Predator. Prey.

Obey.

"It'll be easy, baby. Listen carefully."

His deep voice was replaying over and over again as I hastily walked in the sunlight emanating from the lowering sun.

"Sign me up for an evening session today and go on lunch break immediately. Leave the car at Arkham. Walk to LightFlash and talk to Jackson. Give him your purse. When he gives it back to you, come back and place the key to my cell in your purse's front pocket and leave it beside your desk for tonight."

When he had told me this, my mind was still helplessly tangled within my own thoughts, and I was still lost inside his eyes. He had looked me right in the face and whispered,

"No one is going to get hurt. I promise. Do this for me. Do this because you love me."

And with that he was gone, leaving me with nothing to do but follow the only voice left alive in my head: the illogical, hopelessly obedient Harleen. It was the voice that finally admitted to herself that she had fallen in love with her patient.

A patient she could still help. A patient that needed her.

I soon found myself in the back alley of LightFlash, my large purse being clutched by my smaller hands. Jackson unlocked the club's back door almost immediately after I arrived. I could hear the smile in his voice,

"Welcome to the ring, baby."

He grabbed my purse before I could speak and shut the door again, leaving me alone in the alley. My hands flew to my face and I covered my eyes; would there ever be enough time in the world for me to understand how I felt? What I wanted to do? Why I was trapped in the snare of a criminal? A small voice in my head interrupted my self interrogation:

'He's not a criminal, he's a human being. And he needs you.'

I sighed and felt more relaxed. He loves me. And I love him. I need to do this to help him. He's not crazy; he doesn't deserve to be locked away at Arkham. He needs love and affection. And I want nothing more than to give it to him.

Jackson barged out of the door once again and handed me my purse, which felt much heavier than before. He patted it carefully,

"You know what to do, dollface. See you around."

I was unable to form words that could describe my hatred towards his condescending demeanor, so I simply decided to go with,

"Fuck off."

He laughed and within seconds he was gone again. I let the rage inside me fizzle out before walking back to Arkham again, and I kept my head down so hopefully nobody would look me in the eyes and catch a glimpse of the inner turmoil that was reeling inside my soul.

No one questioned me when I walked back in the doors. The guards said their usual hello and Bertha smiled at me robotically from the front desk. My smile back at her felt robotic too. I used my key card to get into my office and set the purse down by my feet. I immediately slumped in my chair and nothing but anticipation. I couldn't wait for Joker to finally smell the fresh air and be his best self: a free man ready to accept and appreciate the love and help I would give him. I smiled at the thought of him not in his asylum sweatpants and shirt.

I sat motionless for hours daydreaming of his emerald green hair and blood red lips, when a knock at the door caused me to shoot my head up, nerves electrifying my senses.

"Come in, please."