Harleen could feel her pulse quicken again as she stared into his focused gaze. She tried to keep her breathing under control, but it soon followed suit as she struggled to remain calm. His grip loosened in her hair and she felt his hand wrap around the side of her face.
"Don't you mean your progress, Doctor?" he asked in that low growl that made her back arch slightly and she hoped he hadn't felt it.
Doctor; he never called her that, not unless he followed it up with some ridiculously demeaning pet name. She was suddenly concerned again for her safety.
"So what, you cure the infamous Joker and write your ticket for life, huh? I escape, your credibility returns to shit, and suddenly I'm the enemy, eh Sweetheart?"
He pressed his fingers into her face and she could see his pupils begin to dilate as he clenched his teeth, muscles in his jaw protruding. She was about to die. He would snap soon and kill her. Probably strangle her to death since he had no weapons to do the job; she knew that about him. Murdered by the patient she had cared most for, what a cliché. Her whole life had been a sorry, rotten cliché. Her surviving co-workers would attend her funeral and say things like, "What a shame", before returning to their busy lives. Her office would be cleaned out and prepared for the next new hot-shot intern or fresh-from-the-market resident, and she would be forgotten within a month. No family to speak of, all dead. No interest in maintaining a healthy relationship of any kind with another human being that was not attached to her heavy case load. Completely consumed in her work, and for what? For it to kill her, literally kill her. At least she got to die in her own bed.
Without thinking, Harleen raised a calm hand to The Joker's scared cheek and closed her eyes, "I tried, Mr. J. I really did, but I failed you, too. I'm so sorry."
She stroked the jagged path of his scar with her thumb and allowed her senses to relax into the scent of him, the feel of his weight on her. She decided that she wouldn't struggle, she would let it happen. She wouldn't go out a coward, that part she could control.
"Dr. Quinzel, I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done for me", a short, thin, balding man was shaking her hand vigorously between both of his.
She chuckled, "That's quite alright, Mr. Steerman, just doing my job. Now please, continue with your medications as instructed on the bottle and if you have any questions, or if any concerns arise in the future, don't hesitate to call me. You know how to reach me."
"Yes, yes. I'm certain I'll be just fine."
"I know you will. I think that must be your taxi, then", she gestured to the yellow cab pulling up on the other side of the security doors.
"Oh, yes ok. Thank you again, Dr. Quinzel, again and again."
The man tipped his fedora and grabbed his belongings, all of which fit into a small paper grocery bag.
"Let us know once you arrive at the half-way home, and again once you obtain employment. They will have all the resources available for you to begin your new life", his doctor added as he walked quickly to the exit.
"I will, not to worry.
Goodbye now, goodbye" he shook the hand of every guard, orderly, and nurse along the way and Dr. Quinzel folded her arms, watching proudly as he climbed into the cab and rode away.
"He'll be back", a cold voice muttered lowly from the darkened cell next to her.
She turned to peer inside, unsure who had spoken.
"Excuse me?" she asked, slightly annoyed.
"He'll-be-back," the voice repeated, emphasizing each word.
She could only make out the outlined shadow of its owner lying on the cot, but the second time he spoke, his identity was unmistakabley revealed to her, at least the little they knew about it, anyway.
"And what makes you say that, Mr. Joker?" she retorted, folding her arms once again.
The figure rose slowly from its bed and sauntered over to the lightened glass. His makeup was washed away now, and the green was slowly leaving his curly shoulder length hair. She couldn't help but notice his strong jaw line and the lean musculature of his forearms as he pressed his hands upon the glass, towering above her.
"What makes you think he won't be?" he asked slyly "Is he 'cured'?" He mimed quotation signs in the air with his fingers before replacing them on the glass.
"By this hospital's standards, yes", she replied confidently.
He feigned surprise, "Oh, it's a hospital now is it? See, that's funny 'cause when I was brought here, they told me it was a prison."
"It's both."
"Both."
"Yes, it's a place for people to come to rehabilitate who, because of their mental state, have committed an act that is deemed unacceptable by law."
The Joker blew air through his lips and rolled his eyes backwards before turning and leaning his back against the glass, laughing hysterically as he slid down to the floor.
"You'll see soon enough, Mr. Joker, our sessions begin tomorrow morning. Now, if you'll excuse me," she began to walk away, fuming.
"You a bettin' woman, Harleen?" he asked, back still to the glass.
"I'd prefer it if you would address me as Dr. Quinzel, please."
"Why? Harleen is your name, too, is it not?"
She was growing impatient, "It's too informal for our patient-doctor relationship, I'm afraid. It would be inappropriate."
The Joker rolled his head and shot up to standing, glaring over her, "Rules, rules, rules. What are you hiding from, Harleen?"
The doctor shut her eyes and took a deep breath, "We can finish this discussion tomorrow, Mr. Joker. Have a good day."
She turned again to leave.
"I'll make you a bet, Doc", he shouted after her, but she continued to walk away, rolling her eyes.
"If he isn't back within the next six months…I'll tell you my name."
She stopped dead and turned to face him, stunned. The Joker placed his large hands back upon the glass as she slowly approached him, arms folded in her chest. This was completely unorthodox, but she was willing to try anything at this point.
"And if he does return?"
He crouched down to her level and she felt herself shudder as he peered into her blue eyes with his dark orbs, "You have to tell me what you're hiding from behind that diploma, Harleen", his eyes appeared to grow even darker as a sinister smile spread across his scared complexion, "And I get a kiss" he added quickly, shooting her a spoochy face and laughing.
His doctor rolled her eyes again before stepping closer to the glass. Their noses were almost touching on either side.
"Deal", she sneered through her teeth.
The Joker gave a brief but genuine look of surprise before standing back up to his normal height and resting a forearm above his head on the glass, "Ya know something? I like you, Doc. I really do. I think we're gonna be good friends."
The young doctor turned in place with a smug grin and started down the hall, "I hope so, Mr. Joker", she called back and he continued watching her until she vanished from his view.