All In The Cards

Lying Low

Joker opened his eyes and stretched, finding himself snuggled up to Harley. He smiled, and held her for a while longer. She was fast asleep, dead to the world. According to a clock on her endstand, it was one in the afternoon. Hed slept for about eight hours. Harley showed no signs of waking up anytime soon, so he laid there for as long as possible, enjoying the warmth. The heater had finally kicked in a few hours ago, making the room a comfortable seventy six degrees.

He would have laid there forever, but he had to use the toilet. Carefully, he unraveled from her and stood, walking around the bed to go to the bathroom. When he was finished, he washed his hands and dried them, and then stepped out. She was still asleep. She said she never slept, so he understood if she slept all day today. He walked out of the bedroom area, down the steps and to the right, going to the kitchen. After getting the water flowing correctly, he made a pot of coffee and sat down in front of the tv, flipping to the news. He recorded all breaking stories, and found the one that had covered his latest endevor. He smiled as he watched it.

Guess ive got a new partner in crime.

Teaching her the ropes of criminal activity would be a multiple-step task. The life of a criminal was fun, no doubt, but you had to be smart, quick, and offensive.

Joker thought she could handle it. The prison break had been quick and seamless. He didnt think anyone else in the hospital would have been able to pull it off. She did, however, have a lot to learn.

Hours passed. Joker made a few calls, made some food from the non-perishables he had stashed, watched more tv and made more coffee. That woman was essentially unconscious. Jesus, how many nights in a row did she stay awake like that?

He patiently waited for her to wake up while he waited on his deliveries.

Harleen inhaled sharply, opening her eyes. She rolled to her back and stretched, looking around. It took a few moments before she remembered where she was.

Im a wanted fugitive bunking down with the most insane person in the country.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” a voice said from across the way. Harleen looked down the bedroom through the opening in the walls where the stairs were, finding Joker leaning up against the kitchen counter, drink in his hand. He was dressed in only pajama bottoms, giving her a full view of his chest, and those rock-hard abs.

But you gotta admit, he is damn fine.

“What time is it?” Harleen asked in a gravelly voice, rubbing the gunk out of her eyes.

“Its about seven o clock at night.” he answered. “Coffee?” he offered, gesturing towards the coffee pot.

Seven at night. Didnt they go to bed around five in the morning? Shed just slept for fourteen hours?!

Harleen threw the covers off her. “Five sugars, four creamers, please.” she said, and walked into the bathroom. God, she never took her makeup off, she looked like a mess. After she finished peeing, she washed her hands and then tried to wash the smear of red, white and a touch of black off of her face. When her face was clean, she dried it off and walked out, taking the cup that was offered to her.

“Thank you.” she said with a smile.

“You're on the news.” he said, returning her smile. He turned and beckoned her toward the living room area, and sat down on the couch. She followed, curling up against the arm, sipping her coffee. Joker went through his DVR and clicked on a news episode. After fast-forwarding a bit, he played it.

“We are standing in front of Arkham Asylum where just hours ago, the infamous Joker was found missing. There is no security footage of him leaving the building, but his cell was found closed...and unlocked. Officials stated that his assigned doctor, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, is also missing. Police are questioning if this was a kidnapping or an aided prison escape.”