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Harley mused at the calendar on her desk, today was the day the west wing was being re-opened and tomorrow was Valentine's Day. At the mention of Valentine's Day Harley smiled, perhaps HE would leave another present for her? Those roses were so beautiful and completely unexpected. After she read the note a thousand times, tracing over the words with her fingers, feeling the same parchment he had touched, she eventually got up off her bedroom floor and went to unpack her groceries, still left by the front door.
She couldn't help but notice the care that had been taken not to disturb or move anything in her flat, her cat was still sleeping on the kitchen table, it was all very delicate and discreet, the work of someone not wanting to be noticed. Finally it occurred to Harley that the Joker knew where she lived and momentarily she didn't know what to do, should she tell someone?
Oh, she couldn't do that! Harley sighed, he hadn't been in contact with her since he broke out of the Asylum, she couldn't let him down now as he was obviously planning something and he had told her in his note he would see her soon, wouldn't he? No, she couldn't betray him!
Harley walked to the staff room from her office and began to make herself a cup of tea to steady herself, grabbing the pins out of her and letting her golden hair make waves across her back. She took her glasses off and put them down on the table, a sense of freedom washing over her without the fake glasses and prim hair. Currently she was in the east wing until the west wing had been fully furnished then she would return to her original office but at least from this side she was next to the staff room! She glanced at the clock, noticing it was 12:43, the celebrations were to start around 5pm. Harley couldn't help but feel it was….wrong to dress all fancy and have a party for the new wing in a mental asylum, for one it was unfair on the patients and two it felt like celebrating a tragedy. At least over a hundred people died on the evening of the explosion, staff and inmates alike, it just didn't feel right to drink and have fun on top of their graves?
Bruce Wayne was opening the wing, as he funded most of the project, hell he funded half the Asylum. Harley sat down with her cup of peppermint tea and chocolate biscuit, she didn't have much respect for Bruce Wayne, as he used money to get what he wanted, whenever he wanted. He was always seen with lots of women and buying lavish cars, a real playboy heartbreaker. Harley nibbled on her biscuit thoughtfully, he can't be too bad… he did make sure that the West Wing had improved tenfold then the last one so that the patients had the care they deserved from Arkham Asylum (his words not hers) but Harley found it hard to trust anyone who was that charming and rich, she reckoned it was just to protect his own interests, she frowned deeply at this thought.
Harleys thoughts were interrupted when Dr. Barker entered the staff room, he immediately noticed Harley sat at the table without her glasses and her hair down, he smiled at her.
Dr. Barker was the newest member of staff, he also graduated from the University of Gotham, psychology department. Harley recognised him on his first day, he was in the class below hers. He couldn't have been older than 22 or 23? Harley was 22 that coming September, as she had graduated a year earlier than everyone else due to her 'outstanding credentials' pretty much the only reason Arkham hired her.
Dr. Barker caught Harley off guard by striking up a conversation with the daydreaming blonde.
"Hey , how are you today?" his English accent oozed out of every word he spoke
She smiled back at him "I'm just fine , yourself?"
The doctor answered her as he was making a pot of coffee "Not bad thank you, just dreading tonight" with that he gave a sigh
Harley sighed in agreement "I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so!"
Dr. Barker laughed "Yes well, social requirements are a must aren't they?"
Harley laughed with him "I wish sometimes I was just rude and blunt, my life would be much easier! You coming on your own ?" She felt a bit sorry for him as he had only just started working in the Asylum.
"No, no I'm bringing my fiancée Caitlin. So at least I'm not left standing in the corner as the new boy" he turned round holding his cup of coffee, grinning at her.
Harley felt a slight stab in her heart, she was going alone…
"Aww that'll be nice, we get to meet the future Mrs. Barker! Congratulations. "She forced a smile.
"Thank you , you can call me Jake. I'll see you tonight?" Dr. Barker had begun to walk out of the staff room.
"Thanks Jake, my name is Harley. Yes you will, 5pm sharp!" Harley said as she watched him walk out the staff room, feeling more alone than ever.
Feeling deflated Harley walked back to her office, with her glasses back on and hair back up, she needed some alone time she thought. Read a book, drink her peppermint tea and sit in her office in peace…
But this is Harleen Quinzel we're talking about, things never work out as planned!
Harley unlocked her office door, stepped in closing the door behind her and turning on the light which showed a large box complete with wrapping paper and bow sitting on her desk, a gasp slipped from her mouth. Another one from Joker? That must mean he was still in the grounds, right?
Harley walked towards the box both excited and nervous, there was no note on the box from what she could see, the wrapping paper was dusty pink with a bright pink bow, not the usual colours Harley expected from The Joker where everything was mainly purple, green and black.
Without hesitation she went over to the box in excitement and ripped the lid off, the walls of the box fell down as she did this revealing the contents of the box.
Slightly shocked at what she saw, Harley read the note that accompanied the gift inside the box…
'My dearest Dr. Quinzel,
I realise this is rather unorthodox however I must apologise for my most recent behaviour towards you, specifically around December. My intention was never to hurt you, unfortunately you crossed my path when Scarecrow was in control, not myself. I hope we did not frighten you and ask if you can possibly come speak with me as you deserve an apology in person.
I hope the gift will make up for the pain that may have been caused to you.
Sincerely, Dr. J. Crane'
PS: Happy Valentine's Day.'
Oooooh! What do you guys think is in the present? Is Dr. Crane actually interested in our naive Harley Quinzel or is he playing with her? Please review , tell me what you think and F&F! Thank you.
