Disclaimer: The Witchblade Movie, Series, Comics, and characters belong to Top Cow Productions. I own nothing but the idea here.
Thanks to the people who comment! I couldn't do this without you guys! I hope you like this chapter. I know I liked writing it...even if it took some time for me to post it. Sorry, guys. ^_^ And guess what! I'm now a full-fledged highschool graduate! Yes! Yes! Yes! ^_^ ...Oh, and I'm going with a group of my friends to the beach in a few days. I'll be gone for some time so I'll try to finish this before then. I guess this is short in comparison to other stories, but I like to keep my fics brief because sometimes if its too long I lose the feel of it and discontinue the entire thing. But, if you guys really like how this turns out, I might make a sequel. Deal? ^_^
The Heart Remembers
Chapter 7
I watch her from out of the corner of my eye at breakfast. She's stopped to chew, a thoughtful look on her face. Her mind's clearly elsewhere, but I cannot help but notice how her hand rubs at the wrist where the Witchblade belongs. I wonder how long I can keep them apart...
When will she ask me about it? ...And what will happen once they're rejoined?
I lean back as Thomas takes the used plates and platters. Waiting for him to return with dessert, I look at Sara again. She's turned away from the window and now smiles at me. As she's come to accept what lies I've told her, she's become more composed. But, what haunts me is the sadness in her eyes. It's no secret that she does not love Irons and never will love him. As much as that relieves me, I know it goes against what I've led her to believe and that wars against her sense of honor. Not for the first time, I wish that things were different.
Once Thomas has served the dishes of fresh fruit, I dismiss him so that I might speak to Sara alone.
"Sara..."
"Yes, Ian?"
"Your husband called this morning while you were still sleeping."
"Oh... Did he want to speak to me?"
"Yes, but he didn't want to disturb you. ...He asked how you were."
"What did you say?" She asks softly, afraid.
"I said you were still unwell. ...I didn't think you'd want to see him yet."
She flushes in shame, looking down at her lap.
"No. I don't." She looks up at me with a wan smile. "Thank you."
"It's nothing." Nonchalant, I simply shrug.
"...Is it still snowing outside?"
I blink at the sudden change of subject.
"I don't think so."
"Do you think we could take a walk?"
"I guess," I reply.
Leaving the table, I move to open the dining room's French doors, which lead out into the snow-covered grounds. It is just as I step out after her that I realize how cold it is.
"We should go back to get you a coat."
"I'm fine," she insists.
When she sees me frown, she lets out a soft laugh that rings out around us. At that moment, I find myself falling in love with her all over again...and I regret the things I must do in order to protect her.
As she stubbornly trudges along, I catch up and shrug off my coat to place it around her. She tries to push it away but then gives in at my persistence. Rolling her eyes, she continues to walk towards the woods nearby. We lapse into a comfortable silence as we walk amongst the trees. It is so peaceful here. I can almost imagine that we are married and after our walk, we will curl up before the fire with cups of hot chocolate. I stifle a soft sigh and turn to watch her beside me. Some of the old light has returned to her eyes and her cheeks are flushed from the cold, returning color to her pale features. Catching my eye, she smiles.
I start to smile back when I suddenly sense that we are not alone. I catch hold of her arm and force her to stop. She looks at me in confusion, then her eyes narrow as she too senses that something is wrong. Ignoring her insulted look, I force her to stay behind me as I scan our surroundings. Just as I've spotted the source of danger, it leaps at me and goes for my throat, a grey wolf almost as large as I am. I can hear Sara scream as she falls behind me. As I struggle with the great beast, the one thing on my mind is that I must protect her. I catch hold of its throat and try to shove it off me. If only I could reach for the knife in my boot... Then, a gunshot echoes through the forest and the wolf falls upon me with a loud thud. Quickly recovering from shock, I push the wolf off and shakily rise to my feet. I find Sara's hand at my arm to steady me. Looking at her other hand, I find a gun gripped tightly in it. All the joy has fled from her face and now only concern is left. Concern and...fear.
Why is she afraid?
"I thought I'd lose you."
I didn't realize I'd spoken my query aloud, but her reply is a shock enough for me. I remain frozen in place until her cold lips on mine shake me from my reverie. I weakly push her away, but she firmly holds on.
"Don't push me away, Ian. I'm not going to go. ...Not unless, you can look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me."
She forces me to look at her and I look helplessly back. I don't know what to say. I love her. I've always loved her, but I don't deserve her. I struggle to keep firm my resolve, but I feel it weaken under her penetrating gaze. Just as I open my mouth to speak, I notice a change come over her face. Determination has fled in the face of despair and she turns from me as if to run. Realizing that, I hold her back with shaking hands and pull her into the circle of my arms.
"Sara, things are going to change and I fear for the worst, but I want you to always remember that no matter what happens I love you. I've always loved you. Don't let anyone let you think otherwise."
"Then, why won't you be with me, Ian?"
I bite my lip and bury my face in her hair.
"Because circumstances go against us."
She turns around in my embrace to look up at me.
"But, we can fight it together."
When I just shake my head, she buries her face in my chest and I tighten my hold on her. After some time, she slowly steps away with a bittersweet smile on her face. She brushes her lips against mine then leans forward to whisper.
"I love you."
When she turns from me this time, I just stand and watch her walk away.
Thanks to the people who comment! I couldn't do this without you guys! I hope you like this chapter. I know I liked writing it...even if it took some time for me to post it. Sorry, guys. ^_^ And guess what! I'm now a full-fledged highschool graduate! Yes! Yes! Yes! ^_^ ...Oh, and I'm going with a group of my friends to the beach in a few days. I'll be gone for some time so I'll try to finish this before then. I guess this is short in comparison to other stories, but I like to keep my fics brief because sometimes if its too long I lose the feel of it and discontinue the entire thing. But, if you guys really like how this turns out, I might make a sequel. Deal? ^_^
The Heart Remembers
Chapter 7
I watch her from out of the corner of my eye at breakfast. She's stopped to chew, a thoughtful look on her face. Her mind's clearly elsewhere, but I cannot help but notice how her hand rubs at the wrist where the Witchblade belongs. I wonder how long I can keep them apart...
When will she ask me about it? ...And what will happen once they're rejoined?
I lean back as Thomas takes the used plates and platters. Waiting for him to return with dessert, I look at Sara again. She's turned away from the window and now smiles at me. As she's come to accept what lies I've told her, she's become more composed. But, what haunts me is the sadness in her eyes. It's no secret that she does not love Irons and never will love him. As much as that relieves me, I know it goes against what I've led her to believe and that wars against her sense of honor. Not for the first time, I wish that things were different.
Once Thomas has served the dishes of fresh fruit, I dismiss him so that I might speak to Sara alone.
"Sara..."
"Yes, Ian?"
"Your husband called this morning while you were still sleeping."
"Oh... Did he want to speak to me?"
"Yes, but he didn't want to disturb you. ...He asked how you were."
"What did you say?" She asks softly, afraid.
"I said you were still unwell. ...I didn't think you'd want to see him yet."
She flushes in shame, looking down at her lap.
"No. I don't." She looks up at me with a wan smile. "Thank you."
"It's nothing." Nonchalant, I simply shrug.
"...Is it still snowing outside?"
I blink at the sudden change of subject.
"I don't think so."
"Do you think we could take a walk?"
"I guess," I reply.
Leaving the table, I move to open the dining room's French doors, which lead out into the snow-covered grounds. It is just as I step out after her that I realize how cold it is.
"We should go back to get you a coat."
"I'm fine," she insists.
When she sees me frown, she lets out a soft laugh that rings out around us. At that moment, I find myself falling in love with her all over again...and I regret the things I must do in order to protect her.
As she stubbornly trudges along, I catch up and shrug off my coat to place it around her. She tries to push it away but then gives in at my persistence. Rolling her eyes, she continues to walk towards the woods nearby. We lapse into a comfortable silence as we walk amongst the trees. It is so peaceful here. I can almost imagine that we are married and after our walk, we will curl up before the fire with cups of hot chocolate. I stifle a soft sigh and turn to watch her beside me. Some of the old light has returned to her eyes and her cheeks are flushed from the cold, returning color to her pale features. Catching my eye, she smiles.
I start to smile back when I suddenly sense that we are not alone. I catch hold of her arm and force her to stop. She looks at me in confusion, then her eyes narrow as she too senses that something is wrong. Ignoring her insulted look, I force her to stay behind me as I scan our surroundings. Just as I've spotted the source of danger, it leaps at me and goes for my throat, a grey wolf almost as large as I am. I can hear Sara scream as she falls behind me. As I struggle with the great beast, the one thing on my mind is that I must protect her. I catch hold of its throat and try to shove it off me. If only I could reach for the knife in my boot... Then, a gunshot echoes through the forest and the wolf falls upon me with a loud thud. Quickly recovering from shock, I push the wolf off and shakily rise to my feet. I find Sara's hand at my arm to steady me. Looking at her other hand, I find a gun gripped tightly in it. All the joy has fled from her face and now only concern is left. Concern and...fear.
Why is she afraid?
"I thought I'd lose you."
I didn't realize I'd spoken my query aloud, but her reply is a shock enough for me. I remain frozen in place until her cold lips on mine shake me from my reverie. I weakly push her away, but she firmly holds on.
"Don't push me away, Ian. I'm not going to go. ...Not unless, you can look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me."
She forces me to look at her and I look helplessly back. I don't know what to say. I love her. I've always loved her, but I don't deserve her. I struggle to keep firm my resolve, but I feel it weaken under her penetrating gaze. Just as I open my mouth to speak, I notice a change come over her face. Determination has fled in the face of despair and she turns from me as if to run. Realizing that, I hold her back with shaking hands and pull her into the circle of my arms.
"Sara, things are going to change and I fear for the worst, but I want you to always remember that no matter what happens I love you. I've always loved you. Don't let anyone let you think otherwise."
"Then, why won't you be with me, Ian?"
I bite my lip and bury my face in her hair.
"Because circumstances go against us."
She turns around in my embrace to look up at me.
"But, we can fight it together."
When I just shake my head, she buries her face in my chest and I tighten my hold on her. After some time, she slowly steps away with a bittersweet smile on her face. She brushes her lips against mine then leans forward to whisper.
"I love you."
When she turns from me this time, I just stand and watch her walk away.
