Okay so still no reviews but I did get a fave! Thank you! So anyway here is your story!

Chapter 9

Damian paced the room as Artemis and Joey passed a joint around. They had to think of something, $5,000 by the end of the week, it was ridiculous! "I got it," said Joey, "lets steal $5,000 from a bank!"

"Why would we steal only $5,000 from a bank," said Artemis, "why don't we just rob the whole fucking place? Let's take it all. We can get all awesome with it and shit! Like plan it down, get blue prints, it will be like the Italian Job!"

"Yea, and we can go all secret agent underground thief," said Joey, "like hire people and shit."

"That's all well and good, guys, but no, we can't rob a bank, especially not only $5,000 dollars, we need to think small scale so we don't attract to much attention. A bank is way over our heads anyway, we have never robbed anyone, unless you count that one convenient store last year, but we broke in after it closed and just stole beer."

"That's it," said Joey, "lets rob a few convenient stores! We have done it before."

"Yes, but do we want to resort to crime is the question," said Artemis, "we would be doing exactly what the Joker wants and it would go against the therapy."

"But do we want to live or die," said Joey. Damian nodded in agreement, they both had a point, they needed to get better but they can't do that dead. Artemis sighed in defeat.

"Well, her therapy is bullshit anyway."

"That reminds me," said Damian, "we got an appointment tomorrow."

"No way, I don't want to go there it freaks me out," said Joey, "let's just go crazy, things seem simpler to me that way anyway, I know what I'm afraid of and I know how to avoid it."

"Yea," said Artemis, "but if we go crazy we are going to end up there anyway." Joey groaned but got up to head to bed.

"This is you guys's fault." Artemis and Damian just laughed at him and headed to bed.

Artemis lay in bed and couldn't help but wonder why it was the Joker had a sudden interest in her. She figured that it was all in his plot, he had plans for them, he practically said so saying they were part of his little 'team'. Some team, a crazy clown, a stoner who was afraid of door knobs, an attention deprived daughter of a whore, and a guy who usually ran around like a chicken with its head cut off, and the only ones who sought help where more willing to rob a convenient store then go to therapy. Yup, Arkams finest right here!

…………………………………..

"If you want my advice I say you tell the police about this," said Harleen after hearing about their week so far. "Now how are you doing practicing consideration for yourselves and others?"

"Um, we are about to rob a convenient store and you asking us about how considerate we have been," said Artemis sarcastically.

"As you can see, Artemis is a failure at that one, when the Joker came over she slammed the door in his face," said Joey, "but I opened the door back open and let him in." Joey had a proud smile on his face. Harleen looked really shocked.

"Oh…well….good consideration skills…I think," she said. "So…lets talk about a new exercise for this week. Let's talk about good manners."

"Isn't that the same as consideration," said Damian lifting a brow.

"Yes," she said, "when we improve your manners, you will improve your consideration," said Dr. Quinnzel.

"Um, I thought you had a Ph.D," said Artemis licking her lips.

"Trust me, the best way to help you function is to help you learn to communicate with others," she said.

"We are a little scarred, we aren't completely mental," argued Joey.

"Look, kid, I'm working on being a doctor of the mentally insane, you guys are practice, when you go out there and function in the real world I get to be a resident here and deal with what I was trained for. I'm trying to build up your social skills so you can know what is normal and what isn't."

"Well being considerate all the time, uh, is not normal," said Artemis with a dull tone. Joey and Damian looked at her with disbelief. It was like hearing the words from the Joker himself!

"Look, it's your time, I do have other patients and they are putting effort in it. I have already moved on to talking about what is bothering them and they have control over themselves. You guys have no control, you are a bunch of crazy kids doing whatever the hell you want. You are runaways, you messed up Gordon's wall and I don't think I remember and apology letter from any of you being delivered otherwise I'm sure it would have been on the news. If you just trust my original style you will be okay. Now about those manners you lack." They all three groaned with displeasure. Harleen just smiled at them.

……………………………………

"Okay," said Joey, "here we are, our first hit."

"Please don't say it like that," said Artemis.

"What do you want me to call it? Our first job," he said.

"No," she responded dryly, "just call this a trip to the gas station."

"Okay, we aren't going to knock over this 7-11 we are just taking a normal trip to the gas station at 2am."

"Could you please leave out the sass," said Damian imitating Harleen, "it's rude and can be offensive to others."

"Oh I'm sorry," said Artemis sarcastically, "is that better?" They chuckled a bit and walked up to the gas station pulling their masks on. They wore black with Disney characters. No one was going to put this on the news so they thought they would have a few laughs. Artemis went as Minni mouse, Damian as Goofy, and Joey as Tinker Bell. Yes, Joey was wearing a Tinker Bell mask that came with complementary fairy dust. They all walked in and saw the store was empty. Damian slammed a duffle bag on the desk and put a fake gun to the cashiers face. The cashier looked up and just sighed with irritation.

"Alright, put the-"

"Put the money in the bag, I got ya," said the store clerk interrupting Damian. They all exchanged looks then watched as the man emptied the drawer and the safe into the bag. They grabbed the bag and left.

"Well that was retarded," said Damian, climbing in the back of their car. He counted the money as they drove around for the next store. "$300, we are still a long way off." They pulled over the car at a small Wal Mart. They walked in and pulled out their guns. People screamed and ducked. Artemis and Joey walked up and down the cash registers collecting money. Then she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Jesse James. She pulled off her mask and looked up at him blushing.

"Um, hi," she said nervously.

"Hey," he said, "I knew it was you guys, I recognized Damian's voice."

"Yea, it's cool," she said looking down.

"So, you're a robber," he said.

"Oh, hahaha, no, just today,' she said.

"Today, huh," he said, "sorta looks like it is something you do regularly."

"Yea, the Joker wants $5,000 by the end of the week. It's kind of hard to come up with that much cash in short time."

"It's cool, I see renters robbing places all the time. It's not often a criminals daughters walks through that I know off, at least not criminals like the Joker."

"Oh, you know about that," she said sadly.

"Yea, Damian and Joey told me everything. So what happens if you don't get it all by the end of the week?"

"I don't know, Jesse, he might kill us," she said quietly. Jesse James looked at her in shock. This was the first time he had felt anything like this and he wasn't ready to lose it. Something in him snapped, he had only met this girl a couple weeks ago and already he was losing it for her, he did something he never expected he would do. He grabbed her other gun and pointed it at a cashier.

"Put the money in the bag," he shouted. He looked back at Artemis who stood in shock. "I watch a lot of TV,' he said winking at her. She giggled a bit. She passed the bag around with Joey and Damian just stood back in shock. This guy must have really liked her to be doing something this stupid.

The four ran out laughing like maniacs and jumped in the car. Damian and Jesse James sat in the back counting out the money they took from Wal Mart. "We hit the 3,000 mark you guys," said Damian, "we must have come in right after rush hour."

"Alright, good start," said Joey happily.

"I have never done anything like that," said Jesse, "what a rush!"

"It's nuts right," said Damian, "adrenaline going crazy all over you nuts."

"No kidding," said Artemis, "I'm actually looking forward to the next hit."

"What do you say guys," said Damian, "want to get them all in one night?"

"We need to change our disguises," said Joey, "let's go to the next one as badly dressed as possible."

"Oh, gee, forgot my dress up drawer," said Artemis.

"The Party Galaxy is open 24/7 let's rob costumes and stuff from them," said Damian. They drove to the nearest party Galaxy and stole as many costumes as they could run out with. They changed into the next set and walked into the truck stop, they had to be loaded their.

In they walked in a dramatic fashion. Artemis wore a groovey long haired blond wig with a leather head band, crazy brown bell bottoms, a tie die long sleeved shirt, and a brown jacket with black flats.

Joey was decked out in a large black afro with a giant purple comb pick in it, a white jacket, a purple button up shirt, white pants, and white elevator shoes.

Damian wore a red wide brim hat with a large purple feather in it, a silk purple shirt, a red jacket, red slacks, and big black dress shoes.

Jesse James chose a bright red track shoes, dark sun glasses, and a white visor upside down with Adidas written on it. They swaggered in like they were in a music video. To create affect, Artemis pulled out a shot gun and cocked it before walking through the door. It was the most ridiculous and unnecessary job so far.

They walked up to the cashier and Artemis pulled her shot gun at him. "Put the money in the fucking bag," she said with a dull and calm voice.

"You heard the lady," said Jesse James with attitude written on his face. Joey pulled out the bag and shoved it on the counter.

"Yea," said Damian threateningly, "fill it before our girl here makes you a Holy Cashier." The cashier quickly opened the drawer and the vault and started filling the bag. He looked up at Artemis nervously, he was being robbed by a bunch of weirdo's that was for sure. When the cashier finished he closed the bag and stepped away as quick as he could. Joey took it and they turned to leave. But the door wouldn't open. Artemis pushed on it again and again. Soon her whole body was shoving against the door.

"He locked the fucking door," shouted Jesse. Damian walked over and took one of the chairs by a table and threw it through a window. They jumped threw the broken door and ran for the car. They drove out and started down the street and pulled into a driveway a mile away. They sat their slumped in their seats and waited for the cops to drive away. When they left the gas station they started down the street with search lights. After passing them they held their breath until he turned the corner.

"Okay," said Damian, "all in one night is a bad idea, we will head home and see how much we have so far."

"Good idea," said Artemis. They started the car and drove home trying to look as unsuspicious as possible. When they arrived they quietly snuck in so as not to wake anyone. There was really no point, the neighbors were yelling at each other again, god they gave it a rest. They went up to the apartment and walked in. When the door shut they walked to the living room and just collapsed. Damian took the couch with Jesse next to him. Artemis and Joey both sat on separate sides of the coffee table.

"I really hope he plans on picking that up tonight," said Damian, crossing his arms, "or at least tomorrow. A string of robberies is bound to be on the news."

"I don't know about you guys, but this calls for a bowl," said Joey, pulling his living room tray out and breaking up the green stuff. Jesse eyed him. "Man, Jesse James, I don't know why you helped us but thanks."

"The thing is I have never done anything like this before, I've always wanted to try but I have been too scared to," he said shyly.

"To be honest, we have never done this before either," said Artemis, "it was a first time for us to."

"But what scares me the most is that I don't feel bad," said Jesse quietly, "it felt so…I just…I felt so ALIVE!"

"Yea, well, you're alive, we are just fucked up," said Damian.

"We have been seeing a therapist after the Joker tortured us and she said that that wasn't what made a crack, that was just the final stick to snap," explained Joey, "turns out it is normal for people with our back ground to start going crazy."

"We. Aren't. Crazy," said Artemis coldly. Joey looked over at her and lifted an eyebrow, she had been acting awful weird lately. Her sentence structure was the same it was now just a bit more aggressive. She seemed to be growing really aggressive all around lately, even her posture was growing more threatening.

"Well, whatever, Dr. Quinnzel is the only one who would have anything to do with us after the world found out the Joker got his daughter. Actually I think the whole word knows you as his daughter by now," said Damian. Artemis had a look of guilt. "It's not your fault," said Damian, putting a hand on her back, "it's his fault."

"Let's count out how much we have so far," said Joey trying to change the subject. He pulled the money out of the bags over the table on top of the Joker cards that were just laying around. After calculating and adding and a huge debate that lead to Joey walking to the corner store with some of the money to buy a calculator, they had $3,400 minus the coast of the calculator, which was $1.49, they came to $3,398. 51. They smoked a bowl to calm their nerves and went to bed.

Artemis cursed herself when she saw the clock read almost 12:30am, she had to be at work by 7am. She shook her head and went to sleep. She had disturbing dreams about falling from a large cliff with the Joker standing over her laughing, that laugh, even in her dreams it scared her.

…………………………………………………

Artemis looked up at the clock tapping her finger, she had half an hour left before she could get out of here. Joey had the day off so all they had to do was wait for Damian to get off work for closing and they would be off to hopefully collect the rest of the money. Get it over with tonight was her wish. In boredom, she turned to the TV on display and watched the News.

"Authorities say that a gang of teenagers robbed two gas stations and a Wal Mart last night. They got away with roughly $3,000. Some say it is the work of gangsters while others believe the Joker is just getting board. If you know anything about these robberies we ask that you please call the Gotham Police department at 555-6078."

"$3,400," corrected Artemis. There was no one around to here her but it made her feel better about it. She banged her head on the desk. A little harder then she meant, she rubbed her forehead shaking her head in hopes of clearing her vision, damn that hurt. She bounded her heel impatiently and finally decided to take a look at what was brought in last night. She walked not the back to take a look at the new merchandise when she heard the door open. She rolled her eyes, great, just before she gets off she gets costumers. She walked in and shrieked at the sight of 5 men dressed in clown masks.

The Joker was the last one to walk in. "Take anything we may need, not everything in the store, just trash the rest of it."

"Got it boss," said one of the clowns picking up a TV.

"Hey," shouted Artemis, "put that back!" She threw a shoe at the back of the henchman's knees causing him to fall over and smash the TV. Artemis smacked her forehead. First he fucked her head up even more than it already was and now he was robbing her! Great! She stood behind the counter with her hands flat on top giving the Joker and irritated look. The Joker smiled and walked her way almost skipping.

"Well, I uh caught your story on the news, I was impressed. I would have expected you to try and find a different way to find that money or just not bother at all," he said with a big grin on his face showing off his yellow teeth. He lit a cigarette and walked toward her. "So, uh, can I expect another news story like that one or are you going to start being boring with it?"

"What are you doing Joker," she asked.

"Oh, uh, that. Well doll, we needed a new uh hideout so we are going to furnish it so it is at least liveable. I would have gotten one in you're building but, uh, I don't think they would be to uppity about me moving in. Found a nice wear house off the docks."

"I'm so happy for you," she said sarcastically, "but why do you have to rob me for it?"

"Um, consider this a sort of…character building….that's a good way to put it," he said scratching his head. It was sort of tough explaining something like this.

"WHAT! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING! THIS IS SO NOT COOL! YOU! PUT THAT BACK OR PAY FOR IT YOU CAN'T STEAL THAT! AND YOU OVER THERE! YA YOU CHUCKLES, DON'T TAKE THAT YOU DON'T EVEN NEED IT!"

"But I want it," said one of the henchmen, dropping the yo-yo.

"I don't care," she said. Two men started moving a couch and into a van in the front. Artemis rolled her eyes and walked over, if you're going to do wrong, you better do it right. The Joker watched her amused. She was really something else. "Don't shove the couch in like that," she snapped at the two workers, "you are going to ruin it. This stuff does come off my paycheck and I do have bills to pay!"

"Shouldn't you be in, uh, school or something sweetheart," said the Joker chasing after her.

"Uh, I was in school. But, uh, you dumped me in the middle of the Narrows with Joey and Damian. We don't have a school to go to!" The Joker thought about this for a moment. She could really prove to be problematic in the future with nothing to keep her mind off of things. He watched as she shouted at the men and they tried to ignore her. Finally she gave in and must have realized she was not getting anything back so told them how to fit the furniture in without destroying it. The henchmen looked at him confused and he just nodded. Artemis started having them haul stuff out so she could have them put them in without taking up to much space. She was too smart to not be in school.

"Do you have a dog," she asked one of the henchmen. He just shook his head, "then you don't need a dog cage! Put it back!" The Joker chuckled a bit, that guy had a thing about dog cages, anytime he saw one laying around he had to pick it up, The Joker had several random cages just sitting around not doing anything. He started laughing as she fought with him over the cage. Finally the Joker pulled her away.

"Look, uh, just let them do their job and you worry about doing yours. You are still $2,000 short."

"I'm $1,548.51 short. We didn't take $3,000 we took $3,400 then we had to buy a calculator."

"Uh, sweetheart," said the Joker raising an eye brow, "you were out all night robbing and you paid for it? Why not just five finger discount it?" Artemis gave him a blank stare and blinked a couple times. His empty eyes never left her and searched for an answer.

"Let me rob people however I want to! You're not the boss of me," she said crossing her arms.

"uh, yea, I am," he corrected with a twisted smile. She gave a huff and saw Damian walk up. Artemis looked at her watch, he was 15 minutes late.

"Where have you been?"

"Sorry," he mumbled, "slept late. What is going on?"

"We are being robbed, it's your problem now, I'm clocking out and going home. This is way to much craziness to start the day off." She walked away leaving Damian speechless. They were getting robbed and she was just going to go home? He looked over at the Joker and at the van.

"So," he said, "I guess you are the one robbing us?"

"Afraid so," said the Joker with a smile that said differently. His smile fell and he gave Damian a very serious look. "I wouldn't call the, uh, cops if I were you."

"Man, all I want is something with caffeine in it, I'm tired." Damian turned around and went inside. Artemis walked out as he walked in and started down the street. She hugged her purple pea coat around her thin figure, it was getting really cold outside, she would need a new coat. Damn and her shoes were talking to her as she walked down the street, new shoes were needed now, and if her luck wasn't any worse she needed socks to! The world must hate me.

She slammed the door behind her and walked across the living room to her room to get some sleep but not without Joey tagging behind her like a puppy when he saw her.

"Hey," said Joey, "what's up Arty." Artemis fell face first in the bed and crawled up to her pillow.

"The Joker robbed us," she said in her pillow.

"Bummer," he said, "when did that happen?"

"Like half an hour before my shift was over. It's Damian's problem now, I left."

"So you just let them take the stuff?"

"No," she groaned, "I tried to stop them. Hell I stopped one of them from taking a yo-yo but he ended up taking a dog cage instead. I should have let him have the stupid toy."

"George is going to be pissed," said Joey, sitting on the couch she had recently moved in the bedroom. Artemis looked up and slowly turned her head toward Joey with a look of anger and confusion.

"Who gives a shit," she said, "the guys a moron. You know yesterday he asked me to put some stuff on the shelf but when I informed him there was nothing we could put out yet he gave me this weird look and said he already put stuff out. He's almost as dumb as our therapist."

"I don't think she is a moron," he said quietly.

"Joey, can I get some sleep?" He nodded and walked out. He turned around to look at her still fully dressed with her coat on. Her long dirty blond hair was curled at the end, her shoes were ripped, her socks had holes in them, and she was thinner than usual. She looked like a fallen angel when she slept, but when she was awake she reminded him of an irritated cat. He smiled a bit and took her ripped up shoes off of her feat. They would have to rob a mall tonight, she deserved to look good, she worked so hard to keep her sanity and keep up with everyday life at the same time.

Jesse was probably going to be with them. He felt his face go hot at the thought of Jesse, why did she like him so much? The guy was a total pussy just looking for a joy ride! He was into the thrill not her. She deserved someone who could understand her and Jesse could not even begin to imagine what she was like. He didn't spend every day with her like he did.

……………………………………….

Damian, Joey, Artemis, and Jesse James stole Jesse's dads car to use for the night. "Okay," said Joey, "I think we should break into the mall tonight."

"Why," asked Artemis.

"Why not? God knows you could use some new stuff," joked Damian.

"Hey, she is pretty just the way she is," said Jesse on her behalf.

"Yea but she could look better," mumbled Joey.

"What," asked Artemis.

"Nothing," he said with a smile.

"Well," said Damian, "the mall it is." They drove out to the mall and parked in the back. They snuck in through the employee door and kicked it in. Joey wore a pirate outfit complete with a head sash, a white shirt, short pants, a pair of leather boots, and a brown vest with a wooden sword on his waist. Jesse wore a renaissance knight's outfit without the armor, mostly just chainmail and such.

Artemis wore a long purple jacket, a black skin tight shirt with a dark blue girdle with black flower lace, A pair of black boots and a purple cowboy hat with a black cross on it. Damian wore an Indian outfit and they all spread out.

Artemis hit hot topic and tore her shoes off and rushed for a pair of flat knee highs. She then grabbed several shirts, skirts, pants, jackets, shoes, and a necklace that caught her eye. It was silver with a bat that held a green crystal in its mouth. She then turned her attention to the vault. She had to get in there so she grabbed her crowbar and pried it open. She collected all the cash and left for the van.

Damian hit the pack sun and got himself some cloths and a warmer jacket as well, Joey rummaged the Spensers and Jesse took over the dippin' dots station. When they all met up back at the van and sat in the parking lot for a moment. Artemis and Joey both climbed on top of the van while Damian sat in the van with the doors open and Jesse next to him.

"The stars are bright," said Artemis, "I wonder if mom is watching over us right now."

"Maybe she is up there in the stars," said Joey, "looking down at us."

"Doubt it," said Damian, "she is probably burning in hell."

"That's not really a good thing to say about someone's dead mother," said Jesse.

"I'll forgive you for that comment only because you never had the misfortune of meeting her mother," said Joey. Damian and Artemis laughed. Artemis's smile melted. She may have hated her mother but she missed her terribly. Just then they heard the screeching of tires and looked over to see a black van coming their way. "Cops," asked Joey.

"No," said Damian, "it has a ferries wheel on the side, I think it's the Joker."

"Oh great," said Artemis, "what could he possibly want here?" She was wrapped up in her new coat; a long purple coat with a fuzzy coat down the neck and on the arm cuffs that had an elaborate Celtic knot on the back. Her cowboy hat still sat on her head and the necklace now hung from her neck giving her a now elegant look and her torn shoes were still sitting in the hot topic.

She watched as the van swerved next to them and the back door opened to reveal the Joker. He motioned for them to get in the van in a hurry. Joey and Artemis both jumped off their car and all four piled into the Jokers ride. "What about my dads van," whined Jesse as they got in. The Joker grabbed him by the collar and shoved him in. The Joker had already grabbed the other bags of money from their apartment and was just giving them a ride home, they didn't know that though.

"Good job," he said with a slight laugh, "didn't think you would actually pull it off."

"Well, it's not the end of the week yet," said Joey.

"You're right," said the Joker, "but I figured sense you have the money already, why not collect? Hmm? Relax, I'm just taking you home, who is this?"

"This is Jesse James," said Joey, "our land lords son. We ran into him yesterday." The van came to a sudden hault, but they couldn't have reached home yet, they just left the parking lot! A black fist came through the ruff and the Joker swung the doors open blade out. "Stay," he ordered the teens. They sat and watched as non other than Batman jumped in front of the Joker and ready for the up coming fight!

…………………………………

Okay so next time we have an epic battle and Gordon's going to reveal the betrayal of Artemis, Joey, and Damian. It's going to be an emotional roller coaster filled with humor, excitement, and torture! Stay tuned!