The Joker was currently pacing his cell, with his hands behind his back muttering nonsense to himself. He'd been in Arkham Asylum for just over 3 months. Racking up a grand total of 4, tried and tested Doctors.

His first Doctor had only lasted a few weeks, the poor soul ended up beating the Joker to a pulp and as a result, got sacked. But who could blame him, especially since he was sitting face to face with the man who single handily killed his wife in a bomb explosion.

Then the second Doctor arrived… It only took 3 hours for him to get into a scuffle with the madman and 'accidently' fall onto a sharp object. Needless to say, he didn't live to tell the tale.

The Joker's third Doctor went insane and currently resides in their own cell at the Asylum. And finally the fourth Doctor was found laying in a murky, blood stained bath, After only being in a session with the Joker twice.

Things for the Arkham Asylum staff were not looking good.

Now finally, after weeks of suspended treatment, Doctor number 5 was about to make an appearance.
Normally the Joker would of asked some of the guards that were on his payroll to do a little digging on the newest recruit. But much to his disappointment, none of his 'employees' could find anything… Nothing at all. All he knew was that his new Doctor was a 'she' and that this woman had only just recently graduated from Gotham University, coming top in her class and majoring in psychiatry.

But apart from that, there was nothing for him really to work with. Nothing for him to use to as leverage. He came to the firm conclusion that he would have to meet the girl first, and make his own assessments.

They say if you want a job doing properly...

He was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts when he heard two sets of heavy footsteps moving closer and closer to his cell. He pivoted on the balls of his feet to turn and greet his guests, who were now standing at the entrance of his glass cage.

"Good Morning gentlemen! to what do I owe this pleasure?" The Joker said, grinning from ear to ear at the two scruffy looking guards standing at his cell door. One of which was coincidently on his Payroll.

The ever reliable and dim witted Jerry. This man had been on the Joker's payroll for years now and never once did he regret it. It was always useful having a man on the inside. He wasn't the sharpest knife in the box, but he served a purpose and made reeking havoc that little bit more fun.

The other man standing next to the Jerry however, wasn't connected with the Joker. He wasn't a very chatty but the J didn't mind... He would get a reaction out of him eventually.

"Behave Clown, it's session time." Jerry spat, slowly approaching him. The other guy, who the Joker had dubbed 'Ginger' because of his sickly bright red hair, had rushed towards him quickly, snapping cuffs around both of his wrists.

Jerry grabbed the Joker by the scruff of the neck and began to drag him towards the cell door and then suddenly started pulling him down the corridor.

"Now Jerry is that anyway to treat an old friend?" The Joker laughed.

Finally, after being pulled about like some common criminal, they reached the interview room. It was a plain, dull grey colour, with only two chairs inside with a very long table separating them both. A small window sat in the corner of the room accompanied by a low hanging lamp which had a tendency to flicker from time to time.

Laughter escaped the Jokers mouth again as he sat himself down. My, my, my, this will be fun!

Jerry secured the Joker down into his chair and causally lent into his ear. "Your new Doctor will be with you shortly... Oh Boss, you're really gunna like her."

The Joker chuckled and gave Jerry a wink "Oh, I'm counting on it Jezzer."

10 Minutes had passed and still no sign of his new Doc. He began to grow impatient, repeatedly tapping his foot against the concrete floor.

I may have to teach her a lesson about punctuality.

Pulling the Joker out of his thoughts, the door handle suddenly turned, and slowly creaked open. The mystery Doctor tip toed in, with silent footsteps.

The Joker smirked when he heard light heels snap along the concrete floor. He continued to listen but didn't give her the satisfaction of looking up. He simply cleared his throat and gestured towards the chair opposite him.

"Nice of you to show up Doc, please take a seat." He growled.

The Joker was still not looking at her, but he could smell her... But he didn't smell the usual eau de parfum of fear, instead he smelt cherries.

"You know... I don't like my time being wasted Doc, I'm a busy, busy man."

After hearing a chair scrape against the floor, she finally sat down opposite the infamous clown prince of crime. "I apologise Mr Joker, I was preoccupied." She spoke softly but her voice was firm, Not an ounce of fear in her words.

With this statement the Joker lifted his head slightly, narrowing his eyes onto his next victim. But to his annoyance, he was immediately taken back by her beauty.

She was wearing a tight black pencil skirt, which sat just above the knee, he then swiftly moved his eyes down her tones legs and studied her black patent heels. Blinking his way back up her body, he noticed her red silk blouse which hugged her curves perfectly, but unfortunately it was shielded by her trademark, white lab coat.

Her face was quite simply perfect. Her plump red lips, big blue eyes had him captivated at the very first glance. Her light blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun, which exposed her beautifully creamy clear skin. He was truly astounded that someone so beautiful was working in a dump like Arkham.

Shaking out of his lustful thoughts, he repositioned himself on the chair. He couldn't help but stare into her eyes, trying to search for that delicious fear... But it still wasn't there.

"I'm glad my recovery is a top priority for you." He chuckled, intensifying his gaze.

"As I said before Mr.. Joker. I apologise." Suddenly, she cleared her throat. "My name is Dr. Harleen Quinzel, and I will be taking over your therapy sessions as your new Doctor from now on. All our sessions together will be loosely structured, but if there's anything in particular that you would like to discuss with me, then I'm here to help."

J scoffed at her ridiculous 'Doctor's speech' and focused solely on the stiff name she had given him. "Harleen.. Har.. Harleeeeen..." He said, dragging out her name with a growl. "Harl.. Harley.. Harleeeeen."

She rolled her eyes at the clown sitting in front of her. "For our sessions Mr Joker, I would like us to stay on a Surname basis. You may address me as Doctor Quinzel or Doc if you must. And in turn, I will address you as-."

He cut her off with a wave of his finger. "Mr Joker.., No that won't do Doll face, it's too formal.. And I detest formality... You, Doc, can call me... Mr.. J."

He grinned at her, waiting for a reaction.

She stared at his expression, she knew he was trying to frighten her, to test her ability. But she wasn't going to give up. She was determined that he would be her success story... He would be the patient to give her the recognition that she deserved.

Harleen found her eyes wondering across his face, the 'Damaged' tattooed on his forehead caught her attention immediately, would could posses a man to ink his own face? She inwardly laughed at herself, trying to justify the Joker's actions. Her gaze soon fixed onto his facial features, his scars and of course the green hair. In truth, it wasn't how she had imagined it, the mug shots form his file and even the years of media coverage didn't do him any favours. This was the real Joker, sitting in front of her now, not some black and white printed picture.

Realising that she had been staring at his face for way too long. She cleared her throat. "So Mr Jok- Mr J, I would like to start this session, by discussing your tattoos."

The Joker cackled at the notion. Mmm.. this is a different approach, they normally try and drag a sob story out of me before the personal appearance tactic.

"What's to tell Doc, everyone gets ink done. I've got loads more if you'd like to see?" He gave her a quick wink and watched a small smile creep up onto her face.

"But you're not like everyone Mr J... I wouldn't pick you to be a sheep, following the crowd. There must be more to it than that.. Do they have meaning? Or it you just do it for... A laugh?"

"Careful who you're calling a sheep toots." He snapped in a hard tone. "I got them done because I like them. Some of them represent things I've done, some are meaningful.. And others were just impulses."

Doctor Quinzel began scribbling down notes during his theatrical explanation... This was a good subject to start with.

"Do you always act on impulse?" Doctor Quinzel asked as her eyes shot back up to him. She was trying so desperately to read him, but she couldn't see past those stone cold eyes.

"Mmm.. not always Doc, I'm a successful business man after all.. You need to find the perfect balance between impulse and strategy to survive in this day an age. Something's I do for a reason, others I do just for a... Giggle." He tapped his tongue against the roof of his mouth, studying her expressions closely.

Questions for you now doc.

"Do you have any tattoos Doc?" His eyes gently ran over her body. Leaning back, he began to imagine what she would look like under his hand, begging for death.

"These sessions are for me to question you Mr J, not the other way round." She stated firmly.

"How do you expect me to open up to you sweetheart, if I don't even know anything about you?" The Joker retorted.

"You know my first name, is that not enough?"

"No." He snapped.

"Fine, a secret for a secret then?" Harleen said, trying to encourage him to play along.

The Joker lent forward slightly, his restraints moving underneath him. "Don't make deals with the devil darling, it never ends well."

"C'mon Mr J, Humour me."

Oh how can I resist. He nodded in agreement. "Go on the Doc, tell me something... Tell me something about Doctor Harleen Quinzel.."

Harleen bite her lip in thought. "I have a small tattoo on my wrist." She gently tapped her left wrist and looked up at him for a response.

"Well c'mon Doc, don't be shy.. Lets see!" He smiled, showing that oh so famous grill.

"I don't think so Mr J." She replied sternly.

"Oh come on Doc... I'll be a good boy." He fluttered his eyelashes flirtatiously. "I promise."

Harleen rolled her eyes and got up from her seat. How could she deny such a request?

Approaching the Joker in his seat, she rolled up her lab coat sleeve to reveal a small crescent moon tattoo.

She cleared her throat waiting for his eyes to return to hers. They were now only a few feet apart. The scent of her perfume was now filling the gap between them.

He closed his eyes and inhaled the sweet cherry fragrance. His eyes slowly returned to hers after giving her body a quick scan up close.

"Why a Moon tatt doc?" The Joker asked, running his tongue over his metal capped teeth.

Harleen smiled down at him and shrugged. "Impulse."

Ah, she's a woman after my own heart.