Diclaimer: I only own the characters Kida, Marcus, Job Man and the teachers. All others are owned by DC Comics.

Chapter 3

Shortly after Marcus started to explain his master plan to catch the Joker his parents called from downstairs. They announced from the bottom of the stairs that there was some important meeting they had to go to. This included Marcus. He tried to get out of going, however his parents won out. Even after he announced that I was there. They just weren't going to buge.

I stood and walked to his door, "I better get going anyways, I've got some stuff to do."

"Kida, I'm really sorry."

"It's alright Marcus. "Family comes first", right?"

"Yah, but I finally got to actually talk with you and now I've got to run out the door." He looked really pissed off, not at me but at his parents. Like they purposely interrupted our first "get together".

"Listen, Marcus. School's tomorrow. We can talk then. Alright."

"Alright."

We said good byes, and he promised to meet me first thing in the morning at the school gates. I wasn't going to hold him to that statement, however somewhere in the back of my mind I had a feeling he was going to keep that promise.

…

Sure enough, just as I got within view of the school, there he was. He was almost bouncing on the spot really. Kinda like he had been waiting for quite a while and was starting to lose feeling in his legs. He was still sporting his dyed hair, which looked a brighter shade of blue now that I was seeing in the sunlight, and I'll admit it wasn't so bad.

Marcus notices me just as I'm about 10 feet from the front gate, "Hey, Kida!"

"Good morning, Marcus." I keep walking and he follows, I can't stop myself from picturing him as a puppy.

"So, you have art first? Right?" His voice tells me this isn't what he wanted to ask.

"That's right. Now, ask me what you really want to ask."

"Oh, um, well…" He hesitates. It must be something embarrassing. "Well, you see my mom is kinda mad that I didn't introduce you to her and my dad. And, well, she wants to invite you to dinner."

I stop dead in my tracks. I know I told Marcus I would help him in his crazy crusade, but I was really hoping I wouldn't have to get too close to his personal life.

"Is it really important that I meet them?"

"I don't think so, but my mom is being very insistent."

I try to sound polite. "Well, if it's not important to you then tell your mom I decline her offer."

"Uh, ok."

"Also, if your mom is going to keep bugging you about it perhaps we should meet at my apartment from now on. After all I'm the only one who lives there. No one will bother us."

He's about to answer when the bell rings. Instead of answering my proposition he simple says we better get to class.

…

Upon entering my art class I'm bombarded by the jeers of my peers. They all seem pretty railed up this morning by something. As I reach my seat I notice something on top of the desk. It's a drawing of Marcus and I holding hands with a heart around it. Looking around I can tell they want me to react, to shout and demand a reason for the drawing. I won't give them the pleasure though. I shrug, put the drawing in my bag and wait for Ms. Woods to arrive.

The final bell rings just as Ms. Woods enters.

"Sorry I'm late everyone!" She smiles to everyone.

Ms. Woods has to be the happiest teacher in the school, with her "you can do it" attitude and bubbly personality. I'm sure she could make even the grumpiest of grumps smile. She also is the only teacher who I would consider someone to trust. She's never given me a reason to feel out of place in her classroom and always tries to accommodate my ever growing talent, as she puts it. She is constantly encouraging me to do more with my talent, she feels I limit myself to much and if I tried something new or different it would be a big step forward for me. As much as I'm sure she has a point I've never felt comfortable with moving forward.

She finishes attendance and writes the week's assignment on the board. The class groans as they realize we'll be doing a drawing contest.

A student nearest to the window protests, "Come'on Ms. Woods! We all know Nobody's going to win. She's the best drawer in the class. How's a contest any fair!?"

Ms. Woods turns, and with her trademark smile says, "Kida will not be participating."

I look up at her. She smiles at me and continues.

"Kida, I want to discuss your project with you privately. Can you wait out in the hall for me?"

Confused I just gather my things. "Sure thing, Ms. Woods."

Five minutes later Ms. Woods joins me in the hall. She's smiling very brightly.

"Alright Kida. I've decided that for the rest of the year you're going to do an independent project."

"HUH?" I'm shocked, that's the only word for it. I was thinking this was going to be a talk about my drawings. I was not expecting this.

"An independent project, Kida, I want you to spend the rest of the year working on one large scale piece. You can use any medium you want, and any style. However there is one-"

I don't wait for her to finish. "Wait! Hold up! Why….why are you….. did I do something wrong? I don't understand? Can you even do this?" I'm spewing more questions than I can even register myself.

Ms. Woods puts her hands on my shoulders, "Kida, please relax. This isn't a punishment, it's a chance. I want you to use this as a way to improve yourself."

"But,"

"I've gotten permission from the headmaster to allow you to do this project. We are expecting you to prove yourself and produce a piece for the Gotham Arkham Auction in June."

She lets me have a few moments to gather all that information. "So, what does that mean. Do I still attend class?"

"Yes, you still have to come to class. However you will not be expected to do any of the assignments. That being said I will need you to provide proof of your work on your project."

"Right. And you want it to be large and good enough for some auction."

"Yes, that's right. One last thing though, you are not allowed to do a landscape piece." Her smile fades a bit. She knows landscapes are what I do. Asking me to do something else, seeing as she's been trying for quite some time, she knows it will be difficult to get me to agree.

I let this news really take it's time to sink in. I feel scared, and lost. A lot like when my mum passed away, it's a strong sinking feeling, like falling into a black pit.

Ms. Woods voice softens and she kneels in front of me. "Kida, I know you feel like I'm asking for a lot. But one day you'll understand why." She waits for me to speak, but I'm still trying to put the pieces together. "Kida please say something."

"I don't know what to say. I don't know what to do."

That's the cold hard truth. I do landscapes to keep my past under wraps. So no one learns the truth. Now here's someone else pushing me to move from the bubble I've made to protect myself. First Dr. Leeland and her friend project, then Marcus with his Joker crusade, now this. Just how the hell can I keep anything secret if people keep pushing me?

"Ms. Woods, can I think about this?"

"Alright, Kida."'

We head back inside the class. She resumes her lesson, but I don't hear a word of it. My mind is still going through everything she said out in the hall. This project sounds like a lot of fun, it could be just the thing I need to keep me busy and out of sight of the rest of the class for a while. However is it safe enough? Could I find something interesting enough to me to be able to draw it on a large scale, something that isn't a landscape?

The bell rings for second period as I'm in the middle of my thoughts, I head off to math. But even in math my mind wonders back to the project. Half way through math I know I really want to do the project. I just don't know what my subject should be.

…

"Earth to Kida! Kida come in please!"

"Huh?"

Looking up Marcus is in front of me, and the classroom is empty.

"Hello? You still in there?"

I shake my head, "Yah, sorry."

Marcus shrugs, "You want to eat lunch together? We could discuss a plan I've got for the, uh, secret project."

I grab my things, "Sure, why not."

"Great." He's smiling, "I know this great diner right around the corner and the"

"Woah, hold up there. I don't have any money to go to a diner."

"Don't worry about it. I owe you lunch remember."

"Oh, right."

"You forgot didn't you? Oh, well doesn't matter. By the way, did you happen to get a strange gift on your desk this morning?"

I look to him, "Why?"

He blushes, "Well, I found this drawing on my mine this morning. It had you and I on it and"

"And it had a big red heart around us."

"Yah, so you got one too?"

"Yah, I did. Don't worry about it. They're just looking for some new material. If you don't react they'll get bored."

"By "they" you mean the students, don't you?"

"Yes, now I thought you were buying me lunch. Let's go."

I walk out, again he runs after me. "Hold up!"

…

The diner was one of those old time 50's diner, with enough wall decorations to open its own museum.

There were pictures of old movie stars, pop signs, a jukebox, and anything else they could fit into the joint. We took a seat near the back, hoping for some privacy. The waitress took our orders, and no sooner had she left when Marcus started up with his questions.

"So, it doesn't bother you that they put that drawing on your desk?"

I sighed, "No Marcus, it doesn't. I thought you wanted to tak"

"What were you thinking about in math?"

"Marcus, you're getting off tr"

"Come'on Kida, I've watched you for the last week or so. And I've never seen you so distracted."

"Marcus please. It has nothing to do you with you."

"Yes, it does. Especially if it get you distracted from what we have to do tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yes tonig," the waitress came back with our food, asked if we needed anything else. When we confirmed we wouldn't need anything more she left. "As I was saying, tonight we need to go and visit Black Mask."

"What!? I thought you said last night we were looking for the Joker, you know surveillance!" I really hope this is the last surprise for the day.

"Surveillance will only get us so far. So are you in or out?"

"You're serious."

"Yes."

"Then here are some words of advice. What you are suggesting will get us killed or worst inducted into the gang." I'm starting to understand why Marcus needs someone from Old Gotham to help him out. He's going to get himself killed thinking like this.

He slumps and huffs, "Well, what would you suggest then."

I take a long swig of my drink as I think.

"Kida?"

"I'm thinking." I snap.

He eats what left of his meal, then starts tapping his fingers on the table.

"Ok, so why do you want to go to Black Mask?"

He sighs, "I want to know what he knows about Joker."

"Alright, if all you want is to know what he knows we don't have to actually talk with him in person."

He lights up at this, "What do you mean?"

"Well like any crook, he'll have small jobs that need doing. Some that even we might be able to pull off, then as payment we can get the info you want. The best part is we don't have to talk to Mask we can just visit the Job Man."

"The Job Man?" He looks at me like I just told a bad joke.

"I'm telling the truth. And Job Man is the name he gave to himself. He recruits young kids to pull small time jobs for the higher ups. Meaning he could have the info you want. At least this way we don't get shot."

Marcus goes quiet and thinks about what I just said. While he's thinking I finish my lunch and wave to the waitress.

"Can we get the bill, now. Thank you."

She returns in a matter of moments. "Here you are."

"Thank you." I turn my attention back to Marcus. "Hey, you going to pay or not?"

"Huh?" He looks lost.

"The bill Marcus." I wave it in front of him.

"Oh, right."

He heads up to the teller. Pays, returns to his seat and smiles at me.

"Alright, we do it your way tonight."

…

The rest of the day was the usual, and Marcus couldn't have been happier for it to be over. He was still excited about my plan. He kept telling me how cool this was going to be. I couldn't help but feel that I might be leading Marcus down a road I might not be able to bring him back from. However I knew if I told him to stay behind while I go out and do the work, he'd be beyond upset.

After the final bell, Marcus declared we were going to his house first. That he had to pick up some stuff and would need my help in moving it. Seeing as his mind was focused on tonight and not on me, I agreed without a second thought.

"Hey, Kida. I've been thinking about what you said this morning. You know, your offer about your apartment."

"Uh huh."

"I think you're right." He pauses, gets that embarrassed look on his face again.

I laugh, "I get the feeling you're a bit embarrassed."

He coughs, "It just, I'm not used to…"

"Not used to what?"

"Admitting I need help, or that others might be right."

"Sounds to me like you've had quite a few fights with others over that." I giggle at the thought of Marcus getting beaten up at school over his big head.

"Alright, alright. I know I've got a bigger ego than I should have. But we've got more important stuff to do."

"Sure thing, Marcus."

We arrived at his house, went straight upstairs. That's when he really got busy. He started tearing through his closet like a mad man, and I've seen mad men so I think I'd know.

"I need you to start taking down the maps!" he half shouts at me.

"Why?" I shout back.

Marcus is hidden beneath a pile of stuff in his closet and can't hear me. I'm sure if he goes any deeper I'll have to pull him out, that or call search and rescue.

Seeing as he can't hear me, I just do as he asked. It doesn't take long, I sit on his bed folding the maps up while Marcus continues his journey into his closet. He curses a couple of times, till finally the pile colasped on top of him.

"Marcus! Marcus! You alright!" I'm rushing to the pile, only to discover it looks a lot worse than it really is.

Marcus moans as he climbs out of the pile. He giggles as he sees me over him, "I knew you cared, at least a little."

I push him back into the pile, "Haha, very funny. You at least find what you were looking for?" My tone is harsh, he notices.

"Yah I found it," he holds up what looks like a a plastic rectangular prism. "I can't believe it got stuffed into the back of the closet."

"Right, uh, Marucs."

"Yah."

"What is that?" It's a genuine question, the thing in his hands is completely unknown to me.

He gets up out of the pile, looks at like I'm kidding, "It's a laptop. An old one, but it should do the trick."

"Right, and what's a laptop?" My face must be showing my confusion, cause Marcus' face then changes to one of surprise.

"You really don't know!? A laptop is a smaller version of a computer, a portable one." He waits for this thought to process in my mind.

"They can do that?" I ask.

"Yah, it's really helpful."

"Ok, so what do you need the laptop and maps for?" I really want to get off the subject of my very little knowledge of the electronic world.

He smiles and gathers everything into an extra backpack. "We're taking them to your apartment. I've decided you're right. We won't get anything done here at my house, and you already live where we're going to be doing most of our work. So I agree to your offer of using your home as the base of our operations."

"Alright, that's cool."

We left shortly after, but not before Marcus insitied on raiding his frigde. I have no idea what he took and I really didn't feel like asking.

Getting to my place was quick and boring. When we did finally settle in; Marcus handed the bag of food over to me, and was about to start taking over one of the walls in my living room.

"Marcus wait!" I shout just as he's about to pin up the first map.

Panicked he says, "What? What's wrong?"

"Listen I know I said we could work here but you can't just set up in the living room." I point to my bedroom. "My room is through there, you can set up in there. And don't worry about seeing something you shouldn't I really don't have anything to hide in there."

"Right." He moves into my room and I can hear him grumbling.

While he's doing that, I put the food on the counter and headed for my phone.

I dial the number I studied by heart as a child. It takes about a minute for the Job Man to pick up. When he does I can hear his heavy breathing on the other end and can imagine him cursing under his breath.

His voice is crossed, "This had better be good, I've got one more hour with this brat."

I don't want to think about what he means by that comment, "Job Man, a friend and I are looking for some work. Think we could meet tonight?"

"Looking for, huh? Well I might be able to set you up. Come by C.A. and we'll talk." He laughs as he hangs up the phone and I could swear I heard a boys crying voice in the background.

I wait for Marcus as I empty the bag of food into my fridge. By the time I'm done I've got more food in my fridge than I've ever had. I can't help but feel grateful to Marcus. The food means more than he could know.

Marcus comes out of my room, "Kida, I'm done so what now?"

I smile, "Now we head off to Crime Ally."

…

Crime Ally or C.A. as most of us call it is a dirty ally hardly ever used anymore. I've heard stories that it used to be a decent place in Gotham, that it even had a different name before. But one night everything went south when a young couple got shot up, and left behind an orphaned child. I've never heard the names of the ones who died, seems most are too afraid to say anything about it. Afraid they'll be cursed.

Tonight though Marcus and I are meeting the Job Man in Crime Ally, and I'm really hoping we don't end up like that couple in the stories. I know whatever job we take tonight tomorrow we'll be crooks ourselves, just like Job Man and so many others. I didn't tell Marcus any of that; I didn't want him to back out. Especially when his idea would have most definably have gotten us both killed.

Speaking of Marcus, he's pacing up and down like a trapped animal in a cage. If he could look any more nervous than he did now, he'd be a contender for the local freak show. He obliviously wasn't as ready as he said he was. He had assured me earlier that he was set and that nothing could freak him out. I think he really should have been assuring himself.

As for me, I couldn't have felt more at ease. I've known the risks of everything Marcus and I would be doing from the moment I agreed to this venture. Perhaps though a small part of me was at ease because deep down I wanted to be bad for once.

From where I was standing I could see most of the ally. It was a fairly tight area not much space to hide, so I had a good feeling we weren't about to become targets for any human trafficking. But I kept my guard up all the same. After all Marcus was in no condition to keep a good look out.

At about 8:37 pm Job Man finally appeared at the end of the ally. He was carrying what looked like a briefcase, only on closer inspection did I notice it was hand made to look so. He appearal was simple but dirty, truthfully I'm sure he could make a hobo look clean.

When he reached us he held out his hand to Marcus, "Hello mate, hear you're looking for work."

Marcus recoiled on reflex and I stepped forward to take Job Man's hand. "Yes, we are. I'm the better of the two of us. You can deal with me."

He looked me up and down, sneered and moved to open his bag, "I've got a few jobs open, but they aren't paying much. But perhaps if you're really in need we could come to another arrangement." He looks over to Marcus and smiles.

I step into his line of sight, "We aren't looking for money, we need information. We do jobs, and you give us what we need." I keep my voice stern, and my apparent control bothers Job Man.

"What kind of information you think you can earn from me exactly?" He moves to try and see by me again.

Keeping myself between him and Marcus I continue, "We need to know about the Joker."

Finally Job Man looks at me, by the expression on his face I know he's shocked. "Ttthhhe….the Joker!"

"Yes, that's right."

"What are you nuts! Or do you just have a death wish, kid!" His voice is booming as his fear takes over.

I sigh and keep my face calm, "Would you settle down." I grab for his arm and pull him in close, "If you can't help us, just say so."

The Job Man pulls his arm from my grip and steps back, "I didn't say that, but info like that will cost a lot." He motions his head to Marcus.

Marcus finally finds his voice, only it's too bad it sounds like a three year olds. "What does that mean? Kida?"

"Shut up, Mark! Now!" I shout to make sure he understands me, "And you, Mr. Job Man, will understand that the only thing you'll get from us is jobs, not our bodies! So again if you can't help us perhaps we should be on our way." I turn grab Marcus and move to leave.

"Wait! Alright! I'll help you!" Job Man runs up to me, "I got a job, it's small but we'll work it out, right."

I turn to face him, "I'm sure we can."

…

Back at my apartment, Marcus finally calms down enough to make sense. The whole way back he kept trying to ask question about what went down in the ally. The only problem was that I couldn't understand a word he said. He voice was either to quiet or to shaky to make out. I thought perhaps he would pass out on me half way back, from just the anxiety he was clearly feeling. His whole body seemed at odds with what his brain kept telling it to do and he would trip or almost fall over. I had to half carry him up the stairs.

Again I was the complete opposite of him, I was calm and collected like nothing had happened. If anything I felt a weird urge to go for a run. If only to keep my heart rate from falling.

Sitting on the couch Marcus looked to me as I went to get him a glass of water.

"Kida, what…did we…..are we really….I…..he….."

I sat down beside him and put the glass in his hands, "Drink, relax. I'll explain."

He drank and I began to retell the events of the night.

After Job Man and I agreed to work together he laid out the first job. He needed someone to steal a computer chip from a Gothcorp factory. A real simple job, as he put it, in and out. He then went on to explain that we would earn enough credit for a more recent idea of where we could find Joker. In my mind that was more than I thought we'd get, so Job Man and I set up a date for the robbery and went our separate ways. But not before Job Man gave Marcus a real long look over. Marcus, of course recoiled, but he didn't seem to understand why. I think that's what pushed Marcus over the edge, was that look.

Marcus being from the other side of Gotham most likely hasn't encountered a prev or at least not one face to face. This whole experience was too much for him and his demeanor only proved me right.

"Marcus, do you want to stay here tonight?" I asked only cause I'm too afraid to send him home alone in his current condition.

Marcus looks to me with a look that could bring tears to all the girls, "Kida, we….we're going to commit a crime."

"Yes, we are. But you listen to me; I'll be the one going in. You will be outside dealing with the tech stuff from your computer. So if there's going to be anyone who gets into trouble it's me." He just stares back at me, "Alright, you come with me."

I get him up and take him into my room and drop him into my bed. I put the covers on him and grab a pillow and blanket for myself.

"Kida." His voice is so quiet I almost miss it.

"Yes, Marcus."

His eyes begin to close, he tries to say something but sleep wins out.

…

When I woke the next day Marcus was still very much out of it, so I decided it would be best if I called in sick for the both of us. That way he could sleep and perhaps have a better grasp over what had happened last night.

Plus I needed him to do me a favor as well. Not to mention start hacking into Gothcorp's security.

Knowing he wasn't bound to be up anytime soon, I went out onto the fire escape to think about my own problems. I started with the easiest, my Friday meeting. By now after all that's happened I was beginning to think the up-coming meeting was the least of my problems. I could learn more through Marcus and be ready for whatever might happen that day, I hope. As for the independent art project, that was harder.

I really want to do this project, I just feel at a loss about what to do. The more I run through possible ideas, the more I feel depressed. It really shouldn't be so hard to come up with an idea, right.

I'm so deep in thought I don't hear Marcus till he's right at the window behind me. He stumbles on the window sill and sound attracts my attention.

"Kida?" His voice is coated with sleep, and he keeps rubbing his eyes.

I move to head back in the apartment, but somehow even in his half asleep stat Marcus makes it onto the fire escape.

"Kida, what happened?" He stumbles again. I reach out and catch him before he lands on his face.

I feel a bit of pity for the kid, I wonder if that's what people feel when they look at me. We head back inside. I help Marcus onto the couch then head to the kitchen to get him something to eat. He moans something I can't quite hear from the kitchen. Heading out to the living room with his plate, he looks at me and the fear that was in his eyes last night is still there.

"Marcus," I set his plate in front of him, "like I said last night I won't let anything happen to you. Honest."

The fear turns to anger in a flash I almost miss it, "NO! But it's alright if you go to jail!"

I stay calm, I don't want to upset him anymore, "Marcus, I wouldn't go to jail if I was caught."

"Oh really! Where would you go then!?"

"I…I…"

"Oh let me guess you can't tell me! Just like you didn't tell me we would be committing crime to get the dirt on Joker!" He is beyond pissed at the moment and I can only let him shout it out.

It takes about 20 minutes till he can't find anything else to shout about. Or maybe it's just cause he's finally out of breath.

"Marcus," my voice is as soft as a mouse's.

"What!"

I'm not sure if I just suddenly realized I could trust Marcus or if I knew deep down I'd need him close by. But in that moment after listening to him rave, I decided to tell him a simple truth that I knew would only lead to more questions than I was ready to answer.

"Marcus, I wouldn't go to jail. They'd have to take me to Arkham Asylum."

It took what felt to me like hours for Marcus to finally understand what I'd said. When his face showed that he finally did understand he didn't say anything, not a word.