In Another Life VII

Chapter 15

"Oh, puddin', it's beautiful!" exclaimed Harley as the Joker presented her with a brand new gun a few days later. "What's the occasion?"

"Can't a guy get his girlfriend a present for no reason?" asked Joker, smiling at her.

She giggled. "I like being called your girlfriend, Mr. J," she said. "Does that mean you're my boyfriend?"

"Sure," he said, shrugging.

"I really like the sound of that," she purred. "My boyfriend, the Joker."

He chuckled, kissing her. "C'mon, try it out," he said, gesturing to the targets. "Let's see how she handles!"

She fired six rounds into Batman's face. "Pretty good, I see!" chuckled Joker.

"Yeah. But I think it's mostly because I think about you when I'm shooting," she said, grinning. "Handle a gun like a lover, remember?"

He kissed her again. "You fire off another couple rounds like that and I'll be in the mood in no time!" he chuckled.

"Aw, I would, puddin', but I'm all outta bullets," she sighed, opening the gun's chamber. "Got some more in my room though – lemme go get 'em..."

"I'll go, cupcake," he said, kissing her. "You stay right there, just like that, and don't move a muscle!" he chuckled.

He headed back down the hall, opening the door to Harley's room. "Bullets, bullets," he said, looking around and rifling through her bag. "Where..."

He suddenly noticed her notebook peeking out from underneath her pillows. Curious, he pulled it out and flipped to the most recent page, where Harley had written the words Joker's Sexual Behavior along with a list of bullet points.

"The dirty little minx!" he chuckled. "She's keeping some kinda weird, erotic diary so she can fantasize in her spare time..."

He trailed off as he flipped a page. Seem to have awakened sublimated sexuality in subject – must take note of behavior during act to share with scientific community re sexual manifestations of psychopathic personalities. No known record of subject having any libido, so it is of vital importance that I put down everything experienced. There could be a whole paper in the Sexuality of the Joker, possibly in relation to Batman – will explore that area as relationship progresses. It is possible that a sexual outlet will result in less destructive tendencies from subject – must get list of previous offenses to see if subject's crimes are more or less violent after sexual awakening – ask Gordon on return to GCPD.

Joker stared at the words in front of him. And then he flipped to the first page of the book and began to read.

...

Harley waited for the Joker's return for what seemed like hours. Finally she grew bored and headed to her room. "Puddin'!" she called, opening the door, but it was empty. Frowning, she headed down the hall to his room, knocking on the door. "Puddin'? You in there?"

"Come in, Harley," he said.

She obeyed, surprised to see him sitting in total darkness. The only light came from the end of the cigarette the Joker was smoking, which reflected in his deep, green eyes. They were fixed on her, expressionless, as he puffed out a cloud of smoke.

"Shut the door and sit down," he muttered.

Harley obeyed, taking the chair in front of him. "Am I in trouble?" she asked, grinning at him. "You look so serious, puddin'!"

"Don't...call me that," he growled.

She shrugged. "Whatever you say, Mr. J."

"Don't call me that either," he muttered, putting his cigarette down. "Call me the Joker, just like everyone else. Because that's what you are, Harley. Just like everyone else."