Chapter 11.
The Joker woke hours later with a million and one thoughts running through his mind on how he would break out of Arkham with Harley by his side. The last time he needed to escape the Asylum it was simple...a piece of cake compared to the situation that he was in now.
This time was different, the Doctor that he had ultimately used to escape the last time he was here, was still clinging onto him with all her strength…her hair was cascaded down over her face as her swollen lip pouted in sleep. Harley's fingers twitched against his bare chest as she lay on top of him, completely exhausted from the night of reunited passion that they had just shared.
Harley hadn't slept this good since they both got captured. Being wrapped around the Joker's body as he traced her skin unconsciously with his thumb would be enough to send anyone into a deep abyss of slumber.
J's mind drifted again whilst he felt her hot breath dance across his neck. Bolton was the problem, his dedication to the job was beyond anything J had ever seen before. Most of the staff that worked there were either naïve, or run down by the daily grind of trying to keep the resident crazies in line. Joker growled at the thought, things would be much simpler if it was just his back that he had to look out for...but now he had someone else to smuggle out as well.
He wondered then how all of this had happened...the thought of getting himself entwined with a woman had never even crossed his mind before… he'd just never felt that kind of attraction to anyone...the magnetic pull of another human being was alien to him… that was until he met her.
In that moment the Joker had the dark desire to leave her here, caged up behind glass while he slipped away down the halls and out of the front door. His life would be easier that way...no dizzy dame to tie him down to things like obligations. But maybe he'd miss her if he left, the sight of her dancing around the house in nothing but one of his shirts while he tried to organize another heist...or maybe he'd miss the deadly but lustful look in her eye when she took another human beings life…
Joker grinned, allowing a small chuckle to bubble up from the pit of his stomach. That's why he kept her around, that's why he let her into his life and home. Harley wasn't just a curvy piece that kept his bed warm, she could be absolutely deadly if you crossed her. People thought she was a stupid, ditzy little thing that the Joker strung along just for fun...just to parade around while he conducted business with other Gotham criminals.
But little did they know that Harley's acts of innocence were just a ruse to lure unsuspecting people into a false sense of security. She would wait until they were comfortable, until she had them eating out of the palm of her hand and then...then, that's when she'd bite them.
But why wasn't she doing that now? Harley was cowering in the shadows of her cell while she let scum like Lyle Bolton push her around. Why was she letting him get away with treating her like this? Where had his girl gone? Who was sitting in that dangerous little mind of hers? Joker hoped that last night would've given her the inspiration she needed to get back on her feet and fight her own against the guards. He hoped that she would be able to hold herself while he thought of a way out of here. In reality, the situation of being put back on full privileges was going to work in his favour. He'd be exposed to resources that he otherwise wouldn't be if he was banged up behind glass 24/7.
J twisted his back against the oil cloth cot, cracking his neck in the process. Harley groaned feeling his body move underneath her weight. "Puddin'?" She muttered, smacking her lips together.
"We need to get up Harls, Jerry will be coming to collect me soon." He explained, running his right hand up and down her arm.
"No." Harley protested. "I'm going to keep you here forever… you're the best mattress I've ever had."
J smirked. "I wish I could say the same for you but you smacked me in the face earlier." He looked down at his chest briefly, seeing little bruised bites on his skin. Joker rolled his eyes. "You know, they're all gonna think I'm your prison bitch by the way you've marked me."
Harley laughed. "Oh well… it's about time the truth came out anyways." She teased.
Joker grinned, this was a good start. Harley seemed refreshed and ready to take whatever came her way. "Don't say that so loud Doll, I have a reputation."
She giggled again, curling her full lips into a smile. Harley looked up at him through her eyelashes. "I wish that we were together sticking it to the nosy Doctors and Bolton." She sighed.
"Harley…" J groaned. "Don't ruin the morning with this silliness. We've discussed this a million times."
"I know, I know!" Harley repeated. "I'm just sayin', things are better when you're behind me."
"That can be arranged…" Joker chuckled, lowering his hand to squeeze her ass gently. Harley gasped and smacked his chest in protest. "Harls, baby… you've got to learn to have fun without me when I'm not around."
Harley stuck her tongue out a him, like an impatient toddler. Suddenly some heavy footsteps were heard. Joker's eyes went wide as he looked down at Harley. "Get off!" He whispered loudly. Harley didn't need to be told twice, she scrambled to her feet and slipped on her Arkham jumpsuit. Joker did the same, not bothering with the white vest underneath.
"Wait, wait." Joker said, grabbing onto Harley's shoulder as she tried to comb back her hair. "Listen.."
"Listen to what?" Harley replied, her heart pounding against her chest. "We can't get caught Pud', they'll take you away from me."
"Shut your trap and listen." J gritted, increasing the tension on her shoulder. "The footsteps are all wrong."
"What do you mean all wrong? They're footsteps!" She said frantically, trying to search her tiny cell for a place to stash her Puddin'.
Joker rolled his eyes at her continued chattering, he rushed over to her and threw her against the wall, covering her mouth with his tattooed hand and pinning her body against it with his own. J leant down and dusted his lips over her ear, feeling her blue orbs stare deeply at the side of his face exposed to her. "Shh... just listen...the cadence… it's not natural. This person, whoever they are can't walk in rhythm…" He explained, feeling her hair tickle his chin.
"You think it's...maybe Jerry?" Harley asked, clutching tightly onto his uniform. J smiled, letting his cheekbones rise against her own. He inhaled her skin deeply before answering.
"The man can't even think straight, let alone walk straight…" He chuckled, swiping his tongue over the shell of her ear. Harley groaned and rolled her head back gently, exposing more flesh to him.
Noticing her silent demand, the Joker pulled away abruptly. "No."
Harley furrowed her brow and pouted. "You said that last night… and then we made lo-"
"Not the time Harley!." He argued. "Now shut up and let me listen to the waddler."
"Boss?" A voice called from the distance.
J smiled, exposing his metallic grill, he looked over at Harley and pointed his index finger in her direction. "Told you so." The footsteps grew louder and not before long, Jerry's face appeared in front of the glass cage. His fingers were twitching against his uniform, agitated in the fact that he had snuck the Joker out of his cell and the shift change was about to happen any minute now.
"Boss, sorry but it's time to go." He said. His eyes suddenly caught Harley's dangerously low zip on her jumpsuit, exposing the tiniest bit flesh which he'd never seen before. His jaw slacked slightly at the sight.
Joker growled and rolled his shoulders back, noticing his gaze drift to Harley's chest. J turned on his heel and pulled her close to his body. He grabbed the metal zipper and pulled it right to the top. "We're not at home anymore Harley… dress yourself properly." He muttered furiously into her ear. Joker knew Jerry wouldn't try anything on his girl, he didn't have the balls…literally. But that didn't mean that the Joker liked him staring at his property.
"Sorry Puddin'." Harley said, giving a harsh glare at Jerry through the glass. She then turned her attention back to the Joker. "I will see you again tonight, right Pud?"
"Yes." He replied shortly. "And I want you…I want you to be wearing nothing but a smile." J sighed. Catching an envious look from Jerry, he's smile stretched out further. "But maybe Jerry could find something for you… you'd do that for your old Boss wouldn't you Jerry? Slip into the shop on 5th and pick out something for Harley to wear for me?…" He asked, watching jealousy bubble up like an over boiled kettle.
"Err…" Jerry stuttered awkwardly.
Joker grinned and slowly made his way up towards the glass. "Something red… red looks gooood on her. Something red and tight Jerry. You got that pal?" He mocked, hearing Harley's giggles in the background.
"Err… yes Boss… uh...tight and...err red." He slurred catching Harley's eye as she winked at him, biting her finger.
Joker twirled round and gave Harley a beaming smile. "Now I've got to toddle off Pumpkin', but remember what I want you to do with Leland…and most importantly, remember to tell Daddy everything that happens today when he sees you later on, okay?"
"I promise." She smiled, placing her hands on his shoulders to reach up and kiss him.
"Good girl." He replied, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. He turned back round to leave, feeling Harley's hand trace his shoulder blades as he walked away. Joker produced the borrow keycard and slid it through the slot. Narrowing his eyes at Jerry as he did so. Shutting the door behind him, he shoved the key back into Jerry's chest and stalked off down the corridor.
Harley stood there in the hope that he would turn back and give her one last smile to keep her going until she saw him again, but her heart dropped slightly at the sight of him casually strolling off down the corridor. Jerry ignored her pout and quickly locked the door. He then shuffled off towards the Joker, who was just about to swing open the double doors.
J stopped suddenly hearing the limp of Jerry's feet catch up with him. He turned around and gave him a dark, menacing grin. "I think we need to have a little chat Jerry… nothing to worry about mind… just a word between employer and employee."
"Sure thing Boss." Jerry agreed.
"Good, now first things first. I'm going to need your assistance again tonight… same time, same place, same doll kay? Also…" He chuckled, rounding dangerously on Jerry. "I know that seeing a woman like that can catch your attention… boy, do I know. So I sympathise Jezzer, I really do. But if I ever and I mean ever catch you rolling your lecherous little eyes over my Harley's body again...I'll personally make sure yours ends up in a black body bag. Capiche?"
Jerry nodded profusely. "Yes Boss. Sorry Boss, it's just…well…sorry."
Just as the Joker was about to add a few more threats in the mix, to increase the sweat gathering and rolling down Jerry's forehead, a voice was heard coming from the top of the stairs.
"Hello!? Who's there!?"
Sorry for the wait everyone! Hope it was worth it!
Thank you all again for the amazing support throughout my fics, without which I would never have the confidence to write! You guys are truly incredible!
- M