Sorry it took so long, I have AP art projects due soon, trying to finish them all. Hope you enjoy this, the next chapter's longer!

Chapter 5

Sprinting through the streets of Gotham, my dog at my heels, I alarmed quite a few citizens.

How could I find him? He won't appear out of nowhere, even though he seems to do that pretty often.

Gordon.

I ran at top speed to the station, blurting out Gordon's name the second I got to the desk. When nobody answered me, obviously realizing who I was, I pushed past security and ran to the back offices.

Unfortunately, the cells were on the way there. I heard him before I saw him.

"I told you I'd see you again beautiful."

My head whipped around at the sound of that voice, and I was clinging onto the cell bars before I could stop myself, trying to get to him in my fury.

"WHAT did you DO?"

He just cocked his head. "No clue what you're talking about gorgeous."

At this point, his face was inches from mine. I shot my hand through the spaces in the bars and got a good grab at his hair, pulling while removing my other arm from his reach.

"What did you DO to him you clown? What did you put in his food?"

"Oh that," he made a simple gesture like it was no big deal. "It was his drink, not his food." He then went into a hysterical fit of laughter. I pulled his hair more, which made him laugh harder.

Between the laughing fits, he exclaimed, "Y'know, it took a lot of uh… willpower… for me to give him something that actually gave him time to live. I was uh, pretty intent on just killing him before I realized I could make bargains." He licked his lips, adding, "And you're about ready to make a bargain aren't ya princess? For dear old daddy's life?" He smiled. "Well there's only one way he can be cured, and that hospital doesn't have it."

I didn't want to play games, but I felt I had no choice. After all, Gordon wasn't here, and with no Gordon, I wouldn't be able to find the Bat in time.

Leering at him, I carefully answered, "What way?"

"Let go."

"No!"

"Then I won't tell you."

Sighing, I released my hold on his stained green locks. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a vial with clear liquid in it. I reached for it, and he pulled back, wagging his gloved fingers.

"Ah ah ah!" He chuckled to himself. "I told you already. There's a price."

"A PRICE?" I was at the point of screaming. If looks could kill, mine would murder.

Amused at my reaction, he decided to test me a little further. "You look even more beautiful when you're angry," he said with a smirk.

Flustered, I took a step back. "The price, clown."

"You'll have to meet me for some business once I get out of here. No complaints, no restraints. And I will get out. Very soon."

The look he gave me was frightening.

"That's the deal," he concluded.

After staring for another moment, I cleared my head and replied, "Fine. Deal."

The smile was almost as frightening as the gaze. He handed me the vial through the bars and in doing so, grabbed my wrist, pulling me up against the iron face first.

"See you soon," he breathed against my face. Letting me go, I almost stumbled onto the floor.

"If you can find me," I retorted, exiting the station, leaving him glaring at me through the bars.

All he did was let a short, sadistic chuckle escape his crimson lips as I walked away.

"Fucking freak," I muttered on my way out.

Not noticing until just then, I hadn't been disturbed by any guards.

Where are they?

My question was answered when I got to the entrance, dead guards in plain view, Brody panting happily next to a pool of shining blood. Shit, my dog was getting good.

Laughing despite the circumstances, I made it back to Gotham General as fast as I could.

Sal met me at the doors, and I ran to dad's room just as he started shaking.

Sal confirmed what had been happening. "He's been delusional for a while, and now this." His gaze flickered around the room. "Where's the Bat?"

"Explanations later," I replied, forcing my father's mouth open to down the mysterious vial. The shaking stopped after a few moments, and his eyes closed in exhaustion.

"Thank god," I murmured, slumping against his sleeping figure.

"What in the hell was that?" Uncle Sal looked dumbfounded.

As he was sleeping, I explained everything to Sal and Isabella.

"You let me know when he finds you," Sal started with a protective look, "And I'll have one of my guys ready with you to take him out."

With a smirk I muttered, "Sal. If he finds me." Then realizing the full weight of his statement, I sat up with a glare. "Hey! I don't need someone to fight for me!"

My Uncle only chuckled, patting my head and exiting the hospital room.