Brink of Madness

"Good Morning, 0708"

Arkham Asylum: 2 weeks later

Harleen came rushing into the building. Her hair was pulled back in a bun and her red button down shirt was concealed by her doctor's coat.

"Dr. Quinzel you're an hour early," the receptionist said.

"I need to talk to Dr Arkham right now," she exclaimed.

"Okay, but I'm not positive if he's out of his meeting yet," the receptionist replied.

"I'll just go and check," Harleen said and rushed through the doors.

"Okay, have a nice day," the receptionist trailed off. Harleen ran down the hallway into Dr. Arkham's office.

"Dr. Arkham can I talk with you?" she asked.

"Go ahead," he replied.

"Is it true that the Joker has been transferred into here," she questioned.

"Yes indeed. Patient 0708 was brought in yesterday. Is that all?"

"No. Would you let me have a session with him?" She asked.

"What for Dr. Quinzel? He's basically the most insane person we've ever had here, and you've only had your Doctorate for a month. Plus, Dr. Grieve is already planning on becoming his psychiatrist next week," he replied.

"I'm just asking for one session Doctor! It would be a good learning experience for me and maybe I could try to test out my graduate hypothesis on him," she pleaded.

"Harleen, I don't know," the Doctor shook his head.

"Please Dr. Arkham. I promise I will come back with some useful information."

"I'll give you no more than half an hour with him," Dr. Arkham sighed.

"Really?" Harleen squealed, "Wait, right now?"

"Yes right now. Get down to 206 before I change my mind. And I expect some useful information Harleen."

"Of course! Thanks Doctor," she called back to him as she started to speed walk down the hall. The Joker was in trouble. He was in big trouble. She hadn't seen him since the funeral shooting. She was planning on screaming at him until he confessed all of his lies. Her fists were clenched at her sides as she walked up the stairs towards the therapy room. Before she went in, she was stopped by the guard.

"The patient is waiting for you inside Doctor. If he gives you any trouble at all just press the emergency button and we'll be right in," he said.

"Thanks Matthew," she smiled and scanned her ID. She twisted the doorknob and entered the room. The Joker was sitting at the therapy table. His makeup was gone and the green dye in his hair was quickly fading. His face was covered with bruises and his arms were constricted by a straight jacket. Harleen stood silent by the door.

"Hello Doctor Quinzel. Fancy seeing you here," Joker grinned.

"You better have a damn good explanation for everything you put me through," she growled.

"I don't understand what you mean Doctor. Why don't you take a seat and explain to me what you're going through," he chuckled.

"Explain to me everything Andrew!" she screamed and slammed her hands down on the table.

"Andrew was never a real person Harleen. Besides, the person who I was trapped in before is gone. I am my true, unfiltered self," he smiled, "Andrew saw potential in you. He gave you a little push and you saw a glimpse of what you're life could be like. Now you're caught in the middle. You don't know whether to live a normal, boring life as a Doctor or to let yourself go free."

Harleen stared at him and then looked down at her hands. He stared at her, seeing what she would do. Slowly she lifted her head up and asked the infamous question, "How did you really get your scars?"

Joker laughed. "Whats so funny?" she hissed.

"Don't try to ask me those bull shit questions Harleen. I know you're smarter than that. I know Harley is still in there somewhere," he said licking his lips.

"Well if you're not going to cooperate than I think we're done here," she got up from her seat.

"What a shame. I actually almost forgot about you, but you just had to pop back up into my life again. I forgot how much fun you can be," he grinned.

"Go to hell," she growled as she opened the door.

"Wow, someone's in a bad mood. Must've been because I missed your graduation ceremony. Sorry about that," he laughed as she slammed the door shut.