Chapter 2: Intervention
"So," Mayhem began, "how'd you figure that out?" She felt all three sets of eyes on her as she sheathed her knives.
"Simple, we're Bats." Batgirl replied.
"Oh, right" Mayhem drawled, "I forgot that the Bats know everything, or so Nigma tells me." Mayhem's head tilted on the side as she muttered the last part to herself.
"Parker, huh? Parker Simpson? You're the daughter of Emily Simpson? Part of the Diamonds Crew?" Robin asked in rapid succession.
"Ok, I didn't actually know that much about her." Batgirl's whisper to Nightwing was just loud enough for Mayhem to hear.
Mayhem glared at Robin and stalked closer to him, anger flashing in her eyes, agitation in her every move.
"Who are you, that you know who I am?" She muttered so quietly, forcing all present to lean closer to her to hear what she was saying. She saw Nightwing and Batgirl tense, and she knew that she was clutching the hilt of her still-sheathed knife. But Robin just stepped closer, standing his ground, and Mayhem felt a flicker of respect for him. Mayhem's eyes studied him closely, watching his eyes for any tell-tale signs he was lying. But Robins only response was a shrug.
"Parker isn't a common name, you know. And I know that neighbourhood well." Robin was telling the truth, but he was hiding something, and they both knew it.
"Parker, you were a good girl, a nice girl. You just got in the wrong crowd. We can help you get out of this, you know?" Robin's gaze was intense, as if he was trying to see straight into her soul. Parker swallowed nervously.
"You don't know what I've been through, what I've had to do. I can't give up this way of life even if I wanted too." Mayhems reply was soft, but her voice hardened to a growl for her next confession; "And I don't want to."
"No, I don't know what you have been through, but we can help." Robin gestured to Nightwing and Batgirl, "we all have been through terrible things, but Batman has helped us get through it. We didn't let the darkness of our pasts take us over. We use it to our advantage." As Robin paused to take a breath, Mayhem interupted.
"That's what I'm doing. My dark past, as you call it, has given me so many opportunities, and I've used every single part of my dark personality to help me get further in life."
"Parker, listen to me, please. Think about it. We can help you. You don't want to become the Joker, Do you?" Even through Mayhems carefully masked face, some emotion still flickered through, showing just how much the truth can hurt. Robin gently took Mayhem's small hands in his, her brightly coloured mismatched gloves standing out against his black ones. Mayhem's whole body tensed as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She raised her head to look at Nightwing.
"I don't know you, but if Robin trusts you, we trust you. The fact that you're letting your guard down around us shows that something that Robin has said has affected you. You don't have to come with us now, but at least think about it.
Batgirl stood slightly behind Robin and slowly extended her arm to touch Mayhem's face. Mayhem's first reaction was to wince in preparation for a slap, like the Joker usually did. But in stead her hand gently rested on Mayhem's face, her thumb caressing her cheekbone. Mayhem tremled under the unfamiliar affectionate touch.
"We want to help you, Parker." Mayhem looked into Batgirls eyes - the only ones without the white lenses, and they were sincere.
BANG!
Mayhem jumped slightly back from the Bats, and dropped into a defensive stance. But the Joker's cackle was nothing more than an echo, he wasn't anywhere near the four youths.
"MAYHEM! My Clown Princess, COME HERE! I need you." Joker's voice was too loud in Mayhem's comm.
"I'll be there in two seconds! I'm kinda busy!" She replied, before switching her comm. off and turning back to the Bats.
"Think about it." Nightwing said.
"How will I find you if I agree?" She asked softly, her eyes on her mismatched boots, one was light purple, one was light green.
"Go to the tower were they shine the Bat Symbol from. Go alone, and we will meet you there." Nightwing said. With a dip of her head, she turned and ran towards where the Joker was, never once looking back.
Mayhem never looked back.
AN - hey guys, sorry this took a while, you know how busy the Christmas/New Years break is! Finally got a chance to day to do it, so hope you enjoyed it! Hopefully next chapter is up soon. Also, sorry this one is short, wanted to get this bit done, before we have a look at Parker/Mayhem's real life with the Joker.
PS - thanks for those reviews (you know who I'm talking to) they got a massive smile outta me so thanks so much!