A/N: "The next chapter will probably appear quite quickly" My ass. I actually had this done quite fast, but then I came up with a better way to continue the story and deleted almost everything before rewriting it. Yikes, hopefully it was worth it. I think so, this makes so much more sense than the first version. This was again an "idle" chapter, but had to be done so that the future chapters will make sense. Idle because I'm not too fond of Mr. Wayne, he's boring. Heh. Lots of mistletoes and chocolate to everyone who either has or will leave a review. ^^ AND, I've got some seriously wicked lines for the next chapter, just wait. :D Happy Holidays everyone! ^^/

The Batman.

As Gin got released from Maroni's grasp, she caught a glimpse of the black cape and suit of the man who was now dragging the unconscious Italian towards the entrance of the hall, where there was a bunch of other crooks, lying in a pile. How had he knocked them all out so quietly? She held her slightly aching throat, adrenaline still rushing as her legs gave way and she slumped onto the ground.

After throwing Maroni on top of the pile of unconscious men, Batman turned around to look at Gin. She stared back, paralyzed.

"Are you OK?", he asked as he started to walk towards her.

"Um, yeah, I guess I am", out of reflex she crawled back a little, until her back hit the wall again.

Batman reached Gin and stopped to stand right in front of her, staring down before reaching out his hand to help her up.

"I'm not going to hurt you", he said and Gin hesitated for a second before grabbing his hand. He yanked her up, quickly scanning her to check that she was unharmed. She was still a bit shocked, and of course the usual verbal diarrhea hit her.

"How did you take out all those men so quietly?"

"Gas", Batman started to lead her towards the exit, "Let's get out of here, the police will arrive soon."

Gin was confused. This was the bloody Batman. The man who was against everything that she was accustomed to. Does he know who I am? She figured it was better not to ask, so she silently followed him outside, where Maroni's cars were parked. Then she remembered. That Joker wanker had sold her out to Maroni!

"That bastard", Gin whispered under her breath to herself. Batman heard her and glanced back.

"Who?"

Oops. Should I let him know who I've been spending my time with? He would probably make him pay...

"That Italian tosser who tried to strangle me", she hadn't thought the matter through, but decided to keep her knowledge of the underworld hidden at the time, "How did you know to come here?"

"Police radio. Someone gave an anonymous tip."

Huh? Gin didn't have time to figure out who could have called the cops when they reached Batman's, um, car. In her opinion it was even bigger, blacker and definitely more ridiculous than the cars she was used to seeing. She snorted and stopped to stand by it, earning an uncharacteristic look from the caped crusader. She bit her lip to keep herself from smiling.

"What on earth is this thing?"

"A vehicle serving a purpose."

"Okay... I assume it serves its purpose well then."

No answer. Men. Then the roof of the thing started moving, revealing two seats, the steering wheel and a whole lot of buttons and switches. Batman got in, flicking switches and pressing buttons with confidence. He then turned to look at Gin, who was just standing there and thinking that the thing could probably blast a hole on a concrete wall.

"Will you get in, Miss Patrick?"

"Shit!" It was an automatic reaction to him telling that he knew who she was.

"Something wrong? Are you hurt?" Damn he's fussy.

"No! No. I, just, wasn't expecting that you'd know who I am."

"I'll tell you about it if you just get in", replied the raspy voice.

"I'm not sure if I should."

"I already said that I'm not going to hurt you. You can't stay here, get in."

"Ugh, fine."

She climbed in a bit ungraciously and looked around the interior, afraid to touch anything. She let out a small yelp as the roof suddenly started lowering with a loud buzzing sound. Batman didn't even flinch, he just flicked some more switches and grabbed the wheel before hitting the gas and speeding off. Gin grabbed the sides of her seat and looked forward with a terrified expression.

"Gods, we're going pretty fast, huh?", she waited a moment for a response and after she didn't get one, she cut to the chase, "How and why do you know my name?" She finally got a reaction from him as he gave her a quick glance.

"Virginia Myra Patrick, age nineteen. Father Edward Patrick, the widely known founder of the now inactive English mafia in Italy, mother Anna Patrick. After parents' deaths moved to Gotham to live with the now dead mafia boss Gambol", he declared her life in a nutshell, not showing any sign of emotion, "You seem to have quite a fatal impact on the men in your life, if I may say so Miss Patrick."

Bastard.

"I do indeed, so you may want to hold on to your cape, Mr. Batman, as you might be next." She thought she saw him smile a bit, but if he did, the smile was gone even faster than it had appeared. As if in response, he made a violent turn and Gin squeezed her seat even tighter.

"I just might be, especially if you consider your current guardian."

Gin had enough willpower to not look shocked, but her insides froze as she heard his words. She couldn't even curse, let alone think of something to defend herself with. She just stared at the road ahead, not minding the infernal speed anymore. What is he going to do, surrender me to the cops? And he isn't even my guardian anymore, that worthless piece of-

"We're here."

They stopped at some construction site, in front of a container. This is the lair of the fu- Her thoughts were interrupted as the doors of the container opened, revealing that it was empty. Batman drove inside, calmly waiting as the doors closed behind them. Just as it became completely dark, the floor suddenly started descending and Gin, once again surprised, let out a yelp.

"Where are we going? I thought we were going to the police station or something."

"This will be easier and safer without the Gotham's finest."

"Um, and what is "this"?"

Once again no answer. She let out a sigh and turned to look outside as they had reached a brightly lit hall of some sort. It was pretty large with white walls, and in the middle there was a nerd's dream: a table with at least eight computer screens, looking like a command center. There were also more tables, filled with stuff that Gin didn't recognize, especially not from so far away.

The "car's" roof slid back again and Batman got off, heading to the computers. She also climbed off, following him but still keeping a distance. He sat down by the computers, typing away as the pictures and texts on the screens started flashing. Gin glanced at one of the screens in passing, and saw a picture where there was a girl looking just like her. As she looked more closely she realized it was her.

"What the hell is that?" She pointed at the screen. It was a picture of her and Larry, walking in the parking lot of the supermarket, Larry's hands full of paper bags. She remembered the moment and was shocked that not only had someone been watching, but photographing them!

"Investigation", Batman answered quickly after checking the screen she'd been pointing at.

"Investigation? Have you been spying on me?!"

"No, I have not been spying on you, I have been trying to determine the whereabouts of a certain criminal. I have reasons to assume that the man who calls himself the Joker was sitting in the backseat of that vehicle." Gin snorted.

"Well, good luck with the, investigation." She started to walk away.

"Thank you Miss Patrick, I'm sure you'll be of much help."

She glanced behind before completely turning away from him. Fucking hell, how much does he know? And what am I doing in here? And, how does he think I'm going to help him? I really do have the ability to get into some serious shit. Aagh, I still can't believe that tosser practically gift wrapped me for Maroni! While her head was once again spinning, Gin walked around in small steps and examined the hall. It was big, it was white, and there was only one door out from it, apart from the platform that served as a lift. She was just examining the door as Batman stepped next to it, opening it and standing next to it expectantly. She didn't move, just stared inside the room.

"Virginia."

"Uh, yes?"

"I need you to stay here for a while." What?!

"Excuse me? Why?"

"Like I said, you'll be of much help, but later."

"And how exactly am I going to help?" and why would I do that?

He took a deep sigh and stared at the floor for a moment.

"He'll come for you, sooner or later. And when he does, I'll get him sent to Arkham where he belongs." His tone was beyond matter-of-fact, like it was obvious that she would help him.

"What, you're going to use me as a bloody bait?! And what makes you think he cares-"

"Sorry, but you're not in the position to be asking questions. Just stay here, you'll be fine."

She peeked inside the room, she could only see more white.

"I really don't think-"

He didn't stay there to hear her, but turned in his heels and jumped into the car on the platform that had already started ascending.

"Hey!" Gin shouted after him, but he didn't even glance her way.

"Oh thanks a lot, so much for the gentleman!" She doubted that he could hear her, but screamed anyway.

She turned around to have a look around the smaller room, and noticed that there were actually a bed, a fridge, a TV and another door. What is this place? His bedroom? Some kind of private cell where he keeps his captives? Ugh. She opened the door inside the smaller room and sure enough, it was a bathroom. This. Is. Freaky. There was apparently no way out of the hall, so Gin turned on the TV and sat on the bed, waiting for the latest man to provide her bed & breakfast to come let her out. If my magic's still working he'll probably never let me out, because he'll be dead. Her black humor managed to make her let out a huff, before burying her face in her hands. And that Joker would come for me? Like he would give a toss whether I'm dead or alive. Sigh.

The Joker was in his penthouse, feeling absolutely triumphant. The flying rodent had taken the bait, Maroni was in jail and his little ward was right in the bat's cave! He couldn't help giggling to himself, things couldn't have turned out better, even though they hadn't gone according to the original plan. The thing that was also beyond great, was that the police couldn't and probably wouldn't get involved, this was between him and dear old Batsy. And of course his little redhead, the poor thing who had born into a life of being a feisty little pawn in the games that the underworld leaders liked to play. My little redhead? Shiiit, I've sunk so low that I really care if she lives or dies. Not good, not good at all. I got lucky this time that she pulled it off, but this, this is so gonna bite me in the ass some day. He glared through the window, fixing his eyes on some random chick with red hair and thought hard, his next plan already starting to form in his head. How do I get her back?

A/N: Mistah J, Arkham and the man in black rubber are not mine. Unfortunately. I did however wish the first one for Christmas, so I'm keeping mah fingers crossed!