Smile...With Teeth

Chapter 20

~What do you see? When you look at me?

Don't cover my scars, let them bleed,

Tell me, is this how it's supposed to be?

Well then I'm so, I'm so happy..

And we don't need rehab...~

~Machine Gun Kelly~

Joker watched as Peach teased the poor sap. She would let him think she was hurt or that he could land a punch, then she would attack. Then she would back off and let him build up a bit of confidence. Then once again shatter it with a brutal efficiency. He was bleeding lightly from several small cut she had given him.

Joker had kept to his word, he had stayed out of it. It was hard to watch him touch her. Chuck didn't deserve the pleasure. But she wanted to play and Joker like watching her, uh, work. Joker checked his watch. Chuck had just under 15 minutes left.

Chuck was getting tired, Peach was a smart and deadly girl. She knew she was small and she used it to her advantage. She was quick. Joker knew from experience she'd gotten the drop on him a few times. He liked that she had no problems taking a cheap shot, he smiled at the memories of their little spats. He watched her, the flash of silver as she swung the knife, the ooze of blood spreading across Chuck's shirt. It was a beautiful dance.

The sound of metal hitting the floor drew Joker's attention. Two thoughts came to him, he was unsure which one disturbed him more. One, the sound meant she was weaponless. Two, he didn't like his knives to be thrown around so recklessly. He watched intently, as Chuck lunged forward across the floor for the knife and got it. Now Joker really didn't like that at all. He checked his watch. Damn Chuck had six and a half minutes left.

Joker watched as Chuck circled her, Peach keeping her back away from the man. Chuck lunged at his girl. Peach ducked and almost cleared him. He grabbed her by one of her braids. Joker saw red, he would shave her damned head if she ended up hurt because of the long tresses. Her body jerked backwards, her back hitting the ground pretty hard. Chuck stood over her, his foot on the stupid braid, holding her down.

Joker checked his watch again, 2 minutes. He knew if the man tried to actually kill her he would step in, but he wanted her to win her way. Chuck leaned down and was saying something to her, his face close to hers. Joker watched the seconds tick by. He looked up from his watch to see her spit in Chuck's face. The man started to cut a small line on her shoulder. She refused to make a sound. Good girl, Joker looked at his watch again.

He reached into his pocket and got his second favorite knife. Holding it close to his leg, tapping down the seconds. He could see the line of the small cut, the blood looking so dark against her skin. Chuck stood a smile on his face like he had accomplished something and kicked Peach in the side. Joker watched the time 5...4...3...2...He threw the knife, it landed with a thud in Chucks shoulder causing Joker's other knife to fall from the man's hand.

"Time's up kiddos." He said walking up to the man.

"You did good Chuckie boy, I guess you are free to go." Peach said from the ground as Joker grabbed his knife, turning it as he pulled it from the man's shoulder.

The roar of pain echoed in the tiled room. Joker stood, after wiping the knife off on Chuck's shirt. Peach was standing now, holding her ribs as a line of blood trailed down her arm. Joker touched the quickly bruising area on her ribs, trying not to look at the crimson mess of her shirt. Peach let out a whimper. Joker felt a rush of different emotions. Hs brain confusing it all. The whimper he liked, the bruises, not so much.