Chapter 4
Authors Notes: Hey guys, sorry that this chapter probably won't be as big as the other three but I promise the next one will be a good one. I promise you won't expect what's coming. Also I'd just like to say that I only take credit for half of this story, other half goes to my roleplay partner. Hope you enjoy and please leave me my first review!
Bruce knew how odd it'd look for him to be seen going into a strip club but he knew if this is what he had to do to try and save Harley then he was willing to do it. He'd just try and be a little careful about who saw him there. The press knew that he was single and he was aware of the speculation about who he was currently dating, which he wasn't. He'd only had one girlfriend since Harley ran off with The Joker but she was long gone, he didn't even know when she'd come back to Gotham. He knew she would though. He picked out his most expensive Lamborghini and headed for the address that Harley had left for him...only a few days had passed since she'd stayed at the Manor and he hoped she was ok. It took him a few minutes to get to the club, he'd heard about it before but he'd never had to go as Batman; that's why he was so surprised to find it was The Joker's base of operations. Above the front door there was a green neon sign reading "The House of Cards" with a picture of a stacked house of cards above. He should've guessed that The Joker was using this place.
It only took him within five seconds of entering the club to realise why he didn't go to places like it. The people inside didn't look too far apart from those he'd stop from mugging and raping in the dark, lonely alleyways of Gotham. There were tables on either side of the room with a walkway leading up to a gathering of comfy chairs facing the main stage. Bruce sat down at the bar and ordered himself a drink, nobody so far had seemed to recognise him as Bruce Wayne. His eyes wandered over to the main stag and he saw who was seductively coiling and twirling herself around the pole: Harley. He watched her for a few seconds, a slight smile on his face. As she continued her little show, she looked up at her audience and spotted Bruce sat at the bar, giving him a small smile and a mischievous wink. She finished a few moments later and retreated back behind the curtain, ready for another dancer to take her place. Bruce turned back away from the pole and continued to sip his drink when he felt a slender hand running down his neck and moving down to his shoulder from behind. He turned around to see Harley leaning into him, a coy smile on her face, "Wanna go somewhere more private, Brucie?". He nodded quickly and stood up with her, following behind her into a back room as other men wolf whistled at her when she passed.
The back room was just a small room with an old couch and a scruffy carpet, but at least they knew they'd have privacy to talk there. She pushed him down onto the couch and sat in his lap, leaning in and kissing him which he returned deeply. When they broke apart a few seconds later he ran a hand brought her hair and gently and asked her if she'd been okay since he'd last seen her. She smiled and lay her head against his chest replying, "I'm fine, I've been safe. Ivy came here to see me a few days ago. Mr J had me and her out on a little show for everyone". She giggled and sighed happily. He'd never really had a problem with her seeing Ivy, he knew that Ivy her well (Better than The Joker did anyway). "What kind of show?" he asked, kissing the top of her head. "A very sexy kind of show..." she said with a small smile, giving her signature Harley Quinn giggle. She stayed like that for a few minutes without speaking, just curled up against his chest. She missed when she would just lie in his arms and fall asleep with her head against his chest.
Bruce didn't want to ruin the moment, he loved her when she lay in his arms and leant against him...but he needed to ask her. "Harley, is Joker planning anything soon? If you tell me then I promise he won't know. I'll make sure you're safe, I promise". She looked up at him through her lashes and but her lip softly before slowly nodding her head. "Uh huh...he's going to rob Ace Chemicals, he's trying to make some more Joker toxin. He can't know that I told you, I don't know what he'd do...". He assured her that everything would be fine and she sighed again in contentment, laying her head back against his chest. After about ten minutes Harley told Bruce that she should be getting back, she didn't want anyone to get suspicious of her being here for so long with someone that she wasn't supposed to have any connections with. They stood up and left together, she caught hold of his hand as they entered the main room again, this did not go unnoticed. Sitting alone in a chair in his office and looking at them through the window in the door was The Joker. He glared at them and felt anger flooding through him, he couldn't risk his Harley running off with some rich guy.
A few days had passed before Bruce began to consider when Harley's warning would need to be heeded, The Joker hadn't been seen in days and seemed to be laying low. He was just about to go down to the cave and check his records on Harley and Joker when Alfred caught him. "Master Bruce, do you have a moment sir? There's something you should see. The board of directors at Wayne Enterprises have just called. They're questioning your future at the company due to possible ties to the criminal underworld." Bruce looked at him, shocked and said, "What? What ties?". In response, Alfred merely held up that mornings newspaper. On the front page was a picture of Bruce with Harley Quinn sat in his lap, kissing him deeply.
To be continued