Brink of Madness

Step One

Unfortunately for Harleen, life was anything but a dream. She had gone to Winston's funeral with Sloanne three days later, and it had been miserable. Luckily the Joker was nowhere to be seen, but she knew he'd appear again soon. She sat at her desk filling out some last minute patient paperwork before going home. There was a knock at the door. She looked up to see Matt standing in the doorframe.

"Hi Matt," she gave him a small smile.

"Hey Harleen. I just wanted to say I'm so sorry for your loss," he said.

"Thanks. The past few days have been hard," she frowned.

"I'm done in 20 minutes so would you want to grab some coffee with me? Maybe it will help take your mind off of things," he suggested.

"I'm actually leaving now but maybe another time," she smiled.

"Promise?" He asked.

"I promise," she replied.

"Good. I'm looking forward to it," he grinned and walked out of her office. Harleen quickly packed up her files and scurried out of her office. She wanted nothing more than to be at home reading a book and drinking a cup of tea. The asylum's parking lot was mostly empty when she got to it. She noticed that there was a guard standing by her car.

"Sir can I help you?" She asked.

"Get in your car Harleen," the guard said. He lifted his face guard a little to reveal a scarred smile.

"Not again," she groaned.

"Wow, I expected you to flee," he chuckled.

"I was thinking about it but we both know how it would turn out," she said and opened her car door.

"No no doll. I'm driving," he said.

"I'm not letting you drive," she replied.

"Harleen get over to the passenger's side," he growled. She didn't hesitate to run to the other side. The Joker plopped himself into the driver's seat as Harleen got into the passenger seat.

"Keys," he said and outstretched his hand. She reluctantly handed them over. He took off his guard's mask and drove the car out of Arkham.

"Please don't crash," she muttered.

"No promises dear," he chuckled. She sat with her arms crossed. He took pleasure out of her misery.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked.

"To your new home," he grinned.

"What?" she screamed.

"Now hear me out Harleen. I have figured out a three step plan to finding your true self," he said calmly.

"What the hell are you talking about? Take me back to my apartment!" she screamed. The Joker groaned.

"Stop being whiny. This is part of step one. In order to be reborn, you have to let go of your past," he said. She was really starting to panic.

"I can't just leave my friend Joker," she tried to reason with him.

"Well, you just did. Don't worry, I left her a typed letter explaining how you need to restart after all the madness going on in your life. I also paid off the rent on the apartment so both of you don't have to worry about that," he stated.

"That doesn't help the fact that that is my home. I can't forget about her."

"If you don't forget about her, then I'll kill her," he threatened. Harleen was beyond furious with him.

"I hate you," she hissed. The Joker scrunched up his face. He reached out to grab her throat. She scooted as far away from him as she could. She barely missed his grasp as her back was against the car window.

"I know," he grinned and pulled his arm back. She stayed pressed against the window. She looked out and saw that they were in a bad part of town.

"I swear to God if you got me an apartment in this neighborhood..." she started to growl.

"Don't worry princess. You're living in the heights now," he murmured.

"Wait really? That's one of the nicest areas in Gotham," she said in shock. The heights were eight blocks away from this shady area and it was expensive to live there.

"I should've bought you an apartment here. You deserve it," he smiled. She rolled her eyes. Five minutes later, the car pulled up to her new condo. Harleen marveled at the new brick exterior of her home. The Joker put on a hat and kept his head down as he leapt up the stairs to the door. He unlocked it and handed the key to Harleen. She gasped once she saw the inside. New hardwood floors greeted her along with a beautifully furnished living room.

"I'd say its, uh, a step up," he said.

"Um thank you," she stuttered.

"Go take a look at your bedroom," he said and pointed down the hall. She walked in and saw that all of her stuff was sitting in boxes.

"Well at least you were a little bit considerate," she joked and sat down on the bed. The Joker walked over and joined her on the bed. She suddenly became aware of what kind of creature was sitting next to her and stiffened. He grasped on to a piece of her hair and her breathing got heavier. He leaned closer and closer. God please don't let this be happening, she prayed. He missed her lips and put his lips to her ear.

"One more thing doll. This apartment is owned by me. So, expect frequent visits," he grinned and got up to leave. That statement was worse than him kissing her. In this moment she realized that the Joker wasn't stalking her because he loved her. It was much worse than that.

He was obsessed with her.