A/N: Keep in mind that this is my first time writing for the Joker, and he is SO difficult to write well. I'm a bit nervous about it :x Be kind with reviews.

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It was not the night for this.

Her emotions were still too raw, too damaged, about that night at her apartment. She couldn't believe it happened only two weeks ago. The day after, she called Laura, a nurse at Gotham General she had befriended, who agreed to check her out. Luckily, there were no broken bones. No internal bleeding. Nothing but bruises that would eventually go away. No permanent damage, so to speak. Not physical anyway.

When she didn't show up at the library the next week for the cram session with Adam, he came over unexpectedly. Saw the bruises. Wasn't happy. She'd never seen him so angry. Never at anything. He was the least angry person she knew. She assured him she was fine, and he begged her for over an hour to file a police report. Of course, she refused, and he only shook his head with frustration, already knowing why. He offered to stay the night on the couch. Maybe then she could get some sleep. Which she still didn't, but it's the thought that counts. They had breakfast together the next morning. Talked for hours about nothing.

She thought seriously about not showing up, and just making up some lame excuse. But after thinking of the alternatives, quickly decided against that. The last time she said she was sick or impaired in some way, Bruce sent over a doctor for a full examination, and had an ambulance on-call. When she didn't show up with no explanation and ignored the phone calls, Lieutenant Gordon was at her door in under an hour. Apparently, he was working late and on his way home. Her apartment happened to be on his way when he got the dispatch call. Though, that didn't bother her. He seemed like a nice enough man. She felt so bad for wasting his time, she even invited him in for coffee. She couldn't exactly say she was going anywhere. Where did people even go on Thursday nights? So, she was stuck.

After spending two hours picking through outfits, she settled for her black corset top and white silk skirt with black heels. Wasn't exactly a comfortable outfit, and a little on the tight side, but it would do. But even so, it was still not the night for this.

She had been sitting on a bar stool, nursing endless glasses of champagne, and staring at rich people as they stepped off the elevator and passed by. Some of them said hello, and she politely nodded, but rolled her eyes as they walked away. The fundraiser gala crowd were the worst. Most of them were over the age of 30, and only talked stocks, politics, or business ventures. Three things Maddie couldn't care less about.

She decided about twenty minutes ago that she would wait until Harvey and Bruce decided to show up, and cut out early. It wasn't like the fundraiser was planned with good intentions. Bruce was insane for throwing it in the first place. Why he had done it, she didn't know. Probably to impress Rachel as a part of some new, stupid plan to make her choose him over Harvey.

Harvey. Har--vey. Harv. That name sounded more ridiculous each time she said it in her head.

"Maddie?" A voice said.

"Hmm?" Maddie answered, turning in her chair. "Well, look who showed up fashionably on time." She smiled, drink in hand.

Rachel shrugged, pulling down on her dress sleeve. "Harvey took forever to find a suit. He's actually nervous."

"Very cute, indeed." She glanced over Rachel's shoulder. In the middle of a crowd of people stood Harvey, chatting up a leggy blond and her husband (or father). "I can't believe you left him at the mercy of these pariahs. I'd be worried. Someone could mistake him for a millionaire and coerce him right out of here."

"Are you a little...uh...?" Rachel grinned, pointing to her glass.

"A little what?" Maddie looked down at her dress, confused, until she realized what she meant. "Rachel, don't go den mother on me. Just for one night. Okay? It's been a long week, and I'm..."

"Say no more. Do what you want." Rachel interrupted, putting both hands up. She turned her head to check on Harvey. Oh, no. How in the hell did Mike Engel's assistant sneak in? There was no way he was invited. "Come on. I may need reinforcements. A little walking couldn't hurt anyway."

Maddie slid off of the stool, balancing herself on the counter. "I'm not drunk."

"Whatever you say."

"I'm not." Maddie insisted.

Before they could reach Harvey, a loud noise outside got everyones attention. Was that what she thought it was? Oh, not the plane. Maddie thought to herself. But it was. Bruce, his private plane, arms linked with three girls who didn't look much older than she was. He could have at least used the elevator.

The tension between Harvey, Bruce, and Rachel, who was foaming at the mouth, could of been cut with a knife. The speech didn't exactly help matters. One jab at Harvey, followed by another, and then another. At one point, Maddie swore she heard Rachel's teeth grind.

"Nice speech."

Bruce grinned slightly, but wasn't feeling anywhere near happy. "Nice dress." The length, or lack thereof, of her skirt caught his eye. "What happened to the rest of it?"

"I'll look for it later." She joked, her arm linking with his. "But making joke's at Harvey's expense, not exactly the way to go about impressing Rachel."

Bruce sighed, "I didn't throw this to impress Rachel. You're the second person who's said that to me today. Maybe all I want is to see Gotham thrive. I believe that's what Harvey's doing. Or at least he's getting there."

"Fair enough." Maddie said, tripping over the hem of a guest's dress. She looked back and smiled at the woman. "You should wear something to stand out more."

Bruce held a hand up apologetically, before the mortified woman stalked off into the crowd. He tried to keep Maddie steady, gripping her arm tighter. They stopped at the glass door leading to the balcony. "I think that woman's husband is on the board of directors."

"Of what?"

Bruce thought for a moment. "I have absolutely no idea. Want to join me outside? It's nice out."

Maddie shook her head, stopping one of the servers as they came by with a champagne tray. "Not tonight. It's too... high and dark. You go ahead though."

"Do me a favor?" Bruce took her glass and sipped from it. "Take it easy on this stuff."

Maddie straightened and gave him a salute. "Yes, Sir, private Wayne, sir."

"Yeah," Bruce laughed. "I'll let Alfred know you're not driving home. You can stay in the guest room."

Maddie looked down at the floor and mumbled something in response. There was no use in reasoning with him.

"By the way?" Bruce continued, giving her a peck on the forehead. "I was kidding before. You're the most beautiful woman here."

Maddie smiled at him. "Oh, I'm a woman tonight? Goody. I like that better than girl... or kid. And whatever else you call me behind my back."

"Try not to step on anyone else." Bruce said, before disappearing outside.

As Maddie headed back through the crowd, Rachel blew past her, pissed as hell. She guessed she was heading for Bruce, but decided against saying a word about it. There was no way she'd hear her in that state. He set himself up for it anyway. Might as well pay the price.

"That sounds interesting. Definitely something worth discussing. Why don't you call my office on Monday? I'd love to hear more about it." Harvey said, a smile plastered on his face. Though, that smile came with the job, most of the time it was real. He enjoyed talking to the public, getting to know them, and what they wanted from him. But tonight it wasn't. Tonight it was fake. Tonight all he wanted was to go back to Rachel's and sleep.

He tried to focus on what the man in front of him was saying, but he was distracted. His eyes were glued to Rachel and Bruce on the balcony. She had abandoned him again. Perfect. He silently cursed himself when he suddenly forgot the man's name.

"Harvey Dent, so this is where you've been hiding? I've been looking for you everywhere."

He hadn't even noticed her. How long had she been standing there? "Maddie! I didn't even know you were here. I barely recognized you. You look amazing. Will you excuse me?" He was actually ecstatic she had shown up. Despite not liking her brother, even more so after tonight, Maddie seemed like a nice kid. Very bright too. Her dedication and focus reminded him a lot of himself at that age. "Out of curiosity, was that intentional or were you really looking for me?"

"Completely intentional. You look about as bored as I feel. I hope you're not having too bad of a time?" She asked.

"No, no. Not at all." Harvey lied. "I really appreciate this. Everything seems very... well put together."

She noticed him glance at Bruce and Rachel from the corner of his eye. "Good." She said, trying to divert his attention. They needed more time. "I saw your interview on the news with Mike Engel last week. It was brilliant. You're tackling a lot of important issues."

He smiled appreciatively. "Here's hoping the people of Gotham feel the same."

Maddie opened her mouth to give him a vote of confidence when gravity left her once again. Before she could topple over, Harvey caught her by the wrist. "Whoa, watch your step. You alright?"

Damn these heels. They were wrong from the start. Hopefully she wouldn't remember any of this tomorrow. "I'm fine. Thanks. But I'd be better if I had some company. I barely know anyone and Alfred's otherwise engaged at the moment."

Harvey looked from her to the balcony. They were even closer now, and Rachel had a look on her face he'd never seen before. "I hate to do it, but I think I'm going to take a rain check. Rachel's probably looking for me. I'll see you at the hospital next week."

After asking if she was alright for a second time, he was gone. And no, Rachel most certainly was not looking for him, and he knew it. Wishful thinking.

Twenty minutes later, on her twelfth drink, she must have been hallucinating. Did Bruce really just put Harvey in a choke hold, and in front of Rachel no less? Maddie had a feeling that she was so drunk, yes drunk, right now that she could easily be dreaming up the scenario.

Now he was pulling him away towards the broom closet. Rachel yelled at him, watching. Okay, maybe he had finally gone nuts. It had to happen sooner or later. Maybe it was a mid-life crisis. No, wait, was he old enough for that? Don't panic. This could be resolved with some simple negotiating. She was good at that.

"Bruce, I... this isn't a good idea, I don't think. It's borderline childish, as a matter of fact. Couldn't you of just kicked him out? He'll put you in jail! He doesn't like you as it is." Did she really just say that? Maddie looked to Rachel, who was doing nothing to stop anything. "Are you going to help me out or what?"

Bruce ignored them both, intent on securing Harvey's safety and doing it quickly. "They've come for him."

Both women turned their heads just as the elevator doors opened. A cop was pushed forward and then a voice rang out over everyone. "We made it!"

Bruce slid something through the door. "Both of you stay hidden." He demanded and looked to Rachel. "Can you...?"

"Y-- yes. Yes. I'll take care of her." Rachel muttered, grabbing Maddie's hand as if to reassure her. But Maddie didn't need reassuring. In fact, she wasn't paritcularly scared. Maybe it was because of the...

POW!

Now she was clinging to Rachel as they cautiously moved towards the bar. Guns were not her forte. She loathed them as a matter of fact. The cool steel, the click it made when it was cocked, and most of all the booming sound of the shot. There was nothing worse.

Maddie turned to Rachel to say something when a masked man waved a gun in their faces. "Down on the floor, ladies. Let's go."

"You look kind of funny." Maddie said to the man in a slightly serious tone. "I wish someone had told me that costume's were optional. I have this really cute bunny outfit that I totally could have..."

"And I will totally," the man said in an annoyed tone, gun pointed at her forehead. "Shoot you between your fucking eyes. Floor, now."

Rachel pulled Maddie down with her, pushing her body behind her own protectively. The man finally left to yell at some other people. "Well, I think that was just rude and unnecessary. I was just trying to pay him a complement. Funny can be good too."

Rachel snatched the drink from her hand and put it on the counter.

The peculiar voice from the elevator was growing closer. Whoever it was must have been moving through the crowd. We are tonight's entertainment! Like hell. More like tonight's huge pain in the ass. What or who were they even looking for?

I only have one question. Where is Harvey Dent?! Oh, shit. Anyone but him. Maddie felt Rachel's grip on her hand tighten. She hadn't even realized she was still holding it. God, she was starving too. This was not good.

You know, I'll settle for his loved ones. "This has gone far enough." Rachel muttered, getting on her knees. "I'll be back."

Maddie pulled her back down. "What is with you and the abandoning? Scary guys, wearing funny masks, with guns equals not good the last time I checked. You're not leaving me here!"

"Just stay down and don't say anything. More importantly, don't move, okay?" She started to leave but Maddie stopped her again. "Maddie..."

"No, I've accepted the fact that leaving is your thing tonight. It's just, when you pass the buffet, can you grab me a crab cake? I'm... you don't even know how hungry I am. I don't know why..." Maddie trailed off. But Rachel was already gone. More waiting... and alone! Adam came to her mind. Now she really wished he had come tonight. He was good at calming her down.

Well, hello beautiful. You must be Harvey's squeeze, hm? And you are beautiful. Why did she have to confront him? He sounded crazy-scary enough from where she was sitting. She couldn't begin to imagine what he was like up close and personal, and she didn't care to try. Ugh. She knew what she had to do, and it was the last thing she was up for.

The fear was over relatively quickly by the time she got past three of the masked men. Her size helped with staying undetected. Bruce used to say that she could sneak up on anyone. The sight before her, however, was another story. The man's face was painted white. His lips were bright red and his hair a dark shade of green. His outfit was one of the strangest she had ever seen. He looked more like a creature than a man. It also had a knife pressed against Rachel's face.

"Why don't you just let her go and return to wherever it is that you came from?!" Maddie yelled at it. "Harvey left. She only stayed to drive me home."

A gun was in her face within half a second. "You deaf or somethin'? I told you before to stay..."

"...on the floor and keep my mouth shut. Blah, blah, blah. Everyone out here is standing. Fuck off." Maddie said, no control over her words.

It started laughing hysterically, distracted from Rachel for a moment. The man with the gun only stared at her, fuming. She guessed he was waiting for confirmation from his boss on whether or not to pull the trigger. At this point she didn't care one way or the other. She should get drunk more often. This no fear thing was too good to be true! It gave a nod and the gun was at the man's side.

Now I see the funny side. Now I'm always smiling. Rachel punched it in the stomach. Again with the hysterical laughter. A little fight in you. I like that.

Then you're gonna love me. And he finally decided to grace us with his presence.

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