Laurenmlbc - Hey, thanks for checking the story out. This chapter is just kind of setting the mood, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. And if you do happen to see Ned Kelly anytime soon, let me know what you think of it...

Disclaimer: I do not own the Joker, etc.

C H a P T e R 1

The day was bleak and growing overcast. Natalie did her best to stifle a shiver as cold chills ran down her spine, though it had nothing to do with the biting gust of wind that swept through the packed streets. No, this chill was due to something entirely different...a feeling she couldn't quite shake no matter how hard she tried. It was for fear of what the future held in store for the city that was now grieving for some of its finest protectors – fallen guardians that had been casualties in the seemingly endless war on crime. Many had paid with their lives, and those who had survived were now left to mourn their loss in the wake of a madman's crazed, destructive rampage, and an unforgivable betrayal by the masked vigilante who many had expected to bring him to justice. It was indeed a dark day for Gotham City. However, it was unlikely that everyone was sorry to see Gotham's 'White Knight' slain. The main architect of his untimely demise was no doubt taking great satisfaction in his handiwork. The Batman, once considered a hero by most, was now a wanted fugitive. He had shown his true colors when he killed him...

Harvey Dent, along with his Assistant D.A., Rachel Dawes, had both been murdered. But it was Dent's death that had hit the hardest and brought half of Gotham out to pay their respects. His passing had been like a dagger through the heart of the city. He had been leading Gotham down the path of salvation when he died. For once, the people were beginning to look forward with a newfound sense of hope and optimist. In the papers, the recent succession of crime sprees had often been described as 'a storm that will pass and help pave the way for a better tomorrow' by Dent, but his life had been claimed before the skies were able to clear...if they ever would.

Standing before the gathered crowd of onlookers, recently appointed Commissioner Gordon stood firm and solemn behind his podium. Behind him, a large picture of Dent was prominently displayed for all to see.

"A hero..." he spoke loud and clear. "Not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed. Nothing less than a knight...shining."

The massive crowd remained eerily quiet while the new police commissioner gave his eulogy. Among the many faces, Natalie could spot numerous officers and detectives, as well as the wealthiest business man Gotham had ever known: the one and only Bruce Wayne. Beside him stood a considerably older man with white hair. He wore a pressed, black suit and a doleful expression while he remained silent and unmoving. The head of Wayne Enterprises himself stood with his hands in his pockets and his eyes cast down in front of him, as if he found the death of Dent to be unbearable. But Natalie knew that it most likely wasn't Harvey Dent that haunted his thoughts...it was Rachel Dawes. Being somewhat of a local celebrity, Wayne's life was well publicized. It was no secret that he and Dawes had been close friends ever since their childhood, and Natalie could only assume that it was she who occupied his mind, not the deceased D.A.

Frowning, Natalie diverted her gaze from Wayne and grimly returned her attention to the podium. She felt a sudden pang of shame when she realized just how eager she was to leave the dreary memorial service, but she also realized that there was an important task at hand, and she had been charged with getting it done.

The day had finally arrived.

It was time.

She had accepted her position at Arkham Asylum nearby a month ago, but today was the first day that she would really be earning her paycheck. To be honest, she knew that she was being selfish. She was well aware that sacrificing a couple of hours out of the day and postponing her work for a short while longer wouldn't hurt anything. She had told herself that she was merely dedicated to upholding her duty, not skipping out early to tend to her own morbid curiosity. She could deny it as much as she wanted, but she knew that she would only be lying to herself...she was anxious to get started. Once again, she felt a pang of shame as the thought sent her pulse racing.

Peering up at Commissioner Gordon, Natalie contemplated for a moment longer before turning and inconspicuously slipping away to find her car. She had made up her mind – she couldn't wait any longer. Besides, she told herself, the last few weeks had already been depressing enough without Gordon piling on more misery.

Flipping through a brown file folder, Natalie intently read through the papers stacked inside, skimming over the details that she had read time and time again pertaining to Arkham's primary case study. At this point, she figured that she probably had its contents memorized well enough to recite it without looking, but she had always been somewhat of a perfectionist. Rigidly sitting behind the desk in her still unsettled office, she continued to examine the pages and prepare for her fast approaching session. It wasn't until a light rapping sounded at her office door that she finally tore her gaze away from the file...

"May I come in?" a familiar voice asked.

Natalie greeted the head of the asylum, Dr. Lambert, with a smile as he poked his head in through her half–opened door.

"Yes, of course, Dr. Lambert," she said, closing the folder and setting it aside. "I was just, uum...getting ready."

Furrowing a brow, Dr. Lambert stepped into the room and curiously glanced around at the unpacked boxes cluttering the floor. Noticing his puzzled expression, Natalie sighed and shot her new supervisor a sheepish smirk as she removed her reading glasses.

"I've been meaning to clean up in here..."

"No–no, it's coming along very nicely," Dr. Lambert replied. "How are you feeling?"

Now it was Natalie's turn to furrow a brow. "What do you mean?"

"Well, as you already know, the assignment you will be taking on is far from ordinary," Dr. Lambert elaborated. "This is no run of the mill patient you'll be dealing with."

"Yes, I do understand that, sir," Natalie said as she rose from her seat. "But I believe I'm ready. I've been preparing for over two weeks now."

"And I believe there is no specialist more qualified to handle the case than you, Dr. Harrison," Lambert replied, offering the young woman an encouraging smile. "I just thought perhaps I might...prepare you a little more thoroughly."

"How so?" Natalie asked, slightly offended at the insinuation that she couldn't handle the job on her own, but appreciating his good intentions nonetheless.

"I did tell you about Dr. Waterson?" Lambert questioned, receiving a nod of confirmation. "We want to avoid a repeat of such an unfortunate incident. There are simply a few things you should know before stepping foot in that room..." Clearing his throat, Dr. Lambert hesitated briefly before continuing:

"For obvious reasons, this...patient...cannot be allowed to interact with anyone other than you. He has displayed extremely erratic and unpredictable behavior, as was to be expected. However, there are times when he becomes...well, if you can imagine, almost pleasant to be around."

Intrigued, Natalie tilted her head to the side in fascination. "You mean, a split personality?"

"I'm afraid not. Nothing so simple," Dr. Lambert replied. "It's his way of catching others off–kilter...taking advantage of a situation and gaining the upper hand. As of now, he has not shown or displayed any signs of violence. Having said that, I am convinced that he truly sees his incarceration as nothing more than a minor inconvenience...a game, if you will. It almost seems as if on occasion he is even content."

"For somebody who feels so strongly about rebelling against authority, I find it hard to believe that he could enjoy being locked away in solitary confinement," Natalie countered. "I can't imagine a more severe form of torture for such a defiant personality."

"That is precisely my point," Dr. Lambert retorted, eliciting a confused look from his colleague. "You must not trust anything he says. Dr. Waterson's biggest mistake was letting him inside...allowing him to influence his thoughts and actions. In the end, it was his willingness to participate in his mind–games that drove him from Arkham."

Unsure of what reaction Dr. Lambert was hoping for, Natalie remained silent for a moment before responding:

"Thank you for your concern, sir, but I think I can manage..."

Natalie nervously wiped her moist palms on her blouse as she made her way down the long, winding corridors of Arkham's heavily secured 'Level 3'. Now that she actually found herself roaming the halls that held Gotham City's clinically insane and most psychotic prisoners, she was beginning to regret the decision to accept her new position. The fleeting thought faded as she approached a locked door – two armed guards standing on either side of it. Security was tight in this wing of the asylum, and for good reason. She knew that these particular patients were far too dangerous to risk even the smallest chance of escape.

Lost deep in her wandering thoughts, Natalie didn't even realize that she had stopped outside the door until one of the guards spoke up:

"Ma'am?"

"Yes?" she replied, doing her best to appear professional and composed. "Yes, I'm ready..."

"We'll be right behind you, ma'am," one of the guards reassured her. "We've been instructed not to say anything, but we'll be right there with you."

Wiping her clammy hands on her blouse to dry them one last time, Natalie glanced between the two men before taking a deep breath and shakily straightening her glasses. "Thank you, gentlemen."

Mustering the confidence that she was sure to need, she squared her shoulders and reached for the door...