Disclaimer: I don't own Jonathan Crane (sadly) nor Batman. I don't claim to own them. I don't make any profit off of this. I'm just having fun.

18

The Wind Blows

Today was the day. As much as I hated it and dreaded it for the past two weeks, today was the day Jonathan went back to Gotham. And I was convinced it was going to be one of the worst days ever.

I opened my eyes and glared out my window. It was still dark and I looked at the clock. It was only four. I had tossed and turned all night and I knew I was going to be miserable all day now.

I climbed out of my bed and stretched, yawning. Today was going to be a long day so I might as well get it over with while I could.

I wandered over to where I kept my clothes and grabbed the usual- shirt, jeans bra, panties. Nothing special. I was being bitter and I knew it, but I really didn't feel that this was something to celebrate. My mom had taken us out to dinner last night to celebrate it, wasn't that enough?

I left my door open behind me as I walked out into the hallway and into the bathroom. I switched on the shower and let the water heat up as I pulled my clothes off numbly.

I couldn't help but think how ridiculous I was being as I stepped into the cascade of hot water. I mean, I was acting like I did when I found Dad's... when I found Dad. I would see my boyfriend again, of that there was no doubt. Jonathan had already told me more than once that he wasn't giving up on us, so why was I?

I knew why. Being hundreds of miles away and in college, people would be more accepting of Jonathan. It wasn't like here in Atlanta where you were crucified for being different. Girls wouldn't know his background, wouldn't know to call him scarecrow and they would definitely be attracted to him.

And what was I to stand in the way of that? There was a very good chance that Jonathan would find someone better, some smarter or prettier. I would be 12 hours away, waiting for a letter or a phone call, the insignificant significant other. I closed my eyes and knew that the shower would wash away the tears that fell. This sucked.

I must have been lost in thought because I didn't notice the door open or the curtain pull back. I didn't notice anything until arms wound around my wet stomach, causing me to jump and screech.

I spun around and slapped Jonathan on his bare chest, glaring into his sparkling blue eyes. "What do you think you are doing?" My voice was a harsh whisper, betraying my earlier emotions. "My mother is right next door!"

The infuriating man scoffed and pulled me closer to him. "Your mother was called into work an hour ago. I'm surprised you didn't hear the phone since you've been up all night."

"How do you know that?" My eyes narrowed, the water at least hiding the tear tracks.

"Turn around." I gave him one last glare before I did as he asked and he reached around me, grabbing my wash cloth and soap. I pushed my wet hair out of my eyes and almost moaned when I felt Jonathan kneading my sore muscles with the wash cloth. "You kept me up too."

I cringed. "Sorry."

" What's wrong? You're miles away right now."

"No, I'm not. Not yet." The reply had slipped out before I had a chance to stop it and I felt the hand on my shoulder still. Fuck.

Jonathan had tensed behind me and I didn't have to turn around to guess that his eyes had a fire to them now. "I thought we discussed this, Dahlia."

"Discussing it doesn't do anything!" I pulled away and turned to face him, painfully aware now how naked we both were. "We can talk till we are blue in the face but nothing is going to change the fact that, as much as I love you, there is a good chance that you will find someone else."

Had it been for any other reason, the look on Jonathan's face would have been priceless. His face, normally so composed, showed shock. His perfect mouth was open and his eyes wide. He swallowed and took a deep breath. He tossed the washcloth at my feet. "There is no chance of me finding someone else."

"Sure." Rolling my eyes here. "And why is that?"

"Because I love you!" I jumped at his raised tone and my heart stuttered to a stop. Jonathan ran a hand through his wet hair and gave an audible sigh. "I thought that was painfully obvious."

"Well..." I floundered for something to say. "It wasn't, okay? And I love you, you know that. But I don't feel the need to scream it at you."

That earned a chuckle from my boyfriend. "You will never let me win, will you?"

I opened my mouth to speak but Jonathan had me pressed against the wall of the shower in a heartbeat, his mouth aggressive against mine. The water had gone cold, but neither of us noticed for a long time.

"I can't believe you're leaving!" Packing my Charger, my mother was a blubbering mess. It was understandable, in the short time that Jonathan Crane had been in our lives, we had both gotten attached to him. Though, in very different ways.

My mom and dad had always wanted a boy after me but they had never gotten around to it with both my parents working day in and out. Then Mom's idea of a perfect little family was dashed when she came home from work early and found my dad pounding Kara Taylor into the couch. Then came the divorce and the move.

Then came Jonathan.

I knew he became the son that my mom had never had but always wanted.

I smiled sadly. He had unknowingly worked his way into our tiny apartment and in our family. Now something would always be missing.

I shook my head and threw the last bag into the trunk, not quite missing the helpless look Jonathan sent me over my mom's head. She had been crying on him for ten minutes straight now. If I was feeling vindictive, I would have let it continue. But I took pity on him, I know what it's like dealing with my overemotional mother.

"Mom, have you called Uncle Roth to make sure he can pick Jonathan up from the airport?" My mother moved away from Jonathan and shook her head, wiping her face.

"No, you're right, I should do that. Don't leave before I come back out!" We watched as she hurried into the apartment building, still wiping her face.

I turned to Jonathan and found him looking at the building with a melancholic look on his face. I took the few short steps over to him and laced my fingers through his. He looked down and gave me a little smirk, but it was one that didn't make it to his eyes. "I will miss this place."

"Coming from the guy who didn't even want to come in the front door."

"Yes well, look where that got me." He gave me a glance to show that it was purely in jest. "It seems like it was so long ago."

"Three months can be a long time." So can five. But I didn't say that. After our little argument this morning, I was going to send him off with a smile. Jonathan finally turned away from the building and faced me. His face showed that he had something to say, but he was conflicted. "Just say it."

"I'm going to call you. Every day. And I know Harleen has promised to keep an eye on me, too." I laughed at that. I missed Harleen a lot, despite only knowing her for a few days. She took extra courses in the university so I know she would be watching Jonathan like a hawk. Jonathan leaned down, his forehead against mine. "I'm not giving up on us so you'd better not. I'll be back down for your graduation, if not before."

"I love you." I said because, honestly, it was the only thing I was thinking. I played with the locket around my neck. "And I will miss you."

He was saved from replying by the door swinging open and the Queen of Bad Timing running out. "What are you still doing here? Jonny is going to miss his flight!"

Jonathan and I shared a look. She told us to wait. Once she got back to us, she pulled my boyfriend into a hug that looked mildly bone crushing. "I love you, Jonny!" I could almost see the annoyance on his face at her nickname for him. "We'll pack everything else up and ship it to you tomorrow. Be safe, do you hear?"

"Yes, Beatrice." He pulled away and nodded, letting her kiss his cheek. "Thank you for everything."

"Honey, you're family now." She patted his cheek fondly before leaning over and kissing me on the forehead. "I'll see you later, honey. Now, go!" She shoo-ed us away and watched as we climbed into my Charger and pulled out of the parking lot.

The drive to the airport was silent and my knuckles were white as they clutched the steering wheel. My heart hammered in my chest and I kept having to blink back tears. Jonathan just stared out of the passenger window, his face expressionless. Not even the radio eased the tension that filled the car.

Too soon, we reached the airport and I knew we had to say goodbye. I wasn't ready and, by the way he hesitated leaving the Charger, I knew Jonathan wasn't either. Neither of us looked at each other as we pulled his few bags out of the trunk.

With everything out, there was only one thing left to do and I found myself leaning against the hot metal of the Charger, my face downcast. I didn't even bother to try to stop the tears that were streaming readily down my face, there was no point now.

"Dahlia." I looked up and there was a pained look on his face. "Please don't cry."

I giggled weakly and wiped my face. "I'm sorry. I just can't..." I trailed off.

He pulled me into his embrace, his arms wrapping around me. Jonathan buried his face into my hair and kissed my temple. "I love you, Dahlia."

I brought my arms up around his shoulders and pressed my head into his chest. I was starting to sob now and it was ridiculous. "I love you, too." I sniffled pathetically. "I guess this is goodbye, huh?"

My boyfriend's embrace only tightened. "No. I'm not saying goodbye to you, D.G. Not now. Not ever."

I pulled away and initiated the kiss, bringing his face down to mine desperately. I knew it wasn't going to solve anything, but I had to feel that he was still here and still wanted me, despite everything. He answered back with the same desperation as me, his hands winding through my hair almost painfully.

'Flight 162 to Gotham will board in 30 minutes. 162 in 30 minutes.'

We pulled apart at the announcers voice and I gave him one last smile, adjusting his glasses for him. "I know Mom said it, but be safe. And call us when you get settled in."

"I will." He swallowed and looked at the floor before looking at me again. "Don't forget what I said, D.G. I'll see you in a few months."

With one last kiss, I watched the boy I loved walk into the airport without looking back. My hand went to my necklace again as I leaned back against my Charger and completely broke down.

I don't know why I'm doing this. I must have a fucking death wish or something. I think this over and over again and I slowly drive down the lane to Jonthan's grandmother's. It hadn't changed much in the last few months, only the trees had less leaves.

I swallowed as I pulled into the gravel next to the station wagon in front of the huge farm house. I could see the dilapidated church in the background and the memory of Jonathan tied to the cross assaulted my mind. Fuck. I'm actually doing this.

The house looked a little worse for wear than last time, but Jonathan was probably the one who did all the work so it didn't surprise me in the least. I steeled myself and opened the door of the Charger, leaving it running just in case.

I walked past the rusted mailbox, noticing the name on it for the first time. Sweeney. I had forgotten that Karen had given Jonathan his father's last name.

I made it to the front door and there was this... stench that wasn't there last time. Like something had been left rotting. I gagged and put my shirt over my mouth and knocked. Maybe as a favor I could help the bitch clean up a bit.

When I knocked the door swung open and the smell multiplied by at least a thousand. "Oh my god." I stepped inside, trying not to vomit. "Mrs. Sweeney! Are you here? It's Jonathan's girlfriend!"

There was no answer. I frowned. Her station wagon was here, so she had to be here. What if she needed help? I could at least call 911. I took a few steps inside, keeping my shirt firmly over my mouth. "Mrs. Sweeney! Do you need help?"

There was no answer but the further I got into the house, the worse the smell became. Fuck it, I'm calling 911. I had seen the phone in the kitchen on the way to get Jonathan's things so I knew she had one.

I made as little sound as possible. Something wasn't right... From the little time I talked to her I knew she wouldn't let her house go like this. Along with the stench, an inch of dust covered just about everything in sight, including the floor.

I finally made it to the kitchen, which was apparently where the smell was coming from. She probably left meat out and forgot. At least, that was what I was hoping. I pushed open the door.

And almost vomited.

Jonathan's grandmother was bent over backwards on the table, a very long knife pinning her there. What was left of her anyways. She was little more than rotted meat now and there were flies everywhere. Her eye sockets were empty and her jaw was wide open, frozen in a scream.

I averted my eyes from here and swallowed down the bile, grabbing the white phone off the counter and I ran out of the room, out of the house, and flung myself onto the grass outside. I vomited over and over again, my stomach rolling dangerously.

When I was able, I flung myself to the side and grabbed the phone, thanking whatever deity was listening when the emergency operator answered on the first ring. I sobbed my story into the line and was told to stay where I was and help would be on the way.

As I waited for the police and ambulance, I realized one thing. Jonathan's grandmother had paid for her sins against her grandson, but who had been the reaper?

A/N: And- end! Finally, Dal Niente is complete. And it has been one hell of a ride for me. I thank EVERYONE who stuck with me through this. I hope the last chapter wasn't a disappointment. I knew how I wanted it to end, but it just would not come out.

Special thanks go to my good friend Andy (mistressofdarkness666) for helping me get over my writers block and being my unofficial beta.

The first one shot for Cadence will be up within a few days. I have started a Avenger's fiction (Playing With Fire) that I will also be working on. If you like Loki, check it out.

Again, thank you for sticking with it and I hope you will all enjoy the rest of the series, also.

-Ellie