As Batman entered the hallway he was immediately sweep into a tight hug. Harley was crying, whispering something about "Mistah J's angry with me". Arms at his side he froze, neither embracing her or pulling away. Almost suddenly she jerked back staring straight into Batman's eyes.
"How come ya don't show people how ya feel" she whispered, leaning closer as there noses touched. "Even your nose, covered by this mask"
It was as if she read his mind, but the time for revealing identities wasn't now. He did not trust Harley, he wouldn't let himself trust her.
"I am showing you how I feel" he stated. "Have you had air?"
"mmmhhmmm" she mumbled giggling and looking away.
"Harley. You need to clear your mind and focus"
He couldn't stand seeing her like this, gripping her shoulders tight he had got her attention again. "Focus".
"Don't hurt me Mistah J" she whimpered. "I love you"
Instantly he dropped his arms to his sides, the last thing he wanted was to scare her right now. Oxygen was the only thing that would help both of them figure out who they really were. "Inhale and exhale Quinn" Batman whispered,"It's okay". There she was, the familiar look of wonder flashed across her face.
"I guess you are showin me" she laughed...as Batman knelt to the floor "BATS!"
Kneeling to the ground she accessed The Dark Knight, the man she had tried to kill only hours before. She had been a doctor, she could handle this. It was a lot like riding a bike, you never really forgot how.
"I'm fine Quinn"
"Bats" she whispered "This isn't because of the oxygen is it"
Pulling his body forward she saw the wound, a knife to the shoulder, and she knew exactly who had caused it. This was a signature move of the Jokers, you could treat it but once the nerve was damaged it was hard to began to control again. This was linked to the leg.
"How have you even been walking" she sniffed. "I can't remember how to fix this, I don't know if I ever knew how"
"Don't cry." he snapped.
Reaching over to the tube lying on the floor she waited for Batman's chest to lower and slipped the tube into his mouth.
"I was wrong" she laughed.
Pulling the tube out of his mouth she looked her old enemy over once more. The same suit he had been wearing since the Joker died.
"Your nothin like him"
Glancing back up to meet Batman's gaze she knew she could be good again. Harley smiled to herself, she had tuned into her own thought's for two whole weeks now.
"Don't." he blurted looking down the darkened hallway.
Usually she would obey, crack a horrid joke maybe, and rise to her feet. Not this time, she had her own idea of how this would go. Turning back to face Harley, Batman's serious expression turned grave. It was to soon for this, something was seriously wrong with him. This was the kind of thing Bruce Wayne would do, in the midst of all chaos he'd choose carefree. All he needed was a beautiful woman and a drink, and Harley was beautiful in her own way. That was just what he needed, Bruce Wayne was part of Batman, Batman and part of him. Lunging forward he slipped his hands behind the small of her back and pressed his lips to hers. No man had EVER come on to her, sure they pursued but none had had the nerve to make this kind of move first. Relaxing into the kiss her mind raced a thousand miles a minute. What was she doing? Slipping her arms around his neck she kissed back. Instantly Batman took over again as he jerked away from her.
"Don't do this again Quinn"
Rising to his feet he took off down the hallway past room two as Harley jumped to her feet.
"Oh no way!" she yelled stomping her foot. "That was alllll you"
There was no time for this right now, he continued on to door thirteen as Harley ran after him.
"What about the other doors Bat-Brain!" she called.
"We won't find anything there, all it does is expose us to whatever this pathogen is."
