Chapter 1.

Thunder echoed throughout Arkham's shadowed halls as a small squad of security guards made their way toward the common room, passing a number of glassed-cells.

"Storms rolling in quick", one round-bellied guard said quietly. His eyes darted to the barred windows set high above the blocks of prisoners. He made a nervous noise as the lights hanging above the hall flickered and dimmed. The sun had long since set, and the night sky was blocked by heavy, dark clouds, plunging the poorly lit asylum further into darkness.

"Don't be such a coward", one of taller guards mumbled shaking his head. He clicked on his flashlight and shone it into the empty cells as they passed, "Lets round these loons up and get them back to their bunks so we can call it a night"

His three partners followed suit and switched on their own lights as they approached the heavy, bolted door of the common room.

All of them spun around as a dark figure came sprinting in their direction. Their hands went to their waists automatically, gripping their weapons.

"Hold it boys, hold it, its only me"

The figure skidded to a halt and fumbled with an unseen object before Dr. Leland's face was lit up with the artificial light of an electronic touch-pad. Panting slightly, she stepped closer and held up the small screen into view.

"Blocks 1E through 1H lost power a few moments ago", she paused to catch her breath and pointed to the group of cell blocks blinking red, "we have to move some of the patients, and we need to do it quickly".

Thunder clapped overhead and the heavy guard jumped, but quickly recovered after seeing Dr. Leland's face.

She shook her head and continued, "As you should know, these are the only cells currently running on the backup generator thanks to construction from Joker's last great escape, so we need to make due", she said sounding annoyed.

They heard shuffling and some clinking of chains as Dr. Leland stepped aside.

"Why, my dear doctor, it feels so good to hear you acknowledge my efforts"

Chuckling darkly, the Joker's pale face emerged from the shadows. He was accompanied by four strong-looking Arkham doctors in white uniforms, also carrying weapons of their own as a precaution, complete with ten syringes packed with some of the strongest sedatives known to man.

The swinging lights played shadows across his face, making his eery smile appear even more menacing than normal.

The Joker's arms and torso were hidden under the restraints of a buckled straightjacket. Each doctor had a firm grip on the chains attached to his arms and shoulders. Turning away, she ignored the tall, frightening figure beside her and addressed the guards.

"Return the patients in the common room to their cells immediately. This one will need to go here" she said pointing to the Joker, and then to the last cell on the row behind them.

"Uhh, Joan" started one of the guards nervously, "I mean, Dr. Leland" he corrected after catching a pointed look from his superior, "You know who is in this cell don't you?" he said, eyes flickering to the Joker's leering face.

Joan Leland's eyebrows furrowed as she looked at him in a confusion, "That room has been empty since June"

"Not since this morning ma'am...", he said scratching his head and avoiding her eyes.

"I wasn't notified of any movements" she said crossing her arms, "Who's in there now?"

The guard shifted uncomfortably and looked reluctant to respond.

"Well?" she demanded.

"Harley Quinn"

Dr. Leland's surprised expression was quickly replaced by a dark look as she heard another deep chuckle issue from the Joker. She turned to see the wide grin spreading across his maniacal features.

Something in his eyes chilled her. She knew this could damage the progress she was attempting to make with Harley. Any exposure to the Joker could unravel the rational behaviors she had been attempting to instill in her old co-worker. Though her current sessions with Harley were proving to be pointless, she had been doing her best to keep the two separated.

Not looking away from his face she addressed the group, "Unfortunately, I was not informed of this with enough time to spare. All of the other rooms are occupied...As I said we'll have to make due" she said with uncertainty.

His eyes danced and she was forced to look away. Her guts churned, but Joan knew there was simply no where else safe enough to store him, all of the other maximum security cell blocks were currently faulty.

The Joker feigned a wounded look, "Come now doctor, haven't I been a good little inmate, hmm? Why ruin my chances for getting out on good behavior now?"

He threw his head back and let out a loud cackle. The pealing laughter bounced off of the walls around them as Dr. Leland gave the signal to open the glass door.

"Who is patrolling this block for the remainder of the night?"

"That would be me ma'am" the plump guard said steadily pointing up at himself, trying his best to look brave.

Dr. Leland looked him up and down with skeptic eyes.

"You will watch him", she ordered, pointing a finger at him as they moved the Joker into his cell, "Any contact they attempt to make with one another? End it. By any means necessary"

The Joker was shuffled forward into the cell. He winked at his appointed sentinel as he passed.

"Its you and me tonight Porky" he whispered gleefully. The guard swallowed and steadied his flashlight as it began to shake.

Dr. Leland stepped up to the glass wall as it slid down, looking up at the Joker's wide smile, "Any abnormal behavior tonight Joker, and there will be repercussions"

The Joker raised his now free arm in a mock salute and leaned in close to the glass, " Joan really, abnormal? Me? HAH...neverrr" he breathed the last word lasciviously, fogging the glass slightly.

Her skin crawled unpleasantly at his words. She pushed away the uneasiness that was rapidly bubbling up and backed away.

"I've got some more rounds to do before turning in", she said, squinting down at the small, glowing screen. She cast one last dark look at the Joker and nodded to the guards. "Stay on your guard tonight men", she said as she turned and vanished down the dark hallway, the uniformed doctors falling in step behind her.

The small squad turned to see the Joker staring curiously at the round-bellied guard, who shifted uncomfortably under his stare.

One of the braver-looking men stepped over and cracked his night-stick hard on the glass. The Joker didn't flinch, but continued to gaze over at their partner with a thoughtful smile.

"I don't know whats swirling around in the sick, twisted mind if yours, but you can just forget it" he said roughly, "And you can wipe that stupid smile off your face, there ain't nothin' to be excited about, ya hear!?"

The Joker giggled and tapped the glass in the spot the guard had struck, "Oh trust me my trigger happy friend" he spoke slowly, "when you're someone like me, you always find a way to make the best out of every situation"


R&R please!