A/N Thank you all for reviewing!
"Aren't you two cutsie?!"
A pleased giggle made Katherine turn her head just in time to see Harley, who was on her hands and knees, crawling over to them. She narrowly missed a shot, but it didn't seem to faze her, not now that she knew The Joker was the one firing most of the shots. The look on her face, a look of complete adoration and excitement, was confirmation that she'd also received the message.
"Kaaattt!"Harley sang in a cheery tone, clapping her hands with a happy grin before she beckoned Katherine over to her with her index finger."Playtime is over; it's time to go home."
Eyes widening in glee, Katherine made a sound of agreement just as two soldiers landed beside them, matching bullet holes in their temples. She heard Harley gasping awe before she was pulled to the ground by her friend and keenly guided away.
Harley, with a spring in her step, pulled at her friend impatiently."C'mooonnn!"
Katherine happily followed her friend but lingered for a short moment to turn and look at the hitman who was watching after her. She nodded at him, smiling small as if she were assuring him of something. The hitman saluted her with a short nod before giving her a quick, self-indulgent once over then sending her a lopsided grin.
"I'll try and keep my eyes off your ass long enough to watch your back, kitten."Deadshot called out to her, patting his gun then and moved so that he could have an eye on the soldiers who were nearest to the ramp."Sooner you go, sooner you can come back, right?"
Replying with a salute also, Katherine's mouth curved up at the hitman and she mouthed promise in response before she turned, letting Harley lead her. Interlocking their fingers as the sounds of gunfire grew more louder as more soldiers came to attack, the pair came into view of the helicopter.
Katherine felt a surge of relief flow through her and gave a small smile but continued to glance over at Deadshot who, as promised, was watching them.
"We'll come back for yer honey, Kitty Kat."Harley soothingly said to her best friend, squeezing her hand tight and smiling up at the helicopter."Puddin' likes meetin' new friends if he can play with them."
Katherine and Harley climbed onto the ramp without a care for the bullets being fired once they saw The Joker and Frost. They slowly walked the ramp, Amanda's screaming and the sounds of triggers being pulled becoming non-existent as they continued to watch the two men.
Eyes trained on the women, The Joker let his gun drop beside him while Frost carried on shooting down the soldiers. The Clown Prince dramatically bowed for Flag who was watching in disbelief before his attention turned to Harley and Katherine.
"Hello, baby…"The Joker drawled, breathing laboured and eyes darkening hungrily as he gazed at his queen before he looked at Katherine, eyes lingering almost fondly. The Joker chuckled darkly, beckoning them both with his fingers."C'mon, princess..."
Kicking two ropes from the edge, The Joker took a step back, his silver grills bared, blood red lips curled up into a large, predacious grin, an excitable cackle following. Frost was seated beside his boss, shooting at the soldiers with swift ease, donning a military uniform that had a patch with The Joker's emblem sewed in along with Frost's name and a bulletproof vest with some black gloves.
"Aww, you got a special one."Harley gushed, nodding at the rope ladder as she tore off her jacket, looking at her bat almost longingly before she dropped it, smile quickly returning as she turned to look at Katherine."Ain't they sweet?"
Katherine numbly nodded along, staring up at the helicopter. Her father paused in between shootings to beckon his daughter forward, looking just—if not more—relieved at the sight of his daughter. Katherine's smile widened at her father, a familiar feeling of instant security embracing her.
"Don't fall, ya hear?"Harley sang, free hand reaching out stroking Katherine's bump with an adoring croon. Harley's brow then furrowed in almost confusion before she nodded to herself, adding."Don't fall and bruise the road with yer pretty noggin."
Her voice was as child-like as always, but Katherine could sense that her attention was focused on the helicopter. Katherine couldn't blame her because she was doing the same Her father was in the helicopter as was her uncle J. And, for Harley, her Puddin' was waiting for her and nothing was going to stop her from climbing the rope, even if she had to hold onto Katherine while doing so and vice versa.
"I've dangled from one holding a sack of millions; i'll be a-ok."Katherine nodded, wiggling her fingers by her sides and squeezing Harley's hand as she stretched."Ready?"
"KILL THEM!"
Katherine's heart raced against her ribcage with a familiar excitement as she drew in fresh air, rolling back her shoulders. As she readied herself, she glanced at an enraged Flag who was trying to work the phone, angrily pressing down on their mugshots to kill them but to no avail.
"Their nanite's disarmed!"
"Yep!"Harley's laughter rang out in the night air, eyes wide with a vibrant yearning as she looked back up at her lover."Let's do it."
With the helicopter close enough for them to reach the ropes, Katherine turned her attention to running in time to catch hers. Glancing up at the helicopter once more, Katherine caught a glimpse of her father who was dexterously shooting down the soldiers that continued to fire at them and didn't think twice before picking up the pace. And, when Harley saw The Joker's arms open, ready for her to fall into them, she didn't waste any time.
With one last tug on Katherine's hand, the female clown the both separated and their slow steps became more determined before the pair made a run for the ropes. With a talented vigor, as she had many times before, Katherine bounded off of the edge of the ramp and launched herself onto the rope ladder. Planting one foot onto a step and her fingers locking around another, Katherine dangled from the rope ladder, a liberated smile on her face as her head tipped back, eyes closing.
"Whee!"
Eyes opening, she turned to watch as Harley, tightening the rope around herself, swung from the ropes with a gleeful giggle, legs spread out when she turned upside down, laughter echoing in the night air and laughed along with. Her smile soon turned to a pensive pout, however, as she remembered the days she used to join in.
The feeling content didn't last very long because everything started to spin.
"Oh, this isn't as fun as it used to be."Katherine murmured as she straightened herself eyes widening a little as the ground below her started to blur a little. Shaking her head firmly, Katherine tightened her grip on the rope ladder and looked up, inhaling a long breath."Guess ya don't like it, huh?"
As the helicopter continued to veer away from the roof, Katherine turned her head and looked back at the roof. Her eyes skimmed the Squad somewhat friendly as they watched her, then her lip curled up at the sight of Flag and Amanda glaring at her, but she soon smiled again as Deadshot appeared. One of his many and largest gun in hand, the hitman advanced upon the edge of the roof.
As she looked from Amanda then Deadshot, Katherine quickly surmised what had happened.
Deadshot came up to the side of the roof and got comfortable, holding his gun almost fondly before leaning down. He remained still for a second, watching them through his gun scope. The hitman's fingers grazed the side of the gun before he touched the trigger. He grazed the trigger with his finger, expression seemingly indifferent as Amanda looked on eyes flickering between the women and Deadshot.
Katherine watched him with a tight smile, extending one arm before leaning back, as if welcoming whatever he had in store for her.
BANG! BANG!
Despite the bullets missing them by mere inches, both women went still, their grips loosening a little on their ropes and tilted to the side, dangling off their ropes. Harley even went as far as loosening the rope around her, and she forcefully tumbled downwards, making it seem as if she were tangled in the rope and hanging in the air.
The pair waited a couple of seconds before reviving themselves with merry laughter. Laughter that only got louder when they noticed Amanda's smug smile fading to an enraged frown.
"Ha, ha, ha!"
Dangling on the step rope, Katherine saluted the hitman as he stepped away from the side of the roof, a complacent smirk on his face. Nodding, he kept his eyes on Katherine for a split second before turning to face Waller, saying something before sauntering off.
"Ain't he romantic?"
Quirking an eyebrow at Harley, Katherine continued to laugh as she turned away from the roof, climbing a few steps. The pair climbed up towards the tail ramp, looking up as they heard their names being called. The Joker and Frost appeared, leaning over the edge, both reaching down for them. Katherine and Harley both let out delighted gasps and hurried to meet them halfway.
"Hey,"A glimmer of relief flickered over Frost's face as he tightly gripped his daughter's hand, guiding her up towards him."Come on; it's time to go home."
The Joker gave a restless snarl, blue orbs clouding yearningly as he reached down further."Get up here, the pair of ya, we got some killin' to do!"
They shimmied up the ropes, Katherine letting go of the step rope as her father appeared and grabbed his hands so that her father could pull her up onto the tail ramp. Harley did the same, fingers wiggling and tickling The Joker's palm with a laugh before she gripped his hand. Frost and Joker kept hold of the women and pulled, their free hands clutching the handles on the side of the helicopter to prevent themselves from falling.
Finally, their heels touched the tail ramp and, after double checking that everyone was on board and safe, Frost turned to bark orders at the man controlling the helicopter. Katherine wanted to follow him, but she knew better.
"Let's get going."Katherine breathed in relief as she heard her father shouting the orders, making Cross gasp in fright and others shout back in obedience."Now!"
Nodding in agreement, Harley's eyes were bright and lively as she pulled at The Joker with steadfast adoration and satisfaction she was face to face with him.
"Puddin!"Harley happily gasped and lunged for him, seemingly forgetting that they were on the edge of the helicopter ramp, red lips curving up into a happy grin. Even if she did notice the risk of falling over the side, the female clown was as fearless as always, and her hand reached for her lover."C'mere!"
She wound her arms around The Joker's neck, impatiently pulling him down and tilting her head up to meet his mouth with her own. Harley gave a happy squeal at the touch, The Joker responding with a hungry growl of approval, embrace on her tightening as he deepened their kiss.
"Couldn't wait, huh?"Katherine mumbled before looking away from the pair, awkwardly still holding onto her friend as she eagerly waited for her father to ensure they were safe enough.
Katherine, despite wanting to roll her eyes at the PDA, couldn't help but give a small smile. They were oddly adorable, in their own way but there was, just as oddly, none more in 'love' she guessed. A dangerous, insane proprietorial love that nobody could comprehend but, still, there is nobody happier than them.
"Everybody's going home."Katherine watched as buildings passed them by, but her eyes were on the building she'd just leaped off of. Where Deadshot was."Everybody's going home."
Suddenly she felt a tight squeeze on her hand, Katherine looked down to see her hand joined with The Joker's, their matching mouth tattoos smiling up at her. Katherine raised her head and looked over to her uncle who was watching her with an almost scolding stare to which Katherine innocently shrugged at.
"Missed you too, uncle J."
A flicker appeared in his blue orbs, and The Joker rolled his eyes with his infamous grin before he brought Katherine's hand to his mouth. He looked to his niece once more before he kissed her knuckles, leaving behind a red imprint of his mouth.
"I tell ya, the crap I do ya."The Clown Prince grumbled at Harley and Katherine, flashing a broad grin before he turned back to Harley, eyes darkening with such frighteningly earnest adoration it made the female clown squeal happily."It's enough to drive a man loopy."
Springing up on her heels with a giddy grin, Harley batting her eyelashes."Yeah?"
"Yeah."The Joker's smile broadened eerily as he leaned down, eyes focused on his queen whose mouth was smeared red like his own, lips brushing Harley's as he called back."Ain't that right, Mr. Frost?"
Turning her head to face her father who was making his way over to her. Katherine smiled in relief, eyes widening in absolute happiness as her father appeared. Frost's 'game face' faded as he turned from the goons and his expression softened as he faced his daughter.
"If you say so, boss."
As the clown couple kissed, Katherine felt The Joker tug on her hand then squeeze once more before, without pulling away from his queen, he guided her around them and over to her father. She happily followed, already reaching out for her father, somehow returning to the little girl she used to be rushing for her father whenever he walked through the door.
"DAD!"
Swallowing the lump in her throat as she felt a sharp tug on her heart, Katherine's voice broke. Katherine shrieked over the chopping sound of the helicopter's rotor blades, eyes glassing over in relief as she rushed over to him, staggering a little. Frost's almost perpetual, indifferent frown, turned upside down and he opened his arms for his daughter.
With an exhausted and relieved sigh, Katherine fell into her father's embrace, fingers curling into his custom-made Joker-esque military uniform. Frost righted himself with a barely audible chuckle on his feet as he staggered from the force of Katherine's body colliding into his.
"Dad."Katherine whispered with another relieved gasp, a wave of emotion hitting her as she fell apart in his embrace."Dad, i-"
"I've got you."Frost murmured as reassuringly as he could, hand clasping the back of her head to keep her upright and close as the dull ache he'd felt in his chest for months quelled."I've got you. Everybody all right?"
Katherine couldn't hold back a beaming smile when she felt her father's free hand touch the side of her bump, his question including his unborn grandchild. She glanced at his features out of the corner of her eye to see Frost's brows knitted together pensively before slowly donning the expression—a soft, fond expression—she recognized well because it was customarily directed at her.
"We are now."Katherine replied with a sharp nod, embracing her father tighter for a moment before she pulled away to look up at him."Safe and sound."
"You used your father's day gift."Katherine's lips quirked up into a grin as she glanced over her shoulder at the dillon aero minigun her father had been firing at the soldiers, turning back to Frost with a pleased hum."I knew you liked it!"
"Was just waiting for the right time to use it. Now buckle up, all right?"Frost's warm smile slowly started to falter as his business expression returned, shoulders stiffening. Motioning to the handles on the roof with a pointed glance at Katherine's swollen stomach, he slowly turned from her to direct the goons some more."We're going home."
Complying, Katherine reached up for the handle and, curling her fingers around it, and she gripped on tightly.
"The rat was poisoned, yer daddy and good ol' uncle J took care of him."Her uncle drawled as Harley nuzzled into the crook of his shoulder and paused to murmur to his queen."Promise-promise."
He inhaled a long breath before turning to look back at Katherine, scanning her from head to toe and nodding to himself when he was convinced she was unscathed. But he then narrowed his eyes as his gaze was drawn to her swollen stomach, his head tilting to the left.
"I'm thinkin' you should go for the stork story."
He went quiet for a brief moment as he studied the bump almost accusingly before, still holding Katherine's hand, he reached out to touch the bump. He lightly poked her swollen stomach almost curiously, looking a little irritated that nothing happened, an expression that made Katherine fondly roll her eyes before, finally, he flattened his palm against the bump.
"Oh..."The Joker lazily hummed, eyes widening with something akin to awe when he felt a light nudge against his palm, his head inclining when Harley went up on her tip-toes to peck his cheek when she saw the beginnings of a grin."Itsy-bitsy baby's got a kick."
"Awww!"Harley imitated The Joker's grin against his cheek before pecking him once more."Look at that smile."
"Boss!"
Katherine's smile instantly faltered at the agitation in her father's voice, mouth down turning into a worried frown and she promptly turned around to face as his voice drew nearer.
"We got a problem!"
Brow furrowing at the alarm in her father's eyes, Katherine's own widened as she head Joker's goons shouting in panic, some randomly pressing buttons while others attempted to steer. The Joker pulled away from Harley long enough to turn and face Frost and once he caught on to what his right-hand man was telling him his expression didn't change much apart from a slightly annoyed glimmer in his eyes.
"It's not good, is it?"Katherine inquired, swaying from side to side.
Her response was her father suddenly striding towards her, his winding enclosing his daughter and pulling her against him so that he covered her just as the helicopter reeled to the side. Katherine cried out as she and her father hit against the side but held on to the handle as tight as she could, ears ringing as the sound of the goons screaming in unison as flames engulfed them.
"We haven't got long!"
Katherine sucked in a large gulp of air as her father pulled away from her once he was positive they were all as safe as could be for the moment. He staggered by his side as he turned to face The Joker, his hand covering Katherine's around the handle.
"This bird is baked."The Joker drawled to himself, looking at the approaching flames almost nonchalantly, a plan coming to his mind almost instantly as his smile appeared."All right, kiddies, we all ready to jump ship?"
Saluting her clown lover and stomping one foot on the ground, Harley keenly nodded."Yessir, yessir."
"Right behind ya, boss."Frost called over the wind, his mind catching the gist of The Joker's thought process albeit quite vaguely considering who his boss was."Roughly E.T.A is just under sixty seconds, probably less. We're cutting it close; there's no steering this thing. It's just us."
The gravity behind Frost's words fell flat on The Joker's ears and, as if his right-hand man had served him the Batman's head on a silver platter the male clown beamed manically. His laughter cut through the wind, and he bared his grills, red lips twisting upwards.
"Ohhhh!"The Joker crooned, reaching out and pinching Frost's cheek with his fingers, swaying back and forth with Harley."We better get a good view then."
Simply nodding in response, indulging his boss as always, Frost made sure the clowns were still holding onto the fastened handle on the roof before turning to face Katherine.
"The fall is far!"
Katherine opened her mouth to remind her father that she had, many a time, fallen from much higher. Much, much higher and walked away unscathed.
"The fall is far."Her father repeated sternly, eyes glancing down at Katherine bump before he met his daughter's eyes again, speaking slowly and with as much clarity as he could muster."I lose you, and you lose the mark, you need to strategize. Quickly. Protect what matters, think of the damage."
Katherine solemnly nodded in understanding, reading between the lines and grasping the warning in his voice.
Softest landing, debris or anything of the like. Katherine recited to herself, going over the many rules her father had drilled into her concerning survival. Protect the baby, protect your head. Find me, or i'll find you.
She nodded to herself once more, this time slowly as the words rung in her ears.
Protect the baby, protect your head, protect the baby, protect your head.
"Katherine?"
"I understand."Katherine shouted as loud as she could over the babel before fiercely proclaiming."I understand!"
The wind attacked them with as much force as the flames did, swallowing up the helicopter inch by inch just as quickly as they looked for a safe landing. The Joker and Harley seemed almost giddy at the thought of lunging out of the helicopter while Katherine felt slightly envious, remembering the thrill she once got.
"OUR STOP IS COMING UP, BRACE YOURSELF."Her ears caught The Joker's bellowing over the noise, feeling somewhat more comforted as her ears rung because of it, noting that he was nearby. "LEAP OF FAITH IS OUR NEXT STOP, HONEY."
Katherine clung to her father as one would a lifeline, eyes wide with panic as the helicopter lurched from side to side. She felt a little safer as his arm tightened around her while he called out for his boss who had clambered to the side of the helicopter.
Her arm wrapped around her bump, eyes watery because of the wind and felt a little reassured she felt a healthy kick against the palm of her hand. Katherine clung to her father like she had her entire life, she clung to safety, and as she did that, Katherine protectively hugged her bump as much as she could.
The panic running up her spine ceasing for a short moment as her father reassuringly squeezed her forearm.
"HOLD ONTO ME AND-"
The helicopter suddenly floundered, sending them crashing into the side. Katherine teetered with a panicked cry, suddenly feeling motion sickness reaching up again to hold onto one of the handles that fastened to the roof to keep herself inside and safe.
"DAD?"
Katherine reluctantly let go of her bump with her free hand and reached out for her father, as she presumed would be beside her, ready to follow the clowns when they undoubtedly happily lunged first just for the fun of it.
"WE NEED-"
Instead of her hand being met with the feeling of her father's hand or arm, Katherine was greeted with air and was pushed back when the wind decided to surge at her. Her eyes barely caught sight of a figure stumbling before she heard a startled shout, following by her name slicing through the wind almost painfully.
"KATH-"
The wind swallowed up the rest of the name and Katherine let go of the handle without a second thought, ready to follow the voice. Rubbing her eyes, the air gushed into her mouth, silencing a scream when she saw her father stumble.
Out of the helicopter.
"DAD!"
Katherine's high pitched screaming echoed throughout the night air, this time unsilenced, eyes glassing over as her father, thoughts catching up with reality, looked up at her. A glimmer of anguish appeared on his face until he composed himself and watched his daughter for another second before he started to reach out for anything to grab onto.
"No!"
You lost the mark; you need to strategize. You lost the mark; you need to strategize. You lost the mark; you need to strategize.
Katherine opened her mouth to scream after him, but slowly she started to lose sight of him.
In the midst of horror and the instinct to follow her father, Katherine still held out her arm as if she expected her father to take it. A heartbroken whimper followed as her father's features disappeared, the darkness of the night swallowing him and she was unable to make him out in it.
"C'mon, princess, we'll find him once we've hit ground."Katherine numbly nodded along, barely noticing the tattooed ringed fingers locked around her wrist."Hold onto yer uncle J and everything will be-"
The helicopter jolted once more, and Katherine unsteadily shifted from side to side eyes still trained on the darkness below. The brunette was unable to process what was happening and barely had time to catch up before she felt a gush of air hit her face and, suddenly, her feet were no longer planted on the ground.
"KAT!"Harley's horrified screech sliced through the thick wind."My kitty!"
Tears welled in her eyes, and a scream ripping through the air, Katherine's eyes darted around, horror clouding her dark orbs as she caught onto what had happened. She kicked at air as if she could rush back onto the helicopter, her heart hammering against her ribcage.
Reaching out, her fingers barely grazed the edge of the helicopter ramp before it was out of reach.
"Uncle J!"
Katherine shouted for him as loudly as she could, heartbeat echoing in her ears when she saw a flicker of alarm in The Joker's eyes—something she'd never seen and never thought she'd ever witness—as he leaned out as far as was possible for her.
"Uncle J!"The helicopter was far too out of reach and continued to put more distance between them with each passing second. Katherine, in spite of it being impossible, continued to reach out for him, panic dripping from her pleas."Please. My baby. I can't...i can't lose..."
He was too far away.
"CLUMSY LITTLE..."She faintly heard The Joker scoldingly shout before catching sight of him reaching down as far as he could, clouded expression telling her that he was most certainly going to bench her after they found her father. She needed his nonchalance."C'mon, ain't no time for games, princess!"
Katherine felt a wave of devastation and surprise rush through her as her uncle was suddenly gone. The helicopter jolted once more, and she saw a flash of Harley's hair swipe through the air as she was also knocked back. Then the helicopter suddenly became engulfed in flames, starting at the front and, like a wildfire, spread.
The helicopter started to go down, and as it tipped, she caught a glimpse of Harley and The Joker. Watching the flames almost in amusement and a flicker of loss, the pair quickly seemingly accepted their fate as long as they were with each other before passionately embracing.
Sometimes Katherine was envious of their fearlessness.
Then they were suddenly gone, just like her father.
This can't be happening.
"NO!"
Katherine suddenly found it hard to catch her breath, and her hair flew in front of her eyes, making her even more frightened because she couldn't tell where she was falling to.
"Please, no."
Katherine suddenly found herself enveloped by darkness, tortured by the sound of the blasts of air hitting her face and in ringing her ears as well as the smell of burning. She helplessly flailed her arms around, legs kicking at nothing and a feeling of sheer fear stuck rushed through her being.
Cheeks flushing as she struggled to breathe along with the realization that she was done for, her heart almost stopped beating as Katherine's shaking hands clutched at her stomach as terror made her blood run cold.
My baby, my baby, my baby.
Whimpering in fear, Katherine closed her eyes in an attempt to compose herself, teeth biting and slicing into her bottom lip to stop herself from screaming. Hugging herself protectively as she fell through the air, Katherine curled into herself and prayed to every deity she'd heard of.
Then, suddenly, there was nothing.
There was just nothing.
Thank you all for reading, i hope you liked it!
SORRY THIS IS SO LATE. WRITER'S BLOCK HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY HAUNTING ME.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please tell me if you did by reviewing!