Title: More Than A Sound

Author: Terri T.

Archive: No problem. If you want it, just let me know. It will be posted at my website.

Dues: Yes

Rating: PG

Summary: Jim makes another discovery about his senses when Blair puts his life on the line for Simon.

Author's Notes: This is kind of complicated. I've slowly been doing a series of stories about "discoveries" that Jim makes about his senses and how those discoveries are tied to Blair. This is the third in the series (see the short stories: "Choices" and "Discovery" at http://geocities.datacellar.net/Hollywood/Studio/5748/sentinelff.html if you're interested). In addition, the story is sort of a "to be continued" because part of it is unresolved and it will take a while to get resolution to that part of it. Be patient. I've been suffering a horrendous case of writer's block, but I'm starting to work through it.

Warnings: No beta has laid eyes on this. Read at your own risk. Evil

typos may be found hiding herein.

Disclaimer: Not mine, never have been, never will be.

More Than A Sound

By Terri T.

Blair held the door open for Simon Banks, letting the larger man walk through and out of the Cascade Police Department building. He followed the captain onto the sidewalk. Simon stuck the file he was carrying under one arm as he pulled the collar of his jacket up around his neck, in a futile attempt to block out the brisk wind. He looked up at the overcast sky. No doubt they were in for a downpour at any moment.

He heard Blair quicken his stride to catch up to the long-legged captain. Simon slowed his pace a bit, letting the observer draw even. He pulled the file out from under his arm and began reading while he walked. He prayed that when Sandburg discovered his captain was otherwise occupied, he would forget the one-sided conversation he was conducting when they had ridden down in the elevator. Simon wasn't that fortunate. As soon as Blair made it to his side, he started in with the lecture, picking up where he left off.

"You see, they looked at instances of violence in high schools over a two-year period, classified each case by the general circumstances." Simon glanced over at the rambling observer. "You know, like gang-related, one-on-one fights, stuff like that." Blair's arms waved around him as he talked. Simon silently chuckled. The kid looked like he was directing air traffic. "They found. . .."

"Is there a point to this, Sandburg?" Simon growled with feigned exasperation, not looking up from the notes he was reading. He continued to walk towards the corner, where crossing the street would take him to the municipal offices.

"Well, yeah. I mean if the Mayor wants to put a program in place to decrease school violence, then I think it's important to understand the trends."

"Yeah, right, whatever," Simon responded. "At this point, I'm only concerned about getting through my budget meeting with him. Then I'll deal with school violence."

The captain glanced up and saw that the crosswalk light had changed to 'walk'. He stepped out into the street quickly.

"I understand that you're a little preoccupied right now," Blair started to explain. "But, I still think. . .Simon! Look out!"

Simon's brain seemed to take a lifetime to register the change in Blair's voice. He looked up from his papers just as a solid force hit him from the side. Simon felt his full six foot four inch frame collapse sideways onto the pavement. He was barely able to extend his right hand to help break his fall. As he fell, he heard a sickening thud, the breaking of glass, and then a grunt of pain. He rolled over in time to catch a glimpse of bright red and chrome flash by his eyes. His head hit the ground and he saw nothing as blackness overtook him.

**********

"Simon, what happened?" Jim Ellison asked breathlessly as he ran into the Emergency Room waiting area.

Simon closed his eyes and shook his head. He sighed and leaned forward in his chair, letting his gaze drift beyond Jim towards the Emergency Room doors. "He. . .he saved my life." A cut on the captain's forehead was held together by three butterfly bandages. He was holding his right wrist next to his body. Jim looked at the injury and found that it had been wrapped with a bandage. Simon saw the detective eyeing the injury. "I'm okay." A guilty look passed over his face. "I'm a lot better off than he is."

"So what happened?" Jim repeated the question with more urgency in his voice as he settled himself in the chair next to Simon.

"You know how the kid is. He was rambling on about some study that he had read on violence in the schools. I was only half listening." Simon looked at the detective, his eyes pleading for understanding. "You know how he can be. I mean I wasn't really paying attention. I was worried about my budget meeting with Mayor and he's talking about some two-year school study." Jim nodded, having no problem imagining Blair going into an in depth analysis on the subject. "Maybe if I'd been paying attention to him, it wouldn't have happened." Jim remained silent, hoping that the captain would continue. The taller man leaned back against the wall. "So, anyway, we're heading across the street to the municipal offices. I'm reading over my notes, he's still gabbing away. Then all of the sudden he's yelling at me to look out. He pushes me. Me! I'm what. . .a good eight inches taller than him. . .and he tackles me like he's some linebacker. I go flying sideways and hit the pavement. Then I see a flash of red and chrome go by me and I hear this . . .uh. . .this really horrible thud. . .and a crunch."

Jim's eyes widened, picturing what had happened in his mind. "Oh God."

Simon shook his head. "I know. It was. . .a nightmare. I hit my head. I think I passed out for a moment. When I finally got my bearings all I could see was Blair. . .on the ground. He wasn't moving, Jim. I called out to him, but there was nothing. I'm . . .I'm so sorry." Simon sounded like he was confessing a sin.

Jim's hand clasped on to Simon's shoulder. "How is he?"

Simon shook his head, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm not sure. Witnesses called for the ambulance. They got us here in good time. I heard the medic say that he was worried about a spinal injury. They had him in a neck brace and I think he broke his right foot. There was an air cast on it." The captain rubbed at his eyes, carefully avoiding the injury on his forehead. "No one's been out to tell me how he is yet."

Jim tilted his head and listened. The turmoil he had been feeling seemed to dissipate when he finally located the sound he was desperately seeking. Blair's heart was beating at a steady pace. The sound brought more comfort to the sentinel than he could possibly imagine. He let a smile touch his lips. "I think he's okay. I can tell he's still in the Emergency Room."

"You can hear him?"

Jim nodded. "So how is he?" Simon prodded.

"He sounds like he's okay, but I can't tell for sure." Jim was silent for a moment. "The nurse is bringing the X-rays in for the doctor to study." Jim turned his attention back to his captain. "So what about the car that hit him?"

"Hit and run. One of the witnesses was able to get a partial license plate number, but there is some dispute on the description. Without something more definitive, it doesn't look good."

"Do you think it was an accident?"

"I don't know. I never saw the car before Blair tackled me. The witnesses didn't see anything suspicious. I think we're going to have to wait for Blair to tell us what happened." Simon's gaze drifted to the closed Emergency Room doors. "I was going to go on in and see if they'd tell me anything."

"Let's go." Jim moved towards the doors and took his badge out of his pocket, holding it up to the security guard watching over the area. The guard nodded and opened the door for the two officers.

"He's back here," Jim said quietly, making his way to the cubicle at the far end of the hallway.

He started to enter when he found himself facing a petite woman in a white lab coat. "May I help you?"

"Detective Ellison and Captain Banks. We're here to check on the status of Blair Sandburg," Jim dutifully explained.

The woman nodded. "Things are looking pretty good right now, considering what happened. He has a slight concussion from a pretty good size bump on the head, a broken ankle and bruised ribs, but there's no sign of spinal trauma. He needs some rest, and he's going to be laid up in bed until he can handle crutches, but otherwise he should be fine.

"Thank you," Simon whispered.

"Can we see him?" Jim asked.

"Sure. In fact, he's been asking about Captain Bank's condition. . .rather emphatically. I was just going to check out how you were doing."

Simon held up his injured wrist. "Sprained. That's the worst of it."

"I'm sure Mr. Sandburg will be relieved. He was quite concerned for you."

"The feeling's mutual," Simon responded quietly.

The doctor nodded. "Go on in. I'll be sending an orderly down to have Mr. Sandburg moved to a room, but we're a little backed up tonight, so it might take awhile."

"Thanks, Doctor," Jim said with a warm smile.

The two men walked into the small room to find Blair lying on a gurney, a thin sheet covering his bare chest. His eyes were tightly squeezed shut, obviously trying to block out intense pain. The outline of a cast around the young observer's right ankle could be seen under the sheet. "Chief?" Jim whispered.

Blair opened pain-filled eyes and gazed at his sentinel. "Jim? Is Simon okay?"

Simon moved from his position behind Jim. "I'm right here, Blair."

"Thank God. I was afraid. . .," Blair started to say and then stopped.

"I'm fine because of you," Simon said as he approached Blair's side. "That was a hell of a takedown, kid."

Blair gave him a half-hearted grin. "Pop Warner. I was only able to play for half of one season when Naomi and I were staying with friends in Ohio, but I learned how to tackle kids who were bigger than me and well, that was just about all of them."

Jim let his hand rest in the dark curls of his friend's hair, being careful to avoid the large lump on the right temple. "You want to tell us what happened?"

Blair closed his eyes and let his head lean into the hand resting on his head. "Uhm, Simon and I were getting ready to cross the street to go over to the Municipal Building. He had a meeting with the mayor and Rafe asked me if I could pick up the Henderson traffic file from the municipal court. I didn't have anything better to do since you were in court." Jim nodded patiently, allowing his friend to tell the whole story.

Blair took a deep breath and then cringed. Apparently the pain from his bruised ribs was making itself known. Simon leaned forward. "Do you want me to get the doctor?"

Blair shook his head, taking another slow breath. Jim subconsciously stroked his fingers lightly through the thick hair, hoping that the little comfort he could provide was enough. "They gave me something. It just hasn't kicked in yet."

"Maybe we should let you rest," Jim suggested, removing his hand from Blair's head and taking a step away from the bed.

"No. . .no. It helps to have you here. Keeps my mind off the pain." Blair took another careful breath. "So, anyway, we were heading to the Municipal Building. We started to cross the street. I saw a car coming around the corner way too fast. It was red, a Mustang I think. One of the new ones. I. . .uhm. . .I remember looking at Simon. I could tell that he didn't realize what was happening. I pushed him and. . .then. . .," Blair's words came to a halt. "I really don't remember what happened after that."

"What happened after that is that you saved my life, almost at the expense of your own." The captain's words were sharp as he approached the side of the observer's bed. He leaned towards the young man, resting his arms on the railing. "And if you ever do anything so reckless again, I'll boot your butt into the next century." Despite the rough words, a smile graced Simon's face. He winked at the observer and patted him on his arm.

"You're welcome," Blair responded. His eyes started to drift closed. Fighting the drug induced sleep, he forced his eyelids open again. "So, anyway, do you. . .uh. . . know. . .uh. . .what happen'," his words began to slur. "Did the. . .car. . .uh. . .stop?"

Jim patted Simon on the shoulder as he leaned forward over the railing. "Chief, I think you need to get some sleep."

Blair's eyes flew open again. "No, no. . .I'm okay."

Simon grinned. "Yeah, right. We can see that."

Jim's hand drifted back to Blair's head. "Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up."

"No. . .okay. . .uhm. . .," Blair started to say and then his eyes shut and his head tilted to the side.

"Sleep tight, Chief," Jim whispered, letting his hand rest in Blair's hair a moment longer.

***********

Jim whispered into the telephone handset, not wanting to wake his sleeping partner. "So there's nothing to go on?" He glanced over at his friend when he heard a slight moan. Blair slowly shifted his head on the pillow, his face grimacing with pain at the movement. Jim let his hand settle onto Blair's arm, hoping to bring comfort. It seemed to work as the injured man settled into sleep again.

It took a moment for Jim to realize that he hadn't paid attention to Simon's answer. "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't catch that."

Simon sighed. "I said that we don't know anything more. The witnesses' statements don't agree. Blair remembering that it was a Mustang helped, but we have no description of the driver, only two letters on the license number. Do you know how many red Mustangs there are in this city with the letters RP on the license plate?"

"So what do you think?" Jim asked.

"You mean do I think it was an accident?" Simon clarified.

"Yeah."

"Let's just say that I'm not ruling out that it wasn't an accident, but in all likelihood it's just someone who's too much of a chicken shit to face the consequences." Jim could hear the anger in the captain's words.

"Yes, sir. Thanks for keeping me updated."

"Keep an eye on the kid. Tell him I'll come by later. Maybe bring him one of those fruit smoothies he likes."

Jim couldn't help but smile. "I think he'd like that, sir." Jim hung up the phone and settled back into the chair next to the bed.

"Was that Simon?" came a slurred question from the bed.

Jim tilted his head and looked at his partner. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay. Need a drink. Really thirsty."

"You got it, buddy." Jim held the cup while Blair sipped through the straw.

"Thanks. Hits the spot."

Jim grinned. "If you're a good boy, Simon's gonna bring you a fruit smoothie as an treat this afternoon."

Blair's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yep. I think he's feeling a little guilty about what happened to you."

"Why? It wasn't his fault."

"Yeah, I know, but he's the cop and. . .." Jim started to explain.

"And I'm not." Blair sighed. "Like I haven't heard that before," he muttered.

"Don't get me wrong, Chief. You did good today." Jim looked his friend in the eye. "You risked yourself for Simon. He won't forget that. And neither will I."

Blair smiled. "Hey, he would have done the same for me. I'm just glad no one was seriously hurt."

"Me too."

He shifted in the bed. "So any leads on who did it?"

"No, and according to Simon, there's not much hope of anything popping up. The witnesses didn't see much."

"So, what now?"

"Now? Until there's something more to go on, it'll probably just get filed away with the rest of the unsolved hit and runs. It's not a Major Crime's case."

Blair nodded and then was overtaken by a yawn. "Why don't you go back to sleep. You need the rest," Jim said as he tucked the sheet and light blanket under his partner's chin. Completing the action, the sentinel let his hand rest on his guide's chest.

Blair's brow furrowed. "Something wrong?"

Jim lifted his hand and shook his head. "No, nothing. I was just. . .uhm. . .never mind."

"What?" Blair pushed.

"It's silly, really." Jim shifted in the chair nervously.

"What?" Blair repeated, reaching out to place his hand on Jim's arm.

"Well. . .I was. . .uhm. . .just feeling your heart beat." Jim rubbed his fingers together, still feeling the tingle from the vibration of the beat in the fingertips.

"Yeah?" the observer responded, eyes wide.

"Yeah." Jim's eyes drifted to the hand on his arm. "Sometimes I listen for you. . .your heartbeat. . .and I don't even realize I'm doing it. And just now. . .well. . .now I realized I can feel your heart beat. I mean really feel it. Like it's a part of me. All of it makes me feel, I don't know, grounded some how."

A warm smile graced Blair's face. "Grounded? That's really. . .wow."

"Yeah, wow," Jim answered, his smile matching his partners. He pushed himself up from the chair and reached out to ruffle his friend's hair. "But don't let it go to your head."

"Who me?" Blair said with mock innocence.

"Yeah you. Oh, and let's keep this between us, okay Chief? The last thing I need is for Simon to know that I'm listening to your heart."

"And that I ground you," Blair said with a hint of glee.

"Right. I have to take enough crap off of Simon as it is. I'm not sure what he'd say if he found out that. . .."

"That I ground you," Blair repeated again, grinning from ear to ear as he slowly drew out the words.

Jim shook his head and his shoulders hunched in defeat. Playful snickering coming from the bed's occupant filled the room. "My life sucks," the sentinel groaned as he turned and knocked his forehead against the wall. The laughing didn't stop.

-fin-