Chapter 13: It's all Chemistry

Her body writhed as what felt like white hot knives all pierced her skin.

But what she was seeing did not match what she felt of her bed.

She appeared to be looking through a big pane of glass, one that looked eerily almost like one of the observation rooms back at Arkham Asylum.

But it could not be Arkham. For one thing if she was at Arkham, she would be wearing her white coat. She would also not be so small in height compared to her captor, who was huge and hulking like a bear, nor would he be wearing a black skull mask over his face.

He held her arms behind her back as she struggled to scramble closer to the big window through which she could see a large warehouse like space.

In it were many big canisters, each one filled with strange greenish liquid that swirled like an evil witch's magic potion. It was the nearest canisters that had Mina's attention though.

For there in the gloom, was a huge hulking figure garbed in black and grey, running fast over the railings as he pursued hotly a shadowy figure.

"S-stop please" Mina pleaded as she saw the fleeing figure hit the railing as his attacker advanced on him arms outstretched-

"Mina!"

Mina Poole's eyes flew open.

It took her a second before she realized that she wasn't alone in her still very dark room.

Someone else was towering over her.

Someone in a dark cowl and cape.

With a snarl her hands flew up to grab at the figure who caught her hands deftly in his grip.

"Stop." Batman hissed "I'm not going to hurt you"

"Already too late for that you Bat-Eared Bastard." Mina growled this time trying to kick her legs up. "Let me go! Leave me alone!"

However, in two seconds flat the Dark Knight had rolled her over onto her stomach and pinned her arms in a lock behind her back.

"I will leave you if you answer a few questions."

"The way I see it you owe me a few answers." Mina snapped viciously but Batman ignored her and as he hardened his grip on her arms he hissed.

"You ditched your bodyguard in the middle of the day to talk to Crane."

"Oh is talking to my patients a crime now?" Mina rolled her eyes only to wince as the lock of her arms worsened ever so slightly.

"Only when you breach your patient confidentiality agreement" Batman growled "You talked to him about another patient. Doris Darling-"

"Only because Crane brought her up you twat!" Mina growled. "I had a run in with her in the morning and she got under my skin. Crane noticed it and commented about it. Nothing more, Nothing less"

"Would you be willing to testify that statement in court?" the Dark Knight hissed softly.

Mina mouth open in shock, her half asleep half alcohol ridden mind barely able to process through the words to her own mouth as she spluttered indignantly.

"What-why would I need to-I fucking hell haven't done a fucking damn thing to-what the-"

Then suddenly she felt herself be freed from her hold as the caped crusader stepped back quickly, his breathing slowing down and his eyes widening.

"You don't know…" he murmured darkly.

"Don't know what?" Mina spat as she sat up, massaging her wrists, which were to her mounting irritation beginning to bruise.

For a moment she saw the silhouette of Batman bristle slightly in the dark shadows were he had hidden himself.

"Seven hours ago a vault in the Arkham Archives was reported broken into. In addition, the confidential files contained in the vault were stolen."

Mina froze all anger forgotten in her shock. She checked the alarm clock. It was barely five in the morning. She turned back to the Dark Knight and frowned.

"I beg your pardon?"

"The files that you and Crane were talking about earlier. They were stolen tonight."

"By who?"

"The GCPD are hoping you could tell them" Batman growled.

Mina's scowl returned full force, so fierce that it could curdle new milk.

"Oh do they? Well news flash bat-brain, I have been here for the entire night, drinking and sleeping. You can check the camera's your little Boy-Gofer installed or better still, go check with Jones. He was the one who put me to bed after all."

"I already did that. Why else do you think I am standing here?" Batman's growl was slightly softer than before as was his gaze, though the irritating concern just wouldn't vanish even as he said "Gordon agreed to let me question you first before he came to talk to you with the rest of the cops in the morning."

Mina's pale face was now the colour of chalk, but she kept her gaze steady and her eyes stern as she spoke.

"So that you can give them evidence to arrest me? A confession"

"…No. I have provided the GCPD enough evidence to support your innocence." Batman grit his teeth hard together to stop himself almost spitting at the infuriating woman in the bed "But no one can overlook the relationships you have with your patients at Arkham anymore. Not when you have the Joker after your blood."

"Crane's only interested in me because I give him buck where others would cower" Mina folded her arms "And Nygma's only talking to me because I'm one of the few people in there that actually can look him in the eye and give him a straight answer. Poison Ivy hates me because she sees other females as rivals and threats to her plans, and Jervis Tetch seems to think I'm Alice reincarnate. Apart from that I do not see any other reason why the GCPD should be interested by my work at Arkham. If anything they should be damn fucking indebted that I'm even managing to look after myself without becoming another body in the harbour. And speaking of indebted, I would think that after all the crap you've put me through you'd at least grant me some privacy, especially since it is the one thing you value so highly Mister Wayne"

There was a silence in which Batman stared at the young woman who stared unflinchingly back, her gaze locking into his, daring him to lie to her, to defend himself from the truth she knew to be true.

But how…HOW could she know it was true to begin with? Was she bluffing?

No she wasn't. Batman could see the unwavering certainty in those cold black orbs.

"Gordon and his men will be coming for you by nine" he growled as he slid backwards into the darkness. "I hope for your sake you don't dig yourself deeper with the other Rogues"

"Unlike some poor orphan boys Wayne, I know how to take care of myself" Mina sneered as she shone the torch on her phone over her room, she couldn't see his form anywhere.

"finally" Mina sighed heavily as she leaned back into her pillows.

But as she curled herself back into a comfortable position, she couldn't stop her thoughts swirling around her head.

The file was moved

she pursed her lips as her vision glazed over her pillow.

Someone else knew about that file. Joker…or could it be…

She yawned wide as her eyelids began to droop once more.

No. she was too tired to be dealing with this shit. Perhaps in another couple of hours she'd be able to look through this all prope-

That's weird…

She frowned as she felt something poke her through her pillow.

Carefully as she could, she slid her hand underneath and dragged out two things A small black usb sitting on her and a letter written in all caps block handwriting.

Copies of Crane's files on Doris Darling. Digitized and encrypted. I have the originals in my possession but it would be too risky to bring them to you with the Bat and the police on your tail, so commit the password to memory and burn this paper as soon as you're done with it

The Password is: Argonautica

Doctor Young left you a message on your answering machine last night and has given you a couple of days off to get over what happened yesterday. But don't worry, you won't be idle.

Once the police are finished with you today, have Jones drive you to Royal Hotel, Diamond District. Ask again for John Haywood.

Don't be late.

Ghost

Knock! Knock!

"Enter" a voice called.

Doctor Penelope Young chewed her lip as she stepped into the private office of Hugo Strange.

"Ah Penelope, please take a seat. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" The older more experienced doctor smiled politely observed his colleague's rather timid cautious movements. In truth it was rather amusing for him, watching the usually confident doctor skulk skittishly about his person as she took the seat on the other side of his desk.

"Hugo" she gulped her hands twisting furiously in her lap. "I'm sorry to interrupt your work, but I-I I needed to talk to someone."

"Of course my dear. Now what seems to be the problem"

Doctor Young gulped, her face tinged green as if she was going to be sick any minute.

"Sir…it's about my assistant Mina Poole"

"Ah…I see" Strange smirked. "I see"

Now this should be interesting…

The hotel was large luxurious and above all, gaudy.

Mina almost threw up in revulsion as she caught sight of the loud and flashy women strutting around in the lobby in all their best finery

Even though she had worn her nicest winter daywear, which consisted of an expensive fur lined red coat over the top of a woollen dress, stockings and high boots, she still felt like a children's entertainment clown pushed into an adult's fancy dinner party.

But as soon as the image floated over her mind, so too did the terrible laughter.

No! don't think about it!

She snarled to herself as she quietly asked for John Haywood at the concierge desk.

At once and without question, both she and her bodyguard Jones were escorted to the elevator.

They stopped at the tenth floor and were shown up to the last door on the right of the corridor, before their guide promptly and very quickly ran away back to the elevator and sent himself zooming away as fast as he could.

"Wimp" Mina scowled and Jones snorted.

"He's just a boy"

"Yeah a really wimpy boy" Mina reached out and rapped her knuckles smartly on the door.

It was answered at once, but no one was there to greet them.

Or at least that's what they thought until a gruff voice growled from behind the door.

"Get in! Jones take this keycard and go to the room next door to the right."

Jones spared Mina a glance, and for a split second she wondered if her short but deadly bodyguard was actually worried for her.

But then the moment was gone in an instant and soon the door was getting shut behind Jones' back with a snap.

"take off your clothes all of them" a gruff voice hissed.

Mina turned to the sound and was not surprised to see Ghost standing there, white skull mask under a tattered red hooded sweater and jeans today.

"Listen ass just because you got lucky once-" She scowled but already Ghost had strode up to her and held her fast.

With a swift shove he thrust a pile of clothes into her arms and shoved her towards the bed.

"Dress in these now! Underwear too"

"Why-"

"Because I'll put a bullet in your mouth so just shut up and put them on"

"Okay! Okay! Fine!" Mina growled as she stripped off her shirt and tugged her new set of clothes on.

It was a grungy set of black skinny jeans, a white T-shirt and a black sweater with a black hood and a pair of worn out trainers with a plain set of cotton underwear and bra underneath. Once she had put the ensemble on Ghost shoved a hair tie her way.

"You'll need this" was all he grunted as she took it from him, and he took her discarded blouse and skirt away.

But instead of stashing them somewhere safe, Ghost walked over to the wall opposite the double bed and took hold of the frame of a painting that hung there.

Mina blinked in astonishment as with ease, the painting swung forwards revealing a square shaped hole in the wall, through which Jones could be seen peering through with a raised brow.

"Delia's just filled me in on the plan" Jones nodded as Ghost passed the bundle of clothes across the hole and into the other room. "I'll be taking her to a café and then to one of those movie marathons close to the apartment."

"Which movie marathon?" Ghost hissed quietly.

"Bourne trilogy apparently" Jones rolled his eyes.

"Good that should buy us the time we need" Ghost's shoulders relaxed considerably but not before he added swiftly "but keep a watch out. If my sources are correct then both the police and Batman might have people tailing, you. Make sure Delia keeps the holo-mask on at all times till we make the switch back."

The painting shut with a snap and Mina frowned.

"holo-mask?"

"Holographic mask." Ghost grunted as he walked over to the corner of the room and picked up a briefcase. "newest Tech from Star Labs. A device that scans a person's face and then maps the image over another person's face from a band around their neack."

"oh…like motion capture for film?" Mina quirked a curious brow.

"Yeah…a bit like that" Ghost snorted as he opened the briefcase.

Inside were three handguns.

He pocketed two of them before handing the third to Mina.

"you know how to shoot this?"

"As well as I know the streets of Gotham" Mina drawled as she checked the magazine before stashing the gun in an inside pocket of the sweater she wore.

"Good because we'll be heading to Park Row"

Bruce Wayne scowled as he checked the small repeating snippet of security footage of the Lacey Towers apartment.

"Unlike some poor orphan boys Wayne, I know how to take care of myself"

There was a loud clang behind him and Bruce turned to see Alfred staring at the footage in shock.

"but how…" His shocked butler breathed wide eyed "How on earth could she have known?"

"I don't know" Bruce admitted with an angry growl "Ever since she came back on my radar I have been even more careful not to give anything away of my identity, and so has Tim for that matter. And even with her brains, I don't see how she could've figured it out unless someone told her"

"But who would've told her master Bruce?" Alfred's lips pursed as he reached down to pick up the fallen tray at his feet. "The only ones who know about your secret are within the family."

"As far as we know" Bruce stood to his feet, slipping his dark cowl over his head.

But before he could even stride two paces, his trusted old friend said"

"Master Bruce, perhaps you should leave the young woman be for the time being. Going to interrogate Miss Poole again, straight after such an event will only push her further over an edge she is already so close to tumbling over"

"And let her sell out our identities?" Batman growled "Sorry Alfred but I can't let that happen. I have to find some way to stop her before she goes too far. For all our sakes."

He tried to turn away again but his butler only grabbed harder at his armoured shoulder, actually forcing him to turn back around.

"For heaven's sake Master Bruce, would you listen to me just this once! No you listen to me!" he barked over the top of his charge's snarl.

"Yes, the girl is disturbed in her mind, but she is no rogue of yours. And so far, she has not done anything to deserve the kind of treatment from you. All her actions have spoken out for someone who only wishes to be left alone and in peace. All of her negativity, conniving cunning and cold façade is only ever that. A façade! A façade for a scared child who only views life as a desperate scramble for the last scraps on the table, just like most children of the Gotham streets do…just like young master J-"

"STOP Alfred!" Bruce yelled, but though there was fury in his tones, he kept his arms firmly rooted by his sides, desperate to hold onto the remaining threads of his frayed temper "Stop. Mina Poole is nothing like Jason! NOTHING! She's not noble or kind. She does not care for anyone save herself."

"And that is where you are wrong. She does care, more than you know and more then she dares admit to herself. The problem is, is that she now has nothing to care for anymore." Alfred shook his head sadly "Though harsh and cold she acted to the world, she still had a loving home, a family who accepted her as broken and as disturbed as she was. And then to have an evil monster such as the Joker take it all away from her in one fell swoop and leaving her all alone…can you really blame her for feeling angry with the world?"

Batman opened his mouth…then shut it hastily.

Though he and his butler didn't usually agree on much concerning this particular young woman…did his old friend have a point.

The dark knight felt his gut churn as he remembered all too clearly the way Mina had thrashed at him that Christmas eve night. The tears she shed as she screeched and sobbed for her mother's demise.

But then he could also remember the fury ignited in those cold black pits that were her eyes, and the way her lip curled with vicious pleasure every time she looked at him, her gaze calculating as she searched for a weak spot to attack like a savage predator.

"Keep an eye on that scanner and comm me if anything important shows up." Batman growled as he turned his back on his old butler who scoffed irritably.

"And in the meanwhile what will you be doing sir?"

"Looking for the missing files. And for that I'll need to see Crane" Batman clipped as he fetched his utility belt from a nearby work station "He wrote the files himself when he was working in Arkham. Whatever is in them must be connected to Joker somehow. It's the only explanation as to why they might have been stolen so soon after his disappearance."

"You think the Joker's trying to hide something then?" Alfred frowned worriedly as he watched his charge swoop down to a platform below.

"Not something Alfred. Someone"

Mina had never ridden on a motorbike before.

It had been one of the few things she had always wanted to do but never got around to trying. There was something about them that screamed sexy to her. Normal automobiles like cars and vans and trucks never held much sway in that respect. Any fat douche could drive one of those. But show her a motorbike and she was more gleeful than a child on their birthday.

And so it was with no hesitation that she fitted the helmet over her head and swung her leg over the side of the bike and seated herself behind her ghost, who rolled his eyes as he revved up the engine.

The trip was short, or at least it felt short to Mina who let herself grin fully under the protection of her black helmet.

Once or twice a small giggle escaped her as her ghost swerved the bike smoothly in-between passing cars. If he heard any of it though he didn't make any indication save when he finally pulled them into a small tiny alleyway and parked the vehicle.

"Alright woman, fun-time's over" he growled and Mina hopped off reluctantly, rolling her eyes as she made to take off the helmet.

"Y'know I really don't care, but the whole 'woman' thing is getting pretty old. Soon people are going to start accusing you of being chauvinistic"

"Yeah well most people are stupid" Ghost huffed as he turned his back on her and took off his helmet.

For a moment a full head of dark hair was revealed to her along with a peek of a pale neck and ears.

Caucasian…

Mina's eyes narrowed as Ghost quickly slipped a beanie over his head and a scarf around his mouth, pulling up the hood of his jacket so that only his eyes were visible as he turned around.

Mina stiffened, her hand flying to her belt as her eyes met dark blue orbs which narrowed dangerously.

"What?" Ghost snapped, his sharp gaze tracking her hands which paused before hanging limply by her sides as she sighed heavily.

"Nothing…it's stupid really" Mina muttered cursing herself as her voice wavered slightly "Y-you just reminded me of someone that's all"

"Who?"

"Batman." She mumbled then quickly added "He also has blue eyes. For a moment I thought…"

"That I was him?" Ghost rumbled and she averted her eyes uncomfortably.

"Like I said it's stupid" she mumbled, more to herself than to him. "I guess my brain's still a bit fried from that old bitch's mumbo jumbo"

Ghost's posture relaxed slightly, but his eyes remained set and grim as they watched her bristle and cough.

"So, what now? What are we doing?"

"Your job." Ghost grunted his hands reaching down to his pockets. "Your boss Doctor Young has asked you in her voicemail to pick up a sample of one of the chemicals she needs for project Titan from one of her friends working there."

"Right…" Mina folded her arms and scowled "And why couldn't I just go with Jones? He is my bodyguard and this is official Asylum business"

"Because the substance Doctor Young needs is illegal in this state, and has been bought off the books" Ghost's eyes crinkled in a small smirk "And she doesn't want her work being tailed by the Batman or the Police. Ergo, she'll send you to fetch the stuff, knowing full well that if you're caught by either of them you'll pay the price for her shit and so will Jones."

"Bitch" Mina snarled "But that still doesn't explain why Jones couldn't have filled in your place. He's proven just as good at keeping his head down."

"Because unlike Jones, I know Batman and his way of thinking. If he so much as catches your scent here, he'd probably have you locked under house arrest with nothing but his little partner for company." Ghost sneered.

But even as his eye caught hers again, she the sound of children's laughter echoed in her ears.

"Did you hear that?" she frowned.

Ghost's brow furrowed.

"Hear what?"

"Never mind" Mina shook her head but Ghost grabbed her arm before she could walk away.

"Wait!"

"What?" she snapped.

There was a pause as Ghost stared down at her, his blue eyes swirling with a strange emotion she could not quite pinpoint even as he leaned forwards to be right up in her face.

"hold still"

Then there was a hand snaking its way under her shirt.

"What the fuck-" she hissed but was quickly shushed by her ghost as both hands now slid up her bare back towards her bra strap.

"Thank fuck" he sighed into her ear as his fingers brushed against the black cotton.

"What?" Mina scowled irritably, half tempted to shoot him right then and there and half tempted for him to continue even as he pulled away to look at her in the face.

"You're wearing the bra I gave you right?"

"Uh yeah?" Mina quirked a brow as he finally pulled both his hands away. "Why? Want it back?"

"No, you keep it. Besides it probably looks better on you." Ghost snorted turning his back on her but Mina's curiosity wasn't sated.

"Why did I have to change bra's anyway? All the women in Park Row probably have better lingerie then that for their kinds of work-"

"The bra wasn't the problem." Ghost sniffed as he led her out of the alleyway "It was what was on it that was"

"What was on it?" Mina blinked then she scowled "Batman! That fucking pointy-eared-black-caped piece of flying rodent SHIT! Bug my apartment fine! But my BRA?! That just crosses SO many lines"

"It wasn't Batman. But that's got to be one of the most original insults I've ever heard about him so gold star for you" Ghost smirked "No the tracker on it was one of Riddlers"

"UGH! Can't a girl get any privacy in this godforsaken city?!"

"If a girl is anything like you, then no. No they won't"

"Fuck you"

"You already did that. And you enjoyed it too. Remember?"

"Hmph…smug little shit!"

A figure in the shadows stretched out languidly in a moth eaten chair. White gloved fingers drumming slowly over the arm as its owner hummed a tune softly in time with the half crackling radio to its right.

"Oh! Darling, please believe me. I'll never do you no harm. Believe me when I tell you, I'll never do you no harm"

"Puddin?"

"DIDN'T I TELL YOU NOT TO DISTURB ME!" the figure roared as it jumped in its chair at the figure who had appeared in the doorway.

However even by the time he had turned to round upon the blonde haired noisy woman, she had already disappeared and shut the door with a snap.

The figure sighed heavily as it turned back to slouch in the chair again, an arm reaching out to snag something rectangular that sat on a small side table on it's right.

"just a little more time my Darling" the figure hissed, its fingers gently caressing the paper encased by the thin metal frame. "Just a little more time…and then hi-hi you'll be mine again"

What the fuck is this shit?

The colour was a sickly gold laced with green and swirled ominously in its test tube as Mina inspected it with her gloved hands.

The exchange for Doctor Young was going quickly and quietly in one of the small backroom Ace Chemicals Laboratories. No one had seen them come in. And no one had seen their faces

So far so good.

Even Mina had to admit she was impressed the buffoon in front of her had ever managed to sneak them into the large Chemicals factory, but that might also have been because of a little fiddling with the security footage on Ghost's part.

Her Ghost…

Mina bit her lip as she glanced at the hulking shadow that leaned by the door of the lab, watching her closely from his mask of scarf and beanie.

She really did not know what to think of him.

He hated Batman just as much as she did and yet…every time she was near him she could hear faintly, the sounds of two children laughing and playing echoing around her head.

It was weird.

There was a bristling of cloth beside her and she glanced towards the nervous looking chemist.

"Everything looks to be in order" She clipped straightening up and motioning for the metal cased freezer box which was quickly handed to her.

After carefully depositing the test tube (plus all the other five samples just like it) into the case she shut it, and for good measure, wrapped and tied a thick cord around in a secure knot.

The mousy chemist gulped as she spared him a scowl that told him very clearly to get her the fuck out of there before she lost her shit, and quick as lightning dashed out the door.

"Wow. He really can move fast when he wants to" Ghost snorted but Mina shook her head and rolled her eyes.

"Let's just get out of here quick."

"You should really relax" Ghost murmured as they followed the chemist out the door and down the corridor. "the more panicked you look the more suspicious everyone else will be"

"I'm not panicking" Mina snapped as they walked into a corridor with a long series of glass windows stretching all along on one side. "I just don't want the bat breathing down my neck again tonight."

"He won't. Trust me." Ghost murmured only to grunt as he walked right into her back.

"Hey woman! What are you doing?" he hissed.

But Mina wasn't listening.

She was staring wide eyed through the glass.

There in the large space down below…were big canisters full of green swirling liquid.

"Stop Please!"

"Stay still you brat"

"No! Stop! Stop! Can't you see him! Daddy Look out! Look out he's right behind you! Daddy! DADDY!"

"Mina" a voice called but Mina's mind had already turned to black.

Dr. Young: This is my final interview with Edward. I have gone as far as I can. I can no longer tolerate his mood swings and tantrums. I have more important work to be getting on with. He will be transferred to Dr. Whistler's care as ofnext week.

Riddler: Good morning, Doctor. How are you today?

Dr. Young: I'm fine, thank you, Edward. You're in a good mood.

Riddler: I'm always in rare spirits when I'm about to be released.

Dr. Young: Edward, you know you don't come up for parole for another three years.

Riddler: First thing I'll do is have dinner at that Italian place on 19th Street...

Dr. Young: Seriously, Edward...

Riddler: I only hope Joker hasn't completely trashed the city. Ah well, I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

Dr. Young: Wait, have you been in contact with The Joker? He escaped Arkham weeks ago!

Riddler: And yet, one hears things...

Dr. Young: What things? What have you heard?

Riddler: Oh, something about a surprise party for Batman, I forget the rest. You know Joker, yak, yak, yak.

Dr. Young: Edward, if you know anything, you've got to tell me! Lives could be at stake! What did Joker say?

Riddler: You forget, Doctor. I'm the one who asks the riddles.

Dr. Young: And what about Mina Poole?

Riddler: What about her?

Dr. Young: From what I've seen in her interviews you seem to have developed a certain…fondness for her…

Riddler: Tche! Fondness is for fools. But even I must admit that it has been rather-ahem-refreshing to be able to talk to someone who actually uses some of her brain cells correctly.

Dr. Young: And yet you'd stay in contact with the Joker. Knowing full well that he's targeting her, hunting her down.

Riddler: ha-ha! Oh Doctor, I'm surprised that even an ignoramus such as yourself could even fail to see it ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Dr. Young: See what?

Riddler: Ha! Well if I have to spell it out for you. Riddle me this. Who's dangerous, aggressive and deadly to Miss Poole? I'll tell you who, it's Joker of course!

Dr. Young: Edward seriously what am I supposed to see here?

Riddler: I just gave you the answer. Who's dangerous, aggressive and deadly to Miss Poole? Joker. Simple! Even a monkey could figure this clue out! But then again, there are some people who have yet to evolved from such a primitive state. A-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Dr Young: Security! Security! Get in here now!

Riddler: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-HA!

"Mina! Mina!"

Mina could feel a pair of hands gingerly tilt up her face as her eyes flickered open.

The dark blue orbs of her ghost's face zoomed in and out of focus in the dark gloom of her moonlit room.

Her room? Moonlight?

"Whoa there woman, just take it easy" Ghost sighed sardonically down at her as she tried to sit up.

"Again with the woman thing" Mina grumbled as she allowed him to settle her back against her cushions. "What the fuck happened?"

"I was hoping you could tell me" Ghost snorted as he leant back in the chair he had dragged to the side of her bed. "Y'know since I had to drag your scrawny backside back here from Ace Chemicals"

"Ace…" Mina breathed rubbing a hand over her sweaty brow.

Then she remembered and she gripped the sheets beside her tightly in her hands.

"I've been there before" she murmured into her pillow.

"What?" Ghost frowned.

"Ace Chemicals. I have been there before…when I was little" Mina shut her eyes. "The Bear was there too…I think."

"the Bear?" Ghost snorted but Mina shook her head.

"He was one of the guys in charge of Black Mask's child labour trafficking. None of us kids ever knew his name, but we all knew he was big and growled a lot so we just called him the Bear. Ugh…I can still smell his garlic breath."

Mina shut her eyes and shuddered.

"I've seen some pretty nasty shit-faces in Gotham, but even that guy took the cake. Would beat kids to a pulp for even sneezing out of turn. And once the girls were old enough he'd…break them in."

"and he was there with you…at Ace" Ghost muttered darkly and Mina nodded. Eyes still closed.

"Yes…him…and my father…and batman…that fucking asshole! It's all his fault! All his fault! If he had just left my father alone…"

She bit her lip as she pressed herself back into the bed, almost willing herself to vanish into it.

The swirling masses of green in canisters…the screams of the little girl…the shadow chasing a smaller pleading figure.

The thought was almost enough to make her throw up.

"Fucking pathetic" she mumbled hoarsely, a red blush of mortification creeping up to her ears "Why can't I get my head screwed on straight?"

Something warm grazed her arm and she opened her eyes to see ghost's gloved hand reach up to squeeze her shoulder gently.

"You should go back to sleep." His voice was deep, but for the first time not growling or snarling, but calm and soothing.

"Can't do that now" Mina grumbled but was forced back down again as his hand pushed her back.

"You shouldn't be stressing yourself-"

"Fine. I won't move from the bed. But at least get me my laptop so I can work on those files."

There was a moment Mina thought her Ghost would actually punch her to knock her out. Because from the look in his eyes he seemed to be sorely considering it.

But there was also something else there, smouldering in those blue depths.

Lust?

But no…Mina knew lust and whilst there was desire there, there was also something much more intense lingering just under the surface.

But then the moment had passed and soon she had her slender laptop in hand and the small USB stick inserted at the side.

"Yes! Locked and loaded bitches!" She smirked as she booted up the OS's file manager, when Ghost grabbed her hand and held it still.

"Oh come on I can still use the mou-mph!" she squeaked as a pair of lips crashed over hers.

The lips were coarse and thin, their owner's breath hot like their tongue which delved into her mouth roughly before pulling back to hiss.

"You're not pathetic…woman"

And then before Mina could even blink, there was the whoosh of material, a rush of cold air, and she was alone in her bedroom with the window opened wide into the night.

"Hmph! Stop calling me woman Jackass" She rolled at the moon as it glowed on her, illuminating her pale skin, her light hair…and the small upwards quirk of her lips.

And Chapter 13 is up! and we're definitely getting closer to the events of Arkham Asylum,! i can't wait ;) and yeah a lot of you guys are already starting to guess a few things out, but you'll still have to wait and see for the full thing to come to light muahahahaha! and on that note see if you guys can figure out Riddler's little clue he left behind.

anyways hope you guys enjoyed and review if you want more.