Authors note: Hey guys, sorry it took so long. For some off reason wouldn't let me sign in, something about a techniqual glitch. Whatever, next chapter will be up soon and maybe another one or two today. Review please x
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from DC Universe.
Chapter 13
The sound of Guns n Roses rang out throw my room. I groaned into the lumpy pillow and quickly sat up...caller id read Bruce
"Ugh leave me alone!!" I complained wishing the achy pain in my body would go away.
Reluctantly I accepted the call and greeted "hey Bruce"
"Hey Ava, just wondering if your back yet"
Suddenly the Joker walked into my room without knocking, he saw me on the phone and a big smirk spread across his face." Either you tell him or I will" he mouthed
I flipped him the bird which only made him laugh, he suddenly came forwards and leapt onto me. "Get off me" I yelped
"Ava? Who are you with?" Bruce asked
"No one, just my...err… my friend...erm....Matilda....yes Matilda, she just jumped on me...she isn't all there ya know, doesn't know when she ISNT wanted" I said coldly
The Joker pouted but stayed on top of me, I tried to push him off with the one hand but he was too strong and stayed where he was." I hate you" I mouthed
"What was that, you love me!?!?" he shouted purposely
"Shut the fuck up" I yelled.
"Ava? What's going on? That sounded like a man" Bruce asked
"Nothing darling, Matilda has many manly traits, also she has a cold. Listen I'm coming home today to get my things" I glared at the Joker.
"There's something I have to tell you"
The Joker nodded approvingly, I glared at him with hate. I felt terrible knowing I had to hurt Bruce. But in my mind I knew I couldn't go through with it and hurt him like that.
"Ava what is it? You have been acting strange for ages now. What's wrong?" he asked
Tears suddenly filled your eyes, The Joker saw these and glared at me "six o'clock, meet me at the le póléa rose, I think it's called, remember you took me there on our first date and bring Anarchy, my cat"
The Joker sneered and motioned for me to end the call. I would have glared at him but I felt too upset and afraid, tears spilled from my eyes as I choked out "Bruce I have to go...I'm so sorry"
"Ava wait-" Bruce began but I had already cut the phone off.
"Good girl" The Joker said still on top of me looking quite comfortable.
"Please get off me now" I murmured,
"Aw is my little Jinxy crying because she has to hurt Brucey?" he taunted
"Just shut up" I whispered
His hand reached up and gently wiped away my tears, he stroked my cheek with the back of his gloved thumb for a few moments wordlessly. He got up that same smirk still on his face.
" I take it where off to go get my things?" I said sadly
"Mmhmm" He chimed still sounding happy, in an insane way.
I got up and followed him, a few tears still escaping my puffy red eyes. Right now I was more confused than ever. I didn't have a choice any longer; I worked for The Joker now. But still part of me wanted this...maybe even wanted him, but then I thought of Bruce and felt pangs of sadness and almost wished things could be different. Almost. Myself, The Joker, Harley and Grumpy (one of his henchmen, who you nicknamed Grumpy because he always seems to be in a bad mood) hopped into the van and proceeded to drive to the hotel I had been staying at. When I arrived I stormed out of the van and marched up to my room, The Joker, Harley and Grumpy following behind cautiously making securely sure they weren't spotted. When we got there I pulled the spare key from under the mat, mentally thanking Bruce for leaving it there.
The lock clicked and the door open. My eyes scanned every inch of the room. Taking in every detail, everything from the dark walls to Anarchy's old food bowl resting on top of the sofa as usual. I went into the walk-in closet, the guys following, staring around the room in awe. Harley began helping me put my clothes into suitcases. Grumpy found and opened the weapons draw and gasped "hey Boss, look at this. She has better weapons than us"
The Joker went over and looked into the weapons draw, laughing slightly as my weapons… Knives, Guns, Grenades, Small bombs, poisonous gases ECT... "Cute" he said simply before leaving the closet, most likely to look around my room.
"Jackpot" Grumpy said greedily
He pulled out huge wads of cash from another drawer " hey! Hands off, that's mine" I shouted pulling the money from his hands and stuffing it into a duffel bag. Once everything was packed ( in all three suitcases and a duffel bag) Harley and Grumpy waited outside while I took one last look around the apartment, I let out a sad sigh.
" Why do you care so much about all of this...about him?" The Joker asked appearing next to me as I stared at a picture of me and Bruce together. "I don't know, I guess it's just the change. It's not everyday a person goes from committing petty crimes, having a millionaire boyfriend and living' the high life to working for one of the most dangerous criminals in Gotham" I told him with a slight chuckle.
The Joker took the picture from my hands and placed it face down on the table. "You'll learn to accept it, maybe even like it" he said with a smile.
I smiled back and replied "Maybe"
Turning away from him, I walked back into the walk-in closet, making sure nothing had been left behind. The only thing I suppose I left behind was my old life. I looked at myself in the mirror; I was still wearing the red and green dress, which was by now filthy and tattered. Without any makeup, but still dressed as Jinx I saw myself as I truly was, Ava, I saw Ava and felt whole almost happy and complete. I wished hard that Jinx wouldn't appear and taunt me and thankfully she didn't, the only change to the image before me was when The Joker came up behind me and wrapped his arms round the front of my waist and rested him head on the top of mine. I kind of liked what I saw in the mirror, as strange as that seemed to me, it was true and yet confusing at the same time " You gonna miss all this?" he asked.
"Yeah, it was all I had left after my parents bought me off" I sighed.
He licked his lips and said childishly " normal lives are over rated anyways, where's the fun being wined and dined every night by Bruce fucking' Wayne? When you could be blowing stuff up with me!"
I laughed slightly but in my mind it really made me think how different the two were, on one hand there was Bruce Wayne, rich bachelor, every girls dream guy but on the other hand there was The Joker, Gotham most wanted madman who blew up banks and hospitals for fun....To any normal girl it would have been an easy choice to make on which one they would rather be with. But then why to me did it seem like the hardest decision in the world? I felt slightly grateful I didn't have a choice in the matter, I suppose it was then I realised I couldn't hurt Bruce like that with the truth.
He wasn't ready for there truth. Or maybe I just wasn't ready to accept the truth. At the back of my mind I could hear Jinx's evil laugh. Calling to me. Taunting me. Tempting me.....
------
Time check. Glancing at the clock I saw it was 5:34 pm. Not long now. I had straightened my hair, put on a long black dress and some black heels. I slowly walked into the main part of the warehouse and looked down nervously, avoiding Harley, the Joker's henchmen, and The Joker himself. Apparently they would be accompanying me to the restaurant and when the time was right they would blow it up. I heard his men whistled at me, only to be silenced by a glare from The Joker. I looked up and saw everyone dressed...well...normally… except all his men had clown masks on, no surprise Grumpy wore an angry clown mask, and Harley had her Harlequin hat and makeup and mask on.
The Joker didn't have any make-up on which surprised me. His scars were covered well with makeup, as were my own, no one would be able to tell unless they look really closely which for that I was thankful. But whatever, it was now time to go anyways.
I hopped into the back of the van, followed by four of his henchmen, Joker, whilst Harley drove with another one of his goons in the front. I sat in the corner as far away from his creepy henchmen as I could, he was laughing; The Joker came and sat next to me. He placed his arm around me but I shook it off and moved away. He scooted closer smirking at my coldness and discomfort. "You look beautiful by the way toots" He whispered so only I could hear.
"Yeah right and your not a compulsive liar" I retorted back, not used to compliments from him or. well anyone except Bruce as a matter of fact. He laughed slightly and didn't reply
Part of me wanted to believe him, it made my heartbeat just that little bit faster to hear him say something like that but I knew there was no way he meant it. So I quickly ignored the slight change in my heart beat as he teased "careful you might hurt my feelings"
"Were here guys!!" Harleys high pitch voice called.
I rushed out of the van and practically ran into the restaurant, not looking back at the group of wanted criminals behind me.
I found Bruce sitting at a table near the corner of the room, his eyes lit up as he saw me "Ava, I've missed you so much"
I walked over and hugged him tightly, Bruce kissed me tenderly on the lips. I almost frowned.
It was nothing liked The Jokers kiss, the exact opposite even. The Joker's kissed was rough and gentle all at the same time while Bruce's was soft and light.
"hi" I mumbled quietly sitting down across from him.
Suddenly someone came and sat at the table nearest to where myself and Bruce were sat. I ignored it as Bruce said "so where have you been Ava? I've been worried sick"
Panic rushed through me. Hardly able to believe all the emotions and feelings I felt right now I nervously replied "I told you with my friend Matilda"
The person on the next table snorted with laughter quietly. My eyes widened; something clicked in my messed up mind causing me to realize. The person who had sat down, I knew who it was!
"I see" Bruce said obviously not believing me.
"How's Anarchy?" I asked
"Ask her" Bruce said with a smile.
He gently lifted a ball of fur up of his lap, I laughed seeing Anarchy uncurl from her tight ball and lift her head up curiously, seeing me she purred happily and leapt across the table and into my loving arms. "Oh Annie I've missed you so much" I cried, receiving funny looks from nearby tables, all except one.
The Joker watched as I hugged Anarchy and strokes her soft brown and black fur.
"Thank you Bruce" I said gratefully
I caught The Jokers gazed but looked away quickly when I realized he was watching my every move.
I sighed and looked at Anarchy who was still happily purring as I stroked her, clearly ecstatic to be reunited with me.
"Listen Ava, what's going on? You have been acting strange for a while now and I'm really worried." Bruce asked reaching out and gently taking my hand.
I gripped his hand tightly as I felt The Joker glare on Bruce and myself.
Tears threatened to fall again. I nearly laughed realising I cried a lot more lately." Bruce, I…I...I'm so sorry" I stammered.
A few tears fell onto Anarchy's beautiful fur; she glanced up at me and meowed, sensing my sadness and fear.
"Ava… What is it? Tell me" Bruce asked
"Get on with it" I heard The Joker snarl quietly
"I. I'm not who you think I am Bruce. There are things about me you don't know" I mumbled quietly.
"Then tell me" Bruce replied
"You don't understand" I managed to say through the tears.
"Ava…" Bruce soothed gripping my hand tighter.
"I can't do this" I nearly shouted before releasing Bruce's hand, placing Anarchy on the table; I ran into the women bathroom away from all their piercing stares.
I hid inside one of the cubicles and fell to the floor, thankful the bathroom was empty as I let the tears flow freely from my sapphire eyes messing up my makeup.
I cried as I thought of Bruce's concerned face, The Joker's glare, everything.
I couldn't do it.
No matter how insane, twisted and whatever I was.
I couldn't find it in myself to tell Bruce, I was the wanted murderer named Jinx.
Suddenly I heard the bathroom door crash open. The cubicle door was yanked open and there stood a furious Joker. He glared down at me like I was nothing. He pulled me roughly up by my arm. That would cause a nasty bruise. I yelped in shock and pain as he flung me against the door and pressed his body against mine. I didn't want looked at him due to the shame I felt.
" You just couldn't do it could you Jinxy" he hissed
I didn't say a word as his grip tightened on my arms, I looked up at his face and saw his scars were perfectly covered and he looked well...normal, he was really good-looking even. He was smiling, I gave him a confused look, and he leant down and whispered "I can see your scars"
I shivered, he breath tickling my neck.
Sensing this he pressed him warm lips against my neck and kissed there processing upwards until he came to my lips where he stopped and rested his forward against my own.
"Were very alike, you and I, both freaks with one difference. You can feel love, compassion and all those other useless and annoying emotions and I...I…" but he stopped.
It seemed he couldn't bring himself to say that he couldn't… but his face showed emotion, for the first time I could tell what he was thinking, he could feel emotion, but it confused him and myself. How and what was he feeling? Right now maybe?
Joker sighed and rested his forehead against my own "What do you do to me Ava?" he said before pressing his lips against mine in a simple kiss. I gently kissed him back unable to control myself. He slid his tongue into my mouth; I felt my heart rate get faster as the kiss became more intense. His hands fell from my shoulders and rested on my hips.
"Excuse me, Ava are you ok in there?" Bruce's voice called from outside the bathroom door.
I pulled away from the Joker and looked into his dark brown eyes pleading silently with him; not to make me do this.
" One more chance to tell him Ava or I will" The Joker warned
I nodded before turning around and opening the door."Shit my scars" I cursed out loud.
The Joker tossed me some concealer from his pocket.
"Do you always carry that with you?" I remarked
"Shut up and put it on" he snapped but he betrayed a guilty smirk.
I quickly covered up my scars and was about to leave the bathroom but realised it would look strange if The Joker walked out of the women's bathroom straight after me.
"Wait about five minutes before coming out" I said quietly before quickly leaving the bathroom.
I grabbed Bruce's arm and went and sat down again. "Sorry…" I mumbled
"Ava tell me what's wrong, I'm really worried about you, Are you in some kind of trouble?" He questioned
I remained silent, unable to look him in the eye. I froze as I heard The Joker sit back down at the table nearest to us. His gaze once again completely on me.
"I…I… Bruce I want you to know I care about you a lot and if there was some other way…" I stammered
I heard the Joker sigh in frustration and slam his hands on the table loudly before getting up again and marching off somewhere. I turned and watched as he walked into the men's bathroom.
I looked back at Bruce, he had so many questions still, I saw them burning in his eyes.
"I'm so sorry Bruce" I murmured
"Your in troubles aren't you Ava? Please tell me I can help" He said
"I'm beyond help now. Bruce. The thing is, I'm not who you think I am...I'm-"
But I was cut off by the sound of gun fire. People began to run as far away from the gun shot as they could, I watched in horror as a waiter fell to the floor dead. The people in the restaurant ran to the corner I and Bruce were at. They huddled together like frightened lambs to the slaughter.
I saw Harley, Grumpy and the rest enter; The Joker slowly approached from across the room clad in his usual attire. His face was plastered wit fresh makeup, a grin playing on his lips.
"Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight I have a surprise for you all" He shouted.
His eyes locked with mine and he glared - I stared at him, begging him not to do with but he ignored my silent pleas.
"She," he pointed at me
"Is Jinx"
The whole crowd gasped in unison, immediately all eyes were on me. I wished the ground would open up and swallow me but it didn't.
Bruce looked at me, his eyes filled with hurt and confusion " Ava...what's he talking about? Tell me it's not true please"
"Bruce I'm so sorry" I pleaded
"I don't believe it. No Ava, you wouldn't do that. You're not a killer. No" He shouted in disbelief
The Joker approached us both, the crowd of people back away leaving myself, Bruce and The Joker standing face to face.
"Afraid its true Brucey...Your little erm...girlfriend" He began snorting with laughter.
"She works for me… Ava McKinley is Jinx. Bet ya didn't see that coming' did ya" he said before bursting into his trademark cruel laughter.
Bruce shook his head franticly, he looked down at me. "Ava, he's lying isn't he? Please Ava tells me he's lying. Your not a killer your not" he pleaded.
The Joker grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. I fell into his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around me so I couldn't move. I knew this wasn't an act of comfort, it was an act of possession.
" Let her go, you scum" Bruce shouted
"Ah. Ah. Ah. I don't think so Wayne. Like I said she works for me now" The Joker said wagging his finger.
Within seconds he had a gun pointed at my head.
Anarchy scampered towards the front of the crowd hissing and spitting at The Joker.
" Ssssh sshh girl come here Anarchy, its ok" I soothed breaking free from his grasp. She ran to me, picking her up, I stroked her; she calmed down and glared at the Joker. I looked back at Bruce, who held his hand out to me, pleading to me to come back to him.
"I'm sorry Bruce" I said feeling the gun press tighter against your head again.
"Ava no!" He shouted about to grabbed me but he was pulled back by two men in the crowd.
"Goodbye" I whispered as I was dragged away by the Joker.
He suddenly turned around and said loudly "Oh and by the way. You're all about to be blown sky high! There's another surprise for ya. I'm full of em tonight" The Joker laughed manically.
"Ava, I love you!" Bruce shouted
I wished so much that I could say it back but if I did it wouldn't be meant and I would only be lying to myself and to Bruce.
He watched helplessly as The Joker dragged me away.
"Let her go you freak"
"Who's he kidding? You're just as much a freak as me, aren't you Jinxy? Now watch the fireworks" The Joker mumbled once we all were outside safely away from the restaurant.
"Please no. Don't you'll kill him" I cried
"That's the idea" The Joker hissed darkly.
His eyes widened as the building exploded, a sick plastered on his painted face. Windows smashed and walls crumbled with a loud exploding sound, screams filled the air.
In the fire light, the look on his face as the building went up in flames scared me; I pulled away from him suddenly terrified of the man before me. I stared at the burning building and shook my head "this is all my fault"
The Joker wrapped one arm around my waist and placed the other hand over my heart.
"Your heart is just as black as mine now Ava. This is your fault, remember that"
His insane laughter echoed through my mind. He was right and now Bruce was dead and it was all my fault. "Please forgive me Bruce" I whispered.