Author's Notes: Thank you all very much for your reviews and support. I really didn't think I'd get such feedback. I honestly didn't know what to expect when I started this, usually when I do fanfics they're one shots so this is my first one to be written in multiple chapters with a storyline instead of a single moment where it leads to carnal pleasure. And this is also my first BatmanxJoker fic so still getting my feet wet per say when it comes to this pairing, I hope you guys enjoy and thank you for your support so far it really makes me happy especially now since I feel so depressed lately.
News of Scarecrow's escape filled the monitors of the Batcave's computers. Bruce was now diligently at work to secure leads to the ex-psychiatrist's plans. On a corner screen he would glance at security feed coming from Joker's cell. Since their encounter earlier afternoon, Joker merely was sitting on the cot staring aimlessly at the concrete walls. For hours he just stared, not even taking a moments rest. Now that it was night, Bruce didn't have the time to figure out what the clown was thinking. His own thoughts were a bit scrambled with everything that has been going on. Moments ago having his most dangerous enemy in his arms that moment of fleeting weakness still lingered in his thoughts. No matter how many times he played that moment in his mind, he couldn't figure out why he had reacted that way. He desperately wanted to calm the madman's rage and he did, but not without stirring something inside himself. It felt wrong embracing Joker it felt like a betrayal to everyone the clown had murdered and maimed. But at the same time it felt like an ephemeral relief to throw all thoughts aside and console the clown. It was nice to have a serene and tranquil moment with Joker without either of them hurting one another. Bruce let out a deep sigh and resumed his work, trying desperately to focus.
In that moment, Alfred came down to the cave with his master's dinner. He saw that his employer was already in his armor and cape with his famed cowl by his side. He also noted the many files on display on the computer monitors but what really caught his eye was the video feed of Joker. "I see you've decided to let him stay," spoke Alfred indifferently as he set the meal by Bruce.
"Yes, until I can settle things in Arkham and he's well enough to return," spoke Bruce as he acknowledged his butler. He saw that Alfred was watching Joker, but tried not to let it interfere with his work.
"What's he doing?" inquired Alfred.
"I don't know he's just staring off into space, he's been like that for hours. He hasn't even stopped to sleep," commented Bruce as he shuffled through police files on Jonathan Crane.
"Well that surely will hinder his recovery," stated Alfred.
"I was wondering if you could slip him something in his food or drink, you know something that could calm him down so he can rest," said Bruce as he closed the files to acknowledge Alfred properly.
"I'll see what I can do, most of the sedatives we had him on barely kept him down for an hour or so. Also I really doubt he'll be fond of the idea, especially after that first time we tried injecting him," replied Alfred as he poured his master a cup of tea.
"That's why I was hoping you'd do it without his knowledge. What would probably work best is if you give him something sweet and drug his tea, I know he can't resist sweets," stated the detective as he sipped his tea.
"Never thought my job description would entail drugging deranged psychopathic clowns," said the butler sardonically. Bruce took a few bites of his dinner and finished his tea; afterwards he reached for his cowl and placed it on. He stood before the butler now completely in his Batman persona.
"I know this is hard Alfred but I won't force you to do something you don't want to do. I'd do it myself but Crane escaped, I have to get him," explained the Dark Knight.
"Understood Master Bruce, you can trust me. After all though it's a strange request it does fall within my duty," assured Alfred holding onto that ever poised demeanor.
"Thank you Alfred," said Bruce simply. Before he could leave Alfred did stop him for one last question.
"Master Bruce, before you go I would like to, if I may, inquire if you thought about what I said. You know since it seems you've changed your mind about sending the Joker back to the asylum, I do wonder what changed exactly?" asked Alfred. Bruce was unsure if was best to tell Alfred what happened between him and Joker, he wasn't sure if the butler would understand. He merely started heading towards the Batmobile, leaving Alfred without an answer. As the car sped off the butler merely sighed, "Mysterious as always."
Alfred prepared and sliced a piece of vanilla cake with white chocolate frosting that was decorated with fresh strawberries, to go along with the "special tea" he made for the cave's unruly guest. He really hoped that the dosage he put in would keep Joker asleep for a while. He also hoped that the clown wouldn't catch on to his plan before he could ingest the sedatives. Then again if Joker was going to give him any grievances, he still had a taser in his pocket. Still there was no denying that he was nervous about doing this, though the jester hasn't done anything bad lately doesn't mean he wouldn't fall back to old habits. He took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves and gathered the madman's desert and headed for the cave. Once there as he came up to the cell he glanced at the security video before entering. Joker was still where he had been for hours just quietly staring into space. He began to wonder what did happen between the madman and Bruce, and why his master was keeping it a secret. He shook the thought aside and began entering the code to open the metal door to the cell. As he entered he noticed life return in the Joker's eyes as he looked up and smiled.
"Hey Alfie old boy, what's that you got there? Oooo! Is that cake for me?! But it's not even my birthday," smiled the jester as he laid hungry eyes on the desert.
"Master Bruce said that you enjoyed sweets and suggested that I should make you a desert," answered simply and in his usual manner as to not raise suspicion as he rested the tray in front of the clown. Joker took note of the carefully decorated slice as he picked up the spoon rested precariously adjacent the desert.
"Always thinking about me isn't he? You should make me a cake every year on my birthday, if I can ever remember it. Let's just call this my un-birthday cake… On second thought no that makes me sound too much like Jervis," joked Joker as he dipped the spoon into the moist delicacy and put it in his mouth. He savored the richness of the white chocolate frosting, the sweetness of the cake and the tartness of the strawberries. Definitely better than anything he had in Arkham and way better than what Harley can do. "You outdid yourself, I love your cooking but your deserts are simply to die for! I think I am gonna kidnap you when all's said and done here." said Joker as he went for a second taste. Alfred didn't know whether to be flattered or disturbed by that comment. He saw Joker reach for the tea and just as he placed the cup to his lips he set it down before drinking. "Hey speaking about Brucey, where is he?"
"I believe he's on his nightly rounds, seemed to be in a rush," answered Alfred hoping the clown would just drink the drugged drink.
"So who got out this time?" asked the jester as he blew a bit at the hot beverage in his hands.
"Jonathan Crane," responded the butler trying not to let on that he was hiding something.
"Scarecrow?! I hope Twofers didn't give away my little escape route to that idiot, I'll tear that coin from his clutches and dig his eyes out. Oh what the hell I'll do it anyway, need to repay him for this nifty new hole in my gut," chuckled Joker as he finally drank his tea. He let out a deep sigh and continued smiling. "Eh, Batsy can take care of it; he'll be back in no time. All those losers don't compare to me anyways, everyone knows I'm his greatest adversary."
"You're surely the one who's caused him the most grief," commented the butler under his breath. Joker caught the snide remark and stared.
"Yeah, I have… haven't I." he replied quietly. Alfred was surprised what he was witnessing; Joker actually looked hurt and sad. It was a small glimpse before it turned to a forced smile desperately trying to hide his vulnerability. "He hates me doesn't he? He'd be an idiot not to right? I mean let's face it everyone does, and it's only logical he does too, am I right?" he asked with a feigned smile. Alfred honestly didn't know how to answer the madman; even he didn't comprehend his master's view on the psychopath. Before the conversation went on Joker's eyes got heavy and his head started drooping. He placed a tired hand over his face and tried to focus. "Ugh, you slipped me something… Heh, you sneaky little – butler you… If I wasn't – I'd…" before he could make sense of what he saying he fell backwards over the cot and lying motionless. Alfred wasn't sure if Joker was really unconscious or faking right now. He pulled out the taser just in case and walked over to the pale man. He cautiously tapped him to see if he'd get a reaction. When nothing happened he dared to grab one of Joker's hands and lifted it up only to let it fall limply back on the mattress. Joker was out like a ton of bricks, the butler finally let out a sigh of relief. He then laid the unconscious clown in a more comfortable position and placed the blankets over his sleeping form. Alfred simply picked up the tray and left the cell to turn his duties elsewhere.
Again sleep never really came naturally to Joker. It always eluded him; he'd only known respite in the form of small periods of unconsciousness lasting maybe thirty minutes, at the most an hour. Sometimes in that small timespan of rest he would dream. It happened rarely, there had sometimes been instances where he recalls dreams while awake. But again that only happened rarely. Well now as he lay resting, he began to dream. When he did, in his usual dreams he would see flashes of events. None of them were ever clear, just sounds and maybe burst of people and places. None of which he ever understood or remembered. But not this time, this time it was different.
He was above the rooftops of Gotham, staring down at the luminescent city. The night air whipped and lashed against his pale face and the moon shone as his spotlight. He was standing precariously on the ledge of the high building staring at the path of lights the city provided. Just across from him stood Batman; on top of another building a large distance, away from him. The Clown Prince wanted so desperately to stand by his Dark Knight's side. But a deep fear resonated in him as he felt his heartbeat thump rapidly in his chest. "I – I can't… I'll fall! I can't do it Bats!" called out the frightened clown.
"You have to try!" the detective shouted back. Joker looked down over the ledge and saw perpetual darkness under his feet. The street was not visible; it just seemed like an endless pit. His eyes then went to the path of light that led to his beloved adversary. The path was very narrow and the light was very dim, there was no way he'd make it across. "You have to try… for me," repeated Batman loud enough so Joker could hear.
The jester hesitantly placed a foot on the path, once he felt he had "solid ground" on this makeshift path he stood uneasily on it. He kept his eyes on the black clad bat, his only motivation at this point. He never felt this way before, scared, unsure, and doubtful but at the same time wanting to be close to the man he's called enemy for years. The city seemed empty though it was adorned in lights, at this point in this place there was only him and Batman. He continued onward, slowly and trembling, it seemed like he was walking a tightrope with no safety net. Oh what he wouldn't give to have that hag Catwoman's freak like balance right now. Once he was at the halfway point of no return his eyes glanced down once again to that horrible and ugly darkness below his unsteady feet. The pitch black void came alive with screams and blood chilling cries that rang painfully in his ears. When he looked up he saw that his bat was no longer there. "Bruce?" he whispered softly. The lights of the city dimmed and gave way to the dark below; the small glimmer coming from the path began to fade. Joker was sent hurdling towards the shadows once the last bit of light was extinguished! He was desperately trying to hold onto anything to keep himself from falling, but everything disappeared around him, he was utterly alone.
"Joker! Joker wake up!" shouted Bruce as he tried to grab hold of the clown. Joker was screaming and frantically flailing his arms and legs making it harder for him to calm him. "Joker whatever you're seeing isn't there, you're dreaming!" he called out. Joker finally opened his eyes and took hold of Bruce's chest gripping the black kevlar tightly. He was breathing hard and trembling anxiously. "Joker?" asked Bruce softly as he tried to nudge the jester away.
"Don't let go! PLEASE!" he cried out. Bruce was taken aback by this, he's never seen Joker this shaken before. He reaffirmed his embrace around the pale man in order to calm him and cease his trembling.
"Don't worry, I won't," Bruce spoke gingerly to assure the quivering man in his arms. As Joker began to ease himself he began to breathe more soundly. Again this felt so awkward, but this time Bruce looked down and tried to meet Joker's eyes. The clown was looking down, unwilling to meet the detective's gaze. This was so unsetting for Bruce, he's never seen the madman like this before, scared and frightened like a child who's had a terrifying nightmare. When Joker finally released his hold and Bruce broke their embrace, they finally met each other's eyes. The Clown Prince could barely see into his Dark Knight's eyes because of the mask but he was able to decipher uncertainty in that blue gaze. The man before him really thought too much, he was so full of doubt. Joker wanted for him to be confident in his actions but he saw his bat was second guessing each move. Nothing was said as Batman stood up and quickly exited the cell.
"Alone again… as always," whispered Joker to himself as a feeling of utter loneliness fell upon him.