I was pulled out of my thoughts and looked around where I was. The room was nice, it looked like the other in terms on shape. But it was actually liveable conditions. The walls were clean, and the floor was intact. But looking at the bed I realised this room wasn't made for me, it was already being used. The covers were all over the bed, pillows flung on the floor.

I picked up one and bringing it closer I could smell one of the only smells I could never forget, Jack. I laughed and tossed the pillow onto the bed. Smiling as I looked around the rest of the room, there was a small wardrobe with clothes either tossed in or hung up unevenly. I folded and corrected the clothes, my cleaning instincts kicking in. It was all the clothes I had seen him wearing, everything was either purple or green. After hanging up everything and folding the rest I came across a pair of black sweatpants. So, he did have some comfy clothes. Knew it.

This is what he used to live in when we were together, these or jeans and whatever top he could find. I remember doing his washing more than times than I could count. He could fix an engine but not figure out how to work a washing machine. Most men were the same, give them a machine and all they know is how to take it apart but not actually get it to work. I smiled remembering trying to teach him, washing liquid goes in here. Push these buttons to change the setting, that's how long it washes for. He gave up when I told him he needed to separate colours.

From then on, I did the washing and he fixed stuff. We co-existed very well. It was like we had already moved in together, he basically lived at my old home. But it would have been nice to do it for real, live together, just us. I think we could have done it, we wouldn't be the old cliché and grow to hate each other. Not us. We were different, we were the exception. Everyone thinks that, but we really were. We were so much stronger together, we loved each other. Not just the easy parts either, I loved every part of him, even the bad parts. Even when it was hard, and I wanted to scream and cry, I still loved him. I never stopped, even after I left. Jack has always been in my heart. He still is.

I moved to the bed pulling the covers and piling the pillows back up neatly. Jack could be so messy sometimes. I sat on the bed and laid down, exhausted suddenly. When I opened my eyes again it was darker outside but not much. I couldn't have slept for very long.

I could remember having a million pillows when I moved, the bed always felt so empty without Jack in it. Sometimes I could fool myself that he was there, lying with me still. In the middle of the night I would reach out for him and be met with a cold pillow, those moments really broke my heart. It felt like I lost him every night. I wanted him there with me, to hold me and tell me it would be alright. But it wasn't. I don't know if I would get my Jack back, he was opening up and reliving all these memories with me, but was it really him? Or was he playing the part he thought I wanted him too?

Was I?

It was all too complicated, too much history that I couldn't just forget, but having him so close but still so far was tearing me in two. I grabbed one of the pillows and screamed into it. It made me feel better, but only slightly. I needed to stop over thinking everything so much.

The room was pretty bare, except for the wardrobe and the bed, it also didn't have a kitchen like the other did. It was as though the walls were taken out and it was made into one giant space. It was spacious but had nothing on the wall. Only the furniture making it look like anyone actually lived in here. I went to the window intending to pull the curtain back. But when I got to it and realised it was actually open, I paused. I could get out, if I wanted to… Did I want to?
It would be so easy, just open it the rest of the way, use the bed sheets as a rope ladder to get down to the fire escapes and climb down. Back on the streets and then… do what?

Who could I call? I had no one. Gordon was gone and my bridges here were burned a long time ago. I had nowhere to turn, but Gordon had said, who knows who the Joker knows in the force. Who's to say I don't run away to be brought right back, run right into the claws of someone on Jokers payroll? Could I really abandon Jack all over again?

This time it really would be my fault, I would have done it to him. Willingly. But could I stay? I was brought here against my will and kept here under lock and key until now. Jack had to know he couldn't expect me to be ok with it. I might have been gone for a long time, but he knew me, better than anyone else in the entire world. He knew I wouldn't be ok with this.

I was at the window for a long time before I noticed activity down on the street. A white van screeched up onto the pavement and came to an abrupt stop outside the building. I watched with interest, what the hell was going on? The doors to the back of the van burst open and a group of men jumped out carrying something.

I couldn't really tell but they looked like they were wearing clown masks. Was it Jack? What were they carrying? I could hear banging and soon I could hear them inside the building. I went over to the door and opened it, they were already in the hallway heading my way, I went back into the room and they soon filed in. I was confused but then they laid down what they had been carrying on the bed. It was…
***I'm so cruel…***

Batman's p.o.v

It had only been 24 hours since Bruce took Gordon back to his mansion with him. He haggled with the head nurse to release him into his care, but he soon wished he could return him. To say he was a difficult patient was more than apt. He wouldn't stay in the room Alfred has set up for him, he had to be wrestled away from the Bat computer to eat or drink. His road to recovery was getting off to a rocky start.

Bruce was out most of the time trying to find clues to the Jokers whereabouts or shaking down some of his informants who were being less than forthcoming as of late. Alfred was the one who dealt with Gordon most of the time, but he was finding it hard to try and control a man only a few years younger than himself. With Bruce he had been taking care of him since he was a child and had that respect children usually have for older people. Gordon had none of that.
Bruce felt bad for Alfred, especially since he wasn't there a lot to help but he couldn't just leave Gordon in that hospital. But even leaving was difficult with Gordon hot on his heels.

"Gordon, I'm going out."
"Where, what are you going to do? I'll come."
"No Gordon, I need to do this alone."
"Why can't I come? I can help."
"Gordon, I need you to rest up."
"Now you listen here…"
Was usually the dialogue every time Bruce left, even when he was going out as Batman Gordon wanted to tag along. Alfred suggested the Robin suit might fit him, but no one found that funny except Alfred. Ok, Bruce found it a little funny.

He didn't say it to Gordon but even at full capacity he would only slow Bruce down. He wasn't a young spry detective he had once been. Even though his youth was lost he did have years of experience and sharp instincts, but Batman couldn't use those when facing a hail storm of bullets or jumping roof top to roof top. And Gordon wasn't fit to be moving around anyway. It's why he was released into Bruce's care on the condition he wouldn't move about too much. But Gordon thought he knew better than any nurse or doctor.

Bruce was thinking about this as he stood on the rooftop overlooking the narrows. He came here to try and find some of the Jokers men. But they were proving elusive tonight. Ever since that bombing it's like Joker and all of his men have vanished. Not a peep out them since that night. No follow up explosions, no videos sent to the press.

Nothing. It was worrying to say the least. Not because the city wasn't being terrorized they were glad for the breather, but the silence worried Batman more than anything. It was the calm before the storm. Or more accurately it's when your babysitting a misbehaving child and then realise they haven't made a noise in a while. And then you have to search for them to find out what trouble they have gotten into now. That's what Batman was doing. Finding the bratty child before he set the house on fire or killed the neighbour's cat. He didn't even want to think what the Joker was planning to be quiet for so long, but he had no doubt he would soon find out.

As he brooded on the roof he heard the door behind him slam open. Soon men wearing clown masks soon filed out and finally the Joker appeared. A sawed-off shotgun hung lazily in his hand by his side. His men all had guns pointed right at Bruce. But he kept his gaze on the Joker, he was the wild card. Batman turned fully around and stood to his full height.

"Joker." He said gruffly, he took in the Jokers appearance. He looked the same as always.
"Batsy. It's been a while." Joker lifted the shotgun and rested it on his shoulder and smiled at Batman. "Did you miss me?" His smile was wide, and Batman inwardly winced as the scars stretched. No matter how many times or how closely he seen them, he never got used to them.
"The bus station. Your work?" He asked, ignoring the Joker's remark.
"Me?" He asked feigning innocence. "How could you accuse me?"

"Is that a yes?" Batman pressed, the men around the Joker shifting uncomfortably as Bruce could see from his peripheral vision.
"You're no fun anymore." Joker snickered and levelled the shotgun at Bruce. "Let's spice things up." He fired a shot and Bruce had to fling himself behind an air vent to dodge it. "Sic him boys!" Joker yelled followed by a shrieking laugh.
Thuds of boots soon closed in and Batman waited until they got closer to start hand to hand combat with them. They have him out gunned but not out skilled. They think having a gun in their hand will help them win, but as Bruce had proved time and time again, a thug with bullets is no match for him.

As soon as one clown mask came around the corner Batman grabbed him around the neck and slammed him into the one coming around next. As they struggled to get back up, Batman grabbed a gun that was about to fire into his back and aimed the shot away from him and snapping the wrist holding it. The man screamed out in pain and Bruce threw the gun off the roof and swiftly kicked the man into an oncoming thug. He didn't have any weapons with him and internally cursed as himself for not bringing anything, a batarang would come in handy right about now.

One of the men had gotten back up and lunged at Batman with a knife, he narrowly dodged it and getting the man in a headlock, realised another was close with a gun. He managed to duck under him and dropped the man in the headlock onto concrete. He tackled the shooter and swiftly knocked him out with one punch. Soon swinging his foot under another legs to send him falling to the floor.
Joker viewed with amusement as he watched Batman fight his men. They were only cannon fodder, there was always more men. Either drawn by the money or by Joker's message, they came to him in droves. He had more than he knew what to do with. There was some that were too valuable to him to send into the Bats fist, he kept them close or had them in safe places, ready to jump back into the game when Joker wanted them. But for now, he was happy to get his kicks watching some lackeys.

"Hands up Joker!" Joker turned in amusement to the voice that sounded behind him. Slightly surprised since Batman was still occupied, and he didn't think there was another Bat boy wonder waiting in the wings. But when he seen who the voice belonged to, he broke into an amused laugh.
"Why commissioner! I thought you were dead!" Joker laughed slapping his knee. "You old dog you."

"Nice try Joker, but I don't die easily. You won't get away with what you did to Rory." Gordon gritted his teeth as he watched the clown with hatred and took a step closer.
"Rory who?" Joker smiled knowing full well who he was talking about but the fire in Gordons eyes that flared up when he said that was too good to pass up on. Anyway, she was his Rory.
"Hands up now." Gordon yelled.
The Joker smiled wider and brought his hands up over his head, playing along with the charade for now. Trying hard not to laugh too much.
"I'll remember that whole, not dying easy for the next time Jimbo." Jack smiled.
"There won't be a next time Joker. Now drop the shotgun!" Gordon came closer and waited for the shot gun to hit the floor before he got any closer. "You're going away for a long time." Gordon grabbed onto the Jokers hands and was about to cuff him before Joker broke out of his grasp and in one swift movement grabbed his shot gun off the floor and danced out of the commissioners reach.

"Nice try Commish." Joker laughed as he pointed the shotgun at Gordons chest. "Let's see if this finishes you off." He laughed as he fired the gun but was quickly knocked to the ground. Looking up he seen Batman was on top of him.
"I always thought of you more as a bottom Batsy." Joker laughed and punched the cowl that hovered above him. He soon got on top of Batman and rained punches down on him. He must have been injured fighting his men as he wasn't defending himself very well. But as Joker thought that Batman soon got his fight back and toppled the Joker off and away from him. Getting to their feet Jack could see Gordon aiming at him so he stepped to the side, using Batman as a shield.

"Joker, come quietly or this won't end well for you." Batman growled as he hobbled slightly. Someone must have cut his ankle, or he twisted it. Joker watched him amused.
"That doesn't sound like something I would do." He quipped as he began to walk away, happy to go back to Rory and leave Batman wondering where he disappeared to for another week or so. They were far enough away from where he was keeping her that Batman wouldn't be able to find it. A condemned building in a stack of them. You couldn't find a road in the narrows with at least 5 identical ones lining the roads.

"How about we take a rain check?" Joker smiled, soon at the doorway to the roof. But now he was back in Gordons line of fire. He looked at the commissioner only slightly relieved he was alive, so Rory would be happy, but altogether rather hoping he had died, or at least was maimed. Just as he thought this he could see Gordon turning the safety off. He won't shoot, Joker thought, just as the bullet whizzed past Batman and hit the Joker right in the gut. Or maybe he will.
Joker fell against the door as the bullet embedded into his whatever organ was there. Joker didn't know anatomy as well as he knew bombs. He didn't know who was more shocked, himself or Batman.

Bruce looked back at Gordon who wouldn't meet his eyes, but rather stared at the Joker, gun still at the ready and aimed. Joker laughed as he watched Gordon.
"I see you two don't follow the same ethics code." Joker laughed even as the blood spread beneath his shirt. As Batman was about to step forward two of the Jokers thugs rushed past him and began to shoot toward Bruce and Gordon. Batman leapt over to Jim and shielded him, the bullets not able to get past his cape, as it was designed to withstand them. Under gun fire his men managed to get Joker out and away before Bruce let Gordon up.

"What the hell were you thinking Jim!" Bruce stood up and looked over the roof to the street below where the van was already speeding away.
"I wasn't!" Gordon yelled back running a shaking hand through his hair. "I wanted to do anything, something!"
Bruce looked with sympathy at the older man, he knew what it was like to be powerless but that didn't excuse what he just did.

"We don't kill Jim. It makes us no better than them." Bruce lowered his voice, shouting at Jim wouldn't accomplish anything. He could tell he was shaken from what he had done, in all his years in the force Gordon hadn't shot anyone unless it was him or them situation. He was one of the good guys. But even the good guys had people they loved. Bruce stepped back over to Jim and took the gun that was in his hand, hanging limply by his side. Gordon let him take it, not putting up a fuss.

Bruce took the bullets out of the barrel and stowed them away in his pockets. He could dispose of them later, and handed the gun back to Jim.
"Let's get back." Bruce began to walk away, and Jim followed silently. He would have to call it a night. Joker was injured but that never meant he was out of the game. The joker had been shot, stabbed and bruised more than Bruce had ever seen one man take, he always managed to jump back somehow. He wondered who had more scars, him or Joker. He didn't feel like comparing.

"How did you get here anyway?" Bruce asked as he got down to the street and didn't see any of his cars.
"I took a taxi. I asked him to wait for me down here." Gordon looked up and down the street. "I paid him extra." And for the first time that night Bruce laughed.
"Are you surprised he left?" He motioned for Jim to follow him. "Good thing I have the Batmobile. Or you would be walking."
"Oh, never mind. It was money out of your wallet any way." Gordon gave a small smile and Bruce had to laugh again. "I'll pay you back." Gordon added but Bruce shook his head.
"No you won't." He laughed, and Jim laughed along.
"Yeah, you're right there. Think of it as compensation for all those times you would disappear mid-conversation." Gordon quipped, and Bruce held up his hands.
"Sometimes you talk too much." They both smiled and walked to the Batmobile. Gordon took a little time to get in. It was certainly a young man's car. As they drove back to the mansion Gordon kept tutting at Bruce when he ran a red light or went over the speed limit. Kept telling Bruce if only he had his ticket book with him. But shut up when Bruce joked if he wanted to walk.

When they arrived back going through the Batcave, Alfred was waiting there with a face like thunder. Bruce was just happy it wasn't aimed at him.
"Commissioner." Alfred said as they got out of the Batmobile and walked down the slope towards him.
"Alfred." Jim coughed and had the good grace to look sheepish.
"And where have you been?" He asked now looking at both of them and Bruce held up his hands walking past Alfred.

"I had no part in it." Bruce told him, excusing himself from the conversation to change into his normal clothes, Batman was done for the night. As he changed he could hear Alfred lecturing Jim about his condition, going out and how he wasn't so young and dumb anymore. He waited until it was done until he emerged in his black sweatpants.
They all looked at each other in turn and Alfred was the one to break the silence.

"Dinner is ready." He began to walk away and Bruce stopped him.
"Actually, Alfred we were…" But he didn't get to finish when Alfred turned back around.
"Dinner is ready." He repeated, and Bruce nodded. Motioning to Gordon to follow him.
It wasn't wise to challenge Alfred, he was sometimes scarier than Batman.