A/N: Greetings from the Golden State. Don't think I've forgotten all of you.
Last time, MCU figured out the Joker's next target, but things aren't that simple; with the Joker they never are.
This chapter is completely my creation, only using the characters of SVU and TDK. The Joker gets in another monologue and video, Bruce and Olivia get a little too close for comfort (or is there too much comfort ), and there is a particularly interesting dream sequence for you SVU fans out there. Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I am not in possession of anything, but If Dick and Chris are selling…
Please Review!
Chapter 12: Doubts
Not taking any chances, especially not with the Joker, Elliot had the entire school evacuated, each staff member and kid interviewed out of nearly 2500 people. There were dozens of different events, including but not limited to: Bigfoot breaking in to do a tap dance, alien invasion, and Elliot's favorite, President Bush beating up five clowns with his bare hands. The mass evacuation tied up a quarter of Gotham's available police officers, leaving units short staffed throughout the city and creating a communications nightmare. No one knew what unit went where since the operators were flooded with hundreds of fake Joker sightings, each one needing investigation.
After nearly three hours, with thousands of irate and petrified parents and spouses threatening to riot if they didn't get to see their loved ones, the commander of the Bomb Squad exited the school, helmet off and face drenched in sweat. He was carrying something wrapped in a towel. "We did a full sweep of the entire school, classrooms, offices, even the fucking boiler room. We found this in the vent of the janitor's closet." He unwrapped the towel to reveal a bomb, one of the cliché ones from Loony Tunes cartoons.
"That's it?" asked Olivia, at the level past exhausted.
"Not, there's more." The bomb squad commander pressed a red button on the bomb, causing a flag to pop out the top, with the word BOOM! emblazoned on it.
Elliot took the bomb in his hand, shaking with anger and frustration. "FUCK!" he screamed, chucking the toy as far as he could throw. The reactions of the other MCU members were similar Olivia observed. The Joker was getting to them, more than any other case had in the past (and SVU had some doosies). They, especially Elliot, were in danger of cracking.
Deciding to preempt the inevitable breakdown, she went into Lt. Benson mode, a more authoritative version of the original Badass Benson. "Alright everyone! There's nothing more to be done here; all of you go home and relax, that's an order!" The detectives grumbled but did as they were told. She walked over to Elliot, who was still shaking with anger. "You too El," she said softly. He grunted in response, causing her to sigh and place a hand on his shoulder. "I know its tough El, but killing yourself won't catch the Joker quicker. Go home and be with your kids. It'll help, especially with Munch's funeral being tomorrow."
He turned and gave his second-in-command a tired but wide smile. "Thanks for having my back Liv."
"Always El," she replied with a wide smile of her own. Heading for her car as he headed for his.
Shutting the door of his car, Elliot slammed the steering wheel, letting the remaining frustration seep out of his soul. The Joker was undoubtedly the most evil and diabolical criminal he had ever faced. Wherever MCU was, the Joker was five steps ahead of them, ready with yet another gruesome trap. This wasn't just Penguin, who favored complex strategies formulated down to the last detail; break one of his codes and the entire plan unraveled. The Joker on the other hand was completely unpredictable, his plan being the conspicuous lack of one beyond the overarching goal. God it was frustrating.
Then it hit Elliot; to outmaneuver the Joker, he'd have to beat him at his own game. He had do something that was completely out of character, something that no one thought he would do. He pulled the car into gear and headed home, his head filled with possible strategies.
Nearly falling down exhausted, Bobby Goren and Alex Eames, two of the longest serving detectives in the GPD (they were partners for eight years in Organized Crime before joining MCU), headed for their car which was parked in the staff lot on the other side of the school. Each wanted nothing more than to go home and crash onto their respective beds.
"Detectives!" called out a frantic voice behind them. Both turned to see a SWAT trooper, gesturing violently in panic. "We have a situation, come with me!" The partners followed, reaching the open back of the van. Stepping in, they were greeted with leveled MP-5 submachine guns, the troopers (probably not real troopers) grinning evilly.
"What the hell is this!" yelled Goren, suddenly angry.
Two of the faux troopers removed the two detectives' service weapons while another closed the back door before the leader, sporting a gas mask, stepped forward. He slowly removed the mask, causing Goren and Eames' anger to turn to horror.
"Wheeew!" said the Joker, running a hand through his hair. "You do not want to know how hot that mask is. Tell me Garrett, is my face smudged?"
The lead clown henchman smirked. "I think you look simply horrible sir."
"Perfect [licks side of mouth]. Now, what to do with you two?" The two detectives couldn't stop shaking, causing the Joker to giggle, which didn't help. "You two are much too serious. How can we lighten the mood? Ah, how about a story, the one about how I got these scars." He pointed to his Glasgow Smile and burn scar with the barrel of his pistol, smiling in that frightening way of his. "My parents died when I was very young, and I went to live with my uncle. He was a hard man, who had a particular fondness for teenage girls. He couldn't get enough of em [licks side of mouth]. When I was fifteen, he brought home this brunette seventeen year old, beautiful as was his type; a cheerleader at the local high school if I remember correctly. They had their fun, but when he fell into a deep slumber, she walked out of his bedroom and looked at me, a seductive glint in her eye. She was so pretty," the Joker practically pleaded, as if defending a bad decision. "She went down on me, and I felt so gooood [licks side of mouth]! I was about to climax when a large hand wrapped around the girl's neck. My uncle lifted her up and slammed her against the wall, squeezing the life out of her in seconds. He turned to me, took the cigarette out of his mouth, and pressed it to my chin, saying 'You were smiling big there son,'" the Joker mimicked a redneck southern accent. "He took a knife. 'I'll make it permanent for you.' After, he took me for ice cream, and you want to know something?" He took the pistol and pressed it to Goren's temple. "It was the best day of my life!" He pulled the trigger, earning a click. The Joker dissolved into giggles.
"Just kill us now," hissed Eames.
"Oh, the fun has yet to begin detective."
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Home, a place you could call your own and feel safe and secure, comfortable and happy. Olivia did not consider her one bedroom apartment home. Firstly, she never spent any time here. Between the cribs at the 1-6 and the Batcave, she was here less than a third of her life. Second, she had always considered Wayne Manor as her home, the last place she was truly happy. Sighing, Olivia leaned on the wall, closing her eyes. Oh for the carefree days of her real childhood, playing in the grounds with Bruce and Alex, Alfred and Mistress Martha preparing a hearty meal for all of them; her mother was even a regular mom much of the time, the Wayne's keeping her alcoholism under control. Olivia was sure she had loved Bruce even then, for they shared a special connection from those early years. "Oh God," she called out to the Lord, "Why must I love the one person who I can never have?"
The doorbell rang, jarring her out of her thoughts. Confused, she went to the door, wondering who the hell was there. Unchaining the deadbolt, she threw it open, her mouth contorting into a surprised O at who was there.
"I take it you're surprised then?" asked Bruce with a grin, thinking she never looked better than when she was caught off guard. "Pleasantly I hope."
Shaking the shock out of her face, Olivia managed to compose herself a bit, only to keep getting distracted by how handsome he looked in his suit and tie. "What are you doing here?" she managed finally.
He looked slightly hurt, "What? I can't come to my best friend's house bearing gifts to cheer her up after a rough day?" He lifted a bag of Chinese takeout in his hands, from her favorite place she couldn't help but noticing.
Smiling at his thoughtfulness, Olivia let him in. "I wish I could have been there. The filthy rich Bruce Wayne at a common Chinese restaurant."
"Believe me, even the bystanders were staring in the window. It was embarrassing, but you re worth it," he said, meaning every word. He couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked in just a GPD T-shirt and sweats; it was a feeling that he never had with Alex, and it made him blush a bit.
Blushing as well, Olivia bit the bottom of her lip, trying to find a way out of this conversation even though she didn't want to. 'It's for Bruce and Alex Liv, don't ruin his life for your own selfish wants.' "So, how did you get in the building without buzzing me in?"
"Thankful for her question, Bruce's embarrassed look turned into a smirk as he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small device. "Fox," he said, as if that explained it.
It did to Olivia, who smacked him on the head. "You broke in! I could arrest you for that," she said, trying to sound serious.
"No problem; I have some information for them that would get me a deal." Bruce winked at her, plopping down on the couch with a carton of takeout.
"Cocky bastard," murmured Olivia before she burst out laughing, sitting down beside him. God, how this man could make her smile. She opened an unopened carton and smirked at him. "Mongolian beef with white rice. It amazes me how much you know me Wayne."
"I try to know as much about you as you know about me Benson," he said, stuffing an eggroll into his mouth. "So, I'm going to Fox tomorrow to get the fingerprint results. You coming; I think he prefers it when you come than when I go alone."
"Well that's because I'm the pretty one," she retorted, batting her eyelashes. Bruce wanted to agree, but decided to keep silent, unsure of how she would take it. He had finally admitted to himself that Alfred was right and he might have feelings for Olivia, but it was all so confusing to him. She didn't deserve him for one, and he still wasn't sure it was just jitters from getting nearer and neared to the day Batman was no longer needed and he could be with Alex. The whole damn thing gave him a headache. "But I can't anyway. Munch's funeral is tomorrow and I owe it to him to be there."
"You liked your old Captain didn't you?"
"Yep; John Munch my not have been the easiest person to deal with, but he kind of grew on you in that charming way of his. He was smart, funny, and one of the few people in power during the bad old days that wasn't corrupt. He, Elliot, and Alex made up my family during those dark times after you disappeared."
"I'm sorry about that Liv. I was selfish and after Skinner died I had to get away from everything. Maybe if I knew how badly it would have affected you…"
Bruce was cut off by Olivia's hand cupping his chin; she couldn't stand him feeling guilty because of her; it tore her up inside to cause him any pain. "You never have to apologize to me for that Bruce. You needed to find yourself and so did I. You came back and came back a good man, and that's all that matters to me." Bruce sighed, knowing that he definitely didn't deserve her in his life. "Enough work. There's nothing that cannot be discussed in the morning. How about a movie?"
"Which one?"
"How about Black Hawk Down?"
Bruce rolled his eyes. "How cliché Badass Benson. Sounds perfect."
She giggled and put the DVD in, snuggling in the couch afterward.
Opening his eyes slowly the next morning, Bruce felt a massive creak in his neck. God damn it Alfred! I told you to change the mattress every two years. He tried to wipe his eyes, but something kept him for m lifting his left arm. He looked down and saw Olivia cuddled against him, wrapped in a green throw blanket. He smiled, realizing they must have fallen asleep last night after the movie. He made a move to wake her up when he stopped himself. She looked so peaceful in sleep, a serene look on her face that he hadn't seen since before his parents died. Giving her a feather-light kiss on the top of her head, Bruce decided to just let Olivia sleep, knowing they both needed it. 'This feels so right,' was his last thought before drifting off again.
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Olivia had a rough day at work, rougher than usual if that was possible. Not only did Bruce keep her up all last night on evidence gathering, several bodies had been found just as she arrived at the 1-6 that resulted in exhausting investigative work. All she wanted to do was lie on the couch and bury herself in a carton of Ben & Jerry's until the exhaustion went away.
Opening the door to her apartment, Olivia stepped inside carrying a large bag of groceries picked up at the local bodega. She had just set it on the counter when a small thump came from the bedroom. "Hello?" she called, thinking it was probably Bruce playing a prank on her. His joking manner would have irritated the hell out of her if she didn't love it and him at the same time. "Bruce, this isn't funny…" She was stopped by a gun to her head.
"Welcome home Lieutenant Benson," whispered the Joker, stepping out of the shadows with a wide grin on his face. "You look nervous [licks side of mouth]. I have just the thing," he giggled as two clown henchmen grabbed her from behind, wrenching her service pistol out of the holster. The Joker finished giggling as he caressed her cheek with the barrel of his gun. "Shhh, everything will be fine, for me!" He brought the butt down on her head.
Olivia awoke with a blazing headache, her chest feeling as if it were on fire. "Oh look, sleeping beauty is awake [giggles]." Olivia threw her eyes open, wanting to scream but feeling her mouth duct-taped shut. "Glad you are awake, we wouldn't want to have you asleep for all the fun." The clowns heaved her up, Olivia feeling that she was strapped to the chair.
"What's that?" the Joker asked, hearing her mumble something. He ripped off her tape and she spit at him, Olivia's face contorted in pure contempt.
Unlike what she expected, the Joker dissolved into giggles. "You are a feisty one. Like I said at the Wayne Penthouse, I like feisty." He patted her on the cheek, bringing a hot key to her exposed upper chest. Olivia gasped in pain, but refusing to cry out; that was just the Joker wanted. "Oh, by the way, I have some great news for MCU. I've solved your most pressing case." He imitated a drum roll, tapping the door. Two more clown henchmen dragged in a man. Olivia's face contorted in horror. "Presenting to you, the Batman, or should I say," He yanked off the mask, "Bruce Wayne!"
Opening her mouth to speak, all that escaped was a ragged breath. Olivia felt as if her entire world was falling apart, and it really was. "How?" she finally croaked.
"A magician never reveals his secrets," he said, winking at her. "Now, if you have something to say to your friend, say it now." He stepped back, folding his arms in front of his chest with a smirk, the clown henchmen laughing and nudging each other with their elbows.
She hated to bare their personal lives for these swine, but knowing the Joker they had only a few minutes left to live. Olivia only hoped she could convince him to kill her instead of him. "Oh Bruce, why did it have to be you?"
The bruised, battered, and burned face of the man she loved rose slowly to look her in the eye, boring straight into her soul like it always did. "Liv?" he murmured, as if dying.
She was openly sobbing now. "Yes Bruce, it's me. You're going to be just fine."
A small smile spread on his lips, covered in dry blood. "We both know that's a lie. Liv, please promise me something. Let me die. Go and live your life the way you deserve. Please."
"No!" she screamed. "I can't leave you. There's no life without you. I, I, I Love you Bruce!" There was no response; Bruce had passed out.
The sound of clapping filled the room. "So touching; so, so touching. A declaration of love just as he was unable to hear it. How sad that he won't ever know." The joker brought the gun to Bruce's head, flicking the safety off.
"Please, don't take him! Take me! I'm Batgirl; I deserve to die not him!" The Joker chuckled once more, the fiendish grin never wavering from his face as he cocked the hammer. Olivia, sensing that pleading was never going to work, dropped her voice to a menacing growl. "Do you understand who I am Joker? I'm a GPD officer; if anything happens to me or to someone I care about, they will come after you. It's not too late for you to just leave. If not, all the GPD has will rain down on you."
"Is that all?" the Joker said, yawning. "You know what Lt. Benson, let it rain."
"NOOOOO!" the sound of a gunshot resonated through the room.
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"NOOOO! PLEASE NO!" Bruce was shaken awake by Olivia's screams of pure terror. Fully alert, he quickly did a sweep of the small apartment before realizing that she was asleep, but not in a good way.
"Liv, Liv wake up," he said, stroking her hair like Alfred had done to her back when they were kids and she had a nightmare. She tried to claw his eyes out in her sleep, so he shook her forcefully, which did the trick. Olivia shot upward, her eyes wide with fear and her shirt soaked with sweat. "Liv, it was just a nightmare." Turning her head, once their eyes made contact she burst into tears, squeezing the life out of him with a massive, desperate hug. "Shhh, Liv, it's ok." Bruce comforted, softly rubbing her back.
"You're alive," she gasped between sobs. "Thank God you're alive."
"What are you talking about Liv? Of course I'm alive."
She looked up at him, the tears streaming down her face. It broke his heart. "He killed you, the Joker did. He brought you into this apartment and pulled out a gun. I, I, I couldn't, couldn't…" Olivia couldn't continue because she burst into racking sobs again, burying her face in his shirt.
"Don't cry Olivia. It was just a nightmare. I'm fine and not planning to let the Joker kill me," he said with a chuckle, trying to pry her out of this mood. Little did he know she meant to say "I couldn't tell you how much I love you," rather than "I couldn't save you," like he thought.
Olivia, her face wet with tears, finally realized he was indeed alive, and the horrifying scenes were just a nightmare, playing on her worst fears. She took two deep, ragged breaths before sitting straight. "Thank you for that Bruce. I needed that."
"Hey, we're partners remember? That's what we do." He was slightly confused by the chuckle that followed. "What could possibly be funny?"
"Nothing; that's just how Elliot always puts it."
"I hope that's a good thing."
"Oh trust me Wayne, it is." She wiped her face and rose, feeling hungry after last night's ordeal. "You want some breakfast? I think I have something in this place that's edible."
"You don't have to Liv," Bruce replied, still concerned for his friend.
"Please, it's the least I could do for helping me through that nightmare," she said with complete honesty. "Yesss! Eggs, bacon, and pancake mix. You came here on a jackpot day Bruce."
"I just hope nothing is expired," he retorted, earning an irritated smirk from her.
Later they were sitting on the couch enjoying a home cooked Benson breakfast. "Damn Liv," said Bruce through a mouthful of eggs. "This is good. How did you learn how to cook?"
"Let's just say Uncle Alfred let me help around the kitchen when you were sleeping off a night of spelunking," she replied with a sidelong look.
"Well, all I can say is that you certainly are working your way up to his level of greatness in that field." She smiled and chewed on another piece of bacon. Looking back up, she saw that Bruce was staring at the TV, eyes wide with concentration. Puzzled, Olivia turned up the volume and a look of horror passed her face.
"…This video was released to GCN early in the morning, and beware. Like the last one, the image may not be suitable for children."
The GCN anchor room was cut to a feed from an abandoned art studio, the kiln blazing in the background. The camera seemed to be resting on a table; all of a sudden, it was picked up and the face of the Joker came into view. If it was possible, he looked even more menacing than in her dream. "Is it on? It's on? Ok. Goooood Morning Gotham!" he said, mimicking Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam. "I hope you had a good night's sleep [licks side of mouth]. I'm sorry for yesterday's scare regarding the school. That was over the top, but it did serve to draw out the cops to exactly where I wanted them. Am I right detectives?"
The Joker turned the camera to reveal Goren and Eames, tied up and gagged. Olivia's hands reached her mouth, a low wail escaping her lips. The madman giggled and jutted the camera into the Goren's face. "Get away from him you asshole!" yelled Eames, looking as if she wanted to claw his eyes out. 'Good for you Alexandra,' Olivia thought, knowing how protective she was of her partner.
"That's not very nice detective," scolded the Joker, walking over to the kiln. He pulled a red-hot wire hanger and pressed it to her face, causing Eames to scream out in pain, making both Bruce and Olivia wince. The Joker was escalating, though this was probably calculated on his part. He wasn't just some ordinary monster and they knew it.
"Don't hurt her! Kill me instead!" screamed Goren over his partners labored breaths.
The Joker giggled. "And we get to the main point of this little demonstration," he said, tapping Goren on the head. He took the camera and looked into it, preparing a monologue. "Batman and Batgirl, Benson and Stabler, and now Goren and Eames. What do they all have in common? That's right, they're partners. You see, partners when cornered, will lash out more furiously than expected to protect the other." In a sick sort of way, the Joker was right on the button, thought Bruce. He'd take massive, unadvisable risks to save Olivia that he wouldn't do alone.
Oblivious to Bruce's train of thought, the Joker continued. "Realizing this, I got to thinking. The Batman and Batgirl probably are resisting my requests because of their need to protect each other. Therefore, I'm going to eliminate that. From now on, I'm changing my little ultimatum. Now, only one of them needs to turn themselves in; the other will get off scott free." He looked at the floor for a moment, then turning his eyes back up. "Oh, that doesn't mean that people won't die. Quite the opposite I might add. It's time all of you understand the true price of harboring these vigilantes. You thought the deaths of Commissioner Munch and Judge Donnelly were horrifying, get ready for what's to come, and remember, the Batman and Batgirl have no excuses now. Tick tock Gotham, tick tock." He erupted into more giggles, dropping the camera onto the floor. Before the feed went black, blood-curdling screams were heard, blood splattering on the floor.
"I regret to say," droned the news anchor, "That detectives Goren and Eames were found dead this morning. Now the question is what the Joker's next move is, and will he spring it at Commissioner John Munch's funeral later today?"
Olivia shut off the television, and icy pit forming at the base of her stomach. The calls for them to turn themselves in would only get worse after today, especially with the Joker's announcement that only one of them do it.
Swallowing, Bruce glanced in Olivia's direction, seeing her in deep thought. "Don't even think about it Liv!" he yelled, knowing what was going through her head.
"What are you talking about Bruce?" she replied, stunned at his tone. He never yelled like that, except when he became protective.
"I know you too well Olivia. You are thinking of doing the selfish thing and turning yourself in. Don't you even dare!"
"Or what?" she scoffed. "I'm a grown woman Bruce! You don't own me; what gives you the right to make these demands of me?"
'Because I care about you! More than you'll ever know.' He just couldn't bring himself to say that. He was sure it would ruin whatever friendship they had. "You are a strong, selfless woman Olivia. You have so much to offer the world; you don't deserve to rot in prison for my mistakes. If there is anyone who deserves that fate it's me. I have no real contribution to this world."
All of a sudden, he felt Olivia's palm collide with his face. "Don't you say that Wayne! There is no way I'm letting you kill yourself like that! How could you even think of doing this to the people you love?"
"I'm not. Just promise me that you won't give in to the Joker's demands."
"I promise, only if you promise as well."
"Ok," said Bruce, knowing that if it came down to it, he'd make the ultimate sacrifice. He didn't deserve anyone's love and he knew it. Not only was he putting Olivia in harm's way, but also keeping Alex from a good life with Harvey (or stapling her to him for life). He would need to have a discussion with her later, finally working out their issues once and for all. He needed the certainty on way or the other.
"Good," Olivia whispered, giving him a genuine smile. She rose and went into the bedroom to change.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting ready for Munch's funeral."
"Don't go Liv. You could die." He couldn't believe that he was cautioning Badass Benson, but something in him was getting very protective of her.
She emerged in jeans and a tasteful green blouse. "Don't worry Bruce. I'm a big girl." She kissed him on the cheek and left the apartment, only then realizing what she had done. Her grin nearly broker her jaw.
Bruce stood stunned at the kiss, both that Olivia did it and at how good it felt. 'That settles it, the feelings I have are real.' He definitely had to have the talk with Alex, because this couldn't go on any longer. He knew with all he had however, that Olivia certainly didn't feel the same way. How could she?
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"I don't like this Oz. Not one bit."
"What's not to like?" asked Penguin, fiddling with his monocle.
"Are you kidding me?" spat Maroni, pacing back and forth. "We want both of them taken down. Now the Joker's going after just one!"
"Either one of them free is a threat to our holdings," observed Delia dryly. Of the Couple in Crime, Penguin figured her as the brains in the marriage. "You told us this was getting taken care of."
"It is I assure you. We are combining intricate maneuvering with unpredictable twists. The Joker and I are handling this. Trust me." The two relented and Penguin sighed with relief. 'You will all get yours soon, you all will.'
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Still giddy from the kiss, and shocked that she had been so bold, Olivia strode into the bullpen with a goofy smile on her lips. Only to disappear when she saw the faces of her coworkers. They were grieving for Goren and Eames, but there was also a desperation on their face, as if prepping for a mission. "What's going on?"
Elliot stormed out of his office and tossed her a Kevlar vest. "We know the Joker's next target."
"Who?"
"It's in today's paper," he replied, handing her the obituary section of the Ledger. There, occupying the whole page, was one for Mayor Garcia.
A/N: And BOOM! My take on a Joker attack and a Hostage Video. Hope I did it justice.
Poor Bruce and Olivia, getting so close to each other but convinced the other doesn't agree. Bruce has definitely come a long way but how does Alex fit into this? Don't worry, I may be changing the entire emotional dynamic of TDK but it all leads back to the same road.
Next up, does the Joker kill the mayor? I think you know what'll happen, but what a ride!
Please Review!
PS: If any of you haven't seen Black Hawk Down, well you just have to see it.
