In a dark and desolate room lit dimly by the over head lights whose bulbs flickered between life and darkness, accompanied by an eerie green glow two men stood in silence facing one another.

With the glow silhouetting his body Nightshade looked to be a madman bent on the disembowelment of the man dressed in a vortex of orange and black. I think you will make the perfect fertilizer for my roses. He commented prepared to test the fancy of a cruel imagination.

Spellbinder cried holding his hand out as if it could truly keep the man at bay. If you want to save your little girl friend then you wouldn't want to do that.

Nightshade froze in his steps before a smirk played across his lips. What do you mean? All I have to do is pull the plug.

Though the mask he wore bared no face, the sense of smugness radiating from him could have been detected by the blind. You can't just unplug her, that would be just too simple. If you were to just go and pull the plug it would be like taking the oxygen from a deep sea diver. Actually more like taking the life support system of a patient. Pulling her from that world will send her crashing into reality in a way that would damage her mind.

Within seconds Nightshade had crossed the room and held the man by the collar of his costume. Then you pull her out of it. He growled through his teeth.

I can't. He said in his defense. She's so far gone into her dream she doesn't want to come back. She has to be convinced to pull out.

And what is her dream?

Whatever it is that she most desires. Which makes me wonder, what made you come out of the place of your hearts desires? What, in a world deemed prefect by your heart, made you leave it?

Harl. I only want the real thing not some duplicate. Now plug me into her world or- He placed a small seed against the back of his neck. The seed burst open exploding with vines that wrapped loosely around the surprised Spellbinder's neck. This will close around your neck, pulling tighter and tighter until it pops your head like a zit.

Spellbinder stood frozen as the information seeped in, Can do.

~*~

The world beyond closed eye lids was nothing more than the glow of pink created by the bright light of morning and the blood vessels of her eyes. There was a certain contentment in just laying for the moment with no worries, reality held at bay by the thin cover of flesh. But then again wasn't reality was what a person made of it.

The small ticking of the clock posted on the bedside table was aided by the loud grinding of the morning garbage pick up crew drawing her farther away from the pleasantries of a dream-like rest.

Aaaa! Yeah! C'mon baby wake up! Come and dance with me! Aaaa! Yeah! C'mon baby wake up! Come and dance with me!

Startled out of her rest the thin stripped blanket was pitched from her body by the sudden jolt upwards. Um, it's too early. She growled slamming her fist down upon the head of a cartoon like chicken grasping a guitar.

Snatching the clock into her clutches she prepared to commit appliance homicide when realization settled in. When did I hook you up? She wondered looking onto the old rock'n'roll chicken alarm clock brought from the Goodwill long ago at the age of seven. Falling back into the comforts of her bed she yawned greetings to the morning. I must have smashed all the other clocks.

Sleep had almost reclaimed her when she once again sat up to look about her surroundings with wide eyes. A simple room with butter crème colored walls practically hidden with newspaper clippings, posters, medals, amateur photos of smiling faces, and whatever else could be taped or thumbtacked to the wall.

The room was unfamiliar to her but she knew from the style of things that no doubt it belonged to her.

Plucking her Punch doll from the empty space in the bed beside her she looked into his glass eyes half expecting the answers to come from his large frozen grin. Please tell me I didn't get drunk or something. Please tell me I didn't. She begged.

A familiar voice called through the door. Not a moment later a woman who looked remarkably like the confused girl opened the door and walked in. Harley are you up yet?

Harley sat in shock, She asked looking her mother up in down in wonder. She wasn't wearing her usual luxurious clothing of choice and looked some years younger than she had last seen her. She must have been to the spa lately.'

Oh honey, I thought we were over that first name thing long ago. She said with a careless wave of her hand. Now get up, so we can eat breakfast before noon. But please wash your face before you come to the table, you have dried up drool on your chin.

Out of a habit she had developed from the short time spent living with her mother she found herself obeying before realizing what she was doing. Moving across the hall into the bathroom she observed her surroundings trying to figure out what exactly was going on with herself.

The bathroom looked normal enough, set up in the usual fashion only with the accommodations for someone with a handicap. Shrugging this off as perhaps the needs of one of her mother's constantly visiting friends she pulled a clean washcloth from the rack.

Turning to the sink she dampened the cloth with hot water her eyes groggily lifting up to catch a dreaded looked of herself in the large near full-length mirror. What she saw reflecting in the mirror made her jump back with a shriek.

Harley? Are you ok? The distant voice of her mother called from somewhere down the hall.

yeah, I thought I saw a black widow. She lied with a trembling voice shaking from her chest. Her eyes did not leave her own reflection. She looked into the mirror amazed and at the same moment frightened at what she saw, no longer did she bare the face of a nineteen year old that had seen far more than one would have fathomed but hid it behind a Cheshire cat like grin. What looked back at her was the innocent face of herself nearly ten years ago.

Nine, maybe ten, she wasn't sure how old she was. She had forgotten that red and black weren't her natural hair colors and that the dark color of brown was. Her body did not bare the sets of three diamond tattoos on her arms and legs, only a few scabs and fresh scrapes from her rough habits. Nothing of the criminal Harley Jest was present on the child holding that same name.

Standing there in silence it took her a moment to hear the sounds of the radio playing the wondrous music of the great classic Rhapsody in Blue filled the morning air mixing with the comforting scent of pancakes, sausage, and fried apples.

The memory that spiked from the scent onslaught brought an acute pain of loss to her heart.

Harl doll, you didn't fall asleep on the can again did you? A deep masculine voice asked.

At the sound of the second voice Harley once again found her body moving before her mind had the moment to process what had happened. Her bare feet thumped hard against the carpeted floor as she raced through the short unknown hall into the large living room and finally sliding to a halt before the room in which the smell of breakfast was coming from.

Wheelchair. That was the first thing she saw when she looked at her very much alive father. Marshall Jest moved one wheel turning around to face his daughter, his brown soul-searching eyes meeting happily with hers.

Alive. That one simple word repeated endlessly in her mind as she felt the knot in her throat tighten. Her father wasn't dead but alive, Emily was living with them. She had her original family. But what of everything else? Was that all just some horrid dream that seemed to have lasted nearly ten years.

Harl doll, you look like you've seen a ghost. He stated his face contorted into a look of deep fatherly concern.

I had a dream you died at the race. She answered trying to withhold her own tears.

Close though, just can't use these old legs anymore. He said patting his still legs in emphasis. Are you still worked up over that?

Emily walked into the dinning room sitting the plates on the table. It did hit her pretty hard seeing you crash like that, not to mention you were unconscious for a whole week. The doctors said she might be a bit traumatized afterwards.

Marshall held out his arms motioning his daughter forwards with two come hither jerks of his fingers, C'mere baby. Instinctively Harley was drawn into his open embrace, her sobs scratching out of her body without her knowledge. That was last year, Harl Doll. Papas here and hes ok.

Though his words were comforting it did not stop her tears. Ya left me alone, no one would take me in and I had to go to this asylum dressed as a hospital because Fletcher wanted me out of the way. Then everything that could go wrong went wrong. My first boyfriend committed suicide, I was a criminal, mama treated me like a doll before she started actin' like me mother, and-and- She continued to sob uncontrollably.

By the end of her tears she was cradled in her father's lap with her mother at her head stroking it lovingly. Poor baby, Emily stated. Yes there was an accident at the race. Your dad got hurt really badly and he can't use his legs. But he's alive. She said bringing her back to the real world. That's when I came back, to take care of the both of you.

Ah, I thought you came back because you realized how deeply and madly you were in love with me. He pouted. Ah the arrow of Cupid has struck my heart yet my love is unrequited! He cried dramatically with his hand clutched above his heart. Wheeling back and forth balanced on two wheels he rocked about wildly making his once sad daughter giggle in delight.

Mars stop that. Emily commanded with a stern look plastered on her face though the hints of worry peaked through at moments.

Harley, I think I am dieing. He went on. Your mother doesn't love me.

Tired of his antics and tired of her heart leaping to her throat she took hold of the wheelchair's frame forcing him on a steady balance on his wheels so that he was looking up onto her angered face. Now listen here, I'll have you know I never stopped loving you when I left and I came back because I do love the both of you! Now stop this nonsense so that we can have breakfast; which by now is ice cold.

You're only saying that because you love me. Marshall stated.

Emily rolled her eyes in annoyance before kissing him lightly on his lips and letting him go.

After breakfast Emily sent Harley to get dressed for the day, she had school to attend then something or another about practice.

In record time she had stripped from her teddy bear covered pajamas and was dressed in slack jeans and a large red t-shirt crest with a sunflower.

Flower, Red. She murmured looking about the reality she easily accepted over the oh so real dream. isn't real. It was just a dream. But this place could use more plants. She admitted to herself.

A voice cried from the front door. Harley if we're late I'm putting the blame on you!

She called running from her room with backpack in tow. Rushing to the door she came onto her best friend waiting somewhat impatiently for her at the front door. The child awaiting her was a familiar face she knew too well, Hey Rayven.

C'mon, if we're late again we have in school suspension for the remainder of the week. The purple haired girl stated rushing down the hall to the elevator.

~*~

School in the 5th grade, as Harley excepted, was as dull as school had appeared in high school. To pass long boring hours she and her friends, all the member's of the CirCus who was present in the class, would play long distance paper football, pass notes, make faces, and take turns making disgusting noises when their teacher was not looking.

With the distractions they made for themselves class passed quickly and she was already walking out of the hallowed halls of education with her friends by her side.

U, V, W, X, Y, Z. James, AKA Jox belched the ending of the alphabet into the warm spring air.

Torn between entertained, disgust, and astonishment the group applauded his talent. Now, Jox, Loup began with his arm resting on Lena's and Rayven's shoulders. How bored were you when you discovered you could do this?

Why would you do that? Ernest AKA Punch questioned.

Hey I had four cans of super fizzy Star-Pop cola. With that much carbon fizz in your stomach I can burp Twinkle Twinkle little star. Jox stated offhandedly as they approached the street side where Emily and a large red Explorer awaited them.

What has the Sinister Six been up to today? I hope it wasn't another group detention. Emily asked.

No Mrs. J, we didn't get caught today. Lena answered her fat cheeks smiling.

Emily merely rolled her eyes skywards as if asking for some heavenly being to somehow help her and the group before her. Harley, Rayven, come on let's get going before we're late again. I dont know why the women of our family can never be on time, its always rush rush rush. She rambled on to herself as she climbed back into the Explorer.

Harley, tell your old man we're coming over to the garage to take a look at his latest work this weekend. Punch shouted as the two got inside and Emily drove away.

I don't know how fate could put six of the most unruly children together in the same school and to boot allow them to get along with each other. Emily sighed.

That's why we're the CirCus, right Harl? Rayven asked nudging a dazed looking Harley. Biker princess Harley J, are you okay?

Shaking herself out of the vapid feeling of drifting through a surreal dream she looked towards her friend. I agree with the Purple Princess. Umwe should hurry up and get to practice right? She asked wondering what practice' was.

~*~

Alright Honey, you can do it. Emily cheered.

Of course she could do it; she could pull off harder stunts in her sleep. Keeping in time with the music, she preformed her tumbles with grace and ease, mercilessly pounding the community's YWCA mats with each spring, landing, split, roll, and so on.

In the corner a woman in her late forties stood leaning on a cane, watching with interest as two red haired girls who looked identical to one another practiced on the right and center mats while the youngest of her students occupied the left.

For her granddaughter's she was proud of their progress, they somehow managed to move in perfect sync with one another giving them a strength in numbers type of accomplishment while the last student sharing the name of her criminal past which seemed to have stuck moved with a passion and effortlessness that said she was doing what she enjoyed and no one could make her feel otherwise.

Good, girls. Harley Quinn stated stopping the music. Go on and wash up. Monday we start with the uneven bars.

Yes, Nana Harley. The twins said together.

Harley who was balanced upside down on her hands addressed her mentor. Miss Q, do ya ever hear from your friend, Miss Isley?

Who Red? I hear from her from time to time. Why do you ask? She wondered putting away the CD player.

Harley brought her legs down folding beneath her as she came upright. I was wonderingdid she adopt a son?

Red? Adopting a son? At those words the elderly woman began to laugh. If she could actually stand being around another mammal' as she calls us, if anything she'd adopt a daughter.

Harley nodded in understanding. Now go hit the showers so your mom doesn't have to wait any longer.

Rayven's art class is going to last an extra half hour today. I'm gonna to practice a little bit more before then. She stated rolling backwards into a headstand.

If you say so. Harley Quinn stated walking out after waving good-bye to Emily.

With a song in her head she began a series of back hand springs. The shout came from a distant quickly moving closer until it was at her ear.

Taken by surprise her landing was off causing her to stumble back onto her rear in a harsh fall. Ow, Red? She whispered looking about the large gym in search of the body to go allow with the familiar voice.

Honey, are you okay? Emily asked from the sidelines.

Standing onto her feet she looked about once again. Yeah. I got a little dizzy. She lied heading to the showers.

~*~

After dropping Rayven off at her apartment building the two returned home. There are my two lovely ladies. Marshall smiled holding out his arms in greetings. How was practice?

Harley crawled into his lap hugging him lovingly making sure to inhale the musky scent of his aroma. It was good.

Good? Harley's the best one their hands down. In fact she was better today than I have ever seen her. Emily commented getting in on the greeting. And how was your day?

Harley did not stay to hear their discussion. Yawning deeply she slid out of her father's lap and headed into the living room for a much needed nap.

This is a dream come true.' She thought to herself moments before dozing off.

~*~

The next day, a lovely Saturday, the Jest family spent the majority of the morning in their night clothes while watching cartoons and eating their choice of cereal. Once twelve o'clock had struck they had dressed and were in the park ready of the CirCus's usual meeting for play.

Loup I thought ya said we were playing football. Harvey shouted.

Loup produced a soccer ball, Yes, we're going to play football. He stated in his thick British accent.

Slag it, what is with you and you Brits? That's soccer, soc-cer. Jox complained. You are in America; you've been in America for awhile now, get use to our terms.

Well do you want to play or no?

Lena and Punch cried out together.

Jox cried carelessly knocking the ball out of Loup's hands. They all watched unmoved as the ball rolled away into the bushes that lined the sector of the park in which they were playing.

1, 2, 3. Not it! Not it. The cried went out until all fingers pointed to the last person to call out. Harley.

Grumbling and running at the same time Harley made her way through the bushes until she spotted the ball clear on the other side.

Running around she came face to stomach with a grown man. Looking up her brown eyes locked with very familiar green depths. She knew the face, the pale green skin, and long curly red hair. Forgetting the ball she slowly backed away.

Christopher said forcing her to see the truths of reality that she knew him.

No. No you aren't real! You're a dream! She shouted.

He sighed lowering himself to eye level with her. I know this is something you've always wanted but it isn't real.

I don't care. She shouted the voice of a ten year old deepening to the tone of her old self before returning once again. I don't care. Go away! Just go away! She screamed beating her closed fist against his chest in vain hopes that by force she would be able to stop him from ruining her paradise.

Chris sighed wrapping him into a secure embrace. Harl, you're nineteen not ten. He said into the top of her head. And as much as it hurts you know that your dad is dead. After the words had passed his lips her struggles ceased and a deep sob ripped from her throat. I'm sorry, Harl. But-

I know. The adult voice said from the small body. I know.

Looking up Chris witnessed as the group of children awaiting the return of their friend and soccer ball vanished. We have to leave. He stated watching as other parts of her reality began to disappear.

Wiping her eyes with a fist she sniffled, Can't I at least say good-bye first?

He nodded walking her back to the picnicking tables where Marshall Jest and the woman he had come to know as Emily Carolyn sat waiting.

Harley walked over to her father, her physical appearance catching to her adult self as she bent before him, Papa, I have to go. I love you very much, and everyday I can't help but think of you and how much I miss having you around. I wasn't ready for you to leave me and I don't want to leave you now. But this is all a lie, and you always told me it's wrong to live a lie.

Chris's voice called as Emily vanished.

Bye Papa. She whispered hugging him.

Harl Doll. He said seconds before his form faded away and all about them was an eerie glow of green.

Spellbinder walked freely about his base happy with himself, he had captured the criminal duo Harley Jest and Nightshade. The underground bounty on their heads was enough for him to update his VR equipment, with a little left over to save for other pleasure items.

It was a joke, the green man thinking he could actually go into another's dream and pull them out of it. If anything her mind would consume his in her desperation to remain in the sweet dream she had made for herself.

Going somewhere? A deep voice asked as a large green hand touched down on his shoulder.

Spinning around Spellbinder gasped at seeing Nightshade once again free from his machines with a large machete in his hand. Stay back. He growled backing away to the corner where he had left the pair's belongings in hope of grabbing hold of a weapon.

Oh I'm not upset with you, Nightshade stated holding out his hands in a sigh of good intent. You see my dream world was very nice, it gave me a hope for my future. But He said pointing the tip of his machete towards a fuming Harley.

I ain't so appreciative. She reached into her once abandoned carpet bag and removed a croquette mallet that shouldn't have been able to fit in the first place. Red, you might want to leave the room for this.

Taking her advice he stepped out closing the large metal door behind him. No sooner had he left did the sounds of Harley reaping havoc drift through the door along with pained cries and her voice.

Eh, you moved! Bang! Bang! Bang! Don't run; don't run I promise it doesn't hurt. Crash! I've done this hundreds of times and I've never felt a thing!

About ten minutes after the ruckus had begun did the door finally open. Filling better now? He asked when a much relieved looking Harley made her way towards him.

Yeah, some people have hobbies to deal with their stress but I still say nothing beats stress like smashin' heads. Harley laughed dropping the mallet behind her back. Ready to go home?

Yeah, my sprouts need water and your pet needs to be walked.

~*~

Seated atop an unguarded ledge of their firehouse turned home apartment Christopher gazed out onto the black and gray clouds where not even the brightest stars had the power to shine through. In a sense it was a bit depressing but that did nothing to change his better mood. The lithe figure straddle in his lap curled into the comfort of his arms and provisions of warm, the swell of her chest raising and falling in a steady rhythm, in its way giving him a sense of ease.

Um? You're still awake? The voice made husky by drossiness drifted up towards the shells of his ear.

Yes. I'm just thinking about the VRs. He said in a soft tone running the round of his nail over the center of her arched spine gaining a shudder for his actions.

Harley yawned rubbing the knuckle of her index finger against her closed eye. By the way, how did ya know ya were in a dream world? I mean it was all very convincin' to me.

Readjusting his hold around her he settled back prepared to join her in her slumber. Simple, in a prefect world for me you need me more than you do now. So if you were to fall you would need me to catch you. He said closing his eyes.

Oh, okay. She said in a low near sleep voice.

In the night the city below never seemed to truly sleep as those who stalked the night went about their work and life creating the familiar clamor which was the lullaby of the city.

Harley's eyes shot open as her voice cut sharply through the noise. You let me fall?!

End Dreams or Reality

HJ: Finally, something about me! My feelings. Everything focused on me!

DSP: Yeah yeah, we're happy for you.
Anyways I need to know how many of you darling readers are interested in a Justice League Fic from me? I already have the first chapter and want to know should I or shouldn't I post it?
Until then be sure to review.