The man took his mask off and spoke with a hint of an English accent, "I am Ra's al Ghul."
"Get out of my asylum or I will call the police." Jonathan was halfway to the phone when the Ra's person spoke again.
"I believe I just saved your life, the least you could do is give me a thank you. And besides, you are the one who agreed to meet with me. Why would you call the authorities on your guest?"
Jonathan opened his mouth and was about to bite back with a really good comeback, when he realized, "The note was from you! How did you find out about my experiments?"
"If you and I are going to be partners, then you must realize that I have eyes every where, Mr. Crane."
"Who said anything about me wanting to be your partner?"
"Well, I haven't told you my master plan yet, and I think that you will like it. We are going to bring Gotham to its knees with fear, hold it for ransom, and even if they do pay us we will watch as Gotham rips itself apart."
Hmm, said the voice. Sounds tempting. Say yes.
'No,' Jonathan told the voice.
It could be fun.
'No!' "I am sorry Mr. al Ghul, but I will have to decline."
"Why? What on earth could be any better then what your heart desires most; fear. Fear instilled in all living creatures; fear striking at the heart when they see your face." Ra's had a look on his face that was very hard to make out. Jonathan couldn't tell if his eyes were burning with passion for his job, or with hatred for having to ask someone so beneath him for help.
How does he know all of that? Said the voice. And as the voice said it, Jonathan found it leaving his lips to.
"I also have ears everywhere."
"But what do I have to do with your 'master plan'? I am just a simple psychiatrist, what on earth could I possibly have to offer for this endeavor of yours?"
"Simple. I need your fear toxin."
"That is incredibly expensive to make."
"The finances are all taken care of. All I need is your help."
Jonathan thought about it and said, "I am sorry, but I will still have to decline. As much as I want for everyone who has ever hurt me to pay, I don't think that it is such a good idea." Maybe he is the one who needs to be in Lena's cell next. Jonathan thought.
Ra's sighed and said, "Well, then I am sorry for what I am about to do." He attacked Jonathan. Ra's spun Jonathan around and put his arm around his throat and his other hand around his middle.
"What are you doing!" asked Jonathan.
"What is necessary. Walk to Lena's cell." Jonathan knew that resistance would only lead to him getting hurt, so he walked to Lena's cell with Ra's vice grip still intact.
"Do you see what I would be forced to do if you were to decline again?" He forced Jonathan's head in the direction of the two way mirror and a horrible sight met his eyes. A man, dressed in the same outfit as Ra's, had picked Lena up by her neck, pushed against the wall, and had a knife to her throat. Jonathan tried his hardest to get out of Ra's grip and save Lena, but Ra's was a much stronger man.
"Let her GO!" Jonathan yelled.
"She is sedated and won't be waking up for a few hours. And my student in there won't do anything unless I give him the word. If you decline again, I am sorry to say that he will kill her."
"Fine! I will do what ever you want just let her go! But there is one thing that I need."
"What?"
"I don't want any part of the plan. I will provide you with the toxin, and you will provide me and Lena an antidote for when you get this in the air. But I don't want to go any further in this 'partnership' then that."
"Fine by me," he said. And all of the sudden, he and his 'student' were gone; Lena back safely on her bed.
"Where did you go?"
"I have to run," came Ra's voice. It seemed to be coming from everywhere. "I have a guest arriving soon and it is an awfully long way to my house. If you need me, just talk to Bob Flowers." And Ra's was gone.
Once Ra's and his student were a safe distance from any prying ears the student asked, "Sensei, I thought we were going to cleanse Gotham by putting the toxin in the air, not holding it for ransom."
"I know, but I thought that that would be the only way to get Crane to give us the toxins. I underestimated his love for that girl. I guess if we ever need anything from him that he is hesitant to let go of, we know who to turn to."
Okay, this is the shortest one yet and I know that I can do much better and make it much longer, but I have to rake 4 yards this weekend and a dance at my high school is on Saturday evening. So I didn't have much time to piece together a Mona Lisa. But thank you to all who reviewed and all who took it! Can you believe that after only six chapters, all of you helped my break the 1000 hits mark! WOOHOO! (throws party for every one who read) All of you get e-pizza, e-cake, e-soda (your choice), and an e-piñata! Plus as a memorable gift to show you my appreciation, you all get a song with Jonathan!
Jonathan- What! When did I agree to this!
Celia- You didn't. I made the decision for you.
Jonathan- Girl don't make me go postal on you!
Celia- Where did that come from? You sounded just like the inmate cheerleaders from The Longest Yard!
Jonathan- I have no idea. I think my brain had momentary laps of judgment and my speech got chaotic. I think that my neurons weren't depolarizing and the synapses in my brain didn't connect and I said that I repeated an inane line from that movie you made me sit through last night but added in my own words.
Celia: OO Okay, what ever you say. But there is a reason I made you sit through that movie. I have strict orders from Blodeuedd to make you watch funny and fun stuff. Not your normal morbid crap. If I had my way you would be nothing but a fluff story!
Jonathan: Thank God for your beta readers!
Celia: You do realize that this doesn't excuse you from the songing I promised my readers. (Turns back to readers) He'll come around eventually. Thank all of you so very much!
Love,
Celia
