The Harlequin and the Bat

This is the story sequel to: 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 Character Bill, who I will explain or have explained in my Bio.

Chapter 3

(Harley's POV)

Harley was walking down the street dressed in casual clothes but having dark glasses to hide her blue eyes; hoping to find a friend she had back in Arkham: Bill…just Bill, no-one never knew his last name. But he was one of the sanest people that Arkham had housed. He always talked to her and Ivy in the old days…maybe he recognised her enough to help. His store: Bill's Armour and Tech, was basically Batman's utility belt just bigger.

She saw the sign and entered the store, the windows were iron barred and riot shield made; Bill took no chances when it came to safety especially in Gotham. The insides were filled with: whosits and whatsits aplenty, gadgets and gizmos galore and thingamabobs don't get me started. Padded jackets and different armours were hanging on mannequins.

"Wow, Bill's done well for himself. I wonder if he remembers me?" Harleen said to herself.

The back door opened with a voice to follow it. "Welcome to Bill's Armour and Tech. How may I help…Doctor Quinzel?" a tall semi-muscular man appeared, his black hair matted from lack of showers, his eyes black from lack of sleep, his chin covered with bristle. His clothes were a logoed white shirt with his own store and black loose jeans.

"I'm glad you remember me Bill. I'm here on a shopping spree." Harleen said smiling.

"Oh Doc, not again…I told you before; don't max out your credit cards on clothes you need to eat." The concerned inmate said leaning on his counter

"No I'm eating well. I just need some of your store's namesake." Harley said.

"Sure anything for you Doc. What are you after anyway?" Bill said getting a notebook out

"A few things…I've written them down here." Harleen said getting the list out from her purse

Bill sighed and took a look at the list. "Okay…one meta-human weave suit with pointed finger tipped gloves and impact absorbing boots colours red and black bust and height…oh-ho." Bill said while rubbing his chin. "One eye mask: Black. One grappling gun with diamond shaped hook. One utility belt: waist…oh" Bill said looking at Harleen's waist as she held her purse to cover up. "One cape, three point trail: dark red. One set of fifty diamond throwing stars that turn into…bats?" Bill looked curiously at Harleen while she was looking around the store he didn't complain about the window browsing but he was concerned about this list. "And one Bat: Black, with three diamonds: Dark Red to be stitched on the suit? Doc what is this? Trying to be The Bat's new sidekick?" Bill asked putting the list down on the counter. Harleen turned around acting embarrassed and ashamed. "I've been trying to turn my life around Bill. You're the only guy who can help me out here besides B-Man."

Bill looked around in astonishment "You? You've turned your life around? And this is what it's come to?" Harleen looked down as Bill came out from the counter; she looked at him and expected to be abused just like Joker. But Bill wasn't like that instead he hugged her, tight. "It's about bloody time!" he said letting her breathe.

"You're not mad at me?" Harleen asked

"Mad…mad? I'm bloody proud of you! Doc you've: dropped that abusive clown, you're making a name for yourself, trust me I saw that boutique you and Pamela have made and you've made the front page of the news!" Bill said getting today's paper making her blush and wonder how and who took that picture, she always knew Bill was respectful to her and Ivy but she never knew he and Ivy wanted the same thing for her.

"So…can you make them? I can pay…" Harleen said getting her purse out but Bill put his hand to indicate *Stop*

"Put your money away Harleen. These are on the house!" he said getting the list. Harleen smiled and asked how long they would be ready. "They'll be ready in about a week/two weeks. By the way how's Ivy, seen her around lately?"

"Yeah I have. I told her about what I was about to do as well." Harleen said

"Oh yeah, how'd she take it?" Bill asked

(Flashback to yesterday)

Harleen is on the phone while trying to design her own Batsuit and equipment on paper.

"Harley are you serious? I heard Penguin attacked the Party you were at! And you up and kissed the Bat?" Ivy's voice called out from the phone

"Yeah…I know; Bruce got me hidden while he was being saved by the Batman. And I dunno it just felt weird kissing him. I mean I wanted to kiss him before but…"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. You've wanted to kiss the Bat? When? How long?" Ivy asked

"It doesn't matter…" Harleen defended herself

"How. Long. Harley?" Ivy asked sternly

"Since before the incident with the crowbar and the Boy Wonder." Harley said down the phone

"Oh. My God. How long before?" Ivy wanted to dig deeper

"Do you remember the day Batman gave me that dress and I kissed him then?" Harley asked

"Yeah…" Ivy tried to remember

"Since then." Harley confessed "I even made a plush bat, thinking of that day. I even stitche on it."

Silence. That's all Harley got on her side she even asked if Ivy was still there…until

"*Squeal* You and Batman and Bruce Wayne? Harley you're really coming out of your shell! But what about this crazy talk about being Batman's new sidekick?" Ivy was excited then concerned for her friend.

"I'm hoping to send a video to Batman hoping to meet. And maybe apologise." Harley said

"Apologise for what? Harley if you play your cards right; you'll have Bruce Wayne and The Bat under your thumb! Protection from Joker and unlimited cash; it's a win-win!" Ivy said excitedly

"No! No, I don't want to manipulate anyone! Sure I want to be protected from Joker, but I don't want to hurt Bruce. And I don't want to use Bruce for his money, I'd be no better than a gold-digging manipulative bitch. And I know what manipulation feels like." Harley said holding her arms from fear of Joker.

"Harley…Harley I'm sorry. It's the vixen in me. Look I support you, okay. Just promise me you won't do anything stupid." Ivy said being concerned

"I promise Ivy." Harley said kissing the phone for her.

(End Flashback)

"Damn…okay, well it'll take about two weeks for me to complete the suit and tech Harleen. Try not to do anything stupid or get back into Arkham for your sake. Okay?" Bill said smiling

"I won't see you Bill. And thanks for the freebies." Harley hugged Bill around the neck and left the store.

"I hope you find happiness Harleen…you deserve it more than anyone." Bill said to himself looking at the designs Harleen gave him alongside the list she gave him.

(Bruce POV)

Bruce drove around looking for Harleen's home but was unsuccessful. He was starting to think that she was avoiding him, after party he was becoming anxious; he just wanted to talk to her and hope to get the bottom of this: was she in love with him or Batman?

Bruce decides to go to the park to rest and think where he chances upon the very person he's trying to find: Harleen.

(No one's POV)

"Bruce! Harleen!" the pair said in unison. "What are you…what am I...?" the two said in unison again.

"Where have you been? Why have you been avoiding me?" Bruce asked

"I…I…I've been doing errands. I'm sorry, but I've got to go." Harleen explained

"Please Harleen…I don't care about what happened with Batman at the party. I just want to know." Bruce asked

"You…you don't care? I…I didn't realise. I thought you'd be disappointed." Harleen said sounding sad

"I could never be disappointed with you. Please just come with me back to my house." Bruce said trying to be as kind as possible.

"Your house? Wayne manor? Are you serious?" Harleen was shocked.

"Dead serious. Please Harleen, I just want to know." Bruce answered.

Harleen smiled and agreed to go with him; maybe the drive in his car will help lessen the tension.

During the ride Harleen told Bruce about her attraction to Batman. His eyes were opened after learning this but was pleased to know that she cared for him enough to tell him. But she was still scared of what he might do; in her experience Joker would hurt her if she even talked to anyone else.

Arriving at Wayne Manor she was greeted by only Alfred, Harleen looked around and was amazed at the décor and the fanciness of it all.

"Alfred where's Tim and Dick?" Bruce whispered to his guardian

"Out. After they saw you come up the drive, they let you have some time on your own. I believe they've gone to the cinema Master Bruce." Alfred answered

"And Barbara?" Bruce wondered seeing as the last time they spoke it wasn't very friendly

"Still working on the weapons dealer case I believe." Alfred answered again

"whatcha' talkin' about?" Harleen asked

"Discussions involving Wayne Enterprises, Harleen; come on I want to know everything." Bruce said kindly, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

Harley smiled and was led into the library, after seeing so many books she almost fainted.

"I take it you've never seen this many books before." Bruce joked

"Never…this room makes my cell at Arkham look…hmm." Harleen knew she put her foot in it that time.

"Arkham? You've been in Arkham." Bruce asked, knowing the answer all too well but let her think he didn't know.

"Yeah…I've done a lot of bad things in my life. But I'm turning it around now; I just need a chance and well, Bruce…" Harleen looked at Bruce's eyes and moved closer "you gave me that chance the night on the dance floor…and I crushed it." Looking down at him holding back the tears "I'm such an idiot! I was thinking like a girl with a crush on an older guy and when it happened, I thought he would be the one to help…I want you to forgive me Bruce, please…you're the only guy I ever had that didn't try and kill be or cheat me." Harley looked at Bruce after holding her wrist on her forehead.

"What do you mean by that?" Bruce asked letting her sit down on the settee next to him.

"Joker tried to kill me more than once: he threw me out of a window after trying to kill Batman for ruining the punchline. Throw me into a crumbling factory. But each time I felt like I wanted to die, somehow…Batman was there to help me. But with the cheating…I was betrayed by my boyfriend in high school. It was so long ago I can't remember his name or face, but he cheated on me with the class floosy and her friend. From then on I only relied on myself…then along came Joker." Harleen poured out her confession to Bruce who hung on every word. He placed his hand on hers and looked into her eyes.

"Would you feel better with a do over?" he said softly in her ears

"What do ya mean?" Harleen asked.

Bruce played the song from the Gala night and both saw themselves back in that moment. On the other side of the door were: Tim, Dick and Barbara; who snuck in after hearing about Bruce with Harley. But they didn't disturb the two, but just watch them slow dance.

'This is disturbing and wrong.' Both Dick and Barbara thought. Tim was still a bit younger than them but thought 'Go on Bruce.' As he smiled

As the song came to its end the moment was about to be replicated: Harleen had tears trickling down her face but Bruce wiped them away with his thumbs, Harleen smiled. Both leaned in for their kiss and they met, the room was silent as Harleen's foot popped upwards like in the movies.

While Dick and Barbara turned away in disgust, Tim carried on watching. Now either he was a peeping tom or he was just happy to see Bruce with someone who he really cares for.

'Sorry B-Man, but this ex-Goldilocks found someone who feels just right.' Harleen thought to herself as she and Bruce carried on their kiss.

To be continued.

I hope you've enjoyed reading this chapter as I have writing it.

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Thank you