It didn't matter anymore. The Joker had done it. He'd found Crane sitting in a corn field, dressed him up as a scarecrow, and ripped him open. Dust and moldy hay flew everywhere in his head and he couldn't discern any smell other than blood. It was still on his tongue reminding him what had just happened.

Joker, for his part, couldn't have been giddier. Poor poor Jonathan Crane. He had effectively let loose a volatile side of the doctor, and had taken Jonathan down as a sacrifice. A glorious, delicious sacrifice. Joker would wait patiently to see what he had awoken.

Disregarding the quick glances shot his way by unimportant staff, what was left of Jonathan Crane led himself to the abandoned office that he used as his personal laboratory. He grabbed every last syringe of his most potent toxin and stuffed them into his pockets. He snatched his mask briefcase as well.

Not even five minutes after Joker had been shut back in his cell did he receive a visitor. Crane looked absolutely gone. What delightful creature had he turned into? Would he be any fun? Or just a nuisance?

"Why hello Scarecrow."

Crane said nothing. He simply pushed Joker flat onto the cot he had been sitting on, and straddled him. Vial after vial of toxin was injected into Joker's neck. All the while maniacal laughter rang through the dingy cell.

The Joker laughed and laughed and laughed. Where was the clever doctor that had caressed his cheek and sent waves of uncomfortable feelings seemingly through his very being? He certainly wasn't sitting on top of him sticking needle after needle into his neck, sending pleasant sensations down his spine.

This was Crane's last shot. If this didn't work then there was no hope left. The only thing this man was afraid of was affection. He couldn't beat him. He just couldn't. Give affection to the Joker to defeat him? The idea was too beyond him.

But not Scarecrow. Scarecrow could take delight in fear brought about any way. If it was a mockery of good emotions, then so be it. But the Scarecrow could handle it. He wanted to handle it. This man had set him free. He owed him something.

As soon as the repeated jamming of needles stopped, Joker let out a content sigh and looked at the man above him. The first thing he noticed was that he was staring directly into those beautiful blue eyes. They were absolutely electric.

"You don't need those silly glasses, do you Scarecrow?"

Someone said something. The body beneath him…the Joker. So the Joker liked his eyes? He nodded once in response.

"So, what are you gonna do now Scarecrow?"

These words seemed to trigger another shift in the doc's mind. Where there was once numb determination and steady hands there was now the remnants of Jonathan Crane. His hair was damp with sweat and fell into his eyes. His legs started trembling and he tried to get up, but the Joker trapped his legs between his own, twisting and sending Jonathan tumbling to the floor.

Back on familiar ground, with his victim beneath him, Joker clamped his thighs around Crane's head, effectively immobilizing him. Crane thrashed and bucked and tried to pry the Joker off with his hands.

"Ah AH, don't do that, you don' wanna work yourself up too much doc, some of ya's gotta still be there, hmm?"

It was like merely the sound of Joker's voice controlled some switch that halted all capability for movement in Crane's body. He felt the strangest urge to listen, every fiber of Scarecrow wanting to obey, but the thin piece of Jonathan's mind still there was as tight as a steel cord. He didn't seem to have the ability to speak or move, but he still knew what was going on, and he didn't like it. The only recognizable sign of defiance was in his eyes. That was all the Joker needed.

"See? You haven't run away yet. Not much fight left in you, but it'd be nice if you'd realize there's nothing you can do. I've won."

This made Jonathan's very nature cry out. NO. He was in control of himself. He had to be. If someone else was...anything could happen, and that frightened him terribly. He started panicking—breathing quickly and trying in vain to shake his head while still being trapped between the Joker's thighs.

"Not gonna listen eh? You want me to bring him back? He'll listen to me."

Scarecrow. He was talking about Scarecrow, this new aspect of his personality that seemed to bend to Joker's wishes. He felt it inside of him, and he knew he could not control Scarecrow. Scarecrow, unlike himself, had respect for the Joker as his fellow villain and thus could be guided. Used. This went against everything Crane fought for.

"This doesn't have to be hard doctor, I don't have to put you out completely. You can be quite useful. Heh, all that knowledge…be a shame to loose it because of fear," Crane's eyes widened in protest. "Still in denial," click click. "You leave me no choice Jonny."

Just as Joker was starting to summon forth Scarecrow, Crane heard the mockery of his name and something in his mind snapped. He bucked and twisted and caught the Joker by surprise, landing a solid kick to his head.

"Oh HO! Still don't like that do we? I wonder why you freak when you hear that name. Maybe it was your mother's name for her little darling hmm? Or your father's?"

Crane screamed. The Joker was suddenly on his back, head comically thrashing side to side as Crane landed punch after punch.

No matter how hard or how fast Crane punched, the Joker laughed. What the fuck was wrong with him? He should have been groaning in pain, not laughing in amusement. The more he punched him, the louder his laughter became and the more Crane's blood boiled.

This is getting you nowhere Jonathan.

What was that? He heard a voice and his punches stopped. He looked wildly around the cell.

You know where I am Jonathan. I'm you.

Shit. He was hearing voices. Not what he needed.

"What's a matter doc? You look like you've seen a ghost," the Joker smirked. "Or…are you hearing Scarecrow inside your head?"

Crane grabbed Joker's head like he had back in his office. "SHUT UP."

You're so afraid Jonathan. Let me take over. I'm not afraid of him.

"SHUT UP!"

The Joker snickered. "I didn't say anything, Crane. I am allowed to call you Crane, aren't I? I s'pose that's what you'd prefer. Jonathan is so formal."

Yes Jonathan, let him call you Crane. Only I can call you Jonathan.

"YOU CAN'T CALL ME ANYTHING!"

Click click. "And I was trying to be considerate. Whatever are we gonna do with him Scarecrow?"

NO. NO!

And he was gone. Trapped inside his own mind.

Scarecrow picked himself off of the Joker and extended a hand. Unlike Jonathan, who held himself with a straight back and indignant air, Scarecrow hardly held himself at all. He was a creature of instinct, feeding off the emotion of others. Joker immediately recognized a change in Crane and after a few second of raising his brow and looking pleasantly surprised, he took Scarecrow's hand and stood upright.

"Took you long enough."

Joker laughed.

"I had to give the poor fool a chance. But what can you do? He just wouldn't give in."

"He's still there. Clawing at the back of his mind, trying to decide what to do," Scarecrow gave a manic smile. "As long as you're willing to work with me, he'll stay there."

Joker cocked his head to the side. "Oh? And what exactly do you have in mind?"

"Releasing you."

Another quirk. "How very kind of you to return the favor. But I don't need you to do that. I can escape on my own."

"And what about after? You'll be on the run. No one knows about you right now, but as soon as you break free, your chances of surprising Gotham are so much less."

Joker considered that and used his hands to express himself. "I like the way you think. So, in exchange for releasing me, what would a Scarecrow want from a Joker?"

Scarecrow bowed his head and looked into Joker's eyes as he slowly inched towards him.

"I want you to fear me."

"AHAA! Fear you? I'm not afraid of you! I created you!" Joker grabbed his sides and let the wonderful feeling of unrestrained laughter coarse through him.

That was his chance. He charged at Joker, pinning him to the wall, but not slamming him. The Joker kept laughing, until he felt a hand push his hair behind his ear.

The Joker had always been an impulsive creature. It gave him an advantage over everyone. He didn't have to think, he just did. So when his only impulse was to freeze, he tried to think. All he could think of were the beautiful eyes staring into his own.

Scarecrow grinned. "Ah yes, you unleashed me, but," his hand moved from behind Joker's ear to behind his neck, gently stroking in a tender manner. "I know your only fear. Afraid of me now?"

Every whisper of breath tickled uncomfortably against the Joker's ear, and the proximity of that now dangerous body was starting to get to him. He could feel his nerves flare with every movement Scarecrow made. His heart raced, not out of excitement like it normally did, but out of panic. The Joker had forgotten what fear felt like, and he wasn't enjoying remembering.

"I'm going to give you a choice, Joker. Either you acknowledge your fear of me and I let you go, to do as you please, wreak havoc on Gotham, or you continue to let your fear blind you, and I keep you here, where I can torment you as I please. Your choice."

While Joker tried to make a decision Scarecrow decided to help him make it. He took Joker's face between his hands and gently traced the ragged scars. He leaned in close and his smile grew as he felt Joker twitch beneath him. As one last warning Scarecrow stared strait into Joker's eyes and softly kissed the tip of the scar on his right cheek.

Joker made a strangled sound. He felt trapped. Bound and glued to the wall. How could something as simple as affection immobilize him? How dammit!

"Time's up Joker. What'll it be? Freedom? Or delicious slavery?"

"GET. OFF."

Scarecrow leaned fully against him.

"Hmm?"

God, he looked like a fucking bird, twitching his head to the side and puckering his lips. It bugged the hell of out the Joker.

"GET. OFF. NOW."

Another bird-like twitch.

"Excuse me?"

"JONATHAN CRANE YOU POMPOUS ASS GET OUT HERE RIGHT NOW!"

Puh! Why should I help you?

Yes, you be a good boy and take notes Jonathan.

To hell with you.

As soon as Jonathan fought through the mental barrier that separated him and Scarecrow he arranged his body so it was more aggressive and defensive, sliding his hands into Joker's hair to restrain his head, tucking Joker's hand behind his back and pining them there.

"What do you want."

Joker let out a scoff of relief and a laugh at the same time. "Long time no see, doc."

"This better be good."

"Oh? You should be thanking me, doc. I chased the nasty monster away for you." The Joker had the audacity to look smug.

Crane slammed Joker's head into the wall once. "You didn't do anything. I choose to take control."

"Ah, but I got your attention. There must have been something that dear Scarecrow said to provoke you, hmm?"

Crane's eyes flared, but he pushed his anger down before Scarecrow had a chance to use it against him. He was barely hanging onto consciousness so he needed to deal with the Joker quickly.

"Enough of your games."

"You don't like to play games doctor? Well then you might just wanna let me go."

"You're not going anywhere Joker."

"Oh I'm sure that'll make the Scarecrow just tickled."

"Come again?"

"If you keep me here then Scarecrow will take control of you, doc. I'm only saying this for your own good you know."

What are you gonna do now Jonathan? You let him out you could loose your job, but if you keep him here, then every time you see him I will have control of you. I win either way.

"FUCK YOU! FUCK BOTH OF YOU!"

"Oho now that does sound fun."

"SHUT UP JOKER."

The Joker was calmly letting Crane sort things out in his head. Usually he would object to being pinned against a wall, but there truly was nothing Crane could do to him; it was Scarecrow that made him cautious. True, Scarecrow could be useful, but in his current situation it benefited him more for Crane to stay in control.

Crane took a deep breath a gathered his wits.

"Tomorrow morning I'm going to file a release for a Jack Craven. That is your name. I can't release you as sane under the name 'Joker.' You will leave Gotham. Never speak to me or come near me again. Understand?"

"Jack Craven, Jack Craven…sounds an awful lot like Jon Crane don't ya think doc?"

"Then what would you like Joker?" Crane spat.

"Ehm…Jack Craven'll do."

"Great."

He left the cell. Everything was a blur and before he knew it he was parked outside his apartment, gripping the steering wheel, dripping in sweat.

Very clever Jonathan.

Shut up.

You are the one who created me Jonathan.

No I didn't. Joker did.

He may have given me my name, but did he create my toxin? Did he create my mask? Was he the first to discover how much you enjoy having people screaming and writhing at your feet? No. You did.

Crane clutched his head, willing Scarecrow to go away. It didn't bother him that Scarecrow was obviously just as ruthless as Joker, he just didn't know how long he could take having a separate identify vying for control, sharing his thoughts.

Oh am I making you nervous Jonathan? Why not just let me take complete control? You wouldn't have to worry anymore then.

No. I'm the one in control of my life. Not you.

You may think that Jonathan, but all your desires stem from me. I've always been here. You just decided to give me a name.

Then go back.

Come again?

Go back. I don't want to hear you again.

Silence.

There was silence. Crane let out a breath.

Scarecrow didn't show up again for a while, and when he did it was because Crane wanted him to. He needed him. Scarecrow was allowed to come out when the mask was on. That was it. Crane developed mental cues for when he transitioned to Scarecrow and then let him have full reign. In return Scarecrow left the doctor alone, let him have his allusions of control, and let him flash his fake smiles; because, in reality, Jonathan Crane's true smiles belonged to Scarecrow.

End

Well this is the conclusion of Smiles. I hope you like it. Let me know what you think please, because really the only reason I finished this was because you all wanted me to. For those of you that are disappointed that I didn't further develop the story into a more slash direction, never fear. I'm writing a sequel that will revolve primarily around that and will more or less fit less into the time line that this one did. I finished Smiles without any slash for …………..so be happy;)