Disclaimer: I don't own Dr. Crane and/or any of the characters/places associated with Batman Begins.

When she walked into Dr. Crane's office a few hours later she could tell that things had changed.

"How are you Vanessa? Feeling better I hope".

He acknowledged her presence but didn't bother to take his eyes off the stack of papers on his desk. My how a few hours could change everything? He was cold toward her again-preoccupied with something.

Vanessa decided to answer his question cheerfully in an attempt to draw him out of his shell.

"I'm doing well. I was able to eat and get some rest just like you suggested."

Dr. Crane closed the file he'd been reading and removed his glasses.

"Good, I'm glad to hear it." he said.

He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of him in a defensive manner. She could feel the tension in the air. It was making her more than a little nervous. Why did she suddenly feel uncomfortable being alone with him?

"Have a seat Vanessa and make yourself comfortable. You're my only patient this afternoon. We have a great deal to discuss."

"Why do I get all the special attention Dr. Crane?"

"We need to talk about your transfer and continuing treatment plan."

Now this was unexpected. After their encounter this morning these were the last words she had expected to hear.

"You mean I'm being released?" she asked, barely able to contain her joy.

"No Vanessa, you're not. Frankly you're condition has done nothing but deteriorate since you arrived here. I'm very concerned about you."

She'd sensed that he was about to drop a bomb on her from the moment she had entered the room-but nothing like this. In the wake of its explosion all she could muster was,

"Huh?"

"You've been rude and abusive to me and my staff. You're suffering paranoid delusions and it's become increasingly clear to me over the past few weeks that you can no longer distinguish between dreams and reality."

"What are you talking about? Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?"

Her temper soared. How dare he play games with her?

In a grim tone he continued, "I'm having you committed to my care until such time as I believe you are no longer a danger to yourself or others."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing. You said I was making progress, that my feelings were normal. You said I could qualify for out patient care soon."

"I said no such thing." Dr. Crane stated.

"But I need to get out of here. I can't stay in this place. I need to see my husband's grave." Vanessa's voice caught in her throat. "Dr. Crane…..please." she pleaded.

"I'm sorry. Not after this latest episode."

"What episode? I was attacked in my room. I gave you proof of that this morning. There's a man out there that can come and go from my room at will and you were supposed to put a guard at my door. Why don't you try doing your job doctor?"

With that same tone of smug detachment he said, "You'll be monitored on a twenty-four hour basis via security camera as soon as you're relocated to a more secure wing at Arkham I can assure you. In regards to this proof you speak of, I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."

"The plastic bag I gave you. That isn't proof enough?" she asked.

Dr. Crane looked at her and shook his head.

"I handed it to you. I saw you take it!" Vanessa was practically yelling at this point.

"Vanessa, it never happened." He said harshly.

She threw her hands in the air and stood up. She walked over to his book case feeling utterly dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events. For the first time since she'd begun her sessions with him she took the time to study the titles in his library. Every single book on the shelf concerned phobias and the minds response to traumatic events and frightening stimuli.

In that moment everything came together in her mind. The man who had attacked her had not been one of the hulking orderlies who roamed the halls. No, he'd been slight of build- so slim as to be fragile, much like Dr. Crane. She felt a sinking feeling as she realized that the assailant in her room Saturday night was the same man she'd kissed that morning. Both had a keen interest in fear and as luck would have it, both had the key to her room.

Feeling anger she had never known she gathered her emotions and did her best to compose herself.

"How's the groin Jon? I hope I didn't squeeze too hard but you were getting a little rough." she said as she turned towards him.

"What are you implying? That I was the one who committed this alleged assault?" he asked.

"I'm not implying anything-I'm openly accusing you."

"Ms. Martinez, this is not Halloween and I hardly have the time to parade around Arkham in a costume."

"That's Mrs." Vanessa said.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Mrs. Martinez, you said Ms." She corrected

"Your husband it dead Vanessa. So it would seem that you're a miss again after all."

He spat the words at her, swallowing a lump in his throat when he finished. Rage was churning within him. Vanessa sensed he was barely able to contain it. Well, he wasn't the only one who felt that way. Fed up with all the nonsense, she decided to continue asserting herself.

"This so-called meeting is over. I want to speak to the resident psychologist and make sure he knows what kind of monster you are. You belong in a cell not behind a desk."

It felt good to finally speak her mind. Reveling in this new feeling of power she went a step further.

"Scarecrow, ha! What an appropriate nickname. Look at yourself. You're nothing but skin and bones. No wonder you jumped my in my sleep. I'd kick your ass it you didn't get the drop on me."

That did it. Dr. Crane rose from his chair and rushed at her. Instinctively she ran from him but in the close confines of his office he was on her in seconds. Luckily, Vanessa was able to get her hands up just before he slammed her face first into the wall. She hit with such force that a painting was jarred loose and fell to the floor. Broken glass scattered by their feet. With one hand wrapped around her waist and the other at her throat he held her tight with no way to escape. For such a frail appearance he was surprisingly strong.

"What if I am the Scarecrow? What can you do about it Vanessa? Absolutely nothing, that's what. Tell me-do you still think you could kick my ass?"

"Dr. Crane, let me go."

"You'll go when I say you can go. You keep forgetting that when you're here you're mine," he paused dramatically, "to do with as I please."

A knock came at the door and Dr. Crane released her.

"Come in." he said.

He turned to Vanessa, "and you, keep your mouth shut."

A nurse entered his office timidly and scanned the room. She noticed the broken picture frame and glass immediately.

"Is everything OK doctor?" she asked.

"Everything is fine. The picture fell from the wall. It gave both of us a good scare. Didn't it Vanessa?"

Vanessa chose not to respond. The nurse was the first familiar face she'd seen in quite a while. It was Julie-the same woman who had been with her when she woke up in the hospital all those weeks ago. They stared at each other for a moment before Dr. Crane spoke.

"You can take her back to her room now. We're quite finished."

Julie nodded and Vanessa followed her out of the room with no further words or eye contact exchanged between her and Dr. Crane.

"I didn't know you worked here." Vanessa said as they walked down the hall.

"I moonlight one or two nights a week to make ends meet but I usually work the night shift."

"The nightshift huh? I could use you on my floor." Vanessa spoke with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Julie opened the door to Vanessa's room but stopped her from going in.

"Listen, don't provoke Dr. Crane. I know what's going on here and I'm going to do all I can for you. I know someone who might be able to help."

Julie looked over her shoulder nervously as Dr. Crane exited his office and watched the two of them in the hallway. He motioned Julie over to him.

"Glad to see you're doing better. Maybe I'll see you around one of these nights" Julie said nonchalantly before closing the door and locking it behind her.

Vanessa sat on her bed. "What a day." she sighed.

The Scarecrow had been unmasked and she had been betrayed by the only person she thought she could trust. Although she felt like a sitting duck waiting for him to make his next move, Julie had given her a shred of hope, however small it might be.

Still, she was haunted. What did Dr. Crane want from her and how long was she going to have to wait to find out?