Never…

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye or Batman Begins!

Chapter Twelve

"Let's get going." Bruce said, taking her shoulders and sweeping Amy out of the front door. "We can't be late."

"But, I don't want to go," Amy protested, furious that her escape plan was foiled. Now she would not be able to elude Jonathan and she would fall into his grasp once again. Even if he was only her uncle, there would be no one to stop him from reaching her. Her mother had murdered the one man that might have stood in his way; her father.

"Amy, Jonathan won't be able to hurt you. You won't even have to speak today. You just need to be present in the courtroom."

"He'll kill me!"

"Even Crane can't harm you in a public courtroom," Bruce reassured her. "I won't let him."

"Oh, he'll find a way. He always finds a way."

Bruce sighed. "Let's just go pick-up your belongings, okay? Then we can worry about the hearing."

Amy nodded weakly in agreement and followed Bruce to one of his expensive cars, which inhabited his garage. When going out in public, he always was careful to maintain a certain image, however around the manor; he appeared to be an entirely different man and not the risk-taking playboy as he was portrayed by the media. Amy knew deep in her heart that Bruce was a good man, but she could not help the fear she had of him.

Still, Amy was curious what the real Bruce behind the façade was like. She knew that she had yet to see the reality behind the image of charm he put on display and she worried that he might be just like Jonathan. Jonathan had spent his life building deceit behind a superficial mask of grace and charm. He hid his true intentions rather well. Could Bruce be the same way?

The car ride from Wayne Manor to Jonathan Crane's house was spent in complete silence. Bruce did not speak to Amy and she did not venture to strike up any conversation. The quiet environment was fine with her after the events of the past several hours. Confronting her past memories and subsequent fears had been exhausting to her.

They arrived in front of the modest house and Bruce helped Amy from the car. She was still carrying her battered backpack as she hesitantly approached Gordon, who was sitting on the front steps of the porch.

"Good morning, Amy," greeted a smiling Jim Gordon. "Ready for the big day?"

"What big day?" Amy inquired.

"Today is the day that we make the first major step towards locking Crane up for good. If it weren't for you, Amy, we would never have made it this far."

"You would have eventually gotten him for a double homicide," she snarled as she stormed past Gordon and into the house.

"Is something wrong?" Gordon asked Bruce quietly.

"She knows the truth about Jackson being her father now. In addition I had to draw some blood from her last night for Fox to run some pathology tests."

"Blood tests? That doesn't sound too bad."

"Usually it's not unless you are deathly afraid of needles because your psychopathic uncle decided to use you as a lab rat."

"Oh, true," Gordon responded sympathetically, understanding Amy's behavior completely now.

"She doesn't want to go to the hearing."

"Is she worried about Crane?"

"Of course she is and for good reason."

"What's the timeline on getting the results on her blood tests from Fox?"

"I don't know. I'm hoping we'll find out soon. The report is critical as evidence for the trial."

"Is he coming to the hearing?" Gordon asked, curious. Having Fox on their side for the trial would be invaluable.

"I do believe so."

Several more minutes passed with Gordon and Bruce continuing their small talk. They were both trying their best not to glance at their watches in impatience. Amy was hopefully gathering her meager belongings and changing into appropriate clothing for the hearing.

Finally, Amy emerged from the house, pulling the door shut behind her. Her ratty backpack was stuffed as she slung it across her shoulder as always and a worn duffle bag was clutched tightly in her right hand. She was dressed in a sharp business-style outfit complete with matching heels. The woolen dress pants hid the bruises and scrapes from her assault and the sleeves of her blazer covered all the marks on her arms. The blue blouse that she wore caused her eyes to stand out more vividly than usual. The dark bruises upon her neck were the only injuries she could not hide and stood out clearly against her pale skin.

"Ready?" Bruce inquired.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Amy answered glumly as she headed towards the car.


Amy huddled between Bruce and Rachel at one side of the packed courtroom while Dr. Jonathan Crane relaxed in a chair on the other side, dressed impeccably in a dark, tailored suit completed with a tie and sweater vest.

"Your Honor," Rachel began her opening statement. "Dr. Jonathan Crane has been subjecting the victim, Amy Crane to consistent abuse and other forms of reckless endangerment throughout her lifetime beginning from birth. We have records of him performing unethical experiments upon her using mind-altering drugs, as well as physically assaulting her, and encouraging her to engage in risky behavior. I am asking that this matter be brought to trial so this criminal can be locked away for the safety of her and the other citizens of Gotham. One only needs to take a look at her to see the harm he has inflicted upon her while she was in his care."

Amy quickly tuned Rachel's voice out, refusing to meet the stares she received from the various occupants of the courtroom. She felt Jonathan's harsh eyes upon her and she squirmed ever so slightly in her seat.

Suddenly, Jonathan's lawyer was speaking and he attempted to contradict every word that Rachel had said in her opening statement. She heard him bringing up her prior criminal record and possible mental instability due to the multiple suicide attempts. Crane's attorney knew that she was the leading witness in the case and he was doing everything in his limited power to discredit her.

Amy helplessly focused on the appearance of the Scarecrow mask of which Jonathan had purposely out on the table, lifting it subtly in order to catch her attention with it. He stroked the burlap while his lawyer spoke, making sure that she could see it clearly.

Amy's heart beat faster and her palms began to sweat. No, I can't let him win. I can't react.

She swallowed hard and tried to ignore his penetrating gaze. But when Jonathan's lawyer picked up the mask to show it to the courtroom, it was hopeless and Amy started to shake.

"Do you see this?" Jonathan asked her, the mask displayed in his hand.

Amy nodded. It looked like a piece of burlap to her.

"Do you know what it is?"

Amy shook her head 'no'.

Jonathan yanked the mask on quickly and Amy jumped at the sudden movement. "What do you think now?" he asked her.

Amy said nothing, wishing only for him to disappear. Jonathan gripped her arm forcing her to meet his penetrating stare.

"Are you afraid yet?"

"No," Amy told him.

"Don't worry. I can be sure to remedy that."

"Scarecrow," Amy whimpered fearfully. "Scarecrow…"

Bruce's hand suddenly rested on her shoulder and Amy screamed. The entire courtroom turned to face her.

Tears were streaking down her cheeks as she huddled in her chair, rocking back and forth, muttering "Scarecrow".

The mask drew closer and Jonathan's lawyer was speaking to her. Amy did not hear his words. All she could see was the mask of the demon made of straw and feel the prick of the needles that caused her panic to surge forth. Distantly, she could hear her screams of unbridled terror.

Amy slipped forward in her seat, trying to seek shelter under the table. Her forehead struck the table edge as she fell down, down, down…

Author's Notes:

Jonathan is still finding ways to torment her. And Lisa's just a little too crazy to sit in court. The next chapter will hopefully be up soon. Thanks to emptyvoices for her help and also to everyone who has reviewed!