Been a long time since I updated. I am only able to update now because I free time at work. (8 days left until I quit! whoo!)
Still working on new chapters.. more coming soon. Hope you like it! Please review!Anyone stoked for Batman Arkham Knight? Yes, it's release is in June, but hell, I'm still excited!
He was met by a little gust of wind that played with his green hair as the mansion's door opened. The reprieve from the storm wouldn't last. The dark clouds had moved on but more were off in the distance. Breathing deeply through his nostrils felt great, he'd have to be clever to get another chance like this. Then again, out-smarting the elect here at Arkham Asylum was proving easy enough.
Joker felt rather buoyant, admittedly. Surrounded by four guards ready to kill him(well, three, but Frankie had his role to play), a smile on his face and a harlequin in the making. His slippered feet squished in the thick mud that was the dirt path on a drier day. He grimaced and picked up a foot as if to show it to the others. "Oh, would you look at that? And I had just had them polished! Heh heh hah! Hey, Doc, think I'm gonna need some new shoes!" Joker called over his shoulder and laughed as he wiggled his toes in the muddy slipper. Harleen nodded at him in confirmation and he continued on.
He needed to think on his next move. Harley was near the edge, but he mustn't be the one to push her over the cliff into the abyss. The decision had to be hers. Madness, after all, wasn't something given to just anyone and most couldn't handle it. He thought on what would happen when the little twit snapped. What a laugh she'll be! A good joke wasn't always about the punch line. If one could build on a joke? Now that would be comedy.
He looked over his shoulder to see the harlequin's gaze on him. She seems to be handy enough, more or less. And at the very least, an extra meat shield around is a plus. So what was this nagging he felt pull in the deep synapses of his brain? His buoyant air left him completely as he looked at his harlequin. His plan was working smoothly so far, she was completely focused on him. She smiled brightly at him, probably hoping to receive some form of acknowledgement. He sneered at her neediness. He faced forward looking around and assessed his surroundings. He didn't have time for the whims of a child now.
With or without her help, he'd get out of here and knowing the way around the island was his first priority. Passing through the cave-like tunnel again he saw the faulty door from the checkpoint appeared to be running again. Of course, he thought, things like that go out of commission all the time.. But he'd use that later.
After few minutes of walking through the Asylum's swamp like grounds the wind picked up a bit and a light thumping noise caught his attention. They walked near Medical and the thumping noise turned to a thud.. thud.. thud.. A glance behind the building told him that a small wooden boat that looked to be half-rotted was tied up to the dock.
Wouldn't get very far in that, if not the Bats then even the Gotham Police buffoons would have him surrounded within an hour... and he didn't fancy rowing anyway. Hmm, he could have one of his boys get him out with a speed boat? Roco would be the man for that job. Although he'd need to check in with him to see how things were going on the current assignment he was on. It was a few months ago that he had him move into the doc's apartment building and keep an eye on her from a few doors down. Not only to make sure no one else was playing with his toy but that, should the time come that she was no longer needed, Roco would be on hand to tie up loose ends.
Soon the Penitentiary was in view. He had to let Frankie know that the 'package' was arriving today with necessary information, information that would keep him a step ahead of the game. Leaves whipped across the grounds, a leaf lightly smacked him in the face. He plucked the wet, sloppy leaf from his cheek and flicked it away. Good timing to get back inside; the waves began to crash harder in the distance, the sky slowly darkening for another downpour.
As the metal doors closed behind them Joker noticed they were being gawked at. A few nurses who had come out of the cafeteria and some passing guards stopped or slowed as they observed the sopping wet mess they all were. They must have been a sight! Soaked to the bone, dripping water and tracking mud with every step. After moving through the first electrical current, one of the guards surrounding Joker motioned with his hand signaling the guard behind the check in station to activate the scanner. Purple and pink lights danced about but rather than be distracted by the lights, Joker lifted his head slightly and glanced directly above them. Ah! An old vent shaft.. Just about his size too!
As they began walking toward the elevator, the doc's voice halted everyone.
"Wait, please!" she called to the guards. Joker turned his eyes toward her as well. Turning to Frankie she asked, "Where are spare patient clothes kept? He needs a new set." Motioning at Joker's wet and mud-splattered clothes.
"Yeah, we keep 'em next to the Visitor Center. There's a shed," Boles said. "I can grab 'em."
"No, no, I got them! Need to learn my way around this place anyway, right?" she beamed at him. Smiling at Joker with a 'I-got-this' look, she headed toward the entrance.
"But what about him?" one of the other guards asked. He still had his weapon aimed at Joker, but the rifle shook due to the guard shaking from the cold. They were all wet and the Penitentiary wasn't known for being warm and cozy.
"Ehmm," she started. They couldn't just stand there she supposed. Oh! "Actually, I'd like you to take him to Medical for a shower. I don't want my patient getting sick from the weather. Get him cleaned up and I'll be over with fresh clothes in a few," she said to Boles. Some of the guards groaned but began strapping their gear back into place. Boles merely nodded and grabbed Joker by the forearm pulling him toward the entrance again.
"Really, I don't mind walking!" Joker said. The guards ignored his comment and made their way out. Luckily it was a short distance to Medical. "Oh very well, off I go to my second shower of the week, how you all love to spoil me.. hee heee haa haa!"
Harleen walked out with the guards and Joker but veered left as the other continued on to Medical. The rain hadn't started back up yet, but it would soon. She followed the path across the grounds staying more on the grass than the mud path. While the grass cleaned her shoes off better, she also didn't squish as easily into the mud beneath it. Hedge after hedge and small buildings lead to one of the connecting passages to the other side of the island. The metal door, scanning for her body heat, opened and she walked into the cave-like tunnel again.
Half way through the tunnel she saw that a small door to her left. Instead of it being a rather large mechanical door, it was simply a door with a knob. Odd that she hadn't seen it before. It was dirty and dead leaves were piled in front of it as if it hadn't been used for a long time. It seemed to be facing toward Intensive Treatment which was near the Visitor Center. Debating in her head, she looked back at the main doors once more, shrugged and walked to the door; grasping the knob she gave a push. It moved slightly so she pushed harder. It gave after a few heaves and she stumbled inside. It was dimly lit so she left the door open, just in case.
It was all stone, looking to be carved out of the surrounding rock. Gray stone walls surrounded her and the arched ceiling had cracks and holes from where the rock had crumbled to the ground where she stepped. Small puffs of wind blew leaves down through the crevices above her. So that's why it's not so stuffy in here. I wonder if anyone knows about this passage? Or if they don't care to check it out. Probably don't care, Mr. J would care.. Mr J! Gotta hurry and bring his clothes back soon.
She quickened her pace and the up ahead a few small stone steps lead to another old door, this one less dirty. She pulled on the handle hard. Nothing. Panicking, she pulled harder. No budge. Using her elbow, she wiped away dirt and looked through the small grimy window in the door. A vine had wrapped itself around the handle and around the door.
"Awww, come on," she whined. "If Ivy were here she could snap her fingers and remove the plant!" she huffed. What could she do? Well, she could go back? No! Not gonna happen, jack! I am not useless. She could break the window and rip the plant off the handle. No, Ivy would be mad at her, and she wanted to keep a good standing with her. She turned around and spotted a small hunk of rock that must have fallen from the ceiling at some point. She picked it up and threw it at the window. It made a loud CLACK but didn't break the glass.
"Come on, Harls, show some spunk, would ya?" she muttered to herself. Immediately Joker's voice sounded in her head. Earlier he had teased the Warden saying "She sure has spunk, eh, Sharpie?" Joker thought she had some guts... so why was she throwing a rock at an old window like the meek little girl they all thought her to be?
She felt that click in her head again. She picked up the rock, gritting her teeth, and gripping it tightly, she threw her weight into her swing. Glass broke into pieces around her. Since there was grass outside and a hedge in front of the door, the falling glass didn't make much sound over the rising wind. Sticking her arm through, she started to unwind the vines around the door knob enough that it would turn. Looking down she saw that the plant wasn't stopping her from opening the door but dirt. Once the knob moved freely, she shoved hard with her shoulder against the door and fell out onto the grounds. She stood up quickly, dusting herself off and closed the door quietly. Intensive Treatment building was right in front of her, literally. She stared at its back wall. They must have built this place sometime after the original construction and the passage was forgotten. Maybe she wouldn't tell anyone about it. She smiled as she looked over her shoulder at her new secret place.
Making her way around the building she saw the Visitor Center up ahead. She looked around for shed but didn't see one. She walked up the Visitor Center's doors intending to ask someone there. It was a long narrow building. In the back of the center, the walls were lined with large window panes of glass with small chairs seated in front and behind them. This must be were people come to see the patients. She wondered if anyone ever asked for Joker. As she took a few steps inside, something made her pause. Well, someone.
A spill of auburn curls and green-gold eyes turned in her direction. A woman was seated in one of the chairs in front of the glass. She wore tight black pants, a cropped black jacket that had a large hood and a green long sleeve shirt. She quickly eyed Harleen then turned away in disinterest. She seemed to be waiting but who was she waiting for?
"Can I help you.. Miss?" a voice sounded next to her. To her left was the check-in desk. A stout woman in a faded white button up sweater with a steaming mug of coffee next to her opened a sliding plastic panel to speak to Harleen directly.
"Uh, yes, I need a spare change of clothes for my patient, but couldn't find the shed I was told about," she said.
"Oh yes, I'll get them for you, one moment dear," she stood and walked out of a door behind her. So the shed was connected to the visitor center. Huh.
"They just brought in some new laundered ones," the portly woman said coming back in, "and they haven't had a chance to put them in there yet. Sorry, I forgot to ask, what size?"
Harleen blinked. Oops.
"Oh, I forgot what size to check for," she admitted.
"Well, I can take a guess, who's the patient?" she asked.
"Yeah, eh.. Joker?" Harleen provided, waiting for the reaction. And she wasn't surprised, the woman sputtered then cleared her throat twice. "Him?! Yes, ah, him. I'll get them." She hurried out the door again.
"Way to scare off the help, doll." The redhead had spoken.
"Hey, not my fault she can't handle who my patient is," Harleen countered defensively. The redhead just smiled and turned back to gazing at the glass. "You don't seem scared yourself," Harleen observed.
The redhead smirked back at Harleen. "Kinda used to crazy-"
"Tev?!" A growl sounded near the glass.
The redhead nearly had whiplash. "Harv!" She stood up.
Her name is Tev? What kinda name is Tev? Harleen thought as she leaned up against the counter. She also observed how relieved Tev looked to see.. wait. Harv? Harleen pushed herself up from the counter and side-stepped a little to see who Tev was talking to.
Huh. It was Harvey Dent. The notorious criminal, deemed insane like her Joker, with half his body scarred. His schizophrenia amplified by the duality he surrounded himself with. ...Two-Face had a girlfriend?
Tev watched him slump in his chair, scooting forward toward the glass, she mirrored him. They spoke through the slotted holes as wide as cigars in the glass.
Tev put her fingers through the holes in a futile attempt to get closer. He touched her fingers with his own. Half scarred, half smooth. She kissed the tips which made him appear to soften. Slightly.
"Tev, the hell are you doing here? We told you not to come. If they think.. agh, Tev, they'll think you're crazy too and lock you up!" He growled low to keep his voice down, but it was still menacing.
"Psh, nice to see you too, Harv" she said sarcastically, leaning back and loosening her fingers. His fingers gripped all they could to keep hers there. She rolled her eyes and leaned forward once more. Him and his attitudes..
"I had to see you," she whispered. "It's been too long. The boys are maintainin' the turf but if you don't get back soon-"
"Shhh..." he motioned for her to be quiet. Tev looked at the blond doctor suspiciously, but she seemed not to be listening.
"We're workin' on it," Harv brought Tev's attention back to him. "That doc, there," he glanced at Harleen, "That's Joker's new toy. And if we know that clown, he's planning on using her to break himself out soon. We just need to bide our time and use his break out to our advantage." He looked into her eyes, that look that said 'be patient with me.'
She knew that look. When they first got together, she saw it a lot. Dealing with two different personalities wasn't easy. Especially when you were dating both. Theirs was a complicated relationship, but it worked. She was his second-in-command when he was away. She may not look it, but she was dangerous. She was underestimated a lot, and that gave her an edge.
"But how much longer Harv? It's not just the boys.. I miss you both." She scooted closer. "And I ain't gettin' locked up. Who'd look after you two if I did?" she winked. Face growled low in his throat, raking his eyes over her. They both missed Tev.
A guard walked in behind Harvey. He sneered over his shoulder, standing up. Tev stood up with him. He looked back at her and said "Tell the boys soon. Be prepared and be ready. They got alotta security in this joint."
"Yeah, ok. Miss you, Face," she said. Harv winked at her as he was pulled away. She stared for a moment at the door he had just left in. She buttoned up her jacket and flipped her hood up. It would probably rain and she didn't like riding her bike in the rain. Using the chair, she tucked her pants into her biker boots and strode out toward the entrance.
Just before she walked out, a small hand caught her arm.
"Um, excuse me?" The blond had a curious look on her face.
"There a problem?" Tev asked aggressively. The blond dropped her hand quickly shaking her head.
"No! No, I just had a question. Um... how do you know Mr. Dent?" The blond bit her lip nervously.
"None of your business, now shove off!" Tev tried to walk of again, but the blond jumped in front of her.
"No, wait, please, I'm not trying to pry! I just, umm. It seemed like you wanted to talk to him more. Maybe I can put in a request for longer visits?" Tev snatched the badge on the doctor's jacket, bringing it up to read. Since it was clamped to the jacket, the blond came with.
"Har-leen Quin-zel" Tev read out loud. "You gotta weird name," she said letting go of the badge.
"Oh, and you don't?" the blond sassed back. Tev's lip pulled into a smile.
"Yeah, I guess I do. Tev means twin in Scottish or somethin', I dunno. Harv likes it," she said.
"So you guys are... together?" the blond asked. When Tev started walking, the blond blocked her way again. "Not that it's a bad thing, because it's not. I'm not judging. This is me, not judging!" She smiled putting her hands up in surrender.
"What do you want, Doc? I got somewhere to be," Tev was starting to get annoyed.
"I just.. wanted to ask you how you.." she seemed to not know what words to say.
Tev just kept walking but this time the blond walked with her toward the main entrance of Arkham Island.
"Why? So you can call me crazy? Say it's not safe?" Tev pulled out the keys to her bike.
"No, I just need.." she sighed loudly, "I don't know what I need," the blond said, stopping. Tev turned around to see the blond walking back toward the Visitor Center. She drummed her fingers on her thighs and rolled her eyes before calling out "Hey, kid!"
Even though the blond looked to be her age, she still seemed immature. Tev walked up to Harleen as she turned around. She pulled out a card and handed it to Harleen. "When you know what you want to ask, ask. But be sure you're ready to ask it. I've worn that look before too."
Tev turned away and headed out the Arkham Asylum gates. She hopped on her bike that was parked off to the side of the road as she watched the blond doctor walk back into the Visitor Center. She pulled her helmet over her head, the image of a happy and sad theatre mask across the front.
As Tev pulled out, she wondered how the blond doctor and the Joker would help Harv escape. Hard to think of the Joker helping anyone. But maybe this Harleen could..
Harleen stepped back inside the Visitor Center with her thoughts swirling around in circles.
Tev was Two-Face's girlfriend. Did other Rogues have significant others? What question was Harleen trying to ask? She didn't know. How did Tev meet Harvey? How do they have a relationship if he's crazy? And a crime boss.
She looked down at the card Tev had given her. It was half black on the left side, half white on the right and in the opposite colors was writing across. TEVA CARR (824) 264-6448
Harleen pocketed the card and saw that a pile of folded gray pants, socks, and slippers left on the counter. The woman wasn't behind the desk. Grabbing the clothes Harleen made her way out again. Hoping to beat the rain, Harleen jogged toward Medical. She hoped Joker hadn't waited too long for her.
Ok, so a new avenue open. My OC Teva Carr is Two-Face's main squeeze! :D Been wanting to write her for a while. I may do future one-shots of her and Harvey.
Now to work on Chapter 23! Wonder if Joker has more fun in the showers :D
Lemme know what you guys think!