Chapter 18
Since Joker was in solitary I didn't have any sessions on Friday but I did stop by the asylum to drop off my weekly findings to Dr. Arkham. While I was there I stopped in and spent some more time with the plants in my office. I made sure they were watered, opened the blinds and left the radio on to keep them company. I decided to take the barrel cactus home with me. If Pam really could talk to plants I thought a look into my personal life might help her grow to like me enough to at least participate during our sessions. I didn't go to see the Joker, he deserved his time in solitary.
I named the cactus Bernie and I felt we bonded over ice cream and rom coms over the weekend. On Monday I made some progress with Jervis, not a ton of progress mind you. It was going to be baby steps with him. He did seem slightly more lucid and he didn't quote Carroll quite as much as the previous week. Tuesday I brought Bernie back into the office with me and we did a little car pool karaoke on our way in. Well Bernie not so much, but I was rockin' out to some Anna Nalick. When I got into the asylum I hunted down a gurney that wasn't in use and loaded the plants onto it. Once I was scanned by the metal detectors I brought my bounty over to Pam's cell and started to unload. She was staring at me like I was completely bonkers, but I ignored her as I placed the orchid, rose bush, fern, fichus tree and cactus on the floor outside of her cell.
"What the hell are you doing?" She questioned as I futzed around with the arrangement. I slowly looked up at her.
"Well Pamela, I know you don't want to talk to me but you need to talk to someone so I brought you some friends. I'm sorry you can't have them in your cell what with the defoliant and all. I've been caring for them for a little while." I picked up the barrel cactus. "I named this one Bernie, he came home with me over the weekend. I think he enjoyed it, he looks a little greener than he did when I found him at the garden center." She was giving me a mistrustful look.
"Why would you do this?"
"I know I'm just your doctor and I know you don't trust me as far as you can throw me. I also know you don't believe that I actually care about my patients, but I do. It's also pretty clear to me that you've been depressed lately and I thought maybe some company would cheer you up. Since you don't seem all that interested in my company, I brought you some friends. I know what it feels like to be all alone." I looked into those glittering green eyes of hers and gave her as dazzling a smile as I could muster. "I'll make sure they're cared for, just let me know if I'm doing something wrong. I talked to them and played them some music, I hope they liked it. You'll have to let me know, okay?" I leaned down and addressed the cactus. "Later Bernie, take good care of Pam, okay?"
Pam watched me walk away with her mouth agape and it took everything in me not to break out in a triumphant smile until I was out of the ward. I did kind of do a little happy dance once I was well clear of Intensive Treatment. I didn't have any sessions today since I decided not to push Pam too far too quickly. I'd give her some time to speak with the plants and see if I could get her to loosen up. That left me feeling pretty idle. Joker wouldn't be released from solitary until tomorrow and I wasn't doing him any favors by getting him out early. I did, however, decide to pay him a little visit.
I walked past security and headed down to the very last solitary cell. They liked to keep Joker as far away from any exits, and employees, as possible. I was actually wearing flats for a change so the clicking of my heels didn't alert him to my presence as usual. As I drew near I could hear him quietly singing to himself. I stopped to listen.
"You turn to the right, you find a little bright light, that leads you to my blue heaven. You find a cozy place, fireplace, cozy room. A little nest that nestles where, the roses bloom." He actually had a pleasant and melodic singing voice. I was surprised. He stopped singing abruptly, "Ya know Doc it's not polite to eavesdrop on a fella." I moved to stand in front of his cell door. He was sitting on the floor again. He was bruised all over, particularly around his ribs, security did a number on him this time.
"I apologize Mr. J, I didn't want to interrupt you. I didn't know you could sing, it was lovely." He looked at me but didn't get up. "You look like hell." He grinned and finally rose. He was obviously sore from the beating.
"Don't worry doll, it's nothing compared to the beatings Batsy gives me. Not quite as enjoyable either."
"You know Mr. J, you really threw a big fat monkey wrench in my plans. You had been so cooperative lately I had actually planned a little treat for you over the weekend. As it is now, Dr. Arkham is considering pulling me from your case. So, I hope your little tantrum was worth it." He smiled widely.
"Oh my dear Harley, it was totally worth it. Can't allow anyone to manhandle my doctor after all."
"Well one more outburst like this and I won't be your doctor anymore. Capisce?" He placed his left hand on his heart and held up the other in a Boy Scout salute.
"I promise to be on my very best behavior from now on. Scout's honor." I narrowed my eyes at him.
"I really hope so Mr. J. You'll be brought back to your cell tomorrow. We'll resume sessions at ten." I turned to walk away.
"Doc, wait a second." I turned back to look at him. "So out of curiosity, what kind of treat are we talking about?"
"When you prove you can actually behave yourself you'll find out. As of right now we'll be doing something that I don't think you're going to like very much this weekend." I turned and strode back down the hall. "Keep your nose clean Mr. J. I'll see you tomorrow."
Since I had nothing else to really do, I left early and went to the gym for a well-deserved workout. While I was there I thought about Dick and the fact that he hadn't called me since he moved to Bludhaven. I'm sure he was just busy what with the moving, unpacking and starting the police academy, but I'd be lying if I said my feelings weren't a little bit hurt. By the time I left the gym my arms were killing me and dusk had fallen. I stopped at Happy Dragon on my way home and spent my last ten dollars in cash on some take-out.
By the time I got back to my apartment it was completely dark out. It was one of the things I hated about winter. It got dark so damn early. I flicked on the TV and grabbed a grape soda from the fridge then settled down to eat my Chinese food when I heard a scraping noise from my fire escape. I placed the carton on my coffee table and slowly got up to grab the Taser Dick had given me from my bag. I quietly slunk along the wall to the window, grabbed the corner of the curtain and quickly pulled it open to see a dark figure perched on the fire escape railing. I screamed and ran for the phone to dial 911 but before I could get to there I heard the window open. I turned to see a guy in blue and black spandex with a mask on his face sitting in the window frame.
"Dr. Quinzel! I didn't mean to startle you." I suddenly realized I recognized this guy.
"Nightwing? Jesus H. Munchkin! You just scared the crap outta me! What the heck are you doing here?" His voice was deep and gravelly but I gotta say he filled out that spandex nicely.
"Batman asked me to swing by and check on you. We know you're treating the Joker and that causes us some concern for your safety." My heart was still pounding like a jackhammer.
"Can't you costumed vigilante types just knock on the door like normal people? You almost gave me a heart attack!" He smiled and for some reason it seemed vaguely familiar.
"I apologize Dr. Quinzel. We heard about Dr. Stone, how are you holding up?"
"I'm fine. I was never in any danger, I just happened to be in the room when it happened." Nightwing was still sitting in the window with his legs dangling into my living room. "You gonna perch there all night or did you wanna come in?"
"I'm fine here actually, I won't take up much more of your time. I just have a few questions if that's ok." I rolled my eyes.
"If you just wanted to ask me some questions you could have used the phone like a normal person, ya know." He flashed me that smile again.
"Sorry, not my style. Dr. Quinzel did Joker say anything before the attack on Dr. Stone." I wanted to tell him yes but I told Arkham it was an unprovoked attack. If my stories didn't match that would be awfully suspicious.
"No. Ben was simply careless. He left the cast saw within Joker's reach and Joker seized the opportunity to create some chaos. It's certainly not the first time." Nightwing cocked his head slightly then frowned.
"Are you sure?" I huffed.
"Are you accusin' me of lyin'?" My accent was out full force. I tend to drop the professional doctor façade when I'm in the comfort of my own home. Nightwing kind of gave me a once over before answering.
"No Dr. Quinzel. Is there anything else you can tell me that might be useful?" Joker was already locked up, what did he mean anything else useful?
"I hate to break it to you but I'm bound by the laws of doctor patient confidentiality. There is nothing else about my patient that I can divulge." He looked disappointed.
"Well thank you for your candor, Doctor. Have you considered dropping this case?"
"Considered it, yes. Doing it, nuh-uh. This is the kind of case people like me dream about. I have too much at stake. Why does it matter to you anyway?" He began to withdraw from the window back onto the fire escape.
"It's just what we costumed vigilante types do, Dr. Quinzel. Thanks for your time." He ducked his head out of my window and I ran over and stuck my head out just as he was about to swing away.
"Wait a second." I had a nice full view of Nightwing ass as I popped my head out of the window. "Woah, can that butt look any better in those tights?" He slowly turned and looked at me with a bemused look on his face.
"What is it with chicks and my butt? I don't get what all the fuss is about."
"Well you're not the one looking at it Birdboy. Before you swing into the night, should I be expecting more visits like this, because I can like install a bell or something?" He chuckled and it was so familiar but I just couldn't place it.
"No promises, but I'll knock next time, ok?" I stared at his face for a second trying to figure out why it felt like I knew him.
"Nightwing, have we met before? It's just that you seem so damn familiar."
"Nope, I guess I just have that kind of face." Then he swung away like Tarzan into the urban jungle that is Gotham.