Misconceptions

Blair Sandburg had talked his way out of the situation without a shot fired or a punch thrown.  The three hostages had safely escaped the armed man and said perpetrator was now under arrest.  Blair was shaking, Jim had a hand on his partner's shoulder, talking the younger man down from the adrenaline high.

From across the room, Officer Franklin Martinez watched the two with a sneer on his face.  "God, what a pansy.  Can't believe Ellison puts up with that pacifistic bullshit." His partner tried to hush him seeing the thunderous look said detective was throwing their way, but Martinez continued, oblivious.  "What Ellison needs is a real partner, not some hippie faggot who's too squeamish to get his hands duty."

Turning to exit the building, the officer nearly ran right into his object of derision.  He tried to brush past Sandburg, but something in the shorter man's eyes brought him to a halt.  Blair's voice was low and tightly controlled, his body conveying his tension.  "I may prefer to use my wits rather than my fists, but let me tell you something."  He stepped forward, causing the taller man to back up a step.  "If it ever came to a conference between you and me, hypothetically speaking, and it was a choice between you and me…" Sandburg looked down for a heartbeat, then back up, blue eyes blazing, face blank, voice cold.  "It was nice knowing you.  I win."  Without another word, Sandburg turned on his heel and stalked away.

Martinez shivered, stunned, a reaction all but Ellison seemed to share.  The older detective followed his partner, obviously dismissing the officer from his thoughts.  Martinez watched the smaller man's progress as Sandburg left the building and made his way toward a blue and white Ford pickup.  Lily Vega, one of the hostages that Sandburg had saved, ran up to Blair, kissing his cheek and handing him a folded piece of paper.  The smile and appreciative look Sandburg gave the young woman, as well as the previous tongue lashing, made Martinez realize he'd have to reevaluate some of his thinking.  His misconceptions could get him into even more serious trouble if he wasn't careful.

End.