Chapter 22

The journey to downtown was not a pleasant one. Not that the two women fought, mind you, but because the awkwardness between them reached Twilight levels. Everything that came out of Barbara's red lips was either a comment about Ruby's low status or an order. Ruby wanted to just dump the bitch and do this mission on her own. Three motives held her back. One: Oswald would have been upset. Two: Ruby couldn't pass off for Barbara in order to sway Jim Gordon; she simply lacked the charm. And three: a small part of her wanted to believe that she was exaggerating. That Barbara wanted to truly help Oswald, not out of personal gain but for the supposed friendship between them.

It was a very small part of her.

The taxi trudged through the grime and partially-melted garbage. Smog-tainted air dragged across the windows' glass like a veil. Barbara and Ruby sat as far away from each other as they could. Half a dozen parcels sat between them. Barbara's little side-stops had cost more than Ruby's yearly salary. Everything from shoes to make-up to...more shoes. Insert groan here. But at least Barbara was also paying for this taxi trip, which she had insisted upon in the first place. Plus, they were almost there. Ruby could handle another five minutes.

The taxi passed a lamppost near the corner. A bunch of shabbily-dressed urchins - homeless orphans, more than likely - were gathered around it, laughing crazily as they played with a puppy. But as the taxi inched closer, Ruby realized with horror that the kids weren't playing with the puppy.

They were torturing it.

Without a second thought she climbed out of the taxi. "Hey!" Barbara protested. Ruby ignored her, just as she ignored the beeping cars and curses. Well, except for a quick flash of the middle finger, that is. All she could hear were the puppy's whimpers and cries, combined with the children's manic laughter. It was almost more than she could handle. Almost. "Stop that!" She screamed. Ignored. "Hey, stop that!" The kids ignored her even as her shadow fell over them. She pushed and shoved her way to the pole, not caring that the kids she knocked over fell onto the pavement. She glared down at them. "What're you doing?! Stop that!" The children finally backed away. Ruby got a good look at them. There were seven of them in total, ranging from the ages of five to twelve. None of them looked like they had ever been full, or encountered a bar of soap. Their clothes were little better than soiled rags, and their hair was either unkempt and long or shaved off.

Normally, such a sight would evoke sympathy in Ruby. Now, it just made her angrier.

"You suffer," she growled, "and yet you harm this defenseless animal as if you're somehow any better!" Ignoring their wide eyes, she knelt down to the puppy. She grimaced and tried not to cry. It was emanciated, so much so that she could count its ribs. There was so much filth on its fur that she couldn't tell what color it was. A string was tightly tied to its neck. Carefully, she undid it and scooped the trembling animal into her arms. Rising, she heard one kid comment, "no one would even care about that mutt."

Ruby spun around, her hand searching. It found the culprit's throat. Lifted him off the ground. It was an eight-year-old boy with a faded baseball cap. Caked with dirt, it was hard to tell his skin color. Gasping and convulsing, he scratched at her fingers in an attempt to free himself. Heh. Yeah, right. Ruby glared at the boy with an almost supernatural hatred. "Listen to me, you stupid little runt." She hissed. "You're right about one thing: no one cared about this mutt...until I showed up. But you know what the difference is between him and you?"

She inched a little closer. "By this afternoon, this puppy will be in an animal shelter. He'll be fed, bathed, and vaccinated. Since he's young and cute, he'll probably find a family before the week is out." She leaned even closer so that the kid couldn't look away. "You, on the other hand, will spend another five years at least here in the streets. You'll be forced to steal or dive in dumpsters to survive, and you'll risk freezing to death every winter. And you know what?" Her eyes narrowed. "If what I just saw is just the beginning, then the world would be better off without you and your friends."

With that, she dropped him. He fell in a raggedy pile on the cement. Without getting up, he began to cry. His sobs followed Ruby all the way back to the cab. Barbara was still there, staring at Ruby like she'd just grown a pair of goat horns. When she saw the puppy, a mixture of affection and disgust fell across her features. "Where'd you get this tramp?"

"Those kids were hurting him."

"I saw."

Ruby scratched behind the pup's ears, not looking at Barbara. Words blossomed and fell from her tongue. "Look...I'm sorry. I compromised our duty and I'm sorry."

"What're you talking about?" Barbara laughed. "That was one of the most amusing things I've seen in a while! Not even Tabby would pick a kid up by his throat. Jeez, girl, you're hardcore!"

"Not really." Ruby smiled faintly as the puppy licked her hand. "I just hate bullies."

"And yet you're working for one." Barbara noted with a smirk. Ruby turned to look at her. It was kind of unnerving. Her expression wasn't angry, reproachful, or upset. It was completely blank, with two big eyes staring emptily at her. Then, she turned to the driver. "Excuse me," she leaned closer to the man's seat, "is there an animal shelter anywhere in this area?"

"Sure." The driver pointed at the street before them. "It's just a block or so beyond the GCPD. Big and painted all green, ya can't miss it."

"Thank you." Ruby turned to Barbara. "You go on from here. I'll be back just in time for our little discussion."

Barbara shrugged. "Fine, whatever. It's just a dog, but if you wanna waste your time, then be my guest."

But Ruby had already slammed the door. Breaking into a run. Barbara glanced at the empty seat and sighed. Now, she had all these bags to carry.

Jim Gordon - or at least, what looked like Jim Gordon - was the very definition of 'laid back'. Leaning back in his chair and slurping down a raspberry slushie. Looking around with interest, he resembled a kid during his first day in school. Everything seemed fresh and new to him. Harvey noticed this, and couldn't help frowning. Jim had never looked so...new. Not even when he'd actually been new; he'd always carried this air of experience and toughness to him. Except now.

Ah, who knows? Maybe he was just tired. Or maybe the people backing Strange up were really heavy. They'd have to be, for Jim to back off.

He told his friend exactly that. Smiling at an unnatural length, Jim agreed. "Oooh, they're heavy." But he wasn't looking at Harvey, but one of the secretaries.

"I don't want anything dangerous." Harvey said as Jim finally turned back to him. "I just like being tittilated."

"Seriously." Jim said, still grinning. "You don't wanna know."

Harvey chuckled. If he had a dime for every time a cop had told him that... "Remember that time you called me from the hospital? When you had Falcone on the gurney? And the whole town and their uncle were trying to kill you both?"

Still slurping, Basil froze. God damn it! The files he'd poured over...they must have been dated! He had no idea what this bearded, long-haired dude was talking about! But Father would be very displeased if he screwed up. Swallowing hard, he turned back to Harvey and slapped on a grin. "How could I forget?"

Harvey bought it. Thank God. "Remember what I said to you on the phone? Remember what I said?" Basil felt his smile slide off like fresh glue. Fuck! He kept thinking. Fuck, what do I say now? He fet like he was being tested on a subject he'd only skimmed through once. He tried to look apologetic. "I forget."

Harvey quirked a brow, but kept smiling. "That's funny."

An older man lumbered up to them, looking as hassled and scared as a mother who'd lost her kid in a supermarket. His elegant clothing clashed with his tanned, fit body and rough face. When he opened his mouth, the thickest English accent Basil had ever heard came clanging out. "Gordon! You're back! What happened? Where's Master Bruce? Where's Lucius?" When Basil didn't answer, the big guy turned to Harvey. "Where are they?"

"Alfred, take it easy." Harvey said in a poor imitation of a soothing tone.

Oh, right! "Alfred!" Basil said experimentally. "Alfred." The man turned to him. Basil smiled, trying to appear certain. "Relax. Master Bruce and Lucius are...heading back to Wayne Manor."

"Yeah, well, that's a load of bob-tosh for starters, innit? I just come back from there!" Alfred said, turning to Harvey. The bearded cop rested his chin on his knuckles. Out of the game.

Great. "What can I tell you? Maybe they..." Basil shrugged. "...stopped to get a snack!"

Harvey chortled behind his buttoned lip.

"So? What about Strange?" Alfred asked.

"It's complicated." Basil said, trying to ward the guy off.

It did. For about two seconds. "Well, go on, then! Whats?" He roared.

Basil tried again. "Complicated police business!" Winked at Harvey and turned away, slurping away. Alfred glanced at Harvey, confusion stamped on his tanned face. Harvey smiled apologetically. "He's got a touch of the flu."

Ruby's cellphone came to life, blaring Syd Matters' Obstacles at full volume. Blushing, she apologized at the volunteer worker now holding the puppy. Quickly retreating to a corner, she extracted the phone from her pocket and held it up. The screen was dominated by a bouncing umbrella. Chuckling, she answered the call and held the phone to her ear. "Hey, Oz."

"Hi, Ruby." Oswald sounded relieved to hear her voice. "Are you alright?"

Ruby raised a brow. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Barbara told me that you left her to go to the GCPD on her own." His voice was thick with concern. "Did something happen? Perhaps she provoked you?"

"Oh, she did plenty of that." Ruby admitted. "But no. I just left for a minute because some punks were torturing a puppy. Just for fun! So I brought him to this animal shelter." Before any other anxieties could seep into Oswald's system, she added, "It's just a block away from the GCPD. I'll be there in a jiffy."

Oswald sighed. "Good. From the way Barbara described your departure, you seemed truly distressed."

Ruby deadpanned. "A puppy was tied to a pole and tortured by a horde of street urchins. I don't think anyone outside of sickos would be happy to see that."

"Indeed." Oswald agreed. She could hear him smiling. It tickled her heart. Warmed it. "You have a good heart, Ruby."

"So do you." Ruby countered. "A bit black, true, and hardened to murder, but good nevertheless."

There was a moment's pause. "I am a prominent crime lord." He reminded her. "'Good' is hardly the word one would use to describe me."

"Hey, I didn't say you were the next Mother Theresa." Ruby countered. "I'm just saying that you do have a good heart. I've seen people with no heart...and you have, too. We got rid of them together." There was a moment of silence. Not founded by shame, but fond reminiscing. And, on Oswald's part, absorbtion of words. "Do you truly mean that?" He whispered.

Ruby nodded even though he couldn't see it. "I've witnessed it. More than once."

Oswald made a small, choking sound. Then, he cleared his throat. "As have I."

Ruby smiled, blushing all the way to her roots.

"When do you expect to be home?" He sounded a bit eager. It was adorable.

"Eh." Ruby glanced at her watch. 3:44 p.m. "Let's see...I'd say five-ish." Lowering her arm, she asked, "What do you feel like having for supper?" Before he could answer, she piped up. "Oh, wait! Let me guess! Fish."

"Fish." Oswald echoed approvingly. "Specifically, I would like a trout baked in salt."

Ruby whistled as she made a mental note. "Any side dishes?"

A moment's silence. Then: "Perhaps some of your home-made French fries?"

Ruby grinned. "Absolutely." Then, as an afterthought, she asked, "Hey, maybe you can sate this nugget of curiousity I've had for a while now: why are they called French fries if they aren't French?"

"Um..." A minute's contemplation. Then, with uncertainty, Oswald replied: "Because French people eat them." Ruby burst into peals of laughter. After a second, Oswald joined in. Several workers, both voluntary and non, glared at her to hush up. After a few failed attempts, she finally sealed her lips. Held up a hand in apology. They ignored it, resuming their activities. Ruby leaned against the wall, wiping her eyes. "Oh, God." Then, remembering the sound that had been jangling in her ear, she commented, "you have a wonderful laugh."

She would never know it, but Oswald blushed. Hard. "Thank you." Clearing his throat, he adjusted his tie. A knock on the door grabbed his attention. "Oh! I'm sorry, but I must be going." Remembering his day's duties, he added, "There are a few gang messangers here in search of loans."

Ruby sniggered. "Go get 'em."

"Always." Oswald assured her. "Be home on time!"

"Always." Ruby countered. With exchanged goodbyes they hung up. Once their connection was broken, Ruby stared at her cellphone. Hugged it. Someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to see a worker smiling at her kindly. A middle-aged woman, with skin as soft and wrinkled as worn leather and frizzy hair tied up in a ponytail. "Hello," she said, "I just wanted to thank you again. I often come by dead dogs, when I'm going home or coming in to work and..." She shuddered. "It's awful."

Ruby hugged herself. "It is." She paused. "I'm more of a mouse person, honestly. But even then, I couldn't just...you know." She shrugged. "Will the little one be alright?"

"He will be." The worker assured her. "It seems you arrived just on time. He had five deep cuts, and one of his eyes was nearly dislodged. But after a few days of receiving our cures, he'll be bouncing." Ruby thought back on those kids and felt nothing but rage towards them. "Damn." She whispered.

"I know." The worker sighed, looking around. "We save as many as we can. But for every animal we save, there are at least five getting gassed, run over, abandoned, or..." She shuddered. "Eaten."

Ruby's stomach did a queasy flip-flop. But, not wanting to discourage the worker (or drive herself into a hopeless depression), she lightly responded, "Well, er..." Hesitating, she reached up and unhooked the jet earrings. Holding them one last time, she memorized the feel of them. The cold, glassy texture. Then, she held them out to the worker. "Here." She poured them into the woman's astonished hand. "This isn't worth as much as sapphires or diamonds...but it should be enough for you to hire another five or six workers."

The woman stared at the earrings, wide-eyed, then began to tear up. "Miss..." She swallowed hard. Still not looking up. "Thank you." She quickly retreated.

Ruby watched her go. Then, ensuring that few people were paying attention to her, she made her way out via the backentrance. Stale antiseptic was replaced by cold, polluted air. Glancing around once to make sure no one was around, Ruby melted. Her sticky, claylike form climbed up the walls as quickly as a squirrel. A map of the city was printed in her mind. And her destination was circled in red.

The GCPD was as busy as ever. Dozens of criminals were crammed into large cages, fighting to either get some elbow room or pick the lock. Once or twice they grabbed at passenger-by's, but a quick round of ammo fired above their heads quelled them. Phones rang constantly. The light streamed from the windows and crawled across the floor, pale and weak as an infant. Cops either sat at their desks, working busily away, or walked around searching for the right piece of their puzzle.

Alfred was staying close to Harvey. Despair was printed on his face. "Still no answer!" He declared, holding up his phone. "Strange has him, I'm positive!"

Before Harvey could offer consolation to the distressed butler, Jim Gordon's muffled voice floated from behind him. "Holy crap!" He appeared from behind Alfred, munching on a bag of chips. "Are you still here?" He turned to Harvey. "I told you a thousand times: Strange is clean." He wiped his mouth with his shirt's cuff.

"In charge of that," Alfred pointed at Jim, looking at Harvey, "are ya?"

"You know, maybe I should send a team into Arkham." Harvey said. "Have a little look-sy."

"No, no, no!" Jim shook his head vehemently. "You don't wanna do that. Trust me. It's a terrible idea." When Harvey still didn't look convinced, Basil tried a different route. "How long have you known me?" Harvey bit his lip. Slowly nodded. Moved by fraternity. "Okay." He said. "If you're good, then I guess I'm good."

Basil nodded, smiling smugly, until Alfred piped up. "I don't know what's got into you Gordon, but you're just...just..." Basil turned to the British man, daring him to continue. He did, fearlessly so. "...Weird."

A slender sihlouette emerged from the dimness. Her blonde hair hung around her face like a halo. A dark angel. "Hey, Alfred." She said casually, as if they were two friends just meeting up for coffee. When the British man looked at her, his face drained of color. All he could manage was, "Ms. Kean."

"How's the butling business?" She asked as she stepped in front of him.

Basil eyed her with not-so-subtle lust in his eyes. Saying nothing. Harvey fingered his collar not for lust, but for nervousness. "To what do we owe the...uh..."

"Jimmy, my love." Barbara said sweetly, ignoring everyone else. "I'm sure you're oh so very busy, but could we have a word in private?" Without waiting for an answer she walked away, her hips swaying to and fro. Basil watched them hungrily. "You bet." He breathed out, licking his lips. Harvey watched him go with nothing short of shock in his eyes. The two reached a desolate spot near the entrance. People swam past them, but never close enough to be able to hear their exchanged words. Barbara eyed him from behind long, dark lashes. "Well, you look terrible."

"Gee, thanks, Barbara." Basil replied, grinning widely. "You're looking pretty good."

"Shucks." Barbara stated. A blank mockery of flattery. "Quick question: what the hell's going on down at Arkham?"

"Two questions right back at ya, gorgeous: why ya asking and, uh..." Basil wiggled his brows. "What's in it for me?"

"I'm asking because a dear friend of mine wants to know the answer." Barbara gave him a sly look. "And what would you like to be in it for you?"

"Hey," Basil sniggered, "spring is here, baby."

Barbara frowned. This was new. Jim was never this flirty or playful. He'd never even called her 'baby', even when they had dated. "So now you like me again?" She asked.

Basil looked at her body. "What's not to like?"

Barbara kept staring at him. Her confusion was deepening into something else. "So you've forgotten about Lee?"

"Lee?" Jim looked at her like he didn't know who she was talking about it. Barbara's eyes widened. Fear gripped her as realization dawned on her. Basil was smacked with fact. "Lee Thompkins!" He shrugged. "Ah, screw that ho. Water under the bridge."

"You're not Jim." Barbara whispered, almost too scared to do so. Basil's expression became blank. His heart stopped. "Say what now?"

"You're. Not. Jim!" Barbara repeated, louder this time. Loud enough for Harvey to turn around. Basil was sweating bullets now. But he couldn't fail. His father relied on it. He had to fix this. Now! "Whoa," he reached out to Barbara, "hold on there, woman-"

Barbara slapped him so hard that his head twisted around. Revealing his hideous, disfigured face for all to see. The department froze in their tracks. Tension, which slowly built into horror, overpowered the building like some disgusting stench. They were all frozen, like animals when they see an incoming tornado. Waiting for disaster. Fearing it. Nobody dared to speak, but Harvey did. "Holy Mother of Saints!"

"Holy cow!" Someone else cried.

Barbara inhaled deeply.

The imposter glanced back at her. The cheek that she had slapped had all but flapped over the rest of his face, the handprint still clearly there. It was a face of wet clay.

And its sucessor saw it. Quickly hid herself.

Covering his face Basil ran out of the police station, pushing Barbara aside. He'd just made it out, fingers frantically readjusting his features, when a body slammed into his. They both went toppling across the pavement, with the assailant still holding on. He fought and kicked and scratched to no avail. The assailant didn't let go. Impossibly, he could feel the muscles in the arms bulging like balloons. "Clayface." A girl's voice purred in his ear. "So nice to finally meet you. I heard your body had been frozen until they perfected the formula on other subjects, but still...damn!"

Basil's shock stilled his movements. He remained where he was, feeling his skin rippling like water beneath a wind. But then he remembered his father's words and concentrated. Ruby watched, stunned, as the man turned to clay and slithered out from beneath her fingers. She tried to grab him to no avail. His gelatinous form crawled out of the public' eye, speeding into a corner. Ruby gritted her teeth. "Oh, no you don't!" Converting to her own soupy form, she raced after him. All sounds and light became muted, replaced with stinking, dark rot. Amongst all this stillness, Basil sped like a bullet. Climbing up the walls, Ruby blocked his path. Reformed with a wicked grin. The pile of clay groaned before forming, too, into Basil. In all of his bald, creepy-eyed glory. Ruby grimaced.

Basil growled, "I came here to get the GCPD off our scent, not to fight with some freak!" He gestured to her. "Who are you, anyway?!"

Ruby inhaled. "Clayface Point Two."

Basil's annoyed expression melted into a startled one. "No."

"Yes." Ruby took a step forward. "I remember you now. I heard about you on the news, a long time ago. You're that scummy actor who went crazy when they made a remake of one of your films without you!"

"No!" Basil yelled. "I-I'm from Arkham! Only there!"

Ruby scoffed. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. But the fact is, you died. I guess they tried to give you the formula, but it didn't work. So they killed you all over again, froze you, and tried it out on others." Ruby chuckled. Held out her hand. It tripled in size. Grew muscular. Hardened into a fist. "I was the only 'success'."

Basil blinked at her, fighting back tears. Father had told him that he was completely unique. And yet here was another with the same abilities. It was as if Fate had pulled the rug from underneath his feet and sucker-punched him.

Or maybe...

Basil's expression hardened.

...he could punch back.

Basil threw his body back and yelled. It morphed as he screamed, bulging and towering and sprouting hair. Ruby watched, horrified, as her opponent turned into a giant grizzly bear. Standing on its hind legs it breathed heavily. It glared down at her from its eight foot-perch. Ruby growled. "We don't have to fight!" She tried.

Her plea had, ironically, the exact opposite effect. The bear howled and slammed its body down. The earth seemed to tremble. It lunged at her, swiping with unnatural speed. Ruby dodged the first two blows; but the third striped her side crimson. She cried out and quickly morphed. She stretched out five extra feet. Her limbs sank beneath the surface, like snakes slinking into a burrow. She wasn't a snake, exactly. But she was close enough. Ruby avoided the hits, speeding towards the bear, and curled her body around its middle. Squeezed with all her might. The bear moaned in pain...

...and all of a sudden was another snake, its scaly body tangled with her own. Ruby stared at its in terror. The snake regarded her with detachment before lurching forward. Fangs glistened with poison. Ruby's hands shot out and grabbed the scaly beast by the throat, throttling it. The snake gasped and sputtered. Went limp for a second. Ruby dropped it and quickly summoned her cartiladge wings. Took the sky. A fleshy rope wound about her ankles, anchoring her to the earth. "Aw," Basil yelled, "leaving so soon?!" He yanked with all his strength. Ruby crashed to the floor and quickly became clay. Sank beneath the cracks before Basil could reach her. He got to his knees, searching desperately. "Where are you?!" He demanded.

Ruby reformed right behind him, clinging to a ladder hanging from one of the apartments. Acquainted both of her boot soles with the back of his head. "Right here!" She tore a piece off her forehead and threw it. The chunk thickened and lengthened into a hard, coccoon-like manacle. Basil fought and struggled. Ruby dropped to the ground. Panting. "You just had to pick a fight." She shook her head. "Why don't you get a life?!"

"Fighting is my life!" Basil countered savagely. "It's what I was made for! You too, Number Two!"

Ruby flinched at the nickname. "Whatever. I have better thing to do. I can fight fine!"

Basil smiled in a creepy fashion. "Good. Let's see it." With a yell he broke through his bonds like they were made of paper. Ruby gasped. Before she could blink he curled up into a ball and rammed into her full force. Ruby flew through at least ten feet before hitting the wall. It knocked the wind out of her. Made her see black stars. She slid to the ground, still dizzy, when a pair of huge hands grabbed her by the shoulders and rammed her into the wall again, each time causing a fracture in her skeleton and lacerations in her body. Ruby tried to fight back, change form - hell, breathe - but it happened so quickly and so violently that her body refused to obey her. It was frozen with terror. The hands stopped for just a minute. "You could have been me!"

A sharp kick sent her sailing upward before crashing on the cement. Ruby cried out and curled up in a defensive ball, bleeding and shaking. "Instead, what are you?!" Basil leered over her. "Just a joke!"

Ruby's eyes opened. She slowly got to her feet. Wincing. Each step felt like she was sticking her limbs into a vat of acid. Basil let her, probably out of amusement more than anything else. Ruby trembled terribly but stayed afoot. "My Master told me...I'm perfect...the way I am." She glared up at him.

Basil wasn't amused. "Then he had low standards."

Ruby's agony was instantly forgotten. What had been bubbling beneath the surface burst forth in a blood-red wave. With an unholy scream she changed form again. She grew until she was ten feet tall, her entire body stretched out like taffy, and her eyes almost glowed with malevolence. Dozens of hands sprung from her body and reached hungrily for Basil. For every one that Basil fought off, two more yearned to grab him. Grab him they did, dragging him towards Ruby. She barely had to move at all. Her hands slowly retracted, bringing a struggling Basil along with them.

When he got to destination, he barely saw it coming. Ruby seized him by the face with two hands. Another one was closed around his throat. A fourth kept his eye open. The fifth did the digging.

Basil's screams drenched the air with white-hot pain, rising and falling before ending abruptly. Ruby, whose face was now flecked with blood, held up her grisly prize: one of those colorless eyes, slimy and hot. She turned back to its original owner. Basil had passed out. He almost looked serene in spite of the tapestry of gore on his face. Ruby smirked. Pocketed the eye. Hopefully, a careful examination would help her and Oswald figure out what was going on.

But they didn't need the rest of Basil. The hospital could pick through their leavings.