Worm's Finest
The Best Medicine
(St. Roch, Louisiana | ~2010/2011)
She hummed, swaying to a song only she could hear as she swept the floor. Her semi-meditative ritual, however, was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She glanced at the caller ID and rolled her eyes as she picked it up.
"Heya, Jess," she said. "I'm guessing this is about my latest patient?"
"How did you ever guess?" Jessica Yamada asked dryly. "The Butcher is
dangerous." She rolled her eyes. They had been friends since college, and somewhere along the line, Jess had picked up a habit of trying to mother her.
"I work at Belle Reve," she interrupted. "
All my patients are dangerous."
"I know," Jessica replied. "I still wish you'd consider a transfer."
"Listen, Jess," she said, "parahumans have issues. You know that. I know that.
Everyone knows that. Most people just want to either put them on pedestals or write them off entirely, but I'm making a
difference here. We've got top notch technology and cells specifically designed to contain each inmate; the Butcher's no different."
"I know," Jessica said softly. "I just worry about you. I don't think the Butcher's someone you can reach. He's... not like most."
"Exactly!" she said excitedly. "The Butcher's atypical psychology might just provide the breakthrough I'm looking for on parahuman tendencies toward conflict!"
Jessica sighed. "All right. Just... be careful, Harleen."
"Always."
* * *
A/N: Exact placement in the timeline is uncertain, but should be around that time frame.