Yesterday Got Away

by Germany11

Bruce knows that Jack used to be the Joker, Jack has no memory of it. Not wanting the Joker to resurface again, Bruce starts spending more time with Jack to prevent it. Jack is slowing losing his mind day by day with hallucinations of the Joker. Can either of them prevent what seems to be inevitable? Batman/Joker *Batman #48 based

1. Chapter 1

Bruce had returned to the bench by the lake a good number of times over the course of three weeks. Sometimes he would sit down and look out over the lake as Bruce Wayne. Other times he'd stay away and watch from the distance as Batman. There had been a few reasons why he had returned to this particular spot in Gotham. One it was peaceful and gave him a break from the hardships his life had held for him. The small area away from most of the loudness of the city had a calming presence in his mind. He felt like there was no obligations in this place. One place where Bruce didn't need to be Batman because no crimes could be committed in a place like this. However when he came here as Batman and kept his distance it was to observe the man in the white suit that he had only spoken too once. Yet when he got his memories back his mind had made the connection to the odd conversation with the man who was sitting there now. Bruce hadn't approached yet but he watched him silently and all he could feel was an overwhelming anxiety as he did so. For he knew who he was, or, more accurately, who he used to be.

Bruce would have realized it at first glance, but he wasn't fully in his right mindset at the time and the weight of that conversation brought him back here again and again to observe him. Every evening the man, who he had discovered went by the name Jack, would sit there for a couple hours, then leave. It always looked like Jack was waiting for something and that concerned Bruce more than anything. What he truly feared was that Joker would return and he wouldn't be ready for it. Last time they nearly killed each other and both were fortunate enough to even be alive. So he would watch and wait to see if Jack would start behaving well like Joker. The problem came though when the more Bruce watched him the more like he felt he wasn't accomplishing anything. It gave him an idea one that he wasn't sure would actually work but he honestly didn't want things to go back as they were.

Watching Jack may have given him the foresight of when Joker would return for he wouldn't be caught off guard and who knows how many lives would be destroyed if that happened again. However if could somehow prevent that from happening all together then that was the best course of action he could take.

He wasn't sure such a plan would work though and that's why he hesitated with approaching. After all, he was concerned his mere presence could trigger Joker's return in the man. Though when they talked last time he got the slight impression even if it wasn't concrete that Jack was discussing more than just the bench at the lake. He couldn't be sure and staying away and Jack not showing signs of Joker returning was the deciding decision for his course of action. After all, if he could keep Jack distracted enough to keep Joker at bay and thus saving so many countless lives it was worth the risk. Even with each step he took towards the man who had locked away the one person who had put Bruce through so much pain he debated with himself to turn back.

There were days where Jack felt like he was completely normal. Sure, he couldn't remember his past but he was able to link that connection to Joker's last attack on Gotham. The easy days where he woke up, went to work as a butcher to earn a living like the everyday Joe in Gotham. How the crime ridden this City was didn't even cross his mind because it wasn't affecting him in the slightest. It was a simple life, nothing extravagant, even if he did feel lonely. Jack didn't really make friends so he just focused on his work and after he went to the bench that brought him peace of mind for a couple of hours before he headed home to sleep, just to start the whole thing over the next day. Even on his days off he was always drawn back to this place where he felt happy. Sometimes he'd go to the coffee shop near the butcher shop he worked and read the paper. He'd even watch the news on his small television set at home or listen to the radio but those only brought up the bad days. Times where he honestly felt like he was losing his mind.

It all started with laughter. A sound normal people would find pleasant to hear but for Jack it only brought him foreboding. The first time he heard it was when the paper he was reading at the coffee shop had an article on Batman saving Gotham again. It was only faint sound and when he looked around he realized no one around him had been laughing. It was an oddity, but he just chalked it up to his mind playing tricks on him. The second time he heard the laughter was when he was getting ready for work a week after and he was looking at his white suit in his closet he preferred to wear. It was louder that time and made Jack wary that someone had broken in to his small apartment. With inspection of his home there was no one there. It was harder to laugh off the occasion then, but he managed. When the laughter was heard the third time it was accompanied by a person in his peripheral vision.

He had nearly jumped out of his skin as he was at the butcher shop and was alone in the room at the time. Jack had thought someone had snuck up on him, but when he turned to confront the person no one was there. It was no longer something he could laugh off anymore.

The visions made him feel like he was going completely insane. He hated those days the most as they were becoming more frequent than the normal days. They never lasted very long as most of the time it was just flashes of movement. A purple suit more like a blur passing by in the corner of his eye. Green hair that he could see when he turned to look behind his shoulder. The absolute worse was when he'd see a grin on a chalk white face that was just way too big and malicious green eyes watching him. Jack had learned that those hallucinations were more frequent on two occasions more than others when he'd be working and there would be so much blood around as well as when he'd read or hear anything Batman related. Jack couldn't stop going to work no matter how much he hated what it would do to his mind, but he became more inclined to never agree to overtime even if that was making it even harder to pay the bills. Jack did do his best to avoid any news of Batman he might encounter though. Refusing to read a newspaper or watch the news. It worked to an extent and he got some better days than bad but it wasn't nearly anywhere preferable cure. It was all he could try to do though. Over time, even that was becoming futile in his endeavor.

When he tried to derail the occurrences plaguing his mind was when he started to hear voices. Whispers that he was positive only he could hear. The voice was always the same one - raspy that sent a chill down his spine. At first he couldn't decipher what it was saying so he did his best to ignore it. If Jack pretended he didn't hear it just maybe the voice would leave him alone, or so he hoped. The voice came mostly at night when he laid on his bed trying to sleep.

Don't you miss it yet? Don't you miss him yet? The voice would ask him and Jack would have no idea what he was refereeing to.

Night after night the voice would come to him and every night Jack would ignore it. Never allowing what he was hearing get to him. Sometimes the voice would tell him sick jokes, other times he would tell him of murders he committed. Every time it made sleeping impossible which the dark circles under his eyes were prove enough for that. His lack of sleep was even making him more unproductive at work which caused his boss to cut his hours. Jack couldn't help but feel how he had in the early days after Joker's attack that took his memories away from him.

Jack was starting to become overwhelmed by everything so much that he started to spend more and more time at the bench where he felt safe. It worked as this was the only place he could go that the hallucinations would leave him be. Despite the peace this spot brought he was worried a place like this wouldn't survive in such a city. If the water would become infected again. Changing the fish, killing the grass, being torn down for more cityscape, just everything dying here to nothing. Jack didn't want that. If this place changed then he'd have nowhere else to go. No place of comfort and even though he tried to talk with Bruce Wayne to save this place he had told him he couldn't. Sighing, Jack pulled out some more bread that he would bring and threw it into the lake. Like always the starving fish couldn't refuse a free meal so he watched them. For a moment he felt just like them, starving for a chance to be free of whatever it was that was infecting him. Wishing and waiting for an action that could ease their suffering. All of it made him even more disconsolate.

"Excuse me? Do you mind if I sit here?" The familiar sentence uttered cause Jack to look up from the lake and right into Bruce Wayne's blue eyes. Jack couldn't help but smile at his presence as it had been awhile since he had last spoken to the man. Last time there conversation had been cut off but he had been getting his feelings out that he never told anyone before. He scooted over a bit to give him some space. Having his company was a much appreciated distraction.

"Of course, you're one of the only people I have met that's able to appreciate this place," Jack watched Bruce take a seat at the bench. His eyes took in his black suit jacket that was opened to reveal a denim colored dress shirt with a black tie and slacks. "I see you've shaved and looking your best. It's for a good occasion, I hope."

Bruce looked down at himself a little caught off guard that his attire was brought up at all. His mind was more focused on seeing if Jack was any different from last time they spoke. Bruce could see the dark circles under those familiar green eyes but nothing else seemed to be a miss. Perhaps, he was just being paranoid.

"Just got out of a business meeting not so long ago." Shrugging, his shoulders at his nonchalant comment. It did bring up an easy conversation starter though. Bruce was back working at Wayne Enterprise and he had thought about what Jack had asked him about this place being protected by his influence and he was willing to do that. Bruce had come here when his own memories were missing and here it was easy to be at rest so yes a part of him wanted to keep this place safe as well.

"Oh? Are you back to being head of Wayne Enterprise again?" Jack asked with a curious smile.

"Yeah, been back for several weeks now. It's good to finally have things back to normal." Not everything was normal again, Bruce thought, but didn't voice it.

Jack clapped his hands happily and gave Bruce a huge smile, it wasn't mocking it was generally happiness for the other. "I'm so glad to hear things are going better in your life. You look less lost than last time." He added with a slight chuckle.

"I'm sorry, but I never got your name last time we spoke." Even though Bruce knew what he was going by now he couldn't exactly expose that information to the other man without alarming him that something was up.

Jack seemed startled by the question and gave a small embarrassed chuckle. His white gloved hand scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he looked away for a moment before turning his attention back to Bruce.

"I'm sorry about that. It was rude of me to not introduce myself. My name's Jack Napier. Well, at least I think it is… heh." His chuckle was awkward and lacked the usual taunting charisma that Bruce was used to with the Joker. The name however was familiar to Bruce, Joker had used it before as one of his alias years ago and when Bruce first discovered that was the name of the man he had met on the bench it help with his already formed assertion that Jack had been the Joker. How the man now chose the name for himself made Bruce wary if Jack remembered his past but here he was still at this bench being very non-Joker like.

"I was wondering if you'd ever return," Jack interrupted Bruce's thoughts, causing him to raise a questioning brow. Bruce hoped he was referring to him as Batman and all the calmness Gotham was currently was receiving wasn't just a joke that Joker was waiting for. "To this bench, I mean." Jack clarified with a smile. Even smiling, Bruce could only get a slight glimpse of the murderous clown that Jack was before. Yet there was no murderous glee anywhere in the man's expression.

"I would have come sooner," Bruce decided to open up. "However, obligations… they kept me away." His voice held a tinge of disappointment in the statement.

"I can understand that. City life can be a distraction from the smaller things. For me though, I can't just seem to stay away from this place." Jack spoke fondly as he looked out to the lake. "This place brings me peace when I need it most. I think it does the same for you or else you wouldn't have come back." He looked at Bruce again. "Am I right?"

Bruce had obligations towards Gotham that only he could do. Helping the city after Mister Bloom's attack; being Batman to keep innocents safe. There wasn't really much time for smaller things to enjoy. Peace didn't come freely to him. Taking a break from the world to just be here meant that people would be hurt with his absence. Even now he wasn't here to enjoy the relaxation this place had to offer. All Bruce could think about was keeping Gotham safe again from ever having to deal with the Joker. If Bruce could though he'd enjoy this moment here like he was able to in the not so distant past. With Bruce not answering him, Jack frowned and gazed back at the water.

"If you need to be alone, I understand and can give you space." Jack said and there was a hint of something in his voice that made Bruce focus more on him.

"No, it's alright, you can stay. I was just thinking." He commented. Hoping to shake the thoughts on his mind of dreams he could never have.

"Trying to run away from something?" Jack spoke suddenly.

"What gave you that conclusion?"

Jack turned his body to face him better. Green eyes searching Blue for something that Bruce wasn't even sure Jack could place. Whatever it was he seemed to discover what he was looking for. "It's just I feel maybe we both are doing the same thing by coming here where it seems no one seems to want to go. I'm probably just throwing ideas out there but it feels like you're trying to run away from something." Jack tilted his head slightly as he watched the words sink in.

Contemplating his words in a way he knew Jack was right. He was running away from something even if he couldn't be honest with what that was. It all came down to what happened between Batman and Joker last time. Gotham was still healing for what Joker had considered his break up letter for Batman. They both had survived their battle but they lost their memories in the process. Bruce may have gotten back knowledge of the past but Joker hadn't. Another thought occurred to him that maybe Jack was still running away himself by coming here. Avoiding the past or perhaps living in denial with it. Which was for the better for everyone involved if it stayed that way.

"Perhaps I am." Bruce conceded and Jack nodded in understanding.

"Well, I just hope this place lasts as long as we need it to." Jack spoke sadly as he fed the fish the last of his bread and allowed the silence to comfort the both of them for a couple minutes. Neither would fight against the silence. It didn't feel awkward between them and that was better than their conversation last time. No deeper meanings of their ill-fated destiny. Just rest. Rest that both of them needed that they somehow could sense about the other.

Jack was honestly just glad that he wasn't alone right now. The bench was putting him at ease again and that's all he could ask for. Having Bruce here was helping with his overworked mind. He would have thanked him for just spending time in his company, even if it was only brief, though that probably would have come off as pathetic. Jack didn't want Bruce to think of him that way, but who was he kidding, last time they spoke he had brought a gun with him. Pathetic was probably the kindest word that Bruce would have for him in his vocabulary. Jack couldn't let those thoughts bring him down. Not now. Not when he was actually content with this moment of his life. I can go insane latter. He almost burst out laughing at his horrible joke but bit his lip to hold it in. Bruce was here a person he had such an effortless time talking to. No one else could claim that role in Jack's life and he was going to take as much advantage of it as he could. Who knows if he'd ever have the opportunity again?

"Speaking of that." Bruce had to break the silence.

"Hm?" Jack wasn't really much paying attention as his attention was on other things as he watched the water's surface ripple from the movement of the fish.

"I'm going to do everything I can to protect this place." Bruce spoke with such positive confidence that Jack could only look at him in awe when the words finally registered. If Bruce had truly meant what he just said then that was a huge worry off Jack's shoulders. His green eyes lit up brightly and he would have hugged the man that he just now realized was standing up. Hurrying Jack jumped up quickly before Bruce could have a chance to leave.

"Do…?" He could hardly even speak as he was sure he'd lose himself to the emotions he was feeling. Taking a deep breath he tried to steady himself. He was hoping that Bruce wasn't just messing with him. "Do you really mean that?"

"Yeah, I want to preserve this bench and lake as much as you do."

I highly doubt that.

Even with that thought, Jack was sated of his distrust. He couldn't help but be overly thankful to Bruce. If there was one person in Gotham who could keep the place he cherished most safe it was Bruce. The man had influence that Jack could never even compare. Previously he had felt helpless to do anything about keeping his one place of tranquil security from getting infected again. It was almost as maddening as the laughter in his head thinking about one day needing the bench for it to only be gone. Jack truly believed he would prefer death to that. A declaration like Bruce had just made was the most serene experience Jack has had in as long as he could remember. He didn't know how he could ever repay Bruce for this and in his thinking he completely missed Bruce telling him to have a good night and started walking away from him. Eyes widening, Jack called out to him as he ran to catch up to him.

"Wait!" His voice sounded desperate.

Bruce stopped in his tracks and turned to raise a brow at him. Jack hadn't had the chance to think this far so he just said the first thing that came to his mind. "Want to get some coffee?" Alright, that may have sounded ridiculous. It was after all eight a clock at night. Bruce looked towards the sky and gave a frown and Jack quickly back peddled before his act of wanting to thank the man pushed him farther away. "I mean, it's, just, well," He stumbled on his words before he could get his mind to catch up with his mouth. "I just want to thank you is all. I know it may not seem like much to you or maybe it does given what you just said but this place means so much to me and I just want to repay you. It's not much but-"

"I can't tonight." Bruce cut him off and Jack winced slightly at the distance in his words. By his tone, Jack could tell Bruce wasn't very on board with the idea at all.

Nice going, Jack. You made a fool of yourself. He thought with self-loathing and gave Bruce the best smile he could muster despite how ridiculous he was feeling.

"I understand. I mean you're Bruce Wayne after all and I'm just well-"

"I didn't mean it like that," Bruce corrected as he watched green eyes that was avoiding his glance up to look at him. "I'm just busy tonight. If you're free tomorrow, I'd be more than willing too."

Jack just couldn't believe what he just heard. Bruce Wayne, the Bruce Wayne was willing to have coffee with a no body like Jack. Sure they had talked twice now and it was only just him paying back a favor even if it would be trivial to someone like Bruce. For Jack, it meant a lot. This time he smiled for real.

"I can do that, I have work in the morning, but there's a small coffee shop near my work if you want to go there, either before I go to work or after. Whatever's is easier for you." Jack stopped talking and was looking expectantly at Bruce then blinked as he realized something. "Oh, heh, I forgot you may not know where the coffee shop is." He started to check his pockets for a pen and something to write on before he noticed Bruce hold up his hand to stop him. Bruce pulled out a card and handed it to him. Jack glanced at it and then looked back up at Bruce.

"My number, just text me the address tomorrow morning with the time and I'll meet you before your shift. It's better to have coffee in the morning than the evening any ways." He gave a small smile towards Jack and he nodded in return.

"I'll be sure to do that."

"I'll see you then have a good rest of the night." With that Bruce turned and walked away.

Jack almost reached out for him as he left hoping he could just prevent his departure a little bit longer. If Jack were honest with himself he was paranoid to be alone again. There was no laughter in his head when Bruce was around and he was thankful for that. A part of him couldn't help but be concerned with how tomorrow would go. All he wanted to do was repay the man and he was worried something awful would happen. A knot formed in his stomach as he looked back at the bench and pocketed the card into his suit jacket. Tomorrow will go fine he told himself. As if on cue he heard the faint distance of laughter around him causing him to shiver and wrap his arms around himself. It was time to go home and hope he could get a decent night sleep.

xxx

Bruce sat at the Bat-computer dressed in his Bat-suit with the cowl on his lap as he glanced at the files he had on the Joker. It was silent in the cave except for the chirping sounds of Bats in the distance. He'd have to be going on patrol soon but his mind wasn't in the game yet. He was too preoccupied thinking of his short encounter with Jack to be ready to dive head first into the belly of Gotham's underworld. Jack had seemed normal enough earlier but a part of him couldn't shake the apprehension that all that could change on a flip of a coin. Even if he told himself that keeping Jack distracted enough from remembering his past he couldn't shake that feeling that being around the man might be the exact opposite of what he was supposed to do. It didn't help that he had so willingly decided to have coffee with him the next morning. His tactical mind yelled at him that he should have put more thought into the idea than what he had done. Jack may have wanted to thank him for willing to protect the place they both felt comfort in. Still, it wouldn't be like at the bench where the two of them were alone and Bruce had this gnawing dread that maybe Joker would come back then and innocents would be hurt. Joker knew who Batman was and if that memory was somehow still in the depths of Jack's mind like he had a feeling it was then everything would fall apart like last time.

It was getting late and Bruce knew that he should be heading out to fight the criminals that threatened the people of his city. Overthinking things right now wouldn't help someone who may need Batman right now. Trapped, Bruce felt trapped right now as he started at the screen. Toxic green eyes staring right back at him. Those same eyes that haunted some of his darkest nightmares. The same eyes that Bruce was willingly going to out to see tomorrow in the plainest normal everyday environment that they could. It was Joker this time he'd be seeing he reminded himself. At least it wasn't the man that he had known. He had to keep it that way for both their sakes.

"Are you actually going to be staying for dinner for once in your life, Master Bruce?" Alfred came up behind him with a tray of food in his hand. Bruce glanced back at Alfred and gave an amused shake of his head.

"I'll be heading out in a moment, just leave it in the fridge for me and I'll eat it when I get back."

"I figured that was what you were going to say, I'd probably have a heart attack if it were otherwise." Alfred spoke dryly as he put down the tray on the side table.

"Never enough time to eat, Alfred. Not when people's lives may depend on it." Bruce responded as he looked back at the screen and Alfred followed his gaze.

"I suppose not when Batman is needed, but if there's not enough time to keep you healthily fed Master Bruce, is there really time to be looking through old files?" His voice held skepticism as he made his point on really the only difference was what Bruce decided to prioritize.

Glancing back at the files on the screen, he sighed. Bruce wasn't sure if he should tell Alfred about Jack. It made him feel guilty for even planning on going to the coffee shop with Jack tomorrow in the first place. Joker had caused so much pain and in the clowns plans he had hurt Alfred as well. Bruce knew that he should inform his oldest friend of his plans but a part of him just couldn't do it. Seeing the disappointment in his father figures eyes would just be too much to handle right now. He rationalized his guilt by telling himself it was just coffee nothing more. Even if that most likely wouldn't be the case if he wanted to make sure Jack would not go back to his old ways. For now though it would only be coffee. If things changed then Bruce could inform Alfred.

"I just want to be prepared Alfred." Was all Bruce would hint to the old man at the time being. Alfred raised a brow at him and looked back at him from the screen.

"Do you still think he's still alive?" Alfred finally asked and Bruce wondered if he was really that much of an open book to the elder man. "It's just he hasn't been for a long time, it makes me wonder if he's truly gone." Alfred finished as he placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder in concern.

Hesitating on answering, Bruce held on tighter to the cowl in his right hand and sighed shaking his head. How many times had he wondered that same thing himself? Many fights had left the detective pondering many sleepless nights if Joker survived previous encounters just for the maniac to appear months latter unharmed and more dangerous than ever. Whether by falls that no man should have survived to explosions he was sure had taken the clowns life, Joker always resurfaced. Now though, Bruce wasn't left wondering if Joker was alive because he knew for a fact he was. This time although, it was different. There simply was just no doubt that Joker was alive. Just changed. No knowledge of his past and it was as much a solace as it was unsettling. Like a game of waiting for disaster was being played between the two men. Bruce had the advantage this time. His knowledge he could use to turn the cards in his favor.

"He never seems to stay gone for long. Every time we think the Joker is dead he always resurfaces. It's what he does. It's what he has always done." Bruce yielded in the conversation. "I'll be going. No need to wait up for me Alfred."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Master Bruce." Alfred could sense that there was more Bruce wasn't telling him but Bruce wasn't about to give him the opportunity to ask more on the subject. He closed the files and turned off the Bat-computer standing up and looking at the cowl in his hands. Letting memories of that night where Batman was born in a traumatized eight year old boy enter his mind. He could almost smell the gun powder in the air and feel his parent's blood on his face. Remembering that night of his childhood had become a ritual of itself to mentally prepare him for becoming what Gotham needed of him. A promise to his deceased parents that gave him the strength to go out into the city night after night. Locking Bruce Wayne away in his mind to not interfere with what Bruce couldn't do but Batman could. Putting on the cowl, he was no longer the billionaire with a traumatized past but a symbol. More than a man. The monster in the dark that put terror in the hearts of criminals. For that's what Gotham needed him to be. That's what an eight year old child in an alley years ago wished that such a symbol was around then.

xxx

By the time Jack made it to the door of his apartment he was already in a deep sweat and panting heavily. The laughter in his head was getting worse and it felt like it was circling around him. Farther away from the bench he got the worse it became. Jack had started to become panic when he heard footsteps behind him and every time he looked back nothing was there. Laughter kept mocking him every time he looked and all he could do was try to run from it as fast as he could. His heart pounded away and he could hear it in his ears. Jack leaned against the wall trying to catch his breath. His eyes darted down the hall making sure he was alone even if he didn't very much believe that fact. When his glance went back to his apartment door he noticed a piece of paper pinned to the wood. With trembling fingers he reached out and grabbed the paper to inspect it. It was a notice his rent was late again and he had only a week to pay up or he'd be evicted. Cursing under his breath he crumpled the paper in his hand. He did not need the extra stress right now.

Before the episodes happened Jack was always on time with paying the rent. He even tried his best to be friendly with his elderly land lady. However Ms. Rohrman was a shrew type of woman and was easily irritated. That never bothered Jack before as he continued showing polite niceties to her whenever he encountered her. He would wave off her scoffs and rude comments towards him with a smile. It must have not been easy renting to people in Gotham. He'd excuse her bitterness. This wasn't exactly the best side of the city anyways as he lived in the Narrows. Now though, ignoring her seemed to be almost impossible as she would hound him on the rent. Jack honestly did try his best with keeping up with the expense but the more the hallucinations affected him the harder it was becoming to care. Perhaps he should have put more thought into the consequences of not doing as much over time as he used to. As he turned to unlock the door to his apartment he felt a breath on the back of his neck which made him stand up straighter.

"You could always kill the old broad and stay here as long as you want." The familiar voice spoke to him which felt like a whisper in his ear. As the words came out for a moment Jack actually considered them. If his landlady was gone then there would be no stress of dealing with the labor of paying rent. That would be a weight of his life and no one would have to find out it was him. This was Gotham City after all. Murders were part of the norm. No one would miss her and no one would suspect the introverted butcher in a run-down apartment. His eyes widened at the thought of actually contemplating what the voice was telling him. Jack wasn't a killer. Jack quickly opened the door and slammed it shut, locking it and looking out the pep-hole but no one was there. Resting his head against the wood of the door he shivered.

"What is happening to me?" He muttered. Asking whatever force in the universe that was doing this to him. He didn't know how long he stood there. It could have been a minute or even longer. It felt longer but he wasn't sure. Pulling away from the door he wiped his forehead with his hand, remembering how sweaty he was from running he decided he would take a shower before he headed off to sleep. Maybe a warm shower would help him relax and ease his mind.

Jack's apartment was a small one bedroom size. He didn't own many items. His couch was cheap that he found from a small ma and pops furniture store which the cushions were already torn and stained. He didn't mind it though as he rarely spent time on it other than to eat dinner. The coffee table he had gotten from one of the other tenets that moved out a week after he moved in because they didn't have the space for it. Jack didn't have much complaints about his abode. Walls were paper thin though and sometimes he could hear the television from his next door neighbors as well as stomping from above him. Most would complain about the noise but not Jack. It helped him keep his mind distracted from his other concerns. He made his way into the hallway bathroom that held the stand in shower in the dark. Not bothering to flick on the light switch in the living room as he had already memorized the layout of his home.

Jack only turned on the light as he made it to the bedroom. The yellow light chased away the dark shadows of the room. His fingers slowly removing his tie as he moved closer to the shower to turn on the water. The water always took a few minutes to warm up enough to be tolerable, but that was alright. Jack knew he would have to wait longer this time to get to the level of heat he needed to relax his muscles for his mind could clear. He could always just try and listen to the sound of the neighbor's television if he needed to keep himself distracted. As he passed the small mirror on the wall however he thought he saw a flash of green. Looking back into his reflection only his face stared back at him. Giving a distressed chuckle he chided himself for being so paranoid so he continued to turn the shower on as he slipped out of his suit jacket and let it hang on the hooks for clothing on the wall as if he wasn't going completely insane. The sound of water smacking onto the floor was soothing and he closed his eyes for a moment just to listen. It was tranquil and he desperately climbed to the sound.

Soon the sound wasn't helping as much as he liked. His forehead felt sticky from sweat and he could feel the bangs of his brown hair clinging to his forehead. Opening his eyes he wary glanced back at the mirror. From being close to the shower he couldn't see himself in the reflection. His eyes darted to the open door a habit he started to have after the hallucinations started. Jack didn't want to feel like he was ever trapped in a small room and wanted an escape route. His paranoid mind also taunted the idea as if he was allowing anyone easier access to sneak up on him. Hesitating for a second and not even looking at the mirror as he quickly went to look out the door into the dark hallway that only a little light from the bathroom illuminated in. Wishing that he had given it more thought to turn on the living room light in that moment. He could feel his body shaking as he took a deep breath and decided closing the door might be the better option. With a click he locked it just in case as he turned back to the mirror keeping his eyes on the sink instead he turned on the faucet and cupped water into his hands. Leaning down he splashed the water onto his face to help him feel less dirty as he waited for the shower to heat up. It was cold but he didn't complain. Water dripped from his hair and he glanced up back in the mirror.

A scream would have torn from his throat, but his only reaction was to fling his body back. A move he quickly regretted as the back of his head smacked against the metal towel line hanger on the wall behind him. Green eyes went wide for what he had seen. When Jack had looked back up it wasn't his face he saw. Acidic green eyes had looked back at him, forest green hair and a grin that was way too wide. Jack could barely breathe as the reflection didn't even blink as it watched him. His head was pounding from the force of the impact to his skull and he winced as his fingers brushed the back of his head to access the damage. No blood but there would be a bump forming no doubt. Shaking his head to rid himself of the reflection he closed his eyes. Muttering to himself that none of this was real.

Anyone who had lived in Gotham would know the person he had just seen looking back at him in the mirror. The clown that brought fear to everyone who encountered his smile. Jokes that punchlines would end in deaths in the hundreds if given the chance. Not everyone in Gotham ever met the infamous murderous clown but everyone knew his name. Petty criminals never made people as eager to lock their doors at night as much as that men did. Curfews that people would put in place on themselves in the hopes of avoiding him. Gotham knew him well as was the disease that plagued its streets. Bringing death and destruction wherever he would go. It had become perfectly clear to Jack then where the laughter in his mind had come from. For once a person heard it they could never forget its origin. A raspy whispers that would infest him as he tried to sleep. Purple and green blurs at the corner of his sight that were trademarks of one man. His name was the Joker, a name that no one could ever forget. Jack should have realized it sooner.

Feathery touches were felt on his check and against Jack's better judgement he opened his eyes. Oh how he wished he hadn't. For standing there right in front of him was the man all of Gotham feared. His white gloves caressed his face gently, yet Jack knew those same hands had been responsible for countless deaths. Acidic green eyes trapped him in their gaze though. Even more so than that terrifying grin. The pupils were like tiny pinpricks and didn't seem to ever expand. Pools of green that held so much malice behind them. Joker tilted his head as he observed the fear that must have reflected in Jack's own green eyes and an amused smirk appeared on those crimson lips. If Jack's body was shaking earlier he was downright quaking in fear now. Jack's eyes darted towards the door that he had closed earlier and he just couldn't believe himself now that he had done so. He was trapped and positive Joker wouldn't even let him escape if he could. No. This wasn't right. He closed the door. Joker shouldn't be here! There was just no possible way that he could be! His eyes returned to the clown as the fingers pulled away from his face. A knowing smile was taunting him.

"Did you miss me?" Joker purred as he strung his fingers together in front of him.

"You're not here." Jack forced the statement from his lips. Even if Joker seemed to be here it had to be a figment of his imagination. The door had been closed. No way in. It was his only mantra that he repeated to himself.

Joker laughed and put a hand over his heart in feigned disbelief as he looked around the small room that trapped them both together.

No way out.

"Is that so?" Joker taunted and leaned against the sink counter. "If that's what you believe, then why are you seeing me, hmm?" There it was again. The knowing smile that made Jack feel like he was getting some sort of sick joke. "Take a look around," his hand waved at the room. "It's only you and me here."

No way in.

"You can't be here." Jack asserted. The visions were never this intense. His headache from the blow must have caused this. Made the hallucination last longer he told himself. Joker leaned in closer to him and Jack pressed his back straight against the wall to try and keep some personal space.

"Do you really believe that?" Joker teased him as he patted the breast pocket that held Bruce's phone number. Acidic green eyes glanced at the pocket and then back up at Jack. His grin growing as Jack realized he knew the contents inside. Jack couldn't speak and Joker seemed to be enjoying the moment all too much. Despite his glee radiating off of him his pupils still didn't expand. "I really think that you don't." Joker commented after a moment of silence between them. Jack knew Joker was expecting him to confirm his speculation but he just couldn't bring himself to. This was just all too much to handle. He could feel the fingers tapping against his pocket and it made Jack curious why Joker seemed so focus on just a card that was there.

"Are you going to really be seeing him tomorrow?" Joker asked the question as if he couldn't believe it himself. Which maybe he didn't. After all even Jack couldn't believe a man like Bruce Wayne would be willing to spend time with him outside of their very short encounters at a bench. Jack wasn't a socialite, like he expected the company Bruce kept. He didn't have wealth or a powerful company. It was all too easy for Jack to believe that Bruce wouldn't show. Giving him his number more out of pity than actual obligation to have coffee with him. It brought a strange ache in his chest at the thought. Could he blame Bruce if that was the case? No. All Jack wanted to do was buy the man some coffee as a thank you. A small gesture but the only one he could think of doing at the time. If Bruce didn't show then it would be obvious he had more important things to worry about. Joker's fingers brushed the brown hair away from Jack's face as he seemed to mulling over some thoughts that Jack couldn't place.

"I wonder if he'll actually show," The comment surprised Jack. The voice was solemn and didn't seem to be possible coming from the murderous madman as himself. Joker's grin returned. "Won't it be a fun delight if he does though?" Jack didn't understand what Joker meant by that and he wasn't sure if he wanted to know. Joker leaned back and away from Jack as he spun in his spot.

"I say you should kill the old broad. Wouldn't want you to be without a humble abode, after all. That just wouldn't work, now, would it?" Joker said offhandedly and it brought Jack back to how he felt the same thing earlier. Wicked thoughts that he was positive weren't his own and came from the delusions he was experiencing.

"I'm not going to kill anyone." His voice was shaky as if there was doubt in the statement. Not that he would ever tell the clown that for a moment outside his door he had contemplated doing just that. Positive a confession of that magnitude wouldn't benefit him in the slightest. Joker just laughed at him and the sound echoed all around the room that made Jack cover his ears and wince from his growing headache.

"It's funny how you think that will be the case, Jackey old boy." With a blink Joker vanished and the room faded with his laughter leaving Jack alone with his thoughts of this encounter. Streaming water from the faucet and the shower filled his ears again and all Jack could do was stand there leaning against the wall. Telling himself that maybe the good days where life was normal would be more prominent in his life than the bad ones.

xxx

The coffee shop was almost empty at six in the morning. Jack was sure he looked like shit after his encounter with the hallucination of Joker from last night. He had not been able to sleep and he was too paranoid to enter the bathroom again so he didn't even get his morning shower. He eventually did shower last night but it was so quick because he was terrified Joker would return. He didn't and that's all Jack could be thankful for. Jack was hoping that today would be a good day instead of a bad one. For him though it seemed to depend on if Bruce would actually show up or not. Jack had texted him that morning and he had received a confirmation back but the likelihood that Bruce would follow through wasn't certain. Jack had arrived early though and had gotten a small table for them where he could watch the front door as he waited.

As the minutes ticked by though he became even more certain that Bruce wouldn't show up. Resting, his head on his hand he thought of how much of a fool he was for even getting as hopeful as he had been. Why in the world did he ever contemplate that Bruce Wayne would waste his time with him. They may have had the bench together but it wasn't like Bruce originally went there to spend any time with Jack. It was Jack who had talked to him first. Bruce was probably just being polite to even have a conversation with him. He wondered if he had pressed his luck by even inviting the man out. At least if Bruce didn't show up he was already here to get coffee though. Over time was needed more now than ever if he was going to be able to afford his tiny apartment. He'd need the energy for the extra work. Sometimes a person had to look on the positive side when their life was falling apart.

Bruce looked at his phone and then back at the coffee shop that he was supposed to enter. He knew it was the right place. Bruce hadn't had a chance to sleep as he had to get ready to head out again by the time he got back to the cave the text of the time and place was waiting for him. His body felt exhausted as he had dealt with Jonathan Crane last night. The self-proclaimed master of fear had been abducting people from their homes to test his fear experiments on and last night Batman had gotten the much needed lead on his location. Batman was used to handling henchmen that the higher criminals employed and it didn't take him long to get to Cranes location and take him down. Grudgingly the former doctor had already killed the hostages even before Batman had arrived and with the added stress of Bruce needing to deal with an amnesiac Joker it had set him into a blind furry. Crane was sure to be in a body cast for a couple of months and Bruce had been disgusted with himself for using that much violence to subdue the man. Only Joker had ever gotten that much of a violent response from the dark knight. When Bruce had gotten back to the cave all he wanted to do was sleep all his worries away but that wasn't going to be the case.

The billionaire had contemplated rescheduling for a second but knew that wouldn't be the best idea. Keeping a closer eye on Jack was more of a priority than sleeping ever could be. Batman could not allow himself to be caught off guard from a resurfacing Joker again. Not after last time. He just couldn't allow it. So he forced himself to get ready and head out. Telling, Alfred that he was positive slept less than he did that he had a meeting to go to. He felt like a teenager again lying to go somewhere that his guardian would approve of and it made him feel ridiculous but it had to be done. If Joker never resurfaced then Alfred would understand why Bruce felt the need to lie to him. Standing at the street across from the coffee shop he found himself almost paralyzed. His legs didn't want to seem to move forward no matter how much he ordered them to do so. Years of being observant and always on guard kept his feet planted on the side walk. Feeling if he did enter that he'd be walking willingly into a trap that he was not prepared for. An assumption that felt absurd to Bruce but one that was becoming unshakable. It took all his will power to cross the street and enter a path of unpredictability for the future.

The sound of the bell ringing that notified staff of a customer made Jack's head snap up with eagerness. Green eyes landed on Bruce and all of Jack's worries dissipate from him. Bruce had shown up after all. The son of Gotham casual attire made Jack feel like he was too formal for such a small occasion. Wearing suites though were was a habit he couldn't shake. It wasn't practical for a butcher to wear but even still Jack refused to wear anything else. A nice suit felt like a second skin to Jack and that was just something he had no attention of changing. He did wonder though if the opposite could be said for Bruce. If the man who had to wear suits day in and day out would opt to not do so if the opportunity presented itself. Not knowing if such an observation was true or not it made seeing Bruce in casual attire that much more interesting. Blue eyes found him and Jack decided to get up at that moment. Pulling out his wallet as he made his way over to the billionaire.

"Hello, Bruce, I hope your morning is going well," he got the polite comments out first before their conversations could take on a more natural tone. "Thank you again for allowing me to repay your gesture yesterday." He smiled and put his hand out to be shaken. It all sounded much too former of a greeting than he was planning and Jack felt even more foolish but he just wasn't completely accustomed to greeting the man outside of the bench by the lake.

Bruce couldn't stop himself from taking a moment too long to shake Jack's hand. Expecting a joy buzzer that would fry its victims to a charcoal colored corpse. Realizing the delay would come off as distant he shook Jack's hand and tried to keep his paranoid Batman persona away from the time being. No one in the cafe was dead when he arrived. Traps that could cause bodily harm weren't set. Nothing more than having some coffee was expected of him.

"Pleasure's all mine." said Bruce and Jack smiled as he pointed back to the spot he had stood up from.

"I got us a spot, so you can take a seat if you want and I'll get our coffee. What's your poison for the morning?" Jack grinned.

Bruce wasn't particular fond of the phrasing of the question. If it had been anyone asking him in a setting like this he wouldn't have thought much about it. Given he knew this man used to be Joker it made his instincts make him a little more tense than he previously was over a handshake. Instead of letting it affect him to much he started to reach for his wallet willing to pay instead of making Jack do it. Once Jack saw this however he held a hand up and shook his head.

"Really, its fine, Bruce," he sounded a little amused and Bruce looked up at him. "This is my treat to you. It's not much, but it's how I want to thank you." He sounded so sincere that Bruce just nodded.

"If you say so. Black coffee. Dark roast." Bruce noticed the slight way the Jack's forehead crinkled at the thought of ever having coffee black.

"I'll go get our drinks then." Jack turned away and made his way to the counter to order as Bruce took his seat at the table Jack had picked out for them.

Jack looked over the menu on the board and decided a double shot espresso was the way for him to go. As he was about to order though he went completely went stock still for standing behind the counter wearing the cafes uniform was Joker grinning back at him.

"So, what'll it be?" Joker asked. He could hear the laughter all around him again and Jack wanted nothing more than to run out of the cafe and get away. His eyes darted to the front door and back at the grinning expectant clown.

Jack felt his heart pound in his chest as he quickly looked around to see if anyone else was aware of what was happening. A few people were in the cafe and didn't seem to take notice of Gotham's most infamous criminal being in there proximity. Breathing in deeply, he tried to calm down. It was all in his head. None of this was real and panicking in public would be like an open invitation for one Jack Napier to the looney bin.

"Tall, Black c-coffee and tall double espresso." He stuttered out as he tried to keep his eyes looking only at the counter. He heard the amount be said and even then he didn't move right away. To paranoid to do anything.

"Sir, that'll be $5.50." The person at the counter sounded annoyed and when Jack looked up Joker was no longer there just a teenage boy standing there.

"Oh, right sorry." Jack pulled out the cash from his wallet and handed it to the boy who seemed irritated for Jack taking so long. Taking the change, Jack only had to wait a minute or two before he was handed the cups.

"Have a nice day. Come again." The youth sounded bored with him and Jack gave a shaky nod in return as he headed back to his and Bruce's table. Trying his best to get ahold of himself and not let his unease be visible in his features.

"Here you go." Jack put the black coffee in front of Bruce and took his seat across from his and slowly sipped his own drink. Hoping he wasn't making a complete fool of himself in front of the last person in Gotham he ever wanted to.

"Thank you." Bruce followed suit and took a sip of his drink. It was hot, but he didn't mind the temperature. Jack wasn't looking at him and Bruce took the time he was given to observe the other man across from him. His brown hair was a little messy as if he didn't pay much attention to it this morning like he normally did when Bruce saw him. He was still wearing a white suit which Bruce found a bit odd given the work the man did. How he managed to keep blood off of the clothing he wasn't sure. It was without a doubt not the proper attire for a butcher. Perhaps Jack had spare clothing at his workplace? That was a possibility. Green eyes looked tired as he had dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. Bruce noticed that yesterday though, but today Jack was looking even worse than before and that concerned him.

"How was your meeting yesterday?" Jack spoke up out of the blue and looked up to meet his gaze.

"It went well. Just a simple staff meeting discussing what would be the next steps to help repair Gotham after that freak Mr. Bloom attacked." That meeting had been anything, but simple as other people in his company wanted to make more of a profit off the destruction instead of actually wanting to help the people of Gotham get their lives back on track. Bruce had to make it very clear yesterday that Wayne Enterprise wouldn't be expecting making money off people's suffering which put him in an unfavorable light with other investors. It was nothing new. Bruce was a known philanthropist so they really should have expected that from him.

"I think it's a good thing your company does so much to help the less fortunate of us." Jack commented. "Gotham needs more people to care about the little people in a city that would rather crush them where they stand."

It was on oddity to hear those words coming from someone Bruce knew used to not care about the welfare of anyone. A man who got so much merriment from causing harm to as many innocents as possible. Bruce had experience personally what Joker activities that he found a hilarity. Seeing Jack have the opposite opinion of his previous self was just so out of this world and hard to believe for Bruce. Joker would have laughed at the very notion of that mindset and killed to prove how ridiculous he found it.

"My parents wanted a better Gotham where people could feel safe and prosper. I want to honor that obligation." Bruce added more to himself than Jack.

"I wonder if that can ever be a possibility. This city seems to bring out the very worse of people." Jack added but then looked away as if in shame for even uttering the thought. "Though as long as some people with influence can make the right steps forward it's a possibility, maybe."

Bruce could agree with that stance. He had seen countless times the disease Gotham seemed to infect certain people. Turning, a botanist into a terrorist, driving an intelligent man to do crimes with riddles, a fear obsessed doctor, a psychiatrist to fall in love with a murderous clown and a unknown man in a red hood costume falling into a vat of chemicals just to emerge as the worse nightmare Gotham had ever experienced. Even a part of him added himself to that list - an eight year old boy who witnessed his parents gunned downed only to come back years later as a symbol of justice. Gotham changed people. Or, maybe, all this city really did was bring out their true selves.

"I have faith that if people want to change for the better and take action for the better good then they can accomplish that." It was an optimistic stand point, he knew. Still it was a stand point that years ago compelled Bruce to reach out and offer to help rehabilitate Joker if only he were willing. The offer would always be there and it was one of the reasons Bruce could never take the maniacs life. He may have had other reasons as it was his one rule but he still held on to the belief of the possibility that the ones Batman fought could perhaps one day be rehabilitated and do more good than they had done harm.

"Do you believe that's the case for everyone?" Jack asked and looked sideways for a moment as if he saw something and then back at Bruce. "What about the criminals in Arkham?" Jack asked getting more to the point.

"Yes, I have even invested money to help fix the problems at the Asylum. Even going as far to become part of the board for a chance for the patients might be rehabilitated back into society."

Jack tried to keep his focus on Bruce but it wasn't becoming an effortless task. For the longer they discussed Gotham City the more Joker appeared to him. The clown was currently sitting next to him and since Bruce didn't pay any mind, Jack knew it was all in his head. He didn't want to have these hallucinations with Bruce around. Appearing as normal was becoming impossible as his green eyes would drift back to the clown again and again. Joker tapped his fingers on the table, a sound on Jack could hear.

"It's hilarious how, Brucie, honestly believes that. I mean look at him." Joker leaned in closer to Bruce and grinned and Jack held his breath. "Thinking he of all people could help those poor deranged souls." Joker glanced back at Jack smiling. "Does he not realize they like being there? Arkham is their home away from home after all. Just ask me. I know all about it." Joker laughed and Jack tried not to cringe.

Jack saw Bruce's lips moving but didn't grasp what he had said and did his best to tone out Joker.

"Sorry, what?" Jack asked embarrassed. As he took another sip of his drink to calm his nerves. A double espresso was probably not the best drink to have as it was making him more aware of his surroundings or more particularly Joker's presence. Bruce rose a questioning brow at how fidgety Jack was becoming in his seat. Like he was ready to bolt at a moment's notice.

"I was asking about how your work is going since we've been so focused on mine during this whole conversation."

Joker grinned as he bounced in his seat and leaned in to whisper in Jack's ear. "Go on, Jack. Tell him all about how you see me when you carve up those bodies. I'm sure he'd love to hear all about it. I bet he's just aching to know what is going on in your head." Joker spoke fondly of the idea that just couldn't be even more dangerous of one to entertain.

"Work's going fine." Jack responded to Bruce.

"Liar." Joker scoffed and pulled away from him as if disgusted at his cowardice.

"I have to take on more overtime to pay the bills, but its decent money. Nothing too hard about it."

Jack noticed something in that moment whenever Joker looked towards Bruce his pupils would expand ever so slightly. Something that never seemed to happen any other time that Jack had observed from the clown. Why Bruce got that sort of reaction from Joker he couldn't place. If Jack were to guess it seemed like Joker thought fondly for Bruce. Absurd as it might be that's the conclusion he came to. Maybe, because Jack enjoyed Bruce's company that's why Joker did as well. At the same time it felt like he was missing part of a puzzle that Joker knew but wouldn't let him figure out just yet. Whatever game the clown was playing he didn't like it. Jack knew he shouldn't be thinking of Joker as a separate entity but the more he hallucinated him the harder it was to rationalize his mind of the truth. He feared one day he wouldn't even be able to do that much.

"How tight is money for you?" Bruce asked and that question quickly made Jack back pedal the conversation. Realizing that a slip of that degree around the richest man of Gotham could be interpreted as Jack wanting to be a charity case. The farthest thing from his mind. Bruce never had to worry about money and Jack knew that. Bringing up that he needed to do over time to pay bills probably made Bruce think that Jack was only interested in trying to get something from the man when all he wanted to do was thank him.

"It's nothing too bad," again he lied and Joker just shook his head at him, muttering about killing his landlady all over again so Jack ignored him. "I manage. Really, nothing to worry about," he needed to get off this conversation as he was starting to become more uncomfortable with it. "How's your girlfriend? I can't remember her name sadly, but I know you spoke of her the first time we talked." It wasn't the most delicate change of conversation, but it was the first thing that popped into his head. Bruce took a long drink of his coffee at the question and Jack realized then it was probably something Bruce didn't want to discuss with an acquaintance. "It's fine if you don't want to answer."

"No, it's alright, we aren't seeing each other anymore." Was all the information Bruce offered up and that was alright with Jack. He didn't want to make the man uncomfortable after his slip up with money. His green eyes darted back to Joker who was watching the both of them with interest. His hallucination wasn't normally this quiet and Jack had a feeling something awful was running through that mind of his.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Jack gave his sympathies.

"It's better this way. We just weren't compatible with our lives the way they are."

Joker laughed then amused sending a chill downs Jack's spine and he turned his body in Joker's direction look at him. Not realizing he was giving all his attention to someone that others wouldn't see.

"An interesting choice of words." Joker commented and Jack felt he was hiding something. That Bruce and Joker had information that was easily going over Jack's head. Jack was curious now and as he opened his mouth to respond he was cut off by Bruce speaking. Only then did he contemplate how big of a mistake it was acting like Joker was there when no one else could see him.

"Hey, Jack, are you alright?" Bruce leaned in closer to him and Jack didn't know how long he had been silent. Taking a sip and finishing his coffee he gave a chuckle to try and laugh it off.

"Of course. Sometimes I just get a bit lost in thought. Sorry about that." He waved his hand like it was nothing but the Blue eyes of Bruce narrowed on him and looked so intense Jack thought he said something wrong. His eyes widened a bit as Bruce leaned in a little towards him and he could see that he was gripping his coffee mug.

"What were you thinking about?" Bruce pressed the issue.

"Now you've got him interested in you," Joker laughed as he wrapped an arm possessively around Jack's shoulder. "Should you tell him or should I?" There was an edge to Joker's voice and Jack knew then he had to leave. He glanced at the clock on the wall and his eyes widen in feigned astonishment.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize the time. I have to get to work." Jack started to move with haste out of his seat to avoid what could happen if this conversation continued.

"Wait." Bruce said as he stood up as well and looked like he was about to reach for him but held back. "I'm sorry if I pressed too hard. It was rude of me."

Jack looked back and Joker was gone so he turned his attention to Bruce and gave a small smile. His actions probably came off as absurd and out of nowhere. It made him worry that he might have gave Bruce the impression that he didn't care for his company when that wasn't the case.

"You're fine, Bruce. You did nothing wrong. Again, I want to thank you for being so willing to protect the bench and lake. It means more to me then you'll ever know. Maybe I'll see you around there from time to time." Jack started to make his way to the door before Bruce called to him once more.

"Do you need a ride?" Bruce asked wanting to stop him from leaving so soon.

"It's alright. Work's only a block away and I prefer to walk. See you around." Jack gave a wave and shook his head no as he headed out the door leaving Bruce alone to his thoughts on the situation.

Bruce knew he should leave the coffee shop and follow him, but he just felt lost. Jack had been fine during most of their short conversation, but after a while he had become nervous. The situation left Bruce in a state of cautiousness. He knew Jack wasn't being fully honest at the end there as he glanced at the clock and it was only six thirty and Jack had work at seven. There was still plenty of time for their visit but Jack seemed like he couldn't get out of there fast enough. What had sparked that to happen, he wasn't sure. This wasn't a good sign and Bruce made a mental note that he would make sure to keep an even closer eye on him than before. He could see instability a mile away and Jack was showing all the signs. If Bruce wanted to keep Joker at bay he would need to put more effort in doing so. There was no other alternative than that. Joker had always been his responsibility since that night at Ace Chemicals. Therefore that made Jack, his top priority.

xxx

Jack walked quickly on the sidewalk trying to put as much distance as possible between him and Bruce. Honestly he was more paranoid of what Joker had planned than anything relating to Bruce. He knew he had left earlier than attended and he felt guilty about it as he had been enjoying his time with the others company. It had been nice to get out and actually really talk to someone. It probably wouldn't happen again though as Jack was certain he had just screwed up any chance of talking to Bruce in the future. That was never his intention and he felt ire at Joker for ruining their good time together. A nice day out was what he had needed and it was like Joker couldn't have allowed him the opportunity. Even just being away from a short time though, Jack was regretting his decision of leaving so early. All he wanted to do was turn around and run back to the cafe and apologize for his hurried exit. Perhaps if he did that then Bruce would be willing to meet him for coffee again in the future. No matter how much he wanted to he couldn't bring himself to do so. It was better if he stayed away while his mind was messing with him. This wasn't something he could easily explain away anyways. Trying would just make him sound insane and it was better if Bruce didn't have that image of Jack in his head.

Jack kept his hands in his pockets as he walked, he felt an arm link with his and as he turned his head to look at who it was he wasn't that surprised to see red lips grinning at him. Joker leaned against him invading his personal space as he kept his footing matched with Jack as they strolled the sidewalk. Jack didn't show much reaction to the close proximity. This wasn't the place for it and he had already made that mistake in the coffee shop with Bruce. Which had ruined their whole time together he was sure of. People passing them by without giving a second glance in their direction. Why would they anyways? Jack was basically as invisible as Joker was to the outside world around them. Jack never seemed to mind it though. People had lives of their own and couldn't really be bothered with paying attention to a complete stranger. Joker however seemed to have a different opinion of the people around them as he giggled to himself.

"Just look at all of them." Joker spoke. His tone was on edge.

"What about them? They're just going about their day." Jack kept his head down for people wouldn't see him respond back. Muttering quietly knowing Joker could hear with how close he was. To anyone else who paid enough attention to Jack it would just seem like he was talking to himself. Like a crazy person. Which all signs pointed to the fact that he was. Normal people didn't hallucinate psychopathic clowns.

"That's exactly the problem," Joker started on a rant. "Here they are going about their days as if life has meaning! It's really disturbing how all of them just can't see how pointless it all is!" His voice took on a deep growl of irritation.

"I don't see a problem with that," Jack whispered back and heard Joker give a mock tsk sound. "If people don't find meaning in their lives, then what's the point of even breathing?" Jack concluded and he could feel Joker laugh against his right side. His arm felt like it was being tugged on so he followed into an alley which he knew was a shortcut to his work place. Joker held onto his arm tighter in a possessive manner that Jack just didn't understand why. Acidic Green eyes looked into his own and the pupils didn't change like they had for Bruce. If Joker was fond of the billionaire he was without a second thought positive that Joker felt the complete opposite for Jack.

"You used to see how much life is a joke," Joker continued as if he was interrupted. "We both know that as those people continue their day to day affairs that instead they are as twisted as the world. Lying to themselves with going to work and not allowing their true colors to shine because of pointless laws that they allow to be placed on them. The sooner they realize that the sooner they could laugh and smile at the world. I think they're the sick ones by denying themselves what they really want." Joker finished and Jack could find some sense in what Joker was saying. At least coming from Joker it made sense. Nothing had ever stopped the clown from doing what he wanted. Laws didn't matter to him as it did for Jack and everyone else. It was a freeing philosophy outlook on life but it had dangerous consequences in practice.

"Not everything is a joke. I'm sure some things have importance." Jack protested Joker's belief system.

"Keep telling yourself that, Jack and you'll never have any true reason to smile as this city will just drag you down till there's nothing left of you." Joker had to get the last word in. Jack allowed him. There wasn't really much point in arguing with him. Joker wouldn't care for what he had to say on the matter.

"Spare change sir?" A man's voice caught his attention and Jack looked to the side to see a homeless man leaning against some trash in the alley.

"I mean look at him, he's not smiling or happy. It seems like it would be cruel not to bring a smile to his face." Joker pulled away from Jack and tapped his shoulder. "Wouldn't you say?"

"I may have some spare change." Jack reached into his pocket for his wallet. It was the least he could do to help someone in need.

"Thank you, sir." The elderly man said as he moved closer to him.

Jack however didn't feel his wallet in his pocket. What he did feel was a handle to a switch blade. His back straightened as he couldn't remember ever putting such a weapon in his pocket. Jack glanced back at the elderly homeless man and could see between all the dirt that stained his face that there was in fact no smile. Grey eyes that stared back at him were empty and there wasn't a shred of joy to be found. It disturbed him so much that he felt compelled to make the frown go away. Have the old man smile again like he pictured he might of done so in his youth before the world took away all his high spirits. Grabbing the switch blade in his hand he pulled it out and grey eyes widened in fear. Jack jumped at the man flicking the blade out as he felt the knife go in like butter into the man's stomach. He groaned out in pain as he fell backwards onto the ground giving Jack the opportunity to straddle his hips. He wanted the man to smile. That's all he wanted. Just to bring a smile to his face. The elderly man didn't seem to want to as all he was doing was begging for his life. It wasn't right, he should be smiling. Putting the blade in the man's mouth on the right side he sliced upwards using his other hand to pry the man's jaw downwards for the skin would tear in a Glasgow grin. He felt the body writhe beneath him. A gurgled scream that sounded more like laughter to his own ears as he did the same to the other side of the man's mouth. Still the body didn't stop moving so he plunged the blade again and again into the man's chest. Crimson staining his white suit as liquid splashed onto his face.

When the body finally went still. Jack just stayed in his position breathing heavily as he admired his handiwork. Grey eyes that just stared straight ahead and a carved in smile that made him look even more pleasant than before. Laughter was still around him and Jack could see Joker leaning down on his heel to look at him. Jack didn't say a word as he was too intrigued by what he had done. The homeless man really did look happy now. As if all he needed to do was smile and everything would be better. Jack felt an overwhelming moment of bliss that he could give this poor lost man that. Looking back into acidic green eyes, Jack smiled. Truly smiled for what felt like the first time in his life. Jack laughed and Joker joined him as they took in a sick pleasure of bringing another smile to one of Gotham's citizens.

"Sir?"

Jack blinked and he was no longer straddling a corpse. The homeless man was looking at him like he had lost his mind. It was all another hallucination. Jack didn't kill anyone yet he felt truly disturbed that just fantasizing doing so had brought him so much peace. This wasn't right. He shouldn't be seeing things like this. What was going on? Why was this happening? Jack didn't have these types of fantasies. He was just a normal person. This wasn't like him. He couldn't be like that. Jack was a good person, he thought he was anyways. Never going out of his way to harm anyone. Keeping to himself. Hell he had just bought a billionaire coffee for willing to save a bench. Joker walked in front of him and smiled.

"Let yourself have some fun, Jack. We both know how much you're craving it." Joker prompted him as he nodded his head towards the homeless man. Telling him that it was alright if he acted on what he just imagined himself doing. Going so far as to downright encourage him to.

"No." Jack spoke and his voice sounded broken.

"What was that?" The man asked.

"Sorry, I… I don't have money. I have to go." Jack took off running before the man could say another word. He could hear the man yelling profanities at him but that's not what he focused on. Laughter was all he could hear following him. Never leaving him alone. Chasing him with each step he took as it did so yesterday.

Jack realized then that he was completely losing his mind. He couldn't allow himself to harm anyone and he was terrified that he might. Jack wanted to ask anyone for help. More specifically he remembered Bruce's face of concern back at the cafe. If only he had told him the truth of what was going on. Bruce had influence maybe he could have helped Jack. Or he'd just ignore him or at worst lock him away from the outside world. Jack didn't want that. He didn't think he could survive seeing such pity in those blue eyes. It would break him. Make him lose all hope that he could ever get better. Any hope he had would be crushed in an instant. So he knew he'd have to keep it to himself. Only one person would ever truly know what was happening to him and that person was the Joker who was taking full delight of his lack of sanity.