"Stop trying to mess with my head, Quinn! You took me to the old asylum and I know it! Where is Joker?" Bruce demanded in his most furious voice. Dr. Harleen Quinzel sighed loudly and removed her glasses, rubbing the bridge of her nose in impatience.
"Mr. Wayne, how many times must we discuss this? You may call me Dr. Quinzel, or even Dr. Harley if you like. But the name calling… First of all, it's highly inappropriate. Not to mention uncalled for."
"How long are you going to keep this charade going? I've been here for weeks. Months even. What's your goal? You're not going to break me! And tell your boyfriend to give up this ridiculous joke!" Harley blushed, her cheeks and neck flaring up red in embarrassment. So far, Bruce had been the only one keen enough to pick up on the secret romance between her and her superior, Dr. Jack Kerr. It hadn't been going on for very long, but somehow Bruce had picked it up since the very beginning. Even Jack was getting desperate, trying to shut Bruce up about it as much as he could. They both knew that if anyone — and she meant anyone — were to find out, they would both be fired on the spot.
"We've told you before and I'll tell you again. Dr. Kerr and I are not involved."
Bruce spit on the ground, having to lean his entire upper body over to do so, thanks to his torso wound tight up in a straight jacket. "When I get out of here, Harley…"
"When you get out of here, what? What are you going to do? Arrest us all for trying to save you? You haven't been here for weeks, Bruce. You've been here for months. Four months. Don't you remember? Burning down half of your home? Mr. Pennyworth was horrified, talking about your hallucinations. You need to be here. It isn't safe for you to be unprotected."
"Leave Alfred out of this! Don't you speak his name!"
"Bruce…"
"And don't say my name!"
Harleen sighed. "Maybe we should stop for the day. You're a bit more upset today than usual. I'll go talk to Dr. Isley, she'll bring you your medicine in just a bit."
"If she gets even within ten feet of me with those chemicals, I swear to…"
A loud alarm sounded and the door unlocked. "Thank you, Waylon. Bruce is a bit stressed out today. Please escort him back to his cell. And no more television, I think the news is what was getting to him."
"You got it, Doc. Come on, Brucey Boy. Let's get you back to your comfy cell." The moment Waylon stepped towards Bruce, he launched himself from the couch and into the large man, knocking him off balance. Waylon grunted and cursed, grabbing at his nose which was now profusely bleeding. "Dammit! The fucker broke my nose!"
"Bruce!" Harley screamed, standing up urgently. The patient began to sprint, slightly off balance, but very determined. "Fuck." She slammed her fist into the small white button on her desk. The panic button. She trotted out of the office as quickly as she could in her high heels only to see Jack stepping from around the corner and forcing a taser into Wayne's neck. Bruce collapsed onto his side after crying out. Jack released a loud breath before turning towards Harley.
With a small shake of his head, he shouted down the hall, "What the hell happened, Dr. Quinzel?"
"He broke Jones' nose. Again."
"Dammit. He was doing so well yesterday." Jack shook his head and jogged down the hall to the office. Harley reached out to touch his shoulder gently but he shook her off without any more acknowledgement. Harley closed her eyes briefly to collect herself before following him into the office where he was now bending down next to the orderly, checking his broken appendage. "You look like you're going to be alright. Just bruised. I'm not sure it's actually broken, just fractured. Head down to the infirmary. I need to have a word with Harleen."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, pal." Jones stood up, obviously in pain and left the room with a stream of curse words following him. Jack waited until it was silent and they were alone before shutting and locking the door, turning to her to stare at her with his piercing green eyes. She felt her stomach twirl with anxiety at the look of disappointment written all over his face.
"What happened?"
"He was erratic again. Kept talking about us… threatening Dr. Isley. I was just going to send him back to his cell. He —"
"What was different, Harleen?"
"I don't know! He mentioned something about seeing something on GCN last night…"
"Who authorized that? Why is he watching television at all?" He was fuming now. Jack always got a little intense when he was angry and Harley gasped, taking a small step back, hitting her hip on the desk.
With a squeak, she muttered, "I did." When she saw his look of utter disbelief, she squeaked again. "I'm sorry! He was doing so well the past few days so I thought he deserved a—" She was silenced by a harsh backhand across her cheek and she spun to the ground, landing on her hands and knees on the carpet. She choked out a small cough and sat, stunned, on the floor for a good solid minute.
"How many times must I explain this to you? I am his primary physician, not you. You're only on this case because Jeremiah knows you need guidance and that I can provide it. You do not get to make decisions about my patient without my consent." He bent down on one knee in front of her, pulling her face up to meet his eyes. "Got it?"
"Yes, sir," She whispered, tears threatening to spill over her eyelids.
"Pick yourself up and go clean your face. I'll go deal with Waylon." Harley sniffled and nodded, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. Jack extended a long, pale hand to her and she took it gently in her own hand, allowing him to help her to her feet. He pulled her close to him, flush against the length of his body and looked down into her shining blue eyes. "I don't like to get firm with you, Harley. But this is a man's mental health we are talking about. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good." He caressed her swollen cheek with his large palm and pressed a sweet kiss to her forehead.
She sighed and rested her head in his hand, smiling up at him even through the pain. "I missed you last night. My apartment is too empty without you. Spend the night with me tonight," She murmured.
He chuckled quietly. "Sweet girl. I wish I could, but I work late."
"I don't like being apart from you." Her small hands wrapped around his waist and Jack let out a deep breath, his chin sitting atop her blonde hair.
"I know."