I have to tell you that I've taken quite some time out from fanfiction writing and reading but I decided on a whim to take a look at updates and I came across this again. I read this new chapter of yours and I have to say that it made me so glad that I decided to come on here :) Out of the many fanfiction works I've read on here your work is most probably the best I've read - not to offend or belittle the other great writers on here but I find how you've written Harley and Jonathan completely refreshing. You've captured them both brilliantly and I love the connection you've created between them as it's exactly how I'd imagine them to be.

Though the chapter's a little on the long side I think all this does is show how involved you are with your work, plus you haven't kept everyone lurking in the dark for updates - this is something I do far too much with my inability to stick one story out till the end haha :) What I like about this is that you don't just put any old chapter up, you really put thought into each one and from my impression you're the kind of writer that wants their work to be good in content as well as quality before putting it out there and I really respect that.

I especially loved this part:
- She had given him a helpless shrug, saying, “Just be glad you’re not one of my boyfriends. I always end up calling them something cutesy and horrible like ‘puddin’’ or ‘bunny.’ Although I don’t think I’ve ever actually used either of those…” She waved a hand dismissively. “Anyway, point is, it’s one of those things that’s meant to be funny at first, but then it gets bad because I start to do it automatically?”
You've just captured everything that is Harley Quinn in that one small part of dialogue without being too in your face about it, I just really liked how you've foreshadowed her without it being too intense :)

I also love the connection to the blue flower and Pam Isley. Now I have to admit that I was thinking of doing the exact same thing in my story but you've appeared to have beaten me to it - damn! Anyway I think it's a brilliant touch and how Harley held her own against Woodrue was a really class act. I could imagine how she'd handle the Joker later on by reading that and Jonathan's pleasure in watching really added to the moment. I like how you've outlined that something's wrong with Pammy at this point concerning Woodrue too :)

I'm over analysing and rambling now so I'll shut up haha :) but this story is incredible and most definitely my favourite. I'm looking forward to being able to read another chapter!

I want to start by saying that I spent the end of this chapter with a crippling urge to strangle Susan. Perhaps slap her and scream and all sorts of violent things because her character is disgusting.

That being said, any story that can evoke an emotional response like mine is...well, GREAT. And from a fan fiction of all things.

You are a fantastic writer, and I love your story, even if it infuriates me from time to time.

Seriously, I think you’ve got a perfect Harley, in a Nolanesque sense. Jonathan is also brilliant, even if it does not scream PERFECT to me like your Harley does. Red’s interesting as well, looking forward to seeing how that pans out. Scarecrow’s scene was pretty beautiful as well.
Looking back, this review isn’t all that good. I read it maybe 6 hours before posting this review(for religious reasons) so a few of my brilliant ideas for the review have evaporated from my mind, but really all it comes down to is: I like this story.

Oh god I need this. I now I should'nt but I love ever minute I read this story. I even read the bottem part. Witch I dont do most of the time.

This chapter was so awesome! I don't know if I've said this before, but the way you portray Dr. Crane is absolutely BRILLIANT. And I would have to agree with you on the fatherly vibe from Ra's in Batman Begins. He totally was.

I have been atrociously lazy with reviewing in general lately, but procrastinating after such a long, awesome update from Fear and Malice? That would be just WRONG. :-D You were right in the opening note--this was a fun chapter!

Before going into nitty-gritty details, I've got to say that you've been building the relationship between Jon and Harley extremely well. It's subtle and gradual, and not as one-sided as our dear, dastardly Dr. Crane would have himself think (he knows he'll enjoy sitting next to her over a bowl of popcorn, comparing the Oedipedal tendencies of Norman Bates and Bruno Anthony while slipping in snide remarks about Freud). This was a calmer portion than some previous, but it remained highly entertaining--which isn't always the case with necessary in-between (I hesitate to say transitional, because for all the plot progression it never felt like munching veggies for desert or anything similar the word might imply...yep, rambling again :-P) sections. So give yourself another pat on the back.

First part: I did notice that for Jon's POV conversing with Harley (or most any time it's his perspective, but I'm specifying this case) he occasionally gets a nice wall of analysis between lines. This isn't bad by any means--just thought it was an interesting and fitting character trait. He's always looking for an angle, or shifting to past experiences trying to reconcile prior knowledge with new information. Also, snickered a fair bit at Harley's line "In that case, can I at least call you ‘Jonathan?’ This doctor-doctor stuff is gonna make everyone think we’re having role-play sex or something,” then positively SNORTED when he replied "Everyone here, with the exception of Dr. Gooding, calls me by my title." Is this to imply Jonathan has roleplay sex with everyone except Dr. Gooding? XD And for an additional tidbit, the nickname disclaimer for Harleen was so, so true. Good lord. Oh, and smooth job getting Jon onto a mutual first name basis. I don't think he'd do it on anyone's terms but his own.

Second part: I really liked April for some reason. She's very intriguing--and oddly enough, reminds me of an OC by name of Colleen Baker in the fanfic Cold Shower by ACleverName. Nymphomania, violent reactions to boyfriends...I have no clue whether you've read it or not, but it was cool to see the parallels regardless. The gal must have something not-quite-right in the head, but as a reader I almost want to believe her. Except I really can't. Not fully, at least. Aside, I'm increasingly leery of Bolton. Sex offender or not, the man's trouble.

Third and Fourth parts: I'm putting these two in the same category because reading one without the other is proving impossible :-P. I always feel a little bad about using the word "interesting" while reviewing because it's such a non-communicative, inexact way of putting things...but the essay discussion IS interesting. It was fascinating to read the different perspectives on fear, ruthless work methods, and even job histories. Crane and Quinzel made solid, intelligent points in that discussion, as must be the case for their characters. :-) And Jonathan's internal tirade at Harleen's plans ("Disappointment sank...sort of man.") was so jealousy--platonic or otherwise, though I lean towards the former--kind of sad in a non-pathetic sense, and offered insight to his unreliable perspective. Different note, sounds like he's in for a surprise upon checking out 'Un Chein Andalou'. ;-)

Fifth part: Like parts 4/5, I continued to enjoy the psychological discussions. There were moments here that definitely leapt out too. "He nearly choked on his sip of water, and took the time to calmly swallow before answering," was one. "I don't need the power that they represent, and I certainly don't want a real one," another. The exchange on SCUM Manifesto got me giggling too (does it say something that I'm laughing at all the sex jokes? Oh me oh my...), and on a less humorous note what followed "the things men do for pretty women. Just like the song," caught my eye. Oh my. She pushed a button there. I smiled when Jonathan finally complimented her without pressure or necessity ("And it doesn't help that you dress well, either."), then again when he wanted to rip the subsequent grin off her face. Plus I really liked the stereotypes point in the conversation--their shot at Cavendish, how Harleen is essentially seen as a dumb blond, and Jon's reveal to her "And no, I don't mind the stereotypes because...". I imagine she got a fair bit of insight off that one.

Whew, huge review is huge...

Sixth and Seventh parts: Woohoo! Pammy, Harley and Jon got a scene together! So many slimes though—Gooding, Woodrue, ick. Anyway, Pam, Jon and Harls’ conversation felt very balanced between the three of them, loved the way you worked the former’s research into locating schizophragma erica, and throughout there were more pepperings of gorgeous lines. “It was very rewarding to see a normally pleasant person scowl like that. It really was,” stood out to me especially for some reason. I also loved the reinterpretation of Harley’s “slept into a degree” background, as well as Pammy’s story. In fact, you executed her entire character BEAUTIFULLY. I’m curious what’s going to happen with her and Woodrue.

Eighth part: You executed the meeting between Ra’s and Crane superbly, I liked the re-emergence of Daniel Wallace (though the kid remains a brat, of course), and both Harleen and Jonathan’s confrontations with Gooding felt like moments of change somehow. I’m quite excited for the next chapter now—definitely want to see where this leads! Hm…oh, and the image of Scarecrow outright laughing at Gooding was creepy. Very, very creepy.

So to finish up: The feminism didn’t feel preachy, League of Shadows didn’t feel rushed, characterization decisions were brilliant all around. The only critique I’ve got is that there were occasional spots with typos, missing words, plurality agreements, and format oddities. Not a huge or appalling number of them, but they did pop up. Otherwise, just one question: “How to Make Friends and Influence People” is a book, right? I know I’ve seen it before, but the specifics are eluding me.

This was long, but I just couldn't stop.
Your OC, The Worm, was so thought out and believable. He was perverse and someone I could actually see myself fearing(were I a woman in her 40s living in Gotham) I was incredibly impressed with this chapter.

And Crane. Forgive me while I squeal like a fan-girl. I've never found him that appealing, but recently? Oh my...

That being said, there was a bit I didn't agree with. Don't get me wrong, the Breedlove section was my favorite part, but Harley was Super-Shrink in there. You've made it clear that all his other psychiatrists couldn't handle him, yet Harley turned the tables in only one session. It's a fun thought, and a blast to read, but I think it is a bit unbelievable. Maybe if it had happened in a few sessions. Unless every other doctor, with the exception of Crane, is completely incompetent, that is.

Which, is a distinct possibility, being that it’s Arkham we’re talking about.

Anyway, I love your story, and enjoy the psychology you’ve put into it. I can’t wait to get to the rest.

Ta
-Calamity-

Sounds like it was a tough chapter to write.The pathos is overwhelming. The last scene was particularily moving, describing Jonathan's shuttered expression which probably led to him closing all emotional outlets thereafter.

While I agree that Susan doesn't exactly make 'mother of the year', I think equal blame goes to the father as well for ignoring a crucial moment in his son's life. Its ironic but Mrs Crane's coment,"You never did have much of a backbone for all the brains you supposedly possess.” hit too close to home.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

I promise that when I review next time it will have more substance but just... wow.

ugh. i want to kill susan. I don't like Jon's father that much, either, but at least he has a heart.
Waiting for the next chapter!

You’re absolutely right about Scarecrow being badass in BAA, he’s one of four characters in the game that were so close to perfect it felt scary. I include Harley in this list of four because I could ignore her outfit and focus on the Arleen goodness.
Anyway, your story. Susan and good old granny are in rare form here, making me long for the chapter that will contain granny’s death.(if it comes)
His dad’s pretty bad here too, but at least he doesn’t go out of his way to make his life miserable. The devil in the house could be anyone, really. He’s just a kid at the moment, but he grows up to be far more evil than his family.(although it’s hard to think of him that way, the guy’s got charm)

Okay... let me just say I REALLY REALLY should not have finished reading this chapter 5 minutes before having to go to work. God, that was depressing. And now I'm going to be all bleh while packaging books...

Susan is a B*TCH and is essentially evil. Evil is not a word I use lightly but she is. Her complete lack of compassion almost makes the physical harm worse. The State's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) should totally be called by Jonathan's father. He's another bastard here. Entirely too spineless to do anything, although he does get props for sitting with a kid whose's sick with the flu. Granted, it's his kid, but still...

In any case, this chapter is wrenching and it shows why Jonny's the way he is. I think your fic is fine the way it is, but I'm missing Harley...

Kudos!
^_^
~NT

Wow! Great chapter! It think it's really creative how you dig deep into Jonathan's past. And I agree with you. I don't like Susan either.

Can't I just say I'm in love with your writing? You have such a nice, easy way with words that flow. It's so relieving to read published-original-fiction caliber writing in the fanfiction world. Your Jonathan still gives me mixed feelings. I am at once intrigued by his psyche, but, at the same time, completely turned off and appalled. This is only a testament to your writing. Your Harley is still by far my favorite. She's totally rocking my socks and I like how, at once, she is so different and so alike to Jonathan.

I think my favorite bit was the hallucinatory flashback. The child abuse was very real (although I have difficulty dredging up sympathy. I feel bad for child-Jonathan but have none for the adult because of the way he turned out) and I have to say I did feel bad for Wallace. Yes, the kid was a dick towards the end, but at the same time, I felt sorry for him.

I will read Chapter 8 as soon as I can. Sorry it's taken me so long to review!

YOU MADE ME CRY! I CAN'T EVEN REVIEW PROPERLY BECAUSE I'M SO UPSET. OH GOD! *Bawls all over the computer*

But...This was a very, very well done chapter. I wholeheartedly applaud your ability to inspire emotion through text, even without a flexible format setup. :-P...:'( I really am having a hard time expressing that punch in the gut from Susan's visit. Yes, she has earned my profound hatred. As soon as she entered the room, I've got to say I /knew/ (or at least strongly suspected) what was going to happen. And then I just sat back going "Oh no. Oh no, she's not going to...b-but you just CAN'T be that awful. Nobody's that bitchy. LOOK AT THAT FACE!". This is coming from possibly the most reluctant fangirl ever to take the name. Of course, Susan Crane did not disappoint.

...God, can I hug Jonathan? Please? Despite all the times I openly or covertly called him an arrogant snot with no heart?

Anyway though. I'm trying really, really hard to find and give feedback for the rest of the chapter. I was sad and very, very nervous from the start to see Jonathan sick. If you're familiar with tv tropes (or if you're not) what followed in my mind is It Got Worse. I did love the conversations between Jon and the HS, and again how clever and full of personality the former is even as a kid.

Ack, I'm terribly sorry I can't cite. Every time I look for a line that sticks out, the whole thing is just magnificent. And it does make me want to curl up and sob a little bit. So now I'm going to respond to a few note comments.

First: Oh man, college work. Fun times there. Good luck to ya, and kudos for churning this out despite the load.

Second: I did let out an embarrassing little squeal when I read about the oneshots. Looking forward to seeing them!

Third: Batman: Arkham Asylum is one of (if not the) most awesome video games ever to be played with human hands. In my humble opinion. I've got mixed feelings on Harley's costume too (and am pretty miffed that you never get to actually FIGHT her), but don't quite hate it. And yes. Jonathan is a badass. His fear toxin scenes were awesome and he's killed me personally more than any other rogue thus far.

Totally psyched to see what you come out with next, this was well worth the wait!