Jackie was going through another file as she waited for Dr. Picard to arrive for a session with a patient.
"If this asshole doesn't show up soon, I might just conduct the session myself!" Jackie thought, looking down at her watch for the hundredth time.
"Nurse Crane!" Dr. Picard remarked.
Jackie looked up to see Dr. Picard running towards her; she couldn't help but softly roll her eyes at the young doctor.
Dr. Picard reached Jackie and smiled "Sorry I'm late. I had a problem with Mr. Bane." He said, adjusting his blonde hair.
Jackie sarcastically smiled as she handed him the file "Have fun." She remarked, walking away from the doctor.
"Nurse Crane, Line 1; Nurse Crane, Line 1." The intercom screeched.
Jackie picked up the phone and answered the call "This is Nurse Crane." She said, crossing her arms.
"Mrs. Crane, this is Mrs. Hofstead, I'm Julian's principle." The voice on the other line said.
Jackie tensed up "Yes, hi." She managed to get out.
"Mrs. Crane, I'm going to need you to pick up your son, he has been suspended for fighting." Mrs. Hofstead said.
Jackie sighed "Alright, I'll be right there." She said, hanging out the phone; today just wasn't going to be her day.
Jackie walked into the front office of Julian's school; Julian was bruised and scrapped but nothing serious as she walked past him and towards the principal's office whose door was wide open.
"Mrs. Hofstead?" Jackie asked.
The older woman smiled as she asked Jackie to sit down before closing the door behind her.
"I'm so sorry to inconvenience you." Mrs. Hofstead spoke, sitting down at her desk.
Jackie shook her head "No, you're fine." She said, crossing her legs gently.
Mrs. Hofstead sighed "Mrs. Crane, you're son was caught fighting with a few older boys." She said, crossing her fingers.
Jackie nodded "Okay."
"Mrs. Crane, I understand that things are changing in your household; is there anything that would want to make Julian want to act out?" Mrs. Hofstead asked.
Jackie looked at the principal with a 'are you fucking stupid?' look as she leaned forward "My husband has recently passed; which, in this town, is not a big secret. But nothing severely unusual is going on." She said.
Mrs. Hofstead nodded "Has Julian expressed anything with you about Mr. Crane's death?" she asked.
Jackie shook her head "No. Julian's not much of a talker these days. But…I'm still trying to comprehend everything; I can't believe I'm alone." She spoke softly.
Mrs. Hofstead pushed Jackie the box of tissues; she simply smiled and took a tissue out.
"So how long is Julian suspended?" Jackie went on to ask.
"Two weeks." Mrs. Hofstead said.
Jackie nodded as she stood up from her seat "Well, thank you for calling me; I'll make sure Julian and I have a very long talk about this." She said, shaking the principal's hand before exiting the office.
She glared at Julian who was now forming a black eye "Lets go!" she said sternly.
The car ride home was silent, the radio DJ talking about Batman and how he was a burden unto the city of Gotham; Jackie had heard it all before.
Julian turned to his mother and softly sighed "They called you a crazy bitch who's against the people you claim you love." He said.
Jackie turned to Julian "What?" she asked.
"They told me that you were a traitor to Batman; that they're parents told them you were a villain, just like dad." Julian said.
Jackie took a deep breathe "It used to be, a long time ago." She said.
Julian looked down at his hands "How long ago?" he asked.
"Before you were born." Jackie said.
Julian glared at Jackie, waiting for the full story; Jackie huffed as she turned to Julian for a second before looking back at the road.
"I was 18, and I was madly in love with your father; it lasted a few weeks…and then I found out I was pregnant." Jackie said.
"With me?" Julian asked.
Jackie shook her head "No. I miscarriage." She said, turning to Julian.
"We broke up after…a few things…but then he snuck into Arkham to work things out; and then nine months later there you were." She said.
Julian gagged "Ew. My parents had Arkham sex." He announced to himself.
Jackie laughed "You're a bit young to know about sex!" she said.
"Sex Ed, mom…remember?" Julian spoke.
Jackie turned to her son in near disgust "Aren't you a bit young for that?" she asked, ending the conversation there.
Dinner was silent; Jackie watched Ben play with his dinner while Julian simply ate small bites.
Jackie was still trying to figure out Julian's punishment when there was an urgent knock at the door.
"JACKIE! OPEN UP!" Ed screamed, trying to open the locked door.
Julian and Ben stared at the door while Jackie quickly rushed to the door and unlocked letting Ed push himself into the house; he looked flushed.
"What, what is it!" Jackie asked, closing the door.
Ed walked up to the table, picking up Ben while pulling Julian out of his chair "Boys, go grab your things; do it now!" he commanded, turning to Jackie.
"Pack a bag, lets go!" Ed said, following the Julian to the hallway to help pack.
Jackie ran into her bedroom; the last time somebody told her to hurry up and grab a bag, The Joker was after her.
Jackie grabbed a few sets of clothes and toiletries; she thought for a moment as she ran into the closet, looking at Crane's side.
She grabbed one of his suits and threw it in her overnight bag before running back out into the living room where Ed was waiting with Julian and Ben in his arms.
"Alright, lets go!" Ed commanded, ushering the Crane family out of the house.
Jackie followed to her car as Ed slightly pushed the kids into the backseat before getting in the passenger seat, instructing Jackie to drive.
"Where are we going?" she asked, turning to Ed.
Ed thought for a moment "Wayne Manor." He instructed.
Jackie nodded "Okay then." She said.
