You had been back at the mansion for a few hours, and you couldn't believe how well the mission went, and the rather intense way it ended. You wanted to focus more on the former, but the latter kept creeping into your mind when you didn't want it to.

Joker had to complicate everything. You couldn't even savor your massive victory, nor could you relish in the excitement that came with the fact that people would soon know your name. All you could do was think about that stupid kiss, and that stupid yet suave way he had responded.

Presently, you were in the kitchen, fixing yourself a snack. You had had lunch already, but you hadn't really eaten much of it due to being consumed by your own thoughts. Now, though, your stomach's groans of hunger couldn't be drowned out by even the most intrusive of thoughts.

So, you assembled a sandwich on one of Joker's exquisite golden plates. The contrast was a little comical to you, since the sandwich was so simple in comparison to the plate.

You could hear Joker and the rest of the team talking in the living room, but you ended up just leaning against the fridge and eating your sandwich alone, plate in hand. You had been sitting with them for a few hours now, celebrating the success of the heist. Well, you were trying to, at least. But, you were starting to grow suffocated by their constant presence and just needed a break. You intended to rejoin them right after your sandwich was eaten, but it was amazing what a few minutes alone could do for your mental state.

You had almost finished your snack when loud roars of excitement could be heard from the living room.

You jumped, nearly dropping your plate. Your heart was racing at the sudden noise, and before you could really process what it was you had just heard, Frost came flying into the room, skidding to a stop in front of you. "You gotta come back in here!" he said with a wide grin.

He sensed you were about to ask why, continuing, "No time for questions, just come back!"

And with that, he left just as quickly as he had come.

   His hurried demeanor was enough to make you set down your plate and run into the living room. You had no expectations of what demanded your attention at this very moment, but when you got there, you knew immediately.

   And you were ecstatic.

   The TV was on, and it was currently showing a news report. A news report that was evidently about the heist that had occurred a few hours prior. The reporter looked a little unsettled as she talked, and one of Joker's various mugshots were put up as the event was narrated.

   He looked cold and dangerous. His eyes were narrowed and his face showed no hint of emotion. No fear, sadness, happiness, nothing. The only thing you could see in his eyes was the stoic insanity that was murderous intent.

   The news reporter was mid-sentence when you had walked in, so the first thing you heard was this:

   "—almost a million dollars has been lost in the robbery."

   Your eyes widened. That was a pretty huge number. You hadn't even been able to picture a thousand dollars a few weeks ago, and you and your team had somehow managed to steal a million? You looked over at Joker, and he was beaming with pride.

   You mirrored the action, completely enamored with the idea of your crimes being publicized for all to see.

   "Joker and his team used pretty unconventional weaponry this time around: water guns filled with a toxic chemical called hydrodox," said the news reporter. "Hydrodox's trademark is that it eats away at almost any material it touches, including human flesh. Authorities speculate that the fugitives broke into Ace Chemicals to obtain said chemical, which was originally intended to punish jailed criminals."

   You scowled a little at that information. What offense constituted a dousing of hydrodox? Was it only used on the lowest of the low when receiving the death penalty, or was it something that Gotham's corrupt leaders just chucked at any criminal, even someone as benevolent as an unarmed robber that gave the prison guards a hard time? You couldn't help but find that lack of clarity to be suspicious. Really, how different were the city's higher-ups than you and your team? And where did they get off acting morally superior?

   "Joker's team seems to have changed a little since their last major offense. It is now two men short," the reporter continued, and your heart began to race. You knew your introduction would be coming soon, so you sat next to Joker, ready to watch the show. You barely even acknowledged Dennis' absence, nor the absence of the man you had shot in the leg on your first night of knowing Joker. You couldn't politely mourn them, not now. You didn't care. And with fame like what was to come, you doubted you ever would again.

   Noticing how keyed up you were, Joker chuckled. "Ready?" he asked, squeezing your shoulder in shared excitement. You could tell that he was just as ready to get your name out there as you were, and that made you feel good. That must have meant he really wanted you with him, and for you to be associated with him.

   You nodded, not daring to even speak and miss any word that was said about you.

   "But, a woman has come in to replace them," the news reporter said, seeming a little invested in the news herself. "And, we have video footage of her. The sender preferred to remain anonymous, but we at Gotham News sincerely thank them for the footage."

And with that, Joker's mugshot changed into a video. It was a little low-quality, having evidently been recorded on someone's cell phone. The sender seemed to be filming from a nearby apartment building; you could briefly see their window and accompanying potted plant before the camera zoomed in, giving you a clearer sight of you savagely squirting hydrodox at the legs of the bank tellers. There was no sound to the video, but you could perfectly recall their screams of pain. You smiled fondly at the memory.

You watched as Joker muttered his words about making a statement to you, and then, you boldly kissed him. The room immediately developed a certain awkwardness as everyone had to relive the unexpected moment.

You noticed Joker smile a little at the kiss, but you couldn't tell if it was a genuine or sadistic smile. He was extremely hard to read in that way.

And with that, you watched as you and your team got in the van and sped away with your winnings.

The video ended and abruptly switched over to a zoomed in picture of your face. You had a big smile on your face and insanity in your eyes, which made you feel a little embarrassed that that was the frame in the video that was chosen to reveal your identity. They couldn't have gotten you in a better-looking state?

You were somewhat comforted by the realization that criminals did not need to look pretty. All they had to do was be maniacs. And that, you could do.

"Stanley Beckham, one of the men this woman had hit with the hydrodox, identified her as (Y/N) (L/N). He preferred not to appear on the air today, but he has informed us that (Y/N) wanted him to send a message. And that message was that she is not going anywhere," the reporter said. You saw how unsettled she looked delivering your message, and you couldn't help the euphoria that coursed through your body in an electrifying wave. People knew your name now, and they were already scared of it.

   You had subconsciously been shaking your leg in excitement, which was causing an audible click click click as your heel struck the floor. Joker firmly grasped your thigh in order to still the movement. You looked at him briefly, and he seemed just as engrossed in the report as you were. He had an intense expression on his face that you couldn't quite comprehend. All you could associate it with was complete and utter focus.

   "After searching the city's records, the GPD has found that, prior to this, (Y/N) has robbed a few convenience stores, was speculated to be a mugger, and frequently trespassed on and defaced public property. But, never before has she done anything to this magnitude, and never before has she been seen with the Joker," the reporter continued.

   The picture of your face switched to a still frame of the kiss you and Joker had shared. Something about the fact that it was a photo, not a video, made you blush. You would have to constantly stare at that awkward, unmoving photograph, sitting right next to the man that you had kissed when it was taken. He didn't look bothered, though.

   All he did was grasp your thigh tighter.

   "And, as evident by this picture, there seems to be something more than business occurring between the two of them," said the reporter, gesturing to the photo.

   Then, suddenly, her face darkened. She had looked solemn before, but now, she looked worried. She had looked like she was maybe in her early forties, but with the way her forehead creased with anxiety, she looked twenty years older. Her mouth, which was painted a dark red, was downturned and creasing at the sides, too.

   "We all remember the last time Joker was in love," she said lowly. "He was way more effective, way crazier. Not only that, he was able to craft his love into being just like him. Maybe worse than him."

   Those statements made you think. Any time Harley was brought up, Joker had never said he had loved her. Nor had anybody else said he had. Had he really loved her? Was Joker even capable of a thing like love? All he did was look out for himself, which was why the kindness he had shown you felt strange. You tried to push away the idea that maybe there was an ulterior motive behind it all.

   With Harley, though, his motive seemed obvious. It was obvious that he loved her devotion, not her. It was obvious that he wanted someone to do anything for him, not someone to wholesomely spend the rest of his life with.

   But, maybe to an outsider, his motive with you seemed obvious, too. Maybe you were just too blind to see it. Or maybe, in his own twisted way, Joker really did love Harley.

   You realized that if what he had shown Harley was love, you were grateful your and his relationship was all just a publicity stunt.

   But, at the same time, you were resentful of the fact that a stunt was all it was.

  The reporter sighed, genuinely looking hopeless. "It seems that history is repeating itself. Harley Quinn is no more, but (Y/N) (L/N) is here and is capable of the exact same things she was."

   With a forced smile, she stated dryly, "Trouble's afoot. Everyone be vigilant, and if you spot (Y/N), Joker, or any of his team members, notify the police immediately. The GPD will be posting a cash reward for (Y/N) soon."

   Very obviously rattled, the news reporter cleared her throat and folded her hands on her table. "We'll be back with the weather after a short break."

   Then, the report cut to a commercial after a brief outro. You couldn't help but find humor in the contrast of topics the news was dealing with; here was a debrief on criminal mastermind (Y/N) (L/N), followed by a boring topic like the weather.

   Your first instinct was to look at Joker, and he was beaming at you. "How's that feel, doll?" he asked, seeming to genuinely be enjoying your excitement.

   "Great! I feel like a celebrity," you replied giddily. "I've had quick news segments before, but never that long. And the reporter never really seemed to give a fuck about whatever stupid crime I was committing. This chick seemed scared!"

   "Yes she did, Trouble," he replied, patting your leg before returning his hand to his own lap.

   "Trouble?" you repeated with a smile.

   "Yes. If trouble's afoot, that makes you the trouble, right, puddin'?"

   You couldn't help but blush at the nickname. All your life, you had been wanting to cause trouble. To be trouble. That's what every criminal wanted, and you felt elated at finally being that. "Yeah, I guess so."

   You felt something tap the back of your head. You turned around, and Frost was holding a celebratory glass of wine out to you. "To celebrate your big break," he said kindly as he balanced a round, brown tray on the fingertips of his opposite hand. Everyone else's drinks were atop the tray, and you watched as Ronnie impatiently snatched his off it.

   You took your drink, saying your thanks as everyone else took theirs, too. You sipped it, still shaky from the anticipation of the public eye. You were acutely aware of the fact that you could not relax fully; another mission was just around the corner. And now, you had an image to uphold. You actually had something to lose now.

   And, as you drank your wine and chatted with your team, you noticed an oversight in your plan to get famous.

   You hadn't accounted for how you and Joker would behave publicly after the kiss. You would probably have to carry on as if you two were actually an item, since that was a huge reason why the news so thoroughly broadcasted you. But, you didn't know if you could stand that type of commitment. It would just draw you in further to him, which was the last thing you wanted.

   That overwhelmed feeling that you had just escaped began to wash over you at the realization. You finished the rest of your wine and stood up, just wanting to get out of that room. "Well, I'm pretty beat, guys. Been an eventful day. I'm gonna take a nap." You knew that was the biggest lie of the century; you wouldn't sleep a wink.

   Joker rose with you. "I've got some...work to do, so I'll be leaving as well. Come, (Y/N). Walk with me."

   You felt your heart stop. He was the reason you needed to leave, yet he was coming with you? Still, as much as you wanted to, you couldn't refuse. Aside from Joker's ability to cause serious peril, you truly did enjoy and even crave his presence. "Okay, J."

   And with that, you two set off for your respective rooms.

   The walk was quiet, which made you feel even more uncomfortable. You avoided eye contact with him, regretting the kiss, regretting going on the mission, even regretting joining the team. It was definitely one of your more dramatic moments, but you felt so trapped in this situation that all you could do was fume at your past decisions.

   Evidently, he could see your discomfort. "Somethin' wrong?" he asked.

   You finally looked at him, wondering if you should be honest and talk to him about your new "relationship."

   Luckily, you had been saved by approaching your room. "Nothing's wrong. Talk later?" you suggested hurriedly, trying to quickly slide into your room and shut the door.

   But, he harshly grabbed your wrist, pulling you to him. Your chests were almost touching, and you felt your breath catch in your throat. "Don't hide things from me, doll," he cautioned lowly, eyes burning into yours.

   You swallowed, not wanting to have this conversation when you could barely corral your thoughts into a coherent sentence.

   "You can tell me," he coaxed you, mouth upturned in a smirk. He didn't exactly look like someone you could openly tell things to, but he was your boss. Didn't you have to listen?

   "I'm just a little overwhelmed, is all," you admitted. "I didn't think about how that kiss would affect us after today. Are we gonna have to act like we're...ya know...together every time we go on a mission? I feel like worrying about that on top of my tasks is gonna get tiring fast. And, I don't know, I eventually wanna be known just for the crimes I cause, not just for who I'm dating."

   All of these things were true, yet you intentionally omitted your largest concern: a greater attachment to the man before you.

   Joker chuckled. "Oh, lighten up, princess. We're not gonna have to play along forever. Just for a little bit. Just for long enough to ensure that your name is continuing to be relevant and fearsome. When we're confident that it is, we can just proceed with business as usual. That sound good to you?"

   You nodded, letting out a breath of air. That sounded like a more palatable arrangement. All you had to do was achieve greatness as quickly as possible, and you intended to.

   "Besides, why are you so upset over a situation that you created?" he asked with a laugh. "Since you kissed me so...eagerly, I would've thought you would have some fun with this!"

   You blushed, opening your mouth to retort.

   Unsurprisingly, nothing came out.

   Joker laughed even harder at how speechless you were. He cupped your cheek, still laughing. "Have some fun with it," he said. "Just relax. Who knows? Ya might end up liking that life."

   He let you go, starting to walk to the next staircase. "Dinner's at 7:00," he said nonchalantly before disappearing up the stairs.

   "Thank you," you muttered to no one, stepping into your room after. You shut the door, immediately laying down in bed.

   Now, not only would you be assisting Joker on his deadly missions, but you would also be pretending to date him? You could only imagine how much harder that would make things; with him being openly affectionate toward you, you were more than likely to get distracted and screw everything up on a mission. The only silver lining of it was that it was temporary.

   So, you vowed to make it as temporary as possible, and kick so much ass that people had to see you for who you were, not as Joker's fling.

   But, you couldn't ignore the awful feeling that was spreading throughout your stomach. Something would go wrong.

   You breathed deeply, trying to push the thought out of your mind. Thinking it was essentially praying on your own downfall. So, you tried to redirect your negative thought into a positive one.

   Nothing would go wrong.

   You sighed.

   That didn't sound right, did it?