In Love With A Good Man

Chapter 5: The Black Cat

Harley had never been as close to Catwoman as she was to Poison Ivy, but they still considered each other as friends. So when Harley called her and let her know that she was in need of some money, it wasn't long before she got a response telling her what rooftop to meet her at that same night.

"Here, kitty kitty kitty." Harley called out as she stepped out onto the rooftop. She looked all around her carefully, making sure that she was in the clear. When she turned around, she found Selina sitting and waiting for her on top of the framing around the door that she'd just come out through.

"Nice to see you again so soon. I'm not used to you asking me for help." She said with a chuckle as she dropped down from her elevated position.

"But thanks for comin' anyways! I know it's good luck for me whenever a black cat crosses my path!" She joked with a laugh. Selina shook her head and rolled her eyes with a little smile.

"Alright, Corny Quinn..." Selina quipped back. She was going to continue talking, but she got cut off by Harley bursting out laughing.

"Haha, 'Corny Quinn'! That's hilarious! Just imagine me doing crime in a big ol' corn costume." She snorted in laughter.

"With the two big leaves sticking out?" Selina added, sticking her hands out sideways to illustrate.

"Exactly!" Harley giggled.

"You're silly. Anyways, what I was gonna say is I already have a little place picked out: a wealthy benefactor from out of state is staying in the penthouse over by the Heights. He's out at a big party bash right now, so his little safe is all alone just waiting to be cracked." Selina explained.

"Ooh and it's got money inside?!" She asked.

"Yes, Harley, it has money inside." Selina answered with a chuckle.

"Well then what're we standing around here talkin' about corn for?! Let's go!" Harley cheered...

Selina led Harley to the luxury hotel that she had been talking about. Thankfully, there were enough tall buildings around that they were able to get in close and make a jump to the fire escape. From there, it wasn't hard to climb up just under the penthouse.

"Alright. I'll give you a boost. Ready?" Selina said, turning and getting ready to hoist her up so she could climb to the penthouse.

"Yep! On 3?"

"Sure. 1...2...3!" Selina counted down.

Harley hurried to her and jumped off Selina's hands. With Selina lifting her upwards, she was able to push up high enough to get both hands on the edge. She grunted as she used her feet to help her get up and over onto the balcony above. Meanwhile, Selina leaped up and hoisted herself onto the penthouse balcony easily.

"Grr...no fair!" Harley whined as she got one leg over, awkwardly rolling herself over and flopping on the floor of the balcony. She stood up and brushed herself off.

"Haha, good job. Come on, the safe's in the bedroom. This way." Selina gestured for her to follow.

The two women made their way inside the penthouse: it was a two-story estate that came with a huge kitchen, an outdoor pool, and a lot of space for entertaining. It was very rare that Harley got to go to a place so nice; typically only whenever Joker was in the mood to spoil her.

"Man, this place is nice. You ever spend a romantic weekend in this place, kitty cat?" Harley asked jokingly. Selina chuckled, leading her into the bedroom.

"Once." She answered.

"Ooooh with who?!"

"That's classified," Selina answered with a smile. She opened up the closet door where the safe was being hidden. "Here we are. The money should be in here." She said.

"Great! Let's bust this sucker open!" Harley smirked, reaching for her hammer. However, Selina held an arm out to stop her.

"Actually, it's better that whoever's staying here doesn't know we were here. Give me a minute. I'll crack it." She said. She pulled out her equipment and got to work. Harley tapped her foot impatiently as she waited.

"Alright...kinda boring though."

"Shh. Mama's working." Selina shushed her. As promised, after about a minute, Selina was able to turn the dial and open the safe - money and jewelry were stacked neatly inside.

"Jackpot!" Harley exclaimed happily. Selina took the jewelry and held it up with a smile before putting it in her little bag, "I thought you said it was a guy staying here." Harley pointed out.

"Well lucky for me, he seems to have a lady friend with decent taste."

"Or he likes his pearls. Ya never know." Harley chuckled, taking stacks of cash and stuffing it in her own little backpack.

"Sure." Selina shook her head and smiled again.

Outside, a faint whooshing sound faintly blew through the penthouse. Harley didn't even notice it, but Selina's expression perked. She immediately closed the safe and grabbed Harley's wrist then pulled her towards the bed.

"Hey, I wasn't finished!"

"Shh! It's Batman! He's outside!" Selina whispered to her, "Get under the bed!" She said, getting to the floor and scooting under the bed. Harley gasped and followed her.

"How do you know?" She whispered back.

"I could hear him. I know that cape noise anywhere." Selina answered, putting a finger to her lips. Harley put a finger on her own lips and nodded. She held her breath and waited in silence for the moment to pass.

Harley and Selina were able to peer out from just underneath the skirt of the bed. They watched as a pair of heavy black boots stalked into the room, standing by the closet where the safe was. Despite the size of his feet, he didn't make any noise with each step he took.

After walking around the room for a little bit, he walked out of the room. Harley looked to Selina. Selina shook her head, signaling for her to stay put.

It had been a while since Harley had encountered Batman. Now, without Joker there to give her confidence and a feeling of protection, his presence was much more intimidating.

"Okay. We should be clear. Let's go." Selina said, crawling out from under the bed. Harley did the same and sprung to her feet, looking around worriedly.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yeah. I heard him leave. We're fine." Selina confirmed. Harley nodded, tightening the straps of her backpack with a gulp.

"Man, that was kinda scary. You sure know your Batman well! You two dated for awhile, didn't ya?" She asked. Selina nodded.

"We're on again, off again. Currently off again." She answered.

"Wow...what's he like? I can't even imagine dating a guy so gruff and serious." Harley said with a little growl in her voice, imitating Batman's low tone of voice. Selina giggled at this.

"He's not so bad once you get past the rough exterior...anyways, you got what you need?" She asked. Harley nodded and smiled.

"Yep! Thank you so much for this, Selina!"

"You can thank me when we get away safely. Now come on." Selina urged, leading her back to the fire escape...

Harley and Selina were able to make a successful getaway from the penthouse. Once they were far enough away, they went down into the subway system. Harley used the tunnel system she knew so well to get Selina back to her home.

They went inside and Selina poured them drinks to celebrate their success.

"We did it! That was so much fun!" Harley laughed, lifting her glass and taking a sip.

"It was pretty fun. We'll have to do this sorta thing more often." Selina agreed, smiling and taking a sip as well.

"Thanks again for your help. I really needed this. Not just the money, but I needed a win, you know?" Harley expressed. Selina nodded in understanding.

"Yeah I do. And you're welcome," Selina said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "What're you gonna do with the money?" She asked curiously.

"Get some clothes and other stuff I need. Joker threw away all of my stuff, so..." Harley trailed off. Acknowledging this again shifted her mood and made her sad. She hated that it was true.

"Aww, Harley, I'm sorry. I have some old clothes you can take if you want." Selina offered. Harley nodded.

"Yeah, totally. Thanks, hun."

"Of course. You wanna take a look now?" Selina offered.

"Sure." She smiled. They went upstairs to her bedroom and she let Harley go through her closet, pointing out items to her that she was free to take.

"You have so much nice stuff! How much of this did you buy and pay for?" Harley asked her curiously.

"About half and half, I think." Selina answered with a chuckle.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a cat meowing. Harley looked down and saw a black cat passing by her feet. She gasped and scooped it up excitedly. It looked at her curiously before getting comfortable in her arms.

"Who is this cutie?!" Harley asked, petting the black cat.

"Her name is Cleopatra. Do you like her? She's a rescue that I've been training." Selina answered with a fond grin, petting Cleo's head.

"I love her!" Harley grinned, cooing at the cat and kissing its fur.

"She's the sweetest. Soon she'll be coming with me on my nightly adventures." Selina said.

"Aww can she come with me too?!" Harley asked.

"If you come with me. She stays with me otherwise." Selina answered protectively. Harley pouted and nodded.

"Aww okayyy." She agreed. Selina decided to change the subject.

"Hey, how're things going with that guy? Your new boyfriend?" She asked curiously.

"Huh? Oh, Casey? It's great! Let me tell ya, he is such a sweetheart! He treats me so nicely...I wish Joker would treat me like he does." She admitted.

"Yeah..." Selina said awkwardly. "But that's good. I hope things go well with Casey. If he treats you well, hold onto that. You deserve to be happy...with someone that will actually make you happy." She specified.

"Right...yeah you're right," Harley slowly agreed, giving her a smile. "Thanks, kitty, for everything." She said appreciatively, giving her a big hug. Selina hugged back and rubbed her back.

"Anytime, Harley." She replied with a faint smile...