Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

7 am. Time to wake up, again. Harleen yawned while searching for her glasses on the bedside table. Another day at that fucking grey, boring, unesuful office. Her aspirations were much bigger than a job as a consultant in Gotham. At least she finally settled down in a small nice apartment all alone. Living with her apprehensive mother was really too much. Harleen was adult, she needed her room and freedom and she made it. Anyway, the days looked all like to eachother. No relationship, no real friends. 

Harleen stood up throwing her old pyjama on the floor, grabbing the first clothes she found in the closet next to the bed. A pink sweater and a black pair of trousers, why not? Her long hair in a ponytail and let's go. 

In the kitchen, Harleen scrolled the news on her phone and one immediately catched her attention: the clown, known as Joker went arrested and brought to Arkham Asylum. Harleen zoomed to a picture where  Joker, handcuffed, was entering at the Asylum.

Harleen's heartbeat suddenly accelerated and she burned her lips with the hot coffee.

"I send my curriculum here long ago. Damn it, I've studied hard for it why the heck noone contacted me?"

Harleen always got a passion for psychiatry and such a job could made her career fly. A call from a colleague made Harleen upset: it was 8am already.

- Heeey Harl where are you? No Starbucks today?-

- No Linda I'm running late today...- Harleen took her brown coat, put a cookies in her mouth and grabbed the key keeping the phone between head and shoulder.

- See you at the office, ok?-

Harleen ran down the stairs and jumped on her old bike, luckily the office wasn't distant. She was such in a hurry that she didn't notice a letter on the floor in the entrance, next to the door. Harleen forgot to pay her rent and it was the third letter from the owner of the apartment.

Harleen didn't even lock the bike, no time for it. 8.20 am. Again 30 minutes of delay.

- SHIT!!!!- Harleen ran through the big hall of the office, then in the lift. Harleen was cold sweating till she reached the 21st floor. No desks free, she was the last one, again. Harleen took a spot at a little corner near to the toilet, the only one free. Laptop on, notebook aside, headphones connected. Harleen sighed, the boss didn't notice her.

- Psss hey.- Linda put a big Starbucks coffee next to Harleen's laptop.

- Thank you.- Whispered Harleen as she received the first call.

At 12 am Harleen's notebook was a patchwork of colourful scribbles. She needed a break. Harleen just stood up from the chair as her phone ringed, an unknown number.

- Ehm...hallo?-

- Good morning, am I speaking with miss Harleen Quinzel?-

- Yes I am, what is it for?- Harleen walked to the coffee machine, choosing a sandwich at the vending machine.

- Perfect. I am Claude Nightingale, director of Arkham Asylum.-

Harleen spit her coffee, catching the attention of two guys next to her.

- Oh yes I....I send you my curriculum time ago...- Harleen locked herself into the toilet, better if her colleagues don't hear the conversation.

- Well, I'm impressed. Your studies, your experiences are very important and interesting. We just got a few new patients and I think you could be perfect for them. We're running out of good psychiatrists.-

Harleen can't believe what she heard. She sit on the toilet, her hands were shaking.

- Of course I'll totally understand if you won't feel safe, I mean here we work with some of the most dangerous criminals...-

- No, I'm in.- Harleen interrupted the director. Her excitement was just uncontrollable.

- Oh, ok then...it's perfect. Can you come here tomorrow at 9am for have a talk face to face?-

- Sure. See you tomorrow.-

Harleen closed the conversation and smiled. Her life was yet to finally take a turn. Harleen can finally leave that depressing job.

"A sleepless night it will be, I'm sure." Thought Harleen, sit at the table in the kitchen of her apartment, the rent notice in her hands.

"How the fuck did I forget it? I'm just so dumb sometimes..."

Harleen had just a few days to collect 3000$. Her bank account has seen better days and she didn't even speak about the salary at the asylum, as she thought to look greedy.

" Maybe I just have to leave my dreams in a drawer and make my life concrete."

Harleen's mind was running fast. Her thoughts reminded her the words of her dad. He was a severe man, she never saw him smile. Harleen didn't remember a hug, a kiss from him or just a good word, something to encourage her. Nothing, only offences, screamings and he bit her mother too. That's why Harleen's mother became so apprehensive and attached to her. Too much.

" What do I must do now? 3000 $. I'll never make it."

Harleen looked out at the window, the silent and bright skyline from her apartment. Her father often challenges her for made her feel poor and miserable. No, this time Harleen won't fail. She'll get her dream job, her career. Harleen hanged the letter at the fridge with a magnet, just a voice on repeat in her mind:

" Arkham Asylum, be prepared to get your best psychiatrist."

Chapter Text

Harleen made it: she left her boring job for her dream. She was the new psychiatrist of Arkham Asylum. Mr Nightingale and her colleagues warm welcomed her a few days ago and she can't wait to start. She accepted to challenge herself and to take the most dangerous patient, the clown. 

A day later, a bit earlier than 9am, Harleen was nervously drinking a black coffee. Sit on a wooden chair in front of a table in a small  room. On the table, a copybook and a pen. Suddenly, the door slammed and the clown entered, with an awkward smile, forced from the nurse to sit on the chair in front of Harleen's one. The nurse, a big black guy said to Harleen not to be worry, the clown won't hurt her: he was wearing a straightjacket. The nurse will wait just outside the door. Left alone with her new patient, Harleen cleared her throat. Her hands were cold and she was torturing a piece of paper, avoiding any eye contact with the clown. The clown smoothly laughed:

- Hey good girl, calm down. I'm your friend. I won't hurt you.- He smiled, revealing weird brilliant silvery teeth. His straight green hair, the big cheeky tattoo DAMAGED on his forehead.

- It's my first day, so...I wanna talk to you, ok.- Harleen tried to be confident- I wanna know you.-

- That's something impossible.- The clown, his eyes widen, stared at Harleen. - You can't know an idea. A concept. Something born to be neglected. No, you won't do it.-

Harleen, her breath becoming heavier, was holding the pen tight in her right hand. Hypnotised from him.

- You can get a little bit of me, maybe.- The clown smiled again, going closer to Harleen with his pale face. - But...I want all of you.-

Harleen stared cold sweating and said:

- I'm your psychiatrist. I'm here for work. Please, communicate with me and I'll help you...-

- Who said to you that I want help? I don't.-

- Ok, you got me wrong, I...-

- Call me Mr J.- A charming smile conquered Harleen's heart even if she didn't realise it yet.

- Mr J. Ok, I'm doctor Harleen Quinzel...-

- Harleen...- The clown whispered her name in a sensual way. - I'll call you Harley.-

- Ok, ehm...Mr J. Talk me about your past.- Harleen ignored his tricky provocations and finally looked at him.

- I don't have one. I have got no time. I'm here, now, I'll be everywhere and I was everywhere. An idea never dies. Only the people do it. An abstract thing so true, so rooted into the time. I'm an infinite concept Harley.-

The clown laughed loudly and loudly and he can't stop it anymore. Harleen stood up and called the nurse, who hardly took him away, the slim body of the clown shaking from the violence of his laugh.

- HAAARLEEEYYY. See you soon. Our time isn't over...AHAHHHAAAAHAHAH!!!-

The nurse slammed the door. Harleen sit back, that evil laugh stuck into her mind.

Chapter Text

- Seriously Harleen, why do you care much for him?-
Steve, another psychiatrist at the Asylum and Harleen's colleague took a long sip of his black coffee, admiring the décolleté of Harleen. It was Harleen's third day of work and still no progresses with Mr J. Harleen was feeling an attraction for him, a weird connection and she was unable to explain it. They sit at the same table in the canteen during their pause.
- Well, he's very smart and I'd like to discover more about his past.-
- Oh come on. Even our boss declared it a losing game. People like that one deserved just to rot here.-
- Everyone has a past.- Harleen crossed her arms, avoiding the famelic look of Steve on her boobs. She was wearing a simple grey t shirt but it looked like he hasn't seen a girl for ages. Steve catched the message, passed an hand through his blond hair and stood up.
- If you want an advice, don't waste your time. You're new. And he is what he is.- Steve was talking about the clown like he was something didn't even worth to consider. Neither to breath or to exist.
- Thank you. I'll give you one too.-
Steve looked at Harleen, surprised.
- Don't look at my boobs anymore.-
Harleen stood up and threw the empty plastic of her sandwich in the trash bin and walked away, leaving an astonished Steve behind her.
Harleen sighed and showed her badge to the security door for open it. In fifteen minutes has to start her daily session with Mr J. Harleen can't wait for it.
- Miss Quinzel, wait!- A voice of a young girl made Harleen turn. Vanessa, the cleaning lady was holding Harleen's phone.
- It fell right now.- Said Vanessa.
- Thank you. Oh God I'd be dead without it...-
- Miss Quinzel, wait do you have a little bit of time....?- Vanessa put her red hair behind her hears and moved the cars with all the cleaning products against the wall.
- Well, a little bit yes. Tell me.-
- How is it there? I mean the area of the most dangerous criminals? Being a psychiatrist like you was my dream but I'd never get the chance...-
- It's...dangerous. Dark and stinky. And believe me, some of them are beasts.-
- It's so intriguing...- Vanessa's eyes were shining - I can't come downstairs but...can you please tell me later how it goes?-
Harleen found it a weird request but she accepted it, making Vanessa happy.

Harleen found Mr J already in the small room, he smiled as he saw her. 

- You're early today.- Harleen was subconsciously giggling.

- What is time, if not a tool, something to spend with the people who you love.- Mr J smiled and Harleen looked down, blushing.

- Call me Joker.- Joker suddenly became serious, even creepy. Harleen nodded, asking him once again about his feelings, his past.

- My feelings Harley!- Joker laughed  - Are all for you right now!-

Joker stood up and kissed Harleen. It was a slow, passionate kiss. Harleen closed her eyes craving every instant of it. She desired him, craving his madness. Joker stopped to kiss her and whispered:

- I want all of you.-

He pushed Harleen on the table, the documents fell all around. Harleen lost the perception of space and time. The two of them, having sex in a cold room of an asylum. Harleen took away his straight jacket, making him able to put her jeans down, revealing her long beautiful legs. Joker can't stop to kiss her and she was mad at him, he felt it. The table fell and them too, Joker above Harleen stared at her for a moment before to penetrate her, covering her mouth. It wasn't a rape. She waited for it whole life. The best sex that she had in ages.

- Everything ok?- The nurse knocked at the door, he heard the table falling.

- Yes...- moaned Harleen, pulling her jeans up, then she put the straight jacket back on Joker.

- Tomorrow come with a skirt...- Whispered Joker and Harleen looked at him in a meschivious way.

- I'm coming...- Said Harleen collecting the documents from the ground.

- Harley I thought you did it already...- 

- Sssshhh. Stop it!- Harleen giggled. 

Harleen put her hair in a high ponytail, stretched her shirt, put on the glasses and left the room. Joker was still smiling behind her.

Chapter Text

"What I've done?? Am I losing my mind???" Harleen can't find peace. She had sex at work, with a criminal. And that criminal started to ask her weird things. Harleen craved it, desired more of it. An idea popped into her mind, as she saw Vanessa busy putting the cleaning products in a big closet.

- Vanessa...- Harleen looked around and got closer to Vanessa who took her earphones away and smiled. Vanessa was such a cute and kind girl, sadly dued to a bad family situation she had no other chances than to accept that cleaning job. Her fiance was a waiter and they were struggling every month for pay the rent.

- I can help you. Your dream could become true if you'll let me do it.- 

Vanessa looked at Harleen without to understand.

- I...I need you to hide something in that closet tomorrow. Please don't ask me too much about it. Then I can help you to study for be a psychiatrist.-

- Ms Quinzel I can't lose my job, I'm sorry...-

Vanessa locked the closet and walked away, her cheap blue jacket on.

- I can pay you.- Harleen's words made Vanessa stopped and turned.

- How much?-

- I mean not me, but...50000$.-

Vanessa instantly put both hands on her face.

- Only this time Ms Quinzel. And until I won't  see the money I don't believe you.-

- Tomorrow. The money will be in the closet.-

- Deal. Is it for the clown, right?-

Harleen's heart missed a beat.

- I can't say more. Thanks.- Harleen hold her papers tight at the chest and walked to the restricted area, where Joker's room was.

- Be careful.- Vanessa's words were the last thing Harleen heard before the sliding door automatically locked behind her.

Harleen nervously walked through the dark corridor till Joker's room. It was late, almost 8pm, almost all the psychiatrists were gone. Harleen had to act smartly. Nobody must know nothing about their relationship, but it was kinda clear that she was staying everyday until late just for share a moment with him, undisturbed. Harleen knocked at his door, then she got in.

- Harley. I waited all day for you.- Joker hugged her and kissed her neck but Harleen pushed him away. An evil flash crossed Joker's eyes. Harleen said:

- We must be careful. I found a way to help you but people have suspects.-

- Don't stress yourself Harley. Just one more thing and you'll be my queen. Harley Quinn.-

Joker hold Harleen's body tight and undressed her, making her losing her mind again.

- Just....one...ok?- Moaned Harleen as Joker pushed her on the bed.

- Yes. One last favour for me. For a forever love story for us.-

They had sex, again but this time in a sweet way Harleen didn't expect because he worshipped every inch of her. They were perfect for eachother.

Chapter Text

It went easier than expected: out of work, a mysterious guy just gave Harleen an heavy package and a small bag with the money, without a word. 

The next morning Vanessa left the closet with the cleaning products purposely unlocked and Harleen hid the package under a big amount of towels. Harleen put the bag with the money on the towels. That money was all for her but she left the biggest part for Vanessa.

- Ms Quinzel I can't accept it...- Vanessa said to Harleen during her pause.

- You need it. And without your little help i wouldn't be able to do it. Don't worry, the package will be gone soon it won't remain in your closet.-

Vanessa quickly dried a tear running down her cheek.

- I'll start the school. I'll become a good psychiatrist like you, ms Quinzel.-

Vanessa hugged Harleen tight, whispering:

- Thank you.-

Sadly, Steve was walking through the corridor and bumped into them, laughing:

- Harleen come on don't lose time with the loser and sit with me. I go to have lunch.-

Vanessa sighed and took the vacuum cleaner, walking away.

- I'm not hungry Steve. Fuck you.-

Harleen took her badge, ready to prepare herself for the next appointment.

- Well go fuck yourself too, blond bitch.-

Steve's words hurt her deeply but she refused to turn. At the same time, a weird visitor assisted at the scene. The man grabbed a phone and talked to someone outside. Never before a communication arrived at Joker so fast.

At 3 pm Harleen had an official appointment on her agenda for a conversation with Mr J, in the usual room where they had sex the first time.

- Look what I got.- A smiling Harleen sit in front of Joker, holding in her hands a cute small cat peluche toy.

- Thanks for the money. I'll bring it tonight.- Whispered Harleen.

- That's great Harley...but now I need just one more thing.- Joker dangerously went closer to her, Harleen craved his kiss but it didn't happen.

- A machine gun.- Joker sit back, serious.

- W-what...?- 

- You heard it, Harley. Please. Help me get out of here...- Whispered Joker.

- It...it will ruin my life this if someone catches me.- Harleen was sincerely anxious.

- My life will be yours too since then. I'll make you forget everything very fast.-

His deep voice made her almost have an orgasm. Harleen nodded, Joker smiled. 

A great day was yet to begin.

Chapter Text

Joker's escape was yet to happen. Harleen felt a shiver at the simple thought. How could she be so naive? Joker was one of the most dangerous, terrifying criminals of Gotham. And what did he mean with "my life will be yours too"? Harleen's feelings for him were driving her mad. A mad love, raw, physical, extreme. Harleen had never been so attracted to a man before, it was chemical and deep their thing.
Harleen was at work and at noon, when all her colleagues had lunch pause, she made the guy carrying machine gun simply enter the building. Harleen told everyone he was an ex class mate of her.
- Tonight will you wait for him?-Asked her the guy. Harleen nodded.
- Leave all the doors open. Otherwise the party won't start.- The guy laughed out loud, making Harleen do a forced laugh.

- I've got some extra work to do here. Then I'll leave.- Said the guy, his smile vanished and Harleen can clearly see a big scar on his left cheek, partially covered with his black beard.

- Ok, can...I help you with something?- Harleen looked around, without knowing what to do.

- No, sweetie. The dirty job isn't for you now.- The guy blinked at her.

At 5 pm, Harleen sit at her desk, cold sweating. Just a couple of hours before she dropped the machine gun at Joker's room, he was so proud of her that he literally jumped on Harleen and she had, unexpectedly for the second time, the best sex of her life.

Harleen hadn't seen Steve the whole day. Weird. All of a sudden, the main door opened, than a few windows crashed. Criminals, Joker's henchmen, all black dressed and with machine guns in their hands ran through the asylum shooting at everyone. 

Harleen stood up, her glasses fell and she went against the wall, terrorised as one of them got into her office. He looked at her then he ran away, probably he recognised her.

"Will you wait for him, tonight?" That words were running through Harleen's mind. That night might change her whole life. From a doctor to a criminal. Was she ready for it? NO. Pure adrenaline ran into her veins as she heard slow steps coming closer. No shots, no screaming anymore. Through the door of her office Harleen can see just many blood spots on the floor and broken furnitures. Then, Joker laid against the door, mischievously looking at her. A long purple leather jacket on him and black trousers.

- I did it. You did it. HARLEY.-

Joker walked close to Harleen, undoing her ponytail. Harleen swallowed, unable to stop shivering.

- It's me. Mr J.- Joker smiled - Are you scared of me, now?-

- No, it's...I...-

- Sssshhhh. Don't you hear it?-

Joker put his finger on Harleen's mouth. Somebody was moaning in the other room.

- I'm curious, let's go!- Joker's excitement didn't affect Harleen as she barely followed him.

Chapter Text

Harleen covered her face behind her hands as she saw Steve sit on a chair in the hall, tied up and with a plastic bag on his head.

- SURPRISE!!- Joker took the plastic bag away. Steve was injured on the right temple and had a black eye too. Steve stared at Harleen, fire in his eyes:

- Harleen! Jesus Christ, what the fuck are you doing???-

Joker punched him, making him spit blood and a tooth.

- Respect. She's not your desire object anymore.-

Steve coughed, moaning again.

- She's mine now. And not just a desire. She is completely mine.- Said Joker, and Steve can't believe what he heard. He looked at Harleen:

- You're crazy Harleen. You're fucking insane, make me go! You all fucking bastards!!!-

Harleen made him shut up, hitting him with a broken leg of a chair. Steve fainted.

- Yes. I'm crazy.-

Harleen laughed, Joker hugged her tight and whispered:

- Let's go home.-

An henchman shot at Steve's head. In the same time, others were spilling gasoline all around. A lighter, and Arkham Asylum became hell on Earth.

Hand in hand, Joker and Harley left the burning building and jumped on a luxurious Lamborghini. Ahead home.