That night

I stared at my kitchen island. It was covered in just one of the folders that Dr. Arkham had given me on The Joker. There was so much on him, over 77 years of history was given to me in folders. I had at least 2 folders full just the first 50 or so crimes spread out in a sort of timeline. The Joker couldn't be the 90 year old and yet the crimes were the same. Well not the same but, the objective the same. Lure batman in by causing mayhem, killing civilians, pranks on steroids, a fight and sometimes he got away sometimes he was captured and sent to Arkham. The face and makeup the same, he was notorious not only as a Villain to batman's superhero, but also as a gangster. Hell, the man ruled a good portion of Gotham. The only true rivals to him was Maroni and the word was out that he was even scared of Joker. Then again how do you not be scared of the Joker, he was chaos embodied.

My first session with him wasn't for 2 days. I had 2 days for pouring over every inch of these reports. I even had a few sessions recorded from previous doctors. I wanted to know him. What his story is, what makes these terrible things that he does so thrilling for him. I don't believe it was simply because he thrived on being unpredictable or just to kill, I wanted to know why? Why, that ever present question about him that has circled around in my mind ever since that encounter years ago. But I'm not obsessing over him I just want to know.

I glanced over at the clock on the oven. 2.35 a.m. blinks back at me. I sigh and stack all the papers in a sort of organized chaos and head to bedroom forgoing the pajamas and flop into bed. I slid around on my purple sheets trying to ignore the photos that flashed behind my eyelids and allow myself to slip into sleep.

Beep beep….Beep Beep…BEEP beep…..BEEP BEEP…..BEEP BEEP!

I jerked up right in bed and smashed my small alarm clock into the wall. It beeped once more but otherwise quieted. Sighing heavily I went to shower the remnants of not only a few hours sleep but also the feelings left from a dream, that try as I might I cant for the life of me remember. Nothing but cackling and excitement, anticipation of the best kind, it all swirled in my stomach begging to be released. However I had a full plate today and still more research to do on the Joker, my exercise would have to wait.

Quickly enough I was bouncing around my apartment fully dressed save for my, apparently, signature heels and eating a pudding cup while keeping an ear out for the weather. I flipped through one of the folders I had yet to get to and frowned at the picture. It was a mug shot, Joker was holding his plaque, seemingly quite pleased with himself, smiling like the mad man he was. The papers underneath however were more disturbing . Detailed records of electro shock therapy, lists upon lists of drug prescriptions some even in doses that should've killed him, behavioral injection, experimentation even. He had survived all this and this was some of the older stuff, not including anything more recent than 15 years ago.

He should be over a hundred years old or dead or rotting at least yet he was young and vibrant. Whatever happened to him has enabled him to be around this long and undergo this much over dosage of basically every mental illness drug under the sun is, in a way, a fountain of youth. Batman was the same as well or near enough that anyone could tell. Did the same thing happen to him? I mean just about anyone could undergo something traumatic and survive but every single person will react different, I mean we can generalize certainly but everyone has their own unique ticks. Their very own way of handling it. It's a possibility that they both had undergone the same trauma but I highly doubt it.

I glance over at the clock, and jerked in surprise. I easily bounced into my bedroom and grabbed my bag and shoes before locking up and running down to my bike. Easily slipping through traffic and revving the engine I arrived at work with a few minutes to spare. The guards nodded to me and I slipped into a spot before changing shoes and heading to my office.

I stared at Pam as she went over yet another reason why the Joker was the biggest jackass ever and why I shouldn't agree to treat him. "He's a clown, Harleen, a fucking clown. How fucking stupid can you get, to dress up like a fucking clown and allow yourself to be called Joker. I mean I know he has everyone scared of him but not me. He's just another male ego with something to prove. I know you hate Riddler but at least you'll live tomorrow if you smart off to him. I can't tell you how many times he has polluted everything around him. Just don't." "Pam, breathe. He's just another patient and that's how I'll treat him. He gets off on being treated special and in the lime light. I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to be scared away from him. He's a challenge but also he's a mystery. Imagine if I were to crack him, I would-" "You won't crack him. No one can crack him. There's nothing to crack, cause there isn't anything in there. There's no real purpose behind anything he does. He prefers to shoot everyone then cackle at the bodies. There's nothing under the green hair. So just let it go." " Pam I know you care about me, but no. I'm not letting this go."

Pam session her hands and the table around paced around the room. I watched her even aggravated her movements were still graceful her green toned skin somewhat dull due to no direct sunlight but her eyes showed the fire that blazed inside her. She shrugged after a few moments of pacing before flopping back onto the couch I had inside my office. "Harley, you're being stupid." She sighed out.

I couldn't help the giggle that slipped out. She glanced at me before swiftly turning away but not before I saw the small smile on her lips. " What do you hope to know? I mean the only way you'll get him to tell you anything is to confuse him." "What do you mean?" "He's going to take you for an easily manipulated blonde bimbo, just like everyone does." I glares at her. I know my looks don't help people see my intelligence even Pam believed me to be a ditz on first glance but I've already prove to her that I'm not. I raised an eyebrow silently in challenge. "You're very first impression is going to dictate everything, more so than anyone else. You have to make yourself stand out in a way that is true to you. He thrives on false impressions, so make him look." " Well I'm screwed anyways then. We've already met. I mean he might not recognize me. It was a while ago-" "When did you two meet?" "He's saved me." I simply said. Pam hiked her own eyebrow up but shook her head. A guard knocked on my door then let himself in. " Times up." He growled out before roughly cuffing her. I frowned at his treatment. "Easy with my patient. " I told him sharply. He looked over at me before shaking his head but guided rather than shoved Pam out into the hall.

After Pam's warning the rest of the day was quiet whether it was because I was preoccupied with what she told me or that everyone else was generally calm. I left right after my last session and headed straight to the gym.

I walked in and changed quickly, falling easily into a sort of routine only this time with my headphones. I warmed up quickly while waiting on the uneven bars to be free. After the coach and young girl left I walked over and allowed my body to move effortlessly while my mind wandered.

So many things I could do, but Pam said I had to be true to myself. I know I was stubborn, sarcastic, sassy, as my mom had said. How could I meet the Joker like that and live till the end of the session. He didn't like hero's or people sticking up for others I didn't want to be typical doctor.

I flipped onto the shorter bar before executing a perfect back flip and settling on the near by mat to stretch. Perhaps I could b silent, no I shook my head. I couldn't handle quiet. He was egotistical and a narcissist, he demanded your attention.

I ordered delivery Chinese food and hauled home, not paying attention to the cars or the scenery passing by merely enjoying the wind in my hair. I beat the delivery person to the apartment and I quickly changed.

I got home and paid for my food. Afterwards I jumped in the shower listening to my radio playing all sorts of songs. Wonder what kind of music Joker likes? Maybe he likes fast pace or 80s rock. I bounced on the balls of my feet while I rinsed off. Maybe I could ask during one of our sessions? HOLY SHIT!

I could set up everything as a music test. That's unique. Our music choices say a lot about our personalities for example if you like country it means you like simple things in life or you yearn for the simple life.

I wrapped the towel around my hair and ran for my phone. I had a lot to be doing. I stayed up until 330 in the morning downloading music and play lists. I had Joker first thing after lunch, then I had my first group therapy sessions all my patients except Joker.

All too soon my alarm clock was beeping at me, I hurriedly got dressed and double checked that I had my Bluetooth speaker as well as my duo headset. I dressed in a new blouse I had recently bought, a simple button up that was a rich purple and flared out. I paired it with some plain black tights and a black pencil skirt, simple but still not quite business like heels.

I headed out and stopped for a coffee. I had them put it in my travel cup and stashed it in a cup holder in my saddlebag. At the gate I stopped and dug into my bag while the guard waited. The gourd must be new because most of the guards already knew me. "I heard it's going to rain later." He said pleasantly. "Oh, well a little water never killed anyone." I replied while still digging. "I like the bike. Nice paint job and nice pipes, nothing to over the top but not subtle either." "Thank you. Little bit of work and a little more than a bit of money." I said finally snagging my badge which had been underneath the only Joker folder I had brought with me. He nodded after checking the id and I parked as close to the building and put a trash bag over my seat.

Already I was beyond nervous I still had to get through Guy and Dent. As I waited for Dent to be brought over I flipped through more music. I had any genre I could possibly think of country, rock, classical, pop, bluegrass, banjo, folk, rap, reggae, opera, Electronica, alternative, classic rock, 70s, 50s, I mean everything. This is something I've never heard of doing but always wanted to do, it wasn't going to answer any real questions about him but it might just peak his interest.

The morning sessions passed without incident and I slowly walked to lunch. All through lunch I sat taping my heel against my own chair, not bothering with getting a can of pop caffeine wouldn't help today.

I left the lunch room early so I could set everything up. By time my nervous fiddling allowed me to get the wires sorted it was 5 minutes till time. I looked around the session room, all my other sessions have been in my office but not the Joker, it came with a panic button on the bottom side of the steel table and I had been given a tazer.

A guard looked in and noticed me, "You Quinzel?" "Dr. Quinzel, you?" "Mr. Kobe. He's ready out here just checking to make sure there was nothing in here dangerous." He looked me up and down before turning and looking at the speakers before walking back out and nodding the other 3 people inside.

A guard on each side of him both with other a hand on his shoulders guiding him into the bolted down chair. I ignored him as I waited on the guards to leave. Two stopped on either side of the door and stood. Frowning I said, "I'll be fine you can leave. Shaking their heads "Ma'am we can't." Yes you can and will. Now go. " I said before turning my back on them and fiddled with my notepad and phone. I heard them sigh but they stepped out and closed the door.

"Now, I've decided to do something I don't think any of your other psychiatrist have done. I'm not expecting you to cooperate but It'd be nice. If not, well no bother I can catch up on my paperwork.

I walked to my side of the table got the Playlist started. Sitting down, I looked up and saw him watching me. His predatory eyes following the slightest move or twitch, he seemed to be questioning me, wondering at my strategy. He smiled and nodded towards the speakers, I smiled back at him enjoying the way his eyes sparkled.

His grin turned predatory like as he tilted his head toward the sound of smooth jazz flowing out of the little box. "Ah, the sound of the South." He whispered pleasantly. I noted a check and changed to the next, a simple classical flute to which he shrugged and so on it went neither of us said any more the only sound permeating the room was from the speaker.

The only change was when bluegrass jangled out of the speaker and his face twisting with disgust, I couldn't hold back the giggle at that.

His eyes held mine hostage at the sound and the tension in the room tightened. After a few nerve wracking moments he closed his eyes to the alternative rock now playing.

All to soon the final track was played and we had 10 minutes left of our session. I glanced up at him meeting his eyes before going back to my notes. Satisfied with his general cooperation, I smiled at him and stored the speaker and notes back in my bag. He had been a little to cooperative, almost disappointed me in a way but I think I actually threw him for a loop.

I looked back at him to see him staring at me. "Any questions for me?" I asked as I slid the last paper into my bag. "Yeah." I nodded at him to continue. "You look a little young to be a therapist, so whose rod did you butter to get here?" I rolled my eyes "Don't do that pumpkin, it's rude." He hissed out quietly. "I'm sorry, but you're not the first to assume that. All anyone ever sees is a blonde ditz." I said irritated. I shook my head and walked over to his side of the table and leaning down next to his ear. " Maybe you shouldn't expect me to be like all the rest." I walked around the table and sat back down and stared him in the eye. It started off as a point, but I got lost in his eyes. Deep grey eyes that revealed an inner fire that burned so hot it was white. It was like looking directly into chaos, the center of the storm and it's windy and turbulent edges at the same time. A knock made me jump, unknowingly I had leaned across the table and so had he, and I slid back into my chair as the guards came back in. He stood and walked to the door before turning and laughing. The laugh that settled into the bones. "You know Doc, I got another question. What do you get when you have a girl, a thing, and an alley?" I paused, perhaps he did recognize me, before replying " Ah dead thug, a savior, and a girl who remembered how to laugh." He nodded pleasantly, "How'd you know?" He turned and laughed. "Come on boys quit drooling over my doctor she's a tease. Let's go I here there playing music." He walked down the hall and the guards ran to catch up.

So ended my very first session with the joker.

A/N I apologize this tool so long. I tried to make it a bit longer to make up for it. RL got into the way then I got sick but instead of staying home I worked through it. Ugh. Again sorry I'm going to try to update soon. Thanks again for reading. Oh and disclaimer of always forget don't own this wish I did.