Jigsaw Puzzle || The Joker x Reader

➟ Chapter One

You drove your sleek Camaro through the gates of Arkham Asylum and to your parking spot where you promptly exited the vehicle. You clicked the lock and waited for the alarm to beep before continuing toward the entrance of the building as per usual. You typed in your code a couple times and passed the guards that stood alert in the hallways as you made you way to your office.

"Good morning, Piper," you greeted.

"Good morning, Dr. (L/N)," the receptionist replied cheerfully as you strolled past her desk.

You waltzed down the corridor and arrived at your office, turning your key in the lock and walking inside. You grabbed your white lab coat off the back of your black chair and put your arms through the sleeves with the slight weight on the sides, then sat in front of your desk to catch up on paperwork before your first appointment of the day.

You typed away on the computer and organized the documents to your precise method. It was a mundane work day until your first session time arrived and you stood from your seat, grabbing your clipboard. You were about to exit your office when the door swung open.

"Dr. (L/N)," Dr. Amadeus Arkham said with a manila envelope in his grasp, "I have a new patient for you."

You didn't react and only held out your hand for him to place the thick file in your palm. Something unidentifiable hit you and you hesitated before flipping it open to see the face of a very notorious villain known across Gotham City as The Joker.

"When?" you asked steadily, scanning over the information already acquired.

"Last night," the balding man answered. "Batman brought him in and we've had him locked in solitary with guards around the clock since then."

"Why me? Dr. Leland has more experience with the deeply disturbed. She dealt with Scarecrow before he got out," you responded.

"Her patient list is full, and you're beyond qualified to deal with him," Amadeus insisted.

You sighed. "You at least let him keep his make up, right? I heard what happened the last time he was here."

"Yes, he almost killed a guard when they hosed him down." Amadeus shook his head. "I'll be having Aaron and Jeremy outside during your sessions with him."

Aaron Cash and Jeremy Murphy were the top security duo in the asylum. You weren't scared of patients at all because they were always tied up and you could take care of yourself, so it didn't make a difference who was on the other side of the door.

"Why wasn't The Joker taken to Blackgate Penitentiary?" you questioned, finally meeting the doctor's eyes. "He has escaped Arkham many times. Blackgate would hold him better."

"He is criminally insane, (Y/N)," he replied informally. "He needs therapy, not to be locked up behind bars scraping his fingernails against the concrete walls."

"Okay," you caved. "I'll see him this afternoon after my first appointment."

"Not that you had a choice, but thank you," Amadeus said and disappeared from your office.

You took in a breath and let your brain process the information. You knew a lot about The Joker from the secret connections that you kept in the felon side of Gotham, and you didn't know what would happen when you faced him.

You didn't want to admit it, but you were excited to assess the man in your own way. You wanted to pick his brain as both a fellow criminal and psychologist. You missed interacting with people as wacked out as yourself and The Joker, you knew, was as intelligent but more insane than you. That appointment wasn't going to be the norm.

You closed the file with a tiny smirk and clipped it on your board under your next patient's documents. You left your office, closing the door behind you and walked across the building to the patient's ward where the session rooms were. You waved the guards off to indicate that they were not needed as you turned the handle on the door.

They abandoned their posts with reluctance, but it was the doctor's decision and you had important matters up for discussion with your patient and you didn't want any risk of others hearing. You slid into the room, shutting the door behind you and slumped in your seat across from her.

"What happened?"

You tossed the clipboard onto the metal table but made sure it wasn't in her reach.

"The Joker got locked up, and he's my twelve o'clock," you revealed.

"He is such an idiot," Poison Ivy groaned. "He might know who you are, (Y/N)."

"Yeah, I don't need your input, Lillian," you retorted.

"Hey, I could've ratted you out months ago, but I didn't. The last thing you need to do is get an attitude with me," she scolded.

You rubbed a hand down your face. "We've been friends for years--"

"No." Lillian slammed one of her free hands on the desk that wasn't shackled, her flaming red hair looking as alive as her. "We have known each other for years, but after you left, we stopped being friends."

"We're friends now," you tried.

"Only because you're actually helping me with my problems," she agreed sourly but less aggressive. "I would have ripped out your throat by now if you were a shit therapist."

"Thanks," you responded dryly. "What do I do if Joker recognizes me?"

Lillian shrugged. "He's never seen your face, but he will probably know the name. Just make up something, or break a deal with him. I wouldn't trust him, but you're good at manipulation if you have to."

"He's going to break out eventually anyway," you pointed out.

"He's probably on vacation before a big heist--that's the only reason for his sticking around even this long. He'll be out by the end of the week."

"Maybe I'll go with him," you casually mentioned.

"What?" Lillian blurted. "You have got to be kidding me. Has he already fucked with your head by being in the vicinity?"

"No, 'course not," you said. "I've just... I'm bored of this shit. I come to work everyday, listen to deranged criminals, then go home. I've been on this side of the law for ten years and it's so boring."

Lillian laughed. "And you think that making a deal with The Joker or something will get you back to your old life?"

"If all goes well." You leaned your elbows on the table. "I'm not trusting this clown with anything, but working for or with him would be a nice step back to my roots."

"I don't care what you do, but if you plan on leaving, don't forget to bust me out on the way," she warned, the Poison Ivy persona becoming more visible.

You stood and collected your papers. "I wouldn't dream of returning back to the streets without you. Every villain needs a good sidekick."

"I am not your fucking sidekick, Ji--"

"Don't use that name here," you warned, turning and leaving her glaring after you.