AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hello, friends! Sorry for being absent. I've been forgetting to update this. I'm currently working on the final chapter, and I've already written the first chapter for this story's sequel, which takes place through Joker's POV (maybe this is a bad path to take, but whenever I've read stories that were strictly through one POV, I've always wanted to know what was going on in his head.), which I feel is a fun project to take on. Now... onto the chapter! Also, to anyone who really hates Derek... you may enjoy the next chapter I have in store for you guys.
I was at the Chapel and in my wedding dress within a couple hours. Nicole helped me with my makeup, insisting that my outer beauty needed to be "enhanced" so I was the prettiest lady in the room - her second to me, of course. She looked stunning in her dress - long locks flowing over her shoulders in elegant waves. Within an hour, Derek and I would be married... all I could think about was where Joker was, and the video that was left in my apartment.
"You know, I have a taser gun on my ankle holster. I could tase Dan in the balls once the ceremony is over," Nicole said with amusement.
Ah, she's becoming as psychotic as me!
"While I'd turn a blind eye to that, I think you still need to remember that you have a career to save." I smiled at her, feeling like a clown with all the makeup she applied to my face.
"Enhance my outer beauty!" - more like make me look like a different person entirely.
"Damn those laws," she grumbled as she fixed my hair, having it partially in a bun while wavy strands fell along my jaw, some borderline curling in towards my neck.
There was a knock on the door, causing me to jump. Janine, one of my bridesmaids, stepped in and grinned, her rather pudgy figure looking cute in the mint dress.
"Elaine, you look gorgeous! I wish we could have gone through with the bachelorette party," she said solemnly . "It would have been so much fun!"
"Blame Derek," I said with an eyeroll.
"Has Dan showed up yet?"
"No. When was he supposed to be here?"
I looked up at the clock - it was ten minutes to ten.
"At least an hour ago," I said with annoyance. "Is everyone here?"
"Yes . One of your old patients showed up - remember Robbie Victor, that low-security inmate you treated a couple years ago? He's out and doing really well now. He's engaged and brought along his fiancee." Janine smiled. "I think it's so wonderful to see results like that. I just wish there were more results like that out of maximum security..."
"Well, good on Robbie. I remember him - schizophrenic, self-harm issues. Glad his life has turned around." I forced a smile, though I didn't really care.
Joker, where are you? Why did you have to escape today?
"They're maximum security for a reason - you should see some of the people in the main cell block. They'll give you nightmares," Nicole said with disgust. "I had one inmate throw a cup of urine at me once. I'm lucky I didn't get a disease from that."
"Boy, I'm sure happy to hear all of these stories," I muttered as I stared in the mirror, noticing how dark Nicole went with the eyeshadow.
I smiled a little, feeling comfort in the resemblance it had to Joker.
This is your wedding night. You're supposed to be focused on Derek. Stop thinking about him.
There was another knock on the door.
"Is it safe to come in, ladies?" came the voice of Father James, the Priest who was due to wed us.
"Come in, Father," I said, feeling a little aggitated at the growing number of people in the rather small room.
"Ah, Dr. Morgan - you look very lovely. Do you happen to know where the best man is? Mr. Bryce has been trying to phone him for the past half hour."
"No, I do not. I'm sorry, Father."
"That's alright. Just wanted to check. Please be out in ten minutes so we can pray before the ceremony begins."
Nicole, Janine, and I all muttered our "okay"s and watched as the door closed.
"Can you believe Bolton? I've been at Arkham for several years, and he still can't get my name right," Nicole fumed after a few moments. "I don't know how that jackass made it as head of security. What was Arkham thinking?"
"Arkham is busy counting his cash and hoping the funding by the Wayne Foundation doesn't run out," I replied dully.
"Did you hear that Bruce Wayne had surgery recently? It was performed by the Thomas Elliot," Janine gushed.
"Tommy? He's here," said Nicole . "I invited him -" she turned towards me with a sheepish look, " - sorry, Elaine. I forgot to mention that..."
"Hey, I put you in charge of the invitations. You could have invited Scarface for all I cared."
Janine seemed too busy blushing while leaning over me to primp in the mirror.
"If Dr. Elliot is here, I really need to look good. How's my makeup? Does this dress make me look too fat? I knew I should have done a juice cleanse!" She paused. "Hang on - how do you know Dr. Elliot?"
"He and Greg are old friends. He was also quite curious to meet the woman who treated the big bad Joker herself." Nicole grinned as she patted me on the shoulder.
"And completely failed?" I muttered. "An escaped prisoner... That's going to look good on my resume."
"Oh, they'll catch him."
Soon after, we joined the rest of my family (and my bridesmaids) in a prayer circle. I looked around at everyone's bowed heads, feeling a sense of doom settling into my stomach.
I can't do this...
After Father James finished the prayer, he went off to the separate room to pray with Derek and his family (excluding Dan, who still failed to show up). My dad, pushing sixty and not looking a day over forty, grinned at me, his crows feet deeper than the previous time I saw him.
"My little girl..." he said with pride, holding on to my upper arms. "I can't believe you're all grown up and getting married. I'm so glad you're finally getting out of Gotham. Derek will take really good care of you."
He pulled me into a tight hug, and I felt his tears moisten my bare shoulder.
Trust me, Dad, Derek will not take good care of me at all...
"I'm glad you're here, Daddy," I said as I wrapped my arms around him, feeling any sentimental feelings lack.
What's happened to me? I get that I was never that sentimental in the past, but now I just feel... numb.
Dad released me and smiled, wiping the tears from his brown eyes as he waited for our cue to go down the aisle.
"Elaine, people are starting to leave," Nicole whispered to me. "We can't keep waiting on Dan forever."
"She's right," Derek said as he appeared around the corner, hanging up his phone. "I don't know if he got into the brandy a little early and passed out or what... Either way, let's get this over with."
Derek walked down the aisle and got into his position.
I'm glad he's as enthused about this as I am.
"Jerkoff..." Nicole muttered under her breath as she ushered guests into the church, pointing at the proper pews for them to be seated in.
She got up into her position, and was followed by Janine and two of my other co-workers from the Asylum.
"Ready, sweet pea?" Dad said as he offered me his arm.
I looked up at the front of the church and saw Father James standing at the alter, waiting. The traditional wedding march began to play, making me want to run in the opposite direction.
"Ready," I lied, taking my father's arm.
We walked down the aisle, and I caught smiles and tears from the remaining crowd. I caught a glimpse at Tommy Elliot - handsome as ever in a perfectly-fitted tux.
I can see why Janine was having a panic attack over how she looked. I never got an actual in person look at him before.
Derek stood at the alter, appearing to be bored as he checked his watch frequently. His brown hair glistened under the light, making him look nearly blond. He was average height and a little chunky, and had no where near the build the Joker had.
Dammit, there you go thinking about him again. Stop it!
After Dad gave me away at the alter, we proceeded with the ceremony, which felt like it took hours. After three prayers, and some quotes from the Bible, since Derek and I didn't write our own vows, Father James went over them with us.
"And if there is anyone in this room who believes these two should not be in union, please now or forever hold your pe-" Father James was cut off by a loud BANG!, followed by him collapsing to the floor, holding his abdomen.
I turned and there he was - Joker was dressed up in a poorly-fitted tux, holding a sawed off shot gun, still aimed at where the Priest stood. People screamed and started to run out of the church.
"Look, nobody else needs to get hurt," my father said as he held his hands up, slowly approaching Joker. "Please - don't hurt my little girl. Please."
"Oh, but what if what I want is for people to get hurt?" Joker asked. He paused for a moment, then hit my father with the butt of his gun, causing him to collapse to the floor, unconscious.
"Bastard!" Nicole exclaimed as she pulled the taser (which I was surprised she actually had on her) off her ankle holster and pointed it at Joker. "This is self-defense!"
Joker laughed.
"So is this," he said as he shot the taser out of her hand.
"Nicole, get out!" I yelled as Derek ran and hid behind me.
What a coward.
"Elaine, he's going to kill you!" Nicole said with panic.
Joker approached Nicole, lowering his gun in the process.
"You I didn't mind. You were one of the only skulkers who didn't manhandle me. In fact, you barely looked at me." Joker reached into his pocket and pulled out a switchblade, opening it quicker than one could blink. "I suggest you run, otherwise you might get a very different view of the Gotham skyline." He licked his lips.
What does he mean by that? Think... Joker is a known liar, but he's dead serious about whatever game he's playing here. He's not stopping at anything until he wins whatever little battle he's starting. He must have a bomb somewhere.
"Nicole, do as he says," I said firmly, not feeling panicked.
Hell, I was relieved Joker showed up.
"Elaine, I-"
"Now!" I yelled, causing her to jump.
She ran out, leaving it with just me, Joker, my father and the Priest both unconscious, and Derek.
"Is that my brother's tux?" Derek asked as he peeked over my shoulder. "What did you do to Dan?"
"What did I do? Oh, he killed himself," Joker said as he approached us, beginning to circle us like he was a lion going in for its prey. "He couldn't bear the weight of being a rapist and an alcoholic any more. I know - I found it quite shocking, too."
Derek and I turned as the Joker circled us, mostly because Derek kept spinning while clutching on to me, keeping his eyes locked on Joker the entire time.
"Why are you here?" Derek asked. "You belong back in that psycho prison!"
"Well, ya see, ah... Derek? Yeah, Derek, that's it..." He licked his lips. "A wedding just isn't done without a best man. See, in the good ol' days, if the best man would stand in for the groom if something should happen to him... Like this!" Joker shot Derek in the shoulder, making Derek scream bloody murder as he let go of me and collapsed to the floor.
"Stop! Just leave! God damn it, Elaine, do something! This psycho was your fucking patient!" Derek yelled.
"Stop? But I didn't even get to kiss the bride!" Joker said as he leaned over Derek; he hit him in the head with the butt of his gun, knocking him out instantly.
"Mister J, what is all this?" I asked quietly, feeling unsure of my own emotions.
Am I shocked? A m I angry? Am I terrified? I'm definitely not terrified... He's not going to shoot me. He would've done it by now.
"I told you - I don't share what's mine," he said as he grabbed me by the shoulders and backed me into the nearby wall, dropping his shotgun in the process. "You aren't getting away from me, Lainey. No, no... Nobody else is going to have you."
"Are you going to kill me?" I whispered.
He laughed.
"I like you, Lainey. You're too much fun for me. You're mine - I don't break the toys I'm most fond of."
"How did you even get out? Who left that video in my apartment? Why is all of this happening tonight?"
"L left the video in your apartment while I've been taking care of some loose ends in the city. And it's simple... I wanted a piece of wedding cake." He snickered. "Unfortunately, that wedding cake is your husband-to-be."
"What the hell does that even mean?" I stared at him, watching as his hands pressed against the wall on both sides of my head.
"It means I'm taking my piece, then I'm walking away with what's mine." He grinned. "In this case, that would be you."
"This is madness..." I mumbled. "The GCPD will be here quickly, and they'll have you arrested. They'll send you to Blackgate."
"I think you're forgetting I have a few cops on my payroll," he said dully, before tilting my chin up with his hand. "Time to kiss the bride..."
He leaned in and gave me a long, hard kiss that I'd been yearning for all weekend.
This needs to stop! How many more people will he kill while he's out? What if he does decide to kill me?
"Now," Joker said as he broke contact, "come with me. Time to take ol' Derek here back to where it all started for us."
Dazed, I watched as he lifted Derek's unconscious body and threw him over his shoulder.
"Grab the gun. We're gonna need it," he ordered as he walked down the aisle.
I grabbed Joker's gun and ran after him.
"Where are we going?" I asked as I hurried alongside him, feeling more anxious as we approached the door at the thought of possibly being arrested.
Joker glanced at me as we reached the entrance of the church.
"Back to the very beginning - good old Arkham Asylum."