CHAPTER 15

SOMETIMES I WONDER

Inquisitive1

CHAPTER 15

2 MONTHS LATER: GERMANY

"Julian" Rory shakes him

"What?" Sark asks sleepily.

"Its midnight."

"So?"

"Its my birthday stupid."

"Happy Birthday... go back to sleep."

"I can't."

Sark groans "Why not?"

"Because I can't. Its midnight. I wonder if Mom's still going to get up at midnight" She sniffles

Sark silently groans, "Rory don't cry."

"I miss my Mom."

"I know... just don't cry."

Rory buries her face in his neck, "I miss my Mom."

Sark strokes her hair, "I know." 'Damn hormones.' He thinks with a sigh.

NEXT MORNING

Sark looks up as Rory walks into the study, "How are you feeling?"

Rory drops on the couch, "Like I did after the Founders Day party... minus the headache." She groans

Sark stands walking over to the couch he sits on the edge, "You look pale."

"Lets see I spent 20 minutes hanging over the toilet."

Sark brushes her hair back, "Not how you wanted to spend your birthday hmm?"

"Not really... but" Rory smiles "not really my choice."

Sark smiles back "I guess it isn't."

"I miss Mom."

"I know."

"God she'd flip to find out I'm pregnant." Rory laughs resting her hands on her middle, "She'd protest saying she's too young to be a Grandma and that I'm too young to be a Mom."

Sark leans his upper body against the couch cushion looking down at Rory. "What do you think?"

Rory shrugs "It happened... can't change it."

Sark notices her thoughtful expression, "What's wrong?"

"Sometimes it freaks me out"

"What does?" Sark asks stroking her cheek. "That we are going to be parents?"

Rory nods "We're going to be responsible for someone other than us."

"Weird feeling isn't it?"

Rory sighs, "I've always felt responsible for Mom... but what feels weird is that its a baby I'm responsible for now."

"That is different." Sark agrees. "We're in this together... alright?"

Rory smiles relieved, "I know." She reaches up stroking his cheek, "You are accepting this better than I thought you ever would."

Sark shrugs "Like you said we can't change it." He looks at her middle, "Little Rory is on her way."

Rory smiles faintly, "Little Rory huh? Why not Julian Jr.?"

"Because genetics go to the fact that from what Irina has told me there has only been one Derevko male born in the family every generation for several generations. Then add the fact that your family leans more towards females... we're most likely having a girl."

"Unless this is the next Derevko male." Rory challenges

"The odds are against it."

"Still fifty-fifty." Rory argues

"Fine but I'll hold my 'I told you so' for when the baby's born."

"Mean... you are so not going to say I told you so the day I have this kid."

"Yes I am." Sark grins

"Hey if there's only one Derevko male born every generation than you have an Uncle don't you?"

"Did. I asked Irina about that and she said that her brother Peter died when they were children."

"OK then the whole twins thing?"

"Jack's side."

"So is that an every generation or every other generation?"

"Well apparently other than Jack there's been a set of twins born every generation in the Bristow family. But there are no other living, other than distant cousins, so"

"There's a possibility of twins" Rory finishes

Sark nods

"I guess we'll have to see."

"Happy Birthday"

Rory smiles faintly "Yeah"

EVENING

Rory sits on the couch watching a movie while waiting for Sark to return from his quick errand. Hearing the door open she speaks without looking towards the door, "That wasn't long. Where did you" she is stopped when she turns to look at Sark... only to find the Frenchman from the meeting. "What are you..." She quickly stands swallowing at his expression as the man looks her over with a leer. She notices the other two men at the door. "What do you want?"

"So beautiful... no wonder he has kept you to himself." Brousard reaches out to touch Rory only to have her step away.

"Don't touch me." Rory says quickly only to have the man grab her arm and push her onto the couch.

"So doll-like."

Rory pulls away as he tries to touch her. "Don't"

Outside the room Sark steps off the elevator into the sights of two men with guns as he reaches for his gun he's stopped when one speaks, "Mr. Sark I would advise you against that." A man states

Against his normal behavior Sark gives in allowing the man to take his guns. 'I have no choice. Brousard is near Rory.' "Where's my wife?" He winces as one of the men punches him in the stomach causing him to double over. He is dragged into the penthouse where he finds one of the most terrifying sights ever... his wife with a man who would cause her harm... then kill her.

"Julian" Rory whispers wide-eyed at the sight of her husband.

"What do you want Brousard?" Sark demands as they shove him into a chair with men on either side of him. He watches as the man touches Rory his anger and disgust rising yet he remains impassive.

"So beautiful"

Rory flinches at the man's touch her stomach rolling. "Don't touch me" she yelps as the man grabs her arm.

"Brousard leave her alone." Sark yells jumping out of the chair when one of the men blindsides him.

"Julian" Rory screams terrified by the sight of Sark hitting the floor.

Sark winces at the pain and Rory's scream just as he blacks out.

Rory looks at the older man her stomach turning at the look in his eyes as he pulls her to her feet. "Let me go" She says angrily only to have the man yank her hair back causing her to cry out in pain.

"You are going to be fun."

Rory yelps as he pulls her out of the room.

Sark comes too yet remains still despite his urge to move to go to Rory knowing if she's in the room her death will be long and drawn out. As he hears the bedroom door slam shut he swallows heavily. 'Its going to be alright my love.'

"Let me go"

Brousard releases the young woman with a shove grinning as she hits the wall with a thud.

Rory winces as she hits the wall with her back, 'He's going to kill the baby.' She swallows a scream as he grabs her arm hauling her to her feet shoving her on the bed. "Let me go." She struggles as the man pins her to the bed.

Downstairs Sark hears the men talking and reaches under the recliner pulling out one of his hidden guns shooting each man before they realize he is even alert. He slowly stands shaking off his own dizziness as he hurries down the hall. Not knowing what's going on the inside of the room or whether or not Brousard has a weapon on Rory he makes the only other option he has... the balcony. Hurrying back to the living room he goes out onto the balcony.

In the bedroom Rory squirms "Get off of me." She cries pushing at the bigger man. She winces as he rips her shirt open.

Brousard grins looking the young woman over, "So beautiful" he frown noticing her slightly rounded middle and looks at the woman, "Ahh pregnant are we?"

Rory swallows heavily at the man's tone, "Let me go." She shudders as she feels his fingers trail across her middle and sees the gleam in his eyes, 'Oh god... he's going to hurt the baby.'

Sark climbs over the balcony onto the balcony of the bedroom. 'At least I don't have to break the window.' He quietly steps into the room his gun in hand he walks over to the bed, "Brousard." He puts the gun to the man's head. "Get the hell off my wife." When the man doesn't move he speaks again meeting Rory's tearful gaze, "I would rather not put a bullet in your head while you are on top of my wife." He pulls the larger man off Rory. Keeping his gun on Brousard he looks at Rory briefly. "Go out to the hall Rory. Don't go to the living room."

"Julian"

"Now Rory"

Rory hurries out of the bedroom to the hall.

"I warned you not to touch my wife." Sark says coldly as he pulls the trigger watching impassively as the man dies. He steps away from the body walking to the door he steps out to the hall where he finds Rory sitting on the floor crying. "Rory" he drops to his knees "are you OK?" He demands

Rory stares at him tears falling, "He"

"He's dead." Sark says coldly "Are you OK? Is the baby OK?" He asks his tone changing from anger to worry.

Rory nods "I think so."

Sark kisses her forehead "Stay here." He stands walking back into the bedroom he ignores the body and grabs the packed bag and a clean shirt from the closet before joining Rory in the hall. "Where is your journal?"

"In the bag." Rory sniffles

"Here. Put the shirt on." He hands her the shirt, "I will go get your shoes and coat. Stay here." Sark heads into the bathroom checking out his head relieved not to find a too bad of an injury. 'Better clean it up.' He wets a washcloth and dabs at the gash.

Rory pulls the ripped shirt off and pulls on the new shirt wiping at her tears she sits there her hands resting on her middle. 'I could have lost the baby.' She sits there in silence trying to control her urge to cry. She glances up as Sark strides out of the room.

"I'll be right back." Sark strides down the hall to the living room where he quickly gathers up his laptop and his weapons he carries them back to the hall along with Rory's shoes and coat, "Hurry."

Rory pulls her shoes on while Sark puts his laptop and weapons into the bag. She stands slipping her jacket on she zips it up.

"Ready?" Sark shoulders the bag.

Rory nods "The others?"

"Dead." Sark answers coldly. He squeezes her hand "We have to hurry up and get out out of here. I have no idea if he has other men around. Don't look at the bodies."

Rory nods tears filling her eyes. As they make their way out of the penthouse she takes a deep breath.

Out in the hall Sark looks at Rory who is trying hard not to cry. "Rory"

"I'm OK"

Sark nods "When we get out of here I will take you to a doctor." He kisses her forehead over, "Make sure Little Rory is OK."

Rory smiles faintly.

Sark opens the emergency access doors and they enter. He looks around then sees a cut out behind the door out of sight from the camera. He reaches into the bag quickly finding Rory's journal and hands it to her.

Rory puts the journal in the inside pocket of her jacket where her fake passport and some cash is located. She watches as Sark puts some clips of ammunition in his jacket as well before shoving the bag in the cut out. "I will send someone to get it later." He kisses Rory's forehead. "We have to go down a few flights... get to a normal floor and then we can take the service elevator down."

Rory nods

The two hurry down the stairs remaining silent as they walk. After going down four flights they reach a normal floor. Sark opens the door relieved to find the hall clear.

Rory struggles to keep up with Sark's longer legs as he walks to the service elevator. Once their on the elevator she leans against him her body shaking in silent tears. 'That man was going to rape me. He was going to harm my baby... kill my husband.' She shudders 'Not time to break down Gilmore.' She closes her eyes as she feels Sark kiss the top of her head.

'I'm going to destroy every inch of his organization. He touched my wife. He would have killed our child. No one touches my wife.' Sark tightens his arms around Rory as the elevator stops and a young man looks at them startled.

"This is not the public elevator" the man protests, "this is the service elevator." He says in German.

Remaining calm and civil Sark replies in German, "Sorry. We are trying to avoid her husband's security men... and my wife's private investigator." Sark removes a couple bills handing them to the young man. "Anyone asks you never saw us."

"Yes sir." The man takes the money as the elevator goes down.

Sark strokes Rory's hair trying to relax going over what he wants to do. As the elevator dings he leads Rory out to the hall keeping his eyes out for any of Brousard's men. 'I have to get Rory somewhere safe.' He keeps Rory close to his side as he guides her out to the back alley. "Come on." He leads Rory out of the alley careful to keep her against the wall. "I parked the car a few blocks away."

Rory nods

Once they are a block away Sark releases his held in breath and kisses her head, "How are you feeling?"

"My stomach is doing flips but" Rory shrugs "fine otherwise."

"Did he hurt you?"

"He shoved me against the wall. He grabbed my arm." Rory sniffles.

Sark squeezes Rory's hand knowing she is trying hard not to break down into tears.

'I'm not going to cry. Not until I'm in my husband's arms.'

They walk the final blocks relieved to reach the parking lot. Sark opens the car door for Rory yet pulls her back against him briefly his hand covering her own as it rests against her middle. "Its going to be OK... alright?"

Rory nods sniffling she leans against him.

Sark kisses her head before ushering her into the car.

Rory rests her head against the headrest, "Well this beats my 16th birthday for bad things to happen." She says dryly as Sark gets into the drivers side.

"I'm sorry Rory. I never wanted you to be near this... see that." Sark reaches out stroking her cheek. "If something had happened to you... either of you... I would never forgive myself." He whispers leaning across he kisses her lightly. "I'm sorry"

"You were protecting us." Rory shrugs sniffling she strokes his cheek. "I love you."

Sark kisses her palm, "I love you." He smiles sadly, "Lets go get you and the baby checked out."

"Well you need it too. He hit you pretty hard." Rory reaches out touching the gash on his head.

"Its fine." Sark shrugs as he starts the car.

"Where are we going?"

"There's a small private hospital run by an associate of Khasinau's a few towns over."

"Who?"

"Someone I used to work for. He's dead now but the doctor still runs it. He'll check you out."

Rory nods staring out the window as Sark drives only releasing his hand when he shifts gears.

11PM

"Mr. Sark it has been a while." A short man with white hair states

Sark nods "I need you to check her out fully." He looks at Rory who is standing beside him. "Make sure she and the baby are alright."

"Baby?" The man looks at the young woman and smiles "How far along are you?"

"Four months." Rory answers squeezing Sark's hand.

"And you look like you need stitches." The doctor looks at Sark.

"I'll be fine." Sark waves off

"You could have a concussion."

"You can stitch me up after you check them out." Sark says firmly.

1AM

Sark brushes Rory's hair back as she dozes on the bed. 'Thank God my family is fine.' He kisses her head smiling as she stirs. "Shh go back to sleep."

"You need sleep."

"I will in a while. I have some work to do."

Rory closes her eyes drifting back to sleep. "Don't go far."

"I won't." He promises. "I'm not leaving your side."

"'k"

MORNING

Sark absently twirls a strand of Rory's hair around his finger as they lie in bed. "We're going into complete hiding."

Rory lifts her head looking at him surprised, "What about..."

"Not worth it." Sark brushes her hair back, "I could have lost you. We could have lost the baby." He kisses her forehead, "I won't risk it again."

"But"

"Nothing is more important to me than you and the baby."

"Not even finding out who tried killing you?"

"Oh I will find out... but you and the baby are more important."

Rory tucks her head under his chin. "Where are we going?"

"I'm still figuring that out. There are a few options."

"When he saw that I was pregnant..." Rory shivers

"He won't go near you again." Sark soothes stroking her hair. "No one will."

"So you're going to leave it alone? Fully?"

"Not fully... but I'm not going to put myself out like I have. I'm going to find out what I need to know."

"I know... and I don't want you to shove aside finding out the truth."

"I will find out." Sark murmurs "But not ahead of my family."

EARLY AFTERNOON: JET

Sark glances at Rory as she sits on the other end of the couch staring out the window one of her hands casually resting against her middle. "Rory?"

Rory starts out of her thoughts and looks over at him, "Yes?"

"You look tired. Why don't you go get some sleep?" he suggests

"I'm fine."

Sark sighs walking over he picks Rory up off the couch.

"Julian" She protests

"You are taking a nap." Sark says firmly.

"I don't"

"Don't argue with me." Sark enters the bedroom and sets Rory on the bed. "You need a nap."

"I can't... every time I try" she shudders

"I'll be right here." Sark promises as he proceeds to remove her jeans and tuck her in. He settles beside her on top of the covers thinking she would be more comfortable that way. "Get some sleep" he wraps his arms around her. "There." He kisses her head. "Sleep."

Rory struggles to keep her eyes open only to give into the urge to sleep. 'Please don't let me dream.'

Sark lies there holding Rory as she sleeps, 'I can't let anything like this happen again... I have to protect my family above everything.'

30 MINS LATER

Sark opens his eyes as he feels Rory shift in her sleep whimpering, "Shh" he soothes kissing her head, "its a dream darling." He murmurs just as Rory's eyes open.

Rory sits up gasping for breath her heart pounding.

Sark sits up rubbing her back, "Rory"

Rory turns burying her face in his chest her body shaking as she cries.

"Its alright." Sark soothes "Not going to happen again."

"I was scared"

"I know darling." He strokes her hair rocking her as she cries. "I was as well."

Rory lifts her head at his admittance to see his expression of pain.

"When I saw him with you... I wanted to rip him into pieces." He wipes at her tears, "I was terrified." He shivers "I have never felt that before. I thought I was going to lose you..." he slides his hand around resting against her middle, "both of you." He closes his eyes taking a deep breath, "It was like people say when they have a near death experience... they see their life. I've had numerous near death experiences and none of them terrified me as much as the idea of my life without you." He looks at Rory wiping at the tears that have fallen, "Without you... nothing matters."

Rory kisses him lightly then swallows kissing him again lightly only for the kiss to become needy on both sides.

LATER

Sark gently rubs Rory's naked back as she sleeps pressed against his side their legs tangled. He winces remembering the brief look of panic he had seen in Rory's eyes when they had been struggling to get him out of his clothes and he lost his balance landing on top of her. 'I saw the one thing I never wanted to see in my wife's eyes when looking at me... fear.' He presses his lips to her head, 'I never wanted her to fear me.' Sark tightens his arms around Rory. 'Someone caused my wife to fear me.' He takes a deep breath. 'She doesn't fear me... she fears what she felt in that room. She will never feel that again. It might take a while but with time I will never see that look again. I'm a patient man.'

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