Disclaimers: All characters, etc...all of them in the world of The Sentinel are owned by Pet Fly Productions & UPN. I've just taken them out of the toy box to play and I promise to put them back when I'm done, because I'm a good girl and I always put my toys away.
Summary: After a less than happy parting will it take Jim and Blair's own children to bring them together?
Warnings: None, just sap. And no, this is NOT another "Nia" story.
Author's Notes: When you see words in between [] this is what a character is thinking.
Thanks to M. You give good beta.
"My Heart Will Go On," is by James Horner and Will Jennings.
KIDS
by
Rainer Faculty Housing:
Dr. Blair Sandburg stood against the wall and smiled in amusement at the scene in front of him. His sixteen year old daughter Ariana Moon Sandburg ran from her bedroom to the bathroom, then back to her bedroom. Every few seconds or so, Blair heard a frustrated "Ahhhhh!" come from her lips.
Blair suppressed the urge to laugh out loud since Ariana was so obviously in some kind of distress and that distress had something to do with her hair. Ariana's hair was waist length and quite wavy, a combination of both her parents' hair textures.
Ariana stopped in mid run and stared at her father. Blair looked straight at her.
"It's not funny Daddy!"
Blair's mouth nearly dropped. Ariana was so much like her mother in that she knew what a person was thinking by just feeling their "vibes."
"I wasn't laughing at you," Blair said.
The teenager shook her head. "Maybe not, but you're thinking it."
Blair came close to his daughter and took her hands. "I'm not laughing at you...I never laugh at you Ariana. Now, what's the problem."
"This!" She gestured to her hair. "I want to put it up...but I can't seem to get it right!"
Ariana normally wore her hair in a single braid down her back. Today it looked as if she wanted to get that braid to go around the top of her head.
"Let me help you. I know a few things about unruly hair," Blair said.
Ariana looked at her father as if she didn't quite believe him. Then she sighed and shrugged. "Okay."
They walked into her bedroom. Ariana sat on a chair. Blair took a comb and brush and proceeded to unbraid her hair.
"Daddy!" she protested.
"We have to start all over again if you want it right. Okay?"
"Okay." Ariana sighed again. "You always know best anyway."
"Not always." Blair gently combed his daughter's hair, pulling at the tangles with his fingers. "I used to do this for your mother."
"Uh huh...Do you miss her?"
"Sometimes. But I know she's happy where she is. She wouldn't have been happy here. She belongs to the earth, that's what she always told me."
"Earth mother," Ariana giggled.
"Yeah, that's her." Blair continued to comb his daughter's hair until he was satisfied that all the knots were out. Then he began the braiding process. He was quite good at it, there wasn't a hair out of place.
"You should think about another career daddy. Hairstylist," Ariana grinned.
"No way. I don't have the patience. Just for you dear," he planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Ariana, I'm really proud of you. I know you didn't want to come to Cascade. You really liked Texas...you had a lot of friends. I really felt bad for pulling you away from all of that. Now look at you. I bet you're the most popular girl in school."
"Well, I had a good teacher."
Blair laughed.
Ariana sighed. "I didn't really like Cascade at first...too too cold. But...I really like my school and the kids are nice and stuff..."
"And stuff being boys...."
Ariana turned her head and looked up at her father. "Daddy!"
Blair turned his daughter's head so he could continue braiding. "Ariana, you are sixteen years old. You're a young lady. If you were living back in the Amazon, you'd be at least betrothed by now. In American culture, even though we are way too sexually oriented, both males and females are encouraged to get an education so they can secure good jobs in the future. Still, these biological drives persist. It's important to know they're there and natural. It doesn't mean we have to act on them."
Ariana laughed out loud. "Sounds like one of your lectures, Daddy."
Blair finished braiding the hair. He took three pins from off her dresser and proceeded to wrap her hair around her head in a crown.
"So, is there a particular boy you like?"
"Why did I know you were going to say that?"
"Because I'm your father?"
"That's true. Okay...um a boy I like? Well....Um...Daddy you taught me that my body is my temple and that sex is like a religious experience shared only with someone special? Um...well I believe that and..."
Blair began to pin her hair up. "And you've found that someone special? Ariana, you know I'm no prude but you're only sixteen..."
"I know...we're just friends..."
"So there is someone?" Blair's eyes lit up and he could feel the tension in his daughter's body.
"We're just friends Daddy...he's not like the other boys at school. Most of them want a girl for one thing only and then they move on to the next one..."
"Some things don't change," Blair sighed.
"But...Joe's not like that...he's sweet...I mean...he's on the track team AND he plays varsity football...he's sixteen too Daddy...not too old...But...he could have any girl he wants. They all throw themselves at him but he doesn't even give them the time of day. And then one day...he sat next to me at an assembly and then after we started talking and...He's real nice Daddy and so are his friends....He's not the jock type."
"Joe. Does this Joe have a last name?" Blair was almost finished with Ariana's hair.
"Yes. Joseph Ellison."
The pin Blair was about to use in his daughter's hair dropped from his hands and fell to the floor. Ariana leaned down and picked it up then turned around to give it to her father. "Daddy?"
Blair stood as still as a statue, his eyes were wide. The name "Ellison" rang over and over again in his head. "Daddy?" Ariana said with concern in her voice.
Blair blinked and looked down at his daughter. "Sorry."
"You're a genius, Daddy." She smiled a big smile, hazel eyes flashing. Blair was dazzled by her as always. It was always hard for him to believe that such a stunning creature was his child.
Then the name "Ellison" rang in Blair's head again.
"Ariana, so this Joe Ellison is a nice fellow?"
She nodded. "He's a sweetheart and he doesn't have to be. I mean he's gorgeous! Over six feet, real pretty blue eyes...light brown hair."
Blair shut his eyes tightly as an image of Jim Ellison appeared. Strong, powerful, faithful Jim Ellison, the man who'd broken Blair's heart.
"Sounds nice," was all Blair could manage.
"He is." Blair followed Ariana out of her room and down the stairs.
"So um...where are you going?"
"To the movies. Me, Joe, Sandy and Tyler. This real old movie's playing, supposed to be good. Titanic?"
Blair nodded. "Yes, it's a very good movie. Long though. You car has enough gas?"
Ariana nodded as she walked to the door. "Filled it yesterday, Daddy."
Blair nodded. "You have enough money?''
Ariana stared at her father. "Of course. I'm always prepared."
"This Joe Ellison...he doesn't drink or anything?"
"Daddy, he's an athlete. You know how they care about their bodies."
"Daddy...is there something wrong? Are you okay?"
"Me? I'm fine. No problem. You go out and have fun. Don't stay out too late."
"I won't." She kissed her father's cheek. Blair grabbed her hand.
"I love you, Ariana."
"I love you too Daddy."
Another smile and she was out the door. Blair watched as Ariana got into her car and drove off. He watched until he couldn't see her car anymore, then he went inside, closed the door and sighed.
Blair sat down heavily on the sofa and leaned his head against the pillows. "Oh...Jim..." he groaned out loud.
When Blair Sandburg finally received his Ph.D. all of the cops from Major Crime were there, Simon, Brown, Ryf, Joel, even Cassie who had taken a job in Iowa, saying that Cascade was just "too crowded" for her had shown up. Jim Ellison was right there, beaming with pride and it made Blair happy to see his partner so happy. He wished there was another way he could make him happy, but Blair knew that was only a fantasy. Jim was straight, hell, he was straight too. It was just a case of hero worship taken to a higher level, at least that was what Blair told himself.
"Congratulations, Dr. Sandburg," Jim said and hugged his friend. Blair held on tightly to Jim, savoring the embrace. [I wish we could do this all the time Jim...] It made Blair happy that Jim was the first person to address him as "Dr." Then he'd looked up at his Sentinel and saw in his eyes pride, happiness and something else something Blair did not expect...desire...love? Just as he was about to say something, Simon appeared and patted Blair on the back.
"We knew you could do it, kid." When Blair looked at Jim again, only pride and happiness were present on his face.
After the parties, Blair had to get down to business. He hadn't been able to get a teaching job at Rainer so he'd applied to other schools in other states. Jim didn't seem to mind him being there, besides he still helped him at Major Crime. Every time they were alone though, Blair would look into Jim's face for that flash of whatever it was he saw that night but he never found it. He concluded that it was probably an illusion, that both he and Jim were on some kind of adrenaline high from the graduation ceremony.
Blair got the letter from Boston College in October. He read it in his
room and nearly burst into tears when he realized they wanted him. Boston.
The other side of the country.
Jim was making spaghetti sauce and told Blair they were out of oregano. Blair volunteered to go get it. Jim smiled. "Thanks Chief," he said. When Blair came back, he found Jim sitting on the sofa, the letter from Boston in his hands. Blair's eyes went wide.
"That's my letter," he said.
Jim nodded. "I heard you open it in your room and I heard you cry. I just...I wanted to see what happened. When were you going to tell me about this?"
Blair explained that he didn't want to say anything until he'd heard something from a school closer to Cascade. Jim shrugged his shoulders and asked why. Boston College was a very good school with a very good reputation. Blair should not turn down a chance like that.
Blair looked at Jim and their eyes met. Blair searched for that flicker, for something. He explained that he didn't want to move so far away, what if Jim needed him or something? Jim just smiled and said he hadn't had a zone out in a long time, he was using the techniques Blair taught him. He was fine.
"Chief, this is a great opportunity. You shouldn't be tied down here."
Tied down? Jim actually thought Blair was "tied down?" Blair stared at his Sentinel and knew that he had to say something. He had to tell Jim how he felt. [I can't leave here Jim...I love you.] The words would not come though. Blair looked again at Jim. Maybe Jim wanted him to leave. Maybe *he* wanted to get on with his life without some silly unemployed anthropologist tagging along and was just too nice to say it.
Blair slowly nodded and said that Jim was right, he'd write Boston tomorrow and tell them he accepted their position. Jim smiled and patted Blair on the shoulder. "Now this is a celebration."
Two months later, Jim and Blair were at the airport. Blair was flying to Boston, Jim had paid to have Blair's things sent to him. Blair was now convinced that Jim was glad he was leaving. Why else would he have paid for shipping Blair's things so willingly? He almost didn't want to look at the smiling face of the older man because he didn't want to start crying in front of him.
"Well, I guess this is it Jim," Blair said, avoiding his eyes.
"It's not it Chief. I mean there are phones, and e-mail. We'll keep in touch."
"You know what I mean, man."
Jim sighed. "Blair, I've never been so proud of anyone as I am of you. You're going to do more out there than you could ever have done here in Cascade."
"Come on, it'll be great. New city, new friends."
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine, Chief. You know me."
They announced the flight and Blair took a deep breath. He looked into Jim's face one more time. [I love you Jim...please say something...ask me to stay and I will.] Jim smiled the famous Jim Ellison smile he used for the public, nothing private or intimate about that look at all.
"Guess this is it," Blair said.
"Yeah," Jim nodded.
"Well...thanks for everything, man."
"Thank you Chief."
"Hey, maybe you could come out to Boston for Thanksgiving, next year."
"Yeah."
They shared a brief hug. Blair wanted to bury himself in that big embrace and never come out. Then the Sentinel gently pushed him away. "You'll miss your plane."
Blair looked up. Jim nodded. "Yeah. Take care Jim."
"You too, Chief."
Jim and Blair did call each other on the phone and send e-mail but the conversations were stiff and formal, always about work. Jim told Blair what was going on at Major Crime, Blair told of his new life in Boston. They could have been two strangers talking not two men who'd lived together for nearly six years. The conversations depressed Blair to much he started to say less and less as the months went on. Blair almost didn't want to invite Jim over for Thanksgiving, but he remembered his promise to the Sentinel, so he did.
Blair had spent the entire week before Jim came cleaning the apartment. He wanted it to be just like Jim liked it, orderly and clean. Blair picked Jim up from the airport. The detective looked the same, in fact he looked good. For some reason that bothered Blair. He guessed he wanted to see Jim look terrible, get on his knees and beg Blair to come back. Jim asked Blair about his work and Blair gave his old partner a detailed description of the social structure of the university. Jim just smiled.
"Leave it to you to figure it all out," Jim said.
"I figure we'd have a quiet Thanksgiving, man. Just you, me, a turkey..."
"...And football."
"Yeah, right."
Blair had taken Jim to his apartment and as soon as the detective saw it was a one bedroom, he asked Blair if it would be better that he stayed in a hotel. Blair was astonished that Jim would think such a thing. Hadn't they managed to live together?
"Look man, I know it's small. You can have my bedroom, and I'll sleep out here. The couch opens into a bed. We'll be okay."
Jim sighed. "Well, it's only for a day."
Blair's face darkened. "Yeah, only for a day."
Thanksgiving found Blair in the kitchen and Jim in front of the television,
first watching the parade and then football.
"Hey Chief," Jim said.
Blair turned around and smiled. "Yeah Jim?"
"Is it okay if I make a phone call?"
"Sure man, phone's on the table."
"Thanks."
Jim punched in about twenty numbers; probably a long distance call and he was using his phone card. Blair figured he was probably calling Simon or Stephen. Then Blair heard it.
"Hey babe."
Blair whirled around and stared at Jim who was grinning as he talked on the telephone. Babe? Who was he calling "babe?" Blair realized he was staring and quickly turned around, knowing Jim had probably heard his movements. Blair heard Jim's whispered voice for a few minutes and then he caught those three words that he wished to God Jim would say to him. "I love you."
Blair tried to concentrate on the turkey and the rest of the food, blinking his eyes to keep from crying, when suddenly he was aware of Jim standing behind him.
"Hey man, don't do that. I'm not a Sentinel, remember?"
"Hey, Chief...I know. I...I guess you heard me talking huh?"
"You know I don't have your hearing, man."
"But I know you heard me talking. Well, that's Alexandra...she's...well...we've been dating for about six months now and...well I wanted you to be the first to know Chief...we're going to get married next year."
Blair's face went white. It took everything he had not to drop the pan
of stuffing on the floor.
"I'm happy for you man," Blair managed to say. "Um...I better finish this stuffing."
"Okay," Jim nodded and went back to his seat.
The rest of the day had been a nightmare for Blair. They sat down to dinner and Jim told Blair how he'd met Alexandra, Alex he called her. Blair heard but didn't listen, shoving food in his mouth, food that for some reason had no taste.
The next day when Jim left for Cascade, Blair smiled but in his heart he was glad his friend was leaving. James Ellison was gone and it was as if those years they spent together never existed.
A few months later Blair received an invatiation to Jim's wedding. Blair wrote Jim back telling him he wanted to come, but he was heading up a team to go to the Amazon jungle and live with the tribal people. He wished Jim the best.
The years that followed were filled with activity. The jungle, the village, Lourdes, Mtume, Ariana. Then back in Boston again, tenure, schools, nannies. An Assistant Professor job in Texas. Somehow Blair placed Jim Ellison in a dark corner of his mind. True love? A lost love. Blair got one holiday card from "Jim & Alex," but he was in the jungle. When he returned to Boston, Blair was so busy he never found time to send a card to his former partner, then when he moved to Texas he never sent Jim his new address.
Then nearly a year ago Blair got a job offer in a place he wanted to work so many years ago. The job was Assistant Chairman of the Anthropology Department at Rainer University, Cascade, Washington. At first Blair was going to refuse, but the Chairman of Blair's department, in Texas would have none of it.
"It's too good an opportunity Dr. Sandburg," Dr. Michaels, who insisted Blair call him by his first name, Alan, said.
"Rainer. A lot of memories there."
"You'll make new ones," Alan said.
"Yes, I guess I will."
Now Dr. Blair Sandburg opened his eyes. He looked at the clock and realized
he'd been asleep for almost two hours. He sighed. "Ellison huh? Must
be hundreds of Ellisons in Cascade." Blair stood and walked into the
kitchen to make himself some tea.
"Jim...I still miss you, even after all these years."
852 Prospect. Three weeks later.
Jim Ellison, Chief of Cascade Police entered his apartment building and heard it. Actually he'd heard it while he parked his car but it was stronger now that he was in the building. Drums coming from somewhere upstairs. Jim sighed. [I haven't heard that sound since....] He shook his head and bounded up the stairs. Jim rarely took the elevator unless he was extremely tired or was carrying too many packages and Joseph wasn't there to help him. Though in his late fifties, Jim Ellison still worked out every day with his best friend, retired Chief of Police Simon Banks. Neither Jim's body nor his senses had been affected by the passage of time. He'd been to the gym already and had picked up some bagels downstairs.
As Jim ascended the stairs the drum sounds grew louder. Over the sounds of the drums Jim heard Joseph's voice. "Really? I can't believe you were really there!" Then an unfamiliar female voice. "I was...let me show you." It wasn't until Jim was on the third floor until he realized they were coming from his apartment. Jim opened the door and was about to say something when he stopped in his tracks. There was a scent in the air. Something familiar.
"Chief?" Jim whispered. Then he looked up.
Joseph was seated on the sofa watching a girl clad in jeans and a flannel shirt doing some kind of weird dance. The way her body was moving looked so...so familiar. Jim got a flash of Blair long ago doing some kind of move and he found himself watching her, mesmerized until the music stopped.
Just then Joseph saw his father standing in front of the door. He jumped up and rushed to him. The girl turned around and smiled. Jim's heart nearly skipped a beat. There, standing in front of him was a petite brunette with long waist length hair in a single braid. Though she had light brown eyes and light brown skin her features looked like...my God...it couldn't be...
"You must be Joe's dad, Chief Ellison...Joe's told me so much about you," she bounced over to him and took his hand.
Jim could only nod as he shook her hand. Joseph took the bagels from his father and took them into the kitchen. "So, you know Joe from school?" Jim said when he found his voice.
She smiled and Jim was afraid he was going to pass out. The smile...it
was the same...as...it *was* his smile...
"Yeah, Joe and I take one class together. Math. Ugh, I hate it."
Joseph came from the kitchen. "Ariana was showing me this dance she learned when she was in the Amazon jungle. Do you know she was born there?"
Jim stared at her.
"Yes, but my dad chose civilization," again that smile.
"Um...Ariana, would you like to sit down, have a cup of tea or something?" Jim said. For some reason he wanted to talk to this young lady.
"No, I better not. I've got studying to do. Nice to meet you Mr. Ellison."
"Nice meeting you." Jim sat on the sofa as Joseph and Ariana walked out the door. He heard them in the hallway.
"Oh God, I think I embarrassed your dad," Ariana said.
"No way, I think he likes you," Joseph said, "he just doesn't say much to people he doesn't know, even people he does know."
"You think?"
"I'm sure."
"Good...'Cause I was afraid he thought I was doing something strange to you in there, man."
"No he wouldn't think that, besides, you're a nice girl."
"Thanks Joe."
A light kiss on the lips and Jim was embarrassed for eavesdropping. As soon as Joseph walked back into the house he looked at his father and knew he'd been listening.
"Where's Ariana?"
"She had to leave, Dad."
"Leave? How's she getting home? Maybe you should have driven her
home, Joe...public transportation's not so great on the weekend and you
know anything could happen...a girl like that's got to be protected...."
Joseph stared at his father. He'd never acted like *this* with any of his previous girlfriends. He was polite but never attentive. "Dad, Ariana doesn't live too far from here, besides, her car...it's a classic. A 1969 Audi."
Jim gasped so loud Joseph rushed to his side. "Dad? What's wrong are you okay?"
"Where...where does she live, Son?"
"Rainer University. Her dad's some big professor there..."
Jim jumped off the sofa, grabbed his coat and headed for the door. "Blair," he whispered.
"Dad!" Joseph called.
Jim was at the door ready to rush out the apartment, down the stairs
and into his car when he stopped.
"Dad?" Joseph said, concerned.
Jim shook his head and took off his coat. He turned around and faced his son. "Sorry Joe..I...I thought I had to do something but I don't. You want something to eat?"
"Sure, I'll help you."
"No, I'm fine."
Joseph watched his father as he walked into the kitchen. The teenager frowned. He'd never seen his father move so slowly, even when he had a hard day at work. Now he was moving like a hundred year old man.
As Jim slowly moved around the kitchen, his thoughts drifted to Blair. That first day he went to see him at Rainer University, Jim had been both annoyed and intrigued. The young man was annoying but even though Jim tried to intimidate him, he didn't back down. He told him he was the only person who could help him and he was so right.
More images flooded Jim's brain. Blair moving in, Blair getting kidnapped by Lash [I wanted to tear that bastard to pieces with my bare hands for hurting him.] Blair on that elevator, and Jim wanting to kill that Galileo when he heard the bomb go off. Jim sleeping on the sofa waiting for Blair to come home.
Jim remembered one time they were chasing three bad guys who'd escaped
in the cab of a truck. Jim and Blair were in Jim's truck and had gotten
rammed so badly by a couple of bad guys the truck had stalled and the doors
were jammed. Then the perps, seeing their predicament turned around and
headed straight for them. In that second when Jim just knew he and Blair
would be killed, he'd wanted to tell his partner that he loved him. Jim
didn't. At the last minute the truck started and the bad guys, who were
unable to stop in time, went head first off a cliff.
Jim knew why. He loved Blair too much to risk destroying their friendship. So he stayed silent. He stayed silent when Blair got his Ph.D. and when he left Cascade for Boston. He'd put on his "Jim Ellison" face and let the most important person in his life walk out of it. But it was too late now. Blair Sandburg was nothing more than a part of Jim's past. Some kind of "what might have been."
"Dad? Are you okay?"
"Sure."
"Okay." Joseph left the kitchen and went into his room. His
room...<*He* once lived in that room.> Jim shook his head and sighed
heavily.
One Week Later.
Joseph found Ariana in the school library, in one of the sound booths. He'd looked in three before he found her, disturbing one nerd and two couples in different stages of undress.
Ariana was seated at a table, wearing a headset. Joseph saw she was listening to the soundtrack to "Titanic". She looked up when he walked in and put the headset down. Joseph saw she'd been crying.
"You shouldn't be listening to that. Too sad." he asked, sitting across from her.
Ariana just sighed and turned the music off. "It's beautiful, I thought it could make me feel better."
Joseph shook his head. "I doubt that. What's the matter?"
"It's my dad. Something's wrong with him."
"You haven't been playing this music," Joseph said.
Ariana frowned. "I'm serious Joe. I've never seen my dad this depressed. I ask him what's wrong and he says nothing. I'm really worried."
"Is he sick?"
Ariana shook her head. "He's been like this for almost a month. I mean...I hate feeling so damn helpless."
Joseph knew how she felt. For the past week nothing seemed to bring his father out of his funk. The police chief was more close mouthed and distant than he had ever been. Every time Joseph said something that normally made Jim Ellison smile, the older man would grunt and say almost nothing. Joseph asked his father if everything was all right with his senses. Jim said he was fine. His senses were fine and everything was fine. Joseph was almost envious of Ariana's ability to talk about what was bothering her. Jim Ellison taught his son by example to keep everything inside and the one thing Joseph Ellison learned never to discuss with anyone was Jim's senses.
Joseph learned about his father's senses when he was eleven. Before that, Joseph thought his father was something like Superman. Jim told his son that he wasn't a superman, just a Sentinel. After, Joseph was just as confused, but obeyed his dad's order to never tell *anyone* about Jim's senses. If for some reason Joseph had to talk to anyone about it and couldn't ask Jim himself, he could ask his godfather, Simon Banks.
"Let's get out of here, Ariana, this place is depressing enough."
"I missed Math class, didn't I?"
Joseph nodded. "If you come outside, I'll give you the notes."
Ariana Sandburg leaned across the desk and threw her arms around Joseph's neck. "Why do you put up with me, Joe?"
Joseph smiled. "Maybe because you're the cutest girl on campus?"
Ariana pushed back and grinned. "Really?"
Joseph shrugged. "I don't know. I just...it's like when I first saw you...when I talked to you...I just felt comfortable...you know? I never felt like this with other girls before. It's more than just looks...it's you...okay?"
Ariana nodded. "Yeah, I felt that way when I first saw you too...like I knew you or something. Hey, maybe we knew each other in a past life, huh?"
Joseph laughed. "Let's go outside so I can give you those notes, huh?"
Jim Ellison sat in his office and looked over the various reports he
had on Dr. Blair Sandburg. The reports read like something out of a sweeping
epic novel. Jim smiled that his ex partner had lived such a full life a
life that could never have been that full if he'd stayed in Cascade. A
year after accepting the position at Boston College, he'd led an expedition
to the Amazon jungle in South America, to live with the people in that
region. While in the village one of the elders took a liking to Blair and
gave him one of his daughters, Lourdes; an intelligent girl educated, and
named by the Franciscan nuns. Blair and Lourdes had some sort of tribal
marriage and had a child...Ariana...
Jim used his video phone, something he hated using. After several tries, the professor was giving a class, or just busy, Jim finally got Fox on the video phone. Dr. Alan Michaels was a tall, lanky man with short dark hair, and hazel eyes. "To what honor do I owe a call from the police chief of Cascade?" the man asked.
"I'm doing a background check on a man who worked with you until a few month ago. Dr. Blair Sandburg?"
"Oh yes, Dr. Sandburg, a fine professor, very popular with the students, pretty daughter too."
"Yes Sir. Well, I was wondering about the eighteen month gap between the time he left Boston and the time he joined you." Jim held his breath and listened for a quickening of the professor's heartbeat.
Alan just shrugged. "No secret. He wanted to take his daughter back to the jungle to see her mother and her brothers and sisters. Some tribal chief gave Ariana's mother to Blair I guess to care for his needs while he was down there, then they got a divorce and Blair got custody. But Blair didn't want Ariana to forget where she came from, so they went. I think Blair's mother went with them too...a very strange woman but sweet though."
Jim nodded remembering Naomi. "That's it."
"That's it Chief Ellison. Nothing strange. Blair never broke the law when he was with me. He hasn't done anything in Cascade, has he?"
Jim shook his head.
"Chief Ellison, will there be anything else, I've really got to run to a meeting."
"No. Thank you sir. Thank you very much."
Jim hung up the phone and sighed. He looked at his hands and saw they
were shaking. Blair was here...right here in Cascade. Jim felt excited,
light headed. Then the mood changed. Jim frowned. Why hadn't Blair looked
him up?
Now Jim leaned back in his chair.
Joseph and Ariana sat on their high school campus. There was a lot of activity there since it was a rarity in Cascade, a warm, sunny day. Ariana looked at Joseph.
"Are you sure you're not missing any classes giving me these notes?"
"No, track practice was canceled. I think the coach freaked out when he saw the sun."
"Well, it is almost spring," Ariana said.
"You haven't lived in Cascade long."
"I guess not."
Joseph and Ariana went over the day's notes. Joseph noticed that Ariana was not paying attention. "Hey, Ariana you've got to get this."
"I know Joe but...I keep thinking about my dad. I mean...I thought he was going to like living here again."
"Again? Your dad used to live in Cascade?"
Ariana nodded. "He sure did. When he got the position to come here he warned me about the rain and the cold. I was pretty young when we left Boston."
"And I guess the jungle's hot too."
"It is. Anyway, my dad was a student at Rainer. Isn't that something?"
Joseph smiled. "Sure is. He got his Ph.D. here?"
"Yeah, started taking college courses at sixteen. No way I could do that."
Joseph shook his head. "Me neither."
"Anyway, my dad was studying ancient sentinels and can you believe it, he found one right here in Cascade."
Joseph's eyes widened. He turned and looked at Ariana. "What?"
"A sentinel. My dad found a sentinel right here in Cascade. Do you know what a sentinel is?"
Joseph couldn't get his brain to function. He just stared dumbfounded at Ariana.
"No? Well let me tell you about sentinels. A sentinel is a person with a genetic...I don't know defect or something...their senses are hyperactive. They hear things others can't hear, see things others can't...you get the picture. Anyway, in places like Africa and South America the sentinel is the most important person in the tribe. They can tell if a hostile tribe is approaching...or even a storm..."
Joseph couldn't bring himself to listen. Ariana was describing his father.
"...All sentinels have a guide. They need one because if they focus too much on one sense...Boom..."
"...The zone out," Joseph said.
Ariana stared at the young man. "How'd you know that? Don't tell me you know about sentinels?"
"Ariana, the sentinel your dad found...what was his name?"
Ariana shook her head. "Dad never mentioned a name in his thesis because he wanted to protect the man's anonymity...but I think the guy worked in law enforcement or something..."
"And what did your dad do for him?"
Ariana chuckled. "I think my dad was something like a guide to him...something like that. He doesn't talk about it."
Joseph rose suddenly. He looked at Ariana. "Come on."
"What?"
"Come on. I need to solve a mystery." Joseph rushed to the student parking lot, where his truck was parked.
"A mystery?" Ariana was bouncing from one foot to another but she wasn't moving.
"Yes, now come on!"
"Okay, okay, I'm coming. But after we solve it, we come back here and pick up my car, okay?"
"Okay, okay," Joseph said opening the passenger door for Ariana. Joseph got in the driver's seat and buckled up.
"So what's going on?"
"I'm not sure Ariana. But I know a person who can tell us. If I'm right, it'll be a big surprise to both your dad and my dad."
Ariana shrugged. "Sure."
Blair Sandburg hated long drawn out faculty meetings and this one was no exception. It lasted about an hour longer than it should have lasted and it should have lasted about five minutes. The reason it went on so long had to do with the egos of a few of the professors who believed their position could not be understood unless they spoke for about twenty minutes.
As Blair walked to his office, he had a raging headache. He knew the
cure for that, a nice hot cup of Opec tea would make even the worst headache
go away. Blair knew another reason for his headache was the bad mood he'd
been in ever since Ariana told him she was going out with Joseph Ellison.
It was also bad that Ariana, after seeing "Titanic" started singing that Celine Dion song, "My Heart Will Go On." The song went on and on in Blair's head and one particular line Blair found himself repeating.
"Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetime. And never let go till we're gone. Love was when I loved you, one true time I hold to In my life we'll always go on."
Blair stepped in his office. His secretary, a pretty blonde named Mary Jane handed him three messages. "All from Professor Michaels in Texas. He said you have the number."
Blair frowned. Alan was not a person to call to say hello. "Did he say what he wanted?"
"No. He just said you'd better call him."
"Thanks Mary Jane." Blair walked into his office. It was a large room so much in contrast to the closet he had when he was last at this university. Blair's office was filled with many of the artifacts he'd collected on his travels, including some he'd had when he lived with Jim.
Blair sat down at his oak desk and dialed Alan Michaels' number. The Texas professor picked it up instantly.
"Hello...Alan, it's Blair."
"Ah Blair...you got me," Alan said in his Texas twang, "I was about to go to some silly alumni dinner. Some rich cattleman's giving it...and you know what that means, I'll have to at least pretend that I eat meat."
Blair smiled. "I got three messages that you called Alan. Is everything all right?"
"That's exactly what I was going to ask you, Blair. I got a very interesting phone call today from the Chief of police of Cascade. He was asking some very interesting questions about you."
Blair was stunned. "What kind of questions?"
"Seemed he wanted to know why there was a gap between the time you left Boston and came here to Texas. I told him of course...I mean you weren't doing anything wrong...and he was a good looking older gentleman...broad shoulders, square jaw, blue eyes."
Blair was confused. Alan was describing Jim Ellison. Why was Jim checking up on him?
"What was his name, Alan?"
"Um...let me see...Elli....something...Oh, I remember now...James Ellison that's it.
"Thanks Alan. Um...I have to go now."
"Are you all right Blair? Not in any trouble?"
"No. No trouble at all."
"Good. He seemed to be quite concerned about you though. Oh well...off to my dinner. Bye bye Blair."
Blair hung up the telephone.
Blair bounded out of his office, causing Mary Jane to jump.
"Dr. Sandburg," she said, astonished.
"Mary Jane, I'm going to be gone for awhile. If my daughter calls, she can reach me on my cell. If anybody else calls, tell them to kiss my ass!" With that Blair rushed out of the office, leaving a stunned secretary frozen at her desk.
As soon as the door opened Joseph smiled at the large black man. "Hey, Uncle Simon."
Simon Banks pulled Joseph Ellison into a bear hug. "Joey! Long time no see. Come in."
Joseph didn't move. "Uncle Simon...I want you to meet someone." Joseph stood aside and Simon found himself staring at Ariana Sandburg.
"Good Lord!"
"She look familiar?" Joseph said.
Simon nodded. "Even without my glasses I can see it. You're younger and female, but she's Sandburg all right."
Ariana's mouth dropped. Simon smiled. "I'm right aren't I. Blair Sandburg's your father."
Ariana just nodded. Simon laughed. "Isn't this something," he said. "Come on in, both of you."
Joseph and Ariana walked into the house and sat in the living room that was filled with pictures of Simon's son Darryl, Darryl's wife and five children who lived in the house next door. Darryl Banks was in the FBI with an expertise in computer science.
"So, Joseph, what can I do for you?"
"How do you know me?" Ariana said.
Simon smiled and walked over to the bookcase. He picked up a large scrapbook and turned a few pages until he found what he was looking for. Then he walked back to where Joseph and Ariana sat on the sofa and showed it to them.
"That was when your dad," Simon nodded to Joseph, "made Cop of the Year."
In the photograph was a younger Jim Ellison, Joseph recognized his father immediately, with his hand on the shoulder of a smaller man. Ariana's eyes widened. "That's my dad," she said.
"Blair Sandburg. Kid could talk a mile a minute. Helped your dad with his..." Simon suddenly stopped talking and looked at Ariana.
"It's okay Uncle Simon, Ariana knows all about the Sentinel project."
Ariana gasped as understanding dawned. "He was the sentinel...and my dad was...his guide?"
Simon nodded. "Sandburg kept Jim from zoning out...I think that's what he called it...he made Jim a better cop...and a better man...yep...sure did."
"Our dads...were...friends..." Ariana was still in shock.
"More than friends. Closer than two men I've ever seen...um...I don't mean anything strange was going on... When Sandburg's place got blown up by drug dealers that were living in his building, Jim took him in. It was supposed to be for a week but...more like years...Sandburg lived there until he got the job in Boston."
Ariana pulled at her braid. "If they were so close, how come I never heard about Jim Ellison...I've never even seen pictures of him..." She looked at Joseph. "Did you ever hear about my dad?"
Joseph shook his head. "Dad never mentioned him."
Both young people turned to Simon. The older man shook his head. "The whole thing didn't make sense to me. Sandburg didn't want to leave and Jim didn't want Sandburg to leave...but the kid couldn't find a job here so...I guess that's what happened. Sandburg moved, they grew apart...and had two fine looking children." Simon grinned and then looked from one to the other. "Oh...oh man...don't tell me...you're...you two are..." He laughed. "You're dating?"
Both Joseph and Ariana blushed then nodded.
Simon laughed harder. "Don't that beat all!" He took a cigar out of the box on the coffee table. Joseph frowned. "Relax Joe...I'm not going to smoke it. I know the rules. Why don't you two stay here and have dinner? You can call your father's from here." Again Simon laughed.
Joseph and Ariana looked at each other, then they looked at Simon and nodded. "Maybe you can help us try to get them back together," Ariana said. "I'm sure if they got together, they'd both be happier."
Simon rose and headed for the kitchen, chuckling to himself. "Maybe you two should just get married...that'll get them together. Ellison and Sandburg...together for life...I knew it would happen sooner or later..."
"What did you say Uncle Simon?" Joseph said.
Simon grinned and was glad Joseph didn't have his father's sense of hearing. "I said that you'd be surprised what retirement can teach you. I never knew I was such a good cook until I retired. Now, wait until you taste my Cajun chicken...it is out of this world!"
Blair Sandburg was halfway up to the third floor at 852 Prospect when
he realized there was a strong possibility that Jim Ellison no longer lived
there. It was instinct that made Blair drive to his former address but
even as his feet took him to the third floor he thought that since Jim
was now the Chief of police that he could afford a more fashionable address.
Blair pounded on the door, breathing hard. He was dizzy with anger and fear, not too sure what would happen when the door finally opened.
Before Blair had a chance to think another thought the door was flung open and Blair found himself staring into the face of his former partner. For a second, Blair completely forgot what he was doing there as he looked into Jim Ellison's face. The man was older, what hair he had was nearly all grey but he still had those beautiful blue eyes, that square jaw. Jim wore a pair of jeans and a sweater and Blair imagined that magnificent body underneath those clothes and imagined his hands caressing him, kissing him.
"Blair," was all Jim could get out. He'd heard the familiar heartbeat but was still stunned to see the smaller man right there in front of him.
Suddenly Blair remembered why he was there. He walked passed Jim and into the loft. "I have to talk to you," he said angrily.
Jim watched as Blair walked into his home. He closed the door and watched
the smaller man pace the floor, his blue eyes blazing with anger.
"I can't believe what you did!" the professor shouted.
"What?" Jim was stunned. He and Blair hadn't seen each other in over a decade and these were the first words Blair had to say to him?
"You had to fucking right to check up on me, man. I'm not some kid you know!"
Jim nodded. The risk of doing a background check was that someone might alert the subject. "I know, Blair."
"Then why the fuck did you do it Jim! I mean, shit...Dr. Michaels thinks I'm in some kind of trouble. You have no idea how gossip spreads in academia!"
Jim touched Blair's arm. Blair jerked away angrily. "I'm not a kid anymore Jim." The younger man looked directly into his eyes. "Why the fuck did you do it!"
Jim was stunned. Blair's eyes were filled with anger and rage. Could the background check have upset him so much.
"I wanted to see if you were okay," Jim responded.
"You wanted to see if I was okay! Well, fuck it Jim. Why didn't you pick up the goddamn phone! I'm sure a big police chief like you could manage something so simple as that!"
"Blair..."
"Or does it have something to do with Ariana? I know she's been seeing your son. You wanted to find something out about her Jim? What's the matter, she's not good enough for him?
Jim's jaw tightened.
"Get out huh?"
"Yeah, get out Blair. You know where the door is!"
"Oh, so you want to throw me out again, huh? Throw me out like you did before? Well this time I'm not going to Boston Jim, this time I'm here to stay! You're not going to put me out like some dog so you can go and get married. By the way, where is Mrs. Ellison?"
Jim took a deep breath and shut his eyes tightly. "She's dead Blair.
Been dead ten years."
Blair gasped. "Oh man...oh Jim...I'm sorry. I...I didn't know."
"No. You didn't know."
Blair looked from Jim to the front door. He then shook his head and sat on the sofa. Jim heard the breath and heart rate change in Blair's body. He looked and saw the younger man sitting on the sofa, hands over his eyes. "I'm so stupid," he said to himself.
Jim walked over to the sofa and sat down on the opposite side. He let out a long sigh and then said nothing. For awhile no one spoke. Each man stayed lost in his own thoughts. Each man remembered the promise they made to themselves as to what would happen if they ever saw each other again.
Finally Blair took his hands from his face. He looked at Jim. Jim looked back and was relieved to no longer see anger in that beautiful face. "Jim," Blair said quietly.
Jim held up his hand. "Blair. There's something I need to say."
"Jim...I have to..."
"Me first Blair. Age before beauty."
Blair grinned. "Okay man."
Jim sighed. "Blair...I...I know I should have said this years ago but...I was...I was scared. I was afraid how you'd react and I didn't want to lose our friendship over that. Now...I just don't want to waste time." He turned and looked at his former partner. "I love you Blair. I've always loved you. I don't remember exactly when it happened...maybe when Lash took you or...when you were on that elevator but...I...I just felt something deeper than anything I'd ever felt for anyone...even Carolyn...I just couldn't find the words...and...oh God Blair...I'm sorry...I just couldn't say it...I mean...I've only seen you with women and...hell, I've never even looked at a man the way I've looked at you..."
Blair stared in disbelief at Jim. These were the very words he'd been waiting for so many years ago. Still Blair was confused. He frowned. "You love me? You loved me then Jim? If you loved me so much why did you insist I go to Boston?"
"You couldn't find a job here Chief...when I saw that letter in your room...I knew it was a good opportunity. Think about it, if you'd stayed here with me supporting you...maybe taking teaching jobs on the side, sooner or later you'd hate me and hate that you threw away a great opportunity and for what? To hang around with a bunch of cops that never really thought of you as one of them no matter what you did?"
Blair ran his hand through his hair. "Oh man...but you were happy to see me go...when I'd call you...you sounded so happy..."
"Because I knew if I said I'd zoned or something went wrong with my senses...you'd come running and I loved you too much to let you waste your life like that. Besides, every time I talked to you, you sounded so happy."
Blair shook his head and again put his hands over his face. "Because I thought you were happy to get rid of me...it's called defending yourself Jim...What about Alexandra?"
Jim sighed. "She was a police dispatcher. She had a nice voice. She made me forget about you...She loved me and I guess a part of me loved her too...When we got married I...wanted it to be perfect. After Joseph was born we were going to move to the suburbs to a house with a garden just like she wanted. Then she got sick, breast cancer. After she died it was just easier to stay here...the house was her dream, not mine. Besides Joe thinks this place is cool."
Blair nodded. "I guess you know about me."
"Yeah."
"Lourdes was a good woman. I mean...she did give me a daughter. But she didn't love me. She was only doing it because her father told her to take care of my needs. When I was ready to come back to the states she told me she wasn't coming back. By then her father was too sick to protest. We got a tribal divorce and she married the man she loved. I came back here with Ariana."
Jim nodded. "So Blair...I...I wanted you to go to Boston because I didn't want you to waste your life here."
Blair looked at Jim, his blue eyes filled with pain. Blair rubbed his eyes to keep from crying. "I wouldn't have wasted my life Jim...not if I was here with you," he said in a quiet voice, a voice only a sentinel could hear.
"What do you mean?"
"Jim...I...I think I've been in love with you from the time I met you at the hospital. I thought about you from that day until you came to see me."
"And slammed you against the wall," Jim smiled.
Blair nodded. "There was something about you Jim Ellison...and man when I moved in here. God I didn't know what to do. You didn't make it easy for me either, always walking around without a shirt."
"Hey, it's my loft."
Blair grinned. "I know...just fueled my fantasies. But I...I mean I couldn't say anything to you. Shit, I've never been with a man before, I thought I was straight."
Now it was Jim's turn to smile. He laughed for a moment and then his face turned sad "Oh God Blair...we've wasted so much time...all those years we could have been together."
"No man. We didn't waste any time Jim. We've got two beautiful children. Your son...he's just like you...strong...good, handsome. Ariana's told me a lot about him."
"She's a beauty Blair just like her dad."
"Thanks Jim."
They looked at each other for a long time. Then, Jim took Blair's hand and pulled him close. Blair moved with ease and kissed Jim's hand, then each of his fingers. Jim traced the outine of Blair's lips with his fingers. His sense of touch opened and enveloped the soft, full lips. Blair took Jim's forefinger and sucked it tenderly allowing his teeth to scrape the flesh.
Jim took his other hand and he moved it behind Blair's head. He pulled off the leather band holding back his hair and caressed the soft curls with his fingers. Then their eyes met, Blair smiled. Jim moved his face close to Blair's and gently brushed his lips against the younger man's. Blair let Jim's hand go and caressed the older man's face with the back of his hand. He opened his mouth and kissed the police chief back with more passion. Jim pulled Blair even closer and the young man responded by straddling himself on his former partner bringing their cloth covered groins together.
Jim threw his head back. "Ah...Chief...." he moaned.
Blair smiled and thrust his hips forward, in a slow gentle rhythm. Jim grasped Blair's backside and managed to get his hands underneath the fabric, feeling the soft skin of his buttocks. Blair started to thrust harder and took advantage of Jim's exposed neck. He leaned forward and sucked hard on the older man's skin.
Suddenly a coherent thought flashed through Jim's brain and he knew if he didn't do something about it soon, he'd be reduced grunts and groans.
"Chief....baby....wait...."
"Waited too long Jim..." Blair panted.
"The kids...our kids..." Jim pulled his hands from Blair's buttocks and placed them on the younger man's chest. Blair stared at him, eyes dilated with desire and lust. Jim knew he looked in similar shape.
"Kids..." Blair said.
Jim nodded. "I got a message on my machine. They're over at Simon's."
"Simon?"
"Banks. Remember?"
"I know who he is Jim...I'm not senile yet."
Jim kissed the tip of Blair's nose. "We have to talk about something baby...They could have walked in here and..."
Blair nodded. He moved off of Jim's lap and sat next to him. Jim put his arm around Blair's shoulders and pulled him close.
"We have to talk," Blair repeated.
"Yes. Blair...I love you very much and nothing is going to stand in the way of us being together. I've waited too long for this moment...but...we've got kids..."
Blair nodded. "Yeah. We can't just walk up to them and say. Hey, kids Jim and I just found out we're in love."
"It wouldn't be fair to them. I don't know about Ariana but I know it would upset Joe. His mother's death really broke him up."
"I think it would freak Ariana out too."
Jim took Blair's hand and kissed. it. "I think this calls for a house rule Chief. No sex in the loft."
Blair smiled. "Or in my house. I guess we could go away, camping or fishing. If I have to go to a conference you could come with me."
"Or if I have to go to some boring police seminar," Jim said.
"Sounds like a plan."
Suddenly, Jim's face broke into a smile. Blair stared at him. "What is it big guy?"
Jim chuckled. "I hope I'm not going senile Blair because I almost forgot."
"What?"
"That Chief James Ellison has a summer home in the mountains."
Blair laughed out loud. "Oh man, that is so middle class."
"I bought it after Alex died with the money we were going to use for a house. Joe and I used to go up there when he was younger. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms...and one under used hot tub."
"Oh man..." was all Blair could get out.
"So Chief got a free weekend coming?"
The younger man smiled seductively. "Well I'll have to check my calendar but I'm almost positive that I don't have anything to do this weekend."
"Good," Jim leaned over and licked Blair's ear lobe, "because I'm going to make you come so hard they'll be able to hear you in Cascade."
"I'll make you come harder," Blair said batting his eyelashes.
"We'll have to see about that baby."
Blair took Jim's hand. "I love you Jim...I'm just glad...we found each other."
"Me too baby and I love you too." Jim got up and stretched. "And I think though we ought to bring our children home before Simon talks their ears off."
"Does he talk a lot now?" Blair said standing up.
Jim nodded. "And he cooks too."
The two men walked to the front door. "He cooks?" Blair said.
"Yeah. That's why I'm never going to retire Chief."
"You're going to have to stop calling me that Jim. You're the Chief now."
Jim rolled his eyes and held the door for his love. "Beauty before age."
Blair smiled and walked out the door. Jim swatted his beloved's behind lovingly.
"Hey!" Blair said and then laughed.
"I only let you go first so I could do that."
"Oh man...talk about second childhood!"
"...And then your dad takes the blowtorch and cuts around the bomb just in time. The bomb falls and then BOOM. Well, we all thought they were gonners and so did your dad. I thought he was going to throw Galileo's sorry butt out the window, but we found out everyone was fine and relayed that information to Jim before he destroyed a perfectly fine plate glass window." Simon smiled, leaned back in his chair and looked at his astonished guests who had barely touched their chicken, listening so intently to the older man's story.
"Wow. My dad never told me about that," said Ariana.
"I never heard that either. He's never even mentioned your dad," said Joseph. "Why do you think that is Uncle Simon? I mean if they were that close."
Simon shrugged. "I don't know. Sometimes friends drift apart for
all sorts of reasons."
"Well do you think you could help us try and get them to at least see each other?" Ariana said.
Simon stared at the young girl. She was so much like her father with all his exuberance and vitality. "I don't know Ariana...sometimes it's better to just let sleeping dogs lie."
Joseph was about to say something when the doorbell rang. Simon frowned. "I'm not expecting company. Maybe it's one of your dads coming to get you."
The retired chief got up and walked to the front door. When he looked through the window he burst out laughing. "Hot damn!"
The laughter brought both Ariana and Joseph from the kitchen. Simon opened the door and in walked Jim and Blair. "Sandburg!" Simon shouted, pulling the younger man in a bear hug.
"Hey Captain."
"No. It's Simon to you now kid." The black man said, releasing Blair.
"Okay Simon."
Ariana looked from Jim to Blair, her eyes wide with excitement. "I can't believe it. I mean we were just sitting in the kitchen talking about both of you and here you are! I mean is that karma or what?"
Simon smiled at Blair. "She is *your* daughter." He turned to everyone. "I've got a great idea. Why don't you all stay for dinner? I've been cooking chicken all day."
"Oh, Simon...I don't want to put you out...." Blair began.
Simon shook his head. "I won't hear it Sandburg. It's been a long time since I've seen you. I missed you kid. Both of us did," he gestured with his head to Jim.
Blair nodded. "Okay."
Ariana threw her arms around her father's neck. "Great Daddy. The chicken's good too." She looked at Joseph. "Don't forget we've got to get my car from school."
"I remember," Joseph said.
"Why don't you kids go in the dining room. We'll be there in a second."
"Okay," Joseph said. He took Ariana's hand and they walked into the dining room. Blair's eyes widened.
"They're holding hands. Jim do you see that?"
"Blair, I see it. They're dating remember? You do know what dating is?"
Blair blushed thinking about the date he and Jim were going to have this weekend. "Yeah Jim, I remember."
Simon smiled and put his arms around both men's shoulders. "So, did you guys iron out whatever you had to iron out?"
Jim and Blair looked at each other. "Yes, we did," both of them said in unison.
Simon nodded. They began to walk to the dining room. "Good. Always knew you two belonged together anyway."
Jim and Blair both stopped. Simon chucked and looked at the two stunned men. "How the hell do you think I became captain so early? Not my good looks."
Jim stopped and stared at his former boss. "Simon?" he said.
The black man just laughed and walked his two friends into the dining room "Let's eat guys. You know, those are two good looking kids you have."
"Thanks," said Jim.
"Thank you Simon," said Blair.
"You're going to have good looking grandchildren too," Simon said.
Jim and Blair opened their mouths in astonishment but Simon just laughed.
Six years later.
The bride and groom had long since departed for their honeymoon in Tahiti and the guests had all gone home. The band was packing up to leave and the housekeeping crew of the Cascade Hilton were waiting to come in and work. Jim Ellison and Blair Sandburg, not wanting to break the mood, sat at what had been the family table drinking the last of the champagne.
"I can't believe it Chief, everything went off without a hitch," Jim said.
Blair nodded. "And you thought it was going to rain."
Jim grinned. "Well that's what the weatherman said babe. Besides this is Cascade what else would it do?"
"I'm glad they had a beautiful day," Blair wiped his eyes.
Jim took his love's hand. "Hey...you okay?"
Blair sighed. "It's not every day a guy sees his daughter get married."
"Well it's not every day a guy sees his son get married either. And you know what they say, a son is a son till he gets a wife..."
"I know that Jim...but Ariana's my baby..."
Jim touched Blair's hair lovingly.
The wedding of Joseph Ellison and Ariana Sandburg was the culmination of a six year courtship and the beginning of a life together. For three months, after proclaiming their love for each other Jim and Blair kept their relationship a secret from their children. Then after much discussion that consisted of a long lecture on Blair's part, both Jim and Blair decided it was time for their children to know the truth about them. As expected Ariana took the news better than Joseph who was upset that maybe his father had never really loved his mother. Jim let his son work through his anger before he finally spoke to him.
"Joe, I loved your mother very much. Alex had a part of me that no one, not even Blair can ever have. She gave me you. No matter what happens Joe, I'll always love you."
Joseph had listened and had gone to his room for a few hours. The next day he watched his father as he went to work. "I like women dad...I don't know about this gay stuff...but I like Blair...as an uncle I mean...and...well...I love Ariana and...like he's going to be my father in law...so...I can't hate him...I just don't want you guys to kiss in front of me or something."
"That's a promise," Jim said. "I'm glad you don't hate me."
Joseph shook his head. "How could I hate you...you're my dad."
Jim and Blair however spent their nights together either at Jim's mountain retreat or in a hotel when Blair went away to academic conferences. Once they'd made love in Blair's office very late one night, when Blair was pulling an all nighter working on a grant. Joseph and Ariana dated, finished high school and were both accepted into Rainer University; Joseph majoring in computer science and Ariana majoring in South American history. The couple lived in their respective homes while they were in school and everyone was content with the arrangement. Then a year ago, Joseph found that he had secured a job with a major computer company in Cascade after graduation. It was then that he asked Ariana to marry him and she accepted, having found out that she'd been accepted to graduate school at Rainer. Joseph applied for married student housing and had secured it with Blair's help of course.
The wedding was a large affair. The ceremony was in a small chapel at Rainer and the reception was at the Hilton. Simon, Darryl and his family were there; Naomi, flew in from her commune in Nevada. Stephen who paid for the couple's honeymoon, had commandeered his company's jet to make it for the wedding of his nephew. Stephen had no children of his own and felt very close to Joseph. Lourdes, her husband and her three children were there as well. Lourdes took one look at Jim and Blair and smiled at her former husband.
"I'm glad you've found true love," she said.
During the reception Simon kept making jokes about grandchildren to both Jim and Blair.
"Don't worry Simon, the first one will be named after you, boy or girl," Jim told him.
Now Jim looked over at his lover who sat silently shipping champagne. "Hey Blair...what do you say we get out of here?"
Blair looked at his lover. He didn't want to go back to that large, empty house and just sighed.
Jim heard the rapid heartbeat of his true love. He leaned over and whispered to his mate. "Your place or mine?"
Blair mulled over the words, and then his face broke out into a wide grin. He took Jim's hand. "Let's go home Jim. We both know where that is."
"Right Chief."
As soon as Jim and Blair walked into the loft. Blair stood in the doorway as if he was afraid to go inside. Jim watched his Guide and shook his head. "Look Chief, don't expect me to carry you over the threshold or something. I may not be ready to retire but I am older than you."
Blair shook his head. "No man...that's not it...Oh man, I have never really looked at this place before."
Jim looked over the loft and shook his head. The loft was messier than usual. Joseph was so nervous he ran around the place like a chicken without a head. Jim had to practically dress him.
"I used to dream about this place...right after I left for Boston. I'd close my eyes and see the loft in my mind." Blair looked down. "But after a few years when I'd close my eyes...I couldn't see it anymore."
Jim gently pushed his lover inside and closed the door behind them. "You're home now Chief. I mean...if that house ever gets too big for you..."
"Jim...are you asking me to move in?"
Jim shook his finger at the younger man. "Only if you want to."
An awestruck Blair took Jim's hands. "I love you Jim Ellison. Did I tell you that today?"
"Probably. I love it when you say it though. And I love you too Blair Sandburg."
Jim pulled Blair into his arms and they shared a long embrace. Then Jim raised Blair's chin and kissed his waiting lips. Soft and slow at first and then harder with more passion. Blair moaned his pleasure. The years had not slowed Jim Ellison down in the romance department.
They broke from that first kiss, smiled at each other then kissed again and again each kiss making their passion rise higher and higher. Blair felt Jim's hard cock against his abdomen while Jim felt Blair's against his thigh. Jim untied his lover's hair and ran his hands through it.
"Jim....ah....Jim..." The older man began untied Blair's bow tie tossing it aside. He unbuttoned the first two buttons and worked on his lover's neck.
"I love you baby," Jim moaned into Blair's throat. The rumble of his voice against his skin was driving Blair insane and he thrust his hips harder against Jim's body hoping the police chief would get the message.
Finally Jim smiled and kissed the tip of Blair's nose. "I hear you babe." He took Blair's hands and led him to the stairs.
Blair put his arm around Jim's waist. "We may have to move your bed downstairs big guy...one of these days you won't be able to walk up these stairs," the younger man grinned.
Jim gave Blair's behind a swat. "Then you'll have to carry me up and down the stairs babe."
"Oh man...then we'll both be invalids."
Jim just laughed as he pulled his lover quickly up the stairs. "Come on professor, let me show you just what an old man can do."
Upstairs Jim turned on a low light that gave the area a warm glow. The lovers faced each other and kissed again. Then keeping their eyes fixed on each other, they divested themselves of their formal attire. Shirts and cummerbunds, pants and shoes, socks and boxers fell away with ease. Then, naked before each other each man reveled in the beauty of the other.
"You're the sexiest old man I know," Blair sighed.
Jim grinned. "I always knew you were a genius professor."
"Make love to me Jim...here for the first time in the loft..."
"I've waited years for this darling."
"I don't want to wait a second longer." Blair took the lead and pulled Jim to him, leaning up and capturing the older man's mouth rocking his hips back and forth against Jim's body. Jim grasped the younger man's buttocks to still him but Blair would not be stilled. Instead he dropped to his knees as if to worship his lover. Blair smiled up at Jim as he caressed Jim's balls.
"Oh!" Jim shouted.
Blair then blew on the hard, hot cock causing Jim to shudder. "Bl...Bl....Bl...Blair..." was all Jim could manage.
Blair then used his tongue to stimulate Jim's cock further, he then felt hands grip his shoulders in a vice like grip. Jim was trying not to thrust into the hot wet mouth and Blair knew that soon he would lose the battle. Blair also knew how much Jim wanted to make love to him and how much *he* wanted Jim inside him so he moved his head back and released Jim's balls.
Jim moaned with the loss of contact but he managed to help his lover stand. "I...I....want....inside you...." the older man said, not certain if he was understood.
Blair smiled. He got on the bed and lay on his back, fluffing his hair around his head so it looked like a halo with silver streaks.
"One of these days you're going to kill me baby," Jim said.
"Promises, promises big guy. Now get over here and fuck me."
Jim shook his head and licked his lips. "I love it when you talk dirty, professor."
"And I love it when you call me professor...Chief..."
Jim laughed. He grabbed the jar of lubricant from off the dresser and got into bed with his love. Jim took the younger man into his arms and kissed his face reverently. "I love you....I love you Blair Sandburg..."
Blair batted his eyelashes seductively at Jim, licked his lips then turned on his side, facing away from his lover.
With trembling hands, Jim applied the lubricant to Blair's waiting opening that seemed to grow hotter each second. Then he carefully lubed up his cock, breathing hard, afraid he'd come too soon. That hadn't happened in the six years they'd been lovers, but Jim didn't want that to happen tonight. Their first night in the loft.
Jim put the jar back on the dresser and then spooned up behind his love.
"I was wondering where you were," Blair said.
"Had to get you ready baby."
"I'm always ready for you Jim."
"We'll see." Jim slowly and easily moved inside his lover, Blair helped him by pushing backward more and more until Jim's balls brushed against Blair's behind. For a second both men reveled in the physical connection that was a symbol of the connection they already had.
Then Jim began to move, a slow in and out motion. Blair threw his head back and Jim inhaled deeply, breathing in the different scents of Blair. Jim reached around Blair's body and grabbed the waiting, hard cock. Blair purred at the feel of Jim's hand and thrust forward into it, then backward to Jim's cock. The thrusts became more frantic, desperate as they surged on towards release and the only sounds in the loft were the low moans of pleasure and the music of the bedsprings.
Blair knew he could not hold back any longer. He knew Jim was trying to hold back as well. "Jim....Jim!' he shouted.
Jim felt the tremors in his lover's body, felt the blood vessels in the younger man's cock swell, fill then suddenly release as Blair cried out Jim's name once again. Jim's eyes shut tightly as Blair's muscles contracted around his cock. Jim felt his senses overloading and knew he had to do something before he zoned so he leaned forward and bit Blair's shoulder.
Colors flashed before both men's eyes. It felt like the bed spun up to the heavens then slammed back down to earth once again. Both men lay panting, sweating.
"Ow..." Blair said.
Jim blinked and saw the bite on Blair's shoulder. "Oh...God...Chief..." Jim kissed the bite.
"It's okay Jim. I kind of lost it too." Blair held up the sheet that was now ripped in two.
Jim laughed. "Aren't we something?" Jim slowly moved out of his love and Blair moaned at the loss of contact. "Be right back."
Jim got out of bed, padded downstairs and got a warm washcloth out of the bathroom. He did a sweep of the loft then when he was satisfied that everything was safe he went back upstairs and cleaned Blair and himself. Jim folded the washcloth and put it on the night table then he took Blair in his arms. Facing each other now, the lovers shared a kiss.
Blair smiled as Jim yawned. "Too much activity, huh old man?"
"Just been an exciting day."
Blair kissed Jim on the cheek. "Yes, it has."
Jim sighed then chuckled. "Well professor I guess we're really family now. Soon the grandchildren will be coming...all ten of them..."
"Don't even joke about that man."
"And we'll sit around the fire and tell them stories about us. Well at least you'll tell them plenty of stories."
Blair nestled in Jim's arms. "It feels so good to be home Jim."
"Yes it does Blair."
THE END
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