Daemon held his left mechanical arm up in the sky proudly, the other gripped a bloddy head by the hair; Hugo 'Duke' Valkzt, viscious gangster and famous rapist was decapitated by Captain Daemon, but this time, the murder had been done publicly, so the whole Gotham City could see their new 'hero' in action.

"Hahaha! Had it coming, Huggie bear! He owed me a lot of money, that son of a–" Joker was interrupted by Bruce, who grumpily turned up the volume annoyingly loud so he could listen to Daemon's speech on the screen and mute Joker's stupid laughter.

"My beloved Gotham City! Behold your saviour and friend! I am Captain Daemon, enemy of thieves, villains and corrupts. I mean no harm to any of you. You can count on my protection, love and respect. Under one simple condition–" he threw the head towards the crowd, gasps and screams filling the cold air. He was grinning as he approached the mass, feeling powerful and important, his red eyes scanning the petrified faces surrounding him and his crew until his attention focused on a lady. Daemon wrapped his arm around the woman's shoulders and pulled her against his chest, his hand roaming up and down her back, the woman's companion standing in utter shock, "our help won't come for free, ladies and gentlemen. From now on your bitches, your shit and your services are mine. Think of it as a tax, a tribute and whatever fancy name you want to call it."

Daemon pushed the woman into the arms of her partner and sent a whistle to her crew, who obediently followed until they finally disappeared, leaving the crowd confused and frightened.

A loud sigh made his way out from Bruce's lips, who instantly got up and moved to the computer, his fingers typing on the keyboard frantically. The Joker rolled his eyes and reluctantly followed with disgust, considering it all a waste of his valuable time; by now he would have followed Daemon, chopped his annoying tin arm and used the gun to shoot him on the crotch. And the things he would do to Frosty, when the face of that filthy little traitor appeared on the tv, the Joker's blood had boiled.

"Joker, we need to talk." said Bruce as the computer loaded some images and videos.

"Awww, I know," the clown purred and kneeled next to his enemy, a playful smile on his face in contrast with Bruce's severe countenance, "are you going to confess your undying love for me, Batsy?"

"Joker, this is serious." said Bruce as he rubbed his tired eyes.

"I AM serious. I love you too, Bats! And it kills me to disappoint you but," he held Bruce's hand in his and grinned mischeviously, "I'm taken."

The Batman pulled his hand away harshly, fighting the urge to punch the Joker straight on the nose and turned back to the computer, where Daemon's criminal record filled the screen.

"Damon Hobbs, hired assassin. He worked mainly for the Malonis, like you said. He was known for his strenght and extremely powerful left arm. Had a preference for disfiguring the faces of his victims. Well, he practically crushed their bodies to death," Bruce browsed through the pictures of disfigured corpses and the Joker felt his jaw clench when he remembered Daemon's filthy arms around his Harley, hurting her. Then a picture made his heart stop for a second, he didn't even notice himself moving closer to the screen, horrified, and of course, Bruce noticed.

"Do you recognize this woman?" for a few seconds the Batman could catch a glimpse of sadness and the clown looked almost human, but the gesture was soon replaced by that annoying goofy smirk the black knight hated.

"Of course not. How could I? She is completely unrecognizable! Her face looks like a cheese pizza." The Joker faked a laugh and looked away, trying to contain his rage.

"Your card was found next to her body, Joker." the clown refused to look up when the picture of his signature jester card appeared on the screen. Of course he remembered, the smoke, the ashes, the burning acid on his skin as he crawled next to the lifeless body of his wife.

J cleared his throat and replied strangely calm. "Her name was Jeannie Napier and she was the wife of a loser and a fool." Bruce remained silent as the words sank in, not really sure of what to say but he knew, as much as the Joker tried to hide his anger, this revelation would be the fuel Bruce needed to ignite the clown, for the better or the worst.

"After that night, his killings stopped for two years and then he was misteriously thrown into Arkham with his left arm chopped off–"

"And then the smartass clown helped him escape from the asylum!" the Joker's scream echoed in the batcave as he made his way towards the exit. "Should have let him rot there! I'm leaving now!"

Bruce groaned, frustrated, obliged to chase the green haired man again, like a big brother would. "Where are you going, Joker? We need to plan this out, you need my help to– "

"No I don't! Catch me if you can, batbooger!" but before Bruce could grab his arm, J stopped on his tracks and turned "I'm just going to check on my girl, batclingy. You need a plan to get to Captain Shit? Fine, let's do it your way. But if it doesn't work out, we'll do it my way."

♠︎ ♣︎ ♥︎ ♦︎

"But Puddin, I'm bored! There must be something I can do to help you and Batsy."

The Joker smiled down at his harlequin, pulled her up in his arms and carried her towards the wheelchair Bruce had brought for her, which she had refused to use. But Harley had grown so tired of laying in bed, she swallowed her pride and accepted.

"You can serve coffee and cookies, baby. That always comes in handy!" he joked and kissed the top of her head adoringly. The Joker could feel his mood change when he was with her. They strolled down to the gardens in silence, just enjoying each other's company when Harley spoke again.

"I really, really, really want to help, Puddin. It's so unfair." she said, sadness pouring through the words. The Joker stopped the wheel chair and sat on a bench so he could be eye level with her. How could he resist those puppy eyes?

"I need you to be safe," J's hands cupped her face with delicacy, as he planted kisses all over her face, "you will get better and we sure will get our revenge on him."

Harley leaned over, burying her face on his neck, breathing in the scent that relaxed her, "Ok, I'll serve cookies and coffee. I'll take notes and wear sexy, short skirts and flirt with my boss."

J threw his head back and laughed loudly, letting his hands travel down from her neck to her legs. When he pulled away from her embrace, something caught his attention. He stared intently into Harley's eyes and he frowned; something was different about her, she seemed more brighter than yesterday. He adored it.

"Puddin, let's go and coax Alfie to make us some waffles. I'm starving." Harley giggled and the Joker was instantly up, walking them back to the house so his baby could get her breakfast.

"Oh, my harlequin doll. Since when are you always so eager to eat waffles?"

"And I want some apple pie, too!"

The Joker laughed. Something was definitely up with her. Sugar rush?