Disclaimer: All characters belong to DC, with the exception of Magda, Jim, and Danny. Everyone who is still sticking with me, Thank you!
I knew that today was going to be a stressful one, I needed to keep my mood in check. I got ready for the morning, and went downstairs for breakfast. No Bruce, just Alfred reading the morning paper. "Good morning Master Jason. Mr. Wayne won't be joining us this morning. But he did leave you this." He slid a large envelope over to me. I sat down and opened it. Contained inside were the DNA test and the listening device. It was small and thin like a hearing aid battery. The note read.
Sorry I couldn't see you off this morning. Luscious had a new item to show me, which might benefit us further. I trust that you and Alfred can get Miss McGuire there and back safely. There is a change of clothes in the laundry room that I would like for you to deliver to Magda. She needs to dress the part. Remind her to play into his ego. Enjoy your night off. And don't worry about me. I asked Barbra if she wouldn't mind helping me tonight. I'll see you tomorrow.
Stay out of trouble,
Bruce.
A set of clothes? I walked to the laundry room. There was a garment bag hanging up. Alfred must of followed me because I heard footsteps behind. "Alfred where did this come from?"
"Miss Vale left them here after one of those...late nights she had with Master Wayne. He figured Miss Magda could use them for today. Oh. And he left this too." He handed me a tube of lipstick. He's taking this "look the part" thing too seriously.
"Thanks?" I stuffed it in my pocket, and took the hanger off the rack. I went to the garage and placed it and the envelope in the back seat of the car. When I went back inside to the dining room, there was a bowl with milk in it and a spoon. I looked around, but no Alfred. When I sat down I noticed a small box of Honey O's. At least it isn't bran. As I tore it open and poured it in the bowl I let out a loud "Your the best Al!" that echoed off the walls. I quickly ate, then went upstairs to pack an overnight bag. It was already eleven by the time I got done. I slung the bag over my shoulder and went back to the garage. Alfred was already in the car with it idling. I got in and we drove to the edge of Crime Alley. When I got out of the car he rolled down the window.
"Do be quick sir. We are pressed for time. And don't forget those clothes."
I grabbed them out of the back seat, and climbed up the nearest fire escape to the top of the building. I can be quicker this way, and less noticeable. Within minutes I had made my way to the house. Hanging off the rooftop, I tapped on the window with my shoe. She must of been up because the window quickly opened. Holding onto the building with one hand, I handed her the hanger with the other and slid my way in.
It was nice to see him again, I couldn't help but smile. "My, what an entrance. If this is how the start of my day is going to be, I'm wondering how it will end." I unzipped the garment bag. "And what's this?" I cocked an eyebrow.
"Your new boss thought you needed to dress the part. His choice not mine." I sat down on the floor catching my breath.
"Ok. Sounds fine." I had a wicked idea. I placed each piece of clothing on the floor and began to take off my clothes in front of him. He hadn't noticed until I threw my pants at him.
I felt my face get warm. "Are you sure you want to be doing that here? Should I cover my eyes?" I fold up her pants and set them down beside me.
"No your fine. We're both adults here." I gave him a big grin and tossed my shirt at him. He closed his eyes anyway. I quickly put everything on including the annoying heels. "You can open your eyes now."
She looked good. The silhouette of her body clung to the navy colored wrap dress. It came down just below her knees. There was also a cardigan in a light shade of pink with a matching pair of heeled shoes. "Well you definitely look the part. But there is one more thing." I tossed her the lipstick tube from my pocket. She gave me a disgusted look.
"I hate makeup. But if this was his idea...Let me just use the mirror in the bathroom. I'll be right back." I walked off to the bathroom. I took off the cap, looked into the cracked glass, and jumped. "I told you I'd be right back!" I caught a glance of his handsome face. "You didn't have to follow." I put on the red mess with a couple swipes. When I turned around he was right behind me. He put both of his hands on my hips, and drew me close.
"Your a little bit taller now." I leaned in for a kiss, but my mouth was met with a finger covering both lips, pushing me back.
"We will be very, very late if we start that." I give him a smirk. I pushed my way out of the bathroom and gathered everything I own. I stuffed it all into the backpack. "You came in through the window. Should we leave that way?"
"I did that to save time and go unnoticed. And since your wearing nicer clothes, I think that might be the best way."
I shot him an annoyed look, "I've never jumped across rooftops, let alone in heels. How will this work?"
I picked her up in my arms playfully. "Easy. You just jump on my back and hang on." I put her back down and she didn't look happy.
I lifted a brow, "Your kidding me right?"
"Absolutely not. Weight training does wonders preparing you for a situation like this." He looked confident.
I unzipped my pack and put my heels in it. "Fine. Can't say I won't squeeze the life out of you because of the sheer terror. But fine. I trust you." I slipped out the window first with my backpack on, and hoisted myself up to the roof. He quickly followed behind. He bent down as I climbed onto his back. I wrapped my legs around his torso, and my arms around his shoulders. "Ready when you are." I held on tightly and closed my eyes.
I took a long run from the end of the building and jumped over to the next. It was harder than before, and I would work up a sweat, but it would still be faster and safer. When we reached our destination I bent down. I pointed to the fire escape, while I caught my breath. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
I said sarcastically, "My hero." When I moved next, I had a sharp pain in my chest. I pulled the cardigan away and noticed some blood seeping through the dress. Shit! I unzipped my pack and got out another cotton pad. I tossed the old one away and applied pressure.
When I got back up she was hunched over. There was a bloody bandage laying on the ground. "Did I hurt you?"
I said nervously, "No. No. It wasn't you." I stood up and faced him, holding my chest. "I failed to mention that Zsasz caught up to me last night."
"And your still alive? That doesn't seem right." I managed to push her hand away and get a look. "At least it isn't too deep. But it will definitely scar,"
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure that was the point. He said the Joker sent him to keep track of me. Also to warn me not to fuck up, or he would give Zsasz the go ahead. So seeing him today, and confronting him could be a double edged sword. I'm not sure how the talk will go." The realization worried me.
"I don't want to rush you, but our ride is waiting down below." I made my way to the fire escape and I heard her follow behind. I opened the car door for her and she got in.
The tinted window rolled down a crack. "Greetings Miss. Are we ready to go?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." I unzipped my bag and changed into the heels again, and he passed me the envelope with the test kit in it.
"I need to plant this recording device on you." I pulled out the tiny disk from my pocket, and stuck it on the underside of her cardigan collar. I brushed her cheek with my hand and tired to sound reassuring. "I'm sure everything will go smoothly."
We arrived twenty minutes later. A big pair of iron gates let us through. I grabbed the kit and got out of the car. Through the front door I found the guest sign in. I put down Jane Smith and took a seat. Ten minutes later a doctor in a big white coat came through the doors. "Jane Smith. Please come with me." I got up and followed him down a long hallway. It was intimidating walk through because on either side were clear glass cells showcasing some of the rogues like caged animals. How cruel. I happened to notice Dr. Crane out of the corner of my eye. I kept my head down as I walked by. His icy blue eyes stared at me intently the whole time. Actually I noticed them all staring at me, like they knew who I was here to see and why. I hope they aren't placing bets. Finally we reached a tall metal door at the end. The doctor looked me up and down curiously then opened it. "You have thirty minutes." I gave him a low "Thank you" and stepped inside. The door shut behind me with a loud click.
The room wasn't well lit and it had a security camera in the corner. I took a seat two feet away from the metal table in the middle. He leaned into the light. "To who do I owe this pleasure?"
"I'm Miss Jane Smith." I say with an air of confidence.
"Move a little closer. I'm curious to see who disturbed my day, and is claiming to be my spawn." I scooched the chair closer and placed the kit on the table. His tapping fingers seemed to stop when he noticed my face. He let out a sinister chuckle. "And I was expecting to meet someone with daddy issues. You clean up well kid. Red looks good on you."
My hand instinctively touches my lips at that comment. My thoughts switch, and I put my hand back down. I moved in closer over the table and spoke in a more hushed tone. "I got that visit from Zsasz last night."
"I see he left your face alone. How nice of him." I pulled down my collar and revealed the cut. He gave a smile. "Nothing to get bent out of shape about."
That angered me, "Cut the crap. I get the picture that you don't fully trust me. I'm here to ask how I can help."
"A bit testy I see. Well since you came here so willingly instead of waiting, and with such a great cover story I might add, then I will give you a chance. Do you have any questions?"
My speech quickened, "What's the plan? Do you need me to gather people? Secure a location? Collect weapons?"
"Geeze. So eager to please." He paused. "And your looking a little thin kid. Must be hard with no money." He gave a half smile.
I could feel my face turn into a grimace. "You're damn right it's hard! If I hadn't of pocketed the money at the party that night, then I'd be worse off. So ya I would say I'm more than a little eager!"
"And angry." He leaned in uncomfortably close and smiled. "I like it when your angry." His leg touched mine under the table and I jumped breaking eye contact. "A bit scared are we? Maybe I should toss you to Crane next. I'm sure he'd love to hear you scream. The sick creep."
I closed my eyes and pounded a fist on the table. "Enough! What do you need? Money? Should I rob a bank for you?"
"So many questions. You know what. There might be something you could do."
"Then let's hear it." I shifted in my seat nervously.
"Let's try something easy shall we." He leaned back in his chair. "For the money I'll need you to collect twenty five thousand. Invest this money in...let's say...some abandoned property on Amusement Mile. Clean up the place and that's it! I'll send Jim to go looking for you at the new place in a couple days."
"How the hell am I supposed to raise that much money in such a short amount of time?"
"Not my problem." His grin reached a new level.
"Should I even ask what will happen if I can't get it done?" He made a motion with his thumb across across his throat. I let out an annoyed growl, "Fine." I shoved the cotton swab from the test at him. "Now smile for the camera and make them believe I came here for this...dear...old...dad." Calling him that made me want to tear my skin off. He played nice for the camera and swabbed his inner cheek. He handed it back and gave a half smirk. "Your turn daughter dearest." I took the other one and swabbed the inside of my mouth, and put each piece in a separate bag.
"Anything else you have to say before you go?"
I rose from my chair and gave a smile. "Sure." I pulled my arm back quickly with a clenched fist and gave him a punch to the face.
A slow chuckle rose from his throat and grew louder. Spots of blood covered the metal table, and I noticed my hand was smeared with it too. His laughing stopped, and his voice was low, "I told you. Red looks good on you." Feeling disgusted I quickly wipe the blood off my hand on the hem of my dress. I heard the door open behind me. "Times up Miss Smith." I gathered my things and walked out angry. Half way down the hallway I noticed a man being restrained by two orderlies. I pass not seeing who. When I was close to the exit I heard a familiar voice. "Dead girl walking!" It was Zsasz.
AN: Please feel free to comment, review, like, or favorite. I'm looking for any feedback you have on how I can improve the story. Thanks for reading!
