Alright! Here it is... Sorry about the wait, but it was finals week. I am happy to say that finals are now officially over! Woo hoo! :) Hope you like this one!

Thanks to anyone who reviewed, and for the favorite story, or alerts! :)

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I'm in my office, working on an article, but I can't see the words. I squint, and get closer to the computer screen. Everything is blurry. I don't even know what I'm writing about, but my fingers continue to fly across the keyboard instinctually. I lean closer and closer, trying to make out the words until my nose touches the screen.

The joker's face appears and it takes up the entire screen. I almost fall out of my chair with surprise, and a scream escapes my lips. He is laughing his maniacal laugh, and as I watch, his features melt and darken, and suddenly I'm looking at Batman, who continues to laugh the Joker's insane laugh.

My eyes fly open, and at first, I don't know where I am. I'm covered in sweat and hair is sticking all over my face. I'm gasping for air, and realize I'm still a prisoner here. Joker has me, and Batman has left me.

Sadness overwhelms me, and my eyes tear up. I don't know what I can do for help. I have no family, no friends, and my only companion is the Joker. I refuse to count Batman as a companion, because he has left me here with no more protection than a cell phone.

I sit up, and cover my face with my hands. This is not how I imagined life would turn out for me. I knew it was risky living near the Narrows, but it was the only option I could afford at the moment.

What would my mother tell me?

Think positive.

Yes, I'm sure that's what she would say. She was always strangely optimistic, but it came back to bite her in the end. Yeah, I'm sure she thought she could help all of those poor, helpless people in the halfway house, but the only help she ever gave them was the chance to show her why they were there in the first place.

I wonder if she suffered as they attacked, and beat her until she was unrecognizable. Of course she had to be in agony. But I wonder if she suffered emotionally. These were the people that she had tried to help. She had practically hand-fed them, and they turned against her like wild animals as soon as they got the chance.

Now she was in Arkham Asylum. Doomed to insanity and a life confined in a padded cell.

But she would want me to think positive so I try my best to find some positive aspects about my situation.

I am alive. Good.

I am physically unharmed. Awesome.

Batman is at least in contact a little bit. Okay.

Well, that's about it. I honestly can't think of anything else. What is it they always say on TV? Oh yeah.

At least it isn't raining.

That is positive. Although in reality I don't have a clue about the weather because there are no windows in this room.

Well, it's a start. I wipe the hair out of my face, and stand up. I walk into the bathroom, and notice an unopened toothbrush and some toothpaste. Alright, another positive. I open it and brush my teeth, wondering if the Joker legitimately cares about my hygiene needs, or if he has some other secret reason.

I walk out of the bathroom, and sit on the bed again. I'm not exactly sure what I am supposed to be doing. The Joker has left me in this room with no means of entertainment besides a toothbrush, and I think I will go crazy before I can entertain myself with that for a whole day.

My phone buzzes, and it surprises me. What else could Batman possibly have to say to me?

Try to go with him today. See where he goes and what he does.

-B

He wants me to ask the Joker if I can follow him around today? What's the point in that?

I stick my phone into my pocket without responding. My chances of actually going anywhere with the Joker are slim to none, and I don't think I need to inform Batman of that.

After about ten minutes, I hear a key in the lock. Joker opens the door, and says,

"There's my angel! Didja sleep well?"

"Sure." I answer sarcastically. "Being held captive makes you able to relax and sleep better than being attacked by rabid dogs."

"I just knew you would like it here!" He walks over to me, and continues, "So, do you uh, need anything?"

I remember Batman's text, and try to sound polite when I answer, "Fresh air would be nice."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I was thinking about how you wanted me to see what real bad guys are like, so I was kind of hoping you would let me go with you today?"

He just looks at me for a second, and then his face lights up in a huge smile.

"You are starting to like it here aren't you?"

"I don't know... maybe." I lie.

Accomplishing this small task is almost too easy. Batman must want me to go outside, so that he can arrest Joker, and recue me at the same time. Suddenly, it all makes sense, and I am filled with excitement. I could be home by tonight!

"Well, I am glad, that you are seeing it my way." He pulls me into a tight hug, and I put my arms around him without much hesitation. Why worry about it if I am going to be free in a matter of hours?

He looks at me up and down as if appraising my worth.

"It seems I have underestimated you again Lane. Maybe you have a bad streak in you after all."

"No I don't." I answer quickly, almost ruining my act.

"Oh yes you do. Let me remind you. You started by turning against Batman. Then, you attempted to kill me with my own gun!" He laughs, "You are definitely coming along just fine."

I don't know how to respond and after a second, he continues speaking.

"Yes, I think I will let you come with me today. I can't wait to see what you do! But we can't have you looking like that."

"What do you mean? What's wrong with how I look?" I'm almost insulted at the insinuation.

"Oh nothing. Like I said, you are beautiful. But you can't have people recognizing you if your robbing them."

"Robbing them?" My mind is in denial until I remember that Batman is going to rescue me.

"Oh, yes! We are going to find out just how bad, a little reporter can be!"

"O...kay." I say. I don't plan on actually robbing people, but it is the only way to get out in the open for rescuing.

"Now for your disguise." He says, tilting my head back and forth. 'He abruptly turns around and walks out the door. He comes back a moment later and gives me a clown mask. It has sad blue eyes, and a black frown. Well, at least its emotions are the same as mine.

I put on the mask, and immediately dislike it. It is hot, and it smells weird, and my face scrunches up as a reaction. I can see him through the eyeholes, and his face is calculating.

"No. I don't think that will do. You have too much of a pretty face to hide it behind that awful mask. Besides, those masks are for my henchmen, not my uh, partner."

He takes the mask off, and I am grateful that I don't have to wear it all day. I almost feel a pang of sympathy toward Joker's men, but it isn't strong.

Joker's face is suddenly smiling and he says, "I know just what we are going to do with you!"

He grabs my arm, and pulls me out of the room. I walk behind him, and realize that strangely, I'm not afraid. The thought of rescue takes up so much room in my head, it's almost worth going through whatever the Joker is planning so I can go home.

He pulls me into another room, and I wonder how big this warehouse really is. We are in another bathroom, and all along the sink are jars and jars of face paint. I suddenly realize that this must be Joker's personal bathroom, and am surprised. It really isn't as scary as you would expect. Besides all of the paint, it looks like any other bathroom.

"Are you excited?" He asks, gesturing to all of the paints.

"I'm not sure..."

"Well I know I am. Why don't you sit in this chair, and I will uh, do the honors? Hmm?"

I sit in a chair facing away from the mirror, and he picks up a jar of paint. He sticks his fingers inside, and I close my eyes. I jump a little when he starts rubbing the paint on my face. It's very cold and wet, and even though I was expecting it, I jumped.

I knew I should have fought against him more, but the truth is that I'm fascinated. When the Joker abducted me, I thought I would be dead in hours, but he honestly hasn't actually harmed me in any way while I have been here. Yes, he has threatened it, but the worst that has happened to me is when he threw me on the ground. As long as he keeps his knives put away for the next hour or so, I will be safe and everything will be okay.

A short amount of time passes while the Joker's hands are rhythmic in their motions, almost making me relax.

"There." I hear him say. "Perfect."

I open my eyes, and look at him with an almost drowsy look. I try to be alert as I turn and look at the mirror, and am almost awed as I look in the mirror.

My face is painted white, with deep purple diamonds over my eyes. I have a bright green smile painted over my mouth that matches his bright red one.

I am unrecognizable and beautiful. I can't help but love the way I look. For just a moment, everything I have been feeling in the past two days goes away as I look at myself in the mirror.

"Well? Do you uh, like it?"

"Yes." I say, putting my hand up to touch my face lightly. I don't know what else to say, without telling him how deeply I feel like this makeup belongs on my face.

"Oh, goodie!" He claps his hands together, "It seems I have a talent after all!"

He grabs my hand, and once again, we are going out the door. We go down the stairs, and into the main room where I had threatened all of them last night. The Joker's henchmen lurch out of their seats, and try and look alert. It's apparent that they had been lounging when they were supposed to be on watch.

"Look at all of you!" Joker says seeming irritated. "I leave you alone for half hour while I...improved, our guest and you think it's nap time!"

"No, sir." One mumbles.

"Well then what... exactly... were you doing?"

"Uh..." Then henchmen hesitates, and in a flash Joker pulls out a gun and shoots him in the chest.

The henchmen falls over backwards, dead instantly, and I am speechless. I had gotten comfortable when the Joker put that makeup on my face, and now I was paying the consequence. I had forgotten just how bad he was, and now it was a harsh reminder.

"Now, when I tell you to 'look out'... I mean it." Joker puts the gun away. "Someone clean that up."

I take two steps back, and my mouth is open in horror. What do I do, what do I do? My mind is in denial of the past minute. I can't believe that things went from okay, to crazy this quickly.

"Now Lane, where are you going?" Joker says sweetly.

"I...I...don't."

I remember that the last person to stammer ended up with a bullet in his chest, and I swallow nervously. My eyes meet the Joker's, and all I see is his confusion.

After a moment though, his face turns into a smile.

"Oh!" He laughs, "I forgot! You probably haven't seen anything like that before have you?"

I shake my head slowly.

"Well, it's pretty exciting huh?"

"Not really." I manage to whisper.

"Oh yes it is. You'll get used to it, I promise!"

He takes my hand and leads me out of the building. A couple henchmen come with us, and one gets into the driver's seat of the van. Joker sits by me in the back, and continues to laugh quietly.

It takes all of my self-control not to cry.

Where is Batman?

Questions? Comments? Confusions? Concerns? Hope you all enjoyed it! I will get the next one up ASAP! Have a great day/night wherever you are!