Blood and Roses
Ariana has been estranged from her criminal father for years, but what happens when he loses everything and the only thing he has left of value is his dear, sweet daughter? Debts WILL be paid! Rated M for Language, Drama, Violence, Romance [Joker/OC]
Obviously I do not own any of the DCU characters. This Joker will be based on Jared Leto's version.
Blood and Roses (The Smithereens)
It was long ago, it seems like yesterday
I saw you standing in the rain
Then I heard you say
I want to love, but it comes out wrong
I want to live, but I don't belong
I close my eyes and i see blood and roses
Flowers in the springtime
October we were wed
Winter time the roses died
you turned to me and said...
I want to love, but it comes out wrong
I want to live, but I don't belong
I close my eyes and i see blood and roses
It was long ago, it seems like yesterday
I saw you standing in the rain
Then I heard you say
I need to love, but it comes out wrong
I tried to live, but I don't belong
I close my eyes and I see blood and roses
Blood and roses
Blood and roses
Blood and roses
In the back alleys of Gotham, crime and punishment lurks. Frankie Salvator was pissing in his pants. He was in an old condemned apartment building. The room was lit only by the neon of the seedy side of the city. The room was empty except for random papers strewn on the floor, shards of glass, and a few broken chairs. Frankie was tied to the only solid chair. His mouth was gagged and he was covered with grit and sweat. He was surrounded by 4 goons. They had taken him from the poker game and drug him here. He knew he was in deep shit. He owed multiple people money, but only one brought out true fear in him. The door to the apartment opened and in strode his worst nightmare. The Joker.
"Frankie, Frankie, Frankie...wheeere is my money?", said the Joker as he leaned down with his face only inches away so they were eye to eye. A slight sob escaped Frankie's lips as Joker ripped down the gag. "I d-don't h-have it", trembled the frightened man. "No shit", sneered Joker. "You pissed it all away on booze, whores, and gambling!" The Joker smiled at him, his metal grill glinting in the dim room.
As if on cue, one of the goons slammed Frankie's kneecap with a baseball bat with a sickening crack. He screamed as he felt the bone shatter. Before he could begin to think, another blow came to the opposite knee. As he started to shriek in pain again, the gag was roughly shoved back in his mouth. Joker grabbed him by his hair and pulled his head back to face him. Through gritted teeth Joker hissed, "Now just how do you suppose you are going to repay your debt?" Frankie was sobbing, tears running down his face, and moaning in pain. He tried to speak, but it was muffled by the gag. Joker began laughing, throwing his head back, "HA HA HA HA HA", before suddenly stopping, his face twisted with anger, cracking his neck, and snapping his attention back to the pathetic man. "Save it", growled Joker, "You have nothing of value left. I own it all and it doesn't even come close to what you owe me." Joker takes his gun and raises to Frankie's forehead. Desperate eyes meet cold dead ones. He struggles and screams, his eyes wide with shock and horror as the Joker's mouth slides into a grin.
The gag pops out and Frankie yells, "Wait, there is something that I haven't told you about." Joker lowers the gun, nods his head , and says with brows raised, "Now we are getting somewhere. You better hope it's worth my time Frankie boy." Frankie lowers his head in defeat, crying even harder. He then looks up towards the ceiling as if it's the sky and whispers, "Please forgive me."
Across the city, the upper crust of society was enjoying an evening of dinner, dancing, and raising money for Gotham's Childen's Hospital. Ariana Salvator was among the elite of Gotham, not because she a high roller or even anyone important. Nobody there knew who she was. She was escorting one of the good doctors from the hospital. He is tall, athletic build, dark brown hair, nice genuine smile, and kind, dark eyes...handsome in a conventional way.
They met when she came into the ER with an unconscious and injured woman. To make a long story short, she stumbled across the woman on her way home, called 911, waited for the ambulance, and went with her to ER because she wanted to make sure the woman was okay. Unfortunately, it didn't end well for the woman as her injuries were too severe. She died of multiple stab wounds. She still had yet to be identified. Doctor Jonathan Wright was on call that night and felt it was his duty to see to a shaken Ariana.
They had been meeting for coffee and occasionally lunch for about a month. They had talked for hours on end and the best way to describe their budding relationship was comfortable. For Ariana, it felt safe and reliable...something she wasn't used to, but knew she needed. For Dr. Wright, it meant much more...he was falling in love even though he had kept it all to himself. He wasn't stupid, he could sense that Ariana wasn't moving at the same pace he was. They were genuinely friends and he was grateful that she felt like it was time to find out if it could be more than just friendship. This was their first official date.
"Are you having a good time Ari?", Jonathan smiled as he spun her on the dance floor. Ariana laughed as he pulled her towards him in a close embrace as they continued to dance.
"You know I don't like crowds Jonathan," she replied, "But this has actually been quite nice".
He looked down at her, admiring her long strawberry waves. He found himself thinking what a natural beauty she is. She seemed to have an ethereal glow about her...maybe it was the way her slightly sunkissed skin looked under the lights of the ballroom, maybe it was the way she effortlessly held herself...no, he decided, it was her eyes. Sure, he thought, her face is beautiful...but those eyes...anyone could easily get lost them. They were big, cat-like, almonds with a striking almost in your face aqua green. He had noted that when her moods changed, so did her eye color. When she was angry, they would get a brighter green, when she was feeling down they were a more muted blue-green. He scanned down further and took note of her figure. She wasn't tall, but wasn't short either...perhaps 5 foot 5 inches when she wasn't wearing the platform heels she had on tonight. Aesthetically, her body symmatry, was very pleasing to his eyes. He marveled at how she could look so petite, but yet so vouluptuous all at the same time...his mind thought back to a time in his youth when a friend had pointed out a girl with a knockout figure..she's built like a brick shithouse without a brick out of place." He chuckled at the memory.
"Penny for your thoughts," she murmured.
He didn't say anything, but spun her around again before bringing her back . She put her arms around his neck and he put his hands on her hips. They smiled at each other and started to lean in for a kiss when something buzzed between them. They both went for their phones. "It's mine", she said. "Hello?
Nothing. "Hello?" She could tell there was someone on the other end of the line, but they weren't talking. "Who is this? she demanded. Click.
"What was that?", asked Jonathan.
She shrugged, "Nothing, I guess. Probably a wrong number or one of those annoying telemarketers." If you'll excuse me, I have to use the ladies room."
"I'll be waiting right here." He watched as she walked away, watching the gentle sway of her hips and the way she tossed her hair over her shoulder catching the eye of every man she walked by. He shook his head and smiled to himself that he had found such a sweet, smart, and wonderful girl.
Ariana headed to the ladies room, her heels clicking on the marble floors. As she entered, two giggling females were at the mirror fixing their faces. Ariana entered a stall, locked the door, and listened to the girls as she did her business.
"Did you see Bruce Wayne? He is so hot! I wonder if his dick is as big as his bank account."
"Jesus Sophia, he's old enough to be your father!"
"I don't care, I'd hit it."
"I thought the doctor who accepted the check from Wayne was just as hot...totally fuckable."
They broke out in giggles again. Ariana rolled her eyes as she realized they were speaking about Jonathan, who had accepted a 2 million dollar donation from Mr. Wayne on behalf of the hospital. They were just a couple of drunk girls, daughters of the well to do guest list. Ariana let out a soft chuckle and thought money certainly didn't buy class. It got very quiet. Ariana wondered if they realized who she was, that she was Jonathan's date and left because they embarassed themselves.
Ariana was just finishing up with taking care of her garter and hose and the long skirt of her gown when she heard someone come in and enter a stall. She exited and starting washing her hands at the sink. She found herself lost in thought for a moment as she stared at her hands.
It had been 8 years since she escaped the nightmare of her family's "business". She made a bitter face thinking about how her father had manipulated her, used her, and caused her so much pain. Why was she thinking about this? She had been so good at pushing everything down and leaving it in the past. Odd sensations began prickling in her stomach. NO!, she told herself, NEVER AGAIN! She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
She focused on the conversation the two girls had earlier. Totally fuckable, that's what the girl had said. Hmmmm...maybe, she thought, the thought of having sex after 5 years of being celibate was exciting and Jonathan is a very nice man. Yes, she decided,...She would sleep with the good doctor and keep the past where it belonged. He would be more than a distraction, this time it would be real. With her eyes still closed, the voice in her head said, You deserve this...tonight you will give yourself to the man of your dreams.
She smiled to herself and looked up to find a man standing behind her; startling her and making her jump. He was nice looking with a trim beard and mustache and expensive suit. His face held no expression. The funny feeling was in her stomach again, but she refused to acknowledge it...this man just made an innocent mistake of entering the ladies room...at least that is what she was trying to convince herself. He didn't look like he meant any harm. Ariana turned around to face him. She smiled, half-laughing, and said, "I think you took a wrong turn Mister, the little boy's room is across the hall."
The well dressed man didn't speak, but suddenly moved forward and shoved Ariana up against the wall and stuffed a rag over her mouth and nose. The strong smell of ether hit her immediately. She tried to scream, but it was muffled by the rag and the strong arms and hands of her attacker. Panic set in when she felt the prick of a needle in her neck. She flailed and kicked, but her vision quickly became spotty and everything slowly faded to black.
As he left the bathroom with Ariana in his arms, a few guests were in the hallway and reacted with concern. "It's okay folks, she's just had a little too much fun tonight." They smiled and nodded their heads knowingly. One guest called after them, "Hope she gets to feeling better." He turned his head, looked at the guest with a tight smile and quick nod of his head before exiting the front to a waiting SUV. Once secure in the vehicle, he made a call. "It's done boss, we're on our way."
Author's Note: I hope you enjoy this small introduction to the story and the characters. The song at the beginning will serve as a theme throughout the story. I don't want to give much away, but Ari is a very complicated woman. The next chapter will begin to bring things into focus. I also apologize for my horrible editing/grammar...I'll try to get better as the story unfolds. This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic.
