New
Arrivals
Author-Vision
Titles
Exhaustion
by Vision
Disclaimer: Jim, Blair, Rafe, Brown, and Incacha do not belong to me. They are the property of Pet Fly and Paramount. I don't make any money, etc. etc. Vision sends Becky a big thank you for all of her work
Jim dragged his eyes open slowly and allowed them to adjust to the light. He lifted his head slowly off the desk and winced at the pain cascading down his neck. Bright move Ellison. Fell asleep at the desk again. You're gonna pay for this one. Two stormy blue eyes met his gaze as he glanced around the bullpen. Blair sat perched on the desk in front of him, his arms crossed. Jim rolled his eyes at the lecture he knew was about to descend upon his weary body.
"Get your coat, Jim. You're going home. Do I make myself clear? No arguments. Don't even go there. I'm not in the mood for any of your "I'm 100 per cent" garbage tonight. So let's just do this."
Blair practically bounced off of the desk, and before Jim could react, Blair's finger was inches from his face.
"We can do this one of two ways detective. You can come along quietly or you can be escorted out by two rather large friends of mine."
Jim looked past Blair's reddened face to see Rafe and Brown waving in his direction.
"What's it gonna be?"
Jim cleared his throat and rubbed his temples.
"Um.... Quiet is good. I can do quiet."
Jim eased himself out of the chair and winced as his tired body tried to support his weight. It had been an incredibly long week and the lack of sleep was catching up on him. Blair instinctively moved in beside him and wrapped a protective arm around his waist. At any other time Jim would have pulled away from his partner, but not this time. At this moment Jim was grateful for the closeness of his friend and he found himself leaning heavily into Blair's embrace.
Blair jostled the keys from his pocket and unlocked the door to the loft. Jim shuffled his way over to the couch and sank down hard into the cushions.
"What's it gonna be Jim? Sleep? Dinner?"
Blair made his way to the kitchen and began searching the fridge.
"Jim? Jim? Did you hear me?"
Blair closed the door and made his way towards the couch. Blair positioned himself in front of Jim. Tears ran down Jim's pale cheeks and Jim wiped them away quickly. Blair reached for Jim's hand and held it tightly in his own.
"What's wrong Jim? Do you feel sick? Why are you crying?"
Jim leaned forward and rested his head in his hands. "I'm so tired. I just can't do this anymore. I'm burned out, Chief. I feel like I could sleep forever."
Blair felt his heart leap. What do I say? Oh my god? I've never seen you like this before.
"You're just whacked, man. You haven't had any sleep in a week. You've been living off of coffee and donuts for the past four days. Your system is just off the map right now. It's gonna be okay. Really. You just need some down time, that's all."
"No!" Jim shook his head vigorously. "I can't forget what I saw. I can't let it go."
"What did you see, Jim?"
Another tear rolled between Jim's fingers.
"I can't. I just can't."
"Yes, you can. Come on, Jim. We're partners, remember?"
"I saw an accident. I tried to help but it was too late. It was all over me, in me. My eyes, my hands, my ears, it was everywhere. I could almost taste the blood."
Blair felt his own stomach muscles tightening as the imagery played out in his mind.
"I'm so sorry, Jim. I wish I'd been there for you.
Blair settled himself beside Jim on the couch and gently began kneading the tense muscles in Jim's back. Slowly Jim's hands came away from his face and rested loosely in his lap. Blair shifted on the couch and Jim pinned him with a concerned gaze.
"I'm sorry, Blair. I don't think this is gonna work. I know that you're just trying to help me but I think.........I think I'm done."
Blair gently brushed a tear from Jim's cheek.
"You're tired, Jim. Everything will look better in the morning. I promise."
"Make it go away. Can you do that, Chief? Can you make it stop? Just for tonight. Tell me you can make it stop."
Blair's voice shook as he spoke.
"Stop? Jim, I don't think I know how to do that. I don't think I even want to do that. You're scaring me, man. I'm way out of my league here. You got to just trust me on this. You're the one whose always telling me to stop treating you like some kind of lab rat, and here you are telling me to practically tear you apart. Let's not jump the gun here. Let's just talk about this, okay?"
Jim sighed and closed his eyes and mumbled.
"A Sentinel will always be a.........."
Blair jumped off of the couch and began pacing in front of Jim.
"That's it!"
Jim's eyes flew open .
"What's it? What did I say?"
"Don't you get it Jim? Forest in the sky! You need to focus. Come on!"
Within minutes Blair had dragged Jim up to the roof . Blair rolled out two sleeping bags and positioned them beside one another.
"Come on, Jim. Humor me, okay?"
Blair zipped himself into his sleeping bag and motioned Jim to lay beside him. Reluctantly Jim joined his partner. They gazed up into the stars and Jim felt a feeling of calm serenity wash over him. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Invisible arms cradled him and Incacha's spirit appeared before him.
"You are tired my friend. You have seen too mush pain and now your eyes need to rest. Remember that sight may come from the eyes, but true vision comes from the heart. Close your eyes and let your heart guide you.."
The image faded as quickly as it had come.
Jim awoke to a gentle breeze.
Blair lay sleeping beside him. Jim reached out his hand and gently patted the side of Blair's face.
"You're my vision, Chief. The Guide of my heart."
Jim smiled to himself as Blair's heartbeat lulled him back to sleep.
-The End-