Sometimes It's Better

Chapter 3: Absolutely Nothing

"Who are you?"

"My name is Ann Crane... But they call me The Rag Doll." Ann growled as she tilted her head to the side. The straight jacket around the rest of her preventing any further movements. Her lips curled into a wicked smile as she watched the young doctor squirm. She knew how demented she must look, one side of her mouth sewn together, her black makeup running down her cheeks over a few fresh bruises. Her messy braids and loose fitting clothes.

"Did you have anything to do with the murder of 15 innocent people yesterday."

"Doctor those people were anything but innocent." she said with a slight chuckle.

"So you did have something to do with it?"

"Oh no, I was sitting at home teaching Marion how to read and baking cookies. Of course I had something to do with it, I orchestrated the whole damn thing."

"You did?"

"Look, Lady, if you're asking me the same question. I killed those people because I wanted to, it was fun. I loved watching them scream and squirm in fear as the toxin I carry coursed through their body. I loved every second of watching their pupils dilate as the fear over took them and they were literally scared to death."

The doctor stood abruptly and left the room.

Ann looked at the camera that was still watching her every move, "How's that for a confession, Commissioner?" she yelled before laughing a little and resting back against the wall.

"Damn! Not 3 weeks in the place and I already feel crazier than I did when I first got here." Ann complained as Violet helped her get out of her wheelchair and onto the couch. Her arm had 243 stitches that wrapped around it, the doctors said it was a miracle it wasn't cut off. Ha, miracle.

Marion sat on the floor in front of her, giggling at the cartoons that were playing on the television.

"We can't leave until you two are healed, so get over it." Violet said as she moved to sit down next to her.

When Ann was convinced Marion had pretty much zoned out she leaned closer to Violet, "I could have sworn I heard the Joker laughing last night."

Violet nodded, "He's back, so is Harley, Two-Face, Mother," Violet grimaced, "And the Scarecrow."

"Seriously?"

"Yup, there's a rumor going around that they heard we were hurt and set the whole thing up so they could make sure we were alright."

"That would explain Harley and Dad but not the rest of them."

Violet nodded, "I know. That means that something went wrong and someone's not gonna be in a good mood."

Ann sighed and shifted on the couch getting more comfortable and watched Tom and Jerry with Marion while Violet flipped through a magazine.

They were the only ones in the large lounge like room. They had community time here, everything was bolted to the ground and/or wall. It was the most dangerous room they were all put in, but fights rarely broke out. Mostly the guys played poker or other card games, rarely talking. Poison Ivy and Harley sat on the couch and looked at magazines or watched TV, it was rather boring but they were able to see each other out side group therapy and that was somewhat nice. The door swung open and someone walked in, they put their hands through the slot and they heard the handcuffs come off before the slot slid closed.

Ann looked up, "Daddy." she said smiling as she sat up a bit straighter.

"Ann." he said looking extremely relieved. He hurried over and knelt in front of her, "How's your leg? You're arm! I heard you were hurt, but they wouldn't say how bad. How did you do that to your arm?"

"My leg's fine, just really stiff. We got in a car accident thanks to the bats, my arm got wedged between the car and the cement. 243 stitches and a lovely scar."

He nodded slightly, "What about you two, are you guys alright?"

"Fine." Violet said shrugging and turning another page.

"Marion?"
"Fine, just a fractured ankle and a few bruises and a concussion."

"She goes to the chiropractor 3 times a week."

"I'm fine." Marion said shrugged and continuing to watch the cartoons running a muck across the screen.

"You're sure your fine?"

"Yes, Dad." Ann said rolling her eyes a little, "I'm fine."

"Alright."

The door swung open again and the same routine followed. Ann again looked at the door, "Hey Mar, you might wanna look over at the door."

Marion did what was suggested and she immediately jumped up, "Daddy! Daddy!" she yelled as she ran over and jumped into his arms.

"Hey, Doll." He said rocking her back and forth gently, how relieved he looked made her disagree with her earlier statement, maybe they had planned it.

"Look Daddy! I have a boot!" she said holding out her foot proudly once he had let her go enough.

"When did that happen?" He asked, his hands still resting on her shoulder.

"Batman made the car flip and I hurt my foot." she said looking down slightly.

"Well he'll just have to pay for that won't he?" he said gently brushing her hair from her face before lifting her off the ground and walked the 8 year old over to the couch and placing her in between Violet and Ann.

"That's gonna be a nice scar." he commented, nodding towards Ann's arm.

"That's what I said." she said laughing a little before she turned back to her own father.

"So what are you in for?" Violet asked, putting an arm around Marion who's attention was back at the TV.

"Armed Robbery."

"As always, what went wrong?"

"Absolutely nothing."

"Marion." all of them winced slightly, they heard the handcuffs come off and didn't have time to glance back before Harley had Marion imprisoned in a tight hug, "Oh, baby I was so worried about you! Are you alright?"

"Other than the fact that you're suffocating me, Yeah."

Joker coughed a laugh.

Harley let go, "Where are you hurt?"

"My ankle and my neck."

"How?" she asked looking up at Violet, then to Ann.

"Bats made the car flip. She fractured her ankle in two places, and hurt her neck. She's gotta go to the chiropractor 3 times a week for another month."

"What about you two?"

"Violet is fine, as always. I got a lovely souvenir, other than that I'm fine."

"Uh-huh." Harley said glancing at the girls arm then back at Marion, "Are you sure-"

"Yes, Mother I'm fine. Can I please continue watching Tom and Jerry now?"

"Of course." Harley said letting her go completely.

Marion returned to her seat before the TV and zoned everyone else out.

"So where's Scar face?"
"I'm right here."

"Of course you are." Violet said as she turned back to her magazine and was tempted to snatch the coin out of his hand.

"Hey Rags?"

"What?" Ann asked, pulling herself away from the silent conversation she was having with her father.

"I heard Raul Gaul was here."

"What?" Ann and Violet said at the same time, turning violently around.

"Yeah, heard they brought him in two days ago."

"You're lying."

"No, actually, I'm not. He's mounting his escape some time tonight or tomorrow I think." he said nonchalantly flipping his coin.

"Why are you telling us this?" Violet asked, glaring slightly at Two-Face.

"Because I know where he's going." Ann said looking down, then at her father.