Harley's POV
I pulled myself out of my bed to find that Bruce was already gone. I sighed, he was always gone before I was awake. I hated that about him. He'd disappear but I wouldn't know until the morning came. On the kitchen counter was a pile of mail. On top of the pile was an invitation to Bruce's party. I didn't care to read what the party was for but I knew I was going. I turned on the news to find that another crime had happened, what a shocker. Then something about Harvey Dent... I only ever selectively listened to the news. Just my way of blocking out bullshit. It was Saturday and I didn't have to work today. The only 'work' I'd be doing today would be picking out an outfit for this evening. For the rest of the day, I just sat around my apartment. Eating and looking over a few new folders of my patients. The party would be starting soon now so I got dressed and ready. I wore a red dress that reached the floor, hugging tightly to all of my curves. I heard a car horn sound and I grabbed my purse before leaving. I climbed in and smiled at Alfred who smiled back at me.
"How are you this evening, ?"
He inquired.
"I'm good, thank you. How are you tonight?"
I returned the greeting.
"Very well, I assure you."
He responded. We continued to Bruce's home in silence. Alfred opened my door and helped me out. I nodded my thanks and walked inside. I scanned the sea of unfamiliar faces for at least one that I knew. I spotted Rachel and smiled to myself as I approached her. I gently placed my hand on her shoulder and she turned to me, questioningly. She smiled immediately once she turned fully around to me. She hugged me tight and examined my outfit.
"You look great tonight, Harley."
She told me.
"No way! You look beautiful."
I said, waving off her complement. I still didn't like it when people complemented me on my beauty. She sighed and shook her head.
"Oh Harley! I want you to meet my fiancé, Harvey Dent."
She said, guiding me over to a man. I smiled and shook his hand.
"It's so nice to meet you finally. I've heard so much about you."
I told him happily. He smiled back.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, ."
He replied. We spoke for a while about politics and the government and got to know each other a bit better. Then, a shotgun shot rang out, causing all of us to scream and duck in fear. A man with green hair and face paint walked in with his shotgun and some goons following behind. They kept the guests in line.
"Good evening ladies and gentleman. We are tonight's entertainment."
He said as he walked around. He took a bite of something and through it back on the plate.
"I've only got one question; where is Harvey Dent?"
He said, loud for all of us to hear. I looked behind me to find that Harvey had disappeared. I turned my eyes back to the man. He walked over to a group of women in the front, pointing the barrel of his gun at them. He stole one of the girl's champagne, taking a sip and the discarding the rest. He continued his interrogation.
"You know where Harvey is?"
He asked a woman, slapping her lightly and then grabbing another man's face.
"You know where he is? You know where I can find him? I need to talk to him about something. Just something little, hm?"
He inquired.
"No."
He answered for the man. He continued walking around. He came up to and older man.
"You know, I'll settle for his loved ones."
The green haired man said, putting more food in his mouth.
"We're not intimidated by thugs."
The older man said boldly. The other gave a questioning look.
"You know, you remind me of my father."
He said, nodding his head as he put down the shotgun. He grabbed the mans face roughly and held a knife to him.
"I hated my father!"
The clown hissed angrily. Rachel began to move forward and I desperately tried to stop her, grabbing her wrist tightly and pulling her away.
"Rachel, don't!"
I whispered. She pulled away and looked at me fiercely.
"I can't just let this happen. Someone has to intervene."
She told me, continuing to the clown.
"Okay, stop."
She said, crossing her arms. The man froze and turned to Rachel.
"Well, hello beautiful."
He said, fixing his hair as he walked over to Rachel.
"You must be Harvey's squeeze...hm?"
He continued, pointing the knife at her.
"And you are beautiful."
He said, walking around her. She tried her best to be brave but flinched in fear as he disappeared behind her then reappeared before her.
"You look nervous...is it the scars?"
He inquired.
"You wanna know how I got 'em? Com'mer!"
He grabbed her face and held the knife to her. She squirmed as best as she could but failed to escape.
'Don't touch her...don't touch...don't...'
I thought fearfully as he got closer to her. I reached my limit and marched over to them both.
"Don't touch her!"
I shouted as I hit the clown in his jaw. He fell to the ground and began to laugh. I stood in front of Rachel and started to back us away from the man. He stood up, still laughing.
"Whoo! That's quite a punch you've got there, blonde!"
He said, smiling. He looked at Rachel.
"How about you introduce me to your little friend, hm?"
The man suggested to Rachel. She didn't respond. He looked at me now.
"What's your name, doll face?"
He asked. I looked numbly at him, trying to mask all fear, all emotions.
"Harleen."
I told him dully.
"Well, if it isn't Harleen. Harleen Quinzel, as I live and breathe."
He said, as if he knew or was remembering who I was.
"My, you have grown so much. Though, so have I."
He said with a wink.
"And you are?"
I inquired.
"You can call me Joker. Just joker."
He said with a smile. I smiled half heartedly. He walked circles around me, nodding in approval.
"I really like what you've done with yourself. Very...sleek."
He breathed, trailing his fingers along my back and my hips and my waist. I shivered violently.
"I really don't know who you are."
I told him with a frown. He stepped closer to me and I could feel his body heat. He traced the chain to my locket, following it down to my breasts. He grabbed the locket and opened it. He looked at it and smiled. He closed it again and put it back into my dress.
"I'm guessing you interrupted my talk with Rachel there because you were curious, hm?"
He teased. I shook my head.
"Not at all, I don't want to know you or how you got your scars. Now get out of here before-"
He took a fist full of my hair into his hand and yanked me closer. He put the knife on my cheek and proceeded to look at me in the eyes.
"We all have scars, what makes yours so fucking special?"
I asked. He frowned.
"My father was...a drinker...and a fiend. And one night, he goes of crazier than usual. Mommy runs to get the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn't like that. Not. One. Bit. So, me watching, he takes the knife to her. Laughing as he does it. He turns to me and asks "Why so serious son?" He comes at me with the knife now, "Why so serious son?!""
Joker put the blade in between my lips.
"He sticks the blade into my mouth. "Lets put a smile on that face!" And..."
Joker tore into the side of my mouth with the blade. I screamed in pain and everyone gasped in shock and fear. He did the same to the other side. Blood oozed from the cuts and on to my tongue. I fell to the ground and cupped my hands over my mouth, trying to catch my falling blood. Joker forced my chin up so I was looking at him. He smiled down at me.
"Now you're even more beautiful."
He whispered. I spat at him and he began to laugh.
"You've got a little fight in you, I like that."
He giggled, wiggling the knife in my face.
"Then you're gonna love me."
A gruff voice spoke. I began to lose vision as the batman and joker fought. I fell to the ground limply, losing my senses.
