The Lady… or…. The Panther?

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with the show or comic Witchblade. They belong to much more talented, although incredibly foolish, individuals. Lianna however is mine, please don't use her without prior written consent.

I'm sorry this chapter has taken so long and that it is significantly shorter than what I'd have liked it to be. I'm in the midst of writing chapter four along with an LOTR fic and a six page research paper about the destruction of Egyptian monuments and tombs. Be patient with me, please.

I am also looking for a beta. If you're interested let me know.

Chapter 3: Orders

To a regular observer the scene would be a familiar one. A fair haired, cold looking man sat relaxed behind his desk, washed in the light of a single fixture. Behind him, wrapped in shadow, a stronger man presented a façade of subservience. The illusion was almost perfect, unless you looked into the dark man's eyes where the fire of intelligence burned.

Kenneth Irons as yet remained unaware of his servant's growing willfulness. A fact that served Ian Nottingham well. Irons' ignorance on what Ian did once loosed from his sight allowed a freedom Ian hadn't know he could achieve before the Wielder. Slowly, the assassin was scraping a life outside of Irons' cruel grasp.

Irons, fully expecting his orders to be carried out without question, pushed a glossy sheet across his desk. Nottingham moved precisely around the desk and lifted the black and white photo. He studied the woman carefully, trying to determine what his master wanted with the striking beauty. Long dark hair appeared to be restrained in a tight braid that fell well past a slender waist. Her limbs, encased in a simple one piece jumpsuit, gave the impression of grace and power echoed in the slight Asiatic features of her face.

Ian looked up slightly, waiting for the importance of the woman to be revealed. Kenneth steepled his fingers and looked over them casually. Ian's response made it clear to Irons that his servant did not suspect the truth of the female's identity.

"She is a threat to me." Irons began without preamble. "And poses an obstacle to the Wielder. Find her and bring her to me."

Ian nodded and swept out of the room, hiding his confusion until the door clicked firmly shut behind him. The assignment was not all that unusual, he'd often dealt with such 'problems'. The situation that set his instincts twitching was the lack of information he'd just been given about his target. There was no name, no vital statistics. Nothing that would help him track this woman. It seemed almost as if Irons expected this woman to seek Ian out and only wanted to ensure the proper reaction. Ian was hardly comfortable with being left in the dark. He'd have to do some digging on his own.

He wanted to know why he was being so openly manipulated. And see if he could possibly turn it to his advantage.

ANHope this helps set more things in order. Be sure to let me know what you think. Thanks again to my reviewers: you know who you are ;)! As soon as my paper is done I'll get chapter four up. Promise! Crystal