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.

Chapter 28

(Bruce's POV)

*April Twenty Third Seven thirty AM*

Bruce got up from his bed and with a deep breath inhaling then exhaling; he smiled "Today's the day."

"Good morning Master Bruce. Ready for the duty of a lifetime?" Alfred bid his master good morning

"Actually Alfred; I'm a little nervous, but yes. Harley becoming my wife, my family and friends being around us…" Bruce smiled as he answered

"The paparazzi taking a multitude of photographs commemorating the occasion." Alfred assumed

"Well that's a given." Bruce shook his head with a half grin.

(No-One's POV)

"Well it seems that Brucey has been making his moves on my Harley…no matter. Once they get my gifts…it'll be just like old times." Joker said inserting a flash-drive into the computer connected to the projector. "Yes old times…I cause trouble, he turns up, we have some laughs and the game starts all over again…well Batman…this will keep the game going." Joker grinned and laughed to himself so no-one could hear.

(Bill's POV)

Bill was sitting outside the priest's office hoping to get a word with him. After someone came out after some spiritual enlightenment; Bill was welcomed in. "Come in my son." A young priest said kindly. His form was less formal but no less deviated from his chosen path; his hair was blonde, neatly trimmed to match the consistency of his attire. His eyes were a warming hazel colour that made people trust him.

"Grazie Padre." Bill spoke in Italian, not trying to make a joke.

"Ah-ha…I've heard about your sense of humour Mr Bill. so what can I do for you on this momentous occasion?" the priest smiled

"Well Father Matthew, it's regarding couple of things…one of them being a joke really." Bill spoke through his face mask.

"Well as long as this joke doesn't insult our holy church or interfere with the wedding of Mr Wayne and Miss Quinzel…" Father Matthew said

"Ah, no Father; I've no interest in insulting something that's inspired over two thousand years of belief or disrupt the wedding." Bill quickly defended as he reached for something in his pocket "I was just wondering if you could say this instead of the traditional." He handed a piece of paper neatly folded from his pocket.

Father Matthew took the paper and examined the contents, a small smile crept on his face and a small laugh came. He shook his head "I'm sorry, but as amusing as this is; I cannot say: if anyone has any objection to this union: either shut up or get out, because this is happening!" with that Bill let out a laugh along with the priest.

"Yeah, that was the joke." Bill explained "But on the serious note…I know this might be strange…but do you do confession?" Bill asked in seriousness

"Yes; you have something you wish to confess my son?" Father Matthew asked

"Yeah…you should know, I'm not well "completely convinced" but I've got faith in some things." Bill explained "But there are things I need to get off my chest. Can I ask for it tomorrow, you know after the festivities?"

"Of course; I'll see you tomorrow then." Father Matthew nodded offering his hand.

"Fino a domain." Bill answered in Italian again leaving for the door.

"I'm not actually Italian Bill." Father Matthew explained

"Dude…" Bill pointed his finger upwards "founded in Rome." As he carefully closed the door.

(No-one's POV)

Jason managed to get some new clothes that Acro-Bat got for him from a thrift store as to not arouse suspicion. "Where'd you get these? They look like they came from a second hand shop…" Jason tried to get comfortable but noticed a smell "Ugh…these smell like they came from a second hand shop. Still it's better than that "Stiff's Suit" I was wearing."

Acro-Bat muttered something under her breath and Jason snapped back at her to say it again "I said: you're a real charmer Jason. Look I need to find that file." She said looking at the computer that was unguarded the second time.

"What's the point? Quinn is still going to marry Bruce, if you're trying to split them up you're doing a bad job at it. OW! You little…" Jason gave his cynical view on the wedding then received a punch to the back of his head before getting his throat near a kunai almost losing his temper.

Acro-Bat looked at him and glared darkly "I'm not splitting them up. I'm stopping a lynch mob happening. If you want that to happen then by all means go back to your drug trafficking and being a complete tool the rest of your life; but if you care about him after all you've been through then act like the hero."

Jason looked into her eyes and saw a determination that was not unlike his own or Bruce's. He sighed "Sorry…it's just all that's happened. I still remember it you know…every detail." Jason reminisced on the day he first died. "You sure it's on there?" he asked

"Yes." Acro-Bat found the file and replaced it with one of her own "Now all we have to do is: wait." She spoke slowly "She wasn't there you know. After she found out…she hid from Batman and Robin."

"Did she? She hid; why?" Jason asked he didn't know the repercussions of what Joker brought upon himself.

Acro-Bat nodded "She was terrified, after what Joker told her what happened she hid from Batman and Robin in fear of what may have come to her." Acro-Bat got down from the podium and walked with Jason to the side entrance "She ended his miserable existence when her friend was forced to shoot himself at the cost of his own life to save her."

Jason listened to everything the vigilante had to say he never knew that Harley Quinn killed Joker after what he did to her and her loved ones "The guy…did he live?" he asked

"That man died when Joker got his hands on him…he died again from Amanda Waller." Acro-Bat explained cryptically

"Who told you all these things?" Jason asked

"My uncle; a bit rough around the edges but he keeps his nose clean…mostly." She answered "I didn't know Rogues snuck around wedding ceremonies?" she spoke aloud throwing a kunai in a random direction. The kunai was deflected by a Shard-Star and landed the Rogue.

"The Rogue…much more intimidating in person." Jason gave a snarky remark

The Rogue ignored the comment and went to the podium where Acro-Bat stopped his hand "I've already sorted it…you want revenge; right?" she asked him and his dark gazed face nodded "Well, you'll get your chance…Bat-Scar." She smiled

(Harley's POV)

*Time skip; five PM*

Harley was almost breathless with anticipation and fear; she looked upon the door that she would cross. Standing beside her was Alfred; he had agreed to be in place of her father. Ivy and Venus were dressed in their hand made dresses curtesy of Harley herself. "Nervous Harley?" Ivy asked

"Yeah…I mean…I say those words…no more Harley Quinn." Harley spoke with a shake in her voice

"Harley Quinn isn't here. Only Harleen Quinzel; and she's going to become Harleen Wayne. You've faced worse fears and won." Ivy explained

Harley smiled and pulled down her veil with a smile hidden underneath "I'm ready." She said clutching her white rose bouquet.

"Excellent, this way Miss Harleen." Alfred smiled leading her through the door.

First went Venus who lead with the flowers she had bloomed before her (Well she was the Flower Girl after all)

(Bruce's POV)

As the door opened the crowd was in awe and wonder, none could believe that Bruce and Harley were having a Bat Themed wedding, such dark and gothic creatures that flew in the night striking fear into those who see them…but to them it worked. Bruce took several deep breaths as the pianist played the song that most women hoped to hear at least once in their lives: Here Comes The Bride. Bruce turned to see many faces he recognised, several Gothamites and some dear friends from the Justice League who came in disguise: Clark Kent, Diana Prince, Oliver Queen and Barry Allen; to name a few. As the song ended Alfred stood side by side with Harley, the priest spoke first to break the silence of the music. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join together Bruce Wayne and Harleen Quinzel in holy matrimony. Who give's this Woman to be married to this Man?" Father Matthew spoke formally.

Alfred answered "I, Alfred Pennyworth, give Harleen Quinzel away to be married." Feeling an enormous amount of pride; as the Father Matthew nodded he indicated the pew so he could be seated. "Good luck my dear." He said before sitting down.

As the priest's speech went on Bruce's thoughts were on his vows which he rehearsed extensively just as Harley did. 'You've got this Wayne. It's finally here.' He thought to himself.

As the Father Matthew approaching the end of his speech he proclaimed "Earlier today, I was asked to say: if anyone knows of any reason these two should not be married, either shut up or get out because this is happening." The crowd lightly laughed at this as Father Matthew returned his composure "We will now hear the vows that the Bride and Groom have written for each other. Bruce."

Bruce cleared his throat and turned to face Harley "Harleen, since I met you I always thought: she's one amazing woman, staying through such trials and tribulations throughout her life. I have seen you take the pieces of your life and remade them into a new path; I'm honoured to walk down the path you've made. I love you Harley Quinzel, from now to the end of days."

(Harley's POV)

'Bruce…you wonderful man!' she cried with tears behind the veil she reached for the handkerchief Alfred gave to her moments before.

"Harleen?" Matthew asked for Harley to speak.

Harley sniffed "I'm sorry, I'll just." Harley tried to compose herself looking for her vows.

"It's okay." Bruce said holding her hand smiling.

Harley found the vows she had written and practiced and began to say them for real "Bruce; for years now I thought I would never find someone as special as you, now I see that all the waiting, all the heartbreak and hurt I found you. My: Paladin, my knight, my one real love. I've never been happier than I am with you, I may drive you crazy but I know it's that craziness that drove us together. I'll never stop loving the man I've come to know and the man I'll continue to love from this day to the end of days."

Father Matthew smiled and continued his speech. "Do you, Bruce Wayne, take Harleen Quinzel to be your lawful wedded wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?"

Bruce answered without a second thought or fear of contradiction "I will."

Father Matthew smiled and turned his sight to Harley. "Do you, Harleen Frances Quinzel, take Bruce Wayne, to be your lawful wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?"

Harley almost lost her voice but found it again "Yes, yes I will!" she smiled

"Very well; may we have the rings please?" Father Matthew asked nicely.

"Right here" Tim whispered as he gave the rings to the new couple.

As the vows to protect each other were spoken, Father Matthew uttered the age old words: "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

(Harley's POV)

Bruce gently lifted the veil obscuring Harley's face, as he lifted it he beheld his new wife. She was crying with joy thinking of how long she waited and how much it was worth the wait. Bruce wiped the tears from her eyes smiling; he cupped her face and leaned towards her making it official. There was a momentous applause from the entire church. As the two parted from their kiss they walked down the aisle together being applauded.

The two got into their limo which was being driven by a courteous limo driver first Harley, then Bruce. As they got in Bruce asked "Best day of your life?"

Harley shook her head and turned to him with a beautiful smile "Best day of our lives." She laughed embracing her husband.

(Bill's POV)

Everyone left for the reception across town; Bill, Sonia, Ivy, Venus, Alfred, Tim, Dick and not forgetting Barbara were still behind to wait for the crowd to disperse. "So…either shut up or get out Bill?" Dick asked

Bill chuckled "Can't blame a guy for trying."

"Best. Day. Yet." Venus smiled hugging Tim

"Come on, we don't want to be late for the reception." Barbara spoke pointing her finger towards the door. "Onward Wonder-Boy." She laughed

"Don't push your luck…" Dick smiled as he wheeled Barbara to the door "Bunny."

'Bunny? Still better than Boo-Boo.' Bill thought to himself "Speaking of which…wasn't that the necklace I gave you?" Bill inquired

"Maybe…" Ivy spoke seductively

To be continued

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