Bruce Wayne closed his eyes as he laid back in his desk chair. This morning had been unusually quiet without Aura here. A soft beep sounded from his monitor. The email attached was from the locksmith he hired earlier that morning to change all the locks on Aura's condo. "What do you mean she wasn't there?" Bruce asked the monitor. Narrowing his eyes at the screen, he reread the message. Quickly, he dialed Aura's number into his phone, waiting impatiently as the ringing continued.

Finally, after six rings the phone connected. "Hello, this is Aura Warren. How may I help you?"

"Aura? Are you alright?" he asked quickly.

"Mr. Wayne?" Aura laughed softly. There was a lot of noise in the background, signaling she was in a public place. "Yes I am fine. I just had to get out of the house for awhile. Is everything okay Mr. Wayne?"

Bruce cleared his throat and relaxed slightly. "Everything is fine. The locksmith I ordered for you said that you were not home when he got there."

Aura sighed. "Oh, I completely forgot about that. I'm sorry Mr. Wayne."

"You know you shouldn't be out with that warning from Scarecrow still so fresh." Bruce chastised her.

Aura was quiet for a few minutes. "Yeah I know Mr. Wayne. I'll head home in a few minutes."

Bruce checked his watch. "Actually, why don't we meet for dinner? Its about time for me to leave here anyway."

"Oh well, um," Aura began.

"Common Aura, we are friends after all. Where are you?" Bruce kept a firm but friendly tone in his voice.

"I'm at the Gotham Mall." Aura stated softly. Bruce chuckled at her tone, he knew that she was embarrassed easily. Every time he had tried to ask her out to dinner before she would turn a bright red and was always ready with a lame excuse, though lately she was running out of them.

He thought for a few moments. "I can be there in twenty minutes. There is a new french cafe around the corner from the mall we could try out."

Aura agreed and they hung up. Bruce quickly grabbed the keys to his Lamborghini. Traffic slowed him down as he pulled onto the highway. Flipping on the radio he tuned onto the local news reports. 'This is Jack Ryder. Well folks if you are heading to the Gotham Mall I would suggest you turn around now. Seems like the Joker has some goons making a shopping spree and police have the building surrounded. There have been reports of gun shots but at this time there are no reported casualties.'

Bruce flipped off the radio and pushed his way off the highway. Flipping a switch in his car started a soft beeping noise. He parked his car in a dark alley and jumped from it. Seconds later, the Batmobile careened down the street, screeching to a halt infront of the man. He jumped into the black vehicle switching it to autopilot. The armored vehicle began its way to the Gotham Mall as Bruce slipped into the familiar latex of his suit.

Doctor Jonathan Crane exited one of the interrogation rooms in the bowels of Arkham Asylum. The Mad Hatter was still babbling as he followed the Rogue and his surrounding security guards back to the elevator. He stood to the side of Aaron Cash. The large black man slammed his hand on the side of the rolling gurney that held the patient. "Stop your mumbling Tetch!"

Crane scoffed and pushed his glassed further up his nose. "He can't hear you. Jervis was sedated due to his violent outburst to the nurse drawing his blood."

Cash looked over his shoulder, nodding his head. "I can't see how you put up with these crazies Dr. Crane."

Crane smirked and followed the guard from the elevator. The other guards continued on their way with the patient to return him to the cell block. "The power of the mind over the body interests me, Mr. Cash. Locked up in here, all the patients have is their mind and if we take that from them what do they have left?"

Cash grabbed the coffee pot from the counter of the employee lounge they walked into, pouring himself a cup of the black gold. "Nothing," he stated simply.

Jonathan chuckled. "Not nothing Mr. Cash. They still have their fear to deal with. That is why I do what I do."

"To scare the shit out of these criminals?"

"No," he sighed irritated with the man infront of him, "to know where that fear comes from and to understand it. I have hopes to be able to control their fear more so that maybe we can help them come to terms with the world and be able to be released one day."

Cash poured a second cup. "Good luck with that Doc. The only thing that would help these people is Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson."

Jonathan watched as the muscled security guard disappeared from the door, leaving him alone in the lounge. His eyes glanced up at the caged television in the corner. Some news reporter was standing infront of the Gotham Mall. A shot of the Batman crashing into the roof flashed onto the screen and Crane laughed. 'Looks like someone is going to have a bad night.'

'Just one more patient for our experiments Jonny. Looks like we will be busy tonight.' Scarecrow laughed maniacally.

Jonathan shook his head. Just as he was about to turn away another picture on the news report caught his attention. Two of Joker's goons were being lifted up into the Joker's helicopter with a woman in their arms. A woman with white hair. 'Net Runner? Is that Aura?' Jonathan approached the screen trying to make out the pixelated features of the woman struggling in the henchman's grasp. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his cell, dialing the last number that called him.

An annoyingly smug voice answered, "You've got The Riddler! What can I help you with Jonny?" The Rogue made a sound close to that of the hoot of a monkey before continuing to talk. "Let me guess! You're watching the news and saw our fellow Rouge's clowns carrying a white haired female!"

Jonathan dug his nails into the palm of his free hand, trying desperately to suppress the annoyance of not only himself but Scarecrow. "At least we know that Net Runner is a female."

Riddler scoffed, his voice dropping down to a dangerously low growl. "That might not be Net Runner."

Crane laughed. "Keep telling yourself that lie, you might start believing it," he joked.

"I doubt you called just to banter with me about the news. What do you need Jonny?"

Something snapped in Jonathan. "Listen here you green clad freak! Stop calling me Jonny or I swear you will learn what true fear means!" For the first time in a very long while, Scarecrow and Jonathan were one and the same person. "I will hunt you down and show you the meaning of true fear and leave you in a puddle of your own blood."

The Riddler laughed nervously. "Alright, alright. I get it. Fear the Scarecrow if I know what is good for me." Jonathan breathed deeply, returning to his calm demeanor. "No need to start a war between us Rouges. I like you too much, Crane, to kill you, yet."

Crane took a final deep breath and reopened his icy eyes. "I need you do me a favor."

Nygma clucked his tongue. "And what would that be?"

"Can you find the phone number for someone?"

"Cell phone or...you know what it doesn't matter. I can find anyone I want to," he responded smugly.

"Except Net Runner," Jonathan stated flatly.

Riddler screamed a few curse words at him and Jonathan had to pull the phone away from his ear. When the line quieted, he replaced the phone. "Do you want my help or not, Jonny?"

Crane growled, Scarecrow laughing in his head. 'You did deserve that my friend.'

'Enough from you!' He returned his attention to the phone. "I need you contact Aura Warren and find out if that is her in the chopper."

Riddler was quiet for a few minutes, surprising even Crane. "You want me to contact your girlfriend to make sure she's safe? Why don't you call her?"

Crane scoffed. "Just do it and call me back," he growled, ending the call.

Aura slipped from the entrance of the mall running with the crowd around her. The Joker's chopper overhead retreated into the night. A police officer with a blow horn stood on the sidewalk, shouting over the crowd. "Anyone with information on the victim needs to report to the front of the food court to make a statement!"

Aura stopped a short distance away from the mall to catch her breath. She could feel the cold sweat sliding down her forehead. It felt like the energy in her legs was all but spent as she willed herself to keep walking. The front of the food court was calmer as the officers talked quietly with mall patrons. She spotted a familiar brunette and headed in his direction. "Commissioner Gordon!"

Gordon shooed the officer he was talking to away as Aura approached him. "Aura! You weren't in that mess were you?"

Aura stopped beside the older man and leaned against his car for support. Her body was shaking and she was starting to feel nauseous. "Yeah, right in the middle of it. I saw everything."

Gordon unlocked his car and helped Aura ease into the seat. She let her legs dangle out of the door and Gordon disappeared into his trunk. When he returned he handed her a bottle of cold water. Pulling out a small notepad from his pocket he knelt in front of her. "Alright Aura. Tell me what you saw."

Aura took a deep breath. "Well I just got off the phone with Mr. Wayne when I heard gunshots. Someone ran into the store I was in saying that some of Joker's henchmen were storming into the mall. He said that they were looking for someone. Me and the other people in the store ran into the back room intending to leave out of the back entrance of the store. But as soon as we got out into that back alley of the mall where all the stores connect to the employee entrance some goon crashed through the door. He held a gun out and corralled us back into the mall. Some guy he called Smiley came over and and looked over us. There was this young teenager next to me with white hair that they grabbed and started asking her questions. The girl was so scared."

She took a swig of water before continuing. "One of the other henchmen started screaming that the Batman was coming. Smiley shouted into his walkie-talkie and the glass above us shattered. Some big heavy metal ladder dropped from that chopper and the man grabbed the poor girl. They disappeared through the top of the mall." She sighed. "I think the girl's name was Tara? She worked at the candle shop."

Gordon nodded taking his time writing it down. "Don't worry Batman will get her back safe and sound." He dropped his voice, shifting a little closer to her. "Were they after you Aura?"

Aura looked into the man's brown eyes. "They were after Net Runner and unfortunately they grabbed the wrong girl." She sighed and looked over to the mall. "I just don't understand how they found out that I was here."

"It is just a good thing that you were wearing your wig." Gordon patted her shoulder softly and summoned an officer over. They spoke quietly amongst themselves before Gordon turned back to her. "Look I don't think they were following you from your house."

"They were," a gravely voice called from the shadows. Batman stepped forward, staring right at Aura. "They were tipped off by the officer Gordon stationed outside your condo. Apparently Joker had been paying Rico to report all of Aura's movements. This is the recording from Rico's phone that has him talking to the Joker."

Gordon looked dumbfounded. Batman handed him a small disc. "How could Rico know about Aura? No one but me, you, and Wayne know about her past."

"That I have not been able to figure out, but someone in this city knows about Net Runner."

Aura slipped from the car and stood beside Gordon, staring at the Dark Knight. "What about my parents? If Joker is after me, what is stopping him from going after them?"

"You parents are well hidden far away from here and Metropolis," he simply replied.

Aura tapped her foot in annoyance. "Don't you see? Whoever held me in Metropolis has obviously helped the Joker find out about me! The bald man knew my name!" Tears were threatening to run down Aura's face.

Gordon placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Aura, I will contact the authorities and have them check on your parents." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Look, I suggest that you try to calm down, there is nothing we can do right now. Is there a friend you can stay with for a few days? At least until we can get the Joker apprehended."

They both looked up as the Batman turned his back on them, his cape swooshed behind him. "That would be wise. I will find the Joker as soon as I can so you can return to the safety of your home."

Aura nodded as he disappeared into the shadows. Gordon sighed and looked down at her. "Did you drive here?" When she shook her head, Gordon motioned to his car. "I'll take you home and wait until you have a friend come and pick you up."

They drove in silence back to her condo. Gordon said that Rico was already behind bars for his connection with the kidnapping and Aura was glad. Suddenly she remembered her date with Bruce Wayne. She reached into her purse as Gordon pulled into the heavy evening traffic. After a few rings Bruce picked up. "Hey Mr. Wayne. I'm sorry I have to cancel our dinner tonight."

"I heard about the shoot out at the mall. Aura are you okay?" he asked, concern filling his voice.

"Yeah I'm fine. Gordon thinks that those men were after me so we're on our way to pick up some stuff from my condo. He thinks I should stay with a friend for a few days."

Bruce sighed in relief. "I'm happy that you are okay Aura, I would hate for you to be dragged into another awful situation like before." A few seconds ticked by before he continued. "Do you have anywhere to go?"

"Not yet. I haven't asked anyone yet."

Bruce's voice rose slightly. "Then I must insist that you stay with me Aura."

Quickly Aura responded, her voice higher than she intended. "Oh no Mr. Wayne! I would not want to impose on you like that."

Bruce shushed her. "Nonsense Aura. I have plenty of room for you and you won't be a bother at all. Hell, Alfred would be delighted for me to bring a girl home who has half a brain."

She laughed nervously. "Mr. Wayne..."

He interrupted her with a tone of finality in his voice. "Aura, you can't tell me one reason that this would be a bad idea. Wayne Manor is one of the most secure buildings in Gotham next to Wayne Enterprises. I have plenty of room. I keep weird hours at night so you probably won't even run into me most of the time. It would be like staying in a hotel complete with the best room service you could ever imagine."

Aura sighed in defeat. "Alright Mr. Wayne. I will take you up on the offer."

"Excellent. I will swing by your condo and pick you up. Tell Gordon for me."

Aura hung up her phone and laughed softly. After she told Gordon he had agreed with Bruce's logic. Shortly after that they arrived at her house and Aura walked into the front entrance of her condo, Gordon following close behind. She left him downstairs as she went to pack for her extended stay away from home. As she was pulling clothes into her bag, her phone rang again. Without looking at the number on her phone she answered. "Mr. Wayne?"

A happy voice sounded on the other end. "Hello Miss Warren. I've heard a lot of good things about you."

Aura's brows furrowed in confusion. "Who is this?"

The man laughed softly. "How are you doing Aura? Do you mind me calling you that? No?" She didn't respond and he continued. "We have a mutual friend that asked me to call you and make sure you were alright."

"Mutual friend?"

He sighed in irritation. "Common Aura keep up. Are you currently surrounded by clowns?"

Aura laughed softly. "Clowns? No. The only clown around here is on the phone with me."

"I'm not a clown; I'm a Prince." he stated smugly.

"A Prince of what? Who is this?" she asked trying to control the sudden apprehension in her voice.

"A Prince of Puzzles my dear. Our mutual friend asked me to call, like I said. He was worried that you might have been taken by some less than jolly clowns, but as I have deduced you are fine."

Aura laughed nervously. "So your highness," she replied playing along, "are you going to tell me who you are and who our mutual friend might be?"

A soft laugh echoed into the phone. "Both you will have to figure out yourself. You can call me Mr. E and about our mutual friend: Riddle me this. It has a long neck, a name of a bird, feeds on cargo of ships, it's not alive. Solve this and you will know our friend's name."

The line went dead as Aura zipped her bag. She sat back against her the edge of her bed as she thought of the puzzle and the man who gave it to her. She shrugged off the man on the phone as just someone that must have drawn the short end of a straw and was just doing his friend a favor. The riddle sounded in her head again and suddenly her eyes opened wide. "A Crane? Jonathan Crane?"

Gordon called up to her from downstairs. Picking up the two suitcases, she pulled them downstairs and came face to face with Bruce Wayne. He smiled and took her bags from her. "Good evening Aura!"

Jonathan Crane paced in his office at Arkham, nervously awaiting the Riddler's call. As soon as his phone rang he picked it up. "Nygma?"

The Riddler laughed at his impatience. "Did you miss me Jonny?"

Crane growled dangerously. "I think that house call is becoming more and more real."

Nygma laughed louder. "Is that anyway to talk to your buddy? I'm not even charging you for this asinine favor of yours. And I haven't asked you one riddle!"

Jonathan sighed and sank into his chair, rubbing his temple with his free hand. He slipped his glasses off and dropped them on his desk. "And I am very thankful for that fact."

"Anyway, that girl in the chopper wasn't your little hen. She sounded perfectly peachy though I think she was expecting a call from Bruce Wayne."

His blood ran cold and he could feel the Scarecrow stirring. 'What is she doing with another man?'

'Relax she works for Wayne. Probably just a work related call.'

'This late at night? Think with your head Jonny. There is only one reason that a man would call this late at night.' The Scarecrow clawed at his mind, begging to be let loose. 'She is mine Jonathan. I cannot allow another man to lay his hands on her.'

'Ours, Scarecrow. Aura is ours.' Jonathan refocused on the phone in his hands as the Riddler was humming the jeopardy theme song. "Thank you for your help Riddler. I can take it from here."

"About time you got out of your head Crane. Let me know if you need anything else though I'm going to have to start charging you!" Nygma hung up after giving him a quick laugh.

Aura followed Bruce Wayne through his huge house to what he said would be her room. When the door opened her jaw almost hit the floor. The room was immaculate, complete with an ivy covered lattice surrounding her own balcony. Bruce pointed to a small table in the corner that had a silver covering over it. He said that when she was done with her dinner she could just leave the plate there and Alfred, whom she had met earlier, would retrieve it later. Bruce left her to settle in shortly after that. Aura stared at her phone after she put her belongings away. The man from earlier still lingered in her mind. Jonathan Crane had asked him to call her, but why? When she closed her eyes she could still see the ghostly image of his blue eyes staring at her. Sighing deeply she pulled her obelisk from around her neck and brought up her menu screen. She swept through a few screens until she found one that would allow her to retrace the blocked number Mr. E had used. Once the number appeared she pressed the dial button.

A few rings later the phone connected. "Hello?"

"Mr. E I presume?" Aura stated calmly.

"There is only one person that could possibly trace my phone and return my call, Aura." he started vehemently.

Aura took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She knew who she was dealing with after she hacked into his mainframe to call his phone back. "That's right Riddler. I'm back."

"Net Runner," he spat out. "Never thought I would figure out who you were."

Aura laughed softly. "I had intended for you to never find out."

The Riddler returned her cold laugh. "Then why give yourself up and call me? Can it be the great Net Runner needs something from the Prince of Puzzles?"

"Mr. E was cute by the way I got a good chuckle out of it." Aura stepped out onto her balcony and looked over the rolling backyard of Wayne Manor. "I want him to meet me."

"Who?"

"Jonathan Crane, the man who asked you to call me."

Riddler was silent for a few minutes. "So you figured out the riddle? I underestimated you Net Runner." Aura didn't respond to him as she watched Wayne climb into his car and drive away. "Why do you want Crane?"

"I want to talk to him."

"About?"

"That is none of your concern."

Riddler growled. "You do realize you are dealing with a Rogue right?"

Aura smiled. "I am not afraid of you Riddler. If I wanted I could have the cops at your safe house within minutes, but I'm not that mean. Especially since we can help each other."

"And what would you do for me?"

"Besides keep your location a secret? I could offer you a lot of services in exchange for the small favor you will do for me."

"I want your tech."

She laughed darkly. "I will never hand over Isis so get over it." Aura fingered her obelisk as she talked. "But I can help facilitate your next heist if you so choose."

"Hmm...The great Net Runner would be in my debt then?" he asked, interest leaking from his voice.

"Yes, so whenever you need help I can do just that."

"Alright, so what do you want me to tell Crane?" he asked, happy and giddy once again.

"Just convince him to be at the cafe where we first met tomorrow afternoon at three." Aura looked down on the grounds, the autumn fireflies were coming out and dotting the dark air.

"That's all?" Riddler smacked his hand down on something hard. "Alright I'll make the date then."

Aura smiled as she hung up on The Riddler. Memories fluttered into her mind. Riddler used to be her favorite play toy. She would steal files on his computer to ruin his heists. She would also leave little presents in his documents so that when he opened them they would load viruses into his computer that would wipe his hard drive and corrupt all of his equipment. Once she even was able to access the small computer in his car and take over his driving. She drove him around Gotham at one hundred miles an hour, changing the lights in all the intersections so he would barely get through before almost hitting someone else. Aura's smile faltered as she realized that her actions also meant something much bigger: now another Gotham Rogue was aware of her presence in the city. Further more, how did Jonathan Crane know the Riddler?