Welcome to Gaia! ::

"He's safe . . . not too sure how long before he snaps again. However, I can handle the transportation and protection. The lantern that trained me kinda pulled me aside to fill in the deal. Figured since you came from Earth and I came from earth, he thought I knew you." Dundee said, chuckling nervously. But shaking it off, he explained about what could happen. "Marietta and the kids can stay at Odym with the others. I assure you that all is well, and that everyone will be completely safe." he said, trying to keep her assured. "I will need your location so I can come pick you up, though." he said.

Meanwhile, C.J. growled slightly. "Sorry, doc. It's been a rough month . . . and that's an understatement." he said, hurriedly wiping a tear from his eye before someone noticed it. Of course, she had been giving him the silent treatment anyways. Figures. Right before she left we were in love, and now she won't have anything to do with me! Stuck-up b***h don't even recognize the guy who drove her to the hospital, or took her in, bought her clothes . . . s**t. Talk about ungrateful! he thought. He looked at the doctor. "Hell, I'm kinda surprised I haven't been in here already." he added.

Meanwhile, Arell smiled back as he closed the door. "Aw, I can understan' dat. Unlike de dudes dat drug us in heah, she actually kinda sees us as human bein's instead 'some crazy assholes with guns', y'know?" he said, gladly taking a smoke, thanking him in the process. "Good idea. Say, d'ya have a light?" he asked, working the window so it was open, the cig dangling in his mouth. Unlike the very upset C.J., Arell had taken a majority of this in stride. Hell, if it weren't for being part gunman, part alligator, one would question just what he was doing IN Arkham anyways.

"Disney World? No problem! Man, C.J.'ll get a kick outta this! Just hold tight, I'll try to make a fly by. Those kids are gonna be in for a great time. Next stop, the Happiest Place OFF Earth! See ya soon!" he said before hanging up the phone. Heading out towards the exit, he passed C.J. and . . . Misty?!

"Hey, C.J.! I just got off the phone wi- hey, wait a minute!! Didn't I just talk to you on the pho- meh. Anyways, I gotta head to Florida for a tick. Do you need anything?" Dundee asked as C.J. looked at him.

"Any chance of gettin' outta here would be nice." C.J. said, pausing. He kinda was trying to be stoic, but was ready to cut loose at a given notice.

"Give it a bit. I'll bring ya back some mouse ears!" Dundee said as he took off for the exit, using his communicator to get in contact with the boss.

"Hey, y'all! Earth Blue Lantern coming in. Say, we got some company coming in a few minutes. Mind meeting me in Disney to pick 'em up?" he asked through his communicator before heading out the door.

Watching Dun' leave, C.J. sat back in his chair. "Misty, huh? I knew a Misty once. That's why I'm in this joint." he growled. His drawl kinda accentuated the more upset he was.

"Doc, this has been one bad thing after another. First, my girlfriend, who you (first of all) brought in here after the last time I saw her, she left a month back no note, no trace, NOTHING. Just GONE! Sure, we had a disagreement the night before, but I never did anything to harm her. Honest!" C.J. said, starting to choke up a little, tears welling up. "I got led on. From the Halloween party 'til the Christmas party, sure we were cool, had a date or two, and I tried to ask at the right times, but she had to run off to save the world, or that dolt who just came in here, hell, if he's a lantern, then I'm Colonel ********' Sanders. He used to get his head stuck in the kitchen sink, and I'd have to run home to get him UNSTUCK before I could say anything to you. Don't you remember?" he asked Misty.

Meanwhile, away from that ranting tirade, Arell smiled and lit his smoke. "Thanks, che'. Nice lighter." he said, handing him back the lighter as he heard him talk.

"I can undahstan' dat. It's kinda troublin'. Den again, a few folks have asked me if I'm Croc's cousin, him bein' from Texas an' me from Lou'siana." Arell said, taking a nice puff and blowing it out the window. "'Course, dat Aggie only got ONE form an' sticks widdit. I got two, but I think dat's on de records." he drawled, pausing in thought.

"Reckon Gotham PD's kinda been de same way. More or less the biggest game a' tag I evah saw." he said, taking a puff. "Connection's always a good thang, that's for sure."

((D'oh! Almost forgot! Exit Dundee, but he'll be back!))

That rang a memory in C.J.'s mind, sending him reeling into the past. "SEE?!? That's what you said the first time we got together! Yet I saved your life! THREE TIMES!!! First was when you had pregnancy problems, I borrowed the Batmobile to get her to the hospital, Doc. It was all over the news! Then, you got kidnapped by one of Fisk's cronies. Even while the cops were after me about the Batmobile, I rescued you again . . . but you saved my life with that whole web-slinging trick. That was neat, and we got together for a while for sure. Took me half a YEAR, doc! Even WITH almost getting Hexed by Gossamer the first time we MET!" he said, almost working himself into a frenzy.

"We had a great relationship for a couple years! You and I traveled the country together with Dun' aboard a circus train. It wasn't the lavish hotels, but I did my best to make a home for you and the kids. And THEN . . . ." C.J. said, a whole tidal wave of emotions seemed to sweep over him.

"You LEFT, Misty. Without a goddamn note, reason, hell, I never did anything to hurt you! I swear on my life it's true, doc. It's too ******** nuts to make up . . . believe me. One false move, I coulda been run over, shot, burned alive, everything. I NEVER asked for anything in return. Yet, I'll never forget it. We were at a water stop in Salinas, Texas. I had just gotten off the train to get some groceries that was across the street from the tracks, and when I came back, y'all were GONE! Only family I had in this universe just ******** GONE!" he said, burying his face in his hands, crying. Tears of rage and sorrow overcame him as he looked up.

"But at least you don't have to worry about Vandal." he growled. "I heard after you left he tried to attack again, but I got the drop on him." he said, laughing almost. "Split that sumbitch in HALF for you! Yet here you are, forgetting once again that I even EXIST! The ******** are you trying to do? Torture my mind and heart? We were two days out from getting ENGAGED! One more show and I coulda bought a ring." he said, his emotions ran the gauntlet from almost crazed pride, to deep depression, to a rage only cooler in comparison to the fires of Hell itself.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Arell stuck his hand out. "Au chaute, Doc'. I'm 'Rell. Arell L'amour . . . err, no doctor with me, just mister." he said, smiling back. Hell, if he's gonna be here a while, the least he could do was let it roll.

He heard C.J.'s flare-up from across the hall, raising his eyebrow as he watched the Marylander just let all HELL break loose in that room. "Loud fella, ain't he?" he drawled.

"I lied," the Joker said happily, "But I still think you should know something. The real reason I asked for this little powwow. ...Are you sure this needs to be in an interrogation room?"

"Well, both, preferably, but since you're asking me to choose..." the clown feigned consideration for a second, then replied, saying, "A different room. Interrogation rooms tend to look suspiciously like interrogation rooms, and they make me want to shut my mouth."

DOCTOR GRAY

”Well, we don't want that now, do we?” Gray replied with a small smirk. ”Alright... we'll take this to one of the more relaxed meeting rooms. You'll have to keep your cuffs on of course... but bland wallpaper and one of those long lounge psychiatric couch things should be a considerable change in scenery for you.” she continued, then stood and turned to knock on the door to have the guard come back in. Her face fell into a frustrated frown once she had her back turned towards the clown. WHY was she doing this again? A different room... ninety percent of the rooms looked the same! The only place she could think of that didn't look like a cell or interrogation room were the offices or the open public / activity areas. She couldn't just hold a meeting in the middle of the recreational room, and she couldn't very well use someones office. She was NOT using her office. The only place she could think of that didn't have some easily accesible projectile or chair he could just pick up and toss were the “calmer” patient rooms. They had cushioned chairs, actual wallpaper, and some form of a personality to the room.

With a small smile returning to her face, she motioned for the guard to come back in and undo Joker so that he could be moved again. ”Change of plans. Next hallway. We're going to use one of the 'good' rooms.” she said.

The guard gave her a look, but shrugged and did as he was asked. Un-cuffing and re-cuffing the Joker one limb at a time. After that it was just a walk allllll the way down to the other end of the hall, around the corner, and through another hallway that was kept... surprisingly nicer than the previous hallway.


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Doctor Mattis

Mattis smiled gently at Arell. ”Well, fortunately you've just provided us with half of our work.” he replied, then took another puff of his smoke.

”Normally we have to analyze and pick brains and personal history for a month or so to try and figure out what the main problem could be with patients. You are fully aware of what your main problem is... and it sounds like your friend just had a very bad break-up.” he said, then paused for another puff.

”That... we can work with easily. Should be able to anyway. We'll have to work on your violence and possibly see about other underlying issues you might be facing. Your 'other side' could be a problem to try and figure out how to calm down if it is needed. But... If you're willing to make the effort, we should have you both out of here well under a year. Hell if we can get your emotions in check a bit, cut back on your vices, and make sure you're not a danger to the general public, you should be out in no time.” he said, smiling a bit.

”Perhaps find another outlet for you other than alcohol... and aim to cripple rather than kill.” he added. ”I've been here for quite a while. And unless you are fantastic about putting on an act... I can tell a bit that you're not like most of the patients we have here in Arkham. You care at least for each other, and you're not on some mission to take over the city or cut down half the city's population or anything like that. Just having some problems that need a little help sorting out.”


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Doctor Stevens + Black Sapphire


Both Stevens and Sapphire stared down at the picture in CJ's hand. Doctor Stevens looked from the picture and back to Mrs Blackstone. He couldn't deny that there was a definite resemblance there. If it hadn't been for the scars that traced along this woman's face and the length of her hair, they'd be identical.

He couldn't help but let his mind wonder about what exactly was going on. One of those alternative universe double's he'd heard gossiped about? Twins separated at birth? Perhaps she was the woman CJ thought she was and had suffered some sort of trauma when she left. Forgetting about him and her life and going back to another point in her life.

But... people had pointed her out as Blackstone's wife when authorities caught her in New York.

Stevens looked back to Misty, who was now holding the photo in his hand. He took a look at her face, and really began to feel uncomfortable. Rather than being as confused as he was, she looked.... almost depressed. A sort of envy and sadness etched in her eyes as she stared at the photo.

= = = =

Misty couldn't help but stare at the photo. At what was... undeniably herself... sitting next to CJ. That was definitely her... her old hair style, her smile, her taste in clothing.

And yet... she didn't recognize this woman at all. She didn't know this woman.

She didn't remember ANY of what CJ was claiming... and she couldn't bring any bit of a memory of what he was claiming to the front of her mind. And she remembered.... quite a bit from the last few years. He wasn't in it. This... this happy little scene wasn't in her memory.

… she hadn't had a happy scene like this in years. She hadn't smiled like this in years.

A few years? Was she actually capable of having a relationship that lasted so long? A happy one anyway? She and John never were... Alan wasn't faithful or committed... the others were.... killed. Killed by the very man she'd been forced into marriage with in order to spare the life of another man she cared about. She just didn't have happy relationships like what this photo was trying to convey.

But a few years? And look how happy she looked. She...she didn't know this woman. This woman was happy, she had a family, she had...

”...children...?” she asked quietly. Was that a truly possible thing for her too? Andrew was taken from her, and the other was... well she didn't want to think about it.

”I... I still don't remember.” she said finally. ”I'm sorry.. but I just don't see how it could be me.” she said, then gently sat the photo down on the table. ”She looks like me... she might be me... and if you said that she was the reason your life went to hell, then it probably is me.” She kept her eyes fixed on the photo, but continued to talk to him. ”I can't keep anything even close to a happy relationship. They leave... get killed.... or I find a way to make them hate me because I did something stupid when I felt I had no other option. Or I thought I was doing the right thing by trying to spare them...” she said, her voice shaking as she spoke. ”I don't remember.... but I'd believe it. Sounds like something I'd do... screw myself and everyone else over...”

Arell nodded with a smile. "Not ev'rybody who needs help is a bloodthirsty killah, doc. Ceej an' I worked to fight for justice. Thinnin' the herd or takin' over the town is some'un else's job." he said, taking another puff. "Hell, if it can help me get bettah, I'll do anything." he said. Well, there was one thing. He and Benoit played in bands together in the past, but they haven't played a show since they moved in with Dundee at the circus! Maybe it was time to trade his old Shotgun out for a guitar. "De guy's like a brother t' me, doc. If you can guide me de right way, I'll help y'all help him. I know him like the back a' my hand." he offered, taking a puff. It was sincere in his words. After all, if he didn't comply, he'd probably be a ranting and raving lunatic like the dude across the room.

Meanwhile, C.J. looked at them. Dammit. Whatever he seemed to be saying, or even the slightest bit, but he apparently did have a hold. "Yes. Two kids . . . you gave birth when we were in Baltimore . . . both survived and we worked out making that railroad car a good home." he said, calming himself.

"It was three amazing years. But it wasn't all your fault. I got fired three hours later . . . next stop we got the news that the Walcott Brothers sold the circus to a firm in New York City. They saw Arell, Dundee and I all got laid off. It just got to the point where I felt like the biggest failure of my life." he said. "I figured at least if you couldn't bring yourself about to stay, I'd help make the world a little safer. That's when it happened. Dun' told me you had been attacked!" he said, telling the story in full detail. Chasing down Savage, how the fistfight had him thrown INTO A HARDWARE STORE, the chainsaw . . . how he turned the tide of the fight, finally snapping completely . . . he had exploded with rage and ripped Savage in half up to the neck, hacked off the head and was in the middle of a banshee cry when Dun' came back . . . a little differently.

He was dressed in that blue uniform he came in the asylum with. Took him here, however the big snafu was the charges were over-trumped. As it turns out, they had been accused mostly for the crimes they were acquitted for in the past, but someone paid off by Fisk (and a contribution from the survivors of the IO facility) put the crimefighters into Arkham. While they acted with reason (The Mafia and Savage, respectively), they were put in the false charges.

"So yeah, dumped, fired, arrested . . . and then you seemed to wipe my memory outta your mind like a bad habit. Yeah, you can see while I'm a bit upset!" he growled.

"God, it's too heavy here. Yo! Vicey-boy! Tag me in!!"

"Soun's fai' nuff. Yeah, rather get a good view a' de joint. I'll make sho' we don't get int' much trouble." he said, also nodding his head towards C.J., who looked like (he couldn't tell from the soundproofing) he just got wind that they shot his dog, too.

"Hey, after bein' homeless for three months, doc', dat cell's like de Ritz to be honest." he said, finishing his smoke. "Uh, where d' I put de butt?" he asked.

C.J. looked at the doc funny. "Blackstone?! Waitaminute, it was Gallay when we were toge- greeeeeeeat." he growled, sighing. "I guess the kids were taken off. Guess you really DON'T know me . . . or you really didn't want me around to begin with. I'm sorry to have bothered you on the situation." he said, defeated, putting the picture back in his hat, and that back on his head.

"She took the kids, but I guess they were with family when you were brought in." he said. He was just so upset, and this little meeting left him bitter and cold. "If it's all the same to you, doc. I think I just made the biggest a*****e out of myself right now . . . and a dumbass for three years." he said. It was like "Misty" had forgotten all about him. "I'd like t' return t' my cell, please." he said quietly, stuck in one deep depression.

((Whenever you're ready, I can bring Dun' back in.))