I woke up in Bruce's bed for the upteenth time in two weeks. Shifting under the covers, I held them to my naked chest as I sat up and looked around. Bruce was gone. I felt a pull of sadness at his absence, but I knew he'd be back in the evening. I knew that he would go to the kitchens first, then carry a tray up for the two of us to have dinner, then when we were finished, he would distract me. I allowed myself a moment to feel his strong hands holding me to him as he pushed himself into me. I could feel his lips pressed against mine as we moved together, his breath mixing with mine. Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I searched for one of Bruce's shirts and my underwear, pulling them on and giving a stretch.

A knock came at the door, "Miss Elwood." It was Alfred, "You have a visitor downstairs."

Shocked, I said, "T-Tell them I'll be down after I get dressed, please."

"Can do, mum. Your luggage is in your room"

I waited for a moment for Alfred to leave the hallway before I left Bruce's room and entered mine. My suitcases were sitting at the foot of the bed, and I went to them grabbing the first article of clothing my hands could touched. Pulling on a shirt and a pair of pants, I left the room and descended down the stairs for the first time in weeks. I played with the hem of my shirt as I entered the parlor room and I stopped short at the sight of Jonathan Crane.

"Bethany," he said, standing instantly from the couch, "Hi."

I thought about leaving, but something told me to stay. Standing half in the doorway, I gave a timid answer, "Hello."

"Are… how…. It's good to see you."

"Is it?"

"Yeah," he moved closer to me, but I moved back. He ran his hand through his hair, then said, "I'm sorry… I… I waited… Bruce said it was okay, but I just… I just had to see you, Bethany. I just,,,." He let out a heavy sigh giving me a sad look, "Bethany… I just had to see you."

I nodded, "Okay."

He let out a small laugh, "Okay? Is… is that all I get, 'okay?'" He moved to me, and pulled me into a hug. "I… I've missed you. I know that is inappropriate, but… I just needed to tell you."

I was stiff in his embrace, "Jonathan…."

He pulled away, "What?"

Tears filled my eyes, "I'm glad to see you…. But I don't think we should… see each other anymore."

Taking a step back, Jonathan frowned, "Are… are you breaking up with me?"

A tear slipped down my cheek, "It's… what's best."

"Best? Bethany…. I thought… since the airport… you would change your mind-"

"I'm sleeping with Bruce."

Jonathan stiffened, a look of complete shock washed over his face. He ran his hand through his hair again then said, "H-How long?"

I shrugged, "Since coming here."

"Why?"

I let out a sob, "To distract me."

"Distract you?" Jonathan looked angry now, "Distract you? Watch TV! Read a book! Go for a fucking swim! Why?"

Now it was my turn to be angry, "Why? My boyfriend is a serial killer and he fucking lied to me about it, then my mother was murdered by a fucking clown! I've felt nothing for 48 hours, Jonathan, nothing!" A sob cut through me and more tears fell down my face, "I just wanted to feel something."

"Why him?"

"Why not?"

Jonathan frowned, "Because you have me."

I shook my head, "I don't want you."

Again he took a step back, "Why?"

"You were his fucking cellmate, Jonathan! You lived with him! You're just as bad as he is!"

"Don't," he yelled, "Ever compare me… to that man!" Pointing a finger at me, he lowered his voice, "I've done terrible things in my life, Bethany…. I admit that. I've served my time, I've done the therapy sessions, I'm trying to be a better man. I am… a better man. Don't compare me to that monster."

We stood in silence for a moment, then he came over and pulled me into a kiss. Pinning me to his body, he cupped the back of my head with his powerful hand and he deepened the kiss. Moving me forward, he closed the door to the parlor room and pressed me against it. We kissed each other hungrily for a moment, then we pulled away breathing heavily. Looking into his eyes, I said, "Jonathan-"

"I love you… Bethany," he ran his hands through my hair over and over again, "I love you, Bethany. I love you so much, Bethany. Please… I just need you to know that."

"Miss Elwood," called Alfred from the other side of the door, "Is everything all right in there? I heard shouting."

"E-everything is fine, Alfred," I said, "No need to worry."

"I'll be just a call away if you need me, Miss Elwood."

"Bethany," said Jonathan, "I don't think I can stay away from you." Giving me a soft kiss he said, "I'm so sorry I lied to you. I'm so sorry I kept the truth from you. I endangered your life and you have every reason to be angry with me, to hate me. I just want you to know that… even while you're fucking Bruce Wayne."

I frowned, "Cheap shot, Jonathan."

"My girlfriend left me for Bruce fucking Wayne, I think I can toss a few low blows in there."

Pushing him away I said, "I didn't leave you for him."

"Feels like it." He watched me for a moment, then said, "I should go. I… I came and said what I needed to say. I'll leave you alone now. I'll only come if you call for me."

Leaning in, he gave me a soft but firm kiss, pulling away he whispered, "I love you." Then reached behind me and opened the door and left. I stood still for a moment then felt a wave of guilt and numbness wash over me. I left the parlor room and went back to my spot on Bruce's bed, shedding my clothes the moment I entered the room. Getting under the covers, I waited for Bruce to come back from Gotham. As I laid there, I felt Jonathan on me, his lips and his hands. I remembered our first date, how he described the power of touch, the powerful images he painted from just the tenderness of his hands.

Was I being too harsh on him? Too rash in my decision to shut him out? He had been honest about the therapy, the jail cell with the Joker, and the fact that he was indeed a criminal. Was I really willing to let a murderer back into my life? After what happened to my mother? An image of her face flashed in front of my mind and I cringed as I looked down at her deformed face, the overly large grin and her dead eyes looking back at me. Shrinking further into the blankets, I tried to think of something else to distract me from my mother, but nothing helped. After laying there for a few minutes, I began to fall asleep. I hoped that when I woke, Bruce would be with me.