AN: Thanks for the reviews once again! And here's the next installment...

I froze on the spot. I thought over my options. I could run in the opposite direction and hope Bruce hadn't disappeared yet. Of course, that would probably only piss The Joker off and he'd follow me. My only other option was to stand here and face him. I knew I'd have to see him eventually anyways, so might as well get it over with now.

"No, can't say that I have missed you. Been kinda busy actually," I smirked, holding up my left hand. I don't know why I did it, but I sort of wanted to rub it in his face that I really wasn't his anymore.

The Joker tilted his head to one side in confusion. Then he moved closer to me, and grabbed my wrist, yanking my hand toward him. He stood there, staring at the ring as if hypnotized by it or something. He licked his lips as he finally looked up into my face, "So finally getting what you want, hmm?"

"I guess," I said with a shrug like it was no big deal.

"And you couldn't wait for me?"

I laughed, "Oh, sure, because you really would've asked."

"Actually I did ask, and you never answered."

I rolled my eyes, "You were asking as a form of mockery. You weren't asking me to actually mean it."

"Out of curiosity though, what would your answer have been?"

"I don't know," I said.

"How can you not know?" he growled. "You know you just don't want to tell me."

"No, I really don't know. All I do know is that I am getting married and it's not to you. Beyond that, I don't really see any reason to have this discussion."

"You started it," he said, pointing at the ring.

"Yeah, and I'm ending it too," I said stubbornly. "Now what is it you really want?"

"Just wondered if you had any information for me," he grinned.

"Well, I went and talked to him if that's what you mean."

"Oh, you did, did you? And how did Brucie feel about that? How did you get in there? Sneaking around and all, did ya like that?" he asked eagerly, clapping his hands together in excitement.

I scoffed, "You honestly think I would break laws to do a favor for you?"

"Of course!" He laughed, "You've got that in you. You like that thrill it brings."

"Uh, well, sorry to disappoint but I didn't do anything sneaking about to get your information."

"How did you do it then?"

"I have connections you know," I said slyly.

"Ah, of course, charmed ol' daddy, didn't you?"

"Look, does it really matter how I did it? Do you want to know what I found out or not?"

"Fine, tell me. I'm sure Brucie is worried where you've disappeared to anyways," he winked.

"Actually, didn't find out much. Apparently, your sister left him when she found out she was pregnant because he didn't have a job and stuff. Shortly after she walked out, he ended up in Arkham, so he didn't know until you showed up that she even had the kid."

"Ok. But what's with his riddle thing?"

"I don't know. He talked in riddles half the time and got annoyed when I couldn't answer them. All he did say was that it was a pastime of his that he embraced upon being fired from his job."

"Fascinating. That all you got?"

"Pretty much. That's the translated, summary version," I grinned.

"Well, Mels I do appreciate ya helping me out. Knew I'd always count on you." Then he inched so close that I could feel his hot breath upon my face, "Oh, and you still belong to me."

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure I don't."

He pulled out his knife and opened the blade, "Would you like me to give you a little reminder?"

I backed away, "No, I think I'm good."

He cackled, "Good choice. But you'll see, Mels, that you do belong to me. I'm a man of my word." Then he turned down a side alley and disappeared before I could even respond.

As soon as he was gone, I took off running in the opposite direction. My fears and worries about Arkham and The Riddler gone, replaced by a new one of The Joker. I was hoping that I could make it back to Wayne Manor without running into him again.

I ran the entire way, not daring to cast a glance over my shoulder. I was actually hoping I might find Bruce again because I knew I would feel safe in his arms. I continued to run, not really paying attention to my surroundings.

I nearly collided with a young man, sending us both to the ground, but he wrapped his arms around me protectively and I clung to him for dear life. I then realized the touch was familiar, so I looked into his eyes and saw it was Bruce. I sighed in relief.

"Melanie, are you ok?" he asked his voice full of concern.

"Well, not completely. I saw him again. And…and he swears that I'm still his. Bruce, I can't have that. I can't go down that road again. So yes I will marry you and we could totally just run off, like now," I gasped.

Bruce faced turned from shock to anger to confusion in a matter of seconds as my words sunk in. "So wait, let me get this straight, you want to run off and get married now because of what he said?"

"Yea—no, I don't know!" I cried in exasperation. "Yes I want to get married and soon, preferably. But no it's not because of what he said. He just put it all into perspective for me and I know that you're the only man that truly understands and cares about me so deeply. Why would I want to throw that away?"

Bruce smiled warmly and my heart threatened to leap out of my chest. "Well, I'm glad to know you only want me," he teased. "Glad the competition is gone, not that it was much competition."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, ok. I also had this horrid dream about our wedding." I shuttered at the thought of The Joker yelling out for me.

Bruce hugged me tightly, "You know I would never let anything bad happen. Hell, I'll be sure to get him locked up before our wedding so there's not even a chance of him crashing it."

I nodded slowly, "Thanks, Bruce, you're the best."

"I try," he said. Then he leaned over and kissed me passionately on the lips as the busy streets of Gotham seemed to disappear.