Here is chapter 34 my peeps! I apologize for the super long wait again, I'm a bad person I know lol. I wrote this a month ago and can't remember what I was thinking during half of it lol. So I hope you enjoy it and please leave an awesome review! I can't believe summer is almost over!! AHHH! College here I come and COMIC CON here I COME!! HAHA!
I OWN the plot... enough said. Everything else owned by DC and WB.
Chapter 34
Insane and Unbalanced
Rachel rolled over and stretched her arm across the sheets. Hoping that the left side of her bed was still occupied but her hand felt nothing but cold empty sheets. She quickly opened her eyes and sat up, realizing that she was alone. She gave a yawn and rubbed her eyes, letting her hands fall to her lap she felt a cool breeze that sent goose bumps over her skin. She looked over and realized the fire escape window was slightly opened. Shaking her head with a small laugh, she wrapped a blanket around her and went over to shut the window. She was curious when the Clown Prince decided to leave. She sat down on the bed and looked over at the clock that sat on her night stand. It was 10:04 and she quickly jumped up. She was really late for work, beyond late... she grabbed her cell phone and called in to the office. She told them that she wasn't feeling well and over slept, after getting asked if she was pregnate she rolled her eyes and hung up. She sat there for a minute and smiled, her mind wondering to last night.
Trembling. Fear. Passion. Three emotions that Rachel felt that night with the Joker. Trembling when she let her eyes drink in the amazing form of his body. For a scrawny guy he had an amazing toned body. Crisscrossed with scars, a map of destruction is what he was. Loving the way that crazy clown held her and kissed her, it was so thrilling how a mad man like him treated a women. Moments of ecstacy that made Rachel wish it would never end. Rachel didn't even know how long their passionate spell lasted. Minutes? Hours? It didn't matter there was nothing more exciting then seeing the Clown Prince in such a vulnerable situation.
Trembling. Rachel trembled when his teeth grazed over her bottom lip. When his hands drifted ever so softly around her body. As if he was trying to memorize every curve. Her breath catching in her thraot with every passionate kiss. With every stroke of his tongue against hers, as if they were in battle to see who could please who more. Flushed by the shivers that ran down her spine when his scarred mouth pressed to the flesh of her neck.
Fear. She had never been so scared in her life when she realized what her emotions were making her do. Yet she could care less, she wanted nothing more then to let the Joker do as he wished. Fear flooded her when he suddenly got aggressive with a drive of passion. His hands clawed up and down her ribcage. His nails digging into her flesh, causing her to make little whimpers of pain but it felt so good. His teeth bit into the flesh of her neck, she knew he drew blood. Feeling the warm liquid drip down her neck, only to be cleaned up by his hot tongue. The look in his eyes was enough to make her skin crawel and her heart flutter at the same time. They were dark, filled with a hunger that would soon be fed.
Passion. Every inch of her body felt as if it was on fire. The way the clown made love to her was intoxicating. Was it love or just an ego trip? To her it was love but she didn't even expect that feeling to run through the Joker's mind. He made her feel important and needed. He needed her like she needed him, she was a drug to him and he didn't care what the cost was. Giving him a blood ykiss after she bit her lip, she knew she was making the clown tremble. Blood and pain seemed to be enough to give him his fix. Sadistic much? She didn't care, he needed to feel what she was feeling. Mind spinning, body shaking, emotions out of control, all of thee above is what Rachel felt when he pushed her over the edge again and again.
Rachel shook her head, feeling herself flush and got to her feet. She went into the bathroom and started the shower. She gave yawn and looked into the mirror and her eyes quickly got wide. Her neck was a map of distruction, she had a few hickeys and bite marks that scattered across her flesh. Curious to see what other little 'injuries' the Joker had left her, she looked her self over. She had scratches up and down her back and along her rib cage. She had a few cuts along her collar bone and she shook her head.
"I'm going to need a lot of cover up." she said to her reflection.
----
"I was about to send out a search party for you." snapped the Mayor when Rachel walked into his office.
"Well I'm here now so you can cancel the search." she replied with a roll of her eyes.
"Are you sure you're cut out for this job Rachel?" he asked putting his fists on his hips. "I'm not sure you are, considering you've had an attitude since you got it."
"Will you just calm down." she snapped. "I've always had an attitude so shut up." Rachel couldn't believe what she just said to him. She quickly looked up at him with a look of panic on her face. "Sorry... I didn't mean to snap at you."
"Well, I hope not." he sat down in his chair and looked over at her. "This is a serious job Rachel, and I need you to be serious about your work. I don't know what is going on and I don't want to know. Your personal life is your personal life, I don't want to get involved but you have to be professional."
"I'm trying, I'm just stressed." she stated.
"I know you are." he replied. "You can't let the stress effect your work... that's a working condition with this job. Stress. Don't let it toy with your head Rachel I need you to bring your A game."
"Yes sir." she nodded.
"Okay well... I have a case I'm trying to crack." he replied tapping his fingers on the oak surface of his desk. "We all know that Salvador Moroni is still out there, working his mob. I want to get him behind bars, and I have wanted that for months now." he gave a sigh. "Here's the thing... he's not doing anything where I can nab him. The Joker has this whole city in an uproar and believe it or not that little freak has knocked the Mob off our radar!" Rachel couldn't help but feel sick, not liking where this conversation could be going. "I need the Joker off the streets, I'm starting to loose my mind with this. I can't handle the Joker anymore."
"What are you suggesting sir?" asked Rachel.
"First that little twerp blew up half my police force and city officials!" he snapped. "I'm working on a few of his men, or should I say ex employees. I'm trying to figure out if I can get some information out of em."
"Really? You had some come forward?" she asked.
"No, both were in Arkham we had a young lady nice enough to call and let us know that she had worked with a few of the Joker's men." he replied. "Both are crazy and sick." he shook his head. "One is James Watson, he's a schizophrenic. The other, Thomas Kerr who has a personality disorder. It's impossible to talk to either of them!"
"Why is that?" asked Rachel.
"Either one is screaming at the top of his lungs and can't seem to sit still long enough for anyone to question him, or the other thinks he's Richard Simmons or the Shamwow guy!" he shook his head and Rachel tried not to laugh. "I don't know what to do. I need to nab one of his men that are working for him now."
"That shouldn't be hard." replied Rachel. "If you can convince the cops to stop killing them before they get taken into custody."
The Mayor just sighed and shook his head, "Have you decided on a good Assistant yet?"
"I've scanned through the resumes and interviews." she replied. "I think I might have it narrowed down on who I'd like."
"Okay, well... Make your decision quick, once we get the Joker there will be a stack of cases that we'll need to work on." he replied. "You may go." Before Rachel got up be quickly added. "Oh by the way, I don't know what kind of relationship you're in... but remember you need to look professional." Rachel gave him a confused look and he pointed towards her neck. She went to say something but he cut her off. "I don't want to know."
Rachel got up and left his office, with heavy steps she made her way towards her department. Nodding at the secretary after being told she had five missed calls and messages she went into her office. She sat down in her chair and put her face in her hands. She was so tired that she could've fallen asleep right there on the spot. She gave a yawn and started up the computer and leaned back in her seat. She turned the chair and looked out the big window behind her. She eyed the busy people below and rested her chin in her palm. She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the computer buzzing. Her mind wondered to the night before and she couldn't help but smile and maybe even blush. Spending the night with the Joker was everything she dreamed it would be and more. Considering the bite marks and cuts she had, it reminded her that he was after all a wild mad man. She jumped when she heard a knock on her door and quickly turned to see Bruce.
"Bruce." she said loudly spinning her chair to the front. "What brings you here?"
"I got your note." he replied. "Sorry I missed you that night."
"Oh it's alright." she said with a smile. "You're a busy man after all."
"Yeah well, you know me I make time for people that are important." he smirked and sat down in front of her desk. "I was going to call you but I thought, I might as well do this face to face."
"Bruce, I want to explain something." she started but he held his hand up.
"No." he said strongly. "I want to explain something. I know I've been acting like a total jerk and like a teenage boy." Rachel gave a nod. "I just want you to understand that I'm only doing the things I've been doing because I care. I almost lost you once I don't want that to happen again."
"Bruce, I'm a big girl now. You don't have to watch over me." she shook her head.
"You don't understand that I do." he replied. "Rachel, I take it upon myself to make sure that everyone in this city is safe. That includes you."
"I know Bruce but it's not your job." she stated. "I know you care about me and worry. I'm not saying that you shouldn't, but let me make my own mistakes."
"The situation you're in, I'm afraid to let you make mistakes. A mistake could mean your life." he said with a frown. "I want you to be careful."
"I will and I am." she said flatly. "Bruce if anything goes wrong or if I am in trouble, you will be the first one I call."
"What about the police?" he asked.
"Batman can get there faster then the police." she laughed. "You made that perfectly clear that night I was taken." Bruce just nodded at her.
"Okay." he smiled. "Well, I'll let you get to work then." he got to his feet and gave her a smile. "I'll keep in touch with you okay."
"Okay." she smiled.
"Oh one more thing." he said turning around before he got out the door. "I want my key back." Rachel didn't say anything at first but held her breath.
"What?" she asked trying to play it cool and innocent.
"Don't what me... I just want my key back." he replied shaking his head. "I don't want you to explain... I don't want to hear the reason. I just want it back." He smiled. "Okay?"
"Right um." she fumbled over her words and the phone rang. Making her eyes jump from him to the phone, he gave a laugh and left the room. Rachel cursed under her breath and answered the phone. "Yeah?"
"Rachel, I think we have something." said Gordon on the other line, with a cheery voice.
"What do you mean?" she asked as her heart pounded in her chest at a rapid beat.
"I think we have what we need in order to bring down the Joker." replied Gordon.
"What?" she asked.
"Come to the interrogation area." he replied and hung up.
Rachel's breath caught as she hung up the phone and quickly got to her feet and left her office. Once Rachel got down into the interrogation room she looked through the glass and noticed a young man sitting at the table. He couldn't be anywhere over 25 and looked around the room with a confused look on his face. He had short brown hair and Rachel could see that his hands were tattooed with prison gang symbols. He wore a run down black suite that was everything but clean. The white shirt he wore under it was dirty and there was a bit of blood on his collar. His blazer was ripped and tore and the sleeve look as if it caught fire once. A black and white checkered tie hung loosely around his neck. Rachel looked over at Gordon who gave her a smile.
"Who is this?" asked Rachel pointing to the man through the glass.
"His name is Chuck Stenson." replied Gordon. "We picked him up this morning, after someone called saying they spotted a few clowns knock over a jewelry store down on 8th St." he pointed to the man. "He was the only one that didn't get away. Officer Johnson caught him after he tripped over the curb in front of the church." Rachel blinked a few times.
"He's one of the Joker's men, we know that for sure." said Detective Sherman tossing a clown mask to Rachel. Rachel eyed the mask and recognized it right away. This was the clown that escorted her to the Joker that one night outside Wayne Enterprises. "Were going to try and get some information out of him."
"Actually Rachel, we want you to do it. You're really good at this sort of thing and we think you can get down to his level." replied Gordon.
"What do you mean get to his level?" asked Rachel.
"I don't know it just sounded good." he laughed.
"What do you want me to ask him?" Rachel asked.
"Find out what he knows about your boyfriend and his where abouts." snapped Detective Sherman.
Rachel glared at him and threw the mask in his face and turned leaving the room, they buzzed her in so she could get into the interrogation room. When she walked in the clown looked up at her and let out a loud 'ha'. "What was that for?"
"What? The HA or the roll of the eyes?" he asked with a laugh.
"Okay shut up." she snapped. "I want you to, listen carefully and answer correctly."
"How are you going to know if I'm answering correctly?" he asked.
"I'm God... okay I'll know." she snapped. He snorted a laugh and Rachel continued. "What do you know about your boss?"
"My boss?" he asked.
"The Joker." she said loudly.
"I know that if I tell you anything he'll gut me alive." he chuckled.
"So you know a lot?" she asked.
"No." he said blankly. "Don't you?"
"What are you talking about?" she asked with a cold glare on her face.
"Nothing." he said with a shake of his head and looked up at her. "I know nothing."
"Don't give me that. I know you know enough." she snapped at him.
"Oh really? How know that I know a lot?" he shot back at her.
"I just know, because I know that you know a lot 'cause I know that you've worked for the Joker for a long time. So you must know a lot. You know?" Rachel spoke back. On the other side of the glass Gordon just shook his head and a hand over his eyes.
"Even if I did know anything, I wouldn't tell you. I'm not stupid. Telling you anything could get me killed, as to where not telling you anything keeps me alive." he snapped shaking his head.
"Chuck." Rachel said loudly looking down at him with a slight look of sorrow. "I'm just doing my job. Now why don't you stop being afraid and fess up."
"Why don't you fess up?" he asked with a cold glare, leaning back in his seat crossing his arms over his chest.
"About what?" she asked squinting her eyes at him.
"Oh sweetheart you can only play dumb for so long. Trust me, I know this. I've done this." he replied. Rachel just gave him a cold hard glare, hoping that he would keep his mouth shut. The last thing she needed was this clown to be blabbing about the Joker and her's relationship.
"Stop playing games." she replied, her eyes shifted around the room.
"Games? This isn't a game." he laughed. "Honey if you want I'll start singing like a canary and then we'll see what side of the table you're on." Rachel's eyes met his dark blue ones and he gave a smirk. "Alright, I really don't know much about the boss." he shook his head. "He doesn't stay in one place long enough to get a mailing address."
"Where was his last hideout?" Rachel asked, hoping to get somewhere with him. The clown just eyed her, debating what to tell her or not. "Please."
"An old warehouse, on the other side of the city." he sighed. "It hasn't been occupied for years. I can't give you the address because I don't know it. Plus, it would be pointless anyways considering the fact he's not there anymore."
"Where is he now?" she asked trying to dig deeper into his mind.
"Oh you know the boss... He could be anywhere. Wondering the alleys, blending in with the people on the streets, ransacking the homeless down at the soup kitchen, eye balling the mob, skimming through people's apartments." He raised a brow at her. "He could be anywhere. Where there's smoke and fire, there's the Joker."
"Alright, well then tell me about his latest plan." she demanded going out on a limb for that answer. "What is it?"
"I don't know." he stated flatly.
"What do you mean you don't know? You work with him you should know." she argued.
"I don't know anything till the split second it happens." he snapped at her. "Like a few other people that know him... I'm a puppet! He pulls the strings and I dance. He's a puppet master."
"Why work for someone who won't let you be responsible for your own actions?" she asked with a laugh.
"Why love someone who lets you risk everything just for a few moments of romance?" he asked with a glare.
Rachel just glared at him and slowly stood tall. She turned around and Gordon buzzed her out of the room. "I'm done." she snapped at Gordon. "I can't get anything."
"Well, you tried and you got a few interesting facts." he sighed. "I'll get a scary detective to try and drag some things out of him."
"Yeah that might work considering he works for a man that is more scarier then death himself." Rachel replied with her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes still fixed on the clown.
"It doesn't hurt to try." said Gordon.
"Right, well you try all want. I doubt it's going to even face the little freak." she turned and left the room.
"Is it just me or is Miss. Dawes having a change in attitude?" asked Gordon looking at the door that Rachel had just left through.
"Personally I think she's being a bitch." snapped Detective Sherman, receiving a slight glare from Gordon. "Sorry. I just think she is having a bad influence thrown at her." He let out a sigh and patted Gordon on the shoulder. "Put two and two together here boss."
That night Rachel made her way through the building and out the front doors. she had called a cab, because she was still out of a car. Thanks to the mob's hitman, she was stuck taking the bus or a cab. she walked outside and down the front steps, and down to the sidewalk. she stood in silence, pulling her coat closer to her and holding her bag tight in her hand. she smiled at one of the cops as he walked by and Gordon caught her eye. he made his way down the steps and walked over to her.
"Tough day?" he asked standing next to her, attempting to act like nothing was going on.
"Just an average day." replied Rachel in a chipper tone. "Did you get anything out of the clown?"
"Only a few smart remarks and a constant plea for a lawyer." Replied Gordon with some dread in his voice. He took a deep breath and looked over at Rachel who was now paying attention to the traffic. "Are you okey?"
"Yeah, why?" she asked looking over at him with a confused expression.
"You just seem a bit out of the ordinary." Gordon spoke softly and looked down at the ground then back over at her.
"Everyone has an off day." chuckled Rachel.
"Or past few months... Rachel what you do on your free time is non of my business but I'm concerned." started Gordon with a slight shake of his head and looked at Rachel with sorrow eyes, but she cut him off before he could continue.
"I know you're worried but I'm fine. If I wasn't then I would say something, but everything is alright." she replied just as her taxi pulled up. "There's no need to be worried. I wish everyone would realize that." she opened the door. "Good night Gordon." She got in the taxi and told the driver her address.
Rachel was ready to get home, she had a rough day. She was tired of everyone worrying about her and have the need to play the parent role. She shook her head and eyed the cars as the driver drove down the street. A cop car zoomed by them, his lights and sirens blasted through the darkness. This scene caused Rachel to think of the Joker. Seemed like when ever she saw flashing lights or heard a breaking news update that clown would be the first thing that popped into her mind. Lasts nights events played through her mind and a part of her couldn't believe that she took that leap. Though considering the Joker was a mental and murderous man he was a complete gentleman. She noticed that about him. He would be completely crazy and violent, but still pull out your chair. It made her laugh because he was a character she had no idea even existed till just a year ago. When the cab stopped she paid the driver and then got out of the car. She took a deep breath and went inside, wanting nothing more then a good nights sleep.
It had been two days since Rachel had seen the Joker and she wasn't shocked, seemed like once her life got back in order he'd come crashing in again. He tended to pop out of no where like daisies, with no reason just to brighten up her day. Rachel finally managed to get everyone off her back and tell them to leave her alone. She respected them for caring but it was getting out of hand. Her and Bruce made up, but Rachel still needed to give him the key back. Which she didn't have. She remembered the Joker putting it in his pocket that night so when she saw him she was going to have to get it back from him. The days were warmer and the sun was shining bright in the sky above the most disturbed city in the world. Gotham was starting to fill with life and everyone had one question on their minds. 'Where was the Joker?'. Rachel was starting to worry, it seemed that maybe the clown had lost his edge. He didn't terrorize Gotham as much as he did. His last act was the robbing of Wayne Enterprises, which she still didn't know what he was going to use that high tech stuff for and didn't want to know.
Work was going good for her, she had hired Edward Nygma as the Assistant DA. He was a hard worker and showed Rachel nothing more then respect. Gordon still had the Joker's goon, Chuck Stenson a.k.a. Chuckles still in custody. Of course the clown has yet to speak anything of the Joker, and Rachel refused to talk to him. She had an easy going day and it was such a nice evening that she decided to walk back to her place. Edward actually lived in the same direction, kept her company.
"Did you grow up here in the states or did you move from somewhere?" she asked looking over at him, and smiled when he gave a laugh. "I'm asking because of your accent."
"Oh, well no I wasn't born here." he replied. "I actually was born in down South and came here recently. You?."
"I've lived in Gotham my whole life. I'll be lucky if I even get out of this city let alone the country." she laughed.
"That's a shame." he replied as they continued to walk along the streets. The sun was disappearing behind the buildings, casting the city in shadow. They past a newspaper stand, that had the Joker on the front page. Edward just shook his head. "Just a mad dog looking for attention."
"Excuse me?" asked Rachel, not knowing what he was talking about.
"The Joker." he replied. "Kind of an amateur if you ask me."
"An amateur?" Rachel laughed. "No, the Scarecrow was the armature. The Joker is just... professional."
"I wouldn't call what he does, professional." replied Edward. "The Scarecrow, Jonathan Crane right? Arkham Asylum was his kingdom and in the end it became his dungeon. Filling the city with Fear Toxin through the water supply, touche but he didn't have a back up plan. It failed him, causing him to go insane and pretty much OD on his Toxin."
"Crane was far lost before the Fear Toxin hit him." replied Rachel.
"Of course. The man worked at Arkham and treated it like his fortress, of course insanity was going to rub off on him. Actually I think you have to be a bit insane yourself in order to work in a place like that." Edward shook his head. "He was predictable. The Joker on the other, he's another story."
"Give me your analysis on him." replied Rachel getting interested in the topic.
"If you look up the word crazy you'll read the words, insane and unbalanced. The Joker of course is crazy but not because of what he does. The things he does he knows is wrong but he does them anyways, that is a the definition of a troublemaker. I think he's just a guy that likes playing with fire and uses the characteristic of a clown to strike fear in people. A clown is one of the most feared people on this Earth, you don't know who they are nor do you know anything about them. Meaning their mysterious and no body likes someone they can't solve or recognize." Edward took a deep breath. "My point with the Joker is that, he's just a terrorist that has picked the city of Gotham because it has something worth destroying."
"Batman is the one that created the Joker if you ask me." replied Rachel.
"Batman couldn't create someone that was already created." replied Edward. "He just put the icing on the cake."
"So you never said what makes the Joker crazy." replied Rachel. "What's your view on it?"
"I think he's crazy because he controls the fear in this city. Someone has to be pretty crazy to control what thousands of people fear." he laughed. "Plus... fear isn't the only thing he controls in us. He controls what we believe. The things the Joker does not only make sense to him... but if you really think about it. The things he does, make sense to all of us." Rachel looked over at him, running his words through her mind. "Well I have to go a different direction."
"Oh yeah, uh I'll see you tomorrow then." replied Rachel getting back on track. "I'll talk to you later Edward."
"You too Miss. Dawes." he kissed her hand and turned, strolling down the sidewalk to her right.
Rachel looked after him and let out a sigh and continued down the street. By the time she got two blocks from her apartment complex the sun was down completely. There wasn't a moon out that night making the city far more dark then she liked. She pondered Eddie's words and thoughts on the Joker, and she couldn't help but feel that he perhaps admired the Clown Prince instead of despise him. Which was odd to her. She let out a dramatic sigh as she watched for the 'do not walk' sign to change. There was a man that stood a few feet away from her in dark clothing. He kept glancing down at her and it was making her nervous. Once the sign changed Rachel walked quickly across the street, but noticed the creepy man was following her.
She would pick up her pace and he'd pick up her pace. Her heart beat so fast she was for sure it was going to burst. Her eyes stung with tears of fright and her hands shook. She thought about what the Joker had said, 'you need pepper spray'. Quickly she rounded the corner and turned around, but didn't see the man anywhere. Letting out a sigh of relief and a laugh of stupidity she turned around. Once she turned she bumped into someone, she looked up and was face to face with the strange stalker. He looked frightening, the look in his eyes were pure hate. Rachel backed up and looked up at him and tried to go around but he stepped in front of her.
"What do you want?" she asked strongly. He didn't do anything but snicker down at her. "What do you want?" she demanded again.
"Finish what was never done." he said with a deep dramatic voice, as he pulled out what looked like a hunting knife. "Slackers these days."
Rachel's eyes widened and looked from the knife to his face. She gulped and backed away from him. His expression changed from mocking to fury as he launched forward at her. She ducked around him with a scream and ran as fast as she could down the empty street. She could hear his steps pound up behind her and she was tugged back by her hair. She yelped in pain, tears streaming down her face when he whirled her around. She grabbed a hold of her bag and swung it around hitting him in the face. He backed up and she stomped on his foot, then gave him a kick in the shin. He groaned in pain and Rachel managed to slip from his grip and ran down the street.
The apartment complex was just around the block so she knew she had a good chance, when she could hear the man half a block away yelling profanities at her. She quickly looked back to see him stand tall and she turned to run but ran into yet another figure. She screamed bloody murder and pushed the figure back only to hear that familiar voice.
"Whoa calm down." snarled the Joker looking down at a beyond frightened Rachel. "Don't tell me your cat got ran over."
Rachel looked up at him and quickly flung herself into his arms. The Joker was taken by surprise and couldn't help but put his arms stiffly around her. She cried into his shoulder, he couldn't understand a word she tried to say. He looked around and quickly pulled her into the shadows next to the building, to keep himself out of sight. He pulled away from her and looked down into her frightened face. Her make up was smeared, her eyes were red and puffy, her face was red and she looked so helpless... it was beautiful to him.
"What about.. my cat?" she choked back a sob as she looked up at him.
"Uh.. nothing." he replied shaking his head. "What happened?"
"There was this guy. I was just walking home and he attacked me. He tried to kill me! He had a knife and.... and I ran. I tried to get away." she sobbed and the Joker wrapped her up in his arms again, resting his chin on her head. She buried her face into his chest, "I'm so scared. I think there's still a hit on me."
The Joker listened to her sob and let her soak his front with her tears. He kept a firm hold on her and glanced down the street where the 'attacker' had been. He gave a glare at the empty street and ran his tongue along his lip. He cleared his throat, feeling Rachel go weak at the knees he held her up and looked into her eyes.
"What did he look like?" he asked. His voice was deep and dark, his expression was nothing more the pure seriousness.
"I- I can't remember." she stuttered.
"Yes you can." he growled and held on tightly to her arms. "What... did he look like."
"He was your average creep." she snapped up at him, curious to why he was so mean all of a sudden.
"Char-act-er-istics here." he snapped.
"He was tall, dark hair, dark eyes... he wore black." she shook her head trying to remember. "That's all." The Joker let out a sigh and let her go. He gave her an annoyed look and she gave him a glare, "Want me to draw a picture?"
"That would be nice." he replied. Rachel looked up at him, tears in her eyes and then the plumbing broke. She burst into tears, bringing her hands to her face she sobbed uncontrollably. "Come on." The Joker wrapped an arm around her and led her around to the side doors of the building and walked her up to her apartment.
---
"I thought it was over. That Russian Mobster isn't even in Gotham anymore." Rachel snapped, pacing her apartment. She still was frightened and could sit still, she looked down at the Clown Prince who sat on the couch listening to her. "I don't get it! They said the hit was gone. I haven't had someone try to threaten my life since..." she looked down at him. "Since the last time you attempted to kill me."
"For the record I never attempted to kill you... There's a fiiine line between, murder and scaring one too death." he smirked up at her. He could tell she was in a serious faze and he rolled his eyes. "I dunno..."
"Why would they drop a hit then spark it back up again months later?" she asked.
"Either to catch the person off guard or they needed a new hit man." he hummed. "The first one probably chickened out or something."
"A chicken hitman, that makes me laugh." she thought. "You know everything that goes on in Gotham's crime world." she said kneeling down in front of him. "You have to know something."
"Sweets... If I knew of anything that involved ending your life, I would've stepped in and asked for the job myself." he replied. Rachel let out a growl of frustration and rested her head on his knee. "What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know." she replied looking down at the floor.
"Ya gotta tell Old Man Gordon." said the Joker running one of his hands through her hair.
"You're telling me to go to the police?" she asked looking up at him.
"Shocking I know." he chuckled.
"I don't want to go through all the crap of relocating and having cops at my door 24/7." she groaned and leaned back against the coffee table. "You could be my bodyguard."
"I believe I've already... played that game." he replied wiggling his eye brows at her. She squinted her eyes at him and he gave a chuckle, "Well do what you want-uh."
"Can you find out anything?" she asked. "Anything about this?"
The Joker gave her a shrug at first but then gave a thought, "I probably, could fiind something." he hummed running his tongue along his lip.
"You know Chance Graven, just tell him you want to do business with him and he'll probably talk to you." she replied. The Joker looked at her with a blank expression. "Please, you've worked with him before."
The Joker let his shoulders slump and he gave a deep sigh, "Fiiine... I'll work my magic and see what I can figure out. Kay?"
"Okay." she smiled up at him. She held an adoring look in her eye and the Joker glanced down at her and raised a brow.
"What?" he asked. Rachel bit her lip and sat up and scooted up closer to him. She positioned herself between his legs and leaned forward to give him a kiss on the lips. The Joker pulled back as she attempted to kiss him only to have her lips meet the air and she looked up at him. "It was funny... ya looked like a sucker fish coming after the worm." he bit his tongue and a muffled a chucked.
"Jerk." she snapped. Before she could pull back the Joker leaned forward and took her face in his hands and gave her a kiss. It was a strong, powerful kiss that was enough to make Rachel forget all about the hitman. Placing her hands firmly on his thighs to keep her balance, her tongue engaged in a duel with his. He took her bottom lip between his teeth making Rachel let out a low whimper of pleasure. The Joker's teeth nipped at her lip and tongue, sending Rachel's mind in over-drive. He brushed a hand through her hair to the back of her head, pushing her deeper to him. Rachel's fingers dug into the muscle of his thighs and moaned into the kiss. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip and gave her a soft peck before he pulled back and looked at her. She was flushed and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, I believe I have a job to do." he hummed and Rachel pulled back so he could get to his feet. He gave a stretch and strolled through the living room with Rachel right behind him. "I don't know how much... I'll be able to fiind out." he replied walking down the hall towards her room. "I'll plant a few... bugs and see what I can come up with. It is odd, that the Russian hired another hitman." he opened her door and went towards the fire escape. "The way I see it, if he's putting another hit on you... he must be back in the city." he climbed out onto the fire escape and looked back at her through the window. "You better tell Gordon and his donut hounds what happened... I don't want to read your obituary any tiiime soon."
"Okay." she gave him a nod. "Be careful."
"Careful? That's not-uh even in my vocabulary." he chuckled, then leaned in to give her another kiss. Rachel's mind swam when she felt his scarred lips press to hers again. He pulled back and smirked, "Lock this behind me." he ordered and watched Rachel shut the window and lock it. He gave her one last smirk before scurrying down the steps and vanishing in the shadows.
--
The Joker spent his whole night searching high and low for any information about the Russian Mobster Chance Graven. He needed to know if he was back in the city or not, plus if he was he needed to figure out who the hitman was. He wondered the dark streets of Gotham City's underground scene in search of anything or anyone that might have some sort of information. He went out alone that night, to keep himself hidden better and to perhaps play with death more. His heavy steps echoed down the street as he passed a few prostitutes who winked at him and asked him if he wanted a 'good time'. Rolling his eyes at them he thought about breaking their necks but he was on a mission. He brushed past them and let his eyes scan the street. He quickly made his way across the street towards the docks. If he was lucky maybe the Russian's yacht was docked, though he doubted that he was that stupid.
Drifting along the shadows the Joker spotted the yacht he rolled his eyes. Yes he was that dumb. He shook his head and looked around to make sure there weren't any Russian guards anywhere. The last thing he wanted was to be jumped, he didn't feel like sleeping with the fishes. A cool wind blew from the bay and swept around him. For a moment he debated if he should go up and knock on the door or make a grand entrance. He thought about just turning around and not worrying about it, but Rachel flew into his mind. Her sad face, the way she cried in his arms out of fright. He didn't like the fact that someone was out there sending chills down her spine other then him. He glared and strolled towards the yacht, this was kind of suicide he had no back up. He placed his hands inside his pockets and walked down the dock, his eyes darted left and right in search of a threat.
He got low and slowly crept up the ladder to get on board. Once on deck he stayed low and sat still for a moment, he could faintly hear a voice to his right. Slowly he made his way towards the sound and came to a sky light. A light bled through the open window up at him and he leaned back to stay unseen. He listened to the voice below him, he couldn't understand a word that was said it was in Russian. He raised a brow and remained silent, listening to the conversation. He guessed the Mobster was on the phone because he only heard one voice. Remaining quiet there was a silence and the Joker slowly looked down through the sky light. He saw the mobster sitting at a fancy desk, looking over some sort of paper work. He scanned the rest of the room but didn't see anyone else. He stood tall and crept up to the edge of the sky light and jumped through the small window and landed with a thud in front of the mobster's desk. The mobster jumped back in his seat when he saw the Clown Prince stand tall in front of him spreading his arms out, he gave a sinister grin.
"Good evening... Infidel!" he gave a wicked grin. "I'm the Joker, and I'll be providing you with your... grrrrrrrand entertainment tonight-uh!"
"What the hell do you want?" yelled the Mobster getting to his feet.
"Ah-ah I wouldn't do that, ya can't give me the hook just yet so sit there and be a good Ruskie." demanded the Joker with laughter in his voice. "I just have a few things I need to discuss with you." He stepped back and locked the doors so none of the mobster's little goons could get inside. "I don't want anyone being rude and break up this little pow-wow were having." he hummed and strolled up to his desk.
"Listen clown, I have nothing to do with you." he snapped.
"Why's that?" asked the Joker.
"I offered you job... I paid $30,000 up front and I didn't see any results." Chance Graven snarled pointing at the Joker. His broken English snarled through the Joker's head. "You cheated me."
"I did not." said the Joker in a mocking way. "It takes tiiime to pull something like this."
"No excuses." he snapped back at the clown. "You failed... You blew your opportunity, you damn near got me busted by cops."
"You're not-uh behind bars are you?" asked the Joker. "I'll finish our deal."
"No. You wont. I hire new guy." snapped the Russian getting a cigar out of the gold box on his desk. "He good guy, he not lie or cheat. He get job done."
"Is the job done?" asked the Joker.
"Not yet." replied the Mobster lighting the cigar. "He working on it."
"It was my job, I'll finish it. Fire your little lap dog and I'll finish the job." snapped the Joker. "I'll take care of her."
"No." replied the Russian after a moment of silence. "I got guy that wont buckle under the stare of a pretty face." he laughed and got to his feet. "Listen Joker, you played me. You slipped under my radar and that pisses me off." he grabbed his cane and walked around his desk to the Joker. By this time the Joker could hear a knocking on the other side of the door behind him. "I want... money back."
"Yeah?" the Joker looked into his smug face and smirked. "I spent it on candy and cupcakes." The mobster laughed, blowing smoke to his right. He chuckled at the clown.
"Really?" he asked and the Joker didn't respond. With a quick glare the Mobster brought his cane up and slammed the gold handle into the Joker's gut. Feeling the air rip from his lungs the Joker grabbed his belly but refused to go down. "I'm done with games... I know you have millions... bring my money or I kill DA." he looked into the Joker's hateful eyes.
"You'll get your money, I have no use for the worthless pieces of paper." replied the Joker. He stood tall in front of the mobster, "I... want my job back."
"No." replied the Russian. "Go do business with someone else." The Mobster turned to walk away but the Joker grabbed him by the collar and swung him around. "Let go."
"Not until I get my job back." snapped the Joker, he was starting to loose his cool.
"Why? You no kill her... You only want job so you can protect her." the mobster ripped from the Joker's grip. "I'm not giving job to someone who is broken down by the victim." The mobster's words rang through the Joker's mind, and his body went numb. He looked into the hateful eyes of the man in front of him. The goons broke into the room, and two big guys walked slowly towards the Joker from behind. The Clown Prince didn't care, he continued to listen to the Russian. "In fact, my boy is out and about hunting down your girl."
"He failed at his little attempt." snarled the Joker. "Miss. Dawes beat down your worthless, hitman."
"Oh I know." replied the Russian. "That in past."
"Past that was an hour ago." replied the Joker with a snap in his words. The mobster glared at him and continued.
"I mean... right now. Now that her worthless protector is here before me, I don't have to worry about you interfering." The Joker went to say something but the mobster cut him off. "Think of it this way Joker... you didn't have to spill her blood... in order to get it on your hands." Two guys grabbed the Joker and drug him back towards the door.
Instinct kicked in and the Joker fought hard against them. The Joker might be a scrawny guy but he has muscle and can be a tough guy to restrain. Slamming the two goons into the way behind him the Joker broke free and reached for a knife he had in his pocket. Before he could manage the task of grabbing the knife he was tackled from the right roughly getting thrown to the floor. He felt a sharp pain pulse through his back and neck. Getting the wind knocked out of him, he felt and violent blow to his rib cage. He managed to see the Mob Boss slam his cane down on his ribs. The Clown Prince wasn't going down that easy, and he quickly swept the Mobster's feet out from under him with a sift move of his foot. Before he could act he was pulled to his feet by the two big goons.
"You went through lot of trouble Clown Boy." laughed the mobster getting to his feet. He pressed the handle of his cane under the Joker's chin. "As you're sitting here... fighting... your little girlfriend is probably drowning in her own blood." He slammed the cane into the Joker's gut again, this time the clown fell to his knees. "You should've kept... your word." The Joker looked up at him trying to catch his breath.
"You don't deserve my worrd-uh." growled the Joker. "Besides, you didn't ask for it." Before the Joker could react the mobster struck him in the side of the face with his cane. Knocking the Clown Prince to the side and unconscious.
"Smart ass." growled the Mobster. "Get rid of him."
The two goons drug the Joker down the hall and up to the deck. Pondering if they were going to shoot him and dump his body in the bay or if they should just tie him up and toss him into the water. They thought for a moment and decided that was too much work and they'd just toss him. Swinging the Joker over the edge of the boat, the clown splashing into the water. The two goons high fived each other and went back inside, not bothering to see the clown survive or not.
Once the Joker hit the water he jerked awake, the cold water stung his body. He burst through the surface of the water and shook his head and coughed for a second. He shivered in the cold water and attempted to catch his breath. He growled and his teeth chattered. His head hurt really bad all of a sudden and for a moment he thought about letting himself drown. He held his breath and let himself sink down into the water. He was about two feet below, five, 10... he let himself sink so low that he could hardly see the surface. His ears started to hurt and his lungs tightened and he closed his eyes.
He had no motivation. It was like all the energy was drug out of him, all he wanted to do was disappear in the darkness that surrounded him. He felt dead... his body was ice cold as the temperature around him dropped. The blood pounded in his ears, he had to of been underwater for far too long. It was getting harder for him to hold his breath and his eyes snapped open. Rachel! Quickly coming back to life when he remember what the no good mobster had said about her he quickly swam his way to the surface. His limbs were sore and heavy, he didn't think he was going to make it. Once he broke through the placid surface of the bay he let out a cough and shook his head. Letting the cool night air sting his lungs as he took deep quick breaths.
With blurry vision the Joker shook his head and gave a glare. He quickly swam towards the docks. He climbed up the ladder to the dock and rolled onto his back. He coughed and attempted to catch his breath again. He was breathing hard and his head hurt something worse, the pain almost made him black out. Rachel swam through his mind and he knew he had to get up and make sure she was okay. He growled to himself when he realized he was actually feeling 'worry' for her. Slowly pulling himself to his feet her shook his head, letting the droplets spray from his hair. He blinked a few times trying to get the pain in his temples to stop. The paint on his face melted making the colors run mixing the red and black into gray and pinkish colors. Shaking the water from his clothes the Joker quickly took off to his right and towards the city.
-
Meanwhile on the other side of the city, Rachel laid in bed. She had been asleep for almost an hour, her windows were locked, the front door was on dead bolt, there was no way anyone was going to get into her apartment. She had failed at calling Gordon, a part of her was hoping and relying on the Joker and everything he had told her. She hoped he could follow through with his plan on working things out with the Mobster. She seriously had let the Joker take her life into his hands. She curled up into a ball and hugged her pillow tightly against her chest. The only light in the room was the red numbers of her alarm clock that cast a glow around her. Taking in deep breaths as she fell into a deep sleep, filled with nightmares.
Rachel saw everything from fire to blood to clowns to bats and to her precious Harvey. She heard everything from cries to screaming to terrifying laughter. She stood in the middle of the empty street, just like before. The steam rising from the gutters and the street lamp that hung above her let off enough light for her to see 20 yards in front of her. Still she was shaking and completely scared out of her mind. She didn't know what was going to happen, she could feel someone watching her. She hated that feeling, it was the worst feeling in the world. She could movement around her in the shadows and she spun around looking for a sight of movement. Wanting to catch a glimpse of who ever was teasing her senses.
She could hear faint chuckle echo around her, it sent chills down her spine. Tears of fright stung at her eyes as she continued to turn and look for the source of that horrible laugh. Was it the Joker? She couldn't even tell, it was too wicked and so dark she didn't think it was him. Then again he was a master or many things who knew what other little voices and laughs he had. She's heard many, this was probably another chuckle that he held in his bag of tricks. She shivered and tried to say something but no words could come out. She stopped spinning around when her eyes fell on the figure that appeared about ten yards in front of her. It was Harvey. She knew it was him and tears stung at her eyes. She missed him, even if he was blown half to hell she still longed to see his face.
Rachel tossed and turned in her sleep, she whimpered a bit and rolled over. Tangling herself in her blankets she hugged her pillow tightly. She was so far into her dream, into her nightmare she didn't even sense the presents of another that was now in her room. The dark figure moved from her door and slowly towards her. The intruder stood next to her bed, making a shadow cast over her restless body. The person's dark eyes looked down at her in thought.
A cold chill ran down Rachel's spine and goose bumps formed on her skin. She eyed Harvey closely, wanting nothing more to tell him everything. Tell him she loved him more then life it's self. How she didn't mean to hurt him. How she was confused and needed his advice. She focused on Harvey she didn't know the wicked figure slowly creep up behind her. With tears on her face Rachel went to move forward and embrace Harvey only to feel a hand grab her shoulder making her jump and jerk awake.
Rachel jumped alert and awake turned only to see a dark figure hover over her. Just before she was about to scream she felt a hand press roughly to her mouth. Silencing her before she could scream and cry out for help.
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