AN: Thanks for the reviews from last chapter! And guess what? I'm not keeping you guys hanging for 2 weeks this time...haha. Here's the next installment. I'm thinking I've only got one or two more chapters left to finish out this story, but don't worry, there very well may be a sequel in the works. Anyways, just want you guys to have a heads up on that and I'll do my best to get another chapter up before the weekend's done. Enjoy...

I drove out to Wayne Manor with the package containing the bomb sitting on the passenger's seat. Ok, so maybe I didn't just drive out there, more like I sped out there. I didn't know what kind of timer The Joker had placed on the bomb and I hadn't bothered to ask. I just knew I should probably get to Wayne Manor and deposit the package as quickly as possible so I wouldn't turn into a crispy critter.

When I reached my destination, I slammed the car into park and grabbed my clown mask. I quickly put it on, grabbed the package, and got out of the car. As I headed up the front walk to deposit the bomb, I wondered what Bruce Wayne could have to do with any of this. How is Bruce Wayne going to stop The Joker from kidnapping Gordon? Why does what Mr. Wayne is doing matter at all to The Joker?

By this time I had made it to the exact place The Joker had instructed me to dump it. I knelt down to push the package carefully into position. I slowly stood up, dusted off my hands, and began walking back to the car. As I reached for the door handle on the car, I heard a BOOM!!! I turned around quickly to see Wayne Manor going up in flames. I don't know what came over me, but I stifled a giggle and a smile spread across my face. I got into the car and took off, my mind still wondering why Bruce Wayne. I decided I would ask The Joker when I returned to the hideout.

I was in for a bit of a surprise when I got back to the hideout. It was completely deserted. I walked in calling for The Joker, searching all the rooms to find that I was the only one there. I even went downstairs to check that he wasn't concocting some other weapon or explosive, but he wasn't there either. I sighed, feeling left out and alone. I went back upstairs and laid down on the couch to take a little nap. What else could I do when I was all alone?

I was awoken to the sound of a door slamming and then I heard The Joker's voice yelling, "Mels!!!! Where are ya? I need your help!!!!"

I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and yawning. He noticed me and came over, "Sleeping on the job, hmm?"

"No, I made the delivery. I got back here and you were gone so I decided to just chill till you got back."

"Oh. So you kinda missed me then?"

"Yes, is that important?" I asked.

"Sweets, everything can be important to the right people," he grinned. I know I looked puzzled, but he just chuckled. "I'll explain later, but I kinda need your assistance right now," he said, turning to head back outside.

"Hey, what does Bruce Wayne have to do with any of this?" I asked, recalling my question I had wanted to ask.

He stopped and turned back to me, "You made the delivery, right?"

"Yes, and it was a great success…the whole place up in flames just like that," I said, snapping my finger.

"Good, good," he smiled.

"But why him? I don't see how he's involved in any of this stuff."

"It's not so much him as his heroic side."

"His heroic side?" I asked in confusion as my mind wondered Bruce Wayne, the playboy billionaire with a heroic side?!?

The Joker seemed to be able to read my thoughts as he laughed, "Yes, he makes a nice cover for himself, but not all of us are fooled by such masks."

I looked puzzled a minute and then it dawned on me what he was actually saying. "You mean Bruce Wayne is…"

He cut me off before I could finish my sentence, "Yes. Now you see why that was a necessary present. Bruce Wayne has everything to do with this and it will only be a matter of time before he figures out what happened. Now are you gonna help me?"

"Oh, yeah, sure," I said, standing up to follow him out. I still couldn't believe what I had just learned. Sure it all added up and made sense, but I honestly would have never guessed Batman's true identity.

Once outside, The Joker opened the back of the van. I was met with an unconscious Commissioner Gordon. "Help me carry him inside," The Joker requested.

"Ok," I said, grabbing his legs. "What did you do to him anyways?"

"Chloroform. Best way to make someone come quietly," he replied, matter-of-factly as we carried Gordon inside, dumping him onto the floor in a heap.

The Joker went to sit on the couch and I joined him. "And now we wait," he said as we both laughed, high-pitched maniac laughs.

FOUR HOURS LATER…

The commissioner began to stir. He rolled over and groaned. The Joker jumped up and ran over to him. The Joker began kicking Gordon as he curled into a ball to try to protect himself. I stood on the couch watching and laughing. That's when The Joker paused and looked at me, "Come on over here, sweets, and join in the fun!"

I nodded and jumped down from the couch. I wasn't too sure how kicking the living snot out of another human being could be fun, but I wasn't doing to stand there and not give it a shot. And honestly, I didn't want to give The Joker a reason to get mad at me.

The Joker moved over to allow me to have a shot at him. I started out kicking him lightly, but quickly began kicking with all my might. To hear him groan in pain and beg for it to stop made me keep kicking. It made me feel powerful, like I was in charge and no one could stop me. I kept kicking and kicking as Gordon kept moaning in pain and The Joker stood by laughing and encouraging me. Before long, The Joker joined back in as we both kicked Gordon.

Finally, after what had seemed like hours of kicking him, The Joker stopped and pulled me away saying, "That's enough, Mels, you've done good but I think that's enough for today."

I fought him for a moment; I was enjoying this feeling of power too much to stop now. But The Joker was stronger than me. As he pulled me away, I let my shoulders slump and I let the weight of my body crash against him. I felt him stumble for a split second as I crashed into him. When he realized that I wasn't going to fight anymore, he carefully scooped me up into his arms and carried me to my bedroom. He gently placed me on the bed and whispered, "I'll be right back." Then he kissed the top of my forehead and disappeared.

I lay on the bed starring at the ceiling. I was holding back tears. I was sort of mad at myself for so quickly joining in beating Commissioner Gordon and then enjoying it. At the same time, I knew that I wouldn't have been able to stop myself. I was changing and I knew it. I also knew that there was no way I could stop it now. The Joker was right. I was just like him and every day that went by only reaffirmed that idea. However, I couldn't say I was unhappy with that. I was glad to be more like The Joker. It made me feel like not only could I relate to him better but also I felt like he could actually love me then. The more like him I became the more I felt we could be more than partners in crime. I smiled at that thought.

The door creaked as The Joker returned. I didn't sit up, but I heard him cross the room and felt him sit down on the bed. Then he must have decided to lie down because suddenly his face was mere inches away from mine as he stroked my hair. "You've done a brilliant job once again," he said.

"Thanks," I whispered. "You weren't half bad yourself."

He laughed. Once he regained his composure, he spoke, "On a serious note though, you catch on quick. You're definitely shaping into a better accomplice than I originally hoped."

I grinned, "What can I say? I'm a quick learner…much quicker when taught by the best."

He laughed again. I knew I was playing to his emotions. While he was flattered, I'm sure he was uncomfortable because he as we lay in silence for a moment, he fidgeted. Then when he couldn't think of anything more to say, he stood up quickly. "Well, I suppose I'll go and let you get some sleep…busy day tomorrow."

I sighed and sat up. "Alright, good night," I said as I stretched up to give him a hug.

He hugged me back. "Good night, my sweet," he whispered. As he exited the room, he turned back and said, "Sweet dreams, Mels." I smiled and he closed the door behind him.

I closed my eyes, ready to drift into a peaceful sleep when I heard a loud crash of breaking glass outside my door. I jumped out of my bed and ran into the hallway. I made a mad dash for the main room, fearing the worst. As I rounded the corner, I saw Batman brushing the broken glass off his suit.