CHAPTER SIX

The day finally came when I was to meet with the Joker. I didn't sleep well; I had many nightmares about psychotic clowns, murderous scarecrows and, for some reason, cheeseburgers, but I did my best to look presentable. I covered as many bruises as possible with clothing but there were a few I couldn't so I opted for makeup. It had taken for ever to get them to look passable, but I guess it didn't matter.

I walked strait to security and had them get the Joker. Now was not the time for Thurman to get in my way. I gathered my files, locked them in my office, making sure there was nothing on my person that could be used as a weapon. I checked through the security window if he was there and only then did I truly understand what I was getting myself into. He sat straight up and looked completely amused with something I could not see. He wasn't laughing so much as snickering as if he knew the fun that would follow. His scars looked completely horrifying but I wanted nothing more to touch them, to see what they felt like, I would, however never have that courage.

I took a deep breath, checked myself once more and entered. "Hello, my name is Doctor Har-" He held up a hand to silence me. He slowly reached over and plucked my ID from its holder. He read everything there in silence, turned it over

"Yes, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, famous scarecrow wrangler." He gave a small smile but his eyes were drawn and distant, he wasn't being kind, I could see it.

"No, I mean, I am your psychiatrist, for the time being. I am still interning but I have earned my degree. "

"How efficient of you, Harrrleey." He played with the syllables for a while, drawing out may name a bit too long. It sent chills up my spine and he noticed. He turned his head slightly to the right, making his eyes stand out and the emptiness inside them.

"So, Mr. Joker, well… what exactly should I call you? I don't have any other names, what would you prefer?"

"Seeing as we are, uh, the only two people in the room, I think I will know who you are talking to, unless, you see anyone else, doc. Do you?" His tongue darted out every now and again. It was like it had a mind of its own but it seemed to fit him and seem to add emphasis to what he was saying. He finished with a mock smile and sat back, waiting for me to take the bait. He was still holding my card. Did he plan to use that as a weapon?

"Of course not. Is there anything you would like to talk about, is anything bothering you before we start?"

"Not a thing, Harley. You know, your name, it's just, like, me."

"What do you mean?" I was really confused and I hoped it wasn't going to be one of those god awful motorcycle jokes. I hated those.

"Harleen Quinzel. Harley Quinzel. Harley Quinn. Harlequin. See, a clown, a jester of sorts. All ya have to do is work it a bit." He slid my card across the table to me.

"Very clever, I haven't heard that one before. But don't think I am exactly like you." I replaced it on my holder and straightened my shirt.

"How so, because you're sane and I'm not, hmm?" He leaned back, putting his hands behind his head, clearly trying to show off that he had removed the cuffs.

"No. I believe you are perfectly sane." I rubbed my neck and tilted it to the side, all the while staring into his eyes with a slight smirk.

"Hmm, that makes two of us. What makes you so sure?" I had peaked his interest. Perfect.

"Insanity implies that you don't know that your actions are moral and legally wrong. You understand what you do, you know why you do it, and you know it is seen by the law as wrong. You know exactly what you are doing." He looked either impressed or angry, and I, unfortunately, couldn't tell the difference. "We are different because I chose to follow the rules and norms of a society. I chose to take the safer road. You enjoy chaos and anarchy, I enjoy…" What do I enjoy, really, what was fun in my life? "…getting to know why people do what they do, I to get inside people's heads."

"I would be careful, you may not, uh, life what you find." He pointed up to his temple and tapped it a few times.

"I'm sure I would enjoy anyone's mind, no matter how… different." I cleared my throat. "I have a slight obsession with complete understanding. That is why I do what I do. While working here, I can get inside the mind of our inmates and hopefully see why they do what they do. Your mind is of particular interest to me. I really love a good challenge." I held myself in complete confidence but underneath my mask, I was terrified of this man. The worst part of it was that he was so convincing, so sincere and believable that it looked like he even believed what he was saying.

"Hmm… a woman" He paused dramatically. "who is efficient and likes a challenge? What more could I ask for?" He smiled slyly and tilted his head. He was setting the stage. "Now that I have thought about it, I would love a good dose of, uh, chaos. You think ya could write me a prescription, doc?" The introduction. I was a wreck at this point. I was so nervous I began to perspire and I can feel my hands start to shake. I tried to hide it as best possible.

"What attracts you to chaos so much? It is based in mayhem which leads to all established order falling. No rules or norms hold true and the group is destined to fail."

"Ah, you have answered your own question and there in lays the beauty. People are so dependent on their 'rules'; take them away and everyone can't stand the freedom." He clicked his tongue. The sudden noise made me jump and I tried to cover it up by rubbing my neck, but I am sure he had seen. "It shows how unstable the, uh, system really is."

"A society depends on its rules as people depend on their conscience. It keeps one in check what is right or wrong. It keeps the balance."

"But, uh, who sets these…boundries of right and wrong? If everything that is now considered evil was removed from the world, would we not find evil in everyday gestures? Face Harley, we all need a bit of evil in our lives." He smiled. He really knew his shit. The scary part was that it all made sense it you just thought about it. He knew I was thinking about what he said and taking it all into consideration. He was too convincing, I just need to steer away the topic.

"You are quite the philosopher, Mr. uh…Joker."

"No, not , that was my father." He gave a little wink and smiled a bit. It only took a second or two for us to reach hysterical laughter. It was funny, I guess that's where he got his name. I wiped the tears from my eyes, hoping for a name, or at least another alias.

"Well, Joker is too… formal. How about J instead?"

"As you wish." He did a mock bow. They were right, he really was into theatrics. I smiled in recognition.

"Back to your chaos theory. I know you base some of your behaviors chaos. For example, the little social experiment with the ferries last year." At this he smiled with what I suppose were good memories. He looked kind when he was happy. I continued. "Chaos is spontaneous and can be used to control people through confusion. How is it that you can make something so unpredictable and have a plan for any possible outcome?" He leaned in close, like he was telling me a closely guarded secret.

"I don't plan. They can ruin you." He stated.

"How so?"

"If a plan doesn't work or it turns in a completely different direction…" He paused. Pair that with the emphasis on certain words, well time slaps of his distorted lips, and the darting of his tongue and I was completely disturbed but I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Such a fascinating man and his mannerisms seemed so perfectly place in his sentence that they drove his point home. "Okay, well, let's say one of my men is killed off, I don't worry who will do his job, where I'm gonna get a new one, or if another one may get picked off, I just…" He cleared his throat. "I go on with the show. I go with the flow of whatever maybe happening. I do what needs to be done."

"Are you saying that you don't plan anything out? I mean most of what you have done would require an intense amount of preplanning and organization. For example…" I trailed off and had to consult my notes. He had caused so much of his beloved chaos in the weeks he had been out. . His records only had crimes documented during that time and it was thicker than some that detail a life's worth of crime. Not to mention everything that he had done that wasn't credited to him or simply ignored.

I scanned and scanned. Nothing stood out that would require intense planning. He sat patiently, enjoying my struggle. "Ah, yes." I exclaimed. This was absolutely perfect and was sure to get him.

"Ummhuh?" He didn't look the least bit shocked.

"When blowing up Gotham General, you didn't plan on hijacking a bus full of 50 some odd doctors, make a news broadcast, switch outfits so predator looked like prey, and even fit in your social experiment?" He smirked and licked the corner of his mouth.

"Yea, the explosives planned but the bus was sheer luck. It was the flip of the coin, if you will." His lips turned upward as if he was trying to hold something in but his maniacal laughter soon won out. I watched passively as small tears form in the corner of his eyes. He slowed enough to speak again. "I was hoping on the news broadcast, but I figured I would just grab a stray cop or something. Hehe, the anchor man worked wonderfully." He stopped as if he was remembering what the next question was. "Ah, the uh, switch around wasn't planned but I liked the idea so much I just HAD to. The ferries were semi planned. I had really hoped to use them so I had them set up just in case but, as you surely know, that was ruined by our dear dark knight."

"You do seem to have an unusal… interest in him. Why was your goal to have him remove his mask?"

"Harley, Harley, Harley. I think you have asked enough questions for today." He smiled a knowing smile.

"What makes you say that J?"

"That surly looking man behind the two way back there." He pointed. His handcuffs had been replaced. I turned and I could make out the slightest out line of Thurman and J was right, he looked pissed. He motioned for me to come over.

"Right again, J. I guess this finishes our session for today. I will see you tomorrow."

"Harley?"

"Hmm?"

"Your neckwear is lovely. Bruises suit you well, shows off your eyes." He began laughing again. How did he see them? I turned to the mirror and all of the makeup had been wiped off or at least smear enough to see Crane's fingerprints "See ya, Harley.' He smirked and waited for the orderly to come and get him.

Author's Note: I really enjoyed this chapter, but it was written in parts, I hope the flow is alright. I have to apologize for the super long wait. My computer was attacked by a Trojan, which literally ate everything. I was able to get back in and salvage three save states of my story and thankfully it was all there. Thank you again to all of my reviews, I really appreciate it, it really does make my day! Thanks and hope you enjoyed!