~*~
Sara was about to insist that she didn't know what he was talking about when she remembered the ring she had found in the elevator. 'So the ring did belong to him and he did forget it.' So had Sara. She had forgotten all about the ring. She made her way to the bathroom and fished for her coat. At first she had been apprehensive about touching the ring again. Unsure if the blade was going to thrust her into another vision for the fifth time this evening. Taking a deep breath Sara reached into her coat and felt the cool metal brush against her fingertips. She looked down at the blade, happy to see that it was quiet and dull.
As she got up she looked at the ring in her palm. She could tell that the ring must have been very old by the intricate and unique design. Sara stood there in the middle of her bathroom. She bit her lower lip as she thought. 'Must really mean a lot to him.' Her mind was already reeling. The ring was representing an opportunity for her. 'Hm, wonder what he'd do to get this back' Sara thought as she headed out the bathroom.
"This it?" Held between her forefinger and thumb was Ian's ring. With a silent sigh of relief Ian stuck his hand out, reaching for it. Sara pulled back, feigned interest and started to examine the unique jewelry.
"I've never seen a ring like this before. Where did you get it Nottingham?"
Ian lowered his hand and began to speak.
"I do not know where it came from. I've had the ring as far as I could remember." He made another attempt to reach of it but Sara still refused to give it back.
"Did Irons give this to you?" Ian lowered his hand. He looked up from his bowed head. He recognized the interrogating tone in her voice, the set in her jaw, and the determination reflected in her eyes. It was then he realized what Sara was planning to do with this ring. She was going to bargain or rather trade his ring for information.
"No"
Ian honestly didn't think Irons had given him the ring. The origin of the ring was quite mysterious. He had read and researched through countless of books. Never finding any knowledge of its existence. Ian couldn't have been no older then eleven when he had asked Irons about it. At that age he had assumed Irons' vast knowledge extended to everything. Unfortunately Ian was wrong. Irons simply cast aside Ian's curiosity of his ring. Explaining to him how it was an unimportant object that he let Ian keep because he had been so fond of it since he was a child. Though a bit disappointed that he was nowhere near as to finding any information about it. But it was the one item he felt that truly belonged to him and only him.
"Really?! Then I can safely assume this 'ring'." Sara empathized by drawing out the word.
".Is very important to you. So important that we could let say make a trade?" With his head down Sara didn't see the small grin cross his face. Sara could be so predictable at times' Ian thought.
"A trade? For information I assume?"
"You got it, pal" Ian contemplated over the turn of events. It was quite funny now that he thought about it. She held his ring hostage in return for information. Well she had wanted to question him earlier but either refused to ask while they were trapped or simply forgot. And he had to admit he was quite curious as to what she wanted to know.
"Before I agree what are the conditions?"
"You give me straight answers, none of these vague mambo jumbo crap. When I'm satisfied I give you the ring."
It seemed fair enough Sara thought. For months now she had to put up with bullshit riddles from Nottingham, Irons, and even her dead partner. May be this time she could get some real answers.
"What would you like to know?" He asked.
Sara raised her eyebrows. There was no doubt Nottingham could take the ring from her by force, not that he would, but instead he was doing this her way. She just never thought it would have been this easy. First it was Danny now Nottingham. 'Well don't stare a gift horse in the mouth, Pez. Here's the chance you've been waiting for.' The little voice in the back of her mind yelled at her. Here was an opportunity she had been waiting for since she got the Witchblade. Sara was not about to pass it up. 'But where do I start?' She wondered.
Her mind reeled back to her conversation with Irons earlier that afternoon. News about how Ian had provided the money for John. How the vision showed Sara he had been the one to return the blade to her. But just how much was she willing to share in that knowledge? Just how far exactly? She decided only to indulge in parts of what she had seen and keep the rest to herself. She would use her knowledge as a guideline of some sort. Sara offered him to sit on the couch with her but he had refused and continued to stand in his little area by the window. 'Fine, stand there all night. See if I care!' The anger was evident in Sara's movements as she marched back to the couch. She didn't understand why she was upset but she was. Maybe deep down she was hoping he would join her and actually have a normal conversation for once. Sitting back down on the couch, her back against the armrest, legs drawn to her chest, and the ring cradled in the palm of her left hand.
"The night of the Irish massacre." She paused for a moment the memory still a bit painful. ".. Irons told me that it was you who provided the ransom for John."
It would have been so easy to just let Conchobar die. No longer a part of Sara's life. Yet, he had witnessed the happiness and love the reincarnated king of Ulster provided in his Lady's life. He heard the pain in her voice as she begged Irons for the money. How she would have given herself up to Irons for the Irishman. It had been a painful decision to make. Ian's love for Sara was too great to let jealousy cloud his judgment.
"Why did you do it? Why did you help me that night?" She stared at him.
.I love you.in unguarded moments.
'You already know, Sara' Ian wanted to say but stopped himself. That was the reason why but he remembered the look of disdain mirrored on her face that night. She hadn't even replied back. Not a word towards his profession of love. Nothing. He closed his eyes and wearily treaded on how to explain his actions to a point where it was satisfactory for Sara. It was then he had spoken.
"Because you needed the money and there was no one left to help you." Her mouth began to move but her words couldn't pass the lump in her throat. It was true, with Danny gone; there was no one she could have trusted. Dante was out of the question and she was still unsure about Jake. Even though he had offered to help. Then she had turned to the one person she despised the most. But it didn't matter because Irons too refused to help. In the end it took the one person she had disregarded since the beginning to come through for her.
"Thank you, Nottingham" It was barely a whisper and Ian had to strain to hear her. His heart felt lighter then ever before. It was a ghost of a smile as the corners of his mouth slightly rose. Sara thought of the next question as she rolled the ring between her fingers.
"Explain to me how this got back on my arm?" She pointed to the blade by lifting up her arm.
Could she have known that it was Ian who had returned the blade to her? It had been easy lying to Irons about it. Yet was he capable of lying to Sara too? He had to choose his words wisely in turn not to reveal what really had happened.
"Well why did you do it?" She asked impatiently.
"How can you be so sure I had been responsible for the return of the blade?"
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out it was you, Nottingham. You were the last man standing. Jake sure as hell doesn't know about this. So everything points to you." Though she had been shown he had indeed been the one to return the blade to her. She was wanted to know why. Sara knew better then to expect a full pledge confession from him.
"Why would the blade return to me when I had obviously abandon it. I gave it to that Fiona woman for John? In the end it didn't matter much. It was used to kill him." Ian had to answer the question carefully if he didn't want to reveal too much.
"I can not speak for the Witchblade, Sara. It is unclear what the blade wants at times and only the wielder can truly know the answers."
He seen Sara opens her mouth then shut it without saying a word. Ian had to stifle a laugh at the patented raised eyebrow look. He was still well into their agreement. Ian certainly had no way of knowing what the blade thinks or wants.
"Alright smart ass, why do YOU think the blade returned to me?"
"Why does it matter now, Sara? The blade has made a decision and it has returned to its rightful owner. You should stop trying to find out why. You should just accept it and start believing in the Witchblade. It chose you for a reason."
"Then why don't you tell me what they are, Nottingham." Did she not really see her attributes? Irons had asked him the same question the night after the blade had chosen Sara Pezzini.
"Your courage, strength, willfulness. Your spirit and the insatiable desire for justice." She lowered her head as she listened to him. Could Nottingham be right? We're these qualities the reason the blade was drawn to her? Or could it be what had drawn Nottingham to Sara?
"And your concealed vulnerability."
Sara's head snapped up, her eyes narrowed on Nottingham.
"Excuse me? What do you mean concealed vulnerability? What the hell does that supposed to mean?"
Ian realized he had threaded over a sensitive subject. He knew Sara was too proud to admit to some of her weakness. The woman was too stubborn at times. Especially when it came to him. Never accepting his help or acknowledging the bond they share. Ian took a deep breath but didn't utter a word.
"Listen the only vulnerable person in this room is you, Nottingham!" Ian cringed at Sara's abrasive retort but she didn't stop there. Their conversation made a drastic turn for the worst.
"I'm not the one doing daddy's dirty work. I'm not the lapdog that jumps when 'my master' orders it."
"You can not possibly understand, Sara." Ian said through gritted teeth. He had lowered his head and clasped his arms behind his back. Ian's anger was slowly rising.
."Why aren't you with her?" Irons voice was hoarse and weak. He was sprawled on the office floor the day of the periculum. Irons experiencing the pain that Sara was going through. Ian had returned shortly after Irons had sent him to watch over her.
"There's nothing I can do for her." It was true Sara didn't need him.
"You can protect her from others with malintent." Irons voice was nothing but a whisper.
"She's already got a guardian angel." Ian replied a bit distraught and irritated like a little boy. Recalling the image of Sara's dead partner reflecting on the fire escape window.
"You never used to second-guess my judgments. You were the perfect scalpel. Sharp, precise, directable." Irons added.
"I am nothing but what you made me! Now I have the capacity to evolve. It's only because you gave it to me." Ian exclaimed as he stood there. His attention was transfixed on Irons. His eyes and voice laced with hatred.
"Hollow words, Ian." Irons raised his right hand into the air, his fingers curled. He began to lower his hand. As if he was pushing down on an imaginary object. On the far side of the office Ian struggled to stand upright. An invisible force was pushing him down on his knees. He could feel his head being pushed down as well. Ian knew there was no use in fighting the power Irons had over him. In the end his body succumbed to Irons' will. It was a strange control Ian never understood. .
"Oh I understand a lot more then you think, Nottingham." Sara had gotten up from the couch walked around to stand in front of him. She leaned against the couch, her arms crossed. This time Ian lifted his head until his eyes were locked with hers.
"How could you understand when you still refuse to listen to the Witchblade? Refuse to acknowledge what the blade shows you about me, about us."
"Us? There is no 'us', Nottingham! When are you going to get that through your thick head of yours? There never has been and never will be an 'us'!" Sara's brows furrowed, the anger blazing in her eyes.
"There was only one man that filled that part of my life but now he's gone. Gone because some bitch decided to stab him through the chest with this." Sara held up her right arm. The stone swirled angrily on her wrist. Before he could stop himself the words were already uttered. "Your Irish bard would have betrayed you in then end." Sara pushed herself off of the couch and stood in front of Nottingham. Her arms against her side, her fingers balled into fists. Ian knew he was walking a thin line. He knew he should just take his ring, leave, and let her cool off. But it was as if the pent up anger he had was now coming out and taking control of his body. His inhibitions disappeared. Ian didn't care any more. May be he had already given up and this was just a way to release his hopes.
"You're a bastard Nottingham. You're just jealous because he was the kind of man you never could be. And you're angry because I wouldn't have you like I wouldn't have your master."
.Don't compare me to Irons.
His body began to tremble as he listened to Sara's heartless words. His vision soon blurred and he quickly lowered his head. He had never felt so empty and despondent. Not even Irons were able to make him feel this way. He swallowed the lump in his throat.
'Perhaps she's right. There will never be an 'us'.' Ian thought disheartened
"By the way did you get a good eyeful when Irons sent you to watch us?" Sara was still angry and her tirade continued.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Ian's voice was void of any emotion as he spoke.
"I know Irons sent you to watch over John and me while we were together."
"If you are implying that I stood at your fire escape and watched while you two consummated your. love for each other. Then you are mistaken."
It was true Ian never observed the two together in bed. Sara did deserve her privacy and the fact that it was just too painful for Ian to watch. Wasn't it bad enough he could feel her with him. To feel every pleasing touch, and hear every endearment. To know and feel that it wasn't him above her bringing her to the heights of passion. Encircled in each other's arms as they fall together from sexual bliss.
That first time Ian had stayed back at the church. He stood alone in the cold night air. While being consumed by sensations that were both incredibly satisfying and terrifyingly painful. Terrifying because the feeling was so foreign to him. Until finally, as it ended, he soon realized what had transpired between the two. Too overwhelmed he stayed at that church for hours until Sara had arrived to face that imposter, Del Torro.
"I don't believe you." Sara's voice broke through his thoughts.
"I would never intrude on such privacy, Sara." He exclaimed.
"Never stopped you before."
"Then you would just have to take my word for it and trust me."
"Me trust you?" Sara snorted at the idea.
"I am the one person you can trust, Sara."
"Trust you? How can I trust a man you can't even protect himself against his master."
Ian looked up from his bowed head. Confusion was written all over his face.
"Do you want to know what the blade was showing me while were stuck in that elevator?"
Ian remained silent.
"You getting your ass beat by Irons. And not once did you make an attempt to defend yourself. You stood there and willing accepted it." Sara, already standing so close to Ian, placed her hand under his chin. She lifted his face, turning it until she could see the dark bruise on his face. She let got of his chin and with the same hand gently traced the bruise with her fingers. His eyes never left her face. He could see pity and anger in those green eyes.
"What makes you think I can trust you? How do I know that if a situation ever arose between Irons and me you won't choose his side? That you won't abandon me. I'm not going to take that chance."
.. Just ask, Sara. We can be inseparable..
"Sara." She laid a finger on his lips and stopped him from saying anything else.
"No, Nottingham. I can't trust you. I won't." Sara took the ring and handed it back to him. She stepped back to lean against the couch.
"Sara." She bowed her head and cut him off.
"Just leave Nottingham"
Ian made his way to the flight of stairs leading down to the apartment door. He placed the ring on the banister while he donned his wet coat and watch cap. He picked up the ring and looked at it. He had never been apart from it up until now and Ian always felt that the ring itself was a part of him. He glanced back at Sara. She hadn't move from her spot her back was facing him. All he had hoped for gone. He took a deep breath and exhaled. Ian wanted to leave a part of himself behind. So he placed the ring back on the banister.
"Good-bye, Det. Pezzini." His voice filled with sadness. Silently Ian made his way down the stairs and out the door.
~*~
Sara was about to insist that she didn't know what he was talking about when she remembered the ring she had found in the elevator. 'So the ring did belong to him and he did forget it.' So had Sara. She had forgotten all about the ring. She made her way to the bathroom and fished for her coat. At first she had been apprehensive about touching the ring again. Unsure if the blade was going to thrust her into another vision for the fifth time this evening. Taking a deep breath Sara reached into her coat and felt the cool metal brush against her fingertips. She looked down at the blade, happy to see that it was quiet and dull.
As she got up she looked at the ring in her palm. She could tell that the ring must have been very old by the intricate and unique design. Sara stood there in the middle of her bathroom. She bit her lower lip as she thought. 'Must really mean a lot to him.' Her mind was already reeling. The ring was representing an opportunity for her. 'Hm, wonder what he'd do to get this back' Sara thought as she headed out the bathroom.
"This it?" Held between her forefinger and thumb was Ian's ring. With a silent sigh of relief Ian stuck his hand out, reaching for it. Sara pulled back, feigned interest and started to examine the unique jewelry.
"I've never seen a ring like this before. Where did you get it Nottingham?"
Ian lowered his hand and began to speak.
"I do not know where it came from. I've had the ring as far as I could remember." He made another attempt to reach of it but Sara still refused to give it back.
"Did Irons give this to you?" Ian lowered his hand. He looked up from his bowed head. He recognized the interrogating tone in her voice, the set in her jaw, and the determination reflected in her eyes. It was then he realized what Sara was planning to do with this ring. She was going to bargain or rather trade his ring for information.
"No"
Ian honestly didn't think Irons had given him the ring. The origin of the ring was quite mysterious. He had read and researched through countless of books. Never finding any knowledge of its existence. Ian couldn't have been no older then eleven when he had asked Irons about it. At that age he had assumed Irons' vast knowledge extended to everything. Unfortunately Ian was wrong. Irons simply cast aside Ian's curiosity of his ring. Explaining to him how it was an unimportant object that he let Ian keep because he had been so fond of it since he was a child. Though a bit disappointed that he was nowhere near as to finding any information about it. But it was the one item he felt that truly belonged to him and only him.
"Really?! Then I can safely assume this 'ring'." Sara empathized by drawing out the word.
".Is very important to you. So important that we could let say make a trade?" With his head down Sara didn't see the small grin cross his face. Sara could be so predictable at times' Ian thought.
"A trade? For information I assume?"
"You got it, pal" Ian contemplated over the turn of events. It was quite funny now that he thought about it. She held his ring hostage in return for information. Well she had wanted to question him earlier but either refused to ask while they were trapped or simply forgot. And he had to admit he was quite curious as to what she wanted to know.
"Before I agree what are the conditions?"
"You give me straight answers, none of these vague mambo jumbo crap. When I'm satisfied I give you the ring."
It seemed fair enough Sara thought. For months now she had to put up with bullshit riddles from Nottingham, Irons, and even her dead partner. May be this time she could get some real answers.
"What would you like to know?" He asked.
Sara raised her eyebrows. There was no doubt Nottingham could take the ring from her by force, not that he would, but instead he was doing this her way. She just never thought it would have been this easy. First it was Danny now Nottingham. 'Well don't stare a gift horse in the mouth, Pez. Here's the chance you've been waiting for.' The little voice in the back of her mind yelled at her. Here was an opportunity she had been waiting for since she got the Witchblade. Sara was not about to pass it up. 'But where do I start?' She wondered.
Her mind reeled back to her conversation with Irons earlier that afternoon. News about how Ian had provided the money for John. How the vision showed Sara he had been the one to return the blade to her. But just how much was she willing to share in that knowledge? Just how far exactly? She decided only to indulge in parts of what she had seen and keep the rest to herself. She would use her knowledge as a guideline of some sort. Sara offered him to sit on the couch with her but he had refused and continued to stand in his little area by the window. 'Fine, stand there all night. See if I care!' The anger was evident in Sara's movements as she marched back to the couch. She didn't understand why she was upset but she was. Maybe deep down she was hoping he would join her and actually have a normal conversation for once. Sitting back down on the couch, her back against the armrest, legs drawn to her chest, and the ring cradled in the palm of her left hand.
"The night of the Irish massacre." She paused for a moment the memory still a bit painful. ".. Irons told me that it was you who provided the ransom for John."
It would have been so easy to just let Conchobar die. No longer a part of Sara's life. Yet, he had witnessed the happiness and love the reincarnated king of Ulster provided in his Lady's life. He heard the pain in her voice as she begged Irons for the money. How she would have given herself up to Irons for the Irishman. It had been a painful decision to make. Ian's love for Sara was too great to let jealousy cloud his judgment.
"Why did you do it? Why did you help me that night?" She stared at him.
.I love you.in unguarded moments.
'You already know, Sara' Ian wanted to say but stopped himself. That was the reason why but he remembered the look of disdain mirrored on her face that night. She hadn't even replied back. Not a word towards his profession of love. Nothing. He closed his eyes and wearily treaded on how to explain his actions to a point where it was satisfactory for Sara. It was then he had spoken.
"Because you needed the money and there was no one left to help you." Her mouth began to move but her words couldn't pass the lump in her throat. It was true, with Danny gone; there was no one she could have trusted. Dante was out of the question and she was still unsure about Jake. Even though he had offered to help. Then she had turned to the one person she despised the most. But it didn't matter because Irons too refused to help. In the end it took the one person she had disregarded since the beginning to come through for her.
"Thank you, Nottingham" It was barely a whisper and Ian had to strain to hear her. His heart felt lighter then ever before. It was a ghost of a smile as the corners of his mouth slightly rose. Sara thought of the next question as she rolled the ring between her fingers.
"Explain to me how this got back on my arm?" She pointed to the blade by lifting up her arm.
Could she have known that it was Ian who had returned the blade to her? It had been easy lying to Irons about it. Yet was he capable of lying to Sara too? He had to choose his words wisely in turn not to reveal what really had happened.
"Well why did you do it?" She asked impatiently.
"How can you be so sure I had been responsible for the return of the blade?"
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out it was you, Nottingham. You were the last man standing. Jake sure as hell doesn't know about this. So everything points to you." Though she had been shown he had indeed been the one to return the blade to her. She was wanted to know why. Sara knew better then to expect a full pledge confession from him.
"Why would the blade return to me when I had obviously abandon it. I gave it to that Fiona woman for John? In the end it didn't matter much. It was used to kill him." Ian had to answer the question carefully if he didn't want to reveal too much.
"I can not speak for the Witchblade, Sara. It is unclear what the blade wants at times and only the wielder can truly know the answers."
He seen Sara opens her mouth then shut it without saying a word. Ian had to stifle a laugh at the patented raised eyebrow look. He was still well into their agreement. Ian certainly had no way of knowing what the blade thinks or wants.
"Alright smart ass, why do YOU think the blade returned to me?"
"Why does it matter now, Sara? The blade has made a decision and it has returned to its rightful owner. You should stop trying to find out why. You should just accept it and start believing in the Witchblade. It chose you for a reason."
"Then why don't you tell me what they are, Nottingham." Did she not really see her attributes? Irons had asked him the same question the night after the blade had chosen Sara Pezzini.
"Your courage, strength, willfulness. Your spirit and the insatiable desire for justice." She lowered her head as she listened to him. Could Nottingham be right? We're these qualities the reason the blade was drawn to her? Or could it be what had drawn Nottingham to Sara?
"And your concealed vulnerability."
Sara's head snapped up, her eyes narrowed on Nottingham.
"Excuse me? What do you mean concealed vulnerability? What the hell does that supposed to mean?"
Ian realized he had threaded over a sensitive subject. He knew Sara was too proud to admit to some of her weakness. The woman was too stubborn at times. Especially when it came to him. Never accepting his help or acknowledging the bond they share. Ian took a deep breath but didn't utter a word.
"Listen the only vulnerable person in this room is you, Nottingham!" Ian cringed at Sara's abrasive retort but she didn't stop there. Their conversation made a drastic turn for the worst.
"I'm not the one doing daddy's dirty work. I'm not the lapdog that jumps when 'my master' orders it."
"You can not possibly understand, Sara." Ian said through gritted teeth. He had lowered his head and clasped his arms behind his back. Ian's anger was slowly rising.
."Why aren't you with her?" Irons voice was hoarse and weak. He was sprawled on the office floor the day of the periculum. Irons experiencing the pain that Sara was going through. Ian had returned shortly after Irons had sent him to watch over her.
"There's nothing I can do for her." It was true Sara didn't need him.
"You can protect her from others with malintent." Irons voice was nothing but a whisper.
"She's already got a guardian angel." Ian replied a bit distraught and irritated like a little boy. Recalling the image of Sara's dead partner reflecting on the fire escape window.
"You never used to second-guess my judgments. You were the perfect scalpel. Sharp, precise, directable." Irons added.
"I am nothing but what you made me! Now I have the capacity to evolve. It's only because you gave it to me." Ian exclaimed as he stood there. His attention was transfixed on Irons. His eyes and voice laced with hatred.
"Hollow words, Ian." Irons raised his right hand into the air, his fingers curled. He began to lower his hand. As if he was pushing down on an imaginary object. On the far side of the office Ian struggled to stand upright. An invisible force was pushing him down on his knees. He could feel his head being pushed down as well. Ian knew there was no use in fighting the power Irons had over him. In the end his body succumbed to Irons' will. It was a strange control Ian never understood. .
"Oh I understand a lot more then you think, Nottingham." Sara had gotten up from the couch walked around to stand in front of him. She leaned against the couch, her arms crossed. This time Ian lifted his head until his eyes were locked with hers.
"How could you understand when you still refuse to listen to the Witchblade? Refuse to acknowledge what the blade shows you about me, about us."
"Us? There is no 'us', Nottingham! When are you going to get that through your thick head of yours? There never has been and never will be an 'us'!" Sara's brows furrowed, the anger blazing in her eyes.
"There was only one man that filled that part of my life but now he's gone. Gone because some bitch decided to stab him through the chest with this." Sara held up her right arm. The stone swirled angrily on her wrist. Before he could stop himself the words were already uttered. "Your Irish bard would have betrayed you in then end." Sara pushed herself off of the couch and stood in front of Nottingham. Her arms against her side, her fingers balled into fists. Ian knew he was walking a thin line. He knew he should just take his ring, leave, and let her cool off. But it was as if the pent up anger he had was now coming out and taking control of his body. His inhibitions disappeared. Ian didn't care any more. May be he had already given up and this was just a way to release his hopes.
"You're a bastard Nottingham. You're just jealous because he was the kind of man you never could be. And you're angry because I wouldn't have you like I wouldn't have your master."
.Don't compare me to Irons.
His body began to tremble as he listened to Sara's heartless words. His vision soon blurred and he quickly lowered his head. He had never felt so empty and despondent. Not even Irons were able to make him feel this way. He swallowed the lump in his throat.
'Perhaps she's right. There will never be an 'us'.' Ian thought disheartened
"By the way did you get a good eyeful when Irons sent you to watch us?" Sara was still angry and her tirade continued.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Ian's voice was void of any emotion as he spoke.
"I know Irons sent you to watch over John and me while we were together."
"If you are implying that I stood at your fire escape and watched while you two consummated your. love for each other. Then you are mistaken."
It was true Ian never observed the two together in bed. Sara did deserve her privacy and the fact that it was just too painful for Ian to watch. Wasn't it bad enough he could feel her with him. To feel every pleasing touch, and hear every endearment. To know and feel that it wasn't him above her bringing her to the heights of passion. Encircled in each other's arms as they fall together from sexual bliss.
That first time Ian had stayed back at the church. He stood alone in the cold night air. While being consumed by sensations that were both incredibly satisfying and terrifyingly painful. Terrifying because the feeling was so foreign to him. Until finally, as it ended, he soon realized what had transpired between the two. Too overwhelmed he stayed at that church for hours until Sara had arrived to face that imposter, Del Torro.
"I don't believe you." Sara's voice broke through his thoughts.
"I would never intrude on such privacy, Sara." He exclaimed.
"Never stopped you before."
"Then you would just have to take my word for it and trust me."
"Me trust you?" Sara snorted at the idea.
"I am the one person you can trust, Sara."
"Trust you? How can I trust a man you can't even protect himself against his master."
Ian looked up from his bowed head. Confusion was written all over his face.
"Do you want to know what the blade was showing me while were stuck in that elevator?"
Ian remained silent.
"You getting your ass beat by Irons. And not once did you make an attempt to defend yourself. You stood there and willing accepted it." Sara, already standing so close to Ian, placed her hand under his chin. She lifted his face, turning it until she could see the dark bruise on his face. She let got of his chin and with the same hand gently traced the bruise with her fingers. His eyes never left her face. He could see pity and anger in those green eyes.
"What makes you think I can trust you? How do I know that if a situation ever arose between Irons and me you won't choose his side? That you won't abandon me. I'm not going to take that chance."
.. Just ask, Sara. We can be inseparable..
"Sara." She laid a finger on his lips and stopped him from saying anything else.
"No, Nottingham. I can't trust you. I won't." Sara took the ring and handed it back to him. She stepped back to lean against the couch.
"Sara." She bowed her head and cut him off.
"Just leave Nottingham"
Ian made his way to the flight of stairs leading down to the apartment door. He placed the ring on the banister while he donned his wet coat and watch cap. He picked up the ring and looked at it. He had never been apart from it up until now and Ian always felt that the ring itself was a part of him. He glanced back at Sara. She hadn't move from her spot her back was facing him. All he had hoped for gone. He took a deep breath and exhaled. Ian wanted to leave a part of himself behind. So he placed the ring back on the banister.
"Good-bye, Det. Pezzini." His voice filled with sadness. Silently Ian made his way down the stairs and out the door.
~*~