The Joker gave Elena no further instructions as to what her actual job would be, and when she'd finally built up the courage to asked, he left the room, muttering something about the operation going to shit.
Eric grabbed Elena by the arm, shooting her a look once he saw she was going to start talking again.
"Not here, too many people around."
They walked in silence all the way back to Eric's office, where he shut the door and pulled down the shades that lined the top of the window which allowed them to see out to the hall.
"Look I know what you're thinking, 'Oh Eric, how could you, he's dangerous and crazy', I know," he held up a hand to stop his friend from talking. Elena closed her mouth, folding her arms across her chest and looking at Eric expectantly.
"I knew I wasn't going to get a job after I graduated. Or at least not a good one, you know? Not one that would really use my talents. I was up to my neck in debt before we even graduated! $30,000, Elena! And that's not just on me, you know? My parents co-signed on my loans, my mom almost declared bankruptcy last year because she couldn't handle it. But now?" Eric laughed almost in astonishment. "Now, I can buy a car. We graduated a month ago, Elena, and I set up a time payment with the school where I can have all of this paid off by November. Can you believe that? My parents can retire in two years because I can help them finish paying their mortgage and pay for my little brother's school tuition when he starts next fall. The idea of a savings account with money actually in it doesn't sound like a crazy idea anymore because there's actually money coming into the house!"
"Eric," Elena started, her voice low. "You can't expect me to- I mean, this? Him?"
"Elena, you've never worked a day in your life, I couldn't possibly expect you understand all the shit that I've been through," Eric stated firmly.
"You could've found a job," she retorted.
"I don't know if you know this, but the Gotham workforce isn't exactly looking for 22 year old Latino men to work in IT. Trust me, I checked."
The two stared at each other defiantly. Elena's gaze softened.
"Did I offend you?" She asked.
Eric sighed and leaned against his desk. "No, you just... Don't understand. And I don't expect you to. But please, please don't tell me that there's another way, because there isn't. I am not mistreated here, I don't participate in the more... violent excursions. I just look at the computers, and sometimes the numbers, and keep my head down. I get my commission every two weeks and I take that home to my family, that's it."
Elena nodded, still feeling that she had offended her friend.
"Okay, I'm sorry, it just took me off-guard is all, but I guess since I work here now, I'll get over it," she uncrossed her arms and started playing with her thumbs.
"I'm actually sorry for that. I should've definitely met you elsewhere, now you're in this because of me," Eric shakes his head ruefully.
"So, what exactly am I doing?" She asks.
"Bookkeeping, really. Martinsson was good enough, I guess, but since he got caught stealing, well, you know. Anyways, I think you're more qualified," Eric walks over to his desk, taking a seat and waking up his PC.
Elena took Eric's lead and sat down on the chair she had previously occupied, letting out a shaky breath.
Eric looked away from the computer screen, taking in her slumped shoulders. "Don't worry, he won't expect you to work from here. Just buy a phone where he can always reach you at, you know, one of those burner phones, and send me weekly reports every Thursday. I will get those to him, so you don't have to worry about unnecessary interaction. Now, for your pay."
Eric led Elena through what would be expected of her, which she had to admit, wasn't really much. No stealing any money (like she was crazy enough to do that), no blabbing to the police (again, Elena quite liked her life), and no contact with the competition. After asking a couple more questions, Elena decided that the turn of events had exhausted her for the day. Eric walked her outside where she hailed a cab for the 10 minute ride back to her apartment, where she collapsed on her couch almost as soon as she got home.
::::
The next three weeks were uneventful. Elena followed all of Eric's instructions and discretions while working on the books. She even went out and got herself a disposable phone, saving Eric, and then the Joker's numbers on it.
The numbers kept her really busy though, so busy that she didn't leave her house for three days while she tried to figure out why some accounts didn't add up. Oh god, he's gonna kill me, she thought. The damn numbers don't make sense so he's gonna kill me.
She eventually figured it out, though, and afterwards felt silly at herself for letting her anxiety over the Joker's wrath get the better of her.
That night, a Thursday, Elena turned in her work at exactly 7:30pm, impressed that she was able to revise and correct the numbers by herself. Job, schob, I can work.
She decided to reward herself by visiting the cafe near her apartment before it closed for the night. Throwing on a navy babydoll dress and putting her hair in a high pony, Elena ran out the door, one eye on the time.
The night air in Gotham felt great against her skin, a light breeze blowing by. Distracted by the dark hues of the sky, Elena didn't see the man wearing a blue button down shirt and olive green pants walking towards her. It was obvious that he was walking directly towards her, though his shoulders slumped forward while he walked so his face leaned down.
Elena turned her face forward at the last second before the inevitable clash of bodies.
Except, it never came.
Elena hurriedly reached her arm forward stopping the man centimeters away from her body, the other hand across her body, pulling her bag up to her shoulder.
"Sorry! Are you okay?" She asked, though she couldn't really see his face despite them being so close.
"Are you okay?" The man asked, and before Elena could answer, he grabbed her arm and turned her back around in the direction of her building.
"What are you-" She yelped, turning to look at the man. She was startled when she saw his face devoid of makeup, though Eric had warned her it would happen.
He'll show up anywhere you are. Remember, you work for him, okay? So when it happens, try to get over that initial surprise as quickly as possible and see what he needs, he'd told her.
She knew it was a matter of when, not if, as Eric had told her, but it was surprising nonetheless, especially since she didn't think he knew where she lived.
"Let's go upstairs, hmm? Don't make any sudden movements around the front desk, sweets, you don't want to see how it turns out."
Elena nodded quickly.
They made it back to the building less than a minute later, the Joker now holding her forearm, his hand warm around her skin. She was surprised that his grip wasn't forceful, which helped her relax a bit more.
James was at the front desk, and offered Elena a smile once he saw her, his shift having just started.
Elena thought quickly. He knows where you live, he'll probably show up here again. Better James know him now rather than him force himself inside the building with his full costume on.
"Good evening, James. I am having my friend over here for dinner tonight, but we're a bit tight on time, so could I possibly sign him in later?" Elena asked quickly as the pair made their way across the hall to the elevators. She thought she felt the Joker tense a bit when she started talking, but she wasn't too sure.
"Of course, Miss Elena. Have a great night, both of you," James smiled warmly, mostly at Elena since the Joker was already inside the elevator.
Elena smiled in response and walked inside, keeping her smile until the doors closed. She saw the button for her level was already pressed. She looked over at the Joker, somewhat annoyed. What else did he know?
The Joker's hands were clasped in front of him as he stared back at Elena, humor clear in his eyes. She took note of how lighter his eyes were without the dark makeup around them, and saw that streaks of white still clung to his face around the edges.
The scars, they were, well, scars. They were not beautiful, but Elena suspected that this was the best they were ever going to look. Before she could study him more, the two broke off their staring contest once the elevator made it to her floor. Elena walked out first, the Joker closely following behind her.
They entered her apartment wordlessly; she kicked her shoes off at the door and smoothed out her hair at the sides, letting out a breath she didn't even know she was holding in.
The Joker stood at her doorway, peeking in first before putting forward one leg, then the other. Elena walked to her living room, sitting down and waiting patiently while he did... What ever it was he was doing.
The Joker looked at Elena's shoes at the entrance, looked up at her, then took his own shoes off, placing them next to hers. He took a look down the hall that lead to the two bedrooms and restroom, before shrugging and crossing over to the living room.
She stared at him readily, but he just assessed the living room with his hands on his hips, nodding slowly.
He pointed up and twirled his fingers around. "It's nicer than I thought."
Elena let out an exasperated sigh, deciding to humor him. "Thanks, I didn't pay for it."
The Joker nodded and pursed his lips, almost impressed. "I guessed as much."
He sat on the couch opposite Elena, stretching his legs out. She waited for him to say something, but he didn't. He just looked at her, the pillows, and occasionally threw a glance at the kitchen.
"Soooo... What is this? Performance review?" She made her voice light, almost conversational.
"Hmm, exactly. Show me what you've been working on, sweets."
Elena closed her eyes briefly, wondering once again what she got herself into, before getting up to grab her laptop.
She was in for a strange night.