Fear was something Jonathan lived and breathed. He could dissect a persons deepest darkest fears within few minutes of conversation and observation. However with this new girl, it wasn't that easy. It was driving him and his... "occupant" mad. Standing up to the Joker, Riddler, apparently a very angry Harleen with a gun, even Cobblepots' attempted to bully her. Yet... her she was, eyes wide, panting breathe, shaking in her skin. Even Scarecrow could smell fear rolling off her in waves. Alexandria was scared, Crane and Crow reveling in her fear...but.
As they were about to learn, there was only one thing in this world she actually feared. It wasn't him though.
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Crane found himself slammed against the back of the chair as she closed the door, fire burning in widen pupils.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" the Fox staged whispered, quiet but still conveying her anger. Crane found himself excited. 'Fight not flight.'
"I merely wanted to pay you a visit. See how you are adjusting to this new scenario." Cranes doctor voice seeping with false security.
"Do you have ANY idea whats going on today?" the Fox's brow furrowed in panic as she seemed to understand the implications of him being here. He was wrong on part of his assumptions.
"Tuesday?"
"YOU IDIOT!" the furrow in her brow turned to one of frustration. "The health inspector is here." Alexandria pulled a file drawer open, frantically thumbing through documents haphazardly shoved in. "If she sees you, a wanted criminal, we're both in trouble." The situation dawned on the Doctor. Running a hand through his hair he sighed.
"I will remain in here. I'll lock the door and you can say you lost the key to it."
"She'll want to come in here! She'll see you, she'll report you, then I'll have the police or The Batman on this doorstep! I'll lose my diner!" the Fox looked ready to bolt.
"Calm yourself. Act natural." 'Why tell her to calm down, I'm loving the look on her face.' 'I don't want to go back to Arkham yet. We still have plans to finish.
A deep inhale interrupted his internal conversation. Almost like magic, pupils shrunk, shaking subsided, breathing tamed. Watching her solidify from her panic was... enthralling and entirely disappointing. Alexandria steeled herself, and through a hard glare in Jonathans' direction.
"If I lose this restaurant, I will make you fear me!" And with that weak threat she walked out the door with a clipboard in hand.
Scarecrow was scratching at Cranes forehead 'Let me at that Bitch! Imma gas her! I'm gonna tear her throat apart with my hands! Fucking threaten us?! I'll-' Crane pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to stave of Crows ranting. She fucked up.
.
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An hour later, after finding out the health inspector was called out on a tip about rats, which were a problem in a big city, (Alexandria had a damn good idea who 'tipped' off the Health Board.) Inspector Lewis left stating that almost everything was in order. All that was wrong was the sanitizer not being changed often enough, Gary was corrected, and the hold times being expired by twenty minutes, Marcus apologized. Alexandria dove into work after that, Marcus stepping back to start prep work for dinner knowing Boss needed to be alone. Years under Joker taught him to realize when someone needed to be 'alone', lest the interrupter wanted to lose a hand.
Once lunch rush was over, all her customers filed out, leaving tips of various amounts, and a few regulars grunting goodbyes, Alexandria breathed a deep sigh. She made her way back to her office to "file" her newest report away as her Boys locked up the store til dinner (A habit she started since her newest 'clientele' came into her life.). She completely forgot Crane was in her office. Or the fact she had threatened him. Opening the door she was greeted by a hand grabbing her throat, her body being pushed hard into the backdoor, knocking the wind right out her lungs.
Jonathan Crane glared heavily into her eyes, holding her up on her tip toes with one hand. Alexandria was vaguely aware of her boys shouting, and the click a hammer.
"I would stand down boy if I were you. This is between me and her!" The voice didn't sound right. Instead of false saccharine calmness, it was heavy, guttural, almost like each word was growled out of a deep well. It was then Alexandria looked into his eyes. No ice blue. A deep, dark blue. Almost black.
Alexandria gasped out past the hand on her throat "Scarecrow." A chocking laugh came forth from the man.
"Oh boy, you know who I am." Sarcasm and angry dripped on his words.
"What do you want?" Alexandria felt herself getting lightheaded, pinpricks peppered across her face as it started to go numb from the lack of oxygen.
"Who the hell do you think you are to threaten ME?!" the Fox attempted a scoff. That made the hand gripped tighter, face contorting in rage "WHY DON'T YOU FEAR ME!?" Scarecrow all but screamed, spittle landing on Alexandria cheek. Said women tried to answer, but black was closing in more, thought was losing its coherency.
"Scarecrow, she can't answer if she has no voice!" Gary, bless his hear,t tried to pry the clenched hand from his Boss's throat. He succeeded, but only because the hand he tugged turned on him. With inhuman strength, the back hand which should have only knocked back the burly man, sent him flying. He only stopped when his back met the walk-in door, several feet away. This did however allow Alexandria fall to the floor, coughing and spluttering, rasping air in and out, past her tight and sore throat.
"You-" a cough, "Wanna know what I'm afraid of?" Scarecrow turned Cranes body to face the women, on her knees, kneeling before him.
"YES!" he demon in mans clothing shouted hunching over her, tall, scrawny figure almost imposing over her curled form.
"I'm afraid," panting, air finally smoothly entering her lungs, "of losing everything I dedicated my life to." A hand gestured to the kitchen, its sister massaging her neck. "That everything I have ever built, with my own two hands will be ripped from them." Alexandria looked in to black blue eyes, shakily standing up.
"Take away your knowledge of fear, you are nothing. Take away my restaurant, and I'm the same."
There they stood. Eyeing each other, sizing each other up. Both could fight, Alexandria would lose, but she would fight. The Scarecrow could use his fear gas on her, kill her as she screamed in delicious agony. Joker would come for him, for breaking the deal. He could fight a man that unpredictable, so unafraid. He would lose to Joker.
"Some fucking fear." Blue black eye lightened, a hand came up suddenly, but Alexandria didn't flinch, knew she couldn't. Glasses covered ice blue eyes, as a smirk graced the "good" Doctors' face.
"Such irrational feelings." Crane stated quietly. rubbing his sore hand. "You couldn't possibly lose your restuarant."
"I know. I make damn sure I won't." Alexandria said tersly. "Get out."
"I will be back. So will Scarecrow. We will find something else..." The Crane pulled out a cellphone.
"I'm sure you'll be looking for a long while." Alexandria walked into her office and shut the door, trusting that Crane wouldn't allow himself to be caught here.
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Sorry for delay. Or if this seems off. It's been a while since I've written and I've just moved across the country again. Please let me know of any mistakes, or ideas you have.