A/N: Yes, another Jonathan Crane story. Couldn't help myself. Sadly not a sequel to 'Coming Undone' (not ruling it out however...) but for now, this is brand spanking new. Set before Batman Begins.

Delving into the past is always fun, we all have skeletons in our closet...

...

The train shook with pure velocity as it hurtled down the tracks, screeching as it turned the bend. Her bones shook as the noise penetrated her ears, gritting her teeth she shook it off. Concentrating on staying awake. The night train was the last place she wanted to be, but a fight with the cab driver had left this her only option.

Surprisingly the train was pretty full for the time of night, looking around she noticed where the potential smells were originating from. Rolling her eyes she stole her gaze away from the vomit soaked shirt of one man, huddled desperately against a handrail.

To her right stood four girls, all in different stages of undress. Tilting her head to the side she studied them, they looked barely sixteen. One of the girls was almost conscious, her head bobbed with each sway of the carriage. Her lipstick had smudged across her mouth, a bright red smear sullying her pale cheeks.

Pulling her jacket closer to her she sat in silence, keeping her head focused in front of her, wishing this hell to be over.

Another sharp jolt of the train sent the drunken man tumbling to the ground, he landed with a meaty thud. A loud chorus of jeers and sniggered sounded out from the collection of men he was with. All extremely slow in attending their fallen friend.

The man groaned as they helped him to sit, a trickle of blood shining brightly from his forehead.

She felt her stomach clench violently. Closing her eyes she cradled her head in her hands, counting various numbers in her head, trying to think of anything else.

.

…307…311…313…317…331…337…

Another shudder from the train shook her whole body. Squeezing her eyes tighter she thought harder, trying to shut everything out.

…347…349…353…

.

"Are you ok Lady?" a voice slurred out beside her. Snapping her head up, her eyes focused on a blurred face. His eyes blinked again as they watched her.

Nodding her head, she noticed other eyes on the train watching her.

"I'm fine"

She muttered out quickly.

The man to the side of her shrugged before standing up and ambling back to his seat across the carriage. Watching him leave she felt her cheeks redden.

She hated Gotham.

Glancing at her watch her eyes bulged. It was the wrong side of three in the morning. Rubbing her tired eyes she stood and made her way across the carriage to the doors. Tiredness suddenly swarmed her; it had been the longest day. She wanted nothing more to curl up in a ball in her apartment and shut of her alarm.

A cold blast of air smacked her across the face as the doors opened onto the platform. Taking a deep breath she let the cold air sting in her chest, hoping she would wake up.

...

The temperature had fallen significantly since she'd left the station. Her whole body shivered as she walked, ignoring the cold she continued down the dark streets.

The ghost like display of breath dancing before her eyes was the only heat she could feel.

A sharp noise behind her made her lose her balance and made her drop her handbag. Snapping her head around she strained her eyes into the shadows. Scanning over each building, she saw nothing. Her heart beat quickly in her chest as she gathered her things, scrambling to her feet her heels clicked along the concrete as she ran.

A louder bang resonated around her this time, loud enough to hurt her ears. It was a gunshot.

Tears stung her eyes as she collected herself and kept running, trying her best to ignore the growing sounds behind her. Her chest lifted as she neared her apartment block.

Frantically twisting her key in the lock, her hands shook as she pushed the large door open.

She breathed a sigh of relief as she leant back against the door, now safe in the halls of her building. Turning back around her slender frame lifted on tiptoes as she peered out onto the street. Her eyes scanning around, trying to find what she was running from.

A few seconds passed before the face of a man appeared before her, staring back at her through the glass. Blood seeped from his lips as he smiled, cocking his gun against the glass.

A single scream tore through her throat as her body fell back against the tiles, her heels squealed against the floor as her legs fought to get away. Her eyes glued to the man behind the glass.

Bang

His lips mouthed silently, as he gave her another once over before disappearing from sight away into the darkness.

A deep pounding resonated in her chest, as she remained frozen and trembling back against the floor.

Her legs wouldn't work, running her hands over her thighs she shook as hard as she could. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she tried to get home.

Raking her fingers through her hair she let out a sob.

"Get up…"

She scorned herself, her breath ragged.

Using the metal handrail she slowly pulled herself up, letting her head lean against the wall she composed herself, taking a final glance back at the door.

The climb up the stairs to her apartment seemed like forever, each step felt like a mile. Her legs ached from the fall, a large rip in her tights had appeared just above the knee. Glazing over everything she was glad to see the gilded outline of apartment 27B. Fingering her keys in her pocket she took them out into the dim hall light.

Slipping inside she let her bag fall to the floor as she heard her lock click closed. Next was her coat, undoing each button she allowed it to fall as she walked into her lounge. Flicking the light switch she rolled her neck, feeling it click into place. Sighing outward she fell back against her couch, kicking off her heels.

Rubbing her arms with the cold her attention was drawn to the clock that sat above her fireplace. Tilting her head she observed it keenly, something wasn't right. Lifting herself from the leather she moved closer.

As she approached it her stomach tightened, dusting her finger over its curved face she saw it. The reflection in the glass.

Turning slowly she watched the figure move cautiously into the light. She heard him scoff lightly; she could practically see the smirk on his face.

"You caught me"

He sneered unimpressed.

Saying nothing she watched the light grace over his slender features, watched the light gleam in his eyes. He hadn't changed much.

"I don't want you here"

He shrugged his shoulders casually, taking another step forward.

"Regrettably this isn't about you"

...