Yours Truly

Chapter 20- ACT X

Four months, twenty-eight days

Barsad's day started relatively normal. He had slept well, he had a hot shower, he got dressed, he ate a great breakfast. It was high living here at the hotel for Barsad. He liked the states. Rather, he liked being able to have hot showers, a good bed to sleep in, and hot (nearly endless) meals. Barsad was simple in his likes and content in these moments. He left his room and had to be up before Bane normally but with Bane sleeping in more and being more preoccupied with Zamirah ( often referred to as 'Missus Bane' or 'Missus' by the men under Bane), that meant one even more delicious addition to the list of things Barsad could relish and take part in: sleeping in. Normally, Bane also slept through the night which meant that Barsad could sleep through the night soundly as well. Barsad was so accustomed to little sleep that he felt spoiled and privileges when he got another half hour or even an hour's worth of sleep. He liked it.

What else did he like? Well, Barsad liked Zamirah. Not romantically, no, but platonically. She was a good influence on Bane and he had changed vastly since meeting her, becoming a better person and maybe even a better man than when he had first arrived. Barsad liked change and he liked to watch it too. Barsad liked watching Zamirah change and grow as well. He liked them both together, as a couple and individually as people. She was always very kind to him when she didn't have to be and he appreciated it.

Barsad left his room and one of the other men alerted him to Bane being downstairs with the Missus already, in the hotel's gym. So he rode the elevator down and he went over to the gym to see the both of them. Zamirah was reading a book and sitting near one of the wide windows in the gym, while Bane was lowering himself from the pull-up bar and picked up a towel from the floor to wipe himself down. He had his pants and boots on but no shirt- "More." Zamirah said as she turned a page and Bane looked at her while he put the towel around the back of his neck and let it hang over his front,

"I apologized." Bane started but she interjected, "I'm still mad." He sighed but pulled off the towel and set it back down before getting into position with the chin-up bar and began to do more pull-ups. "Zamirah?" Bane called and she let out a 'hm' sound as she turned another page,

"I'll say when." She clarified before looking over at Barsad and smiled at him. Barsad liked her smile and he liked her a little more for showing such control. "Good morning, Barsad." Bane looked over at him and Barsad nodded his way. Bane stopped and set himself back on his feet, pulling the towel up and wiping himself off, "Excuse me." She said curtly and Bane looked at her,

"I need to speak with him." Bane said and she dog-eared her book's page, set the book on the ground and got to her feet, walking out of the gym and into the hallway to leave them be. "I need you to go with her to speak with the Joker."

"You don't trust her?" Barsad asked and Bane looked at him,

"I do. I don't trust him." The man said firmly and took a moment to wipe his face before saying, "...I do not know how to let her know her worth, other than letting her do this."

"You saw Talia last night?" Barsad asked and the other man nodded, "Oh… then came back to the room with her in it?" Once more, Bane nodded, "Maybe… you need to show her how little Talia matters." Bane looked away, "Women like seeing action."

"How?" Bane asked and Barsad offered a few ideas before Bane nodded, "She wants an apartment too."

"Gothamites are still rioting in the streets." Barsad advised and Bane nodded, "What will she do for food?" Bane looked up at the ceiling, "Is it wise for her to be so vulnerable?" His leader shook his head from side-to-side in a 'no' but voiced,

"I want to fit a lifetime in these next few months… I need to." Bane said and looked at Barsad, "I will ask Crane to give her something to do at his restaurant… keep her occupied." Barsad liked how his leader was thinking of things to keep his woman content, it was nice-

"I thought the restaurant was disputed territory?" Barsad pointed out and reminded Bane that the Joker and Crane had both claimed to have it be apart of their territory, "Those boots from Miss Kyle came in as well."

"I will give it to Crane and make Joker agree to it, wait for my call on the matter." Bane said and sighed, "Zamirah is displeased with me… the boots should wait." Barsad liked this conversation and how it was going. "Would giving her the boots be better tomorrow?"

"No, give them to her today and tell her an outfit you think they will go with. Show her you pay attention to what she wears." Barsad advised and Bane nodded then nodded to the door. His right-hand man opened the door and let Zamirah know it was alright to go in before he went to the front desk and retrieved the box- matte black with sleek dark navy accents of lettering- then brought the box with him when he went back to the gym and entered. Always the wingman, Barsad handed the box off to Bane who took it as Zamirah watched while Bane used the moment to shift gears on whatever conversation they were having to segway into introducing the boots,

"I understand you were not feeling well and that you seeing Miss Kyle made you quite uncomfortable and self-conscious, but I want you to know that you needn't feel that way." Bane said and Barsad stood by and listened, silently encouraging him as Bane just as silently struggled to word what he was trying to say. "She dropped off these for you and I think that if you were to pair these with your red dress, those nice stud earrings, then your coat and gloves, you would look stunning, even if you don't feel that way… I hope that by doing so, you will feel more confident and comfortable once you see how well they look on you." Barsad watched him hand off the box to Zamirah and she took it and slowly opened it while Bane glanced at Barsad for validation. His wingman gave him a quick and reassuring smirk before they both looked at the woman who looked… nervous and uncomfortable. Barsad did not like this.

"You haven't even seen me in them…" Zamirah said quietly, "How do you know if I will look good in them?"

"It's because you look beautiful in anything you wear." Bane said simply thought she looked unsure, "It is, however, your choice but I would appreciate it if you tried them on before I sent the boots back to Miss Kyle." She nodded and he held his hand out and took the box from her, before dismissing Barsad and leading his woman out of the gym on the crook of his free arm. She seemed much more pleased now. Barsad liked this too.

Bane waited as she changed and opened the door to the bathroom when she was done to slowly walk out on the new boots, "You look amazing." He said and she slowly walked towards him, teetering on her new heels and he rose to his feet. He offered his large arms out to her so that she could put her hands on them for support as she webble-wobbled her way over to him and into his arms, "How are you feeling?"

"I feel… imposing and powerful." She said excitedly, "I just… I wish I could stand properly." Bane stood firmly for the both of them as she got her bearings before she sighed, "I bet your Talia can walk in these." Bane let out a mechanical sigh, "I'm sorry." He didn't say anything but he held her hands in his and held her arms out, slowly walking backward and walking with her as she slowly and teeteringly walked towards and with him. "Help me take these off."

"In a moment." He responded and stopped slightly past a mirror so that when she made her way to him, that she would be before it. "Come look then I'll help." The muscled man said and she nodded, watching her footing as it because much steadier, "Look at you… beautiful even when you struggle." He mused and she blushed and smiled bashfully then came to a stop and looked at herself in the mirror. Her partner slowly let go of her and moved to stand behind her as she saw herself in the mirror and turned her heel this way and that to look at how the boots looked on her, "Imagine, strutting into see Joker in these boots; the image of a strong, resilient woman." She did feel powerful and in charge in these boots, and he put his hands on her upper arms and slowly slid them down, "No comparison." "To who?" "To anyone, Zamirah." Bane purred and she smiled at their reflection of her in her outfit and her love behind her, tenderly enjoying her warmth and presence. She turned to him and he loosely circled his arms around her as she looked at him,

"It hurt me… a lot… when you went and saw some other woman. It makes me feel like I'm not good enough." Zamirah told him and Bane listened patiently, "It hurts me more knowing that I shared with you how I struggle with how I feel in regards to Miss Kyle, and you still went." He nodded, "You tell me I'm beautiful and you talk to me… but you still went. I understand why and I appreciate what you did, but I am struggling when it comes to you, Bane. I am struggling to whether or not I can just overlook this."

"I understand." Bane said, "I am trying my best to help you feel better in a way that I don't know how to act…" He slipped a hand behind her head and rested his forehead on hers, letting them both take several deep breaths to become a bit more in sync and relaxed. "You lead? I will follow. Tell me what I can do to ease your troubles...give me the chance to redeem myself." She pulled away and agreed as she wrapped her arms around his neck- before his phone rang. He produced it from a pocket and they both looked at the screen. It read 'Talia', but Bane offered the phone to Zamirah, "You answer." He requested and she nervously took it, hitting the green button to answer the call and put it to her ear, mumbling a greeting,

"Who is this?" A woman demanded from the other end and Zamirah bristled, "What are you doing with Bane's phone?" This was the woman who had called Bane away from her in the middle of the night. This was the woman who was causing strife between them, right now, at an already delicate time. Zamirah had a right to bristle and she had a right to talk back,

"What are you doing calling him at two in the morning?" Zamirah asked and Bane's eyes crinkled in the corners as he stood there, "I don't know who you are, but next time? Call an escort. Goodbye." With that, she hung up on the woman and handed the phone back and Bane looked quite pleased, "That helped a lot."

"Should I call up Miss Kyle as well?" Bane offered and Zamirah thought about it, but she kissed his mask instead, "How are you feeling?"

"Better." Zamirah whispered and touched her forehead to his once more, which he instantly bend his neck to reciprocate, "Absolutely so much better… thank you, Bane." She said and he closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment. It was like a wave had washed over their troubles shores and cleansed most of their inner turmoil. She loved him. Inner turmoil and all, flaws and all, she loved him. Even at this moment when her knees and ankles were wobbly and knocking together like she was a newborn giraffe, he still thought she was beautiful. "I love you." She murmured and he ran a hand along her hip,

"I love you too." The metallic purr of his industrial mask came and she felt that feeling again. It was warm and fuzzy and fizzing up inside her. "Barsad will take you for a little apartment and to the restaurant to speak about working there… I think it would be better to get some space from your brother, as he collects himself." She nodded and agreeance because they were on the same page, almost the same wavelength. "Now I know that I need only workout shirtless to get your forgiveness." He joked and she laughed into his shoulder and he held her close, "Let's help you out of those boots-" His metallic voice came and she put a hand on his shoulder, causing him to stop from reaching down to help her out of them by unzipping the boot's zipper for her.

"I… would like to wear them a bit longer." The request was made and Bane obliged by letting go of her and supervising as she teetered and tottered around their room before she was striding confidently to-and-fro when she got the hang of walking in them. He held her coat up for her to slip into and handed her the matching gloved, admiring her once more. "I'm so nervous… what if something happens?" She asked and Bane touched her face, calming her nerves but not the question,

"You call me." Bane said simply and rested his chin on her head, "I will find you." She smiled and laid against him a moment longer before he walked her out of the room and to the elevator, getting in with her and hitting the button for the lobby. "You'll do well." He told her and she looked up at him, "Don't think about it… your fear. Think of something you loathe, instead. Focus on it… it will help you seem more in control if you seem indifferent, but be firm. If you have trouble, call me." Bane said and she smiled.

"You said to call you twice." She advised and he nodded, "You don't think I can handle this?"

"I just really want to hear your voice." He answered before the elevator doors opened and she was led out on his arm, her boots clicking dominantly against the floor. "Listen to that… can you hear it?" He asked and she looked up at him as he led her to the curb. "Your boots clicking, sounds like a clock ticking. Tick-tock." She laughed but he was right. She tried to focus on the sound of the ticking to calm herself down even as they got to the SUV that could shuttle her to her destination. He opened the back door for her and she turned to him, kissing his mask and his eyes crinkled once more. He was quite pleased. "May I call you?"

"I look forward to it." She smiled and he chuckled, helping her in before shutting the door for her and waved as the vehicle pulled away from the curb, Barsad already in the passenger seat. He looked back at her and gave her a lop-sided smile. He commented that he liked the boots on her and she smiled bashfully, "Thank you." The SUV led them to wherever the Joker was but she licked her lips nervously and tapped the seat where Barsad sat to get his attention and he turned around in his seat, "What am I supposed to say to, um, the Joker? What if I'm too nervous and he doesn't believe me?"

"You will be speaking for Bane, Miss." Barsad clarified and she nodded attentively, "We need to know where his territory lines are so just… improvise. We support you." She didn't feel so powerful or brave enough to accept the fact that they were supportive of her. She was losing her confidence in herself, "It's going to be ok, Miss, just- think of what Bane would say and say that." That was difficult in itself since Bane was normally a man of few words until they started having their problems. Actually, not that she had been having problems, he had become much, much more talkative as if he was trying to talk for both of them. He was trying his best to ease her nerves and she hadn't thanked him well enough. "Just tell yourself that you run the world." He said as they pulled up to their destination and she took a deep breathe while the driver and Barsad unbuckled their seatbelts and she followed suit before putting on a smile. The car door was opened for her and she was helped out of the car and led into a shabby, rusting warehouse building. The Joker in his nice purple and green suit was waiting for her with his own men in the building,

"Good morning, Missus." He greeted in his entertaining manner as he did a mocking bow with a flourish of his hand before righting himself as she walked closer, "Refreshments? Got water and- well- water." She smiled politely at him as she removed her gloves and tried to calm her nerves,

"Thank you but no thank you." Zamirah said as she handed her gloved off to the driver who took them from her and tucked them away in a pocket as she smiled at him, "Thank you for meeting with me."

"Ooooh, always a pleasure making time for a woman with style." The Joker smiled and pulled out a chair for her. She sat down and let him push in her chair before he went to the other side of the table and sat across from her, then produced a large paper map from his pocket, "Just a rough sketch of the boundaries, ya know, I haven't finalized anything-"

"I'm not here for sketches I'm afraid, , my husband is only interested in finalized versions." She interjected and he smirked at her, "I'm sorry, excuse me for interrupting."

"You do whatever you want, I like a feisty woman." The Joker cooed before unfolding the paper and showed her a map of the surrounding area but she flagged Barsad over to look at them as well, "See, I put all the definites in this blue market, and then all the stuff Scarecrow wants in grey because I want it too… so how's about a deal, Missus Bane?"

"I'm not the devil, unfortunately, : I don't deal in deals." She said simply, crossing her legs and putting her hands in her lap, "What's so special about this area?" Joker shrugged nonchalantly,

"My favorite restaurant is down there. The point is, Scarecrow says it's his property because he owns it but I say its mine because it's in my little radius… see?" He said and hovered his finger around the outline of his territory, "I could show you sometime, ya know… Hubby too, I guess." She smiled,

"Actually, I have been meaning to ask you where you got your suit… My husband might like one." She smiled and with a flourish, he produced a card from his jacket pocket and she reached to take it but Barsad took it for her instead and the Joker eyed him before looking at her. "What can I do to get rid of them… discrepancies in your borders, Joker?"

The Joker chuckled like he was enjoying this conversation. Not in a platonic way but in a way of arousal as he moved a hand to move his wiry, green hair out of his face. The way Bane chuckled when she was flirting with him. "YOU get Scarecrow to give up this little bit? I'll send the final map to your terrifying Hubby, hell, I'll fax it to him. He looks like the kinda guy that faxes, no offense to you." How could she take offense when she didn't even know what the hell he was talking about? What was a 'fax'? "Sure I can't get ya something?" He asked again and she smiled as she stood up from the table and touched her fingertips to the paper map, looking him in the eyes,

"We look forward to your finalized copy." Zamirah said and walked away, the driver handing her the gloves back, "Thanks for the invite." She called as she pulled on her gloves and got back into the car to be driven somewhere else and she let out a deep exhale. "Did I do alright, Barsad?" She asked as the vehicle pulled away and he laughed,

"Yes, Miss." Barsad said, "Short, to the point, and efficient. Did you look at the map?" He asked and she smirked. She felt like she had won a game of chess when she didn't even know how to play,

"No, Barsad, but you did."

She was pleased. Barsad had scouted out a few apartments that hadn't been completely damaged beyond cosmetic repair, and he had found keys for them and shown them to her. She decided on a nice apartment in some tower with an elevator, that had a nice kitchen, a gorgeous view and a large walk-in closet with two sides. Perfect for her and Bane to spend the last few months in. Barsad had assured her when he handed her the keys that they would have people come in and clean it up, put a new bed in and not-demolished-and-shredded furniture. In the elevator, she giddily jittered and held the keys in her pocket. Zamirah was pleased and she was happy and looking forward to telling Bane all about her day. She had been waiting to call him and he hadn't called her yet, but she wanted to hold off so she would have more to tell him later as she walked with Barsad to the car to be ferried once more to the restaurant Bane had recommended.

Zamirah knew that lately they had been having their problems but maybe this would be a good chance for them to have some quality time and pretend a little longer. With a little job and a little apartment cozy enough for just the two of them, maybe… Maybe it was what they needed to work things out a little better. They just needed to 'play house' maybe. She enjoyed being next to him and laying next to him, even if he snored, she never felt the way she had in her homeland. Those feelings were fading quickly by his attentive hand and she was grateful. He was patient enough to work with her through her struggled and still be there the next morning. She was hopeful that things would be better and she just needed a distraction perhaps. When they arrived at the dinner theater she got out and stopped them from getting out, "I'll be fine! I'm just going in a moment, just, um, drive around the block."

"...Yes, miss." Barsad said in resignation and the SUV pulled away once she went inside and she greeted the hostess who then led her to a private room with a general manager waiting for her. He greeted her warmly and verbally informed her of the application process before producing an application and a pen for her. He was kind enough to walk her through the process and through filling out the form and she couldn't tell if he was being nice because he was a nice person or because Bane had gotten a hold of him first. It didn't matter there was very little that could hold back her excitement as she finished the application and proudly handed it back. To the man across the table, this application was nothing but paper. To Zamirah? This was it. This application was the final nail in the coffin that she was no longer a part of her old world and it's old customs and painful memories. She was a citizen of this country and this time-borrowed land. There were four months left but it was ok… they were free. Zamirah was completely and utterly free for these four months and she was going to make the best of it, she decided firmly, as she shook the man's hand and exited the room. She took a deep breath and exhaled, looking around the establishment to get herself vaguely and mentally acquainted before pulling out her phone and calling Bane as she headed towards the room the had been in when they came. The bathroom was down that side hallway somewhere, she was sure. She called Bane and smiled when he picked up, "Good afternoon dear. How is your day?" His metallic voice asked through the phone and she parted her lips to answer before there was a series of gunshots and she flinched and ducked behind a table and it's chairs, "Everybody down!" Someone yelled and there were yells of fear as more shots were released. Zamirah stayed crouched and hurried over to the room she remembered and ducked inside, a waitress in there was hiding behind the booth seats and Zamirah tucked behind them as well,

"I'm ok." She said into the phone, "I'm at the dinner theater." She told him as she tried to look out the large window to see the shooters. They made themselves known as they wandered around the tables, all of them wearing clown masks of white with red and blue paint on them, "Bane, they're wearing clown masks-" She said before they started shouting out demands that everyone is quiet and no one should be a 'hero'. "I asked Barsad to drive around the block, I'm so sorry."

"Don't hang up." Bane growled on the other end as she watched a small pack of clowns go to the opposite side of the building and start pulling out people from other private rooms, "I'm coming, talk to me. What are they doing?"

"They are pulling people out of the rooms." Zamirah whispered as her and the waitress watched them gradually come closer to their room, "I'm here with a waitress. I'm scared." She watched someone try to rush one of the masked gunmen and wrestle the gun from him before another one shot him down. Zamirah flinched sharply at the sounds, "They just killed someone and they're coming closer to the room." She shakily reported and she tried to shrink down as they came closer, "I'm going to put the phone in my pocket." She whispered and turned the phone upside down, so the microphone portion pointed towards the ceiling, and then backward so the screen faced the inside fabric of her coat pocket as she slipped it in. Slowly she rose to her feet and intended to move towards the door to hide behind it, putting a gloved hand on the table where the waitress's forgotten serving platter was- dropped glasses smashed on the floor around her. The door was kicked open and she flinched and grabbed the platter, bringing it to cover her chest by reflex and instinct alone as two masked gunmen entered the room. She swallowed and noticed they both had guns at the ready and she had a damn serving platter.

"Get the boss, this is that big guy's wife." One of the gunmen said to the other one who left right after the order while the remaining man turned his attention to Zamirah, "What's a lady like you doin' in a place like this?"

"Just trying to finish my shift…" Zamirah said meekly as the clown drew closer, more gunshots firing off somewhere in the building. She twitched and he stopped a foot or so in front of her, "I didn't realize this was Joker's territory."

"It is now." The Henchmen said as the other clown returned with the sharp-suited Joker in tow, the henchman stepping aside to stand guard as the Joker came into the room and smirked at her, wagging a small knife at her while he clicked his tongue three-times. It was done in the 'you shouldn't have done that' manner rather than anything else.

"You are quite the naughty minx." The Joker said as she kept the tray raised while he drew closer, lowering the knife, "You seem to enjoy toeing the line, Missus Bane… I like that sort of boldness in a lady... I really, really do." He gestured to the rest of the restaurant past the widow and voiced, "However, tonight is a bit of a… boundary dispute. I'd say you should leave but I really think you should stay." Zamirah was a bit scared but she willed herself to keep her composure and advised the man that her husband was waiting- "I'm sure you won't mind making him wait a little longer? Have a seat please, Missus." She lowered the tray to the table and sat down in the booth, making sure to sit on the edge to cover the waitress who was still hiding, "Lose the coat, sweetheart." One of the henchmen said and she began to unbutton the coat while Joker looked at his henchmen and ordered them to go get something to clean up the glass. The Joker looked out the window and nodded thoughtfully as she took off her coat and laid it on the table, mindful enough to keep the pocket with the cellphone on top. "I'm curious you know- what's it like being with a guy like Bane?"

"Excuse me?" Zamirah asked, "I don't understand what you mean." Jesus, please don't let him be implying about their sex life and she warily watched him block the doorway,

"Why ask the wife when you can ask the husband?" A dark, metallic growl arose behind the Joker and Zamirah let out a sigh of relief.

"Hi, dear." Zamirah greeted as the Joker turned around and chuckled nervously, Barsad pushing in a clown henchman and kicking him to the floor, "I didn't… mean for this to happen." She said as Bane looked at her, before looking at the Joker. He offered a hand to her as he watched the Joker, and she took a deep breath and got to her feet, picking up her coat and going over to Bane. She put her hand in his and let him pull her over to him the rest of the way, like a broom in a maid's skillful hands. She let herself fall into the safety of his chest and arm and closed her eyes. Zamirah felt the fear and the tension in the room melt as his scent wafted over her and solidified the fact that she was near him, while his voice arose above her like smoke from a chemical plant; industrial, toxic, environmentally destructive:

"Leave. Now." Bane growled and she hugged him, "And you might live."

There were footsteps and she pulled away when her guardian touched her arm, causing her to look up at him, "Bane, I was so scared." She whispered and he cupped her face, "I'm sorry for arguing with you-" He touched his mask to her hair as she sniffed and gripped his wrists. She needed the reminder that he was really here and present, that this wasn't just some after-life dream. She needed the sound of his grumbling, metallic purr shushing her, quieting the thoughts in her mind and the tremors of her body in this dark room.

"You did so well." Bane told her quietly and she sniffed, "Are you hurt?" She shook her head in a -no- as much as his hands would allow, then she felt him let out a sigh of relief against her hair.

"I can't keep doing this, Bane." Zamirah murmured and wiped her eyes as he pulled his hands away to let her do so. "I just- I keep getting caught up in these situations… this was too close. I can't keep doing this anymore." She whimpered and he put a hand on her side to let her know he was there, "There's just… too much. There's too much going on in your world, I just… I can't do it anymore." Bane touched her face and wiped a few tears away a moment before she looked up at him. His eyes were crinkling… but not in the way she liked to see them. They were sad… but understanding. As if he knew this moment was coming, but he took a deep breath,

"Let's talk about this at the hotel." He said that but it sounded more like a pleading request than a statement, but the mask garbling his speech made it hard to tell. Zamirah felt the former though and she nodded, leaving with him and Barsad and getting into another vehicle to be ferried back to the hotel. Bane didn't say anything until they were in the elevator alone and the doors closed, "Are you… suggesting distance or a break-up?" He asked quietly,

"...I think a break-up." Zamirah whispered then added, "Maybe… some distance. I don't know right now." Bane nodded with his hands in his pockets, "I can't keep getting in the middle of these things…"

"I understand." Bane voiced and when they came to their floor he waited until they got to their room- his room- before he spoke again when the door was shut. "I do not want you to leave… I'd like you to reconsider." She turned to him, "It was wrong for me to go and tend to some other woman; I'm sorry, I'll admit that. It had been wrong of me to pull you into this situation, but the citizens of this place are rioting and attacking other people. Today was close, but what if tomorrow I'm not there?" Zamirah was pained by the fact that he was right. Tomorrow, there would be no buffer of Bane to keep her safe. "I don't want you to go out and be taken advantage of as your uncle did." He said and was getting quite emotional and animated about it before he voiced, "I don't want you to end up dead on the floor of some apartment as your uncle did." Zamirah's brows knitted together. He had been killed and found dead at his shop… so why would bane say something like that? Unless… Bane did it. Unless Bane knew that her uncle hadn't actually died there. The realization came over her hard and fast and she got nauseous,

"Oh my god." She whispered and Bane straightened, "Did you… kill my uncle?"

The worst part is, Bane didn't give her an answer. He didn't give her a yes. He didn't give her a sundry of 'no's. He didn't give her anything for a long moment before he reached out for her and murmured her name but she slapped his hand away, "Answer me." She said firmly. She was scared, she didn't want to know the answer that her mind was screaming. That he had done it. That he had some involvement. She didn't want this. She didn't need it-

"Technically, no." Bane voided and she took a deep breath and put her hands to her head while her head began to swim, "Zamirah-" He said softly and touched her arm timidly before she pulled away sharply,

"No, no, no! Do not touch me!" Zamirah sobbed as Bane pulled away obediently, "I can't believe you." She sobbed as the nauseous came back. Her view of Bane had changed and she covered her face. This could not be real, this could not be real life. This wasn't her Bane… but it tragically was. "I have to go." She gasped and Bane nodded,

"Of course… but let's take a moment. Let's think about this." Bane voiced and she looked at him, "There's nowhere for you to go right now…" Jesus, he was right. Her small apartment was gone, her uncle's shop closed, she didn't even have a key to her uncle's apartment which was probably gone as well, her father was in another country and her brother had a small apartment as well. Maybe she could sleep at the hospital? There was nowhere to do but this hotel- "Breathe, Zamirah. I know you're frustrated, but take a few breaths." Zamirah looked at his face as she started to take slower, deeper breaths to calm down and he kept his distance from her. He didn't move closer towards her, "What about the apartment?" "The apartment? "The one you and Barsad went to today? Did you like it?" She nodded slowly, "Then why not go there?"

"B...Barsad said it needs cleaning," Zamirah said and he nodded,

"I'll send people to clean it up, you could go and move in tomorrow… Would that be better for you?" Bane asked and she nodded, "I'll have things brought for you-"

"You can't come." Zamirah snapped firmly and he put his hands up to show he meant to harm and to show he was not going to 'try anything'.

"Of course not... " Bane answered honestly, lowering his hands, "You can keep the phone. Barsad will take you in the morning. Do you want me to have people take you to work?" He asked and she shook her head 'no' vigorously. She didn't even want to see him right now. "I see. Why don't you sleep here tonight, pack and then go in the morning when everything is cleaned up?" She nodded and watched him move towards the door, "I'll be back later-"

"Going to see Talia?" Zamirah asked and he shook his head 'no',

"No, dear, I'm going to make the arrangements for you to safely move out." He answered and lingered there a moment… staring at her. His eyes asked if this was it. As if they were asking if this was what she really wanted. "Maybe you should call down something to eat?" His words were almost uncertain. As if he meant to say something else but, instead, he gave her the prior sentence- the backup sentence. With it, however, he kept his word and opened the door before shutting it behind him and living her by herself. She stood there wondering where they were to go from there. Was she wrong to find comfort and safety and warmth from him? Was she truly wrong for doing so or did she just feel wrong for doing it, knowing the things she did now? Zamirah took a shower to try to clear her mind and it didn't help as it usually did. This time, the waterfall of cleansing water didn't help her. When she finished, she opened her suitcase and packed all her things but an outfit for the next day. She called food up and looked at the clock to see that three hours had passed since their fight when she finished her food. Bane still hadn't returned. He didn't return when she went to bed either.

There was no act of Bane opening the door. He didn't slip into bed. He didn't pull her close and let her snuggle into him. Bane wasn't grumbling a 'good night' to her like he sleepily. He didn't show up at all. Bane still wasn't there the next morning when she woke up, but he did come back after she had changed with a tray of breakfast food and Barsad. "Good morning." Bane offered and she gave him a tired smile, "Did you sleep well?" No, she fucking didn't. The bed was cold, empty, and uncomfortable. She was no longer accustomed to sleeping alone. However, she gave an agreeable tone as he set the tray next to her, "Barsad has a car ready, the apartment is fixed up for you." Bane informed her as Barsad grabbed her suitcase, "When you're ready, come downstairs." He said and left the room again as Zamirah watched his back while he left,

She ate and opened the door, Bane was standing out in the hall to the next of the door. They locked eyes and Bane looked away first. What does one say at a time like this? "How's your face stuff going?" She asked and he looked at her,

"Your brother said I'm making progress." He answered shortly and she frowned, stepping aside to let him into the room and watching him. Bane sat on the corner edge of the bed and put his knees on his thighs… looking at her. When she asked what he was doing, he merely said, "Making sure I stay behind."

"Goodbye, Bane." She said sadly and he nodded,

"Goodbye, Zamirah." His metallic voice returned before she shut the door on him and shut him out of her view.