Jonathan and I have been at Wayne manor for three days. In that time, two warehouses and a second school have been blown up. Every day Jonathan gets up and goes to work, leaving me alone to wander around the halls of this massive house. Thankfully my mother spends most of her time with her friends in the city so I don't worry about running into her. I've told my boss that I am going to stay out the summer as intended. He was upset, but he was understanding that I was in good hands. I spent most of my time reading or swimming laps in the pool, trying to keep myself preoccupied so I wouldn't have to think about what happened with Joker.

I was in the pool now, focusing on my breathing and my strokes as I swam freestyle across the length. Coming up for air, I turned and swam back, moving to the other end of the wall where a figure caught my eye. Standing, I saw Jonathan at the door. Smiling I said, "Hey… you're home early."

He looked upset as he said, "Arkham sent me home."

Frowning, "Why?"

"I received a message from the Joker at work… my office was ransacked…. They sent me home for my own safety."

"Are you okay?"

He nodded, "Yes I am."

I nodded as well, "Okay. Was anything taken or destroyed? Any files?"

"No," he shook his head, "No… nothing."

I frowned, "Then why?"

"He left a note."

"What did it say?"

He was quiet for a moment, "It said 'tell her the truth, or...'"

I sank down into the water so that it covered my shoulders, "Or what?"

"'Or… I'll kill her."

I froze in the water, my eyes fixed on him. He watched me for a moment, his face blank, but after a moment, he took a step close to the pool, "Bethany… come out of the water." Bending over he held out his hand and I took him, getting out of the pool. Jonathan walked over to my towel and wrapped it around me. Hugging me to him, he said, "I won't let him touch you, Bethany…. He won't ever get to you."

Pulling away, I looked at him, "What are you going to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are… are you going to tell me? About whatever it is the Joker wants you to tell me?"

He was quiet.

"I know you don't want me to know about that part of your life, but… if the Joker is adamite about you sharing…."

Jonathan sighed, "If it comes down to it…."

"If it comes down to it?" I took a step back, "If it comes down to what, Jonathan? A crazy psycho clown has threatened my life and you're going to wait until he has me in his grasp before telling me?"

Jonathan frowned, "Bethany, I never said-"

"No, but implied."

"Look, this is hard for me, okay? I've worked very hard to get past that time, to be a different person."

"And I understand this, Jonathan, I really do."

"Then you should understand why I want to find a way around this."

I used the towel to dry off, moving to the door, "I'm going to change."

"Bethany." Jonathan followed me out of the pool. "Bethany please, wait."

Walking on the main level, we passed the parlor room door when Jonathan grabbed my arm. Struggling against him, I said, "Jonathan let me go."

"Please just talk to me, Bethany."

"What's going on," Bruce came out of the room, holding a folder he probably had been reading.

"Nothing, Bruce," Jonathan said.

"Doesn't look like it to me," taking a step forward, Bruce added, "Let go of her, Jonathan."

Jonathan did, dropping my arm. I continued on my way to the stairs. He moved to follow me, "Bethany-"

"Let her change, Jonathan," Bruce said, "Why don't you come have a drink with me."

I took my time getting dressed, drying off, picking out dry clothes, and putting my hair up into a tight bun. The entire time I found myself looking over my shoulder in the corners of my room or out the double french doors onto the private balcony. Each time, I found my heart skip a beat in paranoia expecting someone to be there. When I felt I had taken enough time, I left my room and made my way down to the parlor room. Bruce and Jonathan were standing in the middle of the room quietly arguing with each other. When I entered the room, they both stopped and took a step back.

"What are you two arguing about," I asked.

"Nothing," Jonathan said turning away from Bruce.

"Bethany's life is not nothing," Bruce said, "Tell her the truth, Crane."

"Wait," I took a step forward, "You know the whole story?"

Bruce frowned but nodded, "Yes."

I turned to look at Jonathan but he was staring hard at the floor. Turning back to Bruce I said, "Tell me."

"No," Jonathan said, "No."

"Why not, Jonathan? Bruce knows. The Joker knows. Everyone in Gotham seems to know. Why can't I know?"

"I'll leave you two alone," Bruce said. Moving to the door he added, "I'll be right outside if you need me."

Closing the door Jonathan and I were left alone in the parlor room. Looking at him I waited for him to speak, willing myself not to be the first to talk. Jonathan looked at me pleadingly for a moment, then sighed. "Bethany… if I tell you the truth… if…. If I tell you about Scarecrow…. Will you promise me that you'll remember who I am now? Please don't… don't judge me on who I was."

I nodded, "I promise."

Jonathan nodded, and stood still for a moment. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, he moved to the small bar and poured himself a shot of whiskey. Taking it, he stood still for a moment, and then turned to me. "I really should start with my childhood."