The weeks passed by seemingly fast. Willow had come to grips with bartending and could now work at a suitable pace, though she still got slightly confused when mixing drinks and distinguishing the different types of liquor. But whenever she felt swamped or confused, she always passed the work to Britney, who didn't seem to have much of a problem about it, though complaining, bitching and finding a way to put Willow down always seemed to follow.
When Willow wasn't working, she spent the rest of her time in the apartment. Since the club didn't close until three, Willow had practically trained herself to stay away until then. She spent a few days more rummaging through the apartment, looking through all the cabinets in the kitchen and even looking under the couch cushions. Oddly enough, one of the last places she checked was under the bed, where she found a small, plastic, clear tub with a blue lid. She pulled it out as she sat on the floor, cross-legged in front of it, and she popped off the lid, setting it down beside her. Her eyebrows met in the middle as she looked through the tub, pulling out old newspaper clippings and pictures that went along with them. She read over some of the headlines: 'Two New Bodies Turn Up Dead', 'Gotham Killer Still At Large', 'Missing Twins Still Not Found', 'Missing Twins Turn Up Dead on Main'. The list went on. But once Willow had read her tenth news clipping and browsed over the twentieth picture, she had come to the conclusion that these were the people Joker had killed when he moved to Gotham.
Once she figured this out, her skin crawled nonstop, and it got worse and worse until she finally threw all the pieces of paper back in the bin, and she slid it back under the bed where it belonged. She had so much new insight onto who Joker was and who he had been, but all she had really were just random pieces of the puzzle. Clues that had to all be fitted together followed by some questioning to really understand. She figured she wouldn't have the chance though, and she wasn't exactly sure if she wanted it. Just the fact alone that Joker had once kept a record of everyone he killed sent unwanted chills up her spine. There was a lot of news clippings in there...
But regardless of her scrambled thoughts, she continued to listen to that lone CD Joker had left behind. She couldn't help it. Not only was the rock/reggae styled music incredibly catchy, but it also made her think of him, think of him in a way that sort of comforted her. It made her think of the person he once was, and some of his better qualities; his human side. She knew it was bad to do, but she couldn't help it. She kept the stereo on nearly all day, everyday, with the CD on random and on repeat. The songs were always playing when she went to sleep, when she woke up, when she came back upstairs from work, and when she ate.
Joey noticed Willow seemed much more happier than she had when she had first arrived. She didn't seem as mopey and she smiled more, and when she was working Joey could sometimes catch her staring longingly at the stage.
"Why don't you start dancing again, girl?" He asked her over the music once as he leaned against the bar. "Club needs ya."
Willow had only shrugged and made a point not to stare at the stage again that night. Joey still didn't fully understand why she didn't go back to dancing, he could tell bartending simply wasn't her thing, though he figured the majority started and ended with the Joker. It was tempting to tell Willow what Jack had told him, or even tell him about Willow, but he kept his mouth shut, the need to not get mixed up in their drama too overwhelming for him to care too much. Not only that, but the last thing he needed was a big commotion at his club.
–
Today already hadn't been the best of days. Not only had Loc somehow found a way to get Rocco and Henshaw on about the annoying and loud level he was at downstairs, but the TV was broken, there was barely any food left, and lately Joker hadn't been sleeping very well. With the lack of things to do, or the motivation to go and find something to do, Joker felt tired though restless, and the lack of sleep was starting to take a toll on him. But he had never felt so awake, and so angry when he found out the news... the news he thought he'd never come to hear.
One of the nights before the TV broke, Joker had been absentmindedly watching the news. He had been trying to make himself tired, all ready to climb into bed as he wore a pair of black sweats and no shirt, and he held his head in his hand, his elbow on the arm of couch, as he stared at the TV. He had just been ready to say 'fuck it' and turn the TV off, when a picture of Willow popped up on the screen. The news anchor went on to explain that Willow was still missing since her first day of being released. Joker didn't know whether to be more interested at the fact that she had actually made it out within four months of time, or that she was now suddenly missing. For a split second and so fast that Joker had to wonder if he had even thought it at all, he couldn't help but feel a flash of worry go through him, instantly wondering if she was okay. But the emotion was replaced with anger and he quickly turned the TV and stood to go into his room. He didn't care where Willow was. She was someone else's problem now.
But another problem arose on this day now, and it was quick to put Joker in an even worse mood. He had been standing out side in the front of the building just as the sun started to go down, idly smoking a cigarette to pass the time as he pretended not to listen to a few thugs standing by the cars talking.
"You see that new bartender at Line of Jewels?" One of the fatter of the men asked.
"The brunette? Yeah. She sucks."
"She is hot though."
Joker couldn't help but be a little bit interested. He threw his cigarette on the ground and stepped on it as the thugs went on.
"Yeah. Terrible drink mixer though. Britney's better."
"Didn't she used to dance?" The smaller of four asked, and by then Joker was quick to make his way over to them. They all instantly seemed to stand up straighter and they all quieted down as Joker ran his eyes over all four of them.
"Who are we talking about?" He asked as he looked over all four men again, waiting for someone to speak.
"T-the new bartender at the club," the fat man said. Joker nodded, 'mhmm-ing' at this. He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth before he leaned in.
"And uh... what is this girl's name?"
All four men looked at each other, stumbling around with 'uhs' and 'ums', Joker quickly losing his patience.
"Wa-something. Wee... Willow!" The small guy exclaimed. "Willow!"
Something changed on Joker's face that caused all four men to back up. Joker's heart began to pound, hard, against his chest, and he felt as though he could hear it.
"That'll be all," he said calmly, his way of dismissing the men. Luckily they took the hint and they rushed inside the apartment, tripping over each other. Joker remained staring straight ahead before he reached into his purple coat pocket and he drew out the keys to the black SUV.
He sped down the road, tailgating cars and switching lanes vigorously as he headed towards Joey's. It all made sense suddenly: Willow goes missing the day she's released, and now suddenly there's a new bartender at the club? Joker felt lightheaded and dizzy, and he mumbled something to himself as he sped, seeing nothing but the road. How could Joey, his 'friend', not even tell Joker that Willow was there? How long had she been there? Had Joey told Willow what Joker said? Joker was fuming.
The tires screeched to a halt as he parked the truck by Joey's car and he slammed the door shut as he made a beeline towards the door. He threw it open and glanced quickly to the bar just as he stepped inside. He only the saw the blond working there, the line at the bar long. He took a deep breath in through his nose and cracked his neck, hanging his head to the left and then the right before he started angrily towards the private area, ignoring all the horrified stares, and behind him a few people quickly exited the building, sensing something was about to go down.
Joker opened and closed his hands as to pop his fingers, and he wiggled them around once he had entered the private area. He turned the corner and started up the stairs towards Joey's office, only to receive an unexpected surprise.
Willow had just been going downstairs to get ready for work. Her head looked down as she fixed the bottom of her shirt, straightening it over her hips, when she collided with someone on the stairs.
"Sorry," she immediately said as she caught her balance and she backed up a step, but once she looked up, the world seemed to stop spinning for a moment. Her breath hitched in her throat and her heart felt as though it had shattered inside her chest. Her eyes went wide and mouth dropped as she stared into the dark eyes of the Joker.
Joker had frozen as well. He had not expected to run into Willow this way. He remained staring at her with a somewhat shocked look on his face until he let his eyes flicker over her, taking in what he quickly could. Her hair, that was thrown over her shoulders in its normal fashion seemed longer, and she didn't wear too much make up. She seemed skinnier, and somewhat pale. She seemed the same yet so... different.
Willow took a short second to look over Joker as well. Her mind was a haze, and all she could notice was how his make-up looked as though he had been stuck in rain. Patches of his skin showed through and the dark around his eyes had been smeared upward, turning the white on his forehead gray. The red ran down his chin and even stained his neck, and for a short second Willow wondered what on Earth he had been doing.
Time came back and Willow finally snapped out of her daze. Memories of all that had happen that night, and of all that she had gone through all because of him, came rushing back. Once Joker saw her face go from surprised to suddenly flat, he figured it was time to speak up.
"Hi."
Willow took a deep breath in from her nose as she narrowed her eyes at him. He had said that so easily, so casually, as if he had simply just come to visit her at work like he used to. This made Willow more furious as ever, and it was finally clear to her that Joker hadn't been effected by what had happened, at all. Finally she felt like she had the courage to say what she had been wanting to say to him for a long time.
"Fuck you."
She pushed passed him with her body as she continued down the stairs. She felt dizzy but she tried hard to walk straight as she went to exit the private area, still unable to believe that after nearly six months, half a year, Joker was here, at the club, and she had finally seen him in person. She breathed deeply and steadily as she made her way towards the bar, unknown to her that Joker had been following.
"Willow," he said, his voice loud over the music, but she continued to barge over to the the counter. Britney saw Joker rushing after Willow and she instantly felt nervous, and Joker couldn't help but roll his eyes as he watched a terrified looking Britney quickly hop over the counter, nearly knocking over a glass, and scurry away, like a frightened mouse in a snake's presence.
"Willow," he called again, and he sighed loudly as he placed his gloved hands on the bar as Willow rounded the counter, her back to him. She wished he would just go away; she felt dizzy with anger and her hands shook as she tried to make herself look busy with re-arranging the glasses on the bottom shelf. It was all happening too fast...
"Willow! Look at me dammit!" Joker yelled as he leaned over the counter just as Willow had stood up.
"What!" She yelled, her eyes wide as she turned to him, two shot glasses in her hand, and for a moment she considered throwing them at him, wanting nothing more than to just hurt him back, even if it was physically. Tears burned from behind her eyes and it took everything she had in her to hold them back. Just seeing him made her want to go crazy on him. But she held her ground, forcing herself not to cry. Joker brought his shoulders down and took a small breath as he leaned away from the counter, trying to calm himself down.
"I think we need to have a talk," he said calmly in that clowny voice as he looked at her angered and slightly confused face. Willow rolled her eyes, and Joker could see how watery they were.
"No," Willow said, her voice quivering. "We don't."
"Yes, we do," Joker said back in a harsher voice. He was not taking no for an answer. He finally realized how long he had been waiting to at least see her despite his best efforts not to admit this, and now that he was here, even in a fit of rage, he was not letting anything go.
"I have nothing to say to you," Willow spat as she leaned down again, reaching for more glasses. Joker growled as he started around the counter, and right as Willow leaned up he grabbed her wrist.
"Stop!" She yelled at him as her heart began to race with both anger and fear. But naturally Joker didn't listen as he pulled her away from her station and back towards the curtain. Dancers and guests nervously watched as Joker pulled her behind him, Willow trying to get out of his grasp. But his hand shut tighter around her skinny wrist as he yanked her with him until finally remembered it was useless and she let him pull her upstairs, Willow tripping over her feet.
Joker stopped short once he had reached Joey's door, Willow stopping just behind him and to the side, as Joker left three heavy pounds on Joey's door. Joey instantly knew something wasn't right as he started towards the door, and fear flickered through him as he wondered if it was Jack. But he forced himself to the door, and he felt lightheaded as he opened it, his eyes coming to stare at an angry looking Joker that held the wrist of a sad and somewhat bored looking Willow as she leaned against the wall.
"I think we all need to have a little chit-chat." Joker's eyebrows rose up quickly before they laid back down flat on his frowning face. Joey swallowed as he stepped aside to let them in. Joker made his way inside, and he let go of Willow's wrist once she was inside too. She brought her other hand to it and rubbed it before she sat down in the middle cushion of Joey's big, brown, leather couch. Joey closed the door and slowly made his way towards his desk, desperately in need of a drink. But he could feel Joker's bloodthirsty eyes on him, so rather he leaned against his desk. Joker had once observed this scene before, Joey at his desk and Willow on the couch, but that was a long time ago, and the circumstances were much different.
The room was silent, save for the music from below. Willow had slouched down on the couch, her legs straight in front of her, and she folded her arms over her stomach as she stared at a spot on the floor, holding back her tears. She was not ready to have this talk, and she figured she never would be. Joey leaned against his desk, his legs crossed at the ankle, his arms crossed as he stared at a spot on the floor as well. Joker felt hot from under his coat, but he was a little too angry at this point to even think about taking it off. His mind whirled with questions and things he wanted to say, and he didn't even know where to begin. Finally he looked down for a moment as he took a step back, now located in the middle of the two and he glanced over at Willow before he looked over to Joey.
"Tell me, Joseph, how it's even possible that I didn't know about this little, shall we call it... arrangement?"
Willow blinked back a tear as Joey uncrossed his legs and shifted his weight, placing his palms on the desk. He ignored the name Joker had called him, knowing this wasn't the issue at large.
"Look man, I didn't think it would be okay to do, ya dig?"
"No, Joey, I don't dig," Joker sighed as he glared at him. "Please, feel free to explain. I'm dying to know your reasoning," he added in a very low, very deep voice. Willow would have found this to be incredibly sexy once, but now it just frightened her.
Joey searched for the right words to say. He wanted to be truthful, but he didn't know how to be without mentioning what Joker had said the last time he was there. "She just got out of Arkham, man. You really think you're the first person she wants to see?"
Joey's comment was like a slap in the face to both Willow and Joker, and she held her breath as she looked to Joker. He stood still, glaring at Joey, until he finally rolled his eyes. He hated the position he was in right now, and he himself didn't know what to say to this.
"She came to me, man," Joey went on as he leaned off his desk now. "They were gonna make her stay in some shit-ass apartment somewhere. She was scared, and I don't blame her. But you're hilarious if you really think that she wanted to go to you. After what you did."
Joker bit one of his scars, and he nodded his head slowly as he turned to Willow.
"Is that true?" He asked her as he raised his eyebrows.
"Jack, c'mon-" Joey started, until he was interrupted by Joker holding up his pointer finger to him, and he turned his head.
"I'm speaking to Willow," he stated as if Joey was a child. Joey scowled at him as Joker turned back to a scared and sad looking Willow.
"Yes," Willow finally answered in a small voice. Joker was at a loss for words, again. He wasn't about to apologize, and he knew he really had no reason to be upset over the fact that Willow had called Joey. But still, he couldn't' help but feel as though he had been betrayed.
"Regardless of what happened," Joker started as he turned back to Joey. "Willow had, and still, belongs to me."
To this Joey rolled his eyes as he leaned back against his desk, and he noticed a flash of anger surge through Willow's face as her lips parted slightly as she looked at the back of Joker's head.
"You both should know not to keep things from me, because I have a way of finding things out," Joker stated slowly in that deep voice as he took a step closer to Joey. "And I don't like being lied to."
"Lying?" Joey asked as he narrowed his eyes. "How are we lying?"
Joker wanted to tell Joey exactly what he was feeling, but he refrained from doing so. Willow watched as Joey leaned off the desk, both men practically in each others faces. She felt uneasy now, knowing that nothing but madness was sure to ensue, and she found it hard to believe it was all over her. She knew she wasn't worth it, and she stood up, her legs shaking as the room spun. She really didn't want to see them both fight, the thought alone scaring her.
Joker opened his mouth to talk, but Joey quickly interrupted. "Man you got a lot of nerve to come fucking barging your way to my club and accusing me of lying!" Joey was on the verge of yelling now, and Willow felt as though she couldn't breath as she slowly stepped away from the couch. "I told you what the deal was. You fucking knew Willow's release date, and you didn't do shit about it. She needed help, so I helped her, and yeah I didn't tell you, because I knew this would happen!"
Willow swallowed as she quickly scurried passed them and she disappeared around the corner. She threw open her door, not bothering to close it all the way and she quickly plopped down on her bed, just wanting to drown everything out as Joey's voice got louder, and she couldn't help but listen.
"Don't yell at me," Joker said, his own voice louder too. "After what I told you Joey... after what I told you and felt like an... an idiot for saying, and you don't tell me."
"You left her, dude," Joey said as he looked straight into Jokers eyes. "And let them take her. You obviously don't give half a shit about her as you're trying to tell me you do. It's obvious. She didn't tell the cops or the dudes at Arkham anything about you, so why don't you just drop it and move the fuck on!"
Joker's heart raced with rage as he tried to keep himself in control, breathing deeply. The room spun as he continued to glare deeply into Joey's eyes. He just wanted this all to go away, but he couldn't just walk away and leave it all as it stood. Willow's heart pounded as she waited for Joker to yell, or for a loud crashing sound to erupt due to a physical fight, but this never came, and Willow didn't know what to think when she heard Joker speak.
"Because I can't, Joey," Joker said as he slapped his hands against his sides, and he felt dizzier than ever, but he didn't know else to do besides be truthful. He knew that he was the idiot in this situation, and for the first time in a long time he didn't have the upper hand. He knew, though he didn't want to admit it, that Joey was right, and it made Joker feel low and completely unlike himself as he stood there, knowing that where ever Willow had gone, she was listening.
"This isn't an issue about Willow and me," he said to Joey. "Right now, this is a matter of you and me. What exists between me and Willow is no concern to you, so don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do. And the next time I come to find out you've been keeping something big from me, something that has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me, I'll have your life for it."
Joey felt somewhat threatened by his warning, but he held his ground, trying to act as though it didn't both him. "Do what you want," Joey said. "I don't want to be wrapped up in this bullshit."
He walked passed Joker and Joker listened to him open the door and close it behind him as he started down the stairs. Joker closed his eyes tightly and held his hand to his head as he breathed in and out through his nose. At least he had gotten his point across to Joey, and now all that was left to do was speak to Willow...
He took a deep, steady breath as he started around the corner, and he paused at the door. He hadn't been in his old apartment in a long time, and he was a little hesitant about going inside, and he couldn't help but be a little agitated that Willow had spent so much time in it. He knew he had left things behind there, things that he knew Willow had most likely gotten into.
He finally took a step forward and pushed the door open a little more. The apartment looked just how he had remembered, only with Willow's random, borrowed clothes thrown around on the floor and stacked on the couch. He turned to the right and saw Willow sitting on the far side of her bed, her back turned to him, by the stereo, which he noticed was on. He stepped inside further, and a sharp pain ran through his heart when he recognized the song that was on, but he tried hard to ignore it. He stared at his reflection in the square mirror above the sink, and he he dropped his eyes to it, and saw that all too familiar knife laying in it, just over the drain.
He finally forced himself to turn away and he made his way over to Willow's side of the bed. He sat down, the music more audible now, but he ignored it and stared at her profile. She had both her hands on either side of her, clutching the bed spread as she looked down, not blinking, and it seemed as though she was holding her breath. He frowned and licked the scar on his bottom lip.
"Willow..." he started, his voice low and gentle now. Willow was still shook up over his and Joey's discussion, and she was more confused than ever as she fought back those damn tears.
"I know you probably don't want to-"
"You left me," Willow interrupted said as her voice quivered. "You just fucking... let them take me-"
Joker was about to speak when suddenly Willow shoulder's heaved up and down rapidly, and before he knew it she was crying, harder than ever as she allowed herself to lean on him. He placed his arm around her lower back and he put his gloved hand on her hip. Willow didn't fight him, and though she hated herself for breaking down like this, she couldn't explain how she felt finally being this close to him again.
She continued to cry, feeling more stupid than ever as tears fell onto Joker's purple pants. He stayed silent as he watched the top of her head, her body shaking violently against him.
"All day all I could do was think of why you did it," Willow finally forced herself to say. She wanted him to know how she felt, and more than anything she wanted Joker to feel sorry, though she knew the truth was he wasn't.
"I don't know why," Joker said in that low and quiet voice as he leaned his head down closer to hers. "I don't know why I did it."
Willow wanted to hear him say he was sorry, but she knew he never would. She continued to cry, breaking in deeply his scent, and she hated herself for starting to feel that much more at ease. She was supposed to hate him, supposed to want to be away from him. She started to get used to the fact that she just wouldn't ever see him again, but yet here he was, so randomly. And his being there had to count for something, right? Even if he'd never admit it.
"I told Joey I don't regret things," Joker breathed, wanting to slice his own throat for even telling her this. "And I don't, not one thing I've ever done. But leaving that night... I guess I sort of do."
Willow listened to him, and wanted to believe him, but she just couldn't let herself. She sniffled as she leaned up now, and she wiped her eyes. Joker watched her; her face was slightly red and her make up had run down her cheeks. The words 'beautiful disaster' came to mind as he continued to look at her.
"Whatever," Willow finally said as she wiped the final tear off. "If you regret it so much why didn't you come back for me."
"I don't know," Joker said truthfully as he stared at the stereo now. Willow watched him now, noticing how bored his face looked, though she could have been mistaking his saddened face for boredom. She didn't know what to say. She bit her lip as she looked away.
"Look," Joker started he he looked back to her. "I can't explain why I left you without..." he paused, and Willow looked back over to him. "You were distracting," Joker explained. Willow wanted to roll her eyes and look away, but her curiosity got the best of her, and she continued to look at him. "When I first took you, I didn't want for..." he paused again, sighing, and it made Willow slightly happy to see how bad he was struggling with his confession, whatever it was. "Honestly, you were supposed to be dead by now."
Willow's face fell and she finally allowed herself to roll her eyes as she stood from the bed, but Joker quickly grabbed her already throbbing wrist as he stood up.
"What I mean is I didn't want you to become my roommate, if you will," he started as Willow glared at him. "I had nothing else to do at the time, no big plans, and I didn't want any. I wanted something I could just play with and then throw away. But obviously I sure know how to take a pick, because look what happened."
He was not going to elaborate on that, and Willow stayed silent as she listened, though she did try to free herself from his grip. But he held on to her as he stared down at her.
"You were distracting because every time you came around I'd seem to just stop what I was doing. I blame you for why the cops came around that night. I could have planned it better to avoid it."
"You're a fucking asshole," Willow said as Joker finally let her wrist go. This was not coming out how Joker wanted, and he watched as she stormed towards the bathroom.
"Willow," he growled, getting more and more frustrated as he quickly followed her towards the bathroom, only for the door to suddenly be slammed in his face. He reached for the handle and tried to turn it, only to find it was locked. From inside Willow sat down on the edge of the bathtub as she tried to calm herself down.
From outside of the door Joker sighed as he hung his head. "Are you really going to make me talk to you through the door?" He asked in a flat, clowny voice.
"Maybe you should take the hint," Willow said, her voice muffled, and Joker rolled his own eyes, wanting to strangle her at this point.
"I meant that as a good thing, Willow," he said as he started at the dark wood. The song behind him changed, but he tried to pay no attention to it and tried to ignore the memories the song brought on. "I left you that night because I wanted to be away from the distraction."
He hoped she had understood the hint and what he was trying to tell her without having to say it out loud, but she was silent. Inside of the bathroom, she felt her heart sink, but anger overpowered, and she continued to sit there with a scowl on her face.
"I didn't know what else to do. I knew you'd be okay in Arkham, and I figured it was my chance to... move on." He knew Willow wouldn't like that part, and he was right. Willow rolled her eyes and sighed heavily as she stood up, tears threatening to fall as she shook her head, holding her hair off of her neck for she suddenly felt incredibly hot.
"Obviously I couldn't, which I'm sure Joey told you..." he rolled his eyes now, feeling more and more stupid the more he went on, until finally he realized he should just stop. It was useless. Willow listened as he walked away, and she heard the door close behind him. Finally more tears fell from her eyes as she sat on the toilet, and she leaned over, letting herself cry.
Joker started down the stairs and as he turned the corner he saw Joey sitting in a chair, some redhead all over him. Joker glared at him for a moment before he turned away and continued passed the curtain. Joey quickly stood up, pushing the redhead off of him as he pushed the curtain to the side. He watched Joker walk towards the exit, his coat rising and falling behind him, until finally he threw the door open, and he was gone.
–
About a week passed by with no word from Joker, which Willow felt both relieved and maybe even a little sad about. All she could do was think about the night he had come, and what he said, or at least tried to. It confused her; was it all a game? Or was he telling her the truth?
The thoughts clouded her mind, and her distance in reality showed at work. Britney grew more and more frustrated with Willow just idly standing there, leaning against the counter as she stared at the stage straight ahead.
"You're here to work," she finally told her bitterly. "Quit daydreaming about that stupid clown."
Willow rolled her eyes at her.
"Dare you to say that to his face," she said as she leaned up, and Britney rolled her eyes.
"I don't have to tell him," she snapped back. "He already knows."
Willow let a snort of laughter escape from her. She sounded so sure of herself, and all Willow could do was roll her eyes.
Her shift was just about ended at the end of the week. She glanced up at the clock, noticing that it was almost two thirty AM. Britney had already left, leaving Willow to clean up and get organized for the next night. Willow had just bent down to put away the clean glasses from the bin next to her when the Joker waltzed his was into the club. He looked around, noticing that no music was playing and that nobody was around, save for a few girls who were trying to decide how to walk passed him to leave. He smirked at the group of huddled up dancers as he looked towards the bar. He saw no one behind it, and he wondered if Willow had already gone upstairs when he heard clanking coming from behind the counter. He decided to investigate and he stepped over to the front of the counter, and he saw Willow bent down as she unloaded the glasses.
She had just finished putting the last one away and she stood up, only to jump and nearly scream when she saw Joker staring at her. He grinned slightly at her frightened face.
"You haven't looked at me like that in a long time," he joked, but Willow only rolled her eyes, suddenly deciding that Britney could finish the rest of the cleaning up tomorrow night. Joker frowned now as Willow started to take her apron off. She glanced at him, and caught his eyes quickly wander down her body before he looked back up to her, and she huffed as she rolled her eyes.
"Willow," he started again. "Talk to me."
She glared at him before she threw her apron at him. The action was unexpected and she couldn't help but feel a little better when it hit his face. Joker remained calm however as he took it in his hands, and he rolled his eyes as he leaned off the counter, apron still in hand, as he followed Willow. She stormed towards the private area and she disappeared behind the curtain. Joker pushed passed the curtain just in enough time to catch her running up the stairs, taking two at a time.
"Willow," he started again just as he had caught up to her at Joey's door. She went to close the door in his face but he reached out, stopping it, and let himself inside Joey's office. He looked over to Joey, who was sitting behind his desk, and he took in a deep breath as he somewhat angrily watched Joker close his door.
"Not a word," Joker said as he pointed at him. Joey shook his head before he turned back to his computer, deciding to let the two of them fight it out.
Joker started over towards his old apartment door, but naturally when he went to open it, it was locked. Willow sat at the edge of the bed closest to the door as he listened to Joker sigh, and she knew he was losing his patience. But why should she care?
"Willow, please, just talk to me," Joker said. "Humor me."
Willow rolled her eyes as she crossed her legs and she started to look over her nails, kind of enjoying watching Joker act this way. It was different for him, and she liked it.
Joey sighed from behind his desk as he watched his friend pathetically fail, and he couldn't help but grin as he stood up, collecting the few papers he had been looking over. He put them away in their proper file cabinet before he grabbed his leather jacket and keys, and he walked over to Joker.
"I'm going home," he said to Joker, and he turned towards him. "Tell Willow," he added, though Willow could perfectly hear their conversation. "Whatever happens," he added. "Don't touch anything. Because I'll know, ya feel me?"
Joker rolled his eyes as he growled, wishing he didn't have an audience for this.
"Yes, Joey," he sighed as he cracked his neck. "I am feeling your rule, and I will not handle any of your possessions."
Joey grinned at him before he pat him on the back, Joker wanting to rip his head off. He waited until Joey closed his office door, before he turned back to the door, Willow unknowingly smirking from behind it.
"Willow Fox," Joker said now as he leaned his head on the door, his shoulder's slumped. "You and I both know I'm perfectly capable of breaking this door down."
Willow continued to look over her nails, hardly phased by his threat. Joker lowly growled to himself again. He wasn't in the mood to break down the door, and he didn't need Willow to be any more angry at him then she already was. He waited a few more seconds, waiting to see if Willow would say anything or even open the door, but nothing but silence existed. He turned away from the door now and walked over to Joey's desk. Willow waited, listening, but she never heard him open the door to the leave. It was tempting to open the door and see what he was doing, but she stayed put, deciding it was better to just wait.
About a minute later she finally heard Joey's door close, and she felt like she could breath again. She waited a few more seconds until she figured it was okay to open the door and make sure he had left. She could already picture him standing right by her door now, waiting to force himself in. On second thought, she figured that's probably what he was doing.
She crept up to the door as quietly as she could and she gently eased it open. She peeked out, and saw no Joker. She finally opened it all the way and peeked out from around the corner. The room was empty. She let out a sigh of relief as she walked out now to turn off Joey's desk lamp. The only light that existed now was the light from the apartment that flooded out, making a little path for Willow to find her way back. She paused at her door now, noticing her apron drooped over the door handle. She rolled her eyes as she picked it up and she walked back into the apartment.
She locked the door and tossed the apron on the bed. She was about to start to the bathroom to brush her teeth, but she froze, something on the apron catching her attention. She sat on the bed as she took off the small yellow sticky note that had been folded into the fabric. She looked over Joker's small and sloppy writing:
My Dearest Willow,
Willow rolled her eyes.
I'm getting very tired of your little game. I don't take to the silent treatment too well, so it would be in your best interest to just stop & talk to me. Otherwise I just-
She turnedthe note over to read the rest:
-might stop trying. It's up to you. Till then...
He signed his name sloppily on the bottom, the cursive completely unreadable. She re-read the note a couple of times before she sighed, placing it down on her end table as she rolled her eyes again, thinking. Joker's efforts to at least talk to her were really starting to take a toll on her. She knew now that it had to count for something, and she wondered if maybe he was regretful. She wondered, if she gave him the chance, what he would say to her. His note threatened that he would just stop, and Willow knew that he would force himself to. Then something clicked...
Willow knew that Joker could easily say 'fuck it' and stop trying. He was completely able to control himself, so it was all him wanting to try and get her back, or at least talk. He had told her she was distracting, but obviously he was willing to overlook that to have her back with him. She smiled slightly. For once she had the upper hand on him, and while she wanted to milk it and enjoy it for as long as she could, the time with this was quickly winding down. She had to make a big decision.
The answer seemed almost obvious to her a few nights later. She had just gotten ready for work and just stepped out of her apartment when she saw Joey sitting at his desk, watching some youtube video on his computer. He suddenly shook his head and exited the entire window before he turned to the front and saw Willow looking at him.
"I don't even know why I bother," he was telling her.
"What was that?" Willow asked as she fixed the bottom of her tiny red tank top. Joey rolled his eyes.
"Some stupid video. I don't know," he growled, and Willow grinned at the bad mood Joey was suddenly in. "So any sign of the clown lately?" He asked as he leaned back, wishing in the back of his mind Willow wasn't wearing that big, black apron.
"No," she said, though she didn't sound as angry as normal, and Joey picked up on this.
"You sound upset about it," he commented, and Willow sighed.
"I don't know what to do," she said honestly. "What should I do?"
Hey, I don't know," Joey said. "This is an issue between you and him. Jackass made that real clear with me," he added as he rolled his eyes, and Willow smirked. She suddenly turned and walked back into the apartment, Joey watching all the while, until she came back out with that yellow sticky note.
"He gave me this last time he was here," she said as she handed him the note. He eyed her, confused, before he looked down to read it. He turned it over, reading the rest before he let out a chuckle.
"Dude's crazy," he said.
"Yeah..." Willow said.
"Just go with him," Joey said. "It's obvious you want to."
"I know," Willow said as she threw her arms up in the air. "But I just... can't. He left me Joey."
"And the dude regrets it," he said as he leaned forward. "He really does."
Willow sighed. "I want to believe it," she said. She stayed silent for a moment, thinking. "What did he tell you?"
"Tell me when?" Joey asked.
"The first time he came here he figured that you had already told me something he had said. What was it?"
She saw Joey hesitate for a moment. "I don't-"
"Come on," she said as she stepped closer to his desk. "He already thinks you told me."
Joey sighed before he opened his mouth to talk. "He said, without actually saying it, that he practically missed you," he said easily, and Willow felt a shock run up her spine.
"Whatever," she said. "He did not."
"Hey, you asked, and I told you," Joey said.
"How exactly did he say it?" She asked.
"I accused him of it, and he denied everything I said. But he made me swear not to say a word to anyone. And that if I did, he'd kill me. So thank you, Willow. I finally get successful, and now you try and kill me."
Willow smiled as she rolled her eyes. But she thought back to what he had said. She knew he'd never admit what he was really feeling, but him making Joey to promise not to tell anyone? That had to mean something.
Another week passed by with no sight of Joker, and admittedly Willow couldn't help but be sad about it. She had gone crazy deciding what was best to do. On one hand she really, really wanted to forgive him, but on the other she was still mad. But as she thought more, she wondered if she could come to a happy medium? She knew that if something didn't happen with this next upcoming visit, whenever that would be, she'd lose her chance most likely, and deep down she didn't want that.
Now, on a cold, Saturday night, she had just stepped behind the bar to start her shift. Britney wasted no time in scowling over at her as she watched Willow tie on her apron.
"Don't you have any real clothes?" She asked with a scowl. Willow ignored her as she went to serve the man who had just stepped up to the bar.
"What can I get you?" She asked, forcing a smile, and then man grinned back.
"What ever you prefer," the man said back to her, and Willow rolled her eyes.
"I don't drink much," she explained. "So I don't prefer anything."
"I can change that," the man offered, and Willow rolled her eyes again, not even knowing what he meant by that.
In his line of sight, Joker stopped at the door, watching some man's pathetic attempt to flirt with Willow. He watched as the man grinned, sloppily leaning over the bar as Willow glared at him. Joker rolled eyes, figuring an act of kindness might ease Willow's mood towards him a little bit.
He walked over and stood next to the guy, and he cleared his throat, loudly. Willow looked over to him, her eyes widening slightly, and the man jumped when he saw Joker grinning at him.
"Why don't you go find some where else to be," Joker told him menacingly, and without a word the man scuttled away. Joker watched him go before he turned back to Willow with that same grin. She stared at him for a moment before she turned around.
"What, no thank you?" Joker asked. "I do believe I just saved you from the start of a horrible night."
"Funny you should mention the word 'saved'," Willow said smartly as she turned back to him. "And no, now is the start of my bad night."
Joker grinned at this, laughing slightly as he shook his head. She was actually talking to him, even if it was only smart remarks, but it was a start.
"I assume you got my note?" He asked as he watched her try to look busy, but he saw right through it as he noticed Britney pushed all the way in the corner.
"Yeah," Willow said.
"So," Joker started slowly. "Can we talk?"
"I'm working," Willow replied simply, and Joker growled.
"I'm sure our dear friend Joey won't mind if you take a break," he said, but his voice was different. It was no longer clowny and somewhat normal, but rather low and edgy, like he was really losing his patience. Willow paused, realizing she'd better, unless she wanted to lose her opportunity.
"Fine," she said as she sighed. "Britney, I'm taking a break."
Britney didn't move or say a word as Willow took her apron off. She placed it on one of the shelves below the counter and she started around it, walking towards the private room, not even bothering to see if Joker was following. She already knew the answer.
Joey wasn't in his office and Joker continued to follow Willow through it and into the apartment. He closed the door behind him, still unable to help looking around. It was still so odd being in there.
He noticed his CD still playing, the volume low, and he raised an eyebrow to this. Willow had gone to start cleaning up things in the kitchen, and Joker rolled his eyes to this as he stood in front of that sink, watching her.
"So," Willow started as she put the dishes in the sink, only to realize she had put the clean stack in. She paused for a moment, hoping Joker didn't realize this too as she continued to run the water on them anyway.
"So," Joker started as he watched her. Suddenly washing dishes didn't seem like enough busy work and Willow turned around, pausing as she looked for something to do.
"There's a big pile of clothes on the couch that need folding," Joker offered smartly with a grin, and Willow rolled her eyes, trying not to grin back. "There's also a bare room at the apartment that needs some... attention," Joker put rather causally, and Willow felt her heart stop for a moment as she looked at him. Had he really just invited her back to the apartment with him? That quickly?
She searched around for words to say as she continued to stand there. "I-" she started, only to stop again as she sighed.
"I think you want to," Joker said as he dared take a step closer to her. But Willow stepped back; she was not going to let him woo her into anything like he seemed to have a knack for doing, without even trying.
"I think you're wrong," Willow said as she tried to go passed him, but Joker stepped to the side, stopping her. She stepped to the other side to move passed, but Joker stepped to stand in front of her as well until she sighed, rolling her eyes.
"I don't play games," he said. "Remember? So quit acting like a child, and talk to me."
"What is there to talk about?" Willow asked rather quickly, her eyes wide, and Joker looked into them, forgetting how green they were. "You left me..."
"I know," Joker said as he rose his eyebrows up, trying to keep calm. "I know I left you. And I told you why. I also remember telling you that I..."
"You what?" Willow asked as she put her hands on her hips.
"Regret it," Joker said with a scowl. Willow felt as though she had been waiting this whole time for a sincere apology, for Joker to actually have a sad look on his face and for him to beg her forgiveness. But she finally, at that moment, realized she would never get it. Whether he really was sorry, which regretting the act seemed to imply, or not, she'd never hear him say those exact words. Truly the world would end if he did.
"Why didn't you just come back for me?" She asked as she looked up at him, his face-paint seeming freshly done. "Or did you realize that you regretted what you did once you realized how bored you got?" She knew the answer to this, but she asked anyway, just to see what he'd say. Joker sighed loudly as he looked up the ceiling before he went back down.
"Obviously," Joker said. "This talking thing isn't getting through to you. So maybe actions speak louder than words, yes?"
A shock ran up Willow's spine as Joker leaned down to her. Without warning he suddenly placed his gloved hand on her face, and he parted her lips with his thumb before he leaned in and kissed her. Against her will, Willow melted on the spot, seeming to turn into putty in his hands with his lips against hers, and in a matter of seconds, she finally kissed back, puckering her own lips.
The room spun as she realized how long she had been wanting to do this, and she felt her legs threaten to give out as Joker slid his hand from her face down to her neck, and he gently wrapped his fingers around the side of it, sending chills up Willow's spine. Butterflies started in her stomach, and the feeling was uncontrollable. She hadn't felt it in a long, long time, and she found herself enjoying it. Joker now slid his hand from her neck down to her waist as he placed his free hand on the other side, and he gently pulled her slightly closer to him once he realized Willow wasn't going to try and fight him. Just barely he traced his tongue over hers, and he could feel Willow practically shudder against him.
Joker slowly pulled away, and he looked deep into her eyes, looking for a reaction. But Willow seemed unable to comprehend anything, for her lips were still parted and she had a dazed look on her face.
"Come back to the apartment with me," Joker finally said in a soft, low voice as he continued to look into her eyes, and Willow into his. She could just barely see the blue in them; she had completely forgotten that color existed in his dark eyes. She had also forgotten that she was probably the only person in Gotham that knew that.
Willow didn't know what to say. If it wasn't for Joker's hands on her hips still she knew she'd collapse. Joker always seemed to be right there when she needed, supporting her. All that night had been was his one slip up, a slip up she had a feeling he wouldn't again commit.
She was still frozen on the spot as she looked into his eyes, her heart pounding against her, and she swallowed nervously.
"Convince me," she said in a small voice, and a surge of lightheaded-ness washed over her for a split second when Joker rolled his eyes.
"Willow," he started, his voice barely a growl. "I told you I'm done playing that ga-"
"Seriously," Willow said as she swallowed again, feeling as though she was going to pass out. "Convince me to go." She was supposed to hate him. Her trip to Arkham was supposed to get her over him, and for a while she thought it had. It was so easy for her to just go back with him and pretend nothing had happened, but the voice inside her head was screaming at her to push him off of her and be done with him forever. He had hurt her, bad, and that wasn't something she could just forgive so easily. She didn't move as they continued to stare at each other, the seconds seeming like minutes to her as she fought with the voice.
"Well," Joker started. "I know you want to." He stated this so simply, and Willow hated how right he was. "I know that you've probably gone through everything in this room, and seen all there is to see, and have a billion questions you want answers to."
Willow's wishful stares turned into somewhat of a glare as Joker kept on talking.
"I know you miss it there."
"You don't know anything," Willow started, only for Joker to shake his head at her.
"Ah, ah. You wanted me to convince you to go. Which I know I'm doing."
Willow licked her lips as she stayed quiet now. Joker grinned at her as he leaned down close, his lips barely touching her ear.
"And I know I want you there."
Willow's lips parted as she felt her stomach drop. Joker leaned away now as he continued to grin down at her, knowing that he had gotten to her. Finally, he had won, and finally he had the upper hand again. Just as it should be.
"So, come with me?" He asked again, this time in a much more cheerful voice. The voice inside screamed at her, but on the surface, Willow agreed. She wasn't sure if it was right, but at the time she didn't care if it was wrong as she nodded her head.
"Okay."
Gimme lots of reviews on this if you want the next chapter! :) Hope you enjoyed Joker's suffering, heh heh ;)