Disclaimer: I don't own Jonathan Crane (sadly) nor Batman. I don't claim to own them. I don't make any profit off of this. I'm just having fun.

05

Structures

It was early Monday morning when I woke up, a dream startling me out of my sleep. I groaned and tried to roll back over, forgetting I was in the recliner. Well, there went that idea.

I blinked tiredly, putting down the foot rest and standing, stretching and trying to work the kinks out of my neck. I stole a glance at Jonathan, he was still asleep facing me, his breathing even. I squinted at the clock, six-thirty. Well, apparently Mom wasn't forcing us to go to school today, that's a plus.

I stumbled my way into the kitchen, bouncing off the wall and startling my mother, who was getting out ingredients for breakfast. "Morning, Mom." I collapsed into one of the mismatched chairs, flinching when my knee struck the table. Yeah, I'm clumsy in the morning.

"Morning, hun. Regret sleeping in the chair yet?" She smiled at me.

I put my head on the table. "You have no idea. Have you talked to Dad yet?" My voice was muffled by the wood but I knew she could hear me.

"I did. When did you say Jonathan's birthday is?"

I thought, begging my brain to work. "Er.. it's Wednesday."

"Good. Your father just suggested that we wait it out, it's only two days away. Then Jonathan can stay here legally. With any luck, she won't report him missing." Mom cracked two eggs, putting them into a bowl and started whisking. "She doesn't seem to be candidate for Grandmother of the Year if you get what I'm saying, so hopefully we won't have a problem."

I nodded and stood, grabbing the tea kettle and adding water, setting it on the stove. I turned the dial to high and leaned against the counter. "What are we going to do about clothes? It's not like we have a bunch of mens stuff laying around. He also needs his glasses. He can't go back there, Mom. Even if I have to go get his clothes by myself."

She made a small sound of agreement. "We can run there after breakfast. Hopefully she'll see reason."

"I doubt it." We both jumped, I turned to see Jonathan leaning against the wall. He sent me a small smile. "I'm sorry. Good morning."

We echoed it back and I motioned for him to sit, bringing the whistling kettle off the stove. "Do you want coffee or tea? Or milk? Or orange juice? Or-" I cut myself off, realizing I was rambling. I blushed. What is wrong with me?

Jonathan gave me smirk. "Tea will be fine." He turned to look at my mother as I poured water into cups. "Thank you for letting my stay, Ms. Flynn. I'll be out of your hair shortly."

My mom tutted in that way all mom's do and shook her hair. "Sorry kiddo, no can do. You're stuck with us. Dahlia told me what happened and your grandmother is lucky that I'm not there beating down her damn door."

Jonathan shook his head. "I can handle it, Ms. Flynn."

I set the tea and sugar in front of him. "Right, because you were doing such a good job last night." He glared at me. "Sorry, my brain to mouth filter doesn't work before nine." I shrugged and sat next to him. "Just give in. Mom's not gonna let you go back there or anywhere else. You're in her clutches now, you'll never escape."

This time my mother was the one glaring at me. "Thank you, Dahlia. You really need to work on that filter of yours." I just smiled at her. "But she's right, at any rate. You're safe here, Jonathan, and you're welcome as long as you need to be here. As a parent, I can't let you go back there."

I watched Jonathan, waiting for him to blow up or something. He was too calm this morning, especially seeing as he was beaten with a switch the night before. However, his face was a cool mask, his blue eyes shining in the fluorescent lighting. He nodded, solemnly. "Alright, if you insist. I won't inconvenience you for long, though. I graduate in January."

I blinked. Say what? "How?"

Jonathan shrugged, sending me a smug look. "I have all my credits, I'm starting at Gotham in February. I've been accepted into the student teaching program, as well."

I was disappointed. I figured we'd have more time to get to know each other. Granted, we'd see each other when I moved, but that wasn't until July. I frowned, which Jonathan noticed. I quickly plastered a smile back on my face. "I guess a congratulations are in order, then." I moved to the door, "I'm getting a shower."

The shower cleared my head like it was supposed to. My crush on Jonathan was clouding my judgment, and with him living in the same tiny apartment as me, it was liable to get worse.

I ran a brush through my hair, spraying it like usual so it curled right. I stared at myself in the mirror. There were rings under my green eyes and my skin looked paler than usual. I looked at my mother's collection of make up and briefly considered it.

I shook my head, ridding myself of those thoughts. I never, ever wore make up. Never. I frowned at the tray and opened the door, grabbing my keys off the stand.

Jonathan and Mom were still in the kitchen, they were both eating. Mom looked up. "Hun, there's some pancakes in the oven for you."

I shook my head. "No, I'm gonna try to go get his stuff, if I'm not back in a couple hours, send out a search party." I walked out of the house, shutting the door behind me.

I only made it halfway to the stairs before I felt a hand on my wrist. I turned around and came face to chest with Jonathan Crane. I glared at him. "If we're moving in together, you need to wear a bell around your neck or something. I'm tired of you being a ninja."

He rolled his eyes. "Quit being immature, Dahlia." Oh, so we're back to that again, are we? "You don't need to do this, you know. Grandmother won't be kind."

"Yeah, I kind of gathered that when I saw her beating you." He didn't even flinch, the cold bastard. "You need your stuff and I have a car, so I'm getting it. It's not like she can beat me and if she does try, I have mace." I patted my bag.

He sighed. "Alright. Just... be careful. And keep that filter in check. She's not one to be crossed, Dahlia." I felt a light touch to my temple and he was gone, disappearing back into the door.

This man's moods are gonna give me whiplash.

I didn't even bother to park at the top of the lane this time. I left the Charger idling in the gravel next to the station wagon and braced myself. This was definitely not on my list of things to do today. I quickly checked my bag, making sure my mace was easy to grab. Enough stalling.

I got out of my car and to my credit, didn't want to run until I reached the old oak door. I took a deep breathe and fought the nausea that came with my anxiety and knocked twice, wincing when it sounded louder than I meant it to be.

I didn't have to wait long. I heard foot steps and then the door opened, revealing Jonathan's grandmother.

She was exactly how I remembered her. She was very proper looking, with her graying hair in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She really didn't look a thing like Jonathan, her narrowed eyes being a dark brown and her skin had an olive tint to it. Her mouth was thin and pursed. I could tell she knew who I was, as she glanced to my car and back. "If it isn't the harlot."

I groaned. Is this really how we're going to start? "I'm Dahlia Cohen. I'm a friend of your grandson's, I was hoping you would be kind enough to let me pick up his things."

She smirked. The bitch actually smirked at me. "So, you're the one the sinner is staying with? Good riddance. You may get his things, and then be gone." She pulled open the door and let me inside.

The house was extremely clean. Even with the pealing wall paper and cracked floor boards, there wasn't a spec of dust to be found. I swallowed. "You have a beautiful home." She lead me up the curving staircase and she sent me a look over her shoulder. I shut up.

She lead me to the first room on the left, an immaculate space. It was free of clutter or any other identifying factors, not even a poster or sign on the bleak gray walls. The only reason I knew it was Jonathan's was his books floor. They must have gotten knocked over when she drug him out of the house, he wouldn't leave his books on the floor. There wasn't even a mattress on the bed, only a box springs and a thin sheet.

"There are boxes in the closet. You can use those to pack his things. Hurry, I'm tired of having sinners in my clean house." She didn't move from the doorway.

I had to be kind. I had to be calm. Jonathan needed his things. "Yes, ma'am."

I moved to the closet and got to work. I pulled out the boxes and started layering his books and clothes in them. His clothes were dark and clean, if I was with a friendlier woman I might joke how Jonathan had the same fashion sense as a sixty year old. But I doubt any joking would be well received with this woman.

I was working on fourth and final box in silence, aware that the witch was burning holes in my spine with her demon gaze. But I didn't dare turn back. I wasn't going to show any weakness to her. I almost jumped out of my skin when she spoke. "I wonder, do you think you can save him?"

I looked over my shoulder. "Excuse me?"

She finally moved into the room, her posture stiff and imposing. "Do you think you can save him, girl?"

I stood, I didn't like anyone standing over me, especially her. "I don't think I'm understanding the question, ma'am. Save him from what?"

"From himself, of course." The woman rolled her eyes and stepped forward. "Jonathan is cut out of the same cloth as his addict mother. She was tempted into damnation, just like him. He will fall just like she did. Do you really think you can save him?"

I frowned and backed up. "I don't think anything, ma'am. I'm just trying to help out a friend."

"Let the lying lips be put to silence." She quoted the Bible, smirking at me. "You think I don't see how you feel? You care far more about my weakling grandson than you have a right to. I can see it in your eyes, and how you braved being here in front of me after what you saw last night."

I gasped. "You knew?"

She chuckled, a rich sound. "Of course I knew. Why do you think I didn't lock the church door like I normally do? I wanted that little beast out of here and you gave me exactly what I wanted. You saw me beat my grandson and yet you still managed the courage to come here and face me. That takes a lot of courage, girl."

I didn't know what to say, I felt nauseated. "I just want him to be happy."

"You love him. You may not know it yet, but I can see it in him, too. From the first day that you spoke to him. But you will not be able to save him. My grandson is evil, he may not even realize it now. But he will. The demon lays buried deep in him and it will awaken when he is most vulnerable. It is hungry and it only feeds on fear. Fear and suffering and pain. It will tear him apart and Jonathan Crane will no longer exist. I hope, for your sake, that you aren't around when it happens."

My mouth was open and I closed it. I blinked and the woman was gone, disappearing down out the door. What the fuck? I needed to get out of here, and fast, before I had a heart attack.

I quickly finished and closed the last box before carrying them down, two at a time, to the charger. There were five boxes total. When I went back to grab the last box, I noticed something shiny on the bed that hadn't been there before.

I inched closer and smiled. Jonathan's glasses were on the end of the box springs. They weren't broken like I had feared, they didn't have a scratch on them. The black frames glinted in the poor light, like they had been cleaned recently. I picked them up carefully and put them into the pocket of my sweater.

I picked up the last box and made myself scarce. I closed the front door behind me, happy to see the last of that place. I loaded the box into my car and almost ran to the other side, throwing myself in and locking the doors. I was even paranoid enough to look in the back seats to make sure. It was only then did I allow myself a look at the house.

She was standing at the door fixing me with the darkest look imaginable. A shiver went up my spine. I urged the car forwards and sped up the road, my heart hammering in my throat.

I couldn't get to the apartment soon enough. I basically threw myself out of the car, landing on my knees on the pavement. I breathed a deep sigh and held myself back from kissing the ground. Ew, D.G. Gross.

I stood when I heard the door opened and Jonathan rushed out. I was about to call out a greeting but he was on me in seconds, bringing my face flush to his and looking in my eyes. "Are you alright? What did she do to you?"

I shook him off. "I'm alright, she didn't do anything."

He tried to push my eyelids up and attempted to look in my mouth. "You didn't drink or eat anything, did you? Didn't breathe in too deeply?"

"What?" I pushed him a back a bit further and shook my head. "Jonathan, she didn't do anything but talk down to me and call me a whore. I told you she wouldn't touch me, there would be a lawsuit on her door step. She's an old lady, scandals aren't her thing. Oh, but she told me you are pregnant with a demon."

Jonathan pulled back and blinked. "Well that's... tame." He looked at me with those eyes and I found myself froze to the spot. "Thank you, D.G. Really. I didn't expect you to go there on your own... but thank you." He turned, breaking the hold he had on me and I felt vertigo. He squinted through the side window. "I guess we'd better get these inside."

It dawned on me. "Wait!" I pulled him back from the car and pulled his glasses out of my pocket. I gently unfolded them and placed them on his face, giving his nose a peck on a stupid whim. I smiled when his eyes widened. "There. Now you can see."

He gave me one of those rare smiles in return and I knew everything was going to be alright, at least for a little while.

A/N: Here's number five! I'll have the next one out sometime next week hopefully. I've got family stuff for the rest of this week. But I promise, next Friday will be the absolute latest that it will be out.

Thank you again for all the alerts and reviews! I really, really can' believe the response I've been getting for this and it's making me super pumped to write the rest of the series! I already have the first chapter of the second part done, so it's definitely going to happen. =)