Chapter Six:Gotham's Guardian Angel

"Hey Harleen, its Holly…again." A voice soothed over Harleen fading in and out every once in a while. "The doctor's don't know when you'll wake up, but what do they know right? Anyway, I've brought your mail." The voice seemed to shutter a little bit as she spoke again. "…You've only been like this for a week, people wake up after years."

"Holly?" Harleen's throat felt like sandpaper as she spoke up. Attempting to swallow, she released a fitful cough and placed a hand on her neck.

"Harleen!" Arms wrapped around her shoulder's before she could even attempt to open her eyes. On doing so the intensity of the light blinded Harleen for a few moments then cleared to reveal a much worn Holly Franco. "Here," she released Harleen's shoulders and lifted a cup of water in front of her. Relieved that there was a straw Harleen drank wearily so not to get nauseous. After clearing her throat, she took a deep breath and nodded to Holly in gratitude.

"What happened? How did I get here?" Harleen asked, as soon as she was sure her throat was clear. Holly, put the water down on the small table and gave Harleen a frustrated glance before she could answer.

"I don't really know much since the police have refused to answer any questions. But this is what I've gathered from eves dropping. Apparently, they found you passed out alone in the middle of a street. Once they gave you the antidote for the toxin, they realized that someone had tied a piece of clothing around your waist, to try and stop a massive amount of bleeding from a knife wound in your stomach." Holly gestured to her waist after she finished speaking. Harleen followed her eyes and lifted up the blanket. Gauze wrappings covered her abdomen, with small traces of dark brown stains deep within it.

"You're lucky to be alive." Holly added, as Harleen looked back up at her.

"Someone tried to stop the bleeding? Did they get of glimpse of whom?" Harleen asked, as she lowered the blanket again.

"Not that I know of. Once they found you and Batman stopped the toxin from hitting the rest of the city, they brought you here. You've been unconscious for a little over a week." Harleen let it sink in, and then sprang up a little bit.

"And Arkham? What's happening at Arkham?" Holly became a little uncomfortable, and shifted slightly in her seat.

"Batman has only just started bringing patients back, the Narrow's is on high alert and the security's working like mad."

"How many from the East ward?" Harleen asked, already dreading the answer.

"He's only gotten one, Victor Zsasz." She took comfort in the fact that at least he was locked away. While nodding, Harleen looked over at the mail on Holly's lap.

"Can I?..." she asked gesturing over to the envelopes.

"Yeah of course, here you read those I'll call a nurse." After handing the letter's to Harleen, Holly left the room quickly and inquired after Harleen's doctor. Harleen flipped through the stack quickly, most were just bills she could take care of later. But one caught her eye. It's stamp was decorated with a large W.

"Bruce Wayne?" Ripping it open gently, she read the letter in a whisper to herself.

Dr. Harleen Quinzel,

It has come to my attention that certain problems have been reported in your Asylum. I'm told it has to do with a matter of money and the lack of support from the city. I have been advised to hold a benefit to Arkham in your honor. Please contact my secretary for further details.

Sincerely,

Bruce Wayne

(Dictated to Lindsey Campbell)

"Of course," Harleen laughed to herself a little bit.

"Leave it to Bruce Wayne to think that all of these problems can be fixed with money."

"Now we all know Dr. Quinzel." Bruce Wayne's voice echoed across his penthouse in a boom that commanded attention from everyone. While speaking he guided Harleen to the front by the small of her back.

"Gotham's Guardian Angel, The newspapers have sure been causing a fuss. But I don't think it's fair to Dr. Quinzel to have all of that responsibility laid on her beautiful shoulders without a little help, which is why I'm throwing this shindig. I'm asking each and every one of you to help our little angel make Arkham better than it was before, so something like the Narrow's Incident never happens again. What do you say? Spare this lady a pretty penny?" Giving a charming smile, he gestured to Harleen and applause exploded toward them. Once things quieted down however people went back to their original conversations around the building, writing obscene checks with smiles on their faces as they did so.

"I can't thank you enough Mr. Wayne, you have no idea how grateful I am for this." Harleen thanked him, meaning every word.

"Please Dr. Quinzel call me Bruce, and I'm more than happy to hold this party for you. It's a very good cause." He replied, clasping her shoulder gently showing his sincerity. She smiled at him, and then squinted slightly, something about that jaw, those eyes. What am I thinking this is Bruce Wayne, I've seen his pictures everywhere since I was a little girl. Giving herself an imaginary slap, she thanked him again then the conversation switched.

"I heard you almost died during the incident. What happened?" Bruce asked, taking two glasses of champagne from a hired waiter. After taking one of the glasses thankfully, Harleen replied, telling him everything she had been told.

"It's a miracle someone found you." Bruce told her after she had finished.

"Absolutely." Harleen agreed. Thinking back on the incident gave her renewed feelings of curiosity, she had a suspicion of who had helped her, but didn't want to voice it.

"The real miracle is Batman, how he stopped the toxin from spreading to all of Gotham City." Harleen added, Bruce's eyes seemed to scan over the room a little uncomfortably, then he returned to her and nodded.

"It really was wasn't it? Too bad he hasn't unmasked himself yet, everyone's dying to know who he is."

"He probably suffers from Sociophobia, and definitely a Split Personality Disorder," Harleen replied, taking a large gulp of her champagne.

"If anyone needs some mental help it's him, I'd happily see him for free." She added.

Bruce Wayne laughed a little and swung his head back, taking in the rest of his champagne.

"Agreed, but If you'll excuse me I have to-"

"Go on ahead, you have lots of other guests to see." Harleen gave him one last thank you then watched him leave. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she'd meet let alone have a full conversation with the infamous Bruce Wayne.