'Easy, it's okay.'

Diana had stumbled slightly, caught by surprise at finding Liam in front of her, but then she felt his hands carefully grasp her shoulders and help her regain her balance.

'You alright?' he asked.

'I-I guess', she answered shakily; 'I had an argument with my dad, that's all', she mumbled.

His gaze softened. She just stared at him, biting on her lip. Diana felt some sort of safety with him and she knew that this was more attributed to the fact that he hadn't given up on her, not just because he had rescued her. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be here.

Still…there was a part of her that wanted to go back to Jonathan and she supposed this was the result of his manipulation over the months she had been hidden away with him. A therapist would probably diagnose it as Stockholm Syndrome. Diana only hoped she wouldn't be forced to see someone, how could she even begin to explain every pain she had been through, to a complete stranger, when her own family didn't try to understand.

'How are you?' he asked after a while, his voice laced with genuine concern.

'I've been better. Nobody seems to really try to understand how I feel', she sighed.

'Come on. Let's talk somewhere warmer', he suggested, holding out his hand for her to take.

She took his extended hand, carefully. 'I-I want to thank you', she said quietly, as they walked.

'No need to thank me. I did my job', he smiled.

Diana noticed that he had a nice smile, and she tried to return it. Everything was taking time. Not only was she trying to adjust to being back in the outside world again, after being trapped in a house for months, but being around other people in general made her nervous. Her level of trust was very low if not completely broken these days.

'I still want to. My dad told me how much effort you put into trying to fight for my case. I owe you a lot', she spoke honestly.

Liam's expression remained neutral. 'You should really take it slow. It's been what? Only a week?' he sighed.

She looked at him. He was right but she wasn't going to stay indoors all the time. She had done that for seven months straight. And despite her fear of him coming after her…she didn't want to be a recluse. She couldn't. She was finally free.

With everything that had happened since, that thought was only now crossing her mind; she was able to fully appreciate that she was free to go outside whenever she wanted.

'I'm not planning on staying inside. I've been doing that for way too long', she answered him.

'I know. But you know…there's a pretty big chance he'll try to get close to you again', he shrugged.

Her mouth dropped. He was right. She talked a tough act, but if she was really back in front of him…she wasn't so sure she would be strong enough to tell him to leave and to stop following her. Hell, she was completely sure she would fall back into her bad habits and let him into her heart again.

She just sighed. Her whole head felt messed up. And arguing with her dad had only made matters worse. By calling Jonathan names, her father only pushed her more towards him.

'He won't hurt me, right?' she asked carefully.

'I guess that's the good part. He probably won't. From what you told us, he cares an awful lot about you. Even so much he would keep you from harm and would kill for you', Liam explained, emphasizing the word keep, as he was fairly certain that if Crane got a hold of Diana he wouldn't let her go a second time.

Diana nodded absently, while twiddling the ring around her finger.

They entered a small nearby café, which appeared to be quite busy. As Liam went to order coffee, Diana sat by the window, staring through the glass as her thoughts started to drift. It was reassuring in a way to hear that Jonathan wouldn't harm her. She should've known he wouldn't. In her time with him, he had been gentle with her, treating her like a princess.

Her face flushed at the recollections. All Jonathan had ever done was take care of her, no matter how much he had manipulated her.

Tears prickled in her eyes, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, willing the tears not to fall. The last thing she wanted was to have a break down in front of Liam and in a public place. It was so easy to forget what he had done, that he had taken advantage of her damaged mind, as if she were just some experiment because of his twisted obsession. He had made it easy for her to become entrapped; she had been entranced and swept off her feet, because she had never been in love before and he knew that. She had only known violence. And when he showed her how he could love her…of course she melted like butter in his arms.

Her arms crossed over her chest protectively, as the feeling of hurt and betrayal seeped through. Why hadn't he just told her he was in love with her? Why hadn't he asked her to stay with him? She probably wouldn't have said no to him.

A dull ache started to throb at her temples and instinctively she rubbed her forehead. What was she thinking? He had killed so many people to get to her, including Adam and his family, people that she had cared about and she still wanted him?

Burying her face into her hands, she mumbled; 'God, what's wrong with me?'

'Hey. I got you a pumpkin spiced latte, is that okay?'

Liam's voice startled her from her thoughts.

She looked up to his blue eyes. 'Y-yeah, sure', she answered softly.

Liam took a seat in front of her, his eyes visibly softening. He noted her exhaustion; the poor girl had dark circles under her eyes and the fear in her green eyes was obvious every time they frantically darted to the road when a car drove by in the street.

Liam carefully reached for her hand, snapping her out of her trance, as her worried eyes looked at him.

'You okay?' he asked her.

He knew she wasn't okay. Crane was probably already close, if not watching them this very moment. She had to feel unnerved at the thought of being watched the entire time; it would be enough to make anyone hesitate about trying to get their life back to any sense of normalcy.

'N-no', she answered softly.

He swallowed. 'If you ever need help, you can always ask me', he began carefully.

She looked at him, smiling slightly. 'Thank you. I'm really grateful for all that you've done for me.'

He smiled himself. For seven months, he had pondered what kind of girl was behind those pictures he had seen. And now…he was speechless. This girl had gone through so much shit and she still managed to smile at him; him…the guy who had ripped her out of her 'peaceful love-life'.

'I'm just glad you're back with your dad. And I can assure you I'll do anything to make sure we find him', he answered.

Her eyes warily gazed outside. 'I can feel him watching me…' she breathed out.

He looked outside as well. He wanted to go outside, to call him out and confront the bastard but he hadn't been injected with the antidote that counteracted Crane's toxin yet, so he just had to sit tight…for now…

Just being here with Diana automatically put him on the former doctor's hit-list. The guy may be a psycho with his possessive and controlling behavior towards Diana but he had shown his intelligence by manipulating her and effectively taking out Adam Fischer and his family because the boy had gotten too close to what Crane believed was 'rightfully his'.

Liam felt outraged by the mere idea that Crane thought of her as property. It was sickening to think he would lay claim over a young girl. She had gone through enough, couldn't the bastard leave her be?

'Well they're putting the antidote to his toxin into mass production at Wayne Enterprises and hopefully…all the cops will get injected with it just in case we come across him', he explained.

She sipped her coffee thoughtfully. He then noticed how she was wearing faded baggy clothing which drowned her otherwise stunning appearance.

'You're dressing like this to hide from him?' he asked.

'Not just him. I don't want to give anyone an excuse to take advantage of me again', she mumbled.

His mouth dropped. She was in an even worse condition than he had first thought. 'Have you thought of going to a therapist?' he carefully asked.

At that she shot up and snarled, 'Oh, real subtle! Why don't you just write 'insane' on my forehead while you're at it!'

He was taken aback by her sudden reaction.

Pulling a five dollar bill out of her wallet, Diana threw it into his face. 'Thanks a lot.'

She left without another word. Liam rubbed his forehead thoughtfully, before getting up. He wanted to make sure Crane didn't go after her. In this emotional state, she would easily go with him.

…

Diana immediately regretted her outburst, after she had gone outside. She stopped walking, biting her bottom lip. She had been so unfair to Liam. He had only asked her a simple question and she had snarled at him.

Turning around she found him coming towards her, holding her coffee. She looked at him apologetically.

'I-I'm sorry…' she sighed.

He just offered a gentle smile. 'It's okay. I understand', he assured her.

She took the coffee from him, biting her bottom lip. 'Can you please take me home?' she asked.

He nodded with a smile. 'Sure.'

…

Crane felt jealous and helpless; he was so hurt by seeing her close to someone else. He knew she wouldn't betray him but still…to see her hold onto another man enraged him.

'If you just let me take over…she'll be back in your arms before the week ends…'

Crane felt tempted by Scarecrow's words. He wanted her back so desperately; living without her was a complete hell.

Still…he didn't want to upset her; she was confused and afraid. He couldn't bear the thought of her being afraid of him again; she was the only one that was able to make him happy and made him feel so loved. He had never felt so afraid of losing someone like her; she was his mistress, his everything.

Sighing, he guessed he just had to send her a message, to let her know that he didn't intend on harming her.

…

'Thanks.'

Diana offered Liam a gentle smile, as he got onto the porch of her home.

'Don't mention it; I'm just glad you're safe here', he said returning her smile.

She shivered as soon as the door behind her opened. Her dad emerged and eyed Liam for a few moments.

'Ah Mr. Smith. Fancy seeing you here', Gabriel spoke with a frown.

Diana sighed. 'Dad…he just brought me home, okay? I needed the space', she bit back quite harshly.

Her dad exhaled deeply. 'Come on; we need to talk.'

…

'I understand you're still upset with me.'

Diana crossed her arms over her chest. That was one way to put it. 'I am. You can't just expect us to get along like we used to. A lot has happened while you were gone', she answered.

'I know that', her father sighed.

She bit back her bottom lip, to hold back her tears. She had never thought she'd see her father again. After he had left…things only got worse for her. She resented him for it, she knew that. Part of her knew very well that if he hadn't left her like that, she would've been spared a lot of abuse.

On the other hand…if she had been with her father…she would've never met Jonathan. So it really was a mixed feeling for her. It would take both of them time, to grow past those three years. She was willing to do so but only if he wanted to.

'Why didn't you call?' Her throat felt dry and tears stung in her eyes, as she finally voiced the question that had plagued her mind for years.

Gabriel ran a hand over his face. 'I don't have an answer for that sweetheart; I'm sorry', he apologized.

Disappointed, she stood up. 'I-I'm going to my room. Please don't bother me', she told him with teary eyes.

Her dad nodded in understanding. Diana hurried up the stairs, throwing herself on the bed. She rubbed her eyes tiredly; the thought had briefly crossed her mind to run away but she couldn't. She couldn't be with Jonathan anymore, no matter how badly she wanted to. She couldn't live her life on the run with him.

She pushed herself up by her elbows, turning her attention to the window, getting back to her feet she moved towards it and looked out. A sleek black Mercedes was parked across the street. She knew Jonathan had a Mercedes…but was it really him? Was he so close?

Diana ran a nervous hand through her tangled hair; she was crazy for wanting him back, she knew that. But that was hardly her fault…

Sighing, she went back to her bed; what she really needed right now was rest.

…

Crane had taken a huge risk going into her room that night. But for her…he was willing to do anything.

He smiled at the sight of her, laying in the bed, the flower printed quilt covering her. He carefully positioned himself beside her, he wanted to feel her closeness again. Wrapping his arms around her slim waist and as if she knew he was there, she turned over, her arm curling around his torso.

'Jonathan…' she murmured sleepily.

In response, he pressed a light kiss to her forehead, while his hand moved her hair away from her face. 'I mean you no harm, Diana. I would never hurt you', he promised.

Her eyelids twitched with sleep, then slowly fluttered open. When she looked up at him he saw; fear, sadness and confusion flash in her green orbs before finally settling into a tender gaze.

Diana shuddered, as his hand lovingly caressed her cheek. She took his hand in hers, kissing it softly. Tears began to bead up in her eyes. He was here…

She could feel all her fear and anger for him melt away, which she couldn't stand herself for. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't hate him…

'Please tell me this has all been a bad dream. Please tell me we'll wake up in your apartment tomorrow', she pleaded tearfully.

He sighed and whispered, 'I'm sorry, Diana.'

More tears clouded her vision and she began to sob quietly. 'Please hold me', she asked.

He pulled her into him fully and she allowed the tears to run down her cheeks, as she laid against him. She wanted to stay with him so badly…but she couldn't…

…

I know I'm awful for still shipping them but it's Cillian Murphy?! Can you blame me?!

Please don't hate me xD

Lots of love,

~TheOneWithTooManyInterests