The Crane and the Falcon

Chapter XIV

Katherine - 'Catch my drift' love it, love it, glad I made you smile. And making Jon and Sakura cute…sigh, wish I had a Jon…goes off and pouts

"I think that about covers it."

Jon swallowed slightly and stood, putting down his pencil and notepad where he was sitting. He donned an irritated look before wrenching open the door. Just as he met the eyes of the first police officer, he realized how questionable Sakura looked, smoking in his office and positioned the way she was. "Can I help you, gentlemen?"

"Dr. Crane?" the first officer barked, holding up his badge. The man didn't wait for an answer and instead peered into the room. He raised an eyebrow at Sakura before looking back to Crane.

"We're not interrupting anything, are we, doctor?" The second officer continued in an equally gruff voice.

Crane straightened up quickly and pursed his lips. "Besides a breakthrough concerning the mental health of my patient?" he shot back, gesturing to Sakura. The two men looked to her again, and she replied with a glare that could stop a Grizzly.

"Ms. Falcone," the first said with a small nod. He didn't miss her foot slowly moving back and forth like a pendulum. It was the heel that scared him, sharp and four-inches high. He had heard about the guy stupid enough to rat on the Falcones; he lost all his fingers before suffering death from severe brain damage caused by what appeared to be a woman's shoe heel. The entry point had been his eye.

But Sakura didn't hear him. She merely turned her attention back to her cigarette and her thoughts. She hadn't expected Crane's psychiatric methods to be so abrasive; he cut right to the chase and told her something no one she knew had the spine to tell her. But somehow, he was refreshing, telling him her dark past was refreshing.

Crane was still at the door, staring down the police. The first looked as if he wanted to enter, but the second tugged at his sleeve. "Sorry for disturbing you," he muttered. They dipped their heads in farewell and Jon slammed the door in response.

"Well then," he sighed, spinning back around. "Today was eventful. You can find your way out?" His droning edge had returned and his eyes were dark and shielded. Sakura furrowed her brow and took another drag from her cigarette. Crane winced as the stench of acrid smoke brushed his nostrils.

"I wonder, would it be possible to-," Sakura paused, searching for the right words. She met his eyes as she spoke. "To continue what we've started here."

Jonathan felt like he'd had the wind knocked out of him. He blinked several times in return. He had no idea what she could possibly be insinuating. Had he said something, done something? Did she think he cared for her? What was more- she was strong, beautiful, and invincible. She was a goddess in comparison to himself. What could she possibly want with him? Nothing, absolutely nothing. And he wanted nothing from her. At least, nothing he couldn't get for a decent price. "And that would be?"

Sakura's lips curled into a smirk. She could almost see his thoughts mirrored in his eyes. But no blush crept into her cheeks, no evidence of any remorse for bewitching the doctor so. "The therapy, of course."

Jonathan blinked again, licking his lips slowly. "Of course," he echoed, crossing the room and lowering himself back into the armchair. "Now, where were we," he muttered, his posture erect and stiff as he glanced down at his notes. No muscle in his body moved, but his eyes darkened. "Yes, your past drug abuse. Anything else you would like to add?" Normally, in a normal therapy session, he would set the egg timer in the drawer of his desk to 60 minutes and warn the client his services cost $400 an hour. But this was no normal session.

"Not particularly," she said, blowing another stream of smoke, this time away from Crane. "Cigarettes, cocaine, heroine. Can't get worse than that."

Crane nodded his head in agreement and jotted down another note on his paper. "Do you regret it? The drugs?" He looked up through his short locks of hair as he scribbled neatly on the yellow-lined paper. His eyes were clearing as he danced towards his favorite question.

"No. I've made my mistakes. I've learned from them. That knowledge is priceless." Her sentences were short, calculated. Like bursts of gunfire. Again, Crane scribbled another note or two. "I think you need mistakes to survive. In this city, at least."

The doctor paused and met her eyes. "I agree." He gave her a small, toothy smile. She couldn't help remembering what a vampire looked like. "Do you remember how you first began abusing drugs?"

"Yes. 10th grade. My cousin Alberto, he's Carmine's son, was supposed to take me to the movie theater to meet my friends and his. Uncle Carmine asked him to check in on the cocaine shipments. Being the boss' son, no one batted an eyelash when he took a kilo. Let's just say we never made it to the movie theater."

"And how is your relationship with your cousin now?"

"Well, he's just plain psychotic. I thought everyone in Gotham knew that."

Crane nodded, not to agree but to make her feel more at ease. "Do you ever fear your family?" He was getting close, only a question away. She would be a good test subject; strong, stubborn, the adrenaline in her veins would make for an interesting mixture with his new toxin.

Sakura glanced up, startled. She had never dwelled on the question before. In all her years, despite the criminals and crooks she had grew up with, she never feared them. "Never. I know it may sound strange, but I trust them. Every member of my family. Despite the Falcone name, all it entails, everyone of us would die to protect each other."

Crane was startled by her reply. He pretended to be writing avidly, while truly trying to think of a way to end the therapy. He couldn't continue. The last thread of decency in him wouldn't allow it. "I'm sorry, Sakura, but this must be continued at a different time." He glanced at his watch, "Arkham closes within the hour, you should be on your way."

Sakura stood and Crane followed. She followed him with her eyes, wondering why they had stopped so soon. It had felt so good to have someone to tell this to. "Again, I apologize, but I will not be available this week. The senior staff are preparing for the annual Arkham Charity Ball at Wayne Center next Saturday and I am afraid I will be quite busy with preparations."

"Alright. I'll be in touch, then," she murmured, turning to go. But Jonathan caught her arm. She looked back in surprise, feeling a tugging at her heart as his slim fingers wrapped around her wrist. "Jonathan?"

"You'll need this," he replied slowly, his eyes never leaving hers as he pressed a business card into her hand. "Now you'll be in touch."

Oh man, I see, I see, a BALL in someone's future! WOOT I sense major Crane action on the horizon!

Next chapter - The Narrows and Sakura has yet to be immunized! GASP