A/N: Warning mild violence!
Stopping just behind Irons grabbed a handful of Nottingham's hair, yanking it back. From the uncomfortable angle his head was in Nottingham was unable to see Irons' face. But he could feel the warmth of his breath brush against his ear and the smell of brandy as he spoke.
"You went to see her. You went to see Sara." Irons tugged Nottingham's head back with each word. He shoved Nottingham's head forward as he let go of his hair.
"It is still uncertain to me you're true purpose of your visit with the fair Sara. Yet, I can only assume." From behind, Irons, grabbed a hold of Nottingham's coat. Vigorously yanking the obstructive garment off, leaving him dressed only in his thin black sweater and cargo pants.
~*~ The solid sound of the wooden cane striking Nottingham's back echoed in the empty hall of the museum. Both Sara and Danny stood stunned as they watched the onslaught of Irons' wrath unfold onto Nottingham. With each strike Nottingham held back the urge to cry out in pain, refusing to give Irons the satisfaction. Sweat began to form over his body, his eyes watered but his face remained stoic. If it weren't for the pain reflected in his eyes Sara wouldn't have known the suffering he was going through. Yet for some reason the pain she had seen in his eyes held something more. It went beyond the aspect of physical torment.
The unbearable pain finally overtook Nottingham's body, dropping him on all fours. His ragged breathing could be heard; blood flowed down his face from the cuts above his brows, and nose. Drops of blood from his mouth splashed down onto the wooden floor. Irons continued to savagely beat Nottingham. No part of Nottingham's body was left unscathed by the cane. When his arms were too tired to strike down, Irons began to kick Nottingham until the sound of bones cracking and Nottingham's faint groans could be heard. ~*~
"You honestly thought that even after trying to save her 'precious' Conchobar she would trust you?" Irons questioned as he towered over Nottingham. Simply taking a quick break before continuing on.
Irons brought the cane down against Nottingham's back, knocking him down, sprawled against the floor. The force was so strong the bottom half of the cane broke off, sending the splinter flying across the room. Irons, being the resourceful man that he is, changed his grip. He held the broken end of the cane, leaving the heavy handle exposed. Hooking the handle of the cane under Nottingham's chin Irons forcefully pulled up until Nottingham, who swayed slightly and unsteadily, finally made it to his feet. His body gradually succumbing to weakness but his mind still remained strong and focused.
"Your infatuation and devotion to Sara Pezzini is touchingly apparent." Nottingham stared at his master through half lidded eyes. Tears and blood blurred his vision but Nottingham remained silent. Irons used the handle to prop up Nottingham's chin as he moved in closer. Wanting to see the reactions play out in his servant's eyes.
"What did you tell her Ian, hmm?" Nottingham retained his silence. But his mind reeled back to his profession. 'I love you in unguarded moments.'
Beyond the tears and blood that covered them Irons searched Nottingham's eyes. His eyes widen from shock at what he found. Irons had been aware of Nottingham's growing infatuation for Sara. But would it have grown beyond into something more then just idle lust for a woman, since he too controlled that part of Nottingham's life. If so would he have been so forthright and profess to Sara how he felt? Irons asked Nottingham once again but in return there was silence.
Irons heavily whipped the handle across Nottingham's face. Blood spewed across the room, landing on furnishings and onto the expensive Persian rug. Nottingham staggered slightly from the blow, leaving a larger gash above his left eyebrow. After effortlessly regaining his equilibrium Nottingham stood weakly in front of his master. His eyes never left Irons.
"Did you tell her how you felt Ian, hmm? Did you tell her that if she so wishes the two of you would become.inseparable?" Nottingham couldn't hide the pain from Irons. The condescending question only triggered his memory.
'If you want to stay close to me. Just ask, Sara. We could become inseparable.'
'Freak'
Irons had seen the pained look in Nottingham's eyes. He could only image the scornful remarks Sara used to address Nottingham. It must have been very good to produce such torment in Nottingham's eyes. With a smirk, Irons continued to twist the proverbial knife that was stuck in Nottingham's heart.
"Did she accept your proposal, Ian?" He knew Sara would never accept Nottingham. But Irons was mildly curious. Just how hurtful was her rejection of him? He smiled when Nottingham answered.
"No" Nottingham's voice was coarse and the word came out as a whisper.
"Of course not! What makes you think Sara would ever want you, Ian?" Nottingham lowered his head but Irons kept it in place with the bloodstained handle. He wanted to see the reactions in Nottingham's eyes, the anguish that would be reflected in those brown eyes with each mocking word.
"You're everything she hates. A trained, genetically enhanced, assassin with no emotions and no mind of his own. And if she truly found out that you are a mere 'boy trapped in a man's body' she would not only despise you she would see you as a.freak." Against his own will tears traveled down Nottingham's face, blending with the blood that covered most of his face. Irons moved closer and whispered to Nottingham.
"Because that is what you are, Ian. A freak on a leash." Irons dropped the broken cane. The loud clanking sound of the cane hitting the floor echoed in the room. He bellowed for Dr. Immo. Nottingham could hear the doctor's footsteps getting closer. But before leaving Irons gave Nottingham a word of caution.
"Let this be a warning Ian. For the next time I will not be so.merciful."
When Nottingham could no longer sense Irons' presence in the room he dropped to his knees. His body began to tremble from the realization that what Irons said was true. Sara would never see Nottingham as a man; she would continue to see him as a freak. He finally let his body succumb to the physical pains from the malicious beating and let his mind drift into unconsciousness. His last thoughts were of course, Sara.
~*~
Stopping just behind Irons grabbed a handful of Nottingham's hair, yanking it back. From the uncomfortable angle his head was in Nottingham was unable to see Irons' face. But he could feel the warmth of his breath brush against his ear and the smell of brandy as he spoke.
"You went to see her. You went to see Sara." Irons tugged Nottingham's head back with each word. He shoved Nottingham's head forward as he let go of his hair.
"It is still uncertain to me you're true purpose of your visit with the fair Sara. Yet, I can only assume." From behind, Irons, grabbed a hold of Nottingham's coat. Vigorously yanking the obstructive garment off, leaving him dressed only in his thin black sweater and cargo pants.
~*~ The solid sound of the wooden cane striking Nottingham's back echoed in the empty hall of the museum. Both Sara and Danny stood stunned as they watched the onslaught of Irons' wrath unfold onto Nottingham. With each strike Nottingham held back the urge to cry out in pain, refusing to give Irons the satisfaction. Sweat began to form over his body, his eyes watered but his face remained stoic. If it weren't for the pain reflected in his eyes Sara wouldn't have known the suffering he was going through. Yet for some reason the pain she had seen in his eyes held something more. It went beyond the aspect of physical torment.
The unbearable pain finally overtook Nottingham's body, dropping him on all fours. His ragged breathing could be heard; blood flowed down his face from the cuts above his brows, and nose. Drops of blood from his mouth splashed down onto the wooden floor. Irons continued to savagely beat Nottingham. No part of Nottingham's body was left unscathed by the cane. When his arms were too tired to strike down, Irons began to kick Nottingham until the sound of bones cracking and Nottingham's faint groans could be heard. ~*~
"You honestly thought that even after trying to save her 'precious' Conchobar she would trust you?" Irons questioned as he towered over Nottingham. Simply taking a quick break before continuing on.
Irons brought the cane down against Nottingham's back, knocking him down, sprawled against the floor. The force was so strong the bottom half of the cane broke off, sending the splinter flying across the room. Irons, being the resourceful man that he is, changed his grip. He held the broken end of the cane, leaving the heavy handle exposed. Hooking the handle of the cane under Nottingham's chin Irons forcefully pulled up until Nottingham, who swayed slightly and unsteadily, finally made it to his feet. His body gradually succumbing to weakness but his mind still remained strong and focused.
"Your infatuation and devotion to Sara Pezzini is touchingly apparent." Nottingham stared at his master through half lidded eyes. Tears and blood blurred his vision but Nottingham remained silent. Irons used the handle to prop up Nottingham's chin as he moved in closer. Wanting to see the reactions play out in his servant's eyes.
"What did you tell her Ian, hmm?" Nottingham retained his silence. But his mind reeled back to his profession. 'I love you in unguarded moments.'
Beyond the tears and blood that covered them Irons searched Nottingham's eyes. His eyes widen from shock at what he found. Irons had been aware of Nottingham's growing infatuation for Sara. But would it have grown beyond into something more then just idle lust for a woman, since he too controlled that part of Nottingham's life. If so would he have been so forthright and profess to Sara how he felt? Irons asked Nottingham once again but in return there was silence.
Irons heavily whipped the handle across Nottingham's face. Blood spewed across the room, landing on furnishings and onto the expensive Persian rug. Nottingham staggered slightly from the blow, leaving a larger gash above his left eyebrow. After effortlessly regaining his equilibrium Nottingham stood weakly in front of his master. His eyes never left Irons.
"Did you tell her how you felt Ian, hmm? Did you tell her that if she so wishes the two of you would become.inseparable?" Nottingham couldn't hide the pain from Irons. The condescending question only triggered his memory.
'If you want to stay close to me. Just ask, Sara. We could become inseparable.'
'Freak'
Irons had seen the pained look in Nottingham's eyes. He could only image the scornful remarks Sara used to address Nottingham. It must have been very good to produce such torment in Nottingham's eyes. With a smirk, Irons continued to twist the proverbial knife that was stuck in Nottingham's heart.
"Did she accept your proposal, Ian?" He knew Sara would never accept Nottingham. But Irons was mildly curious. Just how hurtful was her rejection of him? He smiled when Nottingham answered.
"No" Nottingham's voice was coarse and the word came out as a whisper.
"Of course not! What makes you think Sara would ever want you, Ian?" Nottingham lowered his head but Irons kept it in place with the bloodstained handle. He wanted to see the reactions in Nottingham's eyes, the anguish that would be reflected in those brown eyes with each mocking word.
"You're everything she hates. A trained, genetically enhanced, assassin with no emotions and no mind of his own. And if she truly found out that you are a mere 'boy trapped in a man's body' she would not only despise you she would see you as a.freak." Against his own will tears traveled down Nottingham's face, blending with the blood that covered most of his face. Irons moved closer and whispered to Nottingham.
"Because that is what you are, Ian. A freak on a leash." Irons dropped the broken cane. The loud clanking sound of the cane hitting the floor echoed in the room. He bellowed for Dr. Immo. Nottingham could hear the doctor's footsteps getting closer. But before leaving Irons gave Nottingham a word of caution.
"Let this be a warning Ian. For the next time I will not be so.merciful."
When Nottingham could no longer sense Irons' presence in the room he dropped to his knees. His body began to tremble from the realization that what Irons said was true. Sara would never see Nottingham as a man; she would continue to see him as a freak. He finally let his body succumb to the physical pains from the malicious beating and let his mind drift into unconsciousness. His last thoughts were of course, Sara.
~*~