The Joker and Me

Chapter Sixteen: Everything Ventured, Nothing Gained

I was pulling at the leather pants I was wearing when the van came to a screeching hault. All of us crammed into the back lurched forward, but J grabbed my shoulder to keep me from hitting the ground. 

"Now darling, we wouldn't want you to get all scratched up before we even get out there!"

I was shaking, and I could feel my breath quickening in my lungs. Fear and adrenaline were figting for control in my head, but all I could think about was what was about to happen. Earlier that day, J had suited me up in my current outfit: black leather bustier, pants, and boots, and a slicked back ponytail that tickled my back when I walked. He had said: "We have a very special errand to run." I knew now what that meant.

The back doors of the van opened, and all of J's goons spilled out. They had bandanas with clown smiles covering their faces, and spraypainted guns of every size, shape, and model. I could tell that we were in an allyway behind a bank, but I didn't dare get out. J hoped out of the van, grabbing what looked like a mini-machine gun. I shuddered. 

"Princess, what's wrong?"

I stood wide-eyed, shaking my head no quickly before wrapping my arms arounf my waist. J jumped back into the van, rubbing my back with one arm, still brandishing his weapon in the other. He had nothing to hide his face; he wanted the attention. He craved it.

"Daddy won't let anything happen to you. I'll walk right beside you the whole time, alright?" I looked up into his eyes, and he almost seemed to be afraid too. He had done this so many times, and it hit me that he wasn't scared for himself, he was scared for my safety.

I nodded yes, and without thinking kissed him on the cheek. He smiled wide, and laughed a deep jocular laugh. It made me smirk. We both hopped out of the van

"J, what about my gun?" I looked up to him as one of the goons began to fiddle with the lock on the door. It was broad daylight.

"Well sugar, you don't need it. You have your gift!" My heartbeat instantly quickened.

"But J! what if it doesn't-"

I was cut off by the door slamming open with a loud metallic thud. Everyone began to run in, and J wrapped his arm around my should. I tried to push my weight against him, but it was too late. He pushed me inside with him, laughing methodically.

There was a short hallway, and I heard gunfire and screaming coming from the main room. The robbery had begun. 

J and I walked into the lobby last, and every bystander was lying on the ground, covering their heads with their hands. He shot his gun up into the ceiling, and I violently flinched.

"Welcome, guests, to the main event!" He screamed with a wide grin on his face. "Now, where is the man in charge?"

One of his goons picked up a suited man off the floor, thrwoing him at J's feet. He landed with a hard thud and winced. I looked down at him with remorse, but I knew it wouldn't help his cause. 

"Please-please, take whatever you want! Don't hurt me!" He cowered at J's feet. 

J rolled his eyes, pausig for a moment. Then without warning he shot at him, missing him by mere inches. He and I both screamed. 

"Stop your wining, money man. Just go open the vault so we can get outta here." He nugged him off the ground with the tip of his gun and I held my breath. He quickly jumped to his feet and ran back the way we came, followed by five or so goons. 

J looked down to me. "Isn't this exciting!?"

I weakly smiled and nodded, only wanting to make sure that gun wouldn't be pointed at me. We turned to go back to the vault.

Suddenly, an explosino came from the front door, and J pushed me onto the ground. I was dazed and confused, but I looked up to see J smirking evilly, his gun aimed right at the cloud of smoke. 

Batman emerged from the cloud, stopping as soon as he saw J pointing the gun at him. I froze, my heartbeat moving so quickly I couldn't even tell when each beat was. 

"Joker! Let these people go!" 

J laughed, throwing his head back. "Look sweety, my best friend's arrived!" J immediatly started to fire his gun, and I cowered away, afraid that he would actually hit Bathman. All the bystanders in the room began to scream, and I turned to see Batman also firing a weapon at J.

I stood and backed up againt the wall, feeling like I was about to hyperventilate. I watched wide eyed as J and Batman fought eachother, J laughing loudly the whole time. He had the biggest smile on his face, as if he was having a good time. 

"Bat's, wait to you see my lady's tricks! She's got a shocking show!" He laughed deeply again, looking over to me and winking. "Now princess!"

I didn't move, not knowing what to do. I couldn't just conjure up my supposed power whenever I wanted. The voice in my head spoke to me: 'He's gonna have to do better than that if he wants a show.' 

I whispered to it: "Listen, I could be hit by the spray of bullets. Doesn't that count as self defense?" 

I heard what I assumed was the voice in my head sighing. 'Well, I guess. Whatever.' 

Batman suddenly looked to me. My breathing got caught in my throat. He started to walk towards me. "Ma'am, are you alright? I'll get you out of here." 

J suddenly was on him, punching him in the face. He dropped his weapon. "Don't you DARE talk to my girl that way!" He was fuming over top of him. "She's mine!" Batman kicked out J's legs, knocing him to the ground. I gasped. They began to hit eachother on the ground.

The feeling I had felt before began to return to me, filling my body quicker than ever. With each punch Batman landed on J, I felt a rage boil higher and higher inside of me. This so-called crusader was not going to hurt him any more.

"Hey Batman!" I screamed, feeling like I wasn't even my self anymore. They both looked up to me, Batman confused and J smiling wide. "Get off my man!"

I threw my arms out in front of me. A blast of hot lightning surged out of my fingertips, directly landing in the center of Batman's chest. He flew backwards, landing hard on his back. He didn't move, and I froze wide eyed. Had I just killed Batman?

J jumped off the ground, smiling wider than I had ever seen before. "Oh Jack! That was the sexiest thing I've ever seen!" He ran to me, grabbing me around my waist and dipping me backwards, kissing me hard on the lips. He stood me back up, giving me a wink. My legs were weak from the power surge, and I began to waver. J caught me before I fell to the ground. "We'll have to work on that part." He smiled down to me as he picked me up wedding style.

A goon leaned around the corner. "Hey boss, the money's all in the truck!" 

J nodded. "I'll be right there, I have one last thing to do." The goon whipped around the corner, and j turned to face Batman, still holding me in his arms. I heard Batman groaning on the ground. I sighed with relief, thankful that I hadn't actually killed him. 

"Hey Bats!" J yelled to him, and I looked ot see him trying to get himself off the ground. He couldn't. "I believe your crusading days are numbered now that I have my Jack!" He winked at Batman, quickly turning and running back to the van. As soon as the doors were closed, we sped off. 

J didn't let go of me the whole ride back, caressing my hair and continuously whispering: "I'm so glad I saved you."