Disclaimer: The main characters are not mine, this is an amateur effort written purely for the fun of it, and no money has exchanged hands, and it is not intended to breach the copyright of Paramount and Pet Fly Publication.

With my grateful thanks to Lin.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year 2002

Some details of the Persian Princess Mummy have been taken from the BBC2 series Horizon, programme of that name. Also details on the scientific work on Mummies have been taken from the Book The Private Lives of the Pharaohs tie with the Channel 4 series of that name. All mistakes are mine, and I have used those excellent programmes as fact finds.

Persian Mummy

Jim Ellison was sat watching the television, the sound not audible for the normal human ear; he had done it to allow his Guide the peace and quiet he needed while he worked on his student's exercise books.

Blair suddenly tapped him on the shoulder, "Put the sound up man, I need to hear this".

"This is Suzy Andrew, for Cascade TVM. The Persian Mummy is due to arrive in Cascade within forty-eight hours, and already the protestors are gathering outside of the Museum. Their spokesman has delivered a letter to the curator of the exhibition, we have a copy here, and it states clearly that all Mummies should be returned to their place of burial. Now if you look behind me you see that the Priest and Priestess of the Gods have started their chanting, they will be conducting a ceremony later today. They have threatened to hex all who are involved with the Mummy until its return to the country of origin. Now back to you Steve at Cascade TVM".

"Chief isn't that the one you're working on"?

"Sure, but all this hex stuff is bad karma". When he saw the look that Jim gave him he lowered his glasses, "Jim, please, it's not like you're going to be fighting mummies off, so back off big guy, no need to go BP on me, all it is, is a group of harmless, misguided, well meaning cranks". He leaned forward and patted a very solid shoulder. "And believe me you can twist them into pretzel". "Look the Jags are playing tonight", it was with relief that Jim turned back to the television.

//Thank god that Jim did not know about the threatening letters, if he did, his Sentinel would never let him go to the university//.

0-0-0-0

The blue and white classic, correction, old truck, pulled up at Hargrove Hall, it was about a block away from the University Museum, the place was grand and imposing, typically Victorian in its design, when big was best.

A small group of people stood outside the entrance, their placards read "Respect the Dead". Blair ignored them and tried to slide past the protestors only to be caught none to gently by a police officer on duty.

"You know the rules, stay on that side of the line and I don't have to run you in".

"Let go of him", the words were icy cold, and Officer Mathews looked up into the stony face of Detective Ellison. "He belongs to me".

Mathews, with a shudder let go, as he remembered the scuttlebutt that Eerie Ellison had bonded, and this must be the guy, the offhand remarks about a neo hippy witch doctor punk, a druggie, came back to him.

"Sorry Detective, but he should really have a tag on him".

Jim placed a hand on Blair's shoulder and pushed him towards the steps to the front door. "Best hurry Chief, you don't want to be late. I'll be with you in a minute". There was a glint to his eyes that made the uniform swallow hard.

Blair didn't have to be a Sentinel to hear what was said, he winced and kept going, the best thing was to get out of the way, the last thing he needed was Jim to move up a notch on the BP mode.

Once inside the Museum, Blair turned, and waited for Jim, then reaching out he stroked the powerful arm of his Sentinel, his fingers soothing the emotions that were bubbling to the surface. "Easy big guy, he did not do anything, just doing his job, and it's not a mistake he's going to make again".

But the Sentinel was not really listening, "I don't tag you like some lost property. When are they going to get it into their heads that the rule changes means just that, changes".

"I know man, open your senses, you can see, feel that I am alright.

Blair found himself pulled close, long arms wrapped round him, hands cupping the back of his head, and then moving down almost frantically over his body, his neck, back. Turning, Blair leaned against the broad chest and allowed the hands to make their way back up him again. As he did, Blair opened his barriers, so that the only thing holding him was the shielding of his Sentinel, like this he was offering himself up to his Sentinel, showing he knew who he belonged too. This was what people misunderstood, they saw the sometime submission of the Guide as being weakness, but it actually took great strength to give up control, and give responsibility to another. A gift that the Sentinel took up as an honoured calling, protect their Guide until death. Blair's head went back arching his throat, Jim's fingers moving up over his Adams apple, and then to his face. Jim was already hovering in BP Mode because of the demonstrators, and the cop had pushed him even further, only now was Jim calming down, and hopefully it would stop some one being maimed in the near future.

Doctor Woodward stood back from the two men, patiently waiting for his favourite TA to finish the Sentinel side of his work. He didn't fool himself; he found it hard to understand the Sentinel/Guide relationship that could bond two people so completely different together. Blair the throwback to the 1960 hippy culture, and Ellison, an ex-military police officer.

But it was very obvious that there was genuine affection between the two of them, and that Detective Ellison treated Blair with respect, though he could be overbearing sometimes. The Doctor winced when he remembered a problem with another facility member, the man had gone out of his way to report Blair to the GDP for dating one of his fellow TA's as if it was a crime for gods sake. The man had forgotten that in their Sentinel world, Ellison as Senior Sentinel Prime had clout that most men would sell their souls for, and he had very soon learned his lesson. That coupled with the fact the Blair now had the backing of William Ellison, the fact the mummy was on display and not just sitting in the lab was because William Ellison had put up the money to cover the insurance. The man had serious money, and made it privately all to clear that if Rainier wanted to see a cent of it they would respect the Guide. Not that Blair ever flaunted it; he almost seemed embarrassed. That humility is what Woodward liked about the post grad student, he had not changed.

"Hi Doctor Woodward, did she arrive"?

"Safe and sound Blair", he nodded towards Jim, "thank you for coming Detective Ellison, the insurance company had said that the policy is only valid if the mummy is moved by members of our team, and since Freddie put his back out playing football last night, we are short a man".

"What about Doug"? Blair put in

"Doug got one of the parchment threats last night, and he's watched the curse of the Mummy once too often".

"Threat"? The sentinels voice dropped down a tone.

Dr. Woodward realised the moment he said it that he had said the wrong thing, because Blair, with his back to his Sentinel had closed his eyes, then turned to face his Sentinel.

"No threat Jim, just some cranks, you know the sort of thing...may your head turn orange and drop off at the wrong moment". Blair tried to make light of it.

"Why didn't you tell me? Have you received one", Jim trailed off. His face darkening, "you have, haven't you, don't lie Sandburg, your heartbeat has just gone up".

"Okay, okay, man. Yeah I have and I binned it, it's all crap, they are just messing with us, no one is going to drop dead just because the Mummy is at Rainier believe me", he paused, "Errr Doctor where is she? I think we'd best get started NOW".

"Certainly", Woodward read the cue and shepherded the two men towards the rear delivery area. The Sentinel he noticed walked a step behind them, all the time keeping his eyes on the people round them.

0-0-0-0-0

Whatever Jim had been expecting it was not the non-descript crate that was on the floor, already the delivery room was filling with the students and facility members, and among them Dr. Max de Lint, the Egyptologist that had been brought in to examine the mummy and verify its origins. He had done the original examination in situ, and the findings over the next few months would he had publically said back up his findings.

Blair, speaking low so only Jim could hear, began to explain, "the mummy was found in Pakistan, in the cellar of one of the houses they had started to clear away to build a new hotel. The police were called in, and then an Archaeologist came from Bombay. It was then they discovered that it was not an Egyptian mummy; it was a Persian Mummy, which is really rare. It makes it almost priceless. We know that the Persian Royal Family had contact with the Egyptian Pharaohs and that it's not impossible that they had embalmers travel to Persia to mummify their royal family. But so far they have never found a mummy to back this up until now. The Government then called in Dr De Lint".

Jim's hand dropped on his guides shoulder his fingers gently rubbing. "Take a breath Chief". He could see the excitement running through the younger man. But he was ignored. Blair was in full academic flow.

"The script on the front of the mummy tells the name of the Princess, and she is documented and we can put a date roughly on the time she lived, it would have been towards the end of the golden age".

"So what happens now, you unwrap her"?

"Jim, you don't do that, not now, I mean in the Victorian times, you paid a few shillings in London, and they would unwrap a mummy, it was a social event, not very scientific, but now that is the last thing you do. We can use CAT scan, endoscopy, X rays and digital imaging, to see under the bandages. It's going to be mind blowing".

"What they're going to do is display the Mummy case while we work on the Princess and then switch over, that way the public can see the display. But for the opening of the Exhibition the case and the Mummy will be on display together for the first and only time, they think it will be a good fundraiser for the University, you know a meet and greet. But Unfortunately, because of the nature of the finds, there are no grave goods. Which would have been really cool, nothing like treasure to bring the public in. But where there is one Mummy there might be more".

Jim placed a hand on Blair's shoulder, his Guide was bouncing, and he could feel through the link the emotions bubbling through the young man, this moment made it all worthwhile, his Guide was back where he belonged.

Professor Max de Lint was in his late forties, and with his tweed coat, open shirt, pipe ash dotting, and a notebook sticking out of his pocket he looked the archetype archaeologist.

He finished his address to the gathered people by adding, "Always remember these are not just dusty dry bones to us, they where people and our aim is to give them back their names and their lives". There was a light smattering of applause and then people divided themselves into teams.

Woodward gave Blair's arm a tug, "Time you meet the man you're going to be working with, don't worry he doesn't bite, and I have told him about you". He added quickly, "not that you're a Guide, just that you are one of my most promising students".

Jim recognised one of the security officers and wandered over to have a word. The older man was a retired police officer, and had worked with the Sentinel when he had first joined the force.

"Hello Mark, been a while".

"Ellison", the man grinned as they shook hands, "this official or what"?

"It's a or what? don't worry, I am not keen to step on anyone's toes, just give a hand with the lifting and carrying".

For a moment Mark looked puzzled then it all clicked together.

"Oh, you're here with your Guide, Sandburg, I got a heads up that he was working on the project". He added quickly, "don't look like that Ellison, nothing bad, just that he's the Senior Guide Prime, and that I had to look out for him".

"Any bad vibes from the crew"? Jim nodded towards the other students and facility.

"None that I know of, they have all worked with Sandburg, or knew him before the well, bonding thing, he's interacted with them since then, and no problems".

Mark could not help but notice the way that Ellison's head tilted slightly as he focused on his smaller Guide as he was introduced to the Professor, polite, and friendly. He turned back to Mark, "so how's the family, the girls must be grown up by now".

"Marcy is due to start Rainier, she's all into this sort of thing, Mummies and the lot. Look, would Guide Sandburg perhaps have a word with her, she's keen to go into either Archaeology or Anthropology, he might be able to steer her the right way".

"I'll ask and get back to you on that Mark".

"Sure Ellison I would appreciate that". With a nod he went over to check on the other guards detailed to watch the Mummy.

0-0-0-0-0

The next few days for the sentinel were frustrating his guide was tied up with the Mummy Exhibition it meant long days at the University with him not returning back to the Loft before 10 o'clock at night. Which meant that the Sentinel could not rest until his guide was safely back in his territory. Then a quick bond before an over tired guide fell asleep more often than not in the arms of his sentinel.

The third day the storm warnings in the Bull Pen got posted, the Ellison Alert had gone to force 10, and everyone was keeping their head down, there was nothing worse than a sentinel without his guide, and Ellison's reputation was legend. It was rumoured that more than one bagel lady would need therapy before the end of the week.

Blair entered the Loft it was door, there where no lights on at all. Puzzled he stopped just inside the door way, he reached for the light switch and flicked it on and then off, no lights either the bulb had blown or the whole of the Loft had fused. But where was Jim.

Then he heard it a low deep growl, rumbling. Blair took a deep breath; the feral sentinel was out of its box. Jim was in the Loft, and like the great predator that was his spirit guide, it was hunting, and its prey was him. Blair closed the door behind him, and threw the lock, slowly turning round with his back to the door. Then slide out of his jacket and let it fall to the ground, then keeping his head up, reached down and slide of his trainers and socks, so that he was bare footed.

Slowly he walked into the Loft, the only light was coming from the fire place, he sense rather then felt his sentinel and gracefully knelt down hands to the centre of his back, his head down, his long hair falling down round his face like a veil. Even through he knew that normally Jim would never make him kneel, in this persona, it was what he needed, his guide had not been attentive to him, and the feral person was putting it right. Jim wanted him to have his own life, but the Dark Sentinel was no so forgiving.

He felt the hand on his neck, the fingers tightening, and he let his head drop further so his chin rested on his chest.

His head was petted, firm strokes that ran down is hair, to his shoulder, then he was signalled to get to his feet, the hand remained on his neck, as he was guided to towards the fire, the sofa had been pulled clear, and on the mat rested a nest of pillows, blankets and comforters. The hand signal changed and Blair knelt then lay on the blankets; slowly he rolled onto his back, looking up for the first time into the face of his sentinel. Lit by the light of the fire, it caught on the harder plains of his face, blood red flames making him look like a demon, rather then man. Blair reached a hand up, and then pulled him down, so that his sentinel joined him, laid on his side. "Sentinel Claim your guide".

For a heartbeat, Jim just looked at him, then with a growl caught his long hair into his hand and twisted pulled his head to one side, as he scented at this throat, then his hair. Slowly Blair petted his sentinel, the growl became a purring sound, as his mind entered that of the older man, soothing and confirming their bond, giving himself fully to his sentinel his mind mingling and merging.

0-0-0-0-0-0

The Museum

Security Guard Phil Chambers was on duty on the witching hour. The museum was now quiet, and he could make his rounds in peace, he preferred the evening shift rather than the daytime when he had to deal with all the visitors, and now with the Persian Mummy it was going to be horrific.

He could do without the hassle.

The Mummy was to go on display in the newly named Persian Hall; already half of the exhibits had been moved to the new exhibit area. Students were still helping to arrange the Persian artefacts in the display cases; the centrepiece of course would be the Mummy itself.

It was then he felt a blast of cold air run across him. He turned slowly with his torch in hand, the lighting subdued as he flicked it across the displays and packing cases. The door had been closed behind him, so where had the blast come from?

He heard the noise, it was a scrapping, as if something was being dragged across the floor, he pulled his gun, and moved forward, he would not put it past some of the students to try a stunt. He turned the corner as he saw the figure and yelled, "Freeze! Security. Now turn slowly".

The figure turned and Phil's mouth opened and closed, he could not breath, and then he began to hyperventilate, as his body fell lifeless to the floor he only had time to clutch a hand to his chest. The torch fell out of his grasp and rolled across the floor, its white light spilling out.

0-0-0-0-0

The telephone rang, and Blair stirred only for a large hand to press him back down, as Jim leaned across him, his reply was one word "Ellison", then a "Twenty minutes". The phone was thrown into the sofa, and the sentinel looked down at his guide, duty at war with need. Duty won out.

0-0-0-0-0

Mark Taylor watched as the body of his colleague was taken away by the coroner's office, only the white outline was left.

"Mark, what happened", he was relieved to see Jim Ellison, Taylor looked past him at Blair Sandburg, the kid looked as if he had been pulled from bed and was trying to suppress a yawn. His hand was resting on Jim's arm, and he seemed to be leaning into the larger man's back.

"Phil Chambers, he was on the evening shift. We run four guards, each has one wing that they walk. We have boxes set along the route, and they have to insert a key into the box, this shows that they have checked that section. If for any reason they do not check in to a box, then the alarm is activated ten minutes later, it keeps them on their toes, and if they're attacked the police are called automatically.

"Phil was found here in front of the Persian Mummy case, he appeared to have had a heart attack, but with it being this exhibit and the political kudos, Major Crimes was called in to make sure that it was just that... an accident.

"You awake Chief"?

Blair yawned again, "Sure, let's take it from the top big guy. Now if your friend would step back". He gave a smile at Mark, "thanks. Now Jim, first fix your senses on your base line", Blair felt them run over and round him like a warm caress, and basked in that feeling of heightened connection. "Now slowly send them out, and tell me what you can sense".

"Cigarette smoke, fading".

"Phil smoked". Mark put in.

"Musky smell, I can't place it. Asshhhhhhhhhoooooo!" Jim sneezed violently, grabbing for a handkerchief from this pocket, "Ashhhhhhoooooo!" Again, now his eyes were streaming.

"Jim reeling sense of smell back, counting down, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3". Even as Blair counted the sneezing attack was fading.

The scent was so strong it was burning through the Sentinel's head, and it centred on the Mummy. Pushing away Blair's hand he faced the display case. Carefully he opened his senses up, then reached a hand out, and zoned.

Blair swore, and manhandled his Sentinel away from the other people. Jim's feet were dragging, thankfully there was one of the seats near by, he pulled him down, and stood close, pulling off his own sweater, ignoring the cold that chilled his body, then pulled Jim's face against his shirt, and wrapped the sweater round the older man's head. Concentrating his own scent round the Sentinel, so that all he could breath in was his scent and the foreign scent was purged.

He felt Jim's arms tighten as the Sentinel pressed his face against him, one hand going up the back of the flannel shirt, his hands running over the smooth skin, the Sentinel needing to feel his Guide. Eyes closed Jim shuddered, as he came out of the zone, he pulled back; one hand brushed away the sweater. "What happened"?

"You zoned, but you're back now". Jim could hear the relief in the young man's voice. "Can you tell me what that scent was?"

"It was cedar wood, and a chemical resin and", he trailed off as without conscious through it extended his sense of smell. Jim looked towards the Mummy. He got to his feet, his hand dropping onto Blair's shoulder as he swayed slightly, feeling light-headed. He started back towards the Mummy only to start coughing again. Blair caught his arm and pulled him away; just as he knees began to collapse again.

The smaller Guide struggled to hold his Sentinel up, but the man's larger frame pulled him down, Blair heard them yelling for an ambulance. But with a surge of power, Jim was on his feet again, and with a push he sent his Guide flying. The younger man hit the side of the Mummy Case and slide down to the floor. Jim was out of his head; yelling and screaming about some terror only he could see. He was hammering against the display, the mummy hit the floor with the vibration and there was a blinding flash as it exploded. The enforced glass held the explosion in, but the glass was a spider web, and at a slight touch the glass fell and the smoke enveloped the people as they rushed forward. It was then the Sentinel saw the creature launching himself at the him, and his fist shot out smashing it down, reaching down to the now spasming body, he placed his hands on the creatures neck, ready to break the neck of his attacker. Then every thing went black.

Part Two Cascade Hospital

"Sentinel Prime Edwards". Simon acknowledged the man, he could see the other members of the clan in the corridor, and knew that it had to be something major if half of his reports were correct they had been more lucky than he could have hoped for.

"What happened at the Museum"?

"The Hazmat team has been on the site. They said there had been a massive discharge of a hallucinatory narcotic into the air and every one was affected. The doctors had their hands full when they got them here, Jim was badly effected by the drug which was to be expected, he lost control and tried to kill Blair".

"How is Blair", Simon cut across the other man knowing that if his friend had hurt his Guide or god forbid, killed him, Jim would never be able to live with the knowledge.

"Blair's as okay as can be expected". Edwards tone was sombre, "he went Dark Guide, it took three officers to take him down, things were pretty hairy when we arrived at the hospital", he waved a hand at the clan, "Jim was under by then, and they were in the process of trying to drag Blair to the Psycho Ward, yelling something about a rabid Guide". He paused, "we put them right". His tone spoke volumes.

"They still breathing"? Simon asked.

There was the first touch of a smile on Edwards craggy face, "a few bruises and we managed to get everything straightened out. Jim's body flushed the drug out of his system, he was groggy, but because of Blair we didn't have any of the usual argument about him staying the night.

There was a scream and roar from down the hallway, and a nurse and doctor came out of the room as if shot by a gun, Edwards turned and closed the distance in time to catch the smaller figure as it came out of the door after them.

Simon didn't have to see Jim Ellison to hear his roar of "mine", as Edwards manhandled the struggling Guide back into the room and gave him a push that sent him flying and then locked the door to the room.

From the sound of it all hell was being let loose in there, but when Simon reached for the door, Edwards caught his hand, "leave them be Captain, this is between Dark Sentinel and Guide".

Almost accusing Simon said, "You said that Jim was back to normal".

"I said that the drug had been flushed from his system, he is in full Dark Sentinel persona Captain, it is better the two are kept isolated." He walked past Simon and greeted Dr. Harvey, the clan doctor, her Guide standing on her left, his hand resting on her shoulder. Both looked as if they had been pulled from their bed, Simon mused, //one bed or two//? He pushed the thought away, he could not afford those thoughts, and he had caught the look of a few of the normal officers and knew the same thought was going through their minds. The old old story of how close were Guide and Sentinel.

In the room, the Dark Sentinel was stalking his Guide, the room was not that big and there was not that far for the Dark Guide to go, but the younger man was facing him off, not giving in to what the Dark Sentinel needed to bond, and bond now, that one word NOW was burning through his head.

He had heard the door lock, so now no one could disturb them. Edwards, he recognised the scent of the man, at the moment it was not faces that registered, it was scent, he had given him his Guide, typical Dark Guide spirited and independent, he thought he could run. He was his, and only his.

He stalked the smaller man, forcing him round the room, towards the nest he had created on the floor, with the mattress and blankets, the bed was overturned now to form a barrier between his Guide and the door, the better to protect him.

It was then pounce with the speed and agility of his spirit Guide, his hands had only just caught on to his Guide when the smaller man twisted, his heel coming down onto the inside of the Sentinel's kneecap, and pain exploded through his knee. The unexpected spike of pain rushing through Sentinel sensitive nerves made him nearly black out; his fist shot out and caught the Guide, putting him down like a stone.

The Dark Sentinel had to work to pull himself back from the black void, he clawed himself back, and then looked down at the groaning form on the floor, his Guide was starting to get to his hands and knees, the blow must have just glanced his head, otherwise he would have been out for the count.

But on his knees was what the Dark Sentinel wanted, moving as fast as his knee would allow he got behind the Dark Guide one hand gripping into his hair, he pulled him back so that his body was arched, like this the Dark Guide was off balance and unable to struggle. The Dark Sentinel looked down into the blue eyes of his Guide, eyes full of fire and hate, and grinned. A Dark Guide, the most elite of their kind, with fire in their belly and a passion in the bond that would burn out any but one of his own kind, a Dark Sentinel.

He tilted his head and scented the Guide, and a low growl started deep in his chest, his Guide was in heat of bonding, it rolled off him like a wave, but with a Dark Guide there was always the chase, they never gave in, they had to be taken, submission was not in them. Even now his Guide made him dance the dance, relive the way they should have bonded the first time, in the darkest bond. With a chuckle, the Dark Sentinel changing his hold so that he grabbed the scruff of his Guides sweater then dragged him to the nest and threw him onto it, like a cat the Guide twisted and got his feet under him, ready to power up and away. But he didn't he looked up, his eyes now reflecting his need to bond, the entire colour nearly replaced with black, smouldering need.

"Sentinel, claim your Guide".

Looking round the Sentinel saw the observation camera, it had already been smashed, satisfied, he looked down and a smile curved his lips as they pulled back over his teeth, as the Dark Guide settled back, "Panther claim...", the Dark Guide never got any further.

0-0-0-0-0

The Dark Guide woke first, he was laid sprawled across his Sentinel, he lifted his head and gave a moan as the aches and pains began to let themselves be known, but his living Sentinel pillow was soft and inviting, he moved his face so that it was pressed against his Sentinel throat, a look of pure devilment on this face, and rubbed his face against the soft skin and then swiped his tongue over the red mark he had made last night, when in the darkest bond he had claimed his Sentinel. Marking him for all the others to see. His mark, his Sentinel. A hand caught his hair and his head was pulled back gently so the Jim Ellison could see his face. The Dark Sentinel sated by the darkest bond had pulled back leaving Jim Ellison the man behind, thinking him the better to handle the still hyper Dark Guide.

Because that was who Jim knew he was looking at, Blair, in the dark persona, he hadn't switched back; this had happened before, but was always dangerous. This was going to be fun he thought sourly.

Lost in his own thoughts he didn't hear Blair speak.

"Are you okay Jim"? When there was no reply he repeated the question but put into it the bite of the Dark Guide "Are you okay Jim"? He reached a hand out, his fingertips stroking the older man's face. The Sentinel slide his fingers through his Guide's, and pressed them to his lips and nose so that he could scent his Guide, a lick of his tongue and he tasted the scent. Jim frowned slightly; there was still a harsh chemical edge to it. It was still early, "I am alright Chief, and you have to rest". He tugged him down to rest against him.

"What happened"?

"The mummy was destroyed".

"Oh god", Blair tried to struggle up, but his Sentinel was adamant that he rested, the mummy could wait. Eyes heavy Blair allowed himself to drift back to sleep again he felt drained and the dark bonding had taken its toll as well.

The Sentinel on guard duty shook Simon's shoulder, "they're awake now".

Simon pushed the door open. He looked rough, he had been up all night and his usual immaculate clothes were ruffled. He was clutching a 12 oz. cup of coffee, and gratefully sank down on the guest chair.

Jim put a finger to his lips, a warning to keep it down to a dull roar, he had a sleeping Guide in his arms, and BP mode was running at full alert.

A line from Sentinel 101 ran through the Captain's mind, "never disturbed a sleeping or injured Guide".

"What happened Simon? I am a bit short on answers at the moment". Jim asked.

"First I am pleased see you're both on the mend". Simon took a sip of his drink. "I managed to get a few answers, but you might not like them. After you zoned the first time, Sandburg pulled you out of it, then you went back to the Mummy, and began to pound on the casing, enough to cause it to fall, it appears that someone had been rigging the case. Because the moment it hit it exploded, the glass took the brunt of the force, but then just collapsed when you hit it again.

Jim looked down at his bandaged hand.

"It released smoke and that was when Blair lost it, we had about ten people climbing the walls, there was some sort of narcotic in the case. We're trying to find out what it is, everyone is recovering but it got interesting for a while". Simon put in with a shrug.

"What about the mummmmmmmy"? Blair's voice was slurring he had crashed and burned.

"Don't worry about the now Chief, just sleep". His Sentinel lightly massaged his head, carding through the dark curls. With a sigh Blair stopped fighting and went into a deep sleep.

The rest Simon glossed over, only telling his friend that Blair had been brought to him by the Clan, and that they were standing guard. But he could tell it was old news, Jim must have heard and smelt them on some level all night.

It was then he broke the news to his Captain, and watched the expression on his face as he told him, "the Dark Guide is out of the box for the moment, I don't know for how long, but I still want this case".

"I could..."

"But you wont Simon".

"What about Blair"?

"He will tow the line, Dark or Light, I promise".

The Captain could see it was more than just a promise it was a vow.

Part Three

Caroline Plummer brought the file in and placed it on the desk. "You okay Jim", her concern for her ex was genuine.

He just nodded and settled down next to his Guide, making sure the younger man was linked to him; to keep him calm, the power of the Dark Guide was coursing through him, it was like mainlining lightening. But for the moment Blair was settled by his side.

"We did a test on the residue from the mummy, it was cedar wood, but it was laced with cocaine and cannabis. No wonder it had the effect on you. I would be interested to hear from Guide Prime Sandburg, this is his field." Caroline was making sure that the Vice detectives in the briefing were aware of Blair's standing. Their almost hostile looks when he had first come in had nearly sent Jim into Search and Destroy mode. And she was, after a false start, almost maternal about the young Guide. "One thing we can rule out is the fact that it was ancient." She added.

"Not exactly", Blair put in, and then added, "Sorry Lieutenant Plummer, but the German Scientist Kurt Steiner, has found seven mummies that hold traces of Cannabis, cocaine and nicotine. The cannabis isn't a surprise because hemp, its raw material, is grown in Egypt, and used in other Egyptian medicines. It's caused a lot of arguments in academia. So it can't be ruled out".

"Your letting him question Lieutenant Plummer's findings, a Guide"? The Vice squads lead detective, Matt Madison complained.

Simon put in levelly, "a Guide who has a BA and MA in Anthropology and a minor in Egyptology, Detective. So it could be natural, so why did it explode Captain Taggart"?

Joel took a sip at his low fat drink, "there was a timer, more of a incinary device than a straight bomb, it burned at high temperature, and someone wanted to reduce that mummy to cinders.

Blair let his mind drift, there was something that puzzled him about the mummy, he shook his head, and Dr. de Lint would have known if something was wrong with the mummy.

"Sandburg", the name was barked at him, and Blair glared at the Captain, the Dark Guide not liking the man's tone and lack of respect. "It's Senior Guide Prime to you Banks". It was clearly designed to confront Simon.

Before it could develop further Jim cut in, "Respect Chief", his hand clipped the back of his Guide's head.

Simon got an almost sulky, "Yes Sir".

"No one falls asleep in my briefing".

"They you should make them more interesting, and at least come to the point quicker".

"Detective remove your Guide now", Simon could not allow it to go.

Jim reluctantly took Blair by the arm, and took him to his desk, pushing him down, and pointed a finger right in his face, "you listen to me Sandburg, you stay put and play nice, otherwise I will have to make you,"

"Sure Ellison, you and who's army".

Jim rolled his eyes in disbelief and then walked back to the meeting. That was the problem, Blair knew he would never leash him; it made him feel almost physically sick to just think of doing it to his Guide.

Blair looked round him, the bullpen was nearly empty and the people in there were keeping by Ellison rule 1, keep away from the Guide when the sentinel was search and destroy mode.

The Dark Guide glared at the office with some disgust, he was going to have to talk to Jim about Simon Banks, the man was a Captain, Jim could take the Lieutants exam tomorrow and ace it, then he could take on Simon Banks. A Sentinel Captain, the powers that be would fall over backwards to have Jim appointed. And if Banks tried to block his Sentinel, the Dark Guide's smile became one of demonic pleasure, he could be removed.

Blair's fingers flew over the keyboard, and he began to check the web, there was heavy news coverage, including the fact the police had been picking up the protestors, but that didn't track, they wanted the Mummy returned home, not destroyed. He snorted in disgust not that those idiots would listen to him. They were being pushed by an insurance company who was looking at a million plus pay out.

The Internet had stated that the museum was still closed but that the HAZMAT teams had now left the site.

But the one person that Blair should have seen on the new casts was Professor Max De Lint PhD, and he didn't feature at all. Puzzling.

Leaning back in his chair, Blair let his mind drift back to that first day, Dr. Max de Lint had been polite and protective of his find. Nothing new in that, most Archaeologists went their whole lives without finding that one artefact that would by the highlight of their career. De Lint had found his; he had been the only person to examine the mummy prior to it coming to America, the other archaeologist had tragically been killed in car crash on his way back to Bombay. Blair froze the video playback and then moved forward so that he was on top of the screen, and stared at the image, getting up he grabbed one of the still pictures from a folder in his back pack, and put in under the scanner and blew the picture up and then up again, before printing it out, then placed it against the screen image he was 90 percent sure he was right, but he would have to talk to De Lint to make sure.

Slipping away from his Sentinel would be hard, the man was in BP mode, but with him stuck in the meeting with the Captain and the white noise generator on, it would be a lot easier, and it was now or never.

0-0-0-0-0

Jim Ellison was blissfully unaware as his Guide left the Major Crimes floor and took the elevator down to the garage. With the keys he had taken from his Sentinel's coat he started up the truck and headed to the Museum. .

The guards on duty waved him through, Ellison must have sent him, and it was as simple as that. No Guide would be there on his own, even if he was the freaky Guide of the Senior Sentinel Prime, already the stories where going round the station.

Blair was not surprised to find that the building was deserted, the Chancellor would be handling the media spin, and the students would be back to their normal lesions, which would leave the way clear for him.

What was left of the mummies case and the mummy itself was in the laboratory; he picked up a pair of gloves from the side, and hunted for the piece he was looking for. Of the side design of the case there was only a part of a pattern, a large flower, looking at it now, it was took large for the size of the case. But that was not was he was looking for, it was the flower, a ghosting that he had seen in the picture, looking round he found some sterile water and swab and began to clean it. The indent was there, Blair picked up the scalpel and hesitated, the case was too far-gone, he could not do any more damage, cutting in he lifted a section. Putting it under the microscope. The line contained some lead, it was a pencil line, and that meant it had been made recently. It was a fake.

Blair shook his head a fake. But how long ago was it built? That would need a whole lab to decide. But it opened up a whole new kettle of fish, the truth would have come out, once the mummy case went to the lab, it was only as good as its camouflage. But then maybe it was not meant to get that far. Blair didn't realise that he had spoken out loud.

"Good comment Sandburg", Blair turned fast and found De Lint stood there. The Professor closed the door behind him. "You know I was looking for something special all through my life and you know what I found, squat Sandburg. Look at you, what 25, 26, and you found the Guide Temple. You're a Guide, an empath, you should not be here, what right have you to discover something when I have worked all my life and always come in second place."

Blair could feel the vibes coming off the man, there was hate and loathing of him, from a man he had met for the first time only a scant few days ago.

"So you destroyed it because it was a fake". Blair paused, he understood now, "you could not face your reputation being ruined".

"No freak, because they were all going to find out once the first test results came in that it was a fake, you really think that I didn't know it from the start. Problem was those, idiots even got the name wrong, right woman, wrong period. The idea was simple the mummy would come here and then be destroyed by protestors. To academia it would be like destroying the Rosetta stone an act of historical terrorism. I would be able to write books, give lectures, and when the hype died down Sandburg, I would have three quarters of a million my part of the insurance money to keep me warm and the knowledge that all my so called peers sat there and believed every word I said". He gloated, "It was a fake because I made it Sandburg. All you have to do is go to the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, they have the skills, and then get a body and you're in business".

"They killed someone for it".

"Who cares Sandburg, life is cheap and the money was good".

Slowly he took the gun from his pocket, "sorry you wont live to see the fun, and you might have enjoyed it. But the truth is your going to be dead".

He lifted the gun, "Blair Sandburg the rabid Guide, why did you think I asked for you on the Mummy team, you go insane, and bang, I had to protect myself. Pity". As he pulled the trigger, Blair went low and left, even so the bullet caught him, spinning him round, he hit the floor and laid still. His hand was out of sight and he reached for the metal stand. De Lint closed the distance between them to make the final shot.

"Sandburg was that really called for, no one can hear us, the place is sound proofed". He took his time to aim the gun.

Blair rolled to one side feeling the bullet score down his back, as he swung the metal stand at the doctor's knee. There was a sickening thud and a scream as it smashed the kneecap and the doctor went down. Blair managed with a last surge of strength to swing it again and this time the doctor didn't move.

The door almost came off its hinges, as Simon and Jim came in.

Blair looked up, his eyesight greying out. "Jim", one word and then he collapsed across his attacker.

0-0-0-0 The Loft.

Stood by the kitchen island, Simon Banks could not help but laugh, as the wayward Guide was placed on the Sofa with a growl he could hear across the living area, as he was told to hold still.

The younger man was too groggy still to do more than argue in a halfhearted way, his shoulder was hurting, and the bloody furrow down his back was like liquid fire. The Dark Guide was seething at the mother henning, but he knew he could not argue.

"So what did you find out Simon"?

The big man took a sip of his coffee, //say what you like about Ellison, he always had good coffee//. "The insurance underwriter on the case was brought in and he admitted that he had been approached by the good doctor, and had been guarantee a split of the money. He was the one that recruited the bomb maker, the problem was that the men that made the mummy had used some local plants in the process and they had fermented for want of a better word, and when the fire exploded the mummy it was mixed with the cocaine and cannabis to make a potent cocktail. Once De Lint came round he pretty much confessed and like a house of cards they all gave in".

"What about the body, that was a real body in the mummy"? Blair put in, risking the look of wrath of his over protective Sentinel.

"Interpol is looking into it as a murder, what was left of the body shows the possibility of a broken neck, this was murder and the sickening thing was they had done the full mummy ritual. But to be honest I don't think they'll be caught. The worrying think is that somewhere they might just be doing it again".

For a moment there was silence. As Simon added "may she rest in peace now".

"How did the guard die?" Blair put in as Jim loomed over him.

"They think it was a heart attack, coupled with some of the drug that was seeping out of the case, he died of fright".

Shaking his head to clear his mind he asked, "So what about Sandburg? Jim".

"Oh we're going to have words Simon," Jim leaned into the smaller seated Guide, "He is going to learn to obey me, aren't you Chief"?

Blair just looked back at Jim, the man had to be kidding, His sentinel might bluster, and look mean, but he was a pussycat where he was concerned. The Dark Guide had plans for his sentinel, and once they had bonded he would begin them. Lieutenant James Joseph Ellison, Senior Sentinel Prime of Cascade had a nice ring to it.

The End

Note: The fake Persian Mummy in the programme that inspired this story was actually found to be a fake through the talents of several archaeologists worldwide. In Britain an expert in the writing of that time found out the name was wrong, in America, an expert is art found the temple the flower was taken from, and in Pakistan a female archaeologist discovered the pencil work on the case. The conclusion was that the girl in the mummy had been murdered and as of last year Interpol was investigating.