The Perfect Smile

Maddy slept for nearly 18 hours on that broken down ripped up couch. She had finally received the rest that her body needed. When she woke up she realized that either everyone was now gone from the house or just went into different areas because the living room area was now vacant. She sighed and tilted her head back a bit. She got up and started looking around. She looked in the living room area and saw nothing but some tore up and old furniture and a small tv, then she made her way into the kitchen and looked around for a few minutes.

"Find anything interesting?"

Maddy spun around quickly and saw The Joker standing there with an odd expression on his face. She looked him up and down and noticed his make-up was worn and his eyes looked like they had bags under them.

Joker: Guess not..

He spat out before turning around so he could make his way back up the stairs, Maddy walked forward and caught up with him.

Maddy: Wait! Where are you going.
Joker: Back to bed.

He mumbled as he walked up the stairs, Maddy followed him not knowing what else to do. Just as they reached the top he spun around quickly and looked her up and down.

Joker: Why are you following me?
Maddy: Where am I suppose to go or what am I suppose to do?
Joker: I don't know, entertain yourself.

He said turning around and making his way back in a room to the left. He slammed the door hard causing Maddy to shudder. Then other guys started poking their head out the doors because of the noise.

"You wake the boss up?"

One ask, Maddy only nodded. They all tucked their heads back inside and Maddy returned back downstairs and took a seat on the old torn up couch. Since she had been sleeping for eighteen straight hours she didn't feel like sleeping so she just laid down and started thinking about things. Her father. Penny. Her job. School. Everything she needed to do in life, and everything she had done in life. These past few days have challenged Maddy to the point of death. She now knows that she is much stronger though, both mentally and physically.

..............................

The Joker walked down the stairs and into the living room. He looked over at the couch and saw Maddy laying there sleeping. He walked over and looked down on her. She was still beaten, bruised, and cut horrible. She really needed to get cleaned up before something set up an infection. He sighed loudly and walked into the kitchen and started digging through a cabinet for some bandages and alcohol. One he found everything he needed he walked back into the living room.

"Wake up"

He said very loudly making Maddy's eyes flutter open and look up into his dark ones. She gave him a small half smile and raised up on the couch and stretched a bit, and then jumped a bit at her own stretching, realizing just how sore she was.

Joker: You need to get cleaned up.

Maddy looked down and saw that she was still in his sleeping pants and her t-shirt from when she was abducted. She smiled and shook her head signaling that she thought that she needed cleaned up also. He got up and motioned for him to follow her as he made his way up the stairs humming a tune. She followed closely behind him and soon they reached the same door he went in last night. He opened the door and walked in and took a seat on the bed. She stood there for a few minutes looking at him, and studying him.

Joker: There's the bathroom, I'm sure you know how to clean cuts.

Maddy only smiled at him and nodded making her way into the bathroom. He brought in the cloths, and rubbing alcohol and put them on the sink. Maddy quickly began cleaning her cuts. Wincing and jerking in pain every so often. Once she was done cleaning them all, she turned on the sink and dashed some water on her face. She looked in the mirror and frown noticing how she looked. Her hair was oily and matted to her head. Her lip was busted. Black circles around both her eyes. Numerous cuts and scratches. Not to mention sadness shined through her eyes.

He watched Maddy clean herself for a few minutes before walking downstairs and over to the coffee pot. He got him a cup full and took a seat at the table and enjoyed his coffee, it was one of the only things that kept him running sometimes. Soon came a knock at the kitchen door. He walked over and peeked out, seeing it was Catwoman. He opened it allowing the woman plenty of room to walk in. He saw bundles of cloth in her arms.

Catwoman: I figured your guest would need some new clothing.
Joker: She's cleaning her cuts right now, I'll take them to her after I finish my coffee.
Catwoman: Good. When are we going after them?
Joker: We'll give it a few days.. let them think we're running scared.

The woman in black only nodded and then turned around and made an exit for the door. The Joker looked over and wondered why she wouldn't just tell Madeline who she was. He finished the last sip of coffee and picked up the bundle of clothing and hummed once again as he made his way up the stairs. He pushed open the door and head the shower running. He knocked on the door and then pushed it open. He heard a squeal and laughed.

Joker: The cat brought you buy some clothes. They'll be on the sink.
Maddy: Thanks.

He closed the door, but only after sneaking a look at her. Even though she was behind a shower curtain he could see an outline of her body. It wasn't like it was the first time he had noticed her though. He had "checked her out" at Arkham quite a few times, she seemed to be the only female worker there who wasn't over 50 or who was attractive. He took a seat on his bed and remembered the first day he met her. She was trying to make them not put him in a straight jacket. He chuckled a bit at the thought. Then remembered she also called the cops pigs. She might not be too bad, he thought to himself and looked up noticing the door was now open. He saw her standing there in another set of lounge clothes. This time being a pair of pink plaid lounge pants and a white t shirt.

Maddy: Thank you for allowing me to clean my cuts.
Joker: You cleaned mine.
Maddy: Yeah... did you heal all the way?
Joker: I healed enough.

Maddy looked over at him and couldn't help but wonder why he was protecting her from the clutches of those creeps, she felt the need to ask him.

Maddy: Why'd you and Catwoman come to my rescue?
Joker: Well.. I didn't like being screwed over, and she had different obligations I think.
Maddy: And you're keeping me safe now because...
Joker: Because they want you.
Maddy: Ah, ok.. I guess. Do you know why they want me?
Joker: Your father is linked with the mob.

Maddy just looked at the clown in disbelief! What was he talking about? How was her father linked with the mob! He's crazy and a liar!

Maddy: No he isn't!
Joker: Yes. He is. He is linked with some Eddie guy.
Maddy: Matt's dad..

She whispered and couldn't believe it, although now it all fit together. All those late nights, and all the phone calls from Eddie. Not to mention how he never liked her with Matt.

Maddy: My god, who else is fucking lying to me.

The Joker just raised an eyebrow to her not understanding what she's talking about. How could she not have any idea that her father was dealing with the mob?

Joker: You didn't know.
Maddy: No! I had no clue! About my father or Matt!
Joker: Matt? Whose Matt?
Maddy: An ex boyfriend who is apparently a Mob Member!
Joker: (pause) Sounds like you have issues.

He said as he got up and walked inside the bathroom and shut the door. Maddy stood there for a few minutes and reflected on some of the situations that she should have figured out. Everything fit together. Why didn't she figure out that Matt was in the mob and her father was basically a corrupt doctor! The Joker came out of the bathroom and saw Maddy still standing in the same place as before.

Joker: You just going to stand there all day?
Maddy: Sorry, I just can't believe everyone has lied to me! The only person who hasn't lied to me is my best friend, Penny!
Joker: Ahh.. just for shits and giggles.. Is she black?
Maddy: Yes.. why?
Joker: Oh.. no reason.

The Joker couldn't help but feel kind of... sorry for her now. Her father lied to her. An ex boyfriend lied to her. And her best friend is lying to her. The only plus sign to it all is that she doesn't know about the best friend part.. or at least yet. There came a knock at the door breaking the Joker out of his thoughts. Soon a blond haired guy peeked his head in.

"Boss, we doing anything today?"

Joker: No.

The door was shut then and Maddy just looked over at The Joker with a raised eyebrow.

Maddy: You take days off?
Joker: Of course I do, Madeline. Only I won't leave you with a Bertha.

She laughed at his last comment, and how he cringed at the name. She remembered he questioned her after returning from a day off. He had to deal with the bitchiest woman there, Bertha.

Maddy: You should call me Maddy, most people do.
Joker: Okay, Maddy. So why Arkham?
Maddy: I'm putting myself through college.
Joker: Doctor like pops?
Maddy: Nurse, and no. I never wanted to work at Arkham but my father thought it'd be a good idea.

He nodded and they continued on with their conversation. Maddy took a seat on the floor and he sat on his bed. He ask her all about her life, and she told him. He now understood why she was upset that everyone was lying to her, all she really had was her father and her best friend. To find out her father lied to her hurt her more than anything, but now if she found out her best friend was also lying to her.. it would probably rip her apart.

Joker: So do you really think cops are pigs?
Maddy: Most, yes. It seems their all corrupt these days.
Joker: Yeah, most are.
Maddy: So which story is true?
Joker: Hmm?
Maddy: The scar story, which is true.
Joker: You really wanna walk on eggshells, don't you dear?
Maddy: I'm no help to you dead, now am I?

He couldn't help but to smirk at her confidence and wits. He had to admit though she was right, she would be no help to him dead. But was she really any help to him alive? He could easily kill her and then kill the others, but for some reason he thought that maybe she was needed. She was needed for something that he didn't know of yet. He was soon figure it out though. Plus, she was much more interesting to talk to than his clown goons.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to speak again someone busted through his door and told him that they had broke in. He jolted up and grabbed his gun and his jacket which had all of his knives inside it. He looked down and saw Maddy looking up to him with fear visible in her eyes. He knew he couldn't just leave her up in this room. He'd need to take her, and keep her close to him so he knew she'd be safe.

Joker: Stay close to me, you hear me? STAY CLOSE TO ME.

Maddy only nodded and stood up. He handed her a small gun and told her to use it if she needed to, she only nodded once again. Fear was now taking over her body. She had never shot a gun in her life. Actually, she had never even held a gun! She wasn't a violent person at all, so this was all new for her. But she knew it was also self defense and if she needed to use it.. she would use it.