T R A P P E D

4. Father/Daughter Bonding

*~Alexandria~*

I purposely overslept because I was doing any and everything to avoid talking to my dad about what happened last night, but I knew that I had to face the fireworks sooner or later. Might as well get it over with now, therefore I can leave and go get my bike fixed.

After taking a shower and brushing my teeth, I put on some comfortable clothes and headed downstairs to the kitchen. My dad was already down there, pulling out the ingredients to make breakfast, but he knew damn well that he didn't know the first thing about cooking.

"Um...what are you doing? Where's Alfred?" I asked.

"I gave him the day off. I wanted to spend some one on one time with you today, and having breakfast together is a great start." He said. I squinted my eyes a little because my dad rarely gave Alfred days off, unless it was something really, really important.

"Alfred's okay thought, right?"

"Yes, he's fine. He went to visit his daughter and he'll be back late tonight." I simply nodded my head and smiled a little, watching as my dad read the back of a pancake mix box. He looked so lost and confused, which amused me something serious.

"Are you sure you just don't want to go down to the diner and get some breakfast?" I asked, taking a seat on the kitchen counter.

"No, I promised Alfred that I'd make you a home cooked meal and I am a man of my word." He smirked, turning back to look at me.

"Should I get the fire extinguisher just in case?"

"Have a little faith in me, Alex. I've learned quite a lot since the last time you and I cooked." He told me.

"Was that before or after you almost burned the house down, trying to make a brownie with my Easy Bake Oven." I teased, as we both started to laugh. Normally, my dad wasn't this affectionate towards me or anyone else, but when he was...I took full advantage of it.

*

After breakfast, my dad and I cleaned up the kitchen, before heading outside to look at the damages done to my bike. He already didn't like the fact that I rode my motorcycle more than I drove my car, but I couldn't help it. I'm an adrenaline junkie and I have a compulsive desire for excitement and adventure.

"What the hell were you doing that required you to lose control of your bike?" He asked, glaring at me.

"Okay, so check this out dad...I was on my way home when this ugly ass purple car came out of nowhere and almost hit me! I had to swerve so I wouldn't hit them or they wouldn't hit me, which caused me to lose balance. The bike then scraped across the ground, all while I jumped up on the side of it and waited for it to come to a complete stop. Uncle Robin taught me that move." I told him. He furrowed his eyebrows and side eyed me, looking as if he were replaying what I had just told him in the back of his mind. Though I was telling the whole truth, I left out the part where I was racing in Crime Alley because if my dad finds out that I've been hanging out there...I'd be good as dead.

"A purple car, you say?" He questioned.

"Yep. The ugliest shade of purple, if I'm being honest.

"And where was this?"

"Near the Queensboro bridge." I lied.

"Alexandria..."

"Dad..."

"That was...you were almost hit by..." He stammered, wiping his eyes.

"The Joker?" I questioned. "I figured it was him, because only he would ride around in that ugly car." The car might've been ugly, but the man driving it was far from ugly. I thought to myself.

"I have to go do some work, but...I'll call your uncle and see if he can take your bike to get fixed, so you'll just have to drive your car in the meantime." He didn't even wait for me to respond before he turned and walked away. It was like something was triggered whenever the Joker's name was brought up, but I shouldn't be surprised. For years, my dad and Joker have been enemies. I wouldn't even call them that, if I'm being honest. They had a ying yang relationship and they balance each other out in the worst way.

"Hey dad? I'm going to the mall, but I'll be home before curfew." I promised. He looked back at me and nodded his head, looking as if he wanted to tell me no, but he couldn't do that. Not anymore. I waited until he went into the house before I climbed into my car and started it up, pulling out of the driveway and on to the main street. Ironically, as soon as I got on the main road, I noticed that I was being tailed by an unknown car that I had never seen before.

"Who the fuck..." I started to say. I banged on the dashboard and I drawer popped out, which is where I keep my trusty gun and knife. Pulling over to the first gas station that I saw, I grabbed my knife and shoved it into my back pocket, before climbing out the car. The car that was following me, pulled up beside mine and the back window rolled down, revealing the one person who'd been on my mind since last night.

"Is there a reason why you're following me?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"You...you are a hard woman to track down, doll." Joker smiled, taking a hit of his blunt.

"My name is Alex. Not doll."

"Your name is whatever I say it is, kitten. Now...come take a ride with daddy." I furrowed my eyebrows, looking at him like he had completely lost his mind, which he has apparently.

"I think I'll pass." I said.

"That's what that pretty little mouth says, but those eyes are saying something different. Come on kitten...you know you want to." He purred, making me roll my eyes. As much as it went against my better judgement...I found myself walked towards his car, as the driver jumped out and opened the door for me.

"Thanks." I murmured, sliding into the backseat next to Joker.

"You look just as mouth watering as you did last night. How is that even possible?" He asked, scooting next to me.

"I'm not sure, but you need to back up."

"Oh, you're a feisty one. I like that." He placed his hands on my bare thigh and I slapped his hand away. "Ohhh...sooo feisty." He was clearly enjoying this a little too much, but I couldn't help but to feel flattered by him trying to touch on me.

"You're a trip." I laughed a little, crossing my arms. "What is it about me that has you so intrigued." His smile faded as he stared at me, taking another pull from his blunt.

"You know..." He began, letting out a maniacal laugh. "I really don't know. But if you're willing to let me...I'd like to find out."