Shadow: so i kind of feel guilty for skipping January so heres a sceond for Febuary. I had a wonderful idea for this story and if all goes well there will be more to it than i started out planning. A lot more. Like maybe more than one story. And all the side moodiness is for the plot. It would be longer but i need sleep. I'm running on fumes as it is. Yay for college... WARNING: More bad language. I own nothing. I'm apologising in advance for Vicki's behavoir. I have no idea how she really is and am using her to get a future point across.
For the first time in months Janice was hot, and nearly desperate for a cool breeze. In the middle of a Gotham winter the very thought sounded insane, but here she was sweating like it was a southern summer. On a Saturday no less! One of her only off days. With a groan she looked around her, looking for her water bottle. The overly bright fauna seemed to burn its way into her mind, reminding her where she was. Frankly she found it mildly depressing that the bright colors she saw around her were almost a shock to her system from her years in a town that devoured cheer. If only it wasn't so hot in here! She glanced at one of the guards glaring at her, and she took back any pity she might of felt for the black clad man. She swore the guards were moodier than pubescent girl sometimes. One minute they were helping her pick up her papers the next they were knocking them out of her hands. All because Croc wanted to go outside. It was a reasonable request really, all the other inmates got free time. Of course they got it in the break room, not the gardens. And if it wasn't so hot those same PMSing men would be enjoying themselves.
With a huff of annoyance she looked away from the burning stare, taking in the suffocating nature. Ever since she took that horrible remote from one of them they had been acting rude to her. Just subtle looks she barely caught, but now it was getting down right hostile. Glares and 'accidental' shoves. If they want to treat someone like an animal they should just leave me out of it. A flash of movement caught her attention, and it took a few moments before her brain caught up with what she was seeing. One red eyebrow raised as she took in the scene, ignoring the heat in her cheeks. Whatever works I guess. Her charge that had forced her out on a weekend into this heat was sitting in the botanical fountain, probably causing untold damage to the stone. As long as it didn't come out of her bank account she was fine. In fact if her shirt wasn't white she might of joined him, or at least wait for him to leave before getting in. Or not at all.
She had to admit though, this was the most relaxed she'd ever seen the man. He might even be asleep over there. His piercing eyes were closed and his head, for once not hunched over, was leaning back allowing the fountain water to run down his scales and his chest. The ever present bandages he wrapped around his hands and feet were removed, possibly to keep them dry. He looked rather comfortable in the water. His broad shoulders stretched with his breathing, almost glistening. She couldn't help but take in the way his dark scales contrasted against the lighter green surrounding him. This side of croc was preferable to the angry man he usually was in his sessions. His claws reflected the light, reminding her that even this calm Croc was still highly dangerous. A sudden flash of gold drew her wondering attention to his eyes, now open and watching her with that calculating look of his.
Red rushed to her cheeks and with a squeak she looked away from those golden orbs. He knows. She twitched and focused on the surrounding greenery. There was no way he knew about the dream, how could he? Though he had been acting odd at the last session. Oh he had still been dangerously angry, only when she glanced at him he would be staring at her like he was now. It was unnerving. She saw the same look on her other patient and could recognize what it was. Processing knew information. That was the only way she could describe it. Now I know what prey feel like.
Avoiding his gaze she looked around the botanical gardens, squinting at the brightness of it all. It still at the Gothic gargoyles one would expect from Gotham and the gray stone slabs, but that's were the similarities ended. After living in the city for even such a short time the colors burned, but it was better than spending this outing in the cold. Frankly she had been stunned when Warden Sharp suggested, ahem, told her, to take him to the green house. Can't believe he even let Croc out at all. He said if Croc had been acting out like he usually did he would of said no, but with his current behavior saying no would just cause conflict. Only his ever present doctor would have to watch over him and ensure he didn't try to escape. I don't know what I would do if he did honestly, I'd probably run screaming again.
She had to admit though, he hadn't done anything to warrant her usual fear. Other than his size and general demeanor, he hadn't let out even a vocal threat or growl. The staring was unnerving, but as long as she didn't directly look at him she was fine. The only problem was the heat. She had already taken off her doctors coat and rolled up her sleeves to ward off the heat. What she really wanted to do was shed her shirt but there was no way she was EVER doing that with him staring at her like that. What would he do if I did? She frowned. She didn't know. Would he not care? His police reports never had anything about his sexual orientation, hell with his condition he might not have any libido at all. And its not exactly something people would ask him either. I'm not thinking about this, nope. She cursed her easily flustered cheeks.
Meekly she took a peek at him, and seeing him still watching she turned away. Right into the line of sight of the PMSing guard, who was now looking at her with confusion clear on his face. Crap! He saw that. She could just imagine what he was thinking and none of it was good. Squeezing her eyes shut she let out a silent curse and rubbed at her sweating brow. Great just what I need to top off such a WONDERFULL week. First the dream, then the medical faculty was getting into the papers where she should have been, and now she had to sacrifice her off day to spend with moody men. She didn't even know why the medical faculty was in the papers, only that they had been more excited then normal, which she could understand. What she didn't understand was why some woman wanted to interview her for their accomplishment. Vicky Vale. Janice heard of her before, and she was not looking forward to meeting her either.
The whole department had acting odd around her too, which confused her. The only thing that had been different lately was the whole running away screaming scene she was denying ever happened. But in her defense any sane person would of done the same in her situation! It wasn't as bad as the guards though. All she asked was who set Croc off and now the whole department was against her. It was petty and childish and she was not going to indulge them. In high school if she ignored the bullies they eventually left her alone, and that's what she's going to do now. It had nothing to do with her panicking at confrontations, not at all.
At least Croc was reading the book I brought him. The fact the only positive thing was caused by a mistake on her part wasn't missed by her. She wasn't sure if he was enjoying it though. Getting anything from him was like pulling teeth, and as far as she knew he could be faking it just to get his way. A sigh escaped her and she leaned back on her bench, discreetly glancing at her patient still in the fountain. It was too hot in here, but too cold outside. Clearly Croc thought the same. One of his guards was glaring at him, clearly agitated by the damage he was doing to the stone work. She noticed that this one had a real vendetta against the inmate, one that was only getting worse. He even dragged the others into it with him. And somehow he always managed to get Croc duty. Probably because what's-his-face isn't afraid of him. They just rubbed each other wrong. She bet he was the one to piss off the giant the other day.
"Times up Croc," She jumped at the voice, wincing at the venom practically dripping off the words. This is why Croc's so angry. If he gets sent into a rampage I'm running. It wouldn't hurt them to treat him like a person. It might even speed up this rehab process. "I said times up Croc!" Killer croc didn't move, only opened his raging eyes to the man and gave him a look that chilled her to the bone.
"Fuck off Cash!" He lumbered to his feet, water running down his chest and arms. For once he wasn't hunched over but standing to his full height, frighting her even more, but she still couldn't get the look out of her mind. Shit! Its going to end in bloodshed and they'll blame me! Quickly scrambling to her feet she took a step backward, readying herself for a mad dash to the exit. Panic flashed through her when her foot slipped in her heel, sliding off the sweat collected there. She gave a loud squeak when her palms and backside collided against the rough stone. It stung, but her pride was the real casualty. Squeezing her eyes shut, she laid where she fell and prayed for a hole to open up under her and swallow her. Hearing a humorless chuckle she peeked out from under her drenched bangs to see her charge. He continued to stare at her even as he scooped up his bandages. The look was mostly gone from his eyes, leading her to conclude that the danger had passed.
"Fucking klutz," Flushing she picked herself up, refusing to look at the man. Fantastic. Now I just need to rip my skirt and this week will be complete. She nearly fell again when he walked past, but thankfully he finally turned away and paid her no attention. His focus solely on the door out, leaving a wet trail in his wake. The guard dubbed Cash growled under his breath and followed him with his armed escort. It didn't take long for them to depart, leaving only her and her customary guard. The PMSing guard. Bob? Tim? No, maybe Larry? She glanced back to him to see him giving her a calculating look. Winching she tried to brush off the dirt stuck to her sweat slick hands. Why is it always me? Why couldn't it be Dr. Young or Waltzer? Or Mr. Zsasz' doctor, whoever they were. Or is that Dr. Young also? She really needed to get out of her office more.
"Are you ok?" She nodded quickly, angry at herself for the fall and him for his recent behavior. In fact she was angry with the world in general. All she wanted was to go home and pretend today never happened, maybe take a nap. "By the way, you ripped your skirt," He chuckled. She looked down, clearly seeing her Tweety bird underthings. I cursed myself didn't I.
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Janice skulked through the depressing building, still shivering from the winds outside. Her petite hands were pressed firmly behind her on the ripped fabric, trying in vain to prevent anymore frigid air chilling her further. With a shudder she imagined what Croc had gone through, soaking wet as he was. We really need to invest in him a shirt. If we can clothe Bane Killer Croc shouldn't be too much of a stretch. She looked down, just thinking about him in a shirt, hiding his huge chest and arms. Her brow furrowed at the thought. Groaning she rushed to her office, mentally cursing herself. It was just one DREAM! One little self-conscious fantasy that didn't even get far! Nothing changed! It was more of a nightmare than anything! He even insulted her today!Clearly he's nothing like her dream of him.
He did say the same thing in his session though. That had to be the one of her most embarrassing moments, hearing those fantasy induced words coming from him in real life nearly stopped her heart. Coincidences like that should be illegal. There was no way he knew of the dream. There had to be a logical explanation for his behavior.
Now was not the time for this, now was time for finding her spare clothes and escaping home. Without anyone seeing her. The staff knew she was watching Croc today, and seeing her sweat drenched and clothes ripped form might give the wrong impression. Already she had to duck behind a door to avoid someone. She practically sighed in relief when her door came into view, only stopping to find her keys. Can't wait to get home a shower. She frowned when the door opened without her inserting the key.
She always locked her door, always. She was a paranoid coward and the scenario where an escaped inmate hid in her room came to her often. There was no way she would ever leave the door unlocked. I had a nightmare like this once. Now should she open the door or run screaming, flashing her cartooned underwear as she went? Decisions decisions...
"Come on, where is it?" she jumped at the hissed voice, barely containing her squeak. The voice was female, and clearly looking for something. So not a murderer than, hopefully. She looked at her door feeling the familiar fear settle in again. Am I getting robbed? Should she confront the robber? What would they even want in her office? The most expense thing in there was her chair. She didn't even keep her files in there! That was all on her computer at home and in her beloved briefcase, which had been returned to her after stupidly leaving it in her bosses office.
A cold breeze brushed her rear, driving the fear away with a flash of anger. I'm too tired for this crap! With a scowl she hopped was fiercer than she felt she twisted the knob and walked in. For once that red-headed temper was going to be brought out. The tall woman looked up stunned, not expecting anyone to catch her. Why is everyone so tall in this City! Distantly she had to admit that at 5'3 most people were taller than her. Steeling herself from the distracting thought she focused her frustration into staring down the intruder. She was a professional therapist for the criminally insane, this should be a piece of cake.
"It was unlocked, and I left my purse in there," Janice could only give her a blank look. The other woman flushed and shuffled around as if the so called purse would leap out. Looking up at her ice blonde hair recognition flared in her. Its the reporter! This wasn't scheduled till Friday! She glared. No, she was not dealing with this today. If she was so desperate for a story she could go talk to Zsasz, he always had something to say.
"What are you doing in my office," good she sounded angry, for once she was going to control the situation how she wanted to. Ms. Vale looked her up and down, distinctly not impressed. She wanted to snarl. She had a rough day today! If she thought she could do better she could watch the cannibal! Walking to her chair she sank into it, glaring at the blonde, being careful not to flash her underwear. "What do you want Ms. Vale"
The reporter scanned her before settling into the opposite chair, not as comfortable as her own. "I wanted to talk to you about the medical departments findings," Yes that would explain the breaking and entering. Because that's a perfectly normal thing to do! She sighed and leaned back. She was not in that department! Those med guys never told anyone anything, so how could she know what they found?
"Ms. Vale, I'm a therapist. I might be a doctor but not that kind," Janice sounded like a professional at that moment, and bitterly she wondered why she couldn't sound like that during her sessions. It's not fair!
"You are Dr. Dials right? Your Killer Crocs doctor, so I think I'm in the right room," The woman smirked smugly at her, tapping on her name plaque, still baring smudges from restless hands. What's he done now? Couldn't she just catch a break! God! I want a nap!
"I am, and you still haven't told me why you're here," She was hoping she was channeling her mothers unimpressed look. She might of instead looked constipated, she wasn't sure, but hoped it was the former.
"I wanted to talk about him, how he's been acting and how the new findings would fix his behavior," Darn, she only understood the first part and wasn't trilled. And how would the medical departments findings fix him? Shouldn't they of told her if something important was found? Was his disease progressing?
"Ms. Vale, this interview was made for Friday, and any further questions will have to wait. As for his behavior, as of late it has been improving and any of his personal doctors could tell you the same. I'll tell you no more today and I would like for you to leave and not break into my office. Non of his files are in here and next time I'll report you," She could feel the bite to her words and inwardly cheered. The sooner this woman left the sooner she could put on her other clothes and go home. Home was all she cared about right now and this woman was getting in the way. The reporter glared at Janice, before standing and turning to go.
"This isn't over Dr. The public deserves to know about its criminals, and if someone found a way to subdue that animal they need to know," she shut the door behind her and Janice knew she had a new problem. With a groan she dropped her head on the desk and whined before repeating the action. At least I'll be in the papers. Her shoulders shook slightly and she didn't know if it was laughter or tears that caused it.
Shadow: I acually like this chapter, but that might be because of how tired i am. I want to thank the reviewers and i'm sorry if i don't respond to the reviews, i try to answer them in the wrighting. I was really excited to find that my average of two reviews per chapter, excluding 1, was topped to THREE reveiws! I'm not kidding, i was happy. I have hope for the same if not more for this one.
The reporter part was going to be longer but i got tired along the way and decided Janice's embarassement can wait a few more chapters. And Vicki Vale is in Orgins if anyone was wondering, and she is BLONDE! in one of the cartoons she was a red head. And why are all the women to tall in batman? most People i know barely hit 5'5, includeing me. Please review and keep reading. I'm going to bed.