And here's another chapter! So we've already reached chapter 10! No worries I still love writing Jane and Bane! Still I'm looking around to get more inspiration to write things and interesting situations between our two favorite figures. I try to absorb as much from my surroundings that would be fun to read and write! I also want to keep you guys encouraged to give me every idea or thought you have about Jane or Bane, maybe I'll let it happen in this story!
I want to thank you all for your kind words and reviews! I love you guys so much! You keep me encouraged to write and pour my soul into this story. I'm even considering starting on a book. Never thought I could become a writer, but I always secretly wanted to. But this story is a perfect training for me. (Ok I confess, it's also very addictive to write about Bane and fantasize about him!) So from the depths of my heart, thank you guys! You are amazing each and every one of you!
Now enjoy!
"Sleep now my angel, I'll stay by your side", he muttered. Jane liked the sound of his voice when he did not wore the mask. She closed her eyes and felt his hands caressing her cheeks and then her hair.
When he broke the contact, her eyes fluttered open.
"Don't leave!", she said, her voice sounding desperate. Bane hadn't moved an inch, and he was glad for it when he saw the look of despair on her beautiful face.
"Shh, I won't leave." He stood and walked around the bed, lying down behind her, one arm around her covered form.
"I'll be here when you wake, now sleep angel."
Chapter 10.
Staying true to his word, Bane had spent the next 5 hours lying beside Jane on the bed. He only had left her for a few minutes to put back on his mask. She had been sleeping peacefully, giving him plenty of time to think things over.
Helping her clean herself and get her to bed had eased his anger a bit. But when she had truthfully told him the whole story on what had happened, it all came back to him. He reassured himself that Toby had suffered, though it would never be enough to Bane's liking…
He calmed himself and then wondered about this remarkable young woman that was resting so peacefully beside himself. She had endured being taken by him. She had acted well, had not fought him physical or mentally. She had been on the edge of breaking down, before he had triggered her to get up. And she had. And then this happened. He even got her to the point where she was trying to start over a new life, here with him. Bane sighed. He could understand if she would be slipping back into her depressive state and he hated Toby even more for breaking down all the progress he and Jane had already made. He felt she was beginning to trust him more each day. Since he started with her on their running trainings and had taken her swimming that one night, she had even laughed. He smiled while that memory came to mind. He had always known she was strong willed. And she had proven it a couple of times. She could speak her mind, while maintaining her lady-self. He thought about her life before him, before she even knew he was following her. He had found it a very distracting occupation, but he couldn't keep himself from doing so. He had followed her to her college in the mornings, and to her job at the supermarket at night. He made sure she got home safely from town on Fridays, keeping a close eye on the boys who walked up to her. And then she would always go and turn them down, making him chuckle. He had even send some of his men to trace her when he could not go himself. But he made sure that he knew every little thing, every detail about this girl before he decided to have her. And then there was no going back. She was always on his mind. And this being after he had lost his precious Talia, he had been sure. He had to protect Jane. She would not end like Talia. He had to keep her as innocent and pure as he could. She deserved to be tended for, her beautiful soul worth more than most people on this planet.
Of course she didn't came willingly, and even now she wasn't. Being totally afraid of him and his reputation. And yet, she had not given in easily. She had not just accepted his every command, always testing his patience to the limits, but smart enough to stop before she crossed the thin line. She had impressed him with her being. And that being just the side of her he knew, he wondered what else was inside this precious girl.
He gently stroke her hair. She stirred some but did not wake. He smiled.
And then there was her beautiful face and body. That, of course, had been the first thing he had noticed about her. Her big brown eyes and long hair making her all the more appealing. Her nicely shaped body precisely how that of a woman should be. But what had made him obsessed with her was that she was as pure from within.
He moved his hand from her hair to her cheek, earning a soft noise from her. She stirred some more and then she opened her eyes. It took her some seconds to adjust her gaze to his staring eyes, but then a small smile escaped her lips. Bane's smile disappeared instantly turning in a look of amazement. Of all the things he had expected… She had smiled seeing him here. Wanting him to be next to her perhaps.
"You stayed", she stated, squeezing her eyes shut before she looked at him again. If she only knew what feelings she awaked in Bane's being that moment.
"Of course. I promised I would, didn't I?" he asked, still caressing her face. Jane's smile grew a little bigger. Bane's eyes lingered on her lips for a moment, before he snapped himself out of this daze he found himself in.
"How are you feeling, angel?" Jane moved to sit upwards and moved her body slightly before she answered his question.
"I'm a bit sore actually. But I guess I'll be for a few days", she said. He saw that she was speaking more casually about this than she was feeling, her eyes betraying her. But there were no tears, and he sensed no distress. That was a good sign. He was glad he had made her spill the whole story out before she had gone to bed.
"We will take things slow, miss Howards. But you will heal just fine", he spoke, tracing his fingers very lightly over her bruised cheek. She followed his gaze with her eyes. Not sure what to think. He was acting so caring, and gentle. And now, on this very moment, she could not believe he was acting to make her believe. She felt he was being sincerely concerned about her. He had come to her rescue and he had taken care of Toby. Last night was kind of a blur, but she remembered enough to make her blush. She had let him take care of her. Undressing and bathing her. And she had felt safe, not scared at any point. Yes afterwards she had felt a little insecure with now nothing left he hadn't seen of her body. But just half of her mind was thinking that way. The other half not bothering her with things so insignificant. She wasn't sure if she should admit it, even in her mind, but she felt content. For the first time here in his house.
"Would you like something to eat?" He asked, pulling his hand back and moving away a little. Jane nodded. Her stomach felt very empty, to the point of hurting. Bane smiled.
"Let's get you up then." He walked around the room, pulling on his pants and a simple black shirt. Then he took a blue sweat pants from her closet, approaching her side of the bed. Jane pushed the covers back, and stepped out. Her legs felt a little heavy, her body hurting in more places than one. But with his help she stepped into the pants. He pulled them up to her hips, before helping her in a long sleeved shirt. Jane noticed he smelled like after shave, a nice scent she in the back of her mind registered as very manly. He then swiftly picked her up, bridal style and walked her through the living room and into the kitchen, where he cautiously sat her down on a chair. Jane moved her long hair over one shoulder, watching him as he searched through some cabinets.
"What time is it?" Jane asked. Time seemed so irrelevant in her life here, but she felt the need to know. Bane turned, with some bread in his hands.
"It's past twelve. Time for brunch", he joked, giving her a wink. Jane smiled back. He placed some bread on the table, along with too much sieges and spreads for her to finish this whole week. After putting a plate and cutlery before her he took place next to Jane.
"Aren't you going to eat something?" she hesitantly asked. She was glad for his caring mood and did not wanted to ruin it by asking too much questions. But he did not seemed to mind.
"I'm not very hungry at the moment, angel. But you must be, now eat", he spoke. He watched her while she ate. She could not sense what was on his mind right now, but that did not kept her from trying to figure it out.
The afternoon passed swiftly. They watched a movie and Bane took her outside. He claimed the sun would do her good. Jane didn't protest, she just enjoyed the warmth of the sun. While he not spoke of it, Jane saw he was eyeing her closely the whole day. She really didn't mind. Even later that day, when they both had eaten dinner, Jane excused herself and took a much wanted shower. Slowly undressing herself she stopped when she had pulled her sweat pants and shirt off. Memory flashes hitting her hard. Flashes of Toby, the feeling of his hands on her body. Her sheer panic when she started to understand what was going to happen. She never had felt more scared in her entire life. Even Bane had never scared her so much. And then all the things he had spoken to her. Blaming her for what he was doing to her.
Jane let herself sink to the floor, against the glass door of the shower. She hugged her knees and buried her head in her arms. She just wanted to forget. She wanted to erase those memories and those feelings. Tears started falling down her face.
Soon the whole bathroom was filled with hot steam from the shower. Still Jane was shivering from the demons that terrorized her mind. She was breaking down. Her mind finally succumbing to the dark. Jane didn't know how long it took before she felt two strong arms lift her upwards. She didn't see much through her tears. She could make out a large figure, holding her firmly. Bane. She heard him saying something, but she didn't comprehended the words. She felt how something warm was being wrapped around her, before darkness took her in.
Bane had putted her to bed, returning to the bedroom to shut the shower off. She was having a severe panic attack, like he had expected she would have after what had happed to her. He had been keeping a close eye on her today because he had expected it to hit her earlier. But she had been doing good. Her mind distracted with other things. But when he found she was taking way too long in the bathroom he decided to take a look. And then, after knocking two times to the door, telling her to open the door, he feared something was wrong. And there was. She sat on the floor. Her body so tiny with her knees pulled to her chest. He couldn't see her face but he did hear her soft cries.
Now she was sleeping her mind no longer playing tricks on her. Bane decided he would wait for a little while, staying beside her sleeping form in case she would wake up. But after some hours of just sitting there in the dark, he left. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep. He quickly changed and went down the basement for a work out. It was already night, stars visible up high in the sky outside the windows. Bane worked himself up, sweat running down his back from his training. He stayed longer in the basement then his training schedule allowed, but he had some frustration to get rid of.
Afterwards he walked back up the stairs, happy to see Jane was still sleeping. He took some boxer shorts and then he walked in the bathroom for a long shower.
His mind was blank, empty, only focused on the warm water hitting his skin. But it did not last for long. Loud screams and cries emerged from the bedroom. Jane was screaming his name.
Bane quickly turned the shower off, grabbing a towel and running out the bathroom. He putted the towel around his waist. His first thought had been that someone was hurting her, maybe someone had broken in. But Jane was all alone in the large bedroom. Her body strangled in the blankets. Tears were running down her cheeks. The screaming had ceased, but she still softly cried for him. Bane swallowed and walked over towards her. He untangled her from the sheets and placed her upon his lap. She softly cried.
"Jane. Wake up angel. I'm here", he tried to comfort her in her nightmare.
"Bane." Her soft whimper came.
"I'm right here angel, wake up for me." It took her another second to snap out of the dream and open her eyes. It had all been so real. Toby was raping her, she felt every bruise on her body, and she had even felt the intrusion between her legs. But now that she saw Bane was holding her, and she was in bed and not in the forest, she sighed in relief. The weight of all the pain was lifted from her shoulders.
Bane on the other was feeling very odd. That she had been screaming for him, to want him to come for her had almost broken his heart. It remembered him of how he wasn't there when she needed him. How she then must have cried for him and he wasn't around…
"Please don't go", Jane softly cried. She buried her head in his naked chest. He felt tears falling on himself, but he didn't minded at all. He couldn't get over the fact she had been screaming for him to come. She was already more into him than she had been letting on. And he also hadn't noticed himself.
"I'm not going anywhere angel, now hush", he spoke, pulling her even closer to his body. If she noticed he was wearing nothing than a towel, she wasn't letting it on. She was holding on to him for dear life, relieved the nightmare had been nothing real. His big, warm body was comforting her. Making her feel safe.
"Don't leave me alone please", she pleaded. Bane took her chin in his hand, making her look up to his mask covered face. Her eyes were full with tears, but he also saw she trusted him and his touch.
"I'm not leaving you alone, angel. I'm staying right here by your side", He assured her, keeping his voice as light as he could. He saw her swallow, closing her eyes while she tried to get herself together again.
Jane hated herself for this, her mind turning against her. She wondered if Bane would grow tired of her crying. But if he was, he did not let it show. He gently caressed her cheek, his other hand still around her waist, keeping her close. For over half an hour they sat like that. Jane's crying had ceased, now only the sound of his mechanic breathing hearable in the silence.
"I shall get you some water", Bane said, moving to place her back onto the bed. Jane protested when she felt his grip loosen on her.
"I will be right back." Jane swallowed again, lying down and pulling the blankets over her form. Bane returned within a minute, a glass of cold water in his hand. He placed himself on the edge of the bed, bringing the glass to her mouth. Jane sipped some water down, a feeling of calmness washing over her.
"Now, do you want to share your dream with me? It's the only way to keep them from returning, you know angel", he softly spoke, placing the glass on the night table. Jane sighed and looked up to meet his gaze.
"It was about Toby and…", she stopped, her eyes closing. Bane again, took her chin in his hand.
"He did not rape you Jane, he did not succeed in breaking you. Don't let his ghost haunt you." Jane opened her eyes, searching for his eyes.
"I promise you no one will ever harm you again", Bane spoke, hoping she believed his promise and trusted him. She slowly nodded. Bane reached behind his head and he slowly pulled his mask off. He sighed as the dulling pain instantly hit his body, but he ignored it for the moment. He moved close to Jane, kissing her on her forehead.
"You have my word."
I know it's short but it just had to end here! (short but intense, right?) I kind of want to end the whole Toby thing here. From now one she will begin to trust him more and more…. I'm not sure what will happen in the next chapter so all ideas are more than welcome!
Thanks for reading!