A Hot Time In The Cold Town Tonight

From the diary of Penelope Halwind:

July 4th

What is it about hot weather that stirs human passion?

It was finally cooling down after a 100+ degree day. Nightshade knew he should stop her BEFORE she stole something, but he couldn't bring himself to. He was fascinated by the way she moved. Sometimes he asked himself 'what's wrong with you? You could be ANYWHERE but here.' Then he would think of his murdered parents and his resolve returned.

Lady Panther was just about to enter her favorite (because it was unguarded) entrance to the museum when she felt a familiar tingle. HE was here, somewhere. She was SO VERY curious why he seemed to pay...different...attention to her. The others he locked up in Arkham, even birdies new boyfriend. Oh, excuse me, birdie insisted he wasn't her boyfriend. Birdie needed a lesson in good old-fashioned female self-esteem. Lady Panther made a mental note to invite her along the next time she went to the spa.

Nightshade saw her hesitate before entering the museum. She knew he was here. Great! Just what he needed, losing the element of surprise again. He made his way to where he could see the exhibit he thought she would hit.

Lady Panther loved cats, of all kinds. So when she heard about some rare Egyptian finds being loaned to Gotham's most famous museum, she had to have SOMETHING from the collection. It was a trifle cliche, but she figured there would be some cat-and-mouse in it for her too.

Nightshade watched her looking at the exhibit like a normal visitor. Then something in the alley caught his attention: Joker and his followers were getting out of a car.

Joker walked a few paces from the car and looked at the museum, sighing. It was a beautiful night for a break-in. He watched his goons start picking the security system and wondered where the girl went. Looking back at the car she was staring at him as if to say 'aren't you going to open this door for me?' He yelled for her to get out of the damn car and she scurried over with a squeaky 'yes boss.'

Nightshade made his way right up to Lady Panther, no longer trying to hide. "We have to get out of here."

Lady Panther was a little startled by his abrupt approach. "What's the hurry, handsome?" She walked up to him and touched his face. Looking into his eyes she leaned closer, but before she could kiss him a security guard yelled 'freeze!' and a shot rang out. The guard fell over dead and Joker stepped into the doorway, laughing.

"What do we have here?" The girl answered 'aw, puddin' they look like they're in love, just like us.' He rolled his eyes. "Just start shooting!"

Lady Panther saw Nightshade duck out of the way (as she was doing the same) and watched him make his way behind Joker and his crew. She continued on her way out of the museum watching Nightshade as he took Joker by surprise and knocked the clown girl out. She smiled when he noticed she was still watching. "I knew you could take care of yourself. Sweet dreams!"

The next night was warmer when Lady Panther made her way to Pigeon's cafe. Something wasn't right though. There was no light in the office window. She could just let herself in, but instead climbed up to look in the window. No Pigeon. Where was she?

I had company tonight. Stanley had been out of Arkham for about a week and we decided to meet at my penthouse for dinner. I had thought about him a lot while he was gone and it encouraged me to start losing some of my girth. I made trout (I love seafood) and was washing up the dishes. I turned around to find Stanley leaning against my counter, looking at his feet. I finished drying my hands and looked at him as if to say 'well? Did you have something to say?' He felt my gaze and raised his eyes. There was something different in that look that actually made me shiver.

"I was wondering...if I could stay over tonight."

If he had said that to me back around Valentine's I would have went off on him, accusing him of mocking me. Not that I am all THAT sentimental, but a girl has to have SOME pride. I found myself smirking.

"Stay over?"

"Yeah."

"How do I know, if I were to let you stay, that it will be appreciated?"

"I guess you'll just have to trust me."