Night fell, and the sound of the howling wind against the roof of the greenhouse prevented Harley from even a small amount of rest. The herbal tea Poison Ivy had given Harley had calmed her nerves, but it simply wasn't enough. She prayed that the anti-toxin Batman had given her would pull her through the night. Sweating, Harley tore the blanket from her body.

"I need you, Harley."

She tossed violently through the bed of leaves as the sickness strengthened in her veins. Humming softly to herself to drown the heavy words in her mind, she was unable to break its undeniable power.

"I'm bleeding."

She pressed her hands to her ears and spoke to herself.

"I'm okay…I'm gonna be fine…everything's okay…it's not him…it's just my mind…I'm okay…"

"You'll never be okay, Harley. I'm suffering. You will always suffer with me."

"Please stop…" She wrapped her arms around her head and said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Love...laughter...blue skies...clean air...no more-"

"ALWAYS"

Harley sobbed into her folded arms.

"I…I'm weak, Puddin'…I don't know where you are and-" The voice refused to let her speak.

"I need you to find me. I need you to save me."

"But…Puddin', I can't-" The voice hastily interrupted her again.

"You will."

She protested tearfully.

"But ya hurt me so badly, Puddin'…"

"Love can be a harsh game, Harley Quinn."

Harley paused for a moment as she took a few deep breaths, collecting herself.

"Okay Puddin', okay…" Her body began to shake.

"…I'll find ya."

-

The next morning, Ivy awoke to a disturbing silence.

"…Harl?" The bed was empty. Ivy searched the area and finding only the warm impression Harley had made in the leaves and a note tucked under the pillow.

Red-

You might've noticed the lack of me. Sorry bout that. Mr J really needs me, ya know? He told me so in my head. Is that crazy or what?? Well, that's what love'll do to a girl! Thanks for taking care of me. I really appreciate it. Maybe when Mr J is feeling better I'll come and visit!

Luv ya!

Harley Q

Ivy threw the letter down in disgust.

"Harley, you moron…"

Disappointed, she sighed as she pressed her fingertips to her forehead.

"You've thrown it all away…again…"

-

"There's nothing more you can do for him, Selina." Leslie placed her delicate hand on Selina's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

"I was helping her escape, Leslie. This is my fault." She rested her hand on Bruce's bare chest. Leslie had been able to remove both bullets. At Alfred's request, Bruce would be returning to his home soon. Although the healing process was slow, Alfred thought it best that Bruce be under his care as soon as possible. Leslie had done all that she could.

"Honestly…how much longer do you think his body endure another fall? Another gunshot? Another mistake…of mine…" Selina lowered her head.

"He's strong, Selina. He's always been strong. You know that." Leslie applied a second coating of antiseptic on Bruce's leg wound. The stench of the medicine penetrated Selina's nose as she turned her head in disgust. The sight of syringes and bandages soaked in blood never set well with her. She felt her stomach turn.

"I don't know what to believe anymore, Leslie." Selina sighed hopelessly.

"You've done all you can to help, Selina. You can't linger on this matter, your wounds-" Selina interrupted Leslie.

"My wounds are trivial, Leslie. You've done more than enough for me. I should have beat her down when I had the chance…I was weak, and he's paid for it." Leslie shook her head in disagreement.

"Selina-" Leslie lifted gently Selina's head and looked directly into her eyes.

"You did all that you could. You were trying to save an injured girl who lost her way a long time ago. But you must remember, that some people have been so deeply corrupted by their own mental prisons…sometimes, Selina, there is no saving them."

Selina took a deep breath and nodded.

"I'll make this right." She grabbed her guise of black and slipped into her mask.

"I'll see to it personally that she pays."

-

Harley ran next to a newly parked car on the street and knocked on the window.

"'Scuse me!" Harley screamed politely.

The frightened driver naturally froze in terror. Few in Gotham hadn't heard of the notorious crazed clown girl, Harley Quinn. Anyone linked to The Joker was feared without question.

"P-Please! Take anything you want!" The woman shut her eyes tightly.

"Yea? No foolin'? Alright then!" Harley opened the door and pushed the woman out onto the street.

"Thanks a bunch! Don't worry about it, toots. If I got time, I may even give ya back your car!" Harley paused briefly and pressed her finger against her lips.

" …maybe. BYEEE!!" Harley screamed in laughter as she drove off into the distant horizon. She traveled to one of the only sanctuaries she had ever known. Beyond downtown Gotham was the old abandoned carnival, where the decayed tunnel of love awaited. Next to Arkham, the tunnel was her home. It had served as shelter for The Joker and Harley many times before. She smiled in delight.

"Jeez…it's been so long…" Harley stepped out of the car cautiously. Her eyes wandered as she studied the desolate area. Not a single bone or scrap of clothing was left behind from the sins of the past. She walked slowly into the tunnel and threw her body on a bed of soft dusty cushions, crimson like the bloodstains that surrounded them. She wrapped her arms happily around one of the cushions and gripped it tightly.

"I just wish I could here ya laugh right now…"

Suddenly a dark laughter came from behind the shadows of the tunnel. Harley eyes widened as she quickly twisted her head around to find the source of the sinister cackling.

"PUDDIN'??"

The skin on Harley's back was suddenly split open as the fury of the black leather whip tore threw the air.

"Guess again."