A Family Affair
Disclaimer: I don't own the Witchblade characters. More's the pity; I'm having an awful lot of fun with them. Enjoy!
Author's Note: WARNING: this chapter contains sexual situations that are unsuitable for underage readers and those who have a problem with that sort of thing. Strong language is also used. There. You've been warned, so please don't report me to fanfiction.net. Also, I apologize profusely for the terribly long wait between chapters. Real life has been a real bee- atch these past few months! So, without further ado . . .
Chapter 59.
To Sara's surprise, after his initial startled query, Ian refrained from further questioning her godparents about their revelation that they had searched for him all those years ago. She herself was itching to ask them to elaborate on the subject because, tantalizingly, their admission seemed to indicate that they had knowledge of Nottingham's origins. However, she reluctantly decided to put off digging up the past in the interest of concentrating on the plan Joe had come up with for dealing with Kenneth Irons in the here and now. After all, if all went well, there would be plenty of time to ask her Watchers for more details about their search for the boy destined to become her Protector. Sara supposed Ian had come to the same conclusion. But then she remembered his heartrending confession about being afraid to find out the real reason he'd ended up in that orphanage, and she realized that this had undoubtedly contributed to his reticence. No, now was definitely not the time or the place to delve into such a highly sensitive topic.
After summarily ordering their son and his family to give them some privacy, Joe and Marie Siri spent a great deal of time discussing the strategy Joe had come up with, a sort of counterattack that, if successful, would go a long way toward nullifying the threat posed by Kenneth Irons. And while Sara and Ian had to admit that the plan was brilliant in its simplicity, they both were highly skeptical that it would be effective against Ian's erstwhile father, and they told the Watchers about their misgivings.
"Ah, but it exploits Irons' greatest weakness: his ego. That is why it will succeed," Marie said confidently.
"But it seems to me that it also depends on him having a heart," Sara said. "And I know for a fact that he's a heartless bastard."
"I concur with Sara," Ian said quietly.
"Be that as it may, we're putting the plan in motion," Joe Sr. said with finality. "Assuming, of course, that everything goes smoothly tomorrow."
"Of course," Ian murmured. "However, we have also come up with a backup plan." He proceeded to tell them about the treatments Irons increasingly required to extend his life, and how one day soon he would need the current Wielder's blood in order to survive.
Although Joe and Marie agreed that this gave Sara and Ian a great deal of leverage in their battle against Irons, they cautioned that offering him Sara's blood in exchange for being left alone was a line of action that should only be pursued as a last resort. It was blatantly obvious that they did not trust the ruthless billionaire to keep up his end of the bargain once his youthfulness and vitality were restored.
"Kenneth won't hesitate to use your devotion to him against you, Ian. I wouldn't put it past him to pretend to be at death's door in an effort to force your hand," Joe said. "It's extremely important that you be able to negotiate from a position of power. You have something he wants -- the Witchblade -- but you'll soon have something he'll need to survive."
"But what if he really is near death?" Ian said, unable to hide his distress at this possibility.
"What about this Dr. Immo fellow who saved your life by hiding the antidote to the poison in the lining of your coat, Ian? As his personal physician, he'd know just how desperate Irons' situation truly is. Do you think he might be willing to help you again?" Marie asked.
"Possibly," Ian replied. "Provided, of course, that he survived the Russians' attack."
"Initial news reports said that there'd been casualties, especially among the Russians," Joe informed them. "But there's been precious little information released since then."
Sara shook her head. "I doubt we'll find out anything from watching VCN, or any of the other stations for that matter," she said. "Vorschlag is in major damage control mode, and revealing civilian casualties definitely isn't on the agenda."
"Until you find out if Immo's alive, and, more importantly, if he's willing to help you, I guess you'll just have to play it by ear, Ian," Joe said. "But you mustn't let Irons deceive you into giving him Sara's blood. He'll immediately regain the upper hand once that happens."
"I . . . I am not . . . certain I can . . . turn my back on him if he appears to be dying," Ian haltingly admitted, a tormented expression on his face.
"We're not suggesting that you let the old man die, Ian," Marie reassured him gently. "Just that you avoid caving in and giving him what he needs right away."
Ian sighed heavily. "In any event, what he needs to survive is not mine to give," he said, his troubled gaze going to the face of the woman he loved.
Sara reached over and gently stroked his forehead, smoothing the lines of worry from it. "I'm not ashamed to admit that I wish Irons would drop dead," she said, "especially since that would mean you'd be rid of him once and for all, my love. But for some reason, the Witchblade seems to want him to stay in the picture. Otherwise, why would It have given him longevity in the first place? So, even though I know he'll never stop trying to regain control of the Witchblade, I'm willing to try and strike a bargain with him. For you, Ian. However, once you break free of his control, all bets are off!"
"Thank you, my Lady," Ian whispered, capturing her hand in his and reverently kissing it.
"Remember: the most important thing is to present a united front," Marie reiterated. "As I said earlier, Kenneth Irons' towering ego will be his undoing. He simply cannot accept the fact that you have chosen Ian over him, Sara, and he will do everything in his power to drive a wedge between you. He knows that with your Protector by your side, you'll be nearly invincible. And although I know you'd like to keep your telepathic connection from him for as long as possible, demonstrating it to him would serve to prove that your bond is strong."
"Tell me more about these treatments Irons needs, Ian," Joe Sr. requested. "I want to hear more about this Dr. Immo, too."
Sara seized the opportunity for a much-needed bathroom break, and headed upstairs. When she came out a few minutes later, Marie was waiting in the hallway.
"So, you finally followed your heart instead of that stubborn head of yours," her godmother said with an approving smile. "I was certain I had my work cut out for me trying to get you to accept Ian Nottingham for who and what he truly is."
"Yeah, well, you laid it on pretty thick the other night," Sara shot back. "'Don't close your eyes to love, cara. It doesn't come around that often,'" she quoted, perfectly mimicking the older woman's accent and inflections.
"Subtle I'm not," Marie agreed, grinning. "But it was good advice, no?"
"You've always given me good advice," Sara acknowledged. Impulsively, she embraced her godmother. "I'm so grateful to you and Joe for being there for me. And I don't just mean now. You've been there for me my whole life, but I didn't realize how much I depended on you both until recently."
"Oh, Sweetie! You know that we think of you as a daughter. I was telling Ian the truth when I said I'll consider your children to be my grandchildren."
Sara pulled back and gaped at her. "You laid that on him after knowing him for little more than an hour? No wonder the poor guy looked terrified when he heard that you were coming over for dinner tonight! Have you no shame, woman?"
"Not when it's a life or death situation, which getting you to acknowledge your feelings for him seemed like it was at the time. I could see that you were slowly beginning to accept him as your Protector, but I was afraid you would not realize that he is also your soul mate until it was too late. The lovemaking, it is good, eh?"
Sara felt her color rise. "Uh, yeah. Very, very good. We can't seem to keep our hands off each other. In fact, I won't know for sure for a few more days, but I think I might be pregnant," she blurted out. "That complicates matters somewhat, doesn't it?"
Marie made a dismissive gesture. "I highly doubt that you're pregnant," she surprised her goddaughter by stating.
"Why do you say that?"
"It's extremely unlikely the Witchblade would allow you to conceive while things are so unsettled. You have far too much to learn about wielding It, and your Protector must become his own man before you can even think about starting a family. There's simply too much turmoil surrounding you both right now."
"But it's not impossible for me to be pregnant, right? I mean, the timing is definitely right and we haven't been using protection. Plus, the Witchblade showed us visions . . ."
Sara's voice trailed off as she remembered Ian telling her that the visions only showed possible futures, and that the events they'd been shown might not take place for years, or might never come to pass at all. She placed trembling hands over her belly, stunned by the feelings of sorrow and loss that suddenly overwhelmed her, threatening to make her burst into tears.
Perceiving her distress, Marie enfolded her in her arms comfortingly. "There, there, Sweetie. You and Ian will be blessed with children one day. I know it. Just not right away. Your lives are complicated enough as it is, eh?"
"But they were such beautiful babies," Sara whispered, trying and failing to hold back tears.
"What, they won't be beautiful when the time comes for them to be born? Of course, they will. And you'll both be wonderful parents. Now, stop this crying or you'll really upset your Protector," her godmother scolded her gently. "Can't you feel that he's worried about you?"
Sara opened herself to the link she shared with Ian, and winced as she felt the anxiety thrumming along it. "Yeah, this bond thing is still kinda new. I keep forgetting that he can sense strong emotions from me. Oh, Marie, I hate to break this news to him on top of everything else," she said, sighing heavily. "That's why I didn't pursue it when you admitted that you and Joe had looked for him when he was little, even though I'm dying to find out what you know about his biological parents, if anything. He's got major abandonment issues."
"Yes, that was a mistake on my part. That is a topic best left for another time, when things are more settled," Marie murmured, then swiftly changed the subject. "So, Ian was not alarmed by the possibility that you might be pregnant? That doesn't surprise me. He told me he wanted children with you, you know."
"Oh, he did, did he?" Sara asked incredulously. "Exactly what didn't you discuss during your interrogation of him over dessert the other night?"
"Whether he prefers a spring or summer wedding," Marie teased, dark eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Well, if what you said earlier is true, there's no longer any rush to get to the alter," Sara said sadly. "I know I should feel relieved, but I don't. Just kind of empty and sad."
"Ian senses this, and when he discovers the reason for it, he'll undoubtedly share your sorrow, but he's also realistic enough to know that now is not the time to start a family."
"Then why did the Witchblade show me those visions?" Sara queried, absently stroking her stomach. "It showed Ian one of them, too."
Her godmother shrugged. "Perhaps It felt it was necessary to show you both that you had a future together, as a means of strengthening your bond."
"One possible future," Sara murmured thoughtfully. Then her expression darkened. "Oh, I get it. Ol' Witchy here isn't above using emotional manipulation to get what It wants. Those visions were Its way of convincing me to accept Nottingham as my mate. Come to think of it, when I asked It for permission to tell the people I love about me being Its Wielder, It made a point of saying how pleased It was that I'd taken him as my lover. You're not the only one who isn't subtle, Marie." Bitterness tinged her words.
"Ian loves you, Sara. I know how much you hate the thought of being manipulated into falling in love with him, but don't lose sight of that fact. Deep in your heart you know he's right for you, just as you are for him. It is your love for him that may very well determine whether or not he succeeds in breaking free of Kenneth Irons' control. He needs to know that you'll be there for him, come what may," Marie said urgently.
"Did the other Wielders find the fact that their destinies were set in stone so hard to swallow, or is it just me?" Sara asked plaintively.
"Well, apparently stubbornness is a trait that all True Wielders share, so I'd have to say, no," her godmother said wryly, but her tone became serious again. "Never make the mistake of thinking that you have no free will, Sara. You always have a choice --"
"Even when it seems as though I don't," Sara finished the sentence for her. "Ian said almost the exact same thing to me."
"You don't realize what it took for him to defy Irons to be with you. Nor do you realize just how difficult it will be for him to win his freedom. Yes, it was emotional manipulation to lead you to believe that you will become parents in nine months or so, but if it means Ian has been given an added incentive to break the chains that bind him to that evil man, was it truly such a bad thing?" her Watcher queried.
"So, what you're saying is I shouldn't tell him that I'm probably not pregnant."
"Not at all," Marie responded. "What I'm trying to say is that the possibility that you have a future together is incentive enough for him. In fact, I suggest you take one of those early pregnancy tests as soon as possible instead of waiting for nature to take its course. That way, Ian can focus all of his attention and energy on winning his freedom. Babies and the enormous responsibility that they entail can wait."
"I'll try to remember to pick one up at the drugstore tomorrow," Sara murmured. "I know you're right about our lives being complicated enough right now, but I just can't seem to forget what those visions showed me. We were so happy."
"That was the point, no?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Sara heaved a sigh. "We had boys, Marie. Two of them."
The older woman's dark eyes widened in surprise. "Boys? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
Sara shook her head. "Nope. Our firstborn looked so much like Ian, I started calling him 'Mini-Ian.' And he was there in the second vision, the one the Witchblade shared with Ian, in which I gave birth to another boy."
"Remarkable! A male offspring -- much less two -- hasn't been born to a Wielder in centuries. What's more, the bloodline is very thin. You were the first potential True Wielder born in nearly three generations. I was certain the two of you would give me granddaughters!"
"Well, I'm not making any promises after the first two!" Sara said wryly. "Although Witchy was kind enough not to let me feel the pain my future self was feeling in the vision, I could tell that giving birth was no walk in the park!" But then her lips tightened as a thought struck her. "Who the hell am I kidding? If the Witchblade decides I'm gonna have half a dozen kids, so be it, right?"
"Not necessarily," her Watcher said cryptically. "We've been gone long enough, don't you think? Go on back down. I'll be right behind you. I'm just going to powder my nose."
"Okay."
Sara slowly made her way back downstairs, her mind chewing over her godmother's last comment. *I've just had a very interesting conversation with Marie,* she sent to Ian.
*Is that so? Do you want to tell me about it?* he responded.
*Later. Did you and Joe talk about anything interesting while we were gone?*
*Actually, he did most of the talking.*
*Why am I not surprised?* she said dryly.
*He shared anecdotes about your childhood and teenage years. I was happy to simply listen.*
*Uh, yeah. Right,* Sara muttered uneasily. *Um, you're not gonna repeat any of those stories to my friends and coworkers, are you, Nottingham? After all, I've got a reputation as a tough-as-nails homicide detective to uphold!*
Ian's psychic chuckle caressed her mind. *Your secrets are safe with me, my love. For now.* But then his "voice" became wistful. *It sounds like you had a very happy childhood, Sara, despite the tragic loss of your parents. You're very lucky to have had Joseph and Marie as godparents, and now as your Watchers.*
*Yeah, I realize that. In fact, when I came out of the bathroom and saw Marie standing there, it hit me just how lucky I am. But I'm even luckier to have you as my friend and lover,* she told him. *Oh, yeah, and you're also a pretty decent Protector.*
She clearly sensed the powerful emotion that welled up in him at her words, and then she saw it in his soulful hazel eyes as she reentered the dining room. *Do you have any idea how much it means to me to hear you say that?*
Stepping close to him, she brushed her fingertips over his full lips. *Why don't you show me later, when we're alone?* Sara said, wiggling her eyebrows at him suggestively.
Ian promptly stood up from the table. "We are done here, are we not?" he said to Joe Sr.
"Uh, yeah, I guess so," Joe said, looking from one to the other knowingly. "What's your hurry? I thought we might play a few hands of bid whist."
"They're young and in love. Remember what that was like?" Marie Siri said, entering the dining room.
"Vaguely," he grinned. "Go on you two. We'll say good night to Robert, Paula, and the kids for you. Oh, and since we're spending the night, we'll see you off in the morning, even if it is the crack of dawn."
"Okay. Good night," Sara said, grasping Ian's hand, and tugging him toward the hallway.
"Good night, Joseph and Marie, and thank you for everything," Ian told her godparents. "See you in the morning." He closely followed Sara down the hall and through the kitchen to the mudroom, where they hastily donned their outerwear.
Sara waited impatiently while Ian stepped outside and did a quick reconnaissance of the immediate vicinity of the house.
*All clear?* she sent after a couple of minutes.
*Yes.*
Gasping at the frosty night air, she joined him outside, and they hurried across to the garage apartment. Flicking on the lights, Sara was surprised when she saw that the clock on the wall in the kitchenette said it was only 10:00 pm. It felt much, much later.
"So, this is our last night together for who knows how long," she said, taking Ian's overcoat from him and hanging it next to hers in the closet by the front door. Her fingers lingered on the fine, black wool for a moment. The garment was definitely the worse for the wear but still looked pretty good considering everything it had been through over the past several days.
"Yes," Ian murmured, glancing around the garage apartment as if to memorize every detail of the place where he'd spent the happiest and most pleasurable hours of his life.
"I know Joe and Marie don't think we should push our luck by trying to get Irons to agree to let you stay with me through Thanksgiving, but I hate the thought of being apart from you, even for one night," Sara said, realizing that it was true. Tears filled her eyes and emotion tightened her throat. "I'll miss you so much, baby," she sniffled.
"And I will miss you, my love," Ian whispered, enfolding her in his arms. He had already resigned himself to sleepless nights filled with loneliness and longing for so long as they were forced to be apart from each other. In fact, the very thought of returning to his formerly ascetic existence was anathema to him. Sara had become as necessary to him as breathing, and he seriously doubted he would be able to rest without her beside him at night. Bending his head, he kissed her passionately, molding her slender body to his.
She returned his kiss enthusiastically, her arms tightening around his waist. "Make love to me," she breathed when they were finally forced to come up for air.
"Gladly," he responded, effortlessly scooping her up in his arms and heading for the bedroom.
******
Much, much later, head propped on her left hand, Sara Pezzini studied the face of the man lying on his back beside her. From all outward appearances, Ian Nottingham was fast asleep. His eyes were closed, his big body was completely relaxed, and his breathing was deep and regular. But Sara clearly sensed that he was awake, his formidable brain on overdrive. She'd hoped that the marathon lovemaking session they'd indulged in would tire him out enough to let him sleep, but apparently it hadn't.
"You really should get some sleep, Ian," she murmured. "It's after 1:00, and we have to get up in just a few hours in order to be on the road by first light."
With a deep sigh, Ian gave up the pretense of sleeping. "I am afraid I am far too nervous to sleep," he admitted, changeable hazel eyes opening. "Besides, you are also wide awake."
Sara's lips quirked. "Noticed that, did you?"
"I cannot stop thinking about the coming confrontation with my father," Ian murmured, scrubbing a hand over his face wearily. "I am very glad that you will be there with me, Sara, but I am also worried about the potential threat to you. My job is to protect you from danger, not lead you into it."
"If you're thinking about trying to talk me out of accompanying you, save your breath," she told him firmly. "I'm coming with you. End of subject."
Ian turned over onto his right side, mirroring her pose. "But what if he has anticipated our next move? We could be walking into an ambush."
In the dimness of the bedroom, the pupils of his large eyes were enormous and his brow was furrowed with anxiety. Sara was fast coming to realize that she could deny him nothing when that heart-melting kicked- puppy expression was on his handsome face. So, she looked at anything but his face and resolutely hardened her heart.
"That's a chance we'll just have to take," she shrugged, her gaze arrested by his sculpted physique. She started to touch him, but drew her hand back at the last second, unwilling to let herself be distracted by his gorgeous body. Besides, he needed sleep, not to be further exhausted by another round of lovemaking.
However, Ian was not constrained by any such form of self-denial. Sara gasped as he reached over and flicked the nipple of her left breast, instantly causing it to pucker wantonly. White teeth flashed in the darkness, and the next thing she knew he was pressing his scorching mouth against her aching aureole.
"I said you should get some sleep, Nottingham, not more poontang!" Even as she uttered this weak protest, Sara found herself clutching his tousled head to her breast.
"'Poontang'?" he murmured, grin widening. "Yet another euphemism for lovemaking, I take it?"
"One of my favorites," she replied, returning his grin.
"What are some others?" he queried, his thumb teasing the nipple of her right breast.
Sara laughed. "You want me to talk dirty to you, is that it?" Her laughter turned into a moan as he repeated his oral assault on her other breast. His hand traveled down the front of her body, eliciting a pang of need from her as his fingers delved into the curls below her navel.
"Yes, talk dirty to me," Ian whispered after several excruciatingly pleasurable moments.
"Sorry," she panted. "When you do that to me, I lose the ability to form coherent thoughts, let alone words!"
"When I do what? This?" His tongue laved her right nipple. "Or this?" He massaged her throbbing clit.
"Yes!" she gasped, writhing against him.
His low, sexy chuckle enflamed her further. "Which one is it, Sara?"
"Shut up and fuck me already, you tease, you!" she growled, practically pulling him on top of her.
In the end, they managed a scant three hours of sleep.
More to come. As always, I'd like to say thanks to all of my faithful readers/fans for the wonderful feedback, which, as all of you fellow writers know, is a true source of inspiration. I'm planning to wrap up this, my inaugural Witchblade fanfic, in the next couple of chapters. But never fear, a sequel is already simmering on the back burner! Thanks again everyone! dragongrrl.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Witchblade characters. More's the pity; I'm having an awful lot of fun with them. Enjoy!
Author's Note: WARNING: this chapter contains sexual situations that are unsuitable for underage readers and those who have a problem with that sort of thing. Strong language is also used. There. You've been warned, so please don't report me to fanfiction.net. Also, I apologize profusely for the terribly long wait between chapters. Real life has been a real bee- atch these past few months! So, without further ado . . .
Chapter 59.
To Sara's surprise, after his initial startled query, Ian refrained from further questioning her godparents about their revelation that they had searched for him all those years ago. She herself was itching to ask them to elaborate on the subject because, tantalizingly, their admission seemed to indicate that they had knowledge of Nottingham's origins. However, she reluctantly decided to put off digging up the past in the interest of concentrating on the plan Joe had come up with for dealing with Kenneth Irons in the here and now. After all, if all went well, there would be plenty of time to ask her Watchers for more details about their search for the boy destined to become her Protector. Sara supposed Ian had come to the same conclusion. But then she remembered his heartrending confession about being afraid to find out the real reason he'd ended up in that orphanage, and she realized that this had undoubtedly contributed to his reticence. No, now was definitely not the time or the place to delve into such a highly sensitive topic.
After summarily ordering their son and his family to give them some privacy, Joe and Marie Siri spent a great deal of time discussing the strategy Joe had come up with, a sort of counterattack that, if successful, would go a long way toward nullifying the threat posed by Kenneth Irons. And while Sara and Ian had to admit that the plan was brilliant in its simplicity, they both were highly skeptical that it would be effective against Ian's erstwhile father, and they told the Watchers about their misgivings.
"Ah, but it exploits Irons' greatest weakness: his ego. That is why it will succeed," Marie said confidently.
"But it seems to me that it also depends on him having a heart," Sara said. "And I know for a fact that he's a heartless bastard."
"I concur with Sara," Ian said quietly.
"Be that as it may, we're putting the plan in motion," Joe Sr. said with finality. "Assuming, of course, that everything goes smoothly tomorrow."
"Of course," Ian murmured. "However, we have also come up with a backup plan." He proceeded to tell them about the treatments Irons increasingly required to extend his life, and how one day soon he would need the current Wielder's blood in order to survive.
Although Joe and Marie agreed that this gave Sara and Ian a great deal of leverage in their battle against Irons, they cautioned that offering him Sara's blood in exchange for being left alone was a line of action that should only be pursued as a last resort. It was blatantly obvious that they did not trust the ruthless billionaire to keep up his end of the bargain once his youthfulness and vitality were restored.
"Kenneth won't hesitate to use your devotion to him against you, Ian. I wouldn't put it past him to pretend to be at death's door in an effort to force your hand," Joe said. "It's extremely important that you be able to negotiate from a position of power. You have something he wants -- the Witchblade -- but you'll soon have something he'll need to survive."
"But what if he really is near death?" Ian said, unable to hide his distress at this possibility.
"What about this Dr. Immo fellow who saved your life by hiding the antidote to the poison in the lining of your coat, Ian? As his personal physician, he'd know just how desperate Irons' situation truly is. Do you think he might be willing to help you again?" Marie asked.
"Possibly," Ian replied. "Provided, of course, that he survived the Russians' attack."
"Initial news reports said that there'd been casualties, especially among the Russians," Joe informed them. "But there's been precious little information released since then."
Sara shook her head. "I doubt we'll find out anything from watching VCN, or any of the other stations for that matter," she said. "Vorschlag is in major damage control mode, and revealing civilian casualties definitely isn't on the agenda."
"Until you find out if Immo's alive, and, more importantly, if he's willing to help you, I guess you'll just have to play it by ear, Ian," Joe said. "But you mustn't let Irons deceive you into giving him Sara's blood. He'll immediately regain the upper hand once that happens."
"I . . . I am not . . . certain I can . . . turn my back on him if he appears to be dying," Ian haltingly admitted, a tormented expression on his face.
"We're not suggesting that you let the old man die, Ian," Marie reassured him gently. "Just that you avoid caving in and giving him what he needs right away."
Ian sighed heavily. "In any event, what he needs to survive is not mine to give," he said, his troubled gaze going to the face of the woman he loved.
Sara reached over and gently stroked his forehead, smoothing the lines of worry from it. "I'm not ashamed to admit that I wish Irons would drop dead," she said, "especially since that would mean you'd be rid of him once and for all, my love. But for some reason, the Witchblade seems to want him to stay in the picture. Otherwise, why would It have given him longevity in the first place? So, even though I know he'll never stop trying to regain control of the Witchblade, I'm willing to try and strike a bargain with him. For you, Ian. However, once you break free of his control, all bets are off!"
"Thank you, my Lady," Ian whispered, capturing her hand in his and reverently kissing it.
"Remember: the most important thing is to present a united front," Marie reiterated. "As I said earlier, Kenneth Irons' towering ego will be his undoing. He simply cannot accept the fact that you have chosen Ian over him, Sara, and he will do everything in his power to drive a wedge between you. He knows that with your Protector by your side, you'll be nearly invincible. And although I know you'd like to keep your telepathic connection from him for as long as possible, demonstrating it to him would serve to prove that your bond is strong."
"Tell me more about these treatments Irons needs, Ian," Joe Sr. requested. "I want to hear more about this Dr. Immo, too."
Sara seized the opportunity for a much-needed bathroom break, and headed upstairs. When she came out a few minutes later, Marie was waiting in the hallway.
"So, you finally followed your heart instead of that stubborn head of yours," her godmother said with an approving smile. "I was certain I had my work cut out for me trying to get you to accept Ian Nottingham for who and what he truly is."
"Yeah, well, you laid it on pretty thick the other night," Sara shot back. "'Don't close your eyes to love, cara. It doesn't come around that often,'" she quoted, perfectly mimicking the older woman's accent and inflections.
"Subtle I'm not," Marie agreed, grinning. "But it was good advice, no?"
"You've always given me good advice," Sara acknowledged. Impulsively, she embraced her godmother. "I'm so grateful to you and Joe for being there for me. And I don't just mean now. You've been there for me my whole life, but I didn't realize how much I depended on you both until recently."
"Oh, Sweetie! You know that we think of you as a daughter. I was telling Ian the truth when I said I'll consider your children to be my grandchildren."
Sara pulled back and gaped at her. "You laid that on him after knowing him for little more than an hour? No wonder the poor guy looked terrified when he heard that you were coming over for dinner tonight! Have you no shame, woman?"
"Not when it's a life or death situation, which getting you to acknowledge your feelings for him seemed like it was at the time. I could see that you were slowly beginning to accept him as your Protector, but I was afraid you would not realize that he is also your soul mate until it was too late. The lovemaking, it is good, eh?"
Sara felt her color rise. "Uh, yeah. Very, very good. We can't seem to keep our hands off each other. In fact, I won't know for sure for a few more days, but I think I might be pregnant," she blurted out. "That complicates matters somewhat, doesn't it?"
Marie made a dismissive gesture. "I highly doubt that you're pregnant," she surprised her goddaughter by stating.
"Why do you say that?"
"It's extremely unlikely the Witchblade would allow you to conceive while things are so unsettled. You have far too much to learn about wielding It, and your Protector must become his own man before you can even think about starting a family. There's simply too much turmoil surrounding you both right now."
"But it's not impossible for me to be pregnant, right? I mean, the timing is definitely right and we haven't been using protection. Plus, the Witchblade showed us visions . . ."
Sara's voice trailed off as she remembered Ian telling her that the visions only showed possible futures, and that the events they'd been shown might not take place for years, or might never come to pass at all. She placed trembling hands over her belly, stunned by the feelings of sorrow and loss that suddenly overwhelmed her, threatening to make her burst into tears.
Perceiving her distress, Marie enfolded her in her arms comfortingly. "There, there, Sweetie. You and Ian will be blessed with children one day. I know it. Just not right away. Your lives are complicated enough as it is, eh?"
"But they were such beautiful babies," Sara whispered, trying and failing to hold back tears.
"What, they won't be beautiful when the time comes for them to be born? Of course, they will. And you'll both be wonderful parents. Now, stop this crying or you'll really upset your Protector," her godmother scolded her gently. "Can't you feel that he's worried about you?"
Sara opened herself to the link she shared with Ian, and winced as she felt the anxiety thrumming along it. "Yeah, this bond thing is still kinda new. I keep forgetting that he can sense strong emotions from me. Oh, Marie, I hate to break this news to him on top of everything else," she said, sighing heavily. "That's why I didn't pursue it when you admitted that you and Joe had looked for him when he was little, even though I'm dying to find out what you know about his biological parents, if anything. He's got major abandonment issues."
"Yes, that was a mistake on my part. That is a topic best left for another time, when things are more settled," Marie murmured, then swiftly changed the subject. "So, Ian was not alarmed by the possibility that you might be pregnant? That doesn't surprise me. He told me he wanted children with you, you know."
"Oh, he did, did he?" Sara asked incredulously. "Exactly what didn't you discuss during your interrogation of him over dessert the other night?"
"Whether he prefers a spring or summer wedding," Marie teased, dark eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Well, if what you said earlier is true, there's no longer any rush to get to the alter," Sara said sadly. "I know I should feel relieved, but I don't. Just kind of empty and sad."
"Ian senses this, and when he discovers the reason for it, he'll undoubtedly share your sorrow, but he's also realistic enough to know that now is not the time to start a family."
"Then why did the Witchblade show me those visions?" Sara queried, absently stroking her stomach. "It showed Ian one of them, too."
Her godmother shrugged. "Perhaps It felt it was necessary to show you both that you had a future together, as a means of strengthening your bond."
"One possible future," Sara murmured thoughtfully. Then her expression darkened. "Oh, I get it. Ol' Witchy here isn't above using emotional manipulation to get what It wants. Those visions were Its way of convincing me to accept Nottingham as my mate. Come to think of it, when I asked It for permission to tell the people I love about me being Its Wielder, It made a point of saying how pleased It was that I'd taken him as my lover. You're not the only one who isn't subtle, Marie." Bitterness tinged her words.
"Ian loves you, Sara. I know how much you hate the thought of being manipulated into falling in love with him, but don't lose sight of that fact. Deep in your heart you know he's right for you, just as you are for him. It is your love for him that may very well determine whether or not he succeeds in breaking free of Kenneth Irons' control. He needs to know that you'll be there for him, come what may," Marie said urgently.
"Did the other Wielders find the fact that their destinies were set in stone so hard to swallow, or is it just me?" Sara asked plaintively.
"Well, apparently stubbornness is a trait that all True Wielders share, so I'd have to say, no," her godmother said wryly, but her tone became serious again. "Never make the mistake of thinking that you have no free will, Sara. You always have a choice --"
"Even when it seems as though I don't," Sara finished the sentence for her. "Ian said almost the exact same thing to me."
"You don't realize what it took for him to defy Irons to be with you. Nor do you realize just how difficult it will be for him to win his freedom. Yes, it was emotional manipulation to lead you to believe that you will become parents in nine months or so, but if it means Ian has been given an added incentive to break the chains that bind him to that evil man, was it truly such a bad thing?" her Watcher queried.
"So, what you're saying is I shouldn't tell him that I'm probably not pregnant."
"Not at all," Marie responded. "What I'm trying to say is that the possibility that you have a future together is incentive enough for him. In fact, I suggest you take one of those early pregnancy tests as soon as possible instead of waiting for nature to take its course. That way, Ian can focus all of his attention and energy on winning his freedom. Babies and the enormous responsibility that they entail can wait."
"I'll try to remember to pick one up at the drugstore tomorrow," Sara murmured. "I know you're right about our lives being complicated enough right now, but I just can't seem to forget what those visions showed me. We were so happy."
"That was the point, no?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Sara heaved a sigh. "We had boys, Marie. Two of them."
The older woman's dark eyes widened in surprise. "Boys? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
Sara shook her head. "Nope. Our firstborn looked so much like Ian, I started calling him 'Mini-Ian.' And he was there in the second vision, the one the Witchblade shared with Ian, in which I gave birth to another boy."
"Remarkable! A male offspring -- much less two -- hasn't been born to a Wielder in centuries. What's more, the bloodline is very thin. You were the first potential True Wielder born in nearly three generations. I was certain the two of you would give me granddaughters!"
"Well, I'm not making any promises after the first two!" Sara said wryly. "Although Witchy was kind enough not to let me feel the pain my future self was feeling in the vision, I could tell that giving birth was no walk in the park!" But then her lips tightened as a thought struck her. "Who the hell am I kidding? If the Witchblade decides I'm gonna have half a dozen kids, so be it, right?"
"Not necessarily," her Watcher said cryptically. "We've been gone long enough, don't you think? Go on back down. I'll be right behind you. I'm just going to powder my nose."
"Okay."
Sara slowly made her way back downstairs, her mind chewing over her godmother's last comment. *I've just had a very interesting conversation with Marie,* she sent to Ian.
*Is that so? Do you want to tell me about it?* he responded.
*Later. Did you and Joe talk about anything interesting while we were gone?*
*Actually, he did most of the talking.*
*Why am I not surprised?* she said dryly.
*He shared anecdotes about your childhood and teenage years. I was happy to simply listen.*
*Uh, yeah. Right,* Sara muttered uneasily. *Um, you're not gonna repeat any of those stories to my friends and coworkers, are you, Nottingham? After all, I've got a reputation as a tough-as-nails homicide detective to uphold!*
Ian's psychic chuckle caressed her mind. *Your secrets are safe with me, my love. For now.* But then his "voice" became wistful. *It sounds like you had a very happy childhood, Sara, despite the tragic loss of your parents. You're very lucky to have had Joseph and Marie as godparents, and now as your Watchers.*
*Yeah, I realize that. In fact, when I came out of the bathroom and saw Marie standing there, it hit me just how lucky I am. But I'm even luckier to have you as my friend and lover,* she told him. *Oh, yeah, and you're also a pretty decent Protector.*
She clearly sensed the powerful emotion that welled up in him at her words, and then she saw it in his soulful hazel eyes as she reentered the dining room. *Do you have any idea how much it means to me to hear you say that?*
Stepping close to him, she brushed her fingertips over his full lips. *Why don't you show me later, when we're alone?* Sara said, wiggling her eyebrows at him suggestively.
Ian promptly stood up from the table. "We are done here, are we not?" he said to Joe Sr.
"Uh, yeah, I guess so," Joe said, looking from one to the other knowingly. "What's your hurry? I thought we might play a few hands of bid whist."
"They're young and in love. Remember what that was like?" Marie Siri said, entering the dining room.
"Vaguely," he grinned. "Go on you two. We'll say good night to Robert, Paula, and the kids for you. Oh, and since we're spending the night, we'll see you off in the morning, even if it is the crack of dawn."
"Okay. Good night," Sara said, grasping Ian's hand, and tugging him toward the hallway.
"Good night, Joseph and Marie, and thank you for everything," Ian told her godparents. "See you in the morning." He closely followed Sara down the hall and through the kitchen to the mudroom, where they hastily donned their outerwear.
Sara waited impatiently while Ian stepped outside and did a quick reconnaissance of the immediate vicinity of the house.
*All clear?* she sent after a couple of minutes.
*Yes.*
Gasping at the frosty night air, she joined him outside, and they hurried across to the garage apartment. Flicking on the lights, Sara was surprised when she saw that the clock on the wall in the kitchenette said it was only 10:00 pm. It felt much, much later.
"So, this is our last night together for who knows how long," she said, taking Ian's overcoat from him and hanging it next to hers in the closet by the front door. Her fingers lingered on the fine, black wool for a moment. The garment was definitely the worse for the wear but still looked pretty good considering everything it had been through over the past several days.
"Yes," Ian murmured, glancing around the garage apartment as if to memorize every detail of the place where he'd spent the happiest and most pleasurable hours of his life.
"I know Joe and Marie don't think we should push our luck by trying to get Irons to agree to let you stay with me through Thanksgiving, but I hate the thought of being apart from you, even for one night," Sara said, realizing that it was true. Tears filled her eyes and emotion tightened her throat. "I'll miss you so much, baby," she sniffled.
"And I will miss you, my love," Ian whispered, enfolding her in his arms. He had already resigned himself to sleepless nights filled with loneliness and longing for so long as they were forced to be apart from each other. In fact, the very thought of returning to his formerly ascetic existence was anathema to him. Sara had become as necessary to him as breathing, and he seriously doubted he would be able to rest without her beside him at night. Bending his head, he kissed her passionately, molding her slender body to his.
She returned his kiss enthusiastically, her arms tightening around his waist. "Make love to me," she breathed when they were finally forced to come up for air.
"Gladly," he responded, effortlessly scooping her up in his arms and heading for the bedroom.
******
Much, much later, head propped on her left hand, Sara Pezzini studied the face of the man lying on his back beside her. From all outward appearances, Ian Nottingham was fast asleep. His eyes were closed, his big body was completely relaxed, and his breathing was deep and regular. But Sara clearly sensed that he was awake, his formidable brain on overdrive. She'd hoped that the marathon lovemaking session they'd indulged in would tire him out enough to let him sleep, but apparently it hadn't.
"You really should get some sleep, Ian," she murmured. "It's after 1:00, and we have to get up in just a few hours in order to be on the road by first light."
With a deep sigh, Ian gave up the pretense of sleeping. "I am afraid I am far too nervous to sleep," he admitted, changeable hazel eyes opening. "Besides, you are also wide awake."
Sara's lips quirked. "Noticed that, did you?"
"I cannot stop thinking about the coming confrontation with my father," Ian murmured, scrubbing a hand over his face wearily. "I am very glad that you will be there with me, Sara, but I am also worried about the potential threat to you. My job is to protect you from danger, not lead you into it."
"If you're thinking about trying to talk me out of accompanying you, save your breath," she told him firmly. "I'm coming with you. End of subject."
Ian turned over onto his right side, mirroring her pose. "But what if he has anticipated our next move? We could be walking into an ambush."
In the dimness of the bedroom, the pupils of his large eyes were enormous and his brow was furrowed with anxiety. Sara was fast coming to realize that she could deny him nothing when that heart-melting kicked- puppy expression was on his handsome face. So, she looked at anything but his face and resolutely hardened her heart.
"That's a chance we'll just have to take," she shrugged, her gaze arrested by his sculpted physique. She started to touch him, but drew her hand back at the last second, unwilling to let herself be distracted by his gorgeous body. Besides, he needed sleep, not to be further exhausted by another round of lovemaking.
However, Ian was not constrained by any such form of self-denial. Sara gasped as he reached over and flicked the nipple of her left breast, instantly causing it to pucker wantonly. White teeth flashed in the darkness, and the next thing she knew he was pressing his scorching mouth against her aching aureole.
"I said you should get some sleep, Nottingham, not more poontang!" Even as she uttered this weak protest, Sara found herself clutching his tousled head to her breast.
"'Poontang'?" he murmured, grin widening. "Yet another euphemism for lovemaking, I take it?"
"One of my favorites," she replied, returning his grin.
"What are some others?" he queried, his thumb teasing the nipple of her right breast.
Sara laughed. "You want me to talk dirty to you, is that it?" Her laughter turned into a moan as he repeated his oral assault on her other breast. His hand traveled down the front of her body, eliciting a pang of need from her as his fingers delved into the curls below her navel.
"Yes, talk dirty to me," Ian whispered after several excruciatingly pleasurable moments.
"Sorry," she panted. "When you do that to me, I lose the ability to form coherent thoughts, let alone words!"
"When I do what? This?" His tongue laved her right nipple. "Or this?" He massaged her throbbing clit.
"Yes!" she gasped, writhing against him.
His low, sexy chuckle enflamed her further. "Which one is it, Sara?"
"Shut up and fuck me already, you tease, you!" she growled, practically pulling him on top of her.
In the end, they managed a scant three hours of sleep.
More to come. As always, I'd like to say thanks to all of my faithful readers/fans for the wonderful feedback, which, as all of you fellow writers know, is a true source of inspiration. I'm planning to wrap up this, my inaugural Witchblade fanfic, in the next couple of chapters. But never fear, a sequel is already simmering on the back burner! Thanks again everyone! dragongrrl.