Okay, so a few years ago I started a Joker/Harley kid series….and lost all interest. This is the re-write of that series, with better writing, storyline, and characterization. J
Please read and review J
…
"Shot through the heart
And you're to blame
Darlin', you give love a bad name"
Jesse scowled as he gazed down at the dance floor, watching as people started to bounce up and down, chanting in time to the music.
He was bored… and a bored Jester is never a good thing.
"An angel's smile is what you sell
You promise me heaven, then put me through Hell
Chains of love got a hold on me
When passions a prison, you can't break free
Oh, you're a loaded gun, yeah
Oh, there's nowhere to run
No one can save me
The damage is done!"
His slingshot in his hand, and paintball pellets in a bag by his side, Jesse scooped out his targets…. Maybe that new stripper? Or maybe, some of those fancy bodyguards in those nice new suits?
Or maybe Daddy himself.
"Shot through the heart
And you're to blame
You give love a bad name (bad name)
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name (bad name)
You give love, a bad name!"
It was a bold decision, but it was a decision already made. Grabbing a green paintball pellet, Jesse took aim at the figure lounging on the sofa… and fired.
The yelp of pain echoed through the club, causing everyone to go silent as green paint stained the Joker's chest.
"…. JESSE!"
On the top balcony, several club-goers watched as a six-year-old raced past them, laughing maniacally as the Joker came charging up the stairs.
"GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE BASTARD!"
"Never!"
Everyone practically dived to the side as Joker came charging past them, his hand already reaching for a gun as he prepared the fire at the little brat… not to kill him, just to scare him.
BANG
BANG
BANG
Everyone started to scream, heading out of the door even as Jesse's laugh got higher and more manic sounding.
Before he could grab his son, Jesse practically vaulted out of the partially open window and onto the fire escape, racing down the metal stairs as his dad stuck his head out of the window.
"WHEN I SEE YOU NEXT, THE NEXT BULLET'S GOING IN YOUR HEAD!"
…
Oswald groaned at the knock on the club door.
The club was closed, which meant that there was only one person who could be knocking at this time.
"Victor…" he softly called out, smiling as the bodyguard/hit-man glanced up from where he was cleaning his guns, "… if that's Jesse at the door, can you just encourage him to go back to the Joker… forcefully if possible, I really don't have the energy to deal with him today."
Before Victor could get up and answer the door, someone had already beaten him to it.
"Hi, Jesse!" Jerimiah exclaimed in glee, not hearing how his Dad audibly groaned, "You okay?"
"My Dad shot at me! It was awesome!"
"… It doesn't sound awesome."
"Well, we all can't have the nice Dad who only uses umbrellas as a weapon."
"I use guns as well…" Oswald grumbled under his breath, hearing the door close and the two six-year-olds race upstairs to Jeremiah's room, "… it's not just umbrellas."
Victor chuckled at this, holding up his gun. "You still want me to get rid of him?"
"… No. I don't want him to get too used to dodging bullets… he might get a complexion."
"…. And you like Jerry having friends."
"And it's nice that Jerry has some friends."
…..
"I can't believe he shot at you!" Jerry exclaimed as he and Jesse entered his bedroom, "Why would he shoot you?!"
"'Cause I shot at him first."
"… What?"
Jesse grinned, leaping onto Jerry's bed and jumping up and down. "I got some paintball pellets… Dad decided to wear his shirt open today, so I shot a green paintball at him."
"And then he tried to shoot you?"
"Yep!"
"Didn't you Mom stop- oh."
At the mention of his mother, Jesse visibly wilted. Harley had been in Arkham Asylum for two years, and whilst Joker did initially try to free her, his efforts dwindled over the last year.
"… I just want her back. If Daddy gets too annoyed with me, maybe he'll break her out so that she can take care of me."
Jerry leaned forward and frowned, "You… you make your Daddy angry so that he will break Harley out? You don't want him to be a Daddy?"
"No… I want my Mummy."
Unused to seeing his friend so down-trodden and broken, Jerry winced when tears started to make their way down Jesse's cheeks.
"Ummm…. Please don't cry?"
"Jerimiah?"
Jerry glanced over to the doorway, where his Dad was standing, a confused look on his face as he spotted Jesse crying on the bed. "Ummmm…. Help?"
Oswald limped further into the room, slowly sitting beside Jesse and slowly placing a hand on the child's back (preparing to snatch it away if the kid didn't react well). "Jesse… Jesse, what's wrong?"
"I want Mummy!"
Yes, Jesse swore and yes, he cheated death time after time, but he was still just a child.
Sometimes Oswald forgot that.
"Hasn't your Dad gone to get her yet… he- "
"- No!" Jesse interrupted, pounding his fist against the bed, "He won't go and get her! I hate him! I want Mummy!"
"… Have you tried asking him?"
"…. No."
"Well…" Seeing an opportunity to get the mini maniac out of the house, Oswald got to his feet and smiled softly at the six-year-old, "… we'll just have to have a word with Joker, won't we?"
Jesse nodded eagerly, racing out of the room, closely followed by Jerimiah as they dodged Martin and Victor.
"So what's the actual plan?"
Oswald turned to Victor and smirked, "You think I have a plan?"
"You always have a plan, it's why I'm fond of you."
"True… Harley was the one who looked after Jesse. Jesse was devoted to his mother, and wouldn't dare run away from her, not like he does with that bodyguard of his. We help get Harley out of Arkham, we solve our problem of having Jesse come here every other day and scaring customers away because he's the son of the Joker."
Victor nodded in understanding, "Makes sense… you need me for this?"
"Do you want to come?"
Rolling his eyes at Victor's answering smirk, Oswald headed for the door. "Get your mind out of the gutter and let's go. Bring whatever you want."
"Ooo, I can try out Betsy!"
….
"What do you want?"
Oswald gave Joker his best, winning smile, pushing Jesse forwards. "I believe this is yours?"
"Not for much longer." Joker gestured for Jesse to come closer, an evil smirk on his face, "If the brat wants to play big boys and shoot paintballs at me, then he should be prepared for the consequences!"
"Actually, I was hoping that we could come to an agreement together? Say my men helping you break Harley out of Arkham in return for a favour from me?"
The Joker frowned at this, leaning forwards as he pulled Jesse closer. "… What do you get from it?"
"… Call it, me not wanting to deal with your kid, every time you and he have a fight."
Joker cackled at this, ruffling Jesse's hair. "Look at you… maybe I should send you to Batsy! You might be the little push he needs!" He then turned his attention back to Oswald, "Alright Pengy… let's get my Harlequin."
