SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY! Pathetic explanation at end of chapter!

Finally a bit of back story for Alexis…Typically I would put it sooner, but there wasn't really any place for it in any of the past chapters.

Disclaimer- *sniffles and sobs* I'm not Christopher Nolan damn it!

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Alexis took a few subconscious steps away from Bane. She hardly felt her back come in contact with the wall. Her pulse began to race rapidly and all coherent thoughts left her in an instant. Bane's fierce eyes pierced right through her and she fell frozen in place against the wall.

"I hope you are not disobeying orders, Ms. Rhodes," his mask hissed.

Bane approached her again, and she fell out of her shock. She immediately moved, returning to the center of the room. He turned, facing her. "You will care for Landon."

She scowled, her brow furrowing deeply in annoyance. "Whatever," she muttered, walking to her suitcase and pulling a pair of jeans out. Then, she went into the bathroom. Moments later, she came out; clad in the jeans and her lounge pants in hand. She readjusted her arm brace, which had moved in the process of changing her clothing. Digging through her suitcase once more, she slipped on a pair of black ballet flats.

Alexis made a bee-line for the door, placing a hand over the handle.

"And where did you think you were going?"

"To the medical area, bay, wing – whatever you call it." She replied, half-sarcastically.

"Yet again, you are, mistaken," He declared, causing her to look back at him quizzically.

"Because…?"

Bane's hands rose to grasp his vest, "I believe that you were informed by one of my men that you are not to leave the room without an escort."

She cursed under her breath. Of course he'd heard that yelling. It practically echoed through the walls. "So I'll wait for Barsad."

"He is busy with other matters. I shall take you."

Alexis decided not to quip a smart remark, simply stepping aside as Bane came forward. One of his hands dropped to open the door and he swung it to his side. Without wasting another second, Alexis strode through, following the maze of pipelines. Her shoes scuffled quietly along the ground, while Bane's boots thundered loudly behind her.

What in the hell did he mean? You have a defiant demeanor, Alexis Rhodes…and I will break you. Even while knowing him for hardly a day, she didn't understand what he meant, but she knew it was not going to be a pleasant experience. Bane was a serious man with a cold personality. He seemed to be hardened by the harshness of the world, keeping to himself. Alexis was no stranger to isolating herself from others and she had her own reasons to be distrusting of society. Why she had decided her career to ultimately help others was still a mystery to her.

When she was younger, Alexis had a hard demeanor. An unruly and mischievous child, she was always testing the patience of her parents. She was extremely difficult to discipline in the basic human interactions - talking, walking, and bodily care - her low attention span a large part of it. She was, however, amazingly bright in education. But when she enrolled in elementary school, she punched a classmate in the face for no apparent reason. She seemed to grow out of it, as she had no major infractions or issues until the year she entered the sixth grade.

November 18th 1997. Her father had picked her up from school so that they could celebrate her tenth birthday early, as he would be out of town for the actual party. He brought his motorcycle, which excited Alexis. She had never been able to ride it before, and it made her grin wide when her father led the way off of the school grounds.

The day was always remembered perfectly in her memory.

"Dad…where are we going?" A young, ten year old Alexis whined, her brunette locks in a girly braid, fashioned with barrettes.

Her father chortled, "Just a little bit longer, sweetie." He assured her, his eyes looking ahead of them.

Her father was a handsome and gentle man, approaching his mid-thirties. His hair was black, black as night and his vibrant ocean blue eyes stood out even more against them. He had a slim, athletic build that accentuated his long legs that brought his height to 6'3.

As they rounded the corner of the sidewalk, Alexis was growing more and more anxious. After they had turned, it could not be contained.

There it sat by the edge of the curb, the kickstand propped out to support it. Alexis let out a high-pitched squeal, giggling and smiling as she ran toward it. The motorcycle was a low-rider chopper where the handlebars were higher up than the seat. It was a bright chrome red, the metal frame a shiny metallic silver. The seat was made of the finest black leather, and two helmets hung from the handlebars.

Alexis enthusiastically grabbed the helmet that was obviously for her – an aquamarine blue – and hurriedly fastened it around her head. Her father joined her, putting his own helmet on. He then sat down on the bike, situating himself. Pulling a set of keys from his pocket, he inserted one of them into the ignition, starting the engine as it roared powerfully to life.

She nearly leaped onto the motorcycle's seat, right in front of her father. His hands reached up to grasp the handlebars, revving the engine.

"Are you ready kiddo?" He asked, his voice in her ear.

An incomprehensible jumble of excited words came from her mouth. He laughed, taking that as a 'yes'.

And with that, he drove off, speeding along the pavement.

Alexis was still grinning widely as they weaved in and out of traffic, going much faster than the other motorists. The rush of the wind as it whipped over her skin was enthralling and it only made her smile wider. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest and her pulse raced like lightening through her veins.

A sudden sharp turn shocked her out of her ecstasy and she leaned back into her father's chest. The exciting ride had quickly begun to go downhill.

The roar of the motorcycle's engine purred beneath her, as she sat on the leather seat. Her pulse raced rapidly in her chest, beating against her ribcage. It was not a thrilling feeling, seeing as her body reacted fearfully. Her throat was dry and constricted, making it difficult to swallow. Her hands were clammy and sweaty as they just barely held onto the metal handlebars. The hands on the outside of hers grasping the bars were much larger. Scarred and somewhat unhealthily taken care of, the hands were holding on to the bars relaxed, unlike hers that gripped them holding on for dear life.

Another sharp turn and a skid of the wheels on the pavement startled her. She let a whimper escape from her lips underneath the helmet she wore. She instinctively scooted back on the seat, leaning her back into the muscular chest behind her. She felt the person's head shift slightly, as to observe her movement. She glanced up to look at them, her pupils fearful. Another pair of eyes matched hers, fixed intently on her.

"Sorry kiddo, seems like something's wrong with the bike…I'll have to pull over," He told her, his voice calm.

Alexis nodded her head and turned her attention forward. Her eyes widened as she noticed they were not watching the road. Her head whipped around just in time to see the motorcycle about to slam into an eighteen wheeler carrying propane, before bursting into flames.

Alexis lay face down on the hard pavement, the heat of the flames overpowering. She strained to lift her head toward the sweltering warmth, her eyes squinting in pain to even glance at it. She saw the motorcycle, stuck in the tanker's container, slowly melting away into nothingness.

Tears were already flowing down her cheeks, wetting her braided hair. She felt like her skin was bleeding, scrapes and burns forming. Her father had thrown her from the bike. He wouldn't let both of them perish in the flames. It made her conflicted; blessed that she had such a loving father to save her life, but heartbroken that he would not survive.

"Dad…" Her voice croaked as she reached a bloodied hand out toward where she thought he was laying, unmoving.

She felt lost, unsure what she would do now. She and her mother could not live on a hairdresser's salary. They would have to move, start a new life in a new home in a new town. It was the last thing on Earth that she wanted.

"Dad!" She cried once more, hoping and praying that he could hear her and he was still - by some miracle – alive, but her scream was eventually overshadowed by the wails and sirens of the arriving ambulances.

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"You are trembling," Bane's mechanical voice breathed, bringing her back to the present.

Her chest constricted in pain and she shook her head furiously to rid herself of the memories. Slowly lifting one of her hands, she noted that he was right. Her hand was shaking, and she was unable to stop it.

His words echoed through the tunnels as they walked, "You are remembering a traumatizing childhood event…one that has scarred you for life."

"Yes," She could only say. In her mind she wondered how he could guess that so accurately.

"The motorcycle, perhaps?" He guessed. And damnit he was right, again.

Alexis nodded, just barely.

"Why do you fear it?"

She breathed deeply, trying to keep calm. "I don't want to talk about it."

"The great Lao Tzu once said, 'There is no greater illusion than fear'. If you continue reliving your childhood experiences, it will only hold you back. Letting go of your fears and overcoming them will make you stronger." His voice was full of truth and the tiniest bit of understanding, which infuriated her.

Alexis scowled and her anger rose up, "I lost my father in a motorcycle accident fifteen years ago! I watched him burn in the flames! You have no idea of the pain I've experienced, so don't even try to preach to me!"

"At least," He gently returned, his words calm. "You have them in your memories, dear doctor. I seem to have no recollection of my parents…it appears as if I just was born in this corrupt world we live in."

"I'm sorry?" She replied, her offer of condolences was hardly considered wholehearted, and she hoped he hadn't picked up on it. She relaxed some, noting her body wasn't shaking anymore.

The duo fell into silence, silence that she wanted to last until they arrived at their destination.

Her hopes were shot down. He spoke again, and she cursed under her breath. "May I ask you a question, Alexis? You may decline to answer if you wish."

"Sure." She said, dreading what it would be.

"What happened to your mother?"

"Declining to answer," she said, almost instantly.

"Fair enough."

They turned a corner and they had finally reached the medical wing. Alexis nearly ran through the open door, hoping to get away from Bane as soon as possible. Her aquamarine eyes spotted Felix in the corner, rearranging medicine bottles. In the opposite corner, Landon sat on a stretcher, grasping his arm. He faced the wall, obviously in his own world as he didn't notice her entry.

"I assume I can leave you to your work then, Alexis." Bane swiveled on his heel, going back the way he came.

Alexis gave Felix a quick acknowledging smile when their eyes met. As much loathing hatred she had for Landon, she could not disobey Bane's orders. She was annoyed and tired of him basically choking her. Her throat instinctively tightened at the memory. Freaking lunatic, she thought.She slowly walked to the stretcher he sat on. He didn't hear her enter the room, but he heard her approach, and adjusted his position.

He laid eyes on her, an aggravating smirk on his lips. He tried – not very hard – to secretly ogle at her, to which she only rolled her eyes.

"My face is up here, if you expect any treatment." She drawled, sporting a bored look.

"The only treatment I want from you, sweetheart, is a little thing called a 'happy ending'," he grinned devilishly and suggestively wiggling his dark eyebrows.

Alexis smiled back, leaning into his body. "Oh, well then I hope you don't mind if I cut it off when I finish you. It's about that time in my medical career where I go psycho crazy…I'd like to do experiments…" Alexis' angelic smile turned dangerous, a wicked smirk on her lips.

Landon's eyes morphed into giant shocked orbs filled with fear. "You wouldn't dare."

"I might." She replied, her voice sing-song-like, mocking him.

"You sadistic bitch!"

Alexis' jaw dropped in feigned hurt and she held her hand to her heart. "Nobody ever accused me of being a bitch."

Their arguing caught the attention of Felix, who had curiously craned his neck in their direction. He returned to his work, having faith in Alexis.

In a swift move, Alexis forcefully grabbed Landon's arm, which caused him to yelp in pain. Her voice dropped low, hissing in his ear. "I can either properly heal your arm without fuss or I can permanently put you in agony for life if you don't shut your arrogant, bullshit-filled mouth."

Landon opened his mouth to respond, but was stopped by her speaking in his ear again, "If any word of what you are about to say is an insult I will sever the muscles in your arm."

His eyes glanced to the side, catching sight of a surgical scalpel on a nearby table. He watched as Alexis' eyes had followed him. She gave him a look that said, it's your choice, normality or pain. He gulped. Treasuring his body, he surrendered, letting his resistance against Alexis fall.

"Fine." He said, just barely audible.

She smiled her angelic grin again, "Good to hear. Now just relax your arm."

Landon complied, not to her surprise. His arm slackened in her hold as she promptly began to assess his damage. Mindful of her own arm that was healing, she held it gently in her hands, poking and prodding specific spots on his skin. One certain spot, he winced more than the others, cursing under his breath. She felt around the area, sensing the bone, broken in half.

"Your radius is broken." She stated simply.

"Yeah? How are you gonna care for it then?"

"Wrap it in gauze and put it in splints, wait for it to heal and reset." That was a stupid question…everyone knows that.

Trying to get past Landon's moronic comments, Alexis let his arm rest for a moment while she retrieved supplies. She went to the medicine cabinet, where Felix had moved to arrange other items. She grabbed a bottle of low prescription strength version of vicodin, a roll of gauze, and splits. The two exchanged a quick glance, and Felix laughed in a hushed voice, "Nice job keeping him in line. Maybe you can tame Bane?"

Alexis smirked, waking back to Landon, "I'll try."

In a few mere moments, she had wrapped Landon's arm up in a jiffy, and sent him on his way. Once Landon was out of earshot, she put away her supplies.

"Felix," she said, garnering his attention, "Landon's arm needed much more than a simple splint and gauze. It was also broken at the wrist, not just the radius. I didn't see any plaster casts or the material to make them. Why is this?"

"We don't have any, that's why. Bane believes that a man should be able to work through the pain and recovery process, essentially making him stronger." He replied, a grim look on his face.

Alexis gasped, "What kind of sane person would honestly think that?"

"Bane."

"It was a rhetorical question, Felix. Anyway, that's completely insane. If Bane honestly thinks that having a man work through an injury will make him stronger, he's wrong. The only thing that can come out of it is having the injury become worse and possibly permanent."

"Yeah. So, you are planning on telling Bane himself that?" Felix chuckled some.

Alexis' lips upturned at that. "Probably not…yet. I'll get into his head first…win his trust..."

"Bane's trust? Ha. Good luck with that one. Truly."

"I've already got the seed planted," she winked. "Bane's a man that wants a challenge, something to keep him on his toes…all I need to do is hold his interest until I have my claws deep. He won't be able to resist anything I say." She added, with an afterthought, "Well, mostly anything…I'll still be able to influence him."

"You've got this entire thing planned out, don't you?" Felix marveled, his bearded jaw agape.

"Just a little," She smirked. Taking a seat on one of the stretchers, she laid back against the cold concrete wall. The only problem is Bane himself. He can either foolishly fall or play the fool – who would end up being me. She closed her eyes, trying to relax. With her eyes still shut, she asked, "So what am I supposed to do now? Bane only told me to care for the idiot's arm."

"I'm not really sure. I guess since you are technically going to replace me as the resident doctor, you should stay here until further notice."

She let out an annoyed groan, "Great."

Felix laughed again, "Look at it this way; it's basically like you're at Gotham General. Just a different setting."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better? 'Cause it doesn't."

"I tried." He joked.

Slowly the hours passed for Alexis and Felix. Every once in awhile one of Bane's men would come stumbling through the doors or carried because he couldn't walk. And it frustrated her, seeing as almost all of them had preexisting injuries. Each one had told her, they fell because their ankle was twisted prior to battling or their wrist was already in splints before punching his opponent.

This knowledge only served to make her more determined. Even if she couldn't completely influence him, she could still try to convince him that his training regimen was well…fucked up. Obviously something had happened to Bane. Whether it was his childhood or young adulthood – something made Bane into what he was today, and it seriously screwed him up. She didn't even have to know him long to know that.

It might take some time, patience and a hell of a lot of arguing, but Alexis would find out Bane's past.

A loud crash and some fumbling around caused Alexis to quickly open her eyes. She saw Barsad standing in the doorway, looking sternly at Felix who was currently trying to clean up the mess he'd made. She guessed that Barsad had suddenly come into the room, scaring Felix.

"Bane requests your presence, Doctor Rhodes." Barsad said, his voice calm and commanding.

"What for?" She replied, still leaning against the wall.

"I was not informed of the purpose. Only to guide you. Quick now," he answered, getting impatient. His fingers tapped idly on his rifle.

"Whatever," Alexis sighed, leaping off the stretcher.

Barsad quickly led them through the halls, striding in a fast pace. Alexis nearly had to run to be able to keep up. She wondered what the hell was so important that they had to move this rapidly.

It was soon that Alexis began to recognize the environment, and it was clear to her that they were headed for the room that she and Bane shared. They approached the metal door, seeing it was partially ajar. Barsad pressed a few fingers against the surface, sliding it open.

Alexis' blue eyes laid upon Bane, sitting with his back to them. Beside him, a woman sat just mere inches from his own body. One of her delicate bronze hands gently caressed his mask.

Well. This plan of mine has just become a hell of a lot more difficult.

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Jeez…you guys, I can't even compare how sorry I am for this update being so late. I feel SO awful because I've only updated 7 times and the 1 year anniversary of the story is already coming up in two months! I look at other authors writing BanexOC stories, and they've already gone well into their sequels! I'd explain my reasons but you all know what they are…same as they've always been. College and work. It never ends.

And I know you guys are going to dread this because I'm probably going to have even less time to write…but this Fall, I'm supposedly (I have to get accepted first and I'm secretly hoping I don't) joining ROTC at my college. And I know, you're all going WHAT? The only reason I'm doing it is because: My parents are basically forcing me because it's the only way they will allow me to go for my Master's degree right after my Bachelor's since ROTC will pay for my classes. I guess my parents are tired of supporting me. But I hate it because they're forcing me to do something I don't want to do, and yes, I know that's a parent's job but it's still SO frustrating.

I feel like I'm letting you guys down. I really hope you all don't feel like I'm neglecting this story or any of my stories. I also hope that I'm not losing anyone's interest because of this…

Anyway, enough of my rambling. I hope you all enjoyed this seriously late chapter and the introduction of Talia. If you have any suggestions or comments about how portray her, please let me know. I always want to be the best I can be. I also hope someone caught on to the line that was near exact to one of my favorite Selina Kyle quotes from the movie. :P

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xXxSaiyanPrincessxXx