Tessa had woken up from the quick nap she'd taken tucked into Joker's chest and quickly dressed and left. She knew better than to plan out anything where he was concerned. She knew the only thing she could count on was Joker's inconsistent behavior. She had told herself to just take what she could get and enjoy whatever time he carved out of the day to give to her. She, without a doubt knew that the only other person with that honor was Batman. So she would got back to her routine and wait for her next fix, just like the addict she was.
Tessa was back to her normal routine. It was the same everyday; Wake up, go to work, come home, rinse, and repeat. The only deviation from that was doctor appointments. Joker usually contacted her on or near the weekend, but he always answered her calls or text messages. The same could not be said for Bruce, She hadn't heard from him in almost two full weeks. She had to talk to him about Joker. She had agreed when he had asked her to stay away from Bruce. She figured that Bruce at least deserved to be told she wouldn't be around him any longer.
She was on her way home, having decided to call him as soon as she could kick off her shoes. She pulled into her driveway and moved herself into the house. She locked the door behind her, out of habit, sliding her shoes off and pushed them up to the wall to keep them out of her way. She flopped down on her couch as she pulled out her phone and dialed Bruce's number. She was not surprised when his voicemail picked up, she left him a short message to give her a call. She set her phone next to her and leaned her head back on the couch.
Her mind was still on Joker. She found herself thinking about him more and more. She must have dozed off at some point, her phone ringing startled her awake.
"Hello?" her voice was rough, her body feeling heavy from sleep.
"You called, is everything okay?"
She cleared her throat, trying to wake up fully.
"Yeah, everything is fine." she paused, not sure how to start the conversation she needed to have with him. "I just hadn't heard from you, I was getting worried. I also needed to talk to you about something, too."
He chuckled. "I didn't mean to worry you, it's just been crazy lately. So much has happened recently."
"Oh, Yeah?" she couldn't hide the surprise in her voice.
"Yeah, I am getting ready to go out with a woman I met at the fundraiser."
She couldn't help but smile. "So, its a good thing I said no?"
He laughed. "Maybe. I'll let you know when I know for sure."
"So, who's the lucky lady?" Tessa could not be happier for Bruce. He needed someone in his life to 'take care of'. Someone he could dote on and play the role of protector. Plus, it would make her news a bit easier.
"She's a doctor at Arkham, maybe you know her?"
Tessa felt a knot form in her throat, and she felt almost dizzy. She had been very vague about her time at Arkham. At first she didn't trust Bruce, then it was her just not wanting to burden him with her problems. She had just wanted the entire incident to go away. She had a bad feeling about this entire conversation. Surely it couldn't be that one, but there weren't that many lady doctors at that place. "Yea?"
"Yea, Dr. Quinzel."
Tessa's mind flashed back to being strapped down and thinking she was looking at the sun. The headaches. The blonde doctor's saccharine smiles as she zapped away important memories. She felt that sudden urge to flee her own house. Like she would be trapped here if she didn't go now. She pushed the urge down and took several deep breaths. She kept her eyes closed and swallowed until she thought she could speak.
"That's...Great Bruce." she hoped that it sounded genuine.
"What did you need to talk about?"
Bruce didn't notice seem to notice how shaky her voice had been. That was good.
"I was going to ask if you were okay and to let you know I think we should keep from being seen together. Especially if there will be pictures."
"Did Joker tell you to not be friends with me?"
She wasn't sure how to answer him. She decided not to lie. Bruce was fully aware of her feelings about Joker. "He asked if I would stay away."
"He asked? I seriously doubt that."
How dare he get pissed. "Bruce, I told you he doesn't talk to me like he does with you or anyone else."
"Sure Tessa, I'm not going to argue about it. Its fine, I will stay away from you. I have to go." He hung up on her.
She tossed the phone down on the couch, her belly rumbling. She got up and rushed into the kitchen and emptied her belly into the garbage bin. The acid following her late lunch burned her throat. Once she was sure she was finished, she moved to the sink to rinse her mouth. Of all of the people in Gotham, how did Bruce end up with that woman? Was the doc out to get her? That thought was more disturbing than she cared to admit.
Now she paced, not feeling safe in her own home. She moved window to window, locking everything up. She grabbed a pint of ice cream and a spoon. She moved upstairs to her bedroom. After she had successfully barricaded herself in her room, she wrapped herself up in her blanket and ate the entire pint of ice cream. She fell asleep finally, having fitful dreams about her time in Arkham.