What Happens In Gotham

What Happens In Gotham



By: TheDisasterousChibi



Last Time:



Katarina collapsed against a black clad thigh, her hands bunched in to his cloak as she sobbed and hiccupped. Her anguished cries tore into Bruce’s chest, he swallowed the lump in his throat as she composed her self enough to continue.



“You can’t let him die, please, you can’t.” Katarina rocked herself against the smooth material of his thigh, cloak bunched in her white knuckles grip. She kept repeating that he couldn’t he just couldn’t.



And Bruce knew he truly couldn’t.



His gloved hands grasped his helmet, his mind was made up. He couldn’t let a child die for the sake of Batman. A pure innocent boy whose pure smile and care free ways had reminded him so much of himself at the dinner.



The tight material of the mask slid from his face, he let it drop to the ground. He closed his eyes for a moment, looking into the chasm he was about to dive into to. Slowly he knelt down to the shattered mother. He unclenched her hands softly from his cape and grasped her face.



Their brown eyes meet, hers tear filled and red.



“Bruce Wayne…” her whispered words, voice cracked and hoarse from her heartbreaking sobs, sealed his fate,. He could not go back. In 48 hours all of Gotham would say those same words in the same awed voice she had.



In 48 hours Batman would be no more.

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Chapter Thirteen: Secrets and Revelations



“Hello Mrs. Napier” Bruce tried to give Katarina his usual play boy grin, an attempt to lighten the heavy tragic atmosphere that curtained the woman. Their eyes where leveled with each other. She had yet to comment on her discovery.



Looking at him was not making this weird delusion fade, Katarina blinked her eyes a few more times, hoping to clear way this mirage. There is no way that Bruce Wayne was the masked vigilante Batman. Though, it did make sense, a man with a troubled, tragic, past and more money then God could pull this off.



“You…? I should have guessed.”



Bruce was relieved when Katarina spoke, he grasped her arms and helped her stand. He held on to her arm until she got her legs under control. He had made his choice and know he had to plan how this would happen with the woman before him.



“We can’t talk here, someone could come at any moment.” he bent down to retrieve his mask, slipping it on casually, “come to the pent house, I’ll be waiting for you.”



Nodding her head in affirmation was all the response Bruce needed, he returned her nod and jumped backwards off the roof. The he caught current of the wind, he freefell through the chilly wind, his momentum carrying him across the Gotham skyline. His car was parked in a deserted alley way not far from the police station.



Back on the roof top Katarina took several deep breaths, composing herself for what was to come. She had the hard part over with, she had gotten the Batman’s identity. And was quite shocked by it, who would have guessed Bruce Wayne. That explained why he had twitched during the diner every time the name was mentioned. Him and Rachel , which meant that the woman was in on it as well.



She walked across the graveled floor once again making her way toward the elevator. She would leave the roof tops with something she hadn’t arrived with. The calm comfort that hope brought to her heart. She would get J.C back and we she did their was nothing on Earth would keep her from smashing the Joker’s skull in.



Husband or not, no one made her baby cry!

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It was dark in this room.



The plopping sound of a leaky faucet the only thing that broke the silence around him. The light that slithered from under the door was minimal and served only to illuminate the cracked and aged wood of the door itself.



It had been hours since a clown masked man had thrown him into the room, scrapping his knees, elbows, and splitting his lip when he impacted with the concrete floor. It was cold and dam in the room. J.C wished he could be at home now. His mom would be home by now surely, she’d have made him a cup of hot chocolate and sat down on Auntie Rachel’s couch t watch a movie with him.



He’d have laid his head on her thigh, she’d stroke his hair, the soothing motions would have him asleep in no time. The gentle rocks of her carrying him would wake him up briefly, just long enough for her to tuck him in, give him a kiss and a whispered “Good night Jack, I love you.”



But his mother wasn’t here, her comforting warmth and the smell of her perfume where not here in this dank musty room. The noise from outside was muffled and chaotic. Someone would shout and laugh, crashing sounds were the only distinguishable thing picked up by J.C’s ears.



He couldn’t go to sleep in a place like this. Something could happen to him, so he sat huddled in a corner, as far away from the door as the tiny room allowed him to be. His lips were dry and cracking, his stomach growled, protesting against not eating since Rachel had whipped him up some pancakes for breakfast.



J.C could tell what time it was in the windowless room, it could have been a life time for all he knew. What he did know was that his mom would come get him.



‘Mister Joker will be sorry he put me in here’



J.C curled himself into a tighter ball, his close were dirty and wet from the floor. He shivered against his will, his fingers and legs hurt from staying clamped and huddled against him for warmth.



Light flooded the room when the door was opened. It momentarily blinded the young boy who occupied the room. A shadowed figure stood in the arch way, head cocked as he looked at J.C. His small hands had come up to shield his sensitive eyes as they adapted to the sudden on slaughter of light.



“Come on boy. The Joker wants to see ya.”



The masked man who had thrown J.C in here was standing in the door way, arms crossed at his chest. A look of irritation on his face. J.C did not like this man, he was rude and mean and had hurt him. His mommy would have called him a bastard and so would J.C. If he wanted to keep from crying like he had earlier he’d have to at like his mom would.



He narrowed his hazel eyes the way he always saw his mother do, pursed his pink lips in a pout of irritation. He flared his nostrils faintly and thrust his chin forward. The picture of defiance would have made Katarina proud. However, it only served to irritate Carl who had been having a bad day.



He lunged forward and grab a fist full of blonde curls into his greasy hands and hauled the child up to his feet. “I said, come on” He threw J.C out of the room, he landed on his skinned knees, the stinging pain burned and ached.



Carl took a frail skinny arm and started to pull, walking down the littered hall way. The splintered stairs were uneven and J.C stumbled to keep up with the bigger man’s steadfast speed. His legs hit the posts and corners of the stairs, promising to bruise.



He didn’t make a sound, not a whimper not a groan, he couldn’t show pain in front of this cruel man. His mom wouldn’t and she would get out of here, his mom was better then Superman and Batman. His mom could do anything. Right now she’d insult him.



“Did you know your head looks like a cactus?”



The child insult had Carl narrowing his eyes. He paused his walk at the top of the stairs turned back to the face the child. “Smack” the sound of the man hard knuckled hand connecting with J.C’s cheekbone resounded in the quite of the upstairs hallway. The stinging skin made his hazel eyes watered as he fought back the tears and bit his lip to stifle the cry of pain.



“Keep ya mouth shut and move you little bastard.”



Jerking his arm again J.C was made to continue following the angered man to an unknown location. After a few more minutes of walking and quite a few turns the conflicting pair came to stand at a simple light wooden door. It was chipped and cracked with age but looked sturdy and reliable.



Three sharp knocks to the door were delivered by the clown masked man. He waited silently for a response. J.C was scared, the thug who hurt him was nothing compared to the man in the face paint. The phantom white man had not been so bad at the party, he’d been nice to J.C and didn’t hurt his mom when he reminded him of their deal. But all deals were off now. He didn’t deserve his mom.



Mismatched foot steps where heard faintly from the other side of the door. The door opened to reveal a very disheveled looking Joker, his make up was even grungier looking then when it was neatly applied.



The Joker’s eyes narrowed when he took in the sight of J.C. The boy’s normal tanned was a pasty white color, which most likely had something to do with his very wet looking clothes. His cheek was red, turning purple, from an obvious hit. His forearms and legs were oozing blood steadily.



“What, ah, exactly did you do to the boy?”



“We threw him in the closet boss”



“Did the closet hit him then?” the Joker questioned.



“The brat was getting mouthy Boss. So I disciplined him.”



“Ah, I see.”



The Joker’s fist connected with the clown mask, cracking it with the force of the blow. The stunned man was sent back reeling. He knocked against the wall, a arm holding on to it for support. He took of the mask, the sharp broken edges digging into his skin.



“I recall, uh, saying that the boy was not to be harmed.” a pink tongue darted out of his mouth licking his fade red lips. “He had 48 hour of immunity. I’m a man of my word, you almost made me wrong”



He delivered a swift kick to the man’s stomach. The thug slumped to the ground coughing and holding his stomach. The Joker squatted in front of him, took hold of his ear and pulled, bringing his face to face him.



“If you ever disobey me again…well, I’m sure I’ll think of something” a demonic giggle came out of his mouth, his fist once again connected with the man’s face. This time knocking him out cold.



J.C seeing an opportunity crab crawled his way behind the Joker and made a run for it. His sore legs carrying him as fast as they could. Not fast enough however, the Joker’s arm wrapped around his waist and he heaved him on to his shoulder. Kicking and screaming the blonde boy was taken inside the room.

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After telling Gordon she had a meeting with the Batman Katarina got into her car and drove to the Wayne Resort Hotel. It was a tall building, mirrored so that in the morning it shone like a beacon. Not as impressive as the Wayne Tower but quite close.



The car door was opened by a young teenage valet, eager to please in the hopes of receiving a large tip. Katarina smiled at him, handing over her car keys, and walked through the glass double doors. The place was buzzing with energy, the well dressed narcissistic gentry of Gotham were seen walking from here to there around the lobby.



Katarina, in her t-shirt and jeans stuck out like a sore thumb. She walked over to the spacious and high reception desk. A very slick looking man, with a equally slick hair do, served as host. He eyed Katarina form head to toe and sneered as she approached.



“I’m here to speak with Mr. Wayne” Katarina began “he’s expecting me”



Plastering on a very fake smile and making no attempt to hide it the host responded. “I was not informed about Mr. Wayne expecting anyone.”



“Perhaps if you called him you’d be better informed.” she bit back.



“Mr. Wayne is a very busy man, he doesn’t need to be interrupted by a hussy like you.”



“Hussy?” Katarina narrowed her eyes. This was not the day to mess with her.



“Security,” the receptionist called out to the two large males stationed near him “Please remove this woman.”



The large bulky men stepped onto either side of Katarina, each grabbed an arm and started to haul her out. Katarina resisted, trashing from side to side, her son was in danger and these people were trying to prevent her from saving him.



“What happens to be the problem Jean-Luc.” the smooth slightly accented voice of Bruce Wayne made the two guards turn around. The enraged woman in there grasps. The receptionist looked slightly nervous.



“Officer Napier I’ve been expecting you. Why, may I ask are you assaulting a police officer?” Bruce asked the two, now very nervous, guards.



“Sir, Jean-Luc asked us to remove her” guard number one said. He and guard to let go of the woman as if burned by her touch. She strutted back to the reception desk and came to stand by Bruce’s side.



“Mr. Wayne, I’m sorry I was delayed but you…employee here had me restrained.” Katarina said.



“Is that so, well then Jean-Luc. I believe you own Officer Napier an apology.”



“I am terribly sorry ma’am.” the sleazy gelled haired man apologized, “ I did not know who you were.”



“Save you kiss-assery for someone who cares. Don’t let it happen again.” Katarina said menacingly.



“Well then” Bruce offered Katarina his arm like a true gentleman “shall we proceed up stairs officer?”



She hooked her arm into the crook of his and nodded her agreement. They walked silently to the elevator. Bruce’s face a perfect play boy mask.



The long elevator ride was also spent in silence, the ding of the elevator resounded when they reached the up most floor of the building. The metal doors opened and they stepped out. The door was opened by an elder man, the way he spoke and his posture showed exceptional manners and breeding.



“Good evening Mrs. Napier. Welcome back Master Bruce. I was under the impression you had business to attend to tonight sir” Alfred greeted.



“Save it Alfred. She knows”



“I beg your pardon sir. What do you mean ‘She knows’”



Alfred was quite stunned. The only people who knew about Bruce’s delicate secret had been himself, Miss Rachel and Lucius Fox from what he was aware. This woman had been in Gotham for little less the two weeks and she knew? Something was not right.



The brown eyed pair walked in to the spacious suite, they said nothing else until the door was firmly shut behind them and they had migrated to the large living room. Alfred left them alone, sensing this was a private matter, Bruce would fill him in later. The awkward silence was broken by Katarina, she was on a mission and had no time to waste.



“Bruce, I can’t begin to thank you for what you are doing. I…I can only guess what your sacrificing. I‘m sorry for the way I‘ve treated you” There she had said it. The guilt had been building up in her since she had so rudely converse with the Dark Knight. He hadn’t deserved her anger.



“Katarina, we didn’t start out on the best of terms, with either of my identities. I suppose I am to blame for that. But right now what is important is your son. Not my feelings. However, your apology is accepted” he responded.



“Thank you.”



“Now tomorrow at the Commissioner’s tribute, you can announce who I am.”



He said it so casually that Katarina couldn’t help but think that he was slightly relieved this was happening. Carrying the burden of Gotham on his shoulders must have been hard, being hunted by the very people he was trying to protect. She pitied this man.



“Bruce, I really wish there was some other way…but J.C is just too precious to me. I don’t see any other option.” she expressed her regret.



“Discuss this with Harvey Dent, if need be tell him what you learned. He is speaking at the funeral after the Mayor, he can give you a window of opportunity.” Bruce continued.



“I wont tell him, now at least, Harvey will understand once I tell him about J.C.”



“I will be there. As Bruce Wayne, but I’ll have all the evidence we’ll need.”



Katarina embraced Bruce, she needed to be held at the moment. He rubbed her back soothingly if a bit awkward. He whispered that everything would be alright, he would make it better. There was something he needed to know. She needed to prove she was just as loyal to this cause as he was. She would tell him her secret.



“Bruce,” she backed out of his embrace slowly left armed dropped to his side his right hand remained on her shoulder. A sign of comfort. “There’s something you need to know about the Joker.”



“What is it Katarina?”



“He…I..I think that the Joker is my husband.”



He stared at her face, confused as if his mind could not process the information she had provided him with. Katarina waited to gauge his reaction. The quite room became dead silent as the moment wore on.



“He’s…your…husband?”



“My husband, Jack Napier. “ Katarina began her tale.



“He went missing eight years ago. Disappeared without a trace. The Joker fits his physical description perfectly. I had one of the retired teacher’s at the Academy, who had been a detective, investigate his disappearance. When he went to look for his records they were all gone. It was like he had never existed.”



“Why are you telling me this?”



“I wanted to repay your secret with one of my own. I want to find out what happened to my husband Bruce. But if it comes down to him or J.C I wont hesitate to save my son.”



“Seems like we all have our little secrets” Bruce mused, he couldn’t judge this woman based on her would be husband. She had proven herself in his eyes. The trust she placed on him only cemented his resolve to help her.



“Yeah you run around in spandex and a cape and I may be married to a certified criminal wackjob! Yup we’re two peas in a pod Brucey”



They shared a laugh, the first and perhaps last they would share as friends. The Joker had changed their worlds forever. After this night the Domino’s would fall and there was no stopping them. It seemed like the Joker would win.



“Master Bruce excuse the interruption but I picked up something very interesting on the radio frequency.” Alfred rushed into the room looking highly frazzled.



“What is it Alfred?”



Bruce and Katarina walked into the pent house following Alfred to hear the mysterious message.



“ 8 and Orchard, you’ll find Harvey Dent there”



The message made Katarina’s blood run cold. She looked at Bruce his expression mirrored her own feelings.



“You suit up, I’ll get Gordon and the other” Katarina said as she made her way out the door not waiting for a response. Without Harvey everything would be ruined, oh god poor Rachel she will be distraught if anything happens to him. She rushed out of the elevator and gave the valet her ticket number and waited impatiently for him to return.



‘Please God for all of Gotham’s sake let Harvey be okay”

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The Joker closed the stolen cell phone, having made his cryptic call concerning Harvey Dent and turned back to the child that was huddle at the foot of his bed. He looked like a scared rabbit who had stepped into a fox den. He shivered and quaked with fright and cold, his eyes followed all of the Joker’s movements.



‘What am I going to do with this kid for 48 hours?’