Author's note: I'm evil. I've already come to that conclusion.

Chapter Thirteen:

It was Christmas Eve. Cady was at work. It was Saturday. Dr. Crane was...wherever. She sat at her desk, typing. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, smiling.

She flipped it open. "Hey dad! How's Colorado?" She asked, standing up from her desk.

"Fine honey. How's boring, old Gotham?"

She laughed. Walking out from the office, she stood in the hallway. "It's the same. Been snowing."

"Well, at least you'll get a white Christmas. How's work? Oh, am I calling you while you're there? I'm sorry."

"Dad, it's okay. I needed a break anyway. My fingers were cramping."

"Ah, I can imagine. My legs are cramping." Laughter rang out from the phone.

"Bill, tell her." Cady heard her mom say.

"Yeah dad, tell me. Did you break something?" She glanced out of the window.

"I...erm..."

"Bill!" Her mom's shrill yell made Cady pull the phone away from her ear.

"Yeah. I broke my leg."

"Too old for skiing. I told you you were too old. Showing off for those younger girls."

She laughed. "Did you really? Mom sounds pissed off."

"Of course she's mad. She has to baby sit me now. Isn't that right, Pookey?"

There was a ruffling sound. She heard her dad hiss in pain.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Your mother just threw a pillow at my injured leg."

"Don't call me Pookey. I'm not a dog."

Cady giggled. She leaned against the glass, peering out into the snow covered landscape. Outside, the sky was fading from a bight gray to a dusty one. She wished she was in Colorado, skiing.

"You know, dad, you've gotta be nice to mom. It seems like she has the upper hand until your leg is healed."

"I can walk." He snorted.

Cady rolled her eyes. "That's why it hurt when mom hit you with a pillow?" She asked, sarcastically.

"Technicalities, Cady. Technicalities. But, really, how are you doing?"

Cady shrugged. She realized he couldn't see that, so she answered. "Fine. I did well on my exams. Just working and catching up on my sleep. How's mom?"

"Aside from being an old, jealous goat? She's great."

"Oh, for the love of...Give me the phone."

There was a scuffle. Her mom won.

"Cady, dear, what are you doing for Christmas?"

"Um, sleeping."

"You're working too much. Why don't you take a trip to the spa or something nice?"

"Mom, the spa's closed tomorrow." Cady rolled her eyes.

"Then, the next day."

"Can't."

"Cady, you can't work every day during the holidays."

She laughed. "I'm not working on Sundays. Hey mom, I've gotta get back to work."

There was an exasperated sigh. "Merry Christmas, dear."

"Merry Christmas, Cady!" She heard her dad say in the background.

"Merry Christmas to you both."

"Okay. Bye, sweetie."

"Bye." Cady hung up the phone.

"How are your parents?"

Cady turned around. Dr. Crane was standing next to his office door. Apparently, he'd been there for a while.

"Fine. Dad broke his leg."

He gave her a puzzled look. "How is that fine?"

"Well, it's better than a few years ago when he broke a rib, a wrist, and a leg." The expression didn't lift from his face so she expanded on the subject. "My dad is a showoff. Especially when it comes to annoying my mom."

He raised his eyebrow, but he still didn't seem like he understood. "Oh." He said.

"What are you doing for Christmas?" Cady spoke without thinking.

She chewed on her bottom lip as he regarded her for a moment. "Well, surprisingly I'm supposed to take the day off." He looked away for a moment, "But, I doubt I'll be at home. There is always something to do here."

"You should consider taking an entire day off. I think it might do wonders." She said as she made her way back to his office.

He followed her with his eyes. She stopped right in front of him. He was blocking the entrance.

"Are you saying I need a vacation?" He asked, looking down at her.

She looked up at him, grinning. "Everyone needs a vacation." She slid her phone into her pocket.

The corner of his mouth twitched. "Is that your idea or your mother talking?"

Cady thought for a moment. "Both." Her tone was sarcastic.

He smirked, taking off his glasses. Cady went to move past him, but he didn't budge. She put her hands up and lightly pushed against his chest. He took a few steps back into the office. She followed. She heard the door close behind her. Abruptly, he had her pinned up against the door. Her mind flashed back to their encounter on the elevator. She froze for a moment when he started kissing her. He slid his hands up her sides and cupped her face. He pulled her closer to him. Cady could feel him pressing his body into hers. She could smell his cologne. He tried to deepen the kiss. She hesitated. He pulled away, still holding her face.

"What's wrong?" He asked, watching her as she caught her breath.

"It's...I just...um...I don't know." She sighed, looking away.

He frowned. "Are you alright? Do you need anything?" He cocked his head to the side, examining her as he spoke.

She furrowed her brow, glancing at him. "Do I what?"

His hands on her face moved back down to her arms. "Cady, if you don't tell me, I can't help you."

He rubbed her arms through the sweater. The touch was nice. His face was finally alive with emotion. She didn't know if it was lust, passion, or hunger. Possibly all three. Cady wanted to melt.

"Are you feeling okay? Have you been sleeping? Eating?"

"That's not it." She smiled nervously.

He leaned down and kissed her lips again. It was faint. He moved to her jaw. Her neck. Cady closed her eyes.

"I-I can't think..." Her voice trailed off as he found her lips again.

This time the kiss was hungry. Demanding. His tongue invaded her mouth. He pressed himself into her again. She could feel his body responding. She was responding. One hand left her arm and cradled the back of her head. The other circled her waist. She let out a small moan. The sound drew her away from the feelings. She squirmed and pushed him back.

"No." She took a few breaths, blinking. "No. Not here."

He nodded, finally understanding her. His expression slid back into the blank stare as he checked his watch. "I'll make you dinner tonight." He murmured, kissing her again.

The newfound attention was making her nervous. Why was he suddenly so touchy-feely? He'd been almost like a statue towards her for over two weeks. He barely even spoke to her outside of work related topics.

"I've gotta finish working." She broke the kiss and turned away.

"You can finish it Tuesday." He said as he pulled away from her.

The sudden loss of warmth made Cady shiver. She watched as he walked over to his desk and straightened the files up. She moved towards her cubby hole and started shutting the laptop down.

"You don't need to take it with you." He said behind her as she unplugged it.

She just shrugged, setting it back down on her desk. She threw her coat on. She felt him slip her scarf around her neck. He was so close she could hear him breathing. She laughed as his fingers fumbled when he couldn't see what he was doing. He backed away when she closed her jacket. She zipped her backpack up and flung it over her shoulder. Grabbing her hat, she turned around.

"You'll need to follow me-" He started.

Cady cut him off. "I took the train. It was snowing. I try not to drive in the snow."

He frowned. "So, you'd rather freeze to death?"

"Better than causing an accident."

His lips thinned, but he didn't respond. She wondered if he was the type to save up these things and throw them back in her face when he got mad. She shuddered thinking about it. She didn't want to see him that mad.

"Then, lets go." He turned and made his way out of the office.

Cady followed, shutting the door behind her.

Outside it was cold. Freezing. The sky was darkening, quickly. Crane unlocked the car doors and let her in before he started the engine. He scrapped away the few pieces of ice that had managed to build up on the windows. When he got back into the now warm car, his nose was bright red. Cady giggled.

"You look like Rudolph."

He glared at her out of the corner of his eye. He pulled off his gloves and rubbed his hands together, holding them next to the air vent. "We can't all be snowflakes and thrive in the cold."

Cady stifled a giggle. He glared at her again before backing out of Arkham's parking lot. Once he got onto the highway, he flicked the radio on. Beethoven wafted through the speakers. Cady wondered if he was trying to avoid Christmas at all cost. She giggled at the thought.

"Please, do tell, my giddy passenger." He didn't look at her as he spoke.

"I was wondering if you were avoiding Christmas."

He glanced at her for a moment, then back to the road. "About late November it gets old."

"Uhhuh." She looked out of the window. She started humming jingle bells.

"Cady." His tone was light, but she could clearly hear the warning.

She looked over at him. "What?" She asked, innocently.

He didn't say anything. He didn't even look at her.

"Killjoy." She mumbled.

He turned up the volume on the player.

"At least it's a classic." She said, turning her attention back to the scenery.

They were quiet for a while until he pulled into a small parking lot next to a grocery store. It was probably the smallest grocery store Cady had ever seen.

"Wait here." He said, getting out of the car.

"Alright..." Cady waited until he had shut the door before she fiddled with his radio.

He came back ten minutes later. Cady had to bite her tongue to stop herself from laughing as he walked back to the car. When he opened the back door to put the paper bag down, she heard him sigh. Heavily. She burst out laughing. He closed the door and got into the drivers side. She couldn't look at him because she was laughing too hard.

"Really, Cady. How childish." He turned it off.

"At least it was still classical." She managed to choke out in between her fits of laughter.

He just sighed again as they left the store. They didn't say anything until they reached the parking garage for his condo. He went up a few flights before parking.

"Wow. High class." Cady remarked, looking around.

"Aren't you used to it?" He said, turning off the car.

She shrugged. "I've never gone out with anyone who didn't live in a dorm or frat house."

"Hm." Was all he said as he got out.

Cady exited the car before he could open her door. He did manage to block her from the back seat. He handed her the backpack. Turning back into the car, he folded the paper bag down and lifted it out along with his briefcase.

"Do you want me to help you with anything?" She asked.

He stopped for a moment. He hesitated in giving her the briefcase. "Don't drop it." He warned.

Cady nodded. "What floor do you live on?"

"You'll see." He said as he walked towards the elevator.

Cady followed him up to his apartment. Inside it was very clean. She was afraid to touch anything. She set her bookbag on the floor by the khaki and brown couch. He walked into the kitchen to set the bag down.

"Where do you want this?" She held up the briefcase.

"I'll take it." He left the kitchen and took it from her.

She watched him walk down the hall and into a room. Cady sauntered to the sliding glass doors and peeked out of the curtain. She pulled it back slightly. The view wasn't bad. The buildings around were in the Art Deco style. The snow made it look like something from a old timey photo. She walked over to his entertainment center. He had a lot of classical, jazz, and instrumental CDs. Hardly any movies. A few stacks of magazines. And books. Most of the shelves were filled with books. She heard him walk out of the room and into the kitchen.

"What are you making?" She asked, wandering to the kitchen's entrance.

"Pasta." He said, turning to grab something out of a cabinet.

He had taken off his blazer, sweater, shoes, and tie. In the crisp white shirt and black pant combo, he looked casual. Cady realized she was still in her jacket and boots. She walked back to the living room and took off her jacket. She hung it on a chair and then went to work on her boots. She placed them by the door. When she looked up he was standing a few feet in front of her holding a wine glass.

"Here. I'm sure you can find something to entertain your self with while I prepare dinner."

Cady smiled, taking the glass of red liquid. "Alright."

He nodded and walked back into the kitchen. "Don't spill it." She heard him call after her.

"I'm not five." She took a sip.

"I'm not always sure of that." He commented flatly.

She didn't respond. He didn't seem to mind. Cady walked over to the couch and sat down. She pulled a psychology magazine onto her lap. She flipped through a few pages until she saw an article that caught her eye. By the time she was finished with the magazine (and the glass) she could smell something from the kitchen. She stood up and strolled over. She leaned against the counter, watching him.

"That smells good." She said.

He glanced up at her from the sauce. "Do you need a refill?"

Cady looked at her glass. "Not until I've had something to eat."

He nodded, looking back at the pot as he stirred.

"What are you making?" She moved so she could get a better look at the contents.

"Sauce." He said. He threw some bright green basil into the pot.

Cady rolled her eyes. "I know that. I meant what kind? What dish are you creating?" She was mocking his tone.

"It's almost done." He grabbed the strainer in the sink. It was only half way full with noodles.

He dumped the noodles into the pot of sauce and stirred. He reached for her glass, refilling it. Cady watched as he grabbed two bowls and filled them with the pasta.

"It's ready." He said as he sat the bowls on the table.

"Yay!" Cady smiled, sitting down.

They ate in relative silence until finished.

"Did you enjoy it?" He asked, sipping his wine.

She nodded. "It was delicious. I really like mushrooms."

He smiled. "I'm glad you liked it."

Cady smiled in response, finishing her glass of wine.

He stood up and took the bowls into the sink. He turned on the water and rinsed them out before placing them into the dish washer. When he came back he poured some more wine into their glasses. He didn't sit down. Instead, he walked out into the living room and turned on some music. It was Vivaldi. Cady could barely hear it, but the tune was unmistakable. She stood up and leaned against the kitchen's entry way.

He glanced at her. There was a grin on his face as he looked back at his CD collection.

"What?" She asked.

"You're face is flushed."

Cady blinked. She looked down at her glass. It was almost empty. This is my third one. Damn. She sat the glass down on the counter and walked to the couch. He turned around to face her when she sat down.

"You look really casual. It's becoming." She remarked.

He looked down at his clothes. "Thank you." He paused, taking a sip. "I think you're buzzed." He commented, raising an eyebrow.

Cady looked away, embarrassed. She could feel the couch shift under his weight. "I told you I'm a lightweight."

She heard him set his cup down on the coffee table. She looked out the window. It was snowing outside.

"Cady."

"Hm?" She asked, turning towards him. His glasses were off. His eyes were half closed.

He kissed her. Again. And again. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He wrapped his around her waist. He pulled her towards him. He deepened the kiss. She was straddling his lap. Her hands untucked his shirt. He pulled at her sweater. She pulled away to shed the offending garment. Once it was on the floor, he grabbed her by the belt loops on her pants. He pulled her towards him. He kissed her again.

*

There went his resilience. He pushed her down into the couch. Lying on top of her, he began to massage one of her breasts through her shirt. He couldn't stop kissing her. He hadn't planned on doing this until much later in their relationship. But, something had happened at the asylum. He had only planned on kissing her. Teasing her. Keeping her interest peaked. She seemed more distant lately. She didn't wait for him when she was off. She had that date with the kid. She didn't try to talk his ear off about the patients. Now, he couldn't stop kissing her. He was thankful she had protested to their location. It had given him time to think. Of course, he had already thrown his resilience away. Oh, there went his shirt with it.

She moaned slightly. He slid a hand under her shirt and grasped a breast. He could feel her nipple through her bra. He played with it until she moaned again.

"Lets," kiss, "take," another kiss, "this to," again, "the room." He managed to say.

She nodded, allowing him to help her up. He kissed her again as he lead her into the room and to the bed. She pulled off her shirt. He watched hungrily as she slipped her pants off. What is she doing to me? I blame the wine. Dammit. Control yourself, Jonathan. He followed suit and then climbed on the bed. He laid on top of her, kissing her mouth. His hips moved of their own accord against her pelvic region.

She took in a sharp breath. "Oh."

She ran her fingers up his back and into his hair. She rubbed herself against him. Trying to egg him on. His mind clouded over. He sighed in arousal. He needed to stay on top of the situation. It was hard with the small noises she was making. His hands found her chest and massaged it through the fabric of her bra again. He unclasped it. His mouth trailed down her neck and to a breast as he dropped the bra onto the floor. He licked it. Sucked it into his mouth. She arched up against him. He was painfully hard. She wrapped her legs around his waist. He sucked on her other nipple. A hand trailed down her side and slid under her panties. He stroked her. She started to move with his rhythm. He let her breast go and moved back slightly so he could see her.

He saw Anna.

He froze.

"Jonathan?" She asked, her tone heavy with promises of pleasure. She kissed his arm.

He swallowed. Blinked. Cady looked up at him. Her face was a mixture of arousal and confusion.

He shook his head. "Nothing." He leaned down and kissed her again.

His fingers started to move again. She moaned into his mouth. He couldn't push the image of Anna out of his mind. He stopped. He looked down at her. Her eyes were half closed.

She smiled up at him, running a hand through his hair. "What's wrong?"

He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Nothing. I'll be right back."

He let her go and walked into the bathroom. He knew by the time he came back she would be asleep. He glared at his image in the mirror. It laughed back.

'Why'd you stop? I was getting excited.'

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He growled.

'I was trying to do her.' Scarecrow laughed. It was coarse. Like salt rubbed on a fresh wound.

Jonathan raised his fist up. He glanced at the mirror. It was new. It wasn't that he didn't want to pay for another one (they weren't that expensive compared to other things), he just didn't know how he'd explain the mess to Cady.

'Why would it matter?' Scarecrow hissed.

Jonathan looked back at his reflection. He was right-why would it matter? "Because it would cause unwanted attention." He said.

'And taking her out to eat or fucking her won't?'

He frowned. "She's smart. A valuable help at work."

'You like her.' Scarecrow cackled.

"She's interesting." Jonathan defended himself.

'So am I.'

Jonathan pulled open a drawer. A few pill bottles slid to the front. His reflection snarled at him. He opened one of the bottles and threw two pills into his mouth. Turning on the faucet, he cupped his hand under the water. He chewed the pills slightly and took a drink. His reflection flicked him off as he walked out of the bathroom.

Cady was sound asleep. He sighed. He wasn't in the mood anymore. He hated what had happened. He climbed in on the other side of the bed and pulled the covers over them both.

*

The lights were flickering. On. Off. On. Off. She was walking down the hall. In the lower level of Arkham. The lowest level of hell. The inmates were in their cells. They moved so quickly she couldn't tell what they were doing. She could only see them out of the corner of her eye. They moved. Vibrated. Silent in their agony. Silent in their fear. When she looked directly into the glass, nothing. Empty space. Only shadows. And light. On. Off. On. Off. On. Off. It was so quiet. She'd been here before. She kept walking. She stopped at a door. It was ajar. The name was illegible. She pushed the door open. The light flickered. On. Off. On. Off. On. It stayed on. She stepped into the room. There was a body on the floor. Blood leaked out from some unseen wound. A river. Slowly, she took another step. Another. She was sinking. She kept going forward. Before she knew it she was knee deep in the red river. It was pulling her down. She struggled. Panicked. Kicked her feet out. Someone called her name. She couldn't see them. Sinking. She couldn't keep her head above the red. It oozed over her face. Covered the last bit of light. She screamed.

"Cady!"

Cady jerked awake. She was breathing heavy. Her limbs were pinned down. It was too dark. She could barely see. Where was she? She rolled her head from side to side, trying to regain focus. All she could remember was the blood. The smell invaded her nose. She tried to thrash out again. To get away from the suffocating smell. Something held her down.

"Cady, wake up." The voice was calm, collected. Dr. Crane.

She took a deep breath. The air was cool. It smelled like him. She swallowed. "What happened?" She blinked a few times. Her vision was coming back.

"You were having a night terror. Are you alright, now?"

Cady looked up at him. He was still holding her down. A look of concern on his face. She looked around her. Her brain was still foggy. "Where?" She was too confused to finish her thought.

"You're at my place, remember? I made you dinner? After work?"

She nodded. It was starting to come back now. She went to move, but he wouldn't let go. "Um, can I sit up? I promise I won't thrash about again."

He gave her an uncertain look before he slowly backed off her. She pulled herself up into a siting position. She rubbed her head. Sighed. "I'm sorry. I've never done that before."

"How would you know? Do you sleep with many people?"

Cady glared at him, then realized they were both in a state of undress. She blushed. Reaching for the sheets, she stammered. "N-no! It's just, it was so real. I've never experienced something like that. Not since-" She stopped herself. She remembered back to the day he had given her the ketamine. "Nevermind."

She pulled the sheets up over herself. She sat there for a few minutes. Crane moved closer to her. He ran a hand through her tangled hair. She noticed a reddish-purple mark on the side of his leg.

"Did I do that?"

He looked down at where her attention was. He rubbed a hand over it. "It's alright. I've had worse." His tone was indifferent.

She sighed again, looking up at him. "Will a sorry work?" She bit her lip.

He laughed. It was soft, but masculine. She'd never heard him laugh like that before. It wasn't his usual arrogant tone. It was different. It was a real laugh.

"Yes." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, moving some hair behind her ears. "Are you sure you're alright? Did you have too much to drink?"

Cady looked puzzled for a moment. "I didn't even finish my third glass."

"Well, you feel asleep..." He murmured, turning away.

"Oh. Oh god. I'm sorry." She blushed, but it wasn't from excitement. She was thoroughly embarrassed. "I'm so sorry."

He turned his attention back to her and laughed again. It was short. Arrogant. Normal. He tugged on the sheet she held over herself. "It's alright. You can make it up to me, if you'd like."

He leaned towards her, catching her mouth in a kiss. He had succeeded in pulling the sheet away from her. Cady felt exposed. She tried to cover her chest with her arms. He grabbed her wrists and held them against the headboard. He pushed himself against her. The kiss deepened. It was forceful. Demanding. She moaned. He moved from her mouth to her jaw then down her neck. He encircled a nipple. The butterfly kisses tickled. She giggled. He bit down. It was hard enough to hurt. Cady gasped. He pulled her down. He rested himself on top of her. Still kissing. Still nipping. Sucking. Ravenousness. Craving. Dominating. He picked up where they had left off earlier.