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36. A Christmas Surprise

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Disclaimer: Another HUMONGOUS thanks to all of you out there reading/reviewing! I am so happy you love the story!!! And now…for the story!

The Joker pulled me onto his lap. We sat there in silence for what seemed like hours. I don't think either one of us knew what to say or what to feel in that moment. He had his arms wrapped about my waist as he held me closely. All I could feel was the rhythmic up and down motion of his chest against my back as he breathed in and out. I wanted to turn around and kiss him and tell him just how much I loved and adored him.

Up until that moment—that beautifully tranquil moment—I had never realized just how happy that crazy sadistic clown made me. I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his head, what he was thinking about the same moment I was experiencing with him. Was he thinking about his feelings—feelings he had worked so hard and for so long to repress? Was he thinking about the cookies, now sitting in his stomach ready to be digested? Or was he thinking about the Batman? There was no way for me to tell.

We just sat there in utter silence. I think it was better that way. Words would have dulled the moment—perhaps even ruined--my precious thoughts about him as they spun through my head. I could just imagine his painted face, delicately illuminated by the glowing lights radiating from the Christmas tree. I bet he looked beautiful.

Suddenly, without warning, he pulled me closer to him as he leaned further back into the chair. I could feel his light breath caressing the back of my neck as he continued to breathe. His breath was sweet—it hinted of cookies. A smile crossed my lips as I thought of him eating the cookies. There was something so very innocent about the Joker eating cookies and milk—cookies I had baked for him. It was something I never really had pictured in the past—a high rate criminal who had no problem murdering people, sitting and eating cookies by a dimly lit Christmas tree. The image alone proved to me that he had feelings and emotions that were neither morbid nor sadistic. It proved to me that he had feelings and emotions capable of love—the ability to care and the ability to love. I just knew he had to feel something for me that was more than what he had anticipated. I knew it was certainly more than what I had anticipated upon meeting him nearly a half a year ago.

Had it really been that long since I moved to Gotham? Had it really been about six months? I couldn't believe it—it felt like yesterday that I had been talking with Bruce Wayne on the phone in my kitchen—him offering me the job and me accepting it. It felt like last week that I was standing at the Wendy's around the corner from my apartment, waiting for my crispy chicken sandwich—and the Maroni crime family intruding on my dinner plans—the first time the Joker appeared in my life, but I hadn't known it was him. At the same all of this felt like yesterday, it felt like eons ago that the Joker had intruded into my apartment—our first real meeting. I remembered cooking dinner and he emerged from my small apartment hallway. I remembered making us drinks. I also remembered not being afraid. What the hell was wrong with me?

Now, there I sat, romantically cuddled by that same murderous clown who had stolen my heart nearly six months ago that night in my apartment. There I sat in his apartment, on his lap, wanting him to tell me he loved me. How things change in under a year! I wondered where I would be six months from now. Would the Joker and I still be doing this ridiculous dance around love? Would Pixie Dust be dead and forgotten? Would I find out who Batman really was? Would the Joker have told me he loved me by then? There were endless possibilities.

"Giada," the Joker's voice glided gently through my thoughts. I turned my head to see him as he spoke to me. He shifted me in his lap, still keeping his arms wound about my waist.

"What's up?" I asked, trying to play it cool as I let my thoughts escape my mind. I could feel my heart beginning to pound inside of my chest. Was this the moment I was waiting for? Was he finally going to tell me he loved me? I waited for it patiently.

"Giada, I have a marvelous plan for your Christmas present," he said finally with a grin so wide, nearly splitting the well healed scars.

"Is that so?" I asked, trying to match his grin.

"Yes—and I just know you're going to love it," he coaxed, emphasizing the word 'love'. I pondered what he meant for a moment. Maybe he was hinting that my present was him telling me he loved me. Nah—that wouldn't be very Joker-like. He wouldn't give me a hint to something so obvious.

"Well you've certain piqued my curiosity with that description," I responded with a smirk.

"Well of course! I just wanted to make those wheels in your head…churn…a bit before I gave it to you," he explained, licking his lips as he brushed my head with his hands.

"Oh, are you giving it to me tonight?" I asked, feeling a bit more excited and anxious.

"That would be the idea," he responded, raising his eyebrows, "of course, I need to actually go and get it for you, which might take some time—but believe me, Giadaaaa, it is worth it!"

He looked so excited. I couldn't wait. The possibilities were endless, yet again! My mind was racing with thoughts and ideas of what his gift to me could be. I hadn't even had time to get his gift yet—it had been a while since I had spoken with Batman. I needed Batman for his Christmas present—I was going to present the Joker with my knowledge who Batman was—even though I had no idea. I figured using Bruce Wayne's name was as good as any. It didn't really matter—Batman knew who I was. It didn't matter if my assessment was correct or not. I just wanted to make the Joker happy—to realize I was just as good a criminal as he is. I wanted him to know I was capable of so much more than just sitting around hating Pixie Dust.

"I hate to ruin this…moment…Giada, but if you would like your present this evening, I really must be going," the Joker stated finally, again breaking through my thoughts with his smooth voice.

My heart sank a little. I wished so much that he would tell me he loved me in this moment—it was so perfect! I sighed and forced a smile.

"If you don't mind getting it for me," I responded.

"Never," he replied, flashing me a smile I had never seen before. It was the same smile he always had, but for some reason, it was rid of all angst and chicanery—it was him truly smiling because he actually pleased to do something for me and he wanted me to know that. That smile was forever burned into my memory—the Joker smiling non-maliciously. I never thought I'd see it. Even when we were in moments of romantic lust in the dark of night and he would smile satisfactorily at me, I knew he was happy with me, but the smile still hinted of evil.

I went to remove myself from his lap, but he held me down for a moment. I paused, still entwined in his arms. He then finally stood up, but still held onto me as we stood on our feet. He turned me around so that I was facing him. Taking my face in his hands, he leaned his head down to mine and pressed his lips to mine. It wasn't the most passionate kiss we'd shared, but it was the most romantic. Without saying anything, I knew he cared for me in ways he never thought possible. He pulled away slowly, making sure our eyes met first. He then jerked up, smiling a deviant smile and rushed out of the apartment.

I was left there, amazed, dazed, excited and confused all at once. I had no idea where he was going or how long it would take him. I did know one thing—I had shared an incredibly moment with the Joker—the man I loved with every ounce of myself. I was too anxious to sit around the apartment to wait for him to return. I bounded elatedly to the roof of the apartment building. My heart was pounding as I stared out over Gotham. The lights were beautiful as they radiated from each building, making the snow that clung greedily to them sparkle with radiance. I stood there just watching the city and the people far below. I hadn't realized how long I had been standing there. I could have watched the people and the city for hours!

"Giada," the voice boomed from behind me. Startled, I turned around to see the Batman standing defiantly against the winter chill.

"Batsy! You scared me," I laughed.

"You look like you're in a better mood than when I last saw you," he grunted.

"Yes I am. I just had a fantastic evening with the Joker," I said dreamily as I swayed from side to side.

"Is that so," the Batman responded, almost dubiously. He didn't believe the Joker was capable of such moments.

"Yes—it was quite romantic, actually!" I gushed, ignoring his doubts. "I do wish he told me he loved me though, but the smile he gave me was so genuine—so real. It had no hint of malicious intent behind it,"

"Giada, where did the Joker go?" he asked.

"He went to get my Christmas present," I explained.

"Did he say where that would be?" Batman asked, as though he were trying to get to a point that needed to be made.

"No—it's a surprise I guess," I replied, suddenly coming down from my elation as I heard the concern in Batman's voice.

"Giada, I don't think is the kind of surprise he meant for you," the Batman stated finally, after pausing for what felt like centuries.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"Giada, come with me," the Bat motioned for me to follow him. I did as I was told and followed him to the edge of the building. "Hold on tight to me," Again, I did as I was told and clutched tightly onto Batsy. He then leaped off the building. We soared high above Gotham for many blocks. When I felt that we'd traveled to far from home, the Batman swooped down to a dark alley.

"Where are we? Where did you take me?" I asked, slowly releasing my grasp from him.

"This way—I saw him go in here," the Bat led me into the back of a building. Once inside, all was dark, except for a light at the end of the hall. Batman led the way until we came to the doorway. Inside I could hear laughter and voices—voices of people who were familiar to me. Nervously, I slid by Batman as he stood darkly behind me in the shadows so to go unrecognized. Nothing on this planet could have prepared me for what I saw as I stepped into the light of the doorway.

The Joker was lying on a couch with his head resting on Pixie Dust's lap. They were giggling about something as she wiped off her hands onto a towel. It looked like she had just fed him something. A few others from the Maroni crime family were sitting in chairs at a table playing cards and smoking cigarettes. My heart sank.

"Joker?" I asked suddenly, trying with all my might to hold back my tears. I had no face paint on—no mask to hide behind. Was it time to face the truth—that I would never be with him?

He glanced up at me from his position, licked his lips and tilted his head curiously at me. A conniving grin then slid suddenly upwards across his lips as he started to laugh manically with Pixie.

"It's Mr. J to you," he giggled.

"Huh? Was this seriously what you were planning for me to stumble upon? Or were you just planning on never coming home?" I asked, suddenly a fit of rage rising within my body. I could feel my pulse increase with each word that seeped through my clenched teeth. I thought that my face must have been a blood-shade of red.

"Coming home?!" He laughed, "You're crazier than me! That's hard to beat," he giggled with Pixie.

"What is so crazy about me?!" I shrieked suddenly, "You know just as well as I do where home is and that you and I are not crazy! You're always telling me you're not crazy and they you and I share the same mind and that—" he cut me off abruptly.

"I don't even know who you are—let alone what I think about you and your craaaaazy thought patterns! I do know, however, that you are quite beautiful…" the Joker commented finally, sitting up. Pixie smacked his shoulder at his compliment.

I stood there in silence for a moment. My heart sank each second our eyes stared back at each other.

"You don't know me?" I asked finally, my voice soft.

"That's what I said," the Joker laughed, "beautiful but can't hear very well!"

"As in, you don't know who I am?" I asked, this time my voice louder and with more force.

"Look, hun, he said he doesn't know you! Now get out!" Pixie screamed.

"You!" I shrieked, "You did this to him!" I could feel Batman's gloved hand slipping to my side, ready to pull me away if things got to heated.

"I did what?! I did NOTHING to him! He came to ME out of his own accord! It's not my fault he wants nothing to do with your pitiful existence. He's finally come to his senses who the…more intelligent and worthy of us is—that's all," Pixie said as she glared at me.

My hands clenched into fists at my side, "You know NOTHING of what you're saying," I sneered through clenched teeth, "I know exactly who you are and what you've done and I will kill you when I get the chance,"

Pixie just started laughing, "You're so funny—it's really too bad you don't know the Joker—you two might've really gotten along," He glanced over at the Joker, who was squinting real hard at me. He finally stood to his feet as though trying to remember something.

"Joker—it's me, Giada—you know me—you and I were just up in your apartment—I made you cookies—you actually ate them despite the fact you don't really like cookies—you ate them for me! You always tell me that I complete you—that I am your intellectual match," I said calmly, trying to remember back to all my education in psychology.

The Joker walked slowly toward me, still squinting his eyes, trying to remember all that I told him. I could almost see his brain working hard—harder than ever, to remember everything.

"Mr. J!" Pixie squealed after him, "She's such a liar!"

He stopped dead in his tracks and turned his head slowly to see her. "She's lying," Pixie said through clenched teeth. The Joker paused and then turned back towards me slowly.

"Joker, please, you remember me and everything we've been through—it's been so much," I pleaded, almost in tears. He stood in front of me, staring hard into my eyes. A smirk suddenly escaped from his scared lips and he erupted into laughter.

"Giadaaaaa hm? You belong in Arkham!" he roared through his laughter. I couldn't even stay to try to convince him any further. I couldn't let myself cry in front of all of them—show them how weak and helpless I was. My heart had sunken so far into my stomach that I barely even had a heart left. Batman whisked me away out of the building. I laid helplessly in his arms, unable to move