Gordon pulled out a decanter of whiskey and two glasses. Pouring the amber liquid in both, he handed me one and sat at his desk with the other. I looked down at the liquid and set the glass on the desk. "Where is Jonathan?"

Gordon downed his drink and set his glass down, "He was recovered from the water safely. He'll be here any minute."

I nodded. Raising my own glass, I took the amber liquid in my mouth and swallowed all of it. Setting the glass down, I pulled the edges of Gordon's coat closer in an attempt to to beat off the cold I felt. I looked up at him, "My mother?"

He nodded, "We gave her a call the moment you set foot in this precinct. I'm sure she'll be on her way with Mr Wayne."

I nodded again.

"Miss Elwood…. Bethany…. Can you walk me through what happened tonight?"

I was thankful when Gordon poured another glass of whiskey, and I replayed the evening. "Jonathan and I were on a date… a woman at the restaurant she… she had a gun and-"

"W-what restaurant were you at? About what time?"

"Um… I'm not sure… it was a rather upscale one? I think it was french? We got there around seven… she came at about eight?"

Gordon nodded as he wrote down my answer, "How did you know something was wrong?"

"She gave us our food and it had… I'm not sure a clown smile painted on it?"

"On the food?"

I nodded, taking a long sip from the second glass of whiskey.

"So you looked up, and she had a gun?"

I nodded, "Yes. She told us to stand up and leave the table. She led us to a side door out to an alleyway where a van was waiting."

"What did the van look like?"

"Um… I think it was white? It was windowless."

"Was she alone?"

"No. There were two men in clown masks waiting. They forced us into the back of the car and drove us to a tall building. We got out and made our way to the top which was under construction."

Gordon nodded, "Yes. Was that where the Joker was?"

I nodded.

"This is going to be a bit insensitive, but why did he move you to the bridge? Why not keep you at the building?"

I let out a shuddering breath and said, "He wanted to have more… fun."

"Did he seem to know who you are?"

"He confronted Jonathan? He talked him to him about… about how he was sad that Jonathan had left Arkham."

"They were in there together."

I nodded, "I know that Jonathan was in the cell next to his."

"How did you get to the bridge?"

"There was a helicopter on the roof of the building. We got in and they took us to the bridge, and they had us jump from the helicopter to the tower."

"What happened on the tower?"

"He and… the woman-"

"Harley Quinn."

I nodded, "They put a parachute on Jonathan… they said that there might not be a parachute in it…. Then… then…" I had to swallow to wet my mouth which was suddenly dry. Gordon poured a third glass of whiskey which I drank, "They pushed him off of the tower."

"What happened next?"

"Batman showed up. Joker used me to distract Batman so he and Harley Quinn could get away. He… he threw me off of the tower." Tears formed and slipped down my face, "Batman caught me."

Gordon nodded, "Yes, thank God for that." Standing, he came over and knelt in front of me, "I'm so sorry this happened to you, Bethany… but I'm glad you're alive. We're going to work hard and fast to get him and Harley Quinn, I promise."

"Do you know what Scarecrow means?"

Gordon's face paled, "What?"

"The Joker insisted that I called Jonathan Scarecrow… what does that mean?"

"How did Jonathan respond to you calling him Scarecrow?"

I shrugged, "I don't know… I don't think he liked it? I'm unsure I was so scared, I wasn't paying attention."

Gordon nodded, "Scarecrow… was Jonathan's nickname before he was caught."

I nodded, "But why… why would that matter to the Joker?"

"I'm not sure."

I opened my mouth to ask another question, but a knock came from Gordon's door and it was opened by a man in a cop uniform. "Sorry, Boss. She's insisting on seeing her."

Behind him, my mother pushed her way into the room, "Bethany, thank God!" Embracing me, she placed a series of kisses on my head, "I was watching the news, and I saw you fall off of that bridge, I had no idea what to do. Oh my baby."

Bruce and Alfred came into the room after her, and I stood, pushing my mom away. I went to Bruce and hugged him, so happy to see a face of someone I wanted to see. He held me to him, rubbing my back soothingly, "I've got you," he whispered, placing a kiss on my head, "I've got you."

Alfred moved to hug me, and I returned the hug with one arm, keeping the other around Bruce. Alfred took my face in his hands and he smiled, "Glad to have you with us." He swiped a tear away with his thumb.

Going back into Bruce's protective arms, we listened to Gordon relay what he and his team were going to do next. I was going to have police detailing on me for an indeterminate amount of time. Gordon thought it was okay to go back living in the penthouse, but agreed with my mother that staying outside of the city at Wayne Manor might be the safest place. Bruce continued his soothing rubbing motion on my back, occasionally placing kisses on my head, and I felt my body slowly begin to relax and feeling began to come back to me. I felt the remnant of panic raging through me, and I tightened my grip on Bruce in response. He stopped his rubbing and wrapped his arms around me, holding me close.

Commotion came from outside Gordon's office, and we turned to see a group of policemen arrive, escorting a very wet Jonathan with them. Gasping, I pulled away from Bruce and ran to meet him. He saw me coming and opened his arms ready to receive me.

"Jonathan!"

"Bethany!"

I entered his arms willingly, crashing my lips against his. I kept my arms wrapped around him while he moved to take my face in his, giving me a series of hard kisses. Pulling away I whispered, "I thought you were going to die."

"I thought you were going to die," he replied, "I saw you fall. Are you okay?"

I nodded, "Yes… yes I'm fine."

Gordon came over to us, "Doctor Crane, I'm glad you're all right."

Jonathan gave him a nod, "Thank you."

"If you don't mind, I would like to get you a towel and ask you a few questions."

Jonathan nodded, "Yes, of course. Anything to help."

He made to follow Gordon, but I found I couldn't let him go. Turning to me, Jonathan took my head in his hands and gave me a long kiss. Pulling away he said, "I have to go with Gordon… I'll be safe. You'll be safe. We won't be that long. Stay with Bruce, everything is going to be okay."

I nodded, and felt my panic increase as he took himself away from me. My breathing increased as I began to hyperventilate, but Bruce came in and brought me into a hug. "He's not going to be long," he said, "Jonathan will be right back."

I nodded, "I know… I know, but I can't help but feel like… I feel like I'm never going to see him again."

Bruce nodded, "Given what just happened, I don't doubt that. But I'm here… let me be a temporary Jonathan."

I looked at him and gave a weak smile, "I'm sure he'll love that idea."

"Hey, he told you to stay with me while you waited."

I nodded, "Yeah."

I watched as Jonathan entered Gordon's office and took a seat in the same chair I was in. Gordon had cleared away the glasses and the whiskey, but instead offered Jonathan a large towel. He looked up and caught my eye as he wrapped the towel around him, and then the door was closed.

"Well, I hope you're not set on going back to that stupid penthouse you're so dead set on living in," said my mother moving to stand in front of me, "I told you that this was an unsafe city. I told you that staying at Wayne Manor was the safest place to stay while this… this maniac was on the loose. And you," she pointed at Bruce, "I just hope you learn your lesson."

"Me, Margaret?" Bruce sounded shocked.

"Yes! You agreed with my daughter that the penthouse was safe! You let her come back into this city. Tell her that she has to stay at Wayne Manor for the rest of the summer."

"I'll come back," I said, "I will."

My mom let out a sigh of relief.

"But I want Jonathan to be allowed to stay if he wants," I said, turning from my mother to Bruce. "He lives right next to Arkham, and I'm sure the Joker will find that out soon enough. We'll let him decide, but… I want you to extend that invitation."

Bruce was silent for a moment, but he nodded, "Yes. Anything for you, Bethy."

"I don't want a criminal staying with us," my mother said, "Not in Wayne Manor! Who knows what will happen!"

"That criminal was just almost killed tonight, along with your only child," I said, "Lay off Jonathan."

My mother looked like she wanted to do anything but lay off, but she closed her mouth and walked away. Alfred replaced her, and gave me a smile, "I think she'll come around soon enough."

"I hope so."

"I have taken the liberty of preparing your favorite dessert at Wayne Manor tonight, under the assumption that you will be joining us tonight."

I gave him a small smile, "Tiramisu?"

"Better. Ice cream and warm brownies with hot chocolate sauce."

Tears brimmed my eyes as I looked at him and I found that I couldn't stop them from spilling over, "That sounds wonderful, Alfred."

Bruce hugged me closer as I continued to silently cry. Alfred frowned and reached out to rub the upper part of my back. Wiping my eyes, I frowned, "I'm sorry," I said looking at the large wet mark that was forming on Bruce's shirt.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Bruce said, "You nearly died."

"I'm ruining your shirt."

"Fuck my shirt," he said, "You can blow your nose in it for all I care."

"Do you mind reliving what happened," Alfred asked.

I was quiet for a moment, but I nodded and retold the story one more time. I told them of how Jonathan and I were abducted from the restaurant, how Jonathan had stood between the gun and me, how the Joker had terrorized us, and how Batman had saved me. "Thank God for that man," Alfred said, petting my head and tugging lightly on my hair. Both men were quiet during my retelling and when I finished, they both took turns hugging me close.

Gordon's door opened, and Jonathan came out looking irritated. Pulling away from Bruce, I went to Jonathan who took me in his arms. Bruce came over and he held out his hand, "I'm glad you're okay."

Taking it, Jonathan nodded, "Thank you."

"Um… so Gordon has told us that it would be okay for you and Bethany to go to the penthouse, but Bethany has agreed to come to Wayne Manor for an indeterminate amount of time."

"Really?" Jonathan looked to me, and I gave him a nod.

"You're more than welcome to come as well," Bruce added, "For as long as you two need or want."

Looking back at Bruce, Jonathan frowned, "Why?"

"Because you were just attacked by a killer clown and Bethany tells me that you live next to Arkham, which can not be safe. Also you're important to Bethany, and anyone who is important to Bethany is worth protecting."

Jonathan looked shocked, "Wow… um… thank you."

"You'll come, right?" I asked.

Jonathan looked at me and he nodded, "Yes. Of course. If this is what you want."

"It's what I want."

He nodded again, "Then I'll come. But I'll need my car and clothes."

"Done," Bruce said, "I'll go with you to the restaurant and then to wherever you need to go and help you get all that you need."

"I just need a ride to the restaurant," Jonathan said, "I don't have a ton of clothes at the penthouse, but most of it is easy to pack. I can get that done by myself."

"You sure," Bruce asked, "I don't mind helping."

"I'm sure. I don't want to trouble anymore than I already am."

"Nonsense." Bruce smiled, "Well, let's go get your car then."

"I'll take Miss Elwood and Mrs Elwood home," said Alfred.

Looking at Jonathan, I felt tears threaten to form again. "Please hurry." My voice was tight with strain.

Giving me a kiss, he answered, "Like a flash."

Pulling away from me, he and Bruce left the station and I followed Alfred out to the car where my mother was already waiting.