Diana woke up alone that following morning. She harshly bit her bottom lip to hold back her tears. Had it all been a dream?

She soon noticed the note on her pillow and picked it up;

'I'm sorry I had to leave you tonight, Diana. But I didn't want to endanger you. I care more about your safety than I have ever done for my own. I know I have hurt you and I'm sorry for that. But I've never been this in love before; I simply can't be without you. You're everything to me.

I love you,

Jonathan'

She laid back down, tears beginning to spill from the corners of her eyes. He had been here last night. She had slept next to him.

She still had so many questions; why had he done this? Why did he choose the criminal life? Why was she the subject of his obsession? Did he even truly love her, or was he just after her in a lustful way? She was so confused…

Her phone buzzed. She gazed at it, wiping her tears. Taking it she opened it up, to find one unread message.

'I'm sorry for leaving you; I hope you had a good night sleep.' – Jonathan.

She breathed in deeply and hesitated to reply;

'Is it true? Did you really try to poison Gotham?' hitting 'send', she anxiously bit on her thumb, waiting for a reply.

It was then her phone started to ring. In panic, she opened the doors to the balcony, closing them behind her. With trembling fingers, she picked it up.

'Gordon told you?' came his deep voice.

'S-so it's true?' she choked out.

She heard him sigh deeply. More tears filled her eyes and despite trying to hold them back, they started to roll down her cheeks.

'Diana -'

'Please don't lie to me', she pleaded softly.

'I'm sorry you got dragged into all this. It wasn't my intention to do so.'

'But leaving Gotham covered in poison was?' she asked in tears.

'We would've left before that had happened. It wouldn't have mattered.'

She felt like she had been punched in the gut by his indifference. Why was he being this way?

'Y-you don't mean that…' she mumbled.

'I do. I don't care for Gotham. All I care about is you.'

She sighed nervously. 'So much so that you'd kill to get what you want?' she asked.

'I understand you're upset, but I never intended to hurt you -'

'So that makes killing Adam okay?' she practically sobbed.

He didn't answer.

'You could've asked me to come and live with you. I wouldn't have said no. I fell in love with you way before you started to manipulate everyone around me', she told him sadly.

'I have to see you again.'

She gazed out on the street, fear and unease swirling in her gut. 'Aren't you watching me right now?' she wondered.

'I have to be cautious, Diana. I'm still a wanted man. And because of that, I can't always be there', there was a pause; 'no matter how much it pains me to be away from the one I love.'

She flushed at his words and carefully wiped away her tears. 'Y-you can't expect me to still love you back after all of this -'

'If you didn't love me, you would've taken off my ring. You're still mine. You'll always be mine.'

She chewed on the inside of her cheek. She could just hang up and go to the police to tell them what had happened…but if she did so…he'd be locked away…and she'd never see him again…

She shook that thought off. What was she thinking?! He was a criminal! All he had ever told her was a lie!

'You can't hate me, you know that as well as I do', he exhaled; 'but that's nothing to be ashamed of. I don't want us to be broken apart. I don't want to lose you.'

She swallowed thickly. 'I can't live my life with you watching my every move', she choked.

'I don't intend to hurt you, my sweet girl -'

'J-Jonathan…we can't be together anymore. Too much has happened. I can't trust you…' she whimpered.

'Yes you can. You know you can.'

'It that true, or are you trying to manipulate me again?' she asked.

'I don't need to do that to get what I want.'

She didn't answer.

'I have to go. I'll see you again soon.'

Before she could argue, he had hung up. She lowered her phone, biting her bottom lip to hold back her sobs. She didn't know what to say or think; all she knew was that she was terrified of when he would return.

…

Crane watched her as she tearfully went back inside. It saddened him immensely.

He sighed internally. He had only told her he wasn't close so she wouldn't feel as uncomfortable. He knew she was scared and confused, but he would never hurt her. She was his everything, how could he hurt her?

'I still say we take her back to the hideout.'

'Gordon is already on my tail, if I get caught, I'll never see her again.'

'True. But come on Johnny…coming back every night is torture on you, I can tell.'

Crane's hands tightened on the steering wheel; it was true. He wanted so badly to reunite their bodies, just so that they could make love again. He missed her warmth and softness so much…

He knew she felt the same way. Last night, she had been so incredibly upset. It had taken him a lot of effort to convince her to go to sleep. She had been inconsolable.

'If only we hadn't made that deal with Ra's…we wouldn't be in this mess.'

'You've always been such a sentimental weakling, Jonathan. Before all this, before Diana...all that mattered was the toxin, the fear, the intoxication it gave. Look at yourself now. What happened to the almighty Master of Fear, huh? You should be ashamed of yourself.'

Crane didn't respond; it all seemed so meaningless without her in his life. It wasn't enough anymore. Having Gotham at his knees, spreading fear and terror…it didn't matter. Not if he didn't have her by his side. Without her, all he could be was indifferent, cold, detached. He had never thought he could love like this.

She had changed him; he was well aware of that. At first…he had been disgusted by himself; to grow so weak because of her. But now…everything was backwards and turned inside out. All he wanted was her.

'You're pathetic.'

Crane narrowed his eyes. Scarecrow had been more and more of a nuisance lately. It was highly annoying and he didn't have his medication to subdue him if necessary. He was stuck with his other half.

He didn't expect Diana to understand him; she'd only fear him once she knew of his alter ego. That's why he had kept it from her; she simply wouldn't understand. He would've loved to have her come live with him on her own free will. He could've given her everything and he wouldn't have had to draw attention to himself.

'She changed you. She made you weak! This wouldn't have happened if you had listened to me and fucked her brains out when you had the chance!'

'Shut up!'

Frustrated, Crane took off his glasses to rub his eyes.

'What's going to stop her from luring you to her, only to hand you over to the cops, huh?'

'She wouldn't do that.'

'Right, because she's such a perfect, innocent little creature, isn't she? I'm telling you, if you don't take control, you'll lose her!'

'I won't', Crane answered softly.

He pushed his glasses back onto his face, his hands trembling slightly. He felt fearful; he hadn't felt that since the Batman had sprayed him with his toxin.

'I won't lose her', he breathed out nervously.

…

'How did you sleep?'

Diana walked into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes, looking at her stepmother. 'Fine, I guess', she mumbled.

Her stepmother took a seat beside her, sipping her coffee. 'Your father had to work early today', she spoke.

Diana didn't answer.

Rochelle shifted. 'Did he take good care of you…while you were missing?' she asked carefully.

Diana reached for the teapot, allowing a small smile to play on her lips while she poured herself some tea.

'He did. I know people see him as a monster b-but to me…he was never that; he was my guardian', she hesitated; 'and a lover too', she said with hesitance.

'He must care an awful lot about you', her stepmother smiled.

Diana returned the smile. 'He does; I know he does', she answered.

'I'm glad to hear that. After all that's happened to you, you deserved someone who loves you unconditionally', Rochelle nodded.

A chill went down Diana's spine. It had been more than six months since her stepfather had died, or rather, was murdered by Jonathan. She felt some sort of gratitude towards him for ending the monster, relieved that he was dead.

'I often wonder…if he hadn't kidnapped me, how our lives would've been. How things would've gone if he hadn't worked with terrorists…' she started.

'And?' her stepmom asked.

Diana twirled her ring around her ringer. 'I probably would've married him', she shrugged.

'I'll get you some bread.'

Her stepmother tried to hide her shocked expression but failed at that. Diana shrugged. She really didn't care what everyone else thought. It wasn't her fault for feeling this way.

…

'Do I really have to pick out a dress? Can't I just stay home?'

Diana gazed at the many cocktail dresses on the racks in boredom and distaste. After breakfast, her stepmother had taken her shopping. Her father had been invited to one of Bruce Wayne's parties, as had all the other Wayne Enterprises board members. And Rochelle had told her, her father thought it a good idea to take her along, just so she could socialize more.

She dreaded the idea. Men at those kind of parties would only look at her lustfully. She didn't want to stand out; she tried so hard to dull her appearance.

'Sweetheart…'

She didn't look at stepmother; her eyes were stuck on a golden, long-sleeved cocktail dress that had a decent neckline. If she had to wear a dress, she would take that one.

Dad had a very well-paid job. Ever since he had been promoted to the board at Wayne Enterprises, he had talked about moving out. He wanted her to have a bigger room, but she felt more than fine with what she had now.

She gazed at the dress, sighing. What would Jonathan think if she wore this? Would he think she looked beautiful?

Her cheeks grew warm at the thought. She wouldn't admit it to her father or her stepmother but…she was glad he was alright.

They just wouldn't understand; she had a connection with Jonathan that she couldn't describe.

She sighed; what was she thinking? She knew they could never be together again. It hurt her so much and she doubted she could ever love someone like she had loved him.

It was then her stepmom got a call.

'I'll be around the corner, just have a look around, okay?'

With that, she was off, leaving Diana alone in this really upscale store. Pouting, she picked the gold dress and with defeat and went to the dressing-rooms.

She undressed slowly, biting her bottom lip. Why had her dad insisted upon this? It wasn't fair! She didn't want to expose herself to so many men…

Once in the dress, she ground her teeth in annoyance; she couldn't zip it up. Caught up in her own swirl of emotions, she didn't notice the curtain behind her opening. It was when a pair of tender hands ran over her shoulders; she looked up into the mirror.

Her mouth dropped. 'J-Jonathan?' she asked softly.

He smiled at her, tenderly. She turned around, gaping at him. He was here again…but…it was dangerous; what if someone had seen him?

'You look stunning', he whispered.

He stepped closer; she took a step back, but her back soon collided with the mirror behind her. She put her hands on his upper arms, tightening her nails in his clothes as his lips met her neck. Her eyelids fluttered.

'What are you doing here?' she asked softly.

'I came to see you. I had to', he answered huskily.

'It's dangerous -'

'I don't care.'

His hand rested on her cheek, cupping her skin.

She stared up to his blue eyes, trembling. 'I-I…' she hesitated.

He drew soft strokes on her cheek, his eyes soft and gentle. 'You don't have to be afraid of me', he whispered.

'I-I'm not', she mumbled.

He chuckled and kissed her forehead. 'You are; I can sense it in your body language', he nuzzled his nose to her forehead; 'but it's okay, I understand', he smiled.

She felt her heartbeat fasten. He was being ever more gentle than usual. Part of her thought she saw sadness swirling in his blue eyes. It upset her; he was suffering as much as she was from this…

She reached for his face.

He took her hand in his, kissing her palm. 'I love you, Diana', he murmured.

She began to shake her head. She couldn't do this…it wasn't right… 'J-Jonathan…I can't…'

'You've said that so many times…' his lips were now again in her neck; 'I find it hard to believe you', he sighed.

Chills went down her spine at his tender kisses. She closed her eyes, letting him close. For a moment, she tried to forget everything that had happened. She was here with him…

'Come with me.'

She opened her eyes, frowning at him. 'W-what?' she asked.

'Come with me. We can leave Gotham together', he whispered.

Her mouth dropped. Was he serious? 'N-no -'

'No?' hurt washed over his face; 'I thought you cared about me', he spoke.

Tears sprung in her eyes. Part of her knew he was trying to guilt-trip her; he was manipulating her again, only this time, she could sense it clearly.

'I-I do but…'

'But what? You don't want to be seen with the Scarecrow?'

'D-don't be like that', she sniveled.

His eyes narrowed in anger. She could feel her weak persona come out again; she had always done that when he became displeased with her.

'We can't be together anymore -' she was cut off when he harshly gripped her by her shoulders.

'You think I care? I want you…I won't lose you', he almost hissed at her.

She shook her head, tears falling from her eyes. The sight seemed to make him soften his grip. He pulled her to him, hushing her.

'It's okay…I'm sorry', he kept on whispering; 'I'm sorry.'

…

Looks like there's more to Crane than meets the eye…

Lots of love,

~TheOneWithTooManyInterests