A/N: Warning - VERY DARK! Seriously, watch out. This is definitely my darkest piece, but it seemed to fit so perfectly. Basically, a story on how the Joker got his scars, and a crossover with Law and Order. I know that the Joker's name is supposed to be Jack, but I'm using artistic liscence here...
Bobby shudders as he hears the door crash open. His dad has been out drinking again. The heavy footsteps echo through the small apartment, each stomp sending a shiver of fear down his spine.
One can always tell what kind of mood Dad is in from the way he enters the house – the louder it was, the more violent he acted. From his place in the hallway closet, Bobby hears the smooth rasp of metal gliding against metal. His mom hears the thundering footsteps too, and knows what it means. She always takes the kitchen knife for protection, but every time she endures the insults and fists and puts it back unused.
Dad staggers down the hall and veers sideways, bumping against the wall. "Frances!" he bellows, slamming a fist into the wall. It goes through with a crunch sending plaster and dust spiraling through the air. Blood drips from his hand, and Dad roars, sending his foot flying for the kitchen door. It buckles under the kick, hinges breaking and crashing to the floor.
Safe in his hiding place, silent fearful tears stream down the nine-year-old's face. His father has never been this violent before. There is a crash and a scream from the kitchen and Bobby covers his mouth with his hands. Never scream! That's what his mother has always told him. Don't scream, stay hidden. Don't bring attention to yourself.
His father's voice seems like one long roar, and there is the meaty sound of flesh hitting flesh. Mom yells for help and Dad yells at her. Bobby can't stay still anymore. His mother, the only person who cares for him, is being attacked. He quietly opens the closet door and heads for the kitchen.
Mom is on the ground and Dad is facing her, back to the door. He has Mom's knife in one hand and the other one is wrapped around her neck. She's trying to get away, squirming and yelling and pleading but Dad just laughs in her face and tightens his grip.
Bobby heads for the row of knives and takes out the second-largest one. He creeps up behind his father and raises the knife. by sheer luck or some drunken instinct, Dad turns around in time to throw up a hand in the knife's downward path. The knife pierces one side of the palm and goes through the other side. Bobby presses down until the hilt meets his father's hand. He doesn't think of what he's doing, just what needs to be done. He needs to hurt this bastard as much as possible, protect himself and his mother from him.
His father is roaring in pain and brings his other hand up. He backhands Bobby across the face, sending him sliding across the kitchen floor and crashing into the cabinets headfirst.
The adults are yelling again, but their words are indecipherable. Bobby's head is swimming and a sharp throbbing resounds throughout his body. His vision is swimming, and Bobby can just make out his father throwing his head back in laughter. The only thing that pierces the fog of his senses is maniacal laughter as his father takes the knife and plunges it into his mother again and again.
Bobby cries out, tears falling down his face. He tries to get up but something is wrong and he can't balance. Dad turns to him, blood dripping down his shirt. "Wh- -o -ious?"
Dad is stalking closer, flipping the blade over and over as he approaches. Bobby tries to scramble away but he still can't seem to coordinate his limbs and simply bumps into the cabinet again. His father speaks again, and this time Bobby watches the smirking lips mouthing the words.
Why so serious?
Dad looms over Bobby and takes his chin in an iron grip, ignoring the pitiful attempts at escape. He takes the blade and forces it between Bobby's clenched teeth. The knife presses against Bobby's cheek, drawing blood. "Let's put a smile on that face!" Dad is grinning and the smell of alcohol floods the air. He applies only a small amount of pressure, but the knife slices through Bobby's cheek like it was butter. Bobby gives a soundless cry as blood gushes into his mouth, but his dad just laughs. He flips the knife and holds it against the other cheek, slicing through it just as easily as the other one.
Both cheeks are a bloody mess, and blood flows everywhere. Police are banging on the door yelling something, but all Bobby is aware of is his father's face swimming in and out of focus, grinning crazily and covered with blood. He tries to form words but it hurts too much, and his mouth won't cooperate. All that comes out are soft sobs of pain.
The police finally break down the door and Dad lunges out of Bobby's field of vision. It's getting darker, the moments of clarity coming less and less. He can see a face hovering over him wearing a police hat, but the details are blurry. His eyes roll back and the last thing Bobby Goren hears is his father's insane laughter as the grim policemen hurry him away.
A/N: Yeah, see what I said about it being dark? The idea for this came when I was watching Law and Order. Bobby's always been great at reading people and figuring out their methods. My interpretation of the Joker is he likes using people's instincts and base reactions against them. In order to do that, he has to know how they would react.
Then I got to thinking about how Bobby's father had been so terrible and a drunk, and the Joker's voice popped into my head. Then I began thinking, what if Bobby's father had attacked him like the Joker's? Tada, plot bunny on steriods. And now you know my entire thought process. Anways, review, flame, whatever. I don't have a beta, so if you see anything wrong please please please tell me. Anything is appreciated!
