Author's Note: Princess, DCoD, Harley – thanks again. And to all those lurkers out there – step on up, don't be shy; feedback is always mucho appreciated and I'm currently idea shopping, so if anyone has anything in mind that they've been dying to see or just fooling around with…or any suggestions…feel free to toss it out there. I'm up for a bit of a challenge. ; -)

Revised; for the sake of clarity (thanks, Harleydoll.) It's amazing how one word can make such a huge difference.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Each dream, each nightmare was so very disparate, more twisted and vile than the first. Why this was so much more different than before, she didn't know, it just seemed more personal this way – and there was just so much blood.

Her Puddin's eyes glittered darkly, unbidden glee evident as adrenaline pulsed from him in waves, breathy grin stretched beyond normal means.

Insanity was an understatement. Dent's screams testified to that as the flames licked higher, flesh popping and bubbling, stripping away the beauty and smooth skin as it grated the concrete.

He had taken everything while she stood idle at his whim, naked to the fierce new emotion that dawned with realization, making her stomach turn and palms sweat.

She lurched, jumped awake really, chest heavy and clammy skin slick as her hands pressed fervently to her mouth.

Heaven help me…

He wasn't there. To the left of her, his usual spot was bare, the blankets pressed and straight, unmolested and colder than when he was beneath them. Breathe…please…breathe...She slid under the crisp sheets, body rejecting the cold but ignoring the meaning as hot tears spilled over her trembling fingers.

"Sugar plum…"

She was mumbling, asinine expositions in the presage of whimsy, at least of his own deviant sort as he stepped out from his hole in the wall, intent on being the only source of her pleasure – or pain; gingerly easing in on her side, he pressed, nuzzling nose and lips against the crook of her neck.

"Why?" His voice - cold, methodical, tantalizingly rough - the whisper broached her soul...picked and sorted the contents of her emotions; he kissed possessively below her ear. It wasn't like it hadn't happened before.

"Because you broke my heart."

Dribble, drabble...