A/N Thanks for all the reviews on last chapter, It's great to know that people like and read this story. As for this chapter, let me know what you think? Have any requests or idea's? Let me know.

Sitting at the dining table, I had long since finished my dinner and I was now eating my dessert; a vanilla and chocolate swirl sundae with a red cherry on top. Feeling a brush of fur against my ankles, I looked down to see the dog staring up at me; his tongue darting out with a small lick as he glanced over at my dessert "Do you want some?" I asked whilst still looking down at him – the dog I had yet to name.

Sniffing at me, he licked his drooping black lips once again as his tailed waged side to side "Well okay then" I said while flicking my finger over the ice-cream to scoop some off "here you go" lowering my hand, I had to lean in order for him to reach. Taking steps forward, I giggled as the dog licked off all the ice-cream; his textured tongue tickling me.

Once he was done, I turned back to my own desert. Looking around the 'empty' room, I was all alone for dinner tonight. Harley was out doing who knows what, and the Joker – he's up in his office. A place I was told never to go into. Ever.

Swinging my legs back and forth under the grand, dark wood table, I ate my ice-cream as I looked around the vast space of the dining room. Beginning to melt into a small pool of light brown cream, the cherry I had yet to eat drooped off the side. Huffing as I pushed the bowl away, I sat back in my chair before looking at the dog as he now laid down "I'm bored" catching his attention, his big brown eyes looked up "I need something to do..." I tapped my nails against the table "what can I do?" thinking, I knew I shouldn't, but what else was there. Surely he wouldn't be 'that' mad.

Getting up from my chair, I walked into the large kitchen. Grabbing a new bowl, I scooped two dollops of ice-cream before adding a red cherry. I hope he likes it. Walking off, I heard the familiar pitter patter of the dog as he followed me up the grand staircase. Wandering down the hallway, I eventually stood outside the 'forbidden door'. Sighing, I adjusted myself and my nerves before looking at the dog "How do I look?" I asked rhetorically. Waiting a few seconds, I then looked back at the door before knocking.

Not hearing a sound come from the other side, I leant my ear up against the wood, but there was nothing. Deciding to just go in, I pushed on through with the dessert in my hand and the dog hot on my heels. Looking around, the room was somewhat darker than the rest of the house and there were no windows. Sitting down at a desk, the Joker sat behind it with his eyes focused on some paperwork; a dim yellow lamp beside him lighting up the room with an eerie glow.

"What – do you want?" demanded the Joker in a low and almost growling tone. His head not lifting to look at me.

Raising the bowel, I closed the door behind me "I brought you dessert" I replied in a cheery tone.

Freezing at the sound of my voice, the Joker looked up slowly with a dangerous glint "I told you not to come in here…"

Tilting my head, I glanced down "I know" I said whilst scratching my arm "but I wanted to see you. I was bored" what else was there to do?

"Bored..." repeated the Joker with a grumble "only 'boring' people are bored"

Huffing, I frowned "I'm not boring…I just have nothing to do"

"That isn't my problem" replied the Joker plainly "find something to entertain yourself with…now get out" looking back down at his work, I looked over at the dog as he sniffed around bits of furniture close by.

Scanning the room, there wasn't much besides book cases, draws and two red leather seats in one corner. Taking steps forward, I didn't want to leave – not yet at least. Moving closer, I now stood directly in front of his desk. Placing the bowel of dessert down, I stood for a few moments. Leaning my hands on the edge, I peered over the papers he was reading "What are you d-" feeling a rough hand grabbed my jaw in a tight grip, my head was yanked down and I winced from the sudden action.

"I told you to leave…" he spoke in a hush voice "so why are you still here? Hmm?" Tugging me closer, my face was only a few inches from his as my hips dug painfully into the edge of the desk.

"I don't want to leave" I said with an almost whine "I'll be quiet, I promise. I just want to stay"

Hearing his voice hum as he looked over my face, a sudden hard push had me falling backwards onto the ground. Landing on my backside, I watched as the Jokers black shoes walked around the desk to stand beside me. Feeling his fingers bury into my hair with a fierce grip, he pulled me up from the floor. Wincing as I wrapped my hands around his wrist, the repetitive sound of the dog was constant as he barked at the Joker.

Letting out a snicker, I watched with wide eyes as he kicked the animal with the soul of his shoe. Hearing it let out a squeal of a yelp, I felt anger swell in my chest "Don't hurt him like that!" I bellowed before smacking my hands down on the Jokers chest.

Kicking and squirming at him, the dog was making whimpering noises "See Princess…this is what happens when you don't listen. Now…" he said with a sigh "daddy had a lot of work to do, and I don't need interruptions" pulling me by the hair, he opened the door before throwing me out. Hearing the dog let out a squeak as it was also kicked out, I instantly got up to see if he was okay.

Scooping him up into my arms, I felt it shake "I'm sorry" I said while rubbing my cheek against his back and head. Getting up from the floor, I walked the down the hall with a drag in my step. Making my way down the grand stair case, I went to my room.

Placing the dog on my bed, I patted him with my hand. Grabbing a treat from one of the draws, I placed it in front of him as he lay shaking with his large brown eyes. I hated seeing him like this; so shaken up because Mister J kicked him around like a rag doll. Sighing, I felt my hands clench into tight fist, it he hurt my dog – I'm going to hurt his "You stay there, okay" I spoke down at the animal "I'll be right back…"


Looking down at the floor, I continued to move step by step. The chain linked cuffs that kept my hands and feet bound were making it hard to move. Stopping outside the same room as of the last few days, the guard beside me buzzed the door open; waiting inside was none other than Doctor Manley. Standing, I couldn't help but wonder what this was all about; the chains instead of the usual leather restraints and jacket. Was it the Doctors doing?

Giving me a shove from behind, the guard walked me around the table before pushing me down to sit. Grabbing the chain that held my hands together, he pulled me forward slightly in order to attach it to the metal loop in the middle of the table. Waiting for the guard to leave, me and Manley both sat quietly until the door closed "How have you been Amara?" asked Lewis as he had his usual papers and pen.

Ignoring his question, I asked one of my own"…What's this?" lifting my hands, I jingled the chain "a gift?"

"I thought it might make you more comfortable…a simple gesture" he replied with a slight smile.

Sitting back in my chair, I tilted my head to the side "How very thoughtful of you...such a good friend" I wonder what else the Doctor would let slip – it was a pleasant surprise; him letting me out of my restraints and straight jacket. It's been so long.

Sighing, Lewis shook his head before clasping his hands together. Looking me in the eye, he spoke "Amara...I've told you before, we can't be friends"

"Why's that. Don't you like me?" pouting, I had a look of mock sadness "am I not good enough for a Doctor like you?" snickering on the inside, I was probably right. Although I didn't see a ring on his finger, I could tell he wouldn't have to try very hard.

"No, that's not it…but this" he said gesturing to the space in-between us "what we have is a professional relationship. It would be a sabotage of my job and your progress if it were to become anything else"

"Oh, you don't mean that. You should be careful" I said with a slight tug on my chains "you wouldn't want to hurt my feelings. Would you?" staring forward, I watched as Lewis shifted in his seat before glancing down at the papers. He didn't even want to look at me. Too much of a coward.

"Of course not" he spoke softly, as if he genuinely didn't want to hurt my feelings "but this is just the way it has to be" looking back up, he shrugged lightly with a nod of his head "rules are rules"

"…Rules…" I scoffed before giving him a squinted look across the table "who needs rules?"

Having a look of confusion, he answered my question "We do. It's what governs our society. Sets us apart" Sitting in my chair, I thought to myself, does he mean from the animals or people like me – although they're probably one of the same thing in his mind. We're no different.

"But if you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" I said "Where's the point in that? What's the point of life – if you can't live? Laugh"

Looking at me, the Doctor let out a light sigh "There's other ways to have fun Amara"

Leaning in, I could feel the pressure on my wrist as the hand cuffs dug into my skin, but I didn't care"…Is that so…" my voice just above a whisper as I looked him up and down; the ends of my lips tugging upward "go on then. Show me. Teach me how to have fun – I dare you"


Backhanding me across the face, the force of the blow made me fall to the side. Crashing into a nearby side table, my hands broke the decorative glass object perched on top. Feeling the cuts in my hands sting as shards of glass were lodged inside, I winced before tumbling down to the ground "You gutted my dogs-" started the Joker in a plain tone.

"And you hurt mine" I replied with a hiss.

Getting up onto my hands and knees, a leather shoe instantly kicked up against my ribs with a loud thump. Jolting with a groan, a foot landed on my back making me collapse flat against the floor "don't – move" ordered the Joker in a low tone.

Watching him turn, he proceeded to make his way down the hallway toward my bedroom "What are you doing?" I asked with a panic voice. Not answering me, I clutched my ribs as I shakily got up onto my feet. The Joker was already half way to my room.

Running after him as fast as I could, I arrived at the door of my room when a squeal echoed out. Looking at the dog as he lay on the ground with a fresh wound of blood, the rise and fall of his chest indicated he was still alive "Please, don't hurt him!" I said before he pulled out his gun.

Rushing to get to the crippled animal, I felt a pair of fingers hook into the back of my choker. Pulling me back, I gasped at the painful throb in my throat. I know it would leave a bruise "I told you to stay" growled the Joker against my ear. Shoving me to the side, I watched as he aimed his gun at my leg before firing.

Jolting with a scream before falling onto my backside, I clutched my thigh as a fiery pain erupted around my wound. Blood began to leak out to stain my short dress and the carpet below. Whimpering, I couldn't help the tears as they slid down my cheeks. Now watching from the side lines, it all happened so quickly as another bullet went off. This time – it was into the dogs head. Not an ounce of mercy or hesitation.

Screaming even more, I couldn't move as my leg and body hurt too much "See Princess. Only good girls get nice things" hiccupping as my eyes stung, my site was focused on the dog as Joker crouched down before me. Feeling him tuck a loose piece of hair behind my ear, I glanced over at his pale face; his red lips slighted parted to reveal his capped teeth.

"He was my only friend" I said with a sob "and you took him away from me"

"That's what happens when your bad" replied the Joker as he holstered his gun "I 'take' things away…think of this as a lesson learnt. You won't ever try anything like that again, will you?" looking into his eyes, I shook my head slowly "good" he said whilst wiping the streak of tears from my puffy cheeks "now" he spoke as his eyes roamed over my bleeding leg and hands, he ordered "go get yourself fixed up – and I want this cleaned" nodding toward the dead dog, I sniffled once more before he got up and left.

Sitting on the floor, it took me a while to move – I was still processing. But once I gathered myself, I eventually got up with a wobble in my step as I headed out the door. Wincing as every step I took on my gushing leg burnt with pain, I managed to make my way into the kitchen. Finding a rag, I wet it before applying pressure to try and stop the bleeding.

"Need some help?" gasping in slight fright, I turned to see Frost standing a few feet away. Looking away in shame, I slowly nodded my head. Waiting a few minutes, I heard shuffling before he spoke again "sit down" he said with a gesture to the seat he had procured.

Hobbling across, I scrunched my nose as I sat down. Watching Frost move about the kitchen, he came back with a black box filled with medical supplies. Kneeling down in front of me, he pushed up the skirt of my blood stained dress; a ghastly wound hidden underneath. Grabbing a pair of tweezers, he propped my foot up onto his knee so he could get a better angle on the bullet "This'll hurt…think you can handle it?" Frost asked as the tweezers hovered above the wound.

"Yes" I said simply with a nod of my head. Sighing, he didn't hesitate before digging the instrument into my leg. Moving my hands, I clutched the edge of the seat with a white knuckled grip; it hurt so much, but I bit my tongue and kept my mouth shut. Whimpering as he pushed deeper, I soon sighed with some relief as he withdrew with the golden slug.

"There we go" he muttered under his breath before placing it into a small bowl he had gotten. Pressing a rag to the empty hole; fresh blood had begun to ooze like a stream "hold this" he ordered while grabbing my hand and placing it onto the rag "keep pressure" doing as he says, his hands left mine to retrieve a gauze pad.

"How come you don't ask?" I asked curiously as he prepared the supplies. Frost never once asked anything about how, or why this had happened – he simply just helped. As if it were normal for him, and only a job. Which I suppose it was – him being a henchman.

"If J doesn't tell me, then I don't need to know. I found that out awhile back – my business is my business. I don't need to know anything else" he replied whilst still kneeling in front of me.

"You don't get curious?" looking up to me, Frost gave me an eye that meant 'you already know the answer', and I did. Curiosity is a dangerous attribute, especially when you're working with a man like the Joker "what happened – for you to end up in this?" I said with a gesture of my head "you look like the type who could make an honest living – and yet you here, working for a man like him. Doesn't it bother you? What he does? Who he is?"

"…What 'he' is, is a complicated and sophisticated man. He's smart, and patient – he knows how to get his own way even if you wish he hadn't…and as for me. Why I'm here. It's none of your business" Frost said plainly "all you need to know is that my loyalties lie with him, and in saying that – you as well. At least for as long as he decides to keep you around…"

Watching Frost glance to the ground, I tilted my head "You don't think he'll 'keep' me around?" I questioned "you think he'll kill me?"

Looking back up, Frost looked into my eyes with a sigh – as if he didn't want to answer "Let's just say you're not the first – Princess" moving my hand from the towel, he peeled the rag away to find that the blood had clotted enough for him to place the gauze on. Continuing to wrap extra bands around my thigh, the job of patching up the bullet wound was done "now" Frost said while taking hold of my wrist to turn the palms of my mangled hands upward "let's have a look at these"