A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Had family visiting the last two weeks. Well
here is more SOD. Let's me know what you think. Enjoy! =)
~*~
"As I was saying I had been thinking about your behavior," Lee paused. Both Sara and she looked over at Vicki. Who now was happily sitting back in her chair, her attention somewhere else. When she looked back, she found her two friends staring at her. Vicki pursed her lips and pressed a finger against them. A clear signal that she wasn't going to say another word. "Your behavior towards Nottingham." Lee finished.
"What about it?" Sara inquired, her brows furrowed.
"It reminded me of a situation while we were kids. You know about that one kid that picks on you and no one else. He would pull your hair, make fun of you, does every little thing to embarrass and annoy you. You don't understand why he does it. You've tried your best to be nice yet he continues to pick on only you. Until one day, you find out that the real reasons behind his 'nasty behavior'. It was in actuality a means to express how he truly felt about you. That deep down he really likes you, perhaps even has a crush on you." Lee stared at Sara, her eyebrows raised in question. Sara narrowed her eyes on Lee then over to Vicki who was trying to hid a smirk behind her hand. Then she heard her own voice run through her mind.
. "Are you trying to tell me you got a crush on me"? Sara questioned Nottingham that day out in the precinct parking lot.
"I'm trying to tell you I'm being crushed!" he answered vehemently..
Sara eyes widen, "Hold up!" She raises her hand, "Lee Woo if you're insinuating that my behavior towards Nottingham is some guise for my affection towards him then you are as way off as Dr. Po here. I DO NOT have a crush on Ian Nottingham!" She vehemently informed while threateningly pointing a finger at them.
Lee held her hand up, "Hey I told you it was nothing but you asked for it, Sara."
"So Pez you're saying that you have no feelings for Nottingham at all?" Vicki questioned.
"None, well perhaps a bit of disdain but no, nothing." Sara answered.
"You're saying that you don't care if someone, let's say a woman, went up to him and started talking, right?"
"I don't give a shit if all the women here went up to him."
"Then you wouldn't get jealous or anything, right?" Vicki continued her questioning.
"Me? Jealous over Nottingham? Oh please! Look, I'm setting the record straight; Nottingham has the CRUSH on ME, okay. Not the other way around."
Vicki grinned her attention glued to the interesting scene by the bar. Lee followed Vicki's gaze, her eyes widen in shock. She cleared her throat and said, "Well Sara it looks like Mr. Nottingham is getting over his crush on you. And from the looks of it he's getting some help from those two waitresses."
"What?!" Sara exclaimed as she turned around. She gasped as her mouth dropped open. Now, fully alert on what was going on.
The three continued to watch as Lara and Jeni openly flirted with Ian.
"You know I may actually get myself a second job. I mean the Food and Servicing industry looks very promising. Never thought being a waitress would have such perks and benefits." Vicki amusingly added as she watched Sara's reaction.
Lee decided to join in on the fun. Observing Sara's reactions was highly amusing and she could tell that her friend was hiding some deep feelings for Nottingham, "Don't forget the tips, Vicki."
"You're right, Lee. Looks like Jeni and Lara just scored themselves a very big tip. Hell, if tips came in the form of Nottingham well.." Vicki turns to Lee and said, "Hi my name is Vicki and I'll be your waitress for the evening." Lee started laughing but Sara found no humor in it. Her eyes still glued on the little ménage-a-trois at the end of the bar.
"What the hell do they think they are doing to him?!" Sara questioned to no one in particular but Vicki was more then happy to answer.
~*~
Jeni and Lara watched as Ian tossed down his third shot. The alcohol was taking an obvious effect on him. One of the other bartenders tapped Lara on the shoulder and whispered in her ear. After thanking him she nonchalantly looked over to table 11. She grinned and thought, 'Show time.'Lara walked around the bar and sat in one of the empty bar stools. She leaned over to Jeni, who was seated to her left, telling her that it was time to make Sara jealous.
"All right ladies what do we do next?" Ian asked.
"Now," Lara coaxed him over with a finger a wicked glint in her eyes and a grin to match, " We start the fun, Ian." Ian was taken aback as both ladies ran their hands down his arms, Jeni taking his right and Lara his left.
"Wha.what are you doing?" Ian stammered a bit still getting use to being touched, let alone touched by two women. He watched as they tugged on his leather gloves.
"Making Sara jealous of course." Jeni said as she slipped off first the ring then his gloves. When that was done she placed the ring back on his finger. "Nice ring by the way."
"Thank you but what do you mean by 'making Sara jealous'?"
"Well," Lara tugged off the other glove, "It appears that we have Sara's full attention now." Ian was about to turn his head but Lara stopped him by cupping his check and holding his head in place. "Don't make eye contact with her. Give US your full attention." He nodded his head, his beard rubbing against the palm of her hand. Lara smiled as she relished in the feel. "We are going to give Sara a little show."
Jeni and Lara could see the light in his eyes shine as the realization dawned on him. Jealous was a feeling he as familiar with. Had he not gone through the same thing with Daniel? With Conchobar? Remembering the pain and anger he felt as he we watched that abomination and the Irish pugilist capture the heart of the woman he had loved for centuries. Though he did not touch Conchobar he did relish the feel of sliding his blade across the throat of her one time lover, Daniel. Letting his jealous rage loose.
But there is a difference between Sara and him. He cares for her, loves her even. On the other hand Sara hates and loaths him. She doesn't care at all. Why would she feel jealous over him?
As if reading his mind Jeni snapped him out of his doubtful thoughts, "If she didn't care, Ian, she wouldn't be watching right now. And believe me Sara is WATCHING." She grinned as Ian smiled in reply.
"You should do that more often." Jeni said.
"Do what?" He asked.
"Flash that gorgeous smile of yours, Hon." Jeni winked. "Now you look rather hot Mr. Nottingham. That jacket has to come off. Here let me help you take it off." Jeni grinned as she hands roamed up from his stomach, across the expanse of his chest, then pushing the jacket off over his broad shoulders,. All the while feeling the sinewy muscles through his silk shirt, and under her fingertips.
Ian slid off the rest of the jacket down his arms. Jeni took it, "Here let me take that and place it behind the bar for you." Jeni hopped off the chair and walked around the bar.
"My turn." Lara whispered. She ran her hand down his chest stopping just above his pants. She grinned as her fingers gripped the waistband of his pants. "You're too far for my reach. Why don't you get a little closer." She gave a quick jerk of her hand, tugging his pants and his body towards to her. Lara's grin grew wider as he stepped closer. "That's better," she said. Her hand reached up to loosen the knot of his tie. "As much as this looks good on you this tie has to go."
"I agree, Lara." Jeni returned and sat back down. Lara worked the tie loose then slowly pulled it from his collar, tossing it over her shoulder on to the counter behind her.
"You still look a bit hot, Ian. Why don't we loosen up that button of yours, hm?" Jeni trailed a finger down his throat, feeling his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed. With a flick of her finger, the top button of his shirt came undone.
"Hm, perhaps one more will do." Lara added while reaching out to unfasten the second button, then pushing open the material a bit. "There how does that feel?"
"I'm still a little warm. Could you ladies help roll up my sleeves?" Ian grinned. Looks like he was catching on quickly.
Each grabbing an arm, Lara and Jeni began rolling up his sleeves. The higher and higher they rolled the closer he moved towards them. When they were finally done, Ian placed a hand on each of their thigh. He smiled at the their matching stunned expression. The pupil was definitely a quick study.
"I hope you don't mind me playing along as well."
"No! We don't mind." They exclaimed together.
"Play with us all you want, Ian." Lara pleaded, Jeni nodding her head in response.
Ian chuckled his deep-throated laugh.
"Damn I need another drink." Jeni said while fanning herself.
"So do I." Ian added.
"I need a cold shower!" Lara hopped off the bar stool and walked around behind the bar. This time finding something a bit stronger.
"What do you call that?" Ian questioned as Lara concocted another drink.
~*~
"I'd call that 'Customer Appreciation'." Vicki answered. Lee continued to laugh.
The Witchblade, which was in plain view on Sara's wrist, began to swirl an angry red matching Sara's mood. Lee stopped laughing as she caught the glow of the blade. "Sara did your bracelet just.glow?" Sara whipped around, "Uh, uh," she stammered a bit trying to find an excuse, "Uh, no. One of the lights must have angled down from.somewhere and um, gave it that glow look." Sara moved her arm from the table and unto her lap.
"Oh my God," Vicki gasped, "Nottingham has such an incredible smile. The man gets more gorgeous by the minute."
Sara returned her attention to Ian. 'Yes,' she thought, 'he does have an incredible smile.' Sara's brows shot up. 'Is he laughing?'
"What I wouldn't give to be in Lara and Jeni's .position right now." Vicki sighed, continuing to wave the proverbial red flag in front of Sara's face.
"That's it!" Sara finally had it. She stood up from her seat but Lee grabbed her arm trying to stop her.
"Take it easy, Sara." Lee protested.
How could she 'take it easy' when her man was being harassed by those two waitresses. Wait! Did she just refer to Nottingham as being 'her man'? That stopped Sara in her tracks.
"Yeah Pez. We don't need a second showing of the 'Pezzini Fury'. Sit down and relax, girl." Vicki pleaded.
Sara sat back down and took a gulp of her drink. Vicki leaned over to Lee and whispered, "Right no jealous bone in her body." Lee nodded in agreement.
"Why do you care what Nottingham does, right? I mean didn't you just tell us a few minutes ago that you had absolutely no feelings besides disdain towards the guy?" Vicki questioned. Sara remained quiet. "And now that a couple of women show some interest you get all upset. It looked like you were going to go over there to kick some ass."
"Come on, Sara. Be honest with us. Do you like Nottingham?" Sara looked over her shoulder stealing a glance at Nottingham. How could she be honest to her friends if she couldn't be honest with herself? How did she feel about Nottingham? Deep down did she really like him?
~*~
~*~
"As I was saying I had been thinking about your behavior," Lee paused. Both Sara and she looked over at Vicki. Who now was happily sitting back in her chair, her attention somewhere else. When she looked back, she found her two friends staring at her. Vicki pursed her lips and pressed a finger against them. A clear signal that she wasn't going to say another word. "Your behavior towards Nottingham." Lee finished.
"What about it?" Sara inquired, her brows furrowed.
"It reminded me of a situation while we were kids. You know about that one kid that picks on you and no one else. He would pull your hair, make fun of you, does every little thing to embarrass and annoy you. You don't understand why he does it. You've tried your best to be nice yet he continues to pick on only you. Until one day, you find out that the real reasons behind his 'nasty behavior'. It was in actuality a means to express how he truly felt about you. That deep down he really likes you, perhaps even has a crush on you." Lee stared at Sara, her eyebrows raised in question. Sara narrowed her eyes on Lee then over to Vicki who was trying to hid a smirk behind her hand. Then she heard her own voice run through her mind.
. "Are you trying to tell me you got a crush on me"? Sara questioned Nottingham that day out in the precinct parking lot.
"I'm trying to tell you I'm being crushed!" he answered vehemently..
Sara eyes widen, "Hold up!" She raises her hand, "Lee Woo if you're insinuating that my behavior towards Nottingham is some guise for my affection towards him then you are as way off as Dr. Po here. I DO NOT have a crush on Ian Nottingham!" She vehemently informed while threateningly pointing a finger at them.
Lee held her hand up, "Hey I told you it was nothing but you asked for it, Sara."
"So Pez you're saying that you have no feelings for Nottingham at all?" Vicki questioned.
"None, well perhaps a bit of disdain but no, nothing." Sara answered.
"You're saying that you don't care if someone, let's say a woman, went up to him and started talking, right?"
"I don't give a shit if all the women here went up to him."
"Then you wouldn't get jealous or anything, right?" Vicki continued her questioning.
"Me? Jealous over Nottingham? Oh please! Look, I'm setting the record straight; Nottingham has the CRUSH on ME, okay. Not the other way around."
Vicki grinned her attention glued to the interesting scene by the bar. Lee followed Vicki's gaze, her eyes widen in shock. She cleared her throat and said, "Well Sara it looks like Mr. Nottingham is getting over his crush on you. And from the looks of it he's getting some help from those two waitresses."
"What?!" Sara exclaimed as she turned around. She gasped as her mouth dropped open. Now, fully alert on what was going on.
The three continued to watch as Lara and Jeni openly flirted with Ian.
"You know I may actually get myself a second job. I mean the Food and Servicing industry looks very promising. Never thought being a waitress would have such perks and benefits." Vicki amusingly added as she watched Sara's reaction.
Lee decided to join in on the fun. Observing Sara's reactions was highly amusing and she could tell that her friend was hiding some deep feelings for Nottingham, "Don't forget the tips, Vicki."
"You're right, Lee. Looks like Jeni and Lara just scored themselves a very big tip. Hell, if tips came in the form of Nottingham well.." Vicki turns to Lee and said, "Hi my name is Vicki and I'll be your waitress for the evening." Lee started laughing but Sara found no humor in it. Her eyes still glued on the little ménage-a-trois at the end of the bar.
"What the hell do they think they are doing to him?!" Sara questioned to no one in particular but Vicki was more then happy to answer.
~*~
Jeni and Lara watched as Ian tossed down his third shot. The alcohol was taking an obvious effect on him. One of the other bartenders tapped Lara on the shoulder and whispered in her ear. After thanking him she nonchalantly looked over to table 11. She grinned and thought, 'Show time.'Lara walked around the bar and sat in one of the empty bar stools. She leaned over to Jeni, who was seated to her left, telling her that it was time to make Sara jealous.
"All right ladies what do we do next?" Ian asked.
"Now," Lara coaxed him over with a finger a wicked glint in her eyes and a grin to match, " We start the fun, Ian." Ian was taken aback as both ladies ran their hands down his arms, Jeni taking his right and Lara his left.
"Wha.what are you doing?" Ian stammered a bit still getting use to being touched, let alone touched by two women. He watched as they tugged on his leather gloves.
"Making Sara jealous of course." Jeni said as she slipped off first the ring then his gloves. When that was done she placed the ring back on his finger. "Nice ring by the way."
"Thank you but what do you mean by 'making Sara jealous'?"
"Well," Lara tugged off the other glove, "It appears that we have Sara's full attention now." Ian was about to turn his head but Lara stopped him by cupping his check and holding his head in place. "Don't make eye contact with her. Give US your full attention." He nodded his head, his beard rubbing against the palm of her hand. Lara smiled as she relished in the feel. "We are going to give Sara a little show."
Jeni and Lara could see the light in his eyes shine as the realization dawned on him. Jealous was a feeling he as familiar with. Had he not gone through the same thing with Daniel? With Conchobar? Remembering the pain and anger he felt as he we watched that abomination and the Irish pugilist capture the heart of the woman he had loved for centuries. Though he did not touch Conchobar he did relish the feel of sliding his blade across the throat of her one time lover, Daniel. Letting his jealous rage loose.
But there is a difference between Sara and him. He cares for her, loves her even. On the other hand Sara hates and loaths him. She doesn't care at all. Why would she feel jealous over him?
As if reading his mind Jeni snapped him out of his doubtful thoughts, "If she didn't care, Ian, she wouldn't be watching right now. And believe me Sara is WATCHING." She grinned as Ian smiled in reply.
"You should do that more often." Jeni said.
"Do what?" He asked.
"Flash that gorgeous smile of yours, Hon." Jeni winked. "Now you look rather hot Mr. Nottingham. That jacket has to come off. Here let me help you take it off." Jeni grinned as she hands roamed up from his stomach, across the expanse of his chest, then pushing the jacket off over his broad shoulders,. All the while feeling the sinewy muscles through his silk shirt, and under her fingertips.
Ian slid off the rest of the jacket down his arms. Jeni took it, "Here let me take that and place it behind the bar for you." Jeni hopped off the chair and walked around the bar.
"My turn." Lara whispered. She ran her hand down his chest stopping just above his pants. She grinned as her fingers gripped the waistband of his pants. "You're too far for my reach. Why don't you get a little closer." She gave a quick jerk of her hand, tugging his pants and his body towards to her. Lara's grin grew wider as he stepped closer. "That's better," she said. Her hand reached up to loosen the knot of his tie. "As much as this looks good on you this tie has to go."
"I agree, Lara." Jeni returned and sat back down. Lara worked the tie loose then slowly pulled it from his collar, tossing it over her shoulder on to the counter behind her.
"You still look a bit hot, Ian. Why don't we loosen up that button of yours, hm?" Jeni trailed a finger down his throat, feeling his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed. With a flick of her finger, the top button of his shirt came undone.
"Hm, perhaps one more will do." Lara added while reaching out to unfasten the second button, then pushing open the material a bit. "There how does that feel?"
"I'm still a little warm. Could you ladies help roll up my sleeves?" Ian grinned. Looks like he was catching on quickly.
Each grabbing an arm, Lara and Jeni began rolling up his sleeves. The higher and higher they rolled the closer he moved towards them. When they were finally done, Ian placed a hand on each of their thigh. He smiled at the their matching stunned expression. The pupil was definitely a quick study.
"I hope you don't mind me playing along as well."
"No! We don't mind." They exclaimed together.
"Play with us all you want, Ian." Lara pleaded, Jeni nodding her head in response.
Ian chuckled his deep-throated laugh.
"Damn I need another drink." Jeni said while fanning herself.
"So do I." Ian added.
"I need a cold shower!" Lara hopped off the bar stool and walked around behind the bar. This time finding something a bit stronger.
"What do you call that?" Ian questioned as Lara concocted another drink.
~*~
"I'd call that 'Customer Appreciation'." Vicki answered. Lee continued to laugh.
The Witchblade, which was in plain view on Sara's wrist, began to swirl an angry red matching Sara's mood. Lee stopped laughing as she caught the glow of the blade. "Sara did your bracelet just.glow?" Sara whipped around, "Uh, uh," she stammered a bit trying to find an excuse, "Uh, no. One of the lights must have angled down from.somewhere and um, gave it that glow look." Sara moved her arm from the table and unto her lap.
"Oh my God," Vicki gasped, "Nottingham has such an incredible smile. The man gets more gorgeous by the minute."
Sara returned her attention to Ian. 'Yes,' she thought, 'he does have an incredible smile.' Sara's brows shot up. 'Is he laughing?'
"What I wouldn't give to be in Lara and Jeni's .position right now." Vicki sighed, continuing to wave the proverbial red flag in front of Sara's face.
"That's it!" Sara finally had it. She stood up from her seat but Lee grabbed her arm trying to stop her.
"Take it easy, Sara." Lee protested.
How could she 'take it easy' when her man was being harassed by those two waitresses. Wait! Did she just refer to Nottingham as being 'her man'? That stopped Sara in her tracks.
"Yeah Pez. We don't need a second showing of the 'Pezzini Fury'. Sit down and relax, girl." Vicki pleaded.
Sara sat back down and took a gulp of her drink. Vicki leaned over to Lee and whispered, "Right no jealous bone in her body." Lee nodded in agreement.
"Why do you care what Nottingham does, right? I mean didn't you just tell us a few minutes ago that you had absolutely no feelings besides disdain towards the guy?" Vicki questioned. Sara remained quiet. "And now that a couple of women show some interest you get all upset. It looked like you were going to go over there to kick some ass."
"Come on, Sara. Be honest with us. Do you like Nottingham?" Sara looked over her shoulder stealing a glance at Nottingham. How could she be honest to her friends if she couldn't be honest with herself? How did she feel about Nottingham? Deep down did she really like him?
~*~
