Jonathan and Jervis were sneakily watching Edward and Elizabeth from the corners of their eyes. After Elizabeth's small breakdown they had uneasily gone into a conversation about the book Elizabeth was reading but now both were smiling and occasionally laughing about the stupidity of society.

"Two-hundred bucks that they end up together with in three months," Jonathan said moving his knight into a prime position to take Jervis' king side bishop.

"You think? There is a lot that could keep them apart, the doctors, Batman, the law," Jervis replied, moving his endangered bishop to take one of Jonathan's pawns. "There's even Elizabeth herself, she may not want a dangerous relationship with a Rogue."

"Oh but she wants him…can't you tell. Look at the way she leans into him while talking but she's sitting with very good posture, she wants him to see her at her best. The way she looks up at him and then quickly away when he's about to looks at her is a sign too, she doesn't want him to know that she likes him, probably because she's afraid of her feelings; she knows it's dangerous to get involved with us. But they are attracted to each that's for sure see how they mirror each other's positions, without even knowing they're flirting. It's one of the most hidden forms but one of the most powerful because it's a form a flattery." While Jervis was watching the pair in the corner Jonathan took Jervis' queen side rook and put him in check.

"Only three months though? I believe five at least, you still have to account for Elizabeth herself. As I said she probably does not desire a relationship with Edward even if she is attracted to him. It will be up to Edward to pursue a relationship with her once she is released."

"So you think she'll be released?"

"Of course," Jervis took his king out of check, "if Lesh does his job right there is no reason she should not be."

"Agreed but I think the jury will have problems separating their job and their feelings with all the media sensationalization." Jonathan moved his queen and put Jervis in check again. Jervis frowned and blocked the queen's path with his knight and put Jonathan in check at the same time.

"I suppose we will have to wait and see what happens…was it two hundred you said?"

"Yes," Jonathan took the knight putting Jervis back into check, "what do you say?"

"Deal," Jervis moved his king and Jonathan took followed with his queen. "Why are you in such a betting mood anyways?" Jervis took the attacking queen.

"No reason, you need to know about, I suppose I'm just bored or some of my hired hands just sold a very expensive Chinese puzzle box and I'll be going to collect very soon."

Jervis chuckled. Jonathan moved his bishop to take Jervis' accidently leaving his king wide open to Jervis' own bishop. Jervis took advantage of his opponent's mistake. "Checkmate."

"Damn."

"Now I believe that was twenty dollars you bet me?" Jonathan scowled and nodded, handing Jervis an IOU note. They both glanced over as the door opened. It was time to be let into the yard. Jonathan smiled and placed a hand in his pocket, fingering something.

"Could you do me a favor and keep Edward away from Elizabeth for a bit?"

"Sure, what for?"

"Let's just say I need a bit of a distraction."

Elizabeth laughed at Edward's joke about societal norms; she hadn't laughed this much since she saw her best friend last year.

"I'm glad you agree," Edward said, "it's so hard to find people, that aren't my fellow Rogues who do; yet I do wonder…how is it that you decided that crying, which is perfectly acceptable in society for women to do, was weak and something that you shouldn't do in public?"

"Uhh…yeah sorry about that, again."

"No, don't apologize, as I said I didn't mind but do answer my question I am curious, under all circumstances you had the right to cry the first night you were here yet you held on until now and I can tell you could've cried more."

"Well I suppose—no—I know it's because of my dad. He was a military career man until he was injured twelve years ago. After he was discharged from active duty he became a foreign ambassador for the military. We were in the spotlight all the time "representing America" and we couldn't show any negative emotions in public and most of the time in our house as well."

"We?"

"Me and my little sister Victoria."

"How old is she?"

"Twenty-two—no twenty-three, I forgot she had her birthday last month."

"I see…so your family, how do you think they'll react to your predicament?"

"My dad will just try to keep it under wraps from his important friends, not that he'll have to worry too much; I haven't seen him for several years. I sure when my mom finds out though she'll constantly worry about me and want to come see me, my dad probably won't allow it but she'll find a way."

"Sounds like you have a dedicated mother."

"Yeah," Elizabeth smiled, "I have no idea how my sister is going to react, she might not find out for a while though, she's always been an adventurer and last I heard she was trekking in the Alps with some of her friends. Of course there is the possibility that they'll never find out. I don't plan on telling them and we don't have much contact so unless they find out they'll never have to know."

Edward raised his eyebrows in surprise, "you mean you're not going to tell them about a significant and probably traumatic event in your life?"

"Nope, my mom will just worry and demand that I move to a safer city, my dad will say it's my fault for not joining the military, and my sister…well I guess she wouldn't mind it'd just prove to her that I am the crazy one."

"You're not crazy."

"Well no, not in the medical sense, I hope, but my family as always seen me as the black sheep, I'd rather read than run, I speak my mind, and I always try and see the bright side of things… there's a few other things as well but let's just say I was always the odd one out."

"Odd indeed. So what is the bright side of this?" Edward gestured to the surrounding patients and guards. Elizabeth frowned slightly; she hadn't really tried to think of a bright side because everything was just too sudden.

"I get to meet and talk to some very interesting people?" She said unsure if it was an acceptable answer.

"You could be locked away for life and your current life is ruined if you get out and your bright side is meeting interesting people?"

"Yep," Elizabeth smiled cheekily up at him, "it's better than the bright side I had after the accident."

"And that was?"

"At least my hair wasn't dyed green, my skin bleached white, and given bad fashion sense." Edward stared at her for a long second, his face blank, then he smiled widely and his chest shook with silent laughter.

"You're right," he said between shakes, "that is an awful bright side."

"I know," Elizabeth said laughing softly, "I'd have even more trouble hiding my appearance than I did before."

"You shouldn't hide away. I think you look better like this than with your wig and contacts."

"Gotham doesn't take well to freaks." Edward's face fell. He shifted closer to Elizabeth, reached over and placed his hand on top of hers. Elizabeth's cheeks flushed red and she tried to move her hand away but Edward wouldn't allow it.

"The world doesn't take well to freaks but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be yourself." Edward glanced over Elizabeth's shoulder when he heard the door open. It appeared as though their time for recreation outdoors had come, meaning they were going to be put out with the general population of Arkham.

"Elizabeth, I want you to stay with one of the Rogues when we go outside, then the other inmates won't bother you."

"Why would they bother me?"

"You remember the Troll Nurse?"

"Yeah."

"All the other women inmates look like her."

Elizabeth's eyes widened as she realized the danger he was warning her of. "Oh dear."

Harsh sunlight greeted Elizabeth as she stepped out into the yard causing her to narrow her eyes. The warm May air washed over her, it's be June soon and she could smell summer in the air. A cloud blocked the sun from view allowing her to open her eyes properly and see the yard. The area they had been let in to was grassy with several tables, lawn chairs and shady trees. There were three other sections blocked off by tall fences, a basketball court, a weight lifting area, and a soccer field. The other inmates turned as they walked out and a few that were sitting at the table under the nicest tree quickly evacuated their positions. Apparently the Gotham Rogues, in their small numbers, were still the bosses of the lesser criminals at Arkham. Unsure of what else to do, yet wanting to follow Edward's advice, she went to follow Edward and the other Rogues over to the table but Jonathan caught her on the arm and pulled her away from them.

"We need to talk," he said smiling coldly down at her. Elizabeth gulped but didn't fight him as her set her down on one of the lawn chairs. "Lay down." She did so warily keeping her eyes on him. "Your introduction into to fear is overdue Elizabeth."

"Actually, introduction into fear was the first two weeks of class." Elizabeth said nervously edging away from Jonathan.

He chuckled, it wasn't the soft warm chuckled he had before but cold and cruel. "No, no this is not me talking; now it is going to be you." He reached into his pocket and removed a small aerosol canister. "You know what this is and you can talk willingly about your fears or you will show me, understand?" Elizabeth nodded.

"Now tell me are you afraid right now?"

"A little bit…" her eyes flashed down to the canister, "yes."

"That is good; tell me, what was your childhood like?"

"I thought you didn't like Freudian methods?" Jonathan shook the can slightly. "Okay! It was fine, we moved around a lot when I was young because my dad was in the military. The longest we ever stayed in one place was a year and a half. I went to boarding school me last two years of high school but other than that it was normal."

"Things are hardly ever normal. Tell me how were your relationships outside your family, friends, teachers, enemies?"

"Uhh…I was a good students not exceptional but good. Never had too many close friends because we were always moving but I formed temporary friendships very quickly and I can't say I had any enemies."

"Lucky you. What caused you to go to Gotham University?"

"It was the one place my parents didn't want me to go." Jonathan smiled.

"Rebellion, how nice."

"Why are you doing this Professor?" Jonathan's smiled widened and leaned in so he was talking in her ear.

"You know why, child, I am fascinated by fear and your fears particularly interest me."

"W-why?" He pulled back staring at her with his cold blue eyes.

"Because when you were brought in, the fear in your eyes was absolutely exquisite and I want to see it again." Elizabeth's eyes went wide and her breath quickened. "Ah, there it is but I want more. Tell me Elizabeth what do you fear?"

"Failure," she whispered. His eyes lit up, madness creeping into them.

"What else?"

"Nothing," she squeaked attempting to sit up. Crane pushed her down. He put on hand on either side of her chair trapping her with his long arms.

"You're lying," he said angrily, his eyes burning with blue fire. He waived the canister in front of her, "Tell me!"

Elizabeth was visibly shaking now. "That is right, show me your fear!" Jonathan began to laugh. He moved away slightly pointing the can at her, getting ready to spray. "Now scream!" A mist shot from the can and Elizabeth screamed loudly. Jonathan was laughing wildly, his face ecstatic as he was wrenched away by the guards, who'd noticed his antics too late.

The world around Elizabeth was spinning; she fell off the chair as she tried to make her way to Jonathan. She was cursing wildly at him. A hand touched her shoulder and she jerked away. Another hand wrapped tightly around her arm, as much as she tried she couldn't break free. Panic was starting to engulf her. Darkness was swirling around the edge of her vision. There was a tug deep within her subconscious. The need to defend herself from the attackers around her. The man holding her arm grabbed the other one, pulling them both behind her back and cuffing her. Elizabeth crashed to her knees.

"Stay there you freak!"

Scarecrow watched with eager eyes as Elizabeth fell to the ground and he stopped his struggles with the guards. They went to drag him away.

"Stop!" He yelled digging his heels into the ground. "I need to see the results." The guards looked uneasily at each other but they knew enough not to deny the Rogue his demand. Elizabeth's breath was slowing as she'd tried to control her fear. She began to lift her head but the guard standing over her pushed it back down and held it in place.

"Head down!"

Elizabeth's body went eerily still, even her breathing had stopped. The guard smirked thinking he had won. Scarecrow chuckled darkly at the guard's stupidity. A low fierce growled issued from Elizabeth.

"Perfect." He could smell fear rolling off the guard he back away from Elizabeth. The two guards released him and approach Elizabeth, who hadn't moved a muscle. The widest one grabbed her by the shoulders, dragging her to her feet. Her eyes were dilated with fear. It was the same look she had before. Absolute, unbridled terror.

She jerked out of the guards grasp and rolled away. There was the harsh noise of straining metal. The guards rushed towards her but they were too late. One of the guards fell to the ground red spreading across his chest. Blood was now dripping from the end her nails, the chain of the handcuffs swinging back and forth splattered with the crimson liquid.

The guards charged at her as backup rushed over to help. She was fighting them but not well. Her attacks were instinctual and her movements were animalistic the guards quickly overwhelmed her by sheer numbers. They forced her into a straightjacket and plunged sedative into her neck.

"I knew it," Scarecrow whispered excitedly. Suddenly a hand grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and threw him on the ground. Edward was standing over him glaring.

"What did you know?"

"The cause of her psychotic episodes. It is caused by high levels of basic negative the emotions: pain, anger, and most importantly fear." Edward cracked his knuckles but before he got a chance to hit the scientist guards pulled him away and put Scarecrow in cuffs.

"See you later Edward." He called as they dragged him inside. Once inside they put him on a body cart on strapped him in so he couldn't move a muscle. They wheeled him through the halls and into Dr. Bartholomew's office.

"Oh dear Jonathan what have you done this time," he asked sounding a bit bored, after all this did happened many times before.

"A very, very successful experiment," the psychopath cackled.

"On who?"

"Why our new guest of course, I could not let her slip through my fingers and such a volatile reaction too. It was wonderful you should have seen it." The guard handed the doctor the aerosol can.

"This isn't your toxin," he said in surprise, "this is one of the spray-on skin cans with the label removed!" He sprayed a bit on his wrist. "And it's filled with water!"

"I know! Fear such a lovely thing! It takes hold of us even when there is nothing to fear! It all in the mind doctor all in the mind!" He laughed madly.

"Take him down to solitary," the doctor commanded, "maybe that'll cool him off." They wheeled him out and down the ramp that led into the basement of Arkham. As the temperature dropped Jonathan's excitement increased. Finally they reached the damp, dark cells of solitary.

"Freak," one of the guards said throwing him in violently. Scarecrow cackled madly until he heard the door leading up to the first floor slam the he went as quiet as a mouse. His bones creaked as he stretched. Jonathan stood still grinning; it'd been so long since he'd done something like this. He slid back one of the padded panels that covered the ceiling. He was greeted by a dark tunnel.

"There we go, just what the doctor order."