Eli: I will torment you no longer. I didn't know what to do. Originally, chap. 6 was going to be a sappy ending, but then I got into a bad mood and decided to take it out on poor Ian. I am shamed by my actions. Forgive me and read on.

The witchblade transformed and clashed with Ian's sword. The sword flew from his hands and crashed onto the c.d. player. "Sara."

"Ian."

The two stared at each other for a long time. Ian had a hole through his clothes, but that was as far as the sword had gone. Sara was relieved to see he wasn't injured. She began to walk towards him.

"Sara, I...." But no more words came through his mouth. Sara was right in front of him. He expected her to scream at him, but instead she put her arms around his neck and, unbelievably to him, was hugging him. Ian was shocked and the only thing he could do was hug her back. He stood there hugging her for what seemed like years. Finally, he heard her begin to cry.

"What the hell were you doing?"

"I didn't think you were coming."

"So?! Why would you doing something like that?"

"I wanted release."

"From what?!"

"Life."

"Why?"

"Because without you, I have no reason to be here."

"Oh, God!" She tightened her grip on him. "Don't ever do that again!"

"Do you have a reason for me not to?"

"I believe you."

"Do you really believe me?"

"What do you mean?"

"That you are not just saying this so that I don't attempt anything like this again."

"I'm not. I believe that you love me. Is that a good enough reason?"

"Yes." They finally let go of one another.

"Interesting location."

"This is the place where my life found meaning."

"If it wasn't for the witchblade, you'd be... I wouldn't have found this place."

"I was half hoping you wouldn't." Sara went back up to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Please don't say things like that." Ian pushed her away. "Please don't do things like that."

"What?"

"I can't stand you doing things like that and not... And not...." He sighed. "Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"How do you feel about me, Sara?"

"I don't know."

Ian slammed his fist on the counter out of frustration. "Do you even trust me?"

"I trust you. It's just; I don't know how I should feel toward you."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm a cop, you're an assassin. I should be arresting you." Ian turned his back to her. She put her hand on his shoulder and forced him to face her. "But you're also the first friend I ever had. It's confusing for me. Could you just give me time to sort this all out?"

"Yes. I have that now because of you."

"It's late and I have to go home. You gonna be okay?"

"Yes, I'll be fine. I'm leaving now, too." He walked her to her bike. Then, very unsuspectingly, Ian kissed her.

"Good-night, Sara."

"Good-night." Then they both left.

-The next day-

Sara walked into the office and Danny was all over her.

"Interview starting now: What happened?" She related to him last night's events, again leaving out the witchblade.

"Priceless. You sending in a story to 'Passions' or what?"

"No, writers block."

"So, have you figured it out yet?"

"Figured what out yet?"

"How you feel towards him."

"No."

"I think you have and that you like him."

"What makes you say that?!"

"Because you've been smiling since you got here and haven't had any coffee yet."

"I have not been smiling since I got here and I had coffee before I left."

"How many cups?"

"One."

"I rest my case." Danny reclined in his chair. "And by the way, you're still smiling."

"Shut-up and let me do my paper work."

"As you wish, Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth?"

"Ever read 'Pride and Prejudice'?"

"In high school, yeah."

"Remember the whole Elizabeth/Darcy thing?"

"Yeah, she originally hated the guy and then fell for him in the end." Danny gave her a mischievous smile as she finally understood the comment.

"Stop comparing my life to books! It isn't like that."

"Yeah, whatever."

"You're lucky we're surrounded by cops."

"I know."

Eli: Like I could kill my favorite stalker. Sara has to make up her mind. Continued.