Here's the next bit. Remember, I always appreaciate your reviews and/or suggestions!

Here You Are In Mine

"Zack! Get off my bed!" London shrieked as Zack bounced across one of the king-sized beds in the suite.

Zack smirked and jumped off the bed, "Who died and left you in charge?"
"I am the heiress to this hotel! That means you follow my rules or you sleep in the alley!"

Zack rolled his eyes and stomped out into the spacious living room where Cody and Maddie sat watching the news. He sat on the couch with an overdramatic sigh.

"What's up?" Cody asked, not taking his eyes from the screen.

"There's nothing to do here!" complained Zack.

"We're in a five star hotel!" Maddie rolled her eyes, "Go swimming or something."
"We live in a five star hotel," Zack pouted, "I've done everything that there is to be done."

Cody and Maddie exchanged a look. "Fine. I'll find something to do with you," Cody said, "There's nothing on T.V. anyway. Just stuff about that clown man, but I know you wouldn't be interested in –"

Zack leaped onto the couch and turned up the volume. Cody and Maddie exchanged an air-five and settled back into the developing story.

"…although there have been no confirmed sightings of the criminal known as the Joker, Commissioner Gordan has reason to believe that the Joker is on the move once again," said a reporter standing on a sidewalk downtown, "Citizens are advised to take the necessary precautions to ensure their own safety. Once again, the Joker is probably armed and very dangerous, and citizens are strongly advised not to approach him. If spotted, please call the Gotham Police Department. This is the most recent picture of the Joker."

A large picture of the Joker beaming for the camera while holding a knife to the throat of Hannah Montana flashed across the screen.

"Ew! What is that?" London's voice rang through the room as she pointed at the screen.

"It's the Joker! He's a real live crazy dude!" Zack said excitedly.

London frowned, "He's a clown. How scary can he be? Plus, look what he's wearing! Purple is a fall color. It's June! He's almost as badly dressed as that guy who was in the lobby when I came in."

"The guy with the cane?" Cody said, "We ran into him."

"Literally," muttered Zack, "C'mon Cody! Let's go do something!"

Cody sighed, "Fine. We'll be back."

The twins grabbed their room keys and left the room. As they turned a corner, Zack held out his arm and stopped Cody.

"What?" Cody asked angrily, trying to push past Zack.

Zack put a finger to his lips and pointed. The man with the purple suit and top hat was exiting his room.

"Wanna have some fun?" Zack whispered, raising an eyebrow mischievously.

Cody looked at the man nervously, "I don't know. Something about that guy gives me the creeps. You can't see his face! Plus, he sounded really mad when we rolled onto him before."

"Seriously Cody," Zack said, tiptoeing after the man, "What could he possibly do to us?"

Joker was leaving his room when he sensed the twins following him. He twitched irritably. These two were going to be more trouble than they were worth. Joker continued walking down the hall like nothing was wrong, however, and he could hear the boys breathing heavily a few yards behind him.

He fingered the knife in his pocket and considered teaching these two a lesson in manners. No, he decided, taking a deep breath, he had bigger fish to fry that night. He summoned his cheeriest, which also happened to be his most frightening, smile and turned to face Zack and Cody.

The boys froze as they saw Joker turn and pretended to be having a conversation.

"Can I, uh, help you with something?" Joker asked sweetly.

"Actually, yes," Zack said innocently, "We just wanted to ask you a question."

Joker's smile twitched under the brim of his hat, "Oh?"

"Yes," Zack's smiled "We were just wondering where the magic convention was. 'Cause I think you might be a little lost."

Joker cracked his neck. Cody stepped back warily, but Zack stood his ground, still smiling.

"Now, that wasn't very nice," Joker said, stepping towards them and reaching into his coat.

"I know, it's a problem I have," Zack said, still smiling sweetly.

"You know," Joker bent over to look Zack in the eye, "I have some problems, too."

He looked up and revealed his smile. Zack's smile disappeared and his mouth dropped open in horrified shock, "You…you…"

"You might want to work on that whole, uh, talking thing," Joker said, slowly sliding his knife from his jacket pocket, "It's kinda hard to understand you."

Cody let out a squeal of terror as he saw the knife and took another step back.

"Take another step," Joker's eyes did not leave Zack's, "and I'll really give you something to scream about."

Cody stopped, breathing heavily, his eyes darting from the knife to Joker to Zack in a wild frenzy.

"So, you like jokes?"

Zack's eyes were locked on the knife.

Joker sighed dramatically, "C'mon, kid, answer the question."

"Yes," Zack choked out as Joker moved the knife further from its pocket.

"Well, good," Joker chuckled, "As do I, as do I. But people don't seem to think I'm funny." Joker's face lit up in excitement, "Hey, do you wanna hear one?"

Zack glanced quickly at Cody, then nodded.

Joker laughed softly, "What happens when a 'psycho' puts a hundred barrels of gasoline in a hotel basement?"

Zack's eyes looked about ready to pop. He slowly shook his head.

Joker laughed maniacally and stood up, straightening up and putting away his knife, "Well, you're about to find out."