Chapter 8: Give A Heart A Break

Disclaimer: read chapter 1

Kathy came home quickly and rushed into her bedroom. She jumped on her bed, lying on her stomach with her face buried in her pillow. Tears started falling from her eyes, Jonathan's words echoed inside her mind like a record player - repeating them over and over.

She knew it was stupid to think that they could have a chance. She also knew that Jonathan was right. They couldn't be together. If anyone knew about them... Kathy doubted that anyone from Arkham would care except for Jeremiah Arkham. If he knew about the connection between her and Jonathan, then both of them would be out of the job. Kathy couldn't let that happen. She gave up everything from Florida to be here. Kathy realized that she had a great job in Arkham, and she couldn't let her feelings for Crane get in the way of doing that. She must forget about Jonathan and move on. However, the question was how?

"Why do you have to go and make things so complicated?! I've seen the way you're acting like you're somebody else and gets to me - frustrated!"

Kathy's thoughts halted when her phone rang. She immediately pulled the phone from her pocket and looked at the caller ID. Was it from Jonathan? Did he call to apologize? No, Jonathan was too proud for that. Maybe, he called to talk about what happened.

Kathy frowned in disappointment when her friend, Lacey, was calling. She sighed as she answered the call.

"Hey Lace," Kathy greeted her, forcing a happy tone of voice.

"Hey, girl," Lacey said in her excited tone. "You wouldn't believe who I saw at the café today!"

"Don't tell me. You met a boy?"

Lacey giggled. "Yes. How did you know?"

Kathy shrugged, rolling her eyes. "Just a guess. So you just met him?"

"Well, no. I didn't just meet him. He was an old friend back in high school. We talked, but not too long, because I had a job to do. However, he wanted to hang out and catch up with me."

"So, you're dating him now?"

"Well, technically, he didn't call it a date. He called it a classmate reunion. I'm having dinner with him Friday night."

"T-That's great, Lace," Kathy sniffled, trying to keep up her happy voice. However, tears threatened to fall from her eyes again. Kathy hated when her emotions got the best of her.

"Hey, Kat."

"Uh, yeah?"

"Are you okay?" Lacey asked.

Kathy nodded. "Yeah." She dabbed the tears that threaten to fall. "I'm fine." Kathy hoped that Lacey wouldn't ask her again, but that was just wishful thinking.

"You don't sound fine. Seriously, Kat, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Kathy insisted. "It's just something happened today, and I don't want to talk about it."

"Come on, Kat," Lacey tried to persuade her. "We can tell each other everything. Now, what's wrong?"

Knowing that she couldn't hide it from Lacey, Kathy had no choice but, to tell the truth as much as she hated it. She let out a sigh in defeat. "Lace, something happened-"

"I know. You told me that already. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Physically, I'm fine. Emotionally?" Kathy shook her head. "No. I'm not okay."

"Kathy, what happened?" Lacey demanded.

Kathy exhaled and leaned back against her bed, letting one word escaped her mouth.

"Crane."

"Crane?" Fear laced into Lacey's voice. She was obviously worried, because of Crane's capability with toxins. "Kathy, did he did hurt you? Should we call the police?"

"No. No. It's nothing like that. Don't worry."

Lacey exhaled with relief. "Thank God! Kat, enough with the suspense already! Just tell me what happened with Crane!"

"We kissed! Alright?!" Kathy gasped, realizing what she said out loud. She hated it when her big mouth got the better with her along with her emotions. After a few moments of waiting for Lacey's response, Kathy was wondering if she hung up or Lacey was too shocked to say anything.

"Hello? Lace? Are you there?"

"You two did what?!" Lacey asked loudly, causing Kathy to pull the phone away from her ear.

Kathy groaned as she put the phone back on her ear. "We kissed. Don't get overly dramatic about it!"

"How can I not?! Kathy, you're with a psychopath, who is capable of drugs and toxins!"

"Okay, he is not a psychopath!" Kathy snapped angrily. "I believe him to be legit."

"Oh my God! You're falling in love with him!"

"I am not!" Kathy denied, quickly biting her bottom lip. It was a lie. She knew, and Lacey knew it was a lie as well.

"You so are, Kat. I can tell! You can't deny it anymore!"

"Well, even if I am- and I'm not saying I am- but if I am, nothing is going to happen between us anyway!"

"What are you talking about?"

Kathy felt her eyes watery again. She hated it when she cried, and she hated it more when it's for a boy. It was stupid, but somehow she couldn't help it. "After we kissed, Jonathan went berserk!"

"Berserk how?" Lacey asked nervously.

"He said that it couldn't happen again. He... He's just making a huge deal about it!"

"Did you two go any further than that?"

"What?!"

"Kathy, tell me the truth. Did you two do more than just kissing?"

"What?!" Kathy shook her head, letting tears fall from her eyes. She couldn't believe that Lacey asked such a question. "No! Never! It was one kiss! Nothing else happened!" Kathy sighed heavily, feeling horrible about the situation. She wanted to regret kissing him, but she couldn't. She couldn't get him out of her mind. "But I want to," Kathy added quietly.

"Wanted what?" Lacey asked. "Have-"

"No!" Kathy cried out, not wanting to hear Lacey's question. "I want... I just want to be with him, but I can't because of the no dating policy in Arkham."

"Uh-huh," Lacey said in understanding. "Maybe the policy is a good thing."

"What?"

"Well, they made that policy for a reason. One time I dated Jake, a waiter at the café. We were together. However, that caused drama. We argued all the time, especially at the café. I got reprimanded by my boss, learned my lesson..." Lacey paused realizing that she was talking more about herself than her best friend. "Kathy, I'm sorry. Here I am, talking about me when you obviously have problems."

"No," Kathy waved it off. "No. No. It's fine."

"No, it's not! Listen, I am here for you-"

"I know you are. Look, I'm fine. Really."

"Are you sure about that?" Lacey asked in a non-believing tone.

Kathy sighed. "Well, not now. But when I talk to Jonathan about it, maybe we can move past this."

"Maybe?"

"Yeah, maybe," Kathy confirmed. "Look, you and Jonathan are right about one thing. Dating co-workers won't work out well. I need to get over my feelings for Jonathan and focus on my job. I don't want to get fired."

"Right. Just remember, I'm here for you."

Kathy couldn't help but smile. "I know. I appreciate that."

"That's what friends are for."

~000~000~000~

The next day, Kathy was anxious about going to Arkham for work. She had no choice, but to see Jonathan again. She knew that he wouldn't want to talk about what happened yesterday, but they need closure.

She walked down the hall, heading to the elevator. Before she could press the up button, music echoed against the walls before a voice took over.

"Doctor Knightly, please report to Doctor Arkham's office. Doctor Knightly, please report to Doctor Arkham's office."

Kathy let out a groan, resting her head against the elevator door.

"Great. What now?"

...

Kathy entered the boss's office with a knock.

"Come in," Doctor Arkham commanded, his eyes glued to his desk.

Kathy closed the door behind her, stepping towards Arkham.

His head perked up and smile at the sight of Kathy. "Doctor Knightly. Just the person who I want to see." He closed his folders, rising up from his chair, shaking her hand. "How are you doing so far?"

Not good. Though, she refused to say the words out loud, forcing a smile across her face. "Very well, thank you."

He motioned her to take a seat, which she did.

"So what can I do for you?" she asked.

"Do you mean what I can do for you?" Arkham pointed at her.

Kathy's eyebrows furrowed with confusion. "I'm sorry?"

Arkham smiled, amused at the look on her questionable face. He handed Kathy a folder. She picked it up, glanced at the Arkham stamp cover, before looking back to her boss.

"What is this?"

Arkham rested his elbows on his desk, interlacing his hands together, underneath his chin.

"Your very own high profiled maniac," he declared.

"Meaning?"

"You are ready, Doctor Knightly. Not only are you getting a doctor's former patient by the end of this month, but your actions will go solo."

Kathy widened her eyes in disbelief. "W-What?"

"You no longer need supervision. Your training, orientation, the practicals - that phase is over. You don't need a babysitter anymore."

Kathy's lips parted, gazing back at the folder. "You mean... I'm on my own now?"

"Yes." Arkham's face faltered. "Aren't you excited?"

Kathy shook her head instantly. "No! No! I-I mean I am! Don't get me wrong, I am very excited to talk patients on my own without help. I'm just surprised is all. Thank you!"

"Don't thank me, Doctor Knightly. For it was your supervisor who approved this."

Kathy blinked. "Crane? He did this?"

"He confided in me that you are ready. He believed you can handle the big boys (though those weren't his words entirely). I thought you were ready when you defused the Zeus fiasco, but he decided to keep you a bit longer. Since Crane approved you going solo, then I must give you the key. You earned it, after all."

Kathy's thoughts went back in time. She thought about her and Crane kissing at the park bench passionately. Kathy understood his reasons to drop her supervision, avoiding her wasn't the solution to this problem. She knew that they couldn't be too close, but she believed that she was ready to interview patients on her own. So she supposed that Jonathan did the right thing.

"Doctor?" Arkham's voice pulled Kathy out of her thoughts.

"Hm?" Kathy asked, turning her attention to Arkham. "What?"

"You can go now."

Kathy nodded, raising herself from her seat. "Yes, Sir."

~000~000~000~

Jonathan entered his office, reading through some papers until a door slammed behind him. He quickly turned to see the woman standing by the door, though he didn't utter the silent question first.

She answered for him.

"You dropped the supervision," a woman said in a sad, faint voice.

Jonathan leaned back against his desk, dropping the papers next to him; his arms crossed and his eyes stared down at her.

"And that surprised you?" he challenged.

Kathy shook her head. "No... No, not really."

"Why are you here? Where is Miss Thomas?"

"I told her that you approve a coffee break?"

"You are not authorized to do that."

"You're right. Yell at me. Don't yell at her, okay? I just come by to talk to you."

"We both know that we have nothing to talk about, Doctor Knightly," Jonathan lowered himself on his seat, returning back to work as if she wasn't here. "Now why don't you be a big girl and go back to-" He was cut off when two small hands slammed on his papers.

He gazed up at her with a warning brow. "Doctor Knightly-"

"Stop calling me that! It's Kathryn. Don't pretend that we have nothing to talk about. You know it; I know it. We need to talk about what happened at the park!"

"We already talked about it, remember? I don't appreciate you bring our personal mess into work."

"I know, but I think we should talk it out, so we can move past this."

"I'm trying to move on, but you coming into my office is making the task far difficult."

"And you think avoiding me is the solution to this problem?"

"Listen, Doctor Knightly," he stood from his seat, an attempt to intimidate her with his height. "I suggest you leave and forget about what happened. Forget about me. Steer clear from me. It's for the best."

"I can't just forget, Jonathan! If not now, when?" Kathy demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. "Huh? Tell me, Crane." Not getting a response from Jonathan irritated Kathy, though his silence was answer enough.

"You're a coward, Jonathan."

Jonathan stood there and narrowed his eyes at Kathy. "What did you say?"

"You heard me," Kathy hissed angrily as she turned to leave.

Jonathan instantly grabbed Kathy's wrist and yanked her closer to him. Her hip bumped against the desk, no doubt bruise. She turned around and faced Jonathan's irritated gaze with no sense of fear whatsoever.

"I'm not a coward, Kathryn," Jonathan said.

"Oh yeah? Then why are you avoiding me, huh? Whether you like or not, Crane, we are working in the same place. We are going to see each other. You can't just walk away from me every time. What would the other doctors say about that? Dr. Jonathan Crane, head of Arkham, scared of a tiny girl like me."

"You think I care what the doctors think of me?"

Kathy shook her head. "No, you just care what the other doctors think of us... together? Ashamed to be friends with someone like me."

"We can't do this, Kathryn. You know exactly why. If this is why you're really here, then I suggest you leave me be."

"I'm not here to pick a fight with you, Jonathan," Kathy clarified softly. "I just want to be friends with you again... but I can't do it all by myself, can I?"

Jonathan sighed, removing his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Why do you care so much to be friends with me?"

"Because I can't take this!" Kathy cried out angrily, yanking her hand out of his tight grip. She was irritated by Jonathan's calmness. It was driving her mad. She might as well have men in white coats take her away and lock her up in isolation. "I know we can't be together. I know that! But I don't like the idea of you walking past me pretending I don't exist and hating me!"

"Hate you?" Jonathan asked in disbelief. "Kathryn, I believe you have mistaken that with professionalism. If I did hate someone in this equation, right now, it is myself. That impulsive act-"

"What impulsive act?" Kathy asked. "The kiss?"

Jonathan rubbed his temples, huffing with frustration. "I'm sorry."

Kathy raised a brow. "For what? You have to stay away from me, or for being a jerk, or about what happened between us?" Kathy asked curiously.

Jonathan didn't reply at first.

"Sorry for what, Jonathan?"

"For being a jerk and what happened," Jonathan finally replied, hoping that would keep Kathy away. Unfortunately, that was wishful thinking.

"What about avoiding me?" she challenged.

"No, I'm not apologizing for that."

Kathy rolled her eyes at his remark.

"We both know that this," he tapped his fingers on his desk, "is the right thing. That kiss should have never happened."

"But it did, and you didn't like it."

Jonathan exhaled through his nose, clenching the edge of his desk. He couldn't tell her. He couldn't tell her he liked it. This was the best thing. The only thing to protect himself was silence.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"For what?" he asked, not sure why she was apologizing. "Breaking into my office? Sending my secretary away? Or what happened?"

"For not being able to be with you. You know I would never ever do anything that will get you in trouble."

They looked at each other for one long minute, a silent debate of who chooses to speak next.

Kathy stepped forward, leaned over his desk, puckering her lips on Jonathan's cheek. One brief, soft kiss before pulling away, facing him with a sad smile.

"Good-bye, Jonathan."

She didn't say the words as much as she wanted to. It was best if she walked away before making another mistake in Jonathan's eyes.

He watched her walk away, a part of him wanted to stop her and take her against the wall. He clenched his grip on his desk, refusing to give in to the temptation. Jonathan continued to stand and stare in silence, knowing that it was time to move on.

"Goodbye, Kathryn."

His thoughts were interrupted by an intercom.

"S-Sir," Emma stuttered, "you have a phone call from a guy named Henri Ducard. He seemed very insistent to speak to you."

Jonathan lowered back to his seat, pressing the button, replying back to Emma.

"Put him through."

~000~000~000~

After a few days, things were going back to somewhat normal. Jonathan wasn't avoiding her like he did Monday. He was polite with her, but he kept his distance from her. Kathy was happy they were talking but wished they could go out like they used to. Unfortunately, that was just wishful thinking. Nothing could happen between them again. Their job in Arkham was at stake.

Lacey had a classmate reunion with a guy named Troy. Kathy was surprised that Lacey remembered most of the guys' names because she dated a couple of them briefly - few, really briefly. Lacey invited Kathy to come along, but Kathy felt extremely awkward about the arrangement. She didn't want to feel left out, but Lacey assured her that Troy was bringing a friend with him. After many times of begging, Kathy reluctantly agreed.

Lacey picked Kathy up at her apartment and drove to Carrabbas. Kathy was happy that they're going to her favorite Italian place for dinner. Lacey pulled up a parking space near the entrance to the restaurant. They sat there in silence. Lacey turned her rear view mirror towards her, so she could check on her makeup and curls, making sure both components were intact, not a smudge or frizz on sight.

"Listen," Kathy broke the silence, "thanks for inviting me-"

"Hey, no problem. I'm not going to go without my best friend," Lacey smiled. "So are we ready?"

Kathy nodded. Let's get this over with. They stepped out of the vehicle and went inside the restaurant. Once they were inside, the hostess escorted them to a four chaired table, where two men were sitting across. One man had short, black hair and blue eyes, wearing a black suit. The other one was blonde, but Kathy couldn't see his face, only the back of his head.

"Hey!" Lacey greeted the men with a friendly smile.

"Hello, Lacey," the black haired man greeted Lacey by standing up and giving her a hug. "It's good to see you."

"You too."

Kathy realized the black-haired man was Troy, and she instantly knew he had a British accent. He pulled away once his eyes laid on Kathy's. Lacey noticed his gaze, stepping next to Kathy.

"Troy, this is Kathy. Kathy, this is Troy."

Troy greeted Kathy with a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Kathy."

"Nice to meet you too, Troy," Kathy smiled at him.

"Oh, and Kathy," Lacey stood next to the other guy who quietly remained seated. "This is..."

The blonde haired man faced Kathy, widening his eyes in shock. Kathy did the same when she realized the man looked familiar. He was the bartender at Gotham's Café who waited for Jonathan and her.

"Sam," the blonde haired man introduced himself. "Samuel Pofhal." Sam scooted closer to the edge of his seat, shaking Kathy's hand. "I know you probably won't remember me, but-"

"Oh, I remember you," Kathy reassured him. "I kicked me and my friend out."

"What?" Lacey asked.

Sam widened his eyes. "I-I'm sorry, I - it was against policy to-"

"Sam," Lacey placed both hands on the man's shoulders, giggled at his reaction. "Look at her face. She's kidding!"

Kathy's playful smirk confirmed it. Troy and Lacey chuckled, impressed by the trick and amused by Sam's dumbstruck face.

Sam sighed with relief. "Not cool."

"Well, it's indeed worth a chuckle or two," Troy clapped his hands dramatically. "Shall we sit down?" Everyone agreed as the women and Troy found a seat at their table. Lacey hurried to the other side, shoving Sam out his seat to sit across from Troy. Kathy seated next to Troy, completely flabbergasted at her friend's actions. Nobody missed the quiet set of curses, Sam bestowed on Lacey, before he took a seat next to her.

They ordered their meal and talked while waiting for their order to show up.

"So you work at Arkham?" Troy asked Kathy.

Kathy nodded. "Yep, that's right. For a couple of months now."

"Did you interview a bunch of crazy patients?"

Kathy shook her head. "No, I watched the sessions though."

"So you got to meet Gotham's most psychotic criminals?" Sam asked.

Kathy nodded. "Yeah."

"Especially that clown robber freak?" Lacey added.

Sam and Troy widened their eyes in shock.

"You met him?" Sam asked in disbelief.

Kathy nodded. "Yeah."

"Isn't he really dangerous and scary up close?" Troy asked.

Kathy shrugged. "Yeah, but he had on a straight jacket and a couple of guards behind him so... I am safe."

Lacey glared at Troy and held his hand. "Hey, Troy, I forgot my purse in my car. Could you go and get it for me?"

Kathy furrowed her brows at Lacey. "Is there something wrong with your legs, Lace?"

Lacey shook her head. "No, Kat, it's just I... need to go to the restroom." She turned her attention back to Troy. "So do you mind?"

Troy shrugged. "Not at all. Do you have the keys?"

Lacey nodded. "Yes... In my purse."

Troy chuckled as he scooted off his seat. "Right."

"My car is near the entrance. It's a red Mustang."

Troy nodded. "All right. I'll be right back." He left the table and headed for the entrance to the restaurant.

Lacey stood from her seat, brushing the wrinkles off her dress.

"Me too," She walked away from the table but headed the opposite way from the restroom.

"Hey, Lace!" Sam called for her attention. "The bathroom is that way!" He pointed at the direction to the bathroom, but Lacey already left the restaurant.

"She is weird," Sam mumbled.

"Maybe she wanted to make sure Troy found her car," Kathy suggested.

"Could be." An awkward silence filled the room, waiting for Troy and Lacey to come back.

"So... um," Kathy broke the silence, starting a conversation, "what do you do?"

"I think you know. You saw my work as a bartender."

"I know, but are there any hobbies you do besides that?"

"I work as a part-time bartender, and part-time as a cameraman."

Kathy raised a brow, "Cameraman?"

"I film for Vicky Vale."

"Vicky Vale?"

Sam glared at Kathy as if she said something stupid. "You don't watch the news, do you, Kathy?"

Kathy shrugged. "I do, but I'm still settling in."

"Couples months and you're still settling?"

"No! I..." Kathy trailed to see a smirk attempting to hide behind his hand. She scoffed, leaning her back against her seat. He was joking, evening the score. "Not cool."

"Now you know how I feel. So, Vicky Vale, she is a reporter for GCN," Sam replied her question. She opened her mouth to ask more questions, no doubt ask what GCN stood for.

"Gotham City News," Sam explained.

"Ah, must be exciting."

"Oh yeah. It's a pretty fun job."

Kathy nodded, thinking about another subject to keep the conversation going. "So how long did you know Troy?"

Sam shrugged. "Only twenty minutes."

Kathy glared at him with furrowed brows, confused about what he said. "Excuse me?"

"I never knew the guy, but apparently Shoelace does."

"Shoelace?"

"Lacey," Sam explained. "I'm good friends with her at the café."

"S-She..." Kathy paused for a moment before speaking. "She told me that you and Troy were good friends. Troy invited you here, didn't he?"

Sam shook his head. "No, Lacey did. She told me that she was inviting her friend and old friend from school to this place. She said to avoid you getting lonely, she invited me."

"Lacey invited you?"

Sam nodded.

Kathy was still confused. "But why would she do that?"

"So you wouldn't get lonely... at least that's what she told me."

Kathy froze for a minute, processing what just occurred. Lacey set the whole thing up. But why? Sure, Kathy was upset the past couple of days with Jonathan, but she wasn't ready to meet another guy yet. The thought made Kathy realize Lacey's real reason for setting this up.

"I'm sorry," Kathy apologized.

Sam waved it off. "Hey, don't worry about it. As long as Shoelace pays the bill, I'm fine with it. The only thing I don't get is why she invited me."

Kathy glared at him in question. "What do you mean?"

"I mean didn't your boyfriend want to come along?"

Kathy scrunched her eyes brows. "Boyfriend?"

"That nerdy guy at the bar. The one I saw you talking with."

"Jonathan?"

"Whatever his name is..." Sam dismissed the correction. "I'm sorry. I know it's not my business or anything. I mean we barely know each o-"

"No," Kathy shook her head. "Jonathan isn't my boyfriend."

Now it was Sam's turn to glare at Kathy in confusion. "He's not?"

Kathy shook her head.

"Oh..." Sam leaned back against his chair. "That's good..." Sam widened his eyes realizing what he just said, "I-I mean it's great you two are friends. I mean not that I care of course, but... I-I-"

"Sam," Kathy chuckled amused by his flustered behavior. "You're blushing."

"I am?" Sam was too focused on what he was trying to say, he never realized that his cheeks were red.

Kathy nodded.

"I'm sorry."

"No. No. No. It's fine." Kathy dismissed it, completely amused by the whole thing. "I think it's... adorable," Kathy smiled.

Sam raised a brow at her. "Really?"

"Yeah, really it's cute."

"You think I'm cute?" Sam asked with a smirk.

Kathy giggled while nodding. "Yeah, but don't tell your girlfriend I said that to you."

"Don't worry about it. If I had one, she would hurt you."

"Wait, so you are-"

"Single," Sam finished her sentence. "Yes. Officially. My ex broke up with me a month ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Kathy said sympathetically.

Sam shrugged. "It's fine. So she isn't the one. But hopefully, the right one would come along."

"I hope the same thing happens to me, too..." Kathy paused as the realization hit her. "So that's why."

Sam glared at Kathy. "Why what?"

"I know why Lacey set this up. She wanted this to be a double date."

Sam scoffed, shaking his head with a smile. "Not surprised. Shoelace is a lousy schemer. This isn't the first time she'd done something crazy. I remember her belly dancing in front of Asian people to get more tips."

Kathy giggled, picturing the scenario in her head. She took note of how long Lacey and Troy were taking for a purse. Either Lacey locked herself out, or the pair ditched the other two for a hotel suite.

"Didn't work obviously. The Asians complained, calling it offensive and left without pay. Shoelace was suspended for two weeks. Could this be a double date?"

"I don't know you well." As cute as Sam was, it couldn't piece the broken heart back together overnight.

"That's okay. I don't know you either, but what's stopping us from doing so?"

Kathy looked at Sam, who looked at her back with a flirtatious smile. Kathy couldn't help but smile. She wasn't sure if she should thank Lacey for lying to her or not. Depending on how the night would go, maybe there was a slight chance she could get over Jonathan. She could finally move forward.

...

Meanwhile, a car was parked outside the restaurant, peeking through the window. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel at the sight of the blonde boy placing his hand over Kathryn. His Kathryn. He didn't know why he came to witness this. Why would he be this upset? The girl needed to move on, be happy. He didn't expect it to be easy.

'Jealous much, Doctor Crane?'

Jonathan turned the key into the ignition and drove off, not saying a word.