~*~
".And was your predecessor still in the wielder's apartment before you left?" Irons tore his gaze away from the roaring fire. A sense of déjà vu washed over Irons as he stared at his new servant. Nottingham stood in the middle of the den, drenched from the storm, arms clasped behind his back. Much like how Ian had the same hours ago. But the only difference between the two, besides the obvious, was the way this one held his head high. His eyes never dropped from submission like Ian. An element of defiance flashed behind Nottingham's dark stare but was soon gone within the blink of an eye.
Irons took a sip from the goblet he held in his hand. He looked over the rim of the glass as the amber liquid ran smoothly down his throat. He continued to drink until there was nothing left all except the rich taste lingering on his tongue. Irons waited for Nottingham to answer.
"Yes master. From what I had been able to observe 'he' was still chatting with Det. Pezzini." If Irons stood closer to Nottingham he would have seen the spark of amusement running through his eyes. It appeared he had chosen his words well. He was very pleased to see the displeasure in Irons face as he spoke of Ian's visit with the wielder. May be now his master would order him to take care of his predecessor.
In one hand Irons held the empty goblet, while in the other he held his pocket watch. The gold flap left open to expose the face of the timepiece. He absently watched the seconds tic away. It had been an hour now since his servant returned home with news of Ian's brash defiance. An hour in which Irons had hoped Ian enjoyed. Remembering a time Ian had not followed his orders, as he should have. Irons should have noted his servant's growing independence.
. "How much did she learn?" Ian had returned for the church after Sara's spiritual encounter with Father DelToro. Irons' holding Father Bellamy's missing journals.
"It's impossible to tell. She was conversing with other realms." Ian had informed Irons of Sara's success at the church.
"You should have stopped it."
"Perhaps..." Ian raised his head as he spoke. ".Or perhaps such an intervention will prove to be more valuable later on."
Irons stared at Ian, a bit shocked. He took his hand, raised it and began to force Ian's head down. His hand shook from Ian's surprising resistance but was soon satisfied when finally Ian relinquished his will.
"Up until now, I've done quite well trusting you to your own initiative. But I can see that I will start having to be more explicit in my directions".
'Perhaps I have not been as explicit as I had wanted.' Replacing the watch back into his pocket Irons stared into the blazing hearth. And violently tossed the empty glass into the fire. The glass shattering into bits of pieces as it lands in the fireplace. Nottingham grinned at his master's obvious anger. Irons walked over to his throne like chair and sat down, legs crossed at the knees. Irons tapped a finger against his pursed lips as icy cerulean eyes stared at the man before him.
"Get yourself into dried clothes, then go to the kitchen and have something to eat. When you are done return to me and I shall have a task for you. Now go!" With a dismissive wave of his hand, Nottingham left the room. Leaving Irons to develop a plan for both Sara and especially Ian. After summoning Dr. Immo, Irons took great care in devising a proper punishment for Ian. Or was it a rather permanent solution.
~*~
With his eyes shut, Ian leaned back against the closed door. The tears he held inside were now flowing freely down his face until it disappeared into the thickness of his dark beard. It was until there were no tears left to shed did Ian open his eyes. He stared absently out into the empty hall. He reached into his pocket, took out his cell phone, and dialed a number. A woman's voice answered on the second ring.
"Hello?"
"Its me" Ian's voice was hoarse, laced with left over emotions from his encounter with Sara. He cleared his throat and waited for an answer.
"I'm on the next plane out. I'll be there in a few hours."
"Then you know what to do?" Ian asked.
"Yes Ian I do." There was a small pause and before they ended their conversation the woman added a warning of caution for Ian. "And Ian do be careful."
His response to her warning was the sound of a dial tone from his cell. Ian slid down the door and unto the floor. Arms resting on his raised knees, head resting back on the door. He had hoped that whatever the blade had shown Sara while in that elevator would help her see him. Not some freak or a psycho Galahad as she had put it. However he had been wrong and their somewhat odd association with each other had turned for the worst. She couldn't trust him and she wouldn't give into what the blade was showing her. If the blade was unable to open her eyes then there was nothing Ian could do. It was then Ian decided to simply accept what has become of their insignificant relationship. He was still unsure of what Irons planned for Sara and he swore not only to himself but to her as well. He will protect her or die trying. Then maybe in death he will actually find some peace from the pain he feels now.
With a final acceptance of his decision Ian pushed himself off the ground and down the darkened stairway. It was still raining but not as heavy as it had been earlier. He stood on the stoop of Sara's building. Looking up one last time at her fire escape. He hiked up the collar of his coat, and wrapped his arms around himself before stepping out into the cold night rain. He made no rush for his car that was parked a few blocks down. 'Why rush the inevitable.' He thought, as he slowed his stride, not caring that he was getting soaked from the rain. For some reason Ian knew deep down that Irons would have found out about his visit with Sara. How? It didn't matter. Like how things just didn't matter now, after his conversation with Sara, he felt nothing inside. Nothing at all.
~*~
Danny watched from Sara's fire escape window. Unhappily watching as Sara's shadow unenthusiastically made his way back to his car. Danny could see the remiss in Ian's attitude. How he stood out in the open not bothering to blend in with the darkness as to not be seen. The slump of his shoulders, his bowed head, and his slow ungraceful movements where just some of the key elements in Ian's current mood. Danny had been here watching the conversation happening between the two. He had also known of the mysterious stranger perched on the fire escape listening in. But the shadow didn't stay long to hear the rest of Sara and Ian's conversation. Just enough to be satisfied, and then headed back to Irons.
Danny loved Sara every much. They had been partners for years and he understood her mood swings, understood what made her tick. What he couldn't understand was what had happen. He never thought the Sara he knew could have been so cold. In the beginning Danny had thought they were starting off on the right foot. He had been wrong.
For a ghost it wasn't that hard to be 'unseen' so Danny stood aloof from their conversation. He leaned against the wall next to the stairs that led somewhere up in her loft while they situated themselves in the living room area. He had wanted to give them some space, some privacy. Danny just felt that they were about to share something that was sacred between them. Maybe a new beginning? Turned out it wouldn't happen seeing Sara's infamous rage rear its ugly head. He had even cringed from her harsh words.
He had been sticking around and watching Sara since she arrived home. He knew Sara had been worried about Ian. Disappointed even when he wasn't around. How thrilled she really was inside after he had finally shown up. Yet in the end Danny had been dumbfounded with her reaction to Ian. He was afraid that it was going to take something very drastic before she opened her eyes to Ian. By then it would be too late for both Ian and Sara. But the powers that be wouldn't let Danny interfere. It had to be worked out by the two. Though it didn't mean he couldn't give a little helpful shove here and there.
He watched Sara half lean on her couch. She hadn't moved from that same spot since Ian had left. Her head was bowed so he couldn't see her face. Danny couldn't possibly know what was going through her mind right now. He could only hope she was contemplating what had happened and quickly realize that it was a mistake. Danny gave Sara a few minutes before he would 'appear' before her. If he had been close he would have seen the single tear that landed on the Witchblade.
~*~
Sara wasn't sure how long she stood frozen on the spot. But it had felt like hours had passed instead of the few minutes since Nottingham had left the loft. She knew that this time he left through the door instead of his favorite window. It was only because she heard the soft click of the door closing behind him. The sound had echoed louder then thunder from the storm. It was only then did it hit her of the finiteness of whatever they had between them ended when that door closed.
Sara stubbornly told herself that what had happened earlier was for the best. Not just for her but for him as well. She couldn't help but remember the punishments he endured from the hands of Irons. He suffered because of her. She couldn't push the memory of the bruises and amounts of blood spilt. Or the pain she had seen in those soft hazel eyes.
Sara found herself standing in front of her door. Her left hand on the knob while the other was lay flat against the door. She didn't know how or when she had made the small trek down the stairs. All she wondered was if he was still behind the door. Or was the hallway empty as always. Her grip on the handle tightens but she doesn't turn to open it. Without thinking she looks through the peephole and finds nothing but a dark empty hallway. She leans her forehead against the door and sighs. She lets go of the doorknob and instead turns to lock the deadbolt. Sara pushes herself from the door and turned to walk back up the stairs. At the top of the stairs Sara stops when she spots Danny staring out the window.
At first he didn't bother to turn to look at her. Whatever it was outside had caught his attention. Sara walked over to Danny and returned to her spot near the couch. Her arms crossed at her chest as she waited for him to speak.
"Look Danny as much as I love seeing you this isn't exactly the best time. So if you don't mind partner I'd rather be alone tonight." She waited for a response. She threw up her hands when he didn't speak. So she made her way around the loft extinguishing some of the candles she had lit. She had expected her ghostly guide to be gone by now. But he still stood by the window. Danny's attention was now on Sara as she moved about in her apartment.
"What?" Sara finally asked.
"The three hardest task in the world is neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements; but moral acts: to return love for hate, to include the excluded, and to say 'I was wrong'."
"What the hell is that suppose to mean? I don't need this shit right now Danny. I had a horrible day and night. All I want to do is just bury and forget everything and go to bed." But that was the problem. She couldn't 'just forget' she couldn't just 'bury' everything that had happened. The visions and Ian kept replying in her mind. She wasn't sure if it was her or the blade that wouldn't let the issues rest.
"Its pretty obvious, Sara."
"What is?"
"Nottingham"
"Nottingham? Ian Nottingham??" Sara questioned.
"Do you know any other Nottingham's in New York City?" Danny didn't bother hiding his amused smirk. 'Smartass' Sara thought as she raised her eyebrow at him.
"Wrong about what?"
"Look Sara don't you think it was bit harsh what you told Nottingham?"
"You were listening? I can't believe you Danny!"
"I can't believe you, partner. I never had seen you act so bitter and cold before. I know you have your moment but I mean talk about being a bitch, Sara." Her mouth gaped open as she narrowed her eyes on him.
"You know if you weren't already dead I'd kick your ass." Danny could sense no humor in her threat. No doubt she would have if he were still alive.
"He didn't deserve that verbal lashing from you and you know it."
"Yeah well at least my bark isn't as painful as Irons' bite."
"Are you sure about that?" Danny remembered keeping his eyes on Ian and he could see the man was truly heartbroken. The anguish in his eyes was far worst then what he had witnessed first hand. Such pain brought by Sara's cruel words.
"You wouldn't understand, Danny." Sara leaned back against the armrest of the couch, crossed her arms over her chest, and her head bowed.
"The one who listens is the one who understands" Danny crossed his arms, imitating Sara.
"You are such a fortune cookie, Woo." He smiled at her light banter.
"Hey I gotta make life interesting don't I. So you say I wouldn't understand? Try me I'm listening." Sara soon accepted that he wasn't going to leave her alone until she told him why she had been so mean to.Ian.
~*~
".And was your predecessor still in the wielder's apartment before you left?" Irons tore his gaze away from the roaring fire. A sense of déjà vu washed over Irons as he stared at his new servant. Nottingham stood in the middle of the den, drenched from the storm, arms clasped behind his back. Much like how Ian had the same hours ago. But the only difference between the two, besides the obvious, was the way this one held his head high. His eyes never dropped from submission like Ian. An element of defiance flashed behind Nottingham's dark stare but was soon gone within the blink of an eye.
Irons took a sip from the goblet he held in his hand. He looked over the rim of the glass as the amber liquid ran smoothly down his throat. He continued to drink until there was nothing left all except the rich taste lingering on his tongue. Irons waited for Nottingham to answer.
"Yes master. From what I had been able to observe 'he' was still chatting with Det. Pezzini." If Irons stood closer to Nottingham he would have seen the spark of amusement running through his eyes. It appeared he had chosen his words well. He was very pleased to see the displeasure in Irons face as he spoke of Ian's visit with the wielder. May be now his master would order him to take care of his predecessor.
In one hand Irons held the empty goblet, while in the other he held his pocket watch. The gold flap left open to expose the face of the timepiece. He absently watched the seconds tic away. It had been an hour now since his servant returned home with news of Ian's brash defiance. An hour in which Irons had hoped Ian enjoyed. Remembering a time Ian had not followed his orders, as he should have. Irons should have noted his servant's growing independence.
. "How much did she learn?" Ian had returned for the church after Sara's spiritual encounter with Father DelToro. Irons' holding Father Bellamy's missing journals.
"It's impossible to tell. She was conversing with other realms." Ian had informed Irons of Sara's success at the church.
"You should have stopped it."
"Perhaps..." Ian raised his head as he spoke. ".Or perhaps such an intervention will prove to be more valuable later on."
Irons stared at Ian, a bit shocked. He took his hand, raised it and began to force Ian's head down. His hand shook from Ian's surprising resistance but was soon satisfied when finally Ian relinquished his will.
"Up until now, I've done quite well trusting you to your own initiative. But I can see that I will start having to be more explicit in my directions".
'Perhaps I have not been as explicit as I had wanted.' Replacing the watch back into his pocket Irons stared into the blazing hearth. And violently tossed the empty glass into the fire. The glass shattering into bits of pieces as it lands in the fireplace. Nottingham grinned at his master's obvious anger. Irons walked over to his throne like chair and sat down, legs crossed at the knees. Irons tapped a finger against his pursed lips as icy cerulean eyes stared at the man before him.
"Get yourself into dried clothes, then go to the kitchen and have something to eat. When you are done return to me and I shall have a task for you. Now go!" With a dismissive wave of his hand, Nottingham left the room. Leaving Irons to develop a plan for both Sara and especially Ian. After summoning Dr. Immo, Irons took great care in devising a proper punishment for Ian. Or was it a rather permanent solution.
~*~
With his eyes shut, Ian leaned back against the closed door. The tears he held inside were now flowing freely down his face until it disappeared into the thickness of his dark beard. It was until there were no tears left to shed did Ian open his eyes. He stared absently out into the empty hall. He reached into his pocket, took out his cell phone, and dialed a number. A woman's voice answered on the second ring.
"Hello?"
"Its me" Ian's voice was hoarse, laced with left over emotions from his encounter with Sara. He cleared his throat and waited for an answer.
"I'm on the next plane out. I'll be there in a few hours."
"Then you know what to do?" Ian asked.
"Yes Ian I do." There was a small pause and before they ended their conversation the woman added a warning of caution for Ian. "And Ian do be careful."
His response to her warning was the sound of a dial tone from his cell. Ian slid down the door and unto the floor. Arms resting on his raised knees, head resting back on the door. He had hoped that whatever the blade had shown Sara while in that elevator would help her see him. Not some freak or a psycho Galahad as she had put it. However he had been wrong and their somewhat odd association with each other had turned for the worst. She couldn't trust him and she wouldn't give into what the blade was showing her. If the blade was unable to open her eyes then there was nothing Ian could do. It was then Ian decided to simply accept what has become of their insignificant relationship. He was still unsure of what Irons planned for Sara and he swore not only to himself but to her as well. He will protect her or die trying. Then maybe in death he will actually find some peace from the pain he feels now.
With a final acceptance of his decision Ian pushed himself off the ground and down the darkened stairway. It was still raining but not as heavy as it had been earlier. He stood on the stoop of Sara's building. Looking up one last time at her fire escape. He hiked up the collar of his coat, and wrapped his arms around himself before stepping out into the cold night rain. He made no rush for his car that was parked a few blocks down. 'Why rush the inevitable.' He thought, as he slowed his stride, not caring that he was getting soaked from the rain. For some reason Ian knew deep down that Irons would have found out about his visit with Sara. How? It didn't matter. Like how things just didn't matter now, after his conversation with Sara, he felt nothing inside. Nothing at all.
~*~
Danny watched from Sara's fire escape window. Unhappily watching as Sara's shadow unenthusiastically made his way back to his car. Danny could see the remiss in Ian's attitude. How he stood out in the open not bothering to blend in with the darkness as to not be seen. The slump of his shoulders, his bowed head, and his slow ungraceful movements where just some of the key elements in Ian's current mood. Danny had been here watching the conversation happening between the two. He had also known of the mysterious stranger perched on the fire escape listening in. But the shadow didn't stay long to hear the rest of Sara and Ian's conversation. Just enough to be satisfied, and then headed back to Irons.
Danny loved Sara every much. They had been partners for years and he understood her mood swings, understood what made her tick. What he couldn't understand was what had happen. He never thought the Sara he knew could have been so cold. In the beginning Danny had thought they were starting off on the right foot. He had been wrong.
For a ghost it wasn't that hard to be 'unseen' so Danny stood aloof from their conversation. He leaned against the wall next to the stairs that led somewhere up in her loft while they situated themselves in the living room area. He had wanted to give them some space, some privacy. Danny just felt that they were about to share something that was sacred between them. Maybe a new beginning? Turned out it wouldn't happen seeing Sara's infamous rage rear its ugly head. He had even cringed from her harsh words.
He had been sticking around and watching Sara since she arrived home. He knew Sara had been worried about Ian. Disappointed even when he wasn't around. How thrilled she really was inside after he had finally shown up. Yet in the end Danny had been dumbfounded with her reaction to Ian. He was afraid that it was going to take something very drastic before she opened her eyes to Ian. By then it would be too late for both Ian and Sara. But the powers that be wouldn't let Danny interfere. It had to be worked out by the two. Though it didn't mean he couldn't give a little helpful shove here and there.
He watched Sara half lean on her couch. She hadn't moved from that same spot since Ian had left. Her head was bowed so he couldn't see her face. Danny couldn't possibly know what was going through her mind right now. He could only hope she was contemplating what had happened and quickly realize that it was a mistake. Danny gave Sara a few minutes before he would 'appear' before her. If he had been close he would have seen the single tear that landed on the Witchblade.
~*~
Sara wasn't sure how long she stood frozen on the spot. But it had felt like hours had passed instead of the few minutes since Nottingham had left the loft. She knew that this time he left through the door instead of his favorite window. It was only because she heard the soft click of the door closing behind him. The sound had echoed louder then thunder from the storm. It was only then did it hit her of the finiteness of whatever they had between them ended when that door closed.
Sara stubbornly told herself that what had happened earlier was for the best. Not just for her but for him as well. She couldn't help but remember the punishments he endured from the hands of Irons. He suffered because of her. She couldn't push the memory of the bruises and amounts of blood spilt. Or the pain she had seen in those soft hazel eyes.
Sara found herself standing in front of her door. Her left hand on the knob while the other was lay flat against the door. She didn't know how or when she had made the small trek down the stairs. All she wondered was if he was still behind the door. Or was the hallway empty as always. Her grip on the handle tightens but she doesn't turn to open it. Without thinking she looks through the peephole and finds nothing but a dark empty hallway. She leans her forehead against the door and sighs. She lets go of the doorknob and instead turns to lock the deadbolt. Sara pushes herself from the door and turned to walk back up the stairs. At the top of the stairs Sara stops when she spots Danny staring out the window.
At first he didn't bother to turn to look at her. Whatever it was outside had caught his attention. Sara walked over to Danny and returned to her spot near the couch. Her arms crossed at her chest as she waited for him to speak.
"Look Danny as much as I love seeing you this isn't exactly the best time. So if you don't mind partner I'd rather be alone tonight." She waited for a response. She threw up her hands when he didn't speak. So she made her way around the loft extinguishing some of the candles she had lit. She had expected her ghostly guide to be gone by now. But he still stood by the window. Danny's attention was now on Sara as she moved about in her apartment.
"What?" Sara finally asked.
"The three hardest task in the world is neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements; but moral acts: to return love for hate, to include the excluded, and to say 'I was wrong'."
"What the hell is that suppose to mean? I don't need this shit right now Danny. I had a horrible day and night. All I want to do is just bury and forget everything and go to bed." But that was the problem. She couldn't 'just forget' she couldn't just 'bury' everything that had happened. The visions and Ian kept replying in her mind. She wasn't sure if it was her or the blade that wouldn't let the issues rest.
"Its pretty obvious, Sara."
"What is?"
"Nottingham"
"Nottingham? Ian Nottingham??" Sara questioned.
"Do you know any other Nottingham's in New York City?" Danny didn't bother hiding his amused smirk. 'Smartass' Sara thought as she raised her eyebrow at him.
"Wrong about what?"
"Look Sara don't you think it was bit harsh what you told Nottingham?"
"You were listening? I can't believe you Danny!"
"I can't believe you, partner. I never had seen you act so bitter and cold before. I know you have your moment but I mean talk about being a bitch, Sara." Her mouth gaped open as she narrowed her eyes on him.
"You know if you weren't already dead I'd kick your ass." Danny could sense no humor in her threat. No doubt she would have if he were still alive.
"He didn't deserve that verbal lashing from you and you know it."
"Yeah well at least my bark isn't as painful as Irons' bite."
"Are you sure about that?" Danny remembered keeping his eyes on Ian and he could see the man was truly heartbroken. The anguish in his eyes was far worst then what he had witnessed first hand. Such pain brought by Sara's cruel words.
"You wouldn't understand, Danny." Sara leaned back against the armrest of the couch, crossed her arms over her chest, and her head bowed.
"The one who listens is the one who understands" Danny crossed his arms, imitating Sara.
"You are such a fortune cookie, Woo." He smiled at her light banter.
"Hey I gotta make life interesting don't I. So you say I wouldn't understand? Try me I'm listening." Sara soon accepted that he wasn't going to leave her alone until she told him why she had been so mean to.Ian.
~*~