You can find the NC17 version here http://www.voy.com/39259/
CHAPTER 23 NEXT DAY (Note: I'm not Catholic so sorry for any screw ups.) "OK thanks." Sara hangs up the phone looking at Ian who is reading to Zeke. "That was Danny. The guy who survived... he made a call. Whoever he called got him extradited"
"Where was the extradition order from?" Ian questions curiously
"For some reason it's confidential."
"Vatican City, most likely." Ian frowns thoughtfully, "They probably pulled some strings. Did he say anything?"
"Nothing." Sara silently sighs, her eyes on Zeke "I don't get why the US would let him leave."
"The Vatican is one of the most powerful institutions in the world. And I'm not talking about just the Pope. The Catholic Church is more than the Pope."
"I know. Ian how much do you remember about the past?"
Ian shrugs "Enough."
"How often did the church cause trouble for the Wielders?"
"Every time they found one. They never liked the fact that there was a woman in the world who is more powerful than the Church or the men who run it. They believe that a woman should never be allowed more power than a man."
"Joan." Sara says wincing at the brief memory
* Joan tied to a stake looking up at a balcony where a balding man dressed in silk stands looking at the bracelet on his wrist. *
"Yes." Ian nods "We've been separated many times because of the church." He says sadly
"Wonder if the past issues with the Church are why I've avoided it all these years."
"How long has it been since you went?"
"Other than cases, a couple weddings and christenings and funerals I haven't set foot in a church since..." She frowns thoughtfully "since I graduated from high school. Not long after I graduated, Marie and I got into a huge fight because I didn't want to go to Sunday Mass. As a kid they had to drag me to Mass kicking and screaming."
"You didn't kick and scream" Ian says
"I did." Sara says "Ask Marie. If my childhood priest ever found out how long it's been since I went to Confession I'd be saying Hail Mary's long after I'm dead." She laughs
"He never believed in any religion. I was taught about all of them but he never saw a reason for me to be raised believing in any specific one."
"When I was little there was this lady named Miss Varcetti. I swear she was evil. She used to tell the kids in the neighborhood that we would go to hell if we ever skipped church. When I was 16, I told her she would go to hell for being a spiteful witch. When I got home she'd called Marie and I ended up being grounded for a week for talking back."
"Even then you spoke your mind." Ian says his mouth twitching in a smile
"Of course. Never saw a reason not too."
"AHH" Zeke says banging at the book "Daddy me." He says loudly
Ian looks at Zeke "All right I'll finish the book." He continues reading the book as Sara and Zeke listen.
AFTERNOON Sara watches as Ian crouches next to Zeke as the boy investigates something that has caught his attention in the grass. "Hey what has your attention?"
Ian looks up giving Sara a smile "It seems he's found a new friend."
Sara notices Zeke is looking at a slug and shudders. "Slugs are not friends. They're creepy."
"Ooohh" Zeke reaches for the slug.
"Ugh slugs are just nasty." Sara shudders
"He just wants to know what it feels like." Ian says
"Fine but if he decides to put that thing in his mouth"
Ian lifts his brow
"Una did that when she was his age. It was nasty."
Zeke giggles as he pokes at the slug "Daddy." He looks at his Daddy grinning then back at the slug. After a few moments of watching the slug, he notices something else and straightens up toddling away.
Ian stands beside Sara they both watch Zeke walk around "He seems more at ease with his walking."
Sara nods "I don't think he's crawled all afternoon." She takes a sip of her coffee "When do you get your stitches out?"
"Day after tomorrow."
"If you don't end up pulling them." Sara smirks
"If they get pulled it's not all my fault my love." Ian wraps his arm around her shoulders.
Sara rests her head on his shoulder "True." She lifts her head meeting Ian's lips in a brief kiss. She pulls her lips away giving Ian a faint smile turning to check on Zeke. She groans when she sees him on the grass his hands in the damp dirt. "He's going to need a bath when we get inside."
"As long as he's having fun." Ian lifts his shoulders
"Well I think he's having fun." Sara says dryly as Zeke laughs squishing the dirt in his hands. As Ian steps away from her side, she watches as Ian joins Zeke at the flowerbed.
Ian crouches beside Zeke "Playing in the dirt huh"
Zeke grins holding a handful of dirt out to his Daddy. "Daddy"
"I see the dirt." Ian assures
Zeke releases the dirt in his hands frowning when he sees his hands are brown. "Uh oh." He holds his hands up. He laughs running over to his Mama. "Mama"
Sara crouches before Zeke laughing when he holds up his hands "Muddy hands huh baby."
Zeke grins wiping at his face leaving streaks of dirt in his cheeks.
Sara laughs reaching out she wipes at the dirt on his cheek with her thumb. "Go finish playing."
"Bye-bye." Zeke waves toddling away.
WHILE LATER "Zeke its time to go inside." Sara calls
"No Mama." Zeke whines from his spot by the flowerbed and playing with dirt and rocks.
"Mama's right Zeke. It's almost time for you to take a nap but you need a bath first."
"No Daddy." Zeke shakes his head his lower lip sticking out.
"Yes." Ian picks Zeke up carrying his dirty son under his arm over to Sara.
"No" Zeke kicks and squirms the whole way into the house and up the stairs into his bathroom.
Ian sets Zeke down on the floor as Sara turns on the water for the bath.
"NO!" Zeke stomps his feet
"Zeke" Ian says sternly "you need a bath." He unties Zeke's shoes pulling them off his feet. "Arms"
Zeke holds his arms up as his Daddy pulls his shirt off.
"I'll get him out of his clothes. Why don't you go get some clean pajamas for him?" Sara suggests
Ian nods standing he walks out of the bathroom.
"Come on sweetie lets get you cleaned up." Sara pulls Zeke's socks off then unbuttons his jeans as Ian returns with a pair of pajamas and a new diaper. Within minutes, Zeke is in the bathtub splashing around and playing with his rubber ducks and boats. As Ian settles on the floor beside her, she looks at him. "Your son is way too stubborn."
"Wonder who he gets that from." Ian teases
"Funny. You are just as stubborn as me." Sara soaps up a washcloth watching as Ian and Zeke play with the bath toys while she bathes the boy. As the water cools down, Sara lifts Zeke out of the tub wrapping a towel around him.
HOUR LATER Sara looks at Zeke asleep between her and Ian his bottle resting beside him. "Well he finally wore himself out. Playing in the dirt. Running around." She rests her hand on Zeke's stomach.
"That he did." Ian says amused.
Sara leans over kissing Ian "I'm going to go put him down."
Ian nods watching as Sara picks Zeke up carrying him out of the bedroom. He gets out of the bed walking over to the desk he sits down opening the web browser.
Sara enters the nursery laying Zeke in the crib covering him with a blanket she turns on the monitor then quietly walks out of the nursery. She enters her and Ian's bedroom shaking her head when she finds Ian at the desk. "Ian what are you doing?"
"Just checking something." Ian says closing the browser he pushing the chair back as Sara stops at his side. He pulls her onto his lap. "What shall we do while he is sleeping?"
"I don't know." Sara tilts her head "Any ideas?"
Ian stands with Sara in his arms carrying her over to the bed. He sets her on the bed sitting beside her. He reaches out his fingers brushing her cheek "My Sara." He leans down his lips brushing over hers.
MONDAY MORNING Sara leans down kissing Ian's cheek watching as Ian slowly stirs. "Hey baby."
"Sara." Ian smiles sleepily
"I'm leaving."
Ian glances at the clock
"You slept in." Sara smiles brushing his hair back. She leans down kissing him lightly "Zeke's still asleep. I'll see you later."
Ian nods running his hand over his face. "What time will you be back?"
"I'm not sure. It depends on if Dante decides to chew me out for taking time off."
Ian reaches up cupping her cheek "Until later my love." He kisses her sweetly
Sara smiles "I love you." She straightens up walking out of the bedroom.
HOUR LATER Sara enters the office where she finds Danny and Jake looking through paperwork. "Hey guys."
"Hey Sara." Jake greets
"Hey Pez. How's Nottingham?" Danny asks
"He's good. His stitches are out. Immo lifted his restrictions so I'm betting he's anxious for something interesting to happen."
"So who were those guys?" Jake asks
"Probably some old enemies of Irons looking for some trouble." Sara shrugs
"Find out where they came from?" Danny asks
"No."
"I still don't see who has enough power to pull an extradition like that." Jake remarks "Don't you want to know?"
"Yes but why bother? Whoever it is has power enough to keep this quiet and secret. The only thing I want is for them to stay away from Zeke." She sits at the desk "So what's been going on since I've been gone?"
"A few new cases." Danny tosses the files before Sara "Two murders in the warehouse district. A body found in an abandoned field."
Sara listens as they brief her on the new cases while she absently rubs her wrist.
LATE NIGHT Sara enters the gym where Ian is meditating. She watches him for moment then silently walks out of the room heading to the bedroom. Once in the bedroom she drops her backpack on the floor then starts removing her clothes as she walks into the bathroom. Turning on the shower, she steps in sighing in relief at the feeling of the warm water. Slowly she relaxes feeling the tension of her first day back at work slowly dissolves. A few minutes later, she steps out of the shower grabbing a towel she wraps it around herself. She dries her hair with a second towel then notices Ian leaning against the doorframe watching her.
"How was work?" Ian asks
"Same as always." Sara answers with a shrug. "What happened around here?"
"Zeke decided he wanted to take everything out of the cupboards in the kitchen. Cook wasn't too pleased with that."
Sara laughs, "Not surprised." She leans up kissing Ian sweetly "How was your day?"
"Gabriel brought over my newest acquisition and played with Zeke for a while."
"Bet Zeke liked that." Sara remarks. "He always likes to play with Gabe."
"What happened Sara?"
"What do you mean?"
"Something has been bothering you all day."
"Just one of the cases the guys got while I was gone."
"And?" Ian asks concerned
"I don't want to talk about it."
"All right." Ian hugs her
Sara buries her face in his neck "I missed you."
"Missed you too." Ian murmurs running his hand over her back.
Sara squirms lifting her head she looks at him. "I love you."
Ian presses his lips to hers "I love you... I always have and always will. I would do anything for you... for Ezekiel."
"I know." She rests her hands her hands on his chest. "That's what I love about you." She deepens the kiss. Sara sighs as Ian presses her against the wall the towel falls from her body.
CHAPTER 24 OVER A MONTH LATER: 11TH PRECINCT "We have a new victim." Jake announces entering the office
"Which kind?" Sara asks
"Ones that started to appear every so often not long after you left. Hate crimes that go bad." Danny answers "We haven't found anything but who ever did this is a good shot."
Sara nods standing she grabs her jacket she follows the two.
CRIME SCENE Sara frowns seeing a man on the cement of an alley "What happened?" she asks
"Found 20 minutes ago. Someone heard gunshots and called the cops." Jake answers
"Witnesses?" Sara asks
"A woman name Gracelia Sandos. She claims the man came up to her saying some things and next thing she knew he was dead." Jake says with a shrug
Sara notices a wolf tattoo in red ink on the back of his neck. "That's one I've never seen." She muses then frowns feeling the bracelet heat up. She pulls her sleeve down as memories
*A young woman with dark brown hair screaming and crying over a body of a dark haired man.
Fire burning structures
An intense emotion of hate*
Disgusted by the emotions the vision invokes Sara pulls herself out of it looking at the body. "Something about this..." She trails off "Anything from the Witness?"
"Not yet."
"Did she see anything?" Sara asks
"Haven't talked to her." Jake replies
Sara nods "Well let's." She walks over to the small Hispanic woman standing with a uniformed office. "Ms Sandos? My names Detective Pezzini this is McCartey and Woo. Can you tell us what happened?"
The young woman nods hugging herself "I was on my way home and all of a sudden this man grabbed me and was saying all these things, hateful things. He shoved me into the wall then suddenly he was on the ground."
"Did you see anyone?" Sara asks
Gracelia frowns "I think I saw a girl wearing a red sweater run away."
"Did you get a good look?" Jake inquires
"Not really."
"Thank you." Sara gives the woman a small smile looking at Jake and Danny they return to regard the crime scene. "Well?"
"We've had a few other complaints like that one." Danny informs her "Few of them have mentioned seeing a girl in a red sweater with guns. We haven't found anything."
"Any connection?" Sara asks
"All the witnesses say the men killed or even wounded said racist things." Jake says
"Has the tattoo been on all of the dead victims?"
"We'll have to check the files." Danny answers
A figure watches the three Detectives talk. She swallows heavily seeing the dark-haired woman 'She looks like her... but she isn't her. They're dead! Just like the others.' She pushes away from the wall hurrying away from the scene before anyone can see her.
AFTERNOON Sara is pulled out of her thoughts as her phone rings. She sighs picking up the phone "Pezzini."
"Something wrong?" Ian asks concerned
"No."
"Sara." he says "I can pretty much feel your anger."
"We're going to have to discuss that whole thing sooner or later." Sara warns
"The Witchblade showed you something." Ian states
"I'll tell you later." Sara says aware Danny and Jake are in the room.
"All right."
As he hangs up without saying goodbye Sara scowls at the phone, "I'm going to have to talk to that man about hanging up on me." She closes her phone "So did you find anything out on that mark?"
"Not yet." Danny replies
"But I just finished going through the files on similar deaths... all of the dead men had the same tattoos." Jake adds tossing the file before Sara with a smirk
"All connected." Sara mutters opening the file to find pictures of tattoos with names in the corner. "Anything on the autopsy?"
"No." Danny replies "Vick said all he died of was the gunshots."
"So what now?" Jake asks "Find the girl?"
"I know someone who might be able to help with the tattoo." Sara says thoughtfully
"Who?" Danny asks
"Gabe. He has more unknown facts in that head of his than most people." Sara laughs
"That he does." Danny agrees
NIGHT: 1111 FAUST "Sara what are you looking at?" Ian asks as he finds Sara laying on the bed wearing shorts and a tank top staring at a folder. He walks over to the bed frowning when he sees the pictures of a crime scene and a man with a red inked tattoo on the back of his neck.
"Crime scene photos from today." Sara answers then looks at Ian seeing the slight recognition as his eyes are on the picture of the man's tattoo. "You recognize this?" She asks
Ian nods "I've seen it before."
"What is it?"
"It's the sign of Lupo... the Wolf. There is not much known about him but Fa... he told me that Lupo is a sign of Evil. Lupo gets others to kill for him... out of hate."
"So he sent this guy and all the others out to kill... for him?"
Ian nods
"Now all I need to do is find the girl." Sara says "Then maybe find Lupo."
"Sara you should stay away from Lupo." Ian advises
"Why?"
"What Lupo would do to you if he learns that you are the Wielder could be worse than what Father would have done to you."
"Ian I saw the girl who did this. I just don't get why. The emotions behind it were so different."
"How so?"
"Its like she didn't hate the people she killed but did."
"Like hating the action not the person."
Sara nods "But there was something different about her."
"Are you going to find this girl?"
"The only way I can think of to find her and get any answers is to also find Lupo. But how do I find him?"
"It's better to leave him alone." Ian says hesitantly. When he sees the look on her face he continues, "Hate is powerful Sara. If the Witchblade showed you then there must be a reason for showing you the girl." He gathers the papers up carrying them to the desk
"Ian" Sara whines "You know more than you're telling."
Ian shrugs looks at Sara "You have work in the morning and you need to get some sleep."
At his stern tone, Sara moves to her knees at the end of the bed wrapping her arms around his waist. "What if I said I don't want to sleep?" she lifts her brow
"Never said sleep now." Ian says with a mischievous smile before kissing her.
"I like the idea" Sara murmurs as Ian trails his lips down her neck and slides his hands over her body. As Ian's hands move over her breasts she moans then pulls back tugging Ian down with her.
MIDNIGHT: ACROSS TOWN In a small room, a girl, no older than fifteen tosses and turns in her sleep the past replaying in her dream.
The smell off smoke, sweat, blood and death fill the night air.
She sits on the dirt covered ground holding the man's head as she screams "NO!!!" Tears stream down her face "Papa." She whimpers
She awakens with a start her heart pounding she runs her fingers through her hair. "Damn dreams." She mutters
SAME TIME: 1111 FAUST As the Witchblade glows in the room it pulls Ian into a past life memory of his own without Sara.
*Ian looks around seeing wood cabins burning as bodies lay about. "A battle of some kind."
"NO"
He hears a heart-wrenching scream and the sounds of laughter. Ian follows the sound to find a group of men drops a body before a dark haired girl wearing a nightgown standing there tears falling as she drops beside the body.
She cradles his head rocking as she cries.
"Help her."
Ian turns to find his past-self standing next to him. "How?"
"The Wielder can stop Lupo... end her pain." He looks at the crying girl. "She never lives long. Her instincts to find Lupo end up getting her killed. She has many answers to many questions. Help her. Help your Wielder. Her hatred for Lupo will kill her."*
Ian awakens startled. He looks at Sara asleep beside him remembering the girl 'Who is the girl? Why do I feel like I know her?' He shakes his head carefully he sits up getting out of bed he pulls on his discarded pants walking out of the bedroom.
MORNING "Here you go." Ian hands Sara a piece of paper as she sets down her coffee cup
"What is this?" Sara asks taking it
"I made some calls. Lupo is having a meeting tonight. Maybe that girl you are looking for will show up." Ian sits down
"Why are you helping me after warning me to stay away from him last night?" Sara asks suspiciously
"If you are going after Lupo I might as well get you the information my way so he doesn't find out you know." Ian answers
"All right" Sara says still unconvinced
HOUR LATER: 11TH PRECINCT "Well I know what this sign means." Sara says tossing the pictures on the table
"How?" Danny asks
"I was looking through the pictures and notes. Ian saw the picture of the tattoo. Irons told him about this man named Lupo." She taps at the picture "This is Lupo's mark."
"What else?" Jake prompts impatiently
"It's some sort of secret society of racists, sexists and all those types of things. According to what Ian told me, they've been around for a long time. They move from state to state marking up the hate crime ratio then they move on."
"Where can we find them?" Danny asks
"One of Ian's sources said that there's a hate rally in the warehouse district tonight. I'm going to see if I can get in and maybe find the girl or this guy Lupo."
"How are you getting in?" Jake asks
"Have a meeting with the art guys." Sara answers
"Pez are you sure about this?" Danny questions "That's a dangerous thing to do. Maybe Jake or even Nottingham should go."
Sara shakes her head "They'd see through Jake and I told Ian to stay away from these guys. With what they are, I don't think Ian being near them would be a good idea; he'd probably lose his temper and end up in trouble. Besides the girl might be there."
"Still don't like this idea." Danny mutters
"Well deal. We don't have time to wait." Sara returns "Now let's see if we can figure out where this girl went."
"We checked security cameras but most of them didn't get a close up or weren't going in that direction." Jake answers
"Uniforms went door to door in the apartments and found nothing." Danny adds
"Guess we'll have to see what I can find tonight before we get very far." Sara shrugs
EVENING: CORONERS OFFICE "I still don't think this is a good idea Pez." Jake says as he and Danny join Sara, Vicki and the art guy to draw the fake tattoo on her neck. "It these guys are like what I've read they'll be able to see right through you."
"I've tried talking her out of going." a new voice says
Sara grins looking towards the door "What are you doing here?"
"Stay still Detective or the ink will smear."
"The question is how he got in here." Jake scowls
Ian glares at the blond Detective about to retort when Sara speaks "Behave you two." She warns
"Fine." Jake grumbles
Ian nods "As you wish."
"So why are you here Nottingham?" Danny asks
"Are you stalking me again?" Sara asks teasingly
"No unfortunately." Ian says "I had to pick something up from Gabriel and I thought I would check in on you."
"You won't be able to convince her to back out of this" Vicki says "we've been trying."
Sara sighs "Where's Zeke?"
"After his doctor's appointment Mrs. Ellis took him to visit with her niece's family in Brooklyn. They should be back soon." Ian replies glancing at the clock
"Why else are you here?" Sara asks suspiciously
Ian shrugs
"Done." The artist announces "Just stay away from water until this is done and you'll be fine."
Sara nods straightening up "Man I can't wait to get this washed off. It's already creeping me out."
"I still think this is a bad idea." Danny says shaking his head
"Well relax. I'm a big girl." She pats his cheek as she passes him.
"She's going to be the death of us." Danny says looking at Jake and Ian getting a slight nod from both of them.
HALF HOUR LATER Sara walks up to the heavily guarded warehouse. 'Interesting.'
"Who are you?" A guard demands "Never seen you around."
Sara looks around "Not from around here."
"We got a crasher then." The guard announces
'Damn' Sara watches as the guards surround her. "Come on guys. I'll walk away and this won't get dangerous and bloody." As the security guards try to grab her Sara watches as they all go down in a blur of gunshots. She looks over to see a teenage girl standing there with a smirk holding two guns. "Who are you?"
"Someone who just saved your life." the girl returns then turning she runs away
Sara follows the girl through the warehouse district watching as the girl climbs over the fence as a book falls out of her backpack. Knowing the guards are right behind her Sara grabs the book and runs.
CHAPTER 25 DAWN "I'm fine Ian." Sara assures as she talks with Ian while she's in the empty ladies room.
"The girl?"
"Her names Bola."
"How do you know that?" Ian asks
"After she saved my ass she took off but she left her journal behind. Unfortunately, I can't read it though. One of the linguistic officers said it's in Czech but he can't read it."
"Ask Gabriel."
"Why?"
"His linguistics are interesting. He can read old Czech."
"And what about you?"
"I can't read old Czech but I can read French, German, Russian, Spanish, Latin, and a few others."
"Well you just added to the list of things I didn't know about you."
"When will you be home?"
"Not long. I'm going to stop by Gabe's then be home."
"Be careful with that book Sara. If it's what I think it is don't let anyone know you left it with Gabe."
"No one but Jake and the linguistic officer knows I have it. I told him that I found it on the street. Once I find out what it is I'll tell the truth." She assures "Ian why do you want to find this girl?"
"This isn't something we should discuss on the phone."
"Ian" Sara says annoyed
"I love you Sara." Ian says hanging up
Sara scowls at the phone in her hand "I hate when he does that." She grumbles walking out of the bathroom she returns to the office where Jake is waiting. "So we done?"
Jake nods "Lucky Danny has the day off."
Sara laughs "Well I'll see you tomorrow." She picks up the book and her jacket.
"Where are you going with that?"
"Taking it to Gabe. He might be able to figure out what it says." Sara answers putting the book in her jacket. "I'll bring it back once I find out it has anything to do with this case. Look tomorrow we'll look for the girl. Right now, we both need to go home and sleep. And I want to see my son. I haven't seen him since yesterday morning." She heads out the door "I'll call you once I know anything about this book."
15 MINS LATER: GABE'S PLACE "I'm coming!" Gabe yells running his fingers through his hair he opens the door to find Sara standing there. "Pez its dawn why are you here?"
Sara enters the apartment "Ian told me you can translate old Czech."
Gabe nods "Comes in handy with my work. why?"
Sara reaches into her pocket taking out the book "The girl we've been looking for dropped this last night. The linguistics officer told me it was in old Czech. I need to know what it's about so I can find the girl."
Gabe takes the book opening it he reads the first page. "Hmm this first word here is a place that was destroyed in the 16th century." He says thoughtfully
"Look I have to go. I told Ian that I'd be back soon plus I haven't seen Zeke since yesterday morning."
Gabe nods "I'll give you a call once I find anything of interest. But first, I need a few hours of sleep. I had a late night."
"Partying?"
"No working." Gabe replies with a glare "Tell Nottingham and the kid I said hey."
"Thanks Gabe." Sara says walking out of the apartment.
HALF HOUR LATER Sara enters the training room to find Ian doing pull-ups shirtless. 'God he's gorgeous.'
"Hello love." Ian greets seeing Sara in the doorway he drops down grabbing a towel wiping the sweat off his face as Sara walks over to him. "How'd did it go with Gabriel?"
"Dropped the book off. He said he'd call when he has some answers." She wraps her arms around his neck leaning in she kisses him. "You know I could use some help getting this thing off my neck."
"Oh really?" Ian lifts Sara into his arms "Well then I guess we'll have to do something about that." He kisses her then strides out of the room with Sara in his arms. Once in their bathroom he sets her on her feet. He reaches in turning on the shower then turns back to her, "Are you OK?" he asks concerned
Sara nods "The girl... Bola saved my ass. Girl has talent with guns."
Ian kneels before Sara untying her boots he helps her out of them setting them aside. He looks up at Sara "I wish you hadn't gone to Lupo's meeting. I was worried that something would happen to you."
Seeing the look of love and relief in his brown eyes Sara reaches down trailing her fingers over his face. "I'm fine."
"I know." He stands his hands going to the hem of her shirt pulling it off. He tosses it on the floor then moves his hands to the front of her jeans unbuttoning them he slides the zipper down.
Sara swallows seeing the intensity in his eyes she watches as he slides her jeans down her legs. "Ian" she says huskily as he stands her eyes locked on his she shoves his pants down as he lifts her against the bathroom door moaning as she feels him glide into her.
"Sara" Ian hisses
Sara whimpers closing her eyes; she digs her nails into his arms as he begins his long measured movements. She opens her eyes feeling his lips brush hers so gently she barely feels it yet does. Their eyes locked Sara rolls her hips into his moaning she runs her hands over his back she gasps his name.
"My Sara." He says huskily
Sara lifts her hips whimpering needily
HOUR LATER Sara rests her head next to Ian's as they lay in bed her arm resting across his upper chest. "Ian why are you so concerned about this girl Bola?" She asks after a while.
At that question, Ian reaches out brushing a strand of hair off her cheek. "The other night the Witchblade decided to show me something."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't think it was a good time."
Sara props herself up on her elbow "What did it show you?"
"One of my past selves."
"Like the past Wielders?"
Ian nods
"And?"
"It showed me the girl Bola crying over my past self."
"Why?"
"Sara," Ian takes a deep breath "Bola is genetically our daughter."
Sara sits up "What do you mean genetically?" She stares at Ian ignoring the fact she's naked.
Ian sits up as well "Something different happened this time but according to what the other said she's reborn every time one of us lives and for some reason she remembers their deaths. She seeks revenge from Lupo but every time she dies before she's able to stop him. He said she has answers."
"How is it possible she's our daughter? I definitely would have remembered being pregnant." She frowns tilting her head "Is it possible Irons is behind this?"
Ian shrugs "It's possible but I've gone through all the files on both of us even the files Immo kept. There's no mention of anything like this." He frowns "Well there was mention in one file about the possibilities and scenarios if we ever had a child together but no mention of actually trying something like this."
Sara runs her fingers through her hair "How is this possible?"
"Bola and the Witchblade are the only ones who know. Once you get some sleep we'll figure this out." He soothes
"You expect me to sleep after telling me this?!" Sara glares at him
"You need to get some rest. You've been up for over 24 hours. Just get some sleep and we'll figure this out. Once we talk to Bola or get some answers from the Witchblade we won't know the full story." He pulls her close pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Sara wraps her arms around him burying her face in his neck. "You think she is don't you?"
"One thing I've learned about the Witchblade is that there are reasons for everything."
Sara lifts her head from his shoulder "And if she is our daughter what are we supposed to do about the fact that she's a suspect in more than the deaths here in New York."
"Once we know more about all of this out then we'll figure out how to deal with that." Ian assures "But first get some sleep." He pulls Sara down next to him on the bed pulling the covers around them. "It'll be OK Sara." He smoothes his hand down her hair "Just get some sleep." He presses his lips to her hair "I love you Sara. I promise everything will work out."
"I love you too." She says sleepily
"Sleep." he urges
"We have to find her Ian... even if she's not our daughter and not only because she might have some answers but because she's a kid."
"We'll find her and find out if its true and we'll help her." He listens as Sara drifts off to sleep in his arms.
COUPLE OF HOURS LATER Ian looks over at the baby monitor as he hears Zeke call for him. Carefully he reaches over turning off the monitor he picks up the phone dialing the kitchen extension.
"Yes Ian?" Mrs. Ellis greets
"I need you or Naomi to keep an eye on Zeke for a while." Ian requests softly
"Is something wrong?" Mrs. Ellis inquires
Ian looks at Sara asleep next to him. "Sara and I have some things to discuss once she's awake."
"All right. Call when you want some breakfast."
"Thank you." Ian hangs up his eyes going to Sara asleep next to him. He reaches over gently brushing his knuckles down Sara's cheek. "I promise I'll make everything work out." He whispers. He leans in kissing her cheek "I promise." He pulls Sara into his arms he smiles as Sara snuggles into his arms sighing in her sleep.
10 AM Sara awakens to find Ian watching her "Hi." She smiles sleepily
"Feel better?"
Sara nods stretching "How long was I asleep?"
"Couple hours."
"Where's Zeke?"
"Mrs. Ellis and Naomi are keeping an eye on him. Do you want me to have them bring him up along with breakfast?"
Sara nods "I haven't seen him since yesterday morning."
Ian kisses her forehead then reaches over picking up the phone he dials the kitchen extension. He watches as Sara crawls out of bed going in search of something to wear. "Can you bring breakfast up?"
"Is Sara awake?" Mrs. Ellis inquires
"Yes. Can you bring Zeke up as well?"
"I'll have Naomi bring Ezekiel up right away. Breakfast will be up in about fifteen minutes."
Ian hangs up the phone throwing off the covers he gets out of bed walking over to the dresser he opens the drawer taking out a pair of pajama bottoms and a t-shirt he pulls them on. "Sara are you OK?"
Sara shrugs "How am I supposed to know how I feel? This thing" she looks at her wrist "screwed with my life long before I knew about it."
"Sara after breakfast we can go through the book and see if we can find any reference to why the Witchblade might have done this."
"What if it didn't Ian? What if it wasn't the Witchblade? What if it was another of Irons 'I'm playing God' plans?"
"We won't know until we know more." Ian caresses her face with the back of his fingers "And at this moment we have only three resources the book, the Witchblade and Bola. Right now I think the only way to get the answers is from the book and Bola."
"Considering it didn't want us to know until now." Sara looks at her wrist
"There are reasons for all of this Sara." Ian says as there's a knock at the door. He kisses her forehead then walks over to the door opening it to find Naomi there with Zeke in her arms.
Seeing his father Zeke grins "Hi Daddy" He waves holding his arms out.
"Breakfast will be right up."
Ian nods taking Zeke "Thank you."
Naomi nods closing the door.
"Good morning Zeke." Ian chuckles turning to face Sara
"Mama." Zeke grins squirming he reaches for his mother
"Now you want Mama." Ian says with mock hurt
"Of course he wants Mama." Sara grins taking the boy "How's my Zeke?"
"Kiss Mama"
"OK" Sara laughs kissing his nose getting him to laugh. She carries Zeke over to the window shifting him so he can look outside. "How about after breakfast we go play outside?"
"Yeah" the thirteen month old grins
Ian watches the two most important people in his life stand at the window. He's about to join them when a phone rings. "Sara your phone"
Sara looks at Ian "Can you get that?"
Ian nods going over to the dresser he picks up her phone "Yes" he greets
"Hey Nottingham what are you doing answering Pez's phone?"
Ian looks over at Sara and Zeke "She's with Zeke right now Gabriel. Can this wait?"
"No."
Ian sighs "Just a minute." He walks over to Sara handing her phone "It's Gabriel."
Sara nods taking the phone "What do you have Gabe?"
"A place. Did you see the picture on the first page?"
"Yes. Why?" She hands Zeke over to Ian.
"It's a shelter over on Lincoln."
"Thanks Gabe. Anything else?"
"No not yet. But I do know the village that's mention was destroyed."
"OK thanks." Sara hangs up meeting Ian's gaze "Gabe identified the first picture in the journal it's of a shelter over on Lincoln."
"Are you going to go there now?"
"Need to find her before Lupo does." Sara goes over to the closet changing into a pair of jeans and a clean shirt. "If I don't find her I'll come right back."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Ian asks watching as Sara pull on her boots
Sara leans in kissing his cheek "I'll be fine." She kisses Zeke's head "I'll be back in a couple hours."
"Mama" Zeke whines "pway"
"We'll play when I get back OK?"
Zeke nods sticking his thumb in his mouth.
Ian watches as Sara walks out of the bedroom and looks at Zeke "Well it looks like its time I start researching."
Zeke sighs staring at the door.
"Mama will be back soon."
Zeke nods
MIDAFTERNOON: 1111 FAUST Sara enters the Witchblade room to find Ian looking through the Witchblade book. "So find anything?" she asks
Ian looks over at Sara "Nothing really. Did you find her?"
"No. But I saw someone very familiar."
"Who?"
"Lazar."
"What did he say?" Ian asks surprised.
"Nothing." Sara shrugs "Where's Zeke?" She looks around frowning when she doesn't find the boy nearby.
"He's in the kitchen with Mrs. Ellis."
Sara kisses Ian's cheek "I'm going to take him outside for a bit."
"I'll be out in a while. I want to finish this chapter."
Sara nods "OK." She walks out of the room heading to the kitchen where she finds Zeke quietly playing.
"Hello Miss Sara." Cook greets seeing the woman enter the kitchen
"Mama." Zeke grins "Up" He holds his arms up
"Hi." Sara returns lifting Zeke out of the playpen "How has he been?" She kisses Zeke's nose "How's my Zeke?"
"Very well behaved as always." Mrs. Ellis says entering the kitchen.
Sara nods kissing Zeke's head "How about we go outside buddy."
Zeke grins nodding excitedly "Yeah"
Sara chuckles "All right." She carries him out the of the kitchen
8PM Sara sighs hearing Zeke cry over the monitor "I'll go get him." She kisses Ian's cheek as she passes him in the library as they look through the book for all information on the Witchblade and children.
Ian nods in silence as she walks out of the room.
Sara makes her way up to Zeke's bedroom where she finds Zeke sitting up crying "Oh hey baby what's wrong?" She lifts Zeke out of the crib wiping at his tears. "It's OK." She soothes rubbing Zeke's back. "It's OK baby."
"Mama" Zeke rests his head on his mother's shoulder whimpering
"How about we go downstairs."
Downstairs Ian's walking through the foyer when he hears a knock at the door. He frowns knowing the security gates are closed. He opens the front door to find the girl, Bola, standing there looking annoyed.
"Where's my book?" Bola demands entering the mansion before being invited.
"It's safe." Ian answers quickly grabbing the holstered guns under her sweatshirt.
"Hey" Bola protests
"House rules. If you're under 29 you are not allowed to have a gun on you." Ian says quickly disabling the guns as Fredrick enters the foyer. "Fredrick can you put these away."
"I need those" Bola argues as the dark haired man hands her guns to someone else
"Not any longer." Ian returns as Fredrick leaves the foyer with the guns. Sensing Sara's approach Ian turns slightly as he keeps an eye on Bola as Sara walks down the stairs carrying Zeke.
Sara stops in her tracks seeing the teenager.
Zeke watches the newcomer curiously but remains silent.
"Where's my book?" Bola demands
"What are you doing here?" Sara asks
"Keeping on the move. You led Lupo to me." Bola snaps "Now give me back my book."
"I don't have it." Sara continues down the stairs
"Why don't we discuss this in the library" Ian suggests leading the three into the library
"He took my guns." Bola says angrily
"It's Ian's house his rules." Sara replies
"Why'd you take my book?" Bola demands
"It fell out of your bag." Sara answers setting Zeke in the playpen.
"No Mama" Zeke whimpers sniffling he holds his arms up.
"I'm not going anywhere." Sara assures touching the boy's head reassuringly. She looks at Bola "Is the book about you?"
"No it's about Lupo." Bola says
"And what exactly is Lupo? I've had rumors but I never heard the full truth." Ian states "And who are you?"
Bola looks at the man who is genetically her father, "Lupo is hate. He destroyed my village, killed my family, and every so often kills me."
"Bola you can't go around killing people." Sara says
Bola shrugs "I have no choice." She reaches out grabbing the Wielders wrist
Sara winces at the flood of images
*Bola resting her head on her father's chest.
Bola in different lifetimes fighting, dying, running.
Bola dying and being reborn.*
Sara tears herself out of the images staring at the girl "How many lifetimes?"
"I'm not sure." Bola shrugs "I just seem to remember some things... not everything but some. I remember how you died at Lupo's hand. I remember things when needed."
Sara looks at Ian then back at Bola who is looking at the books in the bookcases "Yet this time you weren't born to either of us. Why?"
Bola shrugs glancing at the darkhaired woman who in so many lifetimes she called 'Mother' "I don't know. Perhaps something went wrong this time around. Perhaps you two didn't meet at the time in which I was to be born. Or maybe the Witchblade didn't approve of whoever you were with at the time. Or maybe it had other plans. I don't know."
"Bola you need to stop killing these people." Ian says
"I can't." Bola replies shoving her hands in her pockets "As long as Lupo lives I'm to hunt him down in every lifetime. I'm tired of living every lifetime like this." She says sadly
"Bola we can help you with Lupo but you have to stop killing."
"Lupo has to fail. Failure is what hurts him." Bola says "I'm born to give him that failure. That's the only thing that can stop Lupo" she nods at the bracelet. "For good."
Sara glances at her wrist
"Once he's dead maybe I can live a normal life." Bola muses aloud "Live longer."
"What about your parents?" Sara asks curiously yet feeling pain at the thought.
Bola lifts her shoulders "Not sure where they are. Don't really care." She glances at the playpen where Zeke is watching them curiously "Who's the kid?"
"I guess technically he's your brother. His name is Ezekiel." Sara answers "Most everyone calls him Zeke."
Zeke stares at the dark-haired girl curiously
Bola looks at them startled 'I have a brother now.'
"We're still trying to figure that out." Sara says dryly
Bola nods "Got anything to eat around here?"
Ian nods picking up the phone on the desk dialing the kitchen extension "Cook can you bring a sandwich and a glass of milk into the library."
"And a bottle for Zeke." Sara adds
"And a bottle for Zeke. Thank you." Ian hangs up "It will be here in about ten minutes."
Bola nods "Thanks." She drops on the couch "So you goin' to give me back my book?"
"I don't have it."
"Where is it?" Bola demands
"Safe." Sara assures "You'll get it back."
"Good."
"Do you know what Lupo looks like?" Sara asks
Bola nods
"You going to help me find him?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want him alive."
Sara flinches at Bola's tone.
Ian reaches over squeezing Sara's shoulder "Where are you staying Bola?"
Bola shrugs "Don't know yet. Lupo followed you there so he probably has someone watching the place."
"I'll have Naomi fix up a room for you." Ian says
HALF HOUR LATER Ian opens the door to the bedroom allowing Bola to enter ahead of him. "Why don't you get some sleep. We'll talk more in the morning. If you want anything to eat the extension for the kitchen is 15. Our rooms next door and Zeke's is across the hall."
Bola nods dropping her backpack on the floor she falls on the bed. "Thanks." She mumbles sleepily.
"Good night." Ian says walking out of the room he goes to Zeke's room where he finds Sara tucking Zeke in.
"Is Bola in her room?"
Ian nods "She looks exhausted."
"Yeah. Considering all that's gone on." She shrugs pulling away from the crib "What are we supposed to do about Lupo?"
"We'll figure it out later. First lets let her get some sleep." He leads Sara out of the nursery to their bedroom.
Once in the bedroom Sara goes to the dresser taking out a pair of pajamas she changes in silence. "I'm going to go say goodnight to Bola." She kisses Ian's cheek as she walks out of the bedroom heading to the bedroom next to theirs knocking lightly. When she doesn't get an answer she enters the bedroom to find Bola asleep on the bed still wearing her boots. Sara goes over to the bed carefully she unties the boots setting them on the floor. She sits on the edge of the bed smoothing Bola's hair back. As Bola moves closer in her sleep Sara smiles slightly 'Just like Ian.'
Bola whimpers softly
"Shh its OK." Sara soothes watching as the girl calms a faint smile appearing on her face. 'She does look like us and Zeke.'
CHAPTER 23 NEXT DAY (Note: I'm not Catholic so sorry for any screw ups.) "OK thanks." Sara hangs up the phone looking at Ian who is reading to Zeke. "That was Danny. The guy who survived... he made a call. Whoever he called got him extradited"
"Where was the extradition order from?" Ian questions curiously
"For some reason it's confidential."
"Vatican City, most likely." Ian frowns thoughtfully, "They probably pulled some strings. Did he say anything?"
"Nothing." Sara silently sighs, her eyes on Zeke "I don't get why the US would let him leave."
"The Vatican is one of the most powerful institutions in the world. And I'm not talking about just the Pope. The Catholic Church is more than the Pope."
"I know. Ian how much do you remember about the past?"
Ian shrugs "Enough."
"How often did the church cause trouble for the Wielders?"
"Every time they found one. They never liked the fact that there was a woman in the world who is more powerful than the Church or the men who run it. They believe that a woman should never be allowed more power than a man."
"Joan." Sara says wincing at the brief memory
* Joan tied to a stake looking up at a balcony where a balding man dressed in silk stands looking at the bracelet on his wrist. *
"Yes." Ian nods "We've been separated many times because of the church." He says sadly
"Wonder if the past issues with the Church are why I've avoided it all these years."
"How long has it been since you went?"
"Other than cases, a couple weddings and christenings and funerals I haven't set foot in a church since..." She frowns thoughtfully "since I graduated from high school. Not long after I graduated, Marie and I got into a huge fight because I didn't want to go to Sunday Mass. As a kid they had to drag me to Mass kicking and screaming."
"You didn't kick and scream" Ian says
"I did." Sara says "Ask Marie. If my childhood priest ever found out how long it's been since I went to Confession I'd be saying Hail Mary's long after I'm dead." She laughs
"He never believed in any religion. I was taught about all of them but he never saw a reason for me to be raised believing in any specific one."
"When I was little there was this lady named Miss Varcetti. I swear she was evil. She used to tell the kids in the neighborhood that we would go to hell if we ever skipped church. When I was 16, I told her she would go to hell for being a spiteful witch. When I got home she'd called Marie and I ended up being grounded for a week for talking back."
"Even then you spoke your mind." Ian says his mouth twitching in a smile
"Of course. Never saw a reason not too."
"AHH" Zeke says banging at the book "Daddy me." He says loudly
Ian looks at Zeke "All right I'll finish the book." He continues reading the book as Sara and Zeke listen.
AFTERNOON Sara watches as Ian crouches next to Zeke as the boy investigates something that has caught his attention in the grass. "Hey what has your attention?"
Ian looks up giving Sara a smile "It seems he's found a new friend."
Sara notices Zeke is looking at a slug and shudders. "Slugs are not friends. They're creepy."
"Ooohh" Zeke reaches for the slug.
"Ugh slugs are just nasty." Sara shudders
"He just wants to know what it feels like." Ian says
"Fine but if he decides to put that thing in his mouth"
Ian lifts his brow
"Una did that when she was his age. It was nasty."
Zeke giggles as he pokes at the slug "Daddy." He looks at his Daddy grinning then back at the slug. After a few moments of watching the slug, he notices something else and straightens up toddling away.
Ian stands beside Sara they both watch Zeke walk around "He seems more at ease with his walking."
Sara nods "I don't think he's crawled all afternoon." She takes a sip of her coffee "When do you get your stitches out?"
"Day after tomorrow."
"If you don't end up pulling them." Sara smirks
"If they get pulled it's not all my fault my love." Ian wraps his arm around her shoulders.
Sara rests her head on his shoulder "True." She lifts her head meeting Ian's lips in a brief kiss. She pulls her lips away giving Ian a faint smile turning to check on Zeke. She groans when she sees him on the grass his hands in the damp dirt. "He's going to need a bath when we get inside."
"As long as he's having fun." Ian lifts his shoulders
"Well I think he's having fun." Sara says dryly as Zeke laughs squishing the dirt in his hands. As Ian steps away from her side, she watches as Ian joins Zeke at the flowerbed.
Ian crouches beside Zeke "Playing in the dirt huh"
Zeke grins holding a handful of dirt out to his Daddy. "Daddy"
"I see the dirt." Ian assures
Zeke releases the dirt in his hands frowning when he sees his hands are brown. "Uh oh." He holds his hands up. He laughs running over to his Mama. "Mama"
Sara crouches before Zeke laughing when he holds up his hands "Muddy hands huh baby."
Zeke grins wiping at his face leaving streaks of dirt in his cheeks.
Sara laughs reaching out she wipes at the dirt on his cheek with her thumb. "Go finish playing."
"Bye-bye." Zeke waves toddling away.
WHILE LATER "Zeke its time to go inside." Sara calls
"No Mama." Zeke whines from his spot by the flowerbed and playing with dirt and rocks.
"Mama's right Zeke. It's almost time for you to take a nap but you need a bath first."
"No Daddy." Zeke shakes his head his lower lip sticking out.
"Yes." Ian picks Zeke up carrying his dirty son under his arm over to Sara.
"No" Zeke kicks and squirms the whole way into the house and up the stairs into his bathroom.
Ian sets Zeke down on the floor as Sara turns on the water for the bath.
"NO!" Zeke stomps his feet
"Zeke" Ian says sternly "you need a bath." He unties Zeke's shoes pulling them off his feet. "Arms"
Zeke holds his arms up as his Daddy pulls his shirt off.
"I'll get him out of his clothes. Why don't you go get some clean pajamas for him?" Sara suggests
Ian nods standing he walks out of the bathroom.
"Come on sweetie lets get you cleaned up." Sara pulls Zeke's socks off then unbuttons his jeans as Ian returns with a pair of pajamas and a new diaper. Within minutes, Zeke is in the bathtub splashing around and playing with his rubber ducks and boats. As Ian settles on the floor beside her, she looks at him. "Your son is way too stubborn."
"Wonder who he gets that from." Ian teases
"Funny. You are just as stubborn as me." Sara soaps up a washcloth watching as Ian and Zeke play with the bath toys while she bathes the boy. As the water cools down, Sara lifts Zeke out of the tub wrapping a towel around him.
HOUR LATER Sara looks at Zeke asleep between her and Ian his bottle resting beside him. "Well he finally wore himself out. Playing in the dirt. Running around." She rests her hand on Zeke's stomach.
"That he did." Ian says amused.
Sara leans over kissing Ian "I'm going to go put him down."
Ian nods watching as Sara picks Zeke up carrying him out of the bedroom. He gets out of the bed walking over to the desk he sits down opening the web browser.
Sara enters the nursery laying Zeke in the crib covering him with a blanket she turns on the monitor then quietly walks out of the nursery. She enters her and Ian's bedroom shaking her head when she finds Ian at the desk. "Ian what are you doing?"
"Just checking something." Ian says closing the browser he pushing the chair back as Sara stops at his side. He pulls her onto his lap. "What shall we do while he is sleeping?"
"I don't know." Sara tilts her head "Any ideas?"
Ian stands with Sara in his arms carrying her over to the bed. He sets her on the bed sitting beside her. He reaches out his fingers brushing her cheek "My Sara." He leans down his lips brushing over hers.
MONDAY MORNING Sara leans down kissing Ian's cheek watching as Ian slowly stirs. "Hey baby."
"Sara." Ian smiles sleepily
"I'm leaving."
Ian glances at the clock
"You slept in." Sara smiles brushing his hair back. She leans down kissing him lightly "Zeke's still asleep. I'll see you later."
Ian nods running his hand over his face. "What time will you be back?"
"I'm not sure. It depends on if Dante decides to chew me out for taking time off."
Ian reaches up cupping her cheek "Until later my love." He kisses her sweetly
Sara smiles "I love you." She straightens up walking out of the bedroom.
HOUR LATER Sara enters the office where she finds Danny and Jake looking through paperwork. "Hey guys."
"Hey Sara." Jake greets
"Hey Pez. How's Nottingham?" Danny asks
"He's good. His stitches are out. Immo lifted his restrictions so I'm betting he's anxious for something interesting to happen."
"So who were those guys?" Jake asks
"Probably some old enemies of Irons looking for some trouble." Sara shrugs
"Find out where they came from?" Danny asks
"No."
"I still don't see who has enough power to pull an extradition like that." Jake remarks "Don't you want to know?"
"Yes but why bother? Whoever it is has power enough to keep this quiet and secret. The only thing I want is for them to stay away from Zeke." She sits at the desk "So what's been going on since I've been gone?"
"A few new cases." Danny tosses the files before Sara "Two murders in the warehouse district. A body found in an abandoned field."
Sara listens as they brief her on the new cases while she absently rubs her wrist.
LATE NIGHT Sara enters the gym where Ian is meditating. She watches him for moment then silently walks out of the room heading to the bedroom. Once in the bedroom she drops her backpack on the floor then starts removing her clothes as she walks into the bathroom. Turning on the shower, she steps in sighing in relief at the feeling of the warm water. Slowly she relaxes feeling the tension of her first day back at work slowly dissolves. A few minutes later, she steps out of the shower grabbing a towel she wraps it around herself. She dries her hair with a second towel then notices Ian leaning against the doorframe watching her.
"How was work?" Ian asks
"Same as always." Sara answers with a shrug. "What happened around here?"
"Zeke decided he wanted to take everything out of the cupboards in the kitchen. Cook wasn't too pleased with that."
Sara laughs, "Not surprised." She leans up kissing Ian sweetly "How was your day?"
"Gabriel brought over my newest acquisition and played with Zeke for a while."
"Bet Zeke liked that." Sara remarks. "He always likes to play with Gabe."
"What happened Sara?"
"What do you mean?"
"Something has been bothering you all day."
"Just one of the cases the guys got while I was gone."
"And?" Ian asks concerned
"I don't want to talk about it."
"All right." Ian hugs her
Sara buries her face in his neck "I missed you."
"Missed you too." Ian murmurs running his hand over her back.
Sara squirms lifting her head she looks at him. "I love you."
Ian presses his lips to hers "I love you... I always have and always will. I would do anything for you... for Ezekiel."
"I know." She rests her hands her hands on his chest. "That's what I love about you." She deepens the kiss. Sara sighs as Ian presses her against the wall the towel falls from her body.
CHAPTER 24 OVER A MONTH LATER: 11TH PRECINCT "We have a new victim." Jake announces entering the office
"Which kind?" Sara asks
"Ones that started to appear every so often not long after you left. Hate crimes that go bad." Danny answers "We haven't found anything but who ever did this is a good shot."
Sara nods standing she grabs her jacket she follows the two.
CRIME SCENE Sara frowns seeing a man on the cement of an alley "What happened?" she asks
"Found 20 minutes ago. Someone heard gunshots and called the cops." Jake answers
"Witnesses?" Sara asks
"A woman name Gracelia Sandos. She claims the man came up to her saying some things and next thing she knew he was dead." Jake says with a shrug
Sara notices a wolf tattoo in red ink on the back of his neck. "That's one I've never seen." She muses then frowns feeling the bracelet heat up. She pulls her sleeve down as memories
*A young woman with dark brown hair screaming and crying over a body of a dark haired man.
Fire burning structures
An intense emotion of hate*
Disgusted by the emotions the vision invokes Sara pulls herself out of it looking at the body. "Something about this..." She trails off "Anything from the Witness?"
"Not yet."
"Did she see anything?" Sara asks
"Haven't talked to her." Jake replies
Sara nods "Well let's." She walks over to the small Hispanic woman standing with a uniformed office. "Ms Sandos? My names Detective Pezzini this is McCartey and Woo. Can you tell us what happened?"
The young woman nods hugging herself "I was on my way home and all of a sudden this man grabbed me and was saying all these things, hateful things. He shoved me into the wall then suddenly he was on the ground."
"Did you see anyone?" Sara asks
Gracelia frowns "I think I saw a girl wearing a red sweater run away."
"Did you get a good look?" Jake inquires
"Not really."
"Thank you." Sara gives the woman a small smile looking at Jake and Danny they return to regard the crime scene. "Well?"
"We've had a few other complaints like that one." Danny informs her "Few of them have mentioned seeing a girl in a red sweater with guns. We haven't found anything."
"Any connection?" Sara asks
"All the witnesses say the men killed or even wounded said racist things." Jake says
"Has the tattoo been on all of the dead victims?"
"We'll have to check the files." Danny answers
A figure watches the three Detectives talk. She swallows heavily seeing the dark-haired woman 'She looks like her... but she isn't her. They're dead! Just like the others.' She pushes away from the wall hurrying away from the scene before anyone can see her.
AFTERNOON Sara is pulled out of her thoughts as her phone rings. She sighs picking up the phone "Pezzini."
"Something wrong?" Ian asks concerned
"No."
"Sara." he says "I can pretty much feel your anger."
"We're going to have to discuss that whole thing sooner or later." Sara warns
"The Witchblade showed you something." Ian states
"I'll tell you later." Sara says aware Danny and Jake are in the room.
"All right."
As he hangs up without saying goodbye Sara scowls at the phone, "I'm going to have to talk to that man about hanging up on me." She closes her phone "So did you find anything out on that mark?"
"Not yet." Danny replies
"But I just finished going through the files on similar deaths... all of the dead men had the same tattoos." Jake adds tossing the file before Sara with a smirk
"All connected." Sara mutters opening the file to find pictures of tattoos with names in the corner. "Anything on the autopsy?"
"No." Danny replies "Vick said all he died of was the gunshots."
"So what now?" Jake asks "Find the girl?"
"I know someone who might be able to help with the tattoo." Sara says thoughtfully
"Who?" Danny asks
"Gabe. He has more unknown facts in that head of his than most people." Sara laughs
"That he does." Danny agrees
NIGHT: 1111 FAUST "Sara what are you looking at?" Ian asks as he finds Sara laying on the bed wearing shorts and a tank top staring at a folder. He walks over to the bed frowning when he sees the pictures of a crime scene and a man with a red inked tattoo on the back of his neck.
"Crime scene photos from today." Sara answers then looks at Ian seeing the slight recognition as his eyes are on the picture of the man's tattoo. "You recognize this?" She asks
Ian nods "I've seen it before."
"What is it?"
"It's the sign of Lupo... the Wolf. There is not much known about him but Fa... he told me that Lupo is a sign of Evil. Lupo gets others to kill for him... out of hate."
"So he sent this guy and all the others out to kill... for him?"
Ian nods
"Now all I need to do is find the girl." Sara says "Then maybe find Lupo."
"Sara you should stay away from Lupo." Ian advises
"Why?"
"What Lupo would do to you if he learns that you are the Wielder could be worse than what Father would have done to you."
"Ian I saw the girl who did this. I just don't get why. The emotions behind it were so different."
"How so?"
"Its like she didn't hate the people she killed but did."
"Like hating the action not the person."
Sara nods "But there was something different about her."
"Are you going to find this girl?"
"The only way I can think of to find her and get any answers is to also find Lupo. But how do I find him?"
"It's better to leave him alone." Ian says hesitantly. When he sees the look on her face he continues, "Hate is powerful Sara. If the Witchblade showed you then there must be a reason for showing you the girl." He gathers the papers up carrying them to the desk
"Ian" Sara whines "You know more than you're telling."
Ian shrugs looks at Sara "You have work in the morning and you need to get some sleep."
At his stern tone, Sara moves to her knees at the end of the bed wrapping her arms around his waist. "What if I said I don't want to sleep?" she lifts her brow
"Never said sleep now." Ian says with a mischievous smile before kissing her.
"I like the idea" Sara murmurs as Ian trails his lips down her neck and slides his hands over her body. As Ian's hands move over her breasts she moans then pulls back tugging Ian down with her.
MIDNIGHT: ACROSS TOWN In a small room, a girl, no older than fifteen tosses and turns in her sleep the past replaying in her dream.
The smell off smoke, sweat, blood and death fill the night air.
She sits on the dirt covered ground holding the man's head as she screams "NO!!!" Tears stream down her face "Papa." She whimpers
She awakens with a start her heart pounding she runs her fingers through her hair. "Damn dreams." She mutters
SAME TIME: 1111 FAUST As the Witchblade glows in the room it pulls Ian into a past life memory of his own without Sara.
*Ian looks around seeing wood cabins burning as bodies lay about. "A battle of some kind."
"NO"
He hears a heart-wrenching scream and the sounds of laughter. Ian follows the sound to find a group of men drops a body before a dark haired girl wearing a nightgown standing there tears falling as she drops beside the body.
She cradles his head rocking as she cries.
"Help her."
Ian turns to find his past-self standing next to him. "How?"
"The Wielder can stop Lupo... end her pain." He looks at the crying girl. "She never lives long. Her instincts to find Lupo end up getting her killed. She has many answers to many questions. Help her. Help your Wielder. Her hatred for Lupo will kill her."*
Ian awakens startled. He looks at Sara asleep beside him remembering the girl 'Who is the girl? Why do I feel like I know her?' He shakes his head carefully he sits up getting out of bed he pulls on his discarded pants walking out of the bedroom.
MORNING "Here you go." Ian hands Sara a piece of paper as she sets down her coffee cup
"What is this?" Sara asks taking it
"I made some calls. Lupo is having a meeting tonight. Maybe that girl you are looking for will show up." Ian sits down
"Why are you helping me after warning me to stay away from him last night?" Sara asks suspiciously
"If you are going after Lupo I might as well get you the information my way so he doesn't find out you know." Ian answers
"All right" Sara says still unconvinced
HOUR LATER: 11TH PRECINCT "Well I know what this sign means." Sara says tossing the pictures on the table
"How?" Danny asks
"I was looking through the pictures and notes. Ian saw the picture of the tattoo. Irons told him about this man named Lupo." She taps at the picture "This is Lupo's mark."
"What else?" Jake prompts impatiently
"It's some sort of secret society of racists, sexists and all those types of things. According to what Ian told me, they've been around for a long time. They move from state to state marking up the hate crime ratio then they move on."
"Where can we find them?" Danny asks
"One of Ian's sources said that there's a hate rally in the warehouse district tonight. I'm going to see if I can get in and maybe find the girl or this guy Lupo."
"How are you getting in?" Jake asks
"Have a meeting with the art guys." Sara answers
"Pez are you sure about this?" Danny questions "That's a dangerous thing to do. Maybe Jake or even Nottingham should go."
Sara shakes her head "They'd see through Jake and I told Ian to stay away from these guys. With what they are, I don't think Ian being near them would be a good idea; he'd probably lose his temper and end up in trouble. Besides the girl might be there."
"Still don't like this idea." Danny mutters
"Well deal. We don't have time to wait." Sara returns "Now let's see if we can figure out where this girl went."
"We checked security cameras but most of them didn't get a close up or weren't going in that direction." Jake answers
"Uniforms went door to door in the apartments and found nothing." Danny adds
"Guess we'll have to see what I can find tonight before we get very far." Sara shrugs
EVENING: CORONERS OFFICE "I still don't think this is a good idea Pez." Jake says as he and Danny join Sara, Vicki and the art guy to draw the fake tattoo on her neck. "It these guys are like what I've read they'll be able to see right through you."
"I've tried talking her out of going." a new voice says
Sara grins looking towards the door "What are you doing here?"
"Stay still Detective or the ink will smear."
"The question is how he got in here." Jake scowls
Ian glares at the blond Detective about to retort when Sara speaks "Behave you two." She warns
"Fine." Jake grumbles
Ian nods "As you wish."
"So why are you here Nottingham?" Danny asks
"Are you stalking me again?" Sara asks teasingly
"No unfortunately." Ian says "I had to pick something up from Gabriel and I thought I would check in on you."
"You won't be able to convince her to back out of this" Vicki says "we've been trying."
Sara sighs "Where's Zeke?"
"After his doctor's appointment Mrs. Ellis took him to visit with her niece's family in Brooklyn. They should be back soon." Ian replies glancing at the clock
"Why else are you here?" Sara asks suspiciously
Ian shrugs
"Done." The artist announces "Just stay away from water until this is done and you'll be fine."
Sara nods straightening up "Man I can't wait to get this washed off. It's already creeping me out."
"I still think this is a bad idea." Danny says shaking his head
"Well relax. I'm a big girl." She pats his cheek as she passes him.
"She's going to be the death of us." Danny says looking at Jake and Ian getting a slight nod from both of them.
HALF HOUR LATER Sara walks up to the heavily guarded warehouse. 'Interesting.'
"Who are you?" A guard demands "Never seen you around."
Sara looks around "Not from around here."
"We got a crasher then." The guard announces
'Damn' Sara watches as the guards surround her. "Come on guys. I'll walk away and this won't get dangerous and bloody." As the security guards try to grab her Sara watches as they all go down in a blur of gunshots. She looks over to see a teenage girl standing there with a smirk holding two guns. "Who are you?"
"Someone who just saved your life." the girl returns then turning she runs away
Sara follows the girl through the warehouse district watching as the girl climbs over the fence as a book falls out of her backpack. Knowing the guards are right behind her Sara grabs the book and runs.
CHAPTER 25 DAWN "I'm fine Ian." Sara assures as she talks with Ian while she's in the empty ladies room.
"The girl?"
"Her names Bola."
"How do you know that?" Ian asks
"After she saved my ass she took off but she left her journal behind. Unfortunately, I can't read it though. One of the linguistic officers said it's in Czech but he can't read it."
"Ask Gabriel."
"Why?"
"His linguistics are interesting. He can read old Czech."
"And what about you?"
"I can't read old Czech but I can read French, German, Russian, Spanish, Latin, and a few others."
"Well you just added to the list of things I didn't know about you."
"When will you be home?"
"Not long. I'm going to stop by Gabe's then be home."
"Be careful with that book Sara. If it's what I think it is don't let anyone know you left it with Gabe."
"No one but Jake and the linguistic officer knows I have it. I told him that I found it on the street. Once I find out what it is I'll tell the truth." She assures "Ian why do you want to find this girl?"
"This isn't something we should discuss on the phone."
"Ian" Sara says annoyed
"I love you Sara." Ian says hanging up
Sara scowls at the phone in her hand "I hate when he does that." She grumbles walking out of the bathroom she returns to the office where Jake is waiting. "So we done?"
Jake nods "Lucky Danny has the day off."
Sara laughs "Well I'll see you tomorrow." She picks up the book and her jacket.
"Where are you going with that?"
"Taking it to Gabe. He might be able to figure out what it says." Sara answers putting the book in her jacket. "I'll bring it back once I find out it has anything to do with this case. Look tomorrow we'll look for the girl. Right now, we both need to go home and sleep. And I want to see my son. I haven't seen him since yesterday morning." She heads out the door "I'll call you once I know anything about this book."
15 MINS LATER: GABE'S PLACE "I'm coming!" Gabe yells running his fingers through his hair he opens the door to find Sara standing there. "Pez its dawn why are you here?"
Sara enters the apartment "Ian told me you can translate old Czech."
Gabe nods "Comes in handy with my work. why?"
Sara reaches into her pocket taking out the book "The girl we've been looking for dropped this last night. The linguistics officer told me it was in old Czech. I need to know what it's about so I can find the girl."
Gabe takes the book opening it he reads the first page. "Hmm this first word here is a place that was destroyed in the 16th century." He says thoughtfully
"Look I have to go. I told Ian that I'd be back soon plus I haven't seen Zeke since yesterday morning."
Gabe nods "I'll give you a call once I find anything of interest. But first, I need a few hours of sleep. I had a late night."
"Partying?"
"No working." Gabe replies with a glare "Tell Nottingham and the kid I said hey."
"Thanks Gabe." Sara says walking out of the apartment.
HALF HOUR LATER Sara enters the training room to find Ian doing pull-ups shirtless. 'God he's gorgeous.'
"Hello love." Ian greets seeing Sara in the doorway he drops down grabbing a towel wiping the sweat off his face as Sara walks over to him. "How'd did it go with Gabriel?"
"Dropped the book off. He said he'd call when he has some answers." She wraps her arms around his neck leaning in she kisses him. "You know I could use some help getting this thing off my neck."
"Oh really?" Ian lifts Sara into his arms "Well then I guess we'll have to do something about that." He kisses her then strides out of the room with Sara in his arms. Once in their bathroom he sets her on her feet. He reaches in turning on the shower then turns back to her, "Are you OK?" he asks concerned
Sara nods "The girl... Bola saved my ass. Girl has talent with guns."
Ian kneels before Sara untying her boots he helps her out of them setting them aside. He looks up at Sara "I wish you hadn't gone to Lupo's meeting. I was worried that something would happen to you."
Seeing the look of love and relief in his brown eyes Sara reaches down trailing her fingers over his face. "I'm fine."
"I know." He stands his hands going to the hem of her shirt pulling it off. He tosses it on the floor then moves his hands to the front of her jeans unbuttoning them he slides the zipper down.
Sara swallows seeing the intensity in his eyes she watches as he slides her jeans down her legs. "Ian" she says huskily as he stands her eyes locked on his she shoves his pants down as he lifts her against the bathroom door moaning as she feels him glide into her.
"Sara" Ian hisses
Sara whimpers closing her eyes; she digs her nails into his arms as he begins his long measured movements. She opens her eyes feeling his lips brush hers so gently she barely feels it yet does. Their eyes locked Sara rolls her hips into his moaning she runs her hands over his back she gasps his name.
"My Sara." He says huskily
Sara lifts her hips whimpering needily
HOUR LATER Sara rests her head next to Ian's as they lay in bed her arm resting across his upper chest. "Ian why are you so concerned about this girl Bola?" She asks after a while.
At that question, Ian reaches out brushing a strand of hair off her cheek. "The other night the Witchblade decided to show me something."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't think it was a good time."
Sara props herself up on her elbow "What did it show you?"
"One of my past selves."
"Like the past Wielders?"
Ian nods
"And?"
"It showed me the girl Bola crying over my past self."
"Why?"
"Sara," Ian takes a deep breath "Bola is genetically our daughter."
Sara sits up "What do you mean genetically?" She stares at Ian ignoring the fact she's naked.
Ian sits up as well "Something different happened this time but according to what the other said she's reborn every time one of us lives and for some reason she remembers their deaths. She seeks revenge from Lupo but every time she dies before she's able to stop him. He said she has answers."
"How is it possible she's our daughter? I definitely would have remembered being pregnant." She frowns tilting her head "Is it possible Irons is behind this?"
Ian shrugs "It's possible but I've gone through all the files on both of us even the files Immo kept. There's no mention of anything like this." He frowns "Well there was mention in one file about the possibilities and scenarios if we ever had a child together but no mention of actually trying something like this."
Sara runs her fingers through her hair "How is this possible?"
"Bola and the Witchblade are the only ones who know. Once you get some sleep we'll figure this out." He soothes
"You expect me to sleep after telling me this?!" Sara glares at him
"You need to get some rest. You've been up for over 24 hours. Just get some sleep and we'll figure this out. Once we talk to Bola or get some answers from the Witchblade we won't know the full story." He pulls her close pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Sara wraps her arms around him burying her face in his neck. "You think she is don't you?"
"One thing I've learned about the Witchblade is that there are reasons for everything."
Sara lifts her head from his shoulder "And if she is our daughter what are we supposed to do about the fact that she's a suspect in more than the deaths here in New York."
"Once we know more about all of this out then we'll figure out how to deal with that." Ian assures "But first get some sleep." He pulls Sara down next to him on the bed pulling the covers around them. "It'll be OK Sara." He smoothes his hand down her hair "Just get some sleep." He presses his lips to her hair "I love you Sara. I promise everything will work out."
"I love you too." She says sleepily
"Sleep." he urges
"We have to find her Ian... even if she's not our daughter and not only because she might have some answers but because she's a kid."
"We'll find her and find out if its true and we'll help her." He listens as Sara drifts off to sleep in his arms.
COUPLE OF HOURS LATER Ian looks over at the baby monitor as he hears Zeke call for him. Carefully he reaches over turning off the monitor he picks up the phone dialing the kitchen extension.
"Yes Ian?" Mrs. Ellis greets
"I need you or Naomi to keep an eye on Zeke for a while." Ian requests softly
"Is something wrong?" Mrs. Ellis inquires
Ian looks at Sara asleep next to him. "Sara and I have some things to discuss once she's awake."
"All right. Call when you want some breakfast."
"Thank you." Ian hangs up his eyes going to Sara asleep next to him. He reaches over gently brushing his knuckles down Sara's cheek. "I promise I'll make everything work out." He whispers. He leans in kissing her cheek "I promise." He pulls Sara into his arms he smiles as Sara snuggles into his arms sighing in her sleep.
10 AM Sara awakens to find Ian watching her "Hi." She smiles sleepily
"Feel better?"
Sara nods stretching "How long was I asleep?"
"Couple hours."
"Where's Zeke?"
"Mrs. Ellis and Naomi are keeping an eye on him. Do you want me to have them bring him up along with breakfast?"
Sara nods "I haven't seen him since yesterday morning."
Ian kisses her forehead then reaches over picking up the phone he dials the kitchen extension. He watches as Sara crawls out of bed going in search of something to wear. "Can you bring breakfast up?"
"Is Sara awake?" Mrs. Ellis inquires
"Yes. Can you bring Zeke up as well?"
"I'll have Naomi bring Ezekiel up right away. Breakfast will be up in about fifteen minutes."
Ian hangs up the phone throwing off the covers he gets out of bed walking over to the dresser he opens the drawer taking out a pair of pajama bottoms and a t-shirt he pulls them on. "Sara are you OK?"
Sara shrugs "How am I supposed to know how I feel? This thing" she looks at her wrist "screwed with my life long before I knew about it."
"Sara after breakfast we can go through the book and see if we can find any reference to why the Witchblade might have done this."
"What if it didn't Ian? What if it wasn't the Witchblade? What if it was another of Irons 'I'm playing God' plans?"
"We won't know until we know more." Ian caresses her face with the back of his fingers "And at this moment we have only three resources the book, the Witchblade and Bola. Right now I think the only way to get the answers is from the book and Bola."
"Considering it didn't want us to know until now." Sara looks at her wrist
"There are reasons for all of this Sara." Ian says as there's a knock at the door. He kisses her forehead then walks over to the door opening it to find Naomi there with Zeke in her arms.
Seeing his father Zeke grins "Hi Daddy" He waves holding his arms out.
"Breakfast will be right up."
Ian nods taking Zeke "Thank you."
Naomi nods closing the door.
"Good morning Zeke." Ian chuckles turning to face Sara
"Mama." Zeke grins squirming he reaches for his mother
"Now you want Mama." Ian says with mock hurt
"Of course he wants Mama." Sara grins taking the boy "How's my Zeke?"
"Kiss Mama"
"OK" Sara laughs kissing his nose getting him to laugh. She carries Zeke over to the window shifting him so he can look outside. "How about after breakfast we go play outside?"
"Yeah" the thirteen month old grins
Ian watches the two most important people in his life stand at the window. He's about to join them when a phone rings. "Sara your phone"
Sara looks at Ian "Can you get that?"
Ian nods going over to the dresser he picks up her phone "Yes" he greets
"Hey Nottingham what are you doing answering Pez's phone?"
Ian looks over at Sara and Zeke "She's with Zeke right now Gabriel. Can this wait?"
"No."
Ian sighs "Just a minute." He walks over to Sara handing her phone "It's Gabriel."
Sara nods taking the phone "What do you have Gabe?"
"A place. Did you see the picture on the first page?"
"Yes. Why?" She hands Zeke over to Ian.
"It's a shelter over on Lincoln."
"Thanks Gabe. Anything else?"
"No not yet. But I do know the village that's mention was destroyed."
"OK thanks." Sara hangs up meeting Ian's gaze "Gabe identified the first picture in the journal it's of a shelter over on Lincoln."
"Are you going to go there now?"
"Need to find her before Lupo does." Sara goes over to the closet changing into a pair of jeans and a clean shirt. "If I don't find her I'll come right back."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Ian asks watching as Sara pull on her boots
Sara leans in kissing his cheek "I'll be fine." She kisses Zeke's head "I'll be back in a couple hours."
"Mama" Zeke whines "pway"
"We'll play when I get back OK?"
Zeke nods sticking his thumb in his mouth.
Ian watches as Sara walks out of the bedroom and looks at Zeke "Well it looks like its time I start researching."
Zeke sighs staring at the door.
"Mama will be back soon."
Zeke nods
MIDAFTERNOON: 1111 FAUST Sara enters the Witchblade room to find Ian looking through the Witchblade book. "So find anything?" she asks
Ian looks over at Sara "Nothing really. Did you find her?"
"No. But I saw someone very familiar."
"Who?"
"Lazar."
"What did he say?" Ian asks surprised.
"Nothing." Sara shrugs "Where's Zeke?" She looks around frowning when she doesn't find the boy nearby.
"He's in the kitchen with Mrs. Ellis."
Sara kisses Ian's cheek "I'm going to take him outside for a bit."
"I'll be out in a while. I want to finish this chapter."
Sara nods "OK." She walks out of the room heading to the kitchen where she finds Zeke quietly playing.
"Hello Miss Sara." Cook greets seeing the woman enter the kitchen
"Mama." Zeke grins "Up" He holds his arms up
"Hi." Sara returns lifting Zeke out of the playpen "How has he been?" She kisses Zeke's nose "How's my Zeke?"
"Very well behaved as always." Mrs. Ellis says entering the kitchen.
Sara nods kissing Zeke's head "How about we go outside buddy."
Zeke grins nodding excitedly "Yeah"
Sara chuckles "All right." She carries him out the of the kitchen
8PM Sara sighs hearing Zeke cry over the monitor "I'll go get him." She kisses Ian's cheek as she passes him in the library as they look through the book for all information on the Witchblade and children.
Ian nods in silence as she walks out of the room.
Sara makes her way up to Zeke's bedroom where she finds Zeke sitting up crying "Oh hey baby what's wrong?" She lifts Zeke out of the crib wiping at his tears. "It's OK." She soothes rubbing Zeke's back. "It's OK baby."
"Mama" Zeke rests his head on his mother's shoulder whimpering
"How about we go downstairs."
Downstairs Ian's walking through the foyer when he hears a knock at the door. He frowns knowing the security gates are closed. He opens the front door to find the girl, Bola, standing there looking annoyed.
"Where's my book?" Bola demands entering the mansion before being invited.
"It's safe." Ian answers quickly grabbing the holstered guns under her sweatshirt.
"Hey" Bola protests
"House rules. If you're under 29 you are not allowed to have a gun on you." Ian says quickly disabling the guns as Fredrick enters the foyer. "Fredrick can you put these away."
"I need those" Bola argues as the dark haired man hands her guns to someone else
"Not any longer." Ian returns as Fredrick leaves the foyer with the guns. Sensing Sara's approach Ian turns slightly as he keeps an eye on Bola as Sara walks down the stairs carrying Zeke.
Sara stops in her tracks seeing the teenager.
Zeke watches the newcomer curiously but remains silent.
"Where's my book?" Bola demands
"What are you doing here?" Sara asks
"Keeping on the move. You led Lupo to me." Bola snaps "Now give me back my book."
"I don't have it." Sara continues down the stairs
"Why don't we discuss this in the library" Ian suggests leading the three into the library
"He took my guns." Bola says angrily
"It's Ian's house his rules." Sara replies
"Why'd you take my book?" Bola demands
"It fell out of your bag." Sara answers setting Zeke in the playpen.
"No Mama" Zeke whimpers sniffling he holds his arms up.
"I'm not going anywhere." Sara assures touching the boy's head reassuringly. She looks at Bola "Is the book about you?"
"No it's about Lupo." Bola says
"And what exactly is Lupo? I've had rumors but I never heard the full truth." Ian states "And who are you?"
Bola looks at the man who is genetically her father, "Lupo is hate. He destroyed my village, killed my family, and every so often kills me."
"Bola you can't go around killing people." Sara says
Bola shrugs "I have no choice." She reaches out grabbing the Wielders wrist
Sara winces at the flood of images
*Bola resting her head on her father's chest.
Bola in different lifetimes fighting, dying, running.
Bola dying and being reborn.*
Sara tears herself out of the images staring at the girl "How many lifetimes?"
"I'm not sure." Bola shrugs "I just seem to remember some things... not everything but some. I remember how you died at Lupo's hand. I remember things when needed."
Sara looks at Ian then back at Bola who is looking at the books in the bookcases "Yet this time you weren't born to either of us. Why?"
Bola shrugs glancing at the darkhaired woman who in so many lifetimes she called 'Mother' "I don't know. Perhaps something went wrong this time around. Perhaps you two didn't meet at the time in which I was to be born. Or maybe the Witchblade didn't approve of whoever you were with at the time. Or maybe it had other plans. I don't know."
"Bola you need to stop killing these people." Ian says
"I can't." Bola replies shoving her hands in her pockets "As long as Lupo lives I'm to hunt him down in every lifetime. I'm tired of living every lifetime like this." She says sadly
"Bola we can help you with Lupo but you have to stop killing."
"Lupo has to fail. Failure is what hurts him." Bola says "I'm born to give him that failure. That's the only thing that can stop Lupo" she nods at the bracelet. "For good."
Sara glances at her wrist
"Once he's dead maybe I can live a normal life." Bola muses aloud "Live longer."
"What about your parents?" Sara asks curiously yet feeling pain at the thought.
Bola lifts her shoulders "Not sure where they are. Don't really care." She glances at the playpen where Zeke is watching them curiously "Who's the kid?"
"I guess technically he's your brother. His name is Ezekiel." Sara answers "Most everyone calls him Zeke."
Zeke stares at the dark-haired girl curiously
Bola looks at them startled 'I have a brother now.'
"We're still trying to figure that out." Sara says dryly
Bola nods "Got anything to eat around here?"
Ian nods picking up the phone on the desk dialing the kitchen extension "Cook can you bring a sandwich and a glass of milk into the library."
"And a bottle for Zeke." Sara adds
"And a bottle for Zeke. Thank you." Ian hangs up "It will be here in about ten minutes."
Bola nods "Thanks." She drops on the couch "So you goin' to give me back my book?"
"I don't have it."
"Where is it?" Bola demands
"Safe." Sara assures "You'll get it back."
"Good."
"Do you know what Lupo looks like?" Sara asks
Bola nods
"You going to help me find him?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want him alive."
Sara flinches at Bola's tone.
Ian reaches over squeezing Sara's shoulder "Where are you staying Bola?"
Bola shrugs "Don't know yet. Lupo followed you there so he probably has someone watching the place."
"I'll have Naomi fix up a room for you." Ian says
HALF HOUR LATER Ian opens the door to the bedroom allowing Bola to enter ahead of him. "Why don't you get some sleep. We'll talk more in the morning. If you want anything to eat the extension for the kitchen is 15. Our rooms next door and Zeke's is across the hall."
Bola nods dropping her backpack on the floor she falls on the bed. "Thanks." She mumbles sleepily.
"Good night." Ian says walking out of the room he goes to Zeke's room where he finds Sara tucking Zeke in.
"Is Bola in her room?"
Ian nods "She looks exhausted."
"Yeah. Considering all that's gone on." She shrugs pulling away from the crib "What are we supposed to do about Lupo?"
"We'll figure it out later. First lets let her get some sleep." He leads Sara out of the nursery to their bedroom.
Once in the bedroom Sara goes to the dresser taking out a pair of pajamas she changes in silence. "I'm going to go say goodnight to Bola." She kisses Ian's cheek as she walks out of the bedroom heading to the bedroom next to theirs knocking lightly. When she doesn't get an answer she enters the bedroom to find Bola asleep on the bed still wearing her boots. Sara goes over to the bed carefully she unties the boots setting them on the floor. She sits on the edge of the bed smoothing Bola's hair back. As Bola moves closer in her sleep Sara smiles slightly 'Just like Ian.'
Bola whimpers softly
"Shh its OK." Sara soothes watching as the girl calms a faint smile appearing on her face. 'She does look like us and Zeke.'