Bruce pouted. "You know how I found out. Why can't you tell me how you did?" He asked, pretending to be sad about it.

Lucifer cautiously approached them, sniffing and whining. "Hey...what happened?" Gemini asked, suddenly feeling bad for them. After all, they were stuck with a master who didn't care about them.

They glanced back the way they had came at the row of burning builds. The huffed a little giving her a look that seemed to say he was in a mood.

Lori laughed then grinned. "If your sure. I found you asleep on top of a roof I managed to get your mask off and well I had suspected for a while." She smirked you had no idea either.

Gemini sighed. "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I just don't know how to handle him, and I guess he doesn't know how to handle me, either...maybe a strong woman and a volatile man just can't be together." She shook her head. "You two can stay with Lucifer and I until he calms down, if you want."

Bruce blinked. "Really? That's kind of scary. Anyone could have come along...I'm glad it was you. But...I don't remember falling asleep on a rooftop." He said, searching his memory.

"It was the day before bane broke your back...speaking off." Lori punched him in the arm. "What were you thinking? Over working yourself like that you could have been killed...you nearly were killed." She pouted at him.

The hyenas thought then shook there heads cackling that they were all Joker had left and they had to be there when he came off his evil fueled high and got depressed.

Bruce flinched a little. "Ow. Sorry, I had to do my job." He said. "And I'm not dead, so it turned out okay in the end."

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Gemini sighed sadly. "Okay, I understand. Let him know that I left his money on the table, along with that package he wanted me to pick up. Maybe I'll come by later and try to talk to him." She was vaguely aware that she was once again talking to animals, but decided to wonder about her sanity later.

((Those odd letters are a message from Bamboo, who decided to type with his back paw.))

They looked at each other then Lucifer and started to confer with him in hushed animal talk. They both knew Joker wanted to make up with her but would assume she didn't want him around if she was gone.

Lori stared at him. "Unbelievable." She sighed shaking her head. "You just do your job with out worrying about anyone else who might be worried sick about you."

Bruce blinked. "Oh...I'm sorry? I didn't really think of that...I never do. I'm always just thinking about keeping people safe." He said honestly. It had never occurred to him that anyone might be worried.

Lucifer tilted his head, then looked up at Gemini and whined softly. "They're saying what?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. Lucifer repeated his whine, and Gemini shook her head. "I can't believe...but they would know...how am I understanding you?!"

The hyena's began to nudge her back the way she had come towards Jokers hideout cackling a little.

Lori frowned a little. "there are people worried about your safety. Richard, Alfred, Damien, Helena...me.'' she kissed him gentle sliding her arms around his neck.

"Whoa...hey! Okay, I get it, I'm going!" Gemini said, nearly stumbling from being nudged. Lucifer followed along, but Gemini swore she heard him informing the hyenas that he wouldn't be going inside, just in case.

Bruce's arms went automatically around Lori's waist, pulling her closer for a better kiss. "I know that now. I promise I'll try to be more careful in the future." He said, after they broke apart.

"Alright love.'' Lori smiled at him. 'lets cuddle and maybe take a nap I'm exhausted. I'm getting to old for this." she sighed.

The hyena's nodded and slipped into a window unlocking the door from the inside letting her in laughing they waited with Lucifer. Joker head home still fuming a little grumbling he opened his door not even noticing the animals as he slammed the door shut leaning against it.

Bruce chuckled, and nodded. "You're not too old for anything. But I would like to cuddle." He said, sweeping her up into his arms and carrying her over to the bed.

Gemini was far beyond questioning how two hyenas were able to unlock a door, so she just went in and waited, hugging herself nervously. Outside, Lucifer watched through the window to see what happened. When the door opened, Gemini took a small breath, calming herself. "Feeling better?" She asked.

Joker jumped a little surprised she was still there. ''A little." he smiled and took a step towards her nervous. 'look I'm sorry I just lose my temper easily." he sighed. ''I tend to take it out on the closest thing...I think maybe Harley understood that and stayed because she thought I didn't mean it with you I don't with her it was to keep her quiet. If you want to leave you can."

Lori laughed stretching out on his bed pulling him down next to her. 'oh I think I'm to old for a few things...having kids for example.' she smirked.

Gemini sighed, shaking her head. "It's kind of obvious that you lose your temper easily. It's not like I didn't know that coming into this. I also know that you don't mean it. The biggest problem here is that I've got a short temper myself, and I don't take well to being yelled at. It's kind of a..." She paused, thinking, then shook her head again. "I'm not leaving. I mean, I did leave, but just for a walk. And then something told me to come back...you know, for someone who claims to be alone, you have a lot of friends looking after you." She said with a smile. "Actually, I think we need to just sit down and talk. Set some ground rules. Discuss the possibility that I'm going insane, because the only other possibility is that I'm actually talking to animals and that's impossible..."

Bruce landed on the bed and rolled to face her, a smile on his face. "Been there, done that, huh? That's fine, though. I got to raise a child already...even though I never got to see him as a baby. I'm rather too old for children myself." He chuckled. "At this time in our lives, we should be able to just enjoy each other's company. Have some fun." He added the last part in a suggestive tone.

''Nothing's impossible in this city." Joker chuckled. He sat on the couch and patted the seat next to him. "If it helps I talk to my hyenas alot."

Lori laughed a little and trailed her hand up his chest playing with his collar. "Sounds like you have it all planned out. I don't mind enjoying myself with you." She kissed him.

Gemini sat down, shaking her head. "No, not like that. Everyone talks to their pets. I mean, I'm talking to them and they're answering, and I understand what they're saying. It's like doctor freaking Dolittle." She said. "But that can wait. I think, considering the circumstances, it's probably time I told you why I'm so...sensitive...to yelling and such. Now while I'm telling you this, please keep in mind that I've never told anyone else, not even Lori, so this isn't easy for me...I'm trusting you." She looked over at him, waiting to see if he'd even want to hear before saying anything.

"I always have things planned out." Bruce said, playing with her hair a little. "And I don't mind enjoying you, either." He added with a smirk.

"Alright no promises about understanding your woes though." Joker blinked a little wondering why she hadn't told her friend. "Put I'll try not to use it against you."

Lori pushed him into the bed hovering over him. "Good." She leaned down and kissed him again.

((Look a flying two headed squirrel fish.))

((Um...distraction?))

Gemini nodded. "I guess that's the best I can ask for. Anyway I'm not trying to make you sympathize or anything, I just want to tell you." She said. Closing her eyes, Gemini took a breath, and started. "Okay, so I guess I have to start all the way at the beginning. See, I wasn't born in the city. There is- or was- a small farm community far outside the limits of Gotham, self governed and rather private. I say was because it's gone now, thanks to the growth and development of the city...and good riddance. But I digress. The point is, that's where I was born and, for the most part, raised. Now, the problem...the first problem, anyway, was that I was an unplanned pregnancy. My mother was sixteen and dating a twenty-five year old man. Of course, when she got pregnant, they were forced to marry. Neither of them wanted children, and they didn't really like each other, either. The fact that I was a girl made things worse. Father had decided that if he had to raise a kid, he at least wanted a son who could be useful. Instead, he got a weak, sickly daughter. Totally useless. It didn't matter that I got healthy and strong later, I was still just a girl. As you can imagine, things weren't the best for me...or for any of us, really."

She paused, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"I won't go into detail, because it's not necessary. But I will say that I was beaten...regularly. Mother ignored me, blaming me for the loss of her freedom and being stuck with an abusive husband. That was better, in my opinion. Nothing I did was right. No matter how hard I tried, Father had already decided to hate me, and I couldn't change that. My clumsiness only made matters worse, making Father furious every time I messed up- which was often. Father drank, too...no comment necessary. It was mostly just routine until I turned ten.

For some reason, at that time, I decided that I would win my Father's affection no matter what. It didn't go well. Do you remember the first time I tried to say "I love you" to you? That little episode should give some idea about what happened. I told Father I loved him, and...I was nearly killed, he got so angry. Mother wouldn't help. She even joined in, when I pleaded with her to save me. The whole thing was so traumatizing that after I recovered- tied up in the barn as punishment- I couldn't speak. At all. Things only went downhill after that, especially because I...blossomed...early. Father didn't like the obvious reminders that I was female, and the beatings got worse.

Finally, when I turned sixteen, I realized that I didn't have to take that treatment anymore. Late one night, after a particularly bad beating, I snuck out and doused the entire house and barn with alcohol, kerosene and propane. Then I lit a match and threw it, and ran for my life. From what I heard, the fire raged all night and half the next day. When it finally died down, there was nothing left...except two charred skeletons. No one knew where I was- most people assumed I had been stillborn, so I didn't even exist."

She leaned over, placing her elbows on her knees and sighing. "With a vow to never let myself be abused, hurt or put down again, I came to the city and started stealing to support myself. Once I had enough money, I sent myself to school for nursing, and eventually ended up as an assistant in Arkham...where we met. The rest is history. So, if I happen to take badly to yelling, now you know why. Gemini stopped then looked up and smiled. "Obviously, my past hasn't had any negative effects on me. I'm a strong woman, I'm healthy, and I can still smile, so I'm totally fine, you know? It's not like I'm a good actress and have been acting fine since I was sixteen." She finished cheerfully.

((*Gasp* long post...*gasp*))

"You sure your fine?" Joker leaned forward his usual nature latching onto a weakness. "Sounds like your pretty messed up to me just like the rest of us bad guys." he smirked a little. ''I don't beat woman unless they annoy me or they deserve it." he chuckled not realizing how it sounded. "You don't annoy me and as long as I keep my temper long enough to get to the city before I explode on you we should be good." he sighed. ''unless you think it's not worth the try.'

Gemini's smile faltered, but she kept it on. "I should think," She said, keeping her voice even, "That I don't deserve to be beaten, no matter what I do. No one does." She took a few breaths, struggling to keep herself from sobbing. Telling that story had taken a lot out of her, but she refused to let it show. She was strong, dammit. "I honestly believe that you're worth at least one more try. However. He smile finally disappeared. "However, if you raise a hand in my direction, if you even try to abuse me, mentally, emotionally or physically, then it's over. I swore to never let myself be treated that way again. I won't break that vow for anyone, not even you. I think you of all people would understand...I have to take care of myself first."

"Go then I have no control over my temper." Joker looked away letting his pets sniff his hands. They nudged his and he started to pet them relaxing a little the familiar action of petting soothing his anger even further. "No one will stay with your old man boys." He smiled at them seeming to forget she was there.

Gemini frowned. "Bullshit." She said, surprising even herself. Still, she went with it. "Bullshit. You have plenty of control. If you didn't, you would have just hit me earlier. But you walked away, instead. You have more control than you even know. And not just over yourself..." She stood up, pacing. "God, you have no idea, do you? You really have no clue how much power you have over me. Do you honestly think I'm going to leave? Even though I said that, I'm not going anywhere. With no promise, no guarantee that I won't end up right back where I was, I still can't make myself leave. I always hated Harley so much because she couldn't leave, either...but what I really hated was the weakness that she mirrored in me. I'm just as pathetic as her...maybe more. I though I was strong, but I'm not. I never was. But I was doing pretty good hiding it, until you came along! I'm weak, and it's all because of you!" She abruptly turned and punched his arm, but the punch had no strength behind it at all. It was more affectionate than anything. She was smiling again, even through the couple of tears that fell from her cheeks. "You make me weak. You let me be weak...thank you." Her breath caught. "For the rest of the world, I have to be strong. But with you I can be weak. And I love you even more for giving me that."

Joker blushed a little at her words and looked at the floor. "You have way to much faith in me." He grumbled. "I haven't done anything but get mad and lose my temper." He knew she was right though he would have hit anyone else but with her he was careful not to. "I can't promise I'll be able to control myself all the time." He warned.

"And I can't promise I won't get on your nerves. But, no one's perfect, right? What I can promise is that I'll always end up forgiving whatever you do...anything short of killing me, anyway." Gemini replied, only half joking with the last comment.

"Lori would kill me then use my dead body to hold your soul while she fixed your body." Joker said with a straight serious face. Then his face broke into a smirk. "Can you imagine being in my body?'

Gemini chuckled at first at the idea, but then stopped as she realized that it was probably true. "I honestly can't imagine that..." She said, then smirked. "But I bet you've imagined the opposite."

(( innuendo...you just made that one so easy...forgive Wolfie.))