A/N: Guys! I'm so so sorry! Life this week has been... awful. It's been a train crash and dear god it's just killed my brain off. I just haven't had time to write or upload so I do apologise if this one feels choppy and not my normal. I needed to give you guys something, you've all been absolutely fabulous.

This chapter also does mean we're almost at the end of Toxic Love. Just a couple more chapters to tie up some loose ends and then we're done!

So that does mean you've got a choice, a new 'story' for Oneshots, or a new story for the Clown's family life. It's totally up to you, but there will be a gap for whatever I decide to do so I can take some much needed down time (from this and many other issues in life). I just wanted to give you guys a heads up and a chance to choose!

I'm so sorry again! Life's just lifing and it's being a pain in my ass.

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Chapter 24 – Little Conversation

Bruce felt time slow down as Joker spoke and his eyes fixed on Harley's face as she woke up. She had a million reactions all at once and he understood every single one of them. Her arms tightened around the baby and she shook her head quickly, fear spread across her features and it was something that Batman had rarely seen. She wasn't easily scared or intimidated, she couldn't afford to be in her life with Joker and she'd more often than not laughed and cackled her way through his arrests. But fear, pure, unadulterated fear? That was rare for Harley Quinn.

"No, no, you can't take him, no!" Harley whispered desperately.

"He's not taking him anywhere, princess," Joker said lowly and cocked his gun. "Are you Bats? Or would you like my son to be christened with your brain cells?"

"You can't take him from me," Harley mumbled. "I won't let you take any more of my babies from me. No more, you've taken my twins, let me have my baby boy."

"I suggest you move slowly away from my girl and my kid," Joker growled and pressed his gun harder to the back of Batman's cowl. "You're going to upset them and I'd hate for a single bullet to kill you when your death should be something hilarious and theatrical. But if you make either of my babies cry, I will pull this trigger and from my information, the back of your cowl isn't strong enough to stand a bullet at point blank range."

Bruce kept his eyes on Harley and watched her as she struggled up the bed, her child against her chest. Her white blonde her, bleached skin and piercing blue eyes didn't scream 'motherly type', but her actions certainly spoke louder. He watched as Harley scrambled and grabbed a gun from underneath the other pillow. Bruce slowly moved away, his hands raised to try and calm Harley down. She climbed out of the bed, pulled down her night dress and replaced her aim on his head.

"I know you," Harley muttered.

"It's Batman, of course you know him," Joker laughed.

"No… those eyes. I know them," Harley said angrily. "Who are you? How do I know you?"

"I arrest you every month or so," Batman said through gritted teeth.

"Shut up!" Harley shouted and jammed the gun against his head. Her head was swimming, she just couldn't place those eyes. Something in her recognised the man behind the cowl, but she really didn't know where it was coming from.

"Harley, go and get dressed," Joker said calmly, but she could see the fury in his eyes. "And then get the kid somewhere safe. Now! Move!" She went to the bathroom and dressed herself and Jack very quickly. She then slipped out of the apartment and gave Jack to Ivy and Riddler. She returned with Boomerang, Deadshot and Croc on her tail and she made sure they stayed silent.

"What were you going to do with my son?" Joker asked and Harley pressed her ear to the door. "And Harley? You wouldn't take a baby from his parents, not like that. You're over your little fling with violence now that Supie is alive again."

"You don't deserve a child, Joker, neither does Harley," Batman said lowly. "The amount of death and destruction you've caused, you are the last person that should be allowed to care for a child."

"Funny, you're not the first to think that, Bats," Joker laughed. There was a bang and thumps as the two men started to fight and Harley couldn't wait any longer. She threw the door open and grabbed her baseball bat from the table. She saw Batman was punching Joker in the face, both had blood dripping from their noses but the Bat had certainly gotten the upper hand. Harley cracked her bat over the caped man's head and knocked him to the floor. She didn't take her eyes off the Batman and hit him again and again.

"Get him honey!" Joker cackled. "He was going to take your baby!"

"No one takes him from me!" Harley screamed and her rage exploded. She was like a demon possessed as she fought with Batman and it took her bat to snap in half before she realised just how far she'd gone. Joker was almost crying with laughter and it just spurred her on. She used the jagged end of her baseball bat to bludgeon Batman, but he took the advantage and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Get off me, Bat-Freak!" Harley screeched. She struggled and kicked out, but he swung her around and she inadvertently kicked Boomerang to the floor.

"Drop the lady, Batman," Deadshot growled and aimed his wrist magnum at the hero's head. Croc swaggered in the dark shadows of the room, trying to get behind Bruce, but the Bat wasn't in the greatest space for an ambush.

"Do I have to say it?" Batman smirked.

"Now, now, Bats," Joker said slowly. "You're outnumbered, you're holding my girl hostage and you've threatened my son. What do you think is going to happen next?"

"You're going to go and get the baby and hand him over in exchange for Harley," Batman replied.

"Pah!" Joker laughed. "You think she's more important than him? Bats, it's like you hardly know me. Take her, I don't care!"

"You'll have to try harder than that, Batsy," Harley giggled. "I know my place in Mistah J's life and it ain't what you think."

Bruce grit his teeth and looked around to see Boomerang and Croc moving closer and Deadshot's aim didn't falter. So he walked backwards, dragging Harley with him. He could make Joker slip up and when he did, he'd snatch the child. There was no way he was going to leave the child with the Clowns, it'd be beyond irresponsible and no one knew what the child was going to go through.

"I'll do it, Joker," Bruce told him and pushed open the balcony doors behind him. "I'll throw her off the edge and watch her turn into street pizza."

"Do. It." Joker grinned. "You don't have the guts. You may have branded a couple of human traffickers and almost killed Superman, but you won't let her die. For some reason, you won't do the very thing that would stop us. That would stop me. Go on Bats, drop her. See how much I care."

Joker was bluffing, he knew that Batman wouldn't kill Harley but he had to prove that the rest of them that she was still unimportant. He would throw himself over the edge of the balcony after her if Batman did drop her. He just couldn't let the Batman know. He saw a flash of fear in her eyes and he wanted to reassure her. He wanted to pull her from his foe and protect her. She'd given him their son and he wouldn't let the Batman hurt her properly. But he couldn't show a weakness in her. He couldn't allow that, he'd be the laughing stock of Gotham if everyone realised just how much she meant to him.

"Fine," Batman smirked. He pulled Harley backwards to the edge of the balcony and, with his hand around her throat, he dangled her over the city. "I'll drop her."

"Go on then," Joker shrugged. Princess, it's going to be okay. "I dare you."

"Jay!" Deadshot shouted.

"I'll do it Joker!" Batman yelled. Harley gripped at his arm and her nails cut into his suit and she clung on desperately whilst gasping for air.

"P-p-puddin', please," Harley grunted.

"Do it," Joker grinned darkly. She caught her husband's eye and she smirked for a brief second. She suddenly swung in the Batman's grip, her legs tangled around his waist and she pulled them both off the balcony.

"Harley!" Deadshot shouted and they raced to watch them fall. Joker hung back and closed his eyes.

Batman better not let him down now.

"Let's go." He said quietly.

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Harley clawed at Batman's face as they tumbled to the ground. She laughed loudly and closed her eyes. She knew he'd save them, he wouldn't let them both die. He was too good. She let out a grunt when he punched her in the gut and finally, just before they hit the ground, he wrapped his arm around her waist and fired the grappler to the closest building. He almost threw her to the floor and she coughed and spluttered before she looked around. She watched the Batman as he paced a little before he aimed the grappler back to the top of the club. Harley grabbed a knife from her jacket and plunged it beneath the armour of the Bat suit and into his shoulder. He dropped to his knees and grasped his arm as Harley pulled the blade out and stared at his blood.

"Hmm, Mistah J was right, you do bleed red," Harley hummed.

"Harleen, you're out of control," Bruce growled, trying to ignore the pain in his muscle.

"Harleen's dead, B-man," Harley giggled. "Dead like Jason Todd. Dead like my twins."

"Jason-"

"Yeah we know who he is," Harley shrugged. "See, Bats, we're crazy, not stupid. Why did you come to my home and try to take my son? What has he done to deserve kidnap? Tell me, tell me!"

"You had the chance to let Harleen come to her senses, Quinn," Batman said angrily. "You had the chance to prove that you could be trusted and you threw it away."

"I told you to let me take care of things, Harley!" Harleen shouted in her head. "If you'd have just listened and let me take over, we wouldn't be fighting Batman for our son."

"Oh yes, because Waller would've let me have him," Harley cackled and twirled the knife around her fingers as Batman got to his feet again. "Because you would've let me have him? Nuh-uh, B-man, I ain't buyin' that." She went to stab him again, but Bruce caught her wrist and twisted it so the knife fell from her hand. He threw her to the floor and pinned her down.

"Forceful, I like it," she giggled brightly. "If I'd known you were into the same kinky shit as my puddin', I woulda beat Kitty to you years ago." Harley braced her feet against his abdomen and kicked him away hard. She pulled her gun from her holster and the injured Batman kicked at her and punched with his good arm. She wasn't as strong as him, but she was much more agile and in his rage and pain, she could make him make mistakes.

"I really must thank Ivy for her injection, it's given me all sorts a' power," Harley chuckled and jumped back to her feet. A bullet whizzed through the air and Harley looked over her shoulder to see Deadshot taking aim with his rifle. She let a wide grin spread across her face but her moment of distraction meant the Bat caught her again. He put his arm around her throat and started to restrict her breathing.

"Who's got the child?" Batman shouted.

"I ain't tellin' you, am I Bats?" Harley laughed. The way she was pinned against him meant Deadshot couldn't get a clear shot without putting Harley too close to danger. "You like adoptin' orphan kids, I get it, but my son ain't no orphan."

"No, he just deserves a much better life than you and Joker," Batman said coldly. "Come on, Harleen, you can't believe this is a good life-"

"I love him!" Harley shouted. "He loves me, I am his mother and I am a good mother! He's goin' to have the best life! A life without the Bat!" She used her body weight and dropped down onto her knees, wrenching herself from Batman's grip. She used her gun as a club and dodged a couple of punches. She jumped onto his back and wrapped her arms around his cowl. Batman got hold of her and threw her from his back to the floor in front of him. He felt something give but he wasn't ready to feel cold night air hit his face.

"Ya lookin' for this B-man?" Harley asked and held his cowl in her hands. Bruce panicked briefly before he realised that she hadn't turned to face him yet. He ran towards her and went to grab the mask, but she turned at the last moment and jumped over his head. He managed to snag the cowl and pushed it back onto his head before Harley had recognised him. He hoped. The last thing he needed was her knowing who he was. Especially after his dalliance with Harleen all those years ago. It was more for her safety, he knew the Joker would beat her to death if he ever found out. He grabbed her by the arms and made her look at him now that his cowl was secure.

"He doesn't love you, he's using you!" Batman said angrily. "There's a smart brain in there somewhere, you know he's always used you. What makes you think he'd be any different to your baby?"

"What makes you think I don't like bein' used?" Harley snarled. "What makes ya think that I don't like my place in my puddin's life? You might be his favourite, but I get his good bits. I get the things you never see. I don't care that I don't matter, I don't care that he would choose you over me, because I have so much better than you!"

"Now, now, Harley, don't show off," Joker said coldly as he appeared from the stairway door. He walked slowly, his cane in one hand and the other held out towards them both. Harley grinned and pulled away from Batman and ran to Joker. She threw her arms out to hug him but he pushed her down to the floor.

"What have I told you about spilling Batman's blood without me, Harley?" Joker asked, rage bubbling in his posture and actions. He bent over her and cupped her cheek in his hand.

"Puddin', it was self-defence-"

"Bullshit," Joker hissed and he patted her cheek hard. It wasn't quite a slap, but it still made her jaw hurt. She dipped her head a little and glared at Batman. He always ruined everything. She'd been having a lovely evening on her own with her baby and then he'd turned up and ruined it all!

"He wanted to take him," Harley muttered.

"Hush, Princess, let daddy take care of this now," Joker told her and tapped her nose. He tugged at his jacket lapel and walked passed Harley. His eyes were dark and she could hear how heavy his breathing had become. She knew better than to annoy him, but she was angry and she didn't always follow the rules when she was angry.

"So you break in, try to kidnap my child and then slap Harley around? My hobby by the way!" Joker snapped. "And you thought jumping to a different building would save your sorry ass?"

"I know who he is, puddin'!" Harley piped up.

"Harley, shut up," Joker snarled. He lifted his cane and adjusted his grip to the middle before he marched to Batman.

"I pulled off his cowl!" she told him and jumped to her feet.

"Quiet, Quinn!" Batman shouted as he and Joker traded punches.

"He's Bru-oof!" she grunted as she was suddenly punched in the gut by Joker. His hair flopped in front of his eyes and he growled furiously. "Mistah J-"

"Frost! Take her home and sort her out," Joker yelled furiously. "She's done enough."

Harley looked up at her green haired maniac and felt her anger with Batman melt away and she waited for Frost to help her to her feet. She clasped her hands together and bit her tongue as he hoisted her up and off the roof. She'd keep her little snippet of information for a rainy day.

"Right, where were we, Bats?" Joker smirked.

"They deserve much better than you," Batman said coldly.

Frost held Harley's arm as he frog-marched her down the stairs of the building so they could then cross over to the club. They'd be going to one of their safe houses, but first they had to give Bats the impression that they had nowhere else to go. Quinn was silent and that unsettled him more than an emotional Harley, but he wasn't risking his neck to ask what was wrong.

"Is Ivy still here?" Harley asked.

"Probably," Frost shrugged.

"You're an unemotional bastard, ain't ya, Frosty?"

"Emotions get ya killed, Quinn," Jonny said. "Ya should've learnt that a long time ago. You're lucky, before the kid, the Boss woulda kicked ya black and blue for startin' on the Bat without him."

"I just did what he wanted!" Harley protested. Frost rolled his eyes and pushed Harley into the club. He tried not to get angry as she continued to chatter, but her accent and voice was starting to grate on his nerves. The rest of Gotham's villains were waiting to see what had happened and they all watched from their seats in the club as Harley protested one too many times and Frost almost threw her over his shoulder.

"Harley?" Ivy asked and she went to follow.

"Ivy, I wouldn't," Dent said lowly. "You'll only get yourself upset. Whatever happened with the Bat, she's clearly done something wrong."

"I have her son," Ivy snorted and moved away from the man. They had history, but she hated him with as much passion as she hated Joker. She pushed away and carried Jack up to the apartment. When she caught up with Frost and Harley, she saw the man was packing bags and Harley was nursing a few bruises and scrapes. She helped Harley clean up and then they finished packing together. The apartment was silent for a few hours, apart from Jack occasionally crying for his mommy, but when the Joker came back in, Harley realised how much trouble she was in.

"Where is she?" Joker roared.

"Boss, calm down," Frost said calmly. "She's with the kid."

"I don't care!" Joker shouted. He strode through the house into the master bedroom and he flung the door open. He saw Ivy sat with Harley whilst the baby fed and he felt a growl come from his chest. He heard Harley tell Ivy to leave and he totally ignored the Weed's hissed insult as she did go.

"What did you think you were doing, Harley?" Joker asked, his voice was chillingly cold and quiet. It was his 'you're-about-to-die' voice around clients that strayed away from the deal.

"I got carried away, Mistah J," Harley answered. "I… I didn't mean to, I was just havin' too much fun."

"Look at daddy's bruises," Joker told her and he clenched his teeth together. Harley looked up to see new swellings, cuts and dark marks along his face and jaw. He'd taken a battering and she had a new impulse to try and make him feel better, she still knew better than to act on it.

"This is what happened because you stepped out of line," he continued. "This is what happens when you, my little pet, get too involved with the Batman. You know your place, just stay in it." He was stood in front of her and Harley kept her eyes focused on the baby again. She was shaking a little, memories of him beating her senseless flashed through her mind and she instinctively tightened her hold on Jack.

"I'm sorry, Mistah J," Harley said quietly. There was a long silence and he watched as she trembled and waited for him to do something. He saw she had her own cuts and bruises and he let out a long breath. His anger seemed to dissipate and he stroked his fingers gently over her cheek.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Joker replied, his voice much gentler and controlled than before. He watched her relax a little but she still wouldn't look at him. "Finish feeding him and then we have to go before the Bat comes back. Just for a short time, whilst the place gets fixed up. The Hyenas have gone already."

"I'm sorry, puddin'," Harley whispered.

"Don't, Harley, just… don't."

That night in the safe house was tense. The bed wasn't comfortable, the baby wasn't happy and they hadn't spoken again. They'd had Frost go and get takeout pizza and Harley had eaten it in the baby's room and Joker had eaten his in his small office space. When they were both tired enough to attempt to sleep, they slept in the same bed, but they didn't touch each other. Normally she was allowed to press along his side and rest her head on his chest, or he would sleep with his head on her belly and his arms around her hips and waist, but not that night.

"Puddin'?" Harley asked and tried to edge closer to him. But he just moved to the very edge of the bed with his back to her.

"Go to sleep Harley," Joker growled.

"I'm going to check on Jack," Harley said and got out of the bed. She went to her son's room and watched her sleeping baby for an hour or so before she fell asleep with her head pressed against the crib. It took until he could hear Harley's gentle snoring for Joker to admit to himself he didn't like her not being there. He dragged himself from the bed, went to the other room and scooped her up from the floor. He took her back and laid down once more, but this time with Harley resting on him like a kitten.

"I'm sorry, Princess. But Batman will always be more important than you."

"I know."

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A/N: Please drop me a review to let me know if you're all still with this. Also about the sequel/oneshot thing.

Love you all and thank you for your patience!