Jim Gordon sat at his desk reviewing files on all of the most recent crimes in Gotham City. He had received Batman's report on the previous night's events, disturbing things involving Joker's lieutenant, Harley Quinn, and some new type of hypnotic drug. Jim stops his browsing and opens Harley's criminal file. His computer monitor fills with an entire rap sheet of petty thefts and assaults.

Sighing, he pulls up her personal record, how could a young woman like this go so bad? She attended college, got passing grades, her major was in psychology. A penchant for the high profile criminals of the world drove her to apply for a position at Arkham Asylum. Arkham, he thinks to himself, lighting a cigarette and inhaling deep the soothing vapors, that's where things went wrong. Expanding the Arkham portion of her file he reviews all the information on her brief tenure as The Joker's personal psychologist.

He shakes his head as he recalls what happened. A good young woman with her entire life ahead of her falls in love with the Clown Prince of Crime, a complete sociopath with no real goals, other than to set chaos on Gotham whenever the chance arises. If things had gone differently, if she had been stronger, perhaps she could have helped us. Jim allows himself a moment to day dream, what if Harleen Quinzel actually stayed at Arkham and somehow figured out what was wrong with Joker? Maybe, just maybe, Gotham would have one less criminal.

Jim's thoughts continue to wander on the lost soul of Harley Quinn. Imagine, he thinks, if she were a criminal psychologist employed by the GCPD! Her knowledge and ability to anticipate criminals' actions would be invaluable. Maybe, if she had stayed straight, maybe there would be no need for Batman? Shaking his head he ignores that thought, Gotham wouldn't be the same without Batman.

Clicking onto the next batch of files, Jim reviews Harley's association with Poison Ivy. Maybe there is some link with this crime? Ivy does have an affinity for mind control and has had more than her share of men chasing after her. Seems a lot like what happened with Nightwing in this instance.

A knock on his office door interrupts his thoughts on the pending case. His new assistant, a young woman named Carrie opens the door, "Excuse me Commissioner."

"It's OK, what is it Carrie?"

"We've received this package downstairs, it's addressed to Batman, we thought you'd want to see it."

She hands a box colored red and black to him. Gingerly taking it in his hands he examines it from all angles to ensure it's not some sort of trap, intended to go off in his hands. This definitely came from Harley, the colors are her signature. "Thanks, Carrie. I'll be sure to handle this one personally."

Nodding the young woman closes the door behind her, leaving Jim alone with his thoughts once more. His thoughts, and this mystery box. I'd better wait, let Batman open this, he'll be prepared for whatever twisted surprise waits inside. Jim turns around to look at the window and is startled to see two figures standing in front of him. It's Batman and Nightwing.

"You guys really need to stop sneaking in on me like this. My heart you know."

Batman smirks, "If you were that worried about your heart Jim you'd stop smoking."

Suddenly aware that he still had a lit cigarette in his hands, Jim puts it out in the ash tray on his desk, "So, I read your report. It seems Harley is working alone on this one, but you said you suspect she had some help?"

Nodding Batman replies, "She couldn't have mixed up the drug by herself, she's smart, but not that smart."

"Not to mention, whoever made that stuff knew exactly what they were doing," Nightwing cuts in, his voice grave.

Jim says, "Do you think it was Ivy?"

"No, not this time." Batman sounded certain as ever, if not more so.

Nightwing walks around the office a bit and advises, "We suspect The Joker."

"But he's in Arkham, how-"

"Come on Jim, we all know that aside from hunting me down, Joker's next favorite past time is finding ways around the security in Arkham." Batman chides Gordon a bit, I'm surprised he hasn't thought of this yet.

Jim nods slowly, realizing that he was thinking wrong on this. Making a quick glance back at his desk he sees the package he was just given, picking it up he says, "This just came."

Batman regards the red and black box in his hands, "Obviously from Harley, and addressed to me."

"Well, what are you waiting for Batman? Open it up, let's see what she has in there." Nightwing urges him.

"I was going to open it, but I thought better of it, I figured it could be some sort of trap." Jim gulps, unsure of whether or not to let Batman open the box in his office, of all places.

Batman glances at Jim, "Don't worry, there's no trap here." Setting the box down, he opens it slowly, not wanting to be wrong about the trap. The lid flies off as soon as he begins to lift it and a small clown like a jack-in-the-box pops out and laughs, a card attached to it. Batman takes it and reads:

Dear Bat-brain,

As you've probably figured out by now, I've gone solo! Aren't you happy for me? Anyways, I wanted to give you this little present as a token of our friendship, and as a ways for you to find me at my next caper!

Here's a clue for you: Where does someone go when their cupboards are bare? When the milk is gone? When the fridge is empty?

If you can't figure it out, then I'm truly sorry for you honey. I plan to make a big score, and some new friends in the process!

Your's Truly,

Harley Quinn

"What's it say Batman?" Nightwing asks, I almost feel like Robin again.

"She plans on robbing Gotham City Grocery."

Jim laughs, "That's it?"

"No," Batman replies dryly, "she also mentions making some new friends. She plans on using her new drug on the innocent people there no doubt."

"So I guess you will be heading there then?"

"Yes." Batman says, motioning at Nighting to come back to the window, time to make the silent exit.

Jim turns his back towards his computer again, reviewing his notes on Harley, "OK, well, we'll keep digging on leads in regards to The Joker. I'll have my men double check Arkham's records to see who's been seeing him lately. Good luck you guys."

Jim turns back around, and of course Batman and Nightwing have already left. "I really wish they'd stop doing that."

Grabbing another cigarette from his pack, Jim lights it up and breathes in the vapors once more. The stress of this job is getting to me. If a criminal doesn't kill me, that will. He returns to reviewing his files, this time bringing up The Joker's file. No surprises here, page upon page of information in regards to his crimes and aliases. If there is one person I wish we could get our hands on for good, it's him.

Jim picks up his phone and dials out, "Hello, patch me into Arkham Asylum, I want a full report on The Joker's recent contacts."

As he waits for his request, Jim stares at the Joker's photo next to Harley's. These two jesters, their time will come. It's only a matter of time before they're caught and we can have a little peace in this city. I just hope nothing happens to Batman on this one.