In Another Life IV

Chapter 16

"Where ya been, Harley?" asked Ricky, as the door to their apartment opened and she entered.

"Out," she replied.

"Out where?" he asked.

"Shopping," she said, placing a bag down on the floor.

"Can I see..." he began, but she quickly hid it from view.

"No, it's none of your business," she said, hastily.

Ricky gazed at her. "Harley, I want to help you get through this," he whispered. "I don't know what's wrong with you, but I know the only way you're gonna get better is if you start to trust the people who love you. We can work this out together."

"There's nothing wrong with me, Ricky," retorted Harleen. "As soon as you understand that, the better."

"You've changed," he said. "You're not acting like you..."

"Oh, Ricky, you never really knew who I was," she sighed. "Mr. J always did, though. I belonged to him from the first moment we met, all that time ago."

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "Dr. Leland said you only met a few weeks ago..."

Harleen shook her head. "Mr. J saved my life. In every way a person can. I love him so much, and I belong to him forever and ever."

Ricky took her by the shoulders. "You belong to me!" he hissed, desperately.

Harleen gazed back at him calmly. "Mr. J had me first," she whispered.

Ricky grew furious. He whirled away from her, grabbing the bag. "Don't..." began Harleen, racing after him, but he opened it to reveal a collection of gag items – rubber chickens, stink bombs, pop guns, marbles, can'o'snakes, a black mask, and a costume.

"What is all this?" he demanded.

"Just...a joke," stammered Harleen. "A joke, that's all."

"What kinda joke?" he demanded.

Harleen was silent. He grabbed her by the shoulders again. "Harley, listen to me!" he hissed. "Whatever you may believe, this guy, this Joker...is not the man you met all those years ago! That man is gone, and whatever you may have felt for him is gone too! Don't throw your life away on this...this...lunatic because you've convinced yourself he's someone he's not! I can't think of anything more tragic!"

"I know who he is, Ricky," she whispered. "He's the Joker. He's my Joker. And I'm his Harley Quinn."

"What the hell are you talking about?!" he demanded.

"I know you don't understand, Ricky," she murmured. "I wish you could. He and I are a part of it, and we don't really understand it ourselves, so what chance have you got? But there's a difference between understanding and knowing. And I know I'm meant to be with him. I can't explain it in a way you can understand, but that doesn't make it any less true."

"Harley, I'm stopping this!" said Ricky, firmly. "Do you understand?! I'm stopping this now!"

He stormed toward the front door. "Ricky? Where are you going? Ricky!" she called, racing after him. He slammed the door in her face. Harleen wrenched it open and raced down the stairs in time to see him disappearing into his car. "Ricky!" she shrieked, as he drove off.

She ran back upstairs to grab her own car keys, and then followed him. "He's gonna get himself killed," she muttered, starting the engine. "I hope I'm not too late."

...

Ricky threw open the doors to Arkham Asylum, storming over to reception. "I wanna see the Joker, please," he said, calmly.