Harley folded her arms across her chest, shivering as the bitter cold surrounded her while she waited. Her eyes shifted back and forth, looking for any sign of The Joker. She knew his plan would work, she just wished she knew what it was, or at least what she was doing standing in the freezing mist.
"Oy Harl, What're ya doin' up here?" She whispered angrily to herself.
Suddenly a pair of bright green eyes tore through the thick fog. Harley quickly turned her head to the find a dark figure standing behind the clouded air. Harley's face lit up in excitement as she whispered to the figure.
"Red? Red, is that you??" The figure steadily crept out from behind the shadows. The woman in black hissed in disbelief. Harley's faced soured in disappointment.
"Oh, it's just you, Catlady. I actually thought you were Ivy for a minute there. So how ya been? What brings ya to this side a' Gotham? 'Cause me and Mistah J, we-" Catwoman fiercely pushed her claws over Harley's mouth.
"Quiet." Catwoman glanced across the area as her mind was overwhelmed with a feeling of doubt. By the time she noticed the look of surprise in Harley's eyes, it was too late.
"Oh God, this was a set up!" Catwoman roared into the night. Three large men threw their bodies on Catwoman, crushing one of her ribs and freeing Harley from her grasp. The men threw her writhing body to the ground as she twisted her arms, desperate to break free. They robbed Catwoman of her whip and bound her hands and feet together. She was beaten, for now. She curled her head to her body in defeat. The Joker popped out from within the darkness.
"Excellent work, boys!" He smiled proudly down at the frustrated woman at his feet.
"Looks like Miss Kitty has fallen down!" Catwoman sneered at the Joker's grin.
"And yet somehow she still thinks that she'll get out of this one. Perhaps it's because of this?" Harley looked in wonder at the sight of the Joker kneeling down in front of Catwoman. He reached into her boot and extracted a strange black object.
"A 750,000-volt stun gun. Tsk tsk, I bet this thing was expensive, too!" He slipped the weapon into his coat, adding once again to his arsenal.
"Puddin'!" Harley giddily wrapped her arms around the Joker's broad shoulders.
"Where'dja go? What're we doin' with Catlady?" The Joker snickered at Harley's simple loving nature.
"Time will tell, my dear Harley Quinn. Just a tiny distraction to keep Bats busy while we get him off of our backs." Harley giggled at what she thought was the Joker's infinite brilliance.
The men lifted Catwoman's limp body and carried her into the mist. With Harley by his side, the Joker followed closely behind them, ever watchful of the feline fetale's actions. He was quite observant of his enemies, especially towards those whom they cared for. He knew her every trick, every burglary, every escape, every scar, every encounter with the Dark Knight, and every wound or kiss that followed. He was their biggest fan, as they were his.
Their latest hideout was slightly nicer than the previous one.
"Puddin'! We got heat! It's a dream come true!" Harley danced merrily around the room in delight. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted an old bed that was big enough for two. She smiled mischievously at the Joker, but was met with a pair of disapproving eyes.
The men threw Catwoman into the dank basement where she remained bound by the cold chains. She had only the silence to calm and clear her clouded mind. Depending on no one to rescue her, she needed this time to devise a plan.
"I have a few errands to take care of." The Joker spoke in a coarse voice.
"Oh oh! Can I come with ya?" She smiled adoringly as she cocked her head. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder.
"You know that there are certain things that I need to do alone." His voice deepened. Harley's smile faded.
"But, I can help, Puddin'! Really! Please don't leave me alone again, you'll probably need someone to carry supplies or be on the lookout for Bats or-" He clasped his large oppressive hand around her frail neck. His sinister voice was quiet yet dark.
"Sweet Harley, you've never done anything to benefit me."
He paused for a moment as he looked into her pale blue eyes. He released her from his grasp and walked out of the room. Harley squeezed shut her eyes as she felt her heart break into pieces. She heard his voice from outside.
"And don't forget to feed the cat!!! HAHAHahaha!!!" His hyena-like cackle echoed through the corridors of her mind. Harley carelessly threw her body onto a soft old couch. She rubbed her face on the velvet green texture, wiping the tears from her cheeks. There were certain words that had become too unbearable for her delicate ears.
"You've failed him Harleen. Don't let him slip away. You are losing him."
"I'm so sorry." She repeated numerous apologies as his words plagued her mind. Holding her breath, she fought the tears the only way she knew how.
Harley whispered quietly to herself.
"Love...laughter...blue skies...clean air...no more masks...no more blood...laughter...love."
She wrapped her arms around her body and sighed happily.
"Love."
Suddenly she heard a loud groan from within the basement. Startled, she sat up and walked towards the door leading to the dark room below. She merrily trotted down the stairs into the cold, hearing the clanking of the chains. She took a step towards the shadowed figure standing defensively in the corner. The woman was clearly wounded as she held her side in pain.
"Hiya Catlady! Ya hurt ya'self?" Harley smiled with pride.
"The bigger the pretty boy, the harder he falls...particularly on me, but it's nothing I can't work around." Catwoman's confidence could not be broken.
"Oh don't worry. Mistah J will fix ya right up. 'Course by that I mean he'll beat ya to a bloody pulp." Catwoman returned Harley's sinister smile with faint laughter.
"Hewon't lay a finger on me, you moron." She turned her head in disinterest.
"Hey! What? Whatdya mean by that?" Harley grew confused as Catwoman sighed and spoke.
"I'm assuming he's told you nothing of this." Harley paused and shook her head in shame.
"I was promised information about the location of an illegal drug testing on a group of cats...and dogs. The plan was to meet the guy on that rooftop to take what I wanted. Obviously it was a trap, and now I'm stuck here until I find my way out. I imagine I'll be used as bait for something, or someone. God, how did I let myself fall into that stupid animal testing crap?" Catwoman lowered her head in disbelief of her actions. Harley rolled her eyes.
"'Cause you're a sucker for those kinda things."
Catwoman smiled at Harley.
"I suppose."
A rare and almost awkward pause occurred as silence passed through the air between the two women. Catwoman had never known just what to think of the demented Harley Quinn. Whether to show compassion or pity for her, to fight her or to ally with her, to trust- no, these questions always seemed to be better left unanswered. She knew of Harley's nature and she herself had been the victim of her deception in the past. But for the moment, Catwoman found herself in a rare situation, almost enjoying her company. The company of a crazed lovesick girl in a jester hat. Catwoman almost laughed at the thought of two costumed women standing in the dark room with no telling what will happen next.
Harley smiled sweetly and confidently broke the silence.
"He's still gonna beat ya to a bloody pulp, ya know."