Someone To Watch Over Me - LilyK

 

"You better not stand there," Jim Ellison said pleasantly to Simon Banks. After Simon took a step to the right, Jim pulled back his right arm holding the throwing star, but it slipped from his fingers, embedding itself in the ground inches from Simon's toe. Jim smiled to himself when he heard Simon's throat click nervously. "Not there either," he advised the tall black man, hiding his amusement at Simon's nervousness. 

 

Simon moved a good five paces away. "Are you any good with those things?"

 

Jim chuckled, then he rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck. He flung six of the stars hard and true. All six hit the center of the bull's-eye. "Nah, not much," he said with a laugh when he heard Simon's low whistle of appreciation of his abilities.

 

Simon chuckled deeply, shaking his head. "Come on, Ellison. Blair Sandburg needs you. You're the best."

 

"I don't do celebrities."

 

"His life is in grave danger. He asked for you specifically. He needs you." Simon spread his hands imploringly. "Please, Ellison. I've known Blair since he was a grad student of mine at Rainier when I taught Cultural Anthro almost ten years ago and I love him like a son. He needs protection."

 

"And he's agreed to my terms?" Jim crossed to the target and pulled the stars out. He walked back toward Simon, clicking the small weapons together in his hand. "He's okay with my price?"

 

"Yeah. Fifteen hundred a week, right?"

 

"Two thousand."

 

"What?"

 

"Twenty-five hundred?"

 

Simon sighed. "Okay. Okay. Two thousand."

 

"Plus expenses. And I get full say on the security measures, and I hand-pick the team."

 

"Agreed." Simon held out his hand and they shook. "Can you start in the morning?" At Jim's curt nod, he passed over a business card. "Address. House phone. My personal cell. Do you need anything else?"

 

"No, thank you, Banks. I'll be there at 9 a.m."

 

~~~~

 

Jim arrived at 8:55 a.m. and pressed the buzzer to alert the household that he had arrived. No one answered his ring, but the rusty front gate slowly creaked open. He drove his 1969 Ford pickup truck through and as he pulled away, he watched in his rear view mirror. In the thirty seconds it took for him to round the curve, the gate had not closed. He listened intently while he drove up to the front of the house and, after a quick glance at his watch, he noted that it took over two minutes before someone bothered closing the gate. So much for security, he thought. Maybe this guy has a death wish?

 

When Jim pulled up to the custom-built log and stone house, Simon Banks stood on the wide, flag-stoned front porch. He descended the stairs with a grim look on his face.

 

"Ellison," Simon said, holding out his hand.

 

Jim took the hand. "Banks. Good morning." Jim saw the beads of sweat on Simon's forehead and noted the rapid heart rate. "What's happened?"

 

"Another e-mail came in this morning."

 

Jim squinted in the bright sunlight. "How many does that make? Six?"

 

"Yes, this makes number six. They get creepier and creepier with each one. Damn, Ellison, I'm really worried."

 

Before Jim could ask further questions, a cheery masculine voice called, "Simon!"

 

Jim looked up and held his breath. The man who walked onto the porch and stood at the top of the steps with his hands on his hips made Jim's senses dance with pleasure. His blood hummed in his veins. His heart fluttered rapidly in his chest. He felt a pleasant buzz, like after a good shot of Southern Comfort or after the Jags won the third away game in a row. He felt a loopy grin spread across his face, but he stomped it down quickly.

 

"Blair!" Simon called. "Come down here and meet Jim Ellison, the man I told you about."

 

Blair trotted down the stairs, giving Jim a dazzling smile that lit his eyes to a radiant blue. "Oh, you're the bodyguard!"

 

Jim found himself responding to Blair's outgoing personality and he felt drawn into the sparkling blue eyes. "Yes, I'm Jim Ellison."

 

"Cool." Blair shook Jim's hand. "I'm Blair Sandburg. Very nice to meet you, Jim."

 

Jim nodded. Guess we're on a first name basis already, he mused. "Thank you, Dr. Sandburg."

 

"Blair, please. Dr. Sandburg is way too formal for me. Come on in. May I get you something?" Blair asked as the trio climbed the stairs and entered the grand house.

 

"A glass of water, please," Jim answered, looking around, observing, testing, cataloging. A small spike of pain passed across his forehead and he pinched his nose with his fingers. His Sentinel senses were acting up yet again. It was time to take his herbal remedy. He sighed and, with Simon bringing up the rear, he followed Blair down the long, Mexican-tiled hallway and through carved double doors into the library. 

 

The library was enormous, taking up a good portion of the square footage on this side of the house. Thousands of books were lined neatly in shelves along two walls. A rolling ladder leaned against the shelves, and a young woman standing on it was reaching for a red leather-bound book. A third wall was comprised of three sets of French doors leading out into the large, modestly landscaped backyard. The fourth wall held shelves crammed full of artifacts from about every group of indigenous people from around the world. A group of desks occupied space in the room, and two other women and two men worked at them. Each person was engrossed in his or her endeavor. Pages rustled. Pens and pencils scratched. Keyboards and mice clicked. Voices called back and forth.

 

Jim heard the hum of the monitors and the whirl of hard drives, and he smelled the ink and paper and body odors permeating the room. He pulled back his senses and deliberately shut down the dials to nothing. Blair touched his elbow and he looked at the serious face.

 

"Jim, are you okay?" Blair's soothing voice centered him and he pressed the glass of water that had been brought into Jim's hand. "Here. Take a sip or two."

 

"Sorry," Jim mumbled, reaching into his jacket pocket and retrieving a small silver pill case that he stared at in the center of his palm.

 

"Let me." Blair took the small box from his hand. "Will two of these be enough?"

 

At Jim's nod, Blair fished out the pills and placed them into Jim's open hand. After Jim tossed them back with a sip of water, he asked, "Are you all right? What are these pills for? They don't look like a prescription." Blair sniffed the contents. "These are herbs of some kind."

 

Jim plucked the box from Blair's hand and quickly pocketed it. "I get headaches sometimes, that's all. It's nothing that will affect my job performance. They're an herbal mixture I have especially prepared for me. You may rest assured that I don't take drugs of any kind. I even avoid over-the counter medications. Allergies," he explained quickly.

 

Blair put his hands on his hips. "No, that wasn't it. I was concerned, that's all. I'm a great judge of people and you appear to be a professional. I wasn't questioning your integrity, Mr. Ellison."

 

The corners of Jim's lips tugged upwards. "No, it's me who's sorry, Professor. I shouldn't have been so snappy."

 

"Cool, man. It's okay." Blair lightly patted Jim's arm. "Anyway, this is the main command center of my operation." Blair waved his hand expansively around the room. "I run a very casual household. I want my people to feel comfortable when they're working."

 

From over Blair's head, Simon waggled his eyebrows and shook his head, catching Jim's eye. Simon said, "We need your services, Mr. Ellison. Blair needs your protection."

 

Blair laughed merrily and a husky black man entered the room, striding to Blair's side. Blair said, "I have Henri. He's been protecting me quite adequately for many years, Simon. But Jim may remain as long as he heeds my protocols and doesn't disrupt the household. He may install whatever security system he likes, but I don't want his presence to alter our work here." Blair smiled affectionately at Henri before he introduced the two men. "Jim Ellison. Henri Brown."

 

Jim tensed at Blair's words, but he did shake hands with Blair's protector. "Mr. Brown."

 

Simon cleared his throat and introduced several more people in the room. "This is Gina Mays, Blair's publisher. Ian Sandburg, Blair's cousin and personal assistant."

 

After acknowledging each introduction, Jim said tersely, "Doctor. Simon. I'll see myself out." He turned on his heels and headed for the front door.

 

Simon sighed exasperatedly at Blair. "Damn it, Blair. You need more security. When are you going to listen to me? We need Ellison!" Simon followed Jim quickly. "Ellison, wait!"

 

Jim didn't slow until he reached his truck where he stopped to fish for his keys. He looked up at Simon's call and glared at the man. "You told me he had asked for me and that he knew he was in danger. You are a damned liar!" Jim pulled the door open and climbed in, slamming it hard.

 

Simon clamped his hands on the window ledge. "Please, Ellison. I need to show you a couple of things. Then I think you'll agree with me that Blair needs your protection."

 

Gina had followed the men and she called out, "Simon, we don't need him. We've been doing just fine without his help."

 

Simon glared over the roof of the car at the woman. "You know that we haven't had any experience with this kind of thing! Keep out of this, Gina! Blair's life is at stake."

 

Gina shrugged. "I think you're overreacting," she groused.

 

Simon leaned into the car window. At Jim's stoic face, Simon begged, "Please. He needs you; he just doesn't know it yet. I'll talk to him. Please."

 

Jim nodded curtly once and followed Simon back into the house with Gina trailing behind. When they reached the large, richly appointed master bedroom, Jim gave a low whistle. "Nice. Very nice." He admired the large hand-carved wooden four poster bed covered in a brightly-striped blanket that was obviously hand-woven. Guatemalan, it looked like to Jim. Artifacts from every culture decorated the walls and every empty space on the desk, dresser and chest of drawers. He walked from window to window, peering out after sweeping back the heavy curtains of matching material. "And so?" Jim said, turning to Simon, who stood silently next to the bed while Gina sauntered around the room, admiring the work she had helped create. 

 

"Don't be fooled by this room, Ellison. Blair sleeps in a modest bedroom on the other side of the house. This room was decorated for the televised biography of Blair's life. Appearances must be maintained." Simon smiled, thinking of his charge, but then he became serious once again. "You must understand something, Ellison. Blair is one of the youngest people to attain a Ph.D. in Anthropology. He was a child prodigy and graduated college by 18. By 20, he had his Master's and he defended his dissertation on ancient guardians at age 23. In the last six years, Blair has made several of the anthropological world's greatest discoveries, including the Temple of the Sentinels on the Yucatán Peninsula. He has had four best selling non-fiction books and a successful series of meditation and self-help tapes. He also has a trilogy of fantasy novels that have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and are now optioned for a series of movies." Simon stopped to take a breath.

 

"What does that have to do with me, Banks?"

 

"While Blair is well-off and well known, the fame and fortune hasn't gone to his head. He is still the outgoing, exuberant individual that I met almost ten years ago. He loves people. He loves his life. I didn't want to destroy the innocence that he still has in spite of his worldwide fame." Simon's voice became low and frightened. "Ellison, someone broke into the house three nights ago. Someone who is obsessed with Blair. Someone who has threatened him." Simon grimaced before he said, "Someone who jacked off on this bed in Blair's home."

 

Realization dawned on Jim and he snorted. "You haven't told him."

 

"No."

 

"The e-mails?"

 

"No."

 

"Damn it! Banks, I refuse to work under these conditions. My clients know that they need my protection. They work with me, not against me. They are willing to pay so that they remain alive! Unless you tell Sandburg and he agrees, I refuse the position. Am I making myself clear?"

 

"What about...?"

 

"He must be told and he must agree. Those are my conditions," Jim stated adamantly.

 

Simon sighed. "You're right, of course. I'll tell him tonight. I give you my word. Please, Ellison, stay and help Blair. He needs you. I need you." When it seemed that Gina would protest yet again, Simon's warning glare caused her to back off. She shrugged and left the room.

 

Ignoring the retreating woman, Jim lightly scanned Banks' vitals. The man was sincere. Jim nodded. "We'll take it on a week by week basis and see how it goes."

 

Relief flowed from the man and he grinned heartily. "Thank you, Ellison." He clamped a strong hand on Jim's shoulder. "Thank you."

 

Jim nodded curtly. "Now let's take a quick tour of the house and grounds. I want to see the security system and get a layout of the land."

 

~~~~

 

Jim moved onto the grounds and spent the next few days updating the old security system in the house and the surrounding acreage. He had a new gate with remote control access and camera monitors installed. He had the lawn service cut back the overgrown bushes so that he had a clear view of the perimeter of the land from his bedroom over the garage. From its flat roof he could overlook the grounds easily, sending his senses in small increments over the two-acre parcel.

 

For Jim, the most intriguing aspect of this current job was that he noticed his senses were more under control than they had been for many years. He pondered this fact while he prowled the grounds making his nightly rounds. He knew that Blair played a part in his newfound control. Jim sighed. He felt drawn to Blair Sandburg for some inexplicable reason and he hated himself for it. Jim prided himself on his ability to remain aloof from all people. He avoided personal entanglements and he moved from job to job for the very reason that he refused to take a personal interest in his clients. They were just that, 'clients', and nothing more. He acknowledged that he was attracted to Blair on many levels, but he buried his feelings deep and put on a cold front to 'the client'. Even mentally he forced himself to refer to Blair in this manner, keeping him as nameless and faceless as possible. His job was to keep the client alive, not become buddies with him.

 

~~~~

 

Jim was walking around the North side of the large house a few evenings later when one of the French doors leading into the yard opened. Ian Sandburg walked out and smiled at him.

 

"Come in, Mr. Ellison. I've just made fresh coffee."

 

"Thanks." Jim followed the young man into his private quarters and sat on the sofa after Ian waved him to a seat. "Nice place," Jim observed, and catalogued the man, noticing that while his size and coloring were quite like his cousin's, his personality was very different. Ian was close-mouthed and cautious, even a bit sad, Jim realized.

 

"Thank you. Blair is very generous." Ian poured coffee into two mugs. "How do you take it?"

 

"Black, please."

 

Ian handed a cup to Jim who nodded his thanks. Smiling, he sat opposite him on an overstuffed armchair. "I'm happy you're here. Blair is much too complacent about his safety. He is very naďve in the ways of the world."

 

Jim sipped the coffee and scanned the man's vitals. He noted that while Ian did seem a bit nervous, he didn't sense any kind of danger or fear from him. "He seems like a nice guy."

 

"Oh, yes. He's great. After my folks died, I moved in with Blair and Naomi. That's Blair's mother. Blair went off to college and I stayed with Aunt Naomi until I graduated from high school. Blair is the brain of the family. I had a hard time keeping up with him." Ian rose and walked to the mantel, looking at the framed pictures lined there.  

 

Jim stood and joined him, pointing to one in particular. "Is that Blair's mother?"

 

"Yeah."

 

Jim picked another. "Your college graduation?"

 

"Yup. I graduated with a degree in Anthropology, just like my genius cousin. I followed in his footsteps. I have my MA, but that elusive Ph.D. never quite happened."

 

"Why not?"

 

"Oh, this and that. Blair was smart enough for both of us. Then he needed somebody to help with his scheduling and his book tours. That sort of thing. I needed a job, so here I am." Ian shrugged. "It's a living."

 

Jim nodded, placing the picture back in its place. "Thanks for the coffee.  Good night."

 

"'night," Ian called as Jim let himself out.

 

Jim stopped at the bottom of the steps and watched Ian for several seconds. He honed in his sight slightly and saw the unhappy face of the man as he stared at the photographs. He felt his concentration start to slip and he abruptly pulled back before he zoned. After a quick sweep of the grounds, Jim went to his room for the evening. 

 

~~~~

 

The first weeks went fairly smooth. Blair was outgoing and friendly, but he clearly was not going to let Jim's new rules and regulations interfere with his life. Blair left the scheduling to Gina, and he came and went at her whim. Jim questioned Gina relentlessly regarding Blair's schedule and they had more than one disagreement over the activities and the safety protocols.

 

One bright Thursday morning Blair headed out the door without a second glance at Jim, who was watching from the corner of the large library, book in hand. He dropped the book and raced out behind Blair.

 

"Chief, where are you going?" Jim demanded when he saw Blair fish car keys from the small glass bowl by the front door.

 

"I'm going shopping."

 

"Shopping? That's not on the schedule."

 

Blair sighed. "I'm going shopping," he repeated, a bit exasperated. "You may come along if you wish."

 

"Sandburg, let's get this straight. You don't ask me to come along. You ask me if you can go," Jim growled.

 

Blair's response was to laugh merrily. "Yeah, right. Come on, man, get a life. You want to follow me around, that's cool. You want to tell me what to do, you can take a hike. There's the highway."

 

Blair climbed into the Expedition and cranked the engine. When Jim swore under his breath and climbed into the passenger seat, Blair shot him an engaging smile and drove away.

 

The first stop was at Office Max. Blair bought three packs of yellow pads, two boxes of black ink pens, fine tip, and a pack of neon green highlighters.

 

"Here, Jim. Hold these, please?" Blair tried to hand Jim a stack of notebooks.

 

Jim crossed his arms. "I'm here to keep you alive, Chief, not help you shop."

 

Blair chuckled and shifted the books in his arm. "You don't like me, do you, Jim?"

 

Jim shrugged. "It's not my job to like you or dislike you, Sandburg."

 

Blair headed to the cash register. "We could have fun, Jim, if you didn't act like you had a broomstick up your ass," he muttered under his breath.

 

Jim's jaw twitched and he watched over his charge with his arms still crossed, a stone-faced guardian. While Blair paid for his purchases, Jim observed the long-haired man. His eyes were drawn to the neck where it curved under the ponytail and the Blairscent reached Jim's nostrils. He breathed in deeply and was rewarded with the pleasant hum he was now almost used to feeling whenever Blair was close. Although his face remained passive, his entire body tingled with electricity and he allowed himself a few seconds of pleasure before he viciously tamped down the feelings. 

 

"Jim? Jim, are you okay?"

 

Jim shook his head and pinched his nose with his fingers. "Sorry, Chief. I was distracted for a second." He fumbled in his pocket for the small box that was never far from his hand. He dry-swallowed two of the pills.

 

Blair moved closer. "Fuck that shit. Something's definitely wrong. Talk to me, Ellison. What's going on?" Blair's bright blue eyes inspected Jim's face intently.

 

Jim took a step back and shook his head. "Nothing."

 

Blair waited, but when Jim ignored his silent plea, he finally sighed and grabbed the sacks of purchases. "Sure, man. Whatever. And I'm paying for this?" Blair waved his expressive hand expansively down Jim's body in obvious disapproval.

 

Jim heard the mumbled words and he clenched his jaw tightly. He fought the urge to grab Blair and pull him close, to protect him and hold him, to kiss him and...  Jim growled at himself and, realizing that Blair had left without him, he followed quickly.

 

The drive home was uneventful but Jim felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He kept glancing in the outside mirror, but whoever was following kept well back. Jim tried to narrow his vision several times to pick out the elusive tail, but several sharp spikes of pain stopped his perusal. Once again, he was angry with himself and his often-irritating, uncooperative senses. Tonight he would make it a point to use the relaxation tapes he frequently relied upon. It had been too many days since he had practiced the exercises to control his senses.

 

~~~~~

 

Late the next afternoon, while holding a mirror taped on the end of a long pole and a flashlight, Jim knelt on the ground beside the Ford Expedition.

 

"What are you doing?" said the curious voice.

 

Jim looked up into the questioning face of Blair Sandburg. "I'm checking for explosives."

 

"You're kidding." For a second Blair looked unsettled, but then the look vanished, replaced by curiosity.

 

"No." Jim returned to his inspection and after a few minutes he rose and clicked off the light. "All clear." He took in Blair's tidy appearance. Blair was wearing a tan sports jacket, open collared light blue button down shirt and beige slacks. "Are you planning on going somewhere, Chief?"

 

"Yes, I have a book signing in thirty minutes at The Tattered Cover. I'm going to be late if you don't get out from under my car." Blair smiled, bouncing on his toes.

 

"You need to tell me these things. This wasn't on the schedule. I haven't had a chance to lay out a route or to check out the destination. You'll have to cancel," Jim said adamantly.

 

"Simon!" Blair called over his shoulder to his mentor who had arrived carrying a large stack of boxes. Blair pulled one of the cartons from the top of the stack and after Jim opened the hatch, he dropped the box into the cargo area. He pulled the other boxes from Simon's arms, stacking them neatly one on top of the other. "Jim thinks we should cancel the book signing."

 

Gina Mays trotted down the stairs and joined the group at the back of the vehicle, adding another two boxes to the pile. "Hurry up, Blair. You're going to be late. I just called the shop and there's already a line forming. Your public will be looking for you."

 

"He's not going anywhere," Jim practically growled.

 

Gina bristled. "Who the hell do you think you are? You're the bodyguard. You follow along and keep quiet. This is what Blair does. He has a book signing. He has people who pay good money for his books and they expect the author to be present. This signing has been in the works for months!"

 

Simon put a hand on Jim's arm. "Ellison, take it easy. I'm sorry. I should have informed you, but Gina's right. This is what Blair does. Please, just come along and keep an eye on things. Okay?"

 

Against his better judgment and irritated at the lack of communication, Jim nodded tersely. He had no choice.

 

They all climbed into the vehicle, Jim in the front passenger seat, Simon in the driver's seat, and Gina and Blair in the rear, where Henri joined the duo. Simon was quiet during the drive and Jim sat stonily beside him. The three in the rear laughed and talked while Blair signed a stack of books that would be left at the store for sale after the evening's event.

 

Simon glanced sideways at Jim several times, but he finally gave up when Jim refused to meet his eyes. Simon was beginning to realize that when Jim's jaw muscle twitched, it meant he was very pissed.

 

Blair was laughing and talking, and Jim didn't think much about it when Blair pulled out his laptop and powered it up. The device chimed, alerting the user to the unread mail. It was Blair's sharp intake of breath and his rapid heartbeat that had Jim swiveling in his seat.

 

"Chief, what's wrong?" Jim demanded.

 

Blair stared at the screen, his face pale in the light reflected there. "Oh, shit."

 

Both Gina and Henri leaned over and stared at the screen. Jim turned to Simon. "Pull over, Simon. Now."

 

Simon guided the vehicle into a vacant parking lot and cut the engine. Jim reached back, plucked the computer from Blair's still hands, and when he looked at the screen he said, "Fuck."

 

Simon craned his neck over and grimaced. "Damn. Another one."

 

Blair sat up straight. "What? Another one? Do you mean there have been others?"

 

The silence was deafening. Gina squirmed uncomfortably and Henri found something interesting to look at out the side window.

 

Simon cleared his throat before he spoke. "Blair, I've been meaning to tell you, but the timing just wasn't right. There have been six other e-mails. I've, ah, I've always managed to delete them before you got to your messages."

 

Blair ran his hand over his face. "Wait just a minute. You're telling me that I've been receiving threatening e-mails for a while now." The proverbial light bulb came on over his head. "So that's why you insisted that I hire Jim; why you felt I needed a bodyguard." He glanced at his seatmates, further realization dawning. "Everybody else knows about this but me, I take it. What else aren't you telling me, Simon? I'm not a fucking kid. You'd better tell me right now." Blair glared at his mentor.

 

Simon sighed and nodded. He glanced at Jim and saw the muscle in his jaw twitch. "Ellison said you should have been told immediately. I'm sorry, Blair, that I didn't take his advice. I was trying to protect you."

 

"Damn it, Simon, I trusted you. Now tell me what's going on!" Blair ordered harshly.

 

"Besides the e-mails, someone broke into the house and masturbated on the bed in the master bedroom." Simon cringed when he said the words.

 

"What?! Oh, my God. Simon, you're telling me someone's been in my house?"

 

Jim put a hand on Blair's leg. "Calm down, Sandburg. Nobody's getting close to you, but you have to cooperate with me. Now you know why I've been such a hardass about your comings and goings. Simon should have told you immediately."

 

"No shit," Blair groused. "You didn't call the police, did you, Simon?"

 

Gina answered this time. "No, no police. I know you didn't want the bad press. Besides, I thought it'd give the nutcase more reason to bother you. I didn't want this spread in the tabloids."

 

"Smart thinking," Jim said. "I agree. No police. Rules and regulations hamper them. My hands aren't tied in the same way theirs are." Jim picked up the scent of fear from Blair's body and he felt the shiver under his hand. He patted the knee. "Let's go home, Chief."

 

Blair's head popped up. "Do you think he's going to be at the bookstore, Jim?"

 

Jim answered, "I don't know, Blair. He could be."

 

Blair sat quietly for a long minute before he straightened his shoulders. "I can't let this kind of thing stop me, Jim. You have to understand. I like my life. I enjoy meeting people and interacting. I need to do this." At Jim's stoic face, Blair continued. "Please, Jim. You can protect me. Henri's here. Simon and Gina, too. With all of you watching out for me, what can happen?"

 

Blair waited while Jim thought over his request. Gina fidgeted and looked at her watch, but Simon's glare stilled her restlessness.  Henri put an arm across Blair's shoulders and Blair smiled quickly at his friend. All eyes turned to Jim and when he nodded his acquiescence, everybody breathed sighs of relief.

 

"We do this my way," Jim said. "Henri, you stay next to Blair at all times. Simon, you stand about twenty feet away and keep an eye out. Gina, you sit next to him and keep alert. I'll patrol the perimeter. Are we clear?"

 

Everybody acknowledged their duties before they proceeded to their destination. When the Expedition pulled into the unloading zone in front of the upscale bookstore, a crowd of fans converged on the vehicle. After a concerned glance at Simon, Jim opened his door and waded through the crowd to Blair's side. He and Henri escorted the well-liked man through the people and into the overcrowded bookstore without incident. Jim felt a bit better about the setup when the proprietor directed Blair to a table set on a dais toward the back of the bookstore. 

 

Jim scanned the area, and while he was still unhappy about the circumstances, at least the position of the table kept a good three feet of space between Blair and the crowd. Once Blair and Gina were safely ensconced behind the table, Jim growled at Henri, "Watch him."

 

Ignoring Henri's look of irritation, Jim made a sweep of the bookstore and the front sidewalk. He then patrolled the alley and entered the unlocked rear door, making sure that the departure route was clear. Jim circled back through the people and came up behind Simon.

 

"Banks, move the car to the rear door and keep it running."

 

Simon scowled. "Why? Blair's scheduled to be here for two hours. You want me to keep it running the entire time? That's ridiculous."

 

Jim sighed. "Will you please stop questioning each and every request I make and just do it!?"

 

Simon shrugged. "Calm down. Okay. Okay." After a quick glance at Blair and Gina, who were busy chatting with fans, and after a nod to Henri who was keeping a close eye on the proceedings, Simon went to move the Ford. 

 

About forty-five minutes into the session, the fire alarm suddenly screeched to life. The crowd surged back and forth in alarm, and when the sprinkler system kicked on, the people screamed and started running in all directions. Henri pulled Blair out from behind the table and with an arm around his shoulders, guided him down one of the aisles between the bookshelves. A group of people came running down the same aisle in the opposite direction and, in their panic, plowed right into Blair and Henri. Henri lost his hold on his friend. More people packed into the aisle and Blair was knocked from his feet. He disappeared under the crowd.

 

Jim turned up his hearing and immediately located Blair's frantic cries for help. Several sets of shelves loaded with books toppled onto the crowd, burying Blair along with some of the public. He raced through the people, directing the panicked ones toward the door with shouts to move. He yanked the wooden shelves from several others and helped them to their feet, likewise directing them toward the nearest exit.

 

Jim dug through the fallen books until he finally located Blair lying under the mess. He scanned him quickly while he turned him over and brushed the hair from his face. Even though he was unconscious, with a large red welt on his right temple, he appeared otherwise unhurt. Jim breathed a small sigh of relief and scooped him up carefully.

 

Jim searched the room quickly and he finally saw Henri heading toward the front door, calling and searching frantically for Blair. Henri turned around and saw Jim carrying Blair. He shouted and waved Jim in his direction, not knowing that the car had been moved to the rear of the building. Jim glanced toward the rear of the aisle and saw Simon helping people move toward the back. Jim moved in his direction and when Simon saw that Jim was carrying Blair, he pushed his way through the crowd, leading Jim out the door to where he had moved the Expedition earlier.

 

Simon threw open the back door and helped Jim lay Blair on the seat.

 

"Go!" Jim shouted at Simon. "Now, Simon. Let's get him out of here."

 

At Simon's hesitation, Jim yelled, "It was a false alarm, Banks. There's no fire. The police and EMTs will be here in seconds. Now move!"

 

Simon nodded and raced around to the driver's seat. He threw the vehicle in drive and, after blaring the horn to move a few of the milling spectators out of their path, he gunned the engine and raced toward home.

 

Henri and Gina finally made their way to the head of the alley just in time to see the brake lights of the Expedition blink once as it stopped quickly before disappearing around the corner, leaving them both behind to make their own way home.

 

~~~~

 

The police and firefighters had dispersed the crowd. Two or three people were treated for minor cuts and bruises and thankfully no one was hurt beyond that. The storeowner stood amidst the ruins of his store, shaking his head, while his employees tried to straighten out some of the mess. One of the employees, a heavyset, quiet man, reached down and plucked a copy of Blair's latest book from the messy floor. He reverently smoothed the rumpled pages and ran a finger over the signature that Blair had placed on the inside of the front cover. He furtively glanced around and, when he realized no one was paying any attention to his actions, he slipped the book inside his shirt and possessively patted it. He worked for several more minutes before the owner dismissed him for the evening with an admonition to return early in the morning in old work clothes. He acknowledged the request and wandered nonchalantly toward the back of the store and out into the alley.

 

It took only minutes for the man to reach the back stairs to his apartment located barely a block from the bookstore where he worked. He unlocked his door and slid in, quickly pulling out the purloined book. He found an old rag and lovingly wiped the book until it was as clean as possible. He then placed the item on one of the many shelves that lined the wall of the studio apartment. He stepped back and admired the placement of the book, moved forward and turned it a quarter of an inch to the right. Pleased, he smiled and sat in the comfortable chair in the center of the room. He looked around, enjoying the hundreds of pictures of Blair Sandburg that covered the walls, along with every article ever written by and about the anthropologist. It was a shrine to Blair and the man worshipped the object of his adoration.

 

 

He sighed, a bit frustrated that his distraction with the fire alarm hadn't gone as he had hoped. He had planned on being in just the right spot to offer aid to Dr. Sandburg and thereby gain the man's attention and gratitude. He had dreamed of their conversation many times, going over it again and again in his head. Blair would be grateful for his quick assistance and he would be humble in his receipt of Dr. Sandburg's warm praise of his heroism. He sighed again and then shrugged. This time, the plan had been thwarted when someone in the crowd of people had pushed him aside in the panic. There would be another chance, he knew. He was a patient man.

 

The man rose and went over to the stereo unit on the far wall and, after sliding in a CD, he picked up the remote and went back to his chair. He hit the play button, leaned back, and let the deep, warm, comforting voice of Blair Sandburg wash over him, leading him through his meditation exercises. This was his favorite part of his day. 

 

~~~~

 

"Blair?" Jim called softly. He popped open the top of the first aid kit that he had stowed under the seat and ripped open the cool pack with his teeth. He kneaded the pack quickly and pressed the cold plastic envelope to Blair's forehead while he scanned Blair's vitals.

 

"Should we go to the emergency room, Ellison?" Banks called back.

 

"He's coming around now. I think he'll be okay. He just had a bump to the head." Jim placed one hand in the center of Blair's chest while the other held the pack against his head. Under his palm, Jim felt the tingling when he pressed his hand against Blair's body and his senses jumped before settling down. He tested them quickly and was surprised to note that each seemed sharper, clearer, more in control. He started to contemplate this change when he felt Blair shudder under his hand. 

 

"Doctor, come on, wake up for me. You'll be all right," Jim said quietly. "I've got you." Jim patted Blair's shoulder comfortingly.

 

Blair groaned and after his eyelids fluttered several times, he opened them and found Jim

watching him intently. "Oh, man."

 

"Hey, take it easy. You're going to be okay. How do you feel?"

 

"My head hurts."

 

"I bet." When Blair tried to sit up, Jim's strong hands held him down. "Whoa, Chief. Take it easy. Just lie back until we get you home."

 

Blair breathed in and out several times, nodding gingerly. "Sounds good. I feel a little dizzy."

 

"Just relax, Blair. We'll be home in a few minutes."

 

Blair closed his eyes and when he opened them again he was in his room, lying on his bed, with Jim, his bodyguard, taking off his shoes.

 

"Welcome back, Chief," Jim said with a smile.

 

"Uh-huh," Blair muttered sleepily.

 

"Talk to me, Blair. I want to make sure you don't have a concussion."

 

"I'm sleepy. I need to pee."

 

Jim chuckled. "Come on then, I'll give you a hand."

 

"Been going to the bathroom alone for years, man," Blair grumbled. He struggled to sit up.

 

Jim shook his head. "Are you always this pig-headed?"

 

"Yeah."

 

Jim laughed and put an arm around Blair's shoulders, helping him to his feet and steering him in the direction of the bathroom. "Do you feel dizzy or sick?"

 

Blair shook his head, then grimaced. "Nah. Just a headache. I need some aspirin."

 

Jim hovered next to Blair. "Let me help you, Professor. I don't want you fainting and cracking that hard head again."

 

Blair gave a quick smile. "Okay, man. Thanks. I do feel a bit out of it."

 

Jim put a hand under Blair's elbow and together they went to the bathroom where Blair allowed Jim to strip him to his boxers. After he swallowed the two aspirins that Jim fetched from the medicine cabinet, he shushed Jim from the room.

 

"Out, Ellison. Give a guy a few minutes of privacy, will you?"

 

Jim chuckled and left, but he stood guard right outside the bathroom door just in case.

 

When Blair emerged a few minutes later, he smiled tiredly at his bodyguard. "Are you still here, Jim?"

 

"Yeah, Chief. I'm still on duty. I'm going to tuck you into bed and then I'm off duty, so quit wasting time and get into that bed."

 

Blair yawned and nodded. He climbed in and after Jim pulled up the covers to his chin, he closed his eyes. "Thanks, Jim. I was scared for a second there."

 

"It's okay, Sandburg. Just doing my job."

 

"Good night, Jim," he mumbled sleepily.

 

"Good night, Blair."

 

~~~~

 

Once Blair was sleeping soundly, Jim went to his room and showered quickly. He turned out the lights after lighting several small candles, and arranged himself comfortably in a meditation position. With the remote control, he hit 'play' and was rewarded with the sound of Dr. Blair Sandburg leading him through the process of controlling his body and mind. He sighed gratefully and played two of the tapes in the set before he felt relaxed enough to sleep. 

 

~~~~

 

It was just after sunset a few days later, when a rustling in the brush caught Jim's attention. He stood, nostrils flaring, before he called out, "Sandburg, what are you doing?"

 

Blair emerged from the bushes with a grin on his face. "Hey, Jim. You knew it was me, didn't you?" When Jim ignored Blair's inquiry, Blair quietly observed his companion before he spoke. "I needed some quiet time so I was taking a walk. I love this time of night, right after the sun goes down. Things are hazy and the sights and sounds of the night awaking are intriguing."

 

Jim smiled. "Come on, then, let's take a walk."

 

They walked down the path side by side. Blair talked about everything in general and nothing in particular, waving his hands and plucking at Jim's sleeve occasionally when making a point. Jim walked at his side, hands clasped behind his back, listening and cataloging the entire being that was Blair Sandburg, occasionally offering a few words here and there. Generally, though, Jim just enjoyed Blair being beside him. That is when Jim was very surprised to realize that he thoroughly enjoyed the fact that Blair had a calming influence on his senses.

 

Blair stopped and when Jim stopped also, Blair moved close and fiddled with a button on Jim's shirt. "Say, I was thinking."

 

Jim chuckled. "You were thinking? Is this news, Sandburg?"

 

Blair laughed. "What do you say about you and me doing something together? After all, I've been cooped up in the house for days now. You've been worse than a damned warden since the other night."

 

"Do you blame me?"

 

Blair bounced on his toes. "No."

 

Jim gazed at his companion. "What is it?" he asked, sensing the spike in Blair's heart rate and the rise in his respiration.

 

"Well... I've been wondering..." Blair grinned and rocked back and forth on his feet.

 

"Sandburg, just spit it out."

 

"Okay. I want to go out. You need to protect me. So, why don't we go out together?"

 

Jim scowled. "You and me?"

 

Blair sighed and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, you and me. Us. Ah, oh, shit. You don't date guys, huh?"

 

"No, I don't date guys. Do you?"

 

Blair shrugged. "Not yet I don't," he mumbled.

 

Jim shook his head. "Let me get this straight. You want to go out. You think that if I take you out you'll be safe."

 

"And..." Blair encouraged.

 

"And?"

 

Another exasperated sigh. "Man, it will be fun! You do know what fun is, don't you, Jim?" Blue eyes sparkled.

 

Jim found himself grinning. "Yes, Sandburg, I do know what fun is. Okay, tonight. Nine o'clock."

 

"Cool." Blair turned on his heels and after a quick wave over his shoulder, he trotted down the path back toward the house.

 

~~~~

 

When Jim met Blair at the front door at nine on the dot, he was greeted with a vision. Blair looked positively delicious and Jim almost groaned aloud at the sight. Blair was dressed simply. He had on nicely worn blue jeans that hugged his body in just the right places. A royal blue v-neck t-shirt clung to his slim chest and left a wonderfully enticing triangle of chest hair curling above the knitted band. A light brown, linen sports coat and brown Birkenstock sandals completed the ensemble. But it was Blair's hair that had Jim's throat dry. It had been washed and combed and it was a shining controlled chaos of reddish-brown curls. Jim had to fight the urge to reach out and touch the silken strands. He settled for opening his senses to enjoy the sights and scents of his companion's body.

 

Blair grinned approvingly at his bodyguard. Jim looked impeccable in pressed dark blue slacks and a cream colored long-sleeved buttoned-up shirt with the collar undone and the sleeves rolled up neatly. He carried a black leather jacket over his arm and looked so cool and composed that Blair had the urge to stick his tongue down his throat right then and there to see what kind of reaction he would elicit. He chuckled at his silliness and smiled at Jim, his appreciation for Jim's appearance radiating from his eyes.

 

"Hi, Jim," Blair said happily.

 

"Sandburg." Jim nodded, smiling.

 

They stood for a brief second before Jim opened the door and motioned Blair through. "You ready, Chief?"

 

"Oh, yes," Blair blurted out before chuckling again as he slid past Jim.

 

Jim followed. "What?"

 

"Nothing." Blair shrugged. "This is going to be great!" Blair trotted down the steps and hopped into Jim's waiting truck.

 

Jim climbed in and turned the engine. "So where to, Sandburg?"

 

Blair smiled. "You pick. I haven't been out in a long while so I want to have fun. Pick something fun, Jim."

 

"Okay, Chief. Fun it is."

 

As the truck drove off, neither man saw the pair of eyes watching them from behind the row of shrubs running along the driveway.

 

~~~~

 

"Oh, man, what a cool movie!" Blair blurted out excitedly as they left the small, local indy movie house that specialized in showing the classics from the last fifty or sixty years. 

 

"Glad you liked it, Chief. It's a particular favorite of mine."

 

Blair laughed. "I can see why. It has everything! Intrigue. Rivalry." Blair pretended to wield a sword and made swooshing noises. "Good guys. Bad guys. Good versus evil. Thanks for bringing me."

 

"Sandburg, I find it hard to believe that you've never seen 'The Seven Samurai' before. Where have you been the last twenty-some years?"

 

Blair laughed pleasantly, making Jim smile. "I was in school for most of my life and that movie was made before I was born. Of course, I've heard of 'The Seven Samurai'. I do live on the Planet Earth, Jim. I just never saw it before tonight. It was awesome!" Blair walked backwards, watching Jim who was smiling at his antics. "Say, Jim, just how many times have you seen that movie?"

 

"Oh, twenty or thirty, I guess." Jim shrugged. "It made a big impact on me as a kid. I think I first saw it when I was ten or twelve." 

 

"I understand your being drawn to the movie, Jim. It's a reflection of your own life. You live the life of a warrior. I can't say that I envy you." Blair looked at Jim with admiration. "You're willing to die for your client. Jim, man, on one hand I understand the whole thing, but on the other, it's hard to believe." Blair walked beside Jim for a few more feet. "Is it true?"

 

"What's that, Sandburg?"

 

"That you'd take a bullet for me. For any of your clients."

 

"Yes, it's true. It's my job. I've accepted that as a possibility." Jim shrugged. "It's how I want to die, in the line of duty."

 

Blair stopped. "You really mean that, don't you? Geez, Jim, you must have a pretty sucky life to be willing to die that easily and for somebody you hardly know."

 

"Sandburg, my life has nothing to do with it. Didn't you learn anything from the movie? The samurai didn't know the villagers personally, but they were willing to die defending them."

 

Blair nodded. "Yeah, I see your point. I do understand, Jim. More than you know. I find the study of man fascinating. After all, I am an anthropologist." Blair grinned and bounced beside Jim. "As a man once said 'All warfare is based on deception'."

 

Jim raised an eyebrow.  "Didn't that man also say that, 'The valiant fight, but the cautious defend and the wise counsel'?"

 

Blair smiled. "So, you know Sun Tzu. That's very good. I didn't know a bodyguard would be familiar with him."

 

Jim feigned indignation. "You know him and you're an anthropologist."

 

Blair laughed deeply. "Ah, but Jim, the study of people also includes the study of their actions. The philosophy of war is something that every good anthropologist should study."

 

When Jim threw up his hands to admit defeat, Blair chuckled before he asked, "Have you ever read Miyamoto Musashi?"

 

Jim nodded. "The Five Ways of Strategy -- it's a favorite of mine -- ground, water, wind, fire and void."

 

"Excellent! Have you mastered them?"

 

"No, not completely. But my studies have helped me learn to accept my life."

 

"I understand the art of war and I've often wondered what kind of warrior I was in ancient times," Blair mused. "To Sun Tzu, life was war. One was either in battle or training for it. Miyamoto believed that the way of the warrior is acceptance of death in the cause of duty."

 

"Yes, but we can't forget what Gandhi said: 'The true warrior does not die killing'."

 

Blair cocked his head and watched his companion. "Gandhi? You don't seem like a man who'd practice nonviolence."

 

Jim shrugged. "Well, in life, I'm a pragmatist -- in my heart, an idealist."

 

Blair nodded. "You are an enigma, Jim Ellison." 

 

"And what are you, Blair Sandburg?" Jim asked seriously.

 

Blair grinned. "Me? Hell, I'm starving, that's what I am." He turned on his heels. 

 

Jim laughed out loud. "Is that a hint?"

 

"Hint? No, that's an order. Feed me, Seymour, feed me." Blair said in a deep voice. 

 

Jim sighed in mock exasperation. "Come on, Chief. One dinner coming up."

 

~~~~

 

The English-style pub was darkly paneled and dimly lit. Jim picked a booth in the far back corner, away from the bar and the Friday night crowd. They shared a pitcher of Newcastle Brown, along with a double order of fish and chips and a large, fresh green salad. Blair insisted on vitamins along with the alcohol and fatty foods. They ate with gusto, pleased to realize that they both liked extra malt vinegar on their food. They laughed and talked, and Jim was surprised at how easy it was to be with Blair.

 

"So Jim, tell me, man. Why aren't you married with a couple of kids running around?" Blair looked up from his food and was surprised to see that while Jim was looking right at him, his eyes were unfocused and his face was blank. Blair rose and went around the table, sliding into the booth next to Jim. "Hey, Jim, come on. What's wrong?" Blair rubbed Jim's arm. "Focus, man. Listen to my voice. I need you to listen and concentrate. Come on back, Jim."

 

Jim shuddered and shook his head. He pinched the bridge of his nose and, after breathing heavily for a few seconds, he sighed deeply. "Sorry, Chief." Jim pulled the pill case from his pocket, but Blair plucked it from his fingers before he could protest. 

 

"What the hell was that, Jim? Come on, something's up with you. I've seen the way you focus sometimes. I've seen you hone in on things no one else could possibly see. I know that you hear things that nobody else could hear. I know what's going on here, so you'd better start talking."

 

"What the hell are you doing, Sandburg? Give that back. I need those." Jim reached out but Blair held the small silver box just out of his reach. Jim looked around, uncomfortable at making a scene. "I'm asking you to give it back, Chief," he said with clenched teeth.

 

Blair took one look at Jim's unhappy scowl and he immediately felt contrite. "Geez, Jim, I'm sorry," he said sincerely, handing back the case. "But I'm worried about you. I think I have a clue what's going on with you. Why don't we go somewhere quiet so we can talk?"

 

Jim looked into the concerned blue eyes. He felt the connection to this man deep in his soul. He shivered and swallowed hard. When Blair slid his hand discreetly under the table and rested it on his knee, he centered his sense of touch on the heat of Blair's palm touching his leg. Jim nodded and Blair slid from the booth with Jim following closely. Jim was quiet as he paid the check. He was quiet when he led Blair to his truck and drove to his own small house on the East Side of town. When he pulled up in front of his place, he killed the engine and sat without moving for several seconds before he spoke.

 

"Here we are, Chief. Home sweet home."

 

"Cool. This is a nice place."

 

"Yeah, right. It's an old house, Sandburg."

 

Blair shook his head. "No, it's not old. It's got character. I like it. Show me around?"

 

"Sure." Jim opened the front door and led the way, flipping on lights in the modest bungalow.

 

Blair looked around, noticing that the imprint of its owner was missing from the house. The house was spotless, the hardwood gleamed, and everything was bland. Anybody could have lived here. Blair desperately wanted to see the man's life and understand. He was a trained observer and what he had been observing from Jim for days now was that he had hyperactive senses. He hid his excitement at the possibility of finding his Holy Grail and managed to follow Jim through the house and down the stairs into the finished basement.

 

When Jim turned on the light, Blair walked into the center of the room and turned several times.

 

"Wow." Blair smiled at his companion. "Now this is more like it."

 

"More like what, Chief? Beer?"

 

"Yeah, man, thanks." Blair accepted the cold bottle that Jim had fetched from a refrigerator located behind the small bar along one wall. "Your personality, Jim. The private side of James Ellison, Macho Bodyguard."

 

Jim shook his head and rolled his eyes, spreading himself gracefully across one end of the large comfortable sofa and taking a swig of his beer.

 

Blair grinned at Jim and, for a few seconds, enjoyed the sight of the handsome man lounging before him before he started on a trek around the room. The far wall held a wide array of weapons. Several antique swords from the Civil War era decorated the wall, along with a relatively new katana and an impressive array of throwing stars. An old musket and powder horn hung neatly among the items, and there was a collection of photographs. Some were old, yellowed photographs of soldiers in full dress. When Blair peered at the pictures, he knew that the era was the late 1800s. Others portrayed a trip through the last century.

 

"Cool, Jim. Are there members of your family in those pictures?"

 

"Yeah. Civil War. World War I and II. Korean War and Vietnam."

 

Blair put on his glasses and studied one photo in particular. "That's you, Jim."

 

"Yes it is, Chief. In the Gulf."

 

Blair nodded. "When did you become a bodyguard?"

 

"After I left Special Forces. 1994."

 

Blair's next examination took him to the wall of books. He scanned the titles and smiled. "You have good taste, Jim. I've read a lot of these myself."

 

Jim took a pull of his beer. "When I have down time, I like to read."

 

Blair's fingers trailed over the spines of the books and his eyes lit on the small stereo sitting on a small table in the corner. "May I?" he asked, hitting the play button.

 

"Wait." Jim rose suddenly, making Blair freeze mid-motion. He turned to look at Jim and barely had time to register the shocked look on Jim's face when the sound of Blair's own voice came from the speakers of the stereo. Surprised, he turned and quickly flipped through the CDs sitting in a small pile on the table. Blair turned to Jim.

 

"These are my meditation tapes, Jim."

 

Jim was silent and his eyes refused to meet Blair's. Blair hit the stop button and said quietly, "You have my tapes. You knew who I was before you took the job as my bodyguard, didn't you, Jim?" Blair crossed the room and stood in front of the still man. "Jim?"

 

Jim dragged his eyes down to gaze into Blair's. "Yes," he whispered.

 

"You knew I studied Sentinels, didn't you?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Why do you listen to the tapes, Jim?"

 

Jim fidgeted before he cleared his throat. He felt compelled to answer the quiet but firm request. "They help me concentrate."

 

Blair put a hand on Jim's sleeve. "Do they help control your senses, Jim? Is that what the herbal medicine is for, to help control your senses?"

 

Jim closed his eyes before he once again looked at his companion. "It's the only thing that helps, sometimes, Chief. Other than your voice..." Jim stopped, unable to explain the power Blair's voice had over him.

 

"Is it better since you've known me? Do you have more control?" Blair moved closer so that their bodies were almost touching.

 

"I read your book, Chief. I know about Sentinels and Guides." Jim stood very still and tentatively opened his senses to Blair. He allowed the comforting scent waft over his body and he allowed the sound of the man's heartbeat center his screaming senses. "Yes," he finally answered. "It helped a lot. I can't explain it."

 

Blair's hands grasped Jim's upper arms and he intently studied Jim's face. When Jim closed his eyes at Blair's nearness and trembled, Blair moved one hand to grab a handful of Jim's shirt and the other slipped across the back of his neck. "I can, Jim. I can explain it." Blair pulled and Jim came willingly. Blair's lips crushed Jim's in a blindingly hot, sweet kiss. When Jim's arms slid around Blair's shoulders, Blair kissed him harder and parted his mouth, touching Jim's lips with his tongue.

 

When Jim moaned and opened his mouth, giving Blair access, he slid his tongue into the warm depths of that mouth and explored the hidden recesses enthusiastically. Blair guided Jim back two steps and pressed him down onto the sofa, never breaking the kiss. Jim's fingers dug frantically into Blair's back while Blair covered Jim's body with his and continued his conquering of Jim's mouth. Only when Jim was shaking and almost unable to breathe did Blair allow him a gulp of air.

 

Jim panted harshly and his pale blue eyes locked onto Blair's. "What... I... Oh, God," he blurted out incoherently.

 

Blair smiled and placed the palm of his hand against Jim's face. "You are a Sentinel, Jim, and I am your Guide. It's Karma, man." Blair nodded at Jim's questioning glance. When Jim licked his lips, Blair's body responded to the sight of the pink tongue and he dove onto Jim's waiting mouth, sucking his tongue fiercely.

 

Jim's body responded to Blair's and his senses almost overloaded at the sights, smells and tastes of his lover. His erection was hard and full and he groaned when Blair's groin rubbed against his. Blair's kisses were passionate and deep and Jim gave himself over to the white heat that started at his toes and traveled through his body, ending up in his brain and turning it into a pile of mush.

 

Afterwards, he didn't remember how he had gotten undressed, nor did he remember how Blair had gotten naked. He didn't remember how the sofa was transformed into the pull-out bed or how he was laid out in the middle, panting and needy. He did remember Blair's mouth on his body, licking his nipples, biting his neck, sucking his earlobes, and tonguing his navel. He also remembered the fingers that tickled his balls and the hand that grasped his throbbing dick, mercilessly stroking until he was screaming wordlessly and coming in hot, sticky spurts over his stomach and Blair's hand. He didn't remember much, but he did remember watching Blair lick his essence from his hand, making small sounds of appreciation, and he remembered watching him stroke his own dick while Jim looked on, wide-eyed and panting, unable to move. He remembered the look on Blair's face when he came, head thrown back, tongue between his teeth, breathing harshly and shaking when he spurted hot come on Jim's chest. The scent of Blair's semen sent Jim spiraling away and he remembered the feeling of being complete and content before his eyes slid closed and everything faded into black.

 

~~~~

 

Jim felt warm. He pried open his eyes and stared down onto the curly head cradled on his shoulder. His arms were wound around the shoulders of the sturdy body and his fingers were tangled in the long, silky tresses. He sighed contentedly, pleased at the feel of Blair's strong hand lying pressed against his chest. 

 

Blair stirred when he felt Jim awaken and he raised his head, smiling. "Hey," he murmured.

 

"Hey, yourself, Chief," Jim said, his voice still groggy with sleep. He ran his fingers through the wild mess of curls.

 

Blair pulled himself up just enough to brush his lips against Jim's in a gentle touch. "I feel really safe with you, Jim. I know you'd protect me through anything. Nobody can get to me with you as my bodyguard." Blair snuggled back down and nestled his head again on the willing shoulder.

 

Jim's hand automatically petted his head and he chuckled softly. "Right now, I couldn't fight off a six year old with a water pistol." Jim sighed again. "God, Blair, that was wonderful."

 

Blair laughed lightly. "Yeah, it was." Blair yawned and wiggled just a bit, settling in. "Jim?"

 

"Hmmm?"

 

"I belong with you," Blair murmured before dropping off.

 

Jim felt his body sliding into sleep and the words barely registered in his consciousness. "I'll protect you," Jim reassured his love before drifting off once again.

 

~~~~

 

A hand on his shoulder woke Blair.

 

"Come on, Chief. We need to get you home."

 

Blair woke slowly and stretched. He looked at his lover and a wide smile crossed his face. "Morning, Jim. Come back over here and lie down."

 

Jim ignored Blair's come-hither glance and pulled on his pants quickly. He buttoned his shirt, yanked on his socks, and slipped into his shoes in seconds.

 

Blair sat up, puzzled at the emotionless face before him. "Jim? Hey, how about a good morning kiss?"

 

Jim stood and buttoned his pants. "Get dressed," he said tersely. 

 

Blair looked into the stoic face. "Jim, what's wrong?"

 

"Nothing." Jim tossed Blair's clothes in a pile on his lap, all the while avoiding looking directly at him.

 

Blair rose and stood, hands on hips. "Nothing my ass. What's wrong, Jim? Talk to me."

 

Blair moved closer and his enticing body and warm fragrance sent Jim's senses spiraling. Jim clenched his teeth and struggled to regain control. "Damn it, Sandburg, get dressed now!" He spoke harshly and shoved Blair back a step.

 

Blair stood very still, eyes wide and frightened. "What did I do wrong? Tell me. I'm a big boy, in case you haven't noticed."

 

Jim turned angry eyes on Blair and stalked a couple of steps closer. "I can't do this," he hissed between clenched teeth.

 

Blair backed up a step and grabbed his pants, pulling them on quickly, suddenly feeling vulnerable in his nakedness. "Can't do what, Jim? Can't love me? Why? What did I do wrong?"

 

Jim looked at the floor, at the ceiling, everywhere but at Blair. "Don't you understand? I can't protect you if I'm personally involved! I don't work this way."

 

Blair tugged his shirt on, his irritation growing. "Oh, so that's what this was? A work fuck? That's all it was to you?"

 

Jim fidgeted with his belt buckle. "Yes, that's all it was to me. You're a client, that's all."

 

Blair stood, shoulders back, and tipped his chin defiantly. "Look at me, Jim, and tell me that's all I am to you. A buddy fuck. Look at me, damn you!" Blair yelled.

 

Jim turned cold blue eyes on Blair and his heart screamed at the pain that tore through him. He steeled his resolve and said menacingly, "That's all you'll ever be, Sandburg. Nothing else."

 

 

Blair felt his chest tighten and his eyes involuntarily teared. He bit his lip fiercely, refusing to do anything as embarrassing as cry in front of the man who just told him he was nothing more than a pleasure fuck. He quickly dressed, ran up the stairs and out the front door.

 

Jim followed, yelling at the figure that hurried down the street. "Sandburg? Get the fuck back here this minute!" The retreating figure never slowed and Jim started to panic. He fished his keys out of his pocket and ran to the truck. He pulled out of the driveway and threw the gearshift into drive, laying a good foot of rubber when he angrily stomped on the gas. When he drew up alongside the angry man, he pleaded, "Sandburg, please. Get in the truck. I'll take you home."

 

"Fuck off, you prick," Blair shouted.

 

"Are you firing me?"

 

"Yes!"

 

"Fine." Jim stepped on the gas and started to pull away, but after just a few yards, he stomped on the brakes. Blair never stopped but walked past Jim's truck in a blaze of anger. Jim threw the truck into park and raced after Blair, grabbing his arms. "If you don't get in the truck this instant, I swear I will pick you up and throw you in."

 

Blair pressed his hands against Jim's chest and pushed for all he was worth. "Leave me alone before I call the cops!"

 

Jim growled and in one swoop, grabbed Blair around the waist and tossed him over his shoulder.

 

Blair pounded on Jim's back and kicked his legs. Jim struggled with the fighting man and walked the few yards to his truck, opening the passenger door and tossing Blair bodily into the truck, grateful that the street was deserted. He slammed the door hard and pointed a finger at Blair. "I will take you home. Then you're free to do whatever the fuck you like!"

 

Blair sat with his arms crossed, but didn't attempt to escape. The ride back to Blair's house was made in total silence. Jim kept glancing at the angry man, but the waves of irritation and unhappiness radiating from his companion had him afraid to speak. He knew what he should do. He should apologize. Tell Blair that he hadn't meant to hurt him. That he liked what they had done and that he wanted to do it again, but he couldn't do it. It was too dangerous for him to fall in love. He had a job to do and that job came before his own personal desires. He couldn't tell Blair how he had fallen in love with him. He buried his feelings behind an icy wall and let Blair believe that what had happened between then meant nothing more to him than a few minutes of mutual pleasure that would never happen again.

 

The second they reached his home, Blair was out of the truck and through the front door, slamming it hard behind him. Jim stood stonily in the driveway, listening to the angry mutters and slamming doors until he was certain Blair made it to his room. He heard other doors opening. He heard Ian's insistent tapping on the door to Blair's room, the murmur of voices, and he knew that Blair relayed what had happened between them to his cousin and confidante. Jim pulled back, knowing that he could listen if he chose to, but angry that he would even dare to eavesdrop into Blair's private conversation. Whatever Sandburg had to say about him was true, he knew. He was a bastard and he deserved Blair's anger. What he had done was unconscionable. He had used his client for his own pleasure and now he had hurt the man deeply. Worse, he had allowed himself to fall in love and he hated himself for his weakness.

 

~~~~

 

Jim retreated to his room over the garage to pack, sure that he had been dismissed. Simon knocked at the door and at Jim's call, opened it and walked in.

 

"Ellison."

 

"Don't start with me," Jim barked.

 

Simon threw up his hands. "Whoa, Ellison. I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here to see if we can work this out."

 

Jim paced. "There isn't anything to work out, Banks. I fucked up. I can't do my job this way." Jim stopped and his shoulders sagged. "Who am I kidding? I can't leave." He sighed. "Give me until morning, Simon. I just need some down time. I'll be back on the job in the morning as long as Blair is still agreeable to my conditions."

 

"Okay, Jim. He will be. I'll talk to him. Thanks." Simon left quietly.

 

Jim cursed himself soundly and went to shower.

 

~~~~

 

The next few weeks were hell. Blair was cold and distant. Jim could see the hurt radiating from his body at every glance, but he couldn't breach the distance between them. Blair deserved better. He deserved a warm, loving companion, not a hard-assed, unyielding one. Jim couldn't offer Blair what he deserved so he remained as cold as ice to the unhappy man. Jim did his job. He shadowed Blair almost constantly, hardly taking any down time except when Blair was sound asleep. Even then, Jim subjected himself to long, vigorous workouts. He ran for miles and lifted more weights than he ever thought possible. But the ache in his body wouldn't leave. The ache in his heart tore a hole though his soul. Still, he did the only thing he could. He did his job.

 

The entire entourage moved to Portland as part of a two week speaking tour that covered all of the major cities of the Northwest. Blair was constantly in demand and his schedule was full. Jim made all the necessary arrangements and so far, no other unsettling incidents had occurred. The night of the reception for Dr. Blair Sandburg at Portland State University was a perfect fall evening.

 

Jim prowled the gathering restlessly, scanning the crowd ruthlessly but never taking his senses from Blair. He turned them up and focused on the enticing man.

 

Blair looked beautiful. He had taken extra care in his appearance because of the interview and photo layout with The Oregonian, Portland's largest newspaper. His hair was loose and it flowed over his shoulders in a shiny chestnut cascade. He had on a powder blue shirt with tiny white and darker blue squares scattered over its surface, a pair of dark blue Dockers, and a soft, brown suede jacket. He had two silver rings in his left ear, and a silver chain with a dark blue stone hanging from the center encircled his neck.  The blue orb nestled in the hollow of this throat and Jim had never seen anything so desirable in his life as Blair. His eyes sparkled and his deep laugh filled Jim's ears until he thought he would scream his desires to the entire room. Jim was miserable but not a single eyelash was out of place on the impassive man's face. He guarded his charge like the strongest cat in the jungle and not once did anyone realize the turmoil that he felt inside. Anyone but Blair, that is.

 

Blair never looked directly at his bodyguard, but he knew that Jim hovered just out of reach. All Blair had to do was whisper his name and he would be at his side instantly. Blair reined himself in fiercely and refused to allow Jim close to him again. He had been rejected once and that hurt was still deep and painful. He knew that Jim lusted after him, but until the bodyguard made amends for the wounds that now bled on Blair's heart, Blair would have nothing to do with Jim beyond the bare tolerance he now displayed. Lust was not what Blair wanted. He wanted Jim, that much was true, but he wanted to hear those lips whisper words of love and passion. Until then, Blair ignored the bodyguard except to issue orders regarding his protection.

 

Every man in the room watched the young woman cross the threshold, and they all admired her young, firm body and beautiful face. She plucked a glass of champagne from the tray that passed by and scanned the room. Her eyes lit on Jim Ellison and she approvingly undressed the handsome man with her eyes. She stood, sipping, until Jim's eyes met hers. She smiled slightly and then pouted sexily when his steel blue eyes traveled from the top of her head, down to her feet and back up again. His eyes slid away and she made the mistake of taking his smoldering glance as an invitation instead of the cataloguing of her as a possible threat to his charge. He had dismissed her from his mind instantly, but she had other ideas.

 

The woman slid close and the scent of her perfume tickled his nasal passages somewhat

pleasantly. "I've been watching you from across the room," she purred into Jim's ear.

 

He glanced down at the woman who pressed her body against his leg. While he admitted her beauty to himself, he felt nothing for her other than a minor flash of irritation at her interruption. He dismissed her with a cold glare. "Why don't you go back and watch a bit longer before you leave?"

 

Her eyes narrowed and she turned quickly. "Bastard." Jim ignored the muttered word and the second she walked away, he forgot about her.

 

Blair's rich laughter cut through the room like the pleasant tinkle of wind chimes on a breezy afternoon. Jim's head came up and he saw the same woman he had dismissed just minutes earlier clinging possessively to Blair's arm. He watched while Blair leaned down and whispered in her ear and she laughed, showing small, white teeth. Then he saw red when Blair tugged her arm and led her to a door that opened into a small, private sitting room. Blair looked up and his eyes met Jim's. He tipped his head defiantly and with a look, conveyed his thoughts. You don't want me, but others do. The couple slipped through the door and it closed with the click of a lock. Jim clenched his fists and turned, stalking from the room.

 

Jim plowed headlong into a guest. "Excuse me. I'm very sorry,"

 

"Jim Ellison, you old dog!" came the deep voice.

 

Jim forced his focus from Blair and the laughing woman and onto the man standing in front of him. A strong hand held his upper arm and when Jim looked into the face, he smiled. "Dale! You son-of-a-bitch! Long time no see!" Jim greeted the lanky, brown-haired man.

 

Dale punched Jim's arm hard and grinned. "Yeah, what's it been? Three years?"

 

"At least." Jim automatically scanned the crowd. "What are you doing here, Dale?"

 

Dale Stern smiled, showing crooked teeth, his brown eyes friendly. "I'm here working. You?"

 

"Yeah." Jim shrugged. "The guest of honor."

 

"No! Good gig. I bet he pays well." Dale sipped his drink.

 

Jim smelled Jack Daniels and raised an eyebrow at the fact that Dale was drinking on duty. He didn't comment but asked, "Who are you shadowing?" 

 

"Her majesty herself, Chancellor O'Brien. Seems she's had a bit of trouble with some ex-lover. I'm just doing preliminary recon." He held up his glass. "Hence the liquor. I'm not on duty until tomorrow."

 

Jim smiled at his old buddy. "It's great seeing you again, Dale." The sounds from behind the closed door assailed his ears and his head pounded. "Say, buddy. I've got to do a perimeter check. I'll catch you later."

 

"Sure, sure, Jim. Great seeing you." They shook hands and parted company. Jim dismissed his old Special Forces buddy from his mind and left after almost biting Henri's head off, warning him to watch out for Blair and curtly telling him that he was off duty for the rest of the evening. 

 

~~~~

 

Blair felt lightheaded from the champagne and from the woman running her hands over his body. She smelled nice and he buried his nose in her blond hair, sniffing deeply. She turned her face up to his and they kissed. She purred and ran a hand down his chest. With nimble fingers, she unzipped his slacks. Blair froze.

 

"No. Stop." He tried to back up a step but her fingers gripped the waistband of his pants.

 

"Come on, let's have some fun," she invited, using her other hand to unbutton the top few buttons of her blouse.

 

Blair's head started to spin and he suddenly wanted out of the room. "I'm sorry. I can't do this."

 

She dropped her hand and glared. "What's wrong with you? You some sort of weirdo or what? I thought you were cute but you're surely acting like a bastard."

 

Blair backed up several steps and straightened his clothes, pulling up his zipper. "Sorry," he mumbled again and fled from the room. He slipped out the door and leaned back against it, breathing shakily. His eyes scanned the room as he searched for Jim. His body ached for his lover and he almost sobbed.

 

Simon saw Blair leaning against the door with a stricken look on his face. He crossed to his friend quickly. "Blair, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

 

Blair straightened up and cleared his throat. "Yeah, Simon. Give me a minute." Blair smiled tentatively at his friend's concerned face. "When can we leave?"

 

Simon glanced at his watch. "You've put in your time, Blair. You look tired. Let's go back to the hotel." Simon signaled Henri who stood on guard a few feet away. Henri nodded and he led the way.

 

"Where's Jim?"

 

Simon shrugged. "He left a bit ago, told Henri he was off duty for the evening. Did you two go another round?"

 

"No. He saw... Nothing. Let's go."

 

The next morning in Blair's hotel suite was terrible. Jim had seen Blair go into the room with the woman the previous night, but he didn't stay around long enough to see that Blair had abandoned her within minutes. Jim assumed the worst. He was furious with Blair for what he felt was a huge transgression, but he was even angrier with himself. Why wouldn't Blair have sex with another person? He wasn't Jim's property. Hadn't Jim told him that nothing would ever happen between them again and that what they had shared had been just a passing fuck? Jim had told Blair to his face that it meant nothing and now he was pissed when Blair took Jim's word for their tryst. Even when he tried to reason with himself, Jim failed miserably.

 

Blair came from his room looking a bit worse for wear. His t-shirt hung from one shoulder, his sweats were rumpled and one leg was bunched around his knee. His hair was in tangles. He rubbed his forehead and moaned. "God, I know better than to drink champagne." He poured coffee and sat at the table across from Jim.

 

"Rough night, Sandburg?" Jim growled.

 

Blair sipped the hot coffee before raising his eyes to meet Jim's cold gaze. "Not that it's any of your business, Ellison, but I have a low tolerance for alcohol, especially champagne."

 

"That's not the only thing you have a low tolerance for."

 

Blair rose. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

 

"You know exactly what I mean, Chief."

 

"Then why don't you explain it to me since I obviously don't have a clue what you're talking about?"

 

"Don't play innocent with me, Sandburg. I didn't tell you to fuck anything that walked by."

 

"Oh, my God! You're jealous? Where in hell do you get the right?" Blair shouted angrily.

 

Jim rose and glared at Blair. "You know, you're absolutely correct, Professor. I don't have any right. You can fuck anybody you damned well please."

 

"As long as it's not you," Blair said quietly.

 

"That's right, Einstein." Jim strode from the room and out the door of the suite, slamming it behind him.

 

Blair sank into the chair and hid his face in his hands. Simon slid into the chair next to Blair and put a hand on his shoulder. "Anything I can do, Blair?"

 

Blair shook his head. "Thanks, Simon. No. It's my fault, all my fault." He sighed. "I don't have a clue what to do myself." He sighed again and went to take a shower, wondering the whole time how to fix things between Jim and him. He came from the bathroom, toweling his long hair, when his personal cell phone rang. Blair hit 'on'.  

 

"Hello?"

 

"Hello my sweet," came the strangely distorted voice.

 

"Mom? Is that you?"

 

"Nooooo. But you may call me mommy if you like," the voice rasped.

 

"Who the hell is this?" Blair ordered, trying to keep his voice from shaking, while goosebumps ran down his arms.

 

"Patience, my sweet. Very soon you will know me intimately. Very intimat..."

 

Blair hit the end call button, terrified. His heart thudded wildly and sweat ran down his back.

 

Jim entered the front door and was instantly aware of Blair's distress. He raced to his side and with gentle hands on his arms, he asked, "What is it, Sandburg? What's happened?"

 

Blair turned frightened eyes to Jim. "He... it was... someone threatened me."

 

Jim pushed Blair into a chair. "Tell me what he said. You sure it was a man?"

 

Blair shivered. "Yes. No. I'm not sure. The voice was disguised." He shook his head. "It wasn't so much what he said, but the tone of the voice. It was strange... scary... dirty. He said I'd soon know him intimately. Jim, I'm scared. How did he get this number? This is my personal number. No one has it but a few people."

 

Jim scanned the suite quickly. "Where's Simon, or Henri? Why are you here alone?"

 

"Huh?" Blair glanced around. "I... I don't know. What should I do?" he whispered, shaking even more. "Is it the same one, Jim? The one who broke into my house?"

 

Jim knelt on the floor and put his hands on Blair's knees. "I don't know. It could be. We need to leave, Blair. Right away."

 

Blair looked down into the concerned face. "What about my book tour? I have people who are depending on me." He ran his hands down his face and wrung them together. "I don't know what to do anymore."

 

Jim looked seriously at Blair. "If you want me to protect you, you must listen to me. I can't protect you like this. Until we catch this guy, your life is in danger. Unless you do as I ask, I can't stay. I can't help someone who doesn't help himself, Blair. I don't make these decisions lightly but you have to understand. Unless you take an active role in your protection, I can't do it alone!" Jim rose and towered over the unhappy man.

 

Large blue eyes looked up. Blair nodded. "Okay, Jim. Okay. Whatever you say. I'll do whatever you say, just don't leave. Please."

 

"You mean it, Sandburg? You'll do exactly what I say? No questions asked?"

 

"Yes," Blair whispered. He cleared his throat and in a clear voice, he said, "Yes, Jim. I'll do whatever you say. Thank you."

 

"Good. Then I need you to cancel the rest of the tour. I need to take you away from here and put you some place safe until this guy is caught. Agreed?"

 

Blair closed his eyes and swallowed. "Yes. Agreed."

 

Jim waited until the smoky blue eyes opened and then he nodded with satisfaction. "I'll make the arrangements, Chief. Give Simon a couple of weeks off. Tell Gina she's on sabbatical."

 

"Okay, Jim. What about Ian? I'd like him to come with us. He's family."

 

"That works, Sandburg. Just him. The rest are on vacation starting now."

 

"Okay, Jim," Blair agreed softly. "Just Ian. I'm going to pack. I'll be ready in thirty minutes."

 

"I'll pass on the news." Jim went to the door. "Lock this behind me. Don't answer the phone. Thirty minutes, Chief, and then we're out of here." Jim had almost closed the door, but he pushed it back open and looked intently at Blair. "I'll protect you, Dr. Sandburg."

 

Blair smiled faintly. "I know you will."

 

~~~~

 

"This is a great place, man," Blair said, admiring the large, rustic cabin nestled ten miles from the city of Cascade, Washington.

 

"Thanks, Chief. It's my dad's place, but nobody uses it much any more. Steven hunts once in a while but I haven't been here for years." Jim dropped the luggage on the entryway floor. "No one knows that my family even owns this place. It's in my mother's maiden name. You'll be safe here until the Feds pick up the asshole threatening you."

 

Blair turned sapphire eyes on Jim. "Thank you, Jim. I feel safe with you."

 

Jim gave Blair a quick smile and a pat on the shoulder. "That's what I'm here for, Doctor.

Everything will be okay."

 

Ian barreled through the door practically dropping the luggage he carried. Blair laughed at his cousin.

 

"Ian, man, what's with the ten suitcases? You act like you're going on a trip around the world."

 

Ian laughed. "Nah, but who knows? Out here in the middle of nowhere, there are things a guy might need." He grinned at his cousin. "Which room is mine?"

 

Jim grabbed a couple of bags. "Come on. Let's stow this gear. I'm starved and I feel like fried chicken tonight."

 

Blair rolled his eyes. "Fried? How about baked?"

 

"Nope," Jim said, licking his lips in anticipation. "Fried. Extra crispy."

 

Ian chuckled. "Unlike Blair, Jim, I think it sounds great. With a pile of mashed potatoes and gravy."

 

Blair grinned. "Okay. Okay, but at least one veggie, please?" he begged nicely, making the men laugh.

 

Jim nodded, hefting a couple of bags under his arm. "For you, Chief, two veggies."

 

The three men laughed companionably and climbed the stairs in a line. Jim gave Blair the room farthest from the stairs and he took the one closest, and Ian had the one across from Blair. After the luggage was stowed, they went to the kitchen and fixed dinner together.

 

Dinner turned out well. The chicken was hot and crispy, just like Jim liked it. Blair rummaged through the groceries they had brought with them and found a package each of frozen broccoli and cauliflower. He made a cheese sauce with a hunk of cheddar and put the veggies in the oven to keep warm after dusting the top with a handful of breadcrumbs he made from the end piece of the bread loaf. Ian was in charge of mashing the potatoes, but Jim wouldn't let either one near the gravy. When Blair dipped his fork into the hot, brown sauce and tasted, he rolled his eyes to the heavens.

 

"Oh, man, Jim. It's perfect! I'll have extra, please." Blair grinned, making Jim and Ian laugh.

 

"Oh, now he wants extra, Jim," Ian quipped.

 

Jim laughed. "He knows good gravy when he tastes it." Jim put the final touches on the sauce and poured it into a small bowl.

 

With the table set, the men sat down to eat. In short order the food disappeared among many murmurs of appreciation. Jim even ate two helpings of the broccoli/cauliflower casserole. They moved to the living room, patting full tummies and groaning about eating too much.

 

Jim's cell phone rang and when he answered, he excused himself and went out on the back porch to talk. 

 

"Go ahead, Banks," Jim said.

 

They arrested a guy, Jim. The one who's been sending the threatening e-mails to Blair. They traced the last one. He didn't hide his trail well enough and they nabbed him.

 

"How do they know it's the right one, Simon?"

 

Hell, Jim, it has to be. I just got back from his apartment. The FBI let me have a look-see. You wouldn't believe the shit that this creep had in his place! The walls were covered with pictures of Blair. He had all his tapes. Everything Blair's ever done, this motherfucker had. You name it, it was there. He is obsessed. It was damned weird.

 

Jim sighed with relief. "Good. Thanks for letting me know. We're going to stay away for a few more days. Then we'll be back in touch."

 

Thanks, Jim. You know how much I appreciate your watching out for Blair.

 

"You're welcome, Banks."

 

Ah, Jim, there's something I never did get to tell you that you should know. That night in

Portland? Nothing happened, Jim. Between Blair and the woman. He walked. I thought you should know.  When Jim didn't respond, Simon asked, Ellison, did you hear me?

 

"Yeah, thanks for telling me. Evening."

 

Jim disconnected and slid the phone into his pocket. Back in the living room, he relayed the information about the arrest to Blair and Ian.

 

"Oh, man, that's fantastic!" Blair grinned. "I can go home!"

 

Ian's heart rate spiked a bit and Jim heard his hesitant breathing, but in a few seconds, he settled back down and Jim shrugged mentally, thinking it must be relief at Blair's stalker being captured. Jim fished through a desk, found a couple of decks of cards, and the remainder of the evening was spent playing gin rummy, laughing and joking as the rules changed according to each man's hand. By the end of the evening, Jim felt more relaxed than he had in years. They climbed the stairs to bed in the small hours of the morning and, after Jim made a sweep of the area to reassure himself that everything was okay, they slept soundly.

 

The next day found the men on a hike around the lake. By afternoon, Jim had dug out the fishing equipment and they spent a few hours catching their dinner. Blair surprised Jim by cleaning the fish.

 

"Man, when are you going to realize I've been in the jungle many times?" Blair informed the Sentinel. "I've cooked more wild things than you'll ever know, Jim."

 

Jim laughed and helped him clean the half-dozen fish they had caught. Another good evening meal was had by all, followed by a long, intense chess game between Jim and Blair. Ian watched and commented on each man's strategy before he stretched and excused himself for bed.

 

Jim lost the game to Blair with good grace. "That was great, Chief. Thanks."

 

Blair looked longingly at Jim. "Yeah, thanks, man." He stood and stretched, keeping his distance. "I'm going up."

 

Jim rose and nodded. "Blair, I..." He stopped and shifted restlessly.

 

Blair turned and walked quickly toward the stairs. "It's okay, Jim. Everything's cool." His eyes met Jim's. "I know the boundaries." His smile was friendly but cautious. "I'm just grateful for your help." He ran up the stairs to his room, never giving Jim a chance to finish his sentence.  

 

Jim sighed. He threw on a coat and started a check of the perimeter of the property. He turned up his senses and scanned the woods. He started when he heard a twig snap and when a whiff of shaving cream touched his nostrils, he lurched forward, running as quietly as possible toward the sound and smell. The sharp sound of a bullet whizzed past his ear. He heard the gun cock and the next bullet thudded into the tree next to him at the same level as his head. He slid around the back of the tree and pulled his gun, listening. He heard the retreating footsteps and he launched himself from behind his hiding place, careening after the fleeing person. Jim ran as fast as he could, but the sound of a car engine whining to life, and the distant twinkle of taillights told him he was too late. He stopped, breathing heavily, and cursed soundly before making his way back to the cabin.

 

Jim was angry when he found that the telephone lines had been severed. He tried his cell but the connection failed and all he heard was static. He raced up the stairs, rousing Ian and Blair.

 

"Wake up! We need to get out of here." Jim shook Blair's shoulder.

 

"What?" Blair replied groggily. "What's going on?"

 

"Something's wrong. Someone just took a shot at me." Jim rubbed his forehead.

 

"I thought the cops caught the guy, Jim. What happened?"

 

"That's what I'd like to know, Chief. Get dressed."

 

Ian stood in the hall. "What the hell is going on, Jim?"

 

"We just had company. We need to leave now. Stop asking questions and get dressed!" Jim shouted before he clattered back down the stairs and outside. He came back in within minutes and threw the keys to the vehicle across the room in frustration.

 

Blair stood, suitcase in hand, near the door. "Jim?" Fear-filled eyes sought the Sentinel's. Jim moved closer to his charge and put a hand on his shoulder.

 

"The car's been disabled. The coil's gone. The battery, too." Jim paced for a minute. "Fuck!"

 

Ian entered the room. "What should we do?"

 

Jim pinched the bridge of his nose and held up his hand for quiet. "Okay. Everybody calm down. We'll hike out in the morning, but tonight we'll all stay right here in this room. No one leaves for any reason. Understood?"

 

Blair nodded mutely when Jim's fingers squeezed his shoulder. "Blair, I'll protect you. I swear. You know that, don't you?"

 

"Yes, I know." Blair gave Jim a shaky smile.

 

"Lie down, Professor." Jim directed the unhappy man to he sofa and pushed him onto the cushions. He covered Blair and tucked the blanket around his shoulders. "You don't have to sleep, just rest. I'll make something hot to drink."

 

Blair nodded, his eyes bright pools of concern in the darkened room. Ian stretched out on the old recliner and Jim tossed him a blanket and pillow.

 

"I'm going to make a perimeter check and then I'll be back. You both stay put. Understand?"

 

Two heads nodded and Jim left. He scanned the area around the cabin as far as his senses would allow. A gentle snow started to fall and it acted as a sound deadener. As much as Jim strained, all he could hear was the flakes landing on the ground and on the trees. Nothing else interrupted the minute touch of each flake. His eyesight detected nothing, nor his sense of smell. Frustrated, he returned to the cabin, slipped through the back door into the kitchen, and stopped abruptly.

 

"I told you to stay in the living room," Jim growled angrily.

 

"Blair's asleep. He's exhausted." Ian shrugged and shifted nervously in the chair. He brought his hands to the tabletop and laced the fingers together, clenching them tightly. His face was pale and drawn. 

 

Jim clenched his jaw and after setting his gun on the table, he said softly, "Tell me what's going on."

 

Ian raised his blanched face. "I hate him."

 

Jim fought the urge to grab the man and pound the life out of him. Instead, he forced himself to sit down and speak calmly. "Why do you hate him, Ian? Tell me. I want to know," he encouraged quietly while his insides churned.

 

"He's always had everything. He's nice, for God's sake. People like him. They want to be around him. Look!" Ian gripped his hands on the edge of the table. "Even you! Blair's always had people who loved him. You've never even looked at me." Ian laughed coldly. "Not that I'd want to screw around with some fag, anyway, but it's the principle of the thing!"

 

Jim's cold gaze bore into the man, but his voice remained steady. "What did you do, Ian? Tell me now," he ordered quietly.

 

"I paid a lot of money, Jim," he said almost proudly, tilting his head and thrusting his chin forward. "It will never be over until he's dead."

 

Jim steeled himself. "Who did you pay?"

 

"I don't have a fucking clue. I did it through a third party."

 

"Where did you make contact?"

 

Ian shrugged, his complacency making Jim even angrier, more upset. "Some bar down on the waterfront. I paid a guy to pay another to find somebody to do the job. I don't have a clue who it is." He turned cold, brown eyes on Jim. "You love him, don't you?"

 

Ignoring the question, Jim asked, "Ian, answer me carefully. What were the terms of the contract? How do you call it off?"

 

Ian laughed derisively. "Call it off? There is no calling it off, Ellison, you asshole! I paid extra so that it doesn't stop until he's dead."

 

Jim gripped the table hard enough to dig his nails into the wood. "They won't stop until he's dead?"

 

Ian rose and nodded, and suddenly his outward bravado crashed. A harsh sob rose from his throat. "Oh, God," he whispered hoarsely, "what have I done?" Tear-filled eyes met Jim's cold blue ones. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean..." He stopped. "Yes, I did. I did mean it, then, but now... I'm sorry, Jim. Please, what can I do? You have to help me!"

 

Jim rose but before he could speak, a creaking sound from overhead sent his senses to full alert status. 

 

"Stay here!" he whispered hoarsely, grabbing Ian's upper arms and shaking him roughly. He pushed the man into a chair and, grabbing his gun, he checked the rounds. He stealthily crept along the darkened corridor and up half the flight of stairs when Ian's yell made him turn and leap back to the bottom in one jump. Jim raced down the hall and he felt cold air. Someone had opened the back door. 

 

Jim slid into the kitchen, skidding on the linoleum, and he raised his gun at the silhouette outlined in the doorway. The figure fired at Jim, but Ian stepped from the shadows at Jim's right and pushed him out of the way of the bullet. Jim fell against the cabinet and hit the side of his head. He was momentarily stunned, but he raised his gun and fired six rounds quickly in the direction of the outline. He tried to focus, but when his vision cleared, the assailant was gone and Ian lay on the floor, blood seeping from the bullet that hit him directly in his heart. 

 

~~~~

 

Services for Blair's cousin were small and private. The newspapers all carried the story that Blair insisted be told. That someone had been stalking Blair and that Ian had saved his cousin's life. Ian got the recognition he so desperately craved. In death, he was a hero, his name on everybody's lips. Even after Jim had gently explained to Blair the details about the contract that Ian had revealed, Blair still insisted that no one but he, Jim and Simon would ever know the truth about Ian's involvement in the attempts on his life. He had loved his cousin and was devastated by his death.

 

Blair dismissed the entire staff save for Jim and Simon and he stayed in seclusion for many days. Jim was beginning to be worried at the quiet form that drifted through the house, never smiling, hardly talking. He shadowed Blair constantly, afraid to let him out of his sight even for a minute. He slept on the hall floor outside of Blair's room, unbeknownst to Blair or so he thought. Jim waited until Blair had locked his door at night and after wishing him good night, Jim left, only to return in thirty minutes with a pillow and blanket for his nightly vigil. 

 

Blair knew Jim planted himself outside his door nightly. He ached for Jim and longed to ask the gruff man to come into his room and into his bed, but he knew he was not wanted, so he kept his mouth and his heart closed and suffered in silence.

 

It wasn't until the American Anthropological Association contacted Blair to inform him that he was to be presented with their annual award for excellence that he seemed to find some reason for living. The award money was $250,000 to a favorite charity or institution of higher learning, and Blair thought about how much good could be done with the funds. He had his scholarship fund and he was happy at the prospect of more money being available for grants and scholarships. He perked up a bit and finally started spending many hours in the library working on his latest project, a revised version of 'Sentinels and Guides: New Evidence in the New Millenium'.''

 

The banquet was held at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, and Jim was apprehensive about going. There had been no more attempts on Blair's life. No more e-mails or break-ins occurred. Things were very quiet. Too quiet for Jim. The contract had been paid in full and it was still outstanding. Jim knew it was just a matter of time before the hired assassin tried once again to fulfill his obligation. Jim also knew that it was a matter of principle to the hitman. Once paid, the killer thought it was his duty to fulfill his contract. His future contracts depended on his reliance, and Jim doubted that the assassin would abandon his livelihood and move on to other pursuits over what he would perceive to be a lapse in his professional reputation. It would happen, Jim realized, and he prayed that he would be able to intercede when the time came.

 

Jim, Blair and Simon took a suite of rooms together. Jim was relentless in his vigil. He checked and double-checked everything about the hotel, the banquet room and the list of quests that he had been provided. The three men sat down for several hours and discussed the attendees in detail. Blair or Simon knew a good number of the people who would be attending, and the bodyguard closely scrutinized those with whom they had no personal knowledge.

 

Jim called in several important favors and had the entire guest list run through the FBI computer database as well as Scotland Yard and Interpol. After this intense examination, even Jim had to admit that nothing unusual or disturbing was revealed. He finally agreed to allow Blair to accept his award personally, but he also arranged it so that he would remain on the side of the stage where he had a clear view of the hall and the backstage area.

 

Jim prowled the empty banquet room several times that day, committing each and every detail of the décor to memory, including the placement of the chairs, tables and dais, as well as the backstage area. He even inspected the walls and floors, the ceiling tiles and the electrical outlets. Nothing escaped the Sentinel's acute senses.

 

Jim rode the elevator back up to their suite and, after using his pass card, he entered. Blair sat on the sofa writing on a yellow pad. He looked up when he saw Jim and a brilliant smile crossed his face.

 

"Hey, man."

 

"Hello, yourself, Chief." Jim smiled in return and after grabbing a fresh bottle of water from the fridge in the small galley area, he sat on the chair across from Blair.

 

Blair wrote for a few more minutes while Jim watched, sipping his cool water. Since Ian's death, Jim and Blair had attained a totally different level in their relationship. After both men came to terms with the idea that there would be no revisiting of the lust that had blazed between them briefly, they surprisingly discovered that they liked each other as people and they found this new friendship comforting. Without the sexual tension between them, they enjoyed each other's company just as two buddies, and Blair found Jim's presence welcome and comforting. Jim realized how much he had been without simple companionship for a long time and he reveled in Blair's warmth and friendship.  Jim was still cautious not to cross the line, but with Blair he found himself able to relax more than he had ever been able to with another human being before.

 

Jim also knew that his senses were in total control as long as Blair was in his life. He wondered what he would do when Blair no longer needed him as a bodyguard. Jim pushed the distressing thought from his mind and concentrated on enjoying the Guide's presence as long as he could.

 

Blair capped his pen and set the pad and pen down on the coffee table. He stretched and groaned, popping joints. "Oh, man. I'm so excited! I need a shower and to get dressed. Two hours, only two hours!"

 

Jim nodded and after finishing his water, he smiled. "You're going to be fine, Chief. You deserve this night."

 

"Geez, Jim, thanks. That means a lot to me coming from you."

 

Jim shrugged. "Just telling it like it is, Professor."

 

"I know, Jim." He paused before he said wistfully, "Sometimes I wish..."

 

When he stopped, Jim waited before raising an eyebrow. "What do you wish, Chief?"

 

Blair laughed merrily. "Nothing. Everything!" He threw up his hands. "I'm too nervous to think straight."

 

"You said you were excited."

 

"Excited. Nervous. Anxious. I'm even a bit hungry. Everything, man, just everything." Blair grinned before a shadow crossed his face. He dropped his chin. "I wish Ian were here."

 

Jim moved to sit beside his friend and with a gentle hand, he squeezed his arm. "I know, Blair." He sat quietly allowing Blair to take what comfort he could from their closeness before he said, "You'd better think about getting dressed, Chief. We want you to look your best tonight."

 

Blair gave Jim a small smile and patted his hand. "Thanks, man. You're a life saver."

 

Jim rolled his eyes and gently squeezed the warm fingers. "Bad joke, Doctor?" When Blair laughed, Jim was glad to see some of the sparkle back in his eyes.

 

Blair rose and after another affectionate squeeze, he released Jim's hand. "I'm going. I'm going." He grinned at his friend and disappeared into the large master bedroom to dress for his big evening.    

 

~~~~

 

When Blair and Simon took their seats at their table at 7:45 p.m., Blair appeared calm and looked incredibly handsome. He wore a new Ralph Lauren tux. His hair was pulled back and held with a black elastic adorned with a small silver Celtic knot. He wore two small, brushed silver earrings and they sparkled in the candlelit room. Simon looked very refined in his traditional tux and they were seated at the table for guests-of-honor.

 

The room itself was elegantly outfitted. Sparkling crystal and white china decorated the tables. Silver candleholders at each table held six white and silver swirled candles, along with a tasteful flower arrangement of white flowers with a hint of green for color. The tablecloths were dazzling in their whiteness and the room was warm and inviting. By eight, all 150 guests were seated and the food was expertly served. By nine, the speakers took turns, announcing various grants and scholarships. The main speaker was a world-renowned anthropologist who had spent many years in the American southwest and she gave an intelligent and interesting view of the ancient Anasazi Indians of the Mesa Verde region.

 

When Dr. Eli Stoddard came forward to give the introduction of this year's winner of the AAA's Award for Excellence for the year 2002, Blair started to feel uncomfortable in the crowded room.  His eyes searched and found his bodyguard prowling the perimeter of the room and when their eyes met, Jim nodded slightly and the corner of his mouth curved minutely. But his eyes told Blair all they needed to know. Jim looked at him with pride and love and Blair felt his throat tighten. He knew at that instant that Jim loved him. He swallowed hard and returned the slight smile with a minute nod and while his face was passive, he allowed his feelings to shine from his eyes. He saw Jim's eyes widen in surprise for a second before they slid away, distracted by a sudden sound. Blair looked down at his hands for a moment before raising his head again. When he glanced up, Jim was once again watching him intently. At that instant, Blair felt so protected and loved that he could have cried. Instead, he cleared his throat and listened to his old mentor announce his name. 

 

Blair sat quietly for a moment gathering his wits about him amidst the clapping and calls of encouragement and congratulations. He rose and glanced around, blushing at the adulation, and he waved his hand slightly to the room before making his way to the dais. Eli stood waiting and threw his arms around Blair who returned the hug enthusiastically. Flashes from the many cameras blinded both men when they turned to the crowd and Blair had to blink quickly at the brightness. Eli pounded him affectionately on the back before he gave Blair a gentle push toward the microphone and he stepped back to give Blair center stage. 

 

Blair stood smiling broadly and he spoke confidently. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, members of the American Anthropological Society, my esteemed colleagues and friends..."

 

Jim slipped behind the stage area and sent his senses out over the backstage crowd of press, workmen and other attendees. He catalogued heart rates and respiration speeds, gauging what was what without even thinking, automatically using his abilities with ease. The last few months with Blair had brought the Sentinel to a point he had never experienced before. He was more in control than he thought possible. He could use all five senses at maximum and not zone out as long as Blair's steady voice droned on in the background.  He used those senses now and with a part of his consciousness, he listened and stored Blair's speech for retrieval later when he could quietly enjoy the words and not just the tone of his Guide's voice.

 

Jim's alert status sensed a familiar voice. He focused, his eyes immediately locating the man he recognized. He saw Dale Stern at the same time the man saw him. They acknowledged each other, shaking hands briefly.

 

"Dale? You working the room tonight?"

 

"Yes. Chancellor O'Brien. We got along so well she hired me full time."

 

"Good, good. Keep on your toes." Jim cut their dialogue short, not having time to exchange pleasantries, and moved on after a brisk nod. Dale grunted his okay and slid away.

 

Jim found a spot out of the path of the comings and goings of the backstage workers and studied the banquet hall. His ears picked up and discarded dozens of conversations until something disturbing hit home. 

 

"... that's too bad about Dorothy," came the whispered voice.

 

"Who?"

 

"Dorothy O'Brien. Chancellor of  PSU. You mean you didn't hear? Oh my goodness, that creep of a motherfucker drove his car right into hers and broke her leg! Can you believe that? She's laid up in the hospital for at least a week! I told her before that he was nothing but trouble..."

 

Jim shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked out across the stage and suddenly everything fell into place. The hit man was Dale Stern! He searched quickly and found the man on the opposite side of the stage, pushing his way between the milling crowd to try and make his way to reach the edge of the curtained-off area. Jim took in the entire scene in seconds. He saw Blair smiling and waving, finishing his speech with a broad smile. Jim heard his lover's happy voice thanking everybody and he heard the heartbeat of his beloved thumping widely in joy and excitement.

 

It seemed that the next few moments moved in slow motion when everything started to play out before his eyes. Jim pushed his way past several people and raced across the stage toward Blair, who glanced up, saw the look on Jim's face and was instantly terrified. His head swiveled back and forth searching for the threat, and his eyes were wide and frightened. Simon saw everything from his seat and he was up and running toward the stage in moments. Jim saw Dale point the telephoto lens of a camera at Blair and he saw the red beam of light dance wildly for a second, touching Blair's chest, then running up his neck to the center of his forehead.

 

Jim shouted a warning and pulled his pistol while he raced forward. Dale moved toward Blair, as did Simon. Jim slid to a stop on the slick floor and threw his arms around Blair, pushing him to the ground at the same time, and blanketing him with his body, his back exposed. The bullet that was fired from the specially made weapon made no sound and when it hit Jim in the upper back, it exited his shoulder through the front, narrowly missing Blair and thudding into the wooden floor. With a grunt, Jim collapsed against Blair and his dead weight sent them both crashing to the floor.

 

Other security personnel raced to the stage while Blair pulled himself from under Jim, forcing him to his back. He instinctively put his hands on Jim's chest and the warm, wet feeling had him looking down in surprise. He saw the blood covering them and he looked down at his body quickly, thinking he was shot. Realizing the blood was not his, he wrapped his arms around Jim's shoulders as he was struggling to sit up. Jim looked past Blair, frantic to locate the shooter through blurry vision. He raised his gun hand and a security guard grabbed the wrist, screaming about the weapon. Jim tried to pull his wrist free but the man held on, twisting the arm painfully. Jim gritted his teeth and fought futilely.

 

Simon raced to the stage; he saw the blood and realized Jim was hit. He took in the disastrous scene and he watched as Jim tried to focus and raise his weapon, pointing it toward the group rushing forward. Camera flashes blinked wildly while Simon's eyes followed Jim's gaze from his arm to the end of the barrel. That was when he saw the man with the camera and realized that this was the man on which Jim was desperately trying to level his weapon. Simon slid to his knees and yanked hard on the security guard, tossing him effortlessly to the side, freeing Jim's arm.

 

Screams echoed through the room. Hands tried to pull Blair back but he ruthlessly pushed them away, wrapping his arms around Jim and yelling, "Get back! He's my bodyguard!" When he saw the blood gushing from the wound in Jim's body, he shouted, "He's been shot! Get an ambulance! Hurry!"

 

Jim's eyes met Blair's and Simon grabbed his hand still holding the pistol. His eyes started to roll back and Blair yelled louder, "No. Jim! Don't you do this! Jim! Jim!"

 

Jim heard the Guide's frantic voice and he forced himself to focus. He glanced at Blair for a split second before his eyes slid over his shoulder and he looked directly into the eyes of the assassin who aimed the fake camera at Blair's back. Jim raised his arm but his vision blurred and his hand shook.

 

Simon saw the stricken face of the bodyguard and he quickly looked up and realized the man at whom Jim was trying to aim was close enough to hit his target, and that his intended target was Blair. Simon clamped a hand around Jim's wrist, steadying it. Jim relied on Simon's judgment and pulled the trigger twice, hitting Dale in the chest. Jim blinked rapidly, struggling to see, and when he finally realized that he had hit the assassin, he dropped the gun and slid into unconsciousness with a satisfied smile on his face. 

 

~~~~

 

Blair camped in the hallway outside the OR waiting for news about the bodyguard. He paced relentlessly and drank coffee blindly every time Simon pressed a paper cup in his hand.

 

"Blair, he'll be okay." Simon patted his friend with a large, gentle hand.

 

"Yeah," Blair answered Simon's reassurance numbly once again, oblivious to everything but the door to the OR and his silent prayers for Jim's life to be spared. He promised every entity that he had ever studied, anything and everything he owned or cared about in exchange for Jim's return to health.

 

When the OR door swung open three hours later, Blair almost came out of his skin to get to the surgeon. The smile on the doctor's face made Blair stop and gasp. "He's okay?"

 

"Yes, he's going to be fine."

 

"Thank you!" Blair raced forward and threw his arms around the man. "Thank you so much!"

 

The doctor smiled at Blair's obvious pleasure. "You're more than welcome. I'm happy about the outcome also. He's in recovery right now but he'll be in a room shortly if you'd like to go up."

 

"Yes!" Blair shouted. He grinned sheepishly, suddenly remembering he was in a hospital. "Sorry, I forgot."

 

The doctor patted his shoulder. "It's quite all right. It's a joy to make someone so happy." With another smile and a nod, he left.

 

Blair turned to Simon and threw his arms around his mentor. "Jim's going to be okay!"

 

Simon chuckled deeply and with an arm around Blair's shoulders, he gave the man a quick hug. "Blair, that's great news. Let's find his room and I'll make sure you're safe and sound before I go down to police headquarters to make a statement. They want to talk to you also, but I asked them to give you a couple of hours. The investigating officers will be here later."

 

"Cool, man. Thanks." Blair released Simon and smiled broadly at him. "Thanks for everything, Simon. I love you, you know."

 

Simon grinned, pleased. "Geez, kid. I love you too." He smacked Blair's arm affectionately and they went in search of the bodyguard.

 

~~~~

 

When Blair realized that the Sentinel was regaining consciousness, he rose from the chair where he had been sitting and dropped the magazine he had been reading. He sat carefully on the side of the bed and placed a warm hand on Jim's shoulder. His voice was soft and calm.

 

"Hey, Jim. Wake up, man. I've been waiting for hours and hours. Come on, Jim. It's Blair."

 

Jim stirred and blinked several times before he focused. He licked his lips and mumbled incoherently. While his arm with the shoulder wound was held firmly in place by a sling, his free hand flailed about. 

 

"Jim, relax. You're going to be fine." Blair grabbed his hand. "Can you hear me? You're going to recover. Everything's been fixed. You'll be as good as new in a few weeks."

 

Jim closed his eyes and let the soothing voice wash over his senses for a long minute before his eyes opened and a loopy grin crossed his face. "Blair?"

 

"Yeah, Jim. I'm right here."

 

Jim's eyes met Blair's and the grin widened. "You look yummy."

 

"What?"

 

"You look good enough to kiss. Come on, give me a kiss. A big, fat, wet kiss."

 

"Jim? Are you okay?"

 

"Me? I'm fucking-tastic!" Jim laughed. "How are you?" He glanced around, suddenly realizing he wasn't at home. "Where are we? Oh, wait, I know! It's the Ritz Carlton!"

 

"Jim, man, come on. Quit kidding around."

 

Jim tugged on Blair's hand. "I want to kiss you. I need you to plant a big one right here." Jim pulled his fingers from Blair's grasp and pointed at his puckered lips. He hiccuped and giggled helplessly.

 

"Oh, my God! Jim! You're as high as a kite!" Blair shook his head. "Damned doctors." He watched as Jim hummed under his breath and walked his fingers up Blair's leg right to his crotch.

 

"Fuck the doctors," he mumbled.

 

"It's your senses, isn't it?" Blair rolled his eyes. "It's the pain meds. I'll bet money on it. You're having a reaction, Jim."

 

"Mmmmmm," Jim murmured appreciatively while his fingers tickled Blair's groin, making him squirm.

 

"Jim, stop!" Blair grabbed the wandering hand.

 

Jim looked at Blair and his bottom lip came out. He was pouting, Blair realized in shock. Jim Ellison was pouting! Jim turned pleading puppy dog eyes on Blair and sighed dramatically.

 

"Okay, Chiefy, if you insist. But later. Later you and I will fuck each other's eyeballs out. Deal?"

 

Blair groaned. "Come on, man, do not do this to me."

 

"Do what, sweetie? I wuv you, silly boy." Jim grinned innocently and batted his lashes.

 

Blair took a look at Jim's coquettish actions and he burst out laughing. He laughed so hard his sides ached and tears ran down his face. "Oh, God, Jim. I love you too, you idiot."

 

The clearing of a throat behind Blair had him struggle to control the laughter and he finally managed to get it down to occasional giggles. "Doctor, come on in, Jim's awake." Blair giggled again and when Jim pursed his lips, kissed his fingers and put them on the side of Blair's face, Blair bit his lip before the laughter started back up. "Doctor, whatever you gave Jim made him high. He's being quite silly and he has no idea where he is or what happened."

 

Blair slid from the bed and went to stand on the opposite side while the doctor examined his patient. Each touch brought chuckles from Jim and he wiggled as much as his bandaged body would allow. The doctor was exasperated. "Mr. Ellison, please! You need to settle down."

 

"Jim, calm down." Blair's quiet voice soothed the Sentinel and he turned clear blue eyes on his Guide. Blair smiled at Jim's trusting face. "Let the doctor examine you, Jim."

 

Jim's eyes radiated love. "Sure thing, sweetheart. I love you."

 

Blair grinned and the doctor looked surprised. "I told you he's high! Whatever you gave him for pain meds seems to have had that effect on him. I think you might consider another alternative if this bothers you. He seems to be feeling quite well, though, so I don't see any reason to change the medication unless you think it's harmful."

 

Jim hummed under his breath and grabbed Blair's hand and he then planted wet kisses on the palm before moving on to kiss each finger.

 

The doctor sighed. "He seems to be feeling fine. His incision looks good and he's feeling no pain so I think we'll just let him ride this out. It will probably take a while for the drug to work its way through his system anyway." The doctor had to smile at Jim's happy demeanor. "Hell, I should take some of that myself," he said jokingly.

 

"Thank you, Doctor," Blair said.

 

"Thank you, Doctor," Jim echoed. The doctor acknowledged the thanks and turned to leave. After a quick glance at the doctor as he left, Jim added, "I want to suck your dick, Chiefy."

 

"Jim, please, somebody will hear you."

 

"So, let them get their own dick to suck. You ass is mine, buddy boy."

 

Blair changed the subject before his body decided he liked Jim's suggestions. "Are you hungry?"

 

Jim's wandering mind jumped to the next subject. "Starving!"

 

Blair laughed. "Let me go and find you something to eat." Blair tried to free his hand from Jim's clutches but he would have none of it. When Jim once again tried to turn his slobbering affections to Blair's hand, Blair distracted him by running gentle fingers down the side of his face, making him lean into his touch and Jim sighed, releasing Blair's hand.

 

"Feels nice, sweetie," Jim muttered. "More," he ordered. 

 

Blair took a step back. "Jim, we'll talk later, okay? For now, I'll go and find you something to eat. How's that sound?"

 

Jim nodded happily. "Cool! Hershey bars, please. With almonds."

 

"Chocolate? You want chocolate? How about some nice orange juice?"

 

"Yes, please. I'll have two candy bars AND a glass of juice." Jim grinned, making Blair once again laugh at the innocent demeanor of the bodyguard.

 

"Oh, man, you are going to regret this in the morning," Blair muttered.

 

Jim watched as Blair crossed to the door and he called out, "Hurry back, my precious." At Blair's departing figure, Jim called out, "Nice ass!"

 

Blair just rolled his eyes and went in search of Hershey bars. With almonds. AND a glass of orange juice. Just what a high-flying Sentinel needed, Blair mused. Sugar to up his blood level. He chuckled and started on his mission, relieved that his bodyguard was going to recover and wondering how much of what Jim had been rambling on about was really how he felt deep in his heart.  

 

~~~~

 

"Blair, I'm doing just fine. You don't have to come by to check on me every day," Jim Ellison groused at his companion when Blair entered the front door after knocking with his foot.

 

Blair grinned widely, his arms full of grocery bags. "Nah, man. It's cool. I enjoy it. Besides, I like helping you. You almost died for me, Jim. That deserves some special treatment."

 

Jim shook his head in exasperation and stepped back. Blair breezed past and dropped the sacks on the kitchen counter. He put away the groceries, chatting, while Jim handed him the items one at a time with his good hand.

 

Blair took each item, being careful that their fingers didn't touch. He was disappointed that Jim hadn't remembered his drug-induced declarations of love and, when he realized that Jim wasn't going to make further declarations once he was lucid, he hid the hole in his heart and became what Jim seemed to want: a good friend. 

 

"So today's the big day, huh? The doctor thinks you'll finally get rid of that sling?"

 

"Yeah, he said that if everything checks out this afternoon, I can take it off. I've still got to be careful about using the arm until after a couple of weeks of physical therapy, but everything should be good." Jim moved his shoulder. "It feels pretty good."

 

"Cool, man. After lunch, I'll drive you to your appointment."

 

Jim started to protest, but he enjoyed Blair's company. He realized that Blair would soon be bored by the dull existence of the bodyguard and once he felt comfortable again, he would return to his busy and interesting life. Blair had had a scare and for now, Jim realized, he was content to live quietly. His life was no longer in danger and he was free to come and go as he chose. Jim was pleased that for now Blair chose to keep him company and he stored each and every memory in his heart for the times when he was once again alone.

 

After a quick lunch of turkey and Swiss cheese sandwiches with spicy mustard and extra dill pickles, Blair drove Jim to and from his doctor's appointment. As expected, the doctor had declared Jim well on the road to recovery and after giving him a list of do's and don'ts, he sent the bodyguard on his way with well wishes. 

 

Blair pulled up in front of the modest bungalow and with the engine still running, he turned in the driver's seat and smiled warmly at Jim.

 

"Here you go, Jim. Home sweet home." Blair said, remembering the words Jim had used that first time he had brought Blair to his house those many weeks ago.

 

Jim opened the door. "Thanks, Chief." Jim closed the door and leaned into the open window. "Say, Sandburg, listen. You don't need to come by any more. I'm fine. I'm taking another six weeks off and then I'll find another job. There are always people who need a bodyguard."

 

Blair swallowed hard and his heart thumped in his chest. If Jim noticed, he did not react, and Blair struggled to control his reactions to Jim's distressing news. "Sure, Jim. Whatever. As long as you are okay. That's all that counts. You don't have to worry about me any more. Besides, I'll write you a great letter of recommendation." Blair forced a smile. "You're a fantastic bodyguard."

 

Jim nodded. "Thanks, Chief. I appreciate that. See you around."

 

"Yeah, Jim, see you around," Blair said through clenched teeth. When Jim stepped to the sidewalk, Blair threw the vehicle into drive and hit the gas harder than needed, making the tires squeal. He drove barely a few feet before he stomped hard on the brakes, making the Expedition jerk to a halt. "No!" he yelled. "I can't do this!"

 

Jim watched the vehicle pull away and he knew Blair was upset. He took a step back, a bit startled at the combination of anger and distress that he felt from Blair. He watched helplessly while the Expedition pulled away, wanting to call out to Blair that he loved him. He bit his lip and barely had time to take a few breaths when the Expedition screeched to a halt. He stood rooted to the spot and watched and listened, his senses open to his Guide. He heard the transmission shift to park and the ignition turn off. The driver's door opened and Blair jumped of the car. Jim stood very still, his eyes drilled on Blair's face. He saw the serious look and he observed the tense body. Their eyes met and before Jim could take another breath, Blair raced toward him.

 

Jim never hesitated. He took two long steps forward and suddenly, Blair was in his arms. Their lips touched and the world stopped. They were almost frantic in their embrace after having denied each other for so long. Mouths crushed against each other fiercely until both men were breathless. Blair whimpered deeply in his throat and dug his fingers into the back of Jim's neck while Jim responded by almost crushing Blair's ribs with his tight grasp. It was only after many long minutes that they finally broke their kiss and both talked at once.

 

"Jim..."

 

"Please, Blair... "

 

"I can't live without... "

 

"Me neither... "

 

"I'm sorry... "

 

"Shhh. Me, too. Let's go inside."

 

"Yes, please."

 

They wrapped their arms around each other's waists. At the front door, they both laughed when they had to turn sideways to fit through, but they were reluctant to part so they managed. Once the front door was pushed close, Jim pulled Blair against him and once again, they kissed ardently.

 

Jim finally pulled back and with his hands on Blair's face, he said softly, "Move in with me. Stay with me forever. Never leave me."

 

Blair's eyes sparkled and his face radiated love. "I love you."

 

Jim swallowed and tried to speak. He cleared his throat twice before he could finally say, "I love you, too." He kissed Blair lightly. "I'm so sorry! I was wrong. I've loved you since the first second I laid eyes on you. Please forgive me for hurting you so much!"

 

Blair pressed his fingers on Jim's mouth. "It's over now. I forgive you. I was hurt, very hurt, I won't deny it, but now, everything will be great. Besides," Blair added teasingly, "you can make it up to me." Blair pressed his body against Jim's. "Make love with me." Blue eyes blazed with passion. "Now, Jim. Don't make me wait any longer."

 

Jim ran sensitive fingers through Blair's hair and down the side of his face. He ran the pad of his thumb across Blair's lips and he groaned when Blair's tongue flicked out, licking the skin. "Yes," he whispered hoarsely. "God, yes."

 

They stumbled to the bedroom, laughing and kissing and pulling off clothing on the way. Jim stripped off his lover's last few pieces of clothing and yanked off his own. They stood quietly before each other, admiring and touching, kissing lightly and teasing.

 

"Jim, you have a great body," Blair murmured, leaning in to lightly lick a nipple.

 

Jim gasped and tangled his fingers in Blair's hair, arching into the touch. "God, Blair! If just a lick makes me feel like this, how will I live through more?" He groaned when Blair's fingers found the other nipple and tweaked gently. Jim's hands circled Blair's waist and he pulled him to the bed. He fell back and dragged Blair with him and they laughed and settled themselves against each other, pressing their bodies together.

 

Blair sighed and, after touching the almost completely healed exit wound on Jim's shoulder, he kissed the puckered skin gently. "Lie on your stomach. I want to see."

 

Jim nodded and rolled over. He lay very still, allowing Blair to inspect the place where the bullet had entered his back just a fraction of an inch below his shoulder blade. Blair's fingers gently examined the skin and soon his lips were kissing the area gently. His tongue laved the healing wound and he felt the imperfections of the skin against it. Blair raised his head and his eyes met Jim's.

 

"Thank you."

 

Jim's smile and his eyes said everything that his tight throat wouldn't allow. Blair felt himself respond when he saw the love pouring from his beloved's face. Blair grinned and stretched his body on the top of his lover's, sliding his hard shaft between Jim's cheeks and rubbing gently. He put his hands on Jim's shoulders and, after nipping Jim's earlobe, he whispered, "I want to make you mine."

 

"I'm already yours. The rest is a bonus, Chief."

 

"Should we talk about this?" Blair asked breathlessly while kissing Jim's ear and thrusting his hips, making Jim groan.

 

"I suppose we should talk about condoms and such?" Jim murmured.

 

"I've never before..."

 

"Blair, I can't think with you sucking my ear like that! Never what?"

 

"Been with a guy. Never gone all the way with a man. Hell, Jim," Blair's lips trailed wet kisses across Jim's shoulder and neck, "I've never had anal sex with anybody before."

 

Blair's mouth drove Jim crazy and he struggled to focus through the lust that coursed through his body. He would be Blair's first. That thought alone made him grow even harder. He shuddered when Blair's teeth nipped down the back of his neck. "Chief! Stop!"

 

Blair froze. "What? Is something wrong?"

 

Jim shook his head. "No. Just give me a second. You're driving me nuts here, Blair."

 

Blair chuckled and the sound vibrated through Jim's body, making his senses jump. "Sorry, man. Do you need to dial it down just a bit?" He playfully kissed Jim's shoulder before lying very still. "So what do you want to tell me?"

 

Jim gathered his wits and forced himself to focus even though his entire body tingled with delight from the feel of his lover lying against him. "I've never had a guy before either, Chief. You're my first. If you feel the need for a condom, it's okay with me, but I want you to know that I'm clean. I've been celibate for a hell of a long time, more than three years, and I've always had protected sex before. It's your call."

 

"That's good to know, Jim. Thanks. I've never had unprotected sex either and I'm not sure how your body would react to a condom anyway with your senses and with the chemicals and all. I'm clean also. I'd like to make love with you au naturale. Jim, this is forever, you know that, don't you?" Blair's hands covered Jim's and their fingers entwined.

 

Jim smiled and he squeezed Blair's fingers with his. "Yes, Chief. This is forever."

 

Blair returned the squeeze and he kissed the side of Jim's face. "I love you so much."

 

"Me, too, Blair. Very much. Now quit talking and start doing."

 

Blair laughed deeply and he rubbed his body enticingly against Jim's. "Oh, man, you do not have to ask twice, but you need to roll over. I'm going to be looking right at you when I make you come. I'm going to have you screaming and begging me for more, and I want to watch your face and look into your eyes."

 

Blair moved to his hands and knees giving his lover a chance to roll over and, when Jim slid his arms around Blair's shoulders, Blair dove on the waiting lips, thrusting his tongue into the wet depths enthusiastically. He kissed Jim thoroughly before moving his mouth down Jim's body. Blair made sure every inch was kissed, licked or sucked, and by the time Blair made it to Jim's crotch, Jim was a sweating, moaning, shaking pile of mindless atoms begging for more. Gently, Blair lubed his fingers and he almost lost it when Jim hooked his hands behind his own knees and spread himself open before his eyes. With the sweat dripping from his body, Blair loved Jim with his body, heart and soul.

 

Jim was in heaven. Every sense was alive and open. He left his senses dialed up to feel every nuance of Blair's lovemaking. His entire body sang with delight and when Blair guided his fingers into Jim's body, he thought he would die with pleasure. Blair was patient and gentle even though Jim knew he was ready to explode. Blair had already stopped his orgasm several times and with the sweat pouring into his eyes, Blair concentrated on Jim's body as if Jim's pleasure was the only thing on earth that mattered. 

 

Only after half a tube of lube and much finger play did Blair put even more lube on his aching shaft and, after taking several shaky breaths, he guided himself against the opening to Jim's body. Jim relaxed as much as possible and when he saw Blair close his eyes and breathe deeply, Jim snaked his legs around Blair's back and with his heels on Blair's backside, he pushed him forward. After a momentary hesitation at the strange sensation of the head entering his body, Jim took another quick breath and wrapped his legs around his lover's waist, virtually impaling himself on Blair's thick shaft.

 

Blair's mouth dropped open and he shuddered. "Oh my God!" Blair blurted out at the intensity of their connected bodies. 

 

"I love you," Jim whispered hoarsely. 

 

"I love you so much," Blair answered, his eyes locked onto Jim's. "Are you okay?"

 

"Yes, oh yes. Please, Blair..." Jim's legs loosened, giving Blair room to maneuver.

 

Blair pulled back slightly, testing, and thrust forward. He was treated to a look of pure wonder on Jim's face so he repeated his action again and again. Soon he had a slow and steady rhythm and quite by accident, he found that if he thrust at a certain angle, he brushed Jim's prostate, eliciting a loud moan and a shudder from the Sentinel on each pass. Jim responded by contracting his muscles around Blair's shaft. 

 

"Jim!" Blair hissed, "I can't... stop! I'm going to come!"

 

"Come in me, my love. I want to feel it, Blair. I'm waiting. I love you."

 

Blair's eyes drank in the sight of his lover's sweaty face and lustful eyes. His hand stroked Jim's erection and soon Jim was tossing his head back and forth, babbling nonsense words of love and passion. Blair couldn't hold out any longer. He tensed and came forcefully, spurting hot semen into Jim's body.

 

Jim's open senses knew exactly when Blair was beyond the point of no return and he focused on his face. When Blair's hand caressed his organ, it was all he could do not to scream at the wonderful sensations and he closed his eyes, but he needed to see Blair's face when he came. It took all his resolve not to lose his focus. He drank in the sight of his lover in orgasm. Blair was beautiful. His face was euphoric, his eyes dark with passion and lust, his lips full and red from kissing and his hair stuck to his sweaty face. Jim watched when Blair closed his eyes and threw back his head, crying Jim's name and spilling his seed into Jim's waiting body. Jim watched every second and he relished each pulse shooting into his body. He felt each drop of the come that coated his insides and when he felt his own orgasm gather, he finally closed his eyes and came long and hard over Blair's hand and onto his own stomach. Only then did he finally collapse into a sweaty, sticky boneless heap.

 

Blair watched intently when Jim came. He drank in the sight of the strong bodyguard writhing under him, begging for his touch and crying out his love. Jim's face was absolutely wonderful when he came, flushed and ardent, his mouth open in a mixture of surprise and ecstasy. Blair had never seen anything so marvelous as Jim and, while he watched, he was awed that he had done this to Jim, the man he loved more than life itself. Blair leaned forward, shaking and panting harshly, to place a series of light kisses across Jim's face.

 

"Oh my God!" Blair blurted out. "That was fantastic."

 

"Yeah! Fantastic," Jim muttered.

 

Blair trembled and struggled to control his shaking breath. He finally regained some control and leaned forward, still connected to his lover, and he kissed every inch of skin within reach of his mouth. "You're a mess," he murmured between his kisses.

 

"Yeah."

 

"I love you."

 

"Mmmmm."

 

Blair laughed. "Not very verbal, are you?"

 

"Nope." Jim pried open one eye and grinned. He slid a hand behind Blair's head and brought their lips together. They kissed lightly and slowly for a long while before Blair raised his head and looked into Jim's eyes.

 

"Have I told you lately that I love you?"

 

Jim had a silly grin plastered across his face. "No, but you could sing a few bars."

 

Blair laughed and his penis finally slipped from Jim's body, making them both stop and grin at each other even more. "That was intense!" Blair blurted out.

 

"You should have been on this end."

 

"I intend to be."

 

"Oh, you do, do you?"

 

"Yeah, man. Next time, it's my turn."

 

"Are we taking turns?"

 

Blair lay on top of his lover with his own fingers laced together. He rested them on Jim's chest and put his chin on his hands. "Yeah, definitely. Fair is fair."

 

"Are you going to write this down in one of your diaries?"

 

"Yup."

 

"You're kidding!"

 

Blair grinned evilly. "Yes."

 

Jim rolled his eyes and in one smooth move, he flipped Blair to his back and straddled his chest. "You're all sticky."

 

"And you're not?" Blair laughed.

 

Jim tweaked a brown nipple, making Blair gasp. "Will you always love me?"

 

"Yeah, man, I will always love you."

 

"Promise?"

 

"Yes, I promise. You know, Jim, I never want to go where you won't follow."

 

Jim smiled and leaned down, kissing the reddened lips gently. "Let's take a shower and eat. Then later on, I'd like to make love with you again."

 

"Cool. I'd like that." Blair returned the smile with a warm one of his own. "Of course, I like everything about you. And it's all mine." Blair looked possessively at his lover and his hands ghosted over the smooth chest. "I want all of you, Jim. All that you are and everything that you do."

 

Jim leaned into the touch. "Everything I have is yours. There is nothing that you can't ask."

 

"You have to know that I can't hold back again. I just can't! It was too painful." Blair's hands clutched Jim's waist and the fingers tightened. "Don't turn your back on me again, Jim. I wouldn't survive it a second time."

 

Jim closed his eyes and swallowed hard. When he opened them, he let every ounce of love and passion shine through. "I'm sorry, Blair. I swear it will never happen again and I'll never walk away from you again. If I don't have you, I have nothing. I know that now. Do you believe me?"

 

The wide smile that lit up Blair's face made Jim's heart sing. "Yeah, Jim. I believe you. This is forever, isn't it, Jim?"

 

"Yes, my love. This is forever. Only with you have I felt so safe, so secure. Only with you, Blair," he repeated adamantly. "You see through me right into my heart." Jim chuckled softly. "I still can't figure out how you broke down those walls I spent years building, but I'm glad you did, Chief. I never knew it was possible to love someone as much as I love you and I never dreamed anybody would love me like you do."

 

"There's something about me that you should know by now, Jim. Once I give my heart, there's no turning back what I feel inside. That's just how it is, man."

 

Jim laughed. "I can live with that."

 

"Ah, Jim?"

 

"Yeah?"

 

"We get any more mushy and we're going to start sounding like a bunch of song lyrics."

 

"And your point is...?"

 

"No point. Just thought I'd mention it before I fuck you into next week." Blair laughed deeply when Jim's mouth dropped open. 

 

Jim leaned over and planted a loud, wet kiss in the middle of Blair's forehead. "Thanks, Chief. You're a hell of a guy. That's why I love you. Besides, I think you have that last part wrong. I'm fucking you into next week. Remember?" Jim grinned widely at his messy lover.

 

"Oh, yeah, right. Thanks, man. I can always count on you. You're the love I want forever. Now stop talking and give me a kiss."

 

 

The end.

 

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Acknowledgements: Thanks to my betas, Rosie and Ankaree. You guys are great! A big thank you to AngstPuppy for the great art