Chapter 7- You Chose Me
x
x
Ebony roused from sleep, a little woozy and sore, but at least she was cosy.
Still lying on her side, she was nestled close to another with her head resting on a warm chest.
She felt an arm around her back.
Ebony's first thought was that she was with Blake.
Staying over at his place.
Comfortable and relaxed, Ebony exhaled slowly.
But…
Blake wasn't this huge.
And…
Blake didn't breathe strangely.
Loudly…
Mechanically…
Gasping suddenly as recent events returned to the forefront of her mind, the thugs ransacking her apartment and then Barsad escorting her underground, Ebony realized where she was and more importantly who was lying next to her…
It wasn't Blake at all.
It was…
Bane.
Raising her head to see him lying on his back flush against her, her first reaction was to get away.
Ebony immediately attempted to put some space between them, pushing against his chest.
But the arm around her held her firmly against him.
She was going nowhere… fast.
Roused from slumber at her abrupt movement, Bane spoke.
'Ms Black. Did you… forget where you were?' Bane asked almost playfully, on a whisper.
Ebony didn't answer him but continued her struggle to push him away unsuccessfully.
'What are you doing?' She spat, panicking. 'Release me.' She demanded.
Ebony was sandwiched between Bane's body and a hard wall of heavy-duty steel cases which not only provided privacy but also protection for the sleeping area from any drafts from coming through the space.
'Why are you so surprized?' Bane asked rhetorically, holding her close.
'You should be more careful where you fall asleep.' He cautioned.
It seemed he was enjoying this… encounter.
Struggling to free herself from his powerful grip, Ebony began hyperventilating.
'Let me go… Let me go... Leeeemmmeeee go….!'
xxxx
xxxx
Ebony woke abruptly to noises of construction and equipment being moved.
Ebony groaned as her senses returned.
Or more specifically, her mega headache, yet she was relieved.
Bane was nowhere in sight. It was just a dream after all...
But. Was it a nightmare… or… a fantasy?
Looking around as she rubbed her eyes, Ebony saw the single heavy curtain had been drawn again, turning the space into a makeshift room and concealed her from both drafts and any prying eyes.
Thinking that she had only been asleep for a half hour, Ebony rose and stretched her aching muscles.
Hesitantly, she peeked around the curtain to find Barsad working by the bench in place of Bane.
Ebony was very relieved that Bane was nowhere in sight.
'Had a good rest?' Barsad stirred subtly.
Touching her aching forehead, Ebony emerged from the sleeping area, answering his question with two of her own.
'H..how long was I out? What time is it?'
'It is past dawn, although it is hard to tell down here.' Barsad admitted.
'Please give Bane my apologies for falling asleep.' She said feeling extremely embarrassed to find herself in his bed.
What was she thinking?
'I didn't realize that you felt so… comfortable around him.' Barsad smirked, finding enjoyment in stirring her.
He had a point.
Most people would see Bane and run in the other direction.
Not curl up in his bed.
She must have been REALLY out of it to fall asleep here.
'Bane has been out all-night taking care of business with some of his men. He has not yet returned' he said quietly.
'I see.' Ebony replied, relieved.
'…and to the contrary,' Barsad continued, 'I don't think he minded one bit,' still pushing the point.
Ebony threw him a sideways glance.
Was it her imagination or was Barsad playing some sort of wingman?
Barsad noted her flushed cheeks as he handed Ebony some instructions.
'Here are your instructions for today.' He said.
Taking the paper from Barsad, Ebony paused.
She didn't like any of this and her concern was growing.
'What are you doing, in Gotham. What are you planning?' She asked.
Barsad shook his head.
'You are not entitled to that information...' He replied.
'But, in time you will realize that you are in a more fortunate position than others residing in Gotham.'
Knowing that Barsad was not going to give anything away, Ebony pursed her lips, frustrated.
Grasping her camera, she hastily collected herself to leave.
She couldn't wait to go home but more importantly; she definitely didn't want to be here when Bane returned.
xxxx
xxxx
Back in her trademark black street attire of jeans, combat boots and leather jacket, with camera in hand, Ebony waited amongst the pack of hungry buzzards that were the media.
Mainly 'keeping up appearances' that she was still working as usual, they were all gathered outside Wayne Tower for Bruce to make his walk of shame out of the building.
It was headline news across multiple papers that the billionaire orphan was now completely bankrupt.
And they all knew he was in the building as his Lamborghini was parked out front.
One of the other regulars who Ebony chatted to from time to time approached her curiously.
'Hey Eb, haven't seen you as much lately. Are you okay?' Jared asked, inspecting her taped up head and bandaged hand.
He was a larger man with unruly greying hair.
It was easy to get used to fast food with this sort of work.
'Did you get a little too close to the action?' He joked.
Part of the hazards of the job.
Not everyone liked their photo being taken.
'Yes… and no.' Ebony started. 'Long story.' She deflected, not wanting to get into it.
Glad for the distraction, Jared and Ebony's gaze shifted as a tow truck began loading Wayne's car, to the passionate protests of the valet.
Ebony backed further into the crowd as a police patrol car pull up close to the entrance.
It wasn't just any patrol car.
It was Blake.
Ebony didn't want him to see her.
The media mob turned lively at the first sight of Wayne, taking snaps and yelling questions at him.
To Ebony's surprize, Blake exited his vehicle and walked right up to Wayne.
Chatting like… they knew each other?
It seemed that whilst Ebony had been busy staying alive following orders from a masked leader in the depths of the sewers, Blake had been busy making friends in high places.
Ebony's jaw dropped when she watched the bankrupt billionaire quite happily join Blake in his patrol car.
Well, well… perhaps things weren't as one sided as she had thought.
Obviously Blake hadn't told her everything either…
But then, how could he, when she refused to see him.
xxxx
xxxx
Inside the Gotham Police Department patrol car, behind the wheel, Blake couldn't believe the man himself Bruce Wayne was riding shotgun.
He had hit the jackpot, chauffeuring the 'prince of Gotham'.
Although Blake wanted to ask him a million questions, he contained his excitement to the most pressing.
'When you started… why the mask?' Blake questioned him.
'To protect the people closest to me.' Wayne explained.
'But you were a loner right? You didn't have any family.' Blake asked, thinking that if nothing else, they had that in common.
'There are always people you care about…' Wayne continued.
'The idea was to be a symbol. Batman could be anybody. That was the point.'
'Well, it's damn good to see him back.' Blake encouraged.
'You got anything on Bane's whereabouts…?' Wayne asked.
'I got 500 pages of tunnel records and a flash light. I could use some help, actually.' Blake admitted.
Wayne pondered his next move to find Bane.
He knew someone who was well connected and could slip around in both high society and the underworld.
'You know what, drop me in Old Town.' Wayne requested, deciding to pay Selina Kyle a visit.
xxxx
xxxx
Ignoring the tv show that was on, Ebony was in deep thought as she ate her dinner on the sofa.
She pondered her strange dream again.
That Bane had joined her in bed.
His bed.
Bane could have easily done that for real.
But he didn't.
That could only mean one of two things.
That he wasn't interested in her in that way… or … that his self-control was indeed rather impressive.
But more importantly, why the hell would she dream something like that.
She had never dated anyone like Bane.
Ebony had always gone for nice guys like Blake.
But… was her subconscious telling her that she really was drawn to this powerful Alpha male?
Was she… attracted to Bane?
Pulling a face in confusion, Ebony shook her head.
She couldn't make heads or tails of it.
xxxx
xxxx
Down in the sewers reporting to Barsad once again after another long day, Ebony was mostly glad Bane was nowhere to be found.
But, something seemed different.
Men were working even more hastily than usual, moving equipment.
'What is going on down here?' Ebony asked.
There was an air of anxious excitement.
'A meeting has been arranged. You should observe.' Barsad informed her, thinking that afterwards, Ebony would finally pay Bane the respect he was due.
Barsad completed his weapons check and holstered a handgun.
'What meeting?' Ebony asked.
'You will find out soon enough.' Barsad replied, picking up an assult rifle as another mercenary approached them.
Ebony realized that he was the same one that originally tried to take her camera off her.
Ebony and the bald mercenary with darker skin eyed each other spitefully.
This guy looked like if he smiled he would crack his face.
'Follow me.' Barsad said, ignoring their silent standoff.
xxxx
Holding her camera, Ebony followed Barsad, the bald merc and other armed men down more stairs, through concrete corridors and abandoned train tracks, eventually leading to another large open area of a sewer intake with water.
The men seemed to be organized and waited quietly in position.
Ebony stayed behind Barsad who instructed her to keep to the shadows and stay quiet.
For once, she did as she was told without argument.
Bane eventually came into view as he walked onto a steel bridge.
Stretching his neck as he moved his head from side to side, Ebony watched on as he flexed his huge muscles.
He seemed to be warming up… waiting for something… or someone…
They all heard a voice.
'Just a little further,' the female voice spoke as Ebony's eyes glanced over to a woman dressed in skin tight black spandex with what seemed to be pointy ears?
Hmmm…
Seems like everyone was playing dress ups down here.
Perhaps she should get a costume too…
Ebony saw the Batman walk in front of the woman as she stayed behind, a steel grate fell sharply, separating the two.
Ebony was excited to see the Batman, in the flesh as he faced the woman.
'You have made a serious mistake.' The Batman said in a husky tone, to which Bane interrupted them.
'Not as serious as yours, I fear.' Bane said, threateningly.
The Batman turned to view his nemesis for the first time.
'Bane.' He announced gruffly.
'Let's not stand on ceremony here... Mr Wayne.' Bane replied.
The woman in black spandex looked somewhat taken back.
Shocked that she didn't know.
From her reaction, she was used to being 'in the know'.
She had just realized what her 'serious mistake' was.
Bane and the Batman proceeded to fight each other, each delivering powerful hits and taking heavy blows.
It was the first time Ebony had seen Bane really in action.
And he meant business.
His muscular arms shimmered in the pale light as Bane moved quickly to attack and block.
It was clear he knew what he was doing.
Almost like he was enjoying the dance.
Every time Bane backtracked, Ebony suspected he was doing it out of regard, to prolong the fight.
He seemed focussed, in control, whilst Wayne's desperation became increasingly evident.
All eyes followed them both as they dropped to the level below.
Concerned for both men, Ebony stepped a little out of the shadows to view the action.
She was hoping that somehow the Batman would get out of this unscathed but her gut told her otherwise.
It seemed that for a time, Wayne was gaining ground, but perhaps Bane was just giving him hope.
Growing desperate, Wayne turned to his belt, an array of high tech devices designed for 'illusion and theatricality', or so Bane said.
Ebony didn't quite know what Bane meant when he implied that both himself and Wayne were 'initiated'.
It seemed they had shared a similar past of some kind.
After falling to the steel grate more than once, Wayne cut the lights attempting to hide in the shadows, however this just seemed to make Bane even more comfortable with the situation.
It was clear the Batman was fighting a losing battle.
'The shadows betray you, because they belong to me.' Bane growled as he proceeded to throw powerful fists into Wayne's mask.
Eventually the mask cracked, leaving Wayne lying hurt, broken.
Standing victorious, Bane looked up to Barsad, who threw him a transmitter.
It was then when Bane spotted Ebony watching closeby.
Hesitantly, Ebony took a step back into the shadows.
If Bane was surprized to see her, he didn't show it as he pressed the device and blew out the ceiling above them.
Huge boulders crashed down with a strange looking army vehicle in tow.
Men on higher levels quickly made their way up and into the newly acquired space.
Apparently Wayne's Armory was now Banes.
Raising himself, Wayne made one last attempt to bring Bane down.
He failed badly as Bane pummelled him again, then lifted Wayne above his head and dropped his back directly down over his bent knee.
Wayne's spine made impact before a thud as Wayne fell heavily to the ground, unconcious.
All eyes were on Bane as he removed the broken mask from Wayne's face.
Even Barsad stepped closer in awe, as Ebony followed him to the railing to see that it really was Bruce Wayne under there after all.
Bane dropped the mask carelessly, as he stalked away into the shadows.
They watched two men drag Wayne's unconscious body out of sight.
xxxx
With camera slung around her neck, Ebony discreetly followed Barsad downstairs to the lower level.
Crouching down, she picked up the mask, scrutinizing it carefully as if she was holding the holy grail itself.
She couldn't believe she of all people was holding Batman's mask.
Batman's… broken mask.
The material was like nothing she had ever seen before.
Strong but so light.
But it could only protect him so much from the superior strength of Bane.
'How good of you to join us, Ms Black.' The amplified voice sounded from the shadows.
Ebony froze as a chill went down her spine.
She hadn't realized that he was still here.
She thought Bane had left to claim the spoils of Wayne Tower's top-secret-until-now basement.
Most of the men had scrambled up there like they were children rushing to a Christmas tree on Christmas morning.
'What have you done?' Ebony exclaimed, raising herself from her crouching position, a little more afraid of Bane now than she was an hour ago.
She was reluctant to look him in the eye for more than one reason.
Bane had just single handedly destroyed Gotham's hope, Gotham's hero, so soon after his long awaited return.
'The Batman was interfering in our carefully laid plans. He had to be removed from the equation.' Bane replied coldly.
'Is he… dead?' Ebony asked shakily, still clutching the mask.
'Not yet, but he will perish. But first Mr Wayne's spirit needs to be broken once and for all.' Bane replied.
'It looks like you have already done that.' Ebony replied.
'Ahh.' Bane started. 'You think I have broken the Batman but I have merely… unmasked him. Mr Wayne lives his life believing his true identity is the Batman.' Bane continued.
'He needed to be reminded that he was just a man after all.' Bane explained coldly.
Ebony shook her head in shock, looking down at the mask.
'Everyone wears a mask, Ms Black. Some are just more obvious than others. It is the perception that one chooses to project to the world.' Bane explained.
Ebony was surprized by Bane's comment as he continued.
'A mask serves a purpose.' Bane started expressively.
'My mask makes it less painful for me to live. But… does yours? You walk around acting tough, but I see otherwise. It is the wounds that can't be seen that run the deepest.' Bane paused scrutinizing Ebony closely.
A period of silence followed as Bane waited for Ebony to raise her eyes to his.
'You are in great pain, and you have been for eight years.' He stated point blank.
Eight years…
Eight long years ago her parents died.
Ebony was speechless as Bane continued.
'Your camera is your mask.' Bane stated expressively. 'You made that clear when you valued it above your own life the first night we met. Danger is merely a distraction from your pain.' Bane stated plainly.
Bane knew he was correct, Ebony knew he was correct, but to hear it spoken out loud was a concept for which she had not been prepared.
Like the hard truth had just walked right up and slapped her in the face.
Bane still had adrenaline coursing through his system as he moved closer to Ebony.
'Do I… distract you from your pain… Ms Black?' Bane asked in an undertone.
After seeing what Bane had just done to the Batman, this time she couldn't contain her fear of him, stepping backwards.
As Ebony stepped away, Bane strode closer, narrowing the gap between them.
'What… are you doing?' Ebony said as she was slowly backed against a solid object by Bane's bulk.
'I am… claiming what is mine, Ms Black.' Bane explained looking down at her.
'I don't have the memory card on me.' Ebony said. 'Barsad has it.'
'I am not talking about a memory card, Ms Black, I am talking about... you.' Bane said confidently.
He was so close, a breath away, yet he hadn't touched her.
For some reason Bane seemed even more threatening than usual.
'Me… yours…? What makes you think that I am y..yours.' Ebony stammered, surprized at his words, almost moulding herself to the cold concrete pylon behind her.
He was kidding right?
'Because, you chose me, Ms Black.' Bane explained accentuating his words.
