Author's Note: Well my lovelies welcome to the second chapter! I was so excited when I started getting the notification emails from all of you signing up for alerts, favorite-ing, and the two lovely people who reviewed, but I'll get to them in just a second.

First off, I realized that some of you may not know how to say our lovely main character's name! Cecily is pronounced with both of the C's hard; so think of the town in Italy but say the two C's strong… like CeCily. Got it? If it helps, try thinking of it like a shorter Cecilia.

Next, I stayed up most of the night planning how I wanted this story to go, and I'm warning you now, even though this may be a romance, the romance won't really show up until somewhere around chapter ten.

Firespin98: You might be right about that (.) I have the feeling a lot of people will like this too, and I hope I can live up to everyone's expectations….

Ninjapoke: I got those too while writing this ;)

Thanks to you two who reviewed! Now…. Let's get on with the show!

Serene, I fold my hands and wait,

Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;

I rave no more 'gainst time or fate,

For lo! my own shall come to me.

I stay my haste, I make delays,

For what avails this eager pace?

I stand amid the eternal ways,

And what is mine shall know my face.

Waiting by John Burroughs

Chapter Two: Petrified, Perfect, and Planned

Without bothering to speak to the inattentive woman at the front desk, Cecily dropped her visitors' pass in the basket and hurried outside. The rush of frozen air hit her hard in the face, freezing the tears to her cheeks. She walked as quickly as she could in the ice, making her way through the parking lot and towards the bridge that led her home.

Snow had started to fall harshly down on her, mixing with the chilling air that threatened to rip her hair out of her braids. She hurriedly put on her turquoise mittens and pulled up her hood, trying to keep herself at least a little warm until she got home.

'What…what happened back there?' She drifted into her own thoughts as her feet shifted into autopilot. 'I couldn't stop staring at him, and his voice made me feel…' She blushed and bit her lip, remembering the chills she got all over her body from listening to his frightening voice. 'He scares me. Like he should. But I can't help feeling…' Something deep within her stirred, and she felt warmth in her lower stomach along with the butterflies already there. 'NO! I'm not attracted to a psycho like the Scarecrow!' Cecily squeezed her eyes shut, trying to keep her cool.

She quickened her pace, trying to get home as fast as she could to avoid being caught out in the dark in the Narrows. As she walked around a corner, she could see her car that she couldn't afford to drive in the parking garage of her apartments. Her apartment was in one of the few decent parts of the Narrows, but it was still dangerous. She stole a quick glance at her watch, 8:36.

'Shit, I need to get home…' After practically running up the stairs, she was unlocking her door to safety.

The apartment was small, dark, and the opposite of what Cecily would be expected to have. The only color came from her, especially her clothing. With a sigh, she removed her boots, then her coat, revealing a soft peach and green striped long-sleeved dress. After taking off her headband, she tried to repair the damage done to her poor hair. Removing the hair bands, she carefully combed her fingers through the tangles while walking towards the kitchen.

It didn't take long for the water to boil, but it took twice as long to get her hair tangle-free. She sat on the worn couch; tea nestled in her hand and turned on the T.V. to the History channel.

"Welcome back to Fear-History of our Nightmares on the History Channel…"

Jonathan was a man with a plan, and this plan was foolproof. It wasn't the most complicated thing in the world, but it still required some time to do, and that alone made the Scarecrow antsy.

'Come on Johnny boy…let's get going. Why haven't we broken out of this fuking hell hole?' Jonathan sighed inwardly, running a hand through his hair.

'It starts tonight, can you please be patient?' Scarecrow growled darkly, but was silent. Jonathan leaned back against the wall of his cell, and waited for phase one to begin.

An hour later, right on schedule, Jonathan heard the sound of a key in the lock of his cell door. He didn't bother to open his eyes, instead skipping right to the point.

"So, what did you find me, Marty?" He heard the rustle of cloth, and the gentle crinkle of paper.

"Cecily Adams. Born June 16, 1989 to a Mrs. Hannah and Mr. James Adams. Father was killed in combat overseas when she was three, Mother committed suicide five months later. Raised by her only surviving family member Ms. Anna Jones, who is committed here in Arkham for dementia, seizures, and occasional lapses in memory." Marty's voice was cold and hard, the opposite of what everyone else knew him for. Crane half opened his eyes, looking lazily up at the burly man.

"Does she have an address, Marty?" The man nodded, handing Jonathan a slip of paper along with a suit and the Scarecrow mask. Jonathan smiled darkly. "A job well done. I'll be sure to deposit a nice bonus for you in the bank." Marty shifted uncomfortably.

"You won't hurt her…right Crane?" Jonathan laughed, and immediately Marty knew; the Doctor had left the building.

"Hurt her?" The voice of Scarecrow pierced Marty's head, raspy and cold. "I could never hurt a perfect specimen as that." With a glance to the larger man, Scarecrow slipped on the mask and walked out of the cell doors. "I'm just going to make her scream."

The park was alive with butterflies. Cecily danced about in their colors, her own vivid green dress twirling about her like petals. Her mother sat on a bench, book on one hand and the other on her slightly swollen belly. Cecily ran up to her mother, looking up at her with a chubby rosy face.

"Mama, look at all them!" She waved her arms excitedly at the park, making her mother laugh. "Yes baby, they're almost as pretty as you!" Cecily laughed and ran to try and catch one. As she flitted about the grass, in the corner of her eye she saw a man dressed in military garb. Her eyes widened, running towards the man with a scream of "Daddy!" As she got closer, she noticed the mud covering his uniform, the blood on his face, and the missing part of his skull. She stopped running, and stared at the spot where his brain was oozing out of his skull, and then at his face, mauled and mangled, barely the face she knew to be her father.

"My sweet baby…" The man advanced on her, and Cecily let out a cry. "Daddy's home…" She ran, back to her mother who was still sitting under the oak tree.

"Mama! Mama!" She was crying by now, breathing hard and stumbling. As she got to her mother, she saw the book being lowered from her face, and the blood dripping down the side of her dear mother's head.

"Why sweetie, what's wrong?" Her mother smiled, blood trailing into her mouth. "Don't you like the pretty butterflies?"

Cecily shot up in bed, a scream still raw in her throat. Sweat clung to her skin, her hair matted to her face. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she shook with terror and cold, running a hand through her hair.

'Just a dream…' Her hands shook as she made her way to the bathroom, where she ran the warm water. 'Just a terrible, horrible nightmare…' She splashed it on her face, washing away the tears with her anxiety. She turned the faucet off, and looked into the mirror, and right into the reflecting eyes of the Scarecrow.

"Time to play, little Butterfly." His toxin hit her instantly, and she found herself looking into the face of him, his black hair wild and his face in a snarl. She could hear his voice all over again in her head, just like that night.

"Don't bother screaming little cunt, no one can save you."

Cecily screamed, thrashed, clawed, and tried to crawl away from the man, tears streaming down her face and neck. Scarecrow tried to restrain her, growing more and more excited from her struggles. He smiled wickedly under the mask.

'Isn't she wonderful, Johnny? Look at the ways she squirms under us, and her screams are so delicious…'

'God, you're worse than a horny teenager.' Jonathan looked down at the girl, who was now beginning to cough along with scream. 'That isn't a good sign Scarecrow. Give her the antidote.' He felt the Scarecrow stop smiling, and loosen his grip on the girl.

'Antidote? I thought you brought it.' His voice was that of fake concern, making Jonathan growl.

'You idiot! You left the hideout without a fucking antidote?' Just as Jonathan was about to rant and rave on his other half, they heard a loud crack, and felt Cecily's body go limp. Looking down, Jonathan saw she had hit her head on the cupboard below the sink, and was knocked out cold.

"Great," said the Scarecrow, picking up her lithe body. "Now how am I going to have any fun?" With that, he walked out of the apartment, and down to the cold and dark streets.

AN/: Well, there you have it! The exciting chapter two! I expect a lot of reviews from you guys! No more just signing up for alerts and shit…I need some feedback!

~Zoo