(Penthouse balcony – mid-evening)

"What is it with your fascination with throwing yourself off rooftops?"

Harley glanced at him and rolled her eyes, then went back to leaning over the edge.

"Should I be worried?"

"Only if I throw myself off one of these short buildings..."

"That's not funny."

She smirked. "Oh come on, I was just kidding... mostly." She peered over the edge again, and nodded towards the ground. "Falling from this height would do some serious damage and it wouldn't be fun right now anyway."

Bruce raised both brows and shoved his hands in his pockets. "…fun? I don't know how it would ever be fun..."

She sighed. "I know it's not fun-ny, especially after Harvey's fundraiser, but I can't help being fascinated with it. I'd try to hide it from you, but what would be the point?"

He exhaled slowly and pinched his eyes shut, then tried to relax. "Were you always fascinated by heights?"

She squinted one eye and idly rubbed her thumb over her lips, thinking. "Not by heights, just flying."

He gestured over the edge. "But that's not flying... you remember gravity, right?"

She mock glared at him, then leaned on the ledge and gestured in the air. "Well, blame Batman then. He flies around all the time... god, that would be fantastic!"

He blinked at her, then shook his head, "... he doesn't fly..."

She waved his comment off. "Semantics. He jumps off skyscrapers, he literally drops in on criminals... hell, he even managed to drive that car...tank... thing over the rooftops."

He looked skeptical. "So you think that would be... fun?"

She nodded yes, enthusiastically.

"Why?"

She shrugged. "Why wouldn't it be fun? I mean, if I jumped off this roof, I have nothing to catch me or break my fall... but he has all those toys; he probably doesn't even worry about falling anymore."

Bruce frowned. "They aren't... toys..."

She smirked. "Yes they are... expensive man-toys!"

"I'm sure he worries about falling..."

She rolled her eyes and scoffed out loud. "Please, if he did, he wouldn't jump, right? I mean, he still has to have brass balls the size of a small town, even with his toys, but..."

Bruce started to laugh and tried covering it, unsuccessfully, with a cough. He grinned at her, matching her pose, leaning against the railing. "So, does that mean you have brass balls the size of… "

She interrupted, "Hey, hey, now. I'd like to go with him sometime, though." She sighed, wistfully. "If Batman was a carnival attraction, I'd ride that ride all night long."

Bruce raised both brows again, mouth opening slightly, and then he started laughing out loud, not even trying to cover it up.

She tried to mock offense, but couldn't hold out for more than a second before she started laughing along with him, and just as hard. She managed to choke out a few words. "I didn't even.. mean it... like.. that!" But she couldn't get more than that out before succumbing to the laughter all over again.

Finally, Bruce managed to get control of himself, but still burst out in the occasional chuckle. "So, you're saying if Batman comes along and offers you a... ride... its 'Bruce who?' and off you go?"

She giggled, and punched him lightly in the arm. "Maybe… Why? Jealous?"

He smirked. "Maybe…"

She jumped over to him and hugged him tightly, waiting a few seconds for him to wrap his arms around her. "Aw, don't worry; I'd make him bring me back eventually."

Bruce scoffed in amusement. "Gee, thanks." He paused, resting his chin on her head. "I guess that means I don't have to worry about you jumping without Batman around then, right?"

She squeezed him harder and he pretended to choke. "Very funny, but no, I won't be jumping without attaching myself to Batman."

"Out of curiosity, how would you do that?"

"Oh, I'm pretty sure I could claw on for dear life if I had to." She smiled into his chest, digging in her nails for effect.

"But he has that suit..."

"Hm, true... well, if all else fails, there's always duct-tape. If it's good enough for airplanes, it's good enough for me."

Bruce started chuckling again, but instead of joining him, she leaned into his chest more tightly, enjoying the way it rumbled in her ear. "If you ever duct tape yourself to Batman, just to for a ride, he'd have every right to take you to Arkham."

"You're no fun!"

"And you're crazy."

"Hey, duct taping myself to Batman isn't crazy, it just looks crazy! Come on, aren't you the least bit curious about what Gotham looks like from his point of view? I mean, flying through the city like that... it's got to be amazing!"

"You know, I wonder if he ever takes the time to look..."

"I think he does. He wouldn't fight so hard for this insane town if he didn't love it."

"We all take things for granted though."

"Yes, we do. But I'm trying really hard not too. Take this for example; I would never have asked you to show me this side of the Penthouse, but I'm glad you did. The view from here is so beautiful..."

"If you like it, then I'm glad too." He stroked her hair. "So, is it beautiful enough that you can skip a ride on Batman?"

She pulled her head back and looked at him appraisingly. "That really bothers you?"

He made a noncommittal face, but she could see the tension around his eyes. "I guess it does, a little."

"Why?"

He looked down into her eyes. "Because I don't think he does any of it for fun... love for Gotham, probably, and a lot of other reasons, but not for fun."

"Fun is relative, isn't it? He has to like it, otherwise he wouldn't do it. It's not like he didn't have a choice about how he goes around every night fighting for Gotham. There have to be a million less jaw-droppingly daring ways to do it."

"Ok, I give up... I can see you've already made up your mind anyway." He shook his head, but his tone was soft.

She gently pulled away and stepped back, leaning against the railing again. "So, if I suddenly had the option to go flying off a building with Batman... lets assume it's a choice, not a necessity... would you be angry when I did it?"

"Would it stop you?"

"No, and you didn't answer my question."

"No, I wouldn't be mad." Resignation tinged with sadness echoed in his voice.

"Good. But it would hurt your feelings?" She was trying to makes sense of his reluctance.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, then turned to face the railing and look out over the Gotham skyline. "No, it wouldn't hurt my feelings. I can see the attraction... I guess I just wished you didn't."

She leaned sideways against his shoulder, her head making the only contact between them. "Would it help if I said that I have no desire to go anywhere in Gotham, unless I'm with you or him?"

He reached out and arm and pulled her closer. "Yeah, actually it does." He looked over at her. "I know it's not fair to keep you locked up all the time; I know it must drive you crazy. I'll try to be better about getting you out of the house, ok?"

She stifled a discontented sigh. "I always feel like such an ungrateful bitch when we talk." She cut off his protest. "I know, or at least I'm pretty sure, you don't really see it like that, but its true. I mean, I know how much worse things could be, and yet I still complain about not having enough... enough freedom, enough things to do. I'm always having a private pity party for one; I'm sorry for that. I'm sure it's a real joy to be around."

"Oh come on, you're not always hard to be around." He smiled, and she nudged him with her head, then they both turned to take in the Gotham skyline for the few minutes they had left before they had to be on their way.

(Earlier that day – Wayne Manor)

"Can I help you with anything, miss?"

She startled; Alfred always managed to arrive silently, and she wondered if he got secret pleasure out of sneaking up on her. "Oh, no… well... ", she turned to him with a glint in her eye, "I don't suppose Bruce ever had one of those round, disc-style sleds when he was a kid, did he?"

"Of course, miss."

She smirked; of course he did. "Any chance its still around?"

"Ah, may I enquire as to why you're asking? There's no snow on the ground this time of year, as you know."

She grinned wickedly and gestured to the huge grand staircase. "Actually, I was contemplating how much fun it would be to ride it down these stairs!" She saw Alfred crack a smile for a second before it disappeared.

"You can take my word for it, miss, it's not as much fun as it would appear... although a few bruises and a broken wrist never stopped Master Wayne from trying it a few times."

Her jaw dropped in pleasant shock. "Really? Oh Alfred, please tell me you a have a video of this!"

"Sadly no, miss. Master Wayne has a habit of not giving any warning before he takes off on his grand adventures."

She sighed, dramatically. "So does that mean you'd recommend against riding a sled down the stairs?"

"Oh no, miss, it's out in the garage if you'd like it. But I'm afraid you'll have to fetch it yourself; its up in the attic and an old man like me just can't climb the ladder like I used to." He started to leave, then paused, "Just make sure if you do decide to sled down the stairs you give me some warning. I'll get the bandages ready." He smiled and headed towards the kitchen.

(A few hours later)

"She wanted to do what?"

"Sled down the stairs in the grand foyer is what, sir."

"Why?"

"Oh, don't tell me you've forgotten what fun you had doing that yourself, sir?"

"Alfred, I was ten, and I'd been cooped up all winter."

"Precisely, sir."

"She's not ten..."

"... but she has been cooped up for several months now. Six, to be precise."

"I've taken her out..."

"Three times, sir. And one of those did not go so well, if you recall."

Bruce sighed through the phone. "Well, I'm open to ideas if you have them... other than letting her break her arms riding the sled down the stairs. Do we even still have that sled?"

"Of course we do, Master Bruce. However, it's up in the garage attic and I told Miss Harleen she'd have to get it herself if she wanted it."

"... thanks, Alfred."

"You're welcome, Master Bruce. And might I suggest you take her out to the quieter parts of Gotham? Despite what you may think, there are nice places you've never seen before, where the media won't hound you. I recall several places, in fact, that your parents liked to go."

"Do you think she would like any of them? Never-mind, make reservations for tonight and get her something nice to wear."

"Very good, sir. Let's hope this time goes better than the last."

"Goodbye Alfred."

(Early the next morning)

"Ungh, hey! Wake-up" She rocked her shoulder back against him, try to awaken him without startling him.

He grumbled in response. "... uh... what..."

"You're squeezing me to death."

"What?" He relaxed his grip. "Oh, sorry. I think I was having a nightmare..."

She spun around in his arms. "Really… what about?"

He rubbed the sleep from one eye. "Actually, it was about Rachel, the night of the fundraiser..."

She hugged him. "I'm sorry I made you think of that."

He stroked her hair, eyes closed sleepily. "I haven't had a nightmare about that in a long time. I don't think it was you, just being on that side of the Penthouse again. Now that I have, I'll be ok."

"I'm not very good with this kind of stuff. My own nightmares are usually either like a horror movie, or a lifetime movie."

"What?"

"I mean, I'm either being chased by vampires or I'm fighting off crazy men in my bedroom because they want to kill me."

He furrowed a brow. "So, are your nightmares always about someone, or something, trying to kill you?"

"Yeah… every once in a while I have one that is just disturbing... where everything is real, but off just enough that I'm constantly looking over my shoulder waiting for the bad thing to happen."

"Do you ever have good dreams?"

"Um, not that I remember… and I usually remember my dreams, so I'd say probably not often." She smirked, and wriggled her hips intentionally against his. "Well, there is the occasional really good dream..."

He opened his eyes calmly, then pulled her against him roughly. "Oh yeah? What are those like?"

"I'll show you..."

(Late Afternoon – Wayne Manor)

"Are you sure you don't want help?"

"No miss, I'm almost done with the kitchen anyway." She sighed. "Are you thinking about sledding the stairs again?"

"No... Can I tell you something Alfred?"

He wiped his hands on a towel, and sat down next to her on the dinette. "Of course, miss."

"I feel completely useless. Before now, I always had something to do, or some ... purpose, but now I'm just sitting around collecting dust."

"What would you like to do, miss?"

"Well, before... you know... I was an intern at Arkham; it didn't pay very much, but I managed. I was good at helping people, and when, uh, Joker showed up, it was like I had a reason to be good at what I did. Batman even wanted me to meet Bruce so I could help him deal with what Joker did, but with Bruce it's been the other way around, he's helped me instead, and I just feel... useless."

"Oh, I think you help Master Bruce, miss."

"I don't; I think I'm a side project from the rest of his life."

"And what were you to Joker, other than a side project?"

She thought about that for a minute, started to speak, then thought some more. "Maybe the difference is how involved I am. I always had to be careful around Joker; I couldn't say anything flippantly, he wouldn't put up with it. We either didn't talk, or had intense conversations where I had to really think about what I was saying before I said it. In a game of bullshit, Joker would win before the game even started; there was no bullshit allowed."

"I thought the Joker didn't have rules."

She grimaced. "He didn't. He always tried to trick me into a game of bullshit, especially early on, when he was just looking for a reason to kill me."

"But you didn't play the game?"

"Not exactly; I just never lied to him." Alfred just raised his eyebrows and she nodded, solemnly. "It's as hard as it sounds. There were times he was just waiting for me to be afraid of him, to be repulsed by him, so when I felt that fear, or revulsion, I just shut it down. It was the only way to avoid provoking him, and not lie, at the same time."

"That sounds incredibly difficult miss. It can't be good to shut down your feelings like that."

She shrugged. "I guess I had enough practice as a kid that I could make myself do it when I needed to."

"He never threatened you?"

"Oh, he threatened me a lot, but it never got any further than that, and after a while, he really didn't threaten me much anymore."

"That's quite a story miss."

"Yeah, well, you see how different it is with Bruce? He told me he was having trouble dealing with Rachel Dawes' death and he thought maybe knowing what I knew about Joker might help. But you know, I think I'm her substitute now; like if he can make me normal after what I've been through, it's the next best thing to her being alive again."

"And if that did help him?"

"How long could that last though? I'll never be her, he can't bring her back and it wasn't his fault she died in the first place. I don't want to be a placeholder... there has to be a way I can really get through to him; really help him." She threw up her hands and sat back in her chair, rubbing her temple, then laughed. "With Joker, it was a lot easier; I just had to keep him entertained and not loose his games of bullshit. I don't even know what Bruce really needs, much less how to give it to him."

Alfred sat up straight and clasped his hands together on the table. "You may see yourself as just a side project, but I see it a different way. Master Bruce has spent his whole life with nobody to worry about except himself. Of course there's the business and his charity work for all of Gotham, but that's not as tangible as taking care of another person. Let me ask you a question, miss." She nodded. "Do you like Master Wayne?" She frowned at the vague question. "As a person, do you like him?"

"Yes, I really do. He's perceptive, when he wants to be, intelligent, funny and genuinely caring. He asked me once if I trusted him, and despite the other night, I really do. I don't think he'd intentionally do anything that would hurt me, and I think he would go out of his way to make sure no one, or nothing, else does either."

"But you think he's protecting you out of a sense of pity?"

She blew out a huge breath, surprised at Alfred's bluntness. "I... I don't know. "

Alfred smiled. "I think Master Bruce genuinely likes you too, miss, even the parts he doesn't understand. And he's not used to being liked for just himself..."

"He might be, if he let anyone else get to know him."

"Too true, miss, too true. But the fact remains, he may feel responsible for keeping you safe, but its about time he learned what it means to have a connection with someone. He holds people at arms length for his own protection, and theirs. And you'll pardon me saying so miss, while he may be afraid of the impact his obligations might have on someone else, I think since he knows your last relationship was with the Joker, he has nowhere to go but up."

She laughed. "Well, I guess you're right about that. He can rest pretty easy that my expectations are fairly low from the men in my life." She shook her head, smiling. "You know, I should be insulted by that, but it's too funny that Bruce is so insecure he needs someone with my history to take the pressure off. I never think of Bruce as insecure."

"Well, he's stubborn and maybe a bit too confident about some things, for sure miss, but he's a person, just like the rest of us."

She got up and hugged Alfred, then sat back down again. "Thank you Alfred. I don't know if I should, but I feel better."

"You're welcome miss."

"But I still can't just sit around here all the time staring at the walls. Trust me, nothing good happens when I have too much time to sit around and think."

"Are you good with computers miss?"

"Good... how?"

"Oh you know, collecting information, that sort of thing."

"I'm a research-a-holic to the point of obsession when I get interested in something... does that count?"

"Well, it sounds like we'll have to find something to interest you then, won't we?"

(Later that night, in the batcave)

"No."

"If you don't, she'll do it on her own. Wouldn't you rather direct her energies to something productive?"

"Of course, but can't she take up ballroom dancing, or learn French... something that doesn't involve dangerous criminals?" Bruce continued to type on the computer system, not looking away from the monitors.

"Unfortunately sir, she does seem to be attracted to extreme personalities." Alfred gave Bruce a pointed look; Bruce returned the look with a short glare, then sat back in his chair and slowly spun to face Alfred.

"She's not a criminal profiler."

"No, but she wanted to be, and she did live with a very intelligent criminal for several years. I think she might have a perspective you don't... she did mention that's why you met her in the first place."

"But there isn't a person to have a perspective on, not yet. We don't know who's behind this, or what their ultimate plan is. Besides, she's told me several times that Joker never shared his plans with her; she never knew what he was up to until he was in the middle of it."

"It can't hurt to try, Master Bruce. I don't think she's the type to jump into the fray like someone else I can mention, so I don't think it puts her in harms way."

Bruce rubbed his eyes, tiredly. "What if she starts thinking too much about Batman... "

"What conclusions do you think she'd draw?"

"I don't know, but if I'm out when he's out... I'm injured when he's injured... it wouldn't take too long for her to put two and two together, and that would put her in harm's way."

"That's a risk you took the first day you went to the Penthouse, sir, no use in pretending like it isn't."

Bruce looked irritated, and miserable. "Well, I can't just go over there and say 'hey, you mind looking into these joker crimes… you know, just for fun…'"

"I'm sure you'll think of something, sir. You always do."

(Next night)

"I have to tell you, this isn't what I expected when Alfred said I needed something to get interested in." She eyed him, curiously. "I'm having a hard time believing you're ok with this."

Bruce sat sullenly on the couch, confirming her suspicions with his body language. "I don't like it, but Alfred seems to think you'd do it anyway..."

She looked down at her hands, then back up sheepishly. "He's right. I already have..."

"You what? Why?" Bruce sat upright, clearly taken aback.

"Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to...", the challenge glinted in her eyes, daring him to continue.

He started to speak, then looked at her more carefully and decided to back off. "I'd like to hear it... even if I'm not going to like it."

She watched him for a minute, waiting to see if he'd change his mind, but he didn't. She decided to proceed as tactfully as she could. "Batman asked me to look over some photos; he wanted to know if I recognized any of the buildings as places where J... Joker… used to go." Bruce twitched, but she continued. "I gave him two places that looked kind of familiar. I don't know how that panned out, I haven't seen him since, but it made me think." She thought Bruce cursed under his breath, but wasn't positive. "I know there are copycat criminals out there, but they always make mistakes; they're too predictable, and Batman would catch them eventually. The only real threat would be if..." she took a deep breath, "… if it were Joker." She held up her hands to cut off Bruce's protest. "I'm not saying it is; I'm just saying that would be the only real threat. So I thought if I looked at these crimes like I used to study Joker, pretend it was him, maybe I could see how big this threat really is. You know, find out just how much this person really is like him..."

Bruce slouched back on the couch and rubbed his eyes, and she sat down next to him. Finally, he rested his head in his hands and spoke. "So, what do you think so far?"

"I think it's exactly what Joker would do if he was setting himself back up in the city."

Bruce blew out a breath and sat up straight. "Really?"

"Yeah." She grabbed her notebook and started flipping through pages. "You want to know why I think that?"

"... yeah"

"Well, first the mob bank robberies with the clown-masked men, who never live much past the heist."

"… exactly what he did the first time..."

"Right. Then there's been some murders, pretty much all criminals... all criminals who've tried to fill in the gaps he left behind."

"So you think he's taking them back out of the picture?"

"Yes." She started to get excited. "Think about Bruce, it's brilliant..." She glanced at him, and forced the edge out of her voice. "What if he was never dead in the first place? By disappearing for a while, now he knows exactly who the 'competition' is; he knows who wants the power he had and who was good enough to try and take it."

"What about that Jokers gang; why'd he kill them? They weren't a major force in Gotham, not from what I've read anyway."

"That was just for using his name. I mean, he killed that Brian guy for pretending to be Batman; he really doesn't like that."

Bruce frowned and faced her. "I don't like the way this is sounding..."

"I know... the more I look into it, the more it really seems like things Joker would do, if he was still keeping a 'low' profile, but getting ready to come back."

"You don't think it's really him though, do you?"

"I don't know... and I can't think about it because it's too hard. But regardless, whoever this is, they are definitely preparing for something big."

"Why?"

"Because that's what Joker would do. He wouldn't bother with all of this if he wasn't planning on making a big comeback in Gotham. You get it right? He played a big joke on Gotham..."

"And if it's a copycat?"

"Then that will be the joke, trick people into thinking its Joker - same fear, less work."

"How long?"

"Depends on how many more players he has to move around the chessboard first. But once that's done... "

Bruce reached out and took her hand. "I'm glad you're not at the Penthouse."

"Why? I thought it was safe there... "

"It should be, but if someone wanted a big target, a target Joker had once as well..."

"Then maybe you should hope it is Joker." Bruce's face hardened, but he didn't say anything. "Joker wouldn't bother. If he was going to blow it up, he already would have. Someone else, who wanted to be like Joker... well, then all bets are off."

"I'm worried about you, too."

"I don't think whoever this is will be looking for me anytime soon. I didn't come into the picture until later, so if it's a copycat, there's no rush."

Bruce furrowed his brow, and spoke quietly. "And if it was Joker?"

She swallowed hard and looked away, until Bruce squeezed her hand. "I don't know... he might want his toy back, he might not, but he has to go through Batman to get to me."

"... and me."

Her eyes fell wide open and she struggled to collect herself. "Oh my god, Bruce... I didn't even think about that! Joker sent Batman after me, it only ever occurred to me that's where he'd go if he wanted to find me."

Bruce pulled her to his side and pulled her chin up to face him. "He won't get to you either way."

She shook her head and gently pulled his hands into her own. "I'm not worried about me, well not yet anyway... he likes fighting with Batman, but he'd just think you were in the way. God Bruce, this whole time I've only ever been worried about me... I never thought I'd be putting you in danger.

He pulled her into his chest. "Don't worry about me... I'm harder to kill than I look."

She nudged him with her elbow... "That's not funny!", then glanced up at him suspiciously. "You're not going to do anything stupid, are you? Why are you so interested this?"

He smirked at her. "Alfred was worried you might try sledding down the stairs after all..."

Her jaw dropped open briefly, then snapped shut. "He told you about that? I was just kidding... mostly..."

"I worry about you, ok? As much as I'd rather try and figure out just how much I should worry on my own, if us figuring this out together keeps you from breaking your arms on the stairs, then that's what we'll do."

She grinned. "I don't think I'd break my arms... I'm pretty careful..."

"Trust me, its harder than it looks."

She smiled at him, and felt lighter seeing his bright smile in return.

(Later that night)

"Any luck, sir?"

"With what?"

"Getting Miss Harleen involved in studying criminals."

"Ah… yes" Bruce clicked a few more things into the computer, then spun towards Alfred. "She came the same conclusion everyone has: this guy is doing a damn good Joker impersonation so far, but thinks it's only a matter of time before he does something big. That's never good for Gotham."

"Big, like what?"

"She didn't say, but she did say he wouldn't go to all this trouble just to keep a low profile, which is what we're all afraid of."

"Did she suggest anything you hadn't already thought of?"

Bruce grimaced. "Yeah, the joke… whoever this is thinks it's a great joke on Gotham to use Joker's name to spread fear and chaos... and I quote 'same fear, less work.'"

"Was that all?"

Bruce spun back to the computer and started typing again. "No. She thinks it really is the Joker, in which case, the joke is letting us hope he was really dead."

"What do you think?"

"I don't know what to think now... but I hope to hell she's wrong."

"So do I, sir, so do I."