Disclaimer: I do not own Batman or anything besides Vera. Even though I am Batman, I should own myself but DC Comics owns me... Just kidding. I own nothing except Vera.

Today had been a good day. A surprisingly, unusually good day.

Joker was playing with Vera in the living room of he hideout while Ivy and Two Face watched from he couch. Joker was trying his hardest to make Vera laugh and smile, which, under the grim circumstances, was a rare occurrence.

"Why so serious?" he asked, smiling.

Vera laughed, too. She thought it was funny, the way he said it. Like Two Face, Joker had a special bond with Vera.

"Why so serious?" he said again, sending Vera into a fit of hysterical giggles.

Of course, Joker would never ever hurt Vera. He usually said "Why so serious?" to his next victim. But Vera wasn't a victim. He just likes to make her laugh. God knows she needs it, deserves it.

Joker lunged at Vera. He started tickling her ribs and neck. It there is one thing about Vera you need to know, it's that she's very ticklish.

Vera laughed like a maniac, unable to suppress her squeals and giggles. Ivy smiled lightly from the couch.

Jonathan was outside but he could see the scene from where he was. Annoyance tugged at his insides. But it was jealousy that took its toll on him. It ate away his cold heart. In some small way, he wished that he could have moments like that with his daughter. But soon he was reminded of his reasons.

Jonathan could see Vera laughing as Joker tickled her under her arms. Fury burned within him. He walked straight into the living room and glared at the laughing pair.

He walked straight over to Vera and grabbed a fistful of her long wavy hair. He dragged her from the living room and straight down the stairs of the basement. All the while, Vera screamed in pain. How could such a good day, turn bad so fast?

"Daddy?" Vera whimpered.

"Listen here. You are no daughter of mine. I don't love you."

"But I love you."

"Well I don't love you."

Hearing this tore Vera's heart to pieces. Which is understandable. Coming from your own father, that has to hurt.

Vera always knew he didn't love her but he never said it. To her, that meant there was hope. Now that e said it aloud, the deal was sealed. He didn't love her, he never would. Now she new. She would have to accept it.

But then, Vera got mad. After all these years, the anger at her father for his ruthless behavior had finally broke out. She would finally stand up to her father.

"Yeah? Well I love Joker better than you!" she shouted, stomping her foot.

"Well maybe he should be your father, since you adore him so much."

"But I can't. I'm your daughter. I even look like you, Daddy."

"But you have Joker's smile..."

Vera looked at Jonathan in confusion. She didn't have Joker's smile, she wasn't related to him. But then she remembered his scars. His big ugly scars that made him look like he was smiling all the time.

Jonathan pulled out a knife. A small one, like the one Joker used against his victims. Vera backed up at the sight of his crazed face.

"Why so serious?"

The way her father said it wasn't funny. Not in the least.

He took the knife and carved a smile, not unlike Joker's. She screamed and screamed, opening the wound wider. Blood poured from her face.

When he was done, Jonathan walked away. Just walked away from his dying daughter.

She somehow found the energy to run upstairs where the rogues were all gathered in the living room. They only caught a glimpse of her before she ran out the door.

They were shocked. It was a disturbing sight. Everyone made a move outside to go save her but Jonathan walked in to the room.

"Chase after her and I'll gas the entire place." he calmly threatened.

"You bastard." Two Face growled in anger. Vera was already too far away to catch.

"You have no idea." Jonathan fired back.

Vera was running as fast as she could in the dangerous streets of Gotham at night. Her energy was draining, her face was still bleeding, and she had nowhere to go.

Finally, she just collapsed. In the middle of the sidewalk, she just fell unconscious. Vera was close to dead anyway, the closest she's ever been. She was afraid. Like most children, she was afraid to die.

Batman was around, patrolling Gotham late at night. From the rooftop, he saw someone on the ground. He dropped down to investigate.

And there he found little Vera Crane.

Of course, he didn't know who she was. But he did know she needed help. So he took her in his arms and went as fast as he could to the nearest hospital, his home was too far away.

"Daddy, don't hurt me..." Vera mumbled in her sleep.

Batman felt a pang in his chest. He knew from this se was abused by her father. He knew that her father was the one who did this. Of only he knew who her father was.

"I won't hurt you." he whispered, stroking her hair gently as he rushed into the emergency room.

A/N: Still need to think of a better name than Author's Note.

Hope you liked the chapter, even though it's a little short. I'm tired so this A/N will be short.

Vera finally got away! Yay! Ironically, tomorrow is Father's Day, so I think the next chapter could incorporate that. Till next time! (That was dorky xD)

-Harley

Shout Outs:

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Thanks for reviewing! :)