Kait: So last chapter many of you all got confused on what the Joker was doing while he was laying his head on her chest while she was sleeping. Well I'll clear it up for you all. He was listening to her heart beat and fell asleep listening to it. Sydney, my wonderful beta reader, came up with the idea and I loved it! (cheers at Sydney)
Syd: Yes! And here is why. You see the Joker is so fascinated by Nichole that he wants to be more in touch with her inner responses than just hearing what she has to scream at him. You all can yell at me if this sounds fluffly, but i guess one of the other reasons he did that was because he wants to know if that is still the Nichole that he is lured to so much. In my opinion the simple act of a man laying his head on a women's chest is such an intimate and terrifying action at the same time. For one thing it leaves her in such a vulnerable position because of what he is exposed to. The other is just a gesture of nuture and the act of trying to reach out to someone. I think what was going through his head was he wanted to know despite of her disorder of having Candy in her body, that this was still the Nichole that he has become so allured to. And if you think about it the only other times that he is near her chest is when he is going to bite or fondle roughly, but this is one of the only times he doesn't do that. (giggles) Sorry for my rambling!
Joker: (looks embarrassed) That's a lie...I was just....Just....seeing if i could hear the ocean!! (nods his head innocently)
Kait: (glares at the Joker) Yeah Yeah, you just keep looking innocent. Just wait til in this chapter when you-
Syd: (covers Kait's mouth) KAIT! NO! No spoiling it!
Nichole woke up with a very odd feeling. It felt as if something completely motionless, yet heavy, was laying on her chest. She opened her eyes slowly and peered down to see in utter shock the Joker laying on her chest, his ear pressing into the space between her breasts and the tip of his hair was barely brushing under her chin, sending a ticklish feeling on her skin as she slightly moved her head to gaze at him.
Her heart and breathing began to pick up seeing him like this. It was a very usual position for him, seeing that normally she would wake up with his face only inches from hers, but now he was literally on top of her. She remained there for a moment staring at his sleeping figure. She then looked at the blank space of the bed to the right of her and then back to the Joker. She bit her lip as she tried to shift her body to the right and remove the Joker from her.
She felt one of his arms drop off of her, and then part of his chest. All that remained on her chest was his head, which she knew in order to get off she would have to slide herself completely off the bed or manually pick his head off of her, which would most definitely wake him up. She decided to try to slide off the bed.
Inch by inch she slid. That is, until she felt a hand forcefully wrap around her waist and the Joker grow tense on her. "You're not going anywhere." He stated.
Nichole gasped in fright, all her muscles tensing as well from the complete shock that he was awake. She tried to speak, but choked on her own words.
The Joker raised his head up off her chest and moved his body so he was laying directly on top of her. He now leaned his chin between her breasts and looked up at her face, directly into her eyes. He grinned wickedly at her, a slight curve to his smile.
She finally built the courage up from her stomach. "How...How did you know I was awake? I was being very careful not to wake you." She wanted to sound very polite, so she would not anger him, as his tight grip on her waist had still not ceased.
He licked his lips. It felt very awkward to her when he did this, since his chin was digging into her chest for a brief moment.
"Well I heard the sound of your lovely heartbeat sky rocket when you saw-" he pointed to himself, "this face-sah on you." He wiggled his eyebrows up and down, still smirking.
Nichole scowled silently, realizing what he said to be true. She glared at him. "Why were you laying on me like that?" She asked irritated.
Her eyes then widened.
Had he done anything to while I was sleeping?!
Nichole's eyes quickly scanned her body.
The Joker rolled his eyes noticing her action. "Oh please Nichole, I believe I have always made sure you were awake whenever I want to have some fun with you."
"Well your fun isn't fun for me." She spat angrily.
The Joker tensed once more his grin fading for a moment, before reappearing on his face. He leaned in closer to her face as he spoke sending his warm breath onto her face, "Well too bad for you, I like it that way!" He nodded, his eyes looking as if he were squinting at her. "And who says I want it to be fun for you?" His face was amused, but Nichole could see in his eyes he was holding in some anger.
Her face turned to disgust as he leaned closer in. She backed her head up as far as her neck would take her without having to lie down completely. She wanted to keep eye contact with him, fearing he would try something if she looked away even for a moment.
"And let me just say I do have more fun when you fight me Nikki, it makes the experience enjoyable."
Oh but he seemed to be enjoying himself last night with me. Candy told Nichole giggling. Go on Nikki, ask him. Ask about last night and why he looked like he was having the time of his life!
Nichole looked uncomfortable as she tried to slide her body up into a sitting position, in an attempt to hint to the Joker she wanted him off of her. He obviously got the message, but ignored it just wrapping both arms around her now and locking himself to her like an iron gate. He laid his head back down on her chest acting as if he was going back to sleep.
She felt courageous at the moment and went with her gut feeling. "Can you get off of me...Please?"
The Joker picked his head back up in a heartbeat. "Nichole...again you are pushing it. I have a very thin line of patience and you're walking on the edge, teetering to the bad side of it. You think you are smart to try and get guts and order me around? Well I'll have you know that, that is a big mistake. Look what happened last time you majorly stepped over my patience line."
He took one hand out from around her waist and took a finger stroking her J scar on her right cheek softly. He smiled at it; his mouth slightly open as he traced the rigid texture of it.
"S-s-stop." Nichole whispered. Whenever he would touch her scars she would feel very sick to her stomach, knowing that he was the cause of them. Her chest heaved as her breaths got deeper.
He did not listen to her though and continued to outline the corrupted layer of skin she held on her face, only laughing more as she quivered her lip involuntarily.
He leaned in closer; his lips inches from hers. He lingered there, feeling Nichole tense more than she already was and lean all her weight away from him. He chuckled sending a burst of warm air at her, causing her to flinch. He leaned away not bothering to kiss her, but just to make her feel uncomfortable and give her the feeling of weakness. A feeling he loved others to have.
She decided to change the subject in an attempt to divert his attention away from her scar, "Why were you laying on me like that?" She asked again. This time she was really curious.
The Joker ignored her question completely; feeling like his answer would raise too many questions. Questions he himself could not answer.
Nichole felt a sigh of relief sweep over her as he pulled away. It was too early for her to deal with his sort of tricks at the moment.
The Joker suddenly pushed himself off of Nichole and stood up next to the bed stretching his arms out wide with a groan.
"Well we better get a move on. The day isn't going to wait for us to get out of bed to begin." He glanced over at a small digital clock in the room. "And it seems you have wrecked my sleeping patterns. Normally I am up much earlier, but you just make that bed so much more comfortable."
"If I wreck your sleeping patterns, I'll sleep on the floor." Nichole suggested irritably. This morning she was pissed off. Namely from the things that happened yesterday and by the fact the Joker was cracking jokes about it last night. It struck a fine nerve in her and now that nerve was lashing out by any means necessary. Nichole knew if she kept this up, she would end up with another bruise on her face for he would surely punch her.
The Joker stopped mid-stretch and stared at her with his eyes wide. Clearly he was not expecting her to be this annoying already in the day, and not just annoying but pretty much asking him to hit her upside the head until she shuts her mouth. He figured either she wasn't caring about herself at the moment, or she was being serious. He went with the first choice.
He placed a fake grin on his face, trying to lighten the mood. "Oh ho ho, but you see Nichole then there would be no fun at all. None at all. I enjoyed myself this morning for that hour or two laying there while you slept."
"You were laying like that for two hours?" Nichole asked, shocked and disgusted.
He shrugged. "Is there a problem with that?" He sent his dark eyes directly into hers; causing the smart ass remark she was going to say completely disappeared from her mind.
"N-No." She shook her head, blushing at how weak she sounded at the moment.
"Good-dah....Then we are going downstairs to get something to eat so you won't be passing out from what we are doing today."
"What are we-?" Nichole began, but the Joker interrupted.
"Something that involves a lot of lime-light for both of us. After all I need to do something to Gotham City, as I am sure they have missed me dearly."
Nichole glanced at the Candy outfit which was piled in the bathroom's threshold. A shiver ran down her spine.
He shook his head, noticing what she was looking at. "Don't want to get it dirty now do we?" He lifted his head, smiling and raising both eyebrows.
Nichole merely nodded, feeling happy to not have to put on that cursed outfit of hers. The Joker blinked at her as she stood up off the bed herself, clutching the robe to her tightly out of habit.
"But you know, I really don't want you to get that robe dirty either." He stated, narrowing his eyes. That glint of danger reappeared in his eyes fully.
She tightened her hold on the robe, flinching at what he was suggesting.
He sighed seeing that this was going nowhere he wanted it to go, and threw his hands up. "I am just kidding Nikki. Taking things too seriously like always. Lighten up! Now let's go and get something to eat before I come over there and change my mind about the robe thing and mean it seriously." He nodded at Nichole as his last sentence settled into her and a face of disgust appeared on her paled face.
Opening the door to the hallway he smacked his lips together. He glanced back at Nichole and tapped his foot. "Well....come on!"
Nichole stepped forward, near the door and him. He did not move, wanting her to exit first. She stared at the floor as she walked past him into the hallway, feeling his eyes all over her. She tightened her hold on herself, basically hugging herself at this point, not wanting to give him even the slightest bit of advantage.
She heard the door shut and his footsteps getting closer to her. Deciding not to wait for him to be by her side she kept walking, increasing her pace as his did too. Finally downstairs, it took him a few seconds to be by her side. He continued walking into the kitchen where he scanned the room looking for something to eat.
Nichole sat down at the table silently as the Joker brought over the same box of cereal they had yesterday. He dramatically placed it on the table, sitting next to Nichole. He placed his hands on his knees and stared at Nichole tilting his head.
She felt his gaze on her yet again and looked up. "What?"
He leaned in closer staring at a spot directly underneath her chin, which was a complete shock to her as to why he would be. It suddenly hit her on what he could be looking at, but it was too late.
He reached forward grabbing a hold of the small silver chain around her neck, pulling the necklace out from under the robe so he could see the half moon charm at the end of it. He traced the charm, sending fog on the silver from his breath. Nichole's eyes widened at this and panic was sent through all her bones.
Nichole. I told you to hide it! What did I tell you? He'd find it! Now you have no idea what he is going to do with it! Candy laughed. Just....Just don't tell him of its importance, because if he knew that it belonged to your mother.....well. He could hold that against you and take it.
"How could I have missed this little-" He faked a cough, "-accessory?" He tugged on it more, causing the chain around the back of her neck to dig into her skin. He found this very amusing as he could tell the necklace held some importance to her since her eyes were on the verge of tears.
"...G-Give it b-back." Nichole demanded, choking on cries of panic.
He scrunched his nose, cracking his neck. "I don't like your tone Nichole. I really don't, so I don't think I will." He tugged harder on it.
Nichole brought her hand up to the chain, on a part he wasn't holding onto. "Let go of it!" She yelled, all fear leaving her voice and anger filling the empty space.
"No." He growled pulling even harder on it, the chain now causing the back of her neck pain.
"Stop! You'll break it!" She screamed, tugging back on it to relieve pressure.
"I'm about to break your hand if you don't stop with this attitude." He grabbed a hold of one of her wrists, from the hand on the chain and tried to twist her wrist painfully.
She yelped, letting go of the necklace to stop him from breaking her wrist. In doing that the necklace's chain broke sending the charm flying across the room and the Joker almost falling backwards in his seat.
She caught her breath watching the moon split in half from the Joker's fingers and the tiny chains links that held it all together scatter into hundreds of pieces and each fall to the mess of the floor. As the final piece fell, so did Nichole's heart. A feeling of hate coursed through her. Her mother's necklace was gone; the only thing she had left of her.
Nichole allowed that anger to overtake her and jumped out of her chair, pouncing on the Joker sending a fist towards the side of his head. "You fucking bastard! I'll kill you!"
The fist collided with the side of his head, sending him, the chair and Nichole backwards slamming against the counter. The Joker taken aback, tried to stand up, but Nichole kicked him in the stomach to get herself off of his lap (as she landed on it when she attacked him) knocking the wind out of him. He choked, grabbing his stomach, as Nichole run at him again ready to punch at his face.
The Joker sucked in a bunch of air, and deflected her punch by bringing up his arm. This sent her fist into her shoulder, bruising the bones under his furious skin.
"I hate you! I fucking hate you! You're the worst person in the entire world!" She screamed as she kicked at him in the legs. Originally she was aiming to kick him between the legs, but her anger caused her accuracy to go down. "You are the most selfish, hurtful thing I ever have had the disgrace to know! You're not even a person; you're a fucking MONSTER! I'd rather die than be around you! You only care about yourself! You cause me so much pain and don't even care! You LOVE it! You are a heartless asshole! Burn in fucking hell!"
The Joker, now in rage himself, took a hold of her foot and flung her off of him. He stormed over to her and grabbed her by the neck, choking her. "Shut your mouth!" He hissed.
She bit down on his hand for once, causing him to shake his hold on her. This gave her the time to kick him in the knee and send a punch at his chest. "NO! I won't shut up! Stop telling me what to do! You don't own me! I own me! Every day I am with you I just want to fucking kill you! I'd rather live on the streets than live with you! At least I wouldn't get hurt there!"
The Joker, let out all his anger. Many times he had been placed in a situation with Nichole where he would hit her in anger, but never give the full blow. The only time he lost his cool was when he carved the J in her face, but that was different.
His hard fist collided into her jaw while he let out a growl of rage.
Nichole was sent flying backwards to the floor from the impact. She cried out in intense pain as she brought a hand up to her jaw screaming. It felt as if he dislocated it. The Joker could see the bruise already forming on the spot and smiled.
But he wasn't done punishing his little eye candy.
With a swift motion he took off the belt from around his waist, shoved his foot on her stomach and swung the belt at her; the metal buckle taking the hit.
The warehouse was filled with Nichole's piercing screams of pure agony.
She screamed covering her face with her arms. She screamed more and more when her arms and sides began taking the blows of the dangerous biting metal. She then managed to roll out from under his foot that was crushing her stomach and began to crawl away in desperation, still covering her face. The Joker then began swinging his belt in rage, the searing pain of the metal hitting almost every inch of her back.
She then went into a fetal position on the ground swaying side to side in pain, screaming as he continued to beat her with the metal of his belt. Each wound he inflicted immediately swelled into a welt and distort in color. She kicked at the floor in rage, the pain causing her vision to become distort.
After about thirty more seconds of this, she felt the Joker grab her by the arm, that was holding her face and pull on her. He dragged her out of the room. Her arms developed rug burn as he dragged her into the living room and then out of the house. She cried out for help once she could tell she was outside, but he just shook her arm, causing the hand on her jaw to shake which in turn caused more pain.
"STOP!" She screamed, but it came out all wrong and slurred.
He heard her, but he did not care. Too much anger was inside of him to care.
Screw that! He wasn't even capable to "care."
Or so he showed he was not able to.
He wanted to release his anger by any means necessary, and the new plan forming in his head was his best yet, in his opinion.
He dragged her over to his van, pulling the back door open. He picked her up by the arm and threw her inside. She hit the window on the other side of the seats hard. She continued to scream from her jaw, welts, and the newly formed burns and cuts forming from being dragged over rug and cement.
He slammed the door harder than he should have and then walked over to the driver's seat, roaring the car's engine to life and speeding off. He drove recklessly down the streets, not paying any attention to traffic or street lights. His anger was driving him.
Nichole rolled around in the seats, digging at the seats with her fingernails feeling such an intense amount of pain she couldn't stand it. The tears rolled down her face nonstop and eventually she rolled over so much she fell to the car floor. Landing on her back, she held her face breathing out heavily groaning. The Joker let her sounds of pain fuel his fire and rage. He turned a sharp corner causing Nichole to slide into the back of the driver's seat.
They drove for a few more moments, before the van stopped. Nichole was able to see by now, but her tears made her vision blurry.
The Joker climbed into the backseat and yanked Nichole up. He opened the van door and shoved Nichole outside of the van. The back of her head cracked as it hit the hard sidewalk. She heard the sound of cars moving about and people chatting.
She looked up at the Joker in her blurry vision. He was still in the van and shoving her legs out of the vehicle. He waved at her glaring. "If this is what you want, to live out on the streets, then have it." He hissed, his anger still clearly in his voice. "You will see things my way soon enough, my little Nikki..."
And with that, he slammed the van door shut and climbed into the front, speeding off down the road leaving Nichole behind in the alley way that was in the middle of Gotham City.
It took her a good minute to stand up, her whole body feeling weak. She took her hand finally off of her bruised face and looked down at herself. She cursed as she was still in the white bathrobe which was now turning slightly red here and there due to her cuts, scrapes and the wounds which bled from his belt.
A gasp made her turn around suddenly. There stood a couple cutting down the alley way as a short cut. They looked at Nichole, with mouths hung open.
"...Oh my god it's her." The women said to her husband who was in just as much shock upon seeing Nichole.
"It's Nichole that women who shot that school up.....Candy...She...works for the Joker." The women continued. "...Let's just turn around right now...." Her voice picked up a fearful tone.
The husband stood in front of his wife, as a protecting gesture. "Help!" He yelled. "It's a wanted criminal over here! Officers!"
Nichole panicked and ran the opposite direction of the couple. Broken glass and tiny rocks cut the bottom of her feet. She regretted where she ended up. An open street filled with citizens heading off to work with their morning coffees. When Nichole stumbled on to the sidewalk, nearly everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her.
Apart from the J scar on her face, the fact she was in a bathrobe really stuck out. Another thing that made her stand out was the dozens of wanted posters lining the streets with her and the Joker's pictures on them. She spun around in a circle taking in everyone's shocked and angered faces. The world was spinning around her.
A piece of paper hit her in the head. She caught it in midair and opened the crinkled mess seeing it was her wanted poster up close. It held two pictures, one of her as her normal self and the other of her in the Candy makeup and outfit. She screamed throwing the paper to the ground and took off in a sprint down the street.
As she passed by people, some started chasing her; others threw soda cans and rocks at her in disgust. Others yelled out insults and obscurities to her.
"You killed children you bitch!"
"I'll kill you myself! The Joker killed my friend and you work with him?!"
"You disgusting piece of trash, I hate to be breathing the same air as whores like you!"
Nichole broke down in tears as she ran. She felt so alone and lost in the world. No one understood her and the pain she went through. She was the innocent one in the situation and yet everyone cast her out as public enemy number two.
Her legs gave out as she fell to the ground. She felt someone grab a hold of her wrist and stick something to them. Through her tears she could see it was a police officer. He roughly picked her up by the arm and led her to the back of his police cruiser. After shoving her inside, he slammed the door shut and got to the driver's seat.
Nichole could also see there was another officer in the passenger seat saying excitedly into his radio, "We got her! We got Candy! The one that works with the Joker!"
She leaned her head on the window, looking outside at the crowd of angry people yelling at her. Even though she was in the car, people still threw trash and food at her hitting the window with force and rage. One even went up to the window and flipped her off and then banged on the glass, before another officer held him back. Had the officer not, he would have surely been able to break through the glass and attack her.
Nichole continued to stare out the window as the car started moving forward. Her tears falling faster, thinking about what caused everyone to hate her so much.
They all think I am a criminal....I...I just want my life back. She thought to herself in tears. If only they understood...If only they knew the truth.
The cruiser pulled up to the station quickly, officers already waiting by Nichole's door to lead her inside. She was patted down and given an orange jumpsuit; one that criminals would wear. The vibrant orange that marked her for what she was in the eyes of everyone.
A mass child murdering woman, who was the Joker's criminal partner, was all she was now viewed as.
As soon as she stripped down, the police officers hurled hurtful comments at all the hickeys on her chest. They didn't even seem to notice the bleeding purple welts that covered her back and sides. She placed the suit on herself slowly, as her wounds were hurting her so much she could barely move. One officer pushed her roughly on her back, yelling for her to hurry up.
She gasped at him. "You're not allowed to lay a hand on me. It's against the law." She stated glaring at him. "My rights say-"
He smirked wickedly at her, interrupting her speaking. "Well, now. Isn't that something? Mark get a load of this." He beckoned over his partner next to him. "The criminal is shocked that I am not following the laws and regulations of loading in new prisoners. Ain't it funny someone who never follows the law herself is trying to get me too?"
Mark laughed. "She's got a wild imagination this one." He patted the officer on the shoulder before returning to his post.
The officer glared at Nichole who had stopped what she was doing to listen to them say those hurtful things. "I didn't tell you to stand there, get dressed you piece of filth!" He pushed her once more, his hand pressing on one of the welts on her shoulder.
She got the outfit on completely, fighting back the tears that formed by her eyelids. She realized she wasn't truly safe in jail either. The way the officers treated "criminals" were against the laws and humanly unethical. But she figured they all thought she was unethical as well. She prayed she would get out of this mess soon and everything would be cleared up.
She was then placed in a single cell by herself, like the one she had been placed in with the Joker in the first few days of being in his hold. Many people would pass by her cell, looking inside at her and pointing. They would whisper things about her. Hurtful things.
At one moment a couple of secretaries walked by her and muttered to one another, "Murderer."
Nichole lost it and ran up to the bars clinging to them screaming. "I am not a murderer! I didn't do anything! This is all a big mistake!"
Of course upon doing that she was ordered to back away from the bars, and she retreated back to the single bench. There she sat for hours upon hours staring at the floor, the busy clatter around her not fazing her at all. She started to wonder why the Joker would just let her go that easily. After all he had done to get her, and yesterday's events that caused him to take an even more interest in her, why would he let her go? It didn't matter. She'd rather be here than with the Joker any day.
She cried and cried. "Why doesn't anyone believe me?!"
That night, when most of the works of the station had gone home, a team of about ten armed S.W.A.T team members remained around Nichole's cell. She figured they were waiting around trying to make sure she would not escape, or the Joker would not come and try and bust her out.
Nichole laid herself down on the wooden bench, hugging her arms to herself tightly. The orange outfit was uncomfortable and loose, causing her to become extremely cold. She dared once to ask for a blanket, but the S.W.A.T team ignored her completely. Her stomach growled, as she realized once her nerves disappeared, she had not been fed. She gave up on asking them for food, knowing what there answer would be already. She knew this to be very illegal, for them not to supply her with her basic needs, but one thing stopped her from pestering them by stating the law.
Commissioner Gordon.
Nichole knew that soon enough she would see Gordon and he would explain everything to everyone. He was on Nichole's side and told her before he believed her, so she knew that once Gordon was with her the real story would be said and allowed to be said by her.
The night pasted by slowly. Nichole's mind was buzzing with thoughts and sadness.
Stay positive Nichole...Gordon will fix everything. He knows you are telling the truth. He knows you didn't do anything. Nichole told herself.
That's exactly it Nichole. You didn't do anything! You let your students die! It's your fault by the way they are dead! So really they aren't blaming you for a crime you did not commit, because girl you did commit it.Candy made a "tsk" noise before erupting in laughter, plainly teasing Nichole.
Nobody asked you Candy! Nichole shouted to Candy, before trying her best to fall asleep. The distant mumble of the S.W.A.T members chatting could be heard by her.
Something was still bugging her. She still wondered why the Joker would just straight up leave her on the side of the road, knowing very well that she would be arrested. She sat up briefly looking around the room. Some of the S.W.A.T members noticed her movement and glanced at her, before returning their absent gaze to the various doorways and windows of the room.
She searched the room looking at every single S.W.A.T member to make sure that none of them were the Joker himself. She could not shake the feeling he was up to something. Slight panic overtook her as she laid back down, staring at the ceiling. Her back was killing her at the moment, as the wood was very uncomfortable against her bruises.
It doesn't make any sense. He took all that time to get me and now he lets me go? Nichole thought as she shut her eyes.
Isn't it obvious? Candy chimed. You pissed him off. BIG time. I never saw him as mad. She laughed momentarily. Well except for that time he carved your face with that J! But i have to say you were asking for it. Letting your mouth run so loosely. Tsk. Tsk. Shame on you Nichole. Shame on you. I wonder if you'll get the death sentence. I hope so you deserve it.
"SHUT UP!" Nichole yelled out loud, causing everyone in the room to stare at her. She blushed, muttering sorry and laid back down.
Great...They all think I'm crazy. THANKS A BUNCH! Nichole told Candy.
Oh hun. You should know. Everyone already thinks you are crazy! Candy told her, in a deep serious tone of voice. And that was the last thing Nichole remembered hearing before she went to sleep herself.
The next morning Nichole felt someone grabbing her arm to wake her up. She lifted her head, which was now hurting a lot from sleeping on the bench. She gasped and nearly broke down into tears, seeing it was Gordon.
She sat up and rushed into a tight embrace with him, crying helplessly into his shoulder. She did not even care about the amount of pain hugging him caused her, it was worth it. It felt like her guardian angel had finally arrived. He hugged her back briefly, before letting go of her and taking hold of her arm leading her out of the cell.
"We haven't got much time. The judge has ordered that this case is of increasing importance and pushed a trial to today. Nichole, I just need you to tell them everything..."
"E-E-Everything?" Nichole stuttered.
Gordon nodded leading her down various hallways.
Candy laughed excitedly in Nichole's head. Oh Nichole! Little does he know that I will be the one telling the court everything!
Nichole's eye widened.
Candy was planning on taking over Nichole in the courtroom, when Nichole would be called to the stand.
No! Nichole screamed inside her mind, I won't let you!
Nichole had to think fast.
"Gordon no! I can't do that! I can't....If I go on stand the lawyers will try to call me out as a bad person! I will break!"
Gordon interrupted her. "Nichole you can do it, I know you can. Just stick to that plan, and I have the evidence to prove your innocence-"
Nichole grabbed Gordon's arm desperately. She knew that she would have to try to tell him about Candy in the little amount of time they had.
Her eyes glistened in tears. "You don't understand!" Nichole sobbed. She felt so helpless. "She will take over!"
There. She said it.
Gordon stopped right into his tracks and turned to face Nichole. He looked at her dumbfounded.
"Nichole?" he asked, "What are you talking about? Who will take over?"
Nichole just stood there, crying.
I can't tell him, I can't tell him! He won't believe me!
She feared if she told him everything, he would think she was just as crazy as everyone made her out to be. She feared he would abandon her and switch sides, throwing away all the evidence that would help her. She wanted him to remain on her side, for he was not just a helpful police officer, but a good friend. He had been the one to pull her away from the Joker's grasp once, now he had to pull her away from the title of "Enemy", but if she told him about Candy, would he himself throw the title of "Murderer" on her?
Nichole! You have to tell him! This is your only chance!
She looked him in the eye, her lips quivering.
"Candy," Nichole answered blushing.
Gordon cocked his head in confusion.
"I know this sounds crazy," Nichole continued rather quickly trying to explain, "But ever since Tom died, Candy has now-"
"GORDON!" came a voice. They both looked over to the left and saw a police officer standing at the end of the hall, impatiently. "She has to be in court right now!"
Gordon sighed and looked at Nichole sadly, before he took her in his arms for a quick second.
"I'll be in the court room. I sent for someone already to drop off the evidence and I hired you a lawyer. His name is Jacob Winer. You're in good hands. Good luck!"
He gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze before running down the hallway yelling for his men, asking when the evidence would get here.
Nichole sighed. Everything was helpless. She knew as soon as she entered the court room all hell would break loose.
She felt someone by her side and glance to her left. A short plump man was next to her. He was balding and sweating very much.
"Hello Nichole, I am Jacob your lawyer. Gordon told me everything and I am very sorry for the situation you're in at the moment. Eh heh as you can see this trial was put together very quickly and so suddenly, I barely had time to get myself dressed this morning." He laughed nervously. His tone of voice worried Nichole.
He sounded as if he believed in Nichole, but knew that in a court of law things said against her looked bad. Very bad.
"State your name." The judge said into her microphone.
"Ariel Wagner." Ariel said politely into her microphone. She had casts on both arms and one leg. The bruises on her were still vibrant and menacing.
The lawyer not working for Nichole, but working for the entire families of those at the school shooting as well as all in Gotham who ever had came in close contact with Nichole as Candy (mainly the bankers at the robbery she was forced to go at), stood up and strolled over to the jury area pacing back and forth, preparing to swing questions at her. His name was Mr. Andrew Sark.
"Now Ariel. Can you please tell me of the events that happened on the day of December 12th 2008. Exactly two days ago. Please start off by sharing what happened prior to the shooting, in your own words of course."
Ariel tucked her hair behind her ears before speaking. "Well, I went to school. In Nichole's class-"
The judge hit her gravel on her desk. "Hold on. Ariel, would you please identify Nichole in this court room, before stating her name."
"Oh...sorry. She's right there." Ariel pointed to Nichole, sending a glare in her direction.
Nichole sat at a single table with her Jacob by her side. His briefcase was on the table along with two glasses of water for Nichole and him. She drank down two glasses before the trial had even begun since she had not had a drink in a day. Her nerves were high as the trial began, at first it was just simple though. The judge went over the rules of the courtroom and the different lawyer jargon that may be heard throughout the trial. It wasn't until the trial's first key witness Ariel, her beloved former student, went up to the stand that Nichole really got nervous.
"Anyways....Our class was joking around a lot that morning. Nichole mentioned she wasn't feeling that well that morning and let us have study period. When the class was over, I decided to stay a bit longer and talk to Nichole. Then we heard an announcement stating we all were to come down to the auditorium and her and I walked down together."
Mr. Sark tapped his fingers on the jury box banister. "Care to share with us what you the prosecuted talked about with you before hearing the announcement to go down?"
Ariel nodded. "Well first I asked her if it was okay to talk to her about something and she said that would be fine, but she'd have to call down to the main office and tell them she needed a replacement for door watching duty or something like that. Then I told her about a nightmare I had that night....It was...Well it was about the Joker and our class really liked Nichole so we could trust her in telling her that sorta thing. After I told her about my dream and the Joker, she....she passed out. I freaked out and asked if she was okay, and she said she was. And that's when we were called down to the auditorium."
"Did Nichole give any apparent signs to you in class that she knew the Joker, prior to that day? Did she give any signs that she had a connection to him?"
"She never let us talk about him in class. Towards the beginning of the year he was brought up once by someone and she flipped out at us saying never to talk about him in her class. So when I mentioned him to her and she passed out, it did raise my suspicion that her and him were connected in a way, but I didn't know how."
"OBJECTION!" Jacob yelled next to Nichole causing her to jump in her seat. "Your honer, that is an opinion and is speculation."
The judge nodded. "Remove that last sentence from the case please. Continue." She nodded to Mr. Sark.
"Now can you please tell me everything that happened during the assembly and after. I will ask questions on detail after you give a summery." Mr. Sark stated.
"The Joker...he...on stage he kept saying he was here for someone. Of course no one knew what he was talking about. His knife was all I was focusing on. He got mad no one was coming up to the stage, because he kept suggesting the person he was there for knew why he was there. I tried my cell phone, but the connection was lost. He pulled guns out of his jacket and that's when everyone went crazy. We all ran out of the room. When I ran out I got trampled, my ankle broke. Jesse," her voice cracked, "my friend, carried me to the cafeteria. We were in there for about a minute, everyone was screaming so loudly."
Nichole noticed the jury's eyes were building up with tears. It was at that moment she knew that when she was called up she had to do her best to convince them of her innocence. This jury looked like they were about to plead her guilty just because they were sympathizing with the key witness. Ariel.
"All the sudden Nichole was in the room with us. She told us we can't stay where we were, for if we did we would be how she put it..."sitting ducks for the Joker". Which I guess was true, and she told us she had a place she could hide me and Jesse in her room. She picked me up and we ran out of there. After going through hallway after hallway, we ended up with a large group of students in a bathroom locked in, since on the other side of the door were a few of the Joker's men. We all climbed out of the window. Nichole's idea of course. Once in the courtyard we all ran for it. Sadly....Jesse...He was...He was-" Ariel started bursting out into tears. "He was shot and killed. Nichole helped me back up and took me to her room. She hid me in a spare closet area and told me to hide. After about five minutes I heard her screaming and a cruel laughter. I couldn't make out what was being said for I was too scared but I could tell it was him. The Joker was with her at the moment. I hurt my ankle in the hiding spot and....and I made a sound by accident. He heard me because I heard gun shots near me. He was trying to shoot me."
Ariel sniffled and composed herself. "The two said something, or rather he said something and then I saw the door open from my hiding spot. Nichole scooped me up and held me to her tightly. She placed me by the teacher desk and starting talking to the Joker acting like she didn't want me to die. I couldn't see her face, though her back was turned to me so I couldn't tell if she was being honest. All I know is then they fought more, and he ripped off fake skin on her cheek, revealing a J scar. It was at that moment I knew she was Candy. I had looked up about Candy and the Joker the night before. Then it was said that she works for him and then he...and she....They....touched each other. He was messing around with her shirt and...i couldn't see what she was doing but I think she was messing around with his chest and." She sniffled again reaching for a tissue. "I'm sorry I-"
Mr. Sark gave a hopeful smile to her. "It's okay. Take your time."
She sniffled again. "Anyway she kept moaning or groaning or whatever and then he let her go. She tried to convince me she wasn't to blame for this, but I hit her out of anger. I was just so upset that our teacher. The one we trusted so much was working with the Joker. I hated her at that moment and i still do! Then the Joker grabbed me and flung me out the window."
"Your honor, no further questions." Mr. Sark stated looking very pleased with himself. He sat down in his chair and took a sip of water.
Nichole's lawyer, Jacob, stood up and stood by his microphone. "Ariel, did the Joker or Nichole give any signs that Nichole knew the Joker was going to come on that day?"
Ariel thought for a moment before answering. "Well she did pass out earlier like I said, and she was looking pretty nervous all day. Also she seemed pretty comfortable around the Joker from my point of view, so naturally I think she knew." Ariel wasn't intentionally lying, but to say that Nichole was comfortable around the Joker was a complete lie. As Nichole remembers it she was very scared that whole day.
"What gave you the impression that Nichole cared about the Joker, when Nichole has stated outside of this court room that she hates him." Jacob asked.
"Nichole kept moaning when he touched her." Ariel's face then turned into one of complete disgust.
"If Nichole was working with the Joker why would she help you try to hide?"
"How would I know? I think she was just doing that to fake it all! I bet she told the Joker to meet her in her classroom to kill whoever she brought with her!"
Jacob yelled "Objection!" multiple times as Ariel spoke. The Judge nodded and her yells were taken out of context, but Nichole knew that the jury would keep those statements in their minds.
Jacob rubbed his chin. "No further questions."
The Judge nodded. "Ariel you may step down. The court calls Nichole up to the stand please."
Nichole's heart rate picked up as she stood up and slowly made her way to the stand. She felt everyone's eyes on her and noticed television cameras were on in the background. The world would be watching her now.
Jacob remained the one to interview Nichole before the jury, which Nichole was thankful for. She would rather start off slow; for she knew when Mr. Sark was going throw questions at her, he would do everything in his power to show she was a criminal.
"Now Nichole, can you please tell us your relationship with the Joker?"
Nichole coughed, clearing her throat. "I..I was kidnapped by him at a Bruce Wayne party about six months ago. I was with him for about a month. In that month I nearly died, and right before I was rescued he carved this J into my face. Gordon saved me."
"Well that sort of answers my question, but what I want to know is do you like him in anyway shape or form?"
She clenched her fists. "No… I do not. I hate him with every fiber of my being."
"Can you explain to us why? Please tell us what he did to you… Other than torment Gotham and what not."
Nichole blushed knowing what she'd have to say. "At first it was just beating me or threatening me, but then he murdered all my students at a past school of mine."
She looked up, staring directly into Jacob's eyes while she continued. "When he took me back to his hideout after I was kidnapped from the party… He told me to go through my day of tomorrow as I usually would, and to quit my job after work."
She paused. "He told me to go back home and wait for him at my house, after I was done teaching, to wait for him to pick me up."
Nichole's shoulders shook as she hung her head down.
"And did you meet him?" Jacob asked.
Nichole looked back up. Her eyes glistened with tears.
"No..." she choked, "I should have though." She sniffled and quickly wiped her eyes. "When the school day was over, all of my students knew that there was something the matter with me… that I wasn't acting like my normal self. You see, I loved my students with all of my heart. They were my best friends." She gave a sad smile as tears rolled down her cheeks before she choked. "So…. I told them… everything that happened to me… On-only l-l-little did I know that the Joker had inserted a microchip into my neck… So he heard everything! And… and he came to the school, and knocked on my classroom door. I thought that it was the principle so I opened it…"
Nichole couldn't help it anymore; she broke out into a fit of hysterics.
"I opened the door to my students' deaths! He murdered my class and made me watch!" She reached for tissues, sobbing loudly. She couldn't stop shaking.
Everyone in the court remained starstruck at what she said.
Jacob came up to her, and put his hand on her shoulder encouragingly. Nichole quickly looked up. "So… after that experience, you can imagine the pain in my heart when he started shooting up this second school.. I am a teacher! And all of my students are dead!" She blinked her eyes as she glanced at Ariel, and Nichole was very surprised to see, that she too, was crying.
After a few moments Nichole pulled herself together and took a deep breath. "Then he burnt down my house killed my dog." She decided to be brief on that, for she knew if she hung on to every detail, surely she could start crying again. "Later… about three days into being around him, he started...to um. He...he..." Nichole lost her train of thought.
"Nichole?" Jacob tried to get her attention back.
"… He... ra-raped me." She choked. "Many times." A ton of mumbling and gasps were heard throughout the court room, causing the judge to bang her gavel a few times to calm everyone down.
"He then was going to kill me, but I was placed in a situation where, he was going to die and I knew if he died that the people who were going to kill him, and they were the mob by the way, would kill me. So I had to save him. Unfortunately." She sighed to herself knowing how bad that sounded. "After saving him he decided to force me to work for him and create an alter ego to be by his side. I had to or I was going to be killed by him. And not just me, but he was going to kill my best friend at the time Tom Richards."
Nichole, why don't you tell them about me? Tell them how you are helpless against me. Tell them how I am going to take control of you one day. Candy giggled.
"Anyway...I was forced by him to do it all. So many times I tried to escape, but I couldn't. He made me make a video tape of me saying we were going to blow up a building. He had a knife to me many times, I even tried...I even tried to throw myself off the building to kill myself to save everyone...But he grabbed me. He has hurt me so many times and taken everything from me. I swear." Nichole felt herself tearing up, and took a tissue herself dabbing at her eyes,
Nichole I believe I was never sworn in to tell the truth in this court of law. Candy laughed once more, causing Nichole to tense in her seat. Candy was trying to take control again and was suggesting she was going to make Nichole lie.
"What happened after you were rescued? Where did you go?"
"Gordon saved me," She nodded to Gordon who was sitting in the row. Stiffly. "He placed me in protective custody. I was relocated to Lakeview to teach, and allowed to put makeup on to cover the scar. It was to protect not only me, but the students so they would not who I was. I wanted to get past all of that and move on so-....."
Jacob, flipped through his papers. "And did you know the Joker was going to attack the school that day or any day at all?"
"No I did not. I did not even know he had escaped until I saw him there."
"No further questions at this time, but I do request a redirect after the prosecutor interrogates her."
"Request granted." The judge stated. "Mr. Sark, you can question the defendant at this time."
"Thank you your honor." Mr. Sark smiled in a very cocky fashion at her, before moving to his podium and flipping through his own papers.
While he did that Nichole made eye contact with Gordon, who gave her a hopeful smile. He was leaning forward in his seat looking extremely nervous. She smiled back at him, biting the inside of her lip to keep herself from crying. Gordon exhaled deeply and tapped his foot growing more nervous as Mr. Sark turned his gaze to Nichole.
"Now, Nichole. Many students have stated that during the assembly the Joker said that if the person he was looking for, which in this case was you, came to the stage that he would not harm anyone else. Why did you not go up?"
Nichole raised an eyebrow. "Actually I do not think he said that if I went up he would not hurt anyone. I know he said that he wanted me to go up but-"
Mr. Sark interrupted. "That was not my question Nichole. Please answer it. Why did you not go up? Was it because you wanted the act of violence to happen? Did you want everyone to get shot at?"
"No no! I did not! I didn't go up because I was scared and in shock. Here was the man that did so many bad things to me right back in front of my face after six months, I panicked."
Mr. Sark tapped the table. "Ariel has stated, you did nothing when he was threatening to throw her out the window." He looked at her waiting for a response.
"If I walked over to him, he'd have thrown her out. I didn't want to egg him on. But I did beg for him not to. I would never wish harm upon my students."
"Look I am going to be frank with you, what proof do you have that you hate the Joker? How do we not know you really are working with him willingly and this is all fake? You shot a cop at a bank in the leg with the Joker around. The video tape clearly shows you had no gun to your head and the Joker was over by the cop. You had a clear shot at his head and yet you shoot the cop. Why is that?"
"The cop would have killed me! He was in anger from the Joker killing his friends." Nichole almost shouted.
There was a long few moments of silence.
Mr. Sark then smiled as he clasped his hands together.
As you can tell, he was one of those cocky arrogant lawyers.
"So… Nichole, do you have any proof on this alleged 'rape,'" he made air quotes as he said it "abuse you claim to encounter?"
Nichole was taken aback. "Proof? What do you mean proof? How am I suppose to-"
"Is there anything you can give or show us that he would truly rape you whenever there were the sexual encounters? Because my client has made a sworn statement that you moaned in pleasure at his touch as he groped you right in front of-"
Nichole couldn't take it. "That was a misinterpretation!" she shouted out of frustration and embarrassment. Frustrated that Ariel took it that way, and embarrassed that it happened in the first place. "I wasn't moaning in pleasure! He was hurting me and groaned in pain! And I am really upset I made that sound because he kept… touching" she flinched, "me in that way to make a noise out of me because he knows how to hurt me! And he knew that my cries of pain would get her to think that I truly liked him!"
She was breathing heavily at this point, which satisfied Mr. Sark more; he thought that he was truly getting to her, that she would break down and confess.
"But you didn't answer my question." He said yet again. "Do you have any proof that he sexually abused and raped you?"
The bruises! The thought passed through her mind.
Nichole looked down at her hands folded on her lap and nodded.
Mr. Sark was surprised. "How?" he pressed.
"I have bruises and marks from every part where he put his filthy hands on me!" She shouted, clearly upset.
Mr. Sark scoffed. "Oh I'm SURE he leaves marks! Everyone knows by now that he likes it rough!" he said trying to press her buttons.
You have no idea..
Nichole buried her face into her hands and burst out in sobs. She was never going to win.
The court was then filled with screams and jeers at Mr. Sark for his comment.
"ORDER IN THE COURT!" The Judge shouted, banging her gamble.
"Objection!" Jacob stood up furious, "Aside from Mr. Sark's comment being entirely out of line, it holds no substantial reasoning to the line of questioning. It also has no back up evidence to prove that statement!"
"Objection sustained." The Judge said before turning to Nichole. "Nichole, do you really have bruises indicating the Joker's sexual encounters with you?"
Nichole's face grew hot as she shook. Through her tears, she nodded.
"Can you tell the court where they are mostly located on your body?" The Judge asked.
Nichole nodded again and help up her handcuffed hands.
The court gasped as they could see the dark ring like bruises around her wrists. Even Mr. Sark looked shocked.
"These are from when he would hold me down." Nichole stated as she started at the floor. She then looked up. "And I have more on my back… and my chest and neck.....yesterday he um.....he beat me with his belt, before shoving me into a van and dropping me off in the middle of Gotham City."
There was a low murmur in the crowd. Mr. Sark stared at Nichole intently.
One man stood up.
"Permission to speak your honor?" Jacob asked.
"Permission granted."
"Your honor, due to evidence which we are currently receiving, and this terrible misunderstanding of Nichole to everyone on the city of Gotham… Would it be permitted it, with Nichole's consent of course," he gestured to Nichole, "if it would be appropriate to evince the evidence by having Nichole lift up her hair that is covering her neck and the shirt up her back to show the court the wounds inflicted during the sexual abuse that occured to her?"
After a moment, the judge answered, "Granted, with Nichole's consent." She looked over to Nichole questioningly.
Nichole turned to Jacob. She stared at him wide eyed.
"You can do this Nichole," Jacob told her, "Show your innocence as he attacked you."
After a few moments, Nichole sighed and nodded.
The judge then instructed the female bailiff to assist Nichole in her stand (because Nichole was in handcuffs.)
The female bailiff, with no emotion written on her face, motioned for Nichole to stand up. Nichole hesitated before complying.
You can do this... she told herself.
Nichole squeezed her eyes shut as the bailiff's hands lifted up her long blonde and pulled it up to the back of her head (almost in a messy bun matter).
Low murmurs and gasps were heard in the court. Nichole tried her best to drown them out but one man shouted:
"Those are love marks!"
The room was filled again with jeers or shouts of agreement at the man's comment.
Nichole sunk her teeth into her lower lip; tears were streaming down her face.
"Order in the court!" the judge shouted as she slammed her gamble.
Soon everyone was silent and everyone stared in horror or disgust at the visible deep bite marks that stood arrantly around her neck. The court could also see the hand marks that circled around her neck; irrefutable from strangling.
Nichole opened her eyes and stared emptily at the sea of people wearing suits. She couldn't decipher which ones of them were her friends or enemies. Most of them were enemies, she was sure of.
Her eyes then focused on Ariel, whose face remained a corpse. Nichole didn't even bother to look at Sark.
"Those marks could have been given to her with her consent. There is no proof-" Mr Sark began, but the judge interrupted him.
"Let them finish." She told him, then turned her gaze to Nichole.
The judge herself looked horrified as well as everyone else. She quickly cleared her throat and said, "Thank you Nichole," it was obvious she was trying to control the tone of her voice, "Now will you turn and face your back to the court please?"
Nichole closed her eyes and nodded slightly, due to the fact the bailiff was still holding up her hair. The bailiff then let her hair fall over her shoulders as Nichole turned around. She quickly made visual contact with the bailiff, whose eyes now glistened.
Nichole? Candy cooed in Nichole's mind. Shouldn't those love marks on your back remain private?
Shut up Candy! They are not love marks, and the court is going to see the not even a quarter of the hell the Joker has put me through already.
Nichole was surprised when she felt the bailiff's hands shaking as she quickly pushed away her hair from her back and reached for the zipper behind Nichole's neck. She hesitated before pulling down the zipper.
The bailiff knew this was not going to be a pretty site.
The courtroom started to gasp even before the bailiff could undo the zipper all the way to the bottom of Nichole's back. She then pushed each side of the jumpsuit to the side of Nichole's shoulders.
Her back was fully revealed.
The courtroom then filled with a paroxysm of gasps and cries. Everyone's eyes (including the doubting ones) took in the macabre of every bruise, cut, scar, welt, and injuries that scattered everyone on Nichole's fragile back. They all seemed to be more transfixed and horrified at the large marks, evidently made from a man's fists, and the severely swelling welts from his belt. Some of the welts that had bled while Nichole put on the jumpsuit had scabbed over and stuck to the fabric of her orange suit. Now, since the back of her jumpsuit was pulled away, the cloth had ripped off the scab of the welt causing it to bleed again. Nichole's back shook as she cried, feeling the blood drip freely down her back.
Please, God, she prayed, please let everyone now see that I was the victim of this! Please…
She crossed her arms across her chest which was still covered by the jumpsuit. Nichole was thankful that she couldn't have to show the sea of people with their suits, the disgusting marks that inhabited her chest.
After a few short moments, the judge finally came out of her scrutinizing daze and motioned for the bailiff to zip the jumpsuit back up.
The bailiff quickly pulled up the zipper, thankful to cover this tragic site. She laid a comforting hand gently on Nichole's shoulder as she motioned for Nichole to sit down.
For those few people, whose hearts already broke from the site of Nichole's battered back, now broke again at the site of the girl's broken face.
After they saw the clear injuries on her back, they now began to take in the marks on her face.
It's funny how it takes one huge mark to then get people to notice all the other small, but deadly ones.
The large bruise on her left jaw had everyone's attention now.
Nichole sat down crying silently. Something then caught her eye. She blinked her eyes a few times to get a temporary clear view without her tears skewing it. She then could see whose face stood out clearly in the sea of people wearing their suits.
Gordon's.
He had one hand covering his mouth. His crystal, blue, kind, and gentle eyes were now releasing tears profusely. His face was red as he visibly shook from the fast intakes of breathing sobs he took.
Nichole's heart no longer only moaned for her own and her deceased loved ones. Her heart literally felt like it tore in two at the site of Gordon crying.
She tried to give him a sad reassuring smile through her tears, but it quickly faltered; the tugs of crying began to tug in her throat again.
Mr. Sark cleared his throat, taking his place by his microphone again. "Again I will say it, what proof have you that...that those are rape marks and not marks given through sexual intercourse with your consent. And even if he did rape you...that does not mean you do not work for him. Cases have happened numrous times where females would be raped by mob bosses and gang leaders, but they still remained loyal to them. Who is to say that this is not one of those situations. You have no proof what so ever!"
Nichole looked at him; her tears still falling down her face from looking at Gordon. "I do believe that if I was working for the Joker and wanting to remain loyal to him, I would not be here in court testifying against him." She sniffled.
The doors to the courtroom opened, causing everyone to turn around. A single cop entered carrying a box labeled "Evidence". Gordon stood up heading to meet the cop to take it.
"Your honer this is evidence that will prove Nichole was with the Joker against her will." Jacob stated, seeing what Gordon was going to get. Jacob himself had been crying this entire time, which was rare for him as normally he did not get too emotionally connected to his clients.
Nichole smiled watching Gordon go to retrieve the box. The box that would free her from all criminal charges. She sighed seeing she was going to be a free woman once again.
Nichole then suddenly gasped as she felt herself beginning to float above her body. It was the same exactly feeling she got when Candy was on the couch with…
NO! Nichole screamed as Candy began to ease her way into Nichole's body. Don't do this! I'm begging you! Please!
You should have listened to me Nichole! Candy roared back at Nichole, you should have let me do all of the talking, but now it will be more intensified! If it's a confession that they want, then it's a confession that they will get!
"NO!!!" Nichole then realized she shouted in real life. Her sudden outburst caused everyone to jump. Gordon stopped in his tracks.
She brought her handcuffed hands to the desk as she took deep breaths of air, gritting her teeth. She felt beads of cold sweat drip down her face as she fought against Candy in her mind.
Candy! Stop! This is MY body! Nichole shouted to her.
Well it's mine now! I have been quiet for far too long Nichole, too long! Candy cackled back at Nichole.
"Nichole?!" The judge shouted to the now viciously shaking, spazzing Nichole. "What's wrong?! Are you-"
"Gordon!" Nichole shouted as her mind began to slip from her body.
Gordon looked up, alert. The tears were still visible on his face.
"Candy is coming!" Nichole screamed in panic, while squinting her eyes shut, trying with every fiber of her being to concentrate on not slipping away from her body.
Gordon's face paled. He vaguely had an idea what she meant.
Before he could react though, the courtroom was fill with sounds of panic and confusion.
Sark then spat out, "Raped or not raped this woman is still evil and dangerous to society! She needs to be set in Arkam-"
"HELP!" Nichole screamed as she began to pound her handcuffed hands onto the table.
Gordon ran over to the front of the court. "Judge!" He shouted in desperation, "Please! We need a fifteen minute recess! Don't-"
It was too late. Nichole once again became a distant hum in the back of Candy's mind.
Candy then, stopped pounding her tiny fists, and looked up at the court. Candy grinned evilly through Nichole's tears. She sat there quietly staring at Gordon.
Gordon knew at that moment something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
"Well you caught me. I admit it. I took the risk fully knowing the Joker could come and kill everyone, but I wanted it that way. I like it when he kills others just to get to me. It's pretty much hopeless to hide it. I am in love with the Joker. I hope that one day me and him can get married and maybe even have some Joker juniors of our own. He is my idol and i worship him with all my heart. Everything he says just makes complete sense to me. Ariel may not know this but i laughed as I watched her get flung out that window. Seeing her bones break. Oh it was quite the show! So might as well lock me up, cause I love the Joker! I hope he kills every single one of you!" Candy smiled to the crowd before bursting out in laughter.
Everyone fell completely silent, even Mr. Sark.
Well I warmed them up for you Nichole. I had my fun! I think I am going to go take a nap or something, have fun with the rest of the trial. Candy giggled. Nichole fell down and down into the body that Candy just abandoned.
Nichole screamed. "NO!!!" She burst out in hysterics, laying her head on the desk exhausted. She continued to cry.
CANDY NO! OH MY GOD NO! I hate you! You fucking bitch! Why did you do that! I swear to God I'll kill you! Nichole screamed in her head. Her mouth literally fallen open.
Nichole looked back up. Her voice was very shaky. "NO! NO! I DIDN'T MEAN THAT! That was Candy who said that! I didn't say that! It was her! Not me!"
The crowd was dumbstruck at this poor, abused woman crying and going crazy. Some of them actually felt that Nichole got some sort of brain damage from being raped and abused so many times. But they believed she was innocent.
Others however, thought she was just a crazy mass murdering bitch.
The entire audience of the courtroom erupted into chatter. Photos were being taken, even though it was not allowed. The news reporters started their reports anyways. The information too much to keep in.
Mr. Sark smiled happily. He felt that he won.
He strolled back to his seat next to Ariel smiling shaking her hand, knowing he had won. Jacob's face paled as he sat back down hiding his face in his arms.
It took about five minutes to get everyone to stop talking. The judge herself was in complete shock. She stood up at her desk shouting. "Everyone! Order in the court!" She sighed sitting back down.
"Now, by law that was technically a confession. This trial will have to be laid to rest for further investigation. But in the meantime, I hereby declare as my power as Gotham City judge to find the plaintiff Nichole Stevens guilty for over a hundred counts of murder in the first degree. I herby find her guilty of terrorism. I herby find her guilty of helping a wanted terrorist." She judge's voice cracked. She obviously didn't want to do this. But she knew it was necessary for the state of law. "This trial will continue but until then, you are sentenced to life in Arkham. You might have a parole, however, if the evidence from the investigation that will take place, suffices. But you are undoubtedly in need of an asylum. That is all. Court is dismissed."
The judge looked exhausted as she left the room, almost in a run wanting to leave the drama behind her knowing this would make front page headlines.
Nichole sank back in her chair in shock. She stared off at the opposite wall in the room, cameras taking flash photography of her all the while. She couldn't feel her legs anymore, and this time it wasn't Candy's fault, but it was the fault of her feeling numb everywhere.
Guilty...?...Life in Arkham. No I-I can't be guilty. I didn't do anything. I didn't....Gordon was about to give evidence to help free me....I can't be guilty. I am not guilty. I'm NOT!
She met eyes with Gordon who looked like he was about to pass out.
Kait: (pushes the Joker to the ground) YOU JERK! You beat Nichole with a belt! (kicks him) AND YOU (points to Candy, who flees out of the room) I'll kill you!
Joker: (growls) Well it was pay back for making me have 1/5th of a second where i sounded fluffy listening to Nichole heart!
Kait: Its not fluffy! It is just something that fit well with the situation! (grabs an iron pole and starts beating him) But beating her with your belt! Fucking jerk!
Syd: (stops Kait) HEY! We need him for the story Kait! If you kill him off what will you write your story about?
Kait: (taps chin) Well we could go with that idea that her and Gordon get together.
Joker: (eyes widden then he starts to laugh) YOU guys thought of that?
Syd: (eyes widden) Uh.... it was a joke i swear! Me and Kait were just messing around!
Joker: (dies from laughing)
Syd: Oh great now look what we did!