The City in Pieces

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Goodbye

Chance watched several of the men prepare the long way to Eastern Europe. She imagined that Bane had told her all of this because he was going to the plan tonight. She noticed Rocco suit up, along with the bouncer from Maroni's club and the bartender she had met previously. Chance gestured for the three of them to stand in front of her. They filed in a line beside each other, gazing at the second-in-command with respectful, dutiful eyes. She smiled.

"How many of you are going?"

Whiskey counted silently in his head.

"About seven, Lieutenant," he answered after a pause. "We are willing to do this, as long as the fire rises."

"It will rise," assured Chance with a brilliant smile. "Bane will make sure of it. He isn't a man to be trifled with, even if he's wearing a mask." She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the desk. "I want it made clear that nobody double-crosses him. Should you do it, and you return home, there will be no place that neither of us won't find you." She met their eyes. "Is that understood?"

"We would never do it," said Butch the bouncer. His voice was a low drawl.

"I've encountered traitors alike, young man. I've been told that line several times and have been double-crossed." Chance said, but she wasn't scolding him. "I want it clear that if you die during this task, you die with honor, and as we all promised, we will avenge your deaths."

"It is good to know that you have our support, Ma'am," said Rocco.

"You're a good man," she told Rocco. "All of you are good men." She glanced behind him. "Here comes your commander, better get back in position."

They all bowed their heads. Bane approached her as the men followed the suit of the other five members of the League of Shadows. Bane had on a harness with several pockets, a dark sweater, and black jeans. She gave him a good look-over then looked at him with, admittedly, sadness on her face.

"I have never seen that expression on your face," he said through his mask. He released his harness to raise her chin up with his hand. "That look will age you," he said. "You're more approachable when you are furious."

Chance scoffed. She glanced at the soldiers beside them; they paid no heed. They already knew, as Chance had expected, that their leaders had more than a platonic relationship. Bane followed her gaze then turned to meet hers.

"Come back alive, Bane." Chance said. "That's an order."

"You've no worries about that, Lieutenant." He sighed. "Remember my orders."

"I know them by heart." Then added cockily, crossing her chest with her fingers, "And hope to die."

"Repeat them to me anyway," he said casually.

"Convince Harvey Dent to get the surgery; tell Rachel Dawes to forget about Bruce; track down Joker and Ace and join in on their fight against Gotham; make sure Daggett, Talia, and Stryver stay alive until we need them; protect your needs and serve your interests." Chance listed without a breath.

"Excellent." He reached into his pocket and shoved a small micro-piece in her hand.

"What's this?"

"It's a micro-head-phone set. This can't be traced," he said. "Not even if someone did a cavity search." Then he added, "Though God help the poor fuck who tries to search you." Chance gave him an appreciative smile. He continued. "If plans change, or if you should need me to overhear anything that is relatively urgent, you simply tap it and I will be able to listen in."

"And you?" asked Chance.

"I can't imagine how urgent your assistance will be about 4,000 miles away, but, yes," he agreed, "should I need your assistance, yes. It is a two-way device."

"Why give this to me now?" questioned Chance.

"Because I just received a communique that our dear doctor has become a turncoat."

"Traitor?" inquired Chance derisively.

"It seems so. Apparently the American Task Force has leaked a kidnapping. The League of Shadows that is harbored their in the city apparently was not accurate in locating Pavel. He has escaped. Now we must track him or else he'll leak all of our plans to the government."

"How long will you be gone?" Chance asked softly.

He had started to walk away but she had grabbed his arm to question him.

"I'm not sure. The American Embassy over in Europe is actually clever enough to hide wanted people in witness protection programs. Whatever it takes."

"Give me an estimate."

Bane looked at her carefully.

"Don't tell me that you're having doubts," he said.

"No," she declined the suggestion. "I'm just going to miss you."

He simply looked at her.

He patted her on the cheek.

"The feeling is mutual," he told her. He turned to his men. "Saddle up. We're moving out." He glanced at Chance one more time. Then wordlessly he said his final farewell in his eyes.