I don't own the characters, etc. Sorry there isn't much Joker yet, J and Babs will definitely meet next chapter. :]

While there's children to make sad

While there's candy to be had

While there's pockets left to pick

While there's grannies left to trip down the stairs

I'll be there, I'll be waiting 'round the corner

It's a game. I'm glad I'm in it

'Cause there's one born every minute

And it's so easy when you're evil.

- When You're Evil by Voltaire

The station was in a panic worthy of a circus, papers flying and people shouting - I was a cop, badge 'n all, but Mr. Dad the Commissioner kept me in the office as often as he could. Not today, I growled to myself, shaking off the coffee-stained green button up as I snaked my way toward the main door, down to a black shirt and white camisole. My badge was in my purse along with my gun, which I made sure to take with me.

Thankfully, I made it out on to the street without incident, just a few bumps and stumbles through the constantly whirring mass of people.

Cards still fluttered down, the ground coated with them, and it took me a moment to notice the limo that had cruised up next to me. With a quick look around, I yanked open the door and slipped inside.

"What do they know." Bruce asked without looking up from his laptop, the car easing off onto the card-covered street.

I frowned, "Oh, thank you Bruce, I'm okay, thanks for asking." I answered dryly as I pulled my mane of red hair up with a twisty. Bruce didn't even glance at me, just waited.

"Fine, be that way," I mumbled, taking Bruce's abandoned jacket off the seat next to me and slipping it on - was always damn cold in whatever he owned. "They don't know anything yet, they can't even tell where he was broadcasting from, and no one can find the original explosive. I wasn't in the station that long, so who knows what they've found now."

The car cleanly stopped and Alfred appeared at the opening door, waiting patiently - Bruce snapped his laptop closed and ran a hand through his hair. He looked tired and uneasy, tie loose and shirt wrinkled.

"Be careful, Bruce." I murmured as I climbed out, shrugging off the jacket as I went and handing it to Alfred - the police station loomed in front of me, only slightly less active, and I made quick work of the stairs as I headed back to my desk.

Somewhere else in Gotham, a man fiddled with a handgun, making all those watching him very, very nervous. After about ten minutes of awkward and tense silence, courage or stupidity caused one onlooker to open his mouth.

"What now, Boss?"

The gun stopped, the hands froze.

"What now?…Can't you just be content to bask in presence?" the man rose, gun changed out of view for knife, the watching circle back up. "What is with everyone, huh? What's next? What do we do now? Gotta' have a plan, all of you."

Mr. What Now barely registered the sudden lunge, got out a gargle before blade drew some red across his neck. Everyone kept stock still, looking at the floor, the walls, the ceiling - anything but the writhing mass on of the floor. The man flicked the knife free of blood, then dropped it back in his pocket.

"Any more questions?"

. Days Later, Nighttime - 11:43 PM.:.

"Slow down!"

I sucked in a whoosh of air that practically burnt my lungs, Batman's hulking form getting farther and farther away on the rooftops. Every night since Joker's smile lit up the TV, Batman hasn't been satisfied with just normal patrols, oh no. No, we had to haul ass all around Gotham till the sun came up, and I always lost Batman by the end of it. Had to find my way back to the "Bat Cave", as I jokingly called it, change and go to work.

I can't keep doing this, was killing me.

As I vaulted up yet another old, rickety fire escape, my eyes met a strange site on the roof, and involuntarily gripped a Batarang in alarm.

Batman was talking to Catwoman. Or, at least, I think he was - their faces weren't touching, but by damn she was wrapped around him rather tight.

Her eyes, a creepy, reflecting amber color, glanced over me, bored-like, then turned back to Batman as if I was never there.

"Everyone's being quiet, no one's talking. They're scared of him, B. I can't help you, wish I could," she purred, running a finger down Batman's cheek. He didn't move, just gripped her wrists lightly and untangled the cat from the bat. She growled, but let him, watching with a little too much interest as he turned and walked back to me, his eyes dark and unreadable.

"No one knows. No one knows anything." His voice was rough and deep, but also sad. He wanted to end this before it started, and that just wasn't possible.

Something in the distance made a Snick! noise, and then, of course - something smashed into my head.

My body flew several feet across the ground, two pairs of feet thudding and stopping next to me. But, no one bothered to flip me off the face and see if I was okay, they were too interested and what had just forcefully met my noggin.

Once the vision returned to my eyes, I slowly picked myself up off the cold cement, to see a…Oh my God, I had been dropped by a doll. A freakin' clown doll. The porcelain head was shattered, but the body was fine, "GOT YA" written in red across the front.

Batman snatched the doll up and actually helped me to my feet, Catwoman gone by the time we turned around.

"I guess he can see us." I mumbled angrily, holding the side of my head as it throbbed along with my heartbeat.

"And as usual, we can't see him." Batman answered, turning heel and walking back toward the Cave. Like a puppy, I followed, unaware of the intrigued hazel eyes staring at my back.