Author's Note: Hi everyone! Ok, I thought I would be able to update sooner than this but that obviously didn't happen. So sorry! Thanks to everyone who is following/favoriting my story! A special thanks to those who are reviewing:

forgetmenotflowers: haha I know! It's about time. Little bit more romance in this chapter. I hope you'll like it. :D Thanks again for the review!

AlainHotCoco1: Thanks for the review! I'm glad that you like this story so much. (Love the stalker comment! Haha) Sorry for the lack of updates, I update as soon as I'm able to. I hope you will enjoy this chapter! :D

EleanorBlythe: Thanks for the review! I wouldn't worry about their relationship just yet. This story is a tragedy but we haven't hit that point yet. I'm glad that you enjoy my story. I hope you will enjoy this chapter! :D

Megushie: I'm not sure what the '!' but I assume it means you like it! Thanks for the review! :D

xxyangxx2006: haha, your comment made me smile. There's a little bit more romance in this chapter. I hope you'll like it. Thanks for the review! :D

Ok. I think I got everyone. Thanks again to all my readers. I hope you all will enjoy this chapter. I made this chapter a little longer to try to make up for the lack of updates. There's a bit of a time jump so I hope it's not too confusing. Please review if you have a moment. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Thanks!—Lin

Disclaimer: I do not own any Batman character's in this story nor do I own The Grudge. This story is just for fun and entertainment. I'm not making any money off of it.

….

I kept my eyes closed as I listened to the soft buzz coming from the TV. I yawned a bit before snuggling further into my pillow. My eyes flew open when I felt the 'pillow' pull me closer to him.

I looked up and jumped slightly when I saw a face in front of mine. Jonathan's eyes fluttered open when he felt my sudden movement. I studied him a moment more before glancing over at the TV. I looked back at him and our eyes met.

"Good morning." He softly whispered before pressing his lips against mine.

"Good morning." I breathlessly replied. My mind quickly raced through the night before. The chick-flick Jonathan didn't want to watch, the cuddling, the kiss and eventually falling asleep next to another on my couch. I couldn't believe how close we were last night; how close to each other we still were.

"Sleep well?" Jonathan questioned. I nodded. I think I was still in shock. I hadn't expected to fall asleep next to him or wake up to him.

"Yes. You?" I inquired. He nodded before placing his hand behind my head and pulling me into another kiss. I felt Jonathan's arm wrap around me a little tighter while he place his second hand on my waist. It didn't bother me until I felt his hand slip under my shirt and I felt his warm fingers touch my bare skin. I jumped and was out of his arms. He quickly held his hands up, letting me know he was backing off.

"I'm sorry, Liv. I'm not going to hurt you." He calmly stated. "I was just in the moment."

It felt like my heart was running a marathon but after a few seconds I was able to get it to calm down.

"What are we doing?" I asked him. My head was spinning. I was confused. I had no idea where our relationship was going. I mean, I had spent a few nights at his apartment but he always slept in his room while I slept on the couch. Jonathan had never spent the night at my apartment. I hadn't fallen asleep in his arms before and the kiss…well we obviously hadn't done that before either.

"What do you mean?" Jonathan inquired, raising an eyebrow. "I think it's obvious." His eyes pierced into mine. I nodded. I knew what he meant. There wasn't any point of 'beating around the bush'. I didn't mind the idea of having a relationship with him. Jonathan had been a great friend, therapist and boss. He wasn't just those three things anymore. I wanted a closer relationship with him. However, there was still one matter I didn't know if I could ever overcome.

"You realize, if we start a relationship, that I may…I may not ever be able to…" I started to say when I felt Jonathan put his hand on top of mine.

"Our relationship was never based off of anything sexual, Liv. I understand that you need time." he softly said.

"What if I'm not ever…?" I started to ask when he cut me off.

"That's not important at this point."

"It might be at some point." I tried to point out.

"Maybe…but as of right now, it's not. Let's just take things as they come. We don't have to be in any hurry." He answered. His hand held mine as we continued our conversation.

"Couldn't a relationship with me, hurt you though? I mean, you're my professor, my psychiatrist and my boss." I questioned. Jonathan's hand tightened on mine while he thought for a moment.

"You're over 18. There is no law saying I can't date you because you're my secretary. You are no longer my student, unless you're signed up for one of my classes and you haven't told me. I don't believe you will always need me as your psychiatrist. I've already told you this but you have made amazing progress with your therapy." He reminded me. "We're not doing anything wrong."

"I don't want to get you in trouble." I emphasized. "I just…"

"I'm not going to get in trouble. If it makes you uncomfortable, I know other psychiatrists that could…"

"No, I don't want to see anyone else." I told him, placing a hand on his knee. His eyes never left mine as he nodded. He seemed to know I was going to say 'no' to that suggestion.

"Ok." He answered. He watched as my thoughts consumed me for a moment. "Are you ok with this?" he questioned.

"Yeah, it's just; I haven't been in a steady relationship in a really long time."

"What happened with your last boyfriend?" Jonathan inquired.

"I don't think I have all the details but I know Grandma Vera would flirt with him a lot. I wasn't in the room when it happened but from what Chris told me, she tried to kiss him and he ran out of the door. Later that night he called to tell me my crazy grandmother was too much for him and that he wanted to break up." I shrugged. It had been a while since I had thought about that instance. I didn't blame Chris. If his grandmother had tried to kiss me, I'd be grossed out too. However, I had been pretty heartbroken at the time.

"I'm not too worried about that. I think I'm scary enough that your grandmother wouldn't try anything like that with me." Jonathan smirked, amused by my story.

"You're not that scary." I smiled as he squeezed my hand. A sly smile spread across his lips before he winked at me.

"Yes I am." He replied with a grin. I let out a soft laugh.

"No," I told him, "I think you're wonderful." I pressed my lips against his in another kiss. I didn't realize how true his words were and how naïve I was being.

"Can I get you some coffee?" I asked Jonathan after the kiss.

"Sure." He replied. I gave him another smile before I stood up from the couch and made my way to the kitchen.

"So what is up with all the plants?" Jonathan asked once the coffee was brewing. My apartment was filled with plants; I had at least 5 in the kitchen/ dining room area. I probably looked like some kind of weird plant hoarder to him.

"I wasn't always a psychology major." I started, "Before the rape, I was planning on majoring in biology. I wanted to be a botanist."

"Really?" he asked somewhat surprised. I knew he had seen my grades and I probably didn't seem like someone who would love biology. "Why didn't you pursue your education in botany?"

"After the rape, I had a hard time understanding my thoughts. I couldn't concentrate on my classes like I used to. I didn't understand why. Then I decided if I could understand myself then maybe I could concentrate on things better. That's when I decided to study psychology." I explained.

"So you got your Bachelors in Psychology and came out here to get your Masters?" he questioned. I nodded. "You never said that psychology wasn't your number one interest." Jonathan commented.

"Is that a deal breaker for you?" I questioned, wondering why he had taken interest in this.

"No, not at all. I'm just surprised. I don't thin you've ever mentioned an interest in biology. I had looked at your transcript before hiring you. I thought I had looked at the classes you had taken. I don't remember what they were though." He seemed to be deep in thought when our coffee finished. We talked a little bit more before we heard a knock on the door.

I looked up to clock and realized that it was 9:30.

"It's my mother. She said she would stop by around now." I explained. He nodded. He looked a little disappointed.

"Ok. We can continue this conversation later." He stated. "I need to head to my apartment, anyway."

"Will I see you tonight? We can watch on of your movies." I tried to bribe him. He smirked.

"Yes, I'll come over tonight."

…

"Dr. Crane was wearing the same clothes he was wearing last night." My mother smiled. "Did he…spend the night?"

"Yeah, we fell asleep while watching a movie." I answered with a smile. Her smile grew wider.

"Did anything else happen?" she inquired. She clearly wanted to gossip. I thought for a moment. Jonathan wouldn't like it if I was gossiping about him. I knew enough about him to know that. So I did what anyone else in my position would do. I told my mother everything.

"Well, we kissed." I gossiped with a stupid, goofy grin. Mother's eyes widened as did her smile.

"Really?" she squeaked. I nodded. I felt cheerful. A feeling I hadn't had in a really long time. "So did anything else happen last night?"

"No." I answered. "I'm not sure I'll ever be able to…After the rape I've just lost interest in…" I stuttered.

"Have you talked about your concerns with him?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"He knew I needed time and not to worry about it."

"He sounds like a good, reasonable man to me. I'm glad you are giving him a chance."

"Me too." I smiled before taking another sip of coffee. I knew, with the therapy, I was starting to do better. Maybe, if I was lucky, I could start living a somewhat normal life again.

…

Jonathan's P.O.V

After telling Mrs. Higham 'good morning' and saying 'goodbye' to Olivia, I made my way towards my apartment.

'You seem happy.' Scarecrow commented. I was anxious to get back to my place. I had a copy of Olivia's transcript in my office from when I was debating on hiring her.

"I've made great progress. Olivia is almost mine.' I replied.

'You look like you have something else in mind for our sweet little 'Miss Higham'. What are you conjuring up now?'

"Her original major was botany. It means she's had interest in the sciences. If I can get her interested in chemistry then I can get her interested in pharmacology."

'What are you going to do if you can get her interested in those things?'

….

Olivia's P.O.V

"So what's going on between you and Dr. Crane?" Karl asked. After he dropped off my family at the airport, he stopped by to pick up a pair of gloves he had 'conveniently' left behind.

"He's my friend." I shrugged. Karl made it clear he didn't approve of me spending so much time with Jonathan.

"It doesn't seem like you two are 'just friends'."

"Karl, I love you but again, you're my cousin, not my father. Anything that's happening between me and Dr. Crane isn't your concern. I can take care of myself."

"So there is something more going on between you two?"

"Why does it matter to you? It's my life, my choice."

"Because I don't think his intentions are as sincere as you think they are."

"Why do you think that?"

"Think about it Liv. He's your therapist. He knows you're vulnerable."

"I'm not that vulnerable."

"You are spending way too much time with him. You're becoming dependent on him."

"He's helping me become independent. You don't know what goes on in our therapy sessions, you're not there. He's done so much for me."

"So you feel like you owe him something?" Karl asked.

"No. I want to be with him." I said in an annoyed tone. Who did Karl think he was? He had no right to tell me what to do or who to be with. Karl went to say something else when there was a knock on the door.

"Do yourself a favor, distance yourself from Dr. Crane." Karl warned before opening the door. Jonathan looked slightly surprised when Karl was the one that opened the door. Karl sent Jonathan an angry glance before he left my apartment.

"I don't think the men in your family like me very much." Jonathan commented, closing the door behind him.

"Well, I think if my dad had his way I would never grow up. Brian's just a jerk to everyone and I'm not entirely sure what Karl's deal is." I tried to explain. "My mother and grandmother sure like you though."

Jonathan sent me a smirk before giving me a small kiss.

"So what are we watching tonight?" I questioned, wondering what movie he was going to make me sit through tonight.

"The Grudge but there is something I want to talk to you about first." Jonathan stated before nodding over to the couch.

"Ok, what?" I inquired before we sat on the couch.

"Are you more interested in psychology or botany?" he questioned.

"I think they're both pretty interesting."

"But psychology isn't your main interested?"

"It is interesting, I just…"

"I want you to talk to an academic supervisor. I think you should go back to studying your plants."

"I already have a Bachelor's in Behavioral sciences. It seems pointless and expensive to change the course of my education now."

"Well, how about this next semester, you sign up for one of the university's biology classes along with what you've already signed up to do. Just 'test the waters' a little bit, if you would rather do that than psychology then it's what you should do. If you would rather do botany, then do that."

"It's a lost dream now. I'm not sure if I even remember the basics."

"That's fine. You asked me a while ago to help you gain confidence. I think if you do this, you could prove to yourself that you're capable."

"You've seen my grades. I'm not smart enough." I told him. I had given up that dream a long time ago. I didn't see the point of trying to get it back. Jonathan reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

"This is your transcript. Before the rape you got 'A's' and 'B's' all in your biology classes." Jonathan commented.

"That was a long time ago."

"It wasn't that long ago. I suggest you try it and see what you think at the end of next semester." Jonathan suggested.

"What makes you think I can do this?" I asked wondering why this was so important to him.

"Because I think its what you would rather do. I'll be here to help you when you need it, you just need to try." He answered. I smiled. I felt lucky to have such a wonderful man looking out of me.

…

"So, why are you teaching me this in your kitchen?" I asked Jonathan. We were in his kitchen, playing with some kind of chemicals. He had told me what they were but I couldn't remember what he had said for the life of me.

"You asked for my help and the lab was closed." He commented. A little over a year had passed since Jonathan and I had started to date. I was still his secretary but I was no longer a psychology student. I was right it was expensive changing back to my biology major; however I had a lot of fun with it. I wasn't sure why but I found plants comforting, far more comforting than people.

I was taking a chemistry class and Jonathan was helping me out with some lab work I was needed to do. I almost wished Jonathan was a chemistry teacher. I learned more from him than I did from my professor. He just explained things to me in a way that made sense.

My grades were now up a tiny bit, I got a lot of 'C's' with a few 'B's' scattered in there. So I was doing better. I worked hard for the grades I got and I was proud of my few 'B's'.

Jonathan talked me through the chemical names again before we got started on the lab work. I almost felt a 'mad scientist' conjuring up some kind of chemical potion. I wasn't very good at chemistry but I was had fun with it.

"I swear you know everything." I complimented Jonathan as we started to put our project away. "How is it you know so much about chemistry?"

"My specialty is psychopharmacolog." Jonathan reminded me. "It requires a lot of chemistry."

I nodded. That had to be true. Jonathan was like a walking encyclopedia. If I ever had a question, Jonathan usually always had the answer. I couldn't help but wonder how I had managed to snatch such a wonderful, intelligent man. What could he possibly see in me?

"So, I've been thinking," Jonathan started to say, "you are always over here or I'm always over your place. It's not really convenient for either of us. You're things are always at your place while mine are here. How would you feel if I asked you to move in with me?"

My jaw dropped slightly. I had no idea he had been thinking about me moving in with him. We had been dating for a year now. I usually slept over at his apartment and occasionally he would sleep at mine. I was used to waking up in his arms in the morning, now. I guess I should have seen this coming.

"Liv?" Jonathan questioned, pulling me out of my thoughts. My eyes met his. "It's alright if you don't want to. I just figured it could save us some money and we wouldn't have to go between the two places."

"It's fine. We practically live together anyway. I think it would be a good idea."

….

Jonathan's P.O.V

A couple of days passed since I asked Olivia to move in with me. It had taken me a while to convince her sleeping in the same bed as me was alright and once she got used to it she didn't seem to mind it. We still hadn't had any kind of sexual intercourse but that was alright.

Within the last year I had managed to dominate her mind. I controlled a lot of what she thought. I had managed to convince her to take her biology classes and now I was working on getting her interested in chemistry and pharmacology. I had a lot of plans for her when I managed to peak her interested in those things.

She was making a lot of progress. She was at a good healthy weight and her grades were starting to come up, even without my help. Olivia had potential and she was starting to turn into a nice little minion. Her confidence was starting to come up, though she still had some issues there. I was changing that slightly in our therapy sessions. We had made a lot of progress but there was still a long way to go.

I was in my office, grading some papers when I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." I called, figuring it was Olivia or a student with some questions. Once the door opened I looked up to see Karl.

"Mr. Finch?" I questioned. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to talk to you about Olivia." Karl stated before sitting in the chair across from my desk. I didn't care for the man. He was constantly trying to undo everything I had done with Olivia. He had noticed my extra interest in his cousin and he didn't like it.

"What about her?" I asked, not wanting to waste any of my time. I had things that needed my attention. This guy was just in the way.

"How is her mental stability?"

"What do you mean?"

"How is her mental stability? Do you think she could handle testifying in a court hearing?" Karl questioned.

"Where are you going with this?" I inquired.

"They haven't caught him yet but the man we believe to be Olivia's rapist has been spotted here in Gotham. If they're able to find and arrest him, do you think she could testify against him or do you think it would set her back?"