© Ellie Goodson 2016

Chapter Eighteen-Rescued by Batman Saved by the Joker

~Arabella Jones~

Coming back around into consciousness with blurred vision, I managed to make out two figures before me. One was easily recognised as Two Face, the grizzly sight of his half burnt face was unmistakable. The other figure was dark, a strong and wide build and was completely covered in black. He had pointed ears and a cape flew behind him. Blinking a couple of times, I was able to be sure that the figure was Batman. And it was.

Staying as quiet as I possibly could, I checked around me to see if the other girls were awake from their unconscious state. Ivy and Harley were still out, but Catwoman was awake, her whole body was tense against the pole that she was tied to and all of her attention was on Two Face and Batman. I focused myself back on the two men, who were simply standing and staring at each other, mouths barley moving as they murmured.

My head was pounding, and a sickly feeling rested at the pit of my stomach. I resisted the urge to sniff or cough, as I could feel the need boiling in my nose and throat. My hands were tied tightly with thick ropes that dug so hard into my skin, I felt it pierce skin. My feet were also tied together, and I was rapidly losing circulation as I couldn't even feel my toes. "Don't bother, they're tied tight." My head snapped up towards the approaching man, one who I had once thought was saner than his looks while I treated him. My hands and feet stopped trying to escape from their bonds, dropping helplessly.

Two Face cracked his knuckles, crouching down so that we were on eye level. I looked above him, and saw Batman hovering nervously behind him. I brought my eyes back down to the half human man. "As my psychiatrist, I never expected this of you. To not only break into my home, but to join that little trio and instantaneously become a little bitch of a criminal." I clicked my neck, trying my hardest to show that I wasn't afraid. If I could distract Two Face long enough to allow Batman the time to attack, I could possibly get out of here alive.

I remained silent, simply staring into the eyes of Two Face. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"

"I think you'll find that Catwoman hasn't got my tongue. Because if she did, then I couldn't do this." I spat on Two Face's burnt and crumpled side of the face, knowing that it would hurt much more than on the other. The man clutched at his face, stumbling back and groaning in pain.

"You little-" He was charging right for me with a raised hand, however he couldn't finish his words or actions as a large black figure charged at him from the side, knocking him away from me.

A yell came from Two Face, not from pain but from pure anger and hatred. I turned to see if Catwoman was still watching the men, and saw that she was actually looking at me. "That was brave. Stupid, but brave."

"I'll take that as a compliment." All of the yells from Two Face suddenly stopped, and I spun my head around to see his body lying limply on the ground.

"I didn't kill him." Said a husk and gravelly voice. "Just knocked him out, long enough for you girls to escape."

"You know," I said to the Bat who was untying Catwoman, "you're supposed to be locking us up, not rescuing us."

"Would you rather I sent you to Arkham or Blackgate?" He was now untying my ropes, and I caught Catwoman sauntering over to the limp body of Two Face.

"No, no. I was simply pointing out the irony. Superhero rescuing and freeing villains." I chuckled to myself, shaking my hands and feet to get the blood back to them.

I started untying Ivy's knots, while Batman got to work on Harley's. "This is the second time you've saved me; I hope this doesn't become a habit." The Bat remained silent, and so I simply rolled my eyes and continued to untie Pamela. When I next turned my head to face the Bat, there was nobody there. Harley was untied and laid on the floor; there was no sight of Batman. With Ivy's hands and feet untied, I got up and walked over to Catwoman. "Why did we come here, Selina?" The cat lady sighed, closing her eyes briefly.

"He did me wrong, I just felt like it was about time that I did some wrong to him."

"Understandable." With that, I left her in peace. Harley and Ivy were beginning to stir back into reality, and by time I had made my way back to them, they was fully awake. "You missed the show." I told them, helping them both up with a hand.

The girls remained silent, both wandering over to Catwoman with curious eyes. I watched each of them from behind, waiting for their reaction to Two Face's unconscious body. "Is the bastard dead?" Ivy asked, glaring down at him.

"No, not yet." Before another word was said, I caught a figure submerging from the shadows out of the corner of my eye.

"We got company!" I called out to the girls, horrifically aware that I was closest to the shadow.

But the monster I had expected to come from the shadows wasn't the kind of monster I feared. White face paint smeared so that skin showed through, vibrant red lipstick over his scars, faded black eyes that dribbled down his cheeks and sloppy green hair, the face of the monster sent my heart into overdrive. "So, what'd I miss?" He called out, arms raised in the air. He had his goons with him, and they soon followed out of the shadows after. Acting on pure emotion and instinct, not even thinking, I started sprinting with all of my force towards the Joker. Every step I took didn't take me closer to him fast enough, so I pushed myself harder and harder until I was close enough to wrap my arms around him and slam my body against him with aching force.

To my surprise, I felt the clowns arms wrap back around me. I felt the warmth of his face nuzzle into my neck as I held him tighter and pulled him even closer. "I'm so sorry." I whispered, clenching my eyes closed. "I swear I won't ever leave you again. I promise."

"Hush, Bella. I understand, I get it now." I was slightly confused by his words, but more relieved and happy to be back in his arms.

"Take me home, please." When I pulled back from the embrace slightly to look at his face, I saw his lips turn into a genuine smile.

"Anything for you, doll."

I dropped my arms, and held up a hand, telling him I just needed five minutes. Making my way back over to the girls, I took a deep breath. "Thank you, for everything. Don't worry; this isn't the end of us. We can pick up where we left off soon enough." Ivy wrapped her arms around me in a soft embrace.

"You better take me up on that offer." She told me, eyebrows raised. I let go with a light laugh, and found myself holding Catwoman.

"Batman cares about you." I said lowly, knowing that these words were important. "He came for you, he untied you first, and he does a lot for you. He didn't kill Two Face because of his rule, but he left him close enough for you." I pulled away from the hug, smiling at the cat lady reassuringly.

Finally, it came to the turn of embracing Harley. "Thank you, for being so understanding." She knew that my words were for the Joker.

"You love him with a feeling I never had. And he loves you, with a feeling I never saw." The jester nearly jumped on me, as she hugged me tight.

"I'll see you all soon, I promise." I told all three girls, turning away to walk back to the Joker.

When I was back in his presence, I nodded my head to let him know that I was ready to go back to the warehouse. I felt the clowns gloved hand take mine and, when I glanced at him, I saw his eyes focused on my thin fingers. We were leaving through the door, like a classic, victorious criminal. Neither of us spoke until we reached outside, where the Joker told his goons to go ahead and leave us be. "Do you want to know why you're special?" His voice had taken on a tone of vulnerability. I nodded my head, eyes trained on him. "You bring out Jack, the one I've hidden and locked away for so long. You bring out the human in me, the kind of guy that wants to protect and care for you." I felt my face flaming, I didn't know that I had that effect on the Joker.

I tightened my grip on his hand, causing him to look at me. I glanced around us quickly, and realised that we were closer to the Joker's warehouse than I had expected. We were only a minute or two away. "I need to know something. I'm aware it's a lot to ask, but I can't do this unknowing thing anymore, I'll lose the plot." A low chuckle left the Joker's mouth. "What?"

"It's just funny. You're not the sanest person, doll, and yet you always make these references to going crazy." I shrugged my shoulders, a sly grin on my face.

"Anyway, like I was saying. I need to know if we'll ever be...well anything more. I just, I don't know how you feel about me and it's driving me crazy because I feel something so strong for you." I tried to keep myself calm, but inside everything was racing and going crazy with the unknowing of his reply.

We were now back at the warehouse, and we were trailing up the steps that led to the double doors. "That night, when I kissed you. That was me telling you that you meant something more to me than anyone ever had before. You're one of the most beautiful and amazing people that I've ever met, and after a session or two of my therapy, I was in deep. And then you kissed back, and I just couldn't understand why. I never thought that you felt back for me, I...I just-"

"You don't have a way with words do you? But I understand. And I do, I do feel. If that makes any sense what so ever."

We were now rapidly approaching the Joker's room, and I was so scared of him leaving. I'd just got him back, I didn't want him to leave so soon. "Stay with me." I asked him, practically begged him, as we stood in front of the all too familiar purple door. "Just...stay." I felt one of his purple gloves cup my face, and I stared into his dark and intense eyes. He nodded his head once, and that was when I knew for sure. I was truly and madly in love with the Joker, and he was just as insanely in love with me.