Beta: Sno-Chan

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Disclaimer: DC owns all these characters and WB owns DC and Time Warner owns WB and I'm pretty sure the rest of the world.

Gladrial Notes: This was definitely one of the more serious chapters in this story and, believe me, I can't say that for most of it. I think that a touch of drama gives a humorous story some extra credibility and it was needed.

Sno-Chan Notes: I agree. Also, I claim absolutely no credit for this entire subplot. It was Gladrial's wonderful idea and really gives the whole story the extra 'umph' that it was lacking with just my tabloid story to hold it up.

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Infamous Secrets: Chapter Two

That night Harley fought for sleep to overtake her, but distracting thoughts filled her head and would not allow it. Worry about how long she could keep this up and the events from the previous day kept playing in her mind over and over. She was still very unsure of herself and whether she had made the right decision.

Yesterday, instead of being taken back to her cell after the session with Dr. Leland, as was the usual routine, she had been escorted to Dr. Arkham's office. When she and the two armed guards reached the door, she began to become a bit nervous. Arkham didn't handle any of the patients' care personally: His job was to oversee the facility. It occurred to her that she had not seen the inside of the room since she was a doctor herself, and standing in front of the door gave her the feeling of being sent to the principal's office.

It didn't occur to her how ironic it was that, physically speaking, she could over-power him easily. All that mattered was that in these walls, the man had complete control over your very existence.

Once inside, the guards immediately shut the door behind Harley. She suddenly felt trapped and blurted out, "I didn't do anything!"

Arkham gestured for her to calm down. "I know that. You've been a model patient lately. Please, have a seat."

Harley, still unaware of what she was summoned for, sat down cautiously in an overstuffed chair on the opposite side of the doctor's desk. Now that he had her here, Jeremiah seemed unwilling to begin talking and gazed out the window.

After a long pause, Harley cleared her throat. "…Uh…Should I be saying something?"

The doctor turned from the window and faced Harley. "Not at all, I've called you here because…well, because I'd like your help."

"What could I possibly help you with?" Harley asked, now curious.

"Unbeknownst to you, you have already provided a great deal of assistance. It would be no surprise to you that Joker has been our most difficult patient. There are so many little things that no one thinks about though. It's almost impossible to properly diagnose and medicate him because he's so ingenuine but," he said slowly, "you are one of the most genuine people in this facility as soon as one gets around your delusions." He tried to register if she was gathering his meaning.

"…You…You've been using my discussions with Leland to diagnose and treat him!" Harley exclaimed in shock.

"I didn't say that," Arkham responded aloofly.

"But you are! That's a major breach in protocol!" she said, aghast.

Arkham ignored the comment and continued, "I will say that I have never felt closer to finding the proper treatment method for him. I only have one problem: He has been refusing his medication. It's nothing new with him. We've often found that even when he seems to have accepted them, the pills end up stuffed in his bedding. To be honest, I never really thought it was worth troubling over because so much of it was just a shot in the dark."

"Until now," Harley said coldly.

"Until now," he admitted.

"What makes you think that I'd want to help you?" she asked.

"Just think about it, Harleen. I'm not expecting miracles, but this could be a major breakthrough. We could actually begin to make a positive turn in his life. As a doctor, and formerly his doctor, surely you'd want to see that."

"For your information, I love him just the way he is. I don't want to see him changed."

"I don't think you know what you want. Surely you'd appreciate him treating you better if nothing else. However, if that isn't enough to convince you, take a look at this." Arkham handed her a portion of the Joker's file. It was his most recent physical. "As you can see, his blood pressure is rather high. One of the medications he has been prescribed and refuses to take is intended to help lower it. …He's headed for a heart attack, Harley."

Harley put a hand over her heart. "It has to be stress related," she choked. "He…He just gets himself so worked up."

"Not so surprising given his lifestyle," Jeremiah replied as he handed her a box of tissue. After giving her some time to compose herself he continued, "So…Do we have an understanding?"

Harley looked at him and smiled coolly. "You did everything exactly right: You asked me for help to give me the feeling of control; you called me doctor in order to make me feel like an equal; you had just the right leverage to ensure compliance but still gave the impression of me having a choice in the matter. It was textbook perfect."

"You really should have stuck with us, Harleen. You'd have been great," he smiled back. "Despite all that, you do have a choice. I can hardly force you to comply. If I could, I'd just force him to act exactly as I wanted."

"Yes, but I have leverage too. You need me," she made clear. "And don't think I'm not on to you. This is no little favor. This asylum has become a joke and you along with it. But if you could get through to the Joker, just him, even a little, everyone's opinion would turn around instantly and you know it."

The doctor remained calm though a glimmer of anger could be caught in his eye. "I have very little that I can offer in return. What is it you want?"

"I want a bigger role than what you're suggesting. I should have some say in the matter seeing as I'm the one that knows him best. As you said, he won't be honest with you."

"And he will with you?" Arkham asked.

"…It doesn't matter if he is or not. I know how to read him. I'll agree to help you out in return that my suggestions have merit and I'm kept abreast of the situation. I want to be absolutely certain we are doing what is in his best interest."

"I must admit, what you are asking makes me uncomfortable, but I suppose it's not out of the realm of reason. I agree to your terms."

"I have to say, you've been making a lot of rationalizations lately, not to mention taking risks. I can name at least three different things we've discussed here that would get you barred immediately if known to the public. For example, you can't possibly think this deal is good for my development. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to get kicked out of here," Harley pried.

Jeremiah chuckled at this but it was empty. "The truth is, if the powers that be could have their wish, I would have been out of here long ago. They only have one problem: No one wants to take my place. As for you, it is my hope that working for the benefit of a patient will be as healing for you as it is for him. It might remind you why we're in this business."

They stood and shook hands, formalizing the bargain. Before letting go Harley threatened, "Remember, I can back out of this anytime I wish."

Dr. Arkham, not easily threatened, replied, "As can I, Ms. Quinn."

As Harley headed to the door, she did not turn to face him, but added, "Everything here…all of us…it's not your fault."

The doctor didn't reply to the comment and the guards opened the door to escort Harley to her cell.

"Oh," Harley realized as she was heading out the door and peeked back into the office. "I am going to have to talk with him alone. Just so he knows where we stand."

Arkham peered at her from over his glasses and she knew what he was thinking.

"No funny stuff, Doc. You can watch on if you like, but how else am I supposed to begin without letting him know our intentions?" she stated rationally.

"Alright, I'll arrange it. I'm not sure if I want to know…but just how do you plan to make him comply with our demands?" Arkham asked.

"Please, Doc. What have we been talking about here: leverage. No one else may have any on Mistah J, but me? I have gobs," she said with a wink.

Later that night, Harley had threatened Joker with something he would've never expected in a million years. It was far too cruel. Not that Harley was above cruelty, but she certainly never treated him that way.

Joker never considered his plans back-firing in such a manner. He had created something that adored…no, worshipped him in spite of everything he was or did. It didn't occur to him that there would come a time he wouldn't want that. Because of her blind devotion, his well-being took precedence over everything, even if he didn't want it.

His hands were tied and he hated the feeling of being trapped. Joker had no choice but to go along with her demands for the time being. But, like any cornered animal, his mind quickly began working on escape.

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Gladrial End Notes: I know that Harley doesn't really 'sound' like Harley in much of this chapter. The idea behind this is that she is adept in sensing how to best approach individuals and, if necessary, can easily adapt. You see how, after she gets what she wants, she quickly reverts back to the persona she prefers.

Sno-Chan's End Notes: I hope this answered a few questions and created a hell of a lot more than that. As always, reviews make us giggle in amusing ways and smile like sunbeams.