New
Arrivals
Author-Suzie
Titles
Face Off
by Suzie
Summary: Can Jim and Blair pull it off again? #9 of the Wanted series.
Disclaimer: Some of the characters in this story belong to the Pet Fly Productions as part of the television show The Sentinel. I do not claim these characters as my own.
"How local is this broadcast?" Jim asked, pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes.
Raven looked up at the newscaster. "This one's pretty local, but there are other channels that broadcast on cable... and you can bet that a story like this will go national before tomorrow morning. Blair saved that couple's lives for sure and the public will eat that up."
Jim stared up at the television.
"This can't be good," Raven continued. "The people that are after you will hear about this."
Jim didn't respond.
"We need to get you two out of here."
"I can't risk moving Blair yet," Jim said simply. "Not for a day or two, at the least."
"I can hide you at my family's place until we can get you both out of here," Raven suggested.
"No," Jim said adamantly. "I won't leave Blair here alone."
Raven gave a frustrated sigh. "So you're just going to hang around and let them come and get you?"
Jim stood and began pacing the small hospital room. "I'm sorry. I appreciate the offer, but I can't put your family at risk... and Blair is here because of me. I can't just abandon him and hope that I can get him out later."
Raven watched the man pace for several minutes. "Look, Jim, ... I'm going to go now. I'm going to do some thinking on this. Between the two of us, I'm sure we can come up with a way out. I'll call you in a day or so."
"Thanks, Raven. You be careful. There's no telling what those people will do."
"Be sure to tell the small one that I was here... and that his wolf will be fine," Raven smiled.
"I won't forget," Jim replied, returning the smile.
**********
Blair's eyes opened and he looked around cautiously without moving his head. "Jim?" he called, but his voice was barely a hoarse whisper.
"Right here, Chief," Jim answered from his seat next to the bed. He moved to carefully sit on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Morning?" Blair frowned with confusion.
"You've been in the hospital for about twenty-four hours." Jim poured a cup of water from the pitcher on the tray-table next to the bed. "Do you remember what happened?"
Blair took the straw into his mouth and sipped the water slowly as Jim held the cup. He closed his eyes and tried to clear the fogginess from his head. Finally, he gave up and looked at Jim in alarm, "Jim, I don't..."
"It's okay." Jim smiled faintly, setting the cup aside. "I'd be surprised if you did remember anything right now."
Blair groaned softly. "Leg... hurts."
Jim pushed the call button and requested a painkiller for Blair. "You're going to be all right, Chief," Jim whispered, stroking a hand over Blair's forehead.
"What happened?"
"There was an... accident." Not a total lie, Jim thought. "Your leg is a little messed up, but you're going to be fine."
The nurse arrived and administered the drug through Blair's IV and checked his vitals. With a smile for both men, she turned and was gone.
"Jim..." Blair called groggily.
"Shhh, we'll talk a little later. You just rest now."
"'Kay." Blair's hand slipped into his friend's large one as he faded off into sleep.
Jim let his senses monitor his Guide as he went into a deep drugged sleep. His enhanced hearing listened to the strong steady beat of Blair's heart, and his fingers felt it in the pulse in the hand he held. When Jim was sure that Blair wouldn't wake for a while, he gently placed the hand on the mattress and tucked the covers in around the sleeping man.
Quietly, Jim left the room and headed for the elevators that would take him up to the ICU.
**********
"Would it be possible to talk to Mrs. Hornsby?" Jim said into the receiver outside the double doors of the ICU.
"Are you a relative?" a voice asked.
"No... I was with her when we brought in her husband and my friend."
"Mrs. Hornsby has already gone downstairs to the conference room to do an interview."
Oh shit! "Where would this conference room be?"
"Second floor."
"Thank you." Jim hung up the receiver and hurried off towards the elevators again. Please let it be a taped interview!
When the elevator didn't respond right away, Jim found the door that led to the stairway. Long legs took the stairs two and three at a time. He very nearly flew down the two floors and through the door on the second floor. Sentinel hearing quickly located the conference room where the interview was being held.
Jim opened the door to the room and looked at the lights and camera, the female interviewer, and Michelle Hornsby.
Michelle turned at the soft creak of the door and a brilliant smile lit her face. "Mr. Ellison! I'm so glad you came!"
The camera swung around and focused on Jim. He flinched and tried to turn away, but it was too late.
"Please, Mr. Ellison, join us," the interviewer said with a pleasant smile. "My name is Kristin Ely. I'm with KCTN Channel 5 News here in Rawlins. Michelle has been telling us about your friend, Blair Sandburg, and his brave heroics in rescuing she and her husband from a grizzly bear."
Jim stood stock still, looking from Michelle to Kristin.
"I hope you don't mind, but the receptionist at the front desk was nice enough to pull up your full names for me," Kristin said. "Please, Mr. Ellison, join us for the interview. It's being broadcast live on our morning show and I'm sure people are wondering how your friend is doing."
Jim groaned and left, firmly pulling the door closed behind him.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Ellison is apparently too overwhelmed to be a part of this interview. Perhaps later, we can persuade him to talk to us."
Not on your life, lady, Jim thought as he quickly walked away.
**********
Agent Sands was sitting in the passenger seat of his car as Agent Murphy drove. He was watching a small hand held television set and grinned as the Sentinel walked in on the interview taking place at Rawlins Memorial Hospital.
"If I wasn't sure they were there before, I sure as hell am now," Sands said to Agents Kamp and Marcus, who were sitting the back seat. "We'll be in Rawlins in a few more hours and they will be mine!"
"Won't he assume that we'll be on our way and try to escape before we get there?" Murphy asked.
"According to our files, Ellison and Sandburg are close. Ellison is too loyal to just skip out and let his friend be captured alone. I have no doubt that we will have them in custody before the day is over."
**********
Jim returned to Blair's room to find his partner sitting up watching TV. Wide, slightly glazed eyes turned to meet the older man's sad face.
"I was hoping you'd still be asleep," Jim said quietly.
"The nurse came in to change my bandages. I've only been watching a few minutes." Blair looked back at the television screen. "Listening to Michelle talk about it..." He began to tremble. "I remember the whole thing now."
Jim quickly crossed the small room and took Blair into an embrace that the younger man returned with arms going tightly around his Sentinel's middle.
"It's over," Jim whispered. "Everyone is safe and going to be okay."
Blair nodded against Jim's shoulder, but remained silent for several minutes. Finally he asked, "What are we going to do, Jim? Agent Moe is bound to have heard something about the bear incident. We have to get out of here."
"You're in no condition to travel, Chief," Jim said against the top of Blair's head.
Blair pushed back and stared resolutely into Jim's eyes. "Then you have to go without me."
Jim stared back, his ears rebelling against what he'd just heard. "No way... no how! I can't just run off and leave you here!"
"You have to, Jim! I'm no good to the government without you. You're the one they're after, man. I'm just part of a two for one offer."
Jim's face clouded with anger and fear at the thought of losing, not only his Guide, but the best friend he'd ever had in his life. "Damn it, Sandburg! I *am not* going to leave you here!" He gave Blair's shoulders a shake for emphasis. "Do you *understand* that?!"
Looking down at the tears that were suddenly streaking down Blair's face, Jim gathered the smaller man against his chest again. "God, Chief, I'm sorry!" His voice softened to a whisper, "Did I hurt you?"
Blair's head moved slowly against Jim's neck, "No, I'm okay."
"We're in this together, buddy. No matter what happens."
Blair's arms went around Jim's waist again, hanging on to the warmth and security he could always find with his Sentinel. "Together forever?"
"Together... forever," Jim whispered.
**********
It was 7pm and Blair was sleeping. Jim sat beside the bed, TV on, but ignored. His senses were on full alert, as they had been all day, barely staying away from a zone-out, and he'd just heard what he'd known was coming. Agent Sands voice filtered up from the lobby, asking for the location of Blair's room.
Standing, Jim placed a hand on Blair's shoulder. "Hey, Chief, wake up for me here."
Blair blinked and yawned, looking up at Jim's stony face. He knew that look. "They're here, aren't they?"
Jim nodded. "They're on the way up now. I'm going to head them off at the elevators. I don't want a scene caused... not here."
"Be careful, Jim."
Jim gave a sharp nod and then headed out the door.
**********
When the elevator doors opened, Agents Sands, Kamp, and Marcus found that their exit was blocked by the Sentinel. He stood before the three men with his back straight, legs slightly spread, arms crossed over his chest, and ice blue eyes burning holes in each of them.
Agent Sands smiled smugly, "Mr. Ellison, nice to see you again. You're a hard man to pin down."
"We talk... now," Jim said in a low, calm, dangerous tone that wiped the smile from Sands face. Turning abruptly, Jim strode off without looking back to see if the three men were following.
They did follow though, with no real hesitation. Not another word was spoken as Jim led them into an empty room two doors down from Blair's. Kamp and Marcus stationed themselves at the door as Sands and Jim faced off.
"You can't get away from us this time, Ellison," Sands said. "So why don't you and your partner just give it up."
"Sandburg is in no condition to be moved right now," Jim said quietly. "He went through surgery for his injuries a little over twenty-four hours ago. It's going to be several days before he's able to get out of bed."
Sands stared up into Jim's eyes, trying to gauge if the big man was telling the truth.
"I won't leave here without him, so it's up to you on how this is handled."
"I want proof that he's really injured," Sands said coolly.
"I'm sure you've seen the reports about what happened."
Sands nodded. "I saw the interview too... but all of that can be faked."
"Why in the hell would we fake a bear attack report, knowing that you'd come here to check it out?"
Sands shrugged. "I don't know... perhaps a ploy to lure us in. You might think that, because of Sandburg's injuries, we would relax our guard assuming that you'd not run away without him. This would allow you to take us out and be rid of us."
Jim glared at the man in front of him.
"I want to see Sandburg. I want to know that he's as *injured* as you say he is."
A low growl rose from deep inside Jim's throat. "All right... but just you." He pointed to Kamp and Marcus. "Larry and Curly wait in the hall."
Sands agreed, then followed Jim to Blair's room.
**********
Blair was still awake as Jim and Sands walked into the room. He turned to look at the two men as they moved into the room.
Sands immediately noted the drawn, pale face with its lines of pain.
"Hey, Chief," Jim said quietly, crossing to the bedside. "How are you doing?"
"I think it might be time for my pain meds, man," Blair said in a strained voice.
Jim frowned. It wasn't often that Blair *asked* for medication. "Did you call for the nurse?"
Blair shook his head, "Not yet. You know how that stuff knocks me out... and I wanted to make sure things went okay first." He looked past Jim at Sands, his eyes darkening with anger. "Hey, Moe, you've got us... satisfied now?"
"Shhh, Blair," Jim whispered, placing a comforting hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Everything's going to be all right."
Agent Sands didn't hesitate as he stepped over to the foot of the bed and pulled back the blanket to reveal Blair's heavily bandaged leg, elevated on two pillows.
Blair jumped at the sudden, unexpected move from the agent. Then hissed as pain shot up into his hip.
"If you touch him," Jim snarled. "I will rip your arm off at the shoulder and beat you to death with it."
Blair reached out for Jim's arm and managed to clamp his hand around one wrist. "Jim..."
Jim took a deep breath, then reached over and pressed the call button for the nurse. "It's time you left," he told agent Sands.
"What do you need, boys?" a young female voice asked over the intercom.
"Blair could use some pain meds," Jim answered, not taking his eyes off Agent Sands.
"I'll give him two days," Sands said. "Then he'll be transferred to a hospital in Washington DC." Without another word, the agent left the room.
Jim turned his attention back to Blair as the injured man groaned. "Easy, buddy, the nurse will be here in a minute with your meds." He carefully replaced the covers over Blair's legs.
"Jim... what are they doing out there?" Blair asked curiously and indicated the door with a nod of his head.
Jim's enhanced hearing easily picked up the conversation between Sands and the other two agents.
"I want at least one man on this door at all times," Agent Sands told his men. "No visitors. I'm going to go have a talk with Sandburg's doctor. Marcus, you find out who the nurses are on this floor and what the shifts are."
"Moe is going to go talk to your doctor," Jim told Blair. "He's leaving Larry and Curly outside in the hallway to watch us."
Tammy, one of the night nurses, appeared with Blair's medication. "What's going on?" she asked as she administered the drug through the IV. "Who are those men in the hall?"
"It's a long story, Tammy," Jim sighed. "But don't worry, there won't be any trouble."
"You two aren't, like, wanted criminals... are you?" Tammy asked, only half jokingly.
Jim smiled. "No, we're not criminals. They just want some information that we're not willing to give up."
"Oh, they're with the government then?"
"Yeah... good guess," Blair said, managing a weak smile.
Tammy returned the smile and checked Blair's pulse and blood pressure. "All right, you should sleep now. I'll see you two in a couple of hours unless you need something sooner."
Jim wandered over to the window and stared out at the lights of the darkened city.
"Thanks, Tammy." Blair waited until the nurse left the room, then said to Jim, "What do we do now?"
Jim returned to the bedside and carefully sat on the edge. "You're going to get some rest." He smiled, watching Blair fight to keep his eyes open. "We've got two days to get out of this. That's plenty of time." I hope.
"But, Jim..."
"No arguments, Chief. Get some sleep. This isn't over yet."
**********
Outside the hospital room, two government agents sat stoically in hard, straight-back chairs on either side of the door. Nothing went in or came out that they didn't know about. Even when Jim left to use the restroom, one of the agents tagged along though the men's room was only two doors down and across the hall. Agent Sands was determined not to lose the two men again.
Jim kept watch over Blair as the younger man slept restlessly. He let himself doze in the chair next to the bed, his senses giving him constant input. Every murmur, every groan from his friend was heard and analyzed in the Sentinel's brain to determine if it was necessary to check on or awaken his Guide. The nearly silent creak of the door and a vaguely sweet scent told him that Tammy had entered the room to check Blair's vitals and IV.
The nurse went about her duties and Jim didn't stir as he listened to her soft humming. The nurses had been kind to both Jim and Blair since they'd arrived, but Tammy was quickly becoming a favorite. She was sweet and had a gentle touch with Blair... which was extremely important in Jim's eyes. Plus, Tammy wouldn't take any lip from Jim, and he admired that.
Apparently satisfied with Blair's condition, Tammy left the room. Jim waited for the door to gently swoosh closed, then opened his eyes with a weary sigh. He stood and stretched his aching muscles before sitting on the edge of the bed.
How in the hell am I gonna get us out of this one, Chief? Jim thought, looking at the innocence reflected in Blair's sleeping face. He smiled slightly, knowing that Blair was anything but innocent. People don't think he's cut out for police work They remember the naïve *observer* that followed me around. Jim's smile turned to a look of pride. Blair learned a lot in those short years... we both did. He became the best cop I'd ever worked with... and that was before he became a cop. He's got more mettle than anyone I've ever known.
Blair stirred, his sleepy eyes blinked open to half-mast. "Jim?"
"Shhh, go back to sleep." Jim reached over and combed his fingers through Blair's hair and noticed how much it had grown out in last few months.
Jim remembered the day he went with Blair to get his long hair cut before he started at the police academy. The short springy curls had changed Blair's face... made him look only slightly older. No, not *older*... more mature. And Jim had been afraid that all the changes in Blair's life would change Blair himself.
Jim had waited... he'd watched. Finally, Blair was finished at the academy and had earned his detective's badge as well as a permanent place as Jim's partner. Slowly, much to everyone's relief, Blair returned to himself. He'd graduated in the upper five at the academy and embraced his new life as only Blair could. For him, it was like starting a new chapter in his life... new routines to master, new adventures to conquer, and no one could say he didn't belong there. The easy smile returned, as did the bounce. Everything was going so well... until the men in black appeared.
"Jim... you okay?" Blair mumbled, barely awake.
"Yeah, Chief, I'm fine," Jim answered softly, coming out of his reverie. "Everything is fine. Go on back to sleep."
**********
The next morning, as Blair picked at his breakfast and Jim sat sipping his coffee, agent Sands walked into the room.
"Good morning, gentlemen," Sands said with a hint of a smile.
Jim and Blair looked up, and the government agent nearly took a step back at the contempt radiating from their eyes. Agent Sands had never felt such intensity before. There was no fear in his prisoners, no sadness... only an unnerving rage.
"What do you want?" Jim snapped.
"I contacted my superiors last night," Sands said. "A Lear Jet will meet us at Rawlins Municipal Airport and take us to Cheyenne, where we'll be met and fly on to DC. There will be a doctor and nurse with us during the entire trip."
There was silence for a moment, then Jim asked, "Is that all?"
Sands sighed, "Yeah, that's it for now."
"Then get out."
Agent Sands found himself compelled to leave the hospital room as quickly as he could.
"Damn!" Jim cursed quietly after the door closed behind the agent.
"What?" Blair inquired.
"We're running out of time here, Chief, and I don't seem to be able come up with a way out of this mess." Jim looked at his friend. "I'm sorry, Blair."
Blair reached out and put a hand on Jim's shoulder. "We're going to be okay, man."
Jim reached up and patted Blair's hand where it rested on his shoulder. He felt paper crinkle under his fingers.
"I found it under this bowl of so-called oatmeal just before Moe walked in," Blair explained.
Jim took the note and read it silently to himself, Be ready - Raven.
**********
Agents Murphy and Campbell were taking their turn stationed outside Blair's room. Visiting hours had been over for about two hours and things were settling down for the night. A young black woman wearing a pink uniform that matched those worn by the cafeteria workers stepped off the elevator. She pushed her tray forward, catching Tammy's eye as she sat alone at the nurses station. They gave each other a barely perceptible nod, and the young woman smiled and pushed her cart over to the two men seated on either side of one of the rooms.
"Good evening, gentlemen," the young woman said cheerily. "I was told that you might like some coffee and pastry."
Agent Murphy returned the woman's smile as he stood. "That would be great... thank you."
Agents Murphy and Campbell gratefully accepted the coffee carafe, mugs, and small pastry tray.
"How much do we owe you?" Murphy asked.
"Oh, it's been taken care of," the young woman smiled. Then moved back to the elevators.
"Must have been Sands," agent Campbell mumbled around the bite of pastry.
"Yeah," Murphy agreed, watching the women enter the elevator. "He's been real satisfied with himself since we caught up with Ellison."
The two agents ate and drank the coffee, chatting in low tones.
After the woman left, Tammy stood and went to a closet at the far end of the hallway. She returned ten minutes later with towels and a clean gown, smiling as she passed the two guards and entered Blair's room.
"Damn, any time she'd like to give me a sponge bath..." Campbell sighed after the door closed behind Tammy.
Agent Murphy chuckled, then let loose with a huge yawn.
**********
Tammy set the bundle of towels down on the bedside table. "We have to move quickly," she whispered to Jim. "There isn't much time."
Jim stood, watching Tammy unroll first one towel, then the other, extracting a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. He moved silently and without question. Whatever the plan was, it had begun and he prayed that it would work.
"You start getting him dressed," Tammy said quietly as she moved to the phone and picked up the receiver. "I'll call Melva and Calvin."
Jim nodded and gently shook Blair awake. "Come on, Chief. It's time to get out of here."
**********
Melva pushed the off button on the small cell phone and dropped it back into her pocket. She nodded to her brother, telling Calvin it was time to go. He flipped the switch to turn the elevator's power back on, and hit the button for the third floor.
When the elevator doors opened, Melva looked out as Calvin stayed out of sight.
Agents Murphy and Campbell sat slumped in their chairs, drugged into sleep by the spiked coffee that Melva had brought.
"C'mon, Cal," Melva whispered. "They're sleepin' like babies."
Pushing a wheelchair in front of him, Calvin hurried towards Blair's room while Melva held the elevator.
**********
Jim and Tammy had Blair ready to go when Calvin pushed through the door.
"Calvin Tabius Taxi at your service, gents," Raven grinned.
Blair managed a small smile in spite of the pain that was knifing through his leg.
"How are you feeling, my friend?" Raven asked Blair seriously.
"I've been better, man," Blair replied tightly. "Let's get this show on the road."
Jim and Raven moved Blair into the wheelchair, but even as careful as the two big men were, Blair had to bite his lip to keep from crying out in pain.
"I'll give you some pain medication when you're settled in the car," Tammy promised Blair.
Raven pushed the wheelchair, following Tammy out of the room and towards the elevators.
Jim followed, watching and listening with his enhanced senses even after the doors closed behind them. He noticed the young woman right away, though she stood behind Raven and out of sight. Jim's senses picked up the extra heartbeat and turned to look at the large black man.
Gently, Raven brought his sister around to stand by his side. "This is my baby sister, Melva." He looked at her. "This is Jim and Blair."
Melva smiled sweetly. "Pleased to meet you. I wish the circumstances were a little more pleasant."
Jim returned the smile easily. "Thank you for helping us, Melva. I hope this doesn't cause any problems for you."
Melva shrugged, "It shouldn't. Not too many people in the hospital know me, and those that do only know me as Tammy's friend."
The elevator came to a stop with a slight jerk that forced a groan from Blair.
Jim leaned forward enough to whisper into Blair's ear, "Just hang on a few more minutes."
Blair swallowed and nodded.
The elevator doors opened into a dimly lit and empty lobby. Quickly, the group moved through the lobby and through a door marked "HOSPITAL STAFF ONLY". A hallway led them to another door that opened out into a staff parking lot.
Raven and Melva went out first to be sure that there was no one in the immediate area. Melva ran across the parking lot and a retrieved an old Jeep Wagoneer.
"Okay... let's get him loaded," Raven said, signaling Jim to bring Blair out.
Together, the two men got Blair situated in the back seat among the pillows and Jim wrapped a thick quilt around him.
Then Tammy stepped up and gave Blair one last morphine injection. "Take care, Blair," she said, wiping the sweat off of his face with her hand.
"Thank you for everything, Tammy," Blair whispered.
Tammy turned back to Jim and said, "There's a box on the floor of the front seat with everything you should need. There's a bottle of pain medication and one of antibiotic." She stood on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Take care of yourself, Jim."
"Thanks, Tammy, you've taken a big chance helping us out," Jim said. Then he turned to Raven.
"I packed all your gear," Raven said quietly. "Go north on 287, then east on 220 into Casper, and catch northbound 25. Your best bet is to head up into Canada."
Jim agreed that Canada was their best move. An American government group would hesitate to follow them into another country. Jim moved forward and the two men embraced. "You've taught us a lot. You've been a good friend, Raven. I hope we can get together again someday."
"I hope so as well. You two have taught me much. Be careful out there, my friend." Raven gently pushed Jim away. "Go now, there isn't much time."
Jim nodded and climbed in behind the wheel. He glanced back at Blair and saw that he had a drugged glaze to his eyes. "Ready to go, Chief?"
Blair nodded. "All ready, man."
Without looking back, Jim started the Jeep Wagoneer and drove out of the parking lot.
"All right, Melva," Raven said, turning to his sister. "You head on back home and don't say anything to Mother, Father, or Tonya."
Melva slapped her brother lightly across the chest. "And *what* would I tell them? 'Gee, I just helped Calvin and nurse Tammy help two men escape by drugging two Federal agents...'"
Raven pulled the small woman into a tight hug, "I get the picture."
Tammy smiled at the two. "I have to get back up to my floor. I'll talk to you later, Melva."
**********
Agent Sands stepped off the elevator to the sight of agents Murphy and Campbell slumped in their chairs. "What in the *hell*?!" he snarled as he stomped over to the two men. He paused at the door and glared at the two men before smacking his fists against the door, forcing it to swing open under the impact. "No! No, no, NO!" Agent Sands exited the room and glared down at Murphy and Campbell again. "You worthless *assholes*!"
Tammy came out of another room down the hall. "Is there a problem, sir?" she inquired sweetly.
"Where are they?!"
"Where is who?"
"Ellison and Sandburg! Who the hell else would I be asking about?!!"
Tammy stepped past Sands and looked into Blair's room. "They aren't here? Hmmm... let me check to see if Mr. Sandburg was scheduled for x-ray or something." She strode over to the nurses station, hiding a satisfied grin as she turned her back on the agent.
**********
A few miles down the road, Jim glanced in the rearview mirror to check on Blair, and was glad to see that he had fallen asleep. Them he noticed two eyes reflecting back at him. They were just peeking over the backseat, watching Jim intently in the mirror.
Jim smiled and wondered why he didn't notice that Wolf was back there sooner. Must have been the stress of the moment, he reasoned. He looked up into the mirror again and the eyes had shifted. They were looking over the seat and down at Blair. "He's going to be all right," Jim told the animal softly.
A nearly silent whine was accompanied by a snuffling noise.
"You're smelling the hospital's antiseptics and drugs on him. I smell it too. He's been given medicine for pain, so he's going to sleep a while."
Wolf sighed and settled so his big head rested on the back of the seat, his eyes watching the sleeping young man carefully.
Thank you, Raven, Jim thought. For *everything*.
**********
~end~