Sooooo it's been a little bit long than I had planned for the next post in this story. If you're a returning reader I apologize for the delay and am honored you're still reading. As always I don't own anything TDKR related and I'm still not making any money on this. I hope you enjoy.
Lena sat at her worn table, ubiquitous cup of coffee close at hand and realized it was the first morning she'd woken with her thoughts free of...Him. It had been nearly two weeks since her escape and as Lena's scraps and bruises had begun to fade so too seemed the mental stress she'd endured during her captivity. Lena felt herself relaxing back into the relative normalcy of her small apartment. She'd kept to herself as she'd allowed her body to heal, her only visitors had been her winged neighbors and her daily check up from Mr. Scottsdale. He'd stopped by that morning and deemed Lena presentable enough to come to dinner and not give Mrs. S palpitations.
Lena was looking forward to the social event since she'd been spending most of her time puttering around her apartment going stir crazy. Her mind wandered recklessly back to those unrelenting eyes and Lena would be caught up again in the memory of Him till a curious thing happened a few days ago. Those cold dark eyes seemed to soften and slowly they transformed into the sad sweet eyes of Jonathan Blake. A pale flush crept completely unbidden to her cheeks at the thought of the handsome young man and Lena was gearing up to mentally berate her girlish thoughts when there was a knock at her door. The sound jarred Lena out of her daydreaming and she hurried to answer it. When she opened the front door Lena found a smiling Mr. Scottsdale looking his usual dapper self and holding out his arm. Lena smiled in return as she tucked her arm in his and the pair strolled down the hall.
The Scottsdale's apartment was one of Lena's favorite places in the city. It had a lived in feel but was always immaculately cleaned. It seemed like every surface was covered by lace doilies with a lifetime of knick knacks proudly displayed on shelves and bookcases. The walls of the apartment were covered nearly floor to ceiling with framed photographs of family and friends. Lena had spent hours examining each one and asking endless questions about the events pictured. The whole place was permeated with the delicious smells of hundreds of meals gone by as Lena sat in the yellow tiled kitchen. The dinner was simple yet delicious and the conversation flowed easily, maintained almost entirely by the Scottsdale's as Lena was content just sitting and listening to tales of their many adventures. Eleanor had chided Lena slightly for staying tucked away in her apartment for so long but Henry stepped in quickly to change the subject and the rest of the meal had gone smoothly.
Lena was still at the kitchen table leaning back in her chair with a contented smile on her face when Mrs. Scottsdale got up and started rummaging in the pantry. "I'm sure I had some dessert cakes in here, I always like to end the night with a little something sweet." Eleanor mumbled to herself. Henry came up beside her and gave Eleanor a kiss on the cheek chuckling, "Hopefully that was sweet enough for you darling since we finished off the cakes last night." Mrs. Scottsdale looked slightly crestfallen until Lena jumped up. "I'll run over to Mr. Lee's shop and grab you some." The Scottsdales began to protest but Lena wouldn't hear it. "It's just around the block and we've got a few hours of daylight, it'll be no big deal." Before the couple could stop her Lena was up and out of the apartment. She made it to the street shivering against the cold evening air. Winter had fully settled into New Gotham but Lena had her mission and she couldn't disappoint Mrs. S.
Lena didn't encounter anyone along her route and as she moved through the empty streets she passed more evidence of Bane's destruction. The gutters overflowed with garbage and even more of the businesses she passed had been broken into while others had large black X's spray painted across their doors. Lena's pace quickened as a rising sense of dread pushed her further down the road. She was walking at a considerable pace by the time she reached the Lee's grocery store but came to an abrupt halt as the storefront came into view. The metal security gating was still in place but the large glass window had been completely shattered, pieces of it crunched under foot as Lena approached the door. The gating there looked as if had been peeled away from the building by some unknown force and the door behind it had been rammed open. Lena drew her gun from its holster and took a hesitant step across the threshold her heart hammering, her entire body on high alert.
The shop was absolutely trashed, nearly all the shelves overturned and debris littered the aisleways. Lena called out to the darkened shop, "Mr. Lee, Mrs. Lee, is anyone here?" She didn't like the shakiness in her voice but she pushed on towards the back of the shop. Lena made her way to the steep staircase that connected the shop level to the upper apartment and found it to be completely barricaded by furniture, boxes and other cumbersome objects. A spark of hope filled Lena's chest when she saw that the stairs were impassable and she called out again but there was still no response from the second level. Hearing nothing but absolute silence Lena was forced to backtrack to the shop area with nothing but unanswered questions.
Where were the Lee's, who had caused this mayhem, these and many more questions played on a loop in Lena's mind. As she made her way back to the front door Lena's foot connected with something and she very nearly fell on her face. Bending down in the dim light she realized it was a much abused box of dessert cakes. Lena picked up her prize and gave a derisive laugh, the ridiculousness of finding this small bit of joy in the ruins of the Lee's shop turned her thoughts towards the terrorist again. Feelings of anger and frustration threatened to swallow Lena but she shook them off and moved towards the checkout counter. She dug in her pocket for a moment before fishing out a crumpled five dollar bill and laid it on the formica. Knowing there was nothing more she could do Lena exited the shop and made her way back home.
The anxious energy building in Lena didn't dissipate when she got outside and she unconsciously began to jog back to the apartment building. Her troubled mind had convinced her that if she could just get home everything would be alright. Lena's body felt lighter than it had in days as she sprinted down the road, the nervous tension burning off her body with the effort. Her blood pounded, the exhilaration pumping through her limbs as she rounded the last block and in an instant Lena's heart stopped as her home came into view. Bane stood on the broken sidewalk in front of one of the few places in the word Lena had ever felt safe, but as she stood rooted to the spot the cold panic that spread up her body was for the man she saw at Bane's feet.
In moments like these Henry Scottsdale could forget about all the madness of the city and just enjoy the little moments. Ellie had made them a wonderful dinner, Lena was finally home and though he could still see the shadow of something troubling behind her eyes she seemed to be recovering. When Lena had jumped at the chance to run to the shop for Ellie he had only halfheartedly protested her going, Henry could see Lena need a way to repay them for their kindness. Eleanor had anxiously paced the apartment until he'd pointed out, "Darling you know our girl is always looking to balance the scales, she needs to do this for you and I think she's far more capable of protecting herself then we know." Eleanor gave him a curious look but then nodded in agreement as she began brewing a pot of after dinner tea. Henry had settled into his favorite chair, with the warmth of the apartment and the low chatter of the radio lulled him to the verge of sleep until three booming knocks sounded from outside the building. Henry and Eleanor both jumped in surprise, the cup she'd had in hand dropped to the floor and shattered. A moment of frozen silence stretched where the world seemed to hold its breath but then again came the pounding. Henry moved to the window that looked out over the front stoop and gasped at the sight. Bane stood there larger than life, even though they were several stories up, and it looked as if he had a small army with him. One of the soldiers handed the terrorist something and suddenly they could hear his menacing voice.
Bane's harsh drawl, amplified by the megaphone, traveled easily to their window as he began, "Tenets of this building you are harboring a criminal in your midst, we have identified Lena Newman as the sniper that has been terrorizing Gotham and she will be brought to the people for judgment. Those who choose to aid her or hide her from us will meet the same fate as she. You have five minutes to make your decision." As Bane finished his statement several men came forward with a heavy battering ram ready to take the front entrance off its hinges.
Henry turned to his wife and saw the fear in her eyes, she trembled slightly and he found that his hands also shook. He turned to go and Ellie grab his arm stopping him in his tracks, "Henry Michael Scottsdale where the heck do you think you're going?!" she asked indignantly. "Ellie if someone doesn't go down there and deal with them their going to tear this building apart." He stated firmly and started for the door. " Well I'm going with you, and don't you dare try to stop me we're in this together Henry, we have to protect her." He knew better than to protest, Ellie was a strong willed woman one of the many reasons he loved her and they'd weathered countless storms through the years, they would face this together as well.
They saw the scared faces of their neighbors as they moved towards the front door and opened it to the cold evening air. Henry and Eleanor stood together in the doorway and took in the small group of armed men. Another group of curious civilians was also starting to congregate around the scene, spilling out from the surrounding buildings. Bane stood confidently on the top step with his hands clasping his ballistics vest. He towered over the elderly couple and his arrogant presence straighten Henry's spine defiantly.
Bane spoke, a quiet menace to his voice, "Ah do we have the building elders here to represent the tenets?" The pompousness of the man grated on Henry but he stoically replied " Yes we'll speak for the building what is your business here?" Bane's eyes narrowed at the man's curt response and he responded, "We are here on behalf of justice, looking for the fugitive known as Lena Newman, what is your name sir?" Henry took a proud step forward, head high and stated, " My name is Henry Scottsdale, I've lived here for over 25 years and can tell you without doubt that there is no one by that name in this building." Henry stood defiantly as Bane considered his half truth. He then spoke in mock regret, " You've chosen the hard way, so be it."
In an instant Bane had Henry by the throat pulling him down the front steps. Eleanor let loose a terrible scream and moved forward seemingly ready to pounce on the massive tyrant but before she'd taken a handful of steps the armed soldiers grabbed hold of her and dragged her back inside the building. Bane carried Mr. Scottsdale down the stairs as if he weighed nothing and dropped him to the cold sidewalk. With Bane's hand off his neck Henry took a gasping breath, coughing and rubbing at the abused skin of his throat. Henry Scottsdale had dealt with many threats over the course of his life, but his couldn't recall ever encountering such a dangerous man, the sheer power he possessed was equal parts terrifying and awe inspiring and as he kneeled there on the dirty concrete Henry considered that this may be his last few moments on earth.
"I'm a reasonable man Mr. Scottsdale but my patients has run out, you will tell me where Miss Newman is or we will take you for judgment in her place." As Bane watched the old man he saw determination settle into his eyes, and though he still gasped for breath, his back straightened again in defiance. "This man will die to protect you my little bird, what loyalty you inspire." Bane thought before declaring " If you choose to shield the girl from me than you will become an example of what happens to those who stand in our way." Bane loomed over Henry but before he could wrap his hands around the man's neck again a voice rang out clearly above the din of the crowd, " Leave him alone!" She came charging through the crowd breaking into the small circle that had formed around the tableau. "I'm here, he has nothing to do with this so leave him out of it."
Bane felt a lightness in his chest at the sight of his little bird, she was flushed, her breath strained, and was staring daggers at him as if he was nothing more than an annoying school yard bully. "How wonderful you've deemed to grace us with your presence." He was back in full swagger mode as he loomed over Lena all but crushing her with his overbearing presence. Through gritted teeth Lena demurred, " I'm here now so lets just go back to the penthouse and I promise to be a good little captive and not escape again, scouts honor." she just managed to catch herself from holding up the three fingered salute realizing it probably wouldn't be appropriate given the seriousness of the situation. Bane stared down at her, his eyes crinkling in clear enjoyment at Lena's uncomfortable position. "Your apologies and promises will come later, first you have something that belongs to me." Lena fumed inwardly, " This narcissistic asshole thinks I have something to apologize for!?" but before she had a chance to vent her indignation Bane had her by the arm and was leading her into the building.
This was not a problem Lena had ever thought she'd get herself into, she had a hulking mass murderer standing in the middle of her small apartment casually taking in the daycor. For Bane's part he was thoroughly enjoying how nervous he was making his little captive, invading her living space was by far the most effective way of asserting his dominance in their relationship. He would have chastised himself for thinking of their interactions as a relationship but at the moment he was too busy observing the apartment. It was on the smaller side, though considering his size, most spaces apart from Daggett's apartment felt small to him. The few pieces of furniture Lena had were time worn but appeared to be well taken care of. He noted that the only thing the girl appeared to collect were books, she had several tall shelves filled with titles of widely varying subjects, their spines cracked from obvious use.
Bane moved from the main living area into the bedroom and again observed the relatively spartan living conditions, there were a few touches of comfort, a small weather-beaten stuffed animal on a high shelf, the thing so ravished by time it was hard to identify its species. Small twinkling lights hung above the bed as well giving off a soft glow and lastly he noticed a simple picture frame sitting on the bedside table. It showed a tall lanky man with dark eyes and a balding crown of dark brown hair, his smile looked on the edge of hollow but he seemed to be anchored in the image by an equally lanky little girl who was his miniature in almost every way. She had a short braid of dark brown hair, a gap-tooth grin, and haunting eyes that seemed to grab hold of Bane as he viewed the picture. He could see she held on to a rifle that looked to be her equal in height and weight.
As Bane continued to stare at the photo he felt the burning gaze of those eyes on his back. Lena brushed past him and gingerly set the frame face down averting her eyes to the floor but Bane could sense the anger rolling off of her. Before he could utter a word she spoke in a clipped tone, "It's a photo of my father and me, it was the first time he took me out for a weekend trip to the woods, when I started learning how to shoot my rifle." Bane was taken aback both by the freely offered information and the fact that this girl had been trained on a full sized rifle at such a young age. His disbelief must have shown because Lena continued, " I was six and the thing was almost bigger than I was but it was the only rifle papa had." She rubbed absently at the scar that cut through her eyebrow completely lost in a memory, "It beat the shit out of my shoulder until I got strong enough to hold it properly, the picture was taken right before we started shooting and a good thing too because during my first attempt I had my face too close to the scope. The recoil knocked it back and gave me a nice bite for my troubles...there was blood everywhere." Bane nodded in understanding for he had seen it happen to many a young soldier.
Lena probably would have stayed trapped in her thoughts if Bane hadn't broken through her fog to state it was time for them to leave. She nodded absently and headed to the front door until she heard him clear his throat behind her. Lena turned to see him standing near her sofa with his large fleece jacket held out to her expectantly. She looked at him in confusion for a moment, after all she already wore a thick jacket that she'd donned for her trip to the shop when understanding finally hit her. "I am not dressing you." Lena stated flatly trying to contain her fury at the audacity of the man before her. Bane's eyes practically sparkled with amusement as he stood waiting for her to comply.
Lena was so entirely done with this situation that she gave a heaving sigh and reluctantly trudged towards the behemoth. Snatching the jacket from his hands she moved around gingerly guiding his arm into one sleeve then the other. As she moved to bring the jacket up into place Bane hitched it up reflexively on his own. This in itself wouldn't have been a problem but Lena still happened to be holding on to the shoulders of the coat and as Bane shifted she was hoist a foot off the ground her body plastered across the giants back and she hung there for a moment in mortified shock. "It's been sometime since I've had a woman pressed up against me." Bane purred playfully. Lena registered his tone, her mind running through a litany of swear words before she was able to disentangle herself and all but bolt for her front door. Lena was sure her entire body was red from toes to nose as she felt the heat of her embarrassment burning furiously as Bane joined her in the hallway. All the way back through the building Lena kept her eyes to the ground and focused on putting one foot in front of the other.
As they entered the main lobby Lena finally peeled her gaze from the floor to see that Bane's men had the other occupants of the building against the wall keeping the way clear for their leader. Lena made eye contact with Mrs. and Mr. S for a second and saw their concerned faces fill with fear and sadness for her as she was escorted from the building. They were almost outside before Bane paused and turned to the group, "Oh Barsad make sure to detain Mr. Scottsdale, he will receive the people's justice for attempting to conceal Miss Newman from us."
A shocked gasp issued form the collective group and a small scuffle broke out as Henry was grabbed up by two of Bane's soldiers. Eleanor and Henry reached out for each other but in an instant he was hustled out of the building into a waiting humvee. Lena had moved to stop the men from assaulting the Scottsdales but Bane had been quicker. She felt one large hand grasp the back of her neck while the other twisted her arm painfully behind her back. In this manner he guided her to a separate humvee and easily tossed her inside.
Lena hit the bench seat with a thud and scrabbling to other side quickly in an attempt to exit the truck and somehow rescue Mr. S. Bane entered the vehicle a moment later and dragged her way from the opposing door. In her panicked state Lena flailed around trying to extradite herself from Bane's hold. It took him only seconds to grab her wrists firmly with one hand, tangle a leg around hers pinning them in place, and with his free arm wrapped tightly around his captives waist he was able to keep her still as he seethed into her ear, "You will control yourself or your dear friend will suffer all the more." The threat finally cut through the adrenaline of the situation and Lena came back to her senses.
She was breathing heavily from their struggle and Lena realized she was once again pressed fully against the terror of Gotham. Lena felt every inch of the man behind her and the heat he radiated made her feel as though she was about to be burned alive. Her breath started to calm as Bane continued to hold her in place and Lena began to notice other things pressing against her "Nope Nope Nope" Lena yelled inwardly, completely shutting those thoughts down as Bane shift behind her. He picked her up and deposited her on the seat next to him as he efficiently produced a set of zip ties and cuffed her hands firmly behind her back.
In a rare display of self consciousness Bane refused to meet her eye as Barsad jumped into the driver's seat and pulled away from the curb. "Where are we going," Lena demanded her voice far huskier than she would have liked. Bane seemed to regain his confidence as he informed her, " We are taking you for judgment of course, we will see what the people of Gotham think of your actions." Seeing that he would offer no further information Lena settled back as much as the restraints would allow. Her mind was racing, so many events of this evening she wanted to push down and never think of again. The day was ending so far from how it started it made Lena's head spin and as they drove further into the darkening city Lena's hope for the future was even darker still. "No matter what happens I will get Mr. S home even if it's the last thing I do." It was the promise Lena chanted over and over in her head the entire length of their journey.
She was so caught up in her mantra that it took a moment to realize the convoy had stopped. Lena glanced out the window and caught the last rays of light casting themselves along the imposing steps of Gotham courthouse. "Back to where it all began." Lena thought ruefully and in that moment she felt the electric pull of the man seated next to her, she knew without a doubt that he'd just had the same thought. She couldn't help but wonder about the connection she seemed to have with the intimidating man as if destiny was twining their stories together and before she was pulled from the vehicle to face her next challenge Lena contemplated the fact that when the fates were involved the story almost always ended in comedy or tragedy.
Well there you have it, Lena and Bane seem to be getting...closer much to Lena's dismay and Bane's enjoyment, what awaits Mr. S and our favorite plucky sniper? I promise to do everything I can to make sure it doesn't take another four years to find out! As always thanks for reading, reviews and critiques are much appreciated.