Hello readers! It's Lis here, beta turned writer. Now, I have written many reviews for a lot of writers here, and as this is my first post on , I really hope that you can return the favour. I take all critiques, and appreciate every comment. This is going to be a Joker/OFC story, and my goal is to keep Joker/Jack in character as well as I can. However, I believe that there is a man with a heart behind every villain, and I plan to exploit that to the best of my ability. So, without further delay, I present, "Heat Before the Burn", dedicated to Kaylee. My inspiration for this story is the song "Push" by Matchbox 20Twenty. Lyrics will be integrated in this chapter. Enjoy!
I don't own Jack/Joker, or Gotham. However, if I did, paying for college would be so much easier.
"She said I don't know if I've ever been good enough…"
Natalie Burns blew her dark long hair out of her eyes as she walked down the Gotham sidewalk. Her ballet flats clicked against the pavement, the occasional crack deepening the sound. Her thoughts raced almost as fast as the shreking cabs jetting past her, as if they were hovercars that she had seen in Star Trek. "Why did I listen to her?" she thought as she brushed shoulders with a civilain. "Natalie, it will be a fantastic idea to go to Gotham State University, think of all the opportunities! Lot of bloody good that's done me."
She sped up, her progress hindered by her form fitting tweed pencil skirt that went down to her knees. She stood about 5'6, yet detested to wear heels. She was stubborn and didn't see the point in trying to be something she wasn't. Her natural wavy hair was down, and stuck to the back of her neck in the Gotham heat. Her pretty face turned into a scowl as her surveyed her possibilities of a ride to work.
"I'm a little bit rusty.."
She rose her hand, waving it frantically trying to hail a cab. "I'm late to work, jackasses." She yelled at the typical business men that snagged her cab. Natalie rolled her eyes as she gave up and continued to walk quickly to the metro. She paused for a moment to light her cigarette, a task made impossible by the windy drafts that were all too familiar in the Gotham streets. She grunted in frustration as she ducked into an alley to escape. She lit her cigarette with a satisfied smile, and turned to leave the alley. However, she was stopped in her tracks by a loud, all too familiar giggle.
"…and I think my head is caving in."
Natalie felt shivers go down her spine. "Not again Jack. Please, not again." She felt her eyes sting with the smoke of her cigarette. She shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts and looked in the direction of the noise. She felt a selfish sigh of relief when she saw the video of the Joker terrorizing a civilian on the big screen high above the streets. Her moment of relief was interrupted by the buzzing of her cell phone alarm. "Damn! Millie's going to kill me."
She ran down the street, expensive flats and skirt be damned. Flushed, and exactly 22 minutes late, per Millie, Natalie arrived at work. She worked at a nice historical hotel in downtown Gotham. Millie had taken her in when her mother died. It was just her and Millie back in her small town. Everything was normal back then, before he…
"..and I don't know if I've ever been really loved, by a hand that's touched me.."
Natalie shook her head, and grinned sheepishly. "Millie I'm so sorry, you see, traffic was insane, and Julie called me to tell me about Bruce Wayne's party last night! She met Harvey Dent and went on and on saying I believe in Harvey Dent, which by the third time was pretty damn annoying, because I was all, I believe in a better toupee…" Natalie felt herself getting flushed as she recounted the events of that damn phone call. Harvey Dent? Seriously?
"..well I feel like something's gonna give, and I'm a little bit angry, well…"
"Natalie. Shut up." Millie said, rolling her eyes and handing her the manila envelope. "Read your mail and start setting up reservations in room, alright." Natalie shot an annoyed glare, but nodded in compliance. She looked at the blank standard envelope and raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Eh, Millie? How do you know that this is mine? It doesn't have anything written on it?" Millie shrugged, "A guy delivered it saying that you would know who had sent it. That you would never forget"
"Well, alright. Thank you." Intrigued, she slid her finger under the flap, opening the envelope. It was empty save for one piece of parchment. She gasp and felt her throat tighten. Two words were written: I'm back.
"…this ain't over, no not here, not while I still need you around."
So what do you think? Should I continue? Let me know.
xoxo Lis