Chapter 11

~Ring ring~

~Ring ring~

~Ring ring~

"I told you not to call me on my house phone." Selina whispered angrily into the telephone as she quickly walked into the bathroom that adjoined her suite so she wouldn't wake her husband.

"I beg your pardon Miss Kyle. I thought you might like to know that I found him." the deep voice replied.

Selina's eyes closed as a wave of relief washed over her. She turned around to look at Bruce sleeping peacefully on the bed.

"Where is he?" she asked.

"As of right now he is still in Italy. But I have it on good authority that he will be taking a trip to Sweden very soon."

Selina froze and her eyes widened. She knew it wouldn't be long before he tracked them. But she didn't think he would be able to find them this quickly.

"I wonder why he would be going there this time of year?" the voice continued, mocking her.

Selina became irritated slightly raising her voice.

"You KNOW DAMNED WELL WHY HE WOULD BE COMING HERE!"

Bruce stirred in his sleep causing Selina to cover her mouth and move farther into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

"Miss Kyle show a little decorum. Yes I know you have relocated to the north..."

"How do you know he plans to come here soon?"

"Please," The voice chuckled. "Don't insult my intelligence. Infiltrating those close to him was child's play. You will have what you ask for before you know it."

"Good," Selina said looking back at herself in the mirror to check her complexion. "And remember, I want him to suffer before he dies, both physically...and mentally."

"Your wish is my command my lady."

Selina smiled and hung up the phone before walking back to bed. She crawled onto the bed and snuggled underneath the covers wrapping her arms around her husband and molding her body to hit his, pressing her front to his back. As soon as she settled and became comfortable Bruce opened his eyes having been fully awake and now very interested in his wife's activities.

Bane and his men drove onto the lot of the cirque. His clothing was drenched in the blood of the politician he had been paid five million dollars to dispatch. He had thoroughly enjoyed killing the man. He felt powerful again, like his old self before his failure in Gotham. Memories of the past still sometimes haunted his dreams, causing his anger to heighten and usually some poor object or assigned victim would feel his wrath.

He had the vehicle stop at the RV he and Joanna were sharing. Heather had made it known that she didn't approve of him living with her sister.

"MY SISTER IS A RESPECTABLE LADY AND YOU ARE RUINING HER REPUTATION YOU TOSS POT!" she had yelled at him on the day they returned from the beach.

Joanna just rolled her eyes at her sister and said, "Cut it out or I will cut you off."

"But Jo-jo," Heather cried looking at her sister with big pleading eyes. "I'm only trying to protect your virtue."

"Yea, that was shot to hell a long time ago and you know it."

Bane chuckled as he walked into the RV remembering the look on Heather's face. It had made his whole week. Joanna was no where to be seen. She was probably in the arena practicing for the new show. He had not been allowed inside the arena to watch her practice, by order of herself and Heather. She told him she didn't want him to see the show until it opened. But he and Aria would sneak into the arena sometimes to watch her practice. He was amazed at how quickly she learned. After just only six weeks she looked like a professional ice skater. Bane knew because he had been forced by Aria to watch countless ice skating programs. The little girl had become almost a constant fixture at his side when he wasn't with Joanna or off doing his work. It seemed he had become her official baby sitter.

Bane quickly jumped in the shower and washed the grim and gore from his body. He instantly felt like a new person as he threw on a black sweater and a pair of cargo pants. He stepped out into the living room and looked around. Normally, Aria would already be waiting on the couch for him to play a game with her or watch TV, or even go on one of her secret adventures sneaking around the lot. But she wasn't there so he put on his jacket and hat and walked out of the RV to go and find his little friend.

He found her in the arena sitting up in the balcony in their usual hiding place She was sitting with her elbows up on the railing staring down at the arena. Bane came up and sat down beside her. She turned and smiled at him holding out her little fist. Bane reached out to bump his larger fist to hers.

"Why weren't you in the trailer waiting on me munchkin?" he asked leaning in close to keep his voice as low as it would go through his mask.

The little girl turned to look at him with a worried look.

"Jo-jo wasn't feeling well. So I thought I had better come in case she gets another ouchie."

She turned and leaned down on her other side and picking up Joanna's medical bag for him to see.

"What do you mean Jo-jo wasn't feeling well?" Bane asked.

"She got sick. Mommy and daddy think its because of stress again. She always gets sick at the beginning of a show because she works so hard."

Bane's brow wrinkled as he turned to the arena that had been made into a huge ice rink for the performers to practice on. He knew Joanna had been frustrated about learning to ice skate. He had been frequently waking up to an empty bed only to find her working out or studying skating videos.

Suddenly, a flash of color down on the ice brought Bane from his thoughts. Joanna flew onto the ice like a speed skater. She flipped around so that she was skating backwards to gain even more speed. Once she was at top speed she braced and threw herself into the air. Bane watched as she lightly landed on one foot after spinning once, her other leg flying up as her head swung down close to the ice.

"She's really good at that jump." Aria commented.

Bane nodded in agreement.

Joanna kept going. She picked up speed again lifting one leg out behind her and spreading her arms almost as if she were flying. After a moment she lowered her leg and flipped around backwards again to pick up speed. Aria suddenly covered her eyes. Joanna swung her leg forward and then jumped again. She spun through the air like a top before coming down again, this time not so gracefully. She hit the ice hard and flipped several times from the force of her jump before slamming into the side of the ring.

Bane was instantly on his feet. He could only see her leg from the angle he was at. He began counting silently to himself 1, 2, 3. Aria had taught him the ten second rule that was used by Heather in the cirque, especially when it came to Joanna. If she didn't move in ten seconds something was badly wrong and she was out of the ring whether it was practice or a show. 6, 7, 8 Bane was about to run down to the arena when he saw Joanna's foot twitch and suddenly move. Then he saw her hand as she gripped onto the barrier and lifted herself to her feet. He heard her groan as she attempted to steady herself. Now Bane could see how pale she looked with dark circles under her eyes. She turned around holding her back and limped back to the entrance of the ring.

"Come on Aria," Bane said. "She wouldn't want you to be seeing this."

He gently picked up the little girl and turned to walk out of the arena.

"So," he said attempting to turn take her mind and his own off Joanna, "Are you going to be ice skating in the show with Jo-jo?"

"Nope." She said with a smile. "Mommy said I'm too small."

"Oh, so does that mean your going to train the tigers like your mother?"

"Oh my goodness!" she said putting her hands on her cheeks with a look of shock on her face. "I hope not, Mommy said that I was going to get to sing with her in the show."

Bane had to smile.

"That's wonderful. I'm sure you will sing beautifully."

"Will you sing with me so I can practice?"

"Uhh... Well, I don't know about that."

They were about to reach the door when Heather suddenly walked in.

"What are you two doing here?" she demanded.

"Jo-jo was sick so I brought her ouchie bag." Aria said holding up the bag again.

Heather's face instantly softened as she reached out and took the bag.

"Mommy, Jo-jo's been falling a lot. Can you fix her ouchies?"

"I'm going to do my best baby. But you know how she is."

"I know mommy. Jo-jo is stubborn."

Heather went to walk past them into the arena when Bane spoke.

"She's working too hard."

Heather froze and turned around.

"Don't you think I know that. I've tried to get her slow down but she never does. Its like this with every show."

"Yea," said Aria looking up at Bane. "Daddy says she's just like my mommy."

"HUSH YOU!" cried Heather.

"Yes ma'am."

Heather turned back to glare at Bane.

"If you think you can get her to take a break, I'll take my hat off to you. But I gave up years ago trying."

She turned to continue walking but stopped again.

"By the way, the man who is financing the show wants to throw an old fashioned masquerade after the premier for the cirque. I know it's probably not your thing...But from what I hear he is very interested in her. He's sent over another gift."

Bane's eyes flashed in anger. He didn't like hearing that man mentioned. Over the last six weeks since the cirque had agreed to do the show, Bane would come home to a new bouquet of flowers or some piece of jewelry that the man had sent to Joanna. Every time he saw another gift from that man his blood began to boil. He was starting to consider searching out the man and teaching him exactly why he shouldn't mess with other men's things. Especially when that thing was Bane's beloved.

Later that day Bane sat in the RV thinking. He had just received word that Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle had disappeared from their hiding place. They had left in a hurry. So somehow they found out he was coming for them. Which meant one thing, a traitor. The idea that one of his men betrayed him made his anger rise to a murderous level. He would find out who the traitor was, and he would make them suffer a slow and painful death. He would torture them until they begged him for death, and when he was ready he would happily oblige.

The door to the RV opened and Joanna slowly stepped in. She was even more pale than she had been in the arena. Bane got up and walked over to her.

"Joanna, what have you done to yourself?"

She looked up at him as she made her way up the steps and smiled.

"Oh, I'm fine. Just a hard day at practice."

Bane walked over and gently swept her off her feet and into his arms. She winced when he touched her. He carried her into the bedroom and gently set her on her feet.

"You're working too hard." He said as he sat down on the bed with her standing between his legs facing him.

Slowly he pulled her practice tank over her head, her skin was covered in bruises. He gently ran his fingers over her stomach and ribs, causing her to jump at his touch. She leaned and laid her chin on his head.

"Its my job, just a-little occupational hazard." she said smiling.

"It's your job to entertain, not kill yourself." he growled pulling away to look at her.

"Bane,...every job requires danger...I thought you of all people would understand that..."

Bane couldn't argue with her there. Danger was the very nature of his own work. He still didn't like the idea of her working herself to sickness. He didn't want her to feel pain at any time. He stared at her with his big brown eyes willing her to understand how he felt. She stared back at him and finally sighed. She couldn't fight against those eyes.

"But if it will make you feel better...I will take it easy for a few days, if its ok with Heather."

Bane smiled to himself 'Victory! Take that you vicious harpy.'

Joanna turned to limp into the kitchen to get an orange and spotted a beautifully decorated box sitting on the counter addressed to her. It was from her generous friend Sir Eddie. He was such a kind gentlemen. But she had to admit she was becoming really uncomfortable with all of his gifts. She had only spoken to him for five minutes. She opened it. Inside the box was a beautiful golden venetian mask and a card. Bane walked up behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her, while scowling at the present. She picked up the card and opened it.

To my beautiful golden phoenix: I am planning a traditional masquerade after the premier of the show to celebrate your triumph. It would honor me if you would wear this mask as a token of my affection and allow me to be your escort to the ball. Yours entirely, Sir Eddie.

Bane's fury rose to a new height. He took his hands off of her and turned around to grab the other counter as hard as he could.

"He is a very kind man." Joanna said re-reading the card.

Suddenly the counter made a cracking noise and Joanna turned around.

"Bane what's wrong?" she asked stepping over to him.

Bane turned and walked to the couch. He really wanted to kill something or someone. Joanna followed him as he sat down and knelt between his legs.

"Are you ok?"

Bane didn't answer. He was too furious. Joanna reached up to stroke the side of his face.

"Are you angry about him?"

Bane turned to face away from her.

"I'm not going to the ball with him."

Bane continued to look at nothing.

"I actually have my heart set on going with someone else...that is if he wants to go."

Slowly, Bane turned to look at her. She was smiling at him. Even when she was pale and looked as if she were about to fall over she was the most beautiful thing in the world.

"Do you enjoy receiving all of these gifts from that man?"

"Actually no. They make me a little uncomfortable, especially since I don't really know him. I mean he's the one paying for the show...and its obvious he likes me...but I really don't feel that way about him."

Bane relaxed and leaned up to run his fingers through her hair.

"Good because you belong to ME."

Joanna smiled weakly. "Does that mean you love me?"

Bane nodded.

"Good, then you'll forgive me for this.." and with that she leaned over and threw up all over his lap.

Author's notes

Alrighty soooo firstly I would like to thank you for sticking with me this long, and I am so sorry for the long wait between chapters. Between work and school and needing bothersome things like food and sleep the only time I have to write is in the wee hours of the morning.

I was asked by my sister friend Kitty to put a disclaimer on here on her behalf because Heather was largely based on her that she is not a bitch or vicious harpy in real life she is actually one of the sweetest people I know. However, the meanness you are seeing is her when she is on a medicine called Predizone which turns her into said beast causes her to act like a t-rex. Seriously shes really scary sometimes when she's on it(end disclaimer)

Anyway I was really happy to put Aria back into the story I hope when I have a little girl she is just like her lol. So I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I will do my best to post more frequently especially since the story will get more intense from here on in. Please R&R love you all