The tunnel was deadly silent. The 4 bodies lay on the wet ground, alive but lifeless. The Joker woke first, clawing at the dirt in agony.
"Harley," he groaned. The Riddler stirred slowly, staring up at the roof of the tunnel.
"She's gone."
They pulled their masks off and got to their feet.
"Not just gone...she's gone. I told her to be Harleen. If they won't think she's dead, they'll have keep on thinking she's just Harleen. Otherwise-"
"Yes. We'd lose her," Riddler agreed. He scrambled around for another flashlight and let it illuminate the tunnel once more. They saw Ivy and Crane a few feet away, whispering to each other.
"Thanks for reviving us, you two. Much appreciated," Riddler snapped. Crane and Ivy turned to them.
"You've only been out for a few minutes longer than Crane, just calm down," assured Ivy.
"Ah of course, you're immune to the gas," Riddler remarked, clearly fascinated.
"We gotta go now, before the Bat comes back to finish what he started," said the Joker, a wide grin on his face, "though I kinda wish he would!"
"Why'd he leave us here? To let us escape?"
"Ahhh, that's the Batman; always putting the innocents first. He came to save the doc, but he'll be back, no doubt about it. We're still playing the game!" Joker laughed, running his hands through his messy brown hair.
"Let's just go."
The group made their way to the end of the tunnel and climbed the rusty metal ladder to freedom. The rain lashed down, soaking them in seconds.
"In here!" shouted Crane. They followed him into a large wearhouse, running against he wind. Once inside, the Joker pulled the heavy door shut behind them. The lights flickered on to reveal a huge room filled with large metal shelves, stacked with boxes. The shevles ran the entire length of the warehouse, promising boxes and boxes full of goods.
"Where did you stash this stuff, I need to get out of this awful thing," Ivy moaned. Crane pulled a box of one of the shelves.
"Here."
Inside were plenty of clothes, nothing special, but a relief from the awful orange jumpsuits they'd been committed to.
Ivy pulled out a beautiful red coat and frowned.
"That was for Harley," stated Crane.
"Is," Riddler corrected, "it is for Harley. We'll get her back."
He pulled out a basic black suit jacket and trousers, completed with a green tie. The joker had the same, with a purple tie.
"I like your ironic subtlety, still using our colours," Riddler chuckled. Crane half smiled, watching Ivy pull out a long black trench coat. She looked at it with sadness.
"I...I'm formulating something that will reduce the green pigment of your skin, Pamela. Only if you want-"
"Yes, I do. I need to be able to get out."
Crane smiled, "I'll see to it."
They quickly changed into their new clothes, disguised the best they could be. Ivy put on a black veil, sighing.
"I may look like a freak, but at least no one will recognise me."
"This ain't a fashion show, Red - this is our freedom. If you don't want it, I'm sure Arkham would be glad to have you ba-"
"Shut up! I'm not going back there. Ever."
The Joker smirked, "Best get used to this then."
"We're in this together now, could you two just try to get along? This storm is just getting worse, we'll have to move. Look, we split up, Ivy with Riddler and Joker with me. Keep your heads down and head to Harley's address. It's 157, 5th Avenue, by that old comic book store," instructed Crane
"I know where you mean. We'll meet you there," Ivy agreed.
The group headed in different directions into the storm, sheltered only by black umbrellas. Once on the road, Ivy signaled for a cab.
"Are you mad?" Riddler exclaimed. Ivy grinned.
"He's not driving, you are."
The driver pulled over and the couple hopped in.
"Hello, handsome," Ivy purred in the man's ear. He smiled dreamily as Ivy pulled him to her, gently pressing her lips to his. Suddenly, his eyes widened and his face went pale as the deadly toxin overpowered him. He gasped and flopped in his chair. Satisfied, Ivy pushed him into the passenger seat.
"All yours, Edward."
He sighed heavily and got out the cab to take the driver's seat. Once seated, he turned back to Ivy.
"What do we do with-"
"Leave it to me," she answered coldly. They drove off into the dark storm, one destination in mind.
Meanwhile, Crane and Joker, on opposite sides of the street, walked the 2 miles to Harley's apartment. No one glanced their way, why would anyone question another suit and umbrella?
The pair joined each other again a block away from their destination.
"Got the time?" the Joker asked.
"2:13 am," he replied, frowning at his watch.
"No, can't be, it's not that late. We got outta Arkham at 12."
"Curious."
The streets had quietened, the odd wino passing by. They walked together, Joker spying the comic store.
"I know you love her," Crane noted.
"Maybe I do, you never been in love Scarecrow?"
Crane considered his answer.
"Not until now."
"You may be a psychologist, but us real criminals can read a person just as well. Let's see...Doctor Jonathan Crane. Who could you possibly have fallen for, hmm?"
Crane stopped and shook his umbrella at the roadside.
"I'm sure you could figure it out," he snapped. The Joker smirked.
"I have."
As they approached the building, the yellow cab was parked nearly outside. But Ivy and Riddler were already inside.
"Who let them in? Surely no one would answer at this-"
The Joker ignorned him and pressed the button labeled H. Quinn. Immediately, the intercom buzzed and the door clicked open. They took the shakey elevator in silence to the top floor. Once out, the Joker strided over to the red door and knocked four times, in the rhythm of a heartbeat. It opened, revealing a smiling Pamela Isley. She pulled them inside and locked the door.
The room was only lit by candles and smelled like vanilla. The Joker recalled his last visit, the pictures and the dart. A mess of blonde hair was sprawled on the black sofa, giggling at the Riddler.
"Harley?"
The small figure jumped up and whirled around to face him, a huge grin on her painted face.
"Welcome home, honey. Dinner's on the table."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thought I'd try a different POV to get them all out of that tunnel.
I'm going to go back now, the next chapter will be on how Harley got back to her own apartment.
