The Characters and sometimes surrounds in this fictional story belong to the creators and owners of Witchblade. I do not claim them as my own.
Dianna Huntress is a character strictly from my own imagination. Any likeness to persons living or dead is purely coincidence.
Chapter One
How long had she simply sat in her car, staring at the warehouse. Her heart beat hard and fast as she remembered how long she had searched. For a year now she had tried to remember the place of her childhood and the people that had protected her from harm after her mother had been brutally murdered.
This was not the place she remembered. She remembered an apartment, filled with magical objects and music. She remembered how each item seemed to have talked to her and told her stories of ages gone by. That place no longer existed.
She had spent so much time looking, drawing on her abilities as a private detective to locate the building where she had been taken that night so long ago, only to find that it had been torn down so that tacky town homes could be built. She almost cried as she looked at the cookie cutter buildings that seemed to have been stamped next to each other on what was too her, sacred ground.
But she had not given up. Another few months passed before she found this address.
Now she sat in her car, fighting tears and excitement as she looked at the building before her. It was huge, and so far off the road that if you didn't know where you were heading, you would never suspect it existed. There were no flashy signs to announce what it was. She wasn't even sure it was the place she sought.
"You'll never know until you get out of this car." Slowly she talked herself into leaving the vehicle and move toward the building. Carefully she made her way over the uneven pavement to the dingy and graffiti filled wall. "This can't be the right place." She whispered to herself as she looked up at the windows and cracking paint. Then she saw it: A sign that hung on one door. "Oh my Goddess." She whispered as she neared. Finally something she remembered. Although it was dulled with age, she recognized it. Slowly, with a shaky hand she touched the fading colors, and then began to trace each letter, saying them out loud. "T…A…L…S…"
"Could I help you?" The voice behind her caused her to jump. "Are you lost?" Turning she found herself facing a young Asian woman dressed in a mid knee silk dress.
"Could you tell me if this is where Talsmaniacs.com has relocated?" She asked softly.
"That's what the sign says." The Asian woman looked suspicious. "Look, we only see people by appointment. Do you have one?"
"No…I…"
"Then I'm sorry, I can't help you." She crossed her arms. "Give us a call and…"
"Please, I'm looking for someone. I've been looking for a long time. Could you at least tell me if Gabriel Bowman still owns this place?"
"Of course he does." Dark eyes stared into blue ones. "Look, I don't know who you are but I told you already, Mr. Bowman doesn't see anyone if they don't have an app…"
"Just give him this. If he still has it, I sent him one very similar years ago." She had taken a framed photograph out of her briefcase and handed it to the other. "Please, I just need to know if he still remembers me. Tell him Dianna the Huntress has come home."
"Dianna?"
"Yes, I hope he remembers who I am." Dianna looked longingly at the woman. "Please."
"Dianna." She pulled keys out of her handbag and unlocked the door. "I've seen that picture every day I have worked for Gabriel. He remembers you all right." Opening the door she practically shoved Dianna inside. "He doesn't say a lot, but I see him looking at it often. And he has told me the story about how you and he met on several occasions."
"He does remember?" Dianna could feel tears run down her cheeks. "I thought he would forget me once I stopped writing."
"Dianna, he has never forgotten you." The woman put her handbag on a shelf next to several shrunken heads and continued through the lines of counters filled with ancient objects with Dianna in tow. "I used to ask why he didn't try to find you and he would just smile and say everything was connected and if you were supposed to come back you would." Shaking her head sadly she moved to the kitchenette where she began to make a pot of coffee. "My Uncle Danny said just to drop the subject because Gabriel was a strange man and there was always some method to his madness."
"Your Uncle Danny?" Dianna searched her memories for a connection. "Wait, are you saying your Uncle is Sara's partner?"
"Was, he was Sara's partner. You know Aunt Sara too?" Dark eyes looked Dianna up and down. "Of course you would. Sara helped find your Uncle." She smiled widely. "My name is Mija."
"You said was. Is Sara still alive?" Dianna felt sorrow fill her heart. "I mean is she all right?"
"She's great. She retired a few years ago and is living in some big mansion, taking care of a friend of hers. I don't know him but Gabriel goes and visits them at least once a week."
"When will Gabriel get here?" Dianna fought a variety of emotions as she spoke, suddenly feeling again like that small girl from long ago.
"He's here already." Mija smiled mischievously. "He still lives in his shop. Has a series of rooms in the back where he lives and has guests over now and again." She looked at the now brewed coffee, and then at Dianna. "I know where he is right now. Lets give him a big surprise." She motioned for Dianna to come closer and began whispering something in the woman's ear, both smiling and nodding suddenly.
Gabriel Bowman had become a man of habit. After waking he would shower and shave, then dress and make his way to this area he called the Media room. Here television screens, computers and a series of news wires, would surround him. If something happened anywhere in the world, he would know about it before the general public did. Here he would sit until Mija came in with his first cup of coffee for the day. There they would both sit and talk about current events, the appointments due in that day, and just life in general.
Today he was watching a huge crowd surrounding the Senate building with signs of protest. He shook his head sadly as one of the protesters spoke.
"America doesn't need someone like that to represent us. It's just wrong what he says about his mother." As the protester continued, he heard the door behind him open, but didn't turn around.
"Look at this Mija. These people just don't understand the good Marshall has done for this country. All they can see is that Slim crap he created back when he was a star. If they would just open their eyes, they could see what good he could really do for everyone." Not taking his eyes off the screen, he took the offered mug of coffee and pointed to the screen. "Hell, his own daughter is one of the youngest to graduate from Harvard, and that isn't an easy school to get into." Finally he sipped the coffee, instantly frowning in distaste. "Mija? Honey if you think my energy levels need to improve just tell me, you don't have to try to overdose me with sugar." He put the cup down and turned, suddenly facing the woman who brought it too him. 'You're not Mija." Slowly he stood, afraid to blink, hoping that his eyes were not playing a cruel trick on him.
"No, I'm not Mija." She stood with hands clasped in front of her watching him stare. "Gabriel would you please say something? Hello, get out, or who the hell are you? Just say something."
"I'm afraid too." Gabriel crossed his arms; fighting the emotions he felt building in his heart. "I'm afraid if your not really here, and I say something I'll wake up." He shrugged slowly. "And if you really are here? I don't know what to say."
"How about hello?" Her tears had begun to flow freely down her cheeks. "Gabriel I missed you so much."
"Dianna, it's really you?" He moved forward with arms outstretched. "Oh God, it's really you, after all this time." As she fell into his arms, they hugged tightly, each crying freely. "Princess, I…."
"Gabriel I am so sorry I didn't stay in touch. There was just so much hap…"
"No, don't. It's all in the past now that you are here. Why you stopped writing doesn't matter." He pulled away from her and started into her eyes. "God you've turned into such a beautiful woman."
"You didn't age badly yourself." She grinned, not willing to release his hands.
"Well," Both turned to see Mija at the door with tears running down her own cheek, "you two need to go out somewhere and get reacquainted." She sniffed and wiped her cheek.
"But I have appointments today." Gabriel pulled Dianna closer, kissing the top of her head.
"I've already taken care of that. I've rearranged all your appointments for the whole week." Mija put her hands on her hips. "Now get out of here and let me clean up this place. Your desk is a mess and I've just been waiting for a day like today to tackle it."
"Mija, you know I don't like…"
"Tough." Her smile was playful. "Get out of here Gabriel Bowman before I throw you out."
"Thanks Mija." He walked to her and hugged her tightly. "I owe you one."
"Yeah, just remember that next time I need you to vouch for me to Uncle Danny." She pushed Gabriel out and waited for Dianna. "Go have fun. Both of you." She waited until Gabriel and Dianna had left, and then bolted the door. Taking a deep breath her eyes began to twinkle as she moved to the phone and dialed a number. After waiting for a couple of seconds, she heard the familiar voice on the other end. "Hey Uncle Danny, you are not going to believe who Gabriel just left with…"
Author's Note:
This story has sort of evolved along side of Little Goddess. It is a continuation that had to be written, so they are being written together, and will be shared together as time goes on.
dev
Dianna Huntress is a character strictly from my own imagination. Any likeness to persons living or dead is purely coincidence.
Chapter One
How long had she simply sat in her car, staring at the warehouse. Her heart beat hard and fast as she remembered how long she had searched. For a year now she had tried to remember the place of her childhood and the people that had protected her from harm after her mother had been brutally murdered.
This was not the place she remembered. She remembered an apartment, filled with magical objects and music. She remembered how each item seemed to have talked to her and told her stories of ages gone by. That place no longer existed.
She had spent so much time looking, drawing on her abilities as a private detective to locate the building where she had been taken that night so long ago, only to find that it had been torn down so that tacky town homes could be built. She almost cried as she looked at the cookie cutter buildings that seemed to have been stamped next to each other on what was too her, sacred ground.
But she had not given up. Another few months passed before she found this address.
Now she sat in her car, fighting tears and excitement as she looked at the building before her. It was huge, and so far off the road that if you didn't know where you were heading, you would never suspect it existed. There were no flashy signs to announce what it was. She wasn't even sure it was the place she sought.
"You'll never know until you get out of this car." Slowly she talked herself into leaving the vehicle and move toward the building. Carefully she made her way over the uneven pavement to the dingy and graffiti filled wall. "This can't be the right place." She whispered to herself as she looked up at the windows and cracking paint. Then she saw it: A sign that hung on one door. "Oh my Goddess." She whispered as she neared. Finally something she remembered. Although it was dulled with age, she recognized it. Slowly, with a shaky hand she touched the fading colors, and then began to trace each letter, saying them out loud. "T…A…L…S…"
"Could I help you?" The voice behind her caused her to jump. "Are you lost?" Turning she found herself facing a young Asian woman dressed in a mid knee silk dress.
"Could you tell me if this is where Talsmaniacs.com has relocated?" She asked softly.
"That's what the sign says." The Asian woman looked suspicious. "Look, we only see people by appointment. Do you have one?"
"No…I…"
"Then I'm sorry, I can't help you." She crossed her arms. "Give us a call and…"
"Please, I'm looking for someone. I've been looking for a long time. Could you at least tell me if Gabriel Bowman still owns this place?"
"Of course he does." Dark eyes stared into blue ones. "Look, I don't know who you are but I told you already, Mr. Bowman doesn't see anyone if they don't have an app…"
"Just give him this. If he still has it, I sent him one very similar years ago." She had taken a framed photograph out of her briefcase and handed it to the other. "Please, I just need to know if he still remembers me. Tell him Dianna the Huntress has come home."
"Dianna?"
"Yes, I hope he remembers who I am." Dianna looked longingly at the woman. "Please."
"Dianna." She pulled keys out of her handbag and unlocked the door. "I've seen that picture every day I have worked for Gabriel. He remembers you all right." Opening the door she practically shoved Dianna inside. "He doesn't say a lot, but I see him looking at it often. And he has told me the story about how you and he met on several occasions."
"He does remember?" Dianna could feel tears run down her cheeks. "I thought he would forget me once I stopped writing."
"Dianna, he has never forgotten you." The woman put her handbag on a shelf next to several shrunken heads and continued through the lines of counters filled with ancient objects with Dianna in tow. "I used to ask why he didn't try to find you and he would just smile and say everything was connected and if you were supposed to come back you would." Shaking her head sadly she moved to the kitchenette where she began to make a pot of coffee. "My Uncle Danny said just to drop the subject because Gabriel was a strange man and there was always some method to his madness."
"Your Uncle Danny?" Dianna searched her memories for a connection. "Wait, are you saying your Uncle is Sara's partner?"
"Was, he was Sara's partner. You know Aunt Sara too?" Dark eyes looked Dianna up and down. "Of course you would. Sara helped find your Uncle." She smiled widely. "My name is Mija."
"You said was. Is Sara still alive?" Dianna felt sorrow fill her heart. "I mean is she all right?"
"She's great. She retired a few years ago and is living in some big mansion, taking care of a friend of hers. I don't know him but Gabriel goes and visits them at least once a week."
"When will Gabriel get here?" Dianna fought a variety of emotions as she spoke, suddenly feeling again like that small girl from long ago.
"He's here already." Mija smiled mischievously. "He still lives in his shop. Has a series of rooms in the back where he lives and has guests over now and again." She looked at the now brewed coffee, and then at Dianna. "I know where he is right now. Lets give him a big surprise." She motioned for Dianna to come closer and began whispering something in the woman's ear, both smiling and nodding suddenly.
Gabriel Bowman had become a man of habit. After waking he would shower and shave, then dress and make his way to this area he called the Media room. Here television screens, computers and a series of news wires, would surround him. If something happened anywhere in the world, he would know about it before the general public did. Here he would sit until Mija came in with his first cup of coffee for the day. There they would both sit and talk about current events, the appointments due in that day, and just life in general.
Today he was watching a huge crowd surrounding the Senate building with signs of protest. He shook his head sadly as one of the protesters spoke.
"America doesn't need someone like that to represent us. It's just wrong what he says about his mother." As the protester continued, he heard the door behind him open, but didn't turn around.
"Look at this Mija. These people just don't understand the good Marshall has done for this country. All they can see is that Slim crap he created back when he was a star. If they would just open their eyes, they could see what good he could really do for everyone." Not taking his eyes off the screen, he took the offered mug of coffee and pointed to the screen. "Hell, his own daughter is one of the youngest to graduate from Harvard, and that isn't an easy school to get into." Finally he sipped the coffee, instantly frowning in distaste. "Mija? Honey if you think my energy levels need to improve just tell me, you don't have to try to overdose me with sugar." He put the cup down and turned, suddenly facing the woman who brought it too him. 'You're not Mija." Slowly he stood, afraid to blink, hoping that his eyes were not playing a cruel trick on him.
"No, I'm not Mija." She stood with hands clasped in front of her watching him stare. "Gabriel would you please say something? Hello, get out, or who the hell are you? Just say something."
"I'm afraid too." Gabriel crossed his arms; fighting the emotions he felt building in his heart. "I'm afraid if your not really here, and I say something I'll wake up." He shrugged slowly. "And if you really are here? I don't know what to say."
"How about hello?" Her tears had begun to flow freely down her cheeks. "Gabriel I missed you so much."
"Dianna, it's really you?" He moved forward with arms outstretched. "Oh God, it's really you, after all this time." As she fell into his arms, they hugged tightly, each crying freely. "Princess, I…."
"Gabriel I am so sorry I didn't stay in touch. There was just so much hap…"
"No, don't. It's all in the past now that you are here. Why you stopped writing doesn't matter." He pulled away from her and started into her eyes. "God you've turned into such a beautiful woman."
"You didn't age badly yourself." She grinned, not willing to release his hands.
"Well," Both turned to see Mija at the door with tears running down her own cheek, "you two need to go out somewhere and get reacquainted." She sniffed and wiped her cheek.
"But I have appointments today." Gabriel pulled Dianna closer, kissing the top of her head.
"I've already taken care of that. I've rearranged all your appointments for the whole week." Mija put her hands on her hips. "Now get out of here and let me clean up this place. Your desk is a mess and I've just been waiting for a day like today to tackle it."
"Mija, you know I don't like…"
"Tough." Her smile was playful. "Get out of here Gabriel Bowman before I throw you out."
"Thanks Mija." He walked to her and hugged her tightly. "I owe you one."
"Yeah, just remember that next time I need you to vouch for me to Uncle Danny." She pushed Gabriel out and waited for Dianna. "Go have fun. Both of you." She waited until Gabriel and Dianna had left, and then bolted the door. Taking a deep breath her eyes began to twinkle as she moved to the phone and dialed a number. After waiting for a couple of seconds, she heard the familiar voice on the other end. "Hey Uncle Danny, you are not going to believe who Gabriel just left with…"
Author's Note:
This story has sort of evolved along side of Little Goddess. It is a continuation that had to be written, so they are being written together, and will be shared together as time goes on.
dev