as she pulled her greasy hair. She knew the voice was right. No one was coming.

Her stomach growled again. The several cracker boxes she had discovered in the very back of a pantry lay around her like dead soldiers. There was one cracker left in the bottom of the box, which she was saving for later. Before she realized it, she as shoving the cracker between her yellow teeth and was munching on it desperately.

Rocking back and forth, she tried to think of what to do next. Her fingernails clawed into her arms as emptiness filled her head. What am I going to do? Nothing. But then I'll die. Yes you will. No, I'll- You have no guns, you're weak, and, hopefully offence taken, you have no reason to live or means to survive. No! Yes! Now, if you have the energy, walk to the top of the building and pray the Bat doesn't catch you on your way down. Slowly nodding, Alice curled into fetal position and tried to fall asleep. Perhaps she would have the energy to do something when she wakes up. She thinks she heard knocking at the door a few times and angry yelling, however was too tired to get up and see who it was. Besides, if it was anyone important they would break down the door.

Now Alice sits on the cold hardwood floor, with her hair sticking up in different angles, body odder loomed around her, and her right cheek burned with infection. She dared not look in the mirror since last night.

The stitches which held her flesh together were buried under a small mass of skin and ached painfully. Her thin fingers hovered above her wound. Heat radiated from it, and like fire spread to the inside of her mouth and teeth.

Stopping, Alice concentrated on her hearing. Thinking she heard voices coming closer toward her door she got on her knee like she was about to sprint. Voices were unusual because the apartment was located at the end of the hall, away from the other tenants, and all noises sounded soft and distant, not loud and angry.

"This is the one," said a gruff toned voice. "The down payment on the place ran out yesterday and the lease ended last week and I and ain't running no shelter."

By the time the man with the gruff voice had found the right key and was trying to open the blocked door, Alice had run into the bathroom and began to pull on her stiff, blood stained costume. If you don't care then why are you getting dressed? Want to die in uniform like a good little soldier?

Ignoring the voice, her heart beat widely in her chest as she tried to think of why she was doing this. Because I don't want to die. Not tonight at least and sure as hell not like this. Survival instincts taking over, her slipped on her boots and scurried into the closet next to the front door. Raising her arms, her gloved finger tips brushed the bottom of a shelf, she began to stretch.

Frantic knocking rose at the door. "Come on, pay up or leave." The knocking continued for a few more moments. "Come on! I know you're in there!" Soft murmuring replaced the loud thudding.

Ace slowly breathed as she placed her mask over her unpainted face.

"Alright, break it down," said the gruff voice now sounding slightly exhausted.

Loud hammering of fists thundered at the door. Screeching of the couch, which had successfully held the door closed until now, echoed in the small space. Heavy footsteps meandered around the floor as Ace squinted her eyes to adjust to the dark. All of the sudden movements of her body made her head feel light. After I rob a bank, I'm going to buy the biggest, juiciest steak I can find… Saliva started to gather in her mouth, quickly swallowing it; she focused at the task at hand.

From the thin light which glowed from under the door, Ace saw the brass knob begin to turn. A moment later, the door was swung open and a bright light was shined in her eyes.

Grabbing the cool metal bar above her, Alice's feet collided into the body in front of her. Doing a somersault in the air, which rocked back and forth like a loose tire on a car which was about to crash, Ace almost lost her footing as she landed in the middle of the floor. A powerful force forced her to fall onto her side.

"I swear I never knew there was a kid living here. The lady I was renting to had red hair and… green skin…," said the portly man who had sweat staining on his blue shirt. She recognized the voice as the one who was yelling at her. She also assumed her was the landlord. With a quick sweep of her legs, the man was knocked on his back.

Standing, Alice heard the clink of metal. Turning her head she noticed two irritated looking men dressed in suits and pointing pistols at her. Realizing who had 'Aunt Red' was renting from, she froze. Nice going Ivy, renting from the mob, well it's not like she could get a place legally with her record.

"No shooting in my building! I don't need someone calling the cops!" shouted the landlord, whose face was now getting red.

"Do you know who this is?" asked the man closest to the door, his eyes bright in the reflection of the hallway light. "This is the Joker's kid. Do you know what that clown would do to get his daughter back?"

Ace rolled her eyes, however a chill ran down her spine. Kill you then slowly torture me.

"I don't know man," said the other man who was standing closest to her. "I've heard he's pretty rough on her. Look at her face."

Ace saw the man cringe as he stared at her cheek. "Well, he's in Arkham anyway. Did you hear they just caught his girlfriend a few days ago? Just a block from here too."

Tears welded up in Ace's eyes. She was coming to get me.

"This isn't happy hour! Just get her out of here!" shouted the man who quickly covered his mouth with his hands, listening if anyone heard him.

The man who was closest to her poked her stomach with the barrel of the gun. "Put your hands up and you won't get hurt."

Nodding, Alice began to raise her hands. And for the first time in weeks, a small smile graced her aching lips as she grabbed the barrel of the gun and punched the guy in the nose. As she pointed the gun at the other mobster, he fired shots at her. Quickly rolling onto the floor, the man's knees wavered in her vision as she put two bullets in his leg.

The man gripped his leg and howled in pain as the other man held up one hand and covered his bloody nose with the other. Locking eyes with the landlord, who was on the floor and painting heavily, Ace left the apartment without a word. Speeding down the hallway, down the stairs and out another door, the cold, black night welcomed her.

Running with only the street lamps as her guide, Ace tried to remember when she had parked her vespa. Behind the building across the street by that one dumpster. Her heart was filled with hope that it was still there, however her head knew the bitter truth. In a city where people will steal anything that isn't nailed down, my vespa didn't stand a chance. When she reached the spot where she had last seen her faithful ride, it was nowhere in sight.

After punching the brick wall in frustration, Alice crouched down. Her mind began to ache as she tried to think of what to do next. I could go back to the fun house. But that's miles away and the police and he probably have already ransacked the place. Her eyes at the next thought. I could turn myself in. But then I would be locked in with him. A nice little family reunion you, me, the blond. What fun we could have, especially after you BETRAYED me.

Pulling her hair, Ace banished the thought. Standing, Alice quickly sat back down, she began to see different colors prance before her eyes which made her dizzy. Rocking back and forth, the young thief thought of another plan as her hand pulsed around the handle of the gun. I need to lay even lower now. Those men almost caught me. Maybe a motel would work and some food. Some real food. But first I need- not this again. Ace punched the grime layered concrete this time. Be careful this time Ace. And this time, wear a smile!

Grinding her teeth, Alice stood, this time very slowly. Checking how many bullets were left in the gun, Alice saw there weren't any. Her heart sunk as she let the gun fall from her hands. Climbing the nearest ladder, she breathed in the night air. The cool, polluted wind felt calming on her inflamed skin.

Reaching the top, Ace gazed at Gotham city. Her stomach began to twist. Like fireflies, that where heated up with anger, they shun against the tall, shadowlike buildings. Maniacal shouts bounced off the walls and slapped her in the ear drums. Like Morse code, car horns chit chatted with each other.

At another try at a happy feeling, Alice wrapped her arms around herself as she tried to pretend Robin was holding her. However, all she felt were her cold hands on her shoulder and hip and the silent loneliness felt as strong as ever.

A whooshing sound pulled Alice from her gaze. Panic rose in her chest and made her head swim with worry. Looking up, she didn't see a bat like outline in the sky ready to pounce on her like the hand of god. It was a smaller figure in sleek black leather and cat ears. The shapely figure landed on another building, higher on the one Ace was on, however skinnier and was about a block away.

Realizing who it was Alice thought she would have felt guilty. Instead she felt nothing. Did she wait for me? Probably not. Squaring her shoulders, Ace did a cartwheel in the other direction. Lights danced before her eyes again as she stumbled to her knees. Looks like I'm going to have to walk. Great. Slowly walking across the roof and leaped onto the one beside it. After losing her footing and slipping off the edge, Alice pulled herself up on shaky arms.

"So, Alice, still stealing jewels for that crazy father of yours? You do know he's in Arkham right?" Spoke a voice from in front of her. Glaring forward, Alice saw Cat Woman, with her gloved hand on her hip while the other dangled at her side in a relaxed pose which matched her red lipped smirk. The smirk disappeared as she saw the young thief's face. "Did he do that?"

"Who else would have?" asked Alice as she steadily got to her feet. Can't show weakness.

Alice saw Cat Woman's eyes flicker slightly. Nodding, the woman began to walk away.

Almost like a reflex, from losing so many people in such little time, Ace took a step forward. "Wait," she said before recoiling and taking a step back. "Where are you going?"

Cat Woman turned around, the smirk reappeared across her lips. "I'm going to do what you do." She placed her hand on her hip. "Only better."

"Fine," replied Alice as she sighed and glared at Cat Woman for a moment. A new plan popped into her head, which made her heart beat with exhaustion. "At least take me with you. I need money. Tonight."

"Why?" asked Cat Woman as she slightly tilted her head.

Alice took a deep breath. Tear rimmed around her eyes as her anger burned them back. Her hand curled up into tight fists as she spoke. "Because I'm leaving Gotham. Forever. I'm leaving this awful, disgusting city. It's not like there's anything left for me anyway." Looking away, Alice tried not to think of her Mother who was probably crying for her in her cell in Arkham, or for Robin who is most likely resents her almost killing him. And for her Father who is laughing it all up. It's best to get away. Too many bad memories…

Cat Woman was silent for a moment, with the smirk still in its place like an obedient pet. Alice held her breath as she waited for an answer, which in her case was life and death. She knew she couldn't successfully rob a bank without tools. Tools would take time to get. Time Ace didn't have.

"Okay," said Cat Woman. Alice wanted to smile, maybe later when there's more to smile about. "There's a jewel being shown at Gotham Art Museum called The Cheshire Cats Diamond, along with other Alice's Adventures in Wonderland things. Take only the Cheshire Cats Diamond." She pulled out a burlap sack from one of her pockets in her belt. "Here is everything you will need. While you do that, I will be getting another diamond, a more valuable diamond, from City Hall. We meet back here at let's say, three a.m.? Okay?"

Looking at the burlap sack, then at Gotham, and then back to Cat Woman, Ace breathed. "Done."