Authors note: general disclaimer, I don't own any characters or anything to do with batman (I wish!)

Italics are character thoughts.

Any feedback is much appreciated x

Twitter jdroxburgh

apologies for not updating yesterday I'm not well but will be uploading another chapter today to make up for it x

The Joker made his way over to the crumpled form of Selina, grabbed her and pulled her up by her face. Battered and bruised already she could barely concentrate on what was hurting more. He dug his dirty nails into her soft skin until blood appeared under his fingers. She tried fighting back, scratching at him to try and loosen his grip only to have her one arm yanked down viciously.

Selina was flailing, trying to gain purchase to get hold of anything, his hair, his arms but nothing was working. She was already weakened from her fight with Harley and though Joker wasn't particularly strong he had more wits about him than her, the fall had knocked her senses.

He span around to get behind her and kicked the back of her knees, knocking her to the ground. As she tried to pick herself up again he kicked her in the back of the head, her reflexes weren't as sharp as normal and her forehead cracked against the floor with a sickening crunch.

The Dark Knight was trying to remain calm inwardly but panic was starting to rise, Joker had never had any qualms about seriously hurting the people around him, let alone anyone he was close to. "Joker."

Looking up at the Dark Knight the Joker smiled "Yes?" He gave a swift kick to the sad pile that was Catwoman.

Selina groaned in pain, wiping away the blood that was clouding her vision she saw the Joker's attentions elsewhere. She kicked him violently in the groin with her heels and pounced on top of him, scratching whatever flesh she could.

The cat was writhing around on top of him, hissing and clawing at him. He simply began laughing hysterically at her. He looked up at Batman who was now bent in half tugging at the few vines left holding him. "Batman! What does a cat say just before it dies?"

Time seemed to slow down as the Dark Knight fell from the ceiling, twisting his body in midair to land on his feet, he bent his knees as he made impact with the floor and even before he had steadied himself he was already running toward where Selina and the Joker were embroiled in their fight. Tweedledum and Tweedledee left the two women on the floor and ran toward him. The two henchman proved no problem as Batman plowed through them as if their size and weight were nothing more than air. They fell by the wayside heavily, the Dark Knight's steps never faltered and he reached Selina, pulling her up by one arm.

Selina turned to look at Bruce with fury in her eyes. She may have been battered, bruised and in a serious amount of pain but she had that psycho where she wanted him and she wasn't about to let Bruce's twisted sense of justice stop her now. She saw the concern in his eyes but she shrugged it off and turned back to the Joker. Her eyes widened in fear and shock as her gaze met with the unflinching stare of a barrel of a gun.