The gun clicked. Batman felt his heart thud immensely and then freeze. Why would he fire without thought? Who would do something so dark without motivation? Without conscious? Without hesitation? Why?

"Very bad boy," Joker said. "You're like a bird desperate for Sleeping Beauty. She touched something much sharper than a bullet. Unfortunately, you want to touch it too."

Robin tried to drop the gun, but Joker pressed the revolver into Robin's hand more sharply. He forced him to point the gun at himself. He curled his finger around Robin's finger.

"Does Romeo want to touch the needle too? Maybe the princess will wake up and kiss Romeo's face."

Robin drew in a ragged breath. "Is she alive?"

"No." Joker pulled the trigger. Robin slumped on the table and blood poured everywhere. Batman did everything in his power to not kill Joker now. He needed to save Gordon. He had lost too much. A ticking bomb of anger was wound up so tight that Batman was was forced to intake a sharp breath through his nose. It was quietly burning in a inferno.

Harley let out a shriek as a piece of Robin's brain landed on her cheek. She was about to get up from her chair when Joker put his hand on her shoulder and held her down. "Don't worry Harley. I told you you would be fine. Now you have five out of six chances."

"What about the other chance Mr. J?"

"Well, then you'll live up to that squad you joined."

Harley stared at Joker in fear. "You said you'd take care of me."

"Harley, Harley. I am. Here, to show that I care. You go next."

Harley picked up the gun shakily. She put it to her head and pulled the trigger. A simple click.

"You see Harley, nothing to be afraid of. I'll take care of you. Don't be afraid. You only have to sit there like a good girl that you are. Be happy and put a smile on your face."

Harley gave a weak smile. "I love you Mr. J!"

"I love you too Harley. Now, give me that gun."

Harley gave Joker the gun. Joker dug four more bullets from his pocket and loaded the chambers. Only one was empty. "Let's make things a little interesting. Damn, I don't know if these are my joke bullets or my real ones. Hey, Harley?"

"Yes Mr. J."

Joker aimed at Harley and pulled the trigger. The back of Harley's head blew out as she crashed backwards in her chair. Batman felt coldness overcome his shoulders and his cape offered no warmth. How could you tell someone you loved them and they believe you before being killed by your hand. The Joker had no heart.

Batman was given the gun by Joker. "Okay, Bats. Take at a shot at this riddle. A bat is given a gun by a clown. The bat aims at a man in a green suit and pulls the trigger. Does the gun fire or not?"

"The gun will be pointed at you," Batman snarled.

"Wrong! Bats, I thought you were smarter. The answser is, it doesn't. Bats can't hold guns."

Batman felt the gun grow hotter in his hand. He aimed at Joker. He was being taunted. Joker smiled widely. He gave a small laugh. He leaned in close and pressed his forehead to the gun.

"You have to break your rule. If you refuse to kill, Gordon dies. If you kill me or our dear friend Riddler, Gordon goes free." Joker laughed horribly hard. "So Bats, what's going to be is on you, for thirty seconds."

Batman wanted to end this son of a bitch right then and there, but why did he let Ivy go. It was right then. What was different now? No, this was the last time this psychotic killer got someone he loved. James still had a chance. And Batman could do it now. Possibly save Gotham forever. Joker laughed harder and louder with his big sick smile. So he pulled the trigger.

The Joker's head snapped back. He was dead. The Riddler scrambled back. Fear climbed to his eyes. No matter what happened, there was no way that Batman could rectifiy what he did. Despite Joker being over the line, there was no way possible he could explain why Batman killed the Joker.

The news would be asking why he hadn't done this sooner. Why hadn't he done this when their children, parents, and friends died. When he first started fighting, he had given the city an oath to bring justice. In the eyes of the law, they might say what he did was right. They were sick of the deaths of their comrades and the their comrades families death. It would send shock waves across the city. To the Justice League. To the world. To anyone who believe killing wasn't the only way to solve problems.

"You... You broke your rule," the Riddler stuttered. "You killed someone. How? Why?"

"My best friends, Catwoman, Harley, Robin, Batgirl, thousands of innocent people. I've had enough of this. I didn't want to do it. Go and tell your croonies what happened. Tell them that..."

"Tell them what?"

"Tell them exactly what happened. Riddler, leave you're life of crime. Know that Batman has broken his one rule and he'll break it again."

The Riddler backed away. He would be spreading word of it the moment he stepped onto the sidewalk pavement. And news reports would cover it. And every hero and villain would know what Batman would do to those who crossed the line. Those who hurt those he loved. Maybe the Joker had won. Maybe Batman had shown that there were lines you had to draw before death was used to prevent anymore terror. There was a time when even civil wars can ensue because of one man. When hurricanes can cause butterflies in men with steel hearts.