"Did it work?" asked J.J., looking around at what appeared to be Tetch's garage. They had plugged the cell phone into the time machine and there had been a blinding flash of light, same as before.

"I think so," sighed Arleen in relief. "I think we're back."

"The question is, are we back to the future we know?" asked J.J. "Did Uncle Jervis's memory wipe work?"

"Only one way to find out," said Arleen, heading for the door.

They heard voices down the hall, and entered the living room to see everyone exactly as they had left them at Alice's coming out party. And the relief at seeing their parents at the age they should have been, with Harley curled up next to Joker, was almost overwhelming.

"Where have you two been?" demanded Harley, noticing them suddenly. "I know you went to charge your phones, but that's no excuse to hide out in the garage and ignore the world, y'know! I'm telling you, puddin,' that technology is making them antisocial…"

J.J. interrupted her by hugging her tightly, as Arleen threw herself into Joker's arms. "Aw, hey, sweetie," said Joker, hugging her back. "What's this about? Teenagers ain't usually this affectionate – usually they're as moody as Batman..."

"I just missed you, Daddy," whispered Arleen, hugging him tightly.

"Well, you were only gone about twenty minutes!" laughed Joker.

"Seemed a lot longer than that," murmured J.J., hugging his mother.

"Well, if this is just to butter me up so I won't yell at you, it's working," said Harley, hugging J.J. tightly. "You kids just get away with murder because you know just how to play me, just like your Daddy."

"Yeah, thankfully we do," agreed J.J., smiling at his sister.

"Jonathan and his family are going to be a bit later – they're stuck in traffic," said Tetch, entering the room. "They said we should just go on and cut the cake without them."

"Tell 'em to blow up the traffic – it's what we did!" chuckled Joker.

"I don't think that's the kinda example Jonathan wants to set for his children," said Tetch.

Joker shrugged. "I don't think ours have turned out so badly," he said, kissing Arleen's cheek.

"Well, we did set a fantastic example," said Harley, nodding. "Has Alice ever heard the story about how Mr. J and I met?"

"Everybody's heard this story a hundred times, Harley," retorted Tetch.

"I'd actually like to hear it again," said Arleen, sitting down next to her.

"Me too," agreed J.J.

"Really?" asked Harley, surprised. "Ok. Well, it was my first day at Arkham, and I was being shown around the place, a young, innocent psychiatrist fresh outta medical school. And as I entered the cell block, I saw puddin'. Our eyes met across a crowded asylum, and it was love at first sight. I knew from that moment that we were soul mates, destined to be together forever! So what if I was a young, innocent psychiatrist and he was an older, psychotic, mass-murderer? Love is love, kids. And true love conquers all."

"It sure does," said Arleen, smiling at her brother.

"Thank God," said J.J., settling down with his sister to listen to the story of a mad, mad love.

The End