Laugh Lines

Deep Thoughts

~The farther I fall I'm beside you

As lost as I get I will find you

The deeper the wound I'm inside you

For ever and ever I'm a part of

You and me~

~Nine Inch Nails~

Joker had been a busy, busy boy. Red had made it to Cliff's place. Joker left him there with his instructions. He had driven back to the hospital. He was about to head back to explain what was going to happen with Peach when Ace had called him.

"Yes?"

"Cliff just called, He said to tell you 'it's done', and he gave me a very large number."

Joker chuckled. "Good, Pay it. This is going to be fun."

"Do I want to know?" Ace asked.

"You will see for yourself soon enough." He smiled at the thought about it all.

"How's the girl?"

"Oh, perfect. I was just about to let her know what they will be doing once they leave later today." He said as he looked at his watch.

"She had the baby? It's early isn't it?" Joker could hear the concern that laced Ace's voice.

"Well, yea, but they are fine. It's a girl." He added as an afterthought.

"Congrats."

"Don't tell me, I didn't push it out. Tell her."

He could hear Ace laughing. "Sure boss, Plans still on?"

"Postponed It will happen on the 2nd. Have to make sure the wife and little bundle of Joy are home safe."

"Got it."

Joker hung up, he didn't have all day to gossip on the phone. He would see Ace later anyway they had a date this afternoon. When he got back to the room, she was feeding the baby again. He walked over and sat in the chair again.

"Will it be hungry all the time?" he asked.

"She will eat every few hours for a little while." She said as she reached for her phone. He watched as she put the now sleeping bundle on her thighs, propped up to face her, she snapped pictures like a mad woman.

"I need you and the kid ready to leave by 2:00 this afternoon." He said, pulling her attention away from the baby.

"They want us to stay 24 hours." She said.

He frowned, "I want you ready to go at two."

She continued to stare at him then finally nodded. He relaxed, happy that she wasn't going to fight him on this.

"Red will pick you up and you need to go to the apartment. Stay there until I let you know it's safe to head back to the house. Keep Red with you, I will explain his job to him later."

She did the mock salute towards him "You're the boss."

He rolled his eyes. "Let me hold the baby so you can get a few hours of sleep." He said taking the sleeping baby.

"Thank you." She said as she yawned.

Joker sat down and rocked the kid listening to his wife snore. He looked at his watch, it was almost 5:00 A.M. He would have to head out to get Red and explain his new job. Then meet with Ace to get today's fun going. No rest for the wicked.

Bruce had panicked when Lyra had run away. He knew it would be a matter of time before Joker came for him. He doubted the lunatic would let something like this slide. He knew Joker hated if someone messed with his hostages. This one in particular, seeing he had forced the poor girl to marry him.