I've decided to write a story that revolves around Harley's fall from grace as the Joker's sidekick and her transformation into a free woman. I heard "Jar of Hearts" on the radio and thought it was perfect to describe how Harley will possibly feel when she leaves her Puddin' for good. It sounds depressing, but it screams woman-empowerment; and there truly isn't enough of that in comics, TV shows, books, etc. in a more realistic form.
Disclaimer: All Rights to "Jar of Hearts" Belong to Christina Perri, Drew Lawrence, and Barrett Yeretsian as co-songwriters. All Rights To Harley Quinn Belong To Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. All Rights To Batman Belong To Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and DC Comics.
She looked down at the figure kneeling before her, with his eyes pleading for her compliance whenever she objected initially. It was either that or her face would sting for hours on end from the blow she'd receive. There were always apologies afterwards, words that always ended with "I love you, dear." And she'd look at his face with inexplicable love and affection. Now all she can feel is an icy cold growing in her stomach, almost as if her heart was being squeezed until it was numb and unable to feel.
I know I can't take one more step towards you
'Cause all that's waiting is regret
Don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most
XXXXXXX
After so many months of healing, of actually saving lives from him, she feels almost human again. A new identity has been gained, her painful past finally fading away like the morning mist; no, like the smoky remains of a destructive fire. Now this monster wanted her with him together again, while she points her gun at his forehead, tempted to pull the trigger and blow this clown's brain out.
I've learned to live half-alive
And now you want me one more time
XXXXXXX
The breaking point came when she witnessed him terrorizing a family of five. She refused to say anything to stop him, only watched in silent horror. After his rampage was finished, he grabbed her by the hair and started hitting her too because he felt like it, saying it was her fault that he did this. And she did nothing. But when he left, she wept over the mounds of flesh all around her, cradling the smallest one close to her chest while repeating words of regret and sorrow. That was when her enemy found her, knelt beside her and gave comfort! He placed a cautious hand on her shoulder while the rest of his students filed in. They watched as the blue one; the one she knew since he was a child and managed to make his mentor ease up, drew her into his arms and wept with her.
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?
XXXXXXX
Threatening calls were made, but she rejected them all without even hearing the messages. Emails found their way into her inbox, but where quickly deleted upon entry. Her former enemy-now friend-made her promise never to kill even that monster. She was still allowed to fight him, but only just. So many images flashed in her head when he was mentioned. Being pushed off a building, being brought back to that hellhole when he ratted on her, and worst of all falling for him in the first place. His butler proved to be a better joke-teller than the clown. And the less she thought about him, the happier she was.
I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms
XXXXXXX
Now voice messages had him pleading for her to return to him. By the sounds of it, he might have been crying. But she knew better than to fall for his tricks. Soon enough, it was back to the death threats, the insults. Calling her a whore, a back-stabbing bitch, and other names she dare not think of.
And I've learned to live half-alive
And now you want me one more time
XXXXXXX
The police began to trust her. She took down most of her former friends and spared only two from arrest. The cat-burglar turned out to be another of the dark figure's allies. Her plant-obsessed friend praised her for leaving the madman. Soon, she had come face to face with the clown by herself. His day of judgement was soon to come. It started with him pleading for forgiveness and she bought it for a few moments. That was enough for him to start attacking. Each blow he threw came with more insults and accusations. That all stopped when she blocked the crowbar and started bashing him with it. "I hate you!" was all she could say now, but no tears came from her eyes...
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?
XXXXXXX
By the time the dark figure came into the scene, she had pinned the monster down and covered him with many bruises, just about to end his horrible life. So many horrible memories flashed before her eyes; the day they meet at the asylum where she still had a life as a doctor. The lies he feed to her about abuse and simply wanting humor. The time their lips connected and vows were made to find peace once the dark figure was out of the picture for good, with his head on a wall. Now she saw through all of the bullshit and regretted being so gullible back then.
And it took so long just to feel alright
Remeber how to put back the put back the light in my eyes
I wished I had missed the first time that we kissed
'Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back
XXXXXXX
She had looked to her friend in the shadows, silently asking what to do. He looked at the gun in her hand, then at her, and shook his head. She complied to the advice and let the weapon slip out of her grasp. The clown grinned in maniacal glee before she slapped him so hard that a tooth came out.
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Don't come back at all
XXXXXXX
As the police carried off the clown, he gave a last pleading look towards her before she glared ferociously at him, replacing his look of plea with a look of shock and surprise. She silently left the scene, understanding without being told that all of her debts had been paid. Her plant-obsessed friend met up with her on a boat, with plans to leave the city for good.
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Don't come back at all
XXXXXXX
As the boat sped off, she saw that the dark figure's companions had come to see her off. Cheers and wishes of luck came to her and touched her heart greatly.
Who do you think you are?
A small kernel of hope that the clown would change was quickly squashed when the truth returned as a reminder that he couldn't be trusted.
Who do you think you are?
Plans to work under a new name started to form in her head. She didn't want anything to do with humor or violence anymore.
Who do you think you are?
Now, she just wanted peace.
Thank You all for reading. I ask that you review this story with your honest opinions about it, so I may possibly fix any mistakes pointed out. On a side-note, please be more respectful towards women and beware domestic violence. If you see it happening in any way or form, get the person being harmed out of there and help them get out of the relationship for good. Be a friend, be a good Samaritan, be a Goddamn Batman.