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Haha.....Harley ([info]haha_bangbang) wrote in [info]we_coexist,
@ 2015-03-17 21:48:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:ariel, harleen quinzel, james buchanan barnes, steve rogers, zz:status complete

Evaluation (Steve, Ariel and Bucky)
Harley stood in the hallway.

She was spent. Used up. Done.

In one hand she clasped a briefcase which was stuffed full of a variety of things. The other was lifted, fingers curled against her palm. She was knocking without realizing it. Number fourteen. Steve's apartment.

Scare beast had done a number on her psyche but she had a promise...one last promise she had to get out of her ledger before she could give herself entirely to the beast. And it had to be now. It couldn't wait anymore. Harleen had managed to change her skirt which had been rendered to tatters. Her button up shirt was halfway untucked from the waist band, and her hair was askew from the ponytail she had pulled it back into. Her blue eyes were hazed, but she made herself focus. Half of the collar of her shirt was pulled up, the other half was down as normal. Bruises and red marks riddled the flesh of her neck. She avoided them.

Again she knocked. Steve could tell her where the girl was, and they could be done with the assessment. She had to be done with it. It was that or she knew the beast would take her life. He had made her choose, and she had chosen him over the heroic life. Over protection. She was trying to save her friends. Steve needed to be alive, he needed to help people like Ariel. Bucky. Harley was past help. She had done this to herself.

"C'mon ya idiot, open tha door," she breathed, though she didn't mean it in a malicious way. She needed to get back. The timeline was growing thinner with each second.

Harley didn't realize how her makeup looked, it ran down her face. Maybe she had cried on the way over. Maybe it had been really hot in her car and she had sweated. She would never tell. But this had to be done. If she was even allowed to do the tests. It all would depend on Steve's friend. She needed the permission. She wasn't going to get squashed by someone just because she was fulfilling a promise.

So, Harley lowered her hand from the door and waited.


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[info]slepttoolong
2015-03-18 01:00 pm UTC (link)
Some kind of sleeping rota had finally been established. Steve was probably the least rested of the bunch, but he had stamina aplenty to see him through, and he didn't complain. It was far more important that his charges get the rest they needed. His caffeine intake was fairly high as a result. So it was with bleary eyes that he opened the door and blinked at Harleen.

He noted the oddities in her appearance immediately, and finally put them together with the odd missed call on his cell phone. Steve swore under his breath. "What happened?" he asked, already opening the door wider to allow her entry. "I'm sorry, I should have come as soon as I saw that call."

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[info]haha_bangbang
2015-03-18 01:06 pm UTC (link)
She had woken him up. What time was it? Harley couldn't remember but apparently it was much later than she recalled. That wasn't too strange considering the daze in which she had left Arkham. She couldn't remember even driving here, but she was here now and it was time for business.

Harley offered a small look of relief when Steve appeared in the door. And she shook her head at him as he asked, brushing past him for the apartment. "Don't ask. I ain't talkin'." Stooling got you killed and she had told Steve too much already. "I had ta come. I ain't got time to wait around anymore. I need ta see tha girl so I can get this evaluation done."

She made a bee-line for the kitchen table, lugged the case to it and set the large metal case on to the wood. The clasps came apart and then the top to reveal a type writer, which she pulled out of the case. Harley set it on the table, removed a small stack of papers, and then put the once-more closed case on the floor.

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[info]slepttoolong
2015-03-18 01:56 pm UTC (link)
This... wasn't good. Ariel and Bucky would join in shortly, Steve knew, but for the moment, he had the floor to himself. He followed the shrink into the kitchen, watching as she set up her typewriter and paperwork.

"She'll be along in a moment. Harleen, you can talk to me. Was it Eddie?"

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[info]haha_bangbang
2015-03-18 02:08 pm UTC (link)
Harley closed her eyes. Her shoulders squared and her fingers curled into a fist, knuckles white. "No. It wasn't Eddie." Not all of it, anyway. Some of it. Harley took a breath and her heart finally began to slow.

She made herself calm down, opening her fist slowly. She could break his table if she wanted to. She didn't. It would be one more thing to pay him back for and she had to sever the ties entirely. Another breath out, and her eyes opened.

A tilt of her head and she offered Steve a glance and a smile, "Imma big girl. But I'm ready ta get started. When I'm done all ya gotta do is take tha papawork ta your lawya friend and he can do tha rest. I ain't testifyin' either."

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[info]slepttoolong
2015-03-18 02:26 pm UTC (link)
Steve frowned. He took a moment to settle the anger that was starting to gather at her appearance, her refusal to talk, and got a mug of coffee for each of them. Settling the mug by her arm, he took a so from his own, looking down at her.

"I told you I would help you," he said, voice soft. "I meant that. You're my friend, Harleen. Can't you tell me what's going on?"

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[info]haha_bangbang
2015-03-18 02:31 pm UTC (link)
She glanced down at the coffee. It smelled good. Her heart shattered into a million pieces and Harley shook her head slowly. "If ya really wanna help me, then stay outta it. Stay away from Arkham. Me. Eddie. That's the only way you can help. Otherwise it ain't gonna be pretty."

"Please Steve." She hated begging. It was weak, but she would do it to make sure he stayed away. Far away.

When she looked up again a hand lifted to rub at her watering eyes. "I need ya friend and his girl. Bring 'm both."

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[info]slepttoolong
2015-03-18 02:49 pm UTC (link)
The plea broke something in Steve Rogers. He could tell it wasn't something she did often, if ever. She was worried, and scared for him.

For him.

He couldn't push her on this one. Not when she was fighting so hard to keep them safe. Steve let out a breath, and gently squeezed her shoulder. "Alright. Alright. I'll get them up."

He lingered a moment longer. "Thank you, Harleen. For doing this."

Then he left the kitchen to get Ariel and Bucky.

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[info]haha_bangbang
2015-03-18 02:52 pm UTC (link)
She took a breath of relief when Steve agreed. She felt warmer somehow, more complete. He would be safer here tending to his own flock of misfits. And they would see each other again, though probably not in the same social setting as before.

When he was gone, Harley sat before the typewriter. She fed the first sheet of paper into the mechanism, pushed the arm into the machine and waited for Steve to bring back the pair. She would only need a couple of things from Steve's friend. Most of the information would come from Ariel.

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[info]slepttoolong
2015-03-19 01:46 am UTC (link)
Steve knocked gently at the door to the guest room before entering. He didn't expect either occupant to be sleeping - Bucky would have woken immediately when Harleen knocked at the front door, and Ariel had been up earlier. But the knock was just polite, even if the apartment was his. He opened the door and stepped in, looking to his charges.

"Ariel, there's a doctor here. Her name is Harleen Quinzel. She wants to talk to you about that happened at Arkham, so that you won't have to go to court later."

His voice softened a bit. "She helped us find you. She's a friend."

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[info]brokenvoices
2015-03-19 01:51 am UTC (link)
Ariel listened to the voice...Steve's voice. She was sitting up in her bed with her back pressed against the headboard. She shivered. Arkham. She wasn't sure if she wanted to talk to anyone that was a friend if they were associated with that place.

Her gaze went to James. James would be the deciding factor.

Her heart raced and she pulled the blankets over her head hoping that Steve wouldn't make her go out there. Not without James at least.

"Do I have to?" It was muffled by the comforter.

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[info]who_the_hell_is
2015-03-19 02:04 am UTC (link)
It was a testament to his state that James hadn't woken when the knock came at the front door - or while a conversation had been taking place in the other room. But when someone knocked on the bedroom door, he was on his feet before he had fully recognized the particular knock. Blood spiked with adrenaline, he narrowed his eyes at the pperson who came through the door. When he realized who it was, he relaxed somewhat. He listened to what Steve had to say, quickly catching up on what he'd missed, while also painfully aware that he had missed it.

Ariel's reaction brought on a heavy need to protect. He didn't know how to do that without an enemy to destroy for her. He struggled briefly, before speaking.

"You have a few options," he said, in a tone that was reminiscent of a debriefing. "You may do what has been suggested and avoid speaking against him in a formal trial. You may avoid the conversation with Harley and testify against your kidnapper at trial. Or, you may choose to do neither. The charges against him will be dropped."

James hoped she picked the last option. It would give him free reign to kill her kidnapper. That was not outside his area of skill.

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[info]haha_bangbang
2015-03-19 02:10 am UTC (link)
Harley waited.

Ariel lowered the blanket from her face. She looked at James. Desperately she wanted the last. She didn't want to face him and she didn't want to talk to anyone from Arkham. But that man couldn't be free to hurt anyone else.

"I'll go if you go with me." It was all Ariel could give.

Harley sipped at the coffee. She knew it might take a bit for the girl to make up her mind. Whatever she chose, Harley would honor it. But she hoped her own suffering wouldn't go in vain.

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[info]slepttoolong
2015-03-19 02:17 am UTC (link)
Steve nodded to Bucky. "She'd like to talk to you, too." He looked back at the mermaid. "I know its hard, Ariel, but it's the best way to be sure Eddie stays locked up. Once this is done, you won't have to deal with it again. Ever."

He would make sure of that. No matter what.

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[info]brokenvoices
2015-03-19 02:19 am UTC (link)
Talk to James too?

She looked from James to Steve, then pushed back the blankets. "Then I will go. Please. I have to make sure he will not harm anyone else."

Ariel had to. She had to be sure.

Her gaze went back to James.

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[info]who_the_hell_is
2015-03-19 02:33 am UTC (link)
James nodded once, and moved aside from the bed to allow Ariel room to step down and join him. But, to be certain she knew that, he verbally confirmed.

"I will go with you. I will speak with her as well. If you would like, I will go first."

More than ever, James wished that Steve Rogersv best friend were here. The man who always knew how to set others at ease would know how to make Ariel feel less frightened. He hated the look on her face.

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[info]haha_bangbang
2015-03-19 02:59 am UTC (link)
Harley pushed out two of the chairs at the table for the people she was waiting for with one of her feet. She kicked out of her heels, and sipped her coffee. The taste was soothing. Good for Steve for knowing what she might need.

She waited. It was all she could do. She hoped they would hurry up, she was on a time limit, but this was also as important.



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[info]slepttoolong
2015-03-19 03:14 am UTC (link)
Steve lead the way back into the kitchen. "Harleen Quinzel," he began by way of introduction. "This is James Barnes and Ariel." There were just enough seats for everyone to sit at the table. Steve went to the counter first, to get coffee for Bucky and a tea for Ariel. He took the seat closest to Harleen, letting Bucky and the mermaid sit together on the other side of the table from the psychiatrist.

Time to get down to business. Steve didn't expect he would have much to say, but he wasn't going to leave the room. He was needed here, for everyone's safety. But he could be silent.

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[info]haha_bangbang
2015-03-19 03:17 am UTC (link)
Harley nodded.

She set her mug down and slid a piece of paper and a pen towards the one with the metal looking arm. James. "Kay, James. Since she's ya girl, you're her closest next of kin. I need you ta sign here for me, givin' me permission to do tha evaluation." Harley pointed at the spot where he needed to sign.

"An does she have a last name? For the official record?"

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[info]who_the_hell_is
2015-03-20 12:14 am UTC (link)
At first, James did not visibly react when he saw the signs of physical abuse on the doctor. In truth, he hadn't recognized that it was not normal for her to look as she did. His subconscious mind knew he'd seen far worse and he'd seen it too frequently to give it much thought.

It was only after Dr. Quinzel slid her form across the table to him that he recognized the signs of harm on her. His eyes narrowed and he looked back toward Steve. Steve must have noticed. He must have said something. And yet -- here she was, treating him as if he were Ariel's guardian.

Her guardian. James considered the paper in front of him. It was true that Ariel seemed young. He hadn't considered how old she just might be. He also had never asked what her last name was. She'd claimed to be a mermaid. Did mermaids have last names?

"Barnes."

He didn't know. But what he was fairly certain about was that there would probably not be records of an 'Ariel the Mermaid' in the City's official documents. Let her have his own name. He hardly connected with it in any case. And if she were known with his last name, then others would know that she was under his protection. Perhaps any others would think twice if they thought her to be an easy mark in the future.

He picked up the pen and signed.

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[info]brokenvoices
2015-03-20 12:20 am UTC (link)
Ariel tilted her head at the woman. She was pretty but something was wrong with her. Ariel knew bruises and scars. Damage to skin. This woman looked like she had been in some kind of battle or fight.

And she didn't know what a last name was. Was that something necessary? Did she need one? It seemed James had offered his.

Ariel Barnes. She liked the sound of that. She didn't know why.

The mermaid only nodded in confirmation.

Harley looked between the both of them after she collected the signed paper for permission. Her fingers met the keys of he type writer and she typed against the form slid into the arm. "Ariel Barnes. Got it."

Harley glanced sideways at the girl, done with the metal armed man for now. "You. You been sleepin? Any bad dreams?"

Ariel blinked. She looked at James, then back at the blonde and nodded to both questions.

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[info]who_the_hell_is
2015-03-20 12:37 am UTC (link)
"Who did this to you."

It wasn't his turn to talk. And it wasn't actually a question. It was a demand for information - perhaps a promise - and it was directed with quiet intensity at Dr. Quinzel.

He hadn't caught Ariel's glance toward him because he'd been cataloging the damage that the woman across from him had suffered. She could have been Ariel. She could have been as much a victim as the woman he'd been guarding at night. It troubled him that this was allowed in this City.

It wouldn't be for much longer.

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[info]haha_bangbang
2015-03-20 12:49 am UTC (link)
Harley blinked.

She turned, shot Steve a glare, and then returned her attention to the one with the arm. "Ain't ya business. Can we get back ta the evaluation? I ain't the one tryin' ta avoid tha bench." A breath and Harley went back to typing.

After a few moments she stopped. "Tell me about tha dreams you've been havin." The command was directed at Ariel, but without malice. Harleen was gentle.

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[info]slepttoolong
2015-03-20 01:46 am UTC (link)
Steve missed the glare from Harleen, but caught Bucky's eye and shook his head softly. His own fist tightened, hard. He was letting Harleen slide on this, for now.

I'll take care of it, he mouthed, silently, to Bucky. Once he had an idea of how he could help Harleen without it being too obvious, he would. The woman deserved better.

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[info]brokenvoices
2015-03-20 02:13 am UTC (link)
Ariel breathed out.

"I hear laughter and screaming. I can see the brick. Smell the dirt," her eyes tilted up to meet Harley's. She didn't realize it but her fingers had threaded into the hair at temples and was tugging at it in distress.

She could hear the laughter now. She would never forget it.

And now she was hearing the clicking of the typewriter.

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[info]who_the_hell_is
2015-03-20 02:59 am UTC (link)
At Steve's wordless command, James straightened in the chair and fell silent. He would not disobey Steve's command. Instead, he turned his attention to the woman he'd come here to shelter. As the debriefing continued between the two others here at the table, James found himself unable to intervene again.

But this time, it wasn't verbally. This time, he reached out to stop Ariel from tugging at her hair. With the hand that had been broken and was now healed. he took her fingers gently in his and held.

He didn't know if it would help. He had never tried it before. But at least one of her hands would be unable to tear at her hair. He did not want to see those red waves damaged. They reminded him... of something he couldn't quite place.

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[info]haha_bangbang
2015-03-20 03:05 am UTC (link)
Harley nodded, and continued to type.

"My diagnosis..." She breathed, shooting Ariel a kind look. "PTSD. Chronic nightmares, hallucinations..." Harley nodded. She had to make it seem worse than it probably was.

"Clearly this girl is delusional. Unfit to stand trial and testify." She finished up her evaluation. She wouldn't make Ariel sit there for hours for a true psych evaluation. Especially not with Steve and James sitting there.

Finally, Harley rolled the last paper out of the arm. She signed it, faked a notorized stamp and date, then set the stack in front of Steve.

"There. Done." With a glance at all three of them, Harley slipped on her shoes and began to pack her things.

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[info]who_the_hell_is
2015-03-20 03:16 am UTC (link)
The only one who didn't know that this examination was a farce was, perhaps, Ariel. James eyed the notary stamp, then Steve, then finally Dr. Quinzel.

It was not unlikely that the documentation wouldn't stand in a court of law - but that wasn't James' concern. The woman with her tiny hand in his was the primary motivation for him. He stood from the table, now that Dr. Quinzel declared the meeting complete.

He hadn't let go of Ariel's hand.

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[info]brokenvoices
2015-03-20 03:21 am UTC (link)
Ariel's hand had slipped into James' and she felt more grounded. The other hand fell from her hair and settled into her lap. Her eyes turned toward him, and then back to the woman. She wasn't sure what all of those words meant, but they didn't sound good. Or right.

The mermaid looked back at James for guidance but he was looking at the other woman. The doctor. So she turned her attention to Steve. Her hand never left James'.

Standing alongside James, Ariel watched the battered doctor put her things away. She was glad the woman was leaving.

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[info]who_the_hell_is
2015-03-20 03:44 am UTC (link)
James didn't know when he decided to take Ariel away from the situation, but he was suddenly walking back toward the bedroom with Ariel's hand firmly in his own. He would leave the rest of this to Steve. He wanted Ariel in a place that felt safe to her, and the only way he knew how to do that was to get her away from the doctor and back to where he knew she could relax.

The bedroom was quickly becoming a haven. For both of them.

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[info]brokenvoices
2015-03-20 03:48 am UTC (link)
Ariel found that her feet were moving. Her hand had never left James' and she turned her back on the table and its remaining occupants.

She crossed the living room, entered the hallway and found herself back in the bedroom. Here it was safe. It was safe knowing a door and a wall divided her from the rest of the world. It was safe knowing James was there to protect her. But he couldn't keep the nightmares away.

Softly Ariel approached the tangle of sheets and comforter, as she had left them, and stood before the edge. She didn't want to let go of him but she knew she had to. So she did, reluctantly, and climbed back into the bed to hide in the covers.

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[info]who_the_hell_is
2015-03-20 03:55 am UTC (link)
And this time, just this once he told himself, James followed her. He sat on the other side of the bed and set his hand over the slight shoulder hidden under the blankets. He didn't ask for anything else or make her talk. He left her to her recovery. But he also ensured that she knew she wasn't alone.

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