Prologue:

She missed the quiet lull the room had before. The hushed violin in the background as children laughed and played, racing around in their finest clothes as adults conversed about their personal success. She longed to be awkwardly in the center of the room, the center of attention; and even wished for her out of place smile to return as she attempted to boast about her team's triumphs over the past six months.

But the room was different now. No longer was Sophia Starr engaged in what Bruce Wayne was saying, nor did the A-Listers chatter about the weather as they sipped on rich Champaign and cocktails. The thin veil of relief had shattered leaving a lingering panic. Gotham's greatest were forced to scatter, running for cover as a stampede of chaos erupted, holding the room and everyone in it hostage. And she, the doe-eyed guest of honor, found herself taking refuge under a table.

Gunshots demanded to be heard. Frantic screams captured her attention. She remained silent, tucking Chloe's head into the nook of her neck and gently stroking her golden brown locks.

"Don't worry." The words rolled out of her mouth in a low hum. "It'll all be over soon."

She wrapped her arms around Chloe, trying to convey a sense of calm with her touch. Out of instinct, or maybe it was fear, the child clung to her torso and nuzzled her tears into the woman's shoulder. She held the girl tighter and gently stroked her hair.

"M-Miss King-" Adrian stammered, the words got stuck in his throat as he cowered with his brother, Devin, behind her back. But he didn't need to finish the sentence to let her know he was afraid. She smiled kindly at two boys and nodded for them to join her side. She couldn't let them know her smile was slipping. That it was failing and she was just as concerned as they were.

The seconds seemed like hours as they huddled closely under the table. She could feel the rapid beating of the little hearts as the noise droned on and on. How could she let this happen? This disaster that was sure to traumatize the very children she was desperately trying to serve and protect? She felt so foolish. All those years of studying the demographic, learning the people, crime, and religion of the sleepless city only to turn herself into another sad statistic. Why? Oh, God, why was this happening?

"And what have we here?" Air evaporated from her lungs. And when she finally mustered the courage to open her eyes, she knew her fate was sealed. Her arms tightened around Chloe, and her breathing slowed. She couldn't afford to show weakness. Not here. Not now. "Ah, lookie what I found! Mother Goose with her goslings!"

"Is that right, Mistah J?" Came an annoying chirp. She had come face to face with the Devils of Disaster, two parts of the Suicide Squad, a group she had only ever read about. The first, the Joker. A crazed sociopath with an unquenchable desire to study human behavior. The second? Miss Harleen Quinzel, better known as Harley Quinn. A beautiful psychiatrist lured away by the Joker's mind games.

"Aw, come along little goose, come come! I won't hurt ya." He cooed offering up a hand. Her mind instantly drew to the children. She weighed her options over and the realization hit: he was going to take her no matter what she chose.

"Mistah J, she looks nervous!" Harley said smacking a bubble between her lips. The Joker's eyes didn't tear away from her, not even for a second. "I thinks she's the one who's throwin' dis lil' shindig, aren't ya, shug-ah?" With a smack of gum, the infamous Harley Quinn crouched to the doe-eyed girl's side twirling a strand of yellow blonde hair around her finger. Her piercing blue eyes scanned her over then scrambled back to where her boss was lurking.

"Ah, keen eye, Harley! I think we may owe this lil' old Mother Goose a big warm thank you, what do you say, snookums, should we give 'er a big ole hug and kiss?" The Joker asked dropping to his knees. Again, he offered up his hand. This time, the guest of honor took it, accepting her fate.

Songs meant to inspire:

1. Purity Ring- "Begin Again"

2. Grimes- "Genesis"

3. alt_j- "Breezeblocks"