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.
Warning: Violent scenes to come. These stunts are done by highly trained professionals and should not be imitated by anyone. Except those proficient in martial arts training and weapons, even then it shouldn't be imitated.
Chapter 9
A few weeks have passed; Harleen has been living with Bruce in Wayne Manor. She's adapted…well she's gotten used to the rooms of the manor but she's still not used to living the lifestyle. Ivy and Barbara have been released from hospital; Ivy has received news that Flora Plush has been joined with Wayne Enterprises, fantastic news because she and Harleen are up to their ears in recommendations and orders…so much in fact they had to take on new staff besides themselves! Dick has been helping Barbara around: giving her a wheelchair, showing her how to use it etc. Barbara has kept her word on not blowing the lid on Harleen's secret. Speaking of them their having coffee in the Wayne Manor recreational room as we speak.
"So, how's life living with Bruce?" Barbara asked stirring her frothy latte.
"It's great, a little difficult to get around with all the rooms and everything. I walked into Bruce's room twice by accident on different days and saw him naked!" Harleen explained while blushing while holding an Americano.
Barbara gasped then laughed "Oh God! Still you must be used to it, with you two sleeping together." Barbara supped at her latte.
"Err…actually no…we're not sleeping together." Harleen blushed embarrassingly
Barbara did a spit take onto the floor in disbelief "I'm sorry?"
"We have not slept to-ge-ther." Harleen said phonetically spelling it out, using her hands to indicate each syllable.
"I'm sorry but…my God…but every time I see you two together you're always together and necking. It's amazing that the two of you get any work done." Barbara explained, while speaking in disbelief.
"Yeah, we've been making out and such…but I promised some special people I would only…you know…when I was married. And with my history with men it looks like I'll be one till I'm ninety." Harleen blushed and looked at her mug of coffee thinking of those people.
Barbara thought long before speaking 'It couldn't have been Joker. No way he's the marrying type. So who…?'
"My parents…" Harleen answered thinking of her loving father Francis and wonderful mother Amelia.
"Oh…what happened to them?" Barbara asked hoping that they were still alive…but in this line of work, it's never good.
"My went for a drive to get some groceries…he was killed in a car-jacking by a schizophrenic with a knife. My mother spiralled into depression…she hung herself…I was twelve…at school, I had just won a make your own toy competition…a bunny rabbit with a top hat and bow" Harleen said trying to hold back the tears of both joy and sadness.
'She remembered her own past with detail just like Bruce…How broken was this woman before she met Joker?' Barbara thought reaching out to Harleen's hand
"Then I was in foster care…my adoptive family weren't like my real parents but…they helped…though not much. David…my guardian was a drunk…a really mean drunk…Anabelle his wife was prone to hysterics…the two used to argue…sometimes hurt each other…sometimes me…then when I turned sixteen I made my way to Gotham University. Got my degree and worked in Arkham…you know the rest." Harleen poured her emotions to Barbara, the third person to know this story.
"I had no idea Harleen…I'm sorry." Barbara said holding Harleen's hands.
"Number three…" Harleen said
"What?" Barbara asked
"You're the third person to know this…the first two were Ivy and Bruce. I'm glad I've got you as a friend Barbara." Harleen smiled as tears fell from her cheeks.
"No problem Harleen." Barbara spoke kindly as a beeper went off in her pocket. "Oh I need to go…errands to run." Barbara said wheeling herself out.
"Sure no problem; I've got some things to do as well." Harleen smiled wiping her tears away.
(Barbara's POV)
Harleen left and Barbara rolled her way to a secret section of the rec. room: it housed a secret room filled with computers, digital maps of Gotham, sonars…every gizmo a Bat-family member needed to survey Gotham.
"Come in Oracle, can you hear me?" Batman's voice was coming through the Headset.
"Oracle here, what's up Batman?" Oracle spoke in all seriousness
"Calendar Man: He's robbed the Founder's Day Jewellers." Batman responded
"Hardly something to call up about." Oracle said while calculating any routes Calendar Man might have took.
"It's not just that…it's about Harleen." Batman spoke, that got Oracle's attention
"What about her?" Oracle answered
"It's just she's trying to hide something from me…it's nothing serious but every time I see her on her computer typing she: closes the program or switches it to something else. I'm getting worried." Batman sounded concerned
"So you called me up during a case to play agony aunt to your relationship? You're really something Bruce." Oracle smiled
(Harleen's POV)
"*Sniff* she's a really good friend…okay time to train." Harleen composed herself after she saw her phone vibrate with a message from Bill: #Calendar Man, Jewellers, Bat here, Fourth and Ninth Street!#
Quick as a flash Harleen donned her Meta-Human armour Bill made for her, a weaker thread than the other one, but still as effective; the other one was being repaired by Bill to find any tears in the thread. Bill said that the suits need to be maintained and properly treated, if they are just thrown on battle after battle the material will disintegrate and makes the wearer vulnerable to attacks.
"Okay Bill, let's see how good this suit is." firing her grapple gun she swung into Gotham, tracking Calendar Man and his thugs.
As she reached her destination, Calendar Man's warehouse, Bat-Shard saw Batman and Robin in position to strike. She overheard different goons talking amongst themselves.
"Here, how did we ever get stuck with Dates for Brains? We were Joker's guys now look at us: working for a guy who strikes of different holidays of the year? What is he some sort of crazy Santa Claus or a deranged Easter Bunny?" One said wielding a pipe in his hand.
"Neither, it's Calendar Man…that guy maybe crazy but he did plan this heist. I mean he called it "Glittering Friday" or something crazy, said that it was the busiest day of the year for these shopping sprees…think on it: the most money than any given date, plus hundreds of G's in gems and gold! That's over three million easy! Far as I'm concerned as long as I get paid I'm not complaining!" the second goon spoke wielding a pair of revolvers
"…yeah, you got me there." The pipe goon laughed
Bat-Shard saw an opportunity and took it she flew down and took the revolver goon down first with her tonfa; she didn't want to take chances.
"What the Hell? Bat-Shard?" the pipe goon said swinging his weapon at her but she blocked it.
Bat-Shard swung one tonfa to the offensive, blocking with one hand and attacking with another, that time she spent away was well spent for training. She blocked his pipe swing and exposed his stomach, with one thrust he was winded and one swing he was out cold.
She couldn't see Batman or Robin anywhere 'They must've gone inside!' she thought using her grappling hook to travel to the roof.
"See what that was out there! I'm certain it was the Bat!" Calendar Man commanded. "Now back to business…what does your employer want with my earnings?"
"He want's half of it." An envoy with a muffled voice spoke
"Half! Half! Outrageous, it was my careful planning and precise…" Calendar Man scoffed
"You're an April fool, Calendar man…your plots are paper thin and your mind even more so. The only way you pulled this off was with our men…the result is the same. Half!" the envoy spoke.
"*grumble* Very well…half." He reluctantly accepted.
"Very good, my employer will be pleased to hear this." the envoy shook Calendar Man's hand as a gesture of good faith.
"Who is this employer? Hmm? Do I get a chance to meet him?" Calendar man inquired
"No. he wishes to remain anonymous. Come." The envoy said taking half of the earnings away in suit cases.
"Boss our two guys they're unconscious! It's the Bat!" a goon said.
"Damn it all. Batman again? I thought we lost him!" Calendar Man seethed
"Obviously not." The envoy rhetorically
"No, these guys were beaten with something hard other than fists! It's the other one!" the Goon cowered
"What other one?" the envoy asked "Batgirl?"
"No…Bat-Shard! A new problem." Calendar Man explained "grab your weapons! We need to get out of here before…"
"Before, what?" Batman's sinister voice called out as he landed on the armoured goons incapacitating them.
"Batman! Here? Get him!" Calendar Man ordered and gunfire ensued.
The bullets fired Batman dodged them and threw his batarangs at each one trying to get a good hit, it was somewhat effective; the batarangs hit either the guns or the owners. Robin had his own problems being cornered by a half dozen thugs.
'He's in trouble! But the envoy…' Bat-Shard thought torn between the stolen goods and saving Robin…she chose Robin! She crashed through the windows tonfa in hand going on the offensive.
"Hey bozo's! It's me you want!" Bat-Shard called out.
"The Bat-Bitch! Grab her!" a goon shouted
Goons never learn from their mistakes do they? As Bat-Shard fought she used a smoke pellet to disappear. She used her acrobatics to use every advantage of the surroundings; she knocked the skulls of two thugs together, used her tonfa to buckle the goons legs then knock their brains to sleep. One remained against her; it was her versus an armoured goon.
"Oh god not again!" the goon instead of fighting ran off.
"Guess he remembered me. The Envoy!" Bat-Shard spoke
Outside was the Envoy and he was attacking Batman with a rapier while Robin had one of his guards pinned down. The other was getting up pointing a gun at the Dark Knights head.
"Batman!" Bat-Shard called out throwing her Shard-Star at the guard's gun…it wedged itself in the back of his hand as he fired it whizzed past Batman and went straight for Bat-Shard.
It only grazed her left arm, she'd get a nasty bruise there but other than that it was fine it didn't tear the armour.
"Bat-Shard!" Batman called out throwing the envoy to the ground then knocking the guard out.
The envoy picked up the gun and aimed it at Batman's back. Bat-Shard threw a Shard-Star at him, as it wedged itself into his shoulder blade he roared and screamed in pain. "You Bat-Bitch! You'll pay for that!"
"No, she won't!" Batman said before he nerve pinched him to paralysis.
"Well that's them done." Robin said panting "Are you okay? You took a bullet for Batman."
"It's nothing…err…Batman, sir, I wanted to ask." Being as professional as she could "and I hope this isn't pouring salt into a wound…" Bat-Shard got down into a: person going to be knighted stance "But would you consider me being your new apprentice?" and looked up at her idol, her inspiration…her first real infatuation.
"Whoa! Well what do you say Batman? Can she join us?" Robin said enthusiastically
Batman didn't say anything for a short time, there was some chatter over his radio. Bat-Shard still waiting to rise, then he came over to her and made her stand; with his look into her eyes and hers in his, both seeing the colour blue they both loved for their respective lover, but neither found out it was them.
"You saved Barbara Gordon's life, you've saved Robin's life and you've saved my life. With that you have my thanks…but…" Batman said solemnly
'But…?' Bat-Shard thought 'I've come this far. I won't back down!'
"But? But nothing Batman! You've said it yourself! She's proved herself! She helped us, she's honoured our code!" Robin interrupted
"Robin…" Batman stared at his ward. That got him to be silent "As I was saying: you've saved three lives and you've put many people in jail, but…I cannot have you as my apprentice."
"I…I understand." Bat-Shard said disappointedly
"That's why I want you to me my Partner!" Batman extended his hand to her. "Welcome to the family Bat-Shard!"
Bat-Shard began to well up inside 'must stay pro…must stay…must…oh sod it!' she thought as she gave the Dark Knight a great hug. "Thank you! Thank you! I'll try not to disappoint!" she looked at him with tears forming.
(Bruce's POV)
As the new trio were sending the bad guys to Blackgate Prison and Calendar Man Going to Arkham, they returned the jewellery back to the rightful stores Batman caught sight of a beautiful blue diamond and gold necklace. The price twelve thousand dollars!
He thought 'It's beautiful…it'll be a great gift for Harleen for Valentine's Day or maybe her birthday…Damn! When is her birthday?' realising that with all that has been going on he forgot to ask Harleen her birthday.
The store manager saw Batman standing by the jewellery admiring his wares, so like any good citizen…or someone who wanted to sell an item to a superhero and then brag about it.
"I see you've eyed my most prized piece Mister Batman. Very beautiful, very expensive. Maybe something for Batgirl over there?" he said with a winning grin
"Her name is Bat-Shard…and no it won't be for her. I'll buy it." Batman whispered to him trying to make sure Bat-Shard couldn't hear anything.
"Very good sir. Discretion guarantied." The clerk went off to package the necklace.
(Harleen's POV)
With the bad guys going away to Blackgate Prison and Calendar Man going to Arkham, Bat-Shard felt a huge relief and joy being part of the Bat-Family.
'I'm finally part of it. I'm finally working with Batman! But I mustn't get ahead of myself; I'll have to keep this secret from Bruce.' She thought feeling a bit discouraged by keeping this from her boyfriend. She noticed the necklace Batman was staring at, aloud she sighed but inside she thought 'Such a beautiful gift…probably for Catwoman or someone…who knows if Bats is with anyone.'
"You okay Bat-Shard?" Robin asked
"Huh? Yeah I'm fine; just thinking." Bat-Shard said to the Boy Wonder "I gotta go. Got to send this suit to the cleaners." she smiled.
"Okay until next time. You got your Bat-caller?" Robin asked
"Right here." Bat-Shard indicated the device on her utility belt and then used her Grapple Gun back to Bill's.
*Back at Wayne Manor*
(Bruce's POV)
Bruce paced up and down in the living quarters anxious to give Harleen her new gift. Tim was playing his new video game that he won from Dick up in his room; while Dick and Barbara were playing chess whilst thinking of new strategies in the rec. room and talking about whatever.
'Where is she? She's never been late before…' Bruce thought 'I've got to be discreet when asking her about her birthday. I want it to be done right.'
In the rec. room Dick and Barbara were talking whilst she took his Black Knight with her White Bishop. "Check."
"Geez…" Dick said rubbing his hair to get his brain cells working. "You think Bruce is still pacing up there?" he said moving his Black Castle to take her White Knight
"Yeah I guess…so you took Tim on your motorbike for a ride? How was it?" she smirked imagining Tim asking about every button, moving her White Castle left to protect her White Queen.
"He was actually cool about it. Granted when we stopped at the game store he did ask me where the rocket launchers were…how can you get rocket launchers on that thing anyway?" he smirked moving his Black Queen in frame of her White King "Check. By the way where's Harleen? I haven't seen her all day."
Barbara had to give him an excuse, she knew about Harleen being Bat-Shard so her errand could have been that. "She had to run an errand. And don't ask me what it was I didn't check." She almost snapped at Dick, which made him recoil slightly; she took his Black Queen with her White Knight.
"Okay, fine…no need to snap at me." Seeing no other way to save his Black King, Dick forfeited "Still where is she?
(Harleen's POV)
'God that errand ran longer than I thought! Bruce must be worried. I hope he's not mad at me.' She thought reaching the doors and carefully opening them.
"Miss Harleen! You're late; Master Bruce has been worried for some time." Alfred said astonished but glad to see her.
"Sorry Alfred. My errand went on longer than I thought." Harleen said taking off her shoes putting them on the rack. "I best talk to Bruce and apologise."
"Very responsible of you, Miss Harleen; I'll go and…" Alfred said before Harleen stopped him.
"No Alfred, I want to surprise him." She said giving a half-hearted smile
"Very well miss Harleen. Shall I inform the others of your arrival?" Alfred asked at attention
"Yes please. Thank you Alfred." Harleen thanked her butler friend
Harleen went into the living quarters where Alfred pointed to and saw Bruce pacing.
"Erm…Bruce…?" Harleen asked softly
"Harleen? You're okay. Where've you been?" he asked calming down seeing his girlfriend was safe.
"I've been running an errand…Bruce can we sit down?" looking at the settee.
'Oh God…did something happen? She's not going to break up with me is she? *sigh*no this is Harleen we're talking about, not Harley.' He thought while moving to the settee next to his girlfriend. "Harleen what did you want to talk about?"
"It's kind of…important…" Harleen said holding her hands
'Stay calm Bruce…it's probably nothing.' Bruce thought "What is it? You know you can tell me anything."
"Okay…" Harleen took a deep breath and said "Do you know when my birthday is? 'Cause I don't think I've ever told you." looking at her beau "I'm asking cause I'm not sure when yours is either."
'Oh thank you God!' Bruce felt a weight off his shoulders in his mind but in reality he was composed as ever "Hmm, you now I don't think you did. Tell me my little minx: When is it?"
"Na-ah, you're gonna have to earn it." She playfully teased her boyfriend
"Oh yeah?" as Bruce began to nuzzle her neck with kisses.
"Oh…oh no…no fair…"Harleen was getting tickled with kisses while holding her boyfriend.
"Ready to tell me now?" Bruce whispered in her ear.
"N-no…" Harleen giggled with joyful tears forming
"Oh…that's a shame…guess I'll have to keep going." Bruce said faking disappointment
"No…! No Bruce. D-don't, stop!" Harleen began to laugh
"Don't stop? Okay." Bruce continued to tickle her and shower her with love
"Okay…okay…the-the fourteenth." Harleen cried with loving joy
"The fourteenth of…?"Bruce asked tenderly kissing her neck again then nibbling her earlobes (Seriously, who does the earlobe thing?)
"February…fourteenth of February." Harleen admitted a loving defeat.
'A wonderful date for a beautiful woman' Bruce thought "The nineteenth." he answered softly
"Huh?" Harleen panted trying to hear him.
"My birthday…the nineteenth of February." Bruce repeated
"We really are close…aren't we?" Harleen said kissing her loving beau.
She loved every second, each kiss Bruce planted on her. She was in love with him and that feeling was reciprocated. She noticed a bulge in his trouser pocket; she broke the kiss and asked him.
"Bruce is that an action figure; or are you happy to see me?" Harleen playfully asked.
'Damn she's seen it. Oh well can't get out of it.' Bruce thought then sighed "*Sigh* I planned to give this too you for your birthday. But seeing as you've seen it…" he got out a necklace box from his pocket.
"What is it?" Harleen asked getting up slowly; all that tickle kissing made her numb.
"I'll show you." he slowly opened the box revealing the blue diamond and gold necklace he purchased at the store earlier as Batman.
'Oh my God, the necklace! The one that Bat…' Harleen, with her hands in a prayer position over her nose and mouth to cover her smile, was stricken with: disbelief, joy and a mix of other emotions. Her mind was a whirlwind of memories and a single thought emerged as Bruce placed the necklace around her neck: 'Bruce is…Batman?!'
To be continued
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