Descent

Chapter 40

It was well past midnight when Harleen returned home. Mr. Essurd's words ringing in her ears. Her meeting with the old fortune teller had a new hope filling her chest.

She had been worried about going to see him. That somehow he would agree with the Joker. Warn her away from him. Yet, Mr. Essurd had filled her with a sense of purpose.

If he was right and J was afraid of losing her she understood why he was acting hot and cold. Of course Harleen should have been the one to see it. After all she knew that Mr. J was the one who craved control. That he did so because he was afraid those he called his own would somehow leave him.

That he would somehow turn into that scared little boy again. Standing by helplessly watching as the monsters of this world devoured those he loved. The Joker's fear of being weak caused him to push everyone aside. Harleen was willing to bet that it was why he craved chaos.

Flipping on the lights in her kitchen Harleen let out a strangled cry. There sat Johnny at her kitchen table with a giant ass Orchid plant in front of him as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

She took a moment to admire how beautiful it was. Large purple blossoms that looked like the heads of praying mantis. Wild and alluring, just like J.

"What the actual fuck, Snowman?"

Johnny watched as she held her hand to her chest, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart.

He chuckled. "Sorry, I didn't think you would be coming home alone. Figured it would be best to stay in the kitchen with the lights out."

She couldn't help but wonder what the hell he was going in about. Harleen watched as Johnny took in her appearance, trying to decipher his cryptic comment. Then it clicked she had told J she was going out with Bruce. No wonder he was sending Johnny here to spy on her.

Johnny was watching her with a circulating gaze. Taking in the mud and sawdust on her sneakers. Then he took in the scent of the air around her. Cotton candy and corn dogs. Harleen had been to Hailey's. The boss needed to know about this.

No good could come from the Bat bringing the doc to the circus. Especially, if he was trying to make the Joker look worse than his track record already did.

"I guess the playboy couldn't afford anything nicer than the circus tonight."

She made a little 'o' of surprise with her mouth. So he wasn't just going to spy, he was going to lecture as well. Harleen would see about that.

"That's none of your business."

Harleen wanted to add that it wasn't his boss' business either, but thought better of it. There was no need to even go there anymore. She refused to act like a jilted lover.

"Come on, doc you know I'm supposed to watch out for you."

"Watch out for, or spy on?"

"Don't go there."

Pulling open her fridge Harleen took out some left over lasagna. "It's Harleen. Or have you forgotten?" Holding up the Tupperware she asked, "Want some?"

Johnny nodded. "The boss man made it clear that I'd lose my tongue if I called you that again."

Harleen just shook her head as she popped some of the leftovers into the oven. He didn't want her, yeah right. That was why he was threatening Johnny.

Turning to face her guest she leaned her hip against the counter. "You have nothing to worry about where the Joker is concerned. He has made it perfectly clear I'm nothing to him."