The Grieving Process (Ch. 23 added!)

[girl in the sharkskin tuxedo]

OK! it's been a long few weeks (my new house has no internet yet, so i'm doing this at school *blush*), but here's the next chapter!

Chapter 7.

He had driven out to Genevieve's neighborhood before; it consisted of a few small apartments. The door to her apartment was creaky, and he had to search around blindly on the wall to find a light switch.
Genevieve's living room had a single couch, a metal desk, and a TV on a silver bench. It opened into a kitchen that didn't have anything distinct but a few magnets on the refrigerator. There was an open door that he guessed was her bedroom, so he walked in and once again tried to find a light source.
The bed was metal and had blue bedding with a white table and dresser off to the sides. Jonathan pulled out Genevieve's list, which read:
-Jeans
-Shirt (doesn't matter what kind)
-Shoes with no heel
-Underwear (don't be nervous)
He laughed at the last part, he was nervous about the entire idea. Being in a patient's house was something very different for him. As he opened her closet door, he was alarmed at the amount of plastic boxes she had. Each of them were labeled in black ink, and he found a box of shoes open. Jonathan picked a pair of very flat, red shoes that had a pointy toe and set them on her bed. Following the shoes, he picked out a black dress shirt and a dark pair of jeans. All of them were marked off the list as he noticed he still needed to get underwear for her. He called the hospital and asked for Genevieve's room number.
"Hello?" Her voice was still weak.
"It's Jonathan; I have a bit of an issue with..."
"It's the underwear, isn't it?"
"…Yeah."
There was a sigh, a laugh and a cough.
"OK, all of it is in the top drawer of my dresser. It's really easy, get something that matches and don’t be so nervous! I’ll see you when you get back."
She had hung up on him and Jonathan put his phone away. Her top drawer opened with a small rumble to expose neatly folded bras and underwear. He cautiously picked through them until he found a light blue set, placing those on the bed as well.
"I hope she doesn't get mad", he muttered as he folded her clothes together. Before he left, all of the lights were turned off.
___
"You did a good job, Jonathan. I wouldn't have really put on the red shoes, but they match still."
Genevieve was watching a cooking show as she looked through what clothes Jonathan picked out.
"What brought you to bring this?"
She held the blue bra up on her fingers and smiled as he blushed bright red.
"I'm...I'm not sure. You just usually wore a lot of blue to my office..."
"Blue's my favorite color. I try to wear it a lot. It's very calming and mellow, reminds me of the sea. But this is my favorite set, so thank you."
Her hand with the broken finger reached out for his. Jonathan clasped both of his around it. A nurse knocked on the door and came in.
"Miss Proctor, your kit came back negative."
"Oh, that’s good." A smile flashed across her lips. She looked to Dr. Crane and he smiled back at her.
"We're putting you on a few painkillers that the doctors prescribed for you. They'll all be put into your IV so we won't need to inject you again."
Genevieve shuddered as the new drugs were put into her drip. She blinked slowly and turned to Jonathan.
"Can you stay with me, please?"
"I have patients tomorrow..."
She looked down at her feet and sighed.
"...But I'll try to make it sometime, OK?"
"OK."
"Genevieve?"
"Yes?"
She turned her head just as Jonathan kissed her cheek lightly.
"Recover soon."
Genevieve watched him leave with a slight grin.

[blue-eyed struck]

Dr. Crane sorting through an underwear drawer! LOL! Ahh man, that is seriously funny! Forget about school Jinna, keep writing!

[§ilvercell]

LOL!

[girl in the sharkskin tuxedo]

hey, ok! so, i bring you lot the next chapter !

Chapter 8.

After his session with Mr. Scott Peters, Jonathan called Genevieve.
"Hi?"
Her voice sounded stronger.
"Are you doing better?"
"Yes...why did you kiss me last night?"
"I...don't know."
He began to blush; happy she wasn't there to see it.
"Oh...I don’t have a problem with it. Actually, your lips are very soft."
Her voice turned slightly dreamy and Jonathan found himself wrapped in it, as his face grew redder.
"It was very sweet of you, being there...getting my clothes...when will you be over again?"
"In an hour or less, I promise."
"OK, I guess I’ll see you then.”
_______
Genevieve was still munching on her lunch, a sandwich and chips, when Jonathan appeared.
"Jonathan! I would get up if I had the strength."
"No, no, stay in bed for now."
He walked to her and sat in the chair beside her bed.
"I had a terrible nightmare..."
"Tell me about it."
"Eric...he was in it..."
"Eric, is that the guy who-"
"Yes, his name is Eric Adams. In the nightmare, he came to the hospital and tried to hurt me again...he said "This time I'll kill you"...and I tried to get away, but the door locked and the room went dark. He started to choke me and shook me around...then I woke up."
He tried to hug her gently, but she whimpered again, so he put his hand on her shoulder. A small mumble resonated in her throat, as if she was beginning to sob, and he kissed her. Genevieve didn't object and wrapped her good arm across his neck. There was no second thought in his mind about what he was doing, but appreciated how she was going along with him. Her lips were soft, oddly flavored by her lip balm. Jonathan broke the kiss, put his forehead on hers and set his hands down on the bed.
"Jonathan..."
Her nose brushed against his and she pushed up his glasses and looked lovingly into his eyes.
"I'm sorry if..."
"No, don’t be sorry. I've been thinking, and I really don’t think James would want to see me shed another tear for him. Of course, I miss him, but he would want me to be strong and carry on."
"That's excellent progress, Miss Proctor."
"Thank you, Doctor."
He lightly brushed his lips across hers.
"Does this thing move", Jonathan asked, pointing to the bars on the bed.
"I think so."
It didn’t take much to move them and he took off his shoes and sat beside her.
"I care about you so deeply, Genevieve. When I left here last night I wondered what would happen, how you were, if the drugs were affecting you."
Genevieve was smiling with her mouth open, stunned.
"I feel the same way about you…just without the drugs part."

[§ilvercell]

drugs!lol

[girl in the sharkskin tuxedo]

hoi! another chapter brought to you by...your's truely!

Chapter 9.

"They arrested him."
Genevieve has just gotten a call from the police when Jonathan just got in during the morning.
"The charge is assault in the first degree. I have to testify..."
"So, do I need to get you nicer clothes?"
She giggled, but nodded yes.
"The court date isn't until next week, so you have a while. I'll wear the underwear you brought me if you don't want to pick through my panties again."
She grinned cheekily. Her bruises were clearing up on her face.
"No, I think I can handle it now", Jonathan mentioned as his cheeks grew pink at the mere mention of doing it again.
"I don't think I can face him, thinking about him terrifies me..."
Genevieve sleepily sunk into her hospital pillow.
"I think you can. You can be very resilient. You were grieving over your husband's death. You should be diligent about seeing someone brought to justice that hurt you."
His fingers gently touched her cheek and she smiled at him.
"But I have time to prepare for it."
"I'll try to come with you, honey. You need a ride there and back anyway. Have you been up lately?"
"I walk around after breakfast, usually. It's kind of painful with my ribs and all."
Oddly enough, the nurse from two days ago came back in with a tray of food.
"Good morning, Miss Proctor!"
"Good morning, Amanda."
She smiled as Amanda, a short woman who looked younger than either of them, placed the tray onto her bed table and pulled syringes out of the pocket of her Hello Kitty scrubs.
"Here's your dosage for the morning, I do hope you're feeling better."
The needles poked into her IV again and Genevieve sighed slightly.
"I'll see you in the afternoon then."
"Goodbye", Genevieve muttered sleepily.
"I have to get to work; I'll be back for lunch, though."
"OK, bye."
She rolled a bit towards him and barely kissed his cheek. Jonathan kissed her forehead before he left.
_________
Jonathan didn't exactly know why he was going to the prison to see Eric, maybe to convince him of something that would sound better than getting beat in prison. He filed the usual paperwork and met with him at a table. Eric was a slightly tall man with short hair who wasn't exactly fat or thin.
"Listen, Doc. I'm not crazy. Why are you here?" His voice was shaky and slightly high.
Dr. Crane smiled, almost too eager to draw his trap like a spider.
"Well, I heard about your charges. I think I could get you out an easy way. Plead insanity and I'll testify on your behalf. You'll end up in Arkham for a while, and then go back to your usual routine...whatever that is. But first, a simple question."
"I see what you're going for. Sounds good, tell me more."
"What brought you to beat up a five-six, one hundred thirty pound woman?"
"She rejected me. So, since I am her supervisor, I knew where she lived. I staked out the place until she drove to park in that little black car she drives. I managed to get in by helping some old lady with her groceries, and saw her getting her mail when I was done. So, I went up to her and asked for an explanation. She told me off, pushed me away and tried to run back to her apartment. I grabbed her blouse and pulled her down. I beat her...She was barely breathing but I heard a door unlock and ran off."
Nausea set in for Jonathan. He was the excellent rat for his new experiments.
"Here's something for you. Let's say you're insane, you can't control your anger. You express it violently. You'll have to play it believable, though. This is a fifty-fifty situation."
Eric nodded with a smile. His teeth were a sallow yellow.
"Alright, Doc, can do."
"I'll assess you tomorrow."
He turned to leave, having to control his gagging. Listening to the delusions of the insane was highly disturbing to him, but it came with running an asylum. But soon, Eric would be under Scarecrow's, and Dr. Crane's, control.

[scotsrockgod]

I'm going to copy and paste all of the chapters into a document and read them. I'll be back with a review later!

[blue-eyed struck]

ooo.. I love the evil Dr. Crane! Muhahah! *exalt* Jinna. I liked that chapter. ^_^

[girl in the sharkskin tuxedo]

oi! here's the next chapter!

Chapter 10.

Jonathan came in to see Genevieve on Friday and was greeted by a slap.
"So," she said with a searing tinge of anger, "Eric's going for an insanity plea?"
"It's not what you think!" Jonathan rubbed his cheek. She hit him with her broken finger hand and there was a red imprint of it on his face.
"Explain then."
"I'm getting him a plea of insanity so I can make him pay."
"How, exactly, will you go about that?"
"I'm testing some experiments, but none of my patients at the asylum are particularly up to par with what I need."
"What's the basis of it?"
Genevieve's head tilted slightly, curious.
"People’s fear and why they fear it."
She raised her eyebrows.
"What are you going to do to him?"
"It really depends on what my hypothesis will be."
Genevieve moved uncomfortably on her bed, nervous.
"Am I scaring you, sweetheart?"
"Sort of...I mean...you're willing to do that for me?"
"Yes, of course. He deserves it; I can't stand what he did to you."
His hand moved across her cast arm and held her hand.
"I just think he should do more than just a simple jail sentence. I want him to feel your pain."
"And what will you do to make him that way?"
"A few drugs, chemicals, daily shots...he won't bother another soul ever again."
He gently put his fingers under Genevieve's jaw to bring her gaze from her sheets and to his eyes. What he found in her eyes was terror.
"Are you going to be OK with that? I can always pull out from the plea, if you want."
"No...no...don't do that."
She was barely whispering, looking away from Jonathan.
"I am scaring you...I'm so sorry..."
She gulped loudly as he moved his hands away from her. Maybe he shouldn't have told her all of his plans, he only meant Scarecrow to be seen by enemies and those committed in his asylum.
"I should go; I have to interview Mr. Adams. Goodbye, Miss Proctor."
He couldn't even touch her before he left, even calling her ‘Miss Proctor', feeling terrible for instilling that into her.
I never meant to scare you...anything but..., he resounded in his mind.
_______
"Mr. Adams, tell me when you began to...fancy...Miss Proctor?"
Jonathan had just moved out of questioning Eric about his childhood, which was quite normal. He was quite popular in high school, but it didn't reflect as well in college and further on in life.
"Well, after her husband died, I felt a little bad for her. I mean, he's just going about his business and he gets shot like that. So, all she did was mope about. I didn't want to bother her or nothing; she might go off on me. One day, she came in with this tight skirt and black shoes and I though she looked so...good. I missed her a little bit when she left a few weeks ago, seeing her sit in her desk and stuff. I started trying to accommodate her on her return, tissues and the like. She never really looked like she enjoyed my company. I tried to be nice when I asked her out, but it didn't turn too well. She really was mad at me touching her shoulders and arms."
Dr. Crane furrowed his brow. This wasn't some innocent guy pegged with the wrong crime. He was bullying.
"Why did you begin to follow her home?"
"I was just interested on what she did at home. Occasionally she'd accidentally leave her blinds open and I'd catch her in something slinky. I wish she'd wear things like that to the office. She's really rather boring, though, doesn't go out much, orders take-in stuff. But I just enjoy watching her."
Obsessed with Miss Proctor, really doesn't comprehend women.
"Since we have already discussed the event of the assault, what did you do afterward?"
"I ran back to my car and drove off. I knew the cops would come for me, so I went out of town. There was a warrant on my head by morning. They caught me at my friends’ house. Some woman next door snitched on me."
"...How's jail been for you?"
"It’s alright, nothing terrible. I don't like them controlling me in all ways, though. It sucks."
Arkham won't be better for you, Mr. Adams, he mentioned in his head.

[blue-eyed struck]

You really got his character down! I like his sincerity towards Genevive and I can't wait to see what he does to this Eric bastard! ;D Keep 'em coming!

[girl in the sharkskin tuxedo]

OMG GUESS WHAT? new chapter.
i've been very busy, but i have up to ch. 17 written. just a matter of posting!

Chapter 11.

Jonathan wanted to spend his Saturday with Genevieve to try to make up for his behavior. He woke up at 6:30 to get there before she was up. He arrived at 7:25 and found her asleep. Her mouth was slightly open and her head was turned away from the door.
"Darling", he whispered.
He touched her neck lightly and shifted her shoulder. She muttered something and opened her eyes.
"Jonathan." The greeting she gave had no emotion.
"Genevieve, please understand I'm doing this for you. Is this not what you want?"
She was silent.
"I don't want him to touch me ever again. I don't want anyone to make me do something against my will. I don't want to be violated."
"Genevieve, I love you. I just thought that it would be better than jail. He would only get a few years, tops. Gotham's prisons are crowded; they would let him out eventually. In Arkham with my treatments, he'll never get out; you'll never have to even hear his name again. Let me continue with his plea, please."
"...You love me..."
There was another uncomfortable shift and Jonathan sighed.
"Please, Genevieve, I...wanted to spend the day with you."
She shook her head no.
"I'm so sorry; darling...what I said was wrong, please forgive me."
"You should go."
She didn't look into his eyes at all through the conversation. He kissed her cheek and left without hesitation. It was obvious he had made a deep scar in her.
_____
"Mr. Adams. I see they brought you in early."
Dr. Crane's lips upturned into a smile as he saw him being walked into Arkham's criminally insane wing with two burly guards.
"Yeah, good thing too, prison was starting to get to me.”
He waddled past Jonathan as he went to his office. It was still early morning, and he couldn't feel anything but guilt about Genevieve. He said he loved her, and her expression didn't change. Didn't she trust him enough about meaning love when he says it? He sunk into his large, brown, leather chair to think over her fully.
She's obviously hurt, sees me at threatening...She is not trusting of others, especially men and rarely sees herself as a good person...
His train of thought was broken by his secretary, Liz, telling him he had a call on line one. He picked up the phone, wondering who could be calling.
"Jonathan."
Genevieve's voice was airy, as if it would pass through the holes in the phone and surround his body.
"Genevieve?"
"Yes. Look, honey, I'm sorry. I love you too, but you frightened me."
He smiled, happy that she still wasn’t mad with him.
"Are you comfortable with me being around you now?"
"Yes, and now I miss you…Did I tell you that your hands are fantastic? They're soft and warm, like a blanket."
Jonathan wasn't positive if this was the Genevieve he was used to.
"Did they give you your medication yet?"
"Yeah…They told me I would be a bit woozy, but I didn't believe them..."
The way she stretched "woozy" worried him slightly.
"You're beautiful, but not in a feminine way. You have strong features and the cutest nose! And your lips..."
She giggled. This was a new side to the usually serious female he sees.
"...When you kissed me, they were salty...but I really like salty foods, like pretzels or chips..."
He relaxed into his chair once again, letting her carry on.
"...But you're an amazing kisser...No one's kissed me in a long time..."
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, don't you worry. I'm probably making a fool of myself because of the stuff they have me on, but I don't really care, bunny. You're taking me home when they release me, right? They're putting me on less heavy medication when I get out. Can you come back over later?"
"Sure. I need to go now, honey. Bye."
"Bye."
What kind of nickname is “bunny”?

[§ilvercell]

Bunny........lol

[girl in the sharkskin tuxedo]

next chapter.

Chapter 12.

Genevieve wasn’t in her bed when Jonathan got there on his lunch break. Her head peered out of the bathroom as he called for her.
“Jon?” She smiled as she stepped out, wrapped in a blue robe and holding a comb as she wheeled her IV around.
“Good afternoon, Genevieve. I haven’t seen you stand in a while.”
“The doctors said I should really try standing around more, sitting in normal seats. So, I got up and actually took a shower without much pain and now, I’m combing my hair.”
She grinned as if she was a preschooler who just learned to tie her shoes.
“Oh, that’s great!”
He held her gently and she put her head on his shoulders. Suddenly, Genevieve kissed him and put a hand through his dark hair. Jonathan mumbled in surprise as Genevieve’s tongue grazed the inside of his cheek. Her breath was laced with tingly mint and he stroked her back gently.
Their lips separated and Jonathan stood, stunned.
“Wow.”
“Decided to return the favor, hope you don’t mind.”
She proceeded to put a scrunchie on her wrist into her hair in a high ponytail when Amanda knocked on the door gently and Jonathan turned to her.
“Hi Miss Proctor, Mister…”
“Doctor Crane.”
“Oh”, she paused, “Oh! I knew you seemed familiar! I saw you on Gotham Court Stories! I watch that show all the time!”
Genevieve laughed as Amanda went on about the episode he happened to be on. Jonathan didn’t watch the show, he only knew about cameras being there at Mr. Hall’s hearing. Jacob Hall was a schizophrenic who stole things in his alternate persona, Mickey Fletcher. There was only such press after he managed to rob a bank in a bear costume. Amanda cut herself off and took a deep breath, adding that Genevieve was being put on much lighter drugs. She pulled a syringe out of her scrubs and injected the IV line with the entire contents.
“I’ll be back later on tonight, so goodbye for now!”
She waved at the both of them and skipped off.
“She’s a firecracker”, Jonathan laughed.
“Imagine that every day. She’s sweet, though, and at least she makes you laugh.”
He nodded in agreement as Genevieve put her arms around his neck.
“I kind of expected you not to come back, though.”
“Why? I could never be angry with you.
She smiled warmly up at him.
“I had treated you so begrudgingly when you’re one of the few people that visit as non-family. I shouldn’t have been so…cold.”
“It’s alright, Genevieve, really. There’s no need to apologize. I love coming to see you, but I wish you’d get out soon. I’m not the largest fan of hospitals.”
“Gotham PD called a while ago, my court date is on Tuesday. It’s going to be a closed court, no crowds or anything. Just all who are necessary to the process of justice.”
She put her head onto his chest, relieved at the fact no one else would hear her ordeal.
“I’m supposed to be released on Wednesday morning, so could you please get me?”
“Oh, of course, I wouldn’t leave you stranded. Don’t worry, I’ll be here.”
________

Dr. Crane was more than happy to reevaluate Mr. Adams, set on making him seem as unstable as possible to assure a not guilty by reason of insanity.
“OK, Mr. Adams, we’re going to do an exercise.”
“I don’t like working out.”
“No…I meant a sort of scenario. Pretend I am a district attorney. Answer my questions as if you aren’t…right of mind.”
Eric nodded slowly as Jonathan thought over how this man excelled in business.
“Mr. Adams, how did you get into Miss Proctor’s apartment building?”
“I helped some old woman with groceries.”
“Wrong! You should reply with “I was walking and some woman came around asking for help. After I finished helping, I saw Genevieve and got distracted. I went up to her and tried to talk to her, but she refused me and went on her way. I don’t remember what happened afterward.” That…is how you should reply.”
Eric nodded again.
“OK, I think I get it now.”
“Now, let’s try this again.”

[blue-eyed struck]

I love the humor in your stories. 'Bunny'? hahaha! It's very awkward to see Jon be so lovey dovey with Genevive and at the same time help the man who raped her walk free. Yes, I know he has other plans for him, but it's ironic in the way you've written it! I like it!
btw..glad to hear we have 5 more chapters to look forward too!

[girl in the sharkskin tuxedo]

flygirl00 said:

I love the humor in your stories. 'Bunny'? hahaha! It's very awkward to see Jon be so lovey dovey with Genevive and at the same time help the man who raped her walk free. Yes, I know he has other plans for him, but it's ironic in the way you've written it! I like it!
btw..glad to hear we have 5 more chapters to look forward too!

actually, Eric didn't rape Genevieve. in Chapter 7, a nurse comes in to tell her that her rape kit came back negative, meaning Eric didn't rape her.
thanks. it's always nice to know you have fans.