Luna ran for an hour, before she had a killer stitch and had to slow down to a walking pace. Her inner voice urged her to keep running, 'You're not free yet!' She felt it however. She breathed in the fresh air and pride swelled up in her chest. She wasn't out of the Joker's grasp just yet, but she knew she wasn't being followed. She knew she was safe to slow down.
She looked around. Nothing was recognizable to her. She never really realized how big Gotham was; now she does.
She walked past several alleyways; they were cluttered with bottles of beer. Luna immediately froze thinking of the men in the Joker's living room. An uneasy feeling rose in her chest. She shook herself off. "Wise up Luna…" she muttered.
She saw a few houses and rushed to them eagerly. She walked to the door of the house, which looked most welcoming. This was hard to find; most of them looked scary, superior and towering, especially in the dark. Eventually she saw this one. It looked fairly normal, especially in comparison.
Luna rapped the door nervously. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Wait; of course it was a good idea. What else could she possibly do?
30 seconds passed and there was no sign of movement from inside the house. 50 seconds. A minute. Two minutes. She tutted, she wasn't one to be patient. Just as she was about to leave the door opened, revealing a small old woman. Luna's heart warmed. She liked old people.
"I'm sorry dear…do I know you?" her voice was small and squeaky to match her appearance. She spoke like the typical old granny. 'God love her,' Luna thought. She must have looked awful; blood in her hair and down her leg and her outfit… She grinned at the thought. Yep, no wonder the woman was frowning.
"Well you don't know me but…"
"JASON TURN OFF THAT DAMNED TV I CAN'T HEAR A THING!" she screeched causing Luna to jump backwards and nearly falling on her ass. "I'm sorry what were you saying?"
Luna stared completely at awe. How could something so loud have come out of this timid little woman? She coughed awkwardly and continued, "Er…my name is Luna Dawes. I'm a police officer. I work for Gordon, perhaps you've heard of him? I was just wondering if I could come in?"
The woman's eyes widened and she closed the door so only her face was visible, "I didn't do anything," she squeaked, "Leave me alone, you have no business here." Her reaction caught Luna off guard. What? Was this woman some sort of criminal?
Luna shook her head in disbelief. Curious. Very curious, although this wasn't the time to be investigating. Her life could still be at risk.
"No! I'm not investigating you. In fact I've took a short break from work and I've gotten lost. Ya'see I was just driving and…uh…I got lost," she smiled at the woman warmly to show she was genuine.
The woman scratched her brown haired head, and then frowned. "I wouldn't think you'd come out here m'dear. Nothing to see. Nowhere interesting to go."
"Uh…yeah. Well I was just driving around."
"Bit foolish, if you ask me," she smiled, two of her teeth popping out. "Oh sugar!" She retrieved them from the floor and popped them straight back in again.
Luna grinned through gritted teeth, perhaps this wasn't a good idea. "Yeah it was foolish. Well, I'm sorry for bothering you…" she went to walk away, but the old woman grabbed her arm desperately.
"I'm sorry. Please come in. Have a cup of tea. Use the phone. Anything you want…"
Luna sighed, wavering on whether to leave or not. She couldn't. The old woman looked too sweet and desperate. She smiled noticing Luna's pondering face. She gave her a tug on the arm, "Come on…"
Luna followed her inside. 'Why not?'
"Sit…sit!" she gave her a slight push to encourage her to plant her ass on the sofa.
She disappeared into the kitchen. Luna held her hands together nervously. Would the Joker find her here? She's endangering the life of this woman if he finds her.
She returned with a cup of tea. "I hope you don't mind it black. We've no milk." Luna frowned, what kind of house has no milk?
"Sure…uh thanks." The woman sat opposite her and stared. Luna swallowed a lump in her throat. Staring problem? She shakily sipped at the tea.
"Look I don't want to stay long," she began, "I just want to use the phone and…"
"Your Luna," the old woman interrupted her.
She blinked, "Yeah."
"Luna Dawes."
Luna gulped. How did she know her second name? "Yeah…"
"Oh dear…oh dear…" she stood up and fumbled with her fingers a second, not sure what to do.
She walked away, leaving Luna bewildered and confused. She heard crashing noises and a few mutters and then the old woman came back in with a phone in her hand. She waved it about frantically, "Make a phone call, then leave. If you please."
Luna frowned, "Okay…" she took the phone and dialed Gordon's number. She explained to Gordon about her current situation, her location, how she escaped and asked him to pick her up.
"Of course! I'm just so glad you're safe. I need to tell you something concerning…wait…no. I don't want you panicking. I'll tell you when I get there. Bye."
Luna stared blankly at the old woman. Feeling panic. Was it something to do with Harvey? She was interrupted by her thoughts when the woman snatched the phone off her, "Now please get out of my house."
"I'm sorry, couldn't I stay here just until…"
"GET OUT!" she roared.
Luna jumped and ran for the door to get away from her. The door slammed and she kept running terrified that she was chasing after her with a broom or something.
She had to stick close by to enable Gordon to find her, but she could feel the eyes of the old woman on the back of her neck. She must have been looking out the window, daring her maybe, to take one little step closer to her house. What the hell was wrong with her? She sighed, "I'll look into that later…"
He wasn't long. It took about five minutes, which was surprising bearing in mind how far away she must have been from the centre of Gotham. He must have sped.
"Thank God!" she ran to the car and pulled him into a crushing hug. She couldn't help, but feel overwhelmed by this amazing man. She cried into his shoulder whilst he patted her back lovingly. She was safe. At last.
*****
The Joker sat in the cell irritated and bored. Yes, you did read that correctly. He was in a cell; in the MCU, in Gordon's unit. He looked at the men shouting inside and out of the bars with partial distaste and partial amusement.
He was so close to finding out who Batman was. So close, but then…Gordon got him. How had Gordon got him? He shot him did he not? Never mind. It's not important. Not right now.
He clicked his tongue off the top of his mouth. Waiting. Waiting for the moment when Gordon would burst in with Luna. Seeing the freedom etched all over her face. Seeing the shock, but relief when she seen him behind bars.
'But you are not safe yet sweetheart…' he laughed out loud, scaring off a couple of anxious thugs he was sharing the cell with.
"Back off all of you!" Gordon shouted. The Joker grinned. Right on time. Or well…so he imagined. He had no way of telling the time. How annoying.
"Get him in there," Gordon told Wuertz.
The Joker was walked into the questioning room by five men; one holding the back of his neck. He didn't mind really. He knew he'd get his revenge. 'Let them enjoy it while they can.'
Luna entered the room nervously, not expecting so many to be present. "Aw guys…you didn't all need to be here…"
Ramirez patted her back comfortingly, but then somebody had to break it to her sooner or later. "Luna…"
She looked at Ramirez, her face etched with worry and. …fear? "Oh God. What's wrong?"
"It's Harvey…"
Luna moaned, expecting this, "Please don't tell me he's dead. Please he can't be…"
Several police officers crowded around her. Ramirez continued, "No…he's not dead, but…he's missing."
Luna froze. "Wait…what do you mean missing?"
"Well… we don't know how. Gordon thinks it was the Joker, but that's impossible. We caught him before Dent got into the car…"
"What?! You caught the Joker? Is he here?"
"Yes he's here, but…"
Luna had already stormed off, Gordon ran after her, "Luna don't…"
She turned and hissed at him, "Don't! Haha! I'm not one of your police anymore. Don't you tell me what to do. Stay out of my way." She elbowed Gordon's shoulder purposefully when she stormed past. He let her go. What else could he do?
She buzzed open the door. "Joker!" She stomped to the table where he was sitting and smashed her fists onto it.
"Why hello beautiful! I never expected thi…"
"Shut it!" she growled, "What the fuck have you done with Harvey?"
He smacked his lips together. His face seemed eerie in the lamplight, "Me?"
"Yes…you."
"Well…I've been right here," he showed his handcuffs pointedly.
Luna dragged out the chair and say opposite him. She tapped her fingers on the table impatiently, "Who have you left him with?"
He didn't answer, instead he pointed out something completely irrelevant, "Oh I see you're still wearing the clothes I gave you. Wonderful! You must uh… like dressing like a slut after all."
Luna grunted, ignoring the comment, "I'll ask you again. Where is Harvey?"
He frowned and scratched his chin, "Why don't you question Gordon's men?"
She smashed her hands on the table again, "Shut up! What the fuck did you do with my fiancé you freak!"
The Joker sucked his lips in, holding back rage. "Y'know Looooonah. You haven't been treating me very nicely. Don't you remember who owns you?"
"You're not in the position to make any threats."
"Ah! Perhaps not, but what happens if I somehow get out of here?"
"You won't."
"But! What if I uh…did? You think you're safe, but let me be honest with you. You are not." His eyes seemed to glow with danger, "I haven't done anything to really make you tremble, just yet. For your sake, I hope the police do manage to keep me here."
She had nothing more to say to this man. She'll allow Gordon to deal with him. Her frustration was causing her extreme discomfort. "Goodbye Joker…" She stood up to leave, but the Joker started talking.
"Something you should know-ah."
"Yes?" she looked at him.
"You can uh…only save one."
"Save one?" Luna blinked. Realization hitting her. "Who else have you got?"
"A certain Miss Dawes."
Luna laughed coldly, "I'm here Joker. Where you can't get me. If you think that…"
"No," he smiled, "another Miss Dawes."
Luna gasped, much to the amusement of the Joker who was killing himself laughing now. She cupped her mouth with her hands. "Oh…my…God."
He continued to laugh. "Why…?" she managed to choke out. "WHY?!" She was shouting now.
He wouldn't stop laughing, but Luna had her mind on something else. "Why my family…?" she felt tears choke her. Her eyesight became fuzzy.
"Awh don' cry-ah. My sweet lil Loooonah," he mocked.
Gordon rushed in pulling a tearful, paralyzed Luna out of the room. "Luna we will find them. Somehow."
"Gordon…" she managed to whisper.
"Luna we will find Harvey…and Rachael. We'll find them."
"Gordon…he said you can only save one." She collapsed on the floor at his feet. Her life breaking up slowly in front of her eyes, she couldn't take it.
*****
She woke in hospital. She was still wearing the same clothes, but she had been cleaned up. There was no caked blood on her leg and in her hair.
The previous day's events came back to her slowly; each scrap of memory leaving her feeling even more useless and fearful. "A certain Miss Dawes." She sobbed, covering her mouth again. Not Rachael. Not Rachael. "Oh God!"
She sat up, but the blood rushed to her head forcing her down again. 'You can't just sit here.' She had no choice. What could she do?
She checked the cut on her leg. It was stitched up, but this made it even more grotesque. It looked too much like the scars on the Joker's face. Is this what he intended?
She noticed the buzz of the TV. She concentrated on it, hoping to find some scrap of news. Had Gordon rescued them both? Had Batman helped? Was Rachael safe? Was Harvey safe? Were they here, in the hospital?
"Gotham residents. We have a special guest in the studio today. He says he knows the identity of the Batman and is willing to turn his name over. He says he's waited for Batman to do the right thing. Well… aren't we all? I mean…Harvey Dent is ill in hospital now, because of an explosion. Was this Batman's fault? After all, he allowed Dent to pretend to be him, risking the life of our White Knight…"
'Ill?' Luna pondered. What happened to him? Explosion? Her stomach turned.
Her face suddenly lit up. He was here. In the hospital! She tried to sit up again, but noticed her right leg was numb. "Damn it!" The doctor must have given her some sort of drug to numb the pain. Although, it was a waste of time. She'd rather have a sore leg than a numb one.
She noticed a pain in her stomach and she looked down. More stitches. "Couldn't have given me pain killers for that!" She tutted angrily. Stomach pains were the worst in the world. Or so Luna thought. How stupid doctors could be.
"Welcome back. Now, the lines are open to your calls. Yes line 2 hello…"Luna's mind blocked out the sound of the TV. She felt empty. Alone. Vulnerable. She had no idea why she felt so exposed. The Joker had been captured; surely by now he'd be in Arkham.
Well… her fiancé was a part in some kind of explosion and was now in hospital. Batman, (Bruce) was about to be unmasked on public television. Her sister…?
Well what of her sister? She hadn't heard a word about her. She wanted to assume the best, but of course naturally she assumed the worst. 'What ifs?' swirled in her mind liked maggots eating at her brain.
"I had a vision of a world without Batman…"Luna froze. She knew that voice. She knew it so well. That odd, eerie, mildly triggering voice. But he was locked away…?
"It was so boring…I've had a change of heart. If Coleman Reece isn't dead in 60 minutes, then I blow up a hospital."
Panic. She heard screams. Coming from her own mouth, and from the rooms around her.
"I blow up a hospital…" Luna fell off her bed and stood up. Not realizing the pure terror that enforced her. She was just concentrating on one prospect. Harvey.
A nurse ran into her room, "Please get back into bed. Buses are on their way…"
"Excuse me. I'm going to check on my fiancé," Luna winced as her stomach gave her a sharp jab of pain.
"No please! He's our first priority don't you worry. Please! Go back to bed…"
Luna would really have loved to stamp her foot, but her right leg wouldn't work and her left was supporting her. She pointed at her, like she was going to shout, but she held her tongue. She walked back to bed and smiled at the nurse.
"Okay…okay!" the nurse breathed and ran out of the room. If Luna weren't so worked up in her own problems, she would feel sorry for the staff.
*****
Ten minutes had passed and the buses had arrived. Nurses and policemen ran into the rooms and pulled people out in their beds and onto the buses. The trauma was causing people to have seizures. So as you can imagine, there was a lot more people to carry out in beds, than necessary.
Luna waited patiently until the corridor had fewer patients and then walked out. She checked every room she limped past. It was unlikely that Harvey was still here, but she had to be sure. She had to see him.
She paused when she saw a policeman lying on the ground at the end of the corridor. She glanced around worriedly. She figured he must have fainted or something, but that was a tad unprofessional. Especially for a policeman.
She snorted and made her way slowly to investigate. She held onto the wall and kicked the man with her good leg. No movement. She kneeled down and rolled him over. A shot wound in the chest. "Shot through the heart," she tutted.
This wasn't Coleman though. She knew what he looked like, from having seen him on TV. She gulped. Whoever was in the room…?
She opened the door slowly and the scene she'd never thought she'd see was laid before her eyes; Harvey, perfectly unharmed, was holding a gun to the Joker's head. The Joker was wearing…a nurse's outfit?
Both men turned to stare at the intruder. The Joker couldn't help but smile at the confused look on her delicate face.
Luna looked from the Joker and his absurd appearance to Harvey. She gasped. What the hell was wrong with his face?
****
Okay…a lot just happened. I'm really hating this. It must be really confusing to read. Sorry. Review? Xo
