"I'm moving in," Harri said to Adriana when she saw the jacuzzi in Wayne Manor. "And I'm not even joking."

"Of course," Adriana laughed.

"You think I'm joking but seriously," Harri said. "You and Bruce could adopt me and Antonio if you'd like."

"Would you like that, Arsenio?" Adriana asked Arsenio. "You're auntie and uncle moving in?"

Arsenio nodded with a smile.

"Yayyy," Harri laughed and kissed Arsenio's cheek.

Adriana spent the whole day with her parents, Arsenio, Harri and her husband Antonio. Bruce also joined them for a few hours before returning back to work that evening.

That night, Adriana her mother and sister spent a long time in the jacuzzi talking before their mother went to bed. Afterwards, Adriana and Harri went into the sauna.

"I'll trim your bangs," Harri offered to Adriana spontaneously as they sat in the heat.

"I just had them cut a couple weeks ago," Adriana laughed.

"Well they must be growing out fast," Harri said.

"Probably," Adriana guessed.

"I'm so glad you're out of that neck brace," Harri said. "I hated seeing you in that thing."

"You told me I looked great in it," Adriana laughed.

"Well of course I had to say that," Harri said. "But really it made me angry that someone put you in that thing."

"And it's all over now," Adriana said and reached forward to pat Harri's knee.

"Yes," Harri sighed. "I've got to get one of these things."

"A sauna?" Adriana asked.

"Yes," Harri said. "I'll tell Antonio it's what I want for Christmas."

"Mmm..." Adriana hummed and closed her eyes.

"I'm excited for the party," Harri said. "I haven't been to any fancy parties since...Can't remember."

"I'm glad you're excited," Adriana said.

"Aren't you?" Harri asked. "We all get to thank the guy that saved you. I'm really happy we get to meet him."

Adriana felt nervous. They would all be meeting the Joker. A party of this type, especially after all he had been through , was more or less an experiment. He would be breaking bread with the man who held him underground for over a year.

Adriana had already seen the Joker and told him how to behave. Not to laugh, not to make inappropriate jokes, not to look directly at anyone of they were speaking about Arsenio to prevent anyone from making the connection that he looked like him. But still, it was a delicate situation and she hoped everything would go well.

"Yeah," Adriana finally answered.

"So, tell me about him?" Harri asked.

"About..the guy?" Adriana asked. "Mr. Hayden?"

"Sure," Harri said.

"Oh..well..." Adriana said. "I guess I don't know much about him. I only saw him when he brought me out of..the cabin where I was. And he brought me to the hospital, but we didn't really talk or anything."

"Okay," Harri said. "Well he's a hero and we all can't wait to thank him properly."

Adriana went to bed late and found Bruce already sleeping. She crawled into bed and he woke up, giving her serval kisses before wrapping her arms around her until they both slept.

.

.

.

"What a dress," Harri said when she saw the beautiful pink dress Adriana was wearing to the party. "Who's it by? Elie Saab?"

"Wow...good eye," Adriana said to Harri.

"I know, right?" Harri said, tooting her own horn.

"And yours...Prada?" Adriana guessed.

"There you go," Harri said with a smile. "I'll do your makeup."

After they were dressed Adriana and Harri went down to the party, they were nearly the last to arrive. So far, the Joker and Dr. Kapoor and his wife hadn't arrived yet.

After greeting Lucius, Commissioner Gordon and their wives, Adriana found Bruce. He was talking to Sidi and Aymara was over speaking to Adriana's parents and Antonio.

"You're breathtaking," Bruce said to Adriana as soon as he saw her.

"So are you," she said and kissed him. "Hi, Sidi. You look beautiful."

"Thank you, darling," Sidi said to Adriana. "You both look lovely."

Harri was taking a glass of champagne from a server was turned to respond to Sidi.

"Thanks," Harri said. "I love your hair."

"Thank you," Sidi thanked Harri.

Adriana and Harri took as seat on one of the couches with their drinks and chatted while waiting for the announcement that dinner was to be served.

"Should I grab a few of those cream puffs?" Harri asked Adriana. "Or should I reserve calories for dessert?"

"Well...I happen to know that there's going to be croquembouche and a black forest cake."

"Oh yes, I'm going to hold on strong," Harri said and they laughed.

Their seat was a bit far away from where the other partygoers where talking but everyone heard their laughter. Adriana's mother smiled at them.

"Is Alfred coming?" Harri asked Adriana.

"Yes, he should be here," Adriana said. "Arsenio's nanny is here in case he wakes up. Oh, speaking of Alfred, there he is."

They watched Alfred walk up to Bruce and start conversation.

"This is so nice," Harri sighed and sipped her champagne. "Mmm...champagne...family..."

"Yeah," Adriana turned to Harri and smiled, but Harri was staring ahead.

"And..." Harri said and then stopped talking.

Adriana looked where Harri was looking. It appeared that the Joker and Dr. Kapoor had arrived at the same time. Adriana took a deep breath and almost couldn't watch as her parents and Bruce greeted them. She looked down into her champagne glass.

Adriana looked at Harri who was still looking ahead.

"Who is that with your doctor and his wife?" Harri finally asked Adriana.

"Oh...Mr. Hayden," Adriana said. "Jack."

Harri turned to Adriana looking a bit angry.

"Huh?" Harri asked.

"What?" Adriana asked.

"What do you mean, what?" Harri asked. "Why didn't you tell me..."

Harri looked across the room again.

"He was so..." Harri handed Adriana her champagne glass.

"Where are you going?" Adriana asked.

Harri stood up and was straightening her dress and fluffing her hair.

"We're going to go and introduce ourselves," Harri smiled and winked.

"What's with the winking?" Adriana asked. "We're both married, you remember that don't you?"

"Girl, get up," Harri said and took the champagne glasses and sat them on a small table.

Adriana stood up and walked over to the small crowd. Adriana let Harri go ahead of her, wanting to avoid the entire situation. Suddenly, the night was too nerve-wracking and couldn't be over soon enough.

She caught a glimpse of the Joker shaking Lucius' hand as Lucius introduced himself. Then she heard Harri introducing herself as Adriana's sister.

"And Adriana's here too, of course," Adriana heard Harri say and then she felt Harri pulling her arm until she was beside her. And then she saw him.

Adriana and the Joker looked at each other for a second before he spoke first. He could tell she was too nervous.

"Mrs. Wayne," he said with a smile and extended his hand to her.

He was extremely calm, poised and collected with his greeting and it allowed Adriana to relax. He didn't seem nervous in the least.

Adriana took his hand and as soon as she felt the warmth in it, she willed her body to mimic his body language. Staying calm and poised. He was polite, he was gentlemanly. He didn't embrace her hand for a second too long. She knew she hadn't prepared enough for this night. She couldn't think of anything to say back to him.

The other guests began to converse with the the guest of honor and with each other and Adriana felt herself backing away from the crowd. She felt Harri pulling on her arm, pulling her even further away from everyone else.

"Oh my gosh, he is soooo fine!" Harri whispered, her voice letting out a little squeal at the end.

Adriana rolled her eyes at Harri.

"Oh come on, you know he is! Why didn't you tell me?" Harri continued to whisper but fortunately Adriana didn't need to answer her. Dinner was being served.

Adriana sat next to Bruce and immediately asked one of the servers for a glass of wine. There was no way her nerves could sustain this evening without alcohol.

Things went pleasantly and Adriana kept mostly quiet and listened to everyone else talking. She saw Harri staring shamelessly at the Joker, and saw Harri's husband almost laughing at her to himself without making a sound. Adriana rested her right hand on top of Bruce's which was resting on her thigh under the table. She used her left hand to lift her drink and sip.

She avoided looking at the Joker until after the first course was served. Everyone was talking to each other and for a moment they made eye contact. Adriana looked down into her drink again.

"He's getting bigger every day," Bruce mentioned Arsenio.

"And smarter," Harri said.

Adriana noticed the Joker doing what she had suggested, avoiding direct eye contact with anyone while Arsenio was being discussed. Adriana wasn't sure that it would work...she knew it would only be a matter of time until someone noticed. Their resemblance was striking, but somehow they moved on to another subject.

After discussing travels and telling funny stories, Harri asked the Joker a random question.

"So, Jack," Harri asked. "You didn't bring a plus one?"

"No," he replied. "Everyone was busy."

"Your girlfriend was too busy to come to a party at Wayne Manor?" Harri asked, trying to make her voice sound polite.

"I..." the Joker said to her and looked her straight in the eyes. "Do not have a girlfriend."

"Really?" Harri asked, looking genuinely surprised. "Handsome guy like yourself?"

"Oh, Harri, leave him alone," Adriana heard her mother say Harri rolled her eyes.

"I'm just trying to get to know our guest," Harri said innocently.

"So," Sidi started to speak to change the subject. "What were you telling us about your travels to Brazil, Dr. Kapoor?"

Adriana took only a few bites of the second course and felt her third glass of wine hitting her. She finally felt relaxed, maybe a little too relaxed. She felt Bruce lift her hand and raise it to his lips to kiss it as the other guests chatted. Adriana looked into Bruce's eyes and smiled at him.

He mouthed without making a sound, I love you.

Adriana smiled and did the same.

"He's brilliant," Adriana heard Harri's husband mention Arsenio and then begin talking about him.

She glanced at the Joker who was again, looking down and away from everyone while they spoke about the baby again. After a minute or two, it began to make Adriana feel sad. With his head still tilted down, he seemed to sense her eyes on him and looked up at her. The seconds went by so slowly that they were glorious. No one noticed them gazing at each other. He looked away before anyone could notice.

"So Jack," Harri asked sweetly. "Do you have any children?"

He pushed a spear of asparagus on his plate with his fork before answering.

"I..." he said and looked at Harri. "Do not have any children. I would like to. One day, perhaps."

"It's a rewarding experience," Bruce told him. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."

The Joker looked Bruce in the eyes as he spoke. Adriana needed more wine.

"Jack?" Harri asked before the dessert was brought out later. "We can't thank you enough for helping my sister. We all love her so much and...what happened was horrible, but it could have been so much worse if you hadn't stepped in."

"Yes, we all owe you all of our gratitude," Bruce said. "I owe you everything."

"Words cannot express," Adriana's mother said gave him a smile.

"We are eternally grateful," Adriana heard her father say.

Adriana swallowed more wine as everyone spoke. The Joker listened quietly as everyone around the table thanked him for what he had done. When everyone was quiet Adriana realized that it was her turn. She sat her glass down slowly.

"Thank you," she said, her voice more quiet and meek than she had intended it to be.

"You are welcome," he said after hearing everyone.

"And I must thank you on behalf of my grandson," Adriana heard her father say.

Adriana saw the Joker looking down and away, as she had instructed.

"Ohh.." Harri said and pulled out her phone. "We should show you a picture of him! He's so cute-"

"Harri," Adriana said . "No..baby pictures.."

Harri looked at Adriana for a second before rolling her eyes. "Okay?"

Harri looked back at the Joker.

"Sorry my sister is so antisocial tonight," Harri said.

"It's alright," the Joker said.

After dessert everyone went to another room where a small band was playing music. The sounds of Spain. The sound of the guitar relaxed Adriana. Bruce asked Adriana's mother to dance and Adriana watched them go out onto the floor. Harri danced with her husband, Adriana's father danced with Sidi, the doctor and his wife danced. Lucius and his wife eventually went on to the floor as well. Aymara got Alfred to finally go onto the dance floor.

Adriana leaned against the wall, holding a champagne glass. The Joker walked over to her and she felt herself stand up straight out of nervousness.

He extended a hand to her. She was afraid for no reason, she told herself. Everyone was dancing but them. She sat her glass down and took his hand. It felt like deja vu. The masquerade ball.

His dancing was smooth and she was surprised at how good his footwork was as they moved to the sounds of the guitar and flute. As she rested her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes, she felt they were communicating without saying a word. She thought of the dinner, the questions, the way she had asked him to behave.

"Sure," she said, just loudly enough for the people around to hear her. "I'll show you where the restroom is."

He raised an eyebrow, since he had asked her nothing about a restroom, before following her out of the room. Once they were out she grabbed his hand and began to pull him along. She knew that he wanted to know where they were going but didn't ask.

They went further into Wayne Manor and he followed her up a stairwell and down a dark hallway. She was almost running ahead of him, and the light pink fabric of her dress flowing down against the floor in the dark halls of Wayne Manor made her look ethereal in his eyes.

She stopped at a door that was shut and then turned to him.

"Shh..." she said and placed a finger over her lips.

He nodded, not knowing what she was doing.

She opened the door slowly and quietly. He followed her in and saw him. Arsenio asleep. She picked up the baby monitor and muted it. She and the Joker walked over the edge of his crib and looked down at him.

The Joker stared at Arsenio sleeping. After a few seconds, Arsenio kicked on of his feet and opened his eyes.

"Mommy?" he asked as soon as he saw her. His eyes opened wider when he saw the Joker. "Dak!"

"Hi," the Joker whispered to him.

Arsenio extended both hands up in the air and the Joker picked him up. As she watched him holding Arsenio, Adriana noticed the Joker's smile. He held it for longer than she had ever seen. He was so happy.

"Mommy," Arsenio said again, sleepily and leaned his head over to rest it on the Joker's chest.

"Hi, sweetie," she said and placed her hand on Arsenio's back as he yawned. "My sleepy boy."

The Joker held Arsenio, swaying gently. After a few minutes Arsenio was asleep again.

"He's asleep," Adriana whispered.

The Joker nodded, he knew Arsenio was sleeping. And for the first time, she could see that he didn't want to let go. He took a deep breath and finally handed him to Adriana who placed him back into the crib. She walked over the baby monitor, turning it back in, and then they both left.

"Thank you," he said as they walked through the hall.

"You're welcome-" she said and then pushed the Joker back against the wall behind a large pillar. "Shh.."

Adriana peeked around the edge of the pillar and whispered.

"His nanny is right there," she said.

The Joker nodded. They stayed hidden a few more seconds until she saw Evelyn disappear into Arsenio's room. Once she was in, Adriana backed away from the Joker.

"We..." she said. "Better go."

She was almost dizzy from how amazing he smelled. Her heart was racing and her palms were suddenly sweating.

"Yes..let's," he said and started to walk away.

He remembered the way back to where they had come from and Adriana followed him. Everyone was still dancing when they returned.

Once they entered the room again, Bruce walked over to them.

"Bruce," the Joker said. "I'm afraid I must be going."

"Before you do," Bruce said. "Come with me for a moment, I have something I'd like to give you."

"Aright.." the Joker said and Adriana pretended nothing had happened and walked over to where Harri and her mother were.

The Joker followed Bruce to his office. The Wayne residence was of the most opulent places the Joker had been. In another life, places like this disgusted him, but in this moment he allowed himself to enjoy and appreciate the architecture and art surrounding him.

"Mr. Hayden," Bruce said and went over to his desk. "I won't keep you long."

The Joker watched Bruce retrieve and envelope and extended his hand as Bruce handed it over.

"It's not enough to express my gratitude," Bruce said. "But I feel that you deserve this."

The Joker opened the check and looked at the amount. He felt Bruce's hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you," Bruce said. "And again, if you ever need anything in the future, I am more than happy to help."

The Joker slid the check back into the envelope.

"I...eh..." he said and held it out for Bruce to take back. "Can't accept this. It's not necessary."

"Please," Bruce said and pressed the envelope into the Joker's palm. "It would make me incredibly happy to have you accept this token of my gratitude and of my wife's gratitude."

The Joker gave Bruce the best smile he could muster and they both went back to the party. Aymara also had to leave to Sidi was leaving with her.

"It was nice to meet you, Jack," Aymara said to the Joker.

"You too," he said.

Everyone bid Jack a goodnight and Harri came over to say goodbye. Without warning she gave him a hug.

"It was sooo nice meeting you," Harri said.

"Likewise," he said as she backed away with a bright smile.

"Goodnight Bruce," he said to Bruce and shook his hand. "Thank you for everything."

"Any time," Bruce said.

The Joker then turned to Adriana.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Wayne," he said and took her hand.

Her raised it to his lips and kissed it.

"We are all relieved you are safe," he said.

As he spoke and she tried to maintain her composure after feeling his lips on her skin, she felt him slide what felt like a tightly folded piece of paper into her hand. She closed her hand around it as he ley her go.

"Thanks," Adriana said.

Once he was gone, Adriana found a quiet place to unfold it. It was a check.

"Oh my gosh!" Harri said behind Adriana, almost scaring her enough to give her a heart attack.

"Damn Harri!" Adriana said. "You almost gave me an aneurysm!"

"Sorry, but that man is sooo," Harri said. "Ugghhh. He smelled like butterscotch. Like what cologne was that?"

Adriana sighed. She knew he didn't wear cologne.

"I don't know," Adriana said and hid the check in her hand.

"Was I rude? Asking him about a girlfriend?" Harri asked.

"Um...no Harri...just intrusive," Adriana replied.

"Yeah I know," Harri sighed. "Maybe he's gay. If he was then I was really rude."

"I...don't think he's gay," Adriana said.

"Really? You've seen his past with women?" Harri said. "Oh..wait.."

It had been months since Adriana had her gift and Harri would sometimes forget.

"No...I just don't get the feeling that he's gay," Adriana said. "Anyway-"

"I get the feeling he's blessed if you know what I'm saying," Harri winked.

"I do..and why are you even..." Adriana said.

"Oh come on! Just because we're married doesn't mean we don't have eyes," Harri said. "I could tell by how he walked."

Harri smiled and nodded as if she had cracked a code.

"Walked?" Adriana said.

"Guy with big ones walk different," Harri said. "I'm always right about this. And that one...wheewwwww-"

"Please stop," Adriana said.

"You are absolutely no fun tonight," Harri said.

"Well, I guess I'm just tired," Adriana said. "I'm...going to go get ready for bed."