A.N- AnikaJinn : Like every great hero needs a sidekick, so does a villian... even if that villian has to get their sidekick in a sadistic way...(And to all of my readers- More sadistic things to come in coming chapters. Because... this is from the villian's POV, of course). And to SenorScissors (who posted anonymously)- My Millie is not a Sue. And so maybe I am in love with Dr. Crane (honestly-how can you not be? He'sa lovely villian.) and maybe I despertly wish he'd fall in love with me (kidnapped by Dr. Crane? It wouldn't be kidnapped if I agreed to go along though, would it? Hah.). I'll inflict upon the world whatever delusions of mine I want.So- Neh!

After all, If my delusions will be the downfall of my sanity- I'm taking as many people with me as possible. He-he.

BUT, anyways-

Chapter Six:

Striking a Deal

Melissa continued to cough, as her lungs gasped for air. The sudden air stung her lungs, but at the same time was refreshing. She rubbed her neck delicately as an attempt to help herself. She paid no attention to Crane who was watching her carefully still with that grisly mask on his face. She rolled onto her side, feeling as if she'd be ill at any moment. Violently ill. She gagged even, then let out a cry of frustration.

"Oh, now really Melissa." He said in a mellow drawl as he licked his lips beneath the mask. "It wasn't that terrible now was it? You're dramatizing the situation." She wasn't though. He knew that. He was only mocking her. He had watched as her smooth skin had began to turn blue from lack of oxygen. If he held on for only a few more moments- Well, he'd be alone with a body- trying to find someplace for it. For a while at least. Until one of his thugs came and decided what was best. Maybe into the river? It would be good. The river flowed right past the old factory.

He suddenly forced her shoulders against the cold concrete floor as he draped himself over her, to prevent her from trying to escape. His knees were on either side of her, his hands holding her upper arms against the floor. "Are you going to be a good girl?"

She scowled at him. The foulest scowl he had ever received and he hated it. He wanted to hit her again for looking at him in such a way. Like he was some filthy muck left in the street gutter after a rain. She wasn't so special. How could she even think she was? Though his urge to teach her manners was great, he resisted. "Melissa?" He cooed smoothly. Melissa only pressed her lips firmly together- not wishing to answer him.

He sighed and let go of her arm as he pulled off the mask. He let it drop next to her head before leaning over her. He ran his hands up her arms to her wrists and snapped them, palm-up, to the floor. He was leaning so close to herthat their eyes were level. He looked at her straight in the eye, drawing the most intense look in his eyes as he could manage. Jonathan leaned his face closer to hers.

"Millie?" Jonathan question, lowering his voice as well.

"MELISSA!" She shouted suddenly at him. It was so sudden and unexpected that he quick drew his head away from hers. Why hadn't he expected she'd shout at him in such a way? He should've. It shouldn't have shocked him. But it did. "IT'S MELISSA TO YOU!" Angry tears were in her eyes.

"You've got some vinegar in you, dontcha?" He commented dangerously. A hand found its way back to her neck, put he didn't press down. Only held it there as a warning. "Don't push me, Melissa. It'll be the last thing you'll ever do. I promise you that…" He let these words hang in the damp, musty air of the basement for a moment longer before venturing on- "So I won't kill you… You'll get me anyone. That's what you said isn't it?"

Melissa looked away from him. Jonathan took a breath as his eyes glanced to the mask next to her head. "Or… if you'd rather-" He slipped his hand down from her neck, grabbing the mask. He picked it up and held it in front of her face. "We could play?"

"NO!" She shouted nearly as soon as he finished the threat.

"Then I suggest, for your own good, that you start listening to me like a good girl would." He stood up, letting go of Melissa. He stood above her for a minute, then leaned against his desk. He stared down to her. She stared back to him for a few seconds that seemed to last a lifetime before finally looking away. She slowly pushed herself up into the sitting position, and pulled her knees back to her, hugging them to her chest. She looked like she was about to have a mental breakdown of some sort.

Good. He enjoyed that.

"If you still are doubtful about this… If you decide to not stick to your offer- Well there are a few things that could result from this. One- We see what you're afraid of and how long you can handle it before breaking down. Two- You get lock away for attempted murder… which is all you need." He said with a scoff. Melissa raised her eyebrows at this. "If not that- at least assault and battery with a weapon." Jonathan kicked the crank she had hit him with away from Melissa's reach, before turning back to her. "Three- Go back to Arkham… I could make it so that you would never get out."

Melissa opened her mouth to speak, but Jonathan cut her off. "Oh no. I'm not finished yet… Four- I could just easily have you killed. And believe me- there wouldn't be a body found. No one would know you died… Or choice five, my favorite… Help me."

He put his right hand out for her, to help her up, as he kept his other one behind his back. "So… here's the deal: I'll let you live, happy and unharmed- as long as you get me as many people I need."

"For how long?"

"As long as I need, Melissa." He said in the calm, level, logical way. She eyed his hand suspiciously. "Ah, come on now, Melissa. If I wanted to hurt you. You should know by now that it would already be done by now. Any time I pleased..." It was a reminder that sent chills up Melissa's spine. Swallowing hard, she reached up, putting her hand into his gently.

"Good." He breathed as hepulled her to her feet. "Good." Crane repeated softly. His hand curled around hers gently as he pulled her closer to his body. "You've made the right choice. You'll see. Soon you'll see… I promise."

He took a slow breath in, regarding her closely as he lifted his other closed again to her face, running his knuckles against her jawline gently. "I promise." And with that he opened his hand, blowing the pale blue powder into her face. She pulled her head away, staring at him with wide eyes. That only lasted for a second though. He could tell her muscles had loosened by the way her shoulders dropped. The her head began to fall back, and she struggled to hold it up- but it just ended up bobbing down to the front. Her eyelids were falling shut, but she was trying to fight it. It did no use though, Crane knew.

One of his hands were still holding on to one of hers as she quickly tumbled into unconsciousness. Quickly, he slipped his other hand behind her back, as her body went limp in his arms. He let out a slow breath, turning his head towards the steps as a frown formed on his lips. A difficult journey this seemed to be- carrying Melissa with him up the steps, across the factory, and to his car with possible broken ribs and a bad limp from the crank against his calf.

Well, if she was to stay with him, helping him- there had to be no more of this. He'd have to break Melissa out of her own habits. He'd have to mold her into how he see fit.

But he wasn't worried- Jonathan Crane never had trouble with it before. This should certainly be no different- if not easier.

What I have in mind for next chapter: More backdrop on Melissa. AND- a type of twist. Maybe for you, it'll just come out of left field. It came out of left field for me. I just thought of it. Heh.