Eli: Why does the hour before witchblade is on seem to go on forever? Here's chap 4.



The three of them sat together at the table in Blake's room. Eli and Blake barely touched their food. "So, Uncle Ian, how are you going to get us out of here?"

"With deception."

"Could you be any vaguer?" Eli punched Blake on the arm. "Blake, he's trying to help." She turned to Ian. "What he means is: Could you be more detailed in your descriptions?"

"Yes. After you give him your answer, he'll have me lock you in here till tomorrow. Then in the morning, he'll have someone kill you and get rid of your bodies."

"Okay, before you go on: He would really kill us? I'm his grandson and Eli's done nothing against him.."

"Except my little joke."

"Well, besides the joke, has done nothing against him. What will he benefit from killing his own flesh and blood?"

"He covets power, Blake. If he sees he can not have it, he'll make it so no one does. And if flesh and blood meant something to him, your father would not have been the way he was."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Your father was shown hate as a child, thus hate he presented toward children. You don't need to deny it; I can see your scars."

"You can?" Blake turned around and checked his back. "I didn't think you could."

"Did he ever stop, Blake?"

"Yes, after a lot of therapy."

"Okay, we've established abuse can be hereditary. I know we all knew that before hand. So, back on the subject of how to get out of here."

"Yes. After you get back to your room, I need you to tie your bed covers together into a rope..."

"And we throw it out the window and escape."

"No. You make it look like you escaped. We have to make it look like you have left the city, so that he will go searching elsewhere. Also, I need you to write a note that hints you're most likely trying to get to Eli's relatives house."

"That was the part where we set it up to look deceiving; now how are we really going to get out?"

"That part is simple. After I lock you in here, you're going to take the passage..."

"What passage?" Ian stood up and walked over to a tapestry hanging on the wall. He pulled part of it up to reveal a door. "This passage. It will lead you to a hall way where I will be waiting. We'll take another passage I know of to get outside. Then you get into the backseat of my car, you're going to have to duck till we get away from the mansion, and I drive you out of here to safety."

"That plan is going to work. Bravo, Uncle Ian. And it only took you about five minutes."

"Training."

"What kind of training did they put you through?"

"None you would care to go through yourself."

"Question: Aren't they going to think it's strange that you left here about the same time we ran away?"

"No. I leave almost every night for my duties. They are used to it."

"So your paranoia can chill, Eli."

"Some one has to worry about things like that. I'd like to live just a little bit longer than tonight."

"So would I, and now we are. You worry too much, you Capricorn.

"And you not enough, Scorpio."

"You need to let your Aquarius out."

"Only if your Sagittarius joins the party."

"Deal."

"Astrologers, you can only have one sign."

"Not if you're border line. Blake and I are both border line, so we're influenced by both sides. You're a Taurus, right?"

"Taurus? I think he's a Capricorn."

"Wrong earth sign. Full Capricorns tend to be money hungry, but he doesn't seem influenced by it."

"Loyalty drives him. So, which of us is right?"

"Eli is correct."

"Oh, who's cool?"

"Not you."

"And kill me if I ever was."

"Of course." Ian got up and headed toward the door. "I have some things to take care of for tonight. Do you remember what to do?"

"Locked in, sheet rope, leave note, secret passage, meeting, another secret passage, back seat, freedom. Did I leave something out?"

"Correct, Eli. I'll see you later."

"Wait! Uncle Ian?"

"Yes?"

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but why are you helping us?"

"Flesh and blood, Blake. Flesh and blood." Then he left.

-That night-

"Grandson, have you come to a decision?"

"Yeah, as always, you can go to hell."

"I thought you would change your minds."

"Why? Do we look corrupt to you?"

"I thought you would be able to see reason."

"And we can. Thus, we're not helping you."

"Okay then. Ian, take them back to their room. You will be separated in the morning."

"Believe what you want."

"I believe it is my will and that it is to be done. Take them away."

Ian opened the door and let them out. Just before he closed the door behind him, Irons called to him. "Ian."

"Yes, sir?"

"I hope you haven't grown too attached to your nephew. He will not be with us in the morning. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir." He closed the door behind him. He followed the two back to their room.

"Ready?"

"Yeah, let's do it." Ian locked the door behind them. Eli and Blake quickly did the necessary, grabbed their bags, and went through the passage. Ian was waiting for them. He then led them to another tapestry and door. The passage was dark and they were totally dependent on Ian to lead them out. Finally, they reached the end and stepped outside. There was a black car all ready there waiting for them. Ian unlocked the doors and Eli and Blake got into the back seat and ducked. Ian then drove to the front, where he was briefly stopped by the guard.

When they stopped, Blake heard Eli's breathing increase rapidly. Blake took Eli's hand into his and kissed the back of it. He felt her calm down. The car started up again, and after about ten minutes, they heard Ian say it was safe. They sat back up.

"Where are you taking us, Uncle Ian?"

"Somewhere safe."

- Ten minute later-

Ian led them up to an apartment. When they reached the door, Ian knocked on the door. After about three minutes, someone answered. The person alarmed Eli and Blake because she was aiming an automatic straight at Ian.

"What the hell do you want, Nottingham!?"

"I need your help."

"What?"

"I need your help."

"With what?" Ian motioned for them to step forward.

"Who are they and why are they here?"

"Can we discuss this inside? It's safer if no one heard us."

Sara sighed. "Sure, what the hell. At least you used the door." She stepped aside and let them in. As she closed the door behind them, Blake whispered to Ian.

"What does she mean 'at least you used the door'?"

"Another time."

"Okay, Nottingham. Who are they and what the hell is going on?"

"This is my nephew, Blake Michaels and his other half, Eli Carver."

"By other half you mean girlfriend?"

"Yes. Irons wants them dead and I won't be able to have a place safe for them to stay until morning. I need you to give them shelter for the night."

"Why does Irons want them dead?"

"Because he covets power."

"And what power do they have?"

"We have these." Blake and Eli pulled out their amulets.

"What are those?"

"They are conundrums."

"Like the witchblade." Ian and Sara both turned to Eli. "How do you know about the witchblade?"

"Blake's dad told him, he told me. It's that bracelet on your wrist, right?"

"Right. So he wants them dead so he can take their power? I guess he has gotten tired of negotiation."

"He couldn't tempt us."

"So he would have us dead."

"Wait! If you're Ian's nephew, doesn't that make Irons your.."

"Grandfather? That he is."

"He would kill his family?"

"He killed yours, Sara. What makes you think he wouldn't kill Blake or myself?"

"Good point."

"Can they stay here?"

"I don't know.."

"Sara, can we converse privately?"

"Sure." They went into her bedroom.

"So, why are you disobeying orders?"

"Do you really think I would let him kill children?"

"I wouldn't hold it pass you."

"Well, contrary to what you believe, I wouldn't." For once, he wasn't looking down while they spoke. "He did enough to Blake's father which wasn't necessary. I will not let him hurt Blake like he hurt his father."

"Or how he hurt you."

"Correct. How did you know...?"

"That he hurt you? Well, besides the fact he tried to kill me and your nephew, and that he must have done something to you to make you the way you are, he has a file on him dealing with social services and you."

"Oh. Then you understand what this means to me."

"Why should I do this for you?"

"Because you're human. Sara, they are scared and alone and wield great amounts of power. You know what it feels like. It's just for tonight. I'll come back for them first thing in the morning. This is the only place I can think of where they will be safe. Can they please stay here?"

"Fine. They can stay."

"Thank you."

They walked back out. Blake was standing behind Eli with his arms around her waist.

"Have you come to a decision?"

"Yes. You can stay the night."

"Thank you, Sara."

"Thanks, Sara."

"Welcome, just promise you won't mess around or anything."

"Promise."

"We'll behave."

"Good. You can put your stuff in the living room."

"Okay." They headed toward the living room.

"I have to finish some arrangements and I will pick you up in the morning."

"All right. See ya, Ian."

"Bye, Uncle Ian." Ian heard Sara giggle. "What?"

"Uncle Ian?"

"He's my nephew."

"Still." Ian just shook his head. "I have to go. Thank you, Sara. This means a lot to me."

"Yeah. You're welcome." Then he left. Eli had been watching and now whispered over to Blake. "Did you see that?"

"See what?"

"That."

"What?!"

"Ian and Sara."

"What about them?" Eli sighed out of frustration. "Never mind. I'll tell you later."

"Fine." Sara came over to them carrying a bunch of blankets, which she dumped on the couch. "You guys can crash in here."

"Thanks."

"We appreciate this."

"Yeah. Um, you guys can take turns using the bathroom to get ready."

"All right. Eli, you take longer, so can I go first?"

"I'll ignore the remark and say 'go ahead'." Blake grabbed some of his stuff and went into the bathroom.

"Sara?"

"Yes, Eli?"

"Why don't you like Ian?"

"What do you mean?"

"You just seem to put anger towards him. Did he do something to you?"

"Well, he stalks me and only gives me information in cryptic messages."

"He stalks you? Why?"

"He says it's for my protection."

"He watches Blake like a hawk. It just means he cares about you."

"He has a little crush on me, which I am fully aware of."

"You sure it's just a crush?"

"What do you mean?"

"Eli, your turn."

"Okay." She grabbed her stuff and went pass Blake into the bathroom.

"Um, Blake?"

"Yes?"

"Where were you staying before Ian brought you here?"

"At Irons' mansion."

"Why weren't you with your parents?"

"My mom died in child birth and my father died of cancer about a month ago."

"Oh. Why isn't Eli with her parents?"

"They recently have passed away."

"Sorry for both of your losses."

"Don't be sorry for Eli. It's a blessing, as she will tell you."

"What do you mean?"

"Her parents were forced to get married because her mom got pregnant. And since divorce is looked down upon in their circles, they were stuck together. They took it all out on Eli."

"Why didn't she go to social services?"

"Wasn't physical, but mental. It's hard to prove that to them."

"Yeah. If you aren't bleeding to death, they won't bother to do anything."

"Don't mention I said any of this."

"Of course." Eli came out of the bathroom.

"Okay. Time for bed. Good night."

"Good night."

"Night."

Eli: Everything is connected. See ya soon.