New
Arrivals
Author-Suzie
Titles
What Price Failure
by Suzie
Summary: Blair is attacked by a student. #1 in the Grades 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.
It was Sunday, just after 3pm as Jim set his bags down to close the door to loft. He'd spent a long, tedious weekend at a police conference in California, and he was tired. Jim hated going to the conferences, but his Captain, Simon Banks, couldn't make this one and had asked him to go. God, it felt good to be home.
At first the loft seemed so quiet that Jim that Blair wasn't home. After all, he had to decline going along to the conference because there were tests to grade, and Jim hadn't seen Blair's car when the cab dropped him off. But, then he noticed his guide's jacket hanging on its usual hook and his backpack on the floor beneath it. He must be here, he thought to himself. Oh yeah, forgot to ... he slowly turned the dial back up on his sentinel hearing. One of the reasons Jim hated going to conferences was the noise. Listening again, h easily picked up the sound of Blair's heartbeat and slow, steady breathing coming from the younger man's room. "Hey, Chief! I'm home!" Jim called, and smiled to himself as he bent to pick up his bags.
Realizing there was no reaction from the bedroom, Jim again set the bags down and went to the open door to Blair's room. Peering inside Jim saw Blair curled up in bed. "Blair?" he said quietly. Still no response. This is not right, man, Jim thought with a sudden twinge of concern. Stepping over to the bed, the big man knelt and carefully moved the covers down from his friend's face. "Oh my God!" Jim whispered when he saw the blackened right eye and swollen lip.
Blair moaned softly in his sleep, reaching a bandaged left hand and arm out as if trying to fend something off. Jim gently caught the limb as Blair rolled slowly onto his back. Standing, Jim carefully pulled the blankets down to Blair's waist to discover that not only was his left arm bandaged from palm to elbow, but his right hand was wrapped as well. Jim stared in shocked horror for a moment before pulling the covers back up. What the hell happened here? Glancing around the room he saw Blair's bloodied shirt lying near the bed and picked it up. When Jim straightened up he spotted a prescription bottle on the night table with the lid off. Picking the bottle up, he saw that it was a pain medication called Percocet. No wonder he didn't hear me. After snapping the lid on, Jim set the bottle down and sat on the edge of the bed. Smoothing the dark curls back from Blair's eyes, he said "Chief? Blair, time to wake up now."
Blair sighed softly, but didn't open his eyes, "'Kay."
Jim smiled faintly, then reached over to gently squeeze one bare shoulder, "C'mon, Blair. Rise and shine, buddy."
"Huh? Yeah ... okay," Blair whispered, opening groggy, drug glazed eyes to look up at Jim. "Hey, Jim. Have a ... good trip, man?" He managed a little bit of a smile around the swollen lip.
"What happened, Chief?" Jim asked as he looked at the shirt he still held.
Deciding it took too much effort to keep his eyes open, Blair let the lids fall shut again. "Umm, I wouldn't ... ah ... change his grade ... and ... he." His voice trailed off as he drifted off into sleep again.
What? Jim scrubbed his hands over his face and stood, throwing the blood stained shirt into Blair's hamper. He looked down at the bottle of Percocet for a moment, then grabbed it and marched out to the living room where the phone was. The doctor that prescribed the pain medication would certainly know something, or at the very least, could tell him about Blair's injuries.
**********
A Dr. Nelson made out the prescription at Cascade General Hospital and Jim impatiently waited on hold for nearly thirty minutes. Blair was more than his best friend, he was a part of his family. And, no one was going to get away with hurting a member of his family.
Finally a voice interrupted the music that Jim had been trying to ignore. "Hello? Detective Ellison?"
Jim tried to sound calm and professional, "Yes, is this Dr. Nelson?"
"Yes it is. I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long. The ER has been quite busy today."
"That's alright. Would it be possible to get some information on a person you treated within the last couple of days?"
"Is it part of an investigation?" Dr. Nelson asked.
"Yes, sir." A personal one. "His name is Blair Sandburg."
A nurse had pulled Sandburg's file, and Dr. Nelson scanned it quickly to re-familiarize himself with the case. "Yes, I remember him. Seems he had a rough time Friday evening, Detective. What can I tell you?"
Friday evening! Jim clenched his fist around the phone as he spoke, "Did he tell you anything about what happened?"
"No, not really. Mr. Sandburg avoided telling us anything beyond the fact he'd been attacked with a large knife."
"What exactly are the extent of his injuries?"
"His left hand and arm were badly cut, as was his right hand. No stab wounds, and the cuts shouldn't cause any permanent damage. He'd also taken several blows to the face. By now I'm sure Mr. Sandburg's right eye is quite bruised."
Oh, it is! "Did he spend the night?" Jim questioned.
Dr. Nelson sighed, "I wanted him to stay, but he insisted on going home. So, after I got him stitched up, I had the desk call a cab for him. His car is still here." There was a long period of silence on the line. "Detective Ellison? Are you there?"
Jim cleared his throat as he tried to hold his temper in check. "Oh, sorry, Dr. Nelson. Just making a few notes here," he lied. "That should cover it for now. Thank you for your cooperation, Doctor."
"I'm glad Mr. Sandburg reported the incident. I really didn't think he would since he wouldn't allow us to call the police for him."
Jim hung up the phone and sat on the sofa staring blankly out at the balcony. I left for the airport after work Friday afternoon around 5:00, he thought. I should've waited 'til Saturday morning to leave. Why didn't he call me? Hearing a groan, accompanied by a painful whimper come from Blair's room, Jim hurried to his friend's side.
Blair opened his eyes and blinked to clear his fuzzy vision. "Jim?" he voice a hoarse whisper. "You are home. I thought I was dreaming again."
Jim looked concerned as he sat on the bed, "How're you feeling, Chief?"
Slowly, with Jim's help, Blair sat up and leaned against the headboard, "Sore mostly, kinda light headed."
Jim gently pushed a pillow behind Blair, saying, "Why didn't you call, Blair?"
"I did." But, seeing the look on the sentinel's face made him think. "I thought I did anyway. It was Saturday afternoon ... when I woke up once." Blair saw Jim shaking his head slowly. "I didn't talk to you then?"
"No, you didn't."
Blair put his head back. "God, I'm just not sure of anything. Those pills the Doctor gave me really put me out. I kept dreaming you were here ... but, then I'd wake up and ..."
"It's okay, I'm here now. Just relax," Jim said, gently patting Blair's knee through the blanket. "Did you call the police ... file a report?"
Blair stared at Jim for a several seconds, as if he were trying to remember. Then slowly shook his head, "I did try to call Simon, but everyone was gone. It was late when I finally got here ... I was going to call Simon at home ... in the morning, but I don't remember doing it."
"Do you think you can tell me what happened?" Jim asked quietly.
"Yeah, but I really need to get up first, man."
"Sure," Jim smiled and stood. Helping Blair to stand and keeping a hold on the smaller man's arm, Jim could feel his friend shaking. "When was the last time you ate?"
Blair shrugged as he made his way slowly to the bathroom, not bothering to grab his robe, with Jim at his side, "Friday afternoon, I guess. Been in bed since I came home from the hospital."
Jim grimaced, "No wonder you've got the shakes. You'll feel better after you eat something."
**********
Patiently, Jim waited for Blair to broach the subject of the attack. He knew talking about what happened wouldn't be easy for his young guide, so he didn't want to push. Blair needed to do these things his way and in his own time.
Blair ate his soup quietly, wincing occasionally as he held the spoon in his bandaged right hand and maneuvered it around his swollen lip. As the food pushed the last of the drugged fuzziness out of his body and his brain began to function better, Blair asked Jim about the police conference. But, Blair knew he had to explain what happened. He just needed a few more minutes to collect his thoughts. Blair was thankful for Jim's patience and caring. If I ever had a big brother, I would hope he would be like you, Blair thought silently as he listened to Jim's answer to one of his questions.
When their meal was finished, Jim gathered the dishes and stacked them in the sink. He would wash them later. Before following Blair to the living room, Jim got a comforter and pillows to make sure his friend would as comfortable as possible.
"Thanks, Jim," Blair smiled as the big man helped him get situated on the sofa. He pulled the blanket tightly around himself, shivering against a slight chill. "Guess I should've gotten dressed," Blair said, as he was wearing only his boxers and a T-shirt.
Jim returned the smile, "I imagine getting dressed is going to be something you'll need a little assistance with for a few days."
"Yeah, among other things, man."
Jim sat at the other end of the sofa and looked at Blair expectantly as he tucked the end of the blanket around the others cold feet.
"Okay, guess I'd better get this over with, huh?"
"Whenever you're ready, Chief. Take your time."
Blair took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then began. "I stayed late at my office Friday to finish posting grades. It was ... right around 9:00. I had just got finished and was getting ready to head out when he came in."
"And 'he' would be?" Jim asked.
"Terry Nolan. He's a second year student in one of my anthropology classes ... and he's failing. As a matter of fact, I found out he's failing all his classes."
"So? He wanted to ask for help or something?"
"Yeah ... something," Blair snorted. "What Terry told me was that his other teachers were willing to pass him with the lowest possible marks. He was asking me to do the same thing."
"I take it you said no."
"Damn straight I said no!" Blair said angrily, gesturing with bandaged hands. "Terry does not deserve to pass, man! He doesn't study, doesn't show up to classes, and the few tests he has taken he's failed! He puts absolutely no effort into his studies! I couldn't just let that go, Jim! And I can't believe his other teachers would agree to!"
Jim put a hand on his friend's leg in an attempt to keep him still, "Take it easy, Chief. I agree with you." After a few moments of calming silence he prodded gently. "So, what happened when you refused to change his grade?"
"Umm ...," Blair hesitated a second. "He got incredibly angry ... started shouting ... calling me names. I asked him to leave and told him we could talk about things Monday after class." Blair gestured to his bruised face, "That's when he hit me."
Jim's jaw clenched and his eyes darkened with anger.
"I must've blacked out for a minute, because I don't remember him leaving my office."
"Did you call security?" Jim frowned.
"Tried, but the line was busy. I decided to just get out of there ... in case he decided to come back."
"You did the right thing, Blair." Jim's sentinel senses noticed Blair's heartrate and breathing were increasing. He went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of orange juice. "Here, drink this," Jim said, handing Blair the glass. "Just take your time."
Blair took a swallow from the glass, then smiled shakily, "Yeah ... okay."
Jim waited as Blair drained the glass before asking, "So, when did Nolan attack you with the knife?"
Handing the empty glass to Jim, Blair said, "When I got out to the car. He was waiting I guess. Hiding somewhere, 'cause I didn't see him and the parking lot was virtually empty except for my car. I heard movement behind me, and when I turned he started ... slashing at me with this ... big ... knife." Blair took another deep breath. "I ... I couldn't do much, 'cause he had me backed against the car." He looked at the bandages and started shaking, "I just ..."
Jim moved to gather Blair into an embrace as he began to cry softly. "It's okay now, Blair. It's okay."
"He really wanted to kill me, man," Blair's voice trembled as he buried his face in one broad shoulder. The sudden realization that a student had tried to kill him was overwhelming. Blair clung to the back of Jim's shirt, shaking, sobbing quietly.
Jim ran his big hands up and down Blair's heaving back, "I am so sorry you had to go through this. I wish I'd been here for you."
After several minutes, Blair pulled back slowly, still sniffling a little, embarrassed. "God, Jim, I'm sorry. I ... it was just ...," he stammered.
"It's alright, Chief," Jim interrupted. "This is probably the first time you've really thought about what happened." He smiled at Blair's slight nod. "You've been through a lot."
"Umm ... I ... don't remember much after that. I ended up sitting on the ground ... and at some point in there Terry took off. Guess I drove myself to the hospital, but I don't know how I got home."
"Doctor Nelson at Cascade General said you left there in a cab. Your car's still at the hospital," Jim told him.
"You called the hospital?"
"I found the bottle of pain pills by your bed. You were still pretty out of it when I got home and I got worried, so I called and talked to the doctor. He told me about your injuries, said they weren't too serious."
Blair leaned back into the pillows and yawned, "How can I possibly be so tired? I've done nothing but sleep for two days."
Jim chuckled and said, "Percocet will do that. You rest now. I'm going to call Simon and make arrangements to have Terry Nolan picked up first thing in the morning. Then, after you rest for a little while I'll help you get cleaned up. How's that sound?"
"Thanks, Jim. Sounds great."
**********
"Hello?" Simon was at home when he answered the phone.
"Hi, Simon, it's Jim."
"Hey, Jim," Simon said cheerfully. "Have a good trip?"
"Yeah, great. You know how I love those things," Jim replied sarcastically. He didn't know how else to bring it up, so he just said it straight out, "Look, Simon, Blair was attacked while I was gone."
"What?!" Simon's tone turned to concern. "Where? At home? Is he alright?"
"He'll heal, sir. It happened at the university."
"Jim, what happened?"
Jim wondered the loft restlessly as he related the story that Blair had told him. But, he watched the sofa constantly for any sign of distress from his partner. "Can we have this Nolan character picked up first thing in the morning?"
"Of course, Jim. I'll see to it personally."
"Thank you, sir," Jim sighed.
"Blair will have to identify Nolan as the attacker, but that can wait a day or so until he's feeling better," Simon rubbed the bridge of his nose under his glasses. "Didn't he try to call you, Jim? Or me?"
Jim found himself back at the sofa where Blair lay sleeping. "The doctor gave him a prescription of Percocet. From what Blair's told me, he's been out of it all weekend." Jim looked down at Blair and smiled, "He's not sure if he tried to call anyone or not."
"Yeah, I know about that stuff. It can make you have some real strange dreams. Even hallucinations." After a moment of silence, Simon simply said, "Take care of him, Jim."
"I will, Simon. Don't worry," Jim said, reaching down to brush a long, dark curl of hair from Blair's pale face.
**********
Simon called at 10:00 the next morning to let Jim know that Terry Nolan was being picked up at the university.
"Um ... don't I have to identify him?" Blair asked after being told.
"Yeah, but it can wait 'til tomorrow, Chief," Jim said.
Blair ran his bandaged right hand through his hair. "If I'm the only one that can identify Terry, I'd just as soon do it now and get it over with. The sooner I can put all this behind me the better."
"I can understand that," Jim nodded. "But only if you feel up to it."
"I'm okay, Jim."
"Okay then, let's go."
They arrived in Jim's truck as Terry Nolan was being led out in handcuffs.
Captain Simon Banks met them as they got out, "Hey, Sandburg, how you doing?" You look like shit!
"A little better, sir. Thanks," Blair replied, obviously nervous as he saw Nolan.
Noticing the little changes in his friend's respiration, Jim asked, "Doin' okay here, Chief?"
Blair simply nodded, smiling faintly.
As Nolan was escorted towards the waiting patrol car, Simon asked, "Is that the man who attacked you, Blair?"
Blair swallowed and nodded, "Yes, that's Terry."
Nolan spotted Blair and pulled up short in the officers hands. "You should've agreed to pass me! It would have been so much easier!" he hissed loudly.
There was so much hate in the student's voice that Blair unconsciously took a step back, and Jim moved in front of him protectively.
"Get him outta here!" Simon barked at the two officers.
"I'm surprised he showed up here at all," Jim said, watching the officers push Nolan into the backseat of the patrol car.
"He was hiding in Blair's office. A faculty member tipped us off to it."
Blair paled, "In my office? I'd told him we would talk. Oh my God ..."
Simon was quick to interrupt, "I don't think he was there to talk. He had a knife with him that was covered with blood."
My Blood. Blair's head reeled and he reached out to Jim for support.
Jim put a hand on the smaller man's shoulder and let him lean into him, "It's okay, Chief. Calm down."
"Jim, take the kid home," Simon said quietly.
"Yes, sir, I think ...," Jim began, but before he could finish he felt Blair go limp against him. "Whoa there ... Blair!" Jim eased himself down to his knees with Blair supported against his chest. "Damn, I knew he wasn't ready for this," he said.
Blair stirred and looked up at the two concerned faces. "What happened, man?" He was shaking and his heart was pounding.
"You passed out on us, buddy," Jim said. Scared the crap outta me! "How do you feel now?"
"Kinda dizzy. My ears are ringing."
"Take him home," Simon smiled fondly at the two. "He needs to rest."
"Yeah, sounds good to me, Captain," Jim agreed as he stood.
"I'm sorry about this, guys. I don't know what happened," Blair said as Jim and Simon helped him to his feet.
"Anxiety, stress," Simon replied simply. "You shouldn't even be here ... and I shouldn't have told you Nolan was in your office with a knife. I'm the one who's sorry, Blair. Now go home."
"Do you want me at the station, Simon?" Jim asked.
"No, I'll stop by later with the reports to be signed."
Blair was still shaky, leaning against Jim's side. Jim had one arm around him, holding Blair upright as they walked around the truck to the passenger side. Crawling into the passenger seat, Blair leaned his head back while Jim buckled the seatbelt around him.
Jim then went around and got behind the wheel. "Okay, Chief?" he asked as he started the engine.
"Yeah, I'm just feeling incredibly tired all of a sudden," Blair whispered.
Jim watched his partner shift in the seat, then wince. He put the truck in gear and released the brake. "Hurting?"
"A little I guess."
"We'll be home soon."
By the time they reached the loft, Blair was slumped down in the seat, sleeping.
Jim placed a hand on Blair's knee and shook it gently, "Hey, partner, we're home."
Blair opened his eyes and sat up as Jim pushed the button to release the seatbelt. Sighing, Blair opened the door and slid out of the passenger seat.
Upstairs, Jim helped Blair out of his jacket and hung it next to his own. Silently, Blair headed for the sofa.
"You hungry?" Jim asked as he walked to the kitchen.
Blair thought for a moment, then answered, "Nah, just tired."
Jim poured milk in a glass, grabbed the bottle of Percocet and joined his friend in the living room. He handed the glass to Blair as he sat down next to him. Opening the bottle of pills, Jim shook one into his hand.
"Thanks, Jim, but I don't like those things," Blair said.
"You're hurting, Chief. I can see it on your face," Jim said, concern in his eyes.
"Yeah, I am ... a little," Blair admitted. "But, I don't like the way that stuff makes me feel, man."
"You need to rest if you're going to heal up, and you can't do that if you're in pain."
Blair looked at the big man next to him, "When I sleep, I dream," he said so softly only Jim's sensitive ears caught the words.
"We all dream, Blair. They can't hurt us."
Leaning back against the cushions, Blair sighed, "I know, Jim, but ..."
"You're not alone. I'll be right here," Jim soothed.
"Can I stay out here on the sofa? I feel better when I can hear you."
"Of course you can."
Blair took the pill from Jim's hand and swallowed it with the milk.
"Blair, Terry Nolan is in jail," Jim reminded him.
"I know he is, but ... it's like it's all starting to sink in now," Blair's voice trembled slightly. "And I'm ... kinda scared."
Jim reached down and pulled Blair's shoes off, "The Percocet has a lot to do with how you're feeling both physically and emotionally right now." He stood and gently lifted Blair's legs onto the sofa, forcing him to shift and lie back. Jim noticed the groggy look and heavy eyelids, and smiled, "Don't worry, Blair. Nothing could make me leave you alone right now." Jim pulled a blanket up to cover the younger man.
Blair managed a slight smile, "Thanks, Jim." Then his eyes drifted shut as sleep overtook him.
<>~~~<>~~~<>
end