Yes.

A/N: Thank you so much for your feedback! It means so much to me and really motivated me to continue.

Anju-san: You are SO welcome :)
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Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess. It's a love story, baby, just say yes.
(Taylor Swift - Love Story)

After my crying session had ended I pulled myself together enough to give my brother Shayne a call. I knew he was expecting me to call him. I'd been pacing my one-room-apartemt for a while. First I'd raided the fridge for some wine, then I'd sat at my round table and cried and cried and cried. I felt like I'd been infested with his smell, his voice, his touch...I needed distraction - now!

"Hey Shayne, it's me."

"Harleen?" He sounded worried, "Are you ok?"

How was it possible for him to know that I wasn't ok just by hearing the few words I had uttered?

"No."

"What's wrong?"

I was kidnapped by the citys most famous serial killer and find him attractive. I had to smile Jokerstyle: Without joy. The kidnap wasn't even what had shocked me to tears.

"I...I took care of a rape-victim today. I mean. She wasn't raped. She was almost raped and...it's just hard you know."

"I know", Shayne sounded considerate, "I've been thinking about her a lot lately too."

With a small sigh I sat down on my bed, "I miss her so much. I just...do you think that will ever stop?"

"I don't think it should." He sounded bitter, "At least not for me."

I sighed once more. Shayne had blamed himself for Sharleens suicide ever since it had happened. So had I, but I instead of wallowing in pain I had been active and had tried to find the son of a bitch who had killed my sister. As her twin he felt like he should have known what she was going through and should have prevented it.

She had been helping out in the same hospital I was working in and one of the attendings had raped her, causing her to slit her wrists and end her life. I'd become a doctor with the sole purpose of working here in Gotham and finding him and killing him. I had been sure I was ready. I'd been planing this moment for so long.

But being a doctor had changed me. Helping people was my goal, not fuelling my rage and plotting revenge. It had been time to let go. Shayne had helped me through these moments. Without him I'd have been long gone, I never would have made it this far. He was the one who let me know it was ok to give up my search. I would never find the man who had ruined all of our lives and even if I did...it wouldn't change anything.

Our parents had divorced after Sharleens death. Mum had become an alcoholic and Dad became completely withdrawn from us. As if he had died too.

"So, are you going to the ball?" He asked, interrupting my thoughts, "You bought the dress right?"

I had. It was a large blue ball dress with red striped flowing down from the waist. Plus a blue and red mask with glittering stones on the side.

"I don't know. I bought the dress, but...I had a hell of a day, Shayne, really. I'm not sure I feel like going out." I stepped towards the window. I couldn't really tell how, but I felt like I was being watched.

"That's why you should go!" He was persistent. "And you get to find out who your new boss will be. I really think this might be good for you Harls."

I supposed it would be.

"Unless that creepy doctor's there again", he muttered now, "then you should stay in."

"Dr. Turner was only visiting." I reminded him. "He's long gone by now."

"Good."

Dr. Turner had come by our hospital a few weeks ago and there had been comments. About how I looked, how I smelled, whether I was single or not, how it was possible that I was single...it had been so weird. But he was gone. It had been one day.

"I think I'll go." I said as I turned away from the window. "But you need to go out too."

"I'm right with you, sis." I could hear his grin through the phone, "I have a date tonight."

"With Janine?!" I asked jumping up in joy. "That's the third one already!"

"Don't get too excited. It might not work out."

"But she's perfect for you!" I sighed dramatically.

"You've never met her!"

"I've heard enough. Make it work, Shayne. Don't forget: You're already 30."

"Will do." He chuckled, "And you look after yourself, Harleen. You know how I feel about Gotham and the Joker prowling the streets."

A shiver ran through me at the mention of the Joker. But I shook it off. I was going to the ball and I would not waste another thought on todays events. I'd given Johnny a fake address to let me out of and I was sure the woman at the Jokers house would not call me, because she was too tough to care about her health. This was all over.

Besides my brother was one to talk. He lived in New York and on the news there had been a report about a new serial rapist. That's what it had said. New. As if it was expected of the city to have rapists on the streets.

"I'll talk to you soon, Shayne. I need to get ready."

"Have fun!"

We hung up and I hurried into the bathroom have a shower and get dressed. Tonight was about masks. About pretending. Today hadn't happened. It was all over. And maybe, if I tried hard enough I'd be able to forget Sharleens empty gaze of depression for one evening. Maybe, just maybe I could have one evening of peace.

When I entered the large room in city hall I was speechless because of all the swirling colors and beauty around me. The room was decorated with huge Chandeliers, royal carpets and everyone looked so nice. Most men worse suits and my dress was by far not the most extravagant one there.

"Harleen!" It was Quin, who had spotted me in the crowd: "You look amazing!"

Not to show off, but I really did. Blue and red were just my colours. My hair wasn't in it's usual bun, but I had let it down and my blonde curls made my outfit complete. And I'd tossed my glasses just for this evening.

"So do you Quinn!" Her dress was green, like her eyes and her mask was a shape of a butterfly with green feathers on each side. Her black hair was pinned up, revealing some strands of her curled hair. She looked stunning, she really did.

"I'm so glad you're here!" Quin giggled, obviously already a bit drunk: "You need to live a little. Don't go home alone. Get yourself laid, Dr. Quinzel."

I had to laugh at her bluntness: "Everyone here is married or in a relationship."

"Well, no pain, no gain."

"Dr. Quinzel! I almost didn't recognize you! Stunning as ever!"

My blood froze in my veins. That voice...When I turned around I saw the one man who wasn't wearing a mask.

"Dr. Turner?" What was he doing here?

My unspoken question seemed to be written all over my face, because he explained:

"My dear, you weren't here for my speech, were you? Well, surprise!" He grinned and then declared: "I'm the new Chief of Surgery!"

Completely out of my control my mouth dropped open as I stared at him: "What?!"

"He already knew when he came for a visit!" Quinn squealed beside me: "He was like an undercover boss! Isn't that funny?"

"Hilarious." It was about as funny as ten dead babies in a frying pan. But each to their own, right?

"I just wanted to see what my new staff was going to be like!" The smile he gave me made me feel even more uncomfortable than the Jokers joyless one. "There's my wife! Susanne, Darling! Come and meet Dr. Quinzel!"

A beautiful tall woman with large brown eyes and curly brown hair stepped to our group. She wasn't dressed for the ball either: Her black dress was tight and short and she wasn't wearing a mask.

"Dr. Quinzel! I've heard so much about you!" Maybe my meeting with the Joker had made me paranoid, but I could have sworn that sounded like a threat. And she pressed my hand pretty tightly too. It hurt.

"Eh...hi." My eyes scanned the room for an escape of any kind and rested upon a figure standing at the far end of the room - with green hair. When he turned around I saw he was wearing a cut out Jokers mask on his face. The mask was covering all of his face and was blue and golden. It was the same blue as my dress. He worse a black suit with a white shirt and a purple tie.

"Excuse me", I growled at the Turners before I made my way over to him.

"Come with me right now!" I snapped and grabbed his hand, pulling him behind me onto the balcony that was connected to the large ball room.

"Miss, we can just go to a separate room, if you feel-"

"Cut the act!" I interrupted him harshly, "What the hell are you doing here?!"

"How did you recognise me?" He sounded sincerely disappointed.

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, "You're wearing a Jokers mask and you didn't even bother to change your hair colour! This has got to be the worst disguise ever! What are you doing here, Mr. J?!"

"Well, I couldn't just let you...get away", he seemed to be lost for words, but caught himself rather quickly: "How can I know you won't go running to the police and tell them all about our evening?"

For crying out loud!

"This is my job!" I snapped, "Those people are my colleagues, my bosses! I cannot have you here! You're going to get me fired!"

"Exactly." I was sure he was smiling under that scary mask as he stepped closer. "That's why you won't tell a soul about what happened." I was sure I was loosing my mind...but did he sound hurt? "Have a nice night, Dr. Quinzel."

Before I could say anything at all the Joker turned around and walked back inside. This was insane. This entire day was crazy. How could he be hurt?! How could I feel bad because I had hurt him? Oh no. No no no no no. Was I seriously developing feelings for this maniac?

"Shit!" I muttered under my breath as I stepped to the railing of the balcony and looked over the pretty lights of the city. I was going insane. One meeting with the infamous clown and I was losing my marbles. I had Stockholm Syndrome and probably a bad case of PTSD.

"Shit!"

"Now, now Dr. Quinzel...who would have thought that you have such a filthy mouth? I must say I quite like it." All the wrong shivers ran through my body, as I heard Dr. Turner approach me. I turned around to face him, but that was a mistake, because my body was trapped between the balcony and his body.

He was actually quite handsome. A face with high cheekbones, large blue eyes and thick brown hair. But he was so disgusting. It burned all of his good looks away.

"Will you use your filthy mouth for me, Dr. Quinzel?" He breathed against my ear and I shuddered.

"Dr. Turner. Please, your wife is right ins-"

"Oh you won't be talking to my wife, Sweetheart." The look in his eyes changed to something colder and harder and the hand that wasn't cupping my butt reached up to my cheek, pinching it painfully. "You would never do anything so stupid, would you?"

I didn't know how to answer his threat. Hiding my fear from the Joker had been one thing, but hiding from this guy wasn't just fear, but also revulsion.

"What's going on here?"

Now I was probably hallucinating. The man stepping onto the balcony looked like the Joker I had just sent away, he had the same voice too, but why on earth did he sound so...angry?

Dr. Turner took his hands from me and sounded pissed off when he asked: "Who are you?"

"Her boyfriend", the Joker said in a cold tone and Dr. Turner backed away, he was eyeing me suspiciously.

"My mistake", he said coldly, before leaving the balcony, walking backwards never taking his eyes of me.

It was so time for this day to end! I walked towards the door, but the Joker blocked my way. The look in his blue eyes was so intense I was caught of guard and frozen to the spot. Slowly he reached out to touch my cheek. It didn't hurt anymore. Then he pulled his hand back and started to push his mask up, uncovering his lips only.

"What are you doing?!" I hissed, as he stepped closer.

"We're being watched." I didn't ask how he knew this, since his back was facing the room. "Do you want Dr. Sexual Harassment to believe you're taken or not?" A smile played around his lips and I sighed, knowing he was right. If I didn't kiss him Dr. Turner wouldn't believe he was my boyfriend. So I closed my eyes and stepped forward and he did the same. When our lips met, fireworks exploded in my head and all over my body. I was embarrassed to admit, but I melted in his arms instantly.

"The masks are in the way", I muttered against his lips and pushed his up higher, causing it to fall to the floor,

"Clothes are in the way", he gasped into my mouth, pulling me closer.

It was my goal in life to help people, his was to destroy them. But here I was completely lost in his arms and at the same time I finally felt like I'd found the place where I belonged. I welcomed Stockholm Syndrome, PTSD and schizophrenia with open arms, as long as I could continue kissing him like this. I embraced insanity, because it tasted sweet, like summer nights and happy childhood memories. I was drowning in his kiss and I never wanted to come up for air again.

I love Shayne! :) please tell me what you think! :)