Author's Note:
This chapter has been updated in my attempts to correct errors and make the story more cohesive. The rest of this author's note is the original text. Thanks to all of you for reading!
Hello to all my lovely readers. As always, I want to thank you all for your continued support! You are all the greatest. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Our lovers are entering into a difficult time, and it will test them greatly, both as a couple and as individuals. So without further blabbing from me… here you go!
Please review!
- I do not own any of the Nolan characters used in this story; I only own my original characters and ideas. I am not making any money from this story.
Chapter Twelve – He Won't Go
I won't go, I can't do it on my own, If this ain't love, then what is? I am willing to take the risk
Will he... will he still remember me? Will he still love me even when he's free? Or will he go back to the place where he would choose the poison over me?
- Adele
The prison was in complete chaos as Tiana led Bane through the maze of corridors that led to the late Dr. DeAngelo's office. She had just hacked the security system for the whole prison, and now all of the prisoners were running free. She felt a bit guilty for letting all the most dangerous criminals loose to rain terror on the city, but it had been their best option for an easy escape. Not that there really could be an easy escape off of the island, but it would be the closest that they would get. There was no way the Gotham Police would be able to handle the full on riot that would ensue in the next few minutes. The prison was already a war zone, filled with the screams of the fleeing guards, and the victorious roars of the many patients that were exacting their vengeance.
Fortunately no one attempted to approach them as they swiftly strode down the hallway and into the decadent office. The box was sitting exactly where it had been the previous day, and Tiana was thankful for small favors. She pointed to it without a word and turned from the room. She had her own belongings to locate. Though she had been there for ten years, she was sure that her things would still be in the basement storage area. She would enjoy putting on some real clothes again, and the thought of it made her pick up her pace to a slow jog.
The morphine was keeping the majority of her pain at bay, but she knew it was temporary, so she decided to make a quick detour to the pharmacy area of the prison, so that she could pick up some oxycodone for the next few days. She almost turned back when she saw how many violent men were in the pharmacy tearing through the shelves that housed all the medications, but she decided it would be easier to get what she needed here than on the outside so she entered through the large double doors and stalked toward the narcotic painkillers holding a vicious glare on her face. She was rather surprised when the men parted in front of her, and stopped what they were doing to allow her first dibs. She couldn't fathom what would cause them to behave in such a manner, but didn't feel like thinking about it too deeply. Instead, she swiftly found a large bottle labeled Oxycodone 15/500, and grabbed it, shoving it deep in the doctor's coat she was wearing as she hurried away from the madness of the pharmacy.
It took her several minutes to locate the entrance to the storage wing, and even longer to hack the computer there to unlock the secondary system, but she was still inside the cavernous space within minutes. She entered the darkened area and began looking at the names on the shelves beneath the hundreds of boxes. She quickly realized that hers would be further back and jogged to the rear of the large space. Once she reached the back, it was only a matter of seconds before her eyes fell on the box in question. It didn't have her name on it, because they had never learned it. It just said; items on prisoner number R15K4 at the time of incarceration. Not even a description of what was within it was listed, but she knew what every item was; she didn't need the foolish ideas of the staff of this place to tell her. She had just pulled the box down, when she heard the door slam shut and rapid footfalls moving in her direction. She listened for a split second, trying to determine if the steps were familiar. She found that somehow they were, but couldn't place them. So she slipped into the shadows undiscovered by whoever was headed her way.
She found a secluded corner near the front of the basement, and silently opened the box. First she pulled out the loose-fitting black pants, followed by a black shirt that wrapped around her waist and tied in the back. She stripped off the disgusting doctor's clothing she was wearing and slipped the pants on first, feeling amazed and a little upset, when she found that they clung to her hips and butt a lot more than they had when she had first been locked in her cell. Her dismay grew when she found that the shirt barely even covered her breasts, in spite of the fact that it still fit her waist beautifully. She hadn't realized that her body had changed so much in the years she had spent there.
Once she was satisfied with her clothing, she pulled a long, black ribbon out and braided it into her hair, pulling it in odd ways until her hair was tightly bound in a braided bun on her head. She then got the black hood with face covering that she had always worn and slipped it over her head, adjusting it until she knew it fully covered her face, except her unmistakable eyes. The tall, soft leather boots came next, and she tucked a small pistol into her right boot and a dagger into the left. She found her throwing knives and attached them at her hip, then she tucked a blowgun into the ties at her waist. She left the box sitting empty on the ground and the other clothes lying where they had fallen on the ground.
As she approached the door, it opened, revealing an enormous man. She recognized him immediately, but the sight made her sad in a way. Bane was before her, in all of his epic glory. He no longer hunched in any way, and his muscles moved with a freedom she had not seen in all his time in the prison. She moved toward him slowly, feeling a slight fear in the bottom of her stomach. She couldn't help but wonder if he would still care for her now that he was whole.
And then a new body stepped out of the shadows to Bane's right, and Tiana's eyes grew wide in surprise.
Bane had stood back and watched in amazement as his Little One quickly tapped keys on the computer. He was shocked when in less than five minutes a small window popped up that simply stated, All Door Locks Disengaged. He was even more shocked by the sheer insanity filling the prison when she led him, without pause, toward the office that housed his things. He felt very thankful that he had not released all these people when he made his attack on the city. Even if that attack had failed, he felt certain it would have failed much faster if he had let them all loose. However, now that there was no stopping them, he felt that it was a lovely way to begin his new plan for destroying Gotham.
When they finally reached the office he had been slightly annoyed when Tiana just pointed at his box and walked away. Though it occurred to him she perhaps thought he would want privacy, he did not like the idea of her out there alone with all the crazed men in the building. Of course, after a moment's thought he realized she could most definitely handle herself, so he approached the box containing his things. He picked the weak cardboard up almost reverently, and carried it to the large, wooden desk.
A smile twitched up when he peered into the box, and saw that it truly contained everything he needed. He did not waste a second pulling his mask out, inspecting it carefully for any damage and testing the seals, before he placed two new canisters in the small chambers at the back of it. He slipped it over his head, and felt a landslide of emotion crash into him. Relief and regret were fighting for the top spot, but relief swiftly won when he turned the small, hidden knob and received the first dose of his medicine. He took several deep breaths and felt the crippling pain that had filled his being for the past several weeks slowly melt away. Though it was still there to some extent, it was in the background again. He was so relieved to finally be able to think and move, that any twinges of regret were quick to be brushed away as a worthwhile price. He found his clothing, braces, and even a back-up of his protective vest in the box as well, and was quick to get dressed in the familiar clothes.
He then turned to leave the room in search of the Little One. As he neared the door, he was surprised when his eyes fell on his coat, hanging benignly on the coat rack. His mouth split in a grin, which was now hidden under the mask. His wonderful mask… He walked over to the coat and slipped it on, patting the hidden pocket to see if his spare canisters were still there. He was pleased when he could feel their solid form beneath his fingers, and mentally calculated how much time he had with his current supply of the analgesic. With what was in the mask and in the coat, he had about four months' worth of his much needed drugs. He would have to find a new chemist, but he was unconcerned by that. It was not very hard to find someone that could be corrupted by money in this world.
When he walked out of the office he was immediately assaulted by several prisoners, and was quick to kill them, but surprised that they had suddenly attacked him once he was alone. He had known the Little One was feared by many, but he hadn't thought they felt that strongly about her. It then occurred to him that the other prisoners simply hadn't known who he was without the mask. He grinned beneath it as more people dared to challenge him, dying as fast as the first four had. It felt so good to be back to himself, and he simply could not contain his joy. He would finally be able to protect the Little One, instead of feeling weak and worthless while she protected him. And he would now avenge his sweet Talia. Bane felt as if he was on top of the world. The only thing that would have made it better was if Talia was there at his side, destroying Gotham and getting vengeance together as they had always planned. A frown briefly crossed his face when he wondered where the Little One would fit in if that were the case, but it didn't matter anyway, so his mind moved on.
It had taken him quite a while to figure out where she must have disappeared to, and the longer it took him to find her the greater his anxiety and irritation had become. He had finally made his way to the lower level and into the storage area, and as soon as he had opened the door he had seen her, though she was nearly unrecognizable. Almost every inch of her body was covered in black cloth, and he had to admit it didn't look bad at all. Only her hands and eyes showed, and he thought it a pity that the rest of her face and hair were covered, but it was a temporary trade that he was willing to make, because the cloth clung to her in such a sensuous way, accentuating every curve and dip in her glorious body. He ran his tongue over his lips lightly and noticed that his mouth was suddenly dry. He felt like she was the most important thing in the world at that moment.
His weight shifted slightly, preparing to move toward her, but before he had taken a single step, a figure stepped out of the darkness. The man was about six-foot, maybe a little taller, of about average build and dressed in a famous and slightly oversized suit. Bane didn't even need to see the paint that covered the man's face to know who he was, it was the Joker. He and Talia had decided to leave the prisoners of Arkham where they were almost entirely because of this man, and now he was loose. Their decision was in part due to the fact that they could find out absolutely nothing about him. The man was truly a ghost, a very dangerous ghost at that. Bane was also aware that the man was wickedly smart, though he seemed to detest planning and was more interested in chaos than an ordered destruction. And as a topper, the guy was deceptively strong and a relatively good fighter. Bane took all the information he had, and instantly knew that he was a threat, and so he acted accordingly.
He moved with lightning speed and grabbed the man around the neck, lifting him a foot off the ground and squeezing tightly. Most people would have tried to fight him, but Joker didn't move at all. Bane stared at him and tried to figure out what the mad clown was up to, and he saw that Joker was looking intently at the Little One. His blood was boiling when the clown opened his mouth to speak, completely ignoring Bane and his hand around his neck. "Well… hello there, ah… Princess."
Tiana stood frozen by shock, her eyes remaining wide with disbelief. He had changed over the years, but she knew the man; it was hard to miss him when he wore all that ridiculous make-up. How was it possible that she hadn't known he was there? Perhaps he was a new inmate? She could only hope. If he had been there long, she would never be able to forgive herself. He didn't belong in this hell any more than Bane did.
When he spoke a big grin spread across her face, though it was hidden by the veil over her mouth, and she walked quickly toward the two men. She could see that Bane was mad, downright furious in fact, and knew she needed to act fast in order to defuse the situation. She closed the distance in less than a second, and softly placed her hand on the arm that was holding Joker in the air. She looked Bane in the eye and tried to speak soothingly, "Let him go Bane, he's a friend." She pulled down lightly on his arm to reinforce the idea when he didn't immediately comply. His hand tightened on the clown's neck for a second and then he released him, letting his captive fall to the ground.
Joker coughed quietly, rubbing his neck slightly, and then let loose with one of his trademark laughs. It still brought goose bumps to Tiana's skin, even though she knew it was mostly for show. "I see you, ah, found a worthy companion. Hmm?" His voice was a little more gravely and insane sounding than she remembered, but at its heart it was the same. It was the voice of the first person she had ever considered to be her friend, and still he was only one of three people she would consider that way.
She moved forward and gave him a light hug and could feel Bane stiffen beside her. She released Joker, and moved to put her arm around Bane's large body instead. She nodded her head slightly at Joker, but didn't answer his question. Instead she voiced the obvious, "I think we should get out of here…"
Joker chuckled again, but this time it was much less crazy sounding, "Why yes… we have some, ah, friends out there waiting on us after all." Tiana was a little confused by his comment, but knew it was pointless asking Joker questions; she had never known him to explain himself. She looked up at Bane to see if he had understood, but was not pleased by his expression at all. He was making no attempt to cloak his dislike of the clown and was instead glaring at him. Joker looked at both of them, chuckled again, and then walked passed them and out the door of the basement.
Tiana pulled Bane slightly and they followed after him. They made their way down the hallways, until they reached the main entrance. It was most definitely not Tiana's idea of a good escape door, but she trusted her friend. Joker walked out and stood holding the door open for them, and they hesitantly followed behind him.
What she saw in the front drive surprised her immensely. Instead of the many armed police officers she expected, there sat a single black SUV with two men standing beside it. One wore a lime green suit, complete with matching bowler hat, and carried an elegant cane. The other man was dressed like he was ready for combat, and she vaguely recognized him from the video clips she had seen of Bane when he ruled Gotham. She now understood what Joker had meant about there being friends waiting for them outside. Unfortunately, she didn't particularly think either of these men were her friends, and she didn't think they bode well for things in her future.
Bane was confused by the Little One's reaction to the clown, and his confusion was quick to turn to even more anger and dislike. He had only followed the clown because she had, but even then he had debated it slightly. When they had reached the front door he had almost just turned and walked away, but when the clown had opened the door and he had seen Barsad, things swiftly changed. He had swept the Little One down the steps and into the SUV without a word. After climbing in beside her, he watched with irritation as the clown climbed in on her other side. She didn't say a word or move - other than her slow and calm breathing - as they drove away from the prison. The drive out was completely different than the ride in had been for Bane, and the fact that he wasn't in agony made him practically ecstatic with every bump they hit.
He recognized the man that Barsad had brought with him, and wasn't overly pleased with his second in command for the decision to involve Mr. Nigma. There were distinct reasons that he and Talia hadn't involved him in their plans, and they were very similar to the reasons they hadn't included the inmates at Arkham. He was just too much of a wild card. He could not be controlled, and therefore he was an unnecessary risk. And now Bane would have to deal with him…. And the damn clown.
After about 20 minutes they stopped in front of an old, brick warehouse in an abandoned industrial area. The day was giving way to night and it threw the whole area into shadow, making it seem darker than it really was. Barsad was quick to jump out and open Bane's door, and he climbed out of the vehicle while swiftly surveying the area around them. Barsad was also quick to speak, now that they had arrived at their destination. "This is the new base of operations, Sir. Our ranks were significantly reduced, but we have been working hard, and we are making some progress." Bane looked over at his second and nodded his approval, beginning to walk forward. He was abruptly stopped by a small, yet iron grip on his left wrist.
He turned and looked down at the petite woman that held him with such force. In his excitement over the promise of retribution it had never occurred to him that she might not be as happy with the plan as he was. Her eyes distinctly showed him that she was not at all interested in his plan, however. They were filled with hurt and dismay, and her voice shook slightly when she spoke to him, "You still plan to destroy Gotham?" She glanced briefly at the Joker, who was standing a little off to the right of them. When she continued speaking the shaking had stopped and had been replaced by an angry heat that was slightly frightening, "Ah… I understand… You both want to destroy Gotham, and get your vengeance. Well I for one feel no need to punish the world. Goodbye." And with that she dropped his arm and disappeared into the lengthening shadows.
The clown walked over to him and patted his shoulder awkwardly. "Don't worry… Princess will, ah, be back…." And then he walked off into the warehouse. Bane sure hoped he was right…