Chapter 2

The day seemed to be endless.

Normally Ian loved to watch over the Wielder, because normally this was quite interesting. Although there were times when it was rather boring, not only for him but for Sara, the Wielder as well. Days spent with horrible actions like .... paperwork. Ah, both Sara and Ian hated paperwork.

On this special day there was no paperwork, it was only the anticipation of meeting Sara in the evening that made Ian so impatient. Right now he wasn't so sure whether it would be a good idea to actually teach Sara reading minds and emotions with the help of the Witchblade. But he promised her to do so in an attempt to please her, and now he would have to keep his promise. Besides, he would love to be near her, the mere thought that she actually invited him to dine with her made him the happiest man on earth. Still three more hours to wait...and be patient......

At last the day was over and Ian rushed home to change his clothes and get the gift for his lady. He knew she would not accept any jewelery or anything else like that, but he had something special in his mind. Almost two weeks ago, while watching Sara, he noticed her strolling along past the same shop several times in one week. It was a little gallery and soon Ian found out what it was that Sara was so fascinated by. It was a beautiful watercolor painting, showing a magnificent Chinese dragon protecting an injured lady against a group of bandits. Although the dragon was a mystical creature, the painting looked almost like a snapshot, taken from real life. There was something special about it, as if the dragon would almost come to life if you only stared long enough at him!

Seeing the painting the first time, Ian instantly knew why Sara was returning here to see it every day. He didn't know how this could happen, but it was as if the painting were offering him inner peace, a sanctuary to let his mind just fly away. Ian loved this painting immediately and he knew this would be the perfect present for Sara. So he bought the painting with the protecting dragon, titled  "He who protects his Love". He wasn't  quite sure how Sara would react to the title, especially if he was the one to give her the painting, but he would see then. Musing about it now was absurd, for Sara's reaction was as predictable as a game of roulette.

The next day it nearly cut Ian's heart to see the disappointment on Sara's face as she noticed the painting to be gone. He was glad he had been the one who bought it.

Feeling really awkward and happy at the same time Ian reached out to ring Sara's doorbell. It was the first time he had actually been invited to enter her apartment! Ian knew he had a small advantage today because of the wish he was granted by those lovely faeries that still had an impact on Sara. Hopefully it would last throughout this date!

"Hello Ian, come on in!" Sara's appearance made Ian nervous, but he got over it at once. With a quick glance he was able to drink in her entire appearance. He noticed the hint of lipgloss as well as the thin silver necklace she wore. Together with a green sweater matching her eyes and these tight black jeans Sara was just adorable.

"Hello Sara. Thank you for inviting me." Very slowly Ian entered the apartment and looked around a bit ....disorientated.

"Gee, Ian, what's the matter? Don't you recognize my place coming from this side? Maybe you should walk over to the window and then have a look!" Sara was smiling at Ian while he blushed and smiled as well.

"I am sorry, Sara. It is just...it is the first time I have actually been welcome in your place!" Ian looked at Sara shyly and then his smile widened. "I have a present for you!"

"A present? What is it?" Sara tried to peek behind Ian but couldn't see anything. "You are not trying to hand me some of Irons' horrible necklaces or earrings or stuff like that. Are you?"

"No, I am not. This one is only from me as Mr. Irons does not know I am here with you. And I would appreciate you not telling him about the things I am going to teach you later. He would not be...pleased with my actions." His words came out soft, his voice getting softer with every syllable until it was nearly inaudible.

Sara nearly shivered as she thought back to the scene she saw this morning, the way Kenneth Irons treated his loyal servant. And son. She was able to imagine what 'not pleased' could mean for Ian. She would never tell Mr Irons one word that might cause Ian trouble.

"I'll promise, Ian, I won't tell. Now, where is the present?" This time Sara tried to circle Ian so she would be able to look at what he was holding behind his back.

Slowly Ian took his hands in front of his body so that Sara could see that they were empty. "Are you looking for something, Sara?"

Gosh, he was actually having fun with fooling her! But Ian knew he had to be careful he learned a lot about Sara watching over her. So one thing he learned was that Sara could be quite hot-tempered sometimes. Better not mess around with her too much.

"Sara, I do not have your present right now. You have to find it!" He only got this idea a few seconds ago after seeing Sara's curiosity. In fact he had planned to personally hand the present over, but this way seemed more interesting.

"WHAT?? Listen pal, I don't like to be fooled, so don't  you just tell me some crap about a present and then make me run around and look under furniture like an idiot! I won't do....wait a sec!" Without hesitation Sara turned around and went to her kitchen window to take a look at her fire escape. "Got it!"

On the fire escape she found a large parcel nearly three feet by two. It was wrapped in midnightblue paper with a huge white bow on it.

"Wow, Ian! What is that?" Carefully Sara lifted the parcel and took it into her kitchen. As the table was crammed with stuff she walked over to her living room and placed the parcel on her big rug, sitting right next to it. Ian watched in anticipation as Sara unwrapped the bow and then starting to be impatient, just tore away the paper.

"Ian....."

Sara just sat there, staring at the painting, the one she really missed last week after she noticed that it was gone. Gone for good. And now it was here, being hers! Given to her as a present by Ian Nottingham, a man that she actually hated until this morning. How could it be that he always knew what she really wished? Sara tried to fight back her tears, ashamed that it had taken her so long to recognize his deep understanding of her, and also by how much the protective dragon meant to her

"Sara, I am sorry. I did not mean to upset you. If you wish..."

"No, Ian! You didn't upset me. That painting is so beautiful, it is perfect! You couldn't have found a better gift! Thank you so much!" While she spoke this words, Sara got up from the floor and approached Ian, her eyes locked into his. After uttering the last word Sara stood on the tip of her toes and placed a little kiss on Ian's cheek, before stepping back and being the old "nothing-can-shock-me" Sara again. "Hey, Ian! Come on, help me find just the perfect place for that dragon!"  

For Ian the evening could not have been better. First the invitation, then her ardor about the painting and last – the kiss. He actually got a kiss from his Lady!

"As the Dragon is protecting his lady it might be a good idea to put it in a place where he can fulfill his task!" Ian already spent many hours with musing about the right spot for the painting, but he wanted Sara to find a place on her own, for it was her painting and her apartment.

"The dragon protects me, hm? Sounds kind of.....I don't know. Like I've heard that one before...?" Sara smiled wickedly at Ian.

"No really? Maybe because that is what a dragon is for in nearly every myth. They can be dangerous and ruthless, but they will never leave a lady in need on her own!"

"Yeah, a lady in need. Right. D'you happen to know such a lady?" Sara had a smile on her face that did little to lessen the agressive tone in her voice. It was a warning, and Ian knew to be careful with his answers. He knew his lady quite well so it was an easy task for him to get away from this dangerous ground.

"A lady in need? Does not every lady need a protecting hand now and then?"

"Yes, yes, yes.... we are weak and fragile creatures. You can only be glad that you bribed me with the painting...." Shaking her fist in Ian's direction Sara took the painting and started to hold it against the wall right there were she was at the moment. "Naa, not good...Ian, what do you think?"

"No, I don't like it there. That place is not special enough."

After several attempts all answered with "No..." from Ian, Sara wandered off in her bedroom.

"Ok. Ian, now there are two possibilities. Either we put the painting over the bed-head or we hang it across the bed, so I can see it every time I'm waking up. Hm, I would have to find another place for the wardrobe, then..." Sara stood on the bed now, staring to and fro beneath the two walls.

"I could help with the wardrobe." Ian stood in the middle or the room and looked satisfied at the wardrobe, for that was his choice from the beginning. It would be easy to move the wardrobe more to the right so that there was plenty of space for the painting to come into it's own.

"It seems you've made a choice! Ok, then let's do the muscle-work!"

Combining their strength it was quite easy to push the wardrobe to the side. Sara left the bedroom and came back with a hammer and a few nails. Putting them down she grabbed the painting and handed it over to Ian: "Ok, Ian, can you hold it up so I can see how it looks like?"

Ian did as he was told and Sara sat down in her bed, taking in the sight before her. It was incredible how easily Ian fitted in her private space, it was actually fun to have him here to help. He proved that he was able to talk straight, without saying anything cryptic. And he had a sense of humor as well, something Sara had not even suspected.

"Hey, Ian..."

"Hey, Sara..."

"Ian, I think it is just perfect over there. Wait a sec..." Sara approached him while staring at the painting to mentally fix the point where she had to put the nail into the wall. "Ok, take it away, let's do this!" Without hitting her thumb as Ian secretly feared Sara hammered the nail into the wall. After she was done he carefully lifted the picture and attached it. Both Ian and Sara stared at the painting, moving backward until they hit the bed and sat. They were wrapped in a shroud of peace and contentment so soft that they hardly dared to breathe for neither of them wanted to destroy this wonderful moment.

At last Sara started to move. "Ian...ahm....let's go to the living room, it's way more comfy over there. Besides, you're here to teach me something, right?"

"Yes right. Let's go over and start with the lesson."

"Do you want tea? Or coffee?" Sara already marched into the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee.

"Coffee would be nice, thank you." Ian stood in the middle of the living room looking at the couch and trying to relax a little. He was very close to Sara today and that made him extremely nervous, especially when he thought of the fact that he was going to teach her skills that would allow her to eventually shut him out of her thoughts and her feelings. That could be fatal for him, Ian needed that  link to Sara so that he could track her down, feel if she was in danger or otherwise distracted. He only hoped that Sara would be unable to concentrate hard enough, so he could still sneak into her thoughts.

"Sugar?"

"What??"

'He is cute when he blushes...' Sara thought as she tried in vain not to laugh at Ian's expression. "Do you want sugar with your coffee?"

"Oh...ahm...no thank you, I drink my coffee black."

"Me too, it is disgusting what some people put in their coffee, you should see Jake...yuk! Sugar AND cream, boah....there ought to be a law." Sara made a face at Ian and was delighted to see that her babbling worked out just perfect, it seemed as if he started to relax finally if you could interpret his smile that way. "Come on Ian, let's make ourselves comfy and then, Mr Teacher, start your lesson!"

Cautiously Ian wandered over to the couch and sat down. He sipped at his coffee and waited until Sara was seated as well.

"Well then let us get started. Sara, what do you know about mind reading?"

"Nothing! I know that there a people in those shows in Coney Island who pretend to read the minds of the spectators, but those are only cheap tricks."

"Correct, although there are people who actually have the ability to concentrate on the thoughts of others. But those people do not use their gift for entertainment. They normally keep their talents secret because they know that many people would feel threatened. In the end a talented person could be in danger himself. Try to keep that in mind, Sara! Do not fool around with your new knowledge and don't let anybody know. Use your talent wisely."

"Yes sensai. Wisely. So...can we start now?" Ian rolled his eyes over Sara's impatience, but he had to grin nevertheless although he tried to be as solemn as possible. "I am not your sensai, grasshopper. Just call me Ian."

Sara giggled and again found herself thinking about just how much she actually liked Ian's company. Never before had  she noticed his sense of humor, to be honest, she had never actually talked to him. Well she barked at him and insulted him, but a real talk? No, today was the first time for that.

"Ok Sara, I'll show you something. Look out of the window." Sara was a bit irritated but she did as she was told. 'Can you hear me Sara?'

"Wow, did I just hear you in my head?" Sara was excited! She never knew Ian could actually talk to her like that! Incredible!

"Yes, I just wanted you to look out of the window so that you would accept the fact that it was only me who controlled the inner voice. I concentrated on you and thought the sentence and then I transmitted it over to you. Easy."

"Yeah sure, if that was that easy then Dante would have already shot me several times in our briefings after hearing me cursing him. So, how did you do that?"

"Sara, you need to concentrate and you need to use the Witchblade for that. The Blade gives you the strength to focus your thoughts so you can transmit them. Let us try a bit. Look at the Blade and try to think of me. Then think of a tiger and focus that picture on your thought of me."

"Ok..." Already the Witchblade was humming the whole time Ian was here, it seemed as if the Blade was somehow  satisfied by his presence. But it changed, the red eye of the Blade started to glow and the humming sound vanished. It was as if the Blade came to life. 'What do you wisssh, Ssssara?'

Sara recognized the Wichblade at once but she felt a little streak of fear run through her body as she heard the voice in her mind. So the Blade used the same trick as Ian did and it has done so before. But it was connected to her, there was no need to answer that question audible, the Blade looked into Sara's thoughts and found the answer. 'I will help you, Sssara'. The gem of the Blade started to whirl and soon Sara's thoughts were nearly drawn into the stone, it was as if a vacuum cleaner was trying to suck her brain out. She tried to focus on Ian until she saw him in her imagination. Then she thought of a tiger, but the picture melted away, other animals crawled through Sara's brain, elephants, giraffes, tiger, lions, snakes and crocodiles. At last Sara  was able to see a tiger and she succeeded in melting the tiger with her imagination of Ian.

"Wonderful! You did it! Although...have you ever been to a zoo?" Ian grinned at Sara who had a few problems with coming back to reality.

What kind of a question was that anyhow?

"Yes sure, and I watch Animal Planet. What's wrong?" Sara's mood changed from disorientated to pissed.

"Well, I was only wondering why your tiger has a mane and a trunk." Ian's highly trained body reacted at once as a cushion came flying by and nearly hit his head. He enjoyed teasing Sara, it was so easy to outrage her and fun to watch her calming down at once again. The whole situation felt like...being friends.

"Very funny, Nottingham. Really...Ha...Ha...Ha." Sara's mood was definitely not the best right now, but it was increasing again. "But I did it, right? I transmitted you a real picture! Something I wanted you to see!"

Ian smiled as he looked at the woman sitting in front of him, she looked like she would burst any minute, her broad smile showing him just how proud she was. And she had every right to be proud of herself. At least the picture he got had a tiger in it, somewhere. "Come on, Sara, try again. Maybe without the trunk this time?"

Sara waved a fist at him but smiled as she looked down and tried to concentrate.

One hour later Sara was already able to send Ian pictures, correct pictures without looking at the Witchblade. Ian had told her to look between his eyes and to touch him with visualized hands and that had worked out fine. Soon Sara started to be bored.

"Ian, can I now try to send abstract things? Words or Sentences?"

"Sure, Sara, it works the same way. Just think of the words and send them away! Take a short sentence and try!"

Sara tried to find a fitting short sentence she could use for her transmission and came up with: 'Had any dreams lately?'. She focused her view on Ian's face and felt her concentration deepen as the Witchblade warmed up a little to confirm it's readiness to assist.

Ian smiled as he heard her voice in his head 'Had any dreams lately?' and he answered her at once 'I had most pleasant dreams, how about you?' From word to word it was easier for Sara to concentrate and transmit those. Ian was astounded; He had never thought she would be able to learn to use telepathy that fast. It was on one hand amazing and challenging but on the other hand the danger was obvious. Sara would have to learn to control herself and to be careful. Right know she was only receiving thoughts that were deliberately send to her, but what might happen if she would be able to actually read private and hidden thoughts as well? Ian knew now that she was quite capable of doing so, but she had to learn about the dangers as well. If somebody with mental ability would find her sneaking around in his brain, he could harm her, drive her insane or worse, he could even kill her. And Sara could do the same to the person which she would choose to infiltrate. This was dangerous and Ian was not sure how he could show Sara the danger so she would actually understand.

"Listen Sara, before we go on with our lesson I have to tell you about the danger of telepathy. The mind is powerful, with the right training it can be used as a weapon against others. Someone with the right training can kill you without even touching you! And you could accidentally kill another person as well, you could damage the mind of another person. Please, Sara, do not underestimate the danger of telepathy! Don't use it for fun, use it only if you have no other way. And don't stay long in another mind, only for mere seconds!"

"Ah...Ian, don't you think you're exaggerating a little? It can't be THAT dangerous, can it?" Sara smirked, she thought that Ian only wanted to scare her off because he didn't like to give her the knowledge of something powerful enough to control her surroundings and to control him, or to get rid of his control.

"I do not exaggerate, Sara! This IS dangerous and I am not going to teach you about a weapon that you still do not see as the weapon it is! Maybe you need a little demonstration!" Ian started to focus on Sara, he wanted to make her feel his presence in her mind, and he wanted to show her that he could actually force her to do things she would not do normally.

Sara suddenly had a weird feeling, as if a cold hand was lying down in her skull onto her brain. She knew it was Ian for she could hear his voice trying to calm her 'Sara, it is me, don't be afraid!', but she was nearly scared to death. That feeling was so strange, so intense that she started to freak out.

But before she could move the Witchblade came to help her, the gem seemed to whirl like a tornado and the red fire in it was so intense that the whole living room was covered in red. Suddenly Ian started to scream, he held up his hands and pressed them against his temples. Then he reacted as if an invisible fist had just punched him hard in the face, several times. He started to bleed from his mouth and out of his nose and Sara watched in horror as Ian's scream suddenly came to a halt. Without a further sound he collapsed and slipped down the couch. On the floor he was shaking uncontrollable, as if he was having an epileptic seizure.

"Ian! Oh my god! Ian! Oh please please please..."  Sara knelt down next to him and tried to lift his head so he would not hurt himself. The shaking stopped quite fast and she didn't even notice the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. "Ian, oh please, don't let him be hurt...Ian, can you hear me? Ian, please, wake up...Oh, Ian" Sara carefully fondled Ian's hair, his cheek, his forehead and his hair again.

How could this have happened? Damn the Witchblade!!!! Damn!!! 'What have you done to him????'

'Sssara, you needed help'

'No, I was scared, but not of him! Not of Ian, only of...the feeling in my head. I did not need your help!'

'I did not harm him...much'

'Oooh you....damn piece of metal'

'Careful Sssara, don't forget to ssshow your ressspect!'

'I won't, but I thought you liked him?'

'I do. He isss ssstill alive. And sssane.'

"Ooooohh, Sara? Are you ok?" Ian opened his eyes and started to sit up but collapsed at once "My head....did I run under a truck?"

"Woho, careful, Ian. Don't move...lay still for a while. Don't you remember? You tried to show me the danger of Telepathy."

"I see. I was successful, right?" He had his eyes closed now but he was grinning. He remembered perfectly what had happened, the Witchblade had protected his Lady. Good. Against him. Not so good. It was an interesting experience, the Blade had actually talked to him, told him to be careful for it knew he was the protector but it would kill even the protector if he would endanger the wielder. And then, well, let's say it like this, the Blade started to have a little fun of it's own demonstrating mental abilities.

"Yeah, you are a wonderful teacher. Ok, you think you can get up?" With Sara's help Ian carefully got back onto the couch. He leaned back and closed his eyes, trying to relax a little and reduce the pain in his head. Meantime Sara went to get a wet cloth and some aspirin. She stopped and got a glass of water, took the cloth and went back to Ian who was still sitting on the couch with closed eyes.

"Hey, Ian..."

"Hey, Sara."

"Hmm, you are feeling better now, right? If you can already tease me again...Come on, big boy, drink this, that will help you with your headache."

"What is that?" Ian eyed the glass suspiciously.

"That is aspirin, come on, take it all!" Sara held the glass in Ian's face and she would have started to pour the content into his mouth, if he hadn't taken it away from her. With a  disgusted face he swallowed the medication.

"Boah, that was awful! Don't you have any lemon flavored?"

"I see, there is someone getting cheeky in here, hmm? Ok, now hold still, so I can clean you up." Carefully Sara wiped away the dried blood. "Are you feeling any better now?"

Ian sighed heavily. "Yes, thank you. Sara, but....I don't think it would be a good idea to teach you more."

"Yes, Ian, I agree." And that was not even a lie. Sara was still shaking with terror at the thought of what just happened to Ian. He could have been dead, he was only lucky that the Witchblade...well...liked him. Sara needed no further demonstration to realize the danger of telepathy.

...he could have been dead! Why was that bothering her so much??? Sara's heart felt as if a metal claw was clutching and squeezing it. What, for heaven's sake, was happening today? Yesterday she could have killed Nottingham without a further thought and today she was wiping his blood off!!!! It must be a virus....or did he do something to her brain? Naa, the Blade would have killed him right away....so, why the hell did she suddenly care for Mr Cryptic-Super-Stalker?

"You ....agree?" That was unbelievable, Ian had already prepared himself for a battle to convince his lady not to insist in going on with her lesson. Why did she give in so fast? Was she scared of the dangers that could occur? Was she afraid for herself? Or for those she could harm? Was she even worried about him? No, that thought was too absurd....besides, it was not important, not anymore, there would be no further instruction in mind-reading.

"What? You act as if it's absolutely unbelievable that I would agree to you!" What was it with this guy? One moment she was actually worried about him and then he opened his mouth and she could already kill him for even uttering two small words! And that he started to smile now, after her outburst didn't really help to cool her down. Although, that smile was unbelievable, it was as if a million sparkles would flicker in his eyes. He had beautiful eyes, so intense, soft....NO!!! STOP!!!!

Ian was wondering what was going on. He didn't understand Sara, one minute she was worried and gentle, nearly... affectionately and with the blink of an eye she jumped into his face and shouted at him. If he only knew what he had done wrong this time, it was depressing. Really. Maybe he had better leave now before the situation started to become difficult. "Sara, I think I better leave now. I have to return to my duties on the estate."

"Yes, Ian. Maybe you should go home. Ahm...Ian.....I am sorry, it was...I mean...I didn't want to shout at you..."

"That is ok, Sara."

"No, that is not ok! You come here although Irons didn't allow it and you nearly died and all I can do is to shout at you! Sometimes I hate my temper! Ian, I don't know what to say, please accept my apology." Sara felt horrible, it was not fair to treat him the way she did. The way she always treated him was not fair and her apology was not only meant for today, it was for every mean thing she had told him over the last months.

"Sara, I accept your apology. Have pleasant dreams, you know there will always be someone to watch over you ...now that you have the dragon by your side."  Yes, the dragon on the painting would be there as well as the last Black Dragon.

"Yes, I know that I am safe." Sara smiled at Ian for she understood perfectly well what he wanted her to know. He would always be with her, no matter how much she insulted him, her own protector would always stay near in the shadows or on her fire-escape to keep from being harmed. "Goodnight, Ian."

"Goodnight, Sara"