It was a night long after they left, about five years Bane would have estimated. He, Hooks, and Barsad were staying at a house on the beaches of a place in Mexico he couldn't pronounce. He wasn't really sure how they had ended up there, but it was secluded from civilization with no one but the drug cartels coming around. Those men knew better than to come to the beach house, though, because Bane's reputation was starting to catch up with him.

Bane had been talking with Hooks as they laid outside under the stars, something that sounded romantic, but had been the result of a long-standing spar with the woman he loved. She was snuggled up next to him, her head laying in the crook of his arm, and was staring up at the sky trying to figure out which constellations were which. She was clothed in nothing but bright yellow spandex shorts, and a hot pink sports bra, allowing him to admire all that she was. Scars lined her arms from years of fighting, and there were a few on her abdomen that stood out in the moonlight. She was shear perfection to him.

Barsad and Slim had driven the half hour into town to pick up supplies, in which supplies meant candy bars and women. Bane and Hooks both frowned upon Barsad's bringing home women, but Bane had convinced Hooks it was a man thing. After all, a man had to do what a man had to do.

"Um, hey there's Orion!" Hooks said delightedly, pointing her finger up at the sky.

Bane chuckled, "How many constellations is that now?"

"Two." She said proudly.

"One more than me." He smiled, even though she couldn't see it. He knew she knew when he did though, because she would smile back. He decided her smile was his favorite thing about the world.

She eyed him and put a hand on his chest, tracing circles with her fingers, "I like it here, we're not thinking about leaving are we? I mean, I know mercenary work requires us to travel the world, but we can always come back right?"

"Of course." He said.

"Good," She muttered, burying her head into his chest, "these are my favorite moments. Just you, me, Barsad, and Slim. The rebels without a cause, excommunicated from the League of Shadows, us against the world."

"That was a good speech."

"Thanks, I just thought of it now." She grinned, and then it faded as she asked, "What do you think it would be like with Mason around?"

Bane felt his stomach twist, something that rarely to never happened. A picture of his red haired friend popped into his mind, disappearing into a mass of clawing prisoners. He sighed, "Mason and Barsad together? It would definitely be more interesting than it already is."

Hooks giggled, "Isn't that the truth."

The front door opened, and they both craned their necks to find Barsad strolling through the door, both of his arms slung around the shoulders of two beautiful Latina women, a bottle of whiskey clasped in one of his hands. He had a pleasant grin plastered on his face, and set a bag of groceries down on the counter.

Hooks jumped to her feet, making her way inside to say, "Nice to see you're home, Barsad."

"Nice to see you too, Hooks." Barsad said, "I brought home some bread."

Bane watched Hooks rummage through the grocery bag and pull out a bag of chips and two bottles of soda. She arched an eyebrow and said, "I don't see any bread."

Barsad frowned, "Damn, I must have forgot it."

Hooks smiled, rolling her eyes, and said, "Go get it, brother."

"The bread?" He asked, a look of confusion passing over his features.

"No you dumbass." Hooks muttered, "Pussy."

Barsad burst out laughing and grinned at her, "Oh, trust me, I will."

She watched him lead the girls down the hall, and Bane found it the prime opportunity to wrap his arms around her waist. She rested her small hands on his, and said, "And how about you?"

He arched an eyebrow, "What about me?"

"Are you going to get it?"

He felt himself smile unbiddenly, and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Am I?"

He felt her shoulders shake as she laughed, and then she unwrapped herself from his arms and pulled him towards the end of the house their bedroom was on. There was a burst of giggling from Barsad's room, and Hooks gave him a sultry look.

They were just about to enter the room when the phone rang, and Hooks rolled her eyes, "You've got to be kidding me."

"I'll be right back." He said, and went to answer the phone.

"Bane." The voice said, and for the first time in his life, Bane was shocked. The voice paused for a moment before continuing, "Do you know who this is?"

"Yes." He said, the word like acid in his mouth.

"Then you've heard of Ra's al Ghul's death."

"I have."

"The League is over, Bane." The voice said, "The operatives have fled before the government could get a hold of them. Everything Ra's worked for is gone."

"And why would you think I would care?" Bane asked.

"Because I know you are a man of honor." The voice said, "And Ra's al Ghul was murdered by a dishonorable fraud. You know of whom I speak."

"The Batman I'm assuming."

"Precisely."

"I'm still not quite understanding why you posses a thought in your mind that I would care." Bane said, his grip on the phone tightening.

"Bane, are you coming?" Hooks called in the other room.

"I have a plan to bring the League back and make Batman pay for what he's done. I have a plan that would bring the world to its knees and restore power to the people instead of the corrupt business owners and government." The voice said.

Bane's interest was peaked, and he found himself actually leaning against the kitchen counter saying, "I'm listening."

"Do I have your guarantee?" The voice asked, "I need your help. You have men and resources that I don't, and I have the social status and power that you don't."

"Your point in all of this?"

"You and I can make the perfect team." The voice said, "All you need to do is say yes."

"I need more details before I agree to anything." Bane said, "Especially a proposition from you."

The voice chuckled, "Oh Bane, you don't think that was personal do you? I had to get you away from Beck."

"Her name is Hooks." Bane said forcefully.

"Okay, okay, no need for hostility." The voice said, "I will discuss with you the details of my plan if, and only if, I have your loyalty. You of all people should know trust is the key. I can't just tell my plans to just any old mercenary." the voice paused, "So what will it be, Bane? Do you want to be the one who changed the world, or die a low life mercenary in the slums?"

Bane smiled, "You always knew the thing to say."

"Can I count you in?"

Bane thought about it, thought about the lives that would be lost, and figured they were all going to die someday. He sighed, "Yes, you can count me in."

"Great!" Talia al Ghul exclaimed, "I look forward to our future relationship."

"I bet you do." Bane said, and hung up the phone, heading into the bedroom where Hooks was waiting for him.

Okay, so I've still been getting some reviews on this story asking if I was continuing it or if I had given it up. I just thought I'd write a little prologue and let everyone know that this story is finished and has been for a little over a year now! :) I have the sequel up called Vow to Destroy, which I will hopefully have updated tomorrow! I've had nothing but good memories from this story, and I hope all of you who have read this will head on over to Vow to Destroy for another good time. As most of you who have read my A/N's know I like to get a little crazy sometimes. So tally ho good chaps!