My hand trembled as the knife slid into his mouth; I shakily pressed the blade into the right corner of his mouth, slowly pressing harder and harder until a faint trickle of blood flowed down his chin. He didn't flinch, he didn't even move at all, but I whimpered. I knew this must have been hurting him, he had to feel it.

"Man up, Harls," He said, his voice muffled.

"I'm trying, Jack!" I whined, willing myself to press the blade harder..but I couldn't do it.

He ripped the knife from my hands and jumped up from his knees, suddenly looming over me, the knife, gleaming with his own blood, ready in his hand. My eyes grew wide with surprise as I looked up at him.

"What did you call me?" I heard his voice growl.

"J-jack? That's you're name," I whimpered out.

Something passed over his eyes as he looked at me, or rather, through me. I sunk back towards the empty gray stalls. Jack insisted we break into the previously boarded up public restroom for him to complete his smile and as I took in the dark blood stains on the wall and the thin layer of grease over everything, I understood why; no one would question the mess.

"Never mind," He muttered and spun around to face the grimy mirror.

"Have to do everything ourselves, don't we?" he snickered to his reflection.

I threw a hand over my mouth as he stuck the blade in his mouth and easily sliced through his cheek, curling the cut upward to complete his smile. Blood poured down his arm and into the sink, splattered across the mirror, and dripped into the floor. Instead of screaming, he tilted his head back, his eyes fluttered close.

"hahehaha…hahahaha…HEEEHAHAHAHAAA!" His cackles grew louder and louder.

His fist was a blur as he suddenly hit the mirror, shattering it. I started to cover my ears and the pieces twinkled to the ground, but found my mouth twisting upwards and my heart fluttering in my chest. I closed my eyes and for a few precious moments, it seemed like his sweet laugh was the only thing tethering my feet to the floor, keeping me grounded instead of floating away.

I didn't think it was possible, but…I was falling deeper and deeper in love with the Joker.

…

I skipped ahead of Red, twisting the cherry sucker against my tongue, enjoying the sugary spit sliding down my throat.

"I just wish you would get some common sense," She droned on, trying to catch up with me.

"Red, I don't see why you worry so much," I shook my head.

A sudden gust of wind made the old metal hinges of the swings groan eerily as we past them on the sidewalk.

"He's going to end up killing you! He does NOT love you, Harls," she said as if it was obvious.

"Yes he does! He just gets…a little…riled up sometimes. Ya know, caught in the moment," I said defensively.

"You're starting to sound just as insane as he is," she muttered.

I sighed dramatically and fell into a pace beside her. The grass seemed to lean towards her as she walked by it. In the months we had been friends, I already figured out that Red was a wiz with plants; it was sorta like her thing, like Jack and his jokes. She paused and bent down to pick up a piece of stray litter from the ground, but I moved ahead, flipping and twisting in the air.

Smiling, I looked behind to see how far back Red was.

"Try to keep up, Red!" I snickered.

"Some of us don't have the energy of a four-year old," She replied and I stuck out my tongue at her.

"Where's your clown, Harleen?" A deep voice said loudly.

I turned my head to see Bruce's dark eyes grimly set into mine. I crossed my arms, setting my mouth into a snarl.

"What do you want, Wayne?"

He tilted his head to the side, "Can't I enjoy the park with my friends, too?"

I looked behind him to see his small gang; I was taken aback when my eyes settled on a familiar set of blue eyes hiding underneath dark-rimmed glasses. What was he doing here?

"Well, who do we have here?" Pam said walking up behind me in that sultry tone of voice she always used when guys were around.

"Bruce Wayne and his…uh..friends," I said curtly.

"Oh, how rude of me. This is Roman Sionis, Victor Zasaz, Tommy Elliot, and Jonathan Crane," He said gesturing to each guy.

My eyes never left Jonathans and he held my gaze.

"What's you're criminal boyfriend up to now?" I heard Bruce darkly ask.

I snapped my head towards him, anger flaring up inside of me. I slowly took out my sucker and spun it in my fingers, a smile playing on my lips.

"The usual, crackin jokes, making smiles, and enjoying the simpler things in life….Ya know Bruce, maybe you should take a couple pages outta J's book, learn to smile more," I smeared the red over his lips, painting a smile on his face to match Jack's.

I laughed as he made a face and wiped the sticky sugar off his face; I popped the candy back into my mouth, but grimaced from the bitter aftertaste.

"On second thought, I don't think I want to know," He muttered.

I sneered and turned on my heel, Pam following my movements. As we walked away, I could see the millions of questions on the tip of her dark lips, but she kept silent, somehow sensing I needed to think.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked after a while, glancing at me.

"Jack," was my automatic response, but she grunted.

"No, you aren't. When you're thinking about him, you're all smiley and your eyes glaze over."

"Really?" my head perked up at this.

She nodded with a revolted look on her face, "It's completely disgusting."

I opened my mouth to say something, but she cut me off.

"Oh Christ, I forgot! I have to study for the finals; sorry Harley, I'll have to catch up with you later," She hastily hugged me and left me standing in the empty park, swimming in my thoughts.

Sometimes I forgot that people my age were still attending school. I should be in college now I think…maybe…how old was I again? I'd have to ask Jack the next time I saw him.

"Harleen," Jonathan's voice broke through my mind.

I focused on him standing alone in front of me, "Jonathan."

He was wearing jeans and a faded blue v-neck t-shirt, different from the ties and vests I was used to seeing on him. He looked younger dressed this way and the way his eyes lit up like he was earnestly happy to see me, made me want to smile.

"It's been a while," He whispered, stepping towards me.

"Has it?" my body tensed up, not wanting to give in to him again.

"How are you?"

"Happy as can be…listen, Jon, it's dangerous to be seen with me. Especially now that you turned good," I started to back away.

He snorted, "I did turn at all. If I hang out with these guys, it gives me a better shot to get a job at Arkham."

"Why do you want to work there so badly?"

He grabbed my hand and I froze. He pulled my body against his and my sucker fell to the ground.

"Fear. The fear. Their fear. It's why I study the mind, Harley; everyone's afraid of something," He whispered into my ear, "What about you?"

I inwardly shuddered by the dark tone of his voice. Something changed about him.

Part of me was afraid of losing Jack for the Joker, but another part of me was happily slipping into insanity along with him…but I didn't tell Jon this.

"Why are you here?" I said, my voice squeaking.

He pressed his body more firmly against mine, placing his hands on the small of my back.

"I need to give you something."

Before I could ask what, he slipped a miniature bottle into my pocket.

"I took it when Bruce and I visited his dad working in the hospital. From what I understand, it'll wipe your memory; it's made for people with traumatic stress disorders," he cupped my face in his hands, tilting my head towards his, "It can give you a clean slate. You could start over, have a normal life."

I smiled, "But normal is sooo boring."

He grimaced, reminding me of Bruce. I could tell he truly did care about me, but I just couldn't leave Jack behind. His lips wavered close to mine and I saw how hard he was trying to control his urges when I was so close to him; it reminded me of the power I felt the last time I saw him.

"I guess this is goodbye then," He muttered, his eyes locked on my mouth.

"Yeah I guess it is," I sighed and hugged him.

He hugged me back a little too hard, and I had to be the one to pull away. I gave him a small smile before turning on my heel like Jack always did and walking away, feeling his eyes following me. I didn't look back though, I couldn't afford to…Jack was waiting for me and I was late. He wasn't going to be happy.

….

"PUUUUUDIN!" I yelled as I burst through the doors.

He was sitting in his chair speaking lowly with one of his thugs. As I skipped near, he waved the man away and dramatically looked at his wrist, pretending there was a watch.

"Wheeere have you been, little girl?" He snapped.

I sighed and sat down into his lap, "With Red, walking in the park."

He stretched out his legs and leaned his head back against the chair, letting his eyes flutter close. I started to smile until I noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

"I don't like her," he muttered, sounding like a five year old.

I giggled in my high pitch voice, causing his scars to twist upwards. As my laughter died down, I let the tips of my fingers trail down his jaw line and run over his permanent smile, feeling the knotted and tough skin and, on one side, I could still feel the wire of the stitches weaving in and out of his flesh.

"Uh, boss? We need the plan for the next heist," An unfamiliar voice said.

Jack's eyes ripped open and glared at the man hanging in the doorway.

"I'll give them to you…when I'm fucking ready to. Now, get out of my sight before I cut your heart out with a plastic spoon," He half-growled, half-mumbled.

The thug put his hands up and left us. Jack grunted and shooed me off his lap before walking over to his desk. I sighed as he plopped down in his chair and started to scribble on the blue paper, muttering to himself. Defeated, I wandered over to the closet and changed into a pair of his boxers and a red tank top.

"Goddamn!" I heard him curse and crumple up the page.

"S-so what's the big heist, Puddin?" I timidly asked, not sure of his mood.

"Making my name…..kindergarteners…..everyone laughs," He muttered out, snickering softly.

I threaded my fingers through his hair then gently kneaded his tense shoulders. I glanced at his plans and smiled to see that what he was scribbling wasn't even pictures or diagrams, just jumbled up words streaking across the thin paper. Screams. S-Laughter. HAHAHA. Madness. Outsane. Insane. Knock Knock. WHAT? Who told you? Joker in the Deck. Blood. Hell rhymes with Smell. HeHeHe. I plucked the pen from his hand.

"Come on, J. Let's get you to bed," I softly cooed as I tugged him up from his chair.

He muttered insults and threats, but let me lead him to the bed. He sat down on the edge and looked at me with red, sleepy eyes. I stripped off his shirt and ran my hands over his chest before pushing him onto his back. I skillfully undid his belt and jeans before picking up his legs to take off his shoes. I tossed his right one to the side but felt him resisting when I tried to take off his left. I grunted and leaned back, using my weight to help me.

I squeaked as he suddenly gave in and the shoe came flying off, sending me falling backwards.

"J!" I whined after I stood back up.

He cackled softly, a wide smile adorned his face. I huffed and yanked his jeans off; he slipped under the covers and settled in, resting his head on his hands. I slid into bed beside him and quickly cuddled up to him, drowning my day away in his intoxicating scent. He didn't even notice me, he was too used to me now..i had slowly became a part of him. I bit my lip, thinking back to what Red had said in the park.

"Mista J?" I asked, looking up at his sleeping face.

"Hmm?"

"Y-you love me right?"

"Love you," he repeated back to me in a hazy voice.

I smiled and nuzzled my head in his chest, "I knew it."

"Mhmm."

"Oh and J? Maybe…you wanna snuggle up to me?" I held my breath.

"Of course," He grumbled and turned to me.

He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. I inwardly squealed with delight and melted into his arms.

"Aren't you forgetting my kiss, Pud?" I tilted my head up.

He sloppily pushed his lips against mine and tightened his grip on me. I didn't mind, I missed him; every second away from him was almost painful. Every fiber of my body craved him, never getting enough of him.

"Oh, and maybe tomorrow, we could go shopping?"

"Don't push your luck, Harls," he sounded sharper than before and I blushed.

I burrowed closer into him and he breathed out a laugh before finally drifting to sleep. I let out a sigh of content before taking one last glance at him and then doing the same. I quickly fell into a nightmare…

The lighting was dim and it was hard to see. As the wind blew through my hair, I discovered that I was outside, on a roof to be more exact.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" I heard Puddin's cackle surrounding me.

I turned around and around, looking for him, but never seeing him. Suddenly something darkened the lighting even more and I looked up to see a dark shape covering the moon; I couldn't figure out what it was, but I knew it was a bad sign.

"Harley, Harley, Harley," He chuckled as he walked out of the shadows.

I sighed with relief and ran over to him. He was..different…more colorful, but at the same time, much darker. He grabbed my arms and drug me backwards, even though I screamed for him to stop.

"Jack! Stop! We're too close to the edge!" I shrieked.

He paused and looked at me with an amused glint in his eye, "Jack? I don't know a Jack."

"What? Sto-" I started, but he quieted me.

"Oh shushshushshush," He petted my face with the back of his gloved hand.

He roughly grabbed my neck and leaned me out over the edge, I clawed at his fingers, trying to grab hold. No, he couldn't do this to me, he wouldn't do this to me. There has to be something wrong, this isn't Jack anymore. This isn't Jack anymore.

"Oh Harleen, my little Harleen," he clucked his tongue, "Why. So. Serious?"

He let me go and a scream ripped through my throat as I fell through the air.

I jerked awake, finding myself covered in sweat and digging my nails into Jack's chest. He was staring at me, fully awake and I chuckled lightly.

"Bad dream?" he muttered.

"I-I guess so," I replied, trying to recover the foggy memory of the dream.

I shrugged it off and lightly kissed the nail-marks I had left on him.

"Nothing's gonna hurt you…I'm here," he mumbled to reassure me.

I had trouble going back to sleep; I just couldn't shake the feeling that something about his comforting words was incredibly ironic…

I'm sorry for the wait, but the new chapter is FINALLY here! Review please or message me! I have to thank my good friend and incredible writer, , for his help and support. I wouldn't know what to do without him!