Jon's P.O.V.

Unable to concentrate on any of my research, I was currently rereading one of the many books written by Sigmund Freud that I had in my collection. Doing this was like going back to kindergarten to relearn the alphabet for someone like me, that is, a psychologist. It calmed me for whatever reason, and going back to the fundamentals was good for review, even if I didn't need it. It wasn't like I was going to go back to my practice anytime soon. I was a wanted criminal now after all.

The only time I actually used it these days was when I was conducting research or bored enough to psychoanalyze those around me. Ten years of school wasted, just so I could go running around wearing a sack over my head and figuring out how screwed up my fellow Rouges where. It was worth it though, worth the freedom and the ability to conduct my research without anyone questioning me too much.

Letting out a sigh, I set The Ego and the Id down on my side table before unfolding my frame and standing up. While reading was a favorite pastime, it did get dull after a while, especially if the only thing you had to read were old college books. Over the years I'd slowly accumulated more books, but not as many as I wished. My shelves were well stocked though.

I gazed around my room unhappily. Three of the four walls were covered with shelves crammed with books, and I knew that if my room was even the slightest bit bigger, I'd be able to fit more. Unfortunately, most of this level was taken up by Edwards room, which doubled up as his main workspace.

'It annoys you, how much space he takes up, doesn't it?' Scarecrow hissed in the back of my mind. 'You can just take some by force; take him too.' Scarecrow chuckled at that.

"I could," I spoke aloud, "but we share the space. Plus, he was here first."

'So?' Scarecrow said. 'We're here now too, and have been for the past five years!'

"Every time I suggest that I move to my own space you shoot me down." I counter.

'Yes,' Scarecrow agreed, "do you realize how incompetent Edward is? He'd be lost, with only his impulse to create puzzles to keep him company. Though now I suppose that girl would be more than willing to comply and take care of him.'

"He does suffer from mild Dependent Personality Disorder," I admit, ignoring my other half's snide remark. "It's not that bad though, he's an Accommodating Dependent. As long as someone is there to order him around and exert dominance over him, he's fine."

'Keep telling yourself that.' Scarecrow said. 'Do you notice him being accommodating to anyone but you? He's subconsciously attached, he just doesn't realize it.'

"Now you're just being redundant."

'My point,' Scarecrow said, sounding frustrated, 'is that you are the one he's submissive to.'

"He's naturally submissive," I argue, "that's who he is."

'I suppose so,' Scarecrow mused, 'but I don't see Selina trying to exert her dominance over him.'

I bared my teeth at the mere thought of that. Edward was mine, even if I hadn't made it official yet.

'You see?' Scarecrow said. 'You've made your claim, now all that you have to do is take it.'

"You make me sound like an animal," I said, clenching my fists.

'Are humans not animals?' Scarecrow replied. 'Take away some of that intelligence and bump up those primal needs and you have an animal. Speaking of intelligence, you look stupid standing there talking to yourself.'

"Technically I'm talking to you," I say, wandering over to a bookshelf just so I looked like I was doing something.

'Are you as incompetent as Edward?' Scarecrow retorted. 'I'm apart of you. You are essentially talking to yourself.'

"I am not incompetent." I bristled at the very idea. "I am more than that. I can take care of both of us, he doesn't need anyone but me."

'Is that why you sabotaged all of his pathetic attempts of being in a relationship?' Scarecrow snickered.

"You're a part of me, you should know."

'Touché.'

"But yes," I said, scanning the books on my shelf. "All his attempts, or rather should I say other people's attempts, were rightfully discarded."

'And what are you going to do about the latest issue?' Scarecrow asked.

"I haven't thought about it yet."

'I'd do something soon,' Scarecrow said, 'who knows how much time you have?'

"Probably not a lot considering that this all has to do with Anna," I spat.

'Lucky you don't have to deal with her too, right?' Scarecrow said. "What piece of work that'd be.'

"If she weren't dead, I'd probably kill her myself."

'Mmm, but then Edward wouldn't have liked that, would he?'

"No," I said, "he wouldn't."

'Why don't you just get the person that started this whole thing to finish the job?' Scarecrow suggested.

"You mean Zsasz?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

'Duh. I'm sure he's still hung up on not being able to finish the job he was hired to do.'

"Who was he even hired by?"

'Who knows?' Scarecrow said. 'Does it really matter?'

"I suppose not," I decided, "but Zsasz hasn't been seen or heard of since then."

'Contact the last person that he worked with,' Scarecrow suggested, 'Penguin.'

"Hmm." I thought about it. "It'd be a good place to start."

'Why don't you call The Iceberg Lounge and see if he's available?'

"I was just thinking that,' I said.

'That's why I said it.' Scarecrow replied.

Ignoring his comment, I walked over to my bedside table and fished out the phone I only used for emergencies. Being a criminal and having a phone was typically dangerous, but as long as I had a good alias and paid the bill on time, the phone company didn't question anything.

Dialing the number for the club, I waited for someone to answer the phone, tapping my foot impatiently.

After a few second someone picked up, "Iceberg Lounge, how may I help you?"

Huh. It didn't sound like any of Penguins henchgirls, someone new perhaps? The voice was distinctly male, and by the sound of it, pretty young too.

"Hello?" The guy asked. "Is anyone there?"

"Yes," I said, clearing my throat and shifting the phone. "Is the bird clear to fly?"

Speaking in such codes was something specific for the Underground when they needed a meeting with Penguin, and it changed from time to time. I only hoped that one, Penguin hadn't changed it in four years, and two, the new guy knew about the codes. There was a second of silence, and I held my breath.

"The bird is ready and prepared for flight," came the response.

Better than, "The bird is grounded". I let out an audible sigh of relief. This whole plan banked on whether or not Penguin was available to speak with me.

"What's your business with the boss?" The guy asked.

"Confidential," I replied automatically, "don't you know all these types of calls are?"

"Uh, um, I'm new." The guy said uncertainty.

"Clearly," I said, voice clipped. "What's your name?"

"Maxwell, sir."

At least the guy had manners, couldn't say that much about other people.

"Well, Maxwell," I said, rocking back on my heels, "is Penguin available for a meeting today?"

"I wouldn't have answered your question if he wasn't."

I took back my remark about him being respectful.

"Is he available anytime soon?"

"How soon are we talking about?" Maxwell's voice sounded muffled through the phone like he was doing something at the same time.

I clenched my teeth and bit back a rude reply, "As soon as possible."

"There's an opening in twenty minutes," Maxwell said.

"Perfect." I switched the phone to my other ear.

"May I get a name?" Maxwell said in a slightly bored voice.

"Tell Penguin that the Scarecrow is dropping in for a visit."

"Y-yes sir."

I smirked as I heard the fear in his voice. Oh, it'd be fun to meet this guy in person. Maybe Penguin would let me experiment on him once I told him how bad his new employee acted. That thought cheered me up and I smiled as I hung up the phone.

Replacing it back in the drawer I took it out of, I quickly got changed into something more presentable than what I was currently wearing, a loose button up shirt and slacks. Changing out my shirt for a more presentable one, I put on a tie and grabbed a jacket from my small closet. I always took care to look my best, which was hard considering I was a foot or taller than everyone else around me. Ever try to get clothes that fit you when you couldn't actually walk into a store? Not easy, not easy at all.

Making sure that I had everything, I exited my room and headed downstairs. Peering into the living room on my way out I saw that Selina was talking to Ridley and my lip curled.

'Soon you won't have to deal with her anymore.' Scarecrow whispered, and I nodded in agreement.

Once this was over, I didn't have to worry about it. The problem would be gone and things would go back to normal. Oh sure, Edward would gripe and moan about it, but I'd be there for him, comfort him, and then he'd see that he needed nobody else in his life except for me. If worse came to worse, I could easily just make him, he'd give in eventually. It wasn't something I necessarily wanted to do, but I would.

Walking out the front door, I was careful to walk in all the blind spots that Edwards annoying cameras couldn't see. He went on and on about how much the cameras protected us and how he'd know if the authorities or Batman were coming, but with all the blond spots, that claim was ridiculous. I could literally walk from the main warehouse to the smaller one where we kept the getaway van and various other vehicles parked with little to no effort. Edward was definitely slacking, normally he would've noticed such a mistake already.

Entering the building through a side door, I selected the preferred car that I chose when I usually went out, a black BMW M Coupe. It's been hell trying to even get the thing, stealing it wasn't an option because of obvious reasons, so I had been forced to use my alias to purchase it. Mitchell Adams, 34 years old, was apparently the proud owner of a BMW M Coupe and supposedly ran a business with his work partner, Edward Nashton. Completely fiction of course, but it kept the police from being suspicious.

Opening the door and sliding into the front seat, I plucked the keys from behind the sun visor. Turning on the car on, I opened the garage door and carefully backing out of the warehouse and turning onto the deserted street. Fiddling with the radio, I settled on a station before relaxing. Everything would be taken care of soon, I just had to figure out the logistics and make sure that Edward never figured out my plan. I could be civil with Ridley if it made Edward feel better. Only until it was too late though, or if I was pressured into showing my true colors, then things would get dicey. Until then, I was free to relax and not worry about anything. The words of the song floated through the car and I absently hummed along:

I won't be pushed aside

I will be heard

I will get what I want

What I deserve...