A/N: Hope you enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to show me your love... or hate xD

"Master Bruce, it seems that the Joker has assaulted yet another Doctor." Alfred stated with a bit of grimace.

"That makes a total of seven doctors, including Dr. Adam." I mumbled, "Did they state any similarities to the previous casualties?"

"Yes Master, several hits to the chest, mostly on the left side, as some had stated." Alfred replied, and then added sardonically, "It's rather weird, not that I am saying any of the previous clown's actions had made any sense."

"Thank you, Alfred." I replied, and then pulled back my concentration to the screen.

So far, seven assaults. All to the chest, and some victims specified that the hits were more concentrated on the left side of their chest. Alfred was right. It is weird.

What does it all mean? Why doctors? Why the left side of their chest...? The heart? Dammit Joker! This doesn't make any sense!

This was getting really frustrating, for it had been more than two weeks since the Joker's escape and I didn't have a single clue of where he might be. I could barely concentrate on anything else, and Nightwing saw that and offered his help. At first, I refused profoundly, but then I had given up and took on his offer. Fighting criminals with a preoccupied mind had proven to be extremely unwise; I had found myself in a highly, unfavorable position not once but twice.

Guess my theory about the Joker was right after all; I could never find the evil genius unless he wanted me to. Obviously, everything that happened in the past was according to his rules. And I? I'm a mere pawn in his sick game of chess.

"Master, dinner is ready." Alfred stated, interrupting my train of thoughts.

"I'm not hungry, Alfred." I replied dismissively.

"Master Bruce! I beg of you, you have already skipped breakfast and lunch!" Alfred exclaimed in dismay, "I'm afraid of what might happen to you if you continue this way."

He was right; eating had been the least of my concerns these days. I had lost quite some weight and it was showing. I felt bad for making Alfred worry about me, I really wanted to try harder for him, but the Joker had consumed each and every part of me.

"I'm sorry, Alfred." I apologized sincerely to the old man, who had never failed to serve me well.

"Master, I would rather see you eating than apologizing. Which seems, by the way, you have taken quite a habit of these days." Alfred pointed out with deep concern.

"Then serve me the best dish you have, and I promise I won't resist." I replied with a forced smile, trying to reassure him even though I honestly didn't feel like eating.

"Thank you, Sir." Alfred replied with a relieved smile, then bowed and headed back to the manor to fetch me dinner.

It was eight in the morning when Commissioner Gordon called with news of the Joker.

"The Joker has left you an invitation, Batman." Gordon stated, "I'm sending it to you right now."

Few seconds later, a photo popped up on the screen, showing some abandoned building, and in the middle was an unconscious guy tied up to a chair. His shirt was ripped off and something was painted on his chest.

Well, I do hope he's unconscious and that is just paint.

"A virgin tear, at last quarter"

"So what do you think?" The Commissioner questioned curiously, "Do you have an idea what it means?"

"U-hum. I guess so, thank you Commissioner." I replied and hanged up abruptly before he could ask any further questions. I was honestly grateful for the info, but I didn't want the police anywhere near this.

A virgin tear?

So the Joker knew that I had seen that tear he had desperately tried to hold back. If I were right, then the meeting location would be the alley. And 'at last quarter', which I suppose means at midnight, when the last quarter moon rises, around sixteen hours from now.

Finally Joker... Thank you...

For the first time in weeks, I felt lighter...my heart felt lighter.

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, but the next will most probably be the last and I just don't want it to end yet!