The Joker zoomed off in his deep purple car into the dark night. Furious, scared, nervous, and completely in love were only a few of his many fluctuating sentiments. He was unfamiliar with this part of Gotham, where all the nightclubs, fancy restaurants, and quaint cafés were.
The only time he had been to Noir Café was to do a comedy club when he was young. His act went horribly and made him reconsider his career in comedy. He knew that being inside the diminutive but picturesque café would bring back some bad memories. But he knew Harley was worth it. The Joker would not stand by and idly watch a corny idiot with bad riddles take away his girl.
As he parked and got out of his car, people screamed and stared. "I'm not here to cause damage to Gotham…for once. I'm just here to get my girlfriend."
Everyone stepped back, but eventually let him go into the café, more likely from fear than trust.
"I can't even walk the streets of Gotham without people fearing what I'll do next…I wonder why!" Joker chuckled to himself, but his laughing came to a cessation when he saw Edward and Harley sit down at a reserved table near the stage. The familiar stage where he had first told his jokes to the public. Well, he decided to create another 'first' on the stage.
Harley and Edward were sitting at their table making small talk. It was an understandably awkward time for them. Besides the fact that both agreed any first date is uncomfortable, the Riddler had been one of Joker's card buddies from the day they met in Arkham Asylum. The Joker always knew that Edward thought Harley was a babe, but he always thought, "Who doesn't?" He didn't know Edward would actually steal her away. The Joker didn't think theft was the kind of crime the Riddler would commit.
Harley shifted gauchely in her chair as the Riddler tensely straightened his tie.
"So, Harleen…you don't mind if I call you that do you?"
Harley shook her head. Of course she preferred Harley, but she needed a change of pace. Just for tonight.
Edward smirked. "Good. So, when I saw you at the snow-skiing competition, I thought 'Harley Quinn snow-skiis? What can't she do?'"
"Well, actually, I've never skied before in my life!" Harley admitted. "I just needed to get my mind off some things, and I decided I'd give it a shot. Obviously, it didn't work out."
"Hey, I admire you for trying something you've never done before. I mean, I didn't win the competition, and though that kills me, I tried my best," Edward said.
"Yeah, you were great," Harley said, then suddenly her eyes grew bright with laughter. "You're gonna plotz when you hear this! I heard that Robert Mallasko only won because he was going out with all three of the female judges!"
Edward gasped and laughed. "Seriously? All three? Even that 60-year-old woman? Mrs…Jabberi, I think her name was?"
"Yeps!"
They both started laughing loudly, and Joker looked at her with his sad tourmaline eyes. She didn't see him though, until an announcement was made on stage.
The announcer proclaimed, "Our next karaoke singer will be a gentleman who wants to sing the song, "Let It Be Me" to his love, Harley."
The announcement was greeted with a lively plaudit. When Harley heard her name she jumped, and looked up to see the Joker, acoustic guitar and microphone in hand. His emerald eyes looked straight into Harley's, as their eyes finally met. The Joker had been longing to see that look.
The Joker looked at Harley with a genuine love and longing she'd never seen from him before. Edward saw the connection and love between them, and frowned sadly. But he understood.
And then the Joker
sang, "I bless the day I found you
And I want to stay around
you
And so I beg you
Let it be me
Don't take this
heaven from one
If you must cling to someone
Now and
forever
Let it be me
Each time we meet love
I find
complete love
Without your sweet love
Honey, what would life
be
Don't ever leave me lonely
Tell me you love me only
And
that you'll always
Let it be me
Each time we meet love
I
find complete love
Without your sweet love
Honey, what would
life be
Don't take this heaven from one
If you must cling
to someone
Now and forever
Let it be me."
The Joker ended his song and although most of the audience had fled from fear at the sight of the Joker, he didn't care. He took Harley's hand and brought her on the stage.
"Harley…"
"Yes?"
The Joker breathed deeply, patently apprehensive yet thrilled. "I know how long you've waited to hear this. And I want you to know how long I've been waiting to say it."
Harley looked into his eyes with hope, fear, and bona fide love.
"I love you, Harley."
Harley began to cry from just those three words, and for once the Joker didn't mind seeing tears. Then he did something that shocked everyone left in the café. He bent down on one knee, and with a small purple box in hand, he began to cry. The Joker was crying. No one could believe it, except Harley, who had been the only one in his lifetime to see him cry. He wiped away his tears as he wiped away hers.
"Harley, you were only gone for two days, but in that day I was able to realize what I had felt for a long time. If you were to be away from me…for even one day, I couldn't last. You are a part of me, the greatest part of me. And I don't know if I could go on another day without you. Will you marry me…Puddin?"
Harley cried, "Of course!"
Harley and the Joker embraced passionately. Their hug seemed to last forever and everyone seemed to disappear. The Joker put a stunning diamond ring on Harley's finger and they held hands as they walked out together.