Batman: Armistice

Chapter Eleven

February 19th

Ivy was at an impasse. On the one hand, she could attempt to convince Harley to flee with her into the woods right after the visit. This would appeal to her more selfish desires; but she'd be lying if she said Harley didn't need a shrink. And even beyond that, Harley was still a bit of a mess on the physical side of things and she wasn't sure that she would be able to provide the necessary care for her to fully recover. The perfection of plants was all that she really knew, human anatomy had always been beneath her interest; and medical care doubly so. Normally this fact wouldn't bother her, but it was rather inconvenient at the moment. Harley was the one person on earth she could honestly say that she loved, and in all likelihood she couldn't help her. The very thought was enough to make a girl wilt.

She frowned, then shook herself. Unpleasant, but there also wasn't anything she could do about it at the present moment... Beyond her current mission that was. She checked her reflection in the car's mirror, carefully inspecting her face to ensure that the makeup had a nice, even tone that concealed her natural complexion. Even if the rest of her disguise went off without a hitch, her distinctive greenish hue would be a dead-giveaway if noticed. With a smile, she concluded that she looked perfectly 'normal', if a little darker than her naturally pale skin would ever allow. Adding a long coat, attractive wide-brimmed hat and a pair of fashionable sunglasses and she would be fine. Concealing herself had never been her style, but all she needed to do was instill enough doubt in the receptionist for them not to immediately call the cops; and that should be a cakewalk.

A few moments later, and she was standing before the doors of the hospital itself. People came and went, the door seemingly frantic to keep pace with the whims of the masses. Disgusting. Most trees could easily live for centuries, and even the shorter-lived species could endure storms that would obliterate even the toughest unsheltered human. And yet it was the beautiful trees that wound up dead and nailed together into garish monuments to the frailty of the human condition. Homo-sapiens were an embarrassment; cruel and fickle beings unworthy of consideration or affection... With one or two notable exceptions. And that precious, angelic spark of beauty was the soul reason that Ivy found herself in the heart of a city she had sworn to avoid like the plague.

Ivy took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and marched in with an air of confidence she was sure no one could question. It was obvious that the note she had received as well as the change in escorts was the brainchild of Batman... Or Bruce Wayne, as it were. But that didn't mean that the staff were in the know, so exuding an aura of normalcy and charm was key. Though on further reflection, it had been over four years since the incident where she had earned Gotham's enmity; and over two years since she had done anything overtly criminal at all. Perhaps they had forgotten her.

"Good-morning!" She told the pretty though somewhat vacuous-looking, middle-aged woman at the reception desk with a disarming smile. "I'm here to to pick up a patient by the name of Ms. Harleen Quinzel. I believe I have an appointment?"

"Yes, Ms... Alder?"

"Please, just call me Lilly." She said with another smile. The woman nodded cheerfully; only to have her expression alter ever so slightly after gazing at Ivy for a moment. The receptionist (her tag read "Jessica") glanced with what almost appeared to be casual interest at the board next to her. Ivy carefully followed her eyes from beneath her sunglasses, making sure as she did so not to tilt her head. And on the board was...

'Aw shit!' She thought in dismay. There were a number of wanted posters tacked to the board, and one of them was for her. And it wasn't even a recent one, it was dated for over four years ago! Didn't they ever take shit down in this city?! The expression Jessica wore when she looked back at Ivy clearly said that she had not been informed as to who would be picking up Harls, and that she had just discovered for herself. Ivy prepared to use her pheromones to charm the woman whilst cursing this twist of happenstance in her mind. This broad was clearly several magnitudes sharper than she appeared.

A split second before Ivy exhaled the pheromones the receptionist's phone rang, halting the scene and stopping Ivy. The woman didn't take her eyes off the wanted eco-terrorist for even a second as she answered.

"Hello? Yes, this is she. Yes, she just arrived." She said slowly, beginning to look a little confused. 'What was this?' Ivy wondered. Had someone called specifically about her? It certainly sounded like that was the case.

"I'm sorry sir, but there's been a mistake. This is... What?!" She exclaimed, completely losing her cool. Well this was interesting. "You-you already know?! And you still... Yes. Yes, I understand. Yes sir." She hung up and and returned her gaze to Ivy, an almost maniacal grin plastered unnaturally on her face. "Her room number is seven-forty-eight, last room on the left. Have a pleasant day, Ms. Alder!" Jessica said through gritted teeth. Ivy nodded uneasily before stepping away from the desk. It couldn't be more obvious that she'd been found out, and that the receptionist would have liked nothing more than to turn her in... Yet, for whatever reason, she hadn't done so. By all appearances, her boss had instructed her not to. But why? Wayne. It had to have been him. He must have ordered the manager to make sure that she got through.

She cast her eyes suspiciously about the room as she slowly made her way through the waiting area, suddenly sure that she was being watched. The room was full of people: An old lady in a floral dress and a bored looking couple in motorcycle leathers, a young lady nursing a baby beneath a blanket, a drab looking man idling away on his phone and a mousy young woman with a young boy sitting beside her. It could be any of them watching her, reporting back to their billionaire master. Ivy shivered. This was exactly she hated human society. No matter where you went, you were being watched, judged and sized up like livestock for slaughter.

As she neared the elevator, she happened to look upwards at a small black orb that sat on the ceiling above her and nearly laughed at her own paranoia. There were no spies, none were needed! This entire place was under video surveillance! He could simply hack the cameras; no need for a personal touch. Although...

"I see. You need a gesture... An olive branch."

That's what he had said to her moments before revealing himself, and that was about as personally involved as he could have possibly become. As to why he was, she still wasn't sure; but she knew she didn't buy his line about "protecting Harleen". Normally she would have chalked it up to infatuation, but someone like Batman was below even such base human impulses. In all likelihood, he was merely using her as bait, despite his protests to the contrary. And it wouldn't do for such a prime "lure" to come to harm.

A few minuets later she was standing before Harley's door. She raised her hand to knock, but hesitated. It had been a long time since she had seen Harley, and a few texts they had shared had spoken of extensive scaring... How badly had she been disfigured? Would she even be recognizable? She closed her eyes and steadied herself. No matter what she looked like, she would still be Harls, still be the woman she cared for so deeply. Nothing could ever change that.

Ivy rapped sharply on the door and waited. After a brief pause, it opened up and washed all her worries away.

Besides missing her hair, Harley Quinn was every inch the beauty that she remembered. The pretty blonde stood stock still for several long seconds, stunned at the sight before her. Then with a joyous cry, she fell forward and wrapped her arms around her visitor.

"Red!" She positively squealed as she nearly squeezed the life out of Ivy. "Ohmygodohmygodohmygod! What are ya doin' heah?! How did ya wind up my ride for the day?!"

"A little bird told me you needed a ride, and that the doctor couldn't make it." She replied. Then she hugged Harls again, reveling in the warmth of their joined bodies. God, she'd forgotten how wonderful that felt. "So, you about ready to go?"

Harley nodded. "Sure am! Just hang on a moment." She turned and slowly hobbled her way over to her bed, donning her jacket and then sitting down in a wheelchair. It broke Ivy's heart to see Harls in such condition, but at least she was walking. It could have been much worse. In point of fact, it had been worse for several days...

Resolving herself to be helpful, Ivy walked behind the chair and reached for the handles; only to leap back as Harley snapped at her hand, almost taking her fingers off before grinning up at her friend.

"I got it Red!" She said cheerfully. Ivy nodded happily before starting down the hall. "Hey Harls, let's see if we can sneak out without the broad at the front desk seeing us. I'm pretty sure that she recognized me." Harley laughed out loud at this, which stung a little. Sure she wasn't the best at disguises, but come on. She had made some effort!

"'Course she did, yah disguise sucks!"

Ivy winced. "Alright, I know it's not my strong suit, but I didn't do that bad! I got these glasses, a nice hat, and I covered every inch of my visible skin with foundation!"

"Ya missed the inside of yah eahs." Harley said smugly, pointing to her friend in emphasis. Ivy was aghast. Had she really made such a retarded mistake? Sure enough, one look in her makeup mirror showed her flawless tanned complexion ended inside her pale, greenish ear.

"Shit!" She cursed as Harley cackled from her wheeled throne.

"It's ok Red, I still love ya! Now let's get down ta the lobby, I got an idea!"

Down in the lobby, Harley looked around until she until she found the perfect candidate for her scheme: A young and very bored looking boy who was idly flipping through an outdated issue of National Geographic. Content in the assumption that he would likely be perfect for the job, she turned to Ivy. "Hey Red, ya happen to get the name of the receptionist?" Ivy nodded.

"Yeah, her name's 'Jessica'." Harley nodded. Yeah, she knew the woman. On two of the very few occasions that she had left the hospital the past few months, Jessica had questioned her incessantly before finally allowing her to leave. She was both smart and extremely annoying. With this in mind, she wheeled herself up to the young boy.

"Hey, ya look a little bored. Wanna do somethn' fun?" He looked up at her with guarded interest.

"I'm not supposed to talk to strangers." He murmured cautiously.

"Relax kid, I ain't gonna rape ya or nothin'." Harley retorted flatly. Ivy covered her mouth in a vain attempt to muffle her snorts of laughter. "Look, ya can have a few pieces of candy here if ya do somethin' for me." she told him as she reached into her pocket and pulled out several pieces of taffy.

"What?" He asked, dropping his guard a bit more.

"Alright, listen up." She leaned up to him and whispered in his ear, a sly smile creeping across his face as he learned of her plan.

"Alright, I'll do it. Now cough up." The boy demanded as he held out his hand.

"Yah my kind of kid." She beamed, depositing the sweets in his hand. With that, he turned away and headed for the opposite side of the lobby. "Get ready to move." Harley said smugly. They inched to the edge of the center isle, staying just out of view of the desk as her child mercenary raised his voice.

"Jessica's a hairy gonad!" He bellowed at the top of his lungs. A woman who Harley assumed was his mother dashed frantically past them with murder in her eyes; and the two devious women rushed out the moment she had crossed the room's center. Harley glanced back at the receptionist as they exited the doors, and was gratified to see her eyes bulging in their sockets. It was a petty trick to play on a legitimately concerned woman, but it was still funny as hell.

They ran (or wheeled respectively) around the corner of the doorway, then laughed themselves silly. In all her time as the Joker's sycophant, Harley had forgotten the simple pleasures of friendship, and being reunited with Red was like a breath of fresh air.

"Y-you actually told him to call her that?!" Ivy eventually gasped. Harley shook her head.

"Naw, I just told him ta call her a mean name. That was all him!"

"A hairy gonad..." Ivy muttered. "That kid's going places!"

"Yeah, right ovah his mom's knee is my guess. His sacrifice will honored." Harley glibly declared, wiping away tears of mirth. "'Course, ya can't really blame the woman for freakin' out a bit. I mean, ya are still a wanted criminal and ya did kill several people."

"Not on purpose." Harley's companion protested. "Besides, I was trying make them better than human; to give them the marvelous gift of existence on a higher plane, to live as one with Gaia! They should have thanked me!" And as Harley recalled, that really had been how Ivy had intended it. During the "terrorist attack" that had cemented her reputation as a villain, Ivy had planted a number of fast growing plants of her own creation in the water-mains of the city which, once matured, had released their spores into the water supply. The hope was that the spores would manipulate the DNA of whoever drank it, causing them to mutate into a quasi-plant being much like Ivy herself. However, that wasn't how things had turned out. Over two thousand people had become seriously ill as a result, and over a dozen people had died. A horrific attack when looked on from outside, but Harley understood that it was an accident; and that Ivy had been trying to serve the people of Gotham in the best way she knew how. In some ways, that made the situation all the more tragic.

"Yeah, folks nevah get it when yah tryin' to do 'em a solid." she agreed with a wave. "Though, I heard that a few of 'em sprouted spores or some shit so... I guess it was kinda a success, a little bit?"

"I told you about that, and it was an unmitigated disaster." Ivy grumbled. "Not one of those worthless homo-sapiens came even close to metamorphosing. Anyway, enough of that. We're getting this errand of yours taken care of and hitting a diner on the way back. I don't care if you're late getting back, you're getting a milkshake!"

"Ah yeah!" Harley crowed, waving her arms and doing a bizarre sort of sitting butt-shake. Bless her green little ass, Red always knew how to put a smile on her face. Besides loving old-fashioned diners, she'd had enough of hospital food to make dumpster diving sound appealing. As they neared the end of the sidewalk, a flash of blue caught Harley's eye. "Red, wait." She suddenly commanded, eyeing the mailbox that they had almost passed. As she drew the envelope from her jacket, the small blue container loomed like a bloodthirsty giant in her view. It had been weeks since she had written the letter, yet she had failed to mail it off in that time. Her excuses to herself had been legion; but the truth was that she was afraid. She was terrified that her father wouldn't respond, and even more so that he might respond in the way her darkest fears told her he might. Disowned, cut-off, unwanted, unloved. These were the words that howled in her ears and whispered to her in her sleep...

"Hey, are you ok?" Ivy asked her. Harley nodded and swallowed what felt like a golf ball.

"Yeah, I... I just need to mail this letter."

"Ooohhh! Is it to a new boyfriend?" Ivy teased her friend.

"No, it's... To my father."

"Oh..." Harley gathered her courage as Ivy's voice trailed off into space. She could do this, she had to do this! Before her resolve faded, she squeezed her eyes tightly shut and blindly groped for the handle, yanking the chute open and releasing the letter. The instant it fluttered from her hand, she felt about a hundred pounds lighter. For better or worse it was done, and she could breath again.

Ivy reached around and embraced the tiny, pale young woman before her. "You did the right thing Harls."

"I know." Harley replied as she reached up and gently squeezed her friend's arm. Then her hand drifted to the tiny golden band that rested beneath her shirt and warm against her heart. "I know." She repeated. And for one of the first times in years, she knew it was true.

"Now come on!" Ivy quipped gaily as she released her charge. "Let's get this shit over with and grab some grub!"

"Alright!" Harley cheered as they finished their walk to the car. "Though," she continued, her face becoming pensive. "I gotta finish my food before get back. Last time I tried ta bring some shit back while Jess was on watch, she took it away. Said I "Might have drugs in it." Then I caught her drinkin' my drink aftahwards!"

"Are you serious?!"

"Serious as Mistah J when he finds out I'm ovah his crazy ass!" Ivy let out a loud guffaw at that as she imagined the Joker's red and contorted face moments before a blessed aneurysm took him from the world.

"Well, that's pretty serious. Hey, I've got an idea... We'll buy you two shakes."

"Two?" Harley asked in confusion.

"Yep. And we'll also swing by Walgreen's and pick up some ex-lax."

"Oh you're evil." The blonde cripple stated with a positively wicked grin.

"I know. But that's why you love me, right?" Ivy said coquettishly as she turned away to open the passenger side door.

"Damn right!" Harley declared with a smart slap to Ivy's curvaceous ass. The Redhead rounded on her playful adversary with eyes that gleamed first with shock, and then with lust.

"Hey, can't get me back! I got cripple protection!" Harley joked, gesturing as she did so to her chair. Ivy reached forward and seized her friend by the collar, not put off in the least.

"As if that will stop me. You know I'm not the kind of woman to be denied anything, especially revenge." And with those words she pulled the blonde girl to her eager lips, her wild kiss infused with many months of pent up passion. Harley returned the kiss in kind, twisting her fingers into Ivy's crimson locks as their tongues battled for supremacy; carrying with them hot and delicious saliva that the two women gleefully drank like honey. After what seemed like ages, but what Harley expected was only a couple minuets, they parted.

"Hehe, wow... Hehehe gnnak gnnak!" She giggled, though this soon dissolved into the adorable snorting that she only made when she was either drunk or on cloud nine; and in this case it was most definitely the latter. As always, the pig-like noises elicited a laugh from Ivy, and soon the pair of them were giggling in the parking lot like a pair of giddy schoolgirls. This felt right, Harley mused as they pulled away and onto the street. The laughter, the jokes, the company of her dearest friend, even the kisses... In its own small, special way, this felt like home.

Unbeknownst to the two young women a dark, leather-clad figure had watched their every move from the hospital window: From the lobby to the parking lot, from the sending of the precious letter to their lust-fueled embrace; not a single moment was lost to his predatory gaze.

"Going to call it in?" His accomplice asked, her voice sweetly inquiring as he watched the pair enter their vehicle; a vehicle he had already tagged with a tracking device.

"I think it's about time, yeah." He answered with a grim smile as he raised his hand to his earpiece. The hunt was about to begin, and he sincerely hoped it would be a bloody one...

Harley found her mind wandering as they drove through the upscale neighborhoods en route to their destination. It looked like something out of a drama or a chick-flick like "The Back-Up Plan". Many of the houses looked amazingly old, made of brick and stylized mortar; with narrow windows and outer doors made from elegant wrought-iron. Typical of city houses of that period, there were no yards; however each and every home had a well-trimmed tree that stood before it, a token bit of green to add a dash of color and life to the ancient streets. Though she had always been too poor to live in such an area, she had many fond memories of running up and down streets like this on Halloween; flitting from door to door begging for sweets whilst dressed as this or that video game or anime character. The people in places like this often gave away full-sized candy bars, and so children knew to hit them up before anywhere else.

She wondered vaguely if she would ever live somewhere like this, if it would someday be her opening the door for children with a bowl of candy. Once upon a time such a destiny had seemed all but certain, yet now it seemed like a hazy mirage.

"-Earth to Harley! Anyone home?!" Harley snapped out of her bemused state with a sheepish smile.

"Sorry Red, I got a bit distracted." With a start, she noticed that they were slowing to a stop in front of one of the towering brick houses. So this was it. The home of Barbara Gordon. It looked so fair, so tranquil... There was a flower bed beneath every window, and flowers on the inside to compensate for the vibrancy that winter had stolen away. It was difficult to imagine that any shadow could ever darken such a sanctuary, but it had. Dear God it had, and it had left scars that nothing in all the world could heal...

"Look, I know this is going to be rough on you." Ivy began, her voice full of compassion. "Both of you probably. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, every step of the way."

"Thanks Red. I dunno know if I could do this without ya." Harley whispered. She reached out and squeezed her friend's hand with a gratitude that she couldn't have given justice in words.

"Before we go in I... I have something for you." Ivy continued, her voice suddenly far less self-assured. It sounded hesitant, almost bashful. Harley looked down as Ivy handed her a small item wrapped what looked like a handkerchief. She eagerly unwrapped it, then squealed with joy at the gift that was revealed.

"Aw Red, I love it!" She shouted before planting a firm kiss on her companion's lips. After a moment she withdrew and examined her present in greater detail. It was a friendship bracelet; a woven band adorned with a number of charms and with room for several more. There was a smiling drama mask, an adorable turtle, a tiny grand piano and... Her breath caught. Three of the charms were silver, but the final was different. It was a rose in full bloom, cast from a gentle pink metal that she recognized as rose-gold. It was so intricate, so utterly flawless that she could even detect tiny drops of dew resting on the open petals. "Oh Red... It's so beautiful!" She looked up with tears of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you!"

"Anything for you Harls..." She muttered, casting her eyes aside in a way that Harley could only interpret as shyness. Harley reached out and drew Ivy close, her kiss this time gentle and loving. They sat there for a long moment, each relishing the feeling of their silken lips against the others. They finally parted, and Ivy smiled tenderly. "Come on, let's go." Harley nodded, then watched as Ivy exited walked around to the trunk. She halted briefly in behind the car to send off a text message before extracting the wheelchair and bringing it to Harley.

"Who was that, your boyfriend?" She teased as Ivy opened the door.

"Not a snowball's chance in hell." She retorted with such severity that Harley had to chuckle a bit. Whoever it was, they were definitely on her shit list. "Come on, gimp express!" Ivy declared with a grand gesture to the chair. Harley chuckled again and extracted herself, wincing slightly at the tightness that had already built up in her back and legs from the car ride. Clearly the vibrations weren't doing her any favors. As the approached the door, Harley was almost grateful for the smooth wheelchair ramp that had been added alongside the steps. Almost.

'Well, here goes nothing' She thought before ringing the doorbell. She waited anxiously until the door creaked open and revealed a tall, muscular woman with dark hair, an olive complexion and fierce eyes.

"Ah, Ms. Quinn?" The woman asked. She nodded. "And this is?" The woman inquired with a glance at Ivy.

"Lilly. Lilly Alder." She answered without missing a beat; her disguise perhaps slightly more convincing now that she had filled the gaps in her makeup. She extended her hand to the woman, who shook it warmly.

"Helena Bertinelli. I'm a friend of Barbara's. Please, come in." She invited them with a warm smile. The followed her into the hall, the hardwood floor creaking slightly as Harley rolled over the boards, and the air smelling sweetly of incense and spice.

"Hey Barbs, it's them!" Helena bellowed down the hallway.

"Great, we're ready for them!" So that was her. That voice belonged to Ms. Gordon. Harley had met her father several times (many of them in less than positive circumstances), but she'd never met his daughter before. Wait, she said "we"... Who the hell was "we"?

As they entered the living room on the left, a harsh and almost oppressive air settled upon her like a suffocating veil. Helena left the two women standing alone before the center of an emerging tableau and took her place on the left of the two other women in the room, thus completing the scene.

On the far right, there stood a woman who looked like she could have been Helena's sister but for a few minor details; the first and most notable of which was her immense size. She was easily one of the largest women Harley had ever personally met, towering over every other person in the room at a height that easily broke the six-foot mark. Though her eyes were the same dark brown as Helena's, they were more almond in shape; giving her a constantly laid-back and almost haughty expression which was complimented by her uniquely straight and sharply down-turned nose. The overall effect served to remind Harley strangely of an ancient Greek statue or something along those lines.

And in the center sat an incredibly cute, freckle-faced redhead in a highly advanced wheelchair; a woman could only be Barbara Gordon herself. Her eyes, almost as green as Ivy's, sparkled with mirth and her smile was equally friendly and inviting; though both these features belied strained air that enveloped her. In spite of her clearly limited mobility, she gave the impression a coiled spring that could launch into the air at a moment's notice. Moreover, the way that she sat in her chair was equally if not more disconcerting: Whereas Harley had never been comfortable in her chair, Barbara sat upon hers with a dignity more befitting an empress on a throne than a cripple chained to her only mode of mobility. The sun which shown in through the window behind her bathed her in a radiant golden light, lending her even further majesty than her demeanor had bestowed upon her. Given the reason for her visit, it was intimidating in the extreme.

"So you're Ms. Quinzel... As I'm sure you've guessed, I'm Barbara Gordon." She said with a polite not of her head. "I'm so glad you could make it out here today. I'll admit, I heard that you're still recovering and was a little worried that wouldn't be able to keep our appointment." After allowing a very awkward moment of silence, Barbra continued. "You already met Helena of course, and the giant over here Diana Prince. She's another friend of mine, almost more of a big sister actually."

"A pleasure." Diana greeted her in a tone that struck the perfect balance between warmth and dignity. Try though she might, Harley couldn't eek out a word in response. She suddenly understood the phrase "Having a frog in your throat"; her throat felt clogged, tight and clammy and she was sure that nothing but a croak would emerge if she managed to make a sound at all. She simply couldn't tear her eyes away from the chair that Barbara sat in; not because she was in any way unacquainted with such a sight, but rather because this exquisite young woman was trapped in that chair because of her. Harley had been granted a reprieve from such a life, and she was suddenly absolutely convince that she shouldn't have been; that she didn't deserve such luck. Why should she, a lunatic, thief, vandal and murderer be allowed to continue walking while this sweet girl who had never hurt anyone; who's only sin had been being born to the chief of police, had been robbed of her legs forever?

"So... I heard that you wanted to talk to me... Are you alright?" Barbara asked, no longer looking quite as confident. Ivy seemed to sense that something was amiss and laid a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Harls, are you ok?"

"I.. I..." She desperately tried in vain to speak. A feeling of unbearable guilt overwhelmed her, and she fell forward out of her chair and onto her hands and knees, prostrating herself before the living embodiment of her wicked past.

"Harls!" Ivy cried in dismay, rushing forward to pick her up; only to halt as she began to speak.

"I'm s-sorry!" She stammered as the tears began to flow in a hot and almost steady stream from her eyes. "God I am s-s-so fuckn' s-sorry! I didn't know, I sweah I had no idea!" Her tears fell and splattered on the wooden floor like the blood of this woman had not so long ago. She could see it clearly now in her mind's eye: The sweetly smiling face of Barbara Gordon twisted in agony as her life's blood ran out onto the floor and pain shot like fire up her ruined spine; a pain that was renewed with every lewd thrust from the grinning devil that violated her even as she lay dying beneath him.

Her guilt morphed and transformed the vision in her minds eye to a Hispanic man who lay in a pool of gore, torn apart by her grenade. He had been a member of Dent's gang, a violent man, a gun for hire... But moments before she had let the explosive loose, she had heard him talking about his baby son's second birthday party and how much he had loved the box of dinosaur toys he had received.

Harley's voice came out in hacking sobs, her apologies an incoherent deluge as she relived yet another memory. This time she was staring at a car that had crashed not far from a trio of men she had gunned down, the result of an arms deal gone bad. There were two teenage girls in the front seats, both killed by stray bullets... Her bullets. Neither of them looked a day over eighteen. In the back seat, another girl was screaming in agony and horror, as though her mind had shattered trying to process the sight of her friend's broken corpses. Harley had wanted so badly to step forward to help, to do anything to comfort the girl and quiet the shrieking... But she hadn't. She had just stood there numbly, her ears echoing with that poor girl's cries, her nose sucking in the scent of burnt gunpowder and spilt blood. In that moment, she would have given anything to have traded places with either of the dead girls in the front seats; to have given her life for theirs. That night she had nearly joined them in death, having drunk herself to the brink of oblivion. It would have been fair, it would have been right. If anyone deserved to have their brains blown out, it was her...

"I know I can nevah come close ta makin' it up to ya... But I'm sorry..."

"I won't accept that." Came the simple reply from above her head, a reply that hit Harley like a ton of bricks. So that was that. She should have expected this; a piece of trash like her didn't deserve forgiveness and the fact that she had dared to ask had likely been seen for the insult that it-

"I won't accept it because you've done nothing wrong to me. You have nothing to feel guilty about." Harley felt a gentle hand cup her chin and raise her tear-streaked face. It was a familiar and comforting gesture, one that she was sure she had felt before... As her reddened eyes met the clear green ones above her, she suddenly remembered: Bruce Wayne. It was he who had lifted her gaze to meet his in such a manner a few months ago, quelling her fears with his kind words of comfort. It was a common enough gesture, but she found herself wondering still if they knew each other; if Bruce Wayne was perhaps a family friend and if he had once lifted Barbara's grief-stricken face as he had Harley's, and as Barbara now had as well.

"B-but I-"

"Did you know what he was planning, what he did?" Barbara inquired, cutting her off. Harley shook her head vigorously in denial.

"No! I swear ta God, I had no idea! If I'd known I'd nevah have accepted it! Nevah!"

"Then there's nothing to forgive." Barbara whispered soothingly. Harley couldn't accept it. She could have accepted hatred or anger or rejection or anything else... But not mercy.

"B-but I was with him, I supported him, I-"

"Stop it." The smiling redhead demanded with a sudden harshness. Then, in a gesture far different from her tone, she reached out to Harley and wiped her tears away. "You have enough sins of your own to atone for. I won't let you atone for his too." Her once strong voice dropped to such a hush that Harley almost missed her next words. "Besides... I'm not the only one he hurt. I know what he did to you too."

With a low cry, Harley wrapped her arms around the waist of the woman before her and began to sob hysterically into her lap. A few seconds later, she became aware of the fact that Barbara had embraced her as well; that her body also shook as she wept. And so it was for several long moments, as the two women who had once might have been enemies now held each other like sisters and shed their tears as one; healing tears that cleansed the wounds in their hearts as the sun shown down upon them through the window, warming them to the core. After a time they parted, wiping their tears away on their sleeves in identical gestures.

"Ugh, Dad always said a lady shouldn' wipe her nose on her sleeve." Harley said as she commited the very uncouth act she had just decried.

"Eh, fuck that." Barbara retorted disdainfully as she dirtied her own sleeve. Harley laughed and smiled for the first time since entering the building. Somehow, in just a few minuets, it seemed like they had gone from strangers and possibly enemies to friends. Their shared pain had torn down their barriers in a way that hours of banter couldn't. Just one more in a seemingly never-ending series of small miracles.

Harley attempted to stand only to stumble and fall forward towards a shocked Barbara, her already weak legs further weakened by her crying. She reached out to catch herself, but felt an hand seize her by each arm. She looked over to see two friends supporting her; a green-skinned beauty on her left and the gentle giant on the right. What was her name again? Oh yeah, Diana. Cute name for a cute broad.

"Thanks guys." Harley muttered bashfully as they deposited her once more in her chair.

"No problem." Diana replied cheerfully. Ivy, for her part, settled for hugging her friend.

"So, with all that out of the way, would you like to stay for lunch?" Barbara invited the two of them. Harley shook her head.

"Thanks for the offah, but we were gonna hit up a dinah and nab some grub on the way back."

"Then, mind if we join you?" Harley looked over at Ivy and shrugged.

"It's yah cah Red," She said. "You make the call."

"I'm fine with it." She replied in an indifferent tone as she attempted to conceal a smile. Harley didn't bother with such facetious deception and grinned from ear to ear as she turned her attention back to the other women.

"Alright ladies, let's roll!"

Harley sighed contentedly as she collapsed onto her hospital bed, her jovial humor far outweighing the slightly sick feeling in her stomach. She had absolutely pigged the fuck out at lunch, but she didn't care. It had been totally worth it; and besides, a little hedonism now and then never hurt anyone, right?

Of course, Jessica had ripped her a new one when she got back, and she had responded with her characteristic dignity and sophisticated grace; namely sticking out her tongue and blowing a loud raspberry. Of course her remaining milkshake had been confiscated by the receptionist shortly thereafter, but that was ok. After all, it had been intended for her anyway.

The late morning and early afternoon had been a truly joyous diversion, and marked the first "girl's day out" that she had had in well over a year. On that note, she wondered if roping Selina into her new group of friends was a possibility. The woman was a grade-A shut-in, but even she enjoyed the occasional night on the town.

She stared happily at the ceiling as memories of the past few hours danced through her head. The conversation and company had far outstripped the food, which was no mean feat. But there were a few moments that stood out in her mind far above the rest...

First, there was the moment that Barbara had come out as a fellow anime nerd (otaku was likely a little harsh for either of them, or at least that's what Harley told herself). Harley had been in the process of using her best puppy-dog eyes to inveigle Ivy into buying her a second helping of cake-bites when Barbara (or Barbie as Harley had taken to calling her) had pumped her fist into the air and shouted "Moe!". This confused everyone but Harley, who had laughed uproariously in response to the cry; and they had spend the next few minuets babbling about things that the others couldn't even begin to comprehend.

Then there was the oh-so-ladylike belching competition. The shouts of "Chug, chug, chug!" still rang in her ears from when they had downed a full shake each and let it rip. Harley had been the undisputed winner, though Helena had been a surprisingly serious contender. Helena had chalked it up to her "Italian heritage", but had Barbra laughingly retorted "Naw, I'm pretty sure you're just gross."

And last but certainly not least was their "test of courage"... With french fries. They had taken turns eating a fry from either end to see who would chicken out first. Unsurprisingly, Barbara and Helena had both folded early. The real shock was that Harley had folded not long after, leaving Ivy and Diana as the finalists. While they ate, and kissed, their way through no less than fifteen fries, the two had flirted in a fascinating manner that was both utterly shameless and yet oddly sophisticated, until Diana decided that she'd had enough and let loose with a zinger that had taken everyone at the table by surprise. As they made their way down their sixteenth fry, the enormous woman had arched her brow and murmured "Let's try it with out other lips next, shall we?" Ivy recoiled in shock, releasing the fry and handing victory to her smirking opponent.

Come to think of it, Harley found it a little curious that Ivy's pheromones hadn't affected Diana at all as far as she could tell. Perhaps her sheer mass had prevented them from taking immediate effect? If that were the case and it was a "slow-burn" effect, then the poor woman would likely be a drooling basket-case for the next day or so. Anyone Ivy kissed became her temporary slave; and only the special treatment the temptress had given Harley made her immune to its effects.

All in all, it had been a truly glorious day... A far better one that she had dared to hope for when she had first awoken. And now she couldn't wait to finish her therapy and rebuild her life outside these sterile walls; a life that was now three-smiles brighter. Speaking of smiles...

Harley examined her new bracelet once more, grinning like a fool at the wonderful gift, especially that rose! With a squeal of delight, she clutched it to her breast near the hidden ring. Today, she felt like the luckiest girl alive.

Author's Note: It's been a long while, hasn't it? Sadly, I suffered a horrible back injury that had me bedridden for several days; and I mean "Can't even move due to the pain" level bedridden. I guess I can now empathize and not merely sympathize with our plucky heroine. Even once I could walk again, I was in so much agony for a few days that sitting at my desk and writing was OUT. But I'm back in the game now, so let the adventure continue!

P.S. Congrats to any of my readers who are happy about the election results here in the USA! And if any of you aren't... Well, don't worry. I promise you'll be fine, you'll see. Read my story, be happy, and press ever onward to what I swear on a stack of comic books will be a brighter future!