Descent

Chapter 41

It had been two full weeks since the whole incident where J had told her they weren't a thing. Basically humiliating her and then sending Johnny over to smooth things out. Worst of all he now refused to even look at her in their sessions.

Harleen had tried not to let his standoffish behavior bother her, but he wasn't even trying in his sessions. J was acting like a child and it was working her last nerve. Today Harleen planned to make him either put up or shut up.

Her plan was perfect. She had left the necklace he gave her home. On top of that she was going to see Pam in her cell, which would push back his session. The Joker hated to wait for anything. Even if it was just sitting there rocking side to side and not saying a word.

She hoped that it would teach the Joker that she had other people she cared for. Harleen knew better than to see either Eddie or Ozzie this way. She wanted to teach J a lesson not have him beat the hell out of anyone. Pam had been her safest bet, since he didn't see her as a threat to his territory.

The clicking of her heels on the concert rang throughout the hall. Some of the inmates moved towards their cell doors, wanting to know what was going on.

Taking a deep breath Harleen reminded herself not to look at J. She didn't want him thinking this was a set up. Of course he was sly enough to figure it out, but she did want to give him reason to suspect she was toying with him.

"Good morning Dr. Quinzel, you look ravishing today."

"Good morning, Ozzie." Harleen smiled and brushed her fingers across his cheek.

"Well, it seems someone is in a very pleasant mood. Did you have a nice evening with your gentleman last night?"

She smiled at Ozzie, knowing damn well that Pam had put him up to this. Of course Ozzie was ready to help so long as he got to rile up Chuckles. For a moment Harleen felt bad for J, and then she remembered that all was fair in love and war.

"I am a bit tired." Harleen winked at him.

"Well my dear, next time you should tell Bruce to go home early." Ozzie spoke in a stage whisper.

Harleen had her back to the Joker's cell so she could not see the daggers he was glaring at her. But Ozzie saw and following the cue the girls had given him, he brought her hand to his lips and gave it a kiss.

"Maybe I will, Ozzie. Or maybe next time you and I will have a nice evening out instead."

"Oh, dinner and a show. Is it a date, my dear?"

"If you're ever free Ozzie, just look me up."

"It would be an honor to have a beauty such as you on my arm. Don't you agree, Chuckles?"

Harleen watched J out of the corner of her eye. She saw him grip the bars and bear his teeth in Ozzie's direction. Oh, yeah he was plotting the poor man's death and possibly new and creative ways to punish her.

"I am plotting your death, you filthy little bird."

Harleen watched as Ozzie chuckled at J's threat. All the while the Joker muttered about plucking him. She could have sworn she heard something about taxidermy.

"As long as I live long enough to spend the evening with this beauty before me, I shall die a happy man."

Harleen gave Ozzie a look that said don't push him too far.

"You're such a charmer. Maybe you're gallant behavior might rub off on some of my other patients." She giggled.

"I doubt I can make a gentleman out of Chuckles. And as you yourself know Riddles doesn't need help in the charm department."

"Well, I should be going Ozzie. You have a lovely day."

"Now that I have been graced with your beauty, I shall. Enjoy your time with Pam, my dear."

She could hear the annoyed grumbling behind her. Harleen was sure she heard the Joker hissing. Well too damn bad. He wanted to act like she didn't exist, then Harleen would have to teach him two could play his game.

"Oh, doc I forgot..." She turned to face Ozzie. "There was a reservation for Wayne a party of two at the Lounge tonight. Do try to get home early."

That had the Joker redoubling his mumbling. Harleen shot a glance his way noting that he looked exhausted. This was beyond stupid. J was hurting not only her but himself with his stubborn nature. There was no way she could allow that to continue.

"Mateo, do me a favor, put the Joker in my session room. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Doc?"

Mateo looked at her as if she was losing her mind. This would be the fifth day in a row she had a session with him. For some strange reason she still hadn't gotten through to him. Today would be the day, was what she told herself.

"Just do it Mateo, I'm not in the mood to argue."

He did as he was told, all the while wondering if she knew today was the day. Johnny should be here in thirty minutes and then it would be go time. Maybe this was all for show and the boss was taking her with them after all.

♤♤♤♤

Moving closer to Pam's cell she swiped the card key and entered. Harleen let her mask of indifference fall once she was safely out of eyesight. Grateful that she could be herself in front of Pam and not be judge.

"You ever going to give up?" Pam asked in a low voice.

Harleen shook her head. "No. I want to see him well."

Pam just eyed her wondering who she was trying to kid. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that the doctor and the Joker had feelings for each other. Obvious that was to everyone but them.

"Yeah, well I hate to burst your bubble but I don't think he wants to be well." Pam put air quotes on the word well to let Harleen know once again that some of them weren't hindered by their perceived illness.

Harleen hummed, not wanting to buy into what Pam was saying. Though deep down she knew it was true. Jason wanted help. Hell, she was willing to bet even the Joker wanted to quiet the voice in his head. But Mr. J wouldn't allow it.

Sighing she sat down on Pam's bed. "Maybe you're right. Its time I admitted that I've failed him."

Pam could hear the sorrow in her voice, see the defeated way she slumped, arms resting on her legs. Taking pity on the doc she sat next to her and wrapped her arm around her. Harleen leaned into the hug, taking as much comfort from her as she could.

Pam stiffened when Harleen wrapped her arms around her. She wasn't one to enjoy human contact. Nor did she know how to handle the heartbroken woman in her arms.

"I wouldn't go that far."

Harleen sat back and eyed her. "No? So you're saying he just enjoys being a self centered, egotistical prick."

Oh, Pam knew that tone. She had heard Selena use it when bitching about Bruce. It spoke volumes beyond the doctor's words. She wasn't angry with him, more like he had hurt her beyond understanding.

She would never understand why some women let men get that close to them. Not to say Pam had never fallen victim to good looks, or charm. It was just that she made that mistake once and she wouldn't again.

Pam rolled her eyes. "Aren't they all?"

"I don't care about anyone else. I fucking love him. Ok, Pam." A single tear slipped down her cheek.

Pam was going to strangle that punk when she got her hands on him. The Joker loved Harleen and she loved him. So what the hell was the issue? Pam was willing to bet it was some lame ass excuse about how Harleen would make him vulnerable.

"He cares about you, doc. The Joker thinks pushing you away will hurt you less."

"Less than what?"

Pam was going to answer but the lights went out and the alarm bell began to ring. Its shrill scream cutting through the air around them. The cell doors slid open, causing Harleen to rush to her feet.

"Shit, their early." Pam groaned.