Ink and Bandaids

A/N - Graah, I am SO sorry for dropping off the face of the planet like this, but I honestly didn't know where I was taking this, AND I had severe writer's block...and since that's a lethal combination to any writer, this late update is the result. With that said, I hope it's worth it!

CH 5: Mistaken Identity

"Lee? What's wrong, buttercup?"

Cringing due to being addressed, I shook my head and rotated my glass in my hand. "Nothing, Aunt Martha, I'm just...I'm just not very hungry, I guess."

"Aww, my poor little bunny -- are you sick?"

I wasn't, but I think I was about to be...

Swallowing with the hopes of easing my parched throat, I weakly asked "Um...do you think you could not call me 'little bunny'? It, um...I mean...I'm a grown woman now, so I need to remain professional."

Seeming to buy my explanation, Aunt Martha nodded while agreeing "Well certainly, honey -- I'd hate to cramp the working girl's style, after all!" With a broad smile on her face, she leaned forward and patted my knee. "How was your business meeting last night?"

"Um...fine" I lied, jiggling my foot as I hugged myself for support. My nails were digging so deeply into my arms that they split through flesh, yet I naturally welcomed the pain as I added "Uh, Aunt Martha? Um...my boss told me I need to come to work alone from now on, so do you think you could stop driving me?"

"W-well, I-"

"Please?"

Appearing momentarily bewildered by my desperation, Aunt Martha finally beamed while agreeing "Well of course, my darling -- if your boss says you need to come to work alone, I guess I can't very well say no!"

I gave an inward sigh of relief. It was times like these that I loved how dim she was.

After finishing up my orange juice, I practically flew out the door and started my trek toward the Narrows, all the while wishing I could've just taken a sick day. I mean, what was the proper decorum to uphold after dry-humping your boss? Did you still act polite and as if nothing ever happened, or did you just drop the act and pursue your desires? ...Not that I wanted to pursue my so-called desires. The Joker was a monster, and it was about time I understood that. I mean, just because I momentarily lost my head doesn't mean I actually liked him.

Checking my watch for the umpteenth time, I muttered a curse before finding myself careening straight into some poor, unsuspecting man, my hand muffling a cry from my lips as I squeaked "Oh my God, I am so sorry! I-I-I know there's no law to forgive people for being klutzy, but I can assure you I'm an all-natural klutz and do this all the time, so..." I abruptly trailed off, suddenly taking note of the way this stranger was staring at me. He seemed...emotional, somehow.

Before I could even think to ask what was wrong, he gave a shudder-filled "Rachel?" before passing a hand over his mouth, his eyes alighting with complete euphoria as he grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. "Oh God, Rachel, we thought we'd lost you! How did you manage to escape the warehouse? Did Batman help you fake your death to evade the Joker?"

Completely bewildered by this man's words, I uneasily wriggled free of his grasp -- he was making it rather hard to breathe -- my blue eyes raising to meet with his as I meekly returned "I'm sorry, sir, but I...I don't know who you are. And my name isn't Rachel, it's Lee...Lee Holloway."

When he gave me a bemused, crestfallen look of surprise, I couldn't help but wish that I actually was this 'Rachel'. Even though I had no obligation to this man whatsoever, I somehow felt responsible for his inner turmoil. Why, I did not know, and yet...

I immediately froze.

Didn't the Joker once tell me I reminded him of someone? Of some "poor, foolish little bunny" whom he killed?

Swallowing, I looked back up at this man and urged "You mentioned the Joker...tell me what he's done."

The man pressed his lips into a grim line, then promptly shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to disclose..."

"Please" I urged, "it's very important. If I resemble this 'Rachel', doesn't that mean I'm at risk? I think I have a right to know what's going on."

The man appeared momentarily conflicted, but he soon nodded while taking me by the arm. "Alright, ma'am...let's go."

--

I couldn't explain why I'd been so aggressive and demanding earlier on, but now that I was sitting in the MCU with a cup of hot chocolate, I felt shy and completely unsure of myself. I mean, now that I was there, did I even want to know the truth anymore? What if it brought more pain than it was worth? And if it did, could I return to work for the Joker with a clear conscience?

Gazing meekly down into my cup, I blew at the steam as I felt Gordon's eyes burning into me like two invasive, red-hot pokers. I know he'd explained how I resembled the illustrious Rachel Dawes, but did he have to look at me so strongly? It made me feel uncomfortable and inferior, especially since he'd spent the past twenty minutes raving about what a warm, wonderful person she'd been. If anything, I felt as though he was constantly comparing us to one another, what with his constant remarks on our vast differences. He'd get this disappointed look on his face before deciding "Maybe you're not so much alike after all", and the way he'd say it made me feel lowly and undesirable. Gordon had made it clear that Rachel had been like a daughter to him, but did that mean he had to drag me through the dirt in the process?

Setting my hot chocolate down on its saucer, I timidly folded my hands in my lap and gazed down at the floor. "Why would the Joker kill all those people?" I asked, swallowing as I absently rubbed my wrist. "What does he hope to gain from it all?"

"Well, that's the million dollar question, Miss Holloway" Gordon softly acknowledged. "Even after all this time, nobody knows his age, name, or anyone directly involved from his past. All he truly seems interested in is proving to Gotham that we're all just like him."

"But we're not like him" I feebly insisted. "There are still people out there who are pure and good."

Gordon gave a half-smile, but it was noticeably forced. "That's what I try to tell myself everyday" he softly agreed, "but sometimes you have to go by the phrase 'trust no one'. I can't even rely on my own men half the time."

"But how do you...?" Trailing off, I frowned as I gazed down into the murky depths of my drink and shook my head. I didn't understand any of this, but at the very least I wanted to prove I had somewhat of a head on my shoulders. Before I could even think to speak again, however, I heard a loud gunshot and several screams from down the hallway. Turning to give Gordon a look of horror, he held his hand out to me as he rose and gave a terse "Stay here", his free hand retrieving his gun as he briskly raced toward the door.

Anxiously ringing my hands in my lap, I tried my best not to concentrate on the mayhem occurring down the hallway, my body instinctively jolting when I heard yet another gunshot. Unable to take the cries of agony, I clapped my hands over my ears and shuddered. I'd never been a fan of death, and something definitely told me the screams I was hearing were preludes to the afterlife.

In that instant, a loud bang sounded and the door swung open, my eyes widening as the clown prince himself burst across the threshold with a manic grin on his face.

"Well hello, hello, hello! Such a love-uh-ly day for murder and mayhem, wouldn't you a-greee? In fact, I think I'll include you in my plans -- the fact that we ran into each other without warning has to mean something, after all!"

Barely able to swallow the lump in my throat, I moved to give a feeble response, but instead could only yelp as he pulled me roughly to my feet. "Let go of me!" I screamed, but he held on fast.

"What, so suddenly I'm not good enough for you? 'Cause, uh...we seemed a little joined at the hip last time, if you know what I mean" the Joker cheekily reminded me, giggling as he began dragging me toward the exit.

Feeling as if my cheeks were on fire, I found that I could only grimace in response since he was absolutely right. I had been too 'friendly' with him during our last encounter, and I tried to assure myself that my damn 'divorce hormones' were to blame.

As he dragged me down the hallway, I gave a scream when a bullet smashed into the overhead light, shards of glass raining down upon us as the Joker gave a giddy filled whoop.

"Hold your fire! He's got a hostage!" I heard Gordon shout.

Turning my head to look over my shoulder, I felt my heart leap into my throat at the sight of at least 15 guns aimed at me and my assailant, my breath growing shallow as the Joker tugged me down yet another corridor.

"We're trapped!" I exclaimed, feeling light-headed when I spotted nothing but a large window before us.

Chuckling, the Joker deviously purred "And this is where the fun begins", a shriek escaping my lips when he raised his gun and fired right through the glass.

Realizing what he was about to make me do, I tried digging my heels into the floor as he gruffly pulled me forward, my voice shrill as I snapped "Are you nuts!?"

With a giggle, the Joker slipped an arm around my waist and stepped up onto the ledge, a finger coming to his lips as he mockingly declared "Me? Nuts? No, no, only on days that end in "Y", sweetcheeks!"

Before I could reprimand him for being a smart ass, we were suddenly airborne and I screamed, the wind whistling through my hair as my skirt blew up to an embarrassing degree. Feeling my stomach do several agonizing flip-flops, I was just about to vomit when our bodies suddenly collided with a large awning, my heart fluttering in my chest like a sparrow's once I realized we were alive. How, I did not know, but I could hear Gordon shouting from overhead to deploy all units.

"And that's our cue to exit" the Joker announced, grinning as he held onto the edge of the awning and hoisted us down to the ground. My heels clattered against the sidewalk and I gracelessly wobbled, but the clown prince didn't allow me to fall since he was dragging me toward some big, ugly white van.

When he punched a hole through the driver's window, I gasped as my hands fluttered to my throat. "What are you doing? Why didn't you just use your key!?"

"What key?" the Joker asked, giving me a bemused look. "Last time I checked, grand theft auto didn't require using any type of keys!"

"I don't believe this" I groaned, covering my face as I heard him finally open the door. "Can't you ever do anything legal!?"

"Well sure" the Joker agreed, "but where's the fun in that? Now get in the car before Gordy and his pigs ruin our little date."

"B-but...!"

"Get in the car!"

Wincing as he gestured sharply toward the inside of the van, I bit my tongue and begrudgingly entered the vehicle, anxiously tugging at my skirt to make sure he didn't get a sneak peek at my prided granny panties. They may be deemed unfashionable by some, but I've always put comfort over vanity.

Noticing the Joker leering at my attempt at modesty, I was about to stick my tongue out at him when he suddenly slammed down on the gas, my body lurching forward as we took off so fast we were practically driving on two wheels.

"Slow down!" I shrieked, covering my eyes when we just barely missed an oncoming car.

"Slow down" the Joker mocked, "we're going to diiiiie!" Rolling his eyes, he irritably fired back "Beautiful, I've been driving for years, so I think I know a thing or two about staying on the road!"

"Well maybe so, but that doesn't mean you drive very well!"

Yelping when we turned sharply to the right, I was about to reprimand him yet again before a large, black shape flew over our windshield and blocked our view.

"Ooh-hoo, well if it isn't my good friend, Guano Man!" the Joker exclaimed, grinning as he began veering the van from left to right. "C'mon Batsy, is that the best you can do!?"

As if in answer to his mocking query, Batman's fist smashed right through the windshield and scattered glass in my face, my hands covering my mouth as I tried my best not to scream. What was he doing? I didn't think heroes tried to get people killed!

With a snarl, the Joker jerked the van sharply back and forth as if caught in a fishtail, his hand reaching into his pocket before withdrawing a small pistol.

I gasped. "What are you doing!?"

Wordlessly raising the gun in answer, the Joker fired at the dark knight and nailed him straight in the chest, a horrified shriek escaping my lips as he went plummeting down into the street. Craning my head to see if I could spot him behind us, I felt my breath catch in my throat when I realized he wasn't moving. "Why did you do that!?" I screamed, turning back toward the Joker before punching his arm. "You might have killed him!"

The Joker chuckled. "Ah, but the key word there is might -- there's still a good chance he's living and breathing in the bat pheromones! I mean, uh...you should've seen his face just now. He appeared quite smitten."

"Smitten? Since when does someone look smitten when there's a gun pointed in their face!?"

Laughing uproariously, the Joker leaned over and patted my knee, his voice condescending as he purred "Now, now, don't you worry that pretty little head of yours, gum drop. You'll soon understand your destiny."

I gave him a funny look. "What do you mean, 'my destiny'? You don't know anything about me!"

The Joker smirked, yet there was a certain darkness to his eyes. "If I told you now, you wouldn't understand."

Staring back at him in confusion, I suddenly felt hopelessly sick to my stomach. He may have avoided killing me thus far, but somehow I felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter...

A/N: Hopefully I can crank out the next chapter MUCH sooner than this, but sadly I can't make any promises since it's still up in the air as to where this is going. Reviews always help, though. ;P