Chapter 20

While the guys were busy cleaning up in the kitchen, Harley decided to do the same in the Joker's room. She referred to it as his room for now, anyway. Maybe in the near future that would change. She didn't know for how long they stayed in one place before having to move and find another hideout. But she was hoping to know everything soon. She wanted to be a part of this more than anything. She had to come a long way to end up here, but she finally realized that this was right for her. So long as he was there by her side, everything was like a dream.

Harley made the bed and picked up some dirty laundry scattered about the room and put everything in a pile on the bed. It would have to stay there until she had found a washing machine. At least she hoped there was one. And if there was, she doubted that it had ever been used since they all moved in. They probably don't even know how to operate it. And if they think I'm going to be their mother and do it for them, they couldn't be more wrong.

When she headed back down, she was pleased to find that the guys had not returned to their slouching, but were still busy in the kitchen. She stood in the doorway and was amused at the sight. They were finishing up swabbing the floor and polishing the countertops. A couple of them had even taken the liberty to do the dishes and put everything back in the respective cabinets and drawers. Harley chuckled, but then stopped abruptly, feeling a body stepping up behind her. She turned around and looked up into the face of the Joker, who looked anything but amused. "What's going on here?" he asked, looking to Harley for an answer. His men stopped dead in their tracks, turning their full attention to their boss. Some of them, especially the one who Harley had drenched before, were sneering now, thinking that she was in big trouble for this. Harley's mouth opened and she could feel his intense gaze on her, expecting a quick answer. Of course, there was nothing else to say but the truth.

"I thought the place could use a proper cleaning," she explained with a simple shrug. "You can call me a neat-freak, but I refuse to live in all this filth." She looked into his eyes and he looked into hers. After a short pause, he eased the tension and disappointed those who had hoped to see Harley get scolded (or worse).

"Point taken," the Joker said and strode into the kitchen. His shoes left marks on the newly swabbed floor and if Harley wasn't mistaken, she could have sworn that the guy holding the mop (yet another one covered in tattoos, but bigger built and with a bald head) was giving the Joker a glare behind his back. So you do care after all. The Joker stopped by the kitchen island and drew one finger with his gloved hand over the polished surface and looked at it.

"Not bad," he said, sounding surprisingly satisfied. Then his eyes fell on Harley's soaked victim. "Why are you wet?" he asked.

"Ask her." Harley received a nod in her direction and the Joker looked back to her, but didn't say anything, only gave her a look that said: We'll talk about this later.

"Oh, believe me Jerry, I will." Jerry. So that's his name. "Keep up the work boys, you're doing a great job. Harley, you're coming with me." Harley supposed that the Joker's men weren't used to being praised, because they stood frozen in their spots for a moment before getting back to the task at hand. Harley followed the Joker.

He picked up a big moving box in his arms and carried it upstairs, Harley close behind. They were back in his room again and he plopped the box down on the bed, right over the pile of laundry she had taken good time to fold. She didn't bring it up, though, but only stood there waiting for him to say something. He, however, was apparently expecting her to do something. "Well, go on then," he said and gestured to the box. "Open it!" She hurried over to the box and did as told. Inside, she found a variety of clothing. All for her? She had to make sure.

"Is this all for me?" she asked him.

"Well, they're certainly not for me." She took out the garment that lay on top. It was a leather corset with a zipper in the front. The left half was black and the right half was red. She had never seen anything like it before, but she thought it looked very cool and sexy. She couldn't wait to try it on. She put it down on the bed next to the box and proceeded taking out the rest. There was a pair of matching pants to the corset, also in leather, but the colours were reversed: black on the right side and red on the left. There was also a ruffled skirt which was all black and to go with it, she had a pair of leggings that were red and black, just like the pants. There were some ordinary clothes in there as well that she could use for days like this one. She figured that the rest was supposed to work like her uniform when they were out and about. The box also contained two pairs of shoes: a pair of black combat boots with rivets and another pair of red, taller boots with heels. She held the latter pair in her hands and looked down at them in awe. "Do you like it?" he asked, hoping that she would. "Red was your favourite colour, right?" he added, wanting to make sure. She dropped the boots and threw her arms around him lovingly.

"I love it! Thank you!" At first, he was put off by her gesture, but instead of pushing her away, he eventually reciprocated it by putting his arms around her and patting her head. Harley was the first to pull away. "When will I get to wear it?" She was practically jumping up and down, eager for her big reveal. The Joker smiled down at her, pleased to see just how much she wanted this.

"Very soon," he assured. "I just spoke with my little bird back at Arkham. Apparently, Dr. Arkham throws this party every year for the staff members and that so happens to be…" His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he dragged on that last word, trying to remember when exactly the party was. "…on Friday. Six o'clock. Dr. Arkham's place. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity, considering you're practically still a member of the staff, so your invitation should be valid." Harley smirked.

"And you'll be my date?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

A/N: Alright folks, we are getting closer to the end of this story, but I am overwhelmed by the response this is getting! Thank you all so much for all of your support and your kind words, it means a lot! As someone who strives to one day become an author, it makes me believe more in my work and in what I do when I hear that people actually enjoy it! :)