Chapter 30
Harley paced along the hallway to Sharpe's office, she was nervous about the conversation that was going on behind the door. Jonathon was discussing the possibility of adding Harleen onto the list to help with Poison Ivy and also trying to broach the sensitive topic of days off for hospital appointments. She knew he wouldn't let slip about the baby, but she was still nervous. She didn't want to have to tell Sharpe yet. Not whilst so much was going on. She would have to slowly hand over Zsasz and Waylon's files. It would take months before the change in doctors wouldn't have any negative effects.
She heard her name finally be called and she walked into the office. She walked in and went to sit in the empty chair beside Jonathon. He smiled at her and touched her hand quickly. Harleen looked to Sharpe and chewed on her bottom lip.
"So you want to go in with Ivy?" Quincy asked. "Do you understand how insane that sounds?"
"Quincy, I've been her family for the last few years. I'm the only one she would respond to without aggression." Harleen answered. "Isn't it worth a chance? To see what she can or can't control without torturing her with herbicides and not allowing her any water."
"She's not the same person Harleen-"
"She looks different and has more hatred for humans but… she's still Pammy." Harleen interrupted. "If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. If it does… it's surely got to be better than hurting her to keep her contained."
"And if she attacks you?"
"Then that's my fault and my issue to deal with." Harleen answered. She felt Jonathon tense beside her, but she didn't react to it. She had to tell Ivy about the baby and she had to try and save her friend from more pain.
"Fine." Sharpe huffed after a while. "But you do not do this without Jonathon monitoring the situation. It is off the books and your own responsibility, it will not be at Arkham's cost. I cannot give my approval for this. I think it's crazy and dangerous beyond belief."
"If it works this could be the game changer." Jonathon admitted. "A way to manage this new kind of… supervillain. We know that Gotham is changing and Ivy is just the first we've had to deal with. If Harleen can get her to work with us instead of against us… even just for her benefit, it gives us a starting place for when we get inundated with this new breed."
"I can't believe you're happy for this to happen, Jonathon."
"Define happy. All I know is that I won't get any rest unless I help her do this." Jonathon sighed. He looked at Harleen and then back to Quincy, he wasn't happy about this, but he knew it had to be done before Harley was too far into her pregnancy. "After everything Pamela Isley did for Arkham… maybe it's worth a shot."
Quincy pondered on this thought for a couple of minutes. He didn't like it, but he was slightly reassured that Jonathon didn't either. He didn't want to act against them pair of them, they were too head strong and he actually was quite concerned that Jonathon would make a play for his seat as leader of the hospital.
"Fine. You have one chance."
"Thank you, Quincy." Harleen said with a smile.
"And in relation to your other questions, Jonathon." Sharpe continued. "I will email the files regarding hospital visits and also maternity and paternity leave."
"I don't-"
"Please. I'm not a fool. When Jonathon Carr starts asking on behalf of colleagues about company policy on days off for hospital visits – it's pretty obvious what he's going to hospital for." Quincy smirked. "And there's only one person he'd be asking anything for. Congratulations. I can keep a secret."
"Sharpe-"Jonathon said.
"Take the day. Sort out what you need to sort out and I will do what I can to ensure you have time to get appointments and what not." Sharpe said. "You both could use some processing time, I'm sure. Again, congratulations."
"Thank you." Harleen said quietly and shuffled awkwardly in her seat. Sharpe left the room and Jonathon and Harleen stood up. "That... that was unexpected."
"Yes." Jonathon agreed. "Very unexpected. I really… let's go home. Get the doctor's appointment sorted and take it easy. Have you started morning sickness?"
"No I haven't, but I'm sure that will start and be completely… wonderful." Harleen gulped. She looked up to him and he pulled her into a hug. She rested her cheek against his chest and he kissed her hair. Things were changing very quickly already and she felt like she didn't have any control over anything. She didn't know what to do with herself so just settled for resting against him.
"Come on, love, let's get out of here." Jonathon said gently. He took hold of her hand and threaded their fingers together. He guided her towards the door and led her out into the corridor. He knew she was feeling overwhelmed and he cursed Sharpe for speaking so out of turn. He wanted her to talk to him, but he knew that this wasn't the place. Arkham wasn't the place to discuss anything outside of their own office. They navigated the corridors towards the exit and as they headed out of the main entrance, they walked into a group of armed soldiers and one woman who looked very mean.
"I'm so sorry!" Harleen gasped and stumbled out of their way.
"Watch where you're going!" Jonathon snapped as he grabbed Harleen and put her behind him so he could block the other people. "You better leave those weapons out here too. You take any of that weaponry in and you'll start a domino effect."
"You wanna take it from me, buddy?" one of the soldiers asked and walked over to Jonathon. He was slightly taller and very muscular, he had dark blonde hair and a moustache and his body language screamed 'Alpha Male'. He got right into Jonathon's space and Harleen tried to move her lover back, knowing that this would easily get out of hand.
"You might want to get out of my hospital and out of my face, boy." Jonathon snarled. He puffed out his chest and pushed the man back a step. Harleen grabbed his jacket and pulled him away again, she was in front of him with her hands on his chest.
"Jay, no, don't get into it. He's not worth it." Harleen said quickly, desperate to try and snap Jonathon out of the anger he was trapped in. "Jay, listen to me. They won't get through security with guns and knives. No one would let them."
"Why are you here?" Jonathon barked. He didn't push against Harleen, but he was still furious and wasn't going to back down.
"That's none of your business, we're here to talk to a Mr Sharpe about a patient here." The Soldier replied as if it was boring information that wasn't sensitive in the slightest. It riled Jonathon further. He took it as a personal insult for his patients to not be taken seriously – especially by blockheads.
"My orders are to discuss Patient Number 55273 with Mr Sharpe and the patient's caseworker." The Soldier continued. "That is everything."
"5527… that's-that's Waylon." Harleen said. "I'm his caseworker. I haven't had any notification or consultation about anyone coming to visit him. Let alone an armed guard."
"Doctor Quinzel, I presume?" the woman asked and walked into the middle of the fray. She immediately made Harleen uncomfortable, she was cold and her eyes were mean as hell. She was an intimidating woman and Harleen felt herself simultaneously shrink away and prickle with anger.
"That's me." Harleen answered. "Who are you?"
"My names Amanda Waller, I work for a Government Agency called ARGUS."