You're His Favorite Joke

Chapter 17: Dying to try

Dr. Harleen Quinzel

It's been a couple weeks since the breakout at Blackgate.

What a crazy night that was. I fought off goons, I was kidnapped by my co-worker, kissed Slade, and met the most intriguing man ever--The Joker.

I now feel a bit ashamed on how I acted with him. I allowed Joker, a convicted criminal, to give me a nickname. How could I have been so careless? But it was nothing compared to what happened with Slade. I smiled at the memory of our kiss. It was so sweet, so freeing. It was long over do. But that was the last time I've seen Slade. My smile faded.

I had to help him out when he fought another prisoner. Slade is so impulsive. With my good word he was able to stay in Blackgate, but he is in maximum security. Sadly, I was not assigned to be his doctor. But if I was his doctor, it would have only lasted for a week if I get the position at Arkham. Today was the day that Dr. Fritzes would decide who should go. Dr. Leland couldn't help to decide since she is eligible for the position as well. Crane can't make a decision because now he is a inmate at Arkham. Like I said, it was a crazy night.

I now stood in front of a door where inside was my patient. Next to the door was two guards. One was the usual Boles and the other was Officer Smith.

"Back again, Doc?!" Boles roared as he patted me down.

"Yes,"I softly giggled, "You can't deny this patient needs extra attention." I joked as Officer Smith opened the door with his key.

I stepped inside the dark room. The door was slammed closed behind me. All that I could hear now was sound of my heels clicking the floor.

"Hello," The lights flickered on and revealed to me Joker, "Harley."

Joker was wearing a straight jacket. He smiled a toothy grin, but it wasn't it's usual gleeful grin. It was more mischievous.

"Good afternoon, Mr.White." I greeted. I made it a personal rule to not call Joker 'Mr.J'. It was unprofessional. I felt like a hypocrite, but with him I had to set boundaries.

"No, my dear, it's Mr.J," Joker corrected, but I shook my head no.

"No, Mr.White. That would be unprofessional. Since you have no real name, Gotham has assigned you with the name Jack White. Also, my name," I felt a lump in my throat like I was betraying myself, "is Dr. Harleen Quinzel. Not Harley Quinn."

I didn't realize that my eyes were shut as I spoke. I was afraid to see his reaction. I finally opened my eyes to him. His smile was falling into a frown.

"I suppose you're right, Harley--I mean Dr.Quinzel," He looked into my eyes. I saw sadness in his green eyes. I couldn't help but realize that he is ok with change.I wrote that down in my notes. As I did, Joker kept talking.

"No one ever accepted me the way I was anyways." I stopped writing and looked up to his hurt eyes.

"I-I didn't mean to offend,"I mumbled and Joker only shifted his shoulders.

"I'm used to it. My father tried to change me too, you know?" I stopped what I was doing and gave all my attention to him.

"We were never close. The only time we spent together was when he was beating me or when he made me steal beer." As Joker said this I felt appreciative for my father who was the opposite of his.

"The only bright light in my life was Sophie Adams. She looked like you a bit expect her hair was brown."Joker had a sad smile.

"I remember one day she laughed so hard at this one lad's joke! So hard that she snorted!!Ha,ha! Her cheeks were so red! I feared the poor girl would burst! Ha,ha!"