CHAPTER FOUR

Over the next few months, I continued my sessions with Dr. Jonathan Crane. I made no progress as great as the day I found that he was abused. I had respected his wishes and I am still the only one that knows that he was attacked by crows. He never spoke again about fearing his other personality.

Thurman had harshly criticized my ways, saying that it was threatening my safety or some such lecture. Even though he had his reserves, he let me continue.

Pam and I became very close in working with his case, almost like sisters. We called each other constantly and met for lunch every couple of days. Her trip home had been postponed so she did successfully manufacture an antidote for Crane's fear toxin. She was in fact moving to Gotham, but she needed to head back to Seattle to gather her belonging and finally quit her job. Her boss had come to get her, she refused to fly alone.

"Red, you're going away for two months and you have one small bag. What the hell?"

"It's not like I am dressing to impress anyone, just cutting some lose ends. Can't exactly wear a skirt for that, can you?"

"You know I would." We both smiled at that. I was notorious for over dressing.

We entered the airport and checked her bag. I walked her to the security gate where she was going to meet her boss.

"There he is, over to the right." She spun around and waved to get his attention. He headed over.

"Well, this is my stop." She smiled weakly.

"Red, what am I going to do without you? You better keep you phone on and with you. I am supposed to get a new case in a few days and I have to have someone to bitch to. The sad thing is, I was starting to get used to ScareCrane." She laughed a little too loud, caught herself and looked completely embarrassed. She was too shy for her own good.

"That's a new one, Harls. I'll be seeing ya, don't forget me." We hugged tightly.

"'Red, I can't breathe!" She laughed again and released me.

"Oh! Harls, call me. Right now."

"What, now? You haven't even left the terminal and you miss me that much?" We giggled and I dialed her number. I began to hear a familiar song…

Bill Nye, the Science Guy, Bill Nye, the Science Guy, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill Nye, the Science Guy"Science rules" Bill Nye, the Science Guy" Inertia is a property of matter"Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, BillBill Nye, the Science Guy

I nearly fell over laughing."What is that? I loved that show!"

"When Jon left, this was his parting gift. I haven't had the nerve to change it. I think of you every time I hear it." We hugged again and she ran after her boss.

Back at Arkham, I went to see Thurman. I was getting a new case today.

"Harleen, seeing the progress you have made with Crane, I have decided to reassign you to a more advanced case."

"Which case am I taking over, sir?" I hoping, no, praying that it wasn't our newest inmate. He was supposedly a genius who was recently caught impersonating a Detective at Gotham PD. Not exactly violent, but he loved games, mind games to be precise. I hated that.

"You will be taking over for the Joker." My heart dropped. He was worse, way worse. I was speechless and I know he saw.

"Harleen we have this argument before and if you recall, you did just fine."

"Sir, there are so many other doctors here that are more than qualified to be his psychologist, I am not among them."

"I have had every other qualified staff member talk to him and we still have nothing. We don't even have this man's name. I will not let this case get away from you; it will make your career. I have already had his files moved down to your office. You will be starting on Wednesday. Your last session with Crane is tomorrow. Make sure he knows." Wow, two whole days to master the Joker, what a treat.

The Joker was as crazy as they come. He killed countless, ripped off the entire mob in one shot, blew up Gotham General, had a major part in Harvey Dent's death and nearly killed the Batman. How was I going to take down this man? And, I had to drop Crane's case. Not that he liked me, he just hated me less than he hated everybody else, how that was possible, I will never know.

There wasn't much in the Joker's file. A few notes about his appearance, numerous scar stories and his known crimes but that was it except for a mug shot. I wasn't expecting to see it, so when I turned the page and his grin stared back at me, my mouth fell open.

This picture had gotten down to my core and made it shiver. This man was completely terrifying. If I ever talked to Crane again, I'll make sure to add the Joker to the list of fears.

His skin was extremely pale, his hair, tinted green hung in his face. His eyes were brown but completely empty. They were more terrifying than his distorted scars. I had seen with his make-up, but I honestly didn't think he was that creepy. His head was tilted to the right a bit and he wore an expression that spelled out dangerous and it told me how little remorse he really had. And I would be alone in room with this man tomorrow.

I decided on a parting gift of sorts, I would bring Crane a home cooked meal, well whatever the special was at the deli. I walked into the cafeteria and spotted him sitting at a table off in the corner with some of his old colleges, but he was reduced to eating the mush they insisted was food. I walked over and sat down.

"Ah, Miss Quinzel, I heard you are being transferred to the Jokers case. Congrats. I would watch your chest if I was you." He smirked again. Did he ever stop smirking?

"You mean about the last guy? Yea, I won't be taking notes." The last therapist had the pen he was writing with shoved through his chest cavity. Punctured a lung, Joker said it was because he wasn't focusing. "Anyways, I figured you would want something to eat other than shit and dust flavored oatmeal." I handed him a bag with a cheeseburger, fries and a bottle of Pepsi. His eyes lit up and he looked like he hadn't eaten in years, "You could stand to gain some weight, one of these days, you are going to just blow away" He choked out some insult through his burger, hardly taking time to chew.

"I have decided to expand my list of fears. He is now on the list." He laughed and swallowed.

"What's his rank?"

"Cockroaches are still number one, but he is very close second." I smiled and left him in his solidarity. I almost reached the door when I heard singing and quickly headed back to the table.

"If I only had a brain I would not just be a nuffin', my head all full of stuffin', my heart all full of pain..." Three of our newer "members" continued with their song as Crane stood frozen with his hands in fists. He was mumbling and I knew what was coming.

"Jonathan, come on, let's go." I tried to pull him along with all my might, but he didn't budge. For being extraordinarily skinny, he weighted enough. I saw his eyes narrow an I knew he was the Scarecrow now and frankly, it scared the hell out of me. The orderlies were nowhere to be found and his former colleges had all managed to scatter. I just hoped they were getting help. I grabbed after his arm and he started to walk closer to them. He was actually dragging me.

"Scarecrow, they're not worth it." He pushed me to the ground and lunged at them. Within 30 seconds all three were on the ground, two of which were unconscious and the other was screaming. So much for him being scrawny. He then made his way over to me, and I finally relaxed. It was over.

His long fingered hand reached down towards me and I reached out a hand, but he continued towards my neck. It wasn't over. He lifted me up as all of my air drained from me. I began to see white spots.

"Do…not… interrupt me." He voice had gone deeper, or so it sounded to me. I was falling, felt his weight on my chest and then black.

Author's Note: Yes, I am evil. I only will end on cliffhangers because it only seems proper. Thank you to all of my reviewers and readers. I am glad people are enjoying it. I m enjoying writing it. This chapter has a somewhat awkward interact betwen Red and Harley. I rewrote that scene several times and this was as good as it got. Red will be mentioned throught the next few chapters. I did however, LOVE the ending. I had a fun time writing it and everytime I read it I get a warm fuzzy feeling. Scarecrow makes me happy when he comes out of his hiding place. Thanks again for reading and for reviewing!

Disclaimer: I do not nor claim to own the following. I do however, suggest you listen to the first one on Youtube. I still love that show!

Bill Nye the Science Guy Theme

Scarecrows Song from Wizard of Oz