Harley sat sullenly in the passenger seat of the Batmobile. It seemed she'd only torn her man away from one woman to have him fall into the claws of another.

She looked toward Batman as he drove the vehicle at high speed toward their cave. His blue eyes were focused and observant; the square line of his jaw was rugged and masculine. She couldn't even find the words to describe the hardened layers of muscle visible even through the armored suit he wore. Harley really couldn't blame other women for desiring her man as he was quite a catch, but she didn't have to put up with it either.

"Something wrong?" Batman asked. "You're very quiet."

"Just sleepy," Harley denied, pretending to stretch and yawn before dropping her head to the side as if instantly asleep.

When Batman drove into the cave and popped the canopy, Harley immediately jumped out and headed for the changing area. She quickly shed her armor and put back on her black and red leathers.

"Thanks for the ride B-man," Harley said over her shoulder as she climbed the steps out of the cave two at a time.

"Harley, wait," Batman called after her.

"See you tomorrow," Harley answered, firing off a wave without looking.

Once she was out of the cave, her speed increased to a full sprint. She burst out the front doors and jumped into the air to come down on her motorcycle. Revving the engine, she left a trail of rubber down the driveway on her way off the property.

Since she'd started dating Bruce, Harley had changed her residence several times in an attempt to stay one step ahead of the nosey reporters trying to find out where she lived so they could camp on her doorstep. Her efforts had been successful, so when she arrived at her most recent apartment, no one was waiting for her.

She slammed the door closed behind her and started rummaging through her closet. She pulled items out and threw them behind her when they proved not to be what she'd been looking for.

"How many times am I going to have play keep away with my man? Doesn't anyone respect personal boundaries anymore?" Harley grumbled. Her hand seized around her baseball bat, and she pulled it out, holding up like a trophy. "Hello, my little friend. Let's go see if cats really do have nine lives."

When Harley opened the door, she found Bruce standing outside in a pinstripe suit. She quickly tried to hide her bat, but it showed conspicuously behind her shoulder.

"What...um...I...ah," Harley stammered before finally managing to spit out a single line of coherent thought. "Whatcha doing?"

"I know what you're planning," Bruce stated, walking into her apartment and forcing her to take several rapid steps backwards.

"Who me?" she asked innocently.

"I saw your reaction in her apartment," Bruce explained gently. "I know you feel threatened by her, but you have nothing to worry about. She's a criminal who victimizes people."

"So was I," Harley pointed out. "It didn't stop you with me."

"You changed; she didn't," Bruce answered swiftly. "I didn't fall for you because of your criminal activities. I fell for the wonderful person you became."

Bruce took hold of her upper arms and pulled her close. He whispered gently to her.

"You have no reason to be jealous," he promised. "You have something she will never have."

"What would that be?" Harley asked.

"Me," Bruce told her. He kissed her deeply, and Harley's bat clattered to the floor as it slipped from her fingers. Carved near the head of the bat was a heart with the words Harley & Bruce inscribed within.

*** 

"Don't peak," Harley warned as she led Bruce out of the secret elevator and into the storage facility under Wayne Enterprises.

"You needn't bother trying to keep it a secret," Bruce told her. "I already know."

"I shoulda known," Harley complained, putting her fists on her hips in frustration. "You are the 'World's Greatest Detective', so there's no point in trying to surprise you."

"Harley, Lucius Fox is my tech guy," Bruce mentioned. "Did you think you could use my guy to build something without me knowing about it?"

"Oops," Harley said. "Oh well, come have a look and tell me what you think."

Bruce pulled off the sheet covering the glass display case and looked at what Harley and Lucius had made for him. Housed inside the clear container was a newly designed batsuit. The suit was solid black except for the vivid red bat symbol on the chest and the crimson lining of the long cape. The cowl, unlike his current suit, didn't have an opening for his mouth and chin, being completely closed off.

"I take it the color was your idea," Bruce assumed.

"I wanted us to match," Harley replied.

"Any changes to the equipment?" Bruce asked, his eyes analyzing every visible feature of the suit.

"We put two micro-thrusters under each boot," Harley explained. "Combined with your gliding cape, you'll be able to fly."

"You've been reading too much about Metropolis," Bruce joked, and Harley giggled.

"Lucius is already working on a new set of boots for me," Harley told him. "When done, we can fly together."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Bruce said.

"Lucius is also working on a portable cloaking device, but it's still on the drawing board," Harley mentioned.

"I love it," Bruce said, pulling Harley close.

"I'm glad," Harley replied.

"I have something for you too," Bruce said. He pulled a box from his pocket and lifted the hinged lid. Nestled on a cushion of red velvet was a black ring. Three rubies, each cut in a four pointed diamond shape, adorned the upper portion. Harley was transfixed because the stones glowed brightly. "A fiber optic line and small battery keep the stones lit. My work has always been grim, tracking scum through trash strewn alleys and bloody crime scenes. You brought joy, laughter, and life into my world, and I wanted you to know it every time you looked at this ring. I once said I wasn't sure if you were the one; I'm sure now."

Bruce knelt to one knee, keeping the ring lifted towards her. "Harley Quinn, will you... "

"YES!" Harley shrieked before Bruce could finish. She threw her arms around him, nearly knocking him off balance.

Bruce stood, turning in a circle with Harley in his arms.

"I love you, Harley Quinn," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too," she answered. Grinning mischievously, she added, "Puddin'."

When Bruce heard her new nickname for him, he groaned and Harley burst out laughing.