Disclaimer: I don't own Jonathan Crane (sadly) nor Batman. I don't claim to own them. I don't make any profit off of this. I'm just having fun.

Interlude

01

Something jarred me out of my sleep. Everything seemed a bit... off. Like I could actually feel the world spinning, only less dramatic and inside my skull.

I felt an awful burning in my throat as I blinked at Jonathan's clock on my nightstand. Four-thirty. I couldn't keep myself from coughing, my burning increasing by ten. Jonathan was still asleep next to me, his face even more beautiful in it's relaxed state.

Looking at him made me restless. I found myself getting out of bed and padding my way out of the room, smothering another coughing fit as I went. If I couldn't sleep, I wasn't going to keep Jonathan up if I could help it.

The townhouse was cold and near silent as I made my way down the stairs to the living room. Without my father, this house itself seemed to have lost all it's comforting ability. I used to feel safe and wanted here. Now I felt like a trespasser. Jonathan called me silly, but my heart told me this was more of a tomb than a house.

Nevertheless, I curled up on the ridiculously comfortable tan couch. The cool faux leather gave me goosebumps so I grabbed the red patchwork blanket off the back and wrapped myself up. After another coughing fit, I turned on the TV.

As the screen flickered on, a blown up picture of a dark figure went across the screen before a bald man in an ugly green suit appeared. The man blinked his small eyes before clearing his throat. "Yes, that picture is believed to be Bruce Wayne, heir to the million-dollar Wayne Enterprises. Mr. Wayne was reported missing by his butler, Alfred Pennyworth, the day after Joe Chill's parole hearing."

I felt the burning again and I coughed again, the spasms more violent than before. "Ugh.." I wiped my mouth and cringed.

During my fit, the bald man had transformed into another equally bald man, only this one wore a pinstripe suit. A bit of an improvement. His mousy face negated the suit, though. "I think Wayne finally couldn't face it, Charles. He's always been a bit of a brat, dropping out of Princeton like it wasn't good enough for him."

"You're just jealous." My voice came out a harsh whisper. Yep, I'm sick. I grabbed the remote and changed the channel, settling on the cooking channel.

"Dahlia, why aren't you in bed?" I didn't even hear Jonathan come up behind me so I damn near jumped out of my skin. He was clad in only a pair of his PJ pants and his hair was adorably mussed, an entire patch sticking up on the right side.

I shrugged under my blanket. "Not..." I broke into coughs. "Feeling well. I didn't want to wake you."

As soon as he heard the rasp in my voice, Jonathan was wide awake. He crossed the space between us in a single step and was sitting across from me. I couldn't help but flinch away when I felt his cold hand on my forehead. "You're burning up. Thermometer?"

"Bathroom." Just saying that felt like trying to swallow glass shards. Jonathan was gone for a second, two tops.

"Open your mouth." I rolled my eyes and made to take the thermometer, only to have it snatched back. "Dahlia." His eyes narrowed on me.

Exasperated, I opened my mouth, closing it again on the thermometer. I mumbled something obscene. My boyfriend pursed his lips and watched me like a hawk, only glancing at the VCR occasionally to check the time.

I let me head roll back onto the back of the couch and didn't even bother to look up when the thermometer was plucked from under my tongue. "Alright. Tylenol it is and then back to bed."

"Not a... child." I couldn't keep from coughing and my chest was starting to ache.

Jonathan wasn't having any of that, though. He helped -more like pulled- me up to my feet. "Your temperature is high, Dahlia. If you don't cooperate, I will have to assume that thermometer wasn't accurate and will take you to the hospital, where they take temperatures in a more... direct route."

If I could talk, I'd be telling him exactly what he could do with the thermometer.

He had me back in my bed with the covers pulled damn near up to my chin before he left me again. He left the door ajar so I heard him jogging down the steps. When I was sure he was gone, I reclined against my pillows and stole the TV remote.

Jonathan was back before I could decide on something to watch. His glasses were perched on his nose and he was carrying a cup and a pill bottle. The scars on his arms and sides glinted in the light from the TV. He scowled at me before pulling the remote out of my weak hands. "You need to sleep, not watch mindless television. Take these and close your eyes."

He handed me two white pills and the cup of water. I downed them both, grateful for the way the cold soothed my throat a little. Without another word he turned to go and I panicked. I lunged and grabbed his arm. Jonathan turned back to me, his blue eyes wide.

Since my voice sounded like that of a sixty year old chain smoker, I just patted the bed next to me. The man's eyes went from me to the bed and back to me before a small smile broke out on his face. "Alright."

I gave him a pained smile in return as he climbed into bed with me. Giving him time to get adjusted, I pulled the glasses off his face. I guess it was a testament to how long we've been together that the intimate move didn't even phase him anymore.

Finally situated, Jonathan pulled me against him so my back rested against his chest. To my fevered skin, his cool touch felt like pain and paradise all at once. My eyes slid closed and I registered his lips on my shoulder before the darkness washed over me.


I woke up to a kiss to my forehead and I blinked my eyes open. Sunlight was streaming through the blinds and Jonathan was sitting next to me on the edge of the bed, now dressed in a pair of jeans and a short sleeved shirt. "Hey, there." He gave me another small smile. "How are you feeling?"

I frowned and took inventory. My chest still ached but I didn't feel the need to cough and the stabbing pain in my throat dulled to an annoying throb. "Better. I think." My voice still sounded awful.

Jonathan nodded. "Your fever broke a couple hours ago. I'm going to make a trip to the store to get ingredients for soup, does that sound alright?"

I smiled. "Please. And green tea?" He smiled back and his face got closer to mine before I put my hand on his forehead to stop him. "You'll get sick."

He raised a thin dark eyebrow and I knew he took this as a challenge. Before I could stop him, he swooped in and his lips brushed mine softly. My eyes fluttered closed as his lips were pressed from my mouth to my nose and from my nose to my forehead. "Like a mere virus could keep me away from you." I almost giggled as he kissed my cheek before standing. "Stay in bed, the remote is on stand if you want to watch that mind-melting drivel. I'll be right back."

"I love you." He made it to the door before turning around, his gaze warm.

"I love you, too."


A/N: It's short! I know. But I've been sick lately (hence where I got my inspiration, too bad I didn't have Jonathan taking care of me. Sigh.). I just wanted to get this out so you guys know I didn't forget about you.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited, followed, etc. You guys are seriously the best ever and I love all of you!

Remember, my Tumblr link is on my profile if you're interested. The next chapter should be out in a couple days if I can kick this cold.