Chapter 5: Queen of Death

"Whoa."

Kathryn returned to her apartment, expecting to see messy blankets on the couch and endure the sweet-bitter odor of Elise's vomit. She was surprised to find the apartment was spotless, including her bedroom. She could almost taste pumpkin pie which came from a scented plug-in attached to the outlet on the wall - almost too strong for Kathryn's liking. She noticed the alignment of the tv remotes on the coffee table, the dishwasher was empty, her laundry was put away in its proper storage containing a hint of fruitiness. Kathryn didn't remember buying laundry detergent with fancy writing on it, no doubt, it's expensive. Elise didn't seem like the type to pick up after herself or someone else's mess, not that Kathryn was complaining - this was very nice of her.

Kathryn hooked her coat on the bedpost and jumped on top of the mattress, huffing with exhaustion. She had to reach for the remote on top of her nightstand, straining her muscles in the process. She was used to having the remote on the bed, prepped and ready to watch The Andy Griffith Show on TV.

Her mind began to wander, thinking about tonight's event. She was talking to Jonathan without dumping food on him, that was a major accomplishment. Her heart was racing, and her stomach was twisting into a big knot. Kathryn laid her hands on her stomach, attempting to calm herself.

'What is happening to me?' she asked herself. Kathryn had this feeling in her stomach when she was nervous, but that wasn't the case. She had no reason to be, so why did she feel so anxious? Maybe it wasn't anxiety, it's anticipation. Eager to see him again. How she's looking forward to seeing more of Jonathan's humanity.

Her phone vibrated and played the song against her side, interrupting her thoughts. Kathryn glanced at the screen to see Elise calling her, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Kat. Listen, I just want to call to thank you and apologize-"

"Lise, you don't need to apologize. I don't mind you coming over, especially if you are going to clean house after."

"You like it? I paid Anetta to make sure the place is spotless, clean your home the way she cleans mine."

Elise got a maid to clean her condo? Seriously, how could a full-time waitress - who makes minimum wage - afford a condo, a wine collection, and a maid? Was her mother spoiling her daughter on the side?

"She did a good job," Kathryn complimented. "You didn't have to-"

"Spare the talk, Kat, I want to. It's the least I can do."

"Well, I appreciate it. Thank you. Listen, I'm sorry I didn't answer your call, I was talking to someone."

"Really? Who?"

Kathryn paused for a moment, debating whether or not to answer that question. She merely shrugged with a nonchalant answer, "Just a co-worker."

"Just a coworker?" Elise asked, emphasizing the word 'just'. "You don't have work today."

"No, but I ran into him at the bar."

"Him? Who is he, Kat?" Judging from the teasing tone in Elise's voice, she assumed something erotic was going on.

"It's not like that, Lise. We just talked."

"That's not an answer to my question." Kathryn sighed, feeling tempted to just hang up the phone. Elise was the type to be persistent. She won't rest until she knew the answer; Kathryn didn't have a choice.

"Dr. Crane."

After thirty seconds of silence, Kathryn assumed that they've lost connection. "Hello?" she asked once more. "Elise, are you there?"

"What?!" Elise's voice boomed, causing Kathryn to pull the phone away from her ear.

"Seriously, Lise? No need to be dramatic."

"Don't tell me we aren't talking about the same Crane, you dump food on? The same guy who threatened to fire you at work? The same guy who-"

"Yes!" Kathryn snapped. "Yes, Lise! Crane! We're talking about the same Doctor 'Freakin' Crane!"

"Oh my God! Please, tell me you didn't do anything stupid! Did you tick him off again? Did he fire you?"

Kathryn laid the phone on her shoulder and rubbed her temples, annoyed by Elise's rapid questions. She picked the phone back up and interrupted her friend's rambling.

"Elise! Calm down! Yes, I talked to him, but this time was different..."

"How different?" she pressed.

"Like I said, we just talked."

"And?! Wha-What happened?" her friend demanded then whispered, "Do you need representation?"

"No!" Kathryn assured. "Nothing like that. I mean we hugged-"

"You two hugged?!"

"More like I hugged him," Kathryn could picture her friend fainting on the spot, right now.

"What exactly happened? Not long ago, you told me that he's a jerk."

"I know, but... I think I'm on his good side now. I mean for the first time, I actually got to know him..." Kathryn smiled. "The real him. A man who is human, handsome..." she began to trail off as she listed great things about Jonathan, "smart guy with... the most beautiful, piercing blue eyes I've ever seen..."

"Kathryn!" Elise called for her friend's attention.

Kathryn blinked back to reality, "I'm sorry what were you saying?" At the end of the line, she could hear Elise trying to hold back the snorting laughter unsuccessfully. She furrowed her brows, "What's so funny?"

Elise continued laughing while attempting to answer Kathryn's question, "I-It's- Ha! Ha!- you!"

"What's so funny about me?"

"You're totally crushing on him!"

"What?!"

"Don't deny it, Kat. I know that tone of voice. This is how I acted when I attended Fall Out Boy's concert (in a way, I'm still fangirling over Joe). Listening to you is like hearing me talk. I can't believe it."

"It's not like that," Kathryn denied the accusation. "We're finally getting along, there's a difference. We're coworkers! We work together. I must tolerate his presence to keep my job here. If I have to sit by him at a bar to do that, then so be it."

"So you're kissing his ass? That's your plan?"

Kathryn rolled her eyes, "Oh, shut up! I have everything under control now. After our talk tonight, Jonathan won't see me as his pesky fly anymore... I hope."

"Jonathan? Is that what you're calling him now?"

'Sugar!' Kathryn mentally slapped herself for letting his name slip. "Dr. Crane. I meant Dr. Crane."

"Uh-huh, sure," Elise said in a sarcastic tone. "Just... be careful," she warned. "Men are like carnivores, they'll eat cute little kittens like you for lunch. And no offense, Kat, you are so tiny."

"Don't worry, Lise," Kathryn reassured her friend. "I'll be fine."

~000~000~000~

Several weeks passed, Kathryn was ready to start interviewing her own patients with little to no criminal record. The patients she had were not as high profile as everyone else's patients, but it was better than no patient at all. The automatic doctor didn't admit it, but his silence showed that he tolerated her presence. He even respected her enough to keep his distance throughout her sessions. They remained professional about their work with no arguments. Doctor Arkham was so impressed with their progress, he decided to let Jonathan continue supervising Kathryn, even when Doctor Whistler returned for work.

Kathryn's next patient was the worst yet. As luck would have it, he was able to escape his restraints, threatening to smite a mortal who dared oppose him. He had Doctor Cassidy in his bicep grip, demanding the staff to give back his kingdom. Olympus, he called it. The security guards aimed their guns at him. They all gathered in a safe-distanced, semi-circle to watch the action.

"Thee who stand in my way shall be cast down to the dark realm of hell!"

"Stay calm, Sarah!" Arkham assured Cassidy who sobbed and gripped onto Zeus's arm that tightenend around her neck, chocking her.

"Give me Olympus and ye shall see this mortal live."

The doctors whispered amongst each other, figuring out how to defuse this situation.

"Everyone stay back!" A black officer barked, aiming his gun at Zeus.

Zeus scanned the crowd, until his eyes settled on the dark-haired man in specs, "Ah. There you are, Hades. Finally emerged from your throne - my throne! Tell me, how is the view - my view!"

Everyone turned to Jonathan. Was Zeus referring to Jonathan as Hades? If this was really a myth, Jonathan would fit the part of Hades nicely. The man wasn't affected nor intimidated by the deluded muscle.

"Come forth and face me, Brother, like the god of death that you are! Or stay like a cowardly mortal - like her!" He squeezed Cassidy's throat once more. She squealed in anguish.

Kathryn felt the air grow warm as Jonathan walked away from her and closer to the scene.

"Jonathan," she hissed, grasping his arm only to have it yanked away. "Please don't!"

"Crane," Arkham warned the head doctor, yet he didn't move from his spot.

"Mr. Zeus, end this charade, right now," Jonathan commanded in a cool, collected fashion. "Let Doctor Cassidy go."

Zeus let out a full-hearted laugh. "Who is this mortal to you, Brother? Since when have you cared for these pathetic creatures? As I recall, they respected you far less than how they respected me. How you managed to rule this realm right from under me? How you won their favor? Deception and empty promises, no doubt."

"Zeus," Jonathan began the fatherly-like scolding, taking another step forward. "Why so desperate? Threatening the people who are trying to help you? Don't you have little power of your own?"

"Belay your talk, brother!" Zeus spat in disgust. "I am powerful!"

"You lost that power a long time ago, did you not? You lost control the second you lost Celia Droukas?"

"Celia Droukas?" Zeus let out a merciless laugh. "Who be this Celia Droukas?"

"Your late fiancé, Maximillian Zeus."

"I don't know who that is either? Maximillian? Ha!"

"Crane," Arkham hissed, warning him not to intimidate the hostile patient.

"You are," Crane declared. "That's your given name. This is not Olympus. This is Arkham Asylum, a place to treat criminals with mental instabilities."

Zeus's teeth clenched, twitching his head swiftly. "Absurd! Where ye come up with insane tales?!"

"You are a patient here. You are not a king. Although, you could've been one if your business hadn't gone downhill. Fortunately, Falcone is nice enough to keep the operation going."

"I am still alive! I am here, brother! I am a king! This Olympus is in ruins, yes, by thou power. I will claim it back to the way it was again."

"You can't. You lose those capabilities by fear and depression."

"I am warning you!"

"If you want your freedom, you have to earn it. Holding a woman hostage isn't the way. So how about you let her go, and we will settle this at your level? The childish level."

"Enough!" Zeus roared, squeezing tear-streaken Cassidy once more. He pulled a knife out from his jacket, raising it above her head. She screamed, pleading for help. "Thou dare call me childish. End thou phony tales, end thee trickery! Come face my wrath, Brother. Let us settle this, here and now! Fight me! Fight me!"

Kathryn watched in horror when Jonathan took another step. She couldn't let him do this. She couldn't let him sacrifice his life for Cassidy. She didn't want to be a part of this. She wanted everyone to live.

"No!"

Everyone's attention was on the screaming woman who rushed to Jonathan's side, pleading and begging him not to do this. Jonathan cupped her face but not in a loving manner. In a harsh whisper, he commanded her to get back in line.

"Ah!"

The doctors and the security gazed at Zeus who was no longer in rage. In fact, he was smiling at the sight of the woman in Jonathan's hands.

"Persephone, Goddess of Spring. Queen of the Underworld."

Kathryn's eyes narrowed at how his delusion of her based on a myth. For a split second, she thought he called her 'Porcupine'.

"My daughter. My sister-in-law. My brother's bride," Zeus laughed merrily. "You have risen from the depths of the River Styx. Come. Let me see thy face!"

The woman's eyes watered slightly, knowing what must be done. She brought herself into this mess, now the woman must climb herself out. She stepped forward, earning a tug from Jonathan.

"Get back in line, Kathryn," he hissed.

"Let me go, Jonathan. He is my patient."

"Kathryn-"

"Let go," she commanded quietly. "Let go."

For the first time, Kathryn didn't seem intimidated by Jonathan's gaze which surprised him as well. One look in the eye, she would either grovel or flush. Now she'd reigned supreme like a true queen of darkness.

"Please, Jonathan. Please, trust me."

Saying his name made him blink, almost taken back by her defiance and reference towards him. He didn't seem angry anymore. In fact, he seemed intrigued as to how she would handle this situation.

"Take thy hands off my daughter, Brother," Zeus commanded. "She may be thou bride, it means nothing to me."

Jonathan gazed back at Kathryn, only to have her arm ripped from his grasp. He tugged her back again, whispering something in her ear while grasping her hand in his cold one. That was the first time, he had ever held her hand - a big step in their friendship.

Against Arkham's wishes, Jonathan eventually released the doctor's hand, who slowly regained her warmth.

Before this catastrophe, Kathryn had time to look into Zeus's file. The past doctors from Zeus's case suffered major injuries because they had denied the man's assumed persona. He had broken a guard's neck, putting the poor man into a coma. It had taken about four doctors to cuff the big man to his seat with heavy sedation, but that won't stop him from throwing a hissy fit once he regains consciousness.

"How dare he do this, daughter?!" Zeus roared. "How dare he do this?! Taking over my kingdom, turning the people of Greece against me! I am Zeus! King of the Gods!"

"Please," Kathryn tried to calm him down. "Control yourself, Zeus."

"What are you doing above, daughter?!" Zeus snapped. "Why thou have come with him?!" He cast a glare at Jonathan who didn't feel threatened by Zeus one bit. If looks can kill, Jonathan would still be standing. He was far more intimidating than anybody in Kathryn's eyes.

"Were thou involve in this mischievous ploy against me? Thou own father?"

She couldn't look over her shoulder to see Jonathan's reaction. Despite his rule of not encouraging a patient's delusion, this hostage situation was an exception.

"Yes," Kathryn admitted. "He is my husband. Wives must stay loyal to their husbands and remain by their side. You know this." She winced at the man's red face. He didn't take kindly to the news of his daughter's involvement. "But he promised that no harm will come to you. He allowed me to speak with you."

"How could thou do this, Persephone? He bound thee! He took advantage of thee! Raped thee! Tricked thou into eating the fruit of the underworld!"

Kathryn hadn't read the story about Hades and Persephone. It seemed either a misunderstanding or a toxic relationship. Knowing the mighty god of Olympus, he had done far worse than Hades - a lot worse.

"He didn't rape me... Father," she assured him sweetly.

Jonathan raised a brow, didn't appreciate Kathryn referring to the maniac by that name. Zeus was heaving breaths, gripping the knife tightly.

"He loves me; I love him," Kathryn couldn't help it, her face flushed at the thought of saying those things to Jonathan. She didn't dare meet his way when she said them.

"Love?!" Zeus scoffed. "My brother is not capable of such emotion."

"Remember how you met my mother? You loved her at the time, did you not?"

"My love for your mother is different, child. Different than what my brother feels for you! He brainwashed you! He used you to destroy my reign on Olympus. My kingdom is in ruin! He trapped me down to this..." Zeus looked around, trying to think of a good word for the beige-painted hallway. It wasn't like the Underworld he imagined Olympus to be. Perhaps his daughter brightened the place up so it wouldn't be as dark anymore - placing potted plants in corners and hanging art on the walls. His eyes set upon the dry-mud footprints on the floor.

"Filth!" Zeus declared. "This filthy kingdom!"

"Yet you've given Hades your blessing for my hand in marriage."

Zeus's face faltered as if he was in debate. She was right. Zeus did give Hades his blessing to marry Persephone.

"You want what's best for me? You want me to be happy?"

"I... I do... I want you to be happy, Persephone."

Kathryn offered him a gentle smile, which he did not return, yet. "I'm not happy to hear that you're not treating the guards right. You injured a lot of people who swore to take care of you."

"Pfft! I am not an infant! I am a prisoner to this madness! I do not belong here, Persephone! I do not belong in your world - my brother's world!" Zeus cast Jonathan a glare, the lean man didn't take effect of this silent threat. "I do not belong in a world that was once mine. I must return it back to the way it was before."

He lowered the knife towards Cassidy's face, "I vow to slay anyone who gets in my way of triumph!" Cassidy repeated her call for help, doctors and security commanded Zeus not to kill her. The black officer, who had taken charge of this operation, ordered his men to aim and fire at the proper moment.

Before Zeus could do anything, Kathryn interrupted with surrendered hands in the air. "You want the kingdom?! You want Olympus? Fine! But you can't take the... mortal."

Zeus looked down at his prisoner in a debate.

"She is no use to you! You were right about one thing. Hades doesn't care for mortals, and we both know that you don't care for them either - only their worship."

"Then how will you persuade my brother?" Zeus challenged her.

"Me," Kathryn replied, earning whispers - mostly hushed warnings from her boss and the head of security.

"Take me instead," she instructed Zeus, ignoring the protests. She was surprised that Jonathan hadn't said anything. "Let the woman go," her voice cracked, and tears glistened her eyes. "You know that I have more effect on Hades than a mortal. She is no use to Hades, only a servant to his crown. I am his queen." Her hands rubbed together, couldn't shake off the temperature that Crane bestowed on her.

Confliction softened Zeus's tight features. The pressure of making a decision intensified when Persephone passed the guards, a few steps closer to him.

"Let her go," she commanded softly. "Take me instead."

Making his decision, Zeus released Cassidy who dropped onto the floor. She coughed and wheezed for breath. Tears dripped on the tile floor as she prayed thanks to the Living God. She was kicked away by Zeus, tumbling back in the safety semi-circle. She had made it to the sanctuary. The guards pulled her back behind them. Doctor Young and Doctor Whistler led her through the double doors for medical attention. No doubt that Cassidy would require a breathing mask for oxygen and Epson salt for the bruises around her neck.

Once Cassidy was out of harm's way, Zeus's watery eyes returned to his daughter, his arms opened wide for her. "Come into my arms, daughter. All will be forgiven if thou help father."

Kathryn wished to run back into her so-called husband's arms. Back to safety. Back to the cold. The heat between her and Zeus was overwhelming. She needed to breathe, but she must achieve the task of taming this beast.

Fortunately, the task was done. Before she could touch him, a gunshot echoed against the walls. The doctors screamed, holding onto each other for dear life. Kathryn covered her ears, gasping and tremoring in shock. One minute Zeus was standing supreme, now he was on the ground, clutching his shoulder.

"You foolish mortals! You all shall be bathed with thou blood! The ground shall be covered in thou ashes!"

The guards huddled to restrain the man. Zeus continued to struggle and cry for his daughter. She rushed towards him, but it wasn't to give him a hug and kiss. In her hand was a syringe containing a sedative drug. His eyes widened at the sight of the needle, gazing up at his daughter with a question in mind.

"Persephone, what are thou be doing with that? Persephone?!"

She stuck the needle in the man's neck, pushing the drug inside his bloodstream.

"Persephone!" he screeched until his eyes became hazy. The room was spinning. He was losing focus of where he was or what was happening. His eyes drifted shut, falling into a deep sleep.

The leading officer ordered his men to wheel the patient into solitary confinement. Once the beast was gone, the doctors cheered and charged towards their tiny hero.

Kathryn was taken back by all the attention she was receiving. Some called her brave. Some called her 'Mighty Mouse'. Some called her their idol. Arkham shooed everyone away, dominating her height with slanted eyes and folded arms, shaking his head as if he was disappointed. Her face contorted with worry, knowing that she was going to be in hot water for defying him and protocol.

"Dr. Knightly, you are crazy."

Kathryn lowered her head, nodding her head in agreement. He cleared his throat which shifted into a chuckle then laughter. The young doctor was confused as to why he was laughing.

"Crazy, but a genius," Doctor Arkham stated. Kathryn couldn't help but grin with relief.

"So... So I'm not fired?" she asked hopefully.

"Of course not! I may have underestimated you, Dr. Knightly. I once believed Professor Rutherford to be a nut for recommending a recently licensed therapist into the force."

"Gee, thanks, Dr. Arkham," now Kathryn felt insulted. Not happy how she had been underestimated, belittled. How she was Persephone who bloomed into the Queen of Death.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Knightly. I'm just being honest. But..." Arkham lifted a finger, his corner lips curled into a mischievous smirk, "because you've proven me wrong, I may have to reconsider giving you a high profile case."

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped. Did Arkham just offer her a patient better than Polka-dot man?

"R-Really? A high-profile case? Me?"

Arkham nodded, "Mm-hm. Now I can't promise a time date for we have no patient currently available for treatment. When we do, however, you will be the first to claim that case."

Kathryn grinned, clapping her hands happily. "Oh, thank you! Thank you, Dr. Arkham! Thank you!"

"Don't thank me, Doctor. You've earned it."

Arkham walked away, allowing a group of doctors to ask Kathy questions.

Was she scared? Was she okay? Could she give them her phone number? Kathryn had Zeus to thank. Yesterday, she was a level one therapist, underestimated by many doctors. Today, she reigned supreme like a true queen.

...

Jonathan stood by the door, watching the scene before him. It seemed like his little experiment bloomed into a daring flower. How unexpected. He waltzed into the elevator with no eyes on him. He pushed the button, heading up to the floor of his office.

Jonathan sighed and stared at his reflection on the metal panel, "She has done it."

'Yeah. She has,' his dark half grumbled. 'Nice work, Johnny-Boy. Instead of scaring her off, you made her Miss Popular!'

'As I recall, it was you who took control, releasing Maximillian's restraints."

'Only to scare her like you wouldn't do! You gave her the needle to knock him out! We could've had her shaken to bits.'

'And it backfired in your face. She has little courage like the Lion from OZ.'

His dark half wickedly chuckled, 'Not entirely. All I know is that she was terrified alright. Terrified for you. For you!'

'Perhaps.'

'Did you see the way she was holding you, begging you to stay by her side?'

Jonathan's eyes closed, recalling the vanilla scent from her hair. The soft touch of her rosy cheeks. Her pouty plumped lips waiting for someone to claim them.

"I did," he mumbled quietly. His eyes opened, clearing his throat as he pulled out a bottle from his pocket, opening the cap.

'But I can't let you risk the plan again.'

'Crane! Don't you-'

Crane popped two pills into his mouth, silencing his half.