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Date Posted: 17:51:03 01/23/04 Fri
Author: Spin
Subject: Chapter Seventy-four
In reply to: Spin 's message, "Revelation" on 17:47:06 01/23/04 Fri

A/N: I know, I know. Finally! Sorry for the long wait but here is more. Enjoy =)

~*~

The thunderous raindrops pounding against the windows echoed in the large room accompanied by the sound of heavy breathing exhaled by the occupant inside. Faith fluidly guided the katana she held in her hand expertly through the air. Fighting against imaginary foes, she had conjured up in her mind. She struck down at them, slicing her enemies in half, and thrusting the gleaming blade into their non-existent bodies.

She continues to train letting her body once again become accustom with the movements. It had been awhile since she had been involved in a dance of death. Confronting the clone, earlier that day had been hard. Too hard in fact. At the rate they had been fighting, she was surprise she still had her head attached to her body. Nonetheless, she had managed to step away from the fight with just a few scratches and some bruises. Yet, she had her doubts if she would be so lucky the next time around. The clone had proven to be a very formidable opponent.

Remembering the fight in the alley made Faith push herself harder. Rigorously training her body pass the point of pain and exhaustion. In hopes that the next time she and the clone fought, she would be victorious in the end. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck started to rise. Something was off she thought as the air around her changed. Apparently, one of her imaginary foes decided to come to life.

Faith continues to train, not letting on that she sensed another presence in the room. She tightens her grip on the handle of the katana and swiftly twirls around, intending to strike down the intruder with a deadly blow to the head. Surprised azure eyes stared back into passive dark ones. The edge of the blade dangerously hovered a hair’s breath away from Lazar’s neck.

“Good evening to you too my child,” the older man smiled, not the least bit fazed that Faith had been that close in severing his head from his body.

Faith stared at Lazar, baffled by the man’s calm behavior. She carefully lowered the katana and began to yell, “Damn it, Lazar! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!”

Lazar shook his shaggy head nonchalantly, and shrugged his shoulders, “No,” he answered coolly.

At loss for words, Faith could only stare at Lazar. Then a disbelieving snort escaped her lips, “No he says,” she replies in a mocking manner. Shaking her head, she turns to replace the katana back on the stand. “Do you realize just how close….”

Lazar raised his hand cutting Faith off, “There is need for you to yell at me, Faith.”

She lets out a frustrated huff, rolls her eyes, and throws her arms into the air, “Oh, I’m sorry Lazar. Forgive me for yelling and getting so worked up about almost… killing you!” she sarcastically retorted.

Lazar grinned, amused by her behavior. “I apologize for sneaking up on you, my child.”

Faith narrowed her eyes on him, “Yeah well, don’t ever do that again unless you want to lose your head.”

“Duly noted,” he said with a grin.

“So,” she started still shaking her head, “What did I do to deserve yet another visit from you? Which, by the way, I’m not even going to try and figure out how you got in here in the first place.”

Lazar cleared his throat, covering up the smug smirk that had appeared across his lips.

“I’ve come to express my concerns.”

Faith’s brows furrowed in confusion, “Concerns over what?”

“Why are you trying so hard in keeping Sara and Ian apart.”

“I am not keeping them apart, Lazar!” Faith declared.

“Perhaps, but you have yet to disclose information to either them about the other’s whereabouts. Why?”

Faith let out a lengthy sigh, “I am not trying to keep them apart its just that before I tell them anything I would like to know the wielder’s version on what had happened between her and Ian.”

“Why? What do you hope to gain?”

“Knowledge, that’s what.” She replied a bit harshly, “I want to know what happened between them Lazar. What was said and done to have pushed Ian to…” she paused and sighed.

“Ian is safe now because of you. Why dwell on the past, Faith?”

“So the same mistakes will not be repeated in the future! What if she does or says something to push him over the edge again. Then what?”

“Then that is something they must deal with.”

“But…”

Lazar started shaking his head, putting a stop to Faith’s protest. “I know you are only trying to protect Ian but you are not giving them much credit. Least of all the wielder.”

Faith rolled her eyes and snorted incredulously, “Oh please, why should I give her the benefit of the doubt especially after what she has done to him and don’t get me started on Ian.”

Lazar stepped closer to her, placing his hands on her shoulder, “My child, have you not stopped to realize that you and the wielder have much in common?”

“Excuse me?” She said, raising a disagreeing brow, “Oh, please do enlighten me, Lazar.”

“Think about it. All these years you’ve kept the young Mr. Bowman at arms length. Not letting yourself get too close because you were afraid. Why?”

“That is different, Lazar. I was trying to….”

“You were protecting him,” Lazar finished for her. “The same way the wielder has been protecting Ian, from herself. I admit the methods are…different but the means are the same. Don’t you agree?” Faith remained silent, not liking the idea that maybe Lazar might be right.

“I also feel that there is more to this thirst for answers. That you have another reason why you are keeping them apart?”

Crossing her arms she asks, “What are you talking about?”

“You know what they say ‘To name is to know. To know is to control.’ Is it answers or control that you truly seek, Faith?”

“What are you implying, Lazar?”

He sighed, shaking his head, “Your actions mirrors so much like someone I know.” Her eyes narrowing upon him. Lazar did not have to elaborate on whom he was referring. She knew all to well who he was talking about. “Don’t you dare compare me to him!” Faith tore away from Lazar and made her way towards the window, absently watching as rain pelted against the glass. Her eyes shifted to stare at her reflection. She looked closely at herself, comparing her facial features with those of her father’s.

Lazar walked behind her, and rested his hands on her shoulders. Eerily, Faith watched as his reflection in the window transformed into that of Kenneth Irons. She studied both reflections and noted the strong similarities. So much of him was in her. Tears began to stream down her face as she shut her eyes against the image, she whispered, “I am not my father!” However, as much as she protests she cannot deny the fact that his blood courses through her veins, and that she will forever be an Irons.

“I never implied that you were my child. You are far better then he is, never forget that.” Faith slowly opened her eyes and the reflection of Kenneth Irons was gone. Lazar continued to speak, “Yet, what you are doing is precisely what he has been doing all these years. I know that your reasons are different from his, and you are only doing what you think is right but listen to me. Do not become selfish like your father. Do not let your personal issues keep them apart.”

“I don’t mean to, Lazar. Its just, I was so close in losing Ian. He is the only family I have left. I can’t lose him.”

“I understand, Faith. Yet, you continue to deceive him, and keep them apart you will lose him anyway. Do what you feel is right, my child. And when the time comes, there is only one question you need to ask the wielder.”

“Which is?”

Lazar shrugged his scrawny shoulders, “You will know.”

He gave a small smile and a reassuring squeeze on her shoulders. He started to walk away, “Also, do give Sara a chance. Remember what I said, you two have more in common then you think.” Before she even realized it, he was gone.

Faith stood near the window, blankly staring out into the dark stormy night. Her mind occupied with the conversation she had with Lazar. That was until the sound of the door opening pulled her out of her thoughts. She watched on the windowpane as Sara made her way closer to her. Faith had yet to indicate that she was aware of Sara’s presence. Instead, Faith continued to stay rooted near the window, silent as ever.

After clearing her throat twice, Sara finally decided to speak up. “Gabe told me…”

“I’ll tell you everything you want to know, Sara.” Faith spoke over her shoulder, cutting Sara off, “On one condition.”

Sara’s eyebrow raised in uncertainty, “Yeah, what’s that?”

“Be honest and tell me the truth,” Faith turned around to face Sara, arms crossed. “What are your feelings towards Ian Nottingham?”

The simple question took Sara off guard. Her mouth began to move yet nothing was said, her eyes wondered around the room, and her brows began to furrow. After some time Sara finally spoke, “Look I really don’t think that is any of your….”

Faith held up her hands and grinned, “I know, I know. It’s none of my business, but I would really like to know, please.”

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Replies:

  • Chapter Seventy-four (pt2) -- Spin, 17:52:36 01/23/04 Fri
  • Glad you are back!!!! Fantastic updates:) (NT) -- Pezzini, 23:59:21 01/23/04 Fri
  • Oh, Spin...(r) -- Jaron, 23:05:51 01/24/04 Sat
  • Oh my! I wasn't expecting ( r ) -- Patty, 02:50:01 01/25/04 Sun
  • Oh man - what a place to stop!!!!!! (NT) -- ardent fan, 23:30:02 02/13/04 Fri
  • I second that! -- Saga, 12:22:08 02/21/04 Sat
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