One Bad Day

Strategic

Harley's POV

I was still pacing my room in worry when I heard a key in the lock. I turn and face the door. It opens and some goon walks in. Mistah J is right behind him. His slow pace and the set of his jaw tells me how mad he still is. I brace myself to be backhanded. I knew he was here to punish me, he's done it hundreds of times since I've been with him. I disobeyed. I know I deserve punishment. My head lowers, not being able to look Mistah J in the eye.

Mistah J cracks his neck. "I really really really want to hurt'cha," he says as his hands practically claw at the air. His teeth were clenched and the words came out sounding so vacant. He walks a few steps closer and he stands in front of me. I feel his hand firmly grab my jaw and he forces me to look him in the eye. "But I'm not going to. That wouldn't be very nice given your special...circumstance," he sighs his eyes motioning down to my stomach. I guess he doesn't want the goon to know about the baby. He continues, "Therefore, I will try to approach this from a... humanitarian perspective," his wrist twirls accentuating his tensed words. "The special circumstance, believe it or not, is important to me. Very. Important. To. Me. Do you understand?"

I nod my head. I catch Mistah J's eyes take in a look at my body. It appears to have distracted him so much that he's forgotten what he was saying. He blinks and looks back up at my eyes.

He glances to the goon and motions to the door with his head, instructing him to leave. The guy nods back and dismisses himself. Mistah J runs his hand through his hair and stares at the carpet. He mumbles to himself but I can't understand what he says. Finally he looks at me again.

"Harley, I owe you an explanation for this last week, a reason for my absence," he starts slowly pacing the floor. "I'm aware of my own insanity. I'm aware also of my own mortality. I do want a child, an heir. But I know that the self-destructive tendencies I get will in some way threaten the...the...baby. Therefore, I know that I have to take protective measures. First and foremost, this required an evaluation while I was at Arkham. I told the truth, to the best of my knowledge. And I have many things wrong with me. It's like I'm a walking contradiction. But one thing I do agree with is that I need an antipsychotic of some sort. To...tame me. Alter me. Change me," he growls lowly, "for both of you."

"Yeah?" I ask with a growing smile. "But I thought that most of the drugs they gave you didn't work."

"Yeah, they don't. It seems as if I might have to brush up on my chemistry for that one. But that's not important right now. I need you to be Dr Quinzel for me. I need you to give me therapy while I'm on meds. I want to make use of this experience while it lasts. I wish to explore dream regression therapy."

"But no one has ever been able to hypnotize you. Not Crain, not even Mad Hatter can," I shrug.

"That's because I didn't let them. I'm giving you my permission, as well as my trust. Harley, you're gonna know things no one else knows. You will know me better than anyone, perhaps even better than I know myself. I only trust you with that sort of power. I trust you because I know you love me. I know you love me because you're still here, after all the horrible things I've done to you..." His eyes grow soft. His eyes zone in on my lips. His index finger gently traces my bottom lip, "you're still here."

I wrap my arms around his neck with a big smile and a tear rolling down my cheek. In return he wraps his arms around my waist and raises me off my feet to his lips. He kisses me hard and passionately. I draw in a breath, getting lost in his affection. He lowers me back down and our lips break contact.

With his arms still around me he looks at me again with a serious expression. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?" He sighs and rests his forehead on mine. "You're changing me, taming me, domesticating me. I'll do whatever I have to to make sure you and my baby don't suffer my wrath. Anything. I can't afford for the outcome to be the same as the last time. I'm uncertain if I could make it through something like that again. I'm not aging physically, but I'm still not getting any younger. And I think this is the only way to ensure a well born child. And who knows, maybe therapy can make me a more well rounded individual, a better father. So I've already put Frost in charge of the business until the baby comes. I won't be the same man once I'm medicated. I surmise an antipsychotic will somewhat have a control of sorts over me. What if I should pull a trigger but end up hesitating? I simply can't afford to lose any footing in my down time."

Something in his eyes looked so uncertain and hesitant about everything he said. But his eyes look at me like I'm fragile. And beyond uncertainty, hesitance, and fragility, I sensed fear. "Don't be scared, it's gonna be ok," I whisper and trace his cheek.

He closes his eyes a moment and opens them to look at me again. He lifts his head and looks down his nose at me. "And if you ever tell anyone else that, I'll shoot you the second you push that baby out. I have a reputation," he says tugging at his Arkham shirt. Then a wide smile spreads on his mouth, "HAHAHA!"

I smile but maintain the seriousness. Mistah J let's go if me and steps back. "I'll need a few things before we can begin with your therapy," I say.

"What?" He asks attentively.

"The pages you removed from your file."

He looks down and slightly shakes his head, "No, they're not important."

"I have a feeling they're the most important. You said you trusted me to do this. Puddin, I already know what they say, and I'm sorry, but I need those details to help you."

I can hear him growl, "Out of the question! Besides, you said you already know. What difference does the details make?"

"A lot... I promise I don't think any less of you. It wasn't your fault. And I'm gonna help you Mistah J. It's gonna be a good thing for our family."

I hear him sigh in defeat. "I have something to attend to tonight. I'll have them for you in the morning. I have to go to the lab."