Jim sat out in his truck watching the abandoned warehouse. He'd been on the stakeout for five hours and was ready to call it quits for the night. His thoughts turned to the kid they had found or rather caught lurking around the place two weeks ago.
flashback
Yellow crime scene tape surrounded the building; there were four police cars and a pick up truck surrounding the front. Several cops milled about, taking statements and keeping the general public back, except for one sixteen-year-old college student.
Blair Sandburg watched the scene from a distance. He was formulating a plan to get in without the cops noticing him.
Man, how could I have forgotten my pack? I never leave without it. What the heck was I thinking? I guess I was thinking about that lecture today. If I had remembered my pack, I wouldn't have to deal with getting around the cops.
He watched a few more minutes and noticed that the cops outside kept their backs to the building and weren't really watching the sides. Blair slipped off to one side and snuck into the building. He trotted off down the hall to his one room apartment.
Halfway there he was snagged from behind. "Hey Chief, where do you think you're going? Didn't you see the yellow tape outside?" His captor asked. Blair turned and looked up into the blue eyes of Detective James Ellison.
"Uhm..hi. Uh..I came back for my pack. I was halfway to school when I realized I forgot it. I'll just go get it and be outta here. " Blair said nervously.
Jim turned his captive around, looked at the kid a little surprised, and said, "You're a kid. What's a kid doin' in a place like this?"
"Uhm well I live here. If you'll just let me go and get…" Blair started, but the look on the detective's face had him pausing.
"You live here? Where's your Mom? Let me speak to her." Jim told the confused and frightened teen. He could hear the kid's heart beating rapidly and his frantic breathing.
end flashback
A movement from the shadows of the building caught his eye and brought Jim out of his memories. He watched a young man look around and then quickly slip inside the place. Jim waited a moment, made sure his gun was ready, and then went after his target.
The young teen was glad when he found one of his leather hair ties in the one room apartment he used to live in. He quickly tied his hair back; revealing two gold hoops in his left ear, and resumed the search for his backpack. He had forgot about it when the detective had asked about his mother, and wasn't able to sneak out of his foster home till tonight.
When they found out he was sixteen and both parents were presumably deceased, Social Services was called and they placed the teen in a foster home. A loving foster home were the words they used, but teen snorted at the description. If that was their idea of a loving home, he'd rather live on the streets. Turning his attention back to what he came to do, the youth went looking in the closet. "Found it. Now to get out of here." He mumbled softly to himself. He turned and slammed into someone behind him.
Jim barely flinched as the youth connected with his chest. He had put his gun away when he had seen the young teen and caught the kid by his upper arms, after the boy had slammed into him. " Blair? What are you doing here at this time of night? Do the Sharp's know where you are?" He asked, shocked to see the young man.
The Sharp's, yep that was the perfect name for the family. Blair thought about that for a moment, and then brought himself back to his present situation. " I had to get my pack. No they don't! I doubt they care anyway! They're just in it for the money! " Blair snapped. He hadn't meant to, but it angered him that some people were that way.
Jim was taken aback by the tone and words Blair had used, and had loosened his hold on the youth. He was rolling Blair's words around in his head, when his sentinel hearing heard soft whimpers and moans followed by a soft hitched breathing, and the smell of unshed tears assaulted his sensitive nose. He looked over and saw the wince of pain cross over Blair's face.
Blair hadn't realized how sore his back was until he hefted his pack on to it. Tears leapt into his blue eyes as he slowly put his pack back down. He tried to bite back the whimper that was in his throat, but only managed to muffle it a bit. He looked up at Jim wondering if the detective had heard him.
Jim was concerned by the rapid heartbeat he was hearing now. "Chief, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Is there something going on at home? " He asked, concern wrapping around his words. Without warning, Blair launched himself against Jim's chest and sobbed softly.
The sobbing was too soft to be heard by normal hearing, but Jim's sentinel hearing picked up each heart-wrenching sob loud and clear. He could smell the salty tears Blair was shedding against his chest. Jim ran his hand over Blair's soft, brown, curls and ended up with the leather tie in his hand. He ran his hand over the kid's head again, but when he touched Blair's back, Blair squirmed to get away.
"No! Don't…please… don't. It hurts." Blaire whimpered softly trying to get away.
Jim moved his hand back to Blair's neck and held the squirming teen gently, but firmly. "Shh, take it easy Chief. Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you." Jim said rubbing the back of Blair's neck.
"I'm okay now. My back hurts, though." Blair said, after calming down first. He looked up at Jim and hoped that maybe the detective could help him.
A loud ringing filled the room, and Jim hurriedly fished the cell phone from his pocket.
"Ellison!" Jim barked. " Yeah Simon. No it was a bust. I did find something interesting though. We'll talk about it when I get back. Oh really? He did? They are? Alright Simon I'll be there as soon as I can."
Blair listened to the conversation intently, and then froze when he heard the last little bit of the conversation. He concentrated on getting his breathing back to normal first. The Sharp's must've found out he was gone and called the police pretending to be worried. The thought of what they might do to him once back at their house, had him feeling sick to his stomach.
Jim felt the subtle changes in the young man still huddled against him. "Chief, you okay?" he asked, wondering what had set the kid off now. Something was wrong, Jim just didn't know what yet. "Chief, listen Simon needs me to come back to the station. I'm bringing you with me." He explained and unprepared for what happened next.
"No!" Blair screamed and squirmed out of Jim's grasp. He bolted out the door towards the safety of outside. He was halfway to freedom when he was grabbed from behind. Blair thrashed against his captor till a low, angry voice whispered in his ear. "Knock it off Chief, or you will be riding to the station with a very sore backside."
The thrashing teen stopped immediately at the threat. He turned huge, innocent, disbelieving, eyes up at Jim and asked, "You wouldn't really, would you?" It wasn't possible, was it?
"It's a promise Chief. C'mon lets go out to my truck." Jim answered. He released the teen slowly and latched on to his right arm. They went out to Jim's pick up truck. Jim opened the passenger side, helped Blair in, pointed a finger at him and said, " Stay put."
Blair nodded and reached for the seatbelt. He had no intention of moving from the truck, not with the threat Jim had just posed a few minutes ago. The Sharp's had made threats close to Jim's before, but this was different. This one didn't frighten him, well it made him worry about his backside, but he felt safe with Jim.
When they reached the station, Jim noticed that Blair was completely agitated again. " Hey Chief, you okay? You wanna tell me what's going on? "
Blair shook his head. He didn't want to talk about it, yet. He turned his head and stared out the window. Jim sighed and got out of his truck. He walked around to the passenger side, opened the door and motioned for the teen to get out.
The walk inside to Simon's office was too short for Blair. Once he saw who was sitting in there, he froze by Jim's desk and wouldn't go any further. When Jim realized he lost his shadow, he turned and saw the frightened expression on Blair's now pale face.
He followed Blair's gaze to the couple in Simon's office. Everything that was bothering him made sense now. Blair's words about them not caring, his sore back, the phone call from Simon and telling Blair they were going to the station. The kid was frightened of them, and Jim and an angry feeling he knew why.
"C'mon Chief. I'll be in there with you. They won't hurt you anymore, I promise." Jim told him. Relief filled Blair's eyes, as he looked up at Jim. The youth threw his arms around Jim's waist and whispered, " Thanks."
Jim ran his hand over the head of curls laying against his chest. " I always keep my promises Chief." He said softly. Blair looked up at him and smiled, then chanced a look at the couple in Simon's office.
Feeling Blair stiffen, Jim looked over his shoulder at Simon's office and saw that the couple was now staring at them and glaring at Blair vehemently. Jim narrowed his eyes at the couple for a moment, and then turned back to the young man, who had wormed his way into Jim's heart in a few short hours.
"Everything's gonna be okay, Chief. C'mon, we can't put it off anymore. " Jim told the trembling youth. Blair looked up and nodded slowly. He straightened up and allowed Jim to put an arm around his shoulders, which weren't as sore as the rest of his back.
Simon barked his usual command of "Enter!" when Jim rapped on the captain's door. Jim heard Blair's heart rate spike when they came face to face with the Sharp's. He rubbed the teen's arm reassuringly to calm him.
"There you are Blair. We've been so worried about you. Come on, we'll take you home now. Thank you for finding him Detective Ellison." Mrs. Sharp said flashing Jim the most charming smile she could. Mr. Sharp sat with a stern look that was aimed directly at Blair.
Blair snorted softly at the fake concern being thrown his way. He knew it was an act to make them seem like concerned parents. He hoped neither of the men were falling for it, especially the one to whom he was clinging to at the moment. The stern look had him shaking again though, and he pressed himself closer to Jim.
Jim sensed the distress coming from Blair. He rubbed the teen's arm again to reassure and calm him. Leaning down, Jim whispered, " It's okay Chief. I promised I wouldn't let them hurt you anymore and I always keep my promises. Remember?"
Blair nodded and began to take deep breaths like his mother, Naomi, had shown him to do when he got upset. He noticed that as he relaxed, the detective next to him relaxed as well. He wondered what that was about.
Satisfied that the teen was once again calm, Jim looked at Simon and said, " Simon, I can't allow them to take Blair home. It's not in his best interest. He can stay with me tonight if need be, but I refuse to let him go with these people."
Simon opened his mouth to question Jim's actions, when Mrs. Sharp spoke. " What?! Excuse me Detective Ellison, but what do you mean it's in Blair's interest that he not return home with us? What's he been telling you?"
"Probably more of his lies. He also embellishes on his stories as well. Detective Ellison, I would like to know what stories Blair has been telling now." Mr. Sharp said, casting another glare at Blair.
" Really? I haven't heard much out of the kid yet. He told me he wanted to get his pack, but that was about it. I don't recall him saying anything else." Jim paused for a moment, letting the information sink in. The Sharp's seemed to relax at the information, but stiffened when Jim continued. " However, I made some rather interesting observations. Did either of you know that Blair is injured?"
A bead of sweat had formed on Mr. Sharp's forehead, his breathing and heart rate had both elevated. " No we didn't. Blair must've hurt his back while he was out gallivanting around." Mr. Sharp told Jim. Mrs. Sharp nodded in agreement.
Blair began to bounce on the balls of his feet in excitement at the words that were spoken. He looked up at Jim and wondered if he had heard the slip up as well. He felt a gentle squeeze to his arm and saw the small smile play across Jim's lips. It was then he knew Jim had heard.
Jim couldn't help the smile that had appeared on his face. The bundle of energy next to him, had him feeling a certain amount of protectiveness towards the kid. He didn't know how he was going to be able to let him go to another foster home tomorrow. He turned back to the task at hand. He pinned the couple with a stern glare and said calmly, "Now why would you say that Mr. Sharp? I never said where the injury was."
Mr. Sharp swallowed hard. He glanced at his wife, then back at the angry looking detective. " I just assumed, detective. He didn't seem to be limping or bandaged anywhere else. " Mrs. Sharp nodded and added, " Detective Ellison, Blair has obviously pulled the wool over your eyes with one of his elaborate tales. Let us take him home and we'll make
sure he stops those silly tales of his."
The explosion happened before Jim could stop it. " Liars! You both know that my back's hurt and you both know why!" Blair yelled. His eyes were filling fast with tears, his body was trembling and he pointed his finger at each one while he erupted with the next tidbit of information. " He beat me with his…his…while you just stood there and watched! I'm not going back there with you ever!"
Two sets of thunderous eyes turned to the Sharp's. Blair stood off to the side with his arms wrapped around himself. Tears slipped down his face on to the red flannel shirt he was wearing. He wiped a sleeve across his face to keep anyone from noticing.
The hitched breathing found it's way to the sentinel's ears. Jim looked over at the kid and saw how miserable, scared and lonely he looked. He caught Simon's eye, then nodded his had slightly towards Blair. Simon looked over, then back at Jim and nodded. Jim turned another hard glare at the Sharp's, and then walked over to the trembling teen.
"How you doing, Chief?" Jim asked, wrapping an arm around the teen's shoulders and drawing him close. Blair unwrapped his arms from around himself and wrapped them around Jim's waist. He laid his head on the detective's chest and whispered, " I'm okay now."
Jim stroked the soft brown curls. He knew the request he was about to make was going to be hard on the both of them. "That's good to hear kiddo. Chief, I need you to do something for me." He told the young man softly.
"Sure Jim what is it?" Blair asked, moving back a little to look up at the detective. He wondered what the detective could want from him.
"Simon and I have to take a look at your back. We want to see what kind of damage was done." Jim said, waiting for the explosion. The increased heart rate and breathing, were Jim's first clues that his young charge was not happy with his request.
"Why do you have to see? I mean it hurts and I don't think I can get my shirt off without pain." Blair started. He didn't want the Sharp's to be in there either, but he didn't want to admit that.
"Chief we have to see how bad your injuries are. That's why, and if you need help, one of us can help you." Jim explained, even though he knew it was useless as he felt the young man tense.
Blair was scared and covered up the only way he knew how. "No way! I don't need anyone else touching me! I'm outta here!" He yelled, jerking himself away from Jim's gentle grip. He began to pace the room and gesture with his hands while he proceeded to yell. "You're just like them! You think I'm lying and want to prove it! Well no way man! I'm soo outta here!" Blair picked up his backpack and headed towards the office door at his last sentence.
Jim nabbed the kid by his shirttail, before he'd even stepped one foot out of Simon's office. "Hold on there kiddo. You're not going anywhere." Jim said, drawing the teen back over to him. He quickly dodged the backpack that was immediately swung at his head.
"You see detective, that's what we had to put up with. He's wild and strikes at us." Mrs. Sharp immediately said. She was hoping the teen would distract the cops enough so she and her husband could slip out of the room unnoticed.
Simon didn't even notice the couple making their way towards the office door, till Jim looked up at them then grimaced as he felt a sharp kick to his shin. The Sharp's stopped when they stepped out of the office.
"Hey Simon, lose something?" A voice asked as the Sharp's backed into the office. Simon looked up, then smiled as Joel Taggert came into the office behind the Sharp's.
"Thanks Joel. We're having a bit of a problem here and I don't need these two taking advantage of it." Simon said, turning an angry glare to the Sharp's. He looked over at Jim, to see how he was fairing with the wildcat of a teen.
Jim had his arms wrapped around the shaking youth, with the kid's back to his chest. He leaned down to the kid's ear and whispered, " Remember what I told you earlier about behaving or you'd end up with a sore backside? That threat is still in effect Chief, so you'd better calm down."
The whispered threat had its desired effect, or so Jim thought. The minute he loosened his hold, Blair bolted away from him and out of Simon's office. Jim growled, and said, "Simon, meet us in conference room four in ten minutes. " He took off after the ball of energy. Simon and Joel just looked at each other and Joel said, "Looks like Ellison has his hands full." Simon nodded, then turned back to the couple.
"That he does Joel. Listen I want you to keep an eye on these two. I will need to speak to them when we get back from the conference room." He told Joel, and then turned to go to the conference room.
Panic and fear drove Blair faster, though he wasn't sure where he was going at the moment. He looked around wildly trying to figure out where to go next, when his arms were suddenly grabbed from behind. Blair struggled in vain to get away. His body was pulled backwards and his back was settled gently against a warm wall. He looked up, through his mass of wild curls, into the steel blue eyes of one very pssed off detective.
"Uh…hi Jim. I'm sorry?" Blair said hoping that's what the detective wanted to hear. His hopes were crushed when Jim said, "You will be in a minute." and, then walked him quietly to the conference room.
He could feel the kid trembling in his grip, and was tempted to forget the punishment. He wanted to chalk the kid's attitude up to him being scared, but knew he couldn't. Jim had promised the kid a sore backside and he always kept his promises. Slamming the door to the conference room open, Jim was relieved to see that Simon wasn't there, yet.
Blair cringed when the door was slammed open. He was released and immediately went and sat down in a chair. He clutched his backpack to him when he was told not to move. He licked at his dry lips and knew he had to fix the problem, before it became worse.
"I…I'm sorry Jim. I didn't mean to…" Blair started trying to explain. Jim took a chair and sat it in front of Blair. He sat down facing the teen, and held a hand up to stop him from talking.
"Stop right there. You're gonna listen to me first. You'll get your say in a minute. Now, I know you're scared kiddo, and you have every right to be, but that doesn't give you the right to throw a temper tantrum like a four-year-old, Chief. Do you remember what I said would happen if you didn't behave yourself?" Jim asked.
Blair immediately nodded. "Yeah you said I'd end up with a sore backside. Look, I'm sorry I didn't mean…" Blair started only to be cut off again.
" Not yet, Chief. I've got a few more things to say. Yes, I promised you a sore backside and I always keep my promises. We have two options here, Chief. We can do this now, or we can wait till we go back to my place."
"Who said he was going back to your place Jim?" came a bellowing voice. The room's two occupants looked up at Simon standing in the doorway. Simon walked into the room and shut the door. He pulled another chair over to the two and sat down.
"Simon, I'm not going to let him go back with those people. They're lying through their teeth. I also don't want him to have to spend the rest of the night in the social services office. He'll be safe at my house, and I can make sure he doesn't decide to go on anymore late-night excursions tonight. " Jim explained, grinning a little at the end and ruffling Blair's already wild curls.
Simon grinned at the parental affection his best detective was giving to the miserable looking teen. Jim wasn't known around the bullpen to be anything but cold as iron. He noticed Jim and Blair were looking at him and returned to the normal glare he had to make himself look stern. " I don't intend for him to go back with those people either Jim, but we have to call social services. We can tell them that we have a temporary home for the night, but if they say "no" Jim, then we have to let them do what they think is best."
Blair remained quiet, even though his body didn't. His feet were tapping as if he were hearing a song no one else could. He listened to the two men talk and hoped that Jim would forget about the promised punishment. There was a small part of him though, that hoped Jim wouldn't. He shifted slightly in his seat trying not to call attention to himself.
The soft rustling of clothes and an even softer sigh graced Jim's sensitive hearing. He watched Blair try to be as discreet as possible and not draw attention to himself.
Simon noticed the young man trying not to fidget as well. He cleared his throat and said, "Well let's do what we came to do. Blair we need you to take your shirt off. We have to see how bad the bruises are son." His voice started off gruff, but softened it a bit when he started speaking to Blair.
Clutching his backpack to his chest, Blair closed his eyes and began to softly speak. He kept talking softly till Simon looked at Jim and asked, " What the heck is he saying?"
"I believe he's chanting, sir. I can hear what he's saying, I'm just not sure what he's saying." Jim replied. Blair quieted down a few moments later. He looked at Simon first, then at Jim and whispered, "Okay, I'm ready."
The three men stood up. Blair set his pack down on the chair he'd been sitting in and then stood there not sure what they wanted him to do next. Simon, who had a teenager at home, stepped in and said, " Just turn around and raise your shirt in the back, son. We won't take longer than we have to. "
Blair nodded and turned around. He unbuttoned his flannel shirt and took it off revealing a white t-shirt underneath. He laid his other shirt on top of his pack, and then began to raise the back of his t-shirt up.
Both older men in the room had to control the rage they were feeling inside as they saw the long dark bruises on Blair's back. Jim could smell the unshed tears welling up in Blair's eyes and went over to the distraught young man. He placed a hand on Blair's shoulder, and was angered further when Blair flinched at the touch.
"We're done, Chief. You can put your other shirt back on. Simon and I need to go into the hall for a few minutes. Will you be okay in here?" Jim asked, moving his hand to the boy's neck and lightly rubbing. Blair nodded and wordlessly picked up his other shirt.
Jim and Simon went out into the hall and closed the door. Jim erupted first. "What were those people thinking! What could the kid have done to make those people think he deserved to be beaten like that!"
"Jim! Calm down, I know you're angry about it, I am too. Blair is in that room though and you shouting at the top of your lungs is probably scaring him even more. Let's go in the next room and you can yell all you want. " Simon said in a tightly controlled voice.
Jim calmed somewhat and cocked his head towards the door. He could hear Blair softly chanting again. " Simon, I promised Blair we'd be right outside the door. I'll try not to yell, but those people have me so dmn mad. Why are they even foster parents? I'd make a better foster parent than they would. " Jim said lowering his voice to a normal tone, but with all the venom and hatred towards the Sharp's still in it.
"You did not promise him, but if you can keep from yelling, we'll stay here. How's he doing? " Simon asked, when he noticed Jim looking like he was listening to something.
"He's alright. He's doing that chanting thing again. I think it helps him to calm down. Well what are we going to do Captain?" Jim asked.
"We aren't going to do anything. I'm going to go back to my office and deal with our happy couple. You're staying here and finishing any business you have to." Simon told him. Jim nodded at the words and knew what Simon was referring to.
Jim walked back into the conference room, after Simon left and found Blair sitting indian style on the floor with is eyes closed. He was taking deep breaths and chanting softly. "Chief? You okay?" Jim asked not sure if he should disturb the kid or not.
Blair's eyes fluttered open a few minutes later. "Huh, oh hi Jim. I was trying to center myself and…sorry. Naomi taught me that for when I get really upset and start to panic. I'm better now. What happens now?" Blair asked standing up.
"Well Simon has gone back to deal with the Sharp's. You and I have some unfinished business to deal with as well. I believe, before Simon interrupted us, I had just given you two options. Right?" Jim asked sitting back down.
Blair looked up with a deer caught in the headlights look and said, "Crap! I mean uh… right. Look I'm sorry about swinging my pack at you and kicking you. I was scared and needed to get out of there. I shouldn't have acted out like that though."
"I'm glad you realize that Chief, but you still have two options, now or later." Jim said as he monitored the young man's heart rate and breathing. He could hear Blair muttering the choices to himself.
"How about option three; never?" Blair asked in a teasing but hopeful tone.
Jim raised an eyebrow at him and said, " That wasn't on the list Chief. I'll give you one minute to decide, then I'll decide for you." Jim looked at his watch, then back at Blair.
A small sigh escaped from Blair's lips as he mulled over his choices. He looked at Jim, his decision made. "I want to get this over with now. I might not be able to go with you later, if Social Services says no." Blair said, hoping they'd say yes.
Jim smiled at Blair and said, "That took a lot of guts to say, Chief. I know you could've told me later and ended up getting put with another family, but the fact that you didn't says a lot to me. Okay Chief, come here." Jim motioned Blair over to his left side.
Blair smiled a little at the bit of praise he was given. He closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. When he opened his eyes, he sighed and made his way slowly over to Jim. He bounced slightly at Jim's side and was about to say something, when the sharp ring of Jim's cell phone broke the silence in the room.
"Ellison." Jim said, answering his phone.
"Jim, I need you two to come up here. Social Services is here. They need to talk to you and Blair." Simon told him.
"Alright Simon. We'll be right there." Jim said, then hung up the phone, looked at Blair and said, " Well Chief, looks like you're getting that reprieve. Someone from social services is here and wants to talk to us."
Relief and regret filled Blair's eyes as he nodded and went and picked up his pack. He walked over to the conference doors and stood there dejectedly. Jim moved the chairs back, and then went over to Blair. He put a hand on the boy's shoulder and opened the door with the other. " Come on Chief, let's go."
The two walked quietly back to Simon's office. Jim stopped before he opened the doors to the bullpen and turned to Blair. Jim had felt him trembling the whole way to there and wanted to comfort the boy a bit. "Hey Chief, it's gonna be okay. I'm sure they found a good foster family for you to stay with this time." Jim said, his voice cracking a bit with emotion.
"I do…don't want to go wi…with another foster fa…family, I…I want t…to stay with y…you." Blair sobbed, wrapping his arms around Jim's waist and laying his head against Jim's chest. Jim blinked back the tears that were threatening to spill from his light blue eyes, and ran his hand over the wild brown curls.
"I know Chief. I want that, too, but I'm not registered as a foster parent." Jim told the sobbing teen.
"You are now." A voice behind them said. The two looked up and saw Simon grinning at them. A woman stood next to Simon smiling as well. She turned to Simon and said, " You were right, these two are made for each other." She turned to Jim and Blair and said, "I'm Sarah Murdock, and I just need your signature on a few documents detective to make everything official, then you and your son can go home."
An hour later, Jim and Blair were on their way home. "Well Chief, both of us have had a long night, so why don't we get some sleep, when we get home, and when we get up, we can take care of what we have to." Jim said. When he didn't get an answer he glanced over at Blair and saw him huddled against the door asleep.
"I see you agree Chief." Jim said softly. He parked his truck in the alleyway next to the apartment building he lived in. He reached over and shook Blair gently. "Hey Chief, wake up we're home."
"Home?" Blair muttered sleepily. He tried to curl up against the door again, only to find it missing. He would've tumbled into Jim's arms if it hadn't been for the seatbelt he'd put on. "Whoa there sleeping beauty. Let's get this off first. " Jim took the belt off and helped Blair out of the truck.
When they got into the apartment, Jim set Blair on the couch and went to search for a pillow and blanket for his young charge. When he came back, Blair was curled up near the arm asleep. "Couldn't wait could you Chief?" Jim asked and chuckled softly. He lifted Blair's head and placed the pillow under it, and covered him with the large blanket he'd found.
He turned and headed up the stairs to his bedroom loft. When he got there though, he looked back down at the sleeping youth and decided to stay close by for the night. He grabbed the large pillow and a light blanket off his bed, and then went back downstairs and made himself comfortable in the chair right beside Blair.
A scream jolted Jim awake. He looked over at Blair and found the teen sitting straight up and looking around. Jim was immediately at his side. "Easy Chief. It's okay, you're safe." Jim said softly as he rubbed Blair's arm.
Blair looked at him and blinked a couple of times. " Jim? Where am I?" Blair asked.
"Yeah it's me Chief. Don't you remember anything about last night." Jim asked, a little concerned. Blair thought for a few minutes, then looked Jim and grinned. "Oh yeah, we're a family now." Blair said, then threw his arms around Jim's neck and hugged him.
Jim had to catch himself, before they both ended up on the floor. "Whoa there Chief. I don't think either one of us wants to end up on the floor at this moment. How's your back today?" He asked putting his arms around Blair gently.
"Better. It still hurts, but not as bad." Blair told him, breaking away from the hug first. He remembered everything about last night and wasn't sure if he wanted to bring it up or not. He began to gently bite his bottom lip trying to decide.
Jim picked up on the increased heartbeat immediately. He leaned back and looked at Blair. "Something wrong Chief? You seem upset about something. " Jim asked wondering what had caused the change in mood.
Blair worried his lip a bit more, before looking up at Jim. "I…uh…I remember something else about last night." Blair said, wondering why he was admitting this.
"What's that Chief ?" Jim asked, wondering what about last night would have Blair so worried and nervous. He watched Blair fidget a little.
"A promise that was made," Blair said softly. He took a breath and continued, " And still needs to be kept." He looked up at Jim, with tears in his eyes and one sliding down his pink tinged cheek.
The rest of Blair's fears washed away when he saw the love and pride meant for him, reflected in Jim's eyes. He didn't flinch when Jim's hand cupped the side of his face and tenderly wiped away the errant tear with his thumb.
"I'm proud of you, Chief. You could've kept quiet about it and hoped that I'd forget about it, but you didn't and that makes me real proud kiddo." Jim said, tucking a loose strand of Blair's hair behind the kid's ear.
Tears streamed down Blair's face and over Jim's hand. Jim was surprised at the fresh tears in Blair's eyes. He could hear the erratic heartbeat and feel the slight tremors running through Blair's body.
"Come on kiddo, let's get this over with, before you have a panic attack." Jim said, once he realized why Blair was getting upset again. He got up and then helped Blair up.
"Wh…Where do you want me?" Blair asked, barely looking at Jim. He wrapped his arms around himself and bounced slightly in place, trying to keep himself calm.
Jim watched Blair and monitored his vitals. He could see the beads of sweat forming on Blair's brow and hear his heartbeat rising. He could hear the kid trying to control his breathing and that's when he realized Blair was scared. " What's wrong Chief? What do you think's going to happen?" Jim asked.
"You're gonna beat me." Blair whispered softly. His whole body began to tremble at the thought. Jim stepped towards Blair and was hurt when he saw him flinch. He took Blair into his arms and tried to soothe the trembling teen.
"Oh…no. No Chief. Shh…shhh, calm down. I am not going to beat you Blair. I will never beat you and that's a promise." Jim said softly, stroking the curly brown hair. He felt Blair relax a little at the promise.
"What about your other promise?" Blair asked, his voice barely above a whisper and still tinged with fear, but loud enough for the sentinel's ears. Jim continued stroking the boy's hair as he asked, " What were my exact words of that promise Chief? I want you to repeat them."
Blair stayed quiet for a few minutes. He let Jim's soothing touch calm his almost panicked state. " You said that if I didn't behave, I was gonna end up with a sore backside." Blair said finally.
"I want you to think about that for a minute Chief. I want you to tell me exactly what you think that means." Jim said, moving his hand to the teen's neck and shoulders and began to lightly rub them.
The tender touch at the base of his neck eased the tension Blair had been feeling. He thought about the words he repeated and immediately gave Jim a look that was a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "You don't mean you're going to…" Blair started not wanting to continue.
Jim almost laughed at the look he was given. "Put you over my knee and spank you? That's exactly what I intend to do Chief. Come on, we've put this off long enough." Jim said releasing Blair and sitting down on the couch. Jim crooked a finger and beckoned Blair over to him.
A look of disbelief was still on Blair's face as he slowly walked over to Jim. Jim took one look at the teen and quickly put him over his lap. "Okay kiddo, the next few minutes aren't going to be pleasant for either one of us, but when it's over it'll all be forgiven and we won't bring it up anymore." Jim told his young charge. Blair's head shot up a bit, then turned to look at Jim through the curtain of curls. " Really?" Blair asked.
"Really." Jim stated. He wrapped his right arm around Blair's waist and raised his left arm.
The first swat made Blair gasp. He had thought his jeans would offer some protection, then realized how wrong he was as he felt the swats igniting a fire on his butt. He began to whimper and gasp as the swats became harder and faster.
Jim tightened his hold on Blair as the teen began to try to squirm more and try to get away. The gasps and whimpers were hard enough for him to listen to, knowing he was the reason for them, but when the sobbing and begging started, he had to turn his hearing down a touch and strengthen his resolve.
"Please…no more…I'll be good…Please Jim…stop." Blair pleaded as he threw his hand back to stop the swats from raining down. Jim grabbed his wrist and continued. He wanted to make sure his young charge would remember this the next time he thought about having a tantrum. Blair kicked his sock covered feet up next to cover his blazing backside.
"Blair, put your feet down." Jim told him. He could hear Blair choking back sobs and trying to calm down.
"Please Jim…stop." Blair whimpered keeping his feet where they were.
"I'm not going to tell you again Junior. Put your feet down or I'll finish this with your jeans down." Jim told him firmly.
Slowly, one foot retreated to the floor, a minute later the other one retreated. Yelps of pain filled the loft apartment as Jim began to pepper Blair's backside with renewed vigor. Blair couldn't do anything else but cry and gasp for air.
Jim could tell Blair wasn't going to be able take much more. He delivered two final swats and stopped. He released Blair's hand and began to rub the boy's back. "Shh…come on Chief. Take deep breaths. There you go." He said trying to calm the boy with is soothing tone.
Blair felt himself being lifted and turned. He could feel someone stroking his hair and brushing it away from his face. Soft, gentle words were being murmured in his ear. He began to concentrate on them, trying to hear what was being said.
"Shh…shh…it's okay now kiddo…we're done…shh…come on Chief…calm down…shh." Jim said softly, stroking Blair's hair and back. The sobs began to taper off until only an occasional sniffle or hiccup was heard.
"I'm sorry I acted like a brat." The words were soft and barely audible, but sensitive sentinel hearing heard each one. Jim tightened his hold on his young charge, hugging him close.
"Shh I know you are Chief. You're forgiven kiddo." Jim told him. Blair settled contentedly against Jim, then asked, " Jim, we're not going to do anything that involves sitting today are we?"
Jim's laughter echoed through the loft, followed by Blair's chuckles. "I think we can find a few things to do that don't involve sitting Chief. Let's start by making breakfast." The two got up from the couch. Jim headed over to the kitchen when something smacked the back of his head.
He turned and saw the mischievous twinkle in Blair's eyes, then looked down and saw one of the throw pillows at his feet. Looking back up at his young charge, Jim saw he had the second throw pillow in his hand.
"Don't think about it Chief, or I might have to retaliate." Jim said, raising an eyebrow, then bent down and picked up the pillow at his feet..
Blair's eyes went wide at the remark. He bit his bottom lip for a moment, then grinned when he realized Jim was teasing him back. He launched the other pillow at Jim's chest and nailed his target perfectly.
"Good now that I have both pillows, you don't get to use one to sit down on." Jim said, then turned around casually, headed to the kitchen, got plates, glasses and silverware out and put them on the table. Blair groaned and turned to look for another small pillow.
Suddenly he felt two thumps to his backside. He yelped and looked to see what hit him. When he saw the pillows, he looked at Jim and grinned.
"That was dirty Jim." Blair said as he grinned, rubbed his backside a bit with one hand and picked up one of the pillows with the other. He put the pillow on the couch, and then picked the other one up.
"You started it Junior. Now come help me with breakfast." Jim said and returned the grin.
