A/N: I'm sorry this is so short. There's a lot of stuff going on here, and I apologize. Sort of a bridge of feels for Bane and Fiona. New picture for the story! A little manip I did! Anyways, I'm pooped. ecto1B and I had a bit of writing session earlier in which she wrote me the most amazing little Bane/Fio oneshot involving greed and a protective Bane. That woman needs to write a book. Gosh. Maybe I'll make her publish it. That thing was beautimous... Why am I still talking? None of you read this thing anyways. xD

XXI.

The system broken, the school's closed, the prison's open. We ain't got nothing to lose, motherfucker, we rollin'.

"Did you mean what you said?"

Bane's eyes snapped up from the ledger he was examining to see Fiona, leaning against the railing tiredly. She was peering into the sewer waters below her, no doubt fear running through her mind. From his vantage point, he could see the scars on her back poke out from the leather jacket she was sporting. Bane scowled, regret surging in his veins.

The past few days had been an exodus of all normal emotions Bane was used to. He trying to convince himself that Fiona was becoming a pet, not a lover. Their quarrels were not displays of affection, but demonstrations of companionship. He was trying to convince himself that she was a criminal, not a wonderful young woman.

He had spent the whole plane ride back to the United States trying to convince himself it was just the Oxytocin talking, and not his emotions. Oxytocin was responsible for many things, love being one of them. Sexual intercourse was a bonding experience, but Bane was a man, and men never liked to be tied down. Though he didn't think of himself as a normal man, he figured he was in this aspect, but his heart ached when he thought about leaving Fiona and never seeing her again.

He was beginning to consider it was the possibility that he could have found someone to love him for who he was before the end of it all... It was a radical idea, possessed in the far recesses of his mind. It seemed to tug at his common sense, reeking of possibility.

"Did I mean, what, exactly?"

"You said I was 'wonderful'."

Bane's heart dropped. Did I really say that? How did... I... "Yes. I did mean it."

Fiona turned, her dark eyes watching him with such curiosity. Bane almost chuckled. It was such an ironic thing. All his life he had been searching for the light to his darkness, and finally, he settles upon an exotic creature even darker than him in so many aspects.

"Why?"

"Why are you wonderful?"

"Stop asking questions. That's my job."

Bane laughed from his position on his cot. He dropped the ledger with a slap, leaving it sprawled out on the cement by his feet. "You're job, my lovely dear, is to follow me into battle."

"Battle?" she snorted, "More like bed."

Her back was turned so quickly, Bane could have sworn she got whiplash. She was hunched over the railing again, a frown present on her face. That comment stinged, causing the larger man to stand slowly.

"Is... Is that what you think?"

"Wonderful, my ass."

Bane sighed. "How many women have you spotted me carting to the bedroom, Fiona?"

Fiona's eyes darted across his masked face, his fingers gripping the railing with white knuckles. "None."

"None...?"

"None, sir."

Bane nodded, his hands tugging at his shirt's collar. "And how many stories have you heard about me sleeping with women?"

"None, sir."

"Let it be known that I did not simply bed you for the pleasure of leaving your small frame, alone, in a large bed the next morning," he voice was heavy with something he couldn't place, "I did it because..."

bane clipped his sentence short, shoulders heavy. He scowled, returning to his cot.

"Because...?" Fiona asked quietly.

His fingers laced themselves around and near the tubes of his mask. "I do not know, Fiona."

It took her a moment, but after examining his hunched figure for a few seconds, she spoke. "Yes, you do."

His brow rose. "Oh, do I?"

"You won't say it. Men don't like to say it. A man like you wouldn't like to say it," her tone was low as she rocked on her heels, spitting over the railing as far as she could.

"You speak of love like it's a disease."

She snorted. "It kills."

"That is does. You do not seem the kind of person to fall victim to it, though, Fiona. You're smarter than that."

"I'm a girl. Love has always been that thing you dream of... Princess and dresses and fairies... It's all bullshit. Love is just good sex."

"Are you suggesting I simply like our sex?" Bane laughed, amused.

She was silent.

He reclined slightly, watching the woman with curiosity. "So, if it is love, then what do I do?"

"Love? With me? Never. That doesn't happen. I'm the kind of chick guys like to bang and leave to rot," she shrugged, "That's how it's always been. I suggest you go see a doctor. Maybe Pavel can help. After all, it is a disease."

"... Suppose I want this disease?"

"Oh?" Her tone was mocking of his own, her expression laced with amusement, "You know, love is a lot like an STD..."

Bane shook his head, rolling his grey eyes at the woman's pessimistic attitude. Normally, she was much cheery. Easier to speak with. He knew there was only one way to get her to stop with the banter.

He thought of all the other times he had said those three words, realizing that the majority were directed towards a young Talia, eager to make him smile. He used to utter it to her when they slept in The Pit, his arms wrapped tightly around her, as if he was fighting off the dark with his small bundle of light. Now that he was older... There hadn't been many places for him to say it... No one had ever stuck around long enough... It was a deep gash to open, but, he figured, he really didn't have anything to lose.

He pushed aside the fears and worry pulling at his chest and let the words come.

"I..."

And the confidence was gone.

"I want to promote you. You are being promoted to stand alongside Barsad in the rankings. You are to shadow me wherever we go."

She was silent, her eyes widening. "I wasn't expecting that..."

Bane stood. "Speak with Barsad. In two hours we leave for Wayne Enterprises."

He left her hanging onto the railing, his mind screaming at him.

You stupid fuck.

Do you like Bane/Talia?

i do because its adorable and amazing i mean what who said that