It has been a serious struggle to get this bitch posted. I'm drained just because of that. Like, I've been trying to post this shit for days, and I finally got it...

I'm sorry for that little rant, but I had to get it out. This is a bit shorter than I wanted it to be, but I wanted to get it posted, so... Yeah.

Read and enjoy, my lovelies!

By the time I was done with Cat and made it home, the sun was out, and I could feel the bags forming beneath my eyes. I stripped myself of the cat suit and tossed it in the corner for me to wash later. I half-assed debated taking a shower, but I lacked the energy to do so. I'll do it later, I told myself, before I meet the Joker again. I almost cried at the idea, not ready for another round of abuse on my body. I dragged my tired body into my room and crawled under the covers, not bothering to put on any other clothes. My eyelids glued themselves shut before my head hit the pillow, and I went into a deep slumber.

When I woke up, it was beginning to grow dark outside. I checked the clock: 7:48. I groaned and wiped the remaining drool from the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand and dragged my sore body to the bathroom. I filled the tub with hot water and stripped myself of clothes before slowly stepping in the near-burning hot water. My cuts stung like hell, but I gritted my teeth and sunk in lower. I closed my eyes and sighed as my body adapted to the water's temperature. I stayed there for at least an hour, draining the water and refilling it when it became lukewarm. When I stepped out, my fingers and toes were effectively pruned, but the bruises scattered across my body weren't feeling so bad.

I got out some extra bandages from the cabinet over the sink and covered the worse cuts leftover from my training session with Joker. I got a towel from the closet next to the sink and wrapped it around me, opening the bathroom door to go to my room. I shivered slightly at the change in air temperature but crossed the short hall to my bedroom, turning the light on as I did so. I dropped the towel to the floor, crossing the room to get to my closet and pushing the door open to find some clothes.

Once I was fully dressed in some black pants and a t-shirt, I turned to the mirror on the dresser, crossing the room to stand before it. I looked at my reflection in it, not surprised by the dramatic changes that'd swam up in to the surface in just the past few days: my eyes, once bright and lustrous as honey, now stared back at me, dimmed and dulled by the dark bags sagging heavily beneath them. My face seemed a bit pale, but that was normal since I had spent most of the winter indoors, as always. My hand wandered up to touch my hair, the red strands clean and healthy; it made a sharp contrast with the rest of my appearance.

The sound of a key being turned in the front door made me freeze. I frowned, wondering who could've been there; did Joker have keys to my place? Is that how he got in the first time? I got the knife he gave me out of the pocket of my other pair of pants tossed haphazardly on the floor at the foot of my bed and crept to the door. You know, just in case it wasn't a wanted visitor. Not that Joker was a wanted visitor, but… You get the point.

I flickered my wrist, quickly releasing the blade from its confinement and poked my head out of the room. I nearly dropped my knife at the sight of him.

"Jade?" James spotted me, his grey eyes uncertain.

He closed the door behind him, turning to cross the room towards me. He looked different and the same since I last saw him. His light brown hair seemed a bit longer, and there were little tuffs of hair on his chin and upper lip as if he hadn't shaved in a week or so. He seemed like he hadn't slept in a while according to the bags under his eyes. Surprisingly, his clothes weren't as rugged as the rest of his appearance— his button down shirt and dark jeans had very few wrinkles.

I'd assume he had just come from meeting a client, but I was a bit preoccupied with my lingering anger towards him. It was hard enough to not let it go, at least until I got what I wanted from him. I resisted the urge to walk towards him, choosing instead to cross my arms. "What are you doing here, James." I demanded, my stare hardening.

He sighed, his eyes tired. "I'm sorry, Jade, I should have been honest with you earlier. I know that."

"Then why haven't you?" I asked, pushing off of the door frame and walking further into the living room. I stopped just outside of his reach. "I thought I could trust you, but not if you keep secrets from me."

He started to reach for me, but stopped himself. "I know, Jade, but…" his voice faded, and he pursed his lips, the words seemingly stuck in his throat. "I guess I knew you wouldn't trust me again if you knew."

I frowned, growing more impatient, "Knew what, James? Just spit it out." I shifted my weight, uncrossing and then crossing my arms again.

He bit his lip in thought, trying to gather his words. After another few moments of heavy silence, he spoke, "I… I used to work for Joker."

I blinked, not quite sure I heard him correct. "Work… for Joker?" my arms fell loosely to my side. I blinked again, trying and failing to process the information, "Why? W-When? Why didn't you tell me?"

I crossed over to the couch, sinking into it; James followed, sitting next to me. "I didn't tell you because I didn't think I'd ever have to be involved with the guy again. I haven't done any jobs for him in two years; I didn't think he'd start going after you. If I'd know, I—"

"You'd what, James? There's—" I snapped, feeling my temper rise. But with a sudden revelation, I froze, my eyes widening as I looked at James again. "Is that how he found me? Through you?" I leaned away from him, emotions building up by the minute. I didn't know what to think. My breath rushed out all at once, and I couldn't get enough air in quick enough to replace it.

"Jade, please." James scooted closer, tucking my hair back and cupping my face with his hands. "Breath, Jade, breath."

Once I was sure I wouldn't pass out or cry, I leaned out of James's hold. "How long did you…"

James sighed, sinking back into the couch. "I was about the age you were when I found you. Like I told you, after my baby sister died, I dropped out of school. I starting hanging out with people I shouldn't have, and eventually, I almost got caught because of them."

"Almost?" my brow raised on its own accord as I pulled my legs up to hug them.

He gave me a look, obviously not liking the interruption. I made a face, but gestured for him to continue anyway. "Yes, almost. It was a sour deal. I was supposed to deliver something to one of Maroni's guys, but a cop showed up instead." He continued. "Joker killed the cop that was going to take me in."

Somehow, I wasn't surprised. "Of course he did." I muttered, shaking my head a bit.

"It started off as a job to pay off the debt from him keeping me out of jail. But then, he offered me another job, and the pay was too good to pass up, at the time. I was a kid on the streets; I didn't have anything." He said in an almost pleading tone. His eyes searched mine for something, but not finding it there, he continued. "So I kept going back until I had saved up enough money to get better equipment. Then I'd started gaining other customers, but it was hard getting away from Jay. I hadn't really tried then… but when I met you…

"I thought I could slowly stop going to him. I'd started off with only going a few times a week, then a few times a month, then a few times a year… but he noticed and followed me once to see why I hadn't come in a while. It was how he found out about you." His voice got quieter as he spoke, and guilt laced his tone as he lowered his eyes. "I'm sorry, Jade. I never would have gotten you—"

I placed my hand on his arm, cutting him off. "It's alright, I think. I'm not as mad as I thought I would be. I just need some time to process it." I said, stifling a yawn. "I've been so tired lately."

Suddenly, James pulled me into a hug, nearly crushing me with his relief. "Thank you, for understanding." He murmured, burying his face into my hair.

I huffed, my lip curling into a half-smile. "I can't really judge you for working for the guy since I technically work for him too." The words still tasted bitter on my tongue, and I scowled.

James paused, pulling back to look me in the face. "He's still making you do jobs for him?"

"Yes." I said quietly, watching James closely for a reaction. "But you shouldn't be worried about it, he—"

"Shouldn't be worried? Damn right I should be worried; if something happens to you, it'll be my fault." His grip tightened on my arms as he stared at me, again searching for something and not finding it.

"No, it wouldn't." I said, not convincing myself with my own words. By the look in James's eyes, he didn't believe them either.

After a long, pregnant pause, he spoke again. "You need to leave Gotham. It's too dangerous here, he's too dangerous."

I shook my head, "He'll find me wherever I go, James. There's no use in running."

"You have to at least try…" he pleaded with me.

Silence filled the room again, growing almost unbearable until:

"Now, now, Jamie-boy… I thought I told you to keep your nose in your own, ah… business."

I do believe that is my first cliffhanger... kukuku (that's my evil laugh). Things are about to get really, really interesting. Please review and tell me how you liked it (what was your favorite part? What do you want to see?). Your feedback will be greatly appreciated! See y'all later! :D