Chapter seven.

"Right Jim get him outta here. Phone Rafes cell in four hours to set up a meet in a couple of days time. Use a payphone…hell you know the deal," Simon barked while reaching into his trouser pocket for his car keys. "Take my car. And Ellison try not to wreck it. The tracker is disabled."

Blair looked at his friend in astonishment. "Disabled?"

"Its amazing what you can do with a little criminal knowledge," Megan smirked.

"I don't think I want to know this," Jim said deadpan.

"Well if you're all finished," Simon groused, "Out now!"

"Take care boys," Connor called as Jim, Blair and Simon exited the room, followed by "Good luck" calls from the others.

Joel stood up and grabbed a set of cards from the cherry wood display unit that stood solidly in the corner of the room.

"The games poker. Someone deal them out while I get some snacks together,"he instructed tossing the cards to Henri.

"Ill help,"Megan said throwing her cerise jacket over the back of the sofa and following him into the kitchen.

Henri began to deal them out as if the game had been going for while. While Rafe located the plastic chips they played with when it was just a fun game.

He placed a mixed pile in the middle for the pot and some beside each player's hand.

"Rafe why have you got the biggest pile of chips?" H enquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Because playing against Simon in this mood, it's the only way Ill get to keep my shirt,"he explained smugly.

After a moments thought H had to agree it was a good strategy.

"Had them over and I won't have to hit you."

"Jim what did she say that made you growl like that?" Blair quietly asked once they were lost in Cascade's Saturday traffic.

Jim shivered remembering her words. He really didn't want to tell Blair, but knew his guide would see right through his stalling. He just hoped that this situation would not bring back the demons that had taken Blair so long to overcome.

"She mentioned Lash Chief," he eventually whispered while keeping track of Blairs heartrate.

He was not surprised when it leaped up a little.

"Why. Why did she mention him?"

"Your sister was making a point about this Clelland character. And she wasn't pulling any punches," he reluctantly explained then fell silent thinking about the determination in Stars voice.

"What else?" Blair demanded after taking the time to calm himself down a little.

"We need to get to a Computer to access information on the Red labelled disc. Its instructions on how to get into a bank account she's set up for you." Jim answered wondering how his self-sufficient partner would react to this.

He could see Blair processing this through that hyper intelligent mind of his.

"So that even if Clelland or the CIA are watching our accounts we still have access to money," Blair concluded after a few moments contemplation.

"Your learning my little guppy" Jim said sadly.

"What's wrong?" Blair asked placing his hand on Jim's knee in a gesture of comfort.

Jim smiled at the action and covering the hand with his own and intertwining their fingers.

"There is nothing wrong. Its just…well I wish you didn't need to learn about these things… damn it I wish nobody had to see the dark side of life, you know."

"Me too. But if we have to do this, I'm glad we're doing it together. No glads not the right word…You know what I mean thought right?"

Jim smiled at the sleepy man beside him and understood perfectly.

"Yeah I know babe. Now just rest up for a while. It's a bit of a drive."

"Where are we going anyway?" he asked on the back of a yawn. It was as if now that his body had stopped for a minute sleep was taking control.

"Just rest Blair. Okay just trust me."

"Always trusted you Jim," Blair replied groggily as his beautiful blue eyes closed.

But his hand remained joined with Jim's on the Sentinel leg.

Jim was glad he needed that connection.

A/N

Sorry it's so short will try to update more on Monday.

Thanks for all the support.

Have a great weekend

Owlx