FEVER

Chapter 2

The Joker gave Elena no further instructions as to what her actual job would be, and when she'd finally built up the courage to asked, he left the room, muttering something about the operation going to shit.

Eric grabbed Elena by the arm, shooting her a look once he saw she was going to start talking again.

"Not here, too many people around."

They walked in silence all the way back to Eric's office, where he shut the door and pulled down the shades that lined the top of the window which allowed them to see out to the hall.

"Look I know what you're thinking, 'Oh Eric, how could you, he's dangerous and crazy', I know," he held up a hand to stop his friend from talking. Elena closed her mouth, folding her arms across her chest and looking at Eric expectantly.

"I knew I wasn't going to get a job after I graduated. Or at least not a good one, you know? Not one that would really use my talents. I was up to my neck in debt before we even graduated! $30,000, Elena! And that's not just on me, you know? My parents co-signed on my loans, my mom almost declared bankruptcy last year because she couldn't handle it. But now?" Eric laughed almost in astonishment. "Now, I can buy a car. We graduated a month ago, Elena, and I set up a time payment with the school where I can have all of this paid off by November. Can you believe that? My parents can retire in two years because I can help them finish paying their mortgage and pay for my little brother's school tuition when he starts next fall. The idea of a savings account with money actually in it doesn't sound like a crazy idea anymore because there's actually money coming into the house!"

"Eric," Elena started, her voice low. "You can't expect me to- I mean, this? Him?"

"Elena, you've never worked a day in your life, I couldn't possibly expect you understand all the shit that I've been through," Eric stated firmly.

"You could've found a job," she retorted.

"I don't know if you know this, but the Gotham workforce isn't exactly looking for 22 year old Latino men to work in IT. Trust me, I checked."

The two stared at each other defiantly. Elena's gaze softened.

"Did I offend you?" She asked.

Eric sighed and leaned against his desk. "No, you just... Don't understand. And I don't expect you to. But please, please don't tell me that there's another way, because there isn't. I am not mistreated here, I don't participate in the more... violent excursions. I just look at the computers, and sometimes the numbers, and keep my head down. I get my commission every two weeks and I take that home to my family, that's it."

Elena nodded, still feeling that she had offended her friend.

"Okay, I'm sorry, it just took me off-guard is all, but I guess since I work here now, I'll get over it," she uncrossed her arms and started playing with her thumbs.

"I'm actually sorry for that. I should've definitely met you elsewhere, now you're in this because of me," Eric shakes his head ruefully.

"So, what exactly am I doing?" She asks.

"Bookkeeping, really. Martinsson was good enough, I guess, but since he got caught stealing, well, you know. Anyways, I think you're more qualified," Eric walks over to his desk, taking a seat and waking up his PC.

Elena took Eric's lead and sat down on the chair she had previously occupied, letting out a shaky breath.

Eric looked away from the computer screen, taking in her slumped shoulders. "Don't worry, he won't expect you to work from here. Just buy a phone where he can always reach you at, you know, one of those burner phones, and send me weekly reports every Thursday. I will get those to him, so you don't have to worry about unnecessary interaction. Now, for your pay."