In Too Deep

9

The thought hadn't even crossed my mind. This was never part of the plan but now that it's been brought to my attention I can't think of a better way to continue my goal.

"So she just....disappeared?" I ask once again trying to make sure that what he's telling me is true.

"She didn't disappear. She quit" Professor Strange explains and I cross my legs.

"So what does this mean. How does this include me?" I ask feeling slightly nervous. Maybe he saw me go into her office. Why else would he be telling me this information?

"I know that it's only been two weeks since you first started working here but we're...desperate. As you may or may not know doctor Young had been treating one of our most popular severe cases. This patient has yet to be properly diagnosed because nearly every single doctor we've assigned to him has ran for the hills" he chuckles nervously and I nod.

"She was treating..-"

"The Joker" he interrupts and I chuckle.

"You want me to take on his case. Knowing how little experience I have?" I ask sceptically.

"I've heard only good things from Ms. Peabody, Ms. Quinzel" I laugh.

"I've never diagnosed anyone aside from my roommate back in Uni" Strange smiles.

"See, there you go" my eyes blink at him a few times as my mind tries to register that what he's saying is completely sane.

"She had a mild case of anxiety" Strange tightens his lips and gathers the papers spread out on the surface of the mahogany. He stands from his spot behind his desk and walks to a large metal cabinet.

"If only it were that easy here Ms. Quinzel"

"What makes you think that me taking on this case is the best thing for the patient?" I ask him and he sighs. He slides over a thick manilla folder before leaning back in his chair.

"Open it" he says after a minute of me just staring at the folder.

"Come on Ms. Quinzel. You already took it once before. Why don't you take it now?" my face falls and my heart drops.

"I-" he holds his hand up to keep me from continuing.

"Take the case and I won't fire you" I blink a few times before collecting the file. I open it up and my fingers glide across the face of the man who's been on my mind for the past couple of years. I've come this far so what's wrong with altering the other of his destruction. If anything this would hurry up the process. The faster I get this done the quicker I can move on with my life. Not like there's much left to it.

I look up to the Professor before closing up the file and standing up from my seat. I have one advantage that no one else in this world has. I know his past.

"When do I start?" I ask him and he smiles.

"Tomorrow. You can go introduce yourself now if you're up to it"

"Where is he?" I ask and Strange chuckles.

"Eager?" I shrug and keep my face neutral.

"What time is it? Nearly Eleven. He should be at lunch" I nod and begin to walk to the door.

"Good luck Ms. Quinzel"

✯

"Hi I'm here to see the Joker" I say to the security through the open glass.

"You're not listed as his doctor Ms..."

"Quinzel. That's because he was just assigned to me today" I explain.

"Im sorry but until Strange has given me the green light I can't let you in" I nod.

"Call him" I tell the security and he picks up the phone. As they talk over the phone my mind begins to drift.

What am I even going o talk to him about? Should I expose myself to him? Should I keep everything low key and just wait for the moment to confess about how i've been obsessing over what he did to me for the past years? Do I act like everything's fine and act like i've forgiven him? Should I ever forgive him?

"Ms. Quinzel" the security says my name and I look up at his face. He gives me a small smile before signalling to the corridor.

"You've been authorized" I smile.

"Thanks" I tel him before making my way down the long hallway.

Eventually after turning a few corners I come to see the large cafeteria. I'm let inside by the guards and I walk warily close to the wall.

"By any chance is Joker in here?" I ask a security guard and he looks me up and down.

"He's sitting by the table near the kitchen" My eyes glance across the room of patients and land on the man with the faded green hair.

"Thanks" I walk in between the tables and stop before his own.

"Joker" I whisper and he turns his head to the side.

"Well if it isn't the curious doctor. Ms. Quinzel" he says and I nod.

I take a seat across from him. Seeing as how he's sitting by himself I use this to my advantage. 

"What brings you to these parts of our grandiose facility doctor?" he asks and I chew on the inside of my cheek.

"Do you know who I am?" I ask Jack. He stares at me for a moment. His eyes piercing into mine. I place my arms on the surface of the table and fidget with my fingers not so subtly.

"Of course I do" he says with a smile and I hold my breath.

"You're the new doctor. I though we established that already. Are you sure you shouldn't be the one in this get up and not me?" he gestures to his outfit and I shake my head.

"I'm just a new doctor to you?" I ask him once again. What's the point in my vendetta if he doesn't even remember who I am? Has it really been that long?

He nods his head and stretches out his hand. His fingertips come in contact with my palm.

My heart skips a beat and I retreat them back to myself. I stare at my hands as they shake from my nerves. I look back up to see Jack thoroughly confused. I take a deep breath before beginning to stand up from my place at this table.

"Goodbye Jack"