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63. An Old Recurrence

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Disclaimer: My love and gratitude to you all!!!!! There are no words…

Bruce, Selina and the Joker gulped down their shots in an instant, but I was slow—delayed, I guess you could say. I had been staring at the Joker smiling at Selina after his toast. What the hell did he mean by "to the mask"?! Was this directed to me? Was it directed to Bruce? Did he know Bruce was Batman?! Was it directed to Selina? Did he know something about Selina that Bruce and I did not?

By the time I pondered each of these things, I realized I still had the shot in my hand and the others were in the middle of drinking theirs. I quickly threw back the shot and slammed it down on the bar and winced from the burn of the alcohol.

"Giada, a bit slow on that one, huh?" Bruce asked with a slight laugh. Selina and the Joker joined him in his laughter and I simply smiled. I glanced at the Joker and flashed him a glare. There was something he knew that he wasn't tell me and I was determined to find out. It had to be about Selina—I just knew it. I couldn't put my finger on it just yet, but I knew there was something strange about her. She reminded me too much of Pixie, and yet she didn't threaten me as much as I would expect from someone who resembled my arch-nemesis.

"So, Selina, what brings you to Gotham?" I asked finally, hoping to reveal some crucial bit of information.

"Well, I was offered a job in the marketing division at Kohn and Company, down on 45th and 2nd street. It was such an amazing offer I just couldn't pass it up! Then, one night when I was out with a couple of co-workers, I ran into Bruce here, and, well, we just hit it off," Selina responded with a smile as she gazed at Bruce.

"Oh how nice," I replied, returning her smile.

"What about you, Giada? Are you from Gotham?" she asked, tilting her head in wonderment.

I shook my head, "No. I'm from Boston. Bruce offered me a job at Wayne Enterprises about two or so years ago—that's how we met. Over my time spent in Gotham, I ran into the Joker a few times and that's how we met," I explained casually.

"Oh that's so wonderful," Selina commented. She smiled at me and then the Joker and then looked over at Bruce, "Bruce, I hate to do this, but it's getting quite late—I have to be in the office tomorrow at 8 am and don't want to be too hung over,"

She was so nice it wanted to kill me. I couldn't help but like her! She seemed genuinely interested in Bruce, and that made me so happy for him. Bruce smiled back at her.

"It's no problem. I can take you home," Bruce responded. Selina returned his smile and then turned to the Joker and me.

"It was so nice meeting the both of you. I know I'll see you around again," she stated with a grin.

"Definitely," I stood up as she did and gave her a friendly hug. She and the Joker waved and then they disappeared into the crowd. Once Bruce and Selina were finally out of our sight, I slowly turned to the Joker, a steady glare permeating into his eyes. He just met my eyes with his and smirked back at me.

"Giada, why so serious?" he asked, nonchalantly. I bit my bottom lip for a moment before speaking.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. She's very nice, isn't she?" I responded, holding my thoughts to myself. I didn't want to judge anything too soon. I decided in that moment that I would keep my suspicions to myself until the opportune moment. I needed to collect as much data as possible before accusing anyone of anything.

"Of course," the Joker replied, still grinning, "Another drink? Or should we make out…exit…too?"

"I think we can go too. I've had my fill of the Iceberg for one night," I responded. The Joker nodded and then led the way through the mass of people. When we finally arrived outside, he stopped suddenly and turned towards me, his face uncharacteristically serious.

"What is it?" I asked, startled by the look in his eyes.

"I…I'd like it if you came back with me," he spoke, somewhat anxious. I nodded my head in agreement, glad that he'd like to spend the night with me.

"Of course," I replied with a nervous smile. I knew there was more to this.

"I…will be a bit…late. I need to see…Pixie," he spoke, his voice sounding distant and cold. My heart instantly froze. I knew he hadn't seen her in a few weeks, so I couldn't blame him for this, but I still hated every minute of it. I nodded slowly in agreement once more.

"Okay. Do…you think she needs…me?" I asked slowly, unsure of whether I felt I was in helping sort of mood.

Immediately, the Joker shook his head, "No. No, not at all. Not until she's off cocaine and heroin,"

"She's still using?!" I exclaimed, "That baby is going to be born premature! You have to get her to stop using! Do you really want your baby to die?!"

He remained silent for a moment and then responded, "I want whatever is best for the…kid—alive or dead,"

I understood this mentality. I also somewhat hoped Pixie would miscarriage in order to spare the life of her innocent child from her and her miserable existence. I pursed my lips and nodded my head, "I understand," I said.

"Good. Then I'll see you later—unless I run into…Jade…before I get back," He licked his lips and raised his eyebrows.

Curious, I tilted my head and crossed my arms. What did he have in his mind? It was obvious to me that he was concocting something in that brain of his. I just nodded my head finally and smirked back at him.

"Okay,"

He and I parted ways. I made my way back to his apartment in record time. I was never fond of walking the streets of Gotham alone unless I was dressed as Jade. I just never felt comfortable unless I was in my makeup and with a knife or a gun. I was able to master the art of speed walking when I was just myself—Giada.

I sat up in the Joker's apartment. I sat on his bed and just thought through everything the night entailed. The Joker had hinted to me being Jade tonight. Maybe I should be. I had the urge. I was itching to paint my face and carrying knives and guns in my pockets. I glanced over at the clock and saw that it was only around midnight. The night was still young!

I had to do it. I had to paint my face and get out of there. I sprung up from the bed and stripped out of my clothes and changed into my Jade clothes. I always loved how I looked in black and red. Standing in front of the mirror in the Joker's room, I used his paint and smeared it all over my face. When my face was finally unrecognizable, I stared back at myself in the mirror. I felt a surge of adrenaline fill my body. It felt like such a long time since I'd seen my white face staring back at me. I couldn't wait to shimmy down the fire escape and make my way through the back alleys of Gotham.

I bolted from the bedroom, grabbed some weapons, and made my way to the pavement below. The instant my black boots touch ground, I felt energized. It seemed as though I had wings in my shoes, as I glided through the back alleys. I didn't know where I'd meet the Joker, but I just knew I would ultimately run into him. It was as though he were planning it all along.

It wasn't until I reached uptown that I heard sirens. From the looks of things, a local jewelers had been broken into by an unnamed robber. I observed the scene from a distant dark alley, afraid a cop would find me and suspect me for the crime. It appeared they had no lead—no criminal from their Gotham criminal list was fitting the crime scene investigation. They looked about as lost as a five year old in Disney World did after meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time.

I smiled to myself and slipped back into the darkness.

"Giada?" a low husky voice asked from the shadows. My eyes narrowed, trying to see the person in the darkness. I wandered closer to the voice.

"Batman?" I asked, as the outline of the bat mask became clearer to me.

"Jade, do you know who would have committed a robbery like that?" Batman asked me. I shook my head, but smiled.

"No, but I don't think the GPD have any idea either, so don't worry," I replied.

"It's so strange, Jade—they said there were scratch marks—as though it were some giant animal or something," Batman responded, confused by the whole situation.

"That is pretty strange. I know it wasn't the Joker—he wears gloves," I joked, punching Bruce in the arm playfully. He let a smile escape his serious mouth.

"Well, I had been in the roof of the building over there when it happened and I could have sworn it was a woman…or something cat-like. I really am not sure. I couldn't follow it fast enough. I thought at first that maybe it was you—but only because you wear somewhat, tight clothing when you're out here at night. But looking at you now, it just doesn't fit. Your clothing isn't as tight as I first imagined," Batman explained in his deep raspy voice.

"Yeah, I'm sorry—I have no idea who would have done it…or looked like a cat…or a woman," I admitted.

"I'm going to keep searching. Let me know if you come across anyone of the sort, Giada," Batman stated.

"Of course, Bruce," I whispered back with a small smile. In an instant, he was gone. I always loved how Bruce could just disappear into the city right before my eyes. I wished I had the ability to do the same.

I decided to keep walking through the city. Maybe I would come across this jewel thief in the same way I'd stumbled across Pixie. She had just kind of appeared to me. I guess I had that kind of luck when it came to running into other thieves. I wanted nothing more than to run into my thief, my Joker. I just couldn't seem to wrap my head around the Joker visiting Pixie. I just needed her dead—to just stop existing. I knew it deep down inside that I would kill her eventually, but I also knew I couldn't kill her while pregnant. It just didn't sit well with me. At first, I would have had no problem killing her and her child with my love, but the more I thought it through, I just couldn't bring myself to shoot her, or cut her.

I guess I had been too lost in my thoughts to notice the trap sitting right in front of me. Stupid and unawares, I walked into the loop of the trap, it closed around my ankle and I was suddenly hoisted high into the air. I shrieked and squirmed.

"Let me down! Someone help me!" I shouted, forgetting I was Jade and in my criminal makeup and costume.

"Shh, be quiet! That trap wasn't for you!" the voice soothed, almost in a whisper.

"Who are you?! Let me down, please!" I demanded, more scared that angry. I had never been too fond of being upside down, especially floating in the air above pavement.

"Okay, I will, just stop screaming!" the voice reasoned. Slowly, I was lowered to the ground until I was able to brace myself with my palms to the ground, and ultimately, I ended on my back. A dark creature sprung to my feet and untied the rope from my ankle.

"Who…what are you?" I asked, rotating my ankle about to make sure it wasn't broken.

"I…I'm…Catwoman," the woman stated, wrapping the rope around her arm.

"Catwoman? Never heard of you. Are you new to Gotham?" I asked, slowly standing to my feet.

"I guess you could say that," she replied, almost smiling beneath her mask. She was taller than me by a few inches and wore black leather pants, a black corset, a black mask that covered her entire head like Bruce's.

"And who are you?" she asked finally.

"I'm Jade," I responded, placing my hands on my hips. She finally smiled and then held out her hand to me.

"Nice to meet you, Jade," Catwoman said, "And I'm sorry about the rope—it was for someone else,"

"Oh it's no problem—I feel that that kind of thing happens a lot in this city," I laughed.

"I can imagine—this city is just filled with criminals!" Catwoman laughed with me.

"If you don't mind my asking—who was the rope intended for?" I asked finally.

"Someone's been following me—some Bat," she responded curtly. She seemed truly agitated by this. My heart sank for Bruce, even though I knew he could probably take her if he knew where to find her. She would be no match for him.

"Oh, right, Batman," I replied with a nod of my head, "Yeah, just steer clear of him and you'll be fine. There's no point in trying to capture him,"

"Well, if someone is going to try and stop me, I have no other choice but to stop them," Catwoman retorted, placing her hands on her hips.

I nodded in agreement, "I guess so," I didn't really know what else to say. I couldn't give Bruce away, but I also didn't want to endanger him. And yet, there was something quite familiar about Catwoman—her laugh, her smile…

I almost gasped aloud.

"Well, I hate to cut this short, but I've really got to be meeting…a friend," I stumbled over my words.

"Of course. I'll see you around," Catwoman replied with a small smile. As soon as she turned her back to me, I ran from the alley. I couldn't believe it. I knew who she was, but I could never tell Bruce! It would just break his heart. I had to find the Joker.

I searched the entire city until I finally gave up and went back to his apartment. I climbed the fire escape and stumbled into his apartment, only to find him awaiting my return. His Glasgow grin was spread wide in a smile.

"I'm sorry—I thought you wanted me to meet you out there," I stated as I haphazardly removed my weapons from my overcoat and then tossed the coat onto the floor.

"Don't be sorry. I wasn't planning on meeting you. I was planning on you meeting someone else," he replied, still grinning. My eyes widened. He knew I would meet Catwoman. He knew I would figure out who she was too!

"You knew I'd meet Catwoman!" I exclaimed.

"Mhm,"

"You…you knew at the Iceberg that I knew there was something strange about Selina!" I exclaimed.

"Mmhm,"

"You knew that once I met Catwoman tonight that I would figure out Selina is Catwoman!" I exclaimed again.

"Mmm…hm," the Joker seemed bored by my logic. For us, something like this was getting old.

"You really get me hot when you do things like this," I stated finally, smiling back at him.

"There it is," the Joker grinned and then pulled me towards him.