In the short time Harley had been in the brig she could tell that it was already an improvement over being in Arkham, one noticeable difference being how quiet it was. At Arkham there'd always be some form of noise going on in the background, be it the various noises the patients made or the constant dripping of a leaky pipe. But it was blissfully quiet here and she spent the first few days sitting quietly in her cell.
The staff was also more pleasant here as well, mainly because they weren't coming in and out of her cell like the doctors at Arkham but that was probably because the majority of the staff were Military Police instead of psychiatrists but at least they were better guards than the ones at Arkham. Harley had been here for two days and there hadn't been one escape attempt. That was the one good thing about Arkham, it was always exciting.
Today She'd be meeting her new psychologist. Two MP's had escorted her from her cell, after placing her in another straight jacket, and sat her down in his office. He had yet to arrive so Harley sat patiently, looking over the room. The name plaque on the desk read Lieutenant Harrison, MD and there was a framed picture of a woman and child next to it. Harley looked over to the wall which had a poster of a cat hanging from a tree branch with the words Hang In There stylized on the bottom which got a laugh out of her at how cute it was. The window also had a nice view of the San Diego skyline, which did a good job of reminding her of home.
Barely a week out of Gotham and she was already homesick. Harley was staring out the window in thought when the door finally opened and a man in his early thirties walked in carrying a large folder that she assumed to be her record jacket.
"Ah, Dr. Quinzel your early. Although I suppose that's more on your guards than you, regardless you're here now and that's what matters. I'm Lieutenant Harrison and it's a pleasure to meet you." He greeted with a warm smile and Harley couldn't help but smile back as he sat behind his desk.
"Pleasures mine Doc but, ah, I don't think I'm much of a Doctor anymore. Kinda the opposite in fact."
"Nonsense, you put in the work to earn that title and nothing in your file says it's been revoked. So you made a mistake, a rather big one, but no one's perfect. There's no reason you can't go back to your old profession."
"Well the law says otherwise but I appreciate yer optimism Doc."
"Well your record says you haven't committed murder, just a variety of minor offenses, which is surprising considering you're association with the Joker. Really the only thing that stands out is theft of explosive ordinance, so other than that there's really nothing holding you back."
"Well even if I could I don't think anyone'd come ta me for psychological help."
"Be that as it may there are plenty of other things you could do. I understand that you were also a skilled gymnast, ever think about giving that a try again?"
"Sometimes, it was fun in college and I do miss it a lot but I don't think I could go anywhere with it do ta my background and all."
"Your criminal past does give you quite a few roadblocks but I'm confident that with hard work and dedication you'll succeed in whatever you choose to do. Now back to the matter at hand. I've gone over your file from Arkham and I saw that they've diagnosed you with Schizophrenia along with mild bipolar disorder and that they have you on antipsychotic medication, but there has been little to no signs of improvement. Would you say that this statement is correct?"
"Yeah, Arkham doesn't have the best history of rehabilitating its patients. Doctor Leland tried ta help and parta me wanted ta get better but somehow I'd always end up back with Joker."
"He seems to be the center of all this, doesn't he?"
"He's dead." Harley replied coldly which caught the Lieutenant off guard.
"Really? I hadn't heard…how do you feel about that?"
"I'm glad he's gone an I hope he's rotting in Hell. He used me, hurt my friend, and tried to kill me. I'm just ashamed of myself for falling for him in the first place. If I hadn't…things would be so much different."
"Yes, I suppose they would but it's good that you recognize your mistakes and are taking steps to making things right and I look forward to helping you along that path. So, here's what's going to happen, I'm prescribing you a lower dosage of meds until further notice. I have a suspicion that the dosage the Arkham staff prescribed you may have been detrimental to your health instead of beneficial. I'm also going to get in contact with Sergeant Westbrooks command and schedule sessions for the two of you to interact, participating in psychosocial activities will give you both time to work out your issues and will help you get ready to interact with others again before ultimately reintegrating into society. I also want you to pick up gymnastics again, a healthy body supports a healthy mind, right? After our sessions we'll visit the obstacle course and you can practice for an hour there. In addition, I'm going to assign you some literature to read and report on weekly."
"Geez that's a lot Doc, anything else?"
"No, but there is something I want you to put some thought into. Given your relationship with Sergeant Westbrook you've been exposed to the Marine culture in some manner, correct?"
"I was his date to the ball once if that's what ya mean."
"Mmm, not quite. The ball is more traditional, what I'm asking for is do you know what makes Marines, Marines?"
"Uh, killing terrorists while shouting obscenities?" That's what the movies show an all.
"No, but they are rather good at that aren't they. I'm talking about their three core values: Honor, Courage, Commitment. Those values define Marines, but really anyone can apply those values in their everyday life. I want you to think about those values and what they mean to you and how you can use them to better yourself as a person."
"I'm committed ta getting sane again if that counts."
"As a matter of fact it does. What you're doing now is a very big commitment. It also took courage to turn yourself over in the first place and that you're doing it to help your friend shows tremendous honor. You've already used these values without even knowing it!"
"Huh, I guess I did? Who woulda thought?"
"You've already taken your first steps. Now I believe that is all I have scheduled for today, gotta go make those arrangements and all. We'll begin our first session bright and early tomorrow morning."
"Hey Doc I got one last question. Do you guys have magic? Cause Alex was joking about you using yer Navy magic on my brain ta make it better."
"Ah, yes, that magic. It's more of a joke the Marines use to poke fun at the Corpsmen, being that if you change your socks, take Motrin, and hydrate you'll be cured of any ailment, instantly."
"Wow, I'd have never thought of that! I'm gonna try it tonight!" Harley exclaimed. She knew that he had just told her it was a joke but maybe there was some truth to it? The Lieutenant just laughed and smiled at her.
"Let me know how that works out for you. We'll meet again, same time tomorrow."
And that's how Harley's first day went. Harley was escorted back to her cell and released from the straight jacket as another guard brought a stack of books from the lieutenant's office and set them down on the bed. All of the books were military related and looked to be recounts of important battles or notable Soldiers that showed remarkable character. With not much to do other than stare at the wall Harley grabbed one of the books and began reading. She only got a few pages in before boredom overcame her so she tried out that trick the Lieutenant told her about, changing socks, downing some Motrin, and drinking a glass of water but all it did was make her tired so she went to sleep.
...
After their second session Harley was given a set of PT clothes consisting of a green T-shirt and shorts and told to change before being brought to the nearest obstacle course, which looked kinda underwhelming as it was built out of wooden logs in a stretch of land covered with soft bark. As they pulled up Harley was surprised to see Alex waiting for her with some redheaded chick. Harley assumed the chick had to be Batgirl as she had accidently been flown out here as well. Harley had never seen her outside of costume before but she looked…normal.
"Hey, how's it going? You doing alright, Navy aint working any of their voodoo on you are they?" Alex asked as Harley was brought up to the course.
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine Alex."
"Good to hear. Anyways, I've been told that I'll be coming to some sessions with you, work out some issues. Although in my opinion the best way to work out issues is in the grappling pit but I suppose a little friendly competition will work for now."
"I see ya also brought our special friend along, she gonna get in on this little competition as well?" Harley asked while nodding her head towards Batgirl.
"Yes, she is. Go on, introduce yourself." He told her but she looked reluctant to do so. "Come on we're all friends here, one team one fight and we can't be a team if we're strangers to each other." Alex reasoned and Batgirl sighed and shook her head.
"I wouldn't exactly say friends yet, but fine. If you can trust her, I'll give her a chance." She replied before turning to Harley, glaring at her with her green eyes. "Barbara Gordon, pleasure to meet you peacefully for once Harley Quinn."
"Quinzel."
"I'm sorry?"
"My last name. It's Quinzel not Quinn. I don't wanna be that person anymore." Harley muttered while staring at her feet. Harley looked back up to her and saw that her eyes had softened.
"I…my apologizes. Harleen Quinzel. It's nice to meet you."
"Thank you, Barbara. Gordon, Gordon, why does that…no, ya can't be…you're not the Commissioner's kid are ya?"
"Well I do call him dad, so…"
"No way! Wow, that's…your dad must be so proud of you!"
"He doesn't know."
"Oh, well I'm sure he would be."
"More like he'd throw a fit and try to ground me like I was still a child." She said and Harley couldn't help but laugh.
"Right, well let's get on to the course. We'll be competing for best time through the O-course. The course itself isn't particularly difficult but it can be exhausting. I'll run through first so you guys can see how to properly navigate it." Alex said as he got ready to start the course. Harley would describe how to maneuver through the course but it's rather difficult to put into words without sounding boring, so if you really care go and YouTube that shit. Either way Alex completed the course in just over two minutes, which she was determined to beat. Harley waited patiently as Barbara went through, beating Alex's score by five seconds and bringing the time to beat down to a minute and fifty-six.
Harley stepped up to the start point and waited for Lieutenant Harrison to give the go. Once he did she took off, vaulting over the first obstacle. Maneuvering through the obstacles was simple for her, the routines she'd done in school were way more difficult than this and suddenly she found herself at the final obstacle, the rope climb. Harley jumped up and grabbed the rope, wrapping herself around it. Thanks to her light weight she was able to use her arms to muscle her way up the rope and touch the top. Lieutenant Harrison stopped the clock once she climbed down and touched the ground.
"One minute and twenty-seven seconds. I think we have our winner."
"Good shit Harley, you still got it." Alex praised as he and Barbara walked over to the finish. "Course I was only going slow for demonstrational purposes." He added with a smirk.
"Oh, sure you were, your just getting old Alex." Harley joked back.
"I'm only twenty-five and besides if I'm old then what does that make you? You've got a year on me remember?" Ah shit, forgot about that!
"Eh, technicalities. Your still an old man."
"Just wait till we get to the grappling pit, this old man's gonna kick your ass." He said with a smirk. Man he really wanted ta go at it, who was I ta say no?
"Well, we'll see about that won't we?"
...
And see they would. After another week of counseling Lieutenant Harrison decided that Harley was making enough progress that as a reward he allowed her to participate in a grappling match with Alex. So, they were brought out to one of the grappling pits. Harley sat on her knees across from Alex as they waited for a martial arts instructor to give a safety brief. Lieutenant Harrison, Barbara, a Corpsman, and some MP's stood off to the side watching.
"Alright you two, this match will last three minutes and you will remain on your knees at all times. Remember your tap out procedures, tap the ground, tap yourself, tap your buddy. Understand?"
"YES!" They both shouted. They shook hands and the match began. Harley had gotten the best of Alex back in Gotham but they'd been fighting without any rules then. Having to remain on her knees was a serious handicap for Harley as she was used to hopping around her opponents and using their confusion to get the upper hand. No such luck this time.
Alex didn't wait a second before tackling her to the ground and putting her in a headlock. Harley could feel him tightening his arm around her neck so she tucked her chin and pried his arm off her before rolling out from under him. Alex lost track of where she was so Harley scooted around behind him and put him in a headlock of her own.
"WHOO, GET HIM!" The crowd watching them shouted in delight as Harley began to apply pressure. Maybe this would be easier than she thought, Alex had never really been good at hand to hand fighting, even if he did have a green MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) belt. Harley could hear him gasping for air as she squeezed with her arm and began to smile when she thought he was about to tap out. What she didn't count on was Alex using his strength to flip her off his back. Harley landed hard on her back and was momentarily stunned.
"OH SHIT!" The crowd cried as she got back up just in time to get knocked back down. Alex then got on top of her, straddling her waist. Before she could do anything to defend herself Alex quickly executed an armbar from the mount and she suddenly felt the pain in her elbow as her arm was forced to straighten out. The pain came so fast and was too much to endure so Harley had no choice but to tap Alex's leg in defeat. Once he felt the taps he quickly let go and helped her up.
"Ugh, fuck that hurt!" Harley groaned, rubbing her elbow as Alex smiled happily to himself. Harley guessed she did owe him that after all.
...
Another two weeks passed and Harley could tell that whatever the Lieutenant had been doing to treat her was working. The lower dosage of meds kept her mind clear, focused, and combined with the group therapy sessions with Alex and Bab's, and the physical activities she was feeling better than she had in a long time.
Harley had even finished and wrote a report on the book On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Dave Grossman. The fact that it dealt with the psychological aspect of what service members deal with in times of war intrigued her and she thought she could use it to understand what Alex had felt during his time in Afghanistan. He didn't talk about it much when they saw each other after his deployment, whether it was because he didn't want to bring it up or to spare her the details she didn't know, but she did know that he'd killed people and lost a friend while over there. Harley hadn't even known that he'd gone back a second time and she couldn't even begin to imagine what he must have felt without anyone to call home to,it made her feel even more guilty about what she'd done. Anyways the Lieutenant was very impressed by her report and that he could tell how much thought she'd put into the book from reading it, saying that it was a good indicator of how well her mind was recovering.
Harley was doing so well that the MP's didn't even bring a strait jacket with them to escort her anymore and there was even talk about moving her out of the brig and into a more normal environment. Lieutenant Harrison said that she was the probably the best case he's ever treated and at the rate she was going it would only be a few more weeks before he'd recommend her to a medical board to be declared officially sane again.
As for what was happening out in the real world, Alex kept her constantly updated. His advisor was investigating the disappearances of less famous villains and vigilantes across the country to see if this anti villain/vigilante para-military group was behind it. They had yet to learn anything useful from Floyd regarding them other than they had large numbers and were backed by wealthy individuals, whose identities remained unknown.
Homeland Security was apparently looking into the matter while the DOD stood by for any actionable intel. One thing Harley found to be odd regarding these soldiers and whoever they worked for was that Floyd had said they were targeting superheroes and villains yet they had hired him onto their side, which was a bit contradictory to what he had said their objective was. One thing was clear to her though, they wanted her dead and they weren't afraid to take risks if it meant getting to her.
...
"Sergeant, may I speak with you in private?" They had just wrapped up another group therapy session and Lieutenant Harrison wanted to speak to Alex away from Harley for some reason and it made her feel a bit nervous not being able to hear what they were saying as she sat alone in the office. They'd been having these sessions for just about two months now and not once had Lieutenant Harrison ever asked to speak with Alex in private.
Babs usually tagged along to these sessions and Harley appreciated that she was willing to participate in her getting better, but she hadn't been able to make it today. It was funny, despite all the times they'd fought in Gotham Babs didn't hold any of it against her, even if she had every right to hate her guts. But instead of wasting her energy hating Harley she put in the effort to get to know her and while they weren't exactly best pal's they were beginning to understand each other. Alex had told her Barbara was the reason that he hadn't just killed her that night at the docks, that she had made him question how he really felt about Harley and that sparing her life had been directly influenced by her, so Harley really did owe her a lot. Had she not intervened in Alex's life Harley most likely wouldn't be here.
Before she could reflect on anything else the door opened and the two men walked back in. Lieutenant Harrison sat back behind his desk and smiled as Alex remained standing by the door, arms crossed and a grin on his face.
"I have good news for you Doctor Quinzel, Sergeant Westbrook and I just got done talking with the senior medical officer. After seeing the progress you've made here both of us agree that you are ready to return to the real world. I've sent the recommendation for your medical board up and we should hear back from them shortly."
"Wait, ya mean I'm cured!?"
"Yes, I believe that you are now of a sound and healthy mind. However, you must now convince the board of your sanity to be released from this facility. I won't lie to you, it will be tough. The board will be held by the senior medical officer, the senior enlisted advisor, and the facilities commanding officer. They'll be looking for any reason to fail you so I need you to be fully prepared to stand in front of them and convince them that you are a fully functioning human being capable of rational thought."
"Don't worry about it too much though, the Lieutenant, Barbara, and myself will be there to speak on your behalf as well. We also have written testimonies from the guys in Gotham recommending you, not to mention the General's input. His will be the most influential to the board in my opinion." Alex added.
"Although even without the General's input I believe that you'll be able to persuade the board of your sanity yourself and Sergeant Westbrook and I will do what we can to make sure you're ready."
"I…I don't know what ta say guys. Ya really think I'm sane?" Harley could hardly believe what they were saying even though she's waited so long to hear those words.
"Course I do, I am a Doctor after all. Sergeant, would you'd be so kind as to walk her through the proper conduct for the board?"
"No problem Sir, come on Harley let's go. This is gonna be a military board so there's a lot of customs and courtesies you need to learn if you want to make a good impression."
Harley followed Alex out the door, looking back at the Lieutenant who just smiled and motioned for her to go. She'd never thought this day would come, after four years of madness she was finally going to be herself again, Harleen Quinzel! Harley was so happy that she skipped gleefully through the halls as she followed Alex out of the building, earning odd stares from the Sailors but she didn't care, she was gonna be sane again!
...Mission Complete…