The Scars Left Behind
This is the Sequel to the Harlequin and the Bat and The Harley and The Ivy.
Important notes: I do not own Batman or any portion of the franchise. I give all credit to DC Comics and respective owners. Except the characters I wrote in my profile. Sexual scenes to come. The following chapter contains scenes of a graphic nature. You have been warned
Chapter 7
(Bruce's POV)
Bruce and Harley looked in fear at Bill, their once recognisable friend from his kind face and generous smile…now only recognisable by the mask he wares. "I'm sorry…but this is what happens with Waller and Joker…their little pet project." Bill said returning his mask over his head.
"That's why you wear the helmet." Bruce spoke
Harley imagined Bill's face under the mask and spoke with as much courage she could ask "I guess Red knows?"
Bill nodded "Since Christmas…I never wanted to go after the Rogue. But Waller; she's persuasive." He said rubbing his neck "And I don't want to see my girl seeing my face regardless of what we both want."
"What do you want?" Bruce asked
Bill looked down at his feet then walked forwards observing the computer screen seeing the reflection of his mask then he spoke: "Revenge." Bill spoke darkly.
"That's not really a good idea Bill. For one Waller will kill you if you betray her." Harley spoke
"She won't kill me…" Bill spoke then whispered something to himself.
"Well you best lay low for a while." Bruce spoke
"That'll work for a few hours but it's not a permanent solution. But I appreciate the help Bruce." Bill answered "but right now…I've got some time to make up." Bill said leaving the room.
(Harleen's POV)
'I've got to tell him. Now.' Harley thought turning to her fiancé. "Bruce I need to tell you something."
"What is it Harley?" Bruce inquired
"It's about the Rogue…I saw his eyes." Harley spoke trying to wrap her head around the subject "And he was almost obedient towards me…"
"Why? What did they look like? Why would he listen to you?" Bruce asked
"Well they were blue." Harley began to walk around "Just like…like…"
"Like mine? Harley there are hundreds of people with blue eyes." Bruce spoke reassuring her holding her in his arms
"No…like mine!" she answered feeling scared but safe. "He acknowledged me like…he knew me, who I was." Harley felt worried
"Harley…" Bruce held Harley looking into her eyes "If he did…why hasn't he: acted on the information he's gathered? He probably acknowledged you because he sees you as someone he looks up too?" Bruce said looking at his betrothed.
Harley calmed down and looked at Bruce and smiled "You're probably right…still he saved me, I owe him a *thank you* at least."
"Of course I'm probably right. Let's go home." Bruce said letting them go home.
(Waller's POV)
Waller began cursing the Rogue for his interference for her and losing Hyde "That little bastard! Deathstroke!" she called out to the mercenary
As Deathstroke walked towards the enraged government official he calmly asked "What?"
Waller shouted at the one eyed assassin "I want that Rogue dead! Do you understand me? Dead, deceased, cease to be, no more!"
"Why not send Lawton?" Deathstroke asked
"Because he hasn't had a previous encounter with him on friendly grounds!" Waller said showing a surveillance photograph of the Rogue and Deathstroke. "You can get close…Take. Him. Out!"
Deathstroke knew he couldn't lie his way out of this. "Fine." He answered and left to complete the contract.
(No-One's POV)
The Rogue looked at his list leaving only Harley Quinn and Batman left he held his hands on his bruises; putting back the list he drew out a photograph that was slightly singed on the edges. As he saw it he began to tear up then put it back in his pocket. He heard someone coming and remained hidden, it was Hyde! He was walking towards the park he leapt down towards him. "Whoa! Scared me, kid. Hey…the Rogue? What are you doing here?" the Rogue looked at the figure and showed the picture of Ra's. Hyde thought to himself 'he's probably never seen me like this before' and he answered "sorry. Not seen him." As the Rogue went off Bill stopped him and asked "Why are you hunting Ra's al Ghul? There's got to be a reason." The Rogue left and dropped a newspaper without him knowing. "What the…?" Hyde asked picking it up "My…God…" as he examined it
"Daddy!" a small child's voice called out Bill put the paper in his coat as she jumped on his back.
"Hey Venus." Bill said kindly and went off with his daughter; as the Rogue saw he had dropped the paper knowing he couldn't get it back he vanished.
*weeks passed: Date February fourteenth*
Time had passed for everyone: Ivy and Venus began to live within range of Wayne Manor but had enough room to be independent, Bruce and Harley had set a date for their wedding April twenty third. Dick and Barbara have been more open about their relationship and got a small joke about them getting married next by Tim. Speaking of Tim: he's been getting certain looks from Venus…he's still recovering from his previous look at her in a swimming costume.
"Is he still out of it?" Harley asked looking at Dick
"Ivy, tell your daughter: we need Tim's brain working and not in la-la land twenty four seven."
"Sorry…but he shouldn't have spied on me." Venus spoke in her defence
"Why was he spying on you?" Ivy asked
"Remember that swimming costume you got me?" Venus explained to her mother
"Oh…that costume…" Harley clocked on.
(Bruce's POV)
Bruce was staring at his parent's portrait breathing slowly but with joy, he and Harley would be married in a matter of months. "Master Bruce?" Alfred asked
"Hey Alfred." Bruce said turning to his former guardian.
Alfred placed a cup of tea down and spoke his mind "Your mother and father would be proud of you. Both as: Batman and what is to come."
"I know…" Bruce said smiling at the portrait. "I know I'm doing the right thing."
(Selina's POV)
"So you've set the date hey Bruce; with that floozy Harleen? Well we've got something else in store." Selina spoke grimly turning to Talia al Ghul.
"Remember Catwoman: he must not come to harm, only that manipulator Quinzel." Talia spoke stroking one of Catwoman's multiple cats: a black tom-cat, purring in her lap.
(Bill's POV)
Bill let Ivy and Venus sleep in their woodland room and examined the paper once again making sure he didn't miss a single detail: Date, Name, Location, Pictures, Age, Text and Context; all these were vital. "This…this is what he wants…revenge but he's after the wrong person." He said putting the newspaper away. "I better get moving." Bill stroked Ivy's hair affectionately and left to find The Rogue.
(Harley's POV)
"Happy Valentines-Birthday Harley" Harley was greeted by a standing ovation by hundreds of Gothamites at a birthday bash for her at the Gotham Music Hall. Even though the celebration was large scale it was kept to a small amount of people, Harley just wanted a normal like Birthday without any craziness.
"Okay, for your birthday: I'm hiring an acrobat team." Harley whispered in jest to her soon to be husband
"You mean: Tim, Dick and Sonia?" Bruce smiled
"Bingo." Harley smiled hugging his arm lovingly
As the evening progressed Harley was talking to some of the rich list of Gotham including some similar faces from ages past; Harley didn't let that discourage her, especially on her birthday…the one day of the year she actually could be herself again and not Harley Quinn (not that she was that anymore) she and Bruce left and went back home. As Bruce lead Harley inside the library a snuck a gift for her "Happy Birthday Harley." Bruce smiled handing a carefully wrapped box.
"Bruce…" Harley started taking off her prized necklace that made them an official couple "You didn't have to get me anything." She said hugging her future husband
"I know. But I wanted to." Bruce kissed her fiancé.
Harley was handed the box and as she unwrapped it she was thinking 'what did he get me this time? Too big for a necklace, to light for laptop…what is it?' as she unwrapped the paper she saw a plain white box and as she opened it she beheld a plush rabbit with a top hat and bow. She knew immediately that it was just like the rabbit she made when she was twelve. "Bruce…this is…" she slowly picked up the plush rabbit and saw its button eyes and felt its soft fur in her fingers.
"Like the one you made when you were younger, I paid attention. I thought it would be appropriate; seeing how far you've come and where we're going. I hope it's okay?" Bruce explained and then asked
Harley hugged the rabbit and was awash with emotions then she looked at Bruce and hugged him crying. "You…you're really something Paladin." Calling Bruce by his pet name then kissed him. It was a perfect day for them and hopefully it would continue to their wedding and then beyond.
(Deathstroke's POV)
Deathstroke had tracked the Rogue to a secluded location, he called him out. "You best get out here Rogue. Don't make this more difficult than it already is." The Rogue landed to the ground softly but Deathstroke heard enough to notice him. "So…you did show. Do you know why I'm here?" the mercenary asked. The Rogue remained still thinking on an answer then shrugged. "It's because Waller wants you dead. Personally I think you're an okay kid: loyal, strong and determined, a passion for what you believe in. You remind me of my kid; but this isn't personal." Deathstroke unsheathed his sword and poised for attack, the Rogue readied himself for attack
As Deathstroke lunged forward Bill called out "Wait!" thus stopping the two in their tracks.
"Hyde? I thought you were dead!" Deathstroke asked
"Almost; Slade don't do this." Bill began to reason with him.
"Sorry; but if I don't Waller will kill me." Deathstroke explained indicating the nano-virus in his blood.
"I know…but what if I have found a way for Waller to share our fate?" Bill spoke the Rogue remained still as he found no honour in not hitting an opponent with his or her back turned.
"What…Way?" Deathstroke asked
"Simple…we just give her a taste of her own medicine…" Bill sounded malicious.
"I'm listening." Deathstroke had his interests peaked as the Rogue remained still
*February nineteenth*
Bruce's Birthday; Bruce awoke to the smell of pancakes and bacon. "Hmm…Something smells good." He groaned himself awake.
"It should…it's just for you." Harley's voice spoke softly and lovingly.
Bruce rubbed his eyes and moved upwards and beheld his betrothed with an apron on and holding his breakfast in her hands. "Harley…this is a great way to wake up." He smiled and examined the breakfast and her. On the plate were two pancakes: one a bat and a heart, strips of bacon, a small bowl of strawberries and a glass of orange juice.
"Happy birthday, lover." Harley kissed Bruce on his nose as she leant forward on the bed.
"Har-Harley. You're not wearing…" Bruce stuttered seeing Harley's chest.
"Just part one, of your gift." Harley smiled towards Bruce "I've got to check something, be right back."
As Harley moved off the bed, Bruce began having a drink of his orange juice thinking 'Part one?' then did an immediate spit take to the side "Harley!" he called out in disbelief
Harley's exposed back was revealed to Bruce, her well-toned curves of her waist and posterior, her slender legs and her hands carefully placed protecting her precious parts. She let out a fake gasp in shock "Mr. Wayne! I hope you're not examining my physique!"
Bruce looked dumbfounded then instantly caught on with a smirk. "Well, isn't it my birthday after all?"
"It may be your birthday, but it is not suitable for a reasonable man such as yourself to see a lady exposed in such a manner!" Harley spoke as if she received training from Alfred
'Where's she going with this?' Bruce thought to himself.
"I'm going to have to punish you…" Harley walked seductively towards him then taking the breakfast tray from the bed.
'Now I get it.' Bruce thought as he was pushed down to the pillow as Harley sat on top of him with the quilt in between them both.
"Ready for your punishment; B-Man?" Harley smiled leaning forward to her future husband
"What did you have in mind?" Bruce moved in and kissed her tenderly which she reciprocated. Then they heard the door open.
"Hey Bruce, you getting up or…" Dick walked in on the two seeing Harley now sitting up with her back facing Dick. Her head was facing him as well with a disappointing scowl and Bruce also giving him the same scowl. A few seconds of silence then Dick left with a look of horror he could not un-see and closed the door behind him.
"Think he'll learn twice to knock before entering?" Harley asked turning back to Bruce
"Maybe…but you need to learn twice about something." Bruce answered
"What?" Harley asked "Whoa!" she said being flipped by her beau then smiled lovingly "oh…" and the two continued their romance for the day. "Happy Valentines-Birthday Bruce."
To be continued
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