CHAPTER 23

Harley looked at the ground with her teeth clenched. She had no idea what would happen next. Would it lead to happiness, or disaster? Maybe even both... Ether way it couldn't be good. She knew they couldn't just run away together and live happily ever after like some fairy tale. She always had to remind herself of that. They had many problems they needed to deal with and it was just adding up more and more.

Ivy looked to the ground as well. She wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"I understand if-" Harley started.

"What's with all the noise out here?!" Penguin interrupted. Harley and Ivy each took a step back.

"We couldn't sleep. The beds are lumpy." Ivy said.

"What?! Nonsense, I have the most comfortable mattresses in all of Gotham! You're lucky I had an extra spare room. All the other ones are being upgraded. I could've just let you sleep on the floor! Or die for that matter! How dare you say such ignorant things! You insolent little girl! Anyways, you need to go to sleep before I put you to sleep!" He yelled.

"We'll do that right away, Mr. Penguin sir!" Harley smiled in an effort to lighten the mood.

He rolled his eyes and stormed back to his room.

"Ivy is it okay if-"

"We should get some sleep. I'm tired." She tried to walk away but Harley stood in front of her.

"Please, red.. Just let me explain. Maybe if we-"

"No! Let me explain this to you! There is no way we could ever love each other or be together! Don't take me as someone who's gonna fall head over heals for because I'm not, okay?! Get that through your clueless little mind. We can't be together and we never will!" Ivy exclaimed.

Harley sighed. "But my question to you is not, can we be together or if it's even possible. I just have to know... Do you love me like I love you?" Her eyes filled with tears. The moon could be seen blurred into them. The night was only getting colder. Emotions were rising from the surface like it was buried in the ground just digging at the top. No matter how much they struggled to hide it, it was practically glowing on their faces.

"I... I have to go. Goodnight Quinn." She began to walk away once more but again was stopped by Harley. She grabbed her hand without even thinking.

"Ivy, please..." She begged.

"Let go of me, Harley." She warned her.

"Please, don't do this." Harley continued.

"I said let GO!" She shouted as she turned around and shot out a vine. It wrapped around Harley's arms and waist. She was pinned against the wall. Slowly it was squeezing around her throat.

"Ivy, w-what are y-you.. doing?" Harley was gasping for air while Ivy held her hand up controlling the vine.

"I-Ivy ya killin me over here.." She laughed out of nervousness. "Please.. st- stop..." She coughed.

"I... I can't.. I don't know what's going on, it won't stop." Ivy explained. "I can't control it." Ivy had fear lurking in her eyes.

"W.. wonderful..." Harley said as she choked on her words.