A/N: I made this part toooo long, so it'll be broken up into two chapters instead. the next one will be updated soon. When i write these up, it's usually on a bluetooth keyboard hooked up to my Ipad, so if there are any mistakes or something looks off, it's usually either my Ipad trying to assume what I meant to write or from how fast I type on the keys. Autocorrect is a pain in the ass for me usually.

Edit: I realized after I posted this that Joker's hair would have kind of stuck out so I added a small part about that when describing how he looked. You'll understand as you read through this, haha.


A door opened as a man in a suit walked through, taking careful measured steps. This was tantalizing just being in the same room as the person standing near the wall.

Bruce walked by, carefully watching the brunette with her arms folded over her chest. This was the only good thing that had come from the Joker terrorizing the city. It brought her to him...

Rachel stood against the cool surface, blue eyes watching the man who was circling around, dark orbs taking her form in. It was always like this when they were together. For years they had known each other...all the way back to childhood. She was one of the very few people who knew who he really was.

For the billionaire playboy by day, masked vigilante by night...it was like a breath of fresh air. No walls, no need to lie, just be himself. There were no fronts or excuses necessary. They could lay it all out on the table and it was the small oasis in his chaotic life.

"...Harvey called. He said that Batman's going to turn himself in..." Bruce knew that tone all to well.

For the last few days, Rachel had been staying at the Wayne Manor with him. The Joker had named her as his next target and his threats weren't just something to be concerned about...They were promises.

With the problem of corrupt cops being on the mafia and possibly the clown's payroll, it wouldn't be safe for her to be at the police station or the D.A.'s office. No one knew who could be trusted or not. This was a very real situation, both Bruce and Dent came to understand that.

In order to keep Rachel safe, they had to put their differences and feeling for this woman aside to keep her alive. Dent had been completely against her staying her, feeling uncomfortable with the whole situation. However, this really was the only place in the city that was safe anymore.

"I have no choice..." No one was any closer to catching the Joker and more and more bodies were piling up, just like that maniac promised.

"You honestly think that's going to keep the JOKER from killing people?"

"Maybe not, but I have enough blood on my hands... I've seen now what I would have to become to stop men like him." The only option the clown was leaving him was to break his one rule. To not take a life...and yet, even if he did decide to go down that road, it was close to impossible to find him unless he wanted to be found. Everyone learned that the hard way.

The brunette sighed, not liking where this was going. It wasn't hard to understand her words, but what choice was left?

"You once told me that if the day came and I was finished, we'd be together..." That was the only thing that held Bruce together from truly embodying Batman. It was the only thing that he really desired in his dark life. The women, the parties, the money... It was all meaningless at the end of the day. Having one person you are desperately in love with...now that was what made life worth living. Everything else just felt like an obligation, whether it was to Wayne Enterprises or Gotham City. Who he fell for was the only bit of freedom left that was his own choice.

"Bruce...don't make me your one hope for a normal life." The sadness in her blue eyes made his chest tighten. It hurt... Right now, even though they stared at each other like this...She wasn't his woman. For a while now, the brunette has been dating Harvey Dent, who also asked her to marry him. Fortunately, she didn't have time to answer since the Joker had crashed the fundraiser.

"Did you mean it?" Holding his breath, it felt like his chest would explode... Hoping beyond hope that her words back then meant as much to her as it did him.

"...Yes."

Dark eyes stared into those clear blue ones intently, his heart racing as he reached forward, running a large hand along the side of her face and into the soft brown locks that hung down loosely. This is what he needed to hear. She was still waiting for him...for the day Batman would no longer be needed.

For the longest time, Bruce debated with himself wondering if it was the city who really needed the caped hero or if it was him who needed it. With Dent becoming the face of Gotham as the White Knight, maybe it would be possible to pass the mantle along... He could finally close that chapter of his life and start a new one... The one he always wanted. To live life quietly with someone he really loves and vice versa.

Pulling her forward, their lips crashed into each other desperately, trying to convey the feelings that had been building up all these years. Right now, her promises to Dent didn't matter, the press conference didn't matter, the Joker rampaging through the city...didn't matter.

Panting as they broke apart for air, Bruce bit the inside of his lip, trying to regain some composure. This wasn't the time or place just yet. He had to be the one to do the right thing first. Things had to be settled before he could have this woman the way he wanted... Dent was a colleague and possibly even becoming a friend, while Rachel was still his girlfriend...or fiancé.

It wouldn't be right to sully her reputation and dignity even if only the two of them knew, while Dent and his men were working so tirelessly to find the Joker just to keep her and the city safe. This was wrong...for right now. The time was coming and fast, but not quite yet.

Turning away from the beautiful woman standing before him, his dark eyes closed as he did what he believed was right... Walking away so things wouldn't get out of hand. Being a businessmen and masked vigilante, he knew that timing was important and could change everything if not done properly.

Hanging his head down, the billionaire walked through the room, knowing this was for the best. He could feel those blue eyes staring into his back, making this all the more trying.

"Bruce... If you turn yourself in, they won't let us be together..." The words coming from the brunette's mouth were sorrowful. Gritting his teeth, he kept walking knowing that he had to do what needed to be done.

'I know that...Rachel...'


"Damn...hah..."

Sakura grinned as she kissed around the man's navel she had pushed against the tiled wall of the shower. Hearing the pants and feeling the way his muscles moved erratically under her touch was exhilarating. She hadn't done this in years and that made it all the more sweeter.

Just with a few touches and kissed, she was able to bring the most blood thirsty wanted criminal in Gotham into a trembling mess. Just as he always did to her, but this was a great turn of events. After all, it proved he was human beneath all the makeup and blood.

Biting her bottom lip, she reached up, grabbing the throbbing appendage that was digging into her chest. Feeling the soft slender hand wrapping around him, he cursed under his breath deeply.

Looking up from the toes wiggling next to her knees on the warm floor as the water from the shower sprayed everywhere, her green eyes lit up seeing the state he was in. Running her wet palm and finger along his length, his body jerked against the wall as a grunt left his scarred lips. It was such a turn on to see him like this...

Joker's brows furrowed as he swallowed hard, the lump in his throat not giving any reprieve. Eyes closed tightly as he balled his fists at his side, trying not to grip her up. The jagged marks around his mouth moved as his jaw shifted from one side to the other, lips switching from being sucked in to getting bitten between his teeth.

Leaning down while looking up, Sakura reached forward as she pumped him with her hand. Slowly putting her lips around his pulsing head, she dragged her lips along to the tip, watching his reactions.

"Fuck! S-Stop... Sakura stop!" A large fist hit against the wall beside him, putting a crack in one of the flimsy tiles. Dark eyes opened giving her a hard look, daring her to continue.

Pulling back slightly, but still holding on to him, the pinkette narrowed her eyes up at him. He cracked the tile...someone was going to have to pay for that. It wasn't like she owned the place.

"Shut it...and stop moving." The Clown Prince's eyes widened at her commanding tone and jaw dropped as she moved forward quickly, taking him into her mouth.

"S-Shit..." Hands roughly grabbed her hair, hissing as her warm lips engulfed his throbbing cock, pulling him deeper into her hot mouth. It was torture trying not to move, not to thrust his hips forward. A slender hand wrapped around the base as she tried taking in as much of him as she could before hitting the back of her throat.

Sakura hummed, moaning against the shaft in her grasp and running her tongue along the pulsing vein along his length, driving him crazy. His fingers trembled against her head, caught between raking across her scalp and gripping the dripping wet locks in his hold.

She moved fluidly, not wanting to give him the chance to get his bearings and stop her. Every time he put his head between her legs, she would get embarrassed and protest, only for it to fall on deaf ears. It was because that's what he wanted to do and knew she would enjoy it even if it was hard to let him. It felt difficult to let him do as he pleased sometimes... Watching his dark eyes stare at her as he touched and pushed her legs open wider, the way he got so close to something that was private, always putting his hot mouth on her and holding her down with only a single hand.

Even back in the day, Jack was always a giver, not wanting to submit himself to whatever torture she had in mind. Sure, sometimes she got her way...but usually it was him working hard to please her, even if he didn't have to. Always being a selfless lover...not wanting to let her bring him to his knees.

Sakura knew why... He never thought much of himself so when she gave herself to him, he was always trying to prove something. People always treated him like garbage, so when someone cherished him, he put his all into it. It was like he was trying to convince her not to look anywhere else but him, afraid of becoming alone again. Always stealing food for them and doing whatever he could to make some money to show he was reliable...trying hard to make her laugh or moan...barely asking for nothing in return except time and attention.

It was sad, but made her laugh at the same time. He didn't have to do anything to get what he asked for, because she felt the same way. There was nothing wrong with him, just like her, but they were both treated badly either way. She loved him without all the stealing and desperation, but still appreciated the lengths he'd go to to show how he felt. No one ever showed him how to care for someone, they just learned as they went in their own way. It was hard trying to show someone the depths of your feelings when they didn't want to let you do the things they did for you.

Why could he try to spend his time between her thighs as much as he could, but didn't want her doing the same for him? Did he not want to show weakness in front of her when he was trying to prove his worth? Maybe he didn't want to admit to himself that he wasn't an immovable object and enjoyed letting someone else take the reigns every once in a while... Why was he always denying himself and not enjoying the perks of having someone willing to do anything for them? Always punishing himself for something... He would have left those ribs the way they were had she not said anything...

Sakura pumped him hard, running her lips along his length, twirling her wet tongue around the tip and along his shaft as she worked him over. His ragged breathing and labored moans were like music to her ears. His body was stiff against her, she could feel him restraining from moving his pelvis along with her movements.

Large hands leg to go of her pink locks, gripping his own head as in the sanity she was causing. Green eyes could look away, watching every frantic movement he made. He was losing it, his breath becoming erratic and the pulsing in her mouth quickening.

The pinkette almost choked as he jerked his hips involuntarily, making his large shaft push into the back of her throat. A strained version of her name left his marred lips as he whined, turning her on even more. The ache between her legs was almost unbearable doing this to him, but so satisfying. She just wanted to take care of him the way he always did for her, he deserved it after all he's gone through just because he wasn't willing to let her go. It was only fair that he get treated the same way he did to her.

The slender hand around his base pumped rhythmically, meeting her lips halfway along his large shaft, enjoying its weight in her hold. The years had been good to him in that aspect. Jack had always been well endowed, but he wasn't that nineteen year old anymore from seven years ago...

Joker's hands gripped his own hair tightly, his jaw clenching tightly between the noises he couldn't hold back. A look of pain was spread across his face, desperately wanting to do something, but holding himself back. She brought this out of him and it felt more than good. It was empowering..perhaps this is how it felt for him to bring her to that pinnacle and shove her off the edge of the cliff.

His dark eyes wildly looked around at everything but her. The throbbing between her lips was getting worse as his body was stiffening up. This was exciting... She knew he was going to lose it any minute now.

"Look. At. Me...Now!" It felt good to flip the tables on him. To say what he always commanded of her and see how difficult it really was to do in this state. He refused to let her become distracted from anything else or look anywhere else when she was about to come.

Joker's fingers raked down his face as his dark eyes turned to her. The wild look in them was making her wetter, seeing them between the calloused digits clawing at his own skin. The way his breath hitched told her everything she needed to know. Commanding him meet her gaze was making him lose it. Right now, he looked more like a madman than his makeup and scar ever had.

"Sakura! Stop! I swear to God-" His voice was hoarse, growling out angrily as she reached up and cupped his balls in a tight grasp, knowing he was done for. Doubling over, he dug his hands into the wet mess of pink hair with trembling hands, cursing loudly. The pinkette could feel is his chest against the top of her head as he grabbed at her roughly.

He tried to pull back, but she grabbed his hips tightly, trying to hold him there. Hissing assaulted her ears as he came, filling up her mouth and running down her throat, stream after stream. It was her turn to be greedy and he wasn't able to do a thing about it right now. She took all of him into her, enjoying this short burst of control and power of the most wanted man in Gotham. The pounding in her chest was exhilarating, knowing it was her who her could bring him such pleasure.

Joker panting heavily, rubbing her scalp as he gained his composure. Standing back up as she let him go and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, his dark eyes narrowed down at her as she smiled up at him.

"Son of a bitch!" A large hand reached down, wrapping around her throat and dragging her up against him. Sakura gasped at the sudden angry movements, not knowing what he was going to do now. Was he really that angry? Or embarrassed? Infuriated at how he reacted to her touch?

Turning her around so her back was to his chest, he handled her roughly, growling out into her ear. The hand around her neck wasn't tight enough to cut off her oxygen, but enough to let her know not to dare move.

"You think you're funny, huh? Don't wanna listen when someone tells you to stop?!" His voice was hoarse and angry, stopping his tirade to bite down harshly into the pale skin of her shoulder, making her cry out. It felt good... "When did your grip get so tight? If I wasn't looking at you, I would have swore a man was assaulting me!"

A wolfish grin spread across her pink lips as he pulled her head back, glaring down at her. He enjoyed it and didn't want to admit it.. Somethings really don't change...

"You think this is funny? I'll wipe that fucking smile off your face!" Gripping her jaw and holding her tightly against him, he snaked his hand down her body, between her legs. Sakura's smile faded as her mouth opened, a long drawn out moan coming out as she felt his fingers slide against her, moving in between her lips feverishly.

"Oh wow, dollface. You're so wet...just from doing that..." She clenched her teeth, a shiver running down her spine from his husky words in her ear. Damn him...

"It's my turn now. You had your fun." Her body jerked against him, feeling the fingers pushing into her opening, pumping up into her.

"Ah! Jack..." His large fingers shoved themselves into her as his thumb rubbed her clit, coating his hand in her wetness. She could barely move with the grip holding her against him. All she could was cry out against him as he stared down at her face, a look of concentration across his handsome features.

"OhhHHHH!" Pushing forward, he pulled his hand back and grabbed her hip roughly, positioning her the way he wanted. He tilted her pelvis forward and she clawed at the hand gripping her face as he shoved himself deep into her from behind. Her body shook at the intrusion, the only thing making it easier was how wet she'd become from taking him into her mouth.

Jack rarely ever took her from this angle, preferring to be face to face, making her body feel him in places she didn't even know he could reach. He forced himself all the way in, his hips right up against her backside. The pinkette screamed as her legs trembled, threatening to give way. The only thing holding her up was the grip he had on her.

Clawing at her hip, he pulled himself out until only his tip was still in, then surged forward roughly. He pumped in and out a few times before yanking her back against him. Sakura was in heavenly shock at his heavy handed movements, even if it was unexpected... Perhaps she should have after what she did to him...

Using his hand to force her to look up at him, the muscles in his face twitched, his lips pulled inward into a straight line. His dark eyes were smoldering as he glared down at her, gaining the control over their bodies he had just previously lost.

"You're so beautiful..." Green eyes widened at his words, they didn't match with his expression at all. Moving his knee under hers, he used it to force her leg up onto his as he put it against the side of the shower, spreading her open. One hand still holding her face, the other went between and rubbed her clit, just above where he was deeply imbedded into her.

"AHhhh! Oh GOD!" His hips didn't move as he rubbed the most sensitive spot on her body, opting just to be seated in her core. Throwing her head back against his chest, she couldn't look away as his dark eyes watched her intently.

"That's it, sweetheart... Let it out.." He was doing this to make her have an orgasm, instead of just thrusting wildly to get off again. She tightened around him as the sensations were driving her wild. The look he was giving her was too much and the fingers against her clit wouldn't stop moving in circles, making her scream against him. She couldn't look anywhere except at him as his grip tightened, forcing her to let him watch.

Sakura's body trembled as the coil was being pulled tight between her legs. It was amazing. Tears formed in her eyes as she stared at him, gasping for breath. His scarred lips parted, panting as he worked himself up just from watching her.

"Come on, dollface... I want to see you come. We're not going till you dooo." Her eyes fluttered trying to keep focus as that wonderful warm fog clouded her mind and rushed down her body. Her toes curled and feet moved against her will as the tears formed in her eyes, making the man above her move harder against her.

"Dammit! Omygod! Oh my fucking GOD!" The spring in her snapped as her body clamped down on him painfully, making him curse as he yanked her harder against him. If he let go, she would just fall onto the tiled floor his foot was planted on, trying to support their weight.

"That's right... Let it out. Come on me sweetheart..." He ground his hips into her, enjoying the tears running down her face and the fluids running down his shaft and thighs.

The pinkette was completely out of control, not realizing the heat spreading from her forehead and down body her body. It reached all the way to her core, wrapping around the man seated inside of her.

"Oh..shitttt. What the fuck!" His hips moved almost instinctively as the heat gripped him, making his knees tremble beneath them. His face twisted in anguish as he looked down at her with wide eyes, lips parting in shock.

Sakura fell forward as he let go, grabbing onto her hips roughly and pounding into her. Her head spun out of control in a daze, not realizing what she was doing to him.

Joker slammed into her ferociously, the heat in his gut clawing at him desperately. His face was turned into a painful grimace as he gasped for breath, taking her as hard as he could. She couldn't see his face bent forward, as he slammed into her, still reeling from the mind blowing orgasm he was riding through. Sopping pink hair stuck to her face as her mouth hung open, not sure what to do now, caught between crying and screaming.

"Hah! HAH! Sakura, what are you doing to me?!" It hit her as she opened her eyes what was going on. She was using her ability against him, instead of just healing. A grin spread across her face as she pushed the heat harder against him, feeling the fingers clawing desperately at her hips and the growls coming from his chest..

He shook as the heat engulfed him, forcing him to come again. A whine left his scarred lips as he surged forward, filling her up even though it hadn't been intended for it to end this way for him.

Wrapping his arms around her waist he pulled her back, kissing the side of her face feverishly. The pinkette gasped feeling him pulling himself out of her, his fluids running down her thighs. They were both out of breath and trembling, but she was worse off out of the two.

"Christ...Never felt something like that before..." His marred cheeks puffed out taking in deep breaths as he turned her around, trying to hold her up from just falling on the floor. "I'm gonna have no lead in the pencil because of you..."

"Start using a pen." They grinned at each other, feeling high from what just happened. With a chuckle, he ran his hand through her wet hair, swaying from one foot to the other and pulling them under the spray of the shower.

"After this, there's somewhere I wanna take you. SO no falling asleep yet, got itttt?"


It was dark out. The light from the street lamps and the buildings gave off more than enough to be able to see properly.

Sakura gave a side glance to the man walking beside her, raising an eyebrow at his appearance.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" He turned towards her with grin tugging at his lips.

"Hahaha... Well yeah... It's just weird to see you like this. I like you better without that shit on your face." The pinkette leaned forward giving him another good look.

Jack walked beside her, his face bare and latex covering up the scars. He had snagged her foundation to blend in the sides in front of her mirror as she looked on curiously. His mug looked like an older version of himself before his mouth had been ripped open...aside from the deep dark circles around his eyes and much paler skin.

Instead of his usual attire which needed to be replaced anyway, he wore a button up collared shirt and dress pants. True to his nature, under those nice pant legs were his boots sticking out, adding a personal touch. She couldn't help laughing at that part. It was just like him to do that... His messy hair was mostly concealed by a brimmed hat and the cover from the night. There was no way anyone would be able to recognize his fading green hair in this light. The dark blonde was showing throughout it, making the odd color even more difficult to notice.

"That's good to hear, dollface. You know I'm only wearing this so I can go out with you and not have people screaming or calling the police... Not that I wouldn't enjoy that, but right now, I'd rather us be left alone." His dark eyes kept glancing back and forth, watching the surroundings carefully. Every person who walked by was met with a glare, making them move further away on the streets as they walked together.

A sigh left Sakura's lips watching him. Even when he looked like what people would call a "normal man", he couldn't be. This would have been how he looked if his father hadn't carved his face up with a kitchen knife...

Walking by the groups of people, it wasn't surprising for so many to be out this late in Gotham. It was when night fell that this city really became lively. It's usually when most crimes were committed and the underground groups were active. For a while it had died down with Dent hauling in so many gangsters, but after all that's been going on... People were being reckless and didn't seem to care anymore. Others figured it was safe to enjoy the nightlife again now that the mob had taken such a hit..Some just figured if anything were to happen, Batman would come swinging to the rescue.

People gave them curious looks as they passed by. Some staring at the odd color hair that hung loosely down her shoulders and weird mark on her forehead...women staring at Jack with interest or appreciation for his handsome face...some men ogling at her in the knee length dark blue dress she was wearing, admiring the way it fit her. It didn't last long with the murderous glare coming from the man standing close by. Anyone looking at them, men or women, had it thrown their way, making them shuffle by faster.

"This city never changes, does it?" He was still looking around as they walked through the entrance to the park. It was weird that the guards hadn't locked the gates earlier in the night. Back when they were younger, they use to climb over it all the time, usually with Jack having to lend her a hand. He wasn't far off from being a foot taller than her, even as older teenagers.

"Not really, unfortunately..." Jack put his arm around her shoulders as he led her through into the park. It was almost like old times, just without the wall climbing. He looked around one more time before guiding her forward. A scratching noise made her jump as she looked back. Two men were closing the gates behind them, locking it up.

"Jack..."

"Don't worry, dollface... They're my men." The pinkette relaxed against him, trying not to feel jumpy. He knew what he was doing and needed to trust that. Seeing men lock them into the park had initially brought on the thought that maybe someone knew who he really was and wanted to block their way out. God knows how many people were itching to get their hands on the man next to her... Mobsters, police, politicians, businessmen, scared citizens...street thugs who want to make a name for themselves... Anyone and everyone wanted him dead or behind bars.

The thought made her chest tighten as they walked down the path, trees lining the way. The leaves shook as a warm breeze passed by. Lights sticking up out of the ground and a few dim lamps lit the park up, making it easy to go through.

When they were young, they couldn't walk around in peace either... Always worrying about getting mugged or getting into fights with local boys who didn't like Jack..or the fact that she was with him. Some times it was just punks looking for a brawl, other times people who had a problem with his father... It was just a shame that even after all these years, he couldn't walk around freely, even though the circumstances were completely different. He was always on guard, watching the surroundings and people getting close. There was no other choice if he was going to keep them safe. It was had or be had.

Stepping off of the path, Jack pulled his arm back and taking her hand in his, guiding to that familiar spot. It was the same way she had taken last week with her boss.

'That's why I went this way when Bruce and I were talking... I subconsciously remember coming here with Jack..'

Trees passed by as he led her forward, every now and then turning his head to look at her, his dark eyes roaming the length of her body.

"You...look really beautiful. I want to get you more dresses like that..." Sakura blushed as she looked at the back of his messy hair when he turned forward. Even dressed up, he refused to comb it back and that was fine. She liked him the way he is...

"Thanks. You don't have to do that though. I have plenty of clothes." The lake appeared passed the trees, the moon reflecting off the surface of the dark water. It was breathtaking.

Going towards the edge of the lake, Jack plopped down onto the ground without any care for the clothes he was wearing. Still holding her hand, he pulled her down onto his lap and against his chest. The pinkette smiled, laying her head back as his chin rested on her shoulder.

A sigh left his lips as they sat together, looking over the dark lake. He use to always say how odd it was that such a nice place could be found in Gotham.

"I know you don't need them, but I want to get them for you. I want to get you all the things I couldn't before. Money's not an issue. Not anymore..." The pinkette turned her head, glancing at him. Despite the comfortable mood and beautiful scenery, his expression was melancholy...his dark eyes had a sadness to them that made her chest tighten as he looked at the surface of the water.

Kissing his cheek, hoping it would lighten his mood, the pinkette couldn't help wondering what was going through his mind...what he was actually seeing as he stared at the lake. The far away look told her that he was either remembering something or thinking deeply.

"Sakura..." The way he said her name caused worry to spread throughout her brain, not liking where this was going with him only saying a single word. Looking away from the lake, his tongue ran over his bottom lip and where his scar was hidden. "You need to leave Gotham."

"W-What?!" Why was he saying this now? A sharp breath left her lips, like someone just knocked the air out of her. After all this, he wanted her to leave? Did he mean without him? She knew he wouldn't say this for no reason, but..

"Look, things in the city are at an all time high now... I can do my best to keep you safe, but I don't want to take any, uh, chancesss." Shifting to turn her body towards him, his expression was serious and she bit the inside of her lip, slowly nodding as thoughts raced through her head. He always did things for a reason. "I already thought you, uh, died once... I'm not going through that again. No way in any hell."

The pinkette nodded, understanding the words coming from his mouth. It's not that he wanted her to leave the city, but needed her to go for both their sakes.

"I already have everything figured outttt. Somewhere that isn't too far or too close to Gotham. A nice little place where no one will go looking for you. The people that are after me...if they find you, the least of our problems is you going to jail. They WILL kill you after trying to squeeze out every last bit of information they can get about me. Honestly, a quick death would be preferable to what would happen..." His jaw shifted, features agitated.

"I've made a lot of enemies over the years and they are willing to pay top dollar and go to extreme lengths for anything they can find... It'll only be a matter of time before something shows up somewhere, no matter how hard I try. There are some, uh, situations I've run into that aren't completely under my control... Sometimes, it doesn't matter how much money you have or the number of men working under you..."

"Jack... I understand. What about you though? Will I get to see you again?" She felt like her heart was breaking, not knowing what was going to happen. After all this, she didn't want to be apart from him, but would do what he wanted to keep the both of them safe. She trusted that he knew what he was talking about and only did things for a reason.

Jack moved his head back with his eyebrows raised, looking at her in disbelief. "What do you mean see me again? Have you gone mad? I'm going with you. Can't get rid of me that easily..." The pinkette relaxed in his hold, relieved at his answer. "Disappointed, dollface? Hahaha! I still have work to do here, so I'll go back and forth until I'm finished. The stage is still being set for the main act. WOHAHAHAHA!"

Sakura's eyes widened as she watched him laughing, a sense of foreboding making a lump form in her throat. Whatever was going on in that head of his that made him cackle like that was NEVER good. Was he going to blow up the entire city and just wanted her out of harms way? Even if she asked what he was up to, he'd never tell. That was just how he was and she knew it was to keep her safe and out of what was going to happen.

"Do you have to?" It was barely above a whisper, but he heard it. Turning her head away, he stopped laughing, shifting his lips as he watched her.

"Yes. The people of this city need to see their true faces. To know what they REALLY are... This is a battle for Gotham's soul and I'm not backing down..." The conviction in his voice was more than enough to tell her there was going to be no convincing him otherwise. He was going to do what he wanted regardless. She couldn't help biting on her bottom lip as a bad feeling came over her about all this.

"Don't worry, Sakura. Everything's going to be okay! I already have a place for you to stay. Everything will be taken care of. I'm not the same old Jack as back in the day. I'm smarter, stronger, have more influence... and can do the things he never could. You won't have to go without anything again. I have money, lots of it. You'll never have to work a day in your life again! I can do all the things I promised you back then and more." The wild look in his eyes made her feel sad. Those things didn't matter to her...

'What's the end game here? Does he think money will make me happy? It was money that pushed him to commit crimes to take care of them. He only did it then to survive. Why did he go through all this trouble these years? What would he have done if they never ran into each other when he was robbing that bank?' There were just too many questions and no one who would be willing to answer them. He'd told her before he wouldn't drag her into this and he meant it.

"Jack... I don't care about the money or what you can make people do. We had nothing in that shoddy little apartment and we were happy back then... I'm afraid of you getting yourself killed. Besides, I don't want your stinking money! What about my job? Am I suppose to just sit home all day playing with money and dresses until you decide to come back? Screw that! I never wanted a life like that and you damn well know it!" She felt frustrated at all of this. Was she suppose to hide away for the rest of her life, living off of his blood money?

He wanted to keep her safe, but that meant completely relying on him for every single thing. Is that what he wanted for her? Just to keep her away from other people and shower her in wealth and comforts while he was away terrorizing Gotham? To some women that would probably be a dream come true, but she knew that would get old real fast.

Glaring at him with mixed emotions, she noticed his hardened expression starting to crack. What the hell was he doing?

"WOHAHAHAHAHA!" The pinkette jumped in his lap as he started cackling heartily, grabbing his chest in a fit of laughter. Her brow raised in confusion, not understanding what was so hilarious.

"Knock it off! What's so funny?!" Smacking his chest lightly, she couldn't help her own lips breaking out of character watching him going mad. Why did his crazy laughter have to be so damn contagious.

"Ahhh! That's relieving to hear, dollface! HAHAHAHA!" He kept going, rubbing the corner of his eye with the back of his hand. The confusion just deepened with everything he did, making her want to scratch her head. Why did he have to be such a pain in the ass sometimes?

"I know how you are! Ya think I'm stupid? As if you'd let me just lock you up in a house and bathe you in money. I know you better than you know yourself...literally! WOHAHAHA!" Green eyes narrowed on him, her bottom lip sticking out in a pout.

"You're so cute when you're confused and mad. I just wanted to see what you'd do...and you didn't disappoint!"

Gritting her teeth, Sakura pushed him onto his back and straddled his chest. Right now, pummeling him seemed like a great idea.

"Woah! Woah! Relax! I meant everything I said about taking you out of Gotham and going with you... Every. Word. Of. It.." His tongue snaked out, running up the corners of his mouth. "I want to keep you safe, but not at the expense of your happiness..."

The pinkette stared down at him, wondering what he was playing at. Clicking her tongue, she sat up away from him on his chest waiting for him to continue. The part about the money had been a test to see how she'd react. Jack always despised money, but understood it was necessary. Did he just want to see if her stance on it had changed?

"I do want to get you allllll the things I couldn't before and set up a good life for you to enjoy. You are the type of woman who can't sit still and be pampered like a brat, even if I wanted to do that. Seeing how happy you were coming home from work, I understood that you need to be able to do your own thing. Even if I would like to keep you all to myselffff." He grinned up at her, talking animatedly with his hands out by his sides.

"Okay..."

"It'll be arranged for you to have a similar job if that's what you want. Butttt! I'm still going to take care of everything else. If I'm going to keep you safe, that's what's going to have to happen. At the same time, I don't want you feeling miserable and stagnant sitting there waiting for me to pop up. I want you to want to be with me... This way, we'll be meeting each other halfway...I suppose. I know you're not interested in riches and bullshit, but I will take care of you so that you're happy. If you are, then I am. Besides...if I wanted a lazy trophy wife who just did as I said without giving me a fight and laid around spending my money and waiting for a roll in the sheets, there's plenty of whores under the bridge who'd jump at the chance to do that." Jack's brow raised as he cocked his head to the side, enjoying her reactions that kept shifting as he spoke.

"If that's what you want, who can stop you all-powerful-one? I'd say I was curious why you know where all the hookers are, but I know you're just trying to get a reaction out of me. Just trying to see if I'd get jealoussss..." She mocked the way he spoke, drawing out the end of the words. His dark eyes lit up at her teasing, grinning at her response. Unlike others who followed what he said to the letter, she could read between the lines...most of the time. It wasn't lost on her that if anyone else had done that, there would be a knife cutting out their voice box.

"You're not curious? Even a liiiiittle?" Even if he had enjoyed the company of prostitutes, it wasn't something that a person would want to hear. He was just bullshitting to flame her interest and see if she felt the same way he did. The way he grabbed her throat before just because she mentioned that Jin could cause arousal with his ability from a single touch had told her all she needed to know.

"...Do you want to die a terrible death at a young age?..." That was what he was doing. Gauging her reaction and seeing if she would fight him when it needed to be done. Making sure the things he enjoyed about her were all still there in a familiar place. She would respect his wishes when he did things for their interest, but when something didn't sound right, she let him know. "Sometimes, your mind games are annoying."

Jack reached up and grabbed her shoulders, pulling him down against him. The pinkette shifted to lay on his chest comfortably, giving him another smack on the chest, for good measure.

"That is one of the many things I like about you. You won't take my shit and actually listen and think about the crap that comes out of my mouth. Before, no one else listened to me... Now, everyone does everything I say without a second thought...for the most part. I need someone who will tell me I'm annoying that isn't trying to lock me up." Sighing, he ran his hand through her hair, knowing she was listening carefully.

"For years I was alone because I'd just keep comparing everyone to you, even though you were suppose to be dead. I... I guess I just really couldn't get over it, even when I tried to force myself to. It haunted me, day in and day out.. Thinking you died alone because I went on a stupid job for some damn money. It drove me mad. I blamed myself, your mom and Todd, the police, Gotham...everyone and everything."

Sakura felt her chest tighten painfully listening to him. Watching him as spoke, she could feel the lump in her throat building back up, feeling guilty and so sorry for all that happened. Jack was staring up at the night sky, still running a hand through her pink locks.

"So...what were you going to do if we hadn't run into each other?" The thought couldn't help but keep popping up in her head.

"Just keep doing what I do best until someone had the brains or balls to kill me... If I'm going to go down, it's gonna mean somethinggg ." He had no value on his own life aside from the message he was sending out to the world. No one would be able to kill him until what he was doing was clear as day...whether it was spelled out in flames or the fireworks he enjoyed so much.

"That...really makes me sad." They sat in silence, just lying on the ground. Both were deep in thought on different trails of their minds. Sakura turned her head back to look at him, wishing she could take a peak inside that head of his.

"Nothing lasts forever... Not money, not lives, nothing. Eventually, everything burns..."