Chapter 11- Without Your Mask

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Ebony woke the next morning to find herself alone, in a huge bed with a wonderfully soft mattress and cosy down quilt.

Although it was clearly an upgrade from her budget bed, she would rather still be in her own familiar surroundings.

Lifting her head as she lay on her back, she saw the large room was furnished with ornate French antiques and plush cream carpet.

But, whatever she had been given for the pain the day before, had worn off.

She felt like she had been hit by a bus.

She was extremely sore all over and her chest hurt with every breath she took.

Raising herself a little, Ebony drew back the covers.

The only thing she was wearing was the white robe she had put on after the bath, but now there was also a neatly administered plaster cast around her ankle.

And her leg was resting on pillows.

She must have been really out of it not to wake when she was being treated.

It was the drugs, of course.

What the hell had she been given anyway?

Loosening the tie of the robe, she hesitantly inspected her side.

A dark purple area as large as two palms of bruising had formed.

It looked nasty and explained why it was so painful to breathe.

Bane was right after all, she had fractured her ribs.

Who was she kidding, Bane was always right.

Ebony refastened the robe and covered herself back under the quilt.

Well if Bane was so smart, then why the hell was he trying to destroy Gotham?

Ebony lost herself in deep thought over recent events.

xxxx

Not long after, the door opened, and a woman appeared holding a mug of steaming liquid.

It was the same woman from yesterday that had helped her bathe.

The woman, Ebony guessed was in her fifties, had dark unruly hair and a voluptuous figure.

She wore various layers of draped clothing that swayed as she moved.

'Good morning,' She spoke gently, placing the steaming mug containing soup on the bedside table next to Ebony.

Grateful to be warm and comfortable, Ebony asked, 'Where am I?'

'You are in the penthouse suite at the Gotham Grand Hotel. It was recently requisitioned by the League of Shadows and is now their main base of operations.' The woman replied.

Ebony nodded.

So this is probably where she would have ended up if she had followed Bane's orders.

Trying to make sense of things, Ebony lapsed into thought, before she was interrupted by the woman again.

'My name is Marissa. I work for Bane also, well… not quite as directly as you.' She remarked, looking at Ebony enviously.

'You probably don't remember me, but I have seen you before, underground.' Marissa explained, sitting on the side of the bed.

'I knew as soon as I saw you in that stunning black evening gown, that you were one of the high-end escorts. I watched men crowd around you but thought it strange when you started backing away from them. Then, when Bane came to collect you, it all made sense. Bane wouldn't select just anyone for himself.'

Ebony thought back to that night of the masquerade ball where she had worn that black dress.

So, Marissa was one of the women that had been entertaining the workmen underground on their night off, but…

Ebony was puzzled on multiple accounts.

'You are lucky, you know.' Marissa continued.

'I am sure Bane is a formidable partner. Any one of my girls would be more than happy to take a turn with him, but it seems that he only has eyes for you.' Marissa said enviously.

Ebony furrowed her brows.

She had no idea what Marissa was on about.

Marissa continued, bombarding Ebony with questions.

'What is your secret? Do tell me what he is like... I am sure he is quite dominant… Does he prefer it rough?' Marissa asked enthusiastically, with a cheeky grin.

Marissa helped Ebony sit up on some pillows.

Ebony cringed from the pain of raising herself too quickly before it all dawned on her.

'Wha…whaatt?' Ebony stammered in shock, finally realizing what Marissa was implying.

'I'm not Bane's… whore! I have been… conducting surveillance.' Ebony explained, embarrassed, as she felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

The last thing she wanted to think about right now was what Bane would be like in the bedroom.

It was likely he was just as forceful and intimidating as he was in every other aspect of his life.

More importantly, he didn't seem interested in such affairs at all.

Bane was too focussed on ruling all of Gotham City.

But Marissa wasn't listening.

'Ohhh, like a spy! I love a little bit of kinky role playing. What a surprize! You go girl. I didn't think Bane would be into that,' Marissa exclaimed.

'I guess you learn something new every day.' She giggled like a schoolgirl with a crush on the teacher.

'Whaattt…?' Ebony replied in dismay.

'No really….it's not like that…' Ebony protested.

Giving up, Ebony shook her head, unimpressed, but didn't have the energy for any further objections.

She was however glad to have some company as Marissa handed her the hot mug.

xxxx

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Ebony woke the next morning to find Bane standing in the bedroom several feet away with his back to her, staring out the floor to ceiling window in an 'at ease' position.

How long had he been there for?

Her heart started beating faster as soon as she laid eyes on his form.

Ebony got the sense that he had had a busy night.

Ebony was sure that he was admiring the chaos he had created whilst offering 'hope' to the people of Gotham.

She had been watching the flatscreen.

She knew at least some of what was going on.

Practically bedridden, there was not much else for her to do.

There seemed to be way too much death and destruction going on in Gotham since it's 'reckoning'.

Ebony shook her head thinking about how it had started with that poor nuclear physicists' death public execution style.

How many others had he killed, so… easily.

He could have killed her that easily.

Ebony didn't know how to feel around Bane anymore, but anger and fear again came to the forefront amongst the swirl of emotions.

'Ms. Black,' Bane spoke without turning around, noting her breathing pattern change as she woke.

'How are you feeling?' He enquired, knowing firsthand how painful fractured ribs really were.

Ebony cleared her throat.

'I'm getting there. It only hurts when I breathe.' Ebony joked, but all too truthfully, slowly sitting up in the bed.

They both knew broken bones wouldn't heal overnight.

Bane turned and walked towards the bed with his arms by his side.

A less threatening stance than when he hooked his hands into his vest.

'Barsad collected some clothes from your apartment.' Bane said glancing to a duffle bag sitting on a chair in the corner.

Gritting her teeth, Ebony nodded in acknowledgement.

Although glad to have her own attire, she loathed the thought of Barsad in her apartment yet again, this time rummaging through her closet and her underwear drawer.

He seemed to stop past her place so much the neighbours would start thinking she had a new boyfriend, if not for the destruction and chaos in the city now.

'Do you have everything you require, Ms Black?' Bane asked standing tall at her bedside.

Ebony nodded as his eyes pierced hers.

'Yes, Marissa has been very helpful.' Ebony replied.

'But… ' Ebony started hesitantly, looking down, wondering if she should tell him.

'But?' Bane replied.

'I… I lost my camera.' She admitted in sad reflection, clearly devastated, shaking her head in dismay.

It must have been covered in rubble, when the building collapsed on top of her.

She didn't feel whole without it.

If only she could walk, she would go back there and find it.

'So it seems you are… without your mask, then.' Bane stated almost gladly.

Ebony, having no idea how to respond remained quiet.

She wasn't about to just agree with him on that one.

Breaking the increasingly awkward silence, Bane spoke.

'I will leave you now.'

'Wait...' Ebony said on impulse as she quickly reached out to grasp his palm.

Stifling a pained groan, Ebony cringed, clutching her side with her other hand as she felt a sharp pain reverberate through her right side from moving too fast.

Bane remained still, as if frozen by her touch on his hand, peering down at her from over his mask.

As Ebony looked up at him their eyes locked.

Neither of them realized that in that moment, they were wondering the same thing.

If the other had remembered…

Remembered those three little words.

Three little words that had been spoken out loud.

By her.

If Bane was an assuming man, he would have expected that Ebony was too drugged to recall what she had said to him.

But he wasn't.

Although sedated at the time, Ebony remembered being carried in his arms.

Being so close to him, all too vividly.

Although she recalled what she had said, Ebony thought that Bane hadn't cared in the slightest as he had brushed it off so easily.

Like water off a duck's back.

It didn't matter how she felt, she wouldn't say it again.

It was a moment of weakness that wouldn't be repeated.

Breaking the tension in the air, Ebony finally spoke.

'I… I didn't get a chance to say thank you, for what you did for me.' She explained hesitantly after the sharp pain had subsided.

Bane could hear the gratitude in her voice.

Saying nothing, Bane nodded once as Ebony released him from her grip, before he stalked out of the suite.

xxxx

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A fortnight had passed and Ebony hadn't seen Bane again, other than on the flatscreen.

He really did have full control of the city.

A huge captive audience so to speak.

Had he forgotten about her?

Wait a minute….why did she even care?

Ebony had too much time to think.

Or overthink.

And apart from Marissa's regular visits to bring her food, and the medic's occasional check on her, she had no one to talk to.

Ebony thought back to what Bane had said to her.

'You are drawn to danger…and I, am the most dangerous man in the city.'

Perhaps he was correct.

And everything that had happened to her had been a result of that.

None of this would have eventuated if she hadn't gone down into the sewers in the first place.

She had never really thought about it like that before.

Perhaps she was attracted to danger.

That is how she felt alive, to forget her past.

Numb the pain of loss.

Ebony's eyes widened in realization.

How did Bane know things about her before she even did?

But more importantly there was a hidden message in his words.

If she was drawn to danger, and he was the most dangerous man in the city...

Then...

She was drawn to him.

xxxx

xxxx

Sick of being in bed, Ebony sat in a highbacked buttoned leather armchair in the living room.

Dressed in her own comfy loose pyjamas and robe, she stared out the double-glazed floor to ceiling windows, as she watched the world go by.

The new world of... occupied Gotham.

Litter lined the streets; the occasional gunshot was heard.

And the wealthy were being driven into homelessness.

They were gradually being thrown out of their luxury residences by whomever wanted to take over.

Clearly the police would not be coming to anyone's aid.

It didn't matter how much money you had anymore, it didn't mean anything.

The criminals could do whatever they wanted.

Anyone could do whatever they wanted.

At someone else's expense.

And where was Blake?

Was he trapped underground as the League claimed the entire police force was?

Soo many questions…

xxxx

Marissa entered the room, bringing Ebony a lunch tray.

Interrupting Ebony's thoughts, Marissa spoke.

'You should be quite pleased with yourself, missy...' She started playfully.

'I don't know how you managed it, but it seems that the big boss is quite taken by you.' Marissa said enthusiastically.

Ebony shook her head as she listened.

Oh God. Not this again…

'I thought he might move on after you had been injured by now, but it seems he only has eyes for you.' Marissa continued.

Ebony had figured that Marissa was some sort of 'madam', overseeing a small group of 'working girls' employed by The League of Shadows.

'Bane is prepared to wait for you to recover rather than take another to his bed.' Marissa said, placing the tray down on the side table next to Ebony.

'My girls are quite disappointed; they had been placing bets as to which of them he would select. You must have some extraordinary talent to hold his attention all this time! What is your secret?' Marissa asked.

Ebony rolled her eyes to herself.

How mistaken Marissa was.

She couldn't be any further from the truth.

Bane didn't want or have anyone in his bed, period.

Ebony was about to say she had never been in Bane's bed, but… that wasn't quite true after all.

'I'm not his…. We've never…' Ebony started before giving up.

'…doesn't matter.' She mumbled almost inaudibly.

Marissa handed her a steaming bowl of stew.

'We have been working for The League since their arrival and as far as I know, Bane hadn't entertained any such pleasures before your arrival. You must keep him very satisfied!' Marissa exclaimed.

'Or… perhaps there is more to it than physical gratification.' Marissa whispered in thought, mostly to herself.

'I saw how he carried you and placed you into the bath.' Marissa swooned as she sat in a chair opposite Ebony.

'I wish it had've been me.' She added.

Ebony raised an eyebrow.

Seriously?

In addition to being covered from head to toe in filth, if Marissa had have known how much pain Ebony had experienced that day, she would have taken that back in an instant.

Besides, Ebony didn't want to be a part of any of this.

She was embarrassed by the whole display of needing help, not being independent.

But it was very clear that after working for Bane for a while, Marissa had a serious infatuation with the big man.

'I haven't seen him in two weeks. He has probably forgotten about me by now.' Ebony said dismissively.

'Oh I seriously doubt that.' Marissa started.

'He is an important leader. He has many more men under him now after releasing all those inmates from Black Gate prison.' Marissa started.

'It keeps us girls busy, in more ways than one.' Marissa winked at Ebony.

'There are only six of us, and between us we do all the housekeeping among other things, but, at least we are not homeless or running out of food like many others in Gotham right now.' She sighed wearily.

'We would rather be working for Bane than out on the streets. Plus this hotel has enough food stores to last at least a year!' Marissa added.

Ebony held back a frustrated sigh.

Ebony definitely didn't want to be stuck here anywhere near that long.

Only two weeks in, she had already had enough of Marissa prattle on about Bane like he was a living god.

Ebony just wanted to go home, back to the Narrows.

Perhaps she was one of the only ones that actually wanted to live in that neighbourhood.

How much had it changed since she had been gone?

Ebony glared at the cast around her ankle.

She couldn't wait to get that stupid thing off so she could leave.

And the sooner the better...