Bruce didn't hear Alfred entering the Batcave and jumped slightly when he placed the breakfast tray down next to him. He had been too lost in thought to notice. "I suppose I should let you know that Ms. Quinn is currently having her breakfast in the kitchen upstairs," Alfred said and watched Bruce help himself to a cup of coffee. There was not a word from him. "Are you getting anywhere with the test results?" Finally, Bruce looked up and fixed his eyes on the screen again.

"I think so, but it's taking some time." He took a sip. "I'm trying to identify all of the substances used in the drug. I might have to take another blood sample."

"Forgive me for saying so," Alfred started carefully. "But are you sure you want to help her remember? I, for one, quite prefer her this way." Bruce sighed and wished that he could say the same.

"I would agree with you Alfred if it wasn't for the fact that the Joker doesn't." He paused and thought back on the previous night. "You didn't see the look on his face. Like it or not, but Harley is the only thing in this world that actually brings out what little bit of humanity there is left in him. If she doesn't remember, then… there's no telling what he will do." Alfred gave a simple nod and joined Bruce in looking at the screen.

"So, what does this drug actually do?" he asked. "How is it affecting her?"

"The drug is clouding her memories of who she is," Bruce explained. "But her knowledge base is still intact, meaning that she doesn't have to relearn anything that she already knows. That's why she knows how to talk etcetera."

"So you mean that if we were to give her a gun… She would know how to use it?" Bruce noticed the look of concern in Alfred's eyes. He hadn't thought about that until now. He shrugged.

"Well, she would need reminding I'd wager, but yes, she'd be a natural at it." Alfred didn't want to think about it and decided to change the subject.

"Do you have anything to wear this evening?" Shit. That's tonight. There would be a charity event at City Hall and Bruce was one of the benefactors. If he could call the whole thing off, he would, but this was one of the most important events of the year and it had taken months of planning. He groaned in response and that was all Alfred needed. "Then may I suggest you take Ms. Quinn out shopping today? She will inevitably be in need of some other garments since she' going to stay with us for some time." The look he received from Bruce was not unexpected.

"Yeah, sure Alfred, I'll go out shopping with one of the most wanted women in the country. What could possibly go wrong?" Alfred merely smiled and walked over to where Batgirl's equipment was kept. As a matter of fact, she had a couple of wigs lying around to use on occasions such as this. He picked up a bobbed brown wig and showed it to Bruce.

"Perhaps a makeover will do the trick?"

Wigs weren't the only things Barbara kept in the Batcave. There was makeup too and they brought it with them upstairs to ask Harley what she thought. At first, she was hesitant, but then agreed that some fresh air might do her good. Once the wig was on and her tattoos were covered up, she looked like a whole new person. Looking in the mirror, she smiled. The tattoos were actually gone. Well, the ones on her face anyway. "Here," Bruce said and handed her a pair of sunglasses. "Just in case."


While they were out and about, Bruce couldn't keep himself from making sure that nobody recognized her, although maybe he should have worried more about people recognizing him. He was sure that there were paparazzi lurking behind every corner. Suddenly, every possible headline popped into his head and that only made him even more anxious to get into a store as quickly as possible. Without asking her permission, he pushed Harley inside the nearest shop and, in an instant, regretted his hasty action. He was looking at none other than Veronica Vreeland: a pretty redhead who took quite a liking to him and who also happened to have been one of Harley's many victims, but that was another story. He knew that Harley wouldn't recognize Veronica. The question was if Veronica would recognize Harley. Veronica beamed at Bruce and didn't waste one second to throw herself at him. "Brucie!" She gave him a light peck on the cheek. "What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here?"

"Well, truth be told, I needed something extra smart to wear for tonight."

"Really? What a coincidence, so did I!" She held up two dresses she was carrying in her hands. "What do you think? Will one of these do?" Bruce smiled.

"I'm sure they will." Harley was awkwardly standing by and she started panicking when Veronica turned to her.

"And who is this?" she asked, genuinely wanting to know, even if there was a hint of jealousy in her voice. Luckily, Harley didn't have to say anything.

"This is Melanie," Bruce said and put his arm around her. It felt strange. "A friend of the family." Veronica extended her hand.

"Nice to meet you Melanie, I'm Veronica. Bruce and I are very good friends."

"Nice to meet you too," Harley replied politely and adjusted her sunglasses, which Veronica took notice of.

"Dear, why are you still wearing your sunglasses? I think it's safe to take them off now." Harley was about to, but Bruce stopped her.

"No, she's very sensitive to light," he lied and Harley played along.

"Yeah," she said. "Very sensitive." Veronica nodded.

"I understand." Bruce relaxed upon hearing her words. He simply couldn't risk Veronica recognizing Harley. "Well, what do you say Bruce? Would you like some expert help in finding the right outfit?" How could he say no? Not that he ever really had a choice as he was literally dragged away to the men's department. Harley chuckled to herself and started looking for clothes of her own. There was a wide range to choose from and Harley couldn't stop comparing every single item with the ones she had found in her supposed wardrobe back at the Joker's place. These clothes were far more appealing to her and she went to try them on in the fitting room.

Satisfied with her selection, she went to find Bruce which proved to be an easy task. Veronica was standing right outside the door to one of the fitting rooms, talking to Bruce. "And when you're done, I have some more ties here for you to try on." In the same moment, Harley realized she wasn't wearing her sunglasses and hurried to fish them up from her pocket before Veronica could see her. "Oh, there you are!" Veronica said as Harley walked up to her. "Did you find anything?"

"Oh yeah," Harley said and showed Veronica her findings. Veronica tilted her head to the side and Harley thought she was looking at the clothes, but she was looking at her face.

"This probably sounds crazy, but you seem so familiar to me." Harley tensed up and started panicking. If she recognized her, she would call the cops. "There's just something about your voice." Bruce heard their conversation and decided to interrupt before things escalated. He opened the door and let the women have a look at him. He wore a grey suit with silver buttons on the jacket. "Brucie, that's perfect!" Veronica exclaimed, her attention now diverted and Harley could breathe out. "Here, I have just the right tie for you." And she offered to tie it for him, oblivious to the look he was exchanging with Harley. It's okay.

When they finally got out of the shop and headed back to where Alfred was waiting in the car, Bruce noticed that Harley was shaking. "You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," she reassured. "I just wasn't prepared for that. I-I didn't know what to say. What if she had recognized me?"

"Well, thankfully she didn't. But when I heard her talking to you, I was afraid she would. You see, Veronica… Well, you…" Somehow it was so hard for him to say it. Did she really need to know?

"What?" Looking at her, he saw a woman who could never hurt anyone and at the same time… he did. Letting go of the past was not easy. Harley Quinn was a murderer. A psychotic, maniacal freak who took pleasure in other's misfortune. Now, Harley Quinn had become a victim of misfortune and that changed a lot of things. She didn't deserve to hear the horrid truth. But he knew she wanted to. He took a deep breath, bracing himself.

"Some time ago, when you could still remember who you were, you kidnapped Veronica." Bruce was surprised when he didn't receive a reaction from her. She just stared ahead as they walked down the street. "Harley?" he said tentatively.

"Why am I such a horrible person?" He barely heard her question, but he recognized it all too well. He had asked himself the same thing for a long time now. How did it happen? A beautiful young woman like her throwing her life away for someone so cruel and dangerous. It was an obsession. An addiction.

"I can't say I know that much about it, but… love tends to make people do crazy things." Harley stopped in her tracks and Bruce knew he had said something wrong. She looked up at him and even though he couldn't see her eyes, he could swear they were glaring at him.

"That's what everyone's been telling me," she said, her voice now filled with anger. "That I'm in love with him. How is that even possible?!" Bruce tried to calm her down, because now people were staring as they walked by.

"I can't tell you that," he said. "I don't have the answer. The only person who does is you." Tears rolled down her face and without warning, she threw her arms around him and started sobbing. Unprepared for it, Bruce was unsure of what to do. There was only one thing he could think of. Placing his arms around her, he whispered that it would all be okay. They would fix this. Somehow.


A/N: I'm not going to lie, this is probably the worst chapter yet. I hate it so much. Don't ask me why, there's just nothing I like about it. I'm low on inspiration right now, but still I forced myself to sit down and write this chapter for you guys. I hope the next one will be much better.