Harley sat inside the living room of the warehouse that was their hideout, the purple couch had a slight smell of smoke, was covered in random stains from food to blood and it had received multiple rips with cotton protruding out. She hummed a small made up song to herself as she sat cross-legged and pulled a threaded needle in and out of her torn cowl. Her eyes would periodically leave her work to glance at the cuckoo clock that hung on the wallpaper torn wall wondering when her beloved would emerge from his office. With each tick she felt more anxious as her focus became thinner and thinner. A sudden prick caught her attention and brought prying eyes from the clock. She held her finger to eye level and studied the bright crimson blood that drew from the surface and instantly popped it in her mouth to sooth it.

"See babies, now that's why I hate needles." Her voice whined slightly as she showed her pricked fimger to her hyenas who lounged by her feet. They perked up and tilted their heads at her then layed back down.

She pulled on her cowl once it was finished and adjusted her pigtails inside the horns of it.

"Come on boys, wanna go fer a walk?" She questioned Bud and lou as she raised herself up from the couch. " Com'on!"

She beckoned them to follow by patting her thigh before she reached the door and grabbed their leashes. Instantly they rose from their spots more interested in her offer, their nails clicked against the floor while they ran excitedly to the door, jumped up towards their mother and whined anxiously. Harley quickly obliged them, she hooked on their leashes and headed out the door.

Evening had set by the time they had gotten outside,the horizon held only a small amount of the sun which left an array of orange,yellow and red to be cast over the line of the city. There wasn't much worry of being seen around the area, atleast by any cops or common citizens;not many people risked being caught in the area after dark. She let the hyenas lead the way as their pace tugged on the leashes in an effort to go faster through secluded alleyways, occasionally she'd take the time to peak around the roof tops just to keep a look out for Batman or his pesky tag-alongs. Sirens could be heard in the distance and more would go off as time went on, in Gotham the crime just like anywhere else picked up at night, but not tonight for her and joker, it was one of the few times their 'shift ' ended early.

As she walked she wondered if her puddin' would be out of his study by the time she got back, he would have to be. She had been gone for nearly an hour, maybe he'd even spend some time with her.

" Let's go home, boys."

With a small grunt she turned around and tugged on the leashes in an effort for them to follow. After a few protestful whines the followed along with much more ease.

The door creaked open as she entered and unhooked the leashes from her the cackling hyenas collars. She smiled and nodded at jokers main goon who sat at the small table along with a few other new ones who remained unknown had cards dealed out among themselves at table in their game of poker. Around the table had near empty glasses and a cloud of smoke hung in the air above them from their cigarettes, As she walked by she crinkled her nose at the thick smell of the smoke and cheap liquor. Her eyes rolled as she wondered if she'd be stuck cleaning one of the nameless goons brains off the wall like last time. She had almost forgotten that tonight was 'game' night, after their long day she wasn't even sure if he would participate in the card games as usual. Maybe she could have him to herself, the thought made her grin wide with the blush of her cheeks nearly showing through her white face paint. Her thoughts were quickly ended as she met a sharp pain in the side of her hip.

" Ow!"

She had not been paying attention to where she was going as she rubbed her sore hip as she realized she had walked into the counters edge. She gazed around to see if anyone had caught her clumsiness, but it seemed the others were too into their game to notice much else.

With a slight pout Harley walked over to the kitchen area to scrounge up something to eat, she opened up the fridge and inspected it's contents;It was practically bare besides the few bottles of comidents,some cheese, week old milk and beer bottles.

" Damn, guess I need ta get some food tomorrow..."

Nearly out of options she peeked inside the pantry, only a near empty box of lucky charms, flour, and saltine crackers with a rat chewed hole in the bag. As if almost on a cue of bad timing her stomach growled hungrily. She shrugged as she left the kitchen and decided it wouldn't hurt a few meals.

In her mind a shower sounded perfect at the moment as it of course would get her clean of the days mess as well as help distract her from her hunger. Taking long showers was a way she seemed to handle many things, even in college she'd spend up to an hour in the showers to handle the stress of finals and exams. She walked back out of the kitchen and climbed the stair case up to the small bathroom at the end of the hall. Already her mood started to lighten a bit as she stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Her eyes gazed into the mirror over the sink and studied herself; her face paint was smudged in random patches which allowed her soft ivory skin to peek through. That was something she had always about wearing it, she prefered the cleaner look in comparison to how Joker wore it and didn't seem to mind the smudge mess. Yet from constant movement and sweating it would always turn into a mess. She turned on the shower and started to undress while the water warmed up, it took a few moments to pull down the snagged zipper at he back of her suit. With a few more tugs it finally pulled loose. Like a second skin she shed the suit from her body, then removed her under garments, mask and cowl. Her fingers traced around her right eye that was colored a dull sickly yellow from an aged bruise,but her domino mask hid it well; from the rest of the world and herself. By the time she had finished and freed her hair from its pigtails the bathroom had begun to steam up and already covered the mirror.

She pulled the curtain back and stepped into the stream of hot water, letting it loosen and relax her muscles. Nothing but the sound of running water filled the room, it reminded her of the sound of rain against a window. The sweet aroma of black cherries filled her nostrils as she rubbed her favorite three in one bottle of soap through her hair and then over her body; the white foam lather covering her body. Moments like this was one of her few pleasures she had when she was alone. She used the rest of her time as the water began to grow cold to shave quickly,using a tiny amount of her soap for cream,

Carefully but quickly she glided the razor over her long legs in long quick strokes. Her teeth chattered slightly from the now cold water that poured over her, once she was satisfied with her work she switched the water off, stepped out and wrapped a towel around her body. With water droplets still clinging to her body as she pulled on a pair of pajama shorts and a button up shirt, then used the towel to squeeze any excess water from her hair

The sound of loud talking, swearing and fumbling could be heard once she stepped outside the door and began to head down stairs and towards the den. A noise...no a laugh, one that seemed to cackle in a mix of sinistry and amusement caused her smile to grow bigger as her she quickened her pace into the main room. Finally her puddin was out of his seclusion and she could see him! Sure he was playing the game, but that didn't mean she couldn't watch and silently admire him.

There he sat at the table, his long purple coat had been removed leaving him in only his button up shirt, tie, and vest. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows as he sat with cards in his glovless hands. Her eyes followed up to his face; his makeup had not been touched up and was smeared in blurred patches of grey where the black and white met around his eyes and pink around his scarred cheeks. Even with his shaggy green curled hair that hung around his head seemed amazing to her.

Some of the men turned around as she came into the room and gave a quick glance, but didn't dare gaze too long. Uncomfortably a few shifted in their seats and grumbled as they brought their attention back to the game as Joker raised his eyes from his set of cards to look up at harley, his lip almost in a snarl.

Instantly Harley eyes seemed to sparkle with joy at the acknowledgement. " Oh hiya, mistah j!"

His lips turned up at her greeting. " Why hello, Harley..and uuh... just what-ah do you think you are doing, hmm?" His annoyance was shown through his eerie glassgow smile as he placed his cards face down on the table.

"I just..was happy ta see that yer out. You were just in yer office fer so long and I wanted ta see ya." Despite the atmosphere and clear annoyance she could read on his face she kept a happy demeanor in hopes he'd calm down.

His tongue drew out and traced over his scarred lip as he leaned back in his chair. "Ah I see, tell me something. Were we not-ah together all day infact? Now be a good girl and let me have some time with the boys." He stated his voice giving away that his words were not a suggestion, but an order. After he knew that he had made himself clear he picked cards back up and turned his attention back to the goons. " Now..ah boys, I believe this would be a good time to fold."

After she stole another quick glance at him she turned around and headed into the main room to retrieve her babies and then made her way to their bedroom. The dark, poorly lit hallway only seemed to add to the depressive feel of house as she walked through. Once imside the room her shoulders wilted down further in defeat as the door closed behiend her, to now have her share of solitude.

The room was cold from lack of ventilation to provide heat, and the lonely space heater in the corner proved nearly insufficient to warm the large room. She crawled onto the lumpy mattress and pulled the thick quilted blanket up to her chin as she curled up, after an hour and a few whimpers she finally drifted off to sleep.