A Change Of Heart Chapter Nine

Becky repressed a groan as the van jolted over another bump in the road. Aparently being droppped and having your head smash into a wall caused a killer headache. Every bump left her feeling like a red hot poker had been shoved into her brain, and there were a lot of bumps. Her back ached and she was going to have bruises the next day. All this was iconsequential next to one thing.

She'd been recognised. Batman knew that it was her wearing the costume and it was a fair bet that he thought she was a willing accomplice. If she was rescued now she'd be sent straight to Arkham. With Crane and the other crazies of Gotham for company. She did not want that. For once she was glad of the mask that hid her face. She had no idea what her expression was like but she doubted she looked strong, calm and capable. She needed to look tough. Strong. Because in Gotham weak people died every day and no-one gave a damn. She had to be strong or she'd never get through this.

Batman glared at the batcomputer as he reread Becky Albrights file. It was irritatingly blank. She'd undergone some therapy after her first encounter with the scarecrow, nothing of importance had been unearthed though. By all accounts she'd coped well and moved on. Her background was vauge. Loving parents excellent school record. Some incidents of bullying but nothing explicit was on record. Though Batman guessed that much of the extent of the bullying had been kept quiet or gone unnoticed. He'd read the file before. When Crane had originally targeted her. He'd wanted to know if there was any connection between the two that would explain the rouge's offer. There was none. The only new information was that since the attack she had paid several visits to Crane in Arkham. Even then there was no record of what happened during the visits themselves. No record of any threats or promises the Scarecrow might have made. Batman sighed and leant back in his chair. Wincing as the motion aggravated his wound. He heard the faint noise of a tray being set down and turned to see his butler and friend Alfred Pennyworth deposit a sandwich on the table behind him.

"Is there a problem sir?" The elderly gentleman enquired politely.

Bruce grunted, "The Scarecrow has Rebecca Albright"

The butler raised an eyebrow, "The young lady who refused to become his accomplice? Has he kidnapped her?"

"Possibly, she was with him at a break in at Wayne Enterprises, in full costume. She was the one who fear gassed the victims." Bruce replied.

"Then it would appear that the Scarecrow has broken her entirely sir." Alfred observed.

"I'm not so sure, she seemed terrified. It's possible that he's threatened her." Bruce grunted.

"Indeed sir. If you'll excuse me I have things to do." The old man left.

Batman turned back to the screen. Maybe there was something he'd missed.

Scarecrow glanced covertly at Becky. She looked exhausted and defeated. Good. She'd be much easier to manipulate that way. The heist had gone reasonably well considering the bats involvement. Most of the chemicals had been loaded up into the van before his interruption. Scarecrow had been forced to leave his hired goons behind. No matter. They were easily replaced.

He was a little concerned about Becky. She'd hit her head when the vigilante had dropped her and it was possible she had a concussion.

Oh well if she was going to be his partner then she'd have to get used to such injuries.

So far she'd said nothing since the short conversation they'd had before the Bat's arrival. It had probably been something of a shock for her, being seen as the villain rather than the victim. Few people ever wondered what it was like to be on the recieving end of the vigilantes punches.

"I can't go home now can I," Becky said suddenly. She glared at him resentfully. "Everyone thinks I'm working with you, that I CHOSE this."

Jonathan nodded. "No you can't. I'm afraid that as far as the good people of Gotham are concerned. You're a criminal."

Becky put her head in her hands. "Well I guess I'm fucked aren't I. You've won. The whole world thinks I'm your bloody Mistress of Fear. And there isn't shit I can do about it."

The Scarecrow blinked. He'd never heard Becky sound off like that. Still, she'd been through a lot today it was understandable.

"Indeed. I'm afraid it's me or Arkham." He replyed cooly. Seeming unruffled by her choice of language.

Becky laughed bitterly. "Either way I still end up in a padded cell. Only difference is how long before I go in."

Cranes eyes narrowed slightly at that. She had a point though. Much to his chagrin the Batman managed to drag him into Arkham far more often than he'd like.

"Perhaps, but I guarentee you that if you go in as my Mistress you'll have a far easier time of it than if you go in alone. No-one would mess with you under my protection. And you'd have a far greater chance of escape." He shot back.

Becky sighed and slumped in her seat. "Just let me think alright." she muttered.

Crane nodded and turned his gaze ahead. He'd removed his mask shortly after exiting the bank. The last thing he needed was to be recognised by some imbecile during his gettaway. He arrived at the hideout and Becky went into her cell without complaint. No doubt physically and mentally exhausted. He went to his lab and began working to replace the fear-gas he'd used at the bank. But his thoughts constantly turned to Becky. Would the days antics at the bank be enough to make her turn to crime? She was no fool. After some rest and a chance to calm down she'd soon realise that he hadn't been strictly honest with her. She'd probably get off scott-free should she be rescued now. No-one would believe her to be willingly aiding him. Except the tabloids. And no intelligent person believed those. Just the teeming masses of Gotham.

Still. Those would serve their purpose. Paranoia was a wonderful thing. Enough to make the sanest person doubt themselves and their position. Not to mention someone with a mental state as fragile as Becky's. He was so close. He could almost taste victory.

Becky lay in her cell and sobbed. He'd effectively won. She might not be his mistress yet. But he'd more or less cut off her escape route. She'd end up in an institution if the police ever found her. Even if she somehow got off the hook for that she'd forever be known as the Scarecrows bitch. The girl who had a supervillain after her because she'd had the stupid idea of testifying against him. The girl who'd fear gassed a bunch of people because he'd told her to.

Becky wept on her matress. Curled into a ball. It didn't matter which way she turned. The future, was a very bleak place.

Hey big pile of chapters up. Sorry it took so long. It's been pretty hectic around here.