Disclaimer: I don't own Jonathan Crane (sadly) nor Batman. I also do not own the Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum. I don't claim to own them. I don't make any profit off of this. I'm just having fun. No copyright infringement is intended.

14

Kings and Queens

Christmas Eve. The time when the chaos really started. Gotham became very crowded and it didn't lessen up until after the first of the new year. The wrong day to go shopping, but what can I say? I like to live on the edge.

I had ditched Jonathan at my Aunts with my mother, ignoring the look of retribution he gave me as I drove away laughing. Shopping alone cleared my head. I only had my mother and Jonathan to buy for, but I planned on taking all day doing it.

I was getting tired of being babied all the time. Yes, my father died. Yes, I found his body. Yes, I was a wreck and most of the time I didn't know whether I was going to laugh or curl into a little ball. However, walking on egg shells around me was only making it worse.

Jonathan was the only one who didn't, actually. When I was being ridiculous, he just raised an eyebrow at me or gave me his 'shut up Dahlia' looks. True, it made me angry. But anger is better than wanting to pick the nearest balcony to throw myself off of. Right?

I had parked in a parking garage and was walking down the street in the Fashion District on my way to Killinger's. It was decent out, the snow had stopped falling a couple hours ago and the clouds overhead kept the snow from turning into a melted mess. It was windy, though, so I had buttoned up and pulled my scarf around my face. I preferred to walk in Gotham than drive my car, you didn't get to experience the charm of the city behind a steering wheel and plate of glass.

I was only a block away from Killinger's when I saw something across the street that caught my eye. My favorite book store was now defunct, apparently. I frowned, my heart hurting a little. Tryna's Books had been open as long as I could remember, it was a childhood staple for me and my father. Every Sunday we would go out for breakfast and after breakfast he would bring me here and let me pick out a book for the week. But, like everything else in Gotham, it was dying when I visited the last time before I left for Georgia.

"Sad, isn't it?" I almost jumped out of my skin and I turned to the new voice. Holy shit. "This place had been here for years before they went out of business."

It was Bruce Wayne in the flesh. I had only seen him in photographs in my father's paper. He was much more handsome in real life, of course. He was only a couple years older than me, in his early twenties or so. His brown hair was ruffled from the wind and the pink in his cheeks made him look younger than he was. He also had his long coat buttoned up with a scarf. But, really, what was Bruce Wayne doing out in public without his guard or whatever he had?

I noticed he was waiting for an answer and I turned red. "Er, yeah. It is. My father used to bring me here all the time as a kid. It was still open when I moved a couple months ago. Why did it close?"

"We'll probably never know. Maybe they didn't pay their protection fee. It just closed without any warning." I frowned, remembering the kind man that used to work behind the counter. I really hoped that Bruce was wrong, the bottom of the river was no resting place for a good man like that. "I'm Bruce Wayne." He held out a gloved hand that I took hesitantly.

"I know, Mister Wayne. You have a very distinctive face. I grew up here, if I didn't know who you were it would be blasphemy." He gave me a small smile and shook my hand. "I'm D.G. Cohen."

Recognition colored his features. "Dahlia Cohen." I winced at the use of my full name. Didn't I get that enough with Jonathan? "I thought you looked familiar. You're David Cohen's daughter. Your father talked about you non-stop last time I ran into him."

I smiled sadly. "I assume you heard the news?"

"I did." He nodded sadly. "You have my sympathies, Miss Cohen." That actually meant a lot more to me than most people. This man actually knew what it was like to lose his parents and I felt the meaning in his words. "Your father was a good man."

"Just call me D.G. Mr. Wayne, please."

"Only if you call me Bruce." That shocked a giggle out of me and Bruce's smile only grew. "This is going to sound weird, but do you want to join me for lunch?"

I pretended to think about it before breaking into a smile. "Sure. I know a little diner, it's just right around the corner. Sound alright to you?"

He nodded and we made our way to the diner I was talking about, Emily's. I led him inside and it was obvious he hadn't been there before. But why would he? He was Bruce Wayne for God's sake.

The diner was small and it was never crowded. The elderly owner, Emily, ran a tight ship. Unless you knew her personally, you weren't allowed to loiter after you were done. It was reminiscent of a 50's place, with red vinyl seats and checkerboard flooring. Soda memorabilia and pictures of old Gotham lined the walls along with old advertising neons. I instantly felt at home, this was where Dad and I went every Sunday morning. I've never brought anyone here, I have no idea what I brought Bruce.

The bell clanged as we walked in, making Emily look up from where she was waiting on someone at the counter. Her face lit up as she scanned my face and looked confused at my new companion. "D.G.! It's been so long!"

I allowed a smile for her. "Hey, Emily."

"Sit down, sit down! I'll be over to talk at ya in a clock tick." The familiar way she spoke made me even more at ease and I picked a booth away from the window, knowing that Bruce would draw attention.

I discarded my coat and Bruce did the same, sitting across from me. "This place is..."

"Eccentric?" I smiled warmly. "Just like the owner. I grew up coming here." I looked over Bruce's shoulder and saw a couple in Dad and I's usual seat. It felt better than seeing it empty. "How did you know my Dad?"

"My father talked about him often. Said he was the only honest journalist in Gotham." I smiled at that. "I ran into him before I left for Princeton. He talked about you the entire time, I knew everything about you by time he was done with me. He even had pictures."

I burst out laughing, almost in tears. "I'm sorry." I laughed. "He was a little overbearing at best."

"He was proud, and rightfully so."

"Dahlia Grace Cohen, I haven't seen you in months!" Emily breezed over. She was an older woman, with gray hair to match her eyes that had laugh lines surrounding them. But she was fit and energetic and, truth to be told, a force to be reckoned with. I've seen her put a grown man with a pistol on the floor in under a minute. "Where have you been? I was going to send out a search party. Especially after I read the paper!"

I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Emily. It's been a rough couple of days." I looked at Bruce who was watching me intently. "We don't know when the funeral is yet, but when I do, I'll let you know."

Emily nodded sagely and just then seemed to notice who I was with. "Mister Wayne?" I laughed lightly at the amused look on his face. "Oh my goodness, I haven't had a Wayne in here since your grandfather." I told you this restaurant was old. "Well, what are you two having?"

" Water and a chicken salad for me." Bruce echoed my order and Emily moved on to the new couple who walked in. "What do you think?"

"It's..."

"Not Alonzo's, I know. But Emily is a family friend and her food is amazing. This won't be your only time here, that I can promise." Emily walked over and gave us our waters, walking away after giving me a wink. I rolled my eyes and took a sip. "So, what are you doing back in Gotham?"

"I came back for the hearing and I've decided to stay."

I almost asked what hearing but something Dad said to me popped back up. His parents killer was set to be released. I gulped down a feeling of revulsion. "They're letting that monster go?"

Bruce sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "We'll find out tomorrow."

"You're not... going, are you?"

"I am." A determined look crossed his face and I could tell he'd had this conversation before. "Someone needs to be there to represent my parents."

"I understand." And I did.

"Do you know who killed your father?"

"Her name is Kara Taylor. She used to one of my teacher's in school." I frowned, realizing how young that made me sound. "My dad cheated on my mom with her."

Bruce winced. "Ouch."

"Yeah, it was a messy divorce. That's why I moved to Georgia. Dad had the murderer, Mom has no one but me."

Emily came over with the food and we lapsed into a comfortable silence as we started to eat. I was kind of shocked how this day turned out. Meeting Bruce Wayne of all people, seeing Emily again. I all of the sudden kind of wished I hadn't left Jonathan with my aunt. He's probably ready to lobotomize me by now and I hadn't even got any shopping done yet.

"Don't you want revenge?" I was broken out of my thoughts and I looked up from my salad. Bruce was leaning back in the vinyl booth, his hazel eyes on me. "For your father's death."

I shook my head. "No. That's not what my father would want for me and I know that. Sure, I would love to see the woman burn, but I'm not a killer. That would make me no better than her."

Bruce looked down before looking back at me. "But what if they don't catch her?"

"I don't know." I shrugged and took another bite. "Obviously, I'm hoping they do. But what's done is done, killing her won't make me feel better or bring my father back. I want the police to catch her, not just because she killed my Dad, but also because Gotham deserves better than to have murderers and mobs run it's streets."

"How old are you now?"

"Seventeen."

Bruce cracked a smile at me. "You're mature for your age."

"I have a genius for a boyfriend with a penchant for wanting to pick my mind." I laughed a little. "It really is hard, and I know you understand better than anyone. But I know that my Dad would hang me if I wasted my life in jail to avenge his death. He shoved my potential down everyone's throat, even yours."

"That he did." My new friend looked conflicted. "Thank you for coming to lunch on a whim."

I grinned. "Hey, who would give up the chance to go to lunch with the Prince of Gotham?"

"Please." Bruce rolled his eyes.

We lapsed again into a comfortable silence as we finished our meals. When Emily brought the check, Bruce grabbed it out of my hand. I was about to protest before he shot me a look. We migrated outside and Bruce stuck his hand out. "It was nice meeting you, D.G."

I just smiled and shook his hand. "You too, Bruce. I hope that tomorrow brings you the closure that we both need."

Bruce just gave me a small, almost sad, smile before walking off.

I turned on my heel and started walking to Killinger's. I had to get this shopping done and head back before Jonathan sent out a assassin for revenge.

Two hours later I was pulling up to my Aunt's, where Jonathan and I would be staying for the night. Despite how much I really couldn't stand my mother's sister, I felt the need to be around family right now. Besides, the hotel had yet to get our door fixed since my new-found idiot cousin broke it.

I left the bags in the car, I had them wrapped at a charity stand in the department store. It saved me a lot of trouble considering I would have to wait until Mom and Jonathan fell asleep and Jonathan wasn't exactly known for his normal sleeping habits.

I walked up to the cute brownstone and let myself in, almost wishing I hadn't come back yet.

The place was in absolute chaos. People were everywhere, children were running around like crazy and it was loud. Like, a dull roar kind of loud.

I cautiously made my way in, catching site of my mom first. She was in the kitchen surrounded by the other women of the family, probably talking their ears off. "MOM!"

She turned and smiled at me, waving. "Hey, hun! Jon's in the living room with the kids."

Oh god. All sorts of images floated through my mind. Jonathan tying the children up, the children tying Jonathan up. This couldn't be good no matter how it turned out.

I hurried into the living room and was actually surprised at what I found. Jonathan was in the middle of the room with his legs crossed, my little cousin Olivia on his lap. The blonde toddler was looking at a book that Jonathan had open and a couple more kids were fanned out around them.

"'Dorothy listened to this speech with wonder. What could the little woman possibly mean by calling her a sorceress, and saying that she had killed the Wicked Witch of the East?'" Jonathan paused for effect, drawing the children in more. He pushed up his glasses and turned the page. "'Dorothy was an innocent helpless little girl, who had been carried by a cyclone many mile from home; and she had never killed anything in all her life.'"

I smiled happily and leaned against the doorway, listening to Jonathan read the children the Wizard of Oz. His voice was soothing and I noticed Olivia promptly fell asleep. I couldn't stop the giggle from escaping my throat and Jonathan looked up, startled.

His blue gaze fell on me and he gave me a little smirk. "Took you long enough."

"Please." I scoff. "Like you weren't having fun."

His smirk turned into a genuine smile and I felt butterflies. "I never said I wasn't." He looked at the sleeping toddler on his lap and made a face.

"Jonotin! What happens to Dorothy?" I giggled again as Olivia's brother Issac butchered Jonathan's name.

"When you're done with story time, I'll be in the kitchen."

"He'll never be done, story time is forever!" I raised my eyebrows at Isaac and then looked at Jonathan.

"Guess you're stuck then!"

"Dah-" Jonathan gave me a horrified look.

"Have fun!" I laughed as I walked out of the living room. He was going to kill me when he got free, but the opportunity was far too good to pass up.

I made my way into the bright yellow kitchen, smiling when my mom caught my eye. "Hey, Mom."

"How's Jon doing?" Mom still didn't seem to grasp that Jonathan preferred his name to Jon, Jonnie, Jons, and every other nickname she has come up. Either that, or she did it to irk him. Either one would be believable.

"Well, no one is bound and gagged, so I think it's fine." I took a piece of cheese from the tray and popped it in my mouth. "Olivia is asleep on his lap and Isaac is holding him hostage until he finds out what happens to Dorothy."

Mom giggled and my Aunt Shirley walked in carrying a crock pot. "Dahlia, glad to see you finally made it."

I groaned. I don't know how my mother and Uncle Roth could be related to this woman. That's probably why Uncle Roth was spending the holidays in Paris, actually. To stay away from Shirley. I ignored her. "Have the police called or anything?"

Mom shook her head sadly. "Sorry, baby. I've made sure that everyone has been off the phone, too, just in case."

"Yes, it's quite the inconvenience." Shirley tittered. "Then again, your father was always a fan of inconveniencing others."

If I was a cat, I'm sure my hair would have been standing on end. "Excuse me?"

"And that boyfriend of yours. He's rather feminine, don't you think? A little stuck-up, too. He didn't talk to anyone but Beatrice for the first hour he was here!"

I glared at her but Mom beat me to answering. "Did you ever stop to think that maybe he's just a little shy? Jonathan isn't used to being around this many people, Shirls."

"Even so, sister, he should be a little more friendly. Maybe there's a reason that his family won't talk to him."

"Maybe he just didn't want to deal with your attitude." I pushed Shirley out of the way. "I'm going outside." I grabbed my coat off the wrack and escaped outside into the back yard.

Despite Shirley's obvious attitude and everything else, she had good taste. Her yard was flat and empty for the most part since it was winter, but in the summer it was perfect for entertaining. It had a gorgeous koi pond and a brick patio with a fire pit, but my favorite part was in the corner. A small white gazebo.

I trudged my way through the snow and stepped into the shelter, sighing as I sat on the cold bench. I really should have known that coming here would have been a mistake. Shirley was the type of woman who wasn't pleased with anything. She fancied herself high-class, like she should be mingling with Bruce Wayne's crowd instead of her own family.

I knew she was going to find fault with Jonathan, but I had hoped she would have kept her mouth shut for at least a couple of days. The good thing is there was no way Jonathan would have heard her. If he had, I'm sure hell would have broke loose.

I leaned over and watched the snow fall from the dark sky, frowning. This wasn't how my Christmas was supposed to go. My dad shouldn't be in the GCPD morgue. I shouldn't be at my evil aunt's. I pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my chin on them to conserve warmth.

I looked over at the patio when I heard the door open. Jonathan stepped out, shrugging on his jacket. His tall figure was illuminated by the light from the door, making him appear otherworldly. He glanced around the yard, his gaze falling on me eventually and he made quick work of the already short walk to my side.

"What's wrong?" I shook my head and Jonathan sat behind me, pulling me against his chest. "Don't lie to me, D.G."

"This... just isn't how I expected the year to end." I worried my bottom lip. "I just wanted us to have a good Christmas together. I can't imagine that you had many."

"None." Jonathan's long fingers threaded through mine. "Grandmother didn't believe that I deserved Christmases, being the child of a whore."

Thinking about how awful his childhood must have been made me feel bad for being so dramatic. Someone somewhere always has it worse than you do. "I'm sorry. I'm just whiny."

"No, you are making your way through the grieving process. It's completely natural when you've lost a family member." His voice was soothing as always, making me relax a little.

"What happened to your parents?" To my surprise, Jonathan didn't react. His chest was still rising and falling in the same rhythm.

"My mother was Karen. She was young, probably around our age if not a little older. Grandmother had her when she was older, likely in her late thirties or so. Karen was an addict if Grandmother can be believed. She disappeared for over a year and when she returned, she was pregnant.

"She had met Gerald Crane when she was on a trip. Grandmother said he promised Karen all the bells and whistles, a marriage, a house. Of course, she believed him. She came running back home when he went back to his wife and children." He sighed behind me, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my hands. "After she had me, she left. I've never heard from either of them."

I turned to him and kissed him lightly. "I'm sorry. It must be awful."

"I'm not letting my past define me, Dahlia. And you won't either. We have an interesting future ahead of us." He crashed his lips to mine and I forgot about everything.

A/N: I still can't believe we're on chapter fourteen now! It's been fun writing for you. =) We're heading into the last bend of Dal Niente now. Probably about 5-6 more chapters and then I'll be writing theshort second part. There will be a HUGE time jump between Dal Niente and the second part, but I'm thinking of putting up short one-shots between the two to fill in some gaps. What do you guys think? I need feedback. =)

Next one should be up next week sometime. Have a good week, guys and thanks for sticking with me so far.