You're His Favorite Joke

Chapter 10: Stain the white snow.

Dr. Harleen Quinzel

I checked myself in the mirror, I decided to wear my new red button up shirt that was designed with small diamonds. I wore my usual black skirt, but now I had on black pantyhose. I don't care anymore if these aren't "my colors", I just want to wear them.

I looked more into the mirror and saw my sad reflection. I really wanted to hide underneath a rock after what Slade told me. It really stuck with me. Slade was completely right...I am no fun.

I walked out of my apartment and locked the door. I zipped up my jacket; I had in my hand a briefcase, and a jug of coffee. If I was going to work night shift, I really am going to need the energy. I went to the elevator and waited for it to come down to my floor. As the doors opened it revealed to me Slade. Oh, wonderful...

I awkwardly stumbled in. Slade moved to the side, which gave me space next to him. I stalked to the side, but it was like I was glued to the wall. I made sure I didn't touch him. Slade was bulky like the other night, but he also had a big bag strapped to him.

I almost heard crickets as the elevator slowly descended. It was so quite that the elevator music was the only source of sound. Awkward was an understatement.

Slade decided to break the silence.
"I should have brought coffee..."

I turned my head to him and saw that Slade wore a soft smile. Slade also was looking away from me, not once did he make eye contact.

"You working night shift?" Slade asked so softly I barely heard him.

"Yeah, I am." Was my short response.

I prayed that the elevator would hurry up, hurry up and stop this awkward conversation. Well lack of conversation. Finally the doors ringed open; I almost ran out of there until I was stopped by Slade's strong hand.

"Harleen, I just want to," Slade took an uneasy breath,"I want to apologize for the other day. I was a compete asshole."

Slade looked as if he was fighting to say something, his eye was tightly closed. His hand on me began to shake and his grip got a bit harder.

"But," Slade's eye reopened; he looked more stern and serious than he was a second ago, "It was the truth. I just didn't want us to become something that it can never be."

I shook my arm lose of his grip. I stared him down, my stares seemed to not even bother him as he took another uneasy breath. I stepped away from him and gripped hard on my briefcase.

Why was he acting like this?

I quickly turned from Slade and went to the door as I slammed it.

I stumbled into my car as I fought against not only the hard winds, but the tears that escaped me. I sat in my car and forced in a calming breath.

I wasn't just crying over Slade, but all that ever happened.What he said was true and I noticed how I had no one in my life.

I never had friends because I was the "book worm". My mother left me and my father because we weren't fitting into her life style. I didn't think drinking all day and cheating on my father was a good lifestyle. Due to all that happened in my life, I tried to tune it out by studying. I had to find a way to find order in my disordered life. People always excused my antisocial issue as being a focused woman, but in reality, I was sad.
No one had the balls to tell me straight, but Slade did. He reminded me of my dullness. Leland entertained the idea, but Slade actually did it.

I was lost in thought as I saw Blackgate. I must have been deep in though while I was driving. I parked my car at the edge, and dragged my self out. I scrambled to the iron gates, and waited for them to open. As they weaved open I began to walk to the two huge doors.