AN: feels...feels everywhere...

Chapter 8

Francis looked at Arthur confused. He wondered what he had meant by not his fault. He put his hand on the British man's shoulder and instantly regretted it.

Images flashed through Francis's mind so fast he couldn't make any sense of them. The images slowed until it showed that Francis was back in his old house.

"This can't be right. This house burnt down years ago..." Francis whispered.

He started looking through the house reliving old memories of him and Joan and the way things were before. He smiled as he looked down at a picture of the two of them when he heard Arthur's voice. Francis walked up the stairs and into the living room.

"And I just thought that you should know..."Arthur started as he tried to explain something to a confused looking Joan.

Francis jumped when he saw her. How could she be here of all places? Then it dawned on him. Francis touching Arthur's shoulder and the images that followed after, Francis was in one of Arthur's memories.

"But what is he doing with Joan?" Francis thought as he moved closer to hear what Arthur had to say.

"Um well, that is to say..." Arthur took a breath then continued, "I love you."

Joan's eyes widened then she gave an apologetic smile as she held up her left hand. "Oh... well I'm sorry but I'm afraid that I don't feel the same way mon ami..."

Arthur looked at Joan confused then he caught sight of Joan's ring as it sparkled in the light. The British man's face turned red as he retreated into himself.

"I-I'm so... I'm so sorry... I better go." He stuttered as he scurried backwards trying to get out of the house as fast as he could.

"Watch out!" Joan warned as Arthur stumbled over a small table knocking over a candle. The flame flickered and set the curtains blazing. The flames spread fast as they made their way across the wall. Arthur and Joan stood in shock.

"Outside! Hurry!" Arthur yelled at Joan.

The two ran towards the stairs, the flames roaring behind them. Arthur burst out the front door and breathed in the fresh, cool night air.

"We have to call 911." He said as he caught his breath.

When there was no answer he looked behind him. There was no sign of Joan.

"Joan!"

Arthur ran back to the door about to go back in but the heat pushed him back.

"I have to help her!" Arthur thought frantically.

"Like you ever could! What do you think is going to happen? You save her and she is just magically going to fall in love with you?" A voice stated sarcastically in Arthur's head.

Arthur groaned, "Please not now!"

That voice was always there. He had heard the voice his whole life. As a kid he had called the voice Oliver. Arthur hated to admit it but sometimes the voice was right. But that wasn't going to make Arthur give up because now he had something to protect. He took a deep breath and burst through the door.

The heat was intense as he ran through the house looking for Joan. He yelled Joan's name and smoke filled his mouth so that he couldn't breathe. Every part of his body was screaming at him to run but he ignored the warnings and ran down the stairs, the smoke getting thicker. But he only made it half way there when he spotted Joan.

She was sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, a puddle of blood under her head. Arthur ran down the rest of the way and shook Joan.

But it was already too late.

The ring on Joan's finger glittered in the firelight catching Arthur's eye. Breathing heavily Arthur stood up and screamed in frustration and sadness.

"What the hell are you doing? If they catch you here they are going to frame you for her death!" Oliver yelled at Arthur.

Arthur looked at Joan then at the top of the stairs before he ran up, out of the house and into the night.

For Francis everything went black.

When Francis could see again he saw that he was back in the grave yard. The leaves had turned a bright orange and the air was crisp. Francis saw people gathered around a freshly dug grave and realized that this was Joan's funeral. Arthur stood behind a tree a ways away from the rest of the group. It seemed that he was talking to someone so Francis walked behind the tree only to see Joan. He knew why she was there. She was saying her last good bye.

"Why are you talking to me? Don't you want to say goodbye to Francis?" Arthur asked.

Joan looked at her hands that were folded in front of her. "I can't... we would ask questions that I wouldn't be able to answer. I also have to say something that you need to hear."

"What's that?" Arthur asked worried about what he would hear.

"It wasn't your fault."

The simple statement shocked Arthur and made him feel a twinge of anger.

"How could you say that?! I ruined not only your life but also Francis's!" Arthur yelled.

Joan smiled sadly, "I have my reasons...just remember that you have a certain someone that you need to live for."

Arthur nodded and Joan kissed him on the cheek.

The air around her started shimmering and before she faded away she whispered, "You have never been alone."

The images faded and Francis was back in the present. Arthur was staring at the grave a sad smile on his face.

"Hey dad! Matthew invited us to dinner, he says that he and Gilbert have something to tell us!" Alfred called out.

"Why don't you wait until you are closer and can talk to me without yelling?" Arthur said shaking his head in mild amusement.

"Because the hero must be heard!"

"Well come along then. We better hurry to Gilbert's." Arthur said.

Alfred ran ahead, singing the batman theme song. Arthur smiled and looked back at Joan's grave.

"You were right. I was never alone..."

AN: Well... because this chapter is so full of emotions i think that the next chapter is going to be the wedding chapter! I also have another one shot to put up when I find the time!