A.N: I hope you appreciate the fact that… it's midnight! I'm writing for you! It'll be an awful morning because I stayed up to add a new chapter! I also put off my biology reports that are due tomorrow. Te-He-he… I mean, I was going to do that anyway but- but at least now there's an excuse. I had to be good to my readers. Thanks. No I'm not being sarcastic. This was a good distraction from doing my work.

Well- read on:

Chapter 9:

Gotham Blitz, Part I

"You're lookin' pretty good, girlie." Charlie said, glancing up to Melissa as she walked out of the hallway into the living room.

"Melissa." She breathed stiffly, turning her hold body to the side to stare out of the patio doors to the beautiful scene of Gotham. A soft snow had started to fall, snowflakes gentle falling from the sky that looked large and fluffy- likes balls of cotton. She licked her bottom lip as she looked back to Charlie- but his eyes were glued to the large television. The channel was on the a new-station of the city's.

"Yeah. Sorry." He said blankly, obviously not paying attention to her any longer. "Melissa." She frowned and scowled in frustration. Charlie had been charming and kind to her at times throughout the day- then at other times would ignore her all together, finding something more interesting to do than to listen or even look at Melissa. She let out a slow breath, as she cracked her knuckles with her sweaty hands. It was a nervous habit.

She moved across the white carpet, her dress brushing against the carpet softly as she walked toward the large, silver-framed mirror that was near the door. Her black hair was pulled into a neat bun, artfully sprites with glitter, with curls falling from the bun in just the right places to frame her face. A pale pink blush was softly dashed on her cheeks, and her eyes were heavy with make-up, and a cool red was painted onto her lips. Letting out a soft breath, she ran her hands down the dress.

The dress was one of a dark navy color that went perfectly with her eyes. It was a type of a halter top, with it's back cut low. The bottom of the dress flowed out softly and faded into a deep black the last few inches. The top- front of the dress hugged her chest perfectly, and was slightly low- revealing some of her chest. It seemed suggestive, but not trampish. At least- Melissa hoped it didn't. She dropped her head down- looking at her chest, thinking.

"What are you doing?" Charlie's voice suddenly asked.

"Wondering if they'll fall out or not."

"What?"

Melissa raised her eyes to look at his reflection in the mirror. She saw a slow grin spread across his face. She turned around fully to face him, her arms hanging limply at her sides. Charlie shut off the TV and then stood up, slowly advancing upon Melissa. When he reached her- he dropped his eyes down to her chest. Melissa scrunged her face in disgust and leaned away from him. Charlie looked to her eyes. "Ah, don't you worry about it, lass. Your breasts are perfect."

Melissa felt her cheeks burn and flush and she, in another nervous habit, lifted a hand to run through her hair. But before she had a chance to ruin her perfect, stylish hair- the door suddenly opened. Jonathan raised his eyebrows in surprise that both of them were standing so close to the door. His eyes shifted between the two of them, his head tilted to the side. He wet his lips and looked to Charlie, "No problems?" Jonathan glanced to Melissa for confirmation.

"No problems." Charlie said. Melissa shook her head and also said "No problems." Charlie looked and Melissa and nodded, "She's a smart one. Didn't try to do anything at all, did you, girlie? I mean Melissa. Yeah. She didn't try to run, to ask for help… anything." He said in a pleased tone, looking back to Jonathan.

"Good." Crane looked back to Melissa, "Let's go." He stepped out of the space of the doorway, holding it open for her. She walked through the door, then stopped in the hall, looking back to the two men. Charlie also walked out, but passed Melissa as he walked down the short hall to the Elevator. Melissa followed Charlie hesitantly, and Crane followed behind Melissa with his head high in confidence.

Once inside the elevator, Crane took a key from his pocket, and put it into the keyhole, turned it- then pressed the button for the main level. So Crane had some type of a penthouse? Melissa- in the asylum- couldn't really see Crane living in a house, but nor could she see him living in an apartment building with tons of others. A penthouse seemed to suit him. And, on the thoughts of suits- Melissa looked Crane from head to toe.

His hair was neatly combed back like it always was and his glasses were perfectly placed on the bridge of his nose. His suit was a deep shade of black, with a crisp white button-down shirt underneath. His shoes looked to be an equally dark shade of black leather. Italian Leather, Melissa thought blankly. He looked quite wealthy, important, classy. Well- more than usual anyway. Her eyes than wandered to Charlie- He had changed from earlier today- now he had on a black leather jacket that stopped about six inches above his knees, blue jeans, and regular tennis shoes. Obviously, he wasn't planning on going to the banquet with them.

When the bell dinged- Charlie stepped out and walked on ahead of them, with a lazy stroll out of the door and onto the street. Crane watched his henchman walk out into the snow- then looked back to Melissa, "He's bringing the car up." He informed her incase she hadn't figured it out. She nodded a few times, as she pulled on the black fur shall over her shoulders that went with the dress.

He put out his arm for her, offering it as he stared ahead to the door. When she didn't take it, he looked to her, "Melissa." He said firmly. She turned her face to his and his eyes met hers. "Appearances." He reminded her. Appearances must be maintained as to not raise suspicion. She took a breath, and held it in for a few seconds, then gently placed her hand on his arm. For a moment they stood like that- Melissa holding onto his arm, as they stared into each other's eyes, trying to grasp what the other was thinking.

Melissa was first to break the eye-contact as she looked ahead. Jonathan looked away as well, and began to walk to the front door with Melissa in tow of his arm. They stepped outside, and Melissa looked up into the snowy sky. She didn't have long to gaze up into though- for Jonathan had opened the door to the back and was nudging her inside. Melissa scowled and crawled into the car. Jonathan got in, sitting beside her, closing the door behind him. He looked up to the driver's seat as they pulled away from the sidewalk.

"I'm not sure how long it will take… I don't think it will be too long though. Just wait and watch. As soon as the person is out- get there and take them. We can't have any time wasted." Charlie nodded to Jonathan.

Jonathan then turned to Melissa to give her instructions, "Not too long." He repeated. "Don't drag it out to last all night… When you find a person- Do what you have to do, get them, and lead them outside to the back." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small plastic bag with a small, pale blue tablet in it. "Give them this before going to the back though. Put it into a drink."

"What is it?"

"A simple sedation drug." He said briskly. "It causes the person be very groggy- eventually falling asleep… Once the person is starting to show the effects, which usually is after ten minutes or fifteen minutes- go out to the back, near the left end of the alley- by the fireescape. Charlie will be watching… The person will pass out from the drug after-" His voice wavered in thought, "A little more than fifteen minutes. It wavers in from patient to patient though…Once the person is out- Charlie will come, and when he comes- you come back to me."

"And then?"

"I'll take care of the rest." He said shortly as he looked out of the windshield. "Now run that back to me."

Melissa looked at Jonathan, then to Charlie, then back to Jonathan, "Find a person. Put the pill into the drink- then go outside. When the person is out- Charlie will come. Then I go back in to find you." Hearing that she understood the plan, Jonathan handed her the small plastic bag. "Stay with me until then." He said sternly. Melissa sighed and looked out of the window.

After a near forty-five minutes of silence, they pulled up to what looked like a redone warehouse. Pillars of lights were waving back and forth into the sky, multi-colored lights were flashing on the building in a sequence, a blood-red carpet, littered with glitter and confetti, was rolled up to the glass doors which were tinted black.

The doormen on each side were in black suits with bold red ties, black bowler-hats on their heads, and their eyes hidden by black masquerade masks with large red feathers sticking out of the sides. Beats of bongos and drums rumbled from deep inside the building- like a hunger in the belly of the beast.

Jonathan opened the door and stepped out, then held his hand out for Melissa's. She took it, with her mouth hanging open slightly in awe at the scene.

"I-" Melissa began as he began to lead her towards the door, "Didn't know a banquet could be… like this." It wasn't like a banquet for the wealthy. It seemed like a rave- except the beatings of drums replaced dizzying music- and every one was dressed in fancy tuxes and gorgeous dresses.

Jonathan gave a single laugh. Or maybe it was a scoff. It wasn't directed at her though- it was like a scoff of some sort of agreement.

The young doorman on the right bowed his head to the two of them, a charming smirk could be seen right below the mask.

"Welcome duchess and sir to-" He pulled open the large door, "the Gotham Blitz."

And with the encouragement of Jonathan giving a tug of his arm, Melissa stepped into a new world.

A.N: If you needed a mental image or something- or how the drums are suppose to be like… While writing about it- I was thinking about that one Batman movie… With Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze in it… You know? Or… something like it at least. Sorta.

Review! It'll get me to add on my next chapter Faster- Gotham Blitz, Part II