J laid on top of her, trying to catch his breath as Harley ran her small fingers through his emerald hair, her eyes closed and enjoying the fast beating of his heart next to hers. Everything was peaceful after an intense fight between them that ended in bed with an equally intense and passionate encounter.

Ever since that awkward moment at the piano room where he ended up crying his eyes out on his knees, he was back to his usual self and was avoiding Harley as much as he could. J must have been pretty ashamed of himself. This had never happened, not even during their sessions back in Arkham. However, Harley wished he would tell her what was torturing him. Instead, Joker chose prolonged missions where, of course, she wasn't included. Nights and nights at the club, getting wasted and shooting people just for fun. The harlequin wasn't invited to those parties either.

Harley wasn't sure if he was getting tired of her, or maybe trying to protect her from someone or something. Even the idea of J cheating on her crossed her mind. She hoped the second option was the most accurate.

So that night, desperate from tedium, sadness and curiosity, Harley decided to show up at the club and found her Puddin doing business with some tough guy she had never seen. But what crushed her was to see a black haired, voluptuous, slutty woman sitting next to The Joker.

Blinded by jealousy, Harley didn't notice he was actually trying to get rid of the woman's unwanted caresses when suddenly, the petite harlequin bursted into J's private, grabbed the woman by the hair knocking her down and started screaming at the clown.

So between Harley's screaming and kicking, J's swearing and hysterical laughter, they left the club and concluded the fight in bed, their sweaty bodies entwined.

"This doesn't change anything, Mr. J. I still want to kick your ass..."

"Not if I kick your sexy ass first, baby!" J cackled as he rolled on his back, pulling Harley on top of him, spanking her loudly. That always made her laugh, but Harley wasn't smiling this time. "Don't try me, kiddo. You know you can't win me on a fight." Not bothering on shoving her off him, he reached for a cigarette. J only smoked when he was distressed. Harley hated it.

"Puddin... what the hell is wro...?" she was cut by a hand resting on her mouth, his eyes cold as ice fixed on her with a warning.

"That man owes me a lot of money, he was trying to convince me to take that bitch as a fee. Before you start, I WAS NOT flirting. I have enough craziness with you." he said, his voice deep and serious. "And I only have eyes for you, looney toon." he added, the sadness in Harley's eyes melting him.

She sighed, mentally exhausted to keep arguing, rolled off reluctantly and snuggled next him, leaving Joker to his haunted thoughts.

Harley wasn't the only one to notice the changes in him. Rumour has it the infamous Joker was getting weak, no longer unbreakable; the clown prince of crime was losing his kingdom. And someone was watching close.

There was a particular person with his eyes set on his throne.

Many of his most loyal men had disappeared, businesses had been broken, missions failed. He was losing control and power.

And then, there was Harley, his "Achilles Heel". She was in danger and he could sense it. Whoever working his way to defeating him, the target was his little girl and to protect her, he had to put her aside and convince everyone that she was just an entertainment, not important.

Apparently, The Joker wasn't fooling anybody. Even the bat had noticed. The stupid, nosy, batsy bat.

It happened after a particular turmoil at the mayor's party, just for fun and to earn some respect back. The joke was on him when Batman caught him. But to Joker's surprise, it wasn't on the bat's plans to take him back to Arkham. It was a conversation the clown would never forget, the words ringing on his ears like a thunder.

"A heartless man is not capable of love." the dark knight's voice echoed through the cold air as the green haired man glared at him, his eyes sharp as daggers. "Joker, I don't want to hurt you. I want to help. Maybe this is our chance to sort this bloody mess out. I don't know what it was that bent your life out of shape, but who knows? Maybe I've been there too."

"You know nothing, Bats!" Joker sneered, his eyes never leaving the man before him. He had to be kidding. So naive.

Batman ignored him and handed him what seemed to be a communication gadget which J reluctantly grabbed. "We could work together. I could rehabilitate you. You needn't be out there on the edge anymore. What do you say?"

The Joker pulled up the device close to his ear, a jesting smile drawn across his pale face. "I say... if I ever get bored... now I can call Batsy, Batsy, Batsy." And with those words, Batsy was gone, his smile fading.

Stupid Bats. How could he possibly believe the most vicious criminal would join him, what was the fun in all that? But something in his brain clicked.

Harley's lips hovering over his chest brought him back from his thoughts. He smiled at her and fixed his attention to the extinguished cigarette between his fingers. Joker needed a drink.

"Put on something nice for Daddy, baby. We're going back to the club."