New
Arrivals
Author-Suzie
Titles
Settled
by Suzie
Summary: Epilogue. #13 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.
"Blair?" Jim called as he stepped into his partner's room. "Are you ready to go?"
Blair sat on the bed, holding his ponytail, and staring off into space.
"Blair?" Jim walked to the bed and sat down. "Are you okay?"
"Uh huh," Blair replied in a soft voice.
"You don't have to do this you know."
Blair took a sighing breath and glanced at Jim. "Yeah... I do have to do this."
"Why?"
"Society, Jim. I can't go to work everyday with a ponytail down to my butt, man. It just isn't accepted. Especially not in a government environment."
Jim understood and nodded, but remained silent for a minute. "If you want to keep it, I really don't think anyone will bother you about it."
"It's not that so much," Blair shrugged. "Actually, I'm kind of looking forward to cutting it off. It's just that I've gotten used to it... you know?"
Jim smiled, remembering that it a good month before Blair accepted his shorter hair when he went to the academy.
"I'm going to miss it. I mean... it's a symbol of a part of my life and even though it isn't a part I want to repeat, it was still interesting and I learned a lot."
"Yeah, Chief, I understand what you're saying. But cutting your hair doesn't mean that part it gone. That part of you before you cut it the first time didn't go away and this part of you won't either. You've still got the memories... and they *all* weren't that bad."
Blair smiled. "True. Living in the wild, meeting Raven and Tammy... and living with the Chopec was way cool."
"So... you ready to go?" Jim asked, standing.
Blair smiled and stood. "Yeah, let's go."
**********
Mr. Ellison parked the car in front of the house, smiling happily as he got out and hurried towards the front door, a bag held tightly in one fist.
"Jimmy!?" Mr. Ellison called as he walked into the house. "Are you here?!"
"Yeah, Dad!" Jim called back. "In the kitchen!"
Mr. Ellison walked into the kitchen to find Jim sitting at the table reading the paper and sipping his morning coffee.
"Morning," Jim smiled. "Where've you been this early?"
Mr. Ellison looked at his watch -- 9:15am. He remembered the bag he was carrying and placed it on the table. "Donuts and bagels. Thought you and Blair would enjoy them since today is Sally's day off, and I don't usually cook breakfast for myself." Mr. Ellison walked over to the counter and got himself a mug of coffee. "Is Blair up yet?" He sat down across from his son.
Jim cocked his head slightly, listening. "He just got out of the shower."
Mr. Ellison nodded, got up and went to a cupboard for a plate. Returning to the table he began setting the donuts and bagels on the plate.
Jim watched the elder Ellison carefully. "Is something wrong, Dad?"
"No." Hands stilled for just a second as Mr. Ellison set the last of the bakery goods out. "Why would you think that something's wrong?" He walked back across the kitchen and threw the bag in the trash.
"You're acting a bit nervous is all," Jim replied as his father began to rummage through the refrigerator.
"Does Blair like cream cheese or jam on his bagels?"
"Both." Jim knew something was going on. "Look, Dad, Blair can get his own cream cheese and jam. Will you just come over here and sit down please?"
Mr. Ellison straightened up, cream cheese in one hand and jam in the other, and turned to look at his son. Please don't let me blow this!
"What's going on?" Jim asked, folding the paper and setting it aside.
At that moment, Blair bounced into the kitchen with Wolf close behind. "Good morning," he called cheerfully, then stopped in his tracks as he looked from one Ellison to the other. "Uh... am I interrupting something?"
Mr. Ellison sighed inwardly and elbowed the refrigerator door closed. "No, of course not, Blair. I was just putting a few things out for breakfast... it's Sally's day off." He moved to the table to set the cream cheese and jam down. "When did you get your hair cut?"
"Yesterday." Blair ran his fingers through the still damp shorn locks that now hung just above his shoulders. "Does it look okay?" he asked self-consciously.
"It looks fine. Better actually."
*I* liked it better the other way, Wolf huffed.
Blair looked at Jim pleadingly.
Jim smiled. "Dad's right, Chief, you look fine. Now get yourself some coffee and sit down."
Blair's cheerfulness returned and he bounced once on the balls of his feet before crossing the kitchen to the coffeepot. "Are we going to go look for a place to live today, Jim?"
"If Dad will let us borrow the car," Jim said, looking expectantly at his father.
"Sorry, kids, I need the car today," Mr. Ellison said, trying not to let his smile grow into a grin. "I have to inspect some property and hopefully sign off on the paperwork for it."
"Yum... bagels," Blair mumbled, picking a blueberry one off the plate and heading for the toaster.
"Okay, no problem," Jim said. "I'll call Simon and see if we can borrow his car while he's at the station."
"Why don't the two of you come along with me? After I look at the property, we can take the time to look at a few of the places you want to check before lunch. Then I can go to the office to take care of that paperwork."
"Sounds good to me, Dad. Is it okay with you, Blair?"
"I don't have a problem with it," Blair said, staring impatiently at his bagel in the toaster.
"All right then, we'll leave at 10:00," Mr. Ellison said. "Wolf is welcome to come along as well."
**********
About twenty minutes after leaving the Ellison home, Jim's father turned his car off the main road onto a small paved drive.
Jim's enhanced senses instantly picked up the slight hum of surveillance equipment and soon found the security cameras mounted in the trees that lined the drive. "A little heavy on security," Jim said quietly.
Mr. Ellison smiled. "No one else could have picked out the system."
"Yeah, well... I cheat," Jim replied good-naturedly.
Soon Mr. Ellison pulled up to a large gate and stopped the car next to a keypad. He quickly tapped in several numbers and the gate silently began to roll open.
"So, what's the story with this place, Dad?" Jim asked as the car moved through the gate towards the big house beyond.
"I bought the ten acres this place sits on about five years ago... as an investment," Mr. Ellison answered. He stopped the car in front of the house. "It sat unused until about six months ago." He smiled as he got out and stretched. "I just didn't know what to do with it."
Jim and Blair got out of the car, followed by an enthusiastic Wolf.
"It's really beautiful out here," Blair said, standing next Jim. "All the trees and quiet."
Wolf immediately went on his way, nose to the ground, soaking up all the new smells.
"Don't go too far," Jim called after the big animal.
Wolf gave a small woof in reply.
"The fact that it *is* so beautiful out here is why I haven't developed it or sold it to someone who would," Mr. Ellison said. "I just felt there was something special about it. So I chose to wait." He looked over at the two men. "Go on in and have a look around. It's the final walk-through anyway and needs a good going over. Let me know what you think."
"Cool," Blair said with an ear-to-ear grin as he headed for the steps leading up to the covered porch. "Wow! This porch is great! It runs the length of the house! Can you imagine sitting out here on a warm summer evening, watching the stars."
"4,224 total square feet of living space," Mr. Ellison said as he and Jim followed Blair. "2,041 feet upstairs and 2,183 on the main floor."
"Wow!" Blair gaped when walked into the foyer and looked at the expanse of the furnished living room beyond with its huge window that looked out into the back yard. "Is the whole place furnished like this?"
"Yes, the house is fully furnished and ready to be moved into, but the new owners may want to make some changes as they settle in," Mr. Ellison said with a smile.
Blair headed off to look around.
"So you didn't build this place for yourself?" Jim asked.
"No," Mr. Ellison answered. "I'm too old to take on a place of this size. I'm hoping the new owners will like it though. It's a bit of a surprise for them."
"Anyone I know?"
Mr. Ellison wouldn't look directly at his son, but was smiling nonetheless. "Yes, you know them."
Before Jim could question further, Blair bounced back into the living room.
"Jim, man, you have *got* to check out that kitchen! It's got *everything*!" Blair said with eyes sparkling. "And the garage! Jim, you've *got* to see that garage!"
"Why don't you check out the upstairs?" Mr. Ellison suggested.
Blair chuckled to himself and said, "I am sooo jealous of whoever the lucky owners are." Then he was bonding up the staircase to the second level.
Jim and his father couldn't help but laugh as they watched the young man.
"It's nice to see him smiling and laughing again," Jim said. "He's becoming more like his old self now that things are settling down."
Mr. Ellison nodded, then clapped his son the back and said, "Let's go check things out. I really want to show you this office set-up."
**********
The two men stood in the empty garage and looked around.
"This is some garage, Dad," Jim said, his voice echoing slightly. "What is it? A hundred and fifty square feet?"
"Closer to two hundred," Mr. Ellison replied. "Plenty of room to park two cars with lots room let over for a work area and storage. There's a generator there." He pointed to where it sat in one corner. "It should supply enough power for emergencies."
They walked through doorway that led back into the house.
"Laundry room," Mr. Ellison said, pointing out the washer and dryer. "And a 'mud room'. It's big enough to come in and leave any wet and/or dirty shoes or clothing here so as not to track it through the house."
Jim nodded. "Great idea."
A large furry head poked through the pet door that was built into the door that led out into the back yard.
Can I come in? Wolf asked.
"Not right now, buddy," Jim said with a smile.
Can the Guide come out and play?
"We'll be out there in a few minutes, okay?"
Satisfied with the answer, Wolf's head disappeared.
"New owners have a dog, do they?"
"Yes," Mr. Ellison answered, walking back into the kitchen. "A big dog."
"Jim?" Blair called.
"In the kitchen, Chief," Jim called back as he followed his father.
"Wow! There are two *huge* bedrooms up there! Each with their own bathroom, man!" Blair announced as he hurried into the kitchen. "The view is great from up there too! The woods are beautiful!"
"Why don't you go check out the back yard? Wolf was looking for you a few minutes ago."
"Okay," Blair grinned. "He's probably found something he wants to show me."
Blair disappeared out the door to the back and Jim turned to his father.
"Okay, Dad, who's this place for?" Jim asked, his suspicions growing by the second. "Two complete computer and desk setups in the office. Two master bedrooms with full bathrooms upstairs. A *dog door* that just happens to be big enough for a full-grown wolf. I can probably guess, but what gives here?"
Mr. Ellison held out a hand, a key dangling from his fingers.
"No... Dad." Jim had hoped his suspicions were just that. "We can't except this."
"Do you like the place, Jim?" Mr. Ellison asked.
"Well... yeah, but..."
"Then why not? What I said before was true. I did buy the land as an investment five years ago. I decided to build this place and then sell the whole thing. I would make a tidy profit. But something told me to wait, hold onto it, and see what happened. Then you and Blair came home and I decided this was perfect for the two of you. I modified a few things here and there, and now I want you and Blair to live here. A place to call your own again, Jimmy. It's quiet and secluded, but with a security system to protect you."
"Awww, Dad... it's just so much."
"I know, but it's something I *want* to do. And it's not only your decision to make."
Jim looked at his father, trying to see what was going on in his head.
"The house and property will be in both your name and Blair's," Mr. Ellison said. "So, I think Blair should have a say in this decision... don't you?" The smile that lit the older man's face made his eyes twinkle mischievously.
Jim sighed, already realizing that he had lost the argument. He looked and found Blair across the yard running with Wolf. "Hey, Sandburg!"
Blair skidded to stop on the grass and his feet nearly went out from under him.
"C'mere for a minute!" Jim called. "I need to ask you something."
Blair jogged across the yard and joined the Ellison duo. "What's up, Jim?"
"Do like this place?" Jim asked, gesturing to the house and grounds.
Blair's face split into a huge grin. "This place is awesome, man!"
"Would like to live here?"
Blair blinked, as if he wasn't sure he's heard correctly. "Well... um... sure, it would be great. I'd love a place like this."
Jim and Mr. Ellison looked at each other and smiled.
"Jim, what's going on?"
Jim leisurely tossed Blair the key that his father had given him.
"What's this for?" Blair looked up at Jim, then at Mr. Ellison. His eyes widened as realization hit him. "You... you can't be serious?" Blair squeaked. "I mean... Jim, there's no way we can afford this place."
"It's a gift," Mr. Ellison said. "From me to the both of you."
"A... gift?" Blair stared at the elder Ellison for a moment as the words sunk in. "Jim, isn't this an awful lot..."
"Yes it is," Jim said, shooting a glare at his father. "And he and I have just had that conversation."
"As I told Jimmy," Mr. Ellison said. "I *want* you to have this place. It will be in both your names. And if you want to change any of the furnishing, feel free to do so. I just didn't like the idea of giving an unfinished gift."
Blair looked from one Ellison to the other... dumbfounded.
"Blair, do you want to live here?" Jim asked again.
"I... I... it's just too much. We can't accept it," Blair said, handing the key back.
Refusing to take the key, Jim said, "Answer the question, Chief. Personally, I think it's great. Peaceful, secure..."
"I love it. It's perfect." Blair sighed in resignation. "I want to live here."
Jim grinned and turned to his father. "Thanks, Dad... but I still say it's way too much."
Mr. Ellison chuckled and shook his head.
Blair turned to leave.
"Where are you off to now?" Jim asked.
Blair called over his shoulder as he headed back across the yard, "I've got to tell Wolf! He already loves it here!"
**********
It was six months after Jim, Blair, and Wolf had settled into their new home. The boxes were retrieved from storage and it was like Christmas as Jim and Blair unpacked them. Books, artifacts, pictures, and other familiar things helped them feel comfortable in their new surroundings.
The new jobs were working well for them both. The new *recruits* were transferred to Cascade and settled into the new facilities. Jim and Blair worked together to test the senses of their charges. They worked out a schedule so they only had to fly to Washington D.C. twice a year to make progress reports in person.
Jim was in charge of putting together the training facilities and spent time traveling between the Cascade facilities and Tacoma's Ft. Lewis army base. He was meticulous about setting things up and was a regular taskmaster as he gave orders, but he gained respect by working along side the men and women under his supervision. He would never ask anyone to do what he would not do himself.
Blair worked with Dr. Nolan, spending hours pouring over Blair's research and developing a regimen of training and testing. Blair was very specific about what he would and wouldn't do, but always open to what Dr. Nolan had to say and suggest. In so many ways they were two of a kind. Eager and always willing to take in new information. Hyper a point that makes other people crazy and they both talk with their hands.
Wolf still went everywhere with his humans and stayed at Blair's side at all times. No one dared question the large animal's presence or try to make him leave. Not only would Wolf protest, but Jim would have raised hell, and both would have drawn blood if necessary.
Evenings would bring them home, tired with a feeling of accomplishment. They would play with Wolf to unwind, have dinner, and then Jim and Blair would spend an hour or two comparing notes. Agreeing most of the time, disagreeing occasionally, compromising constantly. Always coming together in the end.
They were due to make a trip to Washington D.C. within the next couple of months, and was searching for someone that could 'housesit' and watch Wolf. The first time, Simon and Major Crimes rotated, taking turns staying at the house and keeping an eye on Wolf. Now Jim and Blair were trying to find a person to take the job so they wouldn't have to bother their friends and disrupt their lives. They had interviewed six people thus far, but either Jim, Blair, or Wolf didn't like the person for some reason. Or the person was afraid of their *big dog*.
"Damn!" a frustrated Jim sighed after the last applicant left. "Isn't there anyone out there that we can trust to take care of this place and Wolf while we're gone?! Have we gotten to a point where we're just plain paranoid about everybody?!"
"No, Jim, it's not that," Blair soothed. "I would have gone for that last guy if it weren't for your Sentinel abilities picking up on his nervousness. Because of that, you caught on to the fact that he was probably casing the place. The right person will come along. You'll see."
**********
It was the last weekend of the month, their monthly long weekend, and Jim and Blair had worked all day Saturday so they could relax on Sunday.
Blair wandered out to the kitchen at ten o'clock Sunday morning. He yawned as he shuffled across the cool tile floor in his bare feet, hair wild, and robe hanging open to reveal the rumpled boxers and T-shirt he'd slept in.
Jim smiled affectionately from the kitchen table where he sat reading the morning paper as his partner headed straight for the coffee pot. "Good morning. I thought you were going to sleep until noon."
"Morning, Jim." Blair yawned again as he reached for his favorite mug. The one with the Scooby Doo cartoon character printed on it. "Believe me I tried." Coffee in hand, he joined Jim at the table.
"Comics or sports?" Jim asked, offering a part of his newspaper.
"Sports, please. Not quite up for comics yet." Blair looked at his friend as Jim handed over the preferred section. "Showered and dressed already? You going somewhere?"
"Can't I shower and get dressed without having some place to go?"
"I guess... if that's what you wanna do," Blair shrugged, turning his attention to the sports.
Jim shook his head at his shaggy headed housemate. "In all the these years, you *still* don't make sense when you first get up in the morning."
Blair looked up long enough to stick his tongue out.
**********
"Hey, Jim," Blair called from the kitchen later that same day. "I'm making a sandwich. Do you want one?"
Jim stepped through the doorway. "Sure, that'd be great. Thanks, Chief."
"No problem. Anything good on TV?"
"There's a Laurel and Hardy movie about to start."
Blair smiled and turned to look at Jim. "*You* like Laurel and Hardy? You who has seen Die Hard and Predator a half dozen times each?"
"Hey! I can watch comedy!" Jim argued. "It's just got to be funny, that's all."
Blair chuckled and was about to make a comment when Wolf trotted in from his entrance in the laundry room.
The big animal stopped and looked at his humans. Someone is at the gate.
At that same moment the gate buzzer alerted them that there was indeed someone there.
Jim went to the small security panel in the kitchen and checked the screen. "Oh my God!" he gasped when he saw who stood at the keypad outside the gated entrance.
"Who is it?" Blair asked, walking up behind Jim. He looked at the screen. "It can't be!? Oh my God!"
Jim pushed the button and the gate began to roll open. At the same time Blair ran through the house and out the front door with Wolf in close pursuit.
"Raven!" Blair shouted as he met he big black man and flung himself at him.
Raven wrapped his arms around Blair, lifting the young man off his feet. "Aaah... it is good to see you again!"
"Oh man! I can't believe it's really you! I didn't think we'd ever see you again!"
Raven released Blair. "It has been a long time." He bent to give Wolf a hug as the excited animal whined and licked the weather worn face.
"How did you find us?" Blair asked, picking up the duffel bag Raven had dropped when he'd launched himself at the big man.
They started to walk towards the house.
"I went back to the cave after you left." Raven produced a worn envelope and handed it to Blair. "I found this."
Blair took it, recognizing the writing on it. "It's the last letter my mom sent me before we had to go on the run. It must have fallen out of my backpack."
"I used that address to track you down," Raven smiled.
They met Jim on the front porch and the two men embraced warmly. "How the heck are you, Raven?"
Blair handed the envelope to Jim, who immediately noticed the Cascade PD address on the front and chuckled.
"I am fine, my friends." Raven gestured to the house. "And I see that you are doing fine as well."
"Not that we're not glad to see you, but what are you doing here?" Jim asked as they all went into the house.
"I decided it was time to get off that mountain and see what was on the other side," Raven replied with a wide grin. "And if along the way I happen to find my old friends... so much the better."
"How long can you stay?" Blair asked. "You can stay, can't you? We have plenty of room."
"I think I have seen all I wish to see. I can stay as long as you will have me."
"You are welcome to stay as long as you'd like," Jim said.
Raven grinned at his two friends and their furry companion. "I have truly missed you. My life never felt the same after you left."
"I'll take your bag up to your room," Blair said. " You can unpack. You're probably tired. We can talk after you've had a chance to clean up and rest. I want to hear all about your travels. I'll lay out towels if you'd like to shower. Then I'll start dinner. You're probably starving... or not. I don't..."
"Blair!" Jim barked, getting the younger man's attention. "Take his bag upstairs. There's plenty of time to decide on dinner."
Blair smiled and blushed. "Oh... yeah... right." He headed for the stairs with Wolf leading the way. "I'll just take this up now."
When Blair had disappeared at the top of the stairs, Raven chuckled, "He hasn't changed. Still so full of life and energy."
Jim's affection for his partner, friend, and Guide shown in the statement he wore. "That's for sure." He looked at Raven and said sincerely, "I'm really glad you found us. We're talked about you often and have even discussed going back to Wyoming in hopes of finding you again."
"You know... I think we've gone full circle and this is the way it's meant to be."
"You found us the first time and you found us this time... and we're grateful for both. You know... I meant it when I said you're welcome to stay as long as you'd like."
"I think I would like to stay." Raven held a finger in the air to emphasize his next statement. "But I will work and earn my keep."
Jim wrapped an arm around Raven's shoulders and they started up the stairs. "Actually, if you're serious, there is a job opening right here and now... if you're interested."
**********
~end~