I woke up the next morning, lying in my bed. As I slowly woke up, I remembered bits of what happened the previous night. My face stung and I remembered that the Joker had cut on my mouth again. I put a hand up to it and felt bandages there. I smelled two distinct scents; greasepaint that he used and cherries. Both of which belonged to the Joker. I didn't remember getting into my bed though. He must have carried me. That thought sent a chill down my spine, of him having the opportunity to take advantage of me. But then again, he didn't. He showed me comfort. He dressed my cut.

'Yeah, that he caused Lily! Think about this rationally. He is a notorious villain; he holds absolutely no regard for human life. Why should yours be any different?'

I sighed and looked at my clock on the wall.

"Shit!" I jumped up from my bed and dashed to my closet. I quickly changed and shook my hair out before throwing it into a quick pony tail. I ran out the door and across town to the Gotham Bridge. I heard a clock chime, telling the world that it was now 10 a.m. I'd never been late before, never! I broke out into a run, dashing through the various people on the bridge.

I arrived at work at about 10:35. I hurried to my small office and collapsed in my chair. I was so out of breath. I sat up straight when I heard a knock at my door.

"Come in."

Mr. Fox opened the door and smiled at me. "A little car trouble this morning?"

I smiled back. "Ah, no Sir. I don't have a car. I woke up late this morning and the bridge was crowded. I'm sorry Sir, I won't be late again."

He frowned at me, his eye brows twisting down, as if confused. "Don't you live in The Narrows? How do you get here and home?"

I looked down, ashamed, and blushed deep red. "Yes, Sir. I live in the Narrows. I walk here and home. I spent the last of my money on my rent and few packs of Ramen noodles. I plan on getting a car after a few months."

"That is not acceptable, Miss Vaughn. I'll speak to Mr. Wayne immediately."

I shot up from my chair and squealed out. "Please, Mr. Fox, please don't. I'll be fine."

He smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. "There is no shame in asking for help if you need it, Miss Vaughn. Don't think that it will make you look weak or helpless. You just need a little help. It will be fine, Miss Vaughn. I assure you."

I don't know what it was about what he said, whether it was his words or his tone, but I nodded and sat back down. He left the room and I turned my computer on to start my work. When it came to the home screen, I entered my password and it loaded up some more.

As my computer booted up, the background showed. I stared at it in shock. There was a picture of The Joker. I quickly went to the sample pictures and changed it to a panoramic of a mountainside and a river. I sighed for about the 50th time this morning and went to working.

At the end of the day, I made my way out of the building and down the street, the night sky showing thousands of stars out. It surprised me. Gotham was such a big city, surely the lights from the streets and businesses would drown out the stars, but not tonight. I stopped in the middle of the bridge and just stared up at the beautiful sky. I smiled softly as the wind started to blow, moving my hair along with it. I took in a deep breath and I started to continue. I heard a honking from the bridge and turned my head towards it.

'Oh God, no.'

A black van stopped in front of me and a man jumped out. He grabbed my wrist and yanked me inside. This was going to be a long evening.