-Harley Quinn-
Here lies Amadeus Arkham, the founder of the Arkham Asylum and driving force into keeping supervillains incarcerated.
With every being of my will, I read out the inscription on the gravestone with every intention to spit on the grave and dig my heel into the dirt in front of it.
Instead, I broke down, weeping.
"Why'd you take my Joker from me, Arkham? Why?" I sobbed, shaking fiercely. I couldn't bring myself to be awful with such a heavy heart.
I stayed this way for a few minutes before lying on my side in the fetal position, trying to recollect some of my own body heat. I felt a sudden chill, and my teeth chattered intensely. The wind swirled behind me. I heard the soft thud of footsteps landing and knew precisely what-or who-was behind me.
"Leave me alone, B-Man! Leave me to grieve, for God's sake!"
He cleared his throat. I still hadn't left my spot on the ground, and I refused to look at the tall, brooding figure overlooking me in pity. I knew how awful I looked. I was completely out of costume, wearing a gray trench coat and a black dress underneath. My long blonde hair was in a tangled mess, caught in my face and neck.
"I'm sorry it had to happen this way, Quinn."
Now I stood up, slapping my hand against the cold ground in anger. I now looked the Batman square in the eyes, anger contorting my face.
"Sorry? Sorry!? You're sorry? You took the love of my life away! You let him die! You are the reason my life is worse than ever! You took…"
I stopped. I was short of breath.
"…Took my puddin'. Look, Batman, I may be some dumb blonde bimbo here, but I'm not dumb enough to ignore what I know. I shouldn't blame you for what happened. But that doesn't change the fact that Mr. J's gone."
I broke into a fit of coughing, and soon had to drop to one knee. Batman put his hand on my back to steady me, but I waved him away.
"I don't need your help, Batbrain."
"Maybe not, but I need your help, Qui…" He paused. "I need your help, Harley."
"What in God's name could you need me for?" I asked, surprised at the attempt to use my first name over his normal use of "Quinn".
He looked at me, making perfect eye contact.
"I need you to help me protect Gotham."
