A/N: Ok so thanks sooo much for reviews. They make me feel so nice.J Anyways, I hope you guys continue to review and all that. You know, it's weird seeing your own fanfic in the group. Oh, if you think Joker starts to become OOC, just send me a review slap. Like (slaps JokerKid988) something like that. But let it be known that I am trying to show his human side, even if it is buried twenty layers deep. But that'll probably be later chapters. And my character is NOT a Mary Sue, it was just a adrenaline thing. I hope over time my writing skills improve. And I know my action scenes not the best but… yeah. Thank you for reading! Special thanks to Mrs. POTO, Blueberrytoast, and Rorschach in Blue Jeans for reviewing!

I woke up slowly. I was laying on a bed, which I desperately hoped was in my own room. My vision was blurry for a bit before it started to clear. I saw lavender walls, and purple and green sheets. Thank God. It probably was some messed up dream. What happened after the party? I tried but I couldn't remember.

I sat up and looked around my room. Everything looked fine. I turned to my nightstand to see what time it was. And I froze. There sitting on the edge of the table, was a playing card. A joker to be exact. And on the card, it had a message: See you soon. I looked down at myself and saw I was still wearing my dress, but my heels had been taken off. I sat there for fifteen minutes, though it felt like an hour.

Lu. He most be worried sick. I shook myself out of my stupor and ran to my house phone. My cell was in my clutch that I left at Bruce's penthouse. I picked the phone up and dialed Lu's number. It rang twice before he picked up.

"Hello?"

"Lu? It's me Kate." There was a moment of silence before he spoke again.

"Kate, are you ok? Where are you? Is he listening?" His voice was low and urgent.

"I'm fine. I'm at my apartment. And as far as I know he is not listening, because he's not here." I said.

"When Bruce told me what happened, I thought you were dead. I'm coming over right now. No excuses." He said quickly. At the mention of Bruce, I remembered everything that happened at the party. And there was something that I saw on Batman.

"Fine. There is something I want to talk to you about. And eventually talk to Bruce about."

"Ok, I'm on my way." Lu said before the call was ended. I set the phone back on the receiver before walking back to my room. I stare warily at the joker card before heading into my bathroom.

I stand in front of the mirror, fearing the worse. I look up and gasp. On my left cheek was a small gash. There was also a nasty bruise surrounding it. Dried blood covered my cheek and chin. I reach up and touch the bruise lightly, and hiss when it hurts. I decided that maybe if the dried blood was gone, it wouldn't look quite as bad.

I lifted my arm to my nose and frowned when all I smelt was the Joker on me. He smelled like gasoline and gunpowder. Stripping of my dress, I stepped into the shower and scrubbed my hair and skin until there was no trace of him on me. When I started to clean my face, I was careful not to put too much pressure on my cheek.

I stepped out and dried off. I looked back in the mirror and was glad to see that it did look a little better without the blood. I found the cut was more like a scratch. It would be fine. I went into my room and pulled on a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

I looked at the dress Lu had gotten me. There was blood on it, and the shoulder strap was cut. I shuddered when I remembered Joker tracing my scar with his knife. I looked back at the card on my nightstand before walking out into my living room. I hear a knock and walk over to the door. Looking through the peephole, I find Lu with a worried look, and to my surprise, Bruce. I opened the door.

"Hey guys. Come on in." I say, trying my best to turn my left cheek away from them. They step in and immediately Lu takes me in a bear hug. I smile and pull back. Then they both frown when they see my cheek.

"Oh, God. Did he do that to you?" Lu asks. I nod and turn to walk into my kitchen. They quickly follow.

"What happened to 'Don't draw attention to yourself'?" Bruce asks, trying his best to make it sound light. He handed me something that was in his hand. I hadn't even noticed it before. It was my clutch. I took it and thanked him.

"He was threatening an old man. What was I supposed to do, sit back and watch?" I asked. Then I gasped as I remembered Rachel.

"Oh, my God. What about Rachel? Is she ok?" Bruce nodded.

"She is ok. Batman was able to save her. What happened after he took you?" Bruce asks, as we all sit down at the table.

"Not a whole lot. He dragged me out to a van. He talked about how he wasn't going to kill me just yet. That I was just too much fun. And he drugged me. Next thing I know I woke up in my bed." I said. "Oh, and he left his card." I added. Bruce looked up.

"Where is it?"

"It's in my room, on my nightstand." He jumps up and runs to my room. A moment later, he returns with the card in his hand. He was looking down studying it.

"Kate, I want you to come and stay with me. Joker knows where you live and he is obviously not going to back off." Bruce says. I sit stunned for a second.

"No, that's not necessary. I'll be fine. Besides, Joker wants to terrorize all of Gotham. What would he want with one girl?" I say.

"Please Kate, at least think about it." Bruce says. He wraps the card up in a napkin and sets it in his pocket.

"I'll think about it." I give in, though I know I'm not going to stay with him.

"There is something I want to talk to you two about." I turn on them and put a angry look on my face. They both look at each other.

"I can't believe you guys didn't trust me. I mean, did you think you could keep it a secret forever?" I huffed and watched them both act like they didn't know what I was talking about.

"Last night was the first time I saw Batman up close." I make a point to look at Bruce. "And there was something eerily familiar about his armor. Any comments?" I looked between the two of them. They remain quite.

"Why didn't you tell me you're Batman you jerk!" I snap at Bruce. "It hurts that you guys didn't trust me."

"If you knew, it would have put you in danger." Bruce said logically.

"If you haven't already noticed, I am in danger!" I yell.

"How did you figure it out?" Lucius asked.

"His armor. I remember working on it with you. And the piece we were working on yesterday was the same as on his armor." I say. They both nod and stay quite for a while.

"Kate, you should take a break from work. Maybe calm down and figure out what you plan on doing. Nothing drastic I hope." Lu said, breaking the silence.

"Maybe. But, I don't want to stay here all the time, just waiting for him to break in and kill me. I don't know. Just give me a while to think." I say.

After about an hour more of trying to comfort me and convince me to stay with either one of them, Lu and Bruce decided to leave.

"Don't hesitate to call either one of us, Kate. We'll keep a watch out as well." Bruce said. I nod and close the door after them. Sighing I went to my room. It was five pm. That damn chloroform kept me out until three-thirty today. And Joker had took the liberty of turning my alarm clock off. How nice.

Collapsing on my bed, I tried to think of how I got myself screwed up in this crap. Was it because I saw him on the street. I mean, I just guessed if that was him, I didn't really know. Maybe it was because I stood up to him at Bruce's party? Maybe it because he wants someone new to torment? Who knew with someone like him.

Then I remembered Rachel again. I was so caught up in my own self-pity, I hadn't called her. I picked up my phone and dialed her number. After three rings she picked it up.

"Oh, Kate are you ok? I was so worried about you. Where are you?" She asked without a breath.

"I'm fine Rachel. I'm at my apartment. Are you ok? When you went out the window I was so afraid you weren't going to make it."

"I'm ok. What happened after I fell?" I told her the same thing I had told Lu and Bruce.

"I'm coming over. I need to be there for you."

"No, Rachel it's ok. I'm tired and I don't want you getting even more caught up in this then what you probably already are. I just wanted to call to see if you were ok." There was a silence before she answered.

"Ok. Just be careful Kate."

"Thanks." I hung up.

I decided to get in my pjs, first picking up some purple and green shorts and tank before frowning and throwing them in a corner. I decided to go with black shorts and an oversized white t-shirt. I jumped into my chair and picked up the Eragon book balancing on the edge of the bookshelf. I began reading and soon my head started to droop. Finally, my eyes closed and the book fell to the floor with a thud.

"Well, hello again dollface. Did ya miss me?" It was Joker. He loomed over me and smiled. He looked down at the book on the floor and bent to pick it up.

"Hmm, good book." He mumbled before setting it on the bookcase.

"What are you doing here? How did you get in?" I yell. I try to get up from my chair, but he quickly pushes me back down.

"I'm here because I, uh, wasn't done with you. And to how I got in here, well you don't seem to bother locking your win-dows." He pointed over to the open window. He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his knife. I panic and try to kick him away, but he seems almost oblivious to the feeble attempts. He puts on a sad face.

"Oh, why so serious, dollface? Let's put a smile on that face!" He smiles again and puts the knife to my cheek, laughing like he enjoys seeing my fear.

I gasp loudly as I shake awake. I look around my room and relax when I don't see Joker. I look down at the floor and groan when I see my book was closed, my place lost. I pick it up and set it on the bookcase.

I stand from my chair and walk into my bathroom. Turning on the sink I splash cold water on my face and the back of my neck. Looking up in the mirror, I see purple circles under my eyes. Great, now I'm going to start losing sleep over it all.

Walking back into my room I see it's nine 'o'clock. I decide I'm still exhausted and climb into bed. I pull the sheets up to my chin and turn the light out. I close my eyes and hope for a dreamless sleep.

It had been a week since Bruce's party. The Joker hadn't come and killed me during my sleep, so I assumed he forgot about me. Though I knew he wasn't bored with terrorizing Gotham. He had made an ultimatum. Everyday someone would die, until Batman showed his true identity. Of course, he had made that announcement before the fundraiser. So about seven people had died.

It was currently eight pm. I was bored all day, and had decided that I would go to work tomorrow. Laying in bed, I was reading Eldest, the second book in the Inheritance Cycle. The only source of light in my apartment at the moment was the lamp that was on my nightstand. I snuggled up in my comforter, blocking out the cool air.

Crack!

I jumped in my bed as I heard a crash coming from the kitchen. I stared at my bedroom door. The hairs on the back of my neck were on end. Carefully, I set the book down and climbed out of the bed.

My heart beat was erratic as I walked into the hallway. It was dark. I strained my eyes to try to see some sort of movement, but couldn't detect anything. I made my way down the hall slowly, my ears perked for the slightest noise. When I reached the end, I paused again and listened and looked for anything.

I walked into the living room and then the kitchen. I fumbled along the wall, trying to find the light switch. I was almost afraid to turn the light on. What if Joker was here? I slapped myself mentally and braved up when my hand connected with the light switch. Flipping it on, I braced myself for the worst. And I almost found it.

On the table, were my kitchen knives. All lined up from smallest to largest. I couldn't breath as my feet moved of their own accord towards the table. I reached out and touched the closest knife, hoping it was just another nightmare. It wasn't. I stood there, practically choking on fear. And anger. He was in my apartment, and going through my things. He was trying to scare me, to play mind games on me. Try to make me go crazy, just like him.

But it wouldn't work. Not yet, anyway. I looked at the knife at the end of the line. The biggest one I had. I picked it up and decided to taunt him.

"Having fun with my utensils, I see. Though I really didn't need them lined up like this." I said, my eyes searching the room. I searched the entire apartment, but didn't find any trace of him. When I was sure he was probably gone, I went back to the kitchen. I put my knives back in their draws, except for the largest one.

Walking back to my room I held the knife in my hand, as if it were my only lifeline. I decided against calling Lu or Bruce, knowing they would do something stupid. I climbed into my bed and leaned against the headboard. I kept my eyes on all of the doors in my room, and after that nightmare, the window. I knew he probably was laughing, enjoying watching me squirm. Eventually I laid down. I kept the light on, the knife set on my nightstand.

Beep…beep…beep…

I decided to go back to work. I decided against calling Lu. He would just try to convince me to stay home. So I got up and got ready. I wasn't going to let last night's events affect today. I showered and got dressed.

And five minutes after brushing my teeth, I was walking out of my apartment building. I looked down at my iPod and changed my mind about listening to music today. Instead, I shoved my hands in my jacket pockets. It was cold today, pretty much like any other day in Gotham.

I had walked half a block when I got an uneasy feeling. Like the feeling of when you think someone is following you. I look over my shoulder for a second and saw a man. He was staring right at me, with his hands in his pockets as well. I turn back around and slightly quicken my pace.

About a block later, he was still following me, but now he had two friends. One was on the opposite street, eyes trained on me until I looked at him. The third a step behind the first man I saw. I was starting to get worried. I decided to wait another half block until I do anything drastic.

And of course they were still following me. That was it. I looked down at my left pocket, where my cell phone was tucked. I casually picked it out and dialed Lu.

"Kate, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing much, Lu." I said before dropping my voice lower. "Listen, I've got about three guys, possibly more, on my tail. They've followed me a while." There was a pause.

"Ok, I'm putting a track on your phone. Give me a sec." I fidgeted and looked behind me again before Lu came back on.

"Is he there?" He meant the Joker.

"No, I don't think so. None of them have scars." I say.

"So what are you going to do? I'm calling our friend, feed him your location. Hopefully he can help." I knew 'our friend' meant Bruce.

"I think I'm going to start running here in a sec. My best bet is to run to the nearest hospital, or to Wayne Enterprises. Which is closer?"

"Um, Gotham General. But it's still real far away." I swallow hard.

"I'll be ok. I'll get off now. As soon as I do I'm going to start running. It'll confirm if they are following me. I'll try not to lose my phone. Bye, Lu." I said. I was well aware of the fact this could be the last time I got to talk to Lu. Apparently he was too.

"Bye, Kate. Good Luck." I hung up and stuck the phone back in my pocket.

My heart was beating crazily. I rolled my shoulders and took a deep breath, looking behind me once more. Then I ran.

I immediately hear three pairs of feet pounding behind me. I look around and see my suspicions were correct. All three men were running after me, the one across the street on a cell phone. I turn back around and run faster than I ever have before.

Apologies fly from my mouth as I knock people down, some choice words emitted my way. Most people move out of the way on time. By the time I'm a block and a half from where I started running, my heart was haywire and my breath erratic. I only hoped that Bruce could find me soon, but deep down I knew I probably wasn't going to make it.

In front of me was a street, the cars not stopped. And that was the way I needed to go. I look behind me. Two new guys joined the hunt. Now there was a total of five men after me. I am so screwed. Turning back around to face front, I make my decision. And it was stupid.

I run right into the moving traffic. Immediately horns blare at me and voices shout. A taxi nearly hits me. When I've just about reached the end, a black van comes hurtling my way. And it wasn't slowing down. I could tell I was going to hit it. But I couldn't slow down. The men were already making their way into the traffic. So I did the only thing I could think to do. I jumped.

I jumped up just as the van was no more than a foot from me. I landed with a painful thud on the hood as the brakes screech. On my right hip, I slide along the hood. The expression on my face, I'm sure, was probably hilarious. I kind of wished I could see it. I dropped off of the hood on the other end and land in a heap on the ground. I quickly dig the balls of my feet in the ground and pull myself up, running full throttle.

I glimpse behind me and find, to my utter horror, the first man I saw bang on the hood with his fist. He looked at the driver and shouted something I couldn't hear, then pointed to me. The van peeled out and started in my direction.

By now, I was practically running on adrenaline fumes. My calves burned and screamed at me to stop, while my brain yelled run and never stop. My heart felt like it would give out at any second.

The van is right beside me on the street now. I look at the driver and see a man in a clown mask. He looked at me before focusing back on the road. Several vehicles honked at him. He hit most of them. It made me feel awful, knowing I was causing this. If I gave up, maybe there wouldn't so much destruction. I quickly shake myself out of that thought. No, I couldn't give up. Not now.

I round a corner and hit a man with a handful of boxes. He yelled a stream of curse words at me before he was nearly trampled by the following guys. I look around, trying to find any street signs. I spot one. Berry Drive. I was still no less than four blocks away. I started chanting: I'm going to make it. I'm going to make it.

I look back at the van and immediately start changing what I was chanting. I'm not going to make it.! Holy crap, I am so not going to make it! He had a gun and rolled the window down. He started shooting and screams were heard. Everyone scrabbled for safety while I ran. It made running through the crowds easier, but that meant it was easier for those guys too. And I was an easier target. But the shooting stopped when someone from the back smacked the driver's head. He shrugged and dropped the gun, much to my relief.

My relief was short lived. I wasn't watching where I was going. When I turned around it was a second too late. I man loomed at the corner of the street. And it was a man with a purple suit and clown makeup. I try to stop, but my feet give out from under me. I skid along the pavement, feeling a sharp pain on my left calf.

"Well, hello there, doll-face. Fancy seeing you here." He said, a fake look of surprise on his face. I scramble backwards, only to land at some guys feet. They five men had caught up. I looked around. Everyone had ran away. The van and the guys caught up. Now there was the Joker.

"Come on! I was so close." I joked. I wasn't going to go easy with this weirdo.

"Not that close, darlin'. Well, we better get going." He said cheerily. The goons behind me lifted me up. One reached into my pocket and grabbed my cell phone. He threw it to the ground and it broke. I stared at it. That was my only chance.

"Ata, ta, ta. I can handle her boys." He said. They tossed me to him. The moment weight was put on my left leg, I collapsed. I would have hit the ground if Joker hadn't grabbed me.

"Tsk, tsk. Look at what you've done to yourself. Scarped your, uh, leg open. Well we'll just have to take care of that when we get home." He smiled as his tongue played at his scars and he sucked on his cheek. I looked down and saw a bloodied pant leg. He hauled me up to my full height, and put one arm around my waist. With the other, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun.

He walked to the front of the van and tapped on the passenger side window with the gun. The driver rolled it down.

"Huh. I, uh, faintly remember giving specific orders not to shoot at our little guest." I yank at his arm and scratch at his skin underneath. He tightened his grip and looked down at me.

"Shh, shhh. I'm trying to have a con-ver-sation here, angelface." He looked back at the driver, who was fidgeting in his seat.

"'M sorry Boss. I was just trying to make it easier so Johnny and 'em could get to her." He said. Joker nods his head.

"Oh ok. Well, uh, I'm wanting to drive now so…" Joker aimed the gun and fired it, shooting the driver in the heart. I gaped at the body as Joker pushed me into the passenger seat. He walked around the front of the van and opened the door.

"Excuse me." He said as he pulled on the body, letting it fall to the ground with a dull thud. The goons all pilled up in the back. I could hear police sirens starting in the distance.

"Oh, uh, don't want you to see where we're going, sooo.." He looked at me and took out a cloth from his pocket.

"Ha, no. No more chloroform!" I yell as I try to open the door. He laughs.

"No, no, it's not chloroform. Just going to blindfold ya." H reaches for me. I try to pull away but he growls and grabs my shirt. He ties it over my eyes, so I can't see anything.

"And, uh, what exactly is going to stop me from taking this off?" I ask, mocking him and enjoying every second of it.

"Well, you'll probably want to hold on. I drive fast. But, uh, do want to buckle you up." I feel him lean over me and grab the seat belt. I yelp as he intentionally grabs my thigh. I hear him start to giggle, and I lash out. I punch in his general direction, only earning full blown laughter when I miss. The van shoots forward, and I lurch with the movement, nearly hitting my head on the dash.

"Told ya to hang on." Joker said.

I soon learned I was glad to be blindfolded. Horns honked and there was a lot a banging as he hit cars and various other items. My hands clung to the bottom edges of my seat, trying to hold on. Suddenly, he turned a sharp right and I fell from my seat.

"Damn good seat belts." I mumbled, because my mouth was currently pressed against something. I reached a hand up and felt around my head. It landed on something soft.

"Oh, now, now, anfelface. We hardly know each other enough for that." Joker said. I lifted my head from its rest and looked to where his voice was.

"What?" I ask. He laughs.

"Well, considering your head and hand is setting on, uh, my thigh." He drawls out. I yelp and immediately move myself away from him.

"Huh, that's what happens when you blindfold me!" I yell.

"Hmmm. I'll have to do that more often." He giggles. I pull a face and climb back up into my seat.

"Ok! Where's your freaking neck! I'm am so going to strangle you!" I flail my arms in his direction.

"Hey, I'm trying to drive here!" He smacks my hands away. I hear a crash and the van jolts around. Joker laughs hysterically and I can hear him banging on the steering wheel.

There's another turn, this time to the left. I was unprepared and ended up smashing my head on the window.

"Owww. Can you drive any worse?" I ask, rubbing my head.

"I don't know. Do ya really want to find out?" He asks. After that I decided to keep quite. Instead, I focused on hanging on to the seat. I wasn't sure how long I had been in the van. But after a while, his driving got a bit better. Maybe that meant we were where there weren't many other vehicles. The van starts to slow down….