Disclaimer: Batman, all his associated worlds and characters are not mine. Warning: Lots of violence including domestic violence, swearing, slash... I think that's everything from this chapter. A/N: Sorry. Yes I know, it's been ages hasn't it? Thank you to any reviewers from last chapter and really any reviewers overall. I'm using 'x' to seperate the different bits of flashback to avoid confusion between scene jumps. This one is very flashback heavy. Enjoy. Last time: Jonathan started remembering his college years and made headway into controlling Harleen. Chapter 10 "So you've been pulled along to one of these things too huh?" Jonathan had been hanging around in the kitchen for over half an hour now, trying to avoid everyone he'd rather not talk to at the hell-ish party. Someone else had been in the kitchen before he'd got there but he'd assumed they'd leave soon. He was a tall, fair haired guy who looked like he should be at the centre of the party rather than hanging around in the kitchens. He hadn't left though and he'd been staring at Jonathan when he thought he wasn't looking. Jonathan was surprised that he'd spoken to him. "Yes," Jonathan sighed, answering the question. "I've never been good with parties," He walked across the kitchen and lent on the counter beside Jonathan "I'm Ben, Ben Adams," "Jonathan Crane," There was a pause where neither of them spoke, just standing beside each other. Jonathan stared at the fridge like it held the answer to the meaning of life just to avoid looking at Adams. "So..." Adams began. Jonathan looked up at him to show he was listening. "Do you... want to dance?" Jonathan's surprise must have shown on his face as Adams flushed and started stuttering "Was I way off there? I'm sorry, my gaydar is terrible..." "No, it's alright... I'd..." He'd take a chance, just this once "I'd like to dance with you," Adams'... Ben's face broke into a smile and they left the kitchen together. x "Did you sleep with him?" Emily blurted out as Jonathan opened his front door. "No preamble to that?" Jonathan smiled, gesturing for her to enter. "Did you?" She re-asked as she walked through the door and into the sitting area. "Maybe," Jonathan replied, following her and sitting beside her on the couch. "Oh my God that means yes!" She exclaimed. "Not necessarily," Muffled voices and shouting vaguely permeated the darkness but Jonathan's vision refused to focus and the unclear shadows surrounding him just faded away once again. "Are you okay? Have you never done this before?" He sat at the side of the bed, trying to breathe properly. Ben sat behind him, currently holding his slightly shaking body in his arms. He leaned over Jonathan's shoulder so he could see his face. "Kind of," Jonathan replied, looking at the floor, unable to meet Ben's gaze. "What does that mean?" "It means kind of. Look," He swallowed "I have, but not by choice," He shut his eyes, letting Ben decipher and digest that information. He expected Ben would want to leave now and he made to stand, only to find Ben tighten his hold. He put his face to Jonathan's neck, kissing softly up his neck and jaw line until he reached his ear. "I'm sorry," Ben spoke quietly, directly into his ear "Did he hurt you?" Jonathan swallowed again and nodded once. "Then I'd be nothing like him," When Jonathan awoke he just lay still, the warmth of the bed too intoxicating for him to want to get up. "I love watching you sleep," he heard Ben and opened his eyes, turning his head to the left and smiling at him. Ben was propped up on one elbow and grinning "That was a great moving in present," He put his hand on Jonathan's stomach and traced circles around his naval. "I thought you'd appreciate it more than cutlery," Jonathan replied groggily. "I've never liked cutlery," "I've seen your table manners," "Oi," Ben put his hand flat on Jonathan's stomach and gave him a fake hurt look before grinning. He edged closer to Jonathan then wrapped his arms around him and pulled him closer. Jonathan snuggled into him. x He couldn't take this anymore. It was every night. Come home, see Ben's glaring face, shout and end up on the floor trying to shield himself him anymore blows. He took a deep breath and unlocked the door of their flat quietly. He opened the door and signed in relief at the darkness. He wasn't home yet. Yet. He wandered through the flat, flicking on lights and discarding his bag in the appropriate place. He was still on edge, his body shaking as he sat down on the couch and put his head in his hands to soothe his stinging eyes. His head snapped up at the sound of a knock on the door. He cleared his throat. "It's open," He pushed himself into the corner of the couch and fixed his eyes on the door as it opened slowly. "Jonathan?" Emily. It was just Emily. She looked around and spotted him. She gave him a confused look. "Why are you all squished up like that?" Jonathan noticed how pushed into the sofa he'd become and tried to relax his body. "Oh no reason," He laughed, his voice high pitched "Come in," She ventured into the flat, closing the door behind her and sat beside him. "You okay?" She looked suspiciously at him. Jonathan's body was still shaking. "Yes, yes, I thought you were Ben, but that would be silly, Ben wouldn't knock he'd just try the door..." He stopped. He really shouldn't have said so much. Emily took one of his hands and stroked it. "Well if you're sure," She didn't look convinced. "Look, Strange asked to see us, for our review y'know? See how we're doing, since we'll be finished soon and off out into the real world," She squeezed his hand. "He said to come to his office at seven, do you want me to come for you or...?" She trailed off, letting unspoken words hang in the air. "I'll make it, don't worry," He tried to smile again. Emily smiled back sadly. "I really should be going, or I could stay until Ben gets..." "No," Jonathan interrupted then once again regretted how quickly he'd spoken, how obvious he was. "I mean, It's okay, I'm fine on my own, really," He didn't want Ben to hit Emily too. She didn't deserve that. "Okay but if you're not at Strange's office by quarter past I'm coming here," x Jonathan arrived at exactly five past seven. He stood outside the office for as moment to regain his composure and focus on anything but the pain in his ribs. Then he knocked and stepped inside. "Ah hello Jonathan, take a seat," Strange smiled and gestured to the empty seat in front of his desk. The other was occupied by Emily, who looked relieved to see him. "Both of you have excellent academic progress and your lecturers assure me that you will pass your final exams. I very proud of you both," He looked at some papers on his desk and smiled at them, then pushed his glasses up his nose and rested his elbows on his desk. His expression changed to a serious one as he spoke. "I'm glad you're doing well academically but as your mentor I must wonder about your emotional well being," He looked directly at Jonathan. "I'd like you to take this as an opportunity to tell me of any personal problems you feel you may not have been able to share before. Emily?" He turned to her and she jumped slightly before settling. "Oh, I'm fine. Sam is really supportive. I've made good friends..." She trailed off, now looking at Jonathan too. "Then how about you Jonathan?" Jonathan's voice caught in his throat. "I'm fine," he replied, his automatic response these days. "No you're not Jonathan," Emily spoke, her voice sad and exasperated. "I can see the bruises, the way you walk like you're in permanent pain, the fact that you haven't came out to a party with me in two years!" She was starting to get emotional. "He hits you, beats you up, fucking controls you! I can't believe I didn't notice sooner..." Her anger seemed to deflate and was replaced with sadness. "Oh Jonathan, I'm sorry. I've been a terrible friend," "So this is Ben Adams, your partner?" Strange kept calm, as always, though anger rose in Jonathan at the pitying look he gave him. "It's none of your concern," He glared at Strange. "It is Jonathan, as I know your past and you have a pattern of destructive relationships with males. Starting with your father..." "This has nothing to do with my father," Jonathan growled through clenched teeth. "Then Carter..." Strange continued but Jonathan had had enough. He stood up and exited the room, hearing Emily call his name but she didn't follow him. x Jonathan banged open the front door of his flat and came face to face with Ben. His anger drained at Ben's stony expression and was replaced with fear. Before he could even think Ben had slammed the door shut and held him against it by the throat. "Where have you been?" His hand was too tight and Jonathan just gagged for a moment before it was loosened. He felt drained. "You don't care, you're going to hit me anyway. Just do it," He stated. Ben glared and pulled him away from the door by his shirt collar. He threw Jonathan onto the couch and started pacing the room. "You always disappear, you're never here," He ranted "But I know where you're going. You're fucking that little skank aren't you!" I stood directly in front of the couch. "If you mean Emily, no," Jonathan sat up and readjusted his glasses. He didn't know why he bothered, Ben wouldn't listen. "Don't lie to me!" He slapped Jonathan. It stung but Jonathan was used to the feeling. "I never have. I've always tried to keep you happy. I wish I hadn't," Ben looked like he was the one who had been slapped. He shoved Jonathan down and stood on the couch. Then he stomped on Jonathan's stomach. Jonathan screwed up his eyes in pain as the wind was knocked out of him. He heard the door open but didn't open his eyes. "Oh God, Jonathan!" Emily. His eyes snapped open. He tried to tell her to run but could only mouth. "Your whore's here then," Ben got off the sofa and rounded on her. Jonathan panicked, he rolled off the sofa and scrabbled to his feet. He pulled his tie from around his neck and wrapped the ends around his hands. He looked up. He still hadn't actually done anything to her. Jonathan stood up, went overt o Ben and lifted his arms above his head, bringing them down to his shoulders. He pulled back and the tie pulled against Ben's neck, causing him to gag but Ben was much stronger than Jonathan. He easily pulled the tie and Jonathan's arms from around his neck. He pushed Jonathan to the floor and kicked him in the side. He loomed over Jonathan. Something hit Ben in the head with enough force to send him flying. Jonathan propped himself up on his elbows. Emily stood holding Ben's soccer trophy. It was covered in blood at the top which was dripping down Emily's hands as she stood in shock. Jonathan stared down at Ben's body. It was still. Blood seeped into the carpet from the deep gash in his head. His eyes were still open but glassy and blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth. Jonathan got to his feet and went over to Emily. He removed the statue from her hands and dropped it on to the floor. He wrapped his arms around her and let her sob into his chest for a while. Then she pulled away slightly and looked up at him. "What are we going to do?" Jonathan knew exactly who to turn to. "Call Strange,"
A/N: It's nice to actually get back to work on this after so long, especially with that plot twist I have planned. Please review.