Arrows and Riddles

Back in Gotham

A/N: If you hadn't read the previous AN, Reunions is merely a teaser. A mistake on my part, forgive me. Enjoy!  

Amelia Houston breathed out a sigh as she entered her apartment. She was enjoying her few weeks of vacation without Artemis Queen. Yes, the heiress was her best friend but she did like to not be at her side, every single day. As Artemis Queen's personal assistant, she was with her friend five plus days each week. The vacation wasn't really a vacation, she still had to manage the tabloids that hunted for every little bit of story on the lost Queen. More headaches for her. She dropped her messenger bag on the entry table. Lightning flashed and thunder clapped, Amy straightened as the rain fell through a open window. The water droplets splattered across the wood flooring. Fear trickled into her pounding heart, Amelia grabbed her 45 colt 1911 out of a drawer of the entry table.

Amelia crept forward, holding her gun in a two handed grip like Chris taught her when she reached the window she shut it with a trembling hand. Her mind spun elaborate theories of who broke into her home and how they were going to kill her. Was it Victor Zsasz? Finally, making good on half of his promise to kill Artemis and herself. Or was it Black Mask? Who would have sent highly trained assassins. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought of Ra's al Gaul. She didn't believe Artemis when she told Amelia that the league wouldn't move against them.
Amelia moved to the hall bathroom, linen closet, then to the hall closet and the pantry. No one yet. She moved to the deserted guest bedroom, checking under the king size bed and in the bedroom's closet. Nothing. Her nerves were on edge. The floorboards of the master bedroom creaked under pressure, Amelia almost leapt out of her skin. She could do this, she gone through thousands of scenarios like this with Chris before. Her master bedroom door creaked open, more footsteps approaching. Amelia tensed. The door handle twisted and pushed, the door opened upon her like a grotesque grin. "Freeze or I'll blow your brains out!" Amelia roared, just like Chris had taught her. An attempt to throw off the intruders.
She got a view of the intruder and of a familiar horrifying mask that she used to be scared witless over. Now, it is a welcoming sight. A worn burlap mask of a scarecrow with two eye holes and a stitched mouth. She almost cried in relief. "Oh, my gosh! Damn it, Jon! I thought you were someone else!" Amy shouted at Scarecrow, she flipped the safety on and set the pistol on the dresser then she smack his arm, gently. She was relieved to see the Rouge, glad where most people would run away, screaming. She placed her hands on her hips in a scolding manner.
He pulled the mask off, two piercing blue eyes looked down at her. "You were afraid, weren't you?" A slight southern drawl in his voice, he smirked. Black hair messy and high cheekbones. "Why?"

I know that we have a liken to fear but I don't like the look of it on Peach. Scarecrow mused to Jonathan Crane, still in control of their shared body.
Agreed. Jonathan gave a mental nod. We need to find out who or what is the root of her fear.

Not Jonathan, Scarecrow was in control, Amelia corrected herself. "I've been on edge all week long. Call before you drop by next time." Amelia leaned up to peck him on the lips, she hadn't seen him in months. He was thrown back in Arkham by Batman. a little after Edward was returned by the Bat. Scarecrow dragged her into a deeper, meaningful kiss, he wrapped his arms around her smaller frame. Pulling her close to his taller frame, kissing her with heated passion. Amelia forgot all about her worries. She gripped the lapels of his tattered Scarecrow coat.
He pulled away with a slight satisfied smirk. "That wouldn't be as fun, peach."
"Here, I thought you would want homemade cooking instead of Asylum food." Amelia murmured and leaned into Scarecrow's embrace. Releasing her worries as she buried her head in his chest. Breathing in his smell, the scent of chemicals and a slightest hint of pumpkin. She relished the warmth he gave off, being out in the rain certainly made one cold.
"I want to skip right to dessert." He rumbled.
"Oh? And what's dessert then?"
"Peaches and cream." Scarecrow bent down a kissed her again, he pressed her against the doorframe. Looming over the woman. He pulled away. "But Jonny-boy disagrees."
"Plenty time for both." Amelia agreed. Trying to will her face to cool down, she led him out of the guest room and to the kitchen. Where she shrugged out of her black, soaked trench coat. A change in his stance told her, Jonathan was back in control. Amy turned back and started to prepare their dinner of potato soup. Peeling and dicing potatoes then boiling them with chicken broth. She put bacon strips on a pan and then set in the oven to cook. "I've missed you>"
"Us too, Amelia. You still didn't answer our question." Jonathan said in a crisper tone without a southern accent. He watched her from the farthest end of the kitchen, leaning against the countertop.
"No?" Amelia nodded, intent on her work. "I haven't."
He reached out and grabbed her wrist with a firm hand. "Amelia." She spun to face him, eyes set in a hard expression. Jon met her look with a sharp, piercing blue gaze.
"Victor Zsasz sent a death threat. I keep coming home to expect him already in my apartment, ready to kill me. Artemis is in Starling City dealing with family matters, so I can't ask her for help." Amelia spoke, softly. A tinge of fear seeped in her smooth honey voice. Anger blossomed in Jonathan's chest, most was directed to Zsasz and some to Amelia for not telling him.