Broken: The Unyielding Beast

Chapter 10

Ann felt blessed to wake up on her own, compared to the rude awakening she had the day before. She groggily sat up from the bench and stretched her back and arms. No one had noticed she was awake yet. The tall thug was playing solitaire by himself. The fat thug was still sleeping. She was tempted to wake him the same rude way he woke her the day before. But she decided against it. She felt a headache brewing behind her eyes, and didnt want to aggravate it. And Joker was doing push ups in the back corner of his cell.

She stopped and took another look. She'd never seen him work out before. And the angle gave her a wondrous view of his butt. His push ups were literally perfect. Down up down up. Never breaking rhythm. No wonder his arms were so chiseled.

At exactly the wrong moment the tall thug noticed she was awake and coughed. It was obviously a signal. Joker jumped up an instant later. He didn't even look the slightest bit winded. Not even sweaty. He showed no signs at all that he'd just been pounding out push ups at a phenomenal rate.

She mumbled a good morning his way and he returned it in kind. But that was as far as conversation went. She now had something new to think about. The awesome view of his ass. Not to mention the weird signal thing. Had he told the thug to let him know when she woke up? Perhaps so she wouldn't see him working out? Maybe he didn't want her to see him doing that. It would explain why she'd never seen him do it before.

The guard with their breakfast arrived before she could ponder on it any longer. It was the same breakfast as the day before. But this time the eggs were fresh and warm. And there seemed to be more on her plate than the day before. Maybe she was imagining things.

She gratefully ate her food and drank her milk before putting the trash in the corner for someone to retrieve later.

It didn't take long after breakfast for more guards to show up. This time they took the two thugs and left her and Joker behind in their cells. This struck her as unusual. They probably seperated them so that there wouldn't be a repeat of yesterdays escape attempt.

Now alone with Joker, Ann decided to ask the question that had been at the back of her mind all morning.

"Were you doing push ups earlier?" She asked. She just couldn't help it. She wanted to see his reaction.

He stiffened but replied with a 'yeah'. He then pulled out the deck of cards and started shuffling them idly.

She noted the reaction. "I've never seen you work out before." She commented.

"Nope"

There was a noticible awkward silence and Ann decided not to press the issue any farther. Instead she sat in silence and tried to ignore the awkward ness.

Ann guessed it had been about an hour when the guards returned. The two thugs were put back in their cell and Ann and Joker were cuffed and taken back to the court house. This time there was no I'll fated escape attempt. And they were forced to walk up the stairs again instead of taking the elevator.

They were herded into the same courtroom as yesterday and sat in the same chairs with their hands restrained with the rings in the floor.

"All rise." The bailiff called. And just as before, everyone stood except Joker. The bailiff didn't even bother with a glare. "The honorable judge Gray presiding." Judge Gray entered and took his seat at the podium. Everyone else sat down.

This time there were two desks near the front. Ann's attorney sat at one with a second man she didn't recognise, and another attorney sat at the other. What happened next, Ann could only assume, was a scene straight from Law and Order. Each attorney made an opening statement. One declaring he would prove Joker was not crazy and that Ann was his accomplice. And Ann's attorney who vowed that Ann was completely innocent, and Joker's attorney who stated that Joker was entering into a plea of insanity.

Ann was called to testify first. She sat on the stand and told the jury every fake detail about her encounters with Joker, beginning when Joker crashed Bruce Wayne's fund raiser and ending with her 'rescue' from his second abduction of her. And she hated herself for every word. The prosecuting attorney constantly tried to poke holes in her story and kept insinuating that there was more to it than what she said. Her attorney was less than helpful. He simply asked her about Joker's treatment of her and pointed out that there's no understanding the whyms of a mad man.

When they were finally done with her she took her seat, glad too be done with the ordeal. And angry at the entire thing.

"The prosecution would like to call its first witness." The lawyer stated. Confused, she glanced at Joker. He looked just as surprised as her. So she knew it wasn't him. Thank God.

"The prosecution calls James Runyon to the stand." Now Ann was more confused. Who the hell were they talking about?

The doors to the courtroom opened and Gordon walked in. followed by none other than Sniper. Ann almost fell out of her chair.

He's the informant! That's why he left in such a hurry right before the raid!

Joker looked livid. And Ann was still in shock. The both of them glared at Sniper as he walked up the aisle and took the witness seat.

My God. What else has he told them? Do they know about Ash or Misa?

Ann was suddenly concerned for her friends. She had to find a way to warn them! Misa was in the court room. Unless she left now they'd catch her for sure. But Ash wasn't here. She'd never know until it was too late.

The prosecution asked Sniper a series of questions, mainly about Ann and Joker's relationship. And he answered them all truthfully. He told their entire story. Everything he had seen and every moment he'd been a part of when they were together. From beginning to end.

Ann was beyond furious. He was telling the world her personal secrets! Things no one should have ever known. Joker looked even more pissed off than her, if that was possible. She was grateful he had remained sitting. She was honestly surprised he wasn't up there trying to kill him.

At the end of his long story the prosecuting attorney asked him one final question. "And just what made you decide to finally come forward? What put you over the edge?"

Sniper looked directly at Ann. "I couldn't stand how he was treating miss Giovanni."

She almost fell out of her chair a second time. He did this for her? Damn it. She wanted to scream at him. He had screwed up everything. Her entire life! All because he didn't think she was treated right? Didn't he know she could handle herself?

Ann glanced at Misa to see she had her face burried in her hands. Bruce was doing his best to comfort her, but he looked like he was in a slight shock. She'd never told him just how close she was to Joker. She was surprised he hadn't stormed out.

The judge excused Sniper from the stand and he promptly left, throwing her an apologetic look over his shoulder as he walked out.

Well that did it. We're screwed.

"Does the defence have any other witnesses?" The judge asked. Ann's lawyer said no. Joker's lawyer said no.

"Court will resume tomorrow at ten am." The judge declared and banged his gavil.

Ann and Joker were ushered back out of the court room and to their cells. It was ominously silent the entire way.

The eery silence continued once they were in there cells. Joker was so pissed he either couldn't talk or didn't want to. And Ann was solemn and slightly depressed. The two thugs seemed to share her hopelessness, as they sat looking as dejected as she felt.

Several hours later a guard came to the cell. "Miss Giovanni, you have a visitor." He told her. Feeling numb, she walked to the bars and allowed him to cuff her and lead her away.

He took her to a large room with various tables and chairs scattered about. Misa was sitting at one of them. The guard remained at the door as Ann took a seat by Misa.

"I wish you hadn't had to see all that." Ann commented. Misa shrugged. "Bruce said to tell you hi. He said he had business. But i think he just didn't want to come." She admitted.

"Can't say I blame him." Ann mumbled. "I asked him if he wanted us to find you another lawyer. But he said he'd rather you let him pay for it." Misa told her. "How noble." Ann commented dryly.

"Warn Ash. Sniper knows hers and Devon's involvement with J. And yours. All of you need to be careful." Ann whispered. Misa nodded. "She already knows. They're laying low." Misa replied.

"I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. But at this point, the best case scenario is Arkham. Worst case, Blackgate prison." Miss said sadly.

"Don't worry Misa. I'll figure this out. It'll be okay." But deep down, she knew it was a lie. The only thing that could happen now that could possibly be considered good would be a break out. Then she'd be a fugitive. On the run the rest of her life. How could that be good?

The rest of the conversation was details about how Ann wanted Misa to run the company in her absence. They discussed that until they ran out of time and the guard took her away again.

As the guard took her around a corner they literally bumped right into Connor, who ignored her completely and started chatting with the guard.

"Hey man. You've had a rough day. Why don't cha let me get this one back in her pin?" Connor said lightly. The man smiled and thanked him, then headed off the other way. Presumably for a break.

As soon as he was out of sight Connor's attitude completely changed. "Listen, there's not a lot of time. Tommorow Gordon's attorney is going to try to get info out of you. Info about Joker. Anything they can get. If you don't help them they're gonna throw you under the bus with Joker. But without proof that he's not crazy you'll both end up in Arkham." He told her hurriedly.

She nodded. "You have to give them what they want. If you just tell them what you know, he'll go to Blackgate and you'll be free. And he'll never be able to bother you again." Connor told her.

A sour taste flew across her tongue. "I can't do that Connor." She told him. He looked confused. "Why not?" He asked, obviously he didn't understand. She shook her head. "I just can't."

After that he took her back to her cell.

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"So." Joker exclaimed as soon as Connor left. "What'd your little boy toy have to say?"

She sighed. "Oh grow up. It was Misa. Not Bruce. And he's not my boy toy." She commented. His stupid jealousy was the last thing she needed right now. He was silent again.

Ann looked around, making sure no one was listening. "We need to get out of here." She whispered his way, only loud enough for him to hear.

He laughed. "But why? Don't you like the accommodations?" He was being stupid again. She groaned.

"I hate to say it boss, but I actually agree with her." The chubby thug commented. The tall one nodded his agreement. "You gotta have a plan, right? I mean, up till now I thought you just liked screwing with the girl." He added.

Joker scowled. "I don't make plans. I just do. Go with the flow."

Ann sneered at him. "You sound like a damn pot head. Cmon. Seriously. Let's go."

He scoffed at her comment. "So now you want to escape. Now that it suits 'your' best interest. Sorry toots. My idea was the elevator. Your turn."

She threw her hands up. "Look, I get your mad about Sniper. I am too. Let's be mad together and go kick his ass." She told him. He laughed at her. "Now you sound like a romantic comedy."

She felt like banging her head against the wall. This was getting her nowhere fast.

A moment later an officer came in to give them their meal. It was tuna sandwiches again. Ann solemnly went about her meal. At least they were fresh. When she was half way through her second sandwich she bit down on something hard. Cursing, she threw the offending food down holding her mouth in pain.

All three of the men looked concerned. "What happened?" The tall thug finally asked after she had herself under control. When she explained, Joker asked "Well. What was it?"

She took the sandwich apart to examine it. There, neatly in the middle of her sandwich, was a paperclip. Connor popped into her mind. He had obviously came to the same conclusion that she had. Her only option was escape. And he must have done this to help her. She showed it to the others. And a slow smile crept on all four faces.

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It was dark now. Ann guessed it was close to three am. There was dead silence in the jail. The only light was coming from down the hall where an officer was on guard duty. Ann had slipped Joker the paper clip earlier that day when no one was looking. Now she was waiting on him to pick the locks. She wasn't sure if he'd even started yet. It was so quiet. Surely she'd have heard him. All four prisoners had agreed to pretend to sleep like normal until around three. That's when J would pick the locks. Of course, he complained about being the one having to do all the work. But he was the only one skilled enough to even bother.

A 'psst' sound came from the front of her cell. Ann got up as quietly as possible and made her way to the door. Joker already had it unlocked. She slowly pulled it open just far enough for her to squeeze through, very aware that it could squeek.

Once she was out of the cell Joker unlocked the cell that as housing the two thugs. And now what? They couldn't exactly waltz out the front door. They all knew the way, but surely Gordon had other cops in the building.

It looked like that's where they were headed. Joker had taken her hand and was leading her blindly along. The other two followed by putting a hand on her shoulder. At least she had some comfort in the fact that they were just as lost as she was.

Apparently they were traveling down a hallway. They were going in a straight line for the longest time. Then they came around a corner and Ann could make out light coming from a cracked door farther down.

The four criminals slowly made their way to the door and Joker peered through the crack. He made the 'shh' gesture to them before slowly opening the door. There was a cop on guard duty. But he hadn't taken his job very seriously. He was passed out on the desk he sat at, a line of drool was leaking from the corner of his mouth.

Ann recognized the room. They had come through here on their trips to the court house. She felt better knowing where she was. They crept through the room to the next door. Ann didn't fail to notice Joker still held her hand. This door was shut. Joker reached up and opened the door. He never made a sound as he led them into another dark hall.

They continued their slow, deliberate journey. At this point Ann was happy that one of the thugs hadn't done something to screw it up. She couldn't go to a nut house. They'd make her crazy if she wasn't already.

They had just turned a corner and now they were in complete darkness again. Her eyes had adjusted. But she still couldn't see anything. She was trusting J completely. Which, thinking back on it, was what she'd always done. Even when she argued with him. Even when she went her own way. She'd always trust him. Perhaps that's why she was here to begin with.

A sudden blinding light broke her from her thoughts. She was blind. Really blind, now. Someone had flicked on the lights. And it had taken them all completely by surprise. And they were all scrambling to find some sight.

The sound of someone fighting reached her ears before her sight finally returned. And who else would it possibly be, but Batman and Joker.

No way was this happening! Why would he do this? Realization dawned on her that he was making sure they wouldn't escape. The two of them could fight for hours. He could hold Joker off until someone noticed. Then they'd be back in their cells, and quite literally screwed. Again.

She jumped into action, coming to Joker's aid. Batman was stunned for a moment by her sudden entrance into the fight. She had caught him off guard. And she made him pay for it with a swift kick to his chin that sent him sprawling backwards. He rolled on the tiled floor to avoid smashing into it, and the fight was on again.

He was skilled. Much more skilled than she had expected. He was managing to block or parry both of their attacks. But that was all he was able to do. They slowly began gaining ground, forcing him backwards down the hall.

They were nearing the end of the hall, and another door, when the two thugs finally got their wits about them and attacked full force. The chubby one came barreling between Ann and Joker in a straight charge that would have had Batman tackled to the ground. But he spun out of the way just in time, sending the man plowing into the door. The cheap wood door gave way with a loud crack and the thug sprawled into the doorway.

The tall thug had been right on his heels. His elbow caught Ann in the side as he ran past and she careened into the wall with a thud. The thug actually caught Batman, slamming him into the corner by the door. By now Ann had recovered in time to see Joker punch him in the face and finish him. There was a loud crack and Batman's head bounced off the wall behind him.

Just when she was about to celebrate there was an audible click of a gun behind her.

"Don't move." She recognized Gordon's voice.

She couldn't help herself. "Fucking damn it!" She yelled. She'd been so focused on the fight that she hadn't even noticed him creeping up behind her.

She raised her hands with annoyance. Joker had dropped Batman and was squaring off with Gordon, who kept himself neatly behind Ann. He was just out of her reach. She was helpless.

"Don't move Joker! I'll shoot her. Just to get you, I'll do it." He threatened.

Joker sighed as the hallway began to fill with more police. "This is your fault, you know." He told her. She sneered at him. "Well no shit! I was so concerned for you I didn't even notice the hero back there! What was I thinking? Oh, I don't know. Maybe it was hurry up and finish him so we can escape?!"

"Well if your sloppy footwork hadn't been in my way maybe I would have." He argued back.

"Sloppy?! I'll have you know that my footwork was excellent. It was your-"

"Alright! You can fight like your married once your back in your cell. Come on, let's go." Gordon butted in. "For all I know you already are." He mumbled as the police escorted Ann, Joker, and the tall thug back to their cells. The chubby thug was unconscious. And several police complained as they picked him up and half dragged him along.

Ann ventured a glance at Batman. He was unconscious. There was a crack in his mask that ran from the bottom up one side. Joker must have hit him as hard as he could. Bruce would definitely be feeling that later. She almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

Defeated, they were pushed and shoved along back to their cells, which wasn't nearly as long of a journey as it had felt when they were in the dark.

Once they were securely locked away Gordon posted a cop in a chair at the doorway, and probably at least twenty more at random locations.

The cops had practically thrown the chubby thug into the cell. The tall one left him on the floor to recover on his own. Ann and the tall thug sat in depressing silence. Joker seemed ,ore pleased than anything practically beamed with happiness from his cell. Ann assumed he was happy about giving Batman a butt kicking. That was actually the only good part about their entire escapade.

Exhausted and slightly pissed off, Ann laid down in an attempt to get what sleep she could.

Thanks everyone for reading. Hope you enjoy. :-)