Chapter 18:

Taming the Lion

WARNING: This chaptercontains mild sexual content.

"Mr. Daggett, she's like putty in our hands."

The 30-year-old man stroked his chin, "Yes, this shall be quite amusing."

The clown laughed, "Funnier than a barrel full of monkey!"

Daggett shot a glare at J-man, "Now let's not get to excited," he turned his back, "She stronger than we thought, yes?"

"Yes, but obviously not strong enough to get away from the Jokerz," J-man smiled as if Catwoman's cooperation was all his doing, "It almost makes me feel bad taking advantage of her, being a newb and all," with sarcasm.

Daggett turned back around, "Don't underestimate her just yet. She may not be up to score just yet, but she's clever. She is a Kyles. So don't let your guard down!"

J-man shot back in a surprised manor, "The lady waits," he bowed.

"…damn clowns…"Daggett mumbled.

Catwoman noticed that the boys were now clearing the table and reddish haired man came to be seated in front of her.

"Why hello there Ms…," Daggett hesitated for her approval, "Kitty."

Catwoman lowered a brow. She didn't trust the man. He was shifty and her feline instinct sensed danger.

The man took a deep breath, "I'm sorry that the Jokerz startled you. I understand your fret. You can't trust anyone in Gotham these days."

"So why should I trust you?" she retorted.

The man smiled, "Let's not call this a situation of trust; rather than, a moment of spontaneity," he tipped his head, "I am Mr. Roland Daggett II."

Catwoman began to feel a little less unsettled. She crossed her arms and decided she would at least hear him out, "So, what's your proposition."

"Ah, to the point; I like that," he let her know, "I wanted to see if you would happen to be interested in a partnership," he saw the skepticism in her face, "You have stolen quite a few valuable artifacts?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever thought about selling them? I mean, your not doing any good with them sitting on your shelf, collecting dust, now are you?" her face changed from skepticism to a more open-minded look.

"Well…"

He tried to stop her from thinking further into is, "And you haven't been in this business for long. How about old Mr. Daggett helps you out?"

She took a deep breath, "What's the catch?"

He was excited to see that see had taken it into recognition, "Well only that the Jokerz and I get 50 of the plunder."

Catwoman was almost disgustingly shocked, "Fifty percent!"

"Forty?"

"Thirty!"

"Thirty-five?"

The Cat glared…

Daggett swallowed, "Fine, thirty will do just fine."

She caught glance of a shocked J-man behind him.

"Meet us here tomorrow night," Daggett got up and walked Catwoman to the garage area, full of bikes, "and, for the trip home, take one of these bikes," he pointed to the line of bikes.

Catwoman walked up to a lovely green and black bike, "I'll take this one," she hopped on.

"But that's my bike…"

"Shut up now Daft, it's always polite to give your guest a gift," shouted Daggett to the upset Joker.

She revved up the bike and drove off.

"She was very cooperative I do say."

"Yes Daggett, but how is that going to get my bike back."

Daggett turned around and smacked the young Joker with such an impact that he fell backward.

A few Jokerz ran to help Daft as J-man ran to Daggett to confront, "What is this '30' bullshit? There are too many of us Jokerz to split that up."

Daggett walked towards his office in a disregarding manor then spoke back at him, "The money will come back to us in time…" he whispered the last part, "once we kill her…"

Isis drove her lovely new bike home. She new that if anyone saw a Jokerz bike at this apartment, the may get a little suspicious. So naturally, she discovered a lovely hiding place for her motorcycle. It was hidden behind a warehouse down the street, underneath its guarding blanket.

The next morning she received a phone call…

"Um, hey Isis."

"Terry!...I mean Terry. Hello," was her reply to the familiar voice.

"How have you been?"

"Purf—hehe…just fine," Isis gave herself a smack, "What the hell are you doing girl?" she mumbled to herself.

"What was that?"

She laughed apprehensively, "Nothing, just…nothing."

"Well, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to do anything this evening?"

"Of course," but then she though to herself. She was supposed to meet up the Jokerz that night, "Well, I don't know. What time?"

"How about six o'clock?"

"Um…"

"Please come, I have to see you," he sounded worried.

She was frail against his tone and she knew that it wouldn't matter if she was late, the Jokerz obviously needed her, she didn't need to bend to there will, "I will," she smiled to herself, "Where to?"

"My place?"

"That would be fun," she was a speck nervous.

"Okay, I'll see you at six!"

"Kay. Bye love," somewhere on the other line Isis knew that he was blushing and that just put her day at ease.

She hung up the phone. I think The Cat is taking over me…or maybe it's just Terry, but why? And she began straightening up her room.

By that evening Terry had cleaned up his house and gotten his mom and brother out of the house to visit family. He checked the clock; it was 6:05, "She should be here in any minute now," Terry sat back on the couch and rested the back of his head on his hands.

And soon there was a knock at the door; Terry shot up and went to answer it, "Hey Isis, come on in."

She was radiant; he had never remembered Dana ever looking so perfect. She wore a short, strapless, dark purple dress with a ruffled bottom and his jacket. He couldn't help but check her out as she walk past. Isis turned halfway around to catch him and playfully smiled. She looked around the room, "This is lovely."

He put his hands in his pockets and shrugged, "If you think this is impressive you'll have to come see my bosses' house something."

"That would be fun."

Realizing that he wasn't being a very good host he rushed, "Oh please; have a seat," he took her coat as well.

Isis sat down and rubbed the soft arm of the sofa as Terry seated himself next to her. All that day he was worried that Isis my feel awkward in this situation, but he felt an incredibly comfortable vibe between them.

Isis leaned forward and picked up a picture frame from the coffee table, "So this is your mom and brother?"

"Yeah," he replied as he sat back putting his arm behind her.

"You brother looks just like you!"

"Is that a bad thing?" he teased.

She turned to him and grinned seductively, "Of course not."

Terry returned the smile.

"How about giving me a tour of the house?" Isis suggested.

"Sure," Terry escorted her throughout the rooms of his house until they stopped at his room.

After she had scanned the items on his shelves and dresser she sat down on his bed. Terry, who had already been sitting on the bed, now changed positions so he had his feet propped up on the bed and his back against the head board, " Isis, you're different from other girls."

She mocked him playfully, "Is that a bad thing?"

But Terry was serious, "No."

Isis crawled over to him on the bed, "How so?" she said with interest.

"Well…" Terry knew he couldn't explain himself without mentioning the fact that he is Batman so he gave her the edited version, "just a lot of things."

Isis caressed her fingers through Terry's jet black hair and pulled herself closer to his face, "Mmm…" she pressed her lips against his.

Terry wrapped arms behind her back and pulled her even closer, deepening the kiss. Terry's hands wandered up and down her back and then lower. Isis ran her hands down his stomach until she reached the bottom of his shirt and began to pull it off. He flipped over on top of her and broke away from her lips to pull his shirt up over his head; he threw it to the floor. She skimmed her fingers across his well-defined muscles, "Oh my…" she moaned.

He pulled her up against his chest and reinitiated the kiss. Terry ran a hand up her thigh to her waist and around to her back as Isis massaged the back of his hair hard. He began unzipping her dress.

"Where is that that girl?" Roland Daggett shouted at J-man.

J-man answered, "I don't know Mr. Daggett; she hasn't showed up yet."

The man clasped his hands together in an ill manner and thought to himself. "I'll give her another hour. If she's not her by then, we'll have to start the mayhem without her."

"But sir isn't she the key part in our plan. We need her to rob the shit," J-man inquired.

"We don't need her to cause mayhem!" an angered Daggett slammed his fist on the table, "Shut up and follow your orders clown."

J-man turned around and rolled his eyes, mumbling so obscenities as he walked away.

As Terry lower Isis' zipper the clock caught her eye, "Oh my God. I have to go!" she yelled as she broke away from Terry.

Terry zipped her dress back up and slumped back on the bed, "Duty calls?" he sighed.

Isis whispered to herself, yes, but then found a clever lie, "Well Maven wants me home for supper tonight," she mentioned as she rushed to the door.

Terry followed bringing her his jacket and opened the door for her. She walked halfway out of the door but then turned around, "Terry…you're great. Everything about you," she softly kissed him one last time before she left.

Terry turned around and closed the door, "I definitely love her," and took one last glace at her threw the window. She was running.

Okay, I'm so sorry about how incredibly long this took. I'll try to have this finished very soon! I've been in a bit of a writing mood, so I might get this done this summer. Let's keep our fingers crossed! as well as keep on reading and reviewing ;-)