Chapter Nine – Severed Bonds

In the early hours of the morning, Sara quietly let herself into her apartment, knowing she would not be alone.  She could smell remnants of what she presumed was chicken noodle soup in the air.  A small lamp burning across the room left enough light for her to see that her bed was occupied.  Annie was fast asleep, lying on her side, facing center, her small thin arms around her savior, Sir Ian.  Nottingham held the child in his arms, making her appear smaller than she already was, in a sound sleep of his own.  Annie's head was cradled in his right arm.  Facing her, he probably still could not sleep comfortably on his back.

After securing her weapon, Sara sat in an old wooden rocker that had been one of her father's favorites.  She pulled up a quilted family comforter to keep her warm.  Gently pushing the chair into motion, she watched them sleep, listened to their breathing in unison.  The faint sound of a wall clock judiciously measured time, blending with the beating of their hearts. 

Sara felt a bond with Annie and Ian, having shared the communion of their souls with their telepathic experience.  It was an encounter born of undeniable intimacy and supreme trust, much stronger than most biological family attachments.  Watching Nottingham and the child sleep, she was reminded that most of her childhood friends were married and having children of their own.  She had never been drawn to such a sedentary life, yet she longed for something more than what she had.  At moments like this one, she yearned for the intimacy of a relationship and could only wonder what it might be like to have a child.

It was one of the most serene moments of Sara's life since the death of her father.  Wrapped in her cherished quilt and rocking in her father's favorite chair, she had not felt this way in a very long while.  With that thought, she felt a kindred spirit to the small child in Ian's arms.  Her life had been changed forever with the death of her mother.  An uncle she had not met before would be picking her up today, to take her back with him to Oregon.  Social Services had left a message for her and Danny.  The uncle had planned to fly back with the unconscious child, shipping the coffin containing the body of her mother in the cargo hold of the plane.  He was going to be very pleased to see Annie's smiling face, one small miracle in this senseless act of evil.  With a great deal of luck and hard work, Annie could put her life back together, as she herself had done.  Yet, it would never be the same again.  Her innocence had been taken, violently ripped from her against her will.  A solitary tear rolled down Sara's cheek.

Falling asleep, Sara rocked away her grief as she watched over the pint-sized angel and her gallant knight, committing the moment to memory in her heart.

*****

Nottingham had not slept this soundly in a long time.  He was warm and comfortable as he lay in bed, not wanting to open his eyes.  His nose tickled.  Languidly, he drew the back of his right hand over the spot, still unwilling to open his eyes.  He rolled to his right, pulling the pillow towards his chest.  He would be most contented if that cursed itch at the tip of his nose would go away.  He scratched more this time, with his left hand.  Dozing again, he was starting to dream of Sara when…Blast!  There it goes again.

As he opened his eyes, the morning light streaming through the far windows almost blinded him.  In the glare, he could make out the silhouette of Annie, holding a small strand of her beautiful, brown hair.  Giggles poured out of her as she proclaimed.

"I was tickling you, Sir Ian…It was me."  She laughed. 

The sound of her laughter was a strange and enrapturing melody, never before heard by Nottingham, trained assassin and bodyguard to a cruel master.  Forgetting himself, he grabbed her, hugging the small child to his chest, wrestling her under the covers for a mad game of hide and seek.  The sound of his deeper, heartfelt laughter harmonized with the lilt of her high-pitched squeals.  Sara heard the commotion from the bathroom and ran to investigate.  Their laughter was infectious and she wanted to be a part of it, but more importantly, she wanted to witness a side of Nottingham she had never seen.  As she rounded the corner, a pair of hysterical pranksters confronted her from under her bed linens.

"What is going on here?  Do you want to get me thrown out of my apartment for disturbing the peace?"  She tried to appear stern but could not keep the grin off her face when Nottingham and Annie popped their heads up from under the sheets with their hair a mess.

"I am sorry, Lady…Sara.  We did not know you were home."  Ian's eyes were wide with his surprise…and his embarrassment.  Although he was a little out of breath, the blush on his cheeks was not from exertion.  Sara was utterly charmed by this side of Nottingham, taken totally by surprise.  She was only beginning to see and truly appreciate the genuine depth of his nature.

"I was tickling, Sir Ian.  He is funny…" Annie had an infectious giggle.

Nottingham looked down at the little girl beside him, not able to suppress a grin.

"Is this Lady Sara, Sir Ian?"  Annie poked her thin legs out from under the sheets and stood by the bed with a shy smile, still wearing her clothes with a few more wrinkles.

"Yes, little one. This is the Lady."  Ian was most courtly with his introductions.

"You were right, Sir Ian.  She is most beautiful."  Nottingham jerked his head toward Annie, not expecting to hear his words repeated in front of Sara.  Looking back to Sara with his mouth open, he gulped and shrugged for the damage had already been done.

"Lady Sara? Don't you think Sir Ian is beautiful, too?"  Annie was not done with her frankness, much to Nottingham's chagrin.

"You don't…have to say anything, Sara.  She does not know…" Ian crawled out from under the sheets himself, picking up Annie, setting her on his right hip.  Sara approached the two, interrupting Nottingham with a touch of her fingers to his lips.

"Yes…Annie.  Sir Ian is most handsome…and beautiful."  Standing before Ian, Sara smiled first upon him then gently pinched the nose of little Annie, who squealed with delight.  Nottingham knew Sara had been playing along with Annie's game, yet she seemed sincere.  Give him a sniper rifle or a sword, he would know what to do instinctively.  This thing between men and women was agonizing and teeming with peril.

"Let's get you some breakfast, Annie…while Sir Ian freshens up."  Nottingham put down the child and wandered to the bathroom.  Looking back over his shoulder, he watched as Sara fixed a bowl of cereal for Annie.   Before he could get melancholy over the tableau of domestic bliss that lay before him, Sara called out to him.

"I've left a shirt for you to wear…I know you didn't get a chance to bring anything with you from the estate.  Hope it fits."  Nottingham sensed there was a joke in this comment from her demeanor but failed to understand it.

When he entered the bathroom, he noticed a set of towels laid out for him and a black t-shirt on the counter.  With the wounds still fresh on his back, a good hot shower was out of the question.  He would make do with what he had.

Nottingham had been in the bathroom for almost a half-hour.  Sara was enjoying her one-on-one time with Annie but she kept glancing toward the hall, waiting for his appearance.  A few minutes later, he walked out shaking his head, wearing the shirt she had left him.

"Led Zepplin…You a big fan, Sara?"  Ian wore the black shirt with Led Zepplin emblazoned across the front, along with the words…Electric Magic underneath.  With his long hair, he looked like a roadie.  The image was priceless.

"The biggest…Ian."  Nodding her head, desperately trying to stifle a laugh.

"Well…it fits.  I am most appreciative of the loan of your finest, most prized possession."  He mocked.  Annie, of course, was oblivious to their humor.

Over a bowl of cereal for Ian, Sara told them both that Annie's uncle wanted to take her on an airplane today, back to live with him and his family in Oregon.  They were to meet him in front of the Eleventh Precinct at two o'clock, along with their assigned social services caseworker.  Annie would be a part of this family and live on a farm with cows, chickens, and a couple of ponies for the kids.  She would have an older brother and two sisters closer to her age.  Annie had always been an only child and lived in the heart of a big city.  The prospect of an instant family and a farm with animals seemed to excite her. 

In Annie's mind, Oregon and New York were practically on top of each other.  Sir Ian and Lady Sara could visit her all the time.  It took Sara a while to make the child understand they were saying goodbye and that they wanted her to be happy with her new family and home.  Annie kept looking to Ian for his acceptance of this.  He smiled at the child, trying to cheer her up along with Sara, but his heart was not in it.  He would be sorry to see her go.  She had made him feel strange and wondrous things, things he had long since forgotten from his childhood.  Nottingham was truly happy for her, but he grew strangely quiet on the subject, trying to grapple with his own feelings.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Nottingham and Annie crawled through Sara's window onto the fire escape landing.  With Annie standing on the next step down and squeezed securely between his long legs, Ian had one arm around her waist and was pointing out different landmarks to Annie, the chatterbox.  Sara took the opportunity to call her partner who was going to be released from the hospital today.

"Hey, partner…How are you feeling?"  She asked.

"Haven't had this bad a headache since the big kegger after the Menudo Concert.  I'll live…I think.  Are you alright?"  His voice sounded weak but was music to her ears.  His humor had not suffered any.

"Just a little bruised in spots you'll never see…but can't complain."  She teased.

"Guess the taxpayers are pretty happy with this one…no long, drawn out court case…having to listen to why this asshole killed all these women…cause he was abused as a kid."

"What are you talking about, Danny?"

"You haven't heard?  Seems Wyatt was so distraught over what he had done that he committed suicide early this morning.  Hung himself with his own shirt."

"What?  I hadn't heard that.  That doesn't make any sense, Danny.  He didn't seem the type."

"Guess you haven't read the papers yet…His suicide comes at a pretty convenient time for the Captain, too.  It seems Wyatt had sent flowers to Dante, the mayor's office, and the newspapers claiming he had been tipped on the trap to capture him by the Captain himself…when he and Orlinsky were in the john.  Guess Dante didn't look to see whose feet were showing under the stalls when he went running off at the mouth."  Sara could hear the humor and the sarcasm in her partner's voice.  He had the same feelings towards their illustrious Captain as Sara had.

"Guess Wyatt was just trying to reach out and touch someone…but not before washing his hands, I hope.  Do you think the Captain's career is in the toilet?" She joked.

"Just one swirl away, Pez, but no such luck…The press will no doubt down play this with the capture and death of Wyatt, but they had already started to call Dante and Orlinsky…Dumb and Dumber."  Danny started to laugh aloud.  "Ouch…that hurts.  At least he can't blame you for the failed trap…too many people know otherwise…and you did beat the crap out of Wyatt single-handedly. Pun intended."

"That's only because my tried and true partner was sucker punched…or you would have had the honors." 

Changing the subject, Sara filled her partner in on Annie's good fortune.  Before hanging up the phone, she had to promise Danny that she would give Annie a big hug for him.  This would not be difficult.  She had a sneaking suspicion that hugs were going to be plentiful.

Nottingham looked in through the window, catching Sara's eye as he held Annie.  He knew his time with the child was nearing an end.  She had to move on with her life, putting this nightmare behind her.  Nottingham was a man of shadows, yet hoped she would not associate him with the darkness of her ordeal.  He wanted her to remember that when she needed him, he helped her find the light.

*****

Annie's uncle was a tall, slender man with dark, brown hair, graying at the temples.  The lines on his face were evidence of his preference for good humor. With infinite amount of patience, he waited for Annie to come to him.  Raised by a loving mother, Annie was eager to accept Tom Kensington as family.

"I don't know how to thank you…both you and Mr. Nottingham.  I expected to see…well, a different child."  Sara, standing alongside Tom Kensington, watched as Annie and Nottingham said their farewells.

"It was Ian that pulled her through this, Mr. Kensington.  He is…very special."  Sara left it at that. 

Nottingham knelt in front of Annie, holding both her small hands in his. From inside his head, he heard a small voice in his subconscious.

"I will miss you, Sir Ian.  You have given me a very special gift.  I will never forget you." 

She spoke to him without opening her mouth.  Nottingham was surprised by her newly found telepathic abilities.  Perhaps she had always had the skill.  Maybe that was why he could connect with her.  In any event, he accepted this with pleasure…for he would not feel alone any longer.

"No greater gift than you have given me, little one.  I shall cherish our friendship always."

Sara watched the two as they hugged for the last time.  Although they had not said a word, she had a feeling they had connected in their very own special way.  Tom and Annie Kensington waved as their cab pulled away from the curb in front of the Eleventh Precinct.  Nottingham's eyes were solidly on Annie's.

"Farewell, Sir Ian.  I love you."

"No more than I love you, My Lady."

Nottingham's eyes welled with tears, making it hard for him to see her face as it grew smaller and smaller.  Genetically enhanced sight did no good if tears obscured the view.  Nottingham and Sara stood together on the curb long after the cab carrying Annie away had rounded the corner.  They both knew that their reason for being together the last few days had just departed.  They would have to find another reason for wanting to stay together.  Turning towards Nottingham, with eyes drowning in her own tears, Sara was the first to speak.

"You're going back to Irons…Aren't you?"  She knew the answer before he spoke it.  With his beautiful brown eyes, the color of her favorite coffee, he replied.

"Don't look so sad, Sara.  It is the life I have chosen…willingly.  I would choose it a thousand times if it meant I could serve you…Lady Sara."  He smiled as he caressed her hand, the one without the Witchblade.

In his smile, she could understand the meaning of sacrifice and unconditional love.  It was there in his face.  It had always been there.  Not recognizing his devotion, she had failed to see it before, yet he had demonstrated it in so many different ways.  But today, it was as clearly visible as his shy smile, as evident as her reflection in his beautiful, mocha-colored eyes.

Nottingham wanted to show Sara how he felt at this moment, wanting to embrace her.  Knowing they may never be as close as they were now, he was resigned to serve his beloved wielder in deference to his own feelings.  Not wanting to take liberties to which he was not entitled, he lowered his eyes and turned to walk away.

Sara knew he was leaving, content to serve her as he had always lovingly done in the past.  He would knowingly relinquish his life in service to her, to protect her against his heartless master.  Tears welled in her eyes.  She could feel his love, even as he was pulling away the hand that held hers so tenderly.  This would not do.  She held fast, making him turn back towards her.  It was her time to fight for him, let him know just how she felt. 

Ian was startled by her forwardness, especially as she stepped close enough for him to feel the heat from her skin.  Her eyes were more beautiful up close, if that were even possible.  He had been so eager for this to happen, yet now, as she stood before him, he didn't know what to do…except perhaps to let nature take its course.  It was as if the world had suddenly stood still for their moment.  The traffic and sounds of the city were silenced by the beating of their hearts.  Sara pulled him close to her.  Almost having to stand on tiptoe, she held his face in her hands as she quenched her thirst with his lips.

Nottingham had wanted this to happen, but knew he had no right to expect it.  It was as if a prayer, that he would not have dared to vocalize, had finally been answered.  He gasped with the first touch of her lips to his.  Wrapping his arms around her, he did not know where to put his hands, anxious that he might hurt her in his zeal.  He drew her to his chest only to find her body fit perfectly into his.  As the tip of her tongue parted his lips gently, he was astonished at the sensation.  Chills shot through his body as their tongues intertwined.  He gained more confidence as she reacted to his growing desire.   He never wanted this moment to end.

Sara could sense Ian's innocence, but he was a very quick study.  His passion overwhelmed her, so much so that she did not hear the horns honking and the catcalls until much later.  New Yorkers were romantics at heart.  They pulled apart, yet continued to caress each other and nuzzled affectionately, as if they had been lovers for a very long time.

"It breaks my heart to see you go back to the estate…please don't do this…not for me."  Sara pleaded breathlessly.

"Don't make this any harder for me, Sara.  You know how I feel…This is something I must do." He appealed to her.

"Then go…go now…while I have the strength for it."  A tear rolled down her cheek.

As she parted from him, she noticed Nottingham was not ashamed to let her see him cry.  He made no attempt to conceal it.  It was one of the many things she had grown to respect in him.  She could not watch him walk away.  Turning in the opposite direction, she headed home…alone.

Wrapped solidly in his feelings for Sara, Nottingham made his way in the general direction of the estate, choosing to walk so he could think.  He failed to notice the dark town car, driven by chauffeur, that inched its way behind him for a block or two, then drove away.

Kenneth Irons had received a tip from the discredited Captain Dante that Nottingham and Sara would be at the Eleventh Precinct this afternoon.  He had watched his trained assassin and lethal bodyguard kneel as he hugged a small child with genuine warmth.  This was perplexing enough, but when he was forced to observe his sexually inexperienced protégé grope the wielder ineptly, his anger had boiled to the surface.  It did not matter that the wielder had initiated the show of affection, Nottingham should not have accepted this.  He was beneath her…a mere servant.  Irons would never have admitted his jealously, yet he could see the writing on the wall.  With Nottingham around, Fair Sara would have eyes for no other.  Infuriated, he could not see what Nottingham possessed over him.  There was nothing…NOTHING!

It was time.  Time to end this charade once and for all.  He would not be made a fool in front of the wielder or anyone else...by this menial.  Nottingham was headed back to the estate.  Irons would have time to set his plan in motion...with finality.