Bruce came into the den, still carrying Harley. Everyone arched an eye brow at the sight.
"What in the world?" Damien questioned.
"Surprise, kiddies. I asked your pops to marry me and he said yes! The weddin' is in three weeks!" Harley cackled.
"Interesting. Can I be maid of honor or is the position filled?" Came a strong female voice.
Harley lifted her blindfold to see Wonder Woman standing in the middle of the room.
"Uh, hi, Diana. Nice to see ya." Harley said as Bruce set her down on her feet.
"Nice to see you too, Harley. I hear you're in some trouble."
" Yeah. " Harley said, making subconscious circles with her foot.
"What's up with Quinn?" Damien questioned Dick.
"Dunno. Maybe she's a wonder woman fan?"
"Body language indicates a greater level of attraction than that." Cassandra said.
"Oh, I see. Girl crush, got it." Dick said.
" What? " Damien asked.
"Well, you know Harley likes both guys and girls, right? Put it together."
" Ah, I see. Well, hard to say I fault her there. After all, there's no denying that Diana is very attractive. " Damien said bluntly.
The two older Wayne children looked at their younger sibling.
"What? It's just the truth."
"So, Harley, I want you to know that I believe in you. But Bruce is doing the right thing by vetting your story. It will do wonders with the league."
"I know. Brucie explained it to me. And thanks for believing in me, Diana. I probably don't deserve it but..."
"The old you, the joker's girlfriend and henchwoman, she didn't. But this you, the one who saved L.A, the one who tried so hard to protect me from an assassin, the one who stared Johnny Sorrow in the face for me..."
"Hold up. She did what?!" Dick asked.
"Like I said, Dick. She stared Johnny Sorrow in the face when I couldn't, when nobody could. Then she called him cute and punched him. It was back when the league and the suicide squad had to join forces."
"Okay, but how? Sorrow's powers literally kill anybody who looks him directly in the face."
"Despite her sorted history, Harley is something special. Not just physically or mentally, but spiritually. There is special soul inside this woman. One that can give its owner the power to stare into the abyss and smile. "
"Eh, you seen one abyss, you've seen 'em all. No need to be scared of the dark." Harley said with a smile.
"Okay, fine. But I am changing Harley's file to say possible immortal."
"Ooooo. The immortal Harley Quinn. I love it! Thanks, Dicky." Harley said happily.
"It does have a ring to it. But, back on track. Harley, the woman you are now is who I believe in. The woman I know is a hero at heart. She's who I would happily fight beside. So, let's wrap this up and get to that fight." Diana said, hoisting up the lasso of truth.
"Right!" Harley said with a wide grin as she grabbed ahold of the golden rope.
"Alright, Harley. What happened to Booster Gold?" Diana asked as she wrapped the lasso around Harley's hand.
Harley proceeded to tell Wonder Woman her story, exactly as she had been telling it.
"All those who touch the lasso are incapable of lying. So, I can confirm Harley's story is true."
"Unfortunately. I'll contact John and have him rally the league together." Bruce said.
"Who's John?" Harley asked.
"Martian manhunter." Diana said quickly.
Everyone looked at Diana.
"What? Is there any harm in her knowing that much?"
"Suppose not. Alfred, please prepare breakfast for everyone. I'll be back in a moment." Bruce said.
"Right away, Master Bruce. Will you join us, my lady?" Alfred asked Wonder Woman.
"I'd be glad to, Alfred. Thank you."
"Very good. What would you like to drink?"
"Grape juice if you have it."
"We do indeed. Now, please excuse me."
"Damien, Cassie, let's go check our gear. Something tells me we're gonna need to be ready to go at a moment's notice. More so than usual." Dick said.
"Good call, Dick. Let's go." Cassandra said.
"Well, that just leaves us, Harley. Anything you'd like to do?" Diana asked.
"Um, could we talk? Outside?"
"Don't want anybody to hear the conversation?"
Harley nodded.
"Alright, lets go."
The ladies headed outside and stopped near the gate.
"So, what is it, Harley? What's bothering you?" Diana asked.
"You are."
"I beg your pardon? "
"You are bothering me. You just jump on my bandwagon, when you should be doubting me at every turn. No matter what that lasso says. Don't get me wrong. I love the help but, the psychiatrist in me just doesn't get it. I was a monster, Diana. A monster in a red and black suit, following around a bigger monster like a good little puppy. And yet you'd be willing to fight for and with me. You! Wonder Woman! The biggest lady hero ever! You are to a lotta girls what Supe's is to boys. An idol, an inspiration. One that I don't deserve any kind of sympathy from. " Harley said.
"Harley..."
"Bruce says he likes what I have become since breaking from the joker. I even asked him if he would be willing to make me a bat. And he seems to be thinking about it. But, I know him. Batman is never without doubts and plans. So, at least I know he's being true to himself and me. He's letting me see the two sides of the coin in working with him. But you? You're all heads. All good news and smiles. And that's just not right. You are Wonder Woman. You ain't supposed to like people like me."
"Harley, what brought all this on?"
"I'm mentally ill, remember? Mania, depression, bi-polar. Just a few of my many lovely issues. So when they hit up against something like you basically offering to be my friend, the old grey matter goes into full on does not compute mode. At first, I was really excited and touched by your words. I was, and admittedly still am, one of those girls who idolize you. You were part of my childhood reasons for trying to become a psychiatrist. I wanted to use my smarts and skills to help folks, to try to be a bit like you. But once people started to go off on their own and my mind came down from the 'wonder woman likes me' high, my little 'friends' jumped up to throw a monkey wrench into things. All my self loathing, amongst other things, ran in to say 'hey, you know you don't deserve Diana's kindness. Something is wrong with this.'"
"Do you think I'm lying?"
"To be honest, I don't know if ya can lie, Diana. I kinda always thought you had to be golden yourself to use that golden rope."
"Well, actually, I can lie. I just prefer honesty. Because honesty breeds the most trust. And I have not told you a single lie today."
"But, then why do you like me? I was a monster!"
"You were strung along by the joker. Manipulated by him into being what he wanted. Into being what you never were and never ever will truly be. A villain. You were a victim."
" Maybe, but a willing one. Ever hear of Stockholm syndrome? "
"I have. But as some one who knows the goddess of love herself, I know how powerful love is. It can be blinding and all consuming. Even Aphrodite herself has admitted it can be dangerous, especially when controlled by the wrong people. But, in the right hands, it can be an immense force for good. For change. Harley, you wanted to change, to love yourself again I suspect. Meaning, despite the self loathing, you do care about yourself to some degree. And even when you feel like you don't, you still freely share the love you do have with others. And you want the best for them. You cared for me enough to risk it all on several occasions. You cared for the orphans of Los Angeles enough to nearly die fighting Granny Goodness. And now, you are throwing yourself into the unknown for the man You care deeply for. You, whether you realize it or not, are a warrior of love. It's power flows through you. And, as an Amazon, I respect that. And that is why I like you, Harley."
" You're too much, Princess. " Harley said, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
Diana wiped them away and embraced Harley in a tight hug.
"I am your friend, Harley. From now on." Diana said gently into Harley's ear.
"I like the sound of that. Maybe, if the bat family doesn't work out, I could join the wonder gang."
" I'd be happy to have you. Now, let's go see if breakfast is ready. "