Disclaimer: As always we'll own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in.

Till Chapter Three

If what he saw in the man's eyes and heard in Blake's voice had been anything other than simple understanding Bane would have killed the man then and there. But there was no pity or compassion, no empty words or spiels about how he should try to rise above his beginnings or be better than what the world had made him. What he'd made himself into to survive that world. This man did not know the horrors he knew…but understood that there was nothing that could be said to change what had already been done. The understanding he felt from the detective was a simple one without any insult or hidden agenda. This man wasn't saying he understood what his life had been like, he was saying he understood what that life had done to him enough not to hate him.

"You would be better off hating me."

"It would make my life easier, yeah."

Unable to shake the feeling that he was being manipulated even though he knew Blake was just being honest with him, Bane stayed silent as he simply studied the man who watched him just as intently. Blake knew he wouldn't stand a chance, and still the detective refused to bow beneath his dominance and act accordingly.

Which both challenged and…intrigued him even more.

Was that the man's appeal to him, Bane wondered, a possible answer occurring to him. He had no one to pit himself against anymore, no one he considered worthy of his time and attention. Gotham was his, the Batman incapacitated…he was not a man for idleness. There was potential in this Detective Blake, a light in the man that was rare and so strong that even he, in some part of himself, was drawn to it against his will.

He wanted to know that light, test his own strength and power against it.

Okay…Blake had no idea how to interpret the look that had come into the other man's eyes. It wasn't sexual, exactly, but it suggested a need to possess, to dominate. To know him inside and out as deeply as one person could know another.

And that had the detective's hormones roaring to life before he could draw in his next shaky breath, electricity buzzing through his body as he became intimately aware of the huge alpha male sitting so close to him. It was a shock to his system that had him struggling to remain in control as his body and mind fought to be heard and return that look and intention.

He loved dominance games, pitting himself against his lovers for the sheer pleasure of making a man work for the right to take him.

Oh shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Feeling a similar blow to his chest Bane didn't know what the hell to think about the slight changes he perceived in the other man's body language and eyes. He'd done nothing threatening and yet the man's breathing pattern had changed, the carotid artery pulsing frantically under the pale skin of the man's throat. And Blake's eyes had darkened and were heavily shielded now, hiding every emotion while still projecting a strange heat that made him wish to continue to stare into them.

Disliking the shields that now hid his quarry thoughts from him, especially since he wanted to know what had caused the shift in the detective's behavior, Bane played the Batman card again since that had broken through the man's calm so easily before. "You would not admire the Batman so if you knew who was behind that mask."

A small smile slid across Blake's face, his eyes softening. "I know who's behind the mask. Just a man. That's why he's my hero."

"Explain."

"In comic books the heroes have super powers, exposed to radiation, born a mutant, gifted with some magical item that made them better than human, made them super human. That's why the Batman was always my only hero, because he was better than that. He's a real hero because even though he's just a guy and could have just lived his life like everyone else he didn't. He stepped up when most everyone buried their heads in the sand and he did what needed to done without asking for anything in return. And sure he's messed up, made choices I sure as hell don't understand…but that's what makes him like me. That's what makes me believe I can be more than just some guy with a badge. That I can make a difference."

"You both failed to make a difference when I came to Gotham."

"Who says we're done trying yet?"

Leaning in on one arm Bane eyes held not an ounce of doubt. "I say."

Keeping his bad arm pressed against his chest protectively Blake leaned in on his good one, this bringing them within a breath of being nose to nose. "Not your first mistake…and it won't be the last."

"Angering me is always a mistake."

"Ditto."

)

It annoyed Bane how much he was looking forward to seeing Blake the next day. Enough that he almost stayed away, thinking he should perhaps give himself time to come up with a plan where the other man was concerned so that he handled their next meeting better. He'd never had contact with someone like Blake, someone who was both pure and yet damaged as well. A contradiction he couldn't quite reconcile in his mind.

The estate they were currently residing in had a large library, one that he was enjoying very much. From the looks of it the owner had collected the books not to read but to show off and give the appearance of being well read and educated. The great works were all in pristine condition, and he would be sorry to leave them behind when it came time for them to move on to another location. He could while away hours in the room, and it annoyed him that his decision to spend time there was marred by the question of whether or not he should take a couple that he'd already read up to Blake to read. The man's marks in school had been high enough to suggest academic intelligence, and he had long wished to have someone to talk to about the stories he read and loved so much. Talia was not one for reading, nor was Barsad. Neither understood the appeal but perhaps Blake did.

Even if he didn't the man was now his pet, wasn't he? That meant that he could order the detective to read the books he wanted him to and then make the man talk to him about them. If Blake refused he could always threaten to do harm to the city, that would work well enough. A shield like Blake would most certainly be willing to spend a few hours reading in order to prevent that.

Pleased to have come up with a use for the man Bane collected three books he'd already read from the shelves and then headed up to the second floor.

Naturally he spotted Barsad as soon as he walked into the hallway, a hint of amusement in the other man's eyes and face as he leaned against the wall beside Blake's door. As he was not accustom to seeing his right hand show emotion Bane's thoughts turned to contemplating why that might be, his mind immediately deciding on the most likely cause.

"Detective Blake?"

"If you're on your way in to visit our prisoner you'll find him inclined to spill blood." When his leader gave him a piercing look of interest Barsad elaborated. "I went to give him his medication and he declined to take it. You said to insure his recovery as quickly as possible, so I made him take it."

Since he'd given orders that no one was to lay a hand on Blake unless the man was attempting to escape Bane assumed that aside from a bruised ego the detective hadn't been harmed in the no doubt very brief scuffle. Blake would have been no match for Barsad even in peak condition, ergo it wouldn't have taken much on his lieutenant's part to restrain him. That the man was trying to forgo the drugs didn't surprise him either.

He was also tempted to ask the man what he thought of Blake but didn't, feeling strangely possessive of the detective. He didn't want Barsad showing any interest in Blake.

"I'll tell him not to fight you next time."

Barsad considered pointing out that that would be a waste of breath, and then decided not to comment. At least not until he had a better handle on just why the other man was keeping the detective in the first place. So instead he just nodded his head and then took his leave, a little sorry he couldn't be a fly on the wall.

Bane felt the extreme death glare as soon as he stepped into the detective's room, taken aback completely when it ended abruptly as Blake gave him a rueful look and apologized for the reception as he'd thought he was Barsad, who he officially hated and hoped would fall down the nearest flight of stairs the next time the son of a bitch encountered some. He, however, was welcome to join him on the bed to watch the movie with him.

Not at all used to being preferred over Barsad, the man was actually liked fairly well among their men, Bane cautiously made his way over to his spot on the bed, setting the books down on the bed covers. Blake wasn't even looking at him now, the man's eyes back to looking across the room where the some sort of car chase was going on on the large television screen.

Apparently he wasn't considered a threat at the moment and he didn't know how to handle being viewed that way.

"You didn't eat your breakfast." The tray was sitting on the floor by the bed.

A scowl immediately crossed Blake's face. "Of course I didn't eat it. No one sane would eat that crap. Barsad was all, 'try the grey stuff, it's delicious'. Fuck that, it was the nastiest thing I've ever put in my mouth. Hate that guy. I don't know what the hell it is but I'll live off bread and water, thank you very much. I ate the toast and apple."

Which wouldn't be enough nutrition wise, but he wouldn't push that for the time being. It would be a simple matter to force the man to take the necessary vitamins and minerals when he took his medication. The man's arm was in a makeshift sling now, a man's former shirt from the looks of it. Barsad had likely used the injury to subdue the detective more quickly. "You need to take your medication."

"And I need to smash a candelabra over your precious Barsad's head, but that's not going to happen without a fight either. Now shush, my favorite line in the movie's about to come up. You can yell and aggravate me to your Grinch heart's content after that."

Mouth dropping open in shock behind his mask Bane couldn't remember being told to shush like he was a child since he'd been one. And that had been Talia's mother warning him not to remind the other inmates of his presence by calling attention to himself. Like them he'd been kept away from the general populace in the beginning, the knowledge that that would end once he turned eighteen hanging over their heads. She'd wanted him to be safe as long as possible, knowing there'd be nothing she could do once the time came for him to be thrown to the wolves.

Not knowing what else to do Bane looked towards the screen, watching two men hauling around a bleeding Asian man and then another man, who sort of resembled Blake in coloring and build, walked away and attempted to shoot at some men who were obviously circling the perimeter of the warehouse they were in. Then another man came up beside the one who looked a little like Blake and showed him a weapon that was far more suited for the task.

Making a humming sound of pleasure Blake allowed himself a happy little grin before grabbing the remote and pausing it, turning his attention back to his uninvited guest now. "So what fun things are we fighting about today?"

"Why is that your favorite line?"

"Because it's Tom Hardy sounding all sexy and British."

When Bane just looked at him Blake couldn't help but grin. "What? He is. Hell, he's numero uno on my list of men I'd give up years of my life for a night with. If he were gay and didn't have a family and all that I mean. He doesn't look his best in this movie, especially with the whole badly dressed most of the time thing, but if you'd seen him in 'Warrior' you'd totally get the appeal. If you were a girl or gay."

Bane didn't mince words as he told Blake exactly how stupid he thought giving up years of your life for a night of sex was in very fancy, big words.

Impressed by the man's vocabulary, and more than a little amused by the almost prim tone of it, Blake couldn't help but push the envelope a little more. "Then I guess I shouldn't tell you what I'd be willing to do for just a blow job from Hardy. I've got a serious hard on for that man's mouth."

If there were crickets in the room you'd have been able to hear them chirp.

"Too much info apparently. So again, what did you want to talk about?"

Bane couldn't remember what he'd planned to talk to the man about, instead saying what he was now thinking. "I'm surprised that someone so obsessed with his physical desires would go so long without a sexual partner. Why is that?"

"Whay-what? How the hell would you know how long it's been since I got laid?" Color flushing over his cheeks Blake couldn't begin to figure out how the man would know such a personal thing about him. And okay, it really was embarrassing how long he'd gone without sex.

"I looked closely at those of Gotham who might cause me problems."

Blake beamed. There was no other word for it. The look on the young detective's face said plainly that Bane had given him a great gift. That hadn't been Bane's intention, but to be looked at that way made his chest tightening in a strangely appealing way.

"You thought I was someone to worry about? To look into my background that deeply…thank you."

He thought about pointing out he hadn't meant to compliment the man, but let that go. "You didn't answer my question."

Blinking, it took Blake a moment or two to stop basking in the man's accidental compliment and remember what the question was. And while he had no idea why his sex life would interest the man Blake shrugged that off and gave a sort of answer. "I try not to be a stereotype, so I don't get nearly as much sex as I would like. I'm a workaholic too, so most of the time that doesn't bother me." A slight quirking of the lips. "But as I'm currently lying around in bed with nothing better to do…you get the idea."

"What do you mean, a stereotype?"

"Since you looked into my past you know what my childhood was like, what I come from, right?" When the other man nodded Blake nodded back. "Kids like us, we're the ones the teachers suspect when money goes missing, and shopkeepers follow us around the store to try and catch us shoplifting. People expect foster kids to be violent and promiscuous, to be screw-ups, basically. So I never smoked a cigarette in my life, I don't drink or gamble because that's what got my old man killed…and I don't do one night stands or the sex buddy thing. Relationships only, and I suck at making those work. Mostly because I'm always working."

"Given the amount of crime suffered in Gotham I can see how that would be so."

"Yeah, and then you had to go and make it twenty times worse."

Bane's voice broke no argument. "It will be cleansed when we are done."

"If you say so. I won't be alive to see it after all, now will I?" Blake's voice was just as certain. "I doubt I'm pure enough for this world you want to create. Neither of us is."

It was no surprise that he wasn't considered good enough for the world he would create for his Talia, Bane had no illusions about what he was. He'd been called a monster, a beast more times than he could count. The amount of blood on his hands, he couldn't begin to guess at the amount and the lives lost. There was nothing pure or good about him save for Talia. That he had saved her and would purged Gotham of its evils for her were the only gift he would ever give the world.

He knew that, just as he knew a great deal about the man before him. And what he knew suggested nothing evil, nothing about Blake that made him undeserving of life.

"Why are you not worthy of life?"

"I don't think that…I believe I have as much right to live as anyone. But if you want to make the world pure you're going to have to kill everybody. Nobody's pure, Bane, they can't be. Anyone who says differently is lying…or Mother Theresa, but even she had to have messed up at some point. If you want to try to prove me wrong…be my guest."

His fingers moving to tap Bane belated remembered the books when his fingertips hit one of the covers. Remembering now why he'd come, and that he wouldn't be able to talk to Blake about them if he beat the man half to death, Bane took a cleansing breath and then picked up the pile and set them closer to Blake.

"Do you know these books?"

Gently pushing them apart so that he could see the titles Blake slowly nodded. "We read 'Watership Down' in high school. I've heard of the other two but never read them, why?"

"You will read them and then we will discuss them."

A very long silence and then….

"Wait…we're going to be book buddies?!"