Two

/-^1^-\ Christmas Eve. 6:30pm. /-^1^-\

Alison got into the car but he hadn't caught a glimpse of her dress because she was wearing a long black coat, a scarf and some gloves. He turned the heating up a little and grinned at her.

"Hey," he smiled, "well done for not turning down an invite," he remarked. She jabbed his arm and sat pretending to sulk.

When they arrived at Wayne Manor he was surprised to find Alison just simply guiding him in to the main hall. She passed by an elderly fellow and called him 'Alfred' to which the reply was:

"Good Evening Alison! Nice to see you again. Might I take your coat?"

"Okay," she grinned, "thank you very much," she said, unbuttoning it and sliding it off.

Jonathan had been waiting to get an eye full. Nothing could have prepared him; a feeling he often felt around Alison.

She was in a red dress companied with black, neat and very high heels. But the main thing - her dress - was gorgeous. No! She was. He knew she was slim but he hadn't bargained on her being model like slim. Her waist was so small it was nearly not present. And the red dress which tucked in at the waist accentuated this svelte feature. She didn't flatter he figure at work too much for very good reasons.

The dress itself; knee length, lacy sleeves, tight fitting, well made, deep red, an incorporated red belt at the waist, sweetheart neckline, the skirt half flowing out elegantly and wrapping around. She needed no major amount of make-up or hair fixing; she had made herself look very elegant and classy... and sexy.

She approached him, hooking one arm around his neck, and pushed his agape jaw up; he hadn't even realised himself. He frowned and then glanced her in the eyes, smiling weakly.

"Nice dress," he complimented foolishly, "you look gorgeous."

"Thanks. How would you like to help me take it off later?" she asked seductively.

"Pardon, sorry?" he gaped.

"I said how would you like to get drunk with me later?" she laughed. She hadn't invited him to undress her and he knew it. Ha! Loser. You couldn't get her undressed if you tried.

"Well, we'll see if you can twist my leg," he smiled. For you.

His thrill at seeing her in such an amazing dress was then crushed when she bounded up to Bruce Wayne and jumped into his arms, kissing him on both cheeks gently and slinging her arms around his neck. Jonathan's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. He tried not to glare contemptuously and tried to make his icy glare look more like a daydreaming look. Luckily no one was paying attention.

"How are you?" asked Bruce, "you look amazing."

"Thank you. I'm good," she beamed. "Looking very handsome yourself Bruce," she complimented, turning to Jonathan and holding her hand out. He cautiously took it and glanced at Wayne.

"You work at Arkham, don't you?" asked Bruce.

"Yes..."

"I'm Bruce Wayne," smiled Bruce.

"Dr. Jonathan Crane," nodded Jonathan. Bruce gaped.

"I have some of your books," he nodded. Jonathan raised a brow. He didn't think they were that popular but if they'd caught the attention of Bruce Wayne then something was obviously decent about them. "They've taught me a lot."

"I'm pleased they could," nodded Jonathan curtly. He still didn't like Bruce Wayne for he had thieved Alison of affection she would maybe never show Jonathan again.

/-^1^-\

Alison successfully coerced Jonathan into getting tipsy at the bare minimum. She happened to be quite deeply into the process of getting drunk. It didn't make her any less pretty though, and she was a smart drunk woman and retained some balance actually.

Not that Jonathan was going to pass the opportunity to hold her hand to 'keep her upright'. Sure, most of his night had been spent following Alison whilst she chattered away to a few of the guests who wanted her attention because of her friendship with Bruce Wayne. She didn't reveal anything, apart from the obvious and already known.

At 1 'o' clock in the morning the party had seen about a 1/4 of the total amount of guests leave, but it surprisingly made the space clearer. Alison was being caught up with many pestering people, all of them reporters. She looked quite harassed but Bruce broke up the situation

"Can I steal Dr. MacLeod from you?" asked Bruce, approaching the crowd of question goers. She sighed in relief and grinned at him. "Figured you could use some help."

"Thanks," she laughed, giving him a quick hug. Bruce squeezed her shoulder and left elsewhere to go talk to one of his work colleagues, leaving Alison to approach Jonathan. Oh thank God! Jonathan thought.

"Sorry Mr. Bryan," said Jonathan, turning to Alison. She held out a drink to him and he raised a brow.

"Take it, down it and enjoy it," she demanded, holding the glass to his lips. He laughed and tried to drink but pushed it down before it inevitably got poured all over his face.

Mr. Bryan slowly moved away, sensing he would soon be outstaying his welcome. But more because the austere and very professional Dr. Crane had suddenly become slightly creepy and suddenly revealed how drunk he was. He'd carried a good pretence until then.

"That muppet was so boring," grunted Jonathan, rubbing his eyes and taking his glasses off, pocketing them.

"Well, now I'm here," she beamed, wrapping her arms around his neck. He thought his vision was going crazy for a moment.

"How high are your heels!"

"Err... 6 inches?" she guessed, "1 inch platform included in that. Why? Because you can't rest your chin on my head now?" she giggled. Tease...

"You can put your arms around my neck without needing a boost! That's the frightening thing," he pointed out, tilting his head and raising a brow. "You're really drunk, how are you still standing?" he asked, hardly able to keep balance himself now he'd taken his glasses off.

"I'm not REALLY drunk," she exclaimed, rolling her eyes.

"A sober Alison wouldn't act this way," he said lowly, feeling suddenly glum.

"Yes I would!" she gasped, gazing at him softly. He shook his head stubbornly.

"Merry Christmas," he smiled, wanting to get off the topic. He'd never said that to anyone before, or if he had he didn't remember meaning it.

"Merry Christmas," she grinned, locking lips passionately with him by surprise. This was way different to any expression they'd given each other before, but it was nice all the same.

Even I was waiting for this moment!