They broke apart reluctantly, Ian lifting her easily so that she could get
to her feet and grab the phone. As she picked up she looked over at him,
the sweet longing look in his eyes making it even harder to steady her
voice as she got the details from her partner and really considered taking
this interruption out on whoever was responsible.
"I'm sorry, Ian, we have a body. I need to go." He nodded his understanding a resigned and sad look on his face. "We can talk when I gat back?" she asked, trying to get an idea of his frame of mind.
"Of course," he told her, and then he smiled. The warmth of his smile reassured her that he was handling things pretty well, considering. She just wanted to hit something. Leaving him alone, she wandered into the bathroom.
Ian stood still in the middle of the room, wondering where his concentration had suddenly gone. He pushed down the anger and frustration that had risen suddenly with the phone call. He had kissed her, a true kiss, and she had encouraged it. It had been so sweet, so wonderful, and then duty interfered. He understood duty; he had spent his entire life doing his duty. Duty was as important to Sara as it was to him; it was part of what he loved about her. But at the moment he wished that they could both forget their duties and just be together. He spent a few moments centering himself and began to get ready. If Sara was going out, he was going with her.
Sara pulled herself together as she got ready to go out on her call. The kiss had really disrupted her concentration. It had felt really good just to kiss him, to be held that way. He was so strong, and yet so incredibly gentle. Ian had held her with ease, and she had never been afraid, never occurred to her that he might drop her. She was trying not to think about where they were going before they were interrupted. It wasn't like either one of them were unaware of the attraction between them, but Ian wanted her love or nothing, and in spite of her own growing feelings for him, she was just not ready to take that step, not yet. She gave up the internal third degree as she headed back into the other room. This was something that could be dealt with later.
Sara returned to the living room ready to get this call over with so she could come back and try to salvage the evening. Maybe they could try to recapture the mood when she returned. Ian was standing there, looking for all the world like he was on his way out the door as well.
"Where do you think you are going?" she asked, pretty sure she knew what he was going to say.
"I thought I would drive you,"
"I appreciate the offer but no, there is no need for you to hang around while I do this. Its pretty routine."
"But."
"Ian, please don't argue. I don't need a baby sitter. Just wait for me ok?"
"If that is what you want," he told her, giving in more easily that she would have dreamed possible.
"Oh, Gabriel is going to be calling you. He agreed to help us, and I told him to work out the details with you. Please try not to scare him."
"Sara, you know I would not do anything to harm your friend."
"I know that but he's not so sure, just go easy on him, okay?"
"Very well, I will be on my best behavior," he told her. Great, she thought sarcastically, that should make him feel so much better. Sara walked over and grabbed her coat and helmet.
"That will have to do."
Ian waited long enough for Sara to get her bike around the corner before following her. It felt good to get back to his real job. He knew he was taking a risk but after all she had not specifically told him not to follow her. But if she ever discovered the benefits of precise speech, he was going to have a problem. Living with Irons had taught him the value of paying attention to exactly what was said. He would not lie to her, not directly, however neither would he allow her to go out unprotected if it was within his power to stop it. She need never know, after all, he had never told her where he would wait for her. He did not like playing these games with her, but until he found a way to make her understand, he would do what was necessary.
He found a dark spot in the corner of the small group of spectators and watched as she worked the crime scene. It was nice to watch her work, especially when it did not involve this mess with the company. He watched as long as possible, only fading back into the shadows when Sara's partner came to take the names of the witnesses. Still he watched, waited, reassured himself this was nothing but routine, that she was in no danger. He had not come so far with her only to loose her. Soon enough she would learn to control the Witchblade, to fight even better, but still he would watch out for her. She was all he had now. He knew that it could not stay that way, that he needed to branch out, find a life outside of her, but for now he wanted to concentrate on Sara. There would be time for the rest later, when things were much more stable. He wanted to enjoy his newfound freedom, wanted to explore the world now open to him and Sara wanted to help him. That alone made him warm with excitement. He started to fade back into the familiar shadows when the vibration of his phone startled him. For just a instant, he lost his concentration, and he was caught in the warehouse's security lamp, for just a moment. He faded back, but caught the sight of Sara's partner, looking intently in the spot he had occupied only seconds before. It was a stupid mistake and he hoped that the man did not see him clearly. Ian turned and headed back for the apartment, pulling out his phone, wondering who he needed to take this interruption out on. It was not their night for telephones.
Danny thought he saw movement in the shadows, a figure silhouetted briefly in the security light, and turned to catch a brief glimpse of someone.someone who was about the right size and moved a lot like Sara's new boyfriend, Ian Nottingham. He turned to take a closer look, but the figure was gone. Still, how many people were there who moved with that level of panther smooth precision. The guy flowed like a shadow personified. He shook his head a little, wondering where he had learned those moves. Sara walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, Danny, what you looking at?" Danny did a quick mental calculation and came to the decision not to tell Sara. It was not like he was completely sure, and it was nice to know Nottingham cared enough to keep an eye on her. If Sara found out she would be pissed, and he didn't want to put the poor guy in a bind. Maybe he really needed to rethink his evaluation of the situation. Anyone who cared enough to risk Sara's temper to assure her safety just might be someone who was strong enough to stay with her.
"Nothing. I thought I saw something, but it was just a shadow."
"Let's go then," she said, trying to stay her rising temper, it was not like she needed to explain this to Danny. But she was pretty sure his shadow was not, that it was a good bit more solid than that. Damn it, Nottingham, she thought to herself, if you have been following me again, I will kill you.
When Sara got back to the apartment she found Ian sitting calmly on the couch reading a book. Her immediate reaction had been to yell at him, get angry. But she had no proof, the Witchblade had shown her nothing. Besides, it would do her no good. He was accustomed to anger, he would just bow his head and take it, while she got angrier. She thought about how to handle it as she hung up her jacket and put her helmet away. He looked up innocently as she walked in. He does innocent pretty well, she had to admit to herself.
"So, anything happen while I was gone?" she asked casually.
"Not that I am aware of, although your friend Gabriel called me. He was rather anxious to get started," he told her. He framed his answer very carefully, not wishing to give anything away, but avoiding an outright lie. "Beyond that I have just been doing a bit of reading."
"I was wondering how long it would take him. I am kind of surprised he waited that long."
"Yes, he did seem excited, we will be working out the details later this week." He failed to mention how hard it had been to keep his temper at first, or how contagious the boy's excitement was. Ian had always loved the dusty world of books, even while he knew it was not the one he was destined for. But Gabriel would definitely be an asset to them, someone new to share his love with, now that his father was gone. Perhaps the boy would become more than an ally, maybe a friend? Turning away from those thoughts, he returned to Sara. "How was your call?"
"Yeah, about that. interesting thing happened at the crime scene. My partner thought he saw someone in the shadows,"
"Suspect?" he asked curiously, his face a mask of careful neutrality.
"I don't think so, but I have to wonder, if I checked the hood of your car, would it be warm?"
"What are you accusing me of, Sara?"
"Nothing, but if I thought you were following me again, I might be tempted to run you in for harassing a police officer." There was a faint edge of threat in her voice, and Ian knew that while he had escaped, it was only by the slimmest margin, next time he would have to be much more careful.
"Sara," he said, faintly disapproving. "Did your partner give you a description?"
"No, he said he only thought he saw something." Ian breathed a faint sigh of relief. He had slipped, allowed the call to distract him into revealing himself. Although perhaps he had miscalculated, stayed just a moment too long. He was pretty certain Woo had seen him, but at least he had not told Sara. Perhaps he was trustworthy. Certainly Sara trusted him.
"Not all shapes in the shadows have to be me, Sara."
"No, just usually the ones around me," she answered as she walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
"I'm sorry, Ian, we have a body. I need to go." He nodded his understanding a resigned and sad look on his face. "We can talk when I gat back?" she asked, trying to get an idea of his frame of mind.
"Of course," he told her, and then he smiled. The warmth of his smile reassured her that he was handling things pretty well, considering. She just wanted to hit something. Leaving him alone, she wandered into the bathroom.
Ian stood still in the middle of the room, wondering where his concentration had suddenly gone. He pushed down the anger and frustration that had risen suddenly with the phone call. He had kissed her, a true kiss, and she had encouraged it. It had been so sweet, so wonderful, and then duty interfered. He understood duty; he had spent his entire life doing his duty. Duty was as important to Sara as it was to him; it was part of what he loved about her. But at the moment he wished that they could both forget their duties and just be together. He spent a few moments centering himself and began to get ready. If Sara was going out, he was going with her.
Sara pulled herself together as she got ready to go out on her call. The kiss had really disrupted her concentration. It had felt really good just to kiss him, to be held that way. He was so strong, and yet so incredibly gentle. Ian had held her with ease, and she had never been afraid, never occurred to her that he might drop her. She was trying not to think about where they were going before they were interrupted. It wasn't like either one of them were unaware of the attraction between them, but Ian wanted her love or nothing, and in spite of her own growing feelings for him, she was just not ready to take that step, not yet. She gave up the internal third degree as she headed back into the other room. This was something that could be dealt with later.
Sara returned to the living room ready to get this call over with so she could come back and try to salvage the evening. Maybe they could try to recapture the mood when she returned. Ian was standing there, looking for all the world like he was on his way out the door as well.
"Where do you think you are going?" she asked, pretty sure she knew what he was going to say.
"I thought I would drive you,"
"I appreciate the offer but no, there is no need for you to hang around while I do this. Its pretty routine."
"But."
"Ian, please don't argue. I don't need a baby sitter. Just wait for me ok?"
"If that is what you want," he told her, giving in more easily that she would have dreamed possible.
"Oh, Gabriel is going to be calling you. He agreed to help us, and I told him to work out the details with you. Please try not to scare him."
"Sara, you know I would not do anything to harm your friend."
"I know that but he's not so sure, just go easy on him, okay?"
"Very well, I will be on my best behavior," he told her. Great, she thought sarcastically, that should make him feel so much better. Sara walked over and grabbed her coat and helmet.
"That will have to do."
Ian waited long enough for Sara to get her bike around the corner before following her. It felt good to get back to his real job. He knew he was taking a risk but after all she had not specifically told him not to follow her. But if she ever discovered the benefits of precise speech, he was going to have a problem. Living with Irons had taught him the value of paying attention to exactly what was said. He would not lie to her, not directly, however neither would he allow her to go out unprotected if it was within his power to stop it. She need never know, after all, he had never told her where he would wait for her. He did not like playing these games with her, but until he found a way to make her understand, he would do what was necessary.
He found a dark spot in the corner of the small group of spectators and watched as she worked the crime scene. It was nice to watch her work, especially when it did not involve this mess with the company. He watched as long as possible, only fading back into the shadows when Sara's partner came to take the names of the witnesses. Still he watched, waited, reassured himself this was nothing but routine, that she was in no danger. He had not come so far with her only to loose her. Soon enough she would learn to control the Witchblade, to fight even better, but still he would watch out for her. She was all he had now. He knew that it could not stay that way, that he needed to branch out, find a life outside of her, but for now he wanted to concentrate on Sara. There would be time for the rest later, when things were much more stable. He wanted to enjoy his newfound freedom, wanted to explore the world now open to him and Sara wanted to help him. That alone made him warm with excitement. He started to fade back into the familiar shadows when the vibration of his phone startled him. For just a instant, he lost his concentration, and he was caught in the warehouse's security lamp, for just a moment. He faded back, but caught the sight of Sara's partner, looking intently in the spot he had occupied only seconds before. It was a stupid mistake and he hoped that the man did not see him clearly. Ian turned and headed back for the apartment, pulling out his phone, wondering who he needed to take this interruption out on. It was not their night for telephones.
Danny thought he saw movement in the shadows, a figure silhouetted briefly in the security light, and turned to catch a brief glimpse of someone.someone who was about the right size and moved a lot like Sara's new boyfriend, Ian Nottingham. He turned to take a closer look, but the figure was gone. Still, how many people were there who moved with that level of panther smooth precision. The guy flowed like a shadow personified. He shook his head a little, wondering where he had learned those moves. Sara walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, Danny, what you looking at?" Danny did a quick mental calculation and came to the decision not to tell Sara. It was not like he was completely sure, and it was nice to know Nottingham cared enough to keep an eye on her. If Sara found out she would be pissed, and he didn't want to put the poor guy in a bind. Maybe he really needed to rethink his evaluation of the situation. Anyone who cared enough to risk Sara's temper to assure her safety just might be someone who was strong enough to stay with her.
"Nothing. I thought I saw something, but it was just a shadow."
"Let's go then," she said, trying to stay her rising temper, it was not like she needed to explain this to Danny. But she was pretty sure his shadow was not, that it was a good bit more solid than that. Damn it, Nottingham, she thought to herself, if you have been following me again, I will kill you.
When Sara got back to the apartment she found Ian sitting calmly on the couch reading a book. Her immediate reaction had been to yell at him, get angry. But she had no proof, the Witchblade had shown her nothing. Besides, it would do her no good. He was accustomed to anger, he would just bow his head and take it, while she got angrier. She thought about how to handle it as she hung up her jacket and put her helmet away. He looked up innocently as she walked in. He does innocent pretty well, she had to admit to herself.
"So, anything happen while I was gone?" she asked casually.
"Not that I am aware of, although your friend Gabriel called me. He was rather anxious to get started," he told her. He framed his answer very carefully, not wishing to give anything away, but avoiding an outright lie. "Beyond that I have just been doing a bit of reading."
"I was wondering how long it would take him. I am kind of surprised he waited that long."
"Yes, he did seem excited, we will be working out the details later this week." He failed to mention how hard it had been to keep his temper at first, or how contagious the boy's excitement was. Ian had always loved the dusty world of books, even while he knew it was not the one he was destined for. But Gabriel would definitely be an asset to them, someone new to share his love with, now that his father was gone. Perhaps the boy would become more than an ally, maybe a friend? Turning away from those thoughts, he returned to Sara. "How was your call?"
"Yeah, about that. interesting thing happened at the crime scene. My partner thought he saw someone in the shadows,"
"Suspect?" he asked curiously, his face a mask of careful neutrality.
"I don't think so, but I have to wonder, if I checked the hood of your car, would it be warm?"
"What are you accusing me of, Sara?"
"Nothing, but if I thought you were following me again, I might be tempted to run you in for harassing a police officer." There was a faint edge of threat in her voice, and Ian knew that while he had escaped, it was only by the slimmest margin, next time he would have to be much more careful.
"Sara," he said, faintly disapproving. "Did your partner give you a description?"
"No, he said he only thought he saw something." Ian breathed a faint sigh of relief. He had slipped, allowed the call to distract him into revealing himself. Although perhaps he had miscalculated, stayed just a moment too long. He was pretty certain Woo had seen him, but at least he had not told Sara. Perhaps he was trustworthy. Certainly Sara trusted him.
"Not all shapes in the shadows have to be me, Sara."
"No, just usually the ones around me," she answered as she walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.