Chapter Twenty-Eight

Where Is It Going?

Some days past. Gradually Xack started to get better under the watchful eyes of Joker and his henchmen. Even if Xack didn't accompany Joker into the city, he still had his deranged fun without her- probably for the best anyway. In between his raids on Gotham and its citizens, he decided to grab a few other costume accessories for Xack to wear whenever she did go out with him again. A small part of him hoped that her trips with him will eventually start opening her up to the idea of wild, chaotic fun, instead of being so damn cautious about everything, and ditch her "worry-wart" attitude.

Another part of him thought about taking her out and forcing her to dip into his perma-clown-changing chemical bath. Of course, there's always that huge set-back that she won't have the same complexion as him- heck, there's also that chance she won't even become as crazy as him!

...Still, that idea was always wandering around in his head. If there was a day where he didn't think to care of the consequences, he's sure will do it. Even if the results weren't the desired ones, he knew he'll still get a kick out of the whole thing and end up laughing about it later.

So, those some days later, Joker had come back after one of his crime sprees in Gotham, carrying goodies he hoped Xack would approve of when she saw them. He searched his warehouse for her, but he knew it wouldn't take long to find her. There was only one place Xack really liked to be, and that was the video game room he had made for her a while back.

He groaned inwardly. Joker was content and all that Xack was so pleased with it, but his henchmen were also enjoying the room a little too much. It was bad enough that Xack was so hooked on video games, but his henchmen too? He really didn't want to be known in the crime world as a crime boss whose henchmen are complete geeks and nerds!

When he reached the area, he saw Xack sitting next to Kenny, whom was playing some sort of computer game that she seemed so transfixed to. "Ugh, is it that one game where they all get spooked by a man standing still?" Joker thought sourly, nearing the computer desk.

When he quietly reached them from behind, he got a glimpse of the screen and watched as Kenny controlled some character holding a flashlight, moving around in the dark of night. Joker blinked and cocked his head curiously to this game. "So, what is this game then?" He wondered.

Xack was the one to jump from shock, not expecting Joker to sneak up on them like that. She turned her head to look at him. "It's another Slenderman game," she said, shying her eyes from locking on to his. She ended up fidgeting with her fingers out of feeling embarrassed. "It's...it's called Slender Haunt. Very updated graphics here. Slenderman now glides towards you when you look at him!"

Joker rubbed his chin, and then shrugged. "Whatever...now come with me, Xackie. I have something for you." He held out his hand for her to take.

Xack glanced back at the computer screen before her attention went to Joker once more. "Um...okay," she said somewhat unsurely, hesitantly taking his hand in hers.

Joker smiled in that devious manner of his. He led her away from the video game room and out into his usual comfortable set up he had for watching TV. He stopped her in front of his Santa chair, and on it, there was a large paper bag filled with...unknown stuff.

"I took the liberty of picking up a few things while I've been out and about in Gotham," Joker told her, gesturing to the bag. "They're to add to your, uh...costume."

Xack had to remind herself what he meant by "costume". "You mean...that one white-looking costume I wore before? The one that felt kinda tight on me?" Joker nodded. Xack ended up frowning, now looking onto the bag with slight displeasure. "But...I don't like wearing costumes," she whined. "Can't I just wear what I wore before? You know, that one outfit with that skirt and-"

"Absolutely not," Joker snapped, glaring at her with annoyance. "If you're going to be cruising with moi, my dear, we're going to cruise together in style- not with you wearing those 'street clothes'."

Xack scoffed defensively. "They're...they're not-" She cut herself off, not knowing how to stick up for herself. "My fashion isn't...that bad..." she trailed off, knowing she couldn't really win an argument with him.

Joker grinned, placing his hands on her shoulders. Intentionally he did it out of comfort, but she tensed upon his touch. He grumbled lowly, not pleased that Xack still didn't prefer physical contact with him. "You'd think by now you'd be used to me touching you..." he spoke quietly, now getting behind Xack to massage her shoulders. He wanted to get her to relax around him, but his rubbing just made her more uneasy. He leaned into her to whisper, "Relax, dearie..."

He guided her to the couch, where she virtually sat in his lap while he continued to massage her from behind. Xack wasn't sure how to respond or react to his ministrations. All she could do was make small noises of discontent.

"I...I thought we were going out somewhere..." said Xack faintly, wanting to break the silence and perhaps get Joker to stop what he was doing.

"Mmm...we will..." was all Joker said to her, his hands running along her back and then up to her shoulders again. When his fingers brushed near her throat, he heard her make small, startling gasps. Hearing these quiet, yet sensuous sounds got him grinning seductively. "Oooo...a little sensitive around here, are we?" He purred, tracing fingers delicately around her collarbone. Xack gasped more loudly, body shivering to that gentle touch of his.

She had enough of this now. Xack got herself off of Joker and backed away into an armrest, grasping her own neck to rub away the new sensations. She casted her gaze to the floor and blushed, not knowing what to say to him after that little awkward moment. She knew he really didn't do anything wrong or upsetting, but physical contact like that just made her feel...weird- and not a "good" weird, in her opinion.

"I'll, um..." her eyes darted to either sides of herself." I'm...I'll go change..." She slowly stood up from the couch and walked away to another part of the warehouse to find her costume. After that scenario, she really wasn't in the mood to exchange heated words about his choice in wardrobe.

Joker watched her disappear behind some stacked crates. While he was relieved she became more willing to change into one of his costumes, but still was a tad disappointed that he couldn't continue kneading her soft skin. "Ah well..." he shrugged nonchalantly.

While Joker remained resting on the couch, Xack found the rack of costumes he had lined up, and also the partition to change behind. Knowing that he wasn't a very patient person, she decided to dress behind the partition instead of going to the bathroom to do it. She sighted the costume she wore previously, but before she started changing, she nervously glanced around to make sure no one else would come and disturb her while she got undressed. When the coast seemed clear, Xack very quickly as humanly possible got out of her pajamas and into that white-buttoned getup.

Right when she finished, she heard a voice call for her. It wasn't Joker though. "Xack?... You around here?"

It was Kenny.

"Um..." Xack took a step out from the partition. "I-I'm right here."

It took Kenny a minute to pin-point her location in the warehouse. Once Xack saw him in view, she noticed that he was carrying a pair of white boots. Judging by the size, she guessed that he was giving them to her to wear out.

Kenny stopped in front of her, holding up the boots for her to get a better view. "Saw these while I've been out. Thought you might like them." He set them down next to her. "Originally they were black, so I painted them to match your costume."

Xack picked the boots up to examine. Her eyes grew wide with amazement. "You painted these? It...doesn't even look like paint."

Kenny shrugged modestly. "It's a special kind of paint-" He waved a hand to her. "I would explain more about it, but I really shouldn't be seen with you. Joker does get...jealous, you know." Then the man said his goodbyes and left the girl standing there with the pair of boots in her hands.

Xack slipped the boots on without any complications; however, instead of going straight back to Joker, she decided to go over to the vanity that was nearby. She made sure to grab her pajamas before heading on over.

She sat down on the stool in front of the vanity, folding her pajamas and placing them to the right side. Xack just sat there staring at herself in the large mirror, slowly forgetting that she was supposed to see Joker after she had changed.

She couldn't help it. Even though the reflection in the mirror was her...but what she was wearing...it didn't "feel" like herself. Upon closer examination revealed that her eyes developed some dark circles underneath. No matter what, the only way she could properly sleep was in her own bed, in her own, comfortable room surrounded by things that she liked and were familiar to her. In Joker's hideout? She had no room to call her own- well, unless someone counted the video game room, but that area can easily be "invaded" by anybody. She had no privacy in the hideout. None.

Xack's lips trembled in sorrow. In his own way, Joker was trying to get her to open up to his lifestyle, but she feared that in the end, it will be all for naught. She really didn't feel like she belonged with him or his way of life.

Then again... She didn't want to go back home either, nor back to Wayne Manor. Remembering Bruce...or Batman, it got her blood boiling. All the failed attempts to get him to believe her, and he never did, even though he said he would start taking her seriously after Joker kidnapped her the first time. Thinking about Bruce made her angry. Made her very angry. So...angry. So hurt that he didn't trust her.

Suddenly her thoughts switched back to Joker...and then Bruce again. Thinking about Joker. Thinking about Bruce. It made her feel...casted out, like she really didn't belong with either of them. Like she didn't belong...anywhere...

Where is it going...?

"Xackie?..." Her down-casted head shot upwards when she heard Joker's voice from behind. She peeked over her shoulder to see him standing there with that paper bag in his hands. When he started to walk towards her, Xack hastily wiped away tears from her face that she didn't even realize were there until now.

Grinning, Joker butted her a little to get her to scooch a tad so he could sit on the stool with her too. There was barely any room to begin with, but somehow Xack made it work for him.

Joker grimaced when he noticed her slightly tear-stained face. "You were crying." Joker pointed out, brushing a finger against her cheek. Xack sniffed a little, her eyes down to her lap to avoid eye contact with him. "You were thinking about something and it made you cry!" He rolled his eyes, frustrated of her "thinking" too much about things. "What's gotten ya down this time?"

Xack let out a pathetic chuckle, wiping an eye again. "It's...it's stupid, but..." She stared at both of their mirrored images. "I remember you said once- um...hmm...trying to remember..." and so she paused a moment to think of a phrase Joker used once before...then it came back to her, "I remember you saying that 'all good things must come to end'." Joker blinked, waiting for her to finish. "Do you think this is going to end? I mean...us?" She placed a hand on her chest to put more emphasis on her point.

She was surprised when Joker didn't answer her right away, since he's usually so quick to respond. It made her worry to have him pondering about the answer. After a few minutes, Joker responded with his own question, "What makes you think we're coming to an end?"

Xack shrugged a shoulder, kind of bashful to share her thoughts. "It's just...we're...very...different, you know. I don't..." Now her eyes were staring off all over the place. "I don't know... It's just, we're so different- you and I, I...I don't think...I don't think I ever have fun, and-"

"Stop right there!" Joker interrupted, a finger pointing threateningly at Xack's reflection. "Now you know that's not true, little girl..." He didn't carry on until Xack's gaze met with his. "What about when we jumped on all those beds, huh? Didn't you have fun then?"

A small smile formed on her lips when remembered that night. They both laughed together in sheer merriment. "I...yeah, I had fun then. Lots of fun-"

"And..." Joker pressed cheerily, "We'll have even more fun tonight. We're going out into the heart of Gotham!"

Xack turned to him with shock written all over her face. "Oh! We...we are?" Panic began to build up within her. Fidgeting with her fingers, she added, "But...but what if someone sees me, you know? I mean, if reporters and cameras see us, I really don't want my face on TV for the whole world to see."

Joker's grin beamed. "Way ahead of ya." He shoved the paper bag in front of Xack. "Why do you think I got you this stuff?"

Xack took the bag in her hands. "Stuff?" She peered inside it, and started taking the stuff out one by one. Some of the contents included an assortment of wigs, makeup, eye masks, and other little accessories she could add to her costume.

As she emptied the items onto the vanity, Joker got up and reached over for one of the greasepaints. He opened the jar and scooped up a glob of it in his hands. From the reflection in the mirror, she could see that the makeup was white. "When I get done with you, no one will recognize you!" He went cheek-to-cheek with her, his smile so full of excitement with the evening planned.

Xack was left gaping at his mirror image. She didn't say anything, so Joker took this as permission to go ahead and plaster her head with paint and wigs.

For the rest of the time, Xack sat almost perfectly still as Joker got to work on her hair and face, the latter is what he started with first. With that glob of white greasepaint, he carefully smeared it all over her features, being extra cautious not to get any into her eyes or mouth. Xack was astonished at how good he was at this, using not just his fingertips, but somehow utilizing his whole hand to get the job done.

Next, Joker went for the wigs, knowing exactly which one he wanted her to wear. His fingers flexed excitedly in the air before taking up the green long-haired wig. The length of the hair was similar to Xack's, except it had much more volume and style than her own. It wasn't much work for Joker to get the wig on her, and when he did, he smiled at his handiwork, patting some of the wig hair down.

"And now for the final touch," said the Joker, reaching over to grab a little, black eye mask for Xack. Where the eyes should be were white. The way they were, it kind of reminded her how Batman's mask was.

Joker slowly and carefully placed the mask over Xack's eyes. Oddly enough, from the outside it looked like she couldn't see a thing through those, but now that it was on her face, she could see clearly through the whites. The matter of the fact somewhat took her by surprise.

Now that Joker was done with her, Xack got a better look at the work he did to her. The white greasepaint, the green wig, and the black eye mask... "Oh my God..." said Xack, feeling her stomach churn a little. "I look like some Spider-Man villain from the 60's."

"Welcome to my world..." Joker whispered in her ear, grasping her shoulders. "So, what do you think?" He grinned childishly, wanting Xack to approve of his artistic ability.

Xack just stared at herself in the mirror for a minute, thinking if she should actually share her honest opinion of how she looked. She did. "It's not...bad," she said doubtfully. Joker didn't like that slight hesitation in her voice, frowning at this notion. "I look like some Spider-Man villain from the 60's. Like...I work for the Green Goblin or something...or Dr. Octopus..." She gazed down at her outfit for a second. "Yeah, definitely those two villains."

Joker scoffed, "C'mon! It's not that bad!"

Xack stared off around her, as if she was waiting or searching for something. "You know, I think I can hear the Green Goblin...riding on his Goblin Glider-"

"Cut that out!" The Joker cried, although he was clearing smiling by Xack's playful teasing.

Xack chuckled softly. "I-I'm sorry. I mean- really, it's...it's not bad. It's actually-" She reexamined herself in the mirror. She felt like there was something missing on her. "Um...I don't know, but...am I...missing something?"

Joker gently turned her around so he could look her over. He tilted her chin this way and that, furrowing his features as he scrutinized her. Then, it dawned on him. His whole face lit up like a light bulb suddenly clicking on above his head. He hastily rummaged through the things on the vanity until he found what he was looking for. Out of the corner of Xack's eye, she could see that he held a tube of lipstick in his fingers. "Hold still, dearie. This will only take a second." She was about to protest that she could put lipstick on herself, but he already opened the cap and slowly started to trace her lips with it. Within seconds, he replaced the cap and spun her back to face the mirror. Now Xack's lips were painted that dark red, equivalent to Joker's.

"Now you're definitely in my world..." Joker stated sinisterly, although she didn't know why he said it in such a way.

He took her chin once again and had her gaze into his eyes. He appeared to be deep in thought. "Hmm... You know, I thought I'd like the perma-clown look on you. Now that it's on ya..." He cracked a smile on the edge of his lips. "I think I prefer your natural look more..." Xack breathed out a little more nervously, slightly turning her face away from his hungering eyes.

Joker let go of her face just so he could wrap an arm around her, bringing her closer to his side. "Now...let's have some real fun!" He shouted happily, his voice echoing off the walls in the warehouse. "You'll see, Xackie! You'll see that my ways of having fun are much more to be had." He smiled deviously at her, and all Xack could do was smile awkwardly back.

When Joker and Xack rode that small elevator up, she saw Punch and Judy waiting for them silently at the top. He grinned at their presence, and beckoned them to follow. Joker never did explain to her why they were coming along, but she assumed that whatever he wanted to do tonight, it would require their aid.

Xack was a little shocked that instead of taking the purple car or limousine of his, they all got into that creepy van, with Joker and Judy upfront and Xack in the back with Punch. Inside the vehicle was actually quite cramped for both Xack and Punch, since the back was full of stereo equipment and the likes. Seeing such technical speakers and soundboards got Xack on the curious side, wondering why Joker had these with him.

"Joker..." She called his name in a worrisome voice. Joker glanced over his shoulder. She raised a hand to the speakers near her. "Wh-what is all this for?"

"Hm." Joker merely shrugged, like it was nothing important for her to know. "Just a little somethin' I plan on using...some other day," he said nonchalantly, gesturing his hand around as he spoke.

Xack looked at all the large speakers around her. "Do you plan on a karaoke or something?" She wondered, giggling slightly at the thought of Joker singing in front of a huge crowd of people.

Again, Joker shrugged. "Hm, something like that." His tone sounded so uncaring that it bothered her a little bit.

With nothing more to say to the girl, Joker faced the front again. Xack cocked her head and frowned. She let out a sigh of grief, gazing out the windows.

Whatever this is with Xack and Joker, it definitely wasn't date-worthy, at least in her eyes it didn't seem like it. Instead of going out to eat and dancing like they did before, Joker seemed more interested in causing chaos around the city...which meant pulling horrible and cruel "pranks" on people. During the drive, Joker pulled half of his body out the passenger window. Laughing manically, he threw grenades and balloons full of acid out on the pavements. At times he missed. At other times... All Xack could do was gape in terror at what Joker and his goons were doing to people.

There were times during this night where Joker hosed police and people out on the streets with a gigantic hose attached to a fire hydrant. On certain drives throughout the city, Joker would cackle or laugh psychotically as he threw grenades at billboards he found ghastly to his tastes.

At one point, Joker decided to just stop by one of Gotham's prestige banks and rob it. Fortunately for Xack, she was told to wait in the van under the surveillance of Judy while this went down. She didn't want to witness it anyways. All those people crying and screaming inside the bank just made her cower in fear and want to cry inside.

"Where the hell is Batman?" Xack thought worriedly. "I don't care if I'm mad at him. I still...I still worry about him-"

"Bet you're wondering where Batsy is, don'tya Xack?" It's been a long while since Joker used her real name other than the silly nicknames he usually calls her. Xack couldn't believe the coincidence of her thoughts while Judy drove the van erratically down the streets of Gotham to avoid or evade the police- the girl couldn't tell at this point.

Xack faced the front seats of the van to see Joker turned around to her. He grinned excitedly at her, and appeared to be in a very giddy mood. "Batsy probably would of been there to greet us by now...if..." His lips curled up into a devilish smile. "If I didn't send out a bunch of my men down the streets, dressed up as us." Xack covered her ears when Joker threw his head back to laugh at this fact. "Oh, I wish I could see the look on his face when he realizes it's not really us driving along! AH AHAHAHAHAAAHAH!" Again, the girl flinched to his high-pitched cackles.

Xack breathed in and out heavily, deciding on what to say since she knew he was expecting some kind of reaction or comment out of her. "I wish you would just call me Xack more," she said glumly.

Immediately Joker's laughter ceased and he eyed her oddly, smirking. "After all I've told you, and that is the only thing you pick up on?" He shook his head in disbelief, but he was still grinning in amusement. "You're definitely a strange one, Xack Hathaway." He bit his lip playfully as he hopped over the front seats to sit next to her.

Joker wrapped an arm around her and lazily pointed to her. "Don't think I haven't noticed your frowns lately." He tilted his head at her in morose. "Aren't you having fun?"

Xack's eyes wandered downward, shifting her feet around fretfully. "I...um..." She could almost feel a slight blush coming on. "Um...I'm not-"

"So what do you want to do then, hmm? What comes to the top of your head?" His eyes and smile grew wider in anticipation to her answer.

Now Xack felt even more hot under the collar. She didn't like this kind of pressure put on her, especially if he wasn't going to like the answer. In her head though, she automatically knew he wasn't going to like it. "Can we go home?" She smiled sheepishly at him.

Joker's face instantly fell to aggravation. "Nice try," he responded dryly, and didn't look the least bit thrilled with her answer. "How about you try again with that."

Xack rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Her attention was slowly drawn to the windows, staring outside and watching the cars and buildings pass by in the blink of an eye. Then, the sidewalks caught her interest, and as the van passed by smaller shops rather than the high-rise buildings, it made her all the more anxious to get out.

"I've never really walked around the city before," she mumbled quietly, although Joker did pick up her words. She turned to him again, her expression already half-pleading with him. "Can we stop and walk around the city?"

"Walk...around?" Joker thought that request was even weaker than the "I wanna go home" one. "Are you serious?" His sarcastic reply wanted to make Xack cry in embarrassment.

"I...I didn't think it was that bad," she said fretfully, hands fidgeting away.

Joker groaned. "Oh...alright. We'll just continue our fun on foot!" He kneeled to the floor now. "PUNCH! JUDY!" He barked. "We're stopping here!"

Xack clasped her hands together happily. She couldn't believe he was actually stopping.

Judy slowly pulled up to the side of a curb and came to a full stop. As soon as the van braked into place, Joker threw open the van doors and jumped out. When Xack and Punch got out as well, Joker poked half of his body back inside to say, "Keep driving around until I call for you. Don't want the police catching us now!" He slammed the doors shut and within moments, Judy was seen driving back off onto the streets.

Xack happened to keep staring at Punch the entire time Judy drove off. Joker noticed her intense gaze and grinned, gesturing to him. "Thought to keep him here for 'crowd control' purposes."

Her focus went to Joker now. "You mean like the police or...or Batman?"

Joker nodded, walking over to stand next to her. "Gotta have a fall-guy around just for these occasions, dearie." He hooked his arm around hers. "Now let's 'stroll' through Gotham, shall we?" Xack just smiled drearily, patting his arm with her other to reassure him that she was going to go along with whatever he wanted to do.

All of sudden, before it even occurred to her, the two were seen skipping along the sidewalks of the city, as if they didn't have a care in the world nor had any weight on their shoulders. Punch was more on the relaxed side of strolling, although he still tried to keep up with their pace. Butterflies were practically attacking Xack's stomach. Skipping with the Clown Prince of Crime was very unusual for her. She can't even remember the last time she skipped.

What made the scenario even more awkward from the outside was that citizens around were watching them with boggled eyes, as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Xack groaned miserably when most of the people took out their cellphones to snap a shot at them or record their little capering. Joker didn't seem to mind though, in fact, he loved the attention. He did have a huge ego after all.

While skipping away, Joker used this opportunity to continue his cruel shenanigans on people close by. He threw gas bombs here. He shot acid there- and all the while, a flinching Xack clung to his side for whatever comfort she could get from that. She didn't like what he was doing, but she had no place to tell him to stop. If she did say something about it, he would probably make the situation worse just to torment her!

Then, Joker took from his coat a grenade and chucked it to a billboard high above them. Xack didn't even realize it until it was too late. She shrieked horribly and dashed out of Joker's arm and down the sidewalk. She didn't care where she was going, she just wanted to get away from it all.

"Xackie!" Joker yelled, but she didn't react nor even stop running when he called her name. Rage was already building up inside him. Did she really think he was going to let her get away so easily? "XACK!" He roared, and started charging after her with alien speed.

Xack didn't care if he was mad. She just wanted to get away from the explosion that scared her back into the reality of things. She now wanted Batman to show up and come to her rescue. Such wasn't the case though.

Joker had already caught up to her and snatched her arm in a flash, causing her to come to a rather abrupt, painful stop. Instead of appearing angered as all hell, the clown was grinning from ear to ear, appearing entertained by her outlandish behavior. Eventually Punch reached them both, panting heavily, although he tried hard as he could not to show it.

"Where do you think you're going, my sweet?" Joker wondered with a psychotic gleam in his eyes. Xack didn't answer him. All she did was struggle weakly in his grasp, making soft cries when she felt his fingers dig into her skin.

Xack began to sob quietly. Slowly she sank to the ground and cried softly in front of one of the nearby outlets. Joker still held onto her arm though, not trusting that she'll run away again if given the chance.

"What's the point?" She sobbed pitifully, finally pulling her arm free from Joker. "This is exactly what I was talking about!"

Joker growled from the depths of his throat, and took a few steps closer to her. "We don't have time for this, dearie. The police are going to be here any minute! We have to keep moving!-" He made an attempt at grabbing at her arm again, but she held them close to her chest. She didn't feel like moving at the moment, despite Joker's anxiousness.

The clown shouted his frustrations into the air, and eyed the girl angrily. "What's the matter with you now?! Why are you crying?! You can't be crying now! You'll ruin the makeup!"

"I don't care," she replied childishly, although in truth, she did care. Xack didn't want the greasepaint to sting her eyes from mixing with the salty tears. "Don't you get it, Joker?!" She shrilled, and by now there were probably dozens of people watching them, but she could care less of the unwanted attention she was bringing. "This isn't going to work! I don't have 'fun' like you do!" Joker merely stood there staring at her, not sure what to do about the pathetic girl whining to him. "We're...we're too different to get along! I don't like your kind of 'fun'! I-" She stopped herself in mid-sentence. Looking up, the first thing she noticed was her reflection in the store window. She became silent, lips barely agape as she slowly stood up from the concrete. She never took her eyes off from her unfamiliar image in the window.

Very gently she touched her reddened lips with her gloved fingers, still not believing that the person reflecting back at her was really her.

Joker appeared quite bewildered about this sudden change in her, but it eventually came to him what was going on. "Relax, dearie. It comes off easily," he reassured her soothingly, placing a hand on her shoulder for more of that reassurance.

"I remember when...I remember, I remember when I lost my mind..."

Xack froze when she heard these lyrics faintly become louder and louder as the music drew nearer. She turned around and saw a convertible parked in the middle of the street, obviously wanting to see what the commotion was with Joker. The two men in the car muttered something to themselves and turned the radio to another station. Xack's heart suddenly fell into great woe when the men switched off the song.

Joker saw the dejected look on her, and then his eyes went back to the car. He bit his lip mischievously, the gears turning wildly in his head. He egged Punch to follow his lead as he hopped, skipped, and jumped on over to the parked car, making the two men jump in their seats. "I'm confiscating this here vehicle," he told the two gentlemen, resting an arm on the door. "Do I have any complaints?" The two men shook their heads vehemently, and got themselves out of the car in a hurry.

Joker laughed, sticking his tongue out unmannerly as he changed the radio back to the previous station Xack was clearly interested in.

"Does that make me crazy?... Does that make me crazy?... Does that make me crazy?... ...Probably..."

Xack faltered a breath and approached the vehicle as if she were in a trance. "I...I remember this song..." she spoke in a hushed voice when she got up to the vehicle. "It's been so long since I heard it." A little chuckle escaped her, and soon enough, a wry smile appeared on her face. "I love this song..."

"So do I!" Joker eagerly chimed in, hopping into the driver's seat. Punch got in the backseat, assuming the girl was going to end up sitting with his boss. "How about you and me go for a little ride? We can sing the song together, Xackie..." He grinned as he waited for her response, but he didn't have to wait long. Xack happily obliged and climbed over the door and into the passenger's side, smiling at Joker blissfully.

"We...we can sing the song...together?" She questioned with doubt in her voice. She seemed astonished by the fact that there's a song out there that she and Joker can agree to.

Joker nodded. "Of course! Now...let's ride!" He hit the gas and the car sped off down the streets, just as a police car arrived on the scene of their previous disturbance.

Xack's whole outlook changed like flipping on a light switch. Her attitude towards Joker and his crazy antics made her feel...more at ease. Before she was frightened by what he was doing on the road, but now she was seen laughing it up with him, singing to that Gnarls Barkley song. Even if the song ended long ago on the radio, the two were still belting the lyrics out as if the song were repeating itself over and over again. Joker continued to smoke people on the sidewalks with his gas bombs, and chucked his Joker-faced grenades to buildings and billboards around. All the while, the girl seemed totally oblivious to his wrongdoings. She still didn't like it, but it didn't bother her so much anymore.

After a while on the road, Joker came across a large fountain in the middle of a very wide-open area of the city. An idea popped into his head, and he grinned gleefully at the thought. He slammed on the brakes, throwing Punch and Xack forward in their seats. "Okay, kiddies! Everybody out!" Joker practically flew over out the car door, and before Xack could even open hers, the clown was nice enough to get on over to her side to let her out. Her smile never faded when she stepped out of the car.

"Wow, that fountain is huge!" Xack decided to announce the obvious, mesmerized by the water jetting out in peculiar patterns.

Joker chuckled through clenched teeth. "This is the perfect spot, don't you think so, Xackie?" He asked.

Xack turned at him, befuddled. "Perfect spot for what?" She wondered.

"You'll sseee," Joker grinned, gently pushing her towards the fountain. "Punch, show my dearest to the fountain, will you. I have to make a call." He dug into his coat pocket to take out a small cellphone, and at the same time, he shook his hand in flutters to shoo the two away from him. Xack scoffed when Punch stepped in to try and coax her towards the fountain.

"Ssoooo..." She never took her eyes off the fountain, rocking herself back and forth in place. "Do you know what Joker's doing? I mean, it can't be good, right? Joker has...a twisted sense of humor and all that, so whatever he's doing is bad, right?" Then she peered up at Punch, who merely stared straight ahead as if he was toning out all sounds around. Xack rolled her eyes. "Oh, right. You don't talk..." She exhaled frustratingly.

A few moments of silence got her curious about her immediate surroundings, so her head slowly turned to the left. Groups of people were starting to congregate near them, whispering amongst themselves fearfully. They would often point in her general direction, or hold out their cellphones to take a photo of the scene.

To the right of Xack wasn't any different than her left. The entire situation made her groan in humiliation, wishing she could just bury her head to not see these people staring at her makeup job. She balled up her fists and placed them close to her chest.

Her thoughts came back down to Joker. She scanned the area around and didn't seem to find him anywhere. "What the- where did he go? Did he just leave me here alone with all these people?"

Chills ran down her spine, realizing that now might be her chance to make a run for it...if she wanted to. Strangely enough, she thought she would feel rejoiced if Joker left her room for escape, but she didn't like him abandoning her like this. She felt...empty without him nearby. Her eyes became more frantic as she checked around herself for Joker, too afraid to venture beyond the group of people pointing and muttering to themselves or anyone else close by.

Even if she wanted to, how could she get away with Punch right there next to her?

Her head started to spin. "Is this some sick, twisted idea of a joke? Does Joker think this is funny to leave me here like this?!"

Xack turned back to Punch. "He's not going to leave me like this, is he?" Even though he couldn't speak, she was still hoping the huge lug would make some sort of gesture in response, but he remained stationary and mute as ever. All he did was stare off into the distance.

"Well what am- what am I supposed to do?-"

The hysteria had immediately ceased and all attention was focused on the faint tune in the distance which became increasingly more clearer when it neared them all.

"Oppa Gangnam Style!"

Xack looked on with widdened eyes, not really buying what she was hearing. She had to be dreaming. There was no way...

Out from nowhere, everyone witnessed Joker's van screeching around a corner on the streets and then sped towards the circular fountain where Xack, Punch, and the rest of the denizens happened to be. The van braked harshly against a curb, where the doors were outwards towards the crowd. Joker suddenly came out from the middle of nowhere to throw open the doors. The large stereos Xack had questioned about earlier could now be heard out loud.

"Gangnam Style!"

Joker began dancing the most unusual thing anyone has ever seen. Well, it wasn't bizarre to those who knew what he was doing, and Xack was one such person whom instantly recognized the style of dance.

It was the Gangnam Style dance.

Surprisingly enough, nobody panicked when Joker happened to be in their presence. Most people just watched in utter confusion and bewilderment, not sure how to react to the peculiar situation before them. There were some, however, that began bobbing their heads to the beat of the music. A part of them itched to just get in there and do the dance as well.

Xack's mind boggled with wonderment as Joker danced the Gangnam Style around the fountain area. She couldn't believe he was doing it so well. He must of somehow practiced when she wasn't around. Then that would mean...he must of listened to the song, in spite of the fact that he had told Xack he didn't have any desire to hear it out.

Joker started to dance around her, hopping enthusiastically around to the music while having the most beaming grin on his face. He briefly stopped his silly movements to bow somewhat courteously and hold out a hand for Xack to take and join him in the silliness.

Xack just stared at this hand to her. She held her own close to her chest, not knowing what to do, seeing how all of this seemed so unreal to her...

Then the music rang in her ears, gradually filling her head with a tune she wanted to so desperately dance to. Her eagerness to take his hand increased every nano-second that went by. Was it nano-seconds, or just plain seconds? Whatever, Xack didn't care.

Xack gazed unto Joker's face, and a very big, cheeky smile spread across hers, and then, she burst out laughing with joy. She jumped up and down happily while clapping her hands excitedly as if someone told her she just won the lottery. It never stopped either as she so willingly took Joker's hand, and then the two immediately began doing the Gangnam Style together.

As if the scene couldn't get any more unbelievable, about half the crowd that was watching decided to join in on doing the Gangnam Style.

Both Joker and Xack we're laughing happily and merrily, dancing with the crazed group of people that couldn't resist the song's catchy beat. The rest of the onlookers got out their cellphones to record this insane event.

Xack didn't care that people were watching her. Watching her with such disdain and horror that she was having the time of her life with the Clown Prince of Crime. She didn't care one bit. She drowned out those disapproving and terrified eyes of the crowd as she and Joker continued to move with the music together...which soon turned into their own version of dancing, not knowing what exactly they were doing, but they were still doing it anyways. They took each other's hands and twirled with one another, not taking concern as to whoever was in their way. She could care less about common sense and good judgment right now. She was having such a blast to concern herself with the meaningless fools nearby. Who cares about them if they get in the way of Joker's fun...and hers.

The two insanities laughed psychotically, spinning about and Joker even dipping the giggling girl every now and then. Normally she would have a paranoid fit, but at the moment, she was smiling from ear to ear. She couldn't be more happier with him.

It's when the song started to fade into submission did everyone hear the police sirens closing in on them...and fast!

"Uh oh! Time to make tracks!" Joker motioned Punch to get into the van, then the clown reached into his coat to take something out.

Xack's merriment immediately vanished when her eyes caught sight at what was in his hands. "Is that...is that a grenade?" She squeaked, wanting to back away from it, but Joker already snagged her wrist with his other free hand.

"Not just any grenade, my dear. See for yourself." He grinned mischievously, tossing it to the largest batch of citizens that were around. Before anyone could even comprehend what was going on, the object exploded in midair, releasing a gas that began to cover the area. In moments, people couldn't resist inhaling the toxic fumes, and so they started to cackle, laugh psychotically, and eventually collapsing to the ground with painful grins on their faces.

Xack gasped frighteningly, seeing the deadly gas coming right for them, but Joker hastily slapped a small gas mask over her mouth, and then hurriedly ushered her to the van. He pushed her in before he jumped in himself, quickly closing the doors before the gas could leak in.

"Wh-why did you do that?" Xack questioned frightfully, pushing one of the stereos aside so she had more room to maneuver about.

Joker climbed over to the front passenger seat, pointing straight ahead. "Step on it!" He hollered to Judy, still sitting in the driver's seat after all this time. The larger goon made no hesitation to slam on the gas pedal and take off down the streets. Xack peered out the van's window, still hearing the sounds of the citizens forced fits of laughter as police cars arrived to surround the scene.

The clown twirled a hand into the air. "Oh Xackie, even you should know by now I always love to end these nights with a last laugh, and I don't mean me..." He sighed blissfully to himself. "Don't you just love ending things on a high note, dearie?..."


When everyone arrived back at Joker's hideout, the clown bantered about the evening to his henchmen that were still present at the time. Xack used this time to go into the bathroom to get herself changed back into her pajamas and take off the ridiculous costume and makeup she wore. She didn't leave the room right away though. She remained standing in front of the mirror located above the little sink, staring at her reflection just as she did before the night had begun. It's almost as if she didn't recognize herself anymore.

"What did I do today?" She wondered in a dreary voice. "That...that wasn't me out there..."

She exhaled sadly. Xack always wanted to be happy, to have fun for a change, but what happened with Joker...did she really have fun out there? She was smiling, laughing, and dancing with him, but when she glimpsed at that gas grenade in his hands, the weight of reality came crashing back down on her. Seeing all those psychotic faces laughing because their nerves were forcing them to.

Xack wanted to have fun, to be happy, but she didn't want people getting hurt because of it.

The girl inhaled sharply, now realizing she was lost in her own world a little longer than she wanted to be. At some point Joker was sure to come looking for her. Not wanting to get him even the slightest bit irritable, Xack exited the bathroom to go searching for him, although it wouldn't take long since she figured he was in that make-shift living room. She just hoped he didn't decide to take over the videogame area again.

When Xack reached the living room, sure enough, there was Joker sitting comfortably in his Santa chair, watching that Harley program again. Seeing that blonde bimbo-like woman on television made Xack tingle with...something. Why couldn't she pin-point on what was bothering her every time she saw Harley?

As soon as Xack sat down on the couch next to the Santa chair, Joker immediately asked, "Where've you been?" He turned his head to her with a rather pleasing grin on his features.

"I was...I was just changing," she mumbled, fidgeting with her hands out of nervousness. "What did you think I was doing?"

Joker put a hand to his chin, titling his head up slightly as if he actually in thought. "Oh, I don't know, trying to leave the hideout without me knowing, or..." He leaned forward into his armrest to bring himself a tad closer to Xack. "Or you were doing something very naughty to yourself without letting me in on the fun." He grinned perversely at her.

Xack appeared extremely puzzled. "Um...what?"

Joker rolled his eyes, yet smiled even more so since she didn't understand the concept. "If I explained that to you, you would probably slap me across the face...and I wouldn't like that. Not one bit..."

Xack still eyed him questionably, but if what he said is true, then whatever he meant must of been either sexual or just offending to Xack's nature. Any which way, she just let it go, not wanting to find out what he meant exactly.

She gazed back to the TV, scowling at seeing Harley's face on the screen. Out of boredom, Xack shifted through sides of the couch cushions to see if there was a remote for the TV and change it just to see Joker's reaction. She smiled on the inside, and it made her more determined to find the remote...or just something, really; although a part of her knew that Joker must keep the remote close at hand.

"You are beautiful, you know," Joker purred to her, and the tone of his voice literally sent shivers down her spine on how near he seemed to sound. Xack turned the other way, and jumped in her cushion when Joker had suddenly gone from his Santa chair to sitting dangerously close to her without even noticing him!

Xack tried to twist the other way, but Joker grabbed her and forced her to stay the way she was. He attempted to maneuver her to him, but she kept pulling back. "Don't be like that, dearie," Joker cooed sadly. "I just want a kiss."

Xack's eyes suddenly looked like a deer caught in headlights. Her breathing became even more erratic. Joker was more rough with his actions on bringing her upper body to his, but the girl wasn't going to give in so easily. He gripped her chin, inching his lips to her, but Xack jerked her head out of his hand. "Don't resist me, Xack," he told her with growing frustration, eyeing her angrily. "Can't a guy get some sugar from his little lady?" He pushed her down into the couch, beginning to get himself on top of her.

Xack twisted and turned from Joker's hold, then she suddenly rolled right out from underneath him, landing on the floor hard. Xack stood up and bolted out of the area before Joker could get off the couch. "Xack, come back here!" He shouted. "XACK!"

Xack ran into the darkened bathroom and skidded behind the door, trying to hide herself if Joker should peek into the room. She covered her mouth as best as she could so Joker wouldn't hear her panicked breathing, but she knew she was delaying the inevitable. How could she get away from Joker when she was stuck in his hideout? She can't call for help. Can't hold out on a fight long. "He said he only wanted a kiss..." She reminded herself, biting her bottom lip worriedly. Just hearing those words in her own head made it sound worse. "Now that he's angry though, is he...is he going to rape me?!"

Her heart skipped a beat when the bathroom lights clicked on, and sure enough, Joker grabbed the door and poked his head from the side of it. A predatory grin came to his lips when he saw the quaking girl before him. "There you are," he said smugly, getting himself in the room with her and then closing the door, preventing Xack from escaping again.

Xack pressed her back against the wall as Joker stood in front of her, still grinning manically and eyeing her hungrily. She swallowed hard, staring straight into those red eyes of his. She wondered what he was going to do with her now, but a part of her wished she could shake out the ideas about it.

Joker cocked his head at her curiously. "Why did you run away, Xackie," he pouted softly. "I only wanted a kiss."

"I...I...I...don't want you kissing me," Xack told him fearfully, not shying away from him oddly enough. "I don't like you...kissing me." Joker continued to close the distance between them, and this made Xack all the more frightened of the situation.

Joker gently stroked her cheeked. The touch made Xack shake to his gentleness. "Relax, Xackie..." He told her soothingly. Then his tone became vaguely threatening, "It's not like I'm asking anything else here..."

Xack turned her head to the side, squeezing her eyes shut while Joker carried on running his fingers across her cheeks.

"What are so afraid of, hmm?"

"I didn't like it the first time," she replied curtly. "You were...you were rough with me. It didn't...it didn't feel right-"

"Awh, Xackie," he cooed, smiling. "I was just mad at ya then. Sometimes I can be a little rough when I'm angry. Forgive me."

If Xack wasn't so scared right now, she would be glowering at him for the fact that he wasn't sincerely apologetic on what he did to her in the past. She knew he enjoyed what he did, and didn't concern himself with her feelings when he had forced his mouth to hers.

Seeing how the girl just wouldn't settle down, he tried something else. "Let's try this then, shall we...?" He paused, building up for the suspense. "How about you...kiss me instead." That got Xack to gaze back to his face, her expression as stunned as ever by the suggestion.

"Wh-what?" She thought she heard wrong for some reason.

Joker grinned again. "You heard me right," he said, somehow reading her thoughts. "How about you kiss me then, dearie. I get tired of trying to make you, you know. Why am I always the one to initiate it? How about, just this once, you do it." Her eyes went down to her feet, thinking. He bit his lip eagerly, so he added, "I'll be gentle with you this time around..."

Xack eyed him suspiciously, not sure if she should trust his words. On one hand, maybe if she kissed him, it could be quick, and perhaps he'll leave her alone about it...for now, at least. Of course, then her consciousness started speaking to her...

"It could be worse," it said a matter-of-factly. "He could be asking you for sex. He could force himself on you again, and not care if he was hurting you or not. At least now he's asking you to kiss him. Maybe it won't be so bad if you started it. Maybe you'll...like it this time around."

"L-like it?" Xack appeared unsure about all this. "B-but, I-I don't want to...like it. Not from...anyone. Not from...him. Definitely not from him!" She peered up at him again with big, innocent eyes. He remained staring at her hard, waiting patiently for her to do something. As long as she wasn't refusing his request, then he thought to keep his mouth shut until she spoke.

Finally, her mouth moved, although there was much hesitation in her voice. "Al-alright... I'll...I'll do it," she spoke so quietly that Joker's ears barely picked it up. His lips formed into a gigantic smile on his face.

Xack breathed in...and out slowly, trying to calm herself so she could get enough courage to just get this over, much to her chagrin. Her hands were up in-between themselves, clenching and unclenching nervously and unsure of how to "start" the kiss. "I guess I just...put my lips to his, and...that's it?"

She ended up resting her hands on Joker's sleeves, grasping them gently with her hands as she inched her face to his. "Just get it over with. Just get it over with. Just get it over with, and maybe he'll be happy and leave you alone. Don't think about it."

Her mouth was now centimeters from his, and Joker got goose bumps of anticipation when he felt her breath on his lips. "Don't think about it. Don't think about it." She repeated to herself, and assumed it was working since she was so close to getting the kissing over with.

Then...it happened seconds before Xack realized it did. She had her lips pressed firmly to his, her eyes closing from the sensation. To her the whole thing felt...pleasant to the touch. A bit moist, but not nearly as terrible as the first time it occurred. She remained unmoving like this for quite some time, and although her mind was screaming that this was enough, and she could back away any time from this...but for some reason...her body...wouldn't respond. For some reason...she didn't want to stop what she was doing.

Perhaps a minute went by when Joker moved. It was sudden, and it happened faster than she wanted it to. Joker shoved her up to the wall while his hands began to roam the rest of her body with such eagerness. Her eyes didn't open, but she moaned with utter shock when Joker attempted to get her mouth working with his. At first she didn't understand why, but then she felt his tongue sliding its way inside her mouth. She wanted to gasp, but what came out was another strangled moan.

He pressed his body against hers, pushing her back so hard to the wall that it almost caused her to whine in pain.

Their pelvis' touched, and at some points, Joker glided his hand across her leg and tried to get it to wrap around his waist, but to no avail. Her naivety to the world of carnal pleasure was too new for Xack to comprehend what his actions meant. Knowing this made him feel aggravated inside, but at the same time, he loved it. To introduce a girl like that to sexual desires would be so much fun indeed, especially to hear and feel her first reactions to it all. Until then though, he'll have to make do with what he can get out of her.

Joker's long, wet muscle slid around from the inside of her mouth, wiggling about and wrapping itself around Xack's, wanting to get her tongue to do the same. Eventually she got the message and her tongue was moving with his.

His hands all over her body, and their tongues wrestling with each other, all these new sensations and more made Xack moan loudly into his mouth with fear. Joker heard her beautiful sounds and considered it as a sign of submission to him. He briefly took his hands from her to remove his purple coat in a hurry, just so he could feel the warmth of her body more. Once the coat was tossed aside, he went back to touching and handling her so greedily. His hands ran along her back and then through her hair. Xack's hands went up to his shoulders, wrapping one of them around his neck to bring their faces even closer together.

"STOP! STOP!" Xack's mind shrilled as she carried on this unusual passion with him. "You know this is wrong! Stop doing it! STOP!"

Xack wanted to listen to her better judgment, but her body has yet to respond to her other inquiries. A part of her was sickened by this act. Sickened at what he was doing to her with his tongue and hands. Unfortunately, another part of her- what originally thought all of this would feel revolting and painful- it all felt...good. No, to her it felt better than good. It felt great, and Xack was ashamed to admit it. So ashamed to feel this way, especially with someone like the Joker.

Xack moaned again, but this time it was out of shame and guilt for what she was experiencing with him. For what it was worth, he very much enjoyed listening to her sounds of unwanted pleasure.

He was starting to grow bored of it all and wanted to move things along. He smirked just slightly against her lips as an idea came to mind.

Joker very slowly and carefully brought Xack to the bathroom floor, gently laying her down on the coat he had thrown earlier, for comfort. He finally took his mouth away from hers, and leaned back to get a good look at the tired and weak form of his girl. He could see that she was panting heavily, watching her chest with the strangest of fascinations as it rose and fell back leisurely.

His eyes locked onto hers once more, but Xack was too exhausted to even focus. Her head was laid out to the side where she gazed straight at the bathroom wall. Joker growled lustfully in his throat, licking his lips as he eyed her bare neck. He remembered then that Xack's skin seemed to be extra sensitive in that area, and that gave Joker all the more reason to dive in at it. He climbed back on top of her and leaned down into her.

Xack gave a startling cry when she suddenly felt Joker's lips kissing and sucking on the thin skin of her neck ravenously. She groaned when that tongue of his came out and licked the skin ever so slowly, causing Xack's body to shudder . She gripped onto his arms, weakly trying to force him off, but Joker remained stationary, barely even aware that Xack wanted him off of her. He was enjoying himself too much to notice.

Joker loved listening to Xack's quiet mewling and soft cries. He even loved it when her body squirmed uncomfortably beneath him.

The girl craned her neck in hopes that it would make the feeling go away, but it just gave Joker more access to her, now finding new spots to toy with her. He sucked so furiously on the delicate skin that he knew it would leave quite the mark on her once it was all over with. At this time, his hands began caressing the sides of her body and around her back, massaging her.

Xack was aware at just how vocal she became from Joker's actions, so she bit her bottom lip hard to keep herself quiet, but it was no use. She figured these moans and groans of hers meant approval to Joker ears. "J-Joker..." She moaned, arching her back in another attempt to get Joker off, but the clown still wasn't taking the hints. He merely groaned his satisfaction against her neck, kissing it before resuming to suckling on it harshly.

It was then that Joker's hands became a little too invasive when they slipped under her sweatshirt.

Reality finally hit Xack, and it hit hard when she barely felt his palms brush her breasts, ready to grope at them. She almost resorted into slapping him across the face, but she stopped herself when the thoughts of Joker doing the unthinkable came to mind.

Instead, she slid right out from underneath him with ease since he was so lost in lust to really keep a hold on her. Xack then dashed out of the bathroom before he could get his bearings on what just happened.

Xack didn't know where to run to, since there was no escaping Joker's hideout. All she could do was go back into the living room, sit on the couch and just wait for the clown to catch up with her. She brought her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She didn't know what Joker was going to do to her now, since she interrupted a chance for him to entice her into having sex with him. Was he even aware of how she felt about the idea? Once Xack had learned some years ago about the act of intercourse, she found it absolutely disgusting. The very thought of two people slapping their bodies against one another, and the exchanging of bodily fluids made her want to hurl. It repulsed her that people enjoy doing things like that to each other, and it bothered her knowing people or couples in general relished. It upset her even more that Joker was all for it.

Xack sucked in her lips worriedly. "If Joker finds out I have no need for sex...what will he do?" She swallowed hard, not wanting to think about it. If he didn't know, then she would just continue to let him think there was a chance for it to happen between them.

Then again, all this made her depressed inside, knowing this was yet another stake that would drive them apart eventually.

Xack shook her head vigorously. "No! Don't think about that!" She shrieked in her mind. "I just want things to stay the way they are between us! Don't think about things like that! Just pretend they never happened!" Telling herself this gave her little hope, although it was false hope. "Just don't say anything. Just pretend nothing has changed. You had fun tonight with Joker. You know you did. Just remember that, and nothing else."

"It's all I have to go on," Xack told herself in a hushed voice.

After some time passed, Joker finally did show himself to the living room area, looking a little dazed and his coat back on him. Xack was sure he was going to be furious with her since she just flew on out of the bathroom without a word's notice.

Xack watched Joker intently as he shuffled his way on over to the Santa chair, where he plopped himself down and instantly turned on the TV. To his somewhat dismay, there was no more Heart-To-Heart With Harley. Instead, it was some crime drama that made the clown roll his eyes instinctively.

The girl faltered a breath and began to fidget with her hands. When it seemed silence would just linger in the room, Joker finally broke it by saying, "I guess I got carried away back there, didn't I." Xack's head immediately snapped in his direction, a bit taken aback by his ability to admit things like this. He chuckled ever so slightly, smiling lazily. "Heh, you know, it's a good thing you left otherwise it would of been, uh...hard for me to stop...if you know what I mean."

"I know what you mean," said Xack firmly, swallowing again.

"But you sure surprised me, kid. Didn't know you had it in ya to enjoy my ministrations..." he wiggled his fingers into the air while sticking out his tongue. Xack didn't turn to him, but out of the corner of her eye she saw what he was doing, and cringed in revulsion. "So tell me, Xackie...did you enjoy it?" He leaned halfway out of the armrest, eager to know Xack's answer. All the girl did was turn her head away more, but he managed to catch her embarrassed expression, and he grinned amusingly. "I'll take that as a 'yes' then, heh heh." He sat upright again, now changing the channels on the television until he found a show that was at least to his level of satisfactory.

Xack shook her head a little, not liking the ideas going through Joker's head. "I thought-" Joker gazed back at her exhaustedly. "You told me it was just going to be a kiss, but it wasn't. Wh-why did you do that to me?"

"Puh!" Joker shot up a hand as if to dismiss her complaints. "I didn't see you complaining, dearie." He gave her an irritable stare. Xack did exactly the same, and Joker didn't like it. "Don't give me that look. You know you liked it! I didn't hear any protests from you-"

"You made it- difficult when you were being so...grabby, and stuff," Xack shot back, sounding unsure about her choice of words. She scratched her arm, staring off elsewhere. "Besides, I...I guess the kiss wasn't so bad...but you made it all...weird."

Joker disagreed by shaking his head slowly. "Nnoooooo...I made it feel good."

Xack sighed wearily, rubbing her arms with uneasiness. "Can we stop talking about this now?" She asked coyly. "It's weirding me out."

Joker smiled. "Fine. Fine. Geesh! You're such a prude, aren't you?" Xack shot him a heated look.

Silence endured between them once more. Every now and then, Xack shifted around on the cushions before sleep finally took its toll on her. She laid her body across the couch and rested her head on the armrest, still gazing at the TV screen with heavy eyelids.

Joker, on the other hand, didn't feel the least bit tired. Sure, he was a little put off from earlier, but other than that, he wasn't sleepy yet. His features did furrow though when something kept nagging at his brain. He looked onto her again, noticing that she was close to letting sleep take over. "One little, itty-bitty question for you," Joker lilted, hoping to gain her attention. Xack weakly picked up her head to somewhat stare in his general direction. "When you suddenly came down with that unusually timed fever, what were you dreaming about?"

Xack now looked at him questionably, but had to briefly turn away to remember what it was. Then it came back to her. "I...I dreamed about zombies...that day," she replied. "They were...eating the survivors and stuff. It was horrible, and...I wish I didn't remember that."

Joker didn't appear satisfied with her answer. "Well, was that Brucie-boy one of those survivors too?" He snapped at her so suddenly, catching her off guard.

"Wh-what?" She was a little stunned by his rude reply. "N-no. Bruce wasn't in my dreams at all. Why do you ask that?"

Joker's lips curled into a snarl. "You were talking in your sleep then, dearie. You were calling out for him!" He sneered.

If she wasn't so tired, she would take heed of Joker's growing anger, but she didn't care to notice. "I didn't dream about Bruce Wayne, okay," she told him sarcastically, now resting her head down on the armrest again. "I didn't even know I was talking in my sleep. That's a creepy thing to know." She gave a slight snort of amusement, closing her eyes now. "It doesn't mean anything, you know."

Joker watched her fall asleep shortly after, and a few minutes later, his attention turned back to the television. He drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair, slouching uncomfortably in in. "Hmmm..." He made a hide-away knife pop out from the sleeves of his purple coat, overlooking the bright light reflecting off the blade. He continued to turn the little weapon around in his fingers, deep in thought. "Brucie-boy..."