A/N: I am liking this alternation between Pam and Harley. For reals. I don't know why I didn't think of it before. It gives you a perspective on what Pam thinks of Harley's actions. As always, read and review!

Chapter 14: Do What You Want

Sometimes I'm scared I suppose

If you ever let me go, I would fall apart

If you break my heart

So just take my body and don't stop the party

Do what you want with my body

"Do What You Want", Lady Gaga feat. R. Kelly

Two weeks had passed since Harley came to New York. We had talked a couple times, but it was kind of awkward. We were starting to get back to normal but I was having a hard time forgiving her for what she had said about me. I knew that she wasn't exactly wrong, but it was still not appropriate of her to point it out. I knew I was kind of a hot mess when it came to relationships but I mean, I wasn't a complete disaster. I at least had somewhat normal relationships while most of hers had been completely dysfunctional and that was putting it lightly. She needed a good hard slap in the face, but I didn't want to be the one to give it to her. I knew she would figure it out soon. She was a smart girl.

I was mostly hanging out with Barbara and we had become almost inseparable. The only times we weren't together was when she was in class or working, but we tried to at least be together for a couple hours a day. I was blissfully happy.

One Saturday afternoon, Barb and I were going out to get a later lunch and get some shopping done. We were checking out some dresses at Barney's because Barb had invited me to this dinner party that all of her PhD friends were having to celebrate the end of the school year. I had met a few of them here and there but I was excited and kind of nervous to meet the rest because she spent a lot of time with them and they knew her very well.

"Do you think black is too…sad?" Barb asked, holding up a black halter dress with a diagonal white stripe, "It's also May."

"Black is never a bad idea." I countered, "But maybe something a little more fun."

"Fair point." She put it back and searched through the racks. Finally she held up a floral patterned strapless dress, "Too obvious?"

"Maybe just obvious enough."

"I'll give it a shot." She said, throwing it over her arm, "You find anything?"

She looked at the stack of various shades of green in my hands and raised her eyebrow, "Could you possibly try another color?"

"I know what works." I shrugged helplessly.

"Can you at least do yellow, or maybe another color with green, like pink and green?" she pointed at a dress that matched that description.

"Are you implying that my wardrobe is boring?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips.

"No, just saying that you would look beautiful in other colors, too, and you should embrace it."

"I wear blue jeans."

"Jeans are a neutral. That doesn't count."

I rolled my eyes but took the dress, "Fine."

After we tried on some dresses and had made our choices – the pink and green one ended up being phenomenal and she was going to rub that in my face all afternoon – and she said as we were going down the escalator, "Ah, shit."

"What?"

"I promised my mom I would pick up this tie that she saw here for my dad. His birthday is coming up and she doesn't always come into this part of the city."

"Well, we might as well get it." I said, and we got off on the men's floor.

I was mostly just following her until she could find the tie her mom wanted. We were scouring the racks when a voice said, "Pam?"

I looked up and saw Bruce Wayne standing there…with Dick Grayson in tow.

I tapped Barb on the shoulder and she flushed, "Oh, hi guys."

"Hi," Dick said, barely even looking at me. Way to be mature. Except, well, he could only be as mature as an early 20's person could be. I had no idea what Barb had seen in him.

"Bruce," I said, "You're…here?"

"Yes, I am." He replied, "I came back a few weeks ago."

"Why?"

"Complicated. Selina…" he made the cut-throat sign. He didn't need to say more.

"Right." I bit my lip. Typical Selina, always out for herself, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine." He said dismissively, "No reason for you to apologize. We both got fucked in that regard."

"You're telling me." I rolled my eyes, "Edward is with you, then?"

"Yeah, my butler Alfred has him right now, but you should stop by and say hello. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see you."

"I doubt he remembers me." I demurred, "I don't want to confuse him." What I meant to say was that if I saw him, it would completely shatter me.

Barb sensed my discomfort and grabbed my hand protectively. I smiled at her.

"Well, it's totally up to you but feel free to ask if you want to see him. I don't want to deprive you of that." Bruce assured me.

"That's really sweet of you, and I will take you up on the offer soon, if you insist." I said, "Did, uh…you tell Harley you came back?"

"Yeah, I did. She was actually pretty supportive of it, to be honest."

I raised an eyebrow, "Harleen Quinzel? The same Harley?"

He chuckled, "Yes. We had a heart-to-heart talk about it."

"Ah," I said simply. I was puzzled. I talked to Harley not 3 days ago and she didn't even mention it. Somehow I don't think she would forget to tell me. Well, she was going to get called out next time I talked to her. Last time we talked though, she seemed very preoccupied…

"So, what are you guys up to?" Bruce asked.

"Just doing a little shopping." Barb piped up, "I've got a big end of semester party to go to. We all start our dissertations in the fall." She mimed shooting herself in the head, "Super fun!"

"Wow, already? It feels like you just started your PhD. What are you writing it on?" Bruce inquired, and Barb began her spiel about the topic of her dissertation that, even though she had told me at least 12 times, I still couldn't even begin to understand. Something intertextuality and use of metaphor in la da la etc. Books. Something like that? I just told her I would be there for her when she needed someone to vent to. That's my role here.

As Barb chatted with Bruce, I noticed that their body language seemed so…comfortable, familiar. She never mentioned that they even really knew each other. I mean, I assumed they had met when she and Dick were together, but not this friendly. It's not that I was jealous or anything – why would I be, he has a penis and she isn't into that anymore – but I was still a little taken aback. Meanwhile, I exchanged a couple of glances with Dick, who seemed incredibly uninterested in not talking to me. Prick.

"So, how are you?" I asked him.

"Can't complain."

What a real conversationalist.

"Still working for Wayne Enterprises?"

"Yeah, I'm in sales now. Got promoted about a month ago." He replied.

"Oh, great! Do you like it?" I feigned cheerfulness. Not a good look on me, I promise.

"It's alright. I'm getting used to it. They say younger people are better at sales because we seem more trustworthy or something." He shrugged, and tapped Bruce on the arm, "Hey, we need to get back to work. It's almost 3:30."

"Oh, shit, is it really?" Bruce looked at his shiny Rolex, "I'm sorry guys, we do really have to run. We have a big party tonight, celebrating my return to Wayne Enterprises. Hey! You should come. Seriously. Lots of alcohol, all for free."

Barb and I exchanged a look and Barb said, "Yeah, we'll definitely try to stop by. Where is it?"

"At my house. I'll tell my doorman you're on the list. Barb, invite your parents, too, if they can."

"Yeah, for sure." Barb said, and we waved as they hurried down the escalator.

I looked at her, "Your parents?"

"Yeah, my dad and Bruce get along pretty well. I don't know how they know each other, but they talk sometimes." She bit her lip, "Is this going to be a problem? I don't have to invite my parents to the party tonight if you don't want to meet them so soon. I was thinking you wouldn't meet them until maybe the summer."

"Honestly, it's up to you. You don't have to introduce me as your girlfriend or anything. We can be 'friends' until we figure things out." I said, shifting uncomfortably. I wasn't exactly that concerned about the fact that we would meet her parents, it was about the fact that Commissioner Gordon had my face posted on some wall somewhere with the huge bold word WANTED above it. I would have to disguise myself a little, maybe do my hair differently and wear my glasses. That might throw off suspicion. Or I could tell Barb who I really was. I didn't know what was the lesser of two evils.

She grabbed my shoulders, "Babe, you are my girlfriend. My parents will have to accept that. Don't even worry one bit. They will love you. I mean, who knows if they can even go? Let me give them a call." She pulled out her phone and called her mom, "Yeah, Ma? What are you guys up to tonight? …oh, nothing? Well, Mr. Bruce Wayne has invited us to some swanky party at his mansion. …yeah, yeah, I think around 8, 8:30…well, tell Dad he needs a night off once in a while. Bruce wants to see him…mhm, well, you can find something to wear, Ma…"

She looked at me and rolled her eyes and I forced a chuckle, "Yeah, yeah, Ma…I don't know, probably a nice dress I guess…alright, well, I'll see you guys there later then. Text me. Ok. Ok. Bye."

She smiled, "They're coming. She's going to see if my dad can get off work but he may not be able to. Police commissioner's job is never done, you know? I really want you to meet him, though, my dad is so awesome. My mom's kind of a pain sometimes but I do love her. Speaking of, have you looked into tickets to Seattle yet? We're going to need to go over the summer before I have to start doing my research."

"I didn't really look yet."

She gave me a stern look, "Pamela…"

"You know I'm not exactly on board with this idea."

"Yes, well, you're going to have to be. I will not stand idly by while you ignore the fact that you haven't talked to your parents in like 5 years. Unacceptable."

"I have a lot of reservations about it. It's not that I don't want to do it, believe me, but I am worried about what I would even say to them. Oh, hi, last time you saw me I was heterosexual and wasn't a college dropout?"

Her face fell, "Are you concerned about what they would think of you being a lesbian?"

"They're Episcopalian royalty, so yes I think there might be torches and pitchforks involved." I said wryly, "I have a gay uncle so maybe they may not panic too much but I'm their daughter. Their only daughter. Me being a lesbian has been a main reason for me holding back from a relationship with them."

"If they love you, they will accept you. If they don't, fuck 'em. I mean it, fuck 'em. They don't deserve to have you as a daughter then." She kissed me right on the mouth, "You'll have me."

I smiled, "That does mean a lot to me."

"I know." She grinned, "When we go home after this, we are booking the tickets. No excuses."

"Alright." I conceded. There was literally no use arguing with Barb. She was a hurricane when she really wanted to do something.

We finished up shopping and went back to Barb's apartment. She put the bags down, "Woof, shopping can be hard work."

"Agreed."

"Well, um, my thoughts are in this order: sex, dinner, get dressed, party, alcohol, probably sex again. Make sense to you?" Barb wiggled her eyebrows, and I burst out laughing. Her exuberance and confidence were the most appealing things about her. She didn't give a shit about what anyone thought of her. I admired that greatly. It was the same thing that I loved about Selina. She had that same raw sexual energy that appealed to men and women alike. But, let's not focus on her.

"I think that all sounds great."

"Fabulous."

…

The time for Bruce's party arrived and Barb and I were all dressed and ready to go; she in a flowing gold dress with a black belt, and me in my traditional emerald green halter dress. We both approved of each other's look and went to hail a cab. When we got to Wayne Manor, it was the first time I had seen it lit up in a long time, alive; it was no longer haunted by the memories of its prior wars.

I felt uncomfortable the whole way there; the fact that Barb didn't know I was a criminal was eating away at my brain and I was feeling anxious. The cab dropped us off in front of Wayne Manor and we walked up the long stone path to the entrance. The flowers in the front yard were starting to bloom and the trees were full; at least the staff had been keeping it up. It would have been sad to see it go downhill. As we walked, Barb was chatting excitedly, "Wow, it's so beautiful! I haven't been out here in years! My dad took me to a party here when I was in high school, when he got promoted to Commissioner…hard to believe it's been like 10 years. Oh, I used to think Bruce Wayne was SO cute – oh, sorry don't want to insult you but it's the truth – and you know what, it's a funny story Pam, but I was kinda wandering around the party because I didn't know anybody and I walked out into the back terrace and I caught him making out with some blonde woman! Actually, after that party he left for Nepal or wherever the fuck he went when he was trying to 'find himself', whatever that means."

She looked at me, "What? You're so quiet."

"You said that party was 10 years ago?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Then that was the party when Harley and Bruce first hooked up. You saw them hooking up, Barb."

"Wow." She whistled, "Why was she at that party?"

"Their fathers were friends."

"Both orphans now, too. So sad. Why did they break up?" she asked.

"Um, well, long story short, they got engaged –"

"ENGAGED?" she stopped short, "You never told me they were engaged!"

"Yes, well, it was a short engagement. They didn't have a big wedding, they were just going to get married here in Wayne Manor. J - I mean, her boyfriend – interrupted the wedding and professed his undying love for her, so she left Bruce at the altar. Been with the boyfriend ever since."

"Holy motherfucking shit."

"You're telling me. I didn't know Harley as well then. We were…fighting at that point."

"Fighting? Why?"

Should I tell her? No, that was the part I couldn't let go of, the part I couldn't tell anyone.

"I wanted her to stay with Bruce but she was having second thoughts. I felt bad for Bruce because I liked him and I thought she was making a mistake. I still think she did." Half of it was true, half of it was a lie. I'll let you figure out which is which.

She stared me down, "Why do you think she made a mistake? She seems happy. They have a child together."

"I know Harley, and that means nothing to her. She's impulsive, indecisive, and she is completely ruled by her emotions. She is my best friend, but she made some seriously bad mistakes in her life. Bruce was willing to give her everything she wanted, but she was looking for a way to get out of it. Most of the time their mistake is wanting to marry her. She has a paralyzing fear of commitment. She can't stand the idea of losing her independence, and that's why she left Bruce. The guy she's with now – he meant that she could escape. He's not a bad guy deep down, but back then he was an extremely bad guy. He made her leave her dream job, he was emotionally abusive…but he loved her somehow. I don't know, it's very complicated."

"I didn't realize it was like that. You might have to explain it to me at a better time." She said as we reached the front door. She rang the doorbell.

"And I have something I need to tell you."

"What?"

"I'm not who you think I am."

She looked puzzled, "What are you talking about?"

"In Gotham I'm known as Poison Ivy and right now I'm still a fugitive from the law."

Her mouth was agape. The front door opened and the doorman said, "What's your name on the list, please?"

"Pamela Isley and Barbara Gordon." I answered, still staring at Barb.

"Ah yes, here you are." He checked our names off and stepped aside, "Welcome to Wayne Manor."