First I would thank Stormfly2468 and SL13 for their reviews. I'm so glad you like the story. I would like to tell you that I hate making Harley suffer but she has to do it... The story is in that way hehe, but I will give to her and to you happy moments. So don't worry in the story there will be suffering but also happiness.

Chapter 6: The past is hard

After awake, June went straight towards the knife which still remained on the floor of the room. When she took it, she couldn't avoid that thousands of images of the previous night came to her mind. That weapon had been about to destroy everything for what she was fighting, including her own life. Harley was awake, but she didn't say anything, she simply observed the gestures of June. She studied what her acts would bring and what would happen that day. June walked firmly and determined toward the nightstand beside the Harley's bedside. Both looked at each other for a moment in silence and Harley looked at the knife somewhat intimidated, but June opened the first drawer and put it there, then she closed it again.

- Just... just in case - she smiled at Harley - Good morning! Do we prepared ourselves for the trip?

- Yes - she smiled glad to see that June had forgiven everything that happened the previous night - Would you like that I prepare breakfast? - she asked stretching herself on the bed.

- No, I'll prepare it and meanwhile you can get ready - she said calmly - I'll make a healthy breakfast, and we can leave soon.

- Can I get some of your clothes? - Harley asked - I want to dress well today - she smiled - My wardrobe is quite limited.

- Use whatever you need, Harleen - she offered. She held Harley's hand for a few seconds, without knowing the reason. It just felt right - If you want, we can go shopping at Metropolis.

- I'm not used to shopping - Harley assured her while she got up bed - You know, I always use five-fingers discount - she smiled mischievous.

- Well, you'll have to get used to - she said - We have to go unnoticed and if you keep shoplifting, I think we'll be right in the crosshairs of Waller and even worse ...

- At your orders Doc Moone - she did the military salute, trying to joke, even though one of her fears was precisely that. When June had prepared breakfast, Harley left the room dressed in a jersey lilac and some black jeans, her face washed and with a bit of color on the lips, and the glasses that June had allowed her to have. For a moment June remembered when she saw Harley in Midway City, with her pigtails of colors and her strange outfit. The archaeologist continued looking at her without knowing what to say. Harley seemed completely different from as she had seen her dressing up to the date. She was looking like another person. Nevertheless, the simplicity in her clothes did that June's heart skipped. The woman infront of her couldn't be more beautiful.

Harley looked up and down unsure of her new clothes and she squinted at June, unnable to looking up.

- How I look? - she ask finally.

- Different - June smiled - That's for sure.

- But ... Do I look presentable? - she asked staring at herself in the mirror of the livingroom.

- You look amazing - June admitted encouragingly - Why are you so worried?

- I don't want to scare her ...

- Lucy? - she questioned her - I guess she's who do you want that I meet today, isn't she?

- Bingo JuneJun! - she tried to smile.

- I don't know who is she, but certainly you aren't going to scare her with this look - she affirmed trying to give her some confidence - Now let's have breakfast and then I will get ready. In a little while we'll be on our way.

Harley sat down to the table without saying anything more and June smiled because she had never seen her companion so nervous.

- Can I know a bit more about Lucy? - June questioned her. She had done thousand conjectures about whom she might be, but actually, she wasn't sure about anything.

- I'd rather not say anything - she wiped her mouth and drank some juice - June, this is not easy, nor will it be... for seconds I regret, so it's better not say anything... so I can even keep the force that pushes me to let you meet her.

- Who are you and what have you done with Harley? - June asked surprised, because the person in front of her was very different from anything she had known before about her.

- I try to redeem myself here, Dora the Explorer - she winked her eye and laughed. Harley realized that her behavior was still weird that morning.

- Welcome back! - June joked - Don't try to redeem yourself so quickly that you're scaring me even more - she winked her and gave her a toast with jam which she had prepared.

-Thank you - she smiled.

- Don't worry, it's only a toast - she focus on her own breakfast once again.

- Don't be an idiot! - Harley smiled - You know what I mean and I mean everything you do for me and not just this sweet toast.

- Someone has to take care of you - she affirmed although she take her eyes off Harley, since her look was full of emotions that she wasn't able to handle on those moments.

In just some minutes they were in front to the motorbike which had a brand-new license plate. Since June hadn't gone out along with Harley of the flat, from the day that they had arrived and they were living quite individual lives except in the evenings and nights, June hadn't seen the motorbike for days, so when she saw the completely legal license plate she looked back at the delinquent, looking for answers.

- You haven't explained me how you have obtained the license.

- Hah! - she smiled proud - By the power of Selina!

- Who is that Selina? - she asked a little scared, she mustn't ask for help to the people on Joker's circle, or they're goners.

- It's true! - she crossed her arms - I believe that the good ones know her more as Catwoman - she smiled.

- Just a minute! Do you know Catwoman? - June asked surprised.

- Of course I know Catwoman! Would you like an autograph? - she teased her when she saw the surprise in the face of her companion - We are friends from time!

- What-ho! - she exclaimed surprised - I didn't expect that.

- Don't be jealous, you are special to me - she gave June a gentle nudge - As you already know, JuneJun.

Worst of all, is that June had been jealous for an instant, and she cursed for that. What was Harley doing with her? She always believed to be dominating the situation, but at times like this, or just when the other woman called her "JuneJun", something inside her melted. Was she feeling for Harley something that she shouldn't? Damn, that woman was going to be the ruin of her!

- Earth to June! - Harley joked, snapping her fingers in front of June's face.

-Sorry, is that I was surprised that you were friends - she tried to get out of that situation as best she could.

-Yes, she always wanted me away from the Joker and when I told her that I had met someone special who was helping me separate me from him and find my redemption, she wanted to help me - she explained - She's a good hacker and she also told me that she's going to cover our backs if it's necessary.

June was actually out in the part of "special person". Was she that for Harley? A special person? It sounded good, perhaps too good. And now Catwoman also knew that she had come to Harley's life to help her. She had heard a thousand stories about that woman, some good things and others bad, some people thought about her as a villain, and others as a sexy hero. June was always of the last ones.

- Are we going to Metropolis? - Harley asked getting on on the bike and giving a helmet to June - Today will be a busy day.

June got on the back of the bike, put on her helmet and put her arms around the waist of Harley and they started their way. Metropolis was relatively close to Gotham, and even more if they shorten going through the outskirts of the city. So with an experienced rider as Harley, who swiftly dodged bikes and cars and went through short cuts, it was quicker to get there.

When they arrived to the city, June got surprised when they went to the New Troy elementary school. She knew the city, but rarely she had gone there. Harley stopped the bike in front of the school and advised June that she could remove her helmet. The children were entering school, and Harley had tears in her eyes, June began to understand what's happening, but she didn't expect what happened next. They were far enough away to not be seen, but June was with her mouth open because of the shock when she saw Chloe Sullivan accompanied by a red-haired woman, who she could recognize as Tess Mercer, both led two kids by the hand, a slightly older blond boy, and a little girl of just maybe five years. Harley's face was bathed in tears, even more when she saw the girl hugging Chloe for a few moments and then to Tess for entering finally to the school with the child by the hand.

- She's Lucy - Harley said with a trembling voice, trying to dry her tears - My daughter.

- Harleen ... - June hugged her tightly.

- I lied to you. I knew Tess and Chloe because four years ago I left my daughter with them - she explained.

But there was no time to explain more because Tess Mercer's gaze stuck in Harley and June and she quickly walked toward them. Chloe followed her with a visibly worried look.

- We told you it was best to stay away from her - Tess pointed out the delinquent - What are you doing here Harley Quinn? Get away from my family!

- June Moone? - Chloe asked when she see her best friend from few years ago - What are you doing with her? What's going on?

- Can we go talk to another quieter place? - The archeologist knew that a fight was about to begin between Tess (Red Tornado) and Harley, if nobody avoided it, perhaps Chloe and she would be able to reach a more civilized treatment.

-We have nothing to talk about - replied the redhead - You said that you would reform yourself hell bug, but apparently Robin would have something different to say about - she opened her eyes more to add - Ah! But... you had kill him!

- I've only come to see my daughter. I have nothing to talk to any of you - she said - Ah! And I didn't kill Robin, but it's great that you believe that, coming from you, Luthessa Lena Luthor, you have more blood on your hands than me.

At this point, Chloe and June looked each other. The archaeologist didn't understand even half of what was happening. Obviously, she knew about the Harley's criminal history and she wasn't sure if she had been the Robin's killer or not. The same Robin who was one of the greatest heroes of Gotham and the loyal Batman companion. But she knew who Harley had been. However, why had she left the future of her daughter in the hands of Tess if she thought she was a killer? And that the redhead was a Luthor, were last minute news to her.

Meanwhile and although the Harley's look which was full of fury and stuck in Tess, she was concerned about June and what she would think about everything. She regretted not having spoken clearly with June first of all that. She should have explained everything before facing a situation so committed. Now Tess accused her of being a killer and surely the archaeologist wouldn't have idea of why she had left her daughter in the hands of those two women.

- It seems to me that June and I would need to catch up - Chloe broke the tense silence - So we'd have a coffee and talk quieter.

Tess looked at her for a second, but then she lightened the mood and replied.

- If that's what you wish ... - Chloe had convinced Tess in seconds causing the surprise in June.

As far as she knew about Chloe, her old friend was a bighead, intelligent and a very good-hearted person, but convince so fast to who could be one of the most powerful beings she had known ... all that was surprising.

- Are you agree with the idea? - Harley asked her, almost whispering in her ear. There was not doubt that she was looking for some complicity between them at that moment. June simply nodded.

After a while of talking, Chloe was the one who started explaining the story about her bond with Tess. And although June was not very romantic, that love history had her delighted. Chloe and Tess knew each other for many years, at first Tess was a real villain. Her pulse never trembled if she had to kill for defending her interests. With that, she had antagonised with Chloe. But little by little, thanks to the fate and her efforts, she obtained her redemption and began to be a part of the team formed by Clark Kent, Oliver Queen (who had been Tess boyfriend in the past) and Chloe Sullivan. They began to fight for the same causes and to have fun together when they also wished. But then everything was sadly twisted. Chloe married Oliver Queen and gave birth to their son (the boy who they had seen along with Lucy), Nicholas. But Tess Mercer had been killed by her own stepbrother (neither more nor less than Lex Luthor) The sadness for Tess's loss and that they were working more as friends than as any other thing, led that Oliver and Chloe broke the marriage as friends.

- I don't get it! If you were dead... - June interrupted looking at the redhead. She attracted the looks of the others three women.

- For outsiders circumstances my spirit remained in cybernetic circuits - she answered taking a sip of her coffee - It wasn't the first time that I was dead - she affirmed looking with sweetness at Chloe, gesture that June didn't understand - At first I didn't want to return. I had no feelings, but I could get into any computer, so I was more useful in that way.

- She was hiding her real feelings - Chloe corrected her - But one day, Nicholas and I... I was still pregnant and we were in mortal danger. So, Tess did what we had told her for many times during months. She accepted the robotic body that Emil, our scientist friend, had built for her.

- It was the only way of saving them - Tess said.

After that, Tess acquired the status of hero and she helped the team, but her feelings for Chloe were growing increasingly, and she being just a droid decided to go to a Queen's satellite on the Moon and stay there where she still could help them. But the long conversations over the Internet and the long physical absence made Chloe also realized her feelings for Tess. After a conversation with Emil, in which the scientist had explained her that Chloe was almost depressed after giving birth and that he had built a body formed by nanobots that would allow Tess take her aspect of human or become the Red Tornado every time she needed, Tess decided to return to Earth and clarify their feelings. But that was when the story took an unexpected turn.

- After some weeks that I used for control to the perfection my new body, I decided to go to see Chloe, to who I had hidden my return to the Earth - Tess explained - But along the way, I listened screams of a woman and cries of a baby that arose of an alley - she looked to Harley by an instant and that look wasn't unnoticed by June.

- Was Harleen? - she asked worried.

-Yes, it was me - Harley confirmed - Some stupid men wanted to attack me, because I had given birth just a few minutes. It was a hard childbearing and I didn't have anyone, so I was barely conscious - she explained sad - If Tess had not transformed herself in Red Tornado and she wouldn't protected me. Neither I, neither Lucy would be alive.

- Well, I'm one of the good ones and that's what we do - Tess replied severe - Although I regret to having saved you.

- Certainly, I understand that you saved Lucy, but I continue without understanding because you did what you did for me, even knowing who I was - Harley lowered her look.

- Because I was wrong with you insect from hell - Tess answered angry - I thought that if Chloe and the team had managed helping with my redemption... if I gave you everything that I offered you, you would obtain your own redemption. But the time has taken the reason from me - she looked away from Harley contemptuously.

- That night Tess phoned me from the hospital - Chloe kept explaining - She let me know about the situation. So we gave asylum to Harley and Lucy for almost a year. Actually, we gave her everything we could - her gaze was also serious - While between Tess and I we were going accepting our relationship.

- Yeah, that was until this crazy bitch decided it was time to leave us again to go with her clown, without a fucking explanation, after almost a year and after have become a sister to me - Tess explained - After, Harley Quinn lost her head more than ever. And until today...

- I had to, I had to leave - Harley defended herself - But it's not the first time I see Lucy, two years ago I saw her, but I didn't approach me to her so much.

- Why did you left? - June questioned her - They seem to had wanted to help you with everything - for a moment, June was afraid that the history repeated again. She was risking everything for Harley, but... What if Harley one day decided she wanted to return with the Joker?

Harley refused to answer, despite everyone was waiting for her answer, including Tess, who had secretly wished for a reasonable explanation from Harley since the day she was gone four years ago.

- Why she's fucking crazy! - Tess exclaimed exasperated - I don't even know what the hell you do with her, you look like a smart girl.

- I'm helping her, she saved my life in Midway City - June defended Harley, she really understood that Tess was so angry at Harley, but she was getting tired of staying impassive unable even to defend her - And with that, she saved the whole earth, so...

- The Enchantress - Chloe was surprised - You're the archaeologist who became The Enchantress.

- Yes, it was me - June said - The Squad sent her back to the hell from where she had escaped.

- Amanda Waller got us out the jail and started her own circus - Harley told - She invented her own enemies and as collateral damages... June and the hundreds of victims in the city - she was disgusted with all that situation - As I thought that the Joker was dead, without him, I could do what really I wanted. That means, help the Squad and stop The Enchantress for good.

-Yes, well, we all know about Amanda's games - Chloe said. In fact, she had been a victim of Waller some years ago.

- So now the two of you are close together and happy ever after? - Tess questioned June staring at her.

- No, I'm with Rick Flag - June refused. She didn't need any misunderstanding, but she was surprised by the answer she get from Chloe.

- Are you serious? Are you with that idiot? That guy is Waller's toady - she almost bursted out laughing, but she looked at Harley for a moment, her mood had changed - Okay, I understand ... as a reward you want to help her.

- More or less - June answered, but she was still thinking about how Chloe had described to Rick. And to her sorrow, deep down inside she was totally agree with her. At times, she felt as an experiment of Rick and Amanda, which provoked a tense silence.

- They came here looking for me - the silence was broken by Harley, surprising the others.

- What did you say? - Chloe questioned her.

- Four years ago I left because some Joker's henchmen came here looking for me - Harley began to explain what had been in her heart kept under lock and key - They were about to find Lucy, I couldn't allow it. I knew that with you, my daughter would be safe - Chloe and Tess looked at her in shock - I killed them with my own bared hands and I returned with him... so, he didn't decide to send anyone more. If I hadn't done as I did... I could put Lucy in danger - she said on the verge of cry.

- Why didn't you told me? - Tess asked - We had protected you Harley, as always.

- I didn't want to cause you any more problems, and I needed to think about Nicholas and Lucy - she took her look away and June realized she was crying. She herself was crying seeing the suffering of her companion - I returned with the Joker and he treated me as if I had never gone away, at least I thought that, in the very first moment.

- What happened to you? - June asked holding her hand below the table. She needed to demonstrate to Harley that she wasn't alone anymore.

- One night, while I was sleeping, he dragged me by the hair to another room - June could feel Harley's body shaking - He fried my brain once again. But this time he did it so well, that I forgot about my daughter during two years. I experienced so many blackouts that I hardly remembered him or who I was. So I assumed that he was all that I deserve in life.

- Fucking bastard! - June exclaimed. She hated the Joker more than ever.

June and Chloe had a lump in their throats, but Tess had become into a more impassive "person" with some situations. Her past also was an authentic nightmare and she was not afraid of asking about the thing that all of them wanted to know.

- How did you begin to remember everything?

- One night Batman chased us, everything became very wild and the Joker and I we fell down to the lake in our car. I was breathless during minutes and somehow my brain was restarted and I began to remember everything. The first image that came to my mind was Lucy and then everything else.

- I don't understand it - June was very confused - In the Waller's reports indicated that, during that night. it was when Batman brought you to the supposed justice.

- Batman knew the truth. I was not the executor of Jason Todd - she answered with anger - But yes, I was an accomplice. The Joker made me to detain Batman in his way. I didn't know that he was going to put a time bomb and he was going to kill Jason and his mother. I'm mad and I'm a killer, but I don't share even half of the things that Joker did and that's one of the most I detest. Jason was a good guy - she smashed her fist on the table - I have blood on my hands, but neither even in my worst moments I wished that he could die like that.

- If you were got thrown in Belle Reve as those reports say - Tess tried not to show that he was suffering for Harley - How could you see Lucy, if you didn't remember her?

- Batman locked me in his Batmobile. When I awoke it was day, he had brought me to Metropolis - she bitterly sighed - It was Sunday, but from that hill I could see the park where Lucy and Nicholas were playing oblivious to everything, under your supervision. Both you seemed happy and also them.

- Why he brought to you here? - Chloe asked.

- To see and feel how much it hurts to lose a family. He knew Lucy, because once he helped you in a mission and he said that Lucy was identical to me. He only needed to connect the dots - she lowered her gaze - He knew that despite everything, ye were my family and the family is not the most important... - June looked at Harley, her heart was feeling pain. Harley was a criminal, she really was, she knew. But she didn't know how far all that had been caused by the Joker. Although she didn't understand the sentence "family is not the most important" until Tess answered her.

- Family is everything - Harley nodded at those words.

- I'll never forgive myself for what I did, what I did to you. I neither am willing to take Lucy from you - Harley refused - But if I want my redemption, I have to face my past. It's something that you taught me, Tess - the redhead nodded and changed her gesture, she felt compassion for Harley - For a long time I thought that all I deserved it was to be the Joker's crazy girlfriend, but then, June - she said pointing at her - She appeared again in my life, after six months without seeing her. We met almost by accident in a café in Gotham and she made me realize that I really would love ... my redemption.

- Would you like to have lunch with the kids and us after they leave school? - Tess questioned.

Harley's eyes widened at that proposal, her heart was touched. Does she really had that opportunity infront of her or was it just a mirage? She looked at Chloe, who had being looking at Tess, not sure of that invitation.

- I don't want to cause anymore problem... June, if you wish, you can go and have Chloe's friendship back - she smiled sad - I'll stay out.

- Harley, there's not problem - Chloe smiled compassionately - Come with us so you can be a while with Lucy. Although, I won't present you as her mother - she warned her.

- No, you are her mother - Harley accepted - Both of you have raised her during all these years. And I will be eternally grateful with the both of you for that. I'd be satisfied just being part of Lucy's life, even if it's just for a moment.

-Then, we have a deal - Tess accepted - But if you do something that can cause the more minimum damage to some member of my family, Red Tornado will finish you for good.

Harley accepted the deal with a handshake, her past was hitting her hard, and tears were struggling to escape from her eyes. Until the moment in which she had confessed everything, she hadn't realized how much broken she was due her life experiences. But just infront of her, there were new opportunities and June was there to support her, despite what had happened the previous night. The archaeologist was holding her hand and was stroking her with her thumb. She knew that she didn't deserve anything good, but Harley wasn't a coward and she was decided to endeavour until the day she really deserved that good things. Tess was a mirror for her, she had become her sister since the moment Tess saved her life in the alley. If Tess had gotten her redemption, she also would get it.

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Sorry for the delay in this chapter. Due to personal issues I couldn't upload it earlier. But it's also a bit longer than others and it's quite difficult for me to translate. I hope you like it and sorry for the possible mistakes.

First of all... yes, Selina will be more in the fanfic ;)

Second... I adored Chloe and Tess in Smallville (the tv series and comics) and I assumed they were the best for raising Lucy.

Third, please don't hesitate to leave your review. I hope you have liked it.