Blair sighed and muttered again that this was not good. He looked up at Jim and smiled. "I am . . . was anthropologist working on my thesis. You were my thesis man! You're a sentinel, a man with heightened senses. I'm your guide, I help you control and use your senses."

"You're kidding right? Me have heightened senses? I think you need to lay off the sparkly mushrooms there, Darwin."

Sandburg glared at him. "Oh yeah, what do you call that little episode you had back there hmm?" Jim didn't answer. "That's what I thought." Sandburg looked around then sat down next to Jim. "You have to listen to me man, I know what's going on and I'm the only one who can help you."

~Listen to him, he did help you. And don't you feel that slight need to trust him? Maybe he does know what he's talking about.~ Jim shook his head and turned back to Sandburg. "I can control my senses and I don't need any help."

"Jim, listen to me . . ."

"No you listen to me, I'm fine! I don't need a guide or whatever the hell you're called! So why don't you leave me alone!" he exclaimed

"Didn't I tell you two to shut up!" The robber who had bothered them before was back, waving his gun. "Shut the hell up before I blow a hole through your head!"

Jim leaned his head back against the wall and looked at the kid. He saw an impassive face but when he looked into those eyes, he saw dejection, sadness, and hurt from the words he had said. Sandburg avoided his gaze and moved slightly.

Jim sighed. ~Damnit! Why do I feel like I just kicked a puppy? I don't even know him, right? I mean he's just my "partner", what does he know?

He helped you control those senses of yours.

I had control, I just forgot how to use it!

Really?~ He argued with himself. ~Then why do you care so much about him huh? You feel guilty for saying that dontcha?~ The voice sounded smug. ~You should trust him, he'll help you with your senses . . . and maybe help you remember.~

He sighed again. "When did things get so hard?" he muttered softly. He cleared his throat slightly then turned to the younger man. "Look Sandburg, Blair you said? I'm . . . sorry I said those things to you. I'm just a little stressed over this. I don't know why I came in here and what's going on with my senses and who I am. . . " He faltered and stopped talking, realizing he was babbling.

"I understand Jim. But if you wanna remember, you have to trust me. Can you do that?" Jim found himself looking into open blue eyes.

"Yes, yes I can trust you." He looked away, knowing that he really couldn't trust him until he remembered his past.

Blair smiled. "Good! Then let's get outta here!"

"Well shortie, I'd like to hear a plan if you have one!" Jim snapped back. He could feel the beginnings of a major headache coming on.

"Hey you're the one who usually comes up with the bright ideas big guy!" He sighed. "Ok, fine here's an idea. First why don't you listen outside and see what Simon is cooking up."

"Simon? Who's he?"

"Our boss, the captain of Major Crimes. He's probably out there wondering what the hell is going on. So c'mon man, turn up your hearing and see what he's got planned!" Sandburg's bounce grew more noticeable.

Jim started to concentrate but with this large bundle of energy next to him, he was finding it hard. "Would you stop that!" he said irritably.

"Stop what?" Sandburg looked at him totally confused.

"You're bouncing. It's making me nervous."

"I am not bouncing!"

"Are to."

"Am not."

"Are to! Now shut up so I can concentrate!"

"Fine! Concentrate." Sandburg stopped bouncing. Jim once again closed his eyes and started to turn up the dial on his hearing. He heard Sandburg mutter. "Are not."

He sighed in annoyance. ~What is with this kid? I can't believe that he's my partner! This is crazy.~

He strained to hear something but could only hear the sound of Sandburg breathing. "This isn't working! You're crazy you know that!" He glared at the younger man.

"Look man you can do this! This is peanuts compared to the stuff we've done before." Jim just sighed and turned his head away.

"Ok fine, here we go. Now I want your to close you eyes. Come on, close them!" Jim gave a martyred sigh and closed his eyes. "Listen to my voice Jim. I want you to take deep relaxing breaths." Jim started to breathe in and out deeply. "Good, that's good. Now I want you to picture the dial for your hearing. Turn it up slowly until you can here the voices outside. You can do it." Jim did as his guide said. As he turned up his hearing, he heard a sound that grabbed his attention. He focused on it to figure out what it was. "Jim!" A loud whisper brought him out of his near zone. "Focus on the voices outside Jim, focus." Jim listened to the sounds outside. He focused in on a familiar voice.

"Is swat in position?" The gruff voice was answered from a radio. Jim opened his eyes and looked at his companion.

"What did you hear?" Blair asked quietly.

"Swat. They're gonna storm the building."

"When?"

Suddenly windows broke and smoke filled the room. "Now."

Blair ducked, covering his head. Jim launched himself at the hysterical woman and her children, covering their bodies as much as he could. Gunfire periodically sounded and Jim raised his head, looking for Sandburg. He saw him next to the couple, offering reassurances and trying to steer them toward exit. Jim heard a chamber being loaded. He zoomed in on a robber. He was aiming his gun at Blair.

Anger and rage filled Jim as he watched the man slowly take aim. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as Jim stood up and launched himself in front of Blair sounding a cry of warning. He heard the sound of a bullet leaving a gun. The red-hot feeling of pain lanced through him, centering itself in his upper chest. He fell to the ground and closed his eyes, slipping into unconsciousness.

Webmaster: PJ Browning