To each his own Woo

Author: Joy

Email: Julianna@ziplip.com

A/N: General consensus when I began writing was the dinner should continue. See what you think.

A/N2: Warning the ending is serious. Don't kill me please.

The table was split cops and boyfriend one conversation, children, best friends and boyfriend to another. Occasionally Gabriel and Ian would catch each other's eye and smirk or smile at the ridiculousness of the situation they were in. They sat in the middle of the table directly across from each other to deflect conversationGabriel leaned forward and murmured; "They seem to have forgotten their purpose tonight."

Ian smiled, "Oh no. They are merely giving us a reprieve until we cannot hide behind our ability to please the children. Once they are asleep the trial begins."

"Then we have to figure out a way to keep the kids up."

"That will only prolong the inevitable for another week."

"True."

Sara and Mai-Ning looked over at them. "What are you two chatting about?" the Asian woman asked sweetly touching Ian's arm lightly. He instinctively turned toward the warmth of her expression and emotion finding a new reason to smile.

"We are discussing when our pleasant evening will be over and our verbal inquisition will begin. I have it worse since we all know a mother is a far better interrogator than a detective."

Lee smiled, "Very true but Danny has been waiting for this day since he met Sara so I would guess Gabriel will be worse for wear by the end of the evening."

Matthew looked sadly at his new friend Gabriel and asked, " oes papa ave to take ab-e-l to wail?"

"Now I didn't get that at all," Jake said to Sara across the table. He had managed to avoid eye contact and conversation with Ian the entire meal despite being seated beside him.

Ian leaned over to the detective responding, "The child believes that his father has to take Gabriel to jail."

"Oh." Jake looked at the man queerly, "How do you understand what he is saying so well? Are you around kidsat all?"

"He always had a knack with children and animals," Mai-Ning said proudly. "They seem to feel safe with him."

"Yeah it's the adults that have to worry," Jake mumbled. "Ouch!" he yelped.

"How clumsy of me," Sara stated through gritted teeth. "Let's have a look at that shin," she announced moving around the table, dragging Jake from the room.

"Someone's in trouble," Lily sing-songed swinging her legs back and forth under the table.

Matthew looked at Gabriel and asked, " re ya oth oing to da wail?"

"No buddy. It's not that kind of trouble."

"So ve an see my Leg-os aftur dinna," his little face looking at Gabriel to agree to play with him.

"Sure. I like Legos," Gabriel responded. Ian looked perplexed. "Can Ian play too? I don't think he got to play with them when he was a kid."

Matthew's eyes got big, " ill you, pease. I ave a piwite dat has a sward. Ou can be dars a ig sip wit saiwls and"

Ian looked confused but Gabriel just kept nodding at him so he said, "I would be pleased to play Legos with you."

"Mama Da ig oys re onna pay wit me," the little boy said excitedly.

"I heardnow finish your food."

Matthew dove back into his food as Ian continued to stare at Gabriel in confusion. Sara and Jake returned quietly with the later pouting.

"Excuse us a second," Gabriel announced and drew Ian from the table.

"What are we doing?" Ian murmured feeling the eyes of all parties in the kitchen burrowing into the back of his skull.

"I am exposing you to children's toys so you don't scare the kid or Mai-Ning She's lovely by the way."

"Thank you" the other man said stiltedly.

Gabriel flipped on the light in the playroom and turned to Ian shutting the door. "Look I know this is weird I've done more research the Witchblade and I knowwell I know that you and Sara are really supposed to be together. I don't know if its any consolation but I really do love her and I'm doing my best to make her happy." Ian observed Gabriel wordlessly. "Anyway I just wanted to say that" The icy stare continued. "I don't like feeling as if I stole your girlfriend especially when I know with her destiny you can protect her far better then I can."

"She was never mine Gabriel," Ian said smoothly. It was the first time he had ever addressed Gabriel by his first name and they both knew it.

"Only because Irons made sure of it Look I don't understand all this past life stuff really well but I do know that soul mates shouldn't be separated."

Ian smirked, "We aren't soul mates. We are counter balances to the same force. Normally it drives us together or apart. In this life we are in a limbo that is harder to take" His eyes fell, "It is hardto have been trained to follow and protect one your entire life only to find when that day comes there are emotions embedded in those acts that you cannot begin to fathom."

Gabriel shut his eyes and sighed, "I'm sorry. I know she doesn't realize what you mean to her. And even if she did, it would probably frighten her, which she generally responds to with anger." He swallowed slowly. "But from what I've seen and heard of Mai-Ning she really seems to think the sun rises and sets in your eyes."

"I've never had anyone look at me the way she does," Ian confessed.

"Maybe it's the first time you let yourself notice."

The older man shook his head; "NoI was never allowed to have anyone notice me."

"Ian"

"It's alright Gabriel. You will love her and care for herand in this life everything will not be about death and fightingfor both of us. That is a tremendous gift. I am beginning to realize that I can care for someone the way I was taught to care for the wielderand she loves it." Ian actually smiled looking at Gabriel, "She comes into my arms to be held because it is me that she wants to be held bynot the man that saved her, or the man that donates money to her program"

"But the man that loves her" Gabriel finished.

"I don't use that word," he said looking down.

"Why not?"

"It's a commitment that I am not yet prepared to make," Ian stared at the floor.

Gabriel touched the other man's arm saying, "My understand is you've taken on all this woman's needsthat is a major act of love word or not."

Ian looked Gabriel over and stated, "I am not like other men. They say I love you,' Always, and Forever so that they can take a woman to bed or because it feels like they mean it at the time. I cannot lie and say always and forever because my always and forever lies with Sara in whatever time and place we end up in next. So I am left with one phrase that I must hold sacred. When I speak those words to Mai-Ning I will be committing myself to her in this time and place No matter how much I know that my path is divided from Sara it is still too soon for me to make that commitment to another without feeling as if I were merely transferring my sentiments for Sara to Mai-Ning and she is worth far more than that."

Gabriel smirked and shook his head, "You my friend are a man in love whether you admit it or not Now let me explain Legos."

Mai-Ning looked at Sara and half smiled, "Should we be worried?"

"There is no sound of a struggle, things breaking or general rough housing so it is safe to say yes we should be very worried," Sara responded.

The Asian woman smiled at Sara's humorthis was her. The woman Ian had been in love with for so long, she was sure. Mai-Ning sized her rival up and came to the conclusion Ian needed a softer touch than Sara could provide. Besides it was obvious Sara was very much in love with Gabriel. They seemed a happy couple with a relaxed manner and speech that gave them an easiness. She however possessed the same level of higher learning and discipline that Ian had grown up with. She too had a father that would use physical punishments when he was disappointed. Mai-Ning bore none of the scars externally that Ian did but there was a similar sadness that came from such an upbringing. Sara could never understand Ian's pain like she could. Mai-Ning settled back and felt at peace with the situation. Ian was falling in love with her and his long time love was not as much of an obstacle as she thought.

Gabriel and Ian had returned with little fuss only the same stares as when they left. Both men flanked their women and acted as if it was the most logical thing in the world for them to have departed together. Nothing was heard from Jake for the rest of dinner who took his leave as soon as it was done. Danny promised he and Pez would go out to dinner with Jake any place he chose for being such a good sport about the evening.

Matthew soon pulled Ian and Gabriel away from the table to play with him. When he got in the playroom a whole scene was set up. "MamaCome see" the little boy said excitedly. The rest of the group came to the door as Gabriel and Ian went to sit down.

Sara grabbed Gabriel's arm; "This is what you were up to, huh?"

He just smiled, "You will never know what we were up to." Mai-Ning did not allow Ian to escape either.

Danny stood amazed at what Ian and Gabriel had done. The guys had taken the boy's pirate set and featured in the middle of the rug on top of a large blue piece of felt from the kids' art supplies. They set up a make-shift island with a tan piece of felt using gray Legos for rocks with Popsicle sticks toped with small amounts of green tissue paper on top to simulate trees. Other little things lay about the fake island to add to the scene.

Lee leaned over and kissed Ian's cheek, "This is very sweet," with tears in her eyes. "Hormones," she said at his bewildered expression.

"The idea was Gabriel's. I merely helped."

The hacker raised an eyebrow; "I showed you what we had to work with. You're the applications man."

By this time Lily and Matthew were happily playing in their new little world and the grown ups left them to their imaginations. Gabriel turned to leave but Matthew snagged him and motioned him to the child's level. The little boy raised his hand to Gabriel's ear and whispered, "Mist-ur Not-ham idn't get ta pay wen he was iddle, id he?" Gabriel shook his head. Matthew thought hard for a moment whispering again, "Den you ave ta pay wit im now, or ill be sad forewer."

Gabriel blinked about a million times thinking, Out of the mouths of babes.' He swallowed, "I'll do my best."

"Tank you for de settank de nite for me too." Gabriel gave a little nodded and quietly left the room.

"What was that?" Sara asked her finally returned boyfriend.

"A reminder from heaven that everyone needs love," he said with a sigh.

Once Gabriel and Sara sat down Danny turned to Gabriel and Lee turned to Ian, saying in unison, "So what are your intentions for my best friend?"

Gabriel threw down his keys on the desk as Sara locked the door to the apartment. She playfully started tease Gabriel about the evening going so far as to jump into his arms so he would have to carry her like a bride over the threshold. "What are you doing?" he groaned adjusting her weight in his arms.

"Letting you practice."

"I'm going to drop you on your ass in like two seconds if you don't cut it out."

"What's da matter baby?" she cooed. "Ready to bolt from the altar already."

"That's it," Gabriel grumbled removing his arm from under her legs.

Sara landed smoothly with a smirk. "Didn't think he would force your hand huh?"

"Didn't expect to answer those questions one in front of you and two in front of Nottingham. Luckily Danny did let us move. By the way how was your time with the lovely Mai-Ning?"

"Fine thank you. I'm fairly certain she knew who I wasat least in terms of Ian's connection to me. She was real big into letting me hear the whole story of her attack and rescue. It seemed important to her I understand that he was different with her."

Gabriel shrugged his shoulders; "He is different with her. He's different with most people. You just have a problem seeing him as a person so you don't treat him like one."

Sara stared at Gabriel, "Where the hell did that come from?"

He pursed his lips, "If you had given him one ounce of care or genuine concern for him, he would have been transformed." He chuckled shaking his head, "Even Matthew could see all Ian needs is some love and attention."

"Hey it isn't my fault Nottingham is a psycho."

Gabriel groaned, "Sara, what if your father wasn't your father? What if you weren't raised in the Pezinni household? Who would you have become if Kenneth Irons got his hands on you as a child? Think about that will you I may complain about my family and their smothering love but I wouldn't give them up for a second. As you said you wanted to see who made me me. Well you met the man that made Ian Ian If you had been raised by Irons and Ian by James Pezinni, who would you have become? Who would Ian have become?"

Sara didn't have anything to say. It was easier just to classify Ian as a part of Kenneth Irons than to look any deeper at the man. She swallowed slowly. It was a lot to think about a lot that she didn't want to think about.

Gabriel wrapped his arms around Sara and sighed, "I need to show you something." He walked over to his computer and grabbed an ever-thickening file of the accounts of the Witchblade. Putting it in her hand he whispered, "Read this for methen come to talk me. It may take you a while to process so" He shut his eyes and kissed her sweetly. Gabriel held her close in his arms whispering, "I love you Sara Pezziniand I'll do my best to honor whatever you decide."

Sara pushed back and looked in his eyes; "You're scaring me Gabriel. I get the distinct feeling that was a goodbye kiss."

"It may have been," he said softly knowing his voice would break if it were too loud.

She looked at him crossly, "Why?!"

"Read that fileand I'll see you in a few days."

"But Gabriel"

"No Sara I mean it. I need you to read that and think about it. Really think about it. I realized tonight we aren't on the same page and I'm scared that file is why. So read it for me and don't just come running over here when you're doneSit down and let the Witchblade guide you throughlet yourself rememberthen come talk to me." He caressed her cheek with his thumb; "I'll be waiting I'll always be waiting."

"We're breaking up," she said with tears in her eyes.

He shook his head, "We're taking a Sabbatical from seeing each other and talking all the time. Nothing has changed on my end. I just realized I wasn't willing to wait and see what would happen when you finally truly embraced the Witchblade. I'd rather you throw me over now when I have some bit hope that losing you wouldn't completely annihilate me."

"GabrielI'm not going" Sara pled.

"You won't mean to. And it would kill you inside but you might Just do this for me. Read the filethen call me."

Sara realized he wasn't going to let this go. Whatever she was holding was going to change everything between them and she cursed to fact she knew it had to do with the Witchblade. She hugged and kissed him tears running down her cheeks, "I love you Gabriel Bowman I'll see you in a few days."

He watched her leave on her Burell and felt his heart being crushed. Gabriel dialed an unfamiliar number.

"Hello?"

"Ian?"

"Gabriel I did not expect to hear from you."

"I gave her the file Ian. I gave her everything I collected about the Witchblade, the Wielder, and the Protector," Gabriel stated in pain.

"Why would you do that?" Ian questioned.

"Cause I can't wait until we're married with children for her to question if I was the right choice."

There was silence for a long time, "Then once again we are both at the mercy of the Wielder I confess I do not know what I would do if she approached me. Someone loves me for the first time in my life. I don't know that I can give that up for a someday with Sara. There will always be somedays with Sara."

Gabriel breathed deeply, "We'll see."

"That we will" Ian could feel the man's pain on the other end of the phone.

Gabriel had reached out tonight despite the past to embrace Ian in his own sort of friendship and camaraderie. "I have supreme confidence yourwhat do you call her Snuggle Bunnywill return to you."

"How do you know"

"My statement is not a degradation to me but a exhalation to you. Sara is a woman that loves deeply, with an abiding faithfulness that cannot be challenged. She will read the accounts and it will only serve to make her more sure of her love for you because now I will no longer be the monster under the stairs but an actual man with whom she could be happy And Gabriel she will still chose you."

No offensebut I hope so," the hacker groaned.

"None takenand I too hope she chooses you. I do not want to face that choice myself. As you said I am happy and I wish to stay that way," Ian confessed. "Is there anything I can do to lighten your burden?"

Gabriel half smirked, "You're doing it now. You're being the only friend I have that can understand the full complexities of my relationship with Sara."

Ian was silent. Gabriel Bowman, a man that he had threatened over Sara in the past, was now calling him a friend. The older man tried to speak a few times before he could murmur, "I am not very skilled at being a friend Gabriel but I will do my best."

"You are more skilled than you think. I'll talk to you later. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Gabriel. Do not worry. Your heart will not be broken."

"Thank you."

Gabriel sat on the floor of his shop and prayed Ian was right.

"Stupid thing!" Sara yelled at her wrist. "I don't even want you." The stone swirled red. "Why the hell do you have to get in the way huh? Why can't I just be with the man I love? What could it possibly say in here that would change my mind?"

Sara flopped down on her bed and began to leaf through the pages of the file. "The Protector?" she said out loud. "Who the hell is the Protector?" Flashes of images and lights began to circle her mind for a moment. "Oh no no it can't be"

TBC

A/N: Sorry guys for the angsty ending but this time it seemed appropriate. Not as much humor this go round but it will return.

A/N2: Before anyone freaks out let me just sayI am happy ending girl. I like the Disney version to Grime (sp) fairytales. Sleeping Beauty is my favorite movie of all time. I am that much of a sap. Fear not for the future. I know where I'm going.