An Origin and an Ending

by C'estMoiLiz

When Blake sees Bane is still alive and living in rural England, hedelves into the past Bane shares with Grace Clarke. He and Bruce uncover a story that exposes an undeniably human side to the terrorist, forcing them to challenge every thought they've had about villains and monsters. And of course there remains the question: what next? Bane/OC

1. Prologue Part 1

Prologue (Part One)

I know that things are broken

I know there's too many words left unsaid

But please, don't cry

You liar

[Mumford and Sons – Liar]

2012

'I just want to talk to him.'

There is silence down the phone – but eventually, the woman with the soft, French accent and the dangerous words evidently leaves. There is a small crackle – phone being passed hand to hand – and an odd, hollow breathing comes down the receiver.

'Bane? Bane it's me.'

There is silence. She squeezes her eyes shut, frustration in the creases of her forehead. Finally she chews at her lips and starts up,

'I know I can't stop you. I'm not asking you to stop. I just…' She trails off, desperately wiping at the tears on her face. 'I love you,' she tells him, her voice cracking. 'And I miss you. Whatever you do, or whatever you've done – you can always come home.'

There's silence. When his voice starts up it sounds different – all his East-end roughage is gone, replaced by a drawling snarl and the horrible echo that she can't place.

'You never came to get me.'

Her breath hitches in her throat and she wills herself not to get angry.

'You told me not to,' she whispers.

'Your name is Grace. It means saviour. But you left me in the darkness – I rose helped by one another and I am stronger for it –'

'You know that's not my name, Bane!' She cut across him, her voice half desperate and half the same old irritation she'd always felt for him.

He is silent. She hears him swallow.

'Remember my actual name,' she tells him quietly. 'Remember what it means.'

He is silent. Then he tells her softly,

'I have to go.'

He sounds normal – the Bane she knew – in that moment. Then there's the same crackle of phone being passed hand to and the French girl is spitting again.

'What did you say to him?'

'Nothing,' she responds, heaving a sigh. 'I… I didn't say anything. Goodbye.'

A/N: To regular readers – I just wanted to add this moment in, really. It takes place just before Bane starts going apeshit on Gotham.

To new readers – hello! I hope you enjoy it :) Don't forget to review.