Chapter 6
8 AM
Sara opens the door to find a blond haired woman standing there.

"I'm Jas"

Sara nods "Sara. Come on in." she steps aside allowing the woman to enter. She sighs hearing Ana whimper "She had a bad night" she informs Jas

Jas nods

Sara picks Ana up "Why are you crying huh? Your usually happy" she kisses the baby's head. "This is Anastasia."

Jas smiles immediately taken by the little girl "She is adorable"

Sara smiles back "Well she's not at her best."

"Can I...?" Jas asks nodding at Ana

"Sure" Sara hands the baby to her "I just made some coffee. Want some?"

"Sounds good" Jas replies

Sara turns to the kitchen "So how do you know him?"

"My brother was in the military with him. After he was killed Ian started keeping tabs on me."

"And Irons allowed that?" Sara says incredulously

Jas shakes her head "Irons has no idea that Ian keeps track of me." she sits on the floor putting Ana on her back she hands Ana a toy. "Besides if he knew you think he'd let me live?"

"Probably not"

"What do you want to know about me?"

Sara looks at the young woman thoughtfully "That's about it. If he trusts you I guess I can too. I guess we'll give this a try." she grabs the two mugs handing one to Jas. "My work hours are a little odd at times. Sometimes I work at nights. Others I'm on call. I won't expect you to be on call all the time. I have another friend who can watch her every once in a while."

"My days are pretty empty. The work I do I can do anywhere."

"What do you do?"

"Make webpages. Consult on them."

Sara chuckles "I think you'll get along with Gabriel then."

"Gabriel?"

"Yeah he's a friend who watched Ana the last few days. He'll probably stop by every so often."

"Anyone else?"

"Uh Nottingham tends to show up when he wants."

"As always" Jas laughs

"Well he tends to come through the windows or he'll sit out on the fire escape. Half the time he freaks me out."

"He's quiet" Jas shrugs

"If Irons stops by definately don't leave him alone with her."

"Do you think he'll show up?"

"Its Irons" Sara replies with a shrug "Make yourself at home. Cabinets are full."

"Does she have a schedule?"

"Not really. We haven't really established one. She takes a nap mid morning and afternoon. I'm trying to get her into the habit of having a bottle before she goes down for a nap. Sometimes she finishes one. I give her Cheerios when I eat."

"Baby food?"

"There are a couple jars. I just started giving her baby food last night."

"All right."

"I have to get going... I have an early meeting. My cell and office number are on the refrigerator. As is Gabe and my Partner Jake McCartey's numbers. If its a big emergency and neither of them answer try Ian he seems to know where I am before I do."

Jas nods "Sounds just like him" she laughs

"I don't know when I'll be back... I'll try to be home by 6 or 7." Sara says grabbing her helmet. "There's an extra set of keys on the counter." she pulls on her jacket "Call if you need anything." she calls over her shoulder as she hurries out the door.

Jas looks at the baby and smiles "Your Mom is a whirlwind huh"

Ana regards the woman holding her thoughtfully then smiles

"You are adorable" Jas laughs "how about we find something to do."


Jake and Sara's office
"Hey Partner" Jake greets looking up from the paperwork before him "You look exhausted"

Sara scowls "Don't start on me."

"Ana have a short night?"

Sara nods "Kept crying."

"Babies do that" Jake replies

"Yeah I know."

"Gabe watching her?"

"No... I found her a babysitter."

"Who?"

"A friend of a friend. Anything new on any of the
cases?" she asks changing the subject.

"Not much really."


That evening
Sara enters the apartment to find Jas on the floor with Ana playing with some plastic blocks. "How'd it go?"

Jas sits Ana up "Look who's that?" she asks taking the baby's hand she points at Sara

Ana's eyes widen and she begins the chatter away around her pacifier.

Sara laughs picking up Ana. "Hey you"

Ana waves her hands excitedly

"You know Anastasia we are going to have to work on your talking skills because I'm betting you have important things to say" Sara says kissing the baby's cheek "How'd she do?"

"Cried on and off through out the day. Otherwise she was very well-behaved." Jas assures

"Good." Sara nods

"She ate a jar of pears about an hour ago. I just changed her about fifteen minutes ago."

"Thanks" Sara says

"What time do you need me tomorrow?" Jas asks

"Uh 8:30. I have to be at work at nine."

Jas nods "Sounds good." she gathers her laptop and papers "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thanks for watching her."

"Not a problem she's a real sweetie." Jas pulls on her jacket "Bye Ana" she waves to the baby as she closes the door behind her.

"Well Anastasia what should we do?" Sara muses aloud.


Chapter 7
Over a week later
Sara sighs "Gabe thanks for watching her."

"Anytime. Besides she slept most of the time."

"I would have called Jas but I've called her every day this week to watch her last minute."

"Its cool. Me and the kid had some bonding time."

Sara picks up the sleeping baby "I better get her home before she wakes up."

"She still having a rough time sleeping?"

Sara nods "Its the oddest thing. Sometimes she's fine. Others..." she shakes her head.

"Have you seen tall dark and deadly?"

"Not for a week or so. He's probably in the shadows."

Gabe follows her out to the car "I bet your looking forward to having tomorrow off."

Sara nods "Get some sleep. Do some much needed laundry. Go do some grocery shopping."

"Well call me if you need me to watch her."

Sara sets the baby in the carseat buckling her in. "I will." she tosses the diaper bag in the back seat going around to the drivers side. "Thanks again." she says starting the car.


20 mins later
Sara carries the still sleeping Ana up the stairs to the apartment "You know kid I can't wait for you to be able to walk." she grumbles "I swear you weigh as much as my bike." she fumbles in her pocket for her keys. Opening the door she tosses the diaper bag on the floor turning on the light she locks the door. Carefully she removes her jacket and Ana's trying very hard not to wake the baby. "Thank god for the sleep of babies" she mutters carrying Ana up to the loft. As she walks up the stairs she finds Ian crouched under the window sill his back against the wall. She turns on the bedside lamp "I was wondering where you were." she says setting Ana in her crib. "Sticking to the shadows I see."

Ian stands joining her at the crib "Do you ever wonder what it must be like to be that innocent and free?"

Hearing the sadness in his voice Sara looks at him startled to see a gash in his temple. "Ian what happened?" she asks lifting her hand to his temple

Ian winces at her tender touch "Nothing you need to concern yourself with Lady Sara." he looks down allowing his hair to cover the gash.

Sara sees the Witchblade flare up in angry colors





"Irons?" she asks softly covering his gloved hand with hers. When he doesn't answer she squeezes his hand "Come on lets get that cleaned up." she takes his hand leading him into the kitchen.

Ian stares at her hand amazed by the comfort he receives

"Sit" Sara orders nodding at the stool.

Ian reluctantly sits his eyes on the floor

Sara goes to the bathroom grabbing the First Aid kit. Wetting a dish cloth she gently cleans the wound. "She's missed you." she says softly "I was starting
to get worried."

"But you do not like me showing up" Ian remarks

Sara pauses in her task "I guess I've gotten used to the fact that your out there watching out for me."

Ian lightly touches her cheek "I will watch out for you as long as I am able."

Sara closes her eyes momentarily. "I know" she says her voice soft. She returns to cleaning the gash. "Ian why do you put up with his abuse?"

Ian looks down "He raised me."

"You aren't a child anymore Ian."

"Being his Protector is all I have ever known. It was what I was trained to do. It is how I can keep you both safe."

Sara notices under his facial hair a faded bruise. She winces "How'd you get this bruise?" she asks setting aside the washcloth touching the bruise lightly.

Ian catches her hand his lips brushing over her knuckles.

With her free hand Sara smoothes his hair back her hand going to his neck. When she sees the fear flash briefly in his eyes she gives him a reassuring smile and strokes the back of his neck.

Ian pulls her close resting his forehead against hers. "I am sorry if I made you worry."

Sara strokes the back of his neck "I'm glad you're OK." she pulls back slightly moving her hand to his cheek.

Ian nuzzles his cheek into her hand then turns his head his lips brushing over her palm.

Feeling the tender touch Sara meets his gaze slowly their lips meet in a soft kiss. "Ian" she breathes

Ian looks away "I am sorry Lady Sara."

Sara smoothes his loose hair back "Don't be." she kisses him lightly on the lips. Within seconds the kiss becomes passionate and intense. Sara moans as Ian pulls her close his tongue meeting hers.

Ian pulls back both of them breathing heavily they stare at each other. He strokes her cheek his eyes locked on hers. "Beautiful" he says awed. His lips trail over her forehead down her cheek.

Sara slides her hands under his coat moving it off his shoulders and down his arms. With his help she removes his coat her hands tangling in his hair she pulls him in for a deep kiss.

After a few moments of heavily making out Ian breaks the kiss his lips trailing down her neck. Licking and sucking at her neck.

Sara whimpers arching into his touch. "Ian" she moans her hands going to his sweater.

Ian stands looking down at her his eyes boring into hers as he strokes her cheek.

Sara meets his gaze her hands resting on his chest. She feels the Witchblade heat up. Tearing her eyes away from his intense stare she looks at it.







She looks at Ian surprised "Did you know?"

Ian lowers his head knowing what she's referring too. "I have always known there was something between us each time."

"Were we always lovers?" she asks softly

"Not every lifetime... sometimes we were other times we were just friends. I was always your protector no matter the lifetime." he looks at her stroking her cheek with his thumb "I know I have always loved you... no matter the lifetime"

Sara pulls his head down kissing him


Later
Sara props her chin up on Ian's chest her fingers tracing a scar on his arm "How'd you get this one?" she asks softly

"Gun shot."

Sara presses her lips to the mark then notices a fresh mark on his side "Irons?" she asks touching the mark lightly

Ian grabs her hand bringing it to his lips

Sara glances at the clock "I can't believe she's still asleep."

"Has she not been sleeping?" Ian asks concerned

"Not really. She's had a rough few days. I think she knew that you weren't visiting her or checking up on her."

"I am sorry."

Sara trails her fingers over his face and moves up the bed kissing him lightly. "I'm just glad your OK."

Ian brings her wrist up to his lips "Why did you take it off?"

"You once said he can pick up on some of my extreme emotions. Considering his connection between you and the Witchblade how do you think he'd react finding out what happened?"

Ian flinches "I did not think about that." he lifts his hand to her face

Sara smiles slightly "Do you realize I can count the number of times you've touched me without having the gloves on."

Ian just looks at her tucking a strand of hair behind her ear

"What's wrong?" she asks seeing the intense look on his face

"I never thought I would be able to touch you in this life."

Sara looks at him seeing the sadness in his eyes "You don't have to be so closed off here Ian. I don't care if you show your feelings."

Ian nods

"Will you stay for a while?" Sara asks hopefully

"As you wish."

"Thank you." she rests her head on his shoulder feeling safe she drifts off to sleep.


45 mins later
Ian looks at Sara asleep in his arms and presses his lips to her hair. Carefully he slips out of bed and pulls on his boxers going over to the crib.

Sara feeling the bed shift sits up looking at Ian thoughtfully. She grabs her oversized jersey pulling it on she goes over to him wrapping her arms around his chest. "She's a lot like you." she says kissing his neck

"I did not mean to wake you."

"Don't be. Sometimes when she's trying to do something new she gets the same look I've seen you get when your fighting."

Ian looks at the sleeping baby "I wonder if she has any idea of how she came to exist." he says thoughtfully

"I wouldn't count on it. She's a baby."

"Sara why did you ask him who her father is?"

"I was curious to see if he'd say anything. I was surprised he didn't say himself considering his ego."

"He cannot father any children" Ian admits "the treatments he has undergone over the years has left him incapable of fathering children."

"And so his only option is you." Sara finishes

"Yes." he says sadly

"Ian are there any other children at Vorschlag or his estate?"

"No. That does not mean there are none. He owns homes all over the world."

"It worries you."

"Yes. I do not know how many children he created or if any are mine. I do know there are none on the outside. He took care of that."

Hearing the sadness and bitterness in his voice Sara takes his hand willing him to look at her. "Was the possibility there?"

Ian nods his eyes on the floor

"What happened?"

"She was my only friend when I was a teenager. He found out she was pregnant and tried to pay her off to end it. She refused. A week later she was killed in a car accident. A few days later he warned me that if it happened again he would do worse."

Sara squeezes his hand.

Ian swallows pained by that memory "I should go. I have been gone too long." with a final look at Ana he grabs his pants off the floor.

Sara goes into the livingroom grabbing his shirt, sweater, boots and his coat. She hands him his sweater and shirt setting his boots on the floor and tossing his coat over the foot of the bed. She grabs the Witchblade off the nightstand returning it to her wrist smiling as it hums. She sits on bed watching as Ian quickly dresses. "Come by later?" she asks states hopefully

Ian tilts his head "I will try." he says

Sara moves to her knees reaching out she strokes his cheek her fingers grazing over the gash "Be careful."

Ian bows his head "I will try not to infuriate him."

"I doubt you ever have" Sara says brushing her lips over the gash on his temple.

Ian pulls back looking at her "I shall see you later my beautiful Sara." he brings her hand to his lips

"You know where to find me."

Ian goes to the crib reaching in he strokes the baby's cheek "Goodnight little Ana."

Sara watches as he crawls out the window closing it behind him. Their eyes meet and she gives him a small smile.

Ian tilts his head resting his gloved hand against the window then he disappears.

Sara crawls back into the bed inhaling his scent she curls up. 'God what that man can do with his body.'

TBC.....