Disclaimer: The characters and concept of The Sentinel do NOT belong to me. This is for entertainment purposes only. No money is being made from this.
Author's Notes: This is a missing scene for Sweet Science. It covers the time between Blair leaving Simon’s office and he and Jim arriving at the warehouse to arrest Jamie Williams. It also contains references to The Killers, The Iceman, Three Point Shot, and The Trance.
Comments welcome at: testhom@netzero.net
BOILING POINT
by Michelle Furnas
Blair walked out of Simon’s office stunned. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that blowing up in the Captain’s office would result in Simon Banks apologizing to him, Blair Sandburg, anthropologist and police observer. Not only had he gotten an apology from the older man, he had received a much needed validation from the Captain that the time and effort Blair put into the station wasn’t a wasted effort.
Neither Simon or Jim realized how close he was to quitting. Three years he had busted his butt, actually been shot twice(thank God with Zeller he’d been wearing a kevlar vest), been shot at more times than he could count, kidnapped on more than one occasion, drugged, and still because he didn’t have a shiny piece of metal with a number on it, at times he felt like the outsider he had been at the beginning except now he knew everyone’s name.
Approaching Jim’s desk, he was informed that they had a location on Jamie. Grabbing his coat, he followed Jim to the elevator. After the doors closed, his partner turned toward him.
"So how bad was it?" Jim asked.
"You mean you didn’t have your hearing up and running?" Blair asked in mock astonishment.
"I figured as loud as Simon can get when he's angry I wouldn’t need it. Then I got the call from Rafe. You don’t look too worse for wear. I’m sure he understood why you had your little outburst. That probably helped, but I warned you that you had to get your emotions under control."
"What is that? Some kind of an ‘I told you so’."
"Look, Chief, I’m just surprised he didn’t pull you off the case."
"Well, he didn’t. What you think happened in there isn’t what happened in there so save the ‘I told you so’."
"I think you just got your ass chewed. Are you telling me that I’m wrong?" Jim asked skeptically as the elevator doors opened on the parking level, and the two exited heading towards Jim’s blue and white truck.
"Let’s just say he and I straightened a few things out. If you want a run down of the conversation, I suggest you talk to Simon. I will say this though. Before I left his office he asked if we were okay, meaning he and I, not you and I. I think maybe that’s a question that you need to start asking," Blair answered yanking open the passenger door and climbing inside.
Jim got in and started the truck but made no move to drive. He turned toward Blair with a surprised look.
"Aren’t we okay? If we’re not, this is the first that I’ve heard about it."
"I know, and I’ve got really lousy timing, but no, I don’t think we’re okay. I’m angry, man. I’m so angry over what happened to Roy that I want to beat the hell out something, anything, but I’m also angry with you. You walk around with your emotional detachment firmly in place and treat me like I’m some kind of an emotional basket case. You spout off those ever helpful pearls of wisdom like they’re supposed to mean something to me right now. Roy was my friend, and this is not just another case. You should understand that better than anyone. Watch out, Jim, the hypocrite in you is showing."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Danny Choi, Jim."
"That was different."
"Why because it was you and not me?"
"I actually saw Juno shoot Danny."
"You were like a man possessed. Nobody completely believed you except me. Even after we all thought Juno was dead and you said you saw him, I believed you then too even though it seemed like an impossibility. You said you saw him, you saw him. You believed it was Juno, it had to be Juno. I couldn’t explain it, but I didn’t doubt you. Jamie didn’t kill anyone. I believe that, but you don’t believe me. That hurts," Blair said holding up his hand to forestall any comment from the older man. "Then there’s the issue of being your partner. You haven’t been scoring points with me in that area either. I know that I’m not a cop. I should by now. You and Simon remind me often enough. I don’t know why I let it bother me so much. I don’t even want to be a cop, but it does bother me because I try so hard to be a real partner to you, cop or not, and it bothers me that you don’t take me seriously sometimes."
"Wait a minute, I do take you seriously."
"Right, that’s why I get the eye rolling every time I open my mouth. Or why you apologized for me to Murphy and then told me I would never understand what it’s like and not to turn it into a term paper. When I was with you questioning Murphy about his partner’s murder, I was there as your partner. He blew me off and you blew me off the minute you apologized for me."
"I thought we straightened that out. I said I was sorry."
"I know you did, but has anything really changed? I’m starting to feel like extraneous baggage here, man. You’re still not listening to me."
"I heard every word you said. I just don’t agree with you. Look, I know this is hard for you, Sandburg, and I know you want Jamie to be innocent of both murders. The fact is though that no matter how many times you declare that he is, it doesn’t make it true. I think you’re setting yourself up for a big fall."
"You’ve already decided he’s guilty haven’t you? Guilty of what, Jim? Which murder do you want to pin on him? His brother’s or Rock’s? Does it even matter to you?"
"That’s not fair. I’m just looking at the evidence here. I suggest you do the same."
"The evidence. Well as I recall, you and Simon were ready to arrest Orville Wallace based on evidence that wasn’t worth squat. Remember that? The evidence isn’t always right, Jim. Appearances can be deceiving. Do you want him to be guilty or something? That would be really convenient for you wouldn’t it."
"What’s that supposed to mean? I’m doing my job. He looks guilty, and he certainly acts guilty. Why are you so determined to champion his cause when the man treats you like your dirt under his feet?"
"He doesn’t have to like me. I’m not doing this for him. He’s Roy’s brother, and that’s all I need to know. There are only two things I can do for Roy now. Help his brother and catch his killer. I intend to do both even if I have to do them alone."
"Chief, I know you’re hurting right now. Your heart is in the right place, but you’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment."
Blair bit his lip to keep from screaming in frustration. Finally he said, "I give up. I’m tired of arguing with you. If you really think Jamie killed his own brother, I can’t help that. God knows I’ve talked until I’m blue in the face trying, but you will never convince me of that. Do you want my theory? Probably not, but here it is anyway. We know the counterfeiting ring is involved in this, and it’s a big operation. Roy was a straight arrow. If he found out about it, he wouldn’t keep it quiet and let them use him like that. Have you even considered that? Never mind," Blair said holding up a hand to ward off any response from his partner before continuing, "don’t answer that. You have your opinion, and I have mine and never the twain shall meet."
Jim sighed looking over at the man in the seat next to him. His arms which were usually loose and free and available to gesture wildly when he was trying to make a point were stiffly crossed over his chest. His right hand which Jim could see sticking out from under his left arm was clenched into a fist and the detective was fairly sure the left hand was in a similar position even though he couldn’t actually see it. Blair’s face was turned toward the window away from him. Jim could hear the younger man grinding his teeth. A completely foreign practice for Blair which was a testament to how angry he was. Jim sighed pulling the truck out into afternoon traffic. Damage control was definitely in order. Unfortunately he thought the wounds required major attention and all he could offer at the moment were a few Band-Aids.
"Look, Chief, I’m sorry if you thought that I haven’t been taking you seriously. I do. I shouldn’t have apologized to Murphy. It was a tense situation, and I wasn’t thinking. As for Roy, I know how hard all this has been for you because I have been there myself. For what it’s worth, all my ‘pearls of wisdom’ were my attempt to keep you on the case. If you lost it, Simon was going to pull your credentials on this one, and I didn’t want to see that happen. I knew you would hate not being involved. I hope your right about Jamie." Jim caught Blair’s disbelieving look. "Don’t believe me, huh? I guess I can’t blame you, but I know how much it means to you, and I do sincerely hope that you’re right, and I’m wrong. I hope when this is all said and done that it’s you telling me ‘I told you so’."
"Do you really mean that?" Blair asked feeling all his anger melt away.
"Of course, I mean it. Roy’s death hurt you a lot, and I don’t want to see you hurt anymore."
Blair sighed letting his head fall back against the seat. "I appreciate that. I’m sorry about biting your head off, man. I didn’t even intend to bring that other stuff into this."
"I’m glad you told me. It sounds like an apology was way overdue. Just do me a favor?"
"What’s that?"
"Next time, tell me right away if everything’s not okay, especially between us."
"Sure."
"Are you sure we’re okay? Anything else you want to get off your chest?"
"No, I don’t think so."
"So tell me, Sandburg, what exactly did happen in Simon’s office?"
"Trust me, Jim,” Blair said, “you wouldn’t believe me even if I told you."
"Always to both, Chief, that’s what partners are for."
**The End**
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