A/N: Ok, so I did decide to make this into a longer story because of a little comment from one of my reviewers. (You know who you are :D) Reviews are much appreciated and constructive criticism is welcomed, but no flamers please. So here it is, the second chapter of His Puppet, enjoy! :D I also edited my original chapter a bit, so if you want to go take a peek at it. I will hopefully be putting up a new chapter every two to three weeks. (It could be quicker with more reviews :)

Chapter 2

A Fatal Surprise

The next morning I woke up to the sun streaming through my living room window. Dust swirled and danced in the light.

I need to make sure to dust later, I thought as I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I glanced around the room and realized that I wasn't in my bedroom and that I was in fact on my couch.

The dream from last night suddenly came flooding back to me and I remembered everything in perfect detail. A chill ran down my spine even though it was a comfortable seventy-two degrees in my house.

I stood up and turned toward the window. I immediately had to shield my eyes from the blinding sun.

Wow. Why is it so bright out? It's usually much darker—Shit!

I bolted into the kitchen, not realizing that a blanket had been put over me while I was asleep.

I skidded into the kitchen and cursed as I saw what time it was, 9:27. I was supposed to be at work 3 hours ago! I couldn't hear my damn alarm!

I quickly got ready for work, but first I grabbed a cereal bar from my pantry. Not bothering to take a shower, I tied my long blonde hair up in a messy ponytail and bolted out the door. I ran out to my car still trying to put on my jacket.

I sped off to work in my crimson 1972 Chevrolet Corvette, a lovely inheritance from my dearest parents. Pssh, dearest my foot, I thought sarcastically. My parents never paid much attention to me. Even though I struggled to get their attention through gymnastics and constantly keeping up my grades they just continued on thinking to themselves that buying me everything I could have ever wanted would make up for them never being there, even telling me that their money was what paid for all my nice things and great schooling and blah, blah, blah.

I suppose that was one of the reasons I was so in love with the Joker, I thought as my car sped down the road. When I started sessions as his physiatrist he actually paid attention and listened to me and it was unlike the attention I got from most guys either. He wasn't just focused on my body, but actually on my feelings and problems.

Get a grip Harls. You're trying to justify all those awful things he did to you with trying to make him sound like the good guy. Tom listens to you just as much as the Joker ever did, maybe even more.

That's when I noticed that I was almost at my work. I could see the top of the building from here. Arkham Asylum was a ten story, concrete building. It had absolutely zero character and lacked any type of feeling of welcome, but it was like home-sweet-home to me. I loved my job, now that I had gotten away from the Joker that is. Luckily he was currently locked up in the maximum security wing of Arkham. Because of all his escape attempts he was also shackled with four foot long chains to his bed whenever he was in the cell and the door was reinforced with twelve inches of steel.

Unfortunately that still did nothing to calm my nerves. For a few months afterward, every time I walked out of work at night I continued to glance behind my shoulder to make sure he wasn't there. That all ended when I met Tom, he made me feel so secure and comfortable.

After my time with the Joker Mr. Arkham and most people there had been hesitant to let me back in, especially since I'd be so close to the Joker, but I pleaded my case as best I could telling them that I had really changed and wanted to come back to work. Reluctantly they let me in, but only for a limited amount of hours a week. As I progressed and showed no signs of wanting to be near the Joker they allowed me to back my old hours and now they accept me again.

Well as much as anyone who invited the person, who had busted out one of their most psychotic criminals and became his henchwoman, back in, could. I giggled as I pulled into the parking lot. I glanced at the clock and remembered that I was very late and bolted into the building.

"You're late," the secretary informed me in a monotone voice as I rushed past her toward my office.

Obviously, I thought, but didn't voice my comment. Just as I was about to reach the door to my office I heard my name being shouted from the end of the hallway. I turned to find my boss and mentor, Joan Leland, walking toward me. I smiled, but my smile disappeared as I noticed the horror stricken look on her face.

"Something wrong, Joan?" I asked as she approached me.

She didn't say anything, but quickly took out her master key and unlocked my office. She then proceeded to drag me inside by my arm and shut the door behind us. Before I could ask what the hell was wrong with her, she spoke the four words that I had feared since I handed over the Joker to the Asylum.

"The Joker has escaped."

With those few words all the blood drained from my face and my eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. The only word that I could muster from my dry mouth was, "What?"

"When the morning shift of guards came in they found every single one of the midnight guards dead or severely injured. I tried to call you, but you didn't answer and then when you didn't come in on time…," she turned around and stared at the floor, "I feared the worst."

"…how? How the hell could he have killed all those men by himself?" My voice was shaking as was my entire body. I sat down in my desk chair and put my head in my hands as Joan explained.

"We believe that he had accomplices on the inside because when we counted the dead and injured there were five less than punched in for their shift. Also, there was no forced entry or exit so they would have to have had keys. But don't worry Harleen; we will make sure that you have all the protection and guards that you need. We won't let the Joker get to you."

Unfortunately what she was saying made me feel no safer.

He would find me.

I had moved from where I had been living before, but I knew that he would find me. I didn't know where to go, if I went back to my apartment he would find me for sure.

But…where else can I go? Tom's? No, he would be in danger. I could try and get out of town until he's caught, but I'd be leaving the people closest to me in danger too.

I had no clue what to do now. Fortunately, Joan answered my question.

"I think that it is in your best interest to leave town for a while," she looked at me with a stern look that made me think twice before questioning her. "We know of a hotel that is secluded from most of civilization, but there is also a city within ten minutes of it so in case anything happens, you can go to the police in that town."

"I-I don't know," I stuttered. "What if the Joker finds any of my friends or Tom? I'd rather him just find me."

"Don't worry, we will have police located at his house and I don't think the Joker will figure out any of who your friends are."

"Don't underestimate him," I warned, "he is capable of so much more."

"Harleen, you are the one that is in the most danger and we want to keep you safe and away from the Joker. It would be unthinkable if he somehow got to you and…

"And I went back with him…" I looked away, angry that Joan would even think that.

"No, no, if he killed you. If he got to you and killed you… I wouldn't be able to live it down." I looked back up at Joan and saw the sincerity in her eyes.

She really means it. A small smile crossed my face. "Ok, I will Joan; I'll leave for a while. I just have to grab a few things first. Ok?"

Joan's face lightened a bit. "Thank you Harleen. That would take such a weight off my shoulders to know that you're safe."

I gave her a brief smile before walking toward my desk to grab a few of my things. "I'm just going to grab a few things here, run home, grab some clothes, and then I'll leave for that hotel. Where is it anyway?"

"It's right outside Gotham; about a two hour drive." She quickly went over to my computer and looked up the address. "Here it is." She pointed to the screen and pressed the print button. I grabbed the sheet from the printer and gave Joan a quick hug.

"Thank you for everything."

"No problem."

I quickly bolted out of the room and to my car. Should I let Tom know where I'm going? No, that would put him in danger. Should I at least let him know that I'm leaving…I can't. He would be much better off if I explain it all to him later and besides Joan said she would send police to his house.

As soon as I reached my car I noticed a piece of paper under one of my windshield wipers.

"How did I get a ticket? I'm parked in the-," as I read the paper my hands began to shake and I dropped the piece of paper. It slowly drifted to the ground. A quick message was scrawled across the paper.

I've missed you. –J.