The Bargain

Author's Note: Some time has passed since I wrote last time, so I bring you another fic: Poison Ivy and Scarecrow come to deal in which they ensure that they have a successor that can follow in their footsteps. This plot is my own, and I hope that this is an original idea. None of the characters belong to be, but to Warner Bros and DC Comics. Only the child is my creation. Enjoy!

Still dressed in their costumes, Poison Ivy and Scarecrow arrived home, minus their son Icabod. Tension rose up between them as a result of Ivy not telling him that she was confronted by the Joker.

'Relax Jonathan, nothing happened,' said Ivy.

'Nothing happened?' he hissed behind his sackcloth mask,' you were trembling, Pamela, when you came home. I was a fool for believing such poor excuses and not delving deeper into the matter.'

'What do you think the Joker could have done to me?' Ivy stood up straighter,' I'm Poison Ivy. Nobody dares to mess with me.'

Scarecrow grabbed her to face him,' You were unarmed. When he met you, you were only Pamela Isley-Crane who continues her harmless life. Not only he could hurt you but he may have caused more damage. Do you know what he could do if he found out about Icabod. The son of the woman who tried to keep his girlfriend away from him?'

Ivy shook herself out of his grasp and said coldly,' I didn't want to rouse panic.'

'Pamela, it is important to share information otherwise it may lead to an outcome which we both hope not of,' Scarecrow sighed,' and I do worry about you.'

Ivy stared at him. He actually cared about her. All this time she thought that this was some kind of a business partnership but now that emotions were being meddled…..

Suddenly, Ivy hugged him. She pressed her face against his shirt and inhaled the faint smell of hay. Even though hay is actually dead plants, it was still plant nonetheless. She felt better.

Scarecrow returned her embrace awkwardly, wondering what she was up to. Ivy looked up at him and smiled.

'Oh, take that ridiculous thing off,' she pulled off the sackcloth revealing his slightly blushing face underneath, 'at least now you don't creep me out.'

'That was the intention,' stated Crane.

Ivy looked around and gave an impish grin,' We are alone.'

'So I see,' said Crane, already knowing what this was leading to,' but what about-'

'Icabod will be fine at Harley's, trust me. But we,' said Ivy seductively, pulling him by his sash around the waist towards the greenhouse, 'have some unfinished business to attend to Professor.'

Crane raised an eyebrow,' How do I know that you wouldn't poison me, my dear Ivy?'

She gave a laugh,' How do you know that I haven't intoxicated you with one of my spells, Professor?'

'On any other circumstance I would complain about this, but now I'm not in the mood to,' Crane now allowed himself to share a naughty smile,' and may I ask why do you call me "Professor"?'

'Don't you have a fetish for schoolgirls?' asked Ivy innocently,' Or do you also like Femme Fatale?'

'I'm not a pervert, Miss Ivy,' he played along,' but I can bend a few rules.'

'I'll scream,' offered Ivy.

'That goes without question.'

As the night went on, in another part of Gotham Harley lead the children to her house. They had parked and Harley took out the keys to her house.

'I thought it woulda been nice seein' ya all getting along,' explained Harley, unlocking the door.

'Don't bet on it,' hissed Jack in Icabod's ear. Icabod shot a glare at him.

Harley went in, and pulled the children in too.

'Now if I could just find where that switch is……' she trailed her hands over the wall to find the switch for the light.

The lights were turned on before she reached the switch. In mid movement, everyone stared at the center of the room. There was one person, grinning and dressed in purple.

'Puddin?' asked Harley weakly.

'Who did you think it was, Santa Claus?' the Joker grinned,' Oh, how rude of me! Harley darling, you should have told me that we were having guests.' He fished out of his pockets a small canister of Laughing Gas and pointed it at them,' Care for a giggle?'

When the audience shook their heads, the Joker feigned hurt,' If you start making a lot of noise, I will just have to give you a nice portion of it. You won't make noise, will you?'

When they shook their heads, his manic smile returned,' Good.'

He jumped at Icabod's side and leaned down on him,' So, who's our little guest? Someone we know, hmm?' When Harley was about to tell him, Joker raised his hand to halt her,' Don't tell! I will guess. So….. we have skinny frame, tall kid, creepy face, humongous eyes, looks like something that came out of the corn fields- wait a minute! You're Jonny Boy's little brat, aren't you?'

Icabod barely nodded when Joker continued excitedly,' I never thought Straw Man could mate at all, but this proves my Darwin theory wrong. So who's your mother kiddo? Some snot-nosed schoolgirl whom you father banged up while he was still teaching. I should have known he likes red-heads.'

Icabod clenched his hand into an angry fist and Joker pressed his advantage,' What's the matter, boy? You sick? Then why are you greenish all over your body?'

Harley's breathing halted, afraid that the Joker would connect the facts.

'Ah well, creep. You have one advantage your father didn't have and that is to be quiet,' the Joker said disinterestedly.

'What are you doing here, Puddin'?' asked Harley, trying to drag him away from Icabod.

The Joker stared at her as though it was the stupidest question she asked, 'Why, Harley baby, we're going out!'

'Out? Where?' asked Harley nervously.

'Harley, will you do me a favour and shut up?' asked the Joker in mock sweetness,' I'm examining the kids.'

He came up to Alice and leered down upon her.

'So this is Tetch's offspring!' he said,' Damn, she looks so much like you Harley,' he hinted dangerously, 'so, what are you called? Let me guess….. Alice, right? Takes no rocket scientist to guess it. Your daddy may think of you as a lovely little girl, but I see you as a blond little cockroach. And my thoughts are more important than his, you know, for the Prince of Crime is always right!'

Alice stared up at him and seemed about to cry when he mentioned her father. The Joker seemed satisfied in her reaction and went to his son, Jack Junior.

'Oh my, you are one handsome guy!' the Joker exclaimed,' Finally somebody worthy from this lot. Who else should it be other than my son? Ah, the best breeds the best.'

Jack smiled up at the Joker and said,' Dad.'

'I feel my black heart beating for you……. If I have one,' said Joker as an afterthought.

'I wanted to meet you for so long,' said Jack breathlessly,' what took you so long?'

'I've been busy kiddo. Your mummy didn't make it any easier for me either, after she betrayed me and married blond boy,' the Joker said dramatically, while Jack shot his poor mother a look of anger.

'You left her,' said Alice desperately. In a flash, the Joker was in front of her.

'Well, well, well, the fish has got her tongue. Starting to stand up for your daddy's side, eh?' with that the Joker grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked it towards him.

'Angel, please don't harm her!' Harley begged, her eyes brimming with tears.

'You may stand up fro myour pathetic daddy, you can be a brat, but you never,' he whispered threateningly,' never stand up against me. That's what your father never learned and got himself ended up where he's now.'

Alice stopped whimpering and stared up at him,' You were the one who caused the accident?'

'I wouldn't call that an accident. He was asking for it.'

Suddenly, Alice screeched and clawed at his face in pure rage. The Joker flung her to the other side of the room, and hit smack right on the wall. Joker took out a gun and pointed it at her.

'Puddin'! No!' Screamed Harley.

Icabod was never known for doing dangerous things in situations like these. For instance, speaking out was dangerous.

'Leave her alone!' Icabod yelled.

The Joker turned to him and said,' Be quiet before your bird brains slide across the wall.'

Icabod saw how truly insane and dangerous the Joker was. His son however, stared upon his father with admiration.

'You know what?' said Joker,' I'll be generous. And I've always said it was time for our son to join the family business,' he looked at Jack,' ready for your first assignment?'

When Jack nodded eagerly, the Joker laughed,' At least someone around here has more sense.'

Icabod found himself tied up with Alice on the sofa, while Joker was giving his son a gun.

'If any of them tries to squeal, use this on 'em,' the Joker explained to Jack,' but don't be hasty: try to have some fun with them first.'

Joker signaled to Harley to get out of the house. 'Toodles!' was all he said when he went out and closed the door behind him.

Alone, Jack turned toward his two hostages.

'I told you before to listen to me, for I'm the son of the Prince of Crime,' Jack grinned cruelly, 'now you will bend before me.'

Icabod felt suddenly annoyed having talked to himself that way by an over- egotistical brat,' Can it be more clichéd, Jack?'

'Watch you mouth, Straw-Boy,' Jack snapped.

'He doesn't love you,' continued Icabod.

'I said be quiet,' snarled Jack.

'He's only using you. Why would he return after all these years?' added Icabod daringly.

'Shut up!' screamed Jack,' Just shut your mouth, you disgusting Scarecrow!'

Icabod knew that he was hitting the right place. Jack was simply afraid of the idea that his father didn't love him, and Icabod knew that many people were afraid of the truth. Oddly, like his father, Icabod enjoyed watching fear in others.

Icabod searched around the room, and found out to his luck that the phone was on the table next to them. It was also fortunate that Jack didn't notice him watching it.

When Jack moved away, Icabod whispered to Alice,' I have a plan.'

Back at Pamela's house, the Joker and Harley arrived and parked in front of it. They got out and went to the door.

'Puddin', I don't think this is such a good idea.' Whispered Harley.

'Nonsense. I want to see which man Plant Girl caught now and is married to him. She's a mystery, she didn't even leave the surname at the front door, or the mail box, ' the Joker grinned, taking out equipment for breaking into a house,' I guess we will just have to take her by surprise.'

When they were inside, Joker and Harley searched the place.

'Very nice, oh how the retired live!' said the Joker and nodded towards the entrance of the greenhouse,' bet you she's there.'

They went in, and heard noises.

'Bingo!' the Joker's grin spread, 'And we caught her at an inappropriate moment.'

There was a huge flower in the middle of the greenhouse, its white petals pulled up, just transparent enough to know that something was inside. The Joker walked confidently towards it.

'Can't see anything,' he said, and then he noticed a tree and climbed up it. He peered down from the heights into the opening of the flower. His yellow eyes widened when he saw what was inside.

'It can't be!' he choked with glee, 'But it is!'

Harley, knowing with dread what was inside stayed on the ground safely.

'Who could have guessed it? The Scarecrow found himself a mate. And with Ivy too! No wonder anybody told me this. Oh, she could just die from shame. Harley, come up here and see this. ' The Joker called quietly enough so the couple didn't hear him.

When Harley shook her head in refusal, the Joker snorted, 'No matter, I can just watch it alone myself. Jonny's really nailing her down and Ivy's not having much of a resistance. I will let them finish.'

When the noises quieted down, it was already a signal that it was finished. Taking his chance, the Joker yelled down at the flower below him,' Hello to the pit of flames down there! Hope you didn't reduce yourselves to ashes! Hahaha!'

There was a muffled panic scatter in the flower and a person fell out. It was a very messy version of Jonathan Crane dressed in the Scarecrow outfit. Confused, he looked up and barked, 'Joker!'

Giggling, the Joker jumped down,' You never told me about your debonair ways, Jonny Boy. Tell me: how did you manage to get such a chick as Ivy with a scarecrow such as yourself?'

'Do not push your luck, Joker. You find yourself on a dangerous zone,' Crane warned.

'Really? And who's gonna stop me? You weedy muscles or your analytical mind will read my next move?' Joker laughed.

His laughing was cut off when a vine cuffed him at the back of the head and wound itself around him tightly. From the flower, Ivy in her full battle mode climbed down.

'You forget, Joker, that you're in my element,' she said calmly as the vines tightened.

'Don't hurt him!' cried Harley.

Ivy snapped back and noticed her friend,' Harley? What are you doing-'

The Joker seized the opportunity and let the acid be squirted from his decorative flower onto the vines that held him captive. The vines cowered away in pain. It seemed that Ivy shared feelings with plants for she also cried out in pain when this happened.

'You wretched hooligan!' she yelled in anger.

She produced out her miniature crossbow and aimed it at the Joker's throat.

'No!' Harley pushed Ivy away and onto the floor.

The Joker roared with satisfaction and aimed his gun at Ivy sprawled down. Scarecrow immediately jumped in defense.

'Step away from her,' he warned.

'What are you going to do? Hit me?' the Joker giggled, obviously forgetting what the Scarecrow was known for in his criminal days.

The Scarecrow produced a wry smile,' You forget that I never go unarmed and that mind defeats the muscle.' He shot a good portion of Fear Gas in Joker's direction from his hand.

The Joker remembered the threat that the Scarecrow carried so he pulled Harley in front of him. Harley got the full blow of the Gas, inhaling it even more when she gasped in surprise. She coughed as the gas entered her system and then started whimpering for the Joker not to beat her, thus revealing her fear of him. She slumped onto the floor and fidgeted in fear.

'I always knew you were a coward!' Ivy snarled from the floor.

The Joker pulled her up and pressed the gun to her head. The Scarecrow paused, unsure of what to do. He now desperately wished that he had his scythe with him so as to teach the Joker bully a thing or two.

'Do anything drastic,' the Joker whispered maniacally,' and toots here goes bye-bye.'

Back at Harley's house, Jack was getting bored from keeping an eye on the two tied up in front of him.

'I'm going to the kitchen, and you better not be up to something,' he cocked his gun,' or else.'

When he went away, Icabod turned immediately back to Alice,' Do you know Pandora Nygma's telephone number?'

Alice nodded and told him. Icabod said, 'I'm going to try to dial her telephone.'

'But your hands are tied behind your back!' Alice said,' How are you going to see the numbers you dial?'

'You will be telling me,' Icabod shuffled across the sofa to the telephone. He fumbled, and the received was placed on the table. With his back turned, his fingers blindly searched over the buttons.

'Am I pressing number 5?' he would ask and Alice would answer if he had to move three buttons to the left to touch it or not. It went on with the rest of the numbers and it went quickly- it had to.

When the number was dialed, Icabod pressed his ear against the receiver and gave a sigh of relief when the phone started ringing.

'Hello?' Pandora's voice answered it.

'Icabod here. Listen, don't say anything, just listen. What is the call for Gotham's protector when he is most needed? When you solve this, go to that place and tell him to come to Harleen Quinzel's house urgently. The Heir of Crime is holding us at target!'

Icabod fumbled back and place the phone back in the receiver and shuffled back next to Alice.

'Do you think she will be able to figure it out quickly?' Alice asked worriedly.

'I think this riddle would be easy enough to solve. We must speak in riddles just in case. Let us hope it is not too late when help arrives,' Icabod murmured.

Author's Note: Again, sorry for not posting for some time! Hope this was a good enough chapter. Again, warn me if it is getting too adult for PG-13. Please review if you have a heart!