Scaring The Crows

Chapter Twelve

"Morning sleepyhead" a voice echoed from above me. I groaned and rubbed my eyes as I began to wake up. As my vision cleared I looked up at the source of the voice. A clean and smart looking, not sleep deprived Jonathan. He placed the tray of breakfast onto the desk in front of me. I felt it drop in front of me as I tried to go back to sleep. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. I looked up.

"Morning sweetie" he winked. I rolled my eyes; he was so not doing this now. "I'm only trying to be nice" he said, pretending to be shocked. I froze as he kissed my cheek and handed me the freshly squeezed orange juice. Did…did he just kiss me? "What's wrong darling?" he asked, drawing out the final word and tilting his head softly.

I wasn't quite sure how to react, but I assumed the best thing was to play along. I slowly sipped my orange juice. "N-nothing honey" I swallowed. That sounded dap weird.

"Sleep well?" He asked, nodding towards the empty whiskey bottle. My head pounded an answer.

"It could have been better" I replied. Then I remembered the little game we were playing. "You could've been there" I added.

He raised an eyebrow questioning. "I could make up for it if you want" he smiled down at me with a suggestive tone. I blinked.

"Maybe later baby" I smiled, hopping up from the chair. I stood on my tip toes and pecked him on the lips. "I have work to do" I said in a sickly sweet tone. Just as I was about to skip out of the office in victory, he grabbed my wrist, but I managed to slip from his grip. "I'm busy"

I walked out, just being able to hear him huff in defeat. A small smirk pulled at my lips. I won, for now…

"Jonathan really likes you" Harley smiled. I sighed and looked down, trying to mentally prepare myself. Jonathan actually liked me; unless this was all still part of his sick game. I didn't want to lose, but I didn't want to give in either. With a sigh I stood up and began to walk down the corridor, then blinked as he grabbed me.

He pushed his lips against mine and I blinked as he held me close. I pushed him away with all my force. "WOAH! Not ready for all this!" I shook, standing away from him. "Just…no"

I ran. Back to the source of all my problems, the roof. I knew that he'd followed me but I just needed some air. Standing by the railing I took in the view. I could see the rich part of Gotham and also the Narrows, then Wayne Manor on the hill; but everything around here reminded me of hell. Depressing, horrible and inescapable.

"Kristie I'm sorry. Just please step away from the edge. Don't jump, please" a faint voice trembled from behind me, and I could feel a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm not in the mood to talk to you Dr Crane" I sighed, taking in the sad view around me. I brushed some of the rust away from the railing: If you looked closely, everything was decaying, and so was I. Some of the paint flicked away as I rubbed it. "I don't belong here"

My heart sank with the realisation. The thought that I made some sort of a difference here was one big lie, and I was only telling myself that to keep myself sane. "I just…I want to go home Jonathan. Is that too much to ask?"

He looked down. "I'll go and get Bane then. You can talk to him" he sighed, walking out and down the stairs again. "He was the one who wanted you to work for me, he can decide if you leave" he mumbled to himself, tears rolling down his cheeks. I sighed and began to walk down the stairs.

"What is all this about Kristie?" Bane growled. "It's about eight in the evening. Couldn't your problems wait until morning?"

"Look" I sniffed. "I tried so hard to stay strong but I can't anymore. Just let me go home, please"

"Fine. But you won't be allowed back if you decide to go" Bane replied, folding his arms. By now everyone had surrounded us in a big circle, like people watching a large fight. Jonathan looked at me in sorrow.

"Kristie, you don't want to go" he frowned, trying not to cry even more. It was obvious that he had been crying, but I needed to get out, now.

"I do. I want to be with my family again" I sniffed, looking at Bane. "I tried to do my job to my instructions, I tried ok. Please let me go"

"You can't tell anyone about us, or what has happened here, including events between you and Dr Crane" Bane sighed, his voice echoing to even the darkest parts of the room we were in. Edward looked down: he was losing his best friend.

"I promise I won't. Please. I promise. I just…I want to go" I began to cry. I couldn't contain my emotions anymore. It only shocked me more to find that Bane hugged me. A hug with all those muscles was not comfortable, but I found myself sobbing softly into his shoulder.

"Go pack your stuff then. I'll make sure you're on the next plane to Los Angeles and you'll be safe. You won't have to worry about Gotham again" Bane sighed. I didn't have much stuff to pack and it all fit into one rucksack, which I slung over my back.

"Bye everyone" I sniffed, looking around. Jonathan avoided my eye contact and walked back to his office, slowly shutting the door. I looked down. He would be happier without me.