A/N: This one is meant to be just a little fun before we hit the big time. I'm gonna need a lot of coffee for the next couple of chapters haha!

Thank you for your reviews!

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Chapter 18 – Little Gathering

A month on and baby Jack was 7 weeks old, Harley had recovered well and was as fit as she had been before going into Arkham. She was healthy and her paranoia about people taking the baby had calmed right down. Joker was getting antsy to storm Arkham, but there wasn't any point going in and teaching a lesson to the people that didn't require it. Harley and Harleen had had a couple of power struggles, but Harley had won pretty much every battle. Whatever her puddin' and Harleen had spoken about, had really upset the doctor in her mind. Not that Harley particularly cared about Harleen, but it was her head that was getting quite noisy.

There had been an unusual turn in her life as well, it seemed that the Joker was astoundingly jealous of Jack and it became apparent mostly in the evenings when they were being a little bit amorous and the baby started to cry, Joker was certain the baby knew his mother's attention had drifted from him and he wasn't about to let his father have it instead. Harley had tried to get Jack back onto a bottle for at least one feed, but he wasn't having any of it and she wasn't sure who Joker was jealous of during his moments. She didn't know if he was jealous of the baby for her attention, or jealous of her for having special time with the baby. He just got grumpy and snippy and would storm off and only return once the baby was asleep again. It meant that other fun times hadn't resumed as normal and she didn't feel like she was a bad person for wanting to resume that part of their very psychotic relationship.

Harley was just finishing feeding the baby when Joker walked into their room. He tugged a loose tie from the collar of his shirt, checked his lipstick in the mirror and swept back his hair. Harley grinned as her baby boy finally let go and she rubbed his back and let him burp. She changed his diaper and put him into a fresh one-piece suit before she settled him into his cot.

"Are you almost ready, princess?" Joker asked and turned to her with his tube of red lipstick.

"Almost," Harley answered. She sorted out her dress and slipped on her heels. The dress was a red and black version of her dress that had been ruined by Monster T's brain cells, the shoes matched but the heel was perilously high. She'd applied red and black make up and her hair was long and down with its gentle natural waves.

Harley Quinn was back in action.

"You look good enough to eat," Joker purred.

"Promises, promises," Harley giggled. She took the lipstick from him and painted on his trade mark smile. She looked at their reflection in the full length mirror and she giggled excitedly. They looked ready to kill.

"We look good as a set, puddin'," Harley smiled. There was another side to them these days. They were fierce and protective parents around Jack, they viewed each other as potential risks to their child and defended him as best they needed to. But the flip side was a pair of psychotic clowns that had more of a reason than ever to rain down a little chaos. Harley had become one of those awful women who bounced back from pregnancy relatively quickly and whilst her figure was a little more hourglass than before and her breasts were heavier, she really didn't look like she'd ever been pregnant.

Joker was wearing a maroon button up, with just a few buttons actually fastened, black slacks, polished dress shoes, his shoulder holsters and his silver jacket over the top. She loved this outfit, his contrasting pale tattooed skin against the dark colour shirt just made her want to touch his chest and run her fingers over his ink.

"Let's go, they'll be waiting," Joker said lowly.

"Yes, Mistah J," Harley nodded. She checked on the baby one last time before she turned on the monitor. He was soundly asleep and she smiled as she turned to the Hyenas. "My babies, come to momma." She held her arms open and they approached with wagging tails and excited yipping. She hugged and stroked them before she stood again and pointed at the cot.

"Don't let anyone touch our cub, boys," Harley told them and stroked the animals' heads. She watched as Bud sat at the end of the cot and Lou laid beside it. "Good boys, momma will bring ya somethin' nice ta eat. Anyone comes in here that ain't me, Mistah J or Frosty, kill em."

"Yes Miss Harley," Joker said almost mockingly. "Come on, let's go." Harley gave the hyena's one last stroke and then she left with the Joker. She had the speaker part of the monitor and switched it on to make sure that Jack would be heard. They were only going to the club, but she wasn't comfortable being away from him for long.

They entered the elevator and Harley felt arms being wrapped around her. She leaned into her husband's embrace and she kissed him back fervently, god she wanted him so much. They reached the bottom and used the mirror in the lift to fix lipstick and hair before they walked out. Frost met them and they walked round into the club. The noise was deafening, the drunk and high citizens of Gotham all cheered and parted ways for the King and Queen. Harley giggled excitedly as they approached Joker's 'business suite'. They walked up the stairs and Frost walked ahead into the room first. Harley went next and finally Joker, swaggering in like a Lion.

"Ladies, gentlemen," Joker said slowly as a grin spread across his face. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Poison Ivy, Deadshot, Killer Croc, Boomerang, Rick Flag and June Moone were sat in the suite. The only two that were nervous were Flag and June, they had every reason to be. Deadshot and Boomer's mouths almost dropped at the sight of Harley but they already knew better than to stare or comment.

"Red!" Harley squeaked and went to her best friend. She wrapped her arms around the redhead and Ivy pulled Harley into her lap.

"It's been too long, honey," Ivy grinned and hugged her friend.

"I wouldn't mind watching that, if you know what I mean," Boomerang muttered to Deadshot who just scowled at him, not wanting to lose his brain because of the Australians errant mind.

"What was that?" Joker snarled at Boomer and he just shrugged and took a gulp or three of his beer. "I thought so. Be a shame to lose the cannon fodder before the cannons arrive. I have one last thing for you all before you're free of your contract to me. I'd do it all myself, but I know the Bat will show up and I have very good reason to avoid him. Together, I'm sure that can be done."

"Sorry I'm late."

"Eddie!" Harley almost screamed and ran at the Riddler. She hugged him and kissed his cheek, leaving a blood red stain.

"Harley," Joker growled and she dragged Eddie to sit down. She handed out more drinks and perched on Ivy's lap again.

"So you've brought us here as your collateral damage?" Deadshot smirked. "Nah, I ain't into that unless I'm getting paid real well."

"If you can escape, you escape," Joker shrugged. "But we are going to tear down Arkham Asylum. There's three people you leave to me and Harley. Samantha Drake, Quincy Sharpe and Jeremiah Arkham are mine and Harley's. Especially Samantha Drake. Anyone else touches a hair on her pretty doomed head, then you will die."

"What's so special about her?" Croc asked.

"She was my project," Harley giggled. "She wanted to help little old me away from my horrid life." She cackled and leaned her head on Red's shoulder.

"She's a decent person, she just decided to fix Harley, we all know how that goes," Ivy answered. "Shame, she would've made a good dancer."

"Awww did ya fancy her, Red?"

"Don't be silly-"

"I'm going to shoot one of you," Joker snapped. "As I said-"

"Boss-"

Quick as lightning, Joker grabbed his gun from its holster and fired at the poor henchman that had come to the doorway. The bullet went through his forehead and he collapsed to the ground. Harley laughed loudly when she realised it had been Frankie. Well he was due to retire soon anyway.

"Frost, clean it up," Joker said lowly.

"On it, boss," Jonny answered.

"Now, where was I?" Joker muttered. "That's right. You are all there to distract the Bat, any of his friends that turn up and to make sure Drake, Sharpe and Arkham do not leave the island. I don't care how you do it. I'll have a small army of mindless bodies also in there, but they will be killed or knocked out within seconds of meeting Batsy, they are there just to slow him down a bit."

"What the hell are you planning?" Deadshot asked. "I ain't killing no women."

"That's what Harley's going to do, just one specific woman," Joker smirked. "I wouldn't ask you to go against your moral code, assassin."

"Anyway we like?" Boomerang asked.

"That's what I said," Joker said flatly. "Nigma, I don't care what you do as long as Harley and I don't get caught in the crossfire. Weed… go for it, just have some fun."

"There's some interesting spores on Arkham Island, I'm sure I can put them to use," Ivy mused and stroked Harley's leg. "I'll make a few underground tunnels with the roots of my plants. Just in case."

"See, I told you Red would help," Harley grinned to Joker. He frowned at her and she looked to the floor for a second. He held his hand out and Harley reluctantly left Ivy and went to him. He took her hand and pulled her to sit across his knee. He was showing her off, she knew that much. He was looking to find the weak link and Harley knew it would be Boomerang that messed up here. She couldn't help the thrill that ran through her. It was still going on an hour later and she was now bored and trying to annoy Joker into letting her go do something else.

"Why don't you go and dance, Princess?" Joker said to her as his hand ran up and down her thigh. She bit her lip and kissed him before she jumped to her feet. "Clear the club, Frost, I want to watch my Queen dance some more."

"Yes boss," Jonny nodded and gave the signal to the rest of the staff. Immediately the crowd was pushed out and the club went silent.

"Don't watch too much boys, I'd hate to lose ya before the fun begins," Harley smirked. There was another level of pleasure to the poor chump now being one of the squad. Joker's eyes didn't leave her as she walked through the club. She owned, it, all eyes were on her and as she climbed into her glass and gold cage, the music swiftly changed and Harley grinned as she felt herself come to life again.

"In the land of Gods and Monsters
I was an Angel
Living in the garden of evil..."

Joker watched as Harley started to dance to an all too familiar song. She was a puppet to the music and everyone was lost to her. She worked her body to the beat and used every inch of the cage to her advantage. Her pale skin caught the light and her white hair shimmered. Her dress glinted and sparkled and her jewellery shone. Everything was mesmerising. She was a temptress, a witch, even Ivy couldn't look away and she'd seen this a hundred times. He kept his eyes on his girl as she played to the music and their hired dancers came to the outside of the cage to emphasise that the Queen was back.

"She's something special, isn't she?" Joker said lowly and downed his whiskey. The air in the suite had changed. He'd changed the game and no one knew what his new rules were.

"She's your girl, Jay," Deadshot said, wisely stating his view on everything.

"I never quite understood why you let her do this, for someone so possessive-"

"Eddie," Ivy hissed. She knew this was a dangerous change of game. Harley dancing in the cage was a trap for all that decided they were brave enough to stare. Stolen glimpses, the Joker could cope with, but drawn out gawping would lead to certain death.

"I dunno, I've seen some strippers in my time," Boomer chuckled.

"Are you calling Harley a stripper?" Joker asked, dragging the words out.

"Nah, bro, she's far too classy," Boomer answered and finished his beer.

Harley wound herself around the chain that hung from the top of the cage and used it as leverage to dance with. She pressed herself against the glass and looked up to meet Joker's eye. She giggled and started to dance just for him, never leaving his gaze. He clicked his fingers and Frost poured another whiskey.

"Boss, we've got some intel," Frost said as he handed Joker a clean tumbler.

"What's that then Frost?" Joker asked.

"Samantha Drake? She's returning to Arkham tomorrow," Frost explained. "They've taken her out of hiding and put her straight back to duties."

"Fantastic," Joker grinned. "Jonny, take these… people to the office." His concentration entirely on Harley. "Right now, I have far better things to be doing." Jonny escorted the Squad up to the office before he sent all the staff home. Joker stood at the edge of his suite and smirked as the song was put on repeat and Harley continued to dance. They all knew what was going to happen and judging by how dark Harley's eyes were, she knew too.

Joker wandered slowly through the last of the departing crowd until he was stood in front of the cage. He watched his black and red demon twist, twirl and wind her way around her box and her chain. The tassels on the hem of the skirt of her dress, caught his eye and he watched as they brushed the soft skin of her thighs and hips. His hands clenched into fists and he felt himself growl. Eventually he couldn't take it and he charged into the cage and pushed her against the side. His hands pinned her arms down and he kissed her hard. She arched beneath him and pressed her body along his.

Joker let her hands loose and he chuckled lowly as she immediately tangled her fingers through his hair. He slid his palms under her ass and lifted her, she wrapped her legs around his hips and he put her against the side of the glass. He would've taken her right there, but he knew they'd probably break the glass and he didn't want to spend the money on having the damn thing rebuilt. He slid a hand down into her panties and felt just how much she wanted him. It broke his resolve.

Cage be damned.

He'd build her a pedestal, a stage, her own performance area.

"Puddin'," Harley gasped against his mouth.

"Yes princess?" Joker groaned.

Fuck, he'd build an entire venue just for her to dance in.

"I need you," Harley whimpered. He rubbed his hand over her core a few times before he slipped two fingers inside of her. Harley threw her head back against the side of the cage and let out a groan. He attached his mouth to her neck and he slowly brought her to the edge. His slacks were uncomfortably tight now, but hearing her whimper and gasp kept his attention solely on her.

"Please, J, please," Harley groaned.

"Come on then, Princess, come on," Joker growled against her skin and he nipped her with his metal covered teeth. She groaned loudly and her body tensed and arched as he kept her just at the edge. He grinned as she tightened her legs around him. One of her hands left his hair and undid his pants and underwear, she pulled his member from its confines and started to stroke him. Two could play at this game.

"Yes, baby," Joker grinned and he dropped her legs for a second to pull off her panties. He lifted her againand then he was rubbing right against her. Her hands was still on him and she teased both of them. He moved her hand away and lined himself up.

"Puddin'," Harley whispered.

"Beg daddy, Princess," he chuckled lowly. "Go on."

"Jack-Jack-"

"For fuck sake," Joker shouted and dropped her back to her feet. "All I want to do is fuck you and the little-"

"Mistah J!" Harley protested. "I was gonna say, Jack-Jack isn't crying. But if that's how you feel about our son!" She pushed him away and fury set into her. How dare he!

"Oh Harls, come on, you know-"

"No, J, that's killed the mood entirely," Harley huffed and she adjusted her clothes. She barged passed him and he grabbed her arm and spun her back against him.

"Princess, baby, pumpkin pie, please just-"

"No, blue balls serves ya right," Harley growled and pulled away. It was then that Harley heard the baby's cries over the monitor that she'd left in the suite. "Swearin' and shoutin' about our baby, how dare ya."

"How dare I? You're the one leaving me with a raging fucking hard-on!" Joker shouted as Harley pretty much ran out of the club and up the stairs to the elevator. He growled furiously and smashed the glasses and bottles behind the bar. He let out a roar of fury and took out his pent up frustration on the replaceable items in the club.

A short while later, Joker had calmed down enough and he straightened his jacket, shirt and hair. He was still raging and wasn't about to forgive Harley for his previous situation. He went to the elevator and cleaned his make-up up and went to the apartment. He opened the door and went straight to the lounge where he could hear chatter.

"So Boomer, being the dickhead he is," he heard Deadshot say. "He's figured the only distraction that's big enough is to take off all his clothes and run around in front of a clan of Russia mafia dudes. Croc, Katana, Flag and a couple of others left him to it. If that's how the dude gets the Flash distracted, then that's up to him."

"Floyd!" Harley groaned with a giggle.

"Ah here he is," Ivy grinned as Joker walked in. She was sat beside Harley who was feeding the baby once again. With Deadshot on her other side. He didn't acknowledge anyone when he walked in and poured himself yet another whiskey. His anger built again at the thought of Harley and Floyd being pally, he wouldn't allow it.

"Joker, why keep us back?" Eddie asked.

"I don't trust any of you, but I trust Flag the least," Joker shrugged and his eyes settled on Harley and the baby. "Weak links. Nigma, Buckshot, your priority is to get Harley out and back here, regardless of what happens. Ivy, you're staying here with Jack. You're the only other one Harley would let near him. Can you cause hell with your plants from here?"

"Oh you know I can honey," Ivy smirked. "Why not leave Harley here with me too? At least then the Bat won't snatch her either."

"Because Harley needs to kill Drake," Joker snorted. "She started this, it's up to her to end it."

"I wanna kill her, Red," Harley said gently. Joker looked up and caught her eye for a second before his gaze shifted to Deadshot. He glared at the man and watched as Harley shifted uncomfortably. No one but Ivy got to move in on Harley like that.

"Move."

"Man, I just got comfortable," Deadshot hissed and ignored the Clown.

"I don't think you're thinking clearly," Joker said lowly. "I said move."

"Do what he says," Harley told her friend and for a moment Deadshot looked like he was going to argue or refuse. But another look from Harley made him stand and surrender his space to Joker.

"I don't get why you're threatened by me," Deadshot muttered.

"Harley, Princess, would you like some good news?" Joker asked and he put his arm around her shoulders.

"Yes please, puddin'," Harley grinned.

"Our little pet has returned from her holiday," he said.

"Sammie?" Harley asked brightly.

"She's gone back to work," Joker grinned darkly. "And it's only polite that she gets a welcome back party."

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A/N: Please review! They really do make updates come faster!