Chapter 2 - The Smile of Fate

(Note: Chapter contains a minor instance of abuse/violence)


"Perfect" The Joker sarcastically thought, and noticed that the next woman he was to dance with was dressed as an angel, with white wings and a halo to match. (Fitting; considering he was literally and figuratively a devil himself.) Yet, even though he hadn't caught a glimpse of her face yet there was something about her that made him curious. Her hair, for example, a long, wavy, blonde mass of luxury fell perfectly down her back. Her small, slim and curvaceous body melted perfectly into the gleaming white dress she wore. There could be many girls who looked like this in the world, but this one seemed to carry an aura of identity. Regardless, he sighed and walked over,

"Ahem" he coughed to make his presence known. She turned round and to his surprise the woman looked at him with awe and wide eyes.

"H-Him! Why? Why do you look so much like-"

"What's with all the starin?" He intimidatingly crossed his arms and frowned upon her. The Joker equally couldn't decipher who she was, as the white feathered mask concealed half her face except those blue glass eyes. He cocked his head a little in finding something just as familiar with them but brushed off any sign of it. How could the clown prince of crime himself know a complete random woman afterall?

Her voice was taken right out of her throat, and she couldn't find the words to speak to him as all seemed to escape. The music began once more and he held his out for her to take. The moment she held it, a warmth, a spark, a rush of comfort and tenderness jolted her entire being. "What is this feeling? What is it about this guy?" Without taking a second thought, he held his hand around her back, and she grabbed onto his shoulder lightly with her other hand. Her heart was being squeezed as the warmth continued to ooze out of it as she looked up at him. He noticed her stare and looked away in aggravation. "Damn I shouldn't keep staring. It's impolite." She bit her lip out of shyness and looked at the ground, only now realising that they were dancing perfectly in-sync. Its unusual for anyone who haven't met to dance without making mistakes or fumbling about after one another. But Maria knew every turn and every movement his lead was going to take. Almost instinctive. The other dancers were mere shadows in comparison. Only they mattered.


"Say, who's the Joker dancing with?" Ivy asked watching from the top level to keep a look out whilst Two-Face was picking a lock on the money vault. There were two security guards already on the floor unconscious.

"What are you talking about? He's there to make sure every looks normal so he'll dance with anyone"

"Yeah but… its funny. No pun intended. He seemed to know how to dance really well. He really is an enigma… I mean don't you ever wonder who he actually was and what he's thinking."

"No… and for one thing I really don't want to find out. I'm already scarred for life I don't need another thing."

"Well I'm going to use the radio to see how it looks down there." She tuned in with an ear piece and asked if Penguin found everything good.

"Yes Miss Isley, everything looks well" Penquin answered back.

"What looks well?" The woman he was dancing with asked.

"Oh… erm this room my dear. And of course your dancing is very well indeed."

"Why thankyou kindly" She giggled and they continued.

"Psst! Joker no suspicions I hope. We already took down two guards and we need to be quick if the others begin to wonder where the hell they are."

"It's all just perfect."

"Huh?" Maria was surprised to hear a response from him finally, but he simply shook his head. "The party I mean."

"Oh" She quietly said. The song was about the be over and Two-Face managed to get the money in as many bags as he could before fitting an explosive at the top set and ready to blow to make sure the focus was off them at the right time. They ran out of the room and headed downstairs to escape through the back. Little did they both realise that the control to the explosive faulted and went off too soon just as soon as they got to the top of the stairs.

BANG! The loudness deafened the people below and every suddenly stopped and started to panic. Ivy and Two-Face were met with guards and took out their guns as shots fired across but both hit back and brawled out. However, the fighting distracted them from the fact that they left the bag as they ran. "Damnit! We lost the loot!"

"C'mon let's just get out of here!"

Joker and Penguin both knew things didn't go to plan, and in the heat of the frenzy saw Two-Face and Ivy rush to them without the money!

"Where's the loot!?"

"There was a glitch we had to escape as soon as possible!"

"No kiddin!" Joker said not amused. Maria couldn't move as, not only did fear leave her fixed in place among the confusion, but the more she looked, the more she started to believe her own intuition. The joker looked at her briefly and an idea formed in his twisted mind. "Why have a single bag, when there's plenty of cash just scurrying round now as we speak! And one is right here!" The Joker showed his sadistic smile for Maria to see and her suspicions faded to dust at the sight of such a menacing and sinister look. Warmth was replaced by dread and before she had a chance to run, he grabbed her forcefully by the wrist making sure she couldn't hit him, and took out a cloth of chloroform. Maria's muffled screams were no use and her eyes dropped into the blackness of sleep.


The five of them managed to get into a van and drive furiously down the street heading for Gotham's dock.

"Kidnapping? Are you sure this was a good idea!?" Ivy exclaimed.

"I'm a man of opportunity! I seize the moment hehehhe!"

"But seriously, holding someone to ransom and getting their money off them never goes down well. We don't even know if she's rich!"

"She was at the party! And judging from that pretty jewel round her neck and on her dress I think its fair to say we hit the jackpot!"

"We don't know that for sure! But in all fairness, she might prove useful in some way or another" Penguin added.

"Geez Flipper Feet I didn't expect you to be into the sexual harassment side of things!" Joker commented in his usual humorous manner.

"How dare you! I would never stoop so low as to harm a lady in that way. I'm still a gentleman after all, criminal or not!"

"Heh SUUURREEE!"

"Will you guys be quiet were at the warehouse now" Tow-Faced stated and pulled out outside of an old factory for ships and welding equipment. As they were all getting out the Joker picked her up and upon closer inspection noticed how identifiable her face was. Yet, also how undeniably pretty she was underneath all that flamboyance and costume. He would have understood if some guy wanted to get his hands on her but that just wasn't his style. (Though of course he didn't mind hurting or killing women but that was the Joker in his own crazy sense of logic). "This situation seems all too familiar. And why can't I shake the feeling I know her somehow?" He thought as he carried her across to building.

Once they got inside, they placed her on a couch in the middle of an empty and damp room. Two reached into his pocket and took out a vile of smelling salts to wake her up. Maria slowly and drowsily opened her eyes to be greeted by a bright light and a gang of strange looking people. It didn't take her long to relive flashbacks of what happened at the party. "Who… Who are you?" She said.

"Come my dear you must have seen us in the newspaper at some point! Why, every Gothamite knows us!"

"I-I'm sorry I don't. I've only just moved back to Gotham."

"Great! Now look what you've done you psychopathic clown! She's worthless! Let's have her killed right now!" Two-Face angrily suggested whipping out his gun and placing it inches away from her forehead. Maria was shocked initially but strangely plastered a calm and composed look to not show any shred of fear or nervousness, otherwise they'll eat you up. Someone had taught her that a long time ago.

"Look", Ivy said pushing the gun away from her with a finger, "From one girl to another, I apologise for these idiotic men and their behaviour. Clearly there was a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?"

"They thought you were rich and decided to use you as bait for a ransom."

"W-Well… you'd be surprised that this isn't the first time." Secretly she was buying herself time to get a small pocket knife out from the back of her dress and waiting for the right moment. A woman needed to be prepared, especially in this city.

"Huh that is surprising"

"Hey enough of this! Joker this is all your fault! You're the cause and now the solution, so what's it gonna be?" Two-Face threatened.

"Settle down kids! She doesn't have a clue! So, what's the harm in having a little fun with this?"

That voice. Again, and again, it passed through her as if it was furiously trying to break down a barrier and reveal something. After a bit of twisting, the knife was in her possession and without warning she lunged at Penguin preparing to strike. Maria thought at least to harm one of them, and show that she wasn't just some innocent little bystander you could pick off the street. But unfortunately for her, the Joker turned round just at the right time, and grabbed her arms bending it so she would release the sharp blade form her hand. It all happened so fast that the others couldn't help but feel impressed but highly startled. "Whhehehellll…. ain't you a firecracker toots!" Joker said, flashing that seductively cruel grin, making sure she saw all of those pearly teeth, before he smacked her face hard, taking the mask off with one clean swipe, and causing her to fall heavily to the ground. She held her cheek away from them; wincing from the pain. The Joker turned to the side and got out his gun; readily prepared to shoot whilst looking down on her, gritting his teeth and scowling like a devil.


Maria knew this would be the end. To piss these kind of people off was not a good idea. But aside from that, a part of her craved it. She felt that life hadn't been fair or just to her. And the fact that her whole happiness died years ago, nothing could suffice or give her a reason to go on. Hence, in this last moment, she felt she could retain some dignity, and slowly turned to face her soon-to-be killer, mustering an image of indifference and sense of sobriety.

But…

Once their eyes met…

All his pent up anger and laughable mannerisms melted away into sheer awe.

His eyes widened as far as they could, his mouth slightly opened and twitched out of pure shock, and his grip loosened on the gun, making it fall with a crash against the concrete floor. And like the myth of Medusa, he became a statue; fixed on the spot facing the beauty and terror of the woman in front of him.

But, many years past, on one star filled night, two strangers met for the first time…