"Knock, knock"

CHAPTER 2

Vicki snuggled into her bed, peacefully asleep. Her immaculate apartment in one of Gotham's many tower blocks gleaming in the moonlight. She rolled over and tucked her duvet in, under her chin. Blissfully unaware that she is being watched. On the fire escape outside of her bedroom window stood a mysterious figure in a long, brown trenchcoat. His collar pulled up, and his fedora tipped to shadow his features. He crouched down and peered in at the unknowing Vicki Vale. The man tapped his finger on the glass pane of the window, each time more forceful in power and volume. Vicki began to stir as the silence that filled her apartment was interuppted by the irritating sound the man continued to create. She tossed and turned before beginning to awake. Her eyes flickered as she woke to the sight of the figure staring back at her. She initially expected the sight of the Bat but when her eyes opened fully and the outline of the figure became clear, Vicki let out a whimper. She fell out of her bed and made a beeline for her apartment door, occupied by the sight of the man, she managed to unlock the door without turning her head, maintaining eyes on the potential actions and movements of the man, who remained still. She opened the door and turned towards the exit...

"Knock, knock!"

Vicki turned and stared into a pair of eyes that pierced a hole in her. The sharpest blue eyes she'd ever seen. They belonged to Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel or as she now preferred; Harley Quinn.

"We've got some breaking news for ya, Vic! An exclusive scoop just for you!

Vicki took a step backwards as Harley smiled at her with the look of a troubled kid who was about to pull the wings off of a butterfly. Her signature black eye shadow highlighted the expression, a psychotic euphoria. Vicki knew enough about Harley to know when not to fight back and this was one of those moments. Bruce had previously briefed her on many of Gotham's criminal figures and had warned her specifically of Harley. Harley doesn't play well with other girls... escpecially when they have the attention of Harley's pudding, Batman's nemesis; The Joker. The figure at the window continued to look on as Harley stepped forward, her smile changing to a devlish smirk, she continued to taunt Vicki...

"Aren't ya gonna invite me in? It's late and the streets of Gotham are no place for chicks like us..."

Vicki hesitated before finally finding her voice to reluctantly invite Harley into the apartment.

"Come in, Harley... What... What can I do for you?"

"For little old me? Nothing. Howeva! I have a very special friend who would like to chat and get to know ya! I believe you've already been introduced..."

Harley motions towards the window where the figure was perched. Vicki turns to Harley...

"Who is tha..." WHACK.

Before Vicki could finish her query, Harley had prepared a baton in the brief moment she had turned to check on the man at the window. When she turned, Harley capitalized and took Vicki down. One hit.

"YAY! Harley knocks it out of the park! Mista J is gonna be so proud of me, I'll be in his dream team!"

Harley proceeded to perform a victory dance, standing over the top of the unconcious Ms. Vale. The figure at the window began to shift, smashing the window and emerging into the room. He remained silent as Harley continued to mock and humiliate, clearly overjoyed by her own contribution and performance. She catches sight of the brown trenchcoat and turns towards him...

"You! You're sucha creep! You just sit there whilst all this girl-on-girl action is going on? Make up for it or I'll tell J you were spying on me!"

Harley removed duct tape from the back of her homemade utility belt. She threw it at the figure who catches it, kneels down and proceeds to tie up Vicki. Harley moves towards the broken window, dialling a number into her cellphone...

"Any 'news' on our lead little anchor?"

The unmistakable tones of The Joker bellow from the receiver. Harley giggles before again getting into a performance zone.

"This just in! A Gotham City Tonight report! Brought to you by me, Harley Quinn, and sponsored by the one, the only, the incredible Mista J! Vicki Vale has been taken hostage! Early reports suggest that it was the greatest kidnap in the history of kidnapping!"

"Well done, Harley! Bring her back to me... Alive. How is my favourite doctor doing?"

"Oh, Mista J, I'm doing fantastic! I..."

"No, not you! The real doctor!"

"Oh, umm... well, he's not exactly the most fun person in the world to be around. He hasn't said a word since we left..."

"He's focused. I like that. Bring her back to me and Harley..."

"Yes, puddin'?"

"Don't mess this up."

"I won't..."

Joker had hung up before Harley could mutter her sentence. Although completely devoted to the Clown Prince, Harley was emotionally cut that he would not say 'bye'. The child-like frustration boiling under her surface would come out in ways that were obvious to the gangsters and mobsters who would normally take orders from the Joker's lieutenant. She had previously shot and killed two of the Joker's henchman due to one of them asking if she were available and the other attempting to aid her in getting out of a van by offering his hand. Harley feels she doesn't need help for anything although Bruce Wayne is of the opinion that she needs a serious intervention and psychiatric help.

Harley turned to the figure who had finished securing Vicki. She motioned for him to sit her upright and as quick as a flash, Harley slapped her across the face sending her back to the floor.

"You forgot one thing, Mista Moody..."

Harley looked into the shadowy abyss of the man's facial area...

"Always end on a gag."

Harley removed a red and black chequered cloth from the back of her tights and stuffed it into Vicki's mouth.

"Now the bitch can't scream."