Crane stood in his living room, regarding his men with great intent as they relayed the events at Gotham University. He learned that Batman had shown and did what he always did. What interested him more so was hearing that Batman took many chances in his fight. He allowed himself to get shot in the leg, it was a graze, but Crane knew that even that was a small victory. He also learned that even before being exposed to the small dosage of toxin he was already in a highly emotional state.

"He was animal like boss, I'd never seen him fight like that!"

Another said, "I was starting to get worried that he was actually going to kill us."

A third man chimed in, "He doesn't kill people right? He never kills people."

"Up until now he hasn't," the final man said.

They were all huddled together on Dr. Crane's sofa, looking at their boss, wondering what was going on in his head. He rarely let his emotions show and kept staring out the window at the falling snow. The blizzard was raging, and they wondered if maybe Mr. Freeze had something to do with the weather. The largest man of the group stroked his chin and chuckled.

"What's so funny," Dr. Crane said annoyed.

"We do a job for you. We get beat up for you. We execute every step perfectly, and you have nothing to say to us?"

Dr. Crane shook his head. These men only ever focus on the reward, never focus on the job. They never focus on the skill it takes to break a man's spirit, his soul. Then again, they're simply hired muscle. Carmine Falconi was a good source of idiots like these, it's too bad he's as stupid as the rest of them. Organized crime is dead, it's time for the intellectual criminal to succeed. Gotham City is entering a new era. And Dr. Crane knew this. Tapping his foot again, he continues to stare out the window. It's funny how beautiful the snow makes the world look at night. It's a shame for the people of Gotham that it's only a matter of time before something so peaceful looking turns into something absolutely terrifying.

Batman was only the first step. Breaking him will open many doors. Scarecrow would be the most respected criminal in the entire underworld, and the most feared man on the streets of Gotham City. No one would dare oppose him. Fear would allow him unprecedented power and respect. The police wouldn't be able to touch him, and no criminal would want to get near him. And if anyone tried, their greatest fears would become reality. It was, after all, only a matter of time until his newly developed fear toxin was ready to be administered. A plan worthy of Ra's Al Ghul himself, he thought to himself. Too bad that old coot is dead.

Dr. Crane finally spoke, "You did an adequate job tonight."

"Adequate? Adequate?" the large man's tone was incredulous. How could Dr. Crane find their work from that evening anything other than stellar?

"Yes. Or do I need to explain the meaning of that word?"

"Of course not boss."

A smaller man grumbled, "So now that we did your dirty work, when do we get our payment?"

Dr. Crane smiled sharply. He knew this discussion was going to crop up sooner or later. It always does with people like these men. They are only concerned with money. They make it, then spend it on gambling, drugs and hookers. You don't need to be a college professor to figure that out at all. He stepped across the room, fingering a vial on his desk. A small test vial of his most recent, and to date, most potent fear inducing toxin. The last stage resulted in men ripping skin off, and tearing their eyes out. This would, well, he wasn't sure, but he knew it would be entertaining, and more fun than listening to four idiots complain about money.

"Is money all that you terrible simpletons can think about?" he asks, utter contempt in his voice.

The large man croaks, lighting a cigarette, "Money makes the world go around, Doc. Without it, you can't make ends meet. Hell, little Johnny Two-Tone here needs every penny he can get for his habit."

"Quiet you damn mook!"

"Or what? You gonna tell your momma? Seriously, Johnny, grow a pair. You really need to stop taking those pharmaceuticals. They screw with your head man."

Johnny stood up shaking, clenching his fists, "You want me to thrash you? I can do it. Just because you're twice my size doesn't mean a damn thing to me!"

Dr. Crane grew tired of this and interrupted, "Enough." They all looked at him, intent on knowing what he was going to say about their payment. "You men want your money? I'll give your money. But first, how would you like to make a little more. Say double my original payment."

Their eyes lit up, double the money? Of course, they'd be crazy not to accept this deal. Besides, what else would they need to do. As long as the Bat wasn't involved it might not be so bad. The large spoke for the group, "We're interested, Doc. What do we need to do for you?"

Dr. Crane took the vial he was finger and locked it into his toxin gun. Picking it up, he says, "I just want you to test out my new toxin. Show me your fears!"

Before the men could react, Dr. Crane had already shot the toxins into the air in his apartment. It worked fast. Within seconds the men began screaming and hollering at the tops of their lungs. The large man was screaming about snakes and falling off a cliff, his hands kept ripping chunks of hair out of the smaller man, Johnny. Johnny was utter some nonsense about clowns. The other two men were strangling each other.

Dr. Crane smiled and breathed out to himself, "Another successful trial."

Meanwhile

The Batmobile slowed down as it pulled to a stop in the Batcave. Batman took a step out and reach his hand out to help Catwoman out of the vehicle. She stepped gingerly down, looking around at the cave in awe. What an amazing place this is, she thought. All the computers hummed quietly, bats could be heard screeching in the distance. No one is ever going to believe this. Turning around she saw all of the trophies that Batman had collected through the years. There was a t-rex, different suits of armor and...was that a giant sized penny? She smiled, almost unsurprised by the amount of things in the cave. She knew her Dark Knight had his secrets.

Batman stepped across to the computer and clicked a button. She heard him whisper something, to someone named...Alfred? Was that right? Alfred, why do I know that name, she thought. She scratched her head trying to remember where she knew a man by that name from. She couldn't think long as Batman broke the silence.

"Here it is, Selina."

She nodded, unsure of what to say or what to do.

"You're the first person I've let inside the cave since Robin died. I felt you ought to know that. It's a very large step for me to do this."

Nodding again, she was still unsure what to say. Who is he?

Batman nodded as well, turn around so his back faced her, he lifted his cowl off. His heart raced. I can't believe I'm about to do this, he thought.

Her heart raced, I can't believe I'm going to finally find out who Batman is. She walked over to him and gasped as she saw an all to familiar face: Bruce Wayne. "Batma-I mean, Bruce?"

Bruce nodded solemnly.

"You're?"

Again he nodded.

Her shocked quickly turned into longing. She had been with Bruce before, and had always had a romance with Batman. Now knowing the two were one in the same, it drove her mad with desire. Wrapping her arms around him she began to kiss him passionately. He held her tight and returned the passion. And the blizzard raged on outside.