Treat You Better

A/N: Thank you for all your kind emails and your support!

II

"A Gentleman"

I know I can treat you better than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Tell me, why are we wasting time
On all your wasted crying
When you should be with me instead?
I know I can treat you better
Better than he can

I'd pulled my hood up and had headed out into the busy streets of Gotham City. Taking the car would have been to risky, because Bruce would be able to track me. I roughly knew where Mr. J lived and decided to take the bus to his part of town. When I sat down, I leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes. For the first time in months I felt safe.

"Well my father used to say, no pain no gain." The Clown of Crime grinned sheepishly. "You get used to it." There was a dreamy look in his eyes, but then he caught himself again and said: "Now tell me Dr. Quinzel, what is it that makes Bruce Wayne so attractive to you?"

I kept my gaze on the notepad in my hands. I had set myself up for this. He was allowed to ask me one question per session. Of course he would want to know about my private life. That's what was interesting after all. I lifted my gaze and my eyes met his. The Joker had the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen. That's how he managed to manipulate people.

"Bruce and I fit well together." I explained and found myself wishing these words were true. "He's considerate, understanding and a gentlemen."

Last night we had yelled at each other for a little over an hour. How I could possibly be working with the scum of the earth and wasting my time trying to help them when everyone knew it was useless. How sick to his stomach it made him that I was spending my time with the Joker. How this couldn't go on.

"Does he make you laugh?"

I held his gaze. "Yes."

Mr. J began to laugh in a slow manner. "Hahahahahaha. You're a terrible liar, Doctor."

"He doesn't have to be funny!" I snapped now. "We're happy together, that's all that matters!"

He arched his non-existent eyebrow and then coldly said: "You're not happy, Dr. Quinzel." He leaned forward and his blue eyes bore themselves into mine. "That man makes you miserable and you know it. If you were with me I would make you laugh, I would treat you the way you deserve."

"The sessions over!" I closed my notepad, jumped out of my seat and yelled: "Guard!"

Mr. J began chuckling again and even when I was at home I could still hear his laughter and longed to be able to laugh with him.

My cheek hurt, but I'd covered the bruise up with make-up. This morning I'd woken up to roses lying in my bed and a beautiful black dress I'd wanted for months. Bruce had gotten it for me as a surprise, my birthday wasn't for another two months. And then he had called me from work, asking how I had slept, whether I was ok. He could come home, if I wanted him to...I assured him it was fine and that I loved him. That I forgave him.

Nobody at worked asked about my face. The make-up covered it very well. And if they did ask, then I had fallen and hit my cheek against the corner of our table in the kitchen. People would believe that.

"Good morning, Mr. J." I stepped inside. "How are you feeling today?"

"I want to be subjected to unnecessary pain!" He whined and looked up at me amused. He was chewing loudly and I held out my hand with a sigh.

"Where did you get the gum?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." He chucked.

"Spit it out Mr. J."

He growled and then spat the sticky and wet substance into my hand. I put it away in a tissue and wiped my hand clean.

"If you put that in your mouth then it's like we kissed."

I shouldn't have been, but I was surprised at his words as I looked up at him. "That's disgusting."

He chuckled happily and I took out my notepad, ready to take notes.

"What was that you were saying about pain?"

The Joker grinned. "As touching as it is that you want to protect me from being subjected to unnecessary pain." He chuckled as he quoted the newspaper article. "There's no need for it. Unnecessary pain is kind of my thing, you know."

"Who gave you the newspaper?"

"The tooth-fairy, we made a good deal." He grinned showing me all of his metal teeth, but I wasn't in the mood for jokes:

"Mr. J."

He rolled his eyes and muttered. "One of the guards was watching me and I asked if he could read the paper out to me." He smiled. "He also offered me some gum."

I shook my head. Information was prohibited for inmates, especially if they could use it against the staff in anyway and as for the chewing gum...that was strictly forbidden for safety measures. He could suffocate on them.

"You should electro-shock me." Mr. J said. "It will be fun!"

I held his gaze locked with me. "I don't enjoy hurting other people Mr. J."

He threw his head back. "Ha! Then you're probably doing it wrong, doctor."

"What is it that you like about hurting others?"

The Joker was already bored with my question and instead of answering he asked: "Doctor, can I call you Harley?" He chuckled. "If you abbreviate your name, you're Harley Quinn."

"Like the Harlequin, yeah I know. And no you aren't allowed to call me that."

"Harley." He said suddenly ignoring my command. "I have a confession to make."

"A confession?" I asked, leaning in. "A crime you haven't taken credit for yet?"

"Yes!" He said dramatically. "The worst crime ever committed!"

I took a deep breath. This was important. Any mistake and he wouldn't tell me. "What did you do, Mr. J?"

"Harley." He sighed. "I've fallen in love."

I groaned inwardly. I really had to stop falling for his charades. "You did what?"

"I fell in love against all my better judgement." He sighed dramatically and a dreamy look appeared on his face. "She's beautiful, funny and brave. Braver than she knows she is. But..." He paused for a dramatic effect. "I can never be with her!"

"Why not?"

"Because doctors aren't supposed to date their patients."

My head shot up from my notes. "What?!"

He smiled and it that moment my heart stopped. It was such a cliché, but his eyes were so beautiful.

"I'm in love with you Harley." He said matter-of-factly. "You and I belong together. Don't you feel the connection between us? I felt it the moment our eyes met for the first time."

I had felt it too. But this was ridiculous.

"Mr. J." I said. "You know there is nothing between us. You are my patient and well...I'm taken."

"I get it." He sighed sadly. "Why would you be with me if you could be with rich and handsome Bruce Wayne?" He leaned in and then whispered: "But I can promise you, there is one thing I can offer you that Brucie can't."

I was too intrigued to rebuke him about the nickname and also leaned in.

"And what's that Mr.J?"

"I can do one hell of a hand-jive." He said it in such a serious tone I needed to a second to understand he was joking. But once I got he was messing with me I couldn't help it and burst out in laughter and he joined me.

"Ow." Without thinking it through I reached for my cheek that hurt while I was laughing.

Mr. J's laughter vanished instantly as he glared at me. I avoided his gaze and put my hand down slowly. He knew. The look in his eyes said everything.

"How long has it been going on?"

"It hasn't." I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "It only happened once."

"Oh Honey." It was in that moment that he stopped being my patient. I was the one in need of help and he knew it.

"It's no big deal."

"It is." Mr. J leaned back in my seat. "And I can't do it right now, but I promise you, if I were able to I'd take your hand in mine and I'd hold it and listen to all the apologises he's given to you. Then I'd pull you into my into my arms and hold you until you felt safe again. Dr. Quinzel, I'd protect you and fight of everyone who tries to hurt you." He paused and softly said: "Because that's what you do with the people you love."

There were many things I could have said, but there was only one coherent thought I could muster, as I blinked away my tears: "You can call me Harley, Mr. J."

"Harley?"

My heart skipped a beat and I tried to scold myself, but it seemed impossible in this room, with him. At home I told myself he was manipulating me, using me even, but the truth was: I was in love with him. When I was alone at home I longed to be back with him. He made me happy. He made me feel alive. He made me feel like I was worth something.

Bruce's moods were getting worse. We argued constantly and he had hit me a few times again. I knew he was sorry, I knew I was hurting him by not being able to behave the way he wanted me to. He wanted me to stop treating the Joker, but I couldn't have stopped just as I couldn't have stopped breathing. I didn't know if he knew that though.

In the past few weeks, Mr. had revealed a lot about himself. About his past, his parents, his wife, his girlfriends...and as he let me look into his deranged mind I felt like I was looking into my own soul. I didn't want it, I couldn't fight it. He and I were made from the same material.

"Yes, Puddin'?" I'd started calling him that and he hadn't objected.

"I want to tell you a secret." He smiled nodding at me.

Intrigued I leaned in.

"You need to lean in closer." Mr. J said. "It's a huge secret. No one else is allowed to know, you're the only one I trust."

I leaned in even more.

"Closer, Harley. I need to whisper it to you."

I was practically lying on the table and stood up from my chair to bid his wish.

"Closer." He sighed.

I leaned in and was about to tell him that this was the best I could do, when he leaned in as well and suddenly pressed his lips against mine. I was surprised by how warm and soft his lips were. I kissed him back, reaching my hands around his neck and pulling him closer, deeper into the sweetest kiss I had ever shared with anyone.

I was in love with him and I couldn't fight it any longer.

"Dr. Quinzel...you know I live for these moments with you." His voice had something melodic, something soothing.

I couldn't help but smile as I leaned in to kiss him. I lived for these moments with him too. Mr. J returned the kiss in the softest manner. You wouldn't believe it. There was a voice of reason somewhere inside of me that told me this was crazy, he didn't mean it. He was using me.

But it disappeared the moment I looked into his blue eyes. Although he was a murderer and a madman he had the most innocent, child-like eyes I had ever seen.

The Joker possessed a beauty which only a handful of people got to share. It was the kind of beauty that made people do the craziest things, go against all of their beliefs just to be a part of it.

"Harley." He muttered against my lips. "I love you, Harley."

I loved him too.

Bruce never called me Harley. For him I was also strictly Harleen.

Mr. J leaned back and I saw confusion flicker in his eyes when he said: "You're thinking about him again."

I dropped my gaze. It was an impossibility for me to lie to him.

"Sorry."

"I need to know you're in this 100 percent, Harley."

"I am." I reached over the table to touch his cheek. "I want to be with you, Puddin'."

He closed his eyes at my touch and leaned his cheek against my hand. Bruce and I hadn't been working for a while now. It wasn't just that he didn't make me happy any more. We both seemed to be making each other unhappy.

And Mr. J? Well he made me laugh and he and I were made for each other. We were soulmates.

"Did he hit you again?" He asked and opened his eyes. I pulled my hand back and dropped my gaze. I didn't need to say anything. Mr. J knew. He always knew.

"When I get out I am going to kill him." He promised.

"Batman would never let you get away with it." I disagreed. "He's the star of Gotham."

Mr. J shook his head. "Why are you still with him, Harley? I would never treat you like he does. Never!"

"Don't be mad." I begged. "Please."

The Joker rolled his eyes. "Stop looking at me like that. You know it always works."

"I'll leave him when you're out of here." I said as I stood up to come closer to him. "Then you can hide me and I'll be safe with you."

"I can kidnap him." He mused. "And keep him locked in the cellar."

"Not if I'm living in the house." I sat down on his lap and put my arms around his neck. "Once you're out of here Bruce won't be a problem anymore, I promise."

"Hmm." He muttered.

"Tell me about the plan." I said, knowing this would brighten his mood. His escape-plan was his favourite topic.

"Well, you my little Harlequin have done a very good job so far." He leaned forward to kiss my nose and bit it playfully. "All I need now is a machine gun."

"A machine gun?" I repeated laughing.

"Yes baby, a machine gun." He kissed me deeply and the world around us vanished.

"Harley!" The Joker spread his arms out when he saw me and I hurried towards him. I had never seen him like this. Out of a straight-jacket, bare-chested, covered in tattoos.

"Mr. J!" I hurried over to him, stepping over a dead guard and into his arms.

"Harley." He sighed into my hair, as he pulled me close. "You did so good, baby. Daddy's very proud of you."

I closed my eyes and pressed my face into the crook of his neck. I had never felt so safe before in my entire life, even if there bullets flying around and people screaming everywhere.

"I need to go now." He stepped back, taking hold of my face and kissing my lips. "Come with me."

"No." I muttered against his skim. "You know I can't. I'll meet you at the Chemical Plant later, I promise."

"I love you Harley." He kissed me and then hit me across the face just as we had planned so that I lost consciousness.

I couldn't tell what felt heavier. My hand with the ring or my heart with the guilt. The Chemical Plant was empty as he said it would be.

"Mr. J?"

"Harley!" He sounded happy as he hurried towards me. He looked so good, with a purple leather coat, black trousers and no socks or shoes.

"Aren't you cold?"

He chuckled thinking I was joking and didn't answer. Instead he stepped closer and took my face into his hands, leaned in and kissed me deeply. His hands slid from my face into my hair, down to my waist as he pulled me closer. He had never kissed me like this. It had been impossible due to his straight-jacket.

"Puddin'..." I sighed as he began to kiss my neck.

"Let's go home, Harley. You'll love it. I prepared everything for you."

"Wait." I pushed him away gently. "Mr. J..."

He stepped away, taking my hand in his. "I bought you new clothes Harley, you have an entire room filled with them and we have a new bed. A big one for the two of us."

"Mr. J." I took my hand from his. "Tonight Bruce asked me to marry him and I said yes."

His mouth opened in surprise and his eyes widened, but he didn't say anything. That was good because then I could say all I wanted to:

"I don't regret helping you and I will not tell anyone about our time together and our plans. You don't belong in Arkham, but you and I..." I lifted my shoulders helplessly. "I should never have let it come this far. You were my patient and I encouraged your behaviour, I took advantage of you." He scoffed, shaking his head. "I did, Mr. J and it was wrong and I'm sorry. You needed my help and I let my own problems get in the way. It wasn't right towards you, I'm sorry."

Mr. J shook his head, rubbed his chin and muttered: "I shoulda electro-shocked you when I had the chance." He stepped closer and asked: "Who put these ideas in your head? Who did you talk to?"

"No one, it's common sense."

"It's bullshit!" Rage shone in his eyes. "Let me tell you something, Doctor. You're the one who needs help. You're scared of being with somone who doesn't treat you like shit. You're scared of something real."

"Maybe." It wasn't like I could really argue against him... "But it's still the right decision to end it here. We wouldn't have worked out."

"You don't know that!" He snapped. "I would have done anything for you Harley and you...you choose him?! Are you fucking kidding me?! I could treat you so much better and I'm a madman!" I flinched at his loud voice, as he continued to pace. "I love you, I...ah!" In his frustration he pulled at his green hair. "I've made such a fool of myself!"

"I'm sorry." I couldn't help but crying at seeing him so upset. "I'm so sorry, but you know it's for the best, Puddin!"

"For the best!" He repeated disgusted.

"I need to go." I wiped my tears. "I'm so sorry, Mr. J. Please forgive me. One day you'll realise I was right. We were both seeing things in the other person that weren't real."

"Oh believe me, Darlin'..." He growled. "My view is perfectly clear. He is going to kill you, he will never stop hurting you."

"Goodbye." I pressed my hand against my mouth to stifle my sob and hurried to the exit.

"You're going back to someone who will put you in a coma if he doesn't kill you!" He yelled after me. "And people say I'm crazy!"

"The boss is sleeping." The man at the door said in a bored tone.

"Well then wake him up!" I snapped.

"Listen, doctor. I don't know how you know where Mr. J lives, but you need to get going right now –"

I pushed myself past Mr. J's henchman and stormed into the house.

"Get me Mr. J!" I snapped. "I need to see him right now!"

I took a shuddering breath and tried to keep my composure. The last thing I needed was to burst into tears now. Forgiveness wasn't in his nature. I knew that. But maybe pity was. Or some sort of possessive rage. Anything to let me stay and keep my safe for a while.

Footsteps sounded behind me and I took another deep breath.

"Harley?" He sounded surprised. But it was him. I'd finally see him again!

I turned around.

A/N: Yes a cliffhanger! :D Please tell me what you think! What do you think of this Joker?