Chapter 4:
"I didn't know you were meeting Bruce Wayne for lunch yesterday, you never said you two were friends" Cameron came into Peyton's office
Peyton didn't look up "We're not. I went across the street to the hotel for a drink and he was there."
Cameron sat the newspaper down "Well the Times' has a different idea of what happened"
"Mergers in the making? Bruce Wayne and Peyton Morris? How long until Gotham sees Wayne Enterprises and JME joint venture"
"That son of a bitch!" Peyton stood up reading the paper. She couldn't believe Bruce would sell her out to the papers. Then again she knew he never had any qualms about his numerous dates being printed, the only difference was that they weren't on a date.
Cameron shrugged "I'm sure he's thinking the same thing"
Peyton ran her hand through her lose hair, "My guess he's thinking which model to take out tonight to make tomorrows headline even better" she shook her head
"Can I give you some good news?" Cameron offered
She looked up "Alberto's record came back clean. Arkham said he hasn't even been by to see his father.."
Peyton nodded "Have HR call him then, draft up the contracts, add in there a legality clause, just to cover our tracks in case he does inherit the family business"
Cameron nodded a little relived she was thinking on the defensive. He left leaving her alone with her thoughts but not for long before she heard a knock at her door. She turned to see Bruce standing in the doorway.
She laughed to herself realizing Bruce's date for tonight "So where are you and Jennifer going tonight?" she said sarcastically
Bruce chuckled amused looking out of her office, Jennifer was no where in sight after letting Bruce in.
Peyton shook her head "You got some nerve showing her face here"
Bruce stepped inside "I wanted to apologize for the article, I had nothing to do with it being printed"
Peyton raised her eyebrows "That's got to be a first"
Bruce nodded taking the jab.
"Oh and on your way out maybe ask Jennifer what she'd like more, a date with Bruce Wayne or her job tomorrow" she said
Bruce looked at Peyton abut to object but he saw the anger in her face. She wasn't doing any better. He left quietly and on his way out cancelling his date with Peyton's assistant.
As Peyton walked into the house still in a bad mood from the morning she saw Alfred and Nora in the kitchen laughing.
She tried to double back but Nora caught her "Hey sugar, how was your day?" she asked
Peyton through down the paper. Nora and Alfred looked embarrassed as Peyton raised her eyebrows. That summed up her day.
"Master Wayne has no power over what gets written about him in the papers Miss Morris" Alfred tried to defend Bruce
Peyton tried to smile knowing Alfred was trying to be kind "But he does, how about staying in one night, bringing his date to the house for dinner"
Alfred nodded "That's a good point miss, but I'm only one man. Whenever he goes on a date I finally get a break picking up after him and the bloody mess he makes" Alfred shot back lightheartedly
Peyton gave a pure smiled at his response "I'm sorry Alfred. God forbid the guy can't cook himself" she said
"Preaching to the choir my dear" he said
Nora rolled her eyes "You're one to talk Peyton"
Peyton walked out of the kitchen shooting Nora a playful smirk. She didn't mind Alfred at all but she didn't understand the relationship he had with Nora, were they friends where they together? She didn't think she could stomach whatever response Nora would giver her if she asked.
"Gotham's young elite spotted together for the first time yesterday. Was it a date? A business venture? Maybe both, at 11 we'll find out if its business or pleasure for Peyton Morris and Bruce Wayne" The reporter announced
Peyton shook her head as she grabbed her keys. "Nora, I'm going out" she called
Peyton needed to go for a drive and clear her head, she was at her breaking point with being linked to Bruce Wayne, a man she wanted nothing to do with. It was just adding fuel to her fire.
She needed to settle her thoughts on her parents. She needed to go talk to the person responsible for it all. She needed to see the Joker.
Arkham was settled in the Narrows, a lost part of the city. Peyton knew she wouldn't get passed the reception desk, so she walked along the side of the building. There stood a door that was propped open as the laundry truck parked outside. Peyton smiled at the opportunity while she snuck inside.
She grabbed a lb coat from the bin and slipped it on trying to go unnoticed. She had no idea where they would keep someone like the Joker, she went down to the basement thinking that was a good start.
Each cell the inhabitants looked more and more lost. She stopped at Carmines cell. He sat upright on his bed in a daze. He looked up at Peyton "you're new.." he said
It took Peyton back by how coherent he was. "I am" she lied. "How are you feeling today Mr. Falcone?"
He shrugged "Same as yesterday, wondering why the hell I'm locked up in this loony bin" he snapped
"Your family must miss you" she said
He looked down "My family wants nothing to do with me, as they should" he said
Peyton tilted her head "Alberto's back. Have you seen him?" she asked
Carmine laughed, "I want nothing to do with that kid. He has nothing to offer the family" he shook his head.
It gave Peyton piece of mind knowing she heard it from Carmine. Sure his opinions lack certain credibility but she figured he'd tell her if Alberto came to see him.
She went back on her way to find the Joker. At the end stood one more cell. It had to be his. She looked inside and there he was standing in the corner of the room staring back at her like he was waiting for her.
She swallowed hard as her blood began to boil. "Well well, pretty new doctor. What's the word doc?" he asked
Peyton just stared at him. She didn't know what to say.
The joker tilted his head as he moved towards the door. "Cat got your tongue eh?"
Peyton tried to gather herself "I'm not in the habit of conversing with serial killers" she said
The joker smiled "Why thank you. That's the nicest thing someone has said to me all day" he said
He looked different. He had no make up, his scars were more viable and his hair was brushed back. He almost looked like a normal human being. "You killed innocent people, and you stand proudly" she shook her head
The joker realized Peyton was no doctor as he smiled "Which one was it. A cop, the batman imposter…Rachel's friend? Sister?" he guessed the relation
Peyton shook her head "I'm not going to give you any more satisfaction. I'm here to tell you, that your lucky your going to sit in here and rot, because if you were still out on the streets you'd be sorry"
The joker laughed, "Please sister. Save your threats your starting to sound like the bat creature. By being locked up I'm doing you and Gotham a favor, its really quiet amusing watching the city trying to pick up the pieces after a few bullets and a couple of words. The city proved that its truly beyond saving and that someone as crazy as me doesn't have what it takes to repair it."
Peyton didn't understand what any of it had to do with her. She found her rage wasn't settling by talking to him. There wasn't anything that could be said to bring her parents back or make things with the Joker locked up.
She began to walk away "What a minute" the Joker called
"I can see that I have made your life somewhat of a living hell" he admitted
Peyton raised her eyebrows, surprised at the audacity of his statement.
"If you don't channel your rage into something you find therapeutic, you're going to end up hurting only yourself dear. And you're far too beautiful for that to happen. Plus you don't wear anger too well" he said
Peyton walked off without a response. But his words seemed to have stuck.