Authors' Note: Hello, lovely readers. I'm so sorry for not posting a chapter sooner. School has been crazy busy. Thank you for your patience. :)
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"Let's roll then," he said after he put the sculpture carefully in the back. He tapped the wheel waiting impatiently for her to get in. What would they get? The Egyptian papyrus definitely. Probably the Bernini piece they would have to take. He could replace that one with the sculpture of Harley. Everything was coming together quite nicely if they could just get there. The museum was closed by now and the night shift should be starting pretty soon which meant the guards would be switching and distracted. Perfect opportunity.
She scrambled into the large truck, having to work a bit more at just getting into the cab. It was a little high off the ground, and being petite did not help her situation. Once she was in her seat, Harley fastened her seat belt and smiled. This would be so much fun! She would prove to him that she was a good sidekick! Not like last time...
He started the car and pushed the gas pedal to the floor. The museum was in the middle of downtown Gotham. It shouldn't take them long to get there since he was going as fast as the truck's engine could. He slowed down as they approached the museum and swung into the back employee parking lot. It was deserted. No one wanted to be out on a night like this. The sky was cloudy and dark. The moon's light was obliterated.
Harley glanced at him, wondering what in the world was going to happen next. He hadn't told her much about this plan. Her heart pounded a bit when wind coming through the open window ruffled his hair. She had to remind herself not to swoon.
Joker scoped out the entrances. The easiest way to get the statue in was going to be through the loading area. They could use one of the huge carts that the museum kept to move large art pieces. That way they could also take the Bernini sculpture much easier. He would send Harley to get the Egyptian papyrus. She couldn't screw that one up. Then, while she was doing that, he could look for the most expensive painting the place had. Most of the rarest pieces were in the European gallery. He chewed his lip and maneuvered the huge truck around. The keypad was easily decoded by a nifty electronic gadget and he backed the truck next to the loading ramp. Luckily, no one was lurking around this area.
Through out the whole process, Harley remained as silent and still as the dead. There was no way she was going to ruin this plan. Firstly, she did not feel like getting beat up again. That wasn't the most fun way to spend her time. Secondly, this is exactly the sort of thing she used to imagine as a little girl. What did these big museums need the art for anyway? All it was going to do in this place was sit and waste away. You had to pay to enjoy it. Art should be free, not locked up in a brick house. She finally turned her head to glance at Joker. He looked like he was in serious thought. It suited him. In fact, what look didn't suit him? She caught herself smiling at the thought and had to quickly remind herself that this was serious business.
He finally turned toward Harley and took her hand. "Okay, sweet. I need you to go to the Egyptian gallery and get a roll of papyrus for me. Here's what you'll need," he paused and reached down to grab a small bag at her feet. He set it on her lap. She would be able to cut the glass and disable any motion detectors/alarms. He gave a small smile and kissed her on the cheek, "You'll do fine, Harlequin. Time for the opening act." He let go of her and jumped out of the truck. Joker could be deadly silent when he wanted to be and he would need that skill tonight.
One deep breath in, a controlled sigh out. Harley slid out of the truck, clutching the straps of the bag tightly in both of her hands. Weren't there any guards here? She slinked through the shadows, already quite familiar with the place. Every year her high school had taken at least one field trip to the Gotham Museum of Art. The Egyptian wing had never been her favorite, but she still knew her way to and through it. When she reached the main lobby, through which she would have to pass to get to her final destination, she saw a beam of light. Her body tensed as the shadowy figure of a man stepped around the corner, his hand gripped around a flashlight. Instinct kicked in at that point. Harley wasn't any fighter, but she knew how to sneak around someone. She edged along the walls, making as little noise as possible, until she was finally clear of him.
Joker sighed. Hopefully, everything would go as planned. Maybe there would even be a curtain call. He chuckled to himself. He grabbed the loading cart and lifted the statue of Harley onto it. This would be pretty easy. He would knock out the guards as he found them. It would be like Whack-a-Mole. Such a delightful game. Even better when applied to real life. He whistled a cheerful tune as he pulled the cart through the museum. A guard rounded the corner. WHACK. One down. Nose broken too. Extra bonus points for that one. He grinned. There was such a thrill in executing masterpieces.
As she entered the Egyptian corridor a slight electronic frequency resonated with her brain. It was exactly a sound, but more of an electronic feeling. Like the thrum of a laptop but on a much larger scale. Harley rummaged in the bag that Joker had given her, pulling out a spray can. She quickly read the label, realizing that she had picked the right item after all. Soon the electronic frequency was revealed to be an array of criss-crossing lasers. Oh this would be fun.
Joker continued to make his way to the sculpture exhibit. Five down so far. He hadn't even gotten a scratch. Finally, he made it to the huge atrium. The Bernini sculpture was the center piece. It really was beautiful. A woman almost completely naked. Her tunic has seemingly slipped off her shoulders had gracefully pooled around her feet. He felt the jolt of lust like electricity. It slid from the base of his neck all the way down his spine. Harley and Joker would have to celebrate their crime. Chocolate would have to be involved. He shook his head. He needed to focus. He quickly shoved the Harley sculpture off the cart and muscled the Bernini piece up the ramp. It was heavier than he had expected it to be. He grunted with the effort of pushing it. His muscles straining and his fingers slipping against the cold marble.
She took another deep breath, looking down at her feet to make sure she had appropriate shoes for what she was about to try. It was good she had opted to wear tennis shoes. She slid the duffel bag across the floor, right under all of those gleaming lasers. Then she lept off of the ground, twisting, turning, and rolling through the lasers. It was like dancing, but a little more dangerous. At one point she even managed to run along the wall. She would probably regret this the next day when her muscles started cramping up
Something lurked in the shadows. Watching. Waiting. This girl in the clown costume was good at what she did. She made it through the lasers unscathed and with no equipment. Impressive. A slow clap echoed through the room. With a little more practice, clown girl could be an excellent thief.
Harley spun around, quickly scooping up the bag she had slid past the lasers, "Huh? Who's there?" How had she not heard a guard coming? Those buffoons are always really loud! Why would a guard clap for her anyway?
A woman stepped out of the darkness. Her red hair glinted in the light. She was dressed in a green costume and held a big box. Her face was beautiful almost angelic if not for the devilish smirk on her red lips. Her porcelain skin, green eyes, and long legs made her a heart...crusher. "I don't think we've met," she said in a sultry voice. Her eyes sparkled.
Harley couldn't help but keep her body tense. This woman had caught her quite off guard. She was really relieved that there weren't any guards near by, but was this any better? Her voice sounded faintly familiar and after a few seconds of staring at the beautiful face she realized who she was dealing with. Poison Ivy. She had been in Arkham when Harleen started working there. Maybe it would be best not to let on that she knew who Ivy was, "No, I don't think we have."
The woman freed a green-gloved hand, "I'm Poison Ivy. You are?" She smiled. Poison Ivy had always wanted a good comrade. Maybe this girl would take up her offer. She had a lot of promise. Life with the plants sometimes got a bit lonely. Ivy always liked to spice things up.
She hesitantly held out her hand for the other woman to shake, "I'm Harley Quinn." A smile finally broke out across her lips. Who would have thought that being a "criminal" would earn her friends?
"Harley Quinn. So good to meet you," Ivy raised an eyebrow and looked her from head to toe, "Nice costume too." She released Harley's hand and put it back on the box. Clown...clown. It looked too familiar.
"The pleasure's all mine!" She grinned, putting her hand back on the strap of the duffel bag. "Now, I'd really like to stay and chat, but Mistah J's expecting me to get something for him. I bet you've got stuff to do anyway..." It would be nice to actually talk to someone else for a change, but she really couldn't keep Joker waiting.
Poison Ivy's jaw dropped. She quickly snapped it shut. "Mistah J.? You mean the Joker? You work with the Joker?" her tone changed to a scathing one. The Joker was an abominable sexist pig. Ivy already felt her knee tingling. He deserved to be kicked in the groin a few times. Maybe that would solve his hideous ego.
"Umm...Yeah, we're a team!" Harley chimed happily, hefting her bag up onto her shoulders. "He sent me to get some papyrus while he takes care of the sculpture." Okay, telling Poison Ivy that she was with any male of any type was not a good idea. It didn't help any that the certain male she was with was the Joker. Ivy and Mistah J didn't seem to be on good terms as it was.
Ivy frowned even more at her statement. Joker never had a "team." He had people working underneath him. People that he treated like scum. "Listen, Harley. If you ever need any help, feel free to come by," Poison Ivy managed to pull out a small card out of her pocket while balancing the box. She pressed into Harley's hand. Suddenly, she felt a presence. Ivy turned and saw a flash of purple. A fist was coming toward her. She growled a curse and ducked. Ivy heard Joker's grunt of pain a felt a nice dose of satisfaction. She set her package down on the ground.
Joker clutched his side. He clenched his teeth together. What the fuck? Why was Poison Ivy here? Why was Harley NOT getting the papyrus. He flicked his gaze over to the girl in question. Her hands were empty. No papyrus. He growled in frustration. "Poison Ivy, you look so...green. Any spring fever?" he laughed harshly. He clenched his hands into fists. They were wasting precious time in this little reunion.
Her hands fumbled a bit as she slipped the card down the front of her costume and into her bra securely. She quickly started making her way over to Joker, "Puddin', don't worry about her. We still have time to make your plan work." She tried to smile as best she could. He looked absolutely livid. It brought back memories of the last time he had been angry.
He was fuming. "Harley, go do your job," he said coldly. A guard could see them at any moment and set off an alarm. That was the last thing they needed. Joker still had to go to the European gallery as well. Poison Ivy's petty voice cut through his thoughts, "Joker. I see you're still the same selfish, egotistical jerk." He laughed, wiping a pretend tear from his eye. "Poison Ivy you are still the same plant-obsessed, feminist freak. Have you figured out how to mate with your flowers yet? I heard it was their breeding season."
Poison Ivy's eyes widened. "HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT!" she screamed throwing herself toward Joker. She wanted really wanted to kill him. All it would take was one fatal kiss. Even Joker wouldn't be immune to the plant toxin. Unfortunately for Ivy, Joker was ready this time. He dodged her attack and threw her off balance. Poison Ivy became a sprawled heap on the floor.
Harley swallowed the lump in her throat and started running towards the papyrus display. If she was quick, she would be able to get a few sheets and be back in time to calm Joker down. Maybe if she was lucky he would be calm when she got back. Yes, and pigs could fly.
Poison Ivy quickly rolled to her feet. She knew she couldn't fight Joker here. She grabbed her box and ran toward the hallway. She smiled. Ivy did know how to hit below the belt. She ran straight through the lasers. A siren screeched on. Now, Joker wouldn't get to have his crime spree. Ivy's laugh ran through the museum.
Joker saw her intentions a moment too late. He could have stopped her if he had lunged for her a bit sooner. He missed Ivy's arm by a few inches. NO. NO. NO. The alarm screeched shrilly and now all the guards would be alerted. He screamed in frustration. His mind working through reality too fast. He wouldn't have time to get the European painting now...unless he wanted to get caught and go to Arkham. He turned around. Where was Harley? "HARLEY!! TIME TO GO NOW," his voice echoed through the room over the siren. He was going to kill something.
Harley's ears rang as she tried to block out the noise of the siren. No! She was not going to let this be a complete disaster. Dumping the contents of the duffel bag on the floor, she wrapped the material around her hand. With one well placed punch, she broke through the glass, gasping as little bits cut through the bag's polyester material. She grabbed a few sheets of papyrus and placed them in the bag before taking off as fast as she could. "I'M COMING!"
He started to run for the truck. Two guards showed up. He hit them and knocked them out efficiently. He should have brought his machine gun. It would have made things much quicker. He could hear more footsteps coming. There were more guards than he thought. Soon, they would be putting the whole museum on lockdown which meant that the steal door that was between the loading area and the outside world wouldn't open. Joker had to get out before they pressed the lockdown button.
Her lungs burned as she pressed her way through the museum hallways. Harley could feel her pulse in her hand as it throbbed in pain. The air stung the cuts on her hand as she ran as fast as she could. Heavy boots thumped all around her, forcing her to take risky shortcuts. As she ran, she rummaged through the bag with her good hand, looking for a gas bomb of some sort. There had to be one!
He ran faster. His muscles burning from the strain. Almost there. He was so angry it hurt. A cold anger. Very unusual for the Joker. Everything was ruined. His whole masterpiece had fallen into pieces around him. He tried to distract himself... hitting the guards harder seemed to work. He had made it to the loading area in one piece.
The doors were closing! With one last burst of energy, Harley through herself through the doors, just making it before the steel barriers closed. She didn't stop to breathe. They weren't out of this mess yet. Soon, she was strapped into her seat, holding the duffel bag close to her chest. At least she got the papyrus...