New
Arrivals
Author-Charli
Titles
Sibling Rivalry
Part One
by Charli
Disclaimer: Not mine, belong to a bunch of other people. Only using them for a short time. Making no money on the deal either. Just for fun.
Blair Sandburg hurriedly unlocked the door to the loft. The phone was ringing and he hoped to catch it before the caller hung up. As he slammed the door shut and raced for the phone, the answering machine picked up.
"Hi. If you're calling for Jim or Blair, neither can come to the phone right now. So leave a message and we'll get back to you. If you're not calling for Jim or Blair, well, then, you've obviously got the wrong number."
Just as he heard the beep, Sandburg grabbed the receiver from the base.
"Hello!" he said, out of breath.
"Ah, hello. Can I speak to Jim Ellison, please?"
"I'm sorry, he's not home yet. Can I take a message?"
"Ah, yes, I guess that would be all right. Do you know when he'll be home?"
"Not for another 30 minutes or so. If it's important I can call him on his cell phone and give him the message."
"No, no, that won't be necessary. Can you tell him that his brother called? I'd really like to talk to him tonight if possible."
"Sure, I can do that. This is Stephen, right? Does he have the number to reach you? Are you at home or at work?"
"I'm still in my office. I'm not sure he has that number. It's 555-6448. And thank you. Ah, do I know you? How did you know my name?'
"We've met. I'm Blair Sandburg, Jim's partner," Blair replied, writing the number down on a pad of paper on the kitchen counter.
"Oh, yes, the man who was at the racetrack with him the night of the Officer of the Year Award. I remember now, Jim mentioned you were roommates."
"Yes, that's right. I'll let Jim know you called."
"That would be fine. Thank you. Goodbye."
Blair hung up the phone, then checked the messages that were flashing on the machine. One message from the dry cleaners saying that Jim's suit was ready and another from the secretary for the Blair's department head, canceling a meeting for the next morning.
Cool, that means I can sleep in, since I don't have an early class tomorrow, he thought. I've got just that one class tomorrow before lunch, and then I' ll join Jim at the station.
Blair Sandburg was an anthropology student and teaching fellow at Rainier University. Jim Ellison, a detective with the Major Crimes Unit of the Cascade, WA police department, was Blair's friend and roommate. He was also the subject of Blair's dissertation.
Blair was studying Sentinels. A Sentinel is a person who has been blessed with the gift of heightened senses. Jim had all five of his senses heightened. Sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell were all enhanced beyond normal range. He was a true Sentinel, a throwback to tribal guardians.
And Blair Sandburg was his partner. Blair was not a cop, but a police observer. He accompanied Jim into the field, helping him to learn about and utilize his senses on the job. He taught Jim how to control them, and when they get out-of-control, Blair helped Jim deal with the effects of the overload.
Jim's boss, Captain Simon Banks, was the only other person who knew about Jim's senses. Well, Simon and Jim's father. William Ellison knew of Ellison' s abilities when Jim was a child, but circumstances caused Jim to repress those abilities. They stayed locked in his subconscious for over a decade, until his helicopter crashed in Peru while on a mission for the U.S. Army. Everybody died, except Jim Ellison. He was found by the natives and welcomed into their tribe. He needed his heightened senses to survive and to help the tribe survive. And so they returned and helped him get through the long eighteen months until he was rescued.
He returned to civilization and eventually met Blair Sandburg. Together they help protect the city of Cascade from more modern enemies. This particular tribe had to deal with killers and drug dealers, thieves and carjackers, psychos and madmen.
Blair had moved into Jim's loft shortly after they met when his own place was destroyed in the fiery aftermath of an explosion in a drug dealer's lab. He had moved in for a week and stayed for three years. And both were happy with the arrangement.
Sandburg removed his jacket and hung it on the rack behind the door, then picked up his backpack and deposited it in his downstairs bedroom. He changed into sweats and a tshirt, then carrying a large volume on tribal customs he came back into the living area. He placed the book on the coffee table and wandered into the kitchen. Although it was Jim's turn to cook, Blair checked the fridge to see what they had that he might be able to fix and have ready by the time Jim got home. He knew the detective had been working hard on his latest case and wanted to save him the trouble of having to deal with preparing a meal.
Spotting the two T-bones that Jim had picked up the day before, his face lit up. Now that sounds tasty. Better check the freezer to see what kind of frozen veggies we've got to go along with them. Pulling out a bag of corn, he placed it on the counter, then pulled a couple of large potatoes from the bin on the opposite counter. He readied the potatoes and wrapped them in foil and put them in the oven to bake. Then he headed for the balcony to fire up the grill.
As he came back into the loft he saw the door open. Looking up he saw his partner stroll in, a weary look on his face. The detectives in Major Crime had been putting in some long hours this week and Jim looked exhausted.
"Hi, Jim. Didn't expect you for another half hour or so."
"Hey, Chief. Simon let us all leave early tonight, kinda of a "job well done" thing."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, Rafe and Brown picked up Turner this morning. The man spent the better part of the afternoon confessing to everything under the sun."
"All right! Congratulations, man. One more sick bastard off the streets. So does that mean our camping trip is on for the weekend?"
Jim smiled at his roommate. They had been planning the trip for over a month, but when they had begun the search for Gerald Turner, all plans were put on hold. Now that the serial rapist was safely in lock-up, they could go ahead with the trip.
"Yep. I confirmed it with Simon before I left. We'll leave bright and early Saturday morning."
"Cool!" Blair exclaimed. He loved getting back to nature almost as much as Jim did. And for once he didn't plan any sensory tests for Jim. It would be a straight weekend vacation, just relaxing, doing a little fishing, maybe take a long hike. They both needed the break.
"I've got dinner started. Potatoes are in the oven. I lit the barbecue and took some corn out."
"I thought it was my turn?"
"Yeah, it is, but I know you've been busting your butt this week, Jim. I just got everything started. You can still cook the steaks, since you always do a better job with the grill than I do. I'll take care of everything else."
"Okay, thanks, Chief. Let me just go change and I'll get right on it." Jim walked toward the stairs to his bedroom.
"Oh, by the way, your brother called," Blair told him, remembering the message.
"Did he say what he wanted?" Jim asked, pulling his sweater off as he made his way up the stairs.
"Nope, just asked for you to call him back. I've got his office number here. He only called about 20 minutes ago, so you might still be able to catch him."
"What's the number, Chief? I'll call him from up here."
Blair picked up the paper that he'd scratched the message on and read the number off to Jim. Then he settled down on the sofa with his book, keeping an eye on the grill.
Fifteen minutes later, Jim came back downstairs, wearing jeans and a dark blue sweatshirt with a Navaho Indian design on the front, a gift from Blair on Jim's last birthday. It was one of his favorite shirts.
"You want a beer, Chief?"
"Yeah, sounds good," Blair said, looking up from his book as Jim walked past. "So is everything okay with Stephen?"
"Yeah, he's fine," Jim replied, his voice slightly muffled as he bent down to reach into the refrigerator for the bottles of beer. He joined Blair, handing one of the bottles to his roomie, and sat on the other end of the sofa. Twisting the cap from his own bottle, he continued. "He called to invite me to a dinner this Friday. He's going to be getting some kind of civic award or something." He brought the bottle to his lips and took a long, thoughtful swallow.
"So are you gonna go?"
"Yeah, I think I might. You've been bugging me to spend some time with him. I guess I can be there to support him when he gets this award. After all, he was there when I got my Officer of the Year Award."
"That's great, Jim. The two you need to spend as much time as possible together."
"Yeah, I know you're right, Chief. But with both our schedules, it's been really hard to get together for much longer than a cup of coffee."
"Jim, what would you think about inviting him along with us this weekend?"
Ellison looked over at his friend, somewhat surprised by the suggestion. "I don't know, Chief. I mean, we used to do some camping when we were kids, but I'm not sure he's still into it, ya know. Besides, I thought you wanted this to just be the two of us?"
"Jim, I'd love for it to just be us. But, it's a chance to get some really good time with your brother."
"'Quality time', Blair?" Jim asked, amusement working its way onto his face.
"Yes, Jim, 'quality time'. I know it's a cliché, but it's true. A few hours here and there can't be helping you reestablish your relationship with him."
"Naw, you're right about that, but I'm not sure about the three of us going up there together."
"There is another option, Jim," Blair spoke quietly.
"And what's that, Sandburg?" he asked, taking another sip of beer.
"You could just take Stephen. I can always find something else to do."
"No way," Jim said emphatically. "We've been planning this time off for a month. It's supposed to give us both a chance to wind down and relax. Take a breather from the crap we've been going through, what with my caseload and your heavy class schedule at school..no, Chief, we both need this. But maybe I can do another weekend with Stephen sometime soon."
"At least ask him if he wants to join us."
"I'll think about it." Jim got up from the sofa and went out on the balcony to see if the barbecue was ready. Blair sat silently on the couch. What are you waiting for, Jim? He's your only brother, for Christ sake. Don't push him away again.
Thirty minutes later, they sat down to dinner, exchanging events of the day, all talk of Stephen and the camping trip gone for now. Blair decided not to push it, because he really did want to get back into the mountains this weekend. Maybe Jim was right. Stephen was his brother, after all. Blair would let him handle it.at least for now. But he wasn't going to quit trying to get his partner to make more frequent contact with his sibling. Maybe I can invite Stephen over for dinner some night. Let Jim know I'm doing it though, so he doesn't blow his top. Or suggest that Jim make the invitation. That would probably be better. Blair made a mental note to bring that up later, then dug into his steak.
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Friday night found Jim at the downtown Cascade Convention Center. He had been running a bit late, so he missed the meal, but got there in time to see Stephen get his award.
"Hey, little brother," he called out, as he walked up to Stephen. "Congratulations! Damn, Businessman of the Year! Quite an honor." He reached out to shake his brother's hand, then pulled him into a quick hug, surprising both of them.
"Thanks, Jim. I'm really glad you could make it. I tried to get a hold of Dad, you know, so that he could be here too, but Sally said he's out of the country until the end of the month."
"Well, I'm glad you invited me. I would have been disappointed if I hadn't been here for this. I'm really sorry I'm late. We had a problem on an arrest today and it took longer that I thought it would."
"That's okay, Jim. I'm just glad you made it here for the presentation."
Stephen smiled, grateful for this chance to be with his brother. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed Jim until they'd met again by accident two years before. They'd been able to talk some and both regretted what had happened in the past. And both wanted to become reacquainted. That's why Stephen made a point of personally inviting Jim to this award's dinner. And why Jim had accepted.
They made their way to the bar and ordered a drink, then found a table away from the main partygoers.
"So, Stephen, how have you been? I'm sorry I haven't called you in a while." Geez, Ellison, that sounds so lame.
"I'm fine, Jim. Don't worry about not calling, I've been out of town for the better part of two months anyway. And, I could just have easily called you," he said. They made small talk for several minutes; neither wanting to probe too deeply, for fear of bringing up past regrets.
"We're quite a pair, aren't we?" Jim laughed ruefully. "Damn, Stephen, I'd love to be able to make up for all those years we lost."
"Too late for that, Jimmy. But we can make the most of the ones we've got ahead of us, can't we?"
"We'll sure give it a try." Jim knew there was a lot of hurt and resentment behind all their years of estrangement. He'd been angry when he'd left his father's home so many years ago and joined the Army. And part of that anger was directed towards his brother. But he'd been young, disillusioned with his life as his father had expected him to live it. He was older now, mature. And he was ready to make amends with his brother. He was ready to be a brother himself again. And he was tired of waiting for the perfect time.
So he asked.
"Stephen, what are you doing this weekend?" he inquired, quickly, so he wouldn't lose his nerve.
"Ah, well, nothing. I don't have anything planned, why?"
"Do you still like to camp?"
"Camp? Wow, you know I haven't been camping since I was about ten years old." He stared off across the room, a small smile of remembrance gracing his lips. "Remember when we used to camp out in the backyard and pretend we were in the wilderness, miles from civilization?"
Jim laughed, memories flashing through his mind. "I remember you thinking the Wilson's dog was a bear and getting ready to pounce on us."
"Now, that was entirely your fault. When that shadow fell across the tent, you're the one who asked if I'd ever seen a bear up close."
"Oh, yeah, I remember you about jumped out of your shoes when he started pawing at the flap to get inside." Jim's smile grew, his eyes twinkling in merriment over his brother's childhood scare.
"Well, his shadow was huge. I mean, he was a St Bernard. And I was only eight." He tried to sound indignant, but the grin that broke on his face belied his charade.
After several more moments of laughter, Jim settled down. "Stephen.Blair and I have plans to go camping, just overnight. We'll be leaving tomorrow morning, coming back Sunday evening. We're driving down to Mt. Rainier. Would you like to join us?"
"You're going with Blair?"
"Yeah. He and I head for the mountains every chance we can. We both have pretty hectic lives. I'm at the station all day, often doing legwork well into the night. Blair joins me when he can, usually between or after classes. Sometimes he's in school all day, then spends the night with me on stakeout. It's exhausting, for both of us. So we head into the hills to recharge whenever we both have a weekend off together."
"I don't know, Jim. If you guys have plans already, I'd hate to horn in on them. I wouldn't want to ruin the weekend." He quietly relished the idea of spending time with his brother, but was somewhat put off that Blair would be there too.
"You wouldn't be ruining the weekend, Stephen. And if you've been so busy you haven't been in town much in over the last two of months, then you probably need the down time as much as we do. C'mon, say you'll go."
"Jim, I hardly know Blair. Don't you think he'd object to my just tagging along?"
"Blair?! Absolutely not. In fact, it was his idea. He knows you and I have been trying to spend more time together and haven't been very successful at it. He suggested I asked you to join us. I wasn't sure if you would want to, especially since you don't know him. But I would like the two of you to get better acquainted and this would be a perfect opportunity for that. It'll just be a little fishing and some hiking, sitting around the fire telling lies, that kinda thing," Jim smiled, trying to convince his brother. Now that he'd gotten to this point, he was warming up to the idea. Leave it to Sandburg to come up with it. "I feel I should warn you though, Sandburg will spend the weekend trying to wrangle stories about my childhood out of you. He's the inquisitive type."
Stephen chewed on a thumbnail, glancing at Jim, then at the table, then back at Jim.
"You do realize, it's been years since I've been in the woods. I'll be a tenderfoot compared to the two of you."
Jim grinned. "Don't worry. We have all the equipment we need, extra sleeping bags, fishing rods, the works. Stephen, I know you'll have fun. And I just know you and Sandburg will become friends as you get to know each other better."
"You two are really close, aren't you?" Stephen asked, serious now. Is that jealousy peeking it's ugly head out here, Stephen, he asked himself. You haven't seen Jim in years; you can't expect him to drop everything and everyone in his life just because you're back in it, now can you?
"Yeah, we are. We're partners at work, roommates, and friends. And it's his friendship that I value most. There are moments when I feel like I've known him all my life. And then, he'll say or do something that makes me wonder how well I know him at all."
"Sounds like an enigma."
"Yeah, that's a good word to describe him. Sometimes, it's like he's this little puppy dog following me around, not a care in the world, in awe of just about everything. Other times he's like a pit bull. I've seen him deal with homicidal maniacs and terrorists, and the only weapon he has is his wit. Stephen, he's the most intelligent man I've ever met. And not just intelligent, but wise. He knows so much. I often wonder how he can keep all that information in his head and not have it explode. He's helped me out a lot."
"If he's that important to you, I think I would like to get to know him better. What time do we leave?"
Jim face broke out in a huge grin. He slapped his brother on the shoulder. "Yes! Damn, this is gonna be fun!" Checking his watch, Jim pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Hitting the speed dial, he waiting for Blair to pick up.
"Hello"
"Hey, Chief."
"Jim, what's up, man? How's the dinner thing?"
"Just fine, Chief, just fine. Listen."
"So, is he going with us?" Blair interrupted.
"How did you.never mind. Yes, he's coming with us."
"All right. That's cool! I'll run to the basement and dig up the bigger tent and extra sleeping bags. Jim does he like any special foods or anything. What about beer, what brand of beer does he drink? Does he even drink beer.?" Jim just smiled at his brother, letting Blair ramble on for another half minute.
"Chief. Blair.Sandburg!" he finally said, trying to break into the litany of words tumbling from his partner's mouth. Stephen just looked at him in confusion.
"Ah, yeah, Jim? What? What is it?"
"Blair, don't worry about the beer or food. I'll talk to him about it, and we can pick it up on the way out at that 24-hour grocery. Just get the extra gear ready. I should be home before midnight."
"Midnight? Jim, you want to leave before five in the morning. That's not gonna give you enough sleep."
"I'll sleep when we get there. It's only a three hour drive."
"Okay, man, if you're sure. Jim, you know you could still make it just the two of you. I'd understand."
"I know you would, Chief," Jim said with a smile. "But Stephen wants to get to know you better and you've been wanting to talk more with him too, right?"
"Well, yeah, but.as long as you're sure."
"I'm sure, Sandburg."
"Okay then, I'll drag the stuff up from the basement, then I'm gonna hit the sack. I'll set my alarm for 4:15."
"Okay, I'll wake you in the morning. G'night."
"Night, Jim. Tell Stephen I said congratulations."
"I will, Chief."
Jim disconnected the phone and slid it back into his pocket. "Blair says congratulations. He's gonna pull out the extra gear and have it ready."
"What was that other bit?"
"Oh, just Blair rambling on. You'll get used to it--it's vintage Sandburg. Trust me, it's one of his most endearing qualities. Just don't tell him I told you that."
"It sounds like he's a very interesting fellow."
"Interesting? Yeah, he is that. Just wait. You will be given a full dose of the 'Sandburg Zone' over the next two days." Jim chuckled at the confused look on his brother's face. "Don't worry, it'll be okay. I'll be nearby, so you won't get overwhelmed. So, do you want to meet us at the loft in the morning? Or we could go by your place tonight and pick up the clothes you'll need and you can crash on my couch."
"I think the latter one would work better, don't you?"
"Good. Are you done here, or do you have some more glad-handing to do?"
"All done, let's take off. If we're leaving early, I'd like to get at least a couple hours of sleep."
The Ellison brothers headed for their respective vehicles. Jim followed Stephen to his house and they talked while he changed clothes and packed a small duffel with the few items he would need. Leaving Stephen's vehicle, they drove to the loft in the truck. Upon entering, Jim could see Blair asleep on the sofa. The kitchen light had been left on for illumination and Jim eyed a note left on the counter.
Jim,
I figured Stephen would just come back here with you. Since he's almost as tall as you are, I knew the couch wouldn't be as comfortable as my bed. It even has clean sheets on it, since I didn't want to have to change them when we got back. Anyway, I've already set the alarm and it's on the kitchen table. Wake me when you head for the shower and I'll start breakfast.
Blair
P.S. Hello Stephen. Welcome to our home.
Jim just shook his head, showing the note to Stephen.
"How'd he know I'd come back with you?" the younger Ellison asked after reading it.
"That's Sandburg. Sometimes, he just knows. I've stopped wondering how. C' mon, I'll show you where to bed down. Then we better get some sleep. We're getting up before dawn."
Stephen followed Jim toward the French doors. He placed his duffel on the floor, then Jim showed him where the bathroom was. They exchanged goodnights and Stephen headed for the bathroom before going to sleep. Jim walked into the living room and made the circuit of the room to be sure everything was locked up tight. As Stephen came back down the hall, he watched his brother walk over to the sofa. Jim crouched down and adjusted the blanket over his sleeping partner. Blair shifted around and opened his eyes.
"Jim?" he asked groggily.
"Go back to sleep, Chief. Just making sure you were warm enough out here."
"I'm fine. Stephen here?"
"Yeah. I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay. G'night, Jim."
"Night, Chief."
Stephen stood in the hall a few moments as Jim made his way upstairs. Watching the way Jim treated Blair had reminded him of a time when his older brother had done the same thing for him as kids. He missed that closeness. With a sigh, he turned and went into the bedroom. He'd missed his brother all these years and hoped it wasn't too late to salvage a relationship with him.
He smiled to himself. This is a start, he thought. I'm glad I decided to come along.
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They pulled into the clearing, Jim parking his blue and white pickup under the shade of the trees. Climbing out, they each took a few moments to stretch and get the kinks out after the long drive.
"Let's get camp set up, then we can check out the fishing," Jim said, as he reached into the bed of the truck and pulled out the tent. Blair and Stephen joined him and quickly got the tent up and sleeping bags tossed inside. There was already a fire ring dug out in the clearing by previous campers, so Blair went to gather some firewood. Stephen and Jim finished setting up the camp stove.
When Blair returned with the wood, Jim and Stephen were pulling out the fishing rods.
"C'mon, Chief, let's see if we can catch anything for lunch," Jim said.
Sandburg grabbed his rod and followed Jim and his brother toward the river. It was still early in the season, so not many people were in this part of the park, which suited Jim Ellison just fine. He loved to fish, but he hated doing it with a lot of other people around.
"What, Chief, no fishing spear today?" Jim asked, amused. Sandburg had brought the native Indian spear with him on one fishing trip and had actually made good use of it.
"Naw, not this time Jim. But I brought it with me. Last time, you promised to try it out, remember. You taught me how to fly-fish, so I figured I'd teach you how to spear-fish."
"Sandburg, the whole idea of fishing is not so much to catch fish, as to relax and enjoy the company. Spearing my fish is just way too much work."
"Riiight, Jim. You're probably just scared you wouldn't be able to catch anything that way." With a smile, he turned to the third member of their party. "How about you, Stephen? Maybe you'd like to try it, show your big brother that you're not afraid to try something new."
Look back and forth between the two men, Stephen wasn't sure how to react. He didn't really know Blair Sandburg, and wasn't comfortable joking around with him. For that matter, he didn't know his brother all that well anymore, either. So he just shrugged.
"Oh, well, I'm sure I wouldn't be very good at it. It's been a lot of years since I've even been fishing, so."
"Ignore him, Stephen," Jim said. "I remember we used to do this as kids, with Uncle Mike. It'll come back to you quickly. And I'll help if you have any questions."
"Well, okay. I just feel kind of out of my element here, you know?"
"I totally understand. I feel that way whenever I walk into Sandburg's office." Sandburg snorted and shook his head.
Stephen smiled, aware that his brother was trying to make him feel more comfortable. Blair stood on the shore, watching the two brothers. He knew Stephen felt uneasy around him. Thinking it might be better to leave the brothers alone for a bit, he started off down the riverbank.
"Ah, Jim, I'm gonna try down river a little further. Get away from you guys tossing out your lines."
"Okay, Chief, just don't fall in. Wouldn't want to lose you."
"Funny, Jim, really funny. We'll see how much you're laughing when I bring home lunch."
"Now, that thought is something to laugh about."
Blair shook his head and trudged off, carrying his rod.
"I didn't mean to run him off, Jimmy," Stephen said quietly.
Jim looked over at his brother as they prepared to head into the water. "You didn't run him off Stephen. Blair just wants us to have some time alone, and he needs some time to himself as well. Although we come up here together, we generally try to spend some time alone during the trip as well. It helps us to have time apart. If I know Sandburg, he'll spend most of the morning sitting on a rock, meditating. It's how he centers himself, gets his balance back."
"Oh, well, okay." Stephen stepped into the stream. "You know, Jimmy, uh Jim, I've never heard you talk like that before."
"Like what?"
"Talking about centering and getting balanced. You were always so in control of your life, that you never got off balance. I mean you always seemed to hate people who talked like that."
"Yeah, I know. And some of them still get on my nerves. But Sandburg's different. I've seen what he does, and I know how it helps him. Hell, I've tried it myself."
"You? Meditating? I just can't see it, Jimmy.sorry, Jim," he corrected himself again. He knew that his brother hated being called by his childhood nickname, but old habits die hard.
"Yeah, well, things change, little brother. People change. Blair has taught me a lot. And I think I've been able to teach him a thing or two as well."
"He's a lucky, man, to have you for a friend."
"I'm the lucky one, Stephen. When Blair first came into my life, it was supposed to be a temporary thing. I helped him with his dissertation and he rode along with me to observe. But after just a few short weeks, we'd become friends." Jim was playing out his line, his brother a few feet away doing the same, although less smoothly. It had been a long time for Stephen Ellison and he watched his brother carefully, trying to pick up pointers.
It had been years since he'd had anything except a superficial conversation with his older brother. This man, Blair Sandburg, seemed to know more about Jim than Stephen could ever hope to learn. When he'd first heard that Jim and Blair lived together, he wondered if they might be lovers. He no longer considered that to be a strong possibility. Especially since Blair had slept on the sofa the night before, giving up his own bed for Stephen.
So they were just friends. Close friends though, from what he'd been able to ascertain during the trip up and the few conversations he'd had with Jim before. The pair joked around and ragged on each other. It reminded him a little of what he and Jim had been like as kids, before their mother had left. And before their father had turned them against each other.
"Stephen, you okay?"
"What?" he asked, looking over at Jim.
"You were off in another world. What were you thinking about?"
"Oh, nothing really. Just how we were when we were kids. How we used to fight and argue, but still had fun together."
"I remember those times, too. And I wish it didn't have to change." Jim pulled in his line and walked back to shore, plopping down on a rock. Stephen followed, sitting a short distance away.
"Stephen, we can't get back the years that we lost. And I don't blame you for that, anymore than I blame myself. We had a father who insisted on pitting us against each other. And we were both too young to realize it. When I left and joined the Army, it was to get away from him. And, I admit, to a lesser degree, to get away from you. I don't say that to hurt you, Stephen, just as a way of explanation. I was 18 years old and needed to get away. Everything that Dad had put us through over the years had built up to the point that I was ready to explode. I needed an escape and that was it."
"You never even wrote, Jimmy."
"I know. And I'm sorry for that now. But at the time, I just wanted to forget that life. I wanted to put it all behind me."
Stephen sat on the ground, his legs pulled up, elbows resting on knees. He reached down between his legs and picked up some stones, absentmindedly tossing them into the water.
"I have to admit, I was almost glad you were gone," he told his brother, not daring to look him in the face as he made his confession. "Dad doted on me after you left. He barely even spoke your name anymore. I was enjoying the attention."
"I'll bet. I'm glad everything worked out for you Stephen."
Stephen glanced back at his brother, sure he would see that granite face. But Jim was smiling softly at him.
"Stephen, I can't blame you for wanting that. And I don't blame you for taking advantage of it. At the time, it probably would have pissed me off. Hell, it did piss me off when Dad took you on that trip instead of me. But you were just a kid, too. We were both just pawns in Dad's little games."
"When we heard you were shot down in Peru, I think I realized then what had happened," Stephen said quietly. "I went over to the house that night, after the Army contacted Dad and Sally called to tell me that you were missing. He didn't seem to be affected by it. I tried to talk to him, but he just kept shutting me out. So I went up to your room."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I think I just wanted to feel close to you. Do you know Dad never changed anything in that room? Sally told me later that he never went back in there after you left. Always kept the door shut and never went in."
"I'm surprised he didn't sell or give away all my stuff and rent the room out," Jim said, a trace of bitterness in his voice.
"I think he missed you, Jimmy. That was his way of showing it."
Jim turned his face toward his brother. "He turned us against each other, Stephen, made us rivals instead of brothers. I'm not sure I will ever forgive him for that. I've talked to him a few times, but that will probably always be between us."
"I know he hurt you, Jimmy. But he's a different man now. I think he changed that night, after we heard you were missing. I remember going up to your room. I sat down on your bed and just took in everything around me. I went all around the room, just looking at all your sports trophies and your certificates from school and that big stuffed giraffe that stood in your corner. Remember the one, you won it that day we went to the state fair? You gave it to Mom and when she left Dad threw it out. You dragged it out of the trash and put it in your room, almost daring Dad to take it away from you."
"I remember. That day at the fair with you and Mom is one of my happiest childhood memories. I couldn't let Dad throw that memory away."
"I cried that night. I cried myself to sleep on your bed. I finally realized that I would never see you again. And I hated you for leaving like that, and never getting in touch. And I hated myself for being happy when you'd joined the Army, only to see that same Army get you killed."
Jim reached over and placed his hand on Stephen's shoulder. "I'm sorry, little brother. I never meant to hurt you so badly. I was just so angry when I left.."
"Then, we got the news that you'd been found, " Stephen continued, as if not hearing Jim. "I'm not sure what happened then. I think that maybe I was still angry with you. So I never got in touch, I never tried to contact you. I blamed you for the rift. It wasn't until a couple of years later that I realized my part in the whole thing. And by then, I figured it was too late."
"Nice to know it's not, huh?"
"Yeah." He would have continued, but just about that time, Sandburg came hurrying along the riverbank.
"Hey, Jim, man, you would not believe what I just saw!"
"What did you just see, Chief?" Ellison asked, sharing an amused look with his brother.
"Eagles, man. Those big, beautiful birds, flying around just the other side of the bend. Man, you should see it, Jim. And Stephen. You guys gotta come see this. They're diving for fish, man!"
"What do you say, Stephen, ever see eagles in their natural habitat?"
"Can't say that I have. Shall we?"
"Man, I gotta get my camera," Blair gushed. "I'll meet you guys there." And he raced off, headed for the truck.
"Hey, Chief!"
"Yeah, Jim?" he asked, turning around to face his friend.
"These might help," Jim said, tossing a keyring across the few yards that separated them.
Catching then keys, Blair grinned. "Yeah, guess that would help. Thanks, Jim." He turned back and ran toward their campsite.
Jim and Stephen waited for him to return, then the trio slowly made their way back to the riverbank where Blair had seen the majestic birds. They spent the rest of the morning watching these magnificent creatures soaring through the air around them, enthralled at the sight.
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None of them had managed to catch any fish that morning, having been distracted by the eagles. When they returned to their camp, Blair pulled out the cooler and began putting together some sandwiches.
He was rambling on non-stop about the eagles and regaling the two brothers with obscure facts about eagles and other birds of prey. Jim fired up the camp stove and put on a pot of coffee.
As they settled down on the logs that had been placed around the fire ring in the middle of the clearing, Blair was obviously still excited about his discovery that morning. It wasn't often that one was subjected to such a large number of eagles and getting the chance to watch them fly and feed on the fish in the river had been a highlight of the day for the anthropologist. Jim just enjoyed watching his friend and guide. They had been through so much in the short time they'd know each other, he relished the days they could spend like this, away from the dangers of Jim's job. And Stephen.well, Stephen was still trying to get used to the exuberance the young man seemed to have in abundance.
After about fifteen minutes of the passionate one-sided conversation, Jim leaned over to his brother.
"You have now entered the 'Sandburg Zone.' You cannot fight it. There is no escape. Do not try to adjust your television set."
Stephen chuckled, shaking his head. "Does he do this often?"
"Oh, once or twice a day.on a bad day."
Both suddenly became of aware of the silence from the other side of the fire ring and turned to find Blair staring at them.
"Are you guys even listening to me?" Blair asked.
"Every word, Sandburg, every word," Jim replied, his face a blank mask.
"Yeah, right, Jim. You're getting just as bad as Simon."
"Low blow, Chief. I listen to you way more than Simon does."
"So you admit it. Simon ignores me."
"That's not what I said, Sandburg," Jim explained, raising his hands to ward of the protest he saw coming. "It's just that I spend a lot more time with you, so it stands to reason that I would listen to you more." Hope he buys that, Jim thought.
Blair shook his head and muttered, "And you say I obfuscate too much."
Jim smiled at that remark, a matching smile gracing the lips of Blair Sandburg. They finished lunch, then Jim and Stephen headed back down to the river to attempt to catch dinner. Blair decided to stay at the campsite and finish a book he'd been reading. As much as he wanted to spend time with Jim, he knew the brothers needed this time alone. They needed time to talk without interference from the outside world and a curious anthropologist. And Blair didn't mind the quiet and solitude, giving him the chance to finish his book.