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Chapter 5: When Gotham is Ash.

"I don't know her name!" Annella shouted.
"All I know is she came in spouting off degrading remarks about your feelings for me. She told me she was your lover.." She explained, the words tasting like bile.
"Is..is it true? Do you love her?"
His eyes soft as he looked up from his chair. He stared at her long and hard. He searched for the words to explain what happened, what he went through to save that little girl.
"I protected her, from the evils around." He reflected.
"She needed me, and back then I needed her, she was a small glimmer of real hope in a place filled with so much dissapointment." He continued, his eyes averted back to the floor.
"Bane..are you in love with her?" Annella whispered, kneeling down infront of him.
Her eyes searched his, looking for an answer, she watched as memories flushed back into his mind. She squeezed his hand gently before walking over to the bathroom, deciding he may need some time alone.
"I was once.." He spoke into the silence, she froze in her tracks. She turned slowly as he continued, then returned to her spot infront of him.
"I needed her once, she was all I had. But she has changed, once a pure heart hers is now blackened by the world." He breathed out, his thumb brushing slowly along her healing cut.
She could sense his pain, she instinctively stood to wrap her arms around his neck. He pulled her up onto his lap, pulling her closer against his body.
"Can I tell you something?" She whispered against his neck. She began when she felt his slow nod.
"Even though I was really small at the time I can still remember it. I was staying with my grandmother, I was 4 at the time I think. She had taken me to this lake with a bunch of people she knew, it must have been someone's birthday. Well I wandered off, and hid in these bushes behind the area where everyone was. I watched as everyone began to panic and start looking for me. I knew I should have walked out and showed everyone I was okay. But I couldn't, the feeling of them actually caring what happened to me was something I'd never felt before. They were worried about me, they wanted me back. I'd never felt wanted before."
He gripped her tighter attempting to shield her from the pain.
" I tried to fill that void for years, but..now, right here I don't need to." She confessed, brushing her forehead against his neck. She loved the feeling of his strong arms around her, she felt like nothing could touch her.
"I need you to stay in here with her, watch her. She's sleeping for now. I will be back shortly." Bane informed, looking down at Barsad.
Barsad was the only one he trusted to make sure she stayed safe. He had plans from now on to take her with him where ever he went, he needed to keep an eye on her. And as much as he hated to he had to leave her, he needed to do this on his own.
Barsad nodded once and took his place in a chair by the door.

The receptionist stared in horror as he simply walked through the doors, never batting an eye at the cowering people. The elevator dinged, he stepped out onto the top floor. Miranda Tate. The gold plate engraved outside her office.
"Oh how lovely to see you, My friend. Is there something we need to discuss?" Talia cooed sarcastically, her eyebrows raised with innocence.
"You paid a visit to my quarters, uninvited. You broke something of mine. And I am here to collect my compensation." Bane articulated, his eyes growing black.
"What are you talking about? I have been in meetings back to back, I've been working diligently to fufill my father's plans, our plans, Bane." She batted her eyes.
"You are the one who hurt her. Jealousy does not suit you." Bane spat back with a heavy breath.
"I have nothing to be jealous about. Are you sure this isn't just a little charade she's playing? You know you have been busy lately, maybe this was a cry for your attention. I mean we all would love to have a piece of you." She seduced, taking a step around her desk towards him.
"I don't want to see you get hurt My friend.."
Countless times Talia had witnessed Bane execute someone with just his brute strength. For the first time she felt the iron grip close around her own throat. She felt the burning as her body fought for oxygen. His eyes blackened and cold. His eyes never left hers as he saw the life drain. Just before she took her last breath, she felt her body being hurled aross the office. She hit hard onto the floor behind her desk, she clutched her throat as she gasped for air.
"When we have fulfilled Ra's al Ghul's destiny, and Gotham is reduced to ash. It is then that We are through." Bane dictated, his mask hissing with every heavy breath.

"Bane." She smiled up from her book.
"Have you gone through that entire bookcase my love?" He chuckled.
"Just about." She smirked.
"I need to wash up. Get dressed. I want to take you somewhere." Bane requested out of the blue.
"Where we goin'?" Annella quizzed, rising to her feet.
"That I cannot tell you, it is a surprise little one. But do bring your coat." He hinted.
"Boo." She pouted, sticking her tongue out.
"We won't go." He threatened with a chuckle, as he washed his hands.
"No,I'm ready!" She piped, pulling on her navy sweater.
His laugh echoed through the bathroom, shaking his head he watched her. Looking like a little kid as she swung her legs as she sat on the tall bed.
"Come." Bane insisted, reaching out his hand to her.
She smiled and slipped on her coat, she gripped his hand warmly. Again he admired the red color against her ivory completion.
"Are we there yet?" She whined with a smirk, tugging on his hand. The streets were deserted as leaves fell, dancing along the only sound was their steps along the cold sidewalk.
"Noo, just alittle further. You're not one for patience are you?" He teased, leading her down the sidewalk.
Again she stuck out her tongue at him, pulling a laugh from his lips.
"My little dove we are here." Bane informed as he threw open the large doors.
Her mouth dropped, letting her eyes scan the towering shelves filled to the edge with books. It was a library, a huge and empty library.
"This is all yours." He whispered against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Mine?" She repeated, her eyes wide.
He nodded, gesturing his hand for her to take a look around.
"Anything you like you can bring back with you. Like you said earlier you've just about finished all the ones at home." He reasoned.
Home.. The word rolled over in her head, she'd never really called a place home before. But she had a use for the word now, it felt right, Bane was her home.
She picked up his hand, laying her parted lips she kissed his callused skin.
He watched as she danced her fingers along the spines of each book, a shiver shook her body as a breeze whipped through the shelves.
"Come baby bird we need to get you out of the cold, we'll come back again." Bane summoned her towards the door.
She quickened her pace taking a step back into the streets, her arms full of books.
She was glad to be back in their bedroom, the whipping autumn wind had numbed her cheeks. She layed the books down in one of the chairs, rubbing her hands together hoping to warm her cold fingers. She watched as Bane shrugged off his heavy jacket letting it fall onto his desk chair, his back towards her. An idea sparked in her head as a huge grin spread across her lips. She too took off her coat, she tip toed her way behind the muscular man. She ran her hands along his sides, lettig them rest on his chest. She placed small kisses on his back before he turned towards her. His eyes filled with curiosity as she took his hand and led him towards the bathroom.
He raised an eyebrow as she motion him to close the door. He stood there motionless as she slipped off her jeans and sweater. She turned on the shower before pushing herself up ontop of the sink, she tugged him closer with a smirk playing on her lips. She unbuckled his pants pushing them to the floor she then moved to his tight thermal. She admired every muscle, the way the shirt hugged his body like a second skin drove her wild. She kissed up his chest onto his shoulder as she slipped off the material. She felt him lightly shiver when she moved to his neck, his weakness. His hands roamed her back as she worked his tender skin, he buried his face against her shoulder, exposing more of his neck. She moaned loudly when she felt his growing urge brush against the thin cloth of her panties. She trailed kisses down his mask when she felt him reach to take it off. With a sharp hiss the mask took its place on the sink beside her. As soon as the mask was lifted off of his face his sweet lips were engulfed in hers. A low growl radiated from his lips as he felt the sexual tension rising. With a quick motion her bra and panties her off. Before she knew it she was in his arms and her back was pushed against the shower wall. He returned to the lustful play as his lips trailed down her
neck to her chest, pulling hot whimpers from her mouth.
"Bane...please..make me yours!" Annella cried out with lust.
His passions grew wild when he heard her demand, he brushed his lips against hers as he positioned himself between her legs. He eased himself into her, a groan slipped through his lips as he felt her tightness.
She called out his name as she felt him move in and out, his face buried in her neck. He pulled her tighter against him as he moved quicker. In and out. His name ehoed through the shower. Her hands gripped his back as waves of ecstasy washed over her.
"Annella..." Bane grunted, feeling her constrict around him he knew he was close.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and rolled her hips against him, sending him over the edge. His head collapsed into her chest, heavy breaths between them. He slowly eased out of her, gently setting her down to her feet. Stepping out of the shower he grabbed a towel, he turned the nozzle off and began to dry her. He wrapped the warm towel around her and lifted her out of the shower and back onto the counter. He dried off as well before wrapping the towel around his waist. He opened the door, turning to her he gently picked her up and carried her to the bed. He pulled back the blankets and placed her against the soft sheets, he removed her towel and replaced it with the warm blankets. He kissed her forehead lightly, brushing a hand through her wet hair before returning back to the bathroom.
She felt the bed dip when he took a seat next to her, she could feel sleep begin to take over her eyes becoming heavy. She fought it as much as she could, she wanted to tell him something before the night ended.
"Bane.." She reached a hand to graze his back. He eased into bed next to her, turning towards her sleepy expression.
"I love you." Annella whispered.
"I love you." Bane let the words slip through his mask. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest.
"Nothing will change that." Bane admitted to her sleeping form as he brushed his mask against her hair.

"Annella..baby bird." Bane stated, brushing back a strand of hair as he tried to wake her.
"Mmmhhh?" She groaned, lifting her eyes to meet his.
"Angel, wake up...we'll be leaving soon." He coaxed, rubbing her shoulder.
"Where are we going?" Annella asked squinting through the dark room. He leaned over turning on the night stand lamp to get a better view of her face.
"There's a meeting that's been arranged, vital information will be discussed. You'll accompany me from now on, I want you by my side at all times." Bane informed.
With a yawn and a nod, she slowly climbed out of bed.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" He questioned, noticing her wince when she stood to her feet.
"I'm okay, don't worry. I'm just a little sore." She urged, kissing the top of his head.
He felt his heart skip a beat when he noticed the bruises that lined her full hips as she slipped on one of his T-shirts. He hadn't meant to be so rough with her, its just his need for her had taken over. She picked out her clothes and headed to the bathroom to get freshened up.

"I'd like you to stay close to me at all times, talk to no one. Am I clear Angel?" Bane commanded softly, glancing away from the road to look at her.
She simply nodded, she'd do anything he said as long as it kept her close to him.
They approached an old warehouse, his men following close behind. Parking close they got out and began walking towards the entrance. Annella gripped Bane's hand tighter, an eery feeling creeping around her. Leaves whipped like little tornados across the floor as Bane opened the heavy door.
"You were to come alone." A feline voice spoke out from a dark corner.
"My men have been ordered to stay back. She has nothing to do with this." Bane notified, his body tensing as he realized her presence.
"You are aware of our deal? I give up batman and I keep my life." The voice continued,taking a step forward revealing herself. Her long lean body clad in a tight leather suit.
"Bring him down through the subway tunnels, I will be waiting. And you can keep your precious life." Bane ordered.
And with a quick motion she vanished, leaving them standing alone in the abandoned building.
Annella took a deep breath in, tasting the fresh air. He led her back to the car, assisting her climb back into the seat.
"Hungry,little one?" He broke the silence that filled the car.
"Yes." She mumbled looking at her hands.
"Is there something on your mind?" Bane inquired.
"I..was wondering if you'd tell me your plans for..Gotham?" Her eyes filled with worry as she stared up at him, she was afraid he might be angry with her for asking such a question.
"You do not need to be burdened with those things, just know that I am here to collect the borrowed time that everyone has been living on." He answered.
"But do not be mistaken, my love. I am here to protect you, the last innocent thing left in Gotham." Bane assured her, softly squeezing her hand.
That night she watched as he fought and defeated the last hope Gotham had. Breaking him down, Gotham's salvation slipped away. Bane's words repeated in her mind. You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a Man.