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Cold blue eyes regarded the computer screen before her, the vitals were all good for now, she'd have to manually check the blood pressures and had to get some blood for tests for the patient in room 13. She quickly went around completing the forms before going for the blood. The good thing about becoming a certified phlebotomist was the extra responsibilities and contact with the patients (the slight pay grade raise was a plus too). She smiled as she knocked on the door, always had to be sunny for the poor saps.
"Mister Jacobson, it is good to meet you, I see we need to draw a vial of blood," she looked up from her clip board to have a tiny shock, the man who had held a gun to her head the day before was lounging on the bed, a smirk tugged at his bored expression. Kayla quickly shut the door behind her, taking the vial and kit out of her scrub pocket, and went to work on the man.
"The boss has a business proposition for you, we want your help to get into a party Bruce Wayne is throwing, gotta shake up the district attorney," the man handed her a card with a phone number scratched on, "call for a job as a waitress there, you'll let us in the back at precisely 10 o'clock."
Kayla mutely took the card and examined it, as if it would tell her more, "What will I get out of this? It's risky for me, you do know."
"You won't die, yet. Plus we'll give you names, we know you'd want them," the man grinned as he regarded the small woman, "it's best you just cooperate, that way we all get what we want with no troubles."
Kayla sighed as she pocketed the card, "you can only threaten my life, and I don't hold that in too high a regard, so threats like that are pointless."
'Jacobson' was shocked, this girl was braver (or more stupid) than all the others that the Boss man got to help, "we chose you since you're new and have a pretty face, hell we could get one of the other men to do it, we just thought you would want our information, since you are one of us now."
"I'm not one of you," Kayla glared heatedly, "I will do this, but only for the names, only to help clean these streets."
The man didn't flinch when she pulled out the needle rather aggressively and patched him up, before discharging him and telling him when the results would be back as she walked him to the doors back to the waiting room, trying her hardest to maintain a professional demeanor. She would call the number and help get the crazies what they want, if only to get what she needed.
After work she had called the number, getting an Alfred on the other line. They set up a quick interview that would take place at the Bruce Wayne's penthouse, where the party would be held and where Alfred worked as butler. This was easier than she thought it would be, all she had to do yet was convince the man she was good for a hostess job and then let Joker's men in, she just hoped she wasn't doing more bad than good.
The next morning she put on a deep purple lace dress with her nude pumps. Her lipstick was nude as well, making her look fresh and sweet. Grabbing her clutch, she hailed a taxi and made it to the lavish building. The doorman didn't seem to question a pretty girl going to the Wayne's penthouse, only proving how right the Joker was to choose her.
The old man was very kind, with a bit of a British accent, he took her purse and little shawl, hanging them up near the door. He served tea and some sort of tart, it was possibly the best dessert she had.
"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions, about previous employers and what not?"
Kayla smiled, trying to disarm the man, "of course. I am currently employed at Gotham General Hospital as a Nurse Practitioner, before that I worked in a little town called Harrisburg, at eighteen I volunteered at Harrisburg retirement Home, then got a job there as a nurse. I worked in several other hospitals as well, but I always liked moving around."
"Why the jump to hostess, if I may ask?" Alfred was leaning toward giving her the job, she was obviously intelligent and a hard worker.
Kayla nodded, "it is a strange change. I think it's partially to do with how much I like switching things up, nursing is rewarding, but I want to do something different, if just for one night. Become Cinderella, if you will."
Alfred couldn't help but smile, the girl was very sweet and almost doll like, animated in a somehow stiff way, could be nerves from the interview, "ah, of course. You will have a uniform, Master Wayne picked them out himself, and you will be required to show up at precisely 7 o'clock, understood?"
Kayla's eyes widened in shock, she was already hired? They barely talked, "of course, sir. I'll do my best."
Alfred gave a quick, satisfied nod, "of course my dear, I don't doubt you for a second. Now, would you care for another cup of tea?"
Kayla smiled at the kindly old man, she'll have to be sure Joker doesn't hurt him at least, "I would love another, your tea is fantastic."
The old man laughed at the girl's brightness, it was like the world fell from her shoulders for that moment as she sighed into her cup, "why, thank you, my dear. Now, tell me, what is your hometown like?"
"Oh, it is a small little place, not the most exciting," Kayla smiled, before regaling him with her story. He was shocked to hear she too was an orphan, though at a much older age than Bruce was. She was a very interesting girl, she talked of politics and justice as Bruce did before, though a darker look had passed behind those clear eyes. Alfred didn't know how she made the time pass as quickly as it did, and before long Bruce arrived, disheveled and exhausted looking.
"Oh, Master Wayne, I didn't realize the time, this is Miss Kayla Layne, she will be working as waitress for your benefit coming up," Alfred smiled as Kayla stood and gave Bruce a silly little curtsey, before turning to him.
"Alfred, I suppose I should leave now?" Kayla smiled lightly at him before turning and glancing at Bruce.
"Don't mind me," Bruce smiled lazily, "Alfred doesn't invite people over very often, for a moment I worried I was his only friend."
Kayla laughed airily, earning the other's amused chuckles, "well, I must be going regardless, thank you for the tea and job, I won't let you down."
Alfred rose to lead her out, saying polite goodbyes before he shut the door. It was all going to plan, who knew that damned clown was so smart? Oh well, it was time to head home, she was too tired to think on it. She hailed a taxi, collapsing into the seat with a tired sigh.
"Did ya get the job?" a heavy, gruff voice asked from the driver's seat. Kayla met his eyes in the rear view mirror, then looked to the little ID that dangled from it. Dark blue was driving, but brown owned the cab, she wondered vaguely what happened to the man until the automatic lock clicked and the man was driving.
Kayla put on a cold smile, "yes, as a matter of fact, I did. Don't look so shocked, not everyone has to kill to get what they want."
"O-ho, aren't you just full of spunk, can't wait till the boss man puts you down a peg," the man gave her the darkest look she had seen from a human, was he challenging her? She always won, like hell she'd let some goon belittle her.
"I'd like to see him try," she said to herself as she watched the scenery go by, it seemed that they were headed to the Narrows, which was definitely NOT where she lived, "where are we going?"
"The boss wants to see ya," and that was all the goon said to her until they had pulled up to a small dilapidated warehouse in possibly the darkest part of town, "get out and follow me."
Kayla did as she was told, interested in what Joker wanted to say to her. The man didn't hold the door for her, how rude, but she trudged on anyway, her heels clicking on the stained concrete.
"A-haha, if it isn't our little, ah, sister," the clown was grinning as he circled her, very much like the night at Gambol's.
"I told you I'm not your sister," she smirked then, "so what do you want, Mr. Clown?"
Joker broke out in an exaggerated laugh, clutching his sides, before turning dead serious, "I told you, I'm the Joker, don't forget it next time," he resumed his circling, "I heard you decided to take the job, smart girl. Here are two names of very bad men, yes very bad," he seemed to zone out for a moment before he turned to her, "don't disappoint and you'll get more."
"So you're going to let me kill these people even though you want the mob working for you? If it gets out that you're helping me you won't have their cooperation anymore." She put the list into her purse, not looking at them to try and appear unconcerned of his help and his kidnapping her.
The Joker waved his hand as if swatting away her words, "I only need them to take down the Batman."
Kayla frowned, "The Batman? Sounds like he'd be a friend of yours."
Joker turned to her sharply, "no, The Batman is not an –ah- friend. You see, he thinks he's the savior of Gotham, he's putting people like me behind bars."
That sparked interest in Kayla, "a man cleaning up the streets you say? Maybe I should team up with him instead." For once in her life, she regretted her words, the man before her looked at her as if he was about to rip her to shreds if she stepped one more foot out of line.
No," the Joker surged forward and gripped her chin hard, making her look into his dark eyes, "you work with me, I know your secrets, he wouldn't accept you… no one could but me."
The feeling she felt then, like the man crushed her heart with his own bare hands by simply telling her the truth she refused to face. This Batman was too good for her? Then screw him, she'd do what she knew was right, even if hell or Bat or Joker bar her way.
"I'll help you, as long as I need you," Kayla cringed as his nails dug into her skin, she felt a small trickle of blood drip down her neck.
"Aw, look at what I did," Joker released his grip, "seems like I hurt your pretty little face." He sneered cruelly as he let his finger wipe away the blood, popping it in his mouth and looking up thoughtfully. She got the image of a man regarding a wine, and it somewhat disgusted her.
"I'm sure it won't scar," she couldn't help the little humorless smile that graced her lips as she looked to his own scarred face. The next thing she knew, she was on the floor, eyes wide as she looked up to Joker, his hand still raised where her face use to be, "son of a bitch," she hissed to herself as she clutched her now throbbing face, her cold hands helping the burn.
"I'm the only one who can make jokes around here," he knelt by the girl, fisting his hand into her red curls, "you know, you remind me of someone-"
Kayla let her eyes do most of the talking as she glared into his own distant ones, "don't ever touch me again. I am not a victim of yours," she tried to keep her voice calm and cold, but heat and anger broke through. No one ever hurt her, no one was allowed to. With her adrenaline burst, she pushed his hand from her head and stood on slightly shaky legs, fixing her dress and willing herself not to cry.
Joker had to admit; he was now impressed, pissed but impressed. He chose right with this one, she was not as dispensable as the others were. He slowly stood up, now towering over her despite her heels she wore, "I do as I please, don't make me hurt you and I won't, but stick that pretty little foot in your mouth again and you'll wish I just slapped you around."
Kayla refused to let any emotion show, trying to harden her most open feature, her eyes; which she knew were uncertain despite her efforts, "I'd like to go home now, it was a long day."
Joker nodded to the man who drove her, signaling his consent, before turning and leaving the room, not once looking back.
And end! Hope you liked it~ I plan on it getting crazier, I swear. Kayla will meet Batman and go all Dr. Crane on him, the party will be soon, and I plan on somebody getting real fucked up soon (leaning towards Kayla, but I think she may be the one beating the person… going all psycho) review or PM if you want a certain path or else I'll just flip a coin.