Josie couldn't understand why the Joker insisted on her seeing a doctor, even if he claimed the doctor was his friend. Gabby also seemed nervous; perhaps she shared Josie's fear of doctors.

"Why couldn't I meet your friend in the daytime?" Josie asked as the Joker held her door open.

"What?" was his reply as the door slammed shut behind her, making her jump.

"Why couldn't I meet your friend in the daytime?" Josie repeated, her voice strained.

"So we can hide in the dark."

"Hide?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because I'm the bad guy."

"Oh."

"Don't you remember?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Tsk. Tsk, princess," he said in a playful voice as he pulled her close and played with her hair, "Daddy doesn't like little girls who lie."

She floundered, unsure if he would allow her to address him as such.

"Alright then."

"You look flustered, Girl Scout."

"I do?"

"Yes."

"Sorry."

Joker looked down at her, letting her go as he did; he didn't like her answer.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Yes."

"Er, I'm-"

"Don't you ever apologize! To anyone! Especially about how you look!"

"Oh, sorry-" She looked at him as he started picking at the lock with something. "I don't look ugly to you?!"

"Not at all." He turned back to her as Gabby got out of the car.

"Who told you that you were ugly?"

"The girls at the orphanage."

"You're not ugly, princess."

"Really?!"

"No. You look like Bex."

"You mean my mother?"

"Yes."

"So-"

"I don't want to talk about her."

Joker turned back to the door; he looked uncomfortable. Josie looked over at Gabby, who was getting out of the car; she wasn't dressed as pretty as the last time. She wore a purple shirt, black jeans, boots, and a leather jacket tonight. Her hair was in a messy bun.

"How old are you, Gabby?" She asked in an attempt to change the subject.

"I would also like to know," Joker proclaimed.

"20," she said as she looked at him.

"I'm 8," Josie said. "You're 12 years older than me."

"That's right," Gabby said with a grin.

"How old are you?"

"Hm?"

Joker looked at Josie and Gabby and found them staring at him expectantly.

"What?"

"How old are you?" Asked Josie.

"Old."

"How old is that?"

"I'm old enough to remember the 70's."

"Are you the same age as Grandpa James?"

"A little younger."

"How much?"

"Uh, little J," Gabby said slowly, "some adults don't like to tell their age."

"Why?"

"Some adults are embarrassed-"

"Because they're so old."

"I'm not old!" He snapped. "Just be quiet and get inside."

Josie jumped at the harshness; he was so lovely up until now.

Why didn't he want to talk about himself?

She buried her face in Gabby's leg as she put her arm around her.

The Joker sighed, rolled his eyes, and ushered them inside the run-down building.


She has been reticent and hasn't been smiling since they arrived. She barely spoke in the car but was smiling then, unlike now. She and Gaggy positioned themselves near the entrance they used to break into the abandoned clinic, waiting for Strange to arrive. He didn't provide any information about why they were there.

It feels strange not to see her smile.

As Hugo Strange stealthily entered the room, he was acknowledged with a glance from the Joker. "Strange," the

Joker said, nodding to acknowledge his presence. "Joker," Strange replied. "Why am I here?"

"Don't be like that, Strange," the Joker said with a grin.

"I'm sure there's a valid reason why you're risking both your freedom and mine," Strange said tightly. "So, let's hear it."

Joker rolled his eyes and turned to Josie and Gaggy. "I need you to do a paternity test."

He looked at Gaggy, then back at Strange. "How old is she?"

'What?'

'Listen, I know you've been lonely since Harley left, but this isn't the way! She looks like she is selling candy for new band uniforms.'

'No, the little girl!'

'My God. I knew you were sick, but-'

'I need a paternity test. The kid might be mine.' he hissed. 'Idiot.'

'She doesn't look like Harley.'

'Harley's not her mother.'

Strange raised an eyebrow at the remark but only said, 'I see.'

'Josephine,' he called, 'would you come here please?'

Josephine, followed by Gaggy, gingerly approached the two men. Her bushy hair looked like she hadn't seen a comb in months; she had bags under her beautiful eyes and full lips in a pout.

Her clothes looked like they came from a two-bit dime store, clothes that made The Goodwill look like Dolce and Gabbana. Despite her disheveled appearance, he couldn't help but notice her beauty. He made a mental note to take her shopping in the future.

If she's mine, he thought bitterly, things will be different.

'I'd like you to meet Dr. Strange.'

'Hello.' He said.

'Hello.' She didn't look at Strange. 'I'm Josie.'

'Dr. Strange wants to run some tests on you.'

She looked at Strange, then turned to him. 'What kind of test?'

'Blood test.'

'Blood?!' Gaggy choked.

'What did I say about that look!' He growled.

'Why do you need her blood?'

'To square things up.'

'What does that mean?' Asked Josephine.

'Well,' he said as he squatted to her level, 'I need to be sure that you belong to me.'

Gaggy, finally catching on, turns to him, mouth ajar. 'Wait, she is your-?'

'You think I'm lying?'

'I think you're misinformed.'

Her cheeks puffed and reddened as she scowled; her mother did the same thing when made angry.

She's Rebecca's daughter. He thought as he bit back a grin

'I'm not a liar.'

'Never said you were.' He said quietly.

She turned away, and he stabbed her with a syringe.

'Ow!' She howled as she burst into tears. 'That hurt!'

'I need your blood, princess.'

She slapped him sharply and rushed into Gaggy's arms; Joker chuckled as she wept.

I'll buy her something later.

'How fast can we get this done?'

'A few days,' Strange said calmly, '5 at the most.'

Joker stood up. 'Well, we should go. Who wants hamburgers?'