New Arrivals
Author-Suzie
Titles

Watching Your Back
by Suzie

Summary: Jim becomes introspective during an airplane flight.

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: "How about adding a little whimpering Blair in here?" the Beta Beast asked. "If you'd be so kind as too indulge in a Blair vice for me." Of course I did <G> and it's near the end of this little piece that attacked me on the trip back from California. Thank you, Jen.

"Hold a true friend with both your hands."
~~ Nigerian Proverb ~~

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The prisoner exchange went off without a hitch, but their return flight had been delayed due to mechanical problems. It was late when the plane finally took off with a full load of passengers.

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The small forty-seat plane was too noisy to let Jim sleep, and he was too tired to get his senses dialed down without a little help from his Guide. Sighing, he looked through the magazine provided by the airlines that was in the pocket of the seat in front of him along with the ever present *In Case Of Emergency* card. Jim could have awakened Blair to help him concentrate on the dial, but it was only a two hour flight and in another half-hour and they would be in Cascade.

The weight against his right side shifted slightly, then settled quietly back to sleep. Jim looked down at the young man in the seat next to him and smiled. His Guide, his partner ... his *friend*. They had been through a lot together since they'd met. Terrorists, kidnappings, shootings, zone outs ... you name it, Blair had stuck with him through it all. He'd been threatened, beaten, abducted, and shot. He'd sit for endless hours during stakeouts, just to keep Jim company.

"You need me to watch your back, man."

Those words rang in Jim's head as he stared down at the forgotten magazine in his lap. Blair had said them many times and had never failed him. He would watch Jim's back even when he shouldn't be back there, on the occasions when he just wouldn't ... *couldn't* wait in the truck as he'd been told to do.

I've threatened you, accused you, used you as a sounding board, and you've always been there. Always watched my back. Always kept me in line, Jim thought, again looking at the sleeping figure using him as a pillow. Always been my friend no matter what. He reached over and gently touched the shortened curls. Simon had told Blair he could grow it back, but he had opted to keep it a *bit* shorter than it had been before the academy. You've given up your life for me, Chief. I'm sorry. "Thank you," he whispered.

The plane gave an unexpected lurch as it hit a small pocket of turbulance, momentarily feeling as if they were falling.

Blair gasped, then whimpered quietly as he burrowed a little closer to Jim.

In an instinctive move to comfort, Jim gently caressed Blair's head and whispered soothing words he knew would calm his Guide back to sleep.

Blair sighed, but didn't wake.

Jim smiled. It had felt good to say those simple words. *Thank you* He would have to say them more often.

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end

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