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Date Posted: 12:49:13 07/17/02 Wed
Author: moondreamer
Subject: Dreams - 6
In reply to: moondreamer 's message, "Dreams (PG13)" on 16:27:20 06/29/02 Sat

Chapter 6

Upset at the turn her conversation with Jake had taken, and unhappy with the look inside herself, Sara decided to head out to Gabe’s and see if there was anything there to distract her. Something about just seeing that kid usually made her day cheer up.

Oh, that’s really great, Sara, she thought to herself. This is really getting scary. You have two bright spots in your life. One is when some guy breaks into your apartment and climbs into bed with you; the other is a kid almost 10 years younger than you are. You’ve really got to get a life.

Pushing open the door at Talismanic, Gabriel’s place of business and home; Sara was greeted by the usual barrage of retro/classic rock. Another scary thought popped into her brain, she really did know and like most of the music he played. How’s that for showing her age?

“Gabe? Gabriel?” Shouting his name over the music, Sara wandered through his shelves. She was always fascinated at the items she found there. She moved slowly, reaching out and touching an object here or there that would catch her attention. She had to be careful though. It was kinda freaky, how since she had acquired The Witchblade when she touched certain objects sometimes images and visions would flash through her mind.

Sara came to the end of one shelf and stopped. “Hello there.” She murmured. There on the bottom shelf was an object she had never seen at Gabe’s before. It was small, delicate, somehow fragile looking; yet powerful all the same. Made out of some dark crystal it was a miniature dragon; wings outstretched as if in flight, shining claws extended. It looked so alive; somehow it called to her. Stirring her emotions in a way she couldn’t identify.

As if hypnotized, Sara stretched a trembling hand out to touch its smooth surface. As she stroked one finger carefully down the faceted side an image flowed into her mind, overtaking her and pulling her senses inward.

Swirling mists of black and red, impressions of fire and rock. There, in the midst of all of this was Ian Nottingham. Tall and impervious to the elements around him, his black overcoat moved around his still figure like the wings of the dragon she touched. He held a sword by his side, the blade gleaming no less brightly than the claws of the small figurine. Below him, watched by him, was a sleeping figure. It was herself, lying upon a bed of satin. Safe and protected, by her own black dragon.

Sara released the figure quickly and snorted to herself. “Subtle, that was not.” Was she projecting her own emotions here? Or, was it a true vision; the reality of her mornings played out in the dream world?

“Hey, Sara! What’s up?” Gabe came up behind her. Sara jumped in surprise. “Wow, didn’t mean to scare you?” He laughed as he gave her a quick hug.

“It’s alright, Gabe. I was just thinking.”

“Deep thoughts, huh?” Giving her a wink he moved around her and pulled up a chair at his desk.

Sara grimaced in annoyance. “You are the second person today to say that to me.”

“Well, I hate to be the one to tell you, but when you stand around in a trance-like state, people are going to say something.”

Sara sighed. “You’re right. I’m just…I need to say thanks to someone, Gabe. I just don’t know how.”

“Hey, Sara. No thanks are necessary. I do all of this ‘cause we’re friends. But, I’m touched, really I am.”

Reaching out, Sara gave him a hard punch on his shoulder. “Very funny, Gabriel. But it’s not you.”

“I’m hurt.” With a mock pout of his rather full lips, (and rubbing his shoulder) Gabe continued. “Not to be simplistic, but have you just said thanks?”

“It’s not that easy, Gabriel. I can’t explain it, it’s just not.” Looking down at her feet, Sara gave another heavy sigh.

“Well, then. How about a small gift? A token of your appreciation? Something that would have meaning for the two of you?” Gabe searched for his words carefully, he wanted to ask who she was referring to, but had learned it was better to let Sara go at her own pace.

“Maybe you’re right.” Driven by an impulse she couldn’t explain, Sara spoke again. “That little black dragon, on the shelf over there. What’s he going for?”

Aha! Putting the pieces together, Gabriel hid the smile her words brought to his face. “That’s a little something I picked up at an estate sale last week. No real history on it, I’ve not identified the crystal it’s made of. It just caught my eye.”

“Mine too.” Somehow, this just felt right to Sara, in a way that the card shop didn’t. “Why don’t you wrap it up Gabe. I’ll take it.”

“You bet.” Moving quickly, not wanting her to change her mind or talk herself out of it. Gabe stood and retrieved a black velvet pouch. “Let me just put this together and it will be all yours.”

While Gabe was finishing his wrapping of the figurine, Sara shifted her feet from side to side.

“Uh…Gabe?” She cleared her throat.

“Yeah?”

“Am I…am I a hard person to get to know? Am I distant?” She blurted the words out quickly, looking down at the floor as she did so.

“Sara.” Gabe spoke quietly, reaching his hand out to touch hers as he did so. “You just aren’t of this world. You are a special person, and it takes someone else special to get to know you. Someone who doesn’t always look for the easy way.”

Sara could feel the splinter of pain in her heart ease a bit at his careful words. “Thanks, Gabriel.” She picked up the pouch and cleared her throat again. “Something someone said today…it just bothered me.”

“You’re welcome, Sara.” Gabe paused for a moment, then looked up with a wicked grin. “I hope Nottingham likes the dragon.”

Sara gaped at him, her mouth hanging open in surprise. “What…what?”

“It’s cool, Sara. I won’t tell.” With another wink, Gabe moved towards his back room. “Catch ya later.”

Closing her mouth, Sara just stared after him

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