- Chapter 18 -

The Stacked Deck. A place where Gotham criminals can talk, drink, play cards in peace. Depending on how 'in peace' meant for each. It is a place where most of the notorious members of Gotham's Rogues Gallery sometimes spend time when not doing, or planning, anything.

As of the moment, three members of the Rogues Gallery had gathered at one table, one of them settled with having a cup of beverage, while the other two continued on with their card game.

Jonathan continued to scowl down on his cup, his thoughts were of the events earlier that day. After having seen Miss Isley in the Stacked Deck, he asked her if one Harley Quinn visited her and if ever they went out together for a stroll in the city. The redhead did confirmed Harley showing up at her hideout but denied that they ever went out the city, since Harley wanted to spend more time with her beloved puddin'.

Ideas and assumptions had been popping in his head after Ivy had answered him truthfully. And to where all these were heading, he wasn't liking it one bit.

"That's it, I give up," said Ivy, throwing her cards on the table face up, having a hand under her chin. "It's either you're good in bluffing, or my luck's running short tonight."

Nygma gathered the money on the table with both arms, a pleased smile on his face. "Then that would make me the one whom luck favors more between the two of us."

Ivy said nothing and just shot a dirty look at the Riddler. When her green eyes wandered toward the other redhead who was sitting from across her, it was the first time she ever noticed the scowl on the professor's face.

"What's wrong with you, Crane?" she asked, causing the man addressed to look up to her. "You look like you're in a worse mood than the one I'm in."

The professor continued to scowl. "I should go," he said, as he stood up and started leaving.

"Oh, an appointment with fear, have you, Jonnie-boy?" asked Nygma, watching the professor took his Scarecrow mask from the table.

Jonathan, clenching his hands into fists, summoned all the self-control he had to fight the urge to turn back to Nygma, as he said nothing and decided to walk off. But before he was able to advance any further, a batarang was thrown on the table where the three redheads had been gathered around. As all three looked down on it, and noticed the red blinking light on the middle, all three ran as far away as they could from the table before the batarang exploded.

When all three redheads got back to their senses, gathered themselves, they stood up and looked around cautiously, keeping an eye around the shadows.

Batman stepped out into better lighting.

"No one's going anywhere but to Arkham."

Before any of the rogues was able to make their moves on the vigilante, gun cocks were heard, as the three redheads found themselves surrounded by the Gotham police. All three eventually gave up, holding up their arms, but Jonathan demanded that he needed to speak with the Dark Knight before being taken to the van.

"What do you want, Crane?" asked the Bat rather frankly as he stepped over to the professor.

"I know where the Hatter is," said the professor, causing a surprised expression upon the vigilante's masked face. "And I know the Joker will be there as well. I will tell you the location if you promise me...don't let that psychopathic clown try anything."

When the professor was dragged to the van to be brought back to Arkham, the Dark Knight already had the location and was on his way to the batmobile. He was frowning from underneath that mask, and was wondering more why the professor had given him such an information that easily. Something has got to be troubling Crane, and with the looks on the rogue's eyes, Batman was wishing he'd arrive in the place just in time.

"Going off, already?" a voice came from behind. It was Gordon. Batman looked over his shoulders to look back at the commissioner. It was as if the seasoned policeman was waiting for any such response, so the vigilante in turn did respond.

"There's still room at Arkham, isn't there?"

Gordon nodded, the expressions on his face unreadable but his voice didn't seem serious, nor joking in any such manner at all. "Yep. You know where the others would be?"

"I'm just on my way there." The Dark Knight then flung a black device toward the commissioner, as the policeman caught it deftly in the air with both hands.

"What's this?" asked Gordon, looking down on the small screen of the device, a red blinking dot was on it.

Batman had already hopped on his vehicle. "You follow that, you'll get to the place. But make sure you take the three who's in the van to Arkham first."

The black car had started on gear and not more than two seconds did the vigilante drove away before Gordon could reply. Nevertheless, watching the batmobile disappear after making a sharp left turn, Gordon said, "I'll be seeing you later, then."

In another part of Gotham, somewhere just downtown...

Screeching rubber over a road of asphalt can be heard, as the March Hare stepped on the gas and made a rather sharp turn at a right on the third block. Meanwhile, the Mad Hatter held on for dear life, silently scolding himself at the back of his mind for not putting on his seat belt when he got the chance.

They were both in costume, with Alex having decided to not wear the mask anymore, since everyone in Gotham already know who she was.

"Hatta, the next time you see the White Rabbit," Alex said all of a sudden, still driving fast, "at least think twice about following him, would you?"

Jervis only nodded, mentally arguing with himself whether or not he should reach for the seat belt and strap it on himself. Half of his mind was truly in attention to what Alex just said. He couldn't blame her if she was angry at the moment. He had tagged her along, saying that he saw the White Rabbit and told him to follow. The "following" eventually led them to go out of their hideout and into the city, where a few police officers recognized them and started shooting at them.

They left the car they used where it was, since they won't be able to get to it without avoiding the police and the bullets. So Alex quickly stole another car, and, having taken Jervis's hand gun with her, returned fire as they try to escape and not get caught to be brought back to Arkham.

They continued on at such speed, one that Jervis had thought could be the exact speed a race car driver would do with intent and determination to win. Until all of a sudden, Alex veered out of control. The car was violently turning from side to side, until the direction it was making had turned into a zigzag.

"Alex?" Finally Jervis found his voice, and looked over to the driver's seat, being fully aware that there was something wrong. He saw the brunette struggling to keep her eyes on the road while still trying to be in-control of the stolen vehicle, beads of sweat were appearing on her forehead.

The scientist could do nothing but trust that his better half would still be able to take a hold on every possible control and eventually come to a stop. And it did happen. Alex made a sharp turn at an alley and came to a screeching stop. Both of them panted heavily on their seats.

Several heavy breathing's later, Jervis looked over to the driver's seat again, only to find Alex squeezing her eyes shut in pain while having a hand to her left side, gritting her teeth together.

"Alex!" There was utter alarm in Jervis's voice, as he reached a gloved hand and placed it on the brunette's shoulder. "Alex, dearest, are you alright? How do you feel?"

"Must've been shot back there," she replied, as she looked down on her side, her white glove stained red with her own blood. She let her head fall back on the headrest as Jervis moved over to have a look on her wound.

"Do you think you can still be able to stand up?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

"Then I'll be driving from here. Let's exchange seats." He started to move as though he'd get out of the car.

"What? No, you can't," protested the brunette, which eventually stopped him as he was forced to look back to her with brows raised a few inches. "You can't do left-hand driving."

"Yes, well, I have been in America far too long for me to be able to learn how to do it," he said with reassurance.

"But you're not yet used to it..?"

Suddenly, Alex was taken off guard, as Jervis gave her a rather serious look on his face, with a subtle glare.

"Listen now, if you do not let me into the driver's seat, I will make you." He slipped a gloved hand inside his blue coat, pulling out one of his 10/6 cards as he spoke. "And I'm begging you, Alex, do not make me do so."

They stared at each other for not more than three seconds, before Alex finally broke off the staring contest and opened the door, and got out. Jervis did the same as they exchanged places. After Alex finally got herself settled on her seat, and Jervis having settled on the driver's seat, he stepped on the gas and made for the road.

He was in the need to get back to their hiding place quickly, since a hospital was not an option for them. Alex might lose a lot more blood. He doesn't know what to do with the wound, but they'd figure it out somehow when they get back home safely.

Reaching "home" took about twenty minutes later. Having Alex's arm on his shoulder, while having one arm around her waist, Jervis entered by the back door of their hideout. They reached a certain table which Alex sat on, gritting her teeth together while having her hand on her wound.

"May I be honest with you, dearest?" Jervis suddenly asked, his eyes wandered about the brunette, concern was apparent on those blue eyes.

"Of course," replied the brunette immediately. "What is it?"

He pointed a gloved finger towards her wound. "I haven't the foggiest what to do with that."

She smiled at him.

"That's alright," she said, with great effort at that. Her wound was letting it hard for her even to speak, but she wouldn't want for him to notice that. She held out a finger towards a direction. "I think I saw a medical kit over there." Then, as he turned to get the kit, before he could ask why they even had a such a thing in their hideout, she quickly added, "I stole it from somewhere down town. I don't remember exactly where, but I thought it would be useful if I bring it along."

It didn't take long before Jervis came to her side with the kit, but before she could open it, they suddenly heard a familiar voice, causing both of them to look toward the direction where it was coming from.

"Aaawww. We're not interrupting anything, are we?"

Within seconds, Joker revealed himself, with Harley and his two thugs right behind him. Jervis had already stepped in front of Alex, sensing already that having the Clown Prince of Crime showing up in their midst was not a form of pleasant visit for any reason.

"You're presence here is not just for a friendly visit, I assume?" the Englishman asked, though he already knew the answer to it.

Joker feigned a hurt expression on his face, holding up his gloved hand to his chest.

"Why, Hatty," the clown said. "I'm hurt. Is there anything wrong about me showin' up here, in your...eh..." He looked around. "Your...humble abode? Your love nest? Your little piece of Wonderland on Earth?"

"Why are you here, Joker?" said Alex from behind Jervis, clutching her wound with her hand. If anything, she knew all too well that her "Hatta" and the Joker were never in any such good terms.

Joker shrugged indifferently, while Harley behind him wasn't entirely happy with the situation. Judging by the looks on he painted face. "Thought I want to see Hat here about the party he threw back at Arkham a few days ago. You know. The breakout?"

"What of it?" asked Jervis.

At this, Joker gave one of those grins of his that made so many people before and up till now, tremble in their shoes. "You really think you can just throw a party without me?"

"I don't take it to be my fault if you weren't around that time," said Jervis coolly.

Joker glared, his grin turning upside down. "Who gave you the right to be all smart and brainy and planning a mass breakout when I'm not around!" he shouted, causing the thugs and Harley to take a step backward. "Go on ahead and take the credit. Get your name and pictures on the papers, I don't give a damn!" He pointed his extended thumb at himself. "But I always get the center stage when things happen at Arkham. And if you think I'll let you do it again, noooooo way. Think again, Hat!"

He then shouted "Boys!" before his grin came back again, and the thugs approached. Only to be stopped by the March Hare, who was giving out a rather venomous glare at them.

It stopped the thugs only for a moment, exchanged glances with each other, then continued their advance. Until the brunette spoke in a dangerous voice.

"Take one more step and I'll break your legs."

Again, the thugs exchanged looks, then looked back to their boss.

"Well?" said Joker a little annoyingly. "Strangle the Hare!"

"But boss," said one, "she looks like she can do it."

But when Joker reached for his pistol inside his coat, the two thugs advanced further and made to grab at Alex. But they were no match to the March Hare as long as she have that headband on.

She easily disposed of the thugs, who laid unconscious on the floor, as she pulled out the pistol holstered at her left leg and threateningly pointed it at Joker, who in turn was already pointing his pistol at her.

A pistol cock was heard from behind Alex, and Joker saw Jervis had drawn out his own pistol and was also pointing it at him. When Joker's gaze flicked to Harley, he found the jester girl unarmed at all. When Harley met her puddin's gaze, she quickly got out her own handgun from inside her bag and pointed it at the March Hare.

"Sorry, Ears," she said. "Nothin' personal."

None of them moved an inch. It was like a usual stand down that you'll see on violent movies, or a movie under a cowboy genre. There was tension in the air, and while both the Mad Hatter and his March Hare glared at the Joker, said clown continued grinning while Harley was wondering what will happen next when one of them pulls the trigger.

"You're better than I thought," said Joker at last, addressing Alex, as he was slowly reaching a gloved hand to the inside of his purple coat.

And then, at the same moment, the roof collapsed. As the four rogues scrambled back to their feet, they found the Dark Knight in their midst.

"Am I late?" said the vigilante.

A little "uh-oh" was heard from the Joker as he stood and started backing away. "Looks like Hat got lucky this time," he murmured to himself, then added a little louder, "Harley! Escape plan!"

"On it, Mistah J!"

Harley then threw something on the ground, and it released a form of gas in gray color. Luckily, it wasn't the Joker venom, it was just a cover for Joker's escape.

As the Wonderland duo went running out to the back, their hands on their mouth as they coughed and peered through the smoke, Batman tried to catch up with the clown couple, intent on not letting Joker escape.

Meanwhile, the Wonderland couple finally got out of the streets. Alex, still clutching her wound, fell on her knees, unable to take it no more. She was already getting weak, having lost a lot of blood, and the pressure she was giving it with her hand wasn't enough. It needed tending to and she needed it fast.

"We must get away, dear," said Jervis, having knelt on one knee by the brunette's side, who had already collapsed on the ground and was on a sitting position.

"No," she shook her head. "We stay...here."

"B-But.." the Hatter protested. But the Hare only held up one hand to him and smiled.

"I can't go on," she said, almost weakly. "Let's wait for him here. He'll know what to do."

And by 'he' Jervis already had quite a good idea who it was that Alex was referring to.

"If you say so, my dear," he said, coming to sit down by the cold street himself, pulling her close to him.

He felt her shiver.

"It's...cold," she said.

Slowly, he took off his blue coat, as they both shifted on their positions, then he put the coat around her. This time, it was she who scooted comfortably near him, burying her head on his chest.

"Jervis?"

"Yes, dearest?"

"Can you recite Carroll for me? I want to hear your voice till the Bat comes."

He smiled. "What would you have me recite to you?"

"Hmm... Anything...your choice."

He decided to recite The Lobster Quadrille.

"`Will you walk a little faster?' said a whiting to a snail..."

Batman left Joker and Harley tied up together, back to back. He wasn't about to call Gordon and the others just yet. He needed to find the Hatter and the Hare. Both of whom he found at the street as he went out the back door. The Hatter seemed to be in the middle of reciting Lewis Carroll again, but then stopped when the rogue heard him approach.

"Something wrong?" said the Dark Knight.

The rogue looked up. "She said we should wait for you."

Batman then knelt down and took a look on the brunette. When he saw the gaping wound on her side, he got out his remote to his batmobile and within seconds, the car came to a screeching halt in front of them.

He took something from the car and gave the Hare some first aid.

"She's already lost a lot of blood, but she's still alive," he said, eyeing the Hatter carefully. "Weak, but still alive. I'll call the police and have them bring an ambulance. Which would take her to Arkham. And you."

The rogue nodded.

It was for the first time, Batman observed, that he ever saw the Hatter with his waistcoat on. It was the same shade of blue as his coat and pants.

"You care for her, don't you?" he asked, surprising himself, but no indications of such surprise was shown on his masked face.

The rogue once again nodded, still looking down on the brunette in his arms.

"Then why did you have to drag her into this?"

Batman knew there was no sense in talking like this to one of his rogues, but there was something about the way the Hatter looked that moment that made him asked.

"You could have stopped her. You can still save here now."

To his surprise, the rogue gave a rather sad smile. "How?" He looked up to meet those masked eyes. "Tell me how without hurting her, and I may be inclined in following your advice."

The vigilante said nothing. He didn't know 'how' himself. It's more likely that the Hare wouldn't cooperate to the idea either.

A minute passed before Commissioner Gordon arrived along with his men, and an ambulance...

A week later, in Arkham Asylum...

Two buffed guards escorted Jonathan Crane into the rec room.

Immediately, after the door was closed and the guards took their posts, Jonathan searched for a certain brunette, whom he caught sight eventually sitting by a table with a chessboard on top.

He crossed the room towards her, not giving any attention to the things around him, his brows slightly meeting on the middle of his forehead, but he wasn't angry. It was just his usual facial expression to ward off anyone who might easily annoy him. Though it never truly does work. A lot of the inmates still tend to annoy him.

"Ahem." He came to a standstill in front of the table. The brunette looked up to him with a quirked brow. "I believe that seat you're sitting on is reserved to one person only."

The brunette looked down on the chessboard. The pieces were untouched, not a single piece was out of its place.

"Said person isn't available at the moment," she said.

Alex had been released from Arkham's infirmary wing, surprising the doctors on how quickly she recovered from her gunshot wound. But a day after her celebration of being able to be with her "Hatta" again, it didn't take long. The Joker hadn't forgotten about the Hatter and for the second time, had placed the Hatter in a coma state.

While Jervis had been moved to the infirmary, Joker was sent to solitary confinement and won't be released till a fortnight. This had left Alex in a bad mood for the last few days, and she had been sitting around the rec room reading books. It was the first time she ever decided on sitting by Jonathan's and Jervis's table.

"Give it three days more," said the professor, sitting down on the chair from across the brunette by the same table. "A week at most, and he'll be back again. At least he doesn't have that ridiculous grin on his face like the last time."

The brunette nodded.

For the last couple of days, Jonathan hadn't said a single word to anyone about his and Jervis's little secret.

The Englishman had been keeping an onyx ring somewhere either about his person or in his cell. The black jewel was oval shaped adorning a gold band.

"Well, since you're here," Jonathan gestured a meaningful hand on the chessboard in front of him, "do you play?"

The brunette nodded. "Yeah. Jervis taught me."

"Good."

Fourteen moves later, Jonathan found himself in a trap. The move Alex did was a knight fork, where at the moment, he was being forced to choose from either losing his rook or his queen. Both pieces, according to the rules of the game of chess, are important officers.

He gave a subtle glare toward the brunette sitting across him.

"It would seem he had taught you well," he said.

She blinked twice, and grinned at him oh-so-innocently.

~ END ~