Aura laughed at the story Alfred just finished telling of Bruce Wayne when he was a child. "I can't believe that Bruce Wayne wore a dress for how long?"

"Almost a solid month." Alfred laughed and pressed in the gate code for the condo complex. "He thought that if he pretended to be a girl, his mother would take him with her to the Miss Gotham pageant. Bruce was stricken with a certain smoldering beauty."

Aura wiped a few tears away as she laughed again. "Did it work?"

"No, unfortunately Master Wayne got in trouble not long after. Though for his birthday his father invited the newly crowned Miss Gotham. I've never seen Master Wayne's face so beat red before." Alfred pulled the car into an empty space near the front door to Aura's home.

She reached for the car handle but paused. "Would you like to come in, Alfred?"

The older man smiled warmly. "That is not necessary Miss Warren. I will wait here for you."

"Alright I won't be long. If you change your mind I'll leave the front door unlocked." Aura bounced out of the vehicle and quickly unlocked her front door. The mail from the past few days was piled up on the floor. She quickly went through the mass of junk mail and old bills, sighing softly. Everyday since she left Metropolis Aura had wished that her parents would write to her but nothing had ever came. She knew the reason for the silence between them but the distance was beginning to weigh on her. All of the bad things that had been happening lately to her in Gotham were starting to wear her walls down and she desperately longed for someone to talk to. Someone who knew the real her, the whole story. Many times she considered talking to Mr. Wayne but part of her knew he would judge her actions harshly. Aura needed someone who understood and was unbiased.

Nothing had changed in her condo since she had been gone, as she suspected it would. After grabbing a small reusable shopping bag from the kitchen cupboard she moved into the living room. She had wanted to take some of her movies with her back to Wayne Manor. Bruce's selection was severely lacking the thrillers and pop-up scares she loved. As she turned around an empty pedestal in the corner caught her eye. Aura moved over to it and touched the marble pedestal. "Where did you run off to?" she whispered to the missing scarecrow statue. It was a birthday gift from her father on her sixteenth birthday. An inside joke only between the two of them. Her father was tall and skinny, the epitome of a computer programmer. Ever since Aura was a young child her father had been her idol, a hard worker that at the end of a long, hard work day would always make time for his little girl.

One hot summer, Drake Warren took a six year old Aura to a local corn farm outside of Metropolis for their legendary corn maze. Aura, in her excitement, had gotten separated from her father deep within the maze. For hours she wondered the maze, crying for her father until her voice grew hoarse. She came across an opening in the field with a scarecrow hanging. Aura was frightened of the intimating figure but as she stared up into the burlap face, a calm and secure feeling filled her veins. Aura curled up beneath the scarecrow. Not long after, Drake and the farmers found her. When Aura woke up in her father's arms she smiled and told him, "The scarecrow protected me father. He said that everything would be alright if I stayed with him." Her father laughed warmly at her, trying to tell her that the scarecrow could not speak but Aura was adamant.

On her sixteenth birthday Drake Warren placed the scarecrow statue on her nightstand. Aura smiled when she woke up and saw it. A small note was left beside it, "Now no matter where you are; no matter how far from me and your mother, you will always be able to look upon this scarecrow and remember that no matter how lost or scared you become you will be safe. He will always be there for you to remind you that dark days will always become bright when the sun shines." Aura closed her eyes and desperately tried to think of where the scarecrow statue had been moved to. Once he was placed on his pedestal, Aura rarely moved it unless to clean and dust it.

"Maybe the locksmith had to move it when he fixed this window," she thought, looking at the new lock on the window beside the pedestal. "It has to be around here somewhere."

Pushing it from her mind for the time being Aura ran up the stairs and into her walk in closet. The small duffel bag that contained the props from her costume from her last Halloween party her work had held was still sitting on the bottom of her closet, waiting to find a new purpose. She smiled and dragged the bag out, throwing it against the foot of her bed. While she was in the closet she pulled out some more of her work clothes, carefully packing them away in a separate bag. Aura hauled the new bag into the room and sat it down on the floor beside her bed. An object on one of her pillows caught her eye. A burlap sack with a noose hanging around the neck. That set up reminded her of something she just had an encounter with.

"Scarecrow," she whispered. Carefully Aura sat on the edge of her bed and picked up the mask. Surprisingly it was heavier than she thought it would have been. She inspected the inside, finding a small filtering device where the wearer's mouth would be. Aura stared down at the mask before breathing deeply and slipping it over her head. The fit was comfortable, not too snug but not too loose. She played with the noose, tightening it to secure the mask. The mirror over her dresser called to her and Aura stood before it. The image was frightening as the burlap mask glared back at her. Aura smiled through the mask and gave off a soft laugh. The sound that came out however, was foreign and full of menace. "Wow, this is crazy!" she said, the voice changer in the mask making it sound like a demon. She took a deep breath to inhale the distinct scent of pumpkin and cinnamon.

With a smile she pulled the mask from her head and stared down into the empty eyes. The thought of the Rogue who put the mask on her bed crossed her mind, causing a small shiver to run up her spine. For the first time in a long time, fear coursed through her veins. Scarecrow had been in her home. He must have stolen the statue from downstairs. If he was comfortable breaking into her own private home, doing god knows what do her possessions: how far was he really willing to go? Aura stuffed the mask into the prop bag. Commissioner Gordon ran through her mind next. She should tell someone. Bruce Wayne maybe? Aura shook her head and fell back on the pillows. When the air was pushed out of the feathered pillows, the heavy scent of pumpkin and cinnamon rushed out. All of her senses were put on overload from the familiar, strangely comforting scent. She rolled over and breathed deeply in the pillow. Half of her mind was screaming to call Gordon and hide away in Wayne Manor until the Rogue was caught. The other half wanted to stay forever and breath in the scent of Scarecrow. The half that won was the one that compelled her to stuff two of the oversized pillows in a bag before gathering her things and leaving the condo.

Jonathan Crane sighed in irritation as Jervis Tetch stood before him, quoting from Alice in Wonderland for the tenth time that hour. He had been called to cover the therapy session for Tetch after the female psychiatrist that normally covered the patient was attacked in the last session. Tetch paced in small strides since the shackles prohibited him from much movement. Crane crossed his long legs and looked down at the patient report infront of him. "Mr. Tetch, could you please explain to me why you attacked Mrs. Scott?"

The small man glanced up at Jonathan for a split second before dropping his gaze back to the floor. Scarecrow chuckled in dark amusement at the Rogue infront of them. Jonathan was well aware that Tetch knew nothing about his own Rogue, but the fear in his eyes told Jonathan everything he wanted to know. The Mad Hatter was uncomfortable under the scrutinizing gaze, maybe even a little fearful, of the psychiatrist sitting before him. The Rogue turned in his pace, muttering softly to himself. "I though that my Alice had finally come for me, but I was wrong. That hag was nothing but a Snark."

Jonathan had to sustain his own laughter at the disgusted tone of The Mad Hatter. There was no love lost with the loss of one of Arkham's biggest tramps. Even married Isabella Scott had tried, and succeeded in most cases, in sleeping with most of the employees and patients in the asylum. When Jonathan took control of the psychiatric department she turned her sights onto him. Many times Scott had trapped him in the halls. The last time Scott even tried to run her hands up his thighs as she pushed him into a wall. That was one of the only times he fully let the Scarecrow take over while in the asylum. Scarecrow had thrown her against the opposite wall and wrapped a hand around her throat. The look of pure terror as the Scarecrow warned her that she would never be able to handle him was priceless. Jonathan pulled himself from his thoughts and looked back at Tetch with mock amusement. "What is a Snark?"

Tetch smiled ruefully. "Oh, loathsome unimaginable creatures really. The only thing they are good for is to be served with greens. Lazy and useless foul things."

Jonathan chuckled softly and the Rogue seemed to perk up. "I could only imagine what you think of me then."

At his statement Tetch almost seemed to wither away. It appeared that he would rather be anywhere in the world other than under the piercing stare of Jonathan's eyes. "I believe that you are a Borogrove, my good Doctor, though the jury is still out on that one. There is a darkness in you. I fear for your Alice should you get angry."

A soft knock on the therapy room door stopped Jonathan from responding. Anger and annoyance filled Jonathan immediately. Another of his rules, no one interrupts his sessions. Jonathan stalked over to the door and pulled it open with a little more strength than he intended. The ebony face of Aaron Cash smirked at him. Jonathan rubbed his eyes under his glasses. "What is the problem Cash?"

Cash furrowed his brows at him. "You told me to come get Tetch at one and it is one o'clock."

Jonathan flashed him a smile. "Yes, take Mr. Tetch back to his cell in Block D." Cash stepped into the room and Tetch was corralled out. Jonathan walked behind the two and followed them into the elevator. "Did the other guards get Killer Croc moved yet?"

Cash growled. "Son of a bitch isn't cooperative today."

"Get all the guards from Block B to help with the move. I would rather this went off without someone losing a limb."

Jonathan did not miss the glare Cash shot at him. "Someone has to be left in B to watch the Rouges there."

Annoyed, Jonathan slipped his glasses off and tucked them into the pocket of his suit coat. "I doubt any of them will cause a problem for the short amount of time it will take for the guards to move Croc. See it done."

Jonathan stepped off the elevator as Cash grumbled in anger. Once in the safety of his office, he slipped his glasses back on. A large, unmarked box sat on top of his impeccably organized desk. Crane slipped the box under his arm and left his office once again. Stopping before the unguarded door to Block B, Jonathan swiped his badge and turned off the cameras within. He quickly stepped into the darkened hall, passing by a sleeping Two-Face and Penguin grumbling about stock options and black market dealings. Jonathan halted before one of the plastic doors that sprung open after the ninety second delay.

"About time you showed up." Nygma growled as he pushed off on of the cement walls covered with green question marks.

Crane raised an eyebrow at the drawings. "I see you are settling into your new home."

"Temporary home," The Riddler smiled and took the box from Jonathan. "Would you care to stay around for the fun?"

"I don't want to know." A soft vibration began from his pants pocket. Jonathan reached in, noticing the tense in Nygma's posture. Jonathan flashed him a dark smile as he put the phone to his ear. "Doctor Crane," he said in a professional tone.

"Doctor? So you are a mad scientist?" a soft, angelic laugh issued from the speaker.

"Aura?" he questioned, stunned for a few seconds.

Edward Nygma started laughing loudly and Jonathan kicked out his leg, striking the Rogue in the shin. The Riddler went down to his knees hard. "Fuck you Crane!" Riddler hissed between clinched teeth.

"Is this a bad time?" Aura questioned.

Jonathan shot Nygma a dark glare and pulled out a canister of his fear gas, flipping it over in his hand. The Riddler immediately fell silent. "No, I can talk. How did you get my number, I don't remember giving it to you."

Aura giggled. "A certain mutual acquaintance texted it to me."

Another glare was shot at the Rogue now sitting on his cell bed. "Did he now? I'll have to have a talk with him." Jonathan leaned against the doorjamb, focusing on the floor. The canister in his hand still being rolled around. "So what can I do for you?"

"Well, Doctor Crane. I was wondering if you would like to," Aura had paused, taking in a deep breath before sighing, "maybe go to dinner and movie with me?"

Jonathan's heart skipped a beat. 'She wants to see us again and its only been a few days since the hotel. What do I do?'

'What in the seven hells do you mean what do I do?' Scarecrow griped back at his other half.

'I've never had a woman actually want to spend time with me without trying to get something from me or just to make me the brunt of a bad joke.' Jonathan chewed on his lip nervously and looked over at Nygma.

The Rogue had his mouth hanging open in shock. "Say yes," he whispered as if he could read the thoughts inside of Jonathan's head.

Aura was humming softly. "Hellloooo? Are you still there Jonathan?"

Jonathan quickly pulled himself from his thoughts and stood straight. "I would love too."

Nygma pumped his fist into the air in triumph. Jonathan rolled his eyes and shook his head. He could hear the smile in Aura's voice. "How about tonight?"

"That sounds wonderful. Should I pick you up or meet you somewhere?"

A male voice on the other end sounded. "I'm coming Alfred!" Aura yelled away from the phone. "Sorry, I'm being called for lunch. How about you come pick me up around seven?"

Jonathan smiled broadly. He could feel his pulse racing and a sudden eruption of butterflies exploded in his stomach. "That sounds great. I'll see you at seven then."

"Awesome, I'll um...text you the address just please don't freak out when you see my friend's house." Aura laughed after she finished. "Well I will let you get back to your crazy, mad scientist experiments, Doctor Crane."

Jonathan slipped the phone back into his pocket and looked over at The Riddler. The Rogue was leaning back on his mattress, the box had been slipped underneath the bed. "This is adorable! Is this your first date in which you didn't drug and kidnap the woman?"

"This is a first real date if you must know. Scarecrow is the one that likes his women helpless and immobilized." Jonathan sealed the door to the Rouge's cell. "Whatever you are planning I suggest you do it tonight. The guards are on a minimal shift considering the reduction in patients we have currently. It would be the perfect opportunity for you to slip away unnoticed."

The Riddler smiled mischievously. "Hopefully Net Runner isn't too busy. I will see what I can do."

Aura hung up her phone and grabbed the nearest bag of glitter confetti. She had been on the fence ever since coming back from her condo with Alfred. Half of her just wanted to crawl into bed and cry at the lost of the only thing in life that she could control, Isis, and just eat ice cream while contemplating what to do about the mask that was currently burning a hole in her panty drawer. The other half was urging her to buck up and grow a spine. The Scarecrow so far had yet to make a move in regards to harming her and the Joker gang had been quiet since the hotel incident a few days ago. It was now Thursday and Aura wanted to get out of the mansion. Going to work with Bruce wasn't enough. So soon after she got back home from the condo she manned up and called Jonathan Crane. Aura wasn't really expecting him to accept her invite but she was glad he did.

Bruce Wayne was leaning over a table, reading the final draft of tomorrow night's dinner menu. Aura quietly slipped behind the preoccupied billionaire and unloaded a torrential rain of glitter on top of his head. Bruce laughed in surprise, brushing the glitter from his hair as he turned around. "Someone is in a much better mood. Glad to see you smiling again Aura."

Aura grabbed his hands and pulled him onto the dance floor. Ever since the morning she returned from the hotel, Bruce had become closer to her. They shared jokes and stories during small breaks at work. At dinner they would discuss things for the upcoming Halloween party. Aura had finally gotten comfortable around her young boss since he stopped trying to be more than what he was to her, a friend. Aura danced with Bruce to unheard music. Bruce was graceful and Aura tried to mimic him but it had been years since she was in ballet. "I have a date tonight Bruce!"

Bruce expertly spun her and pulled her back to him. "That's wonderful. Who is the lucky man?"

"I don't think you know him. Dr. Jonathan Crane?"

Bruce's face screwed up in thought. "I cannot say I have had the pleasure. Is he coming here to pick you up or would you need Alfred to drive you?"

Aura hummed softly for a few minutes. "He is coming here if that's alright with you."

"Of course Aura. I asked that you make yourself comfortable here and it is a joy to see that you have." Bruce spun her again, pulled her back, then surprised her by dipping her low. "Will you be coming home tonight?"

Aura blushed at the thought of going home with Jonathan. "Yes Bruce. He is just a friend that I met the other week."

Bruce released her hands as they stopped their dance. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small gold key. "Then you will need this. Alfred should still be awake when you get home but just in case Cinderella doesn't make it before midnight I would hate for you to be stuck out in the cold."

Aura lightly punched his shoulder and glared at his playfully hurt expression. "I will try not to wake up anyone."

Aura skipped away from the laughing billionaire. Nothing could change the elated mood she was in, not even the playful banter of the billionaire playboy. While she mourned the loss of Isis, realistically it was probably for the best. Gordon was right. If she tried to seek out the truth under Scarecrow's mask she would only put herself into more danger. After this weekend she could begin to rebuild her program. She sighed as the remembrance of the five years it took to complete washed over her. "Where could you have run off to Isis?" she whispered as she stepped into the steamy shower.

After a long shower she dressed in a simple dark black, v-cut mini dress with three quarter length sleeves. The skirt was detailed at the hem with a dark orange sunburst stripe that resembled a setting sun. She shook the water from her long white hair and walked back into the bedroom. The window had been left open to let in the surprisingly warm autumn night. She looked in her dresser's mirror to make sure her makeup was perfect when a figure behind her caught her eye. Aura inhaled a sharp breath, preparing to scream, when a latex covered hand clasped around her mouth. The figure shushed her softly and Aura took a good look through the mirror at the man behind her. He was dressed all in black with a cape and cowl in the shape of a pointed bat ears. "Please calm yourself, Aura"

Aura nodded and the man released her. She turned around quickly, her white hair flipping over her shoulder. The dresser behind met her back as she leaned against it. "You must be the Batman?"

The Batman nodded. "Net Runner I presume."

Aura sighed. "Not anymore. I guess you could say I retired. I'm trying to put all of that behind me."

"As you should." The Batman crossed the room to the window and looked out at the empty, darkening sky. "I need to talk to you about your ordeal earlier this week."

"I already told the police everything that happened." Aura said quickly. While she knew the Batman was supposed to be the Gotham equivalent to Superman, the caped man infront of her was still an imposing force. Aura idly played with the white hair sitting on her shoulder. "Whatever you need you could just ask them. Aren't you friends with them?"

The Batman settled his gaze back onto her. "I do not have the luxury of friends. I just came to warn you: stay away from Scarecrow. If anything happens I need you to call me immediately and I will take care of it."

"You'll have to get in line; it seems to be growing with everyone I talk to." Aura said a little more annoyed than she had hoped.

The Batman reached into his pocket and pulled out a small round device, similar to a compact mirror. "A communicator that will send out a distress signal to me. Just do your best to keep yourself from getting hurt until I arrive."

Aura motioned for him to place the communicator on the bed. She was wary of approaching the unfamiliar hero. "Is there something else I can help you with?" she asked when he placed the device and remained in the room with her.

The Batman approached Aura slowly. She tried to back away but only succeeded in shaking the dresser behind her. He reached into another pouch of his belt and withdrew his closed hand. "This wouldn't happen to belong to you?"

When he opened his gloved hand Aura couldn't help but gasp. "You found it!" She ran the small distance between them and swiped the Isis obelisk from his open palm. After she slipped the long silver chain around her neck, letting the obelisk dangle on top of her dress, she quickly jumped at the Batman. The Dark Knight tensed like a statue as she gave him a big hug, completely forgetting her previous apprehension. Aura broke away and stepped back. "Thank you Batman! I don't know what I would have done if I lost it for good."

The Batman retreated to the window. A large bright bat signal had appeared in the sky. Bruce Wayne had told Aura the first night she had seen the strange signal that Commissioner Gordon used it to call the Batman. "I figured it would have meant a lot to you. Keep it safe."

Aura furrowed her brows after the man disappeared over the ledge of her balcony. "Does he know about Isis?" Aura's heartbeat picked up but she quickly calmed herself. If the Batman knew what he had held in his hands there would be no way in the wide open world that he would have given it back. Aura kissed the cold metal. She quickly crossed back to a small vanity in the corner of her room that held her head stand with her black, curly wig. The human hair the wig was made from allowed her to manipulate it into whatever style she wanted. Earlier in the day she had curled soft delicate curls into the black hair. After placing her white hair into a tight bun, Aura slipped on the black curls. She played with the wig for a few seconds to try and get it to look like her real hair. She sighed as she looked at the lavender eyes in the mirror. "I hope that one day I can find the strength to stand out again. I haven't been without a wig since middle school."

Horrible memories of her younger school days crossed into her mind but she quickly shook them away at the sound of soft knock on her door. Aura grabbed a small clutch bag, the same color as the stripe on her dress. Alfred Pennyworth stood beyond the door when she opened it. "A Mister Crane is waiting in the vestibule."

"Thank you Alfred. I will see you later tonight I guess." Aura replied as they headed down the stairs.

"Shall I wait for your return?"

Aura blushed as she caught sight of Jonathan Crane's back. He was looking at one of the flower vases along the wall of the entryway. He was wearing a simple dark brown suit with a dark olive green tie and sweater vest underneath. Aura looked to Alfred. "Please don't. I have no idea when I will be back and I would hate for you to stay up just for me."

"Very well, have a wonderful night Miss Warren." Alfred gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as he walked away.

The Joker paced infront of the large television. He screamed and shot at the screen. Sparks flew from it as the bullets embedded themselves within it. Four of his best men where dead and what's worse that damn Riddler was now working with Scarecrow. What would they possibly want with Net Runner! Joker glared down at the top of his desk, littered with blueprints for Blackgate and Arkham. It seems he needed to get a little more serious with this slippery minx if his plans of controlling Gotham was ever going to become a reality. He pressed a button on the intercom near his hand. "Harley! Have the parents come around yet?" Net Runner's parents had been persistent with fighting his henchmen along the way. The father had been beaten so badly that for the past week he was unconscious. The mother was inconsolable as she cried over her bloodied husband. Two of his men had their fun with the woman against her wishes and she had the battered face to prove her fight was brief.

"Yes, Puddin'. Should I have them brought up to ya?"

Joker smiled. "Yes and have Chauncey bring a video camera with him. We have a show to shoot for the citizens of Gotham that they are never going to forget!" He cackled loudly as Harley disconnected from the intercom. "Soon Net Runner, you will come to me. No more running and no more distractions from the Rogue Gallery. I have a kingdom of chaos to create and nothing will stop me now!"