If there is one thing I'm not super good at with fan fictions, it's picking up the pace. I have all sorts going on in my other writing work, so I don't know why.

/-^1^-\ 1 Week Later. Monday. /-^1^-\

Jonathan felt himself experiencing a drastic change. Now he had successfully struck up a relationship with Alison, the demeanour he carried at work resolved back it's cold and professional state. It was only because he knew she'd be going home with him or himself with her.

He was quite proud of himself though. He really had thought his first ever girlfriend would start to be something of a fascination and he'd end up acting like one of those couples who had the typical case of being way too public about their love.

He went the opposite way entirely, but that did segregate his life even more than beyond the normal extent. Jonathan, Dr. Crane, Scarecrow. They all ran different lives.

Not that Alison hadn't also divided home and work suddenly. She walked in at 8am, heels clicking on the floor in one of her very businesslike suits and her slim black framed glasses perched on her nose, briefcase in one hand and as she walked by Jonathan she simply smiled and nodded.

"Good morning," she said pleasantly.

"Morning," he smiled, slipping into the main office.

At 11am two members from the board arrived to see Alison. She was surprised to find them accompanied by Bruce. She shook his hand politely to seem formal and grinned at him.

"Hello," she said, surprised.

"Hey. I asked if I could come along as I do fund this place partly," he winked.

"Nice to have you here," she nodded, guiding all three people into her office.

The two people from the HR department introduced themselves and got straight to the point. They discussed how she felt things operated, how she had organised everyone profiles. They explained they'd be doing some observation and some interviews. The next question was a sudden surprise.

"Dr. MacLeod, we were wondering what your view on Dr. Penrose is."

"Well," said Alison, "he's a little... all over the place really. And I haven't seen him actively doing much. In fact, I'm surprised to see him not behind his desk. And I do believe he has his favourites within this institution. Now I know no one is ever really free of bias, or a boss won't make better relations with some than others; but when the allegations against the two people recently taken to court were first put out he was very reluctant to accept it or take it seriously."

"Have you ever received or overheard any complaints about Dr. Penrose?"

"There is a lot of claim he himself is beginning to show psychiatric symptoms. Particularly delirium, which some have suggested is due to a mental breakdown after the loss of his friend; Dr. Arkham himself."

"The loss?"

"He refuses to be referred to as Dr. Arkham or by his true name; only Black mask."

"Is there anyone within Arkham you suggest would have to correct experience and insight to the staff here to conduct a repeat of your observations?"

"Well, perhaps Dr. Albert Weiss. I know he's been here for 20 years and keeps very much to himself but does interact with everyone." She HAD considered saying Jonathan but she couldn't give him too much favouritism, and Bruce would notice and he didn't have the best relationships.

"Thank you Dr. MacLeod. Could you take us to him?"

"Of course. His file is actually here if you want a look-see yourself before you see him."

"Checks out as a good candidate," one of them nodded.

They entered Dr. Albert Weiss's office and the two HR workers discussed with him their presence and their request. Alison left temporarily to get the folders and when Albert had agreed he was left with the files. They missed out what they'd said about Penrose.

"We won't tell him about Dr. Penrose. We'll get someone from the board to do his assessment but keep your eyes open and if you overhear anything see what you can push out," said Paul, shaking Alison's head. "Thank you for your time Dr. MacLeod."

"No, thank you," smiled Alison, "I'm happy you trust my judgement."

They left as briefly as they came, a goodbye exchange, quick handshake and go. Bruce somehow managed to excuse himself and wandered into Alison's office.

"Looks like they're looking to get him out," she said.

"Not a lot of people like Dr. Penrose," said Bruce, "before Dr. Arkham was admitted, he was very rude to people and demeaning. This change has been a little concerning."

"He seemed relatively nice at first. Then I noticed that demeanour drop."

"He did do that before. He'd be sickly sweet then very nasty."

"People like that really get on my nerves."

"Yeah, mine too."

"I heard some business went down on Saturday."

"A murder," grimaced Bruce, "beaten to death with a crow bar or other thin tool perhaps. Seems like it could escalate though."

"The crime here follows some normal patterns, it's only the theatrics which are exaggerated."

"Did you expect more?"

"I expected less; but I think that a lot of the terror and the uproar is a bit more socially constructed."

"I could have caused a lot of problems."

"You may well have spurred inspiration in those more far-fetched minds in this city; you might have also aggravated them, but something would eventually and it may not have been you," she pointed out, "Crime does have its ways; so does the criminal."

"You're the right person for the job," smiled Bruce, standing up, "I'll see you later; I'm going to run my business," he laughed, hugging Alison and leaving. She ran her fingers over her bookcase and sighed after a moment.

The phone went and she answered it.

"Good morning this is Dr. Alison MacLeod."

"It's Jim Gordon."

"Oh hello Commissioner!"

"Can I meet you at 10am tomorrow morning? I want you to have this job. Batman's quite keen on it; says you're perfect for it."

"Really?" she grinned, "absolutely. Is there anything I need to prepare?"

"Just your current CV and your wisdom," he answered.

"Thank you very much, Commissioner Gordon."

"Oh, you're very welcome. If Batman likes you, I'm sure you're going to be promising."

"Thank you," she laughed.

"You and I both know it's true. Goodbye Dr. MacLeod."

"Goodbye Commissioner," she grinned, placing the phone down. Her day couldn't get any better.

/-^1^-\ Same Week. Thursday. /-^1^-\

Jonathan tapped his glass with Alison's, smiling warmly at her.

"Congratulations," he said, slipping his hand into hers. He lifted it and kissed the back of her hand.

"Thank you," she beamed, doing a little wiggle in her seat of apparent excitement.

"Who's house are we going to after this?" he asked, glancing over his glass of water. He refused to get drunk again. Once his aching limbs had recovered he realised how bad his headache was on Christmas.

"Awfully presumptuous," she grinned.

"You know; I'm just aware you'll turn around and make the suggestion so I'm putting it onto the table first," he pointed out, raising a brow with a smug look. She stuck her tongue out at him pretty flirtatiously because she knew he was right.

"Where do you want us to go?"

"You make that decision. I'm fine either way."

"Well, I think we need a change of scene," she suggested. Jonathan nodded.

"Me too," he smiled. He'd super prepared his apartment yesterday. Sure; he kept a very clean and tidy home but he had all his research and some of his work at home which he wasn't so sure he could reveal to Alison. That was painful. He knew he wanted to tell her, to 100% let her in and share it but he knew she'd be scared and do something about it to try and change him but it was an irreversible process; one not fully formed but definitely going to happen though. Even if he didn't know it.

"So, what exactly are you doing with Gordon?"

"Criminal profiling, it would seem. Apparently the Batman is the one who wants me working there. Also perhaps interviews," she shrugged.

"Ah, well, if you've been appointed by the Batman I'm sure you're life is about to get interesting," he smirked.

"He's a very cold person and that, I do not like."

"I thought I was cold."

"Yeah, but you're not with me."

"Well... you know..." he muttered, actually blushing as he gazed at the table. "You're-"

"Different! Please! You were attracted to me from day 1. Well, the second day 1. You were just curious on the first day 1."

"Yes, kind of, I thought you were stunning," he laughed, "I tried to put up every barrier possible but you ripped them down without knowing or trying after though."

"I was joking," she revealed, "but... wow! I'm happy you said that since... I didn't know you were capable."

"Don't worry; nor did I," he grinned.

Working with the Batman, hmm?