Author's Note: Hmm . . . what to say? Once again, thanks to all my reviewers and I'm kinda surprised we made it this far. I hope y'all will stick with my till' the end. Now, enjoy!

Yep, Diana was mad at me. She had corrected me on her name and that was when it hit me that she was furious with me. Did I blame her? No, not really, but she didn't have to make it so painfully obvious that she was mad in front of Dana and Terry? That Dana girl seemed to know something was going on between us, but Terry didn't.

I sighed. Things were complicated enough in our time and now with the Joker on the loose—I didn't even want to think about what was going to happen. I could only focus on the here and now. I didn't even the notice the phone ring—I was that lost in thought. Dana got up and answered it.

"Wayne Manor." I noticed her face turn pale. Her breath became shaky as the person on the phone continued to speak.

"Dana?" Terry asked, getting up and going over to her. "Who is it?" Dana didn't answer, but handed the phone over to Terry. He quickly put it to his ear and scowled. I knew then who it was.

The Joker.

That name was one of the few that could cause the blood to stir in my veins. God, he made me mad. Crazy, too, but I had learned to take those emotions and use them against my opponents.

"What did you say to her, Joker?" Terry growled. I could hear his laughter ringing in my ears and I had to look away from Terry. "Tell me!" I noticed Dana wiping silent tears from her cheeks. Diana stood up and snatched the phone away from Terry.

"Tell me Joker, or by Hera—," She gasped and then slammed the phone down. "Dana?" Dana looked up, fear in her eyes. "You will be fine."

"What just happened?" Terry asked, putting an arm around his girlfriend's shoulder. "Someone tell me!"

"The Joker threatened you, didn't he?" I asked. Dana first looked shocked and then nodded. Terry met my gaze.

"You've seen this look before." It wasn't a question, but a statement. I nodded.

"Yes, with all of Joker's victims."

"Will he—," Dana wiped more tears away. "Get me?"

"Of course not," Diana soothed. "We will protect you, Dana. You have nothing to fear." And then, Diana's true superpower came into play. She walked over to Dana, knelt down to meet her gaze, and smiled. It always amazed me how one simple smile could change everything. The threat was there and the chances of keeping Dana safe were slim, yet when Diana smiled she seemed to take that out of your mind. Dana smiled backed, obviously comforted by Diana's words and smile. And so, Diana's power had worked again. Dana believed that the threat was nothing to worry about when I knew that it was still there, lurking in the dark. Terry met my gaze again and I stood up.

"Show me what info you've got on him here." Diana glared at me. She obviously didn't like me ordering the kid around, but what did she expect? For me to say please? Terry whispered something in Dana's ear and she hugged him; I looked away. I couldn't take this touchy-feeling thing much longer. I got the point that they were together, but I also knew that it wouldn't last. Love never lasts for the Batman. I knew that firsthand. Still, if he could do it . . . no. I had to keep these thoughts out of my head.

I was alone.

I would always be alone.

These were facts that I had to acknowledge. There was no denying them, no trying to defy them. This was my life and I would just have to deal with it. I looked at Diana and felt my heart pound.

And for a second, just one second, I wished—

That I could forget her.

That I could forget the way I was longing to hold her in my arms and the way that she made me feel whole and not alone. With her, I felt like I had a place, that I had a reason to fight and because I knew that I would never have her I thought it would be easier to just forget. But, there were also a lot of other things I wished I could forget.

And fate had refused them all.

"You ready?" Terry asked; I nodded. He led the way and I followed. Maybe some work would help me bury my feelings.

Just like all those times before.

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