Arkham Days

"Is that really safe?" I turned looking up at the guard now escorting me down the hall.



"I dunno," he shrugged, "he doesn't seem to bother her though, and even if he does John is there." He led me back to the main room, walking me through and then returning to his position on the other side of the door. I walked forward slowly taking in which of Gotham's most wanted criminals were hanging around today. I saw Thomas Blake playing cards with Garfield Lynns and Drury Walker at the far wall. Jervis sat sprawled across a chair chatting noisily with Oswald with an annoyed looking Edward over to the side. I looked across the rest of the room, which seemed oddly empty. I could hear noise coming from the surround cells, and to my surprise no Croc or Scarecrow were insight. I couldn't help but smile at the idea that at least for 5 seconds I had a taste of life before the Joker and all this nonsense began, or at least a taste of life that I could remember. I walked to Edward smiling politely as he gestured at a chair near him.



"Your hair is looking particularly red today, Edward. Something wrong?" I heard him let out a loud scoff before turning to me with a grin.



"What's wrong you ask, would be the two babbling idiots in front of me." He gestured with his thumb over to the two men who merely shook their heads and returned to their heated debate. "These to morons wouldn't know the difference between madness and insanity if Salvador Dali smacked them between the eyes with a melted clock. Speaking of madness though, I hear you have some problems of your own."



"A few," I shrugged. This place wasn't that big, everyone knew about my problems by now. Edward probably knew more about what was going on then I did.



"So you content with him then?" He asked staring forward at the bickering duo.

"Content with who?" I asked.



"Content with Jonathan." His gaze slide over to me.



"Well it's him or throw myself to the psycho clown at the moment."



"You have other choices, you know." He stared at me full force drawing in closer to my face.



"Oh, Edward not you too!" He chuckled and leaned back.



"I'm kidding." He threw his hands up laughing lightly, looking back at the two in front of him who had obviously over heard us and were joining in on his laugh. "Seriously there are other choices though."



"Just not for us!" Jervis yelled as he and Penguin broke out into more fits of laughter. I rolled my eyes at the two turning my attention back to Nigma.



"He's right you know." He smiled. "You're crazy if you think Scarecrow and the Joker are the only ones after you in this place. Are choices are limited. It's you or Pamela, and trust me though we maybe considered 'insane' we are not stupid. We prefer to stay alive." I laughed with him this time. That was true. It was just Pamela and I in this place, and dating Poison Ivy was not high on any life loving man's list.



Jervis leaned over the back of the chair as Penguin scooted closer in, creating a small circle. Gosh, I swear sometimes I think we really are our own little secret society.



"So what does it for you Crow?" Jervis spouted out causing a light hush to fall over the room. Thomas and the rest playing cards whispered amongst themselves casting glances our way, I'm sure hoping to catch some juicy gossip, as a few inmates leaned out of their cells trying to hear better. "Is it the over stuffed straw brain in search of a bigger ego, or the guy who has taken one to many trips to emerald city to play ruling wizard with some magic C4?"



"Or are you more into the strong strapping overly impulsive Guards?" Oswald chimed in.



"Now Penguin, that wasn't inconspicuous at all." Jervis jeered.



"Shut it, Wonderland." Oswald barked.



"So who is it?" Edward lightly nudged my side.



"Do I have to pick one?" I squeaked sliding down in my chair bringing my hands up to cover my face.



"No! You can have me!" Catman called from the back corner, as the room burst into laughter.



"Of course Thomas, you know you're the only one for me!" I shouted back faking a love struck look.



"Damn right!" He chuckled. "And don't you forget it!" I laughed so hard I could feel tears running down my face. It felt good to be able to sit back and joke with the inmates like normal.



"How bout a kiss for luck?" Elliot shouted back. I tried to hold my composure turning around bringing my hand to my mouth to blow him a kiss. Not a second after I had blown it, Walker's hand shot out in front of Thomas's face as though he were catching an imaginary ball.



"I caught it! Luck and the kiss is mine!" Walker jumped out of his chair throwing his cards on the table with his clinched fist raised high in the air. A few claps and laughs echoed around the room as he took a bow, and Thomas groaned at the cards which were obviously the winning hand in their game.



"Sit back down Moth." Thomas sneered jabbing him in the side. "I plan on winning my money back!" We all turned back to our places as the laughter died down, and their game resumed.



"So about those options?" I sighed. "Exactly what options do I have?"



"Well, the guard is a big option." Edward started.



"A useful option." Continued Penguin.



"The smart option." Jervis added.



"Not for him." I didn't like where they were going with this. I wasn't about to get Owen in trouble.



"No? I think you're wrong." Riddler turned to me. "Think about it, it's no secret he has been following you around for days. He's not the best liar when it comes to hiding his intentions."



"Not only that, but the Joker has unlimited resources, and he's a master at playing on other's weaknesses. He's already managed to bribe most of the guards and let's not for get the eliquent Harley Quinn." Penguin added.



"So he's got at least four guards, and doctor on his side." Continued Riddler. "And who do you have?"



"I have you guys." I said softly looking between them, and they nodded lightly.



"That's not the point though, my dear. All of the Joker's sources are on the outside, and he has an equal number on the inside. A few of us aren't going to be able to stop him. You need an out side source. You have no money, and no real valuables. That guard is the only one that will remain loyal to you, and refuse the Joker. He's the only one that can help you disappear when the time comes." Oswald said lightly annunciating each syllable with precise manner.



"What time? Disappear where?" I sat up, feeling a little alarmed. What was going to happen here.



"That's not the point, baby bird. The point is-"



"The point is" Jervis interjected, "you need him to be there when the time comes. The time itself is not the issue, trust me you'll know. Afterwards, of course you'll have us to count on again. No way we are going to let Crane or Joker get to you."



"We have a plan, to help you." I turned back to the Riddler. "You'll need that guard for our plan to work. Not just for you, but for us as well." I looked back and forth between them, and hesitantly nodded. The relaxed and looked around at each other.



"So when do I get to know the plan?" I asked.



"Not until absolutely necessary. Trust me," Nigma smiled, "it's better that way."



"Now what is, ah, this?"











Author's Notes



I'm in the middle of the 8th chapter. Sorry it's been so long, but I'm planning on updating at least one chapter for all more stories. The next chapter will be a little more Joker filled, so no worries he's not gone. Feed back would be appreciated! Thank you for your patience!