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

2 for 1! Second update of today to make up for lack of update yesterday x

Bruce continued to pull Selina up by her arm, her body went limp as she saw the gun and he managed to get her up on her feet and pull her tight into his body. As he turned her away and went to put his body in between her and the gun a shot rang out.

Selina inhaled sharply, her eyes widened and she looked at Bruce in fear. The noise hit her first, it was so loud like a firework had just exploded in front of her. Her ears were ringing and she frowned as she tried to gain her senses. She tried to take a deep breath but flinched at the sudden excruciating pain that consumed her body. She tried to cling onto the strong body cradling her but her claws simply slid over the smooth material of his suit. She looked into his dark eyes and saw the tears forming. It was only when she saw those that the full extent of the pain shattered through her body and her muscles gave up.

She almost fell out of his grip but he bent with her and cradled her tight to his body. He could already see the light start to fade from her eyes and he couldn't stop the tears from forming. There were so many things he wanted to say to her but couldn't bring himself to, if he didn't speak, it couldn't be real.

The pain only lasted for a short while. She now felt as if she were watching the action from elsewhere, she couldn't feel her body anymore, it was strangely calming. She wanted to reach out to him, to feel him, to reassure him, to tell him it was ok, the pain was gone, he didn't have to worry about her. She frowned as she couldn't feel her arm to move it. "Bru-"

Her full body weight sagged into his arms as her eyes closed before she could finish his name. The tears he had been holding escaped his clutches and dripped onto her now serene face. He heard the low snigger and he clutched her body to him even tighter.

The Bat's furious eyes turned to meet his own and the Joker smiled evilly. He held the gun to his cheek as his expression turned ponderous "Brew...?" He frowned and pursed his lips "Well I gotta hand it to her, that's not what I was expecting!" He laughed as the Dark Knight's expression clearly showed his internal struggle. "Choices choices! Eh Bats? Hmm do I beat him to a pulp and take him back to Arkham? Or do I save the feline? What to do, what to do?" The Joker did a little victory dance "Better choose now Batman! She doesn't look like she can hold out much longer!"

Batman looked back to Selina, he could feel her breathing slow to an almost nonexistent rhythm. He glared back at the clown and snarled "I should kill you right now." The laughter that was his reply made his skin crawl.

"But Batsy! That's not how we play is it?"

It wasn't the first moment the Dark Knight had considered changing his moral viewpoint and finally kill the son of a bitch, but he couldn't remember it being quite this tempting before. The only thing that was stopping him was the feeble body lying in his arms.

The Joker's smile faltered for once as he considered the Batman's expression. He's actually thinking about it! The smile returned and he threw his gun to the side. "Well, well, well! Have I finally broken the Bat? Come on then! Let's end this!" He spread his arms wide and willed him to let loose.

Batman's muscles twitched and shook as his body was at odds with his mind. I could end all this suffering for good...I could keep Gotham safer...I could save her. He looked back down at Selina and shook the thoughts out of his head. I will not turn into the monster he is. The monster he wants me to be. I will save her. And I will make him pay.

Seeing the Dark Knight shaking his head was predictable, but disappointing nonetheless. The Joker bowed his head and let out a loud sigh. He heard movement to the side and saw Harley crawling toward the tied form of Ivy and he smiled. He turned back to Batman "Better go then eh Bats?"

Batman grimly hauled Selina over his shoulder, he turned to face the Joker square on "You will pay for this." And with that promise he left to save the life in his hands.

The Joker turned to Harley and smiled. Ah well! Plenty more fun to be had here!