Games That Daughters Play

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Author's Note: Read and review! Tell me what you think? Admittedly, I almost started crying as I wrote this chapter. :(

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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Momma's Proud Of You

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Allegra recovered in a matter of minutes, opening her eyes and holding her head with some resolute pain making her aware that her head was bleeding. It was quiet in the room; gaining her consciousness, Allegra picked herself from the floor, getting to her knees and grimaced when she felt the stinging and burning in her right leg, knowing the bullet that imbedded itself inside her calf was the only reason she awoke in the first place; it brought her back to her alert state, but this seemed much worse than her elusively white dreams.

Her eyes first cast themselves on Joker, who held his shoulder with indifference; he seemingly felt the pain of his bullet wound, but it was more of an annoying ache than the mind-searing pain that some other person might be feeling. Allegra glanced at the door to see Richard lying dead in an upright position, a knife dug halfway into his throat.

Allegra turned her attention to Joker; his eyes were lowered to the person below him and then Allegra noticed Hannah.

She was on her back, crying quietly. Two spots on her blouse bled red.

Anger churned in Allegra's stomach and her eyes floated when Hannah reached out her hand to hers; Allegra crawled to Hannah's left, across from Joker. She bared to notice that Hannah was holding Joker's wrist, a weakened grip from the dying child. Allegra held Hannah's hand.

"I...I'm sorry." Hannah pleaded, looking at Allegra with desperate apology. "I...I just missed you...so...so much...I...didn't mean...for this...to..." She took quick breaths and finished painfully, "happen. I didn't...I didn't...want you...to...think that..."

"Sh, sh, sh," Allegra hushed quietly. She touched Hannah's forehead, brushing her bright blonde bangs from her face. "You're fine, Hannah Banana. This is nothing." She gestured loosely to the bullet wounds on Hannah's chest and stomach.

"It hurts so much." Hannah cried softly. "It hurts...so much..."

Joker smiled at Hannah saying nonchalantly, "I could put a bullet in your foot if it would distract you from that," gesturing to her stomach.

Hannah looked at him pointedly then inquisitively at Allegra.

Joker shrugged, looking across at Allegra: "It was just a suggestion."

"That's..." Hannah whispered, smiling at Joker. "That was...funny...ha...haha...Ow...it hurts to laugh."

"How many times have I heard that," Joker voiced casually. "If I had a nickel."

"What...what if you had a nickel?" asked Hannah.

"No, it's saying," said Joker. He rolled his eyes, looking at Allegra, uttering, "Blondes."

Hannah suddenly whimpered, wincing painfully. Her grip on Joker and Allegra's wrists tightened. Allegra smiled sadly at Hannah.

"Mommy..."

"I'm here, Dearest." Allegra returned.

Joker glanced up at Allegra, hearing her broken tone. He was half-surprised to see that Allegra wasn't crying, but the look in her eyes suggested that she was making a great effort in not doing so. When Hannah began crying due to the wounds in her torso, Allegra lowered her lips to Hannah's cheek, and kissed her in such a motherly manner.

"I'm...I'm sorry I disappointed you..." Hannah breathed; her voice was lacking in control or volume.

"You didn't disappoint me. No, no..." Allegra cooed. "You made me proud—so very proud."

"But..I..."

"It's fine, Hannah Banana. You're a good girl, and Momma's so proud of you."

"I did well?"

"Yes, Dearest. So beautifully." Allegra whispered.

Hannah smiled.

And then the light left her eyes.

Allegra looked at Hannah with an overtone of grief, then raised her eyes to Joker, who smiled at her. She was silent for a second, then Allegra pursed her lips with a valiant effort to restrain any tears. But Joker saw through her guise—it was completely transparent.

"Come here." Joker uttered reluctantly.

Allegra moved around Hannah and Joker pulled her to him.

"I don't want Jack." Allegra muttered.

"No. You don't. But I know Jill when I see her." Joker offered. He smiled: "That's your vulnerable side, Bunny. Not even a talented liar like you can hide it."

In time that passed, Allegra quietly cried but she still shown obvious restraint in her sobs, stifling her quaking tears for small, puppy-like cries. Joker frowned, looking down at Hannah, whose smile still remained.

"Not to be a party pooper or anything," Joker offered, "But I don't think you're ready to be a mother."

Allegra laughed quietly, but it was caught in the middle of a sob.

Several minutes passed before either of them spoke. Allegra had fallen silent, her tears merely quieted. Joker smiled when she pulled away from him, looking both perplexed at his uncharacteristic gesture of sympathy.

"Why did you...?"

Joker shrugged, "Like I said, Allegra. You women are all alike—controlled by your emotions. I'd rather get it over now and be done with it, rather than drag it over years and years." He indicated Hannah, "It's not like I'm completely oblivious to your loss, Bunny."

"You're not crying," Allegra pointed out, wiping the smeared mascara from her eyes.

"I don't cry," Joker returned, factitious. "Haven't ever been that kind of guy, anyway."

Allegra looked at Hannah unhappily. The dead girl was a reminder of her grief.

"I know what'll cheer you up," said Joker.

He got to his feet, holding out his hand to Allegra, who took it sportingly.

"What?" she asked.

"A good ol' bank robbery," Joker returned. He smirked. "Just the two of us—a simple convenient store, or a mob bank." He took her hand, and kissed the back of it: "Lady's choice."

Allegra sighed, "I don't care what we rob as long as it cripples someone."

Joker smirked, "Now there's my little bunny."

Allegra wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him initially on the mouth; he returned it, and one small peck became a sensual battle within her mouth, passionate, and responsive.

"Mob bank it is," Joker returned lightly.

Allegra smirked, "Sounds fun."

They stopped for a second, looking around.

"Have any idea where Crane might be?" asked Allegra softly.

"Beats me." Joker responded carelessly. "Didn't care for him anyway."

Allegra rolled her eyes.