"Are you joking?" Dr. Leland sarcastically asked. This hadn't been what she was expecting first thing this morning.

She and Aaron Cash, the head of security, were both sitting in Warden Sharp's office receiving some alarming news.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't be more serious." Warden Sharp sat behind his executive style desk with an air of designation. He was resting his arms on the surface with his hands folded together; it would look like he was praying if Warden Sharp has the capacity to be humble.

"I don't like it," Cash said. He shook his head slowly in thought. "Anything Joker does in this place is always about breaking out or killin' folks. This doesn't seem any different."

"Joker has requested Dr. Quinzel as his psychiatrist," Sharp continued, choosing not to respond to Cash's accurate statement. "AMA's Code of Medical Ethics clearly states that if a patient requests, within reason, a specific doctor who is qualified, then that patient cannot be denied. We may have our suspicions but we cannot break the code because of prejudice."

"Within reason? And just what is Joker's reason?" Dr. Leland huffed, hands on her hips. She was standing now, pacing a short distance between her chair that sat between the wall and the front of Warden Sharp's desk.

"His reasoning is since Dr. Quinzel is new to this facility, she doesn't carry any preconceived notions about treating him and won't hold prejudice, as mentioned earlier, over him." The Warden looked at both of them, showing that, legally, his hands were tied.

Dr. Leland let out a sigh of incredulity, staring down at her feet, unable to look at the Warden. This was wrong, they all knew it. Cash simply leaned back in his chair, resigned but disapproving of the verdict.

"I still don't like it," Dr. Leland said after a minute of silence. "Joker showed interest in Harleen when I was giving her a tour of the facilities yesterday. Interest from him is never a good sign. He's dangerous." Dr. Leland laid thick emphasis on the last word. "We don't need to comply."

It wasn't a question, nor a statement. Dr. Leland looked desperately at the Warden for any sign that he hadn't considered this option. Apparently, he had. His response was exactly what Dr. Leland hoped wouldn't come into play, the one thing she hated about this place. Politics.

Warden Sharp sat upright in his chair, his chest puffing out a bit. Without meaning to, she had put into question the security of the facility, and therefore, the Sharp's ability to as Warden of Arkham.

"Not possible," he began, but Dr. Leland started to cut him off.

"But if we-"

"If we sweep this under the rug," he finished bluntly for her, his finger jabbing at the desk with each point he made, "and pretend we never received this request, what do you think will happen? Have you considered the repercussions? Joker, alone, will take this as a direct affront against him. And if, no, when the intern finds out? One call to the press would have a storm of reporters scouring Arkham grounds for anything they can print. Trying to find out why we are denying patient's rights - regardless of who that patient is? Every doctor would be interrogated, every decision put into question."

He looked at his head of psychiatry who sat back down in her chair. The discussion was over. Breathing in deeply through his nostrils, "You both know that the state funding alone doesn't pay to keep this facility running. If not for the generous donations by Gotham benefactors, we wouldn't have the necessary staff or the ability to pay them. The security system upgrades alone were ensured by Wayne Enterprises," he mused more to himself than the others. "If we give any reasonable doubt about our ethics or our practices, they'll pull their funding fast to avoid any implication."

Neither Dr. Leland or Officer Cash spoke. The reality was heavy. Cash continued to his quiet disapproval while Dr. Leland's expression was akin to someone working out a puzzle they couldn't solve.

"I understand your concern, Joan, but we must give her at least one session," he reasoned. "Only then if we have a valid reason, can we take Dr. Quinzel off his case and this request can be terminated." Turning to Cash, Warden Sharp continued, "Cash, as you know I instituted a recording be mandatory for all of Joker's sessions. But, as an extra precaution, I would like you to personally escort Joker to and from the session room and be on stand-by."

"Sure thing, sir... So when does Dr. Quinzel find out?" Cash asked.

"In a few minutes, actually."

Dr. Leland's head snapped up then. "If it was already decided, then why call us in here?"

"I needed to inform you both of the situation first then ask you to keep an eye on her. If either of you see anything amiss I would like you to report it back to me immediately. I ask this as a favor," he implored. Dr. Leland seemed to deflate a little, where Officer Cash only seemed to harden. Both nodded in agreement.

Warden Sharp relaxed a bit in his chair, rubbing his eyes behind his glasses with one hand then weakly smiled at his staff. "Very good. Joan, if you could, send Harleen in here as soon as she arrives. I would like to explain the situation and its gravity to her myself."

Harleen had to speed most the way down Mercy Bridge toward the asylum to avoid being late on her second day of work. She didn't worry about getting a ticket because, just like yesterday, hardly any cars drove toward Arkham. She could only imagine what Dr. Leland's disappointed-teacher-face would look like if she came in late again.

A parking spot near the gated entrance timed her walk to the path of Intensive Treatment with other staff members. Just ahead of her was a nurse wearing her white uniform and blue cardigan with a sloppy bun holding her frizzy hair back. To the right of Harleen was an ordinary man in faded khaki pants and a blue jacket buttoned up; perhaps he keeps his uniform here. She eyed him from the side as she guessed at what his job was. Guards were usually a bit more bulky, the man appeared to have an average body type. If he noticed her staring at him, he seemed to not care. Her psychiatry training told her he was unsociable yet he strolled onto the grounds like he was going to the grocery store. He sipped a cup of coffee from a plain styrofoam cup making an effort ignore Harleen's and the nurse's presence. The nurse seemed as equally unsocial.

Harleen thought about saying a cheerful 'Good morning!' but then thought better of it. She may be excited to be here, but it was her first week, they may have worked here for years. Perhaps they were mentally preparing? Sometimes people aren't morning-people for a reason. She hoped she would not turn into one of these sullen individuals.

She didn't need to walk far to find Dr. Leland. Harleen had run into her as she walked up the steps to the Intensive Treatment building. Run into isn't how she'd exactly put it. It seemed like Dr. Leland had been waiting for her. At first she worried she would get a lecture about punctuality, but Dr. Leland just waved it off, saying it wasn't important. At least they know I'm only human, right?

What did concern her now was that Dr. Leland had told her to see the Warden "first thing".

"... and after you get a chance to put your things in your new office, Warden Sharp has requested you see him first thing. His office is on the third floor of the mansion."

"Oh, alright. Is everything ok?"

"Of course, dear. Not to worry."

But Dr. Leland did looked worried. So Harleen took a deep breath when she had made her way to the Warden's office. She didn't stop by her new office though. Her nerves got the best of her so headed straight to Warden Sharp.

The Arkham Mansion housed all of the doctor's offices, the library, a smaller cafeteria for staff, and the records room. Walking into the main entrance was a bit cozier than Intensive Treatment or the Penitentiary. The carpeted floors were dark, earthy tones of oxblood, gold and chocolate. The halls and ceiling were dark paneled wood and stone, very old and seemed to hold a mystery for her. She did enjoy going into old buildings and structures. She could sense the history and it made her itch to find out everything that happened here. Guards, nurses and other doctors walked passed her along the corridors. There seemed to be just as much security here as there was in the other facilities. Some corridors that turned from the main hall had the same electrical current barriers protecting them. She wondered what it was protecting against if all patients were locked away.

She looked up as continued down toward the elevator of the mansion. Large framed portraits of men and women lined the stone walls. Some looked older then others, judging by the clothing worn by the painted individuals. Between the portraits were large shelves of books, awards of the asylum, or certificates of accomplishments by past doctors.

The elevator was quit normal in the mansion. Like any other elevator one would find in a building. There were no emergency buttons to shut down or recall the lift, no safety bars to lock across the doors. As she hit the (3) button, she could imagine she was going up a department store's elevator.

The third floor seemed empty of much staff and finding the Warden's office was easy. The large doors met in a perfect pointed arch.

*Knock-knock*

"Enter." Was all she heard. Harleen turned the knob and walked into Warden Sharp's office for the first time. It was impressive. And massive. She walked into what could only be described as a foyer. There was a large desk to her left with a wall-sized filing cabinet behind it. Stacks of papers and folders lay piled on the surface of the desk. Across the from the desk were lockers similar to the ones found in the staff rooms she'd seen in Intensive Treatment. A large statue of a man stood next to the row of lockers. Harleen's footsteps were silent on the carpet as she approached it. Armadeus Arkham. The name on the plaque below his feet shone as if the statue has been recently polished. It was a metal of some sort, but she wasn't sure of which.

She walked past the deserted desk and lockers and saw there were two other rooms ahead. Directly in front of her was a partitioned room the size of her apartments with rows of filing cabinets. She couldn't imagine how much information was housed here. Her fascination and ache to read everything grew in her stomach. A smile played on her lips. The secrets, it was her weakness. She loved history and this room alone held untold treasures. Toward the right of this room was Warden Sharp's main office area. The size of his office reminded her of the large penthouses she would read in Gotham magazines. Spreads about lavish parties thrown by Gotham's elite. She hoped to be there one day. Sparkling champagne, beautiful dresses, rubbing elbows with the who's-who, her picture taken to be admired by another dreamer.

Warden Sharp's desk was five steps up from where Harleen stood. The floor raised to a higher level where a large fireplace had a roaring fire that illuminated his desk into front of it. It would be charming if it wasn't so ostentatious. Large windows looked out onto the grounds of Arkham Island. The asylum grounds looked friendlier from high up. His massive desk was dark wood mahogany and it was well organized. A stack of papers sat on the left hand side with a fancy pen holder weighing them down. On the right side was a large screen monitor and keyboard, the computer must be stored below because she couldn't see it. The walls of his office were covered with large screens that showed rooms and hallways all over the asylum. Perhaps he monitored the patients from time to time as well. The chair he was sitting in was a fine leather high back chair, it reminded her of the type kings from the past sat in. Made sense to her. Everything in this room spoke to his personality. She wondered if he have ever given a thought to what a mansion full of psychiatrists would think of his interior design choices. Two smaller leather chairs were on the opposite side of his desk.

"You wanted to see me, Warden Sharp?" She sat down, hoping he wouldn't give her a lecture on punctuality either.

"Yes. How are you finding things at Arkham so far, doctor?" he asked, giving her a friendly smile. He seemed complaisant so she relaxed more. Maybe he was just checking in on her.

"I like it here. The staff are nice, Dr. Leland has been a great help. I'm very excited to be here." She said brightly. What is this about? This can't be just a casual visit.

"Glad to hear it. Now the reason I called you in here is in regard to the first patient you will receive." Oh. "Now normally we don't allow interns to have high-profile patients so early on, let alone, immediately. However, going off the high scores you received in your transcript and your eager positive attitude, I believe we can make an exception."

Harleen's mind began to race. Who will i get? Poison Ivy? I can make progress with her, she smiled at me, right? Well, maybe not smiled, but she didn't attack me, and that's a positive sign. Or maybe Waylon Jones. I always felt bad at how people made fun of his condition. The poor guy.

"I appreciate your confidence in me. Who is the patient?" She asked, hiding her excitement.

Warden took a deep breath then let it out. "Joker."

Harleen had been holding her own breath and it escaped her the moment he said who. Him. Her first patient would be the Joker, of all people! She was giddy under her skin but knew she couldn't celebrate until she was inside the confines of her own office.

"I see," was all she could manage. She was aware of the risks. He was, after all, a notorious murderer. What would it mean to cure him? She could feel herself in that penthouse already, receiving and invitation to a charity ball..

"There is a number of things you need to understand and FULLY comprehend, Dr. Quinzel," Warden Sharp said. He was now leaning forward in his chair as if the urgency to tell her this wasn't fast enough. "You will have one month to review his files, go over the previous doctors' notes, study his case thoroughly. This is vital, doctor. You are to do nothing else, but become as acquainted as you can before you see him in your first session. Any direct contact beforehand is strictly prohibited. However, you are allowed to observe him in the common room via the screens from the guard's station and outside the protective glass. Do you understand everything I have told you so far?"

Harleen was listening but her head was still spinning from the previous news. She was so excited it was all she could to do keep from bouncing in her chair.

"Yes. But could you go into detail about the common room?" She knew if she only said yes, he wouldn't be satisfied.

"The common room is where inmates, who have had good behavior without a violent episode in the last thirty days, may co-mingle and socialize amongst each other. We do this as a method of rebuilding social skills."

"Of course."

"One other thing, doctor. It is of the utmost importance that you disclose nothing, I mean absolutely NOTHING, about yourself that he can use against you. Nothing from information about your past or present: addresses, telephone numbers, friends, family, no names, even avoid hobbies. Interests can be discussed as long as it isn't something he can use, for example favorite color, or movie. Use those sort of interests to build rapport only. Officer Cash will be in the room with you for your own safety and to monitor Joker's reactions. I also have a policy in place that every session with Joker must be recorded with a tape recorder for immediate review after each session. No exceptions. Have you any further questions or need clarification on anything I have told you?"

"No, Warden. I understand perfectly. Where do I obtain Joker's files?" Harleen stood up, offering out her hand, she was eager to get started.

"They will be sent to your office today." The Warden stood up as well, shaking her hand and politely smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"Thank you, again," she said, heading for the door.

"And Dr. Quinzel," Warden Sharp said just before she turned the corner into his foyer, making her turn around, "Make sure you leave work at work. No need to worry about it once you are home. Enjoy your time off."

"I will." She said.

Dr. Leland was walking down the Maximum Security Wing, cameras buzzing as they followed her every movement. She wished she would have asked Cash to inform Joker of the news, but Cash and Joker never got along. Who around here DOES get along with that lunatic?! She was about to reach his cell when she heard his voice.

"Visitors! I love visitors. How are things, Doc?"

She turned to face him as she reached his cell. He was lying on his side on the cot, his hand propping up his head. She squared her shoulders showing no weakness.

"I am here to tell you that your request has been approved."

"Has it?!" He mockingly asked. She glowered at the gleefulness that crossed his face. He clearly knew it would be approved. "That's wonderful news, Doc!" Joker sprang up and leaped to the glass putting both hands on the glass door, fingers splayed. He pressed his face up against the glass as well, making his nose mush downward. "You don't look too thrilled though. Aren't you happy I'm taking an interest in my treatment?" His smile, if possible, went wider as he goaded her.

"I would be if I thought that was the reason for the request but I know better. I don't know what you have planned but we will be watching very closely."

"Aww, you'll hurt my feelings, doc, it's like you don't ... trust me." His voice went deep on the last two words sending chills up her spine. She narrowed her eyes and walked away. All she could do was try not to hear his laughter echoing down the hall.