Joker had a job to do, but he was a few men short. Alexandria had scheme in her apron pockets, and she needed all the men she had. What to do, what to do...

Joker was whistling as he strolled through the back alleys of Gotham. It was snowing dirty grey smog flakes, and the homeless were bundled together around cheery smoking barrels. Just another lovely day. His friends shop was just up the street and it was close to lunch time. His chef friend always had something tasty. Today though he needed to talk to her about business. He always enjoyed his chats with her, she didn't beat around the bush or mince words. No secret agenda. It was refreshing. Coming up to the back door he checked his pocket watch. His goons would be locking door and closing windows right about now. Caution in the wind, though some would argue he didn't have caution to begin with, he slammed the back door open with a resounding laugh.

"Honey, I'm home!" He was disappointed to not see her in her office, jumping at his sudden entrance. He always got a chuckle out of her frustrated anger at his arrival. The sound of chairs screeching on tile alerted him. The creak of the kitchen door followed, with his friend peaking around the corner.

"Hey, get in the office. I tell the guys to dash." Ash blonde hair trailed after the chef as she retreated back around the corner. That was odd. Alex always had the place empty for any potential visits. Pistol in hand, Joker made his way to the corner and glanced around it, looking through the window on the swinging door. The lobby was filled with local thugs. He recognized a few of his men, some of the smaller gangs, and a stripper named Earl. Most of them patted her back or punched her arm in jest. A few saluted mockingly as they filed out. Joker raised a brow, it seemed so... domestic. His goons locked down the shop as Alex walked back into the kitchen.

"Been a minute since you've been here. What do you want, Joker?" His chef friend ran a hand through her hair, something she did a lot.

"Chefy, you wound me! Thinking I'm only here because I want something!" Joker pushed the gun into his suit pocket, "Can't a friend stop by to say hi?" Joker gave an exaggerated pout as he held his hands to his heart. Alex gave him a blank expression in return.

"With you, I never know if it to stop by to say hi, or to hide. Really though, you haven't been around for a while. You want food or what?" Joker giggled thinking of the time he surprised her in the freezer, nearly blue after accidentally locking himself in.

"I'm here to chat, but I won't say no to some food."

"What do you want?"

"Surprise me."

Thick, creamy carbonara was lunch for the inhabitants of the restaurant. Marcus and Gary were busy prepping for the rest of the day while Kyle cleaned. The chef was leaning in a booth, legs propped up, eyes closed in a surprisingly relaxed position. The Clown was sitting cross-legged across from her.

"So, I noticed that you had people in later than usual today." The Clown broached.

"Yeah, they wanted to help me make a menu for a catering event I agreed to work."

"Good for you! Speaking of work, I gotta job to do soon, so I'm gonna need to borrow the goons for that day." The Chef opened her eyes and looked directly at The Clown.

"When?"'

"The 18th." It was silent for a minute, and then..

"No." The Joker frowned.

"What?"

"No. My event is the 18th. I'm going to need them then and the day before." There seemed to be no room to argue by the blondes tone. Too bad the Joker was tone deaf.

"Doll, I don't think you understand the ...Situation... I let you borrow those buffoons, but they are still my men."

"I've been paying them, and you run a business, I'm sure you can find someone to use in their stead. They ain't going anywhere." Alex swung her feet to the floor, crossing her arms as she fully faced The Joker.

"You don't want to do that." The Joker warned, leaning forward.

"Do what? You never said it was a loan, you haven't bothered to grab them before. As far as I'm concerned their my boys now." The chef slid out of the booth. "If you need them so badly, change your plans for another day." The chef began to walk away, her back turned. A click stopped her retreat. As she turned, a pistol glinted menacingly.

"And here I thought we had an... Understanding. At the end of the day, this whole deal was made on a handshake."

"A handshake don't mean nothing, all it proves is you got hands." The Blonde muttered.

"Exactly. See this has been fun, and I'd hate to lose out on gaining weight, but I've got plans, and I won't let anyone stand in my way. Even if it is you." The Joker sighed sadly, "Harley will be all 'BOO HOO, Mistah J! She had moxy!', but she'll forgive me. But I can't let a betrayal stand." The Joker was one second from shooting the Chef down, when...

"CHEF!"

"BOSS!"

Alex was suddenly on the ground, teeth clattering and wheezing for air that was knocked from her lungs. Gary was covering her body, Kyle trying to pull both by a leg into the kitchen. Marcus holding his own sleek gun, pointing it steadily at the Joker. To the Clowns credit he was now pointing the gun at Marcus, his eyes wide.

"You okay, Boss?" Marcus asked, eyes never straying from the Joker.

"Yep." Alex wheezed, trying to stand, though Gary was heavy.

"Et tu, Doofus?" The Joker lowered his arm, relaxing even with the gun pointed at him. Almost daringly.

"Sorry Boss, but I'm on the clock. Right now, she's my boss. And I'll treat her the same I treat her, until I'm off the clock." If possible the Jokers eyes widened more. He turned his wild gaze back to the chef, who was now sitting after pushing Gary off her. Both Gary and Kyle were standing in front of her, a flesh wall. The Chef looked to the Clown, not pleadingly, but accusingly.

"And here, I actually thought we were friends." It was quiet. The Joker opened his coat putting his gun in a inner pocket once more. In a tone not unlike the chefs, earlier.

"Be ready at the Bounce House at nine, on the 22nd." The Joker nodded to the Chef before walking by, through the swinging door. Marcus kept his gun trained to the Joker until he heard the back door close. With oddly professional ease he slipped quietly through the door leaving Gary and Kyle to hover around the Chef. Alexandra waved them off, but accepted the flask Kyle offered. Marcus came back with his hands empty.

"Are you stupid?!" Alexandra looked at Marcus.

"Apparently." Marcus balled his hands.

"You could've died even with us around!" Alexandra shook her head.

"No. I've got an ace up my sleeve."

"And what's that, women?!" Marcus bellowed.

"I'm his friend." Her boys looked at her like she was crazy. "I didn't know you had a gun."

Marcus shook his head with a scoff.

"This is Gotham, there are crazies everywhere." Alexandra laughed. She couldn't argue with that.

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So for such a wait, I was gifted with a laptop from my boyfriends parents, so now I'm able to write again. I won't lie I cried. Please feel free to request or send Ideas. I do love hearing from you all. I'll try to update within 2 weeks.