~*~
Faith pulled up along side of Gabriel's building. She turned the car off and looked over at Ian who had fallen asleep during the short ride. She hated to wake him but they needed to get inside and he had some wounds that required some serious attention. Faith looked out the car window to stare up at the building. She was a bit apprehensive that Gabriel was going to help her out. She had not given him the full details over the phone. Only that she was in need of his help. Apparently, it was enough to convince him to offer his assistance.
'This would be so much easier if I hadn't agreed to watch over this Sara Pezzini.' She sighed. However, she had agreed and she was going to keep her promise to Ian.
Faith got out of the car, walked over the passenger side, and opened the door. She knelt besides Ian, pushing a stray lock of hair behind his ear. She cupped his face and gently called out his name, "Ian," attempting to rouse sleeping beauty. When he did not respond she moved her hand to his shoulder and lightly shook him careful not to scare him. "Ian wake up." She called out again a soft groan escaped his lips and Ian slowly opened his eyes. Faith smiled at him and said, "Wake up Ian where here."
"Where is here?" He asked still drowsy from sleep.
"The friend I was telling you about. This is where he lives. Come on let's get you inside." Faith helped Ian out of the car and up to Gabriel's apartment. When they finally reached their destination, she leaned Ian against the wall near the apartment door. Ian blinked several times and narrowed his eyes trying to read the sign on the door, 'Talismanic'. Faith raised her arm, ready to pound on the door when Ian stopped her.
"Wait! How do you know Gabriel Bowman?" Faith lowered her arm and turned her head to stare at Ian. "He's helped me with a few acquisitions in the past. Why?" How do you know Gabriel Bowman?" Faith narrowed her eyes on Ian. She sees that he was holding back, something he was not telling her.
"Faith I trust you but I don't think this is a good idea."
"Ian I don't know how you know Gabriel but believe me you're going to tell me, later. For now, we have no other choice. Gabriel's a good friend and I trust him." Faith banged on the door until she was sure Gabe heard her.
"Who is it?'
"Its me, Faith! Open up."
"Faith you don't understand." Ian's words were ignored. He stopped when the locks turned and the door flew open. The young entrepreneur sported a huge smile on his face. He walked out and engulfed Faith into a hug. For a brief moment, it was a sweet reunion until Gabe's eyes landed on the dark figure leaning against the wall.
"Whoa what the hell?!" Gabe yelled as he pushed away from Faith's arms. He raised both hands, his fingers pointing at Ian, "Keep that psycho freak away from me!" Gabe staggered backwards. Faith reached out for Gabe, trying to reassure him that it was okay, "Gabriel wait!" The startled man started to back away into his apartment all the while mumbling 'no, no way' over and over. Faith's head snapped as she turned her attention from Gabriel to Ian, giving him a scathing look. Faith narrowed her eyes and said, "Ian Christian Nottingham, just what the hell did you do to him?!" Ian innocently looked back.
"I tried to tell you." He shrugged his shoulders, hearing Gabriel muttering under his breath somewhere in the apartment. He tried to continue but Faith raised her hand, halting whatever else, he was going to say. "We are going to have a serious talk later." A conversation needed to be discussed inside and not out in the hallway. Now she needed to somehow convince Gabriel to help her. Ironic how earlier she was afraid that Gabe wouldn't help her, but after seeing her friend's reaction she would be surprised if he did. If by some chance he was still willing to help then she was definitely going to need a serious talk with him as well. For now, she needed to get Ian inside and settled.
Faith was grateful that Gabe hadn't closed the door on her face. At least it meant he wasn't going to shut her out completely. Faith reached over to Ian, wrapping an arm around his waist while he wrapped his arm over her shoulders. With a grunt, he pushed off from the wall and let Faith support most of his weight. As they slowly made their way in Faith whispered, "You have a lot of explaining to do." Ian nodded. For now all he wanted to do was make it in, hold out long enough to find a chair and collapse in it.
Gabe stopped pacing the floor of his workshop and looked up to see Faith helping Ian inside. He stood there for a moment, contemplating on what he should do. He stared from Faith to Ian and back to Faith again. They had been friends for a while now and he trusted her. Perhaps if Faith was willing to trust Ian Nottingham maybe he could push aside his differences and help. Faith was a good friend she wouldn't place him in a dangerous situation, intentionally. Would she? Gabe gulped at the thought then shook his head, 'no I can trust Faith,' he thought.
Against his own better judgment, Gabe quickly closed the door behind them and locked it. Then he made his way on the other side of Ian, took his arm and wrapped it around his shoulders. Ian nodded his appreciation after they settled him in an empty chair near Gabe's computer desk. Gabe nodded in return but still kept his distance by taking a few steps back. Faith took off her coat. Gabe froze, eyes widen when he seen the apparatus on Faith's arms. 'God I hope I wasn't wrong in trusting Faith.' Gabe prayed as his doubts ran through his mind.
Faith sensed Gabriel's uneasiness and followed his gaze down to her arms. She rolled her eyes, with a little shake of her head, she quickly took her weapons off, and placed them on the coat she laid on the desk. She moved over to Ian to check how he was holding up. She had to admit he was looking better but not by much. "I'll be right back, guys." Faith got up and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Both men questioned.
Gabe's voice was a little shaky. He was rather reluctant to be left alone with Ian Nottingham. Even though the aforementioned assassin looked rather worn down and exhausted. However, he was not sure what the man was capable of even in his current condition.
"Easy guys I'll be right back. I just need to grab a few things from the car. Behave while I'm gone." Faith warned before running out of the apartment. The door closed behind her with a loud thud. Gabe stared at the closed door then turned to look at Ian. Quickly Gabriel began wandering absently around the room, fixing and rearranging items around his workshop, all the while keeping a wary eye on Nottingham.
"Don't worry Mr. Bowman I won't hurt you." Ian's soft voice was uncharacteristic to Gabe's ears. Making him feel I little more nervous then usual. This was not the same brooding man that threatened him months ago. The man sitting in his chair was beat and a bit dejected. 'Just what the hell happened to him?' Gabe thought.
"Well forgive me but you can't really blame for my nervousness, can you? From what I recall you practically threatened me to stay away from Sara. If I didn't you'd have my head. I mean that is the first impression you were going for right, Nottingham. Or could I have been mistaken?" Gabe continued to ramble. Not knowing where the sudden burst of energy came from. "I'm sorry if I'm being rude but that's not something one forgets." Gabe ran a shaky hand through his hair. "By the way you forgot your shrunken head. You did pay for it." Gabe added, why he did was beyond him.
A small smile crept across Ian's face taking a notice of the daring in the young man's voice. Ian continued to listen as he remembered their first encounter. He was sent by Irons with one purpose in mind to persuade the Bowman child, as Irons had put it, from helping Sara learn anything dealing with the Witchblade. Irons wanted to sever off any other outlet of knowledge pertaining towards the Witchblade, leaving him the sole provider of such information.
Ian had followed through on Irons' orders by visiting Gabriel, provided some money, and a warning to stay away from Sara. He was sure the young man took heed of his warning. However, Ian was surprised when he seen Gabriel openly talking to Sara in front to the precinct the next day. He had told her about Ian's visit and the supposed threat on his life. When asked why he still came to her his answer was simple, 'Cause I pick my own friends.' In addition, his fascination with the strange and arcane peaked when he found out that Sara actually possessed the Witchblade.
The two quickly became friends and Gabriel continued to provide his assistance when it came to the Witchblade or anything else he could help with. Ian had to admire the younger man's daring. Not many went against Irons and lived. There was also a hint of jealousy as well. Here was a man that gained not only Sara's trust but also her friendship and love. Something Ian had wanted to achieve. However, he knew it was impossible.
On the other end, Ian was grateful that Sara had someone like Gabriel Bowman as a friend. Not many could handle Sara Pezzini, which was why she had so little friends. The young man had a courageous spirit and showed a sense of loyalty when it came to Sara. He was the kind of friend Sara needed. Someone strong and wouldn't be put off by her passionate attitude. However, the boy's sarcastic mouth and tenacious attitude could get him into more trouble then its worth.
Ian never confronted Gabriel again. Instead, he took the opportunity by using Gabriel as an outlet to pass important information regarding the Witchblade to Sara. Information that could not be so easily found on the Internet. However, no one knew what Ian was doing. He could not risk Irons' ire and Sara would only doubt the worthiness of the information thinking it was another ploy from Irons to control the Witchblade.
"You can keep your head. I never wanted it in the first place." Ian finally said. Gabe stared at Ian not knowing if he was talking about his or the shrunken head. Somehow, he had a feeling it was the former that Ian was referring. Gabe swallowed the lump in his throat and reached for his neck. Before Gabe could say anything Faith walked back into the apartment, locking the door behind her.
Faith stared between the two before moving over to Ian. Shaking the feeling, that something had happened while she was gone. She knelt in front of Ian the medical bag in one hand and a shirt, she had found in the trunk, in the other. "I've got to stitch up some of your wounds." Ian nodded his head. Faith turned her attention to Gabriel. "Gabe I know I'm asking for a lot but I need your help. You are the only one I know that I can trust. Look I promise I'll explain what's going on but I need to know now if you're going to help me, us?" Faith pleaded.
Faith pulled up along side of Gabriel's building. She turned the car off and looked over at Ian who had fallen asleep during the short ride. She hated to wake him but they needed to get inside and he had some wounds that required some serious attention. Faith looked out the car window to stare up at the building. She was a bit apprehensive that Gabriel was going to help her out. She had not given him the full details over the phone. Only that she was in need of his help. Apparently, it was enough to convince him to offer his assistance.
'This would be so much easier if I hadn't agreed to watch over this Sara Pezzini.' She sighed. However, she had agreed and she was going to keep her promise to Ian.
Faith got out of the car, walked over the passenger side, and opened the door. She knelt besides Ian, pushing a stray lock of hair behind his ear. She cupped his face and gently called out his name, "Ian," attempting to rouse sleeping beauty. When he did not respond she moved her hand to his shoulder and lightly shook him careful not to scare him. "Ian wake up." She called out again a soft groan escaped his lips and Ian slowly opened his eyes. Faith smiled at him and said, "Wake up Ian where here."
"Where is here?" He asked still drowsy from sleep.
"The friend I was telling you about. This is where he lives. Come on let's get you inside." Faith helped Ian out of the car and up to Gabriel's apartment. When they finally reached their destination, she leaned Ian against the wall near the apartment door. Ian blinked several times and narrowed his eyes trying to read the sign on the door, 'Talismanic'. Faith raised her arm, ready to pound on the door when Ian stopped her.
"Wait! How do you know Gabriel Bowman?" Faith lowered her arm and turned her head to stare at Ian. "He's helped me with a few acquisitions in the past. Why?" How do you know Gabriel Bowman?" Faith narrowed her eyes on Ian. She sees that he was holding back, something he was not telling her.
"Faith I trust you but I don't think this is a good idea."
"Ian I don't know how you know Gabriel but believe me you're going to tell me, later. For now, we have no other choice. Gabriel's a good friend and I trust him." Faith banged on the door until she was sure Gabe heard her.
"Who is it?'
"Its me, Faith! Open up."
"Faith you don't understand." Ian's words were ignored. He stopped when the locks turned and the door flew open. The young entrepreneur sported a huge smile on his face. He walked out and engulfed Faith into a hug. For a brief moment, it was a sweet reunion until Gabe's eyes landed on the dark figure leaning against the wall.
"Whoa what the hell?!" Gabe yelled as he pushed away from Faith's arms. He raised both hands, his fingers pointing at Ian, "Keep that psycho freak away from me!" Gabe staggered backwards. Faith reached out for Gabe, trying to reassure him that it was okay, "Gabriel wait!" The startled man started to back away into his apartment all the while mumbling 'no, no way' over and over. Faith's head snapped as she turned her attention from Gabriel to Ian, giving him a scathing look. Faith narrowed her eyes and said, "Ian Christian Nottingham, just what the hell did you do to him?!" Ian innocently looked back.
"I tried to tell you." He shrugged his shoulders, hearing Gabriel muttering under his breath somewhere in the apartment. He tried to continue but Faith raised her hand, halting whatever else, he was going to say. "We are going to have a serious talk later." A conversation needed to be discussed inside and not out in the hallway. Now she needed to somehow convince Gabriel to help her. Ironic how earlier she was afraid that Gabe wouldn't help her, but after seeing her friend's reaction she would be surprised if he did. If by some chance he was still willing to help then she was definitely going to need a serious talk with him as well. For now, she needed to get Ian inside and settled.
Faith was grateful that Gabe hadn't closed the door on her face. At least it meant he wasn't going to shut her out completely. Faith reached over to Ian, wrapping an arm around his waist while he wrapped his arm over her shoulders. With a grunt, he pushed off from the wall and let Faith support most of his weight. As they slowly made their way in Faith whispered, "You have a lot of explaining to do." Ian nodded. For now all he wanted to do was make it in, hold out long enough to find a chair and collapse in it.
Gabe stopped pacing the floor of his workshop and looked up to see Faith helping Ian inside. He stood there for a moment, contemplating on what he should do. He stared from Faith to Ian and back to Faith again. They had been friends for a while now and he trusted her. Perhaps if Faith was willing to trust Ian Nottingham maybe he could push aside his differences and help. Faith was a good friend she wouldn't place him in a dangerous situation, intentionally. Would she? Gabe gulped at the thought then shook his head, 'no I can trust Faith,' he thought.
Against his own better judgment, Gabe quickly closed the door behind them and locked it. Then he made his way on the other side of Ian, took his arm and wrapped it around his shoulders. Ian nodded his appreciation after they settled him in an empty chair near Gabe's computer desk. Gabe nodded in return but still kept his distance by taking a few steps back. Faith took off her coat. Gabe froze, eyes widen when he seen the apparatus on Faith's arms. 'God I hope I wasn't wrong in trusting Faith.' Gabe prayed as his doubts ran through his mind.
Faith sensed Gabriel's uneasiness and followed his gaze down to her arms. She rolled her eyes, with a little shake of her head, she quickly took her weapons off, and placed them on the coat she laid on the desk. She moved over to Ian to check how he was holding up. She had to admit he was looking better but not by much. "I'll be right back, guys." Faith got up and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Both men questioned.
Gabe's voice was a little shaky. He was rather reluctant to be left alone with Ian Nottingham. Even though the aforementioned assassin looked rather worn down and exhausted. However, he was not sure what the man was capable of even in his current condition.
"Easy guys I'll be right back. I just need to grab a few things from the car. Behave while I'm gone." Faith warned before running out of the apartment. The door closed behind her with a loud thud. Gabe stared at the closed door then turned to look at Ian. Quickly Gabriel began wandering absently around the room, fixing and rearranging items around his workshop, all the while keeping a wary eye on Nottingham.
"Don't worry Mr. Bowman I won't hurt you." Ian's soft voice was uncharacteristic to Gabe's ears. Making him feel I little more nervous then usual. This was not the same brooding man that threatened him months ago. The man sitting in his chair was beat and a bit dejected. 'Just what the hell happened to him?' Gabe thought.
"Well forgive me but you can't really blame for my nervousness, can you? From what I recall you practically threatened me to stay away from Sara. If I didn't you'd have my head. I mean that is the first impression you were going for right, Nottingham. Or could I have been mistaken?" Gabe continued to ramble. Not knowing where the sudden burst of energy came from. "I'm sorry if I'm being rude but that's not something one forgets." Gabe ran a shaky hand through his hair. "By the way you forgot your shrunken head. You did pay for it." Gabe added, why he did was beyond him.
A small smile crept across Ian's face taking a notice of the daring in the young man's voice. Ian continued to listen as he remembered their first encounter. He was sent by Irons with one purpose in mind to persuade the Bowman child, as Irons had put it, from helping Sara learn anything dealing with the Witchblade. Irons wanted to sever off any other outlet of knowledge pertaining towards the Witchblade, leaving him the sole provider of such information.
Ian had followed through on Irons' orders by visiting Gabriel, provided some money, and a warning to stay away from Sara. He was sure the young man took heed of his warning. However, Ian was surprised when he seen Gabriel openly talking to Sara in front to the precinct the next day. He had told her about Ian's visit and the supposed threat on his life. When asked why he still came to her his answer was simple, 'Cause I pick my own friends.' In addition, his fascination with the strange and arcane peaked when he found out that Sara actually possessed the Witchblade.
The two quickly became friends and Gabriel continued to provide his assistance when it came to the Witchblade or anything else he could help with. Ian had to admire the younger man's daring. Not many went against Irons and lived. There was also a hint of jealousy as well. Here was a man that gained not only Sara's trust but also her friendship and love. Something Ian had wanted to achieve. However, he knew it was impossible.
On the other end, Ian was grateful that Sara had someone like Gabriel Bowman as a friend. Not many could handle Sara Pezzini, which was why she had so little friends. The young man had a courageous spirit and showed a sense of loyalty when it came to Sara. He was the kind of friend Sara needed. Someone strong and wouldn't be put off by her passionate attitude. However, the boy's sarcastic mouth and tenacious attitude could get him into more trouble then its worth.
Ian never confronted Gabriel again. Instead, he took the opportunity by using Gabriel as an outlet to pass important information regarding the Witchblade to Sara. Information that could not be so easily found on the Internet. However, no one knew what Ian was doing. He could not risk Irons' ire and Sara would only doubt the worthiness of the information thinking it was another ploy from Irons to control the Witchblade.
"You can keep your head. I never wanted it in the first place." Ian finally said. Gabe stared at Ian not knowing if he was talking about his or the shrunken head. Somehow, he had a feeling it was the former that Ian was referring. Gabe swallowed the lump in his throat and reached for his neck. Before Gabe could say anything Faith walked back into the apartment, locking the door behind her.
Faith stared between the two before moving over to Ian. Shaking the feeling, that something had happened while she was gone. She knelt in front of Ian the medical bag in one hand and a shirt, she had found in the trunk, in the other. "I've got to stitch up some of your wounds." Ian nodded his head. Faith turned her attention to Gabriel. "Gabe I know I'm asking for a lot but I need your help. You are the only one I know that I can trust. Look I promise I'll explain what's going on but I need to know now if you're going to help me, us?" Faith pleaded.