A/N: Here's the next chapter you guys! And Again, i'm so sorry i haven't updated. Seriously you guys mean the world to me and i promise this story WILL be finished. I just have needed to get my life in order! Anyway, i think this chapter will surely make you all happy! Or willat least satisfy you until i get the next chapter out which i dont know when that will be. I leave for Florida on Thursday and get back the following Tuesday, and then Wednesday i'm moving into my new house and i have to work EVERY day that week so i wont be completely free until the 30th, and then i might go to Maine.. but fear not! I will try and update before Thursday and if not, then definitly when i get back around the 21st ishh!(: Reviews will make me update faster, i mean it this timee! Also, the a/n at the bottom is kinda important so read it pleasee(:

Disclaimer: Don't we all wish we could say we owned that Hottie Joker? Yea me too, so nope, i dont own him either

You ever love somebody so much,
you could barely breathe when you with 'em?
You meet, and neither one of you
even know what hit 'em
Got that warm fuzzy feeling,
yeah, them chills, used to get 'em
Now you gettin' fuckin' sick of lookin' at 'em

- Love the Way You Lie, Eminem

Feverish bouncing woke me from sleep, a rhythmic, steady bouncing that, once I woke from my haze, I finally placed. The Joker's knee was out of control, and his hands were dug into his thighs roughly as they continued to move about. Worried, I looked up to his face, ready to see anxiety, apprehension, anger, but instead found only amusement, his lips forming words only he could hear.

I smiled slightly, watching in awe at the clown at my side, wondering what exactly was running through his head, a question I found myself asking more often than not, but a question I wouldn't ever get the answer to. I wasn't even sure he knew the answer, but it would always be in the back of my mind.

The van sped down the streets, winding this way and that, and I gripped onto my seat tightly to keep from falling. I hadn't yet grown re-accustomed to the jerky movement of the van, and therefore spent the rest of the ride holding on for dear life. The Joker didn't even seem to notice, so caught up in his own world.

With no windows, I had no idea of where in Gotham we were headed, although the sounds emanating from beyond the van doors began morphing. Going from rushing cars and angry honks, to yells of anger and the occasional scream.

One would only assume we had entered into the narrows.

This, of course, brought about a question I had yet to get the answer to. What exactly were we doing?

The van came to a sudden halt before I could even form words.

The doors flew open, and the men piled out. Joker's lips twitched slightly, before forming into a full blown smile, his eyes holding an evil gleam. He leapt out of the van excitedly, looking around at his surrounding before grabbing a hold of my arm as I got up from my seat and pulled me out of the van where I came crashing, none too gracefully, into his side. He gave me a mischievous look out of the corner of his eye as he held onto me in a painfully tight grip and stalked towards a large building.

" Get ready boys," He barked, his eyes darting around calculatively , " we're going to meet-ah and old friend." He finished with a soft laugh, giving my shoulder a tight squeeze as we walked through the rickety door.

Once inside, the door seemed to shut loudly behind us, just like you see in all those scary movies. And here, it wasn't any less ominous. Everyone was silent as we walked through the darkened hallways, everyone that is, except for Joker. His cheerful humming put me at ease somewhat as he continued to lead us, blindly, to our destination.

I couldn't contain my curiosity any longer, and as we reached a staircase, I spoke up, my voice just a whisper. " What are we doing here, Joker?" I saw him roll his eyes before they fell on me.

" You and your questions, Annabelle. Why can't you just do things without having to over-an-a-lyze them. Hm? His pace had slowed, and Trey lead the others ahead as we fell behind. The Joker's gaze was hard as he waited for an answer I was torn to give.

We're all susceptible to it, the dread and anxiety of not knowing what's coming. It's pointless in the end, because all the worrying and the making of plans for things that could or could not happen, it only makes things worse. So walk your dog or take a nap. Just whatever you do, stop worrying. Because the only cure for paranoia is to be here, just as you are. Of course I knew that was what he was going to tell me, it was something I already knew. Something I had seemed to have forgotten while I fought the battles against myself.

My eyes narrowed before I spoke. " I… I don't-" I was cut off before I finished.

The Joker grabbed both my arms in his hands, pushing me forcefully into the wall, effectively dizzying me for a few moments, that dull ache in my head returning. " Don't you trust me?"

There was something in his voice that just stopped me. This was it, the million dollar question. Make it or break it. His eyes scrutinized me like they had time and time again. Only this time they seemed to be searching for something they couldn't find. They were searching for something they themselves couldn't give.

Did I trust him? Wasn't that I question I had asked myself before? Wasn't that my motive for sending him away. Has anything really changed?

" No." My answer was soft, and it sounded scared. I wasn't scared. But then his eyes burned with rage, and his grip on my arms tightened, stinging, burning the flesh. And I was scared. How could I have forgotten? I hadn't. I had just learned to take it with the tides, or whatever. I couldn't hope for one side of the Joker. But I've learned it's good to be scared, it means you still have something to lose.

He pulled me against him in a flash, but threw me back with twice as much force. My lower back connected with a doorknob, and I screamed in pain, squeezing my eyes shut to keep in the tears. I opened them just in time to see him lean in, his lips at my ear. His voice taking on a menacing growl.

" Don't forgetwhose game you're playing." He punctuated it with a lick of his lips, and a lift of his eyebrows before leaning back, his eyes still cold and unforgiving as they wandered over my face. I had tried my best, in those moments, to regain my composure, bringing to words the thoughts that were racing through my frantic mind as my back ached, and my head throbbed.

"I'm still mad at you and I don't know if I trust you okay? I wanna trust you, but I don't know if I do. So I'm just gonna try, I'm gonna try and trust you. Because I believe that we can be extraordinary together… rather than ordinary apart." Maybe that was too sappy. Maybe those words would cement my fate. They weren't the words he wanted to hear, but I wasn't about to pacify him. I was still mad, but that didn't mean I wasn't allowed some brief glimpses of happiness. I was momentarily blinded you could say. But he wasn't forgiven, and I wasn't sure if he ever would be. But it was a start.

He cocked his head to the side, running his tongue over his lips slowly as he stared into my eyes, his eyes softening slightly. Though after a time, he seemed to have found what he was looking for. Nodding he stepped back and continued down the hallway to another set of stairs, which he then climbed, seemingly oblivious to my absence. Or completely aware of it. Either way, I began sprinting to the stairs, taking them two steps at a time before I finally caught up with him.

I was still curious as to why we were here, and although the events that just unfolded replayed in my mind, I refused to let them govern my actions. Don't think, just do. So I walked at his side, only a few meters behind the rest of our little group, not acknowledging each other's presence. When we reached the group, the Joker clapped his hands together loudly, his Chelsea Grin stretched from ear to ear. Pushing through the group of men, with no regard to their existence, he stopped in front of a door. Just a normal door. Nothing letting us know of its significance. No scratches or marks or flashing signs signaling us to this specific spot. But he knew exactly what he was doing, of course he did.

His hand was on the door knob, and just before he opened it he turned to give us an over exaggerated thumbs up, giggles spewing from his mouth. I just watched, stuck behind the two men in front of me. No one else seemed to make a move into the doorway. Instead, they all spread themselves out, as though they were lookout or something. I wasn't too sure what to do, so I remained still, staring at the Joker's back as he waltzed into the room, his arms outstretched. It wasn't until I felt someone walk up behind me, and nudge me forward that I snapped out of my haze. Trey was at my side, pushing me into the room, and so I walked in. I wasn't aware that I was walking into the shark pit alone, but the Joker barely acknowledged me as his gaze was turned towards the back of the room.

The room itself had no lights, but there were windows. Old broken holes in the walls where windows once stood, the glass still visible in some places. And the sun shone through only slightly, as if realizing the darkness of the situation and hiding away.

But even with that light, it was hard to make out the other figure in the room.

There was one other person in the room with us, and he was towards the far corner, covered in darkness. There was nothing out of the ordinary with this man. He was of average build, average height, at least that was all I could tell. And he was twirling around what seemed to some type of stick.

Odd. You'd think if you knew you were meeting the Joker of all people you wouldn't be playing with toys.

The thought made me giggle.

Joker turned to me then, his eyes suspicious, and at the same time surprised, as though he didn't know I had even been there in the first place. It's safe to say that look effectively shut me up.

" Tell me. What is black and white and red all over?" The voice coming from the stranger was deep, but full of delight. And yet, it effectively sent shivers down my spine.

" Now Edward. You aren't poking fun-ah at little ol' me are ya?" The Joker was staring intently at the figure, watching with a gleam in his cold eyes, his voice not full of the amusement it usually carried when in situations like this.

There was a deep chuckle from the darkness as the figure took his final steps forward. You could say my jaw effectively dropped then. Maybe Gotham really did havethe effect of bringing out the inner crazy in a person.

The man was dressed in what looked like green dress pants, and a green overcoat. Nothing like the Joker's but more of a suit type look. The green was a deep green, nothing flashy or bright, but still funny. Not a color you see comeone using for an entire outift, unless they were trying to make a statement. And he was definitely trying to make a statement. He also wore a green fedora on his head as well. But over his eyes, he wore a kind of black mask. And if that wasn't weird enough, question marks, both big and small, littered his attire. The walking stick he held, which really had no need, for he could walk fine, was also in the shape of a question mark. Overall it was fucked up, and I was a pro at screwed up guys and their dressing habits.

" Oh no Joker, But what's a riddler without riddles?" His voice conflicted with the outfit, as it was hard to believe they both shared the same body. His smooth talking, casual demeanor was a blatant contradiction to his outlandish outfit. And I found it hard to believe.

The Jokers laughs filled the room as he sauntered forward, clapping the man, on the back.

His face was serious in seconds.

" Now Mr. uh Riddler, right? You're new around here… new to this whole-ah criminal business operation we have going on here and uh while I'm glad to have been an… inspiration to young minds such as yourself, I'm telling you, you're gettin in way over your head." His voice had dropped an octave by the finale of his speech, and his head was tilted slightly, eyebrows raised as he stared down at who I presumed to be the Riddler. I had expected fear to be written plainly across his face, or at least worry. Something to show that what the Joker was saying made any sort of impression.

He was grinning.

" Thanks for your concern, but I think I know what I'm doing here." The instant those words left his mouth, the metal of a blade pressed against his lips.

That effectively wiped the smirk off his face.

Edward, as he was called, stiffened as Joker pressed the blade harder into his cheek, and didn't even flinch when a small line of blood arose. The Joker, then, proceeded to speak.

" No no no you don't get it. This uh this city… is mine. So keep you paws. Off." His snarl was scary enough to make even me take a reproachful step back, and as he patted his cheek, smudging the blood on his cheek to form a half grin, he too stepped back.

Why he hadn't killed him then, I had no clue.

With the sleeve of his coat, The Riddler wiped away the blood on his face as best he could, then began straightening his tie as he spoke.

" That's not what I'm after, Joker. I'm after so much more. You'll see. You'll all see. What is always in front of you, but can never be seen?" His voice was strong, but I could detect an undertone to it, an almost frantic sort of tone. Something I had learned from deciphering the Joker. He of course, just stared at the man in almost exasperation, his expression unbelieving and impatient. As though he couldn't believe what he was hearing, like this man was making no sense. Doesn't feel good does it?

But the riddle was simple. The answer completely obvious, wasn't it?

" I'm stumped really, absolutely clueless." Of course his tone was full of glee and happiness as he stifled a giggle. A complete 180 from his previous demeanor.

" The future." I whispered, but it caught the attention of both the men in the room, as they both looked to me. One with a smile, and the other with a glare. I'll leave it to you to decipher which expression belonged to who.

" And what a magnificent future it will be." The Riddler had moved closer, only steps from the Joker, but equally closer to me, I took an instinctual step towards the purple clad clown who watched it all unfold with black eyes and a grim expression. He wasn't liking this turn of events.

" Ya know Edward," He spoke after a moment of silence, his lips smacking together, " I just don't get you. Your purpose, your… motivations are puzzling. If it's not Gotham you're after then please… enlighten me." Of course, his voice was light, simply curious, but I knew instead he must be bubbling with the desire to know.

Edward absentmindedly looked out the window, getting closer to it before turning, right at the edge. Teasing the Joker, whose hands were clenched at his sides.

It wasn't like the Joker to let someone toy with him this way, and in any other situation he wouldn't have. Maybe he just wasn't in the mood to kill him, but whatever it was, it was a big mistake. The first mistake I had seen the Joker make, only, we didn't know it yet.

"Listen closely, I'm hard to understand. I am as elusive as is a handful of sand. Even if you perceive me, you know me not before you can tell me, what I have forgot… I'll be seeing you."

And with a grandeur twirl of his cane, The Riddler leapt out the window.

I watched confused as to what the hell just happened, and ran to the window, expecting to see a mass of green splayed out on the cement, only I found nothing. Not a hint, not a spec, not a trace of the green clad man.

I turned to the Joker catching his gaze with a What the hell just happened? expression on my face. He just shrugged and continued out the door, shouting orders at the men and motioning for me to follow.

And follow I did.

! How was that for the first chapter back? Huh? I have to admit it was challenging trying to get back into their characters but i managed!(: And i even brought another player into the game. The Riddler! Dun Dun Dunnnnn! That brings the first matter of business.

As you may have been able to tell, my Riddler is far different than Jim Carrey's Riddler, adn the Riddler from the Comics. I tried to Nolan-Verse this Joker as best i could, and in future chapters you will see. Hes a little darker and more mysterious. And he has a lot less to loose than previous Riddler's. I based him loosely off the Riddeler in Brian Azzarello's novel Joker, but not as creppy or old lol I hope you enjoy how i take this character, and if you have any concerns or whatever, just send me a message or review or something(:

Another thing is the Joker's reaction to this new character. Im sure some of you dont agree with the Joker's actions especially with the Way good old Edward is being portrayed, but it is essentially to the story line that he remains alive, and maybe there is a reason he isn't so inclined to kill him hmm?

Lastly, i've re read this story and i have found that my writing kind of well sucks. Well not sucks sucks but it could be better. So, to save time and continue updating, would anyone be willing to Beta for me? Starting with the first chapters? I would do it myself, but that would take alot of time away from me being able to write chapters so maybe someone might want to help? I know i've asked before but i've kinda been mia and i dont want to be rude like 3 months later sure id love for you to beta for me! So please, let me know(:

Well its 2:30 AM. Im out Peace, love, anarchy. Kinda contradictory huh?

Adieu.
TheJoker'sGotMyHeart