Chapter 6

The following morning, the team met back in the Cave with Bruce, Diana, and Helena. Terry had just finished giving his report of his encounter with the super criminal.

Bruce's blood ran cold. "Bane…"

"Yeah," Terry replied, dejectedly. "I won't say he kicked my ass, but… damn, he's good."

Bruce leaned forward, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"This is a nightmare," Diana whispered.

"I couldn't agree more," Hayate admitted.

"Okay, I consider myself the dumbest person in this cave," Michelle said, nervously, "but even I know who Bane is. And… I'm gonna say it… I'm terrified down to my socks, over here!"

"No one can blame you, Shell," Basem rubbed his face. "Bane is…"

"Dangerous," Bruce concluded. "Terry. I'm sorry. I hoped you never had to deal with such a dangerous opponent."

"Fought the Joker," Terry pointed out.

"Don't remind me."

"It's okay, Bruce. I got this."

"We got this!" Basem reminded.

"That's the way you'll defeat him," Bruce declared.

"Works for me." Terry folded his arms. "Let's start digging up everything we can. Starting with how the effin' hell he's even back in the first place!"

"Yeah, that was my first question," Basem said.

"We need to go back to that nursing home he was at."

"He'll probably know you're heading there," Bruce said.

"Don't have a choice. Even if it's obvious, we need to start somewhere." Terry looked at the others, "He's got an army or a crew."

"The Scourge," Hayate remembered.

"Okay, can we talk about that?" Michelle asked. "The Scourge? I mean it's slightly better than me being part of 'the Graves'. God, I still hate that name! But it's still stupid! I mean, do we need a team name? A mascot? Matching jerseys?!"

"First off, Terry's the team mascot," Basem smiled.

"I choose to take that as a compliment," Terry replied.

"Second, we have about five team names. Dark knights, Bat clan, insert night- or bat-themed title here."

"Yeah, yeah," Michelle said. "But I mean something official! Something we can copyright! That way we can tell everyone what our team name is whenever they ask!"

"Oh, my God, Shell!" Basem groaned.

"What?"

"Where was Bane's nursing home?" Hayate asked.

"Santa Prisca, Cuba," Bruce answered. "Arboleda Pacífica Nursing Home."

"We transferred him there after his nurse went comatose from trying to sell Venom then accidently od'ing on the stuff himself," Terry explained.

Basem pulled out his phone and started typing.

"How'd Bane get healthy then?" Michelle asked.

"Not sure," Bruce answered. "Though I have a few ideas."

Basem's eyes widened. "Uhhhhh…"

"What?" Terry asked.

"That nursing home? It… burned down over a year ago."

Terry and Bruce froze. "What?" they asked, simultaneously.

"All the residents except one survived," Basem concluded.

"Apparently, they all did," Hayate corrected.

Bruce and Terry looked at each other in confusion. "How did we not know about that?" Terry asked.

"I don't know," Bruce replied. "We… should've known. Somehow…"

Terry slowly raised his chin. "He kept it secret. How?"

Bruce leaned back and exhaled, worriedly. "Easiest way…"

"Someone helped him keep it secret. Which is why we're just learning about it now. We didn't get any alerts and we wouldn't be checking the Santa Prisca news cycles on a daily basis for a nursing home fire."

"'And so neglect becomes our ally,'" Bruce quoted. "Count of Monte Cristo."

"You know I know that," Basem smiled. "Alexandre Dumas père! Brilliant!"

"Who?" Michelle asked.

"You uncultured so-and-so!"

"That quote was from the 2002 film, Basem," Hayate reminded.

"Which was based on the novel!" Basem shouted. "Making my point valid! Why is everyone determined to kill my love for Dumas?"

"I just still don't know who he is," Michelle shrugged.

"UNCULTURED!"

"What course of action do you suggest, Terry?" Hayate asked.

"We keep our eyes open," Terry answered. "I'm wondering if this has anything to do with that sewer bunker Michelle found."

"Would you believe I totally forgot about that?" Michelle asked.

"We're dealing with plenty. Yeah, I believe it."

"What about that woman in the car Bane escaped in?" Basem asked.

"We need to find out who she is. And what kind of car that was that has that good a cloaking device."

"A lot on our plates," Basem mused.

"Tell me about it." Terry sighed. "Bane's back. On top of everything else."

Everyone looked at Terry, concernedly. "You gonna be okay, little brother?" Helena asked.

"Don't have a choice. We're gonna find him, and, whatever he's up to, we're gonna stop him." Terry looked at the team, "Keep your comms open as much as possible. You see Bane, you call in help. He's too dangerous. No goin' too crazy. Sound good?"

"You got it, boss," Michelle nodded.

Bruce smiled. Terry's orders were short but great, and he still showed caring to his team. Despite his impending passing, Bruce was grateful he lived long enough to see Terry fully coming into the man Bruce always saw him becoming.

Terry went to Barbara's office a little later, giving her a brief summary about his encounter with Bane, along with the picture of the woman. Terry knew, with Bane being in Gotham, the police needed to be on extra high alert.

Barbara let out a hard, irritated exhale. "I can't believe this is happening…" She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her forehead, "Just… Bane! He's back! Jesus Christ, Terry!"

"Yeah, Bruce had the same reaction," Terry replied. "More or less."

"This is bad. Terry, this is really bad!"

"Hey! After that Joker problem, I take any old face of Bruce's as bad news."

"He's supposed to be damn-near catatonic!" Barbara growled as she walked to her window. "Or at least, dead! Why isn't he dead?!"

"Whoa!" Terry's eyes widened. "Barb!"

"I know, I know! It's just…" Barbara sighed and leaned against the window frame. She removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. She dropped her hand and stared at Terry.

Terry swore he saw a hint of fear in her eyes. He'd never seen that in her before.

"Terry…" Barbara said, exhaustedly. "…this is too much at once."

"Who you tellin'?" Terry asked.

Barbara studied him. "I know you."

Terry paused, not sure what she was going to say next.

"You're staying strong for everyone. All of us. You're fighting to stay focused. Ignoring your own hurt. But… you have every right to hurt as much as we do. Even more."

"I know." Terry stood up. "Maybe once I find out how and why Bane is back then stop him, I'll breakdown. Until then… I got work to do."

Barbara walked over and put her hand on his shoulder. "You've had to deal with as much as any of us. You've always done your best with that mask. Then… the news about Bruce. Now this…" She shook her head. "…this…" She exhaled. "Terry, Bane is going to hurt."

"Pain?" Terry smirked. "C'mon, Commish! A little pain never hurt anyone!"

She swatted the back of his head.

"See?"

"How the hell did you end up married?" Barbara asked. "And to Max of all people!"

"Hell, I still don't know how I pulled that off!" Terry answered. "Some mysteries even Batman can't solve, Commissioner."

Barbara stared at him, blankly. But, after a moment, she couldn't fight it. She smiled then laughed.

Bane's return caused a lot of people to be concerned, immediately, even those who didn't wear a mask. Given the severity of the news, Max asked Sally to come to Wayne Enterprises to meet with her and Tiana.

Sally took the news about how Max expected.

"I'm-sorry-I'm-sorry-I'm-sorry!" Sally said, hurriedly. "What name did you just say?!"

Max sighed. "It was Bane. The pics from Terry's mask confirmed it. Same guy."

Sally blinked a few times, trying to comprehend that. "Max, how in the actual hell is that possible?! He's gotta be in his 80s or 90s now!"

"The actual Superman was at both of our weddings."

"I withdraw my last sentence but stand by the rest of it!"

Tiana rubbed her forehead. "Damn. This is too much to deal with." Her phone rang. "Speaking of 'too much to deal with'…" She answered, "I'm in a meeting, Stephen." She was quiet for a second. "Tell him I said… wait, actually… put him through." She was silent for a second longer. "Mr. Langley. Yes, sir. I did get your message. And my response is the same as the previous eight times I discussed this matter with you. Except, this time… I'm going to be a bit more direct… TERRY AND MAX OWN THE COMPANY! GET OVER IT, YOU SCUM SUCKING LEECH!" She ended the call.

Max and Sally stared at Tiana in shock, then they slowly smiled.

"Holy shit!" Sally laughed.

"Damn, Tia!" Max giggled. "That was awesome!"

Tiana exhaled, "Sorry about that."

"Don't be sorry! Because, seriously, that was awesome!"

Tiana smiled a bit. "Thanks." She exhaled, "Just…" she growled, "he's been calling about that shit for weeks now! He wants to move up to the top since Bruce is sick! No one cares about the man! Just his seat in the company. And they'll see me dead before I let anyone take it away from you and Terry, Max!"

"Please, don't be that drastic," Max implored. "It's just a company."

"It's Bruce's company. He worked hard to get it back and make things right with my family after Powers tried to leave us out in the cold. He never had to. But he did. Out of genuine loyalty. And friendship to my grandfather. I refuse to not do the same. Plus… you guys are my friends. I go to bat for my friends."

Max smiled, "You're the best, Tia."

"One of." Tiana stood up and walked around the desk, leaning against it. "So. What are we gonna do about Bane?"

"Don't know. But I know this… we all need to be on our guard. Bane's back. The rules might be out the window on this one."

Helena and Diana were walking around the Manor property, a practice they had gotten into the habit of lately. They usually did when Bruce was resting during day. In recent days, they did it a lot more. It was simultaneously comforting and disheartening. Though, during this walk, they had a far greater trepidation on their minds.

"I gotta admit," Helena said, "I'm worried."

"As am I." Diana exhaled. "Bane was a quiet, dangerous opponent."

"'Quiet'?"

"What I mean by that is he only appeared when he was certain he had a chance to defeat Bruce. Unless he was paid enough to challenge him."

"Dad said the last time they fought was after he isolated himself," Helena noted.

"Yes," Diana confirmed. She looked at the sky, dejectedly, "I tried to call and visit him after that. He wouldn't see me."

Helena looked over at Diana, studying her for a moment. "You guys really went through a lot."

"Your father has so much pain, Helena. He refuses to acknowledge… or even see that it's pain he needlessly carries. He blames himself for so many things. Including things he had no control over."

Helena thought for a moment. "Like me and Terry."

"You both were added on to the list, yes," Diana admitted.

Helena exhaled. "I wish… he wouldn't blame himself so much."

"It's a wish we both share."

"Well, don't worry about it. He's just like this, Mom. He puts all this on himself, when he doesn't need to. But, at least, he's broken through some of it. We'll get him through the rest of it. Somehow. I hope."

Diana stopped, her eyes wide, as Helena kept walking.

When she realized Diana wasn't next to her, Helena stopped and looked back at her. "Diana? What's wrong?"

"Ummm…" Diana whispered. "You… just… j-just a moment ago… you said…"

Helena thought back, repeating her words in her head. Then recalled the word that stood out. Her eyes widened. "Oh. Oh. I… I said that, didn't I?"

Diana looked off then back at Helena. "It's fine. We won't tell anyone. I, especially, won't say anything to Selina, I promise. Don't worry, Helena. It was just a slip of the tongue. I know you didn't mean anything by it." Diana started walking, moving past Helena.

"What if I did?" Helena asked.

Diana stopped, immediately. Her eyes grew even wider than they did a minute ago. She slowly turned toward Helena, finding her with tears in her eyes.

"What if… I meant exactly what I said?"

"Helena…" Diana whispered.

"You love Dad," Helena continued. "You love me and Terry. I know you and Dad didn't have kids. But… since all this… and before… you've been a mother to me, Diana. I know you're not trying to replace my mom. You're not conniving. You just care. The reason 'Mom' slipped out just now… is because I do see you that way."

Diana felt her throat dry up as tears began to fill her eyes.

"But… I'll only be okay with that… if you are."

"Helena…" Diana hurried toward her and they embraced one another. "It's more than okay."

"Thank you, Diana." Helena buried her face in Diana's shoulder and cried.

Diana stroked Helena's hair. "You're more than welcome, sweetheart." She exhaled, "My dear Helena."

That evening, Bane was checking the Venom deposits on his suit when Ikram walked in. Ikram noted Athanasia was gazing, lovingly, at Bane, something that was beginning to disturb him more and more. Ikram then took note of another man at the back of the room, obscured by the shadows.

One of Bane's "elites" as he liked to call them, Ikram deduced.

Ikram looked at Athanasia, who smiled at her father, then at Bane. "What was the point of that?" Ikram asked.

"The point of what?" Bane asked.

"Revealing yourself to Batman. Now he knows we're here!"

"He was going to discover that sooner or later."

"But now he'll see us coming!" Ikram argued.

"I'm not testing his powers of observation," Bane replied. "I look to challenge him. He needs to know the challenge is coming. He just won't know in what full form. Yet."

"That makes no sense!"

"It does, Father," Athanasia interjected. "You must trust our plan."

Ikram stared at her. "'Our'?"

"Speaking of the plan…" Bane looked over his shoulder at the man standing at the back of the room, "Would it inconvenience you to assess him as well? I just want his abilities evaluated from a fresh perspective."

"Heh." The individual smiled. "Are you kidding? Getting to fight Batman? That's the reason I agreed to this in the first place! I mean… the creds were enough but get to fight Batman? The Batman?" He drew a knife from behind his back, studying the metal. "Now, that…" he looked at Bane, "that's what I call fun!"

A/N: I have to admit, the Helena and Diana conversation was a late addition but it became of my favorite moments in this series since I started it.

So, Bane has a plan! What is it? We'll see. His 'associate' is an OC created by me but we'll see more of him in the next chapter. What will happen? We'll see! Until next time!