Early update! Been writing this non-stop the past few days. I was super excited to write in another infamous villain. This also sets up an event that leads to the ending this story will have. So technically, this bridge is SUUUPER important.

No answers to reviews this time because I didn't receive any but I DID receive quite a few favorites and follows so THANK YOU! And please everyone, continue to enjoy this story and REVIEW! :)

"When everything goes wrong, you see some bad

But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good

Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood"

- Lana Del Rey, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"

"Yes!" A bejeweled hand slammed excitedly against the

marble counter. I jumped from the sudden noise. "What better way to infiltrate than from the inside!" Silver gleamed brightly from the clown's mouth.

J, myself, and Frost were back in the kitchen of Joker's lavished mansion. Daylight had started to break considering it was about five in the morning. Our drive back to the private port just outside of Midway City took much longer by car than it did by helicopter. Yet, J drove the whole way.

Which, sort of surprised me because he still hadn't slept. He was completely wired and I had to wonder where he stored all of that energy. Even Frost napped between flights.

Currently, he had bourbon on ice that he clunked around in his other hand as he discussed new plans with Frost. They were devising the best way to break Harley out of Belle Reve. Once word spread that Task Force X completed their mission, J knew she'd be sent back to that prison on the swamps.

"Prisons are meant to keep people in, not out." J waved a feathery hand. "Do you know what that means?" His blue eyes bore into me.

However, Frost answered. "Get Griggs and his lackeys to release Miss Quinn into your custody?"

Joker let out a hardy laugh, still looking at me. He pointed an index finger in Frost's direction. "See, this is why I keep him around." He stopped laughing to grin at the man instead. "That is exactly what it means, but I want to do something bigger. Better."

Frost's head lowered an inch. "You want to go in there yourself."

The clown's smile couldn't get any wider. It was incredible how well the two understood each other. I began to think that maybe I should be asking Frost for advice on how to stay on J's good side since I kept walking the fine line.

J took a sip of his drink and snarled, "Arrange it."

Frost nodded and took his leave. I sighed as I gazed into the depths of my french vanilla coffee. It had cooled down to mediocre temperatures in the last five minutes, discouraging me from it. A shadow loomed over the liquid.

J's head was arched low in front of me. "Do you know why I keep you around, Papillon?"

I really wasn't in the mood for mind games this early in the morning. He hadn't spoken a word to me again since I saved his life. Not that I expected any praise or gratefulness but again, I did save his life. That didn't warrant a silent treatment.

"To torture me, I suppose." I let my eyes fall back to my cold coffee.

He scoffed and walked past me but not before letting a hand briskly graze my shoulder. "You're more important than that, I'm sure."

My ears pricked, yet I remained cautious. I could only figure he was luring me into a false sense of security. I turned to profile him at another counter across from me. He had his hands behind his back, tipping faintly forward.

"You won't be coming with us, my dear."

I swiveled around fully, a little peeved. "Is this still about what happened at the casino?"

"No" He barked, then came gradually closer as he continued to speak. "You're…distracting."

"I'm what?" My brows furrowed as he tilted his head. I wrestled around with it in my brain for a second before the corner of my lips upturned. "Wait-"

His hands swirled in an animated way about my person, boxing me in an imaginary bubble. "I need you to be silent, and that's not something you're very good at."

A tiny laugh escaped my throat. "Silent? That's not something Harley's good at either but I don't see her being reprimanded for it."

His palms came down harshly to meet the marble on either side of me. He straightened himself out to gain height and peered at me through half lids. This was suppose to be a threatening stance, like a cat trying to arch itself to make it appear larger.

Little by little I was learning to conceal the fear I'd feel whenever he pulled in the reigns. I didn't want to quake. I didn't want to show weakness. I was a capable, young woman. I would not live in Harley's shadow as grand as it may have been.

Again, I was still mastering it, so he undoubtedly noticed my fingers shaking together in my lap. He breathed an air of sarcasm. "I thought you weren't anything like Harls."

Nice try.

I smiled sweetly, "I'm not. I'm much smarter."

He chortled ever so slowly as he walked away. "My, my, my, such arrogance."

I straightened out my spine. "And what's wrong with that? I'm confident in my abilities."

His eyes peeked over his shoulder as he hissed. "It's not the same thing, I'm afraid."

"I know that." My fingers clenched tightly together. "But what you think is arrogance, is what I consider confidence. I'm not saying Harley isn't…charming, but in honesty, would you consider her smart?"

"Ah," He looked to the ceiling before facing me once more. "Depends."

"When has any of her plans actually worked?"

His eyes lit up and he stalked towards me again, chuckling. "Such forcefulness, Papillon. But-" His palm enclosed in a vice grip to the lower half of my face. "-what I think about Harley or you, are two totally different things. Ya got that?" His eyes searched my terrified ones. "And the next time you have an opinion you want to share about Harley when, quite frankly my dear, you know virtually nothing of her nor me-" He made our noses touch. "-I'll be sure to do more than slice your neck."

He abruptly released me and my fingers traced over my cheeks. Tears welled at the brims of my eyes as he strolled toward the exit. My voice caved under the overwhelming feeling of sadness as I spoke. "Aren't you ever tired of this?"

He stiffened at the archway. I kept on, "You want your queen, you have her, but leave me out of this. Just let me go. What have you really to gain, Joker?"

My insides churned as he stood there ever so still. Droplets streamed one by one down my heated cheeks. Containing this feeling was way too much. I wanted him to stop being so nice. He was either going to kill me or he was not. I couldn't take anymore of these gray areas.

However, he never answered. After a moments silence he continued to exit the room. Rage overtook me and I screamed into the palms of my hands. It still did not draw him back.

My body convulsed with a new sense of fury. I fixed my glare into the endless speckles of the marble counter top. A scowl hung from my lips. I couldn't get my clenched fists to steady. I felt like this unbalanced vexation would never cease.

I was forever suspended between two emotions, anguish and anger.

I needed to seriously re-evaluate whatever hook J had plunged in me. What's the number one thing that makes a woman stay in an abusive relationship? My fingers stretched to tap along the surface.

He needs me.

I closed my eyes. He didn't need me, that was absolutely clear. Harley may have had the delusion that J couldn't go on without her, but he'd already painted that picture before she even got a chance to dip her own brush in the paint. Rumors had it that he glued together some sob story about a violent father to tug at her soft heart strings.

Harley, soft.

I could see it. When given the order she'd strike down any man, women, or child. When left up to her own devices, she was much more persuadable. Why kill what didn't need to die? The psychiatrist in her must have fought endlessly to retain some sanity. Protecting her Puddin' was the only exception. Or any major threats to her person.

I exhaled a long breath I hadn't realized I was holding. My irises drifted to the clock on the joining wall. Almost seven thirty in the morning. I rolled my shoulders and pushed myself away from the counter. I needed a hot shower.

The padding of my feet treaded lightly on the tiled flooring. The dirt and grime from the night before weighted me down heavily. I felt like every step I took I left a trail of mud in my wake. We were all so exhausted or, well, exuberant when we came back that cleaning ourselves up seemed the most least important thing to do.

I was as quiet as a mouse as I retired to my room. The whole house was hushed. This led me to believe that J and I were the only occupants currently. Which was perfectly fine because that gave us an entire mansion's space to put between us.

I shut my private bathroom door soundlessly behind me. Hearing the water pound into the porcelain of the tub sent instant relief through my bones. I longed to have the hot liquid wash away all of my troubles. Erase all the turbulence of this day that hadn't even yet begun.

Of course, that was easier said than done.

The same thoughts from before crept back into my mind as I stepped beneath the shower's sanctuary. A list formed beyond the lids of my eyes as if someone had taken a pen and etched them into the skin.

Fear.

Yes, I had that. For what purpose, I wasn't sure. I didn't think it was so much the fear of dying that kept me attached. We all knew that'd be an impeccable feat. It was, perhaps, the fear of being alone. If I left J, besides him hunting me down, I'd actually have nowhere to go. All acquaintances I'd had were surely cut after Angelo's untimely death.

I grabbed for the bar of soap that rested on the soap dish. Sudsing it up, I humored myself with the thought of showing up on Lady Eliza's doorstep once more. Would she be enraged or would she be green with envy? That woman could have it all and yet it still wouldn't be enough.

A strand of luminescent fell in my face. I blew at it wondering if she'd even recognize me. Then I thought of Arnie. Oh, good old Arnie. I'd never dream of giving him any more trouble than he needed. Maybe one day, when I'm far away from this mess, I'd visit him and say I'm sorry. Say that I never meant to hurt him. Never meant to get Angelo killed.

The drawback of the glass door startled me. I hugged my arms to my chest and coward into the tiling of the wall. My heart hammered at light speeds as that familiar open-mouthed frown leered at me.

J had his left forearm propped against the glass above his head and the palm of his right hand flattened to the tile. He leaned more to the left, appraising me with those cold, blue eyes.

I didn't dare speak. He looked as if he'd been hitting the bottle this whole time and his reasonings for being here could be many. Although curiosity bit at my insides I really just wished he'd go away.

"I'm leaving now, Olive." He almost whispered. He hadn't called me by my first name in quite some time.

"Okay, Mister J." I was shivering slightly as his intrusion was letting in all the cool air.

He grunted and hesitated before pulling away from the glass doors. Which he left open. I scurried up to shut them but paused at the sight of his drawn out, lengthy walk to the bathroom entrance. His fists curling and uncurling. I've witnessed this action many a times by now.

Then, unexpectedly, he glanced sideways at me again. His eyes drinking every part of me down. My heart leapt to my throat. He'd never looked back at me before. Almost as if he never thought much of leaving me behind until now. Until this brief second between us.

His eyes slowly disappeared forward as he slinked into the dimmer lighting of the bedroom. When he officially left I let my body use the glass for support since my knees seemed to fail me. Just as I was at the precipice of sorting out all of the nonsense in my head he swoops in and changes the dynamic of the whole situation.

That's it.

I reached to turn the water off. The thing that unnerved me the most, was the thing that attracted me so. His unpredictability is what held my loyalty. He was exciting, dangerous, untamed. He was the predator and I was the prey. I didn't necessarily like being controlled but if he was controlling it was only because he cared. If he stalked me, it was only because I was worth stalking. Only because he felt some type of way.

I may have been reading too much into things but I couldn't shake this feeling of certainty. Anything I've ever asked him pertaining to these feelings were thwarted by vague comparisons to Harley. And why shouldn't that be? She's been all he's known since his dip at Ace Chemicals. What other woman in her right mind would love a man like him without being altered.

Granted, that would make me no different in that respect but it wasn't he who changed me. Donnie planted a nasty seed long, long ago. J just happened to fund it. And maybe, to some extent, I've always had a little piece of this inside me. The unconscious crave for danger and destruction.

Perhaps J thought I was playing with him.

I reminisced the scene that unfolded at the hotel in Louisiana, touching my neck carefully. I remembered him mentioning something about woman and their ideas and fantasies. Did he think that I had some sort of school girl crush? That I deluded myself into imagining that one day we'd live the American dream of a house with a white picket fence? That he'd give it all up for me?

I fastened a towel around my torso. I don't think I could ever fathom Mister J on the straight and narrow. He was a criminal mastermind, it defined him. His number one love would always be chaos. He wasn't right in the head and he never would be. To even entertain the idea that you could change a man like that was insanity in itself.

It was all in or nothing.

"All or nothing." I repeated to my reflection in the mirror.

There was something there, at the tip of my tongue. Something just out of my reach. Those eyes. If he could look at me like that all time…

Suddenly, the doorbell echoed throughout the mansion. I furrowed my brow at myself until the bell went off again. Who the hell could that be at this hour?

I stepped out of the steamy bathroom to grab the robe I had dangling from the bed post. Slipping into it, I wondered if the butler had answered the door since I hadn't heard it ring a third time.

I carefully tip-toed to the banister, peeking over. I didn't notice anyone at first. The grand entrance appeared empty. Then, as if he had a radar, the butler spooked me by promptly popping into view.

"Ah, yes miss, was Mister Joker expecting anyone?"

I twitched with every word the old coot spoke. He wasn't a bad butler, just not exactly a smart one. J had a knack for employing the thick. I perked myself up and began to ascend the stairs. "Have you let the visitor in, Ben? Mister J is currently not present."

Ben's face drained of color. Of course he did. I narrowed my eyes as he began to stutter. "I-I-I didn't realize-"

"Pardon me, I didn't mean to intrude, Miss-?" A string bean of man with a funny limp hobbled to the foot of the stairs. He was dressed to the nines in a suit with a tailcoat, yet he sported a groomed bedhead. His visage had a bird-like quality to it. Maybe it was the way his nose came to a sharp point.

"Papillon. You can call me, Papillon."

"Ah, the butterfly." The strange man gave a half hearted smirk. "Using an alias I see." He limped a bit more forward as he outstretched a hand. "Well then you can call me Penguin."

I laughed, not meaning too, and he begrudgingly withdrew his hand. I held a hand to my displeased face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. It's just…it suits you."

"I know." He bobbed his funny head up and down. "That would be why they call me it."

I met him by the end of the steps. "Who?"

His crystal eyes locked onto mine. "Everyone"

Standing much closer to him I could see little streaks of grey throughout his black hair. He was peculiar, but not unappealing. An air of gentle naivety hung about him. "And what's your real name, Mister Penguin?"

"Cobblepot, Oswald Cobblepot."

I gave him a big smile as I extended my hand now. "I'm Olive, Olive Pendragon." We shook. "So what brings you to Mister J's, Mister Cobblepot?"

He raised a palm. "Just Cobblepot, will be fine. And I was hoping to speak with Joker but as you've said, he isn't here. I'm afraid I've wasted my time."

I tilted my head, "Is it anything I could relay back to him?"

The bird-like man smiled softly, resting his hands atop his cane. "Mm, he doesn't return my calls. More or less doesn't even pick up."

My expression turned sour. "I'm sorry to hear that. He is quite difficult." My attention fluttered off into the distance. "Well, I'll apologize on his behalf. You could always try again in a few hours."

The corners of his lips nearly touched his beady eyes. "You're much kinder than, Miss Quinn."

My ears pricked up at his compliment. The center of my eyes fell on his shorter stature. What a perceptively clever little bird. "Would you like to stay a bit for tea? I can't guarantee you'd be seeing Mister J anytime soon but you did come all this way. It's the least I can do." I added in a wink for good measure.

He delicately sighed, "Well, I suppose so. How could I say no?"

J would probably be upset with me for this but I was hungering for more information. This guy seemed to know the clown quite well. Perhaps I could squeeze a couple of good stories out of him.

And I was bored.

I guided Cobblepot to the spacious kitchen where I put the kettle on. He used his cane to hoist himself into a stool at the counter. I seated myself adjacent to him, letting my hands rest on top of each other. He let his cane lean against the sturdy body of the countertop.

"Thank you, very much, Miss Pendragon for the hospitality." He started, licking his lips. "I couldn't even imagine how J happened about a woman such as yourself-"

"Olive," I cut him off. "is just fine." I drifted back in my seat.

"Olive" He repeated. Then he let his airy eyes glance around the room. "Strange for J to leave you on your own. Harley must be in some trouble."

My head weighed to one side. "What gave you that idea?"

He met my inquiring stare. "He's not known to trust people. He clearly trusts you…"

My eyes widened as a grin grew on my face. I hunched as close as I could, almost whispering. "You want to know what he trusts me with, Cobblepot?"

Before the suddenly worried man could answer, I bent one of his fingers back while jabbing the beak of the penguin molded onto the end of his cane, into his neck.

I hissed in his ear. "He trusts that if anyone attempts to cross him or me, that'll I'll hurt them. Real bad."

He nodded furiously as he squinted in pain. I released him as the sound of the kettle whistled. He nursed his finger with his free hand and retook possession of the cane I stretched out to him. I already dealt with J's games, I wasn't about to put up with his.

"Good. I'm glad we have an understanding." I went over to take care of the pot. "It's obvious you're curious, Mister Cobblepot. A lot has happened, but to get information from me, I need some information from you." I finished pouring the hot water into two porcelain teacups. I side-eyed him. "I think that's fair."

He gritted his teeth. "Alright."

I smirked as I dropped a teabag into each cup, bringing them over. "Make no mistake, I may be kinder than Harley, but I'm also scrupulous." I set his cup down carefully. "Where she would simply end your life, I'd find much more enjoyment skinning you piece by piece." A toothy grin spread across my face.

Whatever little color he had in his visage, drained. His body language portrayed defensiveness as I reached to skim the spiky bits of his hair. Cobblepot didn't seem like a strong man. His place was distinctly in the shadows of someone else. A forever sidekick.

"I see, I may have underestimated you." He said in an uneven voice.

I retracted my hand, electing instead to place it beneath my chin. "It's quite alright, Oswald. I've just had a rough few months."

"I could only imagine." He couldn't keep his eyes on me.

"So" I let my fingertips dance around the edge of my cup. "What business do you have with Mister J?"

His fingers played with the sides of the porcelain. "Oh, well, nothing too terribly serious. Just an invitation-"

"To where?"

His expression was not kind. "A party-"

"A party?" I kept cutting him off. His vagueness became festering. "You came all this way to invite J to a party?" I raised my eyebrows in retort to his mean mug.

"It's a special sort of party-"

"Well it better be because I can tell you for certain, he'll say no other wise." Our pupils locked in a wordless stand off.

"Forgive me, but I can't comprehend how telling you anything would move things in my favor."

"Depends on the favor." I took a tiny sip of my tea.

He sighed, exasperated. "There's a big job I'm doing that I know the Batman will interfere with. I need a distraction. A good one."

I narrowed my eyes. "And why would he help you with that?"

"Because he'll get a cut, naturally, but I also know Batman is his favorite toy." He folded his fingers over his untouched beverage.

"Hmmm" I tapped the pad of my fingertip against my cheek. "He does enjoy annoying the bat brain. What's the party have to do with any of this? A 'butter-me-up' sort of dig?"

"More or less."

"You're an extravagant man, I can tell, but J doesn't care about those things." I could witness in the lines of his face that he knew I spoke the truth. "However, I happen to know that our little Harley is being broken out of Belle Reve as we speak."

This seemed to peak his interest. "Go on."

"Well," I laid up my elbows on the marbled surface. "what if I tell him that you extended an invitation to us because little birds told you of her unfortunate imprisonment. You were planning to have a get together anyway but due to recent troubling events in Midway, you decided that all criminals need a day off too. So you're inviting all of Gotham's worst."

"Mmhmm."

"With paid drinks."

"Ah-" He tried to correct me but I interrupted.

"It better be paid because J won't bite otherwise." He backed down and I continued. "I can easily sell it to him as a way to celebrate Harley Quinn's return. She'll be so excited he'll have to go just to make her shut up about it."

"You've really thought this through, huh?" He looked mildly impressed.

I let out a giggle. "Just observant. Besides, J needs to unwind. Brooding doesn't suit him."

Cobblepot wore an expression of disbelief. "He brooded?"

"In his own way." I sipped at my tea again. "I'm confident I can sell it. Let him get liquored up and then propose the idea with a thirty percent cut."

Oswald's eyes glowered, "Ten"

"Twenty-five" I countered.

"Fifteen!"

"Twenty!" I slammed a palm down, startling him. "And nothing less."

The bird-like man edged back in his seat, pondering this for a moment. His brows knitted together first before his thin lips broke in to a lopsided smile. "Alright. You drive a hard bargain, Miss Pendragon, but you make valid points. I guess if I essentially want the best I have to cough it up for the best. The Bat isn't easy to dodge and this is a big job."

I felt a satisfied feeling wash over me. I had watched many negotiations on television but never participated in one myself. I liked to think I handle it rather professionally. I settled myself in an upright position.

Oswald's eyes flashed to the clock behind me. "Oh, dear, I do believe I've overstayed my welcome." His crystal blues shined to me. "So many things to plan now." He let out a short laugh. "I'll be seeing you in attendance then?"

My eyes shifted to my toes. I just remembered I was wearing only a bathrobe this entire time. "If he let's me, of course."

Cobblepot stumbled out of his seat. He tugged down the ends of his suit and rested his weight into the cane. "Tell you what, what do you say about being my plus one at this event? This way, Joker can't really say no."

I started to walk him to the foyer. "Hmm, he might still say no."

I let the limping man gain an inch on me so that he was in front of the door. He turned to me slightly. "Then you'll have an excuse to come anyway. What's the worst he could do to you?"

A smile etched on his lips and I was about to answer with "Kill me" but something told me he was well informed of my infliction long ago. He just wanted to hint at it. I pinched the end of his pointy nose. "Clever little bird."

I held on tight before letting go. His face unraveled from a scrunch. "And what time shall I tell Mister J to arrive?"

"Seven, at the Iceberg Lounge." The butler arrived to open the door for my new feathered friend. Cobbledpot's smile reappeared.

I returned it. "Seven it is then. Good day, Mister Cobblepot."

"Good day, Miss Pendragon." And with that, he took his leave.

I retired back to my room hoping to catch up on some seriously missed sleep. Stretching out, I read the nightstand clock. Almost ten fifty. Penguin had been here for at least an hour and a half.

My gaze transferred to the ceiling where I daydreamed about the Iceberg, the outfit I'd wear, the drinks I'd taste, and perhaps some dancing that'd be had. I wondered how J would react to me basically being Penguin's date for the night. Though it was all innocent, I couldn't help but feel complacent. Like I was somehow still getting the short end of the stick.

He had Harley after all, I should be grateful for this minor change in pace.

I rolled onto my side tucking my hands beneath my head. My lids became too heavy for me to keep open any longer. The softness of the bed lulled me into a state of relaxation and I was so close.

So close.

"Morning, toots! Did ya miss me?!" Harley came barreling through the door. "We have so much to talk about!"

What'd ya guys think?! I've been binge watching Gotham and absolutely love the actors. Robin Lord Taylor's take on Penguin is so unique in it's own way. I never thought I'd feel so bad for a villain! Needless to say, I wrote in an older version, of course, with a few of my own imagined twists. This part was always important I just needed a villain to fill it. Only several more chapters to go guys! And yes, Harley is back! I can't wait to write more for you guys and again, reviews are always welcomed!