Chapter one

Barbara stood outside the gates of Arkham with a sense of freedom and pit in her stomach. Would she be able to apply everything she learned from Dr Strange to life on the outside? Would she be able to maintain her distance from Jim and Lee? The answer was a resounding YES on both counts! She now had the tools to focus her "obsessive traits" on something more lucrative and as far as Jim and Lee, yesterday's news. Barbara's plans relied on having zero interaction with GCP and their faux standards. What she needed right now was a roof over her head and one small favour from an old friend. After she was deemed criminally insane and thus not responsible for the death of her parents Barbara still inherited their upstate mansion and the debts that came with the estate. After the ink was dry and the place sold off there was just enough left to hopefully bribe and scheme her way to an audience with her old friend.

After a few stops for clothes shopping, a fresh haircut and mani pedi Barbara found herself standing in front of the Mayors Mansion. Though Oswald had added his own certain flare to the place it was still one of the ugliest buildings she had ever seen.

The intercom to Barbaras left cracked to life and familiar voice came through.

"Well well, do my eyes deceive me or is that Barbara Kean? Still wreaking of Arkham, no doubt." Oswalds sniped through the com.

"Ozzie, let's not start anew with hate in our hearts." Barbara answered as diplomatically as possible.

After a long pause Oswald finally answered, "Ok I'll play along, for now. Let's talk."

The gate clicked and rusty hinges protested as Barbara pushed it open enough to squeeze through. The more she looked around the more she noticed how dilapidated the place looked. Barbara felt the pang of empathy as she thought about Oswald losing everything the same way she had. She quickly shrugged it off and steeled her nerves to maintain her "I've got my shit together" facade.

Barbara found Oswald sitting at the head of a long dining table. He looked tired and his suit was showing signs of wear. The room smelled like wine and weed. Neither of which appealed to her. There was one guard at the entrance to the dining room and one standing at Oswalds left shoulder. He was big and dumb looking, her guess was Butch Gilzean.

"Jesus, are you ok Ozzie?" Barbara asked. Her empathy for the man floating to the surface again. As if he sensed it in her, his own facade crumbled and he wilted down in his chair. "No," he replied. "Everything has gone to shit! I've lost my edge and my…my flair! I let love cloud my judgement and it ruined me!" Oswald was losing control, spitting everywhere and becoming red in the face.

"You've got a roof over your head, two goons and new best friend, that's triple what I have so calm down and let me make you an offer," Barbara said hoping to wake up his materialistic side.

Oswald closed his eyes, as if considering his being three times luckier than Barbara, and started to smile a little. "Lets hear what you have to offer."

Barbara smiled and said, "I want the nightclub. I want free rein to change what I want and do what I want. I'll give you 15 percent off the top of course."

Oswald started laughing. "THATS your offer? Are there no newspapers in Arkham? The Galavans have monopolized the nightclub biz in Gotham and nobody can compete. Those who try have a way of disappearing…." Oswald trailed off.

"Oh please, I know all about that and I'm not scared. If you're scared I can keep your name out of it but you shouldn't just roll over Ozzie!" Barbara said. Then she added, "What do we have to lose? You and I are to fabulous to be taken out by some newcomers! We need this!"

After careful consideration and 3 gulps of his wine Oswald slammed his fist into the table and proclaimed, "You have yourself a deal Miss Kean! With one condition of course: you can stay here until you find suitable lodgings."

"Deal," Barbara replied offering her hand to Oswald. As they sealed the deal with a handshake Barbara could feel that long lost feeling of mischief returning and warming her cheeks. Better yet, it appeared Oswalds demeanour was improving as well. Barbara had to admit it, she loved the feeling and she loved it more when a plan came together.