It had been two weeks since then. She'd recieved another invite to Bruce Wayne's charity event. She'd also recieved another visit from Harley. Harley wasn't happy.
"I thought you said that there was nothing between you and Mistah J!" Harley yelled at Hope.
"Have a seat Harley." Hope said.
Hope waited for Harley to sit down, before she continued. Harley fell onto the couch, and Hope shut the door.
"Now, Harley, I haven't lied to you, ever. I have no interest in Joker. I promise you that there is nothing going on with me and Joker." Hope told Harley.
Harley frowned, looking up at Hope.
"I don't believe you! Mistah J has told me everything! I know how close you and him are!" Harley yelled at Hope.
Hope shook her head.
"Harley, please calm down. I'm not exactly sure what Joker has been telling you, but I assure you, it's professional." Hope said.
Before Hope could process what was happening, Harley sprung on Hope. Harley pinned Hope to the wall, with her hand at Hope's throat.
"I still don't believe ya, Doc! Stay away from Mistah J, or you'll be sorry!" Harley growled at Hope.
Harley gave one last squeeze, then pushed Hope to the floor. Harley spun on her heels, and exited the office. Hope gasped for air, as she stared at the door.
Hope got to her feet, and made it over to her desk. She sat down, and caught her breath for a moment. She picked the phone up, and dialed a number.
"Yes, it's Dr. Lake, please bring me Joker. Thank you." Hope said.
She hung the phone up, then went over to a mirror. She checked on her neck. It was red, and there was every possibility she'd bruise. Hope covered the mark as best as she could, then started fixing her hair. Moments later, she heard a knock on her door.
She turned as the door opened.
"We have him Dr. Lake."
"Bring him in please." Hope said, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Are you okay Doc?" The guard asked.
"I'm fine. Please send him in." Hope said.
The guard gave a nod, then sent Joker in.
"You wanted me doll face. Here I am. What did you have in mind?" Joker asked.
She frowned.
"Will you please fill me in on what you have been telling Harley." Hope said.
Joker laughed.
"What did she do?" Joker asked.
"That doesn't matter. What matters, is that she's not too happy about what you're telling her. What have you been telling her?" Hope asked.
"My, my, my, Harley really is jealous. Did she do anything to you?" Joker asked.
Hope frowned.
"As I said before, it doesn't matter what she did. I just want to know what you've been telling her." Hope said.
Without even thinking about it, her hand went to her neck. Joker noticed, and the smile faltered. In a blink, he was next to her. She forgot to breathe, as he examined her neck.
"What do you think you're doing?" She asked.
Joker traced the red mark with a finger.
"She won't touch you again. I promise." He said, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
She pulled away from him.
"Don't do anything, except for setting the record straight. Tell Harley the truth." Hope said.
Joker laughed.
"Harley will get what's coming to her." Joker said.
That didn't sound good.
"Just tell Harley the truth Joker." Hope told him.
Joker was about to say something, but was interupted by a knock. The door opened.
"We have Oswald Cobblepot."
Hope pinched the bridge of her nose. She'd forgotten about her session with Oswald, after her visit from Harley.
"Bring him in, and return Joker to his room, please." Hope said.
Oswald entered, as Joker left. Joker gave Oswald a look, and Oswald frowned. This would be a long session. Hope shut the door, then turned to Oswald.
"Mr. Cobblepot, I'm sorry about that. My day today has been very stressful." She told him.
She took a seat at her desk, as Oswald sat on the couch. His eyes never left her.
"Did the Joker do that to your neck, or did someone else do it?" Oswald asked.
Hope shook her head.
"Like I said, it's been a bery stressful day." Hope said.
"I know what he's telling her." Oswald said.
Hope raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Really? How do you know?" She asked.
Oswald smiled slightly.
"I have ears. I hear him taunt her about you. He's aweful to her. She did it to you, didn't she?" Oswald asked.
"He thinks that I've challenged him." She told him.
"That's never a good thing." He told her.
"I know. So, moving on, how are you doing today?" She asked him, with a warm smile.
"I'd much rather talk about you." Oswald told her.
She gave a laugh.
"Yes, well, these sessions aren't about me, now, are they?" She told him.
He muttered something. She shook her head.