In Another Life V

Chapter 14

"Mmm, puddin'?" murmured Harley, opening her eyes. She had rolled over in bed to find it empty, and now looked up to see the man she loved slowly getting dressed.

"Go back to sleep, Harley," he murmured.

"What time is it?" she asked, looking around for a clock.

"Past your bedtime," he replied, smiling.

"Then it's past yours too," she retorted, grinning. "Where are you going?"

He was silent. "There's something I need to do," he replied, softly.

"Something you can't share with me?" she asked.

He shook his head slowly. "It's too dangerous for you, Harley."

"If it's dangerous, you could use my help," she replied, turning on the lamp and reaching for her clothes.

"No, Harley, I don't want you coming with me," he said, firmly.

"Jack, I can handle it..." she began, but she was suddenly knocked back on the bed, one of his hands clapped over her mouth, and the other tightening around her throat.

"Not that name!" he hissed. "Never that name, Harley! I am not Jack Napier anymore! That man died! And he should be utterly forgotten! Everything about him and his life should be forgotten, do you understand me?!"

"Yes...puddin'!" she gasped, unable to breathe. He released her throat suddenly.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, kissing her gently. "I'm so sorry, Harley, I...I just don't want to remember...what my life used to be like. I don't want to remember any life before I became...this. Before I had you."

"I guess that's...kinda romantic," whispered Harley, massaging her throat. "So what should I call you, Ja...J...Mr. J?" she invented quickly.

He grinned. "You can call me that," he murmured, kissing her again. "But I gotta come up with a better moniker for general use. Something with a real ring to it."

"Like what?" she asked.

"I dunno," he replied, shrugging. "Nothing springs to mind. Clownman or something, but not as lame," he said, facing the mirror and studying his smiling face.

"The Man Who Laughs?" suggested Harley.

He shook his head. "Too long. Something snappy and simple, with a real zing to it."

"Geez, you ain't picky, are ya, puddin'?" she asked, grinning.

"Well, imagine you got to change your name," he retorted. "Imagine you got to start your identity all over. You'd wanna pick something good, huh?"

"I kinda am starting my identity all over," said Harley, putting her arms around his neck. "I ain't ever working as a shrink again. I ain't leaving you. So I'm starting over again as your partner."

"Yeah? You want a new name too?" he asked, smiling at her.

"If you can think up a good one," she replied, kissing his nose.

"Hmm, lemme think," he said, sitting down on the bed and pulling her onto his lap. "It has to be something I can use in public, I guess. So no naughty little sex fiend. Or dirty little minx. Or thirsty little..."

"No, puddin', none of those," she interrupted.

"Harley," he repeated thoughtfully, stroking her face. "Harley, Harley, Harley. My little Harley Kitten, my little Harley Pie, my little Harley Quinz..."

He trailed off suddenly. "Harley Quinn," he repeated. "My little Harley Quinn. You like that one, huh, sweets?"

"Harley Quinn?" she repeated. "Like the clown?"