Harley's alarm began bringing at 6am sharp, in the dark Harley fumbled around to turn off the damning noise.
*SMASH*
Crap. She had broken her alarm. WAIT. It was the 23rd, today was her first day back at work! Her first day with the Joker.
Harley jumped out of bed with delight but that was then filled with a "OUUCH FUUUCK" by cleverly standing on the broken remains of her clock. Harley half happy, half wincing limped to her bathroom looking herself in the mirror. "Today's the day Harley."
Okay first things first, have a shower, have some breakfast, feed the cat and have a morning cigarette to calm her nerves.
Then it was time to pick her outfit.
She had decided she looked like she was trying too hard, she decided she wanted to look more natural but professional...if that made sense.
After an hour of choosing clothing, make-up and a hairstyle Harleen Quinzel walked to her car ready to start a new day, with her hair in a simple bun, a grey respectable dress and light make-up. Harley felt like this was her first day.
Here she was again, driving up the long winding road to Arkham gates. As she reached the security booth there was a new guard there.
"ID?" He mumbled,he was young, at least mid-twenties.
"Yeah sure, are you new?"
She couldn't help wonder, he was really twitchy...
"Um, yeah." Not holding eye contact, okay time to be blunt.
"Well, are you okay?"
"To be honest ma'am I'm not. After what happened last night."
Harley felt her heart sink.
"What happened last night? I've been off work."
The guard shifted his weight to his other foot.
"One of the code red patients escaped"
Oh god, Zsasz, Joker?
"Which one?" Harley was slightly trembling but held.
He looked around, as though the walls could listen.
"Jonathan Crane ."
Thank god. Harley nearly said it out loud, for some reason she relaxed at it being Scarecrow, he wouldn't bother her, she hoped.
"Well try not to worry"
She assured the Guard with a smile "Why would an escaped patient return to Arkham? Just keep a lookout but try not to be too nervous"
He relaxed his stance a little "Thanks..."
He gave her ID back with a slightly more assured smile.
The barrier lifted and Harley drove once more into the parking lot, parked herself up and got out the car. Ready to begin her day.
Harley knocked on Joan's door, she had text her the night previously asking for her to stop by as soon as she got into work.
Here we go again, Harls thought.
"Come in" answered Joan's soft voice.
"Hey Joan" Harley walked in with a friendly smile but stopped short at the look on face.
"Hello Harley, have a good break?" She said with a look of well hidden concern.
"Yes it was well needed, thank you. Are you okay Joan?"
Harley sat on the chair opposite Joan.
Joan grimaced slightly before speaking "It's just with the Scarecrow escaping, it seems some our funding is about to be cut."
Harley looked back in shock "But Joan, surely that isn't fair? We do everything we can to keep this patients safe and secure but they are geniuses, crazy geniuses. It's entirely unreasonable to expect they will never be able to get free."
"You're right Harley but most people cannot see that, never have and never will meet the patients or even be in the hospital. However I digress, we're hoping the Batman will catch him soon enough"
The Batman. Everyone knew who he was and what he was trying to do. Harley did not fear him like many people dic, but she had respect for him. He deserved that much.
This reminded her, she had the Joker today.
"Joan, not to change subject but what time is my session with the Joker?" She tried not to seem too eager.
Joan sighed and looked at her plan on her desk, running her finger along the different times, scrolling for Harley's. "Ah yes, your session is at 2pm"
It was 1pm. Only one hour till the Joker? Joan noticed as Harley's slightly startled expression.
"Harley you do not have to do this, if you want to drop out its fine, we'll sort something out..."
"No I want to do the sessions. I just did not expect it to be so soon"
Joan smiled at her gently "I believe in you Harley, honestly I do but please do say something if it's too much."
Harley got up to leave, sending Joan the most genuine smile she could muster "Thank you Joan, I will."
"Okay this is your office Dr. Quinzel"
A large black nurse called Victoria, was in charge of making sure Harley knew where to go. She handed Harley a timetable "Okay , this will be your weekly timetable. If anything changes we will print you a new corrected one. If you have any questions just ask" She gave Harley a friendly smile.
"Thank you Victoria"
"Its okay, call me Vicky"
"Thanks Vicky, you can call me Harley."
"Thank you Harley." Victoria patted Harley's arm "You'll be okay sugar, promise. God loves you."
Despite being atheist this gave Harley small reassurance.
The clock was ticking closer and closer to 2pm. Harley was just sat in her office listening to the pace of her own heart matched with the tick of the clock.
-BUUUUUUUUZ-
"Dr. Quinzel, you ready?" One of the guards poked his head around the corner of the door.
Deep breath, calm thoughts, STOP FIDGETING.
"Yes, thank you." Despite in her head going 'NO NO NO NO'.
She watched as they practically dragged him in. He looked so much different it made her gasp.
He was so much thinner and his hair looked greasy and less bright. He looked like he had lost his spark.
The Joker didn't even look up.
As the guards strapped him into the long comfy-typical-in-a-movie-therapist lounge sofa she mouthed to one of the guards "What's wrong?"
Silently nodding her head in his direction, the guard simply shrugged but jumped a mile when the wispy croaky voice beside him said
"You know my dear, it is impolite to talk about people whilst they're in the room."
"Shut it clown!" The guard on the left barked right into his face. Harley stepped forward and coldly hissed at the guard "Do not shout at my patients, this is a safe place for them. I would much appreciate it if you leave now."
The guard looked at her with a raised eyebrow before making his way to the door "Whatever you say Doc."
The other guard stood there meekly and gave Harley a small remote with a red button on it .
"Panic button" He explained "Just in case you need us"
Harley gave him a small smile "Thank you, this will be all."
Then they were gone. It was just her and the Joker, like before but this time with less chance of a wacked-out Zsaz paying them a visit.
Then it suddenly slipped out "Thank you" She whispered.
He moved his head slightly, "What for?"
"For saving my life, thank you."
"Listen sweetheart don't make a thing of it. You were just lucky I was in a good mood"
This would be a very long session.
