[RL - Valentine's Day Massacre]

[tntandgasoline]

[Oh, Valentine's day. Joker never was much of a fan for the saccharine Hallmark card of a holiday, but this year was looking up.

He had been very careful to text Maggie all the right things - the "how are you's" and the "what are you doing?" and the "how'd things work out with that guy" - and it all led up to the one text bemoaning his lack of plans for February 14th. It turned out (surprise surprise) that Tommy still hadn't made up with his fiery-tempered kangaroo boo, and that she was available.

"How about a drink at this place I'm sitting this weekend?" he had asked. The answer was an affirmative yes. Hah.

The place he had picked out was in the upper district of Gotham, a nice, ritzy little thing that the occupants had mysteriously left without a note - well, besides the one saying that "Joseph Kerr" would be watching the place. He had given her the address over the phone and was now putting the finishing touches on what was supposedly a "casual" meeting between two single people on the day condom sales went up the highest they ever would for the year.

Heh.]

Comments

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Maggie had to admit she really hated the holiday, and she'd expected this year's to be just the same as last year - dateless and pissed off. This year was a little different so far, and the text she'd received was certainly a pleasant surprise. It didn't take her long to find a world hop, the address was very handy for that sort of precise thing, besides, wandering around Gotham at night wasn't an activity she enjoyed. Tommy was right about one thing - the city wasn't safe.

Maggie frowned at the stray thought. She didn't really want to think about him at the moment, things were still tense between the two, despite the tentative peace they had made. It wouldn't last long, it rarely did.

Maggie blinked up at the place, impressed even if it wasn't actually Joseph's. Nice. She knocked a few times on the door, adjusting her purse while she waited.]

[tntandgasoline]

[The knock came as a suspected surprise, and the Joker - ahem, Joseph, needed to think in the role if he was gonna do this right - finished checking the bar to make sure the ice had properly frozen and all the booze looked like it had been used. Sure, the previous occupants hadn't taken a sip of their more expensive stuff, but he was quick to fix that. Just to keep appearances up, of course.

He hop-skipped over to the door, checking himself in the mirror by the entrance to make sure he looked presentable and that the latex would hold for the few hours he'd need it to, then opened the door with a wide grin.]

Maggie, hey. Come on in. [He stepped aside to gesture inwards, to the modern-deco apartment that, in his personal opinion, looked more like a house than something up on the top of a skyscraper.] You can make yourself at home - hah, even though it isn't really... The maid's will come on Monday before the owners get back.

[The place isn't the largest possible penthouse, but it's still pretty grand - higher ceilings, a fireplace, the bar, and a large kitchen are all easily visible from the entryway. There's various black and white furniture lying around, organized to make the floorplan seem even bigger than before - including a nice, comfy mod couch that Joseph really likes. Maybe he'll take it with him when he goes.]

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Maggie stepped in, giving him a smile. She'd chosen her attire carefully, the little black dress was only ever dug out for special occasions, you know. Such as a hot date in a penthouse with a very nice looking guy on Valentine's Day. She'd casually pulled her hair back, but little wispies had made their way out during the hop, which she still felt shaky from. She was never going to get used to those. Ugh. Nausea, every single time.

She took a look around, and shrugged out of her black jacket and sets it down. It was a nice place, nicer than her flat, for certain. She was still trying to get used to the reverse weather, even after she'd been here several years.]

Wow, this place is great. Must be nice to house-sit places like this. [She says with a smile, setting her purse down next to her jacket.]

[tntandgasoline]

[He himself had gone for a slightly more casual look, though he made sure everything looked flattering on him. Black pants and a nice gray button-up with an oh-so-casually loosened tie, as if he had just gotten off from his nine-to-five day job. He ran a hand through his hair, looking around the place himself as if checking it out for the first time.]

Yeah, I like doing it. I mean, I get to watch high-definition television on that plasma over there and I can have people over without needing to worry about leaking waterpipes in the hallways. [He laughs.] It's definitely a step up from the Narrows.

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

I can certainly understand that. I had my share of leaky pipes when I first moved from Australia. That, and a lack of indoor plumbing while I did some...traveling.

[She gives him an approving look, he really had a great smile. He looked nice too, which she certainly appreciated.]

[tntandgasoline]

[He smiles at her for a moment longer before blinking and turning to gesture to the living room area.] Oh, yeah, like I said, make yourself at home. ...I'll be honest, I have no idea how the remote works for the television, but if you can figure it out feel free to turn it on to something.

[Without further ado, he heads over towards the bar, casually looking back at her.] How about a drink? Still doing the scotch on the rocks thing, or are we going to get exotic?

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Maggie chuckles, she has no idea how to do it either, but she picks it up anyway, studying the buttons. She looks up at his suggestion, and grins.]

Tonight isn't a scotch night, let's go exotic. Surprise me.

[tntandgasoline]

All right, danger. [He points his finger at her vaguely as he "studies" the bar - he knows where everything is, but still, appearances.] I like that in a girl.

[He mixes her a long island - even if he doesn't have the glass for it and he's all about appearances - and gets himself a rum & coke. (At least, it looks like a rum and coke, but the alcohol might as well be nonexistent in it. Not that he made that obvious.)

He heads back over to her and hands her the drink, flopping down gracelessly on the couch.]

Sorry, it's a little sloppy. I'm not much for measurements.

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[She flashes him a smile, then turns back to the TV that she's managed to get turned on. They certainly have made TVs complicated in the past few years. She takes the drink from him and takes a seat next to him, setting the remote down. She takes a sip and lifts a brow, it was a bit strong, but that's how she liked her drinks anyway.]

It's fine, actually. I rather like them like this.

[tntandgasoline]

[He casts his eyes to the television for a moment before looking back at her, taking a slow sip from his own "drink."] Good! So, for the lack of anything better to say, how have you been?

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[She ignores the tv, turning her attention on him.]

Oh, about the same, I suppose. I've been at a convention all week in New York, just got home on Tuesday. That was pretty much a waste of time. [Maggie scoffs.] Imagine, them, trying to teach me computer skills.

[tntandgasoline]

Haha, maybe it's for people like me. I can barely get through word processors and spreadsheets. [He smiles at her.] Other than the convention, how's New York? I've... actually never been there.

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

New York is alright...I missed heading out with my roommates Friday night, but they helped me make up for it on Saturday evening. I wanted to get a taste of the city, you know? I don't head up there very often. [She returns his smile and takes a long drink.]

[tntandgasoline]

[He wonders, briefly, how many people offline she's told about the "nice guy from Gotham," and it makes him giggle internally.]

Yeah, I can understand that. I hear that it's a lot like Gotham, except without the masked vigilantes and the rampant crime. [He grins.] And it has more musicals than ballets.

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Unfortunately, it's been several. She nods in agreement with him, taking another sip from her drink.]

Yes, it's known for it's Broadway musicals, I managed to catch one while I was there.

[She tucks a stray piece of hair behind her ear, looking slightly thoughtful.] Well, New York and D.C. both have their own issues in way of crime, you've just got to know to stay away from the bad areas.

[tntandgasoline]

[He grins.] Unlike Gotham, which is pretty much all a bad area. Other than up here, that is.

[It's unclear in his tone whether he's talking about the neighborhood they're in, or the apartment itself.]

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[She supposes it could be either or, really.]

That's..really too bad. Your law enforcement isn't able to make the city at least somewhat safe...?

[She finishes the drink, and sets it aside, resting her hands in her lap.]

[tntandgasoline]

[He takes a deep drink, trying to catch up to her - or at least, that's the image here.]

They're doing everything the can. Sometimes, it just seems like... You know, the criminals are one step ahead of the curve. [He shrugs.] Guess it's just how things go.

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Maggie nods, looking thoughtful as she leans forward.]

Yeah, guess you're right. There's only so much that can be done, I guess, when you're got a psychopath running rampant in your city.

[tntandgasoline]

[Psychopath. Again with the insults. He downs the rest of his drink easily - there isn't much left - and takes both of their glasses back to the bar for refills.]

Yeah, but they do what they can. And they've got the Batman, I guess - or, well, they had him. I don't know, really. [He waves a hand before starting on the refills.] Enough about Gotham, I hate talking down about my own city. How're things with that guy of yours? He still... being what he was when we first met?

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Maggie shrugs, she wont pretend to know about Gotham or its politics, let alone just what is going on with Bruce and Batman. Hell, she hadn't even known the place was REAL until a few short weeks ago. She watched him make refills, and nods. She could understand not wanting to badmouth your city, no matter how much D.C. annoyed her, she still liked the place. Mostly.]

Oh...him. Well...I'm not sure. Things are always super tense between us, we tend to fight more than we talk to each other. [She leans back, eyes flickering to the TV for a moment before moving back to him.] I'm not sure whats happening, or going to happen with him.

[tntandgasoline]

[He brings the drinks back over, neither any heavier than the last, and settles down next to her once again, handing her her drink.]

That's no good. I mean, I guess if you think it's good, it is - but really, that kind of... not-knowing is a little frightening. It would be for me, at least.

[He continues to look at her, even as he takes a long drink.]

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[She takes it from him with a murmured 'thank you', then settled back and took a sip. Just as good as the first one.]

I guess it's just...complicated. He's a complicated person. I guess I am too, though. We've both got such nasty tempers it makes it impossible to tell.

[She meets his eyes as he looks at her, blushes, then looks into the depths of her drink.]

[tntandgasoline]

[He grins at her, tilting his head a bit.] I dunno, you don't seem so nasty -tempered to me. Maybe I've just gotten lucky and got on your good side, rather than your bad one, though.

[He chuckles, reaching over to give her shoulder a light squeeze.] Don't worry about it. I'm sure everything will work out just how you want it to.

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

I think it's that you just dont bring it out of me like he does. [Maggie says dryly, raising her eyes back up to meet his.] He seems to really bring out the 'best in me'.

And I suppose you're right, it'll go how I want it, eventually. Then again, I don't even know how I want it, so there we go.

[tntandgasoline]

[He smiles at her and shrugs.]

I guess it's really not that hard to figure out, though, Maggie. I mean - I'm not exactly a genius when it comes to this kind of thing, but... The way I see it? You can either do what the song says and, you know, "hold out for a hero" or whatever, or you can go find yourself a good alternative.

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Maggie stares at him in surprise.] You know that song? Bonnie Tyler? [She smiles]

It's a nice idea, but you're right, finding an alternative is probably the best thing to do.

[tntandgasoline]

[He doesn't blush, but his entire body posture insinuates that he's embarrassed.] Yeah, I know it. I'm not big on music, but I remember the occasional chorus.

[He pauses, still looking oh-so-embarrassed, then carefully glances over to her from over his drink.] So, uh, what constitutes an alternative for you?

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. I'm the same. [It's cute the way he seems embarrassed, and she thinks it's quite adorable he knows the song at all.]

Oh....well...I'd say someone who is a nice, considerate, boy next door. [She eyes him pointedly, but doesn't say anything remarkably forward.] You know. Someone you don't mind taking home to your family. [If you had one, anyway.]

[tntandgasoline]

[He shrugs and looks over at the TV, still exuding that "embarrassed" sort of aura.] Well, uh, let's hope you find him, huh?

[He does "risk" a glance over to her, looking away just as quickly~.]

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

Let's hope. [She watches him curiously, then sets an empty glass down.] Sometimes our...'alternatives' are right in front of us, yeah?

[tntandgasoline]

[He spends a moment for a significant pause, before turning to look at Maggie in surprise and just a hint of embarrassment. Like he's ready to blush over the fact that his oh-so-transparent come-ons were transparent.]

Well, uh... [He scratches the back of his head, drink abandoned on the coffee table.] ...Sometimes, yeah.

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Maggie chews hesitantly on her bottom lip, then offers him a tiny smile. The two (strong) drinks she's had are beginning to slightly affect her, the room was beginning to spin a bit, and her cheeks were considerably pinker than before. She scoots a little closer to him, pushing her hair out of her face.]

When you least expect it, even.

[tntandgasoline]

[Oh, perfect.

He continues to give her a bit of a dazed look until she moves closer, but - as far as it looks - his head gives in and he leans in to kiss her.

He's very, very careful not to bite.]

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Maggie's dazed look isn't faked like his, and she willingly returns that kiss, environment around her quickly forgotten. Someone else's house? Pffft. Whatever! She edges closer to him, still careful of...whatever boundaries might be in place.]

[tntandgasoline]

[Her lips taste delicious - sweet and sour and vodka all mixed up, just perfect - and he quickly works to deepen it, hand moving to not-so-tentatively grab her leg, though it isn't an ungentle touch. He doesn't need her running off now.

After all, nobody would say it counted if she wasn't willing.]

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't mind the grab, it's actually encouraged. She quickly realizes that he's not going to randomly shove her away, and she turns to face him directly, running her fingers lightly up his arms.]

[tntandgasoline]

[He forces himself not to jerk out of her touch - he's really out of practice, that's disappointing to note - and instead presses against her, hand sliiiiiding over her knee and up her thigh.

After all, it's never too late to get back into the game.]

[h4ck3r-61rl.livejournal.com]

[Maggie doesn't really notice, lucky for both of them, really. She wraps her arms around his neck, a happy little noise escaping from her lips at his hand on her leg. Nice.]

[tntandgasoline]

[And needless to say, it's a nice night for the both of them --


WELL, UNTIL MAGGIE REALIZES WHAT JUST HAPPENED. DUN DUN DUNNN.]