(A/N: I can't believe it's been this long since I've updated! I apologize for disappearing from this site for so long, but I had a lot going on in my life and I really needed to take care of some things. I felt incredibly guilty leaving you guys with that last chapter (talk about a cliffhanger-ROSE IS GOIN' ON A DATE, MAN!) so I knew that I wanted to get another chapter up for you all. Hope all of you lovely people have been doing well! Enjoy the read!

Part Eight: The First Date

I pull open the door, wearing my best smile. A bouquet of red roses greets me as soon as the door swings backwards.

"Oh!" I gasp in surprise as I take in the beautiful flowers. Kole's head appears from behind the roses. Okay, I'm sorry, but even these flowers pale in comparison to the handsome man holding onto them. His head is beanie free tonight, which allows his golden brown curls to bounce freely around his smiling face. He's dressed nicely; no jeans and a skater tee for him today. A red flannel shirt and khaki pants completes his look. He definitely gets an A+ from me today.

"Hey there," he greets me. "I thought you might appreciate these, Rose." He gives the bouquet a gentle shake, reminding me that I am in reality and not in some sort of dream-state. I laugh, feeling some of the butterflies in my stomach fly away.

"Thank you! They're beautiful." I take the flowers and smell them before placing them in an empty vase on my living room table. I move the delicate flowers around some, making sure they look stunning before straightening my stance and turning back around to face Kole. My knees turn to putty when I find Kole staring at me with wide, mesmerized eyes. Feeling shy, I twist one of my curls and try hard to meet his gaze. "What? Is something wrong?" Please tell me I don't have lipstick on my teeth.

"Wow," he says in an awed voice. "No, it's just... You look amazing, Rose."

I feel my face warm and I smile even wider. I can tell that he means every word he says and it's enough to make my heart race. Mission accomplished. Kole likes my outfit. A big "in your face" to Bane! Haha!

"Thank you," I say, trying to accept his compliment as graciously as someone who feels like floating away on a cloud can.

After a few more seconds of unashamed ogling, Kole's eyes flutter back to my face. His smile looks a bit more excited when it reappears on his face this time.

"Should we head on our way?" he asks while offering me his arm.

Ohmigoodness, he is too good to be true. I take his arm with a girlish giggle and allow him to lead me downstairs and out to his car, which just so happens to be a black Mercerdes-Benz with super clean rims and a slick bod. Sue me—I like nice cars.

After pausing to check out the beauteous, sleek creature before me, I finally notice that Kole has released my arm to open the passenger's door for me.

He grins. "Here you are."

I press my palm to my beating heart, hoping to find that it's still working after all of these sweet gestures. Where do they make guys like this and may I please have the address?

I climb in and allow him to shut my door for me. I watch as he rounds the car to his side before I take the chance to admire the interior of his lovely car. Its black leather seats are as smooth as butter and it's nice to see that he keeps everything clean and orderly, which is so unlike my own car-you know, the one that went flying off a bridge some time ago. It was a speeding junkpile at times.

I snap back to attention as Kole climbs in and turns on the car. It purrs to life, sounding like a content cat. Kole looks over at me, still grinning.

"So, what did you want to do tonight? The library is closed, I think," he teases.

I laugh and shrug my shoulders. "I don't know, then. What is there to do in Gotham City at night?" I ask, feeling like a naïve child. I've never been out past 11 o' clock since I moved to Gotham (besides that time I was kidnapped). I don't know the first place to go during this time of night besides maybe to the police department.

Kole chuckles as he pulls the car onto the street. "There's actually too much to do. Do you want me to list some places or do you want to be surprised?"

My first instinct is to tell him to list some places but that's no fun. I want tonight to be special, right? To be fun and spontaneous. I just want to have a great time and to forget for a while that I have responsibilities. I want to feel like a carefree, partying college student, for once in my life.

"Surprise me!" I finally exclaim, much louder than I meant to.

Kole's grin widens and he presses down on the gas. "Alright, I can do that." He sends me a cautious look. "Don't freak out when you see how this place looks. It's a lot better on the inside."

Oh. Well, that sounds reassuring.

We drive along the lit streets of Gotham, chatting about school and life in general. While we chat and laugh, I take the time to drink in all of the beautiful neon lights that flash catchy phrases at us like, "FUN" and "FREE DRINKS" and "XXX".

...Wait, where the heck is Kole taking me?

The signs get grittier and more flirtatious the further we drive and so do the kinds of people we see strutting down the sidewalks. Girls wearing dresses that could double as bikinis stride around, grinning at the catcalls they elicit from desperate men. Grungy males in stained jackets watch our car roll by, their eyes gleaming with envy. Trying to be as covert as possible, I reach over and lock my door with a shaky hand.

"Hey, don't look so nervous," Kole says while taking my trembling hand in his warm one. That alone is enough to send bursts of heat shooting up my body like jet streams from a hot tub. His hand is so huge compared to mine that it immediately scales my fear back a little bit. Still, it's nowhere near as big and powerful as Bane's is. My hand looks like the hand of a child compared to Bane's.

Ugh, bad Rose. We're not thinking about what's-his-face tonight, remember?

"I-I'm not nervous," I lie to Kole as I take in a man and woman practically making out in a dark alleyway. I look away, feeling embarrassed. "Where exactly are we going again?" I ask.

"It's a surprise, remember?" Kole reminds me with a playful wink. "Just relax."

He begins rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb. I feel like I'm floating on a cloud. I can't help but think maybe he's being a bit too familiar with someone he's only met twice, but I won't be the one to raise any sort of objection, at least, not yet.

"Every GU student comes here on the weekends. You're going to love it," Kole promises.

We turn a corner and I finally see where we're going: Club Gothix, a huge nightclub surrounded by people, lights, and loud music. I can feel the thumping bass even at this distance. I've heard students talk about it around campus, that it's the go-to place when you want to hook up with a guy or gal or just want to get completely wasted.

Oh gosh. I think I may need that escape route phone call soon.

I feel Kole watching me as he pulls the car into a parking space a few blocks away from the nightclub, so I put on my best smile. I'm pretty good at faking smiles, even when I feel like peeing on myself.

Kole returns my smile with one a little more genuine before he hops out of the car and goes to open my door. He helps me up from my seat and keeps a hold of my hand as he closes the door for me. I'm beaming like the sun on the inside from the warm contact of his skin on mine. Maybe I'll make it through tonight.

Maybe.

We walk together to the front of the club, bypassing the twisting line of loud clubgoers. I ignore the lewd catcalls males throw my way, feeling absolutely disgusted. I just hope Kole doesn't get any ideas and tries to fight them. According to their bright colored clothing and same-hued outfits, I'd say they're part of some gang and I don't want a brawl to break out.

"Don't we have to get in line?" I ask Kole as we approach the bouncer, who's grinning at me like he's the human version of the big, bad wolf.

"Nope. I've got connections," Kole says with a cryptic grin. He nods at the bouncer as we finally get next to him.

"Yo, Kole. Who's this cutie you have with you tonight?" the hefty bouncer asks as his lusty eyes crawl over my body. I shift around uncomfortably, wishing I'd brought a huge, ugly jacket to drape over myself.

"This is Rose. She's a friend of mine," Kole replies, seemingly unaffected by the bouncer's roaming eyes. I grimace at the term "friend" but I suppose that's what we are, right? But, darn it, he could have at least made some sort of claim on me so that Peepy McPeepins would stop ogling at me. He could have called me his date, at the very least.

"She definitely looks like a rose in all of that beautiful red," the bouncer flirts while giving me a wink. My smile is tight as I shift my weight from foot to foot. I hear the bouncer chuckle and the sound of a chain being lifted.

"Any friend of yours is definitely a friend of mine. Go on in." The bouncer lifts the rope, allowing us entrance. Kole and I go in, leaving behind the flirtatious bouncer and the line of people. I cut my eyes over at an oblivious Kole. He must have to visit this place a lot to be personal friends with the bouncer. Just how many girls has he brought here?

The music is just about deafening on the inside. A remix of "Club Goin' Up on a Tuesday" is blasting from the speakers that are set up onstage, next to where a line of go-go dancers are breaking it down. The flashing, neon floor panels are literally quaking with the loud bass thrumming through the room. Everywhere is packed with throngs of people. There are people dancing, people drinking, people smoking, people, people everywhere.

This is my first time in a nightclub and I'm at a loss of what to do. I expected for Kole to whisk me away to a nice restaurant or maybe even a movie, but a nightclub? For our first date? How are we supposed to talk to one another over this insane music? We won't be able to hear about each other's dreams and aspirations for the future or…or anything like that!

"Hey, do you like to dance?" Kole suddenly yells into my ear. My head bobs up and down without my permission.

Wait, no, darn it!

Kole grins and begins dragging me to the crowded dancefloor while I mentally curse myself.

I do like dancing. I think I've mentioned that before. I also mentioned that I don't like dancing when I'm in public or when people are watching.

It's too late to run away screaming now. We're on the dancefloor and there's no escape once we make it to the center. People crowd around us like we're at a rock concert, swinging their bodies around like they're all wrecking balls.

I rock from side to side, wondering just what kind of dance I should be doing. Everyone else is basically just swinging around on their own or they're pressed against someone else to the point where I think they may mesh together and become one, like some sort of twisted science experiment.

Kole decides on our dance for us. He goes behind me and pulls me gently against him, sending my body into near convulsions. I'm so nervous; my body is on the verge of freezing up completely.

Alright, be confident, Rose. You've danced before. You're a great dancer. The best dancer in the world, in fact. Psh, I invented dancing. Now, let's just have some fun.

Pretty soon, Kole and I are dancing together like our bodies are synchronized. I grin and lift my arms above my head, losing myself to the hypnotic music. Kole seems to be enjoying himself and so am I. It's not what I expected for our first date, but this certainly works.I have no worries, I'm out on a date with a guy I really like and, most of all, I'm having fun! I'm actually laughing and having a great time!

"You know, you're pretty cool, Rose," Kole says into my ear as we dance.

Cool. Ha, that's not a word that's used a lot when it comes to me, but hey, I'll take it.

"Thanks," I grin. "So are you. Annnnd you're a pretty good dancer."

"Pretty good?" Kole suddenly spins me around and dips me over his arm like we're doing the tango. One of my legs are bent and pressed against the side of his waist, my arm is slung out to the side, and my other arm is hooked around his neck. I must say, I don't mind this position at all.

"Mademoiselle, I think you mean... fabuloso." Oh my gosh, he did not just say that and use a Spanish accent.

I can't help it-I have to tease him for that lameness. "Mademoiselle and fabuloso are from two very different languages, I believe."

Kole's face turns red but he laughs. "Oh. Er, pretend that they aren't and just kiss me. It will really boost my ego after that fail," he jokes. He puckers up his lips in a dramatic fashion and starts leaning towards my face.

I laugh at his silliness and playfully push his face away every time he starts diving in with those duck lips for a peck. Okay, I was really feeling this guy before but he's making me laugh. Anyone that knows me knows that making me laugh is a surefire way to get me to like you.

We're still joking around and teasing each other when Kole suddenly freezes.

"Hey, I think I see some of my friends up there," Kole says. He points over my shoulder, indicating a group of people I really, really don't want to see. They were the exact same group of people who had been pestering me at the campus gates a few days ago, the ones that laughed when I fell and spilled my books everywhere. I can't believe Kole would even hang out with people who treated others like that.

"Let's go say hey, alright?" Kole says. He barely gives me the chance to respond before he begins leading me over to them. I bite my lip as their eyes fall on us. There's Trevor and Marcy, the two main people I don't feel like seeing tonight. Their lips curl up into smirks as we come to a stop before them.

"Look who it is!" Marcy says with a curled lip. Her sparkling silver halter dress is nearly blinding with all of these constantly flashing lights in here. Her next words surprise me.

"You look pretty."

Wow. She even sounds sincere.

I blink. "Um," I begin, feeling unsure. "Thanks. So do you."

She smiles at me, before her eyes move over to Kole. A flirtatious gleam takes over them as she steps forward and grabs his bare arm. "You look great, too, Kole. Date night?" she purrs. It's like her voice dropped an entire octave.

Kole doesn't object to her grabby hands or her put-on sultry voice. In fact, his eyes have that same flirtatious light in them as he gives her a laugh. "We're just hanging out. What are you guys up to?"

"Just hanging out. You hear about the game the other night?" Trevor asks. He doesn't bother to greet me so I figure I'll return the favor and remain as invisible to him as he thinks I am.

The group begins talking, ultimately leaving me out of the conversation. I watch from a distance, taking in Marcy and Kole's flirty behavior and the feeling of being left out in the cold by the guy who just labeled me as a "friend" and dismissed tonight as just "hanging out". I try to smile and nod at their conversation, as if I were actually a part of it, but I eventually give up and leave to find a table. And wouldn't you know it? Kole doesn't bother to follow me.

Tears sting my eyes as I sit down at an empty table. Tonight isn't going how I expected it to go. Who expects to be sitting alone in a nightclub for their first date with a guy? And then for your bullies from school to show up and snatch your date away? Certainly not me.

I pull out my phone and send Tippy a quick sad face. She replies almost immediately with a "what's wrong? why are you texting me on your date?"

I sigh and type, "'cause he left me all alone to talk to some friends."

My phone vibrates five seconds later. "WHAT?" the text reads. "Go and talk to them!"

I sniffle and swipe at my nose with a napkin from a napkin dispenser. "Why?" I text back. "They were ignoring every word I said. This date bites. He even took me to a nightclub out of all places." I chew on my lip before adding, "How's Bane?"

Tippy takes a while to text me back this time. While I wait, I can't help but to let my eyes roam over to where Kole and his friends are. They're still laughing and chatting it up with one another, like old pals at a high school reunion. Suddenly, Kole looks over at me and smiles. Just like that, my dreariness fades away and I'm feeling a little happy again. He hasn't forgotten about me, at least. With a tilt of his head, Kole motions for me to come over.

My phone vibrates right then, indicating another text from Tippy. I return Kole's smile but look down at my phone to read my latest text.

"He's not talking to me. Did you make him mad?"

Moooost likely. I look from my phone to Kole's smiling face and finally decide to toss my phone back into my purse. I don't have time for Bane and his mood swings right now. I'm on a date, a date with a guy I've only dreamed about dating. After his rude comment earlier, I really don't care if he's mad at me or not. At least, that's what I'm going to keep telling myself.

I stand up and head over to Kole and company.

"Hey, I was just telling Marcy and Trevor and our friends just how great of a dancer you are," Kole says once I make it over to them.

I blush as every set of eyes falls on me. Laughing nervously, my hands find themselves fiddling with my hair.

"H-He probably exaggerated," I stutter. "Great to him must mean the equivalent of a bucking horse."

Trevor laughs. He actually laughs at something I said. "Nah, I'm sure you're decent enough. What do you say we all head out on the dancefloor and dance together? Have a little fun, you know?"

This elicits cries of delight and agreement from their friends. Most of them begin to pour down to the dancefloor but I'm a little more hesitant. First of all, I'm not too keen on busting any moves right now, especially not in front of the people who were bullying me not even two days ago. Second of all, I came here to hang out with Kole and get to know him and let him get to know me. If his friends are crowded around us, how is that going to happen?

"Coming, Rose?"

I blink out of my thoughts to find Kole watching me, hand outstretched in my direction. He grins.

"Hey, once we get a few more dances in, we can leave here and go anywhere you want. Maybe to a book cafe?"

Curse those adorable dimples and my weakness to books. My hand winds up in his and we both end up in the middle of the dancefloor, surrounded by his pals. The DJ, a skinny female with platinum dreadlocks, has turned up the music and everyone is loving her for it. The dancers are much more vigorous this time around. It's a struggle just to stay connected to Kole. I end up having to throw my arms around his neck just so we don't separate.

It's hectic, it's wild, it's crazy... But I guess it's not that bad.

"Having fun, sweetie?"

Someone's cold, clammy hand clamps down on my shoulder. I shiver and glance behind me. Marcy is there, giving me a wide smile. She holds up a glass to me. Without thinking, I unwrap one arm from around Kole's neck to take it and study its contents. It's a strong-smelling drink, neon blue, two ice cubes.

"Thought this might help you to loosen up a bit," Marcy explains. She wriggles her brows at Kole. "Show that wild side of yours off to Kole. I think you two might have a little more fun if you do."

I go to hand the drink back to her, already mumbling, "No thanks." I don't really do alcohol. I mean, I've seen what it can do to people, and I'm not a big fan of it. I'm being polite here, otherwise I would tell Marcy that she doesn't know enough about me to know if I have a wild side or not, and I don't know her well enough to just accept a random drink from her.

Suddenly, Kole's hand falls over my hand, the one that's holding onto the drink. Confused, I look up at him.

"Hey, it might help you loosen up a bit. You're a little stiff sometimes, honestly. This'll do the trick, believe me. Don't tell me you don't drink...?"

"Yeah, what if I don't?" is what I want to say, and maybe what I would've said if Marcy hadn't cut in right then.

"What a baby," Marcy sneers. She raises a glass to her lips, one she's been holding in her other hand, and downs the whole thing in two gulps. Her half-lidded eyes meet Kole's. "All she ever does is stay at home with that terrorist and study. I'll be right over here if you're looking for a good time, Kole. I, at least, know what that is."

Marcy sashays away and I don't miss Kole's lusty eyes following after her swinging hips.

What.

The.

Actual.

Fudge.

In any other circumstance, I would have handed the drink to Marcy, said "Here, have another, ya whore," introduced her to my shameless date, and went home and stuffed my face with pizza, feeling perfectly content.

But Kole is my date. He's been so nice to me. He's everything I've ever dreamed about having in a guy. I don't want to give up on him. Not yet. Plus, the fact that he might think of me as a kid, as Bane does, really, really irks me. I'm a grown woman, darn it! I'm tired of men treating me like I'm a child.

Without a second thought, I toss my head back and swallow down my drink. I make a face as the burning liquid makes its slow descent through my esophagus, but try to play it off with strained laughter.

"Down the hatch," I joke. Kole's eyes light up before we start dancing again.

It doesn't take long for the drink to take effect. Kole's and my dance moves become more and more erotic and I'm allowing him to put his hands on areas where, under any other circumstance, would have earned him a black eye and a missing tooth. But right now, I don't care. I'm having fun. And Kole isn't treating me like a kid. As his lips trail down my throat and he nibbles at my ear, I feel like a woman.

I giggle stupidly as he continues his nibbling. "That tickles!" I hiccup.

Kole doesn't respond. He simply puts his hand under my knee and lifts my leg up, drawing me even closer to him. By now, red alarms are screaming inside of my head, telling me that it's time to pump the brakes and stop him. I try to collect my thoughts, which is very hard to do when there's a hot guy biting on you.

"Kole, that's enough," I growl.

He doesn't listen and instead becomes more grabby, if that's even possible at this point. I draw back my hand, ready to slap him.

That's when I hear it.

It's just a little click; I barely hear it over the music. But then I hear more clicking. It's coming from all around us. I twist my head around and freeze when I see what's happening.

People are taking pictures of us.

Everyone has their camera phones whipped out and are snapping away at me getting my neck devoured. Slowly, I reach up and put my hands between Kole's chest and mine.

"Kole, what'shappening?" I ask, my words slurring together a bit.

Everyone is laughing and pointing at us. Marcy is front and center, phone held high.

"Awww, look at the babysitter! What a good citizen of Gotham she is!" she teased.

Click! Click!

Another picture. Just like that, it dawns on me-this was a setup.

My face is burning up with shame as the laughter and pictures continue. I try to push Kole away, but he keeps coming back.

Finally, I succeed in holding him back from me. "Kole, did you know about this?" I whisper. As much as I'm embarrassed, I'm hurt, too. I never would have thought that a guy like Kole would do anything so cruel.

Kole looks guilty. "I-I had an idea that this might happen, yeah," he admits.

Angry beyond belief, I shove Kole away from me.

"What the hell!" I shout. "How could you?!"

Marcy slides between Kole and I, facing me.

"It was my idea," she proclaims, proudly. "Everyone just agreed to help me."

I shake my head in disbelief. This is unreal. My first real date...a sham. Kole lured me here just to help Marcy and her gang embarrass me.

"You people are sick," I spit. I turn around to leave, only to come face to face with a group of rough-looking men. They sneer at me and press in closer, forcing me to step backwards. I bump into Marcy, whose hands lash out and push me back towards the men. I manage to stop myself before I crash into them, but only barely. There must have been something in the drink that Marcy gave me because my head is starting to spin and I can barely keep my eyes open. One little drink shouldn't have this kind of effect on a person.

"Time to show the rest of Gotham just how horrible of a babysitter you are," one of the rough-looking men say. Suddenly, I'm yanked into their group. Alcohol is poured over my head, my hair starts to get pulled in all directions, hands feel over my entire body.

I scream and beg for them to stop, for someone to help me, but the painful routine continues on. I'm yanked all around the dancefloor as my captors allow everyone to get a punch in. The DJ is laughing into her microphone, screaming, "Get that traitor, boys!"

I can hear Marcy and Trevor laughing as more alcohol is forced down my throat. More clicking means more pictures are being snapped.

I'm completely helpless. I try to struggle against the men and claw at their faces, but whatever was in that drink has slowed me down. I can only cry and whimper as their hands continue to travel all over my body and I'm continuously doused with alcohol. I feel like I'm drowning, in the alcohol and in my own fear. How can I get out of this? Am I going to die? I want to call for someone, anyone to help me.

Mom!

Big brother!

Bane! Bane, please help me!

One of the men latches onto my chin, forcing me to stare right at his ugly face. Even though everything seems hazy, I can still see the blatant hate and desire lurking in his watery eyes.

"Wonder if the rest of Gotham City will think you're such a saint after they hear about this, eh, boys?" The crowd erupts with raucous laughter as he begins pushing his lips towards mine.

Suddenly, someone grabs me around the waist and lifts me clean into the air. This person, whoever they are, was able to pull me out of the grips of amount five strong men. If the guy holding me is this strong, I think I'd rather face the other attackers in the room. I pathetically continue my struggle as I'm held in the air, even if my struggling only consists of a few weak wicks and whimpering.

"There is no longer any need for fear, Rose," this new person grunts into my ear. "You're safe now."

That voice... It could only belong to one person and one person only...

I look up.

"B-Bane...?" I mumble.

Bane studies me, taking in my tattered clothes, my bruised skin, the tears falling down my face. He's dressed in his dark brown bomber jacket, army pants, and lace-up combat boots, seeming ready to head into battle. After he concludes his studying, his eyes harden into two black slits. He lifts his head and glares around the room at the club-goers, who have all began to back away in fear.

"Unfortunately," he breathes, "they are not."

Bane carefully hands me over to the person behind him, who turns out to be Tippy. She's in a light jacket, jeans, and black sneakers. She must've rushed to make it out here to me. As soon as I recognize he girl as Tippy, I fall right into her arms, I start crying and hold her as tight as I can. I hear her crying, too.

"Shhh, it's okay now," Tippy promises me, her hand caressing the top of my head. "Looks like we made it just in time. I got worried when you didn't text me back."

She looks at my face and sighs with relief. Her eyes then flicker upwards, towards the rest of the club, where they then become as wide as saucers. A low whistle escapes her mouth.

"Woo. Bane's goin' H.A.M.," she notes.

Going H.A.M.? Uh-oh.

I turn around in Tippy's arm to take in the chaotic scene that's erupted all around us, all because of Bane. "Going H.A.M." doesn't even begin to cover it. Bane is completely decimating the people who were attacking me. It's amazing and terrifying to finally see for myself, in person, just how strong Bane is. He's snapping men's necks, breaking people over his knee, and bashing people's faces in like they're made out of putty. All the while, the dark fury in his hardened gaze never wavers. No one stands a chance against him.

No, this isn't good. Bane can't hurt anyone. He's under probation. At this rate, he'll be on Death Row tomorrow morning and that's something I won't ever allow to happen to him.

I pull out of Tippy's arms and race towards Bane.

"Bane, stop it!" I yell. "You're hurting them!"

Bane doesn't hear me or just doesn't care. He continues to knock people out, left and right. Panic has seized control of Club Gothix and now anything goes. Drunken men are lurching themselves at Bane, excited to have their chance of "taking down Gotham's reckoning". The rest of the club (the smart ones, perhaps) have already started making escape, heading towards the closest exit they can find, be it a door or a window.

Someone's pulled a gun. Gunshots ring out in the club, causing the remaining people to hit the ground in an attempt to avoid being shot.

"Rose, we need to get out of here!" Tippy screams over the chaos. "I hear the cops!"

I hear them, too. Their sirens are close, and closing in. If we don't all beat a hasty retreat, we're all looking at time behind bars. I glance between Tippy, who is begging me come, and Bane, who is still hellbent on beating the crap out of everyone who touched me. I want to go with Tippy and escape but I can't leave Bane. They came here and saved me. I won't abandon them now.

"Run!" I cry over my shoulder to Tippy. "Get out of here before they see you!"

Tippy's mouth drops. "I'm not leaving my best friend! Come on, we need to go!" she screams.

"I can't leave Bane behind!" I yell back.

Tippy looks at me and probably realizes that my mind is made up. She shakes her head angrily, before spinning around and dashing for the door.

"You better be out here in five minutes!" she shouts.

I smile at her back and then turn around and head for Bane. He's still fighting, brutally taking down any man who's foolish enough to approach him. I grab every table I come across to steady myself as I make my way over to the battlezone. The spiked drink is making my legs feel like jello and my head like a block of cement balanced atop a pencil.

Bane is holding a man by his throat and is slowly squeezing the life out of him. The man is turning pink, now purple... It won't be long before he's gone.

"Bane, no!"

Once I'm behind Bane, I throw my arms around his back, causing him to stiffen.

"Stop it, Bane!" I yell. "Don't make them see you as a monster!" I bury my face into the back of his jacket, hoping that my weight alone will be able to stop his rage. The way he talks about my weight during training ("you must have ate well today, Rose!" or "I forgot that women are able to surpass their typical weight standards!"), there's a good chance I might be able to drag him down to the ground. And I'll do it, too. There's no way I'm going to let this city see Bane as a monster, not after all of the changes he's made in himself and all of the strides forward he's taken. I won't let his peace be taken away because of my stupidity.

"Please," I beg.

The heaving in Bane's chest diminishes slowly. One of his hands reaches up and hesitantly clasps onto mine. I wrap my arms tighter around him and dig my face closer to his warmth.

"Thank you," I murmur.

The stragglers start to disperse once they see that Bane is no longer in attack-mode.

I breathe against Bane's back. It's a struggle just to stay on my feet right now. I couldn't let go of Bane even if I wanted to. The world is still teetering about like a merry-go-round that won't stop.

"Why... Why did you come here after I was so mean to you?" I mutter.

Bane sighs deeply. "One fight does not make someone forget months of companionship." He turns around in my arms, finally facing me. I'm glad to see that the murderous look has left his eyes, though some traces are still left. His hand swipes my hair out of my face and rests against my cheek.

"Are you injured anywhere seriously?" he asks.

My entire body feels like it's seriously injured. My skin is wet, tingling, and covered in scrapes and bruises. My head is sore from all of the hair-pulling not to mention throbbing because of that drink.

"I'l be alright," I say. I hope this is the true. Truthfully, I just want to tip over right here and take a nap. Hopefully, once I wake up, all of the pain will have disappeared. I take Bane's hands and start tugging him towards the exit. "Thanks for coming to get but we gotta get out of here. The cops are on their way and if they see this-"

I don't have a chance to finish because right at that moment, the police flood into the club. They surround us on all sides, blocking every hope of escape. As soon as they see the bodies on the dancefloor and the limping, moaning victims of Bane's retaliation, guns are drawn and focused on Bane.

"Shoot to kill!" one officer shouts.

Ah, fudge.

Without thinking, I've somehow wobbled my way in front of Bane. I hold my unsteady arms out to either side of me, providing a shield between Bane and the aiming police.

"Wait!" I beg. "He's innocent. I... I was the one who caused this!"

All of the police exchange bewildered looks and their guns begin to lower somewhat. I smile with relief.

Whoa. When did the room start to spin?

I put my hand to my forehead, hoping that this will help me to keep my clumsy self standing straight. Unfortunately, it doesn't. With a tumble that would have made Jennifer Lawrence laugh, I pass out.

CR: Well...that's one way to end a date! o_o; So, Rose made some stupid choices tonight, but she's only human, right? Plus, the alcohol and spike drink went to her little head. What should she have done? Is Kole a freakin' jerk? And what did you guys think of Bane and Tippy coming to the rescue?

Ugh, that part where Rose is getting attacked by the partiers was tough to write. I know that there are girls and boys who have been in similar situations to this and my heart goes out to those people.

Next time, in the aftermath of Rose's disastrous "first date", we have a hospital room, embarrassing leaked photos, and a visit from a special clown-faced villain! Ohohoho, we'll have some fun next chapter, so let's put a smile on those faces! :D See you then!