PART TEN

Gabriel didn't sleep the rest of the night. He simply watched the steady rise and fall of Dianna's small chest as she slept without dreams. As the sun began to peek over the horizon, he carefully got out of bed and readied himself for the day. Smiling smugly, he picked up the phone and dialed, waiting for it to be answered.

"Sara, you and Ian can leave now." He grinned as he waved to the window, seeing the two hiding but watchful. "Thank you." Hanging up he waited as they stood and stretched first, then waved back at him. "Some spies you two make." He muttered to himself as he left the bedroom and began to start coffee and breakfast not seeing the shadowed figure that had also been watching them through the night disappear.

As he sipped his first cup of coffee, he again began to read the disk with Lilith's words. He found reference after reference about dreams the woman had remembered. The description of Dianna as a grown woman fighting with a huge sword was detailed. Gabriel could only imagine what the mother had felt about the visions. He was sure that she had been proud and at the same time, terrified for her baby.

Glancing at his watch, he decided that it was time for Dianna to get up. Carefully he moved back into the room and sat on the side of the bed.

"Princess, it's time to wake up." He brushed her cheek softly with the back of his hand. "Come on sleepy head, time to face the day." He grinned as she slowly opened her eyes and looked at him accusingly. "Where's my smile?"

"It's still sleeping." She frowned as she sat up, angrily brushing hair off her face.

"Still sleeping?" He grinned playfully. "Well that won't do now, will it." He suddenly pounced, tickling her till she was screaming with laughter. "There it is." He pulled back and winked at her. "I knew if I looked hard enough I would find that smile."

"That was cheating." She tried to frown again, but kept giggling. "Not fair Gabriel."

"I don't think it was cheating." He pushed hair off her face with his fingers. "Now then, why don't you take your bath, get dressed and join me for some breakfast. I've got a pancake with your name on it."

"Pancakes?" He eyes twinkled. "With chocolate syrup?"

"I think that might be arranged." He made a face as she giggled. "Go on young lady, get dressed and I'll have your chocolate syrup ready when you get out."

"Kay." She shuffled past him and headed for the bathroom. "I won't be long."

"Good." He stood and made his way out of the bedroom quietly, smiling at her sweet innocence. As he entered the kitchen the phone rang. Glancing once more at the bedroom door, he picked up the receiver. "Talismaniacs."

"You think you can keep her safe, but you're wrong." The voice was harsh and gravelly.

"Who is this?" Gabriel demanded, suddenly feeling the blood rush from his face.

"You know who it is Mythkeeper. Don't fool yourself, she will be mine."

"I'll kill you before I let you take her, you bastard." Gabriel growled softly into the phone and was rewarded with the click of the caller hanging up. "DAMNIT!" He shouted before he could stop himself. Cautiously he looked toward the bedroom and when Dianna didn't come out, he dialed Sara's number quickly. "Sara, he just called."
Listening he shook his head softly. "No, you don't understand, I think it's the guy who killed Dianna's mother. He's definitely after Dianna." He waited. "Yeah, I understand, we'll be here." Hanging up, he slowly turned to see Dianna, wide eyed, standing in the doorway. 'Hey Princess, that sure was fast."

"He's gonna get me, you know." She said absently as she moved to the table and sat down quietly. "He just will."

"No baby, he won't. I won't let him and neither will Sara or Ian." Gabriel knelt next to her. "We'll take care of you till your Uncle Rafe gets here." Her eyes said she didn't believe him. "That's a promise." Suddenly small hands held his face and he was looking into eyes that were far older than the child who sat in front of him.

"I'll kill him for you." She smiled sweetly, releasing his shocked face. "Where's the syrup?"

"Right here." He moved a dark bottle near her plate, staring at her in confusion. "Sara will be here soon. Finish your breakfast." He moved away, wondering if the child even knew what she had just said. Finally he turned away and retrieved his cup and freshened it with hot coffee. Carefully he sat across from the child and simply watched her eat. Finally he stared at the dark liquid in his cup and spoke softly. "Dianna, you shouldn't kill anyone. It isn't right."

"Why not. He killed Mommy and now he wants to hurt you. That makes me mad." She put her fork down and just stared at Gabriel. "I wish I was the Lady of Justice. I would take my sword and kill him with it."

"Dianna I want you to listen to me very carefully." Suddenly Gabriel became stern with the child. "One day you might get your wish and become the Lady of Justice." He took a deep breath as he spoke, careful to not let Dianna think he was angry with her. "If you get to wear the Blade you must be very careful how you use it. Never use it against someone if you are mad." He repeated his instructions as Dianna stared at him. "Never in anger Princess. You must never use the blade in anger. Promise me that. You must control your anger and use the blade wisely."

"I promise." Her eyes were wide as she spoke. "Do you think I could really be the Lady of Justice one day?"

"Yes I do, but you have a lot to learn before you can wear it." He smiled suddenly and patted his lap. "Come here, you have chocolate all over your mouth." She jumped off the chair and ran toward his open arms. As he carefully wiped her lips, he knew she understood what he had said. "Now, Sara will be here soon, so why don't we get the dishes done before she gets here."
After the table was cleaned off, Gabriel sat Dianna at one of the computers and set up a game for her to play while they waited for Sara. As they laughed at the strange animals Dianna made up, the phone rang again.

"Bowman here." Gabriel said into the receiver.

"Gabriel, it's Sara." The voice on the other end seemed harried and out of breath. "Listen to me carefully. Dianna isn't safe there." She paused. "You need to get her out of there fast."

"Sara I don't understand." Gabriel started but was cut off by Sara's sharpness.

"Bowman, take the girl to the mansion. Ian will be waiting for the two of you. Get her out of there now if you care for her."

Without answering, Gabriel hung up and looked at Dianna who had stopped playing and was staring at him.

"Come on Princess, grab your coat." He rushed to help her out of the chair.

"Where are we going?"

"To visit Ian at his house." Gabriel picked up the coat and helped Dianna put it on. "You'll be safer there."

"Does Ian live in a castle?" Her eyes grew wide. "He's a knight you know."

"Yeah, in a way he does. Come on, he's waiting for us." Gabriel put his own coat on and grabbed his keys. Picking up Dianna, he looked around the room once then headed out the door with her.

Gabriel would think about the next few minutes over and over through the years. He carried Dianna out of the building then put her on her feet as they neared his car. Although he kept looking around as they moved, he never saw the shadowed figure approach.

"GABRIEL!" He looked toward Dianna as she screamed terrified.

"Dianna! RUN!" He would find out later that the command came too late. He felt something slam against his head. In blinding pain, he was only aware that he was falling to the pavement, loosing consciousness. He never saw Dianna being scooped up by the man and carried away. He was also unaware that only seconds later, Ian bent next to him, checking his pulse and calling for help before leaving him to pursue Dianna and her captor. He would remember the horror of knowing he had failed to keep Dianna safe.
"Gabriel, wake up." Sara's voice was soft and filled with alarm. "Come on Bowman, you need to open your eyes now!"

"Dianna." He mumbled as he sat carefully rubbing the back of his head gingerly. "Where's Dianna." He looked into Sara's eyes and knew. "No, tell me she's safe Sara."

"Ian's looking for them now." She helped him stand up slowly. "He saw the way Dianna was taken and as soon as he checked on you he called me and started after them. He hasn't called back yet." She watched him sway slightly then regain his balance. "What happened?"

"After you called and said she wasn't safe here…" He could see the confusion in Sara's eyes. "You didn't call?" She shook her head. "Sara, I swear that it sounded like you. You said…or someone sounding like you said that Dianna was not safe here and to take her to the mansion." He leaned against the car. "My God what I have done." Tears began to stream down his cheeks. "I should have realized it was some kind of trick."

"Gabriel. We don't have time to play the pity or blame game. We have to find Dianna and get to her before she can be hurt." She waited for the man to angrily wipe his face with the back of his sleeve. "Try to remember what I supposedly said." As he thought, Sara's phone suddenly rang. She held her hand up then pulled the phone from her pocket, flipping it open. "Pez…"

"Sara, it's Ian. I found him."

"Is Dianna safe? Is she all right?" Sara spoke quietly into the mouthpiece. She listened carefully and without saying anything else, closed the phone and put it back in her pocket. Slowly she turned toward Gabriel, her mouth set hard.

"Sara what it is? Who was that? Is …"

"Gabriel!" Sara spoke harshly to get his attention. "That was a trap."

"How…who?"

"Said it was Ian. Said Dianna was safe but we needed to get there fast."

"So how do you know it's a trap?"

"Since when has Nottingham called you Gabe?" She looked at him with eyebrows raised. As her words sank in and he understood her meaning, she began to lead him away by the shoulder. "Come on. Trap or not, we have to go."