Hello! Welcome everyone!

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited,and followed! This chapter was particularly fun for me to write.

Please, please, please review! It helps me so much more than you could possibly imagine! Let me know how you're enjoying the story so far! Also, let me know if there is anything you would like to see in future chapters!

Enjoy!

-AngelOfReckoning


Chapter 3

I don't know how long I sat there on the floor and cried. Tears poured steadily down my face until I had no more left to shed. Sniffling pitifully, I wiped the back of my hand across my damp face.

"Pull yourself together girl." I whispered brokenly while I ran a hand through my tangled hair.

I winced when I hit a particularly knotted spot.

"Maybe Bane has a brush?" I thought.

A choked laugh escaped my throat as I pictured a bald Bane holding a hairbrush in his hand, looking at it with a confused expression on his face.

I let out a loud sigh and pulled myself off of the floor. I decided to take some time and explore my new "home." It was large, for god sake it was the penthouse suite! It was very clean and everything was a stark shade of white. The more I explored, the more apparent it became that the suite was hardly lived in. Everything was so pristine and nothing was out of place.

The living room was large. There was a plush white couch and a matching love seat. A glass coffee table sat in front of both. There were no magazines, or half full cups of coffee left on the table. I could not see any personal touches. A large TV was mounted on the wall. Maybe that meant I'd have some entertainment while I was here.

I made my way into kitchen, running my hand along the white marble counter tops. The kitchen was fully stocked with brand new, sparkling appliances. The inner baker in me leapt for joy as I inspected the double oven. I then walked over to the fridge and opened up the doors. It was completely empty. A thought hit me like a truck. Did Bane even eat?! I shut the fridge door with a frown.

I continued to wander around my new dwelling. Most of the doors in the suite were locked so I was unable to inspect the hidden contents within them.

There was one door, however, that had been left open. It was the master bedroom. A large canopy bed sat in the middle of the room, the bedsheets were a pure white color. There was a white wooden bedside table, again void of all personal touches.

The most beautiful part of the room was the large window that overlooked the entirety of Gotham. It was a breathtaking view, but one thing ruined it. Thick iron bars laid in front of the window, completely blocking anyone from escaping.

A sob bubbled up in my throat. Those iron bars symbolized my newly found prison. I truly felt like a helpless little bird trapped within a birdcage.

I sat on the edge of the bed and gazed upon my city. A tear trickled down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away. I had to be strong. If I were to make it through this, my spirit had to be unbreakable.

Sighing, I stood up to inspect the bathroom.

The bathroom was just as pristine as the rest of the suite. Sparkling white, the bathroom actually looked inviting. Unsurprisingly, there were no rogue toiletries laying across the counter. I pulled the shower curtain back and was surprised to see women's shampoo and conditioner there.

Had there been another girl kept here before me?! That thought instantly filled me with anxiety. I leaned up against the bathroom counter and took steady breaths to calm myself.

Deciding that a shower would calm my nerves, I turned on the water and waited for it to become hot. I hesitantly stripped out of my filthy clothes and folded them in a neat pile. Pulling out a clean white towel, I laid it next to the shower for when I was finished.

I stuck my hand under the now warm spray and determined that the water was hot enough. It was perfect.

Climbing in, I immediately let out a content sigh. The water felt lovely. I stood under the warm waterfall and let it wash the stress and dirt away. I used the women's shampoo and conditioner I had found and marveled at the scent. I hadn't gotten to experience this luxury since Gotham had fell.

Distracted by the warm water, I unconsciously began to sing.

"Green finch and linnet bird,

Nightingale, blackbird,

How is it you sing?

How can you jubilate,

Sitting in cages,

Never taking wing?

Outside the sky waits,

Beckoning, beckoning,

Just beyond the bars.

How can you remain,

Staring at the rain,

Maddened by the stars?

How is it you sing

Anything?

How is it you sing?"

I snorted as I realized what song I was singing. How fitting for my current situation.

The water suddenly turned cold and I took that as my cue to end my wonderful shower. I exited the shower and wrapped the fluffy white towel tightly around my body. I then looked around for my clothes but could not find them.

I frowned deeply, how had they disappeared from the spot I had left them?

I stepped out of the bathroom and back into the master bedroom. I let out a loud scream at what I saw.

Bane was sitting on the edge of the bed. His elbows rested casually on his knees as he stared out of the large glass window. He looked wildly out of place in the pure whiteness of the room. His shirtless back was to me and next to him sat my dirty clothes.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing coming into the bathroom while I'm showering?!" I yelled angrily, my heart beating out of my chest.

"I heard you singing and could not help myself. Who knew my little sparrow was actually a song bird?" Bane replied in that lilting, metallic voice of his.

I fumed where I stood, so angry that I could not form any words. I clutched my towel tightly to my body as Bane stood and turned to face me. His eyes burned like blue fire as he scanned my body. My cheeks instantly warmed as I saw the heated look in his eyes.

"You are beautiful, my songbird." He murmured so quietly that I thought I had imagined it.

"C-can I have my clothes please?" I stuttered out, quite afraid of what would happen if I did not become clothed in the next few minutes.

"You cannot wear those. I will have Barsad go to your apartment and collect all your things." Bane said, not taking his eyes off my prone form.

My eyes instantly lit up at the thought of Barsad bringing me my personal belongings. I was so wrapped up in that thought that I did not question how Bane knew where I lived.

"Could he please bring my cat, Midnight? She must be starving..." I begged Bane, taking a step towards him, my towel slipping a bit.

I loved my cat more than anything and I knew she would bring me some small comfort during my stay in this prison.

Bane did not answer and just stared at my newly exposed skin. I blushed deeply and hiked the towel back up.

"Please Bane?" I whispered pleadingly.

Bane's eyes snapped to mine at the mention of his name.

"If that is what you wish, my songbird." He said, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

"Thank you so much" I replied, almost crying in the relief.

The moment was broken as I realized again how little was covering my naked body. I cleared my throat awkwardly.

"So, Uhm. Is there anything I could put on until Barsad gets here?" I asked.

"I quite like what you are wearing now." Bane replied hungrily.

Fear crept up inside me. I backed up, trying to increase the space between me and Bane.

Bane noticed this and chuckled.

"Do you fear me, little songbird?" He questioned in an amused voice.

"N-n-no." I stuttered out unconvincingly.

Bane sauntered towards me and pinned me against the wall.

"I do not believe you." He murmured, his eyes alight with amusement.

"I am not afraid of you." I retorted, getting angry.

A hand shot out to grab my throat. His grip wasn't tight enough to cut off my air, but just enough to show me who was in control.

"Then I will have to change that."


Disclaimer: I do not own the song, "Green Finch and Linnet Bird." That song purely belongs to the wonderful man known as Stephen Sondheim. It is from the musical Sweeney Todd. I highly recommend it!

Please review!