Candy's Sweet Tooth

The Appearance

The morning after Candy had slept at Ivy's house was also the first morning Sweet Tooth had woken up alone. He was cold, and immediately sat up, worrying about his doll. Where is she? Oh that's right... she stayed at that plant's house. Minutes later, Candy rushed into the warehouse and crept upstairs. Instead of going into Sweet Tooth's room, she snuck into her own.

If he kicked her out of the bed like he had the day before, she would have another mark on her face. Sweet Tooth stood up and walked down to Candy's room, peering around the doorway.

'Did you have fun at Pamela's?' he asked, sour tones dripping from his voice.

'You mean Red? Yeah! She showed me her plants... and stuff,' Candy sat up and faced Sweet Tooth.

'Good. At least you have a friend,' Sweet Tooth muttered.

'I don't need a friend, ST. I have you,' Candy giggled.

She has me. Sweet Tooth turned to leave, but could feel Candy pulling him back. He twisted himself around again, and noticed that the bruise under Candy's cheek was practically healed. He slowly wandered over to the bed and sat down, and Candy scrambled to sit at his side. She dangled her legs over the edge, and looked into Sweet Tooth's eyes.

'What's wrong, ST? Did I come back too early? I'll go... if you want.' Candy started to stand and walk away, slightly saddened- but something grabbed her wrist.

'No, Candy. I don't. But you need to. I'm a danger to you- and I'd probably kill you if I had the chance.'

Candy stared at her wrist as Sweet Tooth held it. His grip grew slightly tighter as she tried to go, and a tiny flash of fear passed through her. 'ST, let go.'

'No,' he growled, standing up.

Candy jumped back, her face turning white and voice shaking. 'SweeTart... you're hurtin' me.'

'I've hurt you before,' Sweet Tooth cackled, throwing her to the ground and sitting back on the bed.

You care too much. And here I thought someone had beaten it out of you. There is one thing in this world that you care about, and she's shaking in the corner. Sweet Tooth raised his eyes- Candy was cowering, holding onto a stuffed toy he had won for her at the carnival.

Her big blue eyes were frozen open, and her heart was pounding in her chest. Sweet Tooth was about to stand and fumble a half-hearted apology, but Candy moved first. She ran at him, throwing her arms around her neck and knocking him backwards onto the bed as she kissed him. Confused, Sweet Tooth sat up and Candy slid to the floor.

'Sorry, ST,' Candy mumbled quietly, then jumped to her feet and ran down the stairs.

Before she reached the door, Sweet Tooth was at her heels. He grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, staring right into her eyes. 'You aren't going anywhere, Dove. Without you my plans fail, and this is one that cannot fail. You will help me kill the Batman- and anyone else who gets in the way.'

Candy reluctantly nodded, and followed him to where his newest plans and plots lay. 'I had the goons follow Ms Dawes, and they know how to grab her. However, I want your input. They are much too slow- they always leave traces. I want you to choose, Dove. The Rogues Gallery is at your disposal.'

Candy was sitting on the arm of Sweet Tooth's chair, looking over the list of villains. 'I don't know, ST. What about that stupid one who keeps breakin' into our candy storage? Maybe we should teach him a lesson.'

Sweet Tooth slipped his arm around Candy's waist and grinned devilishly. 'Good thinking, Dove.'

Three days later, Candy stood behind Sweet Tooth as he talked to his Number 4 henchman. 'Now, just stay out of our candy storage, go mug Miss Dawes, and we'll take it from there.'