"MMmm." Alena woke up quite late the next morning, feeling relaxed and refreshed from a very good night's sleep. She moved her hand over to where she thought Bruce was, but only felt a pillow.

"You can't be serious!" She groaned as she looked at the empty spot next to her. She sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes jadedly. When she slowly opened them again, she smiled.

Just a few feet from the foot of the bed on her petite coffee table were a red rose, a muffin, and a letter.

Getting out of bed, Alena looked around her apartment for her blue robe. Finally, she found it hiding under her bed. She put it on and went over to the table.

Opening the blank envelope, she read the words inside in her head:

Since you haven't been sleeping well for a while, and am now making up for all the lost time, I decided not to wake you. I have a few things I need to take care of today. I'll be over later and we'll go out and have lunch somewhere. I'm sure you'll probably wake up five minutes before I come, but even still, I know your appetite. So, here's a muffin to keep you satisfied for now. Don't worry its chocolate chip. I want to see you smiling when I get back there.

By the way, I couldn't find my mask. Please look for it!

Bruce

"What a mess!" she teased to herself as she picked up the muffin. With that in hand, she went into her bathroom to take a shower and get dressed before he did arrive. She didn't know what time it was; she found her clock broken on the floor. She still couldn't believe how rough they were last night. But, Alena wasn't complaining.

About a half an hour later, Alena was combing out her long, excessively straight, brunette hair. She looked at herself in the mirror, wondering if the tan corduroy pants and long sleeved white top was nice enough to go out with Bruce. She didn't have a lot of variety when it came to clothes since she couldn't afford a lot of them; but what she had she made it work.

Just then, from outside the bathroom door, Alena heard the front door shut. He was here. Suddenly, she had butterflies in her stomach, which was kind of silly. She knew Bruce; she was a mature adult. Why was she getting those stupid teenage feelings? The same feeling happened when she was first kissed by him. It's so strange when you love someone you feel so incredibly stupid.

Alena felt even more stupid when she opened the bathroom door and came out, "You were starting to worry me, I thought you were-"

She froze. It was Bruce. In fact, it was someone quite far from the appearance of Bruce. That's only because the man at the door was wearing a pasty face with stained red lips.

"Jack." Alena said in her coldest voice.

Joker grinned pleasantly at her, enjoying the three lug heads as his brut squad by his side, "My dear Detective Davencourt. It's just wonderful to see you again!"

"How did you find me here?" she asked as two of his men led her away from the bathroom and over to the coffee table. Thankfully, Alena had taken the letter from Bruce with her into the bathroom. Hopefully, Joker wouldn't think of going in there. But, from what he said next, it seemed unlikely.

"Oh, just got a little help from a guy who knows a guy how knows a guy that knew how to track down someone in a city-wide radius! I just thought our nightly meetings were just not enough; I've missed seeing your delicate face."

He reached out and touched her face with his purple glove. Alena moved her face angrily away from him. Annoyed, Joker glanced at the man closest to her, and he hit her so hard that she flew backwards behind the bed, on the side of the balcony.

Alena coughed as she laid there out of there sight, but knew she couldn't go anywhere. She was trapped. However, something was pinching into her neck. Reaching behind her head, she found Batman's mask. Hearing Joker's footsteps approaching, she quickly threw the mast deep under the unmade bed.

Finally coming face to face with Joker, he noticed her unusual surroundings, "You know when we showed up at the apartment, I couldn't believe my eyes. You've really lowered your standards of living just to hide from me. I mean, look at this dump! I'm surprised that you don't look like the mess that you live in! It looks as though a giant hurricane swept through the room! Oh, it's not your room; it's your entire apartment!"

He chuckled, but Alena was unimpressed. She got up slowly and felt the spot in her stomach where the jerk had hit her. She was fine; it wasn't anything major.

Even though she hid it well, Joker knew that she was worried. Tempted to enjoy her misery even more, he snapped his fingers. One of the men went to the door and locked it while the two others grabbed Alena and tied her hands and feet to her kitchen chair. Then, they tied her mouth with a bandanna; which surprised and frightened Alena since she thought they wanted her to talk.

So, she asked, "Mmph mmph mmh!"

Joker smiled and lowered her bandanna slightly, "I'm sorry, what was that?"

"Nothing, I just assumed you wanted me to tell you something."

"Oh, I do. But the question I'm after will be hard to get out of you, and the only way you'll tell me is when you get exhausted from screaming out of pain!"

"You never know, I could make this easy for the both of us. What's the question, Jack?"

However, Alena had great suspicion that she knew what he would ask him, and she prayed that is was something else.

But, Joker's green eyes pierced with insanity, and she knew he would torture her anyway.

"Alright. Tell me the true identity of Batman. It's plain and simple!"

Shit, was all she thought. But she wouldn't let her fear show, she was prepared. Making a brief chuckle she reacted, "That jerk? Listen, yes he's one of the good guys and yes we've been helping each other try to take you down, but I don't know his 'secret identity'! He doesn't even trust me; he thinks that I'm undercover for you and that I'm just following him around! It's so naïve; that's one of the many things I hate about him."

Joker's every narrowed, and they stayed in a very uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. Just after, one of his men piped up, "Sir?"

Joker immediately turned and took him to the far corner by the window. The other two men stood in front of Alena as she tried to watch them. However, she gave up and relaxed as much as possible in her chair she was tied to.

But what the two men didn't know was the she was listening very intently to what the man behind them was saying to Joker; she had very sharp ears.

"She's not lying boss; every time we go out to fight them, they're constantly arguing. And it's not friendly. I've heard them say things to each other that clearly indicate that they want nothing to do with each other besides 'fighting the good fight'. Just though you outta know."

Soon after, Joker walked straight up to her. In her mind, Alena knew that he hadn't bought the man's speech, even though he was being honest. But still, she knew that Joker would be clever enough to see right through her.

Seriously and coldly, he asked, "I'm sure since the passing of your beloved parents and fiancée; you've had a hard time opening up to people. Tell me," from out of his black coat, Joker revealed a pistol and aimed it an inch from her temple, "do you trust him?"

Without flinching a muscle, Alena froze her violet eyes to his, "Never have, never will."

The room stood still, everyone wondering whether Joker would pull the trigger or not. Then suddenly, "BANG!"

Alena had closed her eyes just as she heard the sound. However, she felt no pain. She felt nothing. She felt the same. Opening her eyes slowly, she frowned even bigger than before.

Joker laughed as he jumped up and put the gun away. Alena was enraged that he would insult her like that, shouting out without any warning and not knowing whether it would happen or not.

"You are the biggest son of a bitc-" but Joker cut off her shouting by covering her mouth with his purple glove.

"Shh, don't worry darlin', there'll be another bang! Oh, but not for you though. No, this will be called 'The Big Bang'. I bet that's what they'll call it in the papers! However, I do encourage you to come; it will be one hell of a performance, and I'd love a leading lady by my side for it!"

He let go of her mouth, and leaned it to plant a kiss on her. However, Alena wouldn't have it. She spat in his face before he had a chance. Joker wiped the saliva from his face and laughed.

Finally, Joker stood up straight and began to walk out of the room, "Alright Deedee; until next Saturday night then!"

But, he didn't leave without a little vengeance. Two of the men stayed behind. One kicked her in the leg and then the other punched her in the same spot that the same man had done when they first entered her apartment.

Smiling as they watched blood come out of her mouth, the men pushed the chair over, causing Alena to fall; completely helpless. The men laughed as they left the apartment, joining Joker and the other guy in the only operating elevator.

The elevator doors closed, just as Bruce came walking up the stairs. He naturally went to Alena's door, which had been shut, and stopped himself before he knocked. He wanted to make sure he looked good. He dusted off his black slacks and rolled up the sleeves of his blue button-down shirt. Running a hand through his hair, he was satisfied with its smoothness. It was obvious he wanted to make a good impression; even though it seemed there was no topping the night before.

Clearing his throat, Bruce knocked on the door. No answer. He tried again. Nothing. So, he called out, "Alena, you there? It's just me, Bruce." Still, nothing. Bruce was thinking that she might be out, but he had a gut feeling. So, he turned the handle to see if it was unlocked, and was successful.

He opened the door and first noticed the still messed up bed he had left that morning. However, when his eyes lowered to the floor, his feelings changed.

"Alena!" Bruce ran over to her. He couldn't believe it; she was tied up in her own chair down on the floor.

He got a knife from the kitchen and cut her free. After laying her on the bed, he went to the sink and got a wet towel. Bruce laid it on her forehead; he saw no visible marks on her body, except for the blood still fresh on her lips. He lightly patted her on the face, "Alena, please wake up!"

Slowly, she stirred. She coughed, and more blood came out, "Bruce." She could barely utter from her mouth, she was so weak.

"Shh, don't try to talk now." He saw that she was holding her stomach, and moved her hands and then lifted up her shirt. She had been hit, hard.

"I've got to get you to a hospital!" he said, reaching to pick her up.

"No, Bruce, my identity! They'd figure me out in no time!" Alena weakly explained.

"But, you worked in my office for over two months and no one did!"

"No offense Bruce, but anybody could keep things hidden well in that place; I mean, look at you, Bats."

Bruce narrowed his eyes; he couldn't believe she was still being sarcastic even in this state, "Fine, I'll take you back to my place; Alfred will take care of you."

He picked her up carefully, and turned to walk out.

"Wait, turn around and bend over!" Alena ordered.

"What?" Bruce asked, puzzled.

"Just do it!"

He did, but was still confused. Alena reached under the bed, and then told him to stand up again.

She looked up at him, and revealed his mask, "I believe this is yours."