Catch and Release
Chapter Three
A/N Guess who's an extra in the filming of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Pittsburgh on Saturday! ; D
I can't wait!
I've been working desperately on Chapter Four, thinking "I need to post soon!" I go to do so only to realize I never posted Chapter Three! So sorry for that!
Thanks for the reviews!
When Jonathan arrived home that evening, he knew something was wrong. He never even left his door unlocked, yet it was just closed enough to stay in that state. He pocketed the key he longer needed before carefully opening the door and switching on the light.
His carefully packed-away books sat haphazardly on the floor, assorted clothing strewn about the room. He looked around the room, still standing in the doorway. The book dangerously close to the leaky spot of the room caught his attention immediately. Jonathan rushed over and lifted it from the floor, thankful it had not suffered from any water.
"Doctor." A voice dragged out the word behind him.
He whirled around, book still in hand. He blinked a moment before sidling towards the door.
"Joker."
Jonathan stood completely still as the Joker approached him. Blue eyes went to the man's hands, one in the open, the other hiding in his purple sleeve, undoubtedly clutching a blade. All Jonathan had was his book.
"Did you want something?" Jonathan wished he had anything else with him- even Scarecrow's mask would make him feel larger.
"Well, uh..." Joker stepped forward. "Yeah."
Jonathan frowned. "Are you going to tell me, or do I have to guess?"
Joker inched forward. Jonathan continued moving to the side, hand instinctively reaching for the canister of Fear Toxin he no longer carried. Suddenly carrying some around did not seem like such a terrible idea.
"Hm..." The Joker seemed to think about that for a moment.
Jonathan nearly rolled his eyes. "Alright then. You want something that someone else can't get for you."
"And Harley can get anything." Joker mused. His hidden hand slipped out of his sleeve. As Jonathan had thought, silver appeared with the flesh. Joker tapped his knife against his lips thoughtfully.
"Harley?" Jonathan was momentarily surprised. "She's out of Arkham?"
The Joker only looked at him condescendingly. Jonathan barely lifted one shoulder before dropping it.
"I should have guessed you would break her out."
Joker looked around Jonathan's room half-interestedly. "You are going to, uh, come with me."
Jonathan's eyebrows raised. "Why would I go with you?"
"Because." The Joker waited a moment before speaking again, Jonathan almost leaning forward in anticipation. "You are going to, ah, assist me."
Jonathan shook his head. "I don't think so." He clutched onto his book.
He was most definitely not going with the Joker. Jonathan had been doing so well, avoiding the temptation to mix up more Fear Toxin. If he did go with the Joker...
His fingers itched for the canister. He almost nodded, almost gave in.
But Batman. And Arkham.
Arkham, where they filled him with pills until he could barely register the psychiatrists and doctors. He had sat on his bed for days before anyone noticed he was not being dramatic- he honestly could not move.
"No." Jonathan said strongly.
Joker's face twisted. Jonathan barely managed to jump to the side as Joker ran for him. Jonathan ran for the door, tearing it open before dashing down the hallway. He needed to find something to defend himself with. He could take on the Joker if he were prepared, if he had-
"C'mon, Jonny." Joker called after him.
Jonathan took the stairs three at a time, jumping and sliding his way to the ground floor. Wide blue eyes looked back and forth. How could there be nothing?
He ran out int the alleyway, scanning the street. All his air escaped his lungs as his chest made contact with the filthy ground, Joker straddling his back. Fingers twisted in dark hair, pulling Jonathan's head back. Jonathan winced but refused to let any pained sounds escape.
"Be a good boy, Scarecrow." the Joker whispered in the man's ear.
Scarecrow's not here right now.
Jonathan bucked against the Joker, flinching as silver flashed and rested against his throat. He stilled, fingers clenching and unclenching in the mud beneath him.
"Joker."
Jonathan very nearly wanted to hide in the mud at the sound of that voice, full of anger and impatience.
"Batsy!"
Jonathan was thankful his mouth was closed the moment Joker pushed his head back down to the alley floor. He felt pressure as Joker pushed off him to stand before Joker was gone. Jonathan sat up slowly, wiping off his face in disgust. He knelt in the mud, trying to find a clean expanse of sleeve to clean off with.
He held his glasses in one hand, thankful they had not broken. He slid them on in time to see the Joker cross his line of sight. Black followed then stopped.
"Crane."
Jonathan looked up into the emotionless eyes of the Bat. Batman crouched down, reaching out with one hand and wiping away crusting slime. Jonathan averted his gaze and stood. Batman stood with him.
"Joker?" Jonathan questioned.
"Running." Batman watched as Jonathan vainly wiped himself off.
Jonathan finally stopped trying, face twisted in a mixture of indistinguishable emotions. "I'll be going then."
He had barely taken two steps towards his apartment building when Batman grabbed his shoulder. Jonathan instinctively stiffened, fingers curled around an invisible container.
"Why did the Joker come after you?"
Jonathan shrugged off Batman's hand as he turned to face him. He doesn't scare me... he doesn't... He repeated in his head. This was not the Batman he saw while dosed with Fear Toxin.
No, this was just the Batman who had dosed him with his own toxin.
Jonathan found himself growing angry. "I suppose he wanted tea."
"Crane." Batman rasped warningly.
Jonathan looked around the alleyway before looking back to Batman. "He wanted me to assist him with something."
"What?"
"I don't know!" Jonathan spat.
They stood in silence. Finally Jonathan took a breath and headed back into his building.
Batman stood and watched.
Jonathan threw a glance over his left shoulder to see Batman watching. He rolled his eyes and closed the door behind him.
