Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the DC Universe

Chapter 33

I stood in the alleyway and roughly pushed the button on the detonator, the new row of shops and buildings exploded, the loud explosion ringing out through Gotham. Beside me, The Joker laughed at the destruction before shooting one of his men.

"What was that for?" I questioned

He just shrugged and pressed his own detonator, the parallel row went up in flames before crumbling to the ground.

Suddenly another loud explosion sounded.

"That wasn't one of ours!" The Joker yelled running out of the alleyway.

I heard his angry scream and ran out, the scene before my eyes cause me to gasp in shock.

A figure stood on top of a large moving vine? The vines were spreading through Gotham and the figure on top was moving ever so closer.

The figure held up a megaphone and spoke loudly "Greetings Gotham, Cassie's in town! Thank the crazy plant lady for these lil' babies. Now everyone remain calm, I'm taking the city, try and stop me and feel the wrath of these sweeties"

Cassie...so that was her name, I looked at the Joker and found he was smirking to himself. One of his henchmen ran out from the alleyway, surveying the scene he cried "Boss what's the plan?"

"Now now, you know I'm a man without plans. Back to the van soon we will see how much of a threat this Cassie girl is" The Joker said

I looked back at Cassie; it seemed both our eyes locked for a moment. Her dark eyes burning into mine, I could have sworn I saw her mouth the words

"I'll. Get. You"

[Later that day]

"There is a new criminal in Gotham known as Cassie, she is classed as highly dangerous and very little is known about her. It is has come to our attention she has kidnapped Lieutenant Matt Ansley. The Lt went missing early yesterday evening and hasn't been seen since but a video tape was left at his apartment" The reporter spoke

My mouth was gaping slightly as Cassie appeared on the TV, her dreadlocks falling all around her, she grinned at the camera and said,

"What does it take for you to understand Ava? or as The Joker likes to call you, Jinxy. Yes, I know all about you and that freak, I know more than you think.

Its time for a game Ava and this time, there under my rules. If you want to see Matt alive your gonna have to play my little game of hide and seek. I know right now your probably screaming at the TV, boo hoo, where is Matt?. Well Ava, here a clue.

The sea collides and lands cascade to their end, to man's own device bids Farwell. What am I?....figured it out yet little girl? I'm sure you will. Ah! And to Batman because I know your watching, stay out of this it isn't your fight. This is between me and Ava. Oh by the way Ava, I'll hurry times already running out on Matt's life"

She smirked once more before flashing a knife and switching off the camera.

Before anything else happened, a bullet went straight through the TV screen causing sparks to dance and fly from the now broken television. Through gritted teeth I screamed,

"I'll kill that bitch! If she thinks she can dance with this harlequin of hate and come out of it in one piece then she has another thing coming. Oh wait till I get my hands on her. HEY JINX! IT'S PLAY TIME"

Hitting my head lightly, I could almost feel Jinx's happiness and evil plots forming inside me. The Joker stared at me and then asked "You're not seriously going to go and find err...what's his name....brad?"

"MATT! HIS NAMES MATT!" I shouted

"Right right Matt" The Joker said holding his hands up.

"Yes I am. I'm going to don't even think about trying to keep me here" I snapped.

Anger burned in his eyes, suddenly he jumped up and pinned me against the wall holding a switchblade closely to my throat. He gripped my hands and breathed sharply before snarling "I put my reputation and everything on the line when I told you about those....disgusting, worthless feelings I have for you! And this is how you show it back? By planning on waltzing off to rescue some guy who has a thing for you and cant take care of himself even though he is the high and mighty Lieutenant of Gotham fucking city. Thats great Ava just great"

I remained silent for a moment in shock before muttering "you just called me Ava, you never call me that"

He grabbed my throat and hissed " Yeah well you've pissed me off big time haven't ya doll face?"

I glared at him in frustration "I don't have time for your jealousy Joker. I'm going to save my friend"

His gripped tightened "You're not going anywhere and I'm not jealous"

I smirked and reached over to him and kissed him weakly on the lips, I felt him roughly kiss me back immediately releasing his grip on your throat and putting his hands on my lower back instead.

After lingering the kiss for a few moments I pulled away and slapped him lightly on the face before saying " I wont be long Puddin"

I began making my way to the door but The Joker grabbed my arm and violently pulled you back.

"Oh no you don't!" He yelled

"Let go of me!" I shouted before swinging my leg high and kicking him square in the chest.

He stumbled back slightly gasping for air. Quickly I picked up the switchblade he dropped and saw that was my chance and I took it, I ran for the door without even looking back.

I heard the Jokers angry shouts as I ran to the docks.

Yeah that's right, I had figured out the riddle, the answer was Gotham docks.

People gave me confused looks as I ran past without even looking at them uncaring that any second someone could call the cops on me even if I wasn't doing anything wrong.

------

Finally I reached the docks and found no one there but there was a small cabin close by, I ran over to it and gripped the switchblade tightly in my hand flicking it up as I slowly opened the door.

I gasped as I saw someone tied to a small wooden chair,

"Matt!" I cried

Running to the person I turned the chair and screamed in shock as their head fell from the body and onto the floor.

It isn't Matt, its Mime!

Or was Mime, if she were still alive.

A small what seemed like a bomb was resting on her lap, the timer had already started! I placed a hand over my mouth in shock and stared, my eyes glanced down and saw a note tied to her rotting corpse.

I shakily reached out and grabbed the note before yanking my hand away, almost crumpling the note. I looked at it and began reading quickly ;

'Well done. You figured it out. Sorry this aint Matt but I did say it was hide and seek. So here you go Ava. You found Mime well...Pieces of her anyway. Now here is a hint for where to look next. Bruce took you there once and that was the place where it all went BOOM! Have fun Ava. Be there by 6:00 pm tomorrow. I'll be waiting.......xxx Cassie xxx....'

I crumpled the note in my hands and shook with anger. Throwing it down, my eyes widened, the small bomb had a timer on it! And the seconds were ticking away!

Shit!

I slammed the door behind me and broke into a run away from the cabin where Mimes body lay.

I would say may her body rest in peace...pieces...but I had hated her.

I watched from a distance as the cabin blew up sending pieces of wooden debris into the air. A dry laugh escaped my lips as I began the walk back.

Matt, where could he be?

And what was this Cassie's grudge against me?

Many questions burned in my mind only increasing the anger I felt towards Cassie.

------

Yanking the door open I found the Joker slumped down on the sofa, his tie was loosened and his shirt was unbuttons, I heard him sigh in what sounded like...sadness. Whatever it was he was in deep thought and at the sound of the door was broken from his trance.

The Jokers head snapped to the side and his eyes bore angrily into mine. He stayed where he was and glared as me as I slowly sat down beside him groaning in frustration.

"Where's * Matt*?" He snarled

I turned to him and slapped him hard across the face,

"Just shut up clown" I hissed.

Suddenly The Jokers face stretched into a smirk and he leant closer

"I love it when you talk like that........Jinxy" He murmured before pressing his lips against mine.

I kissed him back and wrapped my arms tightly around his neck; his arms snaked around my waist on pulled me onto his lap. He smirked before his tongue entered my mouth entwining with my own.

That's where we stayed for a few moments passionately kissing before he laid me down on the couch and slid his hand up my shirt. My shirt slid up a little as his hand gently strokes my lower back. I pulled away and ranted " Don't just think that every time you-"

But I was cut off by him kissing me once again, I pulled away again and said "and don't just-"

The Joker cut me off once again by saying "Jinxy. Be quite"

I smile slightly and kissed him lightly on the lips, stroking his scars gently, he closed his eyes and savoured the feeling of my skin against his haunting and forever smiling scars.

Suddenly the door burst open and a female voice yelled " I found some info on Cassie- oh...Sorry I'll just go...wow this seems familiar, ah! I'll err....go do erm something"

I laughed at Ace who was standing the awkwardly,

"Go kill the guys or something" The Joker shouted over his shoulder.

"Right...I'll tell you later.....Bye" She said before running out of the room.

I laughed a little and smiled as the Joker looked back at me a grin on his face, he leant down and huskily murmured

"I know how to make a real smile, Jinxy"