A/N Hi everyone. This is a sequel to my first dark knight fan fiction 'Uninvited'. It's a continuation of the story of Amelia West and the Joker. For those of you who have not read 'Uninvited' it might be helpful to read the first story, but if you don't, then hope you still enjoy this!! As always, reviews and any thoughts are very much appreciated!

I do not own any character from the D.C comics, just Amelia, who is mine. Its only a shortie at the moment, but there is more coming, I promise! Please, please let me know your thoughts, it really helps. xx

1st January 2008

Dear Bruce,

Happy New Year!!

I was thinking about something the other day. Something that just popped into my head while I was running in the park. Do you remember that summer when we were fourteen and I was trying to convince you that Rachel was madly in love with you? We were practically living at your house and Alfred must have been sick of all the noise we made. You didn't believe me when I told you and I kissed you in front of her to see how she would react? She didn't speak to me for a week after that, but you had your answer!

I really miss her sometimes. I think about her a lot, as you must too.

And I miss you Bruce. That's why I'm writing this letter. It's been six months since I last saw or heard anything from you. I know that was the arrangement that we were always going to be distant.

I can't stop thinking about what happened the last time you were here. I said some terrible things. But I was in a bad place, Bruce, surely you understand?

I had to hear about my Grandma's death from a news report on a Sunday afternoon. She was the last real connection I had to my mother and I loved her so much. I couldn't go to her funeral. I couldn't be with my family. It hurt so much Bruce and when you came that day I lashed out. You're my only link to that world now and I was so angry with everything and everyone.

I admit now that I was angry with you. I was angry that you put me out here in no mans land, estranged from you, my old life and my father.

Everyone I loved said goodbye to me at my funeral, while I watched from a hospital bed in Gotham general. I really am dead and buried.

But I know that you did it for my own good. I know that!

And I'm so thankful for everything you have done for me. You saved me and I realise now I was angry with the wrong person.

You are not the reason I had to go away. He is. And I know that and believe me that ship has sailed.

I still think about him sometimes, but not in that way. How could I love someone who took my own life into his hands? How could someone like that love me?

The truth is he never did love me. I accept that now. I accept that I was just a pawn in his little game and it makes me sick to think that I could ever feel something like love for him. He doesn't deserve love and he is in the right place.

Life is not bad here at all, you know. I love my job and I can't believe I've only been here a year. One of my little prodigies has been accepted to the Gotham School of Ballet. That was a big thrill for me! I love teaching the little ones, but to see them grow up and develop is truly rewarding.

We put on regular shows and I have had to make various excuses as to why I can't leave the city. Metropolis just isn't an artsy town, like Gotham and my students keep nagging me to take them to one of the big productions in Gotham.

I have a few friends here, one of them, I'll call her 'M' as I know I can't tell you her name, joined the school last semester and we have a lot of fun together. We go out dancing nearly every weekend. It's like being a teenager again.

I'm also seeing someone. Don't pull your jealous face Bruce!

Seriously, his name is Nathan and he's great. Its nothing complicated right now, just casual, but I do like him.

I'm wondering now how you are? And Alfred? I miss you both so much. I miss his waffles.

It's been so long and I know it is because of the things I said to you. Do you really hate me? Can't you just come here so that we can talk about it?

I worry about you and your 'nightly' activities. I hear about you on the news and it breaks my heart at how they tear you apart. All the good things you do for them and they are so blind!

Maybe Gotham deserves what it gets. No I don't mean that, you know I don't. You have your reasons that you do what you do and you have more courage than anyone I know. But I still worry about you.

Please, please call me, contact me or leave me a sign to let me know that you're still my best friend. Its new years after all.

I'll be waiting. I love you.

Amelia xxx

A young woman with long dark hair held a letter close to her chest before slipping it into the mail box that was only two minutes walk from her school.

The woman hurriedly zipped up her coat, right up to the neck, rubbing her arms for warmth. She began to jog back towards the large, grey stone building from where she came.

Her face was creamy pale, small, even features and rosy red lips. One time people might have considered her a real beauty, but she was different now, softer, her face kind and warm.

She reached the school where she worked and hurried inside, waving at someone who joined her on the steps. Another woman, younger and with a mousy brown bob took her arm as they went inside.

The stranger in the car watched them disappear inside and she wound up the window of her grey sedan. Chewing her lip she started the car, swiftly pulling it out of the space she'd acquired earlier. Rain began to settle gently on the windscreen and she reached for the wipers, trying to wipe her face, sticky with tears at the same time.

Breath choked in her throat as she pulled away and she could feel more tears coming.

God why was she here?

She couldn't breathe, let alone see straight, her running mascara was stinging her lashes. Finally, defeated she pulled over and collapsed in a heap over the steering wheel, her body trembling with sobs.

"I can't do this anymore," she spoke aloud, her voice lonely, speaking to someone who would never hear her.

She was speaking to someone who would never listen.

Panic welled up in her chest and she struggled for breath once again, rubbing her chest for comfort.

She could just run. That was an idea. She could take this car and run. It didn't matter that he would catch up with her eventually. She would just keep running.

You could never hide from him. He always found you in the end.

Like the dark haired girl, even she hadn't escaped.

She shook her head firmly. She would never leave him. He never would admit it but he needed her, badly. She was his link to the outside world.

She was going to be his saviour and he would forever be indebted to her.

The woman nodded to herself and wiped her tight, swollen face.

He loved her. She was going to prove it by finding the girl. He had asked for this one favour.

Find the girl and we'll run away together, he'd promised. Find the girl and I will change; I'll take care of you. I'll love you.

She loved him, no question. His love was enough to push away the guilt she felt when she thought of the dark haired girl and what she was going to do to her.

Harleen started the car up again and it roared.

She was going back to Gotham, to tell her lover, the Joker, that Amelia West was alive.