Descent

Chapter 13

Bruce was fuming as he made his way through the lonely halls of the asylum. Dr. Arkham had not even cared that keeping Briggs assigned to Jason could cause more trouble than they were capable to handle. Bruce knew that if they pushed the Joker he would take out the entire asylum and not care if Harleen was one of the causalities.

He was going to head home to have a drink. Or better yet maybe he would go out as Batman. Make a few rounds, knock a few heads together, and clean up the streets of a Gotham. That was always good for a little stress relief.

Though what would have really helped would be taking Harleen home with him. Bruce knew that with time away from the manipulative ways of the Joker she would come around. She would see him the way all the other women in his life did, as the biggest catch in Gotham. Then he could fuck her and get her out of his system.

Maybe that would help him forget the way Harleen had sounded when she fussed about the Joker. Asking that guard if he was ok, as if the Joker had been the one to be hurt, when the Riddler was in the infirmary making sure his ribs weren't broken. Bruce could not begin to understand how she could act like he was the victim. Just the thought pissed him off.

He was so caught up in his self pity at losing Harleen's affections to the Joker, he wasn't watching where he was going. Neither was the aide who was scurrying down the same path. When their bodies collided, the loud clatter of cutlery hitting the floor filled the hall.

The young woman gripped the lid tight to the tray. She glared at him, from underneath the brim of the cap that the lower staff wore. If he would have spilled the Joker's dinner she would have had to fetch another. Meaning another ten minutes added to the delivery time, Dr. Quinzel would not be pleased.

"What's your hurry?" Bruce asked as he retrieved the spork.

"Dr. Quinzel ordered food to be brought to the Joker's cell."

The woman took the spork from his hand and continued on her way. Bruce was not one to be dismissed and he decided to follow her and get answers.

"Is that normal?" He couldn't hide the annoyance he felt.

The young brunette glared at him over her shoulder. She did not have time for this. If she didn't get there soon the dinner would be cold and the Joker might kill her given half the chance. Or the doc might snitch on her and she would lose her job, most of the staff knew the Joker was Dr. Quinzel's pet inmate.

"Well is it?"

He wanted to ask her why the hell he was back in his cell. After the stunt the Joker had pulled he should have been in solitary for a month. But in comes Harleen and he is back in his cell and getting his meals delivered, as if he was staying at the Waldorf. Harleen was taking too many liberties with Jason, giving him too many allowances.

 "Who knows what's normal in this nuthouse. I just do what I'm told."

"Indeed. That is why you are scurrying to do what the doc tells you even when you know it isn't protocol."

The aide looked at him from the corner of her eye, "Listen buddy, Joker is Dr. Quinzel's pet. I like my job. So I do what she says, even if the dude is fifty shades of scary."

Bruce would be damned if he was going to let this continue. He would just have to speak to Harleen about what was going on. And he couldn't think of a better time than in front of Jason.

It would give him a chance to gauge just what the Joker wanted with Harleen. Bruce knew if need be he could needle him enough to bring his darker side out. After all he had let it out quite a bit in the last twenty-four hours, so Bruce should have no trouble.