Unwanted Allies- Dr. Jonathan Crane Story

Because we're Family.

Upon exiting the Warehouse, Lilah noticed the sun had gone down- she guessed the convincing had taken a lot longer than she had initially anticipated. The only thing she wanted to do now was to return to Jonathan. To prove that she was just as cunning as he was. To prove that she was a valuable ally. Walking along the cement walkway, Lilah slowed her pace, someone was following her. That much wasn't too hard to detect. Stopping completely, Lilah smiled, 

"You know, it's rude to follow a lady home." She smirked, listening the rustling of bushes, she heard the stranger's footsteps on the footpath before they stopped completely,

"What where you doing at the Warehouse?" Turning to face the owner of the voice, Lilah smiled politely, 

"I could ask you the same thing, Mercious." She replied lightly, tilting her head as she watched her brother with curiosity. The five months they had been apart had changed him more than she had realized and now that he was a cop. That would make things so much worse than she could ever imagine. But then again, everything she thought that was her brother was a lie. "I heard about your new job." She mused. Mercious gave a stiff nod,

"I wanted to tell you before you left. But you seemed to be in a rush." He answered, "Now, I realize what's kept you so busy." He was avoiding eye-contact with her and Lilah could detect fear in his voice. A sound she had grown to enjoy.

"I'm a busy woman now, Mercious, what can I say?" She shrugged. 

"Since when do you have interests with Falcone's men?" He asked suspiciously, finally making eye-contact with her, narrowing his familiar blue eyes at her. At that moment, he looked more like his was her age rather than just twenty years old. 

"It's the family business, little brother." She replied simply, 

"It's the Falcone business." He replied, "You've never been one to deal with Falcone or his men. What happened to you in those five months you were gone?" That was the question she feared. Lilah parted her lips, searching for something to say. 

"I was given a purpose. A new job you could say. Like yourself, in that respect. I learnt how to control my fears and use other people's fears to my advantage." She said. Mercious frowned at her,

"They're dangerous, Lilah." He told her.

"In that case I have something in common with them." She retorted, the same sly smile on her face. Mercious paused, as if he was unable to comprehend her words. Moving towards her, his brow furrowed, 

"You may think you know what you're doing. But, come on, Lilah. You hate Falcone. Why are you talking with his men?" He asked. He was trying to reason with her and Lilah couldn't see a way out of this confrontation. 

"They're my men, actually." She said. 

"What?" He breathed, his eyes widened in shock

"That's right, little brother." Lilah smiled, "I suggest you go run home to your girl before something happens to you." Turing her back on him, she walked away. She didn't mean what she said, she just needed the conversation to end. Mercious didn't have the guts to arrest her. She knew that and deep down, so did he. 

"Don't walk away from me. Lilah!" Freezing, Lilah looked over her shoulder, "What happened to you?!" Mercious cried, "Whatever happened to us sticking together? To being a family?" 

"That was before I realized what this city was really like." Lilah replied. She had always thought Mercious was the most important thing in her life, but now, he was living proof that everything she believed was a lie. The reckless boy she thought needed her was nothing more than a façade. "Tell me this- how long did you lie to me?" She asked him.

"What are you talking about?" He replied with a frown,

"All those times you went out 'partying'. That was all a lie, wasn't it?" She said bitterly. Mercious stared at her, 

"Yes. I spent that time studying for the Police Academy and with Barbara." He answered honestly, "But you can't compare that to this. I came here to take down names of Falcone's men. Not to arrest my sister." He said, his voice was pleading her. 

"You have no idea what I'm even doing." She laughed. Mercious looked away from her, 

"I know it has a lot to do with Dr. Crane." He replied, "I've been watching you for awhile now. You've changed, Li." His tone was softer, almost disappointed. 

"So people keep telling me." She sighed. Stepping towards her, Mercious' gave her a pleading look, 

"Come home." He begged her, "Give this up and just come home." 

"I can't." She said. Mercious looked down at his feet, "I won't stop until this city burns." She spat bitterly, anger was building up inside her by the second. 

"You blame this city for everything that has gone wrong in your life. When in fact, it's no one's fault. You don't have to afraid of being alone. I'm here for you." Stepping forward, Lilah clenched her fist, connecting it with Mercious' jaw, 

"This city killed dad. This city is responsible for everything! This city makes criminals, Mercious." She spat, "This city made me. You think I'm scared of being alone? I'm not scared of anything. Not anymore." Standing back upright, Mercious let go of his jaw, 

"There's more to you than you know." He said,  "Not just pain and anger. You're a good person, Lilah. I've seen it." He murmured, "Whatever happens, we're family." 

"You need to stop assuming that I'm going to play the good guy because it's you whose asking." Lilah snapped angrily, "You think that because we're family, that's going to make everything okay. But the truth is, Mercious. Everything that has gone wrong between us, has been because we're family and you... You've always been my weak spot. I can't afford weakness." The words cut through her like freshly sharpened blades across her skin. But they were a painful truth. Lilah had always known, since she had first heard of Mercious' new occupation that eventually she would have to face him, but on this night? Once again, she turned her back on him. Jonathan was waiting for her, she had important things to do and all Mercious was doing was holding her back. 

"If you walk away- the next time I see you. I will do my job." Mercious' voice echoed in her head. Smiling to herself, she couldn't help but be proud of him. He had finally grown up and now, he was finally able to understand how the world worked. How unfair life was. 

"Do us both a favour and make sure you have a gun with you." Lilah replied lightly as she walked away from her brother into the darkness. She hoped for his sake, that would be the last time they would ever meet. 

Authors Note: Another short, but important chapter. Trust me, there is a method to the madness. I promise you. <3