Chapter 9:

"What are we going to do?"

Dr. Arkham looked at those seated around his office. He had called in the doctors of Candice Cane, Sweet Tooth, and Pamela Isley, to discuss the situation that was now on their hands. Commissioner Gordon had also been invited; who informed Batman of the meeting.

Arkham's question was met with silence.

"Well, Mr. Wayne has only agreed to look after the child for one month. I highly suggest that we arrange something before that time frame is over. What that something is, I'm not certain. That's what I hope all of you can help me with."

He gestured to the people before him. Dr. Young straightened in her chair as she spoke.

"Forgive me for asking, Dr. Arkham, but I would like to know why I have been called to this meeting. None of my patients will be greatly affected by any decision made regarding this issue."

"Dr. Young, I believe Ms. Isley is your patient?"

She turned to Batman and nodded in confirmation.

"She has had lots of experience with the relationship between Sweet Tooth and Ms. Cane, and was supporting them during the crucial moments of the pregnancy. Isley can give us an important insight into the way they interact with each other, and how she believes they will interact with Ruth."

Dr. Young seemed satisfied with this explanation, but Commissioner Gordon frowned at the Caped Crusader's words.

"Am I to understand that you wish for the child to be with her natural parents? I'm not sure of your meaning, Batman."

"I'm sure that Mr. Wayne would be willing to care for Ruth until a foster family has been arranged, but I believe there is a chance that she could be with her birth parents."

Gordon and the rest of the room looked at him in disbelief.

"I think I understand Batman's reasoning."

Now the attention was drawn to Dr. Leland.

"As Candice's doctor, I have studied her thoughts and behaviour for many years now. Before her emotions would differ constantly; contentment, sadness, anger, but I've never noted such a substantial change than what she has displayed from becoming a mother. This could be what she needs to finally accept the wrongness of her actions, and to become a member of society once more."

Understanding was settling in the others' minds as Leland continued.

"I also believe that similar observations have been made in Sweet Tooth's behaviour."

Dr. Tam glanced at her in surprise, as he realised she was expecting him to talk about his patient.

"Err...yes. Of course I have very little experience with Mr. Tooth, though I have seen differences in his actions now to what his previous doctors have recorded. It could be highly beneficial to his mental state if he had to undertake this responsibility."

"But what if they don't improve? We'd be happily giving over an innocent child to a pair of psychotics."

Arkham folded his hands as he thought over the points raised by Leland and Gordon.

"I understand your concern, Commissioner, and am also unhappy with this entire situation. However Ruth could be the motivation we have been looking for, for over four years. She can be used to convince Sweet Tooth and Ms. Cane to co-operate with therapy, and to recover their mental stability. We have often stated that any of our patients can be treated if they are willing to improve. I have confidence that we can restore their places in society.

"Now, we will have to ensure the success of this plan before letting Ruth meet her parents. Dr. Young, I ask you to hold a session with Ms. Isley to understand further the changes in Sweet Tooth's and Ms. Cane's behaviour and attitude. She is a key witness to their actions, and is likely to have a different viewpoint to us, or the parents. Dr. Leland and Dr. Tam, you need to present the idea of your patients' willingness as the only option if they want to see Ruth. I leave it to you to decide how to best approach this subject."

The three doctors rose from their chairs and left the room to make the necessary arrangements. Arkham turned to where Gordon sat, and Batman stood.

"You are welcome to watch our patient interviews when they are held. We will inform the police department of when that shall be."

The Commissioner got out of his chair, and went to shake Arkham's hand.

"We thank you for your assistance in this matter. It's a difficult situation to handle, but I'm sure your staff will be able to choose the best course of action."

With that Gordon left, with Batman closely following behind him. Arkham sighed as he rubbed his temple, and then pressed the button to activate the intercom on his desk.

"Yes, Dr. Arkham?"

"Ms. Leech, I think I'm going to need a cup of coffee."

oooooooooooooooooooo

"Good morning, Ms. Isley. How are you feeling today?"

"Terrible."

Dr. Young raised an eyebrow at her patient sat on the other side of the small table between them.

"And what do you think is the reason for that? Lack of sleep? A side effect to your medication? Or issues regarding the other inmates?"

"Two out of three, but those little green pills don't seem to be helping."

"We can re-evaluate your prescription for you, but right now I would like to focus on the other issues you've been dealing with. Primarily, the situation involving Ms. Cane."

"Go on."

Ivy leaned forward in her chair so she was angled closer to her doctor.

"In their current mental climate, it is unlikely that Ms. Cane or her partner will be able to see Ruth under any circumstances. This includes visits that would take place with guards present, and doctors monitoring them. So, with the information we have on these patients, they will never be allowed contact with their daughter.

"However, recent changes have been observed in their behaviour, I presume that's where your issues have evolved from, and could mean a better chance of improvement in therapy with them. You are someone who has known Ms. Cane and Mr. Tooth for years, and will have noticed these differences the most."

"Am I to understand that if Candy and Sweet Tooth become legally sane, they will be allowed to have custody over their daughter?"

Dr. Young looked undecided for a moment, and then nodded to Ivy.

"Correct, Ms. Isley."

"You want to know if they will agree to treatment. Hm...Although I would prefer my friend to be able to live life how she wants, I believe that she will work with you. She's been talking constantly about Ruth, even more than her "SweeTart". That brings me on to Sweet Tooth. You know that over the years we've had our differences, and I didn't believe he cared for Candy at all."

"Yes, you have been quite vocal in your dislike for him in the past."

"So, you know that what I'm going to say isn't influenced by our relationship. He has changed for this baby, and I think he will be willing to again."

"He will accept treatment to be able to live with Ruth?"

"And Candy. For them, I think he can do it. It's going to be hard for both of them to give up their way of life, but they can do it."

Dr. Young quickly scribbled notes of Ivy's speech, then looked back up at the patient once she had finished.

"Now, what side effects have you been having to your medication?"

ooooo

"I'm sorry for the restraints Candy, but after your attacks on many of Arkham's staff, it is a necessary precaution."

Candy stopped wriggling in the chains that tightly bound her to the chair when she realised that it wasn't likely that she could escape. Also as she was locked inside a room alone with Dr. Leland, there wouldn't be much point trying.

"As we've discussed before, I've handled previous cases similar to yours. There was a particular one that was almost identical to your stability issues, which is the primary reason why I took you on as a patient. However I have never handled a situation, or ever heard of one, that we are currently now facing. Firstly Candy; tell me how you are feeling today."

"That's Ms. Cane to you."

"You have never had issues with me calling you that before. In fact, you were the one who agreed to respond during therapy if I did. I suspect that right now you feel betrayed, and alone, so you don't feel that you can trust me. I'm your doctor Candice. I'm here to help you. So, how are you feeling today?"

Candy dropped her glare at Leland, and frowned as she thought over the question.

"How I feel? Everything you've said and more. I feel...I feel..."

She suddenly broke down in tears, and started struggling against her bonds again.

"I WANT MY BABY. I WANT...I want ST."

Dr. Leland looked at her patient helplessly as she painfully cried out for her family.

"Candy, I understand how-"

"No. You. DON'T. You can have everything you want, but I can have nothing. I have no idea where my daughter is, and the love of my life is being kept away from me. Do you know how that feels? DO YOU?"

"Candy, I understand how you're reacting to this. It's been difficult for you during these many years, but especially now. You can change that. You can pick a better future for yourself, one with Ruth in it. All you have to do is agree to co-operate with me to make you better."

"So, so...I can be with my family?"

"Yes. All you have to do is stop this life of crime that you've been living for far too long. If the doctors of Arkham sign that you are legally sane, you will be reunited with your daughter."

Candy's face scrunched up in deep thought, and her eyebrows furrowed in worry.

"But what about Sweet Tooth? Would he be allowed to live with us?"

"He will be offered the same chance as you. It is up to him whether he will accept it."

Her patient was clearly pleased with this news, but soon her features adopted a look of panic.

"I want to see him."

"Candy, I have not been given permission to allow-"

"I can't do it without him."

"You can do it for yourself. You can-"

"Please. I just need to talk to him alone. Please do this for me, and then I'll do everything you want."

Leland sighed deeply before nodding her head.

"I'll see what I can do."

ooooo

"I'd prefer it if they weren't here."

"Who's "they", Mr Tooth?"

Sweet Tooth gestured to the wall on his right.

"You know who I mean. I'm presuming you're going to want to speak about my private life, which isn't of any concern to the staff here. Batman and the Commissioner will want to stay of course, but I suggest the others go do the jobs they're supposed to be doing."

There was silence for a few minutes before Dr. Tam spoke again, which sparked a small smirk onto Sweet Tooth's face.

"It has been awhile since our last meeting, which also happened to be our first. As I have only taken you on as a patient recently, it is difficult to assess how best to deal with this current issue."

Sweet Tooth chuckled at the doctor's words.

"Yes, no-one really knows what to do, do they? You guys must hate me right now."

"Mr. Tooth, I can assure you that many people have sympathy for your case during this time."

The patient laughed harder at the absurdity of this statement.

"I've been here a lot longer than you have, and you won't believe the number of attempts there have been to kill me. You know that Gotham will see you as a hero if you just put a bullet through my brain. And now, I'll be seen as a bigger monster than before."

"You said that "I'll be seen as," which implies that you believe yourself not to be what Gotham thinks you are. What is your opinion on society's perception of you?"

"I understand entirely where they're coming from, and I'm pleased for it."

"Well, of course the media is important in your line of work. Why do you think they will think differently of you now?"

"I'm different to them. I don't conform to their rules, so I can't be one of them. To think that I've attempted to have some sort of a "normal life" will anger society. I'm not someone who is allowed to have "normal relationships" like "normal people," so I have broken the system."

"I have seen similar things written in your previous notes; however they are now in a completely new context. Many phrases intrigued me that you spoke, especially how you say you "attempted to have some sort of a normal life." This gives the impression that you are willing to give up everything you currently have for the sake of your family."

"Does it? I know you're new here Doc, but you don't seem to know me at all. Why would I care more about "my family" than my reputation?"

Sweet Tooth was surprised to see Dr. Tam smile at this as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Oh, but you do care. I think that no matter how you want to be, you've changed now. And the problem is, is that it feels right. You just don't want anyone else to know, because you don't understand it. For once, you are uncertain of yourself and your desires."

"Well, I think you're mistaken."

"Really? So what if I told you that if you agree to let me help you, you can live a normal life with Candy and Ruth. All you have to do is give up being Sweet Tooth, and be declared sane."

"I would ask if I can talk to Candy."

"Is that a yes or a no?"

"That is an "I want to speak to my girlfriend privately before I make family decisions.""

Dr. Tam looked at his patient smugly, who sneered back in turn.

"I thought so. I will see what I can do for you.

oooooooooooooooooooo

Sweet Tooth leaned against the wall in the small room, which was empty except for a wooden table placed in the centre. He knew the room that he had been escorted to, and was pleased that it had no one-way screens or cameras. He often used it to hide from guards during an escape, or to meet with Candy alone.

Several minutes passed, before the door opened again and someone was roughly pushed inside. As the person fell to the ground, the guards quickly slammed the door back shut again. Sweet Tooth approached the person, and then gently picked them up from the ground when he realised it was Candy.

"Candy baby, are you alright?"

"I'm-I'm fine. Wait..."

She suddenly hugged Sweet Tooth tightly as she registered who he was.

"Oh, SweeTart, I never thought I'd see you again! I love you, I love you, I love you, SweeTart!"

"And I love you, Candy."

She grinned at him, and he smiled just as widely back.

"I will never tire of hearing that."

Candy wrapped her arms around Sweet Tooth's neck and brought her lips to his. He pulled her closer to him, and kissed her longingly after being separated for too much time. As it started to become more passionate, she broke off the kiss which led to him letting out a small whine.

"SweeTart, I want to do this forever, but they won't let us. Not unless we agree to stop being the Candy Prince and Princess of Crime. And we'll never see Ruth again, and-"

"Candy, ssh, it's going to be fine. I'm never going to give you up; not for Batman and not for Sweet Tooth. I am yours, and nobody else's."

"You mean...you'll agree to do it?"

Sweet Tooth kissed her again.

"I will if you will."

The End

A/N: This is the End!

...Oh, but it's Not Over Yet! I have a very little something prepared for you very soon.