PROLOGUE

1996(?): NEW YORK

            "Sara what are you doing?" Ian Nottingham asks as he walks out of the bathroom to find his wife Sara shoving things in her backpack.

            Sara pauses in her packing to look at her husband of a year through tearful eyes "I can't do this anymore Ian."

            Seeing the look in her eyes he realizes what she means "You're leaving." He says pained

            Sara nods swallowing heavily "I can't live like this Ian. I rarely see you and most of the time I do you're injured. I love you but I can't do this. I feel like this marriage isn't between us but between us and him."

            "He's my Father, Sara."

            "He treats you like dirt Ian. As much as I love you I can't stay and watch as he treats you like this. Every day I worry that his anger will get out of control and he'll kill you." She turns back to her packing.

            Ian steps up behind her pulling her back against him nuzzling her shoulder "Please Sara." He whispers "I can't lose you. Being with you keeps me sane. I love you."

            "I know you do" She whispers leaning into him. "I love you too."

            "Then please stay."

            Sara swallows heavily "I'll stay on one condition." She pulls back looking at Ian "Leave Kenneth and cut off all contact with him."

            Ian's eyes go to the floor "I can't Sara. He's my Father."

            "I'm your wife!" She retorts.

            "Sara..."

            Sara turns back to packing "The only way I'll stay with you is if you agree to leave him and we go somewhere and start over."

            "I can't Sara."

            Sara closes her eyes "I know." She zips her backpack "Do what you want with my stuff. If I need anything I'll have Danny get it." She walks out of the bedroom knowing Ian's behind her. She sets her backpack on the floor when Ian grabs her hand. Sara turns looking him she swallows at the pain in his eyes she speaks "I do love you Ian." She pauses "I just can't stand by and wait for him to kill you."

            Ian brings her hand to his lips pressing a kiss to her wedding ring "I love you."

            Sara reluctantly pulls away grabbing her jacket she slips it on "If you want to file for divorce I won't stop you."

            "Do you want a divorce?" He asks pained by the thought

            "No." Sara admits "But if you do fine."

            "I don't want a divorce."

            "He's going to want you to."

            Ian shrugs "He may want me to but I won't."

            Sara leans up kissing him lightly "I love you."

            "I love you." He murmurs

            Sara pulls away picking up her backpack and helmet. "Goodbye Ian." She whispers softly

            Ian leans against the doorframe watching as his wife walks away. "Goodbye my love."

LATER

            "Master Irons wants you see you in the library sir." The Butler says as Ian enters the mansion.

            Ian nods walking into the library he finds his Father/employer sitting in a chair by the fireplace reading. "You wanted to see me Father?"

            Kenneth closes his book looking at Ian "How is your lovely wife?" he asks

            Ian winces at the question "Fine"

            "Did something happen?" Kenneth asks seeing Ian wince

            "You'll be glad to know my attention will no longer be divided."

            "What do you mean?" Kenneth asks puzzled

            "Sara's gone."

            Kenneth lifts his brow, "Why would I be glad about that?"

            Ian meets his Father's gaze "You have never approved of our relationship let alone our marriage. You have never wanted me to have one second of normalcy and that's what Sara provided."

            "Perhaps I didn't approve of your marriage but I never wanted it to end in a divorce."

            "You won't have to worry about that."

            "Why not?" Kenneth asks suspiciously

            "Neither of us wants a divorce."

            Kenneth stares at the younger man "WHAT?!"

            "I love Sara... I'm not going to end our marriage."

            "She just left you Ian." Kenneth argues "She doesn't love you!"

            "She left because of you Father! Not because she doesn't love me." Ian returns "Now if you'll excuse me I've had a long day and I am going to bed." He turns on his heel walking out of the library ignoring his Father's protest. Ian walks to his quarters in the back of the house. Closing the door behind him he goes to his nightstand he opens the drawer taking out a picture of him and Sara taken on their wedding day. He smiles slightly remembering how he felt that day. 'I love you Sara. One day we'll be back together.'