I sat on the edge of my seat waiting for all the answers finally when...a sudden frantic pounding came at the front door ,not a threatening pounding but a panicked knock.
Without a second thought I hopped up to go check. Joker wasnt really one to knock but if he did choose this horrible timing to be a gentleman best I was the one to see him. I could hear Alfred whispering quietly as I opened the door to..Seth. He looked strung out to put it quickly. He had his backpack over a shoulder and was hiding his hands in his jacket sleeves.
"Can we go somewhere and talk?" The pleading look in his eyes played on my guilt and I stepped outside.
"Are you okay?" I did feel kind of guilty every time he came around me I either shoved him away or got him into dangerous situations. He must have had a decent reason to show up yet again.
"Are you sick?"
He laughed dryly..humorlessly and his blonde hair was suddenly less blonde..more silvery than I remembered.
"I guess you could say that."
"I would sneak you in but the whole team is inside dad and Al-," I cut myself short real quick. Alfred was supposed to be dead. I quickly looked to Seth's face to see if he had caught on but his expression didnt change.
"I already know." He held his bag a little tighter. "Like I said we need to talk."
I left with him to slowly walk to the end of the driveway but he was barely paying attention to me, choosing to look around at every noise in the distance, jumping at every bird caw or tree rustle.
"We have to go farther..somewhere else where we can really be alone. I think you can help me." Before I could ask what he was on and if he would share he held out his hand and then..with his hands radiating emerald he lifted one of the rocks in the front garden! It hovered a few feet into the air and then flew literally a few yards away to another spot. Okay..I see what he means. Should I even be surprised this was possible at this point? I mean Alfred had been dead and now he wasnt.
I took a deep breath. "Okay...I'll try to help you but I cant do it myself. I have to find someone."
"Not the clown?" He groaned.
"No. Someone a little older but I want my dad to stay out of all this. I swear he's going to have Gordon haul me off out of the city to lay low somewhere and honestly I am so sick of being told to hide."
"So we sneak off now."
"The guy who knows where he is might also be inside right now." I huffed, already feeling hopeless. "How did you get your...abilities?"
"When the machine brings someone back to life it gives off this.. mist and if you can contain this mist for long enough it turns into this liquid and then..you shoot it." He whispered the last part.
"Oh." Never in a million lifetimes would I...
"My brother and father did it first and made me." His eyes were distant back in the memory for a moment.
"So..why dont you just not do it anymore?"
He laughed.
"I would, but see I'm being tested right now. I have to bring them this little girl by tonight. They want to show their..abilities and take control of the city."
"Why do they need a specific little girl to take over the city?" I crossed my arms.
"Her mother is FBI..they figured it would get a lot of attention quick. I almost didnt have to do it but the man that was supposed to grab her first kicked the bucket."
"And what happens if you refuse to do all of this?"
"They give the public Batmans identity and the fact that you are helping hide an escaped insane Arkham patient." My heart started to thud erratically. "Gordon wont have a choice but to bring you in."
"Do you know who Batman is?"
He shook his head. "Wouldnt tell me."
"Take me to them." I sighed.
"What?! How do you know they wont kill you?"
"Isnt there a lovely bring you back to life machine?"
"I mean..yeah..but.," He trailed off.
"Alex?" Kane had snuck up on us without us even noticing. I mean...he knew where Maroni was but it seemed Joker didnt want to be working so close to them anymore. I was hesitant to tell Kane anything or even go to Maroni at all and just go straight to the Bastionnes.
I turned to smile at him.
"He had a question about a project. He was just leaving." Kane hesitated but huffed and turned to go back inside, he obviously didnt believe me.
"Meet me at the coffee shop in an hour or so, the one where I work?" He had come in a few times for a morning caffeine fix. He nodded his head and turned to go. I watched him walk back down the long slanted driveway to the main road before the gate swung shut.
(Joker)
The hard cold metal of the freezing bus bench didnt bother him too much. What bothered him was that he got the sudden urge to NOT look for Scarecrow just yet. It was his own fault he had gotten caught, Jack saved Diana and that was his good deed for a lifetime. A man in a crisp flawless suit sat next to him and Jack turned up his jacket over his face on instinct.
"Alright there, friend?" The man asked him quite kindly. It was such a simple question...and he didnt know.
"A girl has really changed me..not completely, Im still..ME," He gave his head a shake. "I caused a lot of problems in her life and now Im trying to be the solutions to those problems..to her everything." The man with the briefcase didnt seem to mind the earful he was getting.
"Sounds like you really love this girl."
His curls bounced with the vigorous nodding of his head. "Yes...I do..but I worry she will change me too much..make me..SOFT."
"Soft? Less manly?"
"Not able to do what needs to be done-UH..to be me..to STAY me..and for the whole city to know Im STILL ME." His tongue flicked out to his scar.
"The right girl wont need you to change..you'll be right for her all on your own. The right woman will appreciate that you're YOU." Sounded like something right off of a postcard but Jack took it. He had been gripping his knife in his sweaty hand resting in a jacket pocket. He paused in his own midlife crisis to notice the man was nervously squeezing and unsqueezing his briefcase handle..and then Joker heard it. A tiny little static of a sound but he had been trained in another lifetime to hear everything..a small radio. Joker pulled his knife and pushed the man over..his jacket flapped open and a nice little identification badge flipped around. One of Gordons...
"And to think..I was going to spare you." Joker smiled. "Almost had me...BELIEVING in humanity..but," He licked the rough flesh around the corner of his lips habitually. "You just wanted to keep me talking. Ill finish this before they even get here."
Joker stood over the dead man and admired his work..the fresh permanent smile carved on his cheeks. Gordon would learn to stay away one day...one lesson and one intern at a time. Damn..one single spot of blood on his blue vest..maybe she wouldnt notice..
(Alex)
I was about to push the button to close the inner gate when a blur of purple lifted me into the air. I looked down at Joker's face as he held my waist spinning me around like..hell I didnt even know.
I was dumb founded but smiling only because of how hard he was smiling. He lowered me back to the cement and just said.
"I missed you." I embraced him back wondering what had happened to him..I noticed the little spot right away and smelled the saltiness of blood that clung to him.
"I missed you too. I have an idea for your Christmas present." I smiled. "But you shouldnt be here right now..my father and Alfred are inside speaking before his conference or whatever the hell it is." I ran a hand through my hair nervously and he watched the movement a little too closely.
"Im not afraid of Batman or Bruce Wayne." Then we were kissing in the driveway and I felt like I was floating...
(Alfred)
He watched Bruce watching his daughter and the clown in the driveway from the upstairs window. His fist was clenched but his face gave away no emotion.
"If I might put in an opinion, Master Wayne."
"You may." He grunted.
"That girl will be safer in his care than anyones." Bruce looked at him like he had grown another head for a moment before scowling and sighing.
"She came back to me after missing more than a few meals and have you seen the scar on her thigh? If you suddenly feel this way why are you trying to get us all together to take him out once and for all?"
"He's a danger to society but until then let them sneak off...give her free reign and keep the Russian close..Mr. Maroni has already been trying to do just that."
"And how does he fit into all of this? With Rachel and you?"
"We were all there to witness Rachel signing documents and her giving Alex to Maroni. I was there that day..but thats why we are off to meet him. Let Alex have her time now."
Alfred watched his fist unclench.
"That man truly does love her."
"Thats what Im afraid of." Bruce replied. It was then that Alfred realized Bruce no longer trusted him.
(Alex)
"Im sorry, what?" I said. I must not have heard him right."
"Leave with me..lets leave it all behind us."His voice was more begging than commanding. His life revolved around chaos..i guess mine did too but I finally wanted that to stop..to settle. Would that happen with us gone? I couldnt just up and leave..I had to help Seth first and he didnt want me blabbing about it to Joker just yet..so I didnt.
"Riley..,"
"We can visit whenever you want..let me teach you to fight..the RIGHT WAY. Ill train you and eventually bring you back a stronger woman. With no Batman or Maroni and no Gotham police around every corner..there would be no stress no need to run." He brushed his lips across my ear. "No one to say NO. Leave Maroni and Gordon and Bruce to do their fighting. My concern is no longer Batman..but Batmans daughter." He ended his speech with a seductive growl.
I should have said no.
"Yes. I will go with you. But there are a few things I have to do first."
"We will pack our things, Alex." He laughed like himself and I knew he was teasing me. "You do like me." He joked and pulled me closer to stop my shivering..a few fresh snowflakes were starting to fall.
"I love you. I want to spend forever looking forward to your voice and you sleeping next to me..and..SHIT my dad!" We both looked up and saw Bruce Wayne and Alfred looking down at us. Bruce didnt look too happy and Alfred was speaking to him. I had thought to run and hide but Jack lifted a hand and gave a short wave. His face was hard and serious no hint of a smile whatsoever on those scarred lips. I stood there in awe my pulse racing as I looked back up to my father..how would he react? He didnt..he looked from Joker to me and then turned away.
"Good start." I choked out through my adrenaline. Jack looked at me and started laughing.
"I guess all the Waynes are fun to play with. Id better get going. Gotta' find Crane." He leaned down and planted a warm kiss on my lips.
"Crane is dead." My dads voice was finally next to us.. we broke apart and saw Alfred slowing catching up behind him.
"No. He isnt." Joker growled. "Im trying to destroy this machine..before anyone..important..ends up pushing daisies-UH." He ended his sentence in a low growl.
"What happened to the way you speak? Why are you different?" My dad demanded through hard eyes..I realized then that he was holding some kind of bat looking gun. Did he have something up his sleeve? Jack was right. There would always be chaos around them..but only in Gotham.
I stood on tiptoes and whispered in Jacks ear.
"Im starting to think part two of my present to you is leaving by christmas." It was me asking for a few more days him nodding to give that to me. He backed away slowly while whistling very Joker like and my dad made to chase but I was suddenly there between them pushing him back.
"Let him go..he's trying to do good now. To be good." Once Joker was out of sight my dad looked furious.
"Open your eyes, Alex! I just got a call he murdered one of Gordons unarmed men at a bus stop right before he came here." My heart skipped a beat. The spot...and the salty blood smell.
"He must have had a good reason." I said stiffly, hoping I was right. I looked to Alfred but he had slowly shook his head where Bruce couldnt see.
"You two better get to your meeting or whatever. Im not going." I said and dared my dad to argue.
"And where will you be going?" He asked sternly.
"To meet a friend from school at the coffee shop. Where I work?"
"Take Kane with you." His voice and posture said 'no' wasnt an answer..looks like I needed to make a few stops to lose the Russian before I met Seth.
"Of course." I smiled sweetly. "I always feel safer with him around."
...
"Where are we off to?" Kane asked from the drivers seat. I had the picture of me and Joker from the snowy house in my hands. Off to get his christmas present...
"Just a little something." I could feel the lump of cash in my purse and it was more money than I'd honestly seen in my lifetime.
As we pulled into the jewelry store parking lot Kane looked extremely confused.
"You never wear jewelry."
"Its not for me." I muttered. "Wait here. Ill be back." I got out as quickly as I could and entered the expensive looking store. It was extremely warm to combat the snowy winds outside and it had a nice orange glow inside. The lady behind the counter took a second look at me..probably wondering how I came in here with my old ripped pants and sneakers from my previous life. Her eyes lingered on my scar a moment but then she smiled and walked over in her tight skirt and blouse.
She smiled a perfect row of teeth at me. "How may I help you today, Miss?"
"Im looking for pocket watches...with a chain clip to connect to a belt loop." I said matter of factly. "And I want this picture inside of it." I handed her the picture of me and Joker. "Like a locket but with a watch instead."
She looked down at the photo and visibly turned white. I mean I understood it was the Joker in all his scary paint..she was shocked..anyone would be.
"Im sorry, Miss..," She shook her head and began to give the picture back. "I dont think I can..," I scowled and dug in my purse pulling out a wad of bills I counted five hundred dollars and put it into her hand rather aggressively.
"Can you now?" I snapped, losing all patience and manners. She looked down at the money tight lipped and nodded once. She turned after pocketing the money and led me to a display nearer the back of the store. It held nice watches with the clips i had asked about and I definitely wanted a silver one. My eyes ran over the ones with little etchings..there was one with a simple circular design on the front and the back was bare.
"That one." I pointed. She unlocked the glass case and took it out for me to hold. It was cool and heavy for its size..it almost buzzed in my hands it seemed. "I want this one. With the picture made to fit the inside..on the back I want 'love, Alex' in a nice script, please. Wait..no. 'Love, Alexandria.'"
She looked at me and pursed her lips again. "All of that together will be about four thousand..if you have it."
"I have it all now. Cash. How long will it take?"
"Twenty minutes. If you'd like to come over by the register you can pay and get your receipt."
Thirty minutes later I had the brand new watch in bubble wrap and tissue in a new box. I got in the car and let out a breath from dealing with the sour woman.
"The lady was rude." I just said at Kane's questioning look. I put the box in my purse and told him to drive to the coffee shop. I didnt have any more energy to be sneaky. I guess a coffee would fix that.
"And what type of made up class would this project be for?" Kane asked with a smile as we parked in front of the little cafe.
"Its not really a project. He's having issues talking to women so Im helping him."
"Why dont I help, too?" He turned off the car.
"Because he's embarrased about it." I answered calmly. "Ill bring you back a coffee..who knows I might get asked to cover a shift while im in there."
"Not that you need the money..,"
"Not that my dad needs the money..," I corrected him. I still had a good two thousand in my purse at the moment.
"Okay." He gave in and let me walk inside alone. I immediately spotted Seth's blonde poofy hair and sat across from him. I ordered a cinnamon coffee and some cheesecake to wake up.
"I dont know what to do, Seth. I dont know who we can trust. We might just have to do this ourselves."
"And what exactly are we doing ourselves?" He asked around his drink.
"Whatever we need to do." I mean he did say they knew Batman's identity already so I guessed by association they knew I was his daughter..but Seth didnt know that..
"Maybe they'll take me instead of this little girl. You'll have to go back and tell them you can bring me."
"And what if they dont want you?"
"They will." I nodded. "Trust me. Hopefully they'll wait until after Christmas. I still have to get my dad a gift." I said.
Seth just stared at me.
"What?"
"I dont know..just seeing magic and dead people come back to life to a girl managing to be with the city's worst maniacal criminal to you just also doing life and exams..worrying about Christmas." He rambled a bit.
"You just have to try to find a balance sometime." I answered truthfully.
"And you're sure this is what we want to do? I cant talk you out of it, can I?"
"No..you cant talk me out of it." I checked my watch and it was already almost sunset. I suddenly knew what I should give to my father for Christmas..Rachel's childhood diaries. He would love those sentimental stories.
"Just let me know somehow before we go..in case I have to leave them their gifts early."
He nodded. "I will. Whats the plan when we get back?"
"Well, you're the only one with powers which means you'll have to distract your family so I can somehow destroy this machine once and for all." I paused. "Somehow. I guess we could just try to blow it up but its not like I can just ask for explosives. I can't believe Im asking this, but is there anything like that at your house?"
"It would take days to search the manor..but I think I know a few places I could check." He sighed. "Its getting dark..I should be getting back."
"Me too..who knows how late of a curfew I have these days." I half smiled. We said our goodbyes and I walked out to find Kane already parked in the same spot. I got in and buckled.
"That was fast. Where'd did you go today?" I asked.
"I was parked here the whole time."
I laughed. "Worried I'd bolt?"
His smile was wide but his eyes were completely serious.
"Yes."
...
I looked down at the two perfectly wrapped presents with the generic christmas themed To and From stickers which of course I filled out. One with Joker's watch and the other with Rachel's diaries. It was the 21st and I really didnt feel like waiting that long to Jack his. I hoped he would sneak up tonight. I sat down on my bed in my pajamas that night..(dad had allowed Alfred to cook Tacos like old times).. I flipped through my cell and read the text I had from Riley. I had already snuck the bottle of vodka under her pillow with a bow attached to the top.
"Thanks for the gift! Im working tonight but Ill come hang out tomorrow." I read aloud quietly.
"Okay" i sent back. I put my phone away and when I couldnt focus on the movie on my television I decides to go stand out on the balcony. I just loved cold fresh winter air. After putting on warmer pants and a jacket I stepped out looking at the crystal world beyond the house down the sloping hill to the outer city. There were small icicles lining the room and balcony gaps that glistened in the moonlight. It was so calming..like being inside a snow globe or something I almost wanted to stay there forever. I looked up to admire the stars and watch my breath rise up as I breathed in and out. I stood out there long enough until I couldnt stop shivering. I turned to go inside and gasped.
"How long have you been there?!"
Jack was just standing there all dressed and made up looking at me in the dark!
"Hello ,Miss!" He half stepped and half jumped towards me in a weird clownish way. "A one way ticket to the crazy carnival..once you enter you can never..LEAVE." He growled the last words against my lips with his hands shakily cradling the sides of my face..I looked into his eyes..his all black eyes. His hand slid slowly to my throat and squeezed while he kissed me..I kissed back a little forcefully to move us closer to the balcony doors.
"I saved you something to eat if you're hungry." I whispered between kisses and he let go of my throat.
"Maybe later." He pushed the door open and we went jnside my warm bedroom. After closing out the cold he looked at the huge tray of tacos leftover from dinner. "Maybe now."
"And then I have something for you." I smiled as I watched him eat.
I brought out the box and handed it to him. He paused at the sight of it and then looked up at me.
"A bit early. Isnt it?"
"I couldnt wait." I smiled.."I wanted you to have it." A little laugh slipped out. "I mean if you dont think its lame."
He picked it up as though trying to remember every detail of it and it briefly crossed my mind that this must be his first real gift besides the puppy from long ago.. so I let him stare for a moment before he gently ripped the paper apart and calmly opened the box. His face was unreadable as he lifted the watch out by the chain and examined the design and then my little note in the back in fancy script. Finally he opened it and looked at our picture for a few moments.
"Its for when you feel yourself slipping away..you'll know when to come back and who you're coming back to." I said.
"I love it." He said. "Ill take it with me everywhere."
"I locked my door..will you stay the night?" I asked.
(Joker)
He stayed with her that night. After a gift like that how could he not? He held her in his arms still awake after the amazing sex..he couldnt get the image of her on top of him out of his head. She was starting to snore lightly and that in turn was making him tired..he finally drifted off to sleep and he dreamt..he dreamt of a different lifetime of his. The ropes and rock walls..all the woods. The distance thundering of hundreds of boots running in sync..of the shrill horn that woke the men at five in the damn morning.
Jack woke to the alarm and made his bed with the others..dressed and waited for breakfast with the others. The man by the bed next to his also stood at attention with his arms behind his back like Jack. He smiled quickly at Jack but his name didnt come to the surface. But it was already time to run the course and jog the miles for the day while higher ups barked orders in the background.
(Alex)
"Alex." A whisper in the dark woke me and I opened my eyes. My light clicked on and I watches Seth pulled his hand away from the switch. I slowly got up without waking Jack and put on my clothes. Seth had turned around to give me privacy.
"Time to go, already?" I whispered and he nodded
"They seemed interested in you." I nodded and dressed warmer for the early morning temperatures.
"I need to put my dads gift on his desk. Ill meet you at the end of the driveway."
I took the giftbox down to the office and gently set it on top of some papers. Maybe I was being dumb for going but I couldn't let some random little girl get kidnapped and taken away. I had to do this..besides Seth could distract his family long enough. I went back upstairs to my room and stood over the bed for a moments. I was going to remember this image of Joker in my bed forever. I left down my balcony and followed the driveway to the end where Seth stood with his backpack.
"Do you have what we talked about in there?" I asked.
"Yeah..its in there. I really dont have a good feeling about this."
"Its okay..everything is going to be okay."
(Joker)
He woke alone in the dark and looked at his gift once more. The picture of the two of them and the 'Love, Alexandria.' On the back. He got up to check on her in the bathroom but he found it empty. Jack dressed and went to look out on the balcony but she wasnt there either..perhaps the kitchen? She was sneaking snacks at her childhood home when they stayed the night there. So he went to search the house knowing he could run into the butler or the Bat himself but he managed to check the entire place..with no Alex. He went back up to look for something that might tell him anything. He looked around in her backpack until he found the keycard he had given her and shoved it in his pocket. Where would she go? The redhead girls? Without him? He remembered watching her talk to pants pisser earlier but had thought nothing of it. Did he know where Scarecrow was? He climbed down her balcony and went to her friend home. He slid the back door right open and entered her room. It smelled like coffee and she had fallen asleep still in her work uniform and apron. Jack didnt want to wake her and instead checked around her home also but again, no Alex.
"They're going to get Scarecrow that has to be it." He had known where Seth's family kept the machine when he brought back Crane and the butler but they dislodged the core and ran away with it somewhere.
"Hey." He changed his mind about waking Riley and shook her until she opened her eyes. She opened her mouth to scream but he beat her to it, covering her mouth with a gloved hand.
"Im just..looking for Alex. She disappeared on me. Do you know where Seth Bastionne lives by chance?"
"Almost everyone knows his house he throws the hugest party every summer for the whole school..and some colleges too. Alex is gone? Is she okay?"
"She'll be fine...once I find her." The redhead hopped up and threw on a heavier dark jacket.
"And what do you think you're doing, hmm?" He asked.
"Im obviously going with you..,"
"I dont think so." He scoffed.
"How else will you know the address?" She smiled. He sighed and figured he could use her as bait for something along the way.
(Crane)
He tugged at the metal device around his neck. Every half hour it would prick him on either side of his neck and draw a set amount of blood. He assumed for testing purposes.
"Whats it like being dead?" The eldest of the mad scientists children had asked him.
"I could show you." He smiled through restraints and the boy laughed before moving on. He watched Mr. Bastionne put a needle to his and his sons arm.
"When is Seth supposed to be back?" Samuel asked Sebastian.
"Anytime now." He replied.
"With Alexandria..Batman's daughter."
"How do you know that?" Crane asked.
"Why I hired some people to steal the paperwork from Maroni..but I know something no one else does. Something Maroni and Rachel Dawes and the Butler kept hidden away."
"Why do you care then?" His collar suddenly powered up and gave him an electric shock all throughout his body. Crane gritted his teeth and held back his scream.
"Quiet. I want Mr. Wayne to expose himself for the vigilante he is..and Ill give him his daughter back..unharmed."
"Why?"
"It'll be good with him out of the business."
"Just taking out business competition? Thats your big reason?" He laughed in disbelief. Suddenly the machine powered up again and his collar glowed brighter and hotter. This time Scarecrow couldnt hold back his yell.
"And what information..," Jonathan rasped between breaths. "Would make Batman turn himself in?"