New
Arrivals
Author-Vision
Titles
The Cleansing
by Vision
Vision sends Becky a big thank you for all of her work
Disclaimer: Jim and Blair do not belong to me. They are the property
of Pet Fly and Paramount. I don't make any money etc., etc.
Jim closed his eyes and let the water rush over him. If only his mind could be cleansed as easily as his body. He inhaled the warm vapors from the bath water and tried to focus on the delicate vanilla scent of the bubble bath. The bath could take away the outer filth, but only Blair could decontaminate his mind. He heard the familiar "Blair's home" sounds and allowed himself to sink deeper into the tub. Keys tossed in the basket, the thunk of his backpack hitting the floor, and the plunk of shoes against the wood floor. The melody known as "Blair Sandburg" was like a lullaby to his tired senses. The voice came next. The unmistakable pitch of his soul.
Blair glanced around the loft and his eyes came to rest on a trail of blood stained clothes leading to the bathroom. His heart leapt in his chest as he followed the bloody path to the bathroom door. Hesitantly Blair reached for the doorknob and slowly opened the door. Blair let out the breath he had been holding and entered the room.
"Jim. You okay? What's going on? Are you hurt? Talk to me?"
Jim opened his eyes and gave Blair a half smile. " I'm okay Chief. You should have seen the other guy."
Blair seated himself on the edge of the tub and took a good look at his partner. A large gash lined Jim's forehead. A bloody hand loosely gripped the side of the tub. The water was dyed a crimson red. "Oh, my god. Come on, buddy, let's get you out of here. Everything's okay. Just let me check you out, okay?"
Jim winced as he tried to sit up and Blair reached out a hand to steady him. "He was just a kid Chief. A kid with a knife. I tried to stop him. He wouldn't listen. So young......" Jim's voice trailed off as Blair wrapped his arms around him and eased him out of the tub.
Jim was shaking now, a fatal mixture of shock and grief. Blair wrapped warm towels around him and reached for the robe behind the door. Jim's body shook involuntarily and his voice became a haunted, detached entity.
"Cold. I'm so cold. Can't seem to get warm. Sorry, Chief."
Blair gently toweled Jim dry and guided his arms into his robe. Blair tried not to allow the fear in his heart to tarnish his voice. "It's okay, Jim. We're just gonna get you to the couch, start a fire maybe. How does that sound?" Blair smiled briefly as he wrapped a towel around Jim's arm. The older man began to sway on his feet, and Blair placed a protective arm around him.
"One step at a time, big guy. Just focus on the couch. No zoning on my voice. Lord knows, if you go down, I go down. Don't want the ambulance guys finding us in a heap on the floor now, do we?"
"Right Chief. No heap, but piles are okay. I like piles, neat piles"
Blair gently guided Jim to the couch and positioned a pillow behind his head. "I'm gonna call an ambulance. You just take it easy. Don't try to move, cowboy." Jim moaned softly and Blair gently stroked his face. "Just rest, Jim.."
Their eyes met -- blue locking with blue.
Jim leaned his head into the hand. "Thanks, Chief."
Blair smiled as he continued to stroke his cheek. "There will be a thorough investigation, Detective Ellison. You're not getting off that easy."
Blair rose from the couch and within seconds Jim could hear him reciting the usual pertinent information to the 911 operator. Jim closed his eyes as a wave of nausea broke over him. The image of the young boy who had stabbed him appeared before his eyes. His heart raced as he recounted the events from that afternoon.
~~~~~~~~
"Cascade PD. Put down your weapon". Jim moved within ten feet of the boy. "Come on, son. Put the knife down. You don't want to do this. Just give me the knife. Let's not make this any worse than it is. Easy, now. I'm gonna put my gun on the ground and I want you to do the same". Jim carefully laid his gun on the ground and raised his hands in the air. "I'm unarmed. Now let's do this nice and slow. I'm not gonna hurt you. My name's Jim. What's yours? "
The boy shuffled his feet back and forth nervously never taking his eyes off Jim. "Jeff".
"Okay, Jeff. Any minute now this place is going to be crawling with cops. If they come barreling in here and see you holding a knife on me, there's gonna be trouble. We can end this right now. Just you and me. Put the knife down and we can walk out of here."
The sound of sirens approaching filled the air.
Jeff wiped away the tears from his eyes and Jim moved to within five feet of him. Jim tentatively reached for the knife. "It's your choice, son. Please give me the knife."
Jeff's hands shook as he slowly inched the knife closer to Jim's outstretched hand. All at once, the sirens were upon them. Jim's hands instinctively reached for his ears to block out the assault to his senses. The unexpected, frantic motion from the detective caused Jeff to panic. Before Jim could react he felt the knife pierce his lower arm. Jim managed to grab hold of the knife handle and hold on. They wrestled to the ground grappling for possession of the weapon. Jim's head hit the pavement with a resounding thud. The next thing Jim heard was the sound of a gunshot.
Jeff lay motionless on top of him.
Jim's world exploded. Anger coursed through his veins. Adrenaline driven words flooding from his mouth. Simon's arms attempting to restrain him. And then, the final blow. Jim's fist connecting with the shooter's face.
The rest was a blur.
~~~~~~~~
Jim practically bolted off of the couch.
"Easy, Jim. It's just me. The ambulance is on its way. Just hang in there."
Blair gripped Jim's uninjured hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Jim let himself relax into the cushions again. He stared into the dancing, water blue eyes of his partner and found the control he needed. Blair would make things better. He always made things better.
"Chief?'
"Yeah, Jim?"
"It hurts."
Blair squeezed the hand a little tighter and smiled. "I'm sure it does, Jim. Don't worry, man. Everything's gonna be okay. The ambulance is almost here and they'll make the pain go away."
Tears appeared at the edges of Jim's eyes
"They can't make it go away. Only you make the pain go away."
Blair swallowed hard against the lump forming in his throat.
"Then I'll make it go away. We'll fix this. Whatever it is we'll fix it. I'm not going anywhere. We've got as long as it takes. No worries"
Blair held Jim in a warm embrace.
"Ambulance guys are gonna find us in a heap, Chief."
Blair tightened his grip ever so slightly
"A neat pile, Jim. We don't do heaps, remember?"
Jim felt the warmth and reassurance of his Guide around him. The cleansing waters of healing drowning his grief.
-The End-