Disclaimer: Not mine.

Note: So it's only been like 7 months or longer since I updated this. Sorry about that...maybe it won't take as long next time.

The Joke's On You

Gwen walked along the streets, alone. This time though it came with a plan, she was hoping that Black Canary, or more accurately Dinah would seek her out. She'd risk a little trouble just to see the gorgeous blonde at work again.

Trouble wasn't far away either. Word in the criminal underworld travels swiftly, and the word was the Joker was back in town, and when the Joker was in town, the criminals would play. The regular Gothamites had their unseen protectors, and the less-than-legal element had theirs, and theirs was so much more fun.

"'Sup pretty girl? You lookin ta party, not that it matters. Me and my boys here we's lookin ta party and you are the main party game," a young man, probably barely old enough to buy alcohol legally stepped forward, and behind him several others congregated.

The leader of the group waved his hand forward, as his grew seemed ready to approach. From out of the shadows a whistling noise sounded as something flew by Gwen's head, right next to the leader's left ear, embedding itself in the wall.

"Haha, missed," the leader didn't bother looking at the wall, but his crew did.

"Boss...boss, you may wanna reconsider that," one of the lackey's spoke.

"What you talkin' bout?" the leader looked around.

"You obviously don't know who you're messing with," a male's voice spoke from the shadow. Then as if he'd meltedfrom the darkness, a young man stepped forward. Dressed in a dark red outfit, the upper right breast bearing a golden, 'R.' A short cape billowed behind him, giving him the impression of wings, and in his right hand he carried a steel, bo staff.

"Who the hell you think you are?" The leader said, his voice shaking.

"Someone who's alot better at what he does than you are," the young man spoke. Then with lightning fast speed he leapt right into the fray of the the thugs.

Gwen couldn't even catch all of his movements with her eyes as she watched this young man, swiftly pummel the small band of punks into motionless piles. He made it look so easy, running his fingers through his dark hair he looked towards Gwen, a stern look on his face. The looking was menacing, and Gwen felt herself quiver in uncomfortably.

"Don't you know it's dangerous to be on the streets at night," the man then smiled. His whole visage lightening up, "especially for young girls."

The smile on his face, and the lightness of his voice caused Gwen to relax, "I was looking for someone."

"Musta been someone very improtant to you. What's their name?" the man in red and black asked afixing the projectile he'd thrown earlier to a utility belt on his waist, it was in the shape of a bat, Gwen noticed.

"Canary, she calls herself Black Canary," Gwen answered.

"Well if I meet this Canary character, I'll let her know you're looking for her. What's your name?" The man said trying to conceal a laugh. He remembered how this worked. Damsel in distress, puts herself in danger intentionally to draw out the hero.

"Um Gwen,"

"Well Um Gwen," the man tried to catch her expression, "okay I'm not great with jokes. Well Gwen if I run across the Canary, I'll tell her you were looking for her. Now get out of here, before you get in more trouble."

"Yessir...um who are you?"

"You can call me Robin, and please, don't call me sir, I'm not that old yet," the man in red produced a grapple gun from his waist and fired a rope into the sky, pulling himself onto the top of a nearby building, then disappearing into the night.

(Joker's Warehouse)

"These guys are sooo cool Mr. J," Harley watched as they each shared their own unique skills.

There was 10, a large, overly-muscled man with seemingly enhanced strength.

Jack of Spades, a tall, lean man with cybernetic enhancements, including but not limited to a cybernetic eye, making him an actual one-eyed-jack, cybernetic legs allowing for increased speed, and extendable finger blades.

Queen of Spades a middle-aged woman with the ability to freeze a person in place, as if they were in shock.

Ace of Spades, a young, black girl, no older than 15, who carried a large sword, and a series of small blades, which she wore around her waist.

Finally the King of Spades, a meta-human with the ability to become immoveable, or become a nearly indestructable force that can hardly be stopped.

"So what do you think lads? I know they're a little rough around the edges, but they were worth every penny. It would've been oh-so-worth it even if I had to usemy own money, the Cain family will never notice an unauthorized, multi-million dollar withdrawal," the Joker burst into a signature cackle.

"So...um...does this mean we're fired?" Me looked to Curly.

"I'm not asking..." Curly responded.

"You'll never get away with this," a weakened voice called out from a nearby locked room. The voice of Dick Grayson.

"Oh hush up you," Joker made his way to the door, "birdy-boy you haven't even seen what else I have in store...and you probably never will. Hehehe."

"Just kill me then," Dick spat defiantly through the small opening in the door.

"No, no, no. My dear boy, you are bait, and live bait works so much better. Ta-ta."

(The Watchtower)

Barbara sat aside monitoring her multiple computer monitors. A small blip on one of the radars signaled the fact that they had a visitor.

"Dinah, will you go greet out unwanted guest," Barabara asked the young blonde girl.

"Sure," Dinah made her way to the outside balcony.

"Somehow I bet you're responsible for this," she narrowed her eyes on Bruce Wayne.

"He just wants to help Oracle," Bruce said calmly.

"No one asked for it," Barabara focused back onto the monitors.

Bruce Wayne turned away and quietly asked himself, "Did I used to sound like that?"

A scream from outside caught Barabara's attention.

"Oh my God!!! You're him, wow. I mean wow, I never thought I'd meet you," the scream was not in fear but in surprise.

Oracle just fumed.

Dinah returned into the room dragging a young man clad in red by the elbow, "Look who it is Barbara."

"Hey Oracle," the man in red removed the mask from his eyes as he approached the wheel-chair bound red-headed woman.

"Robin," Oracle replied half-heartedly, not even bothering to turn towards him.

"What's her problem?" Robin, aka Tim Drake, asked Dinah.

"She says it's nothing, but ya know. She's been kind of a downer ever since you know who came back. Want anything to drink?" Dinah was feeled with fan-girl ecstasy. Not only was she in the same room as the Batman, but also Robin, she was just in awe.

"It's good to see you again Tim," Bruce approached his young, former partner and adopted son, sticking his hand out.

Tim grabbed the outstretched hand, nodding and smiling, "You to Bruce, it's been too long. Is Dick coming?"

"We haven't been able to reach him yet," Alfred entered, "Master Timothy how've you been? I assume things are going well with the Titans."

"So far so good Alfred," the young man gave the old butler a strong hug, "Is Helena around? I'm sure she'll be less than happy to see me."

"She's out with Detective Reese, supposedly following some leads. I didn't introduce myself in all my gushing, I'm Dinah, also known as the new Black Canary."

"Oh you're her. I figured as much, I've heard you've got quite an arsenal of powers," Tim looked towards the blonde girl, "Oh yeah, some girl name Gwen was out looking for you earlier in the night. I think she was trying to get herself in trouble so you could save her. You may wanna talk to her about that."

"Oh Christ. I guess I'll talk to her tomorrow. Anyway I really would like to stay and talk with you Robin, but I've kind of got school tomorrow and Barbara would flip. Though some time in the afternoon can we talk...please?"

"Sure thing," Tim winked at the girl.

Not long after Dinah had left the room, Tim walked over to Barbara, "So what do we know so far? Anything certain yet?"

"Not really, and Tim I'm sorry if I sounded bitter. It really is good to see you again," Barbara said, but before anything else could slip out something came over her ear piece.

Tim stood by wating to hear what was happening.

"That was Reese, he said he and Huntress were in trouble. You think you could go lend a hand Tim?"

"I'm on it, just point me in the right direction," Tim placed his mask back across his eyes.

"Near the sewer drains," Oracle pointed on a digital map of New Gotham.

Tim Drake was gone before Barbara could turn around, "he got that disappearing act from you, you know."

Bruce walked over, "for someone who does't want help you were quick to recruit Tim."

"And for someone who hasn't been seen in 10 years you were quick to jump right back into everyone's life," Oracle said bitterly.

"Touche'"

TBC