A/N: I don't own anything you recognise. Hopefully the length of this chapter makes up for the delay. I know where this is going and have a lot written out by hand. Thanks for the people who have reviewed so far, it means a lot! Please review!

Chelsea sat in her bedroom and cried. She didn't even bother taking off her dress and jewellery. The dress could be ruined for all she cared. After being helped out of the party someone hailed her a taxi. The police were roaming the buildings perimeter and she could hear shots being fired. The police were checking everyone that was leaving the party to make sure they weren't clowns making their escape. They were also obtaining statements from the guests. Frankly Chelsea just wanted to get the hell away from there before the Joker could continue their little chat that he had requested.

Mind back to her room, why she had even gone to the party seemed beyond her. She was just being selfish, not wanting to miss on the fun. Fun? She gave a chocked laugh realising that walking around the big group of intimidatingly beautiful people making small talk was not her idea of fun. She really went to play games with Bruce Wayne. After six years with the one man she was excited by his over the top flirting, and it nearly cost her her life. She could mentally see him now. When the Joker ran in he probably hid behind a big group of people so the man in the make-up wouldn't see him. Yeah probably, she thought. If he was so amazing he would have stepped forward way before that Rachel Dawes did. Chelsea lay back on her pillow and eventually fell asleep, not bothering to remove her expensive clothes or put her hair down.

The next morning Chelsea went to visit Danny at the hospital. He was still in a medically induced coma while his burns healed. She held his hand and looked into his face. The policeman was still outside his room providing him with protection so what she wanted to say next she couldn't out loud. She was holding his hand mainly for show as she needed to be seen as the loving girlfriend.

'Danny' she thought 'this is it. This is goodbye. You tricked me and tried to bring me down to a level I never wanted to be on. You've ruined me, Danny. I had a career and a life and you've taken that away. I'll never forgive you for that. The people that are talking to me now you wouldn't believe. You put me on the Joker's map, you idiot! How do I get out of this one? When I was 16 I looked up to you. Now I know you haven't moved on from there and I've out grown you. When we met I had my life ahead of me. It looked good, it wasn't much compared to some other people but it looked comfortable. Now I'm running scared from people who murder and they would happily kill me. You've killed me, Danny! It makes me wonder now, did you see something dark in me when we met? Something I didn't know about which you thought would one day lead me to think it would be ok to work with the mob?' She looked across the room and back to him again. 'Ok, Danny. Sleep well'.

She got up and was nearly out the door when someone stepped into the room. Looking like he hadn't slept in a while Commissioner Gordon sat down next to the bed. "Hi Chelsea, can we have a little chat?" she shuddered when she heard those words. They were last spoken to her by the Clown Prince of Crime the night before. "I was just leaving, Commissioner".

"Hrm, yes" he got out his notebook as Chelsea continued to stand by the door. "I asked my men to call me when you came in today otherwise I was going to drop by your house. I heard you had an interesting night last night?" she looked up at him.

"Yeah, got to dress up, free food and drink. Walk around, have a chat". If the man in front of her was frustrated he didn't show it. "Yes, I heard about your little chat, or more so-" he flicked through his notes "that chat you never fully had?" She eyeballed him looking to see some emotion. He just raised his eyebrows. Defeated she sat down in the closet chair. "What do you want to know?" He smiled. "Well a few things. Are you happy to come down to the station?"

"I'd prefer to stay here" she stated folding her arms. She didn't want to stay away from home for longer than she had to.

"Ok, but please keep in mind depending on your answers we may need to head down there anyway". She nodded, bored. "Had you met the Joker before that altercation last night?"

"No" he looked up at her trying to read her emotions.

"Are you sure? He seemed to know who you were. In fact he recognised you, from what he said we are aware that he knows your partner, who you...ah, continue to say is not involved in the mobs?"

"That's right" she sat there impassively. She must be coming across as such a bitch. Gordon moved on "Ok, so from there we hear he wanted to have a chat with you. Why would that be?" She took her time in answering, trying her best not to show any emotion.

"I honestly have no idea why he would want to speak with me. I think it's fairly safe to say the guy is a bit crazy. Does he really need a reason? Maybe he was going to ask where I got the nice purple material for my dress? Maybe in his rush to get his suit made he didn't get any nice, formal evening wear?" She looked out the window. She shouldn't have done that but she was sick of the questions, drained from her lack of sleep and still wanting to know what the Joker wanted to say to her. The Commissioner just smiled at her and actually chuckled slightly. "Yes, I think it's safe to say he is insane. Tell me, with your week off work this week, where are you going?" Blank shock was etched on her face.

"With my week off?"

"Work, yes". How the hell did he know that? As is reading her mind he then continued "The nurse mentioned you told her you had the week off. You're looking a bit nervous?"

"No" she lied "I was just wondering how you knew that's all". He nodded at her so she thought she may as well be nice. "I'm, ah, just going to stay around the house, visit Danny here, have a break. This has really been exhausting".

He noticed the bags under her eyes and simply said "I'm sure it has" he became more business-like "Ms Edwards, whether you know the Joker or not is immaterial. From his actions we have reason to believe he may try to find you. I would like to offer you some protection and another place to live for at least the next week". Getting slightly agitated she spoke up "Thank you very much for the offer, Commissioner, but I'll be fine at home by myself. The Joker is a crazy man, I doubt he'd even remember me"

"He knew your face and taunted you about your boyfriend. You cannot say he doesn't know who you are". It was now his turn to be agitated "I must insist you take up my offer of protection".

"I have to go, Commissioner" she said suddenly standing up. The last thing she needed was to be closely followed by cops while she planned her escape "If I get into trouble I'll give you a bell. Still at 911?" As she walked out she knew this would be the last time she saw her boyfriend. Bye Danny, she mentally called out.

Chelsea had agreed to go into work Saturday night to fix up her notes so she could have her week off. Swiping her security card she walked into Murrey Enterprises. Even though they worked closely enough with the big companies, the office was only two stories high with around 60 employees during the day. They didn't have security cameras but instead a security guard who would drop by a few times a night to ensure things were fine. As she walked in Steve the guard was reading papers behind the reception desk. He looked up startled. "O hey! Chelsea! What are you doing at work on a Saturday night?" It was no secret that Steve held a soft spot for Chelsea, he was a year or two younger than her.

"Oh just fixing a few things up before I go on some annual leave next week" she continued on towards to the stairs.

"Ok cool" he replied craning his neck trying to watch her walk up the stairs "I'll be here!".

She walked into her office and put her bag down on the desk. Leaning back and stretching in her seat she looked around the room. Her desk was a mess, the decor was as dated as her bosses clothes and she knew she had to make her scribbled notes make sense to someone else. It was going to be a long night.

After writing out a list of her notes she began to pack up her personal belongings, not that she had many here. They were mainly text books and spare shoes for when she didn't want to wear her heels at her desk.

Chelsea jumped when she heard the desk phone ring. She realised it was the intercom. "Hello?"

"Hey Chelsea, it's Steve, you know, the security guy?" she stared at the wall in front of her waiting for him to go on "I'm heading out now but I'll be back for a check up in a few hours. You sure you'll be right?" She looked up at her watch thinking he was slacking off. She then realised it was nearly midnight.

"Yeah, that's fine, Steve. I've got my pass, lock me in and I'll let myself out. I shouldn't be too much longer". She continued working.

Twenty minutes later Chelsea had nearly finished packing when she thought she heard movement in the area outside her office. Heart thumping wildly she dismissed it as Steve finally leaving or perhaps coming back. She bent under her desk to collect her shoes and sat back in her seat. Looking up at her doorway she thought she saw something move outside it but then decided it was her imagination and continued to pack up her shoes. Seeing something again she realised she wasn't imagining it. She looks into the eyes of The Joker. She made a move to stand up as he began to casually walk into her office. All she managed to do was stumble on something and fall back into her chair.

He opened his mouth "Sit, sit. Make yourself com-fort-able" she looks up at him as he continued "Little Stevie won't be back for hours" he opened his arms wide sitting down at the chair opposite Chelsea's desk. She could see him better this time as he was closer. His face paint was even more decayed looking than at the party and she could see the stains on his purple jacket more clearly. He also smelt of a mix of stale sweat, petrol and matches. She knew she was staring, he grinned up at her.

"Hiiiii" he stated, childishly waving a purple gloved hand trying to snap her of a daze. Finally she got enough strength to talk without her voice shaking too much. "What do you want?"

"Aw no. Not business yet, we're not done with the pleasantries" he purred the last word. "How's Danny Boy?" he asked leaning back in his chair. She stared into his brown eyes.

"He's recovering" she flexed her arm involuntarily feeling stressed "But you already knew that, didn't you?" he chuckled looking around the room from side to side he then leaned forward with his eyes fixed on hers, letting his chair crash to the floor. "Well, Ms. Edwards I've been hearing a lot of funny things lately. Lots of things...some about you even" he swept a tongue over his lips "do you know what I might have heard?"

Chelsea looked up at him, she didn't know what he wanted so she let him answer. "A little on the quiet side, hrm? Well, I've been hearing that you are in a very, peculiar pre-dic-a-ment". He nodded then turned his head to the side in amusement "Being so quiet and all, I don't know if you're the type of, personality, that wants to work for the mob. And, ah, between you and me, the mobs don't usually pick their women for their personalities" he blatantly stared at her chest, again licking his lips and sitting up a little straighter.

Anger rising, Chelsea spoke up so perhaps he would look her in the face instead "Well, between you and me I don't particularly want to work for the mob". His face was set in mock shock "But that means that...Danny Boy, must have...must have....set you up!" She raised her eyebrows, man this guy was a bad actor. He leaned forward "Not much of a boyfriend, huh? He sold you out!" He opened his eyes wide and cocked his head to the side "Now that's cold!".

She looked at him casually even though her heart was beating wildly. "No...that's life". He swept a tongue over his lips and took his time in contemplation. "That's...in-ter-es-ting". They sat for a moment.

"So, Mr. Joker?" He didn't seem to mind being addressed as that so she continued "There has to be a reason why you're here. As you said we've had the pleasantries, so please...what brings you to my office?"

"You're very polite. I don't think you'd last five minutes with the mob". He looked at the boxes she was packing "Ya going somewhere?". Chelsea was worried he'd tell the mobs she was leaving town. "Well, obviously if I'm going to working for the mob then I can't keep my day job".

"Hrm....yes...but, no. No". He pointed wildly at her "You could keep it, at least for the next couple of weeks. You're going someone, Ms. Edwards. Where are you going? And before you lie to me and make up your little, excuses, I know you've already packed up most of your things in that, ah, cosy? Little apartmen-t of yours. I know a lot of things, Sweet cheeks." This was going to be difficult. He was obviously a lot more prepared, and intelligent, than she thought.

"You've been following me?" he leaned forward.

"And I'm not the only one. Let me say, Maroni and them" again he waved a hand carelessly "are more than a lee-tle suspicious of you right now. In fact, they are prepared to kill you. Think you've made your decision that you won't help them. You shouldn't have packed those things and left the curtains open, just a little bit stupid" he spoke like a parent giving advice to their child.

"But...this is where I come in" he cracked his knuckles. "Do you want to work for the mobs? Tell the truth now, I don't work for them. But, remember, they don't take too kindly to people that mess them around".

Chelsea decided it was safer to answer him. "You're right, I don't want to work for the mobs. I may though, but-" he cut her off.

"So you've made your decision? You won't work for the mobs. So really...you've chosen death, am I right? But, really, you chose death the day you stayed with Lover Boy. Uh, ba ba ba ba" she had tried to interrupt him. "Don't interrupt, it's rude" he gave her a meaningful look. "You're in a tough spot. You've told me you won't work for the mob guys. They'll be after your blood" he bit his lip and opened his eyes wide. "Now, here is your option. I'm a nice guy. No really!" he raised his voice at her as she was giving every indication of interrupting.

"I've seen your work, Honey, and you're good. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of plans...but! I know a brain-nah when I see it. And I'm looking at it" he stared at her intently with a very hard look on his face.

"Now here's the good part. I will give you a chance to work for me, if you pass the, ah, requirements. You see, if you work for me the mob won't find you...as quickly as they would if you were running around on your lonesome-ah" he indicated towards the boxes. Chelsea didn't say anything, if she works for him she would have to kill.

"You're probably thinking, why is he doing this? Does he have sympathy for me? He really cares!" he squeals jumping up and down in his seat slightly. "But no" his voice was now dark and slow "If the mob wants you this badly there must be a reason" he pauses "But...if you don't turn out to be anything special though" he mimes shooting her "then I'll just do what the mob wants to do to you anyways". He stands up, Chelsea is still silent and numb.

"The thing is though, I'm a little selective of who I let into my merry band of men...so there's going to be a little test".This knocked some courage into her

"But you're the one that wants me!" she quickly falls silent when he pulls out a gun.

"There is one bullet in this gun, so let's play a little game" he had a twisted smile on his face. He spins the barrel and holds it out to her. This must be a joke, Chelsea thought. Suddenly The Joker sweeps around her desk, taking her hand he puts the gun in it and then places the tip to the side of her head. She is shaking wildly and doesn't know what to do. She guesses he wants her prepare the gun to shoot with. She doesn't move.

"Come on, do it now" he says hastily. Chelsea tries to move the gun away from her head. Suddenly The Joker removes the weapon then hits her in the head with it. "'.cowards" he grows taking out another gun and moving around the desk to the other side to face her.

"How about this, Sweet Cheeks, if you don't shoot the gun, I'll shoot you with this one. You have a choice...certain death...or...a one in six chance". She looks up into his eyes to see if he is joking. There is a coldness there that tells her he is not. Arming the gun she shuts her eyes and prepares herself. Click. Things were the same. She could feel herself sitting in the chair. She takes in a breath. She was alive.

Eyes still shut she hears a signature hyena laugh. Opening her eyes The Joker is standing in front of her desk beaming down at her. "Good girl, good girl!" excitement radiating from him.

He stood up straight. "You work for me now. My rules...you do what I say. One word of advice...I encourage you to keep my interest-ah. When I got bored I get, ah, stabby". She nods.

"Well, you've got a lot of work to do here" he waves his arm around her office. "At your apartment you'll need to pack the essential things you want to take with you. See you soon, Toots". They both look at each other, he waits for her to speak.

"This is your gun" she said opening it. Inside there were no bullets. "Hey!" she exclaimed realising he put her through all that stress for nothing "There are no bullets in here! You were just trying to scare me!". His excited looks drains from him slightly.

"Uh, yeah?" he looks at her like she's crazy "That's one's empty but, ah" raising his gun he shoots just missing her head, letting it hit the back wall "this one wasn't...". With that he sweeps out of the room leaving Chelsea to her thoughts and a mess of chipped plaster to clean up.

A/N: Well...what did you think? Please review!