Jake was rather surprised that Harley was the only one that thought he should dive into acid to become like she and the Joker. The Joker had tried to talk him out of it, because he knew what Jake was in store for. The Joker cared enough for his twin to not want to see him suffer. Ivy too had tried to change his mind. She told him he was perfect the way that he was. She made it clear that she didn't want him to change, especially not to be more like the Joker. She practically begged him to give himself some time to think it over some more. But Jake couldn't be swayed.
By the time they reached Ace Chemicals everyone had accepted that this was going to happen. All they could do now was stand back and watch. They could maybe render aid if he drown. The Joker wasn't afraid to jump in after him. After all, he's done this twice already. The Joker kills the engine and the four of them get out. Jake looks up at the neon sign on the factory. This was it. No turning back now.
The Joker walks to the rear of the car and opens the trunk. He reaches in and pulls out a bag with clothes for Jake and a gas mask. He shuts the trunk and walks back over to everyone. "Here my love, I don't want the baby to breathe in any of this stuff," he says as he puts the mask on her.
When they go inside the smell overwhelms Jake and he has to bury his nose in the bend of his arm. He had never smelled anything like it before. His eyes watered, even without smelling. How did people work here? This place was awful. It was definitely packed full of carcinogens. But then, it wasn't like Jake was going to be able to get cancer after this night.
They all follow as the Joker leads them through the factory. He approached a metal staircase and starts up it. As they start up it Jake's stomach decides to get butterflies. He thought he had worked up the nerve to do this, but now he was second guessing himself. But let's examine this situation. He has to swan dive into a vat of chemicals. We're not talking about bleach or oven cleaner here. We're talking about industrial strength stuff. The kind of stuff that you have to wear protective gear just to be around it. We're talking about caustic shit that can eat through clothes and skin. Willingly jumping in something like that just wasn't a sane thing to do. So Jake's nervousness is warranted. Still, he came here to do this, and that's what he is going to do.
Three flights of stairs later they were high above the factory. They walk out onto a platform and the Joker turns to face Jake. Jake steps forward and stands at the edge. He looks down and can see six huge vats of frothy, bubbling green chemicals. The Joker stands next to him, looking down, trying to access any remaining memories he had of this place.
"Is this it? Where it happened?" Jake asks.
The Joker nods, still looking down at the vats. "We don't have long. There's a chance that the impact when you hit might knock you out. If I don't see you come up, I'll come after you. Just try to dive and not fall flat. Harley almost died that way."
Jake nods. He them turns to Ivy. He approached her and takes both her hands in his. "There's something that I want to say you. In case something happens to me, and I can't say it to you later."
"Yes?" She asks, her green eyes staring into his.
Jake's eyes flutter down to her hands in his. He swallows, trying to will the words out of his mouth. They might have been the wrong words. They could even be premature. But Jake wants to say them. He could very well die tonight, and he doesn't want to leave behind any unfinished business. Jake's eyes meet with Ivy's. Her beauty still left him breathless.
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