CHAPTER 34
BEFORE DAWN
Ian tears his eyes from Sara's sleeping form then walks out of the room quietly closing the door behind him. He takes a deep breath then heads down the stairs where he finds Aras and Mobius talking in the foyer.
"Everything is ready." Mobius informs Ian. "It's in the car."
Ian nods looking at the stairs.
"She asleep?" Aras asks
Ian nods looking at Aras. "I didn't want to wake her... she was up on and off all night." He removes an envelope from his pocket "Give this to her when she wakes up."
"Sure." Aras nods taking the envelope.
"Don't tell her where we're going."
"She's going to be pissed off."
"I know." Ian looks at the stairs then follows Mobius out of the house.
"Are you OK, Brother?" Mobius asks once they're in the car.
"I'd be better if this hadn't happened."
"Hey we're going to get her back."
"I have tried to protect her from my... life. I wanted her to know what I am... what I'm capable of, I never hid it, I couldn't hide it. Emma is part of me, the better part of course. Now here we are my past has put her in danger."
"And we're here to get her out of it."
Ian sighs, "She never should have been put in the middle of whatever it is he wants."
"Then we'll get her out of the middle."
OVER AN HOUR LATER: WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
Ian and Mobius stand on the rooftop of a warehouse across the way from the warehouse where they believe Emma is. "What do you think?" Ian asks.
"Windows blacked out."
"Security cameras all around." Ian points out.
"Just makes it more interesting." Mobi smirks as a car pulls out of a garage. "Looks like ones leaving."
"Where are they keeping her?"
"Grab one and make him talk."
Ian nods "I guess we have no choice. That's the only way to find out if she's there."
"What about the security cameras?"
"We'll have to take them out when we can." Ian answers "Keep the kills to a minimum."
"Agreed."
"Mobi if I don't make it out of this..."
"You will."
"If I don't the papers you and Martha signed are in the paneling in the back of my closet."
"Does she know about the papers?"
"No. I haven't told her."
Mobius nods "Well then my friend..." he holds out his arm and they clasp forearms "let's get her back."
"Once we get her I want you to take her out of there as soon as possible. I don't want her there for whatever happens."
"I will." Mobius promises.
SAME TIME: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
Sara awakens to find the bed empty. She sits up and looks around hoping that Ian is somewhere close by. "Emma" she murmurs throwing off the covers she gets out of bed and heads across the hall hoping that the events from the day before were only a dream. She enters the empty room and sighs, 'It wasn't a dream. My baby's gone.' She takes a deep breath and trudges down the stairs her arms wrapped around herself as she ignores the blood stained carpet.
Aras looks up as Sara enters the kitchen. "Hey sis."
"Where's Ian?" Sara asks looking around for her lover.
"He left you a note." Aras hands her sister the note Ian had given her.
Sara opens the note and begins to read.
'My Sara,
Mobius and I went to find Emma... we have an idea of where to find her, hopefully by tonight we will have our girl back home. I know you won't approve of what I might have to do to get her back, but I have to do it.
No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you and Emma more than anything in life I will do anything to keep you both safe.
I love you my Sara, I always have and always will.
Forever yours,
Ian'
Sara refolds the letter and chews on her lower lip.
"You OK, sis?" Aras asks seeing the pain on her sister's face. "I'm sure he'll find her and before you know it you three will be back to playing happy family."
Sara makes her way over to the couch and sits down pulling her knees to her chest. "Then why do I feel like I'm going to lose one or both of them?"
"You won't." Aras sits beside her sister.
"I love him Aras." Sara glances briefly at her sister.
"I know."
"I need him... I need Emma." Sara blinks back tears.
"You'll get them both back. You'll see."
Sara laughs sadly, "Remember when we used to try to get Ian to do our homework?"
Aras laughs at the memory. "He always said we wouldn't learn anything if he did it but he always helped us."
"You know he was right."
"I know." Aras laughs, "You know I always thought he'd be a great big brother." Aras remarks thoughtfully. "I know after what I did it doesn't make sense but it's true."
Sara's silent for a moment then speaks "I'm going to marry him."
"I know. The question is, when are you going to say yes?" Aras asks then continues, "And don't say Emma or not ready because I know that she would love for you two to get married. I know that you're ready to marry him... you've been ready for 14 years. You scared to marry him?!" Aras demands.
"God no!" Sara says quickly. "I love the idea of being married to him. He's the love of my life."
"Then what scares you?"
Sara sighs rubbing her hands over her face. "The whole process, once we decide to get married, Marie and Lee are going to go full force on planning a wedding... which means stress. Once Irons knows it could go three ways; A) he could turn the whole wedding into a publicity circus B) He could intervene and try to stop it or C) He could really hurt Ian."
"So elope. Grab Emma and a few witnesses and go to Vegas or Atlantic City and get married then announce it when you're ready."
"Wonder if Ian would go for that." Sara muses
"It's Ian. You can get him to do anything... you have him wrapped around your little finger. I doubt Ian is the type who would want to make a big deal out of getting married. I think all he wants is to marry you."
"Yeah I know. He keeps asking me."
"Then say yes the next time he asks."
"If he gets to chance to ask me again." Sara says grimly. "I have a feeling I might lose him."
"Hey you won't lose him. You'll see."
WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
Emma awakens startled as she hears a thud outside the door. She sits up rubbing her eyes sleepily as the door opens and in her Dad walks. "Dad"
Ian hurries into the dim room going to the cot where Emma is sitting. "Emma." he says relieved crouching before her. "Are you OK?" He asks his voice filled with concern, as he looks her over.
Emma throws her arms around his neck burying her face in his shoulder "I don't feel good. Can we go home?"
"Put your shoes on and we'll go home." Ian kisses her forehead and pulls back going to the door he glances at the unconscious man sprawled on the ground next to the door.
Emma grabs her shoes and slips them on as her Dad splits his attention between her and the door. She picks up her backpack "Done."
Ian holds his hand out towards her. "Let's go home. Your Mom is really worried about you." He pulls her close "Stay close OK?"
"'k." Emma follows close behind him towards the stairs not looking at the man lying on the ground.
"Bravo."
Ian turns to see Derek walking towards them gun in hand. He steps in front of Emma his gun in hand. "You kidnapped my daughter!"
Derek shrugs "You found her."
"Ian" Mobius calls from the landing below them.
"Take Emma to the car." Ian instructs
"No" Emma says stubbornly.
"Emma, go with Mobi now." Ian orders
Mobius makes his way up the stairs "Emma"
"Daddy"
"I'll be out in a few moments."
"But"
"Go!"
Emma looks at her Dad then at Mobius then reluctantly releases her Dad's hand and follows her Uncle down the stairs.
"My child Derek. What were you thinking?!"
"What were you thinking leaving me there?"
"We had our orders."
Emma stops when they reach the bottom of the stairs and looks up at her Dad who is arguing with the man.
"Emma, come on." Mobius urges seeing her attention on her Dad who is trading blows with Derek.
"Mobi get her out of here." Ian orders as he ducks a kick to his head.
Mobius grabs the teen and carries her struggling out of the warehouse.
"I want Daddy." Emma struggles to get away.
"He'll be fine Emma." Mobius assures trying to keep her from getting out of his arms.
Ian lands on his feet after jumping down from the catwalk and he continues trading blows with Derek. "We didn't leave you there on purpose Derek. We thought you were dead."
"You didn't look!"
Emma stops struggling when they hear a couple gunshots coming from inside the building. "Daddy" She whispers pained.
SAME TIME: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
Sara gasps as a feeling of dread washes over her. "Ian" She whispers.
WAREHOUSE
The door opens and Ian stumbles out his gun in one hand and leans against the wall.
Emma breaks away from Mobius as she sees her Dad slump to the ground. "Dad" She runs to his side settling beside him.
"Emma" Ian says softly wincing slightly. "Are you OK?" He lifts his hand to her cheek.
Emma nods "Can we go home?"
Mobius joins them and frowns slightly as he notices the front of Ian's sweater is dark. "Brother" He gestures with his chin at the front of Ian's sweater.
Emma's eyes go to the front of his sweater and her eyes widen. "Daddy?"
Ian winces slightly "I'll be fine." He gives Emma a slight smile "Everything will be OK." He assures brushing his knuckle down her cheek wiping away the tear that slides down her cheek. "I love you Emma."
"Love you Daddy."
FEW MINS LATER
"Daddy" Emma struggles to get to her Dad as they load him into the ambulance.
"We'll go to the hospital." Mobi promises keeping Emma.
Danny and Jake join Mobius and Emma as the ambulance pulls away. "Mobius what happened?" Danny demands. "And why is Emma here?"
"It's a long story. You will have to ask Sara and Ian. The man who planned the break in is dead. The other men are all wounded... not severely though."
Danny frowns at the look on Emma's face. "Emma, are you OK?"
"I want my Dad." Emma whispers
"Where is Sara?" Jake asks
"She's at the house. Ian didn't tell her where we were going. I'm going to take Emma to the hospital so she can be checked out and wait for Ian."
"I'm fine." Emma says before coughing.
"You have a cold and being out here hasn't helped it."
"I just want my Dad." Emma turns burying her face in Mobius's chest.
"I know Princess." Mobius strokes her hair.
WHILE LATER: NOTTINGHAM HOUSE
"Yeah? Hey Danny." Sara greets tiredly. She leans against the counter paling as she hears his words. "Is Emma OK?" She demands. "Where did they take him?" 'Oh God.' "We'll be right there." She hangs up tears filling her eyes.
"Everything OK?" Aras asks concerned.
Sara turns and looks at her sister. "Ian was shot. They took him to the hospital."
Aras winces at the pain in her sister's eyes. "And Emma?"
"Danny said she's fine... tired and worried... but fine. Mobius took her to the hospital to get checked out."
"Let's go... I'll drive."
"I have to go get some clothes on first." Sara runs out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
20 MINS LATER: HOSPITAL
"Mom" Emma says in relief.
Sara sighs seeing Emma sitting on the exam table with Mobius standing close by. "Emma" she hugs her daughter. "You OK, sweetie?"
Emma nods "I want Daddy." She sniffles.
"I know baby." Sara kisses her head and looks expectantly at the doctor.
"We checked her out. Slight fever but she'll be fine in a few days. I gave her some cold medicine." The doctor informs Sara.
Sara nods then looks at Mobius. "How's Ian?"
"He's in surgery." Mobius tells Sara. "Doctors haven't said much."
Sara blinks back tears "What about Irons?"
"I called him. He should be here in a while with Martha." Mobius informs Sara.
Sara nods gently stroking Emma's hair. 'Ian.' She closes her eyes.
20 MINS LATER
Kenneth strides into the waiting room with Martha close behind. "What the hell happened Hector?" He demands
Mobius stands going to his former state of address when in Irons presence. "He did not say sir. I was outside with Emma, Ian didn't want her in there."
"You OK, kiddo?" Martha asks concerned as she looks at the teen sitting beside her mother looking tired.
Emma nods
"She has a slight fever and they gave her some cold medicine." Sara informs Martha.
"Martha, take Emma to the house." Irons orders
"No." Emma says quickly. "I'm staying here."
"Emma wants to be here Irons." Sara glares at the man. "Its her choice."
"Actually Detective it is my choice, while my son is incapacitated, I am Emma's legal guardian. She has no say and neither do you."
Sara flinches at Irons meaning.
"I'm not going with you. I'm staying here." Emma says stubbornly.
Kenneth scowls "Fine." He looks at Mobius "Call me when you know anything." He strides out of the waiting room.
Emma relaxes and rests her head on her Mom's shoulder.
CHAPTER 35
EARLY AFTERNOON
Sara steps out of the stall to find her sister leaning against the counter her arms crossed over her chest. "What?"
"You're pregnant again aren't you?" Aras inquires.
Sara stiffens "How...?"
"Last night when they were gone I came up to check on you and I heard you in the bathroom. And then now..." Aras nods at the stall door.
Sara rinses out her mouth then answers. "I found out the other day, I was going to tell him that night but when I found out Emma was sick we were distracted... and then this happened. I tried to tell him last night but I couldn't, I didn't want to add to his worries." She sinks to the floor and tears start to fall. "I can't lose him Aras... not now."
"Hey you won't lose him. He adores you and Emma... besides you said that you two had talked about having another kid."
"Not so soon and not at a time when I could lose him."
"You won't." Aras sits beside her sister and slings her arm around her sister's shoulders.
"I had enough to worry about with Irons maybe beating him to death but not this."
"Hey everything is going to be fine. He's going to be excited... so will Emma."
"Aras"
"Don't worry I won't tell anyone... that's your job."
Sara nods rubbing her forehead, "God Aras what am I going to do without him?"
"Hey that's not going to be an issue. He'll be fine Sara."
"I want to believe that." Sara whispers
"Then do."
HOUR LATER
Mobius stands outside the hospital phone in hand. "Sir"
"What is it Mobius?"
"Ian is out of surgery."
"Report?"
"Bullet missed his heart by a few inches. He had a seizure in the middle of surgery. Ian is in recovery and in awhile they will move him into a room."
"Make sure it is a private room."
"The doctor took care of that."
"Call me when he wakes." Kenneth hangs up.
"Bastard." Mobius mutters under his breath as he returns his phone to his pocket.
LATE THAT EVENING
Sara gently pulls the covers over Emma's sleeping form as she sleeps in the extra bed in the hospital room. 'She just wanted to be close to her Daddy.' Sara brushes her finger down Emma's cheek. 'Poor baby is exhausted.' Sara looks over at the other bed and smiles slightly at the sight of Ian. 'He's going to be fine.' She returns to the chair beside Ian's bed and sits. Feeling tired from everything Sara rests her head beside Ian's hand, as it lies motionless on the bed, covering his hand with her own and slowly drifts off to sleep.
WHILE LATER
Ian slowly opens his eyes at first startled by his surroundings he slowly remembers. 'Emma kidnapped. Shot by Derek.' He turns his head slightly and smiles faintly as he sees Sara asleep beside him her head beside his hand. Slowly he lifts his hand and strokes Sara's hair, "Sara" he says softly.
Sara stirs out of her sleep as she feels the gentle and familiar touch and opens her eyes looking at Ian and grins seeing him awake. "Ian" she says relieved.
"My Sara" He smiles slightly then frowns "Where's Emma?"
"She's over there" Sara looks over at the bed. "She's out to the world." She informs him "She's good... a little freaked out and worried."
"How are you?" He asks his hand cupping her cheek.
"Better now that you're awake." She squeezes his hand and turns her head pressing a kiss to his palm. "I was scared that I'd lose you."
"I'm fine." Ian assures.
"You could have died Ian."
"I didn't though." Ian points out.
"You had a seizure in surgery."
"How long have I been out?"
"Since you got to the hospital at 7 this morning."
"Oh."
Sara moves to the edge of the bed and brushes her fingers over his beard. 'My sweet Ian.'
Ian watches her closely. "What is it my Sara?"
"Nothing." Sara lies.
"It is something... I know that look."
"Um well" Sara brushes a strand of hair behind her ear and blinks back tears.
"What is it?" He asks concerned.
"I wanted to tell you earlier but with everything that happened..." She bites her lower lip.
"Sara?" He says puzzled.
Sara leans down and whispers into his ear and pulls back watching as he slowly smiles.
"Your..."
Sara nods "I am." She brings his hand to her middle.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Ian asks quietly after staring at her stunned for a few moments.
"I found out that afternoon Emma came home sick, I had planned to tell you then but we got distracted with Emma. I tried to tell you last night but we were distracted and then I didn't want to worry you so" she shrugs.
"You should have told me."
"I know."
"Have you told Emma?" Ian asks after a second.
"No. Other than you and the doctor Aras is the only one who knows... she guessed."
"Are you OK with this Sara?"
Sara smiles after a moment "Yeah I am. We did talk about having another baby."
"Yes but you wanted to wait." Ian points out.
Sara shrugs "I think I'm more on the side of surprised I didn't get pregnant earlier."
"Why do you say that?"
Sara looks at the second bed. "Do I have to remind you it was once with that one?"
Ian chuckles and winces slightly. "Good point." He brings Sara's hand to his lips "When do you want to tell Emma?"
"When you're back home and back to normal." Sara answers as the hospital room door opens and a nurse walks in. "Damn" Sara mutters
"Mr. Nottingham good to see you're awake." The nurse says cheerfully. "How are you feeling?"
Emma stirs at the unfamiliar voice and slowly opens her eyes and grins seeing her Dad awake. "Daddy!" She says happily as she scrambles out of the bed and crawls in beside her Dad ignoring the nurse who is obviously thinking about protesting.
"How are you feeling Em?" Ian asks as she buries her face in his neck.
"Better now." Emma mumbles.
"I told you everything would be OK." Ian strokes her hair.
"He hurt you." She says sadly as she gently touches the bandage on his chest.
"I'll be fine." Ian's eyes meet Sara's as if saying it to her as well.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"I love you Daddy." Emma mumbles
"I love you too."
TBC…
AN:
I suck at being very descriptive at times at these chapters were the very sucky descriptive chapters if someone wants to do an interlude scene on the fight and send it to me I might put it in the fic if I like it.