Chapter 7:

Near the outskirts of Gotham, a small house stood on the end of a row of equally tarnished buildings. This street had few visitors. Any who were unfortunate enough to find themselves here knew to avoid the treacherous shadows and menacing figures concealed within them.

Someone dared to brave the darkness waiting in the alleyways, quickly slipping past the walls standing before his goal. He knew the labyrinth he was now moving through, a path he had navigated many times on the way home.

A flash of light alerted him to the knife that was reflecting the moon's glow. He anticipated the move of the body clutching the knife, which thrust forward its arm to stab him. Shifting out of the way, he grabbed the wrist of the assailant before pushing the hand to turn the dagger into the owner's stomach.

He reasoned that the murkiness was why anybody could have dared to attack him. Everybody knew that threatening this man meant certain death. Especially when he was on the way home.

ooooo

Poison Ivy had grown quite attached to the house where she and Candy were now residing. When she had first arrived, she was dissatisfied by its appearance and location. On the end of a grimy, shadowy street, Ivy was surprised that Sweet Tooth would let his pregnant girlfriend stay in a place that seemed to be the birthplace of the lowest of criminal activity.

But he had promised it was safe. As much as Ivy had doubted his words when she saw her new temporary home, even Candy praised the building. Apparently this was a place where the couple stayed in whenever they wanted to lay low, or formulate plans when there were no henchmen to worry about. Candy always seemed to have a ridiculously happy face on when she discussed her vacations with Sweet Tooth here, so Ivy didn't let her go into too much detail.

From the outside of the building, Ivy guessed that it had been abandoned for many years. It was painfully grey, and seemed to be suffocated with plant life.

When the door creaked open however, she found it had been recently refurnished. The whole inside of the house was decorated in bright colours; the pinks and blues reminding of cheerful childhood memories. All in all, she liked the place.

She had even made friends with the creeper vines wrapped around the windowsills.

It was when she was visiting her new plant buddies that she noticed the person approaching her. She had stayed talking with Candy until Ivy decided that it was late, and her friend should be resting. After making sure Candy was properly settled in her bed, Ivy thought she wouldn't be needed for assistance and could safely see to her plants.

As the figure drew closer, she started to wish that she had waited until morning.

The vines reacted to her defensiveness, preparing to strike on her command. Just as she was about to tell them to attack, the person stepped close enough for her to recognise his features.

"Sweet Tooth?"

He continued to move forwards until he was stood right infront of her.

"Sweet Tooth?"

Ivy stared at him in shock, and took in his appearance.

What is he doing here?

Is Candy in danger?

What's happened to him?

Wait...is that blood?!

"I think you should come inside."

He merely nodded before following her into the house. Once the door was closed behind them, Ivy let out a sigh of relief. She turned to Sweet Tooth but he was already moving, looking into the kitchen doorway on the left before opening the door next to it. Sighing again, she headed after him as he looked into various rooms along the hallway.

"Is everything alright?"

Sweet Tooth didn't answer as he continued his search of the house, looking into various rooms without success.

...Until he opened the final door on the right. Ivy saw him truly react for the first time that night, his face brightening at what he had found.

"It is now."

oooooooooooooooooooo

"I'm not sure what to do, Alfred."

"Well, Master Bruce, I recommend apologising to Miss Kyle and arranging a dinner date to get back on her good side."

"Alfred...You know that's not what I'm talking about."

"I presume then you are contemplating the current situation between Gotham's favourite psychotic couple."

Batman viewed a photo of Sweet Tooth and Candy on the main Bat-computer monitor. He had just returned from watching the two, and Ivy, for the second day at their current location. Alfred was collecting the discarded Bat-suit from where it had been left on the floor and was folding it up to prepare for laundry.

"May I suggest coming up for supper, Master Bruce? Master Dick has been waiting for you to return, and he will be disappointed if he doesn't get to see you. I believe he has a lot to tell you."

At that point the door to the Batcave burst open and a teenager hurried down the stairs over to them.

"Bruce! I didn't know if I would get to see you, I really wanted to tell you about my night, sorry that I wasn't able to come out crime fighting, I had a fantastic time at the theatre!"

Batman chuckled as the boy excitedly bounced in front of him.

"So, how was your date with Barbara?"

"Hey, it was not a date!"

"Whatever you say."

"It wasn't! Anyway, I had a great time. It was amazing!"

"Well, I'm glad to hear it."

"So…how did your night go?"

Bruce settled into a chair as Dick leaned against the computer console. The boy looked up at the picture displayed on the monitor and raised his eyebrows.

"These guys giving you trouble again? I thought that you had tracked down where they were."

"I have, Dick, it's just..."

"What's the problem? It's two days 'til she's ready, right? You said you'd have to inform the GCPD and get her to safety before then."

"I know."

Dick looked at his friend; an inquisitive look on his face. Bruce understood he was expecting an explanation.

"I...I wonder if I'm doing the right thing. I've seen differences in Sweet Tooth these past few days. It seems like he...actually cares. I don't know how she did it, but Candy may have changed him. Maybe they should be given a second chance with this child. This pregnancy has already altered their behaviour."

"Bruce...I think you should go to bed. You're stressed right now, and I don't think you're thinking stuff out as well as you usually do. You do remember who we're talking about, right? You wouldn't even let me go to some of their crime scenes before checking for anything that could 'harm my innocence.' I dread to think what that kid will be put through."

"You're...right, Dick. I've haven't been able to rest lately with Tetch and Zsasz on the loose. I need to inform Gordon of Candy's whereabouts before we lose the child forever."

The Dark Knight's strict glare suddenly turned into a smile as he rose from his seat.

"Come on, I think we would both benefit from a good night's sleep. We've both had interesting days; me out on rooftops...you on a date with Barbara..."

"It was NOT a date!"

oooooooooooooooooooo

Humming to the daisy that was potted on the table, Poison Ivy glanced at her two housemates out of the corner of her eye. Before when she saw Sweet Tooth and Candy together, she would be trying to pull them apart; become embarrassed by them; or just shout at them (when Candy had been particularly annoying).

But now, she smiled. She couldn't believe that she would ever be pleased to see them sat side-by-side; however she liked the way they complimented each other. It was clear to anybody that they belonged to each other. Sweet Tooth, Candy and their child.

For nearly four months Ivy had had to deal with Candy's various issues and cravings (Candy doesn't even like tuna, so why does she want it on her pancakes?), and she started to regret offering to look after her friend. Sure, she had stayed with Candy before, but that was only in small dosages. And now, there was even more reason for her to be constantly asking Ivy to help her out.

Ivy didn't know how anyone could be so irritating, and she was becoming less confused at how Sweet Tooth lost his temper with her all the time.

But as soon as that thought entered her head, Ivy would grit her teeth and listen to Candy's annoying chatter. It was his fault that she was in this mess in the first place, and she had no-one else to turn to. It was this belief that kept Ivy from not yelling at her, and going out to buy whatever Candy desired. Ivy's hatred of Sweet Tooth was what kept her going through the hard months, and preparing for the arrival of the little one.

This is why she was so surprised by his behaviour over the past two days. Gone was the foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach, and in seemed a guy she could actually like.

Well, just a little...

Leaving the lounge, Ivy went to open the front door. She would go and see the creeper vines, they had grown so very fond of her and she was very much enjoying their-

Ivy almost screamed when she saw the police car speeding towards the house. She quickly slammed the door shut, but not before noticing the many more GCPD vehicles arriving outside.

"Sweet Tooth!"

Hearing Ivy's shout, he left the lounge to ask her what the problem was.

"What is..."

Ivy opened the door to show him the inescapable force surrounding them.

"Crap!"

The door was shut again as they rushed back to Candy.

"Okay, okay. There's about a hundred uniformed police outside, all carrying guns and batons. There's three of us and I think a sharp kitchen knife in the drawer over there."

Ivy checked her statement by looking for the utensil.

"Oh, scrap that. This rolling pin is pretty sturdy, though."

As she went back to where Sweet Tooth stood, he turned to address Candy.

"Hey, you don't have your Bubble-Gun, do you? I kinda need it right now, and all my weapons were confiscated in Arkham. Damn, I should have taken that dagger from that guy's stomach..."

"Oh sorry, SweeTart, I left my Pop Gun at that abandoned Wal-Mart."

"Candy, we haven't been there for THREE YEARS!"

"We went there after my last birthday! Don't you remember when-"

Loud banging at the door alerted Ivy of their hurry.

"Guys, now is not the time. Is there anyone who can help us?"

"Hm...Crane's inside, Wesker's rehabilitated, Eddie's nowhere to be found."

Sweet Tooth placed a finger under his chin as if in deep concentration.

"What about Harvey? Oh, I don't have his number...But I'm sure you do, right Pam?"

Ivy glared at him venomously as she prepared a comeback, but was interrupted by the front door being ripped from its hinges.

As the villains prepared for the intruders, a sudden squeal was emitted from Candy. Sweet Tooth looked at her as she scrambled to sit up from her chair.

"SweeTart...it's coming."

"What?"

Ivy noticed the reason of Candy's panicked state as she stared at the ruined chair behind her.

"Oh, God, her waters have broken!"

At this point numerous police officers were crowded into room, with Commissioner Gordon following them. Sweet Tooth held Candy's hands as he smiled at her.

"Look on the bright side. I'm sure they've got a damn good nursery at the crazy house."

A/N: YOU'VE ARRIVED AT PANIC STATION!

By Sweet Tooth's "home" in the first section, I wasn't referring to a certain place, exactly. If you remember in the first chapter Candy was wondering where her home was-and decided that it was with Sweet Tooth. I'm sure you understand what I was meaning. Fluffy. Sweedy candy floss.