i haven't been able to write anything lately. this chapter is kinda crappy, but at least we're getting somewhere.

and i wanna thank Fiona Fargazer for the review. that really made my day when i got it.

VIII

To Catch a Bat

"The robberies have yet to cease. The police are baffled. So far the targets have included a downtown bank, a costume shop, a chemistry lab at Eastern Washington University, a small gun shop, and we fear more targets are being looted as we speak. The police suspect that one group is behind all the robberies, but no motive has been spoken of at this time. We have no details on exactly what was taken at this time, but we will keep updating until we know," the female reporter's voice droned on over the large television.

"They didn't mention the Best Buy!" The joker pouted fiercely.

"I'm sure they'll get to that one later..." we said annoyed.

"I sure hope so! That was my favorite one." She grinned.

At this point we were pissed. How could she think so little of our accomplishments to complain about our news coverage? The news coverage was only good to lure the Bat, but nothing more. Here we had everything we needed to catch a Bat, even bait. That hadn't been part of the plan though. While the henchmen had been loading our new electronics some stupid woman had fallen to her knees in front of the Joker and started crying. We had wanted to put a bullet in her head, but for some odd reason the Joker wouldn't let us. So now the whinny red headed bitch was locked in a basement room of the new lair.

"Do you ever shut-up?" we glared.

"Do you have a sense of humor? You need to smile more," the Joker whispered with a devilish grin. Our relationship had been getting rocky, our styles differed. We flipped the coin, good side up.

"Maybe you're right..." we said grudgingly.

"I thought so, you know I could help with that?" she stated, her grin widening, a slight giggle escaping.

"That's quite alright, but I'm sure that woman could use a laugh."

"Oh what a grand idea!"the joker cackled as she leapt out of her chair and skipped for the door. We sighed with relief. That woman could drive anyone mad, but she was very useful at times. There was no way we could have got everything this fast without her.

After catching Catwoman everything had just fallen together. She took us to her hideout, some piece of shit house near downtown. Her boyfriend wasn't as easy to convince as we would have hoped. The idiot had pulled a gun on us. Luckily he wasn't very bright, we disarmed him with ease and the Joker had his gun pointed to his head in an instant. That changed his tune very nicely. Since then his little gang of followers has been helping us to get the things we need.

The Joker got some chemistry professor to help create some toys for her. The same guy had helped us get our hideout set up. He bought the fancy house with the bank robbery money. Easy as pie. No one would suspect this place as our lair, not even the bat. Once the Joker is satisfied with her new toys the game really begins.

—x—

"You're awake!" I shouted gleefully as I stepped into the small basement room. The redheaded woman sat up slowly on the makeshift pillow mattress and looked at me intently. She was kinda familiar for some reason, but the way she starred at me was unnerving.

"Where am I?" she said quietly, her eyes still boring into me.

"Come now! You know I can't tell you that!" I strolled across the room til I was standing directly in front of her. I leaned down and whispered, "That would ruin all the fun."

"Maybe so, but I'm really not having all that much fun anyway," the woman said sharply leaning back away from me. She was afraid, but didn't want me to know.

"Soon you'll be having -a lot- of fun," I said standing back upright. A wicked smile spreading across my face.

"What?" the woman said suddenly. Her face showing her fear. I just smiled at her and turned to walk towards the door.

Silent and fast an arm slipped around my neck. I grabbed the wrist and twisted. The woman held me tightly. I twisted my body, squirming, trying to pry myself out of her grasp.

"Liz! Fucking listen to me, just a minute! You are my daughter. I need you to remember that! You need to remember!" she shrieked at me frantically.

The words she said hit me hard, something so familiar in her voice, but so unknown at the same time. I kicked backwards, hitting her shin hard with my heel. She yelped and loosened her death grip just enough. I lean myself forward while grabbing her wrists roughly. I dropped to the ground and flung the woman over me. She landed in front on my on her back with a loud thump.

"I should kill you for that!" I screamed. "I don't give a shit who you are, don't you ever try anything like that again. I'll slit your throat." I grabbed the woman by the hair and pulled her to her knees. My knife was at her throat, the blade dancing on her skin.

The Riddler appeared in the doorway. His face was contorted. He looked very confused. His hair was ruffled and sticking everywhere and his green suit disheveled as well. I laughed at the sight, the knife drawing a small amount of blood. The woman gasped.

"We need that woman! What will Two-Face think if you kill the bait?"

"Fine!" I leaned down to the woman's ear. "I will show you how to have fun soon." I let go of her hair and kicked her in the stomach, knocking her further into the room.

With that I left for the kitchen, my mind full and my stomach empty.