Red vs. Red

Harley approached the alley cautiously. Of this one thing she'd been trained so well it was ingrained in her psyche. She head the punches. Gloved fists hitting bruised flesh.

The lack of laughter could mean only one thing, and one thing only: Jason was carrying out his threat. He was still just a kid in Harley's mind, she'd forgotten how grown up he was now. So bent on revenge.

"Todd!" her pleading tone cause him to drop the subject to the curb. Almost.

"You're just in time for the finale Harley," Jason said bitterly. Joker's blood was spattered on his gloves, his face.

"That's exactly what he wants you to do, Todd. He wants you to kill him." Harley tried to reason.

"I know all about that twisted death wish of his, Harley. Tonight, he'll finally get his wish." Jason paused. "And he'd expect this," he gestured to her dropped groceries and terrified face. "He'd expect you to save him. Or die trying."

Harley was silent. Jason Todd was right. As usual.

"This city, me, you –we're going to be free of this…monster," Jason spat out the words.

"He's human, Todd," she began. The psychiatrist, the negotiator, had returned.

Jason held Joker by his hair. Seeing those greenish-black eyes, the makeup smeared with blood, and the scarred face devoid of emotion, made Harley wince. "This monster, human?" Jason's laugh was dry, sarcastic. Strange as it sounds, it was familiarly grating to Harley's ears.

"You don't know him like I do." Her eyes flashed. "I am sorry, Todd. I am. If I hadn't left, he might've not crippled Barbara Gordon, or tried to kill you…"

"He would have done that with you here or not," Jason replied flatly.

"You don't know that, Todd. Though you're probably right," she conceded. You don't know who he was Todd. He wasn't all that different than you. "

"How would you know?" Jason curled his lip in disbelief.

"It's betrayal," she said, seeing his empty gaze. Joker wasn't really listening. Wasn't paying attention. Didn't care. She turned away from Jason. "He doesn't remember."

"Have you forgotten, Harley?" Jason asked with fury. "He's an actor – a murderer. He's got you eating right out of his –"

"I don't justify what he does anymore, Todd."

"I don't believe you. You know I don't. I don't want to hurt you, but if I have to, I will kill you."