Kit followed Barsad around the property he had secured for her and Bane's use and was impressed. The rooms were huge, with the back wall of the property being constructed entirely out of glass. This meant that all the main communal areas and the two main bedrooms had floor to ceiling windows. The décor was minimal but with lush and elaborate furnishings, giving an opulent feel. The bedroom immediately next door to the master had been made into a nursery, with everything in greens and blues and masses of stuffed animals, toy planes, trains and cars and other more educational toys. The master bedroom itself had only one item of furniture, which was the biggest bed Kit had ever seen. She thought to herself that it could comfortably sleep 6 or so people, and then internally giggled at the idea of Bane sharing the bed with that many people.
On inspection of the walk through dressing room, she found that Barsad's promise regarding her belongings from home was correct and everything had been put away in it's most logical place. She also found plenty more other clothes that were more upscale than hers and turned to Barsad to enquire whose they were. "They are yours Kit, Bane tasked Mae-Ling with obtaining some outfits for you, after describing you to her in detail. I hope she did a good job?".
As Kit saw that all of the concerned apparel had designer labels and was correct in size, she looked at Barsad with a mock unimpressed scowl on her face and replied "Well, I guess they'll have to do!". Barsad chuckled at Kit's small joke. "Barsad, I'm sorry but I'm confused. When Bane took over Gotham, he railed against the powerful and wealthy who lived in places just like this and had the best of everything like I have here. How can he now provide this level of living for us? Is it not against his principles?".
"You must understand Kit, everything that happened in Gotham was not of my Brother's design, but of Talia Al-Ghul's. The plan, the speeches, freeing the Blackgate prisoners, detaining the police, all of it, he did under orders from her. He was besotted with her and swore to carry out her vengeance in exact detail. Just before she was killed, she did something to him that changed his perception of her. He has not told me what exactly that was, but I do know that when I first saw him after my release, he was somewhat changed inside. Don't get me wrong, I do not expect him to take to a ordinary existence, but I suspect that his former activities may not be resumed with the vigour he once had. Also, the only thing he knows how to do is be a mercenary and he can command excessive amounts for that type of work!".
Kit thought about everything Barsad said on their way back to the clinic and when she entered Bane's room, he could tell that she was unsettled. "Kitten, what troubles you? Was our new residence not to your liking?" "
No, it's fine, more than fine, it's fantastic" she replied with a distinct lack of enthusiasm to her voice. Bane just looked at her, waiting for her to fully speak her mind, as he knew she eventually would. She was more than aware of how he was just biding his time, waiting for her to explain herself. "I'm just struggling with things!"
"Such as?"
"Oh I don't know, living in Switzerland, having a baby with a wanted terrorist, caring that said wanted terrorist is not at his best, living a life of luxury when I don't know where the money to pay for it is coming from and most of all...Talia Al-Ghul. Take your pick!"
"Well, perhaps we should start with your biggest concern. What troubles you about Talia?"
"Your feelings for her!"
"There are none, she is dead" he stated matter of factly.
"So you don't have any lingering emotions concerning her then?" Kit asked.
"I have only regrets where Talia is concerned"
"Such as?"
"I regret her demise, I regret that I could not refuse her requests or slake her bloodlust where revenge on Gotham was concerned, I regret that the child I once loved as my own turned into something beyond my comprehension. But most of all, I regret that my last thoughts of her before she died were ones of anger and contempt".
"Why?" Kit probed.
"It was always our plan to perish in the fires that would consume the city, together, at each others side until the end. However, due to the interference of Gotham's finest, she deserted me. I understand why she did it, it was the only way to ensure that our plan came to fruition. Nonetheless, she left me to die alone, something she swore she would never do. It was then I realised that her hatred of Gotham was greater than her love and affection for me, and that changed things".
"In what way?"
"I thought of her differently, I was no longer blinded by unquestioning devotion. That type of revelation can have no alternative but to alter a man's perception of not just another person, but of their own life and being".
"And the result of this change of perception is?..."
"Mainly you Kit. When Barsad advised me of your continuing health and of the life growing inside you, I realised, I had a chance to put things right. To raise a child correctly. To ensure that the life I would be responsible for protecting grew to be a fully functioning member of society, capable of not only seeing how things in the world could be better, but possessing the tenacity to exact the changes they see fit".
"Whoa, that's a hell of a lot of pressure to be putting of my womb right now! I mean, let's not forget that this child's mother is a former prostitute"
"That was what you did Kitten, not what you were or are!". That statement from Bane stopped Kit in her tracks. She had never had anybody make such a distinct separation between her own self and her chosen career. Most people simply regarded prostitutes as just that, nothing more. But Bane, he looked at her differently and that was enthralling to her. She quickly laid at his side on the bed and held him as tightly as she possibly could."Would you now like to discuss your other concerns my Kitten?"
"No, you don't have to say anything else Bane. I think you just won me over, forever!". He squeezed her to him with one arm and they laid together until Mae-Ling came in to take readings and record the details on his chart.
Bane again asked Mae-ling for assistance to remove the mask but instead of accommodating him, she leaned over and whispered conspiratorially "No need for that sir, I think the doctors will be coming soon to let you know that you can be released to my care in your home. Surely, you would wish to save your morphine allowance, which by the way, can probably be drastically increased now, until such time as you and Kit can spend quality time together?"
Kit could tell that Bane was smiling widely at Mae-Ling's words and she answered for him "Yes Mae-Ling, I think you are right, we will leave the morphine until we are at home!" she said winking at the nurse.
Three hours later and Kit opened the door of their palatial home for Bane and said "Okay, I guess I'll show you round then!"
"No need Kitten, all in good time. At present, I only wish for you to show me to our bed chamber". He turned to the other woman that had entered the house with them and said "Mae-Ling, could I have a syringe of Morphine now please?"
"Certainly sir, this one should suffice for about 2 hours without your mask" she replied, placing a capped needle into his hand. "Sir, forgive my presumption, but may I remind you that you are only just discharged from bed-rest and that Kit here is of a rather delicate condition. Therefore, I would not recommend any activity too strenuous be undertaken at this time" Kit giggled at Mae-Ling's words, which broke into a full out-loud laugh when she noticed that Bane's cheeks had a rosy hue to them.
Ignoring Kit's amusement, Bane placed his hand on Mae-Ling's shoulder and said "Thank you for your continued concern my dear. I shall ensure that any actions Kit and I take will not cause either of us any untoward harm. You may leave now, go find Barsad by the pool and spend some time together without my health being your primary thought"
"Very well sir, see you later Kit"
"Bye Mae-ling!" Kit managed to utter through her giggles.
"Well" said Bane "That was most embarrassing"
"If it makes you feel any better, I think she was just as mortified as you were. She hid it well though, you know the asians can be inscrutable!"
"Enough chatter from you Kitten. Show me to our room and then, if you would, get undressed and wait for me on the bed"
"Of course...sir!" Kit joked, echoing the way their nurse addressed him. Bane just growled at her, gave a quick sharp smack to her bottom, and gently pushed her in the direction of the stairs.
