DISCLAIMER: The characters Blair Sandburg and Jim Ellison, as well as the Sentinel concept belong to Pet Fly Productions and Paramount. I just decided to take them out to play. I promise to send them back in when it gets dark :-).
by Laura F. Schomberg
Jim Ellison, Simon Banks, and Beverly Sanchez met with Major Aaron Maier in Simon's office to discuss an army officer being held by the Cascade PD for a series of arson fires. Maier had flown up from San Francisco to represent the military's interest and to arrange the release of Lieutenant Shaw into his custody to face similar charges at the base.
"The Army has a stronger case then we do," Beverly said after weighing the evidence on both sides. "I say we release Shaw into Major Maier's custody."
"Wait a minute," Jim interjected when he saw Simon nodding his approval. "What about the fires he set here?"
"Jim," Beverly said, "We still don't have any rock solid evidence against Shaw. A good defense lawyer will be able to punch holes in our case. From what Maier tells us that won't happen when the Army tries him."
"If we hold him he may walk and then the Army will try him and get justice. If we let Maier take him he gets justice for his crimes," Simon said, leaning back in his chair as he contemplated the situation. "That will give us more time to find conclusive evidence against the man. I say he goes with Major Maier."
Jim, realizing that Simon's reasoning was sound and since he was outnumbered anyway, nodded his head. "Just make sure your case doesn't have any holes."
"Don't worry," Maier replied. "It doesn't."
Beverly left to make the arrangements with her office, saying that it would take a couple of days for everything to clear.
"Well, if there are no more questions," Maier said, standing up. "I've got a brother to look up."
"Are you from Cascade?" Jim asked, rising out of his seat.
Maier shook his head. "No. Blair lives here, though."
"You're brother's name is Blair?" Simon asked, his interest piqued. "Blair Maier?"
The Major shook his head. "He's a half-brother. We have different fathers." He realized the resources at the precinct's disposal and asked, "Can I run his name through your computer? It would save me some time."
"Maybe I can save you the trouble," Simon said, leaning back in his seat. He'd only met one man named Blair in his entire life and he was willing to bet there weren't more than a handful in Cascade. Even fewer who were Jewish.
Jim knew what Simon was thinking. It was possible that Blair and Maier were brothers but Jim didn't see any family resemblance. Maier was only slightly shorter then the detective, with short, straight, light brown hair and hazel eyes. Blair, on the other hand, was short with long, curly, dark brown hair and vivid blue eyes. Then again, Jim thought, they were half-brothers. Maybe that explained the lack of family resemblance.
"Your brother wouldn't happen to work at Rainier University, would he?"
Maier nodded, surprise etched across his face. "Yeah. He's a teaching fellow with the Anthropology Department."
"I knew it," Simon said, slapping one hand against his knee. "There can be only one Blair in that department. Blair Sandburg."
Maier quickly sat back in his chair. "Don't tell me the kid's been in trouble with the law."
"Not at all," Simon said, smiling widely as he took a cigar out of a desk drawer.
Jim grinned, rubbing a hand against his jaw. "No. Sandburg is my roommate."
"Huh. Small world." Maier leaned back in his chair, contemplating the detective standing in front of him. "I'd never figure you two to be roommates."
"It's a long and boring story," Jim said, hoping the man wouldn't push the issue. "Blair's not supposed to be back until roughly six. Why don't you come over for dinner?"
Maier briefly considered Jim's offer. "That'd be great. It's just after three now. That gives me plenty of time to check into my hotel."
"You can stay with us," Jim said, knowing Blair would just pester him until he agreed to let his brother stay at the loft.
"Thanks." Rising to shake Jim's hand, Maier added, "It'll be great to see Blair again."
************
Blair sailed into the loft, dropping his keys into a bowl on the table by the door. "Sorry, I'm late," he said as he let his backpack slip off his shoulder. He turned, preparing to toss the pack onto the coat rack when he caught sight of the man standing with Jim in the kitchen, drinking a beer. Instead of releasing the backpack, his fingers tightened around the straps, halting its momentum and sending it crashing against his legs.
"Hey, Blair-boy," Maier said, grinning at his younger brother. Jim stood just behind the major, enjoying the surprised look that plastered Blair's face.
"Hey," Blair mumbled. His face settled into a expressionless mask as he started to head to his room.
"What? No hug for your big brother?"
Blair turned back to look at his brother. "Not a good idea, man. I think I'm coming down with something."
Maier shrugged. "Aren't you curious as to how I got here?"
Jim stepped around Maier. He was also wondering why Blair hadn't asked about his brother's presence in the loft. It wasn't like the kid to leave a mystery unquestioned.
"How'd you get here, Aaron?" Blair dutifully asked.
Maier smiled expansively and strolled out of the kitchen. Walking casually towards the sofa, he said, "I'm representing the military in a negotiation with the Cascade PD." He dropped easily to the sofa. "When I mentioned I was looking for my kid brother, Blair, Jim here told me you were his roommate."
"You figured that out even though we have different last names?" Blair dubiously asked Jim.
Jim shrugged. "Actually, Simon did."
"Must be why he's Captain," Blair mumbled to himself as he stalked to his room. Seeing the small suitcase tossed on the bed, he felt a sudden stab of anger. Aaron just waltzes in and takes over. Not this time, Blair thought. He spun on his heel and left the room.
Jim started to follow the younger man into the room, concerned about his unusual behavior, when Blair stormed back out. Blair's eyes met Jim's before quickly looking away. The anthropologist took a deep breath, calming his initial anger. He didn't want Jim to see him lose control over a suitcase on a bed. After all, maybe he was wrong. Maybe Aaron just dropped it on the bed until he could get to a hotel. Setting his face into a emotionless mask, Blair walked over to where his brother sat, drinking beer.
He carefully chose his words before asking, "So where are you staying?"
Aaron took his time answering the question. He leaned back on the sofa, tipping the bottle of beer to his mouth. When he'd drained the last of its contents, he smiled up at his brother and said, "Jim insisted I stay here. You don't mind sleeping on the sofa for a couple of days, do you?"
Blair maintained tight control over the expression on his face. Yes, he did mind. He couldn't say that, though. Jim already thought he was too young, too emotional at times. No sense confirming those beliefs with an unexplained outburst. Blair suddenly felt the loft getting smaller, contracting around him, squeezing the air out of him. He had to get out. Get some fresh air.
"Course not," he managed to say, surprised at how calm he sounded. He turned around and headed quickly for the door, pausing only long enough to say, "I just realized I left something at Jessie's. I better go get it."
"Wait a minute, Chief," Jim said, walking swiftly through the kitchen and grabbing Blair's arm before he could get out the door.
The young man stopped in his tracks. He looked down the hallway, unwilling to look Jim in the eye.
"We were getting ready to go to dinner. I thought you'd join us."
"Sorry, man. Jessie's going out of town tomorrow. I really need to get the work she was doing for me." He pulled his arm out of Jim's grasp, continuing, "If I don't I won't be able to teach my class tomorrow."
Jim let the younger man go. The kid was lying. He'd felt Blair's pulse race when he said Jessie was going out of town. Something was bothering his friend but he didn't know what. He had a feeling it had something to do with Aaron, though.
************
Blair drove around Cascade before finally going to Jessie's apartment. He wasn't sure what he was going to tell her but he knew that Jim would soon call to check to see if he was still there. If he wasn't Jim would probably have an APB put out on him.
He walked slowly down the hall of the apartment building, trying to decide what he would tell Jessie. Stopping at her door, he hesitated, his hand raised to knock. "She's not going to understand," he muttered. "She adores her four brothers." He lowered his hand and started to turn away when the door opened.
"So you won't talk to the landlord for me?" a woman asked, her back to Blair. Turning around, she saw the young man and jumped back into the apartment.
"What's wrong?" Blair heard Jessie ask as the door opened wider. He shrugged when Jessie's face appeared.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to frighten anyone."
Jessie smiled, pulling him into the apartment. "Don't worry about it. You just startled Anne." Motioning toward the living room, she said, "Wait for me in there."
Blair slowly walked into the designated room, listening to Jessie tell her friend, "Sorry, Anne. He hasn't bothered me. I'll go with you but you have to speak for yourself."
Blair turned and watched as the tall blond shook her head. She mumbled something to Jessie before looking back toward the anthropologist and rushing out of the apartment. Turning to face Blair, Jessie shut the door with her back. Smiling widely she rushed over to him, giving him a big hug.
"I'm so glad to see you," she said. Noticing Blair's unenthusiastic response to her hug, she pulled away. "What's wrong?"
Taking a deep breath, Blair walked slowly to the living room sofa. He dropped onto the blue, flowered couch, saying, "It's. . . You'll think it's silly."
Jessie sat next to the anthropologist. Taking one of his hands in hers, she said, "Try me."
Nodding, Blair ran a hand through his long hair. Haltingly at first, he began to tell her about his brother's unexpected presence in Jim's loft. He went on to explain his relationship with Aaron, his voice getting stronger when she didn't question his words. Finally, he ran out of things to tell her.
Blair was surprised when he felt her hands pushing him off the sofa. He jumped to his feet, spinning to look back at Jessie. She pulled her legs onto the sofa, patting the now cleared spot in front of her. Blair hesitated before sitting down. Wrapping her arms around his chest, she pulled him back, telling Blair to stretch his legs out beside hers.
Lying side by side, Blair's head resting on Jessie's shoulder, Jessie asked, "Did you think I'd judge you for hating your brother?"
"No. . . Yes."
"I understand how you feel," she said, pulling him closer to her. She wrapped one leg around his before asking, "Have I ever told you about my mother?"
"No."
"I haven't seen my mother since I was seven. If I never see her or hear from her again I'll die happy."
"What did she do to you?"
"She took me away from my family when I was four. Dragged me from one cheap hotel to another, never letting me go outside. If I did happen to sneak out she would beat me when she found me." Jessie took a deep breath. "That is, if she wasn't too drunk to come looking for me."
Blair twisted slightly on the sofa, trying to get a better look at Jessie's face. He gently wiped away a tear he saw falling down her cheek. "I didn't know."
"At the tender age of four I became the mother. My dad told me once that my mom always had a drinking problem. That was part of the reason they broke up. While we were on the run it just got worse. I'd have to clean up after her, brush her hair for her, fix our meals. I'm afraid they weren't very healthy," Jessie said with a sad laugh. "When I got pneumonia she finally decided she'd had enough of the always crying little doll. Instead of taking me to a hospital she drove for two days to get to Wallace, Oregon. I can barely remember her dragging me up to my father's door and leaving me there. She rang the bell and ran away. I haven't seen her since."
"No wonder you hate her," Blair whispered before gently kissing Jessie's forehead.
She smiled at him, taking one hand away from his chest to wipe away her tears. Pulling Blair closer, she rested her cheek against his head. They laid that way for a long time, enjoying being close to each other, until both fell asleep.
************
Jim stood outside Jessie's apartment door. Aaron Maier was with him, standing slightly behind him and to his left. It was six in the morning and Jim was worried about Blair. He hadn't come home last night and Jim had been unable to contact Jessie by phone. Jim would have gone to Jessie's sooner but he knew the direction Blair's relationship had taken with the girl and he didn't want to walk in on anything intimate.
He was preparing to knock on the door a third time when he heard a woman's voice quietly say, "Coming. Keep your pants on."
The door was opened by a slim, young woman with almond skin. She pushed several braided rows of hair out of her face and stared blearily at the detective. Pushing the door wide open, she rubbed a palm against her eyes.
"What are you doing here so early, Detective?" she asked, quietly.
"Looking for Blair," he replied, keeping his voice low. "Is he here?"
Putting a finger to her mouth, Kendra escorted Jim and Maier into the apartment. Both men followed quietly as she led them to the living room. When they came around the sofa they were greeted by the sight of Blair and Jessie, both fully dressed, sound asleep in each others arms.
Not wanting to wake the sleeping pair, Jim started to turn away when Maier yelled, "Hey Kid! Wake up!"
The effect of his words was stunning. Jim winced, pulling away from the man standing beside him. Blair jerked awake, slamming an elbow into Jessie's chest in his momentary panic. Jessie was also startled awake by Maier's yell. She was sleepily shaking her head when Blair struck her, causing her to gasp in pain. Blair twisted, falling off the sofa. He quickly pulled himself to his knees, turning to glare at his brother.
Helping Jessie sit up, Jim asked, "Are you all right?"
Blair watched her carefully as she nodded, rubbing a hand against her chest. When he was satisfied that she was going to be all right, Blair shot to his feet. Spinning on his heel, Blair shouted, "What the hell did you think you were doing!?!"
Maier shrugged. "Just trying to wake you up, Blair-boy. I didn't expect you to react like that."
Blair muttered something under his breath that sounded to Jim like, "My ass. You knew I'd react like that." The younger man started to stalk toward his brother.
Jessie jumped to her feet. "Not in my home!" She raced to get in between Blair and his brother. Putting a hand against Blair's chest, she said, "There will be no fighting in my home."
"But...," Blair spluttered. "He. . ."
"I said not here." Looking Blair in the eye, she added, "Please, Blair."
He reluctantly nodded. Taking a deep breath and running a hand through his hair, Blair turned to find Jim right behind him. The concerned look in the detective's eyes made him uncomfortable and he quickly turned away.
Jessie regarded Maier with cold eyes. "So you're Aaron."
The man nodded, bowing deeply. "Your wish is my command."
"Well, then, I wish for you to leave."
"But we haven't been properly introduced. I'm Aaron Maier. And you are?"
"Not interested in getting to know someone who pulls childish pranks. Please leave."
"Letting a girl fight your battles now, Blair-boy?" Maier asked, annoyance evident in his voice.
Blair spun on his heel. He started to storm over to his brother when Jim grabbed his arm. The younger man attempted to jerk away only to find the detective's hold on his arm tighten. A light touch on his other arm surprised Blair. Kendra gently pulled him toward her and away from Jessie and his brother. When Jim was certain that Blair was going to go with her, he released his hold on his friend's arm.
"Jim," Jessie said, her voice cold. "Would you please remove this man from my apartment?"
"Aaron, why don't you go to the truck? I'll met you there in a bit."
Maier considered his situation. Taking a look at Jessie's cold eyes, he decided to do as he was asked. He quickly said his good-byes and left.
Jim started to walk over to Blair. The young man ignored his advance, pushing past the detective to talk to Jessie.
"Can I stay here for a couple of days?"
Jessie nodded. Leaning close to Blair, she whispered, "You've got to talk to Jim. Tell him what's going on."
"I . . . I can't," Blair said. "I'm going to go back to the loft and pack some things."
He turned quickly to find Jim standing in front of him once again. "What's going on, Blair?"
"I know the loft is yours," Blair said, ignoring Jim's question. "And you can invite anyone to stay that you want without asking me how I feel about it. That's fine. Really. But I won't stay on the couch while Aaron sleeps in my room."
"Fine," Jim said, his arms raised in submission. "Aaron sleeps on the couch."
"You just don't get it. I don't want to be around that guy," Blair snapped, unable to keep his anger with Aaron from spilling over to Jim. "Call me if you need me." He spun on his heel and left the apartment.
Jim turned around, looking for Jessie. She had retreated to the kitchen with Kendra. Jim watched as Jessie leaned against the door frame, her head placed forlornly against the wood. Listening carefully, he heard Kendra ask, "Where are we going to put him? Omari and Zach are staying here tonight while their apartment is being painted."
"He'll stay with me," Jessie answered. "It's not like we haven't slept together before."
"He's staring at you," Kendra said, looking at Jim.
"I know." Jessie's eyes locked with Jim's as she whispered, "I promised Blair I wouldn't tell Jim why he was so angry with his brother. I just might tell him, though, if he asked me."
Jim had the sudden realization that Jessie knew he heard every word she had just said. Obviously Sandburg wasn't the only thing they needed to talk about. He quickly crossed over to speak with his roommate's girlfriend.
"Do you know what happened here?" Jim asked, pretending he hadn't heard her conversation with Kendra.
Jessie nodded.
"I have to take Aaron to rent a car. When can we get together?"
"How about lunch? I'll pick you up at the station."
Jim nodded brusquely and started to leave the apartment. Jessie placed a cool hand against his arm, stopping him in mid-stride.
"Please don't mention this to Blair," she asked. "Any of this."
************
Jim exited the elevator on the first floor of the police precinct, scanning the people going about their business in the lobby in front of him. Spotting Jessie, waving at him from across the room, he strode swiftly through the crowd.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"Nope. Not at all," she replied, walking quickly to his side. Tossing him her keys, she said, "Here, I want you to drive."
Jim followed the young woman out of the building and over to her vehicle. He slipped into the driver's seat before leaning over and opening the door for Jessie.
"I want to talk to you about what happened this morning," Jim began as she climbed into the Toyota 4-Runner.
"Not just yet. First, let's go over to the park on the other side of the city. I want you to tell me what you think of the car's handling."
"I don't understand."
"You will. Just drive."
Shrugging, Jim turned the key in the ignition, sending music blasting throughout the car. He jerked back in pain as Jessie dove for the stereo, quickly flipping it off.
"Sorry. I like it pretty loud when I'm alone in the car."
"I can tell." He checked for oncoming cars before rapidly pulling out into traffic. They drove in silence for the twenty minutes it took to get to the park. Jim slowly began to get a feel for how Jessie's car handled, noticing little problems that would have slipped anyone else's attention.
Pulling the car to a stop at the park, he said, "It pulls to the left when you put on the brakes."
"Yes!" she said, pumping her fist in victory. "I knew it."
Jim watched, surprised by her reaction, as she twisted around to grab the picnic basket from the floor boards behind her. She flashed him a big smile before popping out of the car. Shaking his head he got out of the car and followed her over to an empty picnic table.
"I've had everyone I can think of drive that silly car and you're the first one who's noticed that it pulls to the left."
"How did you know?" he asked, sliding onto the bench across from her.
"It's my car. I am intimately aware of every noise she makes and how she drives." Shaking her head, she continued, "Poor thing just hasn't been the same since that blasted fender bender last month."
Flipping open the basket, she began pulling out plastic containers of food. Recognizing the store emblem on the containers, Jim smiled.
"Take you long to make this?"
"All morning," Jessie said, laughing. "You should be honored. I don't cook for just anybody."
"Oh, I am," Jim chuckled.
Jessie pulled out two paper plates and passed them over to Jim. He busied himself by opening the plastic containers and dishing out the food. When he was done, he passed a plate to Jessie.
"Since you're on duty," she said, handing him a cold soda.
Jim accepted the drink, putting it to the side, and giving Jessie his most serious look. She stared back, eyes opening wide in mock fear, lips twitching in suppressed laughter. Unable to contain herself as Jim's expression became even more stern, Jessie burst into giggles. He maintained eye contact with the young woman as she slowly regained her composure. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her hair out of her face and regarded Jim with an equally serious look.
"What do you know about me?" he asked.
She shrugged. "I know about your Sentinel abilities." Quickly holding up a hand as Jim started to swear, she added, "Blair didn't tell me."
"He didn't," Jim said dubiously.
Vigorously shaking her head, Jessie said, "No. He didn't. I already knew about his project and that he had found someone with Sentinel abilities when I first met you. It didn't take much to put two and two together." Leaning closer to the tall man, she added, "There's something else you should know. I've never told Blair that I know about you."
Jim slowly popped open the can of soda, considering Jessie's words. Her heartbeat had never changed as she spoke and he decided he could trust the girl with the secret of his abilities. Not that he had much of a choice at this point.
"Why haven't you told Blair?"
With a rueful smile, Jessie said, "I have four brothers. I learned a long time ago that men like to think they're more intelligent then their girlfriends."
"Blair's not like that."
"I know that. I guess if he wanted me to know he'd tell me. It's not like I don't understand why he keeps it secret." Jessie sighed. "And it's hard to escape the lessons of your childhood."
Deciding to change the subject, Jim asked, "What happened this morning between Blair and Aaron?"
"I promised Blair I wouldn't tell you what he said last night."
"Then why are we here?"
"Because I didn't promise Blair that I wouldn't tell you about something he told me before last night," she explained, looking uncomfortable with her rationalization for the clandestine meeting with Jim. "I may not even be right about this."
Deciding to wait until Jessie was ready to speak, Jim silently picked up a plastic spork and started to eat the vegetable salad he had spooned onto his plate.
"Blair told me once about Lash attempting to kill him. How did you find him?"
Shrugging, Jim said, "I heard him talking to Lash."
Jessie quietly blew the air she was holding through her mouth. "Good. Did you hear him ask Lash how old Blair was when he broke his arm falling out of Mrs. Danbush's tree?"
Thinking back to that night, Jim frowned. "No. I don't remember that."
"Does Blair know what you heard?"
"Word for word? We never discussed it."
Jessie smiled and took a sip of her soda before saying, "Ask him how he broke his arm when he was a kid."
"How will that help me?"
"Trust me. If you can get him to open up about that event you'll find out a lot about his relationship with Aaron."
"So Aaron had something to do with it?" Jim asked, trying to get more information from the girl.
"Just ask Blair."
************
Stopping at a store specializing in hand-crafted jewelry, Jim quickly looked through the displays, trying to find a particular choker. Blair had shopped here many times, occasionally bringing Jim along. Jim would never understand the young man's need to adorn his body the way Blair did. Sure, he had once worn an earring but it wasn't the same as the young man's collection of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
Blair had recently asked him to stop at this store and had shown him a necklace sporting a small Zuni Bear. For once Jim had known what the kid was talking about when he discussed the symbolism of the fetish. The detective remembered a teacher in high school telling the class about the Pueblo Indians and their animal carvings. The Zuni Bear was used to symbolize strength, introspection, and power of the soul.
He was looking for the fetish choker now, intending to buy it and give it to the young man. Jim wasn't sure what was bothering his friend but he thought the kid could use some strength and power of the soul right now. He was about to give up when he spotted the small bear made of Tiger Eye stone suspended on a thin black cord. Purchasing the necklace, he went looking for his friend.
************
Jim strode quickly down the Anthropology building's hallway. Jessie had told him that Blair was planning on catching up on his dissertation in his office. Jim was hoping the kid would be more willing to talk to him on his turf. If not, well, he couldn't arrest him for keeping family secrets.
He paused at the door to the office, trying to hear if Blair was inside. He heard someone shuffling papers and then a familiar voice cursed. Smiling, Jim rapidly knocked on the door before opening it and stepping into the office.
"Having problems?" he asked as he crossed the room.
Blair, sitting at his desk, twisted in his seat, saying, "Hey, Jim." He took off his glasses and dropped them on one of the books on the desk, running his other hand through his hair. "Just can't seem to concentrate today."
Jim carefully picked up some files that filled a wooden chair, placing them on top of a nearby metal file cabinet. Pulling the chair closer to the anthropologist, he tossed a leg over to straddle its seat, resting his arms on the back. He sat silently watching his friend, waiting for him to talk.
The younger man looked uncomfortable as he said, "I'm sorry I snapped at you this morning."
Jim shrugged. "I hadn't noticed."
"Yeah, right." Studying the detective, Blair asked, "Do you need my help?"
Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out the small case which held the Zuni Bear necklace he had bought earlier. "Here. I thought you might like this."
Blair quickly opened the box, carefully reaching in to pull out the choker. Staring at the gift, he asked, "Why are you giving me this?"
"I happened to be passing the store and I remembered how much you admired the craftsmanship. So I bought it."
"Thanks," Blair said, still unsure why Jim had bought the choker.
Jim watched the young man run his fingers over the small stone bear before tentatively putting the necklace around his neck. The detective was hoping that the present would encourage the kid to open up but instead he stared off in the distance, apparently lost in thought. Realizing Blair wasn't going to just start talking about what happened this morning, Jim decided to be blunt. "What happened this morning?"
Blair grimaced, turning away from Jim. "Nothing. Aaron startled me. He made me hurt Jessie. I just lost my temper."
Nodding, Jim said, "Okay. Why did you lie to me last night?"
"I didn't. Jessie was planning on going out of town today. She just changed her mind."
Jim knew that Blair was lying. From the look in the young man's eyes, Blair knew he wasn't fooling the detective. They sat in silence for a few minutes, Jim waiting for Blair to talk to him and Blair hoping that his friend wouldn't ask him any more questions.
Breaking the silence, Jim said, "There's something I've been wanting to ask you for a long time now."
Blair nodded his head, surprised by Jim's apparent willingness to change the subject. "What?"
"I heard you tell Lash something that I've been wondering about ever since. Just how old were you when you broke your arm falling out of Mrs. Danbush's tree?"
Blair, thrown by Jim's question, blurted out, "Ten." Trying to cover his sudden unease, he calmly asked, "What brought this up?"
"I was just thinking," Jim said, leaning on the back of the chair. "You know more about my childhood than I know about yours. The only thing I knew was that you had once broken your arm but I didn't know when."
Jim's explanation seemed plausible but he knew what the detective would ask next. It was a question he didn't want to answer. One that he didn't even want to think about.
"How did it happen?"
Blair closed his eyes, trying to think of a way to answer the question. Realizing he couldn't lie to Jim without the detective being able to hear the change in his heartbeat, Blair slowly began to answer Jim's question, unable to banish the images that invaded his head as he spoke.
************
The boy prowled through the jungle's underbrush, certain he was nearing the native village. It wouldn't be long now before the name of Blair Sandburg would become legendary for being the first white man to enter a Kopek village and return, alive. Using a solid wooden staff to test the ground in front of him, the boy reached forward to quietly push aside a jungle branch that impeded his way to a clearing. He heard the far-off call of a native and paused, trying to interpret the plaintive cry.
Just as the boy was about to step into the clearing a hand grabbed his shoulder. He spun, twisting out of the native's grasp, swinging the protective staff in front of him. Suddenly the jungle melted away, becoming the hedge of Butterfly-bushes that separated his family's and old lady Danbush's backyards. The attacking native grew into the tall figure of his brother as Blair's staff, now a battered, discarded umbrella, slapped against his side.
His face contorted in rage, Aaron yelled, "You're dead, Blair-boy!"
Blair spun back around, crashing through the hedge into Mrs. Danbush's yard. Aiming for the Drake Elm tree, the boy ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He could hear his brother's legs pounding into the ground as he closed the distance. Reaching the tree, Blair started to climb with an agility born of desperation. If he could just get up high enough he would be safe. Always a small child, Blair knew that he could climb onto branches that wouldn't support his much larger brother's weight.
He climbed until the branches bent against his weight before finally stopping, hoping that he was safe. Carefully turning around on the branch, he saw his brother grab his narrow limb near its base. Shocked, he watched, tightening his grip, as Aaron began to shake the branch. Blair's hands, already slick with sweat, suddenly slid forward, causing the young boy to cry in pain as the skin was torn from his palms. Frantically, he tried to regain his hold on the branch as he felt himself slip. He fell, screaming, twelve feet to the ground. Pain lanced through his arm, his vision tunneled, and all sounds seemed to swim in his head. He thought he heard a woman shriek as his brother leaned before his rapidly darkening vision.
"You're clumsy. Too bad I couldn't get here soon enough to help you," Aaron said.
The child's world was engulfed by darkness.
************
Jim listened to the young man's tale, unable to conceal the anger that raced through his body. If there was one thing he could not forgive, cruelty to a child. He managed to control his rage, knowing that he would have to be careful asking the young man in front of him the next question. It was obvious that the damage went deep and Blair didn't want to discuss his past.
"How old was Aaron?"
"Almost twenty-one," Blair whispered, his eyes still closed, trying to banish the memory from his head.
Jim rubbed a hand against his jaw before placing a comforting hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Did you ever tell anyone that he caused the fall?"
Blair finally opened his eyes, uttering a short, harsh laugh. "Why?" he asked, unable to make eye contact with the detective.
Shocked, Jim said, "Because what he did was abuse. It was illegal."
Blair shrugged the older man's hand off his shoulder. He stood and slowly walked across the office, hugging his right arm in memory of the ancient pain. Quietly, so quietly that only someone with Sentinel senses would hear his words, he said, "That's not how mom explained it to me."
He walked to the far corner and loosely dropped to sit on the floor. Pulling his knees in tight against his chest, looking like a lost child, Blair said in a higher, lilting impression of a female voice, "You have to understand, Blair. Aaron doesn't mean what he does. He's just hurting because his dad and I got divorced."
Jim watched the younger man, stunned, as he continued in the same sing-song voice, almost as if he were reciting a mantra.
"He feels he isn't wanted anymore. We have to forgive him, make him feel wanted."
Jim carefully crossed the room, not wanting his friend to feel threatened by his actions. He joined Blair on the floor, sitting with crossed legs, hands resting easily on his knees.
"What did your father say?"
"He didn't want to be bothered. Said I brought out the worst in Aaron." For the first time since he began his tale Blair looked into Jim's eyes. "I think he was afraid of Aaron. Father wasn't a tall man. Not that I take after him," he said, attempting to divert the detective's line of questioning with humor.
It didn't work. Jim stared hard into Blair's eyes, realizing for the first time why the young man never talked about his family. He suspected that Blair's parents weren't expecting to be blessed with a dynamo with an overactive imagination and endless enthusiasm for whatever caught his attention.
Blair, uncomfortable with Jim's close scrutiny, forced out a smile, saying, "It really wasn't that bad. Aaron went to West Point when he was eighteen and I was seven. He only came home for holidays and the summer. Once he graduated he got shipped off and I saw him even less."
Jim recognized the words for what they were, a sign of denial. It didn't happen often so it was okay. Before he met Carolyn he'd dated a woman who worked with abused wives. He remembered her telling him about women who belittled their abuse because they couldn't see that it was inexcusable. No matter how rarely it may have occurred.
"Don't give me that. You could have been killed in that fall," Jim said, leaning in close to Blair. "And from what you've said here it wasn't the first time he hurt you. Or the last."
Blair pulled away from the detective. Pushing himself to his feet, he tried to walk away. The older man quickly rose to his feet, blocking Blair's path.
"Talk to me, Blair."
Turning away from Jim, the anthropologist ran a hand through his long hair. "About what? I've told you what you wanted to know."
Placing a hand on Blair's shoulder, Jim asked, "Does he still hurt you?"
"Not physically. Not unless he can make me mad enough to strike him first," he admitted.
"Like he tried to do this morning?"
"Basically," he said before pushing past Jim and nearly running out of the office.
Jim watched him leave, wanting to follow his friend but not certain he should. Jessie's words at lunch ran through his head, It's hard to escape the lessons of your childhood. Deciding Blair needed some time alone, he walked over to the cluttered desk. He found Blair's reading glasses and put them in his pocket, knowing that the young man wouldn't remember where he had left them the next time he needed the glasses. Taking one last look around, he left the office, shutting the door behind him.
************
Jim returned to the loft and quickly packed Maier's belongings. He placed the case on the floor next to the sofa before walking over to the phone in the kitchen. Taking some of his anger and frustration out on the phone, he roughly punched in the number for a nearby hotel. Speaking quickly, he made a reservation for one night for Maier, finishing just as he heard the man in question walking down the hallway, humming. Swiftly crossing back to the sofa, Jim picked up Maier's small suitcase and walked over to open the door just as the major knocked.
"Here," Jim said without preamble, handing the suitcase over to Maier. Ignoring the surprised look on the other man's face, Jim continued, "You're no longer welcome in my home. I've made a reservation for you at the Radisson, two miles down the street."
"Look, if this is about what happened this morning, I didn't expect Blair to react that way," Maier responded, placing the valises on the floor by his feet.
"For some reason I don't believe you," Jim said, hearing the man's heart speed up with his lie. "But that doesn't matter. I'm asking you to leave for one reason." He placed a hand on the door, preparing to swing it shut. "Of all the criminals out there there is one that I hate over any other; the child abuser. I won't have one staying under my roof." More than anything Jim wanted to strike the man in front of him, drive his message home, but he knew that Blair wouldn't appreciate his actions. Instead he shut the door, hoping to never see Aaron Maier again.
************
Blair sat on a hope chest in front of Jessie's bedroom window, his arms resting on his crossed legs, staring through the glass. Placing a light hand on his shoulder, Jessie said, "I've got to go to the store."
"I thought you went shopping this morning," Blair said, swinging his legs off the chest.
"Drug store. I need to get a prescription refill."
"What's wrong?" he asked, concern for Jessie overriding his morose thoughts.
Shaking her head, she answered, "Nothing. It's just if you plan on doing anything more than sleeping with me tonight I need to get a refill."
"Oh. Can't you skip a day without getting pregnant? I really want you to stay here. Or I can go with you."
"Did I ever tell you that my parents never planned on having six kids?" she asked, running a cool hand along his cheek. "Four was their limit but mom's pills ran out and she didn't get the refill till the next day. Nine months later Tony was born. A few years later the same thing happened and, surprise, I was born."
Blair chuckled, bringing a happy smile to Jessie's face. "You better get the refill then. Why don't I go with you?"
"Zach is supposed to be here any time now. He doesn't have a key. If we both go there'll be no one to let him in." Seeing her boyfriend's unhappy face, she suggested, "Why don't you call Jim? Tell him you're here. If you want you can invite him for dinner."
"Yeah. The straight-laced detective and a bunch of twenty-somethings. It'd be like inviting dad to come to your slumber party."
"Are you saying he can't handle all of us combined?" she asked, a crooked smile pulling at her cheek.
Shaking his head, Blair answered, "Actually I don't think all of us could handle him."
Jessie laughed. "Just think about it," she said, turning to head out of the apartment.
************
Blair decided to take Jessie's advice. Even so it had taken him five minutes of staring at the portable phone before he could pick it up and dial the number to the loft. It rang several times before Blair hung it up and tried Jim's cell phone. After two rings, he answered.
"Ellison."
"Hey, Jim. What are you doing this evening?"
"I didn't have any plans. I'm in the truck now, heading home."
"Jessie suggested that I ask you over to dinner. That is if you want to eat with a bunch of twenty-something kids."
Blair heard the dry chuckle over the line. "I think I can chance it."
He was about to tell Jim what time to come over when he heard a knock on the door. "Just a minute Jim. Zach's here," he said before placing the phone on the table.
Blair walked through the hallway to the door. Without looking through the peephole, he quickly opened the door. "Hey Zach," he started to say, the words dying on his lips at the sight of the man standing in front of him: his brother.
Trying to shut the door, he was met with resistance before it was shoved back against him. Blair scrambled back, narrowly avoiding the wooden door as it slammed into the wall, taking a chunk out of the plaster.
Edging backwards to the phone, he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"What tales have you been telling out of class?" Maier asked, closely following his brother.
Jim, listening to the conversation on the other end of the cell, tightened his hands on the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening. He heard the threatening tone of Maier's voice and stepped on the gas, pulling out his siren and placing it on the dash. If he was lucky he would be there in just minutes. He just hoped that was soon enough.
Blair backed into the table shortly before Maier stalked up to stand over him. Leaning forward, just a couple of inches from Blair's face, he growled, "You shouldn't have told your friend that I abused you."
Blair's hand moved to the choker around his neck. As he felt it, something snapped in the young man. "Back off," he yelled, roughly shoving the older man back. "I'm not some little boy you can kick around anymore."
"Do you think you can really take me on?"
Reaching behind him to feel the comfort of the portable phone, Blair smiled. "I don't have to." He brought the receiver around and waved it in front of Maier's face. "I was on the phone when you broke in. With Detective James Ellison of the Cascade PD, Major Crimes division." Grinning, he added, "He'd make an excellent witness at your trial. If I remember correctly the charges would be trespassing and assault."
Maier, startled by Blair's lack of fear, tried to regain control of the situation. "You expect me to believe that someone is on the phone?"
Holding the phone to his brother, Blair said, "You can talk to him if you want to."
Taking the phone, Maier quickly pressed the talk button. Holding the now dead instrument in front of him he said, "Your friend never saw me. At best he can say he heard a voice that may have been mine. You never said my name so he can't definitely identify me."
Blair's smile faltered as he remembered an earlier court room where Jim's testimony was called into question because it wasn't humanly possible to see what he had seen. Refusing to let his brother terrorize him any longer, Blair squared his shoulders and said, "He won't have to. I'll do that myself."
Maier swung around as a voice behind him said, "And I'll support his testimony."
The man standing just inside the doorway was huge. He was taller than the door frame, with broad shoulders, blue eyes, and auburn hair, wearing a Rainier University basketball jacket. Moving with the grace of an athlete, he quickly crossed the distance between the door and Maier.
With his most intimidating look, he asked Blair, "Do you want me to throw this guy out?"
"No, Zach. Thanks," he answered. Sitting on the table so no one could see how weak his legs had become, Blair said, "I'm sure he's willing to leave on his own."
Maier considered his options. Realizing he couldn't scare the man in front of him, he turned to leave, saying "This isn't over, Blair-boy."
"Yes. It is. I'm not going to let you treat me like your personal kicking post anymore."
Grunting, his brother stormed out of the apartment. As he slammed out of the door, it didn't latch, bouncing back open, and two hands grabbed him and tossed him against the wall. He looked into the ice cold eyes of Jim Ellison, rage etched across his face.
"I hope you heard what Blair said in there," he said, his voice cold and menacing. "Because if I ever hear of you bothering him again I'll forget I'm a cop."
Two pairs of hands grabbed his arms, pulling him away from the Major. Having made his point, he allowed himself to be drawn away. "Don't forget what I said."
"Jim, come on. He was leaving," Blair said, dragging Jim to the door.
The detective pulled his arms out of the younger men's grasp. He continued to glare at Maier as Blair's brother straightened his clothes. Head held high, trying to regain his dignity, he walked down the hallway as casually as possible.
Jim watched until the elevator came and took Aaron Maier away. Satisfied the abuser had truly left, he turned around to find a neck in front of his face. He tilted his head slightly to look into the face of a man he recognized as Zach Taylor, point guard for the Rainier Timber Wolves.
"That was quite a basket you made the last game," he said, ignoring the recent incident in the hallway. "When Blair told me Zach Taylor was Omari's roommate I didn't realize he meant you."
The tall man shrugged. "We're both pre-med. It's easier to room with someone who's majoring in the same field than with another basketball player."
"I'm Jim Ellison, by the way," Jim added when Blair didn't introduce him.
"Oh yeah, sorry. Zach, this is my roommate." Remembering that Jessie would be back soon, he added, "Let's go inside. Jessie should be back soon."
Zach quickly retreated into the apartment, leaving the roommates standing in the hall. Blair was about to follow the point guard when Jim said, "I heard what you said in there, Chief. You stood up to your brother."
"It's about time."
"No," Jim said, slapping Blair's back as he led him into the apartment. "The time was right." Walking into the apartment, he asked, "So where is that guy going to sleep?"
The End
What did you think of the story? Liked it? Hated it? Let me know. Laura
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