Gotham Blind Date 5

Harley still had her hand intertwined with Ivy's as they left the Body Shop. The only difference was that now she was back to her blond babbling ways.

"...but I think that Miley totally doesn't deserve to be famous. I mean seriously! Emily Os-"

Ivy cut her off. "Emily Osment's the one with talent. I know, I know. I've heard this speech before," she complained.

Harley rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I know. I'm repetitive. I've heard that speech before." She stuck out her tongue at Ivy.

"Don't backsass me, missy!" Ivy yanked her hand out of Harley's and snapped her fingers. "Cos I know you just didn't."

Harley laughed and snapped her own fingers. "Oh yes I just did, sister. I'll do it again!"

Ivy put a hand over her mouth to help her stop laughing. "Ho, I will cut you if you be dissin' me again."

"Ah nah, you don't got it, honey." Harley laughed some more and put her hand back in Ivy's.

The two villainesses always had a thing for making fun of "gangster" teenagers. Psh, those kids didn't know the first thing about being in a gang!

"God, I love ya, Harl," Ivy said once her giggling had finally quieted down.

Harley beamed and squeezed Ivy's hand. "Love ya, too, Red. You're my bestest friend in the whole wide world."

It would be impossible to describe the euphoric state that put Ivy in with words. Knowing that Joker was finally out of the picture, and that within 24 hours Harley could be starting a new healthy relationship. Well, besides her plants, Harley was Ivy's number one priority. With this whole new deal, Ivy felt like her job as best friend was a complete and total success.

Sometime in the middle of all of Ivy's happy thoughts, Harley had started humming some song Ivy heard on the radio a lot. By one of those boybands, no doubt. But Ivy didn't even notice until they walked into Shoe Show and a little Chinese girl around 13 started humming along with Harley. It was one of the funniest things Ivy had ever seen.

"That was a cute kid, if I ever have a daughter I hope she has black hair," Harley said as the humming preteen disappeared behind a rack of Converse.

Ivy shrugged. "I always wanted a blond. But now that I'm older, I really appreciate my red hair more. If I ever have kids, I really hope I pass this on to them." She stroked a strand of hair that had fallen into her face with her free fingers.

Harley nodded. "I love your hair," she started playing with Ivy's ponytail, "But blond has always been my favorite. Growing up, I always hated how plain and boring my brown hair was. I promised myself that as soon as my mom let me, I'd dye it blond. And I don't regret it at all, probably the best decision of my life." Harley grinned.

And Ivy was smiling right along with her. It was good that they were opening up to each other like this. The more they talked, the less likely Harley would consider going back to Joker.

Soon, the girls found themselves unconciously walking toward an out-of-the-way rack of shoes. Harley spinned it around and put a finger on a few pairs.

It was then that Ivy realized the one thing they hadn't talked was shoes! Here they were in a shoe store, and they didn't have any earthly idea of what to buy! 'How unlike Harley to let such a thing slip her mind,' Ivy thought.

"Uh...Harl, what are we even going to buy?" she finally asked.

Harley looked up. "Hmm...I was thinking heels for me and flats for you. But I was waiting for you to say something about shoes. I really don't know what you prefer."

Ivy nodded. "Definitely flats. Why do you think I wear flip-flops constantly when I'm not in crime-mode? Do you know how frustrating it is to rob banks, fight Bats, and steer yourself around plants in high-heeled-boots? It's pure torture, my friend."

Harley laughed. "I have quite the opposite problem. My harlequin shoes are so flat and thin it's like walking around in cheap houseshoes. I need to wear heels more often or I'll go insane."

Ivy rose an eyebrow. "I thought you were already insane."

"Oh you're one to talk, Miss I-Like-Plants-More-Than-People," Harley teased.

Ivy grinned. "I thought I told you not to diss me, fool!"

At that, Harley laughed even harder. "Okay, we need to get serious," she managed between fits of hysteric giggling.

"Yeah I guess so," Ivy said in a disappointed tone, "But joking is so fun! No wonder you chose to be a clown. Oh woe to us plant people!" Ivy laughed.

Harley rolled her eyes and grabbed a shoebox. She tossed it to Ivy. "I think those are the ones with all the straps. See what color they are," she said absentmindedly while she inspected each pair of heels closely.

Ivy took the lid off the box. They were a very rich shade of dark green, just a shade to make the color different from the dress. And jet black buttons were sewn at the ends of some of the straps. They were really very pretty. "They're green, dark green," Ivy said as she cradled the right shoe.

Harley looked up a little and nodded. "Those are your size. If you like them, then get them. They match good." And then her head was back down. Ivy put the right shoe back in the box and gently put the lid back. After she carefully tucked the box underneath her arm she stood and waited for Harley to finish her shoe examination. It was probably 10...maybe 20 minutes before the blond head finally darted back up with a triumphant "Eureka!"

Ivy jumped a little, surprised by the sudden break of silence.

Harley just stood their looking proud and showing off the pair of heels she had found. They were pretty typical tomato-red heels, with little pink hearts on the top strap. They looked like they were made for Harley.

"I like it, Harley-girl. You have such a gift for coordinating. I'm jealous." Ivy smiled.

"Thanks, Red," Harley squealed, "I still can't belive me an' you are actually goin' on dates! Oh I'm so excited!"

Ivy grabbed Harley's hand, just now realizing that she had stopped holding it. "I know. It's crazy," Ivy murmured as they walked toward the checkout counter.

"Well at least we're done shopping. We got clothes, check. And shoes, check. I can work wonders with that crazy organic make-up you got at home. So make-up, check. Everything's great! My feet are killing me. I can't wait to get back to the car and just chill."

Ivy smiled as she payed for the shoes. "I agree, I feel like my toes are about to fall off."

Harley grabbed the plastic bags containing their shoes and started tugging Ivy out of the store. "Let's go, woman! Let's go!"

The conversation jumped from topic to topic as they quickly picked up some milkshakes from the food court, made the long walk to the front of the mall, and searched around the parking lot. Ivy learned Harley's top ten list of movies, Harley learned Ivy actually listens to music. All in all, it was a pretty educational conversation.

When they finally sat down in Ivy's car, it was like their feet were screaming with joy. "THANK GOD YOU LET US REST! HOW CAN WE EVER REPAY YOU?" Harley laughed out loud as the thought crossed her mind. Ivy didn't feel the need to ask.

The sun was high in the sky as they pulled out of the parking lot, and Ivy knew from experience that Harley would be wanting lunch soon. She also knew that when the clown-girl was hungry, she fell asleep easily. Soon, Ivy could hear a soft snore as Harley slumped further in her seat. The sound was comforting...

...but it wasn't enough to help Ivy concentrate on the road. She turned on the radio and the great words of P!nk blared into the vehicle.

...and guess what, I'm having more fun, now that we're done...

It must have been fate. The inspiring words of not needing a man, well that was just what Ivy needed to help her look forward to her blind date.