Hey everyone! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! Sorry this update took so long. I've been busy at work. This chapter is leading into the next big Joker appearance. Next chapter is already in the works so I should be able to post it soon. Hope you like it. =)
He woke up soaked in sweat, his breath ragged. He sat up straight, running his hand over his face, hoping to wipe the images of his nightmare away. It was the same nightmare every night. Her lifeless body in his arms, a massive joker grin on her beautiful face.
He looked on his watch. It was the middle of the night but he was used to getting only a few hours of sleep every night these days. His body was exhausted but his mind kept him up.
Every night it took him a few minutes to realize she was not dead and that it was just a product of the poison the Joker used on him. He got up, knowing he wouldn't find any more rest tonight. He braced his hands against the large glass windows of his penthouse, looking at Gotham's skyline through thick raindrops.
He took a deep breath listening to the calm sound of the rain.
"She is fine. She is fine." He reminded himself.
He was angry at himself for putting her at risk. She saved him but put her life in danger for him. If he hadn't underestimated the Joker, none of this would have happened. His stupidity almost cost her her life. One wrong step and the Joker could have spotted her. He swallowed hard at that thought.
Finding the Joker was his top priority along with making sure she was safe. He was pretty sure the Joker didn't know that she was there that night. But pretty sure wasn't good enough.
Besides - seeing her was the only way he could convince himself that the images in his head were indeed not reality.
Of course he couldn't do that as Bruce Wayne, so he watched over her as Batman.
The first night when he woke up from his nightmares, he did it simply to proof to himself that it was a nightmare, that she was safe and alive at home.
He had crouched on a fire escape outside her apartment and watched her sleep for an hour. That first night, she had woken up, turned on the lights and then she looked at her neck in the mirror. It was blue and purple.
Who did this to her? Had the Joker seen her?
"Who did this to you?" He asked her through the open window, hiding in the shadows of the fire escape.
She jumped at his voice and turned around, searching for him.
"My god you scared me." She said, pressing her hand against her chest.
Whoever hurt her like this, he wanted to kill that person. Someone had obviously tried to choke her. Tried to kill her.
"This?" She asked pointing at her neck. "That's nothing." She said, waving a hand while smiling. "You should see the other guy."
"Who was it? The Joker?"
"No." She said in a soft voice, looking to the floor.
"Who was it? Was someone else there? I need to know." He demanded. Why was she not telling him? This person might still be out there trying to kill her.
"There was nobody else." She said. "It's fine. Honestly it looks a lot worse than it is."
"I need to know." He felt his voice become even more husky as he was getting frustrated.
She swallowed. "It was you." She said just above a whisper.
Me? Images of his time in that labyrinth flooded his mind. It was hard to tell which ones were real and which ones were fake. Her lifeless body appeared again in front of his eyes. It had felt so real. He really thought he had lost her. Yet here she was, alive. Now she was telling him he hurt her. Bits and pieces appeared again of her stretching out her hand, asking him to come with her. The first time it was a trap. The second was not but he had a hard time distinguishing in his mind which was which. Did he hurt her? Suddenly images of him smashing her against a wall popped up in his memory. Did he really do this? He felt sick to his stomach. If that had been real, who was to say her dead body wasn't? Maybe she was really dead and he was still in that labyrinth? Maybe all of this was his imagination. He felt his heart rate increase, his breath getting more shallow.
"Sorry." He managed to say.
"We all do weird shit when we're on potent hallucinogens." She said smiling. How could she be so nonchalant about this?
I felt tired and exhausted. I hadn't been able to get a good night's sleep in a while. Nightmares about the Joker woke me up too many times.
Now I had to hide the bruises on my neck, which wouldn't be easy in my profession.
I placed a small silk scarf around my neck, sighing when I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I already knew what Peter would say. And I wasn't disappointed.
"What happened to your neck?"
"Nothing. I just like scarfs."
"It's the second day in a row you're wearing a scarf."
"Are you the fashion police now?"
"No, but I'm no idiot." He motioned to close the door. Reluctantly I did and took a seat.
"It's nothing."
"You know that make-up can easily hide hickeys, right?"
"It's nothing."
"Then you won't have a problem losing the scarf."
"I have a little bit of a sore throat. Keeps my neck warm."
"Cat, you know you can't wear a scarf every night on-air. I would guess my consultants would say you can't wear a scarf at all..."
"Fine." I took off the scarf. "Satisfied?"
His eyes widened, clearly not expecting to see my neck blue and purple.
"Holy shit! Cat what the hell happened? Who did this to you?"
"It's a long, boring story. It's not what it looks like. I'm fine. So, how can we hide it then if not with a scarf?"
"Did Wayne do this to you?"
"God no. Like I told you, we're not dating. I'm not dating. It's not what it looks like. I'm fine."
"You should press charges whoever did do this."
"Are we done with the lecture? How can I get back to work?"
He sighed and frowned, studying me closely as he was leaning back in his chair.
"Maybe you should take some days off."
"I'm fine."
"I'm not sure you are. A lot has happened over the last few months, Cat. Maybe you should just take off some days and look after yourself."
"I'm fine."
"I'm not asking. I'm telling you to take some days off."
I stared at him in disbelief. Angrily I grabbed my scarf and tied it around my neck.
Quickly I took my bag from my desk and headed to the elevator, furious at Peter.
"Cat?"
I turned around and saw Jacob headed my way. I hadn't seen him since our little investigation session.
"Do you have a minute?" He asked.
"On my way out. Walk with me." I said, still fuming with anger.
In that moment the elevator doors opened. We stepped inside, I pressed the button and saw Jacob staring at my neck, where my scarf had moved down.
I quickly adjusted the scarf.
"What the hell happened?" He asked, softly touching the side of my neck. I grabbed his wrist, stopping him from removing the scarf.
"Nothing. I'm fine."
He looked at me concerned.
"I'm here if you want someone to talk."
I sighed. "It was Batman, ok? I didn't have an angry boyfriend beat me up or something. But I can't tell Peter that because he can't know about our little investigation."
"Little investigation... Cat you did exactly what I asked you not to. You put yourself in danger and..."
The elevator doors opened and two people entered the elevator. We all stood in silence. I looked to the ground, feeling Jacob's eyes on me.
The elevator moved down slowly and it felt time didn't pass. Jacob was still staring at my neck. Finally we reached the ground floor. I walked in big steps towards the street, hailing a cab.
"What do you mean Batman did this to you?" Jacob asked me.
"He was drugged, he didn't recognize me. Long story."
"So he strangled you?"
"Yes." I said as a cab arrived. I got in and so did Jacob. "What the hell are you doing?" I asked him annoyed.
"I need a little more information. I got you into this so..."
"You didn't get me into anything. Would everybody stop trying to protect me!"
"Everybody?"
"5th and 64th please." I told the cabbie, ignoring Jacob's question on purpose.
"Cat, I'm seriously concerned. Who is everybody?"
I sighed. "You, Peter, Wayne...Batman..."
"Batman?"
"Yes, he came by my apartment twice, making sure the Joker wasn't on to me."
"He came by your apartment?"
"I feel like every time I answer one of your questions I get ten more."
"I'm a journalist. That shouldn't surprise you. You least of all. So...?"
"Fine. He came by my apartment. Obviously not like a normal person. He just sort of appears."
"He broke into your apartment?"
"See what I mean? Enough with the questions."
"Sorry, but how much do we really know about this bat character? He's a random guy in a bat costume... What if he is a complete psychopath?"
"He isn't."
"And you know that how?"
I shrugged. "Female intuition. You wouldn't understand." I grinned at him.
He rolled his eyes. "Well, I guess at least he is looking out for you. Not much any of us could do about the Joker attacking you. He'd be the only one so I guess I have to trust him for now."
"How gracious of you." I said sarcastically.
"Smart ass." He smiled back. "Why are you going home by the way?"
"Peter sent me home for the next couple of days."
"I assume you showed him your neck then?"
I nodded as I swiped my credit card to pay for the cab ride.
We got out and walked towards my apartment.
"Are you following me Jacob?"
"No, I'm inviting myself in for coffee."
I sighed.
He looked through the database on his computer when Alfred entered the room.
"Dinner is ready sir."
"I'm not hungry Alfred."
"That may be so, but you need to regain your strength so you have to eat."
"I'll be there in 10 minutes." He responded, still focusing on the screen.
"Who is Jacob Thompson and why are you hacking into his emails?"
"I need to know what he knows about the Batman. Catherine has been doing some digging and I'm guessing he is helping her."
"And why would you say that?"
"Well, for starters they're working together. Plus he was one of the first people she called after the incident."
"So you're also tracking her cell phone?"
He ignored that question. "Neither one of them has any idea who I am but it might be good to through them a curveball."
"Curveball sir?"
"I know how much you love putting on the suit."
"That is going to be the last time!"
He laughed.
"You seem to be in better spirits Master Wayne."
"I've been training. I asked Fox to mix me a less potent version of what the Joker poisoned me with."
"Why?"
"To overcome my fears. Ra's used it in his training. Half the battle is in your mind with your own demons. So I'm injecting myself with the hallucinogen to breathe in my fears. To let them have its place for a little while, to accept them as part of who I am - only to let them go afterwards."
"What doesn't kill you..."
"...makes you stronger. Precisely."
"What is the plan? For the curveball I mean."
"They both need to see me and Batman in the same room. So, I figured I wait until they're both at her apartment and then I could visit her and you could hide on the fire escape."
"Why do I get the feeling you have already been spending plenty of time on her fire escape..."
"She doesn't see me until I want to be seen. You have to say two or three sentences to get her attention."
"The Joker might have not noticed the difference in our voice, sir, but I'm pretty certain Ms Hunter will."
"Absolutely. Which is why we're going to pre-record the sentences and you just have to press play."
The old butler didn't look convinced. "And what is the reason for your visit? Last time you and Miss Hunter didn't leave on very agreeable terms."
"I'm there to check up on her - I'm concerned for her well being."
Alfred looked at him surprised. "The truth for once."
He nodded. "For once the truth doesn't put her in danger."
Two days later I was still not allowed back to work but I had managed to convince Peter to work behind the scenes and do research on stories.
Jacob and I were working on an investigative story about the heroin epidemic in Gotham. We pulled a lot of late nights together to do our research in addition of working on daily assignment stories. It was another one of those nights and we were buried in files and amped up on caffeine.
"More coffee?" I asked him.
"Do you have a beer? I feel like I need to slowly counter act all that caffeine."
"Sounds healthy." I laughed.
"Coffee and alcohol are the two main food items of a journalist."
"You forgot Chinese takeout."
"Touché."
"I don't have beer. Only wine."
"That will do."
I got to the fridge, grabbing the bottle when I heard a knock on my door. I froze. What time was it? Who would be knocking on my door now?
"Expecting someone?" Jacob asked.
"Not really." I said confused.
"Let me get it." Jacob said. He was still over protective.
"You don't need to..." But he was already walking towards the door. When he opened it I thought my heart stopped beating. It was Bruce.
Jacob visibly tensed up, quickly stepping aside and looking at me.
I was still frozen with the bottle of wine in my hand, unable to say anything and unable to make any sense of why he would be here. He looked good, way too good. The dark wool winter coat was open, revealing his crisp white shirt. His hands loosely in his pockets he smiled at me.
"I'm sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting." He said, only looking at me and not Jacob.
Say something Cat! Say something! But for some reason I couldn't. I just stared at him. Jacob was getting uncomfortable.
"We were just working on a story." He said while Bruce was still not even looking at him.
"May I come in?" Bruce asked me.
"I should probably get going." Jacob said.
"No, don't. I'm sure whatever it is Mr Wayne has to say won't take long."
I managed to sound cold and distant when all I wanted to do was run up to him and kiss him.
Bruce was still smiling but I knew him too well at this point. I could tell that he was hurt by my comment and incredibly jealous of Jacob. He nodded and slowly walked into my living room.
Jacob looked at me in desperation. "I should go." He whispered again.
I sternly shook my head. I didn't want to give Bruce too much time plus I couldn't trust myself alone with him in a room.
"So, what brings you to this side of town?" I asked, crossing my arms in front of me.
He looked at me closely, my heart skipping a beat. He walked up to me. My heart rate was increasing dramatically. Don't you dare kiss me - I won't be able to say no. My arms still like a shield around me, his eyes fixed on me. He came to a stop just inches from me, still holding me hostage with his eyes. Nervously I bit my lips together. He placed a hand on my face, gently twisting it to the side, his other hand softly touching my neck.
His touch send butterflies through my whole body.
"I'm here to check that you're ok. I'm worried."
I took a deep breath and removed his hands and stepped back.
"Luckily that's not your problem anymore. Plus I already have enough people who worry way too much about me in my life."
His eyes quickly shot over to Jacob who awkwardly waved at him, which almost made me laugh.
"So if that's why you came here for, you can stop worrying about me. I'm fine."
"Well, my sources tell me that you saved Batman and that as a reward, he almost killed you."
"What? Are you spying on me?"
"No, I'm spying on the insane guy who dresses up as a bat because I tend to not trust lunatics in costumes."
"Be that as it may. Why do you suddenly give a shit about my well being? Last time I seem to recall you told me that I was nothing but a good screw."
He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
Not as uncomfortable as Jacob, who was opening the door.
"Jacob don't you dare leaving. The only one who is leaving is Mr Wayne."
Bruce nodded, walking towards the door.
He stopped and looked closely at Jacob.
"Look after her for me would you pal?"
Jacob just stared at him, opening his mouth to respond when suddenly a gravely voice interrupted us.
"I already am."
I turned around and saw Batman on his usual hiding spot crouching on the fire escape.
"You're spying on her from the fire escape?" Bruce asked him angrily, charging at the window, where you could only see Batman's eyes in the darkness.
"Not spying. Protecting. You're welcome."
"Stop it all of you! I don't need protecting! I'm fine." I yelled, silencing everyone.
"You're not fine." Bruce responded pointing at my neck. "And that freak did that to you."
"Ok, I'm not fine. Do you wanna know why? It's not because of my neck. It's not because there is a crazy clown out there killing people. It's not because there is a guy in a bat costume out on my fire escape watching me at night. It's because your back and forth is driving me insane. What is this? Why are you here? You don't want me in your life? Fine! Then leave me be."
His expression looked helpless before he regained composure, putting the mask back on.
"You're right." He said with an arrogant grin on his face, not looking at me directly anymore. "I guess I get somewhat possessive of the things that used to belong to me."
"Good thing then that I'm not a thing and never belonged to you either."
Once again he didn't seem like himself. He was trying too hard to be a jerk. Just now I noticed that Jacob and Batman were gone.
"Just go." I said, although all I wanted was for him to stay. His eyes shot up at me again and the expression didn't match his facial expression. He looked tormented but his face was stone cold.
He nodded and slowly walked towards the door, stopping next to me, looking into my eyes, slowly wiping his thumb across his bottom lip.
"Just because I don't want to be in a relationship with you doesn't mean I'm not worried about your well being."
"I think she asked you to leave. Pal." Jacob said who re-appeared from wherever he had been hiding.
Bruce smiled, clearly not threatened by Jacob. "Has no one ever told you that eavesdropping is rude."
Jacob didn't respond, his eyes fixed on Bruce, his chest puffed up, his hands balled to fists. I had never seen him like this. Bruce on the other hand remained relaxed, a fake arrogant smile on his lips.
"Take care of yourself." He said to me as he left the apartment.
Jacob closed the door behind him as quickly as he could.
"Ok, I have so many questions..." Jacob said shaking his head. "First of all he is a complete jackass."
"That wasn't a question." I responded staring onto the kitchen counter feeling an emotional storm brewing inside of me.
"What in the world did you ever see in the guy? Doesn't matter. Not my deal I guess. Which leads me to the next insanity - Batman is just camping outside your window now?"
"I don't know. I've only seen him twice." I said absently.
"And Wayne is spying on Batman? I guess there goes my theory."
"What theory was that?"
"I thought for sure he was Batman."
"Bruce?"
"Yes. He's rich. He has a motif for doing it. It made sense."
"Well, sorry to disappoint. It's not him."
In that moment Jacob looked closer at me.
"You ok?" He asked in a concerned voice.
I took a deep breath. "I don't know. I don't know why I let him mess with my head this much. I can't control it. He has this power over me and it drives me crazy. You must think I'm pathetic."
"No, I think you've fallen head over heels for the guy. Lucky bastard."
I smiled. "And to answer your earlier question, what I see in him, that's not an easy answer. I definitely feel that he plays a role of this jackass, playboy billionaire that he actually isn't. But who knows, maybe I'm telling myself that to feel better about myself."
"Well, I'd guess it won't take too long until he comes back to you."
I shook my head. "No that's over. He clearly doesn't want anything serious."
"That's not what I saw tonight."
I looked at him confused.
"The way he looked at you? The way he looked at me for that matter. His body language signaled that he wanted to punch me out. He absolutely couldn't stand the fact that I am in your apartment."
"That's because he thinks of me as his property or something. You heard him. Let's forget any of this happened and get back to work."
I grabbed my laptop and sat down, trying to shut off the floodgate of emotions that had been unleashed.
Why was he suddenly interested in my well being? Why did he hate Batman so much?
Once again he had managed to completely screw with my head.
Almost two weeks had passed and everything was returning to normal, including my neck that had returned to a normal human color instead of a festival of blue and purple.
There was an eerie silence around the Joker that had me nervous. It was never good to not hear from him for a long time. It usually meant he had something big planned. I just couldn't figure out what it was. My research turned out nothing and apparently so did Batman's.
"Anything yet?" I asked Gordon on the phone.
"Nothing. He's on it but the Joker seems to be M.I.A."
"Any chance I could meet with him? Ask him a few questions? I have no way of getting in contact with him."
"I can ask him next time I see him."
"Thanks."
Hanging out with Jacob over the last few weeks had been fun. I felt slightly bad because I knew he had feelings for me but at the same time it was good to have someone to talk to and distract myself from the heartache and emptiness.
Jacob was slightly paranoid about Bruce. He constantly made jokes about Bruce hacking into his phone and listening in on all his conversations. It was mostly jokes but I could tell that he was somewhat concerned Bruce might actually be doing it out of jealousy.
Luckily for me, there had been no major events or news that necessitated a Bruce Wayne interview. Secretly I was hoping there would be one, just so I could see him again. But then what? I'd see him and then...? Nothing had changed. He still didn't want a relationship. I didn't know what I wanted but I wanted to have the option of seeing where it would go.
Sam was in town for a conference. We met at our favorite brunch spot in the city.
"Spring is finally in the air in good old Gotham." She said looking all tan from her life on the West Coast.
"Rub it in, won't you."
She laughed. "Maybe you should come with me? Hang out on the other side of the country. Get some sunshine. There is no Bruce Wayne over there."
"With my luck he'd be holding an event and I'd run into him there too."
I caught a glimpse on what was on the TV in the background and cringed. Sam turned around to see what I was looking at. The TV reporter was talking about Bruce on a date with another supermodel.
"It's been far too long. The mourning phase is over." Sam said.
I sighed. "I know. I don't know what's happening to me. I can't stand it but I can't make it stop either."
"What about Batman?" She said her eyes widening in excitement.
"What about him?"
"He seems...interesting. Good possible distraction."
I laughed. "Oh my God. Sam!"
"What? He's already hanging outside your bedroom."
"He was there twice. I haven't seen him since. I don't even know what he looks like for crying out loud. What if he was overweight, old and bald?"
"Overweight? I don't think so. How would he fit into that armor of his?"
"Do you have a thing for Batman?" I asked in disbelief.
"Who doesn't."
"Oh my God!" I laughed.
"All I'm saying is, keep your eyes open."
"Enough about me. What's new with you?"
"Well, actually... I met someone."
"No way! Tell me everything."
"He won't talk to me." I said annoyed.
"Who?" Jacob asked.
"Batman. Gordon just called to let me know. He said he doesn't want to talk to the media. The media." I shook my head in disbelief. "I saved his life and that's what he sees me as? The media?"
"I get it." Jacob shrugged while typing on his computer.
"Say what?"
"Look," he took his glasses off, leaning back. "The guy is paranoid about anyone finding out who he truly is. If I were him, I'd keep contact to anyone to a minimum. Especially a journalist."
I hated when he was right. Still frustrated I sat down. "He could at least answer a few questions I have. I could email them to him."
Jacob laughed. "Email him? batman .com ?"
"That would be a great email address." I smiled.
"Well, our story airs tomorrow so we should probably focus on that for now."
"Aren't you nervous?"
"Nervous? We've spent weeks on this story."
"Not about the story. About the Joker. Normally when he's quiet for this long he has something bad planned."
He sighed, looking at me concerned. "I try not to worry about it. I can't do anything about it at the moment anyway."
"And you're clear." The director said to Jacob and I after we were done introducing out story about heroin on the air.
"I'm so glad we're finally done with that one. I definitely had enough drug stories for a while."
Jacob nodded in agreement. "I think this deserves a celebratory drink after work."
"Count me in." I said walking back to my desk to shut off my computer for the day.
"He's at it again," Peter said as he was staring at a screen in his office.
I walked up to see what he was talking about.
"The Joker," he said, his eyes fixed on the screen.
I had feared this moment.
"Good evening Gotham." He said from what looked like a presidential press post, painted in purple and with a Joker grin on it instead of an eagle. "I realized something during our short time together. I have never really introduced myself to you. The media tries to tell you I'm a terrorist. That's not true. I'm an agent of change, an agent of chaos. You all live your lives according to plan, their plan. You get your degree, you work hard... You play by the rules. And what do you get in exchange? You can hardly pay your bills and hate your dead-end job. The plan they have for you is to stay quiet and don't be anything that they don't consider to be normal. It's time to change the power balance my friends and you don't do that by sticking to their plan. Chaos is the only truth in life. You wanna know why? Because it's fair and unbiased. Join me Gotham, in taking back your city from the power drunk. Hahahahhahahaha!" His laugh was frightening. Insane. Limitless.
"What does that even mean? What does he have planned?" I asked.
"Get to Gotham PD. I want all the infos they can give us." Peter responded.
His penthouse felt empty. He couldn't escape the feeling of nothingness. He felt lonely before, but this was new. It was because of her. Why did he giver her so much room to fill that now felt like a vacuum. Her eyes, her smile, her long legs, her dark hair... He sighed. What was he doing? Why couldn't he stop thinking about her. Not even the entire Gotham ballerinas were able to distract him.
"Master Wayne." Alfred said while turning up the TV.
Gotham - however - had a distraction for him.
He watched the freakish clown make his demands on television.
Determined and angry he walked downstairs. It was time to bring the clown behind bars once and for all.
"We don't have much," said Gordon.
"Can you give me a soundbite?"
"Sure."
I nodded to Bill to record.
"Do you have any leads on the Joker's location?"
"We are investigating all angles and are talking to witnesses from former bank robberies. We are very confident in solving this problem and of course we are working closely with the Batman in this. That's all I got."
Bill turned off the camera.
"Any idea what he has planned?"
He shook his head. "I'm more concerned with copycats at this point. We've already had a spike in criminal activity since his speech. I gotta go Miss Hunter."
I nodded and he took off.
I went live from the police station several times and they replayed the video and Gordon's soundbites over and over again.
I felt mentally drained when I got back to the studio. This sick clown was just running around Gotham. There was no reason to his madness.
I sat down at my desk before closing my computer. Exhausted, my eyes wandered to one of the many TV screens. All stations were replaying the images over and over again.
Suddenly, I saw something.
As fast I could walk I went to the elevator going to our production department - a big, dark room filled with computers and tech nerds.
I was headed to Parker, our main video editor.
"Hey Parker!"
He looked up from his seven different screens.
"Catherine! Don't see you in the dungeon too often." He smiled.
"Yeah... I have a question for you."
"What's up?"
"Can you zoom in on the Joker footage for me."
He looked a bit surprised.
"Yeah, take a seat."
He pulled up the video and started slowly zooming.
"What are we looking for."
"Behind his head...over the right side."
Parker zoomed in closer and closer and looked intently on the screen.
And there it was.
"Got it!" I exhaled.
"What is it?" He asked while looking at a white mosaic on the wall.
"It's an old plaster technique. I did a story on it a while back."
"And that matters why?"
"Can you print a screen shot from this?"
"Yeah... Cat what's going on?"
"You're the best! Thanks!"
With the print, I ran back to my computer. It might be nothing... But my instinct told me - I hit gold.
The plastering technique was used in the Golden 20s to enhance the look of a room and make it more expensive looking. Then the depression hit and plastering became too expensive. Only a handful of houses in Gotham with these wall decors were left.
I went to the website of the decor lovers that I had interviewed for my story. They had taken the time to take pictures of each of these wall decors, which are hand made and hence unique.
I called the president of the decor club, Dorothy. She was confused but willing to see me immediately. I couldn't tell her what this was really about, but I needed answers tonight.
"Thank you so much for seeing me on such short notice," I said while walking into her small apartment. It was filled with way too many memories and collections of knick knacks everywhere.
"I loved your story so much on the decor... All my friends watched it. My granddaughter even said that I am now famous." She smiled at me all her wrinkles working at the same time. "What can I help you with tonight Miss Hunter?"
I handed it her the image. I had cropped it so she couldn't see the Joker in it.
"Do you recognize this one?"
She took off her glasses and looked at it.
"Mhhh..." She kept studying it intently. She got up and walked away.
I looked after her confused.
She came back with a big book. When she set down again, talking to herself, she opened the book, clearly looking for something in particular.
"Ah yes. There it is." She handed me the book. "It's a beautiful decor that one."
I looked at the picture in the book and the one from the Joker. They were identical.
"Where is it?"
"Um..." She looked at the writing below the picture. "Waterfront." She replied.
I must be insane to even attempt this. I grabbed a cab towards Waterfront, an old neighborhood in Gotham that was mostly abandoned. Back in the days of Gotham's glory it was a busy area near the harbor. Now, it was just one empty building after another.
The cab driver dropped me off and I was standing in front of the building. All of a sudden I realized the idiocy of my idea. What if the clown was still here? What if this is were he was hanging out? I couldn't possibly just walk in. I grabbed my phone and called Gordon.
"Detective Gordon." He answered his phone.
"Gordon this is Catherine Hunter."
"I told you everything I know Miss Hunter..."
"I think I know where he is." I interrupted him.
Silence on the other end.
"What do you mean?"
"I know where the Joker is. But I will only tell you and I want exclusive rights."
"It's a warehouse full of explosives," I said into the microphone an hour later. "The Joker's hiding place is exposed and with it, his stack of gunpowder. This is a serious blow to the Joker's power."
I had no idea what I was setting in motion.
Of course they didn't catch the Joker, but he was without gun powder. And for a week, it was quiet around the Joker again.
In the meantime I had gotten more attention than I ever wanted.
My face was plastered on buses "Catherine Hunter watches out for Gotham" the line underneath my face read.
I went from channel to channel, explaining over and over again how I found the Joker's secret hideout place.
Gordon had ordered a 24-hour watch on me.
"You made yourself the biggest target in Gotham Ms Hunter." He had said.
Wherever I went, two cops were patrolling along my side. It was the last thing I wanted or needed in my life. But I had no choice in the matter.
Even after all this I still was not over my stupid feelings for Bruce and sometimes I caught myself staring at my phone in hopes of hearing from him. Whenever I saw him on TV or on the front page of the paper - I wanted to be near him. Why am I so ridiculous?
I walked to my front door after a long day at work. I saw the two cops sitting in a dark Lincoln not too far from me. Feeling watched didn't make me feel safer. It made me feel watched.
I opened the door and dropped the keys on the desk next to the door. I was about to take off my high heels when I saw a card on the floor. It was a card from a deck of cards. I don't own cards. I felt my breath getting short. Slowly I went to pick it up. Don't let it be a Joker, don't let it be a Joker... I told myself, my heart beating faster.
I turned the card around and my hands started shaking.
Joker!
I turned around to run out of the door and his horrid face was staring at me.
"Well hello beautiful!" He said grinning from ear to ear his yellow teeth shining through his scars.
"Why don't we take a little trip?" He sprayed something in my face while laughing hysterically.
Bruce was sitting in his penthouse analyzing pictures of the Joker while coverage from WCX8 was playing on the TV. He tried not to get distracted by her on TV.
"She has the smarts that you're lacking Master Wayne" Alfred said while smiling at him.
"And now she's on the Joker's most wanted list. I can't watch after her 24/7." He sighed.
"That's what the police is for."
"They won't be able to protect her from..."
In that moment the TV went black and after a second returned with a familiar face.
"Good evening Gotham." The Joker said.
It couldn't be. Panic struck him as he saw her tied to a chair. Was he too late to safe her?
