I had no more dealings with Crane after that run in for the rest of the week. I had also taken the trouble of avoiding Dr. Young and any unnecessary questions. I was not only embarrassed but humiliated in front of the chief doctor and one of the most dangerous criminals in Gotham City. The rest of the week was quite uneventful for me. Even the Joker seemed to have disappeared from my life. He has not returned and frankly I am quite fine with that. I am just hoping this is just a brief chapter of my life that I can put behind me. I have even considered trying to look for a job elsewhere. Despite that, I can say that I probably will not leave. The job market is not exactly in a great position at this time.

I have taken the time to talk to H.R. about hiring someone to help me since before I was hire in which they used to have two workers doing this job. The head of that department told me she would put in a request for it. So it may be looking up for me.

By the time Friday rolled around, I was ready for the weekend. Saturday was my day to read and sleep in. This Friday was going to be short cause of Dr. Stepof being gone on his vacation and due to the lack of documents to put away for the evening. I might be out by eight tonight. Enough time to watch some late shows and have a nice evening to myself. The hope that my latest roommate is gone completely makes it even better to go home. Seven o'clock came and I was able to continue finishing the last of my filing. I began locking up the cage. As I was attempting to lock up this old lock, it reminded me of the fact that a week ago the Joker escaped from here. Once I heard the click, I began walking away.

The parking garage was something out of a horror movie. Dimmed and dark with only a few cars still parked from the overnight security. My lone car was parked on one side of garage. I clicked the unlock button on my remote. My Ford escort sat by itself and I got to it in no time. Every night I walk in this parking garage, I cannot help but image a horror story play in head. The setting is perfect for it. I always walk with a brisk speed to my car in moments like this.

I heard footsteps behind me. At that moment I was tempted to look back but it would delay time to get to my car. I just hurried my speed to get to my car. Once I had my hand on the door handle, I felt someone behind. I had no idea who it was or how they were about to walk so quickly without me hearing them. I did not move. My hand still on the door handle was getting a little clammy but the thought of who could possibly be behind me was more terrifying.

I muster the courage to turn to the mystery person, but before I could get a look at the face of my assaulter I was pressed into the car by their body. The front of my body was pressed against the car door while my back was against the front of my stalker. My mind was blank. I absolutely had no idea what to do. I could feel the person's breathe at my left ear. A hand was placed on the front of my throat with the wrapping their long fingers around me. My pulse was racing as a slight squeeze to my neck was give.

"Grace," it was a familiar voice, "how are you?" I turned my head slightly to see Dr. Crane in the corner of my eye. I was terrified. The front of my head began to pound and I felt a bit dizzy.

"Crane?!" I croaked my mouth had gone dry.

"Who else?" he whispered into my ear, "Now why don't we go for a little ride?" My body tensed up to his meaning. If I gave him a ride, I would be helping him escape the asylum and perhaps contributing to my death. The pressure on my throat increased to the point that my breathing was very shallow. "I need an answer." I nodded my head. In the end what choice do I have? "Good, you can drive." He stepped away and let my throat go. Oxygen rushed into my system, while I was catching my breath. As that was happening Crane made his way into the passenger side of my car, he even buckled up.

In the end, we were up at my place. I threw the car keys on to my kitchen counter. Crane, or rather Jonathan as he stated to be called by me, looked around my place. I fidgeted a bit. While Jonathan went toward the bathroom, I saw a note on the counter where I threw my keys. It read:

Gracie,

I know I have probably got you thinking I left you, doll. But don't worry I will be home real soon.

JoKeR

My headache felt worst after the letter. I placed the note into my pocket, and went to sit on the couch. I lay back with my head against the back of the couch and closed my eyes. I needed time to think my life over. I steadied my breathing and opened my eyes. Crane…Jonathan was looking down on me. It startled me. He just stared at me for what seemed like hours. The more time passed the more I fidgeted.

"Do I scare you?" he looked into my eyes, searching and not finding what he wanted. I nodded. "Good, wouldn't want you getting rebellious on me." He looked around. "I don't see a house phone, so I assume you have a cell phone somewhere."

The image of the Joker smashing my phone came to mind.

"So where is it?"

"I broke it." I whispered.

"So no phone to contact the police with seems a bit too good to be true." He continued to exam my one bedroom apartment. "Does that scare you?"

Now what, I thought, I've worked at an asylum for the last three years and had no trouble from any patients until now. My life was meant to be invisible. At that moment, I realized I was not scared of Crane, or the Joker. I was scared to lose my silence. My way of life is being threatened by these newcomers intruding in my space.

"No, I am not scared of you." Perhaps the most words I have used towards Jonathan. That made his head turn, and his light blue eyes got a bit dark. As if something was inside of him. I needed to turn the tide before it got too far.

"So now you're not afraid of me. Maybe I need to remind you of who I am." Jonathan came towards the couch and stood in front of me. I looked up into his eyes. I felt paralyzed and unable to do only thing as he straddled my waist, with a knee on each side of my body. I could not stop looking at his icy blue eyes, as he places his hands on my throat. He squeezed my throat and I was losing oxygen to my lungs. I began to see black spots, but I was not going to give him the pleasure of seeing me frightened or will myself to fight him. I was not going to get him off by my fight or flight response.

The front door banged opened. Crane jumped up off of me, as the Joker just strolled in.

"I see you've made a new friend." Joker slammed the door loudly. The room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. I was not going to make a move that would set off any type of reaction. The tension was very pliable and felt like I was in a fog. Joker did not look happy but rather quite sinister. With Crane's weight off of me, I moved away from the two villains that occupied my living room. "So Dr. Crane, I was unaware of a house call?"

"Didn't know I needed one to be here, have I perhaps trespassed over some of your territory?" Crane smirked at the Joker. "But I find myself attached to your toy." Crane looked towards me as he ended his sentence.

"Me!?" I clamped a hand over my mouth, turning red with embarrassment because of my outburst. During all this time I was able to side step myself towards the kitchen. The bedroom door was close to the kitchen area; if only I could get there and lock myself in there maybe I would avoid any trouble from the two rogues. Crane and Joker must have noticed my retreating figure because I say the Joker turns slightly towards me with a smirk and Crane's eyes were wondering over my general direction.

"Sorry to say, Doc, but finder's keepers." Joker slugged Crane in his face, knocking him out. He then took long strides to me as his tsked and wagged his index finger at me, "No fair bringing in a new person into the apartment without my permission." I moved slowly back till I ran into my bedroom door. Joker placed his hands on each side of my head. He loomed over my small frame with his tall stature and leaned in to my face. I made sure to continue my eye contact with him the whole time, not wanting to make him any more irritated at me.

"So how did you run into the...ah…good doctor."

"I…um… was…I mean," I was very hesitant in my speech. Come on voice just tell him, it was not your fault for having to help Crane. "He cornered me into giving him a ride and we came here." I was able to clearly convey that one sentence out without messing up. I was hoping that would be content to him.

"Hmmm…." He brought his face close to mine and his mouth was next to my right ear, "Seems like you're telling the truth." I felt my body shiver from the close proximity of the Joker. He pushed off the wall and walked away from me while I turned my bedroom doorknob. Once the door was open, I ran inside to get away from everything. I felt shaken up. As I began to shut the door, I noticed Jonathan was up and moving around. Joker walked towards him. They looked to be having a chat; however it was whisper to each other. I was not able to get any jest of the conversation. I made sure to lock the door once I closed it.

The fact that I had two of the most wanted criminals in my living room did not stop me from being very exhausted from work and the stress induced from said criminals. I looked at my bed. It's not like I can solve anything without any sleep, I thought, might as well be well rested then half asleep when one of them comes after me. I undressed into some pajama bottoms and tank top, and got into bed for some much needed rest.