Harley remained semi-conscious for three days. I had to spoon-feed her like a baby whenever I could get her to briefly awaken and I kept her on many drugs to fight the fever she had developed from being out in the rain nights ago.

She kept on whimpering in her sleep, crying out for her mother, sometimes for Joker, sometimes for me. The hyenas whined like dogs and lay under the bed that she rested on.

Finally, when the fever was vanquished at last, Harley was up and about, still looking gloomy, but slightly calmer than she had been before. I could tell that she wasn't going to talk about whatever had happened and probably wanted to forget all about it…that is if the drugs I had been keeping her under hadn't made her memory hazy.

"I'm okay, Red," she had told me with her familiar sunny smile on her face, "I'm ready ta do anythin' ya ask. Just name it."

The smile wasn't fooling me any more than she was fooling herself. Whether she remembered it or not, I was quite intrigued to learn what had happened…after all, I needed her to feel best as possible before I showed her the big surprise that was finally ready. I had debated my true feelings for Harley long enough. True, she was scatterbrained, annoying and as immature as a whiny youngster, but she was also the only friend I had. And through it all…I guess I sort of yearned for her in a strange, unhappy compulsion. Seeing her so morose was like a small wound to the heart…sort of.

Blinking up now, I watched her as she sat quietly in the armchair, reading a book for once. The perfect opportunity to approach her. She looked sickeningly fragile as her eyes met mine, like a puppy that has piddled on the floor and knows that her master is going to spank her with the newspaper.

"Harl, can you tell me what's wrong?"

"…t's really bad, Red."

"Come on, baby. You can trust me. Trust Ivy."

She began staring into space, as if she were one of those filthy fortune-tellers that pretend to see into the future or past. Finally, she spoke in a voice just barely above a whisper.

"The house was always empty."

"What? What do you mean, Harl?"

"When I was little…Papa died. I think I was eight then. And Mama…she would go out to work overtime and then she would hit the bar and sometimes she would be away for a long time. Whenever I got home from school, I had to try to cook for myself or go eat dinner at my friend's house 'cuz Mama was never home. She always said that I was a screw up and a moron and she never would even help me with my homework or take me to tha park or tha zoo! She was always a meanie towards me…always…"

I cocked my head. Harley rarely mentioned her childhood (Which probably made sense since she acted no different than a little kid anyway) but it seemed to make sense why she was always so clingy and needy for companionship. I really could care less about my family but Harley always had been so insistent and ready to start a family with the Joker, much to my distaste. Maybe even before the bastard twisted her mind, she always had been a little loony.

She was beginning to sniffle now, getting out her red/black hankie and blowing her nose on it in an over-the-top sort of way that would have been funny to watch if she didn't look so miserable. I put a hand gently on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. "Keep going," I said.

And then, she told me everything. I listened, she cried, and then I comforted her the best way I knew how: distracting her with something else.

"Look, Harley. The Darkonus is ready. We'll be finally pulling off our big crime against Gotham tomorrow. The Gotham museum where the legendary Gaia emerald is on display. We'll have one the most rarest jewels in the world and once the Batman is down, we'll rule Gotham with an iron fist and show them just how powerful two woman are!"

She smiled and I felt relieved. "Really, Red? Really, really, REALLY?"

"Yes. Now cheer up. In mere days, Gotham will be begging for mercy."

"Hoo-RAY!!!" She charged at me and crushed me with a hug, seeming to forget all sadness that plagued her. It was the happiest I saw her in days.

"Awesome-sauce, Red! I can't wait, glee hee!"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The bed was quite fruitful that night, especially with Harley. I was happy that she was happy again after many days of sickness and grief. Still, despite her dismissal of the pain she had gone through, I couldn't help but have one of my occasional ''Poor, pitiful Harley'' observations. She was so delusional hat I made me look like the sanest gal in Gotham. All her life, no one had ever really paid proper attention to her or given her the respect she deserved, me and that bastard Joker included. And yet, despite this, I was beginning to see that under her insane little mask, under that crumbling little weed, she was a beautiful flower that was ready to bloom, but too scared to. If only she could break free from the people like the Joker or her mother who misused her and stand on her own two feet at last, no longer a little girl, but a woman. If only I could keep her like this, snuggling contentedly at my side forever.

Harley rolled over and nuzzled me, making our cheeks brush. She wrapped her arms around me, trying to nestle herself into a more comfortable position so that she could feel more secure in the darkness.

"Hey, Red, can't wait 'till tomorrow. Its gonna be so much fun…"

"Yeah. You said it. You won't want to see scum like your mother or the Joker ever again once we're in power."

"…But Red, Puddin' isn't like Mama. He loves me…"

"Hush. Go to sleep, okay? Be ready to get that jewel tomorrow."

She was quiet for a while and at first I thought that she was asleep, only to prove myself wrong when she clung closer to me and said things I never would forget.

"Red? Don't ever go away, 'kay? I love ya too much ta loose someone else in my life. You, Mistah J and tha Babies are all I got left."

"…I…I won't Harl. I won't."

"Gee, thanks, Red. G'night."

"Good night, Harley…"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey, guys! Sorry for the delay!

Hope ya enjoy yer summer and such;)

-CATHaH