Hello all and welcome to chapter 14, I hope you all enjoyed the previous chapter and this one even more. Happy Reading!

The Jokes on Me

I can't remember the last time I've ever been hungover but I know damn well that this is so much worse than anything I've felt before. What the hell did Joker do to me, and Harley, shit Harley was there too. How did I get home, did they drop me off, did I walk home? Jesus Christ my head! Why don't I remember anything? It was only a few drinks!

I felt Talon lick the side of my face warning me to get up and take him for a walk or he would tear up and quite possibly shit all over the place. "I'm sorry buddy, just give me five more minutes okay, mom needs to wake up."

He gave me a look that said 'you better hurry the couch is looking really tasty.'

Tallon laid his head on my stomach looking for a few head scratches which I happily gave. "I think I got a bit too drunk last night buddy. Did anyone new come into the apartment last night?" No response, just a whine to be let outside. I counted to five before swinging my legs over the side of the bed and I immediately felt incredibly nauseous. I had to take a few deep breaths before looking up from between my knees to glance around the room. Everything looked to be in its proper place except for the mysterious folder on the other side of the bed. I stood on stiff legs to grab it.

Harley and I had a great time last night doll x

Here's all your precious details

Have fun

See ya soon - J

The folder was relatively thick, I looked over at Tallon. "I got some homework to do so lets make this a quick walk today okay buddy?" No response, just a tail wag.

The title page of Joker's folder was a mugshot of Maroni with a bunch of crude little doodles surrounding him. I wonder if Joker or Harley did this?

I don't remember much of last night but I do remember Harley, did we kiss? I feel like we did. What the fuck did Joker do to her? Fucking up her brain was never part of the escape plan. It could be worse though, she could've been dead. At least I don't have to feel guilty about that. Besides Joker must have liked her enough to want to keep her around, I wouldn't necessarily feel grateful but it's better than being on his shit list.

Looking back at the folder there was the standard time, place, compensation and a bunch of other bullshit that I would need for general computer hacking, as if I didn't already have my own equipment that was a million times better than this. I took a second look at the time and pulled out my phone to compare the dates.

What the fuck?! He expects this heist to happen in five fucking hours is he out of his goddamn mind?! If he needed his shit the next day why the fuck did he decide to get me drunk the night before?!

I looked over at Tallon who was in a deep sleep beside me, "I'm sorry buddy but you're gonna be on your own again tonight okay?" No response but he doesn't really have a choice in the matter anyway.

After I looked over the folder I spent a solid two hours in the gym attempting to get over my hangover and loosen up as I haven't been working out in a set routine like I should. The men working out alongside me looked a bit frightened when I went up against the punching bag. I had a lot of pent up frustration that was released on the poor equipment.

As much as I didn't want to, I could hear Ra's disgust about my sloppy form in my head, I couldn't help the self negativity drilled into me from his words.

After all this time put into your training you're still useless to this league.

How dare you disgrace us with your weakness.

The next time your foot falters I will break it.

Examples must be made Leta.

Fuck Ra's al Ghul, fuck him to hell and back. Funny for you Scar you actually did.

I gave one final finishing move to the punching bag for good measure before going to my bag and checking the time. There were two hours left before I had to head out. I went back up to my apartment and took a shower. The shower was unnecessarily long as I stood letting the scalding water run over me.

"You're so close Scar, so close to leaving, don't fuck this up, you can't afford it. Just push it away."

After turning the stream off I quickly towel dried and twisted out the excess water from my hair before heading to the back of the walk in closet. I grabbed the box that Nate had dropped off a couple months ago and tossed it on the bed before putting on my underwear.

"Why are you getting so sentimental Scar?"

I took out the familiar black stealth suit, smooth, no rips, they never got the chance to put a rip in.

When you wear this you lead by example, you make others fear you with a single glance. Do not take this lightly Leta.

I slipped on the suit and half mask before holstering my weapons that were left in the corner of the room the night before. Don't think too hard about it Scar, just walk out the door.

I did just that.

When I arrived at the location that was detailed in the folder from this morning it felt off, right from the start. Trust in the mission Scar, twenty million dollars.

I went in through the delivery entrance, there weren't supposed to be any guards today as cartell shipments happen on a different day. Joker was wrong, there were two guards stationed at the door facing away from me. Where did you get your information from Joker? I knocked both of them unconscious before making my way to the air shaft that would take me directly to Maroni's office.

Jesus Christ crawling up a ventilation shaft is such a bitch.

When I made it to the top I looked through the air vents that hovered over the rooms below me. I had to crawl a couple more feet before I made it to Maroni's office. The carpet was soft for my landing and made it silent as well, the guys' office looks like it's stuck in the 80's. The pattern on the carpet reminded me of the Overlook Hotel from The Shining.

Getting back to business I walked around the huge mahogany desk to reach the desktop perched at the corner. It was of course password protected because nothing could ever be so simple for me. Then again I wouldn't want my illegal activities to be easily viewable. I plugged in my flash drive that began hacking into the computer. It should only take around five to ten minutes and then I'll be on my merry way holding twenty million dollars in my hand.

While I let the flash drive do its job I took a look at the amazing view that Maroni had living high up above the underlings of Gotham. I don't know what these files contain, but my guess is that Maroni is going to go a few levels down on the crime family totem pole. As hopeless as Gotham is, she sure does have a pretty view.

The window reflected a shape behind me, and when I turned around there was nothing there. You're just being paranoid Scar, everything is going according to plan, well except for those two guys downstairs but that's beside the point. That was my last thought before everything went black.

I came to, feeling even worse than I did this morning, might have something to do with blunt force trauma, just saying.

"Wakey, wakey sweetheart you've got a long night ahead, don't want you to miss out on it."

Fuck me "Maroni."

"In the flesh, you know me, I'm touched. I don't need to take off that mask to know who you are underneath, but I wanna do it Scarlett Korin. Does it protect you, do you feel safer with that barrier? Half of Gothams' scum know your face already, there's no point in hiding it anymore."

He came down to eye level and I could smell liquor and cigarettes on his breath, his hand came up and yanked down the wrap around the lower half of my face.

Never break eye contact with your enemy Leta. Never make them think that they hold power over you.

Maroni stood back to full height, towering over me. I saw the slap coming but it was still disarming. It also gave me a chance to survey the room. Six men, all armed with guns but holstered away, they figure they won't need them, they're wrong. All large, larger than the average thug, they chained me with handcuffs but they left the legs, huge mistake.

"You and Falconi thought that you could steal from me! I knew that the man had lost his balls after getting robbed by you but I guess he must be losing his mind too. How much is he paying you hm? I sure hope it's worth what we're gonna do to you tonight sweetheart."

"Falconi?" He thinks I'm working with Falconi? Even he's not stupid enough to work with someone that stole from him.

"Don't play dumb you little bitch."

"Oh trust me I'm not you jackass. I'm not working for Falconi."

"Oh that's just perfect then, so I can go to Joker and put a bullet in his head for lying to me. Yeah that'll go over real well sweetheart. Now tell me how much was Falconi paying you!" He slapped me again at that, apparently he's very impatient to have his questions answered.

Wait a minute! Joker?! Then it all clicked into place, Scar you fucking idiot.

"Fuck you Maroni." I would spit on him for good measure but I'm a lady.

He chuckled, it was a typical bad guy, I have the upper hand here and you just fucked up big time chuckle. He turned around and gestured for one of his men to come towards him, when they were close enough he leaned in and whispered something to him. Damn if I was Superman you would feel real stupid right now.

"Have fun boys."

Maroni started to walk out the door and his men started to walk towards me when the room suddenly filled with smoke. I'll admit that even I was confused as hell. The men all started crying out wondering what was going on when the smoke started to clear a bit.

"Shit it's Batman!"

I took the opportunity to kick at the man in front of me, he fell to his knees allowing me to slam my foot into his face, effectively knocking him out. It was a blur as Bruce came from behind, gripping the back of the chair and flipping so that the wood smashed beneath me.

"Much appreciated B!" I said when I brought myself back to my feet, jumping so that my cuffed hands were brought in front of me.

"Since when are they working together?" One of the terrified goons shouted out. Since never, he's just a goody goody.

Another one of the armed men turned to shoot at me, I quickly disarmed him and brought his face to my knee, allowing the handcuffs to break from the force. Bruce and I made quick work of the other thugs but Maroni was left unaccounted for and my stupidity allowed for him to bring a gun to the back of my neck.

"Walk outta here Bat-Freak or the little thief gets a bullet in her head, ya understand." Why do men always go for women out of the group, they automatically assume that we're the weakest link.

"Let her go Maroni." He just pressed the gun harder into my skin.

"Not a chance, what would my boys think if I let her go huh? Can't have anyone think that I've gone soft now can I?"

"What I'm about to do is gonna sting a bit Maroni."

"Shut up you little bi-"

I quickly dropped to my knees and swept Maroni, quite literally, off his feet. I pulled out one of my knives and was about to shove it in Gotham's grandfather's throat before it was knocked out of my hand by one of Bruce's toys. Weaponless I aimed a well placed punch at one of his pressure points, making him seize and pass out.

"No killing Scarlett!"

"Are you fucking kidding me Bruce?" Seriously, scolding me like some fucking child, I can kill whoever I damn well please. Wow maybe I am a child.

"No killing!"

"You know exactly what Maroni has done Bruce, trust me he's killed way more than I have and you want me to let him live? He was gonna kill me Bruce, I'm not gonna let him have the chance to do it again."

"Just because you wear that outfit doesn't mean you have to abide by their code Scarlett." He stepped up to me so that we were toe to toe.

"Oh fuck off Bruce, it could have been laundry day for all you know. I have nothing to do with The League anymore." I went back over to the computer that still housed my flash drive and typed away to continue the downloading process. Joker's gonna get his files, along with a bullet to the head.

"Then why are you wearing the uniform? Don't tell me it was laundry day."

"I can't explain it Bruce, and I'm not gonna try. I needed to wear this tonight. I'll leave it at that." Nothing to do with the fact that Ra's has been in my head ever since you came into my life. Pretty sure you're partially to blame for this bullshit.

"What were you doing here tonight Scarlett? I thought that you said you were done. You were supposed to leave." The files were downloaded, I pulled the flash drive out and walked back over to Bruce. Now that I could get a good look at it I could fully appreciate the suit, it really does wonders for him.

"I'm repaying a debt."

"Joker?" Wow world's greatest detective.

"Yes."

"Why are you working with that lunatic Scarlett?" Okay to be clear I'm not 'working with' I'm doing a job.

"It's none of your business Bruce. It doesn't really matter anyway, the bastard fucking set me up. He told Maroni that I was coming, said that I was working with Falconi, the lying asshat…look I'm not gonna say that I had it under control because I obviously didn't but I have to go now so….thanks for your help." I turned to leave.

"Scarlett!"

"What?!"

"Get out of Gotham...or I'm taking you back in. I'm serious, I don't offer many second chances let alone a third."

"Don't worry Bruce, I'll be out before the month is done."

"Let's hope that you are." I looked away with a scoff. Oh please Bruce, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

"Empty threats now Br-" I looked back and he was gone. Hmm, impressive, I don't like it but I can respect it.

Looking down at one of the unconscious men I picked up his gun and left the way I came.

"You're fucking dead Joker!" I yelled as I burst in through the door to his office. I guess I still had clearance to be let in based on my past visits.

"Oooo if I had a million for everytime someone said that I'd be a richer man. Didn't expect to see ya tonight Scar, how did everything go?"

"You screwed me over Joker, I'm not playing around anymore tell me why!"

"Because I wanted to, better yet because I can. Love the outfit by the way, I can respect a lady in uniform." Why haven't any of his goons shown up yet?

"Fuck you give me a better reason."

"Hate to break it to ya doll but I don't have one." He leaned back in his desk chair and propped his feet up on the table without a care in the world.

"Well I hate to break it to you but I don't deal well with people who go behind my back to sabotage me." I quickly pulled out my stolen gun and aimed it at him, my hand didn't waver from the weight no matter how angry I was. I grabbed my flash drive from my other pocket and threw it at him, it clattered behind his on the wall. "Here's your fucking files, now give me my twenty million before I pull this trigger…" he laughed at my threats.

"Oh I never needed those files. Also you're lucky Harley likes you otherwise your pretty self would be splattered on the pavement." He snapped his fingers and I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck, I reached behind but couldn't find what caused it.

I didn't need to because the world began spinning like it had the night before, making me drop the gun and fall to my knees.

"Don't fight it either doll, it'll just make you sick if you do, it was really nice to know that you weren't allergic to the tranquilizer too, that just wouldn't have been good at all, I did find out that you would need a higher dose, but that really wasn't a problem. I'm not a man that takes threats very well either Scar. Now Harley begged me not to kill you and I won't but that doesn't mean that I'm not gonna hurt ya, really, really bad."

Please let me know what you think...I'm honestly very curious! See ya next time!