The cases against Scarecrow had been reopened so the court was issuing hearings in the procedure of the trial. Jonathan Crane had gone to some of the hearings himself and it was always a long debate of whether he should be evicted of his charges or not.

Charlize would represent him on days he didn't appear before the jury because she could see that all the pressure of the hearings was starting to make him stressed again. And she didn't want him to relapse at such a crucial point so she did all she could to make sure that he was dealing with all that stress effectively.

The press was harsh to him and that was quite expected since he had been responsible for getting many convicts out of death sentences by declaring them insane. He had also been responsible for almost wiping out Gotham with his fear gas under Ra's Al Ghul's orders.

The charges against him weren't menial by any means.

Even if the Scarecrow could be blamed for the more violent acts, no one could deny that Jonathan had been involved just as much when it came to negotiating with Falcone and Ra's Al Ghul.

But still, she hoped to give her best effort to her patient and his cases that were pending in court.

Her hard work did not go in vain though. Along with Crane's lawyer, she was able to prove to the court that he was recovering and sought a second chance. There was still uncertainty on whether the court would decide in favor of releasing him or not but at least they had made remarkable progress.

A knock sounded on her door and she looked up, knowing it would be Miguel who had brought Crane to her office upon her request.

"Come in," she remarked and soon enough the door opened, revealing the former psychiatrist.

"Doctor Fischer," he greeted her politely, taking the seat in front of her desk.

He made it a point of always addressing her as Doctor Fischer instead of calling her Charlize even though she told him it would be fine if he was informal toward her. But he kept up the barrier of respect and politeness, keeping their relationship as a psychiatrist and her patient strictly professional.

That day, however, he was surprised she hadn't come to see him in the therapy rooms and called him to the office instead.

"How are you feeling today, Jonathan?"

"I am well, thank you," he replied, looking around the place in nostalgia. The last time he had come there was when he had met Bruce Wayne.

"You know that if there's anything troubling you, you can discuss it with me," she prompted him, noticing the signs of discomfort in his demeanor.

"I know... I... I am actually very nervous about this hearing," he admitted, "I almost don't want to go."

"That's normal," Charlize said gently. "You're facing a big moment in your life that is going to reshape everything you've known. But you don't have to be afraid. We're here for you. We're on your side."

He shook his head, looking down at his hands that were trembling from apprehension, "I am worried what the decision will be, the press stresses me out, and most of the people... They are people I have hurt, people who don't want me to leave Arkham... There was a time when I saw the fear in their eyes and it made me feel powerful. But now that I am helpless, I see that fear has turned to hatred... I am anxious, Doctor Fischer, and I am worried that things would not go the way I want them to."

She knew why he was feeling that way. It was the last hearing of his case the next day and he had been jittery since the past week, anticipating the final outcome.

"We've prepared everything for your hearing," she reassured him, "we have recorded your progress and all the reports are going to be crystal clear in showing the jury how hard you are working on yourself. We're going to show them how much you've changed, how much you've improved, how much you've helped. Trust me on this."

He nodded, his voice breaking slightly with all the anguish suffocating him within, "I trust you, of course I do. In all the time I have been here, no one has ever shown me this much compassion and willingness to help. Aside from Tim and you, Doctor Fischer."

She smiled, "Tim really cares for you."

"He does. I don't know why."

"Because he sees in you what you can't right now," she resumed, knowing she had to clear all his self-doubts for him to be confident for what lay ahead of him, "Tim believes in you and so do I. This is a chance for you to show the world that you can be more than Scarecrow."

He knew she was right. Not many people got to have that chance of proving that they had changed and were willing to reevaluate themselves. If the decision came in his favor, it was an even greater responsibility to prove that he was worthy of that second chance.

"You have nothing to fear. We have a strong case, a solid plea deal, and a fair judge. We're going to get you out of here, Jonathan." She reached over and gently took his trembling hands, making him look up at her at last, "we're going to get you parole."

"I don't know if I even want to be released," he retrieved his hands from her comforting grip, still feeling that he did not deserve the kindness he was being offered, "it's been ten years and Arkham is all I have known. Even when I was not convicted, I worked here, it made up a huge part of my life."

"I understand but there are things beyond what you used to be that you would be able to reach out to," she explained gently, "you don't have to live in the shadow of who you used to be when you can start afresh. Don't waste this chance."

He nodded in reply but didn't say anything. His head was clouded with thoughts of what the next day would bring. He didn't expect anything good to come out of that hearing but was still going because his lawyer and Charlize had done all they could to support his case.

***

Tim had come to the court along with Bruce on the day of Jonathan Crane's last hearing. The decision would be given by the jury at the end of the hearing so a lot of prominent figures from the political fields of the city were there too of course accompanied by a swarm of reporters.

It was no doubt a big turn in the city's dynamics as a renowned criminal was going to be standing in front of the jury without any political backing. There was still a lot of uncertainty circulating among the people regarding the cases being reopened and many did not want Crane to get released.

There had been a lot of debate about whether it was all an act put up by him to fool the jury because his past record of succeeding to fool the jury on the basis of psychiatric reports was public knowledge by then.

Regardless of public opinion, the jury was there to review the arguments made by both the defendant and the prosecutor and then pass the decision.

Tim straightened as he saw Jonathan being brought to the courtroom. He was accompanied by his lawyer David Thompson and Arkham's psychiatrist Charlize Fischer. He looked tense as his shoulders were stiff and he was avoiding the hostile stares of the people seated there.

He hadn't spotted Tim and Bruce there and his hands were interlocked tightly in an attempt to keep himself composed.

Tim knew all that tense environment was making him anxious but he would have to face it. He had succeeded in shutting the Scarecrow out for long but it was in moments that he was vulnerable that the alter could take control. So Tim hoped that nothing of the sort would happen and Jonathan would make it through that hearing too.

At last, the court proceedings began and both sides presented their final statements and reports. Charlize also recorded her analysis of Crane's mental health and his willingness to change for the better. She also testified that Crane had renounced his alter ego Scarecrow and his obsession with fear.

David tackled the other questions and presented evidence that Crane had cooperated with the authorities, providing valuable information and insights on his past crimes and associates, that helped them solve some of the cases left unsolved otherwise.

As his concluding remarks, he had requested that Crane be released on parole, under the condition that he continued his therapy with Doctor Fischer and complied with all the rules and regulations imposed by the court.

Finally, it was time for the decision to be passed.

A tense air hung about the courtroom as it could easily be the trial of the decade for the city. The decision would set the final stone in a story that had been circulating in the press ever since an appeal had been submitted in the court regarding Jonathan Crane.

The judge looked at the file in front of him, then at the man sitting in the defendant's seat. It was indeed a great responsibility to pass a decision considering the circumstances and the evidence.

Time was of the essence so the judge cleared his throat and addressed the court.

"Mister Crane, I have reviewed your case carefully and thoroughly. I have listened to the testimonies of your psychiatrist and your lawyer, as well as the arguments of the prosecution. I have also taken into account your own statements. And after careful evaluation, I have reached a decision."

He paused for a moment, looking at Crane with a stern but fair expression. Jonathan was slightly fidgety as the next words would seal his fate.

"I hereby order that you be released from Arkham Asylum, effective immediately. You are granted parole for a period of five years, during which you will remain under the supervision of Doctor Fischer and report to your parole officer regularly. You will also abide by all the terms and conditions set by this court, which include but are not limited to refraining from any criminal activity or association; avoiding any contact with your former victims or enemies; submitting to random drug tests and searches; attending counseling sessions and support groups; finding a legitimate job or occupation; paying restitution to your victims or their families; performing community service; and respecting all laws and authorities."

Jonathan couldn't believe his ears as the decision had been passed in his favor. Charlize let out a breath of relief, feeling accomplished.

"Mister Crane, you have been given a rare opportunity to start over, to redeem yourself and make amends for your past mistakes. I hope you will not waste it or abuse it."

He banged his gavel on the wooden board of his stand, signaling the end of the hearing.

"Case dismissed."

***