The sun came through the bedroom window, striking the Sentinel in the face. He sat up with a gasp, instinctively reaching out with his senses.
His Guide's heartbeat was slow and even, his breathing deep, indicating a
sound sleep.
Glancing at the clock beside his bed, he noted the time. He had thirty minutes to get up and around before it was time for Blair's morning meds.
He couldn't believe that they both had slept through the night, though he did admit to himself that he had needed the rest. His last conscious memory had been waking his partner up for his medicine and then climbing the stairs. He did not even remember getting into bed, let alone falling asleep.
What was surprising was that Blair had not awakened. Jim swung his legs off the bed and sat up. He quickly took inventory, reassuring himself that his area was safe and the Guide was well.
A quick trip down the stairs gave the Sentinel visual confirmation that Blair was safe. Touch was a mandatory and the gentle caress to the tousled head brought a sigh.
"Hey, Chief," Jim sat down on the edge of the bed. "Almost time for your medicine. You want to wake up?"
"No."
"No?"
"No, I just took it," Blair protested, trying to turn over.
"That was last night, buddy," Jim told him.
"Last night?" Blair peeked out from tangled curls. "Last night?" he repeated in disbelief.
"Last night," Jim nodded as he gestured toward the window, where sunlight beamed.
"Oh, man," Blair rubbed his face with both hands.
"Yeah, we both slept through the night," Jim said as he helped the younger man sit up. "How's the head this morning?"
"Filled with cotton," was the mumbled reply.
"Does the cotton hurt any?" Jim deadpanned.
"Yeah...but not like last night," Blair grinned at his friend. "Jim?"
"Yeah?"
"That was a memory.....I mean that really happened?"
"Yeah, it really happened."
"She goes to the university, too. I mean I see her there," Blair gazed at the floor.
"Just take it easy, Chief. You remember what happened last night," Jim warned. "You remember Amber and Zeller. Don't try to push it, okay?"
"Um," Blair pushed his hair back and smiled up at the man standing over him. "I'm remembering Jim!"
"You sure are," Jim returned the smile. "You ready for some breakfast?"
"I guess," Blair said and then stood up. "I want to take a shower first."
"Okay, I'll..."
"I can do it myself, Jim."
"Sandburg...."
"Listen, I'll leave the door open and I'll call you if I get dizzy or anything, okay?"
"I don't..."
"Please," wide blue eyes held his for a long moment, the look pleading.
"Alright," he conceded, but held up a warning finger. "If you so much as..."
"I get it, I get it," Blair held up both hands. "Jeez! Talk about..." he
muttered as he walked over to his dresser and pulled out clean
clothes.
"Hurry up, Chief," Jim chuckled as he walked toward the kitchen.
"I'll fix breakfast."
"Kay," Blair hurried toward the bathroom.
Blair let the hot water beat against his neck and shoulders, sighing as the remaining tension drained from him. He remembered the pain from last night and had no wish to experience it again. He was glad that he was remembering his life but he had not expected it to be so painful.
"Sandburg!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming," he yelled as he finished rinsing off and turned the water off. He stepped from the shower and started to dry off. "Talk about anal." He whispered to himself.
"I heard that," Jim sang out.
"Um," Blair grunted, he had forgotten about his partner's sensitive hearing. As he started to dress a memory tugged at the edge of his mind and he reached out for it. "Color-coded leftovers? You make us color code our leftovers."
"You just had to remember that, didn't you?"
Blair looked at his friend standing in the door.
"Ah huh," he nodded in delight. "No flushing the toilet after 10:00. No music that you can hear in the living room."
"Okay, okay...you remember," Jim sent him a mock scowl. "Now come on, Junior, your breakfast is ready."
"Junior?" Blair laughed. "Let's see...Chief....Darwin.....Buddy and now Junior. No wonder I didn't remember who I was....."
"Come on smart ass," Jim waved him out of the bathroom.
"Can't help it. I have a high IQ."
Jim froze for a moment, remembering the conversation from over a week ago. Blair had said almost the exact thing when they had returned home after the Alcante case.
Jim followed his partner to the kitchen, a big smile on his face.
"Yeah, well," Jim said. "That IQ finally came loose."
"What?" Blair looked at him in confusion as he sat down at the table.
"Nothing, nothing," Jim returned as he headed to the kitchen. "Here you go." He set eggs and toast in front of Blair. "And here." He shook out Blair's medicine and handed him a glass of water.
"Thanks."
"Welcome."
They ate in silence for several minutes. Jim was glad that his partner's appetite was back.
"Jim?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you going to the station today?"
"I thought I would," Jim nodded. "Just for a little while. Why?"
"Umm, I thought....maybe," Blair gestured. "You know....could I go...."
"I don't know if that is such a good idea, Chief," Jim looked over at him with concern. "You had a pretty bad episode last night."
"I know, but.....I'm okay now."
"Yeah, but....you scared me, Chief," Jim said.
"I'm sorry, Jim," Blair hung his head. "I don't know why that particular memory affected me so...so...."
"Sandburg....Sandburg," Jim reached out to pat the other man on the arm. "You okay?"
"Hmm?" Blair looked up at his best friend. "Oh yeah....sorry....I thought I…I mean....I'm just about to remember something and then it's just gone, you know?"
"I know," Jim sympathized, then gave the arm one more pat. "But you're doing good. I bet Dr. Bryce is going to be tickled with your progress."
"That's right," Blair perked up. "I have an appointment with her tomorrow, don't I?"
"Yep," Jim nodded. "And we can check with her in regards to you being out and about."
"Cool," Blair said as he munched on his toast. "So, who is my babysitter today?"
"Joel," Jim laughed at the young man's sarcastic attitude.
"Joel....Joel," Blair paused and closed his eyes
"Chief?"
"I remember him, Jim" Blair said excitedly. "He is the Captain of the Bomb Squad!"
"That's right."
"I kind of remember him coming to see me while I was in the hospital, too."
"A lot of people came to see you, Chief."
"Funny.....I can't really remember...only you...I mean I remember you there."
"Funny...I remember you there, too," Jim said as he patted Blair on the cheek. "Now finish eating."
"Your sense of humor is heightened too, huh?"
Jim laughed as he took his plate to the sink. His Guide was definitely getting better.
So. What can you tell me?" Blair asked Joel Taggert.
"Tell you?" The big Captain looked at him, suddenly nervous.
"Hey, I'm supposed to be the one who is nervous."
"Nervous?"
"It's okay, man," Blair assured him. "I remember you. You're the Captain of the Bomb Squad."
"You remember me?" the big man smiled in delight.
"Sure do," Blair nodded emphatically. "I'm beginning to remember more and more."
"Hey, that's good, kid."
"Yeah and I want to know everything. Jim and Simon have been telling me stuff. So what can you tell me?"
"What do you want me to tell you?"
"How about, how we first met?"
Joel leaned back in his chair. He felt like he was on eggshells. Jim had warned him about Blair getting agitated but the look residing on the young man's face didn't bode well for him.
"Well.....that would be...um...." Joel faltered, not knowing how to continue.
"Oh, come on, Joel....it can't be that bad," Blair prompted.
"Well, you remember Kincaid?"
"Kind of...something about a helicopter and the police station.
"Well...."
Garrett Kincaid approached the young man that was perched on the edge of the desk.
"Are you the mole that took out two of my men? In this militia, that's a capital offense," he spat as he stuck his gun in the young man's face.
"Hey man, you don't want to do that, believe me," Blair protested. "I'm worth more to you as a live hostage than a dead body."
"What makes you think that your sorry ass is worth anything to anybody?"
"Banks sent me in."
"You're a cop?" Kincaid asked in disbelief.
"Yeah," Blair nodded. "Lieutenant Sandburg. Narcotics." He blinked and then continued. "I've been teamed with Ellison."
"He's telling the truth, Kincaid!" Joel Taggert yelled across the room.
Kincaid turned in sudden anger. "Shut up!" he screamed as he sent a bullet flying toward the big Captain.
"I remember that!" Blair exclaimed. "You had been shot. Your leg."
"Yeah," Joel smiled at him.
"Yeah and Captain Banks' son was there...what's his name?" Blair sighed and rubbed at his forehead.
"Daryl..his name is Daryl," Joel supplied.
"Yeah, Daryl."
"You are beginning to remember a lot," Joel leaned forward to pat Blair on the shoulder.
"I know," Blair gave a little laugh. "Sometimes it's harder than others though."
"Jim told me about it," Joel said. "That's why..."
"Yeah, it was pretty hard," Blair agreed. "But I want to remember, Joel."
"I know, Blair," Joel sympathized. "But Jim worries.....hell, we all do. You were pretty sick, kid."
"Umm," Blair leaned his head against the back of the sofa.
"Hey, kid," Joel frowned at Blair's expression. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just remembering something," Blair rubbed his eyes. "Joel?"
"Yeah?"
"Jim and I…we were on a train at night," Blair shook his head, trying to remember correctly. "And Jim fell off...."
"Yeah, that really happened. You and Jim were transporting a prisoner. A Derek Wilson."
"Right," Blair confirmed. "And there was this girl....we were handcuffed....."
Blair jerked his left hand then tried to stand.
"OW! What are you doing?" Isabel Kane gripped.
"My backpack. I want to get my Swiss army knife."
"Why?" she looked at him in annoyance.
"Well, its sort of a good luck charm," he explained. "I got it for my bar mitzvah." He looked at her when she let out a sigh. "To see if we can use it to pick the locks on the cuffs," he barked back at her.
"Well, why didn't you say so? Let me move closer," she moved toward him. "Try now. Okay. Can you reach it?"
Blair tried to stand, stretching his right arm up in an attempt to grab the handle of the bag. Isabel scooted closer, putting her leg over his.
"No, almost. Not quite."
"Oh wait," she shifted even closer. "Can you reach it?"
"Come on. Come
on," Blair puffed.
"You're..."
"Um," Blair said, as he became aware of how close Isabel really was.
"Oh, wait, okay," She looked up at the bag.
"Um..."
Isabel almost crawled into his lap.
"There...." she stopped when she noticed Blair was no longer reaching for the bag.
"Uh, this may be really weird, but..." Blair began.
Isabel looked at him in annoyance. "Please. Not a chance," she said, motioning for his backpack. "The knife. Okay?"
"Right, the knife..."
Joel Taggert sat back, laughter shaking his big frame.
"You do have a reputation with the ladies, kid."
"I do?" Blair mused.
"Oh yeah," Joel nodded. "You sure do."
"What can I say, man?" Blair held out his hands. "It's a curse."
"Ah huh," Joel continued to chuckle as he arose and headed for the kitchen. "Want something to drink?"
"Yeah, but I can get it," Blair stood and followed the man into the kitchen.
"Sure," Joel agreed. "Then how about some poker?" he asked as he pulled a deck of cards out of his coat pocket.
"Poker?" Blair's eyes lit up. "I know how to play poker?"
Jim opened the door quietly, already aware that his Guide was asleep by the deep even breathing and the sound of the rhythmic beating of his heart.
"Hey Jim," Joel Taggert greeted from the large sofa where he sat watching TV.
"Joel," Jim returned the greeting. "Sandburg okay?"
"Yeah, he's fine, Jim," The captain assured him. "We were playing poker and he started getting a headache. I made him take one of those pain pills and he conked out."
"Yeah, they do that," Jim nodded, moving toward the small bedroom. "I'm just going to check on him. I'll be right back."
"Sure, Jim," Joel smiled and turned back to the television.
Jim remained in Blair's room for several minutes before returning to the kitchen.
"Want a beer or something Joel?" Jim asked.
"No thanks," was the reply.
Jim grabbed himself a beer and walked into the living room and sat down.
"Mm, that really hits the spot," Jim muttered after he took a long drink from the bottle.
"Well?" Joel questioned.
"No," Jim already knew what Joel was talking about. "Zeller's still in jail."
"Oh man," Joel rubbed his jaw with one hand. "I had hoped...no wished that it was going to be that simple."
"Yeah, me too," Jim said wearily. "Got the Leeman case wrapped up though."
"Leeman kill his wife and daughter?"
"Yep, forensics found the knife buried in his newly dug rose garden. Had his fingerprints all over it. He finally broke down and confessed. He had hefty life insurance on both his wife and daughter." Jim informed.
"Not very inventive was he?" Joel shook his head.
"Not very," Jim replied. "Was the headache bad?" he asked as he gestured toward Blair's room.
"He said that it wasn't. He said he didn't want it to get worse so he went ahead and took the pills," Joel told him, accepting the sudden change of subject with gentle grace. "But not before he won 20.00 off me." He added with a laugh.
The statement caused Jim to laugh. "When are you guys gonna learn."
"Um, probably never," Joel chuckled. "Listen Jim, I'm going to take off. I ordered Chinese earlier and I put a plate in the fridge. All you have to do is warm it up. Blair already ate."
"Thanks, Joel," Jim started to stand.
"Don't get up, Jim," the big man held out his hand. "You look wiped. I can lock up behind me."
"Thanks," Jim sighed in gratitude.
He tracked Joel with his hearing until he heard the Captain climb into his car and drive away. Giving a big sigh, he placed his now empty bottle on the table beside him and leaned back.
Joel had been watching the news and Jim listened for awhile. He could really care less about Cascadian news; he wanted to know who had attacked his partner. And the more days that went by, the colder the trail was becoming.
"And only Blair can light the fire," he whispered to himself as he closed his eyes.
"Well, that was good news, huh?" Jim said as he pulled out of the hospital parking lot.
"Yeah," Blair's tone was petulant. "But I don't know why I had to have another scan."
"She just wanted to be sure that everything was okay, Chief," Jim soothed. "At least you're not housebound anymore."
"Yeah," Blair perked up. "There's that."
"So," Jim sent a glance over to his friend. "You want to go get something to eat or something?"
"Yeah....yeah," Blair nodded emphatically. "I could eat."
"Where do you want to go?"
"Um, I don't know," Blair appeared pensive for a moment. "I can't remember...."
Jim reached over and patted Blair's left arm. "Take it easy, Chief," he advised. "Remember what Dr. Bryce said. You are doing good with remembering, but don't worry about it if some memories don't ever resurface."
"I know what she said, Jim," Blair couldn't help the twinge of anger that he felt. "It's just so easy for other people to say that, you know? THEY don't have Swiss cheese memories."
"Sorry, Chief," Jim apologized. "I don't mean to be patronizing."
"I know, man," Blair returned, suddenly ashamed of himself. "I'm sorry, too."
"Besides," Jim said, his face brightened. "I know where you LOVE to eat."
"Yeah, where?"
"Wonder Burger," Jim said as he turned into the Wonder Burger parking lot.
Blair looked over at his partner with narrowed eyes.
"How come....how come I have a feeling...a very greasy feeling that I really don't like Wonder Burger?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Chief," Jim replied, an innocent look residing on his face.
"Ah huh," Blair snorted, before turning to look out the window.
"How you feeling?" Jim decided to change the subject. "You feel like swinging by the station?"
Blair turned back to his friend, suddenly nervous.
"Yeah, I guess, but...." he trailed off.
"But what, Chief?"
"Could we...I mean, could you take me...." Blair cleared his throat.
"Where, buddy?" Jim lowered his tone, reaching out a calming hand to the anthropologist's sudden agitation.
"I want to go..to the university. I want to see my office and...you know?" Blair said in a rush. "I need to..."
"You having memories of the U?" Jim asked.
"I think so...at least of a small room...."
"I can tell you that it is probably your office," Jim offered.
"But Jim....if I could see it...maybe," Blair's tone was intense. "Maybe the pieces will fit together."
"Okay," Jim agreed after several moments. "We can swing by there."
Jim watched as Blair slowly walked around the small room, occasionally stopping to caress an artifact or flip through a file. The young man would give a small smile or offer up a sigh when something would provoke a memory.
Blair walked around to his desk and sat down in the chair. He leaned back, taking in the whole room in a glance.
"I do remember this place," he breathed.
"I'm glad, Chief," Jim said softly, a little smile on his usually stoic face.
Blair reached out and pulled his appointment calendar closer. H e turned the pages, noting that he had missed several appointments.
"Oh man, I've missed a lot of classes," he looked up at Jim. "What will happen?"
"Nothing, Chief, they know what happened," Jim assured him.
"That's good."
"You ready to go?" Jim walked over and sat down on the edge of the desk.
"Hmm?" Blair seemed distracted, gazing down at the calendar. "Yeah, I guess."
"Chief?" Jim frowned as the young man's pulse started to rise. "You okay?"
"Jim…" Blair raised his head and looked at the detective. "I....I can't." he faltered, both hands going to his head and fingers began to dig into his temples.
Concerned, Jim went around the desk and knelt down beside the young man.
"You getting another bad one, Chief?"
Blair nodded, turning toward his partner.
"Jim, there's something...." he trailed off, then gestured toward the calendar. "Something...."
"What, Chief?" Jim leaned forward and pulled the book to him. "Something in here?"
Jim noted three names penciled in, all on the date that his partner had been attacked.
"I....I remember that...."
"I remember you telling me you met with some of your students that day," Jim said. "Is that what you remember?"
"Students?" Blair squeezed his eyes shut. "I met with...."
"Lacey Peters, Danny Pierce," Jim read the names. "Cliff Eiseman."
"Cliff....he was the last one," Blair remembered.
"Eiseman…......Cliff Eiseman," Jim repeated the name, then straightened. "Eiseman.....Eiseman.......Iceman." Jim made the connection as Blair jumped to his feet.
"Jim.....Jim....he......"Blair began to pant, as he backed away from the desk.
"It's okay...it's okay, Chief," Jim moved toward his friend. "Did he do this to you?"
"My head..." Blair grabbed his head, bending over slightly.
"Chief.....Chief," Jim caught Blair by the shoulders. "Come on...don't do this now. Just take some deep breaths."
He pulled the younger man closer, letting Blair rest his head on his shoulder.
"Jim, he hit me...he hit me....it hurts," was the soft sob.
"I know...just take it easy, now. I'm not going to let him hurt you again," Jim crooned to him as he pulled the cell phone from his coat pocket and pushed the speed dial for Simon.
"Banks."
"Simon, it's Jim," Jim put the phone between his shoulder and ear. "I'm at the university with Blair. I'm gonna need some backup."
"Why?" Simon's tone was sharp. "What's going on?"
"Blair remembered his attacker, Sir," Jim informed. "One of his students. A Cliff Eiseman."
"Eiseman.......Iceman," Simon's voice held a touch of surprise. "That's why he had such a reaction to the Zeller memory."
"I think so."
"Did you get a visual confirmation?"
"Not yet," Jim replied. "I thought I'd wait for backup. I…I don't want to leave Sandburg right now."
"Understood," Simon said, knowing that Jim was afraid of what he would do to the one who had attacked his Guide. "The kid okay?"
"I think we have a handle on it," Jim said. "I'm going to find out if Eiseman's here right now, but...."
"Got it," Simon responded. "Back up is on the way and I'll be there soon."
"Thanks, Sir," Jim responded before hanging up. "You doing okay now, Chief?" he turned his attention back to his friend.
"Better," Blair nodded, his head still on Jim's shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"No need to be sorry, Chief," Jim rubbed the other man's back. "Your head still hurt pretty bad?"
"Yeah, but....I can handle it," Blair pulled away and looked up at Jim. "Just don't leave me okay?"
"Not going to happen," his friend assured.
"What happens now?"
"Do you remember if Eiseman has classed today?"
"I don't know," Blair shook his head and then let out a moan.
"Easy.....easy…"Jim led him over to his chair. "Here, sit down."
"Thanks," Blair muttered. "He hit me, Jim. With a hammer."
"And you're sure it was this Eiseman?"
"Yeah, I told you about him, remember?"
"Sorry, Chief," Jim shook his head. "I don't remember."
"When I called you at the station to tell you I was running late."
"The day you were attacked?" Jim knelt down at Blair's side. "The brilliant kid with no motivation?"
"Yeah," Blair nodded. "I had a meeting with him to discuss a failing grade."
"Now I remember," Jim assured his partner. "And he attacked you later?"
"I had left the university and then I remember I had a flat and......"Blair closed his eyes. "And....and."
"And what?"
"He pulled up behind me.....and said he would give me a ride...." Blair took a shuddering breath. "And....Jim....I remember the hammer....I tried to duck but...it hurt so bad, Jim!"
"Okay, okay...just take it easy," Jim patted his back. "I'm going to call the Chancellor and see if Mr. Eiseman is here today," Jim took off his coat and bunched it up. "Here, just lay your head down on the desk."
Blair complied, cradling his head on folded arms wrapped around Jim's coat.
"You're not leaving are you?"
"Not without you," Jim assured him before picking up the phone. "Now, what's the Chancellor's number."
Jim stood and gazed through the blinds into the Major Crimes bullpen, noting all the people crowded around his partner. He snorted when he saw Joel Taggert's protective stance over the young man. He would not have to worry about his Guide being overwhelmed with the Bomb Squad Captain nearby.
"He looks good," Simon came up beside him.
"He's doing better," Jim admitted. "We both are, now that Eiseman's been taken care of."
"Yeah," Simon nodded before walking back around his desk. "You know that the DA is going for attempted murder, don't you?"
"Yeah," Jim nodded. "He told me."
"Eiseman's attorney is going to try for an insanity plea."
"I know, Simon," Jim walked back to his chair and sat down. "I think maybe..."
"What Jim?
"Blair said that the kid was brilliant but had no motivation," Jim explained. "And when we arrested him...he admitted to attacking Sandburg....but...."
"And?"
"I don't know, Simon.....his eyes were..." Jim paused for a moment. "He said he attacked Sandburg because he had told him no...he almost killed my partner because Blair denied him."
"I know, Jim....but insanity?"
"I can't describe it, Simon. The eyes were...disconnected....otherworldly...." Jim waved his hand in the air. "Oh, I don't know...I can't explain it."
"How is Sandburg taking it?"
"Other than pick him out of the lineup, I haven't let him near the case."
"That's probably a good idea," Simon nodded. "I did find out that Mr. Eiseman was used to getting his own way, however."
"I know, I read the case file. Rich parents and grandparents. Even a few rich aunts and uncles thrown in for good measure. Only child, shuffled from one set of relatives to another."
"Yes, well," Simon snorted. "You are certainly on top of things, aren't you detective? Not even your case either."
"Yeah, well, it's my partner we're talking about here."
"Well then, go get your partner and take him home," Simon advised, waving toward the bullpen. "He's beginning to look wilted."
"Aye, aye, Sir," Jim laughed as he went to retrieve his Guide.
Jim looked over, catching Blair's intense gaze.
"We'll be home in a few minutes, Chief," he sent a gentle smile toward his partner. "You doing okay?"
"Yeah, I'm tired and my head hurts a little, but..." Blair trailed off.
"Yeah, a long day, huh?"
"Umm hmm....I told you...."
"Told me what?"
"That my Blessed Protector would be right there to glue it back together."
Jim smiled. "You sure did, kid."
THE END
