Title: Here I Come

Chapter Completed: December 1, 2004

"Who's the chickadee?" The Penguin squawked as the Joker and Star entered The Full Deck night-club in an assault of purple and black.

"Oswald you old dog," The Joker pushed in brazenly toward the portly man, snatching up his hand to shake it, against all objections. "How the hell are ya?" The smaller man bobbed up and down with the force of his enthusiasm.

"What in good heavens do you want you grinning fool?" The Penguin finally managed to pull his arm away from the mad clown, straightening his appearance but keeping a watchful eye on the Clown.

"We're just seeking shelter," abruptly he grabbed Star by the waist, pulling her to his side. He was putting on the classic theatrics: batting his eyes and forcing a form of a pout to his lips. "You wouldn't turn away two weary and needy travellers, now would you?"

A sharp smile appeared on the birdman's mouth, "She just sprung you from Arkham and you need help already." The details of the escape flooded through out the underground, embellished by amusing details and the extra twists the criminal world had put on it. The girl had been a mystery, varying from more crazy doctors to pathetic groupies.

The Joker dropped Star with a graceless thud, his face contorting into a sneer, "Listen Bird, we need a place to lay-low is all. Wait things out."

"Well, as everyone very well knows, I am no longer in the villain racket," Oswald Copplepotts dusted imaginary lint off his shoulder, ignoring the roll of the Joker's emerald eyes. "But of course, if you were willing to pull your own weight, something can be arranged in the area of lodgings."

He let out a loud and long sigh, but was bound to agree.

Pleased with himself, the Penguin turned back to the young woman pulling herself up off the floor, where the other had dropped her. "And just who is this pair of…legs taking Harley's place, hmmm?"

A low growl came from the clown, but Star stepped forward, her body towering over his stout one, "Star." Her introduction was curt and cold, taking the silent moment to read that this birdman was no different from anyone else. Everyone underestimated her. Assumed she was just some girl, some crazed girl raging through life. They were wrong to underestimate her…and only part right on the rest.

The villain turned entrepreneur simply raised an eyebrow, unimpressed and even bored.

"She's the key to paying our share," the Joker stepped up again, his mind randomly skipping over the Harley cracks, "'member the Hatter? Well she can do all that without the silly hats," He wiggled his fingers toward his head.

"hmm," an interested sound came as reply, "I'll need proof of course."

"But of course," the clown agreed, a twinkle in his eyes and a purely showmen-ship bow, "Star…if you please."

The girl fought a moment of shyness; she was, after all, proud of her ability. Star fed that. Star liked to show off, prove that power that ran through her. Prove that she was more powerful than them and would never fall victim again. Make them beg and bend to her will for a change. But Sara was always shy and unsure. And for a moment the two pulled back and forth for master control.

Her lips twisted into a dark grin, Star forging forward, "I'm gonna need as assistant."

The bird cocked an eyebrow, but granted the request. He summoned one of his many unofficial henchmen to their little grouping.

A large man dressed from head to town in black stalked over to her boss. Ever loyal and obedient, and obviously dim-witted. The classic characteristics of a good and proper fall guy.

"Yah Pen-gin," he droned on.

"Tweet, the young lady would like your assistance," he replied with an amused smirk, motioning with the flip of his hand to Star.

Tweet looked her over in a way that made Sara uncomfortable in her own skin, but only fuelled Star.

"Right there is fine," she told him, holding up a hand to stop him when he made a move closer. "I need you to do me a little favour," her voice went into the sweet sing-song that she had mastered in her two years away, "Kill the birdman," the music left her mouth as the deadly order was given, "Strangle him."

Tweet nodded, turning on the order. He took the few large steps over to the short and stout employer, picking up the round body by its chubby neck. He began squeezing once the Penguin's feet were suspended above the ground.

Oswald began kicking and struggling against the iron grip. His gloved hands desperately trying to claw at the hands squeezing his neck. Choking out his breath, and life.

The Joker laughed at the show. Falling into his twisted giggles, clapping like a trained seal as he skipped and danced around the interlocked pair.

For her part, Star smiled at her achievement. The display of her raw power and vast potential gave her the much-needed rush. It made her feel powerful and strong. It never creased to amaze her what men could be made to do.

"Plea-sssh…st..st…st-oop," came the gurgled plea from the blue turning face.

"Tweet," she began slowly, dragging it out, "You can stop now. Release him."

As soon as she said it, the Penguin was dropped to the floor and a dazed look veiled the thug's face.

The middle aged mobster sputtered from his place on the floor, struggling to fill his lungs with oxygen and pull himself together.

The cackling clown crouched down in front of the other villain, "convinced?"

His face was red and puffy, his eyes searching between the pair before him. He simply nodded.

"Splendid," the clown jumped up to his feet, pulling the golden child close to him, "Just show us to our room…"

"Wait," a haggard voice spoke up, the round body struggling to its feet and fighting off the attempted aide of Tweet, "…payment." The usually cultured Oswald was reduced to broken English.

Star and the Joker turned back to him, their lack of patience clearly expressed.

Taking a few more deep breaths the Penguin continued, staring directly at Star with a greedy hunger in his eyes and a cautious smile on his lips, "We have a date…with a bank or two."