chapter 10

The Joker continued to appear and disappear over the next two days, stopping in at strange times, whether just before work, already there when she walked in the door or waking her up at three in the morning. She didn't know how he did it and didn't bother to ask, was just content to have him around. At that very moment, the Joker was lying on her couch, socked feet propped up on the armrest, humming to himself. She had the blinds pulled closed, both locks bolted on the door and the TV was playing the news loud enough so that she was certain no neighbors would have any suspicion. The coffeemaker was just beginning to brew and Harley set out two mugs, one that had 'WORLDS BEST DAUGHTER' written on it, and the other, 'TRUST ME. IM A DOCTOR.' Once she had everything prepared, she came back into the living room, wearing his hexagonal powder blue shirt along with a pair of black cotton panties. The Joker was in his purple slacks and a white wife-beater, his gloves, tie and shoes all discarded in the bedroom, though the suspenders hung around his thighs. He grinned at her and purred in his deliciously dark voice, "Never thought I'd say this, but, baby, I think you might look better in that shirt than I do."

She grinned at him, straddling his hips and he licked his lips as he watched her. The greasepaint was wearing thin and she could see the beginnings of a man beneath the makeup, a sight that filled her with both fear and thrill. She slid her hands up his shoulders and chest and said, "I doubt it. How could I ever pull something off better than the most beautiful man on earth?" He grinned savagely at her, grabbed her wrist and pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles. She couldn't help her thoughts from travelling to places she didn't want to go. Memories of their first night physically together haunted her, and while she now thought back on that night with pleasure, she couldn't fathom how their relationship had progressed from that to this. The Joker turned his attentions to the television, his thumb stroking her skin rhythmically and he pursed his lips as he watched one of the newest stories unfold.

"Criminals these days," He scoffed, pulling Harley down on top of him so that her head rested on his chest. She curled her arms around him and closed her eyes, listening to the thump of his heart as he criticized the scum of the city. "Copying off a fairy tale? At least I'm original… The Mad Hatter isn't even an evil character, if he called himself the King of Hearts… Heh. That's actually pretty good…" Harley had only been half listening but when she heard him say Mad Hatter, she stiffened and breathed in. She still wasn't sure how J would take her having a new patient. Would he care? She realized that right on time the coffee finished brewing.

"Want coffee, baby?" She asked, sitting up and avoiding his eyes. She could feel them following her as she walked into the kitchen and started to pour the boiling hot drink into the mugs.

Finally, he drawled out, "Sure… What's wrong, Harley?"

"Nothing," She breathed, her voice hoarse and she coughed. "Nothing. Just sleepy is all."

"Come snuggle with Daddy, sweetheart," He cooed and she smiled to herself. She dropped a few sugar cubes in her mug and a bit of creamer, stirring it around before turning around. Warm arms wrapped around her waist and his chin rested on her shoulder and she jumped slightly.

"I was about to turn around," She said with a giggle.

He chuckled. "Did I scare you?"

"A bit."

He grinned at that and hopped up onto the counter, straightening the salt shakers and papers that cluttered her island. She loved to watch his little ticks, the silly little things he did when he thought no one was noticing, sometimes almost childlike. As he stacked up folders and papers, she set his mug beside him and then turned to the refrigerator, intent on finding a snack to eat with her coffee but she froze when he said in a calm, cold voice… "Well. Jervis Tetch. Isn't that a coincidence?" She bit her lip and closed the refrigerator, trying to appear relaxed.

"He's my new patient, actually."

"Is that so?" The Joker dropped the file to the counter and it smacked down on the tile with a loud noise that made her jump. "So quickly after I left, sweetheart?"

"It wasn't my idea, J," She said, cocking her head to the side. "Besides… I have you here." She stood closer to him and slid her palms up his thighs, trying to soothe him.

"And you aren't even slightly concerned that he'll try something?" He asked, sliding off the counter. She backed up a step and he followed until she was pressed into the counter opposite of the island. He looked down at her, towering over her and she swallowed uncomfortably.

"I handled you, didn't I?" She breathed and then squeaked when he grabbed her hand in his tight grip.

"Handled me?" He asked quietly, looking at the way her fingers were turning white in his grip and then flitting back to her gaze. She licked her lips. That hadn't been the right thing to say… At all. "Well!" He said suddenly. "I'm sorry I'm such a hassle, Harl," He said through his teeth, and Harley immediately jumped to make it right. She put her hands on his shoulders and shook her head, eyes wide.

"Baby, that's not what I meant, you know that."

"You know, doll, I'm starting to think you're taking this whole thing for granted. Me… Being here with you… Don't you ever get afraid?"

Breathlessly, she said, "I'm not scared of you, J."

He bared his teeth in a feral grin. "Really, baby? You don't ever think that… I might use this situation to my advantage? No one knows that I'm here… No one can hear us… I could do anything I want…"

"But I know you won't," She said, though she could feel herself shaking like a brittle leaf. She had faith he wouldn't hurt her, but it was hard not to be terrified when he was looking down at her like this, eyes dark and threatening, slightly hungry in a malicious type of way. "You wouldn't hurt me…"

"Is that what you think?" He whispered.

"J…"

"Hmm? I've done it before, sweetheart, what makes you think I won't do it again?"

"Because I'm yours now. You don't have to—"

He chuckled then, releasing her hand from his iron grip and walking away as casually as if nothing had happened. "Remember that when you're in session with your new patient, baby!" And then he laughed again, plopping himself down on the couch. Harley shivered once more, a real, genuine fear flooding through her. She was practically vibrating with adrenaline and forced herself to pour two cups of coffee as slowly as she could so she wouldn't spill it. Maybe caffeine is the last thing I need… She thought to herself before taking over the mug to the Joker. He smiled lazily at her when she handed him the coffee cup and he took a long drink before pulling her down onto his lap and kissing her hard and firm on the lips. "Delicious, Harley." And he winked lecherously at her.

Quirking a smile, she said quietly, "I think I'm going to take a bath, Mistah J." And his eyelids drooped in pleasure at the sound of that nickname.

"Don't be too long," He purred to her as she stood. Before she went to the bathroom, she leaned down, pressing her lips against his once more, light and sweet and he sighed in contentment. Harley retreated into the bedroom, slipping the dress shirt from her shoulders and laying it gently on the bed before stepping in the bathroom and closing the door. Once it was locked, she leaned against the frame and shook in relief that she was finally alone. Tears overflowed from her eyes and she didn't know why. Because she was scared? She wasn't truly worried that she'd be hurt by him, but the fact that he threatened her like that… He was reminding her. He was making sure she didn't drop her guard. He was a violent criminal, a man who was diagnosed as insane by dozens of professional doctors, who had killed more people than she could count. And he didn't want her to forget.

She shivered once more and rubbed the goosebumps from her arms before cranking on the hot water. She sat on the edge of the tub as she waited for the tub to fill, her fingers sliding under the faucet to feel the temperature of the water. Once it was filled up, she slipped out of her underwear before stepping in and then lowering herself into the steamy water. Laying her head back on the towel, she tried desperately to relax, willing her muscles to soften, but still tense. She poured in some bath salts and the warm scent filled her nose. Eventually, she fell into a light sleep, dozing off, her head resting on the stack of towels, the water pruning her skin. It seemed only minutes later when she woke to a light scraping sound. She blinked and sat up, rubbing at her eyes. She felt lightheaded from the heat. When Harley turned around she saw that the doorknob was jiggling and only a moment later it snapped open and the Joker stood in front of her. "Hey there," He said quietly, a knife in his fist. She guessed he'd used it to get the door open. Maybe he'd been knocking and she just hadn't heard him. "I was getting a bit worried out there."

"Miss me?" Harley asked, her eyelids still drooped lazily.

He quirked his famous little grin, the one that made her heart melt and her loins clench. "You have no idea, baby." He knelt beside the tub and took her chin in his hand, pulling her around to look at him. "Now. Why don't you come out here and go to bed with Daddy."

"Okay," She whispered, smiling slightly. After drying herself off with close inspection from the Joker, the two retired together to the bedroom, Joker pulling her naked body against his and spooning her close. He pressed teasing little kisses across her neck, occasionally biting her when she least expected it. Soon, to his cruel nips and sweet caresses, Harley fell into a deep comatose.

Finally, chapter ten is here! Hopefully it was worth the wait. I happened to really like this chapter, despite the lack of smut. I thought it was a good look into the way the relationship is evolving. Harley knows he's dangerous, but she's been lolled into a false sense of security. Even when he was... Ahem... Forcing her into bed, he never actually HURT her. He doesn't want her to take that for granted, hence the mild threatening, reminding her who he is... Not to mention how possessive he already is. I hope you guys liked this chapter, and hopefully chapter eleven will be jam packed with tons of smut and violence and excitement!