Chapter 13 It's Him

Leigh Adam: Thanks for the review! I have this entire image in my head of their interactions that is difficult to get on paper. When the Joker is with Jacqueline he is Jack Napier and Harley is Harleen Quinzell. She sees them for who they are behind the drama, just like she sees Bruce instead of Batman.

It was a few minutes before six o'clock in the morning when Jacqueline stepped off the gold elevator onto her office floor. "Former office floor," she thought.

She carried a couple of simple cardboard boxes and a garbage bag. Cleaning out her office was going to be fairly easy, she hadn't occupied it that long. She pulled her key out to unlock the door but the handle was already turning as she approached. The door opened to reveal him dressed in an impeccable tan suit tailored to fit his frame. "I see you got my message," she said softly.

"I've been here since five, just in case you snuck in early," he said.

"How did you get in?"

"I'm Bruce Wayne, security let me in but I could have just picked the lock."

She frowned at him. "Would you friend and message boy appreciate that you are breaking the law?"

"Considering that his entire existence is breaking the law I don't think he would mind."

She nodded at him. "Want to help me pack?"

"I want to talk," he said bluntly.

She pushed past him to set the boxes she carried down on the desk and she heard him close and lock the door behind her. "I'm not sure what you want to talk about."

She turned around to see him drag a hand down over his face before shoving both his hands in his pockets. "Let me refresh your memory. I have been courting you. I have had the most amazing sex ever with you. I cannot get you out of my head or my heart and you act like you are walking away from all of that! I know you feel the same way I do! How can you turn away from what we have? Do you think this comes along every day? This is a once in several lifetime's kind of feeling!"

She leaned back against the desk. "Let me refresh your memory. You are Bruce Wayne and you are… have an incredibly close friend in a certain nighttime vigilante. I am Jacqueline Napier, the younger and adored sister of Jack Napier also known as the Joker. He came to your house last night Bruce! He murdered one of his men in cold blood last night because they threatened me!"

"I would have done the same thing," he said shrugging his shoulders. "The guy pointed a gun at you."

She threw her hands up in the air. "Do you see? I know you see it you just can't admit it! There is no way this can work! Yes I feel it and I want it, but I won't give up my brother or Harleen and there is no way we can be together with them in my life. Jacqueline Nallier is a made up persona that I created to shield me from the Joker. Jacqueline Napier is who I really am and all that comes with that person."

Bruce crossed the office and grabbed her crushing his mouth on top of hers. She opened automatically to let his tongue in and she reveled at how he tasted like happiness and joy. He picked her up and sat her on the desk before trailing hot kisses down her face and neck. "I want you Jacqueline Napier and all that comes with you," he said huskily in her ear.

She gasped as he pushed forward and she felt his hardness through his pants. "I want you Bruce Wayne…" she replied gasping for breath.

He broke away from her and met her eye to eye. "But?" he said.

"It's the other version of you that scares me."

He lifted his head toward the ceiling and took a deep breath. "I'm in love with you Bruce," she said softly and he snapped his head back to look at her. "But I can't function wondering if when you leave me it's going to be to kill my brother. I can't wake up in the middle of the night to a cold bed and think that the two of you are dueling somewhere in Gotham City."

He pushed away from her and stalked heavily across the office to the window that looked out over Gotham. "What about me? Huh? What about when he comes after me? Can you live with that?"

She crossed her arms over her chest and grimaced. "I can't… I won't live in fear for either of you."

"Fine," he said dryly and walked out of her office and out of her life.

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At just past seven o'clock Nelda found her in her office emptying out the contents of her closet. "I… I heard what happened last night," she said from the doorway and watched Jacqueline stiffen. "Is it true?" she whispered.

Jacqueline turned towards her and gave a slight smile. "Is it true that the Joker is my brother? Or is it true that he showed up last night to rob and maim? What truth are you looking for Nelda?"

"Oh honey," the kind woman said before crossing the room to envelop Jacqueline in a hug which was exactly what she needed.

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Jacqueline waited anxiously in a luxurious room that very few people had ever seen. Jack sat next to her holding her hand and Harleen was pacing the floor. They both looked as nervous as she felt. "I guess it's good to have the Joker as your brother when it comes to these type of situations."

Jack smirked at her. "Are you going to tell him?" he asked.

She shrugged her shoulders and he squeezed her hand. "I may be a tad bit eccentric and a criminal master mind, but I'll always take care of you doll face and whatever decision you make I'll be right behind you all the way."

"A tad bit eccentric?" she asked with a chuckle. "You have green hair and a desire to rule Gotham City… I think that probably makes you crazier than a road lizard."

He laughed that maniacal laugh that struck fear into some people but that strangely made her feel comforted. "You are damn straight doll face, damn straight."