New
Arrivals
Author-Suzie
Titles
She Followed Me Home
by Suzie
Summary: Maybe Blair should stop being nice to people.
Disclaimer: Some of the characters in this story belong to the UPN Network and Pet Fly Productions as part of the television show The Sentinel. I do not claim these characters as my own. No money has changed hands.
Notes: Yea! All Right! I think I've finally come out of my writer's block!
Jim noticed the door was ajar as he stepped off the elevator and started toward the loft. Stopping in his tracks he listened with sentinel hearing. One familiar heartbeat reached his ears ... Blair. Leaving the door unlocked, especially when he was home alone, was definitely not like the younger man. Leaving the door *open* was just plain ... Jim moved closer to the door, still listening carefully. Heartbeat ... slow. Breathing ... ragged, he told himself. Something has happened.
Drawing his gun, Jim pushed the door open with his foot and scanned the loft quickly. Though his senses had told him that no one other than Blair was in the apartment, his military and police training ran on instinct.
"Shit!" Jim whispered as he surveyed the ruined loft.
Furniture was turned over. The glass doors to the balcony were shattered. Books, magazines, and other small items lay scattered on the floor.
"Sandburg?!" Jim called as he holstered his gun.
Looking towards the kitchen, Jim saw the refrigerator standing open and most of the contents of it and the cupboards strewn around.
"Blair?! Where are you?!" Jim called again, tuning into the heartbeat once more. He started for the small bedroom that his roommate occupied, but stopped. He's not in there, he told himself. Turning back toward the living room, Jim listened again to the slow steady thump. Upstairs? The worried frown deepened as he quickly headed for the stairs that led to his own bedroom. "Sandburg?!"
As Jim reached the top steps he stumbled slightly when he saw Blair lying, unconscious across the bed. He was on back, shirtless. Grey duct tape held his wrists behind him while long strips of it encircled his chest. Tape was around his ankles and knees. Another piece covered his mouth.
"Oh ... my God!" Jim choked out as he closed the distance with a few strides. "Blair?" Pulling his cell phone from his pocket, he punched in 911 and held it between his shoulder and chin as he began to work the tape off the young man's mouth.
After giving the information to the operator and instructing her to contact Captain Simon Banks in Major Crimes, Jim clicked the phone and tossed it aside to give his full attention to his partner. He had to work carefully to remove the sticky tape without ripping the skin off Blair's face. A barely audible moan reached Jim's ears as he balled up the offending tape and dropped it to the floor.
"Hey, Chief," Jim whispered as he smoothed the hair back from the pale face. "Open your eyes." Faint bruises were forming on Blair's face and Jim's hands began to shake. Concern, anger and sadness warred inside him.
Blair's eyes fluttered opened and stared, unfocused, at the detective. Sudden panic filled him with a gasp and he tried to push himself away from the bleared figure.
Jim reached for him before he could fall off the bed. "Easy, Blair," he said as he pulled the terror stricken man back to him. "It's me ... Jim."
"J-Jim?" Blair whispered hoarsely.
"Yeah. It's okay now. You're safe."
Blair let the big hands pull him into a strong embrace as he started to cry his relief.
"Shh," Jim soothed. "I've got you. You're safe."
After cutting through the tape with his pocketknife to separate Blair's wrists, Jim tore the tape from Blair's denim-clad legs. He chose to leave the tape on Blair's chest alone, grimacing at the thought of getting the sticky stuff off of his friend's hair-covered torso. Jim did, however, work the tape from Blair's wrists as they waited for help to arrive. The younger man burrowed into the broad chest as Jim spoke gentle reassurances.
Jim was wrapping the comforter from the bed around Blair when he heard the police come off the elevator. Captain Banks’ voice boomed out orders as they entered the loft.
**********
Blair came awake in the hospital with a startled jerk. Jim was sitting in a chair next to the bed watching TV and rose quickly to calm his young friend.
"Easy, buddy. You're okay," Jim said calmly, putting a hand on Blair's shoulder to keep him still.
"Jim?!" Blair gasped. "Where ..."
"Hospital. You're safe."
Blair relaxed back as he focused on Jim's face. "Oh God, what happened, man?"
"I was really hoping you could tell me, Chief."
Blair tried to swallow, but his throat was too dry. "Is there some water?"
"Yeah ... sure," Jim answered as he reached for the small pitcher and cup.
Looking for the button that would raise the head of the bed, Blair noticed his bandaged wrists. Memories flooded his mind in a muddled mess. "Oh ... Jim," his voice cracked as he gasped for air. "Oh ..."
Jim set the water down and gently pulled Blair to him. "Easy, Blair. It's over and you're safe." With one hand he pushed the button to raise the bed.
Blair's arms wrapped around Jim as he began to shake, holding as tight as he could in spite of the sharp pains it caused. "Oh God, Jim! I'm sorry!"
"Nothing to be sorry for," Jim soothed quietly as he made light circles against his back. "Calm down."
"They ... they ... came in. I ... never ..." Blair suddenly pushed back from Jim. "Where's Sherri? Is she okay?"
"Sherri? Who's Sherri?"
"Oh my God, Jim! They took her?! Jim, they ... I'm gonna be sick."
Jim grabbed a small basin from the bedside table and held it as Blair gagged and vomited. Jim held the long dark curls out of the way and waited.
When Blair appeared to be finished, Jim eased the pale limp form back against the pillows. "All done?"
Blair nodded and swiped at the sweat on his face.
Jim rang for the nurse and took the basin to the bathroom. As he returned with a cool damp washcloth, the nurse appeared.
"Oh my. This won't do at all," she said quietly as she set about checking Blair's pulse, respiration, IV and bandages. The tall middle-aged woman smiled gently, "Did you get sick?"
Gee, is that obvious? Blair thought sarcastically. He gave a barely perceptible nod, feeling a little embarrassed.
Nurse Davis looked at Jim, who said, "The incident suddenly came back to him. I ... ah ... put the basin in the bathroom."
Nurse Davis nodded, "I'll take care of it and get a clean gown for him." She indicated the cloth in Jim's hand and said with a reassuring little smile, "You're doing fine." Then she went to the bathroom.
Jim smoothed the damp washcloth over Blair's face. Then carefully pulled the sweat-dampened gown from him to wipe at his neck and shoulders.
Blair glanced down at his chest to see it, too, was bandaged. "Jim ... what did they do to me?"
Jim managed to keep his voice calm as he answered, "*They* used duct tape to tie you up. It's not too bad, but you lost a little skin and hair. Does it hurt?" God, it was hard to keep the anger from showing.
"A little. Feels like my whole body is throbbing." Blair's hand went to his face. "My head hurts ... and my face aches."
Jim sighed, "Yeah. They did a number on ya, Chief."
Nurse Davis returned with a clean gown, which she and Jim helped Blair into.
"Feel better now?" the nurse asked.
"Yeah, thanks," Blair replied.
"I'll get you something to help you relax. Want anything else?"
"Umm ... maybe some juice or something to get this yucky taste outta my mouth?"
"Sure, no problem. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Thank you."
After the door closed behind Nurse Davis, Jim asked, "How much do you remember?"
Blair gave a little shrug. "I don't know. Sherri followed me home to pick up a reference book she wanted to borrow."
"Who's Sherri?"
"Sherri Benton. She’s in my ancient philosophies class. She's doing her thesis on religious beliefs ... similarities in the different cultures and all that."
"And this reference book?"
"Oh ... I told her about a book I picked up in Mexico when I was on a dig about six years ago. Thought it might give her some good information. She followed me home so she could pick it up." Blair looked up at Jim and pleaded, "We have to find her, man!"
Jim patted Blair's shoulder. "We'll find her, Chief. What does Sherri look like?"
"About twenty-five or so. Black hair, dark eyes. About five-foot five-inches tall. Real thin and pale ... like maybe she's anorexic or something."
Jim pulled out a small notepad and pen to write it all down. "Doesn't sound like your type."
"Believe me ... she's not, man. She's just a fellow student. We don't even talk that much."
"What kind of car was she driving."
Blair closed his eyes in an attempt to concentrate through the throbbing in his head. "Umm ... umm ... it was a Mustang ... late 70s model I think ... blue. Kinda beat up."
"You didn't happen to see the license plate, did you?"
Blair snorted, "YAP."
"Yap?"
"Well, that's the last part anyway. I happened to notice it and thought it was appropriate, because she's always ... yapping. Her voice reminds me of one of those irritating little dogs that nip at your heals and won't shut up once they get started."
Jim chuckled at the description.
Nurse Davis returned with several small containers of apple juice and a mild sedative. "He needs to rest, detective. Don't stay too long," she mentioned as Blair downed the capsule with some juice.
Jim smiled and nodded. I know he needs to rest, but I need to know what happened, he thought as he watched her leave. "Blair, I know you're not feeling too good, but can you tell me what happened."
"Sherri and I went up to the loft. She was in the living room while I went to my bedroom for the book. Umm ... I heard Sherri say someone was at the door ... and I asked her to see who it was." Blair took another swallow of juice, finishing the container. "I-I'm not real sure what happened next. I found the book with no problem and went out to see who was there."
Jim's senses told him Blair's blood pressure was increasing steadily. "We can talk about it later."
Blair pushed a hand through his hair. "No ... I'm okay. Ah ... I didn't get but a few steps out of my room when someone grabbed me. Umm ..." His hand went to his face. "Something ... someone ... hit me. I woke up upstairs."
Jim frowned as he listened. Something was missing in this story. "Did you see Sherri? Did she scream or anything?"
Blair thought for a moment before saying, "No, she didn't. I saw her as I walked out of my room. She was ... standing near the table ..." His eyes widened as things became clearer in his mind. "Sherri was talking to ... someone. She was calm. I remember her face just before I blacked out. She wasn't scared at all, Jim"
"Did you actually hear a knock at the door?"
"No ... no, I didn't, but ... I did hear the door open and close."
Jim heard the panic raising in the young man and said, "Okay, Chief. That's enough for now. You get some rest and I'll be back later."
As Jim turned, Blair grabbed his wrist. "Jim ... was I set up for something?"
Jim sighed as he gently took the smaller hand and held it. "I don't know, but we're going to find out, okay?"
"'Kay. When can I go home?"
"They're just keeping you over tonight. I'll take you home in the morning."
**********
Jim slammed his way into Major Crimes at about 8:00pm. The anger he'd felt and couldn't show before was now surfacing. He fell into the chair at his desk and brought both fists down hard enough to send everything on the desktop shuddering. He powered on the computer as his eyes fell on the empty chair next to his. He should be here.
"Ellison?" Captain Banks called from his open office.
Jim didn't respond, so the tall, slender black man rose from his desk and walked out into the bullpen.
"Jim?" the captain said quietly when he reached Jim's desk. "Are you okay?" He reached over to touch Jim’s shoulder carefully.
Jim took a small gasping breath, shook his head to clear it, and looked up at his friend and boss. "Oh ... sorry, Simon. Guess I zoned a little bit there."
Noticing the chair that Jim had zoned on, Simon gave a small smile of understanding and said, "Come in my office. I'll buy you a cup of coffee."
"Thanks ... I could use it."
"How's Sandburg?" Simon asked as he poured two cups of coffee and handed one to the detective.
Jim settled into the chair facing the captain. "They hurt him, but he'll be all right." He sipped his coffee gratefully. "As careful as they were in the ER, Blair still lost some skin on his chest ... along with plenty of hair."
"Ouch," Simon said, sympathetically rubbing his chest at the thought.
"Yeah. I'm just glad they sedated him first."
"Has he said anything? Does he remember any of it?"
"Yeah ... some." Jim proceeded to tell Simon what Blair had recalled. "... So, I thought I'd come back here and maybe try to find something on this Sherri person. I got a funny feeling about this one."
“What was she driving?” Simon asked.
“A beat up, blue late 70s Mustang. Last part of the license is YAP.”
“Yap?”
Jim smiled and told the captain the description Blair had given of Sherri.
Simon chuckled, shaking his head. Leave it to that kid to find a anorexic psycho, he thought.
Jim nodded at the captain's silent statement as he was thinking the same thing. “Is the forensics team done at the loft?”
“Yeah. They secured everything when they left, but there’s quite a mess to be cleaned up.” Simon watched his friend scrub his hands over his face. “Why don’t you go home, get some rest, and I’ll come by in the morning to help clean up.”
“ Thanks, Simon, but I’m heading back to the hospital after I check a few things here.”
“Don’t want to leave him alone?”
Jim shrugged, “He’s pretty shook up. I’d like to be there if he needs support. Besides … he goes home in the morning. I don’t think I could sleep tonight anyway.”
“Okay, Jim. I’ll still stop by, though.”
Jim smiled tiredly, “Appreciate that.”
**********
After a frustrating hour at the computer, not finding anything on Sherri Benton, and worrying about Blair, Jim left the police station to head back to the hospital.
Blair was sleeping restlessly, mumbling indistinguishable words, when Jim arrived. He gently pulled the kicked away blanket up around the younger man’s shoulders and pressed a big hand against the sweaty forehead.
“It’s okay, Chief,” Jim whispered as he smoothed the hair from the pale face. “Shh … your Blessed Protector is here.”
Blair stilled instantly, the creases and lines in his face smoothed away. “Jim,” he breathed without waking.
Jim smiled sadly. So much trust, he thought as he sat in the chair next to the bed.
Blair moaned quietly when Jim moved his hand away.
Jim took Blair's hand into his and soothed, “Shh … I’m here, buddy. I’m here.”
Blair immediately relaxed again and went deeper into sleep.
Jim carefully shifted in the chair without loosing contact with his guide … his partner … his best friend. His thumb gently massaged the back of the smaller hand he held. Blair’s fingers curled loosely around Jim’s hand, forcing another small smile from the big man as he settled back with the TV remote. It would be a long, uncomfortable night, but one gladly spent to know Blair was safe.
**********
A sound invaded Jim's dreamless mind. No ... not a sound ... a voice.
"Jim?" Blair whispered. "You're gonna fall outta the chair, man. Wake up."
Jim opened his eyes and sat up. "Mornin', Chief." He rubbed his face and yawned. "How you feelin'?"
"Okay," Blair replied with a tired little grin. "You been here all night?"
Jim stood and stretched until his back popped. "Guess I dozed off. Been awake long?"
"A few minutes. You were about to fall out of the chair or I would've let you sleep."
"Oh," Jim grinned and looked at the chair he'd just vacated. "Thanks."
"No problem. Can we go home now?"
"The doctor hasn't been in yet. We'll be outta here soon."
Blair sighed impatiently, "Yeah ... okay. I just want to go home, man."
"I know, Chief." Jim sat on the edge of the bed. "I didn't get back to the loft last night. It's still going to be a mess from what happened. I can drop you off at a friend's house until I've got ..."
"No, Jim," Blair interrupted. "Thanks for the thought, man, but it's okay. I'll help get things cleaned up."
"You sure?"
"It's my fault it happened, so I guess I should clean it up. How bad is it, anyway?"
Jim's face creased itself into a frown as he said, "First of all, none of it was your fault, Chief. *You* weren't the one that did the damage. I won't have you blaming yourself for what you couldn't control."
Blair stared at his lap and absently picked at the fuzz on the blanket.
"Second ... it didn't look that bad. A bit ... messy, but it could've been a whole hell of lot worse."
"Find anything about Sherri, yet?" Blair asked, still not looking at his partner.
Jim gave sigh as he stood and walked to the bathroom. "No, nothing yet."
Blair waited until he heard the toilet flush. "Why, Jim?"
Jim left the bathroom drying his hands on a paper towel, then tossed it in a wastebasket. "Well, she's never been arrested under the name Sherri Benton before. There's no driver's license registered to that name either. It's just going to take a little time."
Finally looking up to meet Jim's eyes, tears just beginning to spill, Blair said, "No ... why me? What did I do? How come I'm such a magnet for psychos? Look at me, man ... I can't even take care of myself."
Jim sat on the bed again and placed his hands on Blair's shoulders. "Now listen. I admit that it does seem like trouble has a way of finding you. But I've had my fair share of psychos, too. So has Simon. And as far as being able to take care of yourself? Don't sell yourself short, Chief. You do just fine taking care of yourself ... and me as well."
Blair stared at Jim with wide wet eyes.
“You have a lot of faith in me, Blair. I sometimes wonder why you stick around. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I stick around because I trust you, Jim ... and you’re my best friend, man,” Blair sniffled.
The words that were spoken so simply, with such conviction, brought an affectionate smile to Jim’s face. “And I trust you, my friend.” He snagged several tissues from the box on the table and handed them to Blair. “The doctor should be here real soon to check you out of here. Why don’t you get dressed.”
Blair accepted the tissues, wiped his face and blew his nose. “Okay … umm … do I have any clothes here?”
“Your jeans and shoes are in the closet. You can wear my jacket home.”
**********
“Simon’s here,” Jim said as he and Blair stepped off the elevator outside the loft.
“Huh? What’s he doing here?” Blair asked, following the larger man.
Jim unlocked the door and pushed it open, ushering his partner inside. Both men stopped just inside.
“Jim, I thought you said the place was a mess,” Blair said.
Jim gapped as he looked around the apartment. “It … was. Simon?”
The furniture had been righted and the floor was picked up and vacuumed. The kitchen was spotless.
Simon walked out of Blair’s room. “Hey, guys. Didn’t hear you come in.”
“Simon?” Jim gestured about the loft. “What can I say? Thank you.”
Simon grinned, “That works. I didn’t think you'd want to deal with the mess after last night. How you feeling, Sandburg?”
“Ah … not too bad. Thanks, Simon,” Blair replied.
“Well … I did the best I could. You’re going to have to do some grocery shopping. They didn’t leave much in the kitchen that was salvageable. I could go pick up a few things if you’d like.”
“No … Simon,” Jim said quietly, stretching his hand out. “That’s okay. You’ve done more than enough.”
Simon clasped the hand warmly and said, “I’m outta here, now. Call if you need anything. You going to be at the station tomorrow?”
"Yes, sir. No problem."
Jim closed the door after Simon and turned back to Blair, who had gone to the sofa and sat down. Blair’s eyes were locked on the plywood that covered the shattered balcony doors.
“Blair?” Jim said, walking over to him. “You okay?”
“They did that, didn’t they?” Blair said. His voice was soft and trembled slightly.
Jim sighed, “Yeah … the insurance will cover it though.”
"Jim ..."
"Don't worry about it, Chief. Let's get some rest, now. I'm running on empty here."
**********
Hours later ...
Jim came awake slowly, letting his senses go out automatically to check the loft and locate his roommate. Something was cooking. Smells good, he thought and inhaled deeply. Listening, Jim heard the shower running and little gasps and grunts of pain. Concerned, the detective got out of bed and slipped into his robe as he went down the stairs.
Opening the bathroom door, Jim asked quietly, "You okay in here, buddy?"
The shower shut off and Blair stuck his head out to reach for a towel. "Yeah, I'm okay," he answered with a little smile at Jim's concern. Blair grabbed a towel off the rack and ducked back behind the curtain.
"I-I thought you were in pain. You sounded ..."
The curtain slid open, revealing a damp Blair with the towel wrapped around his waist. "Oh ... sorry. It was just the water hitting some of these raw areas ... kinda stings."
"Oh," Jim sighed with relief. "As long as you're okay."
"I'm fine, big guy. Just sore."
The reddened skin and newly formed scabs that had formed across Blair's chest where hair and skin were missing made Jim wince. Red welts still stood out on Blair's wrists as well, but the patch around his mouth had faded quite a bit.
"Do we need to do any bandaging?" Jim asked.
Blair looked down at himself and replied, "Don't think so." The timer on the oven rang. "Would you take dinner out of the oven while I get dressed?"
"Yeah ... sure, Chief."
A few minutes later, Blair appeared dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt. Jim was setting the table.
"I'm surprised you found anything eatable left in the kitchen," Jim smiled.
"Believe me, there wasn't much to work with," Blair said. "Luckily I found enough canned stuff to put together a casserole." He grabbed potholders and moved the hot dish to the table. "Sorry there's nothing else to go with it."
"This is just fine. Sit, I'll get the drinks." Jim went to the refrigerator and came back with a couple cans of soda. "They must've taken the beer."
Blair smiled a little and said, "I'll go do groceries tomorrow, since I don't need to be at the University." He hesitated before continuing. "Ah ... Jim. That book I was going to loan Sherri?"
"Uh huh."
"I can't find it anywhere. I think she might have taken it."
**********
Blair made three trips to get the bags of groceries from his car up to the loft. He was tremendously grateful for that little elevator. Humming, Blair busied himself putting the food and other things away. With that done, he decided it would be a good time to do some laundry.
While gathering dirty clothes off the floor in his room, Blair thought he heard something. Just a creak. He stopped and listened, but heard nothing more. Building must be settling, he thought, letting the breath out that he didn't realize he'd been holding. Picking up the hamper, Blair headed out of his bedroom and through the dining area.
Another creak, a pop, louder this time. It definitely came from upstairs. "Just the building again, Sandburg," Blair whispered to himself. "Don't be so damn paranoid, man." He jumped as the sound came to him again, causing a sting across his chest. Is it the building? Or is someone up there? Blair's heart started pounding and the hamper slipped from his grasp to hit the floor with a soft thump. Quickly finding his keys on the kitchen counter, he fumbled slightly with the door lock before getting out. Not waiting for the elevator, Blair hurried down the stairs and out to his car. It took all his powers of concentration to keep the Volvo on the road as he drove away. He was shaking uncontrollably and watching the rear view mirror to make sure he wasn't being followed.
Driving straight to the Cascade Police Station, Blair had just started to breathe a little more normally when he boarded an elevator that would take him to Major Crimes ... and Jim.
But Jim wasn't there. The bullpen was empty. Another small knot of panic welled in Blair's stomach as he leaned heavily against the detective's desk.
"Sandburg?" Captain Banks' quiet voice came from behind him.
Blair gasped, startled, and nearly threw himself over the desk.
Simon grabbed Blair's arm. "Easy ... calm down." He pulled the trembling figure around to face him. "You alright? What happened?"
"Where's Jim?" Blair asked, trying to keep himself from hyperventilating.
"He went to follow up a lead on the Roget's case," Simon told him, concern knitting his eyebrows together. "Come in my office and sit down. I'll call him."
Blair nodded and let himself be propelled into the Captain's office and sat down on the small sofa.
"Tell me what happened?" Simon asked again. He picked up the phone on his desk and punched in the number for Jim's cell phone.
Blair felt heat rise in his face as he stared at the floor. "I-I heard a noise," he said softly.
"At the loft?"
Blair nodded, still not willing to look at Simon. "I guess ... I ... sorta panicked."
"Yeah, Jim," Simon said into the receiver. "I need you to come back to the station asap." A pause as he listened. "No ... Blair's here. Something happened at the loft." Another pause. "I don't know ... he says he heard something." Simon looked over at pale figure. "No, no ... he's okay. Just a little shaky." A moment later Simon replaced the receiver in its cradle and said to Blair, "He's on his way here. Can you tell me what happened, Sandburg? Do I need to send a patrol over there?"
Blair glanced quickly at the dark face. He doesn't look angry, he thought. "I don't think anyone was there really," Blair finally said. "I just heard noises ... upstairs."
Simon sat down next to the younger man and handed him a cup of coffee. "What kind of noises?"
"Settling noises I guess ... creaks ... pops. I kept telling myself there was no one up there, but ... but there was this little part of me that just wouldn't listen." Blair sipped the hot liquid.
"Jim should be here in a few minutes. You just relax."
"I'm really sorry about this, sir. I just had to get outta there ... and I didn't know where else to go."
Simon patted Blair on the knee and smiled, "It's alright. After what happened the other day, I think you reacted normally enough."
**********
Ten minutes later Jim burst off the elevator, rushed into Major Crimes and brought himself to an abrupt halt. He let sentinel sight focus on the office on the other side of the bullpen. Simon was at his desk, working on paperwork. Where's Blair? Jim thought frantically for a split second before his sight settled on the figure seated on the sofa in a lotus position with eyes closed in meditation.
Simon looked up to see the detective. He stood and quietly left his office, carefully closing the door behind him. "Jim ... don't you be zoning on me," the captain said sternly as he crossed the room.
Jim brought his sight back to normal. "No ... I'm not. Is he okay?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Do you know what happened?" I should be in there with him!
"Apparently, he heard some noises in the loft and simply panicked. He came here looking for you. Poor kid was pretty shook up."
"I'm glad you were here, Simon," Jim said with a sigh. I should've been. "Did you send someone out to check the loft?"
"No," Simon answered, shaking his head.
Jim locked eyes with the captain, a fierce glare on his worried face.
"Sandburg wouldn't let me. He insists that he panicked over settling noises ... and he's probably right. He was in the loft alone. It was quiet ... ever creak and groan the place made was magnified."
"And after what happened ...," Jim said, letting his voice trail off.
"Yeah. I don't think the kid realized what was happening until he started telling me about it. It kind of embarrassed him."
"Jim?" Blair's soft voice called.
Simon and Jim turned to see the younger man standing just outside the captain's office. Blair had his arms wrapped around himself.
"I'm really sorry about this, man. I ... I ...," Blair tried. It sounded like he would break down into tears at any moment.
“Hey, Chief.” Jim was across the bullpen in a few long strides. He placed his hands protectively on Blair's upper arms. "Are you alright?"
Blair nodded, looking up into Jim's concerned blue eyes. "I-I just panicked. I heard noises." Blair unfolded his arms and locked his hands around Jim's wrists. "Don't leave me alone in the loft again, okay? I don’t want to be there by myself for awhile."
Jim looked into the wide, trusting eyes of his partner and said, "Don't worry, buddy."
"I really thought I was okay, ya know? I was feeling fine. Got the food and stuff put away after going shopping and was gonna go down and do my laundry."
Jim silently led Blair back into Simon's office to sit on the sofa.
Blair never lost contact with the big man as he rambled on. "There was this noise ... upstairs," he continued. "I told myself it was just the building settling, but when I heard it again ... God ... it sounded like someone was walking around in your room, man. I totally freaked! I had to get out of there, and I didn't know where to go, so I came here!"
Jim heard the note of rising panic in his partner's voice and was quick to offer comfort. "You did the right thing, Chief. I'm just sorry I wasn't here when you needed me."
"My fault. I should've called, but I ran out without my cell phone. Now I've pulled you away from an investigation for no good reason. I'm sorry, Jim."
Simon felt it was a good time to step in. "If I thought for a second this wasn't a *good* reason to call Jim back here ... I would *not* have done so, Sandburg. You didn't even ask me to do it, remember?"
Blair nodded sheepishly. "But ..."
"Brown's finishing up the interview. Don't worry about it. In fact, I promised to let him know you were okay."
"I'll take care of that, Jim," Simon said. "Take the kid home. I'll call if I need you."
"Thanks, sir." Jim turned back to Blair. "Feel like heading home?"
Blair nodded silently.
"We'll leave your car here and pick it up tomorrow." Jim stood, bringing Blair up with him.
Blair looked over at Simon and said, "Thanks, Simon."
"No problem. Glad I was here for you."
As Blair moved ahead of Jim out of the office, Jim mouthed a silent "thank you" to the captain.
**********
Blair alternated spending time at the university or with Jim. Once he left the loft in the morning, Blair would not return if it meant being alone. Jim was careful not to crowd the younger man, but made sure he was always available to him. He noticed Blair had taken to not closing the doors to his room, and liked to keep Jim in sight whenever possible. But the detective was convinced that Blair would soon bounce back to his old independent self. He knew the young man just needed time to "process" what had happened and let it go.
Over the next few days, Blair discovered that Sherri was all right. And he wasn't sure if he should be angry or glad about it. "According to her teachers, Sherri's been to every class. I've talked to a few people who know her, and they say she's acting normal," Blair told his partner at dinner one night. "God, Jim, she's acting like *nothing* has happened!"
"She hasn't tried to contact you?" Jim asked carefully.
"No. I thought about meeting her after one of her classes to talk to her yesterday, though. But, I couldn't seem to bring myself to get close enough to her to do that." Blair absently reached up to rub at his chest through his shirt.
"Good ... I want you to stay away from her. We can't prove she was actually involved in hurting you ... yet." Jim observed Blair's rubbing. "Leave it along, Chief," he said gently. "Does it hurt?"
Blair shook his head, "No ... itches. Jim, it's gonna be a little hard to avoid her completely. I have a class in a couple of hours."
"The one with Sherri?"
Blair nodded.
Jim shrugged and said simply, "I'll go with you."
"You don't have to, man. I'll be okay."
"I know that," Jim lied. "But I want to talk to her." He looked up from his plate. Stern eyes met Blair's bright blue ones. "She and/or her friends hurt you, Chief, and I want to know why. If I can I'll arrest her. Plus, she still has that book of yours. I want to make sure you get it back." Breaking the growing tension with a sly grin, he said, "I promise not to embarrass you by snoring, okay?"
Blair couldn't help but crack a small smile. "Okay ... Thanks, Jim."
**********
Blair jabbed Jim in the side. "Wake up!" he whispered frantically.
Jim jumped at the sharp pain in his side and sat upright in the chair. Then noticed that he was the center of attention as snickers and chortles rose in soft echoes throughout the lecture hall. The instructor was glaring daggers at him. Oh no! I didn't?!
Blair was trying to hide behind his notebook, his face a deep red that spread down his neck and over his ears. "Jim, you promised!" he said just loud enough for the older man's sensitive ears to hear.
Jim stifled a yawn with his hand and mumbled an apology. Shit! He'll never let this one go, he thought with a grimace.
After giving the instructor a few minutes to get back into his lecture, Jim leaned close to Blair and whispered, "How much longer?"
Glancing at his watch, Blair glared and answered, "About a half-hour."
"I'll be out in the hall, okay?"
Blair nodded and Jim left as quietly as he could. Luckily they were sitting near the back to keep an eye on Sherri Benton, who was seated in the third row.
At the end of the lecture, Blair grabbed his backpack and dropped his notebook and pen inside. He was getting ready to stand when a shadow fell across him. Thinking it was Jim, Blair was ready to begin scolding him for his snoring. He stood up to face Sherri.
"Hi, Blair," Sherri said with a vague sneer. She handed him the book she'd taken from the loft. "Thanks for the loan. It had some great stuff in it."
"Ah ... okay," Blair stammered, glancing toward the door for Jim. "Look ... Sherri ... what happened that day when you followed me home?"
Sherri grinned, but it was anything but cheerful. "I picked up the book and left. Why?"
"Who did you let in while I was getting the book?"
"What?"
"Answer the question," Jim quiet, rumbling voice said from behind Blair.
"Who the hell are you?!" Sherri snapped.
Blair moved to Jim's side. "Sherri Benton ... meet Detective James Ellison of the Cascade Police Department."
"What is this?!" Sherri's voice rose in pitch.
"I'm investigating the assault on Blair Sandburg which happened the day you were at our apartment," Jim said calmly. "Now ... please ... answer the question."
"You gonna arrest me? You can't prove nothing."
"Chief, call Captain Banks. Have him send a patrol car to escort Miss Benton down to the station," Jim smiled pleasantly.
Blair pulled his cell phone out of his backpack.
"What are you taking me in for?!" Sherri was fairly squealing now.
"You are a suspect in a crime," Jim replied in a matter-of-fact tone. "I'll take that." He removed the book from her grasp and handed it to Blair. "This your book, Chief?"
Blair nodded, holding his backpack out so Jim could place it inside. Then he clicked off the cell phone and said, "There's no answer."
"Okay, we'll go out to the truck. I'll get a car on the radio." Jim glared down at the woman and said, "Turn around and place your hands behind your back."
Sherri stared defiantly at the detective and didn't move. "I didn't do anything!"
Jim gave an exasperated sigh as he grabbed her arm and turned Sherri around. "You have the right to remain silent ..."
The crowd that had gathered inside followed the two men and their suspect outside. Jim could sense Blair's growing discomfort at the eyes that were watching them. He sat Sherri Benton on the ground against the truck as he grabbed the radio from inside and requested a squad car.
Blair spoke to a few of the students he recognized in the small knot of people that were watching. They were in one of the anthropology classes he taught. Jim felt a bit of pride swell in his chest as he saw those students help Blair send everyone on their way. Blair did well not letting the fear Jim knew the young man was fighting show.
"Let's go home, Chief. I'll question her in the morning," Jim said when Sherri was on her way to Cascade jail.
"You gonna need me there, Jim?" Blair asked quietly. He reached up to rub his chest.
Jim gently pulled the hand away and said, "Do you *want* to be there?"
Blair thought for a moment before answering, "No ... not really."
"Then don't worry about it. I'll call you when I'm done, okay?" Jim released the wrist he was holding when Blair nodded. Then placed an arm around the slightly slumped shoulders to steer him toward the passenger side of the truck. "It's been a long evening. Let's go home and get some sleep."
"How can you possibly be tired after that *little* nap you took?" Blair asked accusingly.
"Don't even go there, Chief."
**********
Blair taught a class first thing in the morning and was back in office at 11:15. After checking his messages and not finding one from Jim, he tried to settle into his usual routine. 11:30 brought a knock at the door.
"Come in," Blair called from his desk. He knew it wasn't Jim, because Jim wouldn't have knocked.
Three men walked in.
"Can I help you?" Blair asked. He didn't recognize any of them.
"Sherri Benton," the biggest of the three said. His eyes were dark, face set like granite.
"Ah ... what about her?" Blair's heart suddenly started beating faster.
"She's my sister."
"Oh ... sorry."
The man took a menacing step forward. He was so much the opposite of Sherri, Blair wondered briefly if they had the same mother and father.
"No, I mean ... sorry she got arrested," Blair amended, standing to put the chair between himself and Godzilla. "You ... um ... must be Roger? Sherri's mentioned you before."
"She didn't do anything to you, man," the big ... *huge* ... man growled. "I want her out of jail ... now!"
"I really don't have any say in that right now. She is a suspect, but no actual charges have been filed." At least not that I know of. "She'll be questioned and ..."
"Are you deaf? She didn't do anything!"
Something clicked in Blair's brain forcing his eyes wide with realization. "It was you, wasn't it? You guys are who Sherri let in." He pointed at Roger. "You were the one standing at the table talking to her when ..."
Roger lunged forward, but Blair managed to skip out of reach, keeping the chair between them. The other two, smaller, but no less imposing, men moved to close the avenues of escape.
"Why? What did I do? I don't even know you!" Blair said, trying to watch all three at once.
Roger sneered and a low, humorless laugh filled the small office. "I've never needed a reason for anything I've done. You were convenient ... that's all."
Blair brought one hand up to his chest. "Did Sherri know?"
"Of course she did. She followed you ... we followed her. She let us in to have our fun." The ugly grin spread further across Roger's face. "I think it's time for some more ... fun."
Blair swallowed hard against the sudden dryness in his throat. He was looking wildly for a way out when the phone on his desk rang. Without a second thought Blair launched himself forward, only to be caught by Roger. The last conscious thought Blair had was of the phone sliding out of his reach.
**********
Jim was in Captain Banks' office when he called Blair. He had promised to let his partner know how the interview with Sherri went. There was a loud crackle on the other end of the line, then some other sounds and voices reached him. They were muffled, but Jim could pick Blair out of anything. Jim's Blessed Protector mode kicked into high gear as his knuckles turned white around the receiver. He focused on what he could hear. "Oh my God!" Jim said out loud.
Jim could hear the sounds of Blair being beaten. He could hear the grunts and groans the blows brought.
"Jim!?" Simon said loudly, shaking the Sentinel's shoulder. "Snap out of it!"
Jim blinked, coming out of the zone. He handed the phone to Simon, saying, "I've got to get over there!"
Simon put the phone to his ear, but heard nothing. The line had gone dead. "What's going on?!"
"Sherri wasn't lying," Jim said as he headed out of the office. "I hope we're not too late."
Simon dropped the receiver back into its cradle and followed Jim, called out order to his men as he moved through the bullpen.
**********
Blair opened his eyes and looked around cautiously. Roger and his two henchmen were standing nearby, but not close enough to let Blair hear what they were saying. Not that he really cared what they were saying at that moment. He hurt too much. Carefully, he pushed himself into a sitting position against the wall and realized his wrists and ankles were bound with the cord from the ruined telephone. Letting out a low moan as a wave of dizziness washed over him, Blair leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
"Well, welcome back," Roger said as he strolled across the small office to kneel in front of Blair. "Have a good nap?"
Startled by the sudden closeness of the voice, Blair's eyes shot open, causing another wave of dizziness. His body tensed to bring all kinds of aches and pains out. "What do you want from me?" Blair could feel his mouth swelling, and his left eye wouldn't clear and felt half closed.
"My sister," Roger said simply.
"I don't have any say in that, man."
"You gonna bring charges against her?"
"I don't know if she did anything to bring charges against," Blair lied. His voice was dry and hoarse.
"It really doesn't matter if you do or not." Roger leaned forward and took Blair's face in his hands, bringing them nose to nose, and growled, "You won't leave here under your own power!"
OhGodOhGodOhGod! Blair's mind screamed. Jim, where are you?! "If you leave now, I'll see what I can do to get Sherri out, okay?"
Roger seemed to contemplate this. Then, without warning, bounced Blair's head off the wall and watched him slip into unconsciousness. "I don't think so." He turned to his two buddies. "Garner, you and Thom go outside and wait for the cops."
"How do you know they're coming?" Garner asked.
"If that phone call wasn't his cop friend, whoever it was no doubt called 911."
Garner nodded and headed out the door, followed closely by Thom.
**********
Jim hadn't felt this kind of fear since his father had been kidnapped and assaulted. He roared up in front of the anthropology building where Blair's office was located and got a glimpse of two people ducking inside. It was obvious to a trained eye that they were trying not to be noticed. Simon's car slid to a stop next to Jim's truck.
"They're in there, sir," Jim said as the two met between the vehicles. "And they know we're here."
Simon nodded. "Sandburg?"
"I can hear his heartbeat, but I don't think he's conscious."
"Backup's on the way."
"Can't wait that long."
Simon thought for a moment. Then said, "You know the building?"
Jim gave a sharp nod.
"Lead the way then."
**********
"They're here," Garner said excitedly as he and Thom entered the office and closed the door.
"How many?" Roger asked.
"Just two. One is his friend," Thom said.
"You're sure?"
Thom nodded, "I remember seeing a picture in that apartment."
Roger nodded. "Okay then." He pulled a 9mm handgun out of his jacket pocket.
"Whoa, man! You didn't say anything about guns!" Garner spat angrily.
Roger leveled the gun at the man's head and pulled the trigger. "Guess I'm sayin' it now." An odd look passed over his face. A smile of satisfaction perhaps.
"Shit!" Thom yelled. "Roger! Jesus, man, what the hell are you doing?"
"What? You gotta problem, too?"
"Yeah ... shit, man ..." Thom realized, too late, that he'd said the wrong thing.
Roger quickly pulled off another shot, blasting a hole through the middle of Thom's chest. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Roger said, "Man, that's better'n sex! Too bad sis had to miss it."
Blair stirred and opened his eyes. "OhmyGod!" he managed in a whisper as his eyes focused on the mess.
Roger turned to Blair with and excited gleam in his eyes and said, "Don'cha love it? The site ... the smell?" He inhaled deeply. "Sweet."
Blair choked down the bile that wanted to rise in his throat. There was no way he'd be sick in front of this bastard. Turning his head away from the grisly scene, Blair closed his eyes tightly and wondered when his turn would come.
**********
Jim and Simon heard the shots as they reached the door into the building. Jim caught his breath and froze, immediately using his senses to find Blair.
"Jim?" Simon asked after several long moments. "Is he okay?"
Jim slumped slightly against the side of the building as relief washed over him. Nodding, he whispered, "Yeah, but we only have one to worry about now. Unfortunately, it's Sherri's brother."
Enough police and detective's cars pulled to make Simon wonder who was left at the station.
Detective Brown joined the captain and Jim with a walkie-talkie. "What's happening?"
"One inside holding Sandburg," Captain Banks explained. "Two shots have been fired. Probably killed his partners." Simon took the walkie-talkie from Brown and told him, "Spread out and wait for my signal."
"There are two other exits in this building," Jim mentioned.
"Right. We've got it covered," Detective Brown nodded and headed back to the men and cars.
"Jim, are there any other people in the building?" Simon asked.
Jim listened, then answered, "Must be lunchtime. There's a few upstairs, but that's it."
Simon noticed with satisfaction the uniformed officers keeping the small crowd of people well back.
"I'm going in, sir," Jim said.
"Whenever you're ready, Jim. I'm with you," Simon nodded.
**********
"Your cop friends will be here soon," Roger said absently.
Jim. "Wouldn't it be better to just give up then?" Blair rationalized. "You can't get out of here without being caught."
Roger sat in Blair's desk chair and turned to face him. "You're right ... I know that. But it's a fact that we're all gonna die."
"No one has to die here, man."
"Yes ... it's the way the game is played." Roger smiled grimly and pointed the gun at Blair, who flinched. "I'll kill you ..." He waved the gun towards the door. "They'll kill me." Roger shrugged. "Sherri will kill herself. Those are the rules."
"But why me?! What makes me so damn *special*?!"
"You aren't special. I told you before. You were ... convenient."
There was a loud knock at the door.
"Police! Open the door!" Jim's voice boomed through.
"Not by the hair of my chiny-chin-chin," Roger replied calmly.
Simon tried the door and found it unlocked. Shoving it opened, he and Jim entered together.
The first things they saw were the bodies of Garner and Thom. Jim's eyes went immediately to where Roger was sitting calmly next to Blair, holding the grad student by a handful of hair at the back of his head. The gun barrel against Blair's neck.
"Hey, Chief," Jim said, his voice steady as he looked into Blair's fear filled eyes. "You okay?" He took in the vivid bruises and bloody cuts on his partner's face.
"I am now, man," came Blair's whispered reply. "I'd really like to go home now, though."
"Soon, buddy. Just hang on."
"Let him go, Benton," Simon growled.
"No, you have to play the game," Roger said.
"What game?!"
Roger jabbed the gun against Blair's throat. "Tell 'em."
Oh God. "Uh ... he's going to kill me," Blair croaked fearfully, watching Jim wince. "Then you're going to kill him."
One shot ... between the eyes, Jim thought mercilessly.
Roger jabbed him again, "And? Go ahead ... finish the rules."
"Then Sherri will kill herself," Blair finished, closing his eyes to wait.
Jim saw that Blair was working free of the cord tied around his wrists. Be careful, Chief.
Roger smiled, "Very good!"
"It won't work, Benton!" Simon said, trying to keep his voice calm. "Let Sandburg go, and we can get you some help."
Roger frowned and shook his head. "I don't want ... I don't *need* any help!"
Blair opened his eyes as one of his hands slipped free of its bindings. Roger didn't seem to take any notice, he was intent on Jim and Simon's movements.
"Now ... I promised Mr. Sandburg here he wouldn't leave under his own power. I don't like to go back on my promises."
Jim saw Roger's finger begin to tighten on the gun's trigger at the same time Blair brought his hands up to knock the hand holding the gun away. Blair's movement startled Roger and sent the bullet wild. Jim and Simon shot at the same time, each bullet finding its mark easily.
Simon went to Benton's body, knowing full well that the man was dead. Jim rushed to Blair, who was frantically trying to pull the cord from his ankles.
"Easy there, buddy. Just relax," Jim said quietly. "Let me do that." He gently moved Blair's hands and untied his ankles. Jim glanced over at the body lying next to them. One shot ... between the eyes.
Simon was on the radio calling the men in and to get an ambulance for Blair.
Jim caught Blair by the arms as the young man struggled to his feet. "Hang on, Chief. Sit still until the ambulance gets here, okay?"
Blair put shaking hands on Jim's chest to steady himself. He was breathing hard and having trouble focusing. "No, Jim," Blair pushed out in a whisper. His gaze went to Roger's body to see one shot to the head, another through the chest. Lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling. "I-I need to leave here ... on my own."
"All right. I understand," Jim said quietly. "But, I'm right beside you if you need me."
Blair looked up with slightly glassy eyes. "Thanks, man."
Bruised, battered and bleeding, Blair carefully pushed away from the wall. He stood still for a moment to let the dizziness pass. Jim stood ready to catch him if he passed out.
I can do this, Blair told himself. I *have* to do this.
Slowly, one step at a time, Blair and Jim walked out of the office and headed outside. Jim could feel the effort it was taking for his friend to do this. Emotions mixed as Jim felt concern for Blair's health, pride at the way he'd handled the situation without panicking, fear that there could be a next time that would turn out very different.
Detective Brown appeared at the outside door as the two partners made their way, slowly, out into the cool sunshine. "Hey, Blair, let me ..." Brown reached out to assist.
Blair pulled away, saying wearily, "No ... Thanks."
Brown turned concerned eyes to Jim, who nodded slightly and mouthed silently, "It's okay."
Blair made it several yards away before his legs wouldn't carry him any further. He stood shakily for a moment, then reached out for Jim as his knees buckled under him.
Jim caught him gently, but firmly. "It's okay now, Chief," Jim whispered as he lowered himself to ground with his friend against him. "It's over." Tears threatened as he felt Blair tremble. "You're going to be all right."
Blair clung to the warmth and protection that Jim gave so freely. His fingers grasped his shirt as he sobbed quietly against Jim's chest. Someone offered a blanket and Jim wrapped it around the smaller body.
After several minutes, Blair looked up at the Sentinel. Exhaustion and pain so clear in his eyes that it made Jim feel completely helpless.
"How ya doing?" Jim asked.
"Wanna go home," Blair whispered.
Jim pushed matted hair off the battered face. "I know. We'll get you checked out first, though, okay?"
"No ... just ... home," Blair sobbed quietly.
"Shh. I promise to take you home tonight. You will sleep in your own bed." Jim tried a soft smile. "But I think you're going to need more band-aids than we've got at home." An ambulance drove into the parking lot and he felt Blair tense. "It's just to get you checked out and cleaned up."
"Then we go home ... right?"
"I promised, didn't I?"
Blair made an attempt to smile. "Think of it as ... positive re-enforcement."
Jim chuckled softly. "Soon as the doctor is done, we go home."
A stretcher was wheeled over and Blair was lifted gently onto it.
"Jim?" Blair called weakly, reaching out shakily.
Jim grasped the outstretched hand. "Yeah, Chief?"
"The game's really over, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Jim answered, squeezing the hand he held reassuringly. "It's over ... and we won," Jim said.
**********
Sherri Benton made an unsuccessful attempt at suicide three days after hearing of her brother's death. She would spend the rest of her life in Western State Hospital.
<>~~<>~~<>
end