Don't Fall in Love

Tonight

Alarms blared as guards scrambled through the halls. Joker was led quickly back to his cell and thrown in. When they'd received the news from the nurse, Dr. Quinzel had a worried look on her face. He hadn't seen that look yet.

She knew she had fucked up. This could cost her her career.

Patients would typically have adverse reactions and side effects to low dosage shock therapy but since Scarlett  was exposed to such a dangerous amount repeatedly, it might have done her in.
The doctor had ordered a guard to take joker back to his cell so she would check on her patient.

As for the clown prince, he was trying to map it all out in his head. He first wanted to use the doctor to break him out, going as far as sleeping with her to do so. And he didn't regret the dirty deed, he was a man first and foremost, it had helped him plenty to relax.

But then he met her. Scarlett. And his plans changed. The doctor no longer appealed to him. He had no desire to use her, touch her, even apply to her for assistance. Scarlett  had all the feminine charm necessary to seduce a few of the brain dead, sex deprived guards and to easily gain a way out.

He had wondered what her offenses were to have been brought here so he figured the girl also desired to escape. He was also curious to see where she'd go, who she rolled with. Who she really was. The doctor painted a picture of a monster but it hadn't taken long for the clown to figure out it was just a case of self-loathing. The doctor was a jealous bitch.

He saw guards walking quickly past his cell towards the medical exam room. His heart thumped against his chest. Where was she? What had happened to her? He knew when he stumbled upon that scene, his demented heart clenched. It was the only time he was able to validate that he even had a heart.

Minutes passed. It felt like hours. The uncertainty made his pace in his cell out of sheer nervousness. Why?! It frustrated him. He was hysterical, why did he care so much?!

He then saw guards walking opposite of the med room, past his cell and towards the elevators and exits. He examined them closely, their faces, trying to read them. Maybe it would give something away. Was she dead? Alive?

And then, more guards began to pass. All were quite, their faces hardened. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Maybe it was a good sign.

And then, Dr. Quinzel. She walked slowly with her head down, her fists balled to her sides. She walked past his cell and before she could disappear, he slammed his fist against the clear plastic wall and growled.

"DOCTORRRR..." His voice filled with venom.

She stopped in her tracks, turning around to face him. He was slightly taken aback when he saw her eyes red and tear-ridden but he never made it obvious.

"Y-yes, Joker?" She asked. In public, she'd address him with that title but in private he was Mister J.

"You know exactly what I want." He spat.

"She's no longer with us..." She couldn't look at him when she delivered this news.

He felt his breath hitch in his chest. He couldn't breathe. His knees immediately gave out and he felt back onto his cot, pulling his hair in confusion.

The doctor slowly approached his cell, wondering if he was alright. And she kept wondering, why he cared so much about that bitch? Who was she and what had she done with him?

Did they have a history?

She was more angry than heartbroken. Before she could turn back and leave to report to Dr. Arkham, the Joker looked up at her, his eyes burning into hers.

"You do it. Tonight." He ordered.

"Wh-what? Tonight?" She asked.

He stood up and stalked closer to where she stood, his eyes practically glowing red out of anger.

"Downtown Gotham, club Smiles 'n Giggles. Walk to the bar and ask for a cold Johnny. You will be shown to the only VIP lounge where a man named Johnny Frost will be waiting for you." He explained and then turned away from her. He couldn't look at her. She had killed Scarlett. It was her fault.

And the Joker had decided that once he used this bimbo for all she was worth, he'd avenge Scarlett. Somehow, someway.

The doctor stood there for a few more seconds, trying to comprehend what was happening. Tonight? This wasn't the right time for anything of the sort to happen. But her career was already in danger, Scarlett had passed away under her watch and under her administration of shock therapy. It was impossible to come out of this unscathed.

She decided not to report to Dr. Arkham. Instead, she went up to the greenhouse, where she knew her loyal friend would be. She walked slowly inside the humid, damp room full of green and colorful plants. It was a haven of sorts and the doctor appreciated the brief serenity washing over her. But she wasn't here for that.

"Harleen? How nice to see you," Ivy said from behind her with a smile.

Dr. Quinzel faced her and forced a smile. "Likewise, Ivy." She sighed.

"What's the matter? Have you been crying?" Ivy asked concerned, placing a hand on the doctor's shoulder.

"Something happened...and I just couldn't keep it to myself. I have to tell you something, about tonight." Dr. Quinzel spoke with a sense of urgency.

"What's wrong? What about tonight?" Ivy asked concerned.

"You have to promise to keep this between us.." the doctor said.

"Of course," Ivy replied.

"I'm breaking out Mister J." The doctor said, and Ivy's mouth dropped.

"Are you crazy?! That's a terrible idea!" Ivy exclaimed.

"Sshhh! Ivy please... keep this between us. I have nothing more to lose by doing this anyway.." the doctor sighed.

"What do you mean? What happened? Why are you saying that?" Ivy asked.

"My career is over...I had to be over at Dr. Arkham's office right now but I can't do it, I decided to come here and tell you about the plan instead. Please be ready. Tonight. We'll come for you too." Dr. Quinzel said as she began to walk out.

"Wait! Why is it over? Talk to me Harleen! Dammit!" Ivy asked in urgency but the doctor had walked out, leaving the plant lady alone.

------------------

Harleen had rushed home, her eyes filled with tears the entire time. She had no idea how she would pull this off, she didn't know if she still had the madman's favor, but she knew she was stuck now. And she had to prove to him that she'd be there for him through thick and thin. Maybe he really did have feelings for her. Maybe he'd even fall in love with her.

She wiped away tears as she threw herself on her bed and flipped open her laptop, rapidly typing in the name of the club that Joker had told her.
The screen showed an extravagant looking venue with glass beads raining from the ceilings, exotic looking nude women in glass cages. Men in suits.
It seemed like a high end club.
She'd have to dress the part.

Once she was able to scrounge through her closet, she found that she actually had a dress fit for a club of that caliber. And she shimmied into it, applied her makeup, and fixed her hair.
She mentally prepared herself as well, knowing full well that a man such as the Joker, a high end criminal, would also associate with nothing less.

The stunt she was to pull tonight ought to have been a suicide mission. But the sweet joy awaiting her at the end made her heart skip a beat in excitement.
She'd have her mister J.
Her lover.
Her man.
She glanced down at her bed and couldn't help the smile overtaking her.
He'd be here. With her.
Taking her. Holding her.
Loving her.

She giggled as her sudden shift in mood put a smile on her face. Grabbing her purse, she pranced out of her apartment and into her car.