Authors Note: Yes I'm kind of going back and forth between this story and my other story when it comes to uploading and updating chapters. Mostly cause I find it easier. And just works for me the time being, I do intend each of my stories at least once a week. So I hope you all enjoy.

Roman had found himself to be locked up in Arkham, he did make a decent recovery though there was still some pain in his leg. At least now he was able to walk without the need of any assistance or crutches, but the downside now was he had to go socialize with other inmates. Though most inmates didn't bother him unless they wanted something from him usually, or just to annoy him. Which was something Joker seemed quite skilled in.

Joker was the first one who decided to approach him in the lounge area, though Roman took note of healing bruises on his face. While Black Mask spent month's in recovery, Joker didn't need as long to recover. And he actually broke out of Arkham, only to be thrown back into Arkham once he finally came out of hiding or whatever. Unlike usual, Roman was the one to start the conversation. "So what exactly did you do when you were out?" He asked, somewhat curious and though he wasn't showing it concerned.

He wasn't concern for Gotham or innocent people-no, but he was concerned that Joker may have taken their nice chat personally. Despite being locked up, Roman still had all his connections in tact and his business was still operation. He only hoped Joker didn't do anything that'd effect it or him as some sort of revenge. Course if he did he knew the clown would wanna brag about or say something about it. Just so that he'd know it was him.

Joker gave him a smile and took a seat across from him in a chair. "Not a lot surprisingly, kidnapped the two candidates for mayor. Blew up some things in the harbor and also put a smile on the faces of everyone at a boring charity event." So far all those thing lined up really with what Roman heard on the news. It made him think, is Gotham's justice department aware that the death penalty exist?

But at the same time, he wasn't one to complain- Roman was sure that he'd also be right with Joker on death row if Gotham's justice department pushed for it. "Uh-huh." Was all he could say in acknowledgement and waited to see if Joker had more to add.

Joker kicked his feet up on the office table as leaned back in his seat. "So hows that leg of your doing? Did it recover or did they have to cut off and give you a new one?" Joker was way too relaxed it seemed and was acting casual, friendly at that. A bit too friendly for Romans liking. Though he knew the clown was always rather carefree aside from his burst of anger at times. And thinking on it, he and Joker rarely ever talked either because neither of them saw reason to talk often. Or simply because they didn't seem to ever clash or cross paths with each other aside from a few occasions.

"It recovered just fine." He muttered eyeing Joker, Roman was always cautious when dealing with others. He didn't trust anyone easily. And he wasn't going to be foolish enough to trust Joker. While yes they did help each other, it was a temporary alliance and both of them were in danger. That and he wasn't sure what Joker was going to say to him before the cops show up, for all he knew the clown intended to kill him right than and there.

Joker took notice that Roman was on guard, however he kept relax and decide to change subject. "Anyways, I'd like to continue our nice talk from last time Maskie~!"

While he didn't trust him, Roman would be lying if he said he wasn't at all curious about the Joker had to say. While he doubted the clown- for good reasons. At the same time not listening to him or refusing to talk could lead to them coming too blows against each other. Roman knew there were a few people who managed to befriend the clown, some of whom did benefit but the same time befriending The Joker came with it's own downsides. And could end just as badly as befriending him.

Regardless, Roman didn't see an opportunity to breakout of Arkham yet and he was rather bored, so he decided to listen the lunatic had to say. "Go on."

Joker put his feet down and leaned forward in his chair to look Roman in eyes. "Well you see Maskie, at first I thought were all serious which... I was right about but you aren't boring at least. And you actually do have a sense of humor, somewhat. Anyways our last conversation, got me thinking why is it we never talk much? Or work together?"

"Because you're a lunatic." Roman stated and was about to add to it but Joker beated him to it.

"And you're someone whose professional with a business to run and doesn't like to fool around." While probably would've worded it differently and not in a sarcastic tone, he was rather spot on. "But even with you getting arrested, you and your men still somehow manage to come out on top and still run your business." So Joker perhaps did find somethings out while he was out of Arkham. "Which shows your men are more reliable than most and-or you just know what you're doing."

Roman did indeed know what he was doing and he did have people who were reliable but stayed in line. "So what's the point in this conversation Joker?"

"Jeez, eager to get to the punchline aren't we?" Joker said chuckling a bit. "You were there trapped in that building with me, alone with no protection or way to defend yourself. Yet you acted like-you." Roman started to understand why that make Joker take some amount of interest. Not many people were dumb or brave enough to insult the clown right to his face. "But I think what happened that night proves we can get along work find together, so what do you say?"

"So, you're suggesting an alliance? What exactly is it you want?" Roman already made up his mind, no way in hell was he working with the clown. He didn't see how any good can come from working with him. Joker wasn't someone he could control or intimidate either, on top of it all he was unpredictable.

Joker hummed going into thought, perhaps thinking of how to word what he wanted to say that or Joker really wasn't sure what he wanted out of an alliance with him. "Well firstly, I kind of killed half my men and some well... ran off somewhere. No clue where they went but you have the resources to find them, right?" Joker probably was wanting answers from them or going to kill them himself. "Secondly, think how useful we'll be together I mean- someone would have to be insane to mess with both of US~! Thirdly and this is the most important one so pay attention!"

Roman kept silent though he listened expecting this to be some sort of joke.

"I'd like access to all your nice toys and also I hear you're a fan of torture, well so am I. SO we do have things in common!" Joker said with a smile. "So what do you say, you in."

Joker seemed to be absolutely serious, even so Roman couldn't trust him. Alliances among crime lords can only last so long and get you so far. Roman figured he be better off alone rather than work with someone he'd have no control over. Even if Joker promised not to kill or back stab him, it wouldn't guarantee Joker wouldn't. Roman stood up haven decided that he listened to the clown long enough. "As flattering as your offer is clown, I'll decline." He spoke in a mocking tone and walked off.

Joker stood up. "That fine, you'll come around I'm sure and my offer will still be standing~!" He said laughing. From the sound of it, Roman doubted this would be their last talk even when they got out of Arkham. Joker had something planned clearly, he had no clue what it was but he decided he watch his back from now on and try and find out before Joker put whatever he had planned into motion.

Later that Night

Roman laid down in his cell feeling fully awake, he asked some the guards he paid off to try and figure out if Joker had something planned for him. And to figure out what it was before Joker could act it out. What kind of game was Joker trying to play at? And why? It seemed all too odd that NOW Joker wanted to work with him. Suddenly there was loud explosion echoing through the building followed by another. "The hell!?" Roman got out of his bed hearing it, all the electronic doors to all the inmates cells suddenly started to open.

Roman stepped out in the hall realizing whoever it was that did this, was starting a breakout. Suddenly a voice spoke over the intercom and that answered his question on WHO it was that was responsible. "RISE AND SHINE INMATES~! Now your chance for for freedom, oh and I have a message to give to a special someone. May the owner of a black skull mask please come to the office to reclaim it!"

Roman growled and began to move past inmates, the clown wanted his attention he got it. However Roman wasn't a fool and had a feeling that whatever it was the clown planned it might be a trap. But the same time, that mask was a prized possession to him. And he was sure Joker was somewhat aware of that, probably the smartest thing Joker could do to make Roman come to him.

It didn't take long for guards to come up and try stop the inmates, however the guards who got paid by Roman kept the others busy for him. As for the inmates they were focused on either escaping or fighting off the guards. Once Roman got the office he opened the door, surprised there was no traps at all. Just Joker there sitting in the office chair with his mask in hand observing it. "What so special about this? Other than it looks professionally made?" Joker questioned and eyed him. "So glad my hunch about this being important to you was right... I mean how embarrassing would it be if I just waited and waited only for Batsy to show up and see me here waiting for you." He said and laughed. "Course if that did happen, I wouldn't be a happy clown."

Roman walked toward him. "Just give it back to me and we can each go our own ways." He said, he was sure Batman would probably show up to probably stop the inmates from all escaping. So the sooner he got out of here the better.

Joker stood up from the chair and shook his head. "Hm, actually I'm curious to try it on. Oh does it give you a special power~? That why you wear it all the time?" He questioned seeming excited and put the mask on. "Huh.. don't feel any different." Joker actually seemed disappointed as he took it off and tossed it back to Roman. "Junk is all that is! But seriously, you wear it every time your working... which is a lot. Does it ever itch or feel uncomfortable, do you sleep with it on?"

Roman glared at him as he caught the mask, he ignored all his questioned and headed out putting his mask on as he did. At this point Joker was just wasting his time. However the clown wasn't giving up that easily and of course, followed after him. "Oh wait, wait Maskie don't I get a thank you~? I mean I gave you an escape and found your mask for you. Considering you bothered to come talk to me proves you wouldn't leave this place without it. Meaning your probably would've spent who knows how long try to find your mask instead of getting out of here." Joker actually got him on that point even so.

"I have guards I pay off here, once I was ready to get out I was just going to have one of them take me to it or bring it to me." Roman said clearly agitated and started to walk at a faster pace. But Joker grabbed hold of him by the arm and dragged him into a different direction.

"You don't wanna go that way unless you wanna get blown up!" He said chuckling taking him toward a different exit route, surely enough after a few minutes Roman heard an explosion come from the direction he was going toward before Joker pulled him away. "Now what do you have to say~?" Clearly Joker was doing it for his benefit as well as entertainment. "And maskie, you aren't the only one who pays off guard."

Roman pulled away freeing himself from Jokers grip. He glared at him and spoke. "Thank you... but don't touch me again." He growled now feeling more agitated before and on guard, he wasn't going to trust the clown. Still feeling Joker had something else for him planned. Eventually the two made it outside, though chaos was still going on inside.

Joker smirked and headed to one the cars out in the front, he got into the driver seat and got it started. "Come on Maskie! Lets go on a joyride together, unless you wanna greet the cops and bat when they get here." He said whistling casually, off in the distance Roman could see why cops or Batman hadn't shown up yet to stop the breakout. There was smoke in the distance and Gotham seemed to be in chaos, it was still recovering from the crime war so of course this was a big issue for the GCPD. Roman looked to Joker, the chaos in the city he imagine would distract Batman for so long. And the time of it was too convenient for it to not be apart of Jokers plan, whatever it was.

He growled and went to the car about to get in, but Joker locked, but kept his window rolled down. "No, no only give rides to friends and-or business partners! So now you're in?" Of course Joker would try and push him to agree with him. "Oh, and I guess you could try and hot-wire one the other cars... some I had guards put bombs in so if you're feeling lucky go for it!"

On one hand Joker very well could be lying, considering the amount of time he'd needed on the other hand, Roman really wasn't one to take unnecessary risk on the off chance the clown did manage to do so. And he really just wanted to get out of Arkham. And regardless he'd have to be careful of Joker, so why not keep his threat close? "Fine, I'll work with you."

Joker chuckled and unlocked it, allowing Roman to get in. "Oh I knew you'd come around, we're going to have so much fun. You won't regret this~! Why soon enough you'd think, wow why didn't I work with Joker before!" Roman was already regretting this but Joker already put the car in drive and locked it before driving off. So there was really no getting out until they arrived at whatever place Joker planned on driving them too.