My Angel: Chapter One (Part 1)

Rated R (nothing real bad in this one)

Enjoy

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, or anything. EXCEPT! Anika. She's all mine. But the rest belongs to some guy who made Firewall. (to lazy to look)


It was a down drift, the rain strikes the ground like a cruel matter. Bouncing off the floor like beads of ice, cold and damp. Anika stood out here, completely soaked and blinded, she was cold and frightened. She couldn't go back to the warmth of the house a couple of feet or meters away, her new home.

Strange men had taken over the house, took hostage her family and now sat around like pigs waiting for an order. Anika had only escaped by dashing out the back door, she had herd her adoptive (or soon to be) mother's panic calls towards Sarah, her eldest (adoptive) sister. The moment Anika had felt the danger up a hand, she had ducked for safety and out here in search of help.

It was no good though, the closets neighbor were at least 10 km's away. And with the rain and darkness, she couldn't make out anything but her feet and the rain.

When she figured herself lost after turning endlessly to try to make out anything around her, a small light coming up ahead attracted her. She stood still looking curiously towards it. Help maybe? She hopped, as the light shone brighter it was only then that she figured the lights to be one of a car's headlights, she wasn't sure at first but came quickly to realize she stood in the middle of a road with a fast advancing car heading straight to her in a rush.

She was standing there, in dangers way. All she could do was scream at moments before the car stops dead in his track before the bumper came in contact with Anika's legs. They didn't hurt her though, just pushed her a small notch. She breathes heavily, having been nearly stuck by a car and standing in the cold, wet darkness; fear was all she could feel at present moment.

She watches the driver demount the car, relief spread over her at the sight of Jack Stanfield, her soon to be adoptive father. He seemed troubled, he stands near the car. All she could think about was how much she was happy at seeing him, Jack was here now, everything will be alright! Or she thought...

"Ana" Jack calls, she hears the worry in his voice but waves it off; believing he felt guilty at almost hitting her.

"Jack!" Anika cries in joy, she runs forth to him. He motions a hand quickly to hault her in place. Only then did she notice that second figure standing now behind Jack, arm raised with a gun pointing to Jack; the gun frightened her. She froze, even with the harsh rain battering down on her head and shoulders; completely soaking her, she stayed as stiff as a stone.

"Ana" begun Jack again, after being told something from the man standing behind him. "Come over here sweet heart, come in the car" he says, it was evident in his voice that he was far from happy to draw her into this situation.

"Jack! There's someone behind you! He's one of those men carrying guns who broke into our house! What's going on?" she screams, it became obvious the one standing behind Jack became impatient, Ana sees him bark something at Jack.

"Don't argue with me Ana! Get in the car!" the order from Jack confirmed her theory, this was serious. She marches unwillingly to the car. Jack went back in while the man with the gun motioned for Ana to hop into the back seat. She slides into the back; she was pushed further in to let the man get back into the car. He shuts the door taking in dry air, that's when her eyes met his ice cold familiar ones.

"Hello Ana" he greets her; he didn't notice how everything in Anika's being stopped abruptly at the sight and voice of this man. He had fine blond hair which seemed to have a mixture to form dirty blond hair, patted down and soaked from the rain, he owned high cheek bones, and those eyes; those sky blue eyes which she would express to be both cold and odd, and so familiar. Every feature of his face seemed to dig in her mind, in her memory; a part in which she could no longer remember. She couldn't place him, so many memories begged to be brought back, who is he? Why is he so familiar to her? This was more then just a déjà vu; this was a wake up call.

They arrived at the house in less then 5 minutes, she didn't realize how far she had walked. The rain and dark together had blinded her, thus she hadn't realized she had passed the gate and was headed to the main street heading to the high way. Ana remained in silence while still in the state of shock and wonder; where had she seen this man before? How could such a man bring her back thoughts and memories about her past like this?

Was her past formed around this man, or maybe someone similar to him? No, how could it be? How could it? Jack parks the car quickly, Ana notices the van parked outside, next to another car. How many men were there inside the house? She wondered, the man with the handgun pushes Anika along with him when he exits the car, back in that blasted rain. She marches quickly to get out of his grip and next to Jack's side, who concentrated everything in his might on getting to the house; his family was on his mind.

Another strange man, brown hair, brown eyes type with a shot gun in his hold opens the door for them, Jack hesitates to walk in, but the blond hair man with the hand gun standing behind them persuades Jack and Anika to go forth. Jack pushes Anika in front of him and walks in; Ana scans the area, secretly counting heads to see how many strangers occupied the house.

"Where are they?" Jack asks, the stress was still in his voice, this event was clearly not just frightening for her, it was for him too. He was seeking his family; no one needed a brain to guess this.

"Threw here" Again that voice, the hand gunned blond hair man's velvet voice resounds in her mind. But a memory. This phrase always seemed to come back to her whenever she would hear him speak. Jack was quick to rush to the living room, Ana nearly cries at the sight of Beth, Andy and Sarah hand tied on the couch. Anika followed when Jack rushes to them to remove the tape over their mouths.

"Why have you done this for God's sakes? They're children" Jack asks, Ana looks towards the blond hair man now surrounded by his men. He spoke to them calmly, asking a simple question in which the man on his right tried to justify himself for tying them up. The blond man waves off his excuse and walks forth, she had secretly over herd one name; Whilly man who seems out of place. The blond one was certainly the leader, seeming confident in what he was doing, there was 5 of them; an even match. Except the problem that they were all armed and all men; against her, Beth, Jack and the kids, they didn't stand a chance.

With their mouths now liberated, Jack sits down next to Andy, holding the poor boy as close as he could to him. He looks towards the blond man; certainly the leader, who reaches the couch in front of the family.

"I want to know what you want and I want to know now" Jack barks, the blond guy seemed unmoved by Jack's direct approach; keeping it calm and cool. While he began to speak to Beth, Ana scans the faces of each men surrounding them, standing nervously next to Sarah; for there was no other seat available for her. The man named Whilly was seated next to a tech-looking guy who seemed to have just came out of collage, the one who had opened the door for Jack and herself stood behind the couch her family sat on, there was also the last one, who looked as equally serious as his boss did. Just by his face Anika could tell those two worked together. Partners in crime perhaps?

Anika had only caught some part of the rules the blond haired man explained, she hopped they wouldn't be too important, in case he asked her to repeat any of it. All she knew is that he wanted them to cooperate to some plan, what sort? She didn't know. But Jack seemed to, a little...maybe not. He spoke slowly and orderly, his voice was killing her; where had she herd it before? It wasn't like a movie star voice where you could find it in a film or television (by the way, she found those new inventions so awesome! She didn't remember them apparently and had a blast with the Stanfield's high stander of technological living), in any case, she stares at him with an intense interest, which she didn't realize he came to notice after asking each of her family member to cooperate.

The 3rd child was staring at him, annoyingly, the thorn of this family. His eyes goes to her, she had came in this family during the weeks they had observed them. But none of his men could identify her anymore then her name; Ana. He wasn't sure what to expect of her; she had a velvet coating on her whenever his eyes would fall on her picture or description, that coating; as he didn't expect, now seemed to have a second impact on him, an attraction towards the 14 year old child. He would have to keep an eye on that one.

"And what about you? Odd one out?" he asks, calm and smooth, calculating her moves with his eyes, observing her like a real criminal. Anika could only manage to nod her head, completely out of it. "Jack" the man continues, without taking his eyes off Ana, "Remind me and my men who this thorn is again? The black sheep of this family of yours?" he was trying already to hurt her, see her reactions to name calling; already working on hurting her mentally before physically; if ever need be. Jack takes a moment before being able to speak.

"Her name's Anika, we found her washed ashore on our beach just a couple of months ago. The police didn't know what to do with her, uh, we're still in the process in getting her adoptable. Nothing's official yet"

"An illegal thorn? Very interesting" he says, his expression was strange, Ana would have sworn she saw a flash of evil joy in his eyes at learning she wasn't officially legal yet, or even adoptable. Maybe he took it as an advantage? But for what purpose? "Did they find anything else?" he continues, still not looking at Jack; his eyes completely thrilled by her.

"Nothing, she has amnesia, she doesn't remember what happened to her, or anything else. The police can't find any identification, it's almost like she doesn't even exist. We took her in for the time that the law decides what to do about her" Jack says with a groan, all this story was tiring him. Even Ana felt as though she was becoming more of a burden then a new family member.

"Is that so?" he says, it was obvious that he was still unsatisfied with the answer Jack gave him. "We'll see to this a little later" he looked at Jack at that point, "Do you keep a gun in the house Jack?" he asks. A gun? Where was this going? Jack gives him a harsh face.

"No" he answers simply, with one motion of the man's head the other brown sub-leader strikes Jack over the head and throws a handgun on the couch next to Jack, at seeing the gun Anika backs away frightened, she knew what damage they could do. The curly haired man stops her from going any further. The boss approaches Jack, and spoke to him, Anika refused to hear anymore about that gun, her safety in this house was shattered, after all that time, there was this fatal weapon in this house, her new found sanctuary. Well, not any more.

After a few words of exchange the boss nods and orders the curly hair to untie the family. He rises to his feet, before leaving his eyes scan Ana's soaked clothing, he turns to Beth.

"Beth, get Ana some dry clothes. She'll be with me for a few moment. A better way for me to know how much a real burden she truly is to us" he says, is was obvious on Jack's face he wanted to intervene though held his tongue for Ana's sake. Beth looks to her husband for answers, he simply nods. She looks back at the man before lifting with her children and guiding them to the bedroom followed by the sub-leader. "Liam" the boss calls to the man following them, the man turns, Liam, second name. Only three more to go. "Bring Ana to her room when she's in dry clothes" he states before turning and leaving. Liam turns back to Beth and hurries her forward.

Beth had lead Ana in the restroom taking out some clean clothes from the dryer. Ana remains silent in thought; the kids occupied the bedroom, so she and Beth were alone for now. Beth brings the clothes to Ana, Anika slowly begun undressing; Beth saw the distress on Ana's face.

"What's the matter Ana? You look troubled" she asks. Anika's eyes goes to settle on Beth's face.

"Who is he? What does he want with us?" She asks, completely absent minded.

"I don't know sweetheart. We'll just have to be patient" that answer wasn't enough for Ana, she bites her lower lip, close to tears. Beth saw this clearly, "Tell me what's bothering you Ana. If you're scared, you don't have to hide it--"

"I think I know him" Ana interrupts, he voice was shaky and broken.

"What? What do you mean?" Ana eye's gave in to tears, they race down her face aimlessly.

"I don't know...I don't know why his face is so familiar to me, I've seen him before, before I can remember. I can't remember anything but I know he's there...I know it" she falls to her knees crying out loudly, her head was hurting from forcing to hard to remember something she could never remember. Beth kneels down besides the sobbing girl, pulls her into a embrace and spoke softly to calm the girl.

"Shh, Ana. Everything is going to be alright, you'll see. We'll just have to be patient, when they get what they want, they'll leave. Who ever this man is, I promise he won't lay a hand on you" Anika believed what Beth told her, but she still couldn't figure out herself, the frustration was tiring her; what was this suppose to prove to her? Another life begging for her to return to it maybe? Whatever it was; all she knew was she needs to find out who he really was, and what did he want from her and her new found family?They stayed a moment on that floor, Beth was the first to move.

"C'mon honey, that man probably want to see you as soon as possible. Lets make this quick so you can come back to bed and get some rest" Anika lifts to her feet, she nods and begins removing her clothes. Removing both her t-shirt and jeans, leaving her in her undergarment. That's when the bathroom door burst opens allowing the man named Liam to walk in. "Hey!" Beth angrily snaps in Laim's direction, hiding Ana behind her even though it was not helping much. "She's not ready yet! Just give her a moment!"

"Bill's getting impatient. He's not a very patient man as you can tell" he states, his smirk on his face becomes a wicked one at looking at Anika. She knew he was examining her and hid more behind Beth the best she could.

"Well you just tell him he'll have to wait a little longer" Beth says in defense.

"My job is to bring her to Bill when she's in dry clothes. As I can see it, she's in dry clothes" he says, enjoying this game very much, "And I'm sure Bill would be very pleased" he continues. At hearing the name; only one part of his name, of Liam's boss made Ana quiver. The thought of having 5 men in her house with equally alike vile minds like Liam frightened her even more.

"Give her a moment" Beth growls, the last part must have angered her more then his lack of respect for her daughter's privacy. He stood there a moment before turning and leaving, closing the restroom door behind him. Beth keeps her glare on the door before turning back to the shivering girl. "Okay, lets get you in these" she says calmly, giving Ana her dry clothes. Anika was quick to put on her clothes, not wanting the same event to happen twice, if Liam was the sort of sub-leader, then how on earth was their boss 'Bill' like?

Dressed now Beth opens the door, Liam was there waiting impatiently. Beth gives Ana's shoulder one last squeeze before Liam led her to her room. Soon she would be able to face the man in question, this 'Bill' everyone seemed to follow like loyal dogs, the man who is the key to her forgotten past, maybe this talk will answer everything for her, maybe tonight fate would finally give her the answer she seeked, find her way back home; wherever that home may.

Liam opens the door of her room, she saw the man standing there faced to her bed; his back faced to them, upon hearing them come in he turns to greet them with his calm smile.

"Hello Ana" he starts, Liam left without saying anything, closing the door behind him. Anika takes a glimpse at the door before returning her attention towards the man again. He approaches slowly. "How are you this evening?" he asks, Ana was to remain quiet; keep him out of her life as much as she could, but her stupid mouth opens to allow a lifeless;

"Fine" to escape, his eyes remain on her; that smirk of his hadn't fade either as though it was glued there.

"Yes? Good, good. So, Ana. How did you manage to avoid my men?" he asks, folding his arms. Appearing wiser and stronger then her.

"I don't know" she answers, not thinking at all in this present moment.

"How can you not? They told me you found an exit by the back. Very clever but still dangerous, you could have very well gotten killed. You would have done me a favor; already a lovely action from yourself towards your guest, which would be me, and on the very first day as well. I'm thrilled, but don't let that carry you away, we're watching you now" he finishes his phrase with a clear warning in his voice.

She didn't even flinch, but every word he spoke registered in her mind, stored in her still recuperating memory bank. He smiles at her silence, she seemed to be one obedient girl, a good feature; although she would cause him trouble, he felt it deep inside if she ever would rebel, he would have to take her head on. Like Jack.

"Now, to make proper greetings. Tell me your name" he asks, leaning his weight on one leg. She blinks a couple of time before she had the answer come to her mouth.

"Uh...my name is Anika, Anika Bird" he lifts an eye brow. Shit, did she really say 'Bird'?

"Is that your family name?" he asks, resisting the urge to laugh at the poor girl's unfortunate name, she read this off his face, he was putting a bit too much serious on his exaggerated face of his.

"No, it's my middle name" she grumbles, surprised at her tone of voice towards this criminal. He could be a short temper kind of person that if your voice displeases them they could kill you or worst! Worst? What can be worst then death? Guh! There she goes again thinking the worst of things, had she nothing better to do then think negatively?

"Ah? Then what's your last name Anika" he continues, the humor in him had at least faded, but he pronounced her name with the same tone she answered him with. It got to him quickly, she'll be careful with that from now on.

"I don't remember" she states ashamed. How could she remember her middle, but not her last name? This is how strange all this was to her, as though she was a computer reprogramed to carry a new family's name, but still know her title.

"And why do you suppose you don't remember?" he was persuading the questioning, scratching for any information which would some day come in useful for him and his plan. Her head lowers in guilt.

"I lost my memory, I don't even know my real parents. I forgot everything about my past"

"Yes, that's what Jack told me. You were washed up ashore right?" she nods, "Then do you have anything to do with sailing? Riding a boat maybe? A ship, swimming--"

"I can't swim" she cuts in before he could finish, he wasn't thrilled at being interrupted although he wouldn't start something now.

"No? Interesting" he trails off, thinking. "So you remember nothing about your past since the Stanfields found you washed on their beach. What a story, a little lost orphan, with no home nor name. Not even nationally legal yet. So where do you think you came from? Anika is an unusual name, certainly not American, European maybe?" she shrugs, unsure herself.

"I think I come from the North, I can speak French, it startled the Stanfields hearing me speak another language when I clearly don't remember anything else" she states, looking back in his eyes.

"It's possible. By looking at you I would have believed you to be German, or very well from England. As myself" he gives a smirk, proud of his home land. What was he doing here then? "But I'll hand it to you, the Northern atmosphere is the best guest. But I'm not here to speak to you about your race, I'm here to make sure you cooperate and don't let that little running away phase become common" he approaches her, he stares straight into her golden ring colored eyes, seeming as sweet as honey which somehow gave out the message of her purity and innocence.

They also sent this unusual tingly feeling sending shivers down his spine, sexual thoughts would enter his mind, but for what cause? She was just a child, and it was evident he was not the only one of his men who felt the same by looking at her in her eyes, a strange force grew over their mind wanting to do nothing more then claim her theirs. He thought them weak, but here he was himself, growing attracted and weakened by the innocence and attractive force coming from her eyes as gold as anything he's ever seen. Who has gold colored eyes? Just by continuing to stare into those pot of gold, his only thoughts were to bring her closer to him, remove all obstacles keeping her safe bond away from his own body growing with a strange yet powerful need.

Liam had told him a preview of what he had seen when Beth had changed her into new clothes, he thought Liam crazy to have called the child 'a flat beauty', beauty? From a child? And not just any god damn 14 year old, a Stanfield! An ignorant little pest surely to be the cause of many problems in his plan! He was sure the feeling was not love, hell, love a shrunken girl? That's a thought, but the feelings were worst, sexual attraction; to this shrunken, flat chest girl whose brainwashed by this god forsaken family?

He turns away viciously, getting annoyed at his thoughts, keep it cool Bill. Was all he was able to tell himself past the stronger feeling telling him to move in her, forget the age, go in. Hell with it all, he would stay under control, for the sake of his plan. And his men had better do the same, or they'll be in some serious troubles, this he could promise.

"May I ask you a question?" Anika speaks up, finally finding courage to do more then answer his questions and answering with a blunt fine. He turns back to her intrigued, and very much interested in what possible question she could have for him. She swallows deeply before pushing her first question, "What's your name?" he smiles cleverly.

"Bill Cox, but you can stick with Bill" he answers calmly. watching her face expression carefully.

"Bill Cox?" he nods, "Why are you hurting my family?" she continues, he remains unmoved; he didn't answer her, just watched her. "What do you want with us?" no answer, complete silence from the man, "What did we ever do to you?" still nothing, "Why won't you answer me!" a nasty smirk grew from his smile, he was liking her growing anger, it made her; cute. "Just leave my family alone!" she finally screamed.

"Is this really your family?" he spoke smoothly, ignoring the cries which had followed after her scream. She paused at the question.

"What?"

"Are they really your family?" he repeats, ignoring her question. She take a moment looking into his eyes confused, what was he trying to prove?

"Yes...of course" she answers in a whisper, unsure herself of this answer. How couldn't she be? His eyes narrow at her uncertain response, he approaches her, she fidgets at having him now so close to her.

"Are you certain?" he asks in a whisper close to her face. She trembles, afraid of answering.

"I...don't know...I think so" he stays a moment close to her before he backs away and heads to the door. He looks back at her.

"Think this over night Ana, we'll continue this in the morning" he opens the door, Liam was stationed just outside, upon seeing the door open it was a sign for Ana to leave. As she passes by Bill to leave she hears him whisper to her; "Be sure to know which side you're on Ana. I might have plans for you, I wouldn't want to find you on the losing streak" she looks at him with a confused expression, she was about to ask him what he meant although Liam pushes her forth towards the bedroom.

She found comfort at seeing Beth, Andy and Sarah. They turn their attention on her instantly. Liam leaves the room slamming the door behind him. Anika, at the moment the door closes behind her, she runs into the warm embrace of Beth; her soon to be mother; if she wants to.