AN: WEEEEEE double update! Ha and this ficcy =3 I love this ficcy, it's movin' along! ^^ It's taking forever to wrap up tho LoL… but we're a long way away from being done here kiddies.. well maybe not a LONG way.. but a distance anyway, a lot has to happen yet ^^
I'm looking forward to the sequel ^^ R+R
Oh, and I don't know how you could hate Tala in this fic.. I quite like him ^^' Stay tuned for some Bryan redemption in this chappy XD
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Liika shifted around the large bedchamber nervously, keenly aware of the ever watching eyes of the servant girl that watched her every move. Not that it really mattered, she hadn't gone within two feet of the large bed that occupied the far third of the room, a bed she remembered all too well. Nor had she even looked in his general direction, preferring to wander aimlessly through the front portion of the room, rocking Nadie, or murmuring soft comforting words to the half sleeping child.
However, the longer she moved restlessly with the eighteen pound baby in her arms, the more she was increasingly aware of her own state of exhaustion. It had been a long day, and night, and judging from the window, where the sun was just starting to peak through the heavy brocade drapes, it was well into morning, which meant that she had been going non-stop for over twenty four hours, and had been wandering the confining room that smelled of him for just about five.
A quiet clearing of a throat shook Liika from her reverie and she turned her head to look at the only other awake occupant of the room, her eyebrow raised.
The tall, mousy girl looked away, a solemn frown covering her face. "Excuse me Mistress…but you look as if you are about to fall over. Perhaps it would be best if you and the baby lay down for a bit?"
Liika stared at her for a moment and then looked over to the large bed across the room. A shudder wracked her tiny, exhausted body. Just the thought made her want to dry heave.
However, her arms had long since gone numb and were now starting to ache under the strain of holding her daughter for so long. She wouldn't be able to hold the little girl for much longer, and knew she had no choice but to put the child on the bed beside her injured biological father. As much as she didn't want to do it, she knew there were no other options left to her.
"Bring that chair over to the empty side please." She spoke, nodding at one of the heavy arm chairs that sat in one corner of the room. "If it's not too heavy."
"It's not." The girl replied quietly, bowing and moving to do Liika's bidding. She wisely did not question Liika's motives.
Liika meanwhile sucked in a deep breath and gathered all her courage. She would not deny that the prospect of crossing the room frightened her, that she feared what she would find should she step to his bedside. But she had already realized that she would have to face her fear eventually. That he would wake eventually and probably beat her when he was well enough. It was something she would just have to deal with when the time came. It would not be for another few days anyway.
Hearing the soft scrap of the chair along the stone floor drew Liika back to the present and she let out the breath that she hadn't realized she was holding. It was now or never. She stepped forward slowly, allowing the servant girl time to drag the chair fully to the position Liika wanted it.
"Is this good Mistress?" The girl asked, stopping so that the chair was situated directly beside the bed.
"Yes," Liika answered, nodding a bit. "That's fine."
The girl bowed and retreated back to the far end of the room, hiding herself in the shadows of the dark room. Liika continued walking forward until she reached the end of the bed, her eyes almost instinctively drawn to the figure that was sprawled out on top of it, taking up over half of the massive surface.
He was paler than normal, his face devoid of all color and damp with sweat. His eyes were clenched tightly shut, and he was completely still, save the shallow rise and fall of his bare chest. The blankets covered his lower abdomen, and thus his bandages, but Liika realized then that he could have bled through the bandages sometime while she had supposed to be watching over him. She also remembered Tala's threat. If Bryan died, he'd take Nadie from her.
A cold fear swept over her, propelling her into motion. With no hesitation she quickly made her way to the opposite side of the bed, placing Nadie gently down on the feather quilt. Nadie shifted, whimpering slightly in her sleep but did nothing more, seemingly contented with snuggling into the soft new surface, her baby blanket wrapped securely around her.
Then Liika was in motion again, ignoring her body's cry for rest, and scurrying to the other side of the bed. Again without hesitation she pulled the blankets down and breathed a sigh of relief when the white bandages showed no sign of redness. However, she remembered the red haired woman's instructions before she left. His bandages needed to be taken off and his wound checked every three hours or so at least until dawn. The doctors had stitched him up and did not expect any complications, but did not want to take any chances. If the wound looked at all funny or infected she was to call the doctors immediately. She was also to regularly dry the sweat from his forehead to help lower the fever that plagued him.
Liika sighed another breath of relief when she removed the bandages and found no trace of infection. The neat line of stitches looked as healthy as a line of stitches could, with minimal amount of redness and discoloring.
Now that the initial surge of adrenalin was passing Liika's vision was starting to glaze. She was having a hard time re-bandaging the wound, and her hands were shaking something fierce. However, eventually she managed to get the wound bandaged and the blankets back up, all without incident. She focused on her next task of mopping his forehead with a damp cloth, and giving him a shot of morphine. Though the task of administering the damp cloth did not seem very difficult or daunting, the thought of trying to stick a needle into him in her current state was appalling. So, knowing she couldn't damage him any more than he already was—the lord knew she almost wanted too—she once again called the servant girl to her side. The girl appeared within moments.
"I don't think I'm in any shape to be giving him a shot of morphine," Liika said, blinking her hazy eyes. "I'll just injure him further. Could you…?"
The girl was hesitant, but one look at Liika cured her of it. "Of course Mistress."
Liika wanted to comment on her calling her Mistress, but just didn't have the energy. Nodding at the girl she finished her task, and set the cloth aside, before making her way back around the bed and slumping into the chair, her eyes closing almost instantly.
"Aren't you going to sleep on the bed Mistress? There is plenty of room."
Liika cracked an eye open. "Not a bloody chance." She stated firmly before throwing a quick glance at Nadya and then closing her eyes. Falling asleep almost instantly.
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Kai breathed in deeply, struggling with the rage that fought to break through his calm façade. Dark rings shadowed the skin under his eyes attesting to the fact that he obviously hadn't slept since the incident. His skin was pale and gaunt with worry.
"I'm sorry Hiwatari, there was nothing I could do." Spencer said quietly, studying his ally with slight concern. "Worrying yourself to death won't help."
Kai cursed violently, slamming his fist into the plaster wall by the computer he was currently stationed in front of. "How could this happen?! Fuck! How can she be there, when I'm suck halfway across Europe powerless to stop that bastard?!"
Spencer was silent for a moment, his eyes flickering away. "Tala grows suspicious and cautious these days. He tells no one anything important; no one but Bryan. The government is solely in their hands now. Ian and I are all but highly ranked pawns now. He suspects someone high up in his government of treason, he's just too smart to come right out and say it. I'm being watched all the time now." He muttered moving his eyes back to Kai. "He won't kill her. His obsession won't allow it. She's safe for now anyway, Bryan's in no condition to touch her."
The blue haired young man grasped his forehead tightly, his bloodshot eyes clenching shut. "And Nadya? What has Valkov done with my baby?"
"Given her to Bryan." Spencer answered solemnly. "He's started official preparations to declare her the heir of Biovolt. He's also decided that Bryan will raise her properly. He loathes the idea of you having any influence over his heir. He's also having an official paternity test done, even though it is obvious to everyone who she belongs to."
Kai had to fight back the tears of rage that burned the back of his already burning eyes. Why did this have to happen? Why then? Why the hell couldn't he have been there to stop it?!
"We have bigger problems than Nadya at this point. She is safe for the time being and will be well treated. Liika too as Tala dislikes the harming of women and has an obsession with a child having a mother figure, stemming from the fact that he never had one I suppose."
Auburn eyes came back up to make contact with blue ones on the other side of the screen. "And what problems would those be?" he asked softly, his voice cracking slightly. He was tired. Tired, worried and angry.
"Liika is the only other person besides you that knows my identity. If she is made to tell it could be all over for us." Spencer said seriously. "And that is a distinct possibility. Tala may not believe in harming children—yours excluded—he is not above using them as pawns to get what he wants. He will use Nadya against Liika. He's already threatened to take her if she doesn't take care of Bryan."
Kai sighed, his fists clenched in his bangs. "Fuck. You're right. You know where we are."
Spencer nodded. "It would be best if you leave Sweden immediately. If Tala discovers me, I must not know where you are."
"I know. Did you find the informant that sold us out?"
The blond shook his head. "Their tracks are far too well hidden. They used a voice scrambler and a satellite phone that couldn't be traced. Whoever it was knew what they were doing."
Again Kai cursed violently, wanting nothing more than to wrap his hands around whoever had sold them out's neck. Bastard.
"Kai."
Kai jumped slightly at the new voice and turned his head to see Robert standing in the doorway, a frown on his face. He quickly shifted his gaze back to the screen but found it already blank. He sighed. "I told you I didn't want any interruptions."
"I know, but it's extremely important. There is someone here to see you. Someone I think you will want to meet." Robert replied.
An eyebrow arched. "Who?"
Robert stepped aside and for the first time Kai noticed that a person stood in the shadows of the doorway. Kai's eyebrows furrowed, and he brought himself to his feet. "Who are you?"
Gradually a man materialized from the shadows where he seemed almost at home in. He seemed a bit older than Kai himself, but could not have been over 21 or 22. Cool emerald turquoise eyes clashed with auburn.
"Kai Hiwatari," the man stated his voice deceptively soft. "I am Brooklyn Kingston, owner of BEGA Enterprises and I think I have something that might be of interest to you."
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Liika stirred slightly, a dull ache creeping its way down her neck into her back. Her body felt stiff and extremely uncomfortable. Chairs, no matter how plush and comfortable they looked, did not make good sleeping accommodations. Of course considering the alternative, she was happy with the stiff back and aching neck.
It was then that sounds from the outside world filtered into her half-sleep filled daze. Voices, two male voices and a gurgling, high pitched sounded not too far from where she was curled up in the massive, uncomfortable chair. Liika's breath caught in the back of her throat and her entire body stiffened in alarm. Oh God, how could she have forgotten about Bryan…?
Slowly her eyes cracked open, shock numbing her mind as her eyes focused on the scene in front of her.
Bryan was sitting up, his back leaning against the large wooden headboard at the head of the bed. Tala sat beside the bed in the other chair that looked like the one she occupied discussing things with Bryan in a low tone. However, what was more shocking and mind numbing than the two males was the fact that Nadya, in all her baby innocence, was practically crawling all over Bryan. At the current moment she was trying to hoist herself up onto his lap, her chubby fists flailing as she leaned half over his raised thigh, one of his hands steadying her tiny back from toppling over completely. What the hell was going on…?
Tala sensed her awakening long before he saw it. The air in the room electrified as the little blue wench joined them completely in the world of waking. His eyes trailed slowly from his friend to the other side of the king size bed to where two mortified turquoise orbs watched the scene in silence. A smirk traveled its way onto his lips. Ahh, now the fun started. "Well good evening my dear, have a good sleep? That chair couldn't have been very comfortable." He said rather cheerily, his smirk growing as she snapped her eyes towards him.
Liika heard Tala's words, but they didn't register very well. She was lost and confused. Turning her eyes away from Tala and back to Bryan, she saw that he had not even acknowledged her presence. He was focusing all his attention on the baby that was having grand fun trying to navigate her way around his legs, gently steering her away when she got too close to his knife wound.
His hand softly stroked the little girl's head, pushing the short lavender bangs out of her eyes, his eyes holding a sort of awed expression of wonder. Nadya looked as if she couldn't be having a better time. She squealed, grasping his fingers in one pudgy hand and using the force to propel herself forward, her other arm outstretched towards the man that seemed naturally familiar to her. Bryan indulged the child and scooped her up into strong arms and settled her on his other leg, against his good side. To the ordinary observer his face was still set in his normal sever frown, but Liika could see a tiny light, a small smile tilted the corner of one side of his mouth.
Was this the same Bryan that had brutally raped her with no mercy?
"Bryan and I were just discussing what do you with you," Tala said after a time, letting her watch her baby with her natural father. He was extremely pleased at Bryan's reaction to the news—after he got over the initial rage of course. The fact that he was given no opportunity to go ballistic before the baby was crawling all over him, helped immensely. It also helped that that baby looked exactly like him, and was adorable as hell. "It seems," he continued, leaning back in his chair, "That despite being extremely disappointed in you, Bryan will still have you. You should be thankful my dear Liika."
Liika remained silent, completely distraught and over run with the new turn of events. Her mind frantically tried to figure out what was going on. Everything seemed like it was moving so fast. She caught Bryan's eye as she glanced upward. The lavender orbs were icy, and anger shone from their depths. He said nothing, and looked away, back down to the baby in his arms, but he didn't have to say anything.
Swallowing, Liika shifted in the chair, righting herself and sliding her legs off the chair so that her feet settled on the floor. "I…I don't understand…" She murmured weakly, looking down.
Tala's eyebrow arched. "What is there understand? You will live in these rooms from now on and Bryan will decide what to do with you. I've already ordered a crib and anything else you might need for our little heir, it shall arrive shortly I believe. You should thank your lucky stars wench that I do not send you to join your friends in the examination wards." His words were laced with an underlying malice that was typical of Tala. "There is much you need to tell us."
Liika's jaw set. Her hate for the Demolition Boys growing with each passing second. "I will tell you nothing."
At this Tala laughed, shooting an amused glace at Bryan who ignored them both. "Oh you will tell us little one. And tell us freely I should hope. I really would hate to use this charming little girl against you; I know you love her dearly."
Her fists clenched. The dirty bastard! How could he use a baby as a pawn! He had the one thing that she'd do anything for—besides maybe Kai—and was using it to his full advantage. The rat! "Even if I were to tell you, what makes you think I know anything? Kai and Robert lead our team, not me. I've always been to busy with Nadie. It was a difficult pregnancy you know." She replied, trying to keep the hysteria that threatened to topple her nerves from showing in her voice.
"I imagine, you being so small. However I know you know something, and you'll tell me. But now is not the time." He waved his hand, bringing himself to his feet and stretching his arms over his head. "All that will come in due time. For now you must rest and take care of Bryan, seeing that he restores to full health quickly."
Liike ignored Tala, instead focusing her attention on her giggling child. "May I have my baby back please?" Her voice was tight and obviously terrified.
Tala made a clicking noise with his tongue, his head shaking. "Must I remind you that she is not just your baby? She belongs to Bryan, and he will decide when you may have her."
Bryan didn't even look up, it was almost as if he couldn't even look at her. Liika turned pleadingly to the large pale haired man, but could not gain his attention. "I-"
"Your hair."
Liika stopped, her eyes blinking rapidly. Those were the first words that Bryan had spoken since she woke. "My hair?" she echoed, reaching up to touch the shorn navy locks.
"Is it permanent?"
She frowned, severely confused by this point. "No, it's wash out. Why?"
Bryan still didn't look at her, but his face hardened with each passing second. "Get rid of it."
"What?"
Tala snorted in amusement. Apparently the little wench's new hair color really bothered Bryan. He couldn't even look at her.
"He means little wench, that you are to wash your hair until it comes out. Come along, I'll escort you to the bathroom." Tala explained tersely, striding around the bed and taking her by the elbow.
"But Nadie-"
"She'll be fine." Tala cut her off. "Bryan will take good care of her, won't you Bryan?"
Bryan grunted.
Liika had no choice but to go along with Tala. She realized in that moment that her life was now over. Unless someone rescued her, her life would be forever controlled and lived by the two men in the room with her.
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Jade sighed, blowing a few strands of hair out of her eyes. She was tired—an affliction that seemed all too common these days—and wanted nothing more than to retire to her rooms and sleep.
She was thankful that she had been taken off Bryan-sitting duty for good the morning before, though she felt slightly sorry for the blue haired young woman that took her place. She would not want to be stuck with a man she hated, let alone be left with his life in her hands with no choice but to save him lest her baby he taken away.
Baby. Jade shook her head. The blue haired girl was far too young to be toting around a child. Liika Tomoda wasn't any older than she was, in fact she believed they were the same age, just turned 17. She shuddered. Pregnant at 15. The thought of having a child at her current age was appalling. What was even worse, was that the poor baby had been forced on her. No woman should have to raise the product of a rape.
However, the girl's love for the child didn't seem affected by her hate for the babies sire. It was almost as if she over looked the child's paternity. Jade wondered what she'd do in such a situation. Could she do the same? Could she over look so many damning features and love the baby anyway? Did she have that kind of strength?
She didn't know.
Not that it mattered, she didn't plan on getting raped any time soon. Jade reached up and touched the small purple stone at her neck and was rewarded with a slight warm emanating into her fingers. She had Dazzler to protect her. No man would even get close to taking advantage of her before he found himself dead in the jaws of her massive bit beast.
Suddenly, just as the thoughts left her tired mind, Jade found herself being pushed from the side, her back connecting with the stone wall to her right, and two arms implanting themselves on either side of her head.
"Hello pretty," a dark smooth voice practically cooed.
Jade stiffened. That was Brooklyn's pet name for her, but the voice…the voice didn't belong to Brooklyn. Her eyes flickered upwards and she gasped slightly when they came in contact with glittering turquoise eyes. When had he become so aggressive??
"Ta-Tala!" She exclaimed in surprised, her eyes blinking and her face heating up.
Tala smirked, his eyes moving over her flushed and surprised face. Her lips were parted slightly and her tongue darted out to moisten them nervously. He felt his groin tighten. God, she was seducing him without even knowing it. "You seemed surprised to see me, expecting someone else perhaps?"
Jade blinked again, shaking her head. What did he mean by that? His tone was casual and flirty, like it was most of the time when he spoke to her, but there was something underlying in his voice, something that hinted at the fact that he knew something. "N-no. You just surprised me is all." She stammered, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. She schooled her features into a scolding frown. "You shouldn't sneak up on people you know."
His smirk widened a bit. "I do apologize my dear." He said, leaning forward so that his nose almost brushed hers.
"Wha-what are you doing? Please step away, you're invading my personal space." She tried bravely to say, failing to keep the tremor out of her voice. His presence was overwhelming her, and she was fighting her own desire to let him have his way with her.
When did she fall so hard for him? She had only known him for a month. True, in that month she had worked very closely with him, but she should not have developed such feelings in such a short amount of time.
It was almost as if Brooklyn had never existed.
Tala could see the dilemma in her eyes. Her eyes were truly the mirrors of her soul. Every emotion, every feeling, danced through the bright crystal orbs, displaying themselves before him. It made manipulating her that much easier. Not only did he have the advantage of knowing his competition, but he had the advantage of knowing her every feeling as she was feeling it.
He saw desire and want in those eyes.
She wanted him as much as he wanted her. And despite the lingering loyalty to the mysterious "Brooklyn", she was falling for him. His mission was almost complete. Soon she would be completely his. Soon…but not quite yet. No, she wasn't quite ready for him. Not for what he had planned for her.
His smirk never waved as he leaned forward just a bit more and brushed his lips with hers. "As you wish," he murmured, and then he was gone. Disappearing as fast as he had appeared.
Jade took a deep breath and then let it out in a loud whoosh. Her life was far too hectic and dangerous for her own good. Damn him for being so attractive. And damn him for seeing right through her prim act.
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"Now I know you want to tell me what we want to know…" Ian trailed off menacingly, his crimson orbs leering at the broken figure that lay chained to the wall in front of him. "Unless of course you wish continue with these pleasantries."
With a tilt of his head he signaled the armed guard at his side forward, the older man stepping closer to the green haired victim and bringing down the sharp, biting leather cat-o-ninetails across the young man's shoulders, while another guard prodded him from the other side with a low power, electric stun stick.
Steven screamed, pain racking his abused and battered body. His mind was hazy and he was bordering on clear hysteria. "Ugghhh…." He moaned, his head lolling to the side.
Ian snorted in disgust, his eyes reflecting nothing but clear distain. Weak pathetic fool. He was close to breaking, Ian could see it. Unlike the rest of the resistance members that they had captured, this one was extremely weak. He apparently had a low threshold for pain, and was yielding very easily. The little green haired Chinese brat had put up far more resistance then the weak American was.
"Tell me, who is your informer? Who is the traitor?"
The green haired American grunted in pain, the Russian's question not really reaching his clouded mind. Ian growled, his fists clenching and his patience snapping. "If you tell us your pain will stop. Tell me!" He motioned at Steve's head, and one of the large guards grasped the older teen's hair, yanking his head back so that he was forced to look up at Ian.
"Who is it?!"
Steve's glazed violet eyes opened a crack, the swollen skin surrounding them interfering with his vision. He coughed. "S..Se…"
Ian fought back the grin. Almost there now… "Yes…? Tell me and your pain will end…." He taunted, dangling the promise of freedom in the air.
"Se…Sergei….his name is Sergei."