Hey guys, look at me uploading a new chapter so soon! I hope you guys had a great xmas and happy new year as well. I had a lot of fun writing in the Riddler, i know hes not in the dark knight universe but i always thought he should be. Tell me what you think :3

I couldn't remember a month more perfect than the last. The worse things got for Kingston the more confident and happy I was. It was like I was sapping the life energy from him. I rarely saw him these days but on those quick glimpses I caught of him in corridors he looked like death. His eyes were constantly red and accompanied by dark shadows that showed he was getting no sleep. No longer did he waltz around the Asylum with his best patronising grin as though he was in a Disney musical, his attitude matched the grim interior of the Asylum. His usual chirpy constant presence around the Asylum had withered away and he seemed to blend into the walls, back hunched as though he was carrying the stress of the world with him.

I on the other hand had bloomed in the past month. My little act for Steven and Ozzie had taught me an important lesson, I might need people after all. I'd always lived my life so focused on education, being the best. Sure I had friends I guess, but no one that close, I didn't have the energy to try and get anything deeper. It wasn't Steven little pep talk that convinced me though, no this was something I'd learnt from watching the Joker. I wasn't becoming some sentimentalist, ohh no, what I needed was to learn to use people better. Peter had thought he could use me before, send me into the Joker with his own scheme and think I'd be his compliant puppet. Then he just threw me aside when I didn't follow his plan, I plan he never deemed me worthy to know. Then there was the Joker. He was terrifying in his own right, but his ability to inspire and control legions of men, admittedly unstable men, that he treated as completely disposable and yet always had a host of them ready to throw down their lives. He was the true master of manipulation. As much as I hated to admit it, part of the reason Peter had such a position of power at Arkham and in Gotham society in general was because he was good at manipulating people, good at controlling those around him. If I wanted to get what I wanted I had to stop being controlled by others, maybe the Joker was right about me seeing things more his way.

I guess it's naive to not have realised how important it is to manipulate those around you. I mean I've always known that everyone's selfish and looking out for themselves. Maybe everyone goes through life sort of accepting that constant struggle for power, some people are just born to control the strings and others to perform for them. I was just sick of being one of those dancing masses caught up in someone else's string, if I wanted more control over my life I had to learn to manipulate those around me. In the past month I'd certainly got better at it, no longer was I just another distant hard working intern. I was the golden girl of Arkham Asylum that everyone loved, I had friends on every ward. Nurses, orderlies and other psychiatrist went out of their way to help me with the smallest thing, I was even invited out constantly to Gotham's night clubs. Steven had probably put out the word around that I had an emotional breakdown and needed someone to reach out to me. At first I had no doubt people were only nice because they thought I was some kind of wreak but slowly I charmed them with my own merits. It was sort of thrilling knowing I had all these people convinced I was some sort of perfect angel, so charming and devoted to her work helping people rather than a rampant sociopath hell bent on having access to a homicidal sociopath.

Another surprise had been how much I enjoyed my sessions with the Riddler. We'd had quite a few session over the last month and I honestly looked forward to them, he was fascinating in a non-intimidating kind of way. I remember so vividly our first session, He was ridiculously tall and skinny and always sat upright in the chair, lent back with an air of arrogance that demanded attention. He'd stared at me in open contempt as I sat across him.

"Hello, my name is Doctor….."

"Doctor Harleen Quinzel, I know" He'd cut across me with a smug smirk that could have rivalled Peters.

"But you can call me Harley" I had said, finishing my own sentence with a little bit of annoyance at his interruption, but I kept my casually friendly tone and expression. "I'm surprised you know my name"

"It wasn't complex at all. I'd heard guards and other patients talk about the blonde young intern Harleen Quinzel being taken of the Joker case" I cringed a little at that but before I could interrupt he carried on talking as though I wasn't even there "There's usually a maximum of five interns in Arkham Asylum depending on the applicants. Your age and mannerisms show you're only an intern and the likability that there would be another intern with blond hair is low but not impossible. However I factored in that you were given my case. Only someone who had experience dealing with high level difficult patients would be given my case. Hence Harleen Quinzel, such a boring riddle."

"I can see how you made it as a private detective Mr Nigma" Admittedly it hadn't really been that much of a mystery. If he'd asked he would have told him I was assigned to his case, it wasn't as though it was a secret. The fact that he went out of his way to solve it as though it was some big mystery just showed how obsessed he was.

He didn't reply to me, simply crossing his arms with a tip of his head to acknowledge my comment. I noticed his hands weren't bound in cuffs and chains like the Joker but then even before I'd met him it was obvious he wasn't a physically violent person. He proved his dominance with his clear intellect which is what would make him so difficult to treat.

"I must admit I'm surprised that someone who has worked as a private detective, who solved crimes even the Gotham police couldn't, would you turn to crime"

"You really are stupid." He had actually tutted at me which only irritated me more, but I honest did know how to keep a calm composure, even if I seemed too acted like an idiot around the Joker.

"Well please do explain." I gestured with my hand for him to continue, because I knew he couldn't resist the urge to show me up and make me feel like an idiot.

"Isn't it obvious?" He raised one eye brow at me but when I stared back with blank confusion he rolled his eyes at me "I didn't become a private detective out of some narcissistic idea that I could help people. It wasn't like I was trying to be some beacon against the tide of corruption in Gotham. I just wanted fresh new puzzles. Those bumbling idiots at the Gotham City Police Department deserved to be humiliated by me. There was only so many riddles to solve, so many puzzles to crack and they all became so dull and easy. Crime held a much greater challenge for me, so much better to create my own riddles than solve the simple ones others left behind."

I thought it over for a minute, it was obvious really. It's clear that his obsession had led him down the dark path that so many in Gotham found, the only difference was his mind meant he didn't become some low level thug for high, rather another interesting criminal personality. They seem to be popping up everywhere in Gotham these days. I decided to goad him into giving up more of his personality for me to analyse.

"So it was your arrogant narcissistic nature that led to the increase of your obsession. Your delving into criminal activities stems from the need to prove your intelligence, no doubt by showing up the police who you feel are your inferior, but can't you see Mr Nigma your destructive need to prove yourself has worsened your compulsion."

He frowned at that, uncrossing his arms in annoyance which made me smile a little in vengeance after his condensation earlier, but I tried to make it look like a friendly smile rather than a gloating one.

"You are completely wrong. That's the problem with you psychiatrist you think a few years studying and you know everyone's motives. You couldn't possible hope to understand a mind like mine. The police are completely beneath me, why would I need to prove anything to them?"

"I think you're trouble is underestimating people. I'm not denying your intelligence Mr Nigma I have seen your impressive IQ. However it's your underestimation of those people around you that's lead to you being send here."

Again he didn't respond, merely looked annoyed at my comment but he didn't seem to have an answer for me comment.

"I'm here to assist with your compulsion Mr Nigma, but only if you'll let me help."

"You couldn't help me Quinzel, the mind is the most complex puzzle and mine is far beyond your grasp"

I'd know I'd be subjected to riddles, probably for the first few months and grimaced because I knew I was awful at them, but it was the only way to gain some trust from him.

"Why don't you test me then?"

The glee in his face was almost a child's, he clapped his hands and thought for a second before pointing his finger at me.

"Riddle me this, what can travel around the world while staying in a corner?"

I'll admit it had me stumped for a bit, and the longer I thought about it the smugger Nigma got. The minuet I realised though I genuine smile broke across my face.

"A stamp! A little out of date to be fair, a text is a lot simpler."

"That one was easy. How about this, what gets broken without being held?"

Again I really had no idea, nearly five minutes went past while I pondered it but I seriously had no head for riddles. Disappointed I gave up, knowing I would regret his reaction.

"Okay I give up Mr Nigma, what's the answer?"

"A promise." His triumphant look almost made my lose my professionalism and roll my eyes at him, his arrogance was so obvious but there was an almost innocent edge to his joy at being superior to someone. Perhaps his compulsion had started as a child? In later sessions childhood was a topic I tried to approach often.

"Well, I must say I've never been good at riddles. But look at it like this, I am still qualified to examine the most complex puzzle the human mind as you put it. Whereas you are locked up in a mental asylum, so who's intelligence is more useful?" Even though I was outright challenging him I had on my usual friendly casual attitude that I used for all my patients, not reacting even when his mouth literally opened and closed with no answer given.

Since that first session I think my clever response won some grudging respect from him. Although he was still just as stuck up in our sessions since, often interrupting me to either correct me, spout a random fact or of course give me a riddle. Even with the tedious riddles I enjoyed his strange view on things and it was a breath of fresh air to have someone so intelligent to talk to. He would easily deflect any off my standard techniques for analyse but that just made it so much more satisfying when I managed to catch him out and got him to divulge some new fact to help me piece him together, or inspire a new approach to help him. He was such a change to the usual comatose drugged up, crazed patients, a unique challenge. But he wasn't the Joker.

And there was the biggest problem of the last month, it was a whole month that the Joker was still being kept from me. There was a crack in my bathroom mirror from when I'd come home a week after the Hunt incident, because Kingston still hadn't put me back on the case. The fury in me only grew as the weeks went on and still he ignored me. Thankfully my new network of faithful friends had really come in handy when it came to keeping up to date with the Joker. Whenever there was any gossip about him it would no doubt reach my ears. It was given in jokes or hushed judgemental tones from people, either judging the Jokers actions or Kingston's. I played my part, acting discussed with them both or making witty comments that made my informants laugh. I always made sure I came across as disgusted by the Joker and mocked Peter so I didn't look obsessed. That fact it was usually them coming to me with information rather than me seeking it helped as well.

In the past month Peter had tried 5 different psychiatrist since Roselyn Hunt, who was currently on personal leave. No one had lasted. I knew I couldn't go see Ozzie every single time there was a session it would be to obvious, so I had to survive on gossip from others and whatever I could find out subtly myself. I had seen the first replacement psychiatrist who'd been sent in only a three days after Hunt carried out from the room and rushed straight to the hospital, deep cuts marking his face. Even weeks after I still have no idea what had happened in that room, no one does. I'd hinted to Ozzie that I wished I could see the footage just to know the secret recently, but apparently Peter had taken all copies of the footage and threaten to fire anyone who released the information.

With each new psychiatrist I only got angrier at Peter and more determined that I was the one for the Joker. After the first was pulled out with all those cuts I was sure Peter would have seen sense, but instead he had increased security. Yet somehow the Joker still completely destroyed anyone Peter sent in there with him, the last two unlikely victims both quit the case after one session. Again I never got to see the sessions, although I suppose I could still get Ozzie to show me the footage. From what I'd gathered he'd reduced them to angry emotional wreaks and they had stormed out of the room. He had literally made grown adults, professionals, run away with their tails between their legs. All while chained up.

I'd only managed to see one of the Jokers sessions. I'd been in such a rage after Kingston still hadn't put me back on the case after the Joker had literally cut up someone because they weren't me, that I'd resorted to going back to Ozzie. I had kind of made a promise to myself not to go again because it would look so suspicious if I showed up every single Joker session, but the frustration from still being kept of the case won out. I'd only managed to catch the second half, his psychiatrist was a middle age imposing man with an impressive beard, not someone I knew. Just that half a session was still enough to make me smile and reaffirm everything I thought about the Joker. He might be completely crazy, but he wasn't as insane as people thought.

"You know Doc, I almost think I recognise your face. Seen it around Gotham maybe." He had such a knowing smile I barely noticed the two orderlies standing either side of him ready to grab him at the slightest move forward.

"I don't think we operate in the same circles Joker. Now stop trying to deflect the questions, we are talking about you not me."

The Joker licked his lips and pursed them together in a manner that could have almost looked thoughtful but with that intense look in his dark eyes it looked predatory rather than innocent.

"Now now Doc, i am certain I know that face. You sure you haven't taken a few errrrr naaaaughty trips to the dark parts of Gotham" He raised his eyebrow suggestively, lips pulled up in his constant smirk and I could practically feel the poor guys humiliation from the suggestion. "I'm not a judgemental guy we all have are littttllleee vices right…..."

"My family have lived in Gotham for generation's as well respected people. I myself am a renowned psychiatrist, I have been employed at Arkham Asylum for nearly twenty years and helped patients in other asylum around the world. I do no spend my time in the slums of Gotham amongst degenerates like yourself."

Just as the Joker went to make his no doubt witty remark the idiot cut him off

"But we are not here to talk about me. We've been here for nearly half an hour and all you've done is deflect my questions and attempt to unsettle me but your tactics won't work. Seeing as you're so interested in the "dark parts of Gotham" why don't we talk about how you found yourself there instead."

I felt the giggles forming that I had to choke down, because of course Ozzie was in the office as well. This guy was clearly an idiot, interrupting the Joker and making demands…he was just asking for it. I'm sure if there hadn't have been orderlies there to stop him before he did any real damage the Joker would have put him in his place right there. Instead he gave a howling laugh that had a dark edge that screamed danger but no one in the room seemed to notice his shift.

"Isn't it a little...rude to cut a guy off Doc?"

"I'm simply trying to keep you focused on your issues. We cannot hope to cure you if you do not co-operate with me"

"Well I wanna know more about you Doc. Got a pretty little family, wife and kids huh?"

"My family are none of your concern Joker, if you don't stop this I will terminate our session and you will return to solitary confinement till I decide to let you out again." It was obvious he had no control over the situation no matter how stern he tried to be.

"Maybe I'll pay your wife a little errrr visit when I get out of here. Cos you know I'm gonna break out one day soooon and when I do…..well" He might have been smiling but it was a straight up threat that chilled even my blood.

"You cannot intimidate me Joker."

"I gotta ask, does she know?" The joker leaned forward as much as he restrains would allow "I mean she haaassss to have some idea about all those young boys"

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!"

"You're a liar Doc, and in front of these lovely orderlies. " He gestured with his head to the two straight faced orderlies, and then looked past the guy and stared directly at the camera giving it a winning stern look so patronisingly fake I nearly laughed out loud and blew my casual cover "Listen Pete you gotta run this place better. Hiring perverts like this guy? Really?"

At that point the poor humiliated idiot simply got up and left the room, no doubt Peter had signalled him to leave…..wise really. It didn't seem to matter that he had a prestigious family or that he'd been working here for so many years, there was no way he could hold up against the Joker. I had no doubt that he'd been toying with him this whole session. Sure I hadn't seen what had happened at the start but it would have been the same as what I did see. Stupid attempts at an authority attitude that the Joker only laughed at, combined with an insistence he needed help.

Why couldn't anyone else how well together the Joker was, he wasn't insane. He had more mental presence then any of the staff here. He was constantly out playing everyone they send it. He was good at it and enjoyed doing it. Only I could really understand him and maybe open him up if Peter would just stop being so arrogant and admit it. Even after that complete failure of a session he'd still sent in more victims for the Joker to play with. How much longer would I have to wait before I got him back?