Three Ring Circus [ TDK's Joker ] .1.

I attempted to scoot to my own side of the bed, but Joker hooked an arm round my waist and yanked me back to him. I clawed and clung at the sheets.

"Jokerrrr!" I whined.

"Be a good little Kitty and come to papa." His voice was husky. Despite all my protests, I soon found myself pressed up against him, my back facing his front. One arm was wrapped around my waist, the other wrapped around neck and shoulders, almost like he had me in a headlock. His chin was nuzzled into my hair. I let out a groan of displeasure, and knocked my head back against his chest. For once, he wasn't wearing gloves. I could see the pale skin of his hands. His fingernails were long, but it looked like he took good care of them, except for the dirt underneath them. I felt my shirt ride up and felt the cool skin of his hand, rubbing my hip in a circular motion.

"Stop ittttt." I said, pushing my head up underneath his, very much like a cat would to rub its owners face.

"Why?" He said, putting on a mock pouty face.

"Well, I mean, we aren't even officially 'dating'." I said, putting up to fingers to make quote marks around the word 'dating'.

"So?" He said.

"Well, I just think we should determine what kind of relationship we have." I said, propping up my head on an upturned palm.

Joker made a dismissive sound in his throat.

"I mean, all we've doing is flirting up a storm. What d'you really want with me?"

Joker rolled his eyes. He looked extremely annoyed and exasperated.

"I want to make you mine." He said, eyes downcast to look at me.

I cuffed his shoulder. "Then make your move already! I normally don't stay single for long, you know."

"After I'm through with you, you won't want anyone else." He said, hooking both arms around my waist and lifting me up on to his chest. A brief pause, and then he brought me down on the other side of the bed. I giggled and squealed in delight.

"We'll see about that, good sir." I said.

"Mmf." Joker nuzzled his head into the crook where my neck and shoulder met, closing his eyes. I followed his lead, and let my eyes close.

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[ Harley's POV ]

Harley really didn't like Kit. Her puddin was too affectionate towards her, and didn't give her all the shit that she got. Was she actually being replaced..? The Joker's boys assured her that she wasn't going anywhere, but still. She couldn't help but wonder and worry.

Was her puddin gonna get rid of her for good?

The hatred Harley felt smoldered in the pit of her stomach. She tried her best to conceal how she felt, but it was hard. She was sure that Kit could see the thinly veiled hatred that shimmered in her eyes. Harley would have to have a talk with Kit.

And then, she'd do something special for her puddin.

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[ The Next Day, Kit's POV ]

I shimmied my way out of Joker's grip. He grunted in his sleep and turned over.

I tip toed into the kitchen, and found Harley sitting at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper.

"Mornin', Kit." She said in that adorable accent of hers.

"Hey." I said.

I'd made a beeline straight for the coffee pot, which was thankfully turned on, and poured myself a steaming mug full. I threw in some cream and sugar, and stirred it around. After doing this, I joined Harley at the table.

Harley was barely wearing anything. All she had was that skimpy red dress on. I had on a pair of baggy sweat pants and a couple tanktops.
"Could I talk to ya 'bout somethin?" Harley asked.

"Um, sure. Ask away." I replied.

"What exactly is going on between you and my puddin?"

Oh crap. What I'd been dreading. I avoided looking her in the eyes.

"I'm not exactly sure." I rubbed the back of my neck uncomfortably.

"Well, what do ya think about him?"

"He's a pretty cool guy. Annoying, but cool." I smiled, thinking about last night.

"Is there anythin between you two?" Harley asked.

"Uhm, yes and no. You should probably ask him." I said, attempting to scoot into the living room, where the big screen sat.

I forgot to mention, Joker weedled all the furniture and crap out of this Dr. Crane fellow too. Poor bastard. Anyways, back on track.

Harley let me escape. I could still see the uncertainty and hurt in her eyes. It made me feel like jumping off a cliff. It was horribly uncomfortable and awkward. I took a seat on the large, comfortable couch in the living room, sitting Indian style. Harley walked past, giving a flip of her hair as she passed.

Ouch, that was cold.

An hour or so passed, and the guys started to stir up. I noticed Chuckles and Grumpy at about the same time. All the other goons trickled in shortly after that. The last to arrive was Joker, 'groomed' and ready for the day.

Well, he was as groomed as he was going to get, methinks. His greasy hair was combed neatly back into place, a fresh layer of makeup covering his face. Last night, splotches of his skin had been showing through. He was in his usual getup, a blue-ish purple shirt with a snake-skin like pattern on it, outlined in a darker color. Over that, an emerald waistcoat, a purple tie wrapped neatly around his neck. I didn't get why he always primped up so nicely in the morning, and never bothered to maintain it when he got roughed up during the day. He'd yet to put on that ratty purple trench coat, which was hanging off a chair in the dining room.

Joker roughly ruffled my hair as he walked past. I had a sensitive scalp, so it hurt like crazy.

"Ow!" I said, throwing back my head, attempting to bite his hand. My teeth snapped together uncomfortably with a metallic click.

He waggled a finger at me. "Ah ah ah. Am I gonna have to put you on a leash?"

I said nothing, but did my best impression of a cat hissing, a hand raised with the fingers crooked like claws.

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Joker had us all assembled. We were squished on to the couch, J standing in front of us.

"Today, Kit's going to help me out with a special delivery. The rest of you, take the day off." He announced, waving a hand dismissively.

They took the hint, sauntering out of the room. Joker wrapped a hand around the back of my neck, guiding me back up to his-- I guess I should say our, room.

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As soon as he'd walked through the door, he closed it gently. I turned around, watching him as he walked in a small semi-circle. Next thing I knew, I was pinned to the door. One hand had ahold of my throat, placing a threatening pressure on my windpipe. Joker was leaning up against me, at least half his weight crushing me against the wood door. There was no space between our bodies, and I could feel his chest rise and fall as he breathed. J pushed his face close up to mine.

"Here's where you prove your worth." He practicallly growled the words, his breath hot against my cheek. I felt his lips almost pressing against my own as he talked, the sensation tantalizingly ticklish. He slipped something into my pants pocket.

"Take this to Gotham Cable News station. Deliver it in person, take your mask. After that, wait on the rooftop of the old bakery, near City Hall. I'll give you a call. Understand."

My breath was light and shallow. All I could muster was a small "I-".

His lips abruptly pressed against my own. They were still moist, from the fresh makeup he'd put on this morning.

It may have been five seconds, but it seemed to last forever.

He pulled away suddenly, fixing me with those inky black eyes of his. "Understand?" He asked.

I nodded, my face smeared with red.

He stalked out of the room after that, slamming the door.

I stood there for about a minute more, touching two fingers to my lips, feeling the sticky red stuff. I pulled them away and looked at it.

I guess I should clean up before I go.