Bruce leaned on the kitchen island with his good arm, eyebrows furrowed in thought as he stared out the small window. The late morning sun filtered through lacey curtains, reflecting a golden light off of the copper bottoms of the pots and pans hung around the walls.

The young man didn't need to look up to feel a pair of eyes burning into him like fiery hot coals. "Please don't look at me like that Alfred," he murmured under his breath, a muscle in his jaw twitching.

"Oh?" The older man averted his gaze to the glass he was cleaning. "Like what, Master Wayne?"

"Like you always do when I come back with a new injury."

Alfred sighed through his nose, holding up the pristine glass and making sure he had gotten every spot. "No, no…I never give you a look. I'm just curious as to see how you'll manage to explain away this one."

Bruce looked down at the arm tucked against his chest in a loose sling and itchy plaster cast.

"…Horseback riding accident?"

"You don't own a horse, sir."

Bruce shrugged. "I don't play polo either Alfred, but people buy it." The older man managed to suppress an eye-roll. "Besides, I think it's a good excuse." Bruce pointed to the stitches on his forehead and smirked. "I…fell off a horse and hit a rock."

"Whatever you say Master Wayne…" Alfred replied dryly as the young man picked up his mug of coffee and headed towards the front door.

"I'll see you later, Alfred."

The butler frowned and turned to follow Bruce. "Wait, sir, where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going to see Harv down at the courthouse. Since Joker got busted, his case with Falcone was pushed back and now he's prosecuting the clown."

Alfred scowled. "Sir, if I may say…you are in no shape to be out in public so soon after this incident!"

"Just remember…horseback riding accident, Alfred." Bruce winked good-naturedly, handing Alfred his mug and snatching up his keys. "I'll be back later, Alfred."

Alfred stared as the door slammed shut and shook his head, shuffling back to cleaning dishes in the kitchen.

Bruce carefully sat in the driver's seat of his Lamborghini, still a little sore. After all, having nearly been blown to smithereens, he had an excuse to be a bit more careful. Bruce tenderly touched his forehead and winced as a stinging pain seared through his skin. He almost died that night…two days ago. He had been out for almost a full day, letting Alfred mend his broken arm and split forehead, and had awoken and gotten most of his strength back yesterday. That's when he heard the news of Joker's trial, and that's when he heard his pal Harvey would be prosecuting.

It was a big day for his friend. Plus, after his ordeal, the least he could do was watch the Clown Prince's trial. He wondered what state the crazed maniac would be in. He was surprised the Joker survived the blast at all, as he was pretty much holding the bomb before it went off. As long as the Joker was tried and found guilty, almost a given in a case like this, Bruce's near-death would be justified in his opinion.

-----------------------------

"Oh my god…Bruce? What in the hell happened to you?" Harvey laughed, though Bruce could sense the concern in his old friend's voice as he approached him.

"Just a little accident, no big," Bruce smiled, slapping his friend on the shoulder in greeting. "It could happen to anyone."

Harvey snorted and stuffed the papers in his hand under his arm. "Jeeze I swear, Wayne…you have got to be one of the most accident-prone guys I know."

"Well, we can't have it all, now can we," Bruce chuckled.

Harvey stood at the doors of the old Gotham City Courthouse, near one of the many marble pillars that created a "hall" leading towards the thick wooden doors. Bruce looked around him and frowned. This place…it brought back old memories…memories he wished to forget. As the young man stared at a certain spot near the middle of the marble floor, he could hear faint sounds…a gunshot…screams…

"So, what are you doing here? Just wanted to show off your new cast?" Harvey smirked, nodding to the plaster-covered appendage. "Wait…don't tell me you want me to sign it or something…"

"Nah," Bruce shook himself from his daze and looked over at the doors as a beefy security guard held them open for people to cram inside. "I just wanted to get a glimpse of that nut you're prosecuting."

"Ah," Harvey replied, looking down at the papers stuffed under his elbow. "Well, you're not the only one."
"You think you'll win?" Bruce murmured and received another snort from his friend.

"What's the matter with you? Of course I will. I just want to get this stupid case over and done with."

Bruce felt a slight chill as Harvey's lips turned up in a sneer. He couldn't remember the last time his old college friend looked like that. "You okay, Harvey?"

"I had to give up the Falcone case for this," Harvey growled, averting his eyes and staring at the wooden doors.

Bruce blinked a bit surprised. "I thought you'd like getting this case…prosecuting the biggest rogue in Gotham would send any lawyer into a giddy coma."

Harvey shook his head. "I've been working the Falcone case since Rache was institutionalized. I picked it up from her. I guess…I dunno…I just felt I needed to put him behind bars. For her."

The young billionaire exhaled through his nose and nodded. "I'm sure she'll understand."

"Yeah well…I'll tell her next time I see her that if the thug gets out of jail-time, it wasn't my fault." Harvey looked down at the platinum watch on his wrist and cursed under his breath. "Hey, I gotta get inside now. I suggest sitting down soon or the press'll be packing up the place."

Bruce nodded and watched his friend stride down the path with a false confidence, his black leather shoes squeaking slightly. Harvey Dent…despite the puppy-dog eyes and charming face, Bruce knew he had a vengeful streak to him. He wasn't sure what it was, but he had seen glimpses of it before. And Bruce could understand his anger at losing Carmine's trial. If he could, Bruce would have done everything to help Rachel's cause…and he knew that's what Harvey did. It was a shame, but…he was sure Harvey would soon get over it.

Bruce shook his head and hurried to catch up with his friend, casting a look behind him as some of the news reporters approached from behind chatting to their cameramen. He hoped they would ignore him as he quickly turned around and picked up his pace, keeping his head low.

He didn't quite feel like giving an explanation to his mystery injuries just yet.

-----------------------------

The courtroom was in absolute silence, people sitting at the edge of their seats in anticipation. It was a wonder that someone as notorious as the Joker actually wanted cameras in the room as the trial went on. Usually people tried to avoid that kind of publicity. But the bleached white face of the psychotic clown was pulled back in that everlasting red-lipped smile, showing off yellowed teeth that gnashed together as he struggled to contain the laughter just itching to come out. He was dressed in that garish violet suit, which was quite unusual since most convicts came dressed in their jumpsuits. White gloves clad his bony fingers and a bright yellow carnation sat neatly in his breast pocket. Beady black eyes darted around the room and he occasionally trembled. Not from fear, but from holding back the giggles.

To him, this entire trial was one big joke…and he was the punchline. The finishing touch to all this was the fact he was insane. So insane, that it was certain he'd get shipped off to Arkham and escape the death penalty for his crimes.

Harvey glanced up as the judge nodded at him, signaling him to make his closing argument to the panel of judges perched above him by a few feet.

Bruce stared from the back of the room, seated behind rows and rows of press. Occasionally he had to lean over a bit, as someone's head or camera would get in the way. But as he sat back with his arms folded across his chest (or at least slightly folded, as his cast made it difficult to move about), he was able to watch on in intrigue. Harvey was right. The case was airtight, but even Bruce knew capital punishment would be refused. The billionaire's eyes grew stormy as he stared at the back of Joker's frazzled green hair. He saw a bandage on the clown's cheek, and as he was escorted in earlier, he seemed to be suffering from a limp. Batman's instincts kicked in as he studied the clown. He was so amazed at how this man could look so calm and at peace as his crimes were listed before the court. Then again…Joker was no ordinary man.

"Your honors," Harvey began, clearing his throat as he paced before the row of people above him. "I know I'm not the only person here that can see the Joker is clearly mentally unstable. But that does not excuse him from his crimes. He clearly knew what he was doing as he robbed banks and jewelry shops at gunpoint, as well as nearly blowing a crater right in the middle of Gotham's diamond district—"

Harvey flinched slightly as he heard a squeaking laugh and turned his eyes to the Joker. The clown pursed his lips and sank into his chair as the judges frowned at him. The leading judge motioned to Harvey.

"Please continue."

"As I was saying, Joker's list of crimes is clearly thought out, and ranges from robbery to cold-blooded murder—"

Another laugh, this time louder still. Harvey snapped his head in the Joker's direction and heard the judge clear his throat.

"One more chuckle from you and you will be extradited from this courtroom."

Joker clapped his hands over his mouth and bit his lip to keep from laughing.

Harvey didn't wait for permission to go on. "Cold-blooded murder. And he obviously holds no remorse for his actions—"

"Pffff-Ahahahaaahaha!"

Harvey threw up his hands as the courtroom buzzed with whispers and rang with the loud sharp thunk! of the gavel.

"Order! ORDER!"

The Joker was practically rolling on the floor, tears in the corner of his eyes as he howled in laughter. His lawyer looked absolutely bewildered and struggled to keep the crazed clown in line.

"That's it. Get him out of the courtroom."

"No! No!" Joker cackled, waving his gloved white hands. "Please I'll…heehee…I'll be good I swear. I just wanted Mr. Dent to hear a funny story of mine."

Harvey glared and shook his head, placing a hand to his forehead. He looked up as the guards were pulling Joker to his feet, still laughing like a lunatic.

"I was…I was just thinking…hehehahaa…about, about that girl who used to be DA."

Harvey's expression went slack and his hand slipped down his face.

"She…she was a cute girl. It's a shame…hehe…a shame she got sent to the funny farm. Not that there's anything funny about the funny farm." Joker's eyes narrowed, tittering with giggles. Harvey took a step towards him as the guards placed the clown's arms behind his back.

"What did you say?"

"You know…it's gonna be fun when I get to Arkham." The clown's red lips curled up as far as humanly possible, perhaps even more. "And I'll bet she'll say the same thing."

Bruce felt his body stiffen and straightened up in his row as Harvey stood dangerously close to the Joker. If his past actions were any signal, he was sure Harvey could belt him across the face without a second's hesitation. But the lawyer knew better. He had to keep his cool. He couldn't stoop to Joker's level.

"Aww," the clown cooed, smiling at Harvey. "You really gotta learn to lighten up, pal."

"Get him out of my sight," The judge snapped.

"Before I go…at least make this guy gimme a smile."

Harvey frowned deeper. "You heard the judge."

Joker's beady black eyes grew hard and he gave a slight giggle. "Smile big, Mr. Dent."

Harvey stared for a moment, trying to process the Joker's words, when something very cold and wet splashed in his face. A stream of clear liquid squirt from the yellow carnation and found it's mark on Harvey's skin. The lawyer stumbled back in surprised and raised his hand to block the water. But it only took a split second to realize that it wasn't water.

Suddenly, the cool liquid grew hot. Scalding hot, burning. He stared, one of his eyes blurry in vision, and all of the sudden unleashed a horrible cry of pain. The Joker was cackling uncontrollably as the security guard tackled him to the ground. Everyone in the court was on their feet, camera's flashing, and some were scrambling to get out.

Bruce was not one of them. He was shoving his way past, his heart thumping in his ears as he heard a loud clatter up front. The judges were being ushered out, and left alone on the floor was Harvey Dent.

"Harvey!" Bruce squeezed through the crowd and skid to a stop by his friend. The young man was writhing on the floor, twisting and contorting in agony, one hand clutching the left side of his face. The back of his hand was blistering and raw, a strange pinkish gray color. His fingers clawed wildly, his feet thrashing and digging against the marble floors. He swore profusely and cried out, an excruciating sound that sent a cold chill down Bruce's spine.

"God someone! PLEASE! Get…get it off!" Harvey howled, managing to pry his hand away just enough for Bruce to see the extent of the damage. Half his face resembled the skin on his injured hand, practically melting off the skull like wax. Bruce looked on in horror and turned quickly, waving his uninjured hand to get someone's attention, but everyone was busy being ushered out. He grit his teeth and pulled out his cell, dialing madly.

"Hello? Yeah, there's an emergency down at the courthouse. I need an ambulance here right away!" Bruce barked out the directions and snapped his phone shut. He turned back to his friend, whose movements were slowing. Harvey's good eye seemed to be glazing over as he stared up at his friend. Bruce blinked, listening as the Joker's laughter faded off in the distance. "Hey, Harvey…you're gonna be okay. Listen to me, alright?"

Harvey shook his head, his body trembling violently. "Can't…can't feel…face…" he managed to mumble.

"We're gonna get you to the hospital okay? Harvey?"

The young man said nothing. He simply laid on the floor, shaking and convulsing, barely able to keep the hand on his face still. Bruce ran a hand through his hair and glared back over his shoulder.

"Where the hell is that ambulance!"

The young man jumped as his phone buzzed in his hand, but quickly shook himself out of his stupor and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Master Wayne,"

"Alfred I'm a little busy now. It's an emergency."

"I'm afraid you're going to have to add another emergency to that list."

Bruce sat very still, his eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"There's been a break-in at Arkham."

-----------------------------

Talia Al Ghul stooped atop one of the many grotesque gargoyles crowning the top of Arkham. Alarm bells rang loud and shrill through the air, but Talia didn't seem to care in the slightest. Her face was obscured by the black mask the League of Shadow members all wore. She turned and stared at three men, all dressed in black. One held out several cardboard tubes and nodded.

"Good," she murmured and pointed a slender arm towards the city. One of the league members frowned.

"Ms. Al Ghul…what about the bat? He will surely be here any minute now."

Talia smirked behind her mask and gave a laugh in her throat. "He will not bother us anymore."

"And the police?"

"They are busy. A crisis down at the courthouse," she smiled wider. "Now, we meet back at the hotel. I want you to study every inch of those blueprints until every corridor, visiting room, holding cell, and office is ingrained in your memory."

They bowed to her and stole off across the rooftop. Talia cast a look across at the buildings surrounding the massive asylum. With one swift movement, she bounded after the others, graceful and silent. The guards had been knocked out easily and after managing to get to the main office of the asylum director, they were able to confiscate the building's floorplans. Doctor Crane was growing impatient after she had to push back the plans a day. It wasn't like she wanted to plan it…something had 'come up'.

At least she had been able to convince the Joker to cause a distraction at his hearing. In fact, Talia was quite anxious to see what havoc the crazed jester managed to create. Her hearing perked up at the sound of distant sirens and she smiled to herself.

'I know now why father was so focused on this city…they just don't know how to give up…'


A.N: Sorry again for such a long gap. I was gone for Spring Break and had little time to write much of anything.

Hope you guys liked the chapter. I could totally see Joker using a fake squirting flower to get at Harvey. And, for the use of it in this plot, Talia needed a distraction of sorts. So...voila!

Enjoy :) And please R&R!