Three months had passed. The Joker had been keeping himself out of the house as much as possible. Seeing Harley's stomach begin to swell made his anger grow even more. She was beginning to get needy, well, needier than she had been. The more he ignored her, slept in his office, and refused her advances, he could see by the look in her eyes that she was breaking down. Everything was going as planned. She would be so desperate for him by the time this was all said and done, she would never defy him again.

As he stood in the steamy bathroom after his shower, his hands supported himself against the sink. With only a towel wrapped around his waist, he looked up to see his reflection. His bare face stared back at him. His eyes drifted to the mark she left on his chest so many months ago. A permanent scar that would stay with him always, her signature diamond with his wife's initials on the inside. As he continued ignoring her for the last four months, he didn't realize the toll it would have taken on him too. He knew if he gave in to her, touched her, kissed her, then his work would be ruined. She would think that she was in charge and possibly think there was a chance he'd allow her to keep that thing inside her. Oh, but he longed to be with his Ha-ha-Harley again.

He had a few brief meetings with Bane over the last several weeks. He still didn't trust the newcomer, but he did have a fascinating mind. The Joker was currently getting ready for another meeting with the man. After applying fresh paint, he stepped out of the bathroom into the connecting bedroom that was mainly Harley's now. She wasn't in the room so he picked out a suit from the closet and laid it out on the bed. He dropped the towel and walked to the dresser as the bedroom door opened. His eyes quickly darted to see Harley standing there with wide eyes staring at all of him.

"It's not polite to stare.", he said as he pulled out a pair of boxers and began to get dress.

"S-sorry, Puddin'." She looked apprehensive about staying or leaving and he gestured for her to come in. She sat on the bed and tried not to stare at him as he pulled on his pants and belt.

She bit her lip and looked up to him as tears began to fill her blue eyes. She longed for his attention. She wasn't sure why he was torturing her with indifference. She had to assume it was from the little angel who was now filling her womb with kicks and flutters. She only hoped he would come back to her after the baby was gone. As he pulled his shirt over his shoulders she quickly stood up and slowly lifted her fingers to the first button. He moved to stop her, but then let his arms drift back to his sides. He gazed into her eyes as he felt her delicate fingers slowly close each button, savoring the closeness. His breath slowly became deeper and heavier. She finished the last button and he handed her his tie. Her fingers grazed his as she took it and gently wrapped it around his collar. As she tied a perfect Windsor knot she let her hand glide up the silk material as she tightened it. His eyes fluttered to her lips as he struggled to maintain his resolve.

"Daddy.", she whispered.

That was it. He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her close to him as his mouth ravaged her own. He kissed her angrily as he mentally scolded himself, but he couldn't stop. She moved her hands to his hair as she stood on her tiptoes. Finally he growled and pushed her back on the bed. She was breathless as she looked up at him with lust in her eyes. He looked down at her as he considered his options and then he decided. He turned and walked out of the room as he slammed the door behind him. He heard her loud sobs as he walked down the stairs and met his driver.

The meeting with Bane was at The Grin and Bare It. The Joker found the man sitting in a booth along the back wall. As he took a seat, a barely dressed waitress came by to take drink orders. As she sauntered away for a couple of whiskeys, The Joker adjusted in his seat, averting his eyes from the stage.

"Tell me Joker, if you don't mind, how many times have they locked you away in Arkham?", Bane asked, finally breaking the silence.

The Joker leaned back into the seat and lit a cigarette. The drinks were brought back to the table and the waitress winked at the men. "They all start bleeding together, to tell you the truth. I'd venture to say five. Looking to book a trip yourself?"

Bane chuckled, "Do they hand out attractive doctors as parting gifts to all their patients?"

The Joker's initial reaction was to blow the man's head off with his pistol, but then he remembered that he wanted to hear Bane's plan before he killed him. So instead he smirked and leaned in, "Only if you're a good boy.", and he took another puff and downed his drink.

"I bet they have a fair collection going of Gotham's finest. Are you aware of who might currently be incarcerated?"

The Joker's eyes looked away as he mentally checked through the list of rogues in his head. "Jervis Tetch, Victor Zsasz, Jonathan Crane (he sneered), Cornelius Stirk, and about a dozen lesser knowns. Why do you ask?"

Bane leaned in and spoke in a low voice, "What's the one thing holding you back from finally getting what you want, Joker? Who's the one person that keeps you from using Gotham as your throne?"

The Joker knew who he was talking about. How dare he even think he's worthy of mentioning the name, let alone hatch some sort of scheme against him?

The Joker extinguished his cigarette and gave Bane a nonchalant glance. "Ya know, I thought that maybe, just maybe you'd be fun to play around with. I can appreciate a fresh idea here and there and I know with your intellect, you're full of 'em. But, don't try to mess with things that aren't yours." The Joker's glare pierced through Bane, his voice growing angry and intense.

"I would never attempt to-", Bane began.

"I know you're thinking of taking on The Bat and you should know that he belongs to me and only me. The Batman-", he sighed and closed his eyes as he tried to calm his rage, "The Batman will be taken down by my hand alone and only when I deem the time to be right. Get that?"

Bane put his hands up defensively, "This isn't what you're thinking, Joker, give me a chance. I think you'll like what I have to say."

J removed his pistol from its holster and rested it on the table, clenched in his fist. "Speak."

"I have no desire to take on The Batman. I only have an idea that will assist you further in your reign over the city. What I am presenting will divert his attention from you and your chaos, while he is busy putting out other fires."

"And what would those other fires be?"

"Why, the fine people being imprisoned at Arkham Asylum, of course."

The Joker's hand loosened on his gun momentarily as the gears worked in his brain. He gave a nod for Bane to continue.

"I'm quite aware of your knowledge of the facility and your expertise in pyrotechnics. I believe if we band together, you and I will be able to break out every violent inmate and let them free into the city. While they are busy spreading chaos and spilling blood, Batman will have no choice but to hunt each and every one down. Not to mention that Arkham will have to go under extensive reconstruction after you let loose on it. It will take him months to collect them all again and he will be left exhausted, drained, and broken, giving you the opportunity to do with him however you please."

"What do you get out of all this?"

"The satisfaction of seeing a city in ruin. Fear running the streets. I do not seek a position of authority, Joker, you must understand that. I work better behind the scenes."

The Joker looked around the room, eyes resting on the stage, "Get it together and come to me when you have all the pieces." He holstered his weapon and stood up, exiting the club.