Commissioner Gordon was pacing the room as the crime scene team gathered what little evidence they could find. Aura was still seated on the bed, watching as the officers worked. He had received a call early this morning, waking him up from what little sleep he could get. Aura had been missing for going on ten hours before he received that call. It was from an unknown number and Jim almost didn't answer it but something had told him to. It was Aura just as calm and collected as if she had simply took a vacation and was coming home. He had never gotten dressed so fast before. The hotel was surrounded within minutes and the detectives were all over the area searching for any signs of the abductor.

When the crime scene team had finished their search Jim ushered them out of the room. Aura stared at him as he took a seat on the bed beside her. She looked exhausted but besides the dressed wound on her forehead and bruises on her wrists and ankles Aura was unharmed. "Aura, can you tell me what happened?"

"Where do I start, Commissioner?" she whispered softly.

Jim gently gathered her hands in his. "Just start at the beginning Aura."

"I left a friend after lunch at the cafe and was heading to the parking garage next door."

Jim took out his notepad. "What was your friend's name Aura?"

"Is that relevant?" she questioned.

"We just want to rule out the possibility that your friend was not working for whoever kidnapped you." Jim replied softly.

"Like Tony was." Aura sighed as he nodded his head to her. "His name was Jonathan Crane."

"Jonathan Crane? Tall, skinny guy with the really pale eyes?" Jim asked, astounded.

Aura looked confusedly at him. "Yes, do you know him?"

Jim nodded and for the first time today smiled. "Yeah, Jonathan is a good man if just a little strange. I don't think he would have been involved in this." Jim looked at the man's suit jacket the Aura was currently wearing. "Was that jacket his?"

Aura nodded, pulling the jacket closer to her. "Yeah, I was cold and he let me borrow it."

"Are you and Jonathan Crane dating?"

Aura shrugged her shoulders. "We are just friends right now. I only met him a few days ago, the same night that Tony was killed." Jim nodded and jotted a few notes down. Jonathan Crane was a good man but he would still have to talk to him to make sure he didn't see anything. "Anyway, Jonathan walked me to the garage and we parted ways. I was walking back to the car when these three guys ran out from behind a large van and threw me to the ground. I tried to fight them off but I saw a fourth guy with a gun so I stopped. Before they could get me in the car though I made sure to drop my phone and credit card that way someone would hopefully find it. I guess in hindsight that was stupid considering someone could have stolen them but I wasn't exactly thinking it through."

Jim laughed softly. "Actually when we got the call from the waitress who heard you screaming we found your things in the garage. It was part of what helped us figure out that you had been taken."

Aura smiled warmly at him. "Did you find Joker's goons yet?"

"We will talk about that in a minute. What happened after you were put in the van?"

Aura shrugged. "They hit me really hard on the head and I blacked out. The next thing I remember was waking up in here with my hands and legs bound."

Gordon waited for her to mention the one thing that was most important. When she didn't he sighed. This wasn't going to be a fun conversation. "The waitress reported seeing The Riddler and Scarecrow chasing after the Joker van. Did you come into contact with either of these Rouges."

Aura stared blankly at him. "The Riddler? No, I didn't see him. Just the Joker goons that kidnapped me."

Gordon shook his head. "Batman found the van with the Joker's men dead beside it. The Riddler fought with Batman to allow Scarecrow the chance to take you away from the crime scene." Jim patted her leg softly. "It just doesn't add up Aura."

"What doesn't?"

"The fact that the van you disappeared in was found empty and then you somehow managed to find your way to this hotel. Tell the truth Aura."

Aura sighed. "When I woke up here last night, Scarecrow was with me."

Gordon straightened his back. This just wasn't making sense. Why would Scarecrow, one of the more dangerous Gotham City Rouges, bring Aura here and leave her alive? Scarecrow never left anyone alive. Not only that but Aura had tried to hide the fact that he was here. Was she defending him? "Did he hurt you Aura?"

Aura shook her head vigorously. "No! Scarecrow treated my wounds. He said that he would never hurt me."

"Aura, he is a dangerous criminal. Hundreds have died because of him and that fear gas of his. Why did he leave you alive? Did he say anything to you?"

Aura pushed herself from the bed, glaring down at him. "No, Commissioner, he didn't. The only thing he told me was the he was going to give me a sedative and that when I woke up he would be gone. Scarecrow told me to call the police when I woke up. He didn't try to hurt me at all! In fact, he was sweet and kind."

Jim Gordon's worse fears were beginning to come out. Aura Warren was sinking dangerously close into becoming the next Harley Quinn. "Aura, please listen to me when I tell you to stay away from Scarecrow. Nothing good can come from that Rogue."

Aura held up her hand for silence. "Commissioner, I am appreciative of what you are trying to say but I am a big girl. I know that the Scarecrow is dangerous and I plan to stay away from him. While I am thankful that for whatever reason he choose to help me, I realize that it may never happen again. That the next time we cross paths, he may choose to kill me. I can assure you that I do not intend to be put in a situation like this again."

Gordon smiled. "Then until the Rouges are rounded up, please don't go anywhere alone."

Aura returned his smile. "That's what I plan to do. If I decide to go anywhere I will make sure to have someone with me."

Aura followed the Commissioner out of the hotel room and down to the parking lot. A familiar Lamborghini was parked among the police cars. Bruce pulled Aura into a tight hug when she approached his car. He helped her into the passenger seat and Aura was thankful to be in the quiet interior of the vehicle Bruce was talking to James Gordon, both looking grim and serious. As she sat in the quiet of the car, the previous night kept running through her mind. The Scarecrow was a dangerous man but he had never made a move to hurt her in anyway. Why? Aura had to know who he really was and nothing would stop her from finding out. Her hand pressed against her chest, searching for the familiar lump that was her most prized possession. But there was nothing there. Frantically Aura pulled her shirt away from her body looking for the silver chain and obelisk. "No, that's not possible!"

Bruce Wayne slipped into the car as she was looking down her shirt. He chuckled softly. "Did you lose something?"

Aura felt the tears falling down her face. "A necklace that meant a lot to me. It must have fallen off sometime last night."

Bruce leaned forward and opened the glove box. Aura's cards, ID, and a new phone were inside. "That was all that Gordon said they found." When Aura's head dropped, he gently reached over and placed a warm hand on her lap. "Maybe it will turn up. They could have it but have not released it because they think it is still evidence. I will ask Gordon about it later today."

Aura nodded and lay her head back against the seat. She felt gross from the previous night. Curiously she looked over at Bruce Wayne. "Where are we going?"

"Home, Aura. I figured the last thing you would want to do is work today. If you want you can help me plan for my annual Halloween party."

"Halloween is this weekend isn't it?" she asked.

"Yeah, I need to get the manor decorated for it. I have already sent out the invites and everything else is taken care of."

Aura laughed. "The mighty Bruce Wayne is going to decorate?"

Bruce returned her laugh as he pulled off the highway and drove out of the city. "Not me. I get to supervise though." He looked over at her. "You know that you are invited right?

Aura played hurt. "Bruce Wayne, I better be invited since I live with you. Otherwise you would be a bad host."

"Alfred would kill me if he thought I was being a bad host, Aura."

Aura smiled playfully. "I'll have to remember that Bruce."

Jonathan Crane sat in his office, trying his hardest to think of a reason to avoid the upcoming conference. Two hours after he arrived for the day, exhausted from the night before, he received a call from Commissioner Gordon requesting a meeting with him immediately. Jonathan suspected the reason had something to do with Aura Warren. A smile crossed his lips as the memory of her in his arms crossed his mind. When he arrived back at the safe house this morning he regretfully removed his costume. It still smelled heavily of Aura's perfume. Jonathan took a sip of his coffee, trying to clear the fog that was still in his mind. The medication that held the Scarecrow back was still in his veins. Jonathan had fought with himself just moments ago as he considered continuing taking the medication. The Scarecrow was becoming dangerously uncontrollable the closer they came to their Aura but he couldn't bring himself to take the small pill.

A knock on his door jolted him from his thoughts. "Come in," he called.

Commissioner Gordon entered, closing the door behind him. He sat himself in one of the chairs infront of Jonathan's desk. "Good morning Dr. Crane."

"Good morning Commissioner. What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" he asked, leaning forward on his desk, his hands holding his chin.

The older officer pulled out a small notepad, flipping through the full pages. "Yesterday afternoon you were at a cafe downtown correct."

Jonathan kept his face neutral. "Yes, it is one of my favorite places for lunch. Did I do something wrong Gordon?"

Gordon shook his head softly. "No, I am just trying to check if you might have saw or heard anything when you were leaving."

"What might I have saw or heard?" Jonathan narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Aura Warren was kidnapped shortly after she left that same cafe." the officer stated calmly.

Jonathan knew that Gordon's statement was meant to trap him. He knew that Aura was safe and would have already called the police when she woke up this morning. Gordon was simply trying to see if he was hiding anything. Feigning surprise and worry, Jonathan quickly asked, "Aura! Has she been found? Is she okay?"

Just as Jonathan expected his surprised outburst took Gordon by surprise. The man held his hands up in surrender. "She was found this morning still wearing your jacket."

"My jacket? Yes I gave it to her when we parted." Jonathan slipped his glasses off and rubbed his tired eyes. To the officer sitting across from him, Jonathan knew he would appear relieved. "Let me start from the beginning. I had the day off from work and decided to go to lunch at the cafe. I was surprised to see Aura there. I bought her coffee and we talked for a few hours. I walked her from the cafe to a parking garage that she said she parked her car at. I had insisted that I walk her to her vehicle but Aura declined." Jonathan sighed deeply for the effect. "I wish I had only been a little more assertive."

Gordon nodded and jotted down his response. "Remind me how she came to be in possession of your jacket."

Jonathan shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Aura was cold when we were on the sidewalk and I offered her my jacket." Now Jonathan leaned forward, scooting closer to his desk. "Commissioner Gordon, am I a suspect?"

"No, no." The officer seemed to be amused and laughed. "We pretty much are sure that the Joker is behind the actual kidnapping. Though I do have a favor to ask of you Dr. Crane."

"By all means, if it helps to protect Miss Warren I will do what I can."

Gordon smiled at his words. "You must really like Miss Aura huh? The last time I saw you with her you were protecting her from her boyfriend and now you are helping to catch her kidnappers?"

Jonathan blushed. He became annoyed with himself for the boyish response. "Well I have to say she has caught my attention, Mr. Gordon."

"Right, anyway. I believe that the Riddler may know something about why the Scarecrow took Aura and then let her go."

Jonathan narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brows in confusion. "The Scarecrow? That new Rogue that everyone is going on about?" Jonathan grasped his chin in thought, leaning back in his chair. "Well I can't say much on him considering that we have not had the pleasure of making him a patient here at Arkham yet. But I do have a session with Mr. Nygma later this afternoon. I will see if I can pull anything from him about our mystery Rogue."

Gordon stood and Jonathan followed suit. He came around the desk and shook hands with the aging officer. "Thank you Dr. Crane. If anything interesting comes up, please let me know. Oh, and one more thing."

"Of course, Commissioner."

Jonathan began to lead him towards the door. "If you happen to be talking with Miss Warren and she mentions anything about the Scarecrow, please try to persuade her away from any positive dealings with the Rogue."

"Positive dealings? What do you mean?"

Gordon sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "I have a fear that Miss Warren may try to seek out the Scarecrow. When he had her in his grasp he apparently showed her kindness and took care of her wounds. I would hate..."

Jonathan held a firm hand on the officer's shoulder. "Say no more. You would hate for Aura to wind up like Miss Quinzel. I think Aura Warren is a lot more mature and knowledgeable than Harleen Quinzel was, but I understand your fear and will do my best to monitor her emotions regarding the Scarecrow."

Jonathan flashed the Commissioner a smile and a small wave as Aaron Cash escorted him through the halls of Arkham and away from his office. After shutting the door to the office, a low dangerous laugh echoed inside of his mind. 'You're finally awake.'

'No thanks to you, Jonathan.' The Scarecrow growled back at him. Jonathan knew that his old friend would be furious at his actions towards him. He was prepared for the headache the Scarecrow would impose on him, but nothing came. The Scarecrow sensed his tension and laughed again. 'Do not be afraid, Jonathan. I completely understand your reasoning behind what you did in the hotel. I would not have been able to control myself had you not interfered.'

Jonathan sighed in relief. He had been dreading this moment for quite some time. 'I am glad to hear that you have matured so much Scarecrow.'

'Yes, matured.' A low hum started in Jonathan's mind. The Scarecrow was in a rare mood indeed. 'Did you hear what that man said? Aura may be starting to develop feelings for me, us. My own Harley Quinn. I like the sound of that.'

Jonathan flopped back into his desk chair, kicking his long legs up onto the wood of the desk. 'I would not take pride in that, Scarecrow. Stockholm Syndrome is hardly a good precursor for a healthy and long lasting relationship.'

'Who said anything about wanting a healthy and long relationship? I just want...'

'I know what you want Scarecrow!' Jonathan snapped. 'You are not the only one involved in this situation. You will have Aura physically, like you desire. I desire more. I want her mind and body. And I want them both intact!'

'And what are you implying, Jonathan Crane?' The Scarecrow asked, the dark voice dangerously low.

Jonathan did his best to sound menacing and serious. He could not show the Scarecrow any fear with the bold statement he had in his mind. 'That I will do anything I have to to protect Aura from you. Even if that means taking you out completely.'

The Scarecrow laughed loudly. 'You forget Jonathan, I am a part of you. There is nothing you can do to be rid of me forever.'

"That's what you think." Jonathan whispered, pushing the Scarecrow to the back of his mind. The Rogue went willingly, the medicine still weakening him.

Aura dashed down the stairs, ducking under a tall ladder. The man on the ladder gave a half frightened scream as it wobbled. "Sorry!" Aura called back. As she skidded to a halt in the main ball room of the mansion, both Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth looked up in surprise. "I have a question."

Bruce laughed at the disheveled appearance of her overly large t-shirt and blue jeans. Alfred raised an eyebrow. "It seems to me that someone needs to lay off the caffeine."

Bruce lightly pushed the older man's shoulder. "She is just excited, Alfred. What is your question Aura?"

Aura smiled and joined the two men at the buffet table they were standing next to. "Is there a theme for the party or is it a come as you want to thing?"

Bruce smiled. "You can be anything you want to be."

Aura clapped her hands. "Wonderful! Do you have a sowing machine I can use then? Oh, and I need to go back to my home and pick up some things."

"What are you going to be?"

Aura shook her head. "No, no Mr. Wayne. Although I think you will find it appropriate to my new home." She laughed softly. "Actually I once did this costume back in Metropolis and my props are still at home."

Alfred stepped toward her. "I will escort you home then. Maybe afterward we can go and get some gelato. I have been in a mood for it lately."

Bruce threw his hands into the air. "What am I chopped liver? I want to come to."

"Now, Mr. Wayne, billionaire playboys do not whine. You are perfectly fine staying home by yourself." Alfred chided playfully.

"We will bring you home some gelato!" Aura called back to Bruce as she followed the older man to the front door.

Jonathan took a deep breath before opening the door to the patient therapy room. The rooms were bland with nothing sharp and everything bolted down to the floor. Edward Nygma was sitting by the lone, barred window in the room, gazing out onto the recreation area down on the island. Jonathan slid the door closed quietly so that he did not break the Rouge's concentration. He gently sat across from Nygma, sliding a clipboard with the patient's details clasped on it on top of the table. Deep purple bruises laced Nygma's face, neck, and the little bit of his chest that was exposed from the unbuttoned top of the orange jumpsuit. A slight pang of guilt crossed Jonathan's mind at the sight of his battered friend, one of the only people he could genuinely call a friend. He softly cleared his throat and finally Nygma turned his emerald eyes on the doctor. "How are you feeling today, Edward?"

"Cut the shit, Crane. You know I'm still in pain." Nygma growled back at him.

Jonathan looked over to the observation window. He knew that no one was behind it. No one dared to watch over the head psychiatrist without his knowledge. The last soul to try it found themselves lost in the bowels of the island with a hungry Killer Croc. The security guards were still looking for the unlucky doctor's remains. Very rarely did he ever take on student interns, but when he did he was well aware of their presence behind the glass. "I do appreciate what you did for me last night. Would you like me to have them give you a stronger pain killer?"

Nygma shook his head. "A damn stiff drink would do me fine. How is your little hen doing?"

Jonathan smiled at the small nickname. An appropriate name for Aura being a hen was a female bird. He hoped that one day he could make her his Aura Crane, but that was something taboo right now. Scarecrow would have to be dealt with first. "The last I heard she was back in the safety of her friend's home."

"Did you enjoy your night together?" Nygma asked with a rueful smirk.

The implications did not fall short with Jonathan. The Scarecrow roared with laughter inside of his mind and Jonathan had to strain to push him back into the quiet recesses. "Nothing happened," he growled out.

Nygma joined in the roaring laughter of the Scarecrow. Jonathan became acutely aware of the small cold canister inside of his pant's pocket. He reached inside and grasped the metal firmly. Nygma immediately followed his movements and silenced himself. "I am terribly sorry to hear about that, Crane. So let's talk about last night."

"I'm assuming you want to discuss payment for your services rendered?" Jonathan mused.

Nygma leaned forward and motioned for Jonathan to also. "I need you to get my cell phone for me."

"Your cell phone? What is the problem Nygma? You have never had an issue escaping the Asylum before." Jonathan smiled darkly.

Nygma glared back at him. "Apparently someone thought it would be beneficial to upgrade the cell security. I was literally put in a plastic box with a door that only opens when the panel clear across the room is activated. Believe me I've been trying all night to crack open that door without the panel but there is nothing I can do. I need my phone so Net Runner can break me out."

Jonathan tried to hide the shock he felt. "You know who the Net Runner is?"

Nygma nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah but you aren't getting that information from me. The last thing I want is for that woman to make my life hard or worse," the Rogue shuttered softly, "I'd rather deal with your fear gas than a virus she could deal me."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "That can be arranged."

Nygma glared darkly at him. "You wouldn't dare after what I did for you. Do you even realize how angry that fucking Bat was when he finally figured out I was covering for you? I swear he kicked me so hard my stomach dropped into my balls."

Jonathan grimaced at the unpleasant imagery. "I will see what I can do about your phone but I am not promising anything."

"I want my costume back too, Crane." He smiled smugly. "Surely you are smart enough to figure something out."

(Rate and Review please. Let me know what you think of the story so far!)