*J* (the continuation)

Part Forty-Five: Chapter 342: Sweet Freedom

The Joker stood at the mirror in his bunker beneath the Grin And Bare It, trying his tie. Alexis stands on in sheer amazement at how calm he is in the moment. Especially when he knows that within the next few hours, he will be killed. But the Joker wasn't nervous. He wasn't paranoid or on edge. He wasn't angry or in a fowl mood. If Alexis had to guess how he felt right now, she'd have to say that he was happy. Happy like a child looking forward to Christmas morning.

And that would be a fairly accurate analysis of how he was feeling in that moment. He didn't look at this situation and only see the treacherous betrayal of those who he let in. Normally that's exactly how he would see it. He'd plan some retaliation, and people would die. But Alexis being pregnant changed everything.

You see, this was a chance at a freedom the Joker never dreamed could be possible. This was his exit from the Mafia life he had built for himself. He always was aware that death would be his only way out. But he honestly never thought he could die and simply return to a new life. But thank God for that Lazarus pit. If he had never killed Jason with that crowbar, he would have never known such a dream to be a possibility.

Only a month ago the Joker would have fought tooth and nail to hang on to the empire he worked so hard to create. He had created a thing of true beauty. Something that everyone told him was impossible. That no one man could control all the crime in Gotham. But with his Crime Syndicate, that was exactly what he had done. He was proud of himself for it. Though few would ever admit it, they envied him for it.

But his child growing inside of Alexis made his greatest achievement look like a third place ribbon for a sack race. It made the joy of killing seem about as exciting as buying new socks. It made all his power about as meaningful as sub management at a minimum wage job. Even the thrill of Batman and Joker was just a lackluster mundane Monday at the start of a work week.

This baby was a vacation the Joker desperately needed from his own existence. It was a second chance. A chance to get it right this time. A chance to give his son or daughter a perfectly normal life. A safe life, free from the confines of the Joker's empire. He could give this child a perfect life. And the world would be it's playpen.

The Joker turns to Alexis with a humbled smile. He reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. He outstretches it to her. "This is the map of the tunnels under the city," he points over at an opened manhole in the floor of the bunker, "The X signifies you are there," he points. She nervously nods and takes the map. The Joker gently cups her face, "You mustn't worry my love. You know what to do."

"What if this pit of stuff doesn't even work?" She asks.

"I assure you it does. Don't worry. Everything is going to be perfect for us," his hand slides over her belly, "And for little JJ or Alexandra."

"Those are the worst names you've come up with yet J," Alexis rolls her eyes with a smile.

"We still have time to find just the right name," he glances down at his watch, "It's time. We have to get you out of here. There's not much time left. You go directly to the destination, because Jason will send clowns looking for you. But if you stick to the plan, they'll never find you. And best of all, it's our rondavouz point. Be sure you stay hidden until Batman and all the cops have cleared out. Do you understand?" He intently asks.

"Of course," she says as a tear rolls down her cheek.

The Joker quickly wipes it away and gently kisses where it had been, "No, don't do that. Everything is going to be perfect. You'll see. I'll be back in your arms by morning."

"I know baby, I'm just not looking forward to seeing what they do to you," she looks over his handsome face, wondering if there would be new scars.

"The Lazarus pit will restore everything. You needn't worry," he gives her a kiss. A deep meaningful kiss, just in case it was somehow the last "I love you and I will see you soon. I promise. I love you my darling. Now go."