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.

11

Welcome Home

My father is dead.

My father is dead.

My father is dead.

No matter how many times I repeat it, it won't register as real in my mind. It's like there's this big gaping hole where my heart should be, almost as if it was ripped out and placed on the gurney along with his body.

I was sitting on the cold tile floor of our bathroom, with my bare back resting against the glass of the shower door. My bloody clothes were also on the floor, the red fabric on the white tile a grotesque reminder of what my brain would not comprehend.

My father is dead.

It just would not compute. All that blood... I felt tears well into my eyes and I blinked them back. Alright, so I knew he was dead. I would never see him smile, laugh again. He would never kiss my forehead, pick me up, or make me mouse-shaped pancakes again. No more hugs, no walks in the park.

Damn it, the tears were back.

A knock on the door had me brushing my tears back and I didn't bother to answer, knowing that Jonathan would come in anyways. He did, of course, and almost turned back around when he saw my state. His face turned red and he looked away. "Dahlia, you're supposed to be showering."

I shrugged. "I know."

"Your mother is waiting for you to call her."

"I know."

"The police are also waiting to talk to you again."

"I don't care."

"You're going to catch a cold."

"That's funny!" I started laughing, almost coldly. "You really think that I care about getting a fucking cold? My dad is dead, Jonathan."

"How is sitting on the floor in the nude going to help anything?" This time he did look at me, his blue eyes narrowing. "Get in the shower and collect yourself."

"Fuck you." I laughed again. "If my nudity offends you, Jonathan Crane, you know exactly where the door is."

"Dahlia Grace." Jonathan's voice showed the pure frustration that was starting to show through on his face. He tossed his glasses on the counter and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Please, just get in the shower."

"No." Was I being ridiculous? Absolutely. But arguing with Jonathan gave me something else to concentrate on, gave me some semblance of control back. "Just leave me alone. I'll get one when I'm ready."

"Fine." The look on his face was pure ice and he turned to go. Well, at least I thought he was. Jonathan pulled the shirt over his head and quickly divested himself of his jeans. When he was only in his boxers, he advanced on me.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Jonathan had me up and quickly pushed me into the shower, closing the door behind him. He reached around me and turned on the water.

I squeaked as the cold water hit me and I tried to book it, but Jonathan had be pinned against the wall of the shower. I was acutely aware of his bare chest against mine and everything else. The only thing that separated our bodies were his boxers which were quickly becoming soaked through. He leaned forwards, his face only centimeters from mine. "You need to wake up. Your father is dead, yes, but you are stronger than this." I tried to turn my face away from him but he caught it between his hands. "Wake up, Dahlia. If you don't take care of yourself, you force me to do it for you."

I glared at him, the running water making me squint. "Why does it matter so much?"

His eyes were dark and they burned straight through me. "Because I care for you, you moron."

My heart, suddenly reappearing, started a frantic beating and I swallowed. Jonathan really was beautiful, even more so with his hair dripping and his eyes blazing. His face was sculpted to perfection and I really don't understand how anyone at the school looked down on him for anything.

Deciding quickly, I reached up and brought his mouth to mine. He pushed up even harder against me, my body molding completely to his. He bit my lip and I moaned lightly, granting him entrance.

We were in bed, panting. He was holding me, my head on his chest. I couldn't help but laugh a little. "I can't believe that just happened."

"You?" Jonathan met my eyes, his eyes light and happy. "I basically took advantage of you."

"Please." I scoffed. "If anyone took advantage, it was me. I basically just used you to make myself feel better."

He chuckled and pulled me closer. "Well, if it counts, I enjoyed it."

"Was this your-?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"Me too. Despite Jason Schwartz's best efforts."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow at me. "Jason Schwartz?"

I sighed. "A kid I dated last year. We went on like, three dates, if that. He got pissed that I wouldn't 'put out.'" I used my fingers and air quotes. "He spent the rest of the year tarnishing my reputation and trying to get into my pants."

"Sounds counter-productive."

"You have no idea."

We were quiet for a minute, the only sounds our breaths and a couple arguing next door. "Do you regret it?" There was a quiet worry in Jonathan's voice that had me sitting up. I turned to him, clutching the sheet to myself.

"What? No! Why would you even ask that?"

Jonathan sat up also. "Your dad just died."

"Thanks for bringing that back up, but yes, I know."

"I just-"

"Jonathan, I promise, I'm of sound mind. I will never regret sleeping with you. In the literal or figurative sense. I wouldn't have started it if I hadn't been sure."

His eyes trained on the bed. "I apologize, I don't know what got into me."

I rolled my eyes and pounced on him, making him give a yelp. "I'm not like the other girls, you should have realized that by now."

He smirked up at me, fire back in his eyes. "Oh, I know. But before we start this again, you need to call your mother."

I pulled away and sighed. "Back to the real world now?"

"Are you okay?"

"I will be. I know Dad is dead... but thank you for letting me escape that for a little while."

He reached over and pulled me to him again, kissing my forehead. "I'll always be here."

The phone rang on the desk, making us both jump. I groaned and reached over, grabbing it. "Hello?"

"Ms. Cohen? We have your mother on the line for you."

"Alright." I guess she was impatient. There was a beep and I could hear my mother panicking. "Hey, Mom."

"Dahlia Grace Cohen! I've been trying to reach you for HOURS! I've been worried sick!"

"I know Mom, I just had a long shower. Trying to think."

"Oh, baby. Are you alright? Is Jonathan okay?"

"We're both alright, Mom." I noticed the bed shift an Jonathan got up, grabbing some clothes out of his suitcase before pulling them on. "He hasn't left my side all night."

"I'm sorry to call so early, but after I talked to Jon, I just needed to hear your voice."

I smiled sadly. "It's okay, Mom. I haven't been to sleep yet anyways. When are you coming up?"

"I was just waiting to talk to you before I made my way to the airport. Do you still want to pick me up or do you want me to call your aunt?"

"No, Mom, we can come get you. We have to wait on the cops to figure out what the hell is going on anyways."

"Baby, I'm so sorry. I can't believe it."

I felt the tears making their return and I swallowed back a sob. "Me neither, Mom." My voice cracked and I sniffled. "I just hope they find the bitch."

"They will, hun. Jon told me that Gordon is on the case, there's no way he'll let her get away with this."

There was a knock on the door and Jonathan went to answer it, the door opening revealing a cop. "I've got to go, Mom. The police are here. What time does your flight come in?" Jonathan walked outside with the officer, shutting the door behind him.

"Nine A.M. I'll be at gate C7. I love you baby, be careful and be nice to the police."

I smiled as we hung up. I threw on some clothes and looked at the clock, it was only a little after five in the morning. I walked outside, nodding to the officer. "Is there any news?"

The dark man nodded. "We think we've got her. A traffic stop outside of Gotham caught her car. We just need you to identify her."

"Okay." My heart hammered in my chest and I felt Jonathan grab my hand, squeezing it. "Can we drive down?"

The drive down to GCPD was quiet. Jonathan was behind the wheel, his other hand on my leg. It was a small but comforting gesture and something I really needed to keep me from falling to pieces. I really hadn't thought they would have found the murderer already, but the officer said we had basically just missed them.

A few minutes sooner... and my dad would be alive. We would be sitting in front of the tree with pumpkin rolls and he'd be making me play the violin for him.

I closed my eyes to keep my cool and Jonathan's hand squeezed my leg, bringing me back to reality. I took a glance at the clock. It was almost six now. "We're here."

I look up at the impressive building, all towers and columns. It definitely fit Gotham, it was imposing and almost an eyesore. It was an all white building, it's surprising that the sheer force of all the corruption in one space hadn't stained the exterior black.

We followed Officer Douglas's car into a small parking lot, pulling in behind him. I took a deep breath to try and calm my nerves before stepping out. Jonathan's larger hand immediately met my smaller one and I couldn't help but give him a small smile. Without him, I'd probably still be on the floor crying in the puddle of blood.

Officer Douglas led us into a small reception area where James Gordon was waiting for us. He looked as tired as I felt, the bags weighing heavily under his eyes. "Ms. Cohen, Mr. Crane."

"It's D.G., please." I yawned and tried to stifle it. It had been a long night and day. After we picked Mom up, I'm going back to that overly expensive hotel with the ugly green carpet and drapes and I'm passing out.

He nodded. "We just need you to take a look at our suspect and let us know if it's her. She was driving the correct car. After this, you can go back and get some rest."

"Thank you, Jim."

We followed him through the winding hallways, past the holding cells where drunks and prostitutes slept, the sober ones glaring at us. I tried to keep my eyes faced forward, but it was hard not to look around. I saw pictures of crime scenes and other things, they made my stomach churn.

We finally reached a small room with one of those see through mirrors. Gordon waves us forward and I break away from Jonathan who hangs back. I walk up to the glass and stare at the woman on the other side.

She was a junkie. Her arms were tracked up and her brunette hair was stringy, almost balding in some places. She was biting her nails until they bled, constantly shaking. She was skeletal, her baggy clothes hanging on her like a cheap mannequin. Her bloodshot blue eyes darted back and forth between the mirror and the door. This woman was a wreck.

But it wasn't my father's murderer. This woman didn't even look like she could hold the weight of the gun, let alone keep it straight enough to get a headshot in. I sighed and turned away.

"It's not her."

Jim looked disappointed. The poor man was probably running on less sleep than I was. He was probably hoping for an open and shut case. "Are you sure?"

I took another long look. There was some resemblance between Kara Taylor and her, but not even years of heroin could have created the differences. "I'm sure. I'm sorry, Jim."

"Don't be." He shook his head. "Every little thing helps. I'm the one that should be sorry for dragging you down here and giving you false hope."

"I think we all need sleep." Jonathan stepped forward. "I know you're not supposed to give confidential information, but have you checked Mr. Cohen's accounts?"

Gordon seemed to decide whether it was okay before sighing. "We did. She drained his two main bank accounts, so you were right. His lawyer, Sobeleski, is cooperating with us a great deal. So far it doesn't look like she's taken anything else of value."

Besides my father's life. Jonathan gave me a look that said he knew exactly what I was thinking. "Thank you, Mr. Gordon. I know this is strange, but don't give up looking. I believe she is still in the area. Her type tends to not stray far from home."

"When do you start school, boy?"

"January 17th, sir. I'm going to major in Psychology and minor in Pharmacology." There was pride in Jonathan's voice and I shook my head. Some things never change.

"Maybe we'll end up working together then." He sighed heavily. "You two had better get back. If anything else happens, I will let you know."

When we left Gordon, I slipped my hand back into Jonathan's. He leaned close to me as we followed another nameless officer through the halls. "Do you want to go sleep for a few hours or go get something to eat?"

I shrugged. "Let's go get something to eat. There's no use in going back now."

A/N: That's it for tonight! The next one won't be for another couple of days, but it will be up on Sunday at the latest. Thank you for all the amazing reviews and favorites, I don't have the time to respond individually right now. But thank you all and I hope you enjoyed this chapter, too!