Kevin and Miho: Thank you for the review, and I am indeed going most of the stretch... not all those ladies, but the Gotham Sirens on the other hand... awesome name by the way xD I love Sin City.

Other World: Thank you for your praise :D, it means a lot that I have this impact on someone new to the Batman Mythos. Definitely, I shall be completing this story fairly soon :).

highland girl 1592: Indeed xD Crane often gets the short end of the stick.

Murdoc's Mismatched Eyes: Thank you for the review, I'm quite flattered to hear what you think of my story :), I'm glad to hear i've been capturing everything right. As for your inquiry regarding sex, I myself do not find the mental image so disgusting xD, character matters far more then appearance, and Crane isn't hideous, regardless, I don't force sex into my storys, it is something that requires proper time to be led up to. Anyways, thanks again.

NURSE JOY: I'm glad, as ever, that you enjoy my work :), given our conversations of Batman, I can see we're on the same page. Two Face is awesome xD I definitely loved the animated and Long Halloween versions of him, as opposed to the Dark Knight, which left out the psychosis he was already struggling with before he was Two Face. Again, I thank you for the review 'Miss Quinn' ;). Also, thought I'd throw in a little reference for ya to a character I know you love.

First of all, sorry this story has taken so long to update, lots of stuff going on, work, writing another huge story... but there's not a whole lot left, so I'll publish all this as soon as possible. Without Further ado, here you go, back to Crane in the Infirmary ;).


"Wakey wakey Professah Crane!", An excited woman's voice spoke loudly from somewhere overhead. "Up and at em tiger!"

Crane groaned out loud painfully as sensation returned to his body. Faintly, he could hear distant mumbling. He peaked through the slits of his dimmed vision to see a pretty young face grinning widely above his own. Familiar blonde hair pulled into twin pigtails. A woman wearing an unmistakable dull gray uniform, one of several other kinds available depending on the cell block, that could only belong to Arkham patients. He breathed deeply, regaining awareness and opened the eyes the rest of the way.

"What are you doing here child?, Crane asked softly, peering up reluctantly at the soft blue eyes above. "Isn't it a little early yet?"

He glanced around the room, taking in his surroundings. Two Face was gone, along with the trolley that had held his bloody suit. Crane glanced over beside his own bed and spotted that his costume had vanished too. At the far end there were still several guards, deep in conversation. Though, they had different faces then the ones from the previous night. His face felt increasingly sore. Ugly purple bruises had formed there over night, much to Crane's annoyance. He watched as she reached down to the dark blanket draped over himself.

"What are you-

Harley Quinn giggled and tugged at his covers playfully, pulling them down away from him. This illicited another pained groan from the thin, bandaged man as his own body was revealed. The warmth the blankets had brought quickly faded away as a cold draft fell on his thin, bare chest.
It was a good thing he hadn't been naked, for both their sakes. On his waist he wore a pair of dull gray pants. He had been yet to put on the shirt as instructed, due to the ragged wounds covering his chest and back that needed to breath.

"Early? It's three PM in the afternoon sleepy head!", Harley exclaimed, stepping back from the bed. She took a seat in a small chair that had been pulled up next to Crane and stared at him happily. "I just got back from tha Rec room, was askin Red what she was up to last night with her batty visitor... needless to say I only got a scowl out of her... must be learnin from Bats. Anyways, Young figured ya could sleep for a bit more. She said I could visit ya for a bit, and told me to let you know she'll be in soon".

Crane looked over to a dull black clock that had been mounted on the cracked wall in the center of the room. He had not bothered searching for it the previous night. She was indeed right about the current time. Sorely, he shifted his legs slightly and looked over to her.

"How are ya feeling Professah?", Harley asked sympathetically. Carefully, she examined his heavily bandaged body, eyes scanning like an x-ray down his chest. "Jeez ya got a lot of bandages and bruises there, I hope them doctahs did a good job!".

"I feel better, Harley... though, I doubt ill be up and about for awhile yet".

"Aw don't dread about it! Hm... you know, most ladies actually find scars kinda sexy!", Harley informed him with a loopy grin, trying to make light of the situation. She winked at the wounded villain before her. "More women are gonna be stopping by to see the good doctah!"

Crane felt himself burst out with rare roaring laughter, joining in with her high pitched giggles, ignoring the pain. It carried across the room, interrupting a pair of talking guards, who frowned at the villains and continued about their business. After several long moments, Crane regained control, breathing hard.
He wiped away the tears of mirth that had formed in his eyes. The doctor had no idea how she made him laugh so much.. but it felt good as always.

"Ah, you make light of even the worst problems", Crane said with a quiet chuckle. "It's a wonder what Joker would ever do without you at his side".

Harley's smile faded a little and she stared off in the distance over Crane's head.

"I'd like to know that too", she confided softly. "I'm never sure what he thinks of me... he doesn't even tell me he loves me a whole lot".

Harley remained in her own little world a bit longer, coming back to earth with a shake of her head. She smiled her well known wide and loopy grin as she took on a completely different demeanor.

"Oh well! My puddin does love me, even without needin to say it!", Harley said happily, her eyes growing wide and bright as they stared into the doctors face. "It's like I said, wait n' see... Mistah J's gonna come back for all of us, not just me! He'll spring the whole joint! Might even be easier for him ta do, the Dork Knight, maybe he'll be too distracted explorin Red!"

Crane had his doubts that Joker, wherever he was, would come spring all the villains. Unless he had an ulterior motive for doing so, he could care less that everyone was trapped at Arkham, Harley included. Even if he did break them free, it would obviously mean having to work for him on one more of his secret plots.
Joker was a schemer if Crane had ever seen one... but it served no purpose to tell Harley any of this. It would just foil her optimism, something Crane could never bring himself to do. The happy ignorant look in her eyes as she reminisced about the Joker was one he had seen often.

It was kind of depressing to look at. Even for him.

"Hopefully", Crane replied finally. He set his jaw as he continued on, the words tasted bad to say from his own mouth. "In any case, don't worry yourself though, I'm sure your...'Puddin'... will be here for you, eventually".

Harley's blond head bobbed rapidly in agreement.

"Exactly proffessah".

"So tell me child, do we still have cells opposite each other?", Crane asked, changing the subject carefully.

She beamed happily.

"Yup! Ya got your old cell! I think Young believes that with my progress, contact with me can help ya with yours! Since ya didn't escape from it when tha three of ya broke out, they knew the cell was no problem", The young woman explained. "Unfortunately they're puttin more security measures on our block because of tha escape. Same goes for Twin Face and Lizard Man's areas... still, least Sharpy didn't hire that mean ol Lock-Up tah run the place the way that idiot Barthala-moo did".

Crane shrugged his shoulders with a slight smile tugging at his thin lips. It disappeared after a moment.

"True enough... and the extra security on our block is still worth it with you around,", He replied kindly, earning a bashful grin from the young blonde. "I did miss our talking".

"You're too sweet a fellah Johnathan!", She gushed, patting his closest bandaged arm gently. "You know, I don't see why you spend so much time alone with ya chemical work. If you got out there, put your personality forward, I bet ya could- hey, are you alright?"

"Huh? What?"

Without realizing it, his facial expression had sunken into a look of deep sadness at hearing these last, familiar words from her. Harley's eyes grew concerned and she moved the chair closer to his bed. She put a hand down on his stubbled cheek and stroked it slightly, careful to avoid the lacerations.

"You look so down professah... what's wrong? Does it have anything to do with the thing you were gonna tell me about last night?"

Crane's eyes darted away at the touch her cool hand. He cleared his throat and tried to force himself to look aloof, casual. It didn't work.

"No no, I'm fine child, I don't know... I'm probably just tired still", He lied weakly.

Harley wasn't fooled. She saw right through it, her own eyes becoming sad. The young woman didn't like seeing her closest friends looking so down.

"Nonsense Johnathan, you look depressed! Tell me what happened now", Harley insisted more enthusiastically. "Come on... what happened out there ya silly head!"

Crane swallowed hard and lay in silence, wandering where to begin. Harley smiled again encouragingly and nodded, motioning with her hands, giving Crane the courage to start.

Surprisingly, the sinister voice from within didn't try surfacing to talk him out of it. Crane was glad. It might have succeeded.

Speaking in a low voice to keep the guards on the other side of the room from hearing, he confided in her everything that had happened. Without skipping any details, he told her how he had been working hard on his toxins, only to find the beautiful Catwoman standing behind himself. (As an aside, he mentioned seeing Harley's wacky outburst on the television interview at Arkham, which drew a laugh from both) Told her about his confusion at her presence. He explained how she was behaving seductively to him, for instance, sitting in his lap. This caused him to pause again before continuing. He told her how he didn't understand what was happening. He mentioned how Catwoman had claimed her relationship with Batman was over, causing Harley to nod knowingly. This fact at least had been true.

He went into detail about how the two of them had engaged in a bloody brawl after she smashed all his equipment playfully, her talking about fun and unwinding. Upon hearing the sheer brutality of the fight, Harley's eyes widened ever so slightly, but she didn't interrupt. He had got going good now, and she saw better then to stop him. For most of the story, she managed to hold onto not interrupting.

He stopped and took a steadying breath. Shaking his head, he plowed on.

He told her of how quickly Catwoman had started to win. How at the end of the fight, she had thrown him down on the table and climbed on top of him, ripping off his mask and clutching his throat. He motioned to the claw marks on his neck and told her of how he knew it was over for himself. Yet, instead of a bloody death that he'd expected, something else happened. Something he had never expected would happen in a million years. Something...quite amazing really.

The sexy cat themed woman in the skintight black latex suit had started making out with him.

Flat out passion. Nothing less.

At this point in the story, Harley couldn't hold back any longer. Her wide blue eyes bulged in disbelief, and she grinned widely.

"She... what?"

"Yes"

"I... Wow Professah! Way tah go!"

"Huh?... Oh!... Indeed, I suppose".

"Where's the bad part?"

"I'm getting to it child".

While Harley smiled naughtily, he resumed the story, now awkwardly describing how heated things had gotten on the table. His face flushed slightly, but thankfully the bandages hid some of it. He mentioned how nervous he was at the time... how... good it had been. How she had unexpectedly stopped him just short of zipping down her catsuit.
This drew a confused look from Harley, who managed to keep her tongue. He noticed the look and nodded. He explained how Catwoman had mysteriously said he's have to wait for that particular thing, that he'd understand in due time. Harley's face looked thoughtful, yet oddly sly.

"Maybe it means she wants tah jump your bones later on, rather then-

Crane cleared his throat forcefully, interrupting her train of thought.

"Anyways"...

He explained how they eventually stopped their kissing, and their conversation that followed afterward, how Catwoman so easily made him open up to her about his past. How they had talked about his torturous early life and experiences. Her sympathy and understanding. The length and depth of their conversation. He commented on how she had already known a bit about his life, having studied it back at the Batcave when she had been with the caped crusader.

Crane reached a hand up and rubbed his forehead, hesitant to go on, but knowing he had to get it out now or never.

He glanced over intently at Harley. He told her of how after their long talk, Catwoman had curled up against him, and together they fell asleep right there on the desk.

Harley's jaw nearly hit the floor at this.

"Awwwww!", she squealed delightfully, becoming oblivious to Crane's desire for a quiet voice. "That's soo romantic!... I mean, I know she basically kicked your ass, slashed you apart and threw you around beforehand... but still! It was romantic violence... better then the regulah kind I say! Oh... my god!"

The guards chatting on the other side of the room stopped and looked up. They shot bewildered and bemused looked in their direction before continuing to talk.

"Shhhh!", Crane hissed frantically, looking uncomfortable now. It was difficult enough confiding all this without the interruptions. "No-one else needs to hear this child!"

Harley quickly regained her composure, clamping a hand over her mouth tightly, cheeks turning red. She flicked up her thumb for him to go on...again.

He told her slowly about how he'd woken a few hours after, now laying alone on the bloody table. When he had risen to clean up, he found his hand fastened to a drawer by a pair of handcuffs... soon followed by the sound of sirens in the distance.

Harley let out a low, horrified gasp. She looked as if she was straining not to talk, something she managed to accomplish.

He explained that he had managed to lock-pick the handcuffs off just in time (Remembering to thank her for teaching him). He told her of how after his intense battle with the cops, that Batman had arrived alone without Catwoman helping him. Before being pummeled through the alley by the vigilante, he had mentioned an 'Arrangement' he'd had with Catwoman, that was now over. And the rest of what happened with the police and Batman was, as they say, history.

At the conclusion of his recounting, Crane's face slowly drooped back down into a depressed state.

Crane and Harley sat in silence for awhile, mulling over what had been said. He wasn't sure what to say next, but Harley didn't have that problem. She sighed softly, and reached her hand over, placing it on top his short brown hair, patting his head.

"Professah?", She said hesitantly. "I'm sorry ta hear about that... it's nevah a fun thing ta be betrayed... obviously".

Crane nodded and looked off to the side, his eyes lowered slightly.

"I know... that's exactly the reason I keep telling myself not to trust... you're the only one I've confided anything into".

"The first person", Harley corrected lightly. She rubbed the back of her neck, suddenly looking nervous. She had to ask the question that had risen during the story. "You've made Catwoman the second. There's umm... something i want tah ask ya about all this. Please don't get angry or defensive about it... but i have tah ask".

Crane nodded glumly. Her input would be worth hearing.

"Well...Ya like her, don't you?", Harley asked, beginning to smile almost wanly. "That's part of why you're feelin so down. It had to be excitin to have such a big switch in your life like that, an unexpected thing. It wasn't just a sex thing ta ya. When she sold you out to the cops it felt terrible and confusing, but inna way ya never experienced".

The injured villain's dark eyes widened surprisingly upon the young blonde woman. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the words.

"Ya likely have feelings for her because of all this. I mean, she's just like us in a way, but she was showing you an affection that ya haven't known since before we became this way."

"I...nonsense...don't you see? It had to be simply a seduction that I fell for in my stupidity. I can't keep fooling myself... it couldn't have meant anything...could it?"

Harley scratched her nose, considering his serious question.

"Why did she choose to go after you professah? Why not Big Bad Harv or Crockers?"

"I don't know... I wondered that myself. The Little Bat wasn't answering my questions".

"Did you see her at all after B-man caught you?"

"No... but-

A light bulb in his mind flickered on. He remembered.

"Wait... I... uh... I did see some kind of silhouette on the building above... watching me as the Little Bat dragged me back to the cops", Crane said slowly, noticing the satisfied grin rising on Harley's face. She knew better then he did about all this. It irritated him, but he was glad for her presence. There was no way he could have figure this all out by himself. "That doesn't mean it was her! I was out of my head at that point and could have hallucinated anything! I'm surprised I don't have brain damage!"

"Jeez professor... you gotten really clueless with this kinda personal stuff. Bein with Mistah J has taught me a lot about people ya know. Catwoman was watching ya when she coulda just left the scene easily and not looked back...she didn't, so there ya go!".

"There I go what?"

"As a woman, I don't think she was fully lying about the things she told you. She's pretty nuts like the rest of us, and definitely betrayed ya... but it just feels like she had reasons at doing so. I think she's a bitch for sellin ya out professah... but a lot of the picture is missin here. It seems like she didn't tell you a lot about anything, her other intentions, aside from subduing you".

"No... she was rather tight lipped on that"

"Possibly cause she has personal feelings of her own? You fellahs ain't the only ones who have trouble speakin their mind now and again".

Crane, whom had never been able to fathom women, was dumbstruck.

"How in the hell do you know so much about all this?", he asked with genuine surprise.

Harley giggled loudly.

"I was a psychiatrist ya know professah, even if ya all forget it!", she laughed, shaking her head from side to side, pig tails moving with her. "So were you, but we did have our different methods and areas of expertise as I recall. It doesn't surprise me given your introverted personality type that all of this has you so confused".

Crane felt his face growing hot.

"Well... it doesn't really matter I guess, in the end... she turned me over to the police, it's all over with.", He muttered, betraying a hint of disappointment that shocked even him. "I don't see myself hearing from her again".

Harley's hand suddenly shot over Cranes face and she waved it quickly back and forth.

"Hello? Earth to the Professah?", Harley teased. She put her hands back down in her lap and surveyed the confused, bruise covered man. "You don't know that for sure! I've known that Catty chick for awhile, and that girl has a strange way of coming back more then nine times! Ya gotta stay positive about this thing! If you're negative it'll just eat at ya! Look on the bright side of this!"

"Bright side?" Crane asked pointedly, his lips tightened. "What's that?"

"Ya made out with Catwoman for god's sake!", She cried exuberantly motioning with her hands dramatically. "She initiated it pretty aggressively from what ya told me! How many people, apart from Bats himself, can really say that's happened to them! That's gotta do wonders for yer confidence! It's gotta be a hell of an accomplishment as a man!"

Crane flushed, but inside he felt a laugh starting to rise. He tried to keep it forced back and succeeded for a bit. When she put it like that... he had to admit it was something. He was a skinny, anti-social, psychotic Scarecrow for Christ's sake.

"But I just don't get it child, i mean... she did imply that she prefers me due to my lesser ambitions... but what kind of woman prefers-

"She probably thinks that nerds are damn sexy", Harley suggested with a wink, cutting him off. "That's gotta be it. Who'd have thought that Kitty was that type of lady? I'm just surprised she didn't toss ya ass right out the window!"

Crane burst out laughing again at this, laughing freely. Yet again she had done it, said the right things to make him feel better. She joined in on his laughter, their combined cackling and giggling filling the bright infirmary. Back down at the guard's end, they looked up another time, more annoyed then before. The pair of patients didn't care.

"Me too, actually", Crane wheezed delightfully. "But it was a much more pleasant surprise then that".

"I bet Professah, would have payed a million dollars to see ya face!"

Their crazy laughter died down, and they breathed hard. Crane felt relaxed once more, as if his mind had been set straight by the young blonde woman. Hell, it pretty much had been.

"This is an utterly insane city we live in, child", Crane muttered quietly. Harley wiped some tears off her soft cheeks and nodded in agreement. He was relaxed enough to confide his other thoughts.
"Full of scum, psychotic vigilantes, us costumed freaks, filth and ignorance, so on and so forth... it never ends... but... sometimes I'm glad. It can be fun. The way we villains all behave amongst each other, the thrill of the battles and chases the Bat gives us... the people we kill, our constant escapes. There's a wonderful routine to all this madness and horror. Despite the suffering we endure... there's a way about these things that never ceases to keep me interested and entertained. I'll likely miss at least part of it when it comes to an end...sometime down the road."

"That's Gotham for ya professah... bettah then Keystone or Coast City I say. I think we've all been playing this little game long enough for it to have become our lives", Harley replied quite knowingly. "Itsa interestin life alright... never seems to dull. We all just gotta keep goin with it without lookin back... there's no sense questionin what we are... soon as we do, we lose ourselves.".

"I concur with such a sentiment, child".

They were quiet again for a full minute, considering these thoughts seperatley. Eventually, Harley broke the silence, playing with one of her light toned pigtails.

"Any chance ya can get up and come down to tha rec room?", She asked hopefully. "Everyone's dyin tah see ya!...well, most of em are. More people then you think were impressed with your stunt last night.".

Crane shook his head slowly and scratched the back of his dirty, unkempt hair.

"I apologize, but I'll be unable to for at least several days", He explained regretfully. "I've suffered internal bleeding, and unfortunately Young refuses to let me out until I'm a bit better".

"Aw! that sucks! The gang wanted to congratulate ya! Especially Ol Jervis and Freezy! Ah well, guess it can wait fer now, It's more important that you're feelin better".

"Thank you", Crane replied quietly. "And thank you for listening to me...and caring, about my thoughts. And giving your valuable input. I appreciate it"

Harley smiled brightly. It was a brilliant white flash of teeth that Crane was quite used to receiving.

"Ya are here for me too Johnathan, you're even here for me when Mistah J isn't at the asylum. You're a very good listener ya know.. it's a great quality in a person".

You can do better then Joker... he thought with sudden annoyance. Years of him treating you like shit and not listening... But there's no sense in saying it so roughly. I know the answer. You've made your choices, just like me... but...

Harley's expression took on a sort of hesitant look and she played with her pigtails again, twirling them slowly. That was what gave it away to the doctor. He'd seen her do it many times and knew the root cause. Something was tugging at her and she wasn't sure if she should ask it.

"What's the matter child?", Crane asked with genuine concern.

Harley smiled anxiously and glanced about the room before finally making up her mind and meeting his gaze hesitantly.

"I was wonderin somethin professah...did you by any chance see Mistah J at all when ya were out of the asylum? I have no idea what he's up tah".

Crane stared back at his friend, dark intelligent eyes softening a bit.

"No. I was planning to go look for him after producing my toxin formulas and seeing if either he, Cobblepot or Sionis were interested in buying any. Of course, those plans fell through thanks to the Little Bat", He replied quietly. Despite knowing the answer, Crane added: "He really hasn't contacted you at all?"

Harley shook her head quickly, pony tails flopping around wildly.

"No... and I weally miss him. It's bin over a month. I been buggin Otis and Arnold day after day, askin if they got any messages", she said sadly, with a solemn shrug of her shoulders. "Thanks anyways professah, guess I just gotta keep bein patient. These things always pay off in tha end".

Crane, however, had to say at least something more about it. He couldn't hold it back any longer. Whenever he was here at the asylum with her, it was always there staring right back at his face when she'd talk about that clown.

"I wish he treated you better... but he never does".

There it was, brutally honest, something Crane had learned to use when necessary.

Harley sighed slightly and hung her head.

"So do I... but I can't let myself think too much about it. There's a lot about him you don't know. I've seen a side to him that none of ya would believe... but I cant tell ya or anyone about it... I pwomised him."

The doctor clenched his jaw tightly, forcing away deepened resentment. He couldn't stop himself anymore. Harley was the only person who'd really ever done anything For him, and not To him...aside from Catwoman now. Even then Catwoman had tried to hand him to the police, whereas Harley had a constant streak of being a loyal friend to Crane.

"Remember when ya made me promise not ta reveal your thoughtful side Johnathan?", Harley asked quietly. "When we first became friends and ya talked to me in private. You insisted later I not let anyone know, least of all the otha villains. It's almost like my thing with Joker".

Crane grimaced at this reminder. He did remember... but he didn't like the comparison being drawn between the Joker and himself. The doctor went on the offensive.

"He's crazier then the rest of us here put together, the little bat included. You know it. How can you trust him like this Harley?"

"I just... I do. I know how you, Red and... well...you all care so much about my safety with him, and i appreciate it. More then i can ever tell ya.", She whispered softly. Her blue eyes looked sad and pleading, and there was something conflicting within them. "But i need you each to trust me on this. Like I trust him, You and Red... Please?"

Crane who had no trouble staring at innocents as he killed them, felt himself growing full of disquiet.

Trusting me is a little bit different then trusting him, Harley... I have no intention of throwing acid at you or something and never will.

Crane rubbed his sore forehead. He was starting to get a sweltering headache. He wasn't sure if it was the injuries.. or this topic that annoyed him. Unexpectedly, he rose he feet up, put them over the side and rose from the bed, sitting down on it and facing the surprised Harley with his whole wounded body.

"He kicked you out a damn third floor window, Child", Crane finally replied pointedly. His expression was controlled, he was careful not to let himself get madder then he already was. "I don't forget the sight of you when Batman brought you back as you were... nor, im sure, does the good Doctor Isley. He's even launched you in a rocket ship in a bid to kill you! That does not strike me as a joke, Harley"

Harley looked away, her watery eyes glistening in the light. Crane had the distinct feeling these weren't tears of laughter. He started feeling miserable again himself... he wanted to help, but she loved the bastard plain and simple. Nothing before had convinced her to get away from the abuse and it was possible nothing ever would.

"I know that", She whispered softly. "But please just accept what I'm saying... as much as i want to, i can't get into it. Don't make this more difficult then it already is".

I'll just have to trust she knows what she's doing with him. If he does anything to her again though.. I'll use so many fear toxins...- no, that doesn't work on him. Don't you remember what happened last time you used fear toxins on the Joker after you worked together to kidnap old Mayor Krol?

You don't need another chair across the back of the head.

Perhaps a knife would work better on him instead. A scythe across the throat.

With all the strength he could muster, he nodded. He put aside the resentment and let it go for the moment. Perhaps it lay not in his long fingered hands to save her from the clown... but in the rough dark gauntlets of another. His eyes looked down, slightly ashamed now at even opening his mouth in the first place.

"Alright... I understand. I know what difficulty is. I apologize".

Harley let out an unexpected laugh and stood up suddenly. Crane was surprised the chair didn't tumble backwards at the speed she went. Stepping beside the bed where Crane sat, she reached down and threw her smooth arms around his neck, embracing him so tightly the doctor gagged slightly. She placed a knee on the edge of the bed beside him to keep her balance.

"Don't be sorry silly!", She exclaimed loudly. "You're amazing! Thank you for understanding and letting it go... I really appreciate it".

Crane breathed deeply and hugged her back, rising slightly in the bed. As he held her, he could see the door to the infirmary spring open, revealing a familiar woman in a lab-coat. Young was greeted by the guards, whom she conversed with Crane couldn't hear what they were saying, but the guards were motioning down to the end of the room, to the bed near which the two villains hugged.

"Of course", Crane replied with a thin smile, pulling back from the embrace. Young had begun to step past the beds with the guards setting down towards Crane, bringing a pair of security guards with her. "The doctor is here now child, do give my best to the others won't you?"

"I will", She promised happily.

Harley followed the direction of Crane's eyes, spotting the doctor for herself. She grinned slightly as the trio came to a stop next to her chair. The stern faced guards in armor didn't say a word as Young addressed Harley.

"Harleen, you've gotten your visit like I said", Young informed her. She gestured to the guards. "These two will escort you back down to the recreation room or your cell, whichever you wish to go".

The young blond grinned loopily and considered this for a moment.

"I'll go to the rec room doctah! I gotta talk tah Red again anyways!"

She looked back to Crane and winked. Moving past Young and forward to the guards, she continued to talk to Crane.

"Gotta find out what she and the Bat were up tah! Three guesses on what it was..."

"I don't think you will require that many guesses, child"

Harley laughed merrily as the two guards took her by either side of her arm and spun her around to face the direction of the door. They started to move away, leaving behind the Young and Crane, whom still sat at the edge of the bed, watching them leave.

"I don't either think so either Professah!", She called back playfully, still giggling. "I'll fill ya in about the latest gossip soon!"

And I think I might be in a good enough mood to listen to it this time around, Crane thought wryly. That's certainly new.

"I can hardly wait".

The three figures passed over the spotless marble floor, stepping through the Infirmary door on the opposite end of the room. One of the other two guards flanking the door reached over and snapped it behind them, the noise echoing throughout the large room.

With Harley gone, Young took a seat in the metal chair between the beds, brushing her dark pants without noticing what she was doing. She cast a surveying the gangly man covered in white bandages and stitches who sat before her, his long thin legs dangling over the side.

"Feeling any better Johnathan?", she asked carefully.

Crane shot her a sour, pointed look.

"Aside from the agony screaming in my stomach, yes, I'm quite fine", he replied indifferently, waving a hand as if it were of no account.

"I'd still like you to stay here a few days like I said... don't worry, you'll be out and about in no time".

"I know... what was it you wanted to visit me for?", Crane asked carefully. "Is it about my schedule?"

"Yes, once things return to normal for you, You can return to your regular routine", Young informed him. "You will have your sessions with me in the mornings and your sessions with Doctor Wilson in the afternoons. I have some new treatment methods I'm eager to get started with".

"Sound's interesting doctor", lied Crane quietly. "No sessions with Doctor West then? I haven't seen him about".

Young looked extremely uncomfortable, and was unable to hide it entirely.

"Uh, no, I'm afraid Doctor West had to take a vacation... he went kind of... uh, let's just say he needs time off, he'll be back another time, hopefully"

Crane smirked to himself, making no effort to hide his amusement.

Sounds like Doctor West finally went over the edge like the rest of us.

"A pity", Crane announced unemotionally, yet an eyebrow raising suddenly with renewed vigor. The revelation of West's departure had opened another possibility Crane hoped would come true. The doctors of Arkham Asylum, while generally incompetent, sometimes hired psychiatrists who yet held the potential to be great in their endeavors... even if a little encouragement was required. In another time, Crane had met one such rare individuals, and hoped for the chance to become reacquainted soon.

"I must ask... does this open the possibility of West being replaced by the good Doctor Elliot as my psychiatrist?"

Doctor Young shook her head almost apologetically, and shrugged slightly.

"Sorry Johnathan... he already has too many caseloads as it is... you know as well as I that Thomas is still working extensively with Garfield and Jarvis, among others. I'm merely surprised how effectively he is able to handle such difficult cases time and time again... I had my doubts about him, but now I'm not so certain. There's a way he's able to relate with his patients that even I cannot quite place my finger on".

Crane's hopeful look ebbed finally, and for a moment, his bitterness was all to clear.

Young ignored the disappointment in his eyes and continued on, her tone becoming ever more kindly.

"No matter, don't worry about it Johnathan... that just means you get to spend more time with me, critiquing my work with your fascinating input. Not to mention, some of your fellow patients will be permitted to visit you while you get better"

Crane nodded, some of the disappointment taken away.

"Excellent to hear... will that be all then, Young?"

"Yes, for now. There is a possibility I wish to discuss with you at a future date... involving one of the treatments I've been developing for the patients... a project of mine... but it can wait for now. If you need anything, just ring for a nurse and they'll be here quickly, as you know.", She informed him motioning to the buzzer on his bedside table.

"I have to go now, I have a session with Victor to attend to... and they are rarely as pleasant as ours. Lay back down and take it easy Johnathan... won't you? Nothing will go wrong if you just relax"

She had spotted his tensed shoulders. Slowly, they relaxed with evident reluctance.

"Very well... I understand doctor... and I look forward to hearing of that treatment".

Young nodded and stood up from her seat, straightening out her lab-coat.

"Good, Ill see you later Johnathan, Doctor Brenner will be by to let you know the results of the surgery. Oh yes, I nearly forgot: I went and got your new pair of glasses, based on your prescription".

She dug a hand into the front right pocket of her white coat and removed a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, the frames black yet much more modern then his previous pair. He took them from her hands and examined them carefully.

"I preferred my old glasses", Crane muttered, reluctantly putting them on. The slight haze that had been affecting him instantly vanished, the images around the room growing sharper and clearer. "Much more classic era one's, and I had them for a long time".

Young smiled at Crane gently.

"Don't worry, I put them in your cell to keep as a memento", She informed him, earning an appraising look. "I figured perhaps one day when you're better you might be able to get them repaired"

Crane felt his thin lips twist into a slight smile, ignoring the sting of pain it caused in his sewn up cheek.

"You could be a good doctor one day, Young", he commented quietly. "But you have much to learn still".

"I enjoy learning, Johnathan. I'm glad I've finally impressed you", She replied with another more simpering smile. "I'll see you soon, get better quickly".

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving the villain sitting on the edge of the bed. Crane closed his eyes and waited for the familiar snap of the door behind her. When it finally came, he opened them to see it shut, the two armed guards in full body armor and helmets staring back at him all the way at the other end.

He looked back down at the vacated seat. With that Crane sighed and buried his face in his hands, careful to avoid the stitching and broken nose.

Harley had once again made him feel alright, showed him the positive side of the whole thing. He wasn't sure fully what Catwoman had meant doing what she did. Maybe he'd find out one day in the near future, maybe he wouldn't. It didn't do to brood over it. He had to get on with things. There was no chance he would forget about it, nor that he wanted to, obviously, but he didn't need to keep considering it. Harley was right, as she always seemed to be.

Crane would just have to stay optimistic, something which would certainly be new to him.

As his eyes remained snapped just under his hands, a strange familiar feeling started to rise again. This time he didn't resist it or force it back. His forehead spiked with dull throbbing pain, forcing him to grab it with his hand and clench his teeth down tightly.

It was back with a vengeance, it's glowing, malignant yellow eyes glittering within the contours of his mind.

Interesting conversation with Harley, doctor... but Catwoman is gone now, as you surely realize. Her sole purpose was to fuck with your mind in a way that required neither needles nor toxins, the voice rasped out was a bit weaker then it was the previous night, but nonetheless determined.

Even Harley will soon lose interest in caring about what happens to you once her grinning boyfriend comes back to her one day. When he arrives... nothing else matters to her. You only have me and will only ever have me to rely on. Get used to it.

This time I'll be taking Harley's advice, not yours. Everything will be fine for me if I stay positive and keep this... setback, in perspective... you'll see.

Will it? Has it ever been fine for you?

With that simple question, the hideous raspy voice let out a thunderous, echoing cackle that tore through every fabric of the doctors conscious state. The pain in his forehead increased sharply, no matter how much he tried to ignore it, to blink it away, and the laughter would not subside to hear ears. As Crane clenched his bruised and unhealed face painfully in either hand, a pair of unwelcome long tears slowly leaked out the corners of his muddy brown eyes.

They slid down over the surface of his hollow, stitch covered cheeks, stinging, offending and humiliating him with their very presence.


There you go folks, Poor Crane *shakes head*, my how Arkhamites suffer. I have funny writing Harley as well, and actually have a draft of a story involving her greatly. She, in my opinion, is the only true other villain Crane has been able to trust, as they went to the university together, and their friendship has been hinted at. For the record, my Harley, although loppy as the true Harley, has her moments of intelligence, when Harleen Quinzel peeks out from behind the clown girl she has become. The story I have of her will delve further in detail to her character.

Just for a note, I think we all know who old Dr Elliot is ;). After viewing him in action in Arkham City, I most certainly have an increased interest in him, plus there's the fact that Scarecrow is his mentor in the comics, and met him when he was only a kid. Dr West is a reference to Herbert West, Re-animator by H.P Lovecraft, who served as a great influence for my Scarecrow. The next chapter will feature more of the villains, and their interactions. It'll be a bit more up tempo, not as down as this chapter, in character perhaps with the interactions in the Animated Series. Speaking of that series, I made reference to Lock Up and Doctor Bartholomew (unlike Harley's spelling xD). Doctor Young's friendliness to Crane is a reference to her notes in Arkham Asylum, that praise Crane's genius in chemistry, and praises him as her best success, hinting that she wants him to help her with Project Titan. She states that she enjoys their chats, and her ignorance is such that she doesn't believe he has ever tested chemicals on humans. 'Otis', Harley refers to, is Otis Flannegan, The Ratcatcher, who I had not heard of until Arkham Asylum xD. I read that he runs a contraband racket in the asylum, and I figure this can include messages from outside villains... Arnold, Ventriloquist, who Harley is fond of in the comics, seems the gangster type to be involved in this. 'Garfield', is Garfield Lynns :D, the arsonist Firefly, one of the most psychopathic and underrated Batman villains I love. Anywho, I'll see you soon :).