Love, Hate, and Family Ties

The Woman

(Joker's POV)

It's been a week since I left Amber. I feel bad. But I can't let that show. She's better off without me. I thought she might come by to apologize for something she didn't do, like always, but.....

Like I said. She's better off without me. And I her. She was in the way of my life.

I'm taking Matthew with me on a job tonight. He doesn't like doing illegal things. Too bad for him. I don't care.

We enter Bruce Wayne's mansion at precisly 9:00 p.m. I'm very punctual. As soon as I've stepped inside I know that something is off. I ignore it. I'll take care of it later, whatever it is.

After ten minutes all of the lights in the house flicker on then abruptly turn off, including all of our flashlights and equipment. Damn! HE'S here....

"Everybody get ready to run!" I yell to my boys.

"Uh, Boss? I think-" He's silenced by a choking sound. His own choking that is.

I hear scrambling throughout the room and a chorus of "Shit!"

I quickly push others aside and get myself outside to safety. I left Matthew in the van as our getaway driver. I see that he's unconscios and tied to a nearby tree. I debate wheter or not I should get him. I hear the flap of the Bat's cape and turn without hesitation back to the van. I jump in and speed off.

I can't drive very well, so I get about five miles away before I crash into a pole. I get out of the van and walk away unharmed. I look over the damage. Yep. It's totaled. That's fine. I can find another way home.

"Excuse me-" I whirl around to face the source of the small voice. "You, uh, seemed to have crashed. Do you need a ride somewhere...?"

A pretty girl is standing in front of me, looking nervous but not scared. She has dark hair and caramel skin. She has dark eyes that seem to hold an inner happiness, like nothing in the world could take that away from her. Well, I can sure try.

I come closer to her, pulling out my pocket knife. I gently place it against her jawline. I stroke her cheek with it, but I'm careful not to cut her. She doesn't move away or flinch, but her eyes leave mine.

"Oh shush now. You look nervous. Care to tell me why?" I say quietly trying to keep her gaze on mine.

"I, uh, I'm not really used to talking to new people. Just thought I'd give it a try." She says, meeting my gaze for just a moment.

I move back. Now, that's not what I expected to hear. Not at all. I take the knife away from her.

"Well, beautiful, you're right. I did crash the car. And I do need a ride. Are you offering?" I ask walking towards the van to get my gun.

"Yes. I am. May I ask WHY you crashed the car? I mean I've heard that you're crazy, but you don't really seem it." she says, timidly.

I pause with my hand hovering over my gun. I slowly turn to her with what I hope to be a menacing glare. I slowly come closer and closer as I speak.

"I'm not crazy. I'm not. And you're right toots, I didn't crash on purpose. But, you don't need to know why I crashed the car. Because it doesn't concern you. No more questions or you might just start to smile like I do." I tell her, lifting the knife to the corner of her mouth. I pull away as soon as I know I've gotten my point across.

"Ah. Got it. Loud and clear. No more questions, sir. I'll just-"

"Shut up. You're annoying me." I snap as I cock my gun and put it in my pants, looking around for the Bat.

She points to her car and raises an eyebrow. I take that as 'Are you ready to go?' I nod and jump into the passenger seat.

She stays quiet as I direct her to the Hideout. Little does she know that once she knows where it is, she won't be leaving.

"What's your name, babe?" I ask.

"It's Jessica. But I go by Jess. What's yours?" she responds.

"You know my name, toots. If you're hoping I'll tell you my real name you are quite mistaken." I say in her ear.

When we get outside of the Hideout I get out and pull her out of the car.

"Hey, wait a minute-" she says, looking a tiny bit scred now.

"You didn't honestly think that I would let you know where my Hideout is and then let you return to your life? AHAHAH! Oh. Now THAT'S funny! Oh, dollface. You're mine now. But don't worry. I'm anything but a rapist. You see, I'm above that. The men that work for me on the otherhand.... They aren't. I'll keep you away from them, so long as you do what I say, when I say. Understood, toots?" I tell her, while holding her close, making sure she can't get away.

"Yes, Mr. Joker, sir." Her voice is barely audible.

I bring her into the house and into my bedroom. I toss her into the room. I head to the door and stop when I get to the doorway and turn back to face her.

"You will be sharing a room with me. I don't use it much, for I don't sleep very often. You're welcome to read what you want from my bookshelf. Don't come out of the room for now. I'll inform my men that they are not allowed to touch you. I'll come get you when it's time for you to eat."

As I'm closing the door I stop for just a minute. "What, ah, did you say your name was, dollface?"

"Jess." she says without looking at me.

"Well, Jess, don't try the window cuz it's a three story drop and I would not hesitate to shoot you if I saw you land out there. For it's just outside of my office window." I tell her and finally shut the door.

I feel a twinge of some emotion. Is that...? No! I cannot feel guilt. I am a sociopath. I don't have emotions.

I shake my head and go downstairs to tell my men not to touch her. I head to my office and sit at my desk, assesing my situation. I am currently down 20 men. 21 if I include Matthew. Crap. The Bat really put a dent in my "regime." I could really use Amber back.

After I sulked for an hour, I sighed and went to my room, grabbing a sandwhich on the way for the girl. When I come in, I notice that she is sleeping. She looks rather peaceful. I wouldn't bother her, except for the fact that she is sleeping on the floor. I sigh and put the sandwhich on the bedside table and look at her for a minute. It's like taking care of my daughter again. I used to do this all the time when she fell asleep on the floor. Then again, she FIT in my arms. This one is pretty tall. Almost my height.

I slowly bend down. 'Lift from the legs, Jack, not the back.' Well, ok, she can't be THAT heavy. I slide my arms under her and I'm about to lift her when she jumps up, suddenly awake.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!? She screams, backing up.

"OK, I know how that may have looked but, ah, I assure you I was just-" she cuts me off.

"Just taking advantage of me?! Thought you were above rape?!" She screams in my face. I'm getting annoyed with her yelling at me. I grab her by the back of her neck and pull her close to my face. She shuts up immediately.

"Listen, BITCH, I was going to pick you up and put you in the bed because I know for a fact that my floor is uncomfortable. You're welcome to stay down there if you'd like but it would be less painful if you sleep on the bed. I brought you food. Eat it or don't. Just don't starve. You die when I say so. Not on your own time. I'll be back later. Don't try to escape or my men will shoot you, not to kill you, just... incapacitate. Ta-ta, my dear." With that, I throw her on to the bed and walk out of the room, slamming the door behind me.

I need to go cause trouble. I'm being too nice to this girl. I cant be soft, I have to show that I'm heartless.

I know just the way to do it. With a smile on my face I slip out the door and into the night.