Hey everyone! First off, I can't believe how long and hard it was to write this chapter! I thought I would have this written in like a few days, tops! But then I just wanted to add so much and then I had all these ideas to sort through and I was writing one thing one day but completely changing it the next! I'm sorry it took so long but I really like how this chapter went because I feel like Abby just needed to acknowledge her feelings already :) So please, please tell me what you guys think of this chapter! I want any and all advice or comments you have to give! Thank you to all who have already reviewed! You are all so kind and it just makes me so happy that you enjoy my writing! Okay, well enjoy chapter eleven!
Bane's POV
I know what she's doing, it's a tactic I've used many times over. And it's taking every single ounce of my self-control not to grip her chin and force her to acknowledge my presence. She is ignoring me to show that I am inferior. As if I could ever be inferior to her. She wants to show that she is in control, even when she is not. Briefly, I have to resist the urge to snort.
As stubborn as a mule. Is all that I can manage to think and even while she tap dances on my last nerve, I think of her with fondness.
This...predicament should not be amusing at all and yet I find myself thinking of how she had talked to Talia. No one had ever dared defy her but Abigail, my little one, had. I admired her bravery and her quick wit. I just didn't admire when she used these characteristics to undermine my authority. She had knowingly left the apartment when I had told her not to. She must have known there would be consequences. Dire consequences.
I shook my head angrily and I saw her eyes flash to me quickly and then look away. I narrowed my eyes and thought of the new information I had learned about my little captive. News that did not bode well with me.
Abigail's Bruce was Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne was Batman. Did she know Wayne's secret? Why would she know? Did he love her? Did she love him?
The thought enraged me to no end, made molten hot lava run through my veins. She was not his, she was mine and mine alone.
I set my gaze upon her, determined to get the answers I sought.
Abby's POV
I let my eyes take in the room around me, trying in a futile attempt to ignore Bane's commanding presence in the center of the room. I knew I was in, well for lack of better words, deep shit. So, in an attempt to calm my panic and to spite Bane, a very satisfying bonus, I was studying my surroundings and pointedly ignoring him. The walls of the study were painted a deep, sapphire blue and the desk and bookshelf were both made of a deep, cherry, mahogany. In place of books, the bookshelf housed dozens of tubes filled with dark, swirling, medicine. I assumed they were the injections for Bane's mask. I let my eyes wander around the room once more and eventually, with a resigned sigh, I realized I had nothing else to observe.
I know I can't avoid him forever but what's the harm in trying? I resist the urge to suck in a sharp breath when he moves from his perch on the desk. I still couldn't believe how I had stood up to Talia. I had never been a pushover but I hadn't ever been that ferocious before either. It was as if something inside me had snapped and had me seeing red when they had mentioned Bruce. I couldn't function properly with her words ringing in my mind. Even now, I feel the worry, the utter a complete sense of helplessness eat away at my soul. I felt bile rise up in my throat, thick and suffocating.
What had they done to him?
Unbeknownst to me, Bane had moved to stand before me. My gaze was unfocused as I drifted farther and farther into my thoughts. Suddenly, Bane was gripping my chin, not enough to hurt, but enough to get my attention. Little shocks of awareness tingled along my skin where Bane's fingertips had made contact.
"Do not test me little one. Not after what you've done." He seethed, his brown eyes burning into my blue. Furious, I yanked my chin free.
"What I've done?" I scoffed, one eyebrow raised. "And don't ever touch me again." My voice had dropped an octave, making the hidden threat all the more threatening. He took a step back, as if to reevaluate me.
"What ever do you mean my dear?" My blood boiled. How dare he! He really had the audacity to ask me what I meant? When there were people starving to death outside his front door? Rather than dignify his question with an answer, I simply snapped my mouth closed and kept quiet. As of now, silence was my best friend and his worst enemy. I practically felt my eyes dance with mirth when Bane's eyes narrowed and he took a deep, calming breath.
"No matter. I said we would get to know each other." Now it was my turn to narrow my eyes. He had to be joking...he'd better be.
"I don't want to get to know you!" I snarled, standing up from my chair. Bane stared at me for a long moment and then he sat down in the leather seat opposite mine and clasped his hands together in a business like gesture. He was a pompous, psychotic, asshole, that's what he was! I paced the length of the room like a caged lion.
"I don't care what you do or do not want Abigail. You will tell me what I want to know." His voice, even though threatening, still had pleasurable shivers wracking my spine. His voice was so rich, so masculine and did strange things to my body. I physically shook myself and mentally slapped my cheeks. Get it together!, I scolded myself, disgusted with my body's reaction to Bane.
I looked across the room, into Bane's fathomless brown eyes. My gaze was unwavering.
"Know this, the only reason I'm telling you anything is because I have nothing left to lose and I don't have much of a choice here. Know that...I hate you. For what you've done to my city. For what you've done to me. For what you've done to Bruce." For making me feel something for you! Tears slid down my cheeks but my voice remained steady and strong. Bane sat back in his chair, eyes blank except for a flicker of deep sadness. And then all emotion was gone and he was once again the Bane who had brought Gotham to its knees. Angrily, I swiped at the drying tears upon my cheeks.
It was time to be strong, to make Bruce proud.
Bane stared for a moment and then he reached one hand behind his head to unclasp his mask. I felt a shocked gasp leave my lips as the mask left his face bare. This was the first time he had ever willingly taken off his mask in front of me. I didn't understand his motives in doing so now. Maybe to show that their was nothing to hide? Not likely. To shock me into submission? Sounds about right. One thing I did know was that this was important, I just didn't understand in what way.
He turned and set the mask in the bookshelf. I watched his every move, silently berating myself for gawking at his handsome face. His lips were so...so...so kissable. His jaw line incredibly strong and masculine. It felt like each time I saw his face, it miraculously became more attractive. The light, barely there, scars that crisscrossed his chin only added to the ruggedness that was Bane. I fought the urge to put my face in my hands and instead forced myself to look directly into his chocolate-brown eyes.
"What do you want to know?" I cocked an eyebrow, clearing my throat. Bane sat down across from me, clasping his hands together once more.
"I want to know...about you." He spoke carefully, cautiously and I couldn't help but feel confused. Something had changed in the last few moments, on his part anyhow. The question shocked me out of my anger for a moment.
"I, well, what do you mean?" I felt my eyebrows dip in confusion and my lips drop into a frown. I anxiously pulled my bottom lip into my mouth and began to chew.
"I want to get to know who you are, who you were before, who you are now." Bane tried to explain but it seemed he just couldn't articulate what exactly it was he wanted from me. I nodded slowly, a plan beginning to take shape in my mind.
"I'll answer all of your questions, on one condition." I warned him. His eyebrows lifted and butterflies took flight in my stomach. I loved that quirk of his. Stop, I commanded myself, going after the butterflies in my stomach with an imaginary fly swatter.
"Name it." His lips lifted in a slow, daring smirk. Inwardly, I groaned but outwardly, I was firm and demanding in my request.
"For every question you ask, I'm allowed to ask you one in return." I was grateful when my voice remained steady.
"Little one-" He started but I quickly cut him off.
"Getting to know some one is a two-way street." I informed him seriously, and then added coyly, "Besides wasn't it you who said we should get to know each other?"
"Fine but I reserve the right to only answer the questions I wish to." Bane said. I sat back in my chair, legs and arms crossed, and shrugged.
"Okay but then I reserve the same right." Bane 's shoulder instantly tensed and his chest rumbled with an angry growl as his mouth transformed into a scowl. God help me, but I found him attractive. Don't misunderstand me, I'm still incredibly angry but I can't really help biology. Not to mention that there seemed to be two Banes, terrorist Bane and then Bane when he was with me. To say that I was getting mixed signals was an understatement of epic proportions. Then to find out he had feelings for another woman and that Bruce had been kidnapped or tortured or god knows what, well it was all too much for me to comprehend, let alone sort through all my feelings. Throw in my ever-growing feelings for Bane and you had what my life had become; a mess.
I swallowed hard, the nervousness rising up inside of me. I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"Alright, ask away." I told Bane, locking my jaw in place in a show of steely determination.
"How old are you?" He asked almost quietly, his eyes shocked. It looked as if he hadn't even meant to ask that question. I, on the other hand, felt cool and refreshing relief rush through my veins. I could answer that question, it was easy, definite.
"I turned 24 right before...everything. And you?" I inquired, suddenly ravenously curious about the man who sat before me. He nodded slowly, as if he were committing even that tiny tidbit about me to his memory. Bane's eyes bore into mine and I could practically feel his reluctance to answer. I was not going to let him back out of this. Not a chance in hell. I thought for a moment, trying to decipher Bane's reluctance towards telling me. And then the proverbial lightbulb.
"Honestly Bane, who am I going to talk to about this conversation? I'm not going to tell anyone anything. And just a friendly reminder, your silence is also mine." His brown eyes lit up with amusement, contrasting with the small, concentrated frown marring his face.
"Very well. I am 34." I looked him up and down for a moment, finally concluding that his impressive physique made him look at least five years younger than he actually was.
"Have you lived in Gotham your entire life?" He asked me, eyes trained on my face, studying my every movement. I blushed from the intensity of his gaze.
"Yes, I have." I whispered quietly, memories swirling inside of my mind, long forgotten memories. Painful memories. I shook my head, scattering the stream of pictures and words and sentiments from my mind.
"Do you love her? Talia, I mean." I asked him pointedly, my heart pounding in my ribcage because I was afraid of his answer. Because the truth of the matter was that I didn't want him to love another woman and especially not Talia, not that cold, distant, cruel woman who no doubt was the cause of all this destruction and pain. Bane's lips pressed together and his eyes tightened for a moment. And then I was staring into his beautiful brown eyes as he slowly shook his head.
"I once thought that I did...but," his voice trailed off and his eyes meant mine once more, causing a chain reaction in my body. My palms started to perspire, my heart thumped wildly, and butterflies took flight in my stomach. " but now, I am not so sure."
"Why? And be honest, please." I moved forward ever so slightly in my chair, desperately wanting to be raging at the man before me for taking everything away, for taking Bruce, for taking Gotham but I can't because whether I like it or not, I feel something for him. And I can't stop it, no matter how hard I try. I can only try to make him see the light, to make him see reason. To right his wrongs because I see it in his eyes. I see his ability to be a better man.
"Because of you. Your kindness, your compassion, your selflessness." Bane leaned forward in his chair as he spoke, and I practically soared at his words.
"Do you love someone?" That unnamed emotion flashed in his eyes. "Do you love Bruce Wayne?" Bane's voice lowered threateningly, the tone positively feral. He seemed so possessive, so enraged at the thought of Bruce and I. Suddenly, I couldn't quell the bubble of laughter that erupted from my throat. I shook my head rapidly back and forth, vehemently denying Bane's theory.
"Bruce and I? No! That's just...just wrong! Bruce is my brother. The only family I have left, as a matter of fact." I went quiet, again struck silent with the fact that Bruce was gone and I couldn't do anything about it.
"Do not laugh at me, it was a logical question. How do you know Bruce Wayne then?" Bane asked, eyebrows raised and I was reminded of how much I loved when he did that.
"It's a very long story." I let out a gusty sigh, no sure if I was ready to tell this tale.
"I would like to hear it." Bane murmured, nothing but polite curiosity in his voice. I cleared my throat uncomfortably and nodded.
"When I was younger, Gotham was in economic turmoil. People were losing their jobs left and right. So they became desperate for money. You're aware of how Bruce's parent's died?" At Bane's nod I continued. " My parents were also shot and mugged but, unlike Bruce, I wasn't there to see it. My grandmother and I were brought down to the station on the same night Bruce Wayne's parents had been murdered. All I remember is these rush of people around me and I felt like the world should have ended when my parent's lives did. I felt like the sun would never shine again and then I saw him. He was across the room, with lieutenant Gordon. I remember thinking how kind Jim Gordon was, years later when I looked back on this moment, because he was the only adult who even bothered to comfort Bruce, to make sure he was okay and tell him everything would be okay." I broke off for a moment, trying to keep unshed tears at bay.
"I was six and Bruce was twelve and I just couldn't stand the sight of his hunched over shoulders, of the tear stains on his cheeks. Looking back on it, I think that I instinctively knew that when your parents died, it put a specific kind of pain in your eyes. And I recognized that pain in Bruce's eyes. So, I went over to him and I hugged him and told him that everything was going to be okay and that he shouldn't cry because his parents wouldn't want him to be sad. He was so sweet when I told him my parents had died too, hugging me and talking with me until Alfred came to take him home. Bruce had looked back at me and said, 'Thank you, I won't ever forget what you've done.'" I sniffled lightly, looking up at Bane. His head was tilted inquisitively and his lips were quirked up at the end ever so slightly.
"What?" I asked him, wiping at my nose self-consciously.
"Even at such a young age, you were compassionate and kind and good. It shocks me that you were able to retain that throughout your adolescence." I sat there, dumbfounded for a moment, he had actually complimented me. Then a thought occurred to me.
"You haven't seen many good things in your life, have you?" I asked quietly, pieces of the puzzle that was Bane slowly coming together.
"No, little one, I have not. You are one of the few." He said solemnly and then motioned for me to continue.
"Thank you." I whispered, blushing, then continued with my story. "After that, Alfred would send a car for me to come to Wayne Manor and be with Bruce. We grew closer and closer, becoming more and more like siblings as time went on. I think that it gave him great comfort to know that someone knew what it was like to lose your parents. Everything was as good as it could be for six years. We celebrated holidays together and Bruce helped me with homework and I comforted him after he had nightmares, it was almost...normal." I took a deep breath and gathered my memories, sorting through the important ones.
"And then Bruce left for college, with promises to send letters. A month later, my grandmother died. Alfred tried very hard to have me stay at Wayne Manor but the courts wouldn't allow it and Bruce was away at college, finally living a life away from Gotham. I couldn't take that away from him, so I decided it was best to just go to the girl's home. I was luckier than most orphans and I was able to continue my schooling. Five years later, I was seventeen and graduated. By then, I had had a job for two years as a waitress and had enough money for a crappy apartment in the narrows. That was the year Bruce came back, the year that Joe Chill was on trial. I couldn't bring myself to watch the trial, I just couldn't. So imagine my surprise when at close to twelve o'clock at night there is a knock on my front door and when I open it I get tackled in a bear hug by Bruce Wayne." I broke off, huffing out a laugh while shaking my head.
"We talked and caught up with one another. Bruce wasn't happy with my living situation or my job. He talked to me about his anger and his sadness and well everything, I guess. Eventually I made him go to bed and when I woke up in the morning Bruce was gone and there was a number on a sticky note attached to my phone. It was the number for the library where I had applied for a job, which I'd told Bruce about. He had called in and had me hired. I remember standing there for twenty minutes debating with myself on whether to be mad or to just be thankful. I decided the later. Bruce was gone for another five years and when he came back it was...well it was like all my prayers had been answered." I locked eyes with Bane, wanting him to feel the pain I was going through.
"Do you know what it's like to stay awake at night, tossing and turning, worrying over if someone you love is alive or dead? If you'll ever see them again? I know what it's like, it is a special kind of hell. And now, now he's gone again and I-" I broke off suddenly, looking away from Bane, unable to speak any longer. I felt my body shake ever so slightly.
Then, I felt Bane press a hand to my chin and slowly lift. He looked deeply into my eyes while switching his hand to cup my face.
"He is not dead and he is far from Gotham. That is all the comfort I can give you, little one."
"And he'll be safe?"
"...He will be now." Was the exhaled reply I got and it made me wonder what Bane meant. And it also further proved to me that he still had good in him, that he was a good man. One thing I knew for sure was that Bruce was going to be safe now because of whatever decision Bane had just made.
Unable to keep my gratitude inside, I carefully and slowly leaned toward Bane. I let my lips rest on his cheek and then kissed it gently. I pulled away, only to be stopped by Bane's hands cupping either side of my face. My heart rate increased as he brought our heads together and leaned his forehead against mine.
"Bane..," I breathed, wanting so badly to touch our lips together but fearing that he wouldn't want it. My fears were for nothing.
"Little one...," He groaned back, as if he were finally able to succumb to some hidden desire, and then our lips meant and I was in heaven. He kissed me so gently, so carefully and I instantly couldn't get enough. A fire had started in my very soul and it burned for his touch. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling his lips closer, craving him. His hands slowly trailed up and down my sides, as if he were mapping my body for further exploration. I felt excitement shoot up and down my spine. I had never experienced anything like this in my life.
And then we broke apart, both gasping for air. Bane looked down at me hungrily and something flashed in his eyes and then I was in his arms again, pinned to the wall in another of his embraces. How I was beginning to love his kisses.
His hands travelled down my sides, stopping to grip my hips as his lips trailed a fiery path down my neck. I let my hands wonder down his back, feeling the corded muscles and the strength he was restraining as to not hurt me. Bane brought his lips back to mine, plundering my mouth and completely melting me. We broke apart and he leaned his forehead against mine once more, in a show of unusual gentleness.
"Little one..." He murmured huskily as we connected eyes. And I thought he would kiss me again but Bane stopped himself, breathing hard.
Then he abruptly pushed away from the wall, storming towards the study door and slamming it shut, leaving me breathless and shocked, still pressed into the wall. I let my body sink to the floor, just sitting there trying to sort through all of my feelings. Wondering how we could have shared so much about and to each other and he could just walk away. Numbly I stood up, travelled the hallway, walked into the bedroom, and changed into my pajamas. That's when the anger hit. I stormed to the bedroom throwing the comforter back, muttering to myself all the way.
"Damn him! Ruining my city, saving me, demanding I come here! Messing with my feelings and kissing me! Making me want him! "I snarled while throwing pillows to the floor." Protecting me. Calling me little one. Making me fall in love with him!" I shouted, not really processing what was coming out of my mouth, just trying to ease the ache of the thoughts and emotions whirling in my head. I stopped dead and whipped my head around to look at Max resting in his doggy bed, where he had been all night while I had sleuthed and then talked with Bane.
"Oh no, Oh god...Max, what am I going to do?" I whimpered, running my hand through my hair, wishing, hoping, praying in that moment that Max could talk. Before tonight, I knew my feelings for Bane ran incredibly deep, it was obvious by the way my heart speed up when he looked at me, touched me and when he's in pain, my heart swells with worry. But I never thought my feelings for him were as serious as those three little words. But now I know, with all my heart. No matter what he does or who he hurts.
I love him. Wholly, Irrevocably.