Protect Me Dark Knight

17: Bane

I never thought I would be in the back of an ambulance, fighting to stay awake, fearing what I would see if I slipped under. An IV was poked into and I felt an oxygen mask be put over my mouth and nose. My body was heavy and I wanted desperately to sleep. Tuning out the bustle of the 2 medics fussing over my beaten body, I watched the massive vehicle speeding behind us and I felt a sense of comfort. The wailing of the ambulance's sirens didn't help my splitting headache and I heard a medic gasp. Turning, I followed her eyes to see the cause of her intake of breath. The pain of Harley Quinn crudely carving Batman's name into my forearm flashed in my mind, making my heart stutter. The dry blood was finally washed off my pale skin and there it was, bright red and scratched. It was messy and I knew by just looking at it there would be no way to hide it. I groaned, turning my eyes away from it, tears stinging my eyelids as they drooped. The ambulance slammed to a stop and the doors opened immediately, Commissioner Gordon looking worried; No Batman. As the medics rolled me out, I met eyes with the Commissioner with panic in mine. "He'll be here." He cautiously smoothed my matted hair away from my face and gave me a smile. Rushing into the hospital, he was running next to the gurney and I was grateful. The darkness engulfed me before I could take another painful breath.

Steady beeping woke me from my deep slumber. The oxygen mask was gone, replaced by nubs in my nose, bumping air in. Blinking my eyes rapidly, a faint pattering met my ears. Flicking my green eyes to the source, my eyes widened at the glass wall. It boasted a beautiful view of the city, Gotham's building lights still on, blurry because of the rain sliding along the wall. Memories of Arkham Asylum came flooding back, making me shudder and the need to see Bruce burned in my heart. "Bruce?" My voice was a rough whisper. Silence answered me and my hope sunk. I used my arms to sit up and a dull pain shot up my spine. Gasping, I put myself back down to a laying position. Looking to the scarred mess on my arm, I frowned and let a tear fall. Brushing my fingers over the word, I recoiled at the feeling. Scanning the room I was in, I sighed; I was alone. A quiet knock echoed in the hospital room and I turned to the door, hope bubbling in my chest, making me feel alive. The wood door swung silently open and I saw Gotham's Commissioner. My shoulder sagged and the ballon swelling inside me burst. "Miss Smith. How are you feeling?" Listening to the steady rain pelt the glass, I replied with a hoarse voice, "Have you heard from him?" I coughed and then said "My name's Regina, Commissioner." Dark bags were under his eyes, leaving him looking like he hadn't slept in days. "No, nobody including Robin, has been in contact with him." I laid back and prayed that I wouldn't cry in front of him. He didn't say another word, but I knew he was still there. "How's your family Commissioner?" He chuckled. "Call me Jim." A smile tugged at my lips as I opened my eyes. Church bells came from his direction and his eyebrows furrowed. Reaching for his pocket, he answered a cellphone and leaned against the wall. "Commissioner Gordon." I couldn't hear the specific words, but the tone on the other end was urgent. Suddenly, he jumped and came to my head. Placing a hand there, he pulled the phone from his mouth. "Something's come up. I'll be back." He left, the door swinging shut.

I had drifted to sleep again after wallowing in the loneliness. I woke with a start, an odd sensation sending a chill down my spine. Someone had turned off the lights in the room, leaving the city lights casting a faint glow. I froze, sensing I wasn't the only one in the room. Glancing to my left, a giant man stood next to the door. Turning to get a better look, my heart beat sped up, the beeping growing louder. He was muscular and twice as big as anyone I have ever seen. There was a black mask covering half of his face and it wrapped around his head, leaving his eyes to intimidate. They were cold and held no compassion. "Hello Regina." When he breathed, the mask let out a slight hiss. I tried to sit up but flinched. His eyes squinted and he put his hands out, showing me he's not going to hurt me. The voice inside my head was telling me to yell for help, to not trust this man. He seemed to be made of muscle and they rippled with his every move. Hands went under my thighs and on my lower back and gently pulled me up. I felt the danger in the room, but the man didn't show any signs of hurting me. I let out a pained breath and pulled the blankets up to my chin. "Who are you?" His eyes remained emotionless and fear coursed threw me. "You've heard of me by the name Bane." Faint memories of Bruce talking about a mass murder named Bane flashed in my head and I panicked. "What are you doing here?" I heard shouts down the hall and my heart kept at the familiar voice. Gun shots exploded and my eyes widened. Bane didn't show any signs of being alarmed. "The Joker has hurt you to the extent of this," His fingers reached to the oxygen tubes around my neck, "He is going to pay. I am sorry." With one last look, he pulled the oxygen away from my nose and I felt the effects immediately. Thundering footsteps grew closer as I stretched for the oxygen. "Please." Easily, he tore the nubs away and sneakily disappeared out the door.