Barbara, Harley, and Ivy waited patiently in the recruitment office as Alex typed away on his keyboard, still catching up on the paperwork he'd missed during their stint in 29 Palms. He massaged his forehead and sighed before looking up at his charges.
"Look guys, I gotta catch up on this paperwork and write up your monthly counseling's by close of shop today. Barbara how's your schooling going?"
"I'm all caught up Sergeant, but I do have class today after lunch."
"Alright, your dismissed. Once your classes are come back by eighteen hundred and we'll go over your counseling and then you'll be done for today."
"Sounds good Sergeant, I'll see you then." She replied before gathering her things and leaving.
"As for you two, I need you guys to PT the kids at sixteen hundred and then come in for your own counseling's. Isley I've approved your leave and I'll check you out on time, just make sure you report in on time."
"Thanks Sergeant."
"Don't mention it. Other than that, I have nothing for you until sixteen, so go and enjoy yourselves until then. You can do what you want for the PT, but I swear to General Mattis if I hear anything about you hazing them I'll fuck your shit up, understood?"
"Perfectly."
"Then get the fuck outta hear." He told them, tossing Harley the keys to the new SUV they'd been issued after the Challenger was destroyed.
The two didn't need any more encouragement, quickly making their way out the door and into the morning air. They walked across the street and stopped at the coffee shop for breakfast, sitting outside just as they had before Ivy had introduced herself to Alex.
"So, we gotta lot of time to kill. Any ideas on what you want to do Harl?"
"Hmm, well I could use your help with something back home if that's alright with you."
"Sure, whatever you need."
After eating Harley drove them back to the apartment where she quickly got distracted playing games on Alex's Xbox, dragging Ivy into playing along with her.
"Ugh, how do people find this amusing? I keep dying over and over again." Ivy pouted as she watched herself die again. They were in the middle of an online match on Modern Warfare and their team was losing thanks to Ivy's constant dying. "This is hardly realistic…"
"It's not supposed to be realistic Red, it's a game." Harley reminded her.
"it's a stupid game, that's what it is…"
"Aw, is Poison Ivy upset that she got beaten by kids?" Harley teased.
"I am not upset!"
"You sure look upset!"
"Rggh! I'll show you!" Ivy shouted, picking up her controller and resuming the game. She only managed to move a few feet before being quick scoped by the opposing team. "Fuck this bullshit!" She screamed, tossing the controller across the room before pouting with her arms crossed over her chest.
"It's ok Pammy, you don't have to be good at everything." Harley said as she wrapped her arms around the redhead and rested her head on her shoulder.
"I never said I was good at everything…"
"Oh, bullshit you haven't."
"Well obviously, I'm not!" Ivy replied.
"And you don't have to be, I love you just the way you are." Harley told her, giving her a quick peck on the cheek and making Ivy blush. Ivy looked away to try and hide her blush failed as Harley turned her head back and kissed her softly. It wasn't the first time they'd kissed, the two often had dalliances when Harley was away from the Joker, Ivy often trying to win her favor over the man to no avail. It had been common for Harley to fool around with Ivy back then, which is why she saw nothing wrong with kissing her now.
Ivy had known for a while that she loved Harley as more than friends and she was pretty sure Harley knew that, but as much as Ivy enjoyed kissing her she had to remind herself that the girl was in a committed relationship now, and she quickly pushed Harley off of her to the other woman's surprise.
"Stop it Harley, you're in a relationship, remember?" Ivy scolded, but Harley ignored her and leaned in again.
"That never bothered you before..." The blonde replied seductively, kissing Ivy's neck. Ivy pushed her back again and held her at an arm's length in order to reason with her.
"I know that, but I could care less if Joker knew. Alex is your best friend who loves you to death, I won't hurt him that way and if you love him like you said you did, you shouldn't either."
"But…" Harley begun, confused as to why Ivy was ignoring her advances unlike before.
"No buts Harley, I love you but I won't let you be unfaithful to the one man that's actually good for you. If you truly love him then commit to him." Ivy reasoned with her. After processing her friend's words. Harley sighed and looked away ashamed.
"You're right, I'm sorry."
"Harley, I may not have your heart but I'll always be your friend no matter what. That much is certain…and as long as you're happy, I'm happy." It hurt Ivy to say those words, she'd tried for so long to earn the girl's affection that telling her to commit to someone else felt like being kicked in the gut, but she meant it. Seeing her happy was enough and she'd always be there for her.
"Thanks Red, you're the best."
"I'm really happy for you Harl, truly. Just don't fuck this one up, alright?"
"I won't, promise."
"Good, now didn't you need help with something?"
"Oh, right! I totally forgot!"
A few minutes later Harley was sitting in front of the bathroom mirror, Ivy standing behind her holding a pair of clippers.
"You're sure about this?" Ivy asked for the hundredth time.
"Yes Ivy, I'm one-hundred percent positive." She replied. Harley had decided that having to put her hair up every time she was in uniform was too much of a hassle, so she was going to cut it down to avoid it all together.
"But your hair is so beautiful, I don't want to destroy it!"
"Look, either you help me or I'll do it myself." The thought of Harley maiming her own her was enough of a motivator for Ivy, at least if she did it she could do it right.
"Fine, but you made me do this." Ivy quickly pulled up the grooming standard on her phone and read it aloud to herself. "Hair may touch the collar, but will not fall below the collars edge. Hmm, well at least there's some room for trial and error."
Knowing what to do, Ivy began cutting away at Harley's hair, doing her best to keep it even while Harley kept her eyes closed. It wasn't long before Ivy was done and when Harley opened her eyes she hardly recognized herself in the mirror.
"So, how is it?" Ivy asked nervously, hoping that she'd done a good enough job of not maiming her friend's hair.
Harley turned her head left and right to get a better view, seeing that her hair now framed her face and ended just below her jawline.
"It looks great Red, you did a great job!"
"That's a relief, I was worried I'd mess up and have to resort to just shaving your head completely!"
"Well thank god you didn't." Harley laughed before checking the time. "Oh shit, it's almost four! We gotta get back to the office!"
They quickly scrambled to change into the green PT uniform and rushed back to the RSS, finding the group of about twenty Poolees waiting outside.
"Hey yahoo's, get around outback!" Harley shouted as she and Ivy jogged up to the building. They quickly ran around back the two followed them behind the building were the kids began warming up. "So, how you wanna do this Red?"
Ivy looked around before noticing a log resting beside the building and grinned. "Hey, go pick that up!" Ivy shouted, snapping her fingers in the direction of the log.
"Aye aye Lance Corporal!" The kids shouted before they scrambled to pick up the heavy piece of wood. They knew enough about Poison Ivy to know that arousing her ire was definitely a bad thing. Of course, she would never hurt them, her hatred of humans having subsided after meeting Harley, but even now she people still looked on her with uncertainty.
Once the log was up the kids formed up on the road, Harley in front lead and set the pace while Ivy stuck to the rear to handle anyone that fell out, encouraging them to catch back up, lest they face her wrath.
"DOUBLE TIME… MARCH!"
The group took off down the street, running towards and around Gotham University, the log being passed around every so often on the move. After running for close to an hour Harley finally led them back towards the office where the Poolees gratefully set the log back down in its place beside the building before beginning cool down stretches. Once done the two sent the kids on their way home and went inside the office, Harley sitting down across from Alex who was still typing away on his keyboard.
"Good afternoon Sergeant." She greeted cheerily, drawing his attention away from whatever work he was doing.
"Good after…what the hell did you do to your hair?" Alex asked, surprised by her new hair style. Ivy laughed at his reaction from where she sat in the back of the room.
"You like it? Ivy cut it for me!"
"Uh, yeah. You look great Harley, It's just gonna take some getting used to, very different from your usual style is all... Whelp, let's get this over with." Alex rifled through some folders, retrieving one with her name written on it and opening it up to a form with writing all over it.
"Alright, this is your scheduled monthly counseling, blah blah blah…Verify this information up here." He told her, pointing to the upper section of the paper. Harley quickly checked it over, raising her brow at the assigned job description.
"I'm an Engineer now?" She questioned, knowing absolutely nothing about that field.
"Well I'm a Combat Engineer and since y'all are learning from me that's what the General has assigned you guys as." Alex quickly explained. "I mean if you'd rather be some desk jockey POG I'm sure I can make that happen."
"Uh, no thanks I'm good..."
"I thought so. We'll skip over the accomplishments and evaluation because I've already talked about it with you before and because we literally did that stuff last night. As for the assigned tasks, just complete this online course and read this publication, cool?"
"Cool."
"Now, the actual important stuff. Your mental health."
"What about it?"
"You've made significant progress in regaining full mental faculties, in my opinion. You've even lost your accent."
"I have? Huh, didn't even notice…"
"Well if it's any consolation you'll pick up using slang terms or swearing often. I don't know if you've noticed but I use terms like Y'all, or Sarn't that I didn't use when we grew up and use fuck or shit in place of the normal filler words."
"Yeah I did notice you swear a lot more than usual…"
"And while we're on the subject of mental health, how do you feel you're doing? You've experienced combat and have been placed under stressful situations, you dealing with it alright?"
"I thought I was the psychiatrist here?"
"Yeah, well it's my responsibility as your Sergeant to look out for your welfare, both mentally and physically. So, I'll ask you again. Is everything alright up in your brain housing group?" He asked, tapping his head for emphasis.
"Honestly, I haven't even thought about it. I'm conscious of what I'm doing but it doesn't bother me. Uh…Systematic desensitization, that's it! Even before I…killed another human being, I was constantly exposed to violence when I was with the Joker. So, killing hasn't had as much of an effect on me as it would other people." Harley explained, remembering her psychiatric training.
"That sounds about right. It's pretty common for us in the military, I've been feeling it a lot since being assigned to this op. But just because it isn't affecting you now doesn't mean it can't sneak up on you later in life, I mean you saw me the other night. You're a Doctor, so you know more about this kinda stuff than I do but make sure your taking care of yourself mentally, alright?"
"I will, trust me I'm not trying to stay at Arkham again any time soon."
"Good to hear. In addition, the General wants you to utilize your psychiatric expertise and evaluate the squad's mental health monthly and provide reports. Is there any reason you cannot perform these duties?"
"None that I can think of."
"Great. Alright I think that's everything. Just sign and date here and your good to grow, as you would say."
"Ugh, you're not gonna let me live that down, are you?"
"Nope, look it even says right here; refrain from making puns in the field and in general."
Harley looked at the paper and saw that it did indeed say that she was to refrain from making puns. Sighing to herself she sighed the paper and handed it back to Alex who replaced it in her folder and put it back where he found it.
"Next!"
...
Alex and Harley sat around the kitchen at home, Alex had prepared dinner and was happily eating when he noticed Harley hadn't touched her food yet, instead just staring at her plate and toying with her fork.
"Something on your mind?" Alex asked concerned. Harley looked up from her plate and sighed.
"Yeah, I…uh, need to apologize to you." She answered, causing Alex to raise his brow in confusion.
"I thought we were through apologizing, remember?"
"We are, but this is different."
"You didn't haze any of my kids, did you?"
"No, of course not!"
"Then what's going on?"
"I…I may have sorta cheated…I kissed Pamela earlier today…" She admitted sadly.
"Oh…" Alex's expression drooped sadly. Ivy was gorgeous, hell he'd say she was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen, and he doubted he'd be able to compete with her going off of looks alone.
"Look, during the years I was Joker's tool Pam used to look after me whenever I'd get beaten up and we sorta developed a…very friendly relationship." Alex didn't need her to explain what she meant by that.
"I see…you two were lovers?" He'd suspected this before; the way Ivy was so adamant about rescuing Harley and her willingness to sacrifice her freedom for her. He knew that Ivy was into women but he hadn't known Harley was interested in both sexes, not that it bothered him, but it was a surprise none the less as growing up she'd seemed to show only interest in men.
"Yes, but nothing ever came of it! I knew Pam had feelings for me but like a fool, I kept going back to Joker until the two of you and the rest of our friends saved me. And then seeing you alive after so long of thinking you were dead…I remembered how much you meant to me…"
"So then why did you… you know?"
"I…I guess I got so used to being with her that I didn't think any better. But she pushed me away and reminded me that I was with you now…and I realize that it was wrong of me to do it, that I hurt her by playing with her emotions like that. I love Pam, she was always there for me when I needed her no matter how much heartache I put her through, but…I chose you and I still do…"
"Hey, I understand what you're saying. Isley…Pamela, means a great deal to you and its ok to for you to love her…to be there for her like she was with you as a friend. But I am grateful that you've chosen me…I really do love you, you know that, right?"
"I do…and I love you too." And she meant it, with all her heart.
...Mission Complete…
NAVMC 2795 (Guide to Counseling's)
A. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Marine Reported On:
Last Name: Quinzel
First Name: Harleen
MI: F
SSN:***-**-****
Rank: PVT/E-1
DOR: 20170501
PMOS: 1371 Combat Engineer
BILMOS: N/A
Occasion: Scheduled
Period Covered: 20170501-20170706
Marine Performing Counseling (Reporting Senior):
Last Name: Westbrook
First Name: Alexander
MI: S
SSN:***-**-****
Rank: SGT/E-5
DOR: 20150501
PMOS: 1371 Combat Engineer
BILMOS: 8411 Recruiter
B. BILLET TITLE (Description if Required)
Basic Combat Engineer, Psychological Analysist
C. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS/SIGNIFICANT EVENTS THIS PERIOD
-Completed Specialized Training at MCAGCC 29 Palms and Earned Title of Marine
-Assisted in Preventing Illegal Arms Shipment on 20170705
-Assisted in Preventing Human Trafficking on 20170705
D. EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE THIS PERIOD
-PVT Quinzel gives %100 Effort in Accomplishing Tasks, Whether in Training Events or Combat Operations and Maintains a Positive Attitude Even in Stressful Situations.
-PVT Quinzel Often Motivates Her Peers and Was Essential in Maintaining Positive Morale During Intensive Training at MCAGCC 29 Palms.
E. TASKS ASSIGNED NEXT PERIOD/ GOALS
-Complete "Leading Marines" Course on Marine Net by 20170801
-Read and Report on "Combat Operations" From FM 5-34/MCRP 3-17A ENGINEER FIELD DATA
F. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
-PVT Quinzel Has Made Significant Progress in Regaining Full Mental Faculties. Recommended for Promotion to Private First Class Once Required Time in Service/ Time in Grade Criteria Are Met.
-By Direction of General Anderson, PVT Quinzel is to Act as Squad Psychological Analysist and Provide Monthly Reports of Squad Mental Health to Commanding Officer and Preform Other Duties Thereunto Pertaining to This Assignment.
-PVT Quinzel Should Refrain from Making Puns in the Field and in General as They Are Detrimental to the Good Order and Discipline Expected of Marines.
G. CERTIFICATION
Signature of Marine Performing Counseling (Reporting Senior):
SGT ALEXANDER S WESTBROOK
Date: 20170706
Signature of Marine Reported On:
PVT HARLEEN F QUINZEL
Date: 20170706