Chapter 2

Ivy could do nothing but blink at the sight before her. Her vines, wrapped tightly around the wrists and ankles of Harley Quinn her best and most trusted friend from Gotham City.

"So….are ya gunna let me outta these vines Red or are you just gunna stand there..?" Harley smirked.

Ivy shook the stunned look off her face and lifted her hand once more releasing Harley from the grips of the vines, pulling them back around her wrists and ankles. Ivy crossed her arms over her chest and looked across at Harley.

"What are you doing here Harley? How did you even find this place?" Ivy questioned.

"Oh com'on Red, aren't ya happy to see me?" Harley giggled.

Ivy just shook her head and walked towards her bed crossing one leg over the other.

"I'm always happy to see you… But why are you here?" Ivy asked again.

Harley pouted gently and skipped over to the bed jumping beside Ivy crossing her legs and bouncing beside her friend. Ivy turned and faced Harley and studied her. Harley's blonde hair was pinned up into her typical pigtails one side died red and the other blue, she was wearing her shiny red and blue jacket to match her hair. Ivy tilted her head gently noticing that Harley's "daddy's lil monster" shirt was torn, as well as her fish net tights. Her shorts- which really are more like underwear then shorts- were a bit dirty.

"Harley what happened?" Ivy sighed gently looking at her friend.

Harley's smile faded slowly at the question, she looked away from Ivy and folded her hands in her lap. Harley looked at the wall, staring off her mind suddenly somewhere else. Ivy lifted her hand and touched Harley's cheek pulling Harley's face back to face hers.

"Talk to me Harls… what did he do to you?" Ivy frowned in concern.

As Ivy looked closer she noticed Harley's make-up was thicker and more packed on the one side of her face. Ivy took Harley's chin between her thumb and fingers, lifting her other hand to smeared some of the make-up on her face. Deep purple bruises covered Harleys cheek and around her eye. Ivy's frown deepened as she noticed faint bruising along her neck, Ivy pulled Harley's jacket off her shoulder revealing more bruises and a few deep cuts. Harley pulled away and slid her jacket back up her arm and covering her shoulder looking away.

"You know it kills me to see this Harls… How many times does he have to beat on you until you understand that he's a mother fucking piece of shit?!" Ivy's voice had raised a little.

"You know I didn't come here to hear this from you! I love him Red what the fuck do you want me to say? No matter how many times he beats me… I still love him…" Harley slid off the bed and stood.

Ivy sighed gently covering her face, she felt Harley get up off the bed and she turned to face her again.

"Why did you come here Harls?" Ivy sighed

Harley looked away crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't know… I didn't know where else to go really…"

Harley shook her head slowly then turned her back to Ivy, she started to walk back the way she came. Ivy stood and reached out grabbing Harley's arm gently.

"I didn't say you had to leave Harls." Ivy said quickly.

Harley turned slightly to look at Ivy, a small smile playing on her lips. Harley wrapped her arms around Ivy's neck and hugged her head.

"Yay! Let's do something fun!" Harley giggled.

Ivy shook her head but couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright alright, what do you wanna do Harls?" Ivy smiled

Harley tapped her chin and hummed gently. "Um… I could go for a good burger! There's that diner we used to go to all the time…?"

"Oh yeah! That actually sounds good!" Ivy giggled softly

Ivy turned from Harley and walked towards her dresser pulling the ratty college t-shirt over her head, leaving her bare back turned to Harley. Harley gazed across the room her eyes brushing along Ivy's bare back for a brief moment before averting her gaze elsewhere. Ivy pulled out a loose blue button up lumber jack shirt and a pair of lightly washed denim short shorts. Ivy spun back around and started pulling her hair from the braids, and pulling it up into a loose bun. Ivy walked towards one of the plants sitting on a shelf and stroked the leaves, as she did beautiful lilies bloomed. She picked a few and added it to her messy bun. Ivy walked back to Harley and smiled taking her hand.

"Let's go get some food" Ivy smiled.

Harley smiled and squeezed Ivy's hand then led her out of the small cabin. Ivy and Harley walked together through the woods on the way to Gotham. Harley filled Ivy in on all the things that had been going on in the city.

"Mr. J and I have been causing mayhem, simple stuff really, teasing the Bat and breaking into places. The Bat has been really busy with Freeze and Two Face, they have just been running amuck in Gotham." Harley explained as she skipped along the path.

The two girls passed the town line and made their way down the street. Ivy looked around, taking in the sights and smells of the City she once ran around and cause trouble in. A small smile crept onto Ivy's lips.

"Do you miss it Red?" Harley looked at Ivy.

Ivy was pulled from her thoughts and looked to Harley. "I miss the rush and all the stuff we used to do together... yeah" Ivy smiled a little then opened the door to the diner for Harley.

Harley walked in and pulled Ivy with her, she walked towards the booth they always sat at. Harley slid into the booth and Ivy followed sitting across from Harley. Ivy trailed her fingers along the carvings in the table, memories rushing back to her all at once. Ivy smiled as her fingers ran along the carvings Red + Harley = BFFL. Ivy traced the carvings over and over with her fingers, her heart fluttering at the memory. The waitress pulled her from her thoughts once again. Gloria looked down at the both of them and crossed her arms playfully. Gloria had been at the diner since she was in her teens, she was in her late 60's now. Everyone knew Gloria, and they came back just because of her. Ivy hadn't seen her for so long. Gloria's hair had silvered, only a few strands of brown still remained, her skin was still as flawless as before, and no one would believe that she was in her late 60's.

"Well, well, aren't you two a sight for sore eyes" Gloria teased.

"Hey Gloria! Have you missed us?" Harley giggled and bounced in her seat.

"How have you been Gloria? It's good to see you" Ivy smiled.

"Nice to see you too Mrs. Ivy. What will it be ladies." Gloria pulled the ratty note book from her apron and the blue ball point pen from her messy bun.

"The usual Gloria!" Harley chimed bouncing happily.

"Yes the usual sounds perfect." Ivy smiled.

"Coming right up ladies." Gloria winked and turned walking to the kitchen and calling out the order to the kitchen.

Harley smiled then turned back to Ivy, folding her hands on the table.

"How have you been Red? I've missed your face around here." Harley pouted softly.

Ivy laughed softly at Harley then shook her head. "I have been okay Harls. Just tending to my babies, making toxins, just continuing my work."

Harley rested her chin in her hands and looked across at Ivy. "That sounds really boring." Harley laughed a little then crossed her arms on the table. Harley went to open her mouth to say something when Gloria brought their food to the table.

"Here you are ladies, the usual. A cheese burger and fries for Harley and garden salad and milkshake for Ivy." Gloria smiled and set the plates in front of the girls.

"Thanks Gloria." Ivy smiled.

Harley dug in munching happily on her food, Ivy ate slowly both smiling and joking with each other just like old times.