Alright so here is chapter 35, it took me time to write this one because I was having crazy writers block and I've been working really really hard trying to get ready for college and it's taking some of my time. I'm actually in a class right now lol but it's all good the professor is a tard lol. Alright so here is chapter 35, things are going to start getting pretty crazy. Thanks to all my reviewers, I love ya lots! Kudos to you!
Chapter 35
Truth Be Told
The Joker ran as fast as he could across the city. Scurrying down the dark streets of Gotham as quick as his tired legs could take him. His lungs burned with every breath he took and his heart pounded against his chest where he thought he would have a heart attack. He had a feeling... a very bad feeling that he couldn't shake. Quickly dodging a taxi he quickly bolted down the alley way behind Rachel's apartment building. He jogged down the side street and quickly climbed the fire escape, his shoes slipped on the metal ladder as he climbed to her bedroom window. Peering inside, he growled when he noticed she had the curtains down and he couldn't see. Testing the window to remember that it was locked he cursed under his breath and quickly pulled out one of his knives. Digging the blade into where the lock was he preyed the window open. Opening the double windows, he pulled the curtain back only to find the room empty. The moon light shot behind him and into the room, leaving his creepy shadow to fall onto the empty bed. His wicked eyes looked left and right but Rachel was no where to be found.
The Joker felt his breath catch in his chest and he quickly went to leap into the room. Only to have his foot catch the window frame, making him tumble to the floor with a thud. Quickly getting to his feet he brushed himself off like nothing happened and drifted around the room and to the door that was open. He peered down the dark hall, to his left and right. The dark room to his right let him know she wasn't in the bathroom. He got a sick taste in his mouth, his heavy steps echoed around him as he made his way down the hall. His hand reached into his pocket and took out one of his knives, and silently he snapped the blade open. The apartment was dead silent and pitch black, once he got to her front door he flipped a light switch. The door was locked, dead bolt and all. She had over five different locks and all in tact. This didn't sit right with the Joker, how could the windows and door be locked and Rachel not be in there? After searching the apartment high and low and still no sign of Rachel the Joker grew very angry. He turned to leave the living room only to notice the curtains on the window near the couch move slightly. He walked over to the window to find it half open and peered out at the street. Putting two and two together the Joker knew Rachel was taken but not by the hitman. If the hitman had entered her apartment, he wouldn't kidnap her and certainly not out the window. No, if the hitman had paid her a visit the Joker would've been met with a blood bath by now. He glared out the window,
"Batman." he growled and turned on his heels only to storm through the apartment and climbed down the fire escape. At least he knew she would be in good hands.
--
Rachel woke up late that next morning and before she could even begin the panic about her work. She remembered what Bruce had told her last night. While she was fast asleep Batman was out prowling around near Rachel's apartment only to spot a rather disturbing looking fellow. Taking a closer look he listened into the man's phone conversation. Finding out that Rachel was in grave danger again he quickly went out to save her before anyone harmed her.
Taking her back to his penthouse with top notch security he explained to her what was going on. Rachel had played dumb in not knowing anything about the hitman. Bruce told her that he was going to contact Gordon as soon as possible and she was NOT to leave his sight. After almost an hour of arguing with Gordon and Bruce, Rachel gave up and finally gave in. Telling them that she would stay put, she only hoped that the Joker had made some head weight with the mobster. Got the hit called off or perhaps even killed him, anything to get her off the murder list yet again.
That whole morning Rachel sat in silence in the living room. Watching pointless TV, or at least acting like she was watching TV. She couldn't help but wonder and worry about her safety and the Joker. She was getting sick of her nightmares, they were getting more scary then the Joker himself. She knew there had to of been a reason behind it. It was as if Harvey was a symbol of something good... perhaps Harvey was a warning. He seemed to show up when ever she'd get scared or see the Joker. Maybe Harvey was trying to warn her about the Joker? Joker in her dreams was always so violent, so mean to a point where he actually pretty much killed her the first time around. Was the Joker playing her for a fool? He was a master mind and she wouldn't put it past him. She thought back to her first nightmare and pondered everything. From the encounter with Harvey, with the chase and the Joker killing her. The words the Joker spoke rang through her mind and she couldn't help but think they held a meaning.
"You've been playing with me since day one... Since the first time I saw you."
Rachel ran his words through her head and she thought them over. Was this all a game? The Joker toying with her mind and making her think that he's in love with her. The fact he knew how she felt about him, maybe that helped him with his little 'game'. She remembered her dream when he was about to kill her, "I'm doing my job." his words echoed through her mind. His job? His job was to kill her? Rachel shook her head trying to put the pieces together and she remembered what he had told her just days before. "Sweets... If I knew of anything that involved ending your life, I would've stepped in and asked for the job myself"
Rachel slowly sat up, a look of shock her face. The Joker was her hitman... and because he failed to kill her Chance Graven hired a new guy that would get the job done. Rachel glared and felt a fire burn in her chest. "That son of a bit-"
"Miss. Dawes." said Alfred cutting her off from her train of thought and out burst. She turned to face him and eyed Gordon who was at his side. "Mr. Gordon is here to talk to you."
"Gordon I need to talk to you." she said getting to her feet. "I know something... I have information that will be useful to you."
"Calm down Rachel." said Gordon walking over to her and sitting her down on the couch. He sat on the table in front of her and looked into her eyes. "What information are you talking about?"
"About everything. The Joker, the hitman and the mob." she shook her head feeling crazy emotion burn through her. "I have so much I need to tell you.... I've lied Gordon. I know so much... and I lied to you." Gordon watched her with a frown and she looked up. "I'm ready to come clean with everything."
---
The Joker sat in the back of a school bus, pondering a few thoughts as the bus drove through the city. He bit at his lip in thought as he tried to come up with something that could perhaps help Rachel. Unaware that the beautiful D.A was spilling her guts to Gordon a few blocks away. He had to come up with a plan, something that could take out the Russian Mob. A group that he tried to keep at bay but considering everything that happened last night he wasn't going to let them get away too easy. It wasn't the fact that the Russian Mobster had disrespected him, it was the fact that he threatened Rachel's life... plus the fact he tried to kill him added a bit more anger to the Joker's mind.
The Joker propped his chin on his fist and glanced down at the dirty floor. The sound of the engine growled in his ears and he tried to concentrate. He glanced over to the clown in the seat opposite him and he blinked a few times. Feeling the sudden urge to kill him he stopped himself before he could quickly grab his gun. Remembering he only had so many goons left he remained at bay. He slowly leaned back in his seat and glanced out the window. Watching the cars below the Joker tried to think of something he could do.
"Boss... what are we doing?" asked a clown a few seats in front of him.
"I... don't know." replied the Joker giving him a blank look. A few of the clowns looked at the Joker whole just growled. "What? Can I not have a brain bubble? HUH? I should make you guys think of something remarkable to do... why must I always come up with everything?"
"You're... the boss." said Doc a few seats in front of him.
"Maybe I don't want to be the boss anymore?" snapped the Joker. The clowns were speechless and the Joker snapped. "What?" He looked over at the clown next to him. "What's your name?"
"Uh... Moses." replied the clown and the Joker gave him a weird look. "I didn't pick it."
"Are you serious?" asked the Joker, and the clown nodded. "Okay.... well... wow." the Joker shook his head and looked back at him. "Well... Moses tell me what should we do?"
"You're asking me?" asked the clown.
"Yes... You're thee boss today." replied the Joker. "Come on... think of something!"
"Uh... okay well uh we need to get the Russian's right?" asked the Clown and the Joker eyed him closely. "I say we... hit them where it hurts. I mean, the Russian mob could really care less about their own men. They take each other's own lives kinda like... well kinda like we do." he gave a small laugh. "They love power and control... We need to strip that from them." The Joker hummed and listened to him. "We need to show them that we mean business that its your city..." he looked at the Joker.
"Okay... how do you uh... suggest we do that?" asked the Joker with a raised brow.
"One hell of explosion." replied the clown. The clown looked at the Joker with a timid look in his eye, as the Joker eyed him with a blank stare.
"HAHA! I love it." he chuckled getting to his feet. "Good thinking.... I'm happy I thought this idea." he laughed and patted the clown on the shoulder who flinched thinking he was going to get hurt. "HEY! Go to the docks." he snapped at the driver who quickly made a right turn and headed towards the docks.
Once the bus parked at the end of the docks near an old abandoned fish market the Joker peered out the window. He gave a grin and eyed a few of the Russian's yachts that were docked about 200 yards away. There were about five of them and the Joker smirked and stormed down the aisle and out the bus doors. Peering left and right to check for anyone that might be leerking around he went to the storage area of the bus. Opening up the doors the Joker reached in and pulled out a bazooka.
"Uh oh... he's playing with the bazooka again." replied one of the clowns looking out the window as the five clowns filed out of the bus.
"Sir what are we going to do?" asked another clown.
"We... are going to stir up some chaos." he hummed examining the bazooka. "Come on... unless you plan on watching or throwing rocks at the Russians you better get with the program." he growled grabbing a few rockets and storming down dock. His clowns quickly geared up and ran after him and the Joker barked orders here and there. "Keep your eyes open..." he hummed as they made their way around crates and boats.
Staying low to keep themselves hidden. A few of the clowns took off and split up to keep a better eye on things and make sure they had a full view of all the yatchs. Once the Joker was about 30 yards away from the first yatch he loaded the bazooka and propped it up on his shoulder. Ducking behind a boat he made a few little adjustments and stood tall. Taking aim he pulled the trigger and the rocket shot through the pipe and straight towards the yacht. Once the rocket hit the yacht it blew up in a big fire ball. Scraps of metal and wood showered around him and he quickly loaded the bazooka again. Before any of the Russians could react from inside their boats, the Joker blew another yatch up. His dark laughter mixed with the rumble of the explosion and the crashing and thrashing of the debree falling around him.
"HAHA! Two down... three to go boys." he giggled and a clown handed him another rocket and he quickly loaded the bazooka. He heard a rain of gun blasts in front of him and bullets pelted around him and he didn't take cover. He stood tall as the Russians ran out of their yachts and open fired on him. His clowns reacted and gave some cover fire as the Joker propped the bazooka on his shoulder again. He took aim at the third yacht, about ten gangsters were emerging from its deck. All shooting at the Joker and the clowns, feeling a bullet zoom past his ear the Joker pulled the trigger. The yacht disappeared into a giant fire ball. He could hear the screams and yells of the gangsters before him and he let out another laugh. A clown that was ducked down behind a crate quickly reached out and handed him another rocket. The Joker eyed the explosion and he stood tall waiting for more mobsters to show themselves.
"Too chicken to come out and play with thee Joker?" Called the Joker, his rough voice echoing around him. Smoke surrounded the docks and the cracking of fire met his ears. "Where are you, ya little worms." he hissed, trying to look through the wall of smoke that blocked his view from the two remaining yachts. The black smoke filled the sky and a slight shadow fell around them as it covered the mid day sun. The Joker bit his lip and gave a grin when about ten mobsters came walking through the wall of smoke. All holding guns and ready to take out the clown that had a habit of blowing up everything around him. "HA! Now were talkin'."
The Joker loaded his bazooka and slung it on his sore shoulder. The mobsters opened fire on him, their bullets whizzing past him. His clowns quickly reacted and shot back, hitting a gangster here and there. Bullets splitting through the air crashing against metal, wood and bone. The Joker aimed at the gangsters and shot the rocket towards them. The blast took out most of them if not all. He quickly loaded another rocket and shot it with out hesitation. The rocket shot blindly through the smoke, not knowing what it was going to hit.
The Joker took a few steps forward and listened closely. The Russian Mob Boss should show his ugly face any moment. His eyes darted around the scene and he stood planted in his spot. He heard an engine rumbled to his right and he quickly spun to see a black SUV zoom down the street. Knowing they were there to pick up Chance Graven before the Joker blew him to bits. The clowns open fired at the SUV only to be met with a drive by shooter. Shooting one of the Joker's clowns the Joker watched the clown fall to the blood stained ground. The SUV disappeared in the smoke and the Joker quickly ripped a rocket from a clowns hands. He loaded his bazooka and quickly darted forward, not wanting the mobster to get away.
He saw the outline of Chance Graven quickly climb into the SUV. Tires spinning on the gravel the SUV sped down the street just as the Joker sprinted up the wood steps. He stumbled over a step, but quickly pulled himself to his feet. His eyes met the street and the SUV that zoomed towards the end of the block. Taking his aim the Joker put his finger on the trigger, just when he was about to pull the trigger there was a blast behind him and a bullet grazed his left shoulder. The sudden bullet strike caused the Joker to aim more to the right and the rocket whizzed past the SUV and blowing up a Starbucks that just happened to be randomly down by the docks.
"DAMN IT!" yelled the Joker as he stood tall throwing the bazooka down on the pavement. He growled placing his hands on his head as he watched the vehicle disappear around the block. Not bothering turning to see the mobster that shot at him meet his fate when a clown shot him, the Joker heard sirens split through the city air. He spun around and eyed the burning boats and the smoke that filled the area. It was beautiful, the blood and the dead burning bodies of the mobsters. He loved this crazy destruction... "Wow.. I'm sick." he stated shaking his head and quickly made his way back to the bus.
--
Gordon sat looking at Rachel with a look of interest and shock. Rachel had spilt her guts to him about what she found out about the hitman. What had been going on these past few months and the Joker, everything he had told her she had confessed most of it. Gordon didn't know how to react as he sat in front of her with a gut turning feeling. He had no idea what to do nor how to respond. By the time Rachel was done explaining everything she had tears pouring down her face.
"Rachel... my God, why didn't you say anything?" he asked looking into her eyes.
"I was afraid." she replied rubbing her eyes. "I didn't know what to do..."
"The break in at Wayne Enterprises?" asked Gordon.
"That I don't know." she lied to him. "I didn't know anything."
"Okay... this is a mess." he replied. "We need to fill out a report."
"NO!" she said loudly. "No. Everything I told you stays between us. No reports."
"Rachel we have to report this." he replied. "This is valuable information on the Joker."
"No... if you file this report I'll quit the job." she snapped.
"Rachel, don't do that." said Gordon. "We don't want you to quit. That's the last thing we need."
"Then don't file the report." she replied with pleading eyes.
"Rachel I-." he cut off when his radio went off. Quickly grabbing his radio he pushed the button.
"What?"
"There's a series of explosions down at the docks sir." said a cop on the other end. "Looks like someone wanted some sort of revenge on the Russian mob."
"Know who did it?" asked Gordon.
"One guess." replied the cop.
"The Joker." said Rachel eyeing Gordon who got to his feet.
"I'll be right there." he put his radio away and looked down at her. "I have to go."
"I want your word that you wont say anything." said Rachel quickly following him to the door.
"Rachel..." Gordon sighed and looked over at her. She held tears in her eyes and he gave a nod.
"Fine... you have my word. I wont say anything."
Once the door shut Rachel spun around to see Alfred standing in the door way of the kitchen. He looked at her with worried eyes and Rachel choked on a sob.
"Oh Alfred." she walked to him and he caught her in a hug. "I don't know what to do." She said in his shoulder.
"Do what is right Miss." he replied.
"I've been played like a fool." she said pulling back to look at him. "I should just let Bruce handle that clown."
"Master Bruce cannot fix this m'dear.... only you can." he looked down at her. "This is one war Batman is going to have to sit out. What is going on between you and the Clown Prince is something only you can solve."
"I shouldn't of let the clown out of the box." she replied putting her hands over her face. "I thought he cared... I thought he loved me."
"Many say it's impossible for a man like that to love Miss. Dawes. However I believe that perhaps there is some love that the Joker has for you. Judging by everything that's been going on and his actions over the past few months." said Alfred putting a hand on her shoulder. "You and him have a lot more in common then most think."
"I put my heart on the line Alfred." she shook her head. "I let him into my life, I made a mistake."
"Did you?" asked Alfred. "Rachel, since Mr. Dent has passed you've been at your worst. Except over the past few months you seemed to be back to your old self. You seemed happy... Who would've thought that the Joker could have a positive influence."
Rachel thought for a moment, Alfred was right. "But he's sold me out to the mob, he was my hitman!"
"Seems to me you're still alive... he didn't do his job." said Alfred. "The way I see it the Joker took that job to protect you. Now that he's failed to kill you the mob has gotten wise to his plan and hired a new guy to take the job." Rachel eyed Alfred with a confused look. "I know the Joker is a bad man and he needs to be brought to justice. Only you can do that."
Rachel wasn't sure what she was going to do, everything that had just happened ran through her head. She broke her promise to the Joker but then again he was hired to kill her. How could he let that little detail slip? She felt really angry towards him and she wasn't sure what to think anymore. She had a strong feeling this was all just a game to him. He was just toying with her mind, breaking her down bit by bit. Feeling the sudden pain wail up in her she felt her heart slowly start to break but she needed the truth. She knew she had to get to the Joker before the cops did, after hearing about the little episode of mass destruction he had at the docks she knew he was up to no good and maybe get caught. Which she doubted. Grabbing her cell phone she stormed towards the door, feeling Alfred's worried eyes on her she ignored it and slammed the door behind her.
Knowing she was taking a high risk at going out in the open like this, she did after all have a hit on her still. She didn't care. She needed to get things straightened out with the Clown Prince before she could focus on herself. Taking the back alley ways from Bruce's penthouse and her apartment she had a feeling she would find him. He always seemed to be wondering around near by, why would this time be any different? Kicking a trash bag out of her way she didn't notice that she was being watched from above and not by the eyes of a watchful protector.
--
The Joker quickly made his way through an alley way, ducking behind a trash can to avoid the cops. He was about two blocks from Rachel's apartment, he figured if the hitman was around he'd keep an eye on her home. He wanted to find the guy before Rachel did, or visa versa. Keeping his eyes open he knew he himself was in danger, maybe even more then Rachel was. He did after all cause a major riot and commotion and tried to kill the Russian, which was a bad move on his part but he was just far too gone to even think. He drifted around, keeping low and hidden from cops and mobsters. There wasn't anyone that the clown could trust, even though he never trusted anyone. He peeked around a corner, letting his eyes look left and right for anyone or anything that was out of the ordinary which wasn't hard to find in this city. As he let his eyes wonder around the streets he caught the sight of someone familiar on the other end of the block.
"Rachel you… twit." he growled, he watched her walk to the back of her apartment complex and he quickly scurried across the street and after her. Rushing up behind her she spun around and attempted to hit him, but he caught her before she could do any damage. "Do you… have a death wish?"
"I've had a death wish since the day I gave you a chance." she snapped at him. "How could you do this to me?"
"What?" he asked in confusion.
"Tell me Joker, who was my hitman before the creep I have now?" she crossed her arms and glared at him.
"I can explain everything." he started. "It was either me, or someone that actually would DO the job."
"Right, I believe that one." she snapped.
"I didn't kill you did I?" he snapped back at her. "It would've been easy to just cut your throat and drown in your blood, or strangle you with that beautiful feeling of your throat crushing in my cold murderous hands." he acted as if he was strangling someone then dropped his hands to his sides. "I didn't kill you… I took that job to protect you."
"So you're the one that blew up my car… you owe me a new one." she snapped. "So that was your little pathetic way of killing me."
"Yeah it was… I knew it wasn't going to work. I knew Batsy was going to be watching me because the fact you had a hit on you, I was suspect number one. I knew he'd stop you before you were blown sky high and I was right." he ran his tongue along his lip. "Like I said, I'd rather take a job that involved ending your life then let someone else do it. Because with me, you have a chance at living. As odd as that is… its true."
--
Batman watched closely as the Joker ran up behind her, he was so close to jumping down and retreating but then again he wanted to see what went on between the two. Not being able to hear their conversation he kept a close eye on them. He knew Rachel wouldn't stay put, but he was going to keep an eye on her. Considering the fact this was the first time Batman had been out and about in the day time he had to be extra carful not to be spotted. He let his eyes leave the two below him and scanned around him. On top of the building across the street from Rachel's apartment, something caught his eye. It looked like a man, dressed in black. Either it was one of Batman's copy cats or someone worse. Batman eyed the man and realized it was a sniper, he had his sights either on the Joker or Rachel. Either way Batman had to do something and his blood ran cold.
"I gave you my trust!" she snapped up at him. The Joker rolled his eyes and looked down into her hurt eyes. "You took my life into your hands, I gave you my life and here you were my hitman!"
"Geez it's not like I killed you woman!" he snapped back at her.
"It's Rachel Dawes to you Bozo." she spat pushing him in the shoulder.
"Lets not get physical here." he hummed. "I took the job to protect you… what part of that are you not processing? I would think you'd be happy."
"I don't know anymore, I'm not sure what the hell I'm thinking." she shook her head. "Giving you a chance was the worst move on my part."
"Ouch." he said darkly.
"If you lied about this then, what else have you lied about?" she asked him. The Joker went to say something but he got a chill that ran down his spine. Something was wrong. "You probably lied about everything you have told me. I can't trust or believe you anymore." the Joker bit his scars and let his eyes scan around him, he had a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. He could hear Rachel continue to bicker at him. He blinked a few times and heard a clash of thunder in the distance. "Are you even listening to me? Joker?" The Joker didn't respond but let his eyes look up at the dark clouds, he had a bad feeling like someone was watching them. "Freakin A.D.D!" she spat at him and hit him in the arm. "Pay attention to me when I'm ripping your ass."
The Joker let his eyes drop down to the building tops, he spotted something that didn't sit right with him. His stomach turned and he realized there was a sniper just across from them. Gun raised and he looked like he was getting one of them in his sights. The Joker quickly reacted and grabbed Rachel by the shoulders and tackled her to the ground just as a gun blast ripped past them and stuck the concrete right next to them.
"What the hell!" yelled Rachel.
"Move!" snapped the Joker quickly grabbing her by the wrist and pulled her behind a dumpster. Another gun shot, blasted and a bullet struck the brick building next to them. "Did you not notice the dirty Republican shooting at us?" Rachel didn't say anything but blinked at him. "No offense to anyone who reads this of course." gives a smile then looks back at Rachel. "Well? Huh?"
"I might've noticed." she replied with out any emotion brushing the hair out of her face.
"Might've noticed…" mumbled the Joker scanning around him.
—
Batman was impressed by the Joker's sudden reaction and instinct as he got Rachel out of the line of fire. Batman managed to scurry over the building tops and stop the sniper after his second shot. He jumped him, knocking him to the ground the sniper quickly got to his feet, and attempted to defend himself. Batman hit him in the side of the neck, knocking him out cold. During the scuffle on the roof tops Joker and the Rachel stayed put as the Clown pondered a get away for her. The Joker peered around the side of the dumpster…
"What are you doing?" yelled Rachel. "He's gonna blow your head off."
"Maybe…" hummed the Joker but he didn't spy the sniper. "I think… he gave up… or moved… something."
"What do you mean?" asked Rachel.
"I mean… the man isn't there anymore. I can't see him." he replied and looked back at her. "Lets test it.." he got up and stepped out into the middle of the alley way. Peering around at the buildings. "See everything is fine…" he said. "Come on." he reached his hand out for her and Rachel slowly grabbed his hand. Pulling Rachel to her feet the Joker let his eyes scan around him, eyeing everything very closely. Rachel clung to his arm and kept close to him. The Joker pushed her behind him as they backed up towards the back door. "Go inside." he hummed softly.
"You're coming with me right?" she asked eyeing him closely.
"Now's not-uh thee tiiime for you to let thee pantie hamster out of its wheel." replied the Joker still keeping an eye on the surrounding buildings.
"No smart ass." Rachel snapped at him. "I don't want you to get shot, so come on." Grabbing his arm she tried to pull him along with her. She was about to snap at him when there was a loud sound of screeching tires to the Joker's left. He quickly spun around and saw the black SUV, the same one that picked up the Mobster just hours before. He quickly blared down the alley towards them. "Who is that?"
"Someone that didn't have progressive boat insurance..." he hummed, quickly pulling Rachel behind him as the SUV stopped. Two big Russians got out, both holding guns in their hands and a scowl on their faces. "Boys! Glad to see you weren't blown to bits!" With out hesitation one aimed his gun at the Joker, Rachel gasped and quickly stepped in the line of fire.
"Stop! What ever this is about we can settle this without death!" she yelled.
"Uh, Cupcake... remember what city were in?" hummed the Joker behind her.
"I know..." she glared looking back at him, letting her eyes land on the Russians once more. "I'm sick of violence in my city."
"My city..." grumbled the Joker.
"All I'm asking is for peace and an explanation." she glared at the Russians. "Why in the hell am I number one on your murder list?"
"Long story." laughed one of the mobsters.
"One you'll hear soon enough." replied the other mobster, his dark eyes looking into hers. Making Rachel's blood run cold the mobster continued. "The boss would love to have a few words with you."
"I'm sure he would, and I would love to hear them and share a few words of my own." she snapped giving them a cold hard look.
"Good... You'll get your chance..." The mobster mumbled, his hands still holding the gun tightly. The Joker's blood ran cold and he felt a shiver down his spine. Not liking the situation one bit. "You come with us..."
"Are you nuts?" Rachel laughed. "I'm not going with you."
"Fine, you not come willingly... we'll drag you with us." growled the Mobster, putting his gun at his side and stepping forward popping his knuckles.
"Over my dead body." glared Rachel, standing her ground.
"Very poor choice of words my Sweet." said the Joker. "They can arrange that."
"They wont kill me... they need to take me to their boss." snapped Rachel still glaring at the mobster. "Come on big boy... drag me with you."
"Flattery isn't going to help..." hummed the Joker looking behind him, only to look twice when he noticed another car. This one was a taxi slowly creeping up to them, however when the Joker spotted them the driver floored it. The tires spinning and screaming, loud enough to wake the dead. Smoke rose from the concrete under the burnt rubber. The car caught Rachel's attention and she turned to look, only to be quickly grabbed by one of the mobsters and pulled back towards their vehicle. She let out a scream and the Joker quickly reacted spinning around and grabbing for his own gun. Only to be quickly shot at by the very poor shooting Russian a few yards away. "Who misses at that distance!" yelled the Joker. The car stopped and another mobster got out, grabbing the Joker by the arms and pulling him back. The Russian raised his gun at the Clown Prince.
"Stop!" yelled Rachel, fighting the mobster as he tried to throw her into the vehicle. "No! Please stop!"
"Do it..." hissed the Joker. "Kill me... you don't have the balls." The mobster raised his gun up, took his aim and pulled the trigger. The Joker didn't even blink when their was a loud click in his ears. "Hmmm... I suggest not-uh buying weapons off Ebay..." The Mobster went to hit the Joker with his jammed fire arm but a voice rang in the Joker's ears.
"Enough." said a voice to his right and he slowly turned to give a grin. "If anyone is going to kill this clown, it'll be me."
"Ah... Moroni." hummed the Joker, eyeballing the mobster as he limped his way.
"Joker..." said Moroni, letting his eyes wonder over to Rachel who eyed him with puzzled eyes. "She's yours... I have no business with her."
"Good." said the Russian, giving the Joker one last look before he turned to assist in keeping the DA under control.
"I thought you had no business with me anymore?" asked the Joker looking over his shoulder at Rachel.
"I have one more thing, I'd like to deal with." replied Moroni, he held his hand out and one of his men handed him a gun. "You... destroyed everything I worked hard at."
"Worked hard at?" asked the Joker. "You just took over for the old dead guy just a year ago... What uh... have you act-ually worked at?"
"Don't be a smart ass." snapped Moroni. "It's because of you my whole organization has gone under. It's because of you I almost lost my life to a lunatic."
"HA!" the Joker burst into laughter. "Well take it up with that lunatic no me."
"You drove Dent to madness." snapped Moroni.
"Noooo.... loss drove Dent to madness." snapped the Joker. "Not my fault." he let his eyes wonder back to Rachel, his eyes met hers before the Mobsters shut the door and started the engine. The Joker could feel his lungs tighten, he needed to get out of this mess so he could go get HIS Rachel.
"Either way... it'll still be nice to get rid of you." Moroni pulled back the hammer and aimed his gun at the Joker. "I always hated clowns..."
"That's sad... because Gotham is a three ring circus my friend... and there be many clowns here." the Joker winked at him. "Forever..."
Moroni glared and just when he was going to pull the trigger and black figure jumped down, knocking the Joker free from the mobster just as the shot was fired. The bullet whizzed past the Joker and caught one of Moroni's men between the eyes. The Joker quickly body slammed Moroni just as the Russian SUV sped by them. The Joker quickly turned just in time to catch the door handle but nothing good came to that except him getting ripped off his feet and planted into the cement. He could hear Rachel scream out his name, "Joker! Help!" echoed through his mind as he eye balled the SUV take off down the alley way. Quickly scrambling his brain he forgot about the giant bat behind him, restraining the mobsters. Feeling the Dark Knight's presents next to him the Joker looked over and eye balled him.
"Makes ya sick huh?" asked the Joker. "The fact she screamed out MY name instead of yours... hurtful." he gave a wicked giggle and went to step forward, only to feel Batman's hand on his shoulder holding him back.
"Where do you think you're going?" snapped Batman.
"Rescue a damsel in distress..." replied the Joker only to be stopped again by Batman.
"The only place you're going is back to Arkham." replied Batman pulling the Joker back by the arm.
"Are you kidding? Shouldn't you worry about little Miss. Rachel?" the Joker asked as Batman shoved him into the wall and was about to call Gordon on the communication device. "Wait! Come on! I know where their taking her... I have valuable info here."
"Great... you can share it with Gordon." replied Batman then spoke into the mic. "Gordon, I have someone you're going to have mixed feelings about seeing." The Joker gave a sigh and looked passed the mobsters laying on the ground and up the alley way where he last saw the SUV. A look of worry in his eye, if anyone hurt Rachel he would loose it. Batman saw the look in the Joker's eye as he listened to Gordon, he never thought he'd see worry and sorrow in the Clown Prince's eyes. "Gordon I'm gonna have to get back to you..." He hung up the line and eyed the Joker. "Do you love her?"
"What?" asked the Joker taking in Batman's question, giving him a weird look.
"You heard me... do you love her?" asked Batman in a stern tone.
"Do you love her?" asked the Joker.
"MY feelings for her are none of your buisness." snapped Batman.
"Well neither are mine." hummed the Joker corssing his arms over his chest.
"If you want to help her... if you want me to let you go so you can go play hero... you'll spill it." said Batman, giving the Joker a hard look.
"Wow... you're really gonna let me go?" The Joker raised a brow. "HA! You're silly Bats!"
Batman reached forward and grabbed the Joker by the collar. "I'm serious... answer my question."
"Calm down... release thee death hold... you can't rattle a clown too much. What do you expect to get outta him? Free candy and a dance... Let ... GO!" The Joker shoved Batman away from him. "Geez... No wonder no one likes you."
"Answer my-." Batman started by the Joker cut him off.
"QUESTION! I know... geez." the Joker rubbed the back of his neck... "I dunno... maybe."
"What do you mean maybe?" asked Batman. "I want you to be serious... Do you love her?"
"What do you think?" asked the Joker letting his hand fall from his neck and to his side.
"I think... maybe you do." said Batman. "I just wanna know the truth, are you playing Rachel for a fool or not?"
"Bats... everything to me is a game. It has been for years and years... I took life way to serious and had the greatest things taken from me." he shook his head. "This whole Rachel thing... is it a game? Yes... it was. I admit I toyed with her mind and made her believe I cared for her... I could care less about that woman I really could... But as the months went on and the game got more and more... clouded with funny little... emotions." The Joker thought for a second, running his tongue along his lip. "At the start, I used Rachel... but now... it's all different."
"So you used Rachel as a pawn in the beginning. You twisted her mind and made her believe in something that she thought she had lost and would never get again. You made Rachel think you cared and loved her, you're sick and heartless." snapped Batman. "You used this poor woman's mind just to play some sick game."
"I guess." hummed the Joker. "It's not like that now though... It's not-uh. I admit yes, in the beginning I could care less. Rachel Dawes was just a side show attraction to me in this big circus of a city. I played her yes. I toyed with her yes. I made her believe in something that wasn't true... yes. I made her a victim in my little game... but only to have the tables turn." The Joker eyed Batman and gave a sigh. "I.. I started this game only to have Rachel loose and fall shattered and broken... Only to have it back fire and feel myself loose and soon fall... I did something that I vowed never to do. I let my guard down and let someone inside my dark world, only to fall in love with my victim."
Batman racked his brain, trying to think of something to say to the Clown Prince. Something he could do to use the Joker's feelings against him, though first he had to accept and get use to the fact the Joker was in love with Rachel. Which just made things all that more crazy and complicated. This was a puzzle, a sick love puzzle that Bruce couldn't solve but had to sit back and watch. He looked at the Joker, trying to think of his next step. What was he going to do now, let the Clown go so he could help him find Rachel? Or send him back to Gordon? He was torn between right and wrong.
"Come one Bats! I just spilled my rotten guts out to ya! Are you going to let me help her or not-uh?" the Joker glared at Batman, "Tiiime is runnin' out-uh and I don't like it... I'd like to uh see Rachel again before she's sunk 900ft in Gotham Bay!" Feeling the blood pulse with pure adrenalin the Joker's fists shook at his sides.
"If I let you go... there can be no tricks." said Batman.
"No tricks." said the Joker, he took a step to his right ready to bolt down the alley way.
"Not so fast... if you're going to help Rachel, I'm going with you." said Batman.
"Wait... you mean I'm going to help you and you're going to help me? Kinda like a uh... team thing?" asked the Joker in confusion.
"I'm not on a team with you... I hate you. I'm just going to let you show me where she is so I can assist you in her rescue." stated Batman.
"So it is a team effort..." said the Joker.
"Okay maybe it is but I still hate you." said Batman.
"Ah... ha ha ha... Now were talkin'." hummed the Joker.
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OKAY! MY GOD! I'm in such a writers block mood it's crazy. This is going to be hard to write the next two chapters, I can feel it. Though with the help of my amazing friends and my brother I guess, I should be able to have it all done within this week. Sorry about my grammar :-( it's not that good.