It didn't take very long from the time Crane gave Cassidy his personal number for him to receive a call. It's late the next evening, and absolutely depressing outside. Rain drizzles from the sky and freezes when it hits the ground, coating the roads in a thin sheet of ice. Crane stares out the window of his apartment, observing the scene. He likes the weather.

His phone begins to ring, and when he sees that it is an unknown number, he answers in a hurry, "Hello?"

"Hello, is this Doctor Crane?" says a shaky voice from the other line. He recognizes the tone instantly.

"Miss Matthews?"

"Oh, thank God. I had another episode," says Cassidy. She sounds miserable, unstable, and Crane senses that she's feeling impulsive as well. "I just wanted my brother to validate me. He never does." Her voice cracks, and Crane can literally hear her tears. "I needed him, I was so depressed, and it wouldn't go away. He told me to stop being overdramatic. I cut myself again," she squeaks.

"You sound very distressed. Can I ask how deep your cuts are?" asks Crane. He's been taught to treat borderline patients with validation and concern, especially in the midst of an episode. Normally, he wouldn't care very much unless he held a particular interest in the patient, typically for experimentation. But for once, the situation is much different.

"S-superficial," stammers Cassidy. "Do you have any appointments open? I mean, I understand if you don't, I'm sure you have a lot of patients and-"

"I've left my office for the night, Miss Matthews..." Crane hesitates. This is the perfect opportunity; she's distressed and needy, she'll be grateful to accept the care of anyone who's willing to offer. Scarecrow hisses in his ear, I hear reckless sex is a symptom, Johnny. Crane smiles in response. Of course he's going to pursue this. "But," he continues, "I could give you the address to my apartment, if you're comfortable coming here."

Cassidy answers without hesitation, "That would be great, Doctor Crane. But I don't want you to feel obligated-"

"It would be my pleasure," Crane interrupts.

Cassidy pauses. She's probably blushing. "All right, could you tell me your address?"

"216 Gotham Avenue, near the Narrows. Apartment number twelve," Crane replies. "I'll see you very soon, Miss Matthews."

XXX

Fifteen short minutes later, there's a knock at Crane's front door. He approaches the door with caution, expecting a mess of a woman to be waiting on the other side, but when he opens it, a pretty girl with her hair and makeup done quite nicely is there. The only abnormal-looking thing about her is the deep cut marks on her wrists.

"You dressed up to visit your psychiatrist, Miss Matthews?"

Cassidy's cheeks burn red. "I'm sort of self-conscious," she tells him, stepping inside. Crane shuts the door behind her, making sure to be subtle when he also locks it.

"I apologize for the mess," Crane says, leading her down the hallway. "I don't usually invite visitors over so impulsively."

"Oh, it's fine, you should see my house," replies Cassidy with a slight laugh. Crane stops when he reaches the living room and gestures to the couch.

Cassidy takes a seat. The couch is comfortable enough, but the apartment itself is not only untidy, but a bit small, even depressing. The whole setting intrigues her; she had expected Crane's home to be more lavish, considering his income.

"I'm sorry if this sounds rude at all, Doctor Crane, but, um, why do you choose to live so close to the Narrows? You could easily afford a place in the better parts of Gotham, couldn't you?" Cassidy looks up at him, and Crane raises an eyebrow. She assumes that he's offended, and babbles on apologetically, "I mean, you're a doctor. I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have asked-"

"No, it's a fair question," Crane interrupts. He's not at all offended, more intrigued by her bluntness. "I prefer to have an apartment further away from the population. It's quieter, more... private." He pushes his foot against the living room closet where he's stored all of his toxin and other suspicious items for the night, shutting the door tightly. He then settles down beside Cassidy, reaching toward her wrists. "Would you mind showing me your cuts?"

Cassidy plays with the ends of her hair and fidgets awkwardly. It's clear she's either embarrassed or nervous. "Yes," she answers softly. Crane takes her arm gently and examines the spots where she hurt herself. The cuts are quite deep, contrary to her saying they were "superficial."

"These don't look very superficial to me," says Crane, gently running his thumb across one of the more shallow marks.

Cassidy winces and responds in a bored voice, "If I don't need stitches, I consider them superficial."

Crane shakes his head. "Why did you cut yourself this time?"

"I was angry... invalidated. And something in my head told me I deserved it," Cassidy says softly, averting Crane's cold blue gaze.

"A voice?" asks Crane.

"Not a voice. My voice. It's not another person or anything..." Cassidy pauses and shakes her head slightly, allowing her bangs to fall in her face. "Do you know what I mean?"

You know what she means, Johnny? Scarecrow chuckles. His voice is softer though, more in the back of Crane's mind.

"That's very common," Crane assures her.

Cassidy sighs. "Thank you, Doctor Crane."

Crane smirks and touches the lower part of her knee gently, making small circles with his finger. He notices Cassidy's breath hitch and chuckles softly. "Jonathan is fine."

"Jonathan," mutters Cassidy, finally meeting his gaze. Crane shuffles closer to her, his hand rising up slowly to meet her thigh, and flashes a suggestive smile. "D-Doctor… Johnathan… did you always feel this way? About me?"

Crane pulls Cassidy toward him quickly, if not forcibly. "That depends on your reaction right now."

At first, Cassidy seems uneasy, but within moments, she's smiling in quite a seductive manner. She leans forward and kisses Crane full on the mouth, stopping only to play with the ends of his belt.

When they finally separate, Crane says to her, "Yes, I've felt this way the entire time."

XXX

Now I can finally get into the guts of the story! Review please. :3