Hey guys! After a bit of a delay, I've come back with another chapter! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, yet again.
It's sorta related to the last chappie (being that it's still JokerXRachel). And erm...that's it!
Oh, and just a quick btw, you pronounce Zsavros (zav-rosse). My friends didn't know how to pronounce it, so yeah.
Chapter 4: Visiting Hours in Arkham
Accompanying Track: My Immortal by Evanescence
"Excuse me, but there's a patient I'd like to see."
She brushed loose brown waves from her face and looked at the attendant. The young man nodded and opened a register.
"Sign here, ma'am, and write the name of the patient in the next column."
Rachel Dawes...The Joker
The young receptionist stared at the register for a moment, and then looked back to her. She nodded and flipped her hair again, angry at being held up. The man shrugged and picked up a white office phone.
"Doctor Zsavros? Yes, a young lady would like to see...erm...The Joker."
After a few moments pause, the young man nodded and hung up.
"The doctor will meet us there." she nodded tiredly and followed as the young man lead her down a painfully white hallway. They wove in and out and around, through countless hallways and passages until they finally came to a wide courtyard where a few patients were wandering, half sedated, with nurses and doctors on their arms. Rachel shuddered, and turned back to her guide.
"The doctor is just through the brown door. He'll take you to see the Joker." he said, turning to leave. Rachel nodded and turned to walk across the patio and opened the door. A tall man, with a pointed jaw and dark, slicked back hair stood in the middle of the room and nodded as she came in.
"Ah, Miss Dawes I presume." he offered a bony hand. Rachel took it cautiously, and let go as quickly as possible. His flesh was like ice, and he smelled of ether and fromaldahyde. Her gag reflexes were just kicking in as he led her down another long hallway and into a tiny visiting room. Another patient was sitting at the table farthest from Rachel with what looked like her father.
But in the middle of the room sat a haggard looking man, makeup half rubbed off, hair loosing all greenness. She took a deep breath and sat down.
"Hello."
He nodded mutely, and she watched as his gaze slid from her to the doctor, and back to her again. He shook his head.
"Not with him in the room."
Rachel whipped around and motioned for the doctor to leave.
"But Miss Dawes-"
"Go."
Doctor Zsavros left slowly, closing the door behind him, and even then, staring in the glass for awhile. The Joker smiled at Rachel.
"He's watching to make sure I don't molest you." Rachel turned bright red, and looked at her palms. He laughed brutally, and watched the doctor leave.
"Okay, the screw's gone. Now, what did you want to say?" Rachel stared at him, her mouth working, but no sound coming out. Her hands fidgeted on the table, and soon her left hand was completely caught in her brown hair.
"I didn't know things would be this difficult...but things ended...on a bad note last time-"
The Joker smirked and fought the bonds of his straightjacket. Rachel coughed, and he looked up at her.
"Oh sorry. Continue." he said.
"Well, anyway, things ended on a bad note last time, and I just wanted...to...to make things right between us."
He stared at her, one eyebrow rising to meet his hairline. Rachel glared and stood up.
"Why the hell are you staring?! I'm genuinely trying to fix things up and all you can do is fucking stare!" she screeched, pounding the table with her fists. The Joker shifted and coughed uncomfortably.
"But why, sweetheart?" he spat.
Rachel stopped, mid-tantrum.
"Can't think of an answer, can you?" he asked cruelly. "Is it just because you feel sorry for me? Because I'm a freak?" he leaned forward and bared his yellow teeth.
"Or is there some other reason?"
Rachel's mouth dropped, and he giggled a little.
"You know something?" he murmured, standing and walking over to her. She shook her head, trembling.
"You're even more beautiful than I remember."
He pressed his lips lightly to her forehead, and her hands somehow ringed themselves around his shoulders.