Disclaimer: This is an amateur effort written purely for the fun of it, and no money has exchanged hands. It is not intended to breach the copyright of Paramount/Pet Fly Productions or CBS Productions/Studios USA.
Warning: Adult language and situations.
The Reflection in the Mirror Series: Part 5 (April 11, 2002)
THE CLAWS THAT CATCH
The man moved quietly through the remote mountain forest. He absently noted the chill in the air and the frost crunching under his feet. Snow was coming soon; he could smell it in the air.
Glancing up, he saw a small cat curled on a tree limb, watching him. The dark spots on its light fur blended into the foliage and the darkness. The little cat made eye contact, then looked away, then back, all the while blinking slowly.
The man stared back. The little cat hesitated, then slipped back in the branches out of view.
The man moved on deeper into the forest.
There was another here. The beast moved out of the trees. The man paused, light blue eyes locking on light blue, as the tiger approached.
“I know you,” the man said, the feeling of recognition teasing the edge of his memory.
The tiger watched him, silent.
The man hesitated, then reached out to touch the tiger’s head as it moved closer, rumbling.
His hand continued to smooth over the tiger’s head, registering each purr. The man murmured, “Why did you come back now?”
The tiger swished its tail.
A strange noise, like a cough, drew the man’s head up. Peering out from the trees was a black cat with the same blue eyes as the tiger.
The man watched as the black animal moved closer but kept a distance between them. The tiger looked over its shoulder, each cat sizing the other up.
The panther moved even closer, and the tiger growled a challenge.
The panther crouched, ready to spring, but a gray shape moved in front of it, blocking the way. The canine eyes were a deep blue, shades and shades darker than either large cat.
The man reached out, and the wolf came to him, moving to his side to rest its head against the man’s leg.
Both cats leaped on the man -- and vanished.
Hunter woke with a start. Glancing around the bedroom, nothing seemed out of place. The soothing rhythm of his guide’s heart beat was just down the hall.
Hunter rubbed his eyes. Esoteric dreaming had never been his strong suit, but Sandburg would have had a field day with it. Hunter had seen the spirit animal several times since bonding with Sarah; knew its significance, but he had never stopped to consider why he had accepted it so readily.
“Too much Animal Planet,” Hunter whispered, turning over only to encounter a warm bulk lying next to him on the bed. He froze, cop instincts screaming at him to grab the handgun from the night stand. The rumbling purr stopped him. Letting his eyes adjust to the gloom, Hunter made out the striped body curled next to him.
“Just what I need: an overgrown house cat to shed all over my bed.” Hunter’s grumble was negated by a gentle rub of the big cat’s fur. The tiger stretched in delight, then snuggled closer.
“Don’t think you’re gonna make a habit of this, buddy,” Hunter warned as he let his head settle back on the pillow.
The tiger ignored him as it huffed out a breath and went back to sleep. Hunter soon followed.
~~~~~~~~~
Blair was parked at his desk, paper piled precariously around him. He peered around one of the unsteady stacks to check on Sarah’s progress with the sorting. He’d gotten his stitches out from the head wound he had suffered during the campus attack, and the week of light duty, at his sentinel’s insistence, had made major progress in healing his bruised ribs.
“How’s it going?” Blair couldn’t even see the floor with all the boxes and books scattered around.
Sarah glanced up from her cataloguing. They had had every intention of working on some more Dark Sentinel manuscripts, but after seeing the mess from Blair’s latest sentinel research acquisitions, all ten cases and countless books, they realized something had to be done to organize things.
“Umm...I think we need more file boxes,” Sarah replied. Hunter had agreed to allow her one day a week with Blair, and she was trying to make the most of it. The small concession made her hopeful that others might follow, in time.
“Oh, man,” Blair moaned. “I don’t have room for all this stuff!” He waved his hand despairingly at the overflowing shelves of artifacts and books.
“If we label the boxes and stack them on top of each other like file drawers, we can use the back wall.” Sarah pointed to the only free area in the whole room.
“I need a mental health break,” Blair declared. “Let’s go to the Digital Bean for ice cream.” The Digital Bean was a coffee/ice cream shop with internet access just off campus that was a student and faculty favorite.
They walked out of Hargrove Hall into the sunshine and Blair breathed in appreciatively. “Late summer – I love this time of year. No fall classes for a few weeks, time to savor the campus.”
Sarah felt a quick pang at his words. If she hadn’t been bonded, she would be starting classes next month. If...if...if. She berated herself for moping – she needed to focus on the positives.
“What would you like, Sarah?” She realized belatedly they were now standing at the counter with the student worker patiently waiting to take their order.
“Oh!” She smiled apologetically. “Sorry. Banana split, please.”
“Double fudge ripple sundae,” Blair ordered, and pulled out his wallet.
“No, my treat,” Sarah insisted, and carefully counted out the bills.
Blair watched her; she was coming out of her shell, slowly but surely. She missed the flirtatious wink the student gave her and the universal male look of approval that proclaimed: cute chick.
But Blair didn’t.
As they made their way to a table, Blair chuckled. “He was checking you out.”
“What?” Sarah asked, confused.
“The clerk. He was checking you out.” Blair couldn’t resist teasing her.
Rather than blushing, which Blair expected, Sarah went pale. “No, I....”
“Hey, what’s wrong? He wasn’t doing anything nasty; he just thought you were cute.” Blair stared at her, worried.
“No, I can’t....” She trailed off, remembering the ugly scene at the record store and Hunter’s reaction.
“Sarah,” Blair reached out and threaded his fingers through hers, linking. Almost immediately, Blair knew what was wrong.
Sarah looked down at her untouched ice cream. It was bad enough to have the memory of Hunter’s reaction; now she had the Guide Prime in the equation.
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
She glanced up, eyes troubled.
“He’s going to have to come to terms with it,” Blair said softly. “You aren’t her.”
It figured that Blair would know – he always knew. It was scary coping with Hunter’s demons, but it was even more frightening to have Blair know so much more than he’d ever reveal.
With a reassuring squeeze of her hand, Blair smiled. “Hey, how about we just drop this topic and enjoy our ice cream.”
When she nodded in relief, Blair took a scoop of his sundae and fired up the computer. “I wanna surf a bit – any requests?”
“I’d like to know more about the spirit animals,” Sarah said shyly. “I tried to read everything in the books you gave me, but they didn’t say much.”
“They wouldn’t,” Blair said as he typed in a URL. “That’s something very rare and special.”
“What does it mean to have one?”
Blair waited while the page loaded. “The meaning of a spirit animal is complex. It’s generally a guide or a protector in the spiritual realm, but it depends on what cultural context you’re working in.”
“What does it want?”
Blair smiled. “You’re looking at it backwards. The spirit animal is there for you: to teach, to protect, to help you understand.”
“How do I ask it what I’m supposed to learn?”
“That’ll come when the time is right.”
“That doesn’t help much,” Sarah sighed.
“I know – but some things have to be experienced first hand in order to learn from them.” Blair wasn’t deliberately being vague. As a teacher, he knew full well that certain things had to come at their own pace. “The first step is to learn about the animals themselves – their characteristics, habitats, even the mythology surrounding them.”
“When I saw my cat the last time, it looked different.” Sarah took a scoop of banana and ice cream and chewed thoughtfully.
“Different?”
“The colors...they were different. Maybe it was a little bit bigger.”
Blair just nodded, a curious half smile on his face. Then he looked back to the computer. “Here we go: the gray wolf. My spirit animal. See all the neat stuff?” Blair moved the screen so they could both see. “I love these wilderness preservation sites.”
They read through the page, then Blair surfed on to show Sarah all about the panther.
“Strictly speaking, it’s not a panther, which is a black leopard. Jim’s spirit animal is a melanistic jaguar. We just call it a panther out of habit. Plus, it’s easier to find panther stories than jaguar stories, not to mention cool Kipling quotes.”
“What about the tiger?” Sarah asked.
“Siberian tiger. Largest tiger breed, often found in snowy, mountainous regions, solitary predator. Sound like somebody we know?” They read through the description.
Sarah looked glum. “You have all these exotic wild animals. And I have a house cat.” It was depressing to be so ordinary.
“Watch,” Blair said as he clicked on a few links. “Does this look familiar?”
Sarah stared at the tiny cat, with its light fur and spots. It looked just like her animal did now.
“It’s no larger than a house cat, also found in mountainous regions, and quite rare. All of our animals are endangered species, but yours is the most endangered of all.”
“How did you know...?” Sarah’s first question trailed off. The Guide Prime was doing it again. “What is it?” She leaned forward to read the accompanying text.
“The oncilla - otherwise known as the tiger cat.” Blair reached out to touch the stone she wore around her neck. “Tiger eye, tiger cat – pretty cool, huh?”
“But what does it mean?” Sarah leaned back again.
Blair gave her a mysterious smile. “That’s for you to find out.”
~~~~~~~~~
Todd sat at his state of the art computer crunching potato chips. The high tech machine looked out of place in the dingy one room apartment. Piles of fast food bags littered the floor along with junk food wrappers and stacks of paper.
Todd pushed his stringy hair back from his face as he typed. He was an graduate student at Rainier University in the computer science department. Average student, but excellent web site designer. And he’d found someone to pay him for what he enjoyed doing most.
His attention was fixated on his latest creation. He’d run through the video “Guided Passion”, and found some excellent clips to capture and put on the site. Flash, avi or mpeg? he mused, knowing that not everyone would be able to view certain formats depending on their web browser and media player software. Ah, what the hell. I’ve got enough server space for several formats.
He ran through the clip: the guide’s eyes were glassed over, but most people wouldn’t pick up on the drugged state. They would be too busy watching the action to notice anything else. The guide was actively moving and moaning, pleasuring one guard while another took his own pleasure on the writhing body.
Todd nodded; it looked perfect. He knew that the sites had a cult following in the campus underground. Shocked and titillated, people checked out every update and every new site he created. He uploaded the file and the updated index page.
I am a Web God, he gloated, leaning back in his chair. He reached for his can of soda and grimaced -- it was flat. Getting up for the first time in three hours, he got a bag of nacho chips and a fresh can of root beer – time to check the other sites.
Todd put his chips down in shock as he went from site to site. 404 - Page not found.
What the hell? He logged on via ftp to the servers hosting the sites and couldn’t connect. Same thing via telnet. Someone had taken down his web sites. Someone had pulled them, but who?
Picking up the phone, he dialed frantically.
“This had better be an emergency,” came the raspy voice of his still unseen boss.
“The web sites,” Todd stammered. “Somebody pulled them!”
“Damn it,” the man cursed. “All right, just stay calm. I’ll get somebody on it.”
Todd hung up, uneasy. The man who had hired him said it was easy money - just design sites and maintain them, but it seemed like things were getting a bit more complicated. When the phone rang, he jumped.
“Hello?” he said cautiously.
“Stay off the net for the next two days. I’ll let you know when you can upload again.”
“Uh, what happened?”
There was a pause. “You know what killed the cat.” The connection broke.
Todd stared at the phone, then hung up. What seemed like a harmless porn fantasy was now a lot darker and murkier.
Maybe I should get out of this, Todd thought, and got up to lock his door. Maybe I should just get the hell out of Dodge.
~~~~~~~~~
“Hey, Sarah. It’s six o’clock.” Blair shoved a file box against the wall and let out a grunt. The boxes were already stacked seven high, and they still had more stuff to organize.
“Oh, no!” Sarah yelped. Hunter had ordered her to be home by six. “I’m late. I still have to cook.”
Just then Blair’s cell phone rang. “Hello?”
Blair grinned at Sarah. “Hi, Hunter. Yeah, we’re still here. We’ve been sorting papers all day.” Blair listened intently. “Late meeting? Yeah, okay, I can do that. Sure, no problem.” Blair hung up and chuckled.
“What?”
“Hunter has a late meeting with the city commissioner. He probably won’t be home before 8:30, so he wanted me to make sure you ate supper.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Sarah sighed.
“But I need food,” Blair blinked innocently. “Any chance I could get invited for dinner?” It was shameless manipulation, but Sarah caved under the look.
“Where’s Detective Ellison?”
“Jim’s got some kind of reunion with a few of his army buddies tonight. I really didn’t want to hear a bunch of ex-military jocks with receding hairlines reminisce about the good old days.” Blair gave Sarah a rueful glance. “Just too testosterone, ya know?”
Sarah tried to picture Hunter with a bunch of his military compatriots. She wasn’t sure he even had any buddies.
They arrived at Hunter’s house, and Blair took the house key from Sarah, opening the door. Just like Hunter, he made sure the house was safe, relying on his empathy to scan for unwanted presences.
“So what’s for dinner?” Blair asked conversationally.
Sarah peered into the refrigerator. “How about stuffed peppers?”
“Sounds great. I can set the table.” Blair rummaged through the cupboards, locating dishes and glasses.
They worked in companionable silence, Blair fixing salad while Sarah browned meat and stuffed the peppers.
“You’re going to microwave them?” Blair asked in horror.
“Sure,” Sarah said. “It tastes about the same, and it’s quicker.”
Blair just shook his head at the sacrilege. She had made enough for four, probably to accommodate Hunter’s appetite, which if it was anything like Jim’s, would keep three normal people fed.
After dinner, Blair glanced at his watch. “Hey, what day is it?”
“Tuesday, why?”
“Turn the TV on,” Blair ordered. “It’s almost eight.”
Blair picked up the remote and switched the channels. “I just love this show.”
Sarah settled on the couch. “I haven’t seen it since...well, since.” She bit her lip. She loved the show too, but Hunter was more a Discovery Channel/PBS viewer with a life-long addiction to ESPN. She really hadn’t had a chance to watch anything she wanted to for fear of upsetting her sentinel.
“So what happened the last few months?”
“Well, you know the one boyfriend left. And Piton has had this crush on her, but she said he was beneath her. That didn’t last for long.”
“You mean they actually got together?” Sarah gasped.
“Well, not yet, but I’m sure as heck that they will. Remember the episode where they were under the love spell? Those two have an amazing chemistry. Much better than old what’s-his-face. I always thought he was brooding wet cardboard.”
“Most people really like him,” Sarah ventured shyly. “But I always liked Piton better than Seraph.”
“Yeah, he can act.” Blair grinned at her shocked gasp. “Well, it’s true. Take Seraph --I’ve never heard a worse Scots brogue in my life, and I’m no expert by any means.”
“Seraph’s good looking,” Sarah said neutrally.
“So’s half the world. Doesn’t make him memorable.”
“Piton’s so...” Sarah trailed off, uncomfortable with the direction her thoughts were taking.
“Hey, it’s okay. You can appreciate a good looking actor. I’m gonna maintain my devotion to Sienna.” Blair grinned as he wiggled his eyebrows.
They settled down to watch the show. The key turning in the lock barely registered as both empaths were engrossed in the show’s heroine battling yet another monster.
“I might have known,” came the deep voice as the door opened. “Leave you two alone and you start cultivating all kinds of bad habits.” Hunter walked in, eyeing the TV with disfavor.
“Hey, it’s almost over,” Blair grinned. “Just getting Sarah caught up on the episodes she missed.”
Hunter glared at him. He was tired, hungry and in the mood for a fight.
“I have your plate ready,” Sarah was already hurrying to the kitchen. “All I need to do is heat it up.” She popped the plate in the microwave as she pulled a bowl of salad out of the refrigerator.
Blair trailed into the kitchen after her and poured Hunter a glass of ice tea. “C’mon, Hunter. Lighten up. It’s just a TV show. Here, sit down and we’ll serve you.”
Hunter sat, still glaring while Blair placed glass, silverware and napkin in front of him. Sarah brought the hot plate to him, not daring to breathe until he took the first bite and grunted approval.
He looks so tired, Sarah thought.
“Go finish watching your show,” Hunter ordered. “Mindless drivel that it is.”
Sarah wavered, not wanting to upset him more.
Blair sat down across from Hunter, eyes sympathetic. “Bad day, huh?”
“Just long,” Hunter grunted. Sarah laid a hand on his shoulder and opened the link, sensing his headache. Bit by bit, the headache eased as Hunter ate and his guide gave him support.
When Hunter had cleaned his plate and was starting on his salad, Blair stood up.
“Well, I gotta get home. Jim should be back from his reunion and I’m at the PD tomorrow bright and early.”
“Thanks for staying with her, Sandburg,” Hunter growled, feeling much better and unwilling to admit it.
“No problem,” Blair replied. “I got a free dinner and didn’t have to cook.” He grinned at Sarah.
Sarah saw Blair out, then returned to her sentinel, clearing off the dishes. She fixed a cup of coffee for him as Hunter removed his tie and jacket, sighing in relief.
“What do you see in that show, anyway?” Hunter peered at her, his expression inquiring. He vaguely knew about the show -- some supernatural thing -- but had never had much interest in it.
“It’s entertaining,” Sarah said. “It’s funny and scary.”
“That actress – she’s about your size,” Hunter said, catching the end credits on the screen. He narrowed his eyes. “Looks a bit like you, too.”
“Sienna is beautiful,” Sarah said wistfully. “I’m not.”
Before Hunter could say anything, she turned away to finish cleaning up. He followed her into the kitchen, leaning against the door jamb.
“What is it about the show that sends you?” Hunter asked bluntly. Her feelings were easy to read, and the hint of melancholy disturbed him.
Sarah hesitated, not wanting to sound ridiculous. “In that world, she’s different. She has special powers that she doesn’t want, and an obligation she can’t get away from. She can’t be normal, ever.”
Hunter moved behind her, not quite touching. “Sort of like empaths...and sentinels.”
“I guess,” Sarah shrugged, not turning around.
“Does it make you sad?” Hunter asked softly.
“No, not really,” Sarah shrugged again, staring blindly down at the counter she was wiping. “It’s all make-believe. But she....”
“She what?” Hunter asked, somehow sensing this was very important.
“She’s strong. She survives. She’s not very big, but she can fight the monsters and win.”
“Are you fighting monsters, Tiger?” Hunter smoothed a hand over her head, his touch gentle.
Sarah opened her mouth, then shut it again. She felt like crying, for some reason.
Hunter opened the link, waiting. When Sarah connected, he just moved her back to rest against him. Sarah closed her eyes and slowly relaxed into her sentinel’s hold.
Mine.
~~~~~~~~
Hunter pulled out some case folders from his briefcase as he exited Simon Banks’ office. He was still investigating the various links to the guide porn tapes. It was a convoluted and complex problem – just the kind of challenge that gave him a predatory thrill.
Pulling out his cell phone, he hit 2 and waited.
“Captain Hunter’s residence, may I help you?” The normally low and pleasant voice was definitely nasal and congested. Sarah had managed to catch a summer cold, that, while not serious, made her too miserable to accompany her sentinel today.
“Just checking in,” Hunter said tersely, aware that members of the bullpen weren’t above eavesdropping on any conversation deemed interesting.
“I’m fine,” Sarah said, then promptly sneezed twice and blew her nose.
“Uh huh, I can certainly hear it,” the mild sarcasm was mitigated by the note of concern underneath it.
“Really, I’m okay. Just sniffly. I’m drinking orange juice.”
“Go lie down on the couch and take a nap,” Hunter ordered, then hung up.
Sarah stared at the phone, then sighed as she hung up. He’d only been gone four hours and already called three times. Part of her appreciated his concern, even if it just was sentinel to guide, but the other part of her wanted to strangle him with the telephone cord for hovering.
Sarah sneezed and grabbed another tissue. She sat down on the couch and absently flipped through the TV channels with the mute button on. It had been a fight to get Hunter out of the house that morning. She had been a bit congested last night, but she had woken up with an industrial strength cold and Hunter had gone into BP mode.
He’d all but pinned her down while he ran his hands over her, his senses checking for congestion and fever. Finally, he was satisfied that she would survive the day. He was fully prepared to call in, but Sarah had insisted she could stay at home and drink lots of liquids while he went to work. It still mystified her how she had managed to manhandle her six foot one sentinel out of the door.
Looking over, she saw her spirit animal curled on the rug near the patio door. It looked content just to rest there, Sarah thought drowsily, as the cold medicine kicked in and she drifted off to sleep.
Hunter was in BP mode and nothing and nobody was going to talk him out of it. His guide was ill, and she was alone at home for the first time since the kidnapping. And speaking of sick guides....
Hunter looked over at Sandburg; the kid had been called in to help because Hunter had zoned twice in Simon’s office due to the fresh coat of paint on the walls. Okay, the kid had volunteered -- more or less. But now the kid was coming down with the same damn bug, only worse. Sandburg had stubbornly insisted on staying with Hunter for all two hours of the meeting with Banks and the Deputy Chief of Police.
Blair sat at his desk, trying to keep it together. He felt awful. Maybe it’s the flu. God, my muscles ache. He shivered a bit with a sudden chill. With Sarah sick and Jim in court, there was nobody else to keep Hunter grounded. Focusing Hunter had tapped out the last of his reserves; his barriers were disintegrating rapidly.
Simon peered out the door of his office, his face lined with concern when he looked at Blair. The young man looked really ill.
Hunter homed in on Blair. The kid had his head in his hands as he leaned on the desk, his arms trembling with the effort to hold his head up. Hunter caught him before he nose-dived into the computer monitor.
Hunter caught a glimpse of the kid’s eyes - glassy and red-rimmed. He could smell the sickness that soured the kid’s scent, and felt the heat radiating from the compact body. In just a few short hours, Blair had gone from mildly ill to truly sick
Hunter snarled when somebody walked too close to Blair’s desk. The Guide Prime was sick, and the Shield must protect the guide.
“Sandburg, what am I going to do with you? You should never have been allowed to come in this sick.”
“Somebody had to do it, man,” Blair countered, his voice raspy, rattling in his throat.
“And you call me stubborn?” Hunter moved Blair back a bit so he could lean against the back of the chair. “You could give lessons in obstinate, Sandburg.”
H was keeping a careful distance from the IA captain, but at the same time wanted to help Blair, whom he genuinely thought of as a friend. He had scrounged around the break room and found some of Blair’s favorite tea. He had made up a mug and was bringing it to Blair, but before he could get close, Hunter intercepted him.
“Blair, would you like..?” The words were cut off as Hunter locked a hand around H’s upper arm. H froze instantly.
“Relax, I just brought him some tea,” H croaked, not wanting to push the sentinel over the edge. Hunter gradually released his grip.
Hunter took the mug from H, rumbling a warning, and H backed off hurriedly.
Blair managed to look up. The IA captain sniffed at the tea, managing to stop a sneeze at the smell of it. Then, to Blair’s mortification, he took a sip of it, checking the temperature, and only then placed it in front of him with the curt order to drink it.
“I don’t need...” Blair protested weakly, but Hunter wasn’t listening. A firm hand descended on his neck. Blair half expected to be shaken into submission, as Hunter was in major Blessed Protector mode, but all Hunter did was lightly massage Blair’s aching muscles, trying to encourage him through touch to drink the tea.
“If you won’t go home, then at least drink something. You’re dehydrating.”
Blair just didn’t have the energy to argue with another alpha sentinel. “Okay,” he sighed in surrender.
With one glare at the rest of the room, Hunter finally settled down in Ellison’s chair, and started to leaf through his reports. He couldn’t focus on them. He could hear the congestion in the smaller man, and the heat from his body was like a furnace to him.
Blair began to cough and Hunter rubbed his back soothingly as Blair tried to bring up the mucus irritating his lungs, but it rattled in his chest and refused to budge. Hunter waited patiently for the coughing fit to finish.
Maybe I should go home, Blair thought dizzily. I’m freezing. But the thought of driving while feeling like this stopped him. I’ll probably run off the road.
Hunter could feel Blair shivering. He slipped out of his jacket and pulled it around his charge, and was rewarded with a muffled thanks. Blair pulled the coat closer around himself; it was still warm from Hunter’s body heat, and had a pleasant evergreen scent that soothed the guide.
A light tap to his arm, and the cup was placed in his shaking hand, and he was gruffly ordered to drink it.
Yes sir, Mr. Sentinel, sir. Blair didn’t say anything out loud, but Hunter caught the little flash of rebellion all the same.
“Drink it, or I’ll pour it down your throat, Sandburg,” Hunter growled, but he spoiled the effect of the threat by rubbing Blair’s back soothingly.
So Blair sipped and shivered while Hunter watched over him.
Daryl Banks looked around the bull pen, paused and then headed for Jim Ellison. Rhonda had given him an evidence report fresh from the lab to be given directly to the detective. A volunteer gopher for the next couple of weeks, Daryl had decided to do his work placement with his father at the police department. After all the problems with his university placement, when he had fallen in with the wrong crowd and acted like a real jerk, Daryl was eager to make amends.
It was about playing his dues; a man always paid his dues, his father told him, and Daryl knew he had a long way to go before Detective Ellison would trust him. After that horrible rough start, he had gotten to know Blair and to respect the empath for his character and strength. Daryl was still deeply ashamed of how he had treated Blair in the beginning.
It hadn’t been easy. When Daryl had first arrived for his junior internship, Ellison had treated him with an icy politeness that had hurt more than any yelling or temper. The Sentinel Prime wasn’t ready to forgive the teenager for what he had done.
But Blair smoothed the way for him; now Detective Ellison only looked as if he were going to take his head off, instead of actually doing it.
Daryl caught a glimpse of Blair, nearly hidden behind his sentinel, and frowned. Detective Brown had told him that Blair was ill, but it looked more like the young man was ready to collapse.
For a moment, Daryl hesitated. Approaching a sick guide was dangerous, as he had learned in Sentinel 101, but Rafe and Brown were close by, and it wasn’t like Detective Ellison could kill him, right?
Daryl could see the younger man shivering and felt indignation rise. Why would Ellison make his guide work when he was obviously sick?
“Respectfully, sir, you shouldn’t have brought your guide in today. He looks terrible.”
The sentinel looked up, eyes narrowed, and Daryl took a step backward.
Blair tried to say something, but was silenced by the larger man.
Daryl, seeing the sentinel bullying Blair, got brave. “If you don’t take him home, I’ll have to tell my d....”
“Keep your nose out of what doesn’t concern you!”
The next moment, Daryl was lifted up from the floor by the front of his sweatshirt. His feet were hanging in mid air.
Blair scrambled to grab Hunter. All he managed to say was, “Hunter, don’t...no,” before he collapsed in a spasm of coughing. Blair fell to his knees, choking on the fluid he couldn’t clear.
Can’t breathe, he wanted to scream, but he couldn’t get words out, or air in. Panicking, he tried to pull himself up, but Hunter was there, and whacked him on the back sharply.
Daryl, forgotten for the moment, raced toward his father’s office. “Dad, come quick! Dad!”
Blair coughed and sputtered as the back blow dislodged the mucus plug. Rafe and H were on their feet, ready to rescue Blair from the wrath of Captain Hunter, but stopped when they realized what was happening.
Blair just gasped brokenly as the bluish tint to his lips faded.
“Easy, Sandburg,” Hunter rumbled as he gently moved Blair to lie on his side. “Just breathe.” His hand moved over the unruly mop of hair, calming and soothing.
Simon had looked out as soon as he heard his son’s voice, and when he saw the IA captain grab his son, he was running out of his office. By the time Simon entered the bull pen, Hunter had released the teenager, who yelled for his father and managed to run straight into him.
Simon quickly looked his son over for any injuries, and then moved him off to the side. Sandburg was gasping and shaking, but he clung to Hunter and refused to let go of the captain.
“What in the hell is going on?” Simon barked.
“He choked,” Hunter snarled, but his touch on Blair’s back never stopped. He swept Blair up off the floor and without even asking, carried Blair into Simon’s office and laid him down on the sofa.
The cushions were pushed behind his head as Hunter propped Blair up so he could breathe more easily.
“Sorry,” Blair choked, coughing again. His chest felt on fire. His mouth opened and closed spasmodically as he tried to talk.
“Come on, my little guppy; time to stop the fish impersonation.” The words were gruff, but Hunter’s touch was the opposite.
Hunter moved to sit on the sofa, and Blair clung to him, grateful for his shielding and support, yet a small selfish part of him desperately wished Jim were here.
Daryl, who had snuck in after his father, gingerly handed a small bottle of mineral water to Hunter. “Sentinel Ellison, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean....” He stopped as he felt the man’s blue eyes sweep over him.
“The name is Captain Hunter. And you are...?”
“Daryl. Daryl Banks.” He then turned puzzled eyes to his father. “Dad?”
“Leave it, son.” Simon dropped his hand onto Daryl’s shoulder and firmly guided him out the door. “We’ll talk later.”
Keeping Blair cradled against him, Hunter unscrewed the top of the bottle and coaxed Blair to take a few sips. It soothed Blair’s raw throat, and after Blair drank about half the bottle, Hunter eased him back down against the cushions.
“You know, Sandburg, next time I want hazardous duty pay,” Hunter groused, but his touch was soothing as he smoothed the long hair out of Blair’s eyes.
Simon returned and paced in front of the two men on the sofa. “How is he?”
“His barriers are shot, and he nearly choked to death on his own spit. Just wonderful, thanks.” The withering sarcasm made no impression on Banks.
“Daryl already told me what he did, and he apologized. He didn’t know.” Banks was grateful Hunter hadn’t injured his son; he could have done a lot of damage. The IA captain’s newfound self restraint must be another curious part of the Sandburg Effect.
Blair’s eyes felt like grit and a major headache had erupted. He had no barriers left. He groaned as he was lifted up, and then an arm went around him and he was pulled close. Reaching up, he grabbed a fistful of the expensive linen shirt Hunter wore, knotting it as he buried his face against the warm chest. The arm around him tightened.
Hunter rolled his eyes, muttering something about long haired guides, but shifted slightly to allow Blair to settle against him.
“Welcome to the club, Hunter.”
“What?”
“Parenthood -- or something like it.”
“This is a sentinel thing,” Hunter said sharply. “He’s not a child -- he’s a guide.”
“Right,” Banks looked unconvinced. “You protect them, you nurture them and provide for them. What exactly would you call that?”
“The bond,” Hunter said with a steely expression. “It works both ways.”
Banks wisely shut up.
Hunter looked down at the guide, wrapping his senses around him, monitoring his vitals. “Time to go home, Sandburg. I think we’ve had enough drama for one day.”
Blair just nodded, exhausted.
“I’m taking him home, Banks. When Ellison gets out of court, tell him to come over to my house to pick up Sandburg.”
Simon watched Hunter wrap a blanket around the shivering guide. The IA captain was full of surprises. Not only did he take care of his own guide, with a sensitivity Banks would never have given the man credit for, but he also watched over Blair. Curiouser and curiouser.
Blair half-dozed as Hunter carried him out. “I can walk,” he protested, too tired to be embarrassed.
“Yeah, I know. ” Hunter said, never pausing. “Just once, Sandburg, quit arguing.”
Sarah woke, but the little cat was gone. Pulling herself upright, she blew her nose for the nine millionth time. Hearing the car pull up outside the house, she looked out of the window, mindful of her sentinel rules about opening the door in his absence. The next minute, she threw open the door as Hunter came up carrying a blanket covered figure.
“Out the way, Sarah; he’s no light weight,” Hunter warned softly, as he maneuvered carefully around her.
“Blair?” The curly dark hair was unmistakable.
“He’s sick. Ellison’s in court, and I can’t leave him alone.”
“Should I call the doctor?” The Cascade PD had its own clinic. Sarah had gotten her mandatory physical there.
“If I bring modern medicine within ten feet of Mr. Natural Herbal Remedy, here, he’ll have a fit,” Hunter sighed, but he was worried. Blair’s fever had risen higher.
Hunter hesitated, then carried Blair up the stairs. He paused; his bedroom was closest, but Ellison would go ballistic if his guide were in Hunter’s bed. So it would have to be Sarah’s room – guide to guide, no threat.
“We’ll put him in your bed for now. Maybe Ellison can convince him to go to the hospital.” Hunter didn’t sound too hopeful about that.
“Can I help?” Sarah was pale, her nose and eyes reddened. She didn’t look that well, either, Hunter realized belatedly.
“Get some water, and some Tylenol,” Hunter instructed, peeling back the multi-layered clothing, all the while talking to Blair; the last thing he wanted was for the kid to have a flashback.
When Sarah left the room for the supplies, Hunter finished undressing the younger man, leaving him in his boxers. Then pulled the sheet up over him and left the comforter off. Too many layers and the kid’s temperature would go even higher. His hand ghosted over Blair’s forehead: 103.6, give or take a tenth of a degree.
Sarah returned with the Tylenol and helped Hunter get the pills down Blair. The young man was muttering something, delirious, but calmed when Sarah and Hunter touched him.
“His barriers are gone,” Sarah said, aghast.
“Damn fool kid,” Hunter groused, then looked up at his guide. “Did you take your vitamins?”
“Yes, Captain Hunter. And the echinacea. And the extra vitamin C. And the zinc.”
“Good,” Hunter said, satisfied that his guide had obeyed him.
She sneezed and rubbed at her sore nose. “It’s just a cold,” she reassured her sentinel, just as worried about Blair as he was.
“I don’t want you catching this,” Hunter said as he reached out to stroke over her hair. “You should be resting.”
“I’m okay,” Sarah said, wanting to do something to help, but not sure what.
“Sarah, call the office. See if Banks got a hold of Ellison yet.”
Sarah went downstairs, snagging another tissue on the way. She checked the number list by the phone and carefully dialled the number for Major Crime.
“May I speak with Captain Banks? “ Sarah waited while she was connected. “Captain Banks? This is Sarah Freeman. Captain Hunter wanted to know if you had reached Detective Ellison...yes, good. I’ll keep watch for him, thank you.”
Just then the front door slammed open, making her jump.
“Where is he?!” Ellison roared, and Sarah moved back warily.
Marching over to her, he slid a hand around the back of her neck, freezing her into immobility. Turning her head from side to side, he narrowed his gaze. “You’re sick, too.” His touch gentled. “Where’s my guide?”
“Upstairs. He has a bad fever.” Sarah tried to calm her pulse down so Hunter wouldn’t come tearing down the steps.
“Okay, let me at him.” Jim propelled her up the stairs at top speed.
“Blair?” Jim moved into Sarah’s room and saw the young man curled on Sarah’s bed, one hand clutching Hunter’s.
Hunter gently disengaged Blair’s grip, allowing Ellison to move in to check out his guide.
“I got the gist of the story from Simon,” Jim said. He ran his hands over Blair’s chest, frowning at the congestion and the light wheeze he felt and heard. “What do you think?”
“Bronchitis at the very least. Maybe pneumonia. He refused to go home.”
“Sounds like him,” Ellison sighed, noting the heat. “He’s burning up.”
“Fever’s better now,” Hunter said as he ran a hand over Sandburg’s forehead. “He’s your guide, but I think he needs antibiotics.”
“I’ll call Carlson -- he owes me a few. See if he’ll stop by and give him a shot or something.”
“You know Sandburg will have a fit about this,” Hunter warned, but found himself liking the plan.
“He has to be upright and mobile before I’ll listen to him bitch,” Jim said grimly.
So Hunter moved downstairs with Sarah while Ellison used his cell phone to contact the physician, who agreed to come over right away. While the doctor and Ellison were occupied with Blair, Hunter fixed soup for Sarah.
When asked what she wanted, she said simply, “Chicken noodle.”
“Ah, yes, your infamous comfort food,” Hunter said, but obliged her. He also fixed some sandwiches to go with it. They sat down to eat, Hunter monitoring each sniffle. They had just finished when Ellison came down the steps with Dr. Carlson.
“The shot will help, but he needs a full ten day course of oral antibiotics. I would prefer to have him in the hospital, but we’ll take what we can get. If he worsens, call me.”
“Thanks, Pete. I owe you.” Jim clapped the man on the back gratefully.
“No, you don’t. You saved my life. Nothing will ever balance out that. Take care, Jim.”
“And?” Hunter prompted Ellison as soon as the physician was out the door.
“Pneumonia, he thinks. Blair got a shot – that woke him up! Now he’s feeling sorry for himself and muttering about guerilla tactics and disrespect for traditional healing.”
“Sounds like Sandburg,” Hunter observed. “Have a bowl of soup and a sandwich, and then you can take him home.”
“I really should get going,” Jim protested, but Sarah was already pulling out a bowl and spoon and stifling a sneeze.
“You – sit,” Hunter ordered his guide. “You’re not one hundred percent, either.”
Jim watched as Hunter fussed over his guide, pouring her a glass of juice. She was pale but clear-eyed. Jim sat down and sampled the soup, finding himself hungry after all.
“Is Blair going to be okay?” Sarah asked Jim, her eyes anxious.
“Sure he will,” Jim answered, his eyes crinkling with a smile. “He’s just too damn stubborn to take care of himself. I couldn’t take him with me to court; the judge has something against guides, but if I had known....”
“I handled it, Ellison,” Hunter said tersely.
“Yeah, you did. Thank you,” Jim said simply, and turned his attention back to his soup.
Sarah watched the sidelong glance Hunter gave his half-brother. It might have just been her imagination, but there was the slightest flicker of warmth in it.
Glancing toward the patio, she saw all four spirit animals. The wolf was a bit gaunt, but was resting on the panther’s side. The tiger was curled behind the wolf with the small cat in between its paws. All four animals were sleeping peacefully.
Sarah turned back to the two sentinels who were talking quietly and amiably about sports. Maybe it will be all right, she thought, and kept the vision to herself.
When Jim finished eating, he went back upstairs to check on his guide. The storm that had been threatening all afternoon finally broke, bringing in nasty winds and sheeting rain.
Hunter went up to check on the pair. Blair was curled up in the covers, and when Jim tried to uncurl him to pick him up, he groaned in protest.
“Ellison.”
Jim looked up to see Hunter in the doorway.
“It’s pouring down rain. It wouldn’t be a great idea to drag him out in this as sick as he is.”
“I need to get him home,” Jim answered, trying once again to loosen Blair’s grip on the covers.
“Don’t,” came the irritated, delirious mumble as Blair burrowed deeper under the covers.
“Look, Ellison, why don’t the two of you just stay the night? Storm should be over by daylight, and maybe that antibiotic will have kicked in.”
Jim looked up, territorial imperative at full throttle. He didn’t want to stay, but Blair defied the third attempt to move him, moaning pitifully.
“You can stay here with him, keep him calm,” Hunter said. “Give him a chance to get better.”
“Worried about Blair? The tone was edgy, and just a tad aggressive.
“He’s the Dark Guide, I’m the Shield,” Hunter said simply, sounding so matter of fact that Jim wanted to punch him. What was it about the two of them that created such a strong connection?
Hunter, seeing Ellison heading for BP mode, stayed calm. After all, he knew all about territorial imperatives. “He’s your guide, Ellison.”
Jim sighed when he realized how ridiculous he had sounded. “I know, you’re just trying to help. Believe me, I appreciate it.” Then Jim frowned. “Where’s Sarah going to sleep? We’ve commandeered her bed.”
Hunter thought it over. If Sarah had his bed for the night and he camped out downstairs, then Ellison would be closer to her than he was. The sentinel in him wouldn’t put up with that. Ellison wouldn’t sleep on the couch because it would keep him away from Sandburg, who needed him to heal. Of course, he could always put Sarah on the couch, but she was sick and the couch wasn’t that comfortable. So that left....
“I’ll put her in my bed with me.” Hunter turned to see Sarah standing in the doorway, eyes huge at the statement.
Jim caught the look on her face and winced. Poor kid, she was spooked enough about the whole sentinel-guide thing without throwing in a few more territorial behaviors.
“Hunter,” Jim warned, and Hunter focused on his guide, monitoring the elevated heart rate, the slight change in scent. She was scared.
“I’ll handle this,” Hunter said, taking Sarah by the arm and leading her out of the room.
Try a little tact, Hunter, Jim thought as he stripped off his shirt and trousers and climbed into the bed. Even in his sleep, Blair moved toward Jim, curling up next to him. Opening the link, Jim simply held his guide tight.
Hunter led Sarah to his room, deliberately ignoring her pounding heart.
“Ellison’s decided to stay until the storm passes. He needs to stay with Sandburg, and I don’t want you sleeping on the couch while you’re sick.”
“I could just...” she motioned to the floor.
The sentinel shook his head, BP mode on. “No.”
“Captain Hunter, I....” Sarah trailed off, not wanting to make him angry. They had fallen asleep together several times after bonding, but this was his bed....
“Sarah, there’s nothing to be afraid of,” Hunter said, smoothing her hair. “I won’t pounce – I promise.” There was just the slightest hint of amusement in his voice, enough to remind her of that morning when they had awakened after bonding and he had....
Her eyes stung. He was making fun of her again....
“Sarah.”
When she looked up again, he wasn’t laughing, as she feared he might be. Or even sneering.
“It’s really no different than the bonding mat, except that it’s softer and has pillows.” Hunter knew she was unsure of him on a physical level. She was still getting used to touching him and being touched, but this was a huge step outside the comfort zone.
She looked at the bed, then back at him.
“You’re sick, you don’t feel good, and I wouldn’t get any sleep if you were down on the couch, or vice versa, so this is the best solution.”
Sarah bit her lip, trying to slow down her heart and not act like a scared child.
“You know,” Hunter said casually, “Ellison and Sandburg don’t even own a mat. They use a bed to bond.”
Sarah’s eyes grew even wider. She heard him chuckle at her expression.
“Sandburg was injured pretty badly when they first bonded. Ellison didn’t want to hurt him more by putting him on the floor or a mat, so they just got into the habit of using the bed.” He looked straight at her, catching her gaze and holding it captive. “It’s just furniture, Sarah.”
Sarah finally nodded, and went to the bathroom to change into her PJs and brush her teeth. When she came back to Hunter’s room, he had changed into a pair of sweat pants. He was telling her again, without words, that she was safe with him.
For a moment she hesitated, then took the side furthest from the door. Slipping under the comforter, she laid her head on the pillow. Every muscle was tense.
Hunter got in on the other side. He pulled the comforter halfway up his bare chest and turned on his side to look at her.
“You’re not going to be able to sleep if you keep this up.” He sounded irritated, and that calmed her more than anything else could have. He pulled her to him. “See? Just like bonding. You’re exhausted, I’m damn tired and we are both going to get some sleep.”
That was more the autocratic Hunter she knew. He just held her until the heart rate slowed and her breathing evened out.
“Remember, kid, we’re not even in the same book.” The admonishment was accompanied by a gentle rub over her back as he opened the link, sending feelings of protection and security.
Feeling achy but warm, Sarah finally relaxed and closed her eyes.
She was dozing, not quite asleep, when she dimly heard him ask her a question.
“Uhm?” she mumbled.
“I said, what are you thinking?” He was still connected, but the emotions she was projecting were a little hard to read.
“I feel safe,” she confessed, half-asleep, and drifted off.
The sentinel rumbled, satisfied, and followed her into sleep.
~~~~~~~
Blair moved fretfully and Jim automatically rechecked vital signs. Blair’s temperature was up again.
“Okay, Chief, time for more Tylenol.” Jim reached over and opened the small bottle Hunter had left at the bedside and shook out two tablets. Reaching for the water glass, he pulled Blair up and stuffed the pills in his mouth.
Blair spat them out, moaning and trying to pull away.
“Come on, Chief. You need this to get the fever down.” Jim patiently popped the pills back in and poured water down his guide’s throat.
Blair choked and sputtered, but reflexively swallowed.
“There you go,” Jim said, easing his guide back down on the pillows. Blair’s eyes were open, fixed on the corner of the room.
Sentinel senses swept the room – nothing there.
“Burning...burning me,” Blair muttered, delirious as he reached up to ward off something. “Fire people burning me.” His head moved back and forth in agitation as his heart rate accelerated.
“You’re just hallucinating, Blair,” Jim explained softly. “It’s the fever.”
“Fire...burn...” Blair moaned as he tried to move away from the nightmare images.
“Shh, Chief, I’ve got you.” Jim rubbed a hand over his guide’s back as he pulled the young man close. “The fire people can’t get through me.”
Blair mumbled something unintelligible, still upset, but gradually his body relaxed as the fever dipped down and the man holding him continued to murmur reassurances.
“Jim?” Blair eventually opened his eyes, glassy but more coherent.
“Yeah, Chief, just go to sleep. You’re safe.”
“I dreamt....” Blair began coughing again, so hard that he thought he’d rip a lung, and when the paroxysm passed, he just gasped for air.
“Just rest, Chief. I’ve got you.” Jim laid his head on top of Blair’s, cradling the empath against him.
“Always got me,” Blair slurred sleepily as he settled down. “You always do.”
~~~~~~~
Sarah woke just before dawn and tried to ease out of her sentinel’s hold. Hunter muttered, tightening his grip. Trying again, she managed to slip out of the bed. “Just going to the bathroom,’ she whispered and her sentinel settled back to sleep.
After she used the facilities, she heard movement in her room. Detective Ellison must be getting Blair up to go home. She went downstairs to heat some water. Soon, there were steps on the stairs.
Follow the sneeze, Jim walked into the kitchen. “Morning,” he said. “I’m going to warm up the truck and then get Blair home.”
“How is he?” Sarah asked.
“Better,” Jim yawned, stretching the kinks out of his back. “Temperature’s down a bit.”
“I have some coffee and tea,” she offered hesitantly. “If you’d like some before you go.”
Jim nodded, accepting the mug and sipped gratefully. It had been a long night and he was tired from his constant vigil. “Sorry about throwing you out of your room -- both Blair and I appreciate it, though.”
Sarah nodded as she worked on fixing a mug of herbal tea for Blair.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she said, not quite meeting his eyes. “The cold is much better.”
That’s not exactly what I meant.
Jim had worried a bit, especially since he recalled Blair’s reaction when he had first taken him up to his bed. She had looked almost as frightened as Blair had.
“I meant, after last night.”
He was the Sentinel Prime and could ask anything he wanted, but she felt uncomfortable talking about it.
“I’m fine,” she mumbled, embarrassed.
“Is he a blanket hog?” Jim teased, trying to put her at ease.
She shook her head, her face flushing.
“It’s okay, Sarah. Nothing to be embarrassed about – just one of those sentinel-guide things you’ll get used to.” He didn’t mention that it could get more territorial as time went on. That would be just a bit much for her to handle at this point. “Just want to make sure you’re okay.”
He reached out and patted her on the head, and just then Hunter walked into the kitchen and snarled when he saw Ellison lay a hand on his guide.
Jim turned around, totally at ease. “Sarah just made some coffee for me. I’m gonna get Blair some tea and then we’ll be out of your hair.”
Hunter gradually relaxed when he realized everything was fine. But Sarah was biting her lip again, so he moved over to her.
“It’s barely 6:00 AM,” Hunter said as he ran his hands over her, checking for any new signs of illness. She looked a little better, not so congested, but she was eyeing him nervously. “You shouldn’t be up.”
“I just wanted to make some tea for Blair, and some coffee...” she apologized.
“So where’s my cup?” Hunter demanded, and she hurriedly poured him one, only relaxing when he took a sip and then ran his hand over her back in thanks. Crisis averted...maybe.
Jim had headed upstairs, poured the tea down his recalcitrant guide, and was now carrying him down the stairs.
“Damn it, Jim, I can walk,” Blair griped, then started hacking.
“Just concentrate on breathing, Chief. I’m going get you home and back in bed.”
Hunter walked over to where Jim was juggling for the door knob and opened the door.
“Thanks, Hunter,” Jim said as he turned sideways to get Blair through the door. “And thanks for taking care of him and letting us stay.”
“No problem,” Hunter said, brushing over Blair’s forehead. The fever was definitely down.
Sarah, standing behind Hunter, reached out to touch Blair’s sleeve. “Get well soon,” and hastily let her hand drop when she realized she had touched him without the Sentinel Prime’s permission. Jim pretended not to notice her furtive movement.
“Thanks, Hunter, Sarah,” Blair wheezed, and subsided with more coughing.
Detective Ellison smiled at her, really smiled. “Thanks for the coffee, and the room. We’ll see you later.”
After they left, Hunter walked over to the patio door, staring through the overcast gray dawn, but the mountain was obscured from view.
“I can’t see it this morning,” he commented quietly, sounding almost lost.
“It’s still early,” Sarah said softly. “Maybe it’ll clear up later. Come back to bed.” When she realized what she had just said, she turned bright red. “I mean...I meant....”
Hunter turned around, true amusement in his eyes, one eyebrow arching.
Sarah buried her face in her hands, groaning inwardly at her unintentional slip of the tongue. Could this get any worse?
“Sarah,” a hand brushed gently over her head. “I know what you meant.”
Sarah peeked at him through her hands, then fled upstairs to the bathroom.
By the time she left the bathroom, Hunter was just finishing changing her sheets. “I don’t want you getting sick, so I changed your bed.”
Her sentinel was looking out for her as always.
“We won’t run for a few days until you’re back to normal. By Monday you should be okay.”
Sarah climbed into her bed, still rattled.
“Sleep in a bit – it’s a good day to do that,” Hunter said as he pulled her comforter over her, tucking her in. “I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
“Captain, I mean, Hunter?”
Hunter stopped and turned around. Sarah was finally looking at him.
“Thank you for taking care of me.” She swallowed a couple of times, trying to regain her equilibrium.
“You’re my guide,” he said in gruff tones, but his eyes were warmer than she’d ever seen them.
~~~~~~~~
The man watched as the hacker sifted through the cyber trail to locate the source of the account suspensions. Percy was a geeky little weasel, not unlike Todd, but with one important difference: discretion. The hacker had been in business for ten years because he did the job and kept his mouth shut.
“Anything?” The man asked.
“Well, all of it seems to trace back to a law firm called MacLean and Stevens. They filed an injunction and all the sites were shut down.”
“I need a name,” the man said impatiently.
“They’re a small, highly specialized firm - technology and big business, espionage, patents and so on.” Percy suddenly straightened up. “Got him.” He turned to the man standing behind him. “Their biggest client is William Ellison.”
The man rubbed his jaw. William Ellison would have to learn that he couldn’t interfere with a man’s business and not expect to pay for it.
~~~~~~~~
Hunter stretched, contemplating ending the day a bit early. Sarah was still in his office sifting through computer files, and Hunter had allowed her to continue while he met with Bernie Clark to discuss some open cases. Walking down the stairs, Hunter juggled his file folders. The paperwork never seemed to end.
Turning his cell phone back on, it beeped. Message waiting. After listening, Hunter cursed fluently and at great length. Taking the steps two at a time, he burst into the bullpen. He was about as angry as his men had ever seen him, and they didn’t say a word as he strode to his office.
“Where’s Sarah?” Hunter demanded, pinning Samantha with his gaze.
“Detective Ellison came to pick her up for the meeting,” Samantha said with some trepidation. “He said you knew about it.” She had never seen her boss so furious.
Hunter snarled as he walked into his office, locked up his files and grabbed his briefcase.
He walked out of the bullpen to total silence. He dialed Ellison’s cell phone, but only got voice mail. The same with Sandburg’s cell. No one was home at the loft. He then dialed Major Crime and managed to get Captain Banks.
“Banks, this is Hunter. Where’s Ellison?” Hunter demanded.
Simon leaned back in his chair, chewing on his cigar. The IA captain sounded like he wanted to rip off heads.
“Don’t know – he left here saying something about a meeting. Not my day to watch him.”
“I can’t reach him on his cell,” Hunter growled. “What about Sandburg?”
“Are you planning bodily harm?” Banks asked sarcastically.
“Hell, no! This is an emergency.”
“I think he’s meeting some friends for dinner. Said something about the new Greek restaurant on Solomon.”
“Thanks,” Hunter growled as he hung up.
Driving through the city, Hunter hung a left on Solomon, sentinel eyes searching for the restaurant. Pulling into the no parking zone, he shut off the engine. The traffic cop who came walking up to him never even got a chance to complete her warning about illegal parking before the police ID was shoved in her face.
“Captain Hunter, Internal Affairs,” Hunter rumbled as he got out of the vehicle, towering over the young cop, who hurriedly backed off when she realized not only was he a police captain, but a sentinel.
The restaurant door was pulled almost off its hinges. For an agonizing moment, there was silence in the small room as Hunter stood in the doorway, his eyes sweeping over the people until he fixed on the man he wanted.
Carol looked up. “Uh...Blair....”
The other Rainier University TAs at the table held their breath. It was Detective Ellison, and he looked furious.
Blair had felt Hunter’s presence just before he made his entrance. Shaking his head, he muttered under his breath, “Sentinels.” Only then did he turn around in his chair.
Hunter came striding towards him. “Do you know what he did?” Hunter’s hand came down on Blair’s neck, shaking him lightly.
The other people at the table were worried. Was Detective Ellison going to hurt Blair?
“What who did?” Blair asked warily. He hadn’t forgotten how impressive Hunter’s intimidation techniques were, but the Shield wasn’t hurting him.
“He took Sarah!” Hunter roared, totally unconcerned about making a scene.
The manager came over, trying to intervene, but one look at Hunter’s expression stopped him.
Blair smiled reassuringly at the man. “It’s okay. Hunter’s a police officer.”
The grad students at the table looked at each other wordlessly. Hunter? This was Detective Ellison, wasn’t he?
“Slow down, man. What do you mean, he took her?” Blair had his suspicions, but waited for confirmation.
“The clan. He’s taken her to a damn clan meeting.” Hunter shook Blair again for emphasis.
“Blair,” Carol protested.
“Hey, guys, it’s okay. This is Jim’s brother, Captain Hunter.”
The students at the table exchanged worried glances. The man – no, sentinel -- was manhandling their friend.
“Hunter, can you keep it down to a dull roar?” Blair got up and reached out to grasp Hunter’s arm. Blair let his hand move up and down the sentinel’s arm, letting his barriers drop. It had an almost magical calming effect on the taller man.
The grad students at the table were fascinated despite their apprehension. The sentinel-guide connection was something few were privileged to witness. How was it Blair could calm another sentinel than his own?
Hunter was growling, but his grip on Blair’s neck had lightened. “I never asked to be the Shield.” The frustration in his voice was unmistakable.
”You gotta live with it, man. Non-refundable one way ticket.” Blair turned to his friends. “Sorry, guys. Duty calls.”
“You okay, Blair?” Carol wasn’t convinced Blair was safe with this man, relative of Ellison or not.
“I’m fine. Just some sentinel business to take care of.”
The waitress arrived with the food, setting Blair’s plate down. Blair was caught by the jacket and held in place.
“Put that in a doggy bag,” Hunter indicated the meal Blair had ordered. “You’re eating on the way.”
The waitress hurriedly packed up the food and Blair pulled out his wallet to pay her when Hunter tossed a twenty on the table.
“Let’s go – I have a sentinel to kill.”
Blair barely had time to grab the bag before he was dragged out the door.
Blair was munching on his food as the car took off like an guided missile. “You know, this is something you both have in common,” he mused. “It’d make a good chapter for my paper – sentinels and moving machinery, subtitled: the sentinel and his car.”
Hunter only had time to shoot Blair a withering look as he squeezed through a traffic gap that was rapidly closing. “Eat your food, and don’t drop any of it on my upholstery.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Blair waved a piece of meat as if to make his point. “Whoops.” A large chunk of something coated with sauce fell on the floor.
Hunter swore. “Keep your head out of the floorboard; you can clean the car later.”
“Ta dah!“ Blair held up the offending article. “Clean your car for a bit of gyro? Get real, man.”
~~~~~~~
Sarah looked around the room at all the unfamiliar faces. She moved closer to Detective Ellison, her fingers clinging to the back of his jacket.
“It’s okay, Sarah. These are our clan members.” Jim could feel her apprehension, and moved to tuck her against his side like Hunter did.
“Senior Sentinel Prime,” Sentinel Edwards greeted him formally. Then he looked at Sarah. “And who’s this?” He smiled at the girl, trying to put her at ease.
Sarah stared at him wordlessly.
“This is Sarah Freeman, Hunter’s guide. Sarah, this is Sentinel Edwards. I think you may have met his guide David.”
David smiled at her. Sarah recognized him from the department store.
“Hello,” she said softly, overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
“Nice to meet you, Sarah,” Edwards said, reaching out to her, but she pulled back.
“Easy, Sarah, this is part of it. All the sentinels and guides connect.”
Sarah stared up at Jim, worried. Hunter didn’t like anyone touching her, and if he caught scent of the other sentinels....
Jim moved her forward slightly, one hand on her shoulder. “I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
One by one, sentinels and guides approached, each one touching her shoulder or head. It wasn’t what she expected, and the link was astounding.
“See? Not so scary after all, eh?” Jim smiled down at her. “They’re just trying to make sure you’re connected to the clan.”
“The Shield’s guide,” Dr. Harvey said in her usual forthright manner. “Why isn’t he here?”
Sarah winced; Hunter wanted nothing to do with the clan. He accepted his Shield duties reluctantly, but he wasn’t about to ‘join the cult’, as he put it.
“Hunter will be here,” Jim predicted, knowing full well Hunter was probably ready to mutilate something as soon as he got the message. If Mohammed won’t come to the mountain....
~~~~~~~~
Commander Dan Slater had been the first person to suggest a clan room in the Cascade City Building. They had soon taken over most of the fourth floor, with the full blessing of the mayor in his eagerness to smooth over the ballroom incident at the Cascade Gala.
Jim, of course, had seized the opportunity to create a sanctuary for the sentinels and guides of Cascade. Although it wasn’t officially restricted to those of sentinel and guide blood, no one else had been foolish enough to try to enter without permission.
Jim and Blair had, over the last six months, implemented some guidelines for sentinels and guides in Cascade. As Sentinel Prime, he made this the first place that any outside sentinel came to upon setting foot in Cascade; it was a required courtesy when coming to a new territory.
Martin Hopkins was an unbonded sentinel, and had just been assigned to Major Crime. The department had arranged for him to meet the Senior Sentinel Prime and his clan. James Ellison’s reputation was legendary, both as sentinel and as a detective, and if Hopkins wasn’t accepted by Ellison, he could kiss his new job goodbye.
Hopkins got off the elevator and spotted a guide-sentinel pairing in front of him. The large military looking man had a long-haired kid pressed against the wall. For a moment, Hopkins though the sentinel was disciplining the guide, but as he got closer, he realized that the kid was actually holding the sentinel back.
“He brought her here on purpose, the underhanded bastard. He knows I don’t want any connection with the clan,” the man snarled at the kid.
”Easy, man, it’s cool.” Blair tried one of his coaxing, soothing smiles, which was wasted on the angry sentinel. “She needs to get to know everyone, even if you don’t want to associate with them. Just calm down – you can’t just burst in there – you know that.”
Blair took a deep breath, and the grip on his shirt tightened. He was dragged up on his toes so that he was nose to nose with one very pissed off Vincent Hunter.
“Sentinel Prime or not, he had no right!” Hunter growled. “I’m going to....” He trailed off with a snarl of disgust when he realized that Blair was calmly meeting him head on. There was no fear in the face of the Dark Guide, in fact, there was a trace of humor at the situation. Blair had Hunter over a barrel, and he knew it.
Hunter leaned into Blair, still royally pissed at Ellison, then realized that another sentinel was present. With a lightening fast movement, Hunter released Blair and then turned to block the new sentinel, his eyes raking up and down the man. Hopkins came to a halt, trying to keep his breathing level.
“What are you looking at?” Hunter spat. He had a new target, and one that he didn’t have to hold back on.
“Back off, man, before you scare him. Geeze, Hunter, chill out.” Blair walked around, straightening his jacket and shirt, as if being pinned to the wall was just a routine part of his day.
“Blair Sandburg,” the young man met Hopkins’s eyes levelly as he put a hand out. He had his suspicions that the man was a sentinel, and had dropped his barriers slightly to get a fix on him.
“Detective Martin Hopkins.” The sentinel was clearly puzzled; the alpha sentinel near him was fuming, and the guide seemed to expect the same courtesy as if he were a citizen.
“You got a problem with shaking hands?” Hunter growled, BP mode on. He was ready to slice and dice.
With a shrug, Hopkins shook hands with Blair, surprised to feel the strength of the young man’s grip.
“There you go, Hunter -- no threat. So, who are you visiting?” Blair viewed Hopkins critically.
“Detective Ellison. I just transferred to Major Crime.”
“You’d better come with us, then. We’re going in.” There was a hint of amusement that not even the chilling glare that Hunter shot him could extinguish.
When Blair started towards the door, he was caught by the scruff and pulled close, so that Hunter formed a human barrier between him and the unbonded sentinel.
Blair sighed; the Shield was just doing his thing. He latched onto Hunter, subtly edging him toward the door. Well, at least this would take Hunter’s mind off Sarah.
Hopkins took a mental deep breath. He had been told that the Cascade Clan was intense, but he never expected it to be this bad.
~~~~~~~
Hunter entered the clan room, and saw Sarah. He was relieved to see her safe, but was still ready to kill. Sarah was sitting next to a young woman who was holding a baby in her arms. Leaning over the woman was a kindly looking man whose frequent small touches of the young mother indicated that he was her sentinel.
“Ellison!” Hunter walked up to Jim and without warning, slugged his half-brother. Jim was knocked to the ground, but rolled to his feet quickly.
“I’ll give you the one punch, Hunter, but not anything more.” Jim stood ready for anything.
“You fucking son of a bitch,” Hunter growled.
Blair was trying his best to calm the Shield, but Hunter was oblivious to his attempts.
“I’m Senior Sentinel Prime. You swore fealty. I’m invoking the mandate.”
“I don’t want her here!” Hunter seethed.
“It’s part of the package,” Jim replied. He wasn’t surprised by the physical attack, but had to admire Hunter’s total lack of concern at slugging the Sentinel Prime in front of the entire clan.
Hunter shifted from foot to foot, aware that the rest of the occupants of the room were watching him closely.
Jim just stared at Hunter. “You knew this was coming sooner or later. The clan needs to know Sarah so that they can protect her if needed. What you do on a social level with them is your own business.”
Hunter looked over at his guide, who was watching him with dread. “Come here, Sarah.”
She moved over to him, and Hunter immediately ran his hands over her, checking her over. The scent of the others on her infuriated him. Hunter glared at the assembled sentinels, who were bristling at his aggression.
“This is Captain Vincent Hunter,” Jim introduced him to those who were unfamiliar with the man. “Hunter, our clan. You probably know most of the sentinels from when Sarah was kidnapped.”
The subtle reminder of the clan’s assistance in rescuing Sarah made Hunter pull himself together.
“My apologies, Sentinel Prime,” Hunter growled. It stuck in his craw to say the words.
Blair beamed at the other clan members. “Hunter’s just a bit BP. He tends to forget the social graces when that happens.”
The little barb made Hunter flush.
Edwards looked at Hunter with a stony expression. “This is the Shield?”
“You got a problem with that?” Hunter turned on the sentinel. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
Hopkins just hung in the background, wishing he could just slip away unnoticed.
“Oh, yeah,” Edwards snarled, and took a step forward.
A loud whistle stopped them. “Guys, time out.” Jim walked over and held up a hand. “Before this deteriorates into a free for all, I’m immediately ordering a cease and desist.” He then turned to his half-brother. “Hunter, this is our clan. Chill out, or so help me, I’ll pound you into the ground.”
The challenge and reminder of the confrontation at Blair’s office did the trick. Hunter calmed down.
While the other sentinels watched suspiciously, Hunter was introduced to everyone. He managed to remain civil.
“He really isn’t a jerk when you get to know him,” Blair confided to David, well aware Hunter could hear him. “He just goes BP and his brain shorts out.”
Hunter flushed again. “I apologize,” he said to those assembled. The words had obviously been pried out of him, but they were sincere.
Sarah detached herself from her sentinel, letting Jim and Blair guide him around. By the time a half hour had passed, things were reasonably calm, Hunter included. He still wasn’t in the least bit happy, but nobody was mortally injured.
Sarah was sitting with the young mother again. Her sentinel growled as Hunter came up. Whatever Hunter was about to say was lost when Sarah looked up.
“Isn’t she cute? She’s only a week old.” Sarah was fussing over the baby, her finger held by a tiny fist.
The young woman looked up and smiled as Jim walked over.
“Hunter, this is Sentinel Niven, Vice and Tina Parker. They’ve been on maternity leave.” Jim reached out to touch the baby’s smooth cheek, smiling as she rooted toward the motion. “And this is Maria.”
“The baby is yours?” Hunter’s eyes swept from sentinel to guide.
Niven looked insulted. “No, my guide is Mrs. Parker.”
Blair grinned: another milestone. Before, Niven would have said his guide was Tina. Now he was giving her full name – a person in her own right – and he was acknowledging her marriage publicly.
“Cute kid,” Hunter mumbled, looked slightly uneasy.
Niven relaxed slightly, launching into the colorful story of how Blair had delivered the baby while trapped in an elevator.
It figured – Sandburg and chaos went hand in hand most of the time.
“Would you like to hold her?” Tina asked Hunter, surprising Niven and Jim, but panicking Hunter.
“Uh, no, thanks. I’m not good with kids.” Hunter tried to at least sound polite about it.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Blair said sotto voce, glancing over at Sarah. “You do okay.”
Sarah missed the exchange as she fussed over the baby.
“She’s not a little girl,” Hunter glared at Blair. “She’s eighteen years old.”
“Yeah, I know,” Blair replied. “Just wanted to make sure you did.”
Before Hunter could throttle Blair, Jim interrupted him.
“Your choice, Hunter, but the clan is part of what we are...and were.” The reference to the ancient clan made Hunter pause.
“Guess I can take it if you can,” Hunter muttered, feeling trapped.
“That’s my Shield,” Blair said affectionately. “And I’m still not cleaning your car.”
Hunter made a half-hearted attempt to grab him, but Blair pulled away, grinning.
Looking over at Jim, Hunter hunched his shoulders. “I still don’t want this.”
“I know,” Jim said, not without sympathy. “Responsibility’s a bitch sometimes, isn’t it?”
Hunter’s eyes went back to Sarah as she played with the baby. The walls were closing in.
~~~~~~
Hopkins was just about at the door trying to escape without anyone noticing when he heard a rumble.
Jim turned his attention to the new sentinel who was trying his best to become one with the wall. As if on cue, the guides were pulled back behind their sentinels.
“Unbonded,” came a low whisper, repeated around the room. The word seemed to imply unclean.
Hopkins took a steadying breath, the hair on the back of his neck rising. “Senior Sentinel Prime Ellison, my name is Martin Hopkins. I’ve just been assigned to Major Crime.”
The Dark Sentinel emerged as Jim’s posture changed. Blair’s hand rested on his shoulder, but the Dark Sentinel reached up, and moved it away. He was in full challenge mode: an unbonded sentinel was entering his territory, and therefore could be around Blair when he was by himself, ergo, he could be threat to the Dark Sentinel’s guide.
The Dark Sentinel moved towards the newcomer, but when Blair tried to follow, he was effectively caught and pulled back against Hunter. The Shield was protecting the Guide Prime, even if the Guide Prime did not see the threat.
Blair tried to escape, but found himself expertly pinned.
“Stop it, Sandburg, or I’ll cuff you,” Hunter growled, his hold tightening.
Blair craned his head back, trying again to free himself from Hunter’s grip, but was unable to move. He couldn’t see Hunter and was trapped from behind just like...Blair tensed, remembering when he had been held against his will, unable to get away, while they....
Hunter felt the smaller man stiffen and his heart rate accelerate, and cursed under his breath. “I’m not going to hurt you, kid.” Hunter dipped his head to scent at Blair’s neck, the instinctive action of a sentinel trying to calm a skittish guide.
The Sentinel Prime looked back, eyes narrowed, but apparently decided his guide was safe with the Shield.
“Stop that flashback -- right now!” The exasperated command was so typical Hunter that Blair relaxed against him, the memory fading away.
Blair waited a few seconds until the thundering in his ears died down, then protested. “You have to let me go, man. Jim could do him some serious harm.”
“If Hopkins is stupid enough to try to challenge him, then he doesn’t belong in Major Crime.”
Hunter glanced back at Sarah. She nodded: she would stay put.
Blair tugged experimentally, but Hunter’s grip didn’t loosen.
The man approaching him reminded Hopkins of a giant cat stalking its prey. The Sentinel Prime circled him slowly and deliberately. Hopkins had to make a visible effort not to move, but he was nervous of having the man behind him.
When Ellison spoke, his voice was sentinel soft, but it was enough to make Hopkins jump.
“Do you honor the guide, in all forms, and do you vow to protect the guide to your own death, be it needed?” The formal phrasing was the beginning of the ancient ritual ceremony of accepting unbonded sentinels into the clan.
“Yes, sir,” Martin managed to stutter, meanwhile thinking: what the hell is going on here?
“You are unbonded, yet you wish to be where my guide is. Threaten my guide, or touch him, and I will kill you.” Jim’s nostrils were flaring with aggression. “He is mine, marked and claimed, in this life and the next.”
Hopkins could hear the sentinel’s voice change from a deadly purr to a snarl. The Dark Sentinel had caught the edge of Blair’s scent on the man. Before Hopkins could ask what was wrong, he was lifted up by the throat, while the Sentinel Prime roared, “My guide!”
Blair swore and twisted abruptly, catching Hunter off guard. Blair was free of the Shield as he crossed the distance to his sentinel and threw himself on Jim’s back.
The Sentinel Prime shoved Hopkins away from him as he caught Blair and tugged him around, so that empath was plastered against him.
Blair clutched Jim’s jacket. “Its okay, Jim. I just shook hands with him. He treated me like a citizen.” Well, with a little prompting from Hunter. “That’s what you wanted, right? It’s not a threat to you, or us.”
Blair rubbed his face against the sentinel’s throat and jaw. It was one of the more primal actions of a guide, and Blair only used it in extreme situations when Jim’s Dark Sentinel couldn’t be kept under control. Blair had to struggle to keep the Dark Guide from emerging: the last thing he needed right now was his own ancient persona coming out to play.