Disclaimer: I don't own the quote from Dream Theatre's "The Mirror".

Chapter V

"You…you did what?" I gasped, horror-struck. Why didn't I remember him? How could he not have told me this when we first met? Gods above, what had he done to me?

"I swear to you, I never knew they were going to put the project into action," Crane said, reaching for my hand. I pulled away without thinking. He looked pained, but didn't remark on it. "I'm a chemist, among other things. They wanted my research and input for a project that was supposed to be hypothetical. When I received a letter from a very reputable government firm asking for me to be part of a project that could change the human race as we know it, I was only too glad to oblige. I was told that the project involved an artificial human to test on, and I was needed to help with the body's physical chemistry. I was called upon to change the body's chemical makeup to make it super strong, fast, agile, and rapidly healing. The humanoid I helped to create would be almost superhuman. However, the project was shut down due to lack of funds, and eventually I stopped thinking about it. When I first saw you, I didn't know what to think. At first I didn't think of the government project I had been working on, but when I remembered I found everything I could about you. Somehow, you managed to procure a legitimate birth certificate in New Jersey, a social security number, and a family history. Besides, I thought that the human created for the tests wouldn't be sentient, able to think and feel. I had no reason to think that you were…" his voice trailed off.

"Not real," I said softly. I looked up at him. "I think I already know the answer, but why didn't you tell me all this during one of our little chats?"

"Because I'm legally compelled not to talk about it outside of the firm," replied Crane. "However, since you are, if you'll pardon my awkward choice of words, the end result of that firm's efforts, I'm allowed to tell you about it now. I didn't know who you were before. I swear I would have told you if I'd known."

I couldn't speak for a time. The only person I thought I could trust had turned out to be one of the ones who had shaped my miserable existence. How could I ever trust anyone again now? What was I supposed to do? I knew then I couldn't stay in Gotham, but where else could I go? I couldn't even look at Dr. Crane. I didn't really blame him for what had happened to me, but I couldn't find it in me to fully excuse him either. How could he have condoned this?

'Let's stare the problem right in the eye
It's plagued me from coast to coast
Racing the clock to please everyone,
all but the one who matters the most!
Reflections of Reality
are slowly coming into view…
How in the hell could you possibly forgive me
after all the hell I've put you through?

It's time for me to deal,
becoming all too real
living in fear,why'd I betray my friend?
Lying until the end,
living life so pretend,
it's time to make my amends.
I'll never hurt you again!'

Where did that come from? Oh right, Dream Theatre, "The Mirror". One of my favourites by that particular group. Why was it in my head now? Is that what I wanted Dr. Crane to feel? I wanted him to repent, sure, but to such an extent? I just wasn't sure of anything anymore.

"I'm not sure of anything anymore," I said softly. "I don't know what to do, what to think. I don't want to blame you, but you were a part of this. I just know that I can't survive on my own anymore, and I'm not safe in Gotham. They are coming for me, I know it, and in a city like this where nothing goes unnoticed, it's only a matter of time."

"Not if you're someone like me," said Crane. "Someone who doesn't draw attention to himself." I looked at him, quirking an eyebrow questioningly. What was he suggesting? He knew the dangers of harboring me; I was basically a fugitive! Besides, why would he want me around? If he was doing this out of pity, I would not accept. Likewise for remorse. He didn't have anything to prove to me, nor did he owe me anything. I didn't want his charity; I just wanted to be able to stop running after all this time. Crane seemed to sense this as he picked up his briefcase – which he never seemed to be without. He placed it on the bed beside me and opened it, saying, "I've had these for a while now, just in case I was wrong about you. When you disappeared from the morgue, I knew I had been and was glad I had had the foresight to get them."

"What?" I asked, curious in spite of myself. In response, Crane handed me a sheaf of official-looking papers and gestured for me to read them. Puzzled, I did. It didn't take me long to realize what I was reading: adoption papers. Crane had been carrying around adoption papers for me! I tried to speak, but only a choking sound came out. Why was he doing this? Could I really trust him? I looked up at him, wide-eyed and wondering. He smiled at me.

"Sirena-" he began, but I unwittingly cut him off.

"What are you doing?" I asked softly. "How can you even consider this? You know as well as I what the danger is in being near me! If I'm found, they'll kill you, or anyone else who'd try to help me. And how do I know I can even trust you? I don't like to say this, really, I don't, but it's true. The only people I was certain I could trust are dead. Since then I've found it hard to trust anyone else. Why should I trust you?"

"Because your father did," replied Crane. I was stunned.

"You knew my father?" I asked.

"Adrik? Certainly I knew him. And your mother, Sara." He took his wallet out of his pocket, pulled something out of it, and handed it to me. "I was at their wedding." The picture he had given me showed him standing with my parents at their wedding reception, Crane smiling as my mother gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek while my father watched with a smile. I stared at the picture, unable to speak. It was true. He had been friends with my parents, the only people I ever trusted in my life. I looked up at him, tears in my eyes. Crane smiled gently at me and brushed away a tear that managed to escape. "I hope you can take my word for it when I say that I think your parents would want you to trust me. When I heard what had happened to them, I didn't know what to think. I never knew that you had been born, so I didn't know to go looking for you. All I could think to do was think of them often and wonder what had happened. When you came to the asylum, I wondered about their project and if it had been put into action. That's when I got the papers. I wanted to take care of you because I knew that you would be in danger. Just in case you really were who I thought you were, I wanted to be ready." He looked into my eyes with his electric blue ones, and I felt something in me tell me that I could trust him. "They only need one more signature to be official. You won't have to be alone anymore. You won't have to be afraid anymore."

"No," I said quietly. "I am never afraid. Fury and a passionate desire for vengeance have stamped out that particular emotion." I looked at the papers again, at the blank line waiting patiently for a signature. My signature. I didn't know what to do for a moment. Everything around me seemed to freeze as indecision seized me. By saying yes, I would have everything I had ever wanted and could never have, but I would be putting the only person who had ever shown me any kindness at risk for his life. By saying no, I would be forever on the run, desperate and lonely, but Dr. Crane would be safe from Them. Then what, by god, was I supposed to do? I did the only thing I could.

"Do you have a pen?"