I told you all it wouldn't take long! I really hope you all like the sequel as much as you seemed to with the other story. This takes part seven months after the first story, major leap in time I know but I didn't want to focus way too much on the pregnancy, thank you all so much again I hope you like it.

Chapter 1: Thanks For The Memories.

Time waits for no man. Time heals all wounds. All any of us can wants, is more time. Time to stand up. Time to grow up. Time to let go. Time to forget and move on. But if I have gained anything over these months, it is the knowledge there is no starting over - only living with the mistakes you've made. These mistakes can as they say either make you or break you and once you have put the pieces back together, even though you may look intact, you were never quite the same as you'd been before the fall. You notice the difference in yourself; you're keeping a secret, a secret which you need to weigh down in your heart and your mind with bricks and rope and hope it can't surface.

In 7 months your stomach can expand so much you can forget what your feet look like, or what it's like to have breasts that are a normal size, or a stomach that seems to scream to everyone 'touch me here.' Seven months seems to have gone by so quickly, James' funeral was just what he would have wanted it to have been; a show, all about him (naturally), even in death James commanded the spotlight and had his own way; right down to the flowers. Afterwards while we held the wake; Helena disappeared upstairs with a bottle of Valium while I sat on the sofa with Bruce and Jane talking to James' colleagues as they reminisced about him. They offered me condolences and commented on how 'they didn't see how this could have happened' a sentence everyone kept on repeating. Stephen, James' new partner looks so like him it was hard to look him in the eye, he'd commented on that and I'd merely smiled; what was I to say- you remind me of him. I can't look at you without seeing him dying, looking at me in the eyes, the look of disbelief in his eyes. Helena took the flag that Gordon was suppose to hand to me; I didn't want it at- the end of the day I was nothing, I was no grieving widow we thankfully hadn't reached that part, Helena meanwhile was his mother, I could see she'd wanted it anyway. She'd sat there when Gordon gave it to her and held it up to her nose as though the scent of James would be on it. She's hung it up now in what was his bedroom; nothing's changed in there, even when he was alive she kept it the same for him it always felt strange when we stayed over there to sleep in his childhood bed, thankfully now I don't have to when I visit; my stomach alone wouldn't fit on half of the bed. Ah the baby; how did everyone react? Bruce and Alfred started plans for a nursery straight away, Bruce even joking to me he'd train the baby to be his little side kick, I wasn't amused. Helena was shocked, the day after I told her she came to the manor and hugged me for the longest time showing me once again baby pictures of James and commenting on how if it were a boy he'd look exactly like James; I fixed a smile on my face whilst my head retorted 'no chance'. The press had a field day; one reporter commented on how strange it was I was pregnant after spending time with the Joker, I'd panicked at that until Bruce had stormed into it and straightened things out. They followed me even more so now; and as my bump grew so did the interest questions were constant; what is it, when are you due? I ignored them all and stuck to mine and Jane's 'agreement', Jane bless her has stuck to her word being the only one to look after me, keeping the scan pictures and my details close to her. My baby will be due I'm hoping in a couple of weeks time; I'm hoping the birth will draw Jack out, who has been almost silent since we last saw each other. At the funeral I swore I saw him, Speed and Bozo standing at the back of the cemetery; their faces hidden by the shadows and trees, but as soon as I tried to look again the service was over and I was swamped by people. I hope constantly to see him again; maybe he has no interest in me and our baby?


"Maddie I was out shopping with Joan, you remember Joan, anyway we saw this divine suit for the baby so naturally I went and brought it! It's up in the nursery; its yellow of course would be easier to shop of course if we knew the sex..." She give one of those looks that she and everyone has been given me for weeks; yet I still refuse to know the sex of the baby; be a surprise at the end of all the pain.

"Well when the baby is born you can buy all the pink" her eyes light up, "or blue you want."

"When I was pregnant with James I would have wanted to have known straight away that's what these type of scans are for! It would make it so much more easier I think you should find out dear"

I roll my eyes subtly at her and Rose her maid hides a snigger.

"Will you be going to the new art gallery opening tonight?" She frowns, she's forgotten once again, the amount of pills she pleads with the doctor for aren't helping her in that way.

"Oh the one that Bruce is throwing! He came here the other day and asked me himself, such a charming man your brother, of course I'll be going!"

God Bruce, what a creep.

"Will you be going dear? When I was as far gone as you were I was practically in bed rest and look at what I have, a healthy little boy..." her eyes grow misty, "look at what I had" She squeezes the cross at her neck tightly before letting it go.

"He'd be happy you know, that you're pregnant he would be so happy, a little baby he loved children you know and to have one of his own. My heart breaks when I think he won't see his little baby."

It always comes down to it; we talk about the baby and she brings up James, I can't get away from it, from him; he's still here tormenting me, making sure I won't forget.

"I'm sure he would, he's not here but I think he is thinking about us" She smiles thinking I'm talking about James when it's Jack that's on my mind.

I stand slowly up and she offers her hand to me; I gingerly take it, that's all I need me falling on her she'd snap like a twig.

"Rose will show you out, you take care and I will see you tonight," she bends down and places a kiss on my stomach before rubbing it gently.

"Be safe," she whispers before gesturing to Rose to see me off.

"Bruce is here now Helena, I'll see you later" she smiles and wafts her hand, the drugs kicking in already.

I open the door and Bruce is there; his hand lifted to knock.

"How'd it go? She fuss over you too much?" Bruce has learnt to drive slower, much slower; he no longer has to bribe cops for speeding.

"It was fine, she kept talking about the baby and James, she said she was coming tonight and was making moon eyes about you again" I tease him and he laughs, seriously she'll have one or two whiskeys tonight and be practically dry humping him.

"You got your dress picked out tonight? Alfred picked my suit up today when he was out."

I turn round to face him, my mouth open "Seriously? You sent Alfred out just for your suit? God Bruce what was the matter with you he's an old man! Oh and I've found a dress, the only thing that doesn't make me feel fatter than what I am, so much easier when I just wore my hospital scrubs."

Bruce has the good graces to not burst out laughing; good I'd have probably swung for him. The press are as usual lined up to catch a glimpse, Bruce considered getting me a bodyguard but I was horrified at that, plus it would just gain more attention for me. We walk towards the clinic to Jane with Bruce leading the way; I hold his hand close and keep my head down ignoring the calls.

"Do you know where the Joker is? Has he made any contact with you?"

No and no sorry to disappoint, those days I think are long gone.

Joker's POV

His been quiet of late, it's taken a while to get use to certain circumstances, even more so the baby. Maddie's baby, his baby; he can't imagine himself as a dad not after his own father. He knew that every time they slept together they were playing Russian roulette and now she was pregnant. His seen her in the papers obviously and he went to the cop's funeral, staying a safe distance away of course, he was lucky to not get caught when the cop died, it was only thanks to Maddie that he did. Just like before his been keeping pictures of her; another Maddie file, though this one will definitely be kept away from others. He wouldn't admit it to anyone even his men but he did a job on his own, they all thought he was trying to find Sam but instead he went to Jane, Maddie's friend and as promised she handed over some of the scan pictures. He looks at them now and traces the shape of his... well Maddie didn't want to find out so he didn't asked either. Either way the baby is healthy and growing well that's what Jane said and he doubts she would lie, not that he would kill her, being Maddie's best friend and all. The house he's in now is further from Gotham than he would have liked, he did want to be closer to Maddie and the baby but it was too risky now. He saw her for real at the cop's funeral, a small figure in black being clung onto by his mom. For a moment he thought she'd seen him and had the urge to go to her; screw the consequences, but then it was over and she was gone. That had been some months ago and she was still the first thing he thought of in the morning and the last thing at night; well when he did sleep. His been quiet too long; he needs to make his stand back in Gotham and the world. Bozo walks into the room and acknowledges him with a dip of the head, his been more subdue lately, ever since Dwayne died his lost some of the swagger that he had. Speed is well still Speed.

"Hey Boss Speed said Maddie was on TV".

He eagerly switches on the TV (flat screen of course he still likes the finer things).

"Gotham is preparing to celebrate the opening of its new art gallery, supported by none other than Bruce Wayne. Wayne and his sister Madeleine are expected to be on the guest list at tonight's event which is expected to bring out the citizens of Gotham in their thousands. Also in related news Madeline Wayne was seen with her brother earlier on going to another hospital appointment. The doctor is expected to be giving birth in just a few weeks time her pregnancy comes of course not long after her kidnapping by the Joker who has been quiet of late, although citizens are advised to still be on the lookout. He is wanted for numerous assaults on the city more recently the death of one of Gotham's top detectives James Henry Dawson who lost his life earlier on this year..."

Joker licks his lips, a plan already formulating, "Hear that Bozo I think they miss me, think it's time to go and see the people of Gotham, what do you say?"

Bozo nods, "Sure thing boss I'll sort out the men."

The Joker grabs hold of his arm, "No, this will be a little job; we need to warm things up. I'll take just you and Speed. Get ready."

"Oh and Bozo", Bozo turns round to face his boss; "Put on your best suit, I think you'll be needing it tonight."

AN: So what do you think? This is of course my very first chapter of 'Sweetest Downfall' and I hope it lives up to your expectations and proves as popular as the last! Thank you all so much who have already added this story to your favourites and who are still reading/reviewing 'Deepest Cut'. Any questions/ideas will once again be welcomed. Thanks again!