In the truck, Blair was practically bouncing up and down in his seat, excitable even past his normal state. "This is so great. I can't believe you two haven't met yet, but, like, it's kinda nice that you're meeting on a holiday. You're really gonna like her, Jim. I hope she doesn't mind having Chinese food. She loves it, but you were right about it not being traditional. Of course, I don't know how traditional she is about things like this. Are you sure it's okay if we bring her? Cause if there-"

"Chief. I'm going to pull the truck over and make you walk in the freezing cold if you don't stop babbling." Jim held in his laughter at his hyper partner and fixed the man with a mock-glare.

Blair held his hands up in surrender. "Sorry. I really like this girl, though. I hope you two get along."

"Afraid I'll do something to embarrass you?" Jim asked, raising one eyebrow.

"No, no. But you're kinda different personalities, you know?"

"Chief, look at the man I'm sharing my life with now. If I can get along with a personality that different, I'm pretty much set."

Blair caught the compliment and beamed at his partner. "Thanks, Jim."

Ellison blinked, turning onto the street where Blair's native Oriental restaurant was. "For what?"

"Sharing your life with me." Blair said sincerely.

Jim glanced over at him with an affectionate look, then cleared his throat gruffly. "Alright, if you have to get mushy, do it tomorrow morning when it's appropriate."

Blair grinned. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."

Jim chuckled slightly as Blair had a momentary lull, looking out the window as Jim pulled into the small parking lor of the restaurant, which stuck out on the road as being the only one with lights burning. There were only two other cars in sight- probably the staff, Jim thought.

"She's not here yet," Blair confirmed. He made no move to open his door, turning instead to half-face Jim in the cramped cab. "I'm sorry about freaking out like that in Simon's office. I really don't know what was wrong with me."

Jim shut the engine off and pulled the keys out of the ignition, also making no move for the door. "I wish you would tell me when things like that start bothering you, Chief. If we had talked about it earlier, you never would have blown up."

"I know, I know. Really, I didn't even think I was so upset. I mean, I've been pretty busy lately, I never stopped to think about it all that much. Some of that stuff was news to me too."

"Huh. Well, do me a favor and take it easy for the next few days. I don't need you getting stressed out- too many people do that this time of year."

"No problems here, Oh Blessed Protector. I plan on making this the most easy-going Christmas ever."

Famous last words, Jim thought to himself suddenly. In a flash, he knew if he let it his mind would go whirling to the last couple of Christmases they'd shared, and that would lead to all the other trouble they'd been in, and then he'd get tense. So instead, he changed the subject. "So tell me about this girl."

"Angie?" Blair brightened. "She's great. I mean, she'd really fun to be with. She went to Rainier last year, but we never had the same classes. She was a theatre major, didn't have much need to go to the Anthro building. I didn't meet her until a month ago, actually, and we didn't start, like, going out, until two weeks ago. But you probably know all this, right?"

Jim shrugged. Of course he knew it- when Blair was happy with a new catch, he let everyone in on it. "Honestly, Sandburg, when you start going on about your many lady friends, it's in one ear out the other, you know? I don't keep track of the names that well."

Blair giggled slightly. "Neither do I, sometimes."

Jim chuckled at his friend. The two of them would never see eye to eye about women. For Blair, a new, passionate love affair a week was perfect. Jim wasn't interested in living the happy bachelor life. Not that he wanted to get married again- God, no, but if he decided he'd actually try and get serious about someone, it would have to be just that- serious. More serious that any of the relationships he knew about Blair having, that was for sure.

Blair sat up straight as a car pulled into the lot. "There she is! Come on, Jim." He threw the door open and bounded out, getting to the car before it was even parked.

Jim got out more slowly, locking the truck carefully before heading over to the new arrival.

The door of the brown Taurus opened and a young woman stepped out. She returned Blair's enthusiastic hug with a laugh. "Geez, Blair. You've got to calm down."

Blair leaned down and planted a noisy kiss on her cheek. "Merry Christmas, Angie."

"Merry Christmas, Blair," she replied with a smile.

Jim caught up with the two as she locked her car and slammed her door shut.

Blair wheeled around with a grin. "Jim Ellison, meet Angela Mallory."

Jim smiled his hello at the girl, but it stuck on his face as he got a good look at her.

"So you're the smothering roommate," Angela greeted him cheerfully. After a moment it became obvious he wasn't responding. She glanced over at Blair in confusion.

Blair was immediately alert. "Jim? You okay?"

Jim recognized the younger man's Guide voice- reserved for zone-outs and temper tantrums, and he quickly relaxed. "Yeah. Um, nice to meet you."

"Likewise," she said, her smile faded somewhat.

Blair frowned, looking between the two of them for a moment. "You guys don't know each other, do you?" he asked suddenly, hoping against hope the answer was no.

"I don't think so," Angie answered, her questioning eyes on Jim.

"No. No, we don't. Sorry, Blair. My mind's wandering. I think I need to get some food in me,"

Blair relaxed. "Is that all? Well, let's see if we can find a good restaurant around here...." He made a show of turning around in a circle, scanning the area. He stopped at the building directly in front of them and gasped in mock-surprise. "Well, this is convenient."

Jim watched as Angie thumped him on the arm with a laugh. "Just go in, smart arse. I'm with your roomie here, I'm gonna faint if I don't get something to eat." She gave Jim a friendly smile, which he didn't return.

The Sentinel trailed behind the two as they tromped into the restaurant. Blair greeted the waiter like a long-lost relative, and the three were quickly sat at a booth and had drinks in hand.

Angie opened her menu and closed it again. "Made up my mind. I'm gonna go powder the old nose. Blair, get me the garlic tofu and some water,"

"Sure thing," Blair beamed at her until she was out of sight down a hallway. The smile faded and he turned to Jim. "Alright, man, what was that scene in the parking lot about?"

The large man shrugged, uncomfortable. "I told you, my mind was wandering."

"Yeah, right. You sure you don't know her from somewhere?" He groaned suddenly. "You're not gonna tell me she's got a mugshot at the station or anything, are you?"

"No," Jim answered simply.

Blair gave him a few more seconds, then sighed loudly. "You're making it hard for me to enjoy this, Jim. What's wrong with you? You getting a mystic bad vibe off her? What?"

"No, nothing." Jim kept his eyes on his menu. He could feel his Guide's gaze. "It's nothing, Sandburg."

"Ji-im."

Letting out a breath of frustration, Jim dropped the menu on the table. "I was just surprised, okay?"

"At what?" Blair asked, confused.

"At...her." Blair stared pointedly. "She's just- I don't know. Not your usual date."

"Jim, what are you talking about?" A tightness in Blair's voice made it clear he knew what the Sentinel was talking about, and for Jim's sake it had better be wrong.

"Never mind, Sandburg." Jim said flatly. He cut off Blair's protest. "No, I said never mind. I'm sorry I acted strange. I'll be a perfect gentleman from here out."

"This is so uncool," Blair stated flatly, his eyes peeled on his partners'.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jim saw the girl coming down the hallway. He quickly picked the menu back up, trying to study her unobtrusively. Well, he'd been right. She wasn't the kind of girl usually draped on Blair Sandburg's arm. Sandburg had some kind of magical charm over women- he had the soulful blue eyes, the innocent air, the natural gift for charm and compassion that drew members of the opposite sex like flies. He had his pick, Jim never failed to observe wryly.

It wasn't that Angie was ugly or anything. Far from it, she was actually very pretty. Just not in the conventional sense. She was...well, she was chubby, and the oversized sweater and jeans she wore added to the effect. She had short, dark hair, and big brown eyes that could challenge Blair's blue ones. She also had an air about her- she was intelligent, Jim knew instinctively. Not only because Blair hardly ever settled for the average dumb, giggling girls, but because it showed in her eyes. Along with an air of seperateness, strangeness, almost like she was detatched from everything around her and trying desperately to get in, to connect. Pretty. Almost mysterious.

But she was....chubby. He couldn't think of it any other way. Not hugely overweight, but the girl had obviously never seen the inside of a gym before.

Jim realized what he was thinking as she rejoined them, taking her seat across from the two of them, her eyes going from Blair right to her menu, even though she'd already chosen her meal.

The sentinel winced- she was obviously uncomfortable with him now. And it disturbed him to think he would have such a strong reaction to Blair dating someone...flawed. So he planted a smile on his face and set his menu down firmly. "Angela, let's start over, shall we? Now that I'm finally relaxing." He stuck a hand out. "Jim Ellison, ma'am. Pleasure to meet you,"

The girl smiled her relief at the gesture and reached out to shake his hand. "Call me Angie, Jim. No need to be formal. Blair talks about you so much I practically know you."

Jim was surprised at the handshake- it was firm and confident, hardly the feathery, quick grip of Blair's usual dates. "Angie,"

Blair's smile returned, but a quick glance at Jim told him he wasn't off the hook for good- just until she was gone.

Fortunately, the waiter came before the ackward silence that threatened could fall, and the normal act of ordering food seemed to get Blair's mind back in the fast lane.

"So, Angie. How did the audition go?"

She shrugged. "Same old same old. Three hundred women my age all going for the same part. And only five men. I swear, it must be great to be a male. You get so much less competition in show biz."

Blair smiled easily. "I couldn't do it. On a stage in front of a live audience, I'd be a nervous wreck."

Jim found himself smirking into his coke.

Angie's voice echoed the Sentinel's thoughts. "Please. The minute you'd get up there you'd realize just how many people that is to show off in front of. You're a natural, I've seen you tell stories."

"Nope. I'll leave the showing off to you."

Blair, true to form, kept the conversation going right through dinner. He talked to Angie, then he talked to Jim, not letting a silence fall. Not once did Jim and Angie talk to each other, except to give one-word answers and slight nods of agreement. But Blair wouldn't let the air get tense, not even seeming to notice the lack of connection between his two friends.

As the night wore on, and they got ready to leave, Blair turned to Angie and asked her very deliberately, "How about lunch tomorrow? We're cooking a huge meal at the loft. Turkey, veggies, totally traditional."

Angie didn't even look at Jim, but he knew her head shake was because of him. "No, I've already intruded on one meal. And no, don't tell me I wasn't intruding. You guys have fun tomorrow, okay?"

Blair walked her out to her car, talking to her lowly. Jim followed at a nervous distance, trying not to listen in on what they were saying, knowing that Blair was more than likely apologizing for his behavior.

He went to the truck, knowing he wasn't welcome in their parting conversation, and opened the door, perching on the seat, leaving the door open. He magnified his sight only slightly, not really spying, just curious. Angie was still shaking her head with a smile as she listened to him, and she finally gave up and clamped a hand over his mouth. Jim could clearly read her lips as she told him good night very deliberatly, then gave him a quick hug.

Blair let her go, watching from where he stood as she started the car and pulled away. Once she was out of sight, he made a beeline for the truck.

Jim groaned slightly, not looking forward to the ride back to the loft.

Blair climbed into the truck and slammed the door shut. He turned a meaningful glare at Jim, but turned and faced the front quietly as they pulled out of the parking lot.

Jim sighed. "So. Um, where did you two meet?"

Blair kept his eyes on the road in front of them. "The gym," he answered flatly.

"Are you kidding?" Jim blurted out. He immediately wanted to suck the words back into his face, but by Blair's reaction he knew it was too late.

"What's that supposed to mean, Jim? What's your problem with her, anyway?"

"No problem, Chief."

"Don't lie to me, man. She doesn't look like my normal dates, isn't that what you said?" Blair faced him squarely.

Jim shrugged ackwardly. "Well, she doesn't."

"You're acting so wierd just because of how she looks? Jesus, Jim. She's gorgeaus."

The older man snorted slightly, getting angry at his partner's oversensitivity. "You're gonna tell me she has a beautiful soul, right?"

"No, I'm not. Did you even bother looking at her? Or did just one glance convince you she wasn't worthy enough for you to look? She's really beautiful, and if you're so much of a pig that you miss that cause she's not built like a model, than you're really missing out."

"Alright, alright," Jim raised a hand in surrender. "I'm sorry if you think I'm overreacting."

Blair opened his mouth to snap back, but closed it and sat back with a sigh. "Forget it."

There was a short pause, and Jim found himself getting affected by his best friend's anger. Hoping to make amends, he cleared his throat slightly. "So you really did meet her at the gym?"

"Yeah," Blair barked it out like a challenge, almost daring Jim to laugh or make a joke about it. When he didn't, Blair relaxed somewhat. "She joined a month ago. I was going out with one of the aerobics instructors, Heather, and she was working the counter when Angie joined. See, they usually get one of the regulars to show the new people around the place, and Heather went to find one of the guys who usually gives the tour, and when they were coming back they were making all these jokes about her," Blair's anger came through in his voice. "Talking about her being out of shape, laughing at how she was gonna look sweating on the equipment. It was mean, Jim, really mean. And she could hear every word. She got really upset, man. I went over to her and told her not every member of the gym was that shallow, and when Heather got back..." Blair shrugged. "I told her to go screw herself, that Angie wouldn't need their help."

Jim smiled appreciatively. Going to the rescue- that was Blair, all over. Now that he thought about it, Blair had been going to the gym an awful lot more lately. Jim had figured it was just the kid trying to get himself in better shape so he could keep up with Jim at work.

"I told Angie most people weren't that close-minded, but she argued with me. She said I wouldn't even be able to guess how different people treated you if you're not skinny and beautiful. But no, I swore to her that my friends were too sincere to react that way." Blair turned frosty eyes to Jim. "I guess now I have to tell her I was wrong."

"Oh, come on, Chief. I said I was sorry, didn't I?"

"That's not the point, Jim. I didn't think it would matter to you at all. It's ridiculous to me that it does. I've dated some girls before that weren't exactly what I would call pretty, and you've never said a word. Why is it different this time?"

"It's not." Jim replied with a sigh. "She seems like a really nice person."

"She is. She's great, and she's got so much talent...." Blair shook his head with a smile. "I went to see this actor's showcase she was doing with some friends of hers...she blew me away, man. The rext of them were good, but she was phenomenal. She's got a singing voice that could bring down Broadway." Blair frowned. "She never gets cast in anything, though. It's depressing, Jim. I didn't know people were so petty."

Jim almost laughed. Of course people were petty. People were cruel and closeminded and everything else Blair had said. But it wasn't surprising that Blair didn't recognize that fact. "Sorry, kid. I didn't mean to let you down."

"Just...just try and be nice to her, okay? I really like her, Jim."

Ellison nodded slowly as they pulled in to the front of the apartment building. "I can tell."

"So you'll be nice?"

"Of course I'll be nice. I meant it when I said she seemed like a nice person."

"Good. Cause I really don't feel like being pissed off at anyone tonight."

"I know. Merry Christmas, Chief."

"Et tu, Jim."

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