Back at the Batcave, Alfred carefully finished preparing the medical bay, everything around him reeked of disinfectant an anxiety. It was early in the morning, the sun had only just risen, when the Batmobile flew in. Alfred rushed down the stairs to find Batman and Bane covered in rumble and blood.

To his great relief Batman was less wounded than anticipated, but the cape was near shredded and the suit was in need of repairs.

Between the two of them Bane took the brunt of the ordeal; having no armour to deflect stray bullets or scimitars.

Reluctant and repulsed at first Alfred, at Bruce's request, agreed to treat Bane first, not doing so would go against his training as an army medic and as a host. So with a stiff upper lip he lead Bane to the take a seat while he inspected the damage. The biggest and most prominent being a deep, clean and nasty cut sweeping along Bane's forearm, he had wrapped it up with his mask to stem the bleeding.

Meanwhile Bruce, shedding his cowl, slowly and achingly sat down at the Bat-computer and inserted the flash drive, setting straight to work uploading the files he collected from Dr Coopers laptop. Anything to keep his mind off the shrapnel under his skin.

While Alfred was grateful his oversized patient kept quiet when he poured the stinging disinfectant into the wound before stitching it up, from under his sharp nose he caught Bane's brooding stare, piercing far into space, and knew from experience it could be cause for concern.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked Bane.

Bane didn't move a muscle, "I should have known they'd try to catch me off guard." he muttered, "I was careless. And it has cost me."

Alfred tutted, running the needle through, "You ought to count your blessings," he assured, "At least you made it back in one piece. More or less. It seems they didn't count on Batman coming to your defence." tying off the stitches, he then put down the needle and reached for a roll of bandages.

"Indeed," Bane nodded, though he didn't look Alfred in the eye, instead he kept his sights straight ahead, focusing on the fire in his arm. "Ra's Al Ghul will not be please with such a poor execution. Should any of them survive his temper I doubt they'll repeat their mistake."

"'Execution' being the operative word," Alfred joked dryly.

Once he finished the wrappings Alfred began treating the smaller wounds around Bane's body.

Then finally it was finished, he put down his tools and removed his gloves with a slight snap.

"There. That should do you for now."

Bane looked at Alfred's handy work, giving him a curt nod of approval before he got up and walked out. Grabbing his shirt on the way.

"Don't strain your arm," Alfred called after him.

Across the cave Bruce was immersed in his work, the adrenaline high was starting to wear off, and the pain and lack of sleep was starting to creep up on him, it still didn't stop him working.

"You should let your valet look at you. Before you get an infection." Bane walked up for a closer look at the monitor.

"I take it you're feeling better." Bruce asked.

Bane shrugged, "Merely a flesh wound. I'll feel even better when I get my hands around Ubu's neck."

Bruce smirked, "No injury too small to avenge? Maybe this will cheer you up; at least now you know what Ra's wanted with Dr Cooper and the drums of Venom."

Bane gripped the desk, "A pit to grant eternal life. I've been hunting those damned pits for years. If they get the formula right, and if he uses it..."

"He won't. Not without Cooper's formula, and the laptop was destroyed in the blast."

"And you don't think Ra's knows he's in police custody, that he won't come and get him back?"

"Gordon's got his best men watching him. While he's in the hospital we should take advantage of the information we have."

Bruce brought up everything he could find on the flash drive; research notes, chemical inventory, detailed accounts of each experiment, all of Coopers erratic crazed thoughts on screen.

"With any luck we may get ahead of their next move."

"I know his next move," Bane stressed matter-a-factly. "The assassins' will go back to Ra's and tell him what has happened; when he learns we've are on his trail he'll want to move his operations out of the city, then he'll send his underlings after us for getting too close."

"Funny you should say that," Bruce replied, clicking on a document and expanding it fully. "These are some of the formulas taken from another laboratory in Santa Prisca, It doesn't say where exactly they came from but this could be where the Venom was being made. It looks like Cooper was exchanging data with the manufacturers to help the Venom bond better with the Lazarus pit, when the samples didn't work and the subjects died they would changed it and tried again.

Bane was intrigued, "Interesting, what's your point?"

"You've still got connections in Santa Prisca?"

Bane suppressed a snigger, "I have connections everywhere."

"Get it touch with them, see if they can find out where the Venom was coming from, if you're right and Ra's does make a move this could be our best bet where."

Bane pondered for a minute then nodded, "It could prove useful. I'll see what I can do."

From the back Alfred cleared his throat, "The surgery's ready for you now, sir."

"All right, Alfred," Bruce nodded, getting up and wincing. As he passed Bane he added, "I wouldn't wait too long to make that phone call."

Alfred lead Bruce down the stairs to the surgery.

"I take it you wont be leaving the mansion with this workload." Alfred whispered, "Shall I call to cancel your engagements?"

"Thank you Alfred but no, I'll call her."

Bane's ear pricked up, "Her?"

"Nothing to do with you, I'm sure." Alfred replied surlily, before carrying his master onwards.

Since Bruce was going to be busy having the shrapnel removed from his back, Bane decided he should look through the files himself and perhaps deduce the location of this other laboratory himself. This however proved fruitless. No clues were given as to the whereabouts of the lab; Santa Prisca was only a small island but it offered plenty of hiding places. So he read through the other files hoping he'd could find something useful in them. From his seat Bane also kept his ears open to the snippets of conversation playing out across the cave.

"The lady has been very persistent," Alfred said quietly, slipping on a new pair of latex gloves, "She's been asking about you, again. She's patient. But I fear that patience is running dry."

Bruce, laid out on his stomach, sighed sleepily, and every so often would make a noise as Alfred plucked the debris shards out of his back.

"Yeah. Ow. I know, I promised I would see her before the show. Ah. But I can't, not with Ra's on the move. Ah."

The show. It's tonight.

"You know I'd be happy to take care of the details, while you make your appearances. Anything to get you out of the mansion during the day."

"Very funny. But this is getting too dangerous, it may be time to break things off."

Alfred frowned, "She wont like it."

"Neither will I but it needs to be done."

"Why?" Alfred couldn't believe what he was hearing, "you don't have to push her away. You don't need to build more walls."

"It's for the best." Bruce declared.

Knowing Bruce was adamant in his decision Alfred solemnly gave up, going back to focusing on his duties.

It took well over an hour but Alfred was finally finished. At around eight o'clock Bruce picked up his cell phone and speed dialled a number. Over at the computer Bane sat motionless, listening intently to every word he could.

Bruce cleared his throat "Hey Marie," he chirped cheerfully, "Listen, I'm going to have to take a rain check on brunch today, I meant to tell you sooner... I know but it can't be helped... the board of directors won't take time off."

Bane rolled his eyes.

What a performance.

He couldn't hear the woman on the other end of the line but from Bruce's expressions it was clear she wasn't pleased with the change of arrangement. As Bruce listened to her responses the whole cave grew eerily quiet.

"Marie?...I'll still see you at the show tonight...I promise I'll make it up to you... Okay... Bye." he hung up, and drooped over the bench. "She took that well."

"This is becoming an ugly habit, and one that does not reflect well on you at all, Sir."

"Alfred, we both knew what we were getting into. If it keeps her out of this, I'll be the bad guy."

Alfred shook his head, "Homicidal madmen you can understand, women on the other hand are a different matter."

Bruce made his way back up to the computer, Alfred followed closed behind him. Bane was still seated, half-heartedly ruminating over the victims' case files.

"Shall I prepare some breakfast, Sir." Alfred asked.

"Yes thank you Alfred," Bruce nods.

Bane gets up to leave too. "I've seen all I need to see, now I shall make that phone call, I'll let you know what they find but I make no promises."

Bane followed close behind Alfred. Climbing up the stairs, up to the trapdoor and out into the study. Once they were out in the hallway Bane could speak freely.

"You know you're master well, tell me," he said, "Why does Wayne keep these women hanging on if he can't keep them?"

Alfred kept walking, straight and composed. "That's his personal business."

Bane prodded further, "Oh I see, all part of the charade; man like him is meant to be seen with models, movie stars, its expected. He can have any woman he wants, but does he never have time to enjoy them. It is how you say, 'all work and no play'."

Alfred flashes him a dark look, "You assume a lot about things you know nothing about. For your own good just stay out of it. We have enough trouble as it is." he warned.

With that said Alfred stormed off into the kitchen to make breakfast.

Bane decided to go upstairs to his suite for some privacy. locking the door behind him, he fished his travelling bag out of the wardrobe and pulled out his phone.

He dialled a number and to his relief the response was immediate. "Bird, It's me."

"Hey boss!" A Boston man cheered on the other end in excitement, "Its been a long time, what's going on?"

"Get the team ready, I have an important job for you."

"Oh, Okay, yeah what do you need?"

"Someone is producing Venom on my island. They are in league with Ra's Al Ghul. Look around, find out who is making it and keep an eye out for any foreigners that could be working for the Demon. Anything you find report back to me immediately."

"You got it. I'll be in touch." Then the line went dead.

Alone, with nothing else to do, Bane stripped off and climbed into the shower, washing off the grime but careful not to aggravate his wounds. In the hot revitalising water Bane could organise his thoughts.

First and foremost, if Ra's becomes fully immortal there would be no more need for the Lazarus pits. And he could forget about destroying the rest of them. Doctor Cooper said he was close to completing the formula but now his research has been confiscated and he's under police watch while he recovers. He needs to go to the hospital and question Cooper further without Bruce getting in his way. And he needs to do it now, now that Ra's is likely mobilising against him.

He steps out the shower and wipes off the mirror and sees his reflection, bruised and battered; a lacerated arm stitched and red marks all over his body. And then there were the innumerable scars Bane accumulated over his lifetime. Mementos of his fights in prison, his climb to the top of Gothams criminal underworld, and every meeting with the Batman since. His whole life he has fought. Sometimes losing, sometimes winning, but always learning. And now he faces the possibility of an enemy he cannot defeat. Cannot break.

He laid out on the bed, exhausted. Staring up at the blank ceiling.

What can I hope to do now?

Wait, this could be a great opportunity.

If he could get a sample of the Phoenix Formula he could become immortal. He could destroy the rest of the formula and the Lazarus Pits, leaving Ra's mortal and vulnerable. He could fight the Demon at his weakest and finally kill him, then he can take charge of the league of assassins. Who could oppose him?

He could kill Batman and take Gotham for himself. He'd be ruler of a vast criminal network, an empire of crime, and no one could stand against him.

But he mustn't let on what he's thinking, this alliance with the Batman is still fragile at best. So as far as Batman knows his ultimate motive is the end of the Demon and that's it. For now.

As the sun shun through the windows Bane smiled, feeling happy, hopeful even. Getting up and picking out his suit for the day, he began to occupy his mind with the plans to take him to immortality.

For most of the morning Bruce worked down in the Cave on the computer. Bane, having dressed in his civilian clothes, came down to help however he was able; he received brief messages from Bird and relayed them to Bruce, but all were leads that went nowhere. Coper still hadn't regained consciousness so for now they could only wait, and he preferred to wait in privacy.

He got to make himself breakfast once Alfred vacated the kitchen, he did not care for his company. He stayed in his room, occupying his time with meditation and exercise.

Then, around 10 o'clock, Bane heard a humbling coming from outside the window. He got up from the floor, looked out the window and saw a little silver car pulling up to the mansion. It stopped at the gate and the door opened; a woman stepped out in a black poncho and a felt hat. She said something to the driver then marched up to the front door. From the way she walked it looked like she was on a war path.

Bane wanted a closer look. He grabbed his white shirt, rushed out the door, flew down the hallway, then stopped, hid against the wall at the top of the staircase just as the doorbell rang.

From the other corridor leading to the study Alfred appeared and walked briskly to the door. Bane watched, carefully hidden out of sight, as Alfred opened the door.

"Miss Kelly, what a pleasant surprise" he smiled.

but Marie was in no mood for pleasantries.

She stepped forward slowly, removing her hat. Her voice was calm, restrained, but through her eyes Alfred saw thunder clouds and the storm was just rolling in.

"Never mind about the pleasant surprise, Mr Pennyworth, where is he?"

"Master Bruce? I'm afraid he's engaged at the moment, a rather important legal matter overseas needed his attention, did you not get his phone call this morning?"

"Oh, I did," she gritted through her flushed lips, slipping in through the doorway, not waiting for an invitation. "I just thought I'd pop up and see him, so he can tell to my face for a change, I think he owes me that much. Surely Bruce Wayne can spare a minute for his girlfriend."

Marie's angry blue eyes darted around the manor, across the forayer and up the staircase, where Bane hid.

"He's in the study, right?" She asked calmly.

Dumbstruck Alfred nodded, unsure but prepared for if she moved.

"OI, BRUCE!" she barked suddenly, the words echoed off the walls and down the hallway, catching both Alfred and Bane by surprise. "I want a word with you. Now. Come on, come on get out here you feckless coward!"

She started moving down to the study, Alfred rushed up and took Marie by the shoulders firmly, trying to sooth her temper while pulling her back to the door. "Miss Kelly, please, this wont help," he pleaded.

Marie shook him off indignantly. She was clearly very upset and wanted answers, Alfred knew he needed too calm her down and defuse the situation before it escalated.

He spoke calmly, like to a child having a tantrum. "I understand you may feel upset but interrupting Bruce while he's working will not make matters any better."

His efforts seemed to have some effect on her, but only just. Marie took a deep breath, her face awash with frustration, weariness and shame.

"He can't do this any more Pennyworth," she protested, "I've had enough. This behaviour, this game is just exhausting."

Game?

"Your anger is justified, but understand his work is very demanding, he's not doing this to deliberately hurt you."

"So he's accidentally do it?"

Alfred reached out for her shoulder, "No, I assure you, even if he cant see you now, he will be on time for your début."

But Marie shook her head sombrely, "Because that's were the camera's are."

"Alright, why don't you come with me to the kitchen and I make you some tea?"

"No thank you, I think I better just go. And you know what else Mr Pennyworth, tell Bruce not to bother coming tonight, its not like he wants to watch me anyway. In fact I'll tell him now," she spun around and snapped, "Bruce, don't bother coming!"

Then she turned back, head high and walked out the door, her poncho wafting on the breeze, "Maybe he thinks he can afford to waste my time, but I can't afford to keep waiting on him. Good day Mr Pennyworth."

And she was gone. Alfred closed the door behind her, rubbing his brow, then headed back to the study with a heavy mind.

At the top of the stairs Bane had long abandoned his hiding spot.

Marie trekked across the pebble driveway back to the car. Then suddenly the door opened again, Marie looked and there was Bane in his jacket and coat.

"Señorita." he greeted.

Marie squinted, dabbing her damp eyes, not quite believing who it was, "Hello. Mr Dorrance. I was expecting someone else," she replied nervously.

"So I heard."

Not aware she had an audience Marie became very embarrassed, raking a hand through her flowing locks, "Oh God. I'll admit, that wasn't my finest moment, did he hear any of it?"

Bane shook his head, "If not the butler will tell him."

"What are you doing here anyway?" she asked suspiciously.

"Wayne called me, he couldn't explain the details to the directors. " he said simply, walking across the driveway.

"Oh well, Any who, I was just leaving, Good day." She backed away toward the car.

"I was leaving too."

"Oh, You hoping to share a cab?"

"No, but I could give you a lift," Bane offered, "I'm driving by your hotel."

"Really. I don't know."

An awkward silence fell over them. Bane couldn't think why he offered to drive her in her current state, he had no real reason to do it and she had little reason to accept. He was waiting for her to say no but she was stuck, as if searching for the right response.

But then she surprised him, "Actually, you know what, sure. Give me a minute." She walked off to the cab, pulling out her purse from her handbag.

While she paid off the cab driver Bane rushed down to the garage. Moments later he drove up to the gate in the Aston.

Marie smiled seemingly impressed, "Oh very nice, You know I think Bruce has one of these."

Bane scoffed as he got out, "And every other car under the sun."

Marie walked around the car then asked slyly, "Do you also have the same number plates?"

She is sharper than I thought.

"He allows me to borrow it when I'm in town."

"Fair enough." she shrugged dismissively, "Do you think he'll mind if I run my key along the door or would that be a bit excessive?"

Bane smirked a little, "Not when I'm still using it."

"Fine, I'll wait."

Bane opened the door for her to get inside, as she climbed in Bane peered over his shoulder, sensing a foreboding presence coming from the old mansion. Dismissing the feeling Bane climbed back into the drivers seat and started the car.

The car revved to life and shot off out the driveway to the main road. To Gotham.