Gotham's own musical muse
Disclaimer: you know the drill I don't own anything though we all know I wish I did.
(A/N: Guys only three more chapters left and then you'll hate me! I can't wait!)
Chapter 13
Joe didn't have the time to take Muse to her place so he did the next best thing he took her to his apartment. Right now he watched over her while she tossed and turned in his bed.
"I hope she's all right" Joe muttered as he rested a soft hand on her forehead.
"She will be once I give her the antidote" Batman rasped.
Joe was in shock but understood. He watched Batman like a hawk as he gave Muse a shot of blue liquid into her arm. Muse's face relaxed as her body stopped moving.
The two left the room so she could rest in peace.
Batman was the first to speak "Knowing Muse is dangerous let alone helping her."
"I can protect myself Batman, I'm more worried about Muse" Joe huffed a giant sigh.
Batman was having a bit of trouble understanding the fact that someone would willingly put themselves in danger for Muse.
"Muse can take care of herself Joe" his tone less harsh than before.
Joe laughed slightly "I've known Muse my whole life Batman. She may be able to take care of herself, but at the end of the day she needs someone to hold her and say that it's all gonna be fine."
Batman raised an eyebrow "Even if it means she doesn't love you back?"
Joe's heart broke a little at the thought "Even if she never loves me back"
Joe went and sat down "Is it that obvious that I'm in love with her?"
Batman found it better to keep quiet. As the room became awkwardly silent Batman figured now would be the best time to get questions answered.
"Do you know who Muse really is?"
Joe gave a sad smile "The only one"
Batman nodded in a knowingly way "You do understand because of that you are in constant danger, correct?"
Giving a sigh, Joe stood once more. "Look I understand that you're doing your job but I have a promise to keep... Now if you'd please"
Joe have been cut off by a cough coming from his bedroom's door way.
Both men looked her way "Muse?"
"How long have you been standing there?" Joe stuttered out.
"Long enough." Muse paused looked Batman's way "Batman leave, now. After all you have a scarecrow to lasso."
"Your health is more important..." Batman had went to argue.
"It wasn't a suggestion" even with Muse being unable to fully move around on her own her looks where as effective as always. Both persons in tights glared at the other till the one in leather left.
Batman looked back before taking off "we need to talk later"
And he was off.
"Aim, you need to rest" Joe said while quickly going to her side in second.
Joe got her to sit down "So I'm guessing you heard about well ya know"
"You loving me?" Amie spoke with a small smile "I've known for a while Hun."
Joe looked away blushing.
"Joe look at me." Amie said sternly.
When he didn't, she grabbed a hold of his chin "Joe I think I need to tell you something..."
Before she could finish Joe piped in "I know you don't like me like that and never will! I don't"
Amie cut him off with a finger to his lips. "Joe, honey, listen to me. I've loved you since we were kids but I've never found the right time to tell you."
Joe's eyes lit up and he went to kiss her.
Amie stopped him "Joe don't, this can't happen. Not with what's going on. There are too many people who would use you to get to me and I can't take that chance. I love you and I always will."
Joe's mood changed drastically. When Joe didn't say anything for a while Amie had started to get worried.
Just as Amie was about to say something Joe had caught her off guard, by giving her a kiss. Amie was shell shocked.
Joe hugged her "Thanks for telling me, if I waited this long I guess waiting till Muse disappears… won't be too hard"
"Don't worry, Amie's gonna be around more often." Muse muttered.
Amie ended up spending the night at Joe's. She slept on Joe's bed while Joe ended up on the couch.
As Amie cuddled to the covers she heard Joe whisper to her. "Aim, you're on the news"
She spoke from under the covers "I'm always on the news"
"Not Muse you, Amie you" Joe just barely got out of the way before Amie darted from the bed to the next room.
"In other news, sources tell that scarecrow, paid a visit to the mayor's family friend, Amie Dover while at her birthday party. Both Musical Muse and Batman showed up to fight him. Also gossip on the street says that Ms. Dover and Bruce Wayne have a history; some even report them having an ongoing affair."
Amie scoffed "Wayne wishes"
She smirked as she felt Joe give her a backwards hug "Bruce hasn't any idea what he's missing"
"So what's on the agenda for today?" Amie Asked.
(With the Joker)
The Joker had just finished watching the news in his favorite purple chair that was falling apart.
"I can't believe I wasn't invited to the party, after everything I did for the mayor's wife, and THIS is the thanks I get!" Joker huffed and pouted like a little kid.
He pulled a knife "I also don't like scarecrow playing with my Musie. Bat's one thing, though even he's getting too close to her... I guess I'll have to spend some quality time with my Barbie doll."
He was met by sad a looking clown masked guy walking in and was on a walkie-talkie "Boss, Billy says he's got everything ready as planned"
Joker licked his lips and grinned like the Grinch "Tell Billy boy the plans gonna have to wait"
"MISTER SMILES clear my schedule I'm going out!" Joker yelled at another goon wearing a happy clown mask and walked out.
(With Amie and Joe)
Once Amie was halfway decent, Joe was walking with her to her place.
"So what we doing today?" Joe asked and took hold of Amie's hand.
She smiled and shrugged "Don't really care."
Just as the pair went to walk on the crosswalk a car stopped short, almost hitting them.
Amie kicked the stand still car "Watch where you're going ass hole!"
Joe took hold of a fuming Amie.
"Perfect" Amie rolled her eyes at who stepped out of the car.
Bruce went over and started looking over Amie "Aim, are you okay?"
She sneered "What is wrong with you Bruce! You could have killed someone!"
Bruce continued to apologize "Amie at least let me make it up to you and Joe"
Amie huffed "No thanks Bruce"
She quickly grabbed Joe's hand and started towards the other side of the street. Bruce reached for Amie's hand to beg when a flash of light happened. All three stare in shock at a cameraman. Amie then noticed the pose they were in. Joe was ahead of her holding her stretched out hand while Bruce had a grip on her wrist and Amie in the middle looking back at Bruce.
"Do you have anything to say to the people Ms. Dover?" A cameraman asked.
A crowd had started to form.
"Wonderful" Amie muttered. "It was fun seeing you Bruce but gotta go" with that she started to run off with Joe in tow. Amie finally talked to Joe once they were in her apartment.
"Welp looks like being out in the world is a no go for today... Movie day?"
(Elsewhere with Dr. Crane)
Dr. Crane was just getting back from one of his newest subjects. Crane opened the door to have the shock of his life. In his chair twirling was the Joker.
"Hiya Doc" Joker chuckled.
Jonathan glared at him "What do you want?"
Joker's smile dropped a bit "Muse"
"An intriguing mind and more willpower than I could have thought of, what about her?" Crane spoke.
Joker rolled his eyes "Whatever you say Doc, just keep away from my Musie"
Crane's mood perked up "Your Muse. Batman seems to have changed that, tell me are you jealous Joker?"
Joker's hand twitched "Get one thing straight Muse is MINE."
"I see. And if I should encounter her again what fate should become of me then?" Scarecrow questioned.
Joker attacked "Something worse than any batty nightmare you've ever had."
With that Joker quickly let Crane go and pranced out the door.
Scarecrow stood with a smirk "Truly interesting..."
(Later with the Joker)
Ever so silently Joker let himself into the mayor's home. He wandered the hallways stopping every now and again to look at all the pictures to say 'Ooh and Ahhh'.
Joker came to the Mayor's study and entrained himself by going through all the paper work in his filing cabinet.
"Boring, boring, boring… Crap, Ooohhh" Joker stopped mid throw when he found a picture of Amie and Joe.
In the picture they couldn't have been older than 18 and from the looks of it they were on summer break.
Joker licked his lips and traced his finger over Amie's face "Pretty little thing, almost as pretty as my muse."
He threw the frame on the floor, shattering it, and picked the picture up. He stared at it for a moment before folding Joe out of the picture and putting it in his jacket pocket.
Joker sighed and then grinned while throwing his feet a top the desk "This is going to be fun."
He saw the head lights of the mayor's car pull into the drive way. Joker sat in the chair mulling in he's mind on what he'd do to Anthony and his lovely wife.
The mayor walked into his home to find it thrown about. Chilled to the bone Anthony followed the Joker's path of broken things to his den.
"Well look who's finally home. I hope you don't mind, I let myself in… What am I saying of course you don't mind!" Joker laughed and licked his lips at the end.
Anthony put a protective arm in front of his wife. "What do you want?"
Joker grinned "Certainly not that old play thing."
"Then why are you here?" Anthony questioned while still staying in front of his wife.
"I need to have a talk with Batsy" He stated while fingering a knife in his pocket "And you're gonna help me find him."
(With Amie and Joe)
The two had spent the whole day watching their favorite movies. The last one had put Joe to sleep. Amie smiled at him.
"You always did look so peaceful when you were sleeping" Amie brushed a stray strand of hair out of his face.
She figured she'd just let him spend the night on the couch. While she got a blanket for him she happily hummed a tune.
Just as Amie tucked Joe in she heard his phone go off "Hello? Amie speaking."
"Amie! The joker came in and took Anthony! I need to talk to Joe." The mayor's wife cried threw the phone.
Amie gasped; she couldn't breathe while she looked at Joe. "Okay, you need to get somewhere safe, where are you?"
"I'm in the car at the police station." Her voice sounded a bit calmer.
"I'll have Joe come down to see you. Be safe and careful till then, bye." Amie clicked the 'end call' button.
Without any problem she woke the man up "Joe sorry but you need to go support your family. Joker stole your cousin and you have to go protect his wife down at the police station while I go find Anthony."
Joe stared at her and watched as she ran around undressing and quickly throwing her hair up. Once she came back into the room as Muse is when the news finally hit him.
Before she could leave he took hold of her.
"Aim, thank you for caring, I know you'll find him. Be careful…" Joe paused for a minute "I love you"
Her face soften "I love you too and I will"
And she was off not once looking back; she had a long and painful night ahead of her.
She had no clue as to how she was going the find Joker, much less Anthony. Muse was sure Batman would be looking for him too.
Remembering Moroni still owed her that favor, Muse headed towards the right side of Gotham.
This time when the maid open the door for Muse, she didn't play nice.
Pushing her way in, she yelled at the top of her lungs "MORONI! YOU OWN ME AND I'M HERE TO COLLECT!"
Waiting a few slow moments Muse took note of the guards pointing their guns at her, till she saw Moroni with all the other high town drug dealers.
"Muse, this is the second time you've come into my home uninvited and unwelcome. What do you want?" Moroni acted as if Muse was a fly, she didn't enjoy it at all.
Muse tilted her head down, with a pissy grin while giving an unknowing slight joker like lick to her lips.
"Now, I don't ask for much Mister Moroni. Hell I even helped you get rid of your very own family murder as well as saved your poor pitiful life" Muse walked up the stairs where he stood "I'm looking for someone you know, where's Joker?"
Moroni looked at her shocked "Joker? Why would you…"
Muse grabbed him by the collar of the shirt with a sick grin "Moroni, sweetie, he has something of mine. Either tell me where he is or I'll be forced to bring violence into the picture." (HAha cause Ricky was a photographer)
"He likes to stay near the loading docks close to the old amusement parks." Moroni answered while taking hold of Muse's gloved hands "Now I suggest you keeping your hands off me or Joker will keep what's yours."
Muse let go of him with a small shove at the end while walking down the stairs "Thanks for your time Moroni. Oh and consider your debt paid."
The gun points followed her to the door.
"Muse. If you ever need a job, know I could have one lined up for you, and give the clown a hit for me." Moroni spoke to her, for once like she wasn't beneath him.
Muse smiled and closed the door behind herself "I'll keep the job in mind, as for joker… gladly."
She tried moving as fast as possible but without the bike she was still too slow for her liking.
Wheezing silently she stalked the roof tops by the docks, looking for anyone with a clown mask. Her best bet was to take one hostage get what information she needed and bloody well save Anthony before Joker could kill him.
That's when she saw a dark shadow taking goon after goon out.
"Well, that way works too, thanks bats" She mused quietly to herself, slowly she came down from her perch letting Batman do all the work.
Following the trail of passed out guards and tied up thugs, Muse stuck to the side at a good distance.
"Batsy, Batsy, Batsy. How I can always count on you. Ya see we need to have a little chat about our favorite lady in tights." Joker chuckled with a knife in hand. Next to him sat Anthony, bruised, bloody and beaten.
Batman watched him carefully trying to figure out a way to get the mayor out of the way "Why steal the mayor if you just wanted to talk?"
Joker tilted his head as he made a loud popping sound "Well how else am I going to make sure you come and keep you from pouncing on me, hum?"
Muse circled around to Joker's back.
"You want to talk, we talk… Just let Anthony go" Batman moved forward a step.
Joker shook his knife at him "Tsk Tsk, Batman. You know that will never work. No Mister Mayor stays with me. Now Batsy, I have a little warning message for you. I want ya to stay away from Muse. After all I saw her first."
Batman stared the clown down "What makes you think Muse wants you?"
Joker let a short giggle bubble over "Oh plea-se, do you see the way she flirts with me! The only reason M and M talks to ya Batsy is to make little ol' me jealous."
Muse couldn't take it anymore. She clapped her hands together loudly with the room being bear it echoed "My, what a lovely soap opera this whole event makes, but gents you're missing something altogether… I'm spoken for."
The look on Joker's face was priceless till it hit him fully "Who is he, I'll kill'm!"
That short distraction gave Batman the opening he needed. He flew at Joker tumbling down into a fight. Muse let the two men battle each other while she checked on Anthony.
He was out but breathing. That lifted a weight off her shoulders. It took some time and a bit of dodging into the shadows but she was able to get Anthony to a safe place where the cops would find him. She watched as the boys in blue came to take Joker away and as Joe and Anthony's wife came to see Anthony off to the hospital.
"Batman, thank you." Anthony's wife looked to the man in leather.
He didn't look at her instead he stared at Joe "I'm not the only one to thank, if it wasn't for Muse showing up I believe I would have never made it in time."
Joe watched Anthony and his wife go off in the ambulance while Batman and Gordon talked among themselves.
Looking up to the roof Joe caught sight a female figure cad in purple and black. He smiled up at her.
She just couldn't help herself, making sure no one was watching Muse blew Joe a kiss before disappearing from sight.
All but one did not see the quick and intimate exchange, the one with the green hair and ruby red lip stick.
A/N: and the plot thickens!