Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, Batman or any of their characters.
Chapter 4: Face of a Predator.
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As the C.S.I open the door and before entered the room the smell of death hit his nostrils. He noticed how the room was in complete shambles while the victim's body laid in a pool of blood. Instantly thinking this was going to be a pain in the butt to process he called for a camera and the cornier so he can at least take some photos of the crime scene before it was immediately disturbed by removal of the body.
"Step where I step until we get to the body." He advised to the M.E. before telling everyone else to stand back. With each move he made he took a picture of what lied ahead of him to show the courts what it looked like before the inevitable happen. Once they got to the D.B. he asked for an estimated time of death before moving away to let the doctor do his work. In seconds he would have his answer.
"My god, he's been dead for…"
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As Robin privately watched the video of one of the greatest criminals he ever face before Slade he just couldn't believe it and honestly hoped none of the other Titans would want to see it. Mainly because even Raven would show emotion of the sickening death, but, partially because the Joker was the Bat family opposition and it just wouldn't feel right for the disgraceful death of the clown prince to be treated like it was that one DVD of Kevin Smith that was passed around Palisade Park because he ripped into Prince. Joker might not of had his sanity, but, his death should be treated with dignity. In all of his years of being with the Titans he never once wished he was in Gotham instead of here until that moment. Part of him truly felt he owed his old enemy to find his killer while the other part knew that despite everything Joker would want Harley to be safe and if meant she stayed with Batman's former sidekick and his team of heroes so be it.
"Joker, I promise I'll keep her safe." He vowed audibly before realizing it. Robin figured that deep down he had enough respect for the green-haired white-faced man as an opponent to make such a promise, and the man known as Dick Grayson behind Robin's mask never broke a promise.
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As Ivy was talking to Batman about what she should pack the dark knight received an audio communication from Alfred via the listening device he had decided to slip into his hood just incase something happen while he was at the Green House. He never once gave any indication that he was talking to someone because he was giving during the whole process he was giving disinterested grunts of approval or disagreement in reaction at each prospect of clothing. Before the butler even started the transmission he had thought 'I feel sorry for, Dick. If helping Pamela Islie pack clothes is anything like helping any woman clothes shopping I can only imagine how bad it is with Starfire."
"Master Bruce, can you hear me, Sir?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"Are you still with Ms. Isley?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"Is see. Well I was listening to the police scanner as you requested, Sir, and it seems they have found a dead body in a room at 524 Oak Ridge Ave."
"Mmm-hmm."
"The leading member of the Forensic Team request Commissioner Gordon to see it for himself and I suspect he would want you to see this as well."
"Mmm-hmm."
"And Ms. Dianne is standing in the foyer in a trench coat and I strongly suspect she isn't wearing any garments underneath."
"WHAT?!?" he shouted in surprise. It took him only took him half a second to notice the ravenous laughter of his friend, and father figure and realized that Ivy held a surprised expression on her face.
"I was just asking if you think I should take my green g-string panties with matching strapless bra." the botanical goddess stated holding up said items
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." Batman admitted fighting of a blush, and Alfred must of heard the exchange because his laughter just increased ten fold.
"I noticed. I'm just surprised you didn't do that when I asked if you think if Starfire or Raven would mind if I decided to wore a mini-skirt with a pair of my crotch less underwear while I was at the Tower." Ivy flippantly commented enjoying seeing that she was making Batman squirm for once. 'This is going to be one story Harley was going to love to hear about.' She thought. Especially considering the part where the portion of Gotham City's protector's face was turning red as her hair. Quickly pretending that he was hearing something on his earwig he hurriedly told her about the body discovery and that they needed to go and check it out together since he wasn't about to leave her alone until she was on the jet with Bat-Girl.
"Fine. I'm pretty much done packing anyway. Just give me a few seconds and I'll be ready."
"I'll be waiting in the kitchen." Was the Dark Knight's response and the moment he was out of her hearing range he let out a sigh of relief.
"Alfred, if you ever do that again you're fired." Bruce threaten.
"Understood, Sir." the butler responded though his employer didn't think he took it seriously for the fact he was still laughing. "And, Sir, Batgirl called she is making her way back to Gotham as we speak." Alfred finished before signing off.
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"And this is the common room of the Tower. This is where we hang out, cook, eat, and check out whatever disturbance detected in the city." said Cyborg while he was giving the grand tour for Harley.
"Wow this place is great. I wish Mr. J got to see this." The older woman stated in awe.
"Yeah. I bet Joker would say Robin was putting the pennies in his piggy bank to good use." Beast Boy jested causing Harley to giggle.
"Your right. Mr. J would say something like that." She responded not even realizing the perpetual smile the green boy had on his face.
"She laughed at my joke."
"Easy, Beast Boy, your forgetting who her boyfriend was." Raven stated bursting a certain individuals bubble.
"So? She still laughed at my joke."
"Which wasn't funny by the way."
"It was to funny. You just didn't get it that's all."
"I did get. Robin saved a lot of money to pay for the Tower to be built." Soon the two were just glowering at each other.
"Are they always like this?" asked Harley
"I'm afraid that is so. Friends Beast Boy and Raven are always seem to be… 'at each others' throats." Starfire finished thinking she found the right phrase.
"Actually Starfire it's more like Raven is at Beast boy's throat for some reason or another. Mainly because he constantly pesters her with a joke of his." Cyborg corrected. "Anyway why don't I show you to your room?"
"Sure thing, Mr. Roboto." Harley answered which slightly irked the metallic boy not like she would have noticed anyway. Her attention was focused on somewhere else. Namely the bickering Titans that they left behind. She happened to remember a story her mom told her when Harley was about 10. It had to do with how her parents meet and fell in love.
Flashback:
"Don't get me wrong I love you're daddy with all my heart, Pumpkin. But when I first meet your father all we could do was fight like cats and dogs."
"That was mainly because your cat was antagonizing my dog, Elizabeth." Mr. Quinzel replied noticing his wife in their daughters room before leaning against the door frame.
"Richard, lets not start this again. As I was saying in our group of friends we always were the ones to find something to fight about be it a movie that was playing at the drive-in theater or which burger shop to go for dinner."
"Then why did you and daddy get together?" Little Harley asked
"Well you see there is a very thin line between love and hate, and true for us. When ever one of us had a date we hated each other even more. It took us along time to realize that we were getting jealous. I swear if it hadn't been for Sue forcing us our first date we would have never gotten together."
"How did Aunt Sue do that, mommy?"
"She manipulated us." Mrs. Quinzel answered honestly with a faint smile on her face.
End Flashback:
'Maybe there is a thin line of love and hate between them, too.' Harley thought with a smile. 'Hopefully when Red gets here she might want to help me play matchmaker.'
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Batman arrived at the crime scene with Ivy in tow. Before they even got out of the Bat-mobile Commissioner Gordon was already beside them.
"Ms. Isley, I'm surprised to see you with Batman."
"You shouldn't be considering your men left me without telling me what was going on."
"I apologize for that. I assume Batman filled you in."
"Yeah he did. He even offered to send me to Titan's Tower to be with Harley. Which I accepted."
"I see."
"Where is the body at, Commissioner?" Batman asked before the medical examiner and his assistant came out with a gurney that had a body bag on top of it down the stairs of the building.
"Hey, Lou, before you load the body up I got someone to make a positive ID." Gordon called leading the man who helped him numerous times before to the M.E. while Ivy followed. Lou was a man presumably in his late forties early late fifties. Wearing the customary gear of his profession he wore a pair of bifocals and spoke with a southern accent.
"I don't think we need it, but, considering you want to go by the book on this on I understand it. Young lady I highly suggest you turn away. It ain't a pretty sight and the smell is awful."
"I'll be fine." Ivy stated preparing herself for what she thought was the worse. The moment the body bag was opened she like to gag from the smell of decomposing flesh, but, the body itself what made her sprint back to the hero of Gotham's car.
"It's him." Batman confirmed before returning to the ecologically minded criminals side.
"I expected something like a gunshot or knife wounds. I even thought someone would use something like a baseball bat on him, but I didn't expect to see that."
"I know."
"I'll have that image burned into my mind forever and never get it out."
"The body must have shifted when they went down the steps. That's the only explanation for you to have seen have that."
"I know but the jaw open like that. It was like he was from Predator." Ivy said shaking before Batman throw caution to the wind and wrapped her in a comforting embrace with her face in his chest.
"Be thankful Harley wasn't here, Pamela. If she was you would have to be her pillar of strength and we both know she'll need it."
"You're right, Batman." Ivy's muffled voice started. "And she'll still will need me when I get in Jump City, but, for the moment I just want to cope."
"I understand."
"Ms. Islee, will you be ok?" Gordon asked a little unnerved from everything that's happening. Ivy pulled away before addressing the older man.
"Eventually. How long has he been dead?"
"Approximately 48 hours ago, and I'm afraid in the next 48 hours we'll find Two-Face dead as well."
"Harvey was kidnapped?" asked Batman in surprise.
"Yes. I was at that crime scene when I received this note that lead us here." Gordon answered handing his old friend the envelope that a little boy delivered.
"Has any of the others accepted police protection?" Ivy asked tentatively.
"No, they seem to think the police is just trying to monitor their activities."
"Gordon, show them a picture of both crime scenes. If that doesn't convince them show them a picture of Joker's dead body and the video. I have it in my car. Whatever it takes make sure someone is watching them be it by choice or stakeout. The last thing we need is a repeat of tonight." Batman stated in all seriousness.
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A/N: All right there is chapter 4. The body belonged to Joker. Also I want to say sorry for taking so long on this chapter. I've had a rough time last month with my dog dying (See Tony's Death) and I didn't feel like writing this and even some parts of this feel somewhat forced to me. Well now time for some review shout outs.
Reader: Some of the stuff might happen then agian it might not. Depends on what I feel like.
