The next day at work went by like a blur and Rachel just couldn't wait for the day to end. Her work life was a mess as she tried to sort out all the mess and trouble that came with the Joker's pranks. When she went home she noticed something on the news that caught her attention." On no not again "she groaned out loud feeling sick to her stomach as she saw the Joker's latest plan. A man dressed as Batman had been given a deadly smile and hung outside a government building with a noose. She watched the fire department bring the unfortunate man down to the side walk, as a crowd of people watched in shock. If that wasn't bad enough, the Joker had also created a video with the unfortunate man. The video was in some sort of meat packing room since there was a butchered cow hanging in the room.
"Tell them your name." the Joker said his voice full of amusement.
"Brian... Douglas..." the barley conscious man replied looking like he was going to puke at any given moment.
"Are you the real Batman?" the Joker asked in his sing songy voice.
"No." Brain replied looking sicker than ever.
"No? Then why do you dress like him?" the Joker giggled as he dangled the Batman mask in front of the camera.
"He's a symbol... that we don't have to be afraid of scum like you." Brian replied attempting some final act of bravery.
"Yeah, you do, Brian. You really do! "The Joker said as he began to stroke Brian's face as Brian began to shake with fright, "Oh, hush, hush, hush, hush. So, you think that Batman's made Gotham a better place? Hm? Look at me." the Joker asked in his sing songy voice as Brain looked away from the Joker trying to avoid answering his questions. "LOOK AT ME!" Rachel shuddered with fright this was the second time she was seeing some rage in the Joker's voice. It amazed her how the Joker could go from his sing songy voice and laughter to fury in seconds. The Joker then faced the camera "See, this is how crazy Batman's made Gotham! You want order in Gotham; Batman must take off his mask and turn himself in. Oh, and every day he doesn't, people will die... starting tonight. I'm a man of my word." The Joker's coldblooded laugh followed as the camera went out of focus and Brian's haunting screams of pain giving her chills down her spine as the sound caused her ears to ring.
Rachel trembled and quickly turned off the television as the room suddenly seemed as if it was completely silent, her experience with the Joker was nothing compared to poor Brian. At least in her case she wasn't alone and the Batman had been there with her. Rachel tried to put the Joker's laughter out of her head for the rest of the night and the Brian's haunting screams out of her mind but she was unable to. The silence in her apartment made it only harder to get the noise out of her head. She put on some loud music to distract herself, finally she decided the best thing to do was to go out and be around some people. She called Bruce to invite him to dinner with her, partly because she knew he would agree for sure and because she knew he would make her feel better. When she called Bruce agreed to meet her at an Italian restaurant in downtown Gotham.
When Rachel got to the restaurant she found Bruce already waiting for her there. Bruce immediately got up to greet her with a hug.
"Rachel you look wonderful" he said after their hug.
"Thanks you look great yourself as usual of course." She replied.
"So what led you to invite me here with you? Alone." He asked.
"You know I just was lonely and I needed the company of a friend and if I can count on anyone it's you." She replied.
"I will always be there for you Rachel "he said as he looked into her eyes, Rachel looked away slightly uncomfortable.
"I know there's something I need to talk to you about though, that's been on my mind today" Rachel fidgeted with her knife as she broached the subject.
"I'm listening" Bruce looked up.
"Well, did you see that video the Joker made?" she asked.
"Yes, somehow I knew you'd bring it up" he said taking a bite out of his pasta.
"Really?" she asked surprised.
"It's all anyone's been talking about lately. "He answered.
"What are you going to do?" she asked.
"You'll have to just wait and see" he said looking around, indicating that this wasn't the place to bring up his Batman plans.
"It's just that we don't know what the Joker is capable of, who knows what he could do."
"Rachel, don't worry" Bruce said softly. "I've got this" he took her hand under the table.
"I just keep hearing the Joker's laughter and Brian's screams in my head." She whispered.
"You should have never watched that video if it causes you this much distress Rachel" Bruce looked concern.
"I know." Rachel sighed.
"I remember even when we were children you used to be afraid of clowns I guess that fear has never been outgrown" Bruce said teasingly.
"Don't make fun of me! At least I wasn't the one afraid of girls but look at you now. I never see you without some gorgeous girl on your arm." Rachel teased back.
"Rachel, those girls mean nothing to me. You're the one the matters to me, the one I want and care about." He said no longer joking around; he looked very serious and intense as he looked into her eyes.
"Bruce, let's not talk about these here." Rachel said.
"I mean it Rachel." Bruce said as he got up.
The pair left the restaurant and entered Bruce's car, "So where do you want to go?" asked Bruce.
"I'm not sure" Rachel knew she didn't want to go back home just yet, she felt safe from the danger of the world with Bruce by her side.
"Do you want to come to my mansion?" Bruce asked a little too hopefully.
"Bruce, I'm not going to be one of your one night stand girls" Rachel said crossing her arms.
"Who said it was only going to be only a one night stand?" Bruce smirked.
"Bruce if I didn't know you were joking I would have slapped you." Rachel said attempting to look serious but there was a hint of smile playing up at her lips.
"Do you want to sit here and just talk?" asked Bruce.
"That sounds a lot better." She replied.
"Rachel, I need to ask you something." Bruce began.
"Yes?" asked Rachel feeling a little nervous.
"Can you honestly tell me that you love Harvey but you don't love me?" asked Bruce.
"I can't tell you about my personal life with Harvey." Rachel said as she looked away and crossed her arms. Rachel sighed why Bruce enjoys tormenting me with these questions she thought.
"Please just answer the question." Bruce pressed.
"I can't" Rachel started.
"Fine ignore the part about Harvey, can you say that you don't love me?" asked Bruce again.
"Bruce, the reason I'm not with you is not because I don't love you, you know that." Rachel replied.
"If two people love each other then why can't they be together?" Bruce asked.
"Bruce, please-"Rachel attempted to answer.
"I love you Rachel, I've loved you since the day I've met you. I will love and understand you more than Harvey ever will. "Bruce said leaning closer in as he stroked her cheek. Rachel could feel her heart beating and didn't resist his touch. "Do you really love Harvey?"
"I care about Harvey." Rachel whispered.
"But do you love him?"
Rachel did not reply and she avoiding Bruce's gaze. Bruce leaned in to give her a kiss, Rachel turned towards him leaning closer to him. Rachel was the one to break the kiss only to regain her breath. They both sat there in the car silently, Rachel could feel her heart pounding, and Rachel felt a little guilty about getting Bruce's hopes up about having a future together. At the same time if felt so right sitting in his car.
"Bruce, do you mind if I go home now, it's been a long day." asked Rachel.
"I'll drive you there now." Bruce replied as he started the car. When they got to Rachel's apartment, Rachel opened the car door; Bruce's hand was suddenly on her wrist. "Please think about what I said."
"You don't need to worry about that". Rachel leaned in and gave his a quick kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight Bruce".
"Goodnight" Bruce said, as she left the car he watched her walk up the stairs to the apartment and continued to do so until she went inside her apartment. After making sure she was inside her apartment he drove off into the night.
Author's Note: As I was writing this I realized this was sounding a lot like a Rachel/Bruce pairing so I decided to incorporate it to the story. The story is still a Rachel/Joker pairing but it's also a Rachel/Bruce pairing.I love reviews so please don't hesitate to let me know about any spelling errors or grammar mistakes that I might have missed. Also any suggestions would be great ! Thank you for reading. :)
