Fourteen

Mia POV:

The first thing Mia noticed when she awoke was that her room was freezing. It was autumn alright, definitely time to invest in a pair of wooly socks. A knock at the door made her tumble out of bed. She straightened and moved sleepily to it to reveal a smiling Harriette baring a tray of breakfast.

"Ello mon petite ange, I 'ope you are well rested." She said and Mia nodded, allowing her inside the messy room. Mia hadn't lied, her sleep had been strangely void of disturbing dreams which could only be a good thing right? She moved to her closet and opened it to pullout something for work whilst chewing bemusedly upon a piece of buttered toast. How was it that she had so many clothes yet nothing to wear?

Just choose something you ninny.

Oh, good morning to you too.

Aint nothing good about it. There isn't anything natural about being up at this hour.

Come now Tess, I'll be seeing Bruce today.

Oh okay that is good news.

I think you like him Tess, maybe I should let you two meet.

Yeah, maybe but then I'd have to live with being your crazy ass self and that is something this delicate flower can't handle.

You're joking right, delicate? It's a bit of a stretch.

Shut your mouth!

Never opened it.

Fuck off!

Been there done that.

Oh you little…

For the next half and hour Mia had the ultimate pleasure of listening to Tess recount a rather colourful story of her apparent parentage whilst insulting just about ever physical characteristic of Mia's person. There was an impressive vocabulary of adjectives to be sure which had Mia giggling as she left the room.

"Wait! Mon ange wait, ere eez a letter for you." Harriette said and Mia turned to her confused as she pulled her gloves on. Harriette handed her a scarlet enveloped letter and Mia nearly fainted.

"Where did you get this?" She asked and Harriette looked confused.

"Et was on your floor Mia, I thought you 'ad dropped et." She said and Mia recovered.

"Oh ye, of course. I remember it now. Thank you Harriette, I'll call you when I'm coming home." She said and kissed her housekeeper fondly on her cheeks before departing rapidly from the house. She just about ran to the car, threw open the door and slammed it shut behind her. She tore it open in a feverish hast and read it through rapidly. It was very short.

Mia,

I found him.

No signature, no words of apology or devotion. Then again what had given him the impression in their last parting that she was truly interested in such things from him? What did he mean him?

"Papa?" She breathed aloud and jumped as the window next to her was knocked. She scrolled it down and peered out at Harriette who flustered a little at scaring her.

"Master Bruce would like me to tell you zat ee eez awaiting you at his company, zere was a change I plans and ee could not get away." She said ad Mia smiled and nodded. She started the car and began to drive away. Her thoughts were rolling as she sped towards Wayne Tower. She stopped momentarily to pick up coffee. Jack had found her Father which would mean that he still cared enough to look which meant he might have forgiven him. Ifs and maybes filled her head as she parked and stepped out of her car. She walked dazedly through the front entrance of the enormous building and told the secretary in a distant voice the reason for her visit. The amused woman ushered her towards the elevator and Mia thanked her before pressing the button and preparing for the long climb to the top. That annoying music that always seemed to fill elevators made her want to throw something, her alright mood had vanished and had been rapidly replaced by a growing sense of dread. If her Father was alive that could mean he had been in Gotham the whole time; watching, waiting and she had been unaware of it the whole time. She swore violently as the doors opened to reveal Lucius Fox, who seemed rather amused with her choice of words.

"Truly Miss Delaney, I had no idea my visage was so hideous that it was necessary for such colourful language." He teased and she blushed.

"Sorry Lucius, really bad morning." She said and he smiled.

"Ah, even the best of us have them my dear… perhaps this means that the rest of the day will get better." He said and replaced her prior position in the elevator. She smiled and nodded.

"Yes, perhaps." She said and he waved.

"Have a good day Mia." He called as the doors closed and she slumped momentarily against the wall. Why had she chosen these heels, they were much too small for her and too high. She rubbed the soles for a minute before straightening the sleek black dress she wore and pulling her pale hair back behind her ears. She forced herself to smile before walking towards Bruce's office. She knocked on the door and it was immediately opened to reveal the man she was looking for. The night had obviously been better for her than it had for him. There were dark circles beneath his eyes and his usually sleek appearance was uncommonly ruffled; perhaps he had slept at the office. He looked happy to see her though so she took it as a good sign that she had actually come.

"Hello Bruce, you look awful." She teased brightly and he grimaced.

"Thank you Miss Sunshine." He said tiredly and sat down behind his desk. She moved and sat down primly on the other chair in the room and fixed him with a compassionate stare.

"I wonder how she feels this morning." Mia commented and Bruce looked confused.

"Who?" He asked and Mia put on her best British impersonation.

"Well my dear, I was referring of course to the wonderful lady with whom you were, shall we say, shagging last night." She said. He stared at her uncomprehendingly until she began to laugh hysterically.

"Shagging, well that's one I haven't heard in a while. How is the psychologist going?" He asked and she screwed up her nose like a child forced to consume foul tasting cough medicine. It was his turn to laugh.

"That bad huh." He said and she rolled her eyes. They had become rather close, if the Gordon's were her family then Bruce was the closest thing she had to a steady she would probably ever have. They were colleges, friends and sometimes lovers; often after a really bad day on both ends. They weren't official and she doubted they ever would be but they were always there for each other when either one needed it.

"I brought you a coffee." She said and he perked immediately as she offered him the warm cup containing the life saving miracle that was coffee. He began to drink it slowly and the drowsy look left his darkened eyes. Was that a bruise? She sipped her own and waited for him to speak. She didn't have to wait long.

"Mia, I know you told me not to bury myself into your past and honestly I tried but things I have been dealing with recently have led me down that path and I have uncovered information that may have something to do with Him." He said and she sighed, placing the no longer appetizing coffee o the table in front of her. She looked up at him and nodded for him to continue.

"My research has led me to discover his whereabouts as well as another person who is looking for him." He paused and seemed to want anyone else to say this but him. He looked s miserable that she had to say something.

"Bruce I know." She said and his eyes widened. She nodded.

"I have been doing my own investigating, the moment I got out of Arkham it's been my goal to find my Father and I always intended to do so… I failed to kill him once but I won't this time." She said and he flinched.

"Killing him will not bring you peace, trust me. For years after my parents died I waited till I could have my chance to do Chill in myself but that was taken from me. Rachael knew and you know what she said to me?" He asked and she shook her head.

"That my father would have been ashamed of me and she was right. My father would have hated the though that I would go out and make myself into the same kind of man that had killed him and my mother. A cold hearted killer… I couldn't bear it Mia if I stood by a let you ruin yourself through this. Please think of all the good that's in your life now; the Gordon's, Harriette, me. Please Mia don't give up." He begged and she shut down completely. He was the only other person who knew most of her dirty little secrets and she thought she knew most of his; she had the feeling that although she knew all about his past there was something he was not telling her about that was vitally important. Then again she hadn't told him about Jack so fair was fair. She closed everything out and refused to listen. After a minute's silence she opened her mouth.

"I got this letter this morning. It's from my own sources and I won't name them but I think you and I have reached the same conclusion." She said and too out the letter she had tucked into her bag. She handed it to him and he read it. He studied the note carefully, eying every inch of it before sighing and handing it back to her.

"He's in Gotham, I do not know exactly where but my sources say somewhere in the Narrows. An easy place to blend in if your last name is Jones." Bruce said and she nodded. She needed to find Jack and soon. She stood and moved around the desk to hug Bruce. He enfolded her in his arms and they stood like that for several minutes. She like how strong he was, he was stable and always there to take the world on for her if she needed him to. She breathed in the musky cologne he always wore and couldn't quite hide the sharp smell of antiseptic.

"You've been fighting again." She said and he flinched.

"I never ask Bruce, I never ask you what it is you do that gets you hurt and I don't know if I'm ready to know. I love you Bruce you're my best friend and I never like seeing you hurt so if you ever need anything and for some reason there is no way anyone else can help you please come and find me…" She trailed off and squeezed him tightly. He returned the hug and pulled back slightly. He smoothed her hair away from her face, a gesture he often did after their nights together and she smiled.

"Not now you unsavoury gentleman." She teased and he laughed.

"Oh, why on earth not?" He asked and she sniffed haughtily.

"I might have to fear for my maiden's virtue should I stay in your roguish company much longer." She said and he laughed but withdrew from her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her gently on her cheeks.

"Take care Mia, thank you." He said and she smiled. She turned and picked up her coffee which was now lukewarm before heading to the door.

"I will and you too." She said before blowing him a kiss and exiting the room. She walked steadily towards the elevator, stepping calmly into compact square-roomed device and waited quietly until she reached the bottom. She waved to the secretary and walked back to her car which was parked underneath the tower. She climbed into her seat, closed the door, threw her bag into the back and buried her head in her hands. She didn't cry but she came bloody close. She suddenly felt drained of all energy and slumped into her seat.

Well this is a right fix isn't it?

Thank you very much Tess, this is just what I need.

Oi, just trying to ease the suffering.

Bang up job there sister. You should win Young American of the Year or something.

Yeah well, then everyone would want me to help them and I don't give to flying shits about them I only care about you.

Sweet of you.

I know right.

What do I do?

About?

Him.

Which one?

What do you mean which one?

What I mean is, are you talking about your father or the clown?

Both, neither oh I don't know.

Well make up your mind its 55 cents a minute here.

Oh fuck off.

Ouch someone's got the panties in a twist again.

I though you were supposed to be helping me.

Alright well, I don't think you need to stress about those two separately.

What do you mean?

They're sort of connected you know. If you find one you'll get the other sort of deal.

Right so which one to I go after first?

I also don't think you need to worry about that one either.

Why?

See for yourself…

"Hello Doll." A familiar voice said softly and Mia turned in her seat to find Joker sitting casually in her passenger seat as though he had always been there and they were about to start discussing the weather.

"Jack…" She whispered then everything went black.

Joker POV:

Well that was fucking fantastic. He gazed down at the only woman he had ever loved, no not loved endured was more accurate, and sighed. She'd lost weight again, her skin had lost the glow he had remembered from their last meeting and her silky hair was a chaotic mess of clips and pins. She was still beautiful though. He could never deny that. Even though he hadn't seen her face to face in three months he could never deny that she was still the most stunning thing he's ever had the pleasure of knowing. Didn't mean he wasn't still furious at her. The familiar rage welled inside him again but he remembered his word; a thing he never broke, a contained himself. Gently he pulled himself over to her and began to tap her face lightly. She moaned and her eyelids fluttered. When they were open he grinned, not madly or psychotically but teasingly.

"Well, I-ah thought you had more… in you than-ah that." He said haltingly not really sure what to say next he grew awkward and began to draw away. Her eyes widened and se lunged at him. He stopped himself from yelping in surprise and she tackled him into an enormous embrace and buried her face into his chest.

"Jack… oh Jack I missed you." He heard her muttered softly and stiffly wrapped him arms around her slim frame.

"I kept trying to find you, to say sorry but… you wouldn't let me would you… you had to make me suffer. Like you always do." She said and he sighed.

"Yes." He said simply and she nodded, looking up into his face. She was the only person he knew who looked him in the face without fear. This tiny woman who had hurt so much and had everything to lose yet she sat here unafraid to look into the eyes of the craziest son-of-a-bitch he knew.

"You were right though." He said and her eyes widened.

"When we've sorted this mess out Doll, we'll talk about it alright. Right now I need to show you where a certain somebody lives don't I?" He said and she nodded, excited. Her massive blue eyes were filled wit a strange gleam and with a thrill he realised it was blood lust. Sure lust itself was all well and good, specifically with his Doll but her blood lust oh… it made he laugh in delighted pleasure.

"Let's go for a drive Doll." He said and she nodded. She started the ignition and took off, following his instructions carefully and memorizing the route they made to the letter. Bruce had been right, her father was in the Narrows. In fact he seemed to own a major amount of property within the Narrows. Once a glutton, always a glutton she thought as Jack explained how he had found out about her Father. Apparently there was only one Frank Jones a.k.a The King Suite, who had fit the description of her father. For two months he had tried to gather as much information about this King Suite as possible which had not been easy; everything about him was rather taboo even the mobs didn't like to speak of him. He owned most of the Narrows black market; he was the major player in the underground world, dealing in money, sex, booze, property, drugs and people of all kinds. Mobs went to him for goods and back up but no one could give anything much on him. His connections were tight and he was a meticulous bastard.

"Yeah I know." Mia had piped in at this point. Wisely Joker had said nothing and kept going with his story… Doll's hands had gone white on the steering wheel.

Eventually he had managed to corner one of The King Suite's own men, a tricky feat which had pulled more strings than he like to admit but had been well worth it. The kid had squealed big time and given what mood Joker had been in that day he felt that he probably would have caved as well so there was no really hard feelings towards the boy who was now feeding fishes at the bottom of the docklands. King Suite's name, syndicates and addresses were now Joker's own personal arsenal and Mia looked ready to jump on him again by the time he finished his explanation. The two of them were now parked across the street from a warehouse that was apparently a major drug house for King Suite.

"You sure this is the place?" She asked, peering doubtfully at the rusty place. A cough brought her attention back to the present and she grinned sheepishly up into his face as he glared at her.

"Right, you're sure." She said and he smiled.

"You know what? I'm thinking little jobs to piss him off. You know like friends going missing, cartels going wrong, interference in regards to quality of goods… think you can handle it?" She said and Joker smirked.

"You planners, always thinking the world is going to play nice and do what you tell it to." He said and she quirked a brow at him. He pulled from within his jacket the massive cake of plastic dynamite he had strapped to hi waist prior to their meeting and waggled his eyebrows at her. Her eyes widened momentarily then her mouth stretched into a grin.

"Fireworks love? You shouldn't have?" She said coyly and he leant forward and pressed his lips against hers roughly. She responded immediately. Her body clamped against his and she moaned agonizingly into his mouth; he dropped the C4 and ran his hands over her slim body, taking delight in the feel of her soft skin once more under his touch. Her nipples stood erect beneath her black dress and as they drew apart for breath he could see her pupils were dilated with lust, the usually vibrant blue almost completely hidden by the soul searing blackness. He shivered his anticipation. Her lips were swollen and luscious so he pressed his to her once more, devouring her mouth and forcing his tongue inside. She moaned again and as his hand rubbed against her breast her entire body vibrated against him.

"Jack." She whispered and he groaned. Her fingers were tangled in his hair and suddenly they were gone, running down his back and resting on his belt. He shuddered as she fingered the waistband and loosened the belt slightly, allowing her to ease a hand inside and cup him fully. He groaned and dragged her onto lap. His engorged member swelled even more as she began to move her hand up and down it, pumping him from tip to base. Pressure was building and he bit down on her neck harshly, emitting a soft moan from her lips as she continued her ministrations.

"Mia." He whispered and she moaned slightly.

"Maybe I should stop, save this for after we blow up the building." She said and he shook his head but she stopped. He swore violently.

"Mia!" He begged but she merely smirked.

"Tell you what; consider this payback for three month of torture I had to go through before I saw your sorry ass again." She said and he felt furious but conceded defeat. If he wanted he could take her, force her into the back seat of her car and take her in the leather seats. He had done it before and he could do it again. However he would wait, she had said later and besides blowing up a building was a pretty close second to having a girl give you a blow job so really he was going to win something by the end of the night.

"Fine, but later." He said and retightened his belt.

"Later." She promised and began to attend to the mark on her neck. It was definitely going to leave a mark for a little while and marred her perfect skin ever so slightly.

"It shows people that you are mine." Joker whispered darkly and loved how it made her eyes widen ever so slightly. She quickly got out of the car and he followed her. He grabbed the C4 and together they prepared the unfortunate building for its demise.

'You would think he'd have better security than this." She said and Joker smiled.

"No, he's grown lazy. Probably thinks no one can-ah touch him considering he got away… with the murder of his wife, disappearance of his son and-ah… continual rape of his daughter." He said and she flinched.

"Sorry Doll, but I am right." He said and she nodded.

"Let's just burn this fucker down." She said and he sighed dreamily.

"I love it when you talk dirty." He said and she smiled cheekily as they lay the final wire. They ran back to the car and he handed her the detonator with a flourish. She accepted it happily and squeezed the trigger without a moment's hesitation. The entire warehouse exploded in a fiery ball of hell fire. Joker cackled hysterically and Mia shrieked with excitement. She clutched at his hand and kissed him boldly on the lips in adrenalin pumped bravery. When she drew away she smirked.

"Your place or mine?" She queried.

"Mine." He said huskily and she smiled. Occasionally looking back upon the burning building the two mad lovers drove away into the night, laughing hysterically as they watched the world burn.