Melted Gold

Guardian

He was scared, and he could admit that to himself, he was scared, and he was alone. Joker took comfort in Mama's hospitality, but he couldn't stay there forever, and he found himself wandering the streets with a red-haired kid who refused to leave him alone.

"Jason, you can't keep following me," Joker sighed, exasperated but the young teen continued to trail him, "Jason, go home!"

"I don't have a home, and I'm not one of Mama's whores," Jason snapped and kept pace. Joker groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. He would admit that the kid was at least self sufficient, but he was still a kid and Joker didn't want to be responsible for him if he could help it. Still, Jason continued to follow, his light chatter filling the air as they wandered around Gotham's underground. He still needed clues on how Harish was able to work while still in the hospital. He needed to know who else was out there, he only had a handful of people accounted for and he was positive there was more still wandering the streets.

He briefly wondered if he should get help from Ivy or Selena but let that thought die in his head. They were both broken enough as it is, he didn't need them being caught up in the mess that was Harish.

He thought bout going home to Bruce, but he couldn't face the man after what had happened. He was still up in the Watchtower being treated for whatever Harish managed to do to him. He knew Barbra was doing okay and Richard had been in the paper for some academic award, so the kids were keeping face. He could just imagine what must be going on in their heads though, and Alfred must be completely beside himself.

Joker was so caught in his thoughts that he nearly missed the shadow dancing in his peripherals. He grabbed Jason's shirt and pulled him against a wall, pressing him tight between himself and the concrete. Jason made a sound to protest but felt Joker's arm shake against his chest and the way the older man held his breath made his argument die in his throat. There was a stillness as Joker's eyes surveyed the area, skipping from one place to the next, his head tilting one away and another to catch every little sound, every tiny detail.

"What is it?" Jason asked and hid himself further behind him, Joker didn't scare easy, at least not while awake.

"Come on," Joker took Jason's hand and lead him away, he wasn't sure if they were being followed or if it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but he wasn't comfortable with staying in one spot for too long. He twisted and turned, leading Jason down ally ways and in a confusing path of back ways and dive bars. They moved for nearly two hours before Joker paused and looked around.

"I'm tired," Jason complained and he jumped when he heard a trash can fall over. Joker reached for him, pulling him close and almost under his trench, eyes fixated on the man standing at the mouth of their ally way and escape route.

"Hello, Alice," Hatter sang, stepping closer. Joker stepped back, keeping Jason close as he watched Hatter sway in spot, a dirty rat perched on his shoulder and hissing at them.

"Alice?" Jason whispered and yelped when Joker shoved him deeper into his trench and shushed him violently.

Hatter gasped and tried to move in closer, to get a better look at who Joker was trying to hide. "Who is your friend Alice?"

Joker kept Jason hidden and he backed them towards the bar they had just came out of and hoped that Hatter was working alone.

"Now, Now Door Mouse, no need to rush Alice," Hatter said, his voice sweet as sugar but dripping with venom as he continued to advance. "Alice will learn to share his toys."

"The only thing that needs to be shared is how Harish is still operating," Joker snarled, slipping off his coat and letting it drape over Jason's body, keeping his face and hair hidden. "I know you know something Hatter, now spill."