CHAPTER EIGHT

It was a small wad of tissue paper. I careful pulled back the delicate edges to reveal a small tea rose. It was a brilliant red color and the tips had been frosted with a metallic black; when held in the light, it sparkled. Beneath that was a tiny note that read:

Come up and see me sometime.

-J

How did he manage this? I mean, the note was easy, but the tiny rose? He must have some connections inside or he had scared the right people. I had to laugh. He had gone through all the trouble just for me? The note that wasn't specific, it was just a broad invitation to visit him? I guess this is what he meant when he said he would see me soon.

I had to report this. If I didn't, we both could be ruined and I would be removed from the case for sure. I had made up my mind. I was going to see Thurman anyways. I would just have to tell him delicately. I set it in my bag carefully. Maybe I would keep the rose, I mean a rose couldn't hurt anyone right? I mean if I told him about that, J would be in even more trouble and so would who ever helped him. But the note was different, Thurman had to know.

I knocked on the door and entered without a response. "Dr, Thurman, you wanted to see me?"

"Harleen. Yes, please sit down." He answered with a short tone. Something had happened that really pissed him off.

"Well, I think our session went well. I mean, I didn't get anything that I wanted from him but if he trusts me and our relationship-" I pulled my body in and starting shutting the door.

"Relationship?!?" he yelled, louder than I have ever heard. "You are his doctor, not his play thing. He is prepping you so you trust him. Then he will attack. I don't know if you noticed, but he has attacked every other therapist that he has seen. Most are still in the hospital. You shouldn't think you are special." I was boiling but I had to remember what J said and he was right, if I didn't control my temper… well, nothing good would come out of it, but after hearing his little speech, the note slipped from my mind. The secret would stay between J and I.

"I'm sorry, sir. It really isn't like that. I don't trust him at all, I just want to help him. If that means lying to him and myself, then so be it. I have always put patients before myself and I don't plan on changing that." He sighed and I relaxed a bit.

"I know. That is what makes you a good doctor. And that is also why we have evaluated you and removed you from his case. This matter is closed."

"Who exactly 'evaluated` me? And do I have the right know why I have been removed from this case? I did nothing wrong and two sessions aren't exactly telling of what may happen." I screamed. Forget my anger. I had lost J, what else could I lose? I wasn't going back to treating sad little teens that don't know the meaning of problems.

"We had many of the administration in the room earlier, such as Dr. Leland and Dr. Arkham. Everyone in attendance agreed that you were becoming attached and becoming vulnerable to his attacks. You have put you self in danger as well as other doctors. There were numerous signs that you put off; the relationship has been deemed more than professional. Harley, he likes you and I am not going to risk you life over this."

"I am more than capable of handling myself. Do not worry about me."

"Frankly, Harleen, we see a connection on your side too. I mean, you gave the man a pack of playing cards without proper authorization and a screening. How were we to know that there wasn't something dangerous in there?"

"How does that prove that I love him?" I yelled. It was weird, as soon as I uttered the words, my lips began to tingle like it was a secret that desperately needed to be silenced. But there was no way, I fear him, not love him.

"I need you to look at this." He spun his chair around and pointed to his VCR. He apparently was prepared for this with, what I presumed, was the interrogation video. I leaned in for a closer look.

He fast forwarded through most of the interview to where I had said goodbye and paused it when J had reached out his hand. Did he know about the note? Was he giving me one last chance to tell him the truth? I held my breath.

"I needn't mention that many of your comments were unprofessional and unwarranted, as with your actions with Lyle, but this was unacceptable." He hit play. My body tensed as I watched myself hesitate and I slowly reached my hand to his.

I could see the surprise on my face when our skin touched, but I notice something I was unaware of. My body relaxed after he touched me. We also weren't shaking hands, we held them in the air but they were stationary. We were holding hands and I had not realized. My thumb was rubbing the top of his hand slightly and his was doing the same to mine. I gasped and moved my hand over my mouth, shaking my head in disbelief. I also noticed that when I walked out of the room, he had been watching me intently,well, until Lyle decided to hit him with the butt of his gun. J barely winched but made a face that both Thurman and I saw. We shivered almost simultaneously.

"I…I don't know what that was about. I swear it was just a hand shake." I was more talking to myself than I was to him.

"You have been moved back down to outpatient therapy. There is a young woman named…" He paused and checked his chart. "Sydney waiting for you. You two are in room 133." He just jumped from one subject to the next and he was clearly not interested in my plight. I sighed and just looked at him, tear welling in the corners of my eyes. "I have also made an appointment for you to see someone for a few counseling services. I know this has to be hard on you, but please, just suck it up and finish your day."

"Fine, but consider this my 2 week notice!" I shouted, slamming the door behind me and heading downstairs for my dreaded patient. As expected, she was a perfectly built, beautiful young woman talking away on her phone and stopping every few minutes to text. I called her over and we began our conversation.

I put on my very best happy face and greeted this girl. She must have only been 15 or 16, but with her clothes and makeup she looked much, much older. I introduced myself and we began our conversation.

"So, Syd, what is bothering you right now?" I asked, my voice dull and lacking any interest at all. She apparently didn't catch on to that.

"Um, well, as you can see, I have a problem with acne." I brought my eyes to her skin, her blemish less skin. She bit her lip and she began to rub her face self-consciously.

"Tell me how that makes you feel." I mocked. She didn't catch on to that either. She wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in J's pocket. I giggled at my joke.

"What…whats so funny. Everyone hates me because I'm ugly!" She screamed. I was done, I was quitting, so why shouldn't I have a bit of fun?

"Aw, sweetie, I was laughing with you, people can be so mean, right?" I scooted over to her side of the table, ducked down, and put an arm on her shoulder. I offered her a drink of water and resumed my position. "I wouldn't be worried about your acne…" I paused and took a sip of my coffee. Her face lit up. I knew it, she was only looking for attention.

"Really?" She asked and started playing with her hair.

"Of course, you are such a special person. I mean who wouldn't want to be your friend." My voice laced with sarcasm but he smile got even brighter. "Syd, I know why you are here. You want me to tell you how pretty you are. It's okay, no need to lie." She looked shocked at first and slowly started to shake her head. Now was the fun part. "Here, come with me. I know how to really cheer you up." I grabbed her arm and pulled towards our inevitable fun.

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Author's Note: Yea, not my favorite, but it has a good cliffhanger. Let me just say that the next chapter should more than make up for it. It is one of my favorites, probably the second best. Anyways, thank you guys for all of the reviews, they really make me happy.

A special thanks to:

Blackmoonlite

Madelineex3

Nixie-doodle

Rachael C.