Smile...With Teeth

Chapter 23

~And I scream, "For whatever it's worth

I love you, ain't that the worst thing you ever heard?"

He looks up, grinning like a devil~

~Taylor Swift~

The men were headed to the vans, Joker watched as Ace barked orders and the men obeyed. Joker moved up beside him.

"We are about ready boss."

"Good, this is going to be the best party." Joker said.

"Boss, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Are you killing everyone at the party?"

"That's a fair question." Joker paused, "At first, yea that was the plan. Then, the strangest thing happened, Peach gave me a better idea. Instead, I'm gonna drive them all mad. Whatever they do after that means very little to me." he said waving off the whole idea.

Ace was silent.

"What?" Joker asked.

"So, I heard from a little bird, that you, um, jumped the broom." he said.

Joker eyed the man, "Well, I couldn't let you have all the fun, now could I?"

Ace laughed very loudly at that. "You are funny Boss."

Joker smiled. "I know."

Ace laughed harder.

Joker frowned at the man. "I'm not that funny."

Ace finally got control of himself. Joker watched the man unsure where this conversation was headed.

"Did she seem happy?" Ace asked.

Joker was almost insulted. "Of course she was happy, she landed Gotham's most eligible bachelor." he straightened his tie and coat.

Ace lost it again. He was still chuckling when Peach walked up.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

Ace looked at her, then to Joker. "Nothing." he said, walking away.

Peach turned to look at Joker. "We ready to go?" She asked.

Joker smiled, "Yea doll, let's go. We have to be ready and hidden before the crowd arrives." Joker grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

They got to the car and drove towards Amusement Mile. Joker could feel the excitement starting to build. He could almost taste it on his tongue.

"What were you and Ace laughing at?" She asked breaking the silence.

Joker looked over at her, "I confirmed to Ace that we got hitched." he said.

She was quiet for a minute, "And he was laughing?" She asked, looking almost hurt.

"No, he was laughing at me, apparently, I'm hilarious." he grumbled.

She stayed quiet, Joker looked over at her again. She was twisting the ring he'd given her around her finger. He frowned, she was never this quiet.

"Why did you marry me?" she asked suddenly, breaking the uncomfortable silence with the awkward question.

He would never understand women. This one was particularly frustrating. Joker pulled the car over, cutting off a few cars, parking it on the shoulder of the highway. She was watching him, her eyes large, almost frightened. He turned to look at her.