Disclaimer: I own all original characters and they may not be used without my permission.

Set two years after 'The Joker's Secret'

"The angels, not half so happy in Heaven,

Went envying her and me;

Yes! That was the reason (as all men know,

In this kingdom by the sea)

That the wind came out of the cloud, chilling

And killing my Annabel Lee."

Edgar Allen Poe's Annabel Lee, 1849

Jack and I lived happily for two years after he got the treatment he so desperately needed. Unbeknownst to us, our story would take us right back to Hell. This chapter of our story would not have a happy ending.

I woke up early the morning our end starts. Jack was snoring in ear as usual, muttering to himself about something. That man never ceases to amuse and/or inspire me. Half of my comic relief characters have done stupid things he's done.

I laughed to myself and got up for a shower. Afterwards, I went to get our son.

"Oh god! Jack!" I called urgently. On my way to get our two year old Jeremy for his breakfast, I saw a giant hairy spider blocking me.

"What?" He asked, coming out of the bedroom, dressed for work.

"Spider." I said, pointing to the foul creature.

Jack chuckled, "Is that all? From the sound of your voice I thought it was something worse. Mundungus!" Jack exclaimed, whistling, "here boy! Come get breakfast!"

Mundungus came running as fast as his stubby legs would carry him and stepping on his drooping ears several times. He smelled the spider, swatted it several times with his paw and ate it with one scoop of his long wet tongue.

"Oh Jack, that's sick!"

"What? He likes it." Jack said, bending down to pet the panting dog.

"Then he'll puke it up and I'll have to clean it."

"Too late now. Think of it as a character building exercise." He said smiling and kissed my cheek.

I rolled my eyes and swatted his shoulder.

"Spousal abuse!" Jack exclaimed, going down the stairs with Mundungus following.

Today was shaping up to be a wonderful day! I use the term 'wonderful' liberally. In fact, it would be a miracle if I didn't have a headache at the end of the day. Jeremy was getting over a cold and teething and I had a meeting in the city with my publisher Tom Jayseck and literary agent Meredith Allred who were probably going to slam me with another impossible deadline.

I try not to let the bad days bother me to much. In fact, things have been delightfully…normal since Jack gave up his alter ego, The Joker. We settled into a routine when Jeremy was born, which said schedule usually revolves around him. I don't worry about Jack near as much as I used to. Still, there's an odd chance that he could become a giant green mutant with all chemicals he works with. I'm told that chance is very small.

Jeremy was awake and already didn't look too happy when I came in to get him. It made me feel even guiltier that I was leaving him with Rebecka while I was in the city.

I love that kid and Jack more than life itself. He looks mostly like Jack only with my eyes. I pray to any deity that will listen at night, hoping he turns out like me and not like Jack. I think I even promised Batman that I wouldn't let that happen.

As I tried to feed Jeremy, Rebecka came in.

"Oh god it's you!" Jack jeered playfully, downing a Red Bull with his meds.

"Hey, Jack, got a question for ya." Rebecka replied.

"No, I am not a mirage." Jack said huskily.

I snorted and mouthed to Jeremy 'crazy' and he laughed.

"Were you and Van Montgomery separated at birth? I mean, you guys act so much alike. Besides the at least two thousand or so murders under your belt."

"Oh, harsh. Wanna be the two thousandth and first?" Jack replied.

"JACK!" Rebecka and I exclaimed in horror.

"I wasn't serious."

"Still, don't joke about things like that." I said with annoyance lacing my voice.

"I won't, won't." Jack said, kissing my cheek, about to leave for work.

Jack turned to Rebecka "I apologize. Live long and prosperous and whatever." With that, he walked out the door.

Rebecka laughed, "You married an idiot."

"It could be worse." I said, not taking my eyes off of Jeremy but talking to Rebecka. "He could be a mass murdering schizo with green hair, dressed like a clown from Hell, wearing my lipstick."