Charlie beamed at the two of us. Keith said it would do the kid good if we did something family like. He forget that we aren't the kid's parents and the Joker deemed this as a waste of time. His brother left little notes for the Joker or more likely me to find. Keith insisted or he threatened to find the bastard of the Joker's brother and end him himself. That didn't go well, you see. The clown put a bullet in Keith's thigh. Of course it wasn't enough for the clown as after he done that he added pressure to the wound. I felt a shiver up my spine thinking of the Joker's tone to Keith. My eyes glanced over at my husband seeing him with a frown etched on his lips. Despite the scars showing a smile, a frown was still able to show. Charlie tugged on my hand, "Mama let's go see the giraffes!"

A small smile ghosted over my lips. We gave up on trying to tell the child we aren't his parents. The child got angry and threaten to do the unspeakable. I have to say the kid got guts to threaten himself with a kitchen knife that had Joker and I on edge. Smart kid using leverage to get his way. I let the kid tug at my hand dragging me not even five feet ahead of us. We could see the looming figures of orange. Not long before an irritated huff was sounded beside me. Charlie pushed past me to stand beside the Joker. The Joker's brown orbs looked down at the kid. Charlie's face was so serious especially after he crossed his arms. The Joker rolled his eyes, "It isn't gonna work, kid."

Charlie's bottom lip started to pop out. I bit my lip to hide the chuckle. The Joker's brown orbs flickered instantly at the sound of my concealed laugh. I leaned forward letting my lips lightly brush against his chapped lips. Charlie looked between his 'parents' before pulling a disgusted face. Charlie moved and started to tug on Joker's shirt. Charlie demanded, "I want to see the giraffes more clearly."

The Joker's eye lid twitched. His jaw grind against each other as he leaned down picking up the boy. Charlie's eyes widened as the giraffe got closer. Its purpleish tongue reached out to Charlie. Charlie instantly hid his face into the Joker's neck thinking it would make him disappear from the giraffe. I couldn't help but laugh. The Joker glared at my person which made it even more funnier. I went around the Joker to see Charlie's face. I spoke softly, "Charlie the giraffe isn't going to hurt you. They eat plants. Watch."

I knew I gained Charlie's interest as before I left he lifted his head away from the Joker's neck. I pulled out a couple bills giving it to the giraffe feeding station person. He handed me a couple of vegetables. I wiggled the vegetable so Charlie can see. The Joker rolled his eyes. It's exactly like they walked out of memory lane but with an older kid.

"Daddy! I want to go see the giraffes!"

A small but excited voice brought a smile on both parents. Jack leaned against the railing where the giraffes are held. I moved adjusting my son on my hip. Eric popped his bottom lip into a pout. Jack looked over the enclosure seeing on bent down tending to its baby. Eric didn't notice the mother tending to its child as it was below his viewing. For his third birthday, he requested to go to the zoo. Jack planned it out as he requested off as well requested off for me at the asylum. When I came into work today, Richard made me go back home saying it's my son's birthday and I need to be home. Jack's brown eyes twinkled when the mother giraffe stood up tall. It's head loomed over Eric's. Eric shrieked hiding himself in my neck. I could feel his body tremble. His voice came out muffled, "I-I wanna go n-now."

Jack rolled his eyes for a moment, "Eric, it's okay. They are friendly giants."

Eric refused to move his head away from my neck. I glanced behind us seeing a little stand of vegetables to purchase. I gestured with the tilt of my head to the stand. Jack's eyes followed where I was hinting at. Jack nodded before grabbing his wallet from his back pocket. Jack asked the man, "How much?"

The man grunted, "3 bucks."

Jack swifted through his wallet and pulled out three single dollars. The two males switched where Jack has the vegetable and the man has the money. Jack walked back to his little family. Jack spoke towards his son, "Eric do you want to see something cool?"

Eric shook his head no. I bit inside my cheek. I glanced down at my child, "Eric, sweetie. Your father is trying to show you something. You are going to hurt his feelings if you don't at least check it out."

Eric moved his head where he can peep out seeing his father. Jack's lips went into a mocking pout like Eric did not too long ago. Eric caught his eye on the vegetable in his father's hand. He mumbled, "Why do you have a vegetable, daddy?"

Jack looked away from his son towards me. Jack let out a deep sigh, "I guess he doesn't want to see one of the coolest thing. Are you hungry?"

I gave a nod, "Yeah let's head over to the zoo's cafe and grab something there."

Eric instantly moved his head out of my neck giving a glare to the both of us. Luckily for both of us, our three year old hasn't figured out that we always use this on him. We only do this type of trick to get him to do what we want him to do like bath time or eating vegetables. We try to get him to do things this way before he realizes it. Eric pointed to the vegetable, "Show me."

I looked at our son, "Show you what?"

Eric huffed, "Show me please. I want to see the cool thing."

Jack's eyes twinkled turning his attention to the giraffe. The giraffe has been eyeing the vegetable for a while. Jack held it out for the giraffe. Eric's eyes nearly bulged out of his head when he saw the purpleish tongue as long as it can be reaching for the vegetable. Jack glanced at his son and laughed, "Do you want to feed her?"

Eric's curiosity peaked again as he nodded. Jack handed our three year old the vegetable which Eric nervously held it out to the giraffe. The giraffe's tongue wrapped itself around the vegetable. The tongue briefly went against Eric's hand which made the child release it in a heartbeat. Eric's nose scrunched up, "Ewww."

I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. Jack's lips were upturned. Jack tapped Eric's nose, "See they are friendly. No need to be scared of them, Eric."

I let the giraffe grab the vegetable with its tongue. Charlie smiled big, "Can I feed it, mama?"

I nodded giving him a smile. As my nephew grab the extra vegetable from my hand, I couldn't help but look over at my husband. He may remember when we did this with our own son but the roles were switched. A voice broke my trance of looking at my husband's facial features, "Madeline? Is that you?"

My heart sank and fear filled me. Joker's brown orbs looked over at me as I looked behind my husband and nephew. I licked my lips. My voice went low, "Jay can you run along to the next exhibit with Charlie?"

The voice got closer and Joker didn't move. I moved closer to the Joker. My lips lightly touch his ear, "Jack, please. I work... Or worked with him. I don't need you to be taken... Again."

The Joker's lips frowned. Charlie could feel the tension and looked around. His brown orbs caught sight of a tall man. The man paused for a moment as he and the child made eye contact. I moved around the Joker to stop the man from advancing. I put a false smile on my face, "Oh it is so good to see you, Jacob. It's uh been a while."

The tall black haired man narrowed his eyes at the Joker. A rough husky voice caught my attention, "Let's god Charlie to go see the tigers."

I resisted the urge to close my eyes to relish in the sound of his voice. I bit inside of my cheek. Jacob's eyes flickered to me, "I didn't know you were seeing anyone. Let alone with a kid."

I raked my mind to come up with an excuse. I moved to grab Jacob's arm moving him away from the duo. I never liked this man when working with him. It makes things really uncomfortable. I licked my lips a habit I am starting to pick up from my husband. I answered Jacob, "Well I am. I met him years ago in college and found him again and we connected. The kid is my son."

I couldn't tell the truth about that as the child already is calling me and the Joker papa and mama. That doesn't help. Not. One. Bit. Jacob glanced where the Joker went. His eyes narrowed, "He looked like he had some pretty bad damage to his face."

My heart stopped. I gave a nervous smile, "Really? I uh don't notice. Jay doesn't particularly like it when people stare at it too long. He just has one scar along side of his face. A mugging happened during college."

Jacob's lip went into a sneer, "You still love him even if he has that nasty scar?"

My mouth into a firm line, "Why yes I do. I love him more than I did in college. He's a great man underneath that."

Jacob held up his hands in surrender, "Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."

I tugged on my long sleeves. Under my breath, I mumbled, "Sure you didn't."

Jacob eyed my long sleeves, "I know it is cold at the asylum but I didn't think you would wear long sleeves on a hot day like this."

I felt very insecure about my scars. Not just they range from deepness and length but it makes me feel broken. Joker constantly tries to put in my head that I am fine with them. That he loves me even with them. I don't believe him of course. It's hard to. I swallowed, "What are you doing here, Jacob?"

Jacob's tone dropped an octave, "You stopped going to work. You didn't leave your notice or anything. What is wrong with you?"

I noticed a woman and two children walking up the ramp to the high place to view the giraffes. I focused my gaze onto the tall man, "I have some family issues going on with my sister. I have to take care of her if you so want to know. Sorry that Richard didn't tell the staff as it was confidential between superior and doctor. Now if you excuse me, I have to meet with Jay and my son. Good day."

I started to move away from Jacob but he grabbed my wrist hard. I growled, "Let go of me, Jacob."

Jacob shook his head, "You know that inmate... The clown... The freak escaped just around the time you left. You were his doctor, doc. I don't think it was coincidental."

I didn't yank out of his grip but his grip did tighten. I felt my heart beat against my rib cage. I scoffed, "I don't know what you are talking about. I had nothing to do with his escape. Maybe the asylum should bring up its security."

I started to try to yank my wrist out of his grip. His voice almost made me stop trying to get out of his grip, "Also Keith disappeared when you two did. I know you and Keith go way back in college years. So where'd he go?"

I frowned finally getting my wrist out of his grip. I stumbled slightly, "I don't know. He may of went to live where June's family is. I don't know why you suspect me but I need to get back to my son before he wonders why I am taking so long to get back to them."

Well more like before the Joker comes back and rips your head off. The woman and two children finally caught up to Jacob. The woman smiled, "Oh who is this, Jake?"

Jacob never took his eyes off of me as he answered her, "A colleague of mine."

The woman's brows went up, "You're a doctor."

I moved my long sleeve over my hand to hide the now bruising wrist. I nodded, "I am. Now I shall be leaving. It was nice to see you, Jacob."

I turned my heel heading in the direction where the Joker went in. Once out of that man's sight, I bit my lip to hold back any tears. Oh, Joker will not like this. Not. One. Bit.