Danger Zone

By Divamercury

Sorry about the delay, but I had major writer's block. However, it's over now and I should be updating more regularly so keep your eyes peeled. And please, please, PLEASE review!

Chapter 8

No words fell from Sara's lips. She was speechless. I couldn't exactly blame her, either. I had dropped a bombshell, one that she couldn't possibly have been prepared for.

"Well, I guess that rules out going back to work forever," she said when she found her voice.

"Not quite that long, Sara," I said with a slight laugh. "So, do you want to hear the good news?"

"That would be great," she said quietly. "Anything to change the subject."

"I don't have to report back to Irons any longer," I said with a grin.

"Why, you two have a tiff?" she teased.

"Yes," I said.

I could practically see her expression, incredulous with a raised eyebrow. "You're serious?" she asked.

"I am."

"So you're not going back there?"

"No. I have no reason to. I don't belong to him anymore."

"You don't belong to anyone anymore."

"I belong to you," I said.

"No. You don't, Ian. You're your own man, and I consider you my partner."

"Partner?" I asked, confused.

"Yeah, two people working together towards a common goal. You get the point?"

"I think I follow you, Sara. So, what's next?" I inquired.

"I haven't decided. We should meet back up somewhere. Maybe I could get Mac to come along, so we could talk strategy? Plus, I want to hear all about how you got out from under Irons's thumb and everything."

"That might be a good idea," I said, smiling at her interest. "But where?"

"Umm..." Sara said, searching. "Maybe Gabe's place. I don't think the Speakers would know about our connection, and I'm not sure that the White Bulls would look there first."

"But they do know about him," I pointed out.

"Well, yeah, but we don't have that many options. Listen, I'll call him really quick and see if he's okay with it. Okay?"

"As you wish it. Call me back."

* * *

"Gotcha." We hung up, and I hit Gabe's number on speed dial.

"Talismaniac."

"Hey, Gabe."

"Chief! Hey, what's going on? What do you want me to research?"

I grimaced. "Am I that predictable?"

"Pretty much."

"Well, for once that's not what I'm after. Listen, and hear me out because I've got to talk fast. I'm in some pretty big trouble. Irons has sent the White Bulls and the Speakers after me all at once and I'm going to have to basically go into hiding for a while. I kinda need some help. I was hoping that Ian, Mac, you, and I could meet over at your place and talk about what to do. You three are the only people I can trust. So, is it cool?"

"Yeah. Yeah, it's cool. I'll call Mac and tell her to come over here. How's 12:30?"

I glanced at my watch. It was 11:45. "Perfect. See you then."

"Bye, Chief."

I stuck my helmet on my head and my cell in my pocket and pulled off the shoulder. I couldn't just sit on the side of the highway calling people all day. I sped through the streets toward Gabe's building and when I reached it, parked and immediately called Ian.

"Sara?" he asked, picking up on the first ring.

"Yep. SoGabe says it's fine to meet at his place. I'm right outside his building. I'll probably just hang around with him until you and Mac show."

"All right, Sara. I will be there shortly. I'm eager to hear what she has to say."

"Great. See you in a few minutes."

"Goodbye, Sara."

I hung up and glanced up at Gabe's building before heading inside. I climbed the stairs two at a time until I reached the green door emblazoned with Talismaniac.com on a black sign. I knocked three times and waited for several minutes. No one came to the door, so I turned the knob. Gabe always kept his door unlocked; I just knocked out of courtesy. I strode in through the shelves holding the unusual merchandise that Gabe sold, ignoring the display of shrunken heads that always succeeded in creeping me out.

"Hey, Gabe! It's Pez; know you're here. Where the hell are you?" I looked between the rows of shelves without any success.

"Gabriel Bowman, come out here right now!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the room. "Where is that kid?" I asked myself. Passing though the main room and approaching the door to the rest of his apartment, I considered Gabe's privacy.

"No, it's not right," I told myself as my hand reached for the doorknob. "Oh, well. Since when have I cared if something was right or not?" I opened the door just in time to catch Mac and Gabe in serious liplock. They broke apart abruptly and I blushed scarlet, really embarrassed.

"Chief!! Can't you knock?" Gabe asked indignantly.

"Bowman," I said, really pissed at his attitude and lack of listening skills, "I've been knocking for the last ten minutes and I even yelled at you so loud I think the people in Chicago could have heard me without much trouble. It's just slightly rude to leave your guest with no knowledge of where you are, especially if they know you're home. Kinda makes them feel unappreciated. I just talked to you for Christ's sake!"

"Jeez, Chief, cool off," Gabe remarked.

I glared at him. "And you—" I whirled on Mac, who was trying to stifle her giggles, "—why didn't you tell me you two were an item?"

As I was waiting for a response from the couple, I saw their gazes focus behind me.

"Well, the gang's all here," I said, turning around and knowing that it was Ian that would be standing in the doorway.

"I'm not intruding on anything, am I?" he asked, examining the scene before him.

"Nope, I think that's already been taken care of pretty well," I said, frowning at Ian's slight smirk. It had just enough arrogance in it to infuriate me even more. I turned around and looked at Gabe, who was looking at me a little strangely. "Gabriel, will you quit staring at me? Has my face turned a fucking shade of green or something?"

"Sara," Ian warned.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Just a little uptight and pissed off," I said, my hands up in surrender. "So, now what? I'm hoping that we can come up with some plan to stop this madness before I completely lose it."