*J* (the continuation)

Part Thirty-Eight: Chapter 287: What Will Always Remain Pt. 2

(Flashback)

The Joker sat across from Dr. Quinzel in their daily therapy session. Today's session was over love, as most of the sessions are. It was after all the entire basis of her thesis. That love makes people do all sorts of crazy shit. She had such a beautiful way of justifying the evils of the Joker. She spun him as a tragic victim of unrequited love.

The Joker leans in toward Dr. Quinzel. "Tell me doc-tor, do you understand what an unrequited love becomes? After the acceptance that their one sided obsession will never come to fruitation? After the realization of their own stupidity?"

The enamored doctor listens attentively,"What?" She swallows, fighting the urdge to close the distance between them.

"It turns to resentment. It turns into anger. Then anger becomes revenge. But having experienced being unrequited gives you an upper hand. A pow-er," the Joker answers with a twinkle in his eye.

" H-how?" The doctor leans in, titillated.

"Because you have lived through the ache, the pain of having your heart ripped out. And because of that you know."

"Know what?" She asks him.

The Joker's head slightly tilts as he gives her an intense stare. "Know that the best way to destroy them, is to go straight for their heart..."

The Joker's eyes spring open. He quickly slithers away from Bruce's warm breath telling him everything he wanted to hear. He halfway turns to look at Bruce. "You're drunk and don't know what you're doing," he shakes his head.

"I want you J," Bruce catches the Joker's eyes, "and no amount of alcohol, or fighting bad guys, or money, or power makes it go away."

"Perhaps you should try dating," the Joker says as he makes his way back to the liquor.

Bruce watches the slight shake in the Joker's hands as he poured himself another drink. "Do you really think I haven't? They all become one night stands, because none of them are you J."

"It's been a really long time Bruce..." The Joker sighs and takes a gulp of scotch, "Why are you bringing all of this up again? I thought we agreed that nothing between us could ever possibly work."

"No. That's what you agreed upon. I never..."

The Joker quickly buts in, " And it's the truth!" He looks at him with a furrowed brow..."Can you really see me showing up at some Wayne fundraiser on your arm? Or Batman accompanying me to address the crime syndicate? By no twisted design can that ever happen."

Bruce's eyes flutter down, "Not everything is so plublic."

"And testaments of commitment must be beyond the bedroom. You of all people are supposed to know that. Can't you see see that only lust ties us together?" the Joker sits his drink down with an exhausted sigh.

"I need you J," Bruce takes a step in his direction.

"Stop it!" The Joker shouts and slams his palm down on the table, stopping Bruce in his tracks.

"What's the matter J? You can't stand hearing those words? It's because you feel them too. Don't you dare lie to me about feeling it too. I know you do," Bruce takes a few steps closer.

"Please don't come any closer," the Joker whispers as his his feet take a few small steps backwards. "It brings me no pleasure to hurt you. Just...just stay back."

"I can't," Bruce shrugs, "I'm trying so hard, but I just can't," and he moves even closer, the gap between them growing smaller until the Joker backs away some more.