Hey! This is my second update in one day, so naturally it is going to be a little shorter, but the unique thing about this chapter is that it is entirely in The Joker's perspective! :)

Please let me know what you think!


I can never decide if I prefer dreams to real life. In dreams, you can do anything you can imagine, but then again, in life you can do the same. The problem with people is that they just don't realize that dreams and reality are woven on the same fabric.

Sometimes though, if you're lucky, the fabric tears and beautiful chaos is born.

Where is Lane? Where did those little cops hide her? I need her for my plan. Batman doesn't see it, but I can. I see it. The other side in her. Waiting for an opportunity to thrash itself and come out into the open.

I don't see why she didn't resist going with him. She was enjoying herself! I saw it! Oh yes, she thought she could hide it and 'pretend' she was having fun, but I saw it where it mattered. I saw the spark in her eyes when she saw how easy it was. Yes, she didn't even realize it herself, but it's there.

I need to find her and water the seed. I need to nourish it, and let it grow.

But there would be no fun in that. No. Not an ounce of fun to nourish it. I need to rip it out of her. Reach inside and crush every part of her that is hesitant.

But in order to do that, I need to find her.

The police station doesn't have any answers. Oh, boy those cops sure thought they were prepared didn't they? With their little pistols, and assertive voices. Now whoever's left doesn't have a tongue to use such harsh tones with people. Apparently, their parents didn't teach them manners as they grew up. But that doesn't matter now, because I did.

If I were Batman, and I was trying to hide something the Joker wanted, where would I hide it? Somewhere close by obviously. He wouldn't want me to get a hold of her somewhere he couldn't reach.

Somewhere well protected. He wouldn't want me to sneak up and grab her.

Hmmm. Let's see. I'm going to need to do some observation, it seems. But as they say: Distance makes the heart grow fonder.

I prepare my stakeout by applying fresh paint, and selecting my uh, equipment.

I pack a grenade, 3 switchblades, some super glue, and a shock pen. It's always fun to be prepared for anything.

I consider bringing a pistol, but that just takes the fun away. If it really comes down to actually killing someone, a twitch of the finger really isn't what I consider a good time. Knives. Now those are fun.

Especially if you slip up. The metal biting into your flesh is delicious. It awakens every pore, the world becomes sharp and defined. Time slows down into a fantastic sea of ecstasy. You truly are alive for a few moments.

And the truly great thing about knives is that if you slip up too badly, you could die. And who wouldn't think that a gamble like that isn't fun?

I tell my boys to keep an eye out, and warn them not to slip up. I walk out alone and am determined to find her by myself. Yes, this is how it has to be because that will mean the most. If I send my goons out to find her things could go wrong. They could get caught, they could hurt her, they could squeal to the cops, and the list goes on. No, I must be the one to find her. Find her and convince her to come home.

And I know she will. Oh yes. This time is going to be different though. She will come back because she wants to. Not because I take her by force again. It will just take the right bait.

I take the van and drive to the better side of town. They wouldn't hide her in the Narrows. They wouldn't want her to slip out between the cracks and into the hands of Two-Face, Crane, or somebody else out of Arkham.

I stop in front of the police station and wait. If there is one thing I've learned in between Arkham and the streets, it's that anything in this world can be accomplished with a little patience. It may not be what you're expecting, but something will happen if you just take a moment and watch.

After an hour, Commissioner Gordon leaves, and I believe he looks a little nervous. He wraps his black coat around him more tightly even though it really isn't cold enough to need the jacket in the first place. Yes, he knows something about the girl.

I watch him get into a plain little car, and when he leaves, I follow. A phone in my pocket that I had forgotten about buzzes, and I look at it with glee.

Ooh, it's Melanie! What should I do? She obviously knows it isn't Batman right? Better test, and find out for sure.

"Hello? Batman speaking." I say smiling.

"You're done, Joker." I hear the real Batman say.

Aww, it's not Lane? Oh well. This just makes it more fun! This means he is going to have her protected nice and tight. Maybe it's good that I brought my grenade.

"On the contrary, Batman, I'm just starting!" I say laughing.

The line disconnects, and I frown. I didn't even hear her in the background. Wasn't he with her? She would have given some sort of sign she was okay, right? Didn't she know I would worry about my little journalist?

I follow Gordon's car a few more blocks and watch as he pulls into a parking garage. It's very tempting to interfere, but that would be counterproductive in my search. SO instead, I just park my van, and watch him leave the garage. I follow him on foot, but realize that it is almost morning, and I am extremely obvious on this side of town. So I pause for a minute and wait. I see a man walking my direction about my size wearing a black pea coat, and a matching black hat. That will have to do for now.

I pause behind a car until he is practically passing, and when the moment hits, I grab him from behind quickly and drag him behind the car. Luckily for me, the pea coat is unbuttoned, and that makes it possible to stab him without ruining my future costume.

His eyes widen in pain and alarm, and I put my gloved hand over his mouth to muffle his scream. He tries to fight me off, but I have aimed well, and he dies quickly. I take the jacket off, and put it on along with his hat. I am in a hurry to catch up with Gordon, so I roll the body under a car without a second thought. I stick my hands my jackets pockets, and transfer two of my knives into the pea coat for convenience. I button the coat up, and walk briskly to try and re-locate Gordon. I scan the streets, and see him turn a nearby corner.

I follow him quickly, and soon turn the same corner and set a steady pace behind him. I follow him several more blocks, and it seems that he parked out of the way to be less conspicuous. How thoughtful.

We are approaching a large building which seems familiar to me somehow. When have I been here? Oh, yes. Mr. Bruce Wayne's...fundraiser. I remember now. Could Gordon be going to Wayne's penthouse? Or is she hidden somewhere in the lower levels? I can't follow him inside today, but I know one thing for sure. Lane is being hidden in that building. Perfect.

I head back to my van, and leave the garage. As soon as I exit, Gotham Police are everywhere, sirens blaring, and going into the garage behind me.

There's nothing like a little chaos to make the morning more interesting.

Be safe, my little Lane, because tomorrow, it's my turn to rescue you.

I head home and as I drive, I plan. There is no question that by tomorrow morning, she will be back. And boy are we going to have some fun!


Alright! What do you all think? Is it okay that I shift perspectives like this, or should I only write from Melanie's perspective? Let me know!