Chapter 5 ~ 10

10 of Hearts: Home atmosphere remains happy

Eris was right. The Witness Protection Program moved her. She fought tooth and claw to stay in Gotham. But the agents convinced her, for Jackson's safety, to move out of Gotham and into a small town near Gotham. She refused to change their names and kept in touch with Gordon. He was using all his power to keep Eris and Jackson visiting Jack. Since their first visit, Eris was only allowed to visit him once. The last time, the media swarmed the asylum, questioning her on everything. Gordon quickly rushed her home. Eris decided that it wasn't safe for her to return to Gotham.

She contacted her agents and said that she wanted out of the program. She signed all the papers to get out of the program. As soon as the agents left, Eris sat down and filed some other paperwork. She put the small house up for sale, found another one in Alabama. She packed up all her things and moved herself and her son done there. Once they settled, Eris wrote two letters. One to Gordon, telling him where they had gone, and another to Jack.

Gordon entered his office and saw an envelope addressed to him from Alabama. He opened the letter and read.

Dear James,

It's Eris. I just wanted you to know that Jackson and I have moved away. I found a job and am doing well. Jackson is in school and adjusting well. You have been so kind and good to us, I just didn't want you to think that we had been killed. We haven't. I'm also enclosing a letter for Jack. It's rather personal and I would rather not have it read before he did. It's nothing bad or explicit. It's fairly similar to this letter. I don't want him to think that we've abandoned him.

Thank you so much for everything that you've done for me and Jack. I know and hope that he's behaving himself. Keep me on your mind, because you have been such a positive influence in my life. You have been like a father to me and a role model for Jackson. He wants to be a police officer now and, someday, a commissioner. Take care of yourself and the Batman character.

Eris and Jackson

In the envelope, there was a smaller envelope, simply addressed to Jack. Gordon pocketed the letter and headed to the asylum. Jack was doing well. For Eris, he tried so desperately to get a handle over the Joker with much success. He participated in his therapy sessions and often replied civilly. He preferred to discuss his time with Eris and how much he loved her rather than his actions as the Joker. Gordon had even sat down with the man and had a conversation with him.

Gordon drove to the asylum and went to see Jack. "Hello commissioner." Jack said with a smile.

"Hello Jack." Gordon said, reaching in to his coat pocket. "Eris sent this to me for you."

Jack reached for the envelope but Gordon tipped it away from him. "You have to read it here. Then I have to read it." Gordon said.

Jack nodded and held his hands out for the letter. Gordon put the letter into his hands. Jack promptly ripped open the envelope and a picture fell out. Jack caught the picture and looked at it. It was Eris and Jackson, standing outside a small cottage, smiling happily. He smiled and turned to the letter.

Dear Jack,

I'm not expecting you to be able to write back to me. I just wanted to tell you that Jackson and I moved to Alabama. Don't you dare think that our move was because of you. I just had to get away from the city. If I could, I would have taken you with me. But I couldn't. You're still in prison. I'm trying to keep in touch with you and do plan on coming up whenever they will let me.

Jackson asks about you fairly often. I try to keep him away from the harshness of the Joker until you can tell him about him yourself. Sometimes he gets teased at school for not having a dad, but he's a little trooper. He knows that you do exist and that I care so deeply for you.

I got a job and Jackson is in school. We're doing just fine, but I miss you. I hope that you like the picture. It's our new house. The neighbor next door planted all the flowers when she heard that we were moving in. She's a sweet old lady and Jackson really likes her. Unknown to us, the house came with a cat. He's a little grey kitten. We found him in the basement, skinny and shivering. Jackson named him Gotham.

We love you Jack.

Eris and Jackson

Jack handed the letter to Gordon and gazed at the picture. The house was very small but surrounded by hundreds of flowers of all different colors. Eris looked in perfect health and Jackson looked just fine. There was a little grey kitten in the boy's arms. Jack smiled at his family. Gordon handed the letter back to him. He left shortly after that. Jack was escorted back to his cell, letter and picture were tucked safely in his jumpsuit. That night, he looked at the picture. He noticed a corner of the picture was folded back.

He turned the picture over and an address was written on the back of the picture. Jack looked up, his heart racing. Flipping the picture back over, he looked over the faces. He began chuckling, not his normal Jack chuckle, but the Joker's laugh. He kept himself quiet, plotting.

Gordon was the first on the scene. "How the hell did he get out?" he shouted, racing towards Jack's cell.

The door was open, unlocked after the explosion. The far wall was gone, exploded away. Jack's jumpsuit was hanging up on an exposed rebar. "We don't know sir." The responding officer replied.

"Do we know where he is?" Gordon asked, looking over the room.

"No." the officer said, "He's just gone."

Gordon walked over to the blown wall. He looked into the night, trying to see the running man. But Jack was long gone. He had used the Joker persona to escape and they had agreed to get to Eris. The Joker knew that Jack cared deeply for the woman. With her, Jack no longer needed him. The Joker would give up, letting himself and Jack have some peace. He would be back, but not for a while.

It took three months for Jack to get to Alabama. He kept his head down, hiding his scars. Finally, he made it to their address. It was a small neighborhood in a small town. He walked slowly down the sidewalk, looking over the address. There, the large flower garden had crept over the white picket fence. The large oak tree gave the porch shaded while a gentle sun graced the house. He got to the gate, looking to the bright red door. He could see in the window. Eris was at the sink, washing dishes. A grey cat leapt onto the counter, looking out at Jack. Eris laughed and went to the cat, looking out the window.

She paused, not believing her eyes. Jack's heart leapt to his throat as she moved to the door. It opened, revealing her whole body. She was in a black tank top and kaki beach shorts. Standing in the doorway, she looked just about perfect. She descended the steps and went to the gate. She opened the gate and stood in front of him. "Gordon called, said that you had gotten out." She said, her voice soft.

"Have they been here?" Jack asked, shoving his hand in to his pockets.

"When you first got out. But not since." Eris said. "I'm supposed to call if I see you…"

"But you won't." he said.

"Not if you stay." Eris said, smiling up at him.

Jack smiled and took her face. He kissed her deeply. They broke apart and she led him into their home. Jackson raced down the stairs and launched himself into Jack's arms. The man was caught off guard but quickly recovered. The cat, Gotham, rubbed against his leg as Eris went over to them. Jack wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her closer. 'Have fun with this Jack.' The Joker said in his mind. 'I helped you get here, so enjoy it. I'll be needing you again. You owe me.'

[AN: And maybe, if I get some suggestions, there may be a sequel. Thanks for reading! ~Cosmic Horse]