TITLE: To Bond or Not to Bond

 

AUTHOR: Arnie

 

EMAIL: Arnie1967@btinternet.com

 

SUMMARY: Sentinel James Bond (yes, 007) comes to Cascade and meets a Guide.

 

UNIVERSE: Susan's Cascade Clan universe, minus the GDP.

 

DISCLAIMER: James Bond and M belong to Ian Fleming (and the people who make the films); Jim Ellison, Blair Sandburg and Chancellor Edwards belong to PetFly and Paramount, and the members of the Cascade Clan belong to Susan.  Anne Jackson, Marc and Jack are mine.  As is Blair's flamingo tie.

 

NOTES: Thanks to Susan for creating the Cascade Clan and allowing me to play in her universe, and thanks to Susan and Eileen for posting my stories on their fantastic site.  Thanks to Georgie for pointing out my sudden inability to tell between 'were' and 'where' and for re-arranging my commas, and thanks to Nancy for all the encouragement she never fails to provide.

 

 WARNING:  This story is a bonding fic AU story, so please do not read if you dislike the genre.

 

To Bond or Not to Bond

by Arnie

 

"Come in, James."

 

James Bond, 007, licensed to kill, adjusted his cuffs and sauntered into M's office with aplomb, all the while feeling a little like a schoolboy called in to face his headmistress.  "Morning, M.  Lovely day, isn't it?"

 

"Is it?"

 

Oh.  It was going to be one of those meetings, was it?

 

"Do you have any idea how much of an international incident you could have caused with the Maltese Ambassador and that Pomeranian dog?"

 

James hid his wince.  As usual, M had got straight to the point.  "I -"

 

"If his wife hadn't been wearing a wig, it could have got very messy indeed!  And I would have had to clean up your mess for you."

 

"Yes, M."  When M was in one of these moods, it was better to simply agree with her rather than trying to argue.

 

M stepped forward, her diminutive height no bar to staring down the much taller man.  "Sit down, James.  I think it's about time we got a few things straight."

 

James sat, feeling at even more of a disadvantage, and wished that M was not totally immune to his charms.

 

"Due to your actions at the Maltese Ambassador's dinner party - which, I admit, led to you saving the world from a terrible villain...again - it has been decided that you should disappear for a little while.  Not too long, just until the French Ambassador's wife has had plastic surgery."

 

He bit his tongue.  That had been a total accident and wouldn't have happened if the woman hadn't been wearing so much jewellery.  He was totally innocent in that regard!

 

"So, as we've been getting some reports of certain activities among the Cascade Sentinel Clan, it's been decided that you will go and visit Cascade for a while."

 

Cascade?  Wasn't that in Washington State?

 

"Your cover will be that you're an international businessman, with your own computer technology firm, and you're looking into universities for your nephew to attend.  Make sure that you visit every university in the state, won't you?"

 

"Yes, M."

 

"Good.  Visit the Clan, get to know them, find out if there's anything we should be concerned about.  Miss Moneypenny has the files on all the Sentinels and Guides."

 

Recognising that as his dismissal, James rose to his feet, inordinately glad to be leaving.

 

"Oh, and James."

 

"Yes, M?"

 

"If you should happen to find a Guide who'll put up with you, bond with her...or him.  No matter who they are, we can train them up."

 

James nodded and left the office quietly, then switched his charming smile on.  He could spend a few minutes flirting with Moneypenny, so the entire day wouldn't be wasted.

 

~'~

 

M smiled as she dialled a well known number and waited for a very familiar voice to answer her.

 

"Well?"

 

"It's done."

 

"How did he take it?"

 

"Sulkily, but he'll go."

 

"What will you do if he does find anything out about the Cascade Clan?"

 

"I'm not going to admit that it was just a ploy to get rid of him for a while.  If he finds anything out, we'll deal with it."

 

"I knew I could count on you, M."

 

"I live to serve, Prime Minister."

 

~'~

 

James faked a smile as he followed the snooty chancellor around the university.  His cover was impeccable...unfortunately, and the chancellor had been most eager to impress this wealthy possible patron and persuade him to send his favourite nephew to Rainier.

 

"What's down there?"

 

A look of annoyance, hastily hidden, crossed Chancellor Edwards' face.  "That's just the Anthropology Department."

 

James listened.  He could hear jungle drums and a most alluring voice chanting over them.

 

"My nephew is extremely interested in Anthropology," he claimed, smiling down at the woman.

 

The displeasure he had noticed before warred with her desire to please such a rich man.  As he had known it would, avarice won out.  "Well, then, let me show you around the department."

 

Her attempt to keep him from the sound of the jungle drums and chanting failed as he steered her towards the door.  There was a brief tussle for control of the direction they were heading in, but she finally caved and allowed him to reach his objective.

 

"What a fascinating beat," he told her.  He indicated the handwritten notice affixed to the front of the door.  "Who is this Blair Sandburg?"

 

"No one!" she snapped, apparently automatically.  A slightly horrified glance met his and she added, "Just a Teaching Fellow and grad student here.  He's...rather unconventional."

 

He smiled, hiding his thoughts.  He bet this Blair Sandburg was unconventional - and he'd bet a year's wages that the chancellor loathed him for it.  "Could we...?"  He put his hand on the doorknob.

 

"Oh.  Of course."  It was obvious that the chancellor would rather have introduced him to a large, hungry crocodile than Mr. Blair Sandburg but she didn't have time to find a large, hungry crocodile, let alone arrange introductions, as he was already opening the door for her.

 

He followed her in, his ears filtering out the jungle beat and focussing instead on the wonderfully soothing voice and inviting heartbeat he could hear.

 

"Mr. Sandburg!"

 

The voice stopped chanting and the heartbeat spiked as the young man in front of them jumped.  The chancellor's voice apparently had no trouble in cutting through the music to get his attention.

 

He turned and James smiled, gazing at his future Guide with pleasure.  The young man in question was shorter than the Sentinel, with mid-length curly brown hair and large blue eyes...and a most unfortunate taste in clothing.  However, that could be fixed.

 

"Chancellor Edwards!"  A smile that should have been beaming but was, instead, faltering, appeared then disappeared as Blair hurriedly turned off the music.  "I'm sorry.  What can I do for you?"

 

"Actually, dear boy," James stepped forward, overriding the chancellor's attempt to speak, "we should be apologising to you for interrupting you.  The name's Bond, James Bond."  He stepped forward and shook his future Guide's hand firmly, and noticed the boy's widening eyes as he was recognised as a Sentinel.  His smile grew as Blair stepped back hurriedly.  "My nephew is most interested in Anthropology and, as he's considering attending Rainier University, the chancellor most kindly offered to show me around."  He smiled again, every predatory instinct thrilling, as his prey retreated behind the desk.  "And I think that I've taken up enough of your valuable time, Chancellor Edwards.  I'm sure that Mr. Sandburg can show me around the Anthropology Department?"  It was phrased as a question but he was positive he was going to get his way.

 

The chancellor showed her teeth in what he could only assume was supposed to be a smile, however, as it was aimed at Blair, it could have been a snarl.  "I'm sure that Mr. Sandburg will be only too pleased to show you around, Mr. Bond."  The words, 'if he wants to keep his job' floated in the air between them.

 

"Of course."

 

The tone was flat, the voice, lacklustre, but James smiled widely.  "I'm sure it'll be a pleasure to be guided by you, Mr. Sandburg."

 

The double-entendre went unnoticed by Chancellor Edwards as James escorted her to the door and shut it firmly behind her.  Turning, he noticed that his future Guide was prepared to defend himself with what looked like a South American fertility artefact.  Under the circumstances, he couldn't help feeling that that was rather appropriate.

 

"There's no need for violence, dear boy.  I'm not going to jump on you."

 

"Look, Sentinel Bond, I have no interest in bonding with anyone, okay?"

 

"Of course, dear boy, of course!  I can take no for an answer.  Now, how about that tour?"

 

~'~

 

In spite of himself, Blair had quite a good time showing Mr. Bond, or rather, Sentinel Bond, around the Anthropology Department.  The man asked intelligent questions, listened intently while Blair raved about various cultures, and made no reference whatsoever to Sentinels, Guides or bonding.

 

It wasn't until he was escorted back to his office, that the subject of Sentinels was raised between them.

 

"Actually, Blair, I was hoping that you could do me a favour."

 

Blair paused as he replaced the South American fertility goddess he'd been ready to brain the Sentinel with.  "And what's that?"  There was a sigh and Blair's instincts cut in.  He was about to be conned, he was sure of it.

 

"I have to attend a Clan gathering tomorrow night.  Unfortunate, of course, but I can't get out of it, and I was hoping you'd go with me.  It's a Sentinel/Guide get-together so everyone will be in pairs.  As I don't know any other Guide in Cascade, I was hoping you'd help me out."

 

Blair's hand tightened on the fertility goddess.  "I don't intend to b-"

 

"I know that, Blair.  And I respect you for it.  Shall we say, seven tomorrow?"

 

"I don't think -"

 

"Of course, I know that Chancellor Edwards would be only too pleased to help me find another Guide...so if you feel you really can't help me...."

 

Blair scowled.  He heard the subtle threat in there and wished, with all of his heart, that he could tell the guy to get stuffed.  However, Chancellor Edwards would leap at any chance to terminate his contract and he was positive she'd find a way to use this against him.  He'd have to play along for now although, very fortunately for him, discriminating against a Guide who refused to bond was illegal, so there was no risk he'd actually have to bond with this guy.  "Seven would be fine," he lied.

 

"Excellent!  I'll bring a car around then.  Where are you staying?"

 

"Here will be fine, thank you."  There was no way he was handing over his home address to a Sentinel.

 

"Seven o'clock then.  Oh, and Blair...it's a black tie event."

 

"I'm sure I can find something suitable for the occasion."

 

"Excellent.  I'll see you at seven tomorrow, then."

 

"Bye."

 

Blair waited until the door had shut behind the Sentinel and collapsed into his chair.  He'd spent a great deal of his life avoiding Sentinels and now he was going to be smack bang in the middle of a gang of them.  "What is wrong with my Karma?"

 

~'~

 

The next evening came all too quickly for Blair, without any sudden deaths or major catastrophes that he could use as an excuse to escape the Sentinel shindig he was being dragged to.  Naturally, he'd dressed for the occasion; his tie was black.  He'd bought it specially that morning from the Good Will shop.  He was quite partial to the flamingos on it.

 

Straightening his black jacket, he brushed off his black jeans and admired his shirt.  It certainly was eye-catching.  Naturally, it was white...mostly.  He'd borrowed it from a fellow student who was addicted to wearing Hawaiian prints and he thought that the large red flowers made a nice background for the flamingos.  He grinned at himself in the mirror.  Somehow he doubted if Mr. Sentinel Bond would be interested in seeing him again.  The shirt alone should be enough to give him a zone out.

 

Glancing at the clock, he realised that he had to leave now if he was to beat Bond to his office.  For a second, he hovered, torn between wearing his outrageous outfit or doing the anthropological thing and blending in with the natives.  Stiffening his resolve, he reminded himself that he did not want to bond and if it took looking like a jerk, he was willing to pay that price.

 

For once the Volvo started like a dream and he took a minute to curse the contrariness of his car.  If he'd had a hot date, he could have counted on the Volvo to refuse to start or, if there was a thunderstorm, to break down halfway between bus stops.

 

He made it safely to his office and lurked there, wondering if he could get away with hitting the sentinel over the head, tying him up in a chair and claiming that rabid anthropologists had done it in order to steal his South American fertility statue.  Finally, he shook his head.  If he did that, he'd have to get rid of his fertility goddess to back up his story, and she'd done wonders for his sex life.  Besides that, the Sentinel would undoubtedly realise that Blair had been the only one there and that he would, therefore, be the only suspect.

 

A polite knock at the door interrupted him and he jumped slightly.  It had to be Bond; the British were always so polite.  He suspected it came from years of invading different countries; they had so many enemies now, it paid to be polite to anyone who'd talk to them.  "Come in!"

 

"Ah, you're," there was a micro-second's pause as Bond's eyes widened, then he continued, "here.  I see that you had no luck in finding a tuxedo, dear boy.  No matter," he talked over Blair as that young man attempted to explain that this was what he was wearing and the Sentinel could like it or lump it, "I happen to have a spare suit and I'm sure it will fit you admirably."  He held out a carrier bag that had the name of a very exclusive men's wear store on the side.

 

Finally, Blair took the bag, glaring at the Sentinel and the bag as he did so.

 

"Fine.  I'll just wait outside."  The door shut behind him and Blair heard a delighted, "Why, hello, Chancellor Edwards!"

 

Furiously, he ripped off his beloved flamingo tie and undressed, hurling his clothes onto his chair as he went.  With a very bad grace, he yanked the tuxedo out of its bag and held it up against himself.  As he'd expected, it fit to perfection.  "Spare suit, my ass!" he muttered, well aware that the Sentinel could hear him.  He dressed, fastened the gold cufflinks that had been in the bottom of the bag, and yanked open the door.

 

"Perfect, dear boy, perfect!" the Sentinel enthused as Chancellor Edwards' jaw dropped slightly.

 

She recovered quickly and a tight unhappy smile settled upon her face.  "Going out, Mr. Sandburg?" she asked.

 

"Blair's been kind enough to promise to attend a Clan gathering with me," the Sentinel told her.  "Well, we must be going."  Gallantly, he kissed her hand.

 

Blair gagged slightly.  If the Sentinel had had any idea of how poisonous the chancellor was, he would have demanded a haz-mat suit before he even shook her hand, let alone kissed it.  His eyes widened as the chancellor giggled in a girlish manner, and he hoped, fervently, that she wasn't going to start flirting.  He really didn't think he'd be able to take it.  Fortunately for him, before she could, Bond's hand was at the small of his back and he was being steered towards the exit with Bond expressing profound regrets that he couldn't stay and spend the rest of the evening with Letitia.

 

Once they were outside, Blair stepped to one side, removing his back from Bond's hand.  To his credit, the Sentinel made no protest - not that it would have mattered to Blair if he did.

 

"Tell me, dear boy..."

 

Blair glanced at him, then wished he hadn't.  That annoying smile of his was still in place, causing several students to swoon in the parking lot.

 

"...where on Earth did you get that repulsive shirt?"

 

"Oh, I've had it for -"

 

"Try again."

 

He sighed.  Damned Sentinels with their lie detector abilities.  "I borrowed it from a friend."

 

"You'll have to introduce me to him so I'll know whom to avoid," the Sentinel drawled.

 

"You're not likely to be here that long, are you?"

 

"Oh, I don't know..." the Sentinel eyed him meaningfully.  "This place has more advantages than I originally supposed.  This way."  He stopped by a sports car that was in perfect condition.

 

"Nice car."

 

"I usually drive an Aston Martin."

 

Blair caught the glance thrown over the Sentinel's shoulder at him, as if the man was trying to entice him with the thought of driving a fancy sports car.  "I have a classic myself," he replied, shortly.

 

"Oh?  What type?"

 

"A Volvo."

 

"Very reliable."

 

Blair restrained his laughter as he sat in the passenger seat and allowed, not that he had any choice, Bond to shut the car door for him.  His Volvo was anything but reliable, but in spite of that, he wouldn't swap her for the world.  He most certainly would not swap her for an Aston Martin, Sentinel or no Sentinel.

 

Returning monosyllabic replies to all of Bond's overtures, Blair managed to keep the conversation to a minimum.  He wasn't interested in making small talk with the Sentinel; he just wanted this night over and done with.

 

Entering the hotel hired for the Clan gathering, he glanced around, feeling the tension rise in him.  There were Sentinels and Guides everywhere.

 

"Sentinel Bond!  We're glad you could make it."

 

Blair glanced up into the brown eyes of the tall Sentinel, then glanced at the shorter Guide beside him who was smiling at Blair shyly.  Not one to be impolite, Blair smiled back.  He had no problem with Guides; it was Sentinels he was wary of.

 

"I'm Sentinel Edwards, this is my Guide, David."

 

"Pleased to meet you," Bond replied.

 

In spite of himself, Blair was curious.  He'd never had a chance to see Sentinels interacting on a social basis before and his anthropological mind was busily taking notes as the two Sentinels shook hands but Bond made no attempt to shake hands with the Guide.

 

"You both know my name, but this is m...Blair Sandburg."

 

Blair realised that Bond had been on the verge of saying "my Guide" and, in a fit of pique, he ignored the apparent protocol and stuck his hand out to Sentinel Edwards.  "Hi."

 

He noticed the startled glance Edwards gave Bond and felt the accompanying shock from him as they briefly shook hands.  There were no surprised looks when Blair shook David's hand, so he guessed that either it was fine for Guides to shake hands with each other or they'd already expected him to break that social taboo.

 

Edwards was giving Bond a questioning look, and Blair kept his face straight as he heard the answer, "We're not bonded."

 

"And we're not going to be."  Blair pinned a friendly smile to his face.  "I'm just here as Sentinel Bond's guest."

 

"I...see."

 

Blair could tell that Edwards didn't see, but he didn't bother offering any explanations.

 

"Well, let me introduce you around.  The Senior Sentinel Prime isn't here yet, but he's due any...ah, there he is.  Sentinel Bond, Blair."

 

Blair followed Bond as the two of them were shepherded across the crowded room to another entrance where a tall man had just entered the room alone.

 

"Senior Sentinel Prime."

 

"Edwards, Davi -"  The Sentinel stared at Blair.  His nostrils flared.  "Guide."  The word was growled softly.

 

Blair's view of the Sentinel was interrupted by Bond's shoulder, not that he minded for once.  That guy had a determined look on his face that was making the hairs on the back of Blair's neck stand up straight.

 

"The name's Bond...Sentinel Bond."

 

"Ellison.  Senior Sentinel Prime of Cascade and the Northern Territories."  A large hand moved Bond to one side and Ellison continued, his eyes holding Blair's in a hard stare, "And you are?"

 

"Blair.  Sandburg."  Blair fought his instincts which were suggesting that he start running now and not stop until he hit Alaska.

 

"Not bonded?"  The eyebrows were raised in interest, the voice soft.

 

He did take a step back at that.

 

"Actually, old man, he's going to bond with me."

 

Bond's shoulder was in the way again and Blair retreated while Ellison's view was blocked.  Then backed up again as Bond was moved to one side once more.

 

"But, as you're not bonded yet, there's no reason why Sandburg and I can't bond."

 

Blair stepped back even further, panic gnawing at his mind as the other Sentinels kept pace with him.  The other Guide seemed to be getting rather nervous too and leaned into Edwards' side.

 

"Senior Se -" Edwards was interrupted by Bond's hard-edged voice.

 

"I brought him here!"

 

Ellison's voice was just as hard.  "And you're not bonded to him, so he's free to leave with anyone."

 

Bond's back was to him but the other Sentinel had his eyes fixed firmly on Blair's face, and Blair didn't like it one bit.  Grabbing what was left of his resolve, he stepped forward in between them.  "Look, guys, I'm not bonding with anyone, so you can just cut out the peeing on each other's territory bit.  When I leave, I'll be leaving alone."  He turned his head and gave each Sentinel a hard glare of warning.

 

He heard identical snorts of laughter from the two Sentinels who wanted to claim him, then, "Edwards."

 

"Yes, Senior Sentinel Prime?"

 

Blair found himself moved firmly backwards towards Edwards.  "Mind my Guide for me."

 

His jaw dropped with disbelief.  Hadn't they heard a word he'd said?  "I'm not -"

 

"Yes, Senior Sentinel Prime."

 

"You're awfully sure of yourself, old man."  Bond sneered the last two words.

 

"Yes, I am, aren't I?"  The smile on Ellison's face was not a nice one.

 

Looking around hurriedly, Blair realised that they had the attention of everyone, and the entire room was buzzing with excitement.

 

"This is ridiculous!"  He tried to step forward again but Edwards' hand grasped his arm and pulled him away.  "You can't let them do this!"

 

"The Senior Sentinel Prime can take care of himself," Edwards told him soothingly, obviously believing he needed the comfort of hearing that.

 

"That's not my problem."  Blair tried to yank his arm free, but Edwards' hand remained firmly in place.  "What I'm saying is that I'm not going to bond with anyone, so fighting over me is a waste of time."

 

The Sentinel smiled, his other arm wrapped around his Guide.  "It'll be all right, Blair.  Just relax."

 

"He'd be better off with me, you know," Bond taunted as he began to slide his jacket off.  "I can take him to exotic places, broaden his horizons...while you can offer," his eyes flicked sneeringly over the room, "Cascade."

 

Ellison mirrored his actions, dropping his jacket to one side.  "I think his horizons will be just fine in Cascade.  He obviously didn't come over with you so he must be a native.  Far better for him to not have to give up his friends and family."

 

"Or the rain!"

 

"I'll buy him an umbrella."

 

"I'll buy my own umbrella!" Blair all but shouted.

 

"Quiet, Guide," Edwards murmured.  "They don't need to be distracted now."

 

Blair thought quickly.  This was really happening!  What was he, a medieval damsel being fought over by two thick-headed knights?  He really didn't need these complications in his life, but how could he escape?  While everyone's attention appeared riveted on the fight developing in their midst, Edwards' hand was still clamped around his arm meaning that he was going nowhere.  Heck, it was a good job Ellison had arrived before he'd had a drink or he might need the -

 

"I need the bathroom."  He kept his voice quiet and mentally crossed his fingers.  While Sentinels would ordinarily be able to spot a lie at a hundred yards, he was so agitated that he was positive none of them would be able to tell for sure.

 

"What?"  From the stunned look on Edwards' face and the way the other two were staring at him, he suspected they were buying it.

 

"Sorry.  I know you're busy fighting over me but uh..."  he did a little hop dance to emphasise his need, "...I'm getting kind of desperate here."

 

"Fine."  Ellison's tone was flat.

 

"Fine!"  Bond nodded as if Blair needed his permission.

 

"This way."  Edwards' led the way to the men's room, his own Guide still tightly tucked into his side.

 

Blair looked back at the following Sentinels.  "Guys, it's okay.  I don't need an escort.  I think I can find my own way back."

 

Two feral smiles flashed out at him.

 

"Not at all," Ellison reassured him.

 

"My pleasure," Bond chimed in.

 

Blair gave a half-smile that he knew was as genuine as theirs.  Once at the door, he glanced around at the roomful of people, all of whom were watching him with avid interest, and felt himself blushing.  "I'll just be uh...."  He retreated hurriedly and shut the door behind him, overwhelmingly relieved that they hadn't decided to come in with him.  If they had, even if he had been as desperate as he pretended, he knew there would have been no way he could ever have persuaded his bladder to cooperate.  Turning his back on the door, he hurriedly scanned the facilities available to him then checked out the stalls.  One of them boasted a window, which was good, but he was positive 'his' Sentinels would be listening out for him.  How could he hide the sounds of his escape?

 

He smiled, a pure blinding smile that would have dazzled any passing angel.  How simple was this?  He locked the door of his stall, trusting to the lock to give him a few precious seconds more, then climbed quietly up onto the cistern and grabbed the window catch firmly.  All he needed was a few minutes' grace and he'd be gone.  Reaching down, he flushed the toilet then threw the catch and scrambled out, trusting to the white noise of the water to cover his movements.  Quietly, he shut the window, then ran.

 

~'~

 

The white noise of water filled his hearing and Jim dialled his hearing down, frowning.  He hadn't heard his Guide do much except lock the door and flush the toilet.  Not that he was into listening to people pee, but he was wary of letting his Guide out of earshot in case he escaped.

 

His jaw clenched as the realisation hit him and he threw open the door to the men's room, forcing his hearing past the white noise.  As he had expected, his Guide's heartbeat was missing.  "He's gone!"

 

"What?"  Bond looked genuinely startled.  Obviously he had been far too polite to listen in to Jim's Guide.

 

The Sentinel just managed to stop himself from smirking as he kicked in the door of the locked stall, Bond at his back.  If that didn't prove that Bond wasn't Sandburg's Sentinel, he didn't know what would.

 

Growling softly to himself, the Dark Sentinel threw open the window and looked around.  Sandburg's scent was there, rapidly disappearing in the fresh air, but his Guide was out of sight.  "We'll have to search for him."  He pushed Bond out of the way and headed back towards Edwards.

 

"That damned..."  Bond stopped himself then muttered, "He must be going back to Rainier for his car."

 

"The university?" Jim demanded.

 

"Oh!  Yes."

 

In spite of the startled look that was still on Bond's face, Jim realised that his body rhythms were not, in any way, betraying anxiety but seemed to be indicating a high level of complacency and he stopped, grabbing the other Sentinel's arm firmly.  "What do you know that I don't?"

 

The startled look disappeared and a smirk took its place.  "Well, really, old man...I suspect that the things I know that you don't would fill an encyclopaedia."

 

Releasing the arm, Jim leaned against that doorframe, blocking the way out, his gaze calmly regarding the Sentinel in front of him.  "You know, Bond, I think you'd be more comfortable in the Sentinel Suite in the City Hall.  At least until after my Clan and I find Sandburg."

 

Bond's eyes opened wider, the smirk disappearing in a flash.  "Now, look -"

 

"I could have you escorted and held there until after Sandburg's found."  Jim was pleased to note that he had rattled the other Sentinel as a fine line of sweat appeared on the man's upper lip.

 

In spite of that, his voice was as laidback as ever.  "Hardly sporting though, is it, old man?"

 

"All's fair in love and bonding...Bond."  Jim waited for a few seconds then added, "Or you can tell me what advantage you think you've got."  He held up one hand to stop Bond's automatic denial.  "You're not worried about losing Sandburg."  He paced around the other Sentinel slowly then murmured, "You've got some way to keep track of him, haven't you?"  The spike in Bond's heart rate told him he'd hit on the truth.  "What and how?"

 

Bond shook his head then capitulated.  "There are micro-transmitters fitted inside the cufflinks he's wearing.  I suspected he might try to disappear at some point, although I didn't expect to have to fight another Sentinel for him."

 

Jim ignored the glare that was sent his way and demanded, "Where's the tracker?"

 

There was silence as the other Sentinel set his jaw stubbornly.

 

"We'll find him, then we'll decide who gets him.  Fair?"

 

There was a slow nod then Bond added, "But I keep hold of the tracker."

 

"Agreed, but we'll take my truck.  Edwards!"

 

Jim left Edwards to send Sentinels and Guides to discover Sandburg's home address and watch Rainier University and the bus and train stations, but claimed two Sentinel and Guide pairs to accompany himself and Bond.  He didn't trust Bond as far as he could throw him and he was sure the weaker Sentinel was not above trying to trick him in order to claim Sandburg for himself.  While Jim was quite happy to resort to such tricks if need be, he knew that he could easily take Bond in a fair fight.  The Dark Sentinel stirred angrily in his mind.  Losing the Guide was not an option; if Bond tried to double-cross him, he'd be taken out in whatever way was necessary.

 

~'~

 

James raised an eyebrow when he saw the vehicle that Ellison led him to.  Fortunately for them, the other Sentinels and Guides would be going in their own cars and not be forced to sit in this 'truck'.  Not that there would be room for all of them.

 

He kept a calm look on his face as he took his place in the passenger seat.  His small attempt at diverting the Senior Sentinel Prime and sending him and his Clan off to Rainier University while he, James, tracked Blair using the transmitting cufflinks, had failed.  He had never supposed that Blair would be foolish enough to return to the university, as the Guide had to realise that that would be one of the first places they would search for him.

 

It didn't matter.  James was quite sure that he had enough tricks up his sleeve to defeat the other Sentinel and win Blair as his Guide.  The other Sentinels and Guides would be a complication but he was also confident that he could overcome them.  In any case, if he appeared to win the fight fairly, they wouldn't interfere in his bonding with Blair.  He repressed a smile.  He was good at winning 'fairly'.

 

"Hmm?"  He realised that Ellison was talking to him and raised his eyebrow enquiringly.  It was a good thing that Sentinels couldn't read minds; if the other Sentinel knew what he was thinking, he'd find himself locked up in that Sentinel Suite for sure until Blair was well and truly bonded to his rival.

 

"I said, 'do you have the tracker?'."

 

"Oh, of course."  James pulled the ultra-thin tracking device from his breast pocket.  He had been extremely glad when Q had come up with this modified sleek design as the larger versions had played merry hell with the line of his suit.  Turning it on, he tuned into Blair's frequency and pointed, "He's headed that way."

 

Watching the direction indicator, his mind ran on for a few moments, deliberating the challenges he'd have to face once he'd bonded with Blair.  He hoped the boy wasn't attached to his hippie image or his long hair as they'd both have to go.  However, time enough to face that once he'd found Blair and they were firmly bonded.  A glance at the determined jaw of the Sentinel at his side reminded James of another problem.  He'd have to make sure that Ellison was in no condition to interfere until after he and Blair had left Cascade, as there was a risk the other Sentinel would challenge him for possession of his Guide.  While it was rare, it was not unknown for Sentinels to fight to the death to win an already bonded Guide, and the Senior Sentinel Prime of Cascade and the Northern Territories would not take defeat lightly.

 

A bleep from the tracker interrupted his thoughts.  "This way now."

 

Ten minutes later, they were standing outside a derelict warehouse, the tracker bleeping steadily.

 

James was horrified.  "What on earth can the boy be doing here?"

 

He caught the impatient look Ellison threw him as he replied, "He's not here."

 

The tracker continued to bleep and James frowned down at it.

 

Ellison snatched it out of his hand.  "Stop relying on those gadgets for a minute and listen!"  He stalked off towards the building leaving James behind.

 

Frowning, James listened, allowing his hearing to sweep through the building.  He could hear the faint hum of the transmitters, and the rapid heartbeats of several small creatures - probably, he realised with a flash of distaste, rodents - but there was no soothing heartbeat from his Guide.  The sounds of metal scraping across metal interrupted him and he blinked, pulling his hearing back quickly.

 

Ellison was picking the lock on the front door.

 

James raised an eyebrow but refrained from commenting as he followed the police detective and the other Sentinels and Guides into the building.  If he hadn't read Ellison's file and known that he was an ex-Ranger and ex-Covert Ops, he would have been wondering which of his morally-challenged contacts had taught him to pick locks so well.

 

The mystery of the cufflinks was solved.  The very expensive tuxedo that James had purchased earlier that day was lying in a heap on a shabby couch, the cufflinks neatly laid on top of them.  James picked them up.  He'd been quite pleased with his forethought at manipulating Blair into wearing them, however, it seemed it had been a waste.  Was this where the boy lived?  And what on earth had made him get changed?

 

"It looks like he packed a few things too."

 

Looking up, he stared at the chest of drawers that had its drawers open and its remaining contents spilling out, then glanced around at the rest of the living area.  "How on earth can you tell?"

 

"Scent.  He handled these clothes tonight.  Why else would he bother unless he was packing?  I'd guess he's planning to run."  The ringing of his cell phone interrupted him and Jim paused to answer it.  "Ellison."

 

James eavesdropped shamelessly.  It was Edwards, giving Ellison Blair's home address.  So this was where the boy lived.

 

"Yeah, we're here now.  I'll phone you if we find anything.  Bye."

 

"His scent's all over these clothes."

 

James turned to look at the tall good-looking blonde who was delicately sniffing at the tuxedo.  "That's only to be expected, Sentinel...?"

 

"Pais.  Lisa Pais.  This is my Guide, Karl."

 

He was glad that he wasn't a sensitive man or the hostile looks he was getting could have bothered him.  Obviously, they considered him to be an interloper who was threatening the prospective bond between Ellison and Blair, whereas if he hadn't brought Blair to the gathering, there would be no prospective bond.

 

"I just meant that if we pass these out to the other Sentinels in the Clan, they'll be able to recognise Guide Sandburg no matter what he's wearing or what he looks like."

 

James gave the tall blonde another look.  Brains and good looks, just his type.  He noticed the glare her Guide was giving him and carefully kept any trace of a smile off his face.  He'd never been challenged by a Guide before and, while the experience could prove interesting, he had other things on his mind at present.

 

"That should make it easier to find him."

 

He glanced over at the Guide who looked like everyone's favourite maiden aunt then did a double-take.  Good Lord, she was the Sentinel and the huge hulk who was hovering over her was her Guide.  How on earth did she manage -

 

His thoughts broke off as her steely-eyed gaze met his.  That explained everything: she was another M in disguise.  Both of them small, sweet-looking ladies with the temperaments of steamrollers.  No wonder she needed a large Guide; a smaller one would have been flattened by now.

 

"Good idea, Lisa."

 

James' attention snapped back to the conversation at hand as Ellison left the chest of drawers and took charge.

 

"Dr. Harvey, will you and Jon take Sandburg's clothes to Edwards?  Lisa, Karl and I...and Bond, of course, will search for any hint as to where he's gone."

 

The unconventional pairing nodded and left, James gazing after them as they went.

 

"She's quite lethal, you know."

 

"I beg your pardon?"  James stared at Ellison.

 

"Dr. Harvey."  A glimmer of a smile appeared on the man's face.  "I've often thought that it's a good thing she never trained for Covert Ops.  She really doesn't need the extra edge."

 

James had a brief vision of M dressed in combat fatigues, her face covered in camouflage paint, her belt heavy with knives and guns.  He shuddered.  "I quite agree," he said, fervently.  Changing the subject, he continued, "You know, I think it would be better if I were to continue my search for Blair alone.  I'm sure we can cover twice the ground that way."

 

Ellison's eyes met his.  "The Clan can cover enough ground for all of us.  You stay with me."

 

"Anyone would think you didn't trust me, old man," James replied sarcastically.

 

A glimmer of a smile crossed Ellison's face.  "I don't."

 

~'~

 

Blair couldn't flatter himself that he was doing anything but scurrying from corner to corner when he finally reached Anne Jackson's apartment.  Anne, formerly Andromeda Moondust Orion (daughter of Sirius and Rainbow Orion - previously Kevin and Marion Jackson), was one of his oldest friends.

 

They'd met at various stages throughout their lives, each time in yet another commune that her parents and his mother had migrated to.  After swearing eternal love and devotion to each other at the tender age of seven and six, their previously declared adoration had settled down into a strong friendship that had never waned.  No matter where they were, they managed to keep in touch.  Anne had cried on Blair's shoulder when her first adult love had turned out to have feet of clay, and Blair knew that no matter what else was going on in his life, he could count on Anne to back him up.  After Blair had settled down in Cascade, Anne had soon followed suit, and disappointed her parents by shortening her name to 'Anne', reclaiming their rejected surname and becoming a teacher.  Anne had silenced their protests by pointing out that she had considered going to the police academy, and all arguments from them had ceased from that point on.

 

In any case, Anne was guaranteed to offer Blair a haven to hide away until the Sentinels either stopped searching or died of old age.  Therefore, he headed straight for her apartment building and ran up the stairs until he reached her front door.

 

~'~

 

Anne hurriedly turned off the DVD she and Marc, a fellow teacher, were watching as a frantic knocking was heard.  "What on earth...."

 

Marc jumped to his feet.  "I'll get it!"

 

Anne followed him down the hall.  She was well aware of what Marc was doing.  He'd been trying to get her to go on a date with him for months now, and how better to get fair maiden to fall for rugged charms than by defending her against the axe murdering visitor who was, even now, thumping on the door again?

 

"Who are you?"

 

Anne could see her pseudo-brother looking her would-be rescuer up and down with confusion on his face, and moved past Marc to get his attention.  "Blair!"

 

"Anne!  I thought for a minute that you'd moved - I was about to panic!"

 

"Looks like you're already doing that," Marc muttered, a snide tone in his voice.

 

Anne gave him a glare.  Blair was always more than welcome in her home and any prospective beau of hers had better keep that in mind.  "What's up, what's happened?"  She let Blair grab her arm and lead her towards her bedroom.  Obviously, he needed to talk in private.  She foiled Marc's attempt to guard her honour in the bedroom by the simple action of pushing him out of the bedroom, telling him to put the kettle on, and shutting the door behind him, then sat on the bed and put her arm around her favourite friend.  "Tell me what happened."

 

He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face.  "I was at Rainier yesterday when Edwards turned up in my office with this guy called Bond - a Sentinel."

 

"Uh oh."  Anne sighed.  She was very well aware of Blair's empathic abilities and just as aware of his determination to avoid bonding.  "He wanted to bond?"

 

"Yeah, although he didn't come straight out and say that.  He just said that he had to go to this Clan gathering and needed a Guide to go with.  He would have made trouble with Edwards if I hadn't said yes, so I went."

 

"And?"

 

Blair shook his head, words apparently deserting him.

 

"What?" Anne prodded.  "Go on."

 

Blair blushed then reluctantly continued, "He got into a fight with the Senior Sentinel Prime of the Clan over who was going to bond with me."

 

"They were fighting over you?"

 

He nodded.

 

"So what happened then?  You're not bonded, are you?"

 

"No!  I...said I needed the bathroom then climbed out of the window and took off."

 

She stared at him for a second then burst out laughing.  "You left them fighting while you ran off?"

 

"It's not funny!"

 

"Blair, it's the funniest thing I've heard all day!  I wish I could've seen their faces when they realised you'd gone."

 

She was relieved to see a faint smile on Blair's face although it quickly faded.

 

"Anyway, I need a place to hide out for a while.  Do you mind?"

 

"Not at all, you know that.  Although, I don't see why you need to hide out at all - can't you just tell these guys to get lost?"

 

"I tried that.  It didn't work."

 

He flopped back onto the bed and Anne leaned over him knowing he could feel her sympathy.  "It'll be okay, Blair.  After all, they can't force you to bond.  And how much success can two Sentinels have looking for you in a city this size?"

 

His eyes met hers, despair turning them a sombre blue.  "Ellison is the Senior Sentinel Prime of Cascade.  He can call out his entire Clan to go looking for me."

 

"Oh."  Anne flopped back next to him.  "How big is his Clan?"

 

"You know the huge reception room at the Majestic Hotel?"

 

"Vaguely."  Anne was sure she'd been there at least once.

 

"Well, his Clan is at least big enough to fill it."

 

"Oh, Lord."

 

"Yeah."

 

They lay there in silence for a few minutes then Blair rolled over.  "So who's the guy outside?"

 

Anne smiled.  It was so typical of Blair that in the middle of a huge crisis, he was able to think of her.  "His name's Marc, he's a teacher."

 

"And?"

 

"He's a friend."

 

Blair raised his eyebrows.  "Seems to me like he wants to be more than a friend."

 

Anne sighed, not really willing to start explaining her own problems.  "He's not serious."

 

"But you are?"  His quiet voice was filled with sympathy.

 

Her eyes filled with tears suddenly and she sniffed, resolutely determined to keep her poise.  "I would be, but what's the point?"  She shrugged.  "Come on, I'll introduce you."

 

~'~

 

Blair noticed the hard stare he received from Marc during their introductions.  He could tell that the guy was jealous as hell and longing to warn him off but not daring to as long as Anne was there.  Accordingly, they made polite small talk until Anne excused herself for a few minutes, then the gloves came off.

 

As soon as the bathroom door shut, Marc leaned forward, his jaw muscle twitching with anger.  He opened his mouth to speak but Blair forestalled him.

 

"There's nothing between Anne and I.  We've known each other forever - in fact, she's my oldest friend."  Blair lowered his barriers slightly and took the risk of reading Marc.  As Marc's brown eyes snapped up to meet his, Blair hurriedly slammed his barriers back into place.  The guy had some abilities - there was probably Sentinel or Guide blood in his family somewhere.

 

"You're an Empath!"

 

Blair sighed.  Bang went that secret.

 

Marc stared at him, giving Blair the impression that he was attempting to read the situation from Blair's face.  "Are you on the run from a Sentinel?"

 

Now it was Blair's turn to be surprised.  "Are you sure you're not an Empath too?"

 

Marc grinned and shook his head.  "I've met a few Empaths; some of my cousins are Sentinels."  He added hastily, "You don't need to worry about me though - I won't turn you in if you don't want to bond.  It's your decision, after all!"

 

"Thanks."  Blair could tell that Marc was genuine, he just wasn't happy about the guy knowing too much.

 

"Although, all the Sentinels I know are great.  I mean, they are my cousins but, you know, they'd never hurt their Guides.  They value them too much."

 

"It's not that, I just -"  Blair broke off as the bathroom door opened and Anne came back.

 

"What?"

 

Blair looked at Marc and they both looked at Anne.  "He knows," Blair told her.

 

"And?"  There was a warning tone in her voice that couldn't have been missed by the dullest intellect.

 

Marc hastily answered her, "I'm not going to tell anyone."

 

"Good!"

 

"His cousins are Sentinels."  Blair slumped in his chair.  All he needed now was for Ellison and Bond to come crashing through the door and, somehow, his evening would be complete.

 

Anne's reply took him by surprise.  "He could help us!"

 

Blair looked up.

 

"How?"  Marc sounded as dumbstruck as he was.

 

"You can find out what they're likely to do to find Blair."  Anne looked pleased with her idea.  "Give us an edge.  If we know what they'll do, we can work around them!"

 

"That's actually a good idea," Blair replied, once again surprised.

 

"I do have them, you know!" she snapped back, her grin belying the tone in her words.

 

"And anything I don't know, I can find out!" Marc chimed in.  "I can ask one of my cousins - they'll know, for sure."

 

"So...what will they do?" Anne demanded, sitting down on the edge of her seat.

 

"Well...it depends on who the Sentinel is.  If he's a member of the Clan, he can go and ask them to help in finding his Guide."

 

"We've already covered that one - he's the Senior Sentinel Prime.  He can send out his Clan to find me."  Blair groaned, another wave of anxiety rising in him at the memory.

 

"What?!"  Marc's shock could have been easily felt by non-Empaths.  "You're kidding me!"

 

"I wish I was."

 

Anne sounded hesitant, "That makes a big difference then, right?"

 

"It makes all the difference in the world!  The Senior Sentinel Prime's a Dark Sentinel.  If he thinks you're his Guide - which makes you a Dark Guide, by the way, and there hasn't been a Dark Guide found in centuries - then he'll never give up.  He needs you, far more than an ordinary Sentinel needs a Guide."

 

Blair's gaze met his.  Marc's sincerity was obvious but Blair wasn't willing to give up his life, his dreams, to spend the rest of his life trailing around after a Sentinel.

 

"Dark Sentinels are even more...primitive than ordinary Sentinels.  Don't get me wrong, my cousins are great guys, but when their Guides are threatened, you just don't get in their way.  And Dark Sentinels are worse!"

 

"Which is another reason not to bond with him!" Blair snapped.

 

"Anyway, there's a complication," Anne chipped in.

 

Marc stared at her, apprehension written all over his face.  "More complicated than a Dark Sentinel on the hunt?"

 

Blair groaned again and slid deeper into his chair.

 

"There's another Sentinel after him."

 

Marc was silent.  When Blair looked up, he was staring at Blair with a stunned look on his face.

 

Finally, he blinked and asked, very quietly, "Is your life always this complicated?"

 

~'~

 

Jim shut the cupboard door with a bang.  "That's it.  There's nothing here."  As he expected, Lisa and Karl stood ready for his next orders while Bond was doing his best to ignore Jim's 'I'm in charge' attitude.  He frowned as he regarded his rival for Sandburg.  Something about Bond didn't add up.  He knew that the other Sentinel was a tycoon who ran his own computer technology firm - which explained the transmitter and tracker which were surely not the usual kind of things a businessman took abroad with him - but why was he a businessman?  All the Sentinels Jim had known worked at protecting the tribe in one way or another.  They most certainly did not set up a firm which specialised in computer technology unless....

 

"Something wrong, old man?"

 

Jim's eyes narrowed at the taunting tone.  As soon as he got back to the P.D., he was going to have Sentinel James Bond well and truly investigated.

 

"Just thinking about what to do next.  Does Sandburg have an office at Rainier?"

 

"Well, if you can call it that.  Seemed to be more like a storage room to me."

 

"Then I think that's our next port of call.  There might be more information on his computer - an address book possibly.  That should give us a few more places to search for him."

 

~'~

 

Anne sighed and slumped down on the couch next to Marc, who promptly put his arm around her shoulders.  "So, what can we do then?"

 

Blair hid his smile.  Anne had it badly, he could tell.  She hadn't even appeared to notice the arm around her and now she was leaning against Marc's side, a contented look taking the place of the frustration from a few moments before.

 

"Not much, actually," Marc replied.

 

That got Blair's attention.  "There's got to be something I can do!"

 

"We," Anne interrupted.  "I'm in this too, Blair, don't forget that."

 

"Me too."  Marc's voice was firm.  "The best thing you can do is keep a low profile - in fact, don't go out at all.  Sentinel Ellison is a police detective; he's not going to let that advantage go unused.  As soon as it looks like the Clan isn't going to track you down tonight, he'll have an APB out on you.  And he'll have the airport, train stations and bus station covered.  Do you have a car?"

 

"Yeah, but it's at Rainier - and I think Bond will realise that."

 

"Bond?  That's the other Sentinel after you?"

 

Blair nodded, too tired to talk.

 

"They'll have Sentinels at Rainier too, in case you go back there."

 

He groaned.  "I'll have to call in sick."

 

"You do that.  I'll go and talk to some of my cousins, maybe find out what the Clan's planning.  If they'll tell me.  And don't worry, I'll be discreet."

 

"Thanks, Marc."

 

"No problem, Blair.  I'd better get going anyway.  We've got work tomorrow."

 

Blair glanced at the pair of them on the couch and got up.  "I'll get your coat," he murmured.

 

"Oh.  Thanks.  It's the black leather jacket."

 

Grinning to himself, Blair retreated to the front door and kept his attention riveted on the coats hanging there.  The black leather jacket was easily found and he waited, jacket in hand.  Marc was taking his time saying goodbye to Anne.  Blair shut his ears to the quiet conversation and kept his barriers high.  Voyeurism really wasn't his style.

 

Finally Marc had gone and Anne moved to make up the couch for Blair to sleep on.

 

"You feeling any better about Marc?" Blair asked, taking the pillow and pillowcase from her.

 

She turned her attention to the sheet she was smoothing over the seat cushions.  Finally, she shrugged.  "Maybe he's more serious than I thought."

 

"Well, if it helps...that's the impression I got."

 

He saw her hastily hidden smile and the blush that accompanied it.  Yep, she had it badly all right.

 

~'~

 

The next morning, Marc went to the Cascade P.D.  His cousin Jack, always an early bird, tended to work an early shift so, Marc hoped, he'd be able to talk to him before he went to school.  With any luck, he'd have something to tell Anne when he saw her there.

 

Jack was on duty and he was in the P.D., so Marc showed some I.D. and waited while the desk sergeant phoned up to verify that Jack knew him.  A few minutes later saw him in the elevator pressing the button for the fourth floor.

 

"Hold the elevator!"

 

Startled, Marc did, and accepted the thanks one of the two tall dark-haired men gave him with a nod and a half-smile.  The one who had spoken hit the button for the seventh floor and the elevator set off.

 

Marc idly watched the numbers changing as the elevator approached his floor.  The elevator coming to a sudden stop got his attention and he looked around to realise that both of the men were staring at him, their eyes narrowed.  He glanced nervously from one to the other, backing up slightly, although he had nowhere to go.  "Is - is there a problem?"

 

"That depends," one of them answered, his British accent sounding strange to Marc's ears.

 

"On...what?"

 

The other one smiled, a feral grin that sent a shiver down Marc's spine.  "On how quickly you tell us how you know Blair Sandburg."

 

~'~

 

Marc sat facing his cousin, his hands clasped in his lap to try to hide the shaking.  He was almost overwhelmingly relieved to be looking at Jack instead of the other Sentinels, who had given the impression of being more than willing to rip him apart in order to extract the information they wanted, but Jack wasn't being the easy-going cousin he was used to.

 

"Marc, for God's sake, just tell me where Blair Sandburg is."

 

He glanced at the mirror behind Jack, knowing full well that the other Sentinels were behind it, staring at him.

 

"Marc!"

 

His attention snapped back to Jack.

 

"He's handled your jacket at some point, and it had to be recently - probably last night."  Jack leaned forward, his eyes boring into Marc like gimlets.  "Marc, you have got to tell them."

 

"I can't!"  Marc leaned forward, swallowing nervously.  "I won't!"  He hoped he was imagining the growl that was jangling his nerves.

 

Jack leaned back, his eyes still fixed on Marc's face.  "Why not?  Is Blair a friend of yours?  You've never mentioned him before so he's not an old friend."

 

Marc kept his eyes fixed on the table, mentally begging Jack to leave it alone.

 

"Maybe he's a friend of a friend."

 

He instinctively looked up for a micro-second at that, then yanked his gaze back to the table.  He could feel his heart rate increasing as anxiety flooded through him and knew that Jack was bound to be picking up on it.

 

"Maybe he's a friend of someone you like."  Jack leaned forward now, certainty on his face.  "It's that teacher you like, isn't it?  What's her name?  Anne?"

 

Marc was on his feet.  "God damn it, Jack - leave her out of this!"

 

"Marc!"

 

"He doesn't want to bond with you!" he shouted at the mirror.  "There are plenty of Guides out there!  Why can't you leave him alone?"

 

The door burst open.  "Which school does she work at?" Ellison demanded.

 

Jack stood and turned.  "The same one as Marc."

 

"No!"  Marc grabbed for his shoulder, trying to shut Jack up, but instead found himself pinned face down on the table by his own cousin.  "Jack!"

 

"Cascade Central High School - on Lincoln Way."

 

The door slammed shut and Marc stopped fighting, knowing the other Sentinels were gone.  "Jack, please...go with them, don't let them hurt her."

 

"They won't hurt her.  They just want to find Blair."  Jack's hands were gentle now as he helped Marc stand up.

 

Marc thought quickly.  He could still warn Anne and Blair, as long as he could get away from here.  "Can I go now?"

 

"I think it would be better if you stayed here until after they've spoken to Anne."

 

Marc stared past Jack.  "You can't stop me from leaving.  You can't arrest me.  I need to go, I need to see her, to explain."  There was silence and he finally looked Jack in the face.  "I need to let her know I didn't betray her."

 

Jack sighed, then put his arm around Marc's shoulders.  "I'll drive you down there."

 

~'~

 

By the time Jack and Marc arrived at the school, the two Sentinels had been and gone, although the presence of a Sentinel and Guide in the staff room showed that they had been there.

 

Marc saw them, but ignored them, as he burst into the staff room.  His attention was fixed on the white faced, shaking figure that had replaced the Anne he knew.  He knelt quietly and took hold of her hands, afraid to make too much of a noise in case something inside of her shattered.

 

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he murmured, trying to rub some warmth back into her hands.

 

She gasped for breath, then sobbed, "I didn't tell them where Blair is - they just knew, they knew!"

 

~'~

 

Blair sighed and stretched as he stared at the TV.  He was bored, badly bored.  He was used to being on the go all the time: things to do, places to go, people to see.  And now he was hiding out in Anne's apartment faced with horrors of morning TV or with re-reading an anthropology journal that he knew off by heart and that, irony of ironies, had a large article about Sentinels in it.

 

If he hadn't been in such a hurry when he was packing, he would have made sure to pack enough books to keep him going.  Then again, he had been travelling light for speed, so maybe more books wouldn't have been a good idea.

 

Hugging a cushion, he shut his eyes as his mind followed the same thoughts around in circles.  Ellison...Bond...what on earth was he going to do?  He took a deep breath to calm himself and opened his eyes, resolutely watching the saga unfolding on the TV.  Would Dr. Wilson ever find his con woman of a daughter who had been posing as a Lithuanian princess?  Would Nurse Carter realise her one true love was the window cleaner who was actually a multi-millionaire in disguise?  Would the hospital administration resist the urge to sell off the hospital building to a contractor who planned to put a fast food restaurant next to Operating Room 1?

 

The journal was looking more attractive by the minute.

 

Finally he turned off the TV; there was only a certain amount of soapy angst he could take.  He decided that making a cup of tea would keep him occupied for a few minutes at least and reached for his cup.  It was full.  He grimaced as he slopped cold tea over the coffee table.  Well, at least it would give him something to do.

 

He emptied the cup and scrubbed the coffee table until it was pristine with no splashes of tea in sight, then stood back and admired his handiwork.  Perfect, absolutely perfect.  He lobbed the cloth in the direction of the sink and did a victory dance as it landed on the plughole.  "He scores!"

 

A knock on the door interrupted him mid-jig and he approached the door carefully.  Anne didn't say she was expecting anyone but her parents were famed for turning up unexpectedly - once arriving during a blizzard in the middle of the night.  "Who is it?"

 

"U.P.S."

 

He didn't recognise the voice but he left the chain on anyway as he opened the door slightly, then slammed it shut as Sentinel Edwards' shy Guide looked blushingly back at him.  Swearing loudly, he ran for the fire escape.

 

A crash from behind him told him that the door was now open but he didn't bother looking back to see which Sentinel was after him.  There was a sharp stinging on his backside followed by a loud buzzing in his ears, which led his rapidly fuzzing mind to deduce he'd been stung by a bee.  His legs, flailing wildly as he fled, suddenly became uncoordinated.  He half-fell, half-collapsed over the easy chair and, as the floor came up to meet him, his vision blurred and he tumbled into the darkness that swamped him.

 

~'~

 

Jim swore as Sandburg fell over the chair, his face heading towards the floor at far too fast a rate.  Throwing himself forward, he managed to grab one arm and yank his Guide back, catching him before he hit the floor on this side of the chair.  The kid was out cold.

 

He grabbed the tranquilliser dart and pulled it free, throwing it contemptuously to one side, before carrying his Guide over to the couch and lying him down.  The Dark Sentinel took a moment to check him over then stood and glared at the smirking Sentinel who had shot his Guide.

 

"What the Hell did you think you were doing?" he snarled, forcing the words past the ball of anger in his throat.

 

"He was going to escape.  Far better to stop him now before he got to the fire escape, don't you think?"

 

"Far better to give him a concussion, you mean!" the Sentinel roared, stalking around the couch to grab the gun from Bond's hand.

 

"I had no idea he was going to fall over that blasted chair!" Bond retorted.

 

Jim glanced at the tranquilliser gun he was holding in his hand, then looked again.  "M.I.5!"

 

"M.I.5?" Edwards echoed from the doorway.

 

"I recognise the make of gun," Jim snapped, staring at the supposed businessman.  "It's favoured by M.I.5 agents for its ability to be broken down into various parts and smuggled through customs.  So, unless you have a permit for this, Mr. Bond, you're under arrest."

 

"Now, wait a minute!"

 

"Edwards, escort Mr. Bond to the P.D.  It looks as though he'll have some questions to answer."

 

Bond pulled out his I.D.  "Diplomatic immunity, old man."

 

"So you do work for M.I.5."  The Dark Sentinel's anger stirred anew, "And you were going to recruit Sandburg?"

 

"Not at all!  Well, naturally as my Guide," Jim growled loudly but Bond continued, "he'll also be working for M.I.5 but only by default."

 

"When you mentioned broadening his horizons, you failed to mention the morgue."

 

"My dear chap, naturally I'd keep him safe!"

 

"Oh?" Jim managed to sound politely interested as opposed to seething.  "And do all your sidekicks survive your missions?"

 

An annoyed look appeared in Bond's eyes although it quickly disappeared again.  "Once we're bonded, I'll make sure that he's safe."

 

"You'll bond over my dead body."

 

"That, old man, can be arranged."

 

~'~

 

By the time Blair was left to sleep off his sedative in the main bonding suite at the City Hall, word had spread, and all those Clan members who could, had made their way there to witness their Senior Sentinel Prime take on the contender for his Guide.

 

The Dark Sentinel smiled ferally as he looked around the room.  Even if, by some bizarre mischance, he lost, Bond would never make it to the bonding suite - his Clan would see to that.  Of course, it would be a fair fight but, win or lose, Bond would not be bonding with Jim's Guide.

 

~'~

 

Bond faced his rival with a raised eyebrow and a calm face.  Since they had both stripped down to their shirt sleeves for the fight, Bond knew that he was going to have to win the fight fairly, or lose the Guide.  His natural detachment reasserted itself.  If he did lose the Guide - which was looking quite possible given the Senior Sentinel Prime's Dark status - it would not be the end of the world; there were other Guides available.  Some of them were already trained M.I.5 operatives and quite a few of them were beautiful ladies.

 

Putting the distracting thoughts from him, he circled Ellison, looking for an opening.  Fighting off Oddjob seemed easy in comparison to this.

 

Finally, he made a move.  As he'd expected, Ellison feinted to the right but came back with a sudden jab to Bond's ribs as he danced out of range.

 

Bond grunted at the impact.  Ellison packed one hell of a punch!  Rallying himself, he shook off the effects and managed to land a couple of blows himself.

 

~'~

 

Jim slammed a fist into Bond's side again, aiming for the same spot as before, and felt at least two ribs crack under the impact.  He grinned in spite of the pain from his bruised mouth, and moved back out of range quickly.  If the other Sentinel was sensible, he'd yield the fight now; the fractured ribs would force him to defend that side far more, leaving his other side vulnerable to attack.

 

Keeping his distance to allow Bond to get his breath, Jim kept his fists up, ready for any sudden moves.  "Well?"

 

Bond grinned in reply.  "Very well, thank you," he replied, slightly breathlessly.  "How are you?"

 

"I'm just fine, Bond."  Jim danced on the spot, keeping his adrenaline flowing.  "Your ribs are cracked."

 

"Yes, I had noticed."  Bond approached him, ready to continue, but Jim backed off out of reach.

 

"You could yield now.  I hardly think your superiors would be pleased if I sent you back in pieces."

 

"Well, I could, but I do hate to leave a fight unfinished."

 

Jim shrugged, respecting the other Sentinel's refusal to back down.  "Your choice."

 

"You're too kind."

 

The Dark Sentinel circled around, manoeuvring the other Sentinel into the spot he wanted.  He flicked a warning glance at Edwards then moved in for the kill.  Jim made a quick feint towards Bond's uncracked ribs then slammed his fist up underneath Bond's jaw.  Bond's chin snapped up, his eyes glazed at the blow, and he collapsed into Edwards' waiting arms.

 

"He's out."  Edwards' voice was exceptionally dispassionate and extremely unsurprised.

 

The Dark Sentinel was triumphant as Dr. Harvey moved forward to examine her newly acquired patient.  "I'll be in the showers."  He strode from the room as the Sentinels and Guides present bowed their heads.  The Guide was his.

 

~'~

 

Blair blinked and rolled onto his back as the fuzziness faded from his mind.  Looking around, he realised he'd been lying in the classic recovery position on a bonding platform in a room he'd never seen before.  This did not seem like a good thing to him.

 

He scrambled off the platform and wiped the drool from his mouth.  "Great."  He had no idea where he was, apart from a bonding suite which could be pretty much anywhere in the world, but he'd been dribbling like Quasimodo.  On the plus side, it might put any prospective bonding Sentinels off, although he doubted it.

 

Prowling around the room, he made sure to check the door.  After all, he reasoned, you never know your luck!  However, his luck wasn't good and the door was locked.  Naturally there were no handy windows for him to climb out of either so he started searching the material covered walls for ventilation shafts or something - air had to get in somehow and where air could get in, surely he could get out?

 

As he searched, his mind drifted back to his last available memory and his hands flew up to his face.  The last thing he remembered was imitating a damaged Spitfire and dive-bombing the floor, however his nose wasn't broken and he didn't think he had a concussion.  Before that, the buzzing and stinging.  Realising that it had not, in fact, been a bee that got him, he rubbed his backside as the fact sank in that the residual pain in his right butt cheek was not from how he'd been lying; those Sentinels had sedated him.

 

A deeper, darker anger than any he'd ever known was rising in him.  How dared they trick him like that?  Bad enough that they'd been hunting him down, they'd had to sedate him in order to win.  He continued searching, trying to force his mind to focus on finding a ventilation duct hidden somewhere but his movements grew more agitated by the second.  There wasn't just his anger about being sedated, tricked, to deal with - he had no idea what they'd done to Anne and Marc.  He knew that they must have done something to get them to talk; Anne would never have betrayed him and Marc liked Anne far too much to risk losing her.  How dared they hurt his friends?

 

Blair turned as the door opened and one Sentinel entered, carefully shutting the door behind him.

 

He heard the lock click into place but ignored it in his fury.  "You sedated me!"  He almost didn't recognise his own voice; the livid tone made him sound far harsher than ever before.

 

No guilt appeared on the Sentinel's face but Blair wasn't surprised.  People who could go around kidnapping and imprisoning innocent Guides were obviously beyond feeling guilty about a little sedation.

 

"No, I didn't," Ellison replied emphatically, "Bond did."

 

That didn't stop Blair for a second.  "What difference does it make?  One of you sedated me!"

 

"Well, it wasn't me," the Sentinel snapped in return.  "I just stopped you from hitting the floor."

 

Dimly, Blair realised that he had Ellison to thank for his lack of concussion and his unbroken nose, however, his anger remained, "You kidnapped me!"

 

Jim took a second to think about that then, "Yes."

 

"You had no right to do that!"

 

The Sentinel's face tightened in anger, "You're my Guide!"

 

"I'm no one's Guide!" Blair snarled.  He was shaking with anger, longing to attack the Sentinel, punish him, drive him from his sight, but knowing that he would almost certainly lose any physical fight.  He watched the Sentinel lean against the door, his arms folded, his gaze intent, and his entire posture broadcasting his intention to remain there all day until the bonding was done.  It fanned his fury.  "And how dared you hurt my friends?"

 

"Your friends weren't harmed."

 

"They would never have betrayed me!"

 

"They didn't have to."  The Sentinel showed his teeth in a feral smile.  "If you knew anything about Sentinels, Guide," the title was given with a hint of contempt, "you'd know that we just need to ask the right questions to find out the truth."

 

Despite his realisation that Anne and Marc had almost undoubtedly not been harmed, his fury remained, although he was trying to rein it in.  He had never been the type of person to give way to his anger, preferring instead to talk his way through and out of situations but right now he felt he had no control.

 

'Damn!'  The Sentinel was smiling again as though he could feel the fury that was searing its way through Blair.  Wrapping his arms around himself and leaning against the back wall, Blair reflected that the Sentinel could undoubtedly smell his anger - yet another reason for controlling himself.  He shook with the effort and tightened his hold on himself, feeling as if he was trying to wrap a hug around his emotions and smother them.  But he was failing and he knew it.

 

"Let it out, Guide."  The Sentinel's voice was alluring as he started prowling on the other side of the room, making no attempt to approach the bonding platform or Blair, instead just walking, with a measured slow pace, back and forth in front of the door.

 

Each step provoked Blair, making him feel like it was another turn of the screw that was tightening his control to snapping point.  He clenched his fists and hugged himself harder.  He'd always believed in Karma, always believed in 'letting it go' and now there seemed to be something inside of him that was driving him to 'let go' in an entirely different way.

 

"What are you waiting for, Guide?  Are you afraid?  Afraid that I'll win?"

 

Blair took a deep breath, attempting to release his anger with his exhalation.  In a deliberately calm tone he replied, "Leave me alone."

 

"Make me."

 

The tone was taunting and he snapped.  With a scream he launched himself at the Sentinel, wanting, needing, to make the Sentinel leave before this darkness inside him overwhelmed him completely.

 

His attack was met with equal force as he was caught and thrown back onto the bonding platform, the Sentinel following him down to pin him in place with his arms above his head.  He bucked, trying to force the Dark Sentinel away from him, screaming in fury as his control was lost beyond reclaiming.

 

"Submit."  The word was growled at him.

 

"Never!" he spat back.

 

The Sentinel's teeth were bared in a feral smile that fanned the flames of his anger but he seemed content to merely hold the Guide in place, letting him wear himself out by battering himself against an immovable wall.

 

Finally, the Guide quietened.  His fury was still in place but he was going nowhere, and the dim corner of his mind that was still fully Blair realised the sense of biding his time until he had the ability to fight back.

 

"Submit, Guide!"

 

His teeth were bared in defiance as he stared up at the grinning Dark Sentinel.  The emotions were filtering through his barriers despite his efforts and he knew that the Sentinel was enjoying his anger.  With a strangled cry, he tried to rip his wrists free as he twisted to one side.  Surprisingly, the Sentinel allowed part of the movement and Blair realised he'd made a mistake.  His wrists were still trapped but the Sentinel's face was buried in the crook of his briefly exposed neck, and he could feel the air moving as he was scented there.

 

Teeth scraped across his jugular and he cried out again, furious at the need that was pooling in his mind and clouding his thoughts even more.  He wriggled and writhed, his desperation growing as strong teeth nipped gently at the vein without breaking the skin.

 

His barriers were fracturing though, and more and more emotions were seeping into his mind.  First among them was a determination to bond that would not be denied.  His defences fell even as the Dark Sentinel, obviously tiring of his struggles, bit harder than before.

 

His outraged cry changed into a moan as endorphins flooded through him, and the Dark Guide capitulated at last.

 

~'~

 

The Dark Sentinel smiled as his Guide's defences collapsed and their minds became one.  He had enjoyed every minute of provoking Sandburg until the Dark Guide had broken through, and now the Dark Guide was his.

 

He relaxed as his mind sank into the warmth of the bond, and he inhaled his Guide's scent, noticing the difference from before.  From now on, any Sentinel his Guide met would know that he was already claimed and was, therefore, off-limits to them.  His smile grew as he rejoiced that that included Sentinel Bond.

 

~'~

 

This time when Blair awoke, he was not alone.  His head was resting on his Sentinel's shoulder and one strong arm was curved around his back, holding him closely.

 

"Welcome back."

 

He sighed.  "Why did you do that?"

 

"Do what?  Bond with you?"

 

The Sentinel's voice was filled with amusement, and Blair felt even more annoyed, although the deep anger that had driven him before had gone.  He rolled away, or tried to.  Although he managed to lie on his back, the Sentinel followed him and leaned over him, trapping him in place.

 

"You're my Guide, Blair.  I knew that from the first moment I saw you."

 

He glanced up at that.  The amusement had gone; the Sentinel was serious.  "Look, Sentinel Ellison -"

 

"Jim.  My name's Jim.  You might as well use it."

 

Blair sighed.  He didn't want to use it - he didn't want to be bonded!  But he guessed it was too late to waste time thinking about that.  "Why me?  What did I do to make you choose me?"  He pushed the Sentinel back and sat up, ignoring the frown that was directed at him.  "There's got to be a thousand Guides out there who would love to be your Guide - you're the Senior Sentinel Prime, for God's sake!  If you waved your title at 'em, they'd follow you anywhere."

 

Jim moved back a little but didn't go far.  "That's not how it works, Chief."

 

"So how does it work?  C'mon, man, explain it to me."  Blair knew he was harping on about a moot point - he was bonded and nothing was going to change that, no matter what Jim did or didn't say.

 

"You're my Guide.  That's all it comes down to."

 

"That's no kind of answer, man!  Didn't anyone teach you how to argue?"

 

A smile lit up Jim's face and, in spite of himself, Blair grinned back for a second before continuing, serious once more, "You've gotta have a reason," he insisted.  "So tell me."

 

Jim shook his head, his eyes staring at the bit of bonding platform between them.  "It's... hard to explain, Chief."

 

"Well, you're gonna have to try, man, 'cause, I'm telling you, I need to understand this if I'm gonna accept it!"  The Sentinel's head snapped up at that and the Guide gulped at the determinedly possessive look in his eyes.  Recovering, Blair continued, "C'mon, Jim... you're gonna have to tell me something."

 

Finally, Jim shrugged, his gaze fixed on the bonding platform once more.  "I'd heard other Sentinels talking about when they met their Guides and they knew, just knew, that that was it.  No doubts, no second thoughts...nothing."  His face reddened as he talked.  Obviously talking about his feelings was not something Jim Ellison indulged in often.  "I never assumed it would be like that.  I thought I'd meet a Guide I liked, someone I'd have a lot in common with.  I used to be in the Rangers.  I met military Guides all the time, we had a lot of things in common, but," he paused then continued, "I couldn't have bonded with them if I'd tried."

 

"But if you had so much in common with them -"

 

Jim's gaze snapped up and held Blair's, his eyes boring into him, his tone harsh.  "It doesn't work that way!  As soon as I saw you at the Clan gathering I knew, and that was it."  He relaxed slightly and leaned back, a ghost of a smile playing about his mouth.  "It doesn't matter who or what you are, Chief, you're my Guide.  Call it fate, destiny...whatever you want.  It's not going to change a thing."

 

"So that's it then?"

 

He got a shrug in return.  "That's it."

 

It was Blair's turn to stare down at the bonding platform between them.  He didn't know what he'd wanted Jim to say, what argument he'd hoped the Sentinel would come up with, but destiny didn't cut it for him.  His mind wandered back over their bonding and memory returned of that other personality who had taken control of him - a much darker personality than his normal one.  He had hated the Sentinel so much in those furious moments before their bonding but, once he'd given in, he had almost gloried in the Sentinel's strength, in his Sentinel's ability to defeat him.  He shook his head.  That was kinda warped, even for him.

 

"You okay, Chief?"

 

There was a note of sympathy in Jim's voice and Blair pulled his mind back to the present moment hurriedly.  "Yeah."  He repeated himself, his voice stronger, "Yeah.  I'm okay.  Just confused, you know?"

 

"It'll be fine, Chief.  Just give it a bit of time."

 

"Yeah."  He'd do some research - maybe it all came down to the Dark Sentinel/Dark Guide issue.  He'd find the answers.  Shaking his head again, he dismissed the thoughts for now and looked around, suddenly realising that he hadn't even seen the other Sentinel who'd been so determined to claim him.  "Where's Bond?"

 

Jim grinned; a full strength smile that betrayed his underlying happiness.  "He's probably conscious by now.  I didn't hit him that hard."  The tone was almost reassuring, but the words were not.

 

"You hit him?!"

 

The Sentinel lay back, his arms crossed behind his head.  "I had to end the fight somehow."

 

"Fight?  You mean you actually went ahead with that?!"

 

A lazy smirk settled on Jim's face.  "Sure, Sandburg.  How else do you think we decided who got to bond with you?"

 

Blair sat back, his mouth open in astonishment and his stunned gaze fixed on the smug Sentinel by his side.  It looked like he had a bit to learn about Jim Ellison too.

 

~'~

 

His first lesson in Jim Ellison 101 occurred when he attempted to return to his home, such as it was.  Blair would and did readily admit that the draughty warehouse he paid rent on was not a home that would feature in Homestyle Weekly or any other magazine extolling the beauty and comfort of people's homes.  However, it was his and it was where he lived.

 

Jim, of course, had other ideas and Blair found them out when Jim drove him home - as he thought.  As it turned out, in Jim's eyes, they were driving over there to collect his stuff in order to move him into the Sentinel's spare room.

 

"It's a warehouse."

 

Blair nodded.  He was glad to see that Jim's Sentinel sight was working well.  "Yep."

 

"It's a cold and draughty warehouse."

 

Okay, Jim's sense of touch was working as well.  "Yeah, although I have these space heaters right he -"

 

"There are rats in here, Sandburg," Jim interrupted, his tone decisive.  "Big ones.  And don't try to deny it because I saw the size of them!"

 

"Look, Jim, just becau -"

 

"You're not going to live here."

 

Blair ground his teeth - a habit which he suspected he'd already picked up from his irritating Sentinel - and reminded himself that Guides were supposed to have a calming effect upon their Sentinels.  He mentally threw the rulebook out of the window and opened his mouth to continue arguing.

 

"And we're not discussing it any more!"

 

He stared at his Sentinel's back as that individual stalked off towards the front door of Blair's much-discussed abode and disappeared out of sight.

 

Curiosity got the better of him and he followed Jim out to the truck.  "You brought boxes?!"

 

"We need boxes to pack your things, Chief."  Jim sounded very matter-of-fact about his sneaky planning.

 

"When did you get boxes?"

 

"I asked Edwards to pick some up for me before the fight."

 

Blair gasped.  "You didn't even know you were gonna win."

 

The Sentinel turned and looked at him.

 

"Okay, but you couldn't be sure!"

 

One eyebrow was raised.

 

"Well, you couldn't be!"

 

Both eyebrows were raised.

 

"God, Jim, you're so annoying!"  Blair stamped off into the warehouse ignoring the grin that he knew was on his Sentinel's face.

 

~'~

 

Once he was moved into Jim's spare room, he had to admit, although only to himself, that it was a definite step up from the warehouse.  And while Jim was rather 'me in charge' most of the time, he also seemed willing to accept that Blair would not want to be his shadow twenty four hours a day.  Therefore, the next day saw Blair heading for some downtime at Rainier's library.  Alone.  Of course, he hadn't told Jim that his aim was to do some research on Dark Sentinels and Guides - there were some things that his Sentinel did not need to know.  And he definitely did not want Jim to find out that he needed to do the research in order to try to accept the changes in his life...admitting that would be a sure fire way to drive his Sentinel to dog his footsteps no matter where he went.

 

Blair made a detour on the way and visited Anne.  He needed to see for himself that she and Marc were all right and that no harm had come to them.  Anne was fine although she admitted that Sentinels were not Marc's favourite people at the moment - to the extent that his cousin from the P.D. had called to see if Marc was there as he wouldn't return the Sentinel's phone calls at all.  Looking around her apartment, the only sign of what had happened there was the lingering smell of fresh paint from the door frame - Anne admitted she'd been surprised to find her door fixed and nicely repainted after the Sentinels had been and gone.  Blair sighed to himself and wished that all the repercussions from that day could be as easily dealt with.

 

Half an hour in the library turned into one hour, then three.  It wasn't until his cell phone started ringing that Blair came back to reality and noticed the time.  With a sense of dread, he answered his phone.

 

"Sandburg?!"

 

"Hey, Jim, I just noticed the time.  I'll head home now."

 

"Where are you?"

 

"I'm still at the library, but I'm packing up now," he tucked his phone under his ear and started piling up the books he'd been reading, "I'll be home as soon as I can be."

 

"Stay where you are.  I'll come and collect you."

 

"No need for that, man, I've got my car."

 

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes.  Don't move."

 

Blair looked at his phone as it went dead, then looked at the books he'd been stockpiling.  There really wasn't a lot of information on Dark Sentinels; for some reason, no one seemed willing to get close enough to them to write about them - Blair wondered why.  After all, Dark Sentinels were, in his experience, an over-bearing, over-protective, take charge whether you like or not, pain in ass type of guy.  Of course, he admitted, he could be biased.  And, to his dismay, there was even less information on Dark Guides.

 

He didn't even want to think about why no one wanted to write about them.

 

All he had managed to glean from the smattering of comments scattered in among the essays on non-Dark (and therefore far easier to manage) Sentinels, was that Dark Sentinels and Dark Guides were perfectly matched, tended to argue a lot and that Dark Sentinels and Guides were very possessive of their bond mates.

 

He reflected that that probably explained why he hadn't seen Sentinel Bond at all since he'd bonded with Jim.

 

By the time he'd put all of his books back, his fifteen minutes were practically up and, as expected, Jim had arrived.  He didn't bother protesting as Jim checked him over.  A couple of days of living with a Dark Sentinel had already taught him that when a Dark Sentinel wanted to make sure his Guide was unharmed, nothing, but nothing, would stop him.

 

~'~

 

As Jim had insisted on driving him home the night before, the next morning saw Blair in the truck again on the way back to Rainier.  His car was just where he'd left it and he hoped, fervently, that the brief lack of use wouldn't persuade the engine to give up completely.  He had no wish to push Jim further into Blessed Protector mode by phoning him from the roadside because his car had died.

 

Blair waited until Jim had gone then hurried over to his car and tried the ignition.  The engine sputtered and coughed but revved into life with only a small amount of coaxing.  Breathing a sigh of relief, Blair turned it off, locked the car and headed for his first class.  At least he should be able to get home by himself.

 

He got home all right, and was ensconced in his room reading a book that promised to expose all the myths and mysteries of the Dark Sentinel/Guide partnership when Jim arrived back.  Hurriedly hiding the book under his pillow, he went out to the kitchen and gave his Sentinel a hand making dinner.  His mind was still on the book though and he barely noticed Jim's attempts to talk to him, just nodded absently every time Jim waited for an answer.  Blair would have preferred to read a textbook on Dark Sentinels and Guides, but there didn't seem to be one out there, and this lurid 'exposé' type book was the only one he could find.  Unfortunately, it was becoming more and more obvious page by page that the guy had no idea what he was talking about and had written the book in an attempt to make a quick buck.

 

"Sandburg!"

 

Blair jumped and dropped the spoon he'd been aimlessly moving around in the sauce.  "What?"

 

"Have you been listening to a word I said?"

 

"Uh..."  Blair looked around the kitchen in search of inspiration and found none.  "No."

 

"I didn't think so.  What's up?"

 

He shook his head.  He really didn't want to tell Jim about the book under his pillow.  "Nothing.  I was just...miles away."

 

Jim gave him a disbelieving look but was apparently ready to let it go.  "Okay."

 

"Sorry, Jim.  What were you saying?"

 

"I was saying that there's a Clan gathering this weekend."

 

"Oh no!"  Blair remembered the last Clan gathering he'd been to - he was still living with the repercussions from it.

 

"Oh yes."  Jim put an arm around his shoulders and escorted him to the couch.  "This is to introduce the new Senior Guide Prime to his Clan."

 

Blair stared up at him, horrified.  "Tell me you're joking."

 

"Sorry, Chief."

 

He slumped back on the couch and stared at the rug.

 

"It's just for one night, Chief.  We'll go, we'll have a few drinks, eat some weird little puffy things that you never eat at any other time, and you can flirt with all the female Guides."

 

"Well, at least that'll pass the evening."  He got up, went back to the kitchen, and started stirring the sauce again, his mind half on the last gathering he'd gone to, and half on the upcoming one.  "And at least I won't have to worry about what I'm wearing this time."  The sudden stillness behind him caught his attention and he turned, "Jim?"  There was a guilty look on his Sentinel's face that made his eyes narrow with suspicion.  "What have you done?"

 

"Nothing."

 

Abandoning the sauce, Blair headed for his room and for his wardrobe.  He knew he'd put that tuxedo in there.  There had been no point in returning it to Sentinel Bond as it was definitely the wrong size for him, although Blair had made sure to get rid of the cufflinks once Jim had told him about their transmitting abilities.

 

The tuxedo was still where he'd left it...or was it?  His suspicions thoroughly aroused by the Guilty-As-Hell Sentinel lurking in the kitchen, Blair pulled the pristine suit out and looked it over.  He didn't have Sentinel eyesight but he could tell a spotlessly clean brand new suit when he saw it and this was it.  "Where's my tuxedo?"

 

Jim didn't even turn around.  "Isn't it in your wardrobe?"

 

"No.  There's a tuxedo in my wardrobe but it's not the one I was wearing last time."

 

He did turn at that.  The tuxedo received a glance, then Jim shrugged.  "Looks the same to me."

 

"Yeah, it looks the same.  It probably is the same - make, that is.  However, I climbed out of a toilet window in my tuxedo and I ripped the knee slightly."  Blair waved 'his' tuxedo in the air.  "No holes in this knee at all.  So, I repeat...where's my tuxedo?"

 

"Maybe the Knee Fairy replaced it, Chief.  After all, you can't go to a Clan gathering with holey knees."

 

"You replaced my tuxedo - don't lie about it!  You replaced it because Sentinel Bond bought it."

 

Jim stirred the pasta into the sauce.  "If you know, why ask?"

 

Blair practically danced on the spot.  "You could at least act embarrassed about it, Jim.  You stole my tuxedo - a perfectly good tuxedo - and replaced it with another one."

 

There was a bang as the pot was dumped into the sink.  "It wasn't your tuxedo, Sandburg, it was his tuxedo.  And my Guide is not going to any Clan Gathering in another Sentinel's tuxedo."

 

Blair couldn't believe this.  Jim was acting territorial over a suit?  "It's a suit, Jim!  It doesn't matter who bought it!"

 

The second pot joined the first with an even louder bang.  "Yes.  It does."

 

"Fine!"  Blair stalked back into his room and shoved the ill-treated tuxedo to the back of his wardrobe.  "It'll look lovely with my flamingo tie!"

 

~'~

 

As the gathering was being held at rather short notice, Jim had chosen to have it in the Sentinel Suite at the City Hall.  The fact that that was also the scene of Sentinel Bond's resounding defeat had, of course, no bearing on the matter.

 

If it bothered Sentinel Bond, he refused to allow any sign of it to show - he had his pride, after all.  He shook hands with the Sentinel who had defeated him and congratulated the newly bonded pair with an air that lead anyone watching to assume that he was quite pleased to have lost the fight.

 

James could not flatter himself that he was fooling the Senior Sentinel Prime though.  There was a gleam of triumph in the other Sentinel's eyes that showed that he knew what a prize he had won.

 

To James' amusement, but not to his surprise, the Senior Guide Prime was wearing a brand new tuxedo that looked identical to the one he'd spent a lot of money on.  The cufflinks too were definitely not his, although that was another non-surprise.  The last signal he'd had from them showed that they were currently travelling around the sewer system, leading him to suspect that Blair had flushed them down the toilet.

 

After a few minutes' polite conversation, Blair was escorted away to meet more Sentinels and Guides, and, his duty done, James gave into pleasure and went to flirt with Sentinel Pais.  He ignored the looks of fury that were being cast his way by Lisa's Guide.  After all, it wasn't his fault if Karl was too slow on the uptake.

 

~'~

 

Blair sighed with relief as they left Sentinel Bond.  Jim's air of triumph was rather wearing and he had a very strong urge to tell the Senior Sentinel Prime to knock it the hell off.  No one likes a smug Sentinel and Jim's smugness factor had been working overtime lately.

 

Escorted by Jim around the room, he was introduced to Sentinel after Sentinel and Guide after Guide until the names and faces began to blur together.  Blair had met a few Sentinels and Guides while working with Jim at the P.D., but the majority of them were total strangers to him.  Sighing, he wondered how long it would take him to sort them all out in his mind.  He spotted a Guide he did know sitting forlornly at a table watching Sentinel Bond flirt up a storm with Sentinel Pais, and made his way over there, leaving Jim poking the hors d'oeuvre with a dubious look on his face.

 

"Hey, Karl."

 

Karl promptly rose to his feet and bowed his head, "Senior Guide Prime."

 

"Blair's fine, honestly," Blair said, hastily.  "So what's up?"

 

"Nothing, Sen...Blair."

 

"Okay."  Blair sat down and looked over to where Sentinel Bond was whispering in Sentinel Pais' ear.  He didn't need Sentinel hearing to listen to Karl grinding his teeth.  "You know, if it bothers you that much, why don't you cut in?"

 

The look of surprise on Karl's face was worth the entire evening.  "I can't just - can I?"

 

Blair shrugged.  "She's your Sentinel."

 

"Well, yes...but...."

 

"Faint heart never won fair Sentinel."  Blair grinned, a hint of devilry on his face.  "I'm quite sure Sentinels use a variation on that excuse all the time when they're claiming Guides."

 

"Yeah, they do."  Karl sat up straighter, a smile spreading across his face and a gleam of determination in his eyes.  "And...turnabout is fair play."

 

"Sauce for the goose."

 

"Thanks, Blair."  Karl got up and stalked over to his Sentinel.

 

"Any time."  Blair grinned even more as he watched him go.  It looked like Sentinel Bond wasn't having any luck at all lately.  He returned to his own Sentinel's side, and tried to persuade him to stop poking the hors d'oeuvres.  "People do have to eat those, you know."

 

"I know, Chief, it's just..."  Jim poked another pastry.  "Why do people serve these up at buffets all the time?"

 

"Tradition, I guess."  Blair shrugged.  "And some people must like them."

 

Jim finally abandoned the tray and turned his back on the food.  "And what were you up to urging Karl to cut in like that?"

 

Blair looked at him.  "I thought you were busy with the hors d'oeuvres?"

 

He shrugged.  "I couldn't help overhearing."

 

"Jim!  I was the other side of the room!"

 

Another shrug.  "So you have a loud voice.  Is that my fault?"

 

"Jesus, Jim!  Go back to the hors d'oeuvres!"  With that he stalked off to circulate some more.  He kept a smile on his face but inside he was fuming.  It had not been his idea to bond and now he was stuck with a Sentinel who was going to eavesdrop on any conversation he felt like.  It was infuriating - and that wasn't even taking into account the other bad habits Sentinels had, like checking over their Guides at the drop of a hat and nagging about thick winter coats when the weather turned cold.

 

He managed a genuine smile when he noticed Karl and Sentinel Pais dancing together and, curious as to the whereabouts of Sentinel Bond, he glanced around the room and found him flirting with Tina, Sentinel Niven's Guide.  Blair could tell that Tina wasn't bothered, but she seemed rather surprised when Jim moved in and cut Sentinel Bond out.  What the Hell did his Sentinel think he was doing?  It was not Jim's place to go protecting Tina from another Sentinel - a fact that Sentinel Niven seemed to be well aware of as he was looking like a thundercloud.

 

Blair was totally unaware of his own thundercloud impersonation as he made his way across the floor back to his Sentinel's side.  Stuff the fact that he'd never wanted to bond, his Sentinel had no right to go wandering about protecting any Guide he happened across - especially as that Guide had her own Sentinel to look after her.

 

"Sandburg," Jim seemed to be totally unaware of his faux pas, "did you know that Tina likes hors d'oeuvres?"

 

"No."  Blair glowered at Tina, who should have known better than to go discussing hors d'oeuvres with his Sentinel.  "But I'd like to talk to you.  For a minute.  Jim.  If you don't mind.  Now."

 

Jim frowned.  "Something wrong?"

 

Blair managed to keep a lid on his simmering resentment and pasted a fake smile on his face.  There was, he decided, no point making a scene in public.  "Not at all.  Let's go."

 

"Oookay, Chief, if you insist."

 

~'~

 

Sandburg did insist, and he determinedly led the way to the bonding suite.  Jim followed along, ignoring the surprised looks cast at the pair of them.  Once inside, he waited as Blair very quietly shut and locked the door behind them.

 

"All right, Chief.  What's up?"  He could smell his Guide's anger and knew that his ploy had worked.  Jim was tired of Sandburg's quiet attempts to rationalise their bond and the Dark Guide persona that lurked within him, and if provoking the Dark Guide was the only way to bring the issue out into the open, well, he was more than ready to play on the Dark Guide's jealous nature.  He'd have to apologise to Sentinel Niven in the morning but, considering Sandburg's jealous little display out there, he was pretty sure the other Sentinel would understand his motives.

 

"What the HELL did you think you were doing?"

 

Yep, his Guide was jealous all right.  Now all he had to do was fan the flames.  "When?"

 

"When you were protecting Tina from Bond!"  Sandburg stalked forward and poked Jim in the chest.  "It's not your place to protect Tina at all!  She's got her own Sentinel!"

 

"Oh, I see!"  Jim couldn't help it, he smiled as he leaned forward and looked into Blair's eyes.  "Jealous, are you?"

 

"Jealous?!  I am not jealous!"

 

Jim shrugged.  "If you say so, Chief."

 

"Why would I be jealous?"

 

"Perhaps because I was protecting another Guide.  But," Jim shrugged again, "if you say you're not, then you're not.  Shall we get back to the party?"

 

"No, we shall not!"  There was a growl of pure fury, then the Dark Guide put his hands on Jim's chest and shoved.

 

The bonding platform was directly behind Jim and he was unable to regain his balance before he fell.  He landed flat on his back on the bonding platform and seconds later, received a chestful of Dark Guide in full bonding mode.

 

The Sentinel growled as he struggled to take control of their bonding, then roared as his blasted Guide bit him on the throat.  With a snarl of near fury, he grabbed his Guide by the hair and by the throat and threw him onto his back, rolling with him to pin him into place.  A shriek of outrage made him grin as his Guide bucked beneath him, trying to throw him off, but his hold was secure and he held his Guide in place as he lowered his head to do his own biting.

 

The smell of Blair's anger faded as the bonding heat took over, and the Sentinel growled with pleasure as his Guide tilted his head back, submissively giving him full access to his throat before dropping his barriers completely.  With a roar of triumph, the Sentinel bent his head and claimed his Guide.

 

~'~

 

"Chief?  Sandburg?"

 

Blair opened his eyes slowly then shut them again, then opened them wide as he stared at the dark bruise on Jim's neck.  "I bit you!"  He guessed that text had been right when it claimed that Dark Sentinels and Guides were possessive of their bond mates.  What on earth had got into him?  Well, he knew what had got into him.  His Sentinel had been protecting Sentinel Niven's Guide and he, Blair, hadn't liked that one bit.

 

Jim grinned.  "Yeah, you did.  Now are you going to wake up so we can rejoin the party before it finishes or are you planning on sleeping the rest of the night away in here?"

 

"What?  Oh, yeah."  Blair sat up, looking around.  Amazingly, the bonding suite looked exactly the same as it had before he went a little...berserk.  Somehow, he'd expected it to look as if a cyclone had hit it.  He couldn't believe he'd bitten his Sentinel.  Then again...  He looked at the bruise which showed that his Sentinel was a claimed Sentinel and smiled.  Let Tina go bite her own Sentinel.  "How long was I asleep?"

 

"About half an hour."  Jim sounded as smug as Blair felt.  "You feeling all right now?"

 

He grinned.  "Yeah, I'm fine.  Let's go before they eat all the hors d'oeuvres."  And before any of the guests left.  He had a claimed and marked Sentinel to show off.

 

His first port of call, as it were, was Sentinel Bond.  As soon as they left the bonding suite, he made a beeline for the oblivious Sentinel, dragging his Sentinel along with him.  He waited until they'd got Bond's attention and then grinned widely as the Sentinel stared at the bite mark in full view on Jim's neck.

 

"You bit him?!"

 

It was one of those freak moments when a room is quiet and a comment is heard, loud and clear.  For a second no one spoke and no one moved, then a ripple of conversation spread from their corner.  From what Blair could hear, it all involved Jim's bite mark.  His own, naturally, didn't attract any attention at all.

 

Blair grinned at the shocked Sentinel in front of him.  "Yep."  He turned and surveyed his handiwork happily.  "I think it suits him."

 

"Careful, Chief."  There was a warning in the glance Jim threw at him but, judging from the feelings of smugness and lazy contentment Blair was picking up, Jim really didn't mind at all.

 

"Well, I uh..."  Sentinel Bond drained his glass and set it down on the table.  "I'm afraid I have to be going now.  I have an early flight in the morning.  Blair, it's been a pleasure.  Sentinel Ellison," his eyes flicked to the livid bruise before a pale version of his normally charming smile appeared, "my heartiest congratulations to you on your bonding.  You seem to be perfect for each other."

 

"You know, Sandburg," an arm was laid across Blair's shoulders and he was tucked tightly into his Sentinel's side as Bond disappeared through the exit, "if anything happens to me, I don't think he's going to come back and offer to bond with you."

 

Blair grinned.  "Then I'll just have to make sure I keep you around for a long time then, won't I?"

 

"You certainly will."  The arm tightened briefly, then relaxed.  "C'mon, Chief, I have a hankering for hors d'oeuvres."

 

The End.

20th February 2005.