The Fault in our Scars (originally known as 'Maybe Baby' by Alex Snape)

Chapter 7

Eight and half months pregnant

The Joker's henchmen were sitting at the kitchen table one evening waiting for The Boss to come downstairs. Although The Joker didn't like her up all the time because of her condition, Harley still took the time to brew a pot of coffee for their late night.

"Fresh java, boys!" she announced as they had come in one by one. "Drink up because Mistah J will want you guys wide awake tonight."

Townshend, The Joker's driver, grinned as he took a hot mug from his hostess. "Harley, come on. You don't need to do this anymore. The Boss'll flip if he caught you not resting."

Harley huffed. "I'm fine, now, take a seat and start guzzlin'. Mistah J will be down in a bit."

The men slowly sipped their evening fuel and The Joker descended the stairs, and, seeing Harley try to balance Half and Half, milk, and a cup of sugar in her hands, rushed to her side. After he made sure her handful was settled onto the table, he saw to it that his pregnant girlfriend was settled on the sofa in the den.

"Harl, what did I tell you this morning?" he asked in an annoyed, but concerned tone.

"Oh, Puddin'," she giggled. "I'm fine. Really..." But as she bent to take a seat on the couch, she felt a sharp pain in her side and hissed. "Ooh...ouch..."

The Joker's eyes grew wide. "What the hell was that?"

She waved him away. "Nothing, I'm okay..."

"No, you're having a stitch or something." The Joker's worried look now had turned into a frustrated expression.

He had been on edge the past week because Harley had been getting these kinds of cramps when she was trying to busy herself with chores like laundry while he was out. However, The Joker had stated that he would rather keep his dirty undergarments than her have go into early labor in the middle of their utility room.

"Baby, really," Harley grunted as she propped her feet in front of her on the sofa. "Go on; I'll be going to bed soon anyway."

He sighed and started to walk back to the kitchen table, but pivoted to look at Harley who was now trying to massage away the pain that was still in her side.

"Angus!" he suddenly belted, making the kid jump. "You're staying here tonight..."

Harley quickly turned her head toward him as Angus started to stand up from his seat. "No, Puddin'! That isn't necessary." She looked at the young henchman and cooed, "Drink your coffee, Gus. I don't need a babysitter."

The Joker growled at Angus. "No, you're staying here!" The kid promptly stood up again, but Harley interrupted.

"Drink your coffee!" she hollered, her voice echoing around the theater.

They all stared at her in disbelief, seeing as how her voice had suddenly grown deeper with that abrupt demand, and she was now taking slow, deep breaths as she glowered back at them.

Angus merely slurped his coffee, rather loudly, as he slowly sat in his chair again.

The Joker eyed her and licked his lips, saying, "Boys! Get the car ready...I'll be out shortly..."

Harley kept her gaze locked on her angry boyfriend as his men quickly shuffled out the front door, Angus lingering behind and still unsure of his agenda. One curt glance from The Joker made him follow the three men who were now waiting in the still night air.

The Joker slowly walked over to the sofa and, when he had reached Harley's side, he knelt down next to her. His dark eyes pierced her blue ones and she sniffed as she folded her hands calmly in her lap. "Go ahead, Mistah J. Hit me..."