Eurgh I've been bad at updating this I know; stuffs been happening and I watched the Royal Wedding; London was packed and you could honestly barely move; but it was so good! Anyways I hope you enjoyed this one and I'll try and sort the next one out quicker. Thanks for being patient!

Chapter 13: Revival.

We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is try and make the present worth remembering. Sometimes the past is something you just can't let go of. And sometimes the past is something we'll do anything to forget. And sometimes we learn something new about the past; that it changes everything we know about the present. What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything change; make it right.

Maddie's POV

In some cultures they believe in order to exorcise your demons and let go of the past you should burn whatever it is that ties you to that person. Which is the exact reason why I have the fire burning in the living room...in summer. I burn everything; even the theatre tickets and corsage I burn; my ruined wedding dress goes in last and I watch as the fire rapidly burns it; the ring, my engagement ring I pawned in some back street shop in town. I sigh sitting back resting on my heels; staring into the fire; "Little too early for fires don't you think?" This time it's a welcoming voice I hear; Stephen's, I stand and we embrace; he smells different to what I'm use to with Jack...Jack, my heart pangs when I think of him, if he were dead I would have known about it, it's been so long since I've seen him; but like I said if he were dead the whole town would have put on some kind of parade.

"I thought I'd come back for the folder and see how you were, you are ok Maddie?"

"Yeah I'm doing good thanks... I have a major surgery coming up soon, guy needs a transplant and he asked me to do it. I've been winding Alfred and Bruce up by practising my technique on chicken breasts."

He laughs and looks at my hair; his hand reaching for it, our eyes meet and he pulls his hand back, gripping onto the folder instead; "You're hair looks good, I remember you being dark a few years back, I always thought it suited you. Long hair gets in the way right, with the baby; my sister had the same problem when she had her two."

I nod and smile, "Yeah that was it; it was getting way too long anyway; he's always pulling on it, I'd have had no hair left by the time he'd finished with it."

He laughs; pulling on his collar, slightly sweating at the heat; "Maddie, if there is anything you can add to the case we would be most grateful, it would help catch the Joker once and for all, even if it's something little it could help out a lot."

"I don't have much else to say; if this is all you're gonna do every time you come here you needn't bother coming at all, I'm sorry but if I do think of anything I'll call you," I don't bother hiding the distaste in my voice.

"We er as a force, we don't exactly have much favour with people; people prefer to handle whatever problems they have themselves instead of coming to us; not that I blame them we don't exactly have a great track record; we lost Harvey Dent and we lost Rachael Dawes. I don't blame people for giving up on us."

"I've not given up on some of you it's not about that, you shouldn't think like that Stephen; you're actually one of the good ones."

He laughs and looks awkwardly around the room; wringing his hands; "Would you...would you like to go to dinner with me?"

I go to laugh, actually laugh, until I see the look on his face...ohh snap my mind races, you've got to be kidding me?

"I er I can't, thanks for the offer but I really can't do that right now; sorry Stephen."

"It's fine Maddie it wouldn't have been anything, you know just friends, I just thought you'd wanna get out of the house and everything, not to say you don't get out or anything. I should before I dig myself into an even bigger and deeper hole; I got what I came for and you're busy so I'll see you later."

He practically runs out the room; "oh god, if Jack finds out he will kill me" I mutter to myself, rounding the corner and beating him to the front door. "Stephen I'm sorry that was rude of me, I'd like to go to dinner with you; I'd like that a lot actually; me and Bruce and one of his friends...well actually she's not a friend more of a date we're going out tonight if you'd like to come with us?"

He looks relieved and pulls a card out of his pocket; "You don't have to pity me you know Maddie."

He laughs at my stuttering and places the card in my hand; "Here, here's my proper number and everything; I'll meet you here at should we say eight? I know what your brother's like for getting ready."

I lean against the door frame waving him off as he pulls out of the driveway; closing the door behind me I lean back on it looking at the card in my hand; is this an actual date? I mean I've not actually properly dated for years; it's not like me and Jack could date properly; even when he is disguised I can tell he is fed up and desperate to feel 'normal'. I'm suddenly angry at him, isn't that what I want too; a normal boyfriend or whatever he is; I want to be able to go into restaurants without people thinking he's going to pull a gun out on them or tell someone how he got his scars.

"What's this then Maddie; Alfred said you'd let Stephen in so what's up?" I smirk and face Bruce; Mat is clinging to him and observing me in the same way; his eyes narrowed, small hands clinging to Bruce's fingers.

"I invited him out to dinner if that's alright with you?"

He leans down and places Mat in his play den; coming slowly towards me eyeing the card in my hand; "Ohh I don't think that was it Maddie..."

Before I can blink he grabs the card off me and runs to the living room; I curse loudly and chase after him; scrambling onto the sofa whilst he lays on it; reading loudly from the card; "Whoa so you have his fax number, his email address, his home address, his cell number, his house phone and his officer number..."

He looks at me; resisting my attempts to get the card from his hands; "Seems someone is into you Maddie, is this all just incase all of the technology in the world goes down? Well if that happens you'll have no trouble in reaching him then. And what does this say on the back?"

"Maddie call me..." I launch myself at him and finally the card is mine, I clench it tight and shove it down my bra, I raise an eyebrow as though daring Bruce.

He winces and holds his hands up in retreat; "Ok you win, I mean we're close but er let's not go that far. So Maddie has a date huh?"

I mimic his childish, teasing voice; "So Maddie has a date huh? Yes I have a date...thing. I had to invite someone to dinner, I didn't wanna be the third wheel with you and whatever her name all over each other and her spoon feeding you."

He smiles and ruffles my hair; I clamp my hand down and smooth it back; "This one's name is Fiona, she's a model from Miami, she has some er interesting factors that Wayne Enterprise may be into."

I playfully hit his arm; "Pervert, imagine how different Wayne Enterprise would be if I ran it? I thought you were dating Chloe anyway, what happened to her?"

He rolls his eyes at me and laughs; "Chloe had to go back to Italy so I couldn't full well go to this restaurant on my own could I? You're getting your groove back with this new surgery, I have to keep up my image can't have people second guessing me can I?"

I snort and tilt my head away from him; pushing myself up off the sofa; "I should get dressed, oh and if Fiona is staying round here tonight I'd prefer she didn't go near Mat; the last one tried to cut his hair and paint his toenails; he's a boy Bruce."

"I think this one will be more interested in how big and deep my wallet is than Mat; plus I'll just use the penthouse instead of coming back here."

He winks at me and I open my mouth and tut loudly; "Real romantic Bruce and you wonder why you're single and will have to live with me and Mat until you die."

He points a finger to his chest jabbing himself with it; "Me alone? Like that will happen, I'll stay here with you and we can grow old and bitch about who it was who peed on the carpet or whatever this time."

I wrinkle my nose in disgust; "Pee on the carpet? I'm thinking Mat will kick us out of here and shove us in an old people's home; together in the same room..." I allow that to sink in; examining my nails before casually adding; "Together forever Brucey." He winces and I walk off laughing leaving him with that nice mental image.

" Oh and don't I know Mat is a boy, he did pee on me yesterday!" My laughter sounds around the manor and he yells over it; "You won't be laughing when I send you the dry cleaning bill!"

"You're a multi billionaire Bruce, pay for it yourself, or I'll give you the fifty dollars or whatever myself" I call back over my shoulder; smiling at the sleeping Mat; clutching his teddy. I lean into his play pen; stroking a blonde curl from his face and peeling the blanket off his bare feet; it's boiling tonight welcome to Gotham in the summer.

"Dress up nice for lover boy Maddie!"

I refrain from answering instead I flip him the finger; even though he can't see me it still gives me a slight tint of satisfaction.

Stephen's POV

When he became a Cop he made a vow to protect and serve; many including James, took that oath lightly, they were more drawn to the drugs, drink, money and women that the Mob could offer them in exchange for them to 'look the other way', for evidence to end up being lost. But not him; he knew from an early age that he would be a cop; his father, grandfather and great grandfather had been cops and there was something about seeing his father dress in his freshly pressed uniform every day that he knew he wanted to recapture. He knew from the first moment he walked into the precinct that he was different from most of them; he genuinely wanted to be there; he wanted to protect and help people, even though most of Gotham was a lost cause. The others knew he was different; he swept through the ranks quickly; usually shadowing Gordon until Sophia left that is; then he was partnered with James. Sophia...they weren't exactly close and if he is honest with himself he knew about the affair between her and James; the whole precinct did and whether Gordon knew about it or not he never said. She never left a forwarding address for any of them; she left that fast never really explaining anything; James told everyone that she was a dirty cop and before she was kicked off the force she left. He nods his head up to Charlotte as she passes by his desk; his concentration fixed on his notepad; idly doodling with his pen. He flushes red as he notices he has been tracing the name 'Maddie' over and over. He rips the page off and aims for the trash; failing miserably. He groans not bothering to pick it up; leaning back in his swivel chair; throwing his hands up in the air to cover his eyes.

"You ok in there Stephen?"

He prises his hands from his eyes; looking at Charlotte standing in his office door; her body half in and out; biting on her lower lip.

"Yeah I'm good thanks this case is just getting on top of us all; just needed to air some frustration."

"Tennis," he frowns and she quickly continues, her hands wringing her white skirt; "You should play tennis it helps me when I'm feeling like this. I play it down near the new gym that Bruce Wayne built; it's really good, you're friends with Maddie right? You should get her to show you around."

"Maddie and me? There's no Maddie and me; I mean we're friends but that's it, right that's all that's happening here..." He stops, realising his ramblings all too late; "Listen we're er just friends, I'm going to dinner with her, Bruce and his new fling tonight. It's just strictly friendship."

He expects her to turn and walk off; warning everyone not to approach the mad cop in Stephen's office. Instead she steps in and closes the door; smoothing down her skirt; picking a loose thread off her jacket.

"It's hardly friendship if you're in with the brother as well; remember how long it took James to meet Bruce? Practically a year, I mean it's not like you're close to him or anything, this is a pretty good sign. It's about time you both started dating, I read in one magazine that she's not been with anyone since James and god knows what the Joker did to her." Her voice lowers as she says the Joker's name; as though she expects him to appear from thin air with a knife in one hand and a gun in the other.

"She didn't wanna go out first; it's probably just a pity date but thanks for the vote of confidence."

She smiles, leaning her neck to look at his thankfully blank notepad; "Not coming up with anything new on the case then?"

He looks down, as though Maddie's name will still be on the page in front of him; "No not really, it's getting bad and people will want answers soon; especially Bruce Wayne and you piss him off then you may as well get the hell outta this city, cause you sure won't be working again."

The phone at her desk starts ringing and she regretfully pulls open the door without so much as a backward glance; but a mere flick of her fingers she hurries down the corridor; her high heels clicking on the floor. Sweet girl, stupid as sin sometimes but still sweet girl. Her and Sophia always seemed to get on...his eyes widen and he laughs loudly; of course how stupid could he get? He forces himself out of his chair; grabbing his pen and notepad; he almost slips on the wet floor; eyeballing the sleeping cleaner who is currently slumped along three seats. Staff these days...

Charlotte is still on the phone; curling one strand of hair around her finger; her legs crossed, skirt riding up. He slides to a stop at her desk; gasping for breath, Gordon was right, maybe he should leave off the cakes.

"Charlotte," he gasps, clutching his side.

She smiles and holds up one finger; silencing him, "Uh huh, well Gordon is off tonight for once thank god, he wasn't looking so good, he was hardly eating, I mean I bring in food for him but what else can I do? Like I said he's taking the night off, then he's back again tomorrow...hold on."

She pulls the phone from her ear, one hand over the mouth piece; "Stephen what is it?"

"You and Sophia you were close right?" She raises a perfectly groomed eyebrow; "Yeah, well close-ish I mean I was sad to see her go...why?"

He slams his hand down on her desk, she jumps; dropping the phone and grabbing the vase. "You are a life safer, so you were close, which means that she must have given you her new address right? Right?"

He peers over her desk; as she scrambles to pick up the hanging phone; she surfaces hitting her head; "Ow! Yes she did actually, why you want it?"

"Yeah, god Charlotte I swear to god I will do anything for you now, you want Bruce Wayne naked and delivered to your front door? I got it covered!"

She laughs and writes it down neatly; the address he realises being only fifteen miles away in the country. "There and thanks to you he hung up!"

He leans over, pecking her cheek, she flushes and laughs loudly, causing the cleaner to snore and stir slightly. "I'll check this out with Gordon tomorrow now but you are amazing, just don't tell her we're coming ok? I don't want her getting spooked and leaving or we'll never find her."

He walks back to his office; neatly side stepping the vacuum; first a date with Maddie then a new break on the case, can it seriously get better?

Joker's POV

"Whatcha find out for me then boys?" He claps his hands together; rubbing them gently; surveying his men; some are new but others; like Speed and Bozo are obviously more seasoned.

Bozo steps forward clearing his throat; "Boss we found what we could on Wayne but there's not really a lot to find, for someone in the public eye he sure is private. Average grades at school; seemed to skip it a lot..."

He wafts his hand lazily towards him; "On with the good stuff Bozo."

"Er right boss, we can't account for the cuts he had on his face; he doesn't box he engages in no other physical combat so we're pretty stumped...it's not like it's Maddie giving him a good kicking."

The men's laughter bellows around the room and he sits back on his seat and considers; sucking on the inside of his cheek. "You've er...you've done good guys, how are things doing at the Manor?"

Speed as usual bursts into the room; his over excitement reminiscent of a puppy; "Boss we got something at the Manor, Charlie said that the cop went in and a few minutes later Maddie, Wayne, him and this red head came out, looked all fancy too boss, like real nice."

He grips his knife hard, his knuckles turning pure white, Bozo notices and smiles reassuringly not wanting to clean up another guy's brain or other body parts; "She's out with the cop huh? Can't seem to get enough of them can she boys?"

They remain quietly; unsure of his mood; "CAN'T SHE?" His voice breaks them into loud voices; all of them desperate not to be his next target practise.

He stands; running his fingers through his hair; his anxiety showing through, his ramblings becoming more coherent; "Fucking bastard...what she doing...makes me feel like this...said she was mine." He laughs suddenly; his movement stops; his shoulders hunched.

He turns to them, laughing like his heard the best joke of his life; "Get dressed in your best boys, I'm taking you to dinner!" They hoot and cheer; only Speed and Bozo eye him and each other with apprehension.

He continues to laugh, shaking his head now and again as he does so; "Ahh it's a good one...such a joker Maddie...my Maddie..." He turns to them, his laughter stops; "What you waiting for boys? Go put on your best! Can't be seen in a swanky place without looking good can we?"

They both mumble their answers; he comes up to them; his hands on their shoulders; "Don't look so worried boys, we're just gonna have some fun! I'm not gonna hurt her! Not her, now before I get real mad...Get...Dressed."

He watches as they leave; eyeing his reflection in the mirror; suddenly more aware of his scars. He slams his knife into his reflection; shattering it, causing shards of glass to dust the floor at his feet; he shakes his battered brown shoes; straightening his jacket as he does so.

Maddie's POV

I sit and fidget in the car in between Bruce and Stephen; Bruce taps me on the side, a silent order to keep still. I fiddle with my clutch instead; pawing at the red beads, careful not to pull them off; it's a $4000 purse that Bruce brought me; he would go mental.

"You look really nice," I turn round, Stephen leans closer to me; his nervousness apparent.

"Thank you, you look good as well, who knew you cop's could scrub up so well?" He laughs; his minty breath tingles with his expensive aftershave.

He nods towards Bruce and Fiona who have clearly found something very interesting in each other's mouths. "Do they ever come up for air?"

I snort and disguise it with another laugh, shaking my head, "We've been in here for about ten minutes and so far they've hardly moved. We're in for a long night." "Speaking of which," he points as the restaurant comes into view; it's been open a couple of months already but Bruce has to make an appearance every now and again.

He grimaces as he sees the waiting photographers; I switch my bag into my right hand and grab his hand closer to mine, he looks up startled; until he relaxes into my grip. "Just smile and keep your head down, they're like sharks, they can smell your fear."

Bruce guides Fiona out first; his hand on the small of her back; I squeeze Stephen's hand once more, before slowly slipping out of the car; thank god my dress is long; no one wants to see that. I pull him quickly along; flashing a quick smile, not paying much attention to the van on one side of the road nor the dark car on the other. Bruce turns around once more and offers them another blinding white smile; sending them and the women in the restaurant into a frenzy. We sit down at 'the best table in the house' according to the hostess; Stephen pulls out my seat and I hide a laugh behind my menu when Bruce totally ignores Fiona's yet lets a nearby waiter pull his out.

"Everything looks so good!" He exclaims, wafting his menu about, I laugh and bash him gently with mine, my smiles falters when I look behind him and see Bozo, I close my eyes and open them; gone. Nobody there. Though it beats seeing James around every corner.

I look over to Bruce and Fiona; who seem to have found the appetizers in each other's mouths. Stephen frowns beside me; his eyes darting across the pages; "The chicken's really good and so is the fish but I'd go for the chicken," he looks at me relieved; downing his glass of water.

"I'm er, I'm glad you decided to come to dinner, even if we are getting a show," he looks pointedly at Bruce who takes the hint and shrugs his shoulders; Fiona turns to me and winks.

We all order; Bruce for Fiona who actually orders a larger meal than me and Stephen. He closes his menu and gestures to Stephen with his glass; "So Stephen how is your investigation going? You close to getting him yet?" By 'him' he means Jack, he thinks that by talking in code it'll be alright.

"We're getting there, it's screwing with all of us, Gordon final took the day off; his wife had to come in and drag him home, but it's progressing."

"See that's why I hate Gotham for, there's so much crime and no one knows what to do about all these criminals! Portugal is so much more better; it's so beautiful as well!" Bruce nods in agreeance with Fiona; Stephen stares at me and I smile.

"Do you travel Mr Stephen?" Stephen swallows his drink and shakes his head; "No ma'am, being a cop takes up a lot of my time; I'm saving up for my retirement; then it'll be off to somewhere by the sea."

"The sea? That's a big change from Gotham" I comment, the idea sounds so good right now, a nice beach, hot sun and a cocktail or two by the sea...bliss.

"See I like Gotham, aside from the crime it's still a good city at times, I mean who can say they have a what, superhero protecting them?" I laugh at Bruce's cockiness; whilst Fiona looks irritated.

"See that's what I mean, we have actual police and zero crime and what do you have? Some guy in latex or whatever running around scaring people...we have a word for that in my country; freak."

"Actually," I interrupt Bruce before he can say anything, "He's so much more than that, his one of the best people in this whole city and if you can't see that or you hate this place so much, you may as well leave." I stand up, pushing my chair back, "Excuse me."

I walk towards the bathroom; breathing deeply as I go, what I said was probably a thousand times nicer than what Bruce would have done. I search in my bag for my lipstick; my back to the door; it opens and I think nothing of it; until the lock turns. I flinch and turn round; clenching my bag.

"You know doll, you really should have that guy of yours follow you around more often, I mean who knows who you could meet."

I smile at seeing him; almost rushing to him until I think of something; "Did you kill him?" He frowns, for once looking puzzled; " Did you kill him? Can you give me a straight answer, did you kill Mac Dawson? "

He laughs, idly examining his knife; his gaze on me is one filled with hunger and lust; "What would you say if I did? Too late to take it back now Mads, deal is done now, even I can't bring people back to life. I'm good but not er that good."

"Jack just answer the question please."

He eyes me wearily, as though his confession will send me running for the hills; "Yeah I killed him so what? One less low life in the world, I thought you'd be happy?"

Unbelievable... "You did this for me? You thought I'd be happy with you killing someone for me? You're crazier than I thought..." We both freeze at that; I can barely speak again before he charges at me; slamming me into the wall; I flinch out of habit more than expecting a blow.

He stares at me, lifting my chin up to his, separating my legs with his knee; "I wouldn't do it. Maddie I would never hit you, not me, you do know that right? I may yell at you but I'd never hurt you; fuck I hate it when I do lose my temper with you, but you have my word that I'd never raise a hand to hit you or hurt you like that in any way.."

I nod, clenching his coat, bringing him closer still; "I know you wouldn't Jack, it just scares me still." I lean into his chest; inhaling the smell of gasoline and smoke; his fingers trail along my back, calming me down, he pulls back and I look into his dark eyes.

Joker's POV

She looks so beautiful; so tempting...god she could even tempt the devil himself. He steps back and eyes her out; a floor length dark pink gown; his never seen her in it before; the plus side of being rich and having unlimited money at your fingertips. He traces some of the bare skin on show; causing her to inhale deeply.

He suddenly remembers the real reason for his visit...damn her for distracting him..again; "Tell me about this other cop you've been, seeing, you know the one who's sat out there right now...waiting for you" his tone of voice is conversational, friendly almost; the tone hides his true feelings about this.

She frowns and attempts to push herself away; he catches her wrists and puts them above her head; "What's there to tell?" she answers cautiously; eyeing him to see his reaction. Oh Maddie I have been watching you...you can't lie to old Jacky.

"Just making conversation with my most favourite person in this hell hole of a world," his teeth bare in a taunting smile, nothing like the one he usually uses when he's round her. "Just wondering if you're ever going to tell me the truth. I see the way he looks at you...you're not his to touch!"

She huffs at his change of topic; clearly she's move comfortable when she's the one in control; "I don't know what you want me to say because there is nothing to say. He's a friend ok, I don't know nor do I care what he thinks about me. I am allowed friends right?"

In a split second the space he allowed between them was gone and he was right up against her; his crotch pressed as close to hers as he could; his breathing haggard, hers not far behind.

"Oh no, see Mr Cop thinks it's more than that, especially when you held his hand! I mean what's a guy to think? Who knew you could be such a tease?"

He pauses, his finger pressed against his lip; a broad smile appearing on his face; "Oh wait I do! See we both fell for you, but I'll win Maddie, one way or another I will win. He. Has. Nothing. On. Us" He strokes her face gently when she doesn't answer, at the same time he thrusts his crotch into hers; making his situation quite clear.

"So let him flirt with you all he wants, let him buy you all the pretty flowers he wants. But I'll always go one over him; he doesn't have what I have with you and you know it doll. It doesn't matter how bad he wants you, how much he begs," he thrusts his hips again, they both moan heavily; her face is flushed and he's pretty sure his doesn't look much better.

"He can follow you around as much as he wants. I know who you belong to. You know it too, don't you? No, no one can compare to me and no one can compare to you...so you're stuck with me Maddie whether you like it or not, cause I ain't going nowhere."

As if to drive the point home he thrusts once more, capturing her lips roughly; hitching her dress up and raising one of her thighs to wrap round him. She is the first to break apart and her hands grab at his belt buckle; easily undoing it, she pulls down his pants and boxers in one gone; he groans into her shoulder. She undoes a few of his buttons, tearing slightly at the material; he urges her on, gently rubbing her thighs.

"You're mine," he growls at her; with that, he raises his head and kisses her with earnest, silencing all argument.

They kiss until he starts to feel light-headed, regretfully he pulls away. Even then he stops only long enough for them to catch their breath before he finally thrusts into her and captures her lips once again. He allows her control over the kisses for a while before seemingly to coming to life; taking control and returning Maddie's kisses with eagerness that bordered on desperation. Even his thrusts hint at his desperation; normally he takes her as gentle as he can manage but tonight he has no time for that; and judging by Maddie's response he chose right. Her fingers entwine in his hair and he grunts in ecstasy when she pulls sharply on his green locks. He tightens around her; the sweat from his hard labour drips off his forehead; he knows he looks a mess; his hair damp with sweat hangs over his forehead; Maddie reaches with one hand; the other clutching and turning at his coat; and brushes a strand from his eye.

He grins and after a particular hard thrusts moans her name loudly; "Maddie, my Maddie."

He nips at her throat; her head falls to one side and she allows his assault to continue.

"Jack," he realises he loves her saying his name; especially when he's inside of her; bringing her to this state. She is a vision and he knows that for as long as he lives he will never forget the image of Madeline Wayne; her head thrown back and lips slightly parted in pleasure; pleasure he is giving her. He can feel the familiar rush of an orgasm approaching; his thrusts angle at the right degree to deliver one to Maddie. She calls out his name and she finishes; he keeps moving until he follows suit; panting harshly he drops his head to her chest; resting his ear against her heart.

"I can feel your heart beating," his speech is muffled but she understands him and laughs tiredly.

"What's it saying?" he breathe feels like the wind across his neck and he shivers; delicious.

He leans closer and tilts his head; pretending to be listening; she laughs and her heart rate increases; "Hmm well I'm not surprised, even your hearts at it."

She laughs and caresses his neck; "My hearts at what?"

"Thinking about me. All I can hear is 'Joker, Joker'. Looks like I got your heart."

She snorts and shifts slightly; he clenches her closer and winces at the scene; him practically admitting his love and giggling like a lovesick school boy after his first shag.

"Why?" He growls, wanting answers only she can give; he isn't use to this.

"Why what?" she asks tracing his brow and looking into his dark eyes.

"Why... why must you make me do this...feel like this?" He asks with a hint of pain in his voice.

"Do what?" she replies trying to catch her breath, talking to him in a tone he imagines she would with Mathew.

"Things I don't want to." he growls linking his fingers with hers; holding her hands tight, he rests his forehead on hers; breathing in the scent that is just Maddie.

"Because I love you and you help the people you love." Her answer doesn't startle him; he knows of her feelings; hell he feels the same he just can't express it. He pulls away from her; giving them both time to straighten their clothes before he recaptures her in his arms; resting his chin on her head.

"I saw a shooting star out tonight, real good one out by the docks; you should have seen it."

"What did you wish for?" She asks gently kissing his adam's apple; his breath catches and he sighs in pleasure.

"Something I can't have," he answers truthfully case hell there is no point in lying to her.

She laughs, tracing his bicep; seemingly aware of the large cut he recently acquire;"What's that then? He pulls away again; looking her square in the eyes;"You always you, I shouldn't be fucking you in restaurant bathrooms, I should be at home with you and the kid but it doesn't work like that does it? I gave up the right to have a family a long time ago."

She tuts, he knows she can't deny it, but she sure as hell will try; "Don't talk like that, I love you and want you! God you don't even have to look at Mat to know his yours; every time he looks at you, you can tell he misses you when you're gone."

He laughs; feeling a surge of pride at her confession, suddenly becoming all too aware of their surroundings he looks to the door; jerking his thumb at it; "What do rich people not pee?"

She too looks around and laughs as well; shrugging her shoulders; "Oh you know we just pay people to pee for us, with our bags of money."

He laughs, glancing at the watch at his wrist; he curses and looks back at her walking quickly over to her and kissing her, more slowly this time. "When I'm old and dying and can't get it up, I still wanna be here with you...just like this." He sways them gently, as if they're being led by an invisible band.

He pulls away, regretfully, though god knows what games Speed is getting Bozo to pay to keep him occupied while he got his rocks off. "You er, you bring the kid next time ok? I'd like to see the little guy."

She nods and her notices her eyes have taken on a sadder look to them, he isn't the only one suffering. He turns and unlocks the door; glancing around the empty foyer; "I love you Jack," she calls, almost inaudibly, he turns and nods mouthing 'me too', before straightening his collar and leaving. Tonight has been...productive.

Maddie's POV

I attempt to smooth my 'sex' hair as best as I can, before giving up and hoping no one notices. I slink back to the table; the food has yet to arrive and I realise I've been gone nearing half an hour.

"Hey Maddie you ok, you lose your way or something?" I laugh at Bruce and settle once more in my seat, turning to talk to Stephen.

"You've smudge your lipstick here Maddie," he reaches towards me and wipes it off with his napkin, showing me the stain. I frown and look at it; my lipstick isn't red...

Sam's POV

He stands with his back to the room; preferring the light from the bay windows to Helena's company. She doesn't know how to approach him at times; she will often stand in doorways, hovering awkwardly in her own home, unsure of her next move. Her home is a shrine to the long dead James; pictures of Madeline have been taken down; the areas on the wall light from where the frames once hung. Affairs with Madeline appear to be progressing well; he has her running scared and by all accounts no one has yet helped her. Everything is all working out so much better than he even anticipated; despite peoples misgivings he is a planner; he likes to arrange things just so and see them through until the end; and in this he will succeed. A floorboard behind him creaks and he rolls his eyes and continues looking out into the woods.

"I envy her. Isn't that the strangest thing to be feeling, envy? They say we all feel it at some point but at this moment in time I never thought I would."

This catches his attention; yet still looking out the window he tilts his body towards hers, showing her his attention is on her; "Well, it does throw me a tad, Helena. I mean, she's just… well barely living; we got her freaking out all over town. And you? Well you got the world at your feet and pretty soon you'll have even more. What she got? Blood on her hands and a psychotic clown as her baby's daddy. It's nauseatin' really, when ya think about it."

In the reflection of the glass he sees her reach out to him; her fingertips barely graze his bicep; they come to a reach on his shoulder.

"Will she see it, will she see the blood?"

He smirks deviously at her tone; the excitement passing from her to him; "She could do soon anything's possible right now, you sure you wanna go this far with her?"

He almost winces from her sharp talon like nails digging into him; "Yes, I want her to know pain and fear, like my son did in his last moments. I... I sometimes want to wrap my hands around her throat and feel it cracking beneath me."

He turns now, capturing her hands in his own; "Amen to that darling."

There, at last it's finished! I've been such a slacker with this and have had zero inspiration at all. It's been hair pulling out frustrating! Thank you for being so good to me, I'd have kicked my arse into gear before now but like I said I had things that needed sorting out before this; family stuff etc. I really hope to get the next one out sometime this week, thank you again for being so patient!

Cookies and Joker love all round,

Feels-Like-Paradise.