'Can I borrow this?'

Diana held up a dusty rose camisole, in front of her stepmother, whom had to laugh at her.

'Sure you can.'

Diana took a seat at the vanity table in her stepmother's and father's room. Rochelle got up behind her, taking a brush to slowly comb through her hair.

'You're starting to look better, sweetheart', she smiled.

Diana flushed at her words. She felt a bit better. She really wanted to try and pick up her life again. It had been so long since her life had been carefree and stable.

As her stepmother took half her hair to braid it, she stared at herself in the mirror. Maybe she had to change up her look, just to shed some old skin in a sense. She was still hesitant about clothing she wore but thanks to Rochelle…she now knew covering up her features didn't mean she had to walk around in oversized sweaters. As long as she didn't have to put on that gold dress again…

She still remembered the party; Bruce Wayne had stuck in her head. She had been taken off guard by his offer to help her. But she wanted to become stronger.

Yet there was that part of her that was terrified; terrified of what Jonathan would do once he found out. What he would do to her or her family if she cut ties with him. If she knew Jonathan, which she did, he'd be furious at the mere idea.

He had killed before to get to her, he wouldn't hesitate to resort to violence again. That thought made her very anxious. She was putting so many lives in danger…

A tender hand was placed onto her shoulder, waking her from her thoughts.

'Relax. It's alright. Just try to enjoy yourself this afternoon', Rochelle smiled at her.

Diana put her hand on top of hers, returning the smile. She wanted to enjoy herself. She just wanted to have a friend and she hoped Liam wanted to be friends.

…

The table by the window at the corner café seemed all too familiar to her. She still felt on her guard every time a car passed her by, but the feeling of being watched wasn't there, for once. It made her wonder what Jonathan was doing. Was he back to committing crimes?

'That color looks good on you.'

She turned her head to meet Liam's eyes. She offered a shy smile. 'Thanks', she nodded.

'I'm surprised you called though', he stated after a while.

She sipped her coffee. 'I wanted to. After all you did for me…I guess I feel some sort of trust with you', she shrugged.

He offered a gentle smile. 'I'm glad', he paused to look over her shoulder. She turned in her seat, spotting a pretty red-haired woman coming towards them. Liam growled in annoyance; 'excuse me.'

He got up, going straight towards the woman. He stopped her.

'What the hell, Em? What are you doing here?' he asked.

She put a hand on her hip. Diana noticed how beautiful she was; she had thick, fiery red curls and wore leather-looking leggings, a leather jacket and a bright red tank top. On her feet were at least five-inch stiletto heels.

'Am I interrupting your date?!' She practically snarled.

Diana swallowed thickly; what was the girl's problem? Was she Liam's girlfriend?

'It's not a date, okay?'

'Right', Diana could feel the girl's grey eyes on her; 'she's pretty though. I can imagine why you couldn't say no to her', the girl crossed her arms with a scowl on her face.

Liam rubbed his forehead, sighing. 'She's just a friend. I thought you had more trust in me than that', he spoke.

'Well I have reasons not to. But hey, if you're into skinny, slutty girls with big boobs who am I to say anything, right?'

That comment made Diana very aware of her body. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to cover herself. She had always thought those days were going to be over…that people would stop judging her on her looks…

She bit on her bottom lip harshly, forcing herself not to cry.

It seemed Liam noticed how distressed she suddenly felt, and got to her side. He pulled her up, helping her into her coat.

'Grab your coffee; we're getting out of here', he told her sternly.

…

'I'm so sorry. Did she offend you?'

As they walked side by side, Diana tried not to let the girl's words get to her. She felt hurt; she had once again been judged on the way she looked. She doubted anyone besides Jonathan could ever love her, without looking down her chest first.

'That's putting it lightly', was her soft response.

He sighed. 'She can be really brutally honest. I'm not going to try to defend her; she doesn't deserve it. She was out of line', he spoke.

She glanced at him. 'She was wrong about you, right?' She started carefully, causing Liam to frown deeply. She swallowed. 'You didn't agree to getting coffee just because of the way I looked -'

'No, of course not! I've been on your case for seven months; I care about you. All I wanted was to get you back safely', he cut her off.

She offered a weak smile, even though she really felt more like crying. Why did she feel out of place so damn much?

She stopped walking, trying to swallow the thick feeling in her throat. She really was on the verge of tears…

He looked at her, his light blue eyes softening as he moved closer. He put a hand on her shoulder.

'Don't let her get to you. She has no idea what she's talking about', he assured her.

A single tear ran down her cheek. She wiped it with her palm, choking back a soft sob. 'I-I'm s-sorry…I can't help it -'

She was cut off when he pulled her to him, laying her head against his chest. That tipped her over the edge and she broke down crying completely. She buried her face into his chest, clawing her fingers into his leather jacket.

'You really shouldn't apologize. It's not your fault.'

She didn't respond. She felt out of place. At this moment…she wanted to go back to living indoors all the time with Jonathan…more than anything…

…

Rochelle watched her stepdaughter cry, running her hand through the girl's dark hair. After having coffee with the police officer, she had returned home distressed and crying.

'I-I never want to go outside again…'

The older woman felt her heart tear at seeing her this way. She had only been here for a few short months and she could see how out of place she felt.

She looked up to her, with tearful green eyes, and sobbed.

'Sweetheart…' she sighed.

'I know I should try to adjust', the dark-haired girl sobbed; 'but I can't…' she choked out.

Rochelle pulled up the covers, to tuck her in. It was the middle of the day, but she knew that Diana wasn't planning on getting out of bed again. After Liam's apparent girlfriend had ridiculed her…it was clear that had gotten to her very core.

'Can I get you anything?' she asked.

Diana shook her head side to side. Rochelle leaned down, planting a soft kiss to her forehead, before leaving her in her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Once downstairs, she picked up the phone to call her husband, whom picked up almost instantly.

'Rochelle? What's wrong?'

'It's Diana, Gabriel. I don't know what to do. '

Rochelle pushed her hand through her hair. She felt powerless; she couldn't help her stepdaughter, in any way. She had no clue about all she had suffered through by herself and even if she did…she was completely unable to help or support her.

'And you think I do? Sweetheart…I missed out on three and a half years of her life. She was bullied; humiliated and assaulted in so many ways…I can't even explain how utterly awful I feel about not being able to comfort her.'

'Maybe she should see a psychiatrist…' Rochelle suggested.

'Let's be honest, honey, the only one Diana would talk to is the madman that kidnapped her. You know that.'

She could hear the anger and fear in her husband's voice. But he was right; the only person Diana truly had a connection to was Jonathan Crane. And with him gone, she was all by herself…alone…

'Poor girl; I don't know what to do', she sighed.

'Just give her some time to herself, okay? She clearly needs it. But what was the name of the psychiatrist that your friend saw?'

'Dr. Quinzel.'

…

That evening, Crane had slipped into her room again. He very carefully closed the door to her balcony, finding her sobbing underneath the sheets. His heart sunk.

'My beautiful girl…'

She gasped at his voice. He moved forward, slowly and took a seat on the side of her bed. He clicked on the small light on her nightstand and met her green eyes through the semi-darkened room.

He studied her, hating how sad she looked. Someone had upset her, he was certain of it.

She sat up; he noticed how badly she was trembling. He reached for her, smiling when she didn't pull away from him. He wiped her tears and noticed how she leaned into his touch. She grasped his hand, sobbing quietly.

'I missed you', she whimpered.

He planted a soft kiss to her forehead, nuzzling it affectionately. He was so happy to be so close to her again…

'Just take her…you can have her back…'

Crane felt tempted, but he would wait just a little bit longer. Surely she wouldn't appreciate him taking her away tonight. She was upset and needed the comfort.

She moved out of bed and he watched her, with a fastening heartbeat as she undressed. She dressed herself in a thin, white t-shirt and black sleeping pants. His eyes went from her waist to her curvy hips.

'You're so beautiful…' he breathed out.

Diana flushed at his words. She turned to meet his eyes, as he remained seated on her bed. Why was she allowing him to stay here, she wondered. He was a wanted criminal and she still let him close. But after today…all she wanted was some comfort from someone who did understand her.

She carefully took his extended hands and allowed him to pull her into his lap. He then wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, putting his head against her shoulder. She stayed still; not knowing how to react to his sudden need for comfort.

Sighing, she leaned into him and drew her hands into his dark hair. His breathing tickled against her skin, causing her to shiver.

'I love you', he whispered.

He looked up to her, his eyes visibly emotional.

'What happened?' his hand was in her hair, drawing circles on her scalp; 'what caused you to be so upset?'

She bit her bottom lip, trying to fight her tears. She shook her head from side to side. 'I…some girl said I looked slutty…' she choked out.

His eyes grew softer. He took her by surprise, by laying her down onto her bed, and crawling on top of her. She stared at him, tears in her eyes.

'Oh…my poor angel…I'm sorry…I should've protected you better', he whispered.

Her mouth became agape. 'J-Jonathan -'

'I know I hurt you, Diana. And I'm sorry for that, I truly am', he spoke.

More tears filled her eyes. Could she believe his words, after he had lied to her? He had broken her trust in him…

'You can't ask me to trust you after all you did…' she practically cried.

He kissed her cheek. 'I know', his eyes saddened; 'but believe me…I am sorry', he whispered.

She touched his cheekbone, sobbing. 'I can't bring myself to hate you…' she swallowed; 'I'm still in love with you', she whimpered.

With a sigh, he kissed her forehead. 'I understand your pain. You have no idea how much it hurts me to be away from you', he whispered.

She could feel more tears sting in the corners of her eyes. She raised a hand to wipe them away. He took hold of her hand, only to kiss away her tears.

'Be strong for me, my love. I promise you…we will be together again soon.'

Though his statement was meant to comfort her, Diana couldn't help but feel anxious at his comment. What if he had meant what he had said?

…

Oh no! What did Crane mean by that?

I guess you'll have to wait and see, my lovelies ;)

Lots of love,

~TheOneWithTooManyInterests