Author's Notes: Man I'm a bit upset lately got a "D" on my analysis pic essay that I was so excited about. Oh well, c'est la vie right? But wow over 1,000 views now that makes me happy. Well anyway enjoy the chapter, please comment I'd love to get critique or know how the story is going so far.
Bruce descended the steps and came back to where Joker resided. Once he laid eyes on the empty bed he nearly dropped the platter of food he was carrying. "Damn it Joker…" spoke Bruce in a simmering rage. He set down the tray and immediately went on the search for the deranged and dangerous clown. "Joker! Where the hell are you!" bellowed Bruce as his deep, dark and familiar persona. Joker had to be in the cave, the entrance through the grandfather clock was sealed and there was no way he'd be able to travel far being injured and under the influence of pain killers. Before he could shout again he caught glimpse of the jester standing in front of glass casings that enclosed mannequins that donned the costumes of his permanently retired subordinates. Rage started to blind his vision, the sight of his greatest enemy, that was directly responsible for Batgirl being in a wheelchair for the rest of her life and the death of his second Robin, being in the presence of their costumes grew to be too much. Before Bruce could unleash his pent-up aggression the clown spoke.
"Hello kiddies, how you two been?" smiled Joker as he spoke to the memorials. There was a small pause; it was almost as if he was waiting for someone to respond. "Awww, giving old Uncle J the silent treatment eh, well I don't blame you," he chuckled softly. Bruce's rage grew dead cold; he was just left confused as he stared at the chuckling clown. Joker seemed to be earnestly talking to the costumes as if they were really Barbara and Jason. "I know we've had our differences in the past but can you two enlighten me on something, I don't seem to get the joke. You see, Batsy doesn't seem to get how our little dance works, there's so much potential but he always seems to be in constant doubt and worry, has he always been like that?" asked Joker as he paused for a moment. All this really put a pit in Bruce's stomach; there was no way Joker was faking. He was literally just a few feet away from the jester, who just seemed so dazed and in his own little world. In his deranged mind, he was really having a talk with Batgirl and Robin. Joker smiled and nodded as he parted some hair from his face. "Yep, I see… There was something else I wanted to inquire; I really want to know why he refuses to take our game to its final stage. He truly knows how to lead old Uncle J on. I mean do you know how frustrating it is to wait for that final blow or that push off the ledge all so he can change his mind? Of course you two don't, hell if either of you were in his position you wouldn't have a care in the world as you revel at my death. You two wouldn't hesitate, but hey that's why you're second banana to my Dark Knight. But anyway, back to the question at hand why does he hold back, why does he refuse to end me?" he delayed again waiting for an answer. "Oh, you two don't know why either. It's rather confusing isn't it? It's not as if I don't know I deserve death, that's why I bestowed that honor onto him. Don't get me wrong I'm not suicidal, I have my own reasons, but what does a clown have to do to get him to lose control?! Why does he let me live if he knows damn well this blasted world with all it's pathetic people would be a hell of a lot better off!" proclaimed Joker as his voice raised and his body tensed up. He took a few deep breaths and calmed himself. "Is it because he sees more in me, beyond the depravity and insanity that I am? Does he see some small glimmer for something better in this sea of chaos, while others branded me as hopeless?" pondered Joker while bearing a sad smile.
Bruce felt wrong witnessing this. It was as if he was intruding Joker's most personal thoughts. To him it felt like he was listening to something he was never meant to hear. The pale and lost clown began to laugh softly, the more he stared at his reflection on the glass casings the more his laughter grew. "Ridiculous, am I right?! Oh, how delusional your mentor is right? You know the funny thing is, even if he was right, there's no way I can ever be redeemed. I mean look at me, no matter what I will always be Joker! There's no escaping it, no one sees past this pale skin, this bloodied smile, all that I am is all I will be!" he then stopped laughing and dropped his crazy grin. "There's no second chance, no turning back for me. No one will give it to me anyways. Even if I go completely out of my character and apologized, no one in their right mind would listen. I can't say sorry to you Miss Gordon, because let's face it you'd have to be as loony as the folks in Arkham to consider forgiving all I've done to you and your family, so why bother wasting words. And you Bird Boy I can't say anything to you because… well you're dead," he let a small giggle escape at the end and placed a hand over his red lips. "Do excuse me, I was really trying not to laugh, old habit." Joker calmed himself and finally let out a sigh while plastering his trademark grin. "Well, it was nice chatting with you two, I had fun. We should do this again sometime," he smiled at the lifeless mannequins.
Once he was done he turned and stepped towards Bruce, he didn't even notice the billionaire. "Joker?" questioned Bruce as he placed a hand on Joker's shoulder. In that brief second, Joker collapsed into his arms, when Bruce turned him over he saw the jester was unconscious in his embrace. Worry filled Bruce's face, as he checked Joker's pulse he sighed in relief to find his heartbeat normal. Joker was so cold in his arms; the thin material of the pajamas probably provided little protection against the arid environment of the cave. He carried the fragile clown into the cell he had intentioned to put Joker in before that strange event. He placed the sleeping jester over the small cot in the cell. Bruce thought it best to go for some of the blankets on Joker's former resting place, along with their lunch, so he left to do just that.
After a moment or so that Bruce left, Joker began to open his eyes and groggily sat up on the cot. He gripped the bridge of his nose and tried to focus his vision. Once he was able to steady himself he looked around and saw he was no longer in the bed in the cave. Instead he found himself in a cell with concrete walls, a lone cot, a metal toilet and small sink which were welded and bolted to the ground and walls. He noted the huge metal door along with a keypad lock; he scoffed at the precautions his bat took in order to keep him restrained. This was certainly more spacious than his cell in Arkham, but probably a bit more difficult to escape. But hell, he wasn't the master of escape for nothing. Just before he could contemplate his escape, the huge metal door opened and in came his "gracious host" with blankets and lunch. "Really Brucey, you couldn't trust me enough to stay put in my nice warm bed that you downgrade me to this little homely cell, now that's cold. I'm genuinely hurt," said Joker with feigned and exaggerated despair. Bruce remained silent and handed the jester his blankets, who quickly wrapped himself in them. He then set down their lunch and stared at the clown. Joker really didn't remember getting up from his bed and talking to the memorials of Batgirl and Robin. It felt awkward being in his presence just after hearing him display his most inner and personal thoughts. "Sheesh, don't get so down in the dumps, I was only kidding. Hey, even I wouldn't trust me, so no hard feelings right?" asked Joker as he reached for a sandwich. Bruce didn't even notice that he was conveying his concern so he tried to shake himself out of his thoughts and acknowledge Joker.
"Look for what it's worth, sorry for getting angry before," apologized Bruce as he took a sip from his drink.
"Heh, don't apologize, I understand perfectly. You're just really defensive about the people around you. Alfie's like that stern father figure to you so of course you'd be protective, especially in the presence of a crazy psychopath like myself, am I right?" smiled Joker as he continued to enjoy his lunch. At that moment Bruce grew curious about Joker's time with Alfred.
"So, if you don't mind answering, what did you do with him aside from playing chess? Knowing you, you probably talked to him about things," inquired Bruce as he took a bite of his meal.
"Well if you're worried that I scarred him for life with my grisly tales or made him squeal about your personal life, I didn't. It was he who was asking the questions actually, and feeling like being amused I entertained his curiosity."
"What did he ask?" questioned Bruce.
"He asked about my personal beliefs, you know why I do the things I do. He also wanted to know about you, how you fall into my little quest to liven up the lives of the wretched people of Gotham. I think the last two things he asked were, how it is that you haven't killed me and how come I haven't killed you," Joker paused and drank his lemonade.
"How did you answer?" In all honesty, Bruce was now looking for clarification of the clown's delusions from before.
"I thought the answer would be obvious by now Brucey. You're too much fun, I can't…"
"That's not what I meant. I want to know why you think I haven't killed you," interrupted the billionaire. Joker remained quiet; Bruce took this small pause to set the empty tray and cups on the ground and waited for him to respond. The Joker grinned as if he came up with a good answer.
"Because of some self-righteous code you developed after mommy and daddy were shot in that dark alleyway. They were taken from you and now you're this ball of angst that goes around beating the living hell out of those who you deem bad," laughed Joker with a wicked grin. In that split second Bruce grabbed hold of Joker's collar and was inches of beating his face in. "You gonna do it this time? Are you finally going to lose control?" At the mention of his parents' death he was close to ripping the clown apart with his bare hands. But he stopped himself, Joker wanted this, he wants him to end the madman's life. But why, why was it so important to the clown that he be the one to kill him?
"Why do you do this Joker? Why is it you want me to kill you? Why do you want to die so badly?" pleaded Bruce all while still clutching at Joker's collar.
"I don't want to die, I love life," smiled the hopelessly giddy clown.
"Then why do you keep doing this?! You keep pushing me closer to the edge just hoping I snap one day and kill you!" growled Bruce, his voice filled with frustration.
"That's none of your concern; the only thing you should know is that is how our dance is meant to end." Answered Joker quietly
"I know there's something deeper, I want you to tell me!"
"And how the hell would you know?!" snapped Joker. Bruce then let go of his hold and stared quietly at the confused and angry clown. He took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"I heard you… talking about it. I don't know if you remember but you were out of bed and I found you talking to monuments to my former apprentices, I heard you Joker…"
"Stop," stated Joker quietly, his expression was stoic but Bruce could see anger lying behind those acidic green eyes. So, he knew what he was talking about. But Bruce didn't stop, he wanted to know why this was so important to Joker, he deserved to know.
"Tell me Joker, I have the right to know! I'm not kidding; I don't want to be locked in this suicidal course to the death with you anymore! My offer from before still stands…"
"And I told you it's too late for HELP!" intervened Joker raising his voice. "You really want to know Bats, you really want to know why I want this from you?! Because you're so far from my reach!" screamed the angry jester. The billionaire philanthropist was left speechless, he dared not interfere. "I call you my equal, my other half, but in reality I know you're better. You're truly incorruptible and that's what I want to destroy, so you can be on my level. And I know the only way is for you to break that one rule you have. I could never be what you are, so the easiest thing is to join me on my level, even if it means dying by your hand. But you won't even do that! You can't finally wake up and do what everyone is just hoping you'll do one day. I want you to join me on the side of madness and despair over the fact that you… THAT YOU LOST THE ONLY ONE WHO UNDERSTOOD YOU!" he finally shouted with all his might. At this point Joker seemed so enraged. Bruce could tell that the madman's confession was just tearing him apart. In the heat of the moment Bruce did something he thought he would never do, hug his greatest enemy.
He wrapped his arms around the thin clown and held him tight in his embrace. He could feel Joker's fast and erratic heartbeat start to calm down. He was breathing hard against Bruce's neck, he wasn't even sure this was really happening. Bruce could feel Joker tremble as he hesitantly raised his hands to hold Bruce. For the first time in his life, the clown felt doubt, he wondered if it was all right to hold this man before him. Joker found the confidence to wrap his arms around Bruce's back and eased into the embrace. Neither man said a word, they just continued in this position. Bruce could feel Joker's icy skin; he wondered why he always seemed so cold. Both men were unsure what to do now, this felt awkward but it felt good. Joker was calm in his arms; he felt that the madman was in need of this, of someone merely connecting with him. Just when it felt that Bruce was loosening his hold Joker deepened his. He could feel the warmth from before envelop their embrace. In truth he didn't want to let go, Joker was holding desperately onto his only lifeline. The only one that kept him bound to being human, no one else did this. Not Harley with her empty devotion, not the doctors at Arkham with their false sincerity, no one but the man in front of him saw him as human. He was merely a caricature, a monster, a smiling demon to the people of Gotham, something not human. But Bruce made him feel otherwise, only he was allowed to see this weak and vulnerable side beyond the madness.
Eventually, Joker let go of Bruce and allowed him to stand. He didn't want to let go, but then again he couldn't allow it to drag on. Bruce picked up the empty tray and began to head for the door, unsure of what else to do. Before he left he turned one last time to meet Joker's haunting eyes. "Try to get some sleep," he stated simply not knowing what else to say.
"I'll try," replied Joker quietly, never taking his eyes off his bat as he left him alone in the now cold cell.