Chapter 20: You Are a Pain in The Ass

"You, you, you are a pain in the ass." The Joker, Suicide Squad Extended Version (2016).

Everyone hugged her, welcoming her back.

A lot of the Lost Boys were crying and Harley felt the same way. Rachel was just as quiet as Gracie, who was hurrying between the crowd, excited to see Harley but nervous about being too close to anyone.

Porter hugged her the longest and Harley relaxed in his arms.

These were her people. She could trust them.

They believed her, they didn't blame her for anything. Even knowing what she done to Ronan. They each saw a difference between Ronan's death and the murders of Lauren and Kaitlyn and Kurt.

The factory they were in only had one ground floor. It was currently filled with tents and sleeping bags and cloth lines. There were toilette's further back, though not as big as the ones in their former place. The dining hall was another empty room. It wasn't perfect and needed work.

But it was home.

"Alright, guys! Let's all get back to work, we have lots to do and Harley needs to rest." Porter put his hand on her shoulder gently. "We got you a mattress in your own private tent."

"What?" Harley was confused and more tired than she wanted to admit. "No, I don't want a private tent."

"But..." Porter cocked his head to the side studying her. "But Wendy and Peter always had their private places and well..." He smiled.

"You're our new leader."

"What?!"

Jodie chuckled. "I didn't get to that part yet, Porter." She turned to Harley. "We took a vote and everyone wants you to.." She rolled her eyes. "For lack of better word, Harley, we want you to be our Queen."

Harley started to laugh genuinely as she remembered how Jodie had teased her mercilessly with the title of Queen of Gotham.

"What do you say?" Porter asked and she could tell he was hopeful, wanting her to say yes.

"I say I can't take care of all these kids by myself." She grinned at Jodie. "How do you feel about being Queen as well?"

Jodie was clearly surprised and looked at Porter who shrugged.

"We can vote again, but everyone will say yes, you know that. You're perfect for it, both of you are."

"I don't want my own tent." Harley declared. "I want to sleep with my sisters." She smiled at Rachel and Gracie who were both standing nearby. "If they'll have me."

Rachel smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Sure."

Next to her Gracie nodded frantically. "Well go on and move in then."

Harley smiled. Both of them hurried off to a tent in the middle of the new Neverland and Harley watched them go with a smile.

"So sis?" She touched Jodie's arm. "Are you moving in too?"

"Eh, my tent is empty as of right now." She pointed to where Rachel and Gracie were carrying sleeping bags and rucksacks. "I'm definitively staying there and enjoying my privacy, thank you very much."

"Well if you get lonely, you know where to find me."

"Oh so we're those kinds of queens, are we?"

Harley laughed. Her rib-cage hurt and she was cold in this dirty factory, but she was happy. She was where she belonged and she had finally found her place.

Inside her tent Rachel and Gracie were straightening out their mats and sleeping bags. Rachel looked like she hadn't slept in days and Harley's heart went out to her. At the back of the tent there was a thick mattress, complete with a large blanket and pillows.

Harley had to smile.

They'd put a lot of effort in making the most majestic space they could within their possibilities.

"Girls, sit with me." Harley patted the seats next to her on either side and Gracie and Rachel came to her immediately.

"So..." She began. "I just want you guys to know that I'm okay and everything will be fine."

Neither of the girls said anything. Gracie was looking at her with her typical wide-eyed open expression. Rachel was staring at the floor.

"I know these past days have been scary." She laid a hand over her chest. "They were scary for me too, but I promise you are safe here, ok?"

Gracie nodded, but Rachel was still staring at the floor, barely moving or showing she had listened.

"I missed you guys loads." When Gracie beamed, Harley wished she could hug the little girl, but knew better than to try.

"Were you there?" Rachel asked in such a low whisper Harley wasn't sure she was even saiyng anything. She looked up and Harley could see tears burning in her eyes. "Were you there when Lauren died?"

Harley closed her eyes. Despite her own crimes, despite all the things she had taken part in, this was something that tore at her heart.

"Yes." She finally admitted.

"Did she suffer?"

"No." Harley put her hand on Rachel's shoulder. "No it was over before she could have realized what happened."

The silence in the tent lay heavy upon her heart.

"She was shot in the head." Harley blinked away her own tears. "And she went first, so she didn't even have time to be scared."

Rachel began to sob into her hands and Harley leaned in hugging her tightly. The three of them cried together for Lauren and when Jodie joined them, she didn't need to ask what was up. They sat together in heart wrenching silence only broken by the occasional sob or sniffle.

They sat together as sisters.

Harley had fallen asleep on the mattress with Rachel pressed to her side tightly. Then she'd woken up due to the pain in her right hand.

Images of Peter and Wend were fresh on her mind as she struggled to wake back up. She forced them away.

Jodie had provided her with pain meds and then she'd had her first shower since that horrible night.

Jodie had cleaned the blood of her face and torso when she'd been in her unconscious sleepy state. But Harley could still feel it all over her. Lauren's blood, Wendy's spit from when she'd yelled at her and Peter's sweat.

Every time she closed her eyes she remembered him on top of her. The way he had groaned and grunted. Peter who had made her believe in herself, who had helped her find herself. She cried under the shower, but only gave herself one minute to do so.

When she came out, dressed in sweatpants and a blue shirt she felt just a little bit better. Seeing Gracie waiting for her she felt a whole lot better.

"Hey." She smiled, kneeling down in front of her. "Are you ok, Gracie?"

The little girl turned from side to side, her broken wings rustling as she did so.

"I was scared." She said. "You left and Porter said you were hurt."

"I was hurt, I still am, but I'm okay, I promise."

"Are Peter and Wendy coming back?"

"No, Honey." She sighed looking up at the child, because she had actually made herself smaller than her. "No I'm sorry They're not."

"Good." Her bottom lip wobbled. "They hurted you and they killed Lauren."

"They did." Harley said softly. "But sometimes we still miss people, even if they hurt us and do terrible things."

Her mind flashed to the Joker and the things he had done and said. She still missed him.

"And that's ok." She smiled at the little girl.

Gracie swayed back and forth on the balms of her feet. "I don't miss them." She said. "I miss Lauren."

"I know baby, I miss her too."

"She was really annoying." Gracie's blue eyes widened. "But now that she's gone I'm sad."

"I know, I feel the same way."

"And I missed you, you're not going away again are you?"

"Gracie." Harley said and steadied herself by taking a deep breath. "This is very important, ok? I'm not going away ever again, do you understand? You and I are a team forever."

The little girls face lit up and her face broke into a smile. She had lost one of her front teeth and looked so adorable Harley felt like crying. She stood back up from the ground, groaning in pain and wishing she hadn't gotten down there in the first time. Maybe Mistah J had been right and she ought to take it easy.

"I think it's time for bed, Gracie."

Gracie giggled. "Will you tell us a story?!"

"Yes, of course."

"Harley!" It was Jodie and she looked disheveled, frantic. "Quick, you need to come!"

"What's wrong?" She had never seen Jodie in such a state and a sinking feeling started to creep into her stomach. "Oh no." She sighed, she had a feeling she knew who exactly could put Jodie in such a state.

It was the same man who messed up Harley's mind as well, just on a different level.

"He brought the police." Jodie's voice was tense. "He's here with Valerie!"

Harley sighed. "I'll take care if it. Gracie, Honey, you stay back, ok?"

Gracie was hers and she didn't want him to even know of her existence. He would manage to use the little girl against her.

The Joker stood before all of the Lost Boys.

He grinned at her and looked much better than he had this morning.

He was wearing a purple coat, no short and dark pants. He was armed with seven of his henchman and two very sulky looking police-officers, one of whom was indeed Valerie, were standing in front of him.

"I'm so sorry." She muttered handing Harley a sheet of paper. "But you and your kids have to leave the premises."

"Why?" Harley sighed as she studied the paper. She could see his handwriting as she skipped through the lines.

"This property belongs to Mr. Joker." The other police-officer, a young man with short brown hair, said. He didn't sound amused either.

"What?!" She studied the paper again.

"It's true." Valerie sounded tired, like she couldn't believe it herself. "Technically you are all trespassing."

"We're sorry." Her colleague said again. "He has a permit."

"I have a permit!" The Joker called from behind them.

"It's legal." Valerie sighed.

"It's legal!"

"I cannot put into words how sorry I am." The police-man said.

The crowd stirred. Beside her Jodie was fuming and went directly towards the Joker.

"What the hell are you doing?!" She snapped. "You know she needs to rest, you can't just kick us out!"

"Officers?" Mistah J made a point of lifting his hand and pointing at Jodie. "I would like this person removed from my property, thank you very much."

Jodie wanted to hit him, but was stopped by Johnny who put a steadying hand on her arm.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." She ripped her arm out of his grip with a groan and then went back to stand beside Harley.

"Mistah J..." Harley began stepping forward. "What what could you possible need this factory for?"

The Joker's eyes lit up and he clapped his hands, obviously happy about her question.

"Storage!"

And with that one of his men stepped forward handing him a parcel the size of shoe box.

Harley sighed, but said nothing as he made a point of clearing a space and setting the tiny cardboard down on the ground.

"Ok." She rubbed her temple. "That's it. Let's leave."

"Really?!" His eyes grew large as he looked at her hopefully. "Good choice Honey, I bought new bed-sheets, you'll love–"

"I'm not talking to you!" She snapped and then turned to the kids. "You heard these officers, we're not allowed to be here. Pack up your tents, we're leaving in 30 minutes."

The crowd vanished immediately as they all bustled and hurried to pack. Harley was surprised and impressed by how quick they were ready.

"Eh Harley, Darling..." The Joker stepped towards them. "What are you doing?" He was smiling, but it was tense. "You're all messed up and hurt. Peter and Wendy are after you, where will you go?"

She looked deep into the eyes of the man she loved and whispered coldly: "I sleep on the ground, remember?"

Emotion flashed in his eyes as he did remember. After all that's what he had said to her when he'd thrown her out. Neither of them had forgotten.

The Lost Boys left Neverland once again, but this time they were all together, being led by two queens who were fearless and had a sense of purpose.

"That was bad-ass and all..." Jodie muttered under breath. "But, seriously, Harley, where should we go?"

The chemical plant wasn't the most classy place.

But it would do for now.

The kids set up their tents and as she sat upon the platform and looked at them below she felt overwhelmed with pride. She had brought them here. She had made a plan for guards tonight. She had stood up to the Joker.

"It smells funny." Gracie sat down beside her and Harley chuckled. "I know, but you'll get used to it."

"Everyone is so small down there." Gracie peered down. "And the sounds are scary."

The pipes made strange sounds. Kind of like whistling.

She couldn't remember those noises from before, but she tried to block them out.

"Yeah." She turned to the little girl. "Do you like it here?"

Gracie shrugged. "Its ok."

Harley laughed at her honesty.

"I like the stars." Gracie admitted pointing towards the open sky above them.

"Me too!" Harley smiled. "Mistah J showed me this place." She explained. "This was where had our first kiss."

Gracie giggled and Harley smiled. She felt dopey because of the pain medication, but also because she here living a new life in the one place her old life had started.

Gracie yawned and Harley said: "It's time for bed, Sweety, come on."

She led the little girl to the tent at the back of the platform and helped her onto the mattress. Rachel was already sleeping peacefully on it. Harley wanted to ask if Gracie still wanted to hear a story, but then the little girl had already fallen asleep.

Harley was dead tired, but the truth was, she was afraid of falling asleep. She was afraid of nightmares, of flashbacks and of the voices in her mind... 4

"Harley?" Jodie had found her and sounded tired.

"Did Mistah J do something again?"

She sighed. "Yeah..."

Jodie rolled her eyes. "He sent two men. They're here for you."

Harley shook her head and followed Jodie back down to the lower part of the chemical plant where two men she didn't know were standing and looked at her expectantly. They were broad-shouldered and wearing suits.

"Did he hire them in an agency?" Jodie muttered. "How is he paying for all of this?"

"No they're actually his bodyguards." She sighed.

"Harley Quinn, Miss." The smaller one of them said. "I am Jon and this is Jack."

Jodie hit her forehead with palm of her hand, but the two men seemed unfazed.

"Mistah J sends his regards. We are here to protect you from any kind of harm."

"Really?" She said. "You're my bodyguards now?"

"We were told to never leave you out of our sight."

Harley sighed, Jodie chuckled and actually looked impressed which made it even worse for the former Clown-Girl.

The Joker was annoyed.

He really hadn't thought Harley would have it in her to sleep in the streets.

Or in the chemical plant.

He had thought the idea of throwing her out of her newfound home just before she could settle down for the night would send her straight back to him.

It was hard not having her here.

And he was worried about her.

Handing off his best two men had been difficult, but she was weakened and living with children, while two people obviously wanted her dead.

If she didn't want to stay with him this was the best he could do.

When his phone rang he grinned to himself.

It was three am and even though it was an unknown caller he had a pretty good idea who would be calling him in the middle of the night.

"Hellooooo?"

"Mistah J?!" She sounded hysterical.

"Hey Baby, what's up?"

There was a sound he hadn't expected.

She was sobbing.

"Harley?" He sat up, ready to head over there immediately. "Harls, what's wrong?!"

"Those men you sent to protect me!" She sobbed. "They raped me!"