stop the things you do
I ain't lyin', no, I ain't lyin'
You know I can't stand it
Your runnin' 'round
You know better, daddy
I can't stand it, 'cause you put me down
Yeah, yeah
I put a spell on you because you're mine
I Put a Spell On You / Nina Simone
My head ached. And I was freezing. Opening my eyes, I froze, taking in the ceiling of the Main room of the Cabin I hadn't set foot in for ten years. I felt my lip quiver as I flexed the toes on each foot, taking a deep breath of relief when they were still attached. I began to pull myself upright, only to find that my wrists were cuffed, and my leg was restrained to the bed. I began to look around in fear, taking in the room, lit only by the three portable heaters pointing towards the bed I lay on. Then I lay my eyes on Him. Smoking a cigarette, and watching me impassively.
"You look like shit, Harls."
"What is this?"
"This is Bernie Bashes Cabin, I had hoped you would-"
"I know where we are, but why did you bring me here? Did you-" I raised my cuffed hands to my aching head, "Oh my god, where is Jack?"
He glared at me, "Does it matter?"
"Of course it does,"
"Yeah?" He grinned, " Well, Jack was bleeding out on your floor last I saw."
I forced my face not to show the relief I was disgusted to feel swelling in my chest. I'm a goddamn monster.
"You killed my boyfriend?"
"Thought you said you weren't dating?"
"Things change."
"Yeah, maybe." He chuckled, looking away to take a pull from his cigarette.
"If you're gonna kill me, why don't you just get it over with, asshole." I sneered.
"Do you ever listen to me?" His voice was tired. "I'm not gonna fucking kill you, Harley."
"Then why am I here?"
"Couple reasons." He shrugged, lighting a new cigarette from the butt of his last, before offering me one. I didn't respond. "For one, you're in love with me," He shrugged, and I cackled. "Do I look like I'm joking?" he smirked, eyes half closed in warning.
"No, J. You just sound delusional." I sneered. "What is it J? Did you get it wet for the first time in a while and get attached?"
He grinned at me, no longer angry. "God, you're so pretty ."
I blinked at him, before rolling my eyes. "You're ridiculous."
" Yeah, I dress up as a clown for work."
I bit my lip to prevent myself from laughing at the matter-of-fact statement. "I don't love you."
"We will circle back to that one." He assured me. "The more important of the two is that you owe me an apology."
"For what exactly?"
"You know, I thought that you didn't know. That you genuinely believed that I killed your friend. But I've thought about it a lot."
"You did-"
"Stop." He said, standing, and stepping towards me. "No, Harley. You know damn well that Johnny didn't take a spontaneous trip to Metropolis to kill your friend." He looked down at me with angry eyes, and I looked away, stopped when he pushed my chin towards him. "It's rude not to look at someone when they're speaking." He muttered. J shook his head before raising an eyebrow and continuing as if he hadn't stopped. "But, the moment I left you alone, rather than speaking to me, rather than coming to me, you unilaterally decided that our game was over. And Harley?" His lip curled as he spoke now, " That isn't how this is gonna work."
"Oh yeah, J? How is this gonna work?" I hissed.
"For one?" He smiled, leaning down, and gripping my face roughly, more roughly than he had before. " You are gonna stop seeing other men."
I cackled, until his grip got even rougher, hurting me. I glared at him, a grin still playing on my lips. "Or fucking what?"
"Or I cut your face." His tone was serious, with no hint of the more moderate side of the man I had come to know. "I don't want to Harley." He said, voice sad and, shaking his head. "But you don't know how close I was to doing it the night you left— and fucking Ryder " He took a breath, loosening his grip, but still holding me firmly. "I don't want to hurt you. I don't want you to be afraid of me. But if I can't trust you to behave —" His hand had begun hurting me again, "then I will put my mark on you. And then they'll know."
"You're fucking crazy," I whispered, and he let go of my face, a giggle sliding through his teeth.
"I told you Harls, most of us are. And don't act like I didn't warn you," He shook his head, serious again. "I told you. You were the one—"
"You're insane!" I shouted, "You don't fucking own me."
"Maybe not," he acquiesced. "But I've given you your warning. It's up to you how you plan to deal with that."
"So what, you're saying that if I won't fuck you, I can't fuck anyone?"
"No, I'm just informing you of the price that would carry." He smiled. "You're free to do whatever you want, of course, you're a free woman."
"But if I do you'll make me a freakshow?"
"As if any kind of scar would make you less beautiful." His eyes were lecherous, and he licked his lips. My eyes flashed to them, before quickly away, and I blushed as I heard his chuckle fill the room, and then, he kissed me. I cried out at the soft touch, which he promptly took advantage of, slick tongue slipping between my lips. I shivered, kissing him back, despite the angry voice in my head, screaming that I was weak. His hand found my hair, and he used a new grip on my chin with the other to jerk my mouth further open, giving him more access as he pressed me into the mattress.
"Stop-" I jerked away, and looked away, his dark eyes too close for me to think straight. "You're messing with my head- I can't think-"
"Good," His lips found my neck, leaving several messy kisses that made my breath come in gasps, as his teeth lightly scraped at me. "You're losing thinking privileges until you decide to stop thinking dumb shit." He giggled, hands traveling to my waist. "Just feel, okay?"
"This is wrong—"
"No." He kissed me again, shaking his head, "You know it's not. You feel how right this is. You know ." His hands were on me, reassuring me that he still existed, that he was here with me and I wasn't alone.
"Stop." I pushed my hands against his chest, voice stronger now, though it trembled with emotion, and he sighed. "I- J- We-"
"What?" His tone was obviously fighting not to be annoyed with me, and I took a breath, trying to compose myself.
"Why are you doing this to me," I choked out, shaking my head, "Why are you torturing me like this?"
" I'm Torturing you? " He hissed, quickly sitting up from his position on top of me, straddling me now, and glaring down at me. "Are you fucking kidding? Do you have- I fucking—" He suddenly laughed, running a hand through his hair, and pulling. "Jesus Christ, you're gonna make me have an aneurysm. If I had any sense at all I'd kill you right now."
"Why don't you?" I cried, "You've got me here, just do it!"
"Because I-" He clenched his jaw. "Because I don't want to." He stood, stepped away from me, lifted his phone, and made a call. "How long? Well, hurry ." He growled, ending the call as quickly as he made it.
He sat back down in his seat, lighting another cigarette.
"If you're not gonna kill me, can I have a fucking smoke?"
"Why should I?" He smiled meanly, "Deal with your headache on your own."
"You're an asshole."
"Brave words from a bound woman." He hitched an eyebrow.
"When are you gonna let me go?"
"When you decide to be reasonable and come work for me."
I cackled, "J I wasn't gonna do that before you killed my best friend, why in the fuck would I do it now?"
"We're back to this again?" He rubbed his temples. "Harley, why would I do that? Even if I'm as evil as you say? What kind of win is embarrassing you and killing your friend going to give me? In what world would killing your friend help me get in good with you?"
"Most people would say that you don't have a reason for anything you do."
"Do you think that?" He asked, "Do you think I'm just. Some. Monster?" His eyes were serious, on me, watching my reaction.
"...No. I don't think that."
He smiled, "Then why? Give me any reason that makes sense?" When I didn't speak, his smile grew. "So you know. And you owe me an apology." He reiterated, seriously.
I looked away, and he chuckled, "I'm not gonna unlock those cuffs until you apologize. I needed to get out of city limits for a while anyway, baby. We can take a month-long romantic cabin retreat."
My eyes widened, flashing back to him. "You're bluffing…"
"Try me."
"I… I'm sorry." I got out through gritted teeth.
"For what?" He said innocently, and I rolled my eyes.
"For… Accusing you of killing my friend."
"And?"
"...Hitting you."
"That was a great start," He smiled "This time try to say it like you mean it, instead of like I have a goddamn gun to your head," I glared at him, and his smile turned wicked. "Oh? Decide to take me up on the vacation?"
I took a breath, looking away, and trying to force the anger out of my voice and face. Fucking asshole. "J?"
"Yes, Harls?" He smiled serenely.
"I am very sorry that I hurt you and accused you of killing my friend. That was a bad reaction to very bad news. That doesn't at all excuse my actions towards you, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me." Jack-off.
He wrinkled his nose. "I still don't know if I believe you."
"Is there anything at all I can do to make up for my abhorrent behavior?" I asked, keeping my face abashed, embarrassed of my actions.
He considered. "Could suck my dick?" I'm not entirely sure what my face did at the suggestion, but the man cackled, head thrown back. "It was only an idea, Harls." He teased. "No need to get so offended."
"Would you ask Johnny for that?" I said, narrowing my eyes.
"I would if he had a rack like yours," He sneered, and I huffed at him.
"And you're not seeing why it's a bad idea for me to come work for you?"
"No, not really. I think it sounds like a great idea. Convenient, Even." He shrugged.
"Are you always such a fucking perv?"
"Only when it's funny."
Suddenly there was a knock at the door and J grinned, spinning and shouting. "Just in time!" He slung open the door, causing me to shiver on the bed as snow followed two bundled figures into the room. One was Johnny Frost. That was clear immediately though his Ponytail was gone, and his hair dyed a dark shade of brown that honestly made him look less skeezy. And the other—
I fell out of bed trying to stand, bashing my nose and cursing.
Pam rushed me, helping me back up onto the bed, a hard task with my ankle restraint. "Harley!? What the hell? What is going on? Why is she restrained? You said–"
"I wasn't gonna risk her waking up and killing me in a panic, Ginger." J sneered.
Pam's eyes widened, and she glanced between Johnny and J, taking in exactly who was here for the first time, terrified. "This is your boss? You didn't say-"
"You wouldn't have accepted my help if I had." Frost shrugged.
Pam looked at me, terrified, but in that moment my shock wore off, and I was wrapped around her like a sweater. "Harley!" She seemed almost embarrassed, but I cried into her shoulder.
"I didn't see that you called, I wasn't there, I'm sorry!" I couldn't stop repeating it, arms coming up to circle her neck, sobbing. And though at first, she seemed shocked, she wrapped her arms around me, shushing me lowly, though when I was able to glance up at her, her eyes hadn't left J.
I looked over at him, his eyes on me, a small smirk on his lips. I gave him a watery smile and extended my wrists. He grinned, reaching into his pocket and removing a key, which he used to deftly remove the cuffs, tossing them over his shoulder, before turning to Johnny with a look. The other man grinned, and nodded, opening the cabin door, and returning to the snow.
I looked up at Pam, still shaking in fear. "Pam, it's okay. He's not gonna hurt us."
" Probably," He shrugged, "I make no promises."
"Not helpful right now J."
"Neither is lying to her," he grinned. "How about, I have no current desire to see you in pain, nor would it be funny. So you're pretty safe. For this current moment." He sneered.
She looked over at me, eyes widening, and I rolled my eyes, making her head tilt as she took in my now bloody nose, along with my newly reddened chin/jaw and swollen lips. Then she sighed. It was a sigh I had never heard come from her but had heard many, many times from her long-suffering mother, hand on her hip and a blunt on her lip. Shit.
"We will talk about that later." She said, rubbing her eyes. "I understand you wanted to know my story?" She said looking at J again, and he only shrugged.
"I mean, I guess I'm kinda curious, but honestly couldn't actually give less of a shit." he scratched his face.
She deflated slightly, unsure how to continue. "But your man said-"
"He said what he had to say to get you here, fire-crotch." J giggled, and Pam blinked at him.
"If you don't care then why-" She jerked her head down to look at me, and my cheeks went red, as she looked lightly green in the gills. I glanced up at J who seemed to be thrilled with the development.
Just then Johnny returned with several bags of Chinese food. J hooted, reaching to take one of the bags and cracking it open to sort through the many tiny takeout containers. My stomach rumbled loudly, and he turned to me with a small smirk, handing me a container of lo mein. "Unlike some people, I am willing to share my noodles."
Pam looked sick, but J only tossed a box at her. "Have some rice and pull the stick out of your ass Carrot-Top." He sneered, causing her to blink and sniff at him, looking away as she tore open the container. Jesus, they don't like each other.
It was clear that Pam had wanted to speak up, but the man's reputation kept her quiet. For now. I wondered if J knew exactly how much pressure she would be putting on me to try to get away from him. Or how much I would resent it. Maybe he thinks that will help? Like reverse psychology?
J sat back in his seat across the room, pulling the phone from his pocket, and snorting at a message. "Shit, looks like Schiff got caught trying to stick up a drug store again." He giggled. "I wonder if he had a gun this time or if he just started screaming again. Do you think we can get the footage?"
Frost tilted his head, stabbing another piece of broccoli and tossing it in his mouth. "Possibly, depending on which shop and in what part of town, I'll make some calls in the morning."
"Wait-" Pam said, eyes widening. "We aren't staying here all night?"
Johnny looked over at her, eyebrows coming together. "I mean. Yeah? Unless you wanna try to make that drive in the dark."
I glanced towards the window, slurping down more noodles, as I looked out at the thick snow that only grew steeper by the minute. I looked up at Pam who seemed genuinely fearful, but I only shrugged. "Come on, Pam. Those heaters work great! We've done more dangerous shit than this, besides; you still haven't told us what happened."
Gordon had hoped to put down the pack for good, but with the night he had, he hoped Barbra would understand. A nasty habit, she always chided, shaking her head. And she was right, but that didn't stop Jim from craving that littlest bit of vice. He was waiting for him. Without the light, he had had to resort to texting the man and hoping for a meeting. Luckily, he was lucky tonight.
"Any news on Dr. Quinzel?" He asked the vigilante, who had appeared out of the shadows, but the man only shook his head. "Something about this doesn't feel right. No ransom. No video. No…" Body. She had been gone for more than Twenty-four hours now. It didn't make sense.
Batman sneered, disgust evident. "Ryder… mentioned." He looked away. "This seems to be personal for Joker."
"You don't mean-" When the Vigilante didn't respond Gordon swallowed thickly, pity filling his chest for the young woman he had found frankly unpleasant to be around. "Jesus Christ. Twice in less than a year, that must be some kind of record." What is it about the woman that inspires violent criminals to the point of abduction?
"Not one anyone wants to hold."
"No, I suppose not." He shuddered again. "Goddamn it. Speaking of Ryder, what did he say? You're the only one he spoke with before he went under."
"Incoherent for the most part, except to tell me that he had been stalking her since Halloween,"
"What?" Gordon's eyes widened as something about the information prickled a memory.
"He approached the pair, disguised, on Halloween, it seems."
"Since Halloween…"
"Yes?"
"Which is also when his strange behavior began," Gordon said slowly, testing the words. "When the pattern changed… and one can assume when he became fascinated by the woman Thomas Vienna mentioned before being found dead in the river."
The vigilante was shaking his head before the detective finished, "I understand that thought, after what happened with…" He didn't say the Former DA's name, but they both thought it, "But this is a different situation."
"All the same…" Gordon said, "I believe I'll take a look at His file from Arkham. See what it turns up."
