Authors note: Sorry for the delay! I hope your holidays were good, mine were very restful. Now, of course, it's back to the daily grind, so updates could be far between for awhile. Thanks for reading ;-)
Dick was fast asleep, on a second cot several feet distant from Bailey's cot. Bailey's own cot was settled comfortably into a corner of the cave where the warm air pooled, warding off the usual underground chill.
Bailey did not sleep. Her arms were folded under her head, and her eyes followed the bats flitting back and forth across the cave ceiling. Her mind was elsewhere.
The last three years of her life had been as close to hell as one could get while on earth. The Joker's psychological torture had been endless; the threats unspoken but clearly implied; the knowledge that those she loved were dead- even the location of his apartment, overlooking the harbor, served as an ever-present reminder that the world went on without her.
But most of all, the knowledge that she was utterly, absolutely alone.
Alone- such a full and dynamic word for such an empty feeling, Bailey mused. The feeling had been her companion for the past three years; it had followed her around like a stray dog that does not have a home and is not sure if it will ever have one. It offered no solace, and no conversation, but its presence seemed to radiate out from her in great, despairing waves. The feeling was so strong that someone had to notice it sooner or later, they had to come looking for its source they had to discover the poor girl trapped in that lonely apartment. Someone had to.
But no one had discovered her, and her desperation had only increased as first the months, then the years, dragged limply by. Eventually, she had come to realize that she would never be found, and never escape unless she took hold of the reins of her life herself. And this night, she had done just that.
On the cot, she drew the sheets closer around herself.
Was Dick asleep? She was too nervous to look. His face swam in her head, and she smiled. He was handsome, the most handsome man she had seen in a long time. Seeing his face made her feel warm inside. Of course, she thought, anyone would look good compared to the Joker. The ugliness of his soul made even his face revolting.
Bailey tossed the blanket aside and paced around the cave anxiously. Why was she thinking about him now? She was rid of him, rid of him. Had she not escaped his clutches? Was his foul body not wasting away in the morgue right now? Was his stinking, rotten face not out of her life for good?
Dick turned over and mumbled in his sleep. She stopped, suddenly aware that she was tense; her jaw was set and both hands were curled into fists. She sat down on the cot again. What was wrong with her?
Although she was not tired, she lay down. What was wrong with her? The Joker, that was what was wrong with her. Yes, he was gone, but the three years of torture were not soon forgotten. The scars would linger for a long time.
A tear slid down her face. Would she ever feel whole again? Only time would tell.
A draft blew through the cave, carrying freezing spray off the waterfalls. Dick shivered and rolled over. He wasn't asleep, and he looked Bailey in the eye. "You cold?"
She nodded. "Yes, it's drafty in here. He doesn't make you sleep here all the time, does he?"
"No," said Dick, gathering the blanket and pillow, "he just didn't want you to know who we-" He froze. "Oh, I didn't mean it like that, I really didn't. What I meant was… well…" He bit his lip.
Bailey completed his thoughts for him. "Batman didn't want me knowing who he really is, so he made me sleep down here. I understand."
Dick nodded and yawned. "I don't care what he thinks, though, I'm not sleeping down here tonight and neither are you. C'mon, I'll set you up in one of the guest rooms." He scooped up Bailey's blanket and headed for the elevator. Bailey followed.