Title: Revealing Reason

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own anything except Tierney and the general plot. This story does not contain slash. This story does not contain incest. This story does not contain extremely graphic violence. This story does not contain adult scenes. This story contains few (if any) swear words.

With this said, read on, valiant reader!

AN: I'm sorry! I've been busy, and so has my beta. Hope this makes up for it. Enjoy!

4: Fearless

"Well, you stood there with me in the doorway
My hands shake, I'm not usually this way
But you pull me in and I'm a little more brave
It's the first kiss, it's flawless, really somethin'
It's fearless"

~~Fearless by Taylor Swift

He ran his fingers through my hair and slipped his arms around my waist as I wrapped my arms around his neck. My lips began to buzz pleasantly from the uncommon pressure of his mouth on mine. The door creaked, and I pulled back hastily, knowing that my cheeks were beginning to burn bright red. He, however, kept his arms around me as everyone came trooping out of the building.

"That wasn't an apology," I hissed.

He shrugged. "We kissed and made up."

"Yeah right," I snapped, pushing away, trying to ignore the fact that my cheeks were bright red and he was still smirking at me. "It doesn't change anything."

His words floated after me. "Keep telling yourself that, love."

The steam of the shower washed over me, bathing my tired skin with its warm caresses. I ducked my head, and the water massaged my scalp. Reaching for the shampoo, I reflected that villains certainly needed a lot of stuff. I wanted to call them props, but I didn't want anyone to get mad at me. After the Joker's errand, we stopped at a chemical supply warehouse, or some such place, to get chemicals and equipment that Jonathan needed to make more of his toxin. And why does he need more? I wondered, a little irritated. He wouldn't have to make more if he didn't use it on everyone he came across. But the water cascading over my body didn't let me entertain frustrating thought for long. After that, we stopped at a hat shop for Jervis. He walked out wearing a stack of "Mad Hatter" hats, which were basically top hats that flared out above the hatband instead of going straight up. I laughed.

I stopped laughing, however, when he stole computer devices and explained to me (using Alice references) that he was going to make mind-control devices that influenced a person's brain. I resolved then and there never to put on another hat without inspecting it very, very carefully. All Edward needed were a couple of riddle books. I thought he had made up his own material, and told him so. He assured me that he did, but he sometimes needed external sources to get his creative juices flowing. This was Edward we were talking about, though, so he didn't say exactly that; the man in green covered in question marks made lots of metaphorical remarks and cleverly disguised his meaning. That was the version after I had untangled his meaning, which took some time, I'll say.

I rubbed the shampoo and conditioner into my hair and rinsed, trying not to think about earlier to the time when Jon… I touched my lips and sighed, sticking my face under the water, which was inching toward the scalding mark in order to chase away those unruly, and certainly unwanted, thoughts. I hadn't accepted his apology. So it didn't matter. Right? I rubbed my arms absently, touching the scars there. I began to count them. Seven tally mark scars on my arm, possibly self-inflicted. Then there was another scar that snaked around the back of my neck and down my shoulder. That was eight. There were also multiple tiny scars around my ankles ad a messy looking one on my right knee, faded with age. I was up to around fourteen by now.

I lost count when someone knocked on the bathroom door. I jumped, fighting the urge to crouch away from the door. I had a shower curtain and a sliding glass door in between myself and a locked door, for goodness' sake! "What?" I snapped over the spray of the water.

"Some other people might want to use the bathroom sometime this year," the person I was just thinking of said from the other side of the door.

"Wait your turn," I commanded, and tried to go back to enjoying the water. But it was harder, knowing he was just on the other side of the door. I huffed and shut the water off. You ruin everything, I thought. I slid the door back and reached around the curtain for the towel I had placed on the commode, as if I was expecting him to come through the door. I did lock it, right? I thought for a frantic moment, second guessing myself. But yes, I had. Scrubbing the water droplets off my quickly cooling body, I snatched up my underwear and clothes, thanking every lucky star I knew of that I had brought my clothes into the bathroom with me. I dressed and wrapped the soft towel around my wet hair like a turban and unlocked the door.

He leaned against the wall by the door, with an amused smirk on his face. "Do you usually take half an hour in the shower?" he inquired, a mischievous glint in his blue eyes.

"None of your business," I said stiffly, making sure my towel didn't fall off my head.

He smiled, a full-blown, happy, cute, grin that included teeth that were mostly straight.

Running a finger down my jaw line, he showed me the soapsuds that coated the tip. "Missed a spot," he said, passing me and entering the bathroom, shutting the door, leaving me standing there with my hand touching my face. He had left a trail of fire going down my jaw.

Stupid, stupid, stupid hormones, I huffed to myself.

Going downstairs, I asked Harley if she had a brush, and if so, could I borrow it.

"Sure thing!" she exclaimed, and disappeared into a room. I didn't follow; I didn't want to get any closer to the room Harley and the Joker shared. Ugh mental pictures, I said to myself, repressing a shudder. That just seemed like all kinds of wrongness. Harley popped back out, holding a brush. "Here you go, Tierney!" she said with a smile.
"Thanks Harley," I said. She just seemed way too chipper. She walked away, and I sat down at the table. Taking the towel off my head and squeezing the excess water out of my brown hair, I began to hack at the tangles with the brush. Just about ¾ of the tangles were gone when Crane came down the stairs in fresh clothes and a sweater vest, of course. His hair was wet as well, but it was short enough that it would dry quickly and leave no tangles. I huffed again. Guys had it easy.

Walking to the kitchen behind my back, his fingers ran through my hair, and I jumped. "Cut it out!" I demanded, jumping up from my seat.

"Just trying to help," he said innocently.

"Well you don't have to."

"What if I want to?"

"Stop it!" I told him.

"Why?"

I didn't like the way my emotions ran wild when he was near. I didn't like the way my heart skipped beats. I wanted to stay mad at him. It was easier to keep him at a distance with anger. But I wasn't going to say that, and since I couldn't say that, I didn't know what to say. It gave him time to get closer, effectively trapping me between him and the table. "I don't like people touching me," I finally said. A stupid excuse, but I hoped he'd get the hint.

"That's strange," he said, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. "I thought you liked it."

"Well, you thought wrong," I said, trying to move away.

"Was I wrong?" He murmured, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Let go," I said, embarrassed and nervous. It wasn't a good idea to be this close to him, or anyone. It wasn't safe. I started to wriggle away, suddenly aware of several people in the doorways.

"Why?" He asked, pulling me closer. "What are you afraid of?"

I gave him a strange look, wondering if his choice of words were accidental or on purpose. His blue eyes twinkled, something I had never seen them do. Then, in front of everyone, he pulled me close and kissed me again. I tried to push against him, but my toes curled and I melted into his arms. Multiple people began giving wolf whistles but somehow… I didn't care right then. I didn't even mind being close to someone.

"See?" he whispered into my ear after he broke the kiss. "Nothing to be afraid of, Tierney."

Right, Johnny boy. Nothing, except a lunatic clown, multiple thieves and murderers, insane people, and the fact that somehow I let you kiss me. Three times. And I liked it. A lot.

Nothing to be afraid of, except the fact that sometimes you scare me out of my mind. Nothing except I might possibly be in love with you in spite of it.


He watched her disappear, slipping out of his grasp –again. Jonathan Crane, the wonderful psychiatrist, could not figure this woman out. She was so unique; like a precious stone, she was multi-faceted, having many sides to the same Tierney. He had to admit, he liked them all.

Even the frightened side? A low, scratchy voice said, seemingly from behind him. Jon stiffened and refused to give into the impulse to turn. He knew the voice was only in his mind. Admit it, Jonny-boy, you like her frightened side.

'She looks very pretty with side eyes, but I do not enjoy frightening her,' he replied levelly inside his head.

You're a liar. It felt good gassing her. You wanted to watch her squirm, to cower beneath our gaze. He chuckled darkly. You kissed her. I think you'd like her to squirm beneath you, wouldn't you, Jon?

'No, that's what you want, Scarecrow,' Crane thought, walking to his room and shutting the door. 'You're the liar.'

We're a regular knights and knaves puzzle, Jonny. One of us always tells the truth, and one of us always lies. Problem is, no one knows who's who.

'I'm the one who tells the truth.'

What a lie. Scarecrow laughed. You know what you want. So just take it.

'No.'

Why?

'I won't let you take control. Tierney deserves more.'

Keep tellin' yourself that, Jonny-boy. But what're you gonna do when she keeps pushin' you away? Scarecrow growled.

Jon sat on his bed and punched the pillow in frustration. Why couldn't Scarecrow just shut up? 'She won't.'

Yes, she will. Scarecrow growled. She's a woman, and angry at that. What will you do after three, four, five rejections?

'Wait for the sixth, I suppose.'

I could take care of her for you, Scarecrow purred, and unbidden, Jonathan's mind filled with lascivious ideas. I'd let you watch.

'No! Stop it!' He thought, banishing the mental images. 'This is my body, and I am in control!'

That's what you think. We share the same body, true enough, but we're the same person. I am you. And you are me.

'If you're saying I'm crazy, I knew that already.'

Not crazy. You don't even have MPD or DID. I'm just one of your darker thoughts that you've given a name because I talked louder than most.

'Why should believe you?'

Do you?

'No. Just wondering.'

You shouldn't. Remember, Jonny-boy? One of us always tells the truth, and one of us always lies. Too bad the rest of the world can't tell the difference. Scarecrow laughed as he receded from the forefront of Crane's mind, leaving him alone even though criminal filled the rooms around him.

And since I think it's so much more fun to get a response back....

My anonymous reader: thanks for understanding. I'm working on improving my time management skills, and school and family and church come before writing. As much as that saddens me. Glad you like my story, i'll try to update regularly, if not quickly :)

JJ-Jefferu: lol. I have to pay attention in science, or else you miss a lot! thanks much!

DonTassi: I will do my best :) thanks.

TheCheshireCat101: I squeal all the time when i'm happy! :) glad to know i'm not alone. Aww, thanks!

Laurenmlbc: thanks for the long review! I do like the Penguin. I wanted to put him in Arkham actually, but Wikipedia said he was the only one of Batman's enemies who wasn't actually crazy! so I couldn't. Random fact. so glad you liked it :D

EmmberlyneRiddle: I'm glad you're hooked! I must be going something right :)

AkiTaku: don't have a mental breakdown! All will be revealed...eventually... ;) Thanks so much, I'm really glad you like it!

Tater Tots: I say awesome all the time, so feel free to say it! It makes me happy. XD

DarkRiddlesDestiny: Thanks so much! I'm always worried about how the plot is going. glad you like it.

LoRo31: I love that phrase -"wonderfully brilliant". I'm so glad you think so!

Thanks so much to Jazzy-me123, EmmberlyneRiddle, JLBowes, AkiTaku, DarkRiddlesDestiny, LoRo13, and Heretic Priest for your alerts and favorites! I appreciate it.

Have a Happy Easter Everybody!

He is Risen!