CHAPTER NINE

"This is our high security ward, the east wing." I twirled like I was showing her my home; my face showed my excitement and pride. I walked closer to a cell. Instead of the regular barred doors, these had glass windows that would slide to allow a single person in. I knocked on the glass.

"Mr. Zsasz, are you awake?" His deep blue eyes shot open as he turned to look at us. I had met him in the past, but never for therapy. He sat up and began to smile. I returned the favor. "Glad to see you are getting your rest." I pulled Syd by her wrist, bringing her close enough to touch the glass.

"Hello, Clarice." He paused. "You look…to die for… and who is your delectable friend?" He asked licking his lips. I pushed her forward, which took her by surprise. I whispered. "Go on, don't be rude. Can't ya tell that he likes you? He did call you delectable." I smiled a wide grin. She looked terrified.

"Dr. Lector." I decided to play along, what could it hurt? It made him laugh anyways. Wasn't that my job, to make the inmates happier? "This is Sydney. She thinks she ugly, I thought you might want to cheer her up." I nudged her even closer. I lean into her ear again. "I think you should remember Victor Zsasz. He was imprisoned for mass murder." I nudged her again and she began to shake.

"Oh, Sydney, my dearest, why don't get a little closer? I can almost smell you from here… Is that strawberry?" He smiled to match mine. This man was quite unnerving and I hoped I was making my point.

"Thank you, Zsasz. We do have to be going." I felt her sigh of relief. "But the next time Syd here comes for therapy, we'll be sure to come visit." She tensed again. Oh, Crane was right, fear was wonderful and testing its limits? Pure bliss. Speaking of, he would love to meet my dear friend. We continued to his cell.

"Cr-" I stopped myself. He wouldn't react to anything but his true title. "Dr. Crane?" He walked away from his only window and approached us. He kept his icy demeanor. "Dr. Crane, this is my patient. Her name is-"

"Her name is of no consequence to me. Her fear, however, is showing and that is all I care about." He smirked and rubbed his hands together. I moved as close to him as possible and pulled her with me. She was in a state of shock.

"Well, we did stop and visit Zsasz. He seems to be smitten with her. She's not taking it well, though. I brought her here because she thinks she's ugly." I made a motion of rubbing the fake tears from my eyes. I saw him smile. It suited him. "So, I wanted to get your professional opinion."

"I think she is a dolt. That's my formal ruling." He crossed his arms and she was shaking again. I made sure she knew his history and she shut her eyes.

"Oh, don't do that. I haven't showed you the best part." One eye opened to focus on me. I lifted my head so she could see the bruises around my neck. Both eyes we now open, staring at my new neckware. I liked the sound of that "Yep, these and a concussion. They were parting gifts from him." I smiled again. He motioned for me to come closer. I pushed her to the wall and let her sit down. She put her head in her hands.

"Harleen, we like the new you. What happened?"

"Oh, I was pulled from a case and I have given my notice. I might as well have fun while I have to be here."

"And you are showing of your present." He smiled and a laughed a bit. "I am sorry about that, but my, ehm, ulter ego can-"

"No need to apologize. Forgive and forget."

"Well, I loved both of my presents. Dinner was great but-" He motioned to the shaking girl "the show was perfect. Thanks." I walked over and pulled her up. She resisted a bit but soon gave up. "Where are you two off to now?"

"To see a good friend." I winked and he resumed his position at the window.

"Can..can we..p…please leave..n..n…now?"

"Nope. We have a very close friend of mine to visit and you are done for today." We walk to the end of the hall, to the very last cell. I knocked on the window lightly, prepping my widest grin.

"Harrrleeyyy, what a wonderful and completely unexpected surprise. But I did recognize your heels, what a lovely beat they make." His lips upturned as my name sent shivers down my spine yet again. I was starting to like it. He stepped out of the shadows dramatically. Her eyes went wide and she started to slowly step backwards. His grin grew. Tears started to well in her eyes and she fell to the floor, covering her head and mumbling to herself. Mission complete.

I walked closer to him and put my hand against the glass. "I will be back a little bit later, I have to tell you something." I ducked down and grabbed Syd. I put an arm around her shoulder and took her back to our session room as she sobbed uncontrollably.

I finished her admission papers. Hospitalization reasoning? Extreme and violent reaction to real world stimuli. That should do it. For some reason, I don't think her acne would be her main complaint anymore.

I finished the rest of my cases, but I figured I better keep my special routine for special people on special occasions. I was in an unusually happy and giddy mood. I couldn't keep my thoughts from J. He was right, rules really held a person back. I felt so open, so light, so… free.

Everything that happened I was able to connect back to him. It was starting to become an obsession. And then it hit. I loved him. I was in love with a psychopathic, mass murdering, terroristic clown. And I didn't know why. I mean, it's not like we had dated or even exchanged kind words. It's just, they way he thought. I loved his mind. I suppressed my thoughts and focused on what I had to tell him.

Would he be angry as I was that I was removed from his case? I know he predicted it but predicting it and it becoming a reality were two completely different things. I sighed and headed to the bathroom to make sure I looked my best. It couldn't hurt, right?

My heels echoed down the hall and my heart rate rose to match. I was so nervous, I just didn't know why. I slowed my pace when I saw the end of the hall. I approached the window and placed both of my hands on it. I didn't see any movement, but there was something on the bed.

"J, are ya in there?" I asked, unsure. I waited a while and decided that he didn't want to talk to me, I guess I would just come back and see him tomorrow. I turned to walk away when I lost my footing on something wet and slipped. I expected laughter to fill my ears but heard nothing but my heart beat. I pushed myself up and noticed that something warm and sticky was on my hands and legs where I fell. I lifted it to my face and my heart stopped. It was blood. His blood.

Author's Note: Yep, this is one of my masterpieces. I actualy couldn't sleep because I wanted to post it so bad. I know, I am just that weird. Yes, it is a huge cliff hanger and I hopefully will be able to upload in the next week, but I am packing to go back to school so no promises.

I also want to sugget anyone that has yet to look at the new Batman:Arkham Asylum game that you do so now. I just finished the demo and I can not wait for it come out. Thank you for reading and reviewing. Review really do make work faster!

A special thanks to:

Blackmoonlite

Madelineex3

Nixie-doodle

Rachael C.