By: magicks
Disclaimer: *sniff* Don't own WB yet. (Although I have reason to believe TNT has been receiving my telepathic pleadings to hook up Gabe and Sara.)
A/n: This chapter is short. *Please read the note after this and the one at the bottom.*
A/N2: magicks-ese - It has been three weeks, and all my fickle muse would give me as far as plot is this. My story will die on that starvation diet. Therefore, I am sending this fic out into the world, hoping and praying that some other kind fanfic writer will be able to provide it with proper sustenance. I do ask that the two main characters remain main characters, if you are taking up the torch.
English- I've hit a block in my writing, and this story is coming too slowly for my liking. Considering the rash of community projects I've been seeing, I decided to offer this up to anyone who wants to continue. I will probably continue at some point, but that is so far in the future that whoever wants to respond will be able to finish their fic before I even post another chap. Please, if you do want to continue this, keep Gabriel and Ian as main characters if you can. Thanks!
Here we go. Last chapter for a while.
Chapter 3
Gabe entered his apartment two days later, exhausted but feeling better than he had in a long time. "Guess those doctors knew what they were doing with that balanced meal stuff," he joked to himself as he flopped down on his couch. "Too bad it didn't do anything for my stamina."
"Your body is still weak from your ordeal; you will fully recover with time, and your stamina will return."
Gabriel was off the couch like a shot. "Jeez, Nottingham, warn me next time! I nearly had a heart attack, and I just got *out* of the hospital."
"My apologies," said Nottingham, not looking sorry in the least. "I came to see your safe return, and to make sure there were no- emotional effects- caused by your return."
"No worries, Nottingham. I'm too wiped to off myself right now." Gabe's smile fell when he caught the reproving look in Nottingham's eyes. "I'm fine, seriously."
Nottingham seemed to accept this, and fell silent. When it was clear he had nothing more to say, Gabriel shrugged and walked over to check his messages. The little red number on the machine flashed 10. Hmm, not a bad number for three days, he thought, pressing the play button. They were all for Talismaniac. After taking down the necessary numbers, he deleted them, one by one. He wasn't surprised at the lack of personal calls; after all, the only person who would be calling him was Sara, and Nottingham had assured him he would distract her from his absence. As if he'd need to.
"You do a good job, Nottingham," Gabriel joked. "Pez didn't call once. I bet she doesn't even know I was gone." Nottingham didn't respond; both of them knew that although Sara wasn't aware of the past three days, the assassin had done nothing to interfere.
After a moment of silence, Nottingham reached into his overcoat and withdrew two business cards. He laid the first on the table, and Gabriel could see it was a private therapist.
"I have taken the liberty of making you an appointment with Dr. Ivans. He is supposedly the best in New York. I trust you will attend." Despite the informal wording, Gabriel knew he *would* be seeing the therapist, one way or another. The second card was put into Gabriel's hands. It was blank, except for a phone number. Nottingham looked at Gabriel seriously to impress upon him the importance of what he was about to say.
"With this number you will be able to reach me any time, day or night. Call it only in the greatest of emergencies." Gabriel nodded and slipped it into his pocket. Once it was safely out of sight, Nottingham relaxed and walked over to Gabriel's small fridge. He opened the door to reveal shelf after shelf of fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables, as well as cartons of milk and orange juice. All of the takeout boxes that had littered the small appliance were gone.
"I had a feeling you would be tempted to return to your regular eating habits, so I ensured the acquisition of nutritious foods, as well as disposed of any," Gabriel thought he could detect a slight wince of distaste, "take-out paraphernalia and," Gabriel was sure of it now, Nottingham had grimaced, "alcoholic substances."
Gabriel had to chuckle at Nottingham's "precautions." The guy really does a job, I'll give him that. "Trying to starve me into health food?" he asked.
Nottingham glanced at him, and Gabriel thought he could detect a glint of humor in his eyes before he heard the reply, "If that's what it takes."
So Nottingham *does* have a sense of humor, Gabe thought to himself. I hope. As the last worried thought crossed his mind, Gabriel realized he wasn't scared of Nottingham anymore. It was like a sixth sense; he *knew* this wasn't the same man who had threatened to kill him less than a year ago. He didn't know what was different, he just knew something was. Gabriel thought of the man now before him, pondering, and remembered one significant fact. Throughout this ordeal, Nottingham had always called him by his first name. It was a step towards friendship, a step Not- Ian had already made; a step Gabriel intended to follow in.
"Ian?"
The bodyguard started at Gabriel's voice. It had been so long since anyone other than Irons had called him by his first name that it sounded odd to respond without a submissive tone. "Yes, Gabriel?"
"I know I said it before, but I just wanted to say it again: thank you. You didn't have to do this, any of it, but you did. And you kept silent. I owe you."
"You have already repaid your debt," Nottingham stated quietly. Gabriel looked ready to object. "You gave me your promise not to die a foolish death. I will hold you to that."
Gabriel nodded solemnly. "I'm a man of my word."
Nottingham didn't respond. Instead, he glanced at the clock, grabbing his jacket and heading for the door. He was late.
"Ian? Where are you-" Gabriel turned around to find himself in an empty shop. "-going?"
End Chapter 3
Well, there it is. Be kind to it. And if anyone writes a continuance, I would love to read it, even if you don't post. Please email at dnomaid72@aol.com.