And here is chapter 2! reviews would be lovely :)
The City of Terror, Insanity, and Romance; The City of Gotham
2
"You got a cure for me then, Doc? Can you make me... normal?" -Waylon Jones, Killer Croc
"Ms. Ashley is not here Croc. She is hopefully safe in her office." Laurence spoke calmly, trying not to threaten Croc. Though he had made great progress over the months Ash had been working with him he was still very deadly when she was not around. Anyone who treated him like an animal would witness a very rapid relapse.
"Why wouldn't she be safe! Where is clown man! Cro-I was searching for food when Clown came down, sprayed a gas in my face, made me see bad memories..." Croc responded, his tone mostly stable. His hands shook slightly, showing that he was not perfectly under control. He was still managing to keep to first person though, depicting the lasting positive affect Ash's sessions were having on him. When unstable he would refer to himself as Croc.
"Well do not worry my friend. I'm sure Ms. Ashley will help you. I apologize that Joker got to you before I could stop him." Laurence said sincerely, Croc turned to look at him, his small yellow eyes burning into Laurence's.
"Did you stop Clown?" Croc asked simply, Laurence knew that his answer may trigger some emotion.
"No, he escaped. I tried but he collapsed that part of the sewer. I had to get us to safety." Laurence explained.
"Croc need no help! Joker is after Ashley! MY ASHLEY!" He roared, standing to his feet, his enormous stature towering over Laurence. The butler stepped back, his eyes widening. In the small elevator Croc's head had to bend over Laurence's, his body turning into a prison around the butler.
"I know but the Joker has an elaborate plan! I am sure he is not after her right now. We must not waste time here! Let's go see for ourselves..." Laurence looked to the elevator door, the small dial above it showing they were only half way up; more than enough time for him to be devoured.
"What if clown has Ashley! If he hurts her, Croc will kill both of you!" Croc yelled, lifting Laurence off the ground by his shirt and pushing him to the cold metal wall of the elevator. Laurence looked into Croc's eyes, knowing only confidence could save him.
"Croc. You know I will never let her be hurt. She is my master, and always will be. I assure you that I am trustworthy, my friend. Now please, release me. The elevator will be stopping soon." Laurence said, hiding his terror well. Croc stared at him skeptically for a moment then dropped him, stepping back as the elevator door opened.
"Go. Lead the way to Ashley, Butler. I must see her now, before things get dangerous."
"What is it that moves someone to pledge loyalty to someone else? Do we bond over tragedies - or over hope?" -Bruce Wayne, Batman
"Stay here Batman." Ashley ordered, rising from her chair as the Doctors moved to work on the hero. Batman shooed them away, standing by her side.
"I'm fine. I'm going to check his cell, then wash up. I've been through worse, trust me."
"That doesn't make me feel any better Batman." Ashley said, walking down the hall as he followed beside her. She would normally make him stay put, but the Joker's escape was too serious to be ignored for even a moment. Why had he got out? He was fine earlier, and she had not noticed any change in his behavior. How could she not have seen anything? He's her patient. Ashley sighed, hurrying to her office. Sure enough, the door to his cell was open, the alarm system completely shredded. On the desk was a large bouquet of flowers, and an elegant salmon colored card. The words were written in beautiful red writing.
My beautiful Ashley, Please come to the celebration willingly, I do not wish to upset you today. It is our day after all. Meet me on the roof, I have a beautiful surprise for you. If you are not there in time though, I am afraid to say I will be forced to send in... a friend of mine, HAH!
Love you Babe! Joker
"I have to go Batman." She said quietly, he sighed in response.
"I know, I have the worst feeling I did this to you when I said I could only trust you with handling him." Batman said. She smiled.
"Well you did say that."
"I still stand by it, he's improving. For some reason I actually think he really wants this for you. Sadly he still is a criminal, I have to take him back here."
"Of course you do Batman. But, he's my responsibility. I have to go. Here," She pulled up her hair, exposing the skin of her neck. Batman smirked.
"A goodbye hickey?" He said, chuckling softly. She shook her head at his bad joke and waited as he attached a small tracking device to the back of her neck, below her hairline. She patted her hair down, and turned to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, not worrying about the blood getting on her work coat. He stared into her eyes softly, his arms circling her waist and holding her to his chest. Her small figure fit perfectly into his toned physique. She smiled, moving onto her toes to be able to reach higher. He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers teasingly.
"Be careful with him Ashley, I want you to be untainted when I finally get to claim you." He said, his voice deepening as he spoke to her in such a loving way. The sound soothed her, but she had to tease him.
"When you claim me? I would change that to if you claim me. I haven't seen anything extraordinary yet in you Batman. I'm still waiting for a surprise." She said, pulling his head down so their lips were only inches apart, his sweet breath mixing with hers. The corner of his mouth curved up slightly, his lips staying parted as he panted softly. She always made his body react even with the slightest touched.
"Hmm... a surprise eh? I'll work on that. Anything to get you." He said, finally closing the gap between their lips. His lips were soft but the kiss was rough, silently showing his desire for more. She matched the pressure of his kiss with her own, her hands resting on his cheeks. His arms tightened around her, her body pressing into the contours of his toned chest and abdomen. She let him kiss her for another minute, then finally pulled back to breathe. His breathe was warm on her face as they stayed a small distance apart, panting for air. He moved in for another kiss after regaining his breath but she stopped him, her finger resting on his lips.
"Later Batman, I have my work to do." She said, turning to leave. He watched her in awe as she walked out, then smiled to himself once she was out of view.
"She definitely has her priorities straight; my kind of woman."
"Well, hello, beautiful."-The Joker
"Oh Ashley baby I just knew you would show up!" Joker exclaimed, hopping down from the helicopter he had stationed on the roof. She walked up to him and his arm naturally wrapped around her, helping her climb into the copter. Once inside he grabbed her and pulled her to sit sideways on his lap, his arms beneath her, cradling her. She complied, deciding it was better not to argue with a psychotic criminal while sitting in a running helicopter controlled by one of his men.
"Of course I would, you are my patient Joker. But, you need to stay here. The police will be after you, I haven't cured you yet." She said calmly, he looked to her, his smile widening.
"But Doc you must be so proud! You've made it farther than any Doctor I know! And trust me, I know plenty HAH!" He laughed. She sat up straight, looking into his eyes. He stared back, his crazy shell slowly melting and his expression calming.
"Please Joker, we can celebrate here. I am proud, but if you hurt anyone, it will all be for nothing. I don't want you to relapse, not now. We've gone so far." She reasoned, her hand touching his cheek, thumb rubbing over his scars softly. She was the only one who could touch them and live, he was even beginning to like when she did. His eyes closed as he contemplated what she said. Finally he looked down to her, his expression a bit confused.
"Oddly enough I understand what ya mean Doc, but I can't call it off. There's a lot of bad guys at the hotel party room, it's better if I lead you and whoever is tracking us to them. Plus, if I don't bring some of the stuff I said I'd pay them with for helping set up, I'd be a dead man pretty quick. So, I promise my men and I won't hurt anyone, but the others I can't say." He responded, his head leaning into the touch of her hand. She smiled slightly, her hand cupping his cheek.
"That's more than I expected of you. I'm so proud of you Joker." She said, leaning into his chest. She knew it was too late to go back, the criminals at the hotel would hurt people if Joker didn't show up. He was right. She was satisfied enough with his promise, it would be hard for him though. If all the other criminals were being wild it was second nature for him to jump in. Ashley looked up to him, watching his calm expression as he looked out the helicopter window. He really was calm with her, the contrast to his usual self was almost shocking. She was proud, but she really needed it to expand to others as well. He needed a friend that he could be normal with, but who? Who could she trust with her beloved patient. He was so vulnerable to relapse, she couldn't let some random doctor come in. He wouldn't trust another Doctor anyway. She didn't trust Crane enough, and Krysta didn't have the mental capability to not fall for Joker's small tricks. Laurence was a possibility, but he was busy and she had a feeling it wouldn't work out. She sighed, curling her body against his. She stayed close to him, thinking about what she could do to help him.
"Love you Doctor" He said softly, so his goons wouldn't hear. She barely heard him herself, but she still smiled.
"Thank you Joker, you make me smile." She responded, he burst into a fit of laughter.
"I am the vengeance reaper!" -Jonathan Crane, Scarecrow
Crane looked down into the young blonde in his arms, watching the fear brighten in her eyes. He shook her softly, gaining her attention.
"It will be fine Krysta. Honestly I see no reason we even have to go. You know Batman and her butler will be going after her. Ashley will be fine. Let's just stay here and tend to the patients that are still here." He said, his voice relaxed. She looked up into his ice blue eyes, and felt relief. The relief was short-lived however, when one of Joker's goons stepped forward. He was the tallest of them, and his mask was blue with yellow around the eyes, nose and mouth. The mouth of the mask was frowning, it gave him a very frightening appearance. He was wearing a black jacket, with HAHAHA! spray-painted on the front in dripping neon green paint. He had faded jeans and boots, and he had a muscular build from what could be seen under the baggy jacket. His hood was up, but Krysta could see a mess of light brown locks underneath the hood. She wondered idly what his face looked like, but her thoughts were interrupted by his arrogant voice.
"Sorry cutie, but you're definitely going. You see, Joker ordered us to take something pretty special from you two and, if you want it back, you're gonna come to the party." He said. His voice had a slight Italian ring to hit, giving his words a but more of a threatening ring to them. She moved out of Crane's arms, and he set her on her feet.
"What did you take?" She asked, looking up at the man. She could see his mask move slightly as he smirked beneath.
"Something important. We got a request for you by one of the criminals. So you have to come. Now, are you two going to go willingly or do we have to take you with us to make sure he comes? Trust me I don't mind either way blondie." He stepped forward, close enough that if he reached out he could touch her. She naturally stepped back, her face keeping a confident expression but her hands shaking. Crane reached forward and took her hand.
"We'll go, you three can leave. There's no need to take her anywhere." Crane said, moving her to his side. The blue masked clown chuckled.
"Fine, I guess I'll see you later then cutie." He said, turning to leave with the other goons. Crane waited until they were a safe distance, then quickly turned on his heels and pulled her back to his office.
"I doubt that we're going," Crane began, "What could they have taken?" The pair walked into the office, Crane looking around the shelves. Krysta began checking the drawers, then walked down to the small lab below the office.
"Crane!" She yelled, and the doctor ran down.
"Yes?" He said, looking at her. Her eyes were wide with shock.
"They took all of it. The fear toxin, gas, everything! Joker can't have that stuff Crane. We have to go." She said, her words rushed. Crane ran around the room, searching through everything. She was right, he had to comply with Joker. He needed to get it all back. It was too dangerous to fall into a criminal's hands. Turning to her, Crane sighed.
"Looks like we're party guests." He said, a tone of defeat in his voice. Krysta ran over, hugging him. The clown's words kept repeating in her mind.
We got a request for you by one of the criminals. He had said, who would have requested her?What did a criminal want from her?