Author's Note: Okay, this one is still romantic, but without the fluff I normally like to write. This is quite sad, and I usually hate writing stuff like this, but it was a dream I had a while ago – and to be honest I think it could probably happen, knowing how the Joker treats Harley. Anyway, hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own no part of the Batman franchise.
"B-Man, PLEASE!"
Batman glared at the sobbing woman clutching his arms, and sneered, "I'm done Quinn. You've told me this so many times, and I'm not falling for it again."
"I ain't lying, Bats, I swear. J's gonna kill me this time, I know it. Please." Tears streamed down Harley Quinn's cheeks as she pleaded with the Dark Knight, mentally cursing herself for all the times she'd lied to him about being in danger. Now the one time she truly needed him, he didn't believe her.
"How many times have I put myself on the line for you? And how many times have you betrayed me? Why the HELL should I buy your story this time?!" Batman yelled, all sense of dignity forgotten as rage flooded his system.
"Because you're the GODDAMN Batman, that's why! You spend your life saving people! Even me when I don't want to be saved from J! No matter how many times I stab you in the back, you're always there to swoop in!" She knew she was saying more than she should, but she was desperate for him to believe her. Even though she knew she couldn't change his mind.
Bruce stared at her, trying in vain to control his inner turmoil. Harley had done this so many times, and he had fallen for every stunt, each time foolishly thinking she truly wanted to change. But people like her NEVER change.
No matter how much he cared about her.
"I'm not risking the lives of innocent civilians, only to have you betray me again. I can guarantee I'll see you at the Joker's next heist, so goodbye Quinn. You've avoided Arkham this time, but I won't be as nice next time." He left after that, not even looking back, for the fear that he would change his mind.
• • • • • • • • • •
Two days later, Dick Grayson entered the gym to find Bruce lifting weights.
"Hey, Bruce, you got a minute? I need to show you something."
The man carefully put down the 180-pound weight - Dick and Tim could never figure out how their adoptive father could lift objects that heavy - and turned to the teenager in concern. "Everything alright? What's going on?"
"Not really, it's about Harley Quinn."
Bruce looked at his son, trying to cover his unease. "What about her?" Please don't let this be about what I think it is, he prayed silently.
"Her body was found earlier today, pushed out of a window. It was Joker." Dick's voice was grave; despite everything the woman had done she hadn't deserved this. "Bruce, the police found a note in her pocket. It's for you." He gave the paper to his dad, and left without another word.
Bruce, meanwhile, unfolded the paper, and stared at the words in silence, guilt flooding his mind.
'I guess even you can't change the joke.'
Of all the punchlines Batman had heard, this was the worst.
A/N: I'm not going to lie, I'm not a massive fan of how I wrote this. To me it sounds a bit rushed – but then again, when people write stuff like this, it tends to be quite abrupt. It's not my best work, but if you could leave a review It'd make me so happy! Until next time! ~ Dark Knight HQ xx