A/N: Thanks to everyone for reviewing. And very special thanks to The Lovelorn Angelin particular. ^_^
With warm water smoothing down her shoulders and back, Sophie finally allowed herself to relax. After the Joker's initial outburst, he'd promptly passed out, giving her the necessary time to divest him of his jacket and whatnot in order to wrap his wounds in bandages. Although he was dubbed a psychopath, he was still a man and boy, did he have muscle in that lithe chest.
Not many could say they'd been lucky enough to touch the Joker's flesh; it had taken Sophie everything in her body to resist doing something completely unprofessional. After checking his bandages fifteen minutes later, Sophie had fled to the bathroom to clean up.
There were a number of things going through her mind now.
Blood stains lined the carpet, and had permanently stained the fabric of her couch. Hell, the entire apartment almost smelt of the metallic substance. Releasing a heavy sigh, Sophie pressed her soaked face against the shower wall, eyelashes fluttering in a losing battle to succumb to sleep.
And sleep she did, half up-right with her mouth parted; water streaming steadily down her skin.
Meanwhile, the patient of her attentions was beginning to stir restlessly, unceremoniously dumping himself on the floor as he rolled to the left. The Joker's eyes flashed open, eyes searching the room to find used bandages and medical products lying on the coffee table. Save for his pants and shoes, he wore nothing except blood-stained bandages. Poking a wound experimentally, the Joker acknowledged the sharp vibe his brain sent him but otherwise ignored it. Getting his feet underneath him, the Joker went to stand and fell face first into the couch, smearing blood over his skin.
"Now that's what I get for losing too much blood," he giggled loudly and had another attempt, wind-milling his arms as he gained balance. The Joker changed the soiled bandages, wrapping them tightly around his shoulder and abdomen with experienced ease. On went the remainder of his clothes with bullet holes; that would need to be remedied shortly.
Sucking nosily on his scars, The Joker went to thoroughly examining the small but quaint apartment.
Running out of warm water was one thing.
Having the water turn from hot to absolutely freezing woke Sophie up with a start; coughing hysterically as water threatened to spill down into her trachea. Groaning and with eyes half-closed, she reached out and turned the knobs, listening sleepily as the last few drops hit the tiles. A crash from the other end of the apartment reminded her of the house guest.
With a barely dignified squeak, Sophie barrelled out of the shower and scrubbed the moisture away from her skin with a well-worn in towel. What in the hell was the Joker doing up? More than a little concerned, she fetched the bathrobe off the bathroom door and wrapped it around her body, tying the little sash.
"Popcorn...peas...hehehe...peas. Noodles? Choc chip cookies?"
Sophie crept into the hallway and poked her head around the corner to see the Joker rummaging through her cupboard. The knife draw had been upended onto the porcelain counter top; even from this distance the cracks were very prominent.
"Coco pops...fruit loops...Jesus Christ, doesn't she have any real food?"
"That depends what you class as real food," Sophie deadpanned, leaning carelessly against the wall with arms folded.
A normal person may have been startled or at least twitch. The Joker didn't do either and simply peered over his shoulder at her with a sly grin. "Pizza. Burgers. Man food."
"Not in my home."
A raised eyebrow was the only response she received before he continued rummaging through every box, container and compartment the kitchen contained. And then the Joker did a double-take, appraising Sophie's form; wet, bedraggled hair with the bathrobe only just clinging to her smooth shoulders.
Sophie let out a squeak of surprise as he abandoned his search for food and stalked towards her like a giant cat, tonguing at his scars. Running was foolish; she'd saved his life and he if he'd wanted to kill her he would have done it already. Though running still seemed like an excellent idea as he towered over her, flapping his hands uselessly at his sides.
"Well don't you clean up nice," The Joker growled, baring his teeth in a fierce grin.
Sensations coiled in her gut at the deep timbre of his voice, unconsciously backing herself up against the wall. Following her, he caged Sophie with his body, one hand flat against the wall above her head. Fingers were deftly tugging at the loose tie of the bathrobe and despite the pulse of fear running through her veins, there was anticipation too.
"W-what are you doing?!" Sophie hissed. "You're injured!"
Common sense would have dictated for her to be shoving him away and calling him a pervert. Instead, she thinks of nothing but his warm proximity and powerful frame. And there was indeed claim to her words; the bandages he'd applied had become soiled already. Was he really that immune to pain?
The Joker laughed in a high cackle, sending a shiver down the length of her body.
Stuck in an apartment.
With an injured Joker.
What could be more unusual?
Sophie was brought out of her inner musings when a leather clad hand crept around her side and another slid to her neck. The Joker splayed his hand across her backside before squeezing tightly and pulling her against the firmness of his body. Fire licked nerves and muscles, sending them into tightening spasms of pleasure. A breathy gasp tore from her lips and the Joker pounced, attacking her lips with teeth and tongue.
The Joker's errant hand fled from her neck and joined its partner at her backside before curving his fingers around the backs of her thighs, hefting her in one easy movement. Reacting on instinct alone, Sophie rocked slowly against him, locking her ankles at his lower back. Muttering a colourful curse, the Joker attacked her neck, leaving a menagerie of marks that would later cause many questions.
With three powerful strides, he had the young woman on the kitchen counter, scattering knives and other equipment all over the place. Emboldened by his clear lust for her, Sophie gingerly ran her hands across his broad shoulders, smiling as he shivered at the touch. When he didn't stop her, her fingers continued down his arms, feeling the muscles flex with power even under his shirt.
The Joker watched her, breathing sharply as her delicate fingers explored his chest. Sophie immediately withdrew, fearing she'd hurt the wound in his shoulder.
"I'm sorry-"
The Joker was on her again, kissing her as though he would devour her.
The doorbell rang.
The sound was like a splash of cold water doused on her. Wrenching her mouth out of the Joker's persistent reach and considering his weakened state, all it took was a small shove to move him back before Sophie made a mad dash for the door.
Before stopping mid-stride.
It was very early in the morning, the sun at least an hour away from rising and someone was ringing her doorbell. It sounded again. Sophie began to step forward when arms of steel enlaced her frame, warm breath fanning against her neck.
"Get off me!" Sophie hissed between her teeth, a flush of embarrassment crawling up her neck.
Ignoring any and all protests, the Joker kept her trapped against his body as he meandered over to the door and flung it open without any worry as to what was on the other side. A few masked clowns were there and Sophie recognised them from the shoot out on the roof.
"Glad to see you're safe, boss." The muffled voice of the clown in front was barely audible.
"Who shot me, Garrett?" There was a change in the Joker's voice; more authority and menace laced into his words. Sophie made a mental note and continued to squirm in his hold that was surprisingly firm despite his injury.
"Peter Voss. We caught him before he managed to get away."
"Wond-er-ful," the Joker cackled, uncaring as to whether or not he woke Sophie's sleeping neighbours. Dragging Sophie with him, the Joker went to the stairwell despite her protests that it would aggravate his injuries. The clowns followed obediently behind him, cocking their heads curiously at the woman the Joker seemed keen to keep with him.
Deciding that the Joker was dragging her along no matter what she did or said, Sophie brooded silently in reflection. What had happened back there? Did he make it a regularity to pounce upon women that were half naked? Red flushed into her cheeks again at the thought. What had gotten into him? Better yet, what had gotten into her to allow it? Was her judgement getting that clouded by infatuation or was there something she hadn't seen yet?
Once on the ground floor, the clowns fanned out in front of the Clown Prince, holding their firearms at the ready in case someone decided to ambush them. Two sedans awaited at the front of the building. Garrett moved to the second sedan and opened the back door, spreading his arm wide. "Ladies first."
The Joker gave her a little shove, forcing her into the car in nothing but her bathrobe. Needless to say the strength sent her reeling across the back seat, landing in an undignified heap, baring her backside and legs to the world. With a colourful shriek, Sophie went red from her hairline right down her neck as the Joker slid in after her. The door slammed shut and Garrett climbed into the driver's side, following the sedan in front.
Sophie sat stiff as board, clutching the bathrobe around her like a lifeline. A leather clad hand settled on her bare knee, giving it a reassuring pat. "Ya got a nice ass there, doll face. No need to be ashamed."
It did nothing to reassure her. In an uncharacteristic movement, Sophie buried her face into the lapels of his jacket, clinging desperately to him in both embarrassment and the overwhelming events of the night before. The Joker's eyebrow almost disappeared into his hairline, while his hands fluttered uncertainly over her, whether to shove her away or hold her close.
It was then that he heard the soft inhale and exhale of her breathing. The darn woman had fallen asleep on him. Rolling his eyes skyward, the Joker grasped her by the shoulders, prepared to move her when his eyes caught sight of the marks on her neck. They were already turning purple and outrageously noticeable, following the delicious curve of her shoulder. Tonguing at his scars, the Joker readjusted Sophie so that her head rested on his shoulder, his arm wrapped tightly around her to keep her secure whilst the car wove through the streets.
This woman had saved his life with absolutely no consideration for her own. As The Joker stared down at the sleeping woman, he had to wonder what he was going to do with her.
Sophie wasn't partial to falling asleep on anyone.
Ever.
Even worse was the fact that she'd made out with him, quite willingly and had humiliated herself right before his eyes. Rubbing the heels of her palms agitatedly across her forehead, Sophie came to another horrible realisation. He'd probably carried her into this room. And the only reason she was almost positive about that fact was because the Joker deemed her as his property, and he came off as a very possessive character.
This room was neater than the one at the warehouse; the double bed beneath her was surprisingly comfortable and clean, though the sheets were rumpled and unkempt. An old mahogany desk sat just out of reach; blueprints and paperwork scattered over its expanse. As Sophie continued her examination of the room, an en suite bathroom was discovered and even that was clean and well kept.
Glad to still be in her bathrobe yet dreading another encounter with the Joker, Sophie slipped off the bed and padded over to the door, fingers curling around the handle. Low and behold, it was unlocked. Did that mean the Joker trusted her or that she was free to leave? Bemused, she stuck her head out into the hallway. A dead end to the right with a bay window and the left went around a corner.
Upon pulling the curtains back an inch, Sophie let out a gasp. Gotham City was a looming shadow in the distance; it had to be at least an hour away which meant she'd been wrong about the Joker. Letting the curtain fall back, Sophie continued her exploration, wincing as the floorboards creaked under her weight. There were several other doors that would probably lead to other bedrooms but Sophie wasn't keen on finding out who they belonged too. Was this another of the Joker's hiding places?
Voices were soon audible as she rounded another corner and a large sitting room opened out before her with an adjoining kitchen and dining room. Clowns were lounging about on the furniture, playing cards and various other games Sophie couldn't put a name to. Others were watching the flickering television. A cold feeling settled in her gut as she watched the remnants of yesterdays happenings. Hell, the camera had caught her being towed out of the building by the clowns and now Gordon appeared on the screen, leaning heavily on his good leg, a crutch under one arm.
And he was surrounded by reporters.
"Turn it up!" One of the clowns snapped.
"...currently we do not have any information on where the Joker may have taken Miss Havens." The Commissioner spoke into one of the microphones, limping along as the reporters shouted and harassed him with numerous questions. A professional picture of Sophie appeared at the bottom corner of the screen and several of the clowns noticed her presence at that point.
"Commissioner Gordon, is it true Miss Havens aided the Joker after you were injured?" One of the reporters off screen shouted.
Sophie held her breath, conscious of the dozens of eyes on her scantily clad form. "I don't believe so, no." Gordon said nothing more on the matter before looking squarely at the camera. "If anyone does see or come in contact with Sophie Havens please don't hesitate to contact the Gotham Police Department."
Commissioner Gordon walked out of frame, and one of the clowns changed the channel to some description of a soap. Sophie twitched, suddenly self-conscious as one of the clowns leaning against the kitchen bench sauntered over to her.
"The boss said you'd venture out, and that if any of us touch you, he'd kill us." A couple of chuckles echoed his statement. Obviously these men hadn't been with the Joker long enough to know when he was serious.
Gathering what courage and dignity wearing a bathrobe allowed, Sophie stood tall and narrowed her eyes up at the man. "What, you don't think he will?" Her heart was beating a mile a minute, waiting for the flight or fight.
"Christian, back off. The boss doesn't fuck around. He said not to touch her." One of the clowns spoke up from the couch, his skin slowly losing colour at the thought of the Joker discovering his thoroughly raped and abused charge, or was it hostage? Just what was she to the Joker?
"Shut the fuck up, man. If he didn't want us to touch her, he shoulda locked her in the room or taken her with him."
There were a few nodding heads but the majority were made up of displeased and angry looks, though Sophie wasn't sure if any of them would actually bother to defend her. Christian went for her with a hungry look, and she danced out of his reach.
"Leave me alone!"
Running back to the room was pointless. It had no lock on the inside and there wasn't anything to barricade the door with. So, Sophie played cat and mouse with the deranged, hopeful lunatic by running around the furniture that the other clowns occupied. Despite the fact the situation should have frightened Sophie, it slowly turned into amusement. The clowns would lift their legs to allow her to pass and hurriedly put them down when Christian attempted to follow.
Though it soon became clear that the clowns were getting annoyed with the game and were helping less and less. Sophie's heart rose in fear and taking a chance, she dashed to the front door, almost barrelling out onto the front lawn. Dozens of cars were parked neatly in a line across the expanse; with a large forest situated behind them. One dusty road was worn through the trees. The only way in and out by car. Without the Joker present, Sophie panicked and raced as fast as her robe would allow without baring her assets, towards the forest.
Hearing the heavy footfalls of Christian behind her, spurred Sophie on to an even greater pace, hopping over logs and the general debris of a forest. Several times, the robe got caught on a branch or spiky bush and as it happened again, Sophie let the bush have it with a wheezing sob of breath. Now naked, and running through the forest, in the morning, in a place she'd never been to, with a deranged rape-intending man behind her, Sophie begged for a miracle.
"So you've seen the news, Mr Wayne?"
Lucius Fox smoothed out his suit as he stood from his desk to greet the billionaire with a warm handshake. Bruce returned it with a tight smile before walking abreast with the man as they entered through the bookcase.
"The Joker has got the mob on his side now, Lucius. Three years, I've managed to keep the mask off and now he's back to haunt me."
The Joker was an ever present reminder of Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes. It added salt to the wound now that the clown was prancing through the streets again, and even worse since he had kidnapped a young woman.
"As an self-proclaimed element of chaos, Mr Wayne, the Joker will never stop haunting you...until you kill him."
Fox stopped in front of one of the Tumbler's, another reminder that Bruce definitely needed another one. The bike was convenient but the tank was definitely something he would need against the Joker.
"You know I can't do that, Fox." Bruce's tone and stance was defensive, his hands were hidden deep inside his trouser pockets to hide the curling of his fists.
"No, you can't. But Batman can. Its time you let go of some of those limits, Mr Wayne." When Fox received no response he readjusted his approach. "So what can I do for you?"
Bruce nodded towards the Tumbler with a quirked brow and a light smile. "Does it come in black?"
Lucius Fox gave an answering grin and gave his old friend a light shove on the shoulder. "Just promise me something."
"What?"
Fox's expression lost all humour. "Don't destroy this one."
Did you like it? :D By the way, for those of you who are following 'An Unlikely Attraction', the update will be up very soon. :)