Bruce and Mari headed side by side to Rachel's Funeral. Harvey was still recovering from his injuries in the hospital and couldn't leave. Bruce stayed close to Mari. She had been pushing herself lately and had not been sleeping well at night. Her nightmares had caused him to find her more than once almost screaming out. He hated leaving her but Gotham still needed Batman. Mari was very pale today. It made both Bruce and Alfred worry but she insisted on going to the Funeral. Commissioner Gordon was there, he started to come over but seeing how pale she was and the concern on Bruce's face made him realize this wasn't the time.

Mari stood close to Bruce who had his arm around her. Her tears fell as she remembered the wonderful friend who was now lying in front of them. Her heart grieved for a life cut too short. Her anger made her shake that the Joker had taken a wonderful, good person from this city. Bruce held her close knowing how easily he could be grieving both Rachel and Mari. The Joker had to be found and stopped. Suddenly, Bruce saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He looked up and could not believe his eyes, The Joker. 'How dare he come here?!' Bruce thought. 'Mari, I can't let him see her or hurt her again.'

"Hello, Ladies and Gentleman." The Joker called out.

Mari flinched next to Bruce. She couldn't believe her ears. 'How dare he?! She was dead, wasn't that enough?' she thought. She felt the tenseness in Bruce. His mind was racing, she could tell by looking at him. Her fear also rose remembering the events of a week ago.

"Ah, if it isn't the beautiful doctor. Did you miss me?" the Joker said edging closer to her. Mari backed closer to Bruce who shifted to place himself between them. "What's this? You don't want to see me." The Joker said shocked.

"After how she almost died at your hands, I can't blame her." Jim Gordon spoke up. Bruce stared at the Joker. His anger grew but Mari's safety came first. Plus he had to keep his image in tact.

"Commissioner, you need to mind your own business. Otherwise, you can join Ms. Dawes here." The Joker snipped. Bruce and Mari had started to move away from the gravesite. The Joker though grabbed Mari from him. The terror in her eyes and the scream from her throat shredded Bruce's soul.

"Bruce." She shrieked.

"Mari." He reached towards her only to be held back by the Joker's men. "Let her go, Joker. She's still recovering from her injuries from last time." Bruce called out.

"So Batsy got you medical help, huh? Doctor." The Joker said sneering at her.

"Please, you killed Rachel, she's gone, just let me be, please." Mari said sobbing.

Bruce pulled to try to escape the goons but they held him tight. Mari's heart, she could feel was pounding in her chest. The Joker had nearly killed her last time. 'Is he here to finish the job? Bruce can't react more than he is right now. He can't slip into his other side.' She looked at Bruce. He saw the fear and the exhaustion start to take over her features.

"Joker, let her go. Can't you see she's terrified? She's weak still. Please, let her go." Bruce called out seeing Mari continue to weaken.

"Aww, afraid you'll lose your little flower, Mr. Wayne." The Joker snipped at him. The Joker pulled Mari near Bruce. Their hands touched for a moment. The Joker yanked her back to him and held her hair tangled in his fingers. "Did I tell you that you could touch him?" he yelled at Mari.

"Please, Joker. Just let me go, please." Mari whispered weakly. She was ghostly white and very unsteady. Suddenly, she slumped to the ground. Bruce broke free and grabbed her into his arms.

"Mari, I've got you." He whispered in her ear as she was unconscious in his arms. He held Mari close to him. Jim helped Bruce as he shifted Mari up into his arms.

"Joker, let these people go. They are innocent. You can deal with me. The Batman will come soon too. Just let them all go. They just were here to say good-bye to Rachel Dawes." Jim said.

"Stepping up to your new job, Commissioner." The Joker sneered. "It's about time someone stepped up around here. This hasn't been as fun with out Harvey or the Bat. Alright, I'll give this once. The rest of you get out of here. Wayne, the Doctor, and Gordon have to stay."

"Joker, let them all go. I'll stay here." Gordon said.

"No, I made my choices. The Doctor stays which means Wayne stays." The Joker yelled. Mari stirred in Bruce's arms. He held her close as she held on to him around his neck.

"For God's sake, Joker. She's unconscious, let her leave." Bruce called out.

"Enough, Wayne. Close your mouth or you'll be lying next to Ms. Dawes here." The Joker yelled. "Now you all need to listen to me. The Bat and I aren't done. He needs to come find me so we can be done. Until then, this city will not see a moments rest. Do you understand me?"

"We get it, Joker. We understand. You and Batman to the finish." Jim said.

"Give the doctor my best, Wayne." The Joker said as he laughed and left with his goons.

Hearing him laugh caused Mari to wake up, she looked seeing Bruce holding her close in his arms. She just pulled herself closer to him and buried her face into his coat not wanting to see anyone else. He held her closer as well wanting to be reassured that she was safe. Bruce seeing it was safe to leave nodded to Jim Gordon and walked Mari to the Mercedes to take her home. Once they reached the penthouse, Bruce again picked her up from her side of the car and carried her up to their home. Once home, she began to cry softly as Bruce held her close and sat on the living room couch with her. "Its okay, Mari. He's not here and can't hurt you anymore." He softly rubbed her back as she just held him close to her as she drifted off to sleep.

"Master Bruce, Miss Anna, are you back already?" Alfred asked as he walked into the living room. "Oh, my. Master Bruce, is Miss Anna ok?"

"The Joker decided to appear at Rachel's gravesite today. He took particular fun in terrorizing Mari." Bruce answered with anger in his voice. "I couldn't stop him, Alfred. She was so scared and I couldn't do anything to stop him but beg for him to let her go. If I had attacked, she and Jim Gordon and the others would have been in more danger. I just hope I have enough to finish this. He's demanded a one on one with Batman. I can't let him terrorize others or Mari ever again."

"Are you going to meet him, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked.

"I have to Alfred. Otherwise the city and its people will suffer." Bruce said as he picked Mari up from the couch and took her to their bedroom so she could rest.