A/N: I am so pleased with all the reviews! You guys are so great! Thanks to everyone who did, you know who you are. I'm glad the beginning sparked a bit of interest ^.^ Anyways on to the next chapter, ooh by the way guardnexus Don't worry, no way was I gonna leave that important character out :P

Here's more for you...I hope the spark stays :)....as you know...I don't own the Joker..wish I did...cos HRMPPHHHH....

When the Joker met the Slayer

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Chapter 2

Keeping Him Hidden

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"she got away….she got away?…how did she do it…how how how?…who is she…what is she…demon? No no no course not…" he was mumbling to himself and pacing around his room as fast as he ever had done. For three days he had been twitching more than usual, and if his cronies so much had looked at him funny he blew their head off with his shotgun.

Not surprisingly they were becoming extremely nervous around him.

On the fourth day they brought news.

"Uh Boss?" one of his lackeys tapped nervously on his door, "We ah- we found something you might be interested in."

For a minute there was no reply and as the lackey stood there he felt a little foolish. What if the boss wasn't in there, what if he hadn't heard him? What if he was standing by ready to blow his brains out because it was fun?

He gulped and was about to tap again when the door flew open and a blur of purple and green shot by him without so much as a glance.

When he arrived into the reception area of the dilapidated warehouse, he saw four of his men standing around pointing their guns at someone tied to a wooden chair and struggling.

The Joker smiled for the first time in four days, but then again seeing anybody tied up and in pain was usually enough to make him grin.

"Well well, what have you brought me boys?" he threw his hands out in an expectant gesture and pointed to the prisoner, "What is he? No no no lemme guess-" he put his hands quickly to stop anyone interrupting, "he's her…father! Ah no, he's too young…uhh brother? Boyfriend? Is he-"

"Ah boss," one of the cronies cleared his throat, praying as he did so he would get to keep his brains, "he ain't a human. He's a vampire."

The Joker looked stunned, "A vampire? You mean of the bumpy headed variety?"

The men nodded.

He cocked his head and tapped his finger against his painted cheek, "how come I been in this city a week and I have yet to meet one of them? Hm?" he cocked a brow in their direction which made them back away a little, "Well?"

"Well ah boss you see-" the crony noticed the finger tapping quickened and hastily sped up, "I guess they unsure bout ya y'know? They keep to themselves, say they don't get involved with humans, unless you know it's to ah…-"

"-eat them?" the Joker finished with a another raised brow.

The crony nodded obediently.

"Well this is interesting," the Joker stepped up to the vampire, whose eyes were golden with rage, the Joker grinned. "Now you're gonna tell me-" he bent down to the vampires level and grinned like a Cheshire cat, seeing that the vampires eyes widened at the close up view of his scars the Joker waved, "Hiya."

He took out a blade and began tapping it against his own palm, "Where were we-? Oh! Right, I remember" he began tapping faster, "I was gonna extract some…information from ya. Forcibly or not, I'm not really that bothered." he shrugged his shoulders eccentrically and rolled his eyes at his own humour.

The vampire didn't look scared enough for him, especially when he spoke in a raspy voice, "You don't scare me…freak." he spat out the last word and smiled without humour, "I eat your kind for breakfast, no way am I giving you nothing."

The Joker sighed and shook his head as if he were a headmaster speaking to a naughty child, "Ok then, I do see your point," at that he gave a grunt as he got up off his knees and hmmmed for a second, as if he were pondering something. "OK we can play it your way then" with a flash he kicked the vampire roughly off the wooden chair. Picking it up he bashed it forcefully on the ground. The chair splintered and broken as if it were a delicate piece of china. The only thing left in the Jokers hand was a splintered wooden leg. The lackies around him took a step back, despite them holding guns.

"Y'know what's really…interesting?" he leaned forward and brandished the splintered leg in front of the vampire, who now started to look panicked, "I saw a little girly using something very similar to this on someone who looked…remarkably like you the other night. I dunno maybe he was your brother or something," the Joker shrugged amicably and held it a little closer, "and y'know what?…that vampire had exactly the same expression as you do right now. Now isn't that…quaint?"

The vampire was silent as if he was pondering on something.

"Now," the Joker settled down and started to fiddle with his makeshift toy, "I want you to tell me…do you know who she might be? She's pretty nifty, dodged a bullet...well…almost" he sniggered at his own joke.

The vampires eyes widened, "You killed the Slayer?"

This got the Joker's attention, "Slayer?"

The vampire looked like he wasn't going to say anything further, but relented when he saw him coming his way again, "Yeah the Slayer. Bitch turns up every night and hunts us down. She's depleted our numbers in the last year, none of us can relax anymore y'know? It's hurtin' us big time."

The Joker sat back on his knees and looked enthralled, as if he was captivated. "Tell me more…"

So I was right…she is…special.

Later on in his study, the Joker sat in his swirly leather armchair, rocking back and forth as he gazed at the wooden chair leg twirling in his hands.

The Slayer

One girly in every generation…

His thoughtful expression turned into a smile.

He was going to have to meet her again.

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"Tru! What the hell happened to you?"

Tru turned around quickly at the voice but wished she hadn't when she felt her shoulder scream at the movement.

"I er…fell over" was all she said, smiling weakly at the still sleepy intruder.

Well not so much intruder, as her flatmate Lissy, the kindest sweetest girl she'd ever met. Although right now she looked pretty foreboding as she stared in horror at Tru's injured shoulder which had stained her shirt crimson red.

"Wait, don't touch it" Lissy ordered Tru to take off her shirt while she went to the kitchen, "I'll get the first aid kit."

"Really Lis, it's not necessary it's just a scratch." Tru begged but Lissy was having none of it.

"Take it off Tru" she returned with the kit and opened it. Removing all the relevant medical supplies she waited patiently as Tru took off her shirt.

"So what really happened?"

Tru sighed, determined not to tell the horrifying truth she said the most obvious thing she could think of.

"Vampire"

Lissy nodded as she started to expertly examine the wound.

Good thing for Tru her flatmate knew she was the Slayer, there was only so many excuses you could use for coming in at all times of night covered in blood and demon gore.

"So how many vampires have guns?" Lissy asked nonchalantly, she held out a pair of tweezers in front of Tru, they were holding a blood stained bullet.

Tru winced, "uh you know you'd be surprised, these days they'll use anything to kill me"

Lissy frowned, "the wounds pretty deep True, but since the bullet didn't go all the way through I'm guessing you must have been on the move or something, or at least far away from them. Now since I also know you don't run away from vampires a lot, I'm gonna take a wild stab in the dark and say not vampire, or at least something you don't want to tell me." she cocked her head and looked at her friend inquisitively through clever green eyes, "What's going on?"

Tru rubbed her throbbing temples, slaying always seem to give her a headache and smile a stiff smile at her friend, "Really Lis, this vampire just got cocky, one minute we were fighting, next thing I knew he pulled out a shotgun and started firing at me, running away seemed the most sensible option." she frowned as she gently touched her shoulder, "guess even I can't dodge bullets either."

Lissy looked at her friend worriedly, she didn't believe a word, but she knew if Tru didn't tell her then she couldn't push it. "Well at least tell Marianna, she's master of all things demon she should be able to help, even if I can't." Lissy looked a bit put out when she stopped speaking and Tru couldn't help but give her a hug, "I promise I'll report this to her ok? Now off to bed with you, this must be the third time this week I've woken you up with Slayer stories." she grinned as Lissy reluctantly gave a smile back. Clearing up the bandages Lissy turned around and pointed a finger at Tru, "Now no touching the dressing and don't get it wet for a while ok? For at least three days" she ordered.

Tru grinned back, "No worries, I'll be healed in two."

Lissy smiled and waved goodnight before heading out the room. Tru sighed and thought about calling Marianna, but her head and shoulder hurt too much.

I'll go see her tomorrow, whether I'll tell her what really happened is another story.

Tru wished she didn't have to tell anyone, but Marianna was there to help after all.

But what on Earth can a Watcher do about a Joker?

He'll have your blood

Tru could see herself tossing and turning in her bed, but there was no way of waking up.

She saw a flash of green, and a stench of kerosene burnt her nostrils, she heard screaming. No one in particular, but just insistent screaming and shouting, people were running, her heart was pumping painfully and her adrenaline was rushing but all she could feel was…him.

She saw him, only metres away with his shotgun held comfortably in his hands. He leered his grin at her and mouthed a sentence. Although she couldn't hear him, she knew what he was saying. The words wrapped their way around her and she could feel his essence consume her. It was so thick she could taste it….it tasted like….evil.

I'll dance on your grave Slayer, I'll dance while you burn. You'll be mine and I'll be…you…

I'll find you.

Tru rang the intercom for the luxurious apartments her Watcher lived at. She looked around while she waited. Marianna lived in the good part of town, there were healthy looking green trees along the sidewalks, and kids weren't afraid to play out by themselves here. It looked like a place only the most refined criminal would wander, but she knew that was a lie. In Gotham criminals were everywhere, even though they had a mask wearing superhero to save them.

It seemed a sad place for Gotham right now.

The buzz of the intercom interrupted her thoughts and made her jump, "Yes?" the softly spoken but clipped tones of British accent came through the speaker, "Marianna it's me, Tru" Tru added just in case, in Gotham, trust was sparse and you had to be clear who you were talking to you before you let anyone in to your house.

"Oh Tru, please come on up" the bell rung again and Tru hurriedly let herself in.

The apartment was rich in mahogany and pine, and Tru could practically hear the kettle brewing as she stepped in.

"Tru! How lovely to see you, Tea?" her Watcher asked her before Tru had time to even think of a reply, instead she smiled and nodded and watched as the older lady got out two china cups.

Marianna, although she was in her mid forties, she held an elegant air about her. She looked like she had just stepped out of the pages of an English girls boarding school story. Her long russet hair was neatly pulled back into a sophisticated chignon and her eyes were brown and soft. She was the embodiment of a British upper class lady, except she was living in Gotham.

"So Tru how did patrolling go last night?" her Watcher asked as she placed the tray on the table.

Tru resisted the temptation to start playing with her bandage which she had hidden under her leather jacket. "It was…uneventful" she winced at the blatant lie but she kept her face passive as she drunk her tea.

Marinna looked at the Slayer thoughtfully, "Is that why you came all the way before work? To tell me that nothing happened?"

Oh. Good Point.

"Nah I didn't mean it was a complete boredom-fest, I just thought I'd let you know that it went OK. I slayed three vamps, which y'know wasn't bad. So all in all, pretty good" Tru noticed the older woman didn't look too convinced so she hid her face by making a show of drinking.

"So I take it you didn't slay the vampire wielding the shot gun who gave you the shoulder injury?"

Tru's eyes widened, How did she-

Oh.

"Lissy told you didn't she." it wasn't a question and Marianna knew it.

The older woman gave an apologetic smile, "she phoned me early this morning, she only did it because she thought you would neglect to inform me. Which in her defence, she was correct. Wasn't she?" the Watcher smiled at Tru, and Tru knew she was beaten.

"Yeh ok, there was no weapon wielding vampire." Tru nodded affirmation at that but then hesitated. For some reason she really didn't want to tell anyone about what happened last night. Meeting him…getting shot by him….dreaming about him made her feel so…dirty. She hated that feeling, the feeling of being powerless. It was not what a Slayer should feel, and it certainly wasn't something she wanted her Watcher to think either. But still, it felt wrong to lie to her. Maybe there was someway to sort of change the truth a little, just a little, just so she wouldn't have to mention-

"Oh sorry to change the subject ever so quickly, but I just remember there was something I needed to mention to you Tru." Marianna stood up and went to switch on her television, "There's a newscast being repeated at this moment that I think you should see. Not that it directly involves the Slayer, but it is still something that as a citizen you should take note of."

As the screen came to life, Tru saw the person she really didn't want to see for a long long time.

"….Every day he doesn't people will Die…" the Joker's grinning face swarmed the camera, and Tru felt her skin crawl, "…I'm a man of my word" the camera shut off and the news reporter came back on, "This unknown criminal, aliasing himself only as the Joker has threatened that unless Batman-" Tru couldn't hear any more, she got up and started restlessly pacing the room. Marianna looked up in puzzlement and immediately turned the volume down, "Tru is there something wrong?"

Tru whipped around, "No" she felt her voice shake a little but covered it up with steel. "No why should there be something wrong?"

Marianna stood up and gestured to the television set, "I do realise he is human and therefore not your concern however-"

"Not my concern?" Tru interrupted, "He kills innocent people, he feeds off their fear and laughs at it. I'd say that was pretty inhumane."

Marianna nodded in confirmation, "Inhumane, yes I agree. However-"

"He's a monster that deserves everything that's coming to him." Tru clenched her fists and heard knuckles pop. "Next time I meet him, I'll be damned sure to do that" she gave a small satisfied smile and turned to walk out.

Marianna stepped in her way, "Tru, I showed you this to warn you as a citizen, not as the Slayer. He must be left up to Batman to deal with him, this is his jurisdiction, not yours. Please take the utmost caution, he is not a vampire, therefore you do not have the experience in dealing with men like him."

Marianna looked the part of a scolding headmistress as she stared at Tru, however she also saw a sense of compassion behind the lenses of her rimmed glasses. For a second she thought about relenting, but just the thought of his grin, the way he looked at her as if he wanted to taste all her secrets and then spill them out onto the road…she felt the anger rising up and she breathed in deep to calm it down.

"I'm sorry," she gave a reassuring smile and winked at her Watcher, "You're right its Batman's fun. I'm better off out of it."

Marianna still wasn't sure whether to believe her or not, but for the moment she thought it best to let it go. "I'm glad you agree Tru. Now it's almost 8.30, I hate to be rude but I must dash."

8.30

The Meeting.

"Oh Sh-" Tru clamped a hand over her mouth and grimaced, "I gotta run too! I am soo fired."

"Do you want a lift?" Marianna asked in concern.

Tru shook her head and opened the door, "Thanks but I think I'll run, even without Slayer speed I can still beat the traffic. Talk later!" with a wave she was gone.

Marianna watched out her window at the Slayer sprinting down the road, she gave a frown.

That was the first time Tru has lied to me.

She bit her lip, she couldn't help it. She felt worried.

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And so she should be, cos plenty is gonna happen! More Joker coming soon....lots and lots of Joker wooop ^^