Okay, here is the next chapter and I think it's the one everyone has been waiting for. Starting now, a new arc has formed and nothing will ever be the same! Expect some drama and even some death.
Special thanks to Glyth, who made this work worthwhile!
Angels Will Fall
The rope that's wrapped around me is cutting through my skin
And the doubts that have surrounded me are finding their way in
I keep it close to me like a holy man prays
in my desperate hour it's better that way
So I'll come by and see you again,
I'll be such a very good friend
Have mercy on my soul, I will never let you know
where my mind has been
--Melissa Ethridge
"So…do you think of him?" Jinx asked as she licked the ice cream cone. It was nice to enjoy the wonderful taste of strawberry cheesecake flavoring and the sound of girl talk.
"Nice boy, good mind, a little gullible and girl crazy. You have him completely in control now," Pam said, with a throaty laugh. "He is clearly crazy about you." She looked so beautiful, even out of costume. Jinx hoped one day to grow up to be like her. Pamela was strong and feminine and feared by all.
"I know and that's half the problem. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love having him at my beck and call, but he's so intense about it. I half expect him to pull a ring out of his pocket and propose to me," Jinx complained. She couldn't exactly see herself in a perfect white wedding dress and a church in her future. Maybe a Vegas wedding in some drunken haze, but she figured that could be easily enough annulled.
"Yeah, I can't see you in ten years with the white picket fence and an apron and three kids messing up your perfect figure," Pam teased, finishing her ice cream with consummate grace.
"Never!" Jinx was horrified of the image of her as some fat housefrou with nothing but the PTA to occupy her brilliant mind.
"You know, that is what all heroes want. They want a nice, submissive little woman in the kitchen, waiting with a clean house and hot meal for their man to come home. Sounds miserable to me. So dump him and move on."
"That's the problem. I love him and it is driving me insane. Sometimes, he can get really jealous. We were dining out in Gotham and I just mentioned that hottie Bruce Wayne was sitting at the table across from us. He actually got white and demanded we leave," Jinx said, laughing at how silly her guy had been. " Wayne was a total dish and has cash to boot, but he's old enough to be my father! I told Kid Flash the only reason I'd marry Wayne is for his money and then kill him off. He just looked at me as if I was crazy and changed the subject."
"Wayne's a cutie, I'd love a piece of him myself," Pam agreed, as they walked out of the store. "I still can't believe you, the ice princess fell in love. Don't you think it's beneath you?" she asked. "You haven't committed a crime in weeks, you've gone straight. You shouldn't change for a guy, guys should change for you."
Jinx laughed sadly. "I don't know where I'm going now. I just know that includes him and that's how it's going to stay," she said softly. "I'm still…a villain," she said, wondering if she was convincing herself more than her friend. "The thing is, he treats me like a princess. So I guess I'll keep him."
"Okay dear. I hope you're happy with your choice," Pam said in a kind tone. "I'll visit you in the maternity ward when you're popping out red haired little mongrels."
"Want to come over for lunch?" Jinx asked, ignoring the bait. "I need some company. My boy is off in Israel, taking out some terrorists and I could use some help picking out a welcome home outfit," Jinx asked, enjoying her time with her mentor.
"Maybe some other time. I have some business to take care of. I'll talk to you soon, I hope." Pam must be plotting a new crime. Jinx had to admit, she missed the thrill of doing something illegal, the delicious intrigues needed to bust open a safe or rob a bank. Being good was very boring.
She walked up the block and into her lair, trying to avoid breaking any laws in the process. Evil was an addiction and she really could use a fix right now. She had to get control herself, she could mooch off See-More later. She knew Wally would be bringing her back something nice and she loved presents. So she could wait for her fix. For now.
Jinx returned to her apartment and turned on her computer. She had to make sure her Swiss account was still viable. At last check, she had a few million in it, but she needed to make sure she had enough for the next few months. Going straight was expensive.
A bell sound alerted her to an email from Kid Flash. She had been touched that he had set up a secure line just for the two of them. It was that wonderful kind of niceness that had convinced her that he was worth her time. Pam might disapprove, but it worked for her. She looked at the messages he had sent her.
From: Speeddemon25
To: Beautifulgirl1
Re: A Limerick for my special girl
Jinx, you're the girl I love to know
So to the Light side you must go
Just give me the word
It won't be absurd
And then our relationship can grow
The Holy Land was beautiful, but not as beautiful as you. I need to see you again.
Meet me in an hour by Weiss Park. I'll be at the fountain, holding a rose. I want to take you somewhere special.
Wally
He was really such an adorable dork sometimes. Still, she had to find him rather endearing. How many guys wrote bad poetry for girls had been currently driving them crazy with mixed signals? She had to admit, he had the patience of a saint. And she was very naughty. In fact, she was sure he liked that most about her.
Well, two could play at poetry wars.
From: Beautifulgirl1
To: Speeddemon25
Re: A Limerick for an idiot
Kid Flash, you're such a geek
A life like that I do not seek
Come join the dark side
It will be a nasty ride
And then our relationship can peak
Love,
Jinx
PS-Seeya soon. You better have a nice present for me!
That would definitely teach him a lesson. Now, what would she wear to this date? She wanted something sultry that would tempt Kiddo but nothing too revealing, she wanted him to suffer. Actually, she had this beautiful leather skirt she had gotten when she had gone shop-lifting that she had to admit was perfect for the occasion. Now she just needed the perfect top.
She had been struggling with money ever since she had put off stealing, but her pre-do gooder days had left her closet ample enough to have something for tonight. She'd have to think of a more discrete way to steal, so she could both have her living and her lover boy. Or perhaps she'd actually have to take up his offer and have him support her. She could move into an apartment with him, that would be fun. It was about time they started living together!
"You've got mail." That must have been KF, telling her some new message. She plunked down and opened up her inbox.
To: beautifulgirl1
From: hozwv
Re: Good news for you
Jinx…click this link. Brother Blood would suggest it.
Who could that be from? No one else was supposed to have this address. Kiddo had set this up himself, so that they could communicate without anyone else knowing. And who would know about her connection to Brother Blood?
In spite of her better judgment, Jinx clicked on the link provided. A screen popped up immediately. "Hello, Jinx. I've been waiting for you," said a voice on the computer. Where had that voice come from? It didn't sound like Kiddo's voice and that was the only person with her email address.
She gasped when she saw the person who was contacting her. She had dreamed of this moment, but ever since she had gone good, she had forgotten how honored it felt to be noticed by one of the greats. "Slade, sir, it's an honor to meet you. How can I help you?" Jinx whispered, completely awed. This man was a hero to all evil.
"Oh, actually, it's I who want to help you," Slade said, his voice robotically level and calm. Her knees were currently shaking. This was her talking to the baddest of the bad. Wait till Pam heard about this!
"Really?" Jinx couldn't imagine why he'd even notice her, but if he wanted to help her, that must be a good sign. He could be re-considering that offer for the Brotherhood of Evil. Maybe leaving the Hive Five had been an advantage for her, less association with idiots. "How did you find me?" she asked. She hadn't been out in the field in weeks!
"I have my ways. But I'm more concerned with what I have found out about you. The word on the street is that you've been meeting with Kid Flash. I wonder what your fellow Hive Academy members will think of that." Slade said silkily, his strange one eye's gaze almost boring into Jinx's skull. It wasn't a question. He was a legend among villains, the best of the best. She had studied his methods in school and she knew them perfectly. One false step and he would crush her like a gum ball.
"I…don't have to answer to them," Jinx answered back, holding her head high and trying to look fierce. Never show weakness to a villain, it was like blood in the water. It would only lead to a feeding frenzy. "I don't have to answer to any of you. My plans are my own." At least, she tried to believe it.
"Don't be embarrassed. Brother Blood told me you were a gifted student of evil. I just wanted to know…is this some secret mission to infiltrate the Titans? If so, you've been terribly slow and might require some help." She wished it was true what he was saying. It was embarrassing for her to admit she had fallen for the enemy. "I would be happy to assist you."
"My plan is going perfectly," Jinx lied, trying to buy some time so she could think of something intelligent to persuade Slade of this imaginary plan. She had done recon work before; she could just say she was doing it again.
"Well…don't keep me waiting. What is it? Because Poison Ivy noticed your heart-rate going up when you're around him. You admitted to her you love him." And Pam had betrayed her! Although Jinx had always known never to trust people, she was shocked that Poison Ivy had just hurt her spitefully, for no gain. "Don't bother denying it. Your endorphin levels go up too. You're in love with him. You even asked her to help you win him back. You call her on advice to regain his love. Is that your plan?" Slade asked, his voice becoming fairly amused…for a robotic faceless creature.
"That isn't any of your business!" Jinx hissed, furious that anyone would dare monitor, especially such intimate stuff about her. "It's not an issue if I like him." Oh, how could she admit to something like that?
"No, but it will definitely concern your safety," Slade said in a low menacing tone that made her breath catch in her chest.
"What do you mean?" Jinx asked, not liking where this was going. The hand gripping the mouse was shaking. He couldn't mean what she thought he meant. Of course, considering the stories about him, he meant every single word he said. Nearly everyone who crossed him ended up dead.
"I doubt you'll believe that when you're being tracked down like a feral dog. The Hive Academy. The Brotherhood of Evil. The Injustice Gang. Every villain in the world will know you're a traitor, that you are in love with the enemy. There will be no place to go, no place to run and no one to help you. Eventually, you will be captured and given the fate meted out to those foolish enough to be turncoats. Your mangled corpse thrown into the ocean. Not a pleasant fate," Slade said, every word slow and deliberate into her terror-filled brain.
"You don't frighten me," Jinx hissed, trying to hide that every molecule of her body was shaking. She couldn't imagine that, she'd never survive that. And she knew exactly what happened to traitors. She had seen it happen and it was not pretty. In fact, it was the ugliest thing she had ever seen.
"Oh, I think I do. You see, even your little paramour won't be able to hide you long enough. Or perhaps he will. Perhaps he'll find some little hole that we won't find you. And you'll waste away like a bird in a cage, with no freedom. Pick your poison, my dear. A slow painful death lies at both ends of your choices. I'd call that a dilemma," Slade said, his voice tinting with cruel amusement. He found this funny.
"So what do I have to do to avoid that?" Jinx asked, too horrified to even consider either road. Kid Flash was incredible but he wasn't worth that. Nobody was worth that kind of horrible life and death. Her knuckles, gripping the mouse were as white as her face.
"I'm so glad you asked. You see, you're a young villain with promise and I'd hate to see your potential…wasted. So I will offer you a chance to redeem yourself…a chance not only to cover up this mistake, but turn it into a triumph." Okay, this was starting to sound good. She would steal anything, break into anywhere, she'd serve him forever if he just called off the hell hounds.
"I'll take it. I'll do anything," Jinx pleaded, knowing that showing her meekness was the only way she would get out of this alive. She would crawl and beg if she had to, this was not cowardice. This was her only chance to live.
"Excellent. You will kill Kid Flash." Dangerously laconic and deadly, just like Slade was.
Jinx felt nauseous at that thought. "You can't expect me to…" she trailed off, feeling herself shaking with the choice. Yes, he could and yes, he would.
"According to the email he sent you, you will be meeting him in an hour. You will give him the poison that Poison Ivy will have prepared for you. That little test run you helped us arrange was so very useful. This batch is even more potent. It will sap his speed for twenty minutes, without him even knowing it." It was brilliant if it wasn't so horrible. She hadn't thought that she'd be double-crossed and her scheme to return her to his affections would backfire so badly. "Then send him home and follow him. There you will be able to strike the final blow, take his Titans communicator and bring it to me. " It was a perfect plan and three months ago, she would have jumped at the chance. Now, it just filled her with nausea.
"I am not taking this mission. Ask me something else. Ask me anything else and I'll do it. Just not this," Jinx begged helplessly. She would do anything, but this. Why did it have to be the murder of the person who loved her? Why did she have to have this little bit of happiness taken away from her?
"Your life or his, my dear. Choose wisely. I'll give you ten minutes to think about it. Then you can tell me your choice." Everything was so stark. "Tell anyone about our little discussion and the hunt begins. I hope you think long and deeply about this. I would hate to see such a prominent young student of Brother Blood become…just a memory." His silence painted a very vivid and terrible picture.
Jinx blinked and the window was gone. She stared at the screen for a very long moment before falling to her knees, sobbing. "Somebody help me," she whispered, feeling her head torn between two opposite extremes. "Please, just please help me."
She had no where that she could turn, no family, no friends, nothing but a sword hanging over her head. She couldn't go to the Mittlemans, Slade would have no problem killing them too and they couldn't defend her. It wasn't like they were Cabbalists who could command an army of Golems for her. They were innocent bystanders who were better off without her.
She couldn't ask her villain friends for help. She had considered them her friends once, but she knew she had crossed a line. They would just turn her in as quickly as possible. The people she had once cared about would hate her.
And she couldn't go to the police, they'd never help and she'd end up in prison, a sitting duck snitch waiting to get punished.
She debated turning herself into the Justice League and hoping they would trust her. But they would never believe her. And Kid Flash couldn't help her, even though she knew he would try. He would do anything for her, but even if the red haired hero in training would vouch for her, she doubted Superman and Batman and all the rest of those power-toting creeps would care. They'd lock her up too and tell Kid Flash that it was for his own good. They wouldn't want their precious little protégé hanging out with the likes of her.
Jinx just had never killed anyone before. Beat them up, sure, often, but never actually killing someone. That was a level of villainy that she hadn't reached. Especially Kid Flash, who made her laugh, who made her feel special and pretty and wonderful.
But what choice did she have? If she killed Kid Flash, she'd be safe. She'd be a model of villainy. Getting the Titans communicator would get her inducted into the Brotherhood of Evil. She'd have everything she ever wanted.
Wouldn't she?
She knew she had to do something or she'd lose everything. She just wished she could turn her problems over to someone else, someone who could just guide her in what would be the smart choice. What she wouldn't give to talk to Brother Blood about this. He had a way of making her feel like his advice was the only, the true, the best way and nothing else would work.
So this was what being a villain was. It was swallowing her heart and embracing selfishness and brutal ambition. So she liked Kid Flash now? Maybe tomorrow she'd find someone else that she adored. She had lived her life before him, she could live without him.
She could forget him. He had not been in her life for very long and she barely cared about him. How could she care about him? He was a hero, he was her enemy and she had no obligation to him.
Heroes persecuted her kind. They looked down on high from their self-righteous perches and judged the world. They didn't understand what it was like to be poor and hungry and helpless. They claimed to be the defenders of the world, but they were just high powered bullies, dictators, following unjust laws. Kid Flash was one of them. Kid Flash had to die for her to live.
This was her choice, the only choice she had. And she would take it.
"Have you made your choice?" Slade's voice asked from her laptop, crackling dangerously.
Jinx nodded. She had thought about this for a long time and she knew her choice. "I'll have him dead for you. I want my place back as a villain." She forced herself to say every terrible word. She would not break or bend under the pressure; she would show herself to be the future member of the Brotherhood of Evil.
"Excellent choice. I will have the serum delivered to you shortly. Just get him to drink it. Then wait for him to use his powers. It shouldn't take long. Remember, his Titan communicator belongs to me. The credit for taking him down will of course remain yours." The metallic voice sounded strangely satisfied.
"I know," Jinx said, steeling herself. Kill or be killed. It was the law of the jungle, the one rule of life and it was the only choice she had.
And it was breaking her heart into a million pieces.
AN-Happiness fades so quickly, right?
