A/N: FINALLY! A real update! Yay. lol I hope you enjoy this one, i really like it and i finally feel like my story can move. For a while, i felt like the chapters were all stuck, never moving forward, but this one, i feel, helps move the story along. did anyone else feel like my story was stuck for like 3 or 5 chapters? Anyway, thank you for all the lovely reviews i got for the trailer, they really made me smile! I just have to ask, was there any specific quote in that trailer that really caught your eye? If so, tell me :] Hopefully you enjoy this chapter, and the rest of my story. AS always, Review!
Disclaimer: Dont Own the Joker or Lovely Bruce Wayne, Just Annabelle.

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Freedom is not something that anybody can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be.

- James Baldwin

A day passed, followed by another, then another. The Joker had been back, taking me out to roam the building, but when I was brought back, the door was never locked. I guess he was showing this as a way of trusting me, or testing my loyalty, either way I didn't mind.

Knowing I could leave whenever I wanted was appealing, although the thought never entered my mind. In a strange, twisted way I enjoyed spending time with the Joker and his men. It was surprisingly fun.

As the days passed I made new relationships with a few of his men. Two stood out in particular.

The first guy was Caleb. He was about my age, with straight blonde hair that went down to his chin. His eyes were the deepest blue I had ever seen, which is what first got me talking to him. After that first awkward conversation about his eyes, our friendship began.

He was a college dropout who loved to paint, it was his secret obsession, but other than that he had no other skills, well other than killer aim. He joined ranks with the Joker a few months back and had been loyal to him ever since.

The next guy I grew close to was Trey. And the Joker was not too fond of it. Not One bit. Whenever he caught us talking, he would glare our way, or pull me away all together, but his sign of what I assumed to be jealousy made me laugh.

Trey was the Joker's right hand man. It was he who the Joker trusted completely with everything. And I mean everything. He even knew the Joker's name, which was a shock to me. It was hard to believe he had a life before being the Joker but I guess he had to huh?

Trey was the man I had seen the night I was drunk, and ever since that day, he joked about it to me. And although at first i was put off by his constant jokes, I got used to it. I mean, I had to. The first day the Joker toured me around the giant mansion, Trey had emerged from a room and smiled our way, laughing when he saw me. And surprisingly, the Joker had no problem with it.

Ever since then though, Trey and I had grown close, a little too close for the Joker's liking but he never said a word. After all, Trey was the closest thing to a friend the Joker had. And even then, friend was a relative term.

It had been two weeks since the Joker brought me here, and on the eve of the 15th day, the Joker burst into my room, a Cheshire cat grin on his face. I eyed him suspiciously.

He ran into the room, smashing the door against the wall, leaving a hole. He was breathing heavily, and was leaning over, his hands placed on his knees. I uncrossed my legs, jumping up from my place on the bed and walked to him, placing a hand on his back.

" What's going on?" I asked him between laughs. He just looked so funny. Sometimes I forgot he was a murdering criminal.

" Turn on the TV." he said out of breath, and I looked over to the ancient television set confused, but walked over and switched it on never the less. The image was faint, and came in and out of focus, but at least it turned on. I wouldn't have been surprised if it didn't turn on at all.

The Joker appeared behind me silently, winding one arm around my waist on the other switching the stations on the television, finding the one he wanted. It was Channel Nine news.

Both surprised and confused, I turned around to look at him, hoping to find some resolve in his sudden interest in the news, but his eyes were glued to the screen. They were big and round, the brown depths swirling with excitement, and when he caught me watching him, he motioned with his hand to the screen, not uttering a single word.

Deciding I might as well obey, I turned back to the screen watching wearily.

And then, he came on the screen. My best friend.

He was making a speech in some conference. Commissioner Gordon was at his side, and Bruce looked like he hadn't slept in days, his eyes were droopy and full of sadness. I tried to hear what he was saying, but the volume was too low. I reached out to the television, turning up the volume, completely mesmerized, and the Joker pulled me back against his chest, readying me.

"… I'm just asking for my best friend back. She's been gone for two weeks now, and we need to find her. If the Joker is listening, I'm willing to do anything in my power to get Annabelle back. Please…" I watched Bruce say, his voice cracking and full of sadness. I felt my eyes cloud over with water and I struggled to keep the tears from falling. Joker whispered into my ear.

" Unless he can produce batman, I'm pretty sure uh nothing he can do will get you back." He whispered darkly, ending it with a dry laugh. How ironic. I gulped audibly, my throat stinging with unshed tears as I continued listening to my best friend practically beg for me back.

" If anyone knows anything, please come forward. I need my best friend back." he said, ending his speech. And I could see the tear falling down his cheek. One escaped my eyes as well. Commissioner Gordon stepped up to the podium, muttered a few words, and left, the screen going back to the news caster.

The Joker unwound his arm, walked to the TV and shut it off, sighing happily in content. His smile wide and full of amusement. I, on the other hand, was anything but happy. Instead, I was full of sadness and guilt for my best friend.

The Joker was watching me, but I refused to meet his gaze. Some part of me resented the Joker at that moment. He took me away from Bruce, and now Bruce was suffering. I wasn't mad at him for taking me, but for causing hurt to Bruce.

I couldn't hold them in any longer. The tears that had been threatening to fall finally did, and I let them. I put my head in my hands and sat back on the bed, crying out the sadness I held, and the Joker cocked his head to the side, advancing toward me. His eyes no longer were filled with excitement, but more annoyance.

" Shh shh shh." He said soothingly, pulling my hands away from my face. I still wouldn't meet his eyes and this seemed to angered him further.

" Look at me Annabelle." He commanded, bending down to meet my gaze, I still tried to look away but he grabbed my chin roughly, holding my face in place.

" Now tell me what has made my little Marionette upset." He spoke curiously, searching my eyes for the answer. I didn't want to respond. How could I tell him how I felt, without seeming weak?

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the subject. I wiped the tears from my eyes and tried to calm myself down. There was no point in crying, no point in tears. They were too tiring and too messy a thing to deal with. And they showed great weakness.

The Joker moved his hand from my chin, down my neck and back up, moving it into my messy blonde locks. He kept it there for a moment, before grabbing a fist full of hair and picking me up from the bed.

" Annabelle. I'm not going to ask again. Wha-t. is. Wrong-ah." He seethed dangerously and I whimpered softly in pain. I might as well tell him now.

" Its Bruce." I whispered sadly, sniffling once. I saw the Joker's face twist into a sarcastic grin, and then scoff as he threw me to the ground laughing.

" What about that playboy wannabe makes you upset, darling?" He asked condescendingly. Laughing darkly in the process. Angered by his comment, I rose to my feet, my blood boiling.

He had begun pacing throughout the room, and as I got up, he turned back to me.

" He's my best friend. I love him and when I see him as sad as he is, it makes me sad! Is that so bad? I'm sorry if that's a god damn inconvenience for you!" I spoke frantically, acid seething out of my voce. The Joker took a second to react, and when he did, a broad smile crept across his features.

He ran toward me, pulling me tightly against him as he pressed his lips aggressively against mine. At first, I was overcome with surprise but quickly recovered and kissed back just as passionately, my anger leaving my body as quickly as it came. And a second, I thought about how moody I had become now that I met the Joker. Ha, i guess he was rubbing off on me.

After a few minutes, the kiss broke and we fought to catch our breathe. He giggled once and spoke. " That's my girl." And I knew what he meant.

I smiled briefly before I began thinking about Bruce again and sensing the sadness looming in the air, he lightly touched his gloved fingers against my lips. " I'm sorry." I breathed, and his smile curved downward, as much as was capable.

" I have two rules." he spoke, his voice getting angrier by the word. "Two rules you have to abide by, ya got me? Never cry. Ever. And never say you're sorry. I can't uh think of a worse way to die. And I know all the bad ways. Inside and out. My dear Marionette, what I hate more than everything, is apologies."

That confession from a man that never confessed… it killed me.

I stared up at him in wonder, but nodded in consent, and watched his smile reappear on his painted face.

" Good." He said happily, patting my head like a little child. I rolled my eyes up at him, pulling him closer by the lapels of his jacket. Our lips met briefly before he pulled away, skipping off toward the door.

Sighing, I spoke, situating myself on the bed comfortably. " Where you off to now?" I asked him, and he turned halfway to me, still headed for the door.

" I wont be long." Was his only response as he left the room.

I shrugged my shoulder's and looked around the room for something to do. I could leave the room, but neither Caleb nor Trey were around today. It was their day off, which they kept having more of lately, and I didn't feel like wandering the house any more.

Bored, I walked over to the mirror, fixing up myself as best I could. I was becoming increasingly worried about my appearance while around the Joker and I always found things wrong with myself. As I looked into the mirror, my blonde hair hanging in curls framing my face and cascading down below my shoulders. My green eyes were bright and vibrant, but they were missing the dark eyeliner that usually surrounded them.

My outfit consisted of a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, and an old band tee. Very comfortable and very me. But that still left me feeling insecure. I played with the way my shirt hung for a while before huffing loudly and walking back towards my spot on the bed.

The nail polish on my fingers were chipping so I concentrated on that for a while before being overcome by the boredom and throwing my hands down onto the bed loudly.

" There's nothing to do!" I whined, falling backwards on a pillow. I laid like that for a few minutes, tapping my fingers against the comforter and making random rhythms with my hands.

Finally, I shot up and looked towards the television, feeling drawn to it. I knew that if I turned it on, I would fall into a downward spiral of sadness, but the curiosity was killing me.

Cautiously, I got up and crept toward the television, watching the blank screen suspiciously. Slowly, I moved my hand in the direction of the power button and pressed it on, the screen lighting up faintly.

They were showing the speech over and over again, and I watched it replay itself over and over. Hearing Bruce's heartfelt plea hurt me more than I could ever have imagined, and I knew I had to see him. I had to apologize, I needed to make things right. I mean, he would understand… wouldn't he?

Watching the screen play itself over and over, I made up my mind. I had to get to Bruce.

* * *

The Joker came bounding into the room a half hour later, and that half hour was all I needed to make up my mind. Bruce needed to know I was okay, and I myself needed to get out of here.

He was humming to himself as he came over to my spot on the windowsill where I had moved to. I had been twirling my hair in my fingers and watching the outside world pass by. But as the Joker came in, my head snapped to the Clown in the room.

He was carrying something in his hands, and I soon realized it was a human hand. A severed human hand, missing the rest of it's body. Never the less, I shrieked and stupidly spoke. " What is that!?"

My voice was high pitched, and the Joker held it up, showing me what I already knew it was.

" Ohh." I spoke, my voice trailing off until it stopped altogether. He walked to the dresser, throwing the hand down onto it, and came back to me, pulling me up against his side.

His mood seemed light and amused, so I took a deep breath and turned to him, hoping he wouldn't get too mad. I had to leave, he must have known I couldn't stay here forever, but that doesn't mean this is the end.

" Mr. J.." I started, staring down at my hands, and I felt him shift next to me, looking down on me with those deep brown eyes.

" Yessssss?" He replied simply, waiting.

Gathering my courage, I pulled away from Joker, crossing my arms across my chest and continued.

" I need to see Bruce." I spoke strongly, my voice even and level, never faltering. He giggled once, running his hand through his greased green locks, and spoke. " Need to, or want to."

" Need to." I spoke sternly, hoping he'd see my point and let me leave. He didn't.

" Hmm. Isn't that something. You need to see little ol' Brucey. Why should I let ya do that-ah? So you can run to the cops and be a little tattle tale?" His voice was dark and evil, causing me to take a step back.

" I won't. But he's my best friend. I need to see him, and haven't you gained my trust yet? You've left the door unlocked numerous times and I haven't left once. I haven't wanted to leave and I still don't want to leave. But you can't keep me locked in here. How are you supposed to trust me if you never give me the opportunity." I tried to reason, holding my breath as I waited for his reply.

During my little rant, the Joker's expression changed from an excited grin, to an evil smirk, and I awaited his wrath.

" So you've noticed have you? Hmm, very interesting. That tells me that you have tried-ah to leave me." He growled, pushing me back against the wall. The Joker's purple form towered over me as I stood in silence. Too worried to say a word. He already had his mind set, and nothing I said would change his mind.

" I haven't" I spoke defeated, " Why would I? Why would I want to go back out to that corrupt world full of ignorant nobody's living by society's rules. They don't understand, and they never will, but you do." I couldn't believe I was saying this to him, after all, how would he react to this sudden outburst of emotion. Emotion that wasn't hate or anger?

The Joker slid his hand up my arm and back down methodically, thinking. And then he grabbed it roughly, pulling me along behind him. I had no idea what was going on, but I decided not to say anything. Whatever it was, struggling wouldn't be good.

He brought me through the hallway and down the stairs. Pass the rooms holding his men, and back to those same doors I had seen days before. The doors to freedom.

Opening the door, he pushed me out of it, with him standing in the doorway, and me on the outside. " Don't Disappoint, Annabelle." He warned, eyeing me devilishly.

" I wont." I replied, victory overcoming me. I turned on my heel to begin my journey back home when I was suddenly hit with a realization.

" Wait, how do I get back home?" I asked concerned, and by the look on his face, I knew I wouldn't soon find out.

" I think you can figure that one out on your own, Darling." he spoke through laughs, and I turned on my heel annoyed. I stormed angrily down the driveway and when I met the gate, I took one glance behind me to the mansion where the Joker still stood in its doorway. The way he stood against the frame, as if he was any other normal citizen of Gotham, caused my anger with him to subside, and a new thought to enter my mind.

After finding Bruce, and straightening things out with both him and the god forsaken media, I would have to get him something, a little surprise. And I knew exactly what it would be. I was suddenly overcome with the feeling to do my best not to disappoint him, if anything, I wanted him to be proud, and as his Marionette, I would make sure that happened.

Smiling, I turned back around and walked the rest of the way to freedom.

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Okay, so that is the chapter I am FINALLY getting out. Please review like you all have been doing. I know its not great, but i still love to hear from you all, even if the reviews aren't the best. Just let me know how i'm doing. Kay? :]