Chapter Twenty-Six: Who Falls First

A/N: Joker doesn't necessarily 'love' anyone so this chapter was a little too OC for Joker, but I think it's the closest to an honest answer he'd provide as far as any subtle feelings for a woman. I also like Allegra's answers to his returned question—she's by far the best OC I've ever made. Have fun, darlings! We're really getting into the plot now!

Allegra laid on her back, staring up at the ceiling. What layered in her mind was nothing but a harsh memory. It was one of those nights, the ones where she could clearly remember every single thing her father did that particular day. The storm, the temperature, even the clothes she'd worn that night. They'd been new jeans, ones she had worked her ass off to buy—they were bloodied the same day she got 'em. She sometimes missed her father, but not in the sense most people did. The only reason she'd bring him back to life was so she could kill him slower, colder...blood was cheap, so was the thrill, but she'd take it just the same.

Her eyes constricted against the darkness, allowing them to close in consistent distress. She wouldn't sleep the rest of the night; that calm endeavor was lost when she awoke from the terrifying nightmare, reliving it all over again. She didn't wake up in a cold sweat, or scream in fear—no. Allegra had stopped those kind of nightmares. Instead, she'd woken up with a frown on her face, one that didn't suit her. Disappointment was the emotion she felt, and it wasn't inviting.

She glanced to her right, seeing Joker lying on his side, facing her. He slept as though he was having a good dream, or maybe a really bad one. Every now and again, he'd sigh, or make a brief groan. Like her, he wore nothing—another night of rough sex had left them both exhausted and at first, Allegra had been sure she'd fall right to sleep. She had, but not for long.

"I can't sit here." Allegra stated her thoughts aloud. That much was for sure; she'd go crazy thinking about her father as she laid beside the Joker. She made a soft smile, only to him. The smile she reserved only for him.

She turned, sitting on the end of the bed, completely nude. She moved the blanket over her skin, covering her breasts and down. There was a chill in the air, one that hung too familiar. The pain between her legs made her realize that Joker had been a little rougher than usual. She didn't mind; it made her feel better to know there was still a beautiful feeling such as pain—after all, pain was meant to be felt.

Allegra lowered her head into her hands, entwining her fingers through her tangled locks. There was another reason why she was unable to sleep—her father was one. But a less mind-fucking thought was the mob they were about to confront. Allegra wasn't afraid of the mob. Hell, she wasn't afraid of the wind, but at this moment, Allegra felt vulnerable. The wind howled outside; the night stretched too long.

"I'm going mad," Allegra muttered as she flinched at the sudden slap of the window shutters against the glass. She was never this jumpy, not even the night of when the police questioned her intentions after slicing her father's dick off with a potato feeler. She didn't so much as cry when they cuffed her in the backseat of the black-and-white flashing sirens and lights.

Allegra felt a hand on her back, cold as ice. She didn't have to look behind her to see that Joker was awake. The bed shifted with the moving weight as she felt him move behind her. Hands touched her shoulders, and rough lips kissed her neck briefly.

"What's on your mind, Bunny?" asked Joker calmly.

"The usual."

"Tigers, and lions, and bears..." Joker teased apathetically.

"Oh my," Allegra finished, knowing the reference. She turned her head to see him giving her an off-look. "The usual bad dreams."

"The funny thing about dreams is that they're only in your head. And that's not even the funniest part of 'em." Joker stated plainly. "Come here."

Allegra followed him back to the middle of the bed. She smiled when he put his hand on her cheek, his thumb sliding down her jawbone then over her lips.

"What's troubling you?" asked Joker.

"Seriously?" asked Allegra in return; she lied on her back as he balanced on his side, supported by his elbow. She could feel his body heat, and that kind of relaxed her but the cynical tone she upraised made Joker smirk at her.

"Seriously." Joker answered. "You're not the type to worry."

"What makes you think I'm worried?"

Joker gave her a skeptical glance and Allegra smiled, guilty as charged.

"I'm not worried," Allegra claimed solemnly. "It's just..."

"Hmm?"

"I've never seen the mob before," Allegra uttered quietly. She shrugged, adding, "We're going to see them tomorrow. There's gonna be a lot of 'em."

"And?"

"And you're just going up to them and saying, 'hey, we stole your money, join me'." Allegra responded sarcastically. She half-smiled, saying, "That's what you're doing, isn't it?"

"More or less. But I'm not recruiting mobsters," said Joker coolly. "I have all I need right here with me."

"I won't believe that," said Allegra curtly. She smiled when Joker gave her a subtle look of confusion. She explained: "I like you, Killer, but I know you could replace me just easily as I could possibly replace you. The only reason you haven't is that I'm your urge that can't be cured by any babbling bimbo you can pick from the streets."

"Actually," said Joker calmly, "I'm not sure you are."

"What?"

"Replaceable."

"Bull shit," laughed Allegra, hitting him in the arm. "I'm not a naïve filly, Killer. I can separate your bullshit from your semi-lies."

Joker smirked at her, saying, "Fine. We've established that I don't love nor you, me."

"And I intend to keep it that way. If the mob descend, they'll put you in danger, or me. Given a way out, I'm scraping out alive. I might consider saving you if I know I have a chance in coming out alive as well."

"Your self-sacrifice is so noble," Joker replied sarcastically.

"Don't tell me you would do differently."

"Oh, I wouldn't." Joker agreed with her, smiling. "But I do have to wonder—if you had no concern for my well-being, then why are you up early tonight, hm? Surely..." He touched her lips with his index finger, "Your insomnia is afflicted by more than the possible absence of little old me."

Allegra smiled at him when he clicked his tongue.

"You want me to say it, don't you?"

"Say what?" Joker asked.

" 'I love you'." Allegra answered. She sat up. "I won't."

"I don't expect you to," said Joker. He sat up with her. "On the other hand, I have noticed that your particular fondness of me has become more than just an unhealthy attachment, Allegra."

Allegra gave him a look, saying, "You know I'm infatuated with you."

"And you wonder if the feeling is mutual," said Joker knowingly.

Allegra was disarmed as she bit her lip, wanting to know the truth. Did he like her as much as she liked him? Was there more to this situation than they'd bargained for, or was it all delusional. Allegra frowned when Joker smirked at her—the fact he knew what she was thinking made her feel vulnerable, but he wasn't wrong; she did want to know.

"Yes," confirmed Allegra finally.

Joker chuckled.

"Knew it." He returned. "Look-listen..." He put his hand behind her head, weaving his hand through her tangled hair. "I'll put it to you this way, Bunny."

Allegra smiled.

"If you and my mother were dangling off a cliff, and I had to choose which one to save, I'd let her fall first before I let you die too." Joker claimed with a dark smile.

"Ahhh," gushed Allegra with a broad grin, "that's so sweet."

"Now, it begs the question—between your father and myself, who would you let fall first...?"

"You." Allegra answered immediately.

"Well, it's nice to know you wouldn't hesitate," Joker laughed.

Allegra shrugged again. She kissed him on the cheek briefly. Joker found this a confusing gesture but that large grin on her face was all the explanation he needed. Although, he wasn't sure if she was telling the truth or she was actually kidding him.

"What about the mob?" Allegra asked quietly. "Are you going alone?"

"I've planned on it, but I'm a flexible person—I like to watch things play out. So uh if you decided to tag along, I couldn't say 'yes' or 'no' to that," said Joker smoothly. "Chaos tends to follow close to your heels, my dear."

Behind him, Allegra began to decide if she should go with him. At any rate, she wanted to hear his proposition with the mob.