Red and Black (A Harlivy Story)

Chapter 6: Daddy Issues

Weeks had passed since Harleen's first session with the Clown. She felt that there had been some progress; he had gotten used to her and opened up ever so slightly, but she still felt something was missing. Every now and again, he slipped up with his  "origin" story, changing some major and minor details about his parents or childhood. In one session, his mother dying caused him to take the persona of the Joker, and in another, he would say that he was an orphan at the circus. But whichever story he told, he would always go back to his hatred for Batman. Although she wouldn't like to admit it, Harleen was getting rather underwhelmed by the Clown Prince of Crime. She knew that his overwhelming "daddy issues" was the catalyst that caused his road to insanity, which explains his obsession with the Dark Knight, and in order to cure him, she had to play on this. However, she was hoping that he was more of a challenge to understand. Joker was easy to read once you really compare the stories, and Harley wanted someone more complex to occupy her thoughts. What she didn't know was that her wish would be fulfilled rather sooner than she thought.

After her last session of the day, she headed to her office, passing the lounge area on her way. Harleen glanced at the door, not paying much attention inside until she caught what seemed to be Dr Leland hunched over a table. She knew that position too well; many days she found herself so tired that she often fell asleep in the exact same way. Walking over to her, she gently called Joan's name, hoping that she would wake up. After many times, she decided to shake her as it was quite late in the day and Harleen had plans to sit at home and relax while watching a film.

"Dr Leland...Joan...Are you awake?" Harley whispered in the sleeping woman's ear.

"Huh..." Dr Leland muttered and suddenly stood up after realising she had fallen asleep. "Oh sorry Harley, it's been a long day, hasn't it?" She replied, wiping the dribble on her mouth, rather embarrassingly.

"It sure has been. Are you sure that you're not overworking yourself?. I'm happy to take up some of your patients if that would help."

"I wouldn't want to put too much on you, you've got a handful as it is with the Joker and all-"

"Please Joan, I can take some more. Between you and me, he isn't as...unreasonable as you might think. If anything, it would be a nice change to get someone new."

Dr Leland took a brief moment to think at Harleen's proposition. It would be nice to take a break from working. But I don't want to put too much on her, it might tire her to death. No, she's perfectly capable, she's taken control of that Joker. If she can take on him, I'm certain a few more people won't be too hard. After deliberating, Joan decided what, more specifically, who she will give to Harley.
"If you are so adamant to observe another person, I have someone in mind, but they are quite a handful and- " Dr Leland started to say.

"I will take whoever is necessary. I'm sure I can get them to open up, whoever they are" Harley interrupted, keen to understand a new and complex mind. "Who were you thinking?"

"Dr Pamela Isley or Poison Ivy as she to be called"

Harley felt a wave of emotion go through her body. She wasn't sure which emotions, perhaps excitement or eagerness, but she didn't hang on to it for long. She smiled and nodded, ending the conversation with Joan abruptly. She didn't have the capacity to talk anymore, her mind was swimming with thoughts and ideas about Ivy. Pamela would be her first female patient and she wasn't going to mess this opportunity up. Trying not to be too conspicuous, she quickly hurried to her office and started her research, eager to impress both Joan and Poison Ivy.
And so, for the whole night, she studied everything about Ivy to the point that she knew more about the plant hybrid than herself.