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The Raven's Call	By : AsylumWritings Category: DC Verse Comics > Batman Views: 433 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Batman/DC Comics, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 5
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I lie on the floor, washed by nothing and hanging on. I cry at night. I am afraid of hearing voices, or a voice. I have come to the edge, of the land. I could get pushed over. Margaret Atwood, Cat's Eye
I pulled on my jacket, zipping it up. As I sat down on the bed to put on my shoes, Oz came out of the shower.
“Going somewhere?” He asked, pulling on some pants.
“I want to get a jog in before it gets dark out.” I tied my laces, then stood up. “Since you’re out again tonight, I figured I’d go for a longer one, then bring food home to cook dinner.”
He walked over, pulling me in for a hug. “Stay safe. I don’t know what Crane is planning, and I don’t want you to get hurt again.”
“I’ll be okay.” Standing on my toes, I kissed him. “Will you be back for dinner?”
“No, I probably won’t be back until 11. But I’ll eat the leftovers tomorrow.” He played with a piece of my hair. “Be careful out there. I’ll see you when I get back.”
I kissed him one more time, then grabbed my small backpack and headed out. Jogging down the block and around the corner, I made sure I was somewhere he couldn’t see me, then hailed a taxi.
Giving the driver the address to the bar, I sat back and worried a little. I hate lying to Oz, but I knew he would try to talk me out of this. I needed answers, whatever the doctor could tell me, so I could be better prepared.
I paid the driver, then headed inside the bar. Just as Butch had said, she was sitting at the bar, drinking. I hesitated for a moment, then walk over and sat down beside me.
She looked over, then her eyes suddenly went wide.
“Relax.” I said, waving over the bartender. “I’m not here to hurt you. I just want information.” Turning to the man behind the bar, I ordered a bourbon and coke.
“I don’t know what I can tell you.” She replied, returning to her drink.
“Jonathan Crane. I want to know why he would drug me.”
She chuckled, tracing the rim of her glass with her finger. “He spoke about you. The day before he broke out. Said you were one of the few people who ever talked back and challenged him.”
I waited for her to continue, sipping my drink.
“He’s a manipulator, using his natural charm and psychiatric intellect to influence others. His obsessive personality keeps him on target, which means he will continue following you until he’s stopped or he’s gotten what he wants from you. He… gets a thrill from seeing people in complete terror.”
“But that doesn’t make sense. I was in my apartment alone when he drugged me.”
“He wants you to be afraid before he gets to you.” Her long hair was coming out of its bun, and she reached up, fixing it. “So that he can use that to his advantage.”
I looked down at my glass, suddenly feeling really hopeless.
“But…” She continued. “He does have weaknesses. His grandmother was abusive, and his mother abandoned him. Exploiting his own fears could either get you killed or get you out of his path.”
“And I’m guessing you don’t know what he’s afraid of.”
She shook her head. “No. I’ve never been able to get him to open up.”
“Thank you for your help.” I stood up.
Before I could walk away, she grabbed my arm.
“Be careful. He is more dangerous than he looks.” She said, quietly. “He will kill to get to you.”
I nodded, pulling her hand off me. Walking outside, I hailed another taxi and headed to the grocery store around the corner of the apartment building. After picking up what I needed for a quick dinner, I went home.
“She went to see Doctor Young.” Slade said, sitting down across from him.
He sighed, leaning back against the chair as he sipped his drink. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“She’s a little reckless, Oz, but she isn’t stupid. If you don’t tell her things, she will find out her own way.” There was a moment of silence as Slade considered his words. “The best way to protect her is to tell her the truth.”
“I know. But if I tell her that we know where he is, she’ll run off and try to deal with it herself.”
"Then let her, and keep an eye on her.”
I was sitting on the couch, listening to music, when Oz got home. I didn’t look over, but I could tell by his heavy footsteps that he was angry. When he sat down beside me, I realised that he probably knew what I’d done.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked, quietly.
“Because I didn’t want you to stop me.” I bit my lip, not sure what to say. “I love how protective you are, and it makes me feel safe, but I need to be able to deal with this myself.”
“Why is it so important that you do this yourself?”
“I… I don’t know.” I stood up, turning away from him to look out the window. “I don’t know if it’s because he’ll kill you and Butch and Molly to get to me, or if I’m trying to prove to myself that I’m not just a victim.”
“You could have told me that.”
“I know!” I burst into tears. “I know I should have told you, and I know that I should leave this alone and let you deal with it. But just this once, I want you to trust me enough to know that I can handle this.”
I felt him touch my back, but I didn’t turn to face him.
“I do trust you. I just don’t want to lose you.” He pressed a kiss to my shoulder.
“I know. You won’t.” I finally turned, wiping my eyes. “Just please, let me handle this. I promise I will tell you everything, but I need this.”
He nodded. “Alright. But will you check in often? That way I’ll know if something has gone wrong.”
“Always.” I hugged him. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I gently pulled away, walking to the kitchen to pour myself some wine. “Now, since I’m sure you’ve also been investigating, are you willing to tell me where he is?”
“As long as you promise not to rush into anything.” He took my glass from me and sat down on one of the stools.
“Hey!” I laughed, reaching into the cupboard for another glass. “I promise. I know how dangerous he can be, and I want to be prepared.”
“He was seen at a house he owns. I’ll write the address down for you.” He took my phone, typing it into my notes.
“Thank you.” I leaned forward on the bench, looking up at him.
He touched my face, his fingers drifting along my cheek. I blushed under his gaze, gently pulling away from him.
“I need to go have a shower before bed.” I walked past, stopping to kiss him.
“Can I join you?”
I shook my head, with a laugh. “I need to actually shower.”
He pouted, until I kissed him again.
“Fine.” He squeezed my hand. “I’ll meet you in the bedroom after.”
Heading to the bathroom, I stripped off and stepped into the shower. The cool water washed over me, and I stood there for a minute, breathing deep to relax myself. Once I was clean, I got out, pulling my towel around myself.
I was drying my hair when I heard Oz walk into the bedroom. He stood in the doorway, watching me. When he saw I was finished, he gently took hold of my arm, drawing me over to the bed.
“I thought we were going to bed.” I whispered, sitting down on the mattress.
“We are.” He sat down beside me. “But I wanted to do this first.”
He kissed me, his warm hands on my cool shoulders. I took hold of his face, deepening the kiss. As his touch drifted to the top of my towel, I pushed him down onto the bed, climbing onto his waist.
“Do you remember when we first met?” I asked, resting my hands on the bed just above his shoulders.
He nodded. “Of course. I saw you up on that stage, and knew I had to talk to you. You told me to fuck off.”
“I’m still sorry for that.” I laughed, leaning down to kiss him again. “You did still give me your number though, so it clearly worked.”
“What brought this up?” He asked, pushing my hair out of my face.
I shrugged. “Nothing in particular. I was just thinking about the first time you looked at me like you are now.”
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me down to him. Every kiss with him was calming, but electric at the same time. It was a safe moment, but it felt dangerous.
I had to pull away, as a yawn escaped me.
“We don’t have to do anything tonight.” He said, quietly. “I know you’ve had a long day.”
I nodded, getting up. “I didn’t realise I was so tired.”
Changing into a long shirt and my underwear, I climbed into bed and lay down on my side. He lay down behind me, holding me close.
“I’m scared, Oz.” I whispered, pulling his arm around me. “I don’t really know what Crane wants.”
“I know, love.” He kissed my cheek. “But you will face this head on, like you have with everything else we’ve been through. And I will be here, with whatever support you need, to help you get through this.”
I closed my eyes, my fears pacified for a while as I tried to fall asleep. He softly played with my hair, calming me even further.
He watched her sleeping, like he did nearly every night. The way she always seemed to roll onto her front once she was asleep, or the way she would curl up against him if she was having a nightmare.
He traced his fingers along her spine, listening to her breathing. He didn’t think he could ever make her understand just how much he loved her, but he would never stop trying.
- 5
- 6
- 7
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The Raven's Call