Author's Note: Thank you so much to the readers, and especially the reviewers! I'm working hard on the transition from Harleen to Harley, because I want the change to be as realistic as possible, which has included me creating a strong background for Harleen (which will be revealed eventually) which would help explain the desire for an intelligent woman such as Harleen to move into the wild, crazy, dark, and passionate lifestyle she ends up in. Again, thank you for the reviews and for taking the time to read this story.
Chapter Eight.
Harleen awoke the next morning with a groan, before she left her bed she took the small bottle of painkillers the doctor from last night had given her, and swallowed two of the small pills dry.
Harleen lay still for a while, until she could feel the pain in her ribs and face receding, before rising and taking a long, hot shower. Harleen studied her reflection as she carefully dried off. The bruises on her face had turned purple overnight, a startling stain across her normally tanned skin. Her ribs too had darkened into a deep purple patch.
Harleen dressed carefully, selecting a soft pink button up shirt that hung gently over her bruised torso, pairing the shirt with a simple black skirt, and some flat boots to accommodate her aching side, Harleen thought over her make up.
Harleen decided against using any foundation, knowing the bruises were too dark to be covered fully, and instead just brushed on some mascara, and gingerly slid a moisturising lip balm over her split lip.
Harleen put on her glasses and added her small container of pills to her handbag, along with a grape soda, before eating a light breakfast of honey on toast. Harleen normally forgoed eating in the morning, but knew she needed to eat today with the pills she was taking, if she didn't want to become dazed in her appointments.
Harleen went to grab her car keys, before remembering her car had been left at the Asylum the day prior. She sighed as she called for a taxi instead. The taxi ride had been slightly uncomfortable, as the driver had stared at her with wide eyes through the mirror at every opportunity.
Checking that her car was where she had left it, Harleen made her way to her office to complete the paperwork she hadn't been able to do yesterday. Every four feet Harleen was stopped by a wide eyed colleague asking her what had happened. Harleen could see the surprise most of them had when they had learned that it was not, in fact, one of her patients that had attacked her, which she supposed was a fair enough response given the violent histories her patients had.
Harleen had finally made it to her office, and was halfway through the previous day's paperwork, when there was a knock on the door. Harleen glanced up as she called for whoever it was to enter. She felt anxious when she saw Doctors Leland and Arkham enter, taking the seats in front of her desk.
"Oh hello Doctor Arkham, Doctor Leland. Can I help you?" She questioned, setting down her pen. "Hello Harleen, I do hope you're feeling okay, those are some nasty bruises. I'm surprised you came in today, you didn't need to" Doctor Arkham said, his eyes studying Harleens face.
"Oh I'll be okay, I didn't want to miss my sessions today, and I have all the paperwork from yesterday to do… No I'll be fine. Thank you for the concern though." Harleen said, hoping they wouldn't push the subject.
There was moment of silence before Doctor Leland coughed slightly "Nealson has been moved to the high risk unit, so there shouldn't be any more incidents like yesterday. I have some forms for you to sign about the incident and then I've got a meeting" Doctor Leland said briskly, handing a few forms to Harleen and waiting for her to sign them, before exiting with a quick goodbye.
Doctor Arkham sighed and stood slowly "If you do need time off, please do take it. Oh and do take it easy today in your sessions. Goodbye Harleen" He said, shaking her hand quickly and exiting from the office.
Harleen glanced at the clock quickly before taking her painkillers to dull the ache in her ribs and face and finishing her paperwork. She had a session with both Crane and Waylon before lunch, and a session with Joker in the afternoon, it was going to be a busy day.
Crane had not given any outward reaction to Harleens injured form at first, other than a slight furrowing of his brows. He had asked Harleen the details of what had happened and had listened carefully, not saying a word. He had answered most of Harleens questions about the bullying he received as a child without insulting her. As Harleen had said goodbye and stood to leave, he had told her to be careful; claiming that she was only half as much of an idiot as the rest of the doctors, and that he did not want to deal with the morons.
Harleens next appointment with Waylon had been about the same as it usually was, he had, however, made a rumbling sound and bared his teeth a little more than usual when he saw her. Harleen had explained briefly what had happened, to which Waylon made no comment. Their session from there had gone as it usually had, although Waylon had made a brief, unprompted comment about his favourite show, which was unusual.
Harleen felt good about her sessions, her patients had given better reactions than she had thought they would, this lead her to think about Joker. She couldn't guess what his reaction would be, and it made her anxious to think about. She briefly considered keeping his straight jacket on, just in case, but quickly dismissed the idea. She trusted him enough, she decided.
Harleen took her usual seat in the staff break room and began eating her chicken and salad sandwich. She ignored the other people in the room, knowing they would be whispering about her, when a man she hadn't met before sat down beside her.
"Hi, I'm Max Killian, I'm a doctor here, I don't think we've met. You're Harleen Quinzel, right? I had heard you were attacked, I hope you're okay" He said. Max was a tall man who appeared to be in his thirties, he had thick black hair, and deep brown eyes. Harleen smiled a little apprehensively at the handsome man. "Hi, yes, you can just call me Harleen. I'm fine, just bruised" Harleen said, picking at her sandwich.
"Well I just wanted to introduce myself, Harleen, I'm glad to hear you're okay. Maybe I'll see you around?" He asked as he stood. "Oh, uh yeah, maybe. It was nice to meet you Max" Harleen said, a little surprised at the conversation. Harleen glanced at wall clock behind her before discarding her lunch and making her way to her session with Joker.
Harleen felt more anxious than she usually did before their sessions as she smoothed her clothes, and adjusted her glasses. She smiled slightly at the guards who stood outside the Jokers session room, before asking that they take his straight jacket off again. This caused more raised eyebrows, as they took in her bruised face, but they did as she asked and motioned her into the room without a word.
Harleen could feel the tense silence like a fog enveloping the room, Joker had paused in rolling his neck and instead looked straight ahead at Harleen. His normally bright eyes had darkened significantly, and his face was void of his usual toothy smile. He cocked his head to the side slightly as Harleen took her seat in front of him, a grin spread across his face, his silver teeth glinting in the light, though his face remained looking icy and dark.
"Hello Mister Joker. I guess it's pretty noticeable, huh?" She asked lightly, referring to her bruised faced and swallowing slightly at his unwavering gaze.
"Now what has, uh, happened to my little Harlequin?" He asked, his tongue flashed over his teeth as he leaned forward. Harleen held her breath as he raised his cuffed hands from the table and ran a finger along the side of her face, he paused in his movement and pressed down firmly on her bruised jaw, laughing as she exhaled sharply.
He pulled back his hands as Harleen leant back in her seat and adjusted her glasses as she explained what had happened. "I'm okay though, Nealson has been moved into the high security unit now." She finished, watching for any changes in the Joker's face.
He growled slightly before laughing "He's moved to Mister J's, uh, neck of the woods hmm? I'll be sure to tell him you say hello Harley, Harley, Harley". Harleen wasn't sure what to make of his words, but brushed them aside. She glanced at the door quickly before reaching into the small bag she had brought with her that normally only held her notes and pen.
"I brought you the soda, Mister Joker" Harleen said, as she opened the plastic bottle of grape soda (Harleen had been sure to get a plastic bottle, instead of glass or a can) and slid it across the table to Joker. He laughed, his eyes sparkling, as he took long swig of the drink and moaned. Harleens heart thudded heavily at the sound, she was pleased he liked it, though she remembered her other side of the promise to play a game of Jokers choosing and felt a rush of anxious adrenaline.
"Mmm, good, good, good girl, Harley" He rasped, leaning forward. Harleen felt a rush at the nickname, though she scolded herself internally; cool, calm, collected, professional. "You said you would choose the game today, Mister Joker. What game will it be? I brought cards with me" Harleen said, keeping her voice steady.
Joker cackled, rolling his neck, and flashed his teeth at her. "Oh there are plenty of games we'll play Harley; But today, you're going to answer my questions, I'll, uh, I'll even let you ask one more of your own" Joker said, his voice low and gravelly. Harleen considered this, she knew she shouldn't allow her patient to be the one to question her, but she would get to ask another question, and she had already agreed to it in their last session.
"Okay Mister Joker, you can ask three questions" Harleen agreed, her pulse increasing at her agreement.
Joker laughed and hummed exaggeratedly "Now little Harlequin, before mean ol' Nealson, has, uh, anyone else ever tried to beat your pretty little face in?" He asked, leaning in towards Harleen as he had another swig of his soda with a moan.
Harleen inhaled shakily, not a surprising question she supposed "Uh no, he was not the first" She said, adjusting her glasses on her face. Joker cackled loudly, his eyes chilling.
"Mmm how interesting, my little Harley has been around some bad boys. Now, uh, tell Mister J about your family" He said, stretching his body in his chair.
Harleen felt her blood turn to ice at Joker's words, she wrung her hands together as she considered what to say, should she tell him the truth? She shouldn't talk to a patient about this, she shouldn't talk to anyone about this, she panicked. Harleen took a deep breath, she had said she would answer his questions.
"My father spent a lot of time in prison, my mother… my mother was unfaithful while he was gone, he found out and left. He was killed while trying to rob a store. My mother died of an overdose a few years later. I have an older brother, we don't speak" Harleen couldn't believe she had told him that much, she didn't even acknowledge the events of her earlier life in her own mind. What was it about this infamous criminal that made her open up as much as she had?
The Joker laughed loudly, slamming his hands down on the table and leaning in. His shark-toothed smile was back in place as he reached up to tap the side of Harleens head gently, making her twitch. "The doctor is just as messed up as the rest of us. You're not telling Mister J everything are you, Harley? Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me" His voice trailed off into a hiss before he rasped "Why don't you and big brother speak sugar?" A bitter amusement gleamed in his eyes as he spoke.
Harleen couldn't breathe, Joker seemed to pull the questions she didn't want to answer out of her mind. "He blames me for our parents separating, and dying" Harleen all but whispered, locking her eyes on to Jokers. Why had she agreed to answer his questions, and why did the ever present knot of hurt in her chest seem to ease slightly at this admission? She shook the questions out of her head and focused on Joker.
Joker was grinning at her as he raised his cuffed hands to smooth back his vibrantly green hair (Why was it still green, she wondered, was it natural? She had assumed it was dyed) before humming "And why oh why is that Doc'?" he questioned.
"You already used your three questions Mister Joker, it's my turn" She said, shifting her glasses on her face again. Harleens heart was still pounding from The Jokers questions, as she glanced down at her notes, considering what to ask. A small note caught her eye and she looked up into Joker's eyes "Do you remember all of your past?" She asked finally.
Joker laughed chillingly "Mmm good question, little Harlequin" He leaned forward once again, he lifted his tattooed hand over his mouth so that the fake grin covered his own, before he dropped his hands "I remember some of it, before I had my eyes opened to just how, uh, beautiful chaos is" He said, his voice almost entrancing Harleen as always.
She was surprised he had answered, and with what seemed like a truthful answer at that. Harleen carefully made her notes before looking back at Joker. She gathered her notes, aware of his watchful gaze, and quietly place the empty soda bottle into her bag. Harleen made to stand up, saying goodbye to the Joker, when once again his cool hand ran over her own warm hand.
"Make, uh, make sure no one else tries to beat your sweet face in little Harlequin. Your Daddy J doesn't like anyone playing with his toys" He growled, before dropping his head back into loud laughter. Harleen stared at him for a moment, her breath caught in her throat as she replayed his words. Harleen said goodbye and walked from the room, saying a very brief goodbye to the guards, as she walked as quickly as her ribs would allow back to her office.
Harleen tried to focus on her careful notes, as she sat behind her desk, but her session with The Joker was running through her mind. He had enthralled her as always, and she didn't understand why her heart had ached a little less when she had admitted some of her past to him. A fainter voice than usual told her to pull herself together; cool, calm, collected, professional, the faint voice said.
Harleen tried to push all the thoughts into the back of her mind as she breathed deeply, feeling the sharp ache of pain returning to her her face and ribs. Harleen ignored her medication this time however, finding it easier to concentrate on her notes with the slight pain. What on Earth was happening to her? she wondered, as she returned to her notes.