A/N: Sorry this took so long to get out to you all. I don't do it on purpose, but things just land on me. And for a while I had gotten to a certain point and then everything refused to work, everything sounded like crap. Inspiration has finally returned, my muse is done sulking, and I seem to have unblocked. I sincerely hope it was worth the wait. Please let me know if you like it.



Sara shut off the tv when she felt Ian coming up the hall, greeting him at the door with a kiss that went on for quite some time. He grinned when they pulled apart, slipping off his jacket and taking her hand to guide her to the bathroom. Ian ran the bath while Sara lit candles and picked a bubble bath scent. They undressed each other and sank together into the steaming water, Sara leaning against Ian's chest, circled in his strong arms. They soaked for about ten minutes, content just to be in each other's company, before Sara couldn't resist asking about Ian's meeting with Irons.

"So, what did Kenny want this time," she asked.

"He asked about your health," Ian said, tracing his fingers absently over her breasts, making patterns in the bubbles.

"Nice of him," she snorted. "Anything else?"

"He is still allowing me, and you for that matter, access to the gym and the pool at the manor. He has invited us to make as much use of the facilities as we wish, and to let him know when we'd like to stay for dinner."

"Really?" She was somewhere between astonishment and shock, with a dose of suspicion in there as well. "That's awfully generous of him."

"Indeed," Ian said, amused at her reaction. "He has also offered to arrange for his chef to give me cooking lessons."

"What?" Sara sat up, sloshing water out of the tub. "Who is that man and what has he done with Irons?" she demanded. Ian chuckled.

"I suspect it is a way for him to feel he is still involved in every aspect of my life," Ian ventured.

"Still trying to control everything, huh?" Sara considered that, and found it perfectly in character.

"I have to work security at another of his social events this Saturday," he said.

"Oh, yeah, I remember you mentioning that," Sara replied.

"He says I am to invite you to accompany me," Ian told her. "I believe his words were, 'After all, she's a police officer. A little more security never hurts.' I would enjoy the evening so much more if you were there with me."

"Hm," she considered for a moment. "I bet it gets awful boring just standing around watching everybody."

"Yes, it does," he admitted. "There's noone I can snipe about the astonishingly tacky clothing with."

"What do people wear to these parties," she asked, mentally going over the contents of her closet.

"The men wear designer suits and the classier women wear gowns."

"I think I have a dress I could wear," she said thoughtfully.

"Not a dress, a gown," Ian stressed.

"What's the difference," Sara asked.

"At least a thousand dollars," Ian informed her, managing to keep his expression serious.

"Whoa," Sara said. "A thousand dollars for a dress?"

"No," Ian replied with a grin, teasing her. "A thousand dollars for a gown. At least."

"Ian, I can't afford to spend that kind of money on one piece of clothing."

"I can," he said. "And I would be honored and delighted if you would allow me to buy you a gown."

"Ian, I don't want you spending that kind of money on me," she said. "I don't need you to buy me expensive things for me to love you."

"I know that," he reassured her. "But I would like to show up with you on my arm clothed exquisitely, so all the men will envy me and all the women will be jealous of you. If I am to come out from behind Irons, I want it to be memorable. I have been ignored, standing at his shoulder, for years. Now that it's my turn, well, I want to make an impression."

"Well," she said slowly, thinking as fast as she could. "I guess I understand that. But if I have to get a new dress - excuse me, gown - then you have to get a new suit. Something that isn't black."

"That's fair," he conceded. "I guess we're going shopping tomorrow."

"Where are we going to shop," she asked. "Fifth Avenue?"

"Yes, but the place we are going is rather, um, exclusive," he replied. "One of those places you don't know about unless you can afford it."

"Irons shops there?" she guessed. He grinned.

"Of course. Now rinse off those bubbles, because I have some rather wicked plans for you." Sara laughed and turned on the water.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

The next morning, after awakening Sara to an absolutely wonderful breakfast and an entire pot of gourmet coffee, Ian drove her to the shop. The store front did not look like a store front, but as soon as they stepped inside they were greeted by a very expensively and fashionably dressed lady who knew Ian by name. She introduced herself as Rachel to Sara and swept them into a semi-private room with coffee and snacks, then proceeded to grill them politely on the occasion they were shopping for and their personal preferences in color and style. When she swept out of the room to go collect different outfits for them to try Sara looked over at Ian, wondering just what she had gotten into. He grinned back and kissed her hand.

"Don't worry, my love, " he urged. "Rachel is very good at what she does. Try to have fun with it."

"Are you having fun," she asked, a note of challenge in her voice.

"Yes, actually, I am," he replied. "I used to come down here to pick up whatever suits in black that had been ordered for me. I'm actually looking forward to trying things on. I really don't have any idea what color suits me best."

"Anything that accents your eyes," she replied promptly, making him grin. "Or nothing at all," she suggested with a wicked grin.

"Not in public, love," he replied, laughing. "Though I would love to see some of the expressions if I should try it."

"On second thought, you'd better not," Sara said, laughing. "I'm liable to hurt someone while beating the women off of your gorgeous body."

"Here we are," Rachel said as she swept back into the room with her arms full of gowns, followed by another woman with accessories and two men with clothing for Ian to try. After hours of trying things on and arguing good- naturedly over the whole thing, they finally made their decisions. Sara chose a stunning silk and velvet gown in burgundy that had rhinestone accents, spaghetti straps at the shoulders and lacing up the back, and hugged her curves down to the waist where it flared out to a full skirt. Black heels with burgundy straps and more rhinestone accents finished off the look perfectly. Ian chose a charcoal gray suit coat and slacks with a silk mock-neck top the exact same shade as Sara's dress. The ensemble made him look classy, relaxed, and confidently modern with the mock-neck instead of traditional shirt and tie. Sara thought she may have to beat off other women after all, he looked so completely gorgeous.

The tailor came in and measured, marked, and pinned. As carefully as they could, Sara and Ian took off their new outfits and changed back into their regular clothes. They handed over their new outfits to be hemmed and tucked, assured the finished garments would be delivered via courier by Friday to Sara's apartment. Sara was somewhat disconcerted that the entire time they were there not a single price had been mentioned. She supposed if you couldn't afford it you wouldn't be allowed to shop there anyway.

"Are you ready for lunch, my love," Ian asked as they stepped out of the shop, Rachel closing the door behind them.

"Definitely," Sara said, linking her arm in his. They walked until they found a place and enjoyed a wonderful lunch together.

"Did you have fun with the shopping, Sara," Ian asked.

"I actually did," she admitted. "I was a little worried about it. I mean, what do I know about gowns. But it was fun."

"I'm glad," he said. "I've never enjoyed shopping before. Mostly all I did was stand still while Irons sent the staff scurrying and chose everything for me. I guess I slouch in my suits because it was a way to rebel against the way he ordered my life. He had everything I owned exquisitely tailored, and I could make it look bad so easily."

"Ian, that's awful," Sara said, laughing. "I love it!"

"I have my moments," he grinned.

After lunch they walked in Central Park, then headed back to the car and Ian drove them back to the apartment. He cooked a lovely dinner and set the table with candles and wine while Sara tidied up and ran some laundry. They chatted about the upcoming party, only a few days away, while they ate. Ian had Sara in stitches with his gossip about all the important people who would be there. He knew she had been a bit nervous about being around so many powerful and wealthy people in a social setting, and his stories served to diffuse that nervousness by making her see them as nothing but human.

As Sara finished the last of her wine Ian came around to take her hand and lead her to the couch, going to one knee before her and taking her hands in his. As he gazed up into her beautiful eyes he could sense her confusion at his behavior. For a moment all he could do was look at her, his love and devotion to her shining out of his eyes. She waited patiently for him to begin, sensing he had something important to tell her, but unsure as to whether it was good news or bad.

"Sara," he began, his voice a little shaky. "You know I love you more than life itself. In you I have found my purpose, my cause, my lifemate, the keeper of my heart and the other half of my soul. I would die for you without a moment's thought." He paused to gather himself, taking a deep breath. "My lady, my love, will you marry me?"

"Oh, Ian," Sara replied, tears gathering in her eyes. "Yes, my love, I'll marry you."

Ian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black jewelry box, opening it to reveal an absolutely gorgeous ring. A large round cut center diamond flanked by clusters of three smaller diamonds to either side set into 18-carat gold nestled in the box. Sara's jaw dropped, knowing the center stone had to be at least two and a half carats by itself. Ian took it out of the box and slipped it onto her finger, where it fit perfectly. The diamonds sparkled and flashed, catching the light. She gaped at it a moment longer, then threw herself off the couch into his arms, hugging him fiercely and crying.

"Oh, Ian," she cried. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, my Lady," he said softly into her ear.