Author's Notes: Wow! Over 2,000 views that's amazing I'm soooo happy XD! I really didn't expect to get this many views honestly. Please I'd appreciate to get some reviews to know how the story is going, hope you enjoy. BTW I based locations and stuff for Arkham from the Batman Arkham Asylum video game. After passing it like 5 times because my little brother kept erasing my data, I almost consider myself an expert from having to run around like a lunatic around the game. (Though I will admit I still get lost sometimes cuz I suck at reading maps lol XD).
Batman sure had a lot of work on his plate tonight; he even had to call in Nightwing and Oracle to help him seal off and get coordinates for all of Joker's escape routes. Most of them were in old and forgotten parts of the island. Gotham might sleep soundly for once seeing the inmates' only means of escaping Arkham are being permanently closed off.
"The next escape route, from what you described, should be over the west side of the Intensive Treatment building," spoke Oracle through Batman's communication link.
"Thanks Oracle, I'm heading over right now," replied Bruce as he rushed off to Arkham North.
"Nightwing, there's one next to you in between the docks and the Penitentiary," she added via the three way connection.
"I'm on it," reported Nightwing as he made his way to Arkham West. These were the last two routes that needed to be closed off; the warden was more than happy to agree to Batman and his team to search the island. Anything to ensure there would be no more escape attempts was an ease off his mind. That reminded Bruce, he was going to have to compile evidence later to report to the city officials about the abuse that went on within the asylum's walls. But right now his focus was on containing the patients inside Arkham. Evidently, he didn't do this in time, it seems that Harley Quinn managed to escape earlier that day before Batman and Nightwing had arrived. That was a job for another night; Bruce just hoped the crazed clown sidekick would stay quiet tonight. It took them nearly five hours to locate and seal off these intricate hideaways, even with Oracle's detailed map of the island.
"Hey Batman, you never told me how you found out about these places," said Oracle, interrupting the bat's thought process.
"Yeah, with all these tunnels and routes off the island closed off, the bad guys will find it impossible to get out. How did you know where all of them would be?" questioned Nightwing.
"I've been doing some background work on Arkham in my spare time lately and stumbled upon these weak points in some old schematics for the asylum," Bruce lied as he finished his job by the Intensive Treatment building. He hadn't told them about the Joker nor was he ever. Bruce wasn't all entirely sure how they'd handle it.
"It's been a bit quiet in Gotham since the clown has escaped Arkham, huh?" stated Nightwing.
"Well I really hate waiting for him to make his move, just wondering when he'll strike just gives me anxiety," commented Oracle.
"Are you any worried that the Joker might strike, Batman?" asked his former ward.
"I'm not all too concerned; if Joker had anything planned we would've heard from him by now," spoke Bruce. Another lie, sometimes he wondered if he could ever confide with his young cohorts. In reality he knew the Joker wouldn't be appearing anytime soon because he's locked in a cell in the Batcave.
"It still worries me when he's loose; no one is safe when that madman is out," sighed Oracle. That's right, she's had a close encounter with the Joker and though she made it out alive, she can never walk again after the clown had shot her spine. That memory led to a tangent of what Bruce witnessed a few days ago, how he saw Joker talking to Barbara's old costume and about she would still hold a grudge and never forgive him. Even if he were to apologize for all his atrocities that he has committed on her and her family, she would still hold onto her hate and his remorse would fall on deaf ears.
"Hey I'm done on my end, do you need any help with the whole Harley Quinn deal Batman?" inquired Nightwing breaking Bruce out of his thoughts.
"No, I'm probably going to call it a night. Quinn won't act without instruction from the Joker and no one in Gotham's underground has heard from him in days," stated the detective.
"Well I hope you bring them both in soon, with all these escape routes sealed off we won't have to worry about that monstrosity ever leaving the asylum again," commented Oracle bitterly.
"Barbara, Dick, I have a question for you both… why do you think I haven't killed the Joker?" spoke Bruce quietly but keeping to his persona. It was really eating him up inside, Joker called him alone though he had people around him that cared for him. That they don't understand why Bruce or Batman believes in the things he does and abides by his creed. He had to know, do they know why he refuses to take the clown's life, or any life for that matter?
"Why the sudden question?" asked Nightwing.
"I was just wondering lately, been thinking about it since I've had some time on my hands," replied Bruce.
"I think it's because you don't want to be like him. That if you ever do manage to kill him that you become something as wicked. But if I can be honest, I think that it would do Gotham a huge favor by making sure he never hurts anyone again," responded Oracle.
"Same goes for me," agreed Nightwing.
"I see… just needed to hear both your input. I'm going to go back and get some rest and try to catch Joker and Harley Quinn's trail tomorrow night," answered Bruce as he made his way back to the Batmobile.
"All right let us know if you need anything else," said Oracle.
"See you later, keep in touch if you ever need me to come back to Gotham and lend you a hand," replied Nightwing.
Bruce closed the communication link and sighed as he got in his vehicle. "So they really don't understand me after all," said Bruce sadly to himself. That's not the reason he wanted to hear from them. Joker was right; his fictive Bat-family didn't understand his reasoning at all. Sure there was that fear that he would turn into something awful because succumbing to that darkness would be just too easy. But that wasn't the main point why he hasn't killed Joker. Deep down, Bruce was still holding out for that small glimmer of hope that the Joker can be rehabilitated. It seemed like a lost cause, everyone has pretty much given up that thought and labeled him a monster. But deep down, beyond the madness, Bruce still wanted to hope that there was something that can be saved. In his mind, it would be too easy to give up on Joker, no matter how wicked and cruel his actions were he was still human. That's why on that night, after the madman had already shot Barbara and tortured Jim he still reached to Joker and offered him help. Even after Joker told him that there was no turning back for the clown; Bruce still held onto that hope. Every moment where he lost his temper and beat Joker's face into a bloody pulp, he would have regret afterwards. Because it means even he sometimes loses sight on the same ideals he believes in. He merely sighed, turned on the ignition and drove off back to the cave.
It was midnight and Alfred was just about to turn in after completing his daily tasks. He took a bit longer tonight because he was on the lookout to see if his master would emerge from the cave and tell him what occurred with Joker and if his little suggestion worked. But seeing the hour, the butler inferred that his master had donned his costume and went on his nightly rounds. Curiosity finally got the better of Alfred as he found himself going into the cave to at least see if he could get some answers from the madman in the cell. He should still be up at this hour; it seemed that Joker didn't sleep at all unless you knocked him out by force. Once by the computer, Alfred looked to the screen and his eyes widened. Joker was on the ground by the door with blood pooling by his head!
Alfred rushed to the cell and opened the door to aid the fallen clown. Immediately his skills as a former medic kicked in as he assessed the damage. From the blood stains on the door and the gash on the pale man's forehead the butler was able to discern that Joker did this to himself. But why on earth would he? It couldn't have been Bruce because even if he'd lost his temper and taken his rage out of the Joker he would've called for help immediately. And judging by the jester's condition he'd been like this for hours. His breathing was faint and he was unconscious. Most likely he was concussed; the worst case scenario was he fractured his skull. Either way, Alfred cautiously picked up the broken clown, moved him to the medical table outside the cell and went to work.
Bruce finally came back to the cave around one in the morning. In that hour Alfred worked diligently to treat Joker's injury. Luckily for the clown he didn't do anything too serious to himself, but that wound did require stitches and he did require help breathing. One things for sure though, Joker wasn't going to get up anytime soon. As the Batmobile pulled in and Bruce hopped out he saw Alfred waiting for him. "Alfred? What are you doing up?" questioned Bruce as he pulled off his mask.
"Master Bruce, I think we should talk," said Alfred as he began walking off. Bruce followed and saw the door to Joker's cell wide open.
"Where's Joker!?" he called out in surprise.
"He's over here. I left the door open to air out the disinfectants I had to use to clean his blood off the door and floor," answered the butler as he walked. Blood?! Bruce's heart sank at that word, just what went on while he was away? Alfred led him to the medical bed where Joker used to sleep and there Bruce saw him. His head was bandaged; he was hooked to an intravenous drip, and there was an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth.
"Alfred, what happened?" asked Bruce softly.
"Come with me, there's something you should see," responded Alfred as he walked to the computer. "I looked at the security footage and saw your little card game gone awry, Master Bruce," said the butler as his master sat on the chair. "I tried to look further but it seems you've erased any footage before," he added. It was true; since he moved Joker to the cell he erased all his encounters with Joker so no one would see his moments of weakness between the two. He was ashamed and knew no one would understand him for comforting and especially kissing the madman. "Here, this is what I wanted you to see," sighed the worried butler as he pulled up the footage that captured what Joker had done to himself.
Joker was lying on the cot after Bruce had pushed him and left. For twenty minutes all he did was lay there, staring angrily and blankly at the ceiling. He finally began breathing hard and closed his eyes shut. His pale hands gripped the sheets beneath him as he finally let out a shrill and pain filled scream! The clown got up and began tearing into the blankets and covers ripping them apart with his bare hands. He grabbed the corners of the mattress and flung the entire thing across the cell. He paced back and forth muttering something to himself over and over again, so softly that the cameras couldn't hear. Suddenly he stopped in the middle of the room and ran shaking hands through his wild green hair. "I'm not – empty…" he said between labored and erratic breaths. He shielded himself away from the camera's gazed as his whole body quivered. "I'M NOT EMPTY!" he cried. Joker walked to the metal door and was smiling in between tears. "I know there's something in here, something deep in my head that I have to find," he said in between soft laughter. His smile turned into a sharp and angry scowl as he flung his head against the door. "There's something there!" he screamed as he banged his head again. Over and over he repeated that phrase, as if it was a mantra as he repeated pummeling his head against the door. Blood ran down his stark pale face, dying it red! Bruce cringed but couldn't bare look away as he witnessed Joker hurting himself for something he had said out of spite and anger. After so many times, Joker finally fell back and hit the ground hard. His florescent eyes were out of focus but he was staring at the camera's direction. "I'm not empty… Bruce. I'm – I'm not…" eventually Joker lost all consciousness before finishing his weak and hurt filled whispers. And for hours he laid until Alfred had rushed in to help. Bruce couldn't believe what he saw. Joker really took what he had said to heart as he hurt himself. The clown brutally injured himself for something he said to intentionally hurt; Bruce was just so surprised that it did. He didn't want this to happen.
"Master Bruce, are you all right?" asked Alfred as he saw his master's upset expression.
"He did that, because of something I said. I just keep hurting him," replied Bruce softly, unwilling to look his servant in the eyes.
"The Joker is not well Master Bruce; you can't solely blame this on yourself," assured Alfred.
"Then why do I feel so entirely responsible," responded bitterly Bruce to Alfred's consoling words. There it was again, that feeling of remorse and guilt he would get whenever he would cause the clown pain, but this time it was more personal. Bruce didn't even have to lay a hand on Joker to completely tear him apart.
"Sir, may I ask something?" said Alfred after a small period of silence. Bruce merely looked to his servant with his blue eyes filled with regret. "What does this man mean to you?"
"What do you mean Alfred?" questioned Bruce.
"Well from what I see it's a rather confusing relationship you both have. One moment you two are fighting each other with all you got, causing physical harm to one another and the next thing you still look at this man to save him while he refuses to do away with you for some deranged form of entertainment. That last part I used to think but, I saw something I would never believe if I had not seen it myself."
"And what was that?" asked Bruce, giving Alfred his undivided attention to see where the butler was going with this.
"I saw him cry, it was a fleeting moment of despair on his face but I saw him cry this morning as I came to the computer screen to enter the room to refurbish the cell's cot. He also asked me something while I was there that ties in to my initial question to you," explained Alfred.
"What did he ask you?" Bruce managed to ask, still astonished that the butler saw any vulnerability in Joker. Well it was without the clown's knowledge that Alfred saw but still it was surprising to hear.
"The Joker asked me what it feels like to be in love, sir…" Bruce just remained quiet. That word made his mind draw a blank. Joker really tried to reach for some empathy from Alfred and ask about being in love? Hearing the name Joker and the word 'love' together without 'murder' or 'chaos' in the same sentence was just so strange. "Now I ask you Master Bruce, do you have feelings for this man?"
Bruce hesitated, his mouth felt dry; he wasn't sure what to say. He then looked over back to where the broken and pale clown lay and saw the aftermath of what his hurtful words caused. He sighed and hanged his head low, unable to even answer that question in the uncertainty of his own mind. "I don't know Alfred, I just don't know," admitted Bruce softly and so unsure. Alfred rested a hand on his troubled master's shoulder, when Bruce looked up he saw the butler smile an assuring smile.
"Then I suggest you think things through, the answer will come to you. If and when it does, I'll be here to try to support you, Master Bruce."
'Try' was the standout word; of course Alfred would not accept whatever he felt for Joker entirely but Bruce felt he could breathe easier through the haze of his mind for the moment with Alfred's help. "Thank you. It's getting rather late, you should get some rest," replied Bruce showing his servant and fatherly figure gratitude.
"What about you? You know you need to be well rested for tomorrow's board meeting, Mr. Fox can't cover for you forever you know," reminded Alfred.
"I'm just going to stay a bit longer; I'll be up in a minute," assured the billionaire in the bat costume.
Alfred dismissed himself and retired to his room back at the manor level. Once gone, Bruce closed down the recording of Joker and walked to the pale man himself. He stood there a while staring down at the damaged and frail looking clown. He really wanted to apologize to him, he found himself doing that a lot lately. First it was when Bruce strangled and threw him across the cave, next it was yelling at him when he was merely playing a game with Alfred, and now this. Was he that horrible with his temper? Can he really be blamed though? All those times, one way or another, Joker instigated his rage. And after all the damage this man has caused him and his city, was Joker even worth the apology? There he went again, doubting his own thoughts and ideals; Bruce was a mess of contradictions. His emotional state wasn't any better. He merely grabbed a chair and sat next to Joker's bedside. He took this image in for a moment, this moment of his unconscious enemy, lying eerily still; his chest moving shallowly as the only indication of life. Bruce took his cold white hand in his and stared at the very broken in more than one way pale man. "We just keep hurting each other don't we?" he asked him softly, knowing all well he wouldn't get an answer. All this was just so confusing; Bruce really wished he had someone to guide him to the answer to all this confusion and hurt.