New Arrivals
Author-Suzie
Titles

Out There
by Suzie

Summary: A camping trip.

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.

"Somewhere Out There"
-Words and Music by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil and James Horner
-Artists: Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram
-Peak Billboard position #2 in 1987
-From the animated movie "An American Tail"

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The air was frigid and there was a light dusting of snow on the ground and in the trees, but it was so beautiful and peaceful. It was February and their first camping trip of the year. A good time to get away, as there were not too many people willing to brave the cold to go camping--and those that did went to the higher elevations.

Jim and Blair had chosen a place in the lower hills to set up their camp. The tent went up first and Blair set things up inside while Jim gathered wood, built a fire pit, and got a nice blaze going.

"I wish we could have gotten here sooner, Chief," Jim said when Blair came out of the tent.

"It's not your fault the traffic out of Cascade was so bad, Jim," Blair replied, standing close to the fire. "We're here now and that's what matters, man," he grinned happily.

Jim smiled, "Yeah--that's true." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "It's so quiet out here."

"Great isn't it? You could believe the world's at peace from out here."

There was silence between the two men for a minute, then Jim sighed and said, "Well, Chief, I got the wood." He pointed at Blair. "You get the water. Then we'll start some dinner."

"Okay, I can do water," Blair said, but didn't move.

Jim stood and watched his younger companion for a moment. "Now would be best. It's going to be dark soon."

"I will. I going. I'm just storing up a little warmth to get me down to the river and back."

**********

With two buckets for water and a flashlight in his coat pocket, Blair made his way down the trail to the river. It was barely light enough to see, but it wouldn't be for long.

Blair filled the buckets and set them aside to take one last look at the river and landscape before darkness hid it completely from his sight. His eyes traveled about as a slight smile played on his lips, breath coming in puffs of steam in front of his face. The river in this area flowed deeper and the water rippled slowly, lazily. Forgetting his mission for the moment, Blair sat down on a large rock and watched as the moon rose over the trees in a soft glow.

**********

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight

Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight

Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer

That we'll find one another in that dream somewhere out there

**********

Jim listened as his Guide made his way to down the trail to water's edge. He heard the muffled scrape as the each bucket skimmed the riverbed as it was filled. Jim smiled when he knew that both containers were filled--all without incident.

After setting the camp stove up and putting the stew on to heat that they'd brought along for their first meal, Jim went back to sit next to the fire. He brought his head up at the sound of a night bird's call and enhanced sight quickly adjusted from the firelight to the surrounding darkness.

The sky was clear, adding to the cold, but making the stars bright as they hung against their cloak of black velvet. Jim smiled and inhaled deeply. The cold air was fresh, spiked with the scent of burning pine--and a more familiar scent. A scent that was imprinted in him as a fingerprint in a file.

**********

And even though I know how very far apart we are

It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby

It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

**********

Jim moved silently down the trail. He only went far enough to check on Blair. Reluctantly he pulled himself away from the overhead view from the trail and went back to stir the now simmering pot.

From his perch, Blair sighed deeply and picked up the delicious smell of stew in the cold air. It was time to get back to camp. Sliding off the rock, Blair stretched and rubbed the cold spot on his butt with one gloved hand. He pulled the flashlight from his pocket and flicked it on, then tucked it under one arm before picking up a bucket in each hand.

Jim's enhanced senses easily detected his Guide's movements. With a smile born of a special friendship, Jim lowered the flame under the pot and headed off down the trail to meet Blair.

**********

Somewhere out there if love can see us through

Then we'll be together somewhere out there

Out where dreams come true

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end

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