Chapter 2
Arkham Asylum
Harley bustled through the security doors, his files held loosely in his arms. Stray pieces of paper slipped from his grasp and blew behind him in his haste, and a dark blush dusted his cheeks. He was late again. He really wasn't painting up the best impression to Dr. Arkham, having arrived almost an hour late the day before. But, it wasn't exactly his fault. He'd slept through his alarm due to an extremely bad night sleep; he'd stayed awake fretting over his newest patient.
The Joker.
Gotham's biggest gangster, the leader of the Clowns. She'd single-handedly brought the city to its knees; murdered the mayor, the commissioner AND Batman's right hand in the space of a month. She's bombed countless enterprises, banks, public services and laughed as she did it. The Joker was ruthless. And now, Harley had to meet with her daily to figure out what made her tick. Harley was ashamed to admit that as fearful he was, he was rather excited at the concept.
Shaking his head of disturbing thoughts, Harley realised he was now outside his office. Slipping in quietly, he punched the air in victory. He'd made it to his office without bumping into Dr. Arkham, and looking at the clock on his wall, Harley noted he was, in fact, only seven minutes late. He'd made it past security and to his office in record time. His internal victory was short lived though, as the distinct sound of a throat being cleared broke Harley from his thoughts.
There, sitting at his desk, was Dr. Arkham himself. And boy, was he pissed.
"Sir! I-I can explain-" Harley started, cursing himself for how unsteady his voice was.
He wasn't able to continue though, as the Doctor held his hand up dismissively.
"I have no time for your pathetic excuses. She's waiting." And, with that, he left Harley's office. Harley took this as a hint to follow, and quickly exited the room, determined not to fall behind again.
The walk to maximum security was silent and tense, and Harley almost felt relieved when they stopped outside a seemingly normal door.
"Get yourself comfortable, we'll bring her in soon." The door slammed closed, and Harley could've sworn he heard a lock click.
Breathing deeply, Harley looked around the room. It was so bright. There was a desk and two chairs in the centre of the room, but that was as far as furnishing went. There was a window to the left of the room, covered by a thick wooden blind. He chose to sit at the chair facing the door; he was too scared to have his back to her. The only noise in the room was the sound of the heavy breaths he took.
He almost jumped out his seat when the door slammed open moments later. Harley clasped his hands together tightly under the table, praying his shaking wasn't at all noticeable. He looked at the big, burly guards now entering the room; there must've been about six of them in total. Harley blanched. How big and dangerous was this girl? Why did she require six armed guards transporting her? The anticipation was killing him. He couldn't help the images of her flashing in his mind. He hadn't seen a photo of her before, and now, all he could imagine was a six foot female version of 'Bane', utterly grotesque with bulging muscles and-
Harley's thoughts stuttered to a stop. His mouth popped open, and he couldn't help but gape.
That was her?
The only thought that popped into Harley's head was 'Beautiful'
She was beautiful. Her bottle green hair fell around her in loose waves messily. She clearly needed a brush but the chaos of it only added to her beauty. Her silver eyes were rimmed with kohl, and Harley couldn't help but wonder how she had access to make-up. Her lips were bright red, but messily done. Red smudged around the corners of her lips dangerously, and Harley couldn't help but marvel at how plump they looked. Her skin was pale, sickeningly so, but it had a luminescent glow to it. Her many tattoos stuck out darkly against the white of her skin. She was dressed in typical Arkham dress; a large white long sleeved top that swamped her frame and baggy cotton trousers that rolled up to show her delicate little feet.
He couldn't believe his eyes. This...this angel was the Joker?
She couldn't be taller than 5'4, and had a very dainty appearance about her. If it weren't for the dark makeup and tattoos, she easily could've been perceived as cute.
The sound of her loud, hysterical laughter broke him from his thoughts, and Harley couldn't help but admit that the sound of it was beautiful too. It held a dangerous, cynical edge of it, but it was still beautiful none the less. She was dragged into the room further, and roughly dumped into the chair opposite him. Harley's eyes widened at the the rough treatment; it was unnecessary. She wasn't resisting, nor hostile. Harley couldn't help the protectiveness that swelled inside of him
Joker smiled up at the guard who had thrown her onto her chair, pouting sarcastically.
"Naw, that wasn't even hard. You know I like it rough." She growled the last word, and Harley had never heard a sound that both scared and excited him so much.
The guard turned back quickly, grabbing her face in his large hand.
"Listen, you crazy bitch-" He wasn't able to finish though, as she threw her head forward and butted him hard on the nose.
He stumbled back, whining like a wounded puppy, clutching his streaming nose. Her manic laughter filled the room once again, and she leaned forward in her chair banging her fist on the table in amusement, her eyes sparkling in delight. Harley didn't notice the smile that crept on his face at the sight.
She looked so innocent. He sobered up quickly though, when he saw another guard stalking towards her menacingly."I think it's best you take your leave now,"
"I'll handle things from here." Harley said, mustering up the most authoritative tone he had.
The guard stopped, looking at him with his eyes narrowed. Harley glared at him.
"Or should I call for Dr. Arkham?" Harley threatened, his tone low and dangerous.
The guard's eyes widened, and he quickly walked over to his moaning counterpart, before hauling him out the room, shutting the door behind them. Harley smiled triumphantly, relishing in the short feeling of power he had just experienced.
Harley almost jumped when he met her stare. How long had she been watching him? Her grey eyes surveyed him intensely; he had never felt so exposed. He cleared his throat.
"So, err...Joker?" Harley asked tentatively. She had no first or last name, and he was unsure how to address her.
"Call me whatever you like" She said suggestively, leaning back on her chair. Harley flushed darkly, his whole body warming at the horrible images that flooded his head.
"Oh...oh, uh, I-I don't-" He stumbled pathetically, cursing himself at the weakness he was showing.
She smirked then. Her eyes bright with amusement. She leaned forward until their faces were inches away. Harley could smell her scent. It was intoxicating. Freesias and mint. She looked deep into his eyes, and he was lost in the molten silver depths.
"Well, what comes to mind when you see me?" She whispered, her breath tickling his face. Harley felt himself leaning forward then, desperate to close the distance. He couldn't control his actions; it was like he was under some kind of spell.
"Princess..." Harley breathed.
She fell back into her chair then, laughing loudly. That broke him out his trance. He watched her, bewildered as she erupted into her manic hysterical laughter. His face burned in shame as he remembered what he had said.
"Princess? I like it. Though I don't look like much of a Princess, do I?" She teased. Harley blushed again.
"You're a, uh, Clown Princess" Harley said quietly.
She raised her brows at that, but said nothing. Harley took this time to try and get himself back on track. He was her psychiatrist. And he had almost kissed her.
"So, uh, Princess, tell me a bit about your childhood" He said. This was always the best place to start. Plus, her file had no information on her past. All the systems had were her criminal activity.
"Nothing to tell" She was emotionless, carved of stone. Harley frowned at this change in demeanour.
"Nothing?" Harley pressed, confusedly.
"Nope." She affirmed, popping the 'p'.
"Can't you tell me something? Anything about who you really are?" Harley pleaded.
She giggled. "Who I really am?"
Harley nodded enthusiastically.
"This is who I am"
Harley frowned. "No, it's not. There was someone before the gangster-"
"This. Is. Who. I. Am!" She screamed suddenly, and Harley sat back in shock.
She laughed again suddenly, and Harley remembered something he had read on her file. Bipolar.
She looked up at him through her lashes then, and Harley almost lost his breath.
"So, Doctor, got any other tricks up your sleeves? Am I curable? Or am I just a lost cause?" She asked, and Harley noted how sultry her voice sounded. He gulped.
"Well, uh, you're not incurable" Harley said, looking into her eyes honestly.
Disappointment crossed her features, and Harley couldn't help the self loathing he felt at that. He'd disappointed her. He wanted to please her; he wanted her approval.
"Not incurable?" She asked dully, her face bored.
"Yes." He affirmed.
"Do you think I'm crazy?" She asked suddenly, taking him by surprise.
"No, I don't," He said honestly. She smiled then, and Harley felt his heart squeeze.
"But I still don't understand why you kill all those people" Harley said hesitantly, worried he'd upset her again.
"Because it's fun." She said, her tone very nonchalant.
"Fun?" Harley asked curiously.
"Oh yes. Imagine someone completely at your mercy, no, imagine Gotham completely at your mercy. Being able to do whatever you want, never being held back by rules" She said, her eyes alight with passion. It struck Harley how beautiful she was; her eyes burning with fiery passion that seized and held him captive under her spell.
"Complete freedom" Harley said dreamily. He almost wished he could live like that. A life without restrictions, without rules.
Maybe he could?
Harley shook his head, What was he thinking? A life like that involved killing people.
The thought didn't really bother him.
She looked at him knowingly, like she knew his inner conflict.
"I, uh, I think that's enough for today. I'll see you next week." Harley said, standing up suddenly. He needed to get out of here.
He left through the door, pressing the exit button. Normally, he would press the button and wait for the patient to be collected before leaving, but he couldn't wait.
The door closed behind him, silencing the hysterical laughter behind him.
