*J* (the continuation)

Part Thirty-Two: Chapter 242: Unswayed

Jake returned back to Freeze's lab from another night of stalking Jason. It would seem that their plan was working. Jason was distracted enough that he wasn't out hunting Harley. He was too busy with real hallucinations on top of the ones that Jake manufactured. Frost and Ace say that he mutters and mumbles to himself more and more. They say that Jason has become distant, but only when he's alone. But the Penguin was spending a lot of time with him and keeping him pretty busy. Not to mention really high and liquored up.

The powder that Jason was drugged with was actually reducing his daily drug intake. The drugs, in conjunction with the powder, seemed to only intensify the cocaine's effects. Thereby creating hallucinations that Jason certainly didn't enjoy. He found that the hallucinations, both visual and auditory, were happening more and more frequently. So much so that he is starting to get used to them. He's no longer shocked or confused by them. Now he's at least sure that it's all in his head. He doesn't freak out anymore and ask others if they hear and see what he does.

All of this means that Jake has to work harder, his safety always on the line. Jake couldn't push Jason too hard. Nor could jake get too close to Jason. He might notice that Jake's skin is painted to match J's. Then Jason would know Jake's a fake, an imposter. That would be no good for Jake. Jason would be angry, that much was certain. Jason was also always strapped with at least four guns and several knives. Jake absolutely was not at all wanting Jason to use any of them on him, and it was a very good possibility that he would. So Jake finds himself walking a tight rope.

Every appearance Jake makes becomes more risky than the last. He knows he won't be able to fool Jason forever. He fears that he'll eventually say or do something to make Jason suspicious. He worries about accidentally wiping away paint to reveal his real skin tone. Or he stresses over Jason getting close enough to see the outline of the paint at his hair line. All these things are starting to get to Jake. He was under a lot of pressure. It was no longer the rush it had once been for Jake. It was now something stressful that created a lot of fear based paranoia for him. He knows he can't keep doing this. However, Harley wasn't due for another month still. That meant Jake was still obligated to help his twin.

The Joker was walking normally again and was spending a lot of time working out. He was trying to restore his strength and endurance. He also worked hard to get his fighting techniques back up to par. He still wasn't satisfied with his speed and agility. They weren't what they had once been. He wasn't ready to try to take on Jason in hand to hand combat. Not just yet.

Jason had the Joker at a disadvantage. Jason was twelve years younger than the Joker. He didn't spend three months in a coma. He didn't spend nine months cryogenically frozen. He didn't have pieces of his brain cut out. Didn't have to learn how to walk and talk all over again. Nor did he spend four months in a bed or wheelchair. Only to be followed up by two months of leg braces.

Jake knows that this charade has to continue for another month or so. Once the baby came, Harley too would have to get back in shape. But Jake knows that when J feels like he's a hundred percent again, this would all come to an abrupt stop. Because J was going to kill Jason and then, and only then, would all of this be over. Jake's not sure when that day will be, but it was coming. So Jake will suffer through all of this for his brother, for his new family.

The Joker looks up as Jake walks in. From one glance, the Joker can tell Jake is stressed from his night of tormenting Jason. Jake doesn't frown. He doesn't make a sigh. His facial expression shows nothing at all, only blankness. And somehow, the Joker just knew what his twin was thinking and feeling at that moment. But the Joker won't press him for a confirmation. He didn't need to. He knew Jake would talk to him about it when he was ready.

The Joker gets up and pours some scotch into two glasses. Jake sits with his legs apart, elbows resting on his knees, and hands folded together. His eyes focus on something across the room, not looking at it, but using it to trance on as he thought. The Joker brings the glass of scotch to Jake's line of sight, snapping him out of his thoughts. Jake takes the drink and stares at it in his hand. The Joker takes a seat. He looks down at the drink in his hand and starts to stirs it with his finger.