Alice hummed softly and smoothed down her black skirt, stepping back to look in the small mirror better. She adjusted her tank top and pulled on a pair of knee high boots, zipping them up. She turned to Croc lounging on the worn-down couch and asked, "How do I look, Crocy?"

He cracked an eye open and she turned around, allowing him to see her fully. "Look good, got a date?"

She smiled and looked back in the dirty mirror to adjust her hair. "Well I hope so by the end of night. And this one is legit, so keep ya teeth to yourself. At least, I hope it'll be legit. Gah, he's so fine Crocy."

He held up a hand and rumbled, "Don't wanna hear it. Go on and leave me."

She rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek, walking past him towards the direction of Harley and Joker's club. "See ya later, ya big grump. I'll grab a six pack on my back."

He waved his hand and relaxed back, listening to her walk until she was out of range. She had explained that while no she wasn't attracted to him, she was still quite affectionate towards others she was close to. He frankly didn't care and she treated him better than he'd been treated in almost his entire life (a.k.a like an actual human), so he wasn't going to stop her anytime soon.

Alice looked up when she faintly heard the almost-obnoxious bass playing and smiled, climbing up the ladder and managing to push the cover enough to wiggle out. She dusted off, checking to make sure her clothes weren't scuffed or torn. She nodded to herself and walked inside, smiling slightly as her ears practically vibrated.

She made her way to the bar and waved at the bartender, glancing around. He handed her a bottle of Mountain Dew and yelled, "Harley's dancing, but I have a feeling you're looking for Diablo."

She snickered and yelled, "What gave it away?"

He chuckled and yelled, "Go on to the V.I.P. Room, he should be back there."

She nodded and capped her bottle of soda before heading towards the VIP room. The guard let her pass and she smiled sweetly, sliding into the booth across from Diablo. Joker was missing from her sight, but she frankly didn't like even being in his presence.

Diablo glanced at her and raised a non-existant eyebrow. "I didn't expect to see you anytime soon after you disappeared."

Alice smiled and relaxed back against the leather booth. "Thought I'd swing by and have some fun tonight. Sober fun for now. Whenever Harley pops up, I'll be drunk."

He hummed softly and slowly nodded. "Ah, so you gotta have a friend before deciding to drink?"

She giggled softly and shook her head. "Nah, I can drink on my own. Just more fun with some company. Plus, Harley likes to make new drinks for me to try and I end up nearly on my ass."

He chuckled softly and sipped his water. "Makes sense you're a lightweight."

She suddenly puffed out her cheeks and huffed at him, leaning forward. "Are you callin' me short?"

He leaned back and set his glass down, out the way in case she decided to jump. "I didn't mean it that way, but I won't stop you if you take it the wrong way."

She narrowed her eyes and suddenly busted out laughing, falling back into the cushions. He blinked in surprise and subconsciously untensed, not realizing he had curled his hands into fists. He watched as she laughed and shook his head slightly, silently reasoning she had spent too much time with Harley and Joker.

She grinned widely and straightened up, wiping an invisble tear away. "Ah, that was too good. Well, congrats, ya passed my little test. Nice tensing, though, I enjoyed the muscles ya got hiding under that shirt."

He blinked slowly and felt his cheeks heat up some. Very few women found him attractive, let alone gave him a second glance. He shifted slightly and Harley poked her head through the beads, grinning widely.

"Pumpkin! Ya made it tonight!" Harley slid over to perch on the back of the booth beside Alice and crossed one leg over the other. "Oh, having fun with the hottie here?"

Alice smiled widely and finished off her drink. "I am, actually. He's a pretty cool fella."

Harley cackled and patted Alice's head. "He's our resident hottie, hun. So, you two getting along good?"

Alice nodded and Diablo said, "She's quite the little firecracker."

Harley snickered and climbed over Alice, hopping down from the booth. "She's my little firecracker, but I'll share her with you. Anyway, I'mma go fix you somethin' special pumpkin."

Alice waved her hand and Harley slinked off, her hips swaying. Alice smiled and relaxed back. "Ah, I hate that damn nickname. Guess I deserve it, though."

Diablo leaned back and asked, "Why do you say that?"

She smiled slightly and played with her hair, spiking up the back of it. "It's pretty obvious I ain't from here. I'm from Middle of Nowhere, South Carolina. Quiet, boring town. Nothing ever happened. Bitch of a mother decided to move up here, I ran away. Now I live with the monster in the sewers. Met Harley and she started callin' me her little 'country bumpkin' and I got irritated so she changed it to her pumpkin. I don't mind that too much."

He nodded and Harley returned, a bright pink drink in hand. She slid in beside Diablo (who scooted away slightly) and twirled her straw in her drink. "Try it, Pumpkin and tell me how it is. If it's good, I'm gonna call it the Quinn Special."

Alice nodded and sipped some of it, humming happily. "Oh, this is really good Harls. Sweeter than hell, though. What'd you put in it?"

Harley waved her hand and sipped hers. "Oh a little of this and that. Nothing too strong, though, for my lightweight Pumpkin."

Alice hummed and said, "Well thanks for the thought. I like it a lot."

Harley smiled widely and the two made small talk while sipping their drinks. Diablo listened in every now and then and shook his head slightly. Harley hopped up eventually and chirped, "Well I'll catch you lovebirds later. See ya around, Pumpkin."

Alice waved and stood up after Harley left. "Why don't ya come dance with me? It's no fun without a partner."

He shook his head and waved his hand dismissivly. "Not much of a dancer. I'm sure you can find a partner."

She lightly pouted and crossed her arms, jutting her hip out. "Ah, all they wanna do is grope a cute little thing like me. I don't think you'd do the same."

He rolled his eyes and stood up. "I don't think I'll win this argument with you, mujer teca."

She raised an eyebrow and asked, "What did you call me?"

He chuckled softly and took her hand, leading her to the dancefloor. "Stubborn woman, that's all."

She hummed and snagged his other hand, pulling him along to dance with her to the beat and not responding. She knew she was stubborn to a fault and wasn't gonna argue it. She tugged his hands to her hips and began dancing, forcing him to move with her.

He danced with her and loosely held her hips, keeping his powers in check to prevent any burning. His thumb brushed against her smooth skin as her tank top and he stiffened slightly, pulling away from her. She looked up at him and tilted her head.

He waved his hand and asked, "Shouldn't you be heading home? Won't your friend miss you?" They had ended up close enough that they could hear each other over the music.

She shrugged and said, "Probably. I promised I'd get him some beer on my way back."

He nodded and glanced around, easily recognizing the lustful, drunken stares in Alice's direction. He shifted and said, "I'm gonna walk you there. Lotta creeps around here."

She smiled and nodded. "Thanks a bunch. Let's get going."

He nodded and followed her out. She led him to a convience store and scratched her cheek. "Uh, you mind buying the beer for me? I ain't got an I.D. or cash on me."

He rolled his eyes and shook his head slightly. "Yeah, but you owe me."

She grinned sheepishly and pointed to Croc's preferred beer before he grabbed a six pack of it, heading to the counter. Alice rocked on her heels as she waited and glanced around some, spotting some of the drunken creeps from the club. She hummed softly and jumped at a light tap on her shoulder.

Diablo held up the beer and asked, "Where to next?"

Alice smiled and said, "Oh, just follow me. I usually leave an opening so I can get back in."

Diablo nodded slightly and walked beside her to the partially-open manhole. "Do you.. live down there?"

She nodded and said, "Yeah, it's dark and damp, but it's home to me and Croc. He looks after me and no he doesn't feed me people, that's only his thing."

He nodded and she climbed down the ladder, only pausing to adjust her hold and hold up her hand for the beer. He handed it down to her and asked, "Why don't you live with Harley?"

She smiled brightly and simply said, "Croc's my best friend and it's not right to leave your friends all alone."

He nodded slightly and closed the covering back, straightening up. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and decided to head back to Harley and Joker's penthouse. As he laid in the almost-too-comfortable bed, he thought about she said. Their second meeting and she was already leaving a mark on him.