Chapter Text
Crossroads
It was so bizarre.
So unreal.
It was his third attempt already and still he was unable to type a single letter for the League report or statement for the press. He couldn’t master a single word.
He used to have answer for anything, ability to find a way out from every possible situation, always two steps from those who would harm this world.
And Bruce Wayne, Dark Knight of Gotham was sitting in silence, looking with absent eyes to monitors in his cave, out of words, out of thoughts.
Her scream, that howling which pierced the night, shout filled with pain, loss and despair, still rang in his ears and no matter how much he tried, this was still so vivid.
More then a day passed since a Gotham was closer to destruction then ever before.
Entire giant city would be now dead, if not for the help of Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
Pair stood up and said, no, when it mattered the most.
One paid ultimate price.
It took all he had, all self restraint and conviction in order not to snap Joker neck right there, at that very moment. Clown Prince of Crime took a step to far this time, his cruelty crossed every boundary. That night, he stoke too hard, too many times, almost killing him and part of him, darker, much more darker part, wished he had.
Call incoming. ID: Batgirl.
Batman sighed heavily, shrugging his shoulders blinking few times, it was a while since he was so taken back by his thoughts, he reached with his hand to the console, opening a channel, his rigid and tired voice surprised even for him.
- Barbara.
- Bruce…
He tensed up when the first notes of her voice reached him, she was troubled, sad, unfocused, so unlike usually energetic and brave young woman.
- You sound troubled Barbara, what’s wrong ?
He could clearly hear those chaotic breaths she took on the other side.
- I-I… Dear God I don’t know how to say it.
- Take it slow, calm down, tell me what happened.
Barbara took few deep breaths, when she spoke once more, her voice was still shaky, but Batgirl regained portion of her usual composure.
- Your comm was open… I heard her screams… Her howling… By the God I have never heard any one in so much pain… I could swear I was hearing a banshee from irish myths.
Once more images flood his mind, her kneeling, holding a woman in tight embrace as she was fading away, howl, laughter of a monster. Horror.
- Believe me. It was hard to watch as well.
- It haunts me Bruce, I can’t sleep… They did terrible things in the past but recently…
- I know. They both became more… Composed.
- They were... ?
- Yes.
- My God…
Batman focused his senses when she heard a soft whimper from his friend.
- Bruce I’m so sorry… I should have told sooner but I tracked her down after she started that frantic run…
- Barbara !
- I know… But… She did not moved ever since…
- What ?!
- She’s on rooftop near Lincoln alley. She sits there motionless for… 27 hours give or take… Only crying… Bruce… I-I… We can’t just leave her like this ! I can’t leave her like this ! I know she supposed to be our target to tag and dragged to prison, but Christ sake… She needs help.
Bruce leaned back in the armchair, closing his eyes, fact was that he looked for her, checking old hideouts, but somehow he missed rooftops, this mission took a better of him, as hard to accept as it was, that was the truth.
- Keep an eye on her but do not approach, in her state she might be dangerous more then ever.
- Bruce, she is starved and dehydrated ! She hardly a threat !
- She have nothing more to lose Barbara. Please, wait for me.
- B..
- Don’t worry. I’m not planning to take take her in, she saved this city. Harley Quinn as we knew her is gone, Joker influence is gone. She is someone else, and she is lost. Young woman in need of help. I’m on my way, hold position.
- I...Understood. Thank You.
He closed the comm channel and stood up abruptly, pushing back his seat, walking quickly towards the armoury, despite hour was late and it was well passed midnight, Batman didn’t felt tired, night was his world, his element. While passing near the garage console hand reached to it without thinking, muscle memory. Lift rose up and lit up, illuminating his vehicle. This version of Batmobil was brand new, weeks old only, Lucius Fox newest designed. Pitch black with low profile, all wheels extended out of the chassis were wrapped in the armour plates, even if large tires were barely exposed, they still were from reinforced rubber. Two armour plating panels with wing-like construction protected jet engine from above, and angled ceramic-titanium alloy plating covering the entire machine, made it fastest and at the same, most heavily armoured Batmobile as of yet, not to mention that behind the cockpit positioned slightly at back, a retractable machine turrent with grenade launched was placed.
But Bruce did not even glanced at it, sensors already detected movement and suit casing opened, presenting new tactical armour that came with a his new vehicle, titanium waved kevlar fashioned into tight matched armoured plates, as bulky as it was, this suit proved to be highly mobile and comfortable.
Bruce took one deep breath and relaxed his tensed muscles.
They saved us all. Time to return the favour.
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Legs curled up at under chin, she remembered that she was rocking back and forth, just a moment ago, minutes, or hours, she lost track of time. It was cold, there should be shivers, trembling lips from the chilly air, but there was nothing.
She felt nothing.
She was nothing.
She lost what was most precious to her, he died at that forgotten storehouse.
There was an empty shell now, sitting motionless on the roof.
Rain mixed with her tears.
She had no idea if she is still crying, she didn’t care.
Nothing mattered now.
She lost her.
Her only wish was that this rain would melt her away, erase her from this hell called a city.
Gotham.
City that took everything from her.
She longed for death, for it to end.
But something was holding her in place.
Edge of roof was border, a line to be crossed.
But something held her tight.
Swollen red eyes once more glanced at the red flower, unlike any other in the world, gift from her, last she would ever receive. Flower rested near her, along the polaroid photo in laminate, with them both. Wide and cheerful smile on her face as she was hugging woman beside her, lips pressed to thin line with irritation, but green eyes were so full of happiness and her hair, those, beautiful, wild, long and lush red hair, in so much contrast with her green skin.
Her Ivy, her Pammy, one she trusted, completely, one she loved, with every atom of her body.
- Harley.
Deep and low voice stirred back to life.
Idea appeared in her mind, idea that he could ended it all.
He can bring peace to her.
She wanted to sprung to her feet, but Harley stumbled and fell, screaming with rage and despair, body refused to obey her, long hours of cold and stillness took its toll. With a growl filled with rage she got on her feet and attack, last of her strength, mastered to usage by sheer willpower alone.
- KILL ME !
She struck his cheek, Dark Knight did even moved, her body was so weak.
- KILL ME ! JUST FUCKING KILL ME !
Her throat burned, forced to work after more then a day of silence, but Harley didn’t care.
- END ME !
She took another swing, but suddenly darkness took her, wet and cold roof kissed her face, she tried to move to stand, but her body was spent, no more strength left in it.
- P...Pl...Please… Bats… Kill me… Please… I don’t want to live without her… Kill me…
Batman knelt beside her, another person appeared near him, Harley could barely see, but siluette gave her away, Batgirl knelt also, at her other side.
- P-Please…
- Batman… It’s bad.
- I know. She need medical attention. I’ll take her to Batcave.
- W-Wh… Are You sure ?
- I am.
Darkness grew stronger, denser, swallowing her whole.
- K-Kill m-me… Pl…
Pitch black took her completely, her and all the suffering.
There was nothing more.
Only darkness around her and bottomless abyss in her heart.
Empty space that used to filled by the one she loved...
==========================================
Harleen moved in her seat, once more adjusting herself on the armchair, taking last look at the herself in the mirror, glasses were in place, long blond hair still formed in a firm bum, few strand held nicely, accenting her face, red lipstick completed the picture. She took few deep breaths, steps outside were getting louder, her patient was close.
Okay Harleen… You got this. You got this.
Door opened without knocking, one guard entered walking backwards with gun in hand, aiming it at the head of woman that was forced to walk after him. Blonde doctor swallowed lump that formed at her throat.
Oh my God…
Poison Ivy, nature’s fury personified, even with orange prison outfit, she looked stunningly beautiful. Tall, athletic, ample breasts, accented hips, face looking like a model from some magazine and that amazing mane of brightly red, wiry hair, thick and long to her waist. Her green eyes, lips, looked in so much contrast to them.
She looked so amazing, Harleen forgot to blink, psychiatrist just eyed her with awe.
Green eyes pierced her with clear and honest hatred, cold shivers ran across her spine.
Finally entire group entered her office, two guards had one meter long iron rods attached to her harness, while other two kept guns aimed at her head without a second pause.
God God… I read about her capabilities but this…
- Is this really necessary ?
Lead guard, one of them with a gun, answered without even looking at her.
- Doc, don’t let this cute appearance fool you. She is crazy strong and can turn any plant into a living monstrosity. You’re her sixth therapist.
Ivy grinned at titled her head at the side.
- Oh my. Another lam for the slaughter. How delightful…
Guards strapped her to the metal chair with reinforced restraints, double checking the bonds. They walked towards the corners but Harleen stood up and stopped them with a raised hand.
- Leave us.
Ivy started to laughed with soft melodious voice shaking her head.
- Dr.Quinzel !
- Did I stutter ?
- It’s suicide !
- Leave. Us. Alone. Now.
The guards looked at each other, clearly surprised by the steel notes in her voice, they gnashed their teeth a few times and left the office. Ivy glared at the blonde with a predatory grin, which after a moment gave way to genuine surprise when Harleen began to untie her restraints, one after another. Green skinned woman soon rubbed her freed wrists and eyed blonde woman with boundless bewilderment. Despite the fact that white coat covered her well, she was sure that under the red blouse and smooth trousers, hides the athletic body of a slim and incredibly pale woman. When she reached out her hand Ivy gasped in shock.
- Dr. Harleen Quinzel, pleasure.
- Insanity is a trait that should be absent within a psychiatrist.
Doctor smiled warmly at her, hand still waited in the air.
- Dear God. You’re serious…
Harleen hummed and nodded, with smile still adoring her face. Ivy snarled a laughter and stood up, noticing with amusement that she is head higher than her, despite blonde wearing small stilettos.
If nothing else, she had to give it to the blonde, she was brave, very brave. Ivy squeezed her hand gently and shook it.
- Consider me, intrigued. Ivy, Poison Ivy.
Harleen smiled even wider and motioned her to the couch nearby sitting on it, Ivy soon took her place very close to her, crossing her legs with cheerful smile.
- That touch, could have cost You your life, not to mention my pheromones could scramble your brain in very, very adorable way, my sweet little thing.
- I am quite certain my heart beat is stable and thoughts are clear. Does that mean You spared my life and sanity ?
- Careful now, I found You somewhat amusing, but being clever can only get us this far.
- I would rather bet on honesty. It can only work if we trust each other and that can only be achieved by honesty.
Ivy chuckled a laughter while rising her eyebrows, for her this meeting grew more interesting by the second.
- How would You like to be addressed ?
- Ivy. Just, Ivy.
- Ivy. It goes without saying, that my predecessors were either stupid or uneducated. Regardless, now, I am your doctor and I want to formulate, a little, partnership. On each of our sessions, we will talk about topic of our choosing, once mine, once Yours. I promise I will answer any question You’ll ask me, but I expect the same. I can walk freely around the room, so can You. As I said, partnership, fair, we will stand as equals in this room. As a sign of good will from my part, today, You can choose a topic. Of course, should You accept.
Ivy always minded to act cool and composed, not to act as hard to approach, she hated humans, they were blight upon this planet and she will restore it to its glorious state, with, or without them on it.
But somehow, that woman sitting beside her, did not summoned any of those repulsive feelings inside.
She felt a hunch, at least this was the closest definition that came to her mind, something was pulling her towards that smiling therapist, so against her better judgment, she was willing to give benefit of the doubt, at least for now.
And if what she was saying would be true, that would be even more interesting.
- I have one condition.
- I’m listening.
- I can call You, however I like.
Harleen blink few times with surprise but nodded with a smile nonetheless, as far as sessions with metahumans went, this one, actually was quite successful.
- I’m looking forward to our partnership, Ivy.
- Likewise, Daffodil.
Blonce giggled with baffled look, tilting her head.
- Daffodil ?
Redhead took a great pleasure from the way Harleen eyes widened in surprise, green eyes narrowed on the blond while playful smile adored her green lips.
- Your hair, they look like a petals of that flower certain strain. Besides, you are a bit narcissist yourself, those glasses are just glass, that eyesight of your is perfectly fine.
Blush that grew on her face, was so refreshing and pleasant to watch, it was a while, a very long while since someone felt comfortable in her presence without Ivy using her pheromones on them.
- Oh my. I like this already. So, first topic, You, my own, lovely doctor. Shall we begin ?
===============================
- Master Bruce, I am afraid that I had to, vocalize my concerns, what are You suggesting right now is impossibly dangerous. I feel sorry for Ms. Quinzel as well, but sending her there… They really agreed to this ?
Batman arms resting on desk in front on his ankles, head leaning on crossed fingers, while his eyes watched the feed from camera inside an infirmary in which Harley was resting for two days now. First day was coloured with howls and shouts, filled with anger, hatred, despair and constant attempts to break free from her bonds. Refusing to eat or drink, only drip feed was preventing her state from deteriorating even further.
But since morning, young woman calmed down, fell silent, absolutely silent.
She ate and drank every meal brought to her, while her blue eyes scanned and eyed everything, watching her surroundings for a means to escape, exploit a weakness. But in regular intervals, Harley looked at the picture and flower, resting on a small table near her, Batman took those items alongside unconscious woman, knowing how important they were for her. In those eyes, Bruce saw something else, something so familiar, something that compelled him to formulate a plan, that seemed crazy, but he saw no other way, no other means, this was the only way to save her, to help her.
- Look carefully at her eyes Alfred, look very carefully.
Elderly men eyed Dick Grayson that stood leaning at the desk, or rather command centre of Batcave, still in his Nightwing suit, watching the distance with concern and focused gaze.
- And what should I expect to find there Master Grayson ?
Young men turned his head to him.
- Us, Alfred, You will find us.
- What on earth does that supposed to mean ?!
- She forged her grieving into hatred, vengeance.
Alfred was about to speak, but realization struck him hard and merciless.
US.
Only now full meaning of his word was clear to him, loosing a loved one, looking clearly at the horror that took place in front of her eyes, just like Bruce Wayne and Dick Greyson, watching as their parents died.
- Good God…
- Yeah… But…
- She will stop at nothing to kill him, even if this would mean burning Gotham to ash, she would still do it. All else does not matter for her now. She will stop at nothing, if we do not act, Harley will hunt down Joker, no matter the cost. Harley was always dangerous, clever, nimble and surprisingly strong. But she lacked conviction, a clear goal. And now. After everything Jokes done to her, twisting kind woman to his imagine, turning her into merciless criminal, only to betray and abandon her later. And now he have killed, the woman who rescued her, woman Harley loved more than anything in the world... Her desire for vengeance, burns like a star now.
Batman voice was calm and focused, but his loyal friend and servant was still concerned and troubled, Bruce plan involved taking a huge risk.
- Master Bruce I still !
Dark Knight rose up from his chair and turned towards the room in which young woman was at the crossroads of her life.
- I have to try Alfred. I failed to protect Harleen Quinzel from Joker, I failed to protect woman she loved from him. No Alfred, no more failures. I owe it to her.
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Planning.
Careful and slow planning was something Harley did not do in a long while, for a long time her life was a frantic and chaotic run, from one mayhem to another, Mr. J took care of planning, she was just there to enjoy the show and to deal pain at his command.
After he betray her and during the time while she was living with Ivy, there was no need for planning, they were happy by just being together, occasionally they went to town to grab some needed stuff, but it always was quick hit and ran, Ivy still continued her crusade to avenge and restore the Green to its glory, but she rarely asked for Harley help.
She simply didn’t wanted to endanger her.
But now, now she was staring at the ceiling when not sleeping or eating and Harley made plans, how to track down, capture and deal any known torture method known by mankind to the one men that destroyed life.
It did not matter where he was taken.
Joker always escapes.
And she will be waiting.
Patient predator with one goal in her mind.
It didn’t mattered what would she had to do, burn half of the city, kill hundreds, Harley didn’t care, as long as he dies, it will be worth it.
She glanced at the door when they slid open, showing who was waiting outside.
Normally Harley would be thrilled by the fact she was inside a Batcave, it was clear now, at first she thought that this is some new section of New Arkham, but Batman regular visits quickly helped her realized where she was.
But she couldn’t care less right now, it was a temporary state, eventually she will be moved, her escape would soon follow after that.
- Harley.
His calm and deep voice was a sign a new development, blonde eyed him with expecting eyes, maybe times of her removal was closer then she thought. Door closed behind him, Dark Knight was now standing right beside her, watching, as if waiting, for what, she couldn’t tell. If he expected some talk, she felt no need to speak to him, not any more.
- Killing him won’t bring her back.
Harley growled with fury, struggling in her restraints, from all possible words to speak, he choose the one that would anger her most.
- FUCK YOU ! YOU HEAR ME BATS ?! FUCK YOU !! None of this would happen if you just have killed that fucking monster years ago ! NONE OF IT !
Bruce waited for few seconds before she would calm a bit, when struggling seized and Harley flopped at the bedding once more swearing silently he decided to continue.
- I do not kill. This is one line I will never cross.
Harley just snarled laughter and shook her head while looking away at the wall.
- Ivy wouldn’t want you to go after him.
Blonde looked back at him, paler than usual, but her face grew redden by the second, teeth grinding at each other with unspeakable fury.
- DON’T YOU FUCKING DARE TALK ABOUT HER ! DON’T YOU DARE !
- She loved you too much to allow something like that.
Harley howled like rabid animal and use all her strength to break free, metal construction of the bed whined in protest, even Batman was surprised by her sheer power even in that weakened state.
- SHUT UP ! SHUT THE FUCK UP !
- Ivy woul…
- SHE WANTED TO LIVE ! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LOVE AND LOSS ?! YOU FUCKING HIPOCRITE !
- More…
Harley gasped and went silent when he reached to his cowl, fingers behind his ears pressed something and metal plates that formed the outer layer of his cowl moved, loosening it hold.
- … than you think.
He lifted the cowl slowly, so very slowly, then placed it on a small table, near the mysterious flower and photo of Harley and Ivy. Calm blue looked at Harley intently, as the latter went absolutely limp in her bed, all traces of anger gone, she was so deep in shock that blonde had to forcefully remind herself to breathe once more.
- B...B-Bruce… W-W-Wayne…
She knew of course the story behind absurdly rich playboy, how his parents were killed while he was a child and he saw it all with his own eyes. Harley eyes grew even wider.
- I know this, because she told me, that very night, when you finally opposed him…
======================================
Out of many things Joker had done, this one was toppling them all so far.
Kidnapping twenty children, all under age of ten, and holding them at gunpoint, all to draw him out, to lure him into an ambush.
Twenty innocent, frightened and defenceless children.
This was a darkest horror imaginable.
But even in darkness, spark of hope and light sometimes shines bright.
Harley Quinn, grinning maniac running with a huge mallet, stood up to Crowned Prince of Crime when she understood that Joker fully intends to kill them.
Batman was so proud right now, so proud of once kind doctor and compassionate woman, even in this twisted form, harming children was something she would never do, it was clear now, that she can be saved.
Harley fought so bravely, she was ferocious in her fight to defend them, giving him and police under Gordon command enough time to evacuate the kids, he wanted to fight alongside her, but younglings safety was priority, so when Harley finally succumbed, after all Joker had his goons with him, he could do nothing but watch as Clown kicked of seriously injured woman of the roofs ledge.
Batman looked for her after children were safe, but found nothing, only pool of blood.
He was worried of her, but he left the matter to Nightwing now, his target was Joker.
Batman cornered him and rest of his henchmen, those left, Harley took five of them before she was finally overpowered.
Crackling laughter seized, even if for a while after devastating right hook Joker received and flew backwards, with trained moved Batman dodged strike from a metal rod and broke a leg of another thug by kicking him at the knee, strike to the chin sent howling from pain men into oblivion, then rod was ripped out from the hands of the attacker and flew back to his face.
Before Batman was able to move to the remaining opponents, wall of the old storehouse near the docks were tore asunder. Vines poured inside with speed Bruce never witnessed before, grabbing all of Joker thugs and Clown with iron grip.
Dark Knight took defensive stance, he didn’t anticipate, her.
Poison Ivy have arrived, question was, why.
Vines whipped, striking helpless thugs onto the floor, then tossed unconscious bodies to the far side, like discarded dolls. Only laughing Jokes was still being held in the air, but to Batman amazement, none of the vines attacked him, they hovered in the air near him, but took their distance.
Large door to the building were thorn from its hinges, Ivy walked inside with quick, angry walk.
Batman never saw her in such state.
Red hair glowing with faint light, just like eyes, jaws tightly clenched, just like fists.
His first thought was that fury of mother nature made flesh walked inside.
- Ives Ives ! Looking for my late pet ?! Oh I’m so so so so sorry ! You see, she fell silent.
HUAHAHHA HAHHAHA HAHA FELL SILENT ! HAHAHA GET I…
Vine sealed Jokes mouth and moved him closer to waiting woman.
Batman was about to take step but Ivy voice stopped him.
Her voice was deep, harsh, unnatural and angry, coming from behind clenched teeth, she was lost in fury, for some reason unknown to him, she was deep in rage.
- If You want to live. Do. Not. Move. A muscle. Bat. Mouth included.
Batman always knew, that amongst all enemies he ever faced, Ivy was one the most powerful and dangerous. And during all of their “meetings” not once she fought while angry, always composed, always calm. But now, Bruce decided to wait, furious Ivy, was something new, something extremely dangerous.
- Come here you grinning monster.
Vi let go off the Clown, who fell to ground collapsing on it while laughing maniacally, Ivy grabbed his throat, muffing some of the laughter and lifted him effortlessly to the air. Batman eyes widened, she always used vines to attack and defend, never her own hands, not to mention that her strength surprised even him.
- Listen now, very, very carefully, Jack.
Jokes stopped laughing, his blew wide open while he eyed her with growing anger.
- Oh yes I know your name. Do I have your, undivided attention ?
- DIE YOU GREEN BITCH !
Joyful attitude melted into rage, knifes jumped out of the sleeves of his purple jacket to his hands, but vines quickly ripped out his weapons. And punches from his hands and legs had no effect what so ever on furious woman.
- No ? Maybe this will help.
Green vines grabbed his arms and legs, squeezing them hard until sound of breaking bones and painful howl filled the storehouse. Batman tensed, reaching for batrang but vines around him moved accordingly. Ivy let go of Joker who fell to the floor, no longer laughing, his eyes burned with fury. Ivy stood over him, towering in her tight green leotard.
Hair glowing like fire.
Eyes glowing like fury of the Green incarnate.
- Should you laugh one more time, I pull out every single teeth you have. Now. This is but a fraction of the pain she felt, of the pain she suffered because of you. Do I have your attention now ?
Joker spat some blood on the ground and eyed her with utter fury, silent, that was the strangest thing for Batman, silent Joker was an abstraction, impossibility even.
- Good. I can barely held back that, urge, to squeeze the every piece of life from you. But. Death is a mercy you do not deserve. You will pay for what you have done to HER, I will tear apart that twisted excuse of a soul you have, piece, by piece in such a way... That even that fucked up and twisted mind of your will take notice.
Ivy knelt beside him, leaning her head a little further, her anger grew even more. At that very moment, all pieces fell into place, why Batman sometimes saw Ivy as she was watching Harley from afar, sad beyond compare and to why she was in such fury right now.
And he could barely believe it.
- I will do so, at the moment of my choosing. And nothing. NOTHING and NO ONE will stop me. I want you to have long, looong life. I want you to, live in fear. In fear of ME.
There was something in her voice, Bruce could have sworn he saw as Joker flinched, even if little, he was sure he caught that motion.
- Now, begone from my sight, filth.
Vines obeyed their mother command and tossed Joker to the wall just beside rest of his henchmen, Clown gasped loudly when his body crashed at the hard surface, just before he fall asleep like the rest before him. All vines retracted from the storehouse while Ivy stood up and started to walk towards the entrance, ignoring Batman completely.
Bruce however decided that certain matters need to be addressed.
- Ivy.
Green skinned woman stopped and turned her head around just a little, so she could look at one of her eyes which stopped glowing with menacing light, her voice also became more of which he was used to hear, but still cold.
- Before you say another word or attack. Mind this. You cannot even begin to imagine how furious I am right now. Never before, I fought with you, while using all I have, but should you choose to capture me, I will now. This is the first and only warning I will give you.
- Is she alright ?
Ivy turned around completely to face him, her eyes narrowed on him as brows were furrowed.
- What do you c…
She gasped with brief laughter, lowering her head a little, when she raised it once more, fade smile could be spotted on her green lips.
- I forgot… You actually care.
- I do.
He began to walk towards her, slowly and calmly, moving his cape to his back by shrug of shoulder, making sure that she could see his hands. Batman stopped few steps away, being carefully watched by vigilant green eyes.
- I searched, but I was unable to find her. What she did on that roof… She saved those kids. I’m worried.
Ivy gaze softened considerably, she remained silent for few more second, but when she spoke, her voice was silent and soft once more, deprived of usually present seductive notes.
- I found her first. Her injuries are… Severe. But she is under my care now, carefully wrapped by my healing plants as we speak. I will take care of and defend her Batman, God is my witness, I will defend her with all I have, from You, from…
Her voice trembled with steel notes as she looked at the unconscious Clown in the distance.
- ...that. From everything. She have suffered enough.
Ivy once more eyed Bruce with firm look, straightening up her posture.
- Let us make a, brief peace, between us. She’s a mess right now… Shattered. When she wakes up… It will be hard for her. I’ll do my best to help her get through this and keep Harley of the streets until we can figure out what’s next. Don’t look for us.
He remained steady, motionless, it was so unreal for Ivy to care for something other than plants, for someone, but Batman was sure, her words were full of honesty, wrapped in feelings he did not hear earlier.
He only nodded in response, Ivy sighed heavily and bow her head for a second, when she looked back, green irises were coloured by gratitude.
- Thank You.
She turned around and started to walk, but Batman next words, stunned her, as if she was stroke by Harley mallet.
- You love her.
Ivy didn’t turn this time, she only stopped, frozen in place.
- Is that so surprising ? That monster, like me, can love someone ? Because I do Batman, I do love her. She is more precious to me that you even imagine. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
- You are not the monster. I never thought like that. Your goal is noble, your methods however, are not. But I never thought of you as something monstrous. Take good care of her, as you said, she have suffered enough under… His shadow.
He could hear heavy and slow exhale when she made one, Ivy even chuckled a laughter from behind her closed mouth.
- You know what Bat.
She turned around, showing a gentle and kind smile on her green lips.
- You can be bearable, from time to time.
=====================================
Harley eyes became watery, silent whimper escaped her pink lips when the started to tremble.
- S-Sh… She never told m-me about this…
Her voice collapsed, turned into sobbing when she stated to cry once more. Bruce felt so powerless right now, so lost, only now he fully knew how young Gordon and Alfred must have felt when they saw him after his parents was killed, they felt exactly like he did now. With careful moves he freed her from restraints, Harley rolled to the side and curled up into the ball on the bed, crying violently.
Batman sat down on the beds edge, he reached with his hand and take it back few times, before finally his palm landed on her shoulder.
Saying nothing more, he simply sat there, offering his silent support, waiting for her to calm down, Barbara and Dick heads popped up from in the door frame when it opened, Batgirl must have arrived while he talked to Harley, both looked worried and sad, question hidden behind their eyes. Bruce nodded gently, confirming that he was able to reach her, to made her listen to what he had to say. Both smiled faintly and their heads vanished from his sight.
It took some time, but blonde woman finally stopped crying, she didn’t shrug of his hand, but she remained curled up while facing a wall.
- I-I…
- I know Harley. Words are not enough to describe a void you must feel right now. I know.
She sobbed few more times, she sounded defeated, lost and confused.
- How c-can I l-live without her… She was my world…
- Killing him, will only add more despair, more suffering. This isn’t the way to deal with this.
- M-Maybe I don’t want to… Maybe I should just… Die… No one will miss me…
- I will.
Harley turned back and eyed him, blue eyes met and Bruce could now see her reddened eyes and wet face, as shock was now painted all over it.
- I will miss you, Harley. I cannot tell you what to do, but…
He planned to wait a little longer, but his heart was telling him that this is the right time.
- I have a certain friend, who lives far away from here. She can help you get through this.
Harley eyes grew sadder before she turned her gaze away from him once more.
- Let me guess… Mental hospital ?
- No. You will be safe there and free to leave should this be your choice. But I do believe, that this is the place you should go right now.
Woman remained silent, but he decided to push further, gently, carefully, but to push nonetheless.
- Harley, did I ever acted in contradiction to my code and values ?
- No…
- You can trust me.
- Bats… I’ve killed people…
Her voice was filled with regret, it was yet another reason that made him feel sure that what he planned, was a right thing to do.
- I know.
- So why ? Why are you trying to help me ?
Many times Bruce wondered, how much of the woman with whom he was speaking right now, was in actions she took while with Joker. How much of her free will was in it, or there was any of that at all. But when he witnessed her stand in children defence, Batman knew, all this time Harley may held her mallet, but, she wasn’t the one that swung with it. And in the end, it was him who failed her, more then once.
- I have failed You. I could oppose stronger when Hugo Strange appointed You to Joker, I could fought harder to tore You away from him and maybe something could be done differently on that night. I feel responsible for what happened. Also, Your hands took lives, yes, but not mind and will, those, were clouded, by his lies and influence.
Harley shivered under his touch, Bruce decided that he had done enough, so hand was lifted from her arm and Batman stood up, picking up cowl from small table, smiling briefly in response to the two woman that smiled at him from the photo laying there as well, beside a mysterious red flower, unlike anything he ever saw. He stopped at the door frame, Batman felt an urge to say one more thing before leaving Harley alone with her thoughts.
- You knew her better than I did. But I’m certain that the last thing Ivy would want, is you rushing towards certain doom. Take as much time as you need to think about what I said, doors are unlocked now, you will find me outside.
Bruce took one more glance before leaving, at the silent woman dressed in white hospital robe, hoping, that his words, were enough.