Chapter 1:

The body was splayed spread-eagled on the floor, a single gunshot wound to the chest, point-blank. Blood pooled around the body and the smell of rotting meat began to invade the apartment. The sofa was turned on it's back, the tables were in pieces and spread everywhere. The TV had a hole in the screen and blood decorated the edges of the hole. Lamps were overturned, stuffing torn out of chairs, and the kitchen was a mess with food spread everywhere and mixed with spilt flour and spilled milk. Silverware was thrown everywhere and three butcher's knives were embedded into the refrigerator door.

Sentinel Detective John McClane, ignoring his guide and partner Melissa Snow, headed toward the closed bedroom door and after a quick sensory sweep of the room, opened the door and stared at the comatose bundle on the bed. Melissa shrieked her outrage, startling the crime scene techs that had entered the apartment. John just ignored her as he approached the young man who simply looked at him with blank eyes. His skin was sallow, eyes wide and deeply sunken in his head. Black rings circled his eyes and his hair fell against his head, lank and lifeless. He was also covered in blood and a simple yet exhaustive sensory sweep told John that the blood covering the young man and the blood from the dead man were the same.

"Snow!" John barked, stopping Melissa's rant and gaining a thankful look from the techs. "Go get the paramedics."

"For what?" sniped Melissa, her attitude turning her tone bitchy and sarcastic.

"I heard you McClane," interrupted Sentinel Paramedic Helen Colt as she sent a scathing look Melissa's way. "What's the 411?"

"Victim or suspect," said John as Helen and her guide partner Natasha Jackson entered the room. "Either way, I need him checked out, need his clothes as evidence, and no one is allowed access to him except for me and Captain Dekker."

"Ten four," grinned Helen before she turned to the man. "Did you happen to find out his name?"

"No," said John dryly. "I just got into the room Helen."

"Falling down on the job Sentinel McClane," teased Helen. Suddenly the young man lashed out, fear filling his eyes as his fist landed against Helen's cheek before he scuttled backwards, his heart racing and the stench of fear filling the room. Natasha immediately pulled Helen back, her eyes filled with protective rage while John and Helen just stared at the man.

What had happened to make him so scared, so frightened? What had happened to have him so scared of Sentinels, if their instincts were correct...and they were always correct.

"Sir?" Helen called gently as she stood, careful to stay out of range of the young man. "Sir...I'm Sentinel Paramedic Helen Colt...my partner and guide here is Natasha Jackson. We simply want to make sure you're okay...that you're not suffering from your injuries."

The young man, eyes filled with fear and distrust, just looked at Helen. He obviously didn't trust her and until he did, there was no way to get him out of the room short of tranquilizing him and that was always a last resort as the chemicals made nearby Sentinels act loopy. His eyes tracked her, Natasha, and John as they just looked at him.

"I don't want to tranq him," sighed Helen. "I don't trust that guide of yours McClane."

"Neither do I," said John before he and Helen winced as they heard Melissa's clip-clomp.

"Don't you have the suspect under your control yet?!" Melissa shrilled. "Tranq the bloody fool if you have to!"

"Snow, get out of here!" Natasha snarled. "You're a Police Guide, not a Paramedic Guide! You have no iclue/i on how to deal with him."

"Oh bite me Jackson," sneered Melissa before she turned sharply on one heel and strode from the room and then the apartment.

"And how do you deal with her?" asked Helen dryly.

"By hoping Dekker will get her transferred before she gets the entire Sentinel Division killed through her negligence," replied John tiredly. Melissa was one of three permanent Police Guides assigned to the New York Sentinel Division. Unlike the other two, Melissa was a shrew and was only in it for the glory that came with being a Police Guide. There was an entire hierarchy amongst Sentinels and Guides that normal humans couldn't navigate with detailed instructions and a ten foot pole. Melissa planned for the top, to become a Military Guide and become permanently attached to a Military Sentinel...for they had power to wield and she wanted it.

"Has she realized yet you're a retired Military Sentinel?" wondered Helen, amusement clear before she turned back to the young man. She blinked as she saw confusion and amazement in the brown depths.

"No and I hope she never does," shuddered John before he looked at the young man, also seeing the confusion and amazement. Both he and Helen moved as the young man stood, took one cautious step toward him, and fell unconscious. John caught him first and he barely suppressed the gasp that threatened to escape. The young man felt iright/I in his arms. Felt as if he belonged there.

"Lay him on the strecher," said Helen, voice brooking no argument. John laid the young man down, wondering why he felt like clutching the young man to him tighter and glaring down anyone who threatened to take him from him. He shook his head trying to settle his thoughts while Helen and Natasha quickly and efficiently strapped the man to the strecher and wheeled out of the room and apartment, leaving John behind, a faint "See ya later John!" from Helen wafting toward him.

Along with an unsettled and dark feeling that he shouldn't have let the man from his sight.

TBC

A/N: Okay, I know the first chapter is wildly out of character for John. I'm still working on his characterization and iany/i help would be greatly appreciated. Also...for anyone who knows the Sentinel, you know that Sentinels and their Guides apparently have spirit animals. I have the following in mind but would appreciate any insight or suggestions if anyone else has them. :)

John-Lion

Matt-Barbary Macaque (monkey) though I also see him as a lynx

Lucy-lioness (for obvious reasons)

Holly-Colocolo (en./wiki/Colocolo)

Thomas Gabriel-snake

Mai-leopard

I'll take suggestions for other spirit animals if anyone has them. These are just rough ideas right now.

Oh, and please R&R. It does feed my addiction.