October 4 2024

A beautiful house was seen in a distance, The time was now eleven p.m. as Anne was seen sitting on the couch, feeling a little better from her sickness. Since she moved into the city and used transportation, She was feeling odd and sick. However, a couple noticed how unwell she seemed and took her to their house.

Anne was fixing her hair until the woman served some food for her, The couple sat on the couch and stared at Anne as Winters continued staring at the food.

This is Harleen Frances Quinzel, twenty-nine years old and is known to be sweet, caring, loving, and funny.

Growing up, Harleen's family was extremely dysfunctional with her father regularly in and out of the Blackgate Penitentiary and her brother becoming addicted to drugs. However, she always had an interest in criminal psychology in her childhood, In her late teens, Harleen moved to Gotham City and became a psychology student at Gotham City University and later graduated with a PhD.

Soon, She began working as a psychiatrist in Arkham Asylum, and she's also good friends with Dr Crane.

This is Benjamin McFarland, twenty-nine years old and is a police officer at the Gotham City Police Department. He is determined, kind, protective, funny, and fearless.

His father was a military veteran, while his mother was a former commissioner, His siblings were also part of the military or police department. Growing up in Gotham, Benjamin hated corruption and crime around Gotham City, With his family history, He also wanted to protect and make the city a better place for everyone.

However, there was one thing Benjamin refused to talk about, and that was his older brother, He grew up differently than his other siblings, Something within him always seemed off. From a young age, his behaviours were erratic and violent, and as he grew older, those tendencies only grew worse.

Eventually, things took a turn when Benjamin's older brother went to college, He was found in his dorm, laughing maniacally with corpses of five students and one teacher. He was seen, looking disturbing with a clown painted face and had blood on his mouth, like a smile.

After he was arrested and was sent to Arkham Asylum, Benjamin along with his family felt hurt and shocked by what has happened to him, It also did ruin their reputation of their heroic background, But they never cared about it. They still thought about their son/brother and wished things had gone better.

However, the family, including Benjamin, chose never to speak about him again.

Harley: Eat up, make yourself comfortable.

Anne looked at the food before grabbing the plate as she took a bite, Benjamin and Harley continued staring at her, Soon, Anne finished her food and felt better than before as Harleen smiled at her

Harleen: So, how was it?

Anne: It was delicious. . .

Benjamin: Are you new here?

She nodded as Benjamin and Harley looked at each other, They noticed that she had a country accent and her dressing style was different.

Benjamin: I had a hunch, You arrived today?

Anne: Yes. . . I used to live in the countryside.

Harley: And what reason did you come to Gotham City?

Anne: I wanted to work somewhere. . . We had some problems with our farm and we weren't earning enough money

They nodded and felt bad for her, Anne sipped some water and looked at them, Soon Harleen and Benjamin said they were coming back in minute, leaving Anne alone in the living room as she was looking around the objects.

Benjamin: I think she's gonna have a hard time living in the city.

Harleen: You're right, It will take time for her to get used to it.

Benjamin: *Sighs* Gotham wasn't the best choice, though.

Harleen: I have to agree on that, but I can't blame her. Maybe she had a hard time deciding on a place.

Benjamin: Yeah, I can understand that. But still, Gotham isn't exactly the easiest place to adjust to, especially for someone like her.

Harleen nodded in agreement as they peeked over to the living room and saw Anne looking around.

Harleen: I'm thinking I should let her stay over at my house. She looks very sweet.

Benjamin thought about it for a moment before nodding.

Benjamin: Sure, until she finds a suitable job and place to live in, She can stay with you.

Harleen smiled and nodded as both of them walked over to the living room again and sat on the couch.

Harleen: Hey, sorry, We're here now. By the way, what's your name?

Anne: Anne, Anne Winters.

Benjamin: That's a nice name, My name is Benjamin McFarland, and I'm a police officer at-

Anne: You fight bad guys?

Benjamin: *Chuckles* Yeah, that's what I do.

Anne smiled and had a sense of trust towards him, Harleen couldn't help but smile as she spoke to Anne.

Harleen: And I'm Harleen Quinzel, Benjamin is my fiance.

Two years ago, Benjamin and Harleen first met at a coffee shop in Gotham City. After he finished a long shift and was relaxing, He noticed Harleen sitting alone at a nearby table. He couldn't help but be drawn to her bright smile and beauty, so he decided to introduce himself.

Over time, They became good friends, and soon they both realized they had feelings for each other, and Benjamin confessed to her on her birthday.

A few months ago, Benjamin proposed to her at their dating anniversary, and Harleen immediately said "Yes"

Anne continued smiling at them as Harleen offered her to stay over at her place for sometime, However Anne was sceptical and refused immediately, but Harleen and Benjamin gently advised and spoke to her and she finally agreed on it.

She felt like she could trust Harleen and Benjamin, They were sweet and were kind enough to help her, Now Anne needed to find a job for herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inside Gotham Plaza, A woman's shoes store was seen bustling with shoppers. Women were browsing through the racks of shoes, trying on different pairs and admiring themselves in the mirrors. The store was filled with a mix of high-end designer brands and more affordable options.

A woman walked inside and looked around, She noticed a box that had a pair of designer heels, She opened the box and admired the heels as she had a smile on her face.

This is Selina Kyle, Thrity two years old and works as a Fashion Designer, She is soft-spoken, flirtatious, caring, cocky and kind.

She's an orphan who broke out of a women's correctional facility when she was sixteen years old. She had a habit of stealing and other criminal acts, However at one point of her life, She decided to stop and became a better person, But she still couldn't get over of the habit to steal.

Selina walked over to the cashier and spoke to her while holding the box.

Selina: Excuse me, I like to return these.

Cashier: What's the problem, Ma'am?

Selina: I just didn't like the quality, My preference is different.

Cashier: I see, Could you hand over the receipt?

Selina: Oh sorry, I don't have a receipt, Stupid me threw it away.

Selina pretended to feel upset as the cashier stared at her before shaking her head.

Cashier: Unfortunately, I can't do anything. Without a receipt, I'm unable to fulfill your request.

Selina: Please, I'm a regular customer, I want to buy another pair of shoes.

Cashier: I'm sorry, Ma'am. I can't do that, I need a receipt.

Selina sighed and looked at the box before nodding.

Selina: Okay, fine, I'll keep it. Maybe this might fit for a friend.

The cashier looked at her and apologised again as Selina said it was okay before she walked over. However, she had a hidden smirk on her face, knowing that was a way to steal those heels.

Selina saw another pair of heels, No one was around as Kyle had an idea and wanted to steal those heels, She quickly took off her black heels, replacing it with the new black heels. Selina was gonna walk away until someone grabbed her arm, and she saw who it was.

It was Alex Ambrose. She and Alex have been dating for a couple of months.

Selina and Alex first meet at a gallery event in Gotham City. Selina was drawn to Alex by his confident and charming self, while Alex is intrigued by Selina's mysterious self. They strike up a conversation and discover they have a lot in common, Later onz they continue to run into each other, and their friendship grows into a deep emotional connection.

Despite their different backgrounds, they both begin to develop feelings for each other and eventually fall in love. She was the only one who knew about his entire life, but Selina hadn't found out about his wicked intentions.

Alex: Where do you think you're doing, sweetheart?

Selina: Alex? What are you doing here?

Alex: *Smiles* I'm been watching you.

Selina: Stalker.

Alex chuckled and continued staring at her as he spoke to her.

Alex: You know, I'm part of the GCPD, What should I say if someone finds out that my beautiful girlfriend was stealing heels at a store?

Selina gave a smirk and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

Selina: Oh, darling, you know I have a good taste, I couldn't resist those beautiful heels, they just called out to me.Besides, I like taking risks, especially when I know the GCPD has the most handsome forensic analyst.

Alex: *Chuckles* Naughty of you.

He looked at the heels she was wearing as Alex looked at her.

Alex: How much are those heels?

Selina: A hundred fifteen.

Alex: *Chuckles* So you're stealing two pairs. . . Let me pay, For you.

Selina: Really?

Alex nodded as Selina shrugged and moved her arms away from his neck, She took the heels off as the couple walked over to the cashier and bought the shoes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

October 20 2005

Two weeks have passed, and everything has been going smoothly, Anne was slowly getting comfortable around Harleen and they both got to know more about each other, Harley has also been helping Anne to search for a job.

Anne was seen sitting on the couch, thinking about what to do now. She really needed to find a suitable job for herself and it's been worrying her lately.

Harley was looking at her from a distance before she decided to call Benjamin and walked over to the other room, Benjamin answered the call as Harley spoke to him.

Harley: *On Call* Hey Puddin, Can we talk?

Benjamin: *On call* Yes, Honey. I'm free right now.

Harley: *Smiles* First of all, I miss you. I've been thinking about you all day.

Benjamin: *Chuckles* I miss you too, Harl. I actually wanted to hear your voice.

Harley: Mmmm, I hope you can come over tonight.

Benjamin: I'll make sure of it.

Harley: Anyways, there is something i wanted to tell you, It's about Anne.

Benjamin: Is she alright?

Harley: Yeah, but you know I'm been searching for a job for her, I just can't find anything for her. Even Winters has been going out, finding something to work with. But it's difficult.

Benjamin: Dang. . . Hold on, Maybe I'll find something for you.

Harley: Actually. . . I had an idea.

She said something as Benjamin was shocked and was a little skeptical.

Benjamin: Seriously? That sounds reckless, Harley. Are you sure she can work there?

Harley: That's the only choice, She's been stressing out, and I really want to help her.

Benjamin: There has to be something else, honey. How can she work in a place full of criminals and lunatics?

Harley: I understand, but like i said, I have no choice and I'm sure Dr Crane would arrange something for her.

Benjamin was silent for a moment before speaking.

Benjamin: I'm worried, Do you think she'll get hired?

Harley: I really hope she does, At least something simple could keep her occupied.

Benjamin: You should talk to Crane about this. . . Again, I'm not sure how this will go.

Harley: Trust me, Puddin. I'll make sure everything will be okay, I'm heading to the asylum right now so I'll take her with me.

Benjamin: If you say so, Harley. Hope things go well, Take care and stay safe, Call me if you need anything.

Harley: I will, Love you, Puddin.

Benjamin: Love you too, Honey. Please, both of you, stay safe.

Harley nodded and hung up the phone as she took a deep breath and walked out of the room to speak to Anne.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At Arkham Asylum, Harley and Anne were seen walking as Winters was stunned by this place, Harleen explained what this place was, and that shocked Anne. However, Winters was feeling a little creeped out by its atmosphere.

Anne could hear the lunatics screaming while security guards were trying to hold them down, Other patients were getting escorted to their cells as Anne felt a little scared and grabbed Harley's arm, She understood her fear and held Anne's hand as they walked inside the elevator.

Anne: What is this?

Harley: It's an elevator, It's basically a lift to a higher floor

Anne: I didn't know these things existed. . .

Harley: *Smiles* Oh, Annie. There's a lot for you to learn.

Anne just smiled at her as the elevator opened, Both of them walked out and saw the office, Harley turned and looked at Anne while smiling at her.

Harley: Okay, Anne. We're going to meet someone and I think he might give you a job here.

Anne's eyes lit up when she heard "Job" and started to feel nervous.

Anne: Really?

Harley: Yes, He's a good friend of mine, You can trust him.

Anne: But Harleen, This place kinda scares me. . .

Harley: Hey, It's okay. You won't need to take care of any patients, I know you're feeling scared.

Anne nodded, But even if it did scare her, She did like this opportunity.

Harley: Are you ready?

Anne: *Smiles* Yeah. . I'm ready.

Harley smiled and knocked on the door, She heard him say "Come in" as she opened the door and held Anne's hand, gently pulling her inside.

Harley: Good morning, Dr Crane.

Jonathan looked at Harley before shifting his attention towards Anne.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)