Hello all. I apologise for not updating recently but I've found myself finding less and less time to keep up to date with the writing of this story and I will continue to be busy as we move into summer. I have tried to continue writing with the little time I find spare but as I find this particular creative output quite hard (but enjoyable non the less) I found that the quality of the text became unbearably poor when I tried to force myself to write while not in the mood or tired. I will finish this story and I refuse to add another abandoned fiction to this site.
I was not sure on the correct method of informing followers and frequent readers (if any) of the reason for the lack of updates and I did not want to seem to add a chapter and have it contain just this message and so I have added this frankly pitiful attempt at the next chapter I had planned, this will be removed and replaced with a improved version when I get time to continue this story.
Thank you for all the reviews so far and a special thanks to FreddyJasonV for the helpful comment on my writing, I was thinking there may be too many and will seek out some helpful hints on the forums.
Bruce approached the Joker quietly as Alfred stood cautiously at the entrance to the cell. The mad man was trembling slightly, his face creased with pain but his eyes tightly shut.
"he awoke not so long ago Sir and seemed very confused he called himself Jack Sir, Jack Napier"
Bruce paused a moment before leaning over the Joker, checking the restraints before glancing up at the ECG's monitor to study the man's bizarre read outs.
"Joker finds it amusing to mess with people's minds he's told quite a few stories to the doctor's at Arkham. It's easier to hurt someone if their guard is down, if they are sympathetic to you then they can be more easily manipulated"
Alfred remained silent but Bruce could sense that the older man was not convinced, the last thing he needed was his old friend being pulled into the Joker's web of lies.
"Help..me"
Bruce looked sharply at the mad man's face, seeing the crimson eye's flicker with a range of emotions before they closed again as the man clenched his teeth, his breath hissing though his teeth.
Bruce reared back sharply as Joker suddenly yanked hard at his restraints, his injured arm left free of the straps shooting upwards quickly, although the blow was softened by Bruce's sharp reactions he was still sent reeling across the small cell as the mad man's shrill laughter echoed throughout the cave system. Bruce heard Alfred's sharp intake of breath and snapped his gauntleted hand out without turning to look at his old friend, warning his butler to stay out of it before quickly moving back to the clown who was by now wriggling and twisting fiercely, trying to slip his bonds although when he saw Bruce's quick approach he stilled, his manic laughter quieting to a low giggle as a sly smirk appeared on his face.
"Sorry Batsy but the sight of you looming over a person when their waking up would make anyone give you a smack"
Bruce closed in on the mad man his fists clenched at his sides as he glared at the clown.
"You will make no more attempts to get free of your bonds nor will you make another attempt to harm me or my associate, you will however answer my questions do you understand?"
The Joker did not immediately respond, as he was busy experimentally pulling at his sling with his teeth as Bruce looked on with disgust. Suddenly the clown's eye flicked slyly to Alfred still standing in the doorway to the cell and Bruce found himself moving to block his friend from the mad man's gaze, a growl of warning in his throat.
"Oooo Batsy we are defensive and you should be after all I thought I was your best friend!"
There was a glint of anger in the clowns eye's despite his playful tone and Bruce found himself tensing up at the thought of having the insane villain in the sanctuary of the batcave, so close to the millionaire's other life as Bruce Wayne as well as to his closest friend and constant companion Alfred.
He wondered how they were going to get though this situation unscathed.
