A/N: I'm back! I hope you guys had a good weekend! I decided to include Bruce in this one; I hope you guys won't mind. The stories will now begin to be in the timing of Batman Begins.
All characters except for Alouette are by DC Comics. All rights reserved to their appropriate owners.
PRETEND RACHEL + BRUCE NEVER HAPPENED.
Chapter 5: Like Home.
It's been a couple of months since Alouette received the wonderful news about her new internship position at Arkham Asylum. She ended up getting good grades in all her academics and graduating at the top of her class. Her last year at Gotham University was a rewarding one compared to the past three and she never felt more ecstatic to start her psychology career. The memories flooded her mind with loyal friendships and the constant studying nights at the library. However, her "friendship" with Jonathan Crane never ideally happened. He never showed up to their study session the few days before their first exam.
Alouette remembered being left alone in the study area, looking over her watch and ended up leaving after thirty minutes have flown by with no sign of him. She had a feeling that he received the rejection email and it caused him to not want to be near her at all. She couldn't blame him for his disappointment, but she somewhat had hoped they still attempted to remain in good terms, especially when it's been a few months.
Alouette moved out of her dorm that summer and eventually got herself an apartment. She wanted to save a little bit money for other expenses so she decided to stay in the area of the Narrows. Her mother was disappointed with the idea and feared for her daughters life, but Alouette reminded her that she will always call her when she arrived safely at home. Her mother saw the excitement in her daughter's eyes when she would visit her and she knew that another spark of life transpired out of her. Her apartment was more of the minimalistic theme, something that Alouette always admired. She was one with simplistic tastes.
It was morning in Gotham and the sun raised with the clear cerulean blue surrounded it along with the feathery clouds. There a warm briskly breeze that flew around giving a sense of tranquility amongst the people of Gotham. Alouette needed to go the DA office to drop off some needed papers right after work for a new case that birthed. Rachel started working as a lawyer in the area and most of the time that Alouette went to deliver a few things it was Rachel who would assist her. They joked in calling themselves 'partners in crime' and going out with their regular coffee dates in between work shifts.
Today was a different day to Rachel since she decided to spill out the news about Jonathan Crane's appearance in Gotham after several months to Alouette. Recently, he was held accountable of malpractice as a professor in Gotham University. She didn't know the actual malpractice that he performed, but he was fired and kept from teaching in the university. This had Rachel wanting to know whether or not Crane will be seen in Alouette's work area after being kicked out from his teaching career. If that was the case, she wanted to warn her closest friend of the possibility to avoid any potential conflict.
"So you're saying he got fired for malpractice? This is so strange. Jonathan was always so responsible in terms of his work. I can't really think of an idea on how he will get fired for not doing his job right." Alouette stated to Rachel, looking down at the carpted floor with a confused look on her face.
"Well, that's what I've heard. I can't really find the true source but rumor has it that he experimented on several of his students...some kind of fear toxin of the sorts.. " Rachel told her while skimming through papers.
"Fear toxin? That is so…Frankenstein of him. " She took a seat and looked away from Rachel, thinking of the possibilities of what caused Jonathan to act such a way.
"Yes, very Frankenstein..I just wanted to tell you because I'm paranoid he will show up to the asylum and you will be there and well…the fire will erupt again." Stated Rachel while she took some paper clips from her desk and started organizing the documents she skimmed before.
"The fire vanished a long time ago. I'm pretty sure everyone should be able to get over college drama. At least I did." Alouette stood next to the window and looked towards Gotham. 'Peace settled in for the city, at least temporarily' she thought to herself.
"That is also true, but you know how Crane is. Don't you remember the big scene he did when one of your professors didn't grade him 'fairly' on one of your final essays? I swore I saw the devil in those icy eyes of his when he was outside of the psychology building. " Rachel eyed at Alouette, giving her a frown.
"Yeah, well..everyone has their bad days I suppose."
"Looks like Jonathan has more of a bad life." Rachel said once she finished organizing her papers.
"Maybe." Alouette walked away from the sheer glass window and sat down in front of Rachel's desk again, putting her hand on her knee when she crosses her legs.
"I'll take it as a precaution, however I doubt it. Anyways, so what's new? Anyone or anything I should be worried about for the upcoming weeks?" Rachel's friend asked.
"There's this 'Batman' going around. He's been seen a couple of times, but he hasn't made an impact yet. I don't think you need to worry about him in all honesty, but oh-wait! I know, Bruce! Bruce is back! After all these..seven years and everyone thought he was dead. Apparently he showed up to Wayne Enterprises yesterday and decided to be the big boss again."
Alouette stopped fidgeting with her nails once she heard that name. The weight of heart immedtitaly dropped after the mention of that name. She looked up to Rachel.
Bruce.
"Bruce? Bruce Wayne? How..?" Alouette had a stunned look on her face and Rachel saw her mouth pierced open.
"I have no idea, but he's back and better than ever I guess." Rachel smiled at her once she saw her shocked expression, putting a hand under her chin.
"Say, you look very surprised. I'm guessing there's still some thing going on inside you with Bruce?"
"No, it's not that. I just thought…I thought he wouldn't come back after he disappeared. This is absolutely insane. I have to go and visit him there is no way he-" Alouette suddenly stopped mid sentence and looked around the room as if trying to find the rest of her words. She picked up her bag and ran out of the door telling Rachel she had to go; leaving her confused in her office.
Alouette took her car to the Wayne Manor, seeing it still standing high on the hillside. Its gothic architecture was still the same when she last visited except they added a few extra decorations on the front side of the mansion. She had no idea what gotten into her in wanting to see Bruce, but there was something about filling up the void that she had for years ever since they separated. She needed to find the reassurance that he didn't gave her. She believed the reassurance was not in words, but in fact in seeing Bruce Wayne in person again. Alouette already knew it was a crazy idea, but she was the one in taking risks.
She pulled over and got out of her car and started walking towards the home of Bruce Wayne. A couple of knocks and Alfred opened up the wooden door, with a gleam look in his eyes once he caught who she was.
"Miss Abraham! What a pleasant surprise! It's been so many years! You look lovelier as ever! Come in, Bruce will be more than happy to see you." They both walked inside the enormous manor. Alouette looked around to see the walls covered with famous paintings and the corners in accompanied with beautiful sculptors. The windows were built to surpass the darkness of the center room, letting her felt that she was in a wide-open area full of life. She remembered walking through these halls with Bruce before going to dinner with him, his arm wrapped around her waist, taking her to the blissful night.
She stood there mesmerized until she started to hear several footsteps going down the staircase. Turning around she saw Bruce. He was in his dark suit along with his grey tie; his hair slit back and having that welcoming smile on his face that she recognized. She assumed Alfred told who was waiting for him downstairs and he already went through his shock value.
"Ali, hello. " He finally got to her and gave her a small hug.
"Hi Bruce." She gave him a warm smile and he swore he saw a small twinkle in her left eye. The same one he would always see whenever they were together.
"This is such a surprise, how are you? Do you want something to drink, I can have Alfred make us something if you'd like." He motioned his body to the dining room and Alouette felt the flush of her cheeks rise.
"There's no need, I just wanted to come say hello. It's been so long and I just-" He insisted to at least sit down and have tea while they caught up with their lives.
They moved to the dining hall and sat down, drinking green tea while talking about what has been going on between them.
"I hope you're not upset about our break up. If you are, I'm still very sorry. I just couldn't do it at the moment and it was nothing personal. Especially from what the tragedy of your father, I felt such an idiot." Bruce mentioned to her while he looked at her with concern. She gave him a ressuracing smile and nodded.
"That was a long time ago, I'm not that bitter anymore, trust me." She put a strand of loose hair from her ponytail behind her ear.
"So, internship huh? How that's going? Congratulations by the way even though I'm extremely late to the news."
"Hahaha, yes. It's not really an internship anymore; I'm now officially trained and hired to be a certified psychologist in the asylum. It's so fascinating. I don't regret any of it. " He saw the same twinkle in her eye again.
"Well, I'm sure they love you. I'm very proud of you Ali. You've come so far after all you been through. I'm more than positive your father is very proud of you." His last sentence caused Alouette to smile again after finishing her last sip of tea.
"Thanks, that means a lot, especially from a play boy billionaire." Bruce rolled his eyes right when he heard the word 'playboy' come out of her mouth.
"You know that's really not me. " He said.
"I know, you're a playboy billionaire who's a softy." Bruce laughed at her comeback.
They spent the rest of their evening walking behind the mansion in the garden. They chatted about their old habits and now their new habits. The little dates they used to have and how much of the paparazzi devoured their sense of existence when they were together, something that Bruce was always embarrassed about. However, Alouette never minded his fame and reputation within the Gotham community. She reassured him that he made her safe, just like she was at home. They mentioned to each other the small stupid fights they used to have and how they learned so much from each other's characteristics. It was almost dusk and Alouette knew she had to get home before the moon came out.
"You should definitely come over more often, me and Alfred need more company than just each others." Bruce said once he gave her that flirty smile, putting his hands inside his dress pants.
"I'll think about it." Alouette told him while she went outside. Before she left, they exchanged an embrace. Bruce mentioned to her to call her with the same number whenever she needed something. She said goodbye to Alfred and started to head home.
"It's Dr. Crane." Jonathan peered at the receptionist, putting his glasses closer to his face.
" Yes, Dr. Crane, two-thirty appointment. Let me notify our doctor that you are here, you can take a seat if you'd like." The young receptionist motioned to the wooden chairs behind him. Instead Jonathan decided to stand and looked around the green walls that were framed with motivational posters, one of Jonathan's pet peeves. A couple of minutes later, the front desk receptionist verified his appointment with her boss and he was granted access. A small smirk escapes his lips once he was led to the way to the open office.
"Hello Dr. Crane, I'm aware you're here for your potential hire with us?" The man sitting in front of Jonathan was wearing his white coat, clear rimmed glasses that covered more of his face than necessary. He was almost bald, but he still had a few patched of grey hair that was on top of his head. The man also was skimming through some of the papers that Jonathan filled up before he came in.
"Yes sir." Jonathan said with a warm smile on his pouted lips.
"Very well, I'm gonna have to ask you a few questions before we get started on your hiring process." The doctor said.
"Perfect. "
A/N: And that's the end for chapter 5! Not that much Jonathan in this one, but I hope you guys like it! Let me know with a review/follow/favorite if I'm doing a good job so far! I promise the next chapter will have more Jonathan in it. See ya guys later!
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