After running out on Alex the other day Harley returned to Ivy's place to lay low for a while. Joker wouldn't miss her much and she could use Ivy's advice on how to deal with this situation she now found herself in. Currently the two of them were eating breakfast at a café across the street from the RSS. Ivy was currently going on about her latest plan to bring down corrupt corporations that threated the environment but Harley wasn't really paying attention, her focus on the office behind the plant queen. She could just make out Alex sitting behind his desk, no doubt typing away at his computer on some military related business.

He had changed so much in the past four years. When Harley last saw him he had been going through the typical symptoms of PTSD, a result of his deployment and as such had been very unresponsive to others and she had been worried for his health, afraid that he'd do something stupid if left alone. A strong feeling of guilt came over her whenever she think back to those times, no doubt her actions had a negative effect on his already fragile state of mind and then having been told he'd committed suicide…

But here he was today, alive and well with no signs of any mental issues from the brief encounters they've had. She was surprised however to learn that he had reenlisted; he'd always talk about wanting to get out before the incident though she supposed with nothing left to come back to there was no reason NOT to reenlist. Harley wasn't too familiar with military ranks, but Sergeant definitely sounded impressive. He'd come along way while she'd been stuck in the same cycle of crime day in and day out.

"Hey, you paying attention?" Ivy asks and Harley quickly turned her attention back to her.

"Oh, sorry Red, just got a lot on my mind is all." She replied looking back over her shoulder to the RSS.

"Is this about your friend? We can go over there if you want." Ivy offered, though harley can tell it's the last thing she wants to do.

"That's probably not the best idea, he has orders to kill or capture us and he keeps a loaded shotgun under that desk."

"Paranoid much?" Ivy sarcastically remarked.

"Well Gotham isn't exactly the safest city in America ya know?"

"True. So, what are you going to do?" She asked and Harley knew the answer she was looking for, that she'd leave the Joker for good and hopefully stay with her. Sadly, she couldn't give it to her.

"He's worried that I'll get myself killed and wants to help me, but I don't need help with anything do I?"

"You're really asking me that? You know how I feel about your relationship with Joker. If the both of us are telling you to ditch him than it's probably in your best interest to do so."

"Ugh, you two just don't understand! I have to stay!"

"Harley while I don't like the idea of you surrendering yourself to the military, I'd rather have you do that instead of stay with Joker; at least then I'll know your safe with them."

"Safe? They'll more than likely lock me up in some hole for life if they don't outright execute me!" Harley said a bit louder than intended. She couldn't believe Poison Ivy of all people was seriously suggesting she just hand herself over to the military.

"This guy's your friend, right? If that's true, then I'm sure he'll make sure nothing happens to you." She said in an attempt to reassure her. It did somewhat but Harley couldn't get what he'd said during their last conversation out of her head.

"…It's Sergeant. Only my friends call me Alex…" Those words had really stung coming from him but Harley didn't blame him for saying them.

"I'm not sure what we are to be honest with you."

"All I'm asking is for you to keep an open mind. I'll always have your back no matter what." Ivy told her, reaching across the table to hold the girl's hands in hers. Harley looked up into Ivy's eyes and could see the sincerity in them and she was right. No matter what she did Ivy was always there for her, just as Alex had been all those years ago and Harley couldn't help but think she didn't deserve either of them.

"Thanks Red, you're a real friend you know that?"

...

It was closing time at the RSS. Alex had sent the Poolees away after afternoon PT and took care of some last-minute paperwork before changing over into civvies. As he walked to the door to leave he noticed an envelope wedged between the door and its frame. It was odd, most people just called the office but Alex didn't think much of it until he opened it.

Sergeant Westbrook

I know who you are and what you're really doing in Gotham. I also know that you want to help your friend Harleen Quinzel be free of Joker's influence just as I do. I have information that can lead you to her and Joker's whereabouts. Meet me at the Gotham Botanical Gardens 8:00 PM tomorrow evening.

Regards

P.L.I.

Alex didn't know who P.L.I was but either way it was a serious breach of security. Whoever this was obviously knew Harley and if she had told them what he was doing there was the possibility that she had told all the other rogues about him. Joker already knew who Alex was, but he hadn't tried anything after Halloween, no doubt he was plotting something terrible. The thought alone made Alex want to shit myself, the last thing he needed was a lynch mob coming after him.

If he did go to this meeting it'd have to be alone, Barbara was still recovering and wouldn't be able to tag along and General Anderson had strongly advised against Alex involving Batman or Robin any further. However, the message didn't say anything about coming unarmed and Alex felt that he was capable of shooting his way out if things go sideways.

It was a risk, but the chance to finally get Harley back from the Joker was too good to pass up.

…Mission Complete…