-NYC, 2000-
Selena and Ian sat in his car several blocks away from where Jake's car was parked. The blonde ex-surfer would most likely be filling out paper work for the next six months, especially after Sara was finished being questioned about the White Bulls. It'd been decided that the situation would be best if Selena and Ian stayed away, however Selena that that they'd probably attempt to haul them in for questioning about the attack as soon as Dante started talking. Given what she'd already picked up about the man's personality she didn't expect him to go down without taking Sara with him. Her having been with a least one suspected assassin was enough to give her story less credit. Of course, suspected assassin and known assassin were two entirely different things. Thanks to a break in at the FBI's Indianapolis field office six months earlier all the records on a person codenamed Silver Dragon had been lost. They most likely knew only a little more about Ian. In the end, Dante's effort would be futile.
"It was Dr. Howat," Ian said breaking the silence that had hung over them for the last half-hour.
"What?" Selena said looking at him.
"Dr. Howat was the leak," Ian said. "He sold you out to Slevika."
Selena almost laughed. Dr. Howat had been one of the doctors involved with the Dragon Project. Broken up into two parts, the project had been an attempt to create both an elite team of warriors who could attack large targets and a loner who could go after just one or two people with more stealth then the team could. The whole time she had known Dr. Howat she'd always thought that he reminded her of a snake. He'd gone missing shortly after she had left the project. A conspiracy theory website she'd found recently had had him listed as one of the people the government had mysteriously gotten rid of. "I should have known. So, did you kill him?"
"No," Ian replied. "That honor fell to Mobi and John. It was decided I was too close to the situation. Slevika gave up the information right as you were leaving."
She sighed and looked back out the window. Leaving Ian that day in Moscow had been the hardest thing she'd ever done, but she couldn't stay knowing that doing so was putting his life and mission in unnecessary danger. If she'd known Slevika would crack so easily, she had little doubt that she would have stayed. Things defiantly would have been a great deal different. "I'm glad you got him before he could do any more damage," Selena said. "I guess we're just dancing around the issue, aren't we?"
"There is an issue?"
"Of course," Selena looked back at him. "What are you going to do about Irons?"
"I don't think there is anything I can do," now it was Ian's turn to look out the window. "He wants Lady Sara dead, and as much as I would want the opposite, he is still my master and there is nothing I can do."
"You can do something, Ian, you have too."
"I can not hurt him and I can not allow anyone else to either."
"Ian," Selena said. "You have to choose."
He looked back at her. "You don't even understand what is going on."
"Then tell me! It has something to do with that thing on Sara's arm, doesn't it?"
Ian's eyes widen with shock. "You saw it?"
"Of course I saw it. How could anyone miss it?" Selena was now completely confused. "So what is it?"
"The Witchblade?"
"The what blade?"
"Witchblade," Ian replied. "A sentient weapon that Irons wishes to control, however only women can wield it. He tried manipulating Sara into serving him but she refused him. Now, obviously, he wished to eliminate her to find someone he can control to wear it."
"You're suppose to protect the wielder," Selena suddenly came to a realization as the final piece fell into place. "But Irons got to you first."
"How?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "It just makes sense."
"Obviously not as much as you think, Sara has yet to figure it out," Ian sighed. "Everyone who enters the wielders life has a purpose. I thought yours was finished, but now I'm not so sure."
"Something tell me it has more to do with you then with her."
"After everything that has happened in my life I'd never thought I say this, but this is weird."
"Imagine how I feel," Selena smiled. "You're still going to have to choose. You can't serve them both, it's not possible."
"I know," Ian said. "I've known that for awhile. I just don't know if I can."
In that moment, Selena knew exactly what she had to do, for Ian's sake as well as Sara's. She reached over and turned the key starting the car. "Let's go see Irons."
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to understand, you just have to drive," Selena started to reach over and put the car in gear, but he stopped her. "You have to face him, but I'm not letting you face him alone. Drive."
"Yes, sir," Ian gave her a mock salute before putting the car in gear and pulling into the flow of traffic.
Ian stopped the car just outside of a large gate. Selena watched him, waiting for him to do something. He sat there just looking out the window towards the gate. She opened her mouth to say something but then thought better of it. Instead she reached over and shut the car off. The loss of the noise of the engine seemed to pull him out of his trance. He glanced at her; she smiled encouragingly and nodded towards the door. He sighed before opening it and getting out. She followed suit and joined him near the gate. He looked at her again, then stepped closer to the wall. The gate popped open.
Ian stalked off through it his shoulders slightly slumped. Selena sighed and followed him. He veered away from the drive and walked around the side of the house. Looking around at the well-kept yard she did not see him stop and turn towards her, so she plowed right into him. He slipped one arm around her and raised her chin with the other hand. She hadn't even recovered from running into him before his mouth was on hers. The kiss was slow and sweet, yet she could tell it was purely platonic. It was a kiss of thanks from one friend to another. His heart may have been hers once, but now it belonged to an NYPD detective. When he broke the kiss, she leaned away from him so she could look him in the face. He was smiling at her.
"Thank you," he said softly. "I didn't mean to drag you into this, however, I am glad you are here."
"I do believe I dragged myself into this, but either way you are welcome," she replied.
He squeezed her lightly then let go of here. Turning he stepped to what at first glanced would appear to be a large rock, however upon closer inspection a door could be seen, a door which suddenly slid open. As he moved past her, she looked back at where he had been standing. On the side of the rock was a small round device, apparently a retinal scanner. Explains the gate and the door, she thought as she followed him inside. The walls reminded her of many military installations she'd been at. They continued down several corridors until the reached at set of stairs. Ian turned and looked at her, his resolve seemed to have melted away and his eyes pleaded with her to not make him this. She smiled again and nodded at the door at the top of the stairs. He looked at her then looked back at the door, then back at her. Sighing, he went up the stairs with her right behind him. He pulled the door opened and together they stepped into a large room that appeared to be a study.
"Hello, Ian," a light haired man, presumably Irons, was seated near the fireplace in a chair that resembled a throne. He rose and stepped towards her. "And who is your lovely companion?"
Selena stepped closer to Irons, "My name is Selena."
Irons continued even closer, "You will find, Selena, then Ian is completely loyal to me in the end."
"Is that so," Selena placed herself between the two men. "Then why did he help stop a group of bounty hunters as well as a group of rogue cops, both of which were working order your orders, from killing Sara Pezzini?"
"And why would I want Detective Pezzini dead?" Irons asked coldly.
"I'm still working on that," Selena replied equally as icy. "However you did put a very large price on Sara's head."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Silver Dragon," Irons stepped back from her. Selena, out of the corner of her eye, saw Ian raise his slightly. Irons looked from Selena to Ian and then back before continuing. "I was warned about you. An associate informed me that you were involved with the Dragon Project, so I pulled you file. Your half of the project failed, you know. The replacement they found for you was just as unpredictable as you. I probably ought to thank you for proving the need for the drugs the Black Dragons were given. Drugs that made Ian completely loyal up to recently, but with the proper care he will be himself again soon enough."
Selena suddenly wanted to him the man just for that comment. She was in the middle of taking a step forward when Ian grabbed both of her arms. She struggled momentarily until Irons stepped so close she could feel his breath on her face. She glared at him, not letting him think he'd won by looking away. Something told her that people rarely looked him in the eyes for so long.
Irons finally broke the eye contact by glancing past her at Ian, "Kill her. Dispose of the body then report to Immo." Irons turned starting to walk back to the chair.
Selena wasn't sure what Ian was going to do, but she hoped one of them thought of something fast, before one or both of them wound up dead.
"I'm sorry if this hurts," Ian whispered in her ear. "Just play along.
Selena had to keep herself from laughing. He'd chosen Sara. Irons turned and settled back in his chair as Irons shoved her forward. Her ankle, still wrapped, hadn't been as bad as she'd thought and it had healed nicely over the past two days. It held as she planted her foot and used her momentum to spin herself towards Ian. He stalked towards her moving to kick her. She sidestepped and kicked him in the mid back. He spun and threw a rather predictable punch, which she ducked under. However, she ducked right into a kick to the stomach, which sent her to the floor. Irons most likely expected him to finish it there, however, Ian yanked her to her feet. Selena saw Irons stand and move slightly towards them. Ian's eyes filled with hope as he looked back over Selena shoulders. Gently, he wrapped his hand around her neck only blocking her airway a little.
"Finish it, Ian," Irons said.
Ian released her throat, "No."
"What do you…" Irons stammered to a stop.
"Its over," Sara said from behind Selena.
Selena turned to find the Witchblade around Sara's arm. The wielder walked towards them. A woman with Sara's face but dressed as though she was from the 30s or 40s appeared not far from Irons. She smiled at Ian before turning to stare at Irons.
"You've outlived your usefulness, Kenneth," the woman said. Irons started to speak but then collapsed to the floor. "Sara, it is time for you to embrace your destiny and accept you protector."
Ian moved to stand in front of Sara. He knelt before her, and took her right hand, minus the gauntlet. "I offer my life, loyalty, and love to you for as long as you shall have it, Lady Sara."
Sara looked first to Selena then to the strange woman before looking down at Ian. "I accept, Sir Knight." Ian kissed her knuckles.
The woman smiled before disappearing. Selena stood there, her mouth agape, completely unsure of what she had just witnessed. She looked at Irons, who was curled up before his chair. She looked back at Ian and Sara, who stood smiling at each other. Selena suddenly felt like an intruder and decided it was best to remind them of her presence. Yet she was completely unsure of what to say, so she simply avoided the topic of what had just occurred. "So Sara, how did the interview go?"
Her voice seemed to pull them both out of their trance. "Um," Sara said. "The interview went great. They think they have enough to put Dante and the others away for a long time."
"That's great," Selena replied as she took her first real look around the study. The whole place just screamed control freak. "What's going to happen to Irons?"
"With his connection to the Witchblade broken, I'm sure he will be dead in a few hours," Ian said as he and Sara walked towards her.
"How old is he?" Sara asked.
"In his nineties," Ian stopped before Selena. "Did I hurt you?"
"No," she replied stretching. Her abs hollered in protest. "Ok, maybe a little, but no more then I hope I did you."
"That was a nice little show you two put on there," Sara said as she put her arm around Selena's shoulders. "Have I mentioned that I'm glad you are on our side?"
Selena laughed. Ian put his arm around Selena and together the three walked out of the mansion. Gabe pulled a car to a stop and he and McCarthy hopped out. The pair ran towards them.
"Figures you two show up now," Selena sighed.
"Well?" Gabe asked.
"Well, what?" Sara replied smiling.
"Irons?" Jake seemed frustrated.
"Give him a few hours," Ian answered.
Selena just shook her head. They walked away from the two perplexed men. "Well, I'd say my work here is done. Ian if you'd be so kind as to drive me back to the cabin, I'll be on my way.
"Oh," Sara said. "Don't go. Stay and enjoy the city."
"Yes," Ian said. "I can get you a job even. The new owner of Vorschlag is going to be in need of a new head of security."
"And just who is the new owner going to be?" Selena asked.
"We'll find out as soon as Irons' will is read," Ian replied. "Stay till then at least."
"Ok," Selena sighed.
Three months later, Selena walked into her boss' office at Vorschlag. Everyone had been pleasantly surprised when Ian had been named as Irons' heir. With only a small bit of convincing, he'd gotten Selena to accept the position as his head of security and bodyguard, though he defiantly didn't need the latter unless you counted mobs of women as dangerous. The position meant that she was staying at the mansion, and they had quickly fallen into a comfortable brother/sister relationship. Sara was still with the NYPD and had been attending many social gathering with Ian as of late. Selena was enjoying watching their relationship blossom. They both deserved happiness, now if she could only get up the nerve to ask Sara's hunky new partner, Zack, out for dinner maybe they all be happy.
Ian looked up from the hardback journal he'd been reading. "I give up."
"Well, don't look at me to explain it to you," she retorted. "You're the one he raised."
"And that mean I can decipher his notes?"
"Good point," Selena flopped the folder she was holding down on his desk. "Looks like everything is set over at the hotel. I'm sure you and Sara are going to have fun playing nice nice with the snobs."
"I'm sure she would much rather be hiding in the corner with you," Ian said.
"I'm not hiding in the corner," Selena plopped down in the seat across from him. "Speaking of Sara, are you going to pop the question soon or not?"
"Actually I was wanting to get your opinion on a ring design tonight before we leave," Ian said.
"Sure, no prob," she smiled. "I have to help you with that damn bow tie anyway."
He scowled at her causing her to break out laughing. Yep, life had defiantly changed for the better.
"Oh, I talked to Sara about us having dinner with you and her partner," Ian said. "A little ice breaker, to get you two better acquainted. She says he think you're hot and after he saw you take down that guy at the last one of these blasted gathering he is defiantly interested. How's next Tuesday?"
Selena and Ian sat in his car several blocks away from where Jake's car was parked. The blonde ex-surfer would most likely be filling out paper work for the next six months, especially after Sara was finished being questioned about the White Bulls. It'd been decided that the situation would be best if Selena and Ian stayed away, however Selena that that they'd probably attempt to haul them in for questioning about the attack as soon as Dante started talking. Given what she'd already picked up about the man's personality she didn't expect him to go down without taking Sara with him. Her having been with a least one suspected assassin was enough to give her story less credit. Of course, suspected assassin and known assassin were two entirely different things. Thanks to a break in at the FBI's Indianapolis field office six months earlier all the records on a person codenamed Silver Dragon had been lost. They most likely knew only a little more about Ian. In the end, Dante's effort would be futile.
"It was Dr. Howat," Ian said breaking the silence that had hung over them for the last half-hour.
"What?" Selena said looking at him.
"Dr. Howat was the leak," Ian said. "He sold you out to Slevika."
Selena almost laughed. Dr. Howat had been one of the doctors involved with the Dragon Project. Broken up into two parts, the project had been an attempt to create both an elite team of warriors who could attack large targets and a loner who could go after just one or two people with more stealth then the team could. The whole time she had known Dr. Howat she'd always thought that he reminded her of a snake. He'd gone missing shortly after she had left the project. A conspiracy theory website she'd found recently had had him listed as one of the people the government had mysteriously gotten rid of. "I should have known. So, did you kill him?"
"No," Ian replied. "That honor fell to Mobi and John. It was decided I was too close to the situation. Slevika gave up the information right as you were leaving."
She sighed and looked back out the window. Leaving Ian that day in Moscow had been the hardest thing she'd ever done, but she couldn't stay knowing that doing so was putting his life and mission in unnecessary danger. If she'd known Slevika would crack so easily, she had little doubt that she would have stayed. Things defiantly would have been a great deal different. "I'm glad you got him before he could do any more damage," Selena said. "I guess we're just dancing around the issue, aren't we?"
"There is an issue?"
"Of course," Selena looked back at him. "What are you going to do about Irons?"
"I don't think there is anything I can do," now it was Ian's turn to look out the window. "He wants Lady Sara dead, and as much as I would want the opposite, he is still my master and there is nothing I can do."
"You can do something, Ian, you have too."
"I can not hurt him and I can not allow anyone else to either."
"Ian," Selena said. "You have to choose."
He looked back at her. "You don't even understand what is going on."
"Then tell me! It has something to do with that thing on Sara's arm, doesn't it?"
Ian's eyes widen with shock. "You saw it?"
"Of course I saw it. How could anyone miss it?" Selena was now completely confused. "So what is it?"
"The Witchblade?"
"The what blade?"
"Witchblade," Ian replied. "A sentient weapon that Irons wishes to control, however only women can wield it. He tried manipulating Sara into serving him but she refused him. Now, obviously, he wished to eliminate her to find someone he can control to wear it."
"You're suppose to protect the wielder," Selena suddenly came to a realization as the final piece fell into place. "But Irons got to you first."
"How?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "It just makes sense."
"Obviously not as much as you think, Sara has yet to figure it out," Ian sighed. "Everyone who enters the wielders life has a purpose. I thought yours was finished, but now I'm not so sure."
"Something tell me it has more to do with you then with her."
"After everything that has happened in my life I'd never thought I say this, but this is weird."
"Imagine how I feel," Selena smiled. "You're still going to have to choose. You can't serve them both, it's not possible."
"I know," Ian said. "I've known that for awhile. I just don't know if I can."
In that moment, Selena knew exactly what she had to do, for Ian's sake as well as Sara's. She reached over and turned the key starting the car. "Let's go see Irons."
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to understand, you just have to drive," Selena started to reach over and put the car in gear, but he stopped her. "You have to face him, but I'm not letting you face him alone. Drive."
"Yes, sir," Ian gave her a mock salute before putting the car in gear and pulling into the flow of traffic.
Ian stopped the car just outside of a large gate. Selena watched him, waiting for him to do something. He sat there just looking out the window towards the gate. She opened her mouth to say something but then thought better of it. Instead she reached over and shut the car off. The loss of the noise of the engine seemed to pull him out of his trance. He glanced at her; she smiled encouragingly and nodded towards the door. He sighed before opening it and getting out. She followed suit and joined him near the gate. He looked at her again, then stepped closer to the wall. The gate popped open.
Ian stalked off through it his shoulders slightly slumped. Selena sighed and followed him. He veered away from the drive and walked around the side of the house. Looking around at the well-kept yard she did not see him stop and turn towards her, so she plowed right into him. He slipped one arm around her and raised her chin with the other hand. She hadn't even recovered from running into him before his mouth was on hers. The kiss was slow and sweet, yet she could tell it was purely platonic. It was a kiss of thanks from one friend to another. His heart may have been hers once, but now it belonged to an NYPD detective. When he broke the kiss, she leaned away from him so she could look him in the face. He was smiling at her.
"Thank you," he said softly. "I didn't mean to drag you into this, however, I am glad you are here."
"I do believe I dragged myself into this, but either way you are welcome," she replied.
He squeezed her lightly then let go of here. Turning he stepped to what at first glanced would appear to be a large rock, however upon closer inspection a door could be seen, a door which suddenly slid open. As he moved past her, she looked back at where he had been standing. On the side of the rock was a small round device, apparently a retinal scanner. Explains the gate and the door, she thought as she followed him inside. The walls reminded her of many military installations she'd been at. They continued down several corridors until the reached at set of stairs. Ian turned and looked at her, his resolve seemed to have melted away and his eyes pleaded with her to not make him this. She smiled again and nodded at the door at the top of the stairs. He looked at her then looked back at the door, then back at her. Sighing, he went up the stairs with her right behind him. He pulled the door opened and together they stepped into a large room that appeared to be a study.
"Hello, Ian," a light haired man, presumably Irons, was seated near the fireplace in a chair that resembled a throne. He rose and stepped towards her. "And who is your lovely companion?"
Selena stepped closer to Irons, "My name is Selena."
Irons continued even closer, "You will find, Selena, then Ian is completely loyal to me in the end."
"Is that so," Selena placed herself between the two men. "Then why did he help stop a group of bounty hunters as well as a group of rogue cops, both of which were working order your orders, from killing Sara Pezzini?"
"And why would I want Detective Pezzini dead?" Irons asked coldly.
"I'm still working on that," Selena replied equally as icy. "However you did put a very large price on Sara's head."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Silver Dragon," Irons stepped back from her. Selena, out of the corner of her eye, saw Ian raise his slightly. Irons looked from Selena to Ian and then back before continuing. "I was warned about you. An associate informed me that you were involved with the Dragon Project, so I pulled you file. Your half of the project failed, you know. The replacement they found for you was just as unpredictable as you. I probably ought to thank you for proving the need for the drugs the Black Dragons were given. Drugs that made Ian completely loyal up to recently, but with the proper care he will be himself again soon enough."
Selena suddenly wanted to him the man just for that comment. She was in the middle of taking a step forward when Ian grabbed both of her arms. She struggled momentarily until Irons stepped so close she could feel his breath on her face. She glared at him, not letting him think he'd won by looking away. Something told her that people rarely looked him in the eyes for so long.
Irons finally broke the eye contact by glancing past her at Ian, "Kill her. Dispose of the body then report to Immo." Irons turned starting to walk back to the chair.
Selena wasn't sure what Ian was going to do, but she hoped one of them thought of something fast, before one or both of them wound up dead.
"I'm sorry if this hurts," Ian whispered in her ear. "Just play along.
Selena had to keep herself from laughing. He'd chosen Sara. Irons turned and settled back in his chair as Irons shoved her forward. Her ankle, still wrapped, hadn't been as bad as she'd thought and it had healed nicely over the past two days. It held as she planted her foot and used her momentum to spin herself towards Ian. He stalked towards her moving to kick her. She sidestepped and kicked him in the mid back. He spun and threw a rather predictable punch, which she ducked under. However, she ducked right into a kick to the stomach, which sent her to the floor. Irons most likely expected him to finish it there, however, Ian yanked her to her feet. Selena saw Irons stand and move slightly towards them. Ian's eyes filled with hope as he looked back over Selena shoulders. Gently, he wrapped his hand around her neck only blocking her airway a little.
"Finish it, Ian," Irons said.
Ian released her throat, "No."
"What do you…" Irons stammered to a stop.
"Its over," Sara said from behind Selena.
Selena turned to find the Witchblade around Sara's arm. The wielder walked towards them. A woman with Sara's face but dressed as though she was from the 30s or 40s appeared not far from Irons. She smiled at Ian before turning to stare at Irons.
"You've outlived your usefulness, Kenneth," the woman said. Irons started to speak but then collapsed to the floor. "Sara, it is time for you to embrace your destiny and accept you protector."
Ian moved to stand in front of Sara. He knelt before her, and took her right hand, minus the gauntlet. "I offer my life, loyalty, and love to you for as long as you shall have it, Lady Sara."
Sara looked first to Selena then to the strange woman before looking down at Ian. "I accept, Sir Knight." Ian kissed her knuckles.
The woman smiled before disappearing. Selena stood there, her mouth agape, completely unsure of what she had just witnessed. She looked at Irons, who was curled up before his chair. She looked back at Ian and Sara, who stood smiling at each other. Selena suddenly felt like an intruder and decided it was best to remind them of her presence. Yet she was completely unsure of what to say, so she simply avoided the topic of what had just occurred. "So Sara, how did the interview go?"
Her voice seemed to pull them both out of their trance. "Um," Sara said. "The interview went great. They think they have enough to put Dante and the others away for a long time."
"That's great," Selena replied as she took her first real look around the study. The whole place just screamed control freak. "What's going to happen to Irons?"
"With his connection to the Witchblade broken, I'm sure he will be dead in a few hours," Ian said as he and Sara walked towards her.
"How old is he?" Sara asked.
"In his nineties," Ian stopped before Selena. "Did I hurt you?"
"No," she replied stretching. Her abs hollered in protest. "Ok, maybe a little, but no more then I hope I did you."
"That was a nice little show you two put on there," Sara said as she put her arm around Selena's shoulders. "Have I mentioned that I'm glad you are on our side?"
Selena laughed. Ian put his arm around Selena and together the three walked out of the mansion. Gabe pulled a car to a stop and he and McCarthy hopped out. The pair ran towards them.
"Figures you two show up now," Selena sighed.
"Well?" Gabe asked.
"Well, what?" Sara replied smiling.
"Irons?" Jake seemed frustrated.
"Give him a few hours," Ian answered.
Selena just shook her head. They walked away from the two perplexed men. "Well, I'd say my work here is done. Ian if you'd be so kind as to drive me back to the cabin, I'll be on my way.
"Oh," Sara said. "Don't go. Stay and enjoy the city."
"Yes," Ian said. "I can get you a job even. The new owner of Vorschlag is going to be in need of a new head of security."
"And just who is the new owner going to be?" Selena asked.
"We'll find out as soon as Irons' will is read," Ian replied. "Stay till then at least."
"Ok," Selena sighed.
Three months later, Selena walked into her boss' office at Vorschlag. Everyone had been pleasantly surprised when Ian had been named as Irons' heir. With only a small bit of convincing, he'd gotten Selena to accept the position as his head of security and bodyguard, though he defiantly didn't need the latter unless you counted mobs of women as dangerous. The position meant that she was staying at the mansion, and they had quickly fallen into a comfortable brother/sister relationship. Sara was still with the NYPD and had been attending many social gathering with Ian as of late. Selena was enjoying watching their relationship blossom. They both deserved happiness, now if she could only get up the nerve to ask Sara's hunky new partner, Zack, out for dinner maybe they all be happy.
Ian looked up from the hardback journal he'd been reading. "I give up."
"Well, don't look at me to explain it to you," she retorted. "You're the one he raised."
"And that mean I can decipher his notes?"
"Good point," Selena flopped the folder she was holding down on his desk. "Looks like everything is set over at the hotel. I'm sure you and Sara are going to have fun playing nice nice with the snobs."
"I'm sure she would much rather be hiding in the corner with you," Ian said.
"I'm not hiding in the corner," Selena plopped down in the seat across from him. "Speaking of Sara, are you going to pop the question soon or not?"
"Actually I was wanting to get your opinion on a ring design tonight before we leave," Ian said.
"Sure, no prob," she smiled. "I have to help you with that damn bow tie anyway."
He scowled at her causing her to break out laughing. Yep, life had defiantly changed for the better.
"Oh, I talked to Sara about us having dinner with you and her partner," Ian said. "A little ice breaker, to get you two better acquainted. She says he think you're hot and after he saw you take down that guy at the last one of these blasted gathering he is defiantly interested. How's next Tuesday?"