(Here's the next part everybody. It's been a long time since I've seen the show. So if the characters are a little OCC, I'm sorry, I'm just trying to make them a little more… human. Who knows what the characters are really like outside of the shows? You know the drill, 5 or more reviews and you get a chapter 4. Enjoy!)

Sara's emerald eyes turned hard and frosty in response to Ian's question. Nadia's arrival had thrown her off balance, but she remembered that Ian could pose a very real danger to her cousin if given half a chance. Still, he was here, and Sara really didn't feel like arguing about it. After all, Nadia was tired, and the last thing Sara wanted to do was upset her even more.

"I still say that that's none of your damn business, but since you asked, Nadia is a very distant cousin of mine-"

"A few times removed, and after tonight, excommunicated from the rest of my so-called loving family." Nadia finished cheerfully, though her smile never reached her eyes, as she reemerged from her room. "Can I help in any way with dinner Sara?" She asked as she reached them, looking at Sara expectantly.

Sara just grinned and handed her cousin the plates. "Put these on the table." Quietly, however she whispered to Ian. "Enough, don't ask anything else right now. Just play along."

Ian smiled and bowed his head in acknowledgement. He would bide his time, perhaps Nadia could be an ally in more ways than one. For now, he wanted to find out more about this girl. As he helped set the table, he noted just how fragile Nadia's hands looked. 'An enigma, something tells me that there's more to her than meets the eye. What does Sara know that I do not?' He thought.

Dinner was mostly idle chit chat, asking about school and college ideas. The laughter didn't sound forced, but it didn't sound natural either. Ian noticed that there was no talk of boys or of family, which said a lot of what had driven Nadia here.

It wasn't until after dinner that Sara seemed to gather her courage and ask the big question. The witchblade deepened in color, as though in concern. The tension in the room was almost unbearable. Ian quietly stood and moved to the other side of the room, though still within hearing range, hoping that would help the little girl feel more comfortable.

"Nadia honey, where is your ring?" Sara asked gently, knowing that Nadia would understand the real question being asked.

"In the garbage, where is belongs, along with all her letters!" Nadia snapped softly without venom. The sorrow and hurt clear in her voice. "She dumped me for a fling and then outed me when I told her that I refused to work with her, I said that I wanted nothing to do with her!" The laughter was bitter and strange. It sounded as though she couldn't get enough air in her lungs.

Sara's mouth tightened and her hands balled into fists. Feeling the nails biting into her palms, she relaxed as best she could. Though the anger burned deep in her veins she made sure that the expression on her face was neutral and compassionate.

Ian kept his face expressionless. He was catching bits and pieces of the conversation. Though there was nothing wrong with his hearing, he was unfamiliar with the lingo the girls were using. It didn't sound like a mere breaking of a friendship. It sounded as though… No, it couldn't be.

Could it?

Ian in particular wasn't exactly homophobic, but he wasn't happy seeing Sara around gay or lesbian people. Bloodlines notwithstanding, he didn't feel that Sara should be helping Nadia. After all, Sara could get hurt because of Nadia. Mentally shaking himself, he turned back to the conversation.

"… And of course you know how my parents are. Ha! I didn't know they were religious like that. Sure, they've got a bible or two lying around they house but I didn't even know they were Christian. When they heard that their daughter was an activist and had been the whole school year right under their noses, well…"

"Put their pants in a bunch didn't it?" Sara asked, not bothering to keep the glee and mirth out of her voice. "An open hearted treasure like you who thinks for herself would be their worst nightmare! How did you escape?"

"Thank Mara for that one! I called her on my cell phone as soon as I could, and she snuck over to my house to help me pack. She helped me find a plane and gave me money. Threatened to skin me alive if I tried to pay her back too!"

Sara threw her head back and laughed, having to lean on the back of the couch for support. "Well, it's nice to know that some things haven't changed! Too bad she couldn't come with you!"

Nadia's smile was peaceful and unforced. "No, Mara said she'd cover for me and lead them off my tracks. I promised to call her later tonight if I got here safely. I'm going to have to buy another card for my cell, cause I only have eight minutes on my phone left and I don't want to run up your phone bill."

The stern look that crossed Sara's face almost made Ian burst out laughing. "Oh no, Nadia, you don't need to pay me. I'm making good money now, considering old prickle face is in charge again and he's out to get my goat!" She grinned as the remark did as was intended and made Nadia double over in laughter. Sara waited for the laughter to stop before continuing. "Besides, anything that helps you is well worth it, you are after all my favorite cousin in the whole wide world. You know that. Stay here for a while and let the wounds heal before you start living on your own here."

"You just want me to stay in order to give you an excuse to be lazy and have girl parties!" Nadia laughed, shaking a finger at Sara, her eyes glowing with laughter. "Either that, or you are secretly hoping my ex will call so you can chew her out!"

Sara held her hands up in a defenseless gesture. "Ouch, guilty as charged on both points!" She agreed with a grin. "Especially to the second one! Life is never dull and boring with you around, I missed you little Hope."

Nadia smiled and held open her arms. "You need a hug Sara, and so do I."

Sara laughed and hugged her tightly. "You haven't been eating well, you're too thin. I'll have to cook more for you while you're here."

Ian raised an eyebrow and wordlessly walked over to join the hug. Sara hated to cook, he knew. When Sara finally let go, Ian hugged her too. More to feel just what prompted her remark then out of any affection towards the girl. He felt the thin and fragile body in his arms and silently agreed with Sara. Nadia was too thin, knew the steady pulsing he felt going though his arms was the beating of her heart, he knew now why she wore oversized clothes. Meeting Sara's eyes over her shoulder, he knew that Sara knew why as well.

His attention was brought back to the present when Nadia began to wiggle. "I need to breathe please sir." Came the polite request and gentle reminder. With a smile he let go.

"Jeez, the two of you must practice giving bear hugs." Nadia said as she ran her fingers though her rumpled hair.

The two adults looked at each other, and knowing exactly just how absurd that sounded. The simply couldn't help it but to burst out laughing and couldn't stop until both of them has to sink to the floor.

Nadia smiled down at both of them and decided a retreat would be the best course of action. Leaving them collapsed in their laughter, Nadia quietly rolled our into her bedroom, shutting the door.

Only then did she start to cry, the tears running silently down her face.

Some heart wounds took a long time to heal.