Chapter 9: Finding A Way Back
Disclaimer: read chapter 1
Sam and Kathryn had been going out for a month. Their relationship slowly blossomed with each date.
Elise's double date with Troy, however, wasn't a date in Troy's eyes. When she made a move in the mustang, he made it clear that nothing sexual was going to happen between them, for he was already engaged to another. It crushed Elise's soul a bit. She could never forget how embarrassed she was, especially when Troy forced her to call his fiance and tell her how she tried to come onto him and apologize so that there would be no secrets or misunderstandings. Elise wasn't going to open her heart to anyone again, at least, not for a while.
Every Saturday night, Sam and Kathryn went to a movie or dinner. Wednesday night involved baseball games from Gotham High. Tonight was going to be different.
"So, you plan on doing anything tonight?" Elise asked through the speakerphone.
"Just going out with Sam," Kathryn answered, sitting on the bed to zip her boots.
"Is it Saturday already?" Elise joked. "Where to?"
"The GCN studio for that meet and greet party."
"Oh," disappointment laced in the blonde's voice, expecting to hear something more romantic and exciting. "Meet and greet. That sounds fun... I guess. Are you dressing something fancy?"
Kathy sighed, deciding that it was best to show her than describe it. She snapped then sent a picture of herself to Elise through the phone. Kathryn was wearing a strapless ruffled, red shirt with skinny capris and black leather boots. Her curled hair was styled halfway back with dangling hoop earrings hiding behind the curls.
"Did you get it?"
"Oh yeah. You look hot!"
Kathryn giggled, "Shut up!"
"I'm serious! The boys at GCN will go goo-goo-gaga all over you! You will send Summer Gleeson packing! God, I hate that woman! She always tells lies on television!"
A knock on Kathryn's front door grabbed her attention, not listening to Elise's rant about the reporter.
"Kate? You there?" her date echoed on the other side of the door.
"Hold on," Kathryn begged, picking up the phone to address her friend. "Sam is at the door, Lise. I'll have to call you back."
"Oh, okay. I'll talk to you later. Get some autographs for me!"
"I'll do my best. Bye," Kathryn hung up as she walked down the hall heading for the door. Sam proved to be impatient just by continuously knocking on the door, irritating the doctor.
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" Kathryn cried out. She finally made it to the door and opened it to see Sam standing in a simple navy buttoned dress shirt with a fuzzy textured sweatshirt and khakis.
"Hey, Kit-Kat," Sam greeted her with a small smile.
"Hey!" Kathryn pecked his lips. "I thought we're going to meet up."
"I know, but..." Sam lowered his head, not finishing his sentence.
Kathryn's smile fell when she noticed something off about Sam. Naturally, he would be all smiles to see her, but now, he wasn't looking at her. "Is there something wrong?"
"No. No..." Sam assured her, widening his crooked smile. "You just look... lovely."
Her grin returned, but her eyes squinted in question.
"Thanks."
"So..." Sam offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
Kathryn hooked her arm around his, dismissing the odd behavior and allowing herself to have a good time.
~000~000~000~
It turned out the meet and greet weren't as fun as Kathryn anticipated. Most of the staff were older, except for the women. They looked to be in their late twenties, dressed far fancier than Kathryn's semi-formal wear.
The food wasn't so bad—vegetables with ranch dip, crackers coated in goat cheese, deviled eggs, and her personal favorite: dry chocolate cake with white frosting. Kathryn stood with Sam with a glass of white wine in her hand but didn't take a sip. After sniffing the liquid, Kathy immediately knew that white wine wasn't her drink, only margaritas. She watched her boyfriend chatting away with new staff and current ones. This party was so unlike her. She'd usually be the fun one - dancing, laughing, smiling, taking selfies of herself. Much to her dismay, Kathryn was becoming like her socially awkward sister. She and Sam might as well enjoyed another baseball game.
"Well. Well."
Kathryn nearly choked by the strong perfume scent entering her nostrils. No doubt, it's expensive, and somebody wanted to show off. She turned to see a redhead woman in a red cocktail dress, hooking arm with a man she didn't expect to see. Sam perked at the sight of her; then, his face faltered slightly at the lean man in specs.
"Sam, you're finally made it to the party?" The redhead cooed teasingly. Her eyes scanned at Kathryn, mostly her attire, "And with your pretty, young thing all... dressed up."
Kathryn ignored the redhead reporter; her attention remained on the man next to her. Why was he here? More like, why was he here as her date?
"Hello, Summer," Sam greeted the woman, his face flushing that almost matched the dress, much to Kathryn's annoyance. The redhead known as Summer Gleeson was a pretty woman and too gleeful to be genuine. That must be why Elise had never liked her on TV. Although Kathryn couldn't make any rash judgments, especially when she and Elise hadn't met this person before. From what Kathryn knew so far, Sam was filming for this woman. The last thing Kathryn wanted was drama and negativity. She must keep an open mind and be polite for the sake of Sam.
"Kate, meet my boss and another face of -"
"Summer Gleeson," the woman introduced herself. "The investigating star for GCN. Sam, we need to work on glorifying my introduction. You make me sound so boring."
Sam sighed, "Summer, meet Kathryn Knightly - she's a doctor at Arkham Asylum."
"Kathryn? May I call you 'Kat'?"
"Uh... sure," Kathryn shrugged.
"Super!" Summer pulled her date close to her frame, resting her head on his shoulder. "Kat, you probably know Doctor Jonathan Crane, the head psychiatrist in-"
"Yes, I know," Kathryn interrupted. "We work together." Sam reached his hand out to shake Jonathan's hand. Jonathan accepted his hand, grasping it tightly, making Sam wince a bit.
Sam chuckled, pulling his hand out, wagging his finger at the doctor, "He's got himself a good grip. Not bad, Doc."
"Why are you here, Jonathan?" Kathryn asked with furrowed brows.
"Oh, he is my date," Summer giggled, cuddling close to him. "Well, sort of. He actually agreed to have an interview with me tonight. Give me the inside scoop of Arkham Asylum and the creeps."
"All in good time, Miss Gleeson," Jonathan stated with a crooked smirk.
"Is Arkham aware of this?" Kathryn couldn't help but narrow her eyes at him suspiciously. Jonathan was always a private man. Somehow he agreed to have an interview with Summer Gleason, who was way out of his league, the same night and place where Kathyrn and Sam would be here. Coincidence? No.
A loud cling of glass silenced the voices; all attention was on an older man who turned out to be the CEO of GCN.
"Welcome," the older man spoke hoarsely. "So glad everyone could make it here tonight. For those who don't know me - I pray to God you do - my name is Alexander Richards. I am the father of Gotham City News." Everyone clapped on cue, widening the man's grin. "Thank you. I am so glad that we have so many guests here tonight. I hope you are enjoying yourselves, helping yourselves with refreshments provided by Laraine Goldberg. Thank you, Laraine."
The young woman smiled, waving her hand up for everyone to see. They applauded for the woman; some were raising their glasses.
"I also hope that you all are greeting and welcoming the newcomers into the GCN family with open arms and hearts. In honor of this..." Mr. Richards paused to cough away from the microphone. No doubt that he was suffering bronchitis, "o-occasion. I encourage you all (cough, cough) to start dancing. Dance with someone who isn't your date. If you like to save the embarrassment for those who have two left feet - like me." He chuckled at his own joke, causing everyone to laugh with him. "I would like everyone to continue to meet and greet."
Music continued to play. Couples were asking and going to the side of the room hand-in-hand, dancing to the beat.
"So..." Sam began. "Anybody want to dance?"
"Good idea," Kathryn reached out to grab Jonathan's hand, only to have her wrist caught in someone else's hand. Her eyes widened in alarm as her eyes met the smug Summer Gleeson.
"How about you and I have a go?" the reporter offered.
"Oh no," Kathryn shook her head to decline. "I don't-"
"Come now. Live a little," Summer encouraged, practically dragging the doctor to the dance floor, leaving Jonathan and Sam.
Kathryn stiffened when Summer swayed their linked arms back and forth, spinning them in circles and ducking under the bridge to the beat. Some might find the two girls dancing appalling or amusing. It didn't matter to Kathryn. Her eyes couldn't look away from Jonathan as he was speaking to Sam. She didn't know what they were saying, for Sam's back was turned.
"Hello?" Summer waved a hand over the doctor's face. Kathryn reluctantly met the woman's green-eyed gaze.
"Where did you go?" the reporter asked with a smile. "You're not dancing, and this is a good song."
"I'm sorry," Kathryn slipped her hands from Summer's. "I don't feel like dancing. I really need to talk to-"
"Oh, yes," Summer facepalmed. "Silly me. I completely understand why."
Kathryn shook her head, "No offense, Miss Gleeson. I don't think you do."
Summer ignored the statement and continued, "I mean, how could you be? I'm just surprised you're being a good sport about this and not slapping the life out of me."
The doctor's brows tensed at the choice of words. Being a good sport? What does that mean?
"I cannot tell you how sorry I am that it happened. But I am so glad you're here as Sam's friend. Most girls wouldn't take it as well as you did, let alone show up here."
Kathryn's shoulders dropped, and her mouth parted in disbelief. Didn't Sam tell Summer about their relationship?
"Friend? I'm his girlfriend," Kathryn clarified with an aggressive edge to her tone, a hand on her hip. Now it was Summer's turn to act surprised. Her face paled, her eyes widened, and her ruby lips parted. That's when Summer knew she had spilled too much of the tea. What was the secret? Kathryn needed to know.
"I'm sorry," the reporter apologized frantically. "I-I thought Sam had... I'm so sorry." She was about to retreat, but it was Kathryn's turn to grab her wrist only this time it wasn't an invitation to dance.
"No, you can't walk away now. Tell me. What's going on?"
Summer huffed, shaking her head, "I'm sorry. It's not my story to tell..." She nudged her head in a mental debate, "well, maybe is, since it does take two to tango."
"Two to tango?" Kathryn questioned. She held her breath, mentally preparing for the worst-case scenario. The fear of meeting another two-face jerk was coming true. "Did you and Sam have sex?"
Summer averted her gaze at the ground, wincing and closing her eyes, "Why do you have to ask me with that tone? It makes me feel like I'm a whore."
Kathryn clenched her jaw and fist, suppressing her energy to hit the woman's face. So many witnesses around, the last thing the doctor needed was publicity and an assault charge. If anything, she could pull it off when they're alone, or maybe Sam; he was the one who cheated. Kathryn should've known. She knew something was wrong, the second Sam set foot in her apartment. He didn't act nervous but guilty. Sticks and stones may break bones, but words do hurt. Kathryn took that quote to heart when speaking to Summer with gritted teeth and hoarse emotion in her voice.
"No, Miss Gleeson. You're not a whore," Kathryn spoke slowly, trying to fight the burn in her eyes. "A whore gets paid to sleep with someone. The correct term for you is a skank." She couldn't help herself despite the attempt to fight it; a tear dripped down her cheek, which she stubbornly wiped away.
Summer rolled her eyes as if she had heard that insult before, "I'm sorry. Okay. Sam didn't mean to hurt you. It's just-"
"You might want to get a refund for that perfume you're wearing, Summer," Kathy hissed, "or else people might call you a skunk, instead." For that, she stormed off to confront her soon-to-be-ex, ignoring the unreserved apologies from behind.
Kathryn couldn't believe this. She believed Sam to be a nice guy. How could he do this to her? She thought that he wasn't like her past exes back at home. The ones who started off sweet but turned out to be jerks - Tyler Johnson from high school, Lawrence Mormon from college, Jonathan Crane from work, and now Samuel Pohill. When will this cycle of heartbreak end?
Kathryn stopped at her tracks, and her ears perked at the men's conversation. What did Jonathan Crane just say to Sam?
"I can show her the evidence, right now, if you want," Jonathan spoke professionally when the conversation was anything but that. "I gave you a chance to be a man, but instead, you chose to cower."
"I'm going to tell her, alright!" Sam uttered with haste. "Just don't say anything to her."
What evidence? What did Crane have that Sam didn't want Kathryn to see? She could hear the panic in Sam's voice. The headless horseman continued to bring order and fear outside of Arkham.
"You better, or else, I'll tell her myself."
Kathryn couldn't take it anymore. The secrets and lies have to end tonight.
"Tell me what?" she challenged. Sam whirled around in alarm, while Jonathan remained calm and collected as if he was already aware of her presence.
"Kate," Sam tried to mask his shock with a sheepish grin, "babe, I thought you were with-"
"Summer?" Kathryn nodded. "Yeah, I was, and she had some interesting things to tell me." She watched as Sam hitched for breath and blinked his eyes, avoiding eye contact. He was trying to act like nothing was wrong, but they knew better. He could see the hate and sadness in her eyes. Despite what the big mouth reporter had told Kathryn, Sam couldn't help but try to cover it up like an unfaithful man he was.
"I don't know what she's-"
Kathryn quietened the man by lifting her hand as if she planned to hit his face. Instead of paying her satisfaction with an assault charge, she quickly clenched her fist and forced it back by her side.
"Stop," Kathryn whispered. "Just stop. I know what you and Summer did." Sam approached a step, trying to comfort her. Didn't he know that's the last thing she wanted? She didn't want his pity. She shook her head, taking a large step back from him. His pupils dilated and watered with incoming tears. Why was he going to cry? If anyone deserves to ball her eyes out, it should be Kathryn.
"How could you?" she pressed in a whisper.
"Kit-Kat, can we please talk it over-"
"And you," Kathryn jabbed a finger at Jonathan's direction; he didn't blink at the sudden attack. "You knew? You knew what he did?" Sam turned his head towards Jonathan, almost like he was begging the doctor to keep quiet and allow the man to explain himself. He looked like a sad puppy begging for scraps.
Jonathan merely huffed and shrugged his shoulders as his arms folded, "Not until yesterday. I minded my own business until I caught him and Miss Gleeson kissing in the news van. I didn't know it was him, at first, until I recalled a picture of him from your desk."
Sam averted his eyes as he turned his body back to Kathy. His language said it all. Kathryn didn't need an expert to tell her that Sam was guilty. He was like a children's book cover, so easy to read.
"Kathryn," Sam pleaded, "can we, please, talk about this? In private? Let me explain?"
"You lied to me," she declared.
"Please!" he hissed. "Just let me explain, then you can yell at me or hit me - react whatever you want. Just let me explain, please."
Kathryn rolled her eyes as she wiped more drops of tears from her face. This was a nightmare. What's worst was that people took notice of her sadness. She didn't want them to see her like this or have someone touch her with their comfort. She needed to get away and satisfy her curiosity. Why? How could Sam do this?
"Fine," she reluctantly gave in.
"Kathryn," Jonathan cautioned, earning a stern look from Sam.
"Why don't you mind your business?" Sam suggested.
"You were making out with Miss Gleeson in a public area," Jonathan clarified. "Unfortunately, you dragged the whole world into your business."
Sam clenched his jaw as he reached for the collar of Jonathan's shirt. The psychiatrist instinctively grabbed Sam's wrist, mentally preparing for the punch. He could see the other hand raised and clenched into a tight fist. Sam didn't get far as Kathryn grabbed his arm. She urged him to stop and come with her - that and the set of eyes upon them was motivation enough to leave Jonathan be, for now.
Kathryn stepped aside to follow Sam out of the room, only to feel her free wrist yanked back for the second time. She closed her eyes and sighed with exhaustion, didn't bother to face the lean doctor.
"Kathryn, I can give you a ride home, whenever you're ready," Jonathan offered.
"Let go of her, man," Sam demanded.
Kathryn yanked her wrists down, escaping the grasps of both men. She tugged Sam's sleeve towards the exit without a word. She just wanted this to be over.
"We're best friends - Summer and I. We're partners in crime. We both have the same passion for the truth, have the shovel for a juicy story, and get it on tape with Summer in the spotlight while I work behind the scenes. The history and the drama that happened between us wouldn't go away. I don't think it could."
Sam was all over the place when he tried to explain what happened between him and the reporter. Kathryn leaned against the wall, emotionlessly wrecked as she listened. He explained how his ex turned out to be Summer Gleeson. They had been working together for three years. Their relationship blossomed into friendship then romance for a short period. Sam shouldn't be calling it 'dating,' only a fling which Sam couldn't help but come back for more. Summer was indeed a rose with thorns.
"When she dumped me, I was broken. I can admit that. I was broken before I met you... and maybe after. But, Kit-Kat, believe me when I say this, what we shared was good. I enjoyed spending time with you. I was ready to put my heart and soul into making it work."
"But you couldn't keep your pants on whenever you're with her."
"I told her about us, and Summer - she broke down and claimed to have made a big mistake leaving me. She kissed me, and... the feelings that I had for her..." he slapped his hands against his sides, "they came back, I guess. Looking back on us, I realized how different we are. We're both good-looking, driven, and we love baseball, but what else? We want different things, and if I have to be honest... my heart truly wasn't in it."
"When did you start realizing that, Sam?" Kathryn wondered. "The day you two had sex in the news van, and Jonathan took a picture-"
"We didn't have sex," Sam shook his head. "I swear. As for that creepy boss of yours, he knocked on the door and threatened me - threatened Summer-"
Was he trying to change the subject and put the blame on Jonathan? Kathryn won't stand this ridicule. Jonathan did nothing wrong. In fact, he was the one who tried to make Sam tell the truth, even if it meant breaking Kathryn's heart once more.
"No," Kathryn snapped her eyes open, jabbing a finger at Sam, "don't turn this on Jonathan."
"He threatened us, Kate!"
"Threatened you how?" she challenged. "Did he threaten to kill you? Kill your entire family?"
Sam huffed, running a hand through his hair in silence.
"Because that's the only justification to be scared of him."
"He threatened to ruin Summer's career-"
"Kudos on him," she hissed. "Her firing would most definitely satisfy Elise, for she hates the woman with good reason."
"Don't blame this all on Summer."
"You're right. Why don't you turn the finger around and point it at yourself? Jonathan didn't stick his tongue down that woman's throat; you did!"
"Kate, please."
Kathryn shook her head, "You dragged me out here, knowing the lust you had for her-" Sam opened his mouth to correct her. What they had wasn't lust; it was love. "Lust, Sam. From what you told me and her sincerity to this situation," she pointed at the party, referring to the reporter, "it's lust. I hate to break it to you. I like to remind you that she dumped you because you're not rich, not to her standards. I just find that very hard to believe that she wanted to get back together with you, after all this time."
"We have history, Kit-Kat. You don't understand it because you weren't there to be apart of it."
Kathryn bit her bottom lip, reluctantly nodding her head in agreement, "You're right. I don't. But it doesn't change the fact that you didn't tell me at the apartment or anytime for that matter."
"I wanted to spend time with you."
Kathryn furrowed her brows and shrugged her shoulders at that confusing statement, "Why?" He didn't respond right away. She sighed, waving a hand, "Don't worry, I'm not trying to psychoanalyze you or anything; I'm just curious."
"I guess... maybe... hope... we might have something. I don't know. You're very nice, smart, and enjoyable to be with. I was hoping I could imagine you in the future."
Kathryn didn't know whether or not Sam was telling the truth about the number of times he cheated. Jonathan caught Sam yesterday. When somebody gets caught in a lie and does not expect it, that person must gather his thoughts and come up with a 'plausible' explanation. Whether it was intentional or accidental - whether Sam had slept with Summer or not, it didn't matter. The bottom line was that he didn't come clean sooner. He continued to lead Kathryn on and pretend to care, even if Jonathan had given Sam one night, to tell the truth. Kathryn didn't know what Elise was thinking when she set up the double date. The blonde suffered so many heartbreaks more than Kathyrn. She should've known about Sam and his attachment to Summer. Maybe Elise was blind, unaware of the attraction just as much as Kathryn. None of that matters now. It's over.
Kathryn sighed, "You should've told me."
Sam opened his arms to hug her.
"Mm-mm," she silently declined, putting a hand between them to keep a distance.
Sam huffed, taking a step back. He put his hands in his khaki pockets and averted his eyes to the floor, "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to lead you on. You're a good person."
"Yeah, well... I guess it's goodbye then," Kathryn turned to leave only to earn a 'hey' and Sam's blocking arm across her.
"You can cry. You can scream. You can hit me. Just don't leave like this."
Kathryn scoffed in disgust, "Are you serious right now?"
"What?" he asked, not exactly sure what she meant.
"You want me to grovel before you? Beg you to change your mind about me? Give me a break. You broke my heart, Sam. You led me on, played me like a fool. No, I'm not going to do that for you."
"Okay," he raised his hands in surrender. "I respect that. I can take you home. I can-"
"I don't want your pity, Sam. I'm taking a cab home. I can forgive you, but that doesn't mean I want to talk to you or be in the same room as you. We said what needs to be said, and now we're done," Kathryn sniffled her nose, unsuccessfully holding back the tears. "I want to leave. Let me go, please."
Sam reluctantly dropped his arm and whispered his sorry one more time as she took leave.
To make this situation even gloomier, it was pouring down rain. Why didn't Kathryn bring a raincoat, or at least check the weather? She remained by the elevator in the parking garage to phone a cab.
A car honk gained Kathryn's attention, nearly scaring her to death. She hunched down to see whose black lincoln belonged to. Low and behold, as the passenger window lowered, it was Crane. He motioned her to get in the car. Kathryn didn't want to get in the car and speak to Crane about what happened. It's embarrassing. However, she didn't want to spend her paycheck on a cab either. For that, she hurried to the passenger side and stated one simple rule before getting in his car - don't say a word.
Jonathan honored her term by remaining silent throughout the trip back to her apartment. She was giving him directions even though he already knew where she lived.
~000~000~000~
Jonathan pulled into a parking area close to the Redwood Apartment entrance. He turned off the ignition, listening to the rain beat his car intently. He looked over at Kathy, no longer seeing her teary eyes, pouty lips, or tremor fingers - she looked automatic as much as he.
"Thanks," she grumbled, pulling the door handle to leave but to no anvil. She lifted the latch to unlock the door, only for it to pull down automatically. No, Jonathan Crane was child-locking her door.
"Unlock the door," she commanded, fiddling with the handle and latch. He didn't move or say a word. "I said, 'unlock the door'! Stop kidding around."
"It's pouring rain; we should wait for it to slow down a bit."
"Do you have an umbrella?"
"What's the rush, Kathryn? You don't want me to see you cry over your ex?"
"Hey!" Kathryn pointed the finger at him, clearly not in a good mood to speak about this. "You promised me that you wouldn't say a word about him."
"I did no such thing. I hadn't said a word, remember?"
The woman reduced herself to drastic measures, banging on the window and begging anyone for aid. "Help! Someone! I am trapped with a psychopath who is keeping me here against my will! Help!" She knew it was no use unless a homeless man was standing outside the building. Nobody wanted to get drenched by the cold rain, not even her.
"No one can hear you," Jonathan grumbled in boredom, resting his head back against his seat.
"Let me out, Crane! I don't want to talk about this, especially not with you!"
"I'll let you out once everything calms down."
"I can't wait for this rain to stop-"
"I was talking about you."
"Me?! Calm down?! How can I calm down?! My boyfriend cheated on me with a red-head tramp!" Kathy screamed, banging the door once more.
Jonathan shifted his shoulder against his door, removing his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose. She had been screaming and crying for at least five minutes until he had enough. He grabbed her wrist, pinning it down to the console. She glared at him sharply, whipping her other hand to hit him. He caught it, grasping her wrist tightly enough to make her submit.
"Kathryn, I get that you are angry and upset - and you have every right to be - but could you please spare me the torture and just do one little thing for me?" His eyes narrowed. "Shut up."
Her eyes widened as she snapped her jaw shut. Did he just tell her to shut up? How dare he? How dare he handled her like this? This was abusive.
"Take your hands off me," she growled, jabbing her free hand towards him only to have both wrists pinned to the console.
"Not until you calm down."
Kathryn took a deep breath, ground her teeth as she stared at the window. "Fine."
Reluctantly, Jonathan released her wrists that had been yanked back to her lap, rubbing the soreness around them.
"Why were you even there, Crane? I know it's not to have an interview."
"You deserve to know the truth. I came to make sure Sam does his part and tell you."
"How did you know that I would be there? Have you been following me?!"
Jonathan scoffed, "Don't kid yourself, Kathryn. You are a beautiful woman, but narcissism lacks attraction." Kathryn rolled her bloodshot eyes from that statement. "Summer told me about the meet and greet. Knowing your ex, he would take you there as his date."
"Summer told you?" So much for the GCN forbidden romance. Just as Kathryn suspected, their relationship was indeed based on lust, not love.
"And I was right to bet that he hadn't told you anything. I was ready to show you the photo myself."
"And shatter my heart into tinier pieces?" Kathryn sniffled, slapping her hands against the glove compartment. "So typical of you. Might as well stab me in the back while you're at it."
'That's not a bad idea,' Scarecrow murmured.
Jonathan sighed, clenched into the steering wheel till his hands turned white. He stared ahead, watching the rain pour down his car, an attempt to calm himself.
Kathryn took notice of his hands, now wishing that the doors were unlocked. "Jonathan, please, open the door."
"That's not fair, Kathryn," Jonathan recalled her second to the last statement. "If you were in my position, and somebody had cheated on me, you would've done the same thing."
Kathryn scoffed, "Maybe, but why do you care? You dumped me just like the others!"
Jonathan blinked, "Dumped you? Kathryn, we haven't gone out on a date."
Now the petite was acting irrational and becoming a bigger idiot than before. She quickly apologized, hiding the descending tears.
"Where's my brain?!" she facepalmed. "You're right. You're right. We weren't. I don't know why I said that. I - Jonathan, open the door."
"Kathryn, you're upset. It's alright."
"No, it's not! We made it clear to be professional, and you're right; it'll complicate things. Too late! God! Why can't I stop crying? I don't want you to see me like this. Please, Jonathan, just let me out!"
"Kathryn, I care about you," Jonathan uttered, earning no response as he expected. "We're friends. We're coworkers. Friends should look after one another and be there for each other, am I correct?"
Kathryn closed her eyes, trying to even her breaths. This was becoming too much.
"I understand what you're going through-"
"No! Spare me the pep talk! It won't work. You're Jonathan Crane, the man who doesn't date anybody. You don't understand!"
"Louise Carter," Jonathan declared, earning a look from Kathryn. What did he say? Louise who? Before she could ask her predictable question, Jonathan did the talking without looking her way. "She was my neighbor, my friend, my classmate - from kindergarten all through high school. She was popular, pretty, smart, definitely optimistic - like you. She wanted to be a pilot after graduation."
Kathryn didn't expect this, not by Jonathan Crane. She didn't miss the croak in his voicebox, the glisten on his piercing eyes. Was Jonathan Crane expressing sadness? It seemed to her that he hadn't told anyone about this. Whatever happened between him and Louise, it didn't evolve a happy ending. She couldn't help but ask the most obvious question.
"What happened?"
"Billy Dee Walker. He was a muscled idiot. He was a bully to everyone, especially me." Of course, Billy was the bad guy in this tale, and poor Crane was his victim. The way Sam maltreated Crane, definitely brought back some horrible memories. What about Louise? How did she fit into this? "If that wasn't enough, he influenced Louise. He controlled her, awarded her bruises. I tried to warn her of the inevitable, but she deluded herself into thinking that she could change him."
"He killed her?"
Jonathan closed his eyes, flashing back to the worst night of his life. He peeked through his bedroom window at the patrol car outside—the look on the parents' faces when they had received the news regarding their daughter.
"Drunk driving. Billy crashed his car into a guard rail, killing Louise; the same night, they had been pronounced king and queen of the high school prom."
"Oh my god," Kathryn whispered, covering her mouth in shock. "Jonathan, I... I had no idea. I'm so sorry. You loved her. You wanted to help her."
Jonathan cleared his throat, shaking his head and blinking the rain from his eyes. He resumed the robotic role as if the story didn't affect him, "What's done is done. Louise was stupid. It served her right for not listening to me. She allowed him to beat me, humiliate me, discredit me after reporting Billy to the school officials, and the worst part yet, she pretended to be my friend."
"Jonathan," Kathryn didn't know what else to say. She couldn't speak for Louise, for she hadn't met the woman. "I'm so sorry."
"Make no mistake, Kathryn, I didn't tell you this story for pity."
"I know," she acknowledged. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and snapped at you like that. I'm-"
"Kathryn, please, refrain from your apologies. As I said, what's done is done."
"I was going to say... I appreciate you opening up to me. I know it wasn't easy for you, but..." she reached out for his hand, "it means a lot that you trust me with your story."
Jonathan inhaled sharply, withdrawing his hand from contact, "Kathryn."
"I know, but we're friends, right?" Kathryn challenged, throwing the words back at him. "Friends can hold hands and comfort one another, can't they? Where's the harm in that?"
"The harm is that we might lose control again. You deserve better than this. I'm no good for you."
"How do you know?" She challenged. "Why can't you show the people who you truly are?"
Jonathan's eyes twitched, ignoring the whispers inside his head.
"If anything, you're a better man than Sam. You're compassionate, intelligent, sensitive - you're honest, and you're kind."
The man scoffed as if she had just told him a hilarious joke. Kathryn knew that she's pulling some thread here. This was her boss, for crying out loud. She wasn't in her right mind. She's hurt, angry, and desperate to make this pain she'd felt for Sam disappear. Jonathan Crane couldn't be the correct medicine for her. But as before, she wasn't in her right mind to care about that. She and Crane were single. They were far away from Arkham. What's stopping them?
"It's just you and me, Jonathan. No one else is here."
Jonathan tensed up as her nails tickled his skull, her thumb rubbed his pulse.
"It feels good, doesn't it?" She heard him grumble her name under his breath. Jonathan closed his eyes, feeling her warm breath against his skin as she whispered.
"What are you afraid of, Dr. Crane?" This was wrong. They couldn't break the rules again. Jonathan couldn't put himself back in the position to be with another possible Louise Carter. He didn't tell Kathy the story to be understanding. He wanted her to know that he couldn't love her, not after the way Louise had treated him. He had plans that must be followed, and Kathryn was indeed a distraction.
With a heavy defeated sigh, she apologized for the umpteenth time today, "I'm sorry, Jonathan. That was inappropriate, I know. Are you okay?"
Jonathan didn't move or utter a word, even when she awkwardly reached over to unlock the door. Oblivious to Kathryn, her hand was on his thigh, inches closer towards his crotch. He inhaled sharply at the contact, hoping and praying that his erection remained flat.
"Sorry," she pulled away once the doors were unlocked. Sorry for what? The tease? Her touch? His erection? He gazed down to make sure nothing was coming up. Even if he unwillingly pulled up a tent, Kathryn didn't notice.
"Thanks again, Jonathan. I'll see you Monday."
The puff of the cold air blew against his face as the door opened wide then slammed shut. Kathryn took leave to head back inside her apartment. He and Scarecrow both thought the same thing. Kathryn Knightly was a tease. Her stunt was indeed intentional. Despite her vulnerability, right now, she was asking him to want her back. They were playing a dangerous game - a game that could bury Kathryn six-feet underground, just like Louise Carter.
Jonathan could smell the vanilla on her. He recalled the taste of strawberry on her lips, the touch of her oily skin. He thought they could be just friends. He thought he could spare her the syringe, but now, he had no choice but to pursue the inevitable. God knew he tried; he just couldn't control himself anymore.
Kathryn squealed at the freezing wet contact on her skin. She hurried and reached the apartment door's handle to open it. She screamed in shock when a hand above her slammed the door shut. She whirled around, facing the drizzling wet Jonathan Crane, who almost looked like a sewer rat. He was staring down at her intently—a predator to its prey.
Kathryn widened her eyes, frozen in fear. One thing different about Crane was that the glasses had been removed. She took one good look in Jonathan's blue eyes, entranced by them. His eyes were beautiful, hypnotic - a light to a moth's anguish. She was the moth, having no control over what's going to happen next. She was paralyzed, could hardly move. She couldn't ask the question, for it was apparent.
What was Jonathan Crane going to do to her?
Quickly, her back was pinned against the door, pressing his body against hers along with his hungry lips. She gasped against his mouth, couldn't breathe or move. He grasped her jaw and cheek with his thumb and forefinger. His thumb pressed into her jaw, almost uncomfortably, while the finger lovingly caressed her cheek. Two different sides. Sweet and sour. Love and Cruelty. Hot and cold. All in one deadly combination.
She raised her hands onto his shoulders, breaking their lips apart slightly. Both panted wildly for breath as they stared at one another, foreheads pressed together. It didn't last long because of the pouring rain, making it difficult to see anything.
Jonathan couldn't believe this was happening again. He crossed the line again; only this time, there were no regrets. He wasn't sure why. He didn't have the urge to stop this before things went further. Scarecrow wasn't there to interrupt or anything. It was just Jonathan and Kathryn. Alone. With no doctors or anybody watching them.
"What are we doing?" Jonathan whispered to himself, stepping back to catch his breath. He couldn't keep his eyes away from her plumped lips.
"I was going to ask you the same thing," Kathryn shook her head, squeezing her eyes from the rain's severe pressure. "My god, I just broke up with my boyfriend! We're risking our jobs just like them. I want us to work; I really do, but Sam broke my heart. How do I know that you won't hurt me again?"
Jonathan pressed his forehead against hers, taking in her perfume. The rain hadn't washed it away, thankfully.
"You don't," he roughly whispered. "I meant what I said before."
"Yet, you are here with me," she replied.
His jaw clenched. Kathryn glanced at the door, then gazing at the sky. The rain had soaked her bare skin and hair, ruining her mascara. She'd probably be sick after this night, but the thought never crossed her mind. All she could think about was coming inside her apartment with her Ichabod.
With that in mind, she opened the door and dragged Jonathan inside.
~000~000~000~
After the intense make-out session, Jonathan drove straight back to the crime scene. He turned his head as the elevator doors open, revealing his new passenger for the night. The doctor checked his watch, then leaned his head back in boredom. He didn't watch his guest open the passenger door and step inside.
"You're late," he grumbled.
The guest turned, the fiery wave of hair swayed over her shoulder. She closed the umbrella, quickly shutting the door and smoothing the wrinkles of her dress.
"Well, sorry if I had known it was going to rain tonight, I would've been more prepared."
Crane scoffed. They were in a parking garage. What did the rain have to do with anything?
"You are a reporter, Miss Gleeson. Shouldn't you be aware of the weather?"
She cast him a dirty look, "Don't be an ass, Crane."
He smirked, happy to see that her feathers had ruffled a bit.
"So..." Summer pulled out her recording, aiming it at Crane's face. "Ready to give an exclusive?"
Crane glared at her sharply, "Turn it off."
Her lips parted, "Excuse me?"
"I said, 'turn it off.'"
"No. No. No," she shook her head. "That wasn't the deal. You agreed on an interview."
"I have a new deal in mind. If you like to leave the recorder on, then, by all means, leave it on. However, I will like to add for the people, who is GCN'S investigating reporter, really working for. Who is she selling dirty secrets to that belong in the newsroom?"
Summer's face faltered, then quickly smirked, switching the recorder off, "You're not playing fair."
"This is Gotham City, Miss Gleeson. Though I must say, you are playing far worse games than me."
"Oh, really? What about the word on Falcone's shipments of drugs each week? Word on the street is that something is different in those drugs. Care to elaborate?"
"If I had any idea as to what Falcone is up to, then I would've been happy to share."
"You know something about it? Don't you, Crane? Don't you have a degree in psychopharmacology? Are they your drugs?"
Crane raised a brow at Summer then slowly smirked as his eyes descended to the butterfly broach pinned to her bosom, that was aiming high for his face. There was a hidden camera on that pin. How did Crane know? He remembered Falcone giving it to her as a birthday gift. Knowing that the jig was up, Summer removed the broach, tossing it inside the middle console and shielding it shut.
"Clever. I give you marks for that," her face fell. "Look, Falcone believes in paying the piper. We had a deal. You give me the juicy secrets, in exchange for my cameraman."
"Nice work with the visual, by the way."
"You think I enjoyed making out with that cheapskate? Sam is... He's just not my type. I dumped him the second I found out he works part-time at some cheap café. I mean, that takes away our full-time together."
Crane handed her an envelope, "You really should learn to keep an open mind, Miss Gleeson."
Summer examined it on both sides, trying to figure out what the letter was for. "This is addressed in New York City."
"Falcone has people at WNBC; they are seeking fresh faces in their department."
The reporter's mouth parted in disbelief, "Falcone is bribing me to work in New York?"
"No, your cameraman."
She frowned, no doubt disappointed.
"Falcone stated that you are the best news reporter he has ever met. 'An angel from heavens above,' he said. He could never let you fly away for anything..." His eyes narrowed with the exception in mind, "unless you try to dig up on his business, again." Her scowl deepened. "Believe me, Miss Gleeson," he uttered deeply, a smirk crossed his lips. "Blackmailing Falcone will be the key to your freedom... in hell."
"I hate to break it to you, Crane, but we are living in hell," she rolled her eyes. "You want to be out, too, if you knew what Falcone is capable of."
Crane scoffed.
"I was right about one thing," Summer snapped, pointing her French manicured finger at him. "Falcone believes in paying the piper. We both have to pay. You're a doctor. You tell Faden someone is crazy, and the judge carries out the sentence like that," she snapped her fingers on cue, "mainly because he is just as corrupted as the rest of us. Falcone may be having your back now with these shipments, but soon you will learn that Falcone's price is high. You will soon wish to escape... just like me."
The man sighed in response. "Thank you for that tiresome speech, Miss Gleeson," he turned the keys, driving them out of the parking garage. "Now I must take you home. And while you're at it, please, keep your mouth shut. I'm already having a migraine from your perfume."
Summer clenched her teeth; her red lips curled in silent rage. He wasn't looking at the beautiful investigating reporter from GCN, but a naïve cub that didn't know how to play nice - an unattractive quality.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," she hissed, folding her arms across her chest like a spoiled child.
