Strangest of Loves

CHAPTER 13
2003: HOUSE
Sara sits at the kitchen table staring at her journal she writes

'It has been two years since Irons death... and my miscarriage. Things are incredible. We're somewhat free from Irons. We still have to deal with Irons Estate and Vorschlag, but only at a minimum. I'm still the Wielder but I don't go looking for trouble now. I only go when it shows me the trouble. Danny popseverevery so often.

We still live in Vermont. Ian and Christian do some odd jobs for the Feds... except the Feds don't know Christian's a clone... all they know is that Christian is Ian's long lost brother. I told Vicki that Christian's a clone and she promised not to tell anyone. Jake knows too... but that's only because we had to tell him so he could help us cover for Christian's appearance. Normally Ian goes on the week or longer jobs while Christian takes the two to three day jobs. This is the first time Christian's been away from one of us for more than a few days. Most of the time we're all together but at times Ian or Christian go out of the country or the state to deal with whatever the Feds want them to deal with. Sometimes I go with but only when they need a woman to go as a decoy.

I don't trust any woman with my guys.

Ian and Christian get along with Jake now but sometimes things come up and they get mad at Jake. Ian and Christian see Gabe as their little brother and any time they hear of Gabe getting into a little scuffle they flip. I've had to bribe them with sex to keep them from going after a few guys when Gabe was hit in a scuffle. Its not as if I mind, I love my guys... I love being with them in all ways... sexual or not. The sex is still incredible and intense. Everything is incredible and intense.'

Sara sighs closing her journal she stands going to the refrigerator she opens it grabbing a bottle of water. Closing the door with her hip she stops off patting Zeus's head then continues down the hall towards the study. She stops in the doorway watching as Ian works on the computer. She smiles her hand dropping to her middle briefly as she enters the room "Hey honey," she greets "what are you working on?" she asks stopping at his side she leans down kissing Ian's cheek.

"Just reading some files the lawyers sent." Ian answers his arm going around her waist he rests his hand on her middle. "How are my girls?"

Sara rolls her eyes, "Ian I'm only two months pregnant why do you think I'm having a g"
"

Ian smiles "Just a feeling."

Sara slips her arms around his shoulders watching as Ian caresses the slight bump of her middle. She kisses the top of his head. "I miss Christian." She whines.

"I know you do. He'll be back tomorrow." Ian pulls Sara onto his lap.

"Good."

Ian unbuttons the last couple buttons of her shirt exposing her middle. Gently he trails his fingers over her middle. "I wonder what she'll be like." He says thoughtfully.

"Definitely have your smarts." Sara smiles trailing her finger down his nose. "Why are you so sure it'll be a girl?"

Ian shrugs "I don't know... like I said just a feeling."

"Do you ever wonder what the other would have been?"

Hearing the sadness in her voice, Ian reluctantly nods, "Sometimes." He admits

"He or she would have been about fifteen months old now." Sara remarks blinking back tears.

Ian kisses her temple.

Sara turns her head meeting Ian's eyes "I love you." She brushes her lips against his.

"I love you." He says softly.

Sara slowly deepens the kiss her hands going to his face. She pulls back slightly then pulls his head in kissing him deeply. Her fingers going to his curly locks as his hand slides under her shirt. Sara gasps feeling his hand caress her skin.

Ian trails his lips down her neck licking and nipping gently

Sara turns her head giving him more access. "Ian" she whimpers

Ian stands holding her close he moves to the floor. "Better?" he asks as she lays back

Sara nods pulling him down she kisses him passionately "Much" she grins her hands going to his shirt she pulls it off tossing it aside. She notices the dogs dozing in the corner "Ian will you get the dogs out of here."

"Boys out." Ian orders. As the three dogs slink out of the room, Ian turns his attention back to Sara as she lies beneath him. "Better?" he asks slowly unbuttoning her shirt

Sara nods "Much" she sits up removing her shirt she tosses it aside.


WHILE LATER
Sara smiles at Ian as he trails his fingers over her middle. "What are you thinking?"

Ian shrugs "Lots of things."

Sara reaches out tugging on one of his curls "You have millions of things going on in your head don't you."

Ian lifts his shoulders "Sometimes I have six or seven big things other times only one big thing but I always have a bunch of little things going on in the background."

"Like what?"

"Sometimes I'll be thinking of whatever it is the lawyers just told me while in the background I'll be trying to figure out what it is we need from the grocery store or trying to remember something Kenneth told me. Other times I'll be going over the plans that the Feds set up trying to figure out possible scenarios. While trying to remember a certain date of a battle or war. A word... little things."

"Geez and my mind is always 'where the hell is my coffee' or 'OK what the hell was that?' never have more than two things going on."

"It might seem that way but you now store so many things that you could or never thought you had."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember the day that you came to see Kenneth and he left the book out?"

"Yes"

"What did the book say?"

"It was about Cathain and her life before she found the Witchblade and after."

"What else do you remember?"

"What do you mean?"

"Background noise" Ian prompts

*The doors opening

The feel of the pages*

"I remember the door opening. I remember realizing what I'd just read wasn't English but my mind automatically translated it to be."

"Yes the Witchblade remembered Cathain's language and automatically you read it as though it was English. That's why you can remember parts of the past... smells, sometimes conversations. Then lets say the next Wielder's native language is Croatian and she's never learned how to read English or speak English and she comes across your story... she'll be able to understand what she's reading."

"I still don't understand the line of the Wielder." Sara sighs

"You're always the same... but not reincarnated... you're a whole new person with a new chance. Sometimes the Wielder might be born from your line... like Elizabeth being your Grandmother. Other times the Wielder might be born to a completely new line not technically related to you but still... the Wielder. If it is your line the next Wielder comes from... as in this ones..." He rests his hand on her middle, "daughter then the protector will be born from a new line not blood relation to us. But if the Wielder is born from a whole new line not related to us then the protector will be."

Sara frowns "Ian since Christian is your clone does that mean the line goes twice? Or is it just once?"

"I'm not sure. I guess I'll have to talk to Immo about that."

"Does that mean that if Christian and I ever decide to have a couple kids together that they'll be the same sex in the same order that we have?" at Ian's puzzled looks she explains "OK if we count the one I lost as number one and this one as number two. Does that mean let's say if Christian and I ever had a kid the first one would be the same sex as the one we lost?"

"I think so."

"Would it be the same way if he decided to have kids with someone else?"

"First I doubt Christian has any interest in having kids with anyone else."

"Ian you know what I'm saying"

"Yes I do my love." Ian kisses her forehead. "Second, given the fact that you're the only one either of us has ever wanted to be with. And third that genetics on both sides are a big factor on a child's sex I don't know."

"Wow" Sara grins

"What?"

"You just said I don't know. You always know the answer"

"No I don't"

"Yes you do. Or I rarely hear you say you don't know."

Ian moves down pressing his lips to Sara's middle "You have a very strange Mommy little one."

"Oh" Sara scowls "Not like you have a normal Daddy either kid."

Ian chuckles "No you don't. You have a Daddy who has a clone who is genetically your 'father' will be your 'uncle' and your 'cousins' will be your genetic siblings."

"Poor kids will have a hard time explaining why Mommy sleeps with their Daddy and their Uncle." Sara laughs "Imagine when their teachers ask them to draw a picture of their family. Wonder what they'll say to explain the picture."

"You know... we could always teach them at home until their old enough to understand the whole story."

"At what age do you think they'll understand? I mean the three of us still don't entirely understand." Sara sighs "Ugh" she groans "No more heavy thoughts I'm starting to get a headache."

"Don't want that" he kisses her

Sara smiles against his lips "I'm hungry"

Ian nods "Well then lets get you fed." he watches as she pulls on his discarded shirt and her panties as he pulls on his pants. Standing he helps her to her feet. "So what would you like to eat?" he asks as they enter the kitchen.

Sara sits at the counter "I don't know."

"Leftover pizza? I know how much you like leftover pizza."

Sara shakes her head "No."

"Cheese omelet?"

"Make it a cheese, bacon, and tomato omelet"

Ian nods "All right."

Sara watches as Ian gathers the things needed for an omelet. She runs her hand over her middle. 'Your Daddy's one great guy.' she smiles looking at her middle 'Kid you are going to be one spoiled kid between me and your Daddy and your Uncles.'

Ian glances at Sara seeing her faint smile he turns back to cooking. He shoves his hair back in annoyance as it falls forward.

Seeing his action Sara shakes her head opening the drawer, she removes a rubber band. She stops behind Ian, "Hold still." She carefully pulls his hair back tying it in a ponytail. "Better?"

Ian nods turning he kisses her "Thank you my love."

Sara smiles "Think its time for you to get a trim."

"I know."

Sara kisses his neck then returns to sitting at the counter. She opens the magazine at the counter looking through it.


HALF HOUR LATER
Sara moves over onto Ian's lap kissing him "Thank you."

"Your welcome." He replies his hand resting on her middle. He kisses her cheek "So what would you like to do today?"

Sara grins, "Couple rounds of pool?"

Ian sighs "If you want."

"I promise I'm not hormonal today"

"All right all right" Ian gives in "we'll play."

"Thank you" Sara jumps up grabbing his hand she pulls him into the dining room where the pool table is located.


CHAPTER 14
NEXT AFTERNOON

Christian enters the house and drops his bag on the stairs. He goes in search of his Wielder and 'brother'. He enters the kitchen to find Ian there, "Hello brother."

Ian glances at his clone "How was the job?"

"Same as always. Where's Sara?"

"Outside with the dogs."

"How is she?"

"Lucked out... she's in a good mood."

Christian nods walking out to the patio he leans against the railing watching Sara play fetch with Napoleon as the other two dogs sit at her side.

Sara laughs as Napoleon drops the ball at her side his whole body wagging as he wags his tail happily. "Hey Nap you are a happy dog today... huh" she rubs his ears.

Napoleon licks her cheek

"Doggie kiss" she laughs kissing the dog's head.

On the patio Ian joins Christian "How did the job go? Any problems?"

"Not really. Intel was a little off." he answers "How'd it go here?" He glances at Ian

"Threatened with the pool stick the other morning."

"You won huh?"

"Mmm" Ian nods

Christian chuckles "She doesn't like losing."

"Of course not." Ian says dryly

Sara looks towards the patio and grins seeing Ian and Christian talking. She stands hurrying up to the deck "Christian" she says happily

"Hello Sara" Christian smiles

"Your back"

Christian nods hugging her he kisses her lightly then glances at Ian "Yeah I'm back"

"Good" Sara pulls his head back down and kisses him deeply.

"God I missed you" he says against her lips.

"Missed you too" Sara replies stepping out of his arms, she grabs both their hands pulling them inside. "So how was the job?"

"It went well. How about here?"

"Same as always." Sara shrugs


AFTER MIDNIGHT
Sara awakens startled she sits up looking at the two men beside her fast asleep. She smiles gently touches her middle looking at the clock. '2:45? Damn' she runs her fingers through her hair. Careful not to wake the sleeping men she climbs out of bed grabbing her robe she pulls it on over her shorts and camisole. Silently she walks out of the bedroom making her way down the stairs to the kitchen. She turns on the kitchen light resting her hand on middle she smiles going to the refrigerator she opens the door staring at the contents.

Ian awakens reaching for Sara only to find her gone. He looks at the alarm clock and frowns rubbing at his eyes. He gets out of bed making his way downstairs smiling at the sight of Sara staring in the refrigerator absently rubbing her middle. He steps up behind her his arms going around her waist his hand resting on her middle.

Sara jumps feeling arms wrap around her. She smiles feeling Ian rubs his chin against her shoulder "Hey you." she trails her fingers over the back of his hand as he gently rubs her middle. "What are you doing up?" she asks

"Missed you." he says kissing her shoulder "What are you doing up?"

"Just woke up... felt like having something to eat" she shrugs turning her head she kisses him. She looks back at the refrigerator and grabs a container of yogurt. She steps out of Ian's arms going over she grabs a spoon out of a drawer. Opening the yogurt, she goes over to the kitchen table sitting down.

Ian grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator opening it tugging Sara to her feet he sits down pulling her onto his lap. He slips his hand under her top taking a drink of water he watches as Sara eats.

Sara swallows the spoonful of yogurt and leans back into Ian's chest continuing to eat her yogurt in silence as Ian gently caresses her middle. "Ian?" she asks after a while.

"Yes"

"Why did you send Christian to do the job on his own? I mean normally for long period jobs you go."

"Christian's getting better around people... he needs to find his own side of life." Ian kisses her shoulder "Besides I didn't want to be away from my girls for that long."

Sara sets the yogurt down she rests her head on his shoulder her hand covering his "Ian we would have been fine."

"I know... I just didn't want to leave you for two weeks." he kisses her head "Don't worry... Christian came back and he's fine."

"I know." Sara nods turning she kisses his neck. "And I'm glad." she says relieved.

"Are you ready to go to back to bed?" Ian asks

Sara shakes her head "Not yet."

"All right." Ian kisses her head his fingers gently trailing over her middle.

Sara watches his gentle soothing movements and smiles. "I wonder if the baby knows your doing that."

Ian pauses in his gentle movements "I don't know" he shrugs "I never thought about it. I just like touching you."

"Like when you do." she sighs happily.

Ian gently tilts her head searching her green eyes he kisses her gently "I love you Sara"

Sara smiles "I love you" she kisses him "Lets go back to bed." When Ian stands he lifts her into his arms causing her to giggle. "Ian" she shakes her head

"Come on my love let's go back to bed." he carries Sara upstairs to the bedroom.


NEXT MORNING
Sara laughs as Christian tickles her foot. "Christian that's not fair." She squirms trying to get her foot away. She looks at Ian beside her with a faint smile on his face "Ian tell him to stop!" she pleads

"You know he only does it to get to you." Ian chuckles twirling a strand of hair around his fingers.

Christian smirks "All you have to say is please."

"Never" Sara says stubbornly trying to beat Christian at his game.

Christian looks at Ian lifting his brow "Gee that's a first... we're in bed and she won't say please."

Sara grabs the pillow next to her throwing it at Christian's head laughing as it hits him on the head. "You are spending too much time around Gabriel." She says shaking her head. She sits up stretching her arms over her head yelping in surprise as Christian pulls her down atop him. She smiles down at him kissing him lightly as he shifts her under him.

Christian glances at Ian briefly seeing the approval in his 'brother's' eyes Christian turns his attention back to Sara. He kisses her passionately

Sara moans her arms going around his neck.


WHILE LATER
Sara giggles at the annoyed look on Ian's face as he shakes the leaves out of his hair. "Damn it Christian stop acting like a child." he glares at his double as Christian snickers.

Christian smirks

Sara slips her arm around Ian's waist grabbing Christian's hand "Come on boys be good." she looks at the two who reluctantly nod "Good" she kisses their cheeks. "Where's Napoleon?" she frowns looking around.

"Dumb dog" Christian mutters

"He's not dumb... he's just odd" Sara smacks Christian on the chest.

"He's always getting into trouble Sara" Ian reminds

"Well they're house dogs." Sara says shrugging

"Then why did we bring them?" Christian asks

"Because they needed some exercise" Sara replies

"Fine but next time he picks on a skunk your giving him a bath" Ian sighs

Sara pouts "Oh come on you wouldn't make me do that."

Ian groans "Sara don't give me that look."

Sara grins knowing Ian would give in. "Zeus and Ares are your dogs Nap's mine."

"She's got a point Ian."

Ian sighs "I know" he runs his fingers through Sara's hair.

Sara frowns hearing a familiar whimper. She turns to find Napoleon slinking down the dirt hill whimpering. "Napoleon what have you done now?" she walks over to the sitting dog rubbing at his nose. "Nap what is with you and the woods?" she scratches the dog's head.

Ian joins Sara sighing at the sight "Porcupine"

"We can't take you anywhere huh boy"

"We should take him home and get those out and cleaned up before they get infected." Ian says "Come on Napoleon." he prods the whimpering dog.

"Zeus Ares come" Christian orders

Once back at the house Sara watches as Ian and Christian pull the quills out of Napoleon's nose, wincing at the dog's painful whimpers. She looks at Zeus and Ares who are waiting patiently for their buddy to join them. She grabs a couple dog treats taking them over to Zeus and Ares she holds the dog treats out to the two dogs. As they take the treats from her, she pats their heads joining Ian and Christian outside as Ian removes the final quill.

"There" Ian says dropping the quill in a bowl

As Christian releases, Napoleon the dog hurries over to Sara wagging his tail "Hey you feel better?" she scratches his ears.

"Still needs to be cleaned up." Ian says handing Christian the bowl to dump the quills out in the woods.

Sara laughs around the dog's happy licks to her hands. She smiles as Napoleon rests his head on her thigh. As Ian sits beside her with a washcloth in his hand, she holds Napoleon's head still so he can clean the dog's wounds.

"Done" Ian announces releases the dog's nose.

Napoleon pulls away shaking his head he barks happily.

Sara follows Ian inside "Nap has bad luck with the outdoors" she laughs

"Well like you said he's an indoor dog." Ian reminds "Plus he's just curious about everything."

"This is the third time this year that he's been too curious with a porcupine." Sara says amused.

"I have a theory" Christian says hugging Sara from behind

"Oh really?" Sara tilts her head "And that is?"

"He likes the attention" Christian says "you always coddle him after his little misadventures."

"No I don't" Sara protests

Christian rubs his chin against her shoulder "You do sweet Sara."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah" Sara grumbles "Stop teasing me."

"Never would" Ian says hiding a smile

"Wouldn't dare." Christian says innocently

TBC...