Later that night, Harley helped Joker into bed, and then turned on the TV, cuddling up next to him. She flipped through the channels, trying to find something interesting to watch. There was that rich boy Bruce Wayne trying to take an interest in politics, there was a rerun of an unfunny 90s sitcom, there was a crummy old horror film…

"Hang on, go back," said Joker, sitting up suddenly.

She obeyed, flicking back to the old horror film. Joker watched it with a maniacal grin forming on his face. Then he began chuckling. "Do you know who that is, kiddo?" he asked, nodding at the screen.

Harley's face scrunched up in concentration. She wasn't great with old horror actors. "Um…Vincent Price? Christopher Lee? Peter Cushing?"

"All great actors, pooh, but not the one we're looking for. No, that one," he said, nodding.

Harley recognized him suddenly. "Clayface?" she murmured.

"Yep. Good old Basil Karlo," chuckled Joker. "The best of all possible actors, who can literally be whoever he wants to be." He giggled. "I think it's time we gave old Bas a call. It's been too long – we're really due for a catch-up."

He kept laughing, and then started coughing again. Harley held him tightly until it was over. He patted her head gently. "I know you're sick of the games, baby," he murmured. "But how would you feel if our game turned into a melodrama?"

"What, like a play?" asked Harley. She shrugged. "We're already in the middle of a performance, ain't we, Mr. J? We have to keep pretending everything's all right all the time. I don't really see the difference between life and a melodrama anymore."

He chuckled. "That's my girl!" he said, kissing her affectionately. "And you know what they say! The show must go on, kid!"

"Will the play have a happy ending, puddin'?" murmured Harley. "Is it a comedy or a tragedy?"

Joker laughed again. "Do I look like the kinda guy who can pull off tragedy, sweets?" he replied, grinning.

She grinned back and kissed him. "Everything is gonna be all right, ain't it, Mr. J?" she asked him gently.

"Don't wanna spoil the ending, toots," he replied. "It would ruin the suspense. This is gonna be an edge of your seat kinda show. A once in a lifetime performance. And our special guest of honor is going to be Bat-brain."

Harley grinned. "It'll be good to see Bats again," she yawned.

Joker smiled at her then turned off the TV. "Time for bed, pumpkin," he murmured, kissing her.

She snuggled against him as he lay down, coughing as he adjusted himself on his back. She put her arm around his bare chest, trying to ignore the marred skin ravaged by the disease. "Night, Harley girl," he whispered.

"Night, puddin'," she breathed. He shut his eyes and was asleep in moments, but she continued to stare at him, silent tears dripping from her eyes. He looked so sick and frail that right now she couldn't believe everything would turn out all right in the end. But there was nothing she could do about it. She shut her eyes, holding him tightly. She just had to find the will to carry on with the show.

The End