As soon as class had started, Crane kept a close eye on Diana. He could see she tried her hardest to keep his with his subject, but she couldn't. And no matter how much she was struggling with understanding everything he had explained, she refused to raise her hand and ask him.

He certainly didn't miss the way she would look at her friend next to her, her green eyes pleading him to help her. She knew she couldn't ask her best friend, since he had clearly stated the first time she was in his class; she would have to come to him for help.

'What in the world is wrong with her?' he asked himself silently.

'You're the psychiatrist here. Ask her and find out?' his other half scoffed impatiently.

'You're awfully impatient' Crane noted.

'You said you'd make an example of her, remember? Do it!' Scarecrow hissed.

'Not yet. I'm waiting for the right moment' Crane defended himself.

He saw how she rubbed her thumb over her bottom lip, the simple movement making him clench his teeth at seeing her do it. His eyes widened slightly at seeing her lip started to bleed. He got his hands behind his back. When he got to her table, he pulled out his handkerchief, and handed it to her. She looked up, her eyes meeting his.

Up close, she was so much more attractive. Her green eyes held little flecks of brown in them. Her hair wasn't tied together in a ponytail today, causing her long, wavy hair to fall down her shoulders elegantly. Even with the bruise on her face, and her split lip, she was breathtaking.

For a moment, an image of her lying in his arms flashed through his mind, causing him to tense up.

He simply shook his thoughts of him.

'Take this' he instructed.

She looked at the small cloth before looking back to meet his eyes. She swallowed thickly before very hesitantly, taking it from him. She pressed it against her lip.

He laid his hand onto her shoulder. She tensed up immediately. He trembled slightly at the contact. He felt warmth radiating from her, making him feel like he wanted nothing but to wrap his arms around her, and kiss her. To enjoy her warmth, to have her for himself…

'If the bleeding doesn't stop, you have my permission to see the school's nurse' he told her, hoping he didn't sound too overwhelmed by her presence.

She gave a small, insecure nod. As he walked past her, Scarecrow cursed at him inside his head.

'What the fuck was that about?'

'She was bleeding' Crane stated.

'Not that. You said you'd embarrass her, remember? And now, one look into those pretty, green eyes and you completely forget what's important!' Scarecrow yelled.

Crane chuckled at his other half, knowing Scarecrow was frustrated with his lack of control. But Crane had a strong mind, he wasn't about to let his violent, other side out.

He stopped walking when a blonde girl raised her hand. She looked up to him, an obvious look of seduction crossing her features. He noticed how she pressed her arms against her sides, inducing the swell of her breasts.

He felt disgusted by her so-called advances. How dared she to think he would find her attractive?

'Professor Crane, I think I'm about to have a mental breakdown. Can you help me?' she asked, her annoying voice loud enough for Diana to hear.

It was obvious the comment was made just to make her uncomfortable.

He saw how Diana turned in her seat, looked briefly at the girl, whom gave her a disgusting smirk, before mouthing some really offensive words.

Diana simply lowered her eyes, and returned back to her work.

'Listen well, Miss Wilson. I do not tolerate bullying in my class. If you feel like you need special treatment, enlighten me. But if I catch you bullying another student again, I will file a report that's have you expelled before you're finished filing your nails' he snapped at her.

Her mouth dropped.

'Am I clear on that?' he asked.

She muttered some insults before nodding.

He returned to his desk, and watched his students. He saw how Diana held his handkerchief against her bleeding lip, as the bleeding slowly stopped.

She tenderly folded the small cloth, and placed it on the corner of her desk, before resuming her work.

'Do it! Embarrass the girl, before the bell rings' Scarecrow yelled.

Crane finally gave in, realizing he wanted to see the look of fear and confusing on her face again. Whether it was because she looked so attractive being scared, or whether it was simply because he needed to interact with her, he didn't know.

He stood up.

'I'd like all of you to close your books. We're going to do a little quiz' he explained.

Students groaned and protested. All of them, except Diana, looked his way when they had cleaned up their desks.

He put his hands behind his back.

'All of us are afraid of something. A certain thing or person, that'll drive us toward insanity if we are close to it' he explained, and paused.

'Fear, is the emotion that'll show a person's true nature. It'll expose them as what they truly are' he continued.

He walked up to Diana. He didn't miss how Adam next to her glared at him. He placed his hand onto her table, causing her to gasp loudly. She looked up.

'The feeling of being unable to escape, to be forced to endure your worst fear…is the most terrifying experience a human can have' he said, his eyes never leaving hers as he spoke.

Her mouth was slightly agape. He could see she was panicking. She didn't want anyone to know what her darkest secrets were, but she couldn't hide from him.

'Tell me, Miss O'Connell. What is it that you fear the most?' he asked.

She didn't answer. He kept his eyes deeply locked within hers, determined to know what she feared.

'The feeling of being alone, isn't it, Miss O'Connell? You are terrified to be alone. You don't want to be left behind. You want to be accepted by people surrounding you. You don't want to be an outcast' he stated.

She blinked a few times, tears spilling from her big, doe-like eyes.

'She cracks so easily. Poor girl' Scarecrow taunted.

'And not just that, is it?' he asked.

'Enough!'

He looked up at Adam's voice. The young, blonde man was standing straight up, his eyes narrowed in anger.

'Excuse me?' he asked with a raised eyebrow.

'Give her some space. She doesn't need someone like you to tell her what she's afraid of!' Adam snapped at him.

'Someone like me, Mr. Fischer?' he asked.

He let go of Diana's desk, and went to Adam. He studied the young man.

'If you value your education, you'll sit down this instant' Crane tested him.

He grumbled before taking his seat. Crane briefly looked at Diana again. She shifted in her seat. He kept talking, asking other students questions, while never loosing the young girl out his sight. Her eyes went to him every now and then, her eyes slightly widened.

The slightest smile appeared on his lips. She was so beautiful…

'Still denying you want her for just 'experiments', Johnny?' Scarecrow asked.

Though his interest in the girl was really obvious, Crane chose to deny the way she was able to stir such feelings inside of him.

'Don't give me the silent-treatment, Johnny-boy. I know what you're thinking of. To think of doing such naughty things to such an innocent girl really shocks me'

Crane couldn't deny the laughter inside his head.

'You are the one whom put such thoughts into my head in the first place'

'What's holding you back, huh? Why couldn't you want her? Are you afraid?'

'Of her? Some teenage girl? Don't be ridiculous' Crane inwardly exclaimed.

'Then what's the problem?'

'Nothing' Crane mentally sighed.

'I thought so'

Crane finished his lecture, and returned to his desk. When the bell rang, he watched his students leave, leaving him by himself in the classroom.

He pushed his hands through his hair. He knew he was certain of one thing; Diana O'Connell would be his, in every shape and form.

Once his classes ended, he would follow the girl to her home. He'd find out what kind of conditions she lived in. He needed to know.

XXX

When Diana returned home, she was surprised and glad no one was home. She carefully went to get a drink from the refrigerator. She drank slowly, her thoughts -finally- at ease for a change. She was glad she was home alone. It wouldn't last, but she enjoyed the moments she didn't have to be afraid.

She thought about Crane's class. He had -yet again- showed her how much of an asshole he could be. And yet…he had shown a kinder and gentle side to him. He had told someone off when they had insulted her. She was glad he had.

She pulled his handkerchief out of her pocket, his initials imprinted on the corner of. Blood stained its clear, white surface. She had to return it clean.

She tucked it back into her pocket, determined to return it to him. While she didn't really like him, she guessed she was going to have to get to know him to see what he was really like. As long as he didn't put his hands on her, she'd be fine. She barely knew him. She wasn't sure to trust him.

Slowly, she went upstairs. She went into her room, and locked her door. She went to her bed, only to lie down, and try to get some sleep.

XXX

Crane watched the house from a distance, from his car. Diana had just walked up the porch, and had disappeared from his view. He felt tempted to go inside, to see her room, to know what interested her...

'Just go inside. No one will find out!'

'We shouldn't. What if she sees us? Or what if her parents see us?'

'You're scared?'

'No. I just think we shouldn't enter her house. Not yet'

'Why not?'

'Unlike you, I do have instincts that tell me what to do, and what not to'

'How about I take over, then?'

'I don't think so. I won't risk the chance you might hurt her'

'Johnny, you hurt my feelings. I would never hurt the little girl'

'Why not?'

'I want her just as much as you do' his other half stated.

Crane thought hard and long, realizing he -in fact- did want the girl for himself. He wanted to be able to hold her, to keep her in his arms, their bodies close as he stroked her soft hair. She'd look up to him, smiling innocently as she rested against him…

He sighed. A small part of him was still disgusted with himself. It wasn't Scarecrow, it was pride. He knew he wouldn't reduce to a lovesick teenager, he refused to become that. These feelings…they weren't a mere crush. They went deeper than mere attraction. It was so much more than that. He adored her, needed her, craved her…

He couldn't allow anyone else to touch her. Just the mere thought of someone else touching her revolted him, and angered him.

He rested his head on his hand some time later. No one had arrived yet. He started the car again, realizing he wasn't about to see anything tonight. Maybe…if he came back every night, he'd see what kind of abuse she was forced to go through.

He had to protect her. No man would ever put a hand on her in violence. He would punish any man that dared to make her cry.

He cast one last look at the dark house.

'Sweet dreams, Diana' he spoke softly, before driving back to his own apartment.

XXX

Diana woke up when she heard heavy footsteps in the hallway. She sat up, and trembled at hearing someone, she presumed Michael, tug on the door-handle.

She swallowed thickly, hoping he would go away. And after a while, he gave up, and his footsteps slowly left her door.

She breathed a soft sigh of relief. She was so glad he was gone. Tomorrow, she'd get up early to avoid both him, and her mom. Maybe that way, she could get to school in one piece.

XXX

'I can't believe you yelled at a teacher, Adam'

Adam rolled his eyes at his mother. He had all the right for snarling at Crane. He had seen the way Crane had looked at Diana. He was dangerous. And if he so much tried to harm the girl…he'd personally bash his face in.

'He was making Diana uncomfortable' he mumbled.

'You're in love with her, aren't you?' his mother asked.

He felt his cheeks grow warm at the thought. He would never admit it, but he was in love with her. He liked her. She was his best friend; of course he'd feel more towards her. But she saw him as a brother, as a guardian to protect her from people who would want to wrong her.

'She'd never want me. And I don't want to destroy our friendship' he said.

'Just wait and see. She'll find out she's crazy about you sooner or later' his mom tried to cheer him up.

He sighed. If only he could believe her…

XXX

More Crane and Scarecrow, as I promised. I like writing Crane's POV. It's so much fun to slowly make him crack, and become obsessed with Diana. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter :D

Have a nice day!

~TheOneWithTooManyInterests