In Another Life IV

Chapter 9

"I don't know who he is," said Harleen, firmly. "I don't. But he just seems so familiar..."

"Do you think it would help to sit in on our sessions at all?" asked Dr. Leland. "I haven't got anywhere with him, I'll be honest - he doesn't seem to remember anything about his past, or says he doesn't. But maybe it would help you to hear him talk."

Harleen was silent. "He asks about you," continued Dr. Leland. "Maybe you have some kind of influence over him. Maybe he remembers you somehow, just as you remember him."

"What if he's lying, Joan?" Harleen murmured. "What if this is all some kind of act? Maybe if he was involved with whatever happened to me, he tried to hurt me. Maybe he wants to finish the job. Maybe I saw him do something...bad, and he wants to make sure there are no witnesses left alive."

"Do you associate the name of the Joker with bad feelings?" asked Dr. Leland.

"No," whispered Harleen. "But I can't be too careful. He is a criminal, after all."

"I'll supervise your meeting, if you want," said Dr. Leland. "The guards can be called immediately at any time if you feel the slightest danger from him."

Harleen nodded. "And...what if I do remember, talking to him?" she asked, quietly. "And what if it's something bad? I'm afraid of that, Joan. I'm afraid I won't be able to cope with the pain..."

"Harley, I am here to help you with that," murmured Dr. Leland, laying a hand on her arm. "You can't live your life in fear. Can you?"

Harleen shook her head slowly. "Ok," she whispered, standing up. "Let's get this over with."

Dr. Leland entered the interview room with Harleen following. The Joker was already there. He looked up at her and grinned, and Harleen was struck by how familiar his smile was.

"Harley Quinzel," he murmured, beaming. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Mr. Joker," said Harleen nervously, taking a seat next to Dr. Leland. "How are you feeling today?"

"Like a clown who's just heard a new favorite joke," replied Joker, smiling.

"That's good to hear," said Dr. Leland. "Harley's going to be joining us this session, if you don't mind."

"Mind?" repeated Joker, grinning. "Why do you think I'm so happy?"

"Is Harley familiar at all to you, Mr. Joker?" asked Dr. Leland.

"Should she be?" he asked, studying her.

"You tell me," said Dr. Leland.

Joker smiled, settling back. "Let's just say I don't believe in coincidences, Doc. And a guy called the Joker meeting a doctor called Harley Quinn? Pretty strange coincidence, ain't it?"

"Why do you call yourself the Joker?" asked Dr. Leland. "Your accident, as I understand, completely transformed your appearance, and erased your memory. But you must remember why you decided on this particular name after your accident."

Joker shrugged. "I looked like the Joker," he replied. "Again, strange coincidence."

"And who is the Joker?" asked Dr. Leland.

He stared at her. "Don't you know?" he asked, surprised.

She shook her head. "Harley, do you?" asked the Joker, turning to her.

"The...name is familiar," she stammered. "But I don't know why."

Joker grinned. "Neither do I," he said. "I had a lotta random, nonsensical words and images going through my head after the accident – things that obviously meant something once, but don't now. And one that kept haunting me was the Joker. So I assumed that's who I was. The other name was Harley Quinn."