Always…
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye or Batman Begins!
Chapter Eleven
After speaking with Lisa about her upcoming move to Gotham City, Jonathan excused himself saying that he had to attend a meeting. He drove into the city and returned several hours later after it was dark. He had previously asked Lisa for the gate code and she had willingly given it to him. Now he did not need to be concerned about waking her.
He silently moved through the house and headed upstairs to his room and changed into his pajamas. Jonathan was just about to climb into his cozy and inviting bed when his blasted cell phone rang. He cursed and answered the device.
"Dr. Crane," he said, sighing as he tried in vain to disguise his annoyance.
"Hello again, Dr. Crane. Are you somewhere private?" A distinguished voice asked.
It was Ra's al Ghul, his employer who had directed Jonathan in the creation of the fear toxin. Has the deadline changed? He wondered.
"Just one moment." Crane said, slipping out of his room and hurrying down the tiled hallway. He could not risk Lisa overhearing his conversation.
Thankfully, Jackson had soundproofed his office, which Jonathan had stumbled across the previous evening and he felt grateful that he would not have to worry about Lisa accidentally listening in. He entered the room pausing to flick the dimmed lights on and kicked the door partially closed untroubled by the fact that he did not hear it shut. The noise caused by a slamming door would surely rouse Lisa from her slumber.
"Mr. al Ghul? The line is secure," Jonathan said reassuringly to his boss, and the leader of the ultra-secret League of Shadows.
"Good…good."
"Jackson?" Lisa called out as she sat upright in the large bed. "Jackson?"
He must have gotten up at some point. She softly touched his side of the bed and it still contained some essence of warmth from his body heat. She knew that she would not be able to rest until she found him and subsequently dragged him back to bed. She needed him near her to keep the nightmares at bay. She couldn't have killed him, yet she still had nightmares where she did.
His blue eyes were cold and lifeless as he laid on the ground, his limbs askew and his neck broken. His gaze was accusing, convicting her of the crime she knew she committed.
"Lisa, what have you done?" his voice would ask, his tone slightly teasing, yet still angry. "I loved you."
"Jackson?" she cried out, slowly lifting herself from the bed. "Where are you?"
Her bare feet slapped against the wooden floors soundlessly. Lisa exited the bedroom and wandered down the darkened hallway to Jackson's office. He just might be there.
A voice was somewhat muffled by the half-closed, thick wooden door. It sounded almost like Jackson. Quietly, she pushed the door open, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dim lights. He was standing with his back to her; his dark hair sticking up at odd angles.
"Yes, uh huh. Yes, I'll be back in a few days. Do not worry. It'll be done on time, I promise. Good-bye," he said politely and snapped a cell phone closed. He turned around and froze, seemingly surprised to see her standing there. "Lisa…"
"Jackson, I couldn't sleep. It's the nightmares again," she explained sighing, taking a few steps towards him.
"Which ones?" Jonathan inquired, and he began to close the gap between them.
"The ones where I kill you. I'd never do that. I love you, Jackson." Lisa whispered as she buried her head into his dark night shirt. His arms wrapped around her as she clung to him. She was being extremely weak and she knew it. But she could not help it.
"I know, Lisa. I know." he said reassuringly. "How about we go back to bed now, Hmm?"
Lisa nodded and Jonathan ushered her down the hallway. He knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he had his reasons. Plus, Lisa might give 'Jackson' clues that would help him treat her properly. She froze however, when they neared a large glass window beside her bedroom.
"Get away!" she suddenly screamed, jumping away from him and his reassuring grip. "Stay away from me!"
"Lisa, what's wrong? What do you see?" Jonathan inquired, his tone concerned. She was suffering a break from reality.
"You're dead, you died. I shot you right here!" Her green eyes filled with fear as they focused on him as she indicated the window and the floor where Jackson had fallen to his death.
"Why, Lisa?" he asked.
"I loved you too much, Jackson. It hurt too much. But you were too controlling and too demanding. It had to end," Lisa sobbed, breaking down. "Please, let me be!"
Jonathan backed away and Lisa fled into her room, slamming the door behind her as if that simple barrier would shield her from the nightmares that haunted her. He sighed and shuffled away toward his room. At least he had found out a few triggers for her memories.
He knew where Jackson had died now. Something about that window reminded Lisa of killing Jackson. Had she shot him there?
There were too many questions and too few answers. It was best to get some sleep and deal with Lisa Rippner in the morning.
Author's Notes:
Just another quick chapter to show a break from reality which will led to Lisa's fighting back in the next chapter. Enjoy!