The Devil's Command

by batmanbane

Chapter 18

On a warm Saturday evening early in June, fifteen months after the Batman's sacrifice saved Gotham City, a lakeside hideaway surrounded by fir trees throbbed with light and music. Miranda Tate was throwing a party, and was about to welcome Gotham's most powerful and influential people – those who could assist her in realizing her plans for the future.

Miranda's parties were always the talk of the town, but this evening's soirée was particularly noteworthy. It was her first party since the previous year's Charity Ball, and her first since moving into the home she purchased at auction following Bane's defeat.

The house was the ideal setting for a party, perfect for socializing. In order to accommodate her guests, Miranda had temporarily removed the furniture from the cavernous dining room and thrown open its doors, doubling the size of the great hall and allowing guests easy access between the north and south terraces. The south terrace was especially appealing because it offered a spectacular view of Lake Balsam, along with the dock and boat house.

Floor-to-ceiling windows on the first and second floors revealed the home's rustic bones, but there were signs of Miranda's good taste everywhere in the extensive library of rare books, Persian rugs, Asian artifacts, and sparkling chandeliers.

The evening was to serve as both a housewarming and a welcoming for Miranda's cousin, a wealthy adventurer who had decided to put down roots in Gotham. Tonight, she intended to introduce him to all her well-connected friends as the city's newest power broker.

As the catering staff discreetly darted between the guests, all eyes were on the grand staircase, where Miranda and her cousin were scheduled to appear at any moment.

One floor above the gaiety, Talia al Ghul ran her hands down her hips and admired her reflection in her dressing room's wall of mirrors. The silver Terani gown she wore was lined in a breathable blush fabric, suggesting total nudity beneath, with straps that slipped provocatively from her shoulders. Every inch of the dress was stitched with intricate silver detailing and its 18-inch train was trimmed in pale grey velvet.

Across the room, Jade lounged on an overstuffed chair, engrossed in a copy of 'Ten Days That Shook the World'.

"I appreciate your understanding, Jade," Talia said as she tossed her auburn waves. "You have beautiful, very expressive eyes, and you would surely be recognized by Commissioner Gordon and Detective Blake. Barsad would be recognized as well, so you both must stay out of sight tonight."

"I understand, Talia, but how about hiring different security next time, or maybe not invite people who will recognize me? I want to dress up and drink champagne too!"

There was an urgent knock on the door and at Talia's command, Bane swaggered into the room. "Good evening, my dears," he greeted them cheerfully.

"Well, hello handsome!" Jade enthused, leaping to her feet.

"Flattery will get you nowhere, little one," Bane cautioned sternly. "You will still give me thirty squat thrusts at your training session tomorrow."

"Hah!" Jade scoffed, unconcerned by his threat. "Well, I guess this is my cue to leave. I'm sure you two need a last-minute huddle before joining the guests. Barsad and I have a date with a pizza and a deck of cards upstairs. Who knows, maybe we'll raid the kitchen after all the guests have gone. So, have a wonderful time. I want to hear all about it in the morning."

The suite doors closed behind Jade, and Talia grinned.

"Do you ever wonder that one day you might turn to find her about to throw a grenade at you?"

"I never rule it out," Bane replied. "But as you well know, I have taught her far more subtle ways to subdue an enemy."

The mercenary's eyes greedily swept Talia's revealing gown. "I predict you will slay your admirers tonight," he said as he joined her at the mirror to adjust his black bow tie. At her request, he had worn a white dinner jacket. He had trimmed his beard, and his full head of hair was slicked immaculately against his head.

"Not tonight, I'm afraid. There may be more than one man who wants my company, but you are to have all the attention, brother. You are my guest of honour, after all. This is rather a big step for you, and I trust you are ready."

"Of course! I am about to make my debut in Gotham, and I am fully focused on my mission."

Talia grinned. "I heard you come in last night. Where were you?" She asked pleasantly as Bane's brow flickered in amusement.

"My dear Talia, you know that darkness is my ally. I was merely enjoying a solitary evening before I enter the highly visible world of Miranda Tate."

Talia chuckled knowingly as she rounded to face Bane, further adjusting his bow tie. "I have a theory, my friend, that our relationship thrives because we both enjoy deceiving one another."

"An interesting observation, my dear." Bane smiled mysteriously and offered his arm as together they strolled into the hall.

"How strange that I should find myself becoming Gotham's newest citizen. It is fortuitous that our people were able to configure the Clean Slate in order to provide you with a cousin," Bane observed.

"It is a new beginning for us," Talia replied. "I assure you, brother, the sun will shine on us again."

"Ah, then you are ready to reveal the details of your plan?"

The daughter of Ra's al Ghul smiled and squeezed Bane's arm. "Nothing is carved in stone, you understand, but I am considering a scenario where Commissioner Gordon is once again useful to us."

"We must take care, my dear," Bane cautioned. "We nearly destroyed him once. We don't want the commissioner to become suspicious that someone is trying to do so again. He will sense a pattern."

"True," Talia conceded. "But if we were to take this particular path, we could mitigate any trouble by involving his daughter. If you were to play your cards well with precious Winslow, you could soon be Gordon's son-in-law, or better still, the father of his grandchild. And this time, I would approve."

Bane's brow collapsed into a deep frown as Talia leaned closer.

"Then, even if Gordon were to determine your identity it might be too late. By then you would be family. With the Commissioner bound to the League by blood, we could own the police department. And if the popular Miranda Tate were to be elected mayor, we could own the city. We could take bribes from developers, slash funding to infrastructure, double property taxes and triple the homeless rate. We could run Gotham into the ground without ever having to blow up a single bridge. Of course, all of this is purely hypothetical, my friend. The League once tried to destroy Gotham in the same manner, but it didn't have a wild card like Winslow in the mix. Still, by no means am I even close to making a final decision on the trajectory our plan."

Bane had not been so caught off guard since the cat burglar fired her cannons at him. Talia's words had left him speechless. He hadn't digested much of what she had said, except for the part that was specifically intended for him.

"You would truly condemn me to a life of domesticity, all to advance your plan?"

"Oh nonsense, brother! You like her, don't you? You once amused yourself with a fake marriage. Now you can have the real thing. She's here tonight as part of the security team. Won't it be wonderful to see her again after all this time," Talia smirked, knowing full well that Bane had seen Winslow the previous evening.

"If this is your idea of punishment for deviating from your orders, I am not amused," Bane growled.

"Well, now that you mention it, I did ask you several times to use Winslow as bait, but you preferred to romance her instead. And did you think I didn't know that you released the Pavel children?"

"I could not kill those children when long ago I risked my life to save one. It would have been a betrayal of the man I once was," Bane huffed.

"I understand only too well why you did it," Talia conceded, squeezing his arm affectionately. "You saved my life, my friend, and I am not one to hold petty grievances."

"I know of no one who holds a grievance better than you," Bane glowered. "You are after all, an al Ghul. However, now is not the time for this discussion. Tomorrow you and I are going to have a very long meeting."

"Oh, stop frowning," Talia scolded him playfully "As I said, the plan isn't carved in stone. It's simply speculation at this point, my friend."

"I will hold you to that claim," Bane threatened. "Meanwhile it is time we joined your guests before they come looking for us."

"Very well," she agreed. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, centering herself as Miranda Tate. "Come, cousin."

They paused together at the top of the grand staircase as the guests gathered around. It was the moment everyone had been waiting for, and the great hall fell silent.

"Welcome, my friends." Miranda nodded gracefully. "You humble me with your presence. There is so much to be thankful for - this balmy summer evening, and a beautiful new home that I am pleased to share with you tonight. Most of all, I'm thankful that my only family has decided to settle down in Gotham and join us as we restore it to full glory. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to my beloved cousin, Mr. Benjamin Tate."

Miranda signaled to the far corner of the hall, the orchestra launched into Shostakovich's 'Waltz No. 2', and she and Benjamin Tate descended the stairs to greet their eager guests.

"Just what this city needs. Another spoiled billionaire," John Blake observed cynically upon hearing Miranda's announcement from the hall.

Blake had left the police department following the Batman's sacrifice, but after several months away, Commissioner Gordon had finally convinced him to return to his old job, and he and Winslow were now monitoring guest activity between the dining room and the north terrace.

"I don't know why I let you talk me into this, Gordon. I'm a detective and I don't have to do jobs like this anymore," Blake complained.

"Oh, stop whining," Winslow laughed. "Where else do we get the opportunity to attend a swanky party and dress in expensive designer clothing on someone else's dime? My dad is a guest here tonight but even he has done it in the past. Besides, after all we went through during the occupation last year, we deserve it."

Barsad and Jade had abandoned their card game to watch the sunset from a third-floor balcony. The sniper had retrieved a pair of binoculars from his duffle bag and was focused on the water's edge, specifically the dock and the boat house.

"Hey, are you spying on someone?" Jade demanded.

Barsad grinned slyly and passed the field glasses over to her.

"Have a look at the boat house, and that cozy little loft upstairs where Bane sleeps. Our friend Winslow Gordon is one of the cops working security, and he is gonna lure her there tonight."

"What?" Jade scoffed. "How do you know?"

"I know because he told me so, and he asked me to secure the area. Our men are down there right now, hiding in the trees. Any guests who wander near the boat house will be turned away due to safety and liability concerns. Alcohol and open water don't mix, right? Our guys will be very polite about it, of course, because officially they're Miranda's staff."

"I can see through the windows. You brought those binoculars so you could watch, didn't you?"

"I'm just a hired hand tonight, so I'll take my entertainment where I can get it," Barsad said lazily. "You're damn right I'm gonna watch. Tell you what, I'll let you watch too!"

"You said you used to bring women to him, but all I've ever seen since he got out of the hospital is a man who keeps to himself."

"That don't make him a monk," Barsad argued. "I'm only telling you what he told me."

Jade shook her head in disgust. "And you can hardly wait! Just look at the gleam in your eye. You're living vicariously through him and you should be ashamed. Not to mention that you're just assuming that Officer Gordon is going to allow him to lure her up there. She has a choice, you know."

"Alright then, kid. How about a friendly bet? I have faith in my commander, and I say he's gonna score tonight."

"And I say he won't. Now, what are your terms?

Barsad's lips curled into a devious smile. "Why, Jade... I thought you'd never ask."

Security incidents at Miranda's parties were rare, and there was usually nothing more serious than an inebriated guest, or the occasional jewel theft. Miranda always maintained an official police presence because she cared deeply about the well-being and security of her guests, and wanted only the best.

Winslow had left Blake in the dining room in order to monitor the north terrace. While there she drew in the scent of the fir trees, thankful to have the party as a distraction from thoughts of the previous evening.

Bane's sudden reappearance had left her reeling. She had long convinced herself that he was gone, probably dead, and that she would never see him again. Why had he returned to Gotham? Was he here to finish the job he started? And what did it mean for her, given that she had impulsively asked to see him again after they'd slept together in her apartment the night before?

Her reverie was interrupted when she spotted a portly man crossing the terrace. He was Henry Woolford, the bullying publisher of a local tabloid newspaper. Winslow immediately sensed that he'd had too much to drink, and she readied for confrontation.

"You're Gordon's little girl," he greeted her cheerfully.

"Officer Gordon," she replied with a stern look.

"Yea, well, let me just get to the point. "You're a cop. The commissioner's daughter, right? So, when you were shacked up with Bane all that time, screwing him night after night, did you ever give a single thought to your fellow cops trapped underground?"

His was a familiar question, one that had helped her to develop a thick skin, since she had learned the hard way that some people would always assume the worst of her.

"Step out of my way, sir. I'm on duty and you're blocking my view of the terrace."

"Miss Gordon, you're far too good looking to be a cop, although I suppose it comes in handy when you're working parties like these or fucking beefcake like Bane."

"Sir, step away from me, or I'll have you removed from the property." Her weapon was in her hand, and both were hidden in the right pocket of her dress.

It took every fibre of her being to contain her fury as she moved toe to toe with him. The man reeked of alcohol and stale cigarette smoke. From inside her pocket, she pressed the barrel of her gun firmly against his belly until his eyes bulged in surprise.

"I shot the last man who disrespected my authority." She spoke quietly, so as not to be overheard. "I'm afraid he didn't make it, Mr. Woolford."

The tabloid publisher blanched, and turned to find himself being watched by the guest of honour.

Bane's fingers twitched at his sides as he observed Woolford. Under any other circumstances, he would have crushed the man's windpipe, but tonight he was no mercenary. Winslow had done a fine job of handling him, so he was content to silently threaten the man with a murderous stare.

"You got it all wrong, Tate," Woolford exclaimed. "This crazy bitch just threatened to shoot me. You should throw her out instead of me." He scurried off the terrace and into the great hall, presumably to make his excuses to Miranda.

Bane's gaze followed the man's exit until he again turned his attention to the stunned Winslow, whose eyes had grown as wide as saucers when it dawned on her that Bane was the billionaire adventurer.

"You're… Miranda's cousin?"

"Yes, and I do not believe we have been introduced. I am Benjamin Tate."

He made to kiss her hand, but in a far more intimate gesture, he kissed the inside of her wrist instead.

"I am impressed by the way you dispatched that miscreant. Well done, Winslow," Bane said into her ear. "I will be at the boat house. Come to me in 15 minutes."

"I'm working," she whispered, aware that almost all the guests on the terrace were openly staring at the two of them. "l can't go anywhere with you."

"I happen to know that you have an hour's dinner break. There is a path lit with lanterns just beyond the south terrace. You will find me." He released her wrist, and as quickly as he appeared he was gone, leaving her blushing and bewildered.

She left the terrace, only to find Blake and Gordon waiting for her. They had witnessed everything.

"You should have clobbered that guy," Gordon squawked. "You're perfectly capable of it."

"Woolford was very drunk, Dad. He would have fallen over if I'd sneezed on him!"

"I don't mean him!" Gordon insisted, increasingly agitated. "I mean that rich playboy. He had no right to put his lips on you!"

"Dad, please. Don't embarrass me in front of Blake. "I'm a big girl. I handled it. He's gone."

"I'm afraid I have to agree with your Dad," Blake frowned. "And I gotta wonder how many other women he's done that to tonight."

Throughout her dinner break, Winslow picked at a plate of hors d'oeuvres in Miranda's large, restaurant-style kitchen. She simply had no appetite, and no intention of meeting Bane at the boat house. She knew what he wanted, and it could never happen while she was working. In truth, she wondered if she should ever allow it to happen again.

She shoved her plate aside and headed for the great hall, where an animated Miranda was holding court, her generous breasts on display in a spectacular silver gown.

Winslow observed the charming, self-assured woman with fascination, until a devastating truth slowly dawned on her, and the colour drained from her face.

Although taken aback for the second time that evening, Winslow remained calm and headed for the south terrace. It was necessary to see Bane, whether or not she wanted to.

She found him pacing on the dock, framed by the boat house, which glowed with soft light. And like Miranda, he looked absolutely spectacular.

"Shall I speculate on your connection to Miranda Tate?" She strolled casually towards him, the skirts of her lilac Elie Saab gown making soft swishing sounds around her feet. "If you two are cousins, then it follows that she must have been involved in your siege of Gotham."

"You are looking lovely, Officer, and there is a full moon," Bane beamed. "Must we talk shop?"

"I should have put two and two together last night," Winslow continued. "You show up at my apartment the day before a party for Gotham's newest big shot. Why didn't I guess that the big shot was you?"

"Because you were distracted by my sudden appearance…and other things."

"A moment of weakness…" she claimed, casting a wary glance at him and wishing he weren't so attractive. "It all makes sense now. The day Miranda helped us track the truck, she showed an unusual interest in our relationship. She warned me that you had dishonourable intentions."

"Did she?" Bane smirked. "How very like her!"

"Now I understand her behaviour. I'm guessing that you and she are… close? Maybe you're lovers instead of cousins, or maybe you're both?"

A hardness had crept into her previously calm demeanour, and Bane thought it best to put a stop to it.

His hand circled her wrist in an iron grip. "Come, Winslow. The view of the lake is far better from my quarters in the loft."

"Let go of me," she demanded. "Can you please respect the fact that I'm a police officer on duty? I'm not going up there with you!"

Bane's dark eyes glinted in the moonlight. He fully understood and accepted his new circumstances in Gotham. In service of Talia he was no longer a warlord. Instead he was an undercover agent of sorts, operating as an eligible male of great wealth and influence while secretly plotting to undermine Gotham. He had taken on the same role that Talia had done when she infiltrated Gotham years ago. It was a role that required a great deal of patience, a quality that was largely foreign to him. Talia's words suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Play your cards well with precious Winslow…"

"Very well," Bane agreed, frowning as he released her. "You will come to me when you are off duty."

"Look, this thing between us has to end before it starts," she said, shaking her head. "You committed heinous crimes against my city, and around the globe. The fact that you've returned with a different identity, and are living under Miranda Tate's roof tells me you're planning another assault."

"You have a gun hidden in the pocket of your gown, Winslow. If you truly believe that, then you should arrest me and hand me over to your father."

"How can I arrest you when I can't prove that you're Bane? The only thing I can do is have you investigated. Gotham will soon know that there is no such billionaire as Benjamin Tate. That should arouse plenty of suspicion around you."

"I'm afraid he does exist," Bane countered. "My men secured Clean Slate technology from Bruce Wayne's Applied Sciences division. We then reconfigured it, which allowed us to build an identity and history around Benjamin Tate. There are records of his ancestry, identification, photographs, school records, media accounts of his exploits, philanthropy and personal relationships. The story of a wealthy man who has never worked a day in his life."

"You have incredible gall. You threw rich people out of their homes during your occupation, and now you come back as one of them? I'm going to have you investigated anyway, and Miranda Tate too."

"I think you will find that Miranda has long been a respected business woman, and a generous donor to charity who is pursued by many suitors. But we can discuss this further tomorrow evening."

"What about tomorrow evening?" She frowned suspiciously.

"That is when you will dine with me, at Alouette."

"Not a chance. I'm no plaything who is easily pacified by dinner at a restaurant with a year-long waiting list for a table."

"I assure you that I have never considered you a plaything, Winslow, nor a souvenir of Gotham. Did I not once tell you that you were my Waterloo, and that I welcomed being tamed by you?" His fingers twitched as he fought the urge to take her by the wrist again and drag her up to the loft regardless of her protestations.

"A masked man said those things to me over a year ago. l hardly knew him, and I sure as hell don't know you in the white dinner jacket with the sweet smile!"

"Then you will get to know him beginning tomorrow evening. Benjamin Tate jumps to the top of every waiting list in Gotham. I will call for you at a quarter to seven."

Things were moving too quickly for the police commissioner's daughter, and she fought for some semblance of control.

It was only one dinner. How could it hurt? It didn't have to mean anything more. Yes, she had slept with him the night before, but in all consciousness, she couldn't possibly continue as a police officer if she were to become any further involved with him, whether as Bane or Benjamin Tate. So, she would simply give him the brush-off at the end of the evening. Thanks, but no thanks, because it would never work. She had rejected him once before, and she could do it again.

"No. I'll meet you there at seven o'clock," she insisted.

"Very well," Bane agreed reluctantly. Once again, he had allowed her to have her way. "Fair warning. If you do not show, I will come for you."

"I'll be there," Winslow promised, eyes rolling upside her head. "And then maybe you can explain to me what an 'adventurer' does. I have to go now, because unlike Benjamin Tate, I work for a living and I have to get back to my shift." She lifted the skirts of her gown and headed back to the house, but Bane wasn't finished with her.

"Winslow?"

She stopped in her tracks, her back to him as she craned her head sideways to hear him out.

"There will gossip. There will be media interest. Tomorrow evening you will be seen in the intimate company of Gotham's dashing new billionaire."

He waited while Winslow clenched and unclenched her fists, her shoulders rising and falling as she appeared to come to a decision. She returned to him, this time so close that he could feel her breath on his lips.

"By the same token, Benjamin Tate will be seen in the intimate company of the police commissioner's daughter," she replied. "You know, the Gotham City cop who slept with Bane? Do you think he can live with the scandal?"

"I believe you will find once you have investigated Mr. Tate, that he has been embroiled in a quite a few scandals of his own."

"No doubt," Winslow smiled, pulling away from him. "Now, it's time I returned to duty."

With little more than a brief goodnight she disappeared up the path to the house, leaving a smiling Bane alone with his thoughts.

Tomorrow evening he would declare victory over her, with her full cooperation. Their relationship would then proceed unpredictably, spontaneously, with much volatility and yes, scandal. Bane's member stiffened inside his trousers in anticipation.

Suddenly he realized he was not alone. Above him Barsad and Jade watched from a third-floor balcony. Jade waved enthusiastically, offering him a thumbs-up sign, while Barsad sulked next to her.

"So this is where you have been hiding," Talia called from the end of the dock. "Come inside. The ladies are asking for you."

"Very well, my dear. The party is a success, is it not?"

"Indeed it is. As are you," she replied as she took his hand. "Did you meet Mrs. Marjorie Weinberg? She has the most marvellous suggestion. She thinks the house and grounds here are perfect for hosting a wedding. I confess I never thought of it, but now I cannot get the vision of a beautiful young bride coming down the grand staircase out of my head. Who knows? Perhaps the daughter of one of our friends..."

Bane's stomach dropped and he frowned as he led her to the terrace. "You have a very busy social calendar and an important role at Wayne Enterprises. You also have political aspirations. It would not be wise to take on such a frivolous task at this time," he glowered.

"Oh, nonsense, Benjamin," she purred, straightening his bow tie again. "I can always find the time." She reached for a glass of champagne from a server's tray and slinked past him to join the throng of guests in the great hall. Her first stop was Commissioner Gordon, who was clearly enchanted by her.

Bane watched with admiration as she wrapped the Commissioner around her finger. She had always been a special child. She had the gift of getting her own way without ever appearing selfish or cruel. Her plan was to take Gotham down with soft power, but the purchase price was to be his domestication.

At tomorrow's meeting he would simply lay down the law. He would not be her tool. He would tell her that the things she had planned for Gotham could be accomplished without banishing him to the happily ever after. He highly suspected that it wasn't what Winslow would want either.

He had left the mask and the violence behind for Bruce Wayne's world. There was a woman he wanted and a woman he reported to, and balancing the two would take a great deal of effort on his part. As the orchestra launched into 'Waltz' from the 'Masquerade Suite', Bane too entered the great hall, resigned to begin the long uphill battle for his freedom.

Author's Note: And that's it, folks. The End. Thanks a million for your favourites and follows, and special thanks to all those who took the time to review. Now, how did Bane and Winslow's dinner date go? What were the terms of Barsad and Jade's bet? What transpired between Miranda and Commissioner Gordon? I leave that all up to your imaginations, Readers. And one more thing... who caught the line from Avengers: Infinity War? 😆