Shadow Of Doubt

by Tania885

Summary:

You’ve been a patient in Arkham for the last year and a half. You don’t know your name, how you got there, or what your life was before this place. You’re too far gone to understand or realize the cause of all your memory troubles is Dr. Jonathan Crane. You also don’t know he’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’re others involved with how you even ended up in his hands in the first place.
One day a man with a mask followed by a small army breaks into Arkham and takes you away. You find out these men are assassins. One claims to be your brother and the other claims to be your husband. You know you can’t trust your own mind, but how are you supposed to trust these strangers?
After searching for you for 18 long months Bane now needs to find a way to undo the damage done by Dr. Crane, and make you remember who you really are.

Chapter 1

Notes:

Trigger Warning - I'm tagging the reader's 'relationship' with Jonathan Crane as dub con. She's out of her mind and he's taking advantage of her. It only takes place in a couple chapters though. So, you've been warned.

It's been 2 years since I wrote The Beauty and The Mercenary. Thought it was time for a new Bane fic. Talia doesn't exist in this story FYI.

CHAPTER 1

 

Fingers comb gently through your hair while also exposing the skin of your neck. Lips trail across your skin leaving goosebumps in their wake and make you shiver. Large, strong hands move to your waist and pull you closer. “My love.” He whispers.

Fingers start snapping in front of your face, pulling you back to reality. “Earth to Jane. Are you in there? Hello?” The other woman grumbles at you. 

You shake your head attempting to clear your mind. You have no idea what just happened. “Sorry, what were you saying?” You say with a confused frown as you scratch your head.

Selina rolls her eyes. “You keep doing that, are you daydreaming or do you just completely check out when that happens?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Never mind.” She huffs. “Anyway, as I was saying, nurse Ratchet will be here soon with our meds. Are you going to cheek them this time like I showed you?”

Your brain is so foggy it almost hurts to push through the fog. You just now finally caught up to the first question she asked you. “I don’t know if I was daydreaming…or remembering something. It’s confusing.” 

Your name isn’t actually Jane. You don’t know what your name is so you’re labeled as Jane Doe on your patient file here at Arkham Asylum. You can’t remember a thing before you arrived here a year and a half ago. Dr. Crane says maybe there’s a reason you don’t want to remember. He must be right because it doesn’t seem to bother you.

Selina, your roommate, face palms herself and shakes her head. “Jane. The meds that are making you so damn stupid. That’s what we’re talking about. Remember what I showed you yesterday? Does your short-term memory at least still work?”

You stare at your roommate blankly for a moment. Your slowness frustrates her to no end, but you’re the only friend she’s got in here and vice versa. “Oh. The meds. Yeah, I can’t do that. There’s too many. I can’t do what you do. And Dr. Crane would be upset with me.”

“Screw Crane, he’s the one making you a zombie.” Selina sighs. “Well I’m bored anyway. Let’s try the more interesting way then.” She gets up and cracks her knuckles when she hears the nurse unlocking the door. When the nurse walks in she knocks the cups of pills out of her hands. 

“Gonna need help in here today.” The nurse calls over her shoulder.

“What’s the more interesting way?” You say with a confused frown. A very, very delayed reaction that doesn’t surprise your friend. What does surprise her though is when two male orderlies try grabbing her something seems to make you snap out of your foggy state. You jump to your feet and grab one man by the neck while kicking the legs out from under the second one. “Leave her alone!”

“Well look at you, you’re finally interesting.” Selina says with a cocky smile as she punches the nurse in the face.

 

The head nurse quickly runs down the hall and barges into an office without knocking. “Dr. Crane, we have a problem.” She yells, sounding winded.

With an annoyed sigh Dr. Jonathan Crane slowly sets his book down on the desk, and takes his glasses off rubbing his tired blue eyes. “I don’t care how important it is, you know the rules. Knock before entering my office.”

“But…”

“I still don’t hear any knocking.” He says with a tired sigh as he puts his glasses back on.

The nurse barely suppresses the urge to roll her eyes. She holds back a growl as she closes the door and knocks on it. The pretentious man on the other side makes her wait several seconds before he tells her she may enter. 

“Much better. Now what seems to be the problem?” He says with his hands clasp together on top of his desk. 

“Your Jane Doe. We’re supposed to tell you if she has any behavior changes. Well, she’s being combative with the nurses again.”

Leaning back in his chair he frowns as he unclasps his hands, tapping a finger against his chin as he thinks. “Interesting. It’s only been two weeks since her last…treatment.” 

The nurse’s eye begins to twitch as Dr. Crane just sits there pondering, not offering any information or instructions. “Well, what would you like us to do? She’s already knocked one orderly out and has another in a choke hold.”

“Go ahead and sedate her and take her down to my treatment room in the basement. I’ll be there shortly.” He waves the nurse off as he reaches for your file. Once the nurse is gone he sighs to himself, shaking his head. “That pesky assassin in (Y/N) just won’t go away. Fascinating.”

As you slowly become conscious again you groan from the splitting headache you have. You go to move your hand to your forehead but quickly find out you can’t move. “Why can’t I move?” You groan again as you slowly squint your eyes open. The light shining above you only makes your head hurt worse. 

“The nurses had to restrain you. Seems you were misbehaving again Jane.”

“Dr. Crane?” You ask groggily, the sedation still slowly wearing off. 

The light above you turns off. “Yes, Is that better?” He asks calmly. 

You nod your head slightly, you can barely even move your head. “Yes, thank you Dr. Crane.”

“It’s just us sweetheart, and the door is locked. You don’t have to call me Dr. Crane right now.” He says as he gently cups your cheek with his soft hand. 

“Jonathan?” You question, while biting your lip to try and hide the smile on your face. He treats you more special when no one is around. You like it when it’s just the two of you and you get to call him Jonathan instead of Dr. Crane.

 “Yes sweetheart?”

“Are you angry with me? Am I in trouble?” You bite your lip again, but this time it’s to keep it from quivering. You don’t like it when he’s upset with you. When he doesn’t answer you, you turn your head the best you can toward him, and see his bright blue eyes looking back at you. You can tell he’s thinking.

“Well you are in a bit of trouble. You did hurt some people, but I’m not angry with you. I am going to have to give you another treatment though.” Then he taps his index finger against your lips, knowing you’re about to protest. The electroshock therapy he gives you is painful. “Take your treatment like a good girl, and I’ll reward you afterward. How does that sound?”

A smile slowly creeps onto your face. “You promise?”

He smiles back at you. “I promise.” Then he leans down and kisses you softly. “I’ve missed you, so I cleared out my entire afternoon for you.”

Notes:

I love Cillian Murphy I really do. But in this fic he's a terrible person. Sorry.

Chapter 2

Notes:

Trigger Warning - Heavy dub con in this chapter.

CHAPTER 2

 

The desk behind you rattles. The items on top of it gradually shake and bounce on to the floor. Your knuckles turn white as you grip onto the top of the chair. Jonathan has one hand holding your hip tight, so tight there must be finger sized bruises. His other hand on the back of your neck with a handful of hair. “Say it.” He gasps next to your ear.

“Jonathan you fuck me so good.” You moan next to his ear. You’re sitting in his lap in his office chair, riding him good and hard. Just the way he likes it.

Your bodies making obscene sounds from all the sweat that’s accumulated. “You feel so fucking good.” He growls out. “Do you want to cum?”

“Please? Please can I cum?”

“Good girl. Cum for me.” He commands.

Happy to finally let go, and not have to hold it back anymore your legs start to shake as you cry out reaching your orgasm. Jonathan always gets more excited hearing and feeling you cum so he cums right after you spilling his release into the condom. 

Tired and out of breath you go limp against Jonathan, feeling completely spent. He chuckles, putting his hands on your face and kisses you. “I know you’re tired, but we need to get you cleaned up. Alright?”

His basement office has a shower inside of it. So, he carefully pulls out of you, but you still wince, feeling sore. “Sorry sweetheart.” He whispers as he carries you into the bathroom. “S’alright.” You mumble back.

The two of you clean up in the shower together. Then dry off and get dressed. He always lays down with you on the couch afterward which is your favorite part. When he just lies there and holds you. You’re too out of your mind to grasp the concept of what an abuse of power this is and how wrong this situation is. Those thoughts never cross your mind. Your mind often too jumbled anyway to form forward thinking thoughts.

“Are you going to be a good girl now?” He whispers to you when he senses you’re dozing off.

You nod your head against his chest. “M’hmm. I’ll be good.”

“Good girls get rewarded, and you like being rewarded right?” He says as he runs his hands up and down your back under your top. “M’hmm.” You mumble again. He kisses your cheek and pats you on the behind. “Good, now we need to get you back to your room. I know you’re tired.”

You try to squeeze him tight but your muscles are weak. “No, I don’t wanna go.”

“I know you don’t. I promise I won’t make you wait two weeks….” His voice trails off as an idea pops into his head. Maybe that’s what the difference was this time. He’d been too busy to spend his quality time with you, your last shock treatment wore off faster. He needs to keep your focus elsewhere to slow your mind from trying to repair itself.

“Two weeks what?” You ask when he doesn’t finish his sentence.

“Oh, uh, I won’t make you wait two weeks until we can have time alone together again. But you have to be a good girl and go back to your room now. Alright?”

“Alright.” You say with a heavy sigh against his chest. 

You stumble into your room with the nurse that’s holding you upright. She gets you to your bed and you flop down, face planting onto it with a grunt. When the door to your room shuts you hear shuffling sounds. “Jane, you awake?” Selina asks as she shakes you a little.

“Uh huh.” You mumble against your pillow and squint one eye open. 

“I’ve been waiting all day to talk to you. Where did you learn to fight like that? You took out like six nurses in under a minute.”

You roll over onto your back and close your eyes. “What are you talking about? I don’t fight. Only bad girls fight. I’m a good girl.”

“Dammit!” Selina huffs. “Great, they took you to Crane already, now your brain is back to being mush.” She sits down on her bed with a scowl. “You were just finally getting to be interesting.”

“I promise I’ll be good.” You mumble sleepily. “Hey kitty cat, do you like cats? Meow…”

Her face skews as she looks at you even though you aren’t looking at her. “What did you say?”

“Meow, meow. Like a cat.” You giggle. “Dr. Crane says you’re a bad cat lady or something, but don’t worry he’ll make you a good girl.”

“Oh dear god.” Selina gasps. “He knows who I am. I gotta get out of here before Crane turns me into you.”

“I’ll miss you kitty cat.” You slur as you finally doze off to sleep.

 

You don’t wake up again until the next afternoon when the nurse drags you and Selina out to a group therapy session. The two of you are barely out of your room before an alarm starts sounding. It’s one that alerts the staff to get all the patient’s back to their rooms. 

Selina decides to seize the opportunity to try and make a run for it. But the nurse already had a sedation needle ready in case she got combative again. “I’m really sorry Jane, but I can’t end up like you.” She mumbles as she uses you as a shield. The nurse jabs the needle into you on accident. 

You fall to the floor in what feels like slow motion. You see the door at the end of the hall being kicked open, followed by several men dressed like soldiers carrying guns. In front of them all is one man that doesn’t look anything like the others. He’s a very large muscular man, and he’s wearing a mask. “I’ve got her.” He yells, but his eyes are on you. Then your eyes get heavy from the sedation medicine and you drift off to sleep.

Notes:

Bane to the rescue!

And Selina Kyle will come back into the story later on.

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

 

Barsad paces back and forth scratching his head, with his eyes on your sleeping form. Whatever you were injected with has left you unconscious for hours. Bane stands with his arms crossed, back against the wall never taking his eyes off you. Not even with the man pacing in front of him. “It doesn’t make sense. I don’t understand it. It would have been child’s play for her to break out of that place. So why didn’t she?” Barsad says. Not sure whether to himself or to his silent friend. 

Bane slowly exhales. The sound amplified by his mask. “I spent every waking moment of the last 18 months searching every damn cave or hole in the ground for her. Her father knew I would too. So instead, he hides her in plain sight. I very much wish he wasn’t dead right now.” His hands ball into fists at the last part.

“Maybe she’s been drugged the whole time?” Barsad pauses as he looks at you. As if staring at you long enough will answer his long list of questions. 

“In Gotham, of all places.” Bane seethes with venom in his voice.

Both men talking to themselves, fixating on different aspects of your perplexing disappearance. You’ve been out for hours since they rescued you from Arkham. As each minute ticks by both men get more lost in their thoughts. 

Bane almost didn’t take the tip seriously about you being in Arkham. Considering the source no one would have blamed him. Joker rarely tells the truth, and when he does it usually doesn’t make any sense. It was just crazy enough to make some sense. No other leads panned out so Bane and Barsad thought why not? 

“She doesn’t look physically hurt. Maybe a little out of shape. It has to be drugs right?” Barsad says again.

“I would love nothing more than to throw Ra’s Al Ghul into the Pit right now. I’d tear one of his arms off first.” Bane grits out.

Barsad briefly stops pacing and looks at his friend, finally acknowledging what he’s going on about. “She would want to do that herself.”

Bane sighs, his shoulders slump. “I know. I would have left him alive for her to punish. We can’t even do that now.”

“She’s going to be furious.” Both men say in unison. 

“Stop yelling.” You groan. 

Both men striding across the room, coming to your bedside at the sound of your voice. “(Y/N)? Are you alright?” Barsad asks worriedly as he kneels down beside you. You groan again, this time rubbing your temples with your hands like you’re fighting a headache. “(Y/N)?” He says your name a second time. 

“Who’s (Y/N)?” You mumble as you rub your eyes and then slowly crack them open. You startle seeing two men, one beside you and a larger one with a scary mask looming above you. You scream and jump back in the bed you’re lying in pulling your knees up to your chest. “W-who are you? W-where am I?”

Neither man moves or says anything, they just stare back at you. 

You look around, you don’t recognize this room. “Is Dr. Crane upset with me? Is this one of his tests? Tell him I’m sorry. I’ll be good.”

The smaller man kneeling down beside you gives you a confused look. “(Y/N) do you really not recognize us?” He extends his hand trying to reach for yours. 

You curl into yourself more. “Stop calling me that!” You cover your ears with your hands, rocking back and forth. “I’ll be good. I’m a good girl.” Repeating the words over and over.

Bane storms out of the room without ever saying a word. Barsad hesitates wanting to try to talk to you more, but maybe you need a few minutes so he follows his friend out of the room. Latching the door behind him he finds Bane pacing back and forth. He doesn’t say anything, but he can tell by his eyes he’s angry. 

“What have they done to her?” Barsad mutters, wiping a hand down his face. “Now we know why she never escaped on her own.”

Bane stops pacing and rams his fist through a wall with a low growl. Then resumes pacing with his hands balled into fists, his chest heaving, face red with rage. He rams his other fist through an adjacent wall then turns to face Barsad. “Round up all the men and tell them to drag Dr. Crane out of whatever hole he crawled into and bring him to me. Along with all his files on her.”

“Alright, what about (Y/N)?”

Bane leans against a wall that he hasn’t put holes into yet, putting his hands on his hips with a defeated sigh. “I don’t recognize that woman. That is not my wife in there.” He grits out. He’s full of rage, but he’s also full of sadness and guilt. Rage for your father that did this to you. Sad that the love of his life doesn’t know who he is. And guilty for not finding you sooner. He shakes his head and takes a deep breath. “I need time to collect my thoughts. You should try talking to her first. You’re her blood.”

Laying on the bed you look around the unfamiliar room trying to figure out what you’re doing there. Dr. Crane said he wasn’t upset with you. So what else could be happening? Again, trying to push through the thick fog in your mind you try to remember the last thing that happened before you fell asleep. Selina. Right, you remember Selina telling you she was sorry about something and then you felt a sharp pain in your arm. You fell, and there was a bunch of men entering the hallway. The big one with the mask was the last thing you saw before you fell asleep. 

The sound of the door opening catches your attention. Turning your head to see who’s coming you see its one of the men from earlier. You bolt upright, putting your back against the wall, and your knees against your chest.

The man holds both of his hands up in the air and cautiously enters the room. “I promise I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk, alright?”

You stare back at him for a moment. His eyes look kind. If he wanted to hurt you he could have done so already you suppose. “Okay.” You mumble quietly. Since you’ve been without your meds for a day or so you thankfully don’t have your usual slowness or delayed responses.

The man grabs a chair moving it close to the bed but not too close and then takes a seat. He opens and closes his mouth a couple times like he’s not sure what to say. “What’s your name?” Is what he finally says.

You shrug your shoulders. “They call me Jane.”

“Hmm.” He mutters with a frown. “Do you remember who you were before you ended up in Arkham?”

You shake your head a couple times. “No. Dr. Crane says I might not want to remember for a reason.”

The man takes in a deep breath and sighs, scratching his scruffy chin. He leans forward in his chair, with his hands on his knees. “Your name is (Y/N), not Jane. My name is Barsad. I am your older brother. We’ve been trying to find you for the last year and a half.”

You look at the man skeptically. You stare at him, taking in his features. “I’m failing to see any resemblance. Will you just bring Dr. Crane in already? I’ll behave. I don’t even know what I did wrong this time.”

Barsad’s shoulders slump, he bites his lip like he’s trying to stop himself from saying something. So, he covers his face with his hands for a moment. After a couple deep breaths, he uncovers his face. “You are not in Arkham anymore. This has nothing to do with Dr. Crane. We’ve been searching everywhere for you. We finally found you, and rescued you. You are my half-sister, that’s why we don’t completely resemble each other.”

Biting your lip nervously you try to think, but it’s like there’s a wall in your mind that won’t let you. You can’t push past it. You can’t trust your own mind, but you can’t trust the stranger in front of you either. “Prove it.”

He raises his eyebrows in surprise. “Prove it? How do you want me to prove it?”

“Show me a picture. If we’re family you must have a family photo somewhere.”

He gets an unreadable expression on his face. He seems to be carefully choosing his words each time he speaks to you. “We aren’t from a normal family. We don’t exactly carry photos around.”

“I see.” You say with a confused look on your face. You look at him and then look toward the door wondering if you have a chance to make a run for it. When he casts his eyes down to the floor you decide it’s worth a shot. You jump off the bed and make a mad dash for the door. You feel a glimmer of hope when you get the door open, but just as you get to the other side you smash into a brick wall. 

It felt like a brick wall at least. It was actually the body of the large man with the mask. You startle and scream. “(Y/N).” He says as he reaches for you. The first thing you’ve heard the man say. You stumble backwards and end up falling against the smaller man. “(Y/N), calm down.” Barsad pleads.

“You two are crazy! Crazier than me! You broke yourselves out of Arkham and took me with you! Why? Why would you do that?!” You scream with tears in your eyes. “My name is Jane. Stop calling me that other name!” You sob as you back yourself into a corner.

The two men trade looks. They weren’t sure what to expect once they finally found you, but this here was the last thing they would have expected. This is going to be harder than they thought.

Chapter 4

Notes:

Kind of a short chapter. I'll have more for you next week. 😉

CHAPTER 4

 

With great hesitation and sadness Bane locks the door to the room you’re in. He feels no better than your father by locking you up, but he can’t chance you getting away. Not until they can get through to you. With a loud groan Bane sits down. He opens and closes his hand looking at his red, swollen knuckles. Probably shouldn’t have punched that cement wall. “I recall once seeing a photo of the two of you with your mother.” He says breaking the heavy silence in the room. He was outside the door the entire time listening to Barsad’s conversation with you. 

Barsad tips his head back and scoffs. “Yeah, but it’s back home. No where we can get to anytime soon.” He takes a seat next to his friend with a tired sigh. “Why don’t you try talking to her? I may be her blood but you’re the love of her life, her husband.”

Bane shakes his head. “If she doesn’t believe you’re her brother she most certainly won’t believe I’m her husband. I’m afraid we might have to keep Crane alive temporarily. Just until we find out exactly what he did, and make her remember again.”

Barsad grits his teeth, his hands balling into fists. “Fine. But I’m still beating the shit out of him. He’s going to pay for what he’s done. I don’t even see a hint of my sister left in her right now.”

“I agree it’s appalling, and he will pay.” Bane reassures. Then he checks his phone that just went off. “Speak of the devil and he shall appear.” He says with a hint of joy in his voice. “They found him. Let’s go greet him together my friend.”

 

Bane lifts Jonathan Crane in the air with one hand holding him by his neck. “I will allow you to live, for now. You will tell me everything I need to know. Whether it be willingly or forcefully that will be your choice. Do I make myself clear?”

Jonathan gasps, trying to pull at the hand around his throat. “Yes.” He manages to gasp out before being harshly dropped onto the floor. He puts his hands on his neck gasping for breath. When he looks up he sees a fist coming at him. Not enough time to react because the fist connects with his face and breaks his glasses. “I said yes!” He squeaks out.

Bane pulls Barsad back. “We’ll have time for that later.”

“Fine.” Barsad huffs. He rips the large file out of another man’s hands and sets it on the table in front of him. “Everyone out!” He yells to the men that had just dragged Crane there. Then he looks back to Bane.
“While you interrogate him, I’ll try to read through this.”

Bane crosses his arms over his large chest glaring at the small man squirming on the floor. “How did she end up in your hands in Arkham?”

Jonathan goes to put his glasses back on but sees how badly broken they are and tosses them back on the floor. “Her father. Ra’s Al Ghul paid me to keep her there. She was unconscious when he brought her to me. They had a fight of some sort and he won from the looks of it.”

“As I suspected.” Bane seethes. “How did you keep her there? A man like you would have been nothing, she could have killed you with her bare hands.”

“Well thanks to her father she had a head injury she was recovering from so that helped along with keeping her drugged. But eventually she built up a tolerance and I had to…use other methods.”

The room goes dead silent, except for the sounds of Bane’s breathing echoing through his mask. He makes a fist ready to pummel the smaller man. But he knows one punch from him would likely kill him. “He was experimenting on her.” Barsad says, breaking the heavy silence. “A lot of electroshock therapy. He fried her fucking brain!”

Bane kneels down, his large frame still towering over Jonathan. “I assure you Dr. Crane everything we read in that file that you did to her, will be done to you. Now tell me, how do we make her remember?”

Jonathan gulps audibly. “Time. Eventually between treatments parts of her personality would slowly come back. Usually the fighting comes back first, muscle memory I assume.”

Barsad slams the file shut and stomps over to Jonathan. “So, we’re just supposed to leave her a drooling mess until then? I don’t think so! And why did you keep her so long anyway? Ra’s Al Ghul died not long after she went missing.”

“Some…Someone else paid me to keep her there after he died. They thought she was too dangerous to let out.” He squeaks out, squirming from his seat on the floor.

Bane and Barsad trade looks with each other and then look back at Jonathan. “Who?” They hiss in unison.

“Batman.”

“You’ve got to be fucking joking!” Barsad yells, throwing his hands in the air.

Bane shakes his head. “That is a problem for another day Barsad. One problem at a time. (Y/N) first, torture Crane, then deal with you know who.” Jonathan flinches at the torture part. Then flinches again as he’s lifted off the ground to stand on his feet. “How can we speed up her healing process if time isn’t on our side?” 

“Um…familiar surroundings and people. Try to jog her memory with anything that might have been meaningful to her.”

Barsad gives Bane a knowing look. “You have to try talking to her. I’ll keep trying, but you need to try too.”

“She won’t believe me.” He repeats his earlier words.

“I…I could try talking to her for you. She listens to me.” Jonathan starts. Both men slowly turn and narrow their eyes at him. “Or not.” He says, shrinking into himself.

Barsad claps Bane on the shoulder. “She fell in love with you once. You can do it again.”

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

 

It’s not that Bane doesn’t want to speak to his beloved, long lost wife. He’s been aching for this day since you went missing. It’s just that it pains him to see you this way. The strong willed, take shit from no one woman that he fell in love with is no where in sight right now. He blames himself. He should have gone with you. But you insisted it was just a scouting mission with your father and you’d be back in a week.

Little did he know your father found out about your plan to over throw him and take over the League of Shadows. You felt your father was getting too old, and was making poor decisions. He wasn’t going to willingly step down so you were going to have to force him. Even though it was your birth right to be next in line to be in charge, Ra’s Al Ghul planned on keeping control until his dying breath. That day came sooner than everyone expected. He died before Bane could try reasoning with his former mentor to give up your whereabouts. 

The scouting mission you went on with your father was to Gotham. He was planning to destroy Gotham and his former student Bruce Wayne. You disagreed with his plan. You felt it wasn’t well enough thought out. He was going in half cocked just to get revenge on Bruce Wayne for leaving the League.

When Ra’s Al Ghul returned to Nanda Parbat with out you he excommunicated Bane and Barsad because they were loyal only to you. Then he handed Bane your wedding ring and wished him luck on finding you. 

He should have looked in Gotham first. But that seemed too obvious. He expected him to lock you up in a prison or a hole in the ground. Much like the prison he came from. He wasted 18 months looking in all the wrong places all the while you were being tortured both mentally and physically. Now you’re just a shell of the woman you used to be. His fear is what if he can’t bring you back?

 

After taking some time to gather his thoughts, Bane hovers his hand over the doorknob. He tells himself to open the door but his hand won’t seem to listen. He sighs knowing his brother in law is sitting behind him watching. “Maybe we should just take her home. Familiar surroundings may suit her better.”

Barsad shakes his head even though Bane isn’t looking at him. “I would love to do that, but time is not on our side. You know this. The League was only following you until we found her. They know we found her. We can only stall for so long.”

Bane sighs a second time. “She can’t be seen like this. She will lose all credibility and respect that she has rightfully earned.”

“I know. Which is why we need to keep trying. She can’t be completely gone. She’s in there somewhere.” Barsad says, his voice full of sadness.

“I hope you’re right.” Bane whispers as he finally forces himself to turn the doorknob and slowly steps inside. 

 

The sound of the door catches your attention. You push yourself upright with your back against the wall. You’re surprised to see it’s the man with the mask this time not the smaller man who was talking to you before. He pauses at the door latching it carefully behind him. When he looks at you he doesn’t say anything right away. With the mask on you can’t really read his expression. But his eyes, they look sad? Maybe.

“Do I frighten you?” He says in a voice that was much quieter than what you were expecting coming from a man looking like him. 

You shrug your shoulders. “I’m not sure. Should I be?”

He shakes his head slightly. “No. I would never bring you any harm.”

“Where’s the other guy? Barsad? Or whatever his name is.” You ask curiously.

“He’s outside. He thought I should try talking to you. But if you don’t believe your own brother I fail to see any reason you would believe me.”

You sigh crossing your arms over your chest. “What do you two want with me?” You still think these two might just be as crazy as you. The escaped Arkham maybe, and decided to grab you along the way. Maybe they were after Selina. You remember something about her saying she was going to leave. 

“For you to remember who you really are.” He says as he slowly steps closer and sits down in the chair Barsad was occupying earlier.

“What’s with the mask?” You say trying to deter the conversation away from you.

He crosses his arms over his chest mimicking your position. “Somewhere in there, you already know the answer to that. You had a hand in having it made for me.”

Your face skews. You should have known he would just steer the conversation back to being about you. You don’t understand, and you don’t know what to think about any of this. “I don’t know, because I don’t know you.”

“How can you be so sure when you don’t even know who you are?” He fires back.

You groan covering your face in your hands. You don’t know who you are. You don’t know who these men are. But they haven’t done anything but try and talk to you. Seems like a waste of time if they didn’t actually know you. You sit there internally arguing with yourself. His breathing sounds distract you momentarily. You peak through your hands looking at him again, realizing you still haven’t even asked this guy his name. So, you drop your hands to ask him but the light shining through a small window reflects off a ring on his left hand that you just noticed. A wedding ring. “Where’s your wife?” Is what comes out instead.

He takes a deep breath, not answering you right away. He looks down at the ring for a moment then looks back at you. “I’m still trying to find her. I’m hoping she’s in there somewhere.”

Even though you aren’t being dumbed down by meds right now it still takes you a moment to process the words that actually came out of his mouth. Your jaw drops. “Me?” You squeak out. “You think I’m your wife? Let me guess, just like the other guy you have no proof, no photos either?”

“Like Barsad said, we aren’t a normal family.” He says as he reaches under his military vest pulling a chain over his head. On the chain is a ring. “Try it on.” 

You hesitantly extend your hand and catch the ring that he drops into it without touching you. You hold it between your fingers skeptically. It’s a simple diamond ring, but it has an old-fashioned look to it. You glance up at the man staring at you silently then back to the ring. Then you slowly slide it onto your ring finger. Your jaw drops a second time when it fits perfectly. But you start shaking your head and quickly take it back off and throw it back at him. “This doesn’t prove anything. Could just be a coincidence.”

“Tell me then, what reason could Barsad and I possibly have to break you out of Arkham and try convincing you that you’re someone you’re not?”

Biting your lip nervously you ponder that. “If that is in fact mine, why do you have it?”

He leans forward with his elbows on his knees as he puts the ring back on the chain. “That is a very long story, and I fear too much may overwhelm you right now. But it didn’t come off of you willingly I promise you that, nor did I take it. Your father did, he’s the reason you were in Arkham.”

You perk up a little at that, even though most of what he just said made no sense. “My father? Where’s my father then? Shouldn’t he be able to prove who I really am?”

“No, he’s dead.” He says without a hint of remorse. “And before you ask, neither Barsad or I killed him.” He adds after seeing the look on your face.

Your shoulders slump. These guys have an answer for everything. “Fine. What’s your name then? You never told me.”

The way he stares at you it’s like he’s hurt that you even asked that question. For someone you can’t see facial expressions on he’s very expressive with his eyes. “Bane.” He finally says in a low voice.

“Alright Bane, I already know that I’m crazy. I don’t deny that. I can’t figure out if you two are crazy or not. But how do you plan on bringing my memory back or proving to me that I am who you say I am?”

Bane leans back in the chair thinking that over. Something Crane said pops into his head. He said your fighting skills always came back first. Your muscle memory. He doesn’t want you to know he’s talked to and captured Crane though. You haven’t brought him up for once and he’d like to keep it that way. “I have an idea. Just hear me out.”

Chapter 6

Notes:

So she's going to be having memory flash backs for a while. Should be easy to figure out but they'll be written in italics.

CHAPTER 6

 

Pacing back and forth in the room your locked in you wait impatiently for Bane to come back. He said he had an idea and he wanted you to hear him out. But then your stomach had to go and growl like an angry wild animal. Both of you realizing that you hadn’t eaten for a while. So he put the entire conversation on hold until you ate something. You wanted to protest but you couldn’t deny you were starving so you agreed. 

Well that was a couple hours ago and you’re still waiting for him to come back. You still aren’t sure what to make of these two. But you at least decided if they wanted to harm you in any way they’ve had ample time and opportunity to do so. Since that hasn’t happened you decide to play along for now. The longer you go without meds the more you can think a little easier. Maybe these guys do know you, maybe they can bring your memories back. But what if Dr. Crane was right and you forgot for a reason, or didn’t want to remember for a reason? Your curiosity wins this time. You can’t deny you want to know who you really are and what happened to you. What did Bane mean by your father was the reason you were in Arkham? You have so many questions. 

The sound of the door unlocking and opening makes you finally pause in your anxious pacing. This time it’s both Barsad and Bane that come in. “Okay you’ve kept me waiting. What’s your bright idea?”

The men trade looks with each other, like they are having a silent conversation. Barsad points to the chairs in the room. “Hold on. First we need to try and explain your…our occupation.”

“Okay…” You say slowly as you look between the two of them. Since Barsad sits down you follow suit and sit across from him. “Why do you look so nervous about telling me my job? Is it something embarrassing?”

Barsad shakes his head. “No, not at all. You are a…fighter I guess you could say.” His voice trails off like he’s trying to find the words to elaborate on that. 

You scoff at him. “What like a boxer? Do I look like a boxer to you? Come on, quit playing with me.”

“No, although you have no trouble knocking men out.” He says with a small smile like he’s remembering something. “You are an assassin. You were raised by one, and then became one.”

You burst into laughter at his words. What nonsense he’s saying. But when both men don’t seem to be the least bit amused your laughter dies off. “Oh, come on. I was really trying to give you guys the benefit of the doubt but now you sound crazier than me.”

“You are the fiercest assassin I know (Y/N). Which is why we couldn’t understand how your father got the upper hand on you. The student had long surpassed the master.” Bane says sounding exasperated. 

“You guys are nuts!”

Barsad holds his hands up, trying to placate you and calm you down so you don’t start spiraling again. “Listen to me for a moment, alright? You and I share the same mother. Your father saw me as a nuisance, the step child he had to put up with only because he loved our mother. He never taught me to fight. You are the one that taught me how to fight. Let me show you. Your mind may not remember but your body does. I will prove your fighting instincts are still there.”

Words that feel like they’ve been fried into your brain start coming to the forefront of your mind. You pull your knees up to your chest. “Fighting is bad. I’m a good girl. Good girls get rewarded. Fighting is bad.”

Bane loses his patience. “Enough of this.” He hisses. He can’t stand what’s been done to you. He pulls out his knife and he throws it in your direction. Without second thought you drop your knees, planting your feet on the floor and extend your arm catching the knife. You sit there staring blankly at the knife you’re gripping in your hand trying to comprehend what just happened. You didn’t even think, you just reacted…on instinct.

“Knives always were your specialty.” Bane says, with a pleased tone to his voice.

Barsad slowly turns toward Bane with narrowed eyes. “What if she didn’t catch that? That could have gone horribly!” He grits out. 

“Drastic times call for drastic measures.”

You drop the knife. It makes a loud clank as it hits the floor. “How?” You say just above a whisper as you stare at the knife on the floor. Barsad gets up from the chair and kneels down on the floor in front of you. “You see? This is what you were trained to do. Everything we’ve been telling you is true. Let us show you who you really are.”

You hear the words Barsad is saying, but your mind starts to zone out. Images flashing like a movie reel. 

A shiny red apple catches your eye. Barsad absentmindedly tossing it in the air and catching it in one hand with his eyes cast down on a book. He tosses the apple again but it never comes back down. He hears a whoosh of air next to his ear. He turns seeing the apple with a knife through it stuck in the wall behind him. He looks back in front of him seeing you smile smugly. “I was going to eat that.” He grumbles.

“Gotta keep you on your toes my dear brother. Eyes up here, not in a book. That’ll get you killed.”

 

“Eyes up here, not in a book.” You mumble. 

Barsad’s eyes go wide. He’s been waving his hands in front of your face trying to get your attention. He badly wanted shake you but he didn’t want you to freak out if he touched you. “What did you just say?”

You shake your head, wiping a hand down your face. “Sorry that happens sometimes. I see things that aren’t really there. What were you saying?”

“No that might be good. What did you just see, tell me?” Barsad says eagerly. Bane even gets a glimmer of hope in his eyes and steps closer. 

“Um…I don’t know. There was an apple and knife. You were reading a book. It’s kinda fuzzy.”

A bright smile appears on Barsad’s face along with an excited laugh. “That was a memory. That really happened. You used to scold me for reading instead of training. You always had this fear something would happen to me since I wasn’t trained the same as everyone else.”

You bite your lip hiding a shy smile. “Alright. This still sounds nuts but let’s see what else you can shake up in this messy head of mine.”

 

You fall to the ground with a hard thud. You’re thankful they at least put mats on the floor. They were worried you might sustain another head injury and they wanted to avoid that at all costs. Looking up at the ceiling you sigh. You lost count how many times Barsad has knocked you on your ass. “This isn’t working.” Whatever happened earlier when you zoned out, it hasn’t happened again. 

“It will. Don’t give up. You never give up.” Barsad says as he extends his hand to you helping you up. 

“Well this version of whoever I am does.” You huff.

“Try again.” Bane’s deep voice bellows from across the room. “Just once more. If nothing happens we’ll stop.” He says as he pushes himself off the wall. Barsad give Bane a curious look but doesn’t say anything. You’ve quickly noticed how these two easily have silent conversations.

“Alright fine. One more time then I’m giving up.”

Barsad gets back into position. Bane quietly positions himself several feet behind Barsad. As Barsad charges at you again you simultaneously see Bane throwing another knife at you. Just like before your body does the work for you. Without second thought you catch the knife while kicking Barsad’s legs out from under him. Jumping on top of him you pin him down and hold the knife to his throat. 

“Did you see that Barsad? The fierceness in her eyes is there. She’s still in there.” Bane says, sounding pleased.

 

Barsad falls to the ground with a heavy thud. “Should I be embarrassed my little sister is kicking my ass?” He says with a smile. A disappointed sigh escapes you. “This isn’t funny Barsad. My father may not care about you but I do. We already lost our mother. I won’t lose my brother too.” 

Seeing your eyes are glossy under the moon lite room he pushes himself upright into a sitting position, then grabs your hand pulling you down on the floor next to him. “Alright I’m sorry. I’m the older one. I should be worrying about you. He expects you to take over one day.”

“And I will, but with you at my side. I need you at your best.”

“What if my best isn’t good enough, just like your father says?”

Pulling yourself to your feet you extend your hand to him. “Then I will make you the best and prove him wrong.”

 

“I need you at your best.” You mumble as your eyes come back into focus. You see you’re holding a knife to Barsad’s neck and gasp. You quickly pull it away and throw it aside. “It…it happened again. Are you alright? Did I hurt you?” You ask worriedly as you look him over. 

He smiles back at you even though you were just holding a knife to his neck. “I’m fine. Are you starting to remember now? Remember teaching me?” 

You push yourself off the floor and stand up, crossing your arms over your chest you start pacing as you think. “I’m seeing images of you. But it’s fuzzy and it feels like I’m watching through someone else’s eyes. Does that make any sense?”

Following suit climbing to his feet Barsad shrugs his shoulders. “Sort of. Your mind is trying to heal. It’s going to take time. At least you’re starting to believe us, that’s a good start.”

“I suppose.” You mutter, scratching your head. “But why am I only seeing images of you? Why not the big guy over there?”

Bane’s shoulders slump slightly at that. You may not have noticed but Barsad did. “Well you’ve been working with me for hours. We know your memories of me are in there somewhere. Maybe you should spend some time with your husband. Time alone might trigger something.”

Right. The masked man that claims to be your husband. Barsad being your brother seems to be slightly more plausible than before if the images in your mind mean anything. You suppose it’s worth a try. “Alright, what are you suggesting? Because I’m definitely not letting him knock me on my ass.”

Barsad walks over to his friend, clapping him on the shoulder. “Remember, she fell in love with you once. You can do it again. Start by telling her how you met.”

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

 

Sitting awkwardly on the bed you fidget with your fingers. Barsad just left the room, leaving you alone with Bane. For the most part he’s been keeping his distance from you aside from the few minutes he sat down and talked with you. “So?” You say with a click of your tongue trying to fill the silence. 

“I don’t know where to start.” He grunts as he takes a seat in the chair by the bed. 

“The beginning?”

“The beginning.” He repeats, but it’s more like he’s saying it to himself as he thinks. “First you need to understand that your father was the leader of a group of assassins. The League of Shadows. Alright?”

You slowly nod your head. “It still sounds like nonsense to me. But I’m willing to listen. So go on.”

“Fair enough.” He sighs. “Your father would travel the world searching for wayward men that showed a particular skillset. Normally he found them in prisons. One day he came to a prison that I consider the worst hell on earth. It’s a hole in the ground, wide open so you can see the sunlight yet you can’t quite reach it. Many died trying to escape, but no one ever escaped. On this quest he brought you along to help chose his new recruits. That’s when you found me.”

“I found you? In a prison?” You question. Then you look him up and down and you suppose a guy like him being in a prison isn’t so far-fetched. “What were you in this prison for?”

His eyes crinkle as he shakes his head. You wonder if he’s smiling underneath that mask. “You have never once asked me that the entire time we’ve known each other. It never mattered to you.”

“Oh.” You awkwardly start fidgeting again. “I’m not saying it matters. I was just wondering is all.”

“It’s alright, I just find that amusing. I was a young boy, not even a man yet. My father committed a crime and used me to take his place. Ironically enough I wasn’t a criminal then.”

“That’s awful.” You gasp. Then you think back to your earlier conversation with him. “So terrible fathers were something we had in common?”

He chuckles lightly at that. The first time you’ve heard something resembling a laugh come from him. “In hindsight I find that to be true. At the time though neither of us realized how truly terrible your father was. But we’re getting off track. You found me in the prison. Your father said I was too damaged and to leave me. You always enjoyed proving him wrong so you ignored his orders. You see there had been a bad riot in the prison at one point. I got caught in the middle of it. Then a terrible plague broke out in the prison while the doctor was trying to tend to my wounds and did far more harm than good. I was in excruciating pain all the time.”

“The mask, that’s why you wear it.” You say cutting him off. “You said earlier I had a hand in making it for you or something.”

He nods his head at that. “I wanted out of that pit of despair so I easily agreed to your terms to get out of that place. You said you’d find a way to help me in return I join the League. You spent a lot of time and effort on me. Eventually the solution you found was the mask. But in all that time we spent together we grew closer.”

You yawn, not with the intention of being rude but you are truly tired. Physically and mentally. You lay down on the bed on your side and face Bane. “I’m sorry I promise I’m still listening. I think my brain is tired, working overtime, or more that it’s used to.”

“Why don’t you get some rest. We can pick this up later.” He says as he gets up. Without thinking he extends his arm and tucks a stray strand of hair behind your ear. His feather light touch making you shiver but not necessarily in a bad way. There’s even a hint of familiarity to it.

 

Snow continues to fall outside the window. The fire roaring in the fireplace keeps you warm along with the body pressed up behind you. One strong arm wraps around your middle, the other sweeps your hair away from your neck. “I can practically feel your unease seeping out of you. What has you so worried my love?”

You turn in his arms and smile seeing his handsome face, no mask covering the man underneath. Your hands go to his face stroking your thumbs across his cheek bones and look into his eyes that are already staring back at you. “I can’t explain it. I just feel like I should be going with you. Barsad is perfectly capable of handling things here.” He says.

You huff and roll your eyes. “I know that he is, but my stubborn father refuses to see him as anything more than a hindrance. That’s why you are being left in charge while we’re gone. It’s just a scouting mission but you know I can take care of myself.”

“I don’t doubt your abilities my love, you know that.”

“Good, then stop worrying.” You stand on your tip toes and press your lips against his. It was meant to be a quick kiss but he pulls you closer and deepens the kiss. You moan into his mouth and nibble on his bottom lip as you pull away. “Hold that thought till I get back.” You tease. Then this time press a quick kiss to his lips. 

He tucks a stray strand of hair behind your ear and smiles at you. “I love you.”

“I love you too. And I will see your handsome face in a week.” Then you grab your bag throwing it over your shoulder and walk out of the bedroom.

 

“I’ll see you in a week.” You bolt upright and gasp. 

Bane’s been frozen in place since he touched your hair worried that he might have upset you in your confused and fragile state. “What did you just say?” He whispers to you.

“I’ll see you in a week?” You say with a confused frown. “When…when you touched me, it triggered something. Just like with Barsad. It’s still fuzzy images but I did see you this time…I think. There was no mask…can you take the mask off? So I can be sure? Maybe it will help…” Your voice trails off when you finally see the expression in Bane’s eyes. He looks upset? “Did I say something wrong?”

He shakes his head, but not like he’s answering you. More like he’s trying to clear his mind. He clears his throat and sits back down in the chair, taking a deep breath. “I’ll see you in a week. That’s the last thing you said to me before you left…and never came back.” His voice is low, and full of sadness. “Is that what you saw? That conversation has been haunting me for months. I had a bad feeling and I didn’t push harder for you to listen to me. I should have tried harder.” His voice trails off. 

“I didn’t entirely understand everything I saw. But I was packing a bag. There was snow outside, and a large fireplace in the room. You kissed me…or at least I think it was you. Can the mask come off….or?” You ask hesitantly since he didn’t answer you the first time. 

His eyes were cast down to the floor, he slowly raises his eyes to meet yours. “If that will help you understand what you saw then yes of course I can take it off.”

Feeling a bit of excitement of seeing him without the mask you move to the end of the bed, closer to him. The man you just saw images of in your head was very handsome, you can’t deny that. But then a thought occurs to you as he reaches for the mask. “Wait! Is it going to hurt you? You said before you were in pain without it.”

“I will be fine for a few minutes. When I take it off for longer periods of time I have pain medication I can take.” He reassures you as he pulls on the mask and slips it off. A smile instantly appears on your face when you see his. It’s the same handsome face you saw in your mind, or memory or whatever the hell it was that happened. But your mind showing you his face before he did makes you think maybe he is telling the truth. How else would you have known what he looked like under there? “Well?” He says after a few moments of silence and you still haven’t said anything.

You hop off the bed and stand in front of him and slowly move your hands toward his face. He doesn’t stop you or shy away so you put your hands on his face. “It’s the same handsome face I saw in my head. Which means I had to of known you before.” What happens next you can’t explain what comes over you but suddenly crash your lips against his. 

He seems surprised at first. But his large hands go to your waist and he kisses you back. He kisses you like its been a lifetime since his lips last tasted yours. And from what he’s been trying to tell you that may just be the truth. You get lost in the feeling, lost in the moment and climb into his lap. 

 

Snow falls around you. Snow covers the mountains as far as the eye can see. Even in your dress you feel warm pressed up against the large body carrying you. He kicks the door open and gently sets you down once your inside. Once the door is shut you push him backwards until the backs of his legs hit the bed then you shove him over. His body bounces as he hits the mattress. You excitedly jump on top of him and crash your lips against his. 

Smiling against his lips you hold his left hand feeling his ring against your skin. “Finally, I can call you my husband.”

He smiles back at you rubbing his thumb across the ring on your left hand. “And you, my wife.”

 

Snapping back to reality with your lips still pressed against Bane’s you notice he’s become tense and he’s not quite kissing you the same. You break the kiss, still seated in his lap. “Am I doing something wrong?” You ask worriedly. Maybe you zoned out for too long and made it awkward.

He shakes his head slightly. “Absolutely not. The pain is just finally getting to me.”

“Oh no.” Your eyes go wide when you realize what he means. You quickly reach for his mask that he set on the floor and hand it to him. Then you climb out of his lap so he can put it back on. 

“Are you alright?” You ask as you try searching his eyes to see if you can tell how he feels. 

After a few deep breaths he slowly nods his head. “I’ll be alright. What about you? You caught me by surprise.” You flop down on the bed again trying to process everything. What you just did, and what you just saw. Your fatigue starts coming back and you yawn again. “I think you’ve had enough excitement for one day. Just rest, we can talk about this more after you’ve had some sleep.” He says as he gets up from the chair for a second time.

You quickly reach for his hand to stop him from leaving. “Wait. Where did we get married?” You want to see if he can validate what you just saw in your head, and validate what he’s been trying to tell you. Maybe he really is your husband after all.

“In our home.” He says cautiously, not sure where you’re heading with this.

“Okay, but can you describe what it looked like?”

“It was a ceremony outside our home surrounded by snow and the Himalayan Mountains.”

Another smile appears on your face. Another image or memory validated. “I think I just saw it, or part of it at least. Will you stay? Physical contact or familiar actions seems to be what keeps triggering things. If I’m on a roll I don’t want to stop now.”

“You need rest.” He replies hesitantly.

“Fine I’ll rest. But will you stay? Please?”

“Of course, I’ll stay, if that’s what you want.” He says as he goes to sit back down but you pull his hand signaling for him to sit on the bed. He looks surprised. Considering just days ago you thought he was a psychotic escaped patient that kidnapped you. But he follows your lead and sits on the bed. You put your hand on his chest and push him until he lies down and settle in with your head against his chest. You know this is a drastic change of events also. But you can’t deny it feels right. Like this is where you are supposed to be.

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

It’s dark, late at night but the lights of the city illuminate the sky line. High up on the top of the skyscraper the wind blows your hair. Looking down at the man lying on the ground you keep the tip of your sword pressed firmly against his throat. “I had no intention of doing this here, but you drew on me first old man.” You seethe. 

Your father narrows his eyes at you. “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find out about your plans? You may take over when I say so. You are not ready so you leave me no choice but to stop you.”

You laugh humorlessly at him. “I don’t care how much it pains you to admit it, but you are not as sharp as you used to be. We both know it. This plan you have to take Gotham is only half thought out. You are relying far too much on Crane and Falcone. A looney doctor, and a gangster. Now concede and admit defeat. You know I have you in a killing position.”

Now it’s his turn to laugh humorlessly. “You know, I always wanted a son. Instead I was cursed with a daughter. And one that never listens no less. Your pride fullness will be your downfall.”

You shrug your shoulders. “Well you could have had a son. Had you treated Barsad better, like your own he would have been loyal to you. Now his skills match mine and his loyalty is to me. And isn’t it a bit hypocritical of you to preach to me about pride?”

“He is nothing but your mother’s bastard child. But you seize any opportunity to prove me wrong. Let’s see you prove me wrong this time. You won’t kill your own father. Family is your weakness.” He says with his voice full of venom. 

You give your father a devious smile. “You sad old man. You should have just agreed to hang up your sword and retire. I will happily oblige you and prove you wrong.” Just as you go to jab your sword into his neck you hear a whoosh of air. Something dark flies across the skyscraper that’s higher than the one your standing on, and makes its way toward you. 

Pulling another knife out of your belt you throw it cutting the line but the dark figure lands a few feet away from you. “Not a good time Bruce!” You hiss. 

“Get out of my city.” He growls back. 

You glare down at your father. “We’re not finished here.” Then you turn your gaze back to the man dressed as a bat and stride toward him. You swing your sword that he deflects with his armor. “You are interrupting a very important father, daughter moment.”

“Should’ve done it somewhere else.” He fires back. 

You duck as he fires one of his cheap toys at you, as you roll you pull another knife out of your boot. You throw it at him to distract him and then kick him in the chest knocking him off the building. “Later Bruce!” You yell as he falls. “Now, where were we?” You say as you turn around to finish off your father. Suddenly you’re hit in the back of the head and everything turns black. 

 

Waking up with a start, you bolt upright in bed gasping for air. Your hand goes to your chest as you try to breath and you feel your body covered in a cold sweat. Realizing you’re not alone you look at the body lying next to you. “Bane?”

He squints his eyes open, giving you a worried look. “Yes?”

“My love.” You gasp.

“(Y/N)?” He questions with wide eyes as he also bolts upright.

You nod your head with watery eyes. “Yes, my love. I remember.”

Bane practically rips his mask off and without second thought. He puts his hands on your face and crashes his lips against yours. You wrap your arms around him holding him like your life depends on it. “I’m so sorry.” He whispers against your lips, and moves his hands to wrap his arms around you. 

You shake your head, breaking this kiss. “You have nothing to be sorry for.” You bury your face against his neck, choking back a sob. He is exactly one of two people that have ever seen you cry. 

“I should have been there with you. I thought I lost you for good.” He says as he holds you tighter. Like he’s afraid you may slip away if he doesn’t hold on to you. “I love you, my wife.”

“And I love you, my husband.” Lifting your head, you lean back just enough so you can see his handsome face. He puts his hands back on yours, wiping your tears away with his thumbs. “What did my father tell you happened to me?” You sniffle, leaning your head against his large hand. 

He briefly removes his hands and grabs the chain around his neck. He takes it off, and removes the ring from the chain. You already have your hand out waiting. He slides your wedding ring back on where it belongs. “When he returned home without you, he handed me your ring and told me good luck in finding you. Then he excommunicated Barsad and I. That was 18 months ago.”

Your eyes darken. “Where is he?” You seethe.

Bane sighs and puts his hands back on your beautiful face. “He died three weeks after you went missing. Before I could even attempt to reason with him.”

Your jaw drops. “How?”

“Can I just enjoy having my wife back for a few moments before we get into that mess?” He pleads. 

You press your forehead against his. “You’re right. I’m sorry, my love. Things are still a jumbled mess in my head. So, for me it feels like yesterday I just saw you. It’s been even longer for you.” Feeling his body start to tense up, you reach into the side pocket of his pants and pull out a needle and quickly inject him with his pain medication. 

“Thank you.” He whispers.

You smile, climbing into his lap and start undoing the straps to his vest. Once you’ve removed his vest and tossed it onto the floor you put your hands on his muscular chest and push him back until he’s lying flat on the bed. Straddling him you press your lips to his. His large hands go to your hips. As you’re moving your lips against his images start flashing in your mind. Images of a man kissing you, but not your husband. “Oh god.” You gasp as climb off of Bane. Your back hits the wall making more images flash in your mind. "Oh god, no.” You gasp again, your hands flying to cover your mouth. 

“What’s wrong?” Bane asks worriedly as he sits up beside you not understanding what’s happening.

Shaking your head your eyes start to water. “I’m sorry.” You whisper, feeling like there’s a lump in your throat.  

“You’re sorry? For what?” Bane asks confused as he reaches for you, but you shy away from his touch. 

“I…I did something terrible, unforgivable. I’m so sorry. I broke our vows.” You choke on the last word and start sobbing. You look at your ring, feeling like you don’t deserve to be wearing it. As you go to twist it off your finger Bane stops you. 

“What do you mean, broke our…” His voice trails off as it finally hits him, he realizes what you’re so upset about. “Crane.” He grits out with venom in his voice. 

You nod your head as you’re on the verge of hyperventilating. “I…I didn’t…” You can’t breathe enough to speak clearly. Bane grabs you and pulls you against his chest, wrapping his arms around you. “The woman I found in Arkham was not my wife. That was not you. You broke nothing.”

“But…”

“No. It wasn’t you. He is a vile man and will pay for everything he has done. But I will not allow you to punish yourself. I know my wife would never do such a thing.” He says, leaving no room for argument.

“I wouldn’t, I really wouldn’t. My heart belongs to you.” You manage to choke out with your face pressed against his chest. Still feeling ashamed for the things you remember happening between you and Dr. Crane.

“I know. And mine belongs to you. Together we’ll mend them back together where they belong.”

“Together.” You echo, wrapping your arms around his large frame. 

 

The door to the room suddenly opens. Having heard your loud sobs Barsad worriedly enters the room. “What’s going on? Everything alright?” He questions. 

You peak your head around Bane and make eye contact with him. “Barsad.”

“Yes?” He says with a confused frown.

“My dear brother.” You say with a watery smile.

“(Y/N)?” He says with wide eyes, much like Bane did earlier. 

Bane lifts you off the bed and sets you on the floor so you can go to your brother. You run to him with open arms and give him a bone crushing hug. “It’s me. It’s really me.” Your voice muffled against his shoulder.

He hugs you back just as tight. “You have no idea how good it is to hear you say that. I have missed you so much little sister.” He looks over at Bane and smiles. “I told you. I knew you could bring her back.”

Notes:

Now we're finally getting somewhere.

Chapter 9

Notes:

Thank you all for the amazing positive feedback I got on the last chapter. I've had this fic in my head for a while so I finally decided to put it to 'paper'. But the lack of feedback I was getting I considered just deleting it. I was afraid it wasn't being enjoyed.
Your comments changed my mind so thank you! Thank you for feeding my need to write.

CHAPTER 9

 

Sitting at a table next to Bane and across from Barsad you finally realize where you really are. It’s a safe house you set up ages ago, a couple hours away from Gotham. Barsad slides a cup of coffee across the table to you. “So, what triggered you to remember?” He asks curiously. You’ve been very quiet the last several minutes.

“Um…my mind isn’t completely back, things are still messy up there. But I had a dream, or a nightmare rather, about the last time I saw my father. When I woke up next to Bane…I don’t know I just knew.” You give Bane a small smile and lean your head against his shoulder.

“What did happen? He never would tell us.” Barsad says with a deep frown.

You scoff thinking about the memory. “We were in Gotham, scouting locations for him to enact his ridiculous master plan. We were on top of this skyscraper and he drew his sword on me all of a sudden, and we fought. Somehow, he figured out I was planning to force him into retirement. I ended up knocking him down, I had him in a killing position and he knew it. He still refused to concede. Just as I was about to finish him Bruce fucking Wayne showed up and I had to stop what I was doing to deal with him. Once I got rid of Bruce and went to turn my attention back to my father he hit me in the back of the head with something. Knocked me out. Things are blurry after that.”

Bane’s hands ball into fists and he slams one on the table making coffee spill out of your cup. “Wayne. Again.” He hisses, full of rage.

You give your husband a confused look. “What do you mean again?”

Barsad and Bane trade looks having one of there silent conversations. You grumpily point between the two of them knowing that means they are hiding something. “No, nuh uh, none of that crap. What else did he do?”

Barsad can’t help but smile even though you’re grumpy. He’s so happy to have you back. “After we tried talking to you the first time and realized you weren’t you Bane had me round up all the men. We tracked down Crane and dragged him back here for interrogation. He told us something about Bruce.”

“Crane’s here?” Your heart starts pounding. So many conflicting emotions about him flooding through you at once. Some your personal feelings now, some your out of your mind confused feelings from before. You shake your head to yourself, not wanting to go there. “What did he say about Bruce?”

Bane sighs, knowing you are going to be furious. More furious than him even possibly. “Your father paid Crane to keep you in Arkham. So, we asked why he still kept you after your father died a short time later. Turns out someone else paid to keep you in there because they thought you were too dangerous to be free. That person being Bruce Wayne.”

Now your hands are balled into fists. You slam them both on the table and stand up abruptly knocking the chair over you were sitting in. “He’s going to fucking pay! I’m going to take everything away from him, and then kill him slowly and painfully. He’ll be begging me for death!” Your chest heaving, you’re angrier than you’ve ever been.

Bane puts his arm around your waist and pulls you back toward him. “My thoughts exactly my love. But not right now.”

You turn to Bane and narrow your eyes. “What do you mean not right now! He took everything from me! It’s only fair I return the favor.”

Putting his hands on your face to try and calm you he gives you a pleading look. “You even said it yourself, you’re not fully healed. Your mind is still confused. Don’t repeat your father’s mistakes and charge into Gotham with a half thought out plan and die.”

It takes your mind a moment to read between the lines of what he’s saying. Your eyes go wide. “Wayne? Wayne killed my father? So, he took that from me too?! The old man was mine to finish off!” You throw your hands up in the air, feeling like screaming. You were royally fucked over by a man running around dressed like a fucking bat. Your angered state triggers another memory to come back to you.

 

Standing outside in the snow you breath in the cold air, enjoying the peace a quiet. You needed a few moments away from your father. He’s driving you crazy with his little prodigy project. Bruce Wayne. The son your father wished he would have had. He’s being initiated into the League right now. Once again, your father wouldn’t listen to you. You tried telling him Bruce doesn’t share the same values and beliefs as the League. He’s not going to be a good fit. 

Suddenly there’s a loud commotion and an explosion in the gun powder room. You go to run inside, but you stop yourself. With a devious smile on your face you cross your arms and decide to wait it out. Bruce’s initiation must not be going well. “Can’t wait to say I told you so.” You chuckle to yourself.

Amidst the smoke and fire Bruce comes barreling down a hill of snow and barely avoids smashing into you as he tumbles, landing by your feet. He’s down on the ground, on his hands and knees. Placing the tip of your sword under his chin you force him to look up at you. “So Bruce, how did the initiation go? Not well from the looks of it I'd say.”

He slowly shakes his head. His eyes look to the left of you where his own sword landed. You tsk him. “We both know you’d be dead before you even reached for it. Don’t bother.”

“I’m not a killer. Your father never said anything about killing. That’s not who I am.” He says.

You roll your eyes. “I know. I tried to tell him, but he wouldn’t listen. What do I know, right?” You mutter sarcastically. Abruptly pulling your sword away you tip your head to side, pointing down the mountain. “Go on, get out of here.” 

Bruce looks at you skeptically. “You’re just going to let me go? Just like that?”

You shrug your shoulders. “Not fitting in isn’t a crime worthy of death. I’m not unreasonable. Now get, he’ll be hot on your tail soon.”

“Thank you (Y/N).” He says, then grabs his sword and makes a mad dash down the mountain.

 

Stomping your foot this time you do scream. “I let him live! I fucking let Bruce live! This…” You point to yourself, gesturing to your messed up brain. “This is how he fucking repays me?!” Amidst your yelling a thought occurs to you. “Wait? He’s the one that killed my father? He’s against killing. That’s why he never finished his initiation.” You ask Bane with a confused frown.

“It’s a long story. I promise Barsad and I will bring you up to speed on everything. But can I suggest something first?” Bane says giving you a second pleading look today. 

“What?” You ask much more calmly. Bane’s always good at calming you down, even just with his eyes.

“Let’s go home. You need time to heal, and to retrain yourself. You’re out of practice. Once you’re better we make a plan, and then come back to Gotham and deal with Bruce. Let’s do things right. I won’t lose my wife again.”

Barsad nods his head. “He’s right (Y/N). Please? I can’t lose my little sister again.”

Unlike your father you do know when to concede. You take a deep breath and sigh. You know they’re right. Even though you want Bruce to pay now. You are just a fraction of the badass assassin you once were. “Alright. I can’t argue with that. Plus I'm sure he knows I'm out of Arkham by now. He'll be expecting me. Let’s go home for now.”

Barsad gives you a nervous smile. “We have one more thing to deal with before we go. Crane.”

You look at Bane anxiously. “You really haven’t killed him yet?”

He lets out a low growl. “Trust me. It has taken every ounce of self-restraint for me not to. Barsad roughed him up a little. I knew if I laid hands on him I'd kill him. But we agreed his fate should be your decision.”

Crossing your arms over your chest you try to think. What do you want done with Jonathan Crane? Images of him start flashing in your mind making you feel uneasy. But you push past it. Looking up at Bane and Barsad you uncross your arms. “Do we have any of that fear toxin left he made up for my father?”

“We do.” Barsad says with a smirk, liking where this is going. 

“Fry his fucking brain like he did to me. Then dose him up with whatever we got left of the fear toxin and set him loose in Gotham. That should keep Bruce busy for a while. We can find him and kill him later when we come back.”

Bane stands up wrapping his arms around you. “Very well my love. I knew you would come up with something well deserved.”

Barsad clears his throat to get both of your attention once more. “One last thing sister, we need you to tell the men. The League only agreed to follow Bane until we found you. They know we found you, but I’ve been stalling. We couldn’t let them see you…before. But they are losing patience.”

Right. You’re in charge now. Finally got what you wanted, but it sure came at a cost. “What…what if I can’t hold it together? I feel like I’m of two minds right now. Out of her mind Jane is still in there while I’m scratching and clawing to stay above the surface.”

Barsad puts his hand on your shoulder. “You have us. We’ll be by your side the whole time.”

You give your brother an appreciative smile. “Alright, where’s Crane?”

The corner of Bane’s eyes crinkle as he smiles beneath his mask. He points to a nearby closet. “We kept him close in case he tried to flee.”

You chuckle at that. Then approach the closet Bane was pointing to. Your hand hovers over the doorknob. Images of Jonathan’s hands and lips all over your body start flashing. Dropping your hand your rest your forehead against the door with a thud and groan. 

 

Rubbing your eyes you wake feeling disoriented and confused. You feel someone combing fingers through your hair. Tilting your head back you look up as your vision comes into focus you see who it is. “Dr. Crane?” Taking in your surroundings you realize you’re in his office, but you can’t remember how you got there.

“It’s just us sweetheart, you can call me Jonathan remember?” You nod your head, biting your lip hiding a shy smile. He opens his arms, calling you to him. “It’s alright, come here.”

Without hesitation you crawl into his open arms, climbing into his lap. As soon as you get comfortable his lips are crashing against yours as his hands roam your body.

 

“My love, what’s wrong?” Bane asks worriedly. His voice snaps you back to reality.

You keep your eyes cast down feeling ashamed and confused. “Remember the whole two minds thing I was just saying? Well I despise Crane and want nothing more than to punish him. But ‘Jane’ doesn’t feel the same.”

You know without looking Bane immediately understands what you’re saying. Which makes you feel even more terrible. You love Bane more than anything. He’s your true love. Barsad on the other hand doesn’t completely get what you’re implying, you never told him what you told Bane.

Bane puts his hand on your shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze. “Think of this as the next step toward ridding yourself of the woman you are not, the woman that he created, and revenge on the pain he put you through.”

Putting your hand on top of his you take a deep breath. He’s right. You can do this, you tell yourself. After removing your hand from Bane’s you reach for the doorknob again and steel your nerves. One last deep breath, and you rip the door open. Immediately locking eyes with a pair of familiar blue eyes. You narrow your eyes at him trying to hold on to your own true feelings. “How fucking dare you!” You hiss and slap him across the face. 

Saying Barsad roughed him up is an understatement. He has two black eyes, a fat lip, and bruises anywhere you can see skin. You throw your brother a glance over your shoulder. “You did this?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “That’s nothing compared to what I really wanted to do.”

Turning your eyes back to Jonathan you cross your arms over your chest. “Payback is a bitch Crane. I have plans for you.”

He tilts his head to the side as he looks at you curiously. “Your words are angry but your eyes are not. You’re (Y/N), but not completely. Am I right?” You don’t answer him. You just glare daggers at him, trying to contradict what he’s saying and grit your teeth. The smug bastard has the audacity to smile at you. “It wasn’t all bad. We had some good times didn’t we?”

Bane sees your body shaking. He puts his hand back on your shoulder. “Stay with me, my love. He needs to be punished for what he’s done to you.”

“On your feet.” You say through gritted teeth and grab Jonathan by the shirt collar. You start dragging him before he even has a chance to stand up. “Where’s the League?” You say to your brother. 

He points down a hallway and takes the lead. You follow along behind him dragging Jonathan with you. Your safehouse is connected to a warehouse. Entering the warehouse you lay eyes on all the men you are supposed to be commanding. Keep it together. Is what you keep telling yourself in your head. 

Seeing that it's you, all the men kneel down on one knee. Forcing yourself to stand tall you shove Jonathan down on the ground in front of you. Looking around the room all eyes are on you, finally you address the men. "Thank you for your loyalty and for following my husband in my absence. It's time to get back to work." You point towards Jonathan. “This man needs to be punished for his crimes. Severely. But not by death. Death would be too easy. So in the basement of Arkham there’s a machine. Fry every last brain cell he has left, or until Barsad is satisfied it’s been enough. Then give him all the fear toxin. And I do mean all. Every. Last. Drop. Then release him into Gotham.”

All the men stand back up. Barsad moves to stand in front of you and grabs Jonathan, pulling him to his feet. “I’m going to enjoy every second of this.” He says with a devious smile.

Jonathan gulps audibly with wide eyes. He goes to say something, likely to plead with you to reconsider. But Barsad stops him, putting duct tape over his mouth and tying his hands together. 

"When you run into Batman, tell him I'll be seeing him soon." You say to Jonathan, and then turn away.

Bane grabs your hand and laces your fingers together guiding you out of the room. “You did well. Only Barsad and I will ever know about your struggles.” He whispers.

You nod your head and wrap your arms around your husband for the hug you are desperately needing. “Take me home, my love.”

Notes:

Bruce Wayne has some trouble coming his way soon.

Chapter 10

Notes:

Kind of a short chapter, but finally some Bane smut. 😉

CHAPTER 10

 

Bane wakes up alone…again. He sits up with a groan and pulls himself out of bed. He knows exactly where you are. Opening the bathroom door a cloud of steam hits him. He can hear your sobs over the running water. Walking through the steam filled room he finds you curled up on the floor of the shower sobbing. He grabs a towel and turns the water off and picks you up off the floor. “It’s alright, my love.” He whispers.

You keep waking up at night after having a dream about Jonathan Crane. It always leaves you feeling dirty and ashamed. So you go into the bathroom and take a scalding hot shower in an attempt to wash the filth and shame off your body. No matter how hot the water or how hard you scrub you never feel clean. 

“I hate this. I hate myself.” You sob against his shoulder. Never have you felt so lost and weak before. This isn’t who you are.

“I’ll say it as many times as you need to hear it. It wasn’t you. It was not your fault. My love for you has not changed. I love you (Y/N).”

You squeeze him tight. You don’t know what you would do without this man and his unconditional love for you. “I love you too.”

“Time. Things will get better with time.”

Nodding your head, you lay there in bed together. You returned home to Nanda Parbat a couple weeks ago and you’re still adjusting. As you start to doze off a thought occurs to you. “I just realized I never asked you how you found me. How did you guys figure out where I was?”

Bane’s chest rises and falls as he takes a deep breath, and releases an annoyed grunt. You lift your head giving him a questioning look from his reaction. “Joker.” He finally says. And he says it like saying it out loud physically pained him. 

Hearing that shifts you away from your sad thoughts. Biting your lip, you try to hold back a smile. Bane hates Joker, but not for the reasons you might think. That man hits on you shamelessly right in front of your husband. The only reason he’s still alive is because he comes in handy sometimes. “Does he think you’re indebted to him now?” You say trying but failing to hold back a smile.

“No, he said he was telling me so that you could thank him later. Or some nonsense that makes me want to tear his painted face off.” He grumbles. 

You snort out a laugh not able to help yourself. “I guess I should send him a fruit basket or something.” You say sarcastically as you’re laughing.

Bane glares at you, but there’s no anger to it. “Send him nothing. You’ll just enable his unrequited crush on you.” His words just make you laugh more. He’s so adorable when he’s jealous because of Joker. There’s absolutely nothing to be jealous of. “I’m glad you find this so amusing.” He says with his voice full of annoyance. Then he wipes the tears of laughter off your face. “But it's nice to hear you laugh again, and see you smile.”

 

3 months later…

 

Barsad falls to the ground with a heavy thud. You look down at him and extend your hand to help him to his feet. “I think it’s safe to say you’re almost back to your former glory sister. And you haven’t had any episodes for a while.” 

Your ‘episodes’ meaning moments where you just mentally check out. Memories coming back to you, flooding your mind. Or moments when you revert back to ‘Jane’ and start spouting nonsense.

“Yeah, maybe.” You say with a slight frown. “Don’t take this the wrong way Barsad, but I need a bigger challenge than you before I decide if I’m back or not.” Then you flick your eyes over to your husband. 

“He’s just bigger than me, with bigger muscles.” Barsad huffs childishly. 

You roll your eyes. “Exactly, my dear brother. He’s stronger than you, and you know that.” Then you look to Bane again who still hasn’t said anything. You can see the hesitation in his eyes. “We’ve sparred before, how is this any different?” 

Sensing some awkwardness, Barsad points to the door. “I’m going to go clean up, while you two sort this out.”

You wave your brother off as you wait for an answer from Bane. You put your hands on your hips and raise your brow. “Well?”

He sighs, pushing himself off the wall he was leaning on. “Honestly I worry every time your head hits the ground that it won’t be you that gets back up. I don’t want to be the cause of something else happening to you.”

You drop your hands, slumping your shoulders. “Oh Bane. I understand what you’re saying, alright? But Barsad has thrown me around this room countless times and no blows to the head have done that. And like he said, I haven’t had any ‘episodes’ for a while.” You walk over to him, and wrap your arms around his large frame. “Please do this for me? I can’t go back to Gotham until I am confident I can hold my own again. I need you to help me get there.”

Now it’s Bane’s shoulders that slump. How can he say no to that? “Alright, my love. You know I would do anything for you.”

“Thank you!” You jump excitedly and kiss his temple.

 

Bane catches your fist with one hand, then catches your second fist with the other. As he readjusts his footing you kick his leg making him lose his balance. He falls backwards pulling you down with him. Landing on top of him you’re now straddling him. 

Briefly you get lost in thought. You’re not having an episode, but you realize how much you’ve missed being with Bane. Due to your recovery the two of you haven’t exactly had the occasion to reunite in the bedroom. It’s not that you didn’t want to, but the shame you’ve been trying to overcome has been difficult to say the least.

Since you took too long to react he grabs you by the waist and flips you over so that he’s now on top of you. His large body between your thighs. You start panting for breath as you feel a fire igniting inside you. “Bane.” You whisper, putting your hands on his unmasked face.

He searches your eyes to see what’s wrong. It doesn’t take him long. He knows that hungry look in your eyes. In fact, he’s missed that look. “Are you certain?” He asks cautiously, keeping his eyes on yours.

You nod your head. “Yes, it’s been far too long. I need to feel you again, my love.”

“Alright, but not in here.” He grunts, picking himself up off the floor and pulling you with him. He carries you down the hallway in his strong arms, much like the day you were married. A fond memory that brings a smile to your face. 

You start kissing and nipping at his neck. His breath hitches, and you notice he starts walking faster. He kicks your bedroom door open, slamming it shut behind him. Despite his excitement he lays you down on the bed gently. He sits down on the bed next to you, his large hand cupping your cheek. “Are you still certain? You can change your mind, there’s no rush.” He asks a second time to be sure.

Turning your head you kiss the palm of his hand, then look up at his handsome face. “Get your damn pants off, and come make love to your wife.”

A smile slowly appears on his face as he gets up and does as you ask. Now you’re glad he insisted on sparring with his mask off. He’s already taken his pain medication so you don’t have to wait around for that. Feeling excited you reach for your top to pull it off but Bane stops you. “Don’t you dare, you know I like to do that.” He scolds playfully.

He climbs up the bed and slowly undresses you. He kisses his way down your body with each piece of removed clothing. Something you forgot he likes to do, and that you very much enjoy. When you are completely bare he hovers his body above yours as gazes at you. His fingertips trace the frame of your body. “So beautiful. I’ve missed you.” He whispers.

Then he leans down and presses his lips to yours, kissing you deeply. You wrap your arms around him, feeling that fire in your belly burning again. “Please my love, I need you. I need to feel like I’m yours again.”

“You never stopped being mine.” He says, and then resumes kissing you again. He leans on one arm to keep his weight off of you. His free hand slowly slides down your body, and stops at your thigh. Which is not where you wanted his hand to stop. You know his slowness and hesitations are his way of making sure you feel in control of your own body. Which you appreciate.

So you grab his hand, and guide him to where you want him to touch you most. Where you’re aching to feel him again. With his hand finally between your thighs, he slides his fingers through your wet folds. Slowly he slips one of his large fingers inside you. You gasp against his lips, which gives him the opportunity to slip his tongue into your mouth. 

When he’s worked up to two fingers you start rutting against him, feeling more than ready for him. “Please.” You whimper against his lips. 

Finally removing his fingers, you feel the tip of his huge cock pressing against your entrance. The pressure of him slowly pushing reminds you of just how large he is. The whole reason why he loosens you up with his fingers first. 

“Are you alright?” 

You nod your head. He must have felt you tense up a little from the pressure. “I’m good. Don’t stop.”

He pauses briefly as he searches your eyes. Then he leans back down capturing your lips for a kiss as he slowly pushes his cock further inside you. You feel yourself stretching around him. Once he’s fully sheathed inside you he gives you some time to adjust to his size. 

You can feel the rise and fall of his chest. He’s trying to steady his breathing. You can only imagine how badly he wants to just slam into you like he used to. But that will have to be saved for another day. He pulls out about halfway, and gives you a slow thrust to see how you feel. 

You bite your lip and moan. “Keep going.”

With the arm he’s not leaning on he grabs your hand, lacing your fingers together and rests your joined hands next to your head. “I love you.” He says, kissing you gently one more time.

“And I love you.” You whisper back.

Finally he starts slowly making love to you. His thrusts are slow, but he goes deep. The push and pull of his cock moving in and out of you soon has you moaning. Little sounds he coaxes out of you that he missed, and had almost forgotten. 

“I’ve missed being with you like this.” He groans, his lips pressed against your neck. 

“More.” You whimper out. 

He easily understands your vague response, and knows what you want. He picks up the pace. Sliding his cock in and out of you faster. The two of you start moaning and groaning together. Sweat beading across your bodies. 

When you start rolling your hips to meet his thrusts he knows you’re close, and chasing your orgasm. He kisses your neck, and finally releases your hand he’s been holding this entire time, and snakes it between your bodies. One of his large digits finds your clit and starts rubbing just the way you like. 

You arch your back, your jaw drops, and eyes roll back as your orgasm washes over you. Gripping on to his shoulders for support you cry out his name. 

As you’re riding out the waves of your orgasm a deep guttural moan comes out of Bane, his cock pulsating as he cums inside you. 

Panting for breath, he kisses you sweetly. Your face is sweaty, with hair sticking to your face. He sweeps your hair out of your eyes and kisses your forehead. Your bodies still connected, and wrapped around each other. “I love you.” He says looking into your eyes lovingly.

“And I love you.” You say, looking back at him the same. Things are finally starting to feel right again.

Notes:

Things are going to ramp up and get more interesting in the next chapter. She'll be returning to Gotham....

Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

 

The sound of gunfire echoes through the bank. Followed by loud, cackling laughter. “Not to worry folks. I’m just here to take your money then I’ll be on my way.” Joker laughs. He jabs the gun into the bank manager’s back. “Now open the vault!”

With shaky hands the woman opens the vault. Joker shoves her inside along with him. Both Joker and the woman wear confused frowns as they look around at what appears to be an empty vault. “Did you already steal the money?” She asks hesitantly.

“Of course not!” Joker hisses. Then he pauses tapping his chin with his index finger. “Did I?” Maybe he’s gone mad enough he doesn’t remember stealing it. While pondering he sees a business card lying on the floor. Curiously he picks it up. There’s a lipstick kiss pressed onto it and two initials signed. The sight brings a smile to his confused face. “Oh (Y/N), you naughty girl. Always a tease.” He laughs again and then shoots the bank manager who was slowly backing out of the vault. “She really knows how to get the fire in my loins burning!”

One of the core beliefs of the League of Shadows is that all criminals should be punished. Your father would sometimes use criminals in his plans when bringing others to justice but in the end he’d kill them too. Well you have different beliefs, some criminals should just be left as they are. They are too resourceful and useful. They serve a purpose for you.

Like Joker for example. No matter how many times others have tried to kill him, he always comes back. He’s like an unkillable cockroach. So you befriended him. That friendship has proven to be useful on many occasions. Case and point, Joker is the one that told Bane you were in Arkham. 

The enemy of my enemy is my friend so to speak. Right now, Bruce Wayne is your enemy, which means Joker is one of your best friends. 

With the help of Bane and Barsad you clawed and scratched your way through the mess and muck in your mind. Hardwork and patience have paid off. Finally feeling back to your former glory, back to your old self you left Nanda Parbat. Now you have some friends to enlist on your quest to exact revenge on Bruce Wayne for all the pain and suffering he’s caused you. 

Bane sighs for about the tenth time with his back pressed against the wall, his arms crossed, and a scowl on his face. “Why must you always toy with him first?” Him, meaning Joker.

You roll your eyes at your grumpy husband from your spot on Joker’s office desk that you’re currently  waiting on top of. “You know why. I get much better results from him when I wind him up first. And he winds you up which equals a good time in the bedroom for me.” You throw him a flirty smile and wink at the last part.

“Because he wants what is mine!” He hisses grumpily.

“Calm down, my love. He can want all day long, because at the end of the day he’ll never get what you have. I’m all yours and you know it.”

“I know that. Doesn’t make me want to snap him in half any less though.” He grumbles.

Suddenly the office door flies open with extra force. Joker standing on the other side of it doesn’t bat an eye seeing you on his desk. More like he expected you to be waiting there. Sitting on the edge of his desk, you lean back on your hands and smile. “Hello, old friend.”

He steps inside. With a wide smile on his face he approaches you. He attempts to stand between your legs but you stick your foot out and stop him. He looks you up and down as you cross your legs. “My, my, my look at you. Are you my gift, do I get to unwrap you?” Then he jumps, startled when he hears a low growl coming from behind him on the other side of the room. He turns and sees Bane. “Should have known your beast was nearby. Takes all my fun away.” He huffs.

“We need to talk J.” You start.

“We certainly do, you naughty girl. You stole my money. Where is it?”

You roll your eyes. “Technically it was never yours. I just stole it before you could. But it’s over there in the corner. Along with your henchman that ratted out all your plans to me. I know how much you hate rats. Consider it a thank you gift.”

He taps his finger on his chin. “Right. That’s right, last I heard you were shacked up in Arkham. You're welcome by the way. You know I’d do anything for my girl.” He says as he leans in closer to you.

“Joker.” Bane warns.

Joker rolls his eyes. “Oh, cool it Goliath. Such a wet blanket.” He grumbles without taking his eyes off you.  “Now I know you didn’t come all the way here just to tease lil’ ole me did you? What are you up to now beautiful?”

“I have a proposition for you J. I have a bone to pick with Batman, and I don’t mean the sexy kind. Which by the way I gotta say I’m a little disappointed in you. You let him run you out of Gotham? Really?” You say with a disapproving frown.

“That fucking bat is a pain in my ass!” He huffs. “Always in my business and constantly throwing me in Blackgate. Then I’d get thrown into Arkham for tearing my cell mate's face off. I escape, then rinse and repeat. It got old okay! I needed a change of scenery. I didn’t even need the money from that damn bank. I’m bored out of my mind! So please tell me you’re cooking up something good for that winged rat.”

You lean forward and straighten out his tie. Giving him a devious smile. “Well, my good friend. How would you feel about running a muck around Gotham with me? A little murder and mayhem always seem to cheer you up.”

“Always so good to me. Whatever it is, I’m in.” He says with his own devious smile. 

“Good. We’ll meet again soon and talk out the details.” You jump off his desk and pat him on the shoulder as you pass by him. “Oh, and you’re welcome to bring friends. The more the merrier. Bring Nygma and Cobblepot, they’re always up for a good time.”

Joker laughs his signature laugh. “I can’t wait to stick it to that bat.”

Looping your arm through Bane's, you walk toward the door. Before you walk out you turn around. “Oh and J. To sweeten the pot. When we get to Gotham I’ll even tell you who Batman really is.”

His jaw drops. “You’re really going to leave me hanging with that? Always a tease (Y/N)!”

You smile and wink at him as you walk away with your husband who feels like he’s vibrating. Every ounce of self-restraint he has holding his temper back so he doesn’t murder Joker here and now.

When you get outside Bane shoves you up against your SUV. His body pressed against yours, and a hungry look in his eyes. He’s all wound up, as you expected, ready to claim what’s his right now in the middle of the parking lot. “You’re going to have to hold those sexy thoughts a little bit longer. Barsad and I have one more stop to make.”

He lets out an annoyed grunt. “Don’t keep me waiting.” He says in a low, commanding voice that he knows makes you wet between your thighs.

With a tired sigh Selina kicks off her heels and rummages through the wallet she just swiped off a man uptown. “$50 bucks. Cheap bastard.” She huffs, tossing the wallet on the counter. Then she pulls a gun out of her purse, cocking it and pointing it into her dark apartment. 

“Easy there, Kitty Cat.” You say as you click the light on revealing you and Barsad sitting on the couch. 

Selina looks surprised and uncocks the gun. “Jane? You’re alive?”

You smirk at her. “I am, and I even have all my marbles back together. Oh, and Jane is gone, it’s actually (Y/N). (Y/N) al Ghul.”

You can tell she’s shocked but she manages to keep her demeanor flat. “Al Ghul? As in...Ra’s Al Ghul, the guy that tried to take out Gotham a couple years ago? So that was your army then that busted into Arkham that day?” She asks curiously.

“I was too out of my mind to remember that at the time, but yes, my army now since daddy dearest is dead.” You say with a shoulder shrug. 

“Well that answers where you learned to fight. Who’d of thought I was rooming with an assassin? So are you here to pay me back for using you as a human shield? Cuz if you want an apology, assassin or not I’m not sorry. I did what I had to, to get out of that place.” 

You chuckle at Selina. You admire her candor. She has more balls than most men. “I can’t be mad when I would have done the same thing had I been in your shoes. I’d like to consider us still friends. I have no hard feelings. Which is why I’m here, I want to hire you. I’m in need of your particular skill set. And I’ll pay you a hell of a lot more than what you're making picking pockets uptown.”

She uncocks her gun for a second time. She had it ready in case you were going to come at her. She shrugs her shoulders with a smirk. “A girls gotta eat.” Then she walks across the room and sits down in a chair across from you. She crosses her legs and sits back. “Tell me why would someone like you need to hire someone like me? You, as you already said, have your own army.”

“Well, you see, my father was a bit sexist in his recruiting. All my men are exactly that, men. This job requires a woman’s touch. I’d do it myself, but this person is expecting me. I need someone he won’t see coming. That’s where you come in.”

“Okay, you’ve piqued my interest.” She says with a curious raised brow. “What do you need me to steal, and from whom?”

A devious smile grows on your face. “I need Bruce Wayne’s fingerprints. Right hand, all five digits.”

Selina’s face skews in surprise. “I’m all for robbing the rich, but what on earth did Bruce Wayne do to you? He doesn't seem the type to deal with assassins.”

Your eyes darken thinking about how that man has wronged you in so many ways. You’d love to tell Selina everything, but you’re not ready for her to know the full truth yet. You’ll be needing her more later before you reveal to her who Bruce Wayne really is. “Let’s just say his money helped fund my extended stay in Arkham. So what do you say? Help a friend in need?”

She stares at you for a moment. Likely debating whether to question you further or not. She must have decided against it. A sly smile appears on her face. “Alright I’m in.”

You smile back at her. “Good, I knew I could count on you. I’ll pay you half now, and the other half on delivery.” You look over to your brother who has remained silent so far. “Go on, pay the lady.”

Barsad pulls a briefcase out from the side of the couch and sets it on the coffee table with a heavy thud. When he opens the briefcase Selina’s eyes go wide. “You weren’t kidding. This is way better than picking pockets.” She says as she flips through the money. After a brief moment of silence she sets the money down and looks back up at you curiously. “Hey, call me curious, but did you happen to have anything to do with what’s going on with Crane?”

You tense up hearing that name, and grit your teeth. “What do you mean?”

Selina notices your immediate mood change but doesn’t flinch. “Well a few months ago he disappeared for a while. Come to think about it, it was shortly after you and I got out of Arkham. But when he came back he was bat shit crazy. He’s running around town with a burlap sack on his head calling himself Scarecrow. Batman’s helped catch him a few times and they ironically put him in Arkham, but he keeps escaping.”

Biting your lip you trade looks with your brother. Both of you try to keep your composure, but you fail. At the same time the two of you burst into laughter. That fear toxin mixed with the electroshock worked even better than you expected. It takes a few moments to calm yourself. You’re still chuckling when you finally answer her. “Well I gave the orders on his well deserved punishment. But my brother here, he carried out the orders. So I have to give all the credit to him for his handy work.”

“I enjoyed every second of it.” Barsad mutters.

Selina slowly nods her head. “Brother huh? I was wondering who this guy was. Well remind me to never cross either one of you.”

“Nonsense, we’re friends remember? I treat my friends well.” You wave her off as you and Barsad get off the couch to leave. You pause before walking away. “Oh, I almost forgot. I’d stay away from Wayne Manor the night after next. I plan on paying him a visit. Things might get…loud.” Then you toss a card on the table next to the briefcase. “Call me once the job is done.”

With a tired yawn you shuffle your feet into your bedroom at your current hideout you’re residing in. Tossing your jacket onto the empty chair by the door you kick your shoes off. Suddenly strong hands are grabbing you, shoving you up against the wall, and lips crash against yours.

You can’t help but smile against Bane’s lips. It’s been a few hours since your meeting with Joker and he’s still all fired up. “Well hello handsome.” Your words come out breathlessly when he breaks the kiss. “Still wound up I see.” You tease.

A low growl escapes Bane. “Fucking clown.”  Then he starts tearing your clothes off like they are offending him by being a barrier between your body and his. He leans down, his lips ghosting across the shell of your ear. “You kept me waiting.” He whispers in a low voice making you shudder. 

Your tiredness now replaced with excitement. “My apologies.” He was already half undressed. So all you had to do was unbuckle his belt and open his slacks. He’s already standing at full attention and rock hard. 

Suddenly you’re being lifted by your thighs like you weigh nothing. Bane pins you between his body and the wall. “You are mine.” He growls just before covering your mouth with his for a claiming kiss. You haven’t seen him this way or been with him this way in a long time. You love it and you’ve missed it. 

With his mouth still devouring yours he lines himself up with your entrance. He’s met with little resistance as he pushes inside you since you’re so wet. You moan into his mouth feeling yourself stretch around him as he pushes deeper. Once he’s fully sheathed inside of you he breaks the kiss leaving you panting for breath. “I’m all yours.” You gasp.

“I think you need reminding. You let that clown flirt too much.”

Biting your lip you try to hold back a smile. There’s nothing like jealous Bane sex. “Well I guess you better teach me a lesson then. We’ll be seeing him again in a few days.”

That earns another low growl, more of a warning growl. His grip on your thighs tighten and his lips move to your neck. He sucks and bites marks into your skin, marking you as his. Then he pulls his cock out of you and slams it back in instantly coaxing a moan out of you. 

Enjoying the sounds you make for him he does it again and again. Until he’s slamming into you at a punishing pace, keeping true to his word. Reminding you that you’re his. 

All you can do is hold on tight and enjoy the ride. Your hands grip the tops of his shoulders, nails digging into his skin. Your eyes roll back and you continue moaning incoherently as his huge cock slides in and out of you stretching you more with each thrust. 

When he’s satisfied with his markings on your neck he moves to the other side and does the same thing. Sucking and biting leaving no skin untouched. “Who do you belong to?” His deep voice whispers against your reddened skin.

“You. I’m yours.” You gasp while chasing your orgasm. You start rolling your hips as he thrusts into you. Each thrust hitting the right spot. Your eyes roll back again as you reach your climax. Your body shudders and you cry out his name as you cum. Your nails digging deeper into his shoulders.

Bane’s hips stutter and he groans against your neck. With one more hard and deep thrust he cums inside you spilling his release. 

Both coming down from your highs Bane unburies his face from your neck. This time he kisses you lovingly and gently on the lips. “I love you.” His voice much less growly, after having worked out all his frustrations.

“I love you too.”

“I’m sorry, Joker really gets to me when it comes to you.” He whispers apologetically.

You can’t help but chuckle. “I noticed. And trust me my love you have nothing to apologize for. I can’t wait to do this again in a couple days when we see him again.”

Bane lets out a disapproving grunt. You feel his cock twitching inside you, still hard. “Looks like you need more reminding tonight.”

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

The sound of metal clanking echoes through the snow-covered mountains. Your sword swings down crashing against your opponents. The impact forcing him to take steps backwards. “You don’t belong here Bruce.” You say nonchalantly with a sarcastic bored yawn as you swing your sword to counter his swings with ease.

“That’s not what your father says.” He retorts with a childish grin.

You roll your eyes jabbing your sword at him making him lose his footing and he falls backward hard on the ice. “Contrary to popular opinion around here, he doesn’t know everything.” Then you extend your hand helping Bruce back to his feet. “You are coming into this with your heart in the wrong place.”

As you take a step back to put space between the two of you Bruce takes the small window opportunity to catch you off guard. He swings his sword knocking yours out of your hand then points the tip at your chest. “Ha! I got you this time (Y/N)!” He cheers excitedly. “Ready to concede?” 

“Stupid boy.” You mutter then pull a knife out of your belt and toss it into the ice by his feet. “Premature celebration on your part.” You say with a devious smile as the ice cracks apart beneath Bruce’s feet and he falls into the frozen lake.

After helping him climb out you start a fire so the foolish boy can warm himself back up. Tossing him a blanket you hold your hands out in front of the fire. “Thanks.” He says with his teeth chattering.

“As I was saying Bruce. You are coming into this with your heart in the wrong place. You’re all about revenge. Revenge for the death of your parents. That revenge will consume you if you allow it.” 

A hand hesitantly waves in front of your face. “Miss (Y/N)? Are you alright?”

You shake your head to clear your mind, your vision coming back into focus. The memory flashes haven’t happened in months. You wonder what triggered it now. Maybe you are subconsciously trying to remind yourself to heed the same warning you once gave Bruce. But instead you ignore the worried looks you’re sure Bane and Barsad are giving you, and address the silver haired man in front of you. “I’m fine Alfred. I was just recalling something I once told Bruce. Now, where was I?”

Before Alfred can respond there’s a loud noise, the sound of Bruce returning to the cave in his ‘batmobile’. Alfred nods his head as Bruce gets out of the vehicle. “Master Wayne.”

Bruce chuckles, taking his mask off. “Awe Alfred you didn’t have to wait up.”

He has yet to realize that Alfred wasn’t waiting there alone. Bane and Barsad are off in the shadows. They agreed to stay silent during this while you get some things off your chest. With your feet you swivel around in the large chair you are currently occupying. With your hands clasped together over your chest you smile deviously at Bruce. “Welcome home Bruce. I was in the neighborhood, thought I’d stop by and say hello.”

“(Y/N), I wish I could say it was good to see you again.” Bruce stands up straighter looking alarmed. He looks Alfred up and down. “Are you alright Alfred?”

You scoff waving your hand. “He’s fine. I have no intentions of harming him. I was actually just chatting with dear Alfred here while we waited for your return. Catching him up on some things. Seems you don’t tell him everything after all.”

“Is it true Master Wayne? You paid Jonathan Crane to keep her locked up in Arkham?” Alfred asks with a disapproving expression on his face. 

Bruce stares at you, trying to give you an intimidating look but all it does is make you smile more. He’s still a childish boy to you. “What’s wrong Bruce? Too ashamed to admit how you stabbed me in the back? I let you leave Nanda Parbat unscathed and that’s how you repaid my kindness? No wonder you don’t have any friends.”

“I did what I had to do to keep the city safe.” Bruce says addressing Alfred’s question and ignoring yours. “Her father had already locked her in there. I just paid Crane to continue keeping her there to cover her room and board.”

“Room and board!?” You yell standing up abruptly pulling a knife out of your belt and jab it into the computer in front of you. Sparks fly as it shorts out. “Don’t you dare try to play innocent!” You hiss. 

Bane and Barsad step out of the shadows revealing themselves but still stay silent as promised. You wave for Alfred to go stand by Bruce. “Do you know what your dirty money paid for Bruce?! Crane experimented on me, he fried my fucking brain until there was absolutely nothing of me left. I didn’t recognize my own husband and brother when they finally found me! I was out of my fucking mind and didn’t know who the fuck I was. And on top of that Crane manipulated me and used my body in ways I would have never consented to had I been in my right mind! My every sense of self ripped from me. That’s what being kind to you got me!”

Bruce’s jaw drops as he shakes his head. “I’m so sorry (Y/N) I didn’t know. But I didn’t do those things to you. Your father is the one that put you in there. He wronged you and Crane hurt you. And from the looks of him lately I’m guessing you had a hand in whatever happened to him.”

“Unlike my father I don’t just delve out death sentences. He was punished accordingly. As will you be! Don’t you dare play fucking dumb with me. You knew Crane was working for my father. You knew he was experimenting on his patients in Arkham. You hypocritical self-righteous son of a bitch chose to turn a blind eye to all of it just so he’d keep me locked up!” You slam your hand down jabbing the knife you’re still holding into whatever is closest. “Then on top of it all you kill my father. The man that refused to finish his initiation because he didn’t want to be an executioner killed anyway.”

Bruce holds his hands up. “Okay (Y/N) you’re right. You are absolutely right. I should have done something about Crane. And I didn’t want to kill your father, but you of all people should understand he didn’t leave me much choice. My hands are still dirty though. So, let’s talk about this before things get too far. I’m sorry all of those horrible things happened to you. I never wanted that for you. But I also couldn’t let you pick up where your father left off.”

Tipping your head back you laugh humorlessly throwing your hands in the air. “That’s the most fucking ridiculous part of it all Bruce! All of this is a result of your meddling and childish assumptions! When you interrupted my father and I on that skyscraper I was seconds away from killing him. I was against his plan to take down Gotham. Had you minded your own fucking business my father would have died by my hands on that skyscraper. His siege on Gotham would have never happened nor would you have killed him. I would have taken control of the League and gone home, leaving you and Gotham alone. I would have never been physically and psychologically tortured. I could have been an ally! Now I am your enemy and your worst nightmare because you once again were a stupid petulant boy and couldn’t just talk to me! So, everything that’s happened and that is going to happen, the blood is on your hands!”

“(Y/N) wait!” Bruce says pleadingly. “I hear everything you are saying. I’m the one that wronged you. Don’t involve the people here for what I’ve done. How can I make things right between us?”

“I told you once a long time ago I am not unreasonable, but we are far past the point of reasoning now thanks to you. You involved the people not me. You see, you took absolutely everything from me. All I had left was the two people in the entire world that cared about me. My husband and brother put me back together. I shall repay you the same way. I am ripping away everything that makes you who you are, everything you care about save for the one person in the entire world that cares about you, Alfred. You have my word he will remain unharmed. But that is it.”

You then yank your knife out of the computer you had stabbed and put it back in your belt. Standing straight with your arms crossed over your chest you glare daggers at Bruce. “I at least have the balls to tell you to your face that we are at war. I am not a coward. I don’t stab others in the back. I’m giving you a fighting chance even though you didn’t give me the same courtesy.”

Bruce reaches for one of his gadgets in his utility belt. You shake your finger at him tsking him and then point over your shoulders behind you. “Surely you remember Bane and Barsad, right? Well they are just as angry as me. You took away Bane’s wife and Barsad’s little sister. They saw me at my lowest and boy do they want to make you pay. Bane wants to kill you with his bare hands, feeling your bones turn to dust as he chokes the life out of you. And Barsad, well he’s a one-man army with all the fire power he’s carrying. So, let’s not be hasty, shall we?” Then you turn and walk away, back toward the elevator you entered through that leads to Wayne Manor.

“It doesn’t have to be this way (Y/N).” Bruce calls out to you. “But if you insist you know I have no choice but to stop you.”

When you reach the elevator Bane and Barsad are by your side with fiery looks in their eyes. You turn and look at Bruce. “I know you’ll try, and I will enjoy every second of your failure.” Then you step inside the elevator. Bane holds the doors open as you reach into his pocket and pull something out. You hold your hand out in front of you with a remote clutched tightly. “Oh and Bruce….Let the games begin!” You say with a wide smile as you push the trigger and Bane allows the elevator door to shut. 

Bruce looks up and sees red lights all over the roof of the cave. The timers on the explosives count down from 5. He quickly grabs Alfred and ducks for cover. 

When you exit the elevator, you toss the trigger on the floor and dust your hands off with a satisfied smile on your face. The mansion shakes, smoke and dust fly out of the elevator shaft. “Cross his hideout off the list. Now let’s take his money.”

Just before you exit the mansion Bane takes hold of your hand and presses you up against the wall. “What happened?” He asks you worriedly as he searches your eyes.

“I blew up the ‘batcave’ as planned.” You huff, trying and failing to pretend like you don’t know what he’s really asking you.

“Was this the first time it’s happened since we left home or have you been hiding it from me?”

He’s talking about the ‘episode’ you had earlier when you were talking with Alfred. When you had a memory flashback. You know he’s just worried but still his words feel like a punch to the gut. How he could think you’re hiding things from him. You had things you were ashamed of and even then, you still told him. “Since when do you not trust me? I have never once hidden anything from you. This was the first time in months, I promise you.”

He sighs, hanging his head, instantly feeling guilty for his words. “Of course I trust you. I’m sorry, but seeing that blank look on your face always makes me worry it won’t be you when you snap out of it. What did you see?”

This time you sigh, debating whether to omit parts of what your memory flashback was. But that would make you a hypocrite when you were just arguing about trust. “It was a flashback of when I was training Bruce. I was trying to get him to leave the league. I told him his heart was in the wrong place, he was only there to learn to seek revenge. And eventually that revenge would consume him.”

Bane nods his head. “Wise words.” He whispers. Then he moves his hands to your face. “I’m not against this plan. He deserves to be punished. However, if he is going to be the cause of you regressing back to how you were after Arkham then I will insist we go home. You are more important.”

“I’m fine. It only happened once. So, before you try dragging me back home kicking and screaming can we wait and see if it happens again? Please?” You look at him pleadingly. You’ve come too far to turn back now. So many game pieces are already in place.

He looks you in the eyes. He’s so expressive with just his eyes. He’s worried yet calculating the risks. “Fine. But if it gets worse you may kick, scream and beg all you want. I will drag you home. Do we have an understanding?”

Jumping into his arms you kiss his temple. “Yes, thank you my love.”

The corner of Bane’s eyes crinkle as he smiles under the mask. “Alright, let’s go take his money.”

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

 

Loud music rattles your ears while bright colorful lights flash in front of your eyes. Joker’s club is full beyond capacity. But that’s also sort of the point. No one’s the wiser of the meeting that’s about to happen in the back of the club. Too many people to notice the few that don’t belong in the crowds.

Bane walks in front of you clearing you a path through the crowd with his large frame. When you finally reach the back of the club some fool attempts to stop you. “Sorry princess, private party.” He sneers blocking the door.

With one hand you grab him by the jewels with the other you catch the hand that was swinging at you. “I know. It’s my party.” You say in a low voice.

This guy is obviously new, he doesn’t recognize you. But one of Joker’s henchman that are very familiar with you come running. “I apologize (Y/N). I’ll deal with this guy if that’s alright with you. Joker’s inside waiting for you.”

You give the foolish man one last glare and remove both of your hands from him. “Moron.” You mutter as you brush past both henchman and shove the door open with extra force. The sound catches everyone’s attention. Joker’s face lights up when he sees you. “There’s my girl!” He cheers.

Bane growls and slams the door shut behind him. He points grumpily at Joker. “Watch it clown!” You can’t help but roll your eyes. It’s always the same with these two.

Looking past Joker, you take a look around and see the entire room is full. Many faces you know. Some are just sidekicks to the bosses in the room. You smile at Joker. “My, my J. You never disappoint, do you? Look at this glorious bunch you assembled.”

“Only the best for you sweetheart.” Joker grins.

Behind Joker is too very familiar faces that you had hoped would be there. Commonly known to the people of Gotham as the Riddler and Penguin. “Edward. Oswald. It’s so good to see you boys. It’s been too long.”

“The less of them you have the more one is worth, what am I?” Edward says with a sly smile.

You chuckle at the man dressed head to toe in green. “A friend. I missed you too old friend.”

Joker and Penguin roll their eyes. You’ve barely just arrived and he’s nailing you with riddles. But they don’t faze Edward in the slightest. “It can be cruel, poetic, or blind. But when it’s denied its violence may find you. What am I?”

Crossing your arms over your chest you think that one over for a moment. “Justice. You up for serving Batman a little justice with me?” His riddle fits the situation perfectly you think to yourself. 

“Hell yes, when do we start?” He says excitedly. 

“Yes, when to we start?” Oswald echoes eagerly.

You chuckle patting them both on the shoulder. “Easy boys. I knew I could count on you two, but one step at a time. First, I only want the big boys in the room. Sidekicks, henchman, or what have you can go back out to the club. You can fill them in later.” You say it with a smile, but your voice leaves no room for argument on the subject.

“You heard the lady, little boys out!” Joker yells. While the unnecessary men file out Joker steps closer to. Too close really. But he has no sense of personal space when it comes to you. “How ‘bout we kick all of them out and we take some alone time. What do ya say sugar?”

Even through the commotion and the people filing out Bane heard that, and well he finally snaps. He strides over ripping Joker away from you grabbing him by the neck and shoves him up against the wall. “The day you cease to be useful will be the day I choke the life out of you and throw your lifeless body in the gutter with the rats.”

Joker stares back at him blankly for a moment. Then he bursts into laughter with his signature laugh. “Too bad for you I’m always useful when it comes to (Y/N). In fact, you kind of owe me for her even being here right now.”

“Alright you two that’s enough. Stow your hatred for each other away for now. We have more important matters.” You scold. 

Bane narrows his eyes at Joker with an annoyed grunt and releases his hold on him. Then moves to stand next to you, preventing Joker from doing so.

“Okay back on track boys.” You say with an annoyed sigh. Then you unzip your jacket pulling a folder out. You slip out a photo and tac it to the wall. “I give you public enemy number one.”

The room is filled with nothing but confused faces as they look at the photo which makes you want to facepalm yourself. How have these so-called villains lasted so long you wonder to yourself. Oswald is the first to speak up. He scratches his head. “What does Bruce Wayne have to do with anything?”

Taking in a slow deep breath to calm yourself you lean against the wall and cross your arms. “You’re smart boys….or so I thought. Let me know when you work it out.”

Joker throws his hands in the air. “What is this crap? I don’t care about the pretty rich boy. And you promised when we got to Gotham you’d tell me who…” His voice trails off as the gears in his brain start turning. You honestly didn’t think Joker would be the first to work it out. You had your money on Edward since he’s the genius of the bunch. “Wait.” He scratches his head then points at the picture. “Are you fucking serious?” 

Tipping your head back you can’t help but laugh. “Well go on. Say it.”

“He’s Batman? Bruce fucking Wayne is Batman? You’re joking?” Joker says in a whiney voice. The rest of the men look to you for confirmation. But their jaws are already half dropped.

“I shit you not my friends. Bruce Wayne is your sworn enemy, that constant thorn in your side. He is Batman. I trained the traitorous little bastard myself when he was attempting to join the League of Shadows. He never finished his initiation of course. The whole murder thing didn’t sit well with the pretty rich boy.” You push yourself off the wall to stand in the middle of the room. “Now I blew up his Batcave the other night. Next on the list is his money and just for fun we’re going to take all his neat little toys he likes to chase after you all with.”

Suddenly everyone is speaking at once. Some in disbelief that’s the person who’s been ruining their murderous and mayhem good times. Some already spouting ideas how to torment and kill him. You just stand back and let them get it all out of their system. While you’re waiting your phone goes off. 

Outside. Back Alley.

That’s all the message says but you immediately know who it is. You’ve been waiting to hear back from Selina. “Good thing I brought her money. Had a feeling tonight would be a good night.” You chuckle showing Bane the text.

“Want me to go with you?” Bane asks.

You shake your head. “No I need you to stay here and keep the boys in line. Please don’t kill Joker while I’m gone.”

Bane crosses his arms over his chest and lets out an annoyed sigh. “Fine.”

 

Exiting through the back of the club you walk into a dark alleyway that’s poorly illuminated by a dim street lamp. A dark figure jumps down from the rooftop and lands in front of you. “Kitty cat always lands on her feet, huh?” You say with a sly smile.

“Something like that.” Selina smiles back. Then she tips her head toward the club. “Interesting friends you keep.”

“Awe they aren’t so bad. Misunderstood I’d say. Much like you. So how’d the job go? Wayne give you any trouble?” You ask curiously. 

Selina pulls a small envelope out of her black catsuit. “The prints were almost too easy. But I got a little greedy and stole some pearls while I was there. Turns out they were Momma Wayne’s and he tracked me down. Nothing I couldn’t handle. He’s got no clue about the prints though.”

You chuckle as you hand her the briefcase full of money, the other half of her payment. “See I knew you were the right woman for the job. I may have another job for you soon. Are you game?”

She hands you the envelope with Bruce Wayne’s fingerprints and takes the briefcase. “With the amount of dough you pay, I’m totally game. Just knock on the door next time, no breaking and entering okay?” She says with a pointed look.

“Alright, fair enough. Till next time Kitty cat.” You wave as she retreats into the darkness. Then you open the envelope and check the contents inside. Not that you don’t trust Selina but you wanted to see the prints for yourself. Satisfied you got what you paid for you tuck the envelope away inside your jacket. Then you pull a knife out and quickly turn around. “Not a wise choice to try and sneak up on me.”

“I wasn’t trying to sneak up on you, just waiting until your friend left.” The person says as they slowly step out of the darkness and into the dim light.

Against your will your body reacts, making you gasp and take a step backwards. Even though you can’t see his face you’ll never forget his voice. “Crane. You have some nerve.” You say through gritted teeth.

He pulls the burlap sack off his head. You see blue eyes looking back at you but they aren’t as familiar as they once were. “Jonathan Crane is gone. He’s buried away deep in here.” He says as he points to his head. “Just Scarecrow now.”

“Uh huh.” You say with narrowed eyes trying to determine if he’s just messing with you or if he really is as out of his mind as everyone is saying. The way he’s looking at you does feel like it’s a different person in there, but you still remain cautious. “Okay fine, Scarecrow, why are you here?”

“A couple reasons. Can we talk for a moment? I’m unarmed and we both know you have your wits about you now so I’m the one who should actually be afraid, not you.” His voice calm as he takes steps closer to you. This time you force yourself not to step back even though you feel the urge to retreat away from him.

Raising your arm currently holding the knife you check your watch and push a button on it. “You have 5 minutes. Choose your words wisely.”

He nods his head stopping when he’s about a foot away from you and leans against the building. “Did you know Jonathan was smitten with you since he first me you? He thought you were beautiful of course, but the way you carry yourself with such confidence and yet had a feisty side, all of you just drew him in. He knew you’d never feel the same, plus you were already married. So when the opportunity presented itself, well, that’s why he did what he did. He thought with a clean slate you might be able to love him.”

Stepping closer, closing the space between the two of you put the tip of your knife under his chin. “I told you to choose your words wisely. Did you really just come here to excuse your actions?”

Unfazed by the knife he looks you dead in the eyes with an unreadable expression. “It was not my actions. It was Jonathan’s and as I already explained I’m not him. I’m also not excusing his actions, just explaining them to you. I thought it might make you happy to know that you returned the favor. He once locked you away in your own mind, now you’ve done the same to him.”

You look at him skeptically and shake your head. “What you’re saying isn’t making a whole lot of sense, so how am I to believe anything you’re saying? ‘Jane’ wasn’t self-aware. She had no idea who I was, or who she used to be. However you want to look at it. So how are you aware of Jonathan and all his memories?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “That I can’t answer, no idea. The mind is a fragile and mysterious thing. Certainly, you can understand that.” He says as he raises his hand, putting it on top of yours and lowers the knife. The physical contact giving you conflicting emotions. “Like right now your feelings are torn. On one hand you despise Jonathan, ever fiber of your being wants him dead. But that other pesky part of you, that other person he created still loves him, loves this familiar face, and you feel it because you can’t seem to completely rid yourself of her. I too struggle with those conflicting feelings. I personally haven’t formed my own feelings about you because this is our first meeting, yet I feel Jonathan’s feelings for you drawing me in.”

“What makes you so sure she’s not gone?”

“Your eyes. You are very expressive with your eyes. Maybe it’s something you’ve picked up from your husband since that is how he has to express himself. But I can see the conflicting emotions passing.” He says as he gazes into your eyes. 

The fact he can tell you’re conflicted frustrates you. You haven’t wanted to admit to that. That ‘Jane’ still has some pieces left behind. Irritated with this conversation you rip your hand with the knife away from his hand. “Everyone I’ve spoken to about you say you’re nuttier than a fucking fruit cake. But based on this conversation it must be an act which means I can’t trust anything you say. So what the fuck do you want?”

He sighs shaking his head at you. “I have moments of clarity now and then. I can keep it together on occasion. Believe whatever you want I suppose. I came here to explain and apologize for Jonathan’s actions. And also, because I know you’re plotting against Batman. You’ve rounded up every villain in the city, except for me. I’m feeling a bit left out. I want to play too.” He says with a devious smile.

Okay you were having your doubts but the last bit of that sentence and the crazy smile was very unlike the Jonathan Crane you know. Maybe he is telling the truth. When you don’t answer him right away he extends his hand, the tips of his fingers brush across your cheek. “Our conflicting emotions and feelings aside, don’t count me out. I can be useful too.”

You’re both annoyed and ashamed about that part of you that you can’t seem to squash out. The part of you that still feels something for this man in front of you despite everything. “I’ll think about it. If I have something you may be useful for I’ll let you know.”

“Fair enough.” Then he steps away from you with another devious grin. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have a city to torment.” He laughs putting the burlap sack back on his head and retreats back into the darkness. 

“Okay, maybe he is nuts.” You mutter to yourself with a confused frown.

Now that you’re alone in the alley you’re stuck with just your thoughts. What are you going to tell Bane? You don’t want to admit what just happened, but you also don’t hide things from him. Shaking your head, you let out a frustrated growl. Why must everything be so complicated?

You take a moment to collect yourself. Not wanting to think about or dwell on what just happened, you decide to point that anger in another direction. Put it to better use. “Pull yourself together.” You mumble to yourself as you take a couple deep breaths. Then hold your head up high as you walk back inside the club. 

Entering the back room all the men are still arguing, everyone talking at once. Pulling your knife out of your belt you throw it across the room. It flies in between the bickering men effectively shutting them up and getting their attention. You clap your hands together. “Now, who wants to rob and bank and who wants to blow some shit up?”

It’s late in the evening, Lucius Fox enters his office with a cup of coffee in hand. He’s working late tonight. He whistles to himself as he walks across his office but stops short when he sees someone occupying the chair behind his desk. 

Clasping your hands together over your chest you smile. “Good Evening Lucius. Working late are we?”

He looks at you curiously and takes a sip of his coffee. “(Y/N) al Ghul I presume?” He says not looking too surprised. 

“Awe, has Bruce been talking about me? All good things I hope.”

He doesn’t smile at your sarcasm. He simply shrugs his shoulders. “Depends on your definition of good I suppose. He did forewarn me you may show up eventually though.”

You nod your head and lean forward in the chair with your elbows now resting on the desk. “I see. And did he explain why I’m hell bent on destroying everything he holds dear?”

Lucius nods his head. “He did. He made some poor decisions that he’s regretful for.”

“Regretful.” You scoff. “Poor decisions is an epic understatement!” You hiss, jabbing your knife into the desk. Then you take a deep breath to calm yourself and straighten yourself back out. 

“What can I do for you (Y/N)?”

“Right, down to business then. You seem like a smart, reasonable man. So, I thought I’d ask politely first.” You say with a devious grin. “Would you pretty please open the secret door behind your bookshelf? I know Bruce’s playroom is on the other side.”

Again, he doesn’t look surprised, almost as if that’s what he was expecting. “I think you already know my answer to that. The Applied Sciences Division has been kept off the books and locked up tight for a reason.”

You’re not surprised by his answer but you still grunt in annoyance. “My vendetta is with Bruce not with you. I don’t want to make you collateral damage but I will if you insist on standing in my way. However, I’m also a reasonable person, I like to give people a fair chance. So, if Bruce told you about me then you know I will get behind that door with or without your help. Last chance Lucius. I’ll even ask nicely a second time. Please open the door.”

To the man’s credit he doesn’t hesitate or flinch. He stands his ground. “I’m sorry, I can’t help you.”

Keeping your eyes on his you stand up without saying a word and walk around his desk. The moonlight shining through the window shimmers on the sword in your hand that he sees for the first time. “Have a seat Lucius.” You say leaving no room for argument once you’re standing in front of him. This one time he does comply and sits down in an empty chair that was in front of his desk. “Tell me, how can you be loyal to someone as fake as Bruce Wayne?”

“I don’t believe him to be fake. He has a moral code and he’s done a lot of good in Gotham. Does his one bad deed cancel out all of the good?”

A humorless laugh escapes you. “It’s all built on lies! He claims to be against killing yet he killed my father. He says he locks up the guilty yet he locked me away. What was my crime? He presumed me to be guilty and destroyed my life. He is a liar and a fraud.” Before the man can reply unsheathe your sword and point it at him. With your free hand you check your watch. “Any last words or shall I get on with it?”

He shakes his head. “You do what you feel you need to do.”

You sigh. “Alright fine, can’t say I didn’t try to reason with you.” 

Suddenly there’s a loud explosion and the building shakes so hard it feels like an earthquake. Dust flies through the cracks of the bookshelf. You cough waving your hand in front of your face to blow the dust away. Lucius gives you a confused look. “What did you do?”

With a mischievous grin you sheath your sword. “I’m not going to kill you Lucius. I was just testing your loyalty. I respect loyalty even if you give it to someone who is undeserving. Also, as I said I’m not unreasonable I gave you a chance to let me in the easy way. You chose door number two. My men blew up an entire city block and went in the back way. Or underneath I should say. I also needed to make sure you didn’t sound any ‘Bat Signals’ while we rob the playroom.”

“(Y/N) no. There are some dangerous things in there.” Lucius pleads.

You clap your hands excitedly. “I know and my friends can’t wait to get their hands on them. I wish I could see the look on Bruce’s face when you tell him who my ‘friends’ are.”

There’s a loud banging noise and some hammering, then the bookshelf falls to the floor. Barsad smiles at you from inside the room where all the dangerous weapons of Wayne Industries have been locked away. Which is also basically Bruce’s storage closet for his Batman gear. “Your chariot awaits my dear sister.”

“Thank you, brother.” You smile as Barsad trades places with you. “Not to worry Lucius. Barsad will let you go once we’re done. Then you may call Bruce and give him the sad news.”

Excitedly you enter the room and take your place next to Bane who was waiting for you. Your friends already scavenging the place. You go straight to the extra Batman suits he had locked up in there. “Who wants to dress up and run amuck first?”

“Me first.” Joker says with his cackling laugh.

 

Chapter 14

Notes:

Sorry it's been a few weeks. I had a few different directions I was pondering taking this story in. So I had to think on it for a bit.

I'm working on wrapping this up, probably 2 or 3 more chapters to go. Unless I ponder some more...😁

CHAPTER 14

 

Bobbing and weaving through the streets of Gotham on the back of a motorcycle, the wind blows through your hair bringing a big smile to your face. The fact that it’s Bruce Wayne’s…or Batman’s motorcycle is what’s bringing you such joy. 

Barsad is driving, your just along for the ride. He pulls up to your current hide out to drop you off. After you climb off you look at your brother and burst into laughter….again. It just cracks you up every time. “You look so ridiculous dressed as Batman!” You choke out between laughs, as tears of laughter fill your eyes. 

He rolls his eyes. “I want to be offended, but you also haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. So, I’ll take the laughter I guess.” He grumbles.

You clap him on the shoulder, biting your lip attempting to stop your fits of laughter. “I don’t mean any offence by this, but stick to high places. You aren’t exactly the right height, so give the illusion that you’re a foot taller.” When he narrows his eyes at you attempting to give you an angry look you burst into laughter again. He’s the least intimidating Batman you’ve ever seen. 

“Oh haha, laugh it up. Let’s put Bane in one of these and see who looks more ridiculous!” He hisses.

“He won’t fit!” You bend over holding your stomach that’s now aching from how hard you’ve been laughing. You wave your hand at him. “Just get out of here before I pee my pants.”

“Whatever. Love you too.” He grumbles as he starts the motorcycle back up and peels out. 

“Love you brother!”

You’ve been having people take turns dressing up at Batman and running amuck around the city causing mayhem. Your goal is to make it look like Batman has gone dark side. So far, it’s working perfectly. Hopefully Barsad doesn’t break that streak and can be convincing enough.

 

After composing yourself you head inside your temporary housing. You still let out a chuckle picturing your brother as you walk into your sleeping quarters. “You just missed the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen, Barsad in a Batman suit.” You say as you approach your husband. 

The room was dark, he clicks a light on so that you can see him. He has his mask off, but he’s wearing a serious face. Your shoulders slump. “I’m guessing since you have a serious face you don’t have your mask off for sexy reasons.”

“You would assume correct.” He says as he scoots over on the bed and pats the empty space next to him signaling for you to sit down.

“What’s wrong?” You sigh as you sit down.

“That’s what I want to ask you. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me yourself, but it’s been days and not a word from you.”

Your face skews. “You lost me, what are you talking about?”

He huffs at you and crosses his arms over his chest giving you a look of disappointment that makes you cringe. “Crane. I heard part of your conversation with Crane the other night. I thought we didn’t have any secrets?” He pauses holding his hand up to quiet you because he could tell you were about to interject. He had to of been spying on you to overhear that conversation outside Joker’s club. “You were taking far too long for a simple exchange with Selina. I just went to check on you and you were already talking with him. So why didn’t you tell me?”

Because Jonathan Crane gives you conflicting feelings that confuse you. Because you’re ashamed. Ashamed you aren’t strong enough to completely rid yourself of ‘Jane’. And ashamed that part of you still feels something for him. Those are the thoughts floating around in your head. 

You hang your head and cast your eyes down to the floor. “I wasn’t keeping it a secret. I…I just really don’t want to think about it or him and shoved it to the back of my mind and busied myself with other things as an excuse to not think about it. So, what did you overhear?”

“The part when he was saying your feelings for him were torn.”

Your eyes quickly raise to meet Bane’s worried he’s gotten the wrong impression. You reach out and grab his hand and squeeze. “It’s not like that. I…me, the real me hates him. As much as I hate Bruce in fact. But…I…I can’t fucking completely get rid of her. No matter how hard I try! And when he’s around I feel this other part of me that I’ve been trying to squash out, fighting to come back out.”

Bane takes a deep breath, looking at your joined hands. You’re wedding ring on display in front of him. “Maybe she won’t go quietly because she has unfinished business. I feel this will continue to be a problem if you keep letting it fester. It pains me to say this because I too loathe him, but I think you should go find him.”

Your eyes go wide and a wave of panic washes over you. “I love you! You are my one and only love! I have no need or want to go find him. And he’s saying he’s not even Jonathan any more, that he’s Scarecrow. Therefore, Jane can just suck it up and move on, he’s gone!”

“I’m not questioning your love or fidelity. I know the woman I married. But I think in order for you to completely heal you need to deal with this. You were never completely gone, so I’m willing to bet he’s not completely gone.”

“Bane.” You whisper feeling tears beginning to pool in your eyes. You love this man so much, never do you want him to think you have feelings for someone else. 

“As I keep telling you, my love for you has not changed. Go deal with this once and for all, and then come back to me.” He says as he wipes a stray falling tear away with his thumb.

You lunge forward and wrap your arms around him. “I love you.” You whisper against his shoulder. He pulls back and presses a soft kiss to your lips. “And I love you.” He whispers back.

“What about the stock exchange? We’re supposed to do that in a few hours.” You sniffle, trying to dry your eyes.

“I can handle it.” He smiles. “Have no fear my love, Bruce Wayne will be penniless by morning.”

It wasn’t very hard to find Jonathan, or Scarecrow. He was running around downtown Gotham with a burlap sack on his head chasing after ‘Batman’ which was actually Barsad. He actually startles when he sees you and rips the burlap sack off his head. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” He says with a bright smile.

You point toward the motorcycle that just destroyed half a police precinct. “That’s one of mine. It’s not the real Batman.”

Scarecrow cocks his head to the side and frowns. “I thought he looked a little small.”

Even in your saddened and confused mood, you can’t help but smile at that. “I told him the same thing.” Then you take a deep breath, stuffing your hands in your pockets feeling strangely awkward about this entire situation. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”

He looks surprised by your request but nods his head and signals for you to follow him. You walk a few blocks to an abandoned building that he’s apparently squatting in because you see a corner of the room that looks ‘lived in’. 

You look around the room, and really anywhere but at him while you try to gather your thoughts. You had tried thinking what to say on your way across town also. You thought back to when you first met Jonathan Crane. You weren’t entirely thrilled to be working with him. He wasn’t exactly your cup of tea, not the type of criminal you kept in your toolbelt. Nothing like Joker or Edward Nygma. Those were the more useful types. He was just a doctor at a mental hospital whom you’d heard rumors about experimenting on his patients. Which is why your father chose him for his failed master plan.

However, you try not to judge people by appearance or rumors. You like facts. So you gave him a chance. You were cordial with him during your encounters. You thought eventually the two of you had a mutual respect for your ‘working’ relationship. Boy were you wrong. He betrayed you just as badly as Bruce.

“(Y/N)? What did you want to talk to me about? Found something I’d be useful for after all?” Scarecrow says, pulling you from your thoughts.

You look down at the ground and kick some rocks away from your feet. “I do have something. But that’s not actually why I’m here. My husband is convinced Jane and Jonathan have unfinished business we need to deal with before I can fully heal.

“So that’s why you won’t look at me? That pesky part of you is flaring up again?” He says with a smile.

You roll your eyes not amused by his cheekiness, but you can’t deny his words. “I promise I will have a job for you, but I need you to answer something honestly.”

“Alright. Can you at least look at me while you ask?”

Taking a deep breath to steel your nerves you slowly raise your eyes to meet his. Like he said to you the other night, the familiar face starts stirring up confusing emotions. “Is…is Jonathan still in there? Is there any way I can get even just 5 minutes with him?” Too bad Bane didn’t think of this before you had his brain fried. You think to yourself. That would have made things a lot easier. When you had finally come back you were so angry you barely spoke to Jonathan. You just handed out his punishment and Barsad whisked him away. 

Scarecrow looks back at you with an unreadable expression on his face as he takes in your request. “He’s in here, buried deep though. I don’t know how to go about bringing him out, but I’m willing to try for you.”

“What’s the catch?” You say skeptically. He agreed to this far too easily.

He shrugs his shoulders. “No catch. Your husband may be on to something. Maybe we can finally rid ourselves of those parts of us if we resolve their issues. Plus, after seeing your wrath toward Batman, I decided it’s far better to be your friend than your enemy.”

Well he’s not wrong. “You’re smart like Jonathan, but it’s more of a street smart. Where Jonathan was the cocky kind of smart, thought he was better than everyone. I prefer the street-smart type. So, you’re off to a good start.” You smirk.

He smiles back, clapping his hands together. “Well, let’s see if we can draw that poor sap out, then shall we?” Scarecrow says as he walks toward you. Without explanation or warning he puts his hands on your face and crashes his lips against yours. 

Inside you’re battling yourself. The real you is appalled and disgusted. Jane though, makes you feel like your heart is fluttering. Your anger wins the battle though and you pull away and slap him across the face. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

Blinking his eyes, he holds a hand to his cheek that’s reddened with your handprint. “(Y/N)?” He whispers.

You take a step back when you look into his eyes. He’s different than before. It’s strange how you can tell by just his eyes that this is the man you know. This is Jonathan Crane. Now you know why Scarecrow kissed you. To draw Jonathan out. That was almost too easy, but you’re still upset about it. Your eyes slowly narrow at the man in front of you. “I think we need to talk. We didn’t get a chance really, before my brother, you know…broke you.”

“And Scarecrow came out.”

You nod your head with a confused look on your face. “So, you’re aware of your alter ego then?” He nods his head, but doesn’t offer any more information. He rubs his eyes and looks around taking in his surroundings. You step into his line of sight to get his attention. “He came to me the other night and attempted to explain your appalling actions to me. Was he telling the truth?”

“You sure paid me back. An eye for an eye, and all that.” He mutters.

“Jonathan. I’m trying to have an honest conversation here.” You say with an annoyed sigh.

“Let me finish.” He says curtly. “You retaliated, paying me back, and now I understand the unimaginable pain I put you through. I claimed to love you, and yet I caused you pain. That’s not love. It was selfishness.”

Biting your lip to keep it from quivering you allow yourself to remember the pain. You force yourself to look him in the eyes. “You betrayed me. You lead me to believe that we were at least, dare I say, friends. I never wronged you in anyway. So why did you wrong me so horribly?!”

He reaches for you with a pleading look in his eyes. You hesitate at first almost allowing him to make contact with you, but internally you argue with yourself to step back at the last second. He shakes his head at you. “(Y/N) I fell in love with you as soon as your father introduced us. I swear my intentions were not initially so selfish and deceitful. I don’t know if you remember just how badly injured you were when your father brought you to me. You had a bad head injury and you were not only in pain but also delirious. My only intention was to help you get better and I was going to let you go after your father finished his plan. I knew a woman like you couldn’t be kept in a cage.”

“Then what changed?” You say through gritted teeth trying to keep your emotions in check.

“Keep in mind you were delirious when this happened and high on pain meds. One evening after I had finished changing your bandages and giving you your medication, I was telling you goodnight and about to leave. You grabbed my hand and asked me stay because you didn’t want to be alone. You slept in my arms that night.”

Your face skews. You have absolutely no memory of that. “Did I know it was you I was talking to?”

He shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head. “I honestly don’t know, and I didn’t care either. I was going to take what I could get. But that night also spawned my now regrettable idea. I thought maybe if I kept you that way, not remembering, then maybe just maybe you could actually love me back. A few days later your father died and Batman approached me to keep you in Arkham. I used those events as an excuse to carry out my fantasy. And to a point it worked, I got you to love me.”

You put your hands on your hips and pace back and forth taking in everything he said. He was doing okay up until the point he changed his mind about letting you go. You could have excused the harmless crush until it actually turned harmful. 

You stop pacing and throw your hands in the air and let out a scream. “It wasn’t love! You brainwashed me and made this faux version of me. You lied and deceived her too! I’m a fucking assassin and I can’t even fathom doing something like that to a person! If we’re being honest here I didn’t even enjoy ordering Barsad to do it to you but I had to punish you somehow!”

“Yet you still haven’t killed me. So some part of you must still feel something for me.” He says more as a statement than a question.

Feeling overwhelmed by this conversation and the conflicting emotions battling it out inside you, you drop to the floor holding your knees up to your chest and cover your face with your hands. “I can’t get rid of her. Not completely. Being around you makes my head spin.” Your words muffled by your hands.

Jonathan kneels down on the ground in front of you. “(Y/N), I can’t change the past. But maybe I can help you.”

“You’re not exactly the poster boy for mental health yourself.” You mutter back.

“True.” He says with a small smile and gently pulls your hands away from your face. This time you don’t pull away. “Let me try to help you at least? Let me rectify my wrongdoing, and maybe one day I can earn your forgiveness.” 

You sigh, looking into his eyes. He looks sincere but he’s deceived you before. And he’s having similar issues to you, he’s of two minds himself. “I can’t handle another betrayal. How am I to trust you?”

“You’ll just have to trust your instincts. You know as well as I do, we kind of need each other’s help right now.” He says with a hopeful look as he extends his hand for you to take to help you off the ground. 

You look from his hand to his eyes several times, arguing with yourself whether to believe him or not. After a few moments of silence, you slowly extend your hand. Just as your hand makes contact with his the sound of gunfire echoes and rings in your ears. 

Jumping to your feet you quickly pull a gun out of your waistband and turn toward the sound. When you find the source your jaw drops. Barsad is up in the rafters with his sniper rifle. 

“(Y/N).” Jonathan’s voice sounding small catches your attention. You turn back around and see the blood soaking through his shirt across his chest. 

“No.” You gasp. “No!” You scream, catching Jonathan before he falls over. Slowly lowering him to the ground you try putting pressure on the wound, but there’s no use. You know it’s a fatal shot. “Jonathan, I didn’t do this! I didn’t want this!” You don’t want him to die thinking you deceived him. 

He nods his head ever so slightly. “I know. It’s alright, I deserve this.” He chokes. “I’m sorry.” He whispers before the light leaves his eyes and his body goes limp.

Tears cloud your vision and you feel a tightness in your chest. This was absolutely a pointless death and solved nothing. He may have been actually able to help you. “Barsad! What have you done?!” You scream over your shoulder.

Barsad climbs down, now dressed in his normal clothing. “I called Bane when I saw you leave with Crane. I disagree with Bane’s bright idea. I couldn’t let Crane screw with your head more than he already has.”

“You don’t understand what you’ve just done! I never told you everything!” You sob, tears falling like a waterfall. “Just get the fuck away from me now!”

“I’m your older brother. It’s my job to protect you. I failed you once, I wasn’t about to fail you again.” He argues.

“Go away!”

“But sister…”

“Now!”

Once you’re alone you lean over Jonathan’s lifeless body and sob uncontrollably. Your confusing emotions swirling around in your mind. How will you ever be rid of Jane now?

The next morning….

 

Caped Crusader Turned Villain

Dark Knight Plagues Gotham

Batman Strikes Again, 6 Banks Robbed

 

Bruce glares at the newspaper headings from the last couple weeks. “Dammit!” He growls as he tosses the newspapers into the fireplace. 

“I think you may have underestimated (Y/N)’s fury, Master Bruce.” Alfred says as he enters the room. 

Bruce tips his head back and sighs. “I wouldn’t say I underestimated her. I know how good she is. But she did throw me a curveball by allying herself with every villain in Gotham. I did not foresee Joker or the Riddler running around dressed as Batman tormenting the city.”

You very strategically have made sure whenever one of your friends puts on the Batman suit and runs amuck that Bruce is stuck somewhere very public. That way he’s unable to get away to deal with the fake Batman. There’s never two Batman’s out at once so the city is buying the lie you fabricated that Batman has turned evil. That he’s no better than the villains he once chased after.

“Oh yes I know, but I was referring to today’s newspaper heading.” Alfred says as he tosses the newspaper on the table.

“What now?” Bruce groans.

Bruce Wayne Doubles Down and Loses

“Seems you made some risky stock trades overnight that did not pay off. You’re broke sir.”

Bruce’s eyes go wide as he strides to the table, grabbing the newspaper. A few puzzle pieces come together. Bane and your men were at the stock exchange last night. Holding the place hostage for some unknown reason. He was on his way to stop them but a fake Batman had just recently blown up a police precinct. So, the police opted to chase him instead of the actual criminals. “How? I didn’t authorize anything. It would have to be authenticated by…”

“Fingerprints.” Lucius interrupts as he enters the room with the same newspaper in his hand. “Your fingerprints were indeed authenticated. Any idea how she got them?”

Bruce wracks his brain trying to think how and when you could have gotten his fingerprints. Alfred seems to come up with a plausible explanation first. “Didn’t you say there was powder on the safe when that sneaky young woman stole your mother’s pearls a few weeks back?”

“Selina.” Bruce growls. “I didn’t think twice about it when I looked at her record but she kept breaking out of Black Gate so they put her in Arkham a few times. Wanna bet one of those times was when (Y/N) was there?” 

“Well Bruce, seems like you got your first lead.” Lucius says.

“I don’t know how helpful she’ll be but it’s worth a shot.” Bruce says as he grabs his keys.

Selina checks her watch when she hears a knock on her apartment door. She wasn’t expecting you for another half hour, but at least you listened and knocked on the door this time. “You’re early.” She smiles as she opens the door, but her smile quick fades.

“Expecting someone else?” Bruce says when Selina frowns at him.

“Yeah, someone with money.” She chides, also having seen this morning’s newspaper. “Why are you here? I gave the pearls back.” She says with an annoyed sigh.

Bruce pushes his way in and walks into the apartment. He stuffs his hands in his pockets and looks around. “If by giving them back you mean I took them back, then sure. But that’s not all you took that night now was it?”

Selina keeps her face neutral. “So, you lost something and just assumed it was little ole me that took it? Well I hate to break it to you, but whatever is missing it wasn’t me.”

He stops and turns to face Selina so he can gage her next reaction. “So, you didn’t get my fingerprints and give them to (Y/N) then?”

She may have kept her face neutral but she wasn’t able to hide the surprise in her eyes and she knows it. She knows he trying to back her into a corner. So, she doesn’t reply she waits to see what his next move is. 

Bruce chuckles. “I admit I didn’t catch on until this morning. You’re good, I give you that. So, I had a friend look into your record a little deeper. Your last stint in Arkham, your roommate was a Jane Doe. But we both know her name is really (Y/N). So how much has she told you?”

Selina takes a deep breath as she stares down Bruce. “I’m happily on a need to know basis with her. I know very little and plan to keep it that way. All she told me was your money had a part in her extended stay in Arkham. She paid me to get your prints. She didn’t say why and I didn’t ask. You certainly pissed off the wrong girl and she’s made you pay for it literally based on this morning’s newspaper.”

Then she steps closer to Bruce so she’s almost nose to nose with him. “And I gotta say I don’t blame her for being pissed. I saw first hand what they did to her. She was drooling mess that couldn’t barely form a coherent thought on a good day.”

Bruce takes a step back and drops his head, wiping a hand down his face. “I know she has every right to be angry. But that doesn’t give her the right to terrorize the city. I have a…powerful friend that would like to speak with her. Do you know where she is?”

Selina scoffs. “Powerful friend? Let me guess, the other guy on her shit list, Batman? Do I look like a goddamned fool to you? Even if I knew where she was I wouldn’t tell you. I’m on her good side and I’d like it to stay that way.”

“Alright. What about her husband or brother? Or hell, even her so called friends?”

“Again, not a fool! I have a feeling if you mess with her family that would only amplify her fury.” She hisses.

Bruce holds his hands up like he’s surrendering. “Okay I understand. I thought it was worth a shot to ask. But if you change your mind give me a call. Alright?”

“Don’t hold your breath.” She says as she points to the door signaling it’s time for him to leave. 

He takes the hint and makes his way out of the apartment. Selina being unaware that her words gave him an idea. “Bane and Barsad are her weakness.” He mutters under his breath.

Selina slams the door shut and leans against it with her back pressed against the door. She releases the breath she didn’t even realize she was holding. “I’m so fucked!” She groans.

“No you’re not.” You grumble from the other side of the room. Then you point toward the door. “I didn’t think you wanted Bruce Wayne to see me here so I came through the window.”

“I didn’t tell him anything he didn’t already know.” Selina says, trying to keep a brave face but you can see the hint of worry in her eyes.

“I know.” You mutter as you lean your head back on the couch and look out the window. Your mind is elsewhere right now. Not at all bothered that Bruce was just pressing Selina for information. You haven’t even been able to bask in your success of making him penniless. You’ve been up all night after what happened to Jonathan. Your eyes are still red rimmed and puffy from all the crying.

Selina, a little confused by your short, curt answers takes a few steps closer and takes a good look at you. “Is something wrong? You don’t seem like yourself.”

You scoff at that. You don’t even know who you are right now. You thought you had your mind back in order when you came to Gotham to punish Bruce. Now it’s starting to get messy up there again. Like your mind is slowly unraveling. It started with the flashbacks, then seeing Jonathan…or Scarecrow again started stirring emotions up. “Do you think Jonathan Crane was evil?” You ask with your eyes still gazing out the window.

Selina’s face skews at the odd question. “Look what he did to you. How could you not think that?”

“Jane didn’t think that.”

She shakes her head. “What’s going on with you?”

You sigh wiping a hand down your face. “I’m trying to work through some shit okay. Another woman’s perspective might help me out.”

Your friend looks like she’s starting to catch on with what’s going on. She sits down on the couch next to you, but you still don’t turn to look at her. “I suppose it’s all in the eye of the beholder.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, your so-called friends for example. You said they were just misunderstood. I’m assuming you don’t think Joker, Edward Nygma, or Oswald Cobblepot are evil.”

You shake your head and finally make eye contact with her. “No, I don’t, and they’ve never wronged me in any way.”

Selina nods her head. “Right, but they’ve wronged plenty of other people whole surely think they are evil. Therefore, it depends on whose point of view you’re looking at someone from. You, (Y/N) feel that Crane is piece of shit, but ‘Jane’ was all heart eyes for him. I wasn’t clueless, I knew you…they had something going on. I can imagine the confusion. It’s confusing me just saying it out loud.” She scratches her head replaying your earlier words in her head. You ask if she thought Jonathan Crane was evil, past tense. “Wait, did something happen to him?”

You look away and bite your lip. “He’s dead.” Then as if you can hear her thoughts you shake your head. “I didn’t do it and I didn’t order it. He did this to me, and might have been the only person than can help me.”

 

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

 

Slowly opening your eyes, you look around the room, taking in your surroundings. You’re back home. Your home in Nanda Parbat. When did you get here? How did you get here?

“Welcome home.” A figure says, stepping out of the shadows. You gasp, while instinctively taking a step back. “You can’t be here. You are dead, which means I must be dreaming.” You say to the figure before you that resembles your father perfectly.

He clasps his hands together behind his back as he walks toward you. “Why are you so certain that is the truth? Your mind deceives you, does it not?”

You shake your head, annoyed and offended by that last comment. “Everyone has told me you died. Bane and Barsad would never lie to me. That’s what makes me certain.”

“Maybe so.” He nods. “But neither of them were present in Gotham when it supposedly happened. How can they be so certain? Did they see a body?”

You grit your teeth, balling your hands into fists. “Fine if you didn’t really die I will be certain when I make it happen myself. Like I had intended. You cannot begin to fathom the psychological and physical pain and torture I’ve endured because of you!”

“Awe, now were getting somewhere.” He sneers. “It was all a test. A test that you have most certainly failed if I do say so myself. I told you, you were not ready to take over.”

You open your mouth to call him a liar. But you pause as you try to think. Could this all have been a test? He’s known to play mind games. He could have used a hallucinogen on you and you may have dreamed all this up. Conflicting thoughts argue back and forth in your mind. Your mind that you can no longer seem to trust.

Your father laughs sarcastically as he watches you struggle. “Can’t trust your own thoughts, can you? You’re even weaker than I thought. You disappoint me (Y/N).”

“I am not weak! I will kill you myself! Then I will go do the one thing you yourself could not do. I will kill Bruce Wayne!”

Your father shakes his finger at you tsking you. “I warned you (Y/N) your pride will be your downfall.”

 

Bane steps outside when he sees the SUV you were driving with the blacked-out windows parked in front of the safe house you’re staying in. He opens the driver side door and finds you staring blankly out the window. He gently puts his hand on your shoulder giving you a slight nudge. “(Y/N)? Can you hear me?”

When he gets no response, he curses himself. “Shouldn’t have let you go alone.” He puts his large hands on your face carefully turning you so that you look at him. “(Y/N), my love, snap out of it.” He says sounding more worried as the seconds of silence tick by.

A single tear streams down your cheek as you blink your eyes. As your vision comes into focus you see worried blue eyes looking back at you. Then you look from left to right trying to remember where you are. Weren’t you just in Nanda Parbat? You look back at Bane. “Is my father really dead?”

Confused by that sudden question he nods his head slowly. “Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”

“Because he just told me he wasn’t dead.” You shake your head covering your face in your hands. “I’m losing it. I can’t trust my own thoughts right now.”

“Oh, my love.” Bane says as he pulls you out of the car and into his arms. Then he carries you back inside.

He lays down in bed with you holding you tightly. You hold onto him like he’s your lifeline and bury your face against his chest to muffle your sobs. Bane seems real, but your father seemed real too. You don’t know what to think. You try to think about where you were before you got here. Your mind is a cloudy mess. Hell, you’re a mess.

After a while you give up on trying to think about anything and just lay there with Bane, taking in the comfort of his presence. Once you seem much calmer he breaks the long silence. Wanting and needing to know what lead to the current state you’re in. He knew you were struggling but this seems like a huge step backwards. “Let’s start from when we last saw each other. What happened when you went to talk to Jonathan Crane?”

Just hearing the name makes images start flooding your mind. The previous night’s events gradually coming back to you. “He’s dead.” You whisper.

Bane sits upright so he can see your face. He looks at you curiously. You know he’s certainly happy to hear he’s finally dead. “Was it by your hands?” He asks cautiously.

Biting your lip, you shake your head. “No. We talked for a while. He and I seemed to come to an understanding. He said he’d try to fix what he had done. I didn’t know Barsad was there and he shot him. Then I yelled at him, which I’ve never done. Told him to get away from me. That’s what worsened this downward spiral I’m in. What if Jonathan was the only person that could undo the damage?”

Bane groans, with conflicting emotions passing through his eyes. He’s glad Jonathan Crane is gone, but torn since his death is affecting you negatively. “Well that explains why Barsad never came back last night.” He looks at you, while he sweeps some hair away from your eyes. “I’m sorry that happened, but you know what has to happen next now right?”

“You’re taking me home?” You sigh. 

He nods his head. He promised if you regressed any more that he’d drag you back home. “We’ve done irreparable damage to Bruce Wayne, we nearly accomplished everything you wanted. Before we go we can send some men to Crane’s home or last known whereabouts. Maybe they can find documents on his experiments. Could be something to maybe help since he himself no longer can.”

Well he’s not wrong. You and your friends have done a lot of damage to Bruce Wayne’s private and personal life. You nearly destroyed him. But once again another goal you tried to achieve came at a great personal cost. “I really, truly thought I was better when we came here. I thought I was back to being my former self. But in reality, I think I just stuffed away Jane and all her feelings, now being back in Gotham it ripped the doors wide open and I can’t close it.”

“I know.” He agrees, cupping your cheek in his hand. “We both wanted to believe you were better.”

You lean into his touch and go on to explain the rest of your whereabouts last night and this morning. Then the dream? Hallucination maybe? You don’t know what to call it, but the vision you had about your father. But it was a very convincing and plausible conversation that’s only confusing you more.

Bane thinks for a moment on your words. Trying to find a way to counter your ‘fathers’ argument. Suddenly out of nowhere he pinches your arm. “Ouch! What the hell?” You whine.

“You feel that? That is real. You and I here speaking is real. Could you feel anything when you were ‘talking’ to your father?”

“Anger?”

Bane shakes his head at you. “No, could you feel anything physical. Could you touch anything?”

“Oh.” You mumble while you think. It was different from your flashback visions you know that. And come to think of it, if it had really happened you would have been searching for your knives you have tucked in various places to defend yourself. “No, I suppose not.” You eventually conclude.

“He wasn’t real, my love. He’s dead and buried I promise you.” Bane reassures. 

As the two of you are talking a shadowy figure in the corner of your eye validates your prior thoughts as you quickly reach into your boot and pull a knife out.

“Whoa! It’s just me!”

You sit up, knife in hand, ready to throw. Your face skews when you make out who the person is. “Selina? What are you doing here? We just talked a few hours ago… We did talk a few hours ago, right?” You second guess yourself, worried you made that up too.

She gives you a confused look. “Yes, we talked at my apartment a little while ago. But that’s not why I’m here. I had a visitor of the bat variety. I was asked to deliver you a message.” She pauses, and holds her hands in the air like she’s surrendering. “Please don’t shoot the messenger. We’re friends, remember?”

“What? What do you mean? I heard everything Bruce said to you. There was no message.”

“Bruce?” Selina questions.

You face palm yourself and roll your eyes. Even though you never told her, you certainly thought she’d figure it out on her own. “Oh, come on Selina, you are pretty fucking smart. You really never put two and two together? Bruce is Batman. So, what you’re saying is he came back later with his stupid ass bat suit on?”

Selina opens and closes her mouth, resting her hands on her hips. “Wow. Color me embarrassed. I really didn’t put the two together. Boy I feel stupid now.” She scoffs at herself. “Does explain a lot now though…”

“Selina? The message?”

“Oh, right. He’s got your brother. He says you can have him back after the two of you come to some sort of truce.”

“What?!” You jump to your feet. Instantly feeling full of rage. Your previous issues and insecurities now put on the back burner. You look at Bane with fire in your eyes. “We’re finishing this once and for all. Then you may drag me home.”

Bane tips his head back and sighs. He’s not going to even try to argue with you at this point knowing neither of you will ever leave without Barsad. “I’m never going to let Barsad forget this. We have to rescue him, a trained assassin no less, like a damsel in distress, from Bruce Wayne.”

Notes:

Almost to the end! One more chapter after this, and the Epilogue.

Chapter 16

Notes:

Sorry it took me a while to get this chapter done. I always planned on ending it this way, but it was tricky to write.

CHAPTER 16

 

With a low growl you grab another knife out of the pile in front of you and find a place for it on your body. You’re stuffing as many knives as possible on your person. “I think 15 is enough.” Bane says, standing somewhere behind you watching and waiting patiently. 

You however ignore his statement and grab another knife from the pile. “Guns are too easy. I don’t think Bruce realizes why knives are my weapon of choice. If you’re gonna kill someone you gotta do it right. Get up close and personal, and watch the light leave their eyes. I’m going to savor the moment, of watching the light leave Bruce’s eyes. The last thing he’s going to see is me laughing in his cowardice face!”

“You already have three in that boot.” Bane says dryly as you go to stuff another knife inside.

You turn around abruptly, knife still in hand. “What I don’t understand is why take Barsad? We both know he’s not going to kill him. So, what? Take him to jail? Like GCPD could keep me out. But that wouldn’t make sense either he’s got nothing on him and it would be a waste of time. So what card does he think he has up his sleeve by taking my brother?!”

“Interpol.” Bane sighs.

That single word makes your face skew in confusion. “What?”

“In our haste to find you we may have not gone as undetected as we normally would have. Mistakes were made, messes were left behind. Barsad and I are on Interpol’s most wanted list.”

You blink your eyes letting his words sink in. This is certainly news to you. “In how many countries?”

Your husband shrugs his shoulders like it’s no big deal to him. “Most of Europe.”

You start laughing humorlessly. Not laughing about them being wanted, but at the absurdity of this situation. You’re barely keeping it together, you don’t need more shit added to the pile right now. “So, he hands Barsad over to the international authorities, forcing me to steer my efforts elsewhere and use all my resources and the League to break him out of whatever hellish prison they find for him. Well isn’t that just fucking great!”

“Those last few months we were both desperate to find you.” Bane says apologetically, but you can hear the desperation in his voice. Hell, you would have done the same thing had he been the one that went missing.

Now feeling guilty you finally drop the knife out of your hand and walk over to Bane, wrapping your arms around his neck. “I’m sorry, you’re not the one I’m angry with. Had I been in your shoes…I would have lost it too. I’d be wanted in more places than Europe. I understand.”

He wraps his arms around you, a low chuckle escapes him when he feels all the knives tucked into your belt. “Let’s go get Barsad, and put an end to this.”

“I love you.” You say, pressing a kiss to his temple.

“And I love you.”

The meeting point Bruce chose was within the underground tunnel system of Gotham. This particular section was along the outskirts of the city. He obviously chose it to minimalize any potential casualties your wrath may cause.

You could have brought the League with you. You could have even brought your fellow villainous friends with you. But you didn’t. No, you want Bruce all to yourself. And you have a feeling that’s what he’s expecting also.

Your mind is racing, your adrenaline pumping, feeling full of rage. You can’t decide whether what Bruce did was ballsy of him or just incredibly stupid. But you also can’t help but hear a past echo of your father’s words in your mind. ‘Family is your weakness’ Your father knew it, and now Bruce knows it.

Barsad is your last living family. He’s your best friend. And there’s nothing you wouldn’t do for him. If anything ever happened to him you would never forgive yourself. Had you not yelled at him he wouldn’t have been off by himself in the first place and this would have never happened.

All he was trying to do was protect you.

You’re practically vibrating from how furious you are when you reach the tunnel system. The racing thoughts in your mind cause your thoughts to get jumbled and your focus interrupted. For a moment you get confused and disoriented. 

Almost to the end of the tunnel Bane stops and turns around when he realizes you aren’t directly behind him. “Are you alright?” He asks cautiously when he finds you staring blankly at a wall. He knows the stress is getting to you, but he also knows telling you to turn back isn’t an option. 

You shake your head once your eyes come back into focus and you remember what you were doing and where you were going. “I’m good, let’s go.”

When you reach the end of the tunnel there’s a wide-open area. You immediately spot Barsad, tied up to a pillar. Bruce has some sort of techy gadget holding him there otherwise you know he would have broken out of any ropes or handcuffs. “You okay brother?”

“I’m fine. I am so sorry sister.” He says with a look of guilt in his eyes.

You know his sorry has double meaning. He’s sorry for foolishly getting caught by Bruce. But he’s also sorry for killing Crane, for upsetting you. “You have nothing to apologize for.” You say, then you divert your eyes away from your brother and pull one of your many knives out pointing it to the man beside him. “You however, will be on your knees apologizing and begging for death before the night is over. How dare you try to take my brother from me! Keeping us separated once wasn’t enough for you?!”

Bruce doesn’t seem phased or surprised by your threats or your anger. “I needed to get your attention to get you to talk to me. So, I actually am sorry that it came to this.” He sighs, and pulls a sword out. The sword he was given when he was training with you all those years ago. “But I know nothing I say to you right now matters. So, come get your pound of flesh so we can work this out.”

As he’s talking you are suddenly harshly hit with a splitting headache. It sounds like a dozen voices are shouting at you all at once. Which doesn’t make sense because Bruce is the only one talking and he’s certainly not shouting. Then the voices die down and get replaced by a loud ringing in your ears. 

Your vision goes next. Your eyes get fuzzy at first. The suddenly your vision gets blurry and you can’t see a thing. So you close your eyes and cover your ears with your hands. The ringing starts to dull and you can make out just one voice. A familiar voice calling out to you. Hearing his voice again makes your eyes fly wide open. 

‘I’m disappointed in you. You’ve been misbehaving again sweetheart.’

Blinking your eyes repeatedly you try to focus your eyes. “I’m sorry.” You whisper when you see blue eyes looking back at you. “I’ll be good.”

Dr. Crane cups your cheek in his soft hand. ‘We talked about this, didn’t we? Fighting is bad. Good girls get rewarded. You want to be rewarded, don’t you? You want to be my good girl?’

“Fighting is bad. I’ll be good. I promise.”

“Oh, my love, no.” Bane gasps. The knife in your hand falls to the ground, the clattering sound echoes through the tunnels. He watches as you drop to the ground with your hands covering your ears and knees pulled up to your chest repeating words that have been seared into your mind. Words he had thought you rid yourself of. “Fighting is bad. Fighting is bad. Good girls get rewarded. I’ll be good.”

“What’s happening?” Bruce says with a confused frown, lowering his sword.

Bane kneels down holding your face in his hands. You’re looking at him but he knows you aren’t seeing him right now. “I will finish this and then take you home.” After one more loving caress of your cheek he stands upright, standing tall, and turns to face Bruce. 

He keeps his eyes locked onto Bruce’s and points toward you. “This is what your money paid for.” He growls. “This is how I found her in Arkham. After days of her brother and I trying to remind her of who she was she finally snapped out of it. Then she spent months trying to put herself back together. Being here, has caused her to regress back.”

“I truly didn’t know Crane was experimenting on her….” Bruce says with a look of guilt in his eyes seeing for the first time the aftermath of what you went through.

Bane steps closer, his eyes full of anger. “I’ve stayed silent through this because this was about her. I’ve wanted to kill you with my bare hands ever since I made Crane squeal like the little rat he was and told me you paid him. Crane may have pulled the trigger, but you gave him the gun. Your hands are just as dirty as his. Enough of your excuses.”

Bruce drops the sword and hold his fists up. “If I could take it all back I would.” He says as he dodges the first swing Bane takes at him. “She was about to be leader to a gang of psychopaths. At the time I had every reason to believe she was going to pick up where Ra’s Al Ghul left off.”

Bane catches Bruce holding him by his neck with one hand. “So you betray the one person that once showed you kindness and mercy.” With his free hand he jabs Bruce in the gut twice. “She could have killed you herself or handed you over to her father. Instead she let you flee Nanda Parbat like the coward you are in one piece.” 

Two more gut punches and then he throws him into the pillar Barsad is tied to. His body causing the pillar to crack. Storming over to the pillar Bane rams his fists into it and breaks whatever was binding Barsad. “Go to her.” He says, pointing toward you, where you’re still curled up on the floor muttering nonsense.

Just as Barsad reaches you the lights go out. Bane laughs humorlessly. “Ah, so you think darkness is your ally?” He calls out to Bruce. “I know all about darkness. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn’t get to see the light until I was already a man. Until she pulled me from the darkness and into her light….”

“The shadows betray you, because they belong to me.” Reaching out into the darkness he grabs Bruce, his fist slamming into his face. “You stole the one thing in the world that meant most to me.” He raises his leg landing a hard kick to the chest causing Bruce to fly backwards.

The light come back on. Wiping the blood from his face Bruce picks himself up. “I don’t want to fight any of you, but you are leaving me no choice.” He charges at Bane. Just as Bane gets his hands around Bruce’s throat Bruce swings his fist, hitting the mask on the man’s face. A piece comes detached and Bane immediately groans in pain, hurriedly trying to fix the mask. 

Bruce takes the distraction as an opportunity to knock the larger man down. He kicks him hard in the gut causing him to fall backwards onto the ground. 

Overwhelmingly memories and images keep flashing in your mind. You’re screaming for it to stop but your mind won’t listen. ‘Vengeance will consume you.’ Words you once warned Bruce with echo back to you. 

‘You sure paid me back, an eye for an eye and all that.’ Jonathan says with a hand covering his bleeding chest.

“I’m sorry Jonathan. I didn’t want you to die!” You call out to him, but he vanishes.

‘Your pride will be your downfall.’ Your father’s disappointed face appears. ‘You have failed again (Y/N). You are weak.’

“I am not weak!” You growl. 

Through the flashing images and your own yelling, you can faintly make out other noises in the background. Hearing the voice of your brother off in the distance helps you focus all of your energy. You try focusing on the sound of his voice in hopes of pulling yourself out of this hell your stuck in.

“(Y/N), can you hear me? I’m right here with you.” Barsad says. 

He’s even closer than you thought. At first, he sounded far away, now he sounds like he’s sitting right beside you. 

Taking a deep breath, you close your eyes and push through the mess that is currently your mind and try to solely focus on his voice. After one more deep breath you reopen your eyes. Slowly your vision comes back into focus and you can make out your brother’s worried face. His sad eyes staring back at you.

“There you are.” He says with a relieved smile.

You crawl into his open arms, hugging him tight like when you were a small child. “I don’t know what’s happening.” You whisper against his shoulder.

“It’s alright. I’m right here with you. Bane is going to finish this once and for all.”

Before you can question Barsad on that last sentence you suddenly remember where you are. And the sound of Bane groaning in pain diverts your attention and worries elsewhere. Your eyes immediately find him. He’s lying on the ground, trying to fix his mask. You can hear the air escaping one of the hoses. 

The feeling of rage hits you again when you spot Bruce looming above him. Without hesitation you force yourself off the ground and onto your feet. You charge at Bruce while pulling a knife out of your belt. He doesn’t see you coming until it’s too late.

At full force you slam your body into his and the knife slides into his flesh like butter. He falls to the ground next to Bane with you on top of him. Bruce is looking at you with wide eyes and then looks down at the knife you’re holding in place, that has pierced his stomach. “(Y/N), what have you done?” He gasps.

“Getting my pound of flesh.” You seethe. “Now stay put.” With your free hand you reach over to Bane and grab the broken piece of his mask and reattach it. “I may be out of my mind, but not enough to let you hurt my husband.”

A single tear slips from the corner of Bane’s eye. He can take pain. But when it hits him like that, without warning, it knocks the wind out of him. He reaches out, his large hand cupping your cheek. “You came back.”

You lean into his touch. Your own eyes watering as you look into his. “No matter how lost I get I’ll always find my way back to you.” Then you kiss the palm of his hand.

“(Y/N), I’m sorry that I treated you as less than a human being. Keeping you locked up in Arkham, away from your family. Now seeing the end result…I’m sorry.” Bruce says, after seeing the exchange between you and Bane.

Leaning back over Bruce, your hand still steadying the knife you glare back at him. “You’re sorry is too little too late.”

“(Y/N), don’t kill him!”

You whip your head in the direction of the voice that just said that. You’re surprised when you see it’s Selina. It takes you a moment to decide whether you are still hallucinating or not. She does appear to be standing just a few steps away from Bane. “You see her too right?” You question your husband. When he gives you an affirming nod you look back at Selina. “Why not?”

“Please don’t kill him.” She says in a calmer voice, but still doesn’t give you a clear answer.

You look her in the eyes not understanding where this is coming from. Then you look at Bruce, seeing the look he’s giving her. You hang your head, not sure whether to laugh or cry. “You’ve got to be joking. Since when do you have heart eyes for this asshole?” You ask your so-called friend.

“It’s complicated.” She huffs. “Just hear me out. What he did was wrong. He knows it, we all know it. But what Crane did to you was far worse and you were conflicted when he died. So, do you really think you’ll feel any better by killing Bruce?”

“That was different!” You yell. She hit a sore spot there. That conversation you had with her was in confidence. 

“Vengeance (Y/N). Remember what you said to me about vengeance? You were right, I was letting it consume me. So what do you think you’re doing now?” Bruce says, reminding you of your own words.

Bane and Barsad are staying silent because they want this to be your decision. You had every intention of killing Bruce. But Selina’s words do bring you pause. Jonathan Crane did do far worse to you, and part of you was still saddened by his death. Will killing Bruce make you feel better? It certainly won’t take your pain away. 

“You’re not your father (Y/N). You even told me so yourself, you don’t hand out death sentences like he did.” Bruce says.

Your head starts to hurt again. You hear a tsking sound and look up seeing your father shaking his head at you with a disapproving frown. ‘Will you ever stop disappointing me? I thought you were going to do the one thing I could not. Kill Bruce Wayne.’

“My father wants me to kill you.” You whisper, looking past Bruce and staring at what looks to be an empty space to everyone else in the room.

‘Finish him (Y/N)! Show me you’re not weak!’

“I am not weak! Why won’t you leave me alone?!”

Bane, unable to watch you struggle anymore, sits upright and grabs your free hand. “Feel me, my love. I am real. Your father is not. Focus on me.”

You close your eyes and squeeze Bane’s hand. You can feel the warmth of his touch, the callouses on his skin. Bane is real. When you reopen your eyes, you release the breath you were holding. “He’s gone. My father’s gone.”

After a few beats of heavy silence Selina tries reasoning with you again. “Be the better person (Y/N).” 

“I understand it’s too late, but I wish I could take it all back. I’m so sorry (Y/N). You didn’t deserve it. None of it.” Bruce says.

“Everyone just shut up!” You scream. Too many people talking to you and trying to tell you what to do. 

Knowing you aren’t exactly of sound mind right now everyone stays quiet, giving you a moment to think and process everything.

After internally wrestling with your next thought you look over at Selina then you look down at Bruce. “We better talk fast, while I’m having a moment of clarity. I’m willing to stop all of this and let you go under one condition.”

“Okay, let’s hear it.” Bruce says without missing a beat. 

“You die.”

Bruce’s face skews. “I thought you said you were having a moment of clarity? That doesn’t make sense.”

You roll your eyes and huff. “You won’t actually die, but as far as the world is concerned Batman and Bruce Wayne died today. Then I will consider us even. I lost my identity and entire sense of self. Only fair to make you have to start over yourself. I’ve already damaged your Batman persona’s reputation beyond repair and made a good dent in your personal life. Might work out better for you this way anyway.”

“What about your friends ?” Bruce says as he thinks over your offer.

“Having accomplished their mission, I will send them back to their corners. What they do after that I’m not responsible for. But to sweeten the pot, I’ll even return all the weapons we stole to Lucius. And of course, the League will leave the city.”

Bruce nods his head. “Okay, fair is fair. You have a deal.” He extends his hand to shake on it, to seal the deal, which you accept. Both parties satisfied with the resolution. Then he points down to where the knife is. “What are we going to do about this?”

“Fortunately for you even when I’m out of my mind, my muscle memory doesn’t fail me. I didn’t hit any major organs. I suppose subconsciously I didn’t want to kill you. You just need stitched up and it’s going to hurt like hell for a while.” 

Taking a moment trade places with Selina you give her instructions on how to help Bruce while you can still think straight. She catches you off guard by giving you a hug. “No matter how you feel right now, I still consider us friends.”

“We are still friends.” You nod.

Then you extend your hand to your husband, helping him off the floor. Then you look over at your brother. “Let’s go ‘kill’ Batman and go home.”

Notes:

Hope you enjoyed this story! I still have an Epilogue coming then it'll be finished.

Chapter 17: Epilogue

Notes:

Finally this story is done! I'm sorry it took me so dang long. I was struggling to decide where to end with the reader.

 

EPILOGUE 

 

The room is dead silent. So quiet the sound of a pin dropping could easily be heard. Barsad blinks his eyes at you, then they slowly widen as he takes in what you are trying to tell him. You’re holding your sword out in front of you trying to hand it to him. “Go on, take it.” You say calmly. 

He shakes his head at you, holding his hands out trying to push the sword back toward you. “It’s yours. This is all yours. You’ve sacrificed so much for this.”

“You and I both know I’m not who I used to be. I need to step down.”

“No, you just rushed things before. You’re getting better again.”

Now its your turn to shake your head. “I’m fine until something triggers me. It was hard for me to admit to myself, but I’ll never be who I was before. I’ve accepted that. Now I need you to accept that and take this damn sword.” You say the last part with a small smile.

“I’m not the blood of Ra’s Al Ghul. I won’t be accepted as the leader.” He argues.

You knew he’d say that and already had your counter argument ready. “But I am, and you are my blood. The tradition of passing down the title through blood isn’t broken. They will accept you or they can leave.” 

Barsad takes in a slow deep breath holding his hands out flat in front of him. “This is what you really want?”

You nod your head, a sad smile on your face as you place your sword into his hands. “Yes, it’s what I want. So I hereby pass my sword and title unto you. The League of Shadows is yours, lead them well.” 

He looks down at the sword with watery eyes then looks back at you. “Sister you are not broken, you are just different. I love you no matter what, every piece of you.”

“I love you too brother.” Your eyes begin to water with his. 

He sets the sword down and pulls you to him for a hug. “Thank you.” You whisper against his shoulder. After a long needed embrace the two of you pull apart. Both of you drying your eyes. “What will you do now?” Barsad asks.

You shrug your shoulders. “That’s sort of the beauty of all this. For the first time in my life there is nothing expected of me. I am free to do as I please. Go wherever I want whenever I want. Endless possibilities.”

 

After your cease fire agreement with Bruce in the tunnels as promised he agreed to fake his death. Which seemed to be doing him a favor in the end. He was no longer burdened with being Gotham’s caped crusader, nor being billionaire Bruce Wayne. Much like you now he has no expectations and is free. 

Bane promptly took you back home. You attempted the healing process all over again. But you finally came to terms with something you were afraid of. You are no longer (Y/N) Al Ghul the fierce assassin, but you’re not crazy off her rocker Jane either. You’re somewhere in the middle. 

You tried to fight it, but in the end, it was a losing battle. You had to stop thinking of yourself and Jane as two different people because they reside within the same person. 

Once you came to terms with that the next step was to let go of the League of Shadows. High stress situations seem to be the trigger of your ‘episodes’. The moments of hallucinations that cause you to get lost in your own mind. 

You talked to Bane about it first. He was more than agreeable to you stepping down. You thought about putting him in charge of the League but you knew he’d turn it down. He only joined because of you. Your father may have been his mentor for a time. But his loyalty was always to you. By your side is the only place he wants to be. So Barsad was the obvious choice. He had more than proven himself capable. Aside from the little mishap of getting captured by Batman. But you swore to keep that a secret after you teased him about it one last time.

With the League taken care of and now having all the time in the world to focus on yourself you needed to figure out what to do with all your free time. One day you were suffering from intolerable boredom and decided to sift through Barsad’s old books. You came across some traveling literature about various countries. That sparked an ‘ah ha!’ moment for you. 

You’ve traveled the world. Been to places most people don’t even know exist. But because you were always on a mission you never got to take in the sites and enjoy what those places had to offer. Why not enjoy them now?

Bane had the same issue. He spent most of his young adult life in prison. Then you found him and he traveled with you, but always on a mission. Never stopping to take in his surroundings.

The two of you set out to retravel the world but this time taking it slow and enjoying the full experience, together. 

 

*****

1 year later

 

The sound of sirens causes you to anxiously peek out of the window. “Europe was a bad idea. You’re still wanted here. What if you’re spotted?”

Bane chuckles lowly somewhere from behind you, because you’ve already voiced this worry of yours countless times. “As I keep telling you my love, they are looking for a masked man. My face is not known so how am I to be recognized? They have no fingerprints or DNA to tie me to anything. Only a mask.”

You pull the curtains back closed and then turn to face your husband with a worried frown and point at him. “Your frame is pretty damn distinct. I’d recognize it anywhere.”

“Of course, you would, you’re my wife. Now can you stop fretting and get dressed?”

Your frown deepens. “You know, I used to be the calm one with the voice of reason. It’s not fair we traded places.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “Time changes us, and there is nothing wrong with that. But if you keep fretting as you are we won’t be able to go out because you will trigger yourself. Do you really want to see your father this evening?”

“No.” You sigh with slumping shoulders. Your episodes often entail hallucinating your father. Sometimes it’s Jonathan Crane even. With a childish pouted face, you walk over to Bane, into his open arms and wrap your arms around him. “I’m so glad I have you.”

“And I’m glad I have you.” He says, pressing a kiss to your forehead. 

“Even when I make no sense and start throwing knives at the TV?” You mutter sarcastically.

“That happened once.” He chuckles. “I love every part of you.”

 

After finally getting dressed and pushing your worries aside the two of you leave the flat you’re staying in and walk through the city of Paris hand in hand. In order to go out in public Bane takes some pain medication temporarily allowing him to have his mask off.

It feels odd to walk around in public together. The two of you are so used to hiding in the shadows, going unseen. It’s a whole new way to experience the world. One thing you are experiencing that you do not like at all is catching women gazing at your husband lustfully. 

Thanks to your father’s sexist recruitment practices there was never any women around Nanda Parbat. And you were the only one to ever see him with his mask off in private. Now his handsome face is on display for all the world to see. 

“What’s wrong?” Bane asks when he sees the angry frown on your face and you start squeezing his hand tighter. 

“I’m not used to having to share you. I’m selfish when it comes to you and I don’t like women gawking at you.” You huff.

“A little taste of what you used to do to me when Joker was around.” He teases, but he slight growl in his voice when he said Joker doesn’t go unnoticed.

“I-I…okay guilty. I did think it fun to wind you up. I’m sorry?”

“I’m not sure if that was a question or an apology but one isn’t necessary. And you have nothing to fear, you know you have my heart.” He reassures and squeezes your hand. 

You smile back at him. You’ve noticed how much lighter he’s become since the two of you left the League. He smiles and jokes more than he ever used to. The life you two were living was weighing you both down it seems. 

“I still can’t believe we’re doing this.” You chuckle as you near your destination. 

“You and I both. Had someone told me a year ago we’d be doing this I’d have laughed humorlessly in their face.” Bane says as he pulls a door open for you. 

You tell the host your ‘name’. You use fake names to be safe. Then a waiter takes you through the restaurant and outside to a private seating area on a balcony that overlooks the city. Two people already waiting at the table for you. 

Selina jumps to her feet and gives you a hug. To your surprise Bruce smiles at you. “Wow you don’t look like you, but you look great.” He says.

“Thanks?” You say with a sheepish smile. 

Selina elbows Bruce as she sits back down beside him. “What he means is seeing you without the black leather assassin get up you look different. Never thought I’d see you in a sundress but it works on you.” She smirks. Then she and Bruce look past you as if just now noticing the muscular man standing next to you. “Is that…is he…?” Selina stutters, looking at Bane with her mouth agape.

You can’t help but laugh. “My husband? Yes, he’s handsome right? I’m still adjusting to sharing his face.” You joke, but you’re also not joking.

“Wow.” Selina says with a playful wink.

Bruce surprises you again. He stands ups and gives you a hug. “It is good to see you. You look better.” He whispers. The he steps over to Bane extending his hand to shake. “Nice to finally meet you.” He says since he’s seeing Bane’s face for the first time. Bane nods, and shakes Bruce’s hand. 

All parties agreed to let the past lie in the past. This was all Selina’s idea. You laughed when she suggested this couple’s dinner. But she wanted to see her friend again and you both happened to be in the same country. You thought Bane was going to laugh as you did, but he readily agreed to it. After the life you were born into he likes seeing you have some sense of normalcy, seeing you have a friend that wasn’t an assassin colleague or a criminal acquaintance. 

During dinner you all talk about what you’ve been up to for the past year. Bruce and Selina have been doing something similar to you and Bane. They’ve been traveling but mostly sticking to Europe. 

“You guys look really happy.” You say gesturing to Bruce and Selina.

“We are.” Bruce nods. “Seems the terrible turn of events did us both a favor. I know I feel lighter than I ever have. And you seem to be the same too.”

“There was a time I would have refused to admit that. But you are right. The road to get here was hard, but I can’t deny it did lead me to a better place.”

“So are you…better?” Bruce asks cautiously, which earns him another elbowing from Selina.

“I’m sorry. I told him not to bring it up.” Selina rushes to jump in.

You wave them both off. It’s a fair question especially considering the state you were in when they last saw you. “No, it’s fine. I have really good days, and sometimes I have really bad days. I just take them as they come. Thankfully, I have this sexy beast here to help me through the bad days.”

Bane gives you a small smile. “She is doing much better. Especially since we changed our way of life.”

The four of you talk for a while longer, enjoying your meal, and the evening together. After dinner you say your goodbyes and plan to maybe see each other again. 

Once you return to the flat you’re staying in you go to change out of your dress, but Bane catches you by the hand and pulls you to him. He twirls you around once, and then catches you only to dip you backwards playfully. “What’s gotten into you?” You laugh in surprise.

“I just realized tonight, I’ve never danced with my wife.”

When did the music start playing? Or is there even music playing? Maybe its in your head... “Did you turn music on?”

“I did.” He smiles as he starts swaying with you to the music. 

You clutch onto him and smile back at his handsome face. “I guess you’re right. Not even at our wedding. But it wasn’t exactly a traditional wedding either.”

“Now’s the perfect time to make up for all those things we haven’t done.”

Could this man be anymore perfect? You don’t want to think where you would be without him. Pulling him out of that prison against your father’s wishes all those years ago was the best decision you ever made. You’d go through it all again just to be here with him right now. That’s how much you love this man. 

Putting your arms around his neck you pull him to you until your lips connect for a searing kiss, wanting him to feel just how much you love him. He does the same, kissing you back with all the love he has in him. Only breaking the kiss when you need to catch your breath. You whisper against his lips. “I love you.”

“And I love you.”

Leaning your head against his chest you enjoy the warmth his large body has to offer and continue swaying to the music with him. “Where do you want to go next, my love?”

“I’ll go wherever you want to go. As long as I’m with you I don’t care where we are.”

 

Notes:

I know I went super fluffy with the ending. But I just felt like after everything they had been through they deserved happiness because really they just wanted to be together.

Thanks for reading!