The first thing she noticed was the ache.
It wasn't terribly painful, more of a dull consistent throbbing through her whole head; like a bad taste in your mouth you can't scrub away.
The second thing she noticed was she was naked, but these days, that didn't really phase her much anymore.
Harley opened her eyes, blinking back sleep as her vision cleared. She lifted a hand to rub her eyes but instantly regretted it, as a sharp and tender pain shot through her face upon contact. She sat up.
She was in a bed with dark sheets, in a small room with no windows and stone walls. The walls were covered in news articles and paper clippings, featuring the Joker and someone called the Batman.
Slowly she pulled the sheets back, exposing her bare skin to the chilly air and hopped out of bed. She wandered over to the small attached bathroom.
Stepping inside she turned to look in the mirror, and she nearly gasped at the sight. Her right eye had a perfect black and purple ring around it, the tender flesh there swollen. That bastard Ray had given her a black eye! She pouted, touching a finger to the smeared color still clinging to her lips.
No, this wouldn't do…
She stepped into the shower, letting out a sigh of relief as the hot water soothed her sore muscles. She lathered up, rinsed off, and stepped out feeling like a whole new woman. She smiled, and the upward turn of her cheeks caused a light ache around her eye.
Back in the bedroom, she began to open drawers and search for something to wear. She was surprised when she found women's clothes, in just her size and favorite colors too!Happily she pulled on a pair of black leather pants, accenting them with red combat boots and a black and red halter top, split in color down the middle. She scratched her head.
This was all a little… strange. She decided not to question it though as she made her way out of the room.
The place was quiet. Eerie dolls and clown faces jeered at her from shadows and high perches.
"Hello?" She called, and her voice echoed softly through the halls.
"Hello." The deep voice appeared directly behind her. She gasped, whipping around to find the Joker standing there.
"Oh! You snuck up on me, Puddin'!" She said, and smiled, wrapping her arms around his torso and giving him a hug. He did not reciprocate. With a generous shove he pushed her off him and turned around, heading into the bedroom.
Harley frowned. What had she done wrong? She followed him like a love struck puppy dog.
"You know…" She said, trailing her fingers along the edge of the bed. "I never got the chance to properly thank you, for being my hero last night." She smirked, running her tongue suggestively over her bottom lip. His expression was even; black eyes bore into her blue with such intensity that she sank against the mattress and fell quiet.
Slowly he approached, uncoiling like a snake with his eyes locked on his prey. A hand lowered to her chin, lifting it up so as to catch his gaze.
"No. You didn't, did you?" He said, and fingers squeezed gently. Harley smiled.
"Let me show you how grateful I am…" She said, her hands reaching out for his buckle-
Thwack! He smacked her hand away, his grip on her face tightening. She looked up at him now, wide-eyed, a stinging sensation in her hand.
"Yes, show me your gratitude, sweetheart." He said, popping his 't'. He flicked his tongue over his lips. "You're going to help me on a little… excursion, tonight." His grip softened, fingers trailing along her lips now. His touch gave her goosebumps.
"Excursion?" She questioned.
"Mmmmm. We're going to invite an old friend of mine out on the town. We just have to get his attention first."
His fingers lifted, curling into her hair, tugging light at the roots. She held his black gaze, and felt instinctively that it was best not to ask any more questions. She nodded in agreement instead, and he released her hair with a rough twist; walking away and leaving her to ponder as she so often did these days -
What have I gotten myself into?
Evening fell upon the city like a vulture on fresh death; calling forth only the brave or insane. Gotham. Harley marveled at it from the car window as they drove through the town. Bright lights, towering buildings; a city with a heartbeat. Atlantic City, eat your heart out.
She hadn't changed her attire other than an added black leather jacket with a white diamond on the back; but at the Joker's request she had painted her face like him. White paint was smeared over her face, neck and chest. Red paint was smeared across her lips in an upward curve. Her eyes – well, the one she had painted black; the other, too sensitive to touch, was luckily already black enough.
"Almost there." The Joker said with a grin plastered across his face. Harley hadn't pried for too much information, so she simply smiled and nodded.
He flicked off the lights and pulled the car onto a dock, turning off the engine and bringing them to a stop. He turned to Harley, smiling.
"Do you like fireworks, Harley?" He asked, leaning in close. Her heart leapt.
"Yeah!" She said, giving a toothy grin.
"Good." His voice was low. "Get out of the car."
She clamored out into the cold night air, a chill running through her as the winter wind caressed her face. She exhaled, her breath visible for her to see. The Joker walked coolly around to the back of the car, motioning for her to join him. She came and stood by his side as he popped the trunk.
Harley gasped. The entire trunk was filled with explosives.
"Do you see that boat there?" The Joker pointed a finger at the silhouette of a small cargo ship at the end of a dock.
"Yeah?"
"It's filled with gun powder. We're going to blow it up." He spoke matter-of-factly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of resistance.
Harley grinned.
"Sounds like a good show ta' me!" She declared, and began to gather the explosives in her arms. He watched her stoically as she made her way towards the ship.
After fifteen minutes or so, they had everything in place. The Joker ushered her back to him, grabbing her arm and pulling her around the perimeter of the area. Harley noted a bright cluster of lights at the end of a pier, only a few yards from the dock with the cargo ship. Grand tents hung over elegant tables with lavish food; large outdoor patio heaters were scattered about the area, fending off the winter cold. White string lights and bright candles lit the pier and guests dressed in black moved amongst each other, clinking glasses of champagne. The Joker stopped once they were hidden behind a crate. He turned to Harley suddenly, producing a pistol and handing it to her.
"What's the plan, Mistah J?" Harley asked, a vaguely nervous tone to her voice as she took the gun.
The Joker froze, turning black eyes towards her menacingly.
"What did you call me?"
Harley tensed, straightening up.
"Uh-uhm. I'm sorry? I dunno I just..." She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, dropping her gaze. She didn't know why she called him that. It just felt right.
"BaaahahahahahahaHAHA!" The Joker burst suddenly into uproarious laughter, much to Harley's relief. She smiled at him.
"Ah, you're a hoot kid!" He said and gave her a firm pat on the head. "You ready for the show?"
"Absolutely!"
The Joker pulled out a second, larger gun, giving her a wicked grin.
"It's go time." He growled.