What a Little Moonlight can do

Rain was beginning to fall lightly of the streets of Gotham as the gang returned home. Desi had no idea there was so much method to the crime she saw nightly on the evening news. It was, to some effect, a bit of a buzzkill to travel around, dropping equipment off and swapping cars several times before finally coming home.

She had spent the day oscillating between two major thoughts. One was the giddy high she felt watching the terrified look on Larry's face. She found herself wondering Is that the same feeling the Joker has? I killed somebody, and I really liked it. Does that make me crazy? But before she could really commit to that line of thinking her eyes would fall on him, directing equipment or standing silent, watching over everyone.

She found herself incredibly turned on by the slightest example of his swagger or tone of voice. He was so powerful. She began to idly bite her lower lip, lost in thought until the arrived back at his hideout. Most of the mob had dissipated little at a time throughout the day, the few regulars headed up with she and the Joker to the top floor.

The Joker went straight in and made his way to the bedroom. Desi followed, excited after the long day of mental masturbation. He was sitting on the end of his bed, unbuttoning his cuffs. "Today was amazing." She said, slowly entering the room.

"You made a very good student." He responded, bending to remove a shoe. "So." she began as she sat down to the back right of him, "I was thinking today, and I think I really want to know how exactly you got the scars."
He dropped the other shoe and sat up to face her. "Because I think..." she purred, kissing each side slowly, "...they're beautiful."

She sat on her knees, almost hovering above his head. He chuckled softly, "You, uh, want to make me happy, is that it?" She rolled backward off her knees and onto her backside, her legs now open on either side of him. "Then I want you..."

"Yes?" she asked, trying to stifle her excitement. "I want you to go and cook something for the boys." He responded flippantly, and stood to finish undressing. "What?" She asked, incredulous. "What good are they to me if not at top performance?" He replied.

She look around, certain she was being set up. "Besides, I am tired and I want to sleep." He continued, throwing his shirt into the pile in the corner. "But...you're telling me you aren't even the slightest bit 'charged up' from today?" she stammered.

He looked at her, narrowing his eyes as if struggling to read something written on her face. "Oh, I get it." he says, suddenly excited, "You're turned on." A smile exploded across her face, "Yes. Exactly." The Joker began removing his pants, "Well, all the more reason to feed the boys. I'm sure any one of them would take care of it for you. Hell, several might."

She just stared at him as he removed his pants, speechless. "What?" He asked, noticing her stare. "I don't want just anyone." She spat, crossing the room toward him. She stopped uncomfortably close to him, resting a hand over his genitals. Thin green boxer shorts was all that separated them. "I want you."

His expression crestfallen, he grabbed her wrist and pulled it away. "Well, I'm tired." He replied sternly. He stomped past her and turned back, "Just what do you think this is?" he demanded, "You think we're together? Like we're supposed to 'make love' and cuddle like lovesick teenagers. We're not, and we never will be. You and me, don't make me laugh."

But it was Desi who laughed, throwing her head to one side, "Don't flatter yourself." she snarled, "I said I wanted to fuck you, not 'make love' or... whatever. This is lust, Smiley, know the difference. A man in your position really ought to."

Though the Joker sat silent, you could feel the rage building. Desi even began to grow a little scared. He brought his hand up to point at her, his expression full of hate. "You know what you are? You're just a fangirl. You're just hanging on to my coattails." he seethed, "At least the boys out there are as predictable as they are expendable. You." He started, then turned away from her. "I'm tired, and I'm going to bed." He said flatly.

"I...I didn't mean when I said..." Desi began, inching toward him. With his back still to her he muttered, "Get out." She took another step toward him, "What?" she asked. With a voice that shook her to her core he thundered, "GET OUT!" With that she turned slowly to leave as he climbed into bed.

She entered the main room and received looks that told her the acoustics in this loft were damn good. For the first time all day she felt just awful. She turned to the crowd, and faking ok better that she ever had before she asked, "Are you boys hungry?"

The oldest of them answered, "Actually, we decided to go out and grab a bite together." Lowering his voice barely above a whisper he added, "When he gets upset like that, it just safer to make yourself scarce." Desi nodded her silent understanding, and watched as they all filed out together. With dread in the pit of her stomach she examined the loft.

Though neat, it was obviously lived in, and needed a thorough cleaning. "Well, babe, its not like you're getting any sleep tonight anyway." She said aloud, and began picking up the sheets of newspaper and ashtrays that were scattered about. By morning, the place looked amazing, even his laundry had been hand washed and pressed. Who would've thought he owned a suit press?

She sat down with a freshly made cup of coffee and waited. Maybe he'll sleep it off. She thought as she sipped her coffee. I mean, last night was ugly, but he didn't kill me then, that's gotta mean something.

Her thinking was interrupted by the telltale sounds of someone stirring awake. Moments later he emerged from the bedroom, still hazy. He scanned the room, noting its improvement. "You've been busy." he said finally. Nervously, Desi asked "Would you like some coffee?"

"Why not?" He responded, walking back into the bedroom. Desi rose and went to pour the cup while Joker paced around in his bedroom. He returned with the largest stack of money she'd ever seen. "So, there's the cleaning, the laundry, and your help with the Armory" He said, counting out money on the counter. "You owe me for the suit you're..." he fidgets to demonstrate what she was wearing, removing a few bills from the stack, "Oh and the coffee." he says, taking a sip and throwing a single dollar on top of the stack.

"I like it stronger than this," he continued, "and now that you're paid, you can be on your way." Desi felt dizzy. "What?" she asked, placing a hand on the counter for support. "We're done." he said, "So go." The Joker made a motion with his hand toward the door and took another sip of his coffee. "But I was...this is...If this is about last night..." She could feel the bile rise up in her throat. Choking back, she whispered "I killed someone for you."

Finishing his coffee, he rounded the counter and grabbed her by her elbow, "Yeah, and now that that's done you can move on to something impressive." He pressed the money into her hand as he pulled her to the door. "Ok, bye bye now." he exclaimed as he her shoved her across the threshold and slammed the door with a deafening thud.

Desi just stood there shaking. In her hand was easily ten thousand dollars, and she'd never felt so cheap in her life. She felt empty, and although not really sad, she couldn't stop the tears from pouring down her face. She placed the money inside her coat pocket, and started down the steps with not a clue in her head of what to do.

He just threw me away. Why didn't he just kill me? She thought. She wasn't expecting him to fall in love with her, but she hadn't fathomed he'd do this. What an idiot I am. I didn't know him at all and I'm expecting things from him. She gasped and laughed standing on the street, tears still streaming down cheeks.

"Miss, are you ok?" a passerby asked. Desi looked up at him, and something in her stare spooked his and he backed away silently. This only made her laugh harder. She walked aimlessly, not realizing she was carrying herself to her apartment. Suddenly realizing where she was, she fished her key and let herself in, scattering a stack of junk mail across the floor at her feet.

She felt numb, and the home she once loved now seemed depressing and false. She pulled at her clothes until they fell away, leaving her in her underthings. She passed the main wall of her living room and noticed all the hanging achievements. All from a life she could no longer imagine; all with her old name.

Rage overcame her and she ripped them all down, shattering any that could be broken. She looked around at the complete mess she had made, and with first good feeling she had all day, she switched on the television and walked into her tiny kitchenette for a beer. The glass had cut her feet and she was tracking blood across the apartment resembling one of those crime scene charts you see on Court TV.

A few beers later, she sat in front of the television without really watching it. I'm not going away that quickly. She thought. But this time won't be so easy. I can't just walk in, I have to impress him somehow. I need a gift, an offering, something that will stun him. I have to show him that I'm more than one of his thugs.

Her thought was interrupted by a local commercial that was twice as loud as the broadcast. It was a middle aged man sitting behind a desk addressing the viewer directly:

Hello friends-
We are living in dangerous times. Violence to our bretheren,
drugs on our streets, and corruption in our government can
make even the most hopeful of us feel unsafe. Well, here at
New Gotham Church of Christ you can receeve hope and the
security of the word of God. Won't you join us this and every
Sunday at both 7 and 11:30 AM. God Bless You.

Desi just laughed. The biggest Church in all of Gotham. Something Impressive, huh? That would turn a head or two. She thought, tapping on the screen. "What I need is gasoline." she said, hopping to her feet.

Throwing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, she pocketed the money from the suit, and tucked her hair under a cap. She hit the door with a spring in her step, a plan already forming in her head.

If you're looking for knockaround guys, the state employment office didn't hold a candle to Maroni's on a Saturday night. That was exactly why she was headed there. She walked in looking fresh faced and esprit. She looked across the bar, and spied the same older thief that had warned her the night before.

Sitting down beside him, she offered, "Can I buy you that drink?" He looked over, part confused and part scared. "I'll come to my point then." she rolled her eyes and started, "I need a favor." This apparently gathered a crowd, several of which balked at her comment.

"We don't do favors, unless they're...returned" one man said, obscenely handling a pool cue. "I understand gentlemen." She said, smiling, "Which is why I'm prepared to pay $5000 to the man who can help me." Several of the men looked around.

"Hell, I'd do it for thirty minutes in the back room with you." Said one man. "Twenty!" said another. Desi laughed, "Boys, you flatter me. I am however, reserved for someone else." she said with a shrug, "Sorry."

"Who the Hell are you waiting for that would let you out to a place like this on a Saturday night?" he replied, followed by several cheers of agreement. Desi chuckled, "The, um, the Joker." The crowd fell silent.

"The freak?" one asked, breaking the silence. "He's... not a freak." she responded, "Okay, so I need ten 50 gallon barrels of Gasoline delivered to 1701 47th St by midnight tonight. So, who's gonna be able to help me." The crowd shuffled, most wanting nothing to do with the Joker.

"Why can't you get your boy to do it?" Asked another from the crowd. "Because..." Desi happily replied, "it's a surprise!" To further her point, she brought her finger to her lips and narrowed her eyes. "I'll do it." The old fellow at the bar answered low. "Great!" she replied, hugging him. "Here's the direction and everything you should need." As she hopped up and walked out, the two playing pool scoffed, "That freak getting a girl like that. There's no justice in the world."

At midnight, she was standing on the corner when a van drove up and two guys hopped out. "This is my cousin, he's an expert in demolition." The older man says. "It's a pleasure." she says, extending a hand which goes ignored. "How are you setting this up?" he asked, pulling the first barrels out.

"Oh, uh, mapgas igniter?" she shrugged. "That's not bad." he comments, a big smile spreading across her face. "You're gonna want to put some distance yourself from the building before you light it up." he says, still pulling materials from the van. "Oh, I'm not doing it right now." she answered. The criminals looked at each other, puzzled.

"I'm doing it tomorrow." She volunteered. "In God's name, why?" Asked the older criminal. "Exactly," She responded, "to send a message." She gazed at the expressions coming her way, "Oh please! Like there's an appropriate time to blow up a church! Come on, let's get this over with."

They set to work setting up a huge charge and setting the timer for 7:30 AM. Once done, Desi pulled a large manila envelope from her coat and placed it in the mailbox. She then pulled the remainder of the money given to her by the Joker from her pocket and handed it over to them.

"I just can't thank you enough boys for all your help." She beamed. The older man scanned the stack of bills as she began walking away into the night. "This is more than you owe us." he called out after her. She called back, "I don't want it. It's not about the money."

Come the next morning, there was panic on the streets of Gotham. While getting her pedicure, Desi heard all about the horrible explosion at that huge church and how so many people were injured. While getting waxed, she saw the news report about the package found at the scene with joker cards and a chilling note inside:

You Seek Protection
Sacrificing your freedom
for the illusion of safety

But there is no escape
There is no Place
Anarchy can't reach You

Even Your god is Susceptible to Chaos.

By the time she bought the trench coat, you couldn't even hail a cab in Gotham. The city seemed to grind to a halt. Yet when she arrived at his hideout, it was empty. Desi still felt a little high from walking through town wearing her new coat with nothing on beneath it.

She shed her coat and threw herself across his favorite chair, the one no one was allowed to sit in, and draping her crossed legs over one of the chair arms she waited. It wasn't long before she could here him pounding up the stairs, talking wildly about the events of the day. He entered, and stopped cold as his eyes fixed on the cool loveliness of her pale skin.

"Desdemona." He said low, a maniacal smile creeping across his face. "You owe me $1,411.00 for gas." she replied. "Look at you, the amazing arsonist!" he said gruffly, stifling a chuckle. "Way I heard it, the Joker did that." she said, tilting her head back and looking up at the ceiling. "Hello boys." She addressed the mob who were in full stare over her nudity.

The Joker laughed hysterically, clutched his sides, and brought one hand up to wag at her. "You blew up a church full of people?!?" he asked incredulously. Without so much as blinking, she fired back, "I want you inside of me."

The Joker stopped laughing and began to catch his breath. "I flavored part of my body with mint leaves." she uttered, "You'll never guess where." There was a long silence while their eyes locked. "Get out." he muttered. After a moment, he turned to the mob and again, "You heard me. Get. Out."