Hello lovies! So I have quite a few nasty surprises waiting for you... in future chapters! Mwahaha! Trust me, it will be worth the wait. One hint of the many things I'm going to fling at you: The Joker 3 So prepare for awesomeness.
Do not own TDK or anything Batman related. Kali is mine.

Once the morning string of cartoons was over, Kali stretched. Harley simply slid his head off her lap and continued quietly snoring. She kissed him gently on the nose.
"Are you hungry? The fridge is packed." She asked, reaching for her crutches.
"If I'm going to stay here, I must mention one thing. I don't eat whole food. I have my own food in my room, so don't worry about me." Bane said firmly, willing her to not question him.
She looked at him for a long moment, an uncomfortably long moment.
"One question?" She asked uncertainly, looking shy.

He sighed heavily. Here it comes. Ugly, hideous, monster, disgusting, mutilated! The voice screeched at him. He nodded at her.
"Do you ever take it off?" She asked gently.
"When I eat, yes. Otherwise I must keep it on." He explained.
"Ok." She replied simply, and struggled to her feet.
That's it? She didn't dig? How... unusual.

Kali made her way down the hall towards her room, and paused at the door.
"If you hear any loud noises, don't come in." She called to him.
"Why?" He asked apprehensively.
"I'm attempting to take a bath." She replied, and closed the door behind her.

Upon entering the bathroom, Kali looked from tub to shower, and decided the shower would be easier because she had more to hold onto. She found all of her bathroom things neatly arranged in tiny closet to the side of the shower, and pulled out everything she needed. She went into the closet and found clean clothes, all her familiar comfortable Tees and sweat pants. She also noticed the weird cast-like plastic object, and remembered she had to keep her stupid broken leg cast dry.

It was slow going, but finally she climbed into the shower. It was very difficult, moving on only one leg, and her ribs screamed at her with every unbalanced movement. Yet the shower was worth all the pain. She grabbed her shampoo and began scrubbing thoroughly at her scalp with her favorite peppermint scent. Next she moved on to the citrus scented body wash. And once she started scrubbing, she didn't want to stop. Memories came flooding back in one massive tidal waves. Hands everywhere, pain everywhere, the screams...

She scrubbed until her skin was raw from it. Finally, she tossed the body pouf aside and just stood in the hot stream of water. Her leg wouldn't have much more of this precarious balancing act however, and finally she got out. She pulled on her clothes careful, smiling at their familiar comfort. Suddenly there was a light tap at the door.
"Kali?" Bane asked quietly.
"I didn't crack my head open if that's what you're wondering. I'll be out in a moment." She replied, more shortly than she had meant to.

She made her way back into the living room, but he was nowhere in sight. Harley slid off the couch and wandered up to her, the all too well known look on his face.
"Ok, there's nothing bad out there for you to go after, so I guess I can let you loose. Don't make me regret it mister." She scolded lightly.
He wagged his tail, and very innocent expression on his face as he went to the door. She let him out, and stood on the porch watching him as he wandered about the yard aimlessly sniffing.

She turned to go inside, to find Harley's treats, and nearly cried out. Bane stood in the doorway, arms crossed as he leaned against the frame. His eyes were focused far too sharply on her, the intensity making her feel stood that way for a while, just staring at each other. Harley moved past both, and shoved his way into the house, expecting a treat to be waiting for him.
"What?" She finally asked, unable to bear it any longer.
He just continued to look at her, but then silently moved inside, out of her way. She carefully moved inside, suddenly aware of his overwhelming presence. She searched a few of the cabinets in the kitchen, and found the large box of treats. Harley happily took it from her and trotted into the living room. It was so odd of him to not pick up on the intensity the atmosphere was right now.

Bane was sitting in the armchair, facing her, hands clasped over his lap and he leaned forward, pinning her with a stare that could only be described as... hungry? It sent terrifying chills up and down her spine in rippling waves. What the hell was he doing? She went to step back, head towards the back room where her library was set up, when suddenly the one crutch slid and she fell forward, catching herself on her forearm as the rest of her crashed onto the hard linoleum. Her ribs felt as though they were broken again, splintering into tiny pieces within her aching body. Suddenly two booted feet appeared before her, and a large hand was gripping her arm.

"Don't touch me!" She yelled, jerking away from his grasp.
Bane stared down at her, and then slowly stepped away as she carefully pulled herself to her feet, wincing all the way.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" She snapped at him, and retrieved the fallen crutches, she made her way to the couch and collapsed.
"You just stare at me, like I'm food." She spat at him.
Bane sighed, turning away from her. Well, his test had proven his point. She was not nearly as sound and calm as she appeared to be this morning. Then he began to realize how foolish his actions were. He was just testing her mental state is all. And then a terrifying sound caught his attention. Now you're screwed.

Kali was hunched over, head in her hands, trembling violently as she tried to suppress the sobs that were escaping in quiet bursts. Harley cautiously approached her, sniffing at her hands, giving them a gentle lick. She glanced up at him, and petted him softly on the head as she continued to shake. She's crying. After everything, she decides to start crying now. Great. Bane was at a loss for words. What the hell did you say to someone who'd gone through what she had? As he struggled to speak, she was suddenly up and going to her room, the dog following her, tail wagging sadly. He rounded the corner, finally decided he should at least apologize. She was already at her door, letting Harley go in before her.

"Kali." He called out, causing her to flinch.
She turned to face him, face terribly pale with bright red around the eyes. She looked so scared of him it physically hurt.
"I'm sorry." He said, quietly, afraid he'd said it too quietly for her to hear.
She blinked, wiping at one eye.
"What for?" She asked shakily.
"For scaring you." He replied a little more loudly.

She nodded slowly, and then she smiled softly.
"I didn't mean to yell." She said apologetically, shyly.
Then she was in her room, locking the door behind her.

Hours went by, and only silence came from the room. Bane was worried. Could such damage be healed with time alone? He doubted it. He felt anxious, even nervous, and guilty. He paced on the back porch for a short while, then went to his own room and ate one of the pouches. As he went to pace the living room again, he paused at Kali's door. Quiet sobs echoed out, probably coming from the bathroom. He pressed a hand to the cool door, squeezing his eyes shut.

I'm so sorry.

Reviews please!