It was late and Ivy was restless. She was pacing up and down in her greenhouse, talking to her plants, pouring her heart out to the flowers, leaves and vines around her. At least they couldn't run away or hurt her.

She tried to tell herself that Harley's a big girl, that she can look after herself, but she couldn't stop thinking about the Joker. He had already tried to get her back against her will in the funhouse and she was sure that he wouldn't give up until he had her back. Still, she was pleased that she had managed to get him with the toxin she had synthesised while Harley had been asleep. If he as much as laid a finger on his girlfriend, he'd be very sorry indeed.

"Even if she never talks to me again... At least he won't be able to hurt her," said Ivy sadly.

Harley sat on a tall stool at the bar, stirring her cocktail with a tearful sigh. The dirty dive bar was crowded, with people dancing all around her to loud, bland music. She thought coming out might cheer her up, as well as delaying the decision of where to sleep that night, but it had only made her feel worse. She was supposed to be here with Ivy and she couldn't stop the tears rolling down her cheeks. Of all the people in the world, Ivy had been one of the few she knew she could rely on. She didn't understand how she could have betrayed her so badly. Sure, she and the Joker were not exactly on good terms, but when did things escalate to the point where she wanted to hold a gun to his head? Harley wondered what had happened after she ran away. She hadn't heard any gunshots, and she was sure that by now she would have heard something if Ivy had hurt the Joker... But still, this was all so confusing.

She wasn't very happy with the Joker either. She had been ready to forgive him, wanted to forgive him, but the incident in the funhouse had frightened her. Normally he waited for her to come back of her own accord, but this time it seemed he had planned to take her back whether she wanted to come or not. She had bashed her head so hard on the tunnel, she was a little concussed. If he cared about her so much, why did he keep hurting her?

"No, he does care about me," she said aloud to herself, her voice shaking. A man waiting next to her to buy a drink turned around and stared at her, but she didn't notice. She just stared into her drink.

She had barely noticed that people were starting to trickle out of the bar, until the bartender said, "Come on lady, drink up. We're closing soon."

She downed the rest of her drink and slid off the stool, wondering where she should go next. The combination of the alcohol and the concussion made her feel rather wobbly on her feet. As she staggered towards the door, she was overcome by a sense of fear. She didn't really want to be alone tonight, but she wasn't sure whether she felt like being around Poison Ivy or the Joker.

The air was fresh and cold, with a gentle breeze blowing through the streets. She looked around, wondering which direction might lead her to safety. She didn't know, so she simply began walking and hoped for the best. She turned a corner, and then stopped, listening hard. There were faint footsteps behind her. She turned around quickly, and stood about ten metres down the road was the Joker, his face lit up eerily by the street light.

"Come on, Harley," he said, his voice low and sinister. "You've played your game. You've had your fun. Now it's time to come back."

"M-mistah J," she said, shivering. "I ain't playing no games. You're the one who kicked me out."

He began to walk towards her. "Oh, don't be silly. You know I didn't mean that." He laughed. "I wouldn't know what to do without you." He looked at her expectantly, waiting for her face to soften, for her to run towards him, arms wide.

"You really hurt me, ya know." She pointed at her eyebrow. "I'm gonna have a scar here."

The Joker was just in front of her now. He stroked her face. "I told you, Harley. I'm very sorry – and I truly mean it – so how about you just come home and I'll make it up to you." He was getting impatient. He wasn't used to not getting what he wanted.

"Aw, well... Okay Puddin'," said Harley. "If you're really sorry."

"Yes, yes, come on then," he said. "The car's just round the corner. Looks like I'd better drive." He looked her up and down in derision, but she didn't notice. She just felt glad that her Mistah J was safe and she was with him again.