Chapter 13 - A Plan In The Making

                                    

                                          
Third P.O.V.
After Vicki's report was broadcast, Elena didn't say another word. For the whole drive back to the penthouse, she just stared out of the window, fighting desperately against the tears in her eyes. "Please say something. Yell at me. Break something but please don't torture yourself like that. What happened with Rachel really wasn't what it seemed. I..."
"It's not Bruce," she interrupted him and turned to look at him. Her usually cheerful face was streaming with tears. "I..." But that was as far as she got.

"What? Elena, please talk to me." But his girlfriend just kept sobbing to herself. It really broke Bruce's heart to see her like this, because he knew it was his fault. Aria was only in this situation because he hadn't been paying enough attention.
"It's my fault," it was barely a whisper, but Bruce heard it.

"What's your fault?"
"Everything. It's all my fault, Bruce." He hugged her tightly to his muscular chest. His shirt is soaked instantly from her tears.
 
"Don't say that. Elena, I..."

"NO!" she tore herself away from his embrace. "It's my fault!" She took a deep breath, hoping to calm her sobs a little before she drove forward.
"Gordon called today. They found something else in your mansion. Joker left a message, but it wasn't for you." Bruce looked at her thoughtfully whilest he waited patiently for her to continue.

"About a year ago ... Joker and a few of his men came bursting in the hospital one night." Elena had never told him that. She hadn't actually told anyone. "Two men were badly injured and he had a deep cut on his hand along with other injuries. They threatened the staff with weapons but in their condition they weren't really a threat, except for Joker. He forced us to treat them but we refused. He pointed the gun at me but I just told him that nobody would cared if he lived or died and before he could kill us all the police arrived. Joker quickly disappeared but before he did he promised me that he'll make me regret it and shortly after he left the other two men died that night."
The words had barely left her mouth when Elena collapsed completely. She slumped against the wall on the floor and Bruce quickly rushed to her side. "The message said: 'The Joke's on you, Doc'. Joker wanted to get back at me. Aria is only in this situation because of me. It's my fault that my sister was kidnapped two weeks ago." 

It hurt Bruce to see her like this and to know that he was helpless. There was nothing he could do but be there for her. How was he supposed to find Joker without Alfred by his side? He knew that he would have to catch himself quickly if he wanted to save Aria. 
"Your sister is alive. I'm sure of it." He gently lifted her chin with his index finger. "Think about it, Joker isn't one to hide his victims and your sister is a fighter just like you. You didn't do anything wrong and it's not your fault."
"I'm so sorry for the way I've behaved over the last few weeks. It just hurt so much to see her. The memories that came with her. I've lost so much Bruce, I definitely don't want to lose you."

"You won't." It was a promise neither of them intended to break. "I will do everything I can to find Aria. I love you, Elena." It was the first time either of them had said it. They were both afraid to say it, but right there on the floor of his penthouse, sweaty and crying with no masks or expensive clothes and no paparazzi chasing them to get the best picture. Right now was the right time.

"I love you too, Bruce."
~~~
A few days later
"Any news?" Rachel asks, as she puts the hot cup of coffee down in front of Elena. Everyone was shocked by Vicki's report. How stupid could this woman be and the more important question was how fame-hungry could she be? Didn't she realize thats not onlywas she putting Aria in danger with this stupid report, but also herself?"

Gordon brought Vicki Vale in for questioning, but unfortunately it's not a crime to lie on TV or talk about someone else," Harvey sighs. He felt more than guilty. It was originally his idea, but he hadn't thought of it that way. Vicki has definitely gone too far.

"She was also offered round-the-clock protection if Joker was up to something, but she refused. Miss Vale probably doesn't think your murderous clown is dangerous." After Elena, Rachel was probably the one Vicki loathed the most.
"The question is, who will Joker get first? Vicki or me?" After telling Bruce everything, they decided to tell Harvey and Rachel as well. Rachel was his best friend and one of the few people who knew who Bruce really was. And Harvey was probably the only person in Gotham who wasn't corrupt.

"He won't." Harvey said firmly. "But we need a plan."
"So how do we proceed?" Bruce intervened. It was more than obvious that he hadn't gotten much sleep in the last few days. Just as little as Elena.

They spend the last few nights trying to find any clues relating to Joker. All to no avail, unfortunately. Batman has searched every alley, street and corner but no one seems to know anything about the Joker. Either that or they were all more afraid of Joker than of him.
"We've been generously given a list of names by Mr. Lau. Harvey's still working on getting an indictment through, but once we do, half of Gotham will be behind bars, which hopefully means Joker will slip up and we'll be able to catch him too."
But Elena didn't give a damn what happened to the criminals of Gotham at the moment. She decided to follow her heart for the first time in her life and gave Bruce the okay to do whatever was necessary to find her sister.

"How convinced are you that you'll succeed?" Everyone looked at Bruce, because no one had expected that question. What was the handsome billionaire getting at?

"Pretty sure. Why?"
"When I was at the GCPD with Aria, I briefly spoke to Lieutenant Gordon and it seems that Joker is getting people to vote for Harvey as part of a recording ritual."

"Wait, Joker supports Harvey?" Rachel asks incredulously.
"Should I be flattered now?" Harvey was now visibly confused. Why on earth would Joker be routing for Harvey Dent? After all, he was at the top of Harvey's list of criminals that he would immediately lock up in BlackGate.

"That's not the point. Joker is definitely interested in Harvey, maybe you are the key to this all. By all means, box up the charges and then we just need to wait for Joker to make his move."

"And then what?" A hint of paranoia lurks behind Rachel's voice, because she already suspects what the answer will be.
"Then the GCPD and Batman will set up a trap and lock him up once and for all," Elena says firmly.

**A/N: Hey Guys, I hope you are all well. :) 

Sorry for the short chapter, I had originally thought about uploading later but maybe with a longer chapter, but I didn't want to make you wait any longer. Ideally I'd like to get 1-2 longer chapters out a month, but real life often gets in the way.

Soooo Joker supports Harvey Dent, who would have thought that and especially why? Do we finally know the real reason why Joker kidnapped Aria? 

Is it just because he wants Elena to suffer after she refused to help him and his henchmen or is there more to it? 

Can Aria be resscued in time or will their plan backfire?
All and more soon to come so stay tuned ^^ **