Author's Note: Hahahahahaaaa...haaahaaaa...haahaahaa...aahaahaaaha...........I'm evil. I know.
Again: DON'T BE FOOLED. That's all I'm gonna say.
Chapter Nine:
It was demanding. His lips were soft, but he crushed them into hers painfully. He was pressed against her. It all happened so fast. She could smell his cologne. She couldn't focus. She couldn't process it. She couldn't respond. The doors opened. He let her go. Walked away. Cady just stood there. She felt unbalanced. He kissed me. She was out of breath. Her lips were swollen. Did that just happen? She touched her bottom lip slightly. The doors started to close again. She flung her arm into the sensor's path. They stopped and opened. Cady walked out, slowly. Did it really happen? She felt tipsy. He kissed me. Dr. Crane wasn't waiting for her. Part of her smiled. Part of her frowned. He kissed me. She made her way to his office. He wasn't there. Did he do that? She plopped down on the couch. Did that...? She dropped the file next to her. He did. Her head in her hands. Her mind racing. Did that just happen? Am I going crazy? Did it really happen? She couldn't put her mind around it. She could still smell his cologne. He kissed me.
Cady took a deep breath. She was shaking. She started giggling. Laughing. "Oh my god." She said to herself. "I don't believe it."
She was out of breath, but she kept snickering. A tear fell down her cheek. She wiped it away. Stood up. Her head was still fuzzy. She walked to the bathroom.
"Oh. My. God." She said again, glancing into the mirror.
Her face was flushed. Her lips were flushed. She touched them. They felt normal. She didn't feel normal. Turning on the water, she let it flow through her fingers. She splashed her face. She still felt weird.
"Get it together, Cady. Seriously." She dried her face off with a paper towel.
With one last look in the mirror (to make sure she didn't look like a wreck), she walked out.
*
'Stupid.' Jonathan thought. 'How could you be that stupid?'
'You wouldn't. I could. I did.' His alter hummed in his ear.
Jonathan clenched his fists as he paced in the men's room. "Now, what am I supposed to do?"
"Work with it." The voice said. "She's malleable."
Jonathan stopped. He held his chin, tapping it with a finger. "Yes. Yes, she is."
"Very supple..."
He pushed away the images Scarecrow was trying to draw up with the double meaning word as he left the restroom.
*
Cady walked back into Dr. Crane's office. He was standing by his desk, his glasses off. He looked up at her. Her stomach flipped. She started to back away. Too nervous...Butterflies...
"Cady, can we talk?" He asked. His tone was emotionless. His eyes weren't.
"I...um...yeah." She nodded. She was unsure of what to do so she just crossed her arms.
He smirked. "You can sit down."
She nodded dumbly, but didn't move. "I'm fine." Her voice cracked. Her cheeks burned.
He walked closer to her. Not close enough for her to want to run. Still, close enough that she could smell his cologne. He smiled. It didn't reach his eyes.
"I'm sorry about earlier. It was uncalled for."
"It's alright." She said quietly, looking down at the floor.
He placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked at it. She looked at his face. His eyes.
"I didn't offend you?" He questioned.
Her mouth was dry. She shook her head. The soft pressure of his touch was tormenting her. "No. Not really." She smiled meekly.
The hand that was on her shoulder moved to play with a lock of her hair. She blushed even brighter (if that was possible). He smiled again. His fingers brushed against her cheek as he slid the hair behind her ear. She could feel a tingling trail from his touch against her skin.
"I'm glad." He murmured. His lips curved upwards.
Cady smiled. It felt like her cheeks were on fire. Maybe they were. Maybe the fire that she felt was her blood boiling. It was threatening to consume her. There were too many different emotions going on inside of her. Nervousness. Attraction. Uncertainty. Happiness. Fear. Doubt. It was too much. She moved to sit down at one of the chairs near his desk.
"Cady, are you alright?"
She perked up at the sound of her name. It rolled off his tongue. Like silk. Oh, stop it. Mentally, she slapped herself. Stop acting like this is some romance novel. He was just caught up in the moment.
"I'm fine. Just tired." She leaned her head on her hand. "Just a lot of things to process on lack of sleep. It's draining." She smiled up at him, but couldn't hide the weariness.
"If you haven't been sleeping, why didn't you let me know? I could of given you something." He said as he sat down in his chair across from her.
Cady looked up at him as he moved. His face was unreadable. She didn't know what was worse: her not knowing how he felt or the blank mask he wore. She was sure he was analyzing her. He looked like he was listening to a patient.
"I don't like to take medication if I can help it. I'll eventually fall asleep on my own."
"Are you worried it'll be habit forming?"
Cady snorted. He furrowed his brow at her reaction.
"You sound like a commercial."
He didn't seem impressed. Maybe he didn't get it. "As I've said before, my primary field is Psychopharmacology. I am an expert with medications."
"Thank you, but I'll be fine." She didn't want to hurt his feelings. Since when do I care? Oh...since he kissed me. Damn it.
He just sat there and watched her for a moment. His face was still blank. It made her uneasy. Cady straightened up in her seat, returning his look. Butterflies swirled in her stomach. Why do I always feel like a love sick, hormonal teenager whenever someone shows me affection? She paused in her mental babble. Why did he? She wished she could hear his inner monologue. Is he as unsure as I am? She couldn't help but fidget in her seat. Is he nervous? How can he always remain so level headed? She sighed. Is he analyzing me? She chewed her bottom lip at the thought. She hated not knowing. She hated being analyzed. She hated going to the doctors. She hated it all. She wanted to run away. Far away. Hide. Her mind was telling her to move. So, why was she still sitting there? Her body was frozen. It was his gaze. Cady realized it wasn't blank anymore. She moved back in her seat, uncomfortable. His gaze was too much. Her fingers were safer to look at. They didn't excite her and make her blood boil.
*
Jonathan watched her watch him. It was a game now. A game to see who was in control. She fidgeted. He could tell she was nervous. It was actually kind of...cute. During the session with Mr. Schiff his alter was trying to take control. The paranoid schizophrenic was so easy for him to manipulate and dominate. Easy, but fun. However, he had to keep himself composed around her. Why had he even wanted her there? Somewhere, in the back of his mind where sanity and logic still prevailed untainted by his alter's venom, he knew the answer. He would never admit it. He still knew it. He wasn't ignorant of simple pleasures. Perhaps, that was why Scarecrow had managed to take control. Schiff was exciting him too much. Perhaps, that was why he left the room. Fresh air. He needed to clear his head. Perhaps, that was why he came back. Her. Dr. Crane didn't have as much control over the day shift like he did with the night and weekend. It was too risky to really experiment with all the normal activity around. Perhaps, that was why he let Scarecrow kiss her. He had to get rid of the pent up feelings somehow.
He glanced at her mouth as she started to chew her bottom lip. He remembered the kiss. It caught her off guard. The look on her face-terror, panic, fear-was enough. The kiss was unexpected. It was worth it. She was impressionable. A student of psychology working with one of the best doctors around. She glowed when she accepted his request. She was glowing now. He stopped himself from looking at her lips again. So soft. The memory of the feeling was haunting him. He was going to have to formulate a plan with her. She might be easy to manipulate, but she was still human. Still unpredictable. Somewhere along his thought process she had looked away. She was still defiant. Feisty. He enjoyed the mind's power over the body. He would enjoy watching her crack. He would enjoy putting her back together. His doll. His experiment. He hoped it would be everything her eyes promised it would be.
*
"Have you eaten anything?"
Cady was looking out of the car's passenger side window. She was trying not to cry again. Anna's funeral was nice, but it was sad. It was bright and sunny outside. She felt it should be raining. At least overcast or foggy. Something that better fit the day's mood.
"Cady?" He asked again.
She glanced at him. She had heard him speak, but didn't process what he had said. "I'm sorry?"
"Have you. Eaten. Anything?" He spoke slower, like she was mentally challenged or something.
"No. Not today." She glanced back out of the window. She noticed they weren't heading back to her apartment or the asylum. "Where are we going?"
"To a late lunch. Unless you want to eat at Arkham."
"Hm. No." Cady shook her head. She watched the scenery.
She knew this part of town. It was one of the nicer shopping districts. A lot of gourmet restaurants and overly priced boutiques adorned the streets. Cady pulled down the visor and checked her makeup. She pulled some concealer out of her purse and dabbed it under her eyes. She glanced at him as she rubbed it in. He was watching her. They were at a stop light. The way he was looking at her made her nervous.
"What?" She asked.
"You look fine."
"Well, you wouldn't know. You don't have to wear makeup. And these circles." She pointed to the skin under her eyes. "They don't help." She checked once more to make sure everything was okay and then closed the visor.
He laughed under his breath. The car moved. Turned a corner. They pulled into a parking lot. He got out and walked to her side to open her door. Cady just smiled as he helped her out. She would never get used to his manners. She followed him as he walked down the sidewalk. He stopped at a small, out of the way place. The food smelled delicious. Her stomach growled. Cady hadn't realized how hungry she was. He opened the door and let her walk in first.
"How many?" The hostess asked.
Cady noticed she was Indian. "Two, please." She said as she looked around.
"Dr. Crane!" The hostess said, walking to shake his hand. "I'll have your table ready in just a moment." She smiled at them and walked off.
"I've never been here before." Cady said, admiring the décor. It was very modern and sparsely decorated. It held hints of Hindu-isk statues and paintings. Nothing overly flamboyant, but it was richly colored.
"Have you ever had Indian style cuisine?" He asked her.
"No." Cady looked back at him. "Is it spicy?"
His smiled slightly. "You don't like spicy food?"
"I love it. I was just wondering." She said, seeing the hostess walk back to them.
"Right this way, please." The woman said.
Crane placed his hand on the small of Cady's back as they followed the woman. The touch made her knees weak.
"Thank you, Mrs. Rosa." He said to the woman.
Crane slid into the booth opposite Cady.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" Rosa asked them.
"Just water." Cady smiled up at the woman.
"I'll take the hot tea." He glanced at Cady then back at Rosa. "Make that two teas."
"Great. Will you be having your usual?"
"Yes." He smiled at her.
"I'll go get that started." She smiled at them again and left.
Cady looked at the doctor. "What's 'the usual'?"
"You'll like it." He said, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a pill bottle and opened it. "Take one of these when you get your tea." He handed her the tiny pill.
"Dr. Crane, really, I'm fine."
The look he gave her was that she really didn't have a choice. "You'll feel much better. I promise." He put the pill bottle away, smiling at her. There was no hint if the smile was fake or genuine.
"Alright, fine." She examined the pill. "What is it?" She'd never seen it before, but then again, she didn't know much about medications.
"Ketamine. It's a fast acting medication. It'll help with the depression."
Cady just nodded. "But, I'm not depressed." She said, trying to figure out why he was giving her medication. And why did he have a pill bottle with him?
He glanced at the waitress who brought them their drinks. He just smiled at her and shook his head when she asked if they needed anything. Cady glared down at her tea. She didn't want to take medication. She hated taking it. It meant she was dependent. It meant she had a problem.
"Cady, please. Something has been bothering you lately. I can see it in your performance at work. I'm only trying to help. I am a doctor." He said the last line like it made him right.
Cady sighed. He was a doctor. She wasn't stupid. He wasn't her doctor. He didn't know her history. He didn't know anything about her. But, he kissed you. He at least wants to know. She couldn't lie to herself. She had been feeling sad. But, didn't she have a reason? Two deaths in such a short period of time. Two deaths. Both were patients. And the fight with her ex. About how he felt she was distant. Too absorbed in her own solitary life. He felt they couldn't even stay friends. She never called him. (She never wanted to.) He was perfect, an athlete. He'd gotten into Gotham on a sports scholarship. Why did he think it'd work out with a geek like her? She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She threw the pill into her mouth. She took a drink.
"There." Cady looked down at the table. Defeated.
Something rang. Cady looked up at the doctor. He looked around then realized it was him. "Oh. Sorry." He pulled the phone out of his blazer pocket. "It's the asylum." He said to her before he answered it. "This is Dr. Crane." He took a breath. "Hello Fred..." Paused. "Yes. I understand." He looked down at his watch. "Maybe forty minutes...Yes." He paused. "Well, sedate him. He'll be fine. Thank you." He hung up, looking at her.
"I guess we should get it to go, then." Cady tried to smile, but held back a yawn instead.
He nodded, his face blank. He hailed down their waitress and told her the situation.
"I'll let the kitchen know right away, sir." She rushed off only to come back a few minutes later with the food in a bag. "Here you go. I hope you two enjoy it."
Crane handed her some cash and told her to keep the change. He picked up the bag. "Well, lets go. Mr. Schiff is having an episode. I need to take care of it as soon as possible."
Cady just followed him out of the restaurant and back to the car. The ride was silent. Cady was growing drowsy. She yawned fully. Closed her eyes. She opened them again when Crane was helping her out of the car. They were already at the asylum. Woah. When did we arrive? Did I sleep the entire way? He said something about her staying in the office while he dealt with Schiff. Cady only mumbled. Her mouth wouldn't work. She didn't really care. She was too tired. Was she walking? Everything was foggy. She felt like jell-o. His couch was comfortable. His touch was comfortable. The last thing she heard was his office door shutting softly as he left.
*
She was in Arkham. The lowest floor. She was running. The hall lights were flickering. Buzzing. On. Off. On. Off. On. Off. Shadows were twirling around her. The hall was so long. It felt like it kept going on forever. She could see the patients watching her as she ran by. On. Off. Buzzing. On. Off. They banged silently on the glass. She could hear screams. Crying. No one's mouth moved. On Off. She could still hear it.
Blood. Everywhere. Dripping from every crack in the walls. On. Off. The viscous fluid was pooling around her feet as she ran. It was tacky. She slowed. On. Off. Buzzing. On. Off. It was like running in syrup. Sticky. She stopped. The shadows stopped. On. Off. To her side she could see a figure in a cell. He was covered in shadows. She couldn't see anything, but his eyes. They were bright. On. Off. On. Off. Too bright. On. Off. Electric. Someone was on the floor. A body. She couldn't make out who it was. On. Off. Buzzing. On. Off. There was a basin of blood around the body. On. Off. The figure walked towards her. On. Off. The floor stuck to her feet. On. Off. She screamed.
*
Cady's eyes flew open. She was out of breath. Sweating. Her heart was pounding against her chest. She groaned and rolled over. Stupid dreams. She frowned. She looked around. It was Dr. Crane's office. He wasn't there. Didn't he go check on Schiff? Cady yawned and sat up. She glanced at the clock he had on his wall. It was early evening. Exhaling deeply, still lethargic, she got up and left to go to the bathroom.
It was dark outside when she walked out of the bathroom. There was still no sign of Dr. Crane in his office. She meandered down stairs. No sign of him. Great. Now I'm going to have to go down there...Cady sulked as she made her way to the stairs that headed to the lowest floor. She was still feeling sluggish. The extra movement would (hopefully) wake her up more. She strolled carefully down the stairs. She couldn't shake the buzzed feeling she had. As she reached the bottom of the steps she saw Fred and Jules at the nurses station.
"Hey guys. Have either of you seen Dr. Crane?" She asked.
They looked up from the card game they were playing.
"Uh, yeah. Let me radio him. He was with Mr. Schiff. I don't know what he's up to now." Fred said. He picked up the radio and spoke into it. "Dr. Crane?"
There was a bit of static. "Yes?"
Fred glanced at Cady as he spoke. "Ms. Clein is awake."
"Is she there with you?"
Fred grinned, looking at the radio. "Oh yeah. She's playing strip poker with Jules and me." Both he and Jules laughed.
Cady rolled her eyes. There was a bit of static. She envisioned Crane looking at the radio with his "I'm sure, stop waisting my time" expression. She ended up laughing, despite herself.
"I'll be there in a minute." The static died.
"Where is he? I can go meet him so you two can get back to your male bonding." Cady chuckled.
They laughed.
"Na, he'll be here in a sec. You know how he gets." Jules said, turning his attention back to the cards in his hand.
Cady shrugged and sat down on an unoccupied chair. She watched the two men play what appeared to be poker with M&Ms as chips. She laughed at their ludicrous comments as they tried to one up the other. It was completely juvenile. She didn't understand why it amused her so much.
"Well, it seems like someone is feeling better." The doctor's controlled tone startled her.
Cady turned around in her seat. Dr. Crane was standing in the doorway. She hadn't even heard him come in. Neither of the two men stopped their game.
"Is Mr. Schiff alright?" She asked.
Crane glanced at the two nurses behind Cady for a moment. She could hear them put their cards down.
He looked back at her. "He's fine. He's sleeping now. Hopefully, he'll be able to get some rest."
"Has he not been sleeping?" She asked, innocently.
"Don't cheat." She heard Jules warn Fred. He brushed past her and walked out into the hall. He disappeared around a corner.
"Come on Cady. They have work to do."
She nodded, standing up. She smiled and waved to Fred. "See you later."
He nodded, a strange expression on his face. "Bye, uh, Ms. Clein." He said as she left.
"How are you feeling?" Dr. Crane asked as they walked back up the stairs.
"I feel like I've had a few drinks." She admitted. "I'm kinda buzzed."
"It's the medication. I was hoping to get you to eat something, but you were sleeping." He paused, looking down at her with what she assumed was a question on his face. "Did you sleep well?"
"As well as expected on the couch." She giggled. The inane reaction made her look away, embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I'm just giddy, I guess."
"It's alright. Would you like to eat now?" He continued walking.
Cady followed. "Sure."