Arkham Asylum. A week later. Joker's POV
Something wasn't right. I could feel it in the air that something bad was going to happen. I just couldn't place my finger on what. I kept my eyes and ears on alert, looking our for anything suspicious. However, most of the day passed with little to report.
Analiese was her normal, quiet self. She stopped talking at the therapy sessions, and after Dr. Benson threatened her a few times with added time if she didn't participate, he dropped the subject and instead looked down on her any chance he got. I would like to wipe the smirk off of his face, but I've been biding my time and trying to be satisfied with the fact that he's leaving her alone, for the most part. Although, I feared that this bad feeling that I was developing in my gut had to do with her.
We always ate dinner together, mostly in comfortable silence. She was a finicky eater, and hardly ate anything. I considered asking her about it, but then again I thought it would be best to wait. I was itching to know more about her, but I didn't want to pry and make her shut me out. I realized that my reputation proceeds me, and I wanted to gain her trust. Today, however, she finally spoke up a bit.
"Why do you watch me read everyday?" she asked inquisitively, and there was no hint of anger in her voice. I however, was very surprised.
"I didn't know that you could even see me...I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable." I was shocked and didn't know what to say. Ridiculous, seeing as how I can read people like a book and play off them so well, yet with her I couldn't.
"I would feel more comfortable if you tell me why." She smiled and I knew she meant that in a lighthearted way. Did I mention that she still hasn't really smiled? Another resolution of mine is to really make her smile.
"Well uh, I guess it is mostly out of curiosity and well uh, you see, you look so relaxed and peaceful. It's hard to explain." I muttered. Damn it, I should be able to explain myself! I always have been able to before.
"Curious? About what I read?"
"Yeah, I guess that's part of it. What do you read anyways? You seem to really enjoy it."
"Well um...its weird and I don't know..." she trailed off and started crawling back into her shell.
"Hey, look who you're talking to. I wear clown makeup. You can't get much weirder than that." I chuckled, hoping that lightening the mood would get her to open up.
"Well, what I'm reading right now is Dostoevsky's Demons, but before that I read some of Nietzsche..." She looked down shyly into her lap and her cheeks turned a shade of crimson.
"Nietzsche is my favorite author! Don't be embarrassed. He's amazing! I think I have read everything he has written twice! Haha!" This girl...Analiese, she was amazing.
"Really? Wow! That's, well this is so weird...you and I share the same favorite author. Who would've thought? Although, admittedly I might like Dostoevsky overall a bit better." She smiled a bit brighter this time and giggled so lightly that it was nearly undetectable.
"Hey, it's not a shame to share good taste with someone. Haha. And I can't discount Dostoevsky. I like him too. Demons is very good. Have you read...?"
As we trailed off into a rather animated discussion of books, I failed to notice Pines creep up behind me until Analiese's face went a bit paler, she went quiet and immediately her eyes went down.
"What do you want, Whines?" I immediately slipped back into that voice I was so familiar with, turned to face him and stood up.
"It's Pines, clown boy." He pushed me back down into my seat. "I was just wondering how you got that pretty thing to talk. Hey baby, why don't you talk to me? I can make much more interesting conversation, or since you're not quite the talker, other things." He leered at her and I held back every urge I had not to hit him right then and there.
"Well girly, I'm talking to you. It's best you answer."
"Leave us alone, Swines. Can't you see that you're. no-t. welcome."
"For the last time, clown, it's PINES! And I wasn't talking to you, was I?" He was angry now and threw me down on the ground.
Suddenly he reached across the table and pulled Analiese up by her collar. "Hey girl, aren't you gonna ANSWER ME?" And before I could react he flung her across the room, where she landed against the wall.
"Listen girly, didn't they teach you some manners? That you should answer someone when they talk to you, you little bitch?" He stalked towards her, and I leapt up. I hadn't felt this kind of anger in a long time.
I ran up to Pines and stood between him and her. Everyone was watching us and at this moment I wished I had my war paint. The cafeteria went silent; even the incessant chatterboxes shut up. Pines was pissed to say the least.
"Get out of my way, Joker. This ain't got nothing to do with you." He started towards her and tried to shove me out of the way. I shoved right back and before I knew it his fist connected with my jaw. I staggered back and that was when I became fully the Joker again. I swung at him, effectively landing my fist straight into his nose, the sickening crack and feeling of blood encouraging me on. I then kneed him in the stomach, twisted his arm and flipped him over. When I knew he wouldn't get back up immediately I took a moment to check on Analiese. Her hand was covering her mouth and she looked at me with fear and concern. That little part of me that wasn't the Joker sprung back up again, and I felt myself calm.
I stood up and quickly walked over to her, crouching down to her level. "Are you alright?" I whispered with my normal voice. She merely nodded affirmatively, and just to make sure I carefully put my hand on the spot where her head connected with the wall, and she winced. Instinctively I pulled my hand back and winced with her. However I felt no blood, a good sign.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, it's just a bit sore," she whispered quietly and breathlessly, "Are you alright?" She so very gently put her soft, dainty hand on my jaw. It was an odd feeling to say the least. Not a bad one by any means, but it felt weird to be touched by someone in a positive manner, so to speak. Not only that, but that she actually cared enough to ask whether or not I was ok was elating, albeit the strangest sensation I had felt in awhile.
"Yeah, don't worry, I'm fine." I tried to offer her some solace, some comfort in the fact that I would be perfectly fine. I stood up and offered her my hand, which she readily accepted. By this point in time Pines had just gotten up off the floor and guards were rushing towards us. Without thinking I pushed her a bit behind me.
"Alright Joker, put your hands up nice and easy, and we won't have to get rough." Get rough?! As if Pines wasn't being rough to being with? Lunatics, the lot of them.
"And, ah, you don't think that Pines was playing just a bit rough with the lady to begin with?" I countered, so easily slipping back into my other voice.
"Put your hands up!" I complied, and Analiese did the same as I did. Three guards crept towards me, fear written all over their faces. However, not wanting to risk getting Analiese in more trouble, I kept myself calm and let them cuff me. They led us to our cells and shoved us in. I had no doubt that soon Dr. Benson would be wanting to have a little chat.
Arkham Asylum. Later that evening. Analiese's POV
I couldn't read that night; I was too shaken up. On the one hand I had been assaulted, on the other, my rescuer was none other than the clown prince of crime himself. Now, I had gotten to know him a bit more, and during our conversation at dinner I realized we shared the same philosophies, respected similar beliefs, held the same people in high regard. It was so, bewildering. The difference between us was that he acted in the manner in accordance with his, our, beliefs down to a T, while I was just too shy (and it wasn't in my nature) to act in this manner. He didn't seem to mind though, and while we certainly didn't have any real deep or meaningful conversation about this, something passed between us that is difficult to explain. It was like all of a sudden we both knew, we knew that we were both different from everyone else, yet the same together. And I could sense this different level of respect, I suppose that's the right word, from him.
I didn't expect him to leap up and just defend me like that. I was expecting him to stand back and see what I would do. So when he stood between us, more than prepared to fight for me, I was so taken aback and (though I'm not sure how I feel about admitting this, to myself or anyone else), I felt a feeling swell up in my chest that was a mix of pride and elation and joy at seeing him.
Which brings me to another point. I didn't mind being around him. I actually enjoyed our dinners together. And I also wasn't uncomfortable with him watching me read. Another point that bothered me; I should mind. I should care that the Joker has taken an interest in me, but I don't. Combined with this was the fact that I didn't find him repulsive. His scars weren't as prominent as they were made up to be, and he was younger than what he appeared to be in makeup. He was probably only a few years older than I was, and I was only 23. And his voice is so husky and deep and soothing. At least, his non-Joker voice is. He has never explained why there is a difference, why he acts one way around me, and with everyone else he is the Joker. I don't want to ask; I figure its best to wait and see if he wants to tell me.
Anyways, I was thinking about everything that had transpired in the last few weeks between us and I came to a unsettling conclusion. I actually liked him. And I'm not talking about the middle-school "like each other" scenario. No, I liked him. His personality, the way we interacted with one another, his mannerisms, his sense of humor, his looks. I liked him. I liked everything about him.
As I was sorting my thoughts, trying to make sense of this new revelation, I heard my door opening. I didn't even have time to panic as I was dragged out of the room and down the dark hallway. I kept thinking to myself, "Don't cry. Don't cry."
I was escorted to a dimly lit room and shoved into a chair.
"Good evening, Analiese. I would like to talk to you about the events that transpired earlier this evening." I froze. It was Dr. Benson. His tone was polite on the surface, but I detected malice underneath. "So, my dear, it seems you have caused quite an uproar today. Officer Pines told me how you blatantly disrespected him, and how you and the Joker verbally ganged up on him and were starting to get out of control. He then said he was required to use force to calm you down, as you were getting violent. Seeing as how this report is rather disturbing, I believe that disciplinary action is required."
I was livid! But my voice was gone. "That is not true. Officer Pines is lying. I said nothing. He was verbally assaulting me." I whispered out, trying my best to remain calm.
"Haha my dear. I sincerely doubt that. Remember, you are here partially because you are delusional. I believe Officer Pines. So, would you like to know how we treat patients with severe disrespect problems?" He leered at me maliciously and all I could do was grip the arms of the chair and close my eyes. "We use aquatic shock submissive therapy, which is my own special treatment. I developed it myself. It is designed to stimulate mental shock in such a way as to enhance submissiveness in the patients. And don't worry, we don't administer electrical shock."
I didn't know what to say. I was frozen; I was terrified. Someone stood me up and stripped me down to my underwear and threw a baggy white T-shirt over my head. I was then dragged to a chair and strapped in. All of a sudden the floor below me opened and I realized I was strapped to a chair in the middle of a small pool. And then they lowered me in. Over and over again into the freezing cold water. They lowered me quickly and held me under until I thought I was going to pass out. This continued for quite sometime; and I was so worn out I couldn't even dress myself. Lucky for me, Pines (or Whines as Joker likes to call him) got to take off my wet T-shirt and dress me. His hands were in places that they should not have been and I didn't have the strength to fight him off. I was so angry at myself, so upset, so humiliated, and in so much pain from the aquatic treatment. When he picked me up to take me to my cell I tried to muster some courage to slap him away, only to receive a bit of a beating. He slapped me hard and kneed me in the stomach. I nearly fainted. The worst though, was when he left me in my cell, he whispered something in my ear...
Arkham Asylum. Late that night. Joker's POV
I was sitting in my cell most of the evening mulling over the emotions I was experiencing regarding my new friend. She was beautiful, to be sure, but there was something else about her that just drew me to her. I don't know what it was, but the fact that today I figured out that we think the same, that she's not another one of these regular people, well I uh don't really know what to say other than wow. I was confused. Being the Joker for so long, I don't remember what these sorts of things feel like. Actually, I don't think I've ever had to deal with these sorts of emotions before. My head was buzzing, and for once I didn't welcome the chaos that this situation brought.
I had heard some movements in the hallway, so I leapt out of bed and carefully glanced out my window. That's when I saw her, sitting in her reading corner, bundled up and shaking like a leaf, sobbing. I had so many emotions raging up in me at that moment: anger, sorrow, fear and many more. I wanted to go to her, but I couldn't, so I did my best to get her attention.
Eventually she looked up and must have seen my face in the window. Her face was extremely pale, her hair was wet, there were tears streaming down her face and her lips were so blue. She slowly and what looked to be painfully stood up and got close to her window to see me.
I needed to talk to her, so I mouthed very dramatically, "What happened?"
She merely shook her head no and started crying again.
"Don't cry," I gestured to her with my hands. "Tell me, please?"
"Dr. Benson," she responded and I was furious. I don't know what he did to her, but that bastard will pay. Clearly he hurt her, and I cringed to think of what he did to her.
"What did he do?"
"Later. And...Pines..." Pines?! What the hell was he doing in all this. I already have a list of reasons to kill him, but if he touched her, I will make him suffer.
"He...he...he threatened..."
"What? Tell me..." She started sobbing again and I was powerless as she leaned her head against the glass and cried. That's when I decided it was time. I unlocked my cell door with the key I had snatched from Pines, grabbed my blanket, and quickly unlocked her cell and let myself in. I lead her to the bed to sit down and wrapped her in my extra blanket.
"Hey, look at me," I said as gently as I could. Her beautiful eyes met mine and I wiped her tears away with my thumb. "Tell me what happened, beautiful." Where that last word came from, or why I blurted it out I will never know.
"Well...um...Dr. Benson wanted to see me..." Her voice was unsteady as she tried her best to hold back her remaining tears. "And he told me that Pines reported that the whole um, incident, earlier today, was my fault. That I...that I started it." She started to cry again. I wanted to hold her, but I didn't want her to think that I was taking advantage of her. So, I held myself back.
"That's bullshit! Did you tell him that?" I was livid, but unfortunately I had to keep my voice down.
"I tried but he...he wouldn't listen," Another shaky breath. "He said that I was disrespectful and so he...he put...me..." And she started sobbing again. So, I rubbed her back comfortingly (or at least what I think was comfortingly) and shushed her.
"Shhh, shhh. Don't cry. Hey now. It'll be ok. Don't cry." After a few moments she calmed down and actually leaned on me as I kept my arm on her back. The contact was exhilarating and soothing at the same time.
"He put me in this...aquatic shock therapy. Or something like that. I..."
"HE WHAT?!" That was the final straw. I seethed and got up and paced the room, my fists clenched.
"Um...Joker?" I stopped, and with my back turned to her I mulled over in my mind a decision that, if I chose to do this, there was no going back. I would have completely surrendered that part of myself to her, and there was no going back. I sat next to her again and lifted her face until her eyes met mine.
"Don't call me that. My real name is Jack." That was it. No going back. And I didn't regret it at all.
"Jack, then." Though her voice was shaky, it still sounded so good rolling off of her lips.
"What else happened?" I tried to be as calm as I could, for her sake.
"Um, it was cold, and I couldn't breath. I don't know...Um, I was soaking wet and needed to put my clothes back on but I was...too weak," She said it like it was the most horrible crimes.
"Hey, it's ok. That thing that he does, he did it to me once, and I could hardly move at the end." She seemed to relax a bit after I said that.
"I'm so sorry! Are you ok?"
"Haha hey now beautiful, don't you worry about me one bit. I'm fine. I'm worried about you." At this point I decided it was ok to put my arm around her shoulders and pull her a bit closer. What I didn't expect was that with the fresh batch of tears came her snuggling up against me. I welcomed the contact with I hope wasn't too much enthusiasm.
"He let Pines...dress me..." She buried her head into my shoulder.
At this point I felt such anger that I started to shake myself. My fist clenched up and a punched the the wall next to me. She didn't move.
"He...he...groped me and I couldn't do a damn thing about it!" Her sobbing increased tenfold. "And then, when I finally tried to push him away he...he hit me."
I couldn't see, I was so furious! But then I let the words sink in and I held her out from me and examined her. The Jack side of me was gaining the upper hand, and I steadied my breathing to calm myself down. When I examined her face I saw a huge bruise forming right over the old one and her lip was a bit puffy. I stroked it gently with my thumb.
"Ah, sweetheart, I'm so sorry. I swear to you..." I looked right into her eyes to let her know I meant it, "I will kill them both." She didn't seem shocked, but rather she nodded her head and I noticed she was holding her stomach.
"Let me see." She was very hesitant, understandably, but eventually with gentle prodding she gave in. It was a huge bruise, and looked really painful. When I grazed my thumb over it she winced rather loudly and I pulled away, immediately missing the touch of her soft skin. I didn't waste any time in getting a cold washcloth and holding it gently to her stomach.
"Here, let's see if this helps." She nodded and I pulled her close again, still keeping the cloth pressed to her tummy.
"Thank you," she said softly and leaned into me more. I loved how snugly she seemed to be, and I welcomed every bit of it.
"What else happened?"
"When he brought me back here he...he...threatened me..." More tears.
"With what?" My tone was darker than I had intended it to be, and I immediately wished I could've retracted how I said that.
"Rape." The word was so quiet I could barely hear it, but my emotions shot through the roof. I was feeling so much that it felt like I couldn't even feel. However, the Jack side of me tugged at my conscious and reminded me to check on Analiese. I dropped the washcloth and pulled her frozen and sobbing body as close as possible.
"Shh, shh, sweetie. Everything's going to be ok. I'm not going to let him hurt you. Shh, shhh, it's alright, it's alright. Don't cry." I did my best to soothe her, and placed a chaste kiss on her frozen forehead.
"Sweetheart, look at me," her eyes gladly sought mine, "I promise you, I'm not going to let them hurt you anymore. I will do everything I can. I won't let him touch you." I was dead serious, and the look in her eyes told me that she trusted me completely. I couldn't shatter that trust. Before I could react, she reached up and did the unthinkable. She kissed my cheek, right on my scar.
"Thank you, Jack." And she buried herself into my chest. The feeling, this feeling, I can't even describe. I was so...happy. It was surreal. Eventually her sobbing stopped and she warmed up. I knew that the guard would be doing rounds soon and I needed to get back.
"Hey, Analiese? I need to get back before the guards see me. And you should get some rest. Here..." I moved and motioned for her to lay down. "Try to get some sleep, alright?"
"Jack?" She handed me my blanket.
"Keep it for tonight. You need it more than I do." I hesitated for a second, thinking whether this would be going to far but I caved. I kissed her head and lingered for a moment, savoring it. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." She smiled and I returned it. By the time I closed her cell door she was already fast asleep, probably from pure exhaustion. I however, could not sleep. I paced my cell all night racking my brain for ideas on how to get us both out of here. Needless to say, I was exhausted by the morning.