In Another Life VII

Chapter 14

"Sorry I've delayed the operation review a couple days, guys – I've been busy," said the Joker, addressing the henchmen in the lounge a few days later. He grinned at Harley and she couldn't suppress a giggle. She felt the eyes of the henchmen glancing from her to Joker, and there was mostly confusion on their faces.

"Busy doing things around the bedroom," he continued. "Or should that be busy doing a certain person around the bedroom..."

"Mr. J, stop it!" giggled Harley. "They get it!"

"I don't get it," said Rocco, raising his hand.

"Well, a gentlemen never kisses and tells, Roc," said Joker, nodding at him. "So you'll just have to remain ignorant. Now, the first part of the job went off without a hitch – well done to Jerry and Henshaw for the prompt dispatch of the guards," he said, nodding at them. Harley saw Henderson gritting his jaw, but he nodded in acknowledgment at the compliment. "For once I think the biggest mistake was made by yours truly, for not checking for extra security around the gemstones," continued Joker. "But then I was...distracted," he said, glancing at Harley again. "And no harm done in the end. But a huge well done to Harley for doing such a great job at beating the Bat senseless," he said. "I know I've shown her how much I appreciated it."

Harley giggled again. "Happy to help, Mr. J," she purred.

"Since her arrival, Harley has been particularly enthusiastic and eager to please me...in every way she can," he growled. "You could all learn something from her attitude, couldn't they, Harley?"

"Whatever you say, Mr. J," she replied. "I just like seeing you smile. It's the most beautiful sight in the world."

He chuckled. "C'mere, you!" he said, holding out his arms to her. Harley skipped over to him, throwing her arms around his neck, and he kissed her passionately in front of everyone. "Guys, remember when I said that Harley was equal to all of you?" he asked.

They all nodded. "I lied," he said. "She's a hot little package of dynamite, all fire and pizzazz, and she's all mine!"

"Oh, is that what you meant about being busy?" said Rocco, the realization dawning on him. "I get it!"

Henderson stood up. "Is that all, boss?" he muttered.

"Oh...yeah, sure, Henshaw," said Joker. "Dismissed."

Henderson nodded curtly, storming off to his room. "Wonder what's eating him?" said Jerry.

"Probably jealous," retorted Joker. "Think he's kinda sweet on you, Harley."

"Aw, we all love Harley, boss," said Rocco.

"Too bad," she said, grinning. "I only got eyes for one man. Sorry, Jerry," she added, smiling at him.

"That's just a joke we got going on, boss," said Jerry, hastily. "I ain't ever tried anything with Harley, it was just some innocent teasing..."

"I know, Jerry, calm down!" chuckled Joker. "Harley's a one man loon, I know that! You look at that pretty, honest face and tell me that ain't a loyal dame," he said, squeezing her cheeks together. "Couldn't be deceptive if your life depended on it, could you, sweets?"

Harley smiled, feeling her heart wrenching at that, since she had joined his gang under false pretenses. "Nah uh, Mr. J," she purred.

"Well, we'll catch you boys later!" said Joker, putting his arm around her waist and leading her toward the door. "Probably have a new scheme ready in a few days, weeks, depends on when I get a chance to plan it free from distractions! So it could be a while!" he chuckled, kissing Harley's cheek. "See ya!"

"Wow. That's weird," said Jerry, staring after them.

"What?" asked Rocco.

"Seeing the boss all loved up," he replied. "The boss, of all people! He's never shown any interest in women before – I always assumed he didn't swing that way. Or any way at all, really."

"I think it's nice," said Rocco. "It's nice seeing Harley happy anyway, and it's pretty obvious the boss makes her happy."

"Yeah. That's weird too, though," said Jerry. "I like Harley and everything, but...what do you think she sees in the boss?"

"What does your wife see in you?" retorted Rocco.

"Whaddya mean?" he demanded. "I'm a catch!"

"I'm just saying, love is blind," retorted Rocco. "And subjective. And crazy, more often than not. And if you learn one thing working for the boss, it's that you can't try to understand crazy. You just gotta roll with it."

"I guess," agreed Jerry, shrugging and thinking no more about it. "So...how about a game of darts?"

...

The Joker felt Harley turn over again in his arms. "You been tossing and turning all night," he murmured, kissing the top of her head. "You ok?"

"Yeah. Just...can't sleep, I guess," she murmured. The truth was her thoughts were driving her wild – her dilemma over the mission was now mingled with feelings of guilt that the Joker trusted her so blindly. If he ever found out the truth...

"Mmm, don't tell me you ain't tired out yet," he chuckled, yawning. "I know I am! You can't want more, you little sex fiend!"

"I don't," she murmured, grinning. "You've done a great job satisfying your Harley girl."

"But?" he prompted.

"I dunno, I just..." she trailed off, and then gave voice to the third thing weighing on her mind. "I think...I'm in love with you."

He smiled. "You're a beautiful little fool, Harley Quinn," he whispered, kissing her. "But why is that keeping you awake?"

"Because I...shouldn't be in love with you," she whispered. "It's wrong. It's crazy. You're a..."

She trailed off, gazing at him. "Yes? What am I?" he prompted.

"Well, you're not a normal guy, obviously," she retorted. "You're a criminal, a psychopath, a man who has never before displayed any depth of feeling, or treated other people as anything more than disposable objects, or...punchlines to jokes. What kinda a man is that for me to pick to wanna have a future with? What kinda a man is that for me to fall head over heels in love with? You shouldn't be the kinda guy who ever makes any woman happy and yet...I've never felt happier in my life," she whispered. "But...what if we're both lying to each other? What if these feelings aren't real? What if I am just some punchline to a joke you're setting up..."

"Is that what you're afraid of?" he interrupted. "That I'm playing a game with you?"

She shrugged. "You're the Joker. It's not an unreasonable fear. And what if I'm throwing my life away...on some joke?"

He kissed her. "You can't throw your life away on a joke," he whispered. "You laugh at jokes. Jokes make you happy. And nothing that makes you happy is ever a waste. If you're in love with me and that makes you happy, you shouldn't worry about anything else. It will never be a waste."

He stroked her hair back. "And I'll tell you what feelings are real. Madness is real. Insanity is real. Anything that makes you feel crazy is real. And that's certainly how I feel about you. You can't doubt that love is real if it's crazy. That's how you know it's love."

She grinned, kissing him. "How can a man who's clinically insane make so much sense?" she whispered.

"Simple. The shrinks who certified me are nuts!" he chuckled.

"Like me," murmured Harley, snuggling against him and shutting her eyes.

"Like you, my crazy little henchwench," he said, pulling her close. "Guess that's why we're perfect for each other."

"Made in your image," she agreed, yawning. "Made for each other."

She was asleep in moments.