< badcompany_muse - Green - Making Ends Meet - arkhams_dr >

[knowthenbreak]

Nadine Lewis sat at her kitchen table, a notebook open in front of her. She wrote a few figures down, some in red and some in black. The only time she worked on finances was when Harvey was out. She didn't know where she was. Really, she made it a point not to ask. If she didn't ask, she didn't have to lie if she was ever questioned

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[arkhams_dr]

Crane hadn't heard from Nadine in over a week, which was unusual. Occupied himself with trying to consolidate a hold on some of the operations left in need of guidance after the chaos, he hadn't even noticed until now. Somewhat concerned, he decided to stop by.

[knowthenbreak]

Between work, a boss who seemed to think that she knew nothing about prosecuting (or who wanted everyone else to think that about her), trying to act social with her coworkers, and adjusting to her new housing situation, Nadine had forgotten to call Jonathan in some time. She didn't realize how long it had been, always telling herself that she'd call tomorrow.

She didn't hear the door open, too intent on her calculations. She glared at the adding machine in front of her, as if it was its fault that her finances didn't add up to the amount she needed.

[arkhams_dr]

"Nadine?" He stepped into the apartment, closing the door behind him.

[knowthenbreak]

"Oh! Jonathan!" She closed her notebook and cleared the display of the adding machine, throwing the print out in the trash. She stuck the notebook in one of the kitchen drawers before heading out into the main area. She smiled at him, "How are you?"

[arkhams_dr]

"I'm well - I've been very busy." He did look rather tired; even with chemicals, there was only so much one could do. "I've been concerned about you, though. I wondered why you haven't called."

[knowthenbreak]

"I'm sorry," she said with a smile. "I guess work's kept me running around a bit. New boss and all of that." She shrugged a small bit. "He doesn't seem to like me."

[arkhams_dr]

"Is that really it," he asked with a sad smile, "or has your houseguest made you forget me?"

[knowthenbreak]

"Jonathan," she said lightly, smiling a bit more, "I've had a lot of work. I've been meaning to call you, but I keep having to take care of one more case, that sort of thing."

[arkhams_dr]

"Is that really it?" He stepped closer to her, putting a hand on her waist. As he leaned in to kiss her, he whispered, "Is he here?"

[knowthenbreak]

"I promise it," she replied, drawing close to him. She touched his cheek, kissing Crane lightly. "He went out awhile ago."

[arkhams_dr]

Out? Crane wondered where, before pulling her closer to him. "I'd come by to see how you were - but since we're alone, I'm feeling a bit distracted."

It wouldn't hurt to reassert himself here. Dent was getting entirely too comfortable with his domain.

[knowthenbreak]

She ran a hand through his hair, leaning against his chest now. "I'm sorry I didn't call. I promise I won't let it happen again."

She kissed his cheek, wrapping her arm around his neck.

[arkhams_dr]

He kissed her again, leading her gently back towards her bedroom.

[knowthenbreak]

She went with him, entwining her fingers with his. Under her breath, she whispered, "I've missed you."

[arkhams_dr]

"I've missed you, too, Nadine. You have no idea."

---

Afterwards, he looked around her bedroom, noticing all the traces of Harvey. He turned back to her and brushed her hair away from her face. "How have you been, Nadine? What had you so worried when I arrived?"

[knowthenbreak]

It had been some time since she'd spent much time in her own bedroom. She hadn't slept in the bed for months, only coming in to get her clothes.

"I've been okay. Stressed by the new boss, that's all. He wants the old regime out, to replace all of Harvey's A.D.A.s with his own. That's all."