Alright I wasn't going to update because I updated twice last week. However, being how The Dark Knight comes out in less them, four hours (yes I'm going to the video store at midnight) I'm in a really good mood. Plus reviews make me happy so now my day will be even better lol. So I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, it's shorter then what they have been but it's a good one. I actually like this chapter, so I hope it puts a smile on your faces!
I own the plot.
Chapter 21
Call This Off
"I... I'm sorry." cried a voice in the darkness. "I'm so sorry. I didn't... I didn't think they'd have to use them!"
"Awww..." said the Joker with a pout. "That's what you get for thinking..."
"Please! Let me go!" yelled the voice. Finally the crying figure came into view. It was Matt Hudson, he was a bank manager. He was bound to a chair, and the look of fright plastered all over his face. Seems like the Joker loved art, because his eyes were black and he had a red smile painted on his face. Tears in the mans eyes, he continued to look past the camera at the deranged figure holding it. "LET ME GO!"
"Calm down, calm down." said the Joker. "Remember our little… tiny deal. Read it.... READ IT!" the Joker's voice roared. The man flinched at the rage in the Joker's voice and slowly read into the camera.
"Citizens of Gotham, I'm Matt Hudson. I'm a husband, and a father of two. I'm thirty seven years old. If you want to save my life... and many others you'll listen closely..." he paused looking down at the papers. "Uh... There is a large amount of C-4 at the gates of freedom... Crazed criminals will walk the streets, and you'll be in even more danger. You have thirty minutes to kill the mayor of Gotham. If you fail to do so-" the camera turned as the Joker pointed it to himself.
"I wont be the only criminal you'll have to deal with." he laughed. "Oh by the way, time is tic tocking away... If you fail to kill the mayor... theeennn... Hmmm lock all your doors and windows." he laughed loudly and the screen went blank.
Rachel sat in shock as she stared at the TV screen. Her hands started to shake and she broke in a cold sweat. She didn't know what to think or to do. The Joker was deranged and told her to watch the news. She did and so did the rest of Gotham. They thought this clown was out of commission and perhaps gone for good. Now they know the truth. The Joker is alive and he's ready to get back in the game.
Rachel had to quickly get to her office and find out what was going to happen. She got up from the couch and grabbed her things. After slamming the door she pulled out her cell to call Bruce. All she got was his voice mail and she left him a message to call her as soon as he could. She banged open the doors and cool wrapped around her but her skin was warmed by the suns bright beams. On her way to her car she was grabbed by the arm and jerked back into the shadows. The out of no where contact scared her causing her to scream. A hand flung over her mouth and a "Shhh" filled her ears. Knowing who it was she relaxed and remained silent. She turned as the figure loosened his grip and she looked up into that cruel painted face.
"Are you crazy?" she asked loudly.
"Beautiful, I haven't seen you in... about eight hours and this is what I get?" The Joker cleared his throat and spoke in a girly voice. "Are you crazy!" and put his hands on his hips.
"Shut up, and I don't sound like that." she snapped at him as he giggled. "Fine. Hi. How are you? I saw you on the news. Are you insane?"
"Perhaps." he said rubbing his chin a thoughtful manner.
"The mayor?" she spoke slowly.
"Yeah, I thought he'd be a great target." he said smoothing out the front of his vest with his hands. "Wouldn't you agree Miss. Dawes?"
"This is-." she cut off hearing sirens ring through the morning air a few blocks away.
"Aww, music to my ears." said the Joker with amusement. "Along with the screaming. The crying. The boo hoos of the pathetic citizens of this crippled city... It's just pure beauty."
"Where is the mayor?" asked Rachel turning to him with a glare in her eye.
"I dunno." he shrugged. "Away from windows and civilians I'm guessing." Rachel felt an anger burn up inside her. It made her sick listening to the Joker be so clam and act like this was an unharmful event. Like it was something that every day people did just as a hobby or even a line of work. She gave him a hard glare and he eyed her with a tilt of his head. "What?"
"You are out of your mind." She stated with a shake of her head. "I don't get you."
"Look around beautiful!" he said with a laugh. "Your not the only one! Besides… what's to get? I'm a psychotic, mass murderin' clown that has no limits!" Rachel eyed him as his words tore through her.
"Where did you get that description?" asked with a raised brow.
"Uh…" He looked around quickly and opened the garbage can that stood near them. He pulled out a news paper and scanned the front of it with a laugh. "Right there! Second sentence of the first paragraph." He pointed and held it up for Rachel. "Done you read and keep up with today's world Miss. Dawes?"
"I don't have to read the paper Joker." She said with a snarl. "I know everything because the man that makes the headlines tends to be around me twenty four seven!"
"Ah, am I invading your bubble?" he asked with a pout.
"No Joker you're not invading my bubble, you ARE my bubble!" she shouted hitting him in the arm. He laughed at her and she couldn't help but give a growl of frustration.
"Hmmm, there's only fifteen minutes left… the boys in blue better uh… hurry." Said the Joker looking at his watch and placing it back in his pocket. Rachel turned to him with pleading eyes and it felt like a ton of bricks just fell in the pit of her stomach. "What?"
"Please... Call this off." she said pleading up at him with worried eyes. "Please... Just stop all of this." He didn't respond, just licked his lips with a blank stare. "Please... I'm begging you. Give us a break." She pleaded up at this deranged clown.
"What are you talking about a break? I gave this city a break for almost a week." said the Joker. "Uh, I think it's time for me to get back to my job."
"Well your so called JOB is destroying this city." spat Rachel. "You can only go so far."
"I know that." said the Joker, and then laughed. "Do you really think I'm that stupid? News flash cupcake but I'm NOT stupid."
"I'm aware of it." She spat at him. Remembering all those long nights in her office, sitting there studying everything about the Joker. She knew he was highly intelligent but has yet to confront him about his education. Now wasn't the time nor place to discuss the matter. "You have to stop this. All of this. I think you've hit the limit."
"I don't have a limit! Well, I guess in a sense I do, but not at the moment. When the time comes sweetheart things will change for me. My uh, rubber ducky will sink and I'll be screwed. Not in the uh, way I'd like." He smirked and added. "I don't plan on doing this for the rest of my life... though I'd love to. Really I would. There is no better feeling then this… being in control. On the run everyday knowing that all hell could break loose any moment. Everything has an ending point." He smirked at Rachel. He could hear the police sirens cut through the air around them and it sent goose bumps over him. "One of these days, I'll get caught. Killed. Hurt. Taken down sort of speak... I can't do this forever. You know why? I won't be aloud too." He raised a brow at her serious expression. "All good things come to an end beautiful. I'm not invincible."
"So you're going to continue terrorizing this city till the day you die?" she asked.
"Something like that yeah." he smiled. "That's all up to the Batman."
"I see. Batman is going to have to kill you in order for you to stop?" she asked crossing her arms.
"That sure would stop me wouldn't it?" he smirked. "However, that's not going to happen. You see, Batman WONT kill me. He needs me. To where I need him. With out the Batman I wouldn't really be anything. With out me, he wouldn't really be needed. Till the next blood crazed villain sets foot in town that is. Believe me, I'm not the only psycho running around this planet. There's a whole list of crazed criminals such as myself, just waiting to poke a shot at Gotham." He paused for a moment and added. "Of course, I'm the handsome one of the bunch." He smiled at Rachel. "The one that's going to uh, grace you with his presents for days to come."
"What if Batman doesn't kill you?" asked Rachel. "What about the Gotham City Police Force? Batman's not the only crime fighter out and about in this city."
"The GCPD won't kill me!" He said, causing his voice to squeak. He gave a laugh and waved his hand in a disapproving manner. "It's not going to happen beautiful. So you can continue to wish upon a star and continue to blow out your candles with hope BUT it's not going to happen."
"What makes you so sure?" she snapped in frustration.
"I won't let them. If you haven't noticed already, that I kind of run everything in this city including the police." Said the Joker. "I determine everything from the body count to the top head lines in the paper. I bet I could determine the weather if I wanted to! Perhaps the next flavor of coffee at Starbucks!"
"Don't get so full of yourself." Said Rachel with a roll of her eyes.
"It's just fact sweetheart." Replied the Joker. "It's all just one big game that I just happen to of invented and Gotham has been so willing to play."
"So that's what you believe in huh? Life's just game, play on?" she asked.
"That and what doesn't kill you simply makes you stranger." he grinned.
"Stranger?" she thought for a moment and looked up at him. "How many times have you almost been killed?" She had a timid tone in her eye.
"Uh..." he thought. "Allot."
"It shows." she said, and then spun around when a cop car flew down the street. The cops were out scanning the city for the Joker no doubt. Perhaps making their way towards the county jail, to check for bombs. She was thankful they were in the shadows, shielded from the cop's watchful eyes.
"There goes the dancing bears." said the Joker looking over her shoulder.
"Shut up." she said turning to him.
"Hey remember the rules?" he asked pointing at her. "No more saying. Shut. Up."
"Remember this rule..." she poked him in the chest at every word. "Listen. To. Me."
"I do listen." he said. "I just don't DO what I'm told."
"That's not listening." she snapped.
"Yes it is. I listen to what you say... I just don't DO what you say." he smirked at her and she shook her head. "There is a difference you know."
Another cop car zoomed by and the Joker let out a laugh. Rachel knew time was ticking away and she had to think. She needed to get down to the station. She had to get a hold of Bruce. She had to change this mad man's mind but didn't see that happening. She turned to yell at him but froze. He stood there against the wall, hands in his pockets, watching her. He had an amused grin on his face and his eyes fixed on hers. She felt her stomach twist and turn, she couldn't help but find him… amazing? Maybe, fascinating… either way she couldn't help but get hooked to this mad man. She had an urge to just walk up to him smack him then kiss him better. She couldn't. She had to restrain all those twisted love sick feelings. She had to push them aside and get back to her job. Defending this city and her main target of cleaning up the streets was standing in front of her.
"What's wrong Miss. Dawes?" he asked with a grin.
"You." she snapped.
"Uh, I happen to be a lot of people's problem." He said with a thoughtful nod.
"You know what." She said stomping up to him. "You are a big problem. Your constantly there. I can't turn a corner without running into you. You have me going in circles. You have me so mixed up and confused it's not even funny. Maybe to you it's funny, because you're a sick twisted clown that laughs at the most unfunny things ever! I don't know what to do about this!"
"About what?" he asked with an amused grin plastered on his face.
"You!" she yelled. "I know you're not going to leave me alone, you already said that. You made that perfectly clear! I wanted you to leave me alone. I wanted you to go away. Yet I took care of you. Helped you. I feel sorry for you constantly and try to think of ways to help you."
"I left you alone… for a good eight hours." he said quickly, but she kept on going.
"I know you left!" she snapped. "I thought, 'oh maybe he'll leave me alone now.' But nope! Here you are! Right here in front of me! Talking to me and making me play your sick game."
"Hey, my games aren't sick!" he said strongly. "There just, slightly different with a hint of twisted humor that only I myself can enjoy." He smiled as she glared at him with her dark eyes.
"Your not funny." She finally said with a hint of rage behind her words.
"I'm not trying to be." He said with a laugh. "But for the record, I think I'm HIGHLY hilarious." He gave a laugh.
"Yes extremely hilarious!" she said loudly. "Gotham sure is laughing aren't they?" Before he could respond she spat more words at him. "You have to realize Joker that not everything is fun and games. Life is a serious matter."
"Says who?" asked the Joker.
"It's just how it is." She stated.
"What's the point?" he asked with a roll of his eyes. "Why take life seriously? It's not like you get out alive anyways."
"Well that's your philosophy." She said with a shake of her head.
"That it is beautiful." He smiled. "That it is." He paused and ran his tongue along his lip. "Awe is someone annoyed?" he asked laughing. "You sure are cute when you're all tense and upset like this." He laughed at her again making her want to scream in annoyance.
"No, that is another thing that is bugging me." she snapped. "I'm not annoyed, upset or mad at you! What is it about you? You have an effect on me that I just can't seem to ignore." By now she had a hold of the front of his coat and was lightly shaking him. The Joker stopped laughing at her and a smile formed on his lips. She stopped shaking him and slowly let him go. She stood back and spoke in a calm voice. "I wish I could just… turn back time."
"Sooo you can…. What?" he asked with curious eyes.
"So I could get to know the man that smiled out of good, and was once a man of hope and honor." She shook her head. "Not the monster he became that smiles out of pain and fear. I just… wish I had that chance." She looked up at him with a tear in her eye and his eyes looked into hers. He licked his lips and gave a small growl in the back of his throat. He got eye level with her and spoke deeply.
"No you wouldn't." he said with dark eyes.
Rachel wasn't sure how to respond to his little comment. She did want to know the Joker before he got his scars. Before he became the Clown Prince of Crime. Before his life was ripped apart and he lost all hope and heart to where he became a monster that thrived on other's fears and pain. She wanted to crack the puzzle. He stood tall with a tilt of his head and Rachel found her voice.
"I have to go to work." She broke from his gaze and but before she left she turned back to him. "I know you're the most wanted and most feared man in Gotham. I know you feel that you don't need anyone… but everyone needs someone."
"What's your point?" he asked with a growl.
"You know where I am if you ever need someone to confide in." she gave a small smile and walked towards her car.
"I'm touched Miss. Dawes." he called behind her putting a hand on his chest. "Deeply touched." He gave a roll of his eyes.
Rachel wasn't sure what to do. She let the killer clown know that he had some sort of twisted effect on her. She let him know that she had deep feelings and she wanted to know more about him. The fact that he looked as if he would strangle her if she spoke those words again, scared her. She just had to let him know what was going on her mind and what was eating her up inside. That thought ran through her mind as she started her car. She glanced up and saw the Joker, still in his spot and he gave a small wave. She looked away from him and put her car in drive and pulled out of her parking spot. She looked in the rear view mirror for one last look at the clown, but he was gone. She quickly sped down the street and towards the station. She couldn't help but smile at the whole conversation her and the Joker just had. She knew she was in for a wild ride, and was ready for what ever was thrown at her. Once she got to the station the time was up for someone to kill the mayor. In panic she ran through the front doors, and up to the first cop she saw.
"Is the mayor alive?" she asked.
"Yes, he's here and safe." said the cop. "The Joker is in for a surprise."
"How?" asked Rachel as the cop pointed to the TV screen.
There were cops all around the county state penitently. All armed and ready for the gates to open and the criminals to be let free. A bomb squad was walking around the gates and fences looking for the bombs. There wasn't any record of any bombs being set. They didn't even find any bombs. This was odd to Rachel, and the cop behind her laughed.
"Stupid clown." said the cop. "It was a hoax! Just to scare people."
Rachel thought for a moment. The Joker, lying just to get people to do something. No that didn't sound right. He was a man of his word right? So something wasn't right and it was eating at Rachel. She replayed the Joker's message through her mind. Gates of freedom... Crazed criminals... It would be the jail right? Her mind was racing and all of a sudden it hit her. Her mouth went dry and her heart pounded in her ears. She felt a bit faint and shook her head lightly at the fact the Joker was a trickster. She grabbed the cops arm and looked up into his confused face.
"No, it's not the jail." she said in panic.
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A young blond walked up and down the halls, checking in on patients. She would smile sweetly at them and be on her way. She'd ask how some of them were doing and if they needed anything. Her black high heals, made her steps echo down the halls. She pulled her lab coat around her perfect frame. Plastic rimmed glasses shielded her bright blue eyes. One of her soft hands played with the red and black rubber bracelets on her wrist. She came to a stop in front of a cell, and buzzed the door open. She looked inside at the man in the corner of the room. A straight jacket bound around his torso, securing his arms.
"Well, Mr. Crain, how are you feeling?" Asked the young blond with a grin. He didn't respond but gaze up at her with a weird smirk on his face. "Hope your feeling well."
He didn't respond and she made her way out of the cell, and finished her check ups. She wondered to the elevator and took it to the top floor. She went into her office and sat down in her chair. She ran her fingers through her hair as she looked down at the desks wooden surface. She bit at her lip and prayed her day would go by quickly. She wanted nothing then to go home and sleep.
Across grounds to the front gates, a loud blast erupted. The blast was so strong and loud the whole city heard it and maybe even shook. The young nurse quickly jumped from her seat and ran to the window. She gazed out as small balls of flame fell from the sky. The entrance booth and gates were blown to bits. She could hear a commotion in the hall and even below her. She bit her lip as the red warning light flashed above her. The blast knocked out the security system and all the doors buzzed open. Then the sirens blasted through the air, across the grounds of the Arkham Mental Institution.
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Hmmm I wonder who that chick at the end was??? Hmmmm *taps forehead* Alright tell me what you think, please leave a review. I'll update sooner with the more reviews I get. I've replied to a few of my reviews below so I'm keeping up with you guys! Anyways, I hope you like this chapter and now I have one demand! Go watch The Dark Knight a good ten times! Hugs!
First off I want to thank everyone that's complimented me on my writing and keeping the characters in character. Thanks! I didn't get to everyone because well, it's late and the nearest Wal-Mart is like an hour away. Crazy right? Lol peace!
Esmeralda01 – thanks for the review. I'm glad that your into my story and thanks for all the ideas. I love when the readers give an open mind and what they'd like to see happen. Thanks! I have seen Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. It's really good and it does give some really good insight. I'm trying to keep the Joker in character as much as I can, and I think I'm doing a good job. Everyone tells me I am so I'm not stressed at the moment of straying away from his character. Later on in the story, there is a chapter or two based on the Joker and Rachel spending some one on one time. In a great atmosphere and some things start to really click and they connect. That's later on though. I don't want them to just BOOM fall in love just like that. Then it wouldn't be real it'd be like a fair tale thing… About Halloween, actually none of my friends were surprised that I was going to be the Joker. A few years ago I was the Joker from the Animated Series and a friend and I ran around as the Joker and Harley Quinn. Plus I've had been working on my Joker costume since June this year so I got everything down. So they knew it was going to happen lol. I thought my costume turned out really good, I need to post some pictures on Myspace. I'll give you the link when I do. Again thanks for the advice and all the insight! Hope you enjoy my next chapter!
MacAttack5 – I'm thankful your enjoying my story! I'm trying to update as much as I can. I love Bruce/Batman too, so I had to bring him back, because it just isn't a Batman story with out BATMAN! Lol thanks for the review!
Laurenmlbc – Thanks for the review! I can't see the Joker talking about his feelings, I see him running away from them. He doesn't catch me as 'lets share our feelings' type of guy lol. I'm happy your enjoying my fic!