November 9th 2016
Paris France
6:00 PM Paris Time
Anna walked into the sitting area of the apartment her father had procured for them. The décor of the place was very modern and artsy. Her room even had a view of the Eiffel Tower. It was by far the coolest place she had ever stayed in.
"There she is, are you enjoying yourself?" Her father asked.
"I haven't seen a whole lot so far but ya. It's great here."
"Wonderful. Harley wants to take you for a girl's night tonight. Would you be up for that?"
Wow, the Harley Quinn wanted to take her out? "Sounds awesome. Any idea where we're going?"
Harley entered holding a bunch of department store bags. "We are going to paint the town red baby girl. Mama Harley went a little nuts and got you some special presents to get dolled up in."
"Harley, you didn't have to. You got me so much stuff back home."
"That was Gotham stuff. This Anna-Banana is Paris! The fashion capital of the world! Now come on, lets go get ready."
"Um, sure but would you give me a sec? I wanna talk to Dad about something."
"No problem. I will just get things set up in your room and you come join me when you're done." Harley kissed both of Anna's cheeks in a French style and went to the room.
When they were alone The Joker got off the couch and walked to his daughter. "What can I do for you princess?"
Anna couldn't help smiling every time he called her that. It felt like a genuine term on endearment from the father she never knew until a few days ago. She really liked it. "I just had a question that's been bugging me. It's no big deal but I wanted to know. How did I get my name?"
The Joker crossed the room looking somber. "It wasn't from me. The Doctor who delivered you named you Anna. Your mother wanted to name you Sophia."
"Did you want that to be my name too?"
"I hated it actually. Call me old fashioned but I was a fan of traditional names at the time. You'll find this funny but I pushed for something out of the Bible. I had grown up Irish Catholic so religion was a big deal to me then. Still is somewhat I suppose. Harley and I were married by a Catholic priest."
This surprised Anna. She'd had no religious upbringing at all but pretended to be Jewish so she could get a job. "That is funny. What would you have chosen?"
"It doesn't matter now, you're Anna." He was getting agitated. She understood that he didn't like talking about the past but she needed answers and still had more questions but thought better of unloading them on him all at once. She'd have to pick her moments.
"It matters to me. I hear it in your voice every time you say Anna. You don't like it. I wanna know what it means to be your daughter but I cant do that if every time you say my name it sounds like you're chewing glass."
"What will you do? Change your name?"
"If I have to, you don't go by your birth name and neither does Harley. Why shouldn't I start with a new name? I'm starting a whole new life."
The girl had a point. "Rebecca, That was the name I chose for you back then. But you're not changing your name."
"But…"
"You're doing this because you want my approval. While that is admirable its also stupid. I didn't change my name because I felt like it. I did it because the man I was died, I had to become someone else. Harley became who she is because she killed who she used to be. You princess, are not where we are yet, not by a long shot. Maybe one day you will be. But until then, be who you are, not who you think I want you to be." He looked down and saw something in her hand. "What's that?" he asked.
Anna looked down at the envelope in her hand remembering the other thing she wanted to talk to him about. "Well, I was thinking about the conversation we had on the plane and wanted to ask you if you would mail this for me." She handed her father the open envelope that felt thick with paper. It was addressed to a pawnshop in the Narrows.
"Anna, we talked about this. This may be a pleasant family vacation but we are also on lock down. There is not contact with anyone outside from our family or our staff."
"I know but this is different. The guy who owns the shop helped me when I ran away. He gave me a job and money and helped me with a place to stay. The least I can do is pay him back what he loaned me. I didn't leave my name on it or anything. I just don't want to leave any unfinished business back home."
"It's not sealed. "
"That's because I want you to trust me. I didn't seal it so you can read it for yourself that I'm not giving anything about our family away. Please Dad?"
The Joker exhaled, She defeated him again. "Ok Anna, but this is it. After this letter you contact no one else."
"Absolutely. Thank you." She turned to go to her room but she hesitated.
"Something else?" He asked.
"Just one more thing." She quickly wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. It was the first one they had shared since they found each other. At first The Joker didn't know what to do, but slowly he relaxed and hugged her back. He lowered his head and kissed her hair. The moment was so sweet and a little heartbreaking. The sound of a Polaroid camera broke the silence. Harley was standing by the door shaking the picture and dabbing her eyes.
"I'm sorry, was that weird of me?" She asked and excused herself.
Anna laughed awkwardly as she followed Harley into her room.
The Joker stood where Anna had hugged him. She hugged him, actually hugged him. Harley was right, he needed to be more loving with her and he'd start right now. There was no way in hell those two were going off on their own tonight, not without a team of his men following their every move.
November 9th 2016
The Eiffel Tower
9:00PM Paris Time
Harley looked like a Barbie doll on crack as she held Anna's hand prepping her for what they were about to do.
"I saw this in a movie once and have been dying to try it ever since." She said
"You're fucking insane! This is a really bad idea Harley!"
"So was stealing your dad's car but you did it anyway right?"
"Point taken but still this is seriously fucked up!"
"Allow me to bestow a lesson on you that your father once gave to me. Desire becomes surrender, surrender becomes power. If you surrender to your deepest desire you will have power over it and so much more. What is it that you desire most Anna?"
Anna looked down into the abyss and thought about what she desired most in the world. "I desire freedom. All my life I've felt trapped in a role I never asked to play. Now I've played so many parts I don't know who I am anymore. To he honest I don't think I ever learned who I really am."
Harley smiled and held Anna's hand. "Then there's your answer. Find your freedom, find your self and become something greater. You just have to jump. Are you ready?"
Anna looked out at the endless sea of lights that stretched across the city. She envisioned flying over them like a bird. "Yes,"
"Then on the count of 3. 1…2…"
"3," Anna said as they jumped still holding hands.
The height from the top of the tower was even freakier when you plummeted from it. The bungee straps Harley strapped to their ankles bounced them in the air a few times before they came to a complete stop and hung upside down and swung for a while.
"Holy shit!" Anna screamed. "That was amazing!"
Harley laughed "Having fun or what?!" She grabbed her ankle and pulled herself right side up. "Come on kid, we gotta climb back and get outta here before the cops come." Anna followed suit and they raced for the top, Harley won. "That means first round is of you!" She shouted as they giggled, put their shoes back on and ran down the stairs as the cops arrived.
They ducked behind some near by shrubbery and waited for a clear moment to leave. "I can't believe you did that with me just now." Harley said.
"What are you talking about? You said it was perfectly safe." Anna questioned.
"Anna, I'm a certified maniac. Didn't you know that?"
"Guess I should have thought of that earlier."
"Probably, ok we're clear, lets get drunk!"
Harley took Anna's hand and they skipped away laughing like 2 best friends. She really liked Harley, more than as a friend but as someone to look up to. She was fearless, adventurous and made everything fun.
Harley brought them to a trendy club under some popular bridge. Whatever it was called, Anna couldn't pronounce the name. When they took their seats in the VIP room Harley ordered a bottle of Crystal and told the waiter to keep them coming "…till we both pass the fuck out."
"Thank you for taking me out tonight Harley. This has been the most amazing night ever."
Harley smiled and clinked glasses with Anna "To living every moment like it's your last." She said and downed her class.
Anna did the same. As Harley refilled both of their glasses she started asking Anna about herself. "So, your father wont ask this but I will, what's your pref? Boys or girls?"
Anna choked a little on her next sip "Um, just boys so far."
"And have there been many?"
"No, none actually, I've done things but not everything."
"Ah, so you still have your V card?"
"Y-yes. Can we talk about something else?"
"Sure! So are you on the pill?"
"Seriously?"
"Look honey, you are a beautiful, desirable young woman and one day there will be a boy who will charm his way into your pants. I just wanna know that when that day comes you'll be prepared."
"I am not on the pill."
"Well that changes as soon as we get home. Your father is beyond thrilled to have you back but I know he's flip out in a very bad way of he became a grandfather any time soon."
Anna laughed and drank more of her champagne. "There was one boy back in Gotham but that's totally over now."
Harley was intrigued "Oh, do tell. Wait! Let me guess… tall, dark and handsome with a little bit of a dangerous streak and secrets."
Anna was shocked "How the hell did you know all that?"
Harley looked at her knowingly. "Sweetie, I was 16 too once, that's the type your age group falls for..." Her attention was caught by something behind Anna. "…speaking of tall dark and handsome, there's one looking your way right now."
Anna froze, "What should I do?"
A wicked smile graced Harley's lips. "Ok sit up a little straighter and stick your chest out, your small chested so you won't look like a bimbo or anything." Anna did as she was told. Harley continued, "Now take your glass and in mid sip act like I said something funny and flip your hair." She did.
"It's worked kid, he'll arrive in 3, 2, 1…"
"Bonjour," a deep voice said behind Anna.
She turned to see a beautiful tall boy with long hair and deep brown eyes. "Hello," She said back.
He smiled "You are American?"
"Yes we are." Anna responded.
"Excellent, I love America." His thick French accent made every word of English sound so much sexier.
"What is your name?" he asked
Anna thought for a moment and decided she didn't want to be Anna tonight. "I'm Sophia, this is my mom Harley."
Harley was touched Anna introduced her as her mother.
"Your mother? I though you were sisters."
Harley answered him "Well I had her young." She winked at Anna.
"Je comprends, my name is Andre. I was wondering if I could buy your daughter a drink and you as well of course."
Anna was shocked for a moment; he wanted to buy her a drink! "Uh, that's very sweet of you but we're kind of having a girls night."
Andre pursed his lips disappointed and looked at Harley, "Madam, Please forgive me for impeding on your lady's night but if you would permit me, I would love to dance with your daughter."
"I think she would like that, go on Sophia, have fun!"
Andre took Anna's hand and led her to the dance floor. They moved and grinded to the beat of the music. For a guy, Andre was a very good dancer. He spun Anna around and she laughed as he made her a little dizzy. Then a waiter brought 2 drinks for them on the floor. It didn't escape Anna that he deliberately picked the glass farther away from him on the tray. Anna took the other glass but felt something strange in her gut.
"Thank you but I really shouldn't, I've been drinking champagne all night and I don't wanna get sick." She went to put the drink back but Andre stopped her.
"No! It's a special drink I ordered for you. My friend is the bartender, he makes this special mix for the beautiful girls and you…" he grabbed her hips and pulled her closer "…are the most beautiful girl in the club."
Now Anna really felt weird. She took the drink and pretended to take a sip. Anna looked back at Harley who saw the tension in Anna's eyes and took that as her que. She left a few bills on the table and made a bee-lint to Anna.
"Thank you for showing my little girl a good time but we need to go now. Her father will kill us if we're home too late." She took Anna's hand and pulled her out of the club.
Once outside Anna hugged Harley. "Thank you, something about that guy started to weird me out…" Anna's voice trailed off as she saw Andre and 2 other guys exit the club and look for her.
"Where do you think you're going? The party hadn't even started yet Chere, and my friends want to meet your mother." Andre was still smiling as he and his boys grabbed Harley and Anna.
Anna started to fight back but she saw Harley was actually amused by what they were up to. "Relax Anna honey, Mama's got this. Hey Frost?!" She yelled and 7 of the Joker's men appeared holding automatic weapons.
Anna was amazed but Harley looked like it was just another day in her life of insanity. She looked Andre in the eyes and started laughing in his face, "You are so screwed. Take them away boys."
November 10th
The Catacombs
1:26 AM Paris Time
The boys from the club were on their knees tied to pillars made of human bones. The Joker loved the Paris Catacombs. They were like a living breathing tomb that was filled with death, mystery and crazy people obsessed with the previous 2. It was the perfect place to take out the trash.
Anna stood in the corner of the gallery holding herself while Harley stood proud and triumphant looking down on the scum who tried to pull a fast move on the Joker's girls.
"Good evening gentleman, welcome to Paris' newest hottest after hourssssssssspot." He hit the T so strongly that it echoed through the space.
"Now! Which one of you was the one who tried to drug my sweet little daughter?" He put his hands over his heart and bent over to look them each in the eye. The 3 dirt bags said nothing as they cowered in fear of the clown. "Sweetheart? Tell Daddy which one it was." He was in full killer clown mode. Anna hadn't seen this side of him yet but she wasn't afraid of him. She was honestly more afraid of herself. She pointed to the boy in the middle, "His name is Andre."
"Ah, Andre…" he said in a French accent "tell me Andre, how many other beautiful young ladies have you bedded against their will? Hmmmmm? Can you even count that high?"
Andre looked at the floor. "What's the matter Andre? Forgot English? No problem, let me rephrase… combien de filles avez-vous reped écume?" Andre still said nothing but started to cry. "I bet you understood that time didn't ya?" the Joker grabbed the top of Andre's hair and nodded his head for him them slapped Andre's face in a playful manner. "I despise rapists, you are the lowest class of criminal and we are putting you out of business as of tonight." He backed away from Andre's face and help out his hand for Anna.
"Princess, would you come here please?"
Anna came into her father's embrace. He held her and rocked her gently. "Everything's ok princess. Daddy, if going to make it all better." He was talking to her but not really. He was letting the boys know they were going to die.
"You're going to kill them?" She asked.
His sick laughter echoed off the walls. "No sweetie…" he cupped her face with one hand and stroked her hair with the other. "…you are."
Anna felt the darkness start to swallow her. "I, I, I cant dad."
"Of course you can. These specimens of smegma would have done unspeakable things to you. They deserve it."
Anna started to panic, "You don't understand, I have IED, I black out. I feel it coming now."
"No you don't. Stay with me baby. Stay here with Daddy."
She started hyperventilating "I cant, I'm gonna go dark. Please Daddy."
"IED is a medical term they locked you into to hide away the real you. Now come on stay with me."
Her eyes started rolling back. The joker backhanded Anna across the face. "This is a pivotal moment for you princess, don't hid away from it."
"I don't know how… I don't…" he covered her mouth with his left hand, the one with his laughing face tattoo and held her head with his right. It was so tight she couldn't move. "Shhhhhhhhh, You are my child. The fruit of my loins. I know you better than you know yourself even though we've only known about each other a shot time."
He loosened his grip and continued. "We had the you're too old for dolls conversation but are you too old for Disney? Nod yes or no."
Anna shrugged then shook her head no. He smiled "I was hoping you'd say that. There's one song I know where a scared misunderstood girl decides to quit being what everyone expects her to be. Do you know it?"
Anna nodded again. "That's you princess. Now are you here with me?" She nodded and he slowly dropped his hand and pulled a knife from his belt. "Let it go." He whispered and brought the knife eye level. "Let it go." He whispered again. "That perfect girl is gone." He sang lightly and stepped aside giving Anna access to Andre.
She took the knife and began walking to Andre. The Joker stood back whistling the rest of the song. Andre was shaking a begging for his life as Anna stood right in front of him. The Joker stopped whistling. Anna held the knife to Andre's throat and finished the song where the Joker left off. "The cold never bothered me anyway…" She dragged the blade across Andre's neck then she killed his 2 friends.
Hey Readers!
I hope you liked this chapter. I realized I hadn't put a whole lot of psycho Joker in the story yet and wanted to let him have some fun working on Anna's mental state. The whole Frozen thing came from my watching that movie and many other Disney movies with my kids over and over again. The songs actually make me go a little nuts after a while. I thought how funny would it be if the Joker uses a happy song like "Let It Go" to convince Anna to kill people.
Thank you to Johan Kira Expelliarmus for the idea with Anna and the names the Joker and her birth mother had originally picked out. I hope I did it justice!
Anyway please, please, please let me know what you guys think!