I keep trying to go over the 2,000 word obstacle in my way, but the only way for me to stick to my outline would be to stick to about 1,500 words. *sigh* How troublesome. I didn't mean to upload this tonight, but since it was ready, I just said, "Fuck it. It's going up now." The woes of being impatient. I think I'm rambling. I don't know. I'm tired again. I'll stop yapping now. Enjoy, give feedback, and... stuff.

When I woke up, the smell of bacon intruded on my senses and made my stomach rumble in its mighty hunger. I wiped the eye boogers out of my eyes as I stumbled out of bed. I wandered into the living room, staring at James as he typed away on his own computer and munched on a piece of bacon hanging out of his mouth. I snorted at the sight, and his eyes darted over to look at me briefly. "Mornin'." He mumbled around the food hanging out of his mouth. Then he pretended to check a watch on his wrist that wasn't there. "Nope, I mean afternoon."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh shut it. You'd sleep in if you were in my shoes, too." I said as I crossed the room to get to the kitchen, staring gleefully at the mini-mountain of bacon near the stove. It was moments like this that made me thank whatever God out there that I had met James. That boy could make some bacon out of this world…

"Jade!" James yelled.

"Huh?" I blinked, realizing that I had been fantasizing about the bacon. Oops.

I grabbed a few pieces on a plate and went back to the living room, already munching on a particularly attractive piece, and sat on the couch next to James. "Were you shaying shomething?" I said around the delicious meat.

James gave me a deadpan look. "Swallow before you speak, idiot. And yes, I was talking to you." He shook his head and mumbled something under his breath. "But anyway, I got the blueprints Joker wanted you to get."

I frowned and opened my mouth, but he cut me off. "I know you wanted to do it, and I'm not trying to baby you. It's just that he's dangerous, Jade. I have my reasons, trust me."

James's eyes were begging me to believe him, but I adverted my gaze. "Which are?" I asked.

He stayed quiet for a beat. "I can't tell you."

My frown deepened, and I nearly tossed the plate onto the coffee table, suddenly losing my appetite. "Let me guess, you're trying to protect me?" I snapped, my temper rising.

James sighed tiredly. "Please don't start, Jade. I can't. Just trust me."

I stared at him, my lips in a tight line. I wouldn't let this go. "Ok. Fine." I clipped, grabbing my computer and standing from the couch. I went into my room and closed the door.

"Jade," James said from the other side of the door, his voice muffled. "Stop acting childish."

My head snapped towards the door so quick, I thought I'd get whiplash. I'm acting childishly?! I stalked back to the door and threw it open, nearly yelling, "I'm acting childish? How dare you stand there and call me childish when you're the one keeping secrets! I— I can't believe you'd— you know what, forget it. Get out." I had been jabbing him in the shoulder with every sharp word, but with the last word, I shoved him backwards, towards the door.

"Stop." James grabbed me by the arms, forcing me to look at him.

I shook my head wildly, not wanting to hear another word out of his mouth. "I refuse to talk to you until you tell me the truth, James. Get out, and don't come back unless you're ready to be honest." I pried his hands off of me, pushing him again.

He stumbled a few steps backwards, standing still for a moment as he stared at me blankly. I stared back, my breath uneven as I tried to control my anger. Finally, after what felt like an entire century had passed, he turned and left. I locked the door behind him, sliding the chain in its slot as an extra precaution. I leaned against the door and sighed, feeling more tired than I had last night. Why was James being so secretive lately? Since I had told him about the Joker incident before I had even been kidnapped, he had started getting more protective, like he didn't want me to be involved with the Joker. I mean, that part is understandable, but why not tell me why? I had a feeling that there was more to this than what he was telling me…

James pulled his hood over his head and left his apartment, walking down the streets towards the edge of the Narrows where he knew a certain set of warehouses were located. The air felt dry in his mouth, and he swallowed nervously. After the short walk, James arrived at the warehouse he was looking for. He went inside, straight past the men gambling in the main room, and went up the stairs to the small set of rooms in the back of the warehouse. He turned down the last hallway and knocked on the last door at the end of the hallway.

"Come in." the voice inside drawled.

James pushed the door open and leaned to the side to avoid the dart coming straight for his head. The man behind the desk cackled loudly, slapping his knee. "Nice reflexes, Jamie-boy." Joker grinned at James from behind the desk he sat at, his feet propped up on its top and his hands toying with the remaining darts. James closed the door behind him, glancing at the board that hung there before he moved out of the way as another dart flew towards the board.

"We need to talk." James stood off to the side of the door, his arms crossed and his eyes serious.

"Straight to the point, eh?" the Joker giggled and threw another dart. "Alright… talk." The Joker sat back in his chair, all playfulness gone from his face.

James hesitated a moment, gathering his words before he spoke. He knew the wrong ones would get him killed. "Why did you make Jade get those blueprints when you know I could have gotten them?"

The Joker smiled again. "A bit, ah, jealous, are we?" he asked slyly, laughter bubbling up again. He threw another dart.

James gritted his teeth in irritation, knowing the other man just wanted to get him to lose his temper. "No. You know I could have done the job just as easily."

Suddenly, the Joker stopped laughing. "Ohhhh, come on now, Jamie-boy. I, ah, know what you're doing." He dropped the last dart onto the desk in front of him. "You're protecting her. Why, ah, why do you care?" He leaned forward and laced his fingers together in a mock thoughtful position, resting his chin atop his gloved hands.

"Oh!" he jumped up, as if struck with a new idea. "You're trying to, ah, get a redo. Ya know, replace your dead sister."

James clenched his fists and held his breath in an attempt to hold in his rage. "Shut up." He said through clenched teeth.

The Joker let out a sharp bark of a laugh. "Still a, uh, sore spot, huh?"

James shook his head. "She doesn't matter. I'm here about Jade."

The Joker looked at James for a moment, studying the younger man with a peculiar look in his eye. "Let's make a deal, Jamie-boy." He said suddenly, clapping his hands and moving around his desk to walk towards James.

James stared warily at the approaching man. "What kind of deal?" he asked.

"We, ah, both know about your little history, right? And I'm guessing you wouldn't want Jade to find out about it. I won't mention it to her." He grabbed James by the throat and pulled him closer, glaring at him as he spoke his next words. "And I suggest you keep your nose in your own business if you want to keep it, understand?" he hissed.

James had barely nodded when Joker released him roughly. Joker began to pace in front of him, "Jeez. You barge in here as if this whole thing is my fault. If it weren't for you, Jade wouldn't have to be involved." The Joker gave another cackle-laugh but then shook it off as if he had strayed off topic.

He turned abruptly to James. "It's, ah, been nice chatting with ya, Jamie-boy, but I have things to tend to. Don't worry, kiddo. I won't hurt your little toy." He smiled again, showing off his yellowed teeth.

James gritted his teeth but chose not to speak. Instead, he nodded and slipped out of the door, moving to close it behind him, but Joker grabbed it. "And please do come by if you need any more work."

Joker's laughter followed him out of the warehouse and onto the black streets of Gotham.

I just remembered. The whole feedback thing is important. Let me know if I'm keeping Joker in character and stuff, and let me know if you have questions or... stuff. I kind of feel like I'm talking to myself sometimes, so feedback would be nice. Bye til next time.