New
Arrivals
Author-Suzie
Titles
Figaro
by Suzie
Summary: Blair wants a pet. #1 in the I Want a Pet series.
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: Thanks Beta Beast ... er ... Jen. <BG> I'll figure out where the commas go eventually!
“WHAT!” Jim bellowed, nearly choking on his eggs.
“Can we get a dog?” Blair repeated quietly. His eyes were bright with hope as he chewed his bottom lip.
Jim looked into those eyes and, for a moment, saw a child.
“Jim, I promise to take care of it. I’ll train it and everything. You wouldn’t have to do anything man.”
“Sandburg … I don’t think so,” Jim said, cursing himself for feeling guilty.
Blair’s statement fell immediately. “Um … okay,” he said dejectedly.
Jim took a bite of his toast as he studied his partner. He’s serious about this, he thought, as he caught the sadness in his friend's eyes. “What brought this on?”
Blair shrugged, “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
Don’t do this to me! “It wouldn’t be very fair to the dog Chief. It’d be cooped up here all day by itself,” Jim reasoned. “Our hours are so strange …”
“It’s okay Jim, I understand,” Blair said, not looking up from where he was pushing the food around on his plate.
Jim decided to let the subject drop, and hoped it wouldn’t come up again. “You coming in with me this morning?” he asked, changing the subject.
Blair finally looked up. “I have grades to post first. I’ll meet you at the station, okay?”
“Sure … no problem.”
**********
Jim knocked before entering Simon’s office. “Here’s the report on the Collins’ murder you wanted.”
The Captain took the report. “Where’s Sandburg this morning?” he asked casually.
“He’s at the University posting grades. He’ll be in later,” Jim answered distractedly.
Simon eyed the detective for a moment, taking in the pensive statement. “Anything wrong Jim?”
After several long moments Jim sighed, “Blair asked if we could get a dog.”
“You’re kidding?”
Jim sat in the nearest chair. “No, sir. Out of the blue this morning he wants a dog. And he was so … I don’t know. He gave me those eyes. I actually felt guilty saying no. He really seemed to want a dog.”
“He give you any reason?”
Jim shook his head.
“Ya know, Darryl did that to me once. Actually, I didn’t see anything wrong with it, but his mother said no.”
“What did you do?” Jim asked curiously.
“Well, turned out most of his friends had dogs. After talking to him about the situation, his mother asked if he would settle for a cat instead of a dog. As it turned out, he just wanted a *pet*. Darryl wanted a dog because his friends had dogs.” Simon grinned, “He was happy as could be with the kitten we got him.”
Jim thought for a minute. “You know … the other day Blair mentioned something about a student’s new puppy. Apparently she’d brought it to class because she didn’t want to leave it home alone. Do you think that’s where he got the notion he wants a dog?”
“It would make sense.”
Jim looked around the closed office as if checking for any eavesdroppers. “Ah, Simon, where did you get …," he asked, pushing a large hand through his short hair.
Simon smiles like a cheshire cat, but manages to suppress the laugh tickling the back of his throat. “Petey … Petey the cat. A multi-colored monster that must weigh twenty-pounds by now. Got him at the Humane Society.”
**********
Jim started to wonder where Blair was at noon. Hope he brings lunch with him, he thought, as his stomach growled.
At 12:30 Jim tossed another folder into his *out* basket. God I hate paperwork! Shifting a few forms and folders around, he found the phone and dialed Blair's university office. There was no answer. Okay, he *must* be on his way.
At 1pm the phone on Jim’s desk rang. “Ellison,” he said, as he rubbed weary eyes.
“Um … hey Jim. It’s me,” Blair said.
“Hey Chief, what’s up? Thought you’d be here by now.”
“Ah … yeah … well.”
The hair on the back of Jim’s neck stood up. “What happened? Where are you?”
“There was a little accident at the university.” Blair was quick to add, “Nothing serious, though.”
Jim was on his feet and grabbing his coat as he spoke. “I’m on my way.”
“Jim … no, wait. I’m not at the university now.”
“Cascade General?” Jim asked calmly.
“Um, yeah. But I’m okay … it’s not serious anyway. I just need a ride home when you get time.”
"I'll be there in a few minutes Chief," Jim said, then hung the phone up. With long purposeful strides he went to Simon's office. "Gotta go Simon. Sandburg's at the hospital," Jim said quickly, pulling his coat on.
"What?!" Simon asked, surprised and worried. "Jim, what happened?!"
"I don't know yet," Jim replied, as he shrugged into his coat. "Something happened at the university. I'm going to Cascade General."
"Call me!" Simon said, concern evident in his deep voice.
Jim smiled a little, "Yes, sir."
**********
Jim unlocked the door to the loft and let Blair hobble in ahead of him on his crutches.
"You're just lucky you didn't break your neck, Chief," Jim said quietly, as he shut the door.
"Ah, Jim, let's not go into it again ... okay?" Blair sighed, sitting at the dining table. "It's not like I did it on purpose man."
Jim dropped Blair's backpack on the floor under the coat hooks. "I just can't believe you ... who are afraid of heights ... were on a ten-foot ladder!" Jim hung up his coat and retrieved Blair's from him.
"Jim, man, we've already been through this," Blair said, exasperation in his voice as he ran his hands through his hair. "I couldn't let Professor Carter climb up there! He's like eighty something years old and walks with a cane ... when he can remember where it is. Like I told you ... all I was doing was getting one lousy box off that shelf. Zip up ... grab box ... zip down. Real quick and easy, ya know?"
"Yeah yeah, I know. You told me. Someone walked into the storage room and bumped the ladder," Jim said to show he'd been listening earlier. "You could've broke your neck!"
"Jim," Blair groaned. "It's not a big deal, okay? It's just a sprained knee."
"*Just* a sprained knee ..." Jim started.
"JIM STOP!" Blair blurted. "I'm hurting and I'm tired. I just want to go lay down."
Jim suddenly felt angry with himself for not seeing to his friend's comfort. "Sure Chief, I'm sorry. Let's get you to bed."
"You going back to the station?" Blair asked as he stood.
Jim steadied the younger man as he maneuvered the crutches under his arms. "I don't know. I promised to call Simon after I picked you up." Of course I'm not going back to the station. I wouldn't get anything done, and Simon would just send me back here, Jim thought with a smile.
Jim walked at Blair's side ready, in case he needed to steady the wobbly figure, should he lose his balance.
Jim saw the wince on Blair's face as he helped him to sit on the bed. "You want one of those pain pills?" he asked with a sympathetic grimace.
Blair let the air out of his lungs and replied, "Nah, not yet. They gave me something just before you got to the hospital. I'll be okay, it's just a little throbby."
Jim removed the knee brace from Blair's right leg and gently helped him out of his jeans. The knee was swollen with dark shades of black, blue, purple, and red. "Geez, how'd you get your pants on over that at the hospital?" Jim asked, remembering that Blair had been dressed when he'd arrived.
Blair groaned as he shifted around to lay back on the bed. "Wasn't easy."
Jim carefully replaced the brace, then left to retrieve extra pillows to elevate his partner's leg. After seeing to it that Blair was as comfortable as possible, Jim made several icepacks. "Okay, you need anything else?" he asked after placing the ice on and around the injured knee.
"No, I'm fine. Thanks Jim," Blair answered with a big yawn. "Those drugs they gave me are makin' me sleepy."
Jim smiled fondly as he pulled the blanket up around Blair's shoulders, "Then get some rest. I'm going to go call Simon, then go to the store. Want anything?"
"Orange ... juice," Blair said groggily, as he began to slip into sleep.
**********
Jim listened to Blair's slow steady breathing as he walked into the loft. Good, he's still asleep, he thought with a grin. He set the bag of groceries on the kitchen counter before setting the small box he was carrying down on the floor. There was a rustling sound from inside the box. "Okay, you stay here while I bring up the rest of the stuff," Jim whispered to the box.
Quickly, Jim went back down to the truck and retrieved another box. God, I hope I got everything, he grinned mischievously. I hope he likes what I got him.
As he closed the door, Jim noticed the box on the floor had tipped over onto its side, and there were unhappy sounds coming from within. He set the large box he held on the dining table before picking up the smaller one from the floor. "Shh now," Jim whispered. "We'll have you outta there in a minute."
Jim smiled as the angry little sounds ceased, but he could make out the heavy breathing of frustration with his sensitive ears. Those ears also picked up the changes in Blair's breathing and heartrate; he was waking up. Quickly, Jim poured a glass of orange juice and went into Blair's room with his little gift.
"Chief? You awake?" Jim asked quietly, knowing he was.
Blair yawned and rubbed at his slightly unfocused eyes. "Yeah ... sorta." He took a deep breath and pulled his eyes open wide in an effort to wake up. "You didn't go back to the station, did you?" Blair asked.
Jim set the glass of juice and the box on the night table so he could help Blair sit up. "It was just paperwork anyway. I'll finish it tomorrow," he shrugged. "Here ...," Jim picked up the glass and handed it to the other man. "Drink some of this."
"Thanks man," Blair smiled as he took the glass and proceeded to take several large swallows. There was a little thump on the table next to the bed that got his attention. "What's that?"
The angry sounds had started again.
Jim grinned as he took the half-empty glass and set it aside. "Got you a present." He set the box in his Guide's lap. "Hope you like it."
Blair grinned from ear to ear as he picked up the box. "Cool! But you didn't have to." He gave the box a little shake.
"Oh shit! Don't shake it!" Jim cried, fighting the urge to grab the box back.
The box emitted a hissing sound.
Blair's eyes widened. "What you do!? Buy a snake?" he asked only half jokingly.
"Just open it."
Blair broke the tape that held the lid down, but before he could move to open it the lid snapped up on its own. Startled, he dropped the box back into his lap. "What the?!"
Out popped one angry little black and white kitten. Jim laughed as the little furball hissed and sneezed as it turned quick little circles around Blair's lap.
"JIM! It's a ... a ... it's ...," Blair sputtered.
"Ten weeks old," Jim said. "Had his first shots and ..."
"JIM!" Blair reached out to pet the kitten and he was swatted soundly by one small paw.
"Um ... hope you don't mind, Chief," Jim said tentatively. "I know you wanted a dog ... but I thought maybe ..."
"Ah man! This is *sooo* great!" Blair scooped the kitten up and held him to his chest. "Thanks Jim. This is the best." He scratched behind the tiny ears.
The kitten struggled in Blair's arms for a moment, before giving in to the attention he was receiving.
Jim was glad to see that his impulsive purchase was so well received. "A couple of kids were outside the store trying to sell a litter of kittens. There were three when I went in. When I came out he was the only one left." Jim blushed slightly. "I just couldn't resist. What're you gonna name him?"
Tiny needle like teeth nipped on Blair's knuckles. "Yeow!" he laughed at the sting, then held the feisty ball of fur up and looked at him critically for a moment. "I think ... Figaro," he said happily.
"Figaro?"
"Yeah, he looks like that little cat in Pinocchio. And it *was* my favorite movie when I was a kid."
Jim chuckled, "Alright ... Figaro it is."
"Geez Jim," Blair said, suddenly serious. "There's like so much stuff we need to get for him."
"Already taken care of, my friend." Jim left the room for a moment to retrieve the box he'd left on the dining table. He set it on the floor as he carefully settled himself on the edge of the bed. "I thought he needed a few ... ah ... *things*." Jim rummaged through the box for a second before coming up with a two-foot long flexible plastic stick with a string on one end, and a brightly colored feather tied to the string.
Blair took the toy and dangled the feather in front of Figaro, who immediately pounced on it. Blair giggled as he led the kitten on a merry chase around the bed.
Jim pulled another item out of the box. "This ...," he said, holding up a three-inch square pillow wrapped in cellophane. The word "catnip" could be seen on the label. "Stays off the furniture ... okay?"
"'kay," Blair smiled broadly.
"What?' Jim asked when he noticed the amused statement his guide had fixed on him.
"You man," Blair chuckled. "I can't picture you standin' in a pet store picking out kitty toys." He could just see his big anal Sentinel/cop friend checking each item for too sharp edges, and making sure there was nothing small enough that Figaro could swallow accidentally.
Jim blushed, as he gently tossed a little bell-ball towards Figaro. Then reached down for another.
"God!" Blair laughed, leaning over the edge of the bed to look into the box. "How much stuff did you buy?!"
"Well ... hopefully enough to keep him busy while no body is home during the day," Jim grinned.
Blair snagged a squeak toy that was shaped like a newspaper. "Ah ... Jim," he giggled. "Isn't this a dog toy?"
"Jim shrugged, "It was on the aisle with the cat stuff."
Blair held the toy next to the kitten's body and laughed, "It's bigger than his whole body man!"
"He'll grow into it," Jim said innocently. "Oh ... new house rule." He took the newspaper toy away from Blair and said, "No squeaky or bell toys after I go to bed." Jim wiggled the toy at his friend. "They get put up out of reach ... got it?"
Blair reached over and squeezed the toy Jim held. It emitted a high pitched squeal that made the big man cringe. "No problem big guy."
Jim whacked Blair on the top of the head with it, and it squeaked again. Figaro looked up from batting the bell-ball around and mewed, as if wondering what was happening. Both men smiled happily.
Blair scooped the kitten onto his lap and said, "Well Figaro, what do you think? You okay with this?"
Figaro mewed again and pushed against Blair's fingers as they gently stroked his back. Then he curled up to take a nap and began to purr.
"We'll take that as a yes," Jim smiled.
<>~~<>~~<>
end