CHAPTER SEVEN

"Harley, you are starting to lose your judgment. I feel like I have to reprimand you more and more frequently. I hope this isn't becoming a habit?"

"Absolutely not, sir. I just missed a few days and I wanted to dive in as soon as possible to make up for that time. "

"You were almost beaten to death, visit your attacker the same night to bring him food, and enter a face-to-face with the Joker unsupervised? Either your extremely brave or you have a death wish. Either way, you need my permission from now on before talking to any of our patients. Don't look so disappointed. It's not like I'm going to say no, I just want to make sure you are well protected. "

"Yes, sir." That was all I could muster in rage but I somehow managed to stay professional. I really wanted to stay on this case and saying what I really thought wasn't going to help me any.

"What am I supposed to do now, I really am having a problem with trusting you and I haven't even talked about the session itself. You have pet names for each other, which I needn't mention is becoming too involved with a patient and in your first session?!? I am speechless." If only that was the truth. H never knew when to shut up

"And there was no supervision. If he had attacked you, you could have had a repeat of the other day, but knowing him, he would have finished the job. " He finally became silent, weighing his options and reached his decision. If he only knew about him removing my ID card. The thought gave me shivers all over, but wasn't from fear, it was happiness.

"You really are a good doctor, Harleen, and you have amazing potential, but..." The one word I didn't want to hear. My heart sunk and I was ready to quit on the spot. This was supposed to fix my career but if I was going to be stuck fixing minor cases, I might as well get a cell of my own. I finally decided to listen what he had to say"…and your probably not the best for him. I am, however, going to keep you assigned to him." I couldn't believe it, my jaw fell slack.

"Why?"

"Well, first off, he clearly removed his cuffs and restraint and made no attempt to harm you. He also didn't verbally assault you, which has never happened before. We also heard a bit more from him and the way he thinks. I am hoping you can get something more significant in your next few sessions." He fell silent as a look of concern crossed his face.

"Harleen, I am worried about your safety. Whatever you have seen of this man cannot be trusted. As his profile said, his is constantly reinventing himself. He could be fine one day and the next back into his psychosis. You must check in with me before you council him. You are also going to have two armed guards outside of the door and one inside at all times. Your sessions will be the regulation hour for now. I also am removing your security access to his cell. I don't need any mishaps" He was done now, I however wasn't, but my mind was moving at such an amazing pace. Between J and my anger, I could barely walk out of the room.

I went straight to my office to try and sort out my thoughts. Apparently, Thurman didn't trust me. What, did he think that I was going to run up and break him out or that I was going throw myself at him? THE IGNORANCE OF MEN, I could barely stand it.

Why had J responded so well to my approach? I mean I didn't do too much that was different than the others. As odd of a possibility it was, maybe he was physically attracted to me. Not that I was beautiful, it's just he has been locked up for almost a year. Maybe he was lonely? And my bruises, how did he notice and what would be my response? Ah, it didn't matter anyways, he would forget by tomorrow. His file says his thoughts move fast enough that most of what is said is lost. He does have small memory lapses.

The part that was getting to me the most was that his theories were making sense to me. Why? I have no idea, but I felt clarity about the world that I had never experienced before.

"Dr. Thurman, is it alright if I attend our therapy session now?" I managed to spit though my clenched teeth. He didn't notice.

"Yes, the Joker is already in the session room and your guards are waiting. Can you talk to me when you're finished?" I nodded my head in recognition and left.

I went into the observation room to watch what he was doing and as expected, he was sitting still as a statue staring at the exact spot I was standing. It was now or never.

"Harley, how nice it is to see you. I have to say, it is quite a surprise." He said with a knowing smirk.

"What do you mean?" I asked, forgetting my professional demeanor.

"Well, I was quite sure they were going to remove you from my case. Not many have lasted this long." He paused and looked over towards the mirror and his eyes slowly drifted back to me. I was waiting for him to explain. "They don't believe in ya, do they Harley? They dismiss you ideas and live only by their own. I figure I won't be meeting with you for therapy anymore."

"How so?"

"You sure ask a lot of questions, don't ya Harley-girl?" He paused for only a second and continued. "Taking in our audience..." He motioned to the armed guard and the numerous doctors behind the glass. "…that you obviously don't want, the anger in your eyes and the fact that your heart rate is steadily climbing as I continue." I slammed my fists onto the table and stood.

"You are absolute-"

"No, I am right. How'd ya get 'em?" He asked.

"What? Get what?" I spat.

"Temper Harley, temper." He shook a finger at me, utterly amused. "Sit down or we will never get to finish our session." I listened. This madman was giving instructions, that I willingly took. And the sad part? He was right. How was he more in touch with my emotions than I was.

"Thank you." I mouthed. He only blinked in recognition.

"You are avoiding my question."

"How did I get what?

"Your bruises. They are truly a piece of art and added quite skillfully" He smirked. He was still in his restraints, probably due to the small army watching his every move. His irritation was starting to show. I figured that the truth was the best road to take. I didn't need another set.

"They, um, they were-"

"And I suggest you don't lie, Dr. Quinzel. I am not known for my patience." He cracked his neck and resumed his stare. The orderly stepped forward and aimed the butt of his gun against his head.

"Clown, I wouldn't be threatening the doctor. You are in quite a position." He pulled back his gun, about to strike. I rushed over to him, stopping him mid strike with my hand. I heard something crack but continued.

"Enough, Lyle. He did nothing wrong. Just back off." I spat, letting some of my aggression go. J just stared at us unblinking and looking like this was the most fun he had in months. I cradled my hand and continued the conversation, mentally blocking the pain in my more than likely, my fractured hand.

" I got them from a patient here. I was trying to break up a fight. There were no..." I shot an angry look over to the infuriated Lyle "…no orderlies around. I also received a concussion."

"The work of Crane, or should I say Scarecrow? He always favored strangling a little too much. I not one to speak though, I am a man of knives." He said with pride.

"I know, I have seen your work." I offered no expression but I was so confused. How had he known everything? From Crane to the fact that any moment I may be removed from his case, I just hope I got a few more sessions out of him. I hope he was wrong about today.

It was silent for quite a while as my thoughts raced and J decided it would be appropriate to stare at either me or the people behind the mirror. Now that I had gotten to know this man, he didn't unnerve me quite as much as he had yesterday but I was nowhere near crazy enough to trust him.

"Are you ready to say goodbye to my case?"

"Absolutely not." He tsked at me, shaking his head from side to side.

"See, I thought you were a smart girl. Harley, I am not fixable because I am not broken, I just see the world in a different light. I hate order and control. That can't be fixed with a couple a pills."

"I know. I never said I wanted to fix you, in fact I think I already said you weren't broken. I just enjoy the way you think." Did I just say that out loud? He made a face that was half shocked and completely amazed. I had to stop before I said anything else. I decided that I would leave very shortly. Nothing in this session had gone the way I wanted. I reached into my pocket and pulled out what I had for him.

"What's this?" He asked as a slid a pack of cards across the table. I could see Lyle eyeing it warily.

"Something for your good behavior. I figured you would want something to keep yourself entertain in your cell." I smiled as he opened it and did a quick fan through the cards and began to shuffle then. I guess that was his nervous habit. "I hope to be seeing you very soon J. I'm sorry I have to cut this short." He knew what I was talking about and did a slight bow of his head.

"Harley, we won't be seeing each other for a long time. Then again, ya never know." He smiled and reached out a hand a still cuffed hand. I was taken aback by this gesture and it took a while for me to process what he was doing. I slow reached my hand over to grab his.

His skin was warmer than expected, why did I think it would be cold? He was human after all. I did realize until I pulled away that he had slipped something into my sleeve. I pretended nothing happen and left the room. I was half way to Thurman's office when I heard a deep and sadistic laughter. I knew it was him and I felt an odd connection. I had to duck into the bathroom to stifle my own laughter. I went into an empty stall, sat down and pulled out whatever J had given me.

Author's Note: We are finally starting to get the ball rolling. This a great chapter, I really enjoyed writing it. I wasn't going to upload until I got home (I am on vacation for the next few days) but today is my birthday and I decided I should share a present with you all!