Chapter One

"It was all just so… underwhelming. There was simply something too restricted about her life. These were the thoughts running through the head of Arkham's most promising resident doctor, Harleen Quinzel. Her mind was full of thoughts as she lay in bed absently staring at her TV which was playing reruns of her favorite cartoons. Usually she'd be easily entertained and laughing at the silly antics of the loony tunes, but not tonight.

This was the night before the start of her sixth month working at Arkham Asylum for the criminally insane. "Half a year gone by already..." And so far she simply hadn't found the excitement she'd been hoping for. "I know six months isn't that long, but I've only been dealing with low profile patients... I just want a chance at something... bigger..."

Harleen was not the kind of girl who dealt with boredom well. Never one to be patient she would always ambitiously seek excitement and fulfillment in her life. A trait probably stemming from her love of gymnastics. A hobby that eventually paid off when it ended up getting her a scholarship. "I kinda miss school... it was nice actually hanging out with people." She never was a lone wolf- that is until she moved into her own apartment and was well- alone.

Her thoughts continued to drift remembering how hard she had worked throughout her school years. She could still remember the thrill she felt the day she declared her major as a criminal psychologist. How excited and hopeful she'd been at her graduation. So looking forward to her life ahead. Ready to start her new job at the state's most infamous asylum.

"And here I thought what could possibly be more exciting than being locked up with some of the world's most dangerous criminals 5 days a week. Getting to question and understand them and how they think. Where's the thrill the fascination if I can't even talk with any of the cool ones!"

Not to say she hated her job. She did feel good when she was able to help those who still had a shot at rehabilitation. Something she found herself to be quite good at. Harleen was smart -the top of her class- which was how she had landed a residency at such a young age at Arkham. Of course this caused many of the other doctors to be suspicious and some even jealous of her. She wasn't dumb she heard the talk. Rumors about how she slept her way through school and used her blonde hair and curves to get what she wanted. Thinking about the lack of respect and boredom of her job got her angry. She deserved to be taken seriously, not like a child!

"Ughh! To hell with all of 'em!", she shouted into her empty room as she threw herself out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. As she stood in front of the mirror brushing her teeth she stared into her round baby blues, and took a moment to appreciate her looks. She knew she was cute but she'd never used her looks to further her career- she simply never needed to. In fact, she always took care to make sure her appearance was always super professional at work. Opting to wear glasses instead of contacts, and pulling her hair back into a neat bun every day.

She sighed and spit into the sink rinsing her mouth. She looked back up with a sigh suddenly feeling very tired. "People just don't understand true genius" she said in an overly dramatic tone while pouting into the mirror and then proceeded to giggle at her own antics. "Okay Harley, time for bed."

As she made her way back to her room shutting off the TV and snuggled into her covers. The lasts thoughts drifting through her mind were of determination to get the excitement out of her new job she so desperately yearned for.
The next day Harleen woke up to the beeping of her alarm at 6 am. She didn't need to be at work until 8 but being a morning person she liked to do some yoga while watching some morning cartoons. After breakfast she went to get ready for her day ahead. She decided on her usual ensemble of skirt and blouse. As she finished applying her makeup she took a moment to brace herself for the day ahead. "Okay, today I will ask for a tougher patient. One of the high profile cases." All the higher profile patients swam through her head until she landed on one who she always felt oddly drawn to. "-What was that plant ladies name? Pamela Isley? She seems fun... maybe I'll try asking for her."

"Harleen! Wait up!" She turned to see her colleague Dr. Kim walking up to her from the entrance. She'd just arrived at work and was making her way to the elevator. She turned to him waving as she waited for him to catch up.

"Good morning Dr. Kim" she said smiling at her peer and he returned the smile as he caught up to her and they made their way to the elevators together.

"Morning Dr. Quinzel," he reached out to push the button and the elevators opened. Once inside he turned to her with a look of excitement on his face. "It's going to be a pretty crazy day huh?" he said while nudging her shoulder as though he was telling a joke. But Harleen was confused obviously missing something.

"Why? Something big going on today?" Were her prayers from last night being answered? His eyes widened at disbelief as he exclaimed, "No way, you telling me you didn't hear? It was all over the news last night!"

Harleen turned a light shade of pink not willing to admit she spent most nights laughing over children's cartoons so instead she cleared her throat and said, "Oh well, I went to bed early last night. So tell me what happened?!" She let her excitement show mimicking Kim's.

His smile grew wider as he told her the news, "Batman did it again. He caught the joker! Brought him in last night!" doctor Kim was new like her. He may have been a bit older but was still fresh enough that he too was excited at the idea of being so close to the city's most feared man. They didn't call him the Crown Prince of Crime for nothing.

Harleen was excited at the news but also annoyed since she knew neither of them would actually be allowed near him. He was probably the highest profile patient in the place now, and she was still stuck dealing with the less dangerous and more stable patients. She sighed wishfully, "Think he'll stay around long enough for either of us to take a shot at him?"

Every doctor qualified would no doubt be requesting sessions with him within the week. Dr. Kim just laughed as he said, "I'm pretty sure his longest record stay here is what four months?" He paused and thought a moment before turning his head and looking down at Harley with a mischievous grin, "Well actually maybe for you, Ms. Charmer. I hear the boss has a thing for you."

"That's Dr. Charmer to you!" Harleen joked. She liked Dr. Kim he had a sense of humor and never doubted her capabilities. The elevator opened and they began walking to their offices Harleen reached her door first and said to Kim, "See ya later doc." Smiling at him one last time before entering her office and making her way to her desk where her patient's files awaited her.

As she sat at her desk she stared at the files. She imagined what it would be like to have the Joker of all people sprawled on her couch and his file in her hand. The feelings from last night swept through her and she knew that this was an opportunity she couldn't let go by without at least trying for it. As she sat trying to think of a way she could convince her boss to give her a shot a smirk spread across her "Charmer eh... it's worth a shot..."

Three hours later Harleen was on her way out to lunch when she turned a corner and bumped into a tall figure. Two hands grabbed her shoulders to steady her and Harleen let out a surprised "Oh!" looking up to see just the guy she'd been thinking about, her boss Dr. Arkham. She rushed to apologize, "Sorry about that Dr. Arkham just in a hurry to go eat." Putting on a smile she looked up at the tall man through her long lashes. Well he was more of an average height at around 5'11 but most people were tall to Harleen came up to only 5'4.

Dr. Arkham smiled back and removed his hands from her shoulders. "That's alright Dr. Quinzel I was just on my way out to lunch myself." A light bulb went off in Harleen's head seeing him "Man this was just too easy! Maybe I can live up to those rumors." She snickered to herself at the thought.

As they began walking towards the exit she made her move, "Well Dr. Arkham since we bumped into each other why not go eat together? I was planning on coming to talk with you about a few things after lunch anyways."

Dr. Arkham smiled down at Harleen. "I am rather busy what with the, uh, new arrival and all. Lunch it is then." As he held the door open for her he asked, "I hope you like Italian."

"Ooh! Are we getting pizza?" He stared at her as it took him a moment to realize she was joking, and letting out a laugh when he did while smirking down at her.

"Oh yeah, this is definitely too easy!"

The restaurant was nice, but Harleen already had predicted it would be. The perfect setting to be both professional yet comfortable, and thus the perfect place for her plan. "Well Harleen I have to say your performance so far has been impressive. Three successful rehabilitations and releases with promising outlooks for the rest of your patients. You're doing good work Harleen."

She smiled at her boss not failing to notice he had been using her first name. She decided now was as good a time as any "Now or never Harls." "Thank you Jeremiah, I feel pleased with my work so far too."

Seeing she had his attention she moved her hand to her necklace hanging delicately on her chest and began toying with it. She saw his eyes glance to it and linger just a little too long at the opening of her blouse. "Oh gosh I really hope this is working."

"But the thing is it's just been a little too easy, and well I'm the kind of girl who likes a challenge." His eyes shot up to hers at that and a smirk broke out on his face, "So you to huh?"

She dropped back her necklace and sat up slightly straighter in her chair. "Me too? Me too, what?" "Shit don't lose your nerve now!"

But Arkham didn't seem upset in fact he seemed, amused? He leaned back in his chair still smirking at the now nervous blonde. "You know he hasn't even been in our custody for 24 hours yet, and I already have fourteen messages on my phone from doctors requesting a session with him." Her eyes widened in shock that he had been able to read her so easily. "Well he is the head doctor of the asylum, I should have known better to try and fool him. Ugh I can't believe I was actually thinking I could seduce my boss!"

Looking down at her plate Harleen tried to think of how to persuade him to give the case to her. But had that many doctors already gotten the jump on her? Looking back up she refused to let her resolve crumble now, "Well he is the most fascinating patient we've had in a while-"

Dr. Arkham was quick to cut her off, "He's a mass murdering lunatic Harleen. He is a dangerous manipulator who is not to be taken lightly." He didn't say this coldly rather he was just stating facts, but he didn't seem to be rejecting her request.

So she steeled her nerve and spit out what she had been dying to ask him, "Dr. Arkham, you said it yourself I have done nothing but excellent work so far and I know I'm young but I really think-" he cut her off waving his hand up "Harleen, it's okay you've got it."

That stopped her in her tracks. "Huh?" Had she just heard him right? She blinked at him for what felt like a good minute before voicing her confusion, "Huh?"

He chuckled at that before continuing, "Well not right away of course there are several doctors that will be taking a shot at him before you, so I would say you could expect a session in I'd say two months?" She couldn't believe it. He was just giving it to her! "Wow! Maybe he does like me." Harleen hated to seem too eager but she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. "Thank you Dr. Arkham I won't let you down."

She couldn't believe that in only two months she'd be setting up a psychological evaluation with the Joker! Everyone knew his crimes and face, but soon she would be taking a peek into the madman's mind. Getting to ask him of his motives and history. She just hoped that it wouldn't prove to be too much for her to handle.