Okay.
That went better than Harley thought it would.

But weird, very very weird... were they flirting?

Harley checked the time, she had been sitting at her desk for 20 minutes now looking back over her notes.

They were flirting. Harley knew it.
Slowly she pushed herself out her seat with her hands flat out on the desk. Her hair still neat and her make-up perfect, she should feel proud it went so well and professional but instead Harley felt confusion and... shame?

No. Harley told herself, they were being friendly. Harleen Quinzel was NOT flirting with both her patient and the most madman of them all.
But she kept picturing his eyes... oh those eyes. Bright green, greener than the most beautiful emerald.

Harley left her briefcase and notes behind and simply locked the door.

She found Joan in the coffee room making a cup of tea. "I just finished the session." Harley announced as she walked in.

Joan turned round and smiled at her "How was it? How was he with you?" Joan sat at staff table.

Harley joined her and calmly smiled "It went great. He was friendly and polite, didn't seem shy at all actually."

Joan stared at her for a long time.
"It went well? He didn't harass or make inappropriate comments at you?"

Harley had to think for a second, be truthful or let the 'babe' and 'toots' comments go?

"Not at all Joan" She smiled again before attempting to butter up her boss.

Joan looked pleased with this information "Well that's a better start than most Harley, I'm pleased it was a good session. Do you have any more appointments today?"

This suddenly hit Harley. She had nothing else to do, she looked at her watch "Uh... yeah I guess not. I best set off for home then. I'll see you tomorrow Joan."

Joan smiled and waved her off.

As Harley walked to her office, key in hand, she couldn't decide what to do... catch up on work or visit college friends? It had been so long since she simply relaxed with a cold beer and just laugh.
She arrived at her door and unlocked it.

Harley gasped, she saw it instantly. It was the brightest thing in the room.

There on her desk, in a small crystal vase there was a single beautiful rose.

Harley ran to the innocent flower and looked at the note attached:

'Hey toots,
Thanks for today.
-J
PS: Wear that bracelet more, it suits you.'

Harley looked at her bracelet,she had gotten it from her best friend on her last birthday. It was black and red beads all the way around, taking turns in colour.


"The guards would be very interested to learn you've been out of your cell." Harley said gently through the clear glass.

Harley was stood in front of his cube and had asked the guards for a moment to talk to her patient about matters in the session, they grumbled something unintelligent and walked off.

"If you were going to tell them, you already would have."
He grinned at her, his hands behind his head, lazing on his cot.

Harley was tapping her foot, rose in hand "How do you know I haven't told them already and there going to get more security?"

This girl was becoming an absolute classic, he suddenly thanked himself for saving her from that butchers knife.

He sat up and walked up to the glass. She didn't even flinch or back away, she was either really brave, ignorant or stupid, maybe all three. He tilted his head, smiling at her.

"Y'know, sweets, I like you. I really do. Even your name, rework it a bit and we get..."

Harley chuckled, how many times had her friends mocked her for this...
"Harlequin, like the clown, I know. I've heard it before." She mused.
Joker grinned "It's a name that puts a smile on my face!"

Harley smiled back "Well I'm glad as your therapist I amuse you."

Oops, sarcasm. She had been warned about that.

Joker simply let out an earsplitting laugh "First time for everything eh?" He winked at her "I think were going to get on just fine Harlequin." He turned around and lay back on his cot.

Harley shivered, there was an edge to his voice she couldn't quite understand. She coughed in the back of her throat "Well this cannot happen again Joker. I won't mention it this time but please try to refrain from escaping and inappropriate behaviour in the future. Having 'let the Joker escape' on my CV wouldn't exactly do me any favours" She had to smile at her own attitude, she was playing a dangerous game even if she didn't know it yet.

With that Harley turned round and left.

The Joker simply watched the blonde walk off. She had a sense of humour and there was something about her Joker couldn't quite pinpoint but he knew he liked it. She looked like she could take care of herself and take little nonsense.
But then..she also was very vulnerable, little love and affection in her life, easy to manipulate with a few choice words.

The Joker was going to shape her into his creation. One of that Harley and one of his, the Harley he wanted.

"Harlequin" He whispered "you're going to be mine."
The spine-chilling laughter that followed echoed down the halls of Arkham long after it had stopped.