Thanks to Fae Rain for noting a rather ::ahem:: important grammar error...

Allo allo, folks. So, I would very much like to thank the following people...::IrishRaven breaks out of her box:: Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiii. 'How are ya'? Are you enjoying the story so far? Well, I hope so. Oooo, ooooo! Did you see the '2 Fast 2 Furious' trailer for Matrix Reloaded? I believe I saw a glimpse of the wonderful Eric Etebari in one of those cars!!!' ::gets shoved back into the box:: 'You're in there for a reason!'

Well, thanks to:
DKM (you get a lil' update on Jake...hehe), Nanz, Eli (Sorry about the headache ::grabs aspirin from Gabe and hands it over::), Spin (more bunnies shall be going poof, but I will send them to you, if you prefer. And about Ian and the shirtless kata...I'll send him over when I'm done with him. take that comment as you may), Fae Rain (much trouble...much trouble), Kitsa (hopefully I won't be running out of weird ideas any time soon, though writers block is on the horizon for me), MsLessa (now there's an idea...::evil grin::), Julia (you won't believe how much wanted smiting...but that'd make things too easy), Jenileigh (I feel special!! exclamation points and grins!!!...I dunno...running out of things to say.), dragongrrl (I hope to get away from the serious as soon as I possibly can.)

And to those of you who didn't review...well...::X sticks her tongue out::

Disclaimer: I own very few things in this life. A computer and my muppets 'Animal' shoelaces are my prized possessions. So, suing me, though it may get you some cool $1.99 shoelaces, is pointless. I own none of the Top Cow characters. I never think I will. (Oooo, I also own a baseball signed by a Cuban baseball team and a devil duckie. Try to take those from me, and I'll cry! Or just send my invisible friends after you.)

Feedback: I live for it.

A/N: Sorry...it's 3am, and I'm once again writing a spiel for this chapter, and a part of the actual chapter. So excuse me if it absolutely sucks!

But I do hope you enjoy this next installment of: "Little Hope of Escape"

April Fools Day, the Witchblade way...

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Chapter XIV

Sara rolled over in the large bed of the guest room, trying to get to sleep. The bright glow of the Witchblade had her transfixed, and the red glow cast a red colour through out the darkness of the room. Her own personal, pain in the ass, mystic nightlight. The whispers of the Blade were there, in her mind, and she listened to them as she drifted off to sleep. She listened, her subconscious understanding what her mind could not. For the first time, she could hear the voice of a man within the murmurings. Slowly, The Blade allowed her to drift off into sleep...but not without its own reasons.

````````````

Sun light splayed across the white comforter, and Sara opened her eyes slightly, growling softly at the offending ray of sunshine. She closed her eyes again, when she heard the sound of feet pounding in the hallway. Before she could react, a small child had flung himself at her, and knocked the air out of her.

"Mornin', Mummy," the boy said cheerfully.

"Morning' Sammi," Sara muttered, looking at her son. He was almost identical to Ian, except he had Sara's piercing green eyes. He most certainly had his father's knack for being able to move about before eight o'clock, and/or coffee

"Breakfasttime breakfasttime!!!" Sam insisted.

"Let mommy have a few more minutes of sleep," Sara groaned, rolling over.

"Mummy!" Sammi complained.

"Let your mother have a few more minutes of sleep, Samuel," Ian's unmistakable voice called from the doorway, "Go help your sister pour her cereal. Careful with the milk this time."

"Okay Daddy,"

The young boy bounded out of the room, and Sara heaved a sigh of relief.

"Little bundles of joy," her children were the best thing that happened to her, after Ian, of course, but in the morning...they were way too perky.

"At least you married a morning person," Ian said, sitting down beside her on the bed and placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Mhmmm," Sara murmured happily.

Ian leaned over and kissed her again, and Sara moved so that she could see his face more easily.

"I love you, Ian Nottingham,"

Ian smiled and nuzzled her neck and pulled back to look at her, getting a far off look, as if remembering something from long ago.

"What is it?" Sara asked, concerned by Ian's sudden and uncharacteristic lack of focus.

"I couldn't have even dared to dream of this nine years ago," Ian said, playing with her soft hair.

"I dreamt...but I never..." Sara reached her hand out to touch cup Ian's face in her hand.

"Daddy! Lauriel spilled the milk again!!!"

"Duty calls," Ian said with a regretful smile, and leaned over to kiss Sara. She wrapped her arms around him, and protested when he broke the kiss to go deal with their small children.

"I love you, my Sara," Ian said with a smile, managing to pry himself out of Sara's grasp.

Sara groaned again as he managed to evade her, and rolled towards the edge of the bed, trying to will herself to get up.

"Coffee?" Sara called out after Ian.

"You'll have to get out of bed and help me with our little bundles of joy in order to get it,"

"Bribery," Sara sighed, falling back into the bed. She closed her eyes, and heaved a deep sigh.

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Sara awoke with a start, and looked around the room. She was not entirely sure where she was, but after a few moments, she remembered the events of the past day.

"And what exactly are you getting at, twitchy?" demanded Sara, looking to the Witchblade questioningly.

The Witchblade sounded its odd laughter, and Sara sighed wearily before lying back down.

"You can be more trouble that you're worth," Sara stated, before falling back into a dream-filled sleep. But she wasn't the only one...

```````````````````````````````

Ian was in the forest again: inhabiting Loki's body as he watched Morrigan get attacked by the five men. She was greatly outnumbered, but she was holding her own. Loki was not sure how she could move so quickly, or what metal the blade she wielded was forged of. It was of nothing he had seen. He was not close enough to see exactly what it was, but it looked like an extension of her arm. Loki saw one of the men swing at her head from her blind side, and in a blink of an eye, he was there, blocking the blade from her neck with his bare hands.

All the participants in the fight jumped back in alarm, including Morrigan. Loki kept his grasp on the blade, causing its owners to stare in shock.

"Now gentlemen...'tis not courteous to harass beautiful women. An' 'tis not good for your well-being to harass beautiful young women who wield a powerful and mystic weapon." Loki glanced to the other four men, then back to the man whose sword he had a firm grip on, "Now, I am sure this Lady could tear your throats out, but I wish to speak with her...are you willing to step down, or must we resort to acts of violence?"

The beardless man pulled his sword from Loki's hand, drawing a minimal amount of blood, and prepared to attack again.

"Not very reasonable." Loki said, before dodging the man's sword, and kicking the man square in the chest. He flew a few feet and fell, out cold. The fight resumed, and Morrigan moved as quickly, if not faster, than Loki, running the blade through one of her attackers. She pulled the blade out quickly, letting his body slid to the ground. A sword came at her midsection, and met the metal of a suit of armor. She slashed at the man's chest with the claws of the blade, and he fell, hard.

She glanced over to Loki, who was holding the final standing opponent by his neck. Morrigan raised her eyebrows in surprise as she noticed that Loki was holding him off the ground with one hand.

"Ah, to be mortal," he sighed wistfully, and in a fluid action, snapped the man's neck.

Loki turned to Morrigan, to find that she was holding the blade to his neck.

"Who...what...are you, and what do you seek?"

"A thank you would suffice." Loki said with a shrug, glancing down to the blade at his neck with curiosity.

"This afternoon you told me you were a messenger between the gods...how does a messenger have that much power?"

"Well...I am known more as the 'bad relation' between the gods. And in order to do that, one has to *be* a god."

With that, Loki disappeared, and reappeared behind her. She sensed him, and turned, still on edge.

"In response to why I am here, mi'Lady Morrigan...I fear that I have taken a fancy to you."

Morrigan was taken back by the reply, and the Blade retracted, leaving her with the Gauntlet.

"And...I fear that falling in love with a mortal never works out well for us gods. We grow soft...and get some level of humanity." Loki shivered jokingly at the word 'humanity'. The eerie light the moon cast into the opening in the tree canopy gave the whole scenario a supernatural air.

Loki began to circle Morrigan, and the Witchblade was burning on her wrist.

"Who are you, fair angel? Possessing a weapon even I have never seen, more wit than I have seen in any woman I have seen in this time...vast power...fairer than an angel..." Morrigan could feel his breath on her neck as he moved closer.

"I am the unobtainable jem." Morrigan replied, pulling away from him. She was afraid that this man truly did love her...and that was not something she deal with. She had a very hard time trusting men, let alone letting them get close to her. And this man...god...he was a *GOD*!!! A *God* loving her? Why? What could a god find in her, a mere, though cursed mortal.

"And I am loathing of this power I possess. You are a god, you take it from me," the Gauntlet formed into the bracelet, and Morrigan ripped it from her wrist, and threw it at Loki's feet. He put his hands out, and called it up to him, and it floated over his hands as he inspected it.

"It is not mine to take," Loki replied as it floated above his hand, glowing angrily "It is yours, and yours alone, Morrigan. The responsibility is not one to be taken lightly."

"It is not a responsibility I want."

"You would allow the world to fall into chaos?"

"That's not my quandary."

"But it is, Morrigan. You are mean to counter act me and my works."

"How do you know this?"

"That is the Llan An Cailleach, is it not?" Loki inquired, "Glove of the Witch. I was told to find you. Apparently the blade found my lack of interest in locating you again after our meeting in the market offensive, and so...here I am."

"Why? Why would you let that thing dictate your actions, messenger?" Morrigan asked, gesturing loathingly to the bracelet.

"I am to protect you."

"I do not need protection," Morrigan spat.

"It is not my decision either, mi'Lady. This is a powerful trinket. Apparently it picks opposites in the universe to throw together. You, a mortal who is to keep the world from chaos, and me...the immortal god of chaos and mischief."

"And if I refuse?"

Loki looked into the eye of the bracelet as it floated above his hand.

"I get my way with the world," Loki said with a smirk, "And no one would want that. I would make the world a very strange place. Invent things like 'vegmite' and 'tofu'."

"That does not sound so bad to me." Morrigan said, "What ever it is,"

"Then will you at least accept for *me*?" Loki asked, looking into her emerald eyes, "I would be honored to protect one as strong and beautiful as you."

Morrigan looked from Loki to the Witchblade, to the ground and back again.

"I'll be awaiting your decision, Morrigan," Loki said, levitating the Witchbalde back to her. She looked up, only to find him gone from sight.

She found herself inexplicably attracted to the man...but at the same time feared the love he presented to her so openly. Morrigan closed her eyes, trying to collect her jumbled thoughts before making the long trek home. When she opened them, she found herself in front of her small house, with Ebony standing near the barn, whinnying unhappily.

Morrigan looked up to the bright stars with a slight smile.

"I can say I have a friend up there now, eh, my dear messenger?"

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````````````````

Sara awoke with a start, her dream interrupted by movement in the room. In the blink of an eye, she was standing on the bed, the blade of the Witchblade extended to the throat of the woman perched on the frame of the canopy bed. The woman only smiled in reply to the reaction.

"Who the hell are you?" Sara demanded.

"Are you always this pleasant in the morning?" the woman inquired with an amused smile.

"I don't know about you, missy, but even if I had coffee, this would not be a good way to start off the morning."

Ian appeared in the doorway, silent as usual, so that neither woman could have possibly noticed him entering. He walked towards them, slowly and silently drawing the sword at his belt as he did. But before he could pull get closer, the intruder moved swiftly, and seated herself in the chair beside Sara's bed, a sword pointed at each of them.

"You are just the most welcoming people," the woman said, keeping her eyes on both of them; but never making eye contact as she kept her face shadowed behind her wavy hair. She glanced over to the Witchblade and smiled, unperturbed.

"That won't do much, Mi'Lady," she said, sheathing the sword pointed at Sara, then looked to Ian, "And you...you're just too old, brother,"

Xeire shook the hair from her face, her penetrating eyes meeting Ian's.

"Xeire?" Ian paused, obviously in shock, "But I thought you were..."

"We were separated when I was four, Ian. You went to a man regarded as a God among men, and I went to a...well...God." Xeire stood and walked about the room with her hands clasped behind her back, much in the same demeanor of both Loki and Ian.

"Ian, who is this?" Sara demanded, still a bit resentful towards the woman who she had found hovering over her when she awoke.

"My sister," he replied, still staring at the woman. He sat down on the edge of Sara's bed with a weary look on his face, "Xeire was...is...my sister. Kenneth told me...he told me that she was dead when I was still a child."

"Your childhood lasted about two weeks." Xeire said coldly, then glanced to Ian, the look her eyes warmer, "I look pretty good for having been dead the past 23 years, huh brother?"

Ian didn't reply, only got up and walked to the window. Sara glanced cautiously to Xeire before getting from the bed to talk to Ian.

"What's going on with you, Ian?" asked Sara quietly as Nottingham stared out the window.

"I attended her funeral when I was seven. Kenneth had a huge, elaborate funeral for the girl that this woman claims to be." Ian said, "I just can't. I do not know what game Loki is playing, but he is dredging up too many memories to have it be humorous any more."

"What game?" Sara asked, "Still haven't been clued in as to what the fuck is going on."

"I am sure he will tell you eventually."

"Why don't you tell me instead, Nottingham?"

"Because it is not my place,"

"I betcha it is," Sara said challengingly.

"Another time, radiant angel, another time," Ian looked back over to Xeire, ignoring Sara's prying and startled look. Xeire smiled, and Ian turned away

He walked to the window and gripped the bar at the windowsill until his knuckles turned white. Sara stepped closer to him and wrapped an arm around him comfortingly. She didn't know what else to do, and was slightly surprised when Ian sighed uncharacteristically and rested his head on her shoulder. Sara knew that Ian believed his behavior was illogical and childish, but she was glad to know that he had emotions, and was capable of expressing them, though infrequently.

"What do you say we find out what she wants, and work our way from there...like what the hell you just said, and possibly how she got past your infallible security system," whispered Sara, deciding to let Ian's reluctance to answer her questions slide. This time.

Ian pulled away so he could look Sara in the eye.

"Since when did you begin caring, Lady Sara?"

"Since when did you begin smiling, Nottingham?"

Xeire watched the two standing in front of the window and smiled to herself. Perhaps this would be easier that Loki had predicted, and she could get back to Cole sooner...

"SARASARASARASARA!!!!!!!" Kenni came running into the room, barreling towards Sara and Ian. Xeire moved and caught him before he made impact with the two. She held him upside down, and Kenni stared up at her, wide eyed with his hair hanging down.

"Kenneth, I asked you to stay downstairs."

"I got bored. Es ist sehr lanweilig in der Kuche!*"

"I bet you could have found at least *something* to amuse you in the kitchen." Xeire said, putting the child down.

"Nein, they took away my pots and pans last time." Kenni said, fidgeting.

"Is this Kenneth's son?" asked Xeire, slightly confused, not aware of Irons having a son.

"No...that's Kenneth," Sara replied

Xeire looked from Sara, to Ian, to the smiling and fidgeting Kenni, then up to the ceiling.

"What other details did you leave out, father?!"

Sara watched this display, and put one and one together.

"Loki raised you?"

"Yes. And he has a knack for leaving important details out." Xeire replied, still looking up.

"Why are you here sis...Xeire?"

"I was hoping you could tell me." Xeire said, "I was under the impression it was a matter of great proportion. Involving high ranking people of."

Xeire felt a slight tug on her sleeve, and glanced down to Kenni.

"Yes?"

"Can you do that again?" Kenni inquired in awe.

"Do what?"

"The upside down thingy."

Xeire laughed, and glanced to Ian who shrugged.

"Lets go down to breakfast, Kenni. After all, it is your birthday, and we wouldn't want the special meal the cook made you to get cold." Ian said with a faint smile.

"You remembered?" Kenni asked in admiration.

"You betcha," Ian said, his smile still hiding pained emotions.

"Thank you thank you thank you! Vater always forgets.you're the best friend ever! I wish you were my Vati!" Kenni dashed over and hugged Ian.

Sara raised an eyebrow as Ian uneasily returned the embrace. If Kenneth was that excited that Ian merely *remembered* his birthday...Sara shuddered to think about other aspects of Kenni's childhood.

Ian walked towards the door with Kenni sitting on his shoulders and spoke softly to Xeire as they passed.

"We shall speak of why you are here after breakfast."

Ian and Kenneth left, leaving Xeire and Sara standing around looking uneasily at each other.

"Have we met?" Sara asked awkwardly.

"I believe that blade to my throat was enough of a meeting for my pleasure," Xeire said in good humor.

"I mean before that."

"I am lead to believe that I was a sister of Morrigan in one of my many past lives."

"Morrigan...you were Xeian?"

"Yes. Except in this life time, I believe I am younger than you."

"Um...it's nice to meet you...again."

Xeire began to walk towards the door, but paused.

"Is there anything going on between you and my brother?"

"Uh...no," Sara said innocently.

"Pity," Xeire said, closing the door behind her.

Sara stood in front of the window, thinking about what Xeire had just said.

"Just what I needed," Sara muttered, going for the clothes Ian had left for her, "Another darkly dressed, supernatural person in my life."

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Ian walked into the kitchen and took Kenni down from his shoulders. On the table was a huge spread of food, the main center piece; a huge plate of chocolate chip pancakes, fruit, a bowl of Raisinettes and gummi bears, various juices, Nutella, and various other breakfast foods. (And Lucky Charms!!!)

"Schocolade pancakes!!!!!!!!" Kenni exclaimed, making a mad dash for the table.

Ian smiled at the young Kenneth's reaction. It made him remember his only good childhood birthday. It was before he had been taken in by Kenneth...there had been other children, a clown (not one of the best parts of the memory) presents, happiness...love...it was one of his last childhood memories that did not consist of spending his birthday alone. Of course, the staff would always sneak him sweets and small presents on his birthdays, but it was not the same. Kenneth would be kinder on Ian's birthdays...occasionally allow him leave from his studies. Until Ian was eight. Then it no longer mattered, Kenneth would pile the duties on, and not even convey that he remembered.

"So, brother, what have you been up to in the past 23 years?" Xeire asked, once again successfully sneaking up on Ian.

"I have the distinct feeling you already know." Ian said with a mournful smile, reminding himself to listen more intently for his sister's footsteps.

"It's funny...one would have never thought Kenni was ever a child." Xeire contemplated, watching the six year-old shovel chocolate chip pancakes into his mouth.

"He speaks as though he had the same childhood as I."

"Nature versus nurture, brother. Nature versus nurture. Very few people are born evil. And there are even fewer born with a cause in the scheme of life. You don't realize how lucky you are, that you and Sara have that luxury."

"What do I have?" Sara asked, tugging at her shirt, slightly uncomfortable with how much of her midriff is showed. And if it made Sara uncomfortable, you know it had to be cut pretty short.

"Insensible clothing?" Xeire offered. Sara looked up to see Xeire giving her a knowing look.

"I believe I have a shirt that would fit you, and be a bit more.concealing," Xeire offered.

"That would be much appreciated."

Xeire disappeared into the staff wing, and appeared a few moments later with a dark blue button-up shirt, which Sara gratefully accepted. She pulled it on over the greenish-blue shirt she wore and buttoned the bottom few buttons. Ian was slightly disappointed at Sara's decision to cover up the skin.

"Ian?"

"Yes Kenni?" Ian looked to the young Irons, who had chocolate all around his mouth.

"Do you want some pancakes?"

"I would like some pancakes," Ian said, humoring the child, "Ladies, would you grace us with your presence and eat pancakes with us?"

"I would be honored," Xeire said with a slight curtsey.

"What she said," Sara said with a yawn. Her 'I-want-coffee-and-I-want-it- now' alarm was going off.

"Pancakes, Sara?" offered Ian.

"Coffee?" Sara inquired, taking the plate.

Ian got up and returned with two mugs of coffee. He handed the first one to Sara and the other to Xeire. Sara excepted her caffeinated goodness with zeal, while Xeire politely refused.

"You don't want to know what happens when I get caffeine, brother."

"Can I have coffee?" Kenni asked, his mouth half-filled with food while reaching for Xeire's mug.

"NO!!!" yelled Ian and Sara (along with the rest of the kitchen staff and the writer.)

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Jake stepped off the plane and into the warm Los Angelus air. The plane trip had been uneventful, except for a small woman fainting when trying to put her suitcase in an overhead compartment. When she came to, she had blamed it on the complementary liquor she had been given. But still, Jake felt slightly ill at ease. Jake walked towards the terminal with the sun in his eyes, and he pulled off his wig and moustache.

"It's good to be home,"

The plane emptied out, and the below deck storage compartments were being emptied, the baggage handlers seeing how far they could toss the packages labeled *fragile*. Inside the plane, the attendants tidied up and fluffed the pillows, going about their everyday jobs. Imagine their surprise when a long-haired Asian man jumped out of one of the overhead storage compartments and ran past them off the plane.

"Was that..." one of the attendants began, staring at the compartment from which the Asian man had just popped.

"No," the second attendant decided, turning back to her cleaning, "Too much paper work and mental damage it really was."

The other attendant shrugged and went back to her pillow fluffing, trying not to think about what else would jump from the storage compartments.

**************************************************************************** *************

A man in a very expensive suit stood at the head of the table in a dimly lit room. Behind him was a lit overhead projector with the picture of a dark-brown haired man and with brown eyes, and in front of him, a table full of men wearing the same type of suits.

"The time is fast approaching for us to move in, gentlemen," the man at the front of table said, "We have reason to believe that Cole O'Reilly's bodyguard and current lover has left Ireland, and our operatives should be able to move in on him."

"And of the other target?" a grey haired man near the front of the table inquired, "What are we going to do with him, William?"

"She should be easy to capture, Millard."

"What of the Black Dragon?" another man spoke up.

"We have had surveillance Detective Pezzini for the past month, and she seems none to enthusiastic of her body guard...what glimpses our men can get of him, at least. We should have little trouble with him." William replied.

"When will our operatives be moving in?" Millard asked.

"Within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours," the man said, "When this operation is all over, we will have unquestionable military power."

The lights in the room went on, and the men sat back in their expensive chairs. In the background, a picture of Sara, labeled NYPD Detective/ Wielder was still visible on the screen. William sat down and looked around the table.

"With this power, we should also be able to gain control over the government and the UN."

"You mean we don't already control them?" one man said, getting laughter from the rest of the table.

"I mean complete and *public* control," William smiled.

"What does Irons say of all this?" Millard asked.

"He is a supporter, but we have been unable to get in contact with him."

"Should we send some one to the estate?" asked a bald man to William's right.

"I think that would be the best course of action." William said, "I'll send a man over right away."

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A/N: See? Extra long chapter! I think I should get mucho reviews for doing such a good deed. So what if it ended with rich old men and Bill Gates plotting the evil demise of Sara and this new 'Cole' character? Willam...Bill Gates...oops, I just gave away a secret!!!! Hehe.that's what happens when you write at ungodly hours of the...morning? (And when your cursed IBM computer is being sooooooooooooooo slow!!!!!!)

Whew...so you're gonna review, right? I was kinda upset about this chapter, it felt off some how. I want to know what you think. And that way, I won't have to worry about my wandering muse and invisible friend hunting you down for reading and not reviewing, will I?

Hehe. Well, hope you enjoyed the odd twists in the plot. If not, tell me and I'll try to alter it a bit. Tata and Slan Agat

-XRaven of the Irish persuasion.