Merry christmas! yh i know its late i was meant to upload it on christmas eve but got destracted and i was with my family on christmas day so there. I've done a special christmas chapter thingy hope you like it and thank you for the reviews!

The snow fell like a miracle. It would be Alice's first white Christmas and in many ways she was dreading it, The Mad Hatter would use the special occasion to get as close to Alice as possible and then Crane would give her evil glares at her change in heart towards Hatter. Alice was dreading Christmas day as for her it was just a reminder of murdering her father, it was a strange feeling to know that six years had passed since that dark day. Six years of a grey cell and doctors to tell her she wasn't normal, six years of feeling alone. As an exercise Dr Arkham had asked all of the rogues to write cards for one of the other rogues and everyone was going to get one and send one. Alice didn't know who to send one to; she was torn between Hatter and Harley. Over the months Alice had become quite good friends with Harley, once Alice got over her girly ness they did share some gossip. Alice wasn't used to girly chats as she never really had them with her mother because she was too young, also the fact that she didn't have any gossip meant most of the time she listened to Harley's.

'Me and Mistah J have been together for three years ain't that amazing!'

'Yeah sure.'

'So what gossip ya got about straw man? Did he like ya too?'

'No he's a… we were just friends but sometimes friends fall out ok.'

'If ya say so Alice. Me and Mistah J thought you two were getting together, well until straw man tried to scare ya.'

'Can we talk about something else? Something other than Crane.' Harley would pout whenever Alice would try and change the subject. Alice decided to give her Christmas card to Harley as she sat in the rec room. Alice sat on the window sill and stared out onto the courtyard which was covered in the white powder, Dr Arkham would send all the rogues out onto the courtyard once the card exchange was done. All the rogues were halfway through making their cards when Alice had done hers; she watched the others as it was humorous to watch them with glue. The Joker was creating a mess with the glue and soon found something to amuse him, he glued a piece of paper onto The Riddler's back which read; Touchy. Alice and Harley fought back laughter and Alice had to bite on her tongue to stop her laughing, The Joker gave out a howl of laughter and it made The Riddler turn to look at him. The piece of paper caught the corner of his eye and ripped it off, his face turned red with anger so his freckles were less visible. He was close to exploding but just put the paper down and continued making his card, The Joker pulled funny faces behind Riddler's back making Riddler turn as red as a tomato.

'You alright puzzle boy?'

'I'm not going to play your games clown.'

'Really? Touchy, touchy, touchy, tou-'

'SHUT UP CLOWN!' Riddler exploded. Again Joker let out a howl of laughter which was followed by him rolling on the floor, Alice smirked then returned her gaze out the window. Mist floated out of her mouth then clung to the window like small crabs; she had glanced at Crane who was reading at his usual spot at the table. He wasn't going to be part of the childish behaviour and refused to make a card, though Alice wondered who he would have made the card for if he did, she knew it wouldn't be her. It had been two months of silence between her and Crane and the only words spoken would be cold greetings down a corridor or in the rec room, sometimes they would glance at each other in their cells but Alice would quickly look away again. When she had entered the rec room in the frosty morning he was already there reading a book, he flinched when she walked passed him and again when she greeted him.

'Mr Crane.'

'Miss McGuiness.' His deep voice would send shivers down her spine like Hatter's used to, if it wasn't for him being the master of fear she would have told him what she thought about him. Alice wasn't angry at him and hadn't been for a few days but she didn't know how to tell him, she was sure he wouldn't accept anything she said and thought it best to leave it until after Christmas so her head was clear. She had forgiven Crane but not Scarecrow, Scarecrow had living up to his name and frightened her and he always entered her dreams to make her cringe and tug at her sheets. She didn't want another run in with Scarecrow and keeping away from Crane while the air was frosty and cold seemed the best way. Once everyone finished their Christmas cards Alice walked over to Harley and presented hers, Harley's eyes lit up like a child does at sweets. She opened it in a flash and read it just as quickly, she jumped up and hugged Alice almost knocking her over. Alice felt her lungs contract and oxygen was having a hard time to enter her lungs, everyone chuckled around her except Crane but he did look up briefly then pushed his steel glasses up his nose. Alice's vision went blurry as Harley's grip tightened.

'Harley… let go… please.' Reluctantly Harley let go then thanked Alice for the card about a million times, the card itself was red and black to signify Harley's criminal costume. Alice had written a simple message which just said 'Merry Christmas Harley from Alice' she wasn't going to leave a special message, she wasn't a child even though everyone treated her like a child. Alice wasn't surprised when Hatter came over to her with his card; she smiled and opened it while he stared at her. She had gotten used to his staring though it did unnerve her after a few minutes but she ignored it, the card had a large green hat drawn on the front like Hatter's with merry Christmas Alice written under neither in red crayon. Inside a poor drawing of Alice was in the middle of the page with writing written on top, the message was hard to read so Alice had to squint at the jumbled words.

Merry Christmas my dear Alice! Let this Christmas be a winter wonderland full of joy!

Alice smiled at the card all worries and dread left her mind. Alice stared at the words with happiness, two particular words stuck in her mind they filled her thoughts, all thoughts of her mother and father gone.

Winter wonderland

Those words described the way Alice used to feel at Christmas when her mother would talk about snow and the old winter days back in England. Even though Alice inherited her mother's British accent she was a Gotham girl all the way to the bone, she was brave and spoke her mind. Her mother had been a writer, mostly fiction which Alice always enjoyed as a result. Why be brutalized by an uncaring world when an ocean of adventures is locked in your mind? Alice believed in happy endings until her father got involved, after that dark Christmas all happiness was replaced with gloom and bitterness, Gotham changed in Alice's eyes after that day. It rarely snowed in Gotham and when it did all the kids were outside creating chaos for the adults. Alice watched as everyone exchanged their Christmas cards and a few surprising exchanges were seen, Riddler gave his to Poison Ivy and Ivy gave hers to Crane who wasn't all that bothered. Joker gave his disturbingly to Riddler who opened the card with caution, Riddler screamed in a high pitch voice when purple gas escaped from the card. Riddler dodged the gas just in time much to Joker's annoyance. As soon as the gas cleared everyone breathed in deeply to get much needed oxygen into their lungs, Riddler marched over to Joker and ripped the card up but Joker was unfazed and smiled with glee. Harley gave her card unsurprisingly to Joker who read the card then nodded at Harley, he allowed her to peck him on the cheek then pushed her away, nobody interfered when Joker hit Harley even if they wanted to help her it was common sense that no matter what people told her she would run straight back into the Joker's arms. Dr Arkham stepped inside moments later and told them they would be escorted to the courtyard; he went through the rules though no one actually listened. Guards would be watching them the whole time and if anything serious happened then everyone would be sent inside straight away. Everyone was cuffed and lined up to exit the rec room, along the way Alice could hear Hatter muttering under his breathe, it was a nursery rhyme that she didn't recognize and it was the same one he had taped on the table when Alice first met him. It wasn't long before they were outside and the chill of the cold air went straight through Alice's Arkham suit, they were requested to wear a puffy coat and gloves but Alice only took the gloves and refused to wear the coat. Now she wished she had put it on, Crane had put both of the clothing on and was smirking at Alice's shivering form.

'Now you will get an hour then we must head back inside. I will leave you with the guards and unless you want to ruin everyone else's time then I suggest you do as you're told and keep out of trouble, Joker please could you not create any chaos.'

'No promises Doc.'

'Well use this time wisely.' With that Dr Arkham walked inside into his warm office and left the rogues to do as they pleased.

'Now that oaf is out the way, hey Harley catch!' Alice threw a snowball straight into Harley's face, it left a red mark but Harley quickly retaliated and tried to throw straight at Alice's face but she ducked and the snow ball hit The Riddler on the shoulder.

'You little brat!'

'Don't be so touchy Eddie.' Alice grinned as Riddler's face turned bright red; she ran towards a large lump of snow and hid behind it as a snowball flew over the top of her head. Alice quickly scrunched snow together and let her head peek up from her shield, she surveyed the courtyard for Riddler and she saw a crop of ginger hair poke behind a tree. Alice waited before he attacked and threw her snowball which hit him in the chest; he fell backwards and was showered by other snowballs from the other rogues. Alice ducked back down and made five more snowballs then again poked her head above the mound of snow in the distance a light green hand threw a snowball in Alice's direction, Alice was too slow and the snowball hit her forehead. Everything went dull and blurry for a few seconds then Alice felt her vision return, someone was running towards her, their feet made a crunching sound in the snow. Alice closed her eyes as the footsteps came closer, Ivy gasped as she saw Alice lying on the floor, Alice struggled to keep her lips straight as Ivy began to talk to her in a panicked tone.

'Oh my god! Alice are you ok? I didn't mean to hit you so hard, please don't be dead.'

Wait for it… wait for it… wait for it.

'Alice please tel-'Alice opened her eyes and shoved a snowball in her face, she spluttered then stepped backwards, Alice laughed and clutched her stomach.

'Got you Red.'

'That wasn't funny. You gave me a heart attack!'

'Well considering you can speak I don't think you had a heart attack.'

'Ha ha very funny.' Ivy ducked down when a snowball skimmed her shoulder; Alice kneeled and grabbed a snowball. Alice surveyed the courtyard once again and found Crane sitting on a bench out of the way of everyone else, before Alice knew what she was doing she threw the snowball and it hit him on the side of the head. His glasses shattered on the floor and he immediately looked in Alice's direction, he glared at Alice as best he could without squinting. Alice froze as she saw his eyes change into Scarecrow's cold ones, she mouthed 'sorry' as quickly as she could then ducked down to get away from his death stare. After twenty minutes it was time to go back inside much to everyone's annoyance. Joker, Hatter and Riddler were taken to the interview rooms for their therapy sessions and Harley, Ivy, Alice and Crane were taken back to their cells. Alistair was having a week off to be with his family so Alice was stuck with Bolton as her escort, her good day turned into a day of hell right before her eyes. First Crane had been close to killing her with his devil stare and now she was going to be bored to death by the monkey boy himself… two deaths in one day, a new record.

'Williams has taken a liking to you, what the fuck is it about you that makes men want to talk to you? So its scarecrow, hatter and now Williams who is in fact sane and a guard … What do you flipping do?'

'Language monkey boy and I don't do it on purpose. Mr Crane is an asshole and I hate him, Hatter is just a friend and Alistair hates you just as much as I do.' Bolton just scoffed at Alice's denial and gave a look at Crane who returned with a stare that meant 'I DARE YOU', Bolton cleared his throat and looked straight ahead. Once Alice was free from her chains she was shoved into her cell, she cursed at Bolton then walked over to her bed. She was about to rest her head on the pillow when a red envelope caught her eye, she reached for it and stared at the neat handwriting that read her name. She ripped it open and got a paper cut for her eagerness, it was a Christmas card. It was a plain piece of yellow card except for the neat writing which read Merry Christmas; Alice opened the card and was met with a paragraph like essay.

I know Christmas is a hard time for you and I know it will make you want to keep away from everyone else but I need to talk to you. I was wrong about Hatter and I have noticed he can be possessive towards you which could make him violent, I was lying when I said he wouldn't hurt you. I know you hate me but at least hear what I have to say and if you still hate me then I will accept that and leave you alone. If we can in some way be civil towards each other than I will try not to be such an asshole, even though it wasn't my fault in the first place. I will see you in the recreation room tomorrow morning as I have persuaded Jerry to let us talk in private. If you don't come then I will think of you as a child and I won't be responsible for my actions or Scarecrow's, just try and understand my point of view. I will explain tomorrow and maybe we can move on or at least we can have a proper conversation instead of a simple greeting. Merry Christmas Miss McGuiness.

Sincerely

Jonathan Crane

Alice put the card down as a smile appeared on her face.

So is this the closest thing to an apology from The Scarecrow? He won't be responsible for his actions? What is he going to do gas me again? If he tries that again I will knee him where it hurts. At least he made the effort to make a card. And he was the one that said making Christmas cards was childish. First he kisses me and when I tell him I hate him he acts like a child, he then acts like an asshole to annoy me and then he gives me a Christmas card like I will just forget everything he did. That doctor needs serious mental therapy.

Alice stuck the card onto the wall above her head with blue tack that she borrowed from Dr Arkham's office, it was the kindness thing Crane had done for her and it deserved to be part of her cell. Once she was happy that the card wouldn't fall off she turned around and saw Crane watching her every move, his blue eyes showed eagerness of her answer to his summon. She inwardly smiled and spun on the spot then winked at him and would say something that she knew would make his eyes burn.

'Like what you see straw man?' She was right about his reaction but it wasn't just his eyes that burned his thin cheeks did to, his whole being seemed to burn like he would turn to ash in seconds. Alice let the smile that had been inside her escape as Ivy commented on Crane's sudden change of appearance

'I knew you couldn't hide it for much longer. You really do want to be friends with Alice again, looks like my Christmas card paid off.' Crane didn't comment or acknowledge Ivy's presence he just stared at Alice but it wasn't his usual death glare it was back to his eagerness. Alice couldn't keep him guessing for much longer or he would explode so she carefully and intentionally mouthed slowly 'You got five minutes straw man don't waste it' he seemed to sigh in relief then nodded at Alice as he returned to his formal self. Both Alice's and Crane's eyes locked again as Hatter walked passed, he smiled at Alice who did the same but kept her eyes on Crane. Once Hatter had passed Alice was allowed to close her eyes, darkness filled her mind but then a candle shone like hope, it lit up some of the darkness like it was pushing it back. The candle burned none stop and danced, her mother appeared but it wasn't her mother that Scarecrow had shown her it was her mother that loved her. Her voice echoed and made the flame of the candle dance more wildly.

'Merry Christmas Alice. It will be a winter wonderland this Christmas I am sure of it.'

Alice opened her eyes once again and found herself lying on her bed with her head against the pillow. She wasn't sure when she fell asleep or how long she had slept for but her body felt replenished and ready for the day ahead, the thought of finally talking to Crane after two months made her uneasy. She wasn't sure how she would react or what she would say, Alice hoped her mouth wouldn't betray her this one time, she didn't want a taste of fear toxin a second time.

Dr Crane P.O.V

Crane stared at the card that was in front of him. Ivy would normally do anything to keep away from him or she would mock him, yet here she was giving him a pathetic Christmas card. He opened it with a sigh of boredom it had no sign of being a Christmas card but writing was inside, as soon as he began to read he knew it wasn't a Christmas card at all. It was just a letter.

Crane tell her. She will hate you for the rest of her life if you keep acting like this, true she didn't except your apology but that was straight after and she wasn't thinking. Do you really want her to run straight into the arms of Mad Hatter? Even though he may act like a gentle man we know what he will do if he thinks that Alice isn't his Alice and I do feel for him but we can't let him kill her. Just this once don't listen to Scarecrow and act like a man. I know you can be a sensitive person you just choose not to because you were bullied for it when you were younger and don't gas me for knowing that because everyone knows and that gas doesn't work on me. If you can't tell her directly then write a letter or something I don't care just tell her.

'that plant has got some nerves' Crane heard Scarecrow mutter which Crane replied with a sigh.

'She's right I need to tell her.'

'Good luck with that because I'm not helping.'

'I thought you liked her Scarecrow?'

'When she screams, yes. When she's friends with you, no.'

'Am I sensing jealously Scarecrow?'

'Mark my words you say anything like that again then I will gas her when you're asleep…again.' Crane sighed at his other personality's promise then looked at Alice who avoided his gaze with some difficulty. She was a lot thinner but her spirit was still strong, he remembered what she had told him during their first 'heart to heart' that felt like years ago.

'I murdered him on Christmas day.'

No wonder she was distant from the others. Crane wondered what was going on inside her head as she stared out the window and at the falling snow. Crane turned his eyes to the plank yellow card and pen on the table in front of him, he picked up the pen and began to write in the card. He wasn't sure what he was writing but he guessed it was something of an apology, once he had finished he put the card in a red envelope and put it in one of his pockets. Dr Arkham walked inside at that moment and told the rogues it was time to go outside, Crane watched Dr Arkham intently and felt something inside his head ping like a light was turned on.

'Jerry I need to ask a favour of you. Can I spend some private time in the recreation with Miss McGuiness it is important.' Dr Arkham chuckled as Crane stood shivering slightly from the coldness, the other rogues were having a snowball fight and thought Dr Arkham had gone. Crane cursed at himself for asking the so called doctor for a favour but it was the only thing he could do.

'And why would I want to do that Mr Crane?'

'Because if I win Miss McGuiness over I can make her eat properly again and your job would be easier.'

'Tempting… Very well Mr Crane but I can not give you very long after you're last private time in the recreation room with Miss McGuiness. I hope you realize what you are doing, she would probably kill you given the chance.'

'I might have more of a chance of not being killed if she reads this.' Crane pulled out the letter which was crumpled from its time in his pocket; Dr Arkham stared at it for a few seconds then took it from Crane politely then turned it over with his fingers.

'I suppose you want me to leave this in her cell yes?'

'Yes…Dr Arkham.'

'There was no need for that Mr Crane but I will give you a longer time in the recreation room as a Christmas present. Use the time wisely and I will leave this in Miss McGuiness' cell.' Dr Arkham walked away and Crane smiled in triumph. He sat down at one of the benches and not two seconds later an icy object hit him on the side of the head creating a shooting pain, his glasses fell off his nose and smashed on the floor. His vision blurred as his eyes tried to process the change, Crane could hear Scarecrow laughing in the back of his mind and warned him to stay there. Crane twisted his head in the direction of the attacker and found a blurry Alice looking at him her eyes pools of fear. Then Crane felt Scarecrow trying to take control but he pulled him back but Alice must have noticed as she mouthed quickly 'sorry' then ducked down behind the mound of snow. As his eyes adjusted he could almost see Alice shaking, Crane guessed she didn't know what she was doing. Dr Arkham interrupted the snowball fight with some difficulty and was showered with snowballs, in the end he gained control and the rogues waited to be cuffed. Crane went too eagerly and found the others rogues staring at him.

'What? It's freezing.'

'You're too thin for your own good Scarecrow.'

'And you're too loud for your own good Joker.'

'Touché'

Dr Arkham gave a look Crane and nodded. Crane breathed a sigh and watched the crystals escape into the air, he now had to wait for Alice's answer which he wasn't sure he could do.

'I doubt it.'

'You've been quiet.'

'Just watching the show can't wait for the explosive ending.

'She won't kill me.'

'Well you've jinxed it now Johnny.'

As they walked down the corridor Bolton started to talk but Crane was really listening, it was just noise to his ears.

'Williams has taken a liking to you, what the fuck is it about you that makes men want to talk to you? So its scarecrow, hatter and now Williams who is in fact sane and a guard … What do you flipping do?'

Hang on what the does hell does he mean by 'so its Scarecrow, hatter and now Williams'?

'Language monkey boy and I don't do it on purpose. Mr Crane is an asshole and I hate him, Hatter is just a friend and Alistair hates you just as much as I do.'

Forgotten about that mouth of hers.

Bolton looked at Crane who gave him a death stare, Bolton cleared his throat and looked straight ahead which made Crane smirk. He still could make people fear him and that was the best Christmas present he could have, watching Bolton squirm. It wasn't long before they were at their cells and Crane stood watching Alice as she found the envelope, he watched like a hawk as her eyes glanced over the words. A smile appeared on her face and she stuck the card above her bed, she unexpectedly turned around and faced him. As soon as she saw him watching her she spun on the spot and opened her mouth to speak.

'Like what you see straw man?'

Child

Crane felt his cheeks burn at her voice and heard Scarecrow laughing once again; it must be the special occasion. Ivy began to speak but he couldn't hear her he stared at Alice wanting her answer now. She winked at him and mouthed slowly 'you have five minutes straw man don't waste it' Crane raised head and nodded and found himself staring at Alice once again. She had given him a chance and he wasn't going to waste it, Hatter walked past and smiled at Alice. Crane saw that she was weary but smiled back at him; then again her gaze was on Crane. She fell asleep moments later and Crane felt himself become tired, his blurred vision was giving him a headache. His eyes were heavy and struggled to stay open but he made sure Joker wasn't going to sing before he fell asleep, much to everyone's dismay he did sing but it wasn't his usual song.

The Straw man and the blonde,

Hatter is going to kill,

Kill straw man and take the blonde,

Here comes a candle to lit you to bed,

Here comes a chopper to chop of your head chop chop chop,

And Straw man is dead!

'Joker I prefer your other song.'

'Oh now Scarecrow I like this one! I'm like a prophet because Hatter will kill you Scarecrow if you're not careful.' Crane watched Alice as she whimpered in her sleep, her hands clawing at the white sheets.

'Not if someone else gets me first.' Crane mumbled then let his head rest on the pillow, he could almost feel Hatter's eyes watching him and it unnerved him.

Why is he so possessive of the simplest thing, it's pathetic to say the least.

Crane couldn't sleep and contemplated what he would say to Alice tomorrow, he couldn't just say Hatter might kill you so can we be friends again but it was difficult to find the right words. Crane knew one wrong word and he would have an object thrown at him, he didn't want another pair of glasses to be broken. Soon he was asleep and Christmas was over, Alice didn't have one nightmare and that Christmas was the first Christmas where nothing scared her. Snow fell like a miracle and stayed through the night and only melted away when the dazzling morning sun warmed Gotham from its chilling night, the Batman was finished prowling and returned to his cave to sleep while the criminals in Arkham Asylum woke from their dreams. Most being ones were the Bat was dead.

I know i've gone back to Crane and i'm sorry but i keep getting new ideas and i end up writing it but i promise i will add hatter and joker more until then please review!