Disclaimer: I don't own either Buffy nor Batman, nor anything to do with either one. This story is purely for fun, and I'm hoping you guys are loving it so far!

CHAPTER FOUR

Morning came all too soon. Buffy gathered herself up and headed downstairs ready to face whatever the day would bring. The phone rang, and the clerk motioned for her to take the call.

"Buffy, it's Giles. Well, it's everyone technically. How are things going?"

"I'm not sure Giles. I don't feel like I've made much progress. The Joker is a powerful character. That makes me uneasy as hell. And he talks like he knows me. You know that sense of familiarity I got with him? Maybe it wasn't too unfounded, you know?"

"Perhaps not, your instincts are usually correct. Take caution, everything seems calm here for a change. Willow's got Dawn doing her homework like clockwork, I'm sort of impressed."

"Me too. Thank her with chocolate for me."

Buffy finished up talking to Giles, who she suddenly missed more than anything, and then realized she'd be meeting Bruce again soon. She decided the best method to prepare for their encounter would be to shop.

She visited the bank nearest her apartment to grab some cash for her trip and shortly after entering heard wild gunshots in all directions. Screams let out from all the patrons, and people ducked everywhere. She turned to see six men in clown masks grabbing up people and tossing them and laughing wildly. She ran towards the first, and kicked him square in the fast, grabbing his gun as she did. The second went to shoot her, missed and was the smashed in the balls with the gun before Buffy clocked him on the head. The others persisted in shooting at her, and she ran and ducked behind the counter with half a dozen employees who squeaked at her presence.

"Get her," came the Joker's voice. She raised up to greet him.

"Well hey there, I thought the little clowns were fun. But hey, you're just as great," she stated, jumping over the counter and rushing him. The others wouldn't shoot as long as she stayed close to him, a fact that amused and frightened her. His weapon, a large knife, dropped as she barreled into him. He rolled her over, and licked her cheek before she managed to knee him off of her.

"Tasteful," he laughed.

She punched him in the face, and he grinned harder as blood rushed to his cheek. She hated his unstoppable laughter. He grabbed his knife before Buffy could stop him, and cornered her back.

"Now, where were we. A dance. You owe me," he calmly stated as he held the knife close to her neck.

"I can get away, you realize that?"

"Not without a lot of gun fire, and a chance my cargo might get ruined. One of which applies to you, and one of which applies to me-ah."

"Don't care," she answered, grabbing the knife and pushing his on fist into his face.

"What's with the face," he winced, rubbing it and smearing his makeup.

"I dunno. Must be your charming cheekbones," Buffy quipped before kicking him in the chest. He fell backwards, jumped up, and ran back at her. He was fast, and as if he liked the pain kept coming at her, over and over.

"Are you a glutton for punishment," she asked finally.

"Maybe I just like being close to you," he answered frankly, dragging his tongue along his lips. Buffy smirked and went to hit him again. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close.

"Look me in the eye, and honestly tell me you didn't miss me," he whispered. She let out a gasp, and pulled away.

"Not on your life…," she let out. She backed away from him, as if he was an infection. He motioned to the men to put their guns away.

"The cops will be, uh, here… very soon. And probably the Pesky Pesky Batman. I'll see you around," he cooed, heading off with others. They all passed her as she stood cold. Her mind seemed to crash around her. She felt faint. 'I'm having a panic attack,' she thought to herself as she began to sway to the side. The fire, it flashed in her head. Los Angeles, her old school. The gym. Everything blazing. The fight, the fire. She couldn't breathe. Buffy felt herself heave over as she passed out.

Buffy woke up several hours later to find Bruce by her bedside with flowers. She squeezed her eyelids together before they adjusted and thanked him with a gentle bow of the head.

"How are you doing?"

"I feel fine, I think all the excitement must have gotten me," she replied.

"All those self defense lessons never built you up for him, did they?"

She gave him a quizzical look. If he only knew, she mused. She sat up, physically fine, but wanted to just sit forever. Bruce was interrupting her brooding time. He seemed to understand he'd overstepped his bounds.

"Didn't mean to insult you," he corrected.

"You didn't. Honest. Sorry, I guess I sort of missed our date…"

"Best excuse I've received so far."

"You get stood up often?"

"You'd be surprised."

"Well, another time then. I should be good to go now. I don't know what happened. Either way, it's embarrassing for me to be laying here in the hospital," she told him. She hated hospitals enough as it was, and she always seemed to end up in them.

"I'll let them know you're ready to check out. Oh, and while you're lying here and can't get away and all, I'd like to ask you to join me for an event at my office in a few days. Having a bunch of important people I don't really know that well over for a charity fundraiser," he grinned, "and they expect me to have at least one date."

"At least," she mocked, "Yes, I'll come." He grinned at her, and Buffy felt her heart skip. She mentally kicked herself for letting him be so handsome.

Once back to the apartment, Buffy called back to London and happily talked to Willow, who was more than pleased Buffy had met someone.

"You haven't really talked to anyone since Spike… I'm glad he's at least got your attention. And hey, bizillionaire!"

"Thanks for the approval Willow, really," Buffy joked.

"So this Joker guy is just as intense in person as on TV. You sure you don't need backup?"

"I think so for now. He seems to have an obsession with me. Funny how crazy killers do that so often. I can play on that, I hope. But in the meanwhile, I've seen not one vampire. Not one."

"Woah. I say we take up headquarters there…"

"Seriously," Buffy laughed. It wasn't too long after Buffy found herself asleep again. She hadn't told them about her 'episode' as she'd choose to refer to it as. She didn't know what the Joker had managed to stir up in her, but she knew she'd have to fight it off and remain strong before him. If he'd seen her pass out like that, she'd be dead right now.

Over the next two days she was a hit and miss on information about his whereabouts, or unsuspected run-ins. She wasn't sure if she was disappointed or pleased from their 'vacation'. Bruce had been her dinner company, and he hadn't mentioned sparing again since her fainting incident. He had maintained his new personality, which she was beginning to feel taken to. As she headed in from a late walk, she realized instantly something was wrong. The glass door was smashed, and there was a whimpering sound from behind the sales desk. Buffy dashed over to it to find Denise tied up and bleeding.

"He, he was here. He let me live to tell you… soon. He said you'd understand," she coughed out while Buffy untied her. Before them were all the paintings, covered in smiles and handprints in red, green, and purple paint. She had no choice but to call the police, who came and were shortly followed by Bruce. He rushed in to her, and grabbed her close.

"Are you alright, was he here when you arrived?"

"No, no. Denise was. She's a mess. I need to tell the employees to stay home for a few days. I think he'll come back," she answered. Bruce took her cheek into his hands.

"Come stay with me," he demanded. He had convinced himself this woman was someone over her head, but she'd still managed to captivate him at their nightly meetings. And though he had tried to keep himself from become smitten, he had.

"No. I won't involve you in this any further. If he's tailing me, he knows where I've been each evening, and you're already in danger. I'm sorry Bruce, but I can't see you anymore." Bruce looked as if he'd been slapped. He felt the desire to tell her, everything, but he just nodded. Who was this woman he asked himself.

"At least still join me tonight for the banquet," he said. He still felt she'd be safer with him. She hesitated, than gave him a hug.

"Fine. But Bruce, until this is all over, I really can't see you after tonight. And then, I'll have to go back to London. It's foolish to think we can be anything more than friends," she openly admitted, slightly saddening herself. She felt him shift in her hug.

"If that's what you believe and want," he began, "I accept it. But, the fact you've thought of it… does make it harder to deny I have too." He realized she had more secrets for him to discover, and more than likely, he never would. It hurt him, as he'd just let himself go. Buffy agreed to get ready at Bruce's penthouse rather than stay at the apartment. Before she knew it, the party had begun.