Blair felt himself start to shake violently and getting the required intake of oxygen seemed beyond him at this point in time.
Jim took one look and ushered him gently to the sofa. Once there he wrapped his guide in the afghan rug from the back of the sofa and lay down with him. He softly whispered nonsense word that only lovers know, imparting how much he meant to him, that this was forever and that he was now safe in his Sentinels arms.
But is he safe? Maybe I should have let him go with the Feds. Maybe I'm just being selfish, because I don't want to be parted from him…damnit! NO he's my guide, my love Ill protect him…or die trying.
Slowly Blares shaking stopped and his breathing returned to normal for the permantely rushed man.
"Jim,"he hoarsely whispered, "Why didn't she tell me?"
There was no doubt in Jim's mind who the she was. One Naomi Sandburg.
"I can't answer that Blair, only Naomi can…But if I had to guess, I think she probably wanted to forget. And since Clelland was dead she didn't have to tell you the horrid tale." Jim put forward his thoughts quietly and calmly hoping to calm his love. He tightened his hold on him to unconsciously trying to shield him from this darkness.
"Maybe…but why keep me atall, man…I must have been a constant reminder…OH God!"
Jim tightened his hold once more as he felt the younger man try to pull away.
"Okay that's enough," he stated firmly, "One: Naomi loves you…really loves you. There are manythings that your mother and I disagree on. But on this we are together. WE BOTH LOVE YOU. Two: No one would have, could have MADE Naomi keep you if she didn't want to, and three: stop trying to run away from me. You know Ill just follow."
At this Blair looked up into Jim's eyes, his expression full of fear, guilt and uncertainty.
Jim had to smile as he said, "I know how that convoluted brain of yours works, which is a really scary thought. So lets get this said once and for all time. We are in this TOGETHER…the two of us…got it?"
To which Blair grinned back and replied, "Got it."
Then returned his head to his loves chest and listened to the soothing sound of his Sentinels heartbeat.
And that is where Simons phone call found them moments later.
Jim was in the kitchen grabbing bottles of water out of the fridge while Blair washed his face and generally freshened up, when he heard them.
what the hell are they doing here?
"Blair we have visitors,"he yelled as he made his way to the door.
He waited till they knocked before pulling the door wide enough to reveal their guests.
Connor looked extremely angry and worried as she strode past Jim before he could utter a single word.
Rafe and Brown looked at each other and wondered wether it had been such a good idea to let the Australian spitfire in on their concerns. Lord knew that Ellison and Connor had had some humdingers of arguments since the female inspector had arrived in Cascade.
Connor turned and faced the now irate detective and without preamble demanded, "What's wrong with Sandy.and don't bullshit me?"
Rafe cringed waiting to see that infamous Ellison temper explode in the Aussie beauties face. But he and Brown were amazed to see Ji9m about turn and walk over to the sofa and throw himself down on it.
They entered the loft properly and closed the door behind them.
"I'm fine Megan," Blair interjected softly exiting the bathroom, "Honest, I'm okay."
He tried too smile at his friend but his face just wasn't co-operating.
Megan took a long hard look at him then softly said, "Sandy its pretty obvious to everyone in this room that that is most definitely one of your famous obfuscation's."
Blairs head bowed.
Megan moved toward her tired friend and put her hands on his slumped shoulders as she continued.
"Look Sandy, I don't know what's going on. And that's okay if that's the way you want it. I just want to make sure you know that you don't have to go through whatever it is alone, you or Jim. We are here if you need us, alright?" She squeezed his shoulders as she repeated, "Alright?"
For once Jim looked at Connor with thanks and total approval. They had had some almighty blowouts, but here she was with Rafe and H braving the lion's den to help her friend…maybe even friends.
Jim looked at the other two cops standing near the table. This was Rafes day off too, what beauty had he left sulking to be here, and H had just finished his shift.
Blair finally lifted his head again and looked at Megan, he tried again to smile but it came out false. He was too tired to fool anyone never mind a room full of detectives.
Megan pulled him in for a hug. She just couldn't bare to see Blair hurt. He had become her best friend and confidante in the short time she had been in Cascade. Blair hugged her right back wondering how he had ever got on without these amazing friends.
"Chief we really do need to get going," Jim's steady voice intervened. Blair felt himself calm down, felt the smothering anxiety lift slightly at his partners soft tones. He looked over into his mates pale blue eyes and saw his future. His past was gone. But his present and future rested in the secure and loving grasp of his Sentinel.
"Yeah! I'm ready. Listen guys thanks. I really do appreciate this," he declared moving out of Megan's embrace.
"No thanks are necessary. Sometimes I think you forget that you are part of this weird little family of ours." Brian Rafe said quietly but with a determined core, as if waiting for Blair to demure.
Not this time, Blair just smiled softly and said, "Thanks man. It is truly appreciated."
Blair felt rather overwhelmed by this show of solidarity. Until Jim he really hadn't had friends merely acquaintances. Now here he was surrounded by the best of friends you could ask for, each as loyal and courageous as the next.
He also knew that they were not going to let this go, their personalities just wouldn't allow it. Much as he really didn't want them involved, he knew they would just snoop and dig on their own time and that might just put them in even more danger.
"Look I know you all want answers, so I suggest you go to Joel's. Simon is already there, and he can bring you up to date without the emotional outbursts from me," he quipped trying to make light.
Jim nodded his approval, at last Blair was learning he didn't have to do every little damn thing himself. That it was okay to ask for help. It was a legacy from his nomadic childhood he was sure, his quest for total independence, so that noone could ever let him down.
He still hadn't shaken whatever demons lay in his past, maybe he never would. But now he would be there for him when they dared to show their ugly mugs.
"Right, you make your way over to Joel's. Rafe do you happen to know who's in charge of the garage today?"
Rafe looked at Jim puzzled as he answered, "Yeah its big Abe. Why?"
"There are two unauthorised Feds sitting on my truck," Jim replied with an unholy grin, "and two more parked out front."
"Oh boy, Ill give Abe the heads up. He really hates the Feds man."
"Can I have the two outside? I've never rousted a special agent before," Megan begged with a really evil smile.
"ROUSTED? Forget it I don't want to know. Just don't get yourself arrested Connor, okay."
"Oh Jim that almost sounded like you cared."
"Right Megan leave Hairboy alone or I get the Feds," H intervened before Ellison and Connor could start yet again. He winked at Blair and was rewarded with a real smile this time. A little one, but real none the less.
No velvet gloves needed for our boy. No sir, our kid has come through some meg-stuff and walked out with that famous bounce intact. He just needs to be reminded now and again that he's not alone anymore.
Megan pulled a face but complied.
When they had departed silence reigned once more in the loft as Jim clasped Blairs warm body to him
"Should we phone Joel and warn him?"Blair enquired after a few moments.
"Nah! Don't think either of them will be that surprised to see them. You see my little guppy you wriggled your way into their lives too. Just as you did mine, except in my case you took over my heart and soul too."
Blair lifted his head amazed to hear his normally taciturn partner voice his feelings so articulately, so beautifully. He lifted his hands up to Jim's head and pulled that beloved face to his.
"I love you James Ellison. Please never leave me."he whispered against his lips before covering them with his own.
Everything vanished: Blairs past, Jim's Sentinel powers, all the decisions they had to make about being together, all of it was just gone.
Only they remained, bound together by their love.
Every movement of tongue, lips and hands increased their need to express that love. Every sigh and moan was memorised for posterity. Only their bodies desperate need for oxygen forced them to reluctantly to call a halt.
Jim opened his eyes slowly, savouring each second again in his memory. When he looked down into his lover's face he had to forcibly restrain himself from scooping him up and taking him upstairs…and never coming down again.
"Blair…sweetheart…open your eyes," he whispered brokenly. As Blair complied he stated in a stronger tone, "I love you too Blair Sandburg. And I told you this is for this life and as many more as we can get. Now lets go before we never leave."
"Nice thought, but your right lets go. I'm curious to find out what Simons found. What?" he questioned sharply noticing the grimace on his partner's face.
"Simon and Joel in the same room is suddenly a very scary thought," he explained.
Blair couldn't contain his laughter, "What are you talking about Jim?"
"You can laugh. It's not your ass that will get kicked round the precinct if we have an argument," Jim moaned.
Blair laughed even harder. Who would have thought five years ago that this would be his life, certainly not him.
"Lets go lover. Ill protect you."
By the time they had reached Joel's they knew that Simon would have brought the others up to date with what had happened.
On opening his front door Joel took one look at Blair and pulled him into a fierce hug.
Blair smiled and returned the embrace. The big cop and him had stuck up an odd, but loyal friendship.
They spent quite a bit of time together off duty talking about everything and nothing. And now that Joel taking courses at the college in his spare time, Blair could pass on some of his tips that he had picked up.
It was common knowledge that Simons current girlfriend, on Ms Andrea Borne had offered to help Joel study at Rainer as she had high-up friends there. Joel had stared at the woman as if she had Broccoli stuck between her teeth and replied emphatically, "After the way they treated the kid. No. Thank. You." And walked out leaving an embarrassed Simon and a stunned Ms Borne.
As Joel released Blair and allowed Jim to enter the sentinel heard the older man quietly say, "You treat him right Ellison."
Blair turned round just in time to see his sentinel actually blush.
WOW Wonder what Joel said to him.
Jim pulled a face knowing that at some point his ever-curious mate would wheedle out exactly what Joel had said. But for now it would be set aside.
He noticed that Blair hadn't bounced into the living room, as was his normal style. He waited for Jim obviously nervous about what was to come and how his friends would react.
Jim gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze as they entered together, with Joel following.
"Blair, Jim. Good!"
"Simon what's this all about?" Jim got straight to the point worried that Blair was taking on too much, too soon.
Simon looked from Jim to Blair, who was glued, to his side.
he looks totally exhausted, maybe we should wait. But anything could happen at anytime. No it has to be now. I don't want this on my conscience.
"Sit down you two and Ill explain…Blair I have brought the others up to speed. As I assumed you wouldn't have sent the here if you didn't want them to know."
Blair winced. "Want them to know. No. But I think they need to."
Simon and Joel nodded their heads in agreement.
Simon continued, carefully picking his words as he spoke directly to Blair.
"We now have more upto date and relevant data information than the feds. So we are in a much better position to handle this situation." He took a deep breath then stated clearly, "You were correct Blair, Your siblings and Naomi are safe . They are with your eldest sister."
"WHAT!" Blair yelled. "How the hell do you know that?"
He felt Jim's large hand on his shoulder stopping him from jumping up from the chair.
"Calm down, I am sure that Simon will tell us, okay"
Blair nodded his intense gaze fixed on his Captain, his friend.
"Blair your sister is or was…in Cascade. She got into my car and left files and computer discs. The files are on your siblings as I guess are the discs. She also left a file on the person she believes is the photo-sender. It's Clellands younger brother. In the letter she attached to it, she admits that she doesn't have enough hard evidence that would stand up in a court of law. But that she will not let her family pay for her actions."
"How did you find them Simon?" Jim queried softly.
Simon looked unsure of how to reply to that. He hadn't mentioned the call to anyone bar Joel. He took a deep breath once more, realising Blair had every right to know.
" She phoned me," he announced on a sigh.
"Well we can track it through the Cell-phone Company," Connor put in.
"No, that won't work. She told me that the call would be untraceable. And I believe her. She also told me that the Feds are being used by the company."
"The CIA! Were the hell do they fit in?" demanded Rafe.
"From what she said they're not interested in Blair, but in her." Simon answered adding quickly, "Even though she isn't Wanted for anything criminal."
"Simon…when you talked to her…did she say…did she ask…?" Blair quietly asked as if frightened of the answer.
Simon smiled reassuringly at the subdued Sandburg. Much as he loved to complain about his hyperactivity he would be real glad when they had their Sandburg back. For good.
"Yes Blair she did. But as its personal we'll go into the kitchen. The rest of you start taking these files apart. You know the drill."
At this the others grabbed up the files and began reading.
Simon, Jim and Blair adjourned into Joel's brightly decorated kitchen. Smells abounded here; coffee brewing, herbs and spices, the roast in the oven and of course Simons ever present cigar.
Blair automatically fell into his guide role.
"Dial it down man," He instructed quietly as he touched his Sentinels arm.
Jim smiled down at his astounding partner. With all that had to be running through that whirlwind of a brain, he still put him first.
How could I not love him.
"Look Blair she wasn't in a particularly chatty mood. But she did ask how you were coping with all this, and explained too why she made no attempt to get to you." Simon told the eager young man as they sat down at Joel's small kitchen table. "She also had a message for you, for both of you. Let me get this word for word…right.
Could you tell Blair, for what it is worth that he has my blessing. And that I hope that he will be very happy with his Sentinel."
Blair and Jim exchanged shocked and puzzled looks.
"How could she possibly know? I mean she doesn't know me, us? And how the hell does she know about Jim?"
Simon held up his huge hand in attempt to stem the tide of inevitable questions that were flowing his way.
"I don't know how she knows about Jim being a Sentinel. But she knows you pretty well."he stated with a smile.
"What makes you say that Simon?" Jim asked knowing his Captain must have something to back up that statement.
Simon chuckled softly then replied, "She said she couldn't get to Blair without you being hurt, and she knew he would Never forgive her for that."
Blairs eyes widened, then a grin appeared as he nodded in agreement of his sisters conclusion.
"Are you okay?" Simon asked him after a short silence.
"Yeah! It's just a bit mind-blowing. I mean my whole life has just changed beyond recognition in a few short hours, you know?"
"I understand that Blair, but you're doing okay. Just don't bottle it up, if you need to talk you've got plenty of willing listeners. Okay?"
