"Son of a-" The Joker released his grip on her and stumbled backwards. Harley had exploited his weakness for her and weakness is dangerous... It can get you and others killed. He'd have to learn to control that, especially around her.
Harley gasped as he pushed her backwards to shield the tender spot between his legs. She took this opportunity to turn and run, run back to the Asylum to get the Guards, Hell, anyone that could detain him. Running as fast as she could, Harley managed to get to the front door steps, she quickly turned around to give him a quick glance but when she did he was gone.
The Joker was nowhere to be seen, he wasn't crouched down on the cold floor where she'd left him. A gasp escaped her lips when she turned back and saw the green haired clown towering over her with a wide grin spread across his face. Within moments she felt her bike helmet rapidly connect with the back of her head.
Harley's hands shot out in front of her body, hoping to break the fall but when her skull connected with the harsh surface of the ground, she was consumed by darkness.
Joker crouched down over her body. He quickly picked her body up from the steps, blood trickling down her face. The impact of her head hitting the steps added to the already damaged area from earlier, meant that she was out cold. Leaning her body against his, he reached down and grabbed the keys from her waist band, pausing for a moment to decide what to do with her.
She's a good lil' fighter. She has potential, with the right mentor...
It was decided, she now belonged to him. His to teach, train and turn into the woman that she was born to be. His own little pet.
Harley's lip body was now laying on his lap, the helmet that had caused her unconsciousness now covered her head. J didn't want to add to the already battered area on the back of her skull and if she woke up, all she would see is darkness anyway.
Flicking her visor down, he started to engine and tore down the streets of Gotham, despite the situation, he still couldn't believe how easy it was to escape, literally strolling out the front door. "Ooohhhhh-haha!"
After riding for about half an hour, they arrived at his most recent hideout. It wasn't to shabby, the place he called home was an old hotel, disused with bricks crumbling on the outside.
He parked the bike beside the front door. Lifting Harley up carefully, he carried her towards the door. Once they were inside, the Joker moaned in delight, almost forgetting how beautiful it was. The hotel had been transformed into an old fashioned gentlemen's club. Leather chairs and sofas, dark burgundy walls, polished tables and a huge chandelier decorated the entire area. Rooms branched off from the main reception area, including a lounge, library, dining room and entertainment area.
Tossing her keys in the small bowl at the reception desk, he walked over to the grand staircase, graced with a deep red carpet. Gently walking up them, he reached the top and turned to his left towards the Master bedroom.
There were small Victorian oil lamps that lit the way to his room, the dim lighting adding the vintage atmosphere. Finally outside his room, he leant his back against it and pushed it open with his body as his hand grasped the door handle.
The Joker paused and sighed deeply. "Glad to be home."
Walking over to the bed in the centre of the room, he admired it. The four poster bed was a dark oak colour and absolutely massive, with silk purple curtains hanging from each post. The covers were a quilted emerald green with pillows to match; beside it were two large bedside tables, still keeping with the theme of dark oak.
Carefully placing a still comatose Harley in the centre of the bed, he leant over her body and switched the lamps on. He climbed onto the bed next to her to remove the helmet, trying to be as gentle as possible. But when he lifted it up, he saw the extent of the damage that he had inflicted on her, a huge gash on the right hand side of her forehead, another on the crown of her head with purple bruises engulfing her neck and her wrists. But despite all the damage, she was still as gorgeous as the first day he had laid eyes on her.
The Joker placed the helmet at the bottom of the bed, returning his eyes to her. Her hair was thick and matted with dried blood, some blood sat on her jawline were the helmet had kept it from flowing down her face naturally.
J bit his lip playfully, trying to stifle giggles that were beginning to erupt from his throat. Getting up from the bed in one fluid motion, he approached the en suite bathroom. Switching on the light, he caught his own reflection.
Giving himself a wide grin and a quick wink, he walked over to the vintage bathtub which was so deep, you could swim in it. He reached over turning both taps on and adding bubble. Letting steam rise from the water and watching the tub fill, he let out a satisfied growl and walked back over to Harley.
He started to undress her, wanting her to clean and comfortable to sleep off her unconsciousness. He was unbuttoning her blouse when noticed a small burn mark under her left collarbone. It was old but it hadn't seen medical attention, the scarring was so deep that the skin around it had puckered slightly.
Mmm, more secrets Doc?
After stripping her down to her underwear, J picked her up and walked over towards the tub and he placed her in. Supporting her back with his arm so that she didn't slip below the surface, he got a sponge filled with soap and started to clean her body. The Joker rubbed smooth movements over her face, scrubbing away the dried blood with his fingers.
Beautiful.
After her skin was clean he dipped her below the water, letting it cascade over her face and consume her hair. Unable to get a good position to wash her hair, J let her drop below the surface for a moment longer while he removed his shirt. Now dressed in only his Arkham sweatpants, he lowered himself into the tub, pulling her up onto his lap.
He inspected the cut on the crown of her head, trying to avoid it with the shampoo. Massaging the soap into the ends of her hair, he detangled it in the process. Rinsing and applying the conditioner, he sat there for a moment, wondering why he had gone to all this effort for some ignorant, workaholic, snobby Doctor. But the truth is, he liked her. In his own little way, not the flowers, chocolates and lovie-dovie way, but he felt kindness towards her and he had tinge of regret when he struck her unconscious. He'd never regretted violence before but with her he did.
She made him feel things that he'd never felt before, urges no other woman had brought out in him, impulses that would land him in trouble if he continued to be close to her. But at this moment, he just didn't care.
"That should do." Joker muttered rinsing her hair. Lifting her out he wrapped a towel around her small bruised body. J took her back to the bed and placed her back on the sheets. He quickly changed into some dry sweatpants and left the room, not wanting to be around her anymore.
Not worth the trouble I tell ya.
He needed space to collect his thoughts and regroup with his henchmen and business contacts. After all no rest for the wicked.
Hours had passed and it was now almost 7am. The Joker had been in his study since he left Harley, catching up with his businesses and his jobs on the side.
Because of his long vacation at Arkham, his income wasn't as regular as it has been. Sure he had his clubs, but he missed the thrill of ripping off mob bosses, or the odd bank robbery, but what he missed most was the cat and mouse chase between him at Batsy.
It was time to meet his old friend again and continue the game they've played for so long, but he'd have to train his little Harlequin up first. She would be his secret weapon.
J had organised a meeting with his Henchmen this morning, a little debrief and report on their activities since he'd been gone. Most of them lived in their own accommodation but this hotel was as much their homes as it was his.
"Gooood Morning Fellas." Joker chirped. All of his men had gathered in the dining room, taking their assigned seats like the knights of the round table.
"Morning boss." They all said, like pupils to their head teacher.
"Glad to see everyone's looking well. Now today's meeting is an opportunity for you to tell me about any changes that may have happened in my absence. You know how I hate to find out second hand."
The Joker was sitting at the head of the table, looking across at his Henchmen. Usually when he'd been away, they often went on their own little missions, just to keep up spirits and keep everyone in their proper place.
"Well Boss now you mention it.." His second in command, Hutch spoke up. He got his nickname after they were on a job, he was the getaway driver and as they fled the scene he drove into someone's back garden... Straight into a rabbit hutch. He'd come along way since then, being in service for the Joker for 5 years to date.
"Go on Hutch." J encouraged.
"Well, Penguin has renovated the Iceberg Lounge, it's been pulling in our regulars from the clubs. We've tried to compete with him but, without you boss, we haven't been able to come up with any good ideas to claw back the customers."
"Ah, it seem we'll have to show ol' Pengy how we deal with competitors in Gotham. I appreciate honesty boys. I suggest for now we do things by the book, since my escape we don't want to draw any attention to ourselves now, do we fellas?"
"No boss." The said all together.
"I'll come down to the King of Diamonds tonight and we can take it from there. On another note, anything from old Bat-brain?" Joker growled.
"No boss, though the word on the street is, he's just put Crane away again. He's formulated a new toxin which can cause fear to the extent that the victim tears their own flesh off their bones, until death."
"Sheesh and they say I'm nuts." The Joker let out a shriek of laughter, Crane had always been a nut bag, but this was intense, not even the Joker toxin could compete with that.
"Boys it seems we have some clearing up to do around here... Things have slipped since I've been away, time to restore order to Gotham."
All his men nodded. The Joker had this power over people, he was the Clown prince of crime in this city and it was evident that the other Rouges had forgotten who really was in charge.
Hutch shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. "Err boss, the boys and I have been wondering... Well, how did you escape Arkham? We thought we were breaking you out next month? You usually send word if plans change."
"Things took an unexpected turn..." He muttered. "Speaking of which... Nobody is to enter my room under any circumstances. If you do, I'll rip your balls off and feed them to you. Understood?"
"Yes Boss."
"Good. Hutch, contact Jerry and send him over here ASAP."
"Okay boss, on it." Hutch nodded.
"Meeting over Fellas." Joker left the room abruptly, remembering the little blonde in his room.
"I wonder what's up there then?" Spoke Will, the newest Henchmen.
"None of our business, don't make the mistake of being curious Will." Hutch was watching as Will's eyes grew in curiosity. He was only young, 20 ish and still new to the game, but he knew that tone of voice and what it meant.
