Chapter 2
A small group of Gotham city police walked around the Speedy Stop collecting evidence, and trying to gain a statement from the witness to the crime.
Then the policemen moved aside in awe and reverence as the BatMobile pulled up to the scene.
" What do we got?"Batman and Catwoman asked, as they got out of the BatMobile.
"A standard robbery we think, but the witness is too shaken up to give us a statement." Commissioner Gordon said as he looked over to the trembling young woman that was wrapped in a blanket.
"That's okay we will take what we can from the evidence and go from there." Batman said as he took in the scene outside.
Catwoman tried to take in the scene as well but found her gaze returning to the girl wrapped in the blanket, her blue eyes and blonde hair so familiar that it reminded her of someone completely different.
Catwoman walked into the gas station not sure what she was looking for, but when she reached the refrigerated section she found the answer they needed.
"I know what's going on.''Catwoman said as she quickly walked out the Gas Station, and over to Tracy.
"Hey kid I know you're having a rough night, but we need you to come back around because we need your help." Catwoman said as she snapped her fingers in front of Tracy's face.
"He didn't kill me there was a gunshot but he didn't kill me." Tracy said as she stared blankly at Catwoman.
It was The Joker wasn't it?"
"Yes." Tracy said as she slowly came back to reality.
"What else did he take other than the money, Sandwiches, and Blow pops?
"Just some gas but he paid for that Oh God why did he pick me?!"Tracy shouted, as she burst into tears.
"Hey it's okay you're okay this will make a good story for your class, not everyone can say they dealt with The Joker and live to tell about it." Catwoman said as she hugged Tracy.
"He looked at me funny when he saw me as if I reminded him of someone else, but I don't know why. "
"Trust me kid, you're better off not knowing but take my advice and when you get this whole psychological thing nailed down, stay as far away from Arkham as possible.
and for the love of God think private practice, I'm serious kid say it with me private practice!"
"Okay I'll go into a private practice I promise. "
"Good girl you will be fine, you just need to go home and rest.
"Have one of the officers drive her home and then send the patrol unit just in case, the rest of us will go after The Joker.
"What makes you think you can call all the shots?"Officer Stewart said as he gave Catwoman a snide look.
"Because I'm about to explain to you what all this means, assuming that's what you want."Catwoman said as she looked at commissioner Gordon.
Commissioner Gordon thought it over for a second then nodded.
"Is the girl gone? "
"Yes, the squad car just took her. "Batman said as he looked at Catwoman.
"Good because hearing all this stuff will only freak her out especially when I get to the end."
"Okay the first thing you need to know is that watermelon Blow Pops were
Harley Quinn's favorite kind of lollipop.
She loved the gum in the middle, and was always twirling it around her finger.
The other thing is that Harley Quinn made a killer Ham and Deviled Egg Sandwich,and this gas station slop will not satisfy the Joker.
Also she's been gone for a while now but I don't know where, and clearly the Joker isn't taking it well."
"But it's been almost a year since they broke up she blew up the Ace chemical plant, as kind of like fuck you to the Joker."Officer Rodriguez said
"Everyone knows that, including the Joker but I guess some part of him just can't let go, and now he's going crazier without her.
So what you guys need to do is go after The Joker's henchmen, while Batman and I go after the Joker.
None of you are to go after the Joker because he won't hesitate to kill you, as you can clearly see. "Catwoman said as she pointed to Bone Crusher's lifeless body.
"We appreciate the help but how do you know all of this? "Commissioner Gordon asks as he looked at Catwoman.
"Harley Quinn and I used to be friends. "Catwoman said as she braced herself for the murmurs that were undoubtedly coming.
Catwoman fidgeted ever so slightly as the rest of the police murmured around her, but she noticed that Commissioner Gordon never took his eyes off her.
"If you and Harley Quinn used to be friends, how do we know we can trust you? "Officer Stewart said with a dubious glance.
"Because I just told you about my past to help you, and if it wasn't for me you wouldn't know this was The Joker at all."
"She's right and we'll do what she says because I'm not losing any of my people tonight"Commissioner Gordon said as he gave an appreciative nod to Catwoman.
"Okay since we're all clear on the plan let's go, because the longer we wait the messier this gets."Batman said as he and Catwoman walked to the Batmobile.
Later Batman drove the Batmobile in silence but Catwoman could still feel the questions, lingering just below his silence.
"We didn't hang out often just every time she had a fight with a Joker, which I guess when you think about it is often enough.
It always happens after I would have a big blow up with you, so I would never really fuss too much about it.
She would come to me telling me that she had another fight with the Joker and had nowhere else to go, then she would stare at me with those big sad blue eyes and try as I might I just couldn't say we would spend a day or two hanging out watching rom coms which was her idea ,and drinking Margaritas which was mine.
I miss her margaritas. They were really good.
We never really talked about what happened, which was good because neither one of us felt like doing it.
Then after a couple days she would just go back to the Joker, she'd say bye and give me a hug of course; but she'd also tell me that this wouldn't happen again and ,and I hated the fact that she lied to me, but I guess I was lying to myself too because I always thought that I'd never get in a huge blow up with you again either.
A few weeks later the situation would repeat, only sometimes she would look worse off than unusual.
And during those times she would stay for at least a week, crying a good part of the time.
I would spend a good amount of that time just trying to put a smile back on her face.
She would tell me how she went to Poison Ivy and how they got into a fight.
But I can understand why they fought. Ivy simply wanted something more from Harley, and it was something that she just couldn't give.
Then Harley disappeared and naturally I was worried.
Even though it was completely crazy, all that hanging out and I guess commiserating had made us best friends in a way
When she came back to townI dropped in to see her, but I did it when the Joker wasn't around because we didn't get along at all.
Then I heard that they had officially broken up for good, and naturally I was worried because I knew she would be a wreck.
But I couldn't go to see her because I just went straight and things also started to get serious with you.
So I just hoped that she was strong enough to land on her feet, and when I didn't see her around at night on our patrols.
I had hoped that she had found her happy place somewhere else, because it clearly wasn't here.
"Catwoman there's something I have to tell you and it's not going to be easy."
"She's in prison isn't she?"
"I'm sorry Catwoman I never realized that you were friends, but even still the law is the law."
"I'm not happy about it but I guess it was the only way it could have ended for her, other than the other end.
"I'm glad that I was able to find a way out, before it was too late I just wish she could have done the same.
"I know and I'm sorry I've lost friends in this too. It's never easy but the sting does get a little better with time."
"I'll think about that later maybe but right now my mind needs to stay clear."
A little later the Batmobile GPS zeros in on Gotham City Central Bank.
"The silent alarm's been triggered. The Joker and his men must be there."Batman said, quickly as he pressed the gas.
Soon the Batmobile quickly pulls into the parking lot of the bank, and Batman enables the cloaking device.
"Okay so what's the plan? "Catwoman asked, as she and Batman pulled out heat vision binoculars.
"I can see henchmen on the main floor and know there must be one inside the vault with the Joker.
We go in and take out the six first, then we find a way to draw the Joker out of the vault."
"Sounds simple enough, the two of us can take care of six guys easily, and I have a plan on how to get The Joker out of the vault." Catwoman said, as she pulled her mask down.
Then she and Batman rushed towards the bank.
Batman threw a batarang through the broken glass door, and took out the lights.
The Henchmen let out disgruntled shouts, and we're going to warn the Joker but
Catwoman and Batman incapacitated them before they could.
"Okay now it's time for my plan. Do you trust me? "
"Yeah."
Catwoman let out a high pitch yowling noise, similar to a cat signaling its readiness for a fight.
"Boss I hear Catwoman outside. "Grizzly said, quickly as loaded the money into the bag at a faster pace.
"So she is one villain I refuse to team up with, so she is not entitled to any of this."The Joker said absent mindedly as he continued to load the money.
"No boss, if the Cat is here then the Bat is here too."Grizzly said as he nervously looked around the vault.
"Great so just because she wanted to rob this bank too she led him to me and now I have to deal with that."The Joker said as he let out a low growl.
"No boss, the Cat and the Bat are together. She's a do-gooder now, and has been for nearly a year."
"Get out for years it's been no secret that Catwoman wanted to be Batsy's lap kitty, but I didn't think she'd actually do it.
Now I have to see this because I know it's got to be fucking pathetic. "
The Joker said with a laugh as he quickly blew the door open.
Smoke from the blast quickly filled the room and Grizzly coughed slightly as he breathed in the smoke.
"So it finally happened that the infamous Wildcat of Gotham, has been tamed by a Bat, how disappointing.
Tell me, how does it feel to give away your freedom for what you would call well I
I don't even know what you will call this."
"I call it love Joker and after all how can I give up freedom when surrendering to what you truly desire gives you freedom, and power.
After all that's what you told her isn't it?
Desire becomes surrender, surrender becomes power, I surrendered to my true feelings and now I have more than I ever had before.
But what do you have?
What did you surrender to?
Where is she?
Why hasn't she come back?"
"I will not take questions for a brainless feline!"
"Oh have I touched a nerve, has it become clear the Clown Prince of Crime is nothing without his queen?"
The Joker let out an angry shout as he lunged at Catwoman, only to be intercepted by a mighty punch from Batman.
"Well that couldn't have gone easier, he really must be off his game." Catwoman said as she watched the Joker sink to the floor.
"I'll take care of the Joker, you take care of the last henchman in the vault."Batman said as he picked up the Joker and carried him out of the bank.
Moments later Catwoman appeared with Grizzly tied up, and put him with the rest of the henchmen.
"Well that's the last of them, what do we do now?"Catwoman asked as she went to stand beside Batman.
"We wait but it won't be long Commissioner Gordon will be here soon with police cars for the henchmen and a padded patty wagon and for the Joker.
"That's strange."Catwoman said as she looked at the Joker's face.
"What is it?" Batman said, as he moved over to the Joker's unconscious body
"His face looks a little sad." Catwoman said she looked at the Joker's face.
"Don't let your friendship with Harley cloud your judgment, the Joker doesn't feel love."
Later a squad of police cars arrived to take the henchmen to jail, and a padded patty wagon arrived to take the Joker back to Arkham.