Catch and Release
Chapter Nine
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The Bat Man.
Jonathan instinctively cringed, but the arms around him merely tightened.
"Hold on." The voice whispered.
He put aside all thoughts and questions and wrapped his arms around the Bat's neck. He felt as one hand pressed firmly against his back, the other releasing him entirely. One leg instinctively wrapped around the black waist for support, carefully avoiding the large cape.
Jonathan's eyes grew wide as he felt rather than saw the ground drop away from beneath him. He held on tightly, clutching onto his enemy. Batman's hand held onto him tightly, crushing them together. Jonathan looked at the buildings flying past them in wonder. Suddenly they were no longer moving.
"You need to crawl up onto the roof."
The psychiatrist glanced at Batman's emotionless face before looking to the building the Bat clung to. Jonathan took a breath and unwrapped his arms from Batman's neck. He reached up and grabbed onto the ledge, pulling himself up carefully. Batman pushed him up, disentangling himself from Jonathan's legs.
Jonathan collapsed onto the snow-covered roof. He stared up into the last rays of sunlight, watching the snow drift lazily towards him. A moment later, Batman stood beside him, reattaching the grappling gun to his belt. Jonathan watched in interest as Batman peered over the side of the building.
It would be easy. Then he could bother me no more.
Jonathan sat up. Just one little push.
I couldn't.
Batman turned his head slightly, looking along the street. Jonathan stood somewhat shakily, stepping towards Batman apprehensively.
"Joker's gone." Batman rasped.
"Harley?"
"Her too."
Jonathan nodded.
He took me away from Joker.
Batman turned to look at him. "Are you okay?" His voice was gravelly, but less so than usual.
"Yes." Jonathan nodded.
"I'm sorry it took me so long."
"You're not my bodyguard." Jonathan shrugged it off.
Batman looked at him silently. Jonathan stared right back, undisturbed.
"Your apartment is too dangerous." Batman said suddenly.
Jonathan shook his head. "It's fine."
"Do you really think Joker and Harley aren't on their way right now?"
Jonathan could not answer that one honestly without proving the Batman's point.
"Is there anywhere else you can go?" Batman growled. "I can take you anywhere in the city."
"No. Nowhere."
Batman was silent a moment. He stared at Jonathan instead of speaking. Jonathan waited for more words, but none came. They stood in the snow, silent. Batman took a single step forward, cape fluttering around his legs. Jonathan looked closely at the face he could see, piercing eyes and angled jaw.
"You look almost familiar." Jonathan said slowly, almost to himself.
"You've been seeing me often." Batman explained it away.
"Something more than that." Jonathan insisted.
Jonathan looked closely, fingers reaching for the cowl. Batman grabbed onto his wrist with a frown.
"Don't." he growled.
"Afraid I'll tell?" Jonathan smirked.
Batman shook his head. He lowered Jonathan's hand to his side before letting go.
"Have you thought of somewhere to go?"
"My apartment. You know where it is."
Batman sighed. Jonathan crossed his arms, both in stubbornness and to hide the shiver that racked his body. Batman noticed anyway.
"You're cold."
"It's snowing." Jonathan replied condescendingly.
Batman thought a moment. "You could return with me." He growled quietly.
Eyebrow raised. "To your, ah, Batcave?"
"Well..."
"I don't think so." Jonathan shook his head. "Just let me go home. I do have one."
"You went out for lunch today?"
Jonathan asked flatly. "Why is everyone so set on that?"
"With who?"
"Don't you know everything?" Jonathan forced a chuckle.
Batman simply glared.
"Bruce Wayne." Jonathan supplied after a moment of silence.
Batman nodded. "I'll take you there."
"No." Jonathan's voice held no room for argument.
But Batman did not care about that. "It shouldn't take too long to reach the Palisades."
"I'm not going." Jonathan hissed.
Batman ignored him. He stepped forward; Jonathan stepped backward. Jonathan had little chance to fight as Batman surged forward, taking the angry man into his arms. Batman held Jonathan to his chest delicately, as if afraid to break him. It was a far cry from every other time Batman transported him. Jonathan was forced to admit that.
Jonathan fumed silently as Batman carried him across the rooftop. "Hold on." He said for the second time that night.
"Just put me down." Jonathan said in an eerily calm voice.
Batman impatiently made a rash decision. He gripped Jonathan, pulling him away from the safety of his embrace. With both hands he held the psychiatrist out from the building, over the street below. Jonathan's blue eyes widened, throat forcing down a swallow.
"Is that what you want?" Batman said quietly, almost all traces of a rasp gone from his voice. "If I let you return to your apartment, I may as well be releasing you here. Joker will be there. He will not be happy with you. Even if he was only amused, let you go, Harley will make you pay."
Jonathan looked down. He swallowed once more. He looked at the Bat and nodded.
"Fine."