I do not own anything related to Batman either thru television, written books, comics or film. Everything belongs to DC Comics, Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Jon and Chis Nolan. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter Eight

Song(s): I Will Run From You (Cemeteries)

Gotham General Hospital, 9024 Memorial Way, Gotham City…

Rubbing her thumb along her ex-husband's hand, Barbara Gordon wiped at the corners of her eyes as she looked back over her shoulder towards her children slumped over on the couch, fast asleep.

"Jim, the kids are already beside themselves. You have to wake up…"

Turning back around, she didn't notice her young son opening his eyes as he sat up, feeling his sister slumping against his arm.

"I'm thirsty Mom."

Hearing a quick knock on the closed door, Jimmy perked up and watched as the Deputy Commissioner entered, holding his Blackberry tight in his hand.

"How are you Barbara?"

"Doctor Fletcher said, Jim is going to need more surgery to relieve some growing pressure around his brain. They, are just watching for now" Barbara whispered as she glanced at her son.

"Sarah has the bedrooms all ready for you and kids. I can have an Officer drive you over whenever you are ready to leave" Foley spoke as Barbara nodded her head.

Pulling the private hospital room door closed behind him, Foley swore under his breath as he glanced down at the screen of his phone, ignoring the sixteen new text messages that had appeared in the thirty minutes since he had stepped foot inside the building.

"God damn fucking mess."

Striding down the corridor, he darted his eyes around the corners just as he spotted the back of a uniformed officer.

"Hot Head!"

…

Breathing in the dampness of the tunnel, Charlotte Teller laid back on her mat and closed her eyes as she attempted to start a set of crunches.

I have to keep in shape

I have to keep my strength

Come hell or high water, come broken bones, I have to keep fighting him

"Because, there will be an opportunity to escape" she breathed, wincing as she felt the pain in her upper shoulder and clavicle bone. Counting out to ninety, she felt eyes running over her body as she sat up to rest.

If I asked Bane to take out your eyes, would he? she wondered, curling her legs up as she heard footsteps approaching from around the corner.

Too quick to be yours…

"Your mat mate has returned."

Throwing her eyes up, Charlotte scrambled up to her booted feet and felt her head swim as she watched Thomas walking slowly towards her.

"You're alive…" she breathed, stepping forward just as Thomas stopped dead in his tracks. Feeling his wide eyes looking her over, she watched as his chest started to heave as he clenched his fists at his sides.

"What…has he done to you?"

"Thom…"

"WHAT THE FUCK HAS THAT ASSHOLE DONE TO YOU?!"

Throwing her eyes onto the guard as he took a step forward, bringing his gun to rest across his front, Charlotte lunged forward and hooked her arm around Thomas as she pulled him around, half dragged to their corner of mats.

"SHUT UP!"

Feeling his hand running over her shoulder and carefully down her casted arm, she could see in his eyes the buildup of mixed emotion.

He wants to kill Bane

"You're gaunt and you have a broken arm since the last time I saw you. Though he's been giving you extra food, you look like you have lost weight and…your arm. Was he the one to break it?"

Sitting down on her mat, she avoided his eyes as she nodded her head.

"I asked for it. I tried to punch him, and he caught my arm."

"No one fucking asks for their arm to be broken. He is a murderous madman, and he's going to kill you…after he's done with you."

Bringing her eyes up, she caught the meaning in his eyes as she knew he was gesturing to her sleeping with the Mercenary.

"You did what you had to do so you say…"

"And because I did, you saw the fucking Doctor!"

Shutting his mouth as he clenched his fists once more, Thomas moved a hand against his pant leg and gently caressed the small pill bottle that rested against his thigh.

"I did, and because of it, I am on the road to having healthy lungs once more" he spat, moving towards his mat as Charlotte scoffed.

"You sound almost sorry, that I saved you" she spoke, watching her friend tucking his chin into his chest as he zipped up his hoodie.

"Look around you Officer Charlotte Teller. Look around us, the tunnels, the sewers, the guns, that fucking man…what do we have to live for? Either we kill for him, or in time, he will kill us."

…

Intersection of Figgeruo and Flower, Gotham City…

Gripping the steering wheel tightly with his left hand, John Blake sighed as he watched three cars too many in front of him run through the yellow stoplight.

"Did you grow up here in Gotham City?"

Glancing at the young Jimmy Gordon sitting hunkered down in the passenger seat of the cruiser, Blake nodded his head as he mentally began to alter his to do list for the day.

Drive the Gordons to Foley's, then speak to ISU about the sewers

"Yes."

"How long have you been a police officer for?"

"Not long."

Staring out the passenger window, Jimmy watched the crowds of people walking along the sidewalk, craning his neck as he spotted two boys riding BMX bikes.

"Have you ever met the Batman?"

Slowing the cruiser down, Blake glanced into his review mirror before changing lanes as he watched the boy's Mother lean her head against the window.

"He was before my time as a police officer. Who told you about him?"

"My Dad. He said he was a man who fought crime in a costume and that he tried to help others, but that the police didn't like it" he paused, adjusting his posture in the seat as Blake turned onto Starling Street.

"Maybe one day he'll come back." Pulling into the driveway of Foley's red brick townhouse, he put the gear into park and rested his hands on his thighs.

"You probably already know this Jimmy, but your Mom is going to be counting on you to be strong for her and your sister. I'm going to give you my card and if you need to talk, you can call me anytime; day or night."

…

Glancing over towards the darkness to where Thomas sat on his mat, Charlotte held her breath as she ran through a bunch of opening lines in her head…

"I'm not sorry for what I did for you Thomas…"

"I'm glad you are alive, even if you are not…"

"Now that you are getting healthy, we can get back to working together to escape this place…"

"Are you ever going to speak to me again?"

Hearing the young woman's voice, Thomas sighed as he stretched his legs out in front of him.

"I'm sorry Charlotte. I can't imagine what this has been like for you."

Narrowing her eyes, she detected no hostility in his words as she turned around on her mat to face him.

"You are going to grow strong again Thomas. We both are and then there will be a chance for us to get out of here." Hearing him shuffling against the wall, Charlotte crossed her legs and cradled her casted arm with her free hand.

Smiling to himself as he heard the young woman's positive hope that the two of them would make it out of the sewers and away from the menacing European mercenary alive, Thomas reached into his pant pocket and felt the lid of the pill bottle that had been given to him by the Doctor.

I hope you are right Officer Teller

"You! Dinner time."

Rising to her feet as she felt her stomach flipping at the prospect of being in Bane's company once more, Charlotte stared down at her friend and wished to hell she knew what to say to him.

We'll get through this Thomas.

We have to…

…

Sitting quietly in her chair by the fire, she kept her hands folded in her lap as a metal plate appeared in her vision. Accepting the plate without touching his fingers, she kept her eyes down as Bane sat in the opposite chair.

"How long, do we have to keep doing this for?"

Perking his ears up, Bane narrowed his eyes as he crossed his ankles.

"You are tired of eating well Officer Teller?"

That's not what I mean and you know it

"I mean, me having to eat in your company…I mean, me always having an eye on my back" Charlotte spoke as Bane settled back against his chair.

I mean us playing this version of a 'happy family'

"That, is entirely up to you…Charlotte."

Feeling the shiver running down her spine as her given name fell from his lips, she focused on the hot meal in her lap. Stabbing a spear of broccoli with her fork, she could feel his eyes running over her face as the dampness of the room made her cough.

I just want to get back to Thomas

"Your training will resume tomorrow."

"My police training at the Academy probably trumps your offered training" she scoffed, taking another bite of her dinner as Bane cleared his throat.

"You don't give much thought before you speak, do you."

Slowly swallowing the food in her mouth, she thought to how she should answer.

Should I be truthful?

"You are not exactly the easiest person to speak to."

Cocking his brows, he leaned slightly forward and tossed a few more pieces of wood into the fire.

"I have granted if not all of your requests" Bane breathed as he caught Charlotte wincing with his words. "I have given you access to a shower, extra food, protection from my men, a bed to sleep in…"

"But you haven't granted me my freedom."

Moving his eyes off her face, he stared into the flames of the fire before tucking his chin into his chest.

"You want freedom? You'll have to earn it."

Curling her fingers around the fork, she released it onto her half-eaten plate with a clang as she sat it aside on the floor.

"I'd like to return to my mat if you'd please."

Rising to his booted feet, Bane passed by her seat without a word or touch as he roughly pushed aside the curtain.

"Take her back."

Watching Charlotte approaching him, he kept his eyes firmly fixed on her retreating figure as Barsad came to stand beside him.

"She is very stubborn. Though you admire strength and courage, but I have to ask, how much longer will you keep her down here if she refuses to submit?"

Reaching a hand up, Bane touched the separate tubes that made up his breathing apparatus.

She has already submitted her physical body to me

"She will return to her training tomorrow. I will give her seven more days and if she still refuses to submit fully, I will kill her."

Nodding his head, Barsad held steady as Bane spoke orders once more.

"Bring me this Thomas."

…

"Your presence is requested."

Glancing over his shoulder, Thomas clenched his fists as he moved carefully onto his knees.

"By who?"

"Who the hell do you think?"

Bane

Rising to his feet, Thomas laid the palm of his hand against the cold wall and watched as the armed soldier turned to lead the way. Reaching up, he lightly touched the puckered skin of his sewn-up eye socket and breathed in deep.

He took out my eye for greed

Is he going to take away another piece of me?

Walking on shaky booted feet, he rounded the corner of the tunnel and followed in near darkness towards a madman who took pleasure in the sufferings of others.

"In."

Stepping inside the dimply lit room, Thomas was surprised by the warm air that hit him before spotting a roaring fireplace framed by two comfortable leather chairs.

Have you sat in one of those chairs Charlotte? Have you sat opposite him and not solely…under him?

"This is Thomas."

Hearing his name, he heard the soldier leave through the thick drop curtain leaving him alone with the Mercenary who had forever changed his life.

"As I have not heard you cough, I trust the Doctor has cured your lungs?"

Standing still as Bane rose from a chair in a dark corner illuminated by a single candle, Thomas straightened his shoulders back as the Mercenary walked towards him. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Thomas dared not shove his hands into his pockets for fear that the rattle of the pill bottle would catch the man's attention.

"It seems so."

Keep your answers short and you might get out of this room with your only remaining eye

Scanning his eyes over the room, he spied various stacks of books, a small couch, and a bed off in the other corner against the wall faintly illuminated by a candle in a lantern.

Charlotte…

"Officer Teller is very concerned with you living. I believe she sees you as a sort of…friend." Bane spoke, tucking his fingers along the sides of his vest.

"We have both agreed that she is going to survive you and get out of these tunnels."

Narrowing his dark eyes as Thomas shut his mouth, Bane moved to stand directly in front of him and with his extra height, stared straight down into his face before peering closer.

"I see. And I remember plucking out your right eye for far less of a bold statement," he growled, straightened up to his full height as Thomas closed his left eye.

"Charlotte's just a young woman. Had only been a police officer for a matter of hours, and you are deciding to keep her down here as your own personal companion," Thomas spat, quickly glancing towards the darkened bed which did not go unnoticed by the masked man.

"You also broke her fucking arm…"

"Would you rather I removed her left eye?"

Feeling a cold sweat running down his back, Thomas could help but shake as Bane stared straight into his eyes.

"She'll never submit to you."

"Either she will, or she will die. You may return to your mat now."

Feeling a rough hand on his shoulder, Thomas said not a word as he turned around and walked out of the room, counting his blessings that Bane had not decided to take his left eye.

Feeling the outline of the pill bottle against his thigh, Thomas sucked in a deep breath as he nodded his head.

I'm sorry Charlotte, but I don't have the strength to stay with you

…

Following an armed guard that she had never seen before down the tunnel; Charlotte kept her eyes forward as she suddenly heard the high pitch laughter of a female. Throwing her eyes to her right, she was speechless as she caught sight of naked legs wrapped around a man's waist as deep grunts met her ears.

Colliding into the armed guard in front of her, Charlotte took a step back as the man leered at her with a smile.

"Wanna stick around and watch pig?"

"Take me to my fucking mat" she growled, catching the man's laugh as they continued throughout the damp tunnel. Keeping her hands out of her pockets in case she needed to defend herself, she breathed out calmly as her ears picked up the continuous rushing of water. Taking a seat on her mat, she waited until her escort had left her area before she sat up onto her knees, taking the smushed bread roll out from her pant pocket.

"Thomas..."

"If I could have smuggled my entire dinner for you, I would have" Charlotte whispered as she moved closer towards the propped-up figure in the darkness. Sitting beside Thomas, she pressed her back firmly against the cool wall as she leaned her shoulder against his.

"Eat this…call it an apology" she spoke, producing a single small butter packet as she held the items out in the flatness of her palm.

"Thomas?"

Nudging his shoulder slightly, she closed her hand around the food and moved onto her knees as she faced her silent friend.

"Hey…hey…."

Reaching a hand up, she touched the side of his face and mouth before pressing two fingers against his neck.

No…

Barely feeling a faint pulse, Charlotte gave Thomas a violent shake as she felt her heart starting to race.

"THOMAS! WAKE THE FUCK UP!"

Feeling the man's full weight falling against her, she heard what sounded like a pill bottle rolling around off the mat and onto the concreate as she pushed Thomas down and onto his back.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"

Ignoring the guard's shout from behind her back, Charlotte started slamming her fist down against Thomas's chest before scooting around his head to start mouth to mouth.

"YOU CAN'T DIE ON ME YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

Hearing the young woman's curse, the armed guard kicked his booted foot out against Thomas's thigh and watched as Charlotte threw her eyes up.

"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HIM!"

Hearing him backing up, she watched his shadow disappear around the tunnel corner as she scrambled back towards the mats, patting her left hand out violently.

The pill bottle

Where is it…where is it…

Feeling like her heart was about to beat out of her chest, Charlotte grunted as she pulled up Thomas's mat and chucked it aside.

Where in the fuck is that pill bottle?

Hearing a flurry of shouts growing closer, her eyes squinted as she spied the bottle resting against the edge of the concreate block that stepped up to the railing, now fenced off with wire to prevent anyone else throwing themselves over and into the ravine. Diving over Thomas, Charlotte clutched the nearly empty bottle and with a shake, felt her stomach lurch at the small number of pills left remaining in the plastic bottom.

You didn't leave enough for me Thomas

Hearing an explosion of growing voices that would reveal themselves in a matter of seconds from around the tunnel corner, Charlotte tucked the small bottle into the front of her black cargo pants before pulling the bottom hem of her shirt over just as she froze at the sight of four armed guards approaching her.

"What the fuck is going on? What happened to him?"

Keeping her mouth shut, Charlotte curled her knees up into her chest as she pressed her back firmly against the cold wet concreate of the railing.

"He stopped breathing…"

Hearing more footsteps, she raised her eyes and focused on Barsad's chest and the rifle that hung snuggly against the string of bullets before she noticed Bane standing directly behind him.

"Check him."

Keeping her knees firmly tucked into her chest, she tried to keep herself small and out of the way as she watched a guard obey Bane's order. Glancing towards the Mercenary's direction, she was careful to not gain his attentions as she watched the guard checking Thomas over.

Are you dead Thomas?

Jesus, I only hope you are…

"He's dead."

Feeling her stomach sinking as she brought her forehead down to rest against her arm, she kept her tears at bay as a shuffle of heavy boots stopped right in front of her. Slowly opening her eyes, she spied the tips of Bane's boots as she sucked in a deep breath.

"He looks to have taken something…he has slight foaming at the mouth and it had to be something internal as he's not bleeding out" the guards voice broke out as he turned Thomas's body over and onto his stomach.

Glancing up and into Bane's face, Charlotte held his stare as he breathed in deeply.

"Where is it?"

Swallowing slowly, she refused to blink as she felt him searching her eyes.

"I was escorted back here by your men and he was already…non responsive, so, why don't you ask them what it was they gave him?" she challenged, watching as Bane turned slightly to face Barsad.

"How long, have you been down here?"

Looking down briefly at the watch upon his wrist, the man glanced up at the sewer ceiling as he tried to count.

"My watch battery died nearly five months ago…"

Moving her eyes onto Thomas's outstretched arm, she tried in vain to remember which wrist he wore his watch on as two guards suddenly bent down and picked him up with ease. Carrying him towards the railing, Charlotte breathed out as she quickly jumped up to her feet, pushing past Bane as she lunged at Thomas's body. Scratching at his wrists, she spied his broken wristwatch and screamed as she felt hands clawing at her, trying to pull her back.

"ALL I WANT IS THE WATCH!"

Feeling the intense pain shooting up through her clavicle, she screamed as she was slammed down onto her knees. Hearing Bane walking up beside her, she kept her head down as he continued past.

"Give me this watch."

Watching Barsad unfastening the broken device, Bane took it between his thumb and forefinger before glancing towards Charlotte. Catching her eye, he tucked it into his cargo pant pocket before nodding his head towards the two guards.

Feeling her eyes welling up with tears, she kept herself steady just as Bane spoke once more.

"Burn his body."

Burning his body would ensure that he would not wash up outside the sewer somewhere…

Meaning, no one would find him and give question to the police that this was becoming a common occurrence

"And take her, back to my quarters."

Hearing Bane's command, Charlotte pulled her arm away from a guard she had seen only once, just as another came up behind her.

"Just leave me here to grieve!" she blurted out as Bane angled his head.

"And have you swallow whatever is left that killed your friend? Either you give it to me now, or I search you." Bane growled as Charlotte felt her stomach sink.

The last thing I want is your hands on me

Moving a hand slowly against the front of her shirt, she dipped her fingers along her waistband and pulled the bottle out before tossing it onto the ground in front of her. Hearing Bane's metallic breathing growing closer as he stepped on the bottle with the weight of his boot, she watched as it and everything in it crush into the dirty concreate floor.

"Take her to my quarters."

Feeling her chest starting to heave, Charlotte tried in vain to fight off the three guards that were now behind her as she felt herself being hauled up and onto her feet.

"NOOOOO!"

"Guess you should have eaten those pills when you had the chance" one of the guards chuckled against her ear as he pushed her roughly in front of him. Rounding the corner of the tunnel, Charlotte blinked excessively as she tried to clear the tears from her eyes and the sudden migraine that was building just as she felt the guard behind her grab her arm to steer clear of something laying along the side of the tunnel.

Recognizing the half smashed in face of the Doctor that had set her arm and had no doubt been the one to give Thomas his bottle of pills, Charlotte felt her knees buckling as she saw his twisted body half wrapped in a dark blanket as she let out a loud scream.

"LISTEN TO ME! THIS MAD MAN IS KEEPING PEOPLE DOWN HERE! MY NAME IS CHARLOTTE TELLER AND I AM AN OFFICER WITH THE GOTHAM POLICE FORCE MY BADGE NUMBER IS…"

"The Doctor is dead. Thomas is dead. There is no one left to tell anyone that I am down here…" she breathed, spying the soft fire light from behind Bane's closed off curtain in the distance.

…

Please read, review, and enjoy!