About a month after the whole ordeal with Jack becoming Joker again and running off to attack Crane, things settled down. Batman transferred the psychotic doctor to a top notch asylum. One where there was zero chance of him breaking out, he hoped. Right now Bruce Wayne was getting ready for a fundraiser being sponsored by Wayne Enterprises. It was for a new children's hospital opening up. It didn't have to be black tie event but you still had to look nice. He settled for a dark blazer with a white collar shirt, pressed nice and crisp. He currently was working on putting his cufflinks. He spoke to Jack who was currently sitting on the bed, watching him get dressed. He spoke nervously. "I don't know Jack." "Com'on! Please? I promise to be good." Bruce eyed him and Jack rolled his eyes. "ok, better then I would normally act here." Bruce quirked an eye brow. "your sure you want to go?"
"Of course I am!" "Your aware there will be children there? Some pretty young ones at that." Jack laughed. "Brucie! I love kiddies! Of all ages!" Somehow Bruce found that hard to believe. He remembered a few times were the Joker killed children just to get Batman's attention.. he felt bad at that thought thou. The Joker wasn't Jack. He sighed under the pressure of big, green puppy eyes begging and asking if he can go. "Fine, you can go." He put his hands on Jacks shoulder to keep him from bouncing with excitement. Why was he so excited to go? He'll have to talk to him about that later. "BUT...you have o behave yourself. There's gonna be a lot of people there willing to donate to the children's hospital if you do something wrong they'll think badly of the company because your with me. Understood?" Jack nodded somberly. Bruce smiled gently, trying to lift the mood of the room. "Now go get ready. Something nice. And remember to cover up your scars." Jack waved his hand as he walked into the large walk in closet.
About a half hour later they were at the fundraiser. A white picket fence made the border around the area outside and a smaller one were the children could play, with a few play sets and swings. Jack dressed nicely, in a deep purple suite and a deep green collar shirt. Thou Bruce didn't say it (at least not yet) he thought Jack looked amazing in it. It really brought out his eyes and natural blond highlights.
The fundraiser was being held by a country club. Once he and Jack made it thru the doors to go out to the balcony toward said fundraiser, he felt Jack hold his hand a little tighter. The rich crowd was never his type which found it kinda ironic he would fall for a guy like him who's surrounded by that type all the time. Also a few weeks ago Bruce made it public that he was not only gay but taken. It kept it to the front page of newspaper, that way he didn't have to be pestered in person but rather over the phone.
Jack's eyes surveyed the area and his eyes stuck where the play-sets were. He looked up hesitantly. "Brucie?" Bruce smiled gently. "yeah?" "Can I go see them?" Bruce looked hesitant as he followed Jack's pointed hand. The kids play area? What was he gonna do there? But once again he fell under the gaze of big green puppy eyes. "Yes, just be careful with them. Some of them are very fragile and sick." Jack smiled and kissed him on the cheek before running off to play with the kiddies. He smiled and rubbed where he kissed. He was nearly a kid himself.
The few hours he was there talking with the many people wiling to donate, he was also watching Jack very closely and found a few people were as well. Even he had to admit it seemed a little weird for a grown man to rather play with children in the play area then socialize with other adults. Thou he was thoroughly amazed. He played with those children like they were his own. He was very careful with each one and gave each one individual attention. As he turned his back he suddenly heard crying, causing his head to snap back. It was simple, one of the little girls scarped her knee when she was running, making her pretty white dress dirty.
Jack went straight to her, gently picking her up, forgetting it wasn't his child. She clung to him thou, crying her little heart out while he petted her long blonde hair. Soon she wiped her eyes and smiled. He gently brought her over to a nearby bench in the play area and inspected her knee. She was still sniffling and her lip still unsure of wanting to cry or not. He looked to Bruce and signaled him over. Bruce came over. Jack now sitting on the bench, gently hugging the small girl in his arms while she decided wither to cry or to stop. He spoke gently. "Can you get me a band aid and something to clean her knee up with?" Bruce was shocked but went to find a band aid. As we went to get a bandage he saw a few photographers he let in for the event, starting to crowd around the play area.
He came back with it and patched up the girls knee with Jacks arms still around the young girl, talking to her while Bruce cleans her knee. Ignoring the few flashing lights around the play area from the photographers. "So whats your name?" She sniffled and spoke. "Sophia. But my family calls me Sophie." she yelped slightly as the antiseptic that hit her knee from the gentle cloth. Jack petted her hair. "shh it's alright. Sophia huh? That's a beautiful name for a beautiful lady." The girl smiled slightly, tears still going down her face. "Thank you. Whats your name?" "My name is Jack." the conversion went on until Bruce was done.
Bruce sighed as he got back up. "Jack, it's time to go." He couldn't help but notice the disappointed look in Jacks eyes. "ok, Sophie, Jack has to go now." She hugged him tighter and he smiled. "I'm sorry, maybe we'll see each other again. You go play with the other kids ok?" "ok. Good bye Mr. Jack." Jack smiled sadly and got up, taking Bruce's hand in his. When the go to the exit of the country club, Bruce was stopped by an older woman shouting for him from behind.
"Excuse me! Mr. Wayne!" Both he and Jack turned around. She smiled. " , I have to say how sweet it was to see you and your partner helping that little girl with her scrapped knee. And because so I am going to donate $50,000 of my wealth to your hospital." Jack smiled so brightly and all Bruce could do was shake her hand, shocked. "Why, thank you so much. That is very generous of you." The older woman smiled. "Your parents would be proud of you. Please have a safe drive home." Bruce smiled kindly back. "We will, thank you."
Once they were back home and Jack was undressing, Bruce brought up what he wanted to talk about, currently sitting on the bed. "Jack, what was with you today?" Jack smiled as he unbuttoned his shirt. "What ever do you mean?" Bruce smiled. "I mean with those kids. You worked so well with them." Suddenly Jack's mood darkened as he threw his shirt to the floor, going to the dresser for a crappy tee. "I don't want to talk about it." Bruce got up and forced Jack to look at him, holding both of his arms. "Jack, tell me what's wrong." Jack sighed angrily. "I said I don't want to talk about it!" "Why?" "Because it's stupid!" Jack sighed and looked down. Damn, he could already feel his eyes water. Bruce gently bought his face up. "Tell me what is wrong. It's not stupid if it's upsetting you this much."
Jack sighed and looked to the side. "It's...not so much a long story but.." Bruce gently quieted him with his lips, gently kissing him silent. He gently lead him to the bed,put his arm around his smaller shoulders. Jack let out a heavy breath and started. " Before I became Joker, I had a wife." Bruce nodded and spoke softly."I knew that part. She was killed, wasn't she?" Jack let out a shaky breath. A lump forming in his throat. "Yeah. Along with our unborn child." Bruce saw were this was going and the growing water in those green eyes. Jack didn't look up. Too scared to face Bruce. "I never got to be a parent to my child. I missed that and I want it back." Bruce looked a little shocked. "You want a kid?" Jack looked up, wiping his face before Bruce could see any tears fall down his face. "Yes. I do. For the longest time."
Bruce sighed. "A kid is a huge responsibility." Jack swallowed. "I know." He suddenly got up, shaking his head. "I know, I'm sorry I even brought it up, I told you it was stupid." Bruce stood up, following Jack, gently grabbing his arms, keeping him there. "It's a big responsibility but I think we can do it." He saw Jacks eyes lite up with such hope. "Really? You mean it?" Bruce smiled. "Yeah. I do. I've had enough of living alone. I think we should bring some life to this house. As if there isn't enough already from you." Jack smiled brightly as Bruce took him by his head, kissing him roughly. He could feel Jack smile into the kiss. "I love you Jack." He saw Jack's smile go brighter. "I love you to."
AN: That is the end of Punishment therapy but there will be a sequel and there will be more drama and perhaps more smut. I just really didn't want to add a smut scene to this chapter but I am in the process of writing a separate smutty chapter ;D
Thank you to all my followers. All your reviews really kept me motivated to write this :)
now I shall tell you what the next installment shall be.
When Bruce and Jack adopt there precious little bundle of joy, they enjoy there time as parents and married life (yes, They get married) but all that gets taken away from them as crane escapes once more and seeking revenge on Jack by going after him the only way he knows how: His family. Bruce and there baby are kidnapped and is threatening to kill both of them, unless jack can find them in time.
Please let me know what you think! Will be working hard on Monster At My Window as that is nearing it's completion as well.