It was about the time Joker was re-captured and sent to Arkham that I started my sessions with Johnathan. Before I went to get my friend, I had to stop by Joker's room. I slammed open the door to his cell, marched over to him with my eyes blazing, and pulled out the small trinket he had given me.

"This..." My voice shook with frustration over the recent events, "This doesn't work,"

"Maybe because you didn't use it." Joker smiled at me.

"You said this was for good luck." I sneered, "You LIED!"

He was about to say something but I started again, "The day I bring this, my only friend is declared insane!"

"...I thought I was your friend." He tried to sound sad, "There somebody else, isn't there!"

"What ever." I dismissed the sarcasm and handed him the Jack-in-the-Box, "Take it back!"

"Nah-ah! No take-backsies!" He grinned, "You can still see me, though!"

"Actually, Joker...No." I gave up, putting the trinket back in my pocket, "Dr. Harleen Quinzel will be your full-time psychiatrist from now on."

"..." For a second I thought I depressed him because he looked down at his feet, frowning, but then he glanced back up at me, "Is she hot?"

"Ugh..." I rolled my eyes and headed for the door, "Good BYE, Joker!"

"I'll take that as a yes!" He shouted after me before I slammed the door again.

I had no time for him now, I was late for my session with my friend. After taking a couple elevators and stopping by my office to gather up some files and my clipboard, I opened the cell door to Johnathan with two guards behind me.

"Let's go..." I murmured, extending my arm in case he needed help getting up or walking. He didn't and my hand fell back to it's side. On the way to the therapy room, he didn't speak to me at all. I was under the assumption that he detested me, but I couldn't figure out why.

"...Do you hate me?" I shocked myself when I blurted that question out as soon as we walked into the room, but the silence and tension was killing me.

"Not you." He spoke after a minute of deciding if it were safe or not to answer, "This place. These people. What they think of me."

"They're just trying to...stop you from hurting people." I said in a tone that wouldn't get him angry.

"That was only ONCE." Johnathan retorted, "And that bastard deserved it."

"But...Johnny-"

"Don't call me that. Especially not now. Yes, you were allowed to do that before, but for the sake of the future you shouldn't." He muttered softly, then silence.

"Wh-What...what do I call you?" I broke the quiet bond that choked me.

"...Scarecrow." He used a low voice, "That's what I want to be called. But only around other people and in front of cameras. Recordings are reserved for my real name; Dr. Strange tends to look at those."

"S...Scarecrow..." I echoed, testing the name out on my lips. I glanced over him, imagining calling him that, but I could bring myself to do so, "Why the specific name?"

"Various reasons." He turned toward the wall, acknowledging the fact that the guards were forced to wait outside of the room.

I nodded, accepting that as an answer. More silence followed and I flinched at it gnawing at my ears.

"I see this is awkward for you." I was surprised that he had spoken. He shook his head, slightly laughing at how odd the situation was, "I can only imagine what's going on through your head right now. I know you secluded yourself, meaning you fully recognized only me as a friend."

I raised my head, wondering what he was getting at. He picked up my message.

"I'm giving you a choice. No...no, I'm telling you." He leaned forward, "Get me out of your life. I may be able to tell you what's in store for me, but if you keep worrying about my safety and lingering around...you'll only get yourself in trouble. I'm going to say this once: Forget about me."

I tensed at his command, staring at my knees with memories and thoughts flooding over me. Then I glared at him and spoke surprisingly clearly, "No. Your my only friend. I care about you, I trust you. I may not fully understand your actions, but I know that I'm loyal to our friendship. Nothing will change that."

"Very well." He sat back in his chair, "Mark your words, Abel. There will be a time when you live up to them."

I didn't comprehend what he was referring to at the time, but I knew him. If I asked any questions, he would get frustrated with me and ignore me, so I kept quiet and let it slide.

"...Let's begin our session." I pulled a few files in from of me and breathed in. I honestly didn't know what to ask him.