sorry everyone for taking a bit longer to update! I went on vacation with my family down to the beach, getting some inspiration :) I hope you enjoy the update, make sure to review thanks!

Chapter 9: Move Forward..with You

"No wayy...Bane come here! Look its snowing!" Her breath fogging the window.
A low chuckle echoed behind her, his large arms wrapping around her waist.
She admired the vast view from their new home, she had never seen so much beauty in one place. She felt a hand brush through her hair, cool metal grazing her neck.
"Could we..go for a walk?" She hoped, glancing back at him for approval.
"I think that can be arranged." He nodded.
"Just us?"
"Yes, just us little one." He assured her, nuzzling closer against her as they stared out at the city.

"Bannee..it's not the tundra out there, it's just a little snow." She huffed as he secured a thick scarf around her neck.
"And just enough for you to get sick. Need to keep you warm." Bane advised, chuckling at her child like tone.
"I look like a marshmallow!" She piped, patting her arms against the several layers.
"Ahh but a pretty marshmallow indeed." Bane teased, brushing his hand against her cheek.
She narrowed her eyes as she watched him slip on his usual brown jacket, wearing barely any warm layers himself. He took her gloved hand in his and led her down to the elevator where they soon exited into the chilling air of Gotham.
She smiled at the sight of her own breath. It had been awhile since she had taken a careless walk like this one, through the snow.
Wandering aimlessly through the streets, she noticed how deserted they really were. There wasn't a person anywhere, she admitted she kind of liked it, it was like the whole city was theirs. No staring people, no scrutinizing eyes. Just them, how she liked it.
He noticed her deep in thought and decided not to bother her, she had already given so much of herself up to him. He couldn't help but wonder if deep down a part of her missed her old, normal life. She had told him about her job as a secretary at a struggling company. She spent her time in a cubical, filing papers. She was rather pushed into the job by one the foster agency, itching to get her out on her own. She told him of how much she liked writing and reading books more than anything, she admitted it was more of an escape for her. What she liked most about wrting was that she was in control of what happened, something she was unfamiliar with in reality. That's why he did all he could to provide her with anything she wanted, he wanted nothing but to grant her every wish.
"Bane?" Her voice soft breaking his trance.
"Everything okay, love?" He asked with concern.
"Of course. I was wondering..can I show you something?" She asked, staring up into his eyes.
His eyes crinkled as he nodded.
She tugged his hand lightly, making a turn down another snowy street. Curiousty filled his eyes, he was use to doing the leading. He followed her up a small staircase watching as she snaked a hand under the mat. She proped open the screen door, sliding the key into the lock with ease unlocking the maroon door. She glanced back at him once more with a smile. The door opened with a creak, as they filed into the dark townhouse. She briefly left his side to open the curtains, light filled the room. The dim light revealed to Bane a small living room, he smiled at the sight of the books that littered the coffee table.
She watched as he wandered through her old home, his fingers danced across the dusty mantle. He picked up her graduation picture, she wore the required blue cap and gown swam on her small stature, but it was the smile that graced her face that he couldn't take his eyes off of. Joy, it beamed off of her. She looked just as beautiful in the picture as she did now. Setting the picture down he took in the rest of the place, he felt he was discovering a new part of her.
"I lived here for about 5 years. When I 'aged out' from foster care at 18 I worked two jobs. One at the firm and the other as a waitress at night at this old 24 hour diner up the block. I scraped up enough money for this place. I didn't realize how..small it was, well compared to our place." She pointed out with a giggle, she traced her finger tips along the tan sofa.
He cocked his head, studying her as she poured out her past to him. He pictured her young and alone making her life in Gotham. Why did they give her up? He thought to himself.

"The..um..only thing I have that has any relation towards my biological family is this." She held up a small necklace with a pendant of what seemed to be a family crest.

"May I?" Bane's voice barely a whisper as he asked to hold the necklace.
"Of course." She breathed, placing the delicate chain in his hand.
"I took it from my grandmother's house. Figured I'd find them someday. But, um..never had a chance." She glanced down at her shoes.
"If you wanted to, My dove, I could see what I can find. I have the resources." Bane suggested, lifting her chin to meet her eyes.
" 's so kind of you. But Bane your all the family I need and really want, if I were to find them they would be nothing to but..well strangers." She replied, trying to fight back the tears that began to weld behind her eyes.
"I understand." He nodded, slyly slipping the necklace into his pocket. If she didn't want to find out more about them, he did.
"Bane, can we go home?" Annella asked, gripping her arms to her chest. She suddenly felt out of place in what use to be her home. She desperately wanted to be back home with Bane, in their bed. That's where she truly felt at home.
"Come." He beckoned her, his hand stretched out to hers. He led her carefully out the door and back down the stairs. She kept close to him, her steps quick and short. He could sense her stress, the memories had been too overwhelming for her.
"Aren't you glad I dressed you in all those layers now, my little marshmallow? " He teased, noticing her shiver.
"Hey!" She snapped with a giggle.
While his eyes scanned the streets she snuck her free hand into the snow, grabbing a small pile she launched it at his chest.
She burst out laughing at his expression, stunned. The sparkle in his eyes let her know he was smiling, it was when he planted his hand in the snow that her eyes widened.
"Ooh no Bane. Remember it's too cold, I'll get sick!" She begged, backing up as he inched close with the snow glittering in his hand.
She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the snow explode when it hit her jacket. She let out a squeal when she felt his strong arms around her legs, lifting her over his shoulder.
"Bane the bloods rushing to my head! I'll pass out." She whined as he entered the building, still carrying her over his shoulder.
"Don't over react, Anell'." He advised with a chuckle.
"Ughhhh."
He shook his head with a laugh as he pressed the elevator button.
"And down you go." He placed her back on her feet once inside the apartment.
"Ooh room spinning..lights flickering..ughh" Annella exaggerated.
"It's best you were a secretary and not an actress." Bane jabbed from the kitchen.
"Hey! I could've been Dorothy in a play in Highschool but they said my acting was too advanced." She played with a giggle, collapsing onto the couch.
"I know, My love." He teased, handing her some hot tea.
"Why thank you, kind Sir." She smiled as she sipped the liquid, feeling it warm her body.
She set the cup down momentarily to unzip her jacket and remove the bulky layers. She saw his eyes perk up at the sight of her removing some of her clothes.
"Like what you see, Mr. Bane?" She bit her lip, unzipping her boots.
He simply nodded as he watched her slowly and ever so seductively strip down to her bra and panties. He could hardly contain his arousal, his eyes roamed her body. She slowly walked over to him, placing her hands on the couch behind him she leaned over to his ear.
"Meet me in the bedroom, Oh and leave your clothes." She purred in a lusty voice, before padding off to the bedroom.
He shot up from the couch, his hands began unbuckling his belt.
What had gotten into her? He found her sudden confidence attractive.
He found her laying back against the headboard, naked. He felt his urge grow as he made his way over to the bed, joining her.
"I want you to lay down. Flat on your back." She cooed, motioning towards the bed.
He swallowed, he was unfamiliar to commands. He liked the sudden swap of roles, his curiosity was running wild. She moved to the side of the large bed to give him room to lie down. She hovered over his face, staring deep into his soft eyes. He shuttered when he felt her hand suddenly trace his chest.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here to take care of you." She whispered, placing a kiss on his temple and trailing them down his mask.
A sharp breath hissed through the mask as her lips grazed down his neck leading to his chest. She placed a path of hot kisses down his stomach, caressing his muscular hips she kisses down his pelvis.
"Annella..." Bane grunted, his member begging for attention.
"I'm here, My love." She purred, using the usual nickname he had for her.
In a slow motion she engulfed his member knto her hot mouth, he grunted at the feeling of her soft tongue. Her throat adjusted to his length, stroking his thickness with her tongue. She bobbed her head slow at first but began to quicken her pace. She felt his body tense, his breath quicken. She ran her hands up his sides, his hand gripped hers as his body twitched. A loud grunt vibrated against the mask as he felt pleasure radiate through his body.
Heavy breaths filled the room, she licked her lips as she crawled up to his chest. She pulled the blankets up over his stomach, covering their naked bodies. He snaked an arm around her as she rested her head against his chest.
"Let's stay here forever." She whispered, brushing her face along skin.
"There's nothing more I could ask for." Bane breathed out, tracing his hand down her back.

"Find as much as you can, and report back to me. Here." Bane ordered in a hush voice, placing the necklace in Barsad's hand.
"I'll do my best, sir." Barsad answered, nodding.
"Bane?" Her voice murmured in a groggy voice.
He turned to find her standing in the door way. He smiled widely at the sight of her standing there in his shirt rubbing her eyes to block the sunlight.
"That's all, Barsad." Bane motioned him to leave.
"Well good morning, Beautiful." He greeted.
"Hungry?" He asked, making his way to the kitchen.
"Mmmhhh" She groaned.
He chuckled lowly at her response, he had learned she wasn't much of a morning person. He turned his back towards the stove, cracking a couple eggs into the pan. He felt her snake her arms around his waist loosely, resting her head against his back.
"May I help you, little one?" He teased, pushing the eggs around in the pan.
"I had a bad dream." She revealed in a low tone. Concerned he picked her up and set her up on top of the counter, so they could talk face to face.
"What is it? Is something bothering you?" He inquired, brushing his hands along her thighs.
"I guess it was just all that talk about my family yesterday, it brought up feelings again. I've tried so hard to bury them." She admitted with a sigh.
"I think the best way to truly overcome this My dove is to maybe try and find them. It could help you receive the closure you've been denied." He reasoned.
He was hoping Barsad would be diligent in finding out more information on these people.
"I just I don't know, I mean a part of me is desperate to see them and yet the other is just so full of anger and resentment. I'm afraid if I meet them, I'll..break down." Annella murmured, fidgeting with her fingers.
"It maybe for the best though, bottling up anger is not wise." He brought his hand up to cup her face.
"I know I'm just not sure if I'm ready. Uhh Bane...I think something's burning." She pointed out when a haze of smoke began to form.
She couldn't help but giggle as the massive man quickly turned off the burner, throughing the steaming pan into the sink.
"Come on. Let's get you dressed, I'm sure there's some place we can get you something to eat." Bane suggested, pulling her down from the counter to the bedroom.

"Give it up now! Or die in the process!" Barsad warned, waving his gun at the quivering secretary.
"I want both files. Ryan and Melissa Baily." He demanded.
The secretary nodded in fear, shaking as he walked over to the cabinet to retrieve the folders. He slowly handed the files over to the gunman, hoping to end the horror. Barsad snatched the thick envelopes away quickly, before simply walking back out of the office. With the police force stuck underground the people of Gotham were forced to submit to any commands given by the vigilantes.
Barsad hoisted himself back into the truck, keeping the files close at hand. He knew this meant a great deal to Bane, he gulped at just the thought of what Bane might do if he screwed this up.
"It's gotta be for that girl." One of Bane's men assumed, sitting next to Barsad.
"She must be one twisted Bitch, I've never seen her try to escape." The man pointed out with a rough laugh.
"You are not to talk of her like that. Bane will surely kill you if he hears you talking like that. You've been warned." Barsad urged, taking his eyes off the road to peer over at the passenger.
Leaving the truck run he slipped out onto the blacktop. He entered the tall building, to deliver the news to Bane himself. With a loud knock the door opened, Bane's stature filling the doorway.
"Was your search productive?" Bane inquired, trying to keep his voice low.
"Yes sir. These are their records, at your request." Barsad lifted the heavy envelopes from the bag to Bane's hand.
"Are they in Gotham?" Bane asked, turning over the files in his hands.
"They just moved back not too long ago, from Italy sir." Barsad informed.
"Their daughter was here suffering to get by while they are out touring Europe." Bane muttered shaking his head.
"I want you to hunt them down. Bring them to the courts." His voice growled.
Barsad simply nodded to the command.
"That will be all Barsad." Bane continued before closing the door.
He stared down at her sleeping body, he absorbed her peaceful state.
"I need you to be strong. Tomarrow you will confront your fears." He whispered, brushing a hair behind her ear.
He took her slumber as an oppurtunity to take a look andlearn more about the people who abandoned her. He scanned the papers, spreading them across the wide coffee table. Ryan and Melissa Baily, married for 22 years. They had inherited a rather large law firm, gaining success off defending corrupt companies. A rough patch had hit after news leaked about embezzlement had hreatened to ruin the firm. They had been sure to keep the press in the dark about the birth of their baby girl, giving her up for adoption when she was merely a week old. His anger fumed as he further read about their success, buying penthouses and giving generous 'donations' to fellow law firms. She had to confront them. Especially before he did, which he was sure would end in their slow and agonizing deaths.

Her boots hit heavy against the wide stairs that led to the old convention center. She filed into the building, that was overflowing with shouting people. They settled back against one of the walls, she scanned the crowd of people. Her eyes fell upon the thin man that sat behind the towering desk, he was barking out orders about death and exile. She watched as a pair of men pulled a couple to their feet and shoved them roughly down into the two seats that stood in the middle of the room. Bane felt her grip his hands as she watched the scene, the thin man with the gavel barked out their names and she never flinched.
She really doesn't know anything about them..Bane thought to himself.
"You've sat back and reaped the benefits as the rest of Gotham has struggled to get by. Much like your daughter has had to, whom you threw out into the cold when she just a week old!" The "judge" shouted out at the suited couple.
Bane felt her stiffen, it had finally clicked. He watched as she slipped out of his hand, walking over towards the couple. It was when she was standing in front of them that their eyes met hers. Her head tilted as she studied both of them slowly. The woman was older, maybe mid 40s as was the man. Annella eyes widened, it was like looking into a mirror. The hair, the small lips, the light freckles that spotted her cheeks. Her eyes narrowed at the woman's wardrobe, her fitted suit jacket and skirt the diamonds that laced her neck, it was obvious she had never had to do without. Her eyes moved to the man next to her, he was small in size with big eyes like hers, deep and blue. Her stomached turned, these people were suppose to be her parents and yet they were complete strangers to her.
"Annella?"
The sound of the woman's voice sent shocks through Annella's body. It was cold, it hissed like a snake.
"Is it really you?" The man questioned, sitting up straighter in his seat.
"Oh how beautiful you are-" His complimented was cut off as he smiled up at her.
"It is ashame though she has your mother's hips, Ryan. Tsk. Too large for your stature." The woman remarked, staring Annella up and down.
A hard slap swiped across the woman's powdered cheek, echoing through the room.
"You don't get to ridicule me. You brought me into this world only to cast me out into it. Alone. I had no one but myself. Had you heart? You carried me for 9 months for God sake and you just gave me up?!" Annella burned, her eyes narrowed.
"I..we couldn't. Our business was at a delicate stage-" The man stammered.
"Business? You had a new born and you were worried about how 'delicate' your business was?" Annella demanded her heart pounding.
"You can't possibly under-" The woman attempted to justify herself.
"You know I'm actually glad you decided to give me up to foster care, because I was better off being raises by 7 different families than you cold hearted people.." Annella's voice dripping with venom. She turned around to face Crane.
"Death!...By exile!" She roared, turning to catch their horrified expression.
"You heard the lovely lady...Death by Exile." Crane repeated banging the gavel, the crowd of people cheered with hatred towards the wealthy couple.
She watched with sadistic enthusiasm as the men pulled the couple out of their seats towards their demise. It was when she felt his hand on her shoulder that she crashed back to reality.
"Are you wanting to watch?" He breathed, looking down at her.
She shook her head vigorously.
"Do you wish to leave then?" He asked, already knowing the answer he took her hand.
The car ride home was silent, her thoughts too twisted into a deep trance. To her it was all a blur, she hadn't realized she was walking up to the condo until she was already in the doorway. He sensed her stressed state. She simply took a seat on the couch, her eyes staring off into the distance.
"Annella.." Bane spoke in a husky tone.
"Annella..you have to talk sometime. Do something." He urged her, standing he faced her seated body.
"Please.."
Her eyes shot up to meet him, he rarely said that to anyone. She gritted her teeth, flexing her jaw she stood quickly.
"UGH!" She screamed, she shoved his chest but he didn't budge. She beat her hands against his chest in a fit of rage as hot tears streamed down her face.
"They were here the whole time! They never even tried to find me!" She screamed until her her voice gave out.
He gripped her wrists when he felt her slowly begin to break down. She was exhausted. Physically. Mentally. The confrontation taking its toll emotionally. All those built up emotions finally erupted. She collapsed against his hard chest, she felt faint. Before she could say anything she was in his arms. She then felt the soft pillow under her head and the cool blankets engulf her body.
"They can never hurt you again, My love." Bane whispered, brushing his hand against her wet cheek.
"Baily. Annella Baily, that's who I was suppose to be." She murmured.
"Baby bird, you are who you're suppose to be. A better person than either of them." He assured her, taking a seat next to her
on the bed.
"I want to move forward now..with you. You're all I have. You're all I need." Annella breathed out, reaching out for his hand as she stared up at him.
Both were broken. The only comfort they knew was each other. They finally found their peace as chaos began to spread throughout the city. As the lives of the people of Gotham began to fall apart, Bane and Annella's were finally falling into place. All they needed was each other, the rest didn't matter.