I'm really sorry for the wait, I've been busy lately and didn't have time to write. And of course, I'm already a slow writer haha so that just made it worse for you guys. But anyway I hope this chapter was worth the wait and don't forget to leave comments :)
Chapter 2: Now or Never
Harleen was tapping her fingers on her desk without a particular rhythm. She was very nervous, but there was no way back now. And come on, that was the opportunity of her life. She should grasp it with both hands, making sure it wouldn't slip away, because she knew things like this happen just once in a lifetime. But at the same time it was so odd... yesterday she was so full of excitement, yet now, she couldn't believe the real danger she was putting herself into.
Her thoughts vanished when someone knocked on the door. "Dr. Quinzel? Could you follow me, please?" She got up feeling a bit unsteady and headed to the door. The guard that called her, whose name was Nick, always wore a serene expression and that was something Harleen appreciated a lot in this place full of madness. He was taking her to some sort of room for "special" patients.
She took a deep breath. It's now or never.
Last week, in Dr. Arkham's office…
"Thank you for coming, Dr. Quinzel. Have a seat." He motioned to the chair on the opposite side of his desk. He was smiling and Harleen wasn't certain if she was comfortable with that. Specially because this was the first time she was talking to him. He's never shown his face in the asylum and the closest Harleen could get to him was the door of his office with his name in front of it. She even wondered if he really existed or he was just some kind of phantom director.
She obeyed, feeling a bit nervous. She hasn't done anything wrong, has she?
"Here." He spread some files on the table. "These, doctor, are all the patients you have treated since you entered the Asylum." He watched carefully her reactions. "And all I can say is…" He paused, maybe intentionally, to add a bit of drama. Harleen holded her breath. "...that your skills are amazing, doctor. I'm very proud of you."
"Thank you, Dr. Arkham. I'm flattered to hear that." She said, truthfully.
He shifted in his chair, placing his elbows on the desk and interweaving his fingers. "So, I was analysing your methods and although they're quite different, they seem to have a positive effect in all the inmates so far." She was listening carefully as he continued. "Then I think, Dr. Quinzel, we should get some new patients for you. Special ones."
Her heart was racing, she'd never imagined that someday Dr. Arkham himself would choose a patient for her. She just nodded.
"But remember, doctor, you must feel free to reject this idea whenever you feel uncomfortable with it."
She clenched her fists and swallowed hard.
"I was thinking about..." He took a deep breath.
Come on old man, I can't take it anymore!
"The Joker."
There was big pause after that.
Did she get it right? The Joker? Was he insane? No, wait, what the hell is she thinking?! She had always wanted this. But... why now?
"Calm down, Harleen. Remember, you can quit anytime you want." He said, showing perfect interpretation of her confusing expressions.
"I know Dr. Arkham. Then again... Why me?"
"Your methods, doctor, they're different. Your patients seem to trust you in a way they don't with others." He began to gather the files in his desk and lightly knocked the pile on his lap to align it.
"So... what do you say?" Dr. Arkham finally asked.
"I'll do it." She said with conviction, although she was still getting used to the idea.
"Perfect." He said with a smile. "We'll start next week. Until then, you can read the patient previous files."
"Of course, whenever you say." Harleen got up and they shook hands just before she left the room.
Back to the room for special patients...
Harleen found herself in a small room. Just a desk, where she supposedly would be sitting while the sessions go on, and what appeared like a couch, where the patients would be lying all along. Nick left the room saying he'd be right back, she just nodded and waited there, with trembling hands. She decided to wait for her patient right in front of her desk, slightly leaning on it. She wasn't sure what to do with her hands, so she just put inside the coat to prevent it from trembling. She made a quick recap of all the files she read that week and felt prepared for anything.
There was a click and the door opened, revealing the person that Harleen was waiting for, but at the same time, wanted to hide away from. They didn't make eye contact right away, actually he was intensely gazing the guard that was taking him inside and tying him on the couch. Just when the guard left that they looked at each other.
Oh. My. God... the Joker was right there and now she could feel just how intense his gaze was. Those green eyes… Harleen had always thought that the most beautiful part of her body were her eyes, but now that she'd seen his, hers would pale in comparison. His hair had a perfect shade of green, just a bit darker than his eyes and was combed backwards, only some unruly curly locks were down at the top of his forehead. His skin had an icy white tone which made absolute contrast with his crimson blood lips. And his face was all filled with lines of expression, mostly the ones you have when you smile. He wasn't like anything she had seen before.
When The Joker's eyes laid on her, he instinctively began to scan her like he was looking for something. Starting with her face, she obviously doesn't need those glasses. Plus, it's somehow hiding her blue eyes. Full lips… hmm. Nice torso… He wondered if she has ever been into athletics. Her hands were inside her coat's pockets, she must be nervous. Well, he would be nervous too if he was locked in a room with himself hah. Long legs and black low-heel shoes.
Harleen finally woke up from her trance and realized she haven't said anything in a while. When she was about to introduce herself, the Joker raised his voice before she could say a word.
"Oh I know you… You're that new doctor aren't you? Let me see… ahmm Quillan? Quincy?..." He kept mumbling some names and Harleen just couldn't believe how calm and entertained he was all of a sudden.
"Quinzel." She simply said.
"Oh right! That's it! Quinzel… Doctor Quinzel." He said that with a smirk and this was the very first smile Harleen has got from The Joker. It wasn't creepy, he was barely showing his teeth, but it was just as intense as his gaze was.
"So you remembered me. That's quite impressive. And how may I call you?" She asked. Now taking her notepad and pencil out of the pocket.
"Joker would be just fine."
"Alright... Mr. Joker. Can you remember your real name?" Harleen knew that this question has been made by many other doctors, but she couldn't help it, it was essential.
Joker twisted his mouth. He hated these questions. Is the name of a person really so important?
"For the umpteenth time, my name is J-o-k-e-r." He said rolling his eyes. The first questions were always the same.
"I was pretty sure you'd say that." Harleen shifted and thought that maybe she should move closer to her patient, yet she was terribly betrayed by her legs which wouldn't move. "Ok, how old are you then, Mr. Joker?"
"I'm not really sure. I must be 35 or nearly 40's. And I'm still this handsome!" He giggled and Harleen lowered her head to hide her smile. She made a little sniff while doing so. She thought at the possibility of making a comment, but maybe she should concentrate just in asking the questions this time.
"Family?" She just asked already expecting the answer.
"Oh yeah!" He answered quickly and Harleen's eyes shot open. "There was this guy, Harry. He was such a good henchman…" He pretended he didn't notice her disappointed expression and kept going. "Ya know? One of the best. Too bad he died in an explosion… Poor Harry." Guess I don't have to tell her I was the responsible for that explosion. "But I guess things just happen don't they, Doc?"
She was about to correct him, but she felt something was wrong. Of course, they should keep the properly treatment, but at the same time Harleen felt she wasn't acting like herself. Like, come on, these questions were bullshit and she had never really done in this way with any other patient.
She looked at the note she was holding searching for the next question.
Sexual partners?
No way. Absolutely not asking him this. Not yet, anyway. You know what? I'm done with these questions. I just have to be myself, like in all the other cases.
"You know what, Mr. Joker?" She said and put the notepad and pencil away, placing them on the desk. His eyes snapped from her to her motion and then back to her again. "These questions are useless. I can't see we getting anywhere with it. So how about a little chat?" She looked at the clock and noticed that they still had fifteen minutes left. So that should be fine.
"Perfect! 'bout time!" He opened a wider smile this time and Harleen couldn't help but feel impressed by his facial features once again.
"Good. So, what's your favorite color?" Harleen thought that this might be a good way to start a normal conversation.
"Oh, I can't decide between green and purple… But I'm pretty sure it's purple." He paused and looked downwards with an uncomfortable expression. "And here I am with this awful orange suit. Ugh."
"You'll be able to get your usual suit when you're completely rehabilitated. Don't worry, we'll get there." She smiled kindly.
He just stared blankly at her. A small smile could be seen in his lips. Silly. "And which one is yours?"
"Red." Harleen was now more relaxed. She felt so much better now than she thought she could be around him. "Now how about telling me what you like and dislike?" With just the right amount of strength, she pushed herself off the desk and grabbed the chair to sit a little closer to her patient.
"I like things that go BOOM." He laughed at his own statement. "And I don't like huh… aubergine. Yeah." He nodded with a thoughtful expression. Harleen couldn't help but giggle as she put one hand in front of her mouth, a useless attempt to hide her smile. That was so damn random and funny she couldn't help. At the exact moment she did that, the Joker's eyebrows raised as he tilted his head trying to peek through her fingers.
"Sorry…" She whispered and then returned to a serious expression. Before she could talk he clearly asked. "About what?" Now raising only one questioning brow and that simple movement was enough to make Harleen all tense again, damn! "Nothing hmm oh, our time is up Mr. Joker."
She got up and waited in front of her desk again, just like minutes ago. His eyes following her every second, his lips were forming a thin crimson smile. With perfect timing a guard came in and greeted Harleen a little nod before walking towards the Joker and untying him. As his hands were tightly cuffed before him, they began to walk slowly towards the door. Just when they were about to leave the room, the Joker's eyes shot open and his hands snapped to her desk desperately trying to grab Harleen's pencil in order to stick through the throat of that stupid guard. When his fingers were just an inch away from it, Harleen as quickly as possible pinched it away and did a waving motion with it for both sides.
"Ah ah ah…" She just said in a negative way, her heart pounding with adrenaline and fear though she couldn't help but smirk.
I'm gonna kill this chick!
Before the Joker could think of anything else he felt his head being pushed roughly down the desk, slamming hard on it. "Clown!" The guard shouted and Harleen jumped to the side, frightened. As the tall man now pulled the Joker by the suit and forced his way out. "Don't ever try anything funny again!"
"I guess she didn't get the joke." He looked at Harleen with a mischievous smile and winked at her just before vanishing of the room.
As the door closed and a maniac laugh could be heard through it, Harleen collapsed on the chair. She couldn't believe what just happened, this was the first time a patient tried to harm someone in front of her. And she was the responsible for this situation. She left the pencil there though she was told to never ever leave anything pointy or sharp next to the inmates. She felt guilty, but she promised herself, as she gathered her stuff and walked back to her office, she'd never do that mistake again.
After driving home Harleen rushed to the shower, a quick bath just before a comfy bed. At the moment she got in the sheets, she put her hands behind her head, staring at the ceiling. She could feel chills running down her spine every time she thought about him. His presence, his eyes, his smile. She'd seen him many times on the news and the papers, but personally he was different. Pretty different. Anyway, she did it. She'd faced the Joker and she was proud of herself, and deep deep in her heart she knew she was able to help him. Too bad she would only see him again next week.
As she covered her face in the white sheets, sleep drowned her in deep oblivious dreams.
In his cell, the only source of light was the moon outside that tiny hole in the wall, making some kind of grey blueish tone to every object. Lying on his cot, ankles crossed and arms behind the head, the Joker was, also, thinking about that day.
That girl. She's smart, but he sensed something in her. Something he couldn't quite explain now. Maybe if he get to know her better he could have a hint or something. And geez... He was never so close of killing Cole, that bastard. As he now turned on his side and shifted on his cot, he decided to think more about her later, after all, he had the whole week for this.
Pheww...
