I have returned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

::Looks around at the empty auditorium and pouts:: ::Turns around and realizes they're all standing behind her::

I am officially done with finals!!!!!!!! Yes!!!!! Well...at least until next year. The joys of high school never cease. Riiiiiight. I thank you all for hanging in there, and for not writing threatening letters when I didn't post...

Special thanks to: Nanz, Jenileigh: (Not *there's* an idea...I think I'll find a way to fit chocolate covered Ians in there somewhere.), BloodCalling13: (We shall see, we shall see...), DKM: (I'll review, I'll review!), Fae Rain: (I think she'll learn about the powers the hard way), scooter (I may be bringing in the dynamic duo...referring to Mulder and Scully, of course. I'm sorry...anyhow; you're a Witchblade fan, you're already in a cult), Riyallyn (Crispy Crittered Jake...sounds like a recipe I should create.), Eli (Heheeeee! I'm definitely liking the play station idea! Oh, and next chapter...guess who'll be in it? C'mon...guess!), Mako-chan Wolf (Thank you for the chocolate! I needed it for my German exam...and the science exam, and the history exam, and the...well, you get the point), Julia (back to normal? It shall never go back to normal. Hehe), dracula13 (any ideas for the puppy's name?), Thelma (hm...rabbit stew...), MsLessa (that was definitely an Anya moment. I may bring her in later. So what if they killed her off already...), Kitsa (thanks for updating before I did.I would have gone insane), little angel and, of course: msredux.

Well, I decided to make this chapter extra-long, since I was away for awhile...and 'cause my muse was boxed up for quite awhile during finals.

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Chapter XVI

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"The 8 o'clock plane for Texas is now leaving from Gate 5. So if that's your plane...get your ass over here NOW!"

Jake looked up to the speaker system in surprise. Apparently the whole country was going insane.

"Crazy Americans," an Irishman muttered as he walked past. (Which, coming from an Irishman, is quite serious...)

Jake looked down to his watch then made another sweep of the terminal with his eyes. He wasn't sure if it was safe to leave the safety of the crowded airport. It may have just been his major paranoia.but he swore he had seen the long hair of an insane Asian man. An insane Asian man who was permitted to carry a weapon in an airport. Jake felt the pocket of his shirt to make sure he still had his 'FBI' ID, and opened his cell phone.

"Hello, this is an secure emergency line. If this is not an emergency, please..."

"Hey, Kristen, is that you?"

"Who is this?" a very confused Kristen asked.

"It's Jake McCarty. Or Jake McBride, if no one else is listening," Jake joked, knowing it was a secure line.

"Jake?! How are you?! Chief has been flipping out! Why didn't you check in?!"

"I'm in some trouble, Kristen. I need you to..."

Jake realized that there was someone leaning over him, and looked up, preparing to tell the guy off. He slowly closed the phone, trying not to make any sudden movements.

"Uh...hey...Danny..."

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"I wanna go to the park. I wanna go to the park. Iwannagotothepark! Can we go to the park?"

Ian watched the six-year old bounce up and down, quite unenthusiastic about the idea of going to the park.

"You forgot the magic word, Kenni," Sara pointed out.

"Jetzt?" Kenni said, ("Now?")

"Kenneth, I know very little about this 'magic word' but I am quite sure that is not it," Ian replied.

"Eh...Please?"

"Much better," Sara said, going back to studying the tapestries with a minimal amount of interest.

"So...can we go?"

"No," Ian replied simply.

"Bitte? Please?Bittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebitt e bittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebitteb ittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebi ttebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebittebitte..."

"He has to stop to breathe eventually, right?" asked Xeire.

"Only in theory," Ian replied.

"Maybe if you say yes, he'll breathe before he passes out," Sara suggested.

"Do I have to?" Ian complained, only half joking.

"It *is* his birthday," Sara added.

Ian sighed, then look to Kenneth, who was still pleading.

"Kenneth," Ian said, trying to be heard above the three-year olds pleading, "KENNETH!"

Kenni stopped bouncing and took a deep breath, staring wide-eyed at Ian.

"Ja?"

"You can go to the park."

"Yah!" Kenni exclaimed, scampering off to get his shoes.

"All right, lets go," Sara said, motioning Ian and Xeire to follow.

Ian just gave her the look of a deer staring into the headlight, or the cow staring into the train light...(either way, a rather large animal about to be hit by an even larger, faster moving vehicle)

"Nowhere in those past few sentences did I hear anything that sounded like me agreeing to go to the park," Xeire said, looking up from the book she was reading.

"Well, one of you will have to go with me. Work it out among yourselves. I'm going to go call Gabriel." Sara said, walking out to investigate the loud noises in the room Kenni had just disappeared into, "It'll take more than the Witchblade to deal with this kid, and maybe even *more* that a highly trained super-assassin."

Ian turned to face Xeire, and they sat there for a moment before she got an idea.

"Rock paper scissors?"

Ian smiled. Certainly he could easily win a game so childish.

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Ian scowled as he pulled the car into the parking lot for Central Park. He couldn't believe he lost.

"I want to play with the goats!" Kenni declared.

Sara helped the young boy out of the car before breaking the news to him.

"Kenni, there are no goats in Central Park,"

"Then what's that chewing on Ian's coat?"

Sara turned to see that indeed, there were goats in Central Park. Or there was at least one. And currently, it was pre-occupied with Ian's coat.

Ian shook it off, reminding himself that it was an innocent albeit confused animal, and did not deserve to be killed. Besides...he might upset the other residents of the park if he suddenly whipped out a huge sword and killed a goat. (And it would probably upset the readers too...though they're a weird bunch, those readers...)

"So Kenni, what do you want to do?" Sara asked, putting the leash on the puppy and letting it jump from the car.

"Uh...I dunno..."

"Lets just walk than, shall we?" Ian said, cautiously moving away from the goat.

"Sounds like a great idea. But first..." Sara turned to Kenni, "Now, we went over this in the car. If some one asks you, what is your name?"

"Uh...Kenni Nottingham. And if I get lost, my daddy's cell phone number is 1-914-726-9663."

"Okay, good. We're all set to go," Sara said, handing the puppy's leash to Kenni.

"Why didn't you give him 'Pezzini' as a last name?"

"I know a lot of people around here, Ian. They would find it surprising to suddenly learn I had a kid."

"Well, it is news to me that I have one," Ian replied, keeping an eye on Kenni as he ran ahead, "And quite near impossible."

"Right, Ian. I'm sure there's some girl out there who could have theoretically..."

"Not to my knowledge," Ian muttered. Sara stopped walking, and looked at him in surprise.

"You mean you never..."

"Sara...my fa...Kenneth has given me many pieces of advice...one of those was to never discuss one's sexual exploits with a woman. Or lack thereof."

"Wow, Ian...You always struck me as quite the ladies man," Sara jested.

"Oh yes...I fit that in between the brutal training of my youth and the military. There was a whole three hours."

"Women dig men in uniforms,"

"Well, some women 'dig' men dressed in layers and layers of all black." Ian replied, as serious as he could make the statement.

"I suppose they do," Sara said with a laugh, slipping her arm through Ian's when he offered it to her, then said, mainly to herself, "I suppose they do,"

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After ten minutes of arguing over who would drive, Gabriel sat dejectedly on the passenger's side of the car. Gabe had used the argument 'I can react to things before they happen, since I've been through it all before'. Gabriel was too confused by that point to argue any more.

"Did they say where in the Park to meet them?" Gabriel asked.

"All Sara said was 'Central Park'. I'm sure we'll be able to find them. They're the most mixed-matched couple you could find in Central park. An assassin wearing layers and layers of all black, even though it's spring, and a cop with outrageously tight shorts. Oh yeah, and the five-year old version of a multi-billionaire."

"Six-years old," Gabriel corrected, remembering hearing Sara mention Kenneth's birthday during their phone conversation.

There were a few moments of silence, and Gabriel reached forward and turned on the radio. The radio was tuned onto a news channel, and Gabriel reached forward to change the channel, but paused.

"And in other news, the situation at the L.A. airport has worsened severely. The two men are still in a deadly stand off. The men have been identified as Jak..."

Gabe hit the button, changing the channel.

"Hey!" Gabriel protested, then changed it back.

".....ny Woo. Both are police officers of the 111th precinct in New York City. Little is known about this issue between the two NYPD officers, and we cannot get in touch with their precinct to get any background."

The car screeched to a halt, both Gabriel and Gabe staring wide-eyed at the radio.

"Was that..." Gabe started, looking to Gabriel.

"You don't suppose..." Gabe and Gabriel paused and exchanged a glance. Seconds later, the car peeled out, racing towards Central Park.

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Cole finished putting up the bar stools, and glanced around the pub to see if he had forgotten to do anything else. Usually he had Xeire and Claire to help him...but he had sent Claire home early, so she could be with her daughter Sheena. Cole flipped the sign to 'Closed', and started towards the back, where a staircase led to his flat. Unfortunately, the bed would be rather empty today, since Xeire was off on one of her missions.

He had been so grateful when Loki had dismissed her from her duties. Loki had always loathed Cole, and Xeire's choice to be with him instead of some high-ranking demon or god. The only reason Loki hadn't smitten him by then was because Cole wasn't mortal. He possessed supernatural powers, and was thought by some to be a half-god, or possibly a 'messenger'.

It was the only reason Cole had been spared by Loki so far. Loki had a soft spot for messengers between the gods, especially ones that were half- mortal. But the fact that Cole was married to his daughter...well...Loki was a very protective father when it came to that. Cole couldn't quite figure that out...the man...god, whatever; sent her on hazardous and sometimes near-impossible missions...but yet his excuse for not wanting the two of them together was:

"I don't want you to get hurt"

A sound on the street outside the pub brought Cole back to reality, and he pushed the curtain aside to see what it was. The street was empty. The leaves, wind and rain were its only inhabitants, and they danced up and down the street in an old, eerie dance.

Cole shrugged and turned around, only to see a fist coming at his face. He ducked and rolled out of the way, and came up, looking at his four attackers. They were dressed in black, but Cole had the suspicion that they were wearing suits and ties underneath the black jump suits.

"Allo, boys," Cole said with a smile, "I thought Ireland was out of your jurisdiction."

He got no reply and he took the time to look his opponents over. They were dressed in black, with ski masks over their faces. These type of men had no personalities to speak of, which made dealing with them quite...dull. Cole would almost look forward to it when they pulled a gun or swung at him, since it would at least be a movement that showed there were living beings under those suits and masks.

"Well, I think I'll depart before you pull a ray gun on me like you did last time." Cole's eyes began to glow a brilliant green, and he disappeared from sight, when one of the men called out.

"We have Claire Fitzgerald," the man said, knowing perfectly well that though they couldn't see Cole: he was still in the room. Cole didn't speak, not wanting to key them off as to where he was.

"And her child. If you don't turn yourself in within the next forty-eight hours, we will kill Ms. Fitzgerald, then the child. We will be back for you, Mr. O'Reilly."

With that, the men disappeared through the front door, breaking the window in the process.

"The damn door is unlocked, you ejits. What's so hard about turning the damn fuckin' knob and walking out like normal people," Cole muttered, reappearing next to the bar, and pouring himself a strong drink.

He would need a few more drinks and some time to think in order to figure out his course of action. He had the duty to keep himself safe in order to protect an important balance of power...but he also had his duty to Claire.

After his second drink, Cole reached for the phone to call Xeire, hoping that he would get her voice mail. If he had to tell her this personally, it would be harder for her. And for him. Following a few more moments of silence, he picked the phone up from its cradle and dialed the number.

It rang once...twice...three times...four...five...two more to go...six...

"Hello?" Xeire's sweet but strong voice inquired.

"Xeire,"

"Cole? What's the matter?" She paused, "Has something happened?"

"Oy...Not yet," Cole replied with a sigh.

"What do you mean?"

"They've kidnapped Claire and her kid...an' they said they'd kill 'em if I don't give myself up willingly," Cole pushed the shot glass around on the bar while awaited Xeire's reaction.

"No," she replied simply, "You can't,"

"Technically, love, Iye can. You're the one that taught me I always have a choice."

"Forget what I said. I was probably drunk when I said that. Just don't, Cole...please..."

"You? Drunk?" Cole laughed. Xeire held her liquor better than anyone he had ever met.

"Cole...you're treating this like a joke, and it may be like one to you, but to me, it is not one fucking bit funny. They'll kill you if you turn yourself in, or worse."

"Iye know," Cole sighed, "Iye know that. But if I've been put here to do good.shouldn't I do this? I can't sit here while Claire and Sheena die."

"Then wait for me, Cole. I'll help you,"

Xeire's voice was almost desperate as she pleaded over the phone.

"I can't wait for you, Xeire. You have your duties, and I have mine. And this one I'm going to have to do on mi' own."

"You be careful," Xeire warned, "So help me god, if you go out there and get yourself killed, I'm going to resurrect you and beat the shit out of you."

"Ya' really know how to turn a guy on, don't you, love?"

"That was a promise, Cole O'Reilly. You stay safe, mi'love. I don't even know why I say that. Danger just follows you like a fecking heat seeking missile."

"Me, get into danger? Never. Slan Agat."

Xeire heard the click of phone, and collapsed back into her chair. She would not be able to stop him, however she tried. She could only hope that he had a plan for escape. It would have to be a good plan too, since these men Cole was dealing with were a very serious threat, even to someone with Cole's abilities.

After a few moments of nervous pacing, Xeire sat down and turned on the news. The television was always helpful if you wanted to clear your mind of any intelligent thoughts.

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Ian kept an eye on the frolicking Kenni, and the unnamed dog as they walked through the park, making sure the six-year old version of his employer didn't disappear. Sara walked beside him, also subtly surveying the area. Apparently he was not the only one who liked to be very aware of his surroundings. He was about to tease her about it, but he was quite the comment would ensure him an elbow to the ribs, and an uneasy silence.

He was painfully aware of Sara's arm looped through his as they walked down the park's path. And for just a few moments, as the cool breeze wafted through the spring air...he felt normal. He was walking through the park with Sara at his side, watching his employer scamper around with a puppy. Okay...so it wasn't quite normal... but it was better that what was *usual*.

"Hey! Pezzini! Sara Pezzini!"

Ian heard the voice call out from his right, and felt Sara freeze. A man with light brown hair and blue-grey eyes cut across the grass, and Ian tensed. He could sense that Sara knew this man, but was still on guard. Of course, it was a rare occasion indeed if Ian was not on guard.

"Hello Andy," Sara said, removing her arm swiftly from Ian's, and hugged the man.

Ian stepped back from the two, partly out of habit, and partly due to his unease. But he did not go too far...he already disliked this man.

"How've ya' been, Pez?" Andy asked, taking a step back and looking her over, "You haven't changed."

"And you've put on some weight," Sara said, hitting him in the stomach playfully, "I'm doing good, Andy. How's life in Chicago?"

"Not much different from life in New York, except colder. I'm working as the head of security for a computer and software company," Andy said, a hint of pride in his voice, "What are you up to these days?"

"I'm working for the NYPD, 111th precinct. It probably doesn't pay as well as a computer company, Mr. 'I'm-living-the-good-life', but it's a living."

Andy was about to say something else, when he noticed Ian standing with them.

Ian supposed it was because he made a movement, which had caught the man's attention. He was now holding onto Kenni, who had tripped over his dog's leash, and almost had a rather nasty encounter with the concrete of the sidewalk. Kenni latched onto him, putting his arms around Ian's neck. Ian decided it would be good for the boy's own safety to allow him to stay there. Kenneth was a rather reckless child.

"You gonna introduce me to your friend, Pez?"

"Oh, yeah, sure," Sara said, slightly distracted by the sight of Nottingham. He looked like a father protecting his son.and wondered where he could have learned that sort of behavior from. Irons did not seem as though he had been a very supportive father, and only protective in the "keep-you-from-a-healthy-childhood" sort of way.

"Andy Gregors, Ian. Ian, Andy. Andy and I went to the academy together," Sara explained. Sara wasn't too worried about giving out Ian's last name, since she doubted the man had any records, or even a birth certificate.but she decided to let Ian keep his anonymity with Andy...Andy was the sort of guy who would try to look him up.

"It is nice to meet you, Mr. Gregors," Ian shook Andy's offered hand, his grip slightly stronger than necessary.

"Call me Andy," he said. His face grew into on of puzzlement as he looked from Sara, to Ian and Kenni.

"You have a kid now, Sara?"

"Uh...he...uh"

"Mr. Gregors, I'd like you to meet Kenni Nottingham. He is my nephew," Ian said, "Sara has graciously volunteered to help me, being it that I am not very good with children."

"You could have fooled me," Andy muttered under his breath. The guy looked like a natural, aside from the dark clothing and an intimidating demeanor.

"So, Ian, how long have you known Sara?" Andy asked, trying to seem casual.

"About a year," Ian replied, then finished silently, 'A year, five months, three days, forty-five minutes...'

Ian bit his tongue, realizing just how desperate this woman had made him...how desperate he was to be around her.

"What do you do, Ian?"

"Ian is Kenneth Iron's bodyguard," interjected Sara, sensing the steadily growing tension.

"*The* Kenneth Irons?" Andy inquired, taken back by the response, "The billionaire?'

"Yes,"

"You must make a lot of money,"

"I suppose I do,"

"Do all of his employees dress like you?" asked Andy, while he tried to contain a smirk.

"Not to my knowledge," Ian said, "Do all of your employees wear such appalling ties?"

Sara had to do a double take to make sure it was Ian who had just spoken. Andy gave no response, only glared.

The two men stood there for a few moments, glaring at each other. Sara was waiting to hear the western movie-music in the back ground, or at least for one of them to pull a gun. She felt the Witchblade burning, and was sure Loki was sitting on the edge of his seat to see what would happen.

"Okay boys...Ian, we need to get going. Andy, it was great seeing you, give me a call when you have time." Sara looked to Ian, grabbed the sleeve of his coat and pulled him along with her.

Andy watched them go, and self-consciously adjusted his tie.

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"What the hell was that, Nottingham?"

Sara demanded once they were out of Andy's hearing range.

Ian lifted Kenni from his shoulders, handed him the puppy's leash, and pointed the young boy to a spot of grass where he could finish his frolicking.

"I am sorry for my behavior, Lady Sara. I was feeling slightly...threatened," replied Ian, subconsciously rubbing the bracelet on his wrist. Tendrils from the bracelet were still attached to his ring, but it had been dormant, thankfully.

"You, feel threatened?" Sara asked, her good nature (yes, she has a good nature, folks) returning.

"I must admit, it was a first," Ian replied with a smile, even though it was definitely not a first, "However, I feel that he should not be trusted, Sara. Tell me if he contacts you? Please?"

Sara was ready to tell him off, that it was her life, and he didn't need to play the protective boyfriend part of it. But she sensed it to...Andy was...different from last time she had seen him. The Witchblade had sensed it as well...but would divulge nothing more.

Ian offered his arm once again, and they continued through the park as Kenni followed along on the grass. They walked in silence for awhile, until they spotted two men walked towards them. One had the baggy hood of a sweatshirt concealing his face, and the other one was Gabriel.

"Hey Chief,"

"Hi Gabe, who's your friend?"

Gabriel glanced to the hooded person, then back to Sara.

"I don't think we can discuss that here, Sara,"

Gabe looked at the two from under his hood, and moved away from Ian. Ian looked at the hooded man for a few moments, and a look of realization that he could not control came over his features.

"What I can say right now is: we need to catch a plane."

"What are you talking about, Gabriel?"

"I know where Danny and Jake are...and it's turned into a stalemate showdown."

"Okay, Gabriel.where?"

"Los Angeles,"

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Tada!

I hope you enjoyed it. Did you? Huh? Did you enjoy it? Are you going to review? You know you want to...just press the little "Go" button...you know you want to...

::IrishRaven notices X standing behind her::

Uh...but of course, if you don't *want* to review, that's fine...::whispers:: reviewreviewreviewreview!

::Runs in two separate directions when pursued by X::

Next chapter we should be seeing so X-Files, and some interesting developments in the Jake and Danny situation...you want to see it posted sooner? Well...press the button...press da button...

Slan Agat

-XRaven