'Come on, Gwen, everyone's arriving!' called Bruce from the hall. I looked at myself in the mirror. I wore a knee length, scarlet dress, with black Doc Martens on top of black tights, while my hair was left loosely hanging down my back. I wasn't one for elegance, but I had to make my effort. I stepped out of my room, to see Bruce waiting, looking out the window. When he heard the door shut, he turned to look at me. He, as usual was in a fancy black suit that made him look like one of the men in black.

'You look great, Gwen,' he said holding out his arm, for me to take it, adding, 'Love the shoes!'

I smirked as we walked out into the main hall in the penthouse there were a few guests dotted around the tables, drinking and talking. Bruce pulled me to the side, saying, 'I'll be arriving by helicopter later on, ok, just play along. I'll see you soon. When Harvey gets here, make nice,' he urged. He knew I wasn't a particularly social person.

'Don't worry, dear Brucey, I'll not make a fool of my self,' I joked. He patted my on the head and left. I noticed Alfred handing out drinks to a couple over by the balcony. He was the only face I recognised, so I quickly made a B line to meet him.

'Hey. Who are these people? I don't recognise any,' I asked Alfred when he had left the couple with glasses of champagne.

'Well, they're all upper class folks. Work mates and people Harvey Dent is familiar to,' replied Alfred.

'Is Lieutenant Gordon coming?' I asked, hoping to see him. It had been a while ago since the appearance of the Joker card, however, I had only confided in Bruce about it. She hoped to talk about the Joker more with Gordon today. So far, the Joker had not met his promise- yet.

'No, Miss Gwen, I'm afraid not. Master Wayne said that he was working, and could not attend,' said Alfred, not before noticing the appearance of more guests by the door- including Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes.

He left to greet them, and I followed far behind, hoping to speak to Rachel and Harvey without gaping guests, judging my attire as loud as possible- which they didn't fail to do.

'Gwen! Hi, how are you, it feels like ages since I saw you last! Harvey, this is my old friend, and Bruce's cousin, Gwen. Gwen, this is Harvey Dent,' Rachel introduced.

'Gwen! Rachel talks about you a lot. You've been friends for a few years now?' asked Harvey, shaking my hand. Rachel was one lucky girl. Harvey was as handsome as she had told her.

'Yeah, I came to Gotham when I was fourteen and we've been mates since,' I replied, smiling.

'Oh, yes you're from England originally, right? Where about in England?' Harvey asked. He seemed genuinely interested.

'The North East. Durham, to be more precise. I grew up there but moved to Scotland when I was ten. After my parents died in a car accident, I came to live with Alfred and Bruce.' I said. I know that the car crash story is the oldest in the book, but it's believable enough. Rachel didn't even know the truth.

'Oh, I'm sorry,' said Harvey, sadly.

'Yeah, it's a long time ago now.'

Harvey was a canny bloke. Sorry, I apologise again for my mad terms. Can't help it. Habit now. Rachel led Harvey to a group of people at the far end of the room, and I was left on my own. I didn't mind. I watched as more and more people filed into the room. After about twenty minutes, Bruce arrived in his Helicopter, almost right on cue. He emerged, with three girls in bright dresses in his arms. Typical Bruce…

'Sorry I'm late- Glad you started without me. Now where's Harvey?' spotting Harvey, he walks over to speak directly to him, even though everyone was watching, listening intently to his little speech.

'And where's Rachel Dawes? Rachel is one of my oldest friends. When she told me she was dating Harvey Dent, I had one thing to say, 'the guy from the God awful campaign commercials? I believe in Harvey Dent?'

A slight laugh emitted from everyone in the room, but Dent and Rachel. Rachel looked annoyed, while poor Harvey seemed slightly embarrassed.

Bruce continued, 'I started paying attention to Harvey, and all the things he's done as our new DA, and you know what? I believe in Harvey Dent. On his watch, Gotham can feel a little safer. A little more optimistic. So get out your check books and let's make sure he stays where Gotham wants him…' He raised his glass, 'all except Gotham's criminals, of course. To the face of Gotham's bright future- Harvey Dent!'

Bruce finished his little speech as everyone raised their glasses to Harvey. The slow murmur of talk began to rise amongst the crowd once more and Bruce left to the Balcony. I left to meet him, but not before Rachel beat me too it. I needed to speak to Bruce alone. So I just wandered through the crowds to the food table, and began to snack. I stood, after about ten minutes, munching on an apple, when gunshots where heard by the lift, and the crowd parted to reveal at the door, the one person I dreaded to meet again. Rachel and Harvey were no where to be seen, and neither was Bruce. I prayed he was gearing up to save us all right now.

'Good evening ladies and gentlemen! We are tonight's entertainment. I only have one question. Where is Harvey Dent?' rang the Joker's voice through the crowd. He started to wander through the crowds, asking people if they knew where or even who Harvey is. His goons were standing guard at the doors. I started to bend down, to get my gun from my shoe (I know, great place to put it- advantage of wearing boots). I had it in my grasp, and held it behind my back, ready to fire.

'You know, I'd settle for his loved ones!' stated the Joker to and elderly looking may, with a bald patch on the back of his head.

'We're not intimidated by you thugs!' he said, bravely. The Joker smirked.

'You know, you remind me of my father. I hated my father!' the Joker growled as he held his blade to the mans face.

'Ok stop!'

No Rachel, don't get yourself involved! I thought to myself. I emerged around the crowd, getting a good view of the Joker, and a good shot, so I could shoot when necessary.

'Why helllooo, beautiful!' he said the same to Rachel as he did me, the last night I saw him.

'You must be Harvey's squeeze! And you are beautiful.' He came closer to her, switchblade still out, 'You look nervous? Is it the scars? D'ya wanna know how I got em?'

He grabbed her face and pulled it towards his, holding the blade to her. My grip on the gun tightened.

'Well, I had a wife, beautiful, like you, who says I worry too much. Who says, I need to smile more. Who gets in deep with the sharks. One day they carve her face. Now we have no money for surgery. I just wanna see her smile again. I just want her to know I don't care abut the scars. So I stick a razor in my mouth and do this to myself. And D'ya knows what? She can't stand the sight of me. She leaves. Now I see the funny side. Now I'm always smiling!' he laughed.

'Liar!'

Everyone turned to me, the source of the sudden outburst. The Joker leaves go of Rachel and looks me straight in the eye, and for a second I thought I saw Jack again, before an evil smile came across his clown face. Rachel took this opportunity to knee him where it hurts. He left my gaze, backing away from Rachel in pain, saying, 'a little fight in you! I like that!'

'Then you're gonna love me!'

Batman's growl came as a relief. I hurried over to Rachel as a fight broke out between Batman and the Joker with his goons.

'You ok?' I asked, quickly.

'Yeah I'm fine. What do you mean liar?'

I paused. Rachel knew I had known the Joker in childhood, but she never knew how he got the scars. That remained a thing between Jack, Alfred, Bruce and I. After he got the scars, he never really saw Rachel when she came. He was always out doing…whatever it was he did.

'It doesn't matter. Bruce needs a hand.'

I stood up again, and turned to face the fight- only to come face to face with a goon, who had no gun, but a fist rose to hit me. Now going through police training, and growing up with Batman, you learnt a few vital things. I was too quick for him. I blocked his fist and took the side of his face with my own. He backed away, before coming back. Didn't he get the hint? I occupied him for a minute- one less for Bruce to fend off, before I heard Rachel squeal behind me. I turned to see her being dragged to the window by the Joker. He looked at me and winked. I hit the goon one last time, before he fell to the floor, unconscious. I shouted, 'Rachel!'

Batman turned too, to see the Joker holding a gun to Rachel's head.

'Drop the gun,' growled Batman.

'Oh sure, you just take off your little mask and show us all who you really are!' laughed the Joker, as he shot the glass behind him, holding Rachel by the arm out the window.

'Let her go!' warned Batman.

The Joker looked malicious, 'Very poor choice of words!' as he let go of Rachel, letting her fall. Batman almost flew after her. I ran to the window to see where they were- only to get the Joker's blade to my throat from behind. He took my gun and threw it to the side, holding my arm behind my back so I couldn't move. He smelt strongly of Gasoline, as he breathed into my ear, 'I'm a man of my word!'

He led me out, the way they had come in. I struggled to break free, but to no avail. The goons had regained consciousness and followed swiftly pointing guns to the crowds as we left. We came out the building, to a white van. The Joker turned me to face him, knife still poised.

'What do you expect of me, Jack?' I asked, feeling brave. The cool blade met my cheek. He took a cloth from his coat pocket and held it over my nose and mouth. I couldn't breath, I struggled, but he still had me in that death grip. My vision blurred as I heard my name being called from a distance, and everything was black.

Thanks for reading this guys, I hope you're enjoying it; I'll try and get chapter six up soon. Thanks to the awesome followers of the story! StormieSkies, bornfanfiction4life and ninja enchantress! Remember to review what you think! Or just review something in general… even just a passing comment! It'd make my day 3 thanks again guys :P Holls x