Disclaimer: I do not own Batman or any affiliated characters, just Maya.

Just to Tear it Down

Chapter 2 – The Thought that Counts

"I n—never said I'm not sca—scared." I stammered mentally scolding myself for thinking the sewer would be a safe place to hide. I'm just too damn tired and petrified to move. He paused for a moment looking at me intently, like he was trying to focus.

"Hey, you're the broad Scarecrow keeps talking about. My breath hitched in my throat. Scarecrow? What more could he possibly want from me? He's already ruined my life… twice… I snapped out of my thoughts as Croc advanced towards me, a sickening grin on his face. I took a step back only to feel my foot slip off the edge of the ledge. It felt as if I fell in slow motion. I reached out for something, anything, the wall, rope, a hand, it didn't matter, but as I felt the cool sewer water on my back I knew I was in trouble.

I squeezed my eyes shut, took a deep breath, and prayed to every god I'd ever heard of. I sank into the water for what seemed like forever until I heard, what could only be the Killer Croc, jump into the water and felt the wake he left in the water pulling me further down. I panicked and frantically swam for the surface barely taking half a breath before his rough hand pulled my back down. I couldn't fight him off, I knew that. I just focused on holding my breath. But my lungs were only so big and my vision quickly began to go black.

I woke up in a startlingly bright room. My chest felt like it was on fire and I was alone. Panic, I knew that's what they wanted me to do. Well, then that's just what I won't do. That's just what I'm doing. I sat up on the gurney I was laying on. "How long was I out?" I mumbled to myself looking around the room. Everything was white and the bright lights above made it impossible to see the ceiling. I looked down at myself. My dress was covered in God knows what and the bottom was so torn it looked like it had been eaten. I only had one of my heels on; the other must have fallen off at some point in the sewer. I gingerly took the remaining shoe off and placed it next to me.

That's when I noticed the blood. My God! Is that mine? There's so much! I quickly checked myself over, only a few bruises, no cuts, definitely nothing that would bleed that much. It's not mine… Who the hell's is it? My breath started to quicken and I jumped off the bed.

My feet touched the cool ground and I shivered. A horrible and annoying high pitched laugh rang through the room, "Welcome, welcome! Was that bed not comfortable enough for you? That's a shame; I had it brought in especially for you," I looked back at the blood, then back into the white void above, "Well, maybe not especially for you, but it's the thought that counts they say."

"Shut up!," I mumbled under my breath.

"What was that? It's not polite to mumble," he began to laugh again.

"Shut up and tell me where the hell I am, Joker!" I yelled losing my patience. My palms began to sweat and I clench my hands into fists. There was no denying I was scared out of my wits and I was trying to compensate.

"Aww… You can't tell me you want to leave already. You just got here, and we haven't even had any fun yet!"

"This is supposed to be fun? You're one lousy host then." What? What did I just say? I couldn't have just said that… What is wrong with me!

"Come now, that's no way for someone in your position to talk," he sounded disappointed.

"Just tell me what I'm doing here. What fun could you possibly have with me? I'm just some random chick that… that thing kidnapped in the sewer!" I knew I wasn't making much sense. Since when did the Joker care whose head it was that he messed with.

He was silent for a few seconds, making me increasingly uneasy, "Hmm… I guess you're right. Well in that case I guess I can let Croc eat you. Oooooh Croc! Snack time!"

"WHAT?" I screamed looking frantically from the door to the ceiling and back to the door. It felt like an eternity waiting for death; my heart beat and the Joker's incessant laughing, the only sounds echoing through my head.

My whole body shook with fear as the door exploded in front of me and Killer Croc barged into the room, his heavy footsteps rocking the room. I tried to back around the gurney, but my foot got caught on one of the wheels and I stumbled backwards hitting the wall hard.

He closed the distance between us and I tried to push myself through the wall, "Now you're scared, aren't you bitch?" He laughed picking me up with one hand. I kept my head down and repeatedly punched his hand and kicked my legs tirelessly against his grip, but it was no use. "That's good, adds extra flavor. Now scream, bitch!" I brought my eyes to his as he brought me closer to his razor sharp teeth. I saw a raw, savage hunger in his yellow eyes as they narrowed.

I closed my eyes as I felt his hot breath on my neck and waited for the imminent pain, hoping just to pass out from the pain or die quickly, but it never came. I opened my eyes slowly, carefully. He was staring at me, hungry, but confused, like I grew a second head.

He shook his head and looked back at me opening his mouth once again and I knew this time there'd be no getting out of it. Croc grunted; In pain? I saw the collar around his neck light up and I felt his grip on my loosen, and never had I wanted to be in the hands of a monster before in my life. I tried to grip his hand, but it was no use; he flung me across the room. My scream was cut short as all the air escaped my lungs from my impact with the concrete wall.

As I slid down the wall, warm blood trickling down my neck, I could still hear the Joker. Laughing. "Silly Croc! You know I can't let you eat her, Crane's got plans for her."

"You bastard! I'll kill you Joker and savor the taste of your warm flesh!" Croc grunted as some of Joker's goons armed with guns escorted Croc out of the room.

"You see Ms. Hensley, to me you are worthless, but Crane's a… friend. And what kind of friend would I be if I let that monster eat you up? See, I'm a nice guy!" He laughed again.

The first chance I get I'm going to rip his voice box out.

"Now where is that scarecrow… Ah, here he is. You're late Crane;" his voice changed to almost a growl, "If I wasn't here Croc would've gobbled her up by now."

I lifted my head to look at Scarecrow as he entered the room. He ignored the Joker and stared at me. Part of me was terrified of him; terrified of what he'd down to innocent people, but the other part of me was sad. He'd gotten even skinnier than the last time I saw him. He was always thin, but he almost looked sickly. I couldn't see his face because of that damned dirty old rag, but I was glad. Would he even look like the Jonathan Crane I used to know?

The last thing I remember before I blacked out was Scarecrow's unsettling voice, "Come Maya, we have much work to do."

A/N: Hiya! Hope you all enjoyed it. I sure enjoyed writing it! Anyway, if any of you have any comments or requests for stuff you'd like to see in this story, I'm always open to new ideas so feel free to review of PM me. Also, I just wanted to hear from you all on whether you'd like this to be Scarecrow/OC or Croc/OC fic. That's it...

C-ya soon

~Angel