Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing related to Batman. Any and all one-shots in this collection of one-shots were inspired by Charlotte A. Cavatica's lovely ideas from her Waiting on the Shingle, chapter seven, unless otherwise stated. Anyway, thanks to Ms. Cavatica for making it possible for plot bunnies to attack me. Please enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. –Ches.

#9

Melody

Jervis Tetch sat in the Recreation Room of Arkham Asylum by the radio. He kept flipping through the stations, trying to find something that spoke what he felt.

His mind was fixed on one person: Alice Pleasance, the love of his life.

The day before, Alice's friend Arianna Fields had visited him like she did every two weeks.

*Flashback*

He sat down at the table she was already sitting at.

"Hello Mr. Tetch." Ari stated with a smile.

He smiled back. "Please, I've told you to call me Jervis."

"Very well Jervis. How have you been?"

Jervis shrugged. "As well as one can be here." He looked at her pleadingly. "How's Alice?"

"She's happier now. That spineless lizard is now in jail for a few years and has been forbidden to ever contact Alice again. She misses you."

Jervis fiddled with the cover of his book. "She does?"

"She does very much. They've got her working for Dr. Cates now, but she's still at her desk near your old office. She's happy to be back there, even if it's by herself and everyone thinks she's a bit odd for staying there. I drop by to keep her company as much as I can. Is there anything I can tell her for you?" Ari leaned over and placed her hand on his.

He looked up at her. "Would you give her my book? There's a letter I wrote in it. I'd like for her to read both."

Ari smiled softly in understanding. "She will. Speaking of letters, I have one for you." She reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out a sealed envelope.

Jervis took it from her. "From Alice?"

"From Alice. I need to get back to work, so I'll see you in two weeks. Alice and I are working on getting them to let her come visit. I have a feeling we're very close to a breakthrough." Ari took the book after she pulled on her coat.

Jervis nodded. "I'm glad. Thank you, Arianna. You're a true friend, not just to Alice, but to me as well."

Ari squeezed his hand. "That's what I'm here for. Stay strong Jervis; it won't be much longer." She left.

*End Flashback*

Jervis had read the letter.

Alice had written that she missed him and thought about him every day. She even went so far as to mention that she wanted to see him more than anything in the world and hoped he still cared for her.

That had given Jervis hope that she cared for him like he cared for her.

The flipping through stations stopped when Jonathan Crane threw a paper wad at him that hit him in the head, knocking off his hat, and a few of the others yelled at him to knock it off.

Jervis muttered under his breath as he picked up his hat, dusted it off, and moved over to the chess set. He wasn't sure what their song would be, but he thought someday he'd find it, and it would finally tell her exactly how he felt.

Humming The Lobster Quadrille, Jervis began to play a game of chess with Crane.