VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4, 5 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 06:11:32 06/30/03 Mon
Author: Spin
Subject: Chapter Sixty-five I
In reply to: Spin 's message, "Revelation" on 22:34:06 05/20/02 Mon

Gabe sat uneasily in his chair, trying his best to concentrate on work but it was getting difficult with every minute. He kept eyeing the bedroom door, nervously waiting for that moment when it would fly open and the battered assassin would jump out. When it didn’t he exhaled a long breath of relief. Easing back into his chair, Gabe tried again to get some work done. But it was useless.

He got up and started pacing the room. The humming of the refrigerator and the shuffling of his feet were the only sounds that echoed in the loft. Earlier, Gabe had tried to fill the room with the blaring sound of music but had quickly shut off his stereo, remembering his guest sleeping in the the bedroom. Gabe decided that he would sit in a quiet solitude among the ancient and arcane items in the room rather then risking the chance of walking ‘sleeping beauty’.

Yet, after hours of being stuck in an eerie silence he could not take it any more. He was tempted to turn on his stereo, only to drown out the silence. He held the remote in his hand, contemplating if he should.

“What if he wakes up?” Gabe started thinking aloud, “Then what?” He started tapping the remote against his palm. “But he won’t wake up right? I mean Faith gave him a sedative. She said he’d be out for hours.” He glanced over to the clock on his desk to check the time. “It’s been hours! The effects could be wearing off by now.” Gabe continued his pacing and the two-sided conversation he was having with himself.

“He could be up right now! Ready to just…”

“Damn it Bowman, calm down. You’re getting paranoid. Faith had told Nottingham to be on his best behavior…”

“Oh, yeah, like THAT is reassuring.”

So caught up in his musings he did not hear someone walk up behind him. The person reached out and grabbed his shoulder. “AH!” he screamed, jumping back and bumping into his desk. One hand against his chest, over his heart. The other held out to ward off his attacker with his weapon, the remote control.

“Angel! It’s me!” Faith reassured while reaching out to him.

“Jesus! You scared the crap out of me!” He yelled at her.

“I’m sorry, Angel.” Faith was unsuccessfully trying to hold in her amusement. A few chuckles managed to escape her lips.

“It is not funny, Faith. You almost gave me a heart attack.” He exclaimed while attempting to lower his racing heartbeat.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. It wasn’t my fault you did not hear me.” Not that he would have heard her in the first place. Before making her presence known, Faith had been watching him pace back and forth while talking to himself. Her assessment earlier had been right, Gabe was freaking out. The image brought another smile to her face.

Gabe caught sight of her smile and said, “Oh, I’m glad I could humor you, Faith. You know I’m never going to forgive you for that.” He declared, slumping down into his chair, arms crossed, and a scowl on his face.

“Oh, come on. Yes, you will. I know you, Gabe. You can’t stay mad at me for too long.” Confidently she sauntered towards him, “Besides I have peace offerings for you.” She held up a white bag and a large styrofoam cup filled with his favorite coffee. She set the offerings on top of the desk.

Trying to sound impassive he said, “What’s that?” Yet, he grew increasingly interested, as the mouth-watering combination of smells wafted to his nose. His anger already fading. “It’s called food, Angel. You know the substance your body requires, which,” Gabe’s stomach took that moment to join the conversation, “From what I’ve just heard, you’ve been lacking in feeding yourself.” She shook her head and raised an eyebrow at him. “So eat up my malnourished and frightened, Angel.” She teased.

He glared at her and Faith could not help but laugh. “You know, I’m suddenly not very hungry.” Gabe childishly stated while his stomach growled in protest.

“You’re kinda cute when you pout like that.”

“Really?” He beamed.

“Will I be forgiven for scaring you if I say yes?” She asked.

“Hm, keep dishing out more compliments and we’ll see.” Gabe wiggled his eyebrows up and down, a smile on his face.

“I tell you what. You eat your breakfast like a good Angel and I’ll give you a treat later.” She started to giggle when Gabe immediately attacked the bag. “Now, while you are doing that I’ll go check up on Ian. How was he by the way? He did not wake up while I was gone, did he?” With a mouth full of blueberry danish, Gabe shook his head no.

“Good I made it back in time. It should be wearing off right about now.” She hiked the strap higher onto her shoulder. “What’s in the bag? More goodies for me?” Gabe managed to say over a mouth full of pastry.

“A set of clothes for Ian.”

Gabe’s eyes widen, he quickly gulped down the food that was in his mouth but with a bit of difficulty.

“Angel, you’re supposed to chew your food not swallow it whole. You all right?”

Gabe ignored the question and started to say, “You went back to the mansion? Are you crazy?”

“I’m not stupid, Angel…”

Happy that she didn’t go back for Ian’s clothes, Gabe started to carefully drink his coffee.

“…I got it from my place, of course.” Faith informed.

Gabe spewed out the coffee that was in his mouth and began to choke. “Angel!” Faith rushed over to him and started patting his back. She stopped when his coughing subsided. He grabbed a napkin and wiped up his chin and mouth. After clearing his throat, Gabe started to ask, “You and Nottingham live together?” The green-eyed monster was rearing its ugly head.

“Not exactly,” she impassively replied.

“What do you mean ‘not exactly’? Either you live with the guy or you don’t. So what is it?” Faith was surprised to hear the anger in his voice. “Why does that matter?” She wanted to know. One minute they were having a friendly banter and now he was yelling at her all because he thinks Ian was living with her.

“It matters to me alright. Now answer the question, Faith.” Gabe got up from his chair, and heatedly walked up to her, quickly closing the gap between them.

Faith rubbed the side of her temple, willing the upcoming headache to go away. She did not need this right now. “Angel now is not the time to be talking about this. I have to go see Ian.” She started for the door. “That’s right, go to your precious Ian. He calls you obey, right.” Faith stopped short and sharply turned around. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I haven’t seen you in what five years now. We’ve managed to keep in touch over the years, great. Still, every time I would ask you to come down for at least a visit you say no you can’t, you’re too busy. You know what I understood, and I never complained to you about it. Now, Nottingham gives you a ring, you drop everything, and you are on the next concord jet back here. You expect me to believe that ‘he’s more like a brother’ crap. There’s more between you two isn’t there.”

Faith forced the anger that was rising, and as calmly as possible said, “You don’t know what you are talking about. I’m going to see Ian and give you some time to cool down because it’s pretty obvious that you need it.” She started for the bedroom again.

“Fine, walk away. Keep your secrets. Don’t let me in. Its not as if I don’t care or love you or anything like that. Keep them all inside like you always do.” He yelled after her.

“You know what Gabriel I don’t have to justify myself or my actions to you but I will. I’ll satiate that curiosity of yours and perhaps ease you’re jealousy.” Faith said over her shoulder. She dropped the bag on the floor, sharply turned around, and coldly stared back at Gabriel, her icy blue eyes boring into his. “I’ve already explained the kind of relationship Ian and I have. Ian, whether he is of my blood or not, he IS my brother. The only family that I have and I am his. Yet, you seem to have a problem accepting that. You continue to assume there is more between us.

Yes, there is more between us I mean there should be. He knows about my dark and bleak past. He knows everything about me. Would you like to know why Ian knows so much?” Faith’s voice became low, menacing, and unattached. Gabe inadvertently shivered; he could have sworn the room had just dropped about ten degree. The Faith that stood before him now was not the same woman. She was different and she was frightening.

Faith continued her voice calm but her eyes were fierce, “Because Gabriel, Ian and I grew up together. We went through the same horrors, the same pain, and the same nightmares. We bleed and we cried together and for each other. That is our history that is our sibling bond. You know what I am glad that Ian is not of my blood. At least his is not tainted like mines. This is the ‘more’ in our relationship, Gabriel. Either you accept that or you don’t. That’s your problem.”

She couldn’t believe she was finally telling him of her past. But once it started she needed to finish it. Faith paused in her explanation; the next part was going to be hard for her to explain. Because now, Gabriel was going to know who she really was. It was something she did not want him to know. She had tried so hard to shelter that part of her life away from him. But he had been so damn annoying and persistent. His determination added to the past events of the last few hours had weighed on her patience and her resolve had finally worn out.

She inhaled and started again, “You wanted an explanation why I just dropped everything for Ian? He is my family. That should have been enough. Apparently, it’s not enough for you so I’ll get into more details for you. You see Gabriel; I have been in Ian’s place a few times myself. You’ve seen Ian’s back, the blood, the marred flesh, and the scars. His back mirrors my own.”

The horrid look on Gabriel’s face will forever be imprinted in Faith’s mind. This was what she was afraid of. That after revealing her terrible past, that Gabe would shun her away. Be reviled for who she was. Faith willed the tears from not coming and continued, “But I believe Ian’s is far worst them mines. Nevertheless, that’s why I came, Gabriel. I knew what was going to happen to Ian, I just did not imagine how severe it was going to be. Do you know why Ian is still alive? Because Irons was too exhausted to continue beating him. Irons was/is an unmerciful man.”

Gabriel stood there, listening to everything Faith was saying. Her words, the emotions presented in her eyes, she was telling him everything. But had yet to say what was clearly obvious. He could see it was hurting her inside to be revealing all this to him and he felt like a complete asshole for pushing her so hard, baiting her, yelling at her, forced her to open her own Pandora’s box. He wanted her to stop but he could not find the words to tell her. Because deep down he wanted to know everything. So he could become the better friend that she needed him to be.

Finally when Gabe had found his voice, he spoke, “So you’re saying that you, uh, you’re, that Irons is….

“My father?” Faith finished for him.

Gabe nodded his head, “Yeah.”

“Yes, he is. I am Kenneth Irons’ daughter.” Finally, she had said it. A weight was lifted from her shoulders. Happy that besides Ian someone else knew the truth. Yet, the panic and dread overwhelmed her happiness. She had yet to witness how Gabriel was going to take the news.

He stood there shocked and bewildered. Though he had been putting the pieces together while she spoke, to actually hear her say it was something else. The silence was becoming unbearable and Faith turned to leave. She picked up the bag and headed for the bedroom. Gabe watched her leave, he wanted to stop her and tell how he felt about what she had told him but was rooted in place. Perhaps this little break will give him time to gather what he’ll say to her.

Faith gently closed the door behind her and leaned heavily against it, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Its good that you told him.” Ian’s voice though strained and weak carried across the room. She could hear distinctive sounds of him shuffling on the bed. He was probably sitting on the edge of the bed, his arms spread to the side supporting his weight, unkempt hair tumbling around his face, and the white bandage, now soiled with blood, a contrast to his tanned skin.

“How can you say that?” She snorted, without bothering to open her eyes. “What makes you so sure telling him was a good idea?”

“Because now you have someone, besides me, that knows. That will understand…”

“Understand what, Ian?” That I’m some kind of freak?” She heatedly exclaimed. She quickly bit her tongue as the words left her mouth. Faith was still upset and some of that anger had slipped out. Undeservingly snapping at him, “I’m sorry Ian.” She added. However, she still did not see the logic in bringing her Angel into the nightmares of her past. Revealing secrets, she wanted to keep, perhaps even taking it to the grave.

“He will understand now that there no lies, no secrets between you two. He will have no reason to feel jealous or unworthy of your trust.”

Faith opened her eyes this time, and disbelievingly stared at him. Sure enough, as she had imagined, Ian was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching her from under the veil of hair. “I never said I did not trust him.”

“Yet, you kept a part of your past from him. You did not tell him everything.” Ian accused.

“I kept THAT part from him for a reason, Ian.” This time she snapped at him and was not sorry for it. “I did that for his own good, to protect him. The less he knew the safer he was.”

“You were distancing yourself to keep him safe then?” He questioned.

“Yes, was that so wrong of me?” Faith flayed her arms out in frustration.

“No, it is never wrong wanting to protect those you care about. But at the same time, you were hurting him. Making him feel inadequate, left out, unworthy, and angry because you refused to confide in him.” Interesting, it sounded as if he was talking about himself. Those were feeling he felt when Sara refused to accept him. He pushed the thought aside and continued, “And I’m sure he must have felt jealous about us.”

“I already explained to him about our relationship. Gabriel should not have to feel that way.” She sank down to sit next to him on the bed.

“Gabriel did not know about our, your past. All he saw was you choosing me over him.”

“Argh, why can’t you two see the logic in my decisions?” Faith dropped her head onto her hands, “Why must men be so complicating and frustrating?” She muttered.

Ian grinned, “To keep women on their toes, of course.” He sighed, “Why don’t you just left him in? What is the worst that can happen if you did?”

“The worst?” She looked up from her hands, her brows rose up, “The worst is that he could turn me away. That he would want to end our friendship.”

“Gabriel does not strike me as the type of person that would do that to those he cares about. And he cares deeply for you, Faith.” Ian stated.

“Actually, he’s in love with me,” Faith informed.

“Better yet,” Ian smiled.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Post a message:
This forum requires an account to post.
[ Create Account ]
[ Login ]
[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.