Joker's Ace

~*~

A Ray of Sunshine in the Dark

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Prologue- Well, it doesn't take a genius to know I ADORE Joker. He's been one of my favorite Batman villains long before I even knew who the other villains were, or even understood the whole Batman plot. Then I saw "The Batman" and found the greatest version of Joker ever....someone who truly not only looks seriously altered by chemicals but had a backstory that for ONCE showed Joker as an average, everyday guy that was really sweet at heart. But a terrible accident changed all that, and Gotham's biggest criminal was born.

But....even when insanity happens, does it completely rule out the former mind? Is Jack Napier really gone forever....or can someone remind him that life is not ALL bad memories and hardships? That maybe someone really does care about him?
And so....therein lies the birth of my story. It's been floating around in my head for a while now and since the characters have developed so much, it's time to write it down.

This story is going to have some very angsty moments (I never realized how much I wrote angst until fans pointed it out in my other stories....), but also some REALISM. I think it's rather far-fetched to believe what Batman said in "Two of A Kind" to Harley....that Joker cares for no one but himself. It's more like Joker pretends he doesn't care about anyone else, by trying to completely detach himself from who he was beforehand. Joker is the culmination of a man who had a very sad, unfortunate life, despite the fact that he truly loved people and just wanted to entertain them. To be a clown, and make them laugh.

Well I believe there's a silver lining to every cloud, even for Joker. And while the storm will never completely go away, it has a chance at being appreciated by someone who sees past the lightning, and who can bring a little ray of long-deprived sunshine to his world.

The story will not focus too long on Joker's origin or Jack and Ellie's first meeting though, the point is to get to the time where Ellie meets him again as Joker, and it will get much more in depth from there.

However...don't be mistaken that this story will be all hearts and "sugar", if you will. It starts out normal enough, sappy romance and all....but that will change dramatically.

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It was such a beautiful afternoon in Rosebud park in Gotham City, with the sun brightly shining and the sky a vivid blue. Ah, Spring. Sure was a nice change from the cold and dank that seemed to linger from Gotham's winters. In fact, it wasn't surprising at all that this city had one of the hightest suicide rates during that season.

Jack sighed, straining to clear the ever darkening thoughts from his mind. Why was he so "doom and gloom" all the time? He pushed the cards around on the picnic table and gave up trying to concentrate on his game of solitaire, running a hand through his rusty blonde hair. Packing the well-loved deck back into its fading box he got up and decided to take a stroll down the walkway. As he walked slowly, he paid apt attention to the people around him. Many were smiling, having picnics on the manicured grass and playing with their children. Jack loved to see people smile, but he also felt tangs of jealousy plague his heart.

He might have had a family once. Except the one girl in high school he really had fallen for had ended up using him...only agreeing to go out with him because of a dare. It had broken his heart when he found out the truth.

Jack sighed again at yet another depressing memory and eventually plopped himself into a nearby park bench, decorated in ornate, gothic curves that were the trademark of this city. He decided to pluck out the folded newspaper from his back pocket and browse through it.

"Hey, is this seat taken?"

For a moment, Jack thought maybe he had just overheard some other people at another bench nearby. But when he looked, no one was there, and he quickly glanced in front of him.

A woman was standing there, smiling at him with the most beautiful, sincere smile he had ever seen.

A bit stunned in the moment, Jack blinked, unable to respond.

"Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt your reading. But I've seen you here once or twice, all by yourself and kinda looking lonely. Would you mind if I took a seat?" Her deep blue eyes had him in a trance, he found it hard to look away.

She was pretty in every sense of the word, at least as far as he was concerned.

"No...sure...plenty of room." He grinned slightly and patted the empty space beside him. Wow, there was that smile again, bright and wonderful. She sat down gently and glanced at the paper he was holding.

"Anything other than the usual depressing junk in there?"

"Huh...no. I don't even know why I read the paper really."

"Oh, where are my manners?" She giggled, and held out her hand. "My name's Ellie Quinton, I work over at Isis just past the park..." She pointed to a large, grey office building that loomed tall several yards away past the park's borders. "....I was wondering if you worked there too, considering I've seen you here before."

She had? Jack wondered why he had never noticed her? How could he have missed such a stunning smile on such a beautiful face?

"Isis Life Insurance, eh? I...used to work there, Miss Ellie. Name's Jack. Jack Napier." He smiled bigger for her, more than he had in a long time. "But I lost my job there when they started downsizing....my department was one of the first ones to go." He shrugged.

"Oh...I'm sorry to hear that." She frowned, which instantly made Jack regret even telling her. "So, you're unemployed at the moment?"

"No...I got a job at the Acme Chemical Plant.....over there...." he pointed behind him. Just past the park's back gates was a huge, looming factory, with huge white smoke pillars rising up from its roof. "They needed someone to help with all the filing and indexing records and whatnot...I guess I should consider myself lucky, even though I really don't care for the place. But what are you gonna do? Don't have the luxury of being picky when there's rent to pay."

Ellie nodded, as if understanding him completely. Maybe she did. Jack would have beleived it. He would have believed ANYTHING about her, even though he had only known her for fifteen minutes.

He hoped this lunch hour would never end.

"Well hey, then I guess we're in the same boat. I'm taking a job that pays less too. It's a new city for me as well...." She reached down to grab her lunchbag and take out a soda.

"This is your first time in Gotham?"

"Yep..." She took a few sips, Jack noticed it was Mountain Dew. His favorite.

Two things in common now.

"I think it's a beautiful city, I love the gothic look. But....it's still kinda scary, ya know? It's so huge here and I don't know anyone."

It's a good thing she doesn't know about the criminal history of this place yet....Gotham's high crime rate can be scary in itself. What is a great girl like her DOING here?!
"What about your co-workers?"

"Oh they're nice, they really are...but I still feel so alone here sometimes." She set her soda down next to her and returned her gaze on him. "So, Jack...how long have you been living here?"
He thought on that...how long indeed...sometimes the years just seemed to blur in his memory, he hardly remembered one day from the next, so was his life....always alone...

"I think about ten years now. It sure has been a while."

"Ah, you're a regular Gotham senior, huh?" She giggled and he couldn't help but chuckle himself. Was that a faint taste of her sense of humor? He certainly hoped so.

"Well that's not necessarily a good thing....I have mixed feelings about this place. Sometimes I just want to leave."

Ellie looked as if she wanted to press for more answers, but she hesitated, probably thinking it was a bit much to pry on someone's personal life when you just met them.

A nice, sweet girl who actually can treat someone kindly.

Good lord, she's so out of place here.

There was a beep of a digital watch and Jack frowned, looking at his left wrist. Lunch hour was up.

"Hate to say this, but I best be getting back. Just got this job, wouldn't want to lose that one too!" He grabbed the paper, getting to his feet and glancing back at her with a smile.

"Will you be here tomorrow?"

She smiled again, and it seemed as if the sun grew a little brighter.

"You bet...Jack."

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Jack whistled as he headed home that night in his Chevy. It was something he really did enjoy about working late...getting to cruise the streets with little traffic and listening to his favorite tunes. He hummed to the melodies while tapping on the wheel, for once feeling a lot more positive. He hadn't even felt the need to take his depression medication and decided to skip it entirely.

Ellie. Ellie was the only thing on his mind. From the moment he saw her, he knew she was going to be someone special in his life. He made a left at an intersection and saw the familiar sight of his small apartment building. He pulled into his parking space in the garage and kept on whistling all the way to his apartment door.

It was only when he went to put the key in the lock that he noticed it was slightly ajar.

Jack felt both nervousness and anger as he slowly creaked it open and flicked on the light switch. He reached into his jacket pocket, feeling around for his swiss army knife that he had carried with him since he was thirteen.

He took it out and flipped open the blade, just in case.

There was no one there, but the place was ransacked. Tables and chairs were overturned, a bookcase had been knocked over, and broken dishes lie scattered everywhere.

Fucking little shits...they even had to break the god-damned dishes??

Jack sighed and then groaned as he saw the condition of his bedroom. Unfortunately, they had gotten smart and torn up the mattress....finding the wad of cash he had been storing away there.

Dammit! I am so sick of this crap...

Last year... it had only been one year ago when he had gotten robbed back at his old place.

Now it happened again. Was it the same people? Could it have possibly been? He had moved from the northern section of Gotham all the way to the southern district where he thought he might be safer.

Yeah right. Who the hell is safe in this god-awful town?

Jack realized he was beginning to not even care anymore. He heavily sank down into his couch and called the police, though he didn't understand why he even bothered.

Like they're going to actually do anything. Too busy chasing car thieves and stopping bank robberies that seem to happen every other minute here.

Jack sighed. He was going to have to move again...like it or not.

And maybe he should get a guard dog....a big mean Rottweiler?

A German Shephard?

A freaking pair of hyenas?? THAT would stop them.

He laughed, already making himself feel a little better.

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Jack was more than thrilled to see Ellie at the park the next day. He almost wanted to run up to her and give her a hug, but he had to remind himself that he had only just met the poor woman. It would make a really bad impression if he ended up coming across as some kind of weirdo.

"Hi there, Jack!" Ellie stood from her seat at a picnic table and completely surprised Jack with a quick hug. "How was your night?"

Once again she lit up his day with her genuine smile, and he slowly took a seat across from her.

"Well.....not too great. But, it doesn't really surprise me anymore."

"Oh no, what happened? Is everything all right?" She blinked at him with what he swore was real concern.

"Got robbed. Kind of my own fault if you think about it, I kept telling myself to install a security system..."

"That's horrible! Did you call the police?!"

"Yeah, they came, took a look around, said they would inform me if anything "turned up". Which means I probably won't be hearing from them".

Ellie frowned, and Jack suddenly realized what a damned depressing jerk he seemed to be all the time. He kept erasing her smile, and it made him well up with immense anger inside.

Jacky, cut that out. Stop blaming yourself.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No, don't worry about it. I'm planning on moving anyway, closer to the new job if I can. Besides the only thing they got away with really was some cash I was hiding ....it wasn't that much. I can start over."

That's good, much more positive, Jacky. Now put a smile on that damned face.

Jack forced himself to smile for Ellie's sake, and he also forced himself to ignore the fact that once again that strange but very familiar voice was creeping into his head. He made a mental note to be sure to take his medication this time, no more skipping doses.

Ellie sighed and shook her head. "Why is it all the nice people have bad things happen to them?"

Jack blinked, unbelieving. It was the same question he had asked himself for years.

What have I done to anybody? I'm just an average guy wanting to live my life like everyone else. But I'm always the one getting pushed on the street without anyone saying 'Excuse me'.

Or the one getting robbed out of nowhere.

Did the robbers attack any other apartments?

NO...just mine.

I might as well put an ad in the paper that says, "Apartment available for robbery! Come in, make yourself at home, take what you like!"

"I really don't know, but I think it only seems that way. There are pleny of good things about Gotham too, don't let me scare you off. " He smiled, and couldn't believe what was coming out of his mouth. He really didn't believe that, but he had to make her feel more certain about being here.

Because you really like her, don't you Jacky? You'd say anything to keep her here.

He closed his eyes, refusing to respond to the voice, and quickly snapped himself out of it before she could notice his pained expression.

"Oh really, like what?"

"Well....why don't I take you to see the museum of art? Do you like looking at paintings? I find it relaxing."

Jack felt an incredible warmth fill his chest as Ellie beamed at him. "Oh I do! I love looking at paintings, and I've been wanting to see the musuem!"

"Will you be available this Saturday then?" Jack wasn't even aware of the fact that he was gazing at her with a goofy grin.

"I'm totally free this weekend! Thanks Jack, I appreciate this. It's good to have a friend in this city already."

Friend?

I'm her friend already?

Yeah....friends. Of course we are. I wouldn't have it any other way...

"Then I shall see you at around 2 o' clock? We can meet here and then I'll show you what train to take to get there."

"Sure!" Ellie looked at her watch, the long layers of wispy dark blonde hair swaying in the gentle breeze and causing Jack to notice how they seemed to glisten in the streams of sunlight.

"Gotta go, lunch is almost over. But I'll see you tomorrow at 2!" She grabbed her things and before leaving gave him another quick hug.

Jack smiled broadly. He didn't mind that at all.

No, he surely didn't.

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The musuem was breathtaking, and Ellie found it hard to pry her eyes from one painting to the next. She was particularly entranced by one piece that contained a garden scene with an old-fashioned couple from the Victorian era eating at a picnic, and surrounded by rose bushes.

"I take it you like roses?"

Ellie turned to Jack who had come back over, realizing she wasn't following.

"Heh, call me a girly-girl if you want, but I love roses, yes. Especially classic red ones. This piece is so lovely, I'd die to have it in my living room." She smiled and reached, tracing the rough painted lines of acrylic. "Thanks for taking me here, I'm really enjoying this."

"Sure. No problem." He couldn't help but notice there was a slight blush on her face.

Heh. So sweet. So easy. You know Jacky you could----

SHUT UP!!

Dammit. He had given in and responded to the voice. He was going to have to see his doctor again, maybe the medicine just wasn't working anymore.

Or maybe he needed a higher dose....

"Jack, are you ok?"

He nodded his head slightly and smiled at her. "I'm fine, just a little tired these days. Hey, do you want to grab a bite to eat?"

"Sure, where to?"
"Oh, I know of some of the best hotdogs around just down the street from here!"
"Oh-ho yeah! I love hotdogs, let's go!"
Jack chuckled, he loved her enthusiasm, it was something so sorely lacking in this city.

And she liked hot dogs.

Three things in common.

After three hotdogs each loaded with chili and cheese, Jack and Ellie headed back towards the park as the sun was setting. Jack made sure to "escort" her best he could, trying to prove that not all chivalry was dead. Two days, and he already felt so close to her.

Friends...I missed what it's like to be able to call someone that.

He helped her into her car and waved to her as she drove off.

Tomorrow could not come fast enough.

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For a blissful three months, Jack continued to see Ellie at lunch time and the more they talked, the more he realized he was feeling happier than usual.

Despite the little "episode" with his.....old problem flaring several weeks ago, it had calmed and gone away until he was sure it was resolved.

Hopefully this time for good. I only have Ellie to thank for that.

They had been great friends, but Jack wondered if perhaps something more was going on. Could he dare hope that this woman was interested in him on a level far more than just friends?

On this hot August day, he was about to know for sure. After work they agreed to meet again in the park and perhaps plan something for the weekend.

Jack was whistling again when he walked back to Rosebud, asking his boss if he could get out a bit early today. He strolled up to their favorite table where they always had lunch and found himself gazing up at the sky with a wistful smile on his face.

She's so wonderful...everything about her....just perfect.

She even laughs at my jokes.

And that smile....such a wonderful smile....

"Jack?" Ellie had arrived, silent as a ghost.

He started at the sound of her voice, broken out of his thoughts, but he smiled at her all the same.

"Sorry, daydreaming a bit there."

She giggled. "I'm getting used to that. So , what do you think we should go do this weekend? I think you've already shown me every museum there is in Gotham....along with the flower gardens!"

He clearly remembered those weekends too, these three months had been the best in his life.

Things were really looking up!

He was feeling so good, that he didn't register at first what came out of his mouth.

"Howabout we just go out to dinner?"

Ellie blinked, and that wonderful blush crept over her cheeks again. So slight, and barely noticeable...but he noticed it, and he loved it.

"Why Jack, are you asking me out on an official date?"

She asked the question softly but in a mischievous tone, playfully grinning at him.

Jack tried to nervously apologize, but Ellie wouldn't hear it.

She put a finger to his lips, causing himself to blush.

"I wouldn't dream of doing anything else. Where will we go?"

There was no mistaking what he was feeling now, something he never thought he'd ever feel again. It was like the time with the high school girl before he realized her true colors, but this was ten times stronger.

"Hm, well, there's this fanastic Italian place I know, real authentic cuisine. It's just a few blocks from here."

"Sounds wonderful! You want to meet here as usual?"

"No, I'll come pick you up at your place this time." He grinned. "At eight o' clock?"

"Eight it is."

Ellie smiled warmly, the gaze in her eyes speaking volumes.

Jack's said even more.

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That Friday night, Jack found himself working very late. The boss had asked him to do a favor and work on some older files that needed organizing, and well, Jack found it hard to refuse, since he offered double pay for the extra hours.

He looked up at the large clock at his desk, seeing the hour hand reaching 10 o'clock. Eh, what did he care? Tomorrow night was going to be the best night of his life. He was going to go on a real date with the greatest woman in the world.

It was actually starting to make him believe in life again after his wretched past. Jack had a brief memory flash into his brain of his parents...and how they ignored him...even when he cried and begged for attention....refusing to let the bad memory get the better of him, he got up and headed to the bathroom across the plant's landing, needing to relieve himself after holding it for so long. He was despearely trying to get the work done as soon as possible, but the task was proving tedious and getting on his nerves. He'd use the bathroom and perhaps grab a candy bar at the vending machine to try and fight the fatigue for a couple more hours, then he would so be out of here.

Before he left his desk he grabbed a small picture of Ellie and gazed at it as he headed to the large and heavy security door, using his key card to beep it open. He walked out onto the landing slowly, walking over huge vats of chemicals a good distance below. The air carried an unpleasant smell of sulfur here, but Jack had gotten used to it and hardly noticed anymore.

At one point, the picture fell from his hands and he reached to pick it up. He heard a loud sound almost like a "pang" over to his left and gazed over his shoulder, but saw nothing.

Gazing back at the picture he smiled and absent-mindedly leaned against the guard railing.

Ellie, sweet Ellie.

The picture was one he took of her at the Gotham Gardens. It showed her holding a boquet of her favorite red roses that he had gotten for her and smiling brightly at the camera.

She looked so happy....

People like her are SO rare....

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Jack heard the "PANG" sound again, but this time it was much louder. He felt himself fall back a little and heard the creak of the railing.

"Oh, shit!" Jack quickly recovered and got back to his feet, spinning around and seeing the bent railing.

"What the hell is this?! Some guard rail...do they even check over these things?"

He shook his head and was about to take the final few steps to the other side of the railing when an even louder "PANG" filled his ears and Jack felt the whole section start to give way beneath his feet. He screamed, grabbing on to the side and trying to find purchase, but quickly the railing was leaning to the right, pushing him directly towards one of the huge chemical vats below as it creaked under his weight.

Oh my god...!

Jack didn't have much more time to think or even react.

He only managed one small yell as he found himself falling in the next moment......and a gigantic splashing sound filled the cavernous room as he plunged right into the chemicals below....head first.

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