It was an unusually sunny afternoon in Gotham City. It was the first day in a long time with no threats from any of the city's many criminals. Perhaps the citizen having the most peaceful afternoon was Pamela Isley, better known as Poison Ivy, who was busy watering her plants. As she was finishing up on the tulips section of her garden, there was knock at the door.
Who in the world could that be? she thought as she angrily sat down her watering can.
When she looked through the peephole, she saw her best friend Harleen Quinzel, aka Harley Quinn Harl usually came by unexpectedly, The Joker always fired her, but something was different today. Instead of the torn costume and tear filled eyes she usually saw, Ivy saw a perfectly happy smiling face. She was totally puzzled as she let Harley in.
"Hiya, Red!" the crazy blond squealed as she burst into Ivy's home. "I have a surprise for ya!" she said, grabbing Ivy's hand and pulling her towards the office.
"Harl, what's this all about?" Ivy asked as she was turned loose in front of her computer. "Why are you here and why the heck are you showing me my computer?"
Harley just giggled and pulled up the Internet.
"Harley! I asked you a question!" Ivy yelled, pulling up a chair next to her.
"I-" Harley stopped a little while to laugh, "-broke up with Mistah J!"
Ivy was stunned. Was it true? Was her one hope for her dear best friend finally reality?
"Harley, I..." Ivy didn't know what to say. She instead smiled an approving smile and gave Harley a hug. "I'm proud of you, Harl."
Harley giggled again and typed in an unfamiliar website address. "There's more!" she squealed as she logged in.
Ivy was majorly confused. What the hell? she thought.
As soon as the thought had been thought, Harley pulled up a profile.
"Look, Red," she squealed, "This is local Gotham Internet crap that helps you find a boyfriend! And this guy is perfect for me! And I found one for you, too!"
Ivy rolled her eyes. "Harley, how much do you rely on men? The problem with this world is that we are too relied on romance! And I don't need a man!"
Harley's face drooped. "I was just tryin tah help," she murmured.
Ivy softened. "Fine," she said reluctantly, rubbing Harley's shoulder, "But no crime. I don't like my personal life to interfere with work."
Harley had a look of disappointment for just a second, but quickly shrugged. Ivy wasn't even sure if she saw it.
"What? What's wrong with that?" she asked, clearly confused.
Harley smiled her oblivious smile. "Oh, nuttin. I just had a harlequin dress picked out, but yah know how I love to go shoppin!"
Ivy smiled. Same old Harley.
"Fine, but.....I have to....wear a hat." Ivy shuddered at the word.
Harley understood and jumped to her feet, wrapping Ivy in a hug. "So sorry, Red. Sorry. I forgot yah can't go in public often..."
Ivy took in a huge breath. "No, it's fine Harley. Hats are.....cool."
Harley giggled. She had never heard Ivy say "cool" before.
"Whoopee, Red! You must really love me!" She danced around the room and hugged Ivy yet again. "You're my best friend!"
Ivy smiled understandingly. "Yeah, Harley. Let's go pick out a hat."
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: Ivy has to wear a hat because in my version, after she was transformed she got streaks of green in her hair. Wearing her hair up with a hat helps people not to notice it too much. But Ivy hates hats...)
Harley grabbed Ivy's wrist and skipped to the one room in this house she had never been to. She skidded to a halt in front of the door.
"You sure it's okey dokey for me tah go in here?" she asked quietly.
Ivy chuckled a little. "Yes, Harley. Today is a very happy day!"
Harley grinned. "Squee!"
After a quick pause, she flung the door open. She gasped at the surprises in there.
There was a circular, forest green bed in the center of the back wall. The left wall was mostly a large window, and next to it on the other wall was a large mahogany book case. There was no TV, but a very large closet. And right next to it was yet another section of Ivy's garden. The floor was very light, smooth wood. And the walls were a very pretty tan.
"Purtiful," Harley gasped, dropping Ivy's hand.
She ran over to the bed and flipped onto it. "Squee! I ain't never been in your room before, Red!" Harley flipped onto her stomach. "Now how many hats do ya got?"
Ivy smiled and opened the closet, taking out a large stack of purple boxes. "A lot," she breathed out, struggling with the weight.
Harley giggled. "Yay! Fashion show!"
They took turns trying on the hats. And surprisingly, Ivy had everything from a beret to a sumbraro. In the end, Harley helped her pick a lime green bowler hat, that looked very good with a ponytail. And so she wouldn't feel weird, Harley put on a hot pink newsboy cap.
After taking a break to make some ice cream, Ivy decided to get a move on.
"So, Harl...." she started, unsure of where to go, "How much luggage did you bring?"
Harley dropped her spoon. "Luggage?" she asked, "I don't have nuttin but my costume. I had to sell the rest to pay for Pud- Joker's hospital bills."
Ivy thrust the bowls aside. "Oh, I'm so sorry."
Harley shook her head. "No! It's okay, I left some clothes here last time, and we wear the same size, don't we?"
Ivy sighed and nodded. "Yeah, Harl. So....you wanna borrow some of my clothes?"
Harley thought it over. "Nah, I think I have my favorite outfit here."
Ivy smiled and got up. "Do you still have your key?" she asked, hoping she wouldn't have to dig up the spare.
Harley nodded. "Right here, Red!" she shouted, pulling it out of her pocket.
I didn't know her costume has pockets. Ivy thought. "Anyway..." she continued, "Let's find your room."
Harley nodded and, for once followed Ivy into the secret hallway.
They passed many locked doors and safes. Harley looked in wonder at the newly filled ones. "Wow, so many plants," she muttered. Ivy smiled proudly.
They finally came to the last door in the hallway. It was made of pink wood and was covered with drawings of flowers and clowns. Childishly scribbled by Harley herself. In the very center of the door, right below the peephole hung the sign they had made together. It was shaped like a tulip, and was painted lime green. In dotted red words, Harley had painted "Jester" and right below it in purple cursive Ivy had painted "Weedy. BFFs 2004" The two girls both smiled at it, and Ivy touched it, as if reaching for the lost days.
After about 20 seconds, Harley finally came back to reality, and unlocked the door. She pushed it open and laughed.
It was exactly how she left it.
The pink bunkbeds in the corner, scribbled all over with crayon. Many, many posters of boybands Ivy had never heard of on the wall. A purple toybox in the center of the room. And the wardrobe. The red wardrobe. It was barely filled, but it was enough for Harley.
Harley stared at it all, surprised at the memories that came pouring through. And Ivy just smiled. "Oh!" she said, remembering something important.
She turned into the surprisingly spotless bathroom that was adjoined to Harley's room and dug through the cabinet. She returned with Harley's favorite red nightgown, which she never got out of the wash the last time she was there.
Harley dropped the teddy bear she was playing with and ran to it. "Nightie!" she squeeled, "I thought you was lost forever!" She hugged it to her chest, memories forgotten.
Ivy smiled, knowing it was the absence of this nightwear that probably ruined Harley and Joker's relationship.
"Well, I'll leave you to get dressed," she said, running her fingers accross the walls, "I'll be in the living room when you're ready to go."
Harley nodded as Ivy slowly shut the door.
