Chapter 25- Consider Your Party Crashed

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.Go.

It had been a couple of weeks since the Joker spent the night over. I had been heralded with work these past few weeks, but the Joker had made a couple stops at my place, regardless. He hooked my cell phone up to his in some untraceable way. What? It wasn't like I was the techie person of the couple.

I just got off my lunch break, and was heading back to the lab; I had some brain biopsies I needed to look at. I was going to be out of here at about 4 p.m. That was mainly my Saturday.

As I was heading back, I felt someone tap on my shoulder. I turned around, and was face to face with Bruce Wayne. He had been stopping by more often as of late, probably because he and Ronson were finishing up their deal on the hospital. What else could it be? Who would voluntary hang out around Ronson?

"Hey Bruce," I exclaimed with a smile. He smiled back, and I wondered just how many girls he got into his bed with that smile.

"Hey, umm… as you know, the banquet for the rebuilding of Gotham General is tonight at my penthouse. It'll be a big thing for Ronson, since all my investor buddies and other big shots will be in there, and probably try to get in on the deal. Any who, I was wondering if you'd like to come?" He asked.

It was rare to ask hospital personnel to these kinds of executive meetings. I mean I wasn't the lead departmental head or anything.

"Umm... Bruce..," I started. Did he know I had a boyfriend? Apparently not.

"Bruce, I have a boyfriend." I stated. I gauged his expression; the smile faltered a bit, but his demeanor was still quite cheery.

"He can come to. It's Jack, right?" He continued.

"How'd you know?" I asked.

" Uhhh, Ronson told me." He replied.

"Of course he did." I stated. Ronson was going to hell, I swear.

I don't know. Would the Joker want to go? Would he not? Probably not, but I don't know…maybe he'd make it fun.

"Yeah, we'll be there." I responded with a smile. He seemed ecstatic, and we both parted our separate ways.

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I was alone in the department office, so I took out my phone and called the Joker.

" He-llllllllooooo" He answered on the second ring.

" Hey" I started softly.

"Aren'-t you suppose-d to be work-ing dearr?" He asked.

" Yes, but Bruce Wayne asked me to come to his banquet tonight." I rushed into one sentence. I was eager to find out what he would say.

" Oh, and he said my boyfriend can come too." I added on.

There was some shuffling over the phone.

" Hmmmmmmm" He thought over.

" You al-ready said yes so whyyy are you call-ing?" He returned.

" Well, I don't know.. I could always tell him something else came up, if you didn't want to go." I replied.

" No, noooo, take the good man up on his in-vit-ation. Wha-t kind of guest-s would we be if we didn'-t shooow up?" He continued.

Something was up.

" Okay, well it's at 7 tonight."

" I'll pick you u-p at 4." He responded and hung up the phone. How did he know when I got off? I hadn't told him.

Whatever. I was surprised that I still thought he didn't know these things.

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It was 4 p.m..

I clocked out and started to walk out.

" Hey, so you are coming tonight?" I heard Bruce's voice catch up to me as he started walking next to me.

" Yeah, we'll be there." I said with a smile.

Bruce's face dropped a little when he heard me say "we". Weird.

I told him goodbye, and watched him make his way to Alfred in the parking lot. I smiled and waved to Alfred, and started walking in the opposite direction. I saw them drive off, and there was my ride.

He was parked in the way back. He actually had a pretty sweet ride. It was a completely black BMW M6. That baby purred.

It had black tinted windows so you couldn't see inside.. and that was good for obvious reasons. The interior was very nice, and there were heated seats. Oh, and the engine was uh.. to put it simply, it was the shit.

Oh yeah, and one more thing. It was stolen.

It used to belong to some hotshot who worked at Pierce& Pierce law firm. He was now lying at the underbelly of the river that ran outside of Gotham City, courtesy of the Joker. People thought he took an extended personal leave due to his ongoing divorce and the Joker very convincingly made it look that way. However, when they found out, the Joker would ditch the ride, and look for a new one. I think he was already eyeing some broker at Morgan Stanley.

I got in, and sat inside. The Joker was sitting beside me in his full suit, and I leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. He sat still, and didn't really react, but I thought nothing of it. I didn't expect him to be affectionate all the time and whatnot. He wasn't a Prince Charming. He was more like Beetlejuice, but younger , way hotter, and not dead.

I chuckled at my thought, and he drove off towards the warehouse.

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I walked into his room again, and it'd been a while since I had been there. I made my way to the bed and plopped down.

" He-y, he-y, shouldn't you be get-ting read-y for the part-y?" He asked.

" Yeah. Hey, wait, I don't have a dress." I said.

" Yesss you do." He replied, and pulled a gorgeous black dress from his closet. It was long enough to be formal, but short enough to be sexy, and I absolutely loved it.

I smiled. He probably bought this. It was a sweet gesture. I started to change into it, and he started to take off his make-up. I was changing, but I couldn't help but watch. It was like a opening a present; no one could stop you once you were in the process.

Watching him take it off, I pulled on my dress. It had a zip up back, and I had to ask him to zip me up. I walked over to where he was by the sink.

" Hey, can you zip me up?" I asked. I walked over to him.

He came over, and put his hand on the zipper.

" Sure-ly, do-ll." I felt his cold hand graze my back, and he slowly put up the zipper. Then I felt his lips touch my back, and kiss me all the way up, and the zipper followed. I exhaled loudly; his touch was making me weak in the knees, and I had to grab onto the sink so I wouldn't fall. He went slowly and teasingly, and I didn't want him to stop.

His lips grazed over every open spot on my back, and I closed my eyes, and bit my lip. He knew what he was doing to me and he enjoyed it. I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror. I saw myself, and he reached the top of my back, and I saw him behind me. The height difference was staggering. He was done, and I saw him give me a slight grin through the mirror.

He started to put on some of his concealer makeup, and I thought it was because there were going to be a lot of other people around.

I went to sit on his bed and put on my shoes as he got ready. He got my shoes as well. They were black stilettos. Perfect.

" What's with these shoes?" I asked.

" I wan-t Bruccce Waynnnne to see wha-t he can-'t havvve." He said from the bathroom.

I know I should be appalled by this statement, but I was happy when I heard it. I diligently put on the shoes.

He was done, and he walked out.

He cleaned up really nice. My jaw literally dropped, when I saw him step out. He actually owned a black suit, but his tie was hunter green. His hair was hanging loose, and he had washed the dye out. His face was perfectly chiseled- his cheek bones accentuated his wide mouth, powerful jaw, and hardened eyes.

" Wow, you clean up pretty nice." I said. I walked over to him.

" Oh no dearr. No-t as well as youuuu." He said. I saw him eye me up and down and he pulled me in close. His fingertips tapped against my legs, and I shuddered at his touch. He gave me a quick peck and we were headed downstairs.

He whispered something to Chuckles on our way out. We then drove off.

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We arrived at the banquet fashionably late. I slipped his hand into mine as we rode in the elevator, and he held my hand in a firm grip. We walked in, and the party had already started. Alfred was there to greet us at the elevator.

" Good evening Dr. Parikh, and uhh.." He motioned towards the Joker.

" Jack" The joker firmly responded. It still amazed me how much he could change his voice.

" Jack." Alfred repeated with a nod.

" Well, here's some champagne," Alfred started, and handed us two glasses from his tray.

" And enjoy the banquet. Mr. Wayne should be around shortly." He finished.

" Thanks Alfred." I said, and watched him greet other guests that had come in behind us. We started to walk around the floor, and I slowly sipped my champagne. On the other hand, I glanced over, and the Joker finished his in one gulp. He left it on some table, and then pulled me towards the other side of the room.

" Sona…" I heard from behind me. I turned around, or as much as I could with the Joker holding one of my hands.

It was Bruce. He walked over to us. He had some tall blond clinging onto him.

Fabulous.

" So glad you two could make it." He gestured at the both of us. He looked towards the Joker.

" I don't think we've met." Bruce started.

I noticed the blond was fixing her dress and shoving out her chest as much as she could. Wow, she was a gem.

" Jack" The Joker replied.

" Bruce Wayne" Bruce said, and they both shook hands.

After he released his hand, the Joker slid his hand around my waist and pulled me closer. I think Bruce noticed because he let out a muffled cough and turned to the blond.

" This is Brooke," He said, and the blond smiled at us. However, she did stare a little too long at the Joker.

What in the name of Buddha was she doing? I wanted to clock that fake ass, implant infested bitch.

Bruce's words brought me out of my fantasy.

" She's uh, a Vogue model." Bruce finished and held an uptight grin.

" So how long have you two been seeing each other?" I asked.

" We're not seeing…" Bruce started.

" Six months." Brooke finished and planted a peck on Bruce's cheek.

Six months? He was with her when he took me out to coffee? WTF.

" Six months" I repeated, while nodding my head and plastering on a fake smile.

Bruce was obviously uncomfortable and turned towards the Joker.

" So how about you Jack? What do you do?" He asked. He was obviously trying to change the topic.

I now tensed because Bruce was questioning the Joker, but the Joker's hand against my back soothed me.

" I'm a nuclear engineer. I render explosives and whatnot." The Joker suavely answered.

Well, that wasn't a complete lie. Actually, that wasn't a lie at all.

Bruce looked like he was going to question him even further, but Brooke intervened.

" How'd you guys first meet?" She giddily asked.

" At the hospital. She was doing rounds in the emergency room and I was visiting a dear old friend of my mine. She turned out to be his doctor, and we met in his room. It actually, wasn't romantic at all, but I mean, we got to talking and we really hit it off." He finished.

Now that wasn't a lie at all. I was clearly impressed.

" So what was your friend in for?" Bruce asked.

" Uh, he was new to my workplace. I took him under my wing. One day, uh, he accidently burned himself. Considering where I work, we play with explosives a lot, but him being the newbie, he wasn't aware of all the protocol. He's all better now." The Joker finished.

Well, that was a lovely rendition of the downfall of Harvey Dent, don't you think? I laughed a little at this; the Joker was a master manipulator of words.

Before Bruce could question the story anymore, the band started to play a slow tune, and I noticed some couples going out and dancing on a makeshift dance floor.

" If you will excuse us, I would love to have this dance." The Joker said and led me away from Bruce and Brooke. He didn't even wait for their response.

He sharply pulled me towards him, and rested his hands around my waist. I put my arms around his neck, and placed my head against his chest. I could feel him put his head on top of my head.

" Very smooth. Not one lie at all." I said.

" I don'-t lie, dear-ie." He quietly said to me so no one would pick up on it.

I heard his heartbeat as we danced, and it was comforting despite the dangerous position he was in, if he got caught. But I knew that wasn't going to happen.

Then, a new thought hit me.

" Did you plan something for tonight?" I asked.

I knew he wouldn't have come if he didn't get something out of it. I moved my head away from his chest and looked up at him.

He looked down at me, and smiled.

" Ac-t scared." He said lowly, and before I could question it anymore, Bruce interrupted us.

" Do you mind if I cut in?" He asked.

The Joker very nonchalantly obliged, winked at me and walked away.

Bruce took up my hands, and placed his arms around my waist and I put my arms around his neck.

Well, this was a definite change of scenery.

Why was he doing this? Wasn't it rude to ask some guy's girlfriend to dance.

I looked over to where the Joker could have gone but he was nowhere in sight.

I looked over at Bruce, and he smiled down at me. If the Joker was planning something, I couldn't be frantic right now, or Bruce might suspect something.

I smiled back in attempt to act normal.

" You enjoying the party?" He asked.

" Very much so." I replied, and I glanced very quickly to the side of the room to see fi I could find the Joker.

No luck. I looked back at Bruce.

" I'm glad. Sorry to cut in like this, but Ronson has been getting on my last nerve and Brooke as well."

I chuckled.

" Welcome to my world minus the Brooke part." I said.

We danced in silence for a bit.

" So you and Jack, you guys look serious." He stated.

I laughed when he said "serious". He had no idea.

" Yeah, I guess we are." I replied.

" I guess I missed…." Bruce started but was interrupted by a gun shot.

Several people screamed, and Bruce immediately let me go. Distracted, I turned toward the source of the noise, and away from Bruce. Everyone turned to the source of the noise, and the room became silent.

Then I saw him.

Clad in his emerald vest, indigo coat and pants, he stood holding the gun towards the roof. His henchmen surrounded him. I knew he had to be planning something. He had quickly applied his make-up and his hair was green again. He probably used the spray-on hair color stuff.

" Sorryyyy lad-ies and germ-s, but uh, I do deserrrrve a gran-d entrance." He put the gun away in his inside coat pocket, no doubt with his knives.

His eyes searched over the crowd, and finally landed on me. His grin turned up a little, and he made his way toward me. This is what he meant by "act scared". Well, he was pulling out a knife, so I really didn't have to act.

" Oh hey every-one it's the docccccc from TV. How areee you? You loooook gorgeous to-night. Ab-so-lutely gor-geous." He said in a gruff tone. He grabbed my face, and starred into my eyes. He had his gloves on, but there was no helping that at this point.

I stood completely quiet, but anxiety still washed over me.

" Joker, over here" I heard a raspy voice from the side of the room.

Both the Joker and I turned.

It was Batman.

The Joker let my face go.

" Whyyy is it tha-t whenev-er I crashhh a Waynnnne party, you al-ways show up? Hmmmm? You ne-ver le-t me have any fun, Bat-syyy.HAHAHAH." The Joker stated.

" Why are you here?" Batman asked.

" I wasss clear-ly in-vited." The Joker said, and started to laugh.

Shaken, Batman started to make his way towards the Joker. The Joker, in a blur, grabbed me and held me with the knife at my throat.

" Com-e any closerrr and she diesss." The Joker said.

His arms were wrapped tightly around me, and I was trembling. I was scared because I knew what the Joker was capable of. I was panicking but I had to calm myself down. He said to "act scared" so this was all a fake situation. He was just using me as bait. Right?

I tried to breathe steadily. I thought of how nice his arms felt around me.

Batman stopped moving.

" Gooooood. You must-'ve beeeen grea-t at red ligh-t, green ligh-t as a child. No-w, take off the mas-k or I car-ve her into little itty bitty pie-ces as souvenirs for every-one here." He said in a much more serious tone.

Batman hesitated. There were murmurs in the crowd, but I could tell that everyone was frankly shaking in their boots at this point.

Batman starred at the Joker and I, and his eyes were penetrating. Those eyes…

" Tic-k Toc-k, tic-k toc-k Batsyyyy." The Joker cooed.

The knife pressed a little into my skin and I whimpered. The Joker shushed me, but I felt some hot liquid begin to drip down my neck. He had made a slight knick.

Before I knew it, the Batman launched himself at the Joker and I, and the Joker threw me away from him. I landed on my knees on the side, and the Batman had landed on the Joker. He angrily punched the Joker across the face, but the Joker just laughed. The Joker's henchmen came in and started to attack the Batman, and pulled him off the Joker. The Joker got up, and straightened his suit.

He turned towards Batman. The henchmen let him go, and the Joker ran towards him, and clocked him. The Joker punched the Batman in the stomach, and Batman hurled over. The Joker kneed him with great force, and an exasperated growl was released from Batman. The Joker started to laugh, and continued to knee the Batman in the gut while holding him in place. Frightened, the crowd just starred.

" All I aske-d, " The Joker began as he continued to knee the Batman.

" was tha-t you take off your silly little mas-k. Is tha-t worth all of this? Hmmmmm? Wh-y do you make things har-der for your-self? Hmmmm?" The Joker continued. All of a sudden, Batman latched on to the Joker, and pushed him away. The Joker landed on the floor but scrambled to his feet. The Batman kicked him in the stomach, and the Joker fell down again.

The Joker was now bleeding and droplets of blood were falling onto the floor from where he had landed. I was worried for him.

He put up a hand to signal that he couldn't take anymore. Professional fighters usually put it up when they are done. Wait, was the Joker defeated?

It got eerily quiet and even the Batman stepped back.

" ha ha hahah HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." The silence was broken by the Joker's manical laughter. I suddenly got uneasy, as did everyone else in the room.

" I don-'t falllll that eas-ily Batman." The Joker said, and then I suddenly heard him snap his finger.

The lights went off, and the room started to fill with smoke.

People started screaming, and I started to fret. Where was he? Where was I supposed to go? I stood still hoping my eyes could adjust to the darkness, but then I felt a tug on my hand pulling me away.

" Let-s goo Sona." He said. I ran with him, or as best as I could with stilettos on. He led me to the back of the building, and I saw that his henchmen were already waiting by his van. We both got in, and his henchmen drove off into the night.

I looked out the back window, and saw smoke coming from the penthouse. I also saw a flood of sirens and lights surround themselves around the building.

I turned back to the Joker, and he just stared back. His tongue grazed his lips, and clicked against the side of his mouth.

I knew how much he must have wanted to do that all night.