Dr. Quinzel had asked them to remove his cuffs after that first session. They had refused.

From what Bane could gather, she was merely a junior doctor, if not an intern. She commanded little respect amongst her peers –even less from his fellow inmates.

'They would respect you more if you spoke up for yourself, Doctor.' Bane's smooth, mechanical voice interrupted. Dr. Quinzel's stream of words trickled to a halt.

He watched as her slender fingers paused, a blond strand of hair twirled around her index finger.

'Huh?'

Orange encased muscles trembled, bulging against the cheap asylum uniform as Bane's body shook with laughter.

'For a woman who speaks so much, you have very little to say.' Bane smiled beneath the mask.

Rosebud lips, painted a deeper shade of rouge this time, pouted. Her pencil hovering just below her lower lip.

'Now Mr. Bane, that really isn't very nice.' Harleen sighed, straightening her skirt. 'We aren't here to talk about me.'

The minutes ticked by with only the hiss of Bane's breathing filling the dark treatment room. Eyes downcast, she appeared to be trying to collect her thoughts. 'It's been nearly a month, Mr. Bane. You haven't told me anything. Your behaviour hasn't improved. Your attitude to the guards has remained the same. We can't even consider letting you interact with the other inmates-'

'How would you have me act?' Grey eyes focused on her bent head. 'You have heard what they claim I have done. Do you think me capable of a change?'

Dr. Quinzel's head shot up. 'Claim? So you deny doing it, then?' The words flowed forth once more; her eyes alight with excitement.

'Deny?' He asked, tone even. His voice filled the room, larger than life.

How can one woman be so innocent, so foolish, in place such as this? Why does she not cower before me, as so many others have before her?

'Killing all those people, of course. If there is someone threatening you, someone out there that made you do this, we can, I mean, I can talk with the other Doctors. I could get you a lawyer, and-'

So eager. So energetic. Like a child.

'You misunderstand, Doctor.' He spoke over her, his tone commanding silence. 'I deny nothing.'

Something twisted in his chest at the crestfallen look that flashed across her delicate features. Slowly, deliberately, he looked away.

What is this foolishness? I must remain focused. Talia has not come for me. I shall go to Talia.

He clenched his hands.

'If you could just give me something, anything – I could get them to move the cuffs to the front.'

Bane blinked. What was she talking about this time?

'If you just showed a little progress, I could ask them. Again. But they won't listen to me as long as you remain silent. You understand that, don't you, Mr. Bane? You sound like an educated man.' Dr. Quinzel leant forward, her hand reaching out to rest on his knee.

'Do not presume that the familiarity exists between us to allow you to touch me, child.'

He watched as her chest stilled; he recognised that look of fear. Her heart would be in her mouth, her blood pounding in her ears, as she stared down the predator that she had dared attract attention to her.

'I-I-I' She stammered, withdrawing her hand as though burnt. She stood quickly, her back turned to him. 'I just thought you would be more comfortable.'

Her heels clicked across the cool concrete floor as she made her way to the door.

'Why?'

She paused, fingertips resting against cool steel.

'Because I'm your Doctor. It's my job to-'

Bane shifted in his seat, tilting his head to one side. 'Why Arkham?'

Slowly, wide blue eyes turned to look at him. No-one had ever asked her why before. 'Mr. Bane, we really aren't here to discuss-'

'I shall answer one of your questions, if you answer one of mine.'

'That really isn't very professional, Mr. Bane.'

A smirk curled across scarred lips, his damaged mask giving no hint. He knew he had her, the moment she took that first, hesitant step back toward him.

'Just Bane. I have no need for meaningless titles.'

Baby blue eyes traced his face, lingering on his mask.

'You may ask me one question. I will answer. Once you have answered my own.'

He watched as she gingerly took her seat. One stocking clad leg swung up to fold across the other; a shiny black patent stiletto bobbing nervously. Her gaze flicked up to his, before scuttling away like a frightened rabbit.

'I do not repeat myself, Doctor.'

'Ri-right. And then, you promise you will answer me? Whatever my question?' She flinched at the cold edge in his eyes.

'I am a man of my word, Doctor.'

'O-of course. I didn't mean to imply otherwise, Mr-ah, I mean, Bane.' A light blush spread across her pale cheeks. Bane chucked again. He had not found another so amusing since-

'Why Arkham?' Dr. Quinzel mused, her head falling back. Little did she realise what train of thought she had interrupted in the other man. 'I guess...it's because no-one thought I would make it.'

The silence stretched between them.

'You seem determined to make me break my own rule, Doctor.' Bane bit back his irritation at her blank look. 'For a woman who speaks so much, you have very little of true value to say.'

Her cheeks flared red. Lowering her head, she stared down at her hands, clasped in her lap.

Useless child. How could I ever have thought she resembled even a shadow of Talia?

'I mean, just look at me.' Her tone, hushed. A normal man would struggle to make out her words. 'All it takes is one look, and they've already written me off as another two-bit bimbo playing with the big girls. I just wanted to show them that I was serious, you know? I thought...I kept telling myself, throughout med school, if you can just make a name for yourself, Harls, you can show them. Arkham...' She trailed off, lost in thought.

Even a child may have hidden depths.

'Gotta keep them guessing' She smiled at him. All he could do was stare. Unsure lips trembled, tilting at the corners. Weary eyes gazed back at him, showing the age of a woman far beyond her years.

I do believe I have underestimated you, Doctor.

'Is it broken?'

Her words drew him out of his thoughts. For a moment, he struggled to understand what she meant.

'Your-' she motioned to her own mouth.

'That is your question?' He asked her, incredulously.

Perhaps not.

She frowned, fidgeting on her chair. Before she could open her mouth, Bane spoke.

'It is...damaged.'

He raised an eyebrow at her as she blinked, clearly surprised at his candid answer. She opened her mouth to speak again. 'Ah, ah Doctor. We had a deal. A question for a question.'

The frustration in her eyes made his stomach flutter, his eyes shining with a smile no-one but he knew he had allowed to escape.

Such a strange girl.

'Harleen.'

'Pardon?'

'My name. If...' She trailed off, unsure of herself. 'If I have to drop the Mister, you should drop the Doctor. It's only fair.'

'It is a title you have earned. Does your society not value such things highly?'

'It sounds as if you can't remember my name, calling me Doctor all the time! I keep looking behind me to see if one of the other Doctors has come in to watch our session or something.' She huffed, flowing at a loose strand of golden hair.

'You are a very unique young woman...Ms. Quinzel.'

Harleen's head shot up. A small smile broke across her lips. She laughed. He had never seen her look like that.

'Well, it's a start!'