Do not own Bane or any TDK related content. Kali Blake is mine.
Enjoy!

Kali was sitting up in bed, an extremely bored expression on her face, stirring at the bland looking oatmeal in front of her. She looked up at him and her expression brightened instantly. He liked that. He sat down beside her, and she sat back against her pillows, wincing slightly from her ribs.

"So, how many colors are on my face right now?" She asked, cracking a smile. She was in a much better mood.
"I'm seeing three. Purple, blue, and yellow." He replied humorously.

She laughed a little, then took a few heavy sips from a cup of water beside her.
"They told me I can't leave for a few days. I feel fine, I want to leave now." She said grumpily. "I'm so bored!"
"How about two more days? Can you last that long?" Bane questioned.
She groaned. "I suppose. But I need something to do. Is there anything English around here? All they have is this depressing Russia crap."
"I'll see if I can find some magazines and books for you." Bane said, about to get up.

"So what exactly do you have planned for me?" She questioned, catching him by the wrist.
He sighed and sat back down, crossing his arms.
"I'm taking you home. I already had some acquaintances of mine collect your things, and your dog, and brought them to the house. And I even found someone to work for the widow, so you don't have to worry about that. The house is not far from the hospital. Someone is looking after the dog until we get there." Bane said matter-of-factually.

She nodded, then paused, and her eyes widened as her mouth dropped.
"House? What house?" She asked apprehensively.
Bane was not sure he liked this reaction from her. It was definitely shock, and horror. She doesn't want you living with her. The thought stung for a second, but Bane didn't know why. He pushed the thought and feeling away.
"You did not seriously buy me a house, did you?" She asked, demanding a response.

"I told you, more money than I know what to do with. You need your own house, plus it's much closer to the hospital."
"You bought me a house?!" She burst out. He couldn't tell if she was angry, but she seemed quite flustered. "I can't believe this! You just go and buy a house, just like that? Then you have some strangers go into my things, take responsibility for Harley?! What-" She suddenly cut short, clutching at her side.
"Would you calm yourself? The more you work yourself up the longer you'll be stuck here." Bane said firmly.
She glared at him, and sipped from her cup again.
"Bought me a damn house." She growled at him.

Bane smirked as he searched the nearby shops for things to entertain the girl. He'd already picked up a mass amount of magazines, which he hoped she liked. He also grabbed two books, and collected her clothes from the other hotel room. She'd probably need them soon. He also picked up a few candy bars, since hospital food seemed to disgust her. He then purchased a blender and an array of foods to make more of his pouches. He then went back to the hospital, where Kali was taking a nap.

She awoke when he came into the room, and smiled sleepily at him. Then she eyed the bags he was holding expectantly, and he nearly smiled. He handed her the bag, and she carefully unloaded it, organizing it in some fashion.
"Yes!" She burst out when she discovered the candy bars. She quickly ate one, then put them back in the bag.
Then she gasped when she pulled out the one book. She turned it over, almost cautiously, then back to the cover.
"This is my favorite book." She said quietly, almost tenderly holding the battered thing.
Life of Pi. He'd seen it a few times, but he had only grabbed it merely because the cover was colorful and looked amusing. She opened it and began reading immediately.
"I'm going to get some food. I'll be back." Bane said quietly.
She nodded, smiling up at him.
"Thank you Bane." She said gratefully, then was back in the book.
He turned, smiled so she wouldn't see, and left.

Back at the hotel, Bane made twenty pouches of various meals, and made one last one and ate it straight from the blender. He hadn't even realized how hungry he had been. He took a brief shower, and as he passed the mirror he paused. Something was different. He stared at himself, trying to place it. He traced a finger down the scar that ran from his lip to his chin repeatedly, in thought, as he stared. Then he met his own eyes and froze. There it was. The cold wall he'd always met in his expression seemed melted, softened. His eyes were lighter than their usual black, a nearly detectable brown shade in them. He wondered what it would feel like to have Kali touch him. No! What the hell is wrong with you?! The voice screamed at him, and he stiffened. He was disgusting. What on earth would a girl like her want with him? Old friend. The voice sneered.

Bane talked with Kali's doctor. He informed Bane that Kali was doing exceptionally well, and would be able to leave in the morning after a final check up. He went back to the room to inform her, but she was out cold with the book open in her lap. He carefully slid the book out from under her hands, folding the corner to mark the page. He then carefully lowered the bed so she was lying down, and sat down beside her. Curiosity got the better of him, and he opened the book to where she left off, and then began to read.

"Bane?" A sleepy voice called.
Bane looked up from the book, and saw Kali blinking slowly at him, rising from her drowsy state.
"Good news. The doctors say we can leave tomorrow morning after a check up." Bane said, marking the page and putting it aside.
"Thank God. I'm already sick of this place." She said happily.

They talked on and off for a few more hours, before the nurse came to order him to leave. It was time for more painkillers for Kali anyways, and she would be asleep soon. Bane got up, feeling slightly sore from sitting in the chair for so long. The nurse gave Kali her medicine, and then left, giving him one last warning look.
"I'll be here first thing in the morning. Get some sleep." Bane ordered firmly.
"Wait. Take the book with you and finish reading it." She said, holding the book out to him. "I'll read it when we get on the plane."
Bane took the book, and she smiled brightly at him before settling back. She was already drowsy.
"Night Kali." Bane said softly.
"Night... Bane." She said slowly, then was asleep.

"Bane! Bane! Help!" The tiny voice yelled.
Bane started awake, hearing a clamor of voices and sounds. Talia was shaking his arm furiously, terrified.
"What's wrong?" He asked, jumping to his feet.
"They're coming to kill me. They found out who I am." She said, sobbing slightly.
Every nerve screamed to life.
"You have to climb, Talia. You have to get out." Bane said to her, and then they were running for the top of the stairs.
Bane lifted her over the ledge, and began to fight off the mob of men who wanted to kill his Talia. She would make it, he knew she would. She looked down at him, terrified. He would die for her.
"Goodbye." He breathed to her as the men outnumbered and overpowered him. "I love you." He thought as he prepared to die.

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