2 days till deadline

Bruce's POV~

"Its her fault"

I whispered this last line more to myself than to Charlotte, I needed to believe that his blood wasn't on my hands, on my face... trickling methodically from the crater that was once his eyes socket. His eyes... I recognised the dead look that his eyes now held as one from the past, I had not seen them so full of hatred and sadness since he had started living with me. I hated this woman for bringing that long banished look back, I hated her for taking him from me and I hated myself for not doing more to prevent it.

Jacks face keeps swapping places with my fathers and mothers in my mind, the room around me morphing into the dark ally and back again, and Charlotte became the red eyed shadow from my nightmares. The familiarity of the situation was the farthest thing from comfort but a least it gave me incentive of what to do. As a child I had sat idle when my parents had been killed but time I am no child, this time I wont cower and do nothing.

I heard a scream of rage and I wasn't sure if it came from myself or Gordon. I dived at the mass of shadows that twisted and formed in front of me and had managed to pull it to the floor when I felt something hard hit the back of my head. There was no pain, just the heavy feeling of fog trying to drown me, and in my last moments of consciousness I fell to the floor and landed facing Jack. The last blurred imaged burned into my memory was of his dead eyes staring right into mine, holding so much, yet seeing nothing at all.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day of the deadline

Bruce's POV~

I wake suddenly and covered in sweat. I was laying down on something hard and the back of my head was on fire. I was reluctant to look away from the grey expanse of ceiling that I currently focused on in fear of the reality I would be faced with. I didn't want to accept the horror I had witnessed, let alone move from the grey subspace I had locked myself in. Its peace, although unorthodox, was comforting in its refusal to choose to be ether black or white but rather stay somewhere between the two...

Just like Jack.

The thought was like having cold water thrown over me and I sat up quickly, his dead eyes at the forefront of my mind once more. I look around the small room and quickly realised that I was in one of the many vaults/cells in the bank. I was not alone in said cell and I was surprised to see Harley and Ivy sitting quietly against the other wall. The cell was bare, save for a bucket which I could only guess at its intended use, and therefore I was lying on the surprisingly warm floor.

''You're awake!' Said Harley happily, but the smile didn't quite meet her eyes. I could tell she wanted to know what had happened to Jack but was waiting for me to bring the up subject. I understood now why that woman had put me in this particular cell; she wanted me to break the news to Harley, she wanted me to suffer.

"You've been out almost all day," she continued when it was clear I wasn't going to answer. That at least explained why the floor was so warm. "We saw them bring Mista J in earlier and we heard a gunshot from down the hall .... they brought you from there and your covered in blood...what- I mean did they-is he..." she trailed off looking anxiously at the red that stained my face. The coppery smell was lingering in my senses and now it had been brought to my attention I couldn't stop noticing it's foul odour.

"I'm so sorry Harley.." I said quietly. I couldn't say anymore due to the lump rising in my throat, threatening to choke me, but it seemed that I had said enough because silent tears started to gather in her eyes and she clutched Ivy for support. Ivy glared at me but didn't say anything, she didn't really care that Jack was dead, as those two have never gotten on particularly well, she just didn't like to see Harley cry. For once, that made two of us.

Harley screamed suddenly, trying to rip herself free from Ivy's grasp in vain. "They killed him, but they wanted you! He's dead now and it's your fault! You hear me?! ITS YOUR FAUL-"

"Don't you think I know that?!" I shouted half heartedly, blinking away the tears rapidly forming in the corner of my eyes. Harley stopped struggling but she still held malice in her gaze. "You have no idea how aware I am of that...trust me." My voice was barely above a whisper and broke at the end but I had no room left in my head for embarrassment or shame at how weak I was acting.

There was a beat of silence between us and I could tell that most of the 'prison' was listening to our little exchange. I didn't care, let them listen. They don't matter, I don't matter... not anymore.

"Before I was taken Mista J was talking about going to you for help..." said Harley meekly. "Did he end up doing it?" I felt as though the sudden shift in her line of thought should have fazed me but, in my current state, I felt nothing but dread at the conversation that was bound to follow.

"Yes." I answered equally as broken as she sounded and unable to look her in the eye.

"...Even though... even though he never talked about it to me... or anyone for that matter."she paused for a moment gathering the strength to continue. "I could t-tell he wanted to talk you about... how he felt. I need to know...did he?"

"Yes." I repeat quieter, afraid that she will hear the obvious pain in my voice. I was a little surprised that Harley had noticed something between Jack and I before even we did. It was probably an ability of hers carried over from her days as a psychiatrist.

"And do...did you feel the same?" Her correction to past tense tightened the ache in my chest and I could tell it hurt her too. I couldn't even move my mouth to answer so I nodded my head slowly. Her bloodshot and puffy eyes softened and even Ivy's glare dropped into a look of curiosity and almost sympathy.

"Today is the deadline." Ivy pointed out. "We escape today or we die. We have no choice but to break out, avenge Joker and then burn this place to the ground."

"We've been tryin' to escape for weeks, what's different this time?" Harley responded exasperated and still furiously wiping tears from her eyes. Like me, she understood that we need to focus now so that we live long enough to grieve later. I commended her strength in this moment and instantly understood why Jack liked her so much.

"This cell was made for two, even with my powers suppressed and your hammer gone it doesn't change that the bars aren't strong enough to hold all three of us." Ivy shot me a look that almost resembled pity before continuing; "Batman, she clearly put you in here because she wanted you to tell Harley, she had a cell ready for you but she opted for here because it would be more painful. This act of cruelty will be her undoing."

This thought oddly comforted me and even though I wasn't sure if that was Ivy's intention I was grateful regardless. I nodded at her with an almost smile and realised I was starting to hate all the 'almost' emotions I was surrounded with.

"I say we wait until they turn off the lights and then break down the bars, it gets pitch black in here at night because there are no windows. If its dark cameras wont see us and we'll have more time to get everyone out.' Said Harley, her intelligence and use of logic sill surprising me.

"The cameras pick up visuals but not sound." Explained Ivy ''so as long as we don't do anything that looks suspicious until the lights go out we'll be fine."

I nodded in understanding.

"Who's left?' Asked Harley suddenly. "I wanna know who avoided being caught the longest."

"Clayface and Catwoman are the only ones I know of, though firefly and Deadshot are unaccounted for"

"No they're here, Firefly and Deadshot I mean, they were here when I arrived," said Ivy "Clayface makes sense I guess, catching someone who can shape-shift into anything or anyone is impossible. As for the Cat, I'm certain she's hiding in plain sight, she has a knack for being incredibly lucky."

I had to agree with that.

"So now what?" Asked Harley after a moment of silence.

With nothing left to do but wait, we simply sat still and started to talk. Our discussion regarding the plan came to fruition surprising quickly and, because our only real connection was his love, the topic inevitably changed to Jack. Strangely, despite the morbidity of the subject, we were not lamenting his loss but rather expressing our admiration of all his little quirks. Harley told me about what he used to get up too back in his hideouts and we both smirked at his obsession with morning cartoons and oddly shape cereals. In turn I told her about every prank he had pulled on me and by the time I reached the screensaver incident she was outwardly laughing, despite the tears in the corner of her eyes.

I understood how she felt, I laughed along with her and felt the throttling lump rise in my throat again and I was unsure if I was laughing or crying at this point. I decided to abandon the notion of conforming to ether emotion and stayed in the grey space in between for the remainder of the conversation. Eventually the topic changed again to how Jack had gone about telling me how he felt and Harley was definitely surprised when I told her I kissed him first, though she tried to hide it. The joy my speech slowly left as I went over every detail of our lives together thus far. I realised how badly I had treated him, how many times I had hurt him in the short time he had stayed with us. Harley stayed silent the whole time, I expected her to be angry at me for everything I had done, but she wasn't. She looked at me with pity and nodded with understanding but showed no signs of ill intent or malice.

When I finally finished she took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"So many people have done him wrong over the years" she said. " He has been hurt so many times it hardly surprises me that he turned out the way he did. Compared to what he's been through a couple of hits and harsh words from you are nothing.''

This time I was sure that this was meant to comfort me but the notion that I had only added to his pain did little to dull the ache in my chest. I opened my mouth to answer her but the lights cut out abruptly.

Charlotte and  the taller of the two thugs walked down the hallway and past our cells, they each held a torch that burned your eyes to look at. They didn't even acknowledge the prisoners that screamed at them from between bars as marched towards the exit. The man was holding a large black sack that hung heavily from his shoulders. I didn't what to think about what it contained...
But I did.
Jack was in there and they were taking him god knows where to do god knows what and I was still in here; trapped. She didn't even stop at my cell but she did slow down noticeably when our eyes met. The smile on her face was nothing short of crazed bliss, and for a moment I had to fight back the urge to grab her through the bars and strangle her. I knew that doing that would most likely compromise our plan so I begrudgingly evened out my expression and forced my tense body to relax.

If the woman had noticed the change she didn't show it other than another than quickening her pace. I heard the heavy metal door at the end of the hall slam closed and we waited for a moment before moving. We all walk to the wall opposite the cell bars and prepare to run. After a quick nod from Ivy  we all charge at the bars at full force aiming for the door. The metal bars dig into my shoulder and I knew that that spot would likely bruise. Luckily my pain was not in vain as I hear a dull snap and feel the door swing open. At the same  time I heard the door at the end of the hall open and hear what could only be the smaller of the two sons come out. My training kicks in and shrink into the shadows between two of the cells as Ivy quickly pulls the door back into position. It was a little misshaped which made this process harder but she managed to shut it just in time as a light rounded the corner.

''Oi, what's going on down here?'' Yelled the man in a voice that sounded more confident than he looked, the torch in his hand shaking slightly.

Harley stuck her leg through the bars and put on her most flirtatious grin before replying in a low and sensual tone;

''Over here big guy~''

The man, who's name I remembered as Alex, crept curiously over to Harley and even from the shadows I saw his eyes run over her leg. He was now in grabbing distance but unfortunately this also also meant he had a clear view of the busted lock. For a moment his eyes widened in realisation but Harley was too quick. She reached through the bars and fisted his shirt and pull him towards her. His head smashed against the bars and he crumpled to the floor unceremoniously.

"Harley!" I cried angrily "you better not have killed him."

"Don't worry puddin' he's just out cold." She said smiling "Im takin' a leaf outta Mista J's book and going clean...for now."

Her and Ivy search Alex for the keys and once they had located them Harley threw them at me. I locked eyes with Harley and I knew she was telling me to avenge him, I nodded once and turned away. I ran to the end of the corridor of cells and rounded the corner to where my family was being held.

"Get your masks on, we've got work to do." I said gruffly fiddling with the lock.

"Bruce..." started Alfred hesitantly. "We saw a body bag... Gordon and Jack haven't come out yet..." he trailed off sadly.

I knew what he was asking but I couldn't bring myself to answer. I shook my head and screwed my eyes shut, unwilling to let grief consume me. Alfred and the family noticed my reaction and they all froze.

"Was it Jack?" Whispered Damian quietly.

I chocked out a sound that resembled a 'yes' and, even though my face was turned to the ground, I heard the faint gasps they made. I found the correct key and opened the cell door slowly. The family trudged out of the cell in silence.

The last person out of the cell was Damian and once he reached me he wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his face in my stomach. I placed a hand on his back and he pulled back suddenly. He was biting his lower lip in an attempt to stop it trembling and his eyes were burning holes into the floor.

"I liked him." He mumbled quietly. "He was funny."

"That he was!" Said Alfred with a sad laugh "and he helped made out with the housework."

"He had a great taste in morning drinks" said Dick referring to the hot chocolates.

"He certainly made the house interesting." Said Barbara

"That's true." Said Tim "He made a great addition to the team."

"He made you happy."

The last comment from Jason surprised me and I could help the small smile that graced my feature when our eyes met. I looked around at my family and couldn't help but feel proud. They had truly embraced everything I had taught them about second chances and I only wished Jack could be here to see it. Suddenly Damian's head snapped up and he looked me in the eyes. He had a fire burning in him and the unsteadily shake of his lip had vanished.

"Go and get her." He said.

I nodded once, took one last look at the family, and sprinted down the hall. I threw the keys at Harley but didn't stop, I had a murderer to catch.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I found Charlotte and her son on the top floor below the hole in the roof. They had set up some kind of fucked up flagpole extended out of the hole and into the open air above. They clearly wanted to hang Jack from it as some kind of effigy or warning sign to Gotham. I was seething quietly from my hiding spot behind the door but didn't move just yet.

I was waiting for the son to turn his back so I could have the element of surprise but restraining myself was harder than expected. I ground my teeth impatiently as I watch him move the bag to the centre of the room.

I'll get them Jack, I'll get them for what they did to you. I silently promise.

The man goes to unzip the bag and in doing so has finally turned turned his back to me. I burst through the door and he only managed to get the zip about a quarter of the way down when I tackle him to the floor. I knock him out with one harsh movement and the turn furiously towards Charlotte. I could see Jacks exposed face and my stomach lurches.

With my fury reignited I charge towards her, she pulls out a gun with panic written on her face but I smack it out of her hand before she can fire. I wrap my hands around her throat and expertly cut off the oxygen. She is slowly turning blue and her struggling slowly ceases but I don't stop.

I should stop.

But I don't.

The anger and hatred at the woman who took my life burning as I took hers. My vision is starting to blur and redden at the edges in rage and I tighten my grip slightly. She is still struggling ever so weakly.

"Bruce? What are you doing?!"

I hear an impossible voice from the hole in the roof and I look up in shock and see a thin figure standing silhouetted against the moon.

Jack is standing on the roof, his face is fully intact. He is looking at me in horror as I strangle the woman in front of me.He was wearing an old t-shirt and pyjama bottoms I recognised from his apartment but was bare footed.

"No no no no.. you can't be real!" I say as I subconsciously loosen my grip. I had to be hallucinating, that was the only explanation. But that didn't stop the little spark of hope I felt rise in my heart, I crushed the feeling quickly, unwilling to surrender myself to it's false safety.

"Bruce listen to me! You need to let her go you can't kill her! I'm real I promise and I can prove it! Just let her go!" He says panicking.

"PROVE IT THEN!" I scream, unable to stop my tear filled eyes from flicking to the still full body bag in front of me and back to his face.

He looks thoughtful for a second before smiling widely and moving the the edge of the hole.

"Hey Bruce!' He said,

"Catch me."

And without waiting for a reply he jumped, I automatically let go of charlotte and, despite being caught of guard, managed to grab him from the air. I caught him bridal style and looked at his face closely, the white paint that covered his bruise had rubbed off and I could see it clearly, making me feel guilty again. He hopped out of my arms and looked into my eyes. The familiarly of the situation his me and I knew in that instant it was him. I pull him in for the hardest hug I had ever given. Every particle of space between us was too big a distance as I pulled him as close as possible. I heard him laugh at my sudden action soon returned the gesture. Charlotte was on the ground, unconscious, but alive.

"But... how?" I whisper against his shoulder

"That's not me over there Bruce, it's Clayface. He's not dead, don't worry, he's just out cold. The guy is made of clay for crying out loud so bullets don't do much damage."

"Why? I don't understand!" I said pulling him even closer, afraid he would suddenly disappear.

"Remember the night Alfred was taken? when you went heh batshit crazy?"

I nodded with a small smile despite myself.

"Well whist you were in 'rage mode' I heard one of the assholes taking Alfred ask if they should stop you from killing me" I flinched at this. " and the other one said that the boss planned to kill me anyway and that it would be even more poetic if you did it. I knew that they had been watching us and I quickly realised that this 'boss' person wanted to have me killed to get back at you because they knew how badly it would hurt you."

He had no idea how true that statement was. He pulled back from the hug to look me in the eyes before continuing.

"I knew that I had to die to make her think she was winning and I couldn't tell you because your reaction would have to genuine. So when you passed out in the road I found Clayface and asked him to help me carry you back to the warehouse because he owed me a few favours anyway. On the way I explained my idea to him and we made arrangements for him to follow me once I left the apartment. Once I had been captured we waited until the car stopped and then, when the goons went to get the 'boss', Clayface helped me out of my restraints and I gave him my clothes so he would look like me and have the tracker. I brought spares to change into but I forgot the shoes" he said embarrassed

"That explains why the trackers failsafe went off..." I realised.

"What failsafe? I didn't know we had a failsafe! Is that why you came for me so early?" Asked Jack

"Yes! I was alerted when you removed the tracker and I thought that they had found it and you were in danger."

"Sorry to worry you so much.." he mumbled meekly to the floor and I knew he wasn't just talking about the tracker anymore.

"I thought that if I 'died' then I would have the element of surprise...I didn't think they would shoot me in front of you and I certainly didn't expect you to be so upset that you try and kill her."

I grabbed his chin gently and forced him to look me in the eyes again.

"Do you really think that I think so little of you? Jack, I lost my mind when I thought you were dead, you have no idea how much it hurt! Fuck Jack I... I love you alright? don't ever pull something like this again, my heart cant take it." My voice sounded angry but my words were scared.

He looked surprised but after a moment his confusion melted into a wide smile and he leapt forward and kissed me happily. I grinned I felt him do the same against my lips. We stayed that a way for a bit but Jack eventually pulled back, blushing furiously and smiling shyly.

'I love you too Bruce." He said, clearly trying his best not to stutter.

At that moment a load groan sounded from the body bag and we both turned to watch 'Jack' sit up. He brushed himself off and looked around holding his head in pain.

"Hello Clayface, glad to see your alright!" Said Jack cheerily. The doppelgänger simply grumbled something unintelligible and stood up. I had to look away as his 'skin' started to melt and only looked back when the greyish form of Clayface had replaced Jacks.

''You owe me big time." He growled and stomped out of the room, leaving Jacks clothes on the floor.

"Thanks buddy!" Jack laughed.

We were in the room alone once again and I turned to him slowly. I felt my chest tighten as I looked into his eyes, I couldn't help but picture the dead versions of them and I instinctively reached out to touch the side of his head. He seemed to understand and covered his hand with his own.

"Im okay bruce, I'm safe." He whispered.

"I thought I had lost you...'' I whisper back.

In a single moment all the grief I had felt over the last day came crashing down on me like a wave and i pulled him into another tight embrace. Jack hugged back equally as tight and we down fell to our knees, still crying like children. At that moment Harley walked in and upon seeing jack screamed happily. Jack laughed and reached a hand out to her and she ran into the one armed hug, with happy tears in her eyes. Ivy, who had followed her in, looked surprised but opted to stand to side smiling.

"Who screamed?"came a voice from behind the door and soon the rest of the family filed into the room. Damian, Alfred and Barbra wasted no time in running to us and joining the group hug with cries of: Jack! We were a bundled, tear stained mess on the floor and no one of us seemed to care. Jason Tim and Dick joined Ivy on the sidelines, the latter two of the three were beaming brightly and even Jason had a small smile on his lips.

This moment was perfect. I wanted it to last forever, preserved in time as i finally had my family back, things couldn't be better! Nothing could go wrong from here!

And then the fire alarm went off.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't kill meh. Plz.

If any of you have questions/requests please leave them here:

O

Sorry it took so long! Love you guys

:D

Here's Clayface btw: