A Family Affair
Disclaimer: I don't own the Witchblade characters. Top Cow, TNT and the WB do. I'm just borrowing them. Enjoy!
Author's note: I know, I know! I promised that action was forthcoming. It is! Next chapter!
Chapter 32.
"Do it! Now!" Danny Woo snapped, when Sara, Gabriel, and Nottingham just stared at him in frozen surprise.
"Danny, this isn't what it looks like!" Sara said, recovering first. "But you'd better do what he says, Nottingham," she told her Protector.
Ian released her and raised his gloved hands to shoulder level, watching the Asian detective through the curtain of his hair.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the guy who's been stalking you, Pez?" Danny asked Sara, keeping his eyes on the big, black-clad man.
"Well, technically, yes, he has been shadowing me, but he's no threat to me. Please, Danny, put away your gun and I'll explain everything," she implored, turning to face her partner.
"Not until you tell me who he is and why he was attacking you," Danny refused.
"He wasn't attacking her," Gabriel spoke up, "despite what it looked like."
"I would never hurt, Sara. I love her. In fact, I would give my life for her," Ian said softly in Cantonese.
Danny stared hard at the assassin, annoyed that he could not see the man's face clearly through his hair. "Uh, not really helping your cause here, Stalker Guy," he said in English. "In fact, you just majorly creeped me out." He glanced at Gabriel. "I'm guessing he's not your cousin, Bowman."
"No, he's not," the young man admitted. "But what Sara said is true: He'd never do anything to harm her. He's a friend who's been helping her out with this situation involving her nephew."
"He's right, Danny," Sara concurred, wondering what the hell Nottingham had said to her partner. Something disturbing, judging by the look Danny had given him. "By the way, what made you come back here?" she asked curiously.
Frowning, Danny slowly put away his service weapon. "I'd only gone a couple of blocks when I realized I forgot my wallet," he told her. "I was heading back when I saw Bowman go into the alley, followed a minute later by you. So, I decided to see what was going on. I peeked around the corner and saw tall, dark, and scary there grab you. Mind telling me just what the hell is going on, Pez?"
"It's a long story, Danny, and we don't have much time. Agent Atherton is gonna start wondering where I am in a few minutes," Sara told him. "Danny Woo meet Ian Nottingham. We met several months ago at the Midtown Museum. He's head of security for Kenneth Irons."
"The billionaire? I seem to remember reading that he had some artifacts on display at the museum," Danny said. "Too bad they got all blowed up, but good thing you somehow didn't."
"Yeah. Nottingham was working security detail the day of the shootout with Vespucci in the museum, and that's how we met. Later, we ran into each other again, and, uh, became friends. He agreed to help out when I told him about the trouble Joey was in. He's the one who made contact with the undercover narc at the abandoned factory last night."
Danny nodded, eyeing Nottingham whose gaze was now fixed on the ground. "No offense, Pez, but I gotta admit I was wondering how you'd managed to get in and out of that place without being detected. I'd hazard a guess that Mr. Nottingham here has covert ops training."
"Good guess," Sara murmured. "Anyway, I also enlisted Gabriel's help in giving Joey a heads up about the decoy operation. I just can't stand the thought of him going to that rehab facility without knowing the danger he's in. Gabe is meeting him at his school and giving him a bulletproof vest to wear. He's gonna call me when he contacts Joey so that I can speak to him and let him know about the decoy setup."
"You could pass for a student, Bowman," Danny observed. "I'll give you that."
"Gee, thanks," Gabriel muttered.
"However, you're gonna need a student ID or some kind of security clearance to get onto school property and meet Joey. Otherwise, school security will get suspicious, which might tip off anybody watching the school, whether it's Medina's guy or the task force's agent."
"He has a point, my Lady," Ian Nottingham said. "I should have thought of that before."
Sara frowned as she noticed the way he was rubbing his forehead.
"Well, what do you suggest we do? Gabriel has to get inside the school if he's gonna warn Joey and give him that vest," Sara said.
"I have an idea," Danny said. "Someone from the joint task force will call the school principal and tell him to expect a visit from a young, undercover narcotics officer this afternoon."
Sara shook her head. "I doubt we'll get anybody from the DEA or narcotics to agree to that. They're too afraid of tipping off Joaquin to risk it."
"Stuyvesant High School's principal doesn't know that. Nor does he know that Gabriel isn't an undercover officer. After Gabriel flashes a badge at security, I'm sure there won't be any questions asked. He'll meet with Joey, let him talk to you, give him the vest, and then be on his way before anybody gets suspicious."
Sara stared at her partner for a moment, then gave an appreciative smile. "There's that devious mind at work again. What would I do without you, partner?"
"Apparently, assemble your own task force made up of a former covert ops expert and a young antiquities dealer to help keep your nephew from being executed gang-style," Danny said wryly. "You know I always have your back, Pez. All you had to do was ask for my help." He glanced at Nottingham and grabbed Sara's arm, walking her a few feet away before asking in a low voice "So, what's the story with you two? Are you dating? And how come I didn't know about it? And you still haven't explained why the guy has been following you."
Mindful of Nottingham's sharp hearing Sara shook her head. "Um, no, we're just friends, Danny. I thought his background would come in handy, and it has. I promise I'll explain everything in more detail when we have more time, okay?"
"Okay, but why did he grab you like that before? It sure sounded to me like you weren't happy about it."
"Uh, he has this thing about physical contact that I forgot about," Sara said, aware of how lame this explanation sounded.
"He's kind of creepy, what with the no eye contact, all-black ensemble, and lurking in the shadows. But if you say he's a friend, I believe you," Danny said, shaking his head. "I take it he's the guy you showed up here with last night that everybody's talking about."
"Yeah. I needed to access the criminal database to get a home address on my informant. Nottingham was the one who chased off those hoodlums the other night when I went down to Alphabet City by myself," Sara told him. "He picked the guy out from a mug shot book and it was his idea to lean on him in order to find out the location of the new drug den. Then he went and checked the place out and discovered that Tommy Fuller was there under close watch and that he'd been cut off from his surveillance unit. He told the detective that he was working closely with someone from the 11th Precinct, but didn't identify me. Somehow, between now and when I call him, I've got to figure out a way of letting Detective Fuller know that I'm the contact Nottingham mentioned."
Just then, Nottingham said something to Gabriel in a tone of voice that, for him, was practically shouting, distracting her for a moment.
"Well, I'd better hurry up and get those coffees and you'd better head back inside before Atherton gets suspicious. You wouldn't happen to have a few bucks on you, would you, partner?" Danny asked, glancing at his watch.
Sara pulled some money out of her coat pocket and handed it to him. "Thanks for offering to help out, Danny. I would've of asked you earlier, but I didn't want to get you any more involved in this mess than you already were."
"Yeah, well, it stuck in my craw that you insisted on taking all of the heat about keeping quiet about the gun the other day. We're partners, Pez. Don't ever be afraid to ask me for help."
While Sara and her partner were talking, Gabriel Bowman spoke to Ian Nottingham in a low voice.
"Not smart stopping her from touching you, Nottingham," Gabriel said. "You only pissed her off."
"She was going to touch my forehead. She would have realized that I am still feverish," he said distractedly, trying to listen to what the partners were saying.
"Oh, and now she's going to forget all about it, right? If she wasn't suspicious before, she sure is now."
"We shall see."
"And telling her partner you're in love with her when he already thinks you're some kind of psycho stalker wasn't the best move either. You're lucky he didn't bust a cap in you just to be safe. He's kind of protective of her, which I'm sure you can understand. I think the fever is affecting your judgment, Nottingham, which could be dangerous for all concerned."
"Dangerous for you if you insist on continuing to annoy me," Ian murmured, rubbing his forehead. His head had started to ache and he felt very hot and slightly disconnected from reality. Then he frowned as realization dawned on him. "You speak Cantonese?"
"Just enough to get by," Gabriel told him, not entirely sure the big man had been joking about being annoyed by him. "You should just tell her that Irons didn't give you the antidote and get it over with."
"When I want your advice, I will ask for it," Ian snapped at him, scowling, then winced when his tone drew a frowning look from Sara.
The young entrepreneur took a cautious step back from him. "Um, sorry I'm irritating you. I just think she deserves your honesty, that's all."
"Her nephew's life, that of the undercover detective's, and very possibly her own are at stake here. I do not want to be a distraction to her. I am supposed to be her Protector. It is my job to worry about her safety, not the other way around. I have to be strong for her. I have to!" Ian said fiercely.
"Okay, okay!" Gabriel said soothingly, startled by Nottingham's obvious agitation. "I didn't mean to upset you. Try taking some deep, calming breaths."
"My master promised to give me the antidote if I succeed in keeping the Wielder safe until she apprehends the Medina brothers. He also ordered me to keep young Joseph from getting killed. However, I cannot be in two places at once," Ian told him, massaging his aching temples. "That is why I was forced to ask for your assistance, Mr. Bowman. This is indeed turning out to be a true test of my fortitude."
"It's more like cruel and unusual punishment, if you ask me," the younger man said softly.
Danny Woo looked at Gabriel Bowman. "I'll expect you to return this as soon as you're done with it," he said, handing him his badge.
"Uh, sure," Gabriel grimaced, taking it. "I'll swing by and drop it off later. Just curious: how stiff is the sentence for impersonating an officer?"
"You'll do fine," Danny assured him. "See you in a few, partner. Um, nice to meet you, Mr. Nottingham."
"Entenmann's, Hostess, Wonder Bread," Ian muttered, staring at the ground.
"Um, what are baked goods, Alex?" Gabriel said into the uncomfortable silence that followed, and laughed nervously.
Danny frowned, but then shrugged and left the alley.
Sara waited until he had disappeared from sight before rounding on the assassin. "Okay, what's with the Rain Man impression, Nottingham?"
Ian glanced at her in confusion. "Rain Man?"
Sara waved a hand dismissively, then whipped out the thermometer. "Open up."
"No," he refused, actually backing away from her.
Her mouth dropped open. "You did not just refuse to let me take your temperature, Nottingham," she growled, advancing on him.
"Sara, you should be getting back to your desk. You have been gone for more than ten minutes," Ian said out of desperation.
"Yeah, yeah, so what. Open. Up. NOW!"
Heaving a sigh, he acquiesced, rubbing his forehead wearily.
"Headache?" Sara asked him gently, placing the device in his mouth.
He nodded, closing his eyes. Sara's heart contracted as she saw that his thick eyelashes were spiky with wetness and that more tears were leaking out from beneath his lids. They both flinched as fast double beeps sounded 90 seconds later.
"103.5," Sara said tonelessly. "You lied to me."
"I never said I received the antidote," Ian whispered.
"But you let me assume you did. Tell me, how did you manage to fool both the thermometer and me this morning?" she asked coldly.
"By submerging myself in an ice-water bath for half an hour before leaving the estate. I am sorry, Sara."
"No, the kicked-puppy isn't going to work this time, Nottingham," Sara snapped, hardening her heart against his stricken expression. "I don't appreciate being lied to."
"Damn! I was sure the tears would do the trick," Gabriel said. "Shutting up now," he said quickly at the irate look Sara threw him.
"Sara, I did not want you worrying about me when you should be concentrating on catching the Medina brothers and keeping your nephew safe," Ian beseeched her. "Please, do not be angry with me!"
"That poison is killing you, Nottingham, and you don't seem to care very much! Well, I do care. It seems I have no choice about that because of this!" She held up her right wrist, indicating the silver bracelet with its glowing red stone.
"So, the Witchblade is the only reason you are concerned about my health," Ian murmured sadly.
"Yes!" Sara snarled, wanting to hurt him in her frustration. "What? Did you think I actually cared about you? I only care about my real friends!"
"Well, you will not have to worry about me for much longer," he growled, scrubbing the tears from his face, which became shuttered and distant like the Nottingham of old.
"Hey, hey, kids, time out! We're all a bit stressed out right now. Let's not say things we'll regret later!" Gabriel said, alarmed at how quickly things had gotten out of control.
"Shut up, Gabriel!" Sara snapped. "What do you mean by that, Nottingham? Are you finally gonna grow a spine and demand the antidote from that bastard Irons?"
"What do you care?" he flung back at her, turning on his heel and stalking away, further down the alley.
"I don't!" Sara yelled. "And I don't need you sneaking around after me either! I can take care of myself!"
"Fine!" Nottingham shouted back, disappearing around the corner.
"Yeah, well, I better not catch you spying on me again 'cause I just might shoot your ass!" she threatened.
His contemptuous snort was just audible. "You could try, you ungrateful brat!"
Sara's green eyes widened in fury, and she started to run down the alley after him, but Gabriel grabbed her by the arm. "You are so lucky Gabriel is holding me back, you freak!" she screamed.
"Sticks and stones . . ." came the faint reply, and then the alley was empty except for one extremely incensed Wielder and one bemused and horrified young entrepreneur.
More to come. Thanks for all of the great feedback, people. Keep it coming!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Witchblade characters. Top Cow, TNT and the WB do. I'm just borrowing them. Enjoy!
Author's note: I know, I know! I promised that action was forthcoming. It is! Next chapter!
Chapter 32.
"Do it! Now!" Danny Woo snapped, when Sara, Gabriel, and Nottingham just stared at him in frozen surprise.
"Danny, this isn't what it looks like!" Sara said, recovering first. "But you'd better do what he says, Nottingham," she told her Protector.
Ian released her and raised his gloved hands to shoulder level, watching the Asian detective through the curtain of his hair.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the guy who's been stalking you, Pez?" Danny asked Sara, keeping his eyes on the big, black-clad man.
"Well, technically, yes, he has been shadowing me, but he's no threat to me. Please, Danny, put away your gun and I'll explain everything," she implored, turning to face her partner.
"Not until you tell me who he is and why he was attacking you," Danny refused.
"He wasn't attacking her," Gabriel spoke up, "despite what it looked like."
"I would never hurt, Sara. I love her. In fact, I would give my life for her," Ian said softly in Cantonese.
Danny stared hard at the assassin, annoyed that he could not see the man's face clearly through his hair. "Uh, not really helping your cause here, Stalker Guy," he said in English. "In fact, you just majorly creeped me out." He glanced at Gabriel. "I'm guessing he's not your cousin, Bowman."
"No, he's not," the young man admitted. "But what Sara said is true: He'd never do anything to harm her. He's a friend who's been helping her out with this situation involving her nephew."
"He's right, Danny," Sara concurred, wondering what the hell Nottingham had said to her partner. Something disturbing, judging by the look Danny had given him. "By the way, what made you come back here?" she asked curiously.
Frowning, Danny slowly put away his service weapon. "I'd only gone a couple of blocks when I realized I forgot my wallet," he told her. "I was heading back when I saw Bowman go into the alley, followed a minute later by you. So, I decided to see what was going on. I peeked around the corner and saw tall, dark, and scary there grab you. Mind telling me just what the hell is going on, Pez?"
"It's a long story, Danny, and we don't have much time. Agent Atherton is gonna start wondering where I am in a few minutes," Sara told him. "Danny Woo meet Ian Nottingham. We met several months ago at the Midtown Museum. He's head of security for Kenneth Irons."
"The billionaire? I seem to remember reading that he had some artifacts on display at the museum," Danny said. "Too bad they got all blowed up, but good thing you somehow didn't."
"Yeah. Nottingham was working security detail the day of the shootout with Vespucci in the museum, and that's how we met. Later, we ran into each other again, and, uh, became friends. He agreed to help out when I told him about the trouble Joey was in. He's the one who made contact with the undercover narc at the abandoned factory last night."
Danny nodded, eyeing Nottingham whose gaze was now fixed on the ground. "No offense, Pez, but I gotta admit I was wondering how you'd managed to get in and out of that place without being detected. I'd hazard a guess that Mr. Nottingham here has covert ops training."
"Good guess," Sara murmured. "Anyway, I also enlisted Gabriel's help in giving Joey a heads up about the decoy operation. I just can't stand the thought of him going to that rehab facility without knowing the danger he's in. Gabe is meeting him at his school and giving him a bulletproof vest to wear. He's gonna call me when he contacts Joey so that I can speak to him and let him know about the decoy setup."
"You could pass for a student, Bowman," Danny observed. "I'll give you that."
"Gee, thanks," Gabriel muttered.
"However, you're gonna need a student ID or some kind of security clearance to get onto school property and meet Joey. Otherwise, school security will get suspicious, which might tip off anybody watching the school, whether it's Medina's guy or the task force's agent."
"He has a point, my Lady," Ian Nottingham said. "I should have thought of that before."
Sara frowned as she noticed the way he was rubbing his forehead.
"Well, what do you suggest we do? Gabriel has to get inside the school if he's gonna warn Joey and give him that vest," Sara said.
"I have an idea," Danny said. "Someone from the joint task force will call the school principal and tell him to expect a visit from a young, undercover narcotics officer this afternoon."
Sara shook her head. "I doubt we'll get anybody from the DEA or narcotics to agree to that. They're too afraid of tipping off Joaquin to risk it."
"Stuyvesant High School's principal doesn't know that. Nor does he know that Gabriel isn't an undercover officer. After Gabriel flashes a badge at security, I'm sure there won't be any questions asked. He'll meet with Joey, let him talk to you, give him the vest, and then be on his way before anybody gets suspicious."
Sara stared at her partner for a moment, then gave an appreciative smile. "There's that devious mind at work again. What would I do without you, partner?"
"Apparently, assemble your own task force made up of a former covert ops expert and a young antiquities dealer to help keep your nephew from being executed gang-style," Danny said wryly. "You know I always have your back, Pez. All you had to do was ask for my help." He glanced at Nottingham and grabbed Sara's arm, walking her a few feet away before asking in a low voice "So, what's the story with you two? Are you dating? And how come I didn't know about it? And you still haven't explained why the guy has been following you."
Mindful of Nottingham's sharp hearing Sara shook her head. "Um, no, we're just friends, Danny. I thought his background would come in handy, and it has. I promise I'll explain everything in more detail when we have more time, okay?"
"Okay, but why did he grab you like that before? It sure sounded to me like you weren't happy about it."
"Uh, he has this thing about physical contact that I forgot about," Sara said, aware of how lame this explanation sounded.
"He's kind of creepy, what with the no eye contact, all-black ensemble, and lurking in the shadows. But if you say he's a friend, I believe you," Danny said, shaking his head. "I take it he's the guy you showed up here with last night that everybody's talking about."
"Yeah. I needed to access the criminal database to get a home address on my informant. Nottingham was the one who chased off those hoodlums the other night when I went down to Alphabet City by myself," Sara told him. "He picked the guy out from a mug shot book and it was his idea to lean on him in order to find out the location of the new drug den. Then he went and checked the place out and discovered that Tommy Fuller was there under close watch and that he'd been cut off from his surveillance unit. He told the detective that he was working closely with someone from the 11th Precinct, but didn't identify me. Somehow, between now and when I call him, I've got to figure out a way of letting Detective Fuller know that I'm the contact Nottingham mentioned."
Just then, Nottingham said something to Gabriel in a tone of voice that, for him, was practically shouting, distracting her for a moment.
"Well, I'd better hurry up and get those coffees and you'd better head back inside before Atherton gets suspicious. You wouldn't happen to have a few bucks on you, would you, partner?" Danny asked, glancing at his watch.
Sara pulled some money out of her coat pocket and handed it to him. "Thanks for offering to help out, Danny. I would've of asked you earlier, but I didn't want to get you any more involved in this mess than you already were."
"Yeah, well, it stuck in my craw that you insisted on taking all of the heat about keeping quiet about the gun the other day. We're partners, Pez. Don't ever be afraid to ask me for help."
While Sara and her partner were talking, Gabriel Bowman spoke to Ian Nottingham in a low voice.
"Not smart stopping her from touching you, Nottingham," Gabriel said. "You only pissed her off."
"She was going to touch my forehead. She would have realized that I am still feverish," he said distractedly, trying to listen to what the partners were saying.
"Oh, and now she's going to forget all about it, right? If she wasn't suspicious before, she sure is now."
"We shall see."
"And telling her partner you're in love with her when he already thinks you're some kind of psycho stalker wasn't the best move either. You're lucky he didn't bust a cap in you just to be safe. He's kind of protective of her, which I'm sure you can understand. I think the fever is affecting your judgment, Nottingham, which could be dangerous for all concerned."
"Dangerous for you if you insist on continuing to annoy me," Ian murmured, rubbing his forehead. His head had started to ache and he felt very hot and slightly disconnected from reality. Then he frowned as realization dawned on him. "You speak Cantonese?"
"Just enough to get by," Gabriel told him, not entirely sure the big man had been joking about being annoyed by him. "You should just tell her that Irons didn't give you the antidote and get it over with."
"When I want your advice, I will ask for it," Ian snapped at him, scowling, then winced when his tone drew a frowning look from Sara.
The young entrepreneur took a cautious step back from him. "Um, sorry I'm irritating you. I just think she deserves your honesty, that's all."
"Her nephew's life, that of the undercover detective's, and very possibly her own are at stake here. I do not want to be a distraction to her. I am supposed to be her Protector. It is my job to worry about her safety, not the other way around. I have to be strong for her. I have to!" Ian said fiercely.
"Okay, okay!" Gabriel said soothingly, startled by Nottingham's obvious agitation. "I didn't mean to upset you. Try taking some deep, calming breaths."
"My master promised to give me the antidote if I succeed in keeping the Wielder safe until she apprehends the Medina brothers. He also ordered me to keep young Joseph from getting killed. However, I cannot be in two places at once," Ian told him, massaging his aching temples. "That is why I was forced to ask for your assistance, Mr. Bowman. This is indeed turning out to be a true test of my fortitude."
"It's more like cruel and unusual punishment, if you ask me," the younger man said softly.
Danny Woo looked at Gabriel Bowman. "I'll expect you to return this as soon as you're done with it," he said, handing him his badge.
"Uh, sure," Gabriel grimaced, taking it. "I'll swing by and drop it off later. Just curious: how stiff is the sentence for impersonating an officer?"
"You'll do fine," Danny assured him. "See you in a few, partner. Um, nice to meet you, Mr. Nottingham."
"Entenmann's, Hostess, Wonder Bread," Ian muttered, staring at the ground.
"Um, what are baked goods, Alex?" Gabriel said into the uncomfortable silence that followed, and laughed nervously.
Danny frowned, but then shrugged and left the alley.
Sara waited until he had disappeared from sight before rounding on the assassin. "Okay, what's with the Rain Man impression, Nottingham?"
Ian glanced at her in confusion. "Rain Man?"
Sara waved a hand dismissively, then whipped out the thermometer. "Open up."
"No," he refused, actually backing away from her.
Her mouth dropped open. "You did not just refuse to let me take your temperature, Nottingham," she growled, advancing on him.
"Sara, you should be getting back to your desk. You have been gone for more than ten minutes," Ian said out of desperation.
"Yeah, yeah, so what. Open. Up. NOW!"
Heaving a sigh, he acquiesced, rubbing his forehead wearily.
"Headache?" Sara asked him gently, placing the device in his mouth.
He nodded, closing his eyes. Sara's heart contracted as she saw that his thick eyelashes were spiky with wetness and that more tears were leaking out from beneath his lids. They both flinched as fast double beeps sounded 90 seconds later.
"103.5," Sara said tonelessly. "You lied to me."
"I never said I received the antidote," Ian whispered.
"But you let me assume you did. Tell me, how did you manage to fool both the thermometer and me this morning?" she asked coldly.
"By submerging myself in an ice-water bath for half an hour before leaving the estate. I am sorry, Sara."
"No, the kicked-puppy isn't going to work this time, Nottingham," Sara snapped, hardening her heart against his stricken expression. "I don't appreciate being lied to."
"Damn! I was sure the tears would do the trick," Gabriel said. "Shutting up now," he said quickly at the irate look Sara threw him.
"Sara, I did not want you worrying about me when you should be concentrating on catching the Medina brothers and keeping your nephew safe," Ian beseeched her. "Please, do not be angry with me!"
"That poison is killing you, Nottingham, and you don't seem to care very much! Well, I do care. It seems I have no choice about that because of this!" She held up her right wrist, indicating the silver bracelet with its glowing red stone.
"So, the Witchblade is the only reason you are concerned about my health," Ian murmured sadly.
"Yes!" Sara snarled, wanting to hurt him in her frustration. "What? Did you think I actually cared about you? I only care about my real friends!"
"Well, you will not have to worry about me for much longer," he growled, scrubbing the tears from his face, which became shuttered and distant like the Nottingham of old.
"Hey, hey, kids, time out! We're all a bit stressed out right now. Let's not say things we'll regret later!" Gabriel said, alarmed at how quickly things had gotten out of control.
"Shut up, Gabriel!" Sara snapped. "What do you mean by that, Nottingham? Are you finally gonna grow a spine and demand the antidote from that bastard Irons?"
"What do you care?" he flung back at her, turning on his heel and stalking away, further down the alley.
"I don't!" Sara yelled. "And I don't need you sneaking around after me either! I can take care of myself!"
"Fine!" Nottingham shouted back, disappearing around the corner.
"Yeah, well, I better not catch you spying on me again 'cause I just might shoot your ass!" she threatened.
His contemptuous snort was just audible. "You could try, you ungrateful brat!"
Sara's green eyes widened in fury, and she started to run down the alley after him, but Gabriel grabbed her by the arm. "You are so lucky Gabriel is holding me back, you freak!" she screamed.
"Sticks and stones . . ." came the faint reply, and then the alley was empty except for one extremely incensed Wielder and one bemused and horrified young entrepreneur.
More to come. Thanks for all of the great feedback, people. Keep it coming!