Things were starting to get weird. Not that he liked to admit it. One Jim Ellison never liked to think of himself not being wholly in control. But this time losing control had nothing to do with his job. No zone outs over concentrating too hard on some distant *click* of a gun being cocked, his Guide next to him, trying to talk him out of the greying mist with a soothing voice, that never failed to reach him. No assault on his senses by some lightning clashing on him while all the other people around only saw the light of a lightbulb, no colours so intense, that sometimes he had guessed it the psychedelic drug-induced dream of a junkie.

This time it was just the contrary - and no Guide at his side to explain things, to calm him or to help him with some meditating breathing exercises. Jim found himself lying in his big bed, the beautiful body beside him covered just with a sheet that slowly rose and fell with the soft respiration of the woman and he could not hear her heartbeat at all.

Two hours earlier

Jim had been *very* pleased at first - and flattered by the fact that the young reporter had obviously gotten into much trouble to talk him into a date. - At least that was how Sandburg had pointed it out to him.

"So, when will you get home tonight Chief" - he had tried to sound casual but could tell by the smirk on the young mans face that he hadn't succeded.

"Ah, well , man, see - I guess Emily would like to , ahm, talk about some books or so, dont wait up for me , big guy; it'll be waay past midnight"... < maybe it won't be that much fun with Emily this time > - she had tried to give him her keys the last time they said good bye, but he would not say anything to Jim - the big guy deserved a hot date and some privacy for that matter - < I could always sleep at my office at the U, no big deal >

So the evening saw Detective Ellison , sandcoloured trousers, lightblue shirt, suede leather jacket, talking pleasantly to a charming woman, eager to please him, ready to laugh at his jokes, trying to say all the right things over a nice dinner at a quiet restaurant. She even let him pay the bill, altough her hands almost subconciously had swayed to her own purse as the waiter arrived at their booth. No , this time she was the prey, he was the alpha male and she startet to even enjoy the little erotic game.

They went for a little walk by the sea and she had touched his arm twice to point out something she said - and there he had observed it first - the touch was not magnified as usual, it appeared to be just a casual touch. When she shivered, he only realised it because he was looking at her at that moment, so he put his arm around her - the nice black dress she was wearing was meant to catch the eye not to warm her on a chilly night. Almost inevitably they kissed - and it was a comforting sensation to him, to hear her excited breath and see her eyes dilate.

"So what did you do with that video I returned to you at the office? Stored it somewhere safe..."

"Sorry Wendy, buried the evidence!"

"Too bad I didn't draw a copy just in case... You looked hot in that boxers." Her voice trailed off huskily.

They made it to his loft in no time at all; the woman leaning at him in the truck, gently caressing his upper thigh with her hand, sending a small tingeling up his spine every time he felt her move through his trousers.

They were both aroused when he carried her to his bedroom, kissing her passionatly ; he unzipped her dress and his breath caught when he saw that - for this special occasion - she did not wear bra nor panties. It had turned him on, when she reached for his waist and opened his belt somewhat clumsily then unbuttened his fly. While he got rid of his jacket and shirt she started to rub her pubic hair against his cock still covered in black boxers.

He held her in his arms, enjoying the skin to skin sensation of their bodies and lowered her on the bed, when her cool hands reached down to strip him of his trousers freeing his already seeping cock. When he started to suckle her right breast, her breath became labored. And all the while he was making love to her, he could not help feeling as if he were standing next to himself, watching, observing his actions just the way Blair would do in some of his experiments. And all the while his senses seemed to be disconnected.

Then her hands found his cock and he decided he liked what she did with it. His fingers startet to explore her wet cunt and he felt her muscles tighten around them rhythmically. He heard her moan constantly now until she suddenly gripped the hand that was deliciously fucking her to hold him still: "No, I want your cock inside me -- please , pleeassse."

"At your service, ma'am" he managed to smile around his own arousal and she chuckled between to more moans of pleasure. He reached for the desk-drawer to get a condom and slipped it over the stiff hot length of his throbbing cock, while he watched her hands as she kneaded her breasts in an attempt to maintain her excitement.

He lowered his head to the hard buds of her tit's and she gasped when he grazed his teeth over them, soothing with his tongue. She spread her legs even more and he felt himself gliding into her with no effort at all. Her wet cunt started to live hold his cock every time he slid into here. Then she arched a little and set a harder rhythm, shoving herself on and off this iron rod that was pushing inside her. He tried to kiss her, but she turned her head away gasping, so he sucked and tweaked her nipples and at that she groaned and came.

He felt her cunt contract, getting even more wet, felt the milking of that tight sheath and almost forcibly stopped thinking of his own climax. Pushing hard into her, his balls smacked her ass - once, twice , she responded tiredly gasping with every push , thrice and finally , four times - he felt tightness grip at his spine, his cords, clamming his whole body - five times - and he came.

He looked down at her smile, her sweat drenched body slowly quieting as she shoved a lock of her hair out of her eyes and bent to put a small kiss on top of her nose. She laughed, the motion of her body pressing his cock out of her and he reached down and discarded the condom.

And in the midst of that intimate moment she said "I'm afraid I can't stay the night. Will you wake me in half an hour?" And her relaxed body descended into sleep.

< I should be flattered. I mean, she's so worn out, she falls asleep instantly. Seems to have been good for her - why wasn't it for me. . . > He was certainly not in love with her, but then, he could not imagine her being in love with him either. They just didn't know each other well enough for that.

And then it hit him: He could not hear her heatbeat. He smelled her of course, but it was nothing near the usual intensity he had learned to fear sometimes. And when he had been inside her a few minutes ago the sensation of touch had been almost painfully absent and it was not due to the condom he had used.

His first panicked thought was < I'm going to have to tell Blair > humiliation at it's best. No way to hide such a thing from a trained observer with a slight fixation on him. < Hey Blair , no big deal, I lost my sentinel abilities fucking little Wendy here senseless.. > Yeah, that will come over nicely. On the other hand - he hadn't been living exactly celibate before and he never lost his senses with any other woman before. On the contrary - it always had been more of a struggle to keep them down - at least for the first ... inning ( as Mel Gibson once pointed it out in Lethal Weapon ) and he had also always wanted a second, a third round - not exactly what was on his mind right now.

Well , somehow he was going to bite the bullet ASAP when Blair was coming home again. Thank god Wendy wasn't staying for the night. He glanced at his bedside-clock to make sure not to forget waking the sleeping woman beside him.

*************

Emily smiled triumphantly: She had known Blair's reputation < No girl survives the third date > , she had known that he used to back out when a girl was offering keys < a key is as good as a wedding ring to that guy > and she knew that he despised being called at this police-station, where he spent entirely too much time with his macho buddies studying closed societies. But when he dated her for the fourth time, she saw morning light break through the dark mists of her love-life and tried to push her luck: So far it went incredibly well..

He hadn't taken the keys she offered last time, but on the other hand he hadn't backed out on her either, not even when she tried to reach him at the station where this Jim-Guy with the slight irony in his voice had to call for him so that she could confirm the date they had planned for tonight.

Now she stood in her door waiting for Blair to come up the stairs to her small apartment , she wore only a very , *very* thin little robe and she decided that she would take one more step tonight to bind that adorable guy a little closer to her - before she could start to form him the way she wanted him to be...

Blair was nursing a little grudge: he hated to be called at the bullpen with all the smirking cops standing around him . He hated the small smile Jim was sporting when Emily had wanted to speak to him. It would have been totally different if the girl would have been in love with him - or him being in love with her for that matter, - but the sad truth was, that she was just trying to catch him - and she wasn't very subtle - and he had wanted to, well dump her, when Jim's hot date made sleeping at home impossible at that special evening. So he accepted her invitation with fake enthusiasm, he accepted the whistles of the cops with the grace to blush and duck his head and he accepted - and with real joy this time - Jim's "Thanks, Buddie" and the shoulder-squeeze the Big Guy gave him. It was kind of heart-warming.

But now Blair was definitely not in a good mood. When he tried to knock, the door opened before he had the chance to and Emily stood there, wearing an invitation he most probably would have enjoyed at any other time and she was smiling sweetly. He was really angry now and when she was trying to kiss him lightly just to set the slow pace of seduction she seemed to think apropriate he took control.

"Oh, Blair, Honeybear..." she didn't sound offended at all, so he continued his wordless attack so unlike him. His hands opened the robe and groped her breasts slightly tweaking her nipples. When her knees grew weak he shoved her against the wall of her anteroom and she started to moan :

"Honeybear, I've got a bedroom, you know..." He flinched at the endearment and opened the fly of his pants. He still was angry at her but somehow this time it seemed to turn him on incredibly. The small part of his brain that was still working coherently knew, that he was thriving on the urge of overpowering this particular peremptory woman and definitely not making love to her. Inexcusable as it was he did no longer want to discuss matters with her, he just wanted to make his point in a very stalwart way. Maybe she understood...

"Oh Honeybear", another moan, she seemed to actually enjoy what was happening - luckily for he was no longer able to stop it, didn't even know if he would have wanted to stop and he hated himself for that thought.

He pushed down his pants, at the same time reaching into his pocket to get out a condom - "Honeybear, you don't need a rubber with me , you know, I'm safe..." her voice reached him barely, he snorted and covered his dick quickly, "Honeybear, don't you hear?".

Noone could miss her voice but he ignored it. Under his breath he muttered "I hate it when you do this..." meaning generally everything and pushed into her weeping pussy. To his surprise she was so ready she came almost instantly, her hot sheath milking his cock frantically. While she cooled down a little Blair kept on thrusting, miles away from release all of a sudden. She was shivering slightly, now eager to please him, deliberately contracting her internal muscles to milk this hot rod which was setting a slower pace now.

She offered her tit's, brought her nipples to his mouth so that he would be able to suck at them. When he felt one little nub grow harder and harder under his ministrations he closed his eyes, finally starting to pant . < O Jim, the sacrifices I make for your love life.. > he thought with an inner smirk, all of a sudden remembering Ellison's small smile earlyer that evening . He felt his balls starting to harden and let himself go with the sensation, involuntarily grazing the nipple with his teeth. Emily gasped, her abdominals twitching, her cunt tighter than moments before. Blair gave one, two final thrusts, spilled, the sensation of his seed pooling hot in the tip of the condom pushing the girl a second time over the sweet edge of orgasm.

It was when Blair got rid of his used condom when it suddenly came to him - no pun intended - that it had been Ellison's smile that had made him hot all of a sudden. < Great, that's absolutely what you need right now, getting horny over your thesis subject, man - Big deal this time. Get yourself a life Blair! >

"Honeybear, where did that come from?" Her voice already sounded demanding again. He flinched as if she had been reading his thoughts, but then he realised that she had just referred to the frantic love.. no fucking.

"Emily, please, don't call me Honeybear - and by the way, don't call me at the station" < and don't call me at all > he wanted to say but that would be too rude and unfair after what happened those last minutes. She smiled at his plea, shrugged and let him into her bedroom.

As usual they didn't know what to talk about. What had gotten into him to date her in the first place he couldn't remember. She fell onto her big bed, her robe opening up while he tried to decide wether he should put off his pants or better put them on again when she said "Honey.." he looked up sharply, she saw the look, recognition followed by the sharp intake of her breath "Blair, dear " not that much better but an improvement "Could you take the icecream out of the fridge - two spoons - you know where they are...?" Well, that settled that. He put his pants on - no way he'd enter the kitchen with the large windows wearing just his socks - and padded to the large refridgerator without turning on a light. Just before he opened the fridge-door he heard it.

**************

One of the balance windows had been tilted, letting the sounds of the dark backyard drift into the kitchen-area. Sounds that he had learned to identify in his last few months as a sidekick to one Detective Ellison. Someone was fighting in this particular backyard and the fight was not a fair one. When Blair looked cautiously, trying to stay in the shadows , two, no three rather big muggers were attacking a man wearing a dark trenchcoat. But although the victim was clearly outnumbered he seemed more than just capable of handling the three thugs.

Blair's first thought was to run down and help the guy - somehow - maybe by letting himself get killed because he still had not attended one of those self defense lessons Jim had tried to sign him to . < And if you survive that, Ellison'll kill you for putting yourself in danger >

So he tried yelling but the three bastards did not seem to be impressed - maybe they did not even notice him. His second thought he carried out - grabbing Emilys phone dialing 911: "This is Blair Sandburg - there is a mugging going on..." it certainly had it's perks being a police observer and therefore known by all the nice ladies at the station. No further questioning his credibility , the woman on the emergency phone ordered three cars while still listening to his explanations. Her "don't interfere, Blair" was almost lost to the confirmating calls of the cops racing to the crime scene.

"Honeybear, what's going on ?.." that woman had nerve...

"Stay in the bedroom, Emily"

Blair ran back to the kitchen-window , where the fight was still progressing. But he stood stunned for a second watching that *victim* as the man seemed to see everything, reacting instantly , kicking, swirling and taking the first attacker down. He evaded the lunging arm of the second one , grabbing him on the throat with just one of his hands and - as incredible as it seemed to be - threw the guy at the third mugger, who struggled to get free from his unconscious accomplice.

This last one still on his feet reached for a knife and burst at Trenchcoat but suddenly stopped in his tracks just a breath away from his victim. A low growl seemed to seep from somewhere - Blair at first thought it to come from Trenchcoat - and in that split-second the *victim* landed a neat blow that knocked the mugger out cold. In the same instant the first sirens announced the cops.

*****************

Jim woke Wendy with a teasing kiss on her lips. "It's been half an hour"

"Oh yeah? Oh yeah! I have to make it to my office before midnight!"

"So you don't turn into the big bad reporter at the last strike of the clock and frighten me off by your transformation?"

Wendy chuckled, but the cheerful sound did not quite make it to her eyes. She watched him carefully - he had hit the bulls eye and she promised herself never to underestimate him again.

He smiled at her suddenly alert demeanor although he did not feel like smiling - half an hour of exercising relaxation-techniques his Guide had tought him had helped to calm him down - but his senses were still out.

A phone rang. He looked at her questioningly, she shruggend , grabbed her purse which had landed near the bed earlier and fumbled for her cellphone. "Not mine", she put it back in and started to put on her dress, her thoughts obviously at her office.

At the third ring Jim got his cellphone out of his jacket in the living room. This had better be important; "Ellison".

It was: "Jim, it's Simon, Blair just called in an emergency"

< God don't let him be hurt -- I can't even help him without my senses! > "What??!

While he listened to his captain the cop-trained part of his brain slowly started to work again. No way to fill in Wendy - whatever had happened, he won't want to see it in the news. Try to look normal.

"Jim , you still there? He did everything right this time, called the police and ..."

"Where?" The address sounded vaguely familiar- of course, Emily's place. "I'll be there in a minute". He hung up before Simon could say anything else.

< Act - you don't want cameras there, don't you. You can do it, you have to get dressed before you can run to him, help him - without your senses! Better be celibate from now on, if they come back anytime soon... >

At her questioning glance his covert ops training took over. He shrugged casually: "Blair's corvair broke down again - this time in a very nasty place of town. I'll take you to your office, then pick up the kid."

Her conscience was still giving her a troubled time, so she offered with relief in her voice "I'll get a cab, the publishers are gonna pay it, you get Sandburg. You'd never forgive yourself if he's harmed because you're late." This time she had hit the bulls eye judging by his almost haunted look < well, girl, better see now where his priorities lie >. Then, while he called for a cab, she tried to get a grip on herself again: < they are partners, they even live together ; don't be unfair, he knows Blair far better than you will ever let him know you... >

********************

Jim arrived at Emilys place twelve minutes after putting a hasty kiss somewhere on Wendy while she had gotten into the cab. He tried to find Sandburg but the small backyard was just to crowded: Uniforms - more than just three cars worth, for when Blair's involvement was coming over the radio thankfully every officer free of previous commitment raced to help - a young woman with a particularly nervewrecking voice , a guy with a trenchcoat , Simon - "Where's Blair, Simon?" < which hospital this time, how bad are his injuries? >

"Big guy, what are you doing here - thought you had a hot date, man ?" His Guides voice floating in from somewhere in the background startled him , then he saw the younger man , apparently unharmed - his open face one big question mark, suddenly seeming to sense that there was something else wrong, shifting into guide-mode almost instantly: "I just called 911 this time, I did not get involved. The *victim*" he put a little emphasis on the word "was able to deal with the three attackers all by himself- no wonder, it's a colleague. Hey man, picture that, " excitement taking over again "he's from Toronto, a Detective Nite or something like that, looking for you because of one of your cases". Trust Sandburg to pick the place where the action is.

"Hey man, what's the matter with you?" Real concern shining in Blair's blue eyes, when he adressed the big guy standing numbly in front of him, "hey, I'm sorry for not showering, but it all happened quite quickly" the young man was mistaking Jim's immobility for disgust, because he was still reeking.

" Chief, we have a problem..." desperation flooded his every pore and Sandburg's eyes grew wider when he looked at his best friend. The tell-tale muscle in his jaw twitched, the whole body of the big detective was tense and his breathing seemed laboured.

"I'll get you out of this in a moment", Blair whispered under his breath for sentinel senses "I'm already through questioning and I'll sign the paperwork tomorrow. We'll talk ... Jim?" The Big Guy had apparently not heard him. The Big Guy had apparently not heard him! < damn, leave him alone with that little b... and the sentinel is in trouble - I'll get her and ... calm down Sandburg ... >

Louder:" Jim" and when he had the attention of the detective :" lets go home now" -

" But don't you want to stay with Emily - I mean..." even Jim's voice sounded laboured -

"Hey, that was a major ... whatever you'll call it. I'll tell her that's over ASAP - I mean, man, just listen in to her voice when she's calling me Honeybear" he shivered visibly, smiled - and got the shock of his life when his Sentinel got an almost blank look and said coldly "At this moment, I'm afraid that won't be possible", then turned around.

< Panic won't help. Breathe. Breathe again > "We'll find out", then Blair turned to Emily :" Sweety " she hated the nickname "police-business ; I have to go with Ellison" he threw Simon a dark look because the captain had tried to say something like that won't be necessary. Then this Nite-Guy suddenly stood in front of him - how had he made it so fast over here . "You Detective Ellison?" He had a calm voice and eyes that seemed to have seen all the evil in the world. Maybe Cascade was not the most dangerous place in the world, maybe it was beat by Toronto. He shook hands with Jim who apparently had trouble focusing on the man :

"I'm Detective Nick Knight , Toronto PD. There has been this case..." before he could say anything else, Blair , full Guide mode engaged , interrupted

"Listen, it's been a hard day for all of us, " < thinking about Emily this was not even a lie > "lets meet tomorrow"

"That's right" Simon helped - at last - with one look at his best detective and a particularly desperate Blair Sandburg - "Meet you two tomorrow at four p.m. - night shift - it's a friday again."

Ellison struggled to emerge from the deep pond of blackness he was swimming in "Thanks Simon", turned heading for his truck, for the first time in months looking back to check if Sandburg was following.

Not good , not good at all ...

************

This time it took Jim 25 minutes to get to the loft again, he was not eager to reveale this nasty secret. The more he thought about it, the less he wanted to talk at all - silently he pondered, what he would be able to hide from his Guide, what he would be forced to tell and if Blair would come up with something that would solve everything. Funny - this was the one thing he somehow did not doubt at all.

Blair tried to glance at his friend on the long silent trip to the loft, wondering how long it would take them till they arrived there. After the third detour he almost settled for a night in the truck, starting to analyze what had happened at the crime scene. Jim had no longer control over his senses. Worse: he did not seem to have his supernatural senses at all. This had never happened before.

Must be the stress with this damned case: Each saturday morning for three weeks now they had found the body of another dead prostitute, tied to a tree in one of cascades parks, blood pooling round her feet. At first - sad but true - the murderers had not been passed to major crimes - the victims being "just prostitutes" as one particularly dumb district attorney had pointed it out three days ago, when the files finally landed on Simons desk.

So far they just knew that the knot with which the victims had been tied to the trees was usually used by sailors. Each woman had been working openly in the red light district and they all had taken their various customers to the so called privacy of a park. But noone had seen their respective last customer, so far noone remembered a special car or any other lead - so far major crimes had no clue at all - they were just waiting for the next friday hoping this time to prevent whatever had happened the weeks before.

Yeah, man , must be the stress - oh boy - what had the stress done to Jim's hot date - did he zone out on the girl - did anything happen at all? Blair's eyes widened in horror just thinking about it. < Hey Jimmy-boy , gotta score? and please don't show Naomi my dead body, I assume it won't be a pretty sight... >

*************

Finally even a thousand detours led them to the loft - even Cascade had just so much to give. Blair let Jim lead up the stairs, carefully avoiding to step into the personal space of the big man. Then Jim slumped in the couch, exhaustedly closing his eyes, leaning back with a sigh. Blair still did not get too close, sat in the love chair at the small side of the couch table, waiting patiently .

"You figured out most of it, didn't you?" Jim rubbed the bridge of his nose trying to clear his head for what seemed to be his execution.

"When I first kissed her, it was as if I was in bed with Caroline. Before that stakeout, before my senses started to..." he made a vague gesture with his hand.

"At that time I appreciated it" a rueful grin "But they did not come back when we ..." another wave of his hand "...finished..." he ended lamely.

Blair's relief was palpable to everyone except Jim < at least no problems on the score list; thank god! maybe we'll both survive this >

Blair hunched forward still not intruding Jim's personal space: "You used your breathing exercises?" A nod " You had this... " Blair put on his glasses to punctuate a more academic attitude "...problem before? " A headshake . " Was any of the other girls as important to you as Wendy?" Another headshake, but this time a certain amount of interest shone in Jim's desperate eyes.

Witch-doctor Sandburg obviously was onto something again! "Just a couple of one night stands, sometimes just a nice dinner - I'm not as insatiable as someone I know", he smiled this small smile of his to take away the sting.

"So maybe the stress to make this one relationship work dampened your senses. They'll come back eventually, you see" meaning to reassure his best friend as much as himself, Blair laid more confidence into his words than he felt.

"But to be true - she ain't that important to me; I mean, she went to her office again last night " - < while I rushed to rescue you >

Blair suddenly managed to breathe a little easier: "What if your subconscious had other ideas?"

"I don't believe so, Sandburg" very convinced.

"You don't tell me everything?" a little suspicious.

At Jim's tortured look the younger man rose, closed the distance between them and hunched in front of his friend. "We do some tests as soon as you've slept a few hours; it'll be all right again". < pass some confidence to the Big Guy > Blair squeezed Jim's knees in a reassuring gesture.

The sharp intake of breath ; the tingle of electric currents where their two bodies were connected ; Jim's head jerked ; Blair gazed down at his hands , eyes bigger than ever.

"They're back" they said at the same time. Jim smelled two different women, sweat, semen - had neither of them at least showered, he shuddered, tracing lingerin remnants of "Wendy" in his mouth. Blair's excited heartbeat washed over him, the highlights in the kids curls caught his sense of sight and subconsciously the Sentinel reached over to put one loose strand of soft hair behind his Guides ear, the smaller mans pulse suddenly fluttering against the tip of his finger.

They broke contact.

"You get to shower first, while I change the sheets in my bedroom - leave some hot water, will ya"

"Yes sir, detective, sir" A mock salute accompanied the cheerful voice on Blair's way to the bathroom. Later is the time for questions....

***************

Jim woke at eight to the urges of his body. Halfway down the stairs, when he reached out to listen to the comforting thump-thump of Blair's heartbeat, he heard the tiny sounds of typing keyboard-keys. So before ascending to his bed again, he knocked on the recently installed door of his roommate, not wanting to intrude but curious nevertheless.

"Come in, Jim" Very worn T-shirt, sweatpants , tangled hair and glasses on the tip of the nose greeted Jim. " Sandburg, have ya been to bed at all?"

"Of course- can't you see, the books are still messing the floor not the mattress?" Blair smirked at the wince that escaped his friend.

"Hey Big Guy, I had to write down everything last night happened - so please could you crosscheck..." his voice trailed at the sudden intake of breath followed by a step forward, the detective suddenly looming over him intimidating causing his heartbeat to accelerate. "Man, don't tense, just read it, okay.."

After reading the first paragraph he reached over Blair's shoulder to key in the next page, then the next. It was a truly skillful piece of obfuscation :"The subject" - Jim would never learn to be comfortable with this sort of impersonating his being -" the subject .... certain amounts of stress ... complete bodily shutdown ... unlike the socalled zoneout ... but nevertheless ... the observer has to bring the subject back..."

It gave a totally new meaning to "bullshitting is a form of male bonding".

"You didn't write anything about what caused this amounts of stress..."

"Hey man, but don't you see -" The anthropologist took over, excited again "that's totally unimportant. What *is* of scientific importance is the impact the observer, the Guide, my humble person, had on your condition. - And besides- I didn't think you would go tell my supervisor what really happened. " he chuckled while saving the file and shutting down the system.

Ellison still had not moved behind him. Then the Sentinel bent down to the smaller man, hands on Blair's shoulders, and pressed his face against the tangled curls. It took just a second and Blair caught only a glimpse of the gesture in the mirror of the darkening computerscreen, then the tender touch was gone and his shoulders were thoroughly squeezed. But when he looked up at Jim, the older man still had this dreamy look in his eyes that softened his features into something deeper... "thank you" Jim blinked himself back to normalty - "I'll go fix some coffee" The tingeling stayed with his body for quite a while...

*******************

An hour later Simon called, while Jim was in the shower "How is he, Sandburg? Did you get him back to normal - whatever that is for him?"

The gruff interrogation did not hide the true concern for his friend.

"He is fine again; it's been just the stress - a few hours of sleep.."

"Good" the Captain interrupted " there is a woman missing for about four weeks now. The file was passed to Missing People but Custer there is a former major crimes member - he sent me a copy. She worked as a prostitute and disappeared on a Friday night. Now it's our case I'm afraid. So go to her place and get a lead"

It's no fun mocking "Yes Sir, Captain, Sir" to a dead line.

********************

Blair did not know what he had expected to see at Martha Sethners place - but certainly not a worried husband and two little boys hiding behind their fathers legs.

"So finally someone bothers enough to ask some questions" there was resignation in Sethners voice, while the redhaired man showed them into the living room of the apartment. When he sat down on a plush couch he buried his face in large hands, yawning and apologizing:" I changed shifts at work, so that I'm home during the days to watch over Timmy and Clay. My sister comes over for the nights. Martha used to take care of her boys ... that's why she worked at nights."

He could not tell them anything new, but found a picture of his wife recently taken: it showed a plump woman in her early thirties wearing a flowery dress, smiling awkwardly into the camera, long blond hair braided. "She was always so careful. Had a little blue booklet where she wrote down every licence number of the guys she was with as a precaution. She had that one place in the main park where she took them, near the fountain . But I already was there looking for her. I hope you find her." And it was clear he meant her body.

"Hey man, maybe she just wanted to break free for a while. She'll come back" BLair tried to cheer up the exhausted man that was slumped on that ugly couch. But Sethner just looked over at the two boys playing with some plastic dinosaurs near the window of the living room : "She would've never left us that way."

*****************

"Was it always that tough during your time in vice? Was that the reason why you changed to major crimes?" Blair's soft question was almost lost in the steady roar of the truck.

"But that was a nice family ...."

"Exactly, I always expected..."

"You thought a hooker and her pimp are criminals. Sorry,kid, sometimes they are just people who made one wrong decision when they were young. They saw the easy money . And at the time it was not *easy money* any more they were no longer able to control their own life. Sometimes because of drugs, of alcohol or just because noone would hire a girl that has *worked* on the streets. No socalled honorable profession open for discussion. It's a one way."

"And you're right, that's why I left vice. I felt my own life slip away during endless nights spent in bars or hitting the streets, friends left because of the changes in my behaviour. I showed the X-files-Syndrom" - at Blair's questioning look he added :"Trust noone. Then love started to become something you pay for .." When he heard himself say what he had just said he stopped, embarrassed "So I quit."

They arrived at the station, and after busying himself to park the truck, Jim thought, maybe the kid had - chuckling over the x-file-comment - just overheard the last part of his little speech. But when he reached beside the steering wheel to pull off the key Blair's hand brushed reassuringly over his arm in a comforting motion, leaving a small trail of warmth in it's wake. The younger man didn't even look at him but when they both got out of the truck, Ellison caught accelerated heartbeat and Blair flexing the fingers of the hand that had touched his arm.

***********

"Sandburg - you start on the paperwork while I inform Simon - "

The bullpen was humming with voices and phones and shuffle. And Banks was on his cellphone having yet another *talk* with his ex-wife referring to Daryls visit this weekend. When Simon snapped the phone shut Jim knocked.

Blair couldn't help himself. His eyes followed his friend as the big detective waited in front of the door, then entered Simons office. The fingers of his left hand still felt warmer , and he remembered how the bare arm, then the cotton of Jim's shirt had felt to his light touch. With a last glance at the detective now reporting in Simons office he took a deep breath . Jim's head snapped round, blue eyes locked in blue eyes; a smiling nod. Blair bent to his file.

"Ellison, take another look at that park if you want , but - you OK again ? What the hell happened yesterday? This Sentinel-thing out of control again?"

"According to Sandburg it was lack of sleep, stating simply. He touched me and brought me back."

"He touched you?"< Do you even know how that sounds Ellison? >

"Yeah "- < On my knee, unfortunately just on my knee WHAT DID I THINK RIGHT NOW... >

"What about the paperwork of the Sethner-interrogation? - "

"Sandburg's already doing it, Sir"

"And leave the prostitute-files for Detective Knight on your desk. He'll probably come by this night."

"I'll make copies, so Knight can take them home if that's allright with the department."

" So, what are you waiting for - do it - all ready" The tall black man chewed on his unlit cigar.

"Simon - because of Daryl - I'm sorry he can't come this weekend." He crossed the distance ofer his bosses desk with a slap on his captains arm, then turned and went to get the copies.

And all the time there was this soft chiming in the back of his mind, the slight thump-thump , that was his Guides heartbeat that anchored and steadied him.

***************

Just when they were about to leave the bullpen, Ellison's phone rang once again.

"Jim, harder to catch than .." "Wendy, your voice sounds nice on the phone.."

Sandburg rolled his eyes and pushed his chair out of ear-shot. He did not want to listen to any kind of sweet-talk right now. After those last hours he needed some time to contemplate and sort out those feelings that invaded him uninvited. And he needed to look at some of Burtons diarys to do some research and he needed to confess to himself that he hated the thought of Jim and little Wendy, plastic beauty created to ... inadveredly he caught another glimpse of Jim's conversation.

"No, sorry, not tonight ; I'll have to do a double shift. - - - No , I can't tell you why - - - No I don't think so - - - " Voice even more controlled, more distant, colder than moments before. "Listen, was that the reason why that evening turned out to be so nice?" Blair winced , then the phone was slapped back on the cradle.

Without further comment, Jim collected the copies into one pile, muscle twitching in his jaw, blue eyes cold, breathing a little faster, lips a hard line. He put a sticker on top of them, Knights name on it. When the door opened he did'nt even look at the camera-team suddenly adding to the noisy background of the room. When the three men entered Simons office, Jim grabbed his partner almost yanking him out of his leather jacket in an attempt to get out of the department.

"Hey man, I'm coming , I'm coming, give me a break " In a flurry of disentagled jacket, loosened hair and notebook the younger man scrambled out of the bullpen, one of his sleeves still captured by a very pissed Ellison. One long step brought Ellison's foot between the closing elevator-doors. When they were halfway open again, he shoved Sandburg into the small compartment following close.

"Okay man, what have I done. I apologize. I'm sure I did terribly wrong." Blair was still examining the insulted sleeve of his favourite jacket. Even without sentinel senses he could almost hear that muscle in Jim's jaw work overtime.

"Stop it, Sandburg. You havent done anything and you know it. - This " deep calming breath, then with a little less effort: "This was just Wendys farewell present."

"I thought you had gotten along quite well, big guy? " Why didn't he really feel sorry for the detective - because the girl had failed his senses...or ...

" Yeah, me too. But obviously she had other priorities in life. She accused me of not telling her about the 'assistance from Toronto' - hell, I don't even remember having seen the guy in that damned backyard. "

"You should have told her that. "

Snort "it would not have mattered. Don't you see, she just wanted information!"

"You think she just used you? Don't sell yourself cheap, Big Guy."

Another snort.

"She'll come back, believe me. And when she calls again, just step over that pride of yours for once and everything will be fine"!

"Sandburg, I don't think this is about pride anymore, it never was. It is about affection and maybe even trust. And that she'll hear, if she has the guts to call again. Sorry I yanked you" a gentle pat on the head and not for the first time Ellison had to think how soft-silky, yet springy Blair's mane was. If he just tried a little, he could feel each and every hair... The elevator door opened to the departments entry hall.

They stepped out and all but ran into a young man with a friedly smile , short curly blond hair and a trenchcoat. "Detective Ellison" a hand was extended, the shake firm "remember me? Nick Knight - I want to take a look at those files.."

"Yes, on my desk, seventh floor, the bullpen, just ask - they're all yours " he was so cold - the contrast to Ellison's sense of touch palpable. Seconds ago Blair, lively, gentle , vibrating - now Nick Knight: like ice, a faint smell like ... copper ?...blood ??.... < That damnable caseload is maybe wreaking havoc with my senses again. >

"We have to get to the park as long as there is a little bit of light; just - help yourself"

"Hey man, lets hit some bar tomorrow or any time. " But Sandburg's voice was dragged out to the truck - as was the whole man by the superior force of his detective.

**************

"Since when you so hot for hitting the bars Sandburg?" The mildly amused voice was audible just above the sounds of the trucks engines.

"Jim, ya know, I'm *so* not into this. But I kinda sensed you would want some male bonding with a toronto police detective"

"Blair - I'm the one with the senses here - remember? I hate to admit it - but the guy gives me the creeps. - His smell is somewhat different-. I can pinpoint it yet but..."

his voice trailed as he concentrated on Knights handshake, his timbre, his skin, his smell. Then he shook his head to clear it from mental cobwebs.

"I hope those senses aren't off the trail again now that I'll need them in the park"

"Lets do a quick test" Guide mode again - Jim had to smile while a very excited anthropologist picked up his backpack from the backseat and started to shuffle through it's contents, head and shoulders almost vanishing in the bag . When he emerged of the depths of the bag hair slightly ruffled he flashed an almost blinding smile on his detective.

"Now there's a new scent around here. " Shifting into the soothing sound of Guide-voice again - "Try to pinpoint it. I know it's difficult because of the cramped room in here and cause you are driving, but try nevertheless. By the way - I could drive for a while..."

"maybe you could but you won't"

"Oookayy. Sort out everything you already know. Tell me what you decipher , picture a small box where you put all named scents till only one is left, "

To the low talking of his Guide the Sentinel put away the stale odor of the running engine, motoroils, all kinds of car-smells. Then he moved on to his own body, easy enough to rule out, then to his Guide. The shampoo, something overlaying - must be the conditioner - both escaping those curls stronger now that they had been messed up by diving into the backpack. The sweat somewhat herbal - must be those teas he's always having like other people polished cola - nice though - < Why is his respiration and heartbeat up? -- oops said that aloud too >

An old sandwich - do you keep everything? - and now - slowly rising from the backpack a new scent. Masculine, yet herbal , oily , slightly bitter in the back of his throat; increasing now but not unpleasantly so; warming him ever so gentle ...< this goes an entirely odd way, Blair-Baby >

"What is it Chief! I don't know it" a low rumble - was that really his voice?

"Man you are amazing!! It doesn't matter that you don't know the name. Your description was every salesman's dream!" Sandburg was all but bouncing out of his seatbelt. "It's sandalwood, a perfume oil used for stimulation. I only opened and closed the bottle I bought today - yet you identified it correctly!"

"So I'm still my own little K 9 ?"

"I never'd dare to compare you to a sheperds hound - you'r way too anal on your house rules, Big Guy" The good natured teasing was interrupted by Jim's chuckles and the truck being parked. But when they were heading into the big pleasure-grounds , curiosity took over :

"What stimulation, Sandburg?" < Shit, he actually listened for once and picked up the one thing I don't want to point out. >

"What?" "You won't get far with that Who-me-look of yours you know"

"Welll - it puts everyone in a pleasant mood. " < Innocently enough. And now go on talking: > "This tribe in south america I lived with for about four months they carried pieces of wood with them while looking for counter-generic support."

"When looking out for screwing?" < thank you Jim, that's another way to put it... > "But, Chief, I thought Miss My-Voice-gets-your-attention was going to be dumped soon. Ah - the new flavour of the month already waiting?"

"Nnnot exactly - in fact men react stronger to it than women..."< *men* get in the mood James - thank god for sunset and twighlight. > By now they had arrived at the far end of the park where some trees and hushes showed no evidence of being visited often. After the strong rain that had belied the sunny weather forecast of the past two weeks the ground was soggy even under the closestanding trees.The lamplight ended on the rim of the small wood so Jim's sharp glance escaped Blair who not only was embarrassed by his admition but who had to watch his steps in earnest now,

"Uhmm, Big Guy, how about a little concentration on the job now?" < saved

by police work - there is justice in the world. > < Oh, but little Guide, I'm

concentrating like hell - just not on the job >

"Just - Don't use it at the station, Chief - I don't want to have to rescue

you from one or two guys from vice!"

"Bad or good memories, huu? I think this kind of attack I'm able to fight off by myself - if it's the wrong Guy approaching me" the answer was so soft it would have been lost to anyone without sentinel senses and even Ellison had trouble to comprehend - yet from another reason .

Then it hit him. Decay, rotten, sticking sweet, blood curdled - even with the wind in their backs the scent sent him reeling back.

"What is it Jim?" < Good move, Blair, put your foot in your mouth again - had to shock him with that silly remark of yours - now you probably blew it before whatever was to come even started. >

"You still can't smell it" the Sentinel stated.

"Nooo; But you're the one better than K 9 around here" He jerked away in time to avoid the nudge "Sorry, couldn't resist that one. Let me help : I get by your reaction it's not a pleasant smell"

"No sandalwood this time" < you ever heard Jim Ellison silky; mmmh -

could get used to it. What *is* this that's building up here anyway?? Now thing business again Sandburg >

"Okaayy. Try to put the scent up on a molecular level- This way you

most likely will not notice the stench. "< I hope > "Then follow it - and

take it slow, for I'd like to see where I put my feet" < as long as I can keep them out of my mouth for a change >

"Darwin, this works" with the words the big detective let his control slip, faltered and with furrowed brow started to concentrate hard again. Then he followed a small clearly unused path into the wood.

****************

It took them ten minutes straight into the wood , the wind still in their backs, until Blair smelled it too. A sweet odor, clinging to the nostrils, staying in the back of his throat, invading his lungs, creeping into his clothes, as he held up a sleeved arm to breathe through the cotton.

Then they broke out onto a small clearing, a peaceful place designed by nature, a small brook whispering to the right. To the left, tied to a tree hidden completely by the black shadows by now the decaying body of a woman was the source of the stench that brought tears to Blair's eyes. He could not make out more than something more substantial than a shadow and made the mistake of taking another step closer.

"Don't" But Jim's warning was too late. The young anthropologist , no burying ritual he had seen all over the world including such mutilations, startet retching. "Over here, c'mon Chief" he gave into the urgent shoving, let himself be dragged to the rivulet before collapsing to his knees on the bank. While being sick, the crystal clear water under his face, he was barely aware of Jim, holding back his hair , supporting his shoulders , so that he would not tilt into the brook. Finally , when he was able to sit back on his hunches again, a cool hand, still wet from being held into the icy water, rested on his forehead, calming him, reassuring him.

"I know, I know, shhh" Ellison had settled behind him, rubbed his shoulders and rocked back and forth with the younger man. < God , this feels so good; *he* feels so good. Better even as Wendy had felt in my arms. So much better. >

"I'm so sorry, I didn't want to .. . how can you stand this with your enhanced senses?" Voice still shaking but recovering in the gentle embrace of the older man. "I have something dif ..< don't start obfuscating, James > .. I have *you* to concentrate on". For one precious moment, the student snuggled even deeper into the embrace < Don't let go, hold me, shelter me > creating an understanding between them that somehow needed no words at all, somehow saying all the words necessary silently.

Then Blair sighed and bent forward to wash his face, while Jim called Simon on the cell phone. Putting it back into the inner pocket of his jacket his fingers brushed over one of Blair's leather bands. They - just like their owner - had invaded Jim's place in no time, Blair being as oblivious to them as to the rest of his mess, so it was Jim who collected them. This one he had found on the back seat of his truck. Now it came in handy: His strong hands closed around the long curls of his partner, then tugged them together into a pony tail, fixed them with the leather strip.

"They'll be here in about half an hour" Blair just nodded "Are you up for a little Guide-thing right now?" A questioning look, another nod, then Blair turned to sit down in lotus position in front of his Sentinel, careful to face the man and not the corpse looming behind him in the darkness.

"There is a smell I know but can't put my finger on it"

"Right, " voice still raspy but soothing nevertheless, hypnotic "Filter out the stench, take care that you are not distracted by our own smells. Now name what is left - And tell me , Jim ; it'll be easier that way"

"There have been small animals of course; ..." Sweat broke on Jim's face "I can smell four different men on her " and he didn't need to say *in her* for it was clear that otherwise the rain would have washed this evidence away. "And there is a metallic smell, oily , gun oil , ohh God" Now Jim turned pale, the image of that faceless bastard inserting a gun into her body , while opening her veins to kill her flashed through his mind unwanted.

"So you think this one's been shot, not suffocated and bled to death"

"No not shot, no cordid-smell to detect"

"Oh man, that's so ...We're looking for a pervert who likes to do ...things ...with a gun and his victims before he kills them?"

***********

A few minutes later Jim got up and helped his still whitefaced partner to his feet. One last one-armed hug over almost too soon to be noticed, then even Blair heard them coming. A dozen policemen invaded the scene with bright spots turning the place into daylight, adding the horror of clear vision to the almost unbearable smell. One of the Uniforms retreated with a gasp - retching noises indicating just how sick he felt behind the sheltering trees.

"Ellison" Simons bellow overrode all other noises easily "Good work. Sandburg seemed to have fixed this problem of yours."

"The killer was armed - We need a particularly thorough inquest of the lower body. Forensics should find gun-oil and metallic residues inside her."

Simons mouth tightened when he turned to the medics.

At last the forensics - minty smelling cream under their noses against the stench - took down the body, wrapped her into those black bags that so efficiently closed away a whole life.

It was then the TV-team arrived.

Jim was already on his way to the truck , leaving the crime scene, and had not been aware of the cars. But Blair tugged his sleeve and although Ellison normally hated this kind of approach somehow their new form of understanding made him turn to his young Guide , then follow Blair's gesture with his eyes. "You should go greet Wendy"

"That's not her. " and answering his partners questioning look he confessed "It's her new colleague. She had not been sent cause quote: You betrayed my confidence in you by not telling me about your canadian help. Guess you won't tell me anything else concerning your work. - Which is true by the way - so to safe her from being humiliated by questioning me in vain ... well she decided to take the New York offer after all. "

"But what did she think, that you'd break the law for her? You aren't allowed to give out information. I mean, man, even I do know that. Even I don't tell noone. That's so..." the sweeping of Blair's arms almost took Jim by surprise. The older man shrugged, mumbled " I guess it's better this way" and opened the truck door for Blair.

"Hey detective - wait for me. I'm Jack Underway , CCNW (cascade cable network) . Could you answer some questions ?"

Sighing Jim turned, rejection on his lips. The man came closer now, palefaced , sweaty forehead, panting slightly, heartrate exaggerated. Either the guy was in a real bad shape or he didn't feel as selfconfident as his attitude made him seem. With a winning smile reached out a hand holding a small recorder :"So what can you tell us on this case, Detective." The flash of a strong camera-light blinded Jim, making him wince.

"I can't tell you anything. Listen Mr CCNW ; you should know the procedure. There is a public relations office which will provide you with all the facts we can give. So don't get me in trouble, will you. Chief, we gotta go. " And turning into the blinding light again "Doing some paper work". He shoved Sandburg into the truck, getting in himself to the sound of Jacks muttering: "Wendy was right, he's quite uncooperative. " which made Jim tense even more .

***************

"Hey man, I wanted to talk to that guy - not about the case..." Blair reassured a very pissed Ellison who sped up the truck "But that man just wrote a book which made it to the bestselling-lists of all the bookstores I know. So why did you have to be so ... "

"He gives me the creeps , ok?"

"God, seems that every stanger gives you the creeps nowadays - Hey - could be some development of a certain Sentinel-protective-instinct..." Guide mode kicking in again .

"No , it's just - he smelled so ..." And then, when he first put it into words, it hit him and he grabbed his cell phone, pressed a speed dial.

"Banks"

"Simon, I want you to check if Mr CCNW - Jack Underwhatever - has a license to own a gun. If not, get him under surveillance. "

"Is this anything we can prove" The question going as close to their secret as they could without revealing anything to surrounding people.

"Afraid not yet"

"All right then. Talk to Sandburg about it. Maybe together you'll find something we can put our fingers on."

"I will. Thanks "

**********

"So what was that all about" The grad student almost jumped in his seat again, limitless energy set free by sheer curiosity. Jim caught himself glancing, just enjoying the sight, then sighed: "You seem to know Jack What'shisname. You tell me."

"Well, man , he's the one example for successful reintegration after serving fifteen years of imprisonment for killing his, I think she was his aunt because he felt neglected by her. He was only 17 when it happened so he was sentenced by a juvenile court. He started writing in prison. Radiostations broadcasted his stories and some VIP's helped him with a new job when he finally got out again. That must be two years ago. A few months ago his first book got published and it turned out to be a smash. He has been passed from party to party and met all the high society of Cascade. Seems he managed to get a grip on his life again."

"I don't know Chief. Seems I smelled a gun on him."

Blair fell silent till they drove into the parking lot of the police station.

******************

They were standing in front of a BMW cabrio that had been confiscated months ago during a drug-bust and Ellison's jaw-muscle was once again in charge :" I don't think that you would want to join me with this, that's why"

Sandburg had a stubborn look in his blue eyes and did not take no for an answer. "You go out questioning prostitutes in the red light district. You *will* need back up. What if anybody recognizes you and you're alone out there?"

"I might be recognized, but maybe I don't want you to be near me when that happens. You know" his voice was as tense as his whole body now and the tell-tale muscle twitched constantly " my cover during my time in vice was pretty good."

"So what are you afraid of: That you get yourself killed though?"

"Belief me Sandburg; The last thing I'm afraid of is being killed out there tonight. "

"Don't get overly protective on me, *Ellison*. I'm grown up. A few bare tit's won't destroy me. Distract me briefly, yes, but not destroy me. " Funny how the small smile not only entered Blair's eyes but even his voice. < What the heck. If it happens it happens. Maybe it's even for the best. I'll deal with it then >

"Don't blame me for anything that happens. And please " suddenly Ellison was very calm, determined to get through to his friend, even grabbing Blair's arm to make sure he had his undivided attention "remember that was almost five years ago. I was sort of different then. And even if my personality hasn't changed that much, I like to think that my attitude has improved since."

Blair's still smiling eyes grew wide "Hey, is this a 'Will you respect me in the morning'-speech? " Jim flinched, but his suddenly excited partner knowing he had won this time, didn't notice " I will Big Guy I will, don't worry" Then he jumped into the car " Man that's , like, *so* cool" He started to open the glove compartement, disappointed to find it empty, changed the position of his seat and missed the strange look that Jim gave him while getting in himself.

****************

They drove open despite the cool night air. They cruised the drives of the red light district occasionally stopping near the women in different states of undress. And yes, every time one of the ladies bent down to ask and offer , Sandburg got distracted. A bit.

The answers they got were disappointing. The few girls who had actually known one of the victims could no longer remember their last customer plus they weren't overjoyed by the fact that the police probably disencouraged any clients by their presence.

Two hours later the streets they drove through got narrower , the surroundings filthier, the pro's more aggressive, three times the girls turned out to be boys. Then a silver Mercedes with darkened panes and windshield stopped in front of them effektively blocking their path. The huge black man who got out seemed to come straight out of a b-movie: Shirt open to show off chest hair and a heavy golden necklace, diamond rings on the right hand and a single diamond stud in the left ear he swayed toward the BMW carefully hiding a gun in a beltholster. But Blair got really frightened when he heard his otherwise imperturbable partner start to mutter "shit'shit'shit".

Then the giant form loomed over the BMW and his whisper was scarier than a shout would have been: "Put your hands where I can see them - two of my friends are aiming at you so I suggest you behave and answer *my* questions for a change."

"No Giorgio , I don't think so. " Ellison replied softly, then he could hear Blair's heartbeat speed up and although he could not look at him at the moment he knew that his eyes had grown wide again with that sharp intake of breath. < again it's truth time, James >

"Sonny? - Sonny! I didn't recognise you without the beard and all. How you doing, pal? Got tired of police work at last? Or just showing the cute kiddo off? Hey , he's sweet, but he looks tired. " He nodded amiably at a stunned Blair who for once in his life was at a loss of words. "Don't get much sleep around him, do ya. Yeah, we all knew "

"Enough Giorgio, you made him blush all right. "

"God, the little virgin".

At this the anthropologist started to understand what Jim had tried to tell him in the parking lot not three hours ago - a whole life ago - but what possibilities - and at that the young man blushed in earnest, hot crimson colouring face and neck.

Giorgio had waved back at his car most likely to calm his bodyguards while Ellison had jumped out of the BMW . Now the two men stood in a dark corner of the street and Blair wished to have sentinel senses of his own. He was unable to understand anything but the soft chuckling of the black man, sounds of questions and answers and finally he watched a somewhat crooked handshake where both men grabbed hold of their forearms, squeezing shoulders with their left hands.

The mercedes was already turning, driving away when Jim finally came back to his Guide.

"So , what do you think now?"

The anthropologist blinked once owlishly then said "I take it, that you made friends with *Giorgio* during your time in vice. You seemed to have blended in quite well then by doing what was necessary to do so. Which is totally understandable according to your genetic predisposition to stand sentry to your tribe. In ancient times that would have meant to blend in the jungle - and who said that this part of Cascade is no jungle at all?"

Jim cut off his scientist-at-work-talk: "Stop the anthropology-lecture. Did I weird you out? "

< Is the big guy really holding his breath? Nahh > " Hell, no - only thing that worrys me , Sonny: Couldn't you come up with another cover name. I mean, that's , like, *so* gross." Blair's small chuckle drowned out Jim's deap breath.

Jim shrugged "That wasn't my idea in the first place. On the other hand: everything I did during that undercover job really was my idea at that time. I experimented a lot with the excuse of doing it for the job but " he took a deep breath, then confessed " some of it I liked. A lot. Even if it was another life , another lifetime then. Do you think you can live with that knowledge?" < can you still live with me? >

"Hey man, as you figured out before: I'm an anthropologist. Human behaviour won't frighten me off. And what's even more important." He calmly looked straight into ice-blue eyes hoping to transfer the certainty he felt "You are my friend - my best friend < the only one I ever let come close to me > and absolutely nothing will change that..."

< What will the next casual touch be to him with this knowledge > the thought came to both of them unbidden. And it was thanks to this new understanding dawning between them out of the dark of past experiences that they reached out at the same time, clasping each others arm as a sort of final test revelling in the other mans warmth. A warmth that stayed with them dispite the cold wind, dispite the gruesome case they had to work on. Somehow it even went beyond a simple sexual attraction, therefore frightened them both and made them feel alive at the same time.

To Jim, Blair suddenly seemed even jounger than usual, while he looked into his marvellous blue eyes searching for possible rejection and finding a deep understanding. Starting the car he said "That's why I did not want you to come with me this time."

*********************

The quiet space of closeness did not last long -when they were back in the more popular parts of the red light district reality hit again, four dead prostitutes not being something easily to be forgotten.

"So what was it that Giorgio had to say " Sighing the grad student acknowledged the fact that a murder-case did not disappear by sheer force of will or something more interesting to be prosecuted. Jim's sideways glance made him blush slightly and the Sentinel had to smile at the sudden increase of heat radiating in waves from his passenger seat. "I mean besides THAT."

" Sorry" the smile shone through the voice "He talked about a midnight blue ford that was seen before the last victim disappeared. So we'll have to go ask the ladies again."

And again Blair got distracted ; a bit.

******************

Three more women had remembered the blue ford, two of them being certain they had only seen it on fridays. Seemed there was a lead after all.

Back at the office their hopes crumbled. There were almost 50 entries of fords/ blue in the computer, and that was only Cascade. If by any chance the killer was only visiting the town on fridays the lead would be a dead end.

And then they got lucky.

Martha Sethner might not have been careful enough to use condoms with every client, but she obviously had been almost obsessed with writing down details of all those men. So when her bag had been discovered under a bush near her dead body, her booklet had been there as well. The last entry brought the police back into the game. Because although she had been in a hurry Martha Sethner had filled in time, date , car type - ford - and the license number.

While the computer was still comparing data, Nick Knight made his farewell visit. The strange young man with the sad old eyes had shrugged, then said: "The MO is different to what I thought I'd find. We had a few killings over there involving complete blood-loss. When I read about your serial-killer in the papers the writer left out the part of blood pooling round the victims. The women bled to death all right, but their blood did not vanish" his cellphone beeped. "Knight...- --- Hi Nat, good to hear you - - - no, I'll come back soon - - - Guess tomorrow night - - - " he chuckled, his voice took on a different quality "Yeah, Nat, how 'bout you take a night off ? - - - Me too "

Jim had watched closely politely trying not to listen in and jerked back at the sight of the other man's eyes, suddenly changing their color from indifferent grey to an almost feral golden gleam. But when he checked again, the gleam was gone and he decided that the light must have tricked him.

*************

Blair had listened closely since Nick had greeted the obviously male caller; had heard the change in his voice; had noticed even the changes in his body as the canadian detective had leaned closer into the cellphone trying to purr through the line. When Knight had put the cellphone away Blair moved closer almost cornering the other man out of hearing range from all the other people in the bullpen. Well, almost all the other people.

"What is it like to love a man" he blurted out, then turning crimson, raising his hands apologetically into his hair still held together in a pony tail and therefore fussing with it, letting long curls slip. At Knights slightly amused glance he nearly turned to run away. "I'm so sorry, man , I couldn't help listening,I ... you don't have to answer ...Forget I asked, man"

"No", still keeping that knowing smile "You mean Nat" - He thought about explaining that it was just the shortcut for Nathaly, a very gorgeous woman ... he fought back the need to growl low in his throat. No, the kid would need another form of explanation judging by the looks he exchanged with his tall handsome partner - and judging by those same looks this tall man saved only for the kid - possessive caresses each of them - this was not onesided either. Well "When I first fell in love with a man I realised this love was not just about sex but about sensuality. And because this kind of love still is banned by public opinion giving in means being more than just sure of wanting someone. It means loving despite... Even at the cost of losing each and everyone else. Loving despite... - and still his handshake is more to you than a womans kiss. -What it is like to love another man?" Knights voice was low, hypnotic and sweet "It's loving despite." and without consciousness he saw the hot-cold eyes of his mentor ; the picture of the powerful man almost obliterating the loving face of the woman he was in love with now.

**************

Moments later Knight turned into Simons office to say his Good-byes and Blair poured coffee for himself and Jim. His partner did not look at him when the student came back with the two cups. His eyes were on the Canadian and he had this far-away-look bordering to dreamy. Blair felt his knees go weak. Ellison reached out and - still without looking - grabbed the cup of coffee his partner had fixed for him. It was not until he had taken the first sip that he acknowledged the young man lightly tugging at the one loose strand of hair that had escaped the pony tail : "Thanks Chief." A small smile softened his face while he watched Blair's efforts to restrain his curls again.

***********

In Nick Knights eyes sparkled something close to respect - that tall man in front of him seemed to see through his camouflage. He saw suspicion make Ellison tense and was not surprised that the Detective made a show of holding several files so that he could not shake hands with him. And when Knight tried to calm this strange man with a little hypnotic talking, he could clearly see goosebums rising on Ellison's forearms while this very special man took another step back. He left knowing that the eyes of the cascade detective never left him till he got into the elevator.

Ellison sighed in relief. Again he had smelled blood on this Canadian, had heard a heartbeat, but then for more than five minutes nothing and he had noticed that Knight had tried to use the same soothing voice on him as minutes before on his Guide. Something indeed was very wrong with that guy but somehow he couldn't put his finger on it. < Must have problems with my concentration again - I mean, Ellison, think straight : Everyone has to have a heartbeat. Got distracted again, hu? >

'Loving despite...' very poetic indeed. But could it really be love they were feeling for each other. Or was it just the genetic urge to strengthen a bond they had been born with, not being able to withstand a force dictated by an nature that would shove them into each others arms. Would sweet Blair , who had never been with a man before, be able to decide what he wanted. Would he himself , who had never been able to establish a stable relationship before - not even with Caroline -, be able to hold onto this commitment by his own will or were they just pawns in the game of a laughing fate - not more than caged animals with no way out?

He shivered at the thought. "Hey Big Guy , don't zone now - the computer provided the owner of that blue ford. " Blair, calm and in synch with himself like seldom before, waved a piece of paper. "

***********

"Oh, yes?" The closeness to his young guide elicited another shiver , totally unlike the one Ellison had felt before, and he tried for both of their sakes to at least seem to feel a calmness he had not felt for some time now. After only one glance at the computer-printout he knew that their luck had expired for the day.

"The last owner was a John Smithee. Hey, Chief, you're the one to roam the movies: Isn't that the synonymous directors use when they don't want to be named in the credit's? "

"You really listened to me for once!" A little mock awe played in Sandburg's voice while he tried to get a glimps at the printout, getting closer and closer into Jim's personal space. "So I assume you don't think it's a coincidence but a fake name?"

< Oh Blair, I listen to everything you say to me, don't you know that > "Yeah, well, call it conclusion jumping, but the cars last owner - Smithee - has given an address which would be near the loft - if only the number existed. So first thing tomorrow morning the uniforms will look for the ford on each and every junk-yard in cascade. Lets hope they find it still intact and not already formed to a two-ton metal cube. " He rubbed weary eyes. "By the way-was anybody missing tonight it being friday?"

Ellison addressed Simon who had come out of his office just in time to see the exhaustion in the face of the Sentinel.

"Not yet and not likely." And at the questioning look of Ellison he shrugged: "Not with all the police, namely you and Sandburg, and all the press, namely this Underway-guy on the streets too. All that cops could not go by unnoticed. So we may have prevented another kill tonight but we also may have broken his MO. So the department-shrink may no longer be able to predict further attempts. Well," He took off his glasses, rubbed the bridge of his nose to hold a major headache in check "she wasn't very successful anyway so..." his voice trailed off, then gathered strength again : "You two go home right now, it's almost five and you earned your keep tonight. Brown, Ryf, call it a night, I'll wait for the last call of our press-department, then try to catch some sleep too." He waved at the four men still tiredly shuffling with papers. "See you tomorrow at ten."

***********

"Too bad we couldn't keep the BMW" Sandburg relaxed sleepily into the passenger seat of Jim's truck and chuckled when his partner groused "You *could* go home by bus - if they are already on the streets again..."

"Aww, spoilsport" he teased goodnaturedly while Jim started the engine.

***********

The drive home could have been awkward hadn't they been so tired, Blair mused when he almost collapsed on his bed, not bothering to put on some clothes after his brief shower. Now he could not stop thinking about all those small gestures that had made this night bareable.

Jim's arms around him - he tried to picture what it would be like to make love with a man...with Jim...

Would he be gentle or would he touch him rough knowing that this was a man he was giving pleasure to? What would it be like to feel this strong hands so sensitive to touch on his body, would they be tweaking his nipples - just like his own hands just did - or would they just outline them till they were hard and pebbly - just like his did now. Would he dare to touch Jim? And what would Jim's nipples feel like? Like his right now ? Hard and hot - and would they send out the same flashes of sensation through the Sentinel?

He saw the face of the tall man behind his closed eyes, tried to picture those controlled features contorted by ecstasy. Another wave of pleasure surged through his body and arched his back. Still imagining Jim Ellison bent over him, he grasped his already firm cock slick with pre-ejaculate. - What would it be like to feel Jim's hand squeezing his throbbing penis. Even better: What would Jim's penis feel like when he'd touch him. Would he dare to kiss him, lick him - what would he taste like. Only half aware of what he was doing he brought his wet fingers to his mouth fantasizing it to be Jim's taste on his tongue wetting the fingers with saliva before he closed them round his engorged member again. When the pleasure started to tighten the muscles in his stomach, his toes, finally, finally in his balls, he saw in a sudden flash of excitement the image of a naked Jim stepping out of the shower at the rig, beads of water still trickling down sculptured chest and he came with a low moan and came and came and the erotic flavour of his semen that clouded him seemed to trigger jet another spasm and another one. Thankfully and totally relaxed he slipped into sleep before the sadness of being alone in bed could take over.

The Sentinel did not have the benefit of instant sleep, too: In spite of his tired body he was still almost painfully attuned to his Guide. He heard Blair when the young man came out of the shower; he listened to him as he thumped on the bed not bothering to dress for the night and his own heart beat faster when Blair's heartbeat started to accelerate.

< Oh, Chief, what do you do to me? > The alluring drum of Blair's heartbeat provided sweet background music with it's increasing rhythm spiced with soft panting. He smelled the young mans sweat that drenched those silky curles unleashing clouds of Blair's shampoo - and Blair's musk... Jim felt himself tense and looked down on himself in mock surrender. Hard again - damn genetic predisposition. To sigh he drew in a deep breath - big mistake: Blair's arousal hung in the air almost palpably; the smell let Jim's mouth water - and you cannot *not* breathe, can you. As Blair's excitement built, Jim's cock started to leak. He was painfully erect now but denied himself the support of his hands. < I'm not going to do this - if I do I'd have to confess tomorrow morning to him that my senses slipped again because I was listening to Sandburg jacking himself off. * No* way >

To calm himself he tried one of Blair's breathing techniques. Inhale deeply, exhale slowly - Big, big major mistake. After his first intake of breath through his open mouth his tastebuds seemed to explode with *Blair*: arousal, sweat, pheromones, sweet mixture making his cock surge upwards, leaking helplessly now. Jim grabbed the sheets. A shocked gasp brought another Blair-assault to his senses. This time there was the taste of semen exploding on his tongue, sending shivers down his spine; And full of shame of his defeat Jim bit into his pillow to stifle a groan, abandoning control in favor of a hard, demanding orgasm that took over his body and flooded his belly, his chest and parts of his bed with his semen. And he had never even touched himself. When he dared to rise his head out of the pillow he heard his Guide slipping into sleep still lying in a whole cloud of this sweet sweet maddening scent that had taken the Sentinel on a ride full of ecstasy.

And in this exact moment he realised, that this time his senses were still with him. Speaking of genetic predisposition. shit.

***************

***************

*Later that night - or better morning - when the first signs of the sun seemed to increase the darkness of the fading night the tall shadow of a big black cat lingered on Jim's favorite couch and cleaned it's claws with it's teeth. Preparing it'self for the final blow. And the Sentinel and his Guide slept to the rumbling and promising purr of the panther.*

*****************

*****************

< Ooooh man, three and a half hours of sleep ain't nearly enough - and jacking of till god knows when doesn't help either > Blair woke up just minutes before his alarm went off and he used the remaining time to gradually step back into life. He found himself still sticky and sweaty and tried to get to the bathroom without waking the Sentinel. But the big guy had beat him with that. He heard the shower the instant he opened the door of his room. So he opted for a fast clean up with just a washcloth and a little cold water in the kitchen sink as to not burn or freeze his preternaturally sensitive friend to death or at least trigger an outburst of anger. He had gotten dressed, started the coffee and was whipping eggs for an omelette when Jim stepped into the living room, sweatpants on and a towel wrapped round his neck. Blair could not help his heartbeat speed up at the sight of this one bare chest while he busied himself with breakfast.

"Morning" They said it simultaneously and smiled at each other - a little awkward, each of them painfully aware of what had happened to themselves the other night; the Sentinel even aware of what had happened to the other man the other night. They both jumped startled when the phone rang.

"Ellison" The smell of grilled mushrooms and eggs flooded the loft. "For you, Sandburg".

"Keep an eye on the omelette, will ya" While grabbing the phone Blair handed the spatula over to Ellison, gesturing him to the hearth not quite accidentally touching him on the small of his back in the attempt. "Sandburg cooking here." his good mood vanished at the nagging voice coming out of the phone. "No, I don't think ... I know it's the weekend ... no ... no, listen .. no, YOU listen now: All I can see is that you don't have any idea of what is important to me ... you don't know me at all." He had become more and more agitated and now forcefully calmed himself. Ellison - his back still tingling with Blair's touch - had to smile at the picture of his young guide straightening while filling his lungs and exhaling again. Then a visibly calmer Blair interrupted the nagging: "No, I do respect you, therefore you deserve the truth. I don't think that you love me ... see, you agree ... but I want to be in love with the person I make love to. Turns out that I have found this person now. So we won't meet again. Better end it now. Sorry ... yeah, when you talk like that, I guess you'll survive."

He hung up, then turned to face that smell "Um, Jim - those eggs ..."

Ellison brought himself out of the contemplation of Blair's last words on the phone and stirred the omelett in a vain attempt to rescue the breakfast. "It's not that bad - I think..." At Blair's snort he handed over to his Guide again and squeezed out of the kitchen area.

"So - you ended it?"

"You didn't listen in." not a question, the statement of a fact. "Thanks. But - you would have been surprised at the amount of dirty words one small woman is able to say without taking a breath." a small chuckle.

"So the next flavour of the month already waiting." not a question either, more a challenge.

Blair , plates with food in both hands, almost tripped, winced. "Not any more. I didn't lie to her: I think I've found what I was looking for - although I sound like a songtext right now."

"Good for you - will I meet the lucky one?"

"Of course, if you bother to look into a mirror" And at Jim's stunned, a little shocked glance he had the grace to blush. Around the frightened beating of his heart he mumbled "As if you didn't know by now" He looked down on his suddenly very interesting breakfast.

Jim drew in a hissing breath. "So sure all of a sudden? How can you be so sure? You've never been with a man before, have you?" Getting louder with every question mark; leaving his Guide jerking with every sentence."Have you?"

"No, but I have been offered"

"Yeah, and you declined" -

"Of course I declined, hell I declined a stunning blonde with a body that wouldn't quit because we didn't click." They were both shouting by now.

"So what's your point"

So very young but very calm all of a sudden: "The point is that I was never in love with a man before."

"And now you think you're in love with me? Not just a little crush or hero worship, but real love. How can you be so sure - unless: Well , thanks Mr. Burton - now your damned curse has struck both of us."

Jim's voice was dripping with contempt - and Blair cringed with hurt - but the younger man saw with sudden clarity that who Jim actually despised was Jim himself and the complete loss of control. And what was this about Burtons curse? With a sudden flash of insight he got a glimpse of the true reason of Jim's behaviour.

"What has Burton got to do with it?" He had to ask, had to gather all answers before he could sort them out, gather them together and analyse them. Scientist-at-work-mode again.

"Well , isn't that obvious? You are the brains around here - hell it's you're thesis. See it! If I weren't a sentinel, you would never have found me. And now you think you're even in love with me. And " voice dropping to a whisper now: "worst is, I'm in love with you. Fuck, a few hours ago I came just smelling your scent. I've never experienced something that intense - not with Caroline, not while under the influence of pheromones, and certainly not at all with Wendy." Hidden tears seemed to strangle the big man: "We are out of control, Chief. This Sentinel-Guide-thing has taken over. This I meant with Burtons curse. We have to fight this - whatever it is. Please Blair, we can't just go with the flow." He was pleading now, reaching over the table to clasp Blair's hand.

Before skin could touch skin he wavered, hand hovering over hand, then held back and grabbed the edge of the kitchen-table instead.

Blair almost fainted with relief. < He loves me; he just admitted it. He said a lot of bullshit, but he also said that he loves me... > With a familiar gesture he brought his hands to his head, then waved them in an attempt to catch the world's attention - and his world was Jim at the moment and he wasn't going to change that anytime in the future. < What a load of crap you've just been saying- no - can't point it out that way > "Jim, man, sounds as if you've been around anthropologists too much. Burton says nothing about sexual relationships - and, man, I mean he took notes about everything ; down to what plants were used to induce trances."

"Is that the reason why you are feeding me all sorts of teas, Chief?" < Good, he's getting his humor back! >

"But I take it, Chief, that Burton was a member of the nineteenth century - a timespan not particularly known for being uninhibited. He most probably would not have dared to write about sexual relationships; even more so male-male involvement."

< gotcha > Blair decided at that point not to talk about this one paragraph in Burtons diaries telling about horrid sexual preferences between two subjects. This attitude was solely to blame on the 19.th century. Instead he pointed out: "On the contrary: Anthropology and the fine arts like painting or sculpturing were about the only branches of study where it was allowed to picture the naked body at that time. Not even medicine was that liberal, thanks to the suspected interference with the will of God. You know, man - people die of diseases, they go to God - let them. At that time one of the perks of anthropology was that greedy old men could write about, talk about and paint sex maintaining a superior point of view. The white explorer sitting in judgement over the poor heathens." Jim *was* actually smiling at that. Good lecture.

"I've never pictured you as a greedy old man, Chief"

Blair bristled in mock annoyance."Hey, nowadays we have fellow gradstudents we can resort to."

"Then why don't you, Blair? Resort to a fellow gradstudent?"

"Cause I'm in love with you"

"Cause you - as my Guide - can't help it."

"This is getting old, man. Hey - I hate to break this to you, but you know, you're not my first Sentinel." He let that sink in.

Surprised blue eyes met his. The Big Guy had not thought about that, obviously. Don't stop while winning; With another wide handgesture he continued "I mean, truth is, Jim, you're the first full fledged Sentinel I've ever met, but I have been in search for supernatural senses for about four years now. There were some others, namely this one Sentinel who had sight, smell and taste - which seem to go together every time by the way - and touch. Boy " he smiled at the memory "We worked together for about one year, she was great. Gorgeous, in fact. Not very intelligent - a waitress, Michelle, really sweet but almost no brains. There was no attraction at all between the two of us. No genetic urge; in fact, no urge at all - no Burtons curse."

He paused just for effect, then snickered: "When she finally found a boyfriend who promised to supervise and guide her, he almost dehydrated on her sense of touch in the first month."

Jim's alleviated laugh made Blair's temperature rise. A bit. Then the detective confirmed with doubt in his voice: "So you say we *could* fight this ... attraction, if we wanted to?"

< Now he's got it; I think, he's got it - so : Time for the next step > "Do you want to?"

< Oh, baby, after what happened the night ago, I'm helpless > "I don't think so - you?"

< snort: now, that I have in reach what I dreamed for, what I searched for in one woman after another? > "Definitely not."

Jim's hand was covering his now, < when did that happen? Not that I mind >, his thumb sensually caressed the younger mans skin and they painfully felt the separation the table created.

And then the phone rang.

"Chief, we'll never figure this out, when your ex-girlfriends keep calling"

"I know, I know, " reluctantly Blair pushed himself up, keeping his hand as long as possible under Jim's still caressing finger. "I'll make a statement though. She'll realise." And with a sudden impish grin that lightened his face he went to the phone: "Ellison's property here"

"Sandburg?!"

"Ngh, Simon! uhm - wait a sec, Jim..." He waved the receiver contritely. Jim cuffed his head, somehow letting the amicable punishment appear like another caress. "Imp" he huffed, then "Ellison"

"Ellison's property? What was that all about? On second thought: Do I really want to know what all that was about?"

"I don't think so, Captain" "Well, Sandburg living a very complicated life again? In that case... anyhow: Don't come to the office, go straight to the junk-yard on Harbour Lane. Sticky's. They found our car there. Crime lab should be there in about an hour or two, it being saturday. Oh and take your *property* with you."

"Very funny, Sir" But only the continuing beep of a dead line answered him.

"I don't guess he gave us the weekend off?" Blair was already clearing the table from the remainings of their burnt breakfast, almost untouched.

"Not really. Sticky's it is. They found our car."

"Say, when we're through with police-business, I'll have to go to the U for preparing a lesson on monday. Could you bring me?"

"Course. And gimme a call when schoolwork gets too boring, I'll pick you up again."

"Aww, man, ya know, schoolwork never gets boring, but thanks anyhow. I'll just get a few books I'll need."

It was a few books, the notebook, some files and two copybooks and Jim couldn't help arching a brow, when the kid finally decided he had collected everything and was ready to go.

"You sure you haven't forgotten anything?"

"Nnno , don't think so..."

"Oh, you mean, you really won't need your magazines, photoalbums, and those boxes with notes you try to hide under your bed?"

"Naww, next time maybe - when you offer to help me carry all that stuff." Now they both chuckled happily, Jim squeezing the smaller mans shoulder, Blair leaning into that touch while they headed for the truck.

**********

Once in the truck Blair decided to push his luck and turned on the radio. While looking for a proper station the gruff voice of Captain Banks caught their attention. "...Major Crimes is following a few leads. And for now the strict surveillance of the whole red light district obviously has prevented another crime."

"What the..so this was the press departments call about... Hold the station."

Then a distinct male voice, coated in provocation, stated: "Or you just have not found the body yet - just like the first victim you haven't been able to discover until yesterday - Sethner was her name , wasn't it?"

"That's Underway. How did he get that interview. And what about the gun you smelled on him? " "Well he has no gun license - of course not - with his previous conviction...And now a convicted murderer is mocking police work. I can't believe it!" "Jim, that man has served his sentence"

"Yeah - and up til now he's our only suspect." Well , not much to debate about that.

*************

Sticky proved to be a more than apt nom de guerre for the manager of the junk yard. The little middle aged man reeked of sweat, his sweater had not seen other than rainwater for at least a year. His clammy fingers wiped almost constantly over stained jeans as he tried to appear being a picture of offended honesty, coming closer to the detective with every word he said, making the Sentinel sneeze while he wrinkled his nose. No, he hadn't known that Smithee most probably was a fake name. No, he did never buy stolen cars - of course not. And yes, Mr. Smithee could be the guy on the photo < When had the Sentinel had the time to collect Underways photograph from records? > and would you now please take that damned car and do with it whatever you want to.

To give the suffering Sentinel some privacy to do his work Blair jostled Sticky into the man's office and was presented not only with an equally dirty cup filled with something close to coffee which he decided not to touch but also with the story of all the inconveniences each and every official has ever put poor innocent Sticky through.

Twenty minutes later Blair decided that now he had suffered enough too and went to join his Sentinel who by now was leaning into the car through the passenger door kneeling on the ground and steadying himself with the other knee on the bottom of the car, with that blocking out effectively outward intrusions. He sensed his Guide the moment Sandburg sneaked about the car, never getting his eyes off the back of the passenger seat. His gloved hands swayed over the fabric of the backrest in tandem with his glances, never quite touching, never missing so much as a millimeter of space. Then this sensitive hands with the slender fingers hovered over a special spot his eyes had targeted.

"Sandburg - get me one of the plastic envelopes. They're in the inner pocket of my jacket. I don't dare to take my eyes off of what I've found so not to lose it."

To achieve this task Blair had to climb over the crouched body from behind, had to kind of hug Jim so that his hand was able to get the jacket open. While his own body started to react to the closeness of Jim's hard form under him with accelerated heartbeat he reached blindly into said pocket. < mmmh, never knew that he's so ...> hot, muscled ...

"The envelope, Sandburg" His fishing fingers stumbled over something small, rectangular, with rippled edges, a small raise in the form of an oval in the middle of it. < A condom??? Jimmieboy.... > He muffled a giggle, the sound coming out as a small cough. Thankfully his fingers finally found one of the transparent envelopes, he pulled it out, opened it and held it out for Jim. The bigger man took a deep breath < would it be like that when we're in bed together - stop thinking 'bout that RIGHT NOW > then started to pluck at the fabric with still gloved fingers finally shoving something into that envelope and closing it carefully.

"Now Blair, what was it that you have seen just right now?"

< Oh, the witness thing again. Now, Sandburg, move away from Jim's body even if it hurts and try to concentrate - that's police work and you know that it's important. > "Ummm, when I was close enough to take a look, you were searching the back of the passenger seat scanning with both your eyes and hands - and gloved hands"

"Good, but - scanning? What am I - Mr. Spock?"

"More like Number One, you know - twenty years later. " "Hmmpf, go on "

"then you stopped your movement, picked up something with still gloved fingers and dropped it into an evidence-bag." A quick glance at the transparent plastic in his hand, a surprised "it's a thread."

"Exactly Blair - a pink thread. Now, you're the kinky one around here considering fashion: Would even someone like you wear that kind of pink?" a disgusted noise answered his question. "Thought so. Now, suppose, it's Underways car; suppose, he denies that any of the victims ever were in this car. Then this might be our sole proof cause - much as I hate to remind you - the woman we found yesterday wore something pink on her upper body."

Moments later cars drove into the junkyard; Crime lab arriving with all the hustle a major police action can cause. And Sticky - in search for another one to listen to his stories - tailed them < mercy > - "Go get to the truck already, Chief, I'll hurry, cause I'm starving. Seems our breakfast was not satisfying as for the food."

"Yeah", very soft voice, bedroom-voice, trailing away dreamily, his smile matching Jim's.

"Don't yeah me right now, Blair. There's still business to do." Then louder: "Hey Simmons - take this evidence, and compare it to each piece of clothing of last nights victim, OK."

"Eagle-Eye Ellison. Already done all the work or is there still something left to do for us?"

"Sure" The Sentinel pointed to the base of the rear-view mirror and to a point on the window close to the passenger-seat. "Here and there are fingerprints. Be careful, seem to be the only ones. Enjoy your weekend" he teased, getting into the truck with that avoiding another interlude with the smells of Sticky.

*************

Come on Jim, it's somewhere round here"

"Hadn't we had that once before? And didn't it lead to arson?"

"Yeah, but it's worth it again. Hey, I know, that your Sentinel-sense of hunger has taken over hours ago, but you'll be glad. Now turn right, over there!"

They stopped in front of a small diner and Blair sent a prayer to every god he knew. It *had* been more than three years. But when they took a seat in one of the booths it showed that one of Blair's gods had obviously received the proper offering: approaching them was a stunning blonde, green eyes, long hair, slim waist, that all of a sudden buried Blair in an enormous hug, cradling his head between two gorgeous breasts. Jim was starting to feel sick while Blair said something that sounded like "hmph, huumnnumpf, mihuumph". The woman laughed, releasing her victim: "it's good to see you, too, Blair".

"Jim, let me introduce you to Michelle" Jim did not think he was hungry any more. This was the other Sentinel! In spite of his feelings he nodded courtly.

"Michelle, how's what was his name - Richard? "

"When he got sick of playing the guide after almost a year, he left for good. But now there's Johnny. He's cute - and a great guide. Oh, well, never mind. I'll bring you something for breakfast - on the house. OK?"

"She is stunning indeed..."

"Yeah, and quite setting ones theeth on edge. No wonder, her guides decide to run once in a while."

"I would not let you go that easy, Chief"

"I would not run like that. I know that sounds strange coming from Mr Flavour-of-the-month, but it seems I kept running all the time, because I've never found what I was looking for. This time it's different. Even without sex the relationship with you is more than I ever experienced with a woman. Quite frightening for me..."

"For me too. I want this for keeps, but I'm terrified that I'll fail you just like I failed Caroline. Though I never trusted her as much as I trust you."

"Cheer up, guys, coffee, bagles, eggs and creamcheese coming. Enjoy" with that Michelle swayed away, and even Jim felt good enough by now to smile with Blair at the sight of her pretty rear view. She really was gorgeous. This time both of them got distracted. A bit.

***************

The rest of the day passed uneventful. Simon just spared a glance when Jim arrived alone at the station after dropping Blair plus books etc. at the U.

"Ellison, where's " At Jim's blank look the Captain decided not to piss off Cascades finest, "Sandburg?" "At the U. He *has* a life outside the police-force." He continued typing. "Chemical analyses won't be back till monday, the comparison of the fingerprints will require at least 24 hours. What about a shadow for Mr. Radio? What about a sunday off?"

"Underway is still under surveillance and will be the next few days. By the way he was recommended by Wendy." He put a little emphasis on the n ame and smiled when Jim closed his eyes, telltale muscle in his jaw jumping. Time to make nice: "And you take your day off. I don't wanna see you till monday."

***************

In the end it took Jim another two hours to fix everything up. Simon was at Ryfs desk talking to him and Brown, when Ellison's phone finally rang. And then it required a lot of willpower from Banks to concentrate on business-talk with Ryf and not listen to the "...No, I'll pick you up. I promised, remember ... Well, you *could* cook ... All right, I'll buy groceries ... yeah, half an hour then ... See you Chief ..."

< He was never that caring with Caroline - on the other hand - Caroline never seemed to be the caring type to me. - Tough woman, that. Well, well, where did that comparison come from? And amazing, how fast Ellison clears his desk. >

"Ellison, you allowed to go?"

"Well Ryf, if you had a partner who does all the paperwork, you'd be able to get home too."

At that Ryf laughed, turned to his partner: "Brown, why aren't you a Sandburg-clone?" "Cause my hair is not curly enough!" The big black man swayed a hand over his minute curls, smirked.

"All right, partner, how bout pizza, then? My treat!"

"Oh Captain, please, may we go too? It's Ryf-Halleys-comet-treat. Due next time in about fivehundred years."

"What are you two still doing here? Ellison's already gone. I'll hold the fort this weekend."

Jim was still smiling when he started the truck.

*************

Blair felt a little awkward - things to come casting their shadows before. He had fixed his statement at his computer before Jim came, now they were shopping groceries together and he tensed a bit when he saw the two bottles of white wine Jim had picked. "Don't worry, Chief, that's just - it'll go fine with the grilled crabfish and vegetables." Jim shrugged.

"But it's so expensive..."

"It's a fine vintage - you'll like it."

************

Then they were at home - still feeling awkward - a bit - when Jim ordered: "I'll cut, you cook." And at this habitual ritual Blair visibly calmed at last. Dinner went well - and the wine *was* extraordinary. After putting away the dishes, Jim sighed and turned to his tense-again young Guide.

"Listen Blair - I won't push. I'm not expecting anything blatant from you. If you're not comfortable ..."

"Thank you. It's not that I don't want - I want - I really want - I thought about it all day. I just don't know what. Gods, I feel like I'm fifteen again and a virgin." He blushed, then made a disgusted little noise at his own inadequacy.

"But you are, Blair" that maddening chuckle again. "Just tell me what you feel like doing, and it'll be okay. Do you want to cuddle on the couch? Or..."

"Yes, but - do you think ... Would it be all right for me to sleep in your bed tonight?" He blurted out while his hands pushed back his errant curls from a heated face. "I mean, just sleep, just to get aquainted to the feel..."

The voice that answered him was soft with suppressed need "Does that mean, I can be close to you?" "It means that *I'll* be close to *you*. Does that make me a tease?"

"It makes me feel trusted. Whatever you want Blair - it's your call."

"I trust you Jim - with everything that is me." A deep sigh - "I think I'll take a shower, and if you really don't mind, I'll come to your bed then."

"Would you do something for me?"

"Anything"

"Don't use any soaps or shampoos with your shower."

"The herbal conditioner Ok?"

A smile: "yeah, I like this smell; - and please - wear sweatpants tonight." The big man bowed his head, face blushing.

Blair's shower was short and cold.

He was still toweling his hair, sweatpants on, when Jim joined him in the bathroom. "You might want to go upstairs already" He started to undress, with that effectively shooing Blair off. "Can't have him see you yet, can we?" He carried his aching erection into the shower. Being surrounded by the scent of Blair for once really helped. Taking a deep breath Jim thought about the man he could hear climbing into the big bed right now. He turned on the spray. Thousands and thousands of drops of water caressed his skin and muffled his moan. Blair in his bed. He let the water run down his back, small streams trickling down his cleft, over his balls, while he bent forward. < Blair in my bed > He came unceremoniously. < Good, that gave back a measure of control. I'll manage to not only go to bed with Blair but actually get some sleep. >

In fact it turned out to be better than either of them had anticipated. They were both more than a little nervous when Jim climbed into the kingsized sleeping place. The big man stretched on one side of the bed when from beneath damp curls on the other side a small questioning voice called for attention "Would it be all right for me to come closer?"

As an answer Jim reached out and pulled Blair to his chest. For the first time he felt Blair's skin, Blair's body without the anthropologist being drugged, shot or hit on the head. His smell was almost intoxicating, solely Blair, no soap, that one heartbeat reassuringly strong. While the younger man snuggled closer into his embrace with a content sigh, he startet to comb through Blair's damp hair with his long fingers.

Blair had to admit it: He was really, really nervous. But on the other hand he really, really wanted everything he could get from Jim. So he let himself been pulled into an embrace, head resting on the Big Guys broad, muscled chest. He felt Jim's skin ripple every time his breath brushed over it. Even without sentinel senses he smelled the clean male scent, almost like the fragrance of a perfume. Now he understood why the Sentinel had asked him not to use soap. He sighed contently when Jim started to work his strong fingers through his hair.

Exhaustion took over and Blair slipped into sleep feeling cherished, protected and for once loved without reservation. Jim watched the sleeping form in his arms till even Sentinel eyes could no longer stay open any more.

**************

**************

The panther crouched in the shadows of the bedroom and closed his eyes while his low purr hummed the two men to sleep.

**************

**************

The first glances of the morning sun found Blair still snuggled against Jim's hard body. The first thing the young man noticed was the early light that tickled his eyelids. His sentinels scent and his own had grown stronger during the night and by now created a comforting aroma filling the upstairs bedroom. Jim's hand was still in his hair.

Blair relutantly opened his eyes, looked up and met ice-blue fire. "Morning, Jim " < Gods, how husky can a voice sound after sleep > "What are you doing up already?"

"Actually I have to go to the can - but I couldn't make myself wake you up. You're beautiful when you're asleep; Has anybody told you that yet?"

"Noone except my mother has ever had the opportunity to watch me sleep. You shouldn't have..." "Hey, ssshhh, you're awake now. So I'll go now."

When the big man stepped out of the bathroom after cleaning himself a little he barged into a bouncing Blair who swooshed to the toilet closing the door behind him with a sound thud. "go back to bed, Jim, I'll join you there in a minute - it's just too early to stay awake on a day off."

He heard Jim's happy chuckle ascending the stairs. While the water flushed he rinsed his mouth, then washed himself and ran up the stairs again. He crawled eagerly under the blanket trying to get as close as possible to the hot strength of the bigger man. Again he was hugged into a tight embrace and enjoyed the feel of it. Just when Jim thought that the warm body resting in his arms had relaxed into sleep again, Blair's muffled voice came from the vicinity of his big chest: "Jim, Uhmm , would it be all right if I kissed you?"

The embrace tightened for a second then relaxed again as Jim's face came close to his "It would be wonderful, Chief"

Their lips touched and all that Blair could think was < this strong lips are so soft, so sensual - there's beardstubble!! - he's so loving > his small moan opened his lips and he reached out with his tongue to get more of those soft yet strong lips.

< Aaaahh, his tongue > Jim deepened that sweet kiss at the same time opening his embrace to show his guide an escape-route. But Blair was past escaping. < the big Guy certainly knows how to kiss - he's stroking my tongue now - I can do that too. mmhh that growl is pure candy. gods, he's sucking my lower lip. Gods, what he does to me with just a kiss... Must be a sentinels sense of kiss >.

Another kiss and yet another one, then Blair raised his hand and with just the tips of his fingers he caressed Jim's jawline, feathered the fine skin of the Sentinel's neck, then outlined an earlobe till he found that special spot behind the ear where that short cropped hair started. Another deep growl rumbled through Jim's chest. "May I touch you, Chief? Just above, ya know, the waisband?" A desperate plead. Lips blindly seeking Jim's, the kiss hard and demanding. Then "Yesyesyes" panting with need. Blair arched into Jim's touch. When Sentinel-fingers brushed across his nipples he gasped in pleasure, then opened his eyes. He saw the *man* panting above him, his total masculinity more arousing than any woman's female softness ever had been. He forced himself to acknowledge it being a man that gave him all that pleasure and the thought alone almost undid him then and there. < concentrate, NOW, Sandburg > Then while sensitive fingers who seemed to have a live of their own turned his nipples into ecstasy-aching pebbles: "Jim, why aren't you smiling?" "Can't, this is too important; *you* are - everything..."

So the young Guide decided to take the next step, guiding his Sentinel as little as his own inexperience in this special field made it possible to him. After brushing over Jim's nipples < deep groan - deep groan by Jim is good > his hand found it's way down that wonderful hard chest, smooth, hairless, skin like silk, < mmh, the navel there, circle it, another kiss, taste those lips, gods, under the navel starts HAIR! > He could not help himself any longer: he janked Jim's sweatpants down.

"BLAIR!" Urgency in the voice "don't wanna frighten you, Chief; afraid I can't stop!" "Don't have to" Bedroom voice, deep. Then Blair cupped Jim's fiercely erect member, the Sentinel threw his head back, cried out and came. Though he was hotter than hell for the big man, Blair quivered a little at the strange sensation of semen that was not his own coating his hand and both their bellys. But he put his own little touch of fear aside when Jim bent his head, letting it rest on Blair's chest.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry, didn't want to frighten you, but I couldn't help it" Still panting, shivering.

"No, Jim, *I'm* sorry" embarrassment taking over: "that it's ... kind of ... over, you know, for you..."

A happy, still breathles s chuckle: "Speak for yourself; I just blew off some steam. It'll never so much as wane after that first time. Don't worry".

< No worry indeed. If anything, that magical dick has just become bigger. - Now how does he taste? > Engrossed in his contemplation Blair slowly brought his semen-covered hand to his lips, smelled it cautiously, flicked his tongue out, licked with catlike strokes. What a taste. A bit salty, thick. Licked his hand clean.

"Blair!! What ..." < Gods, gotta have Jim's mouth again. > And so he drowned any further reply with a fierce kiss that deepened even more when Jim's shaky hand slipped in between his belly and the waistband of his sweats. Blair obeyed immediatly by arching his hips into this touch, never breaking that sweet battle of tongues. Next thing he felt was cool air on his ass and he struggled to push the pants off his feet and out of the bed.

That task achieved Blair pressed his whole body against Jim's, hairy chest rubbing sensually to smooth skin that covered hard muscles. Sweat and semen seemed to glue them together, provided sufficient lubricant for their cocks to slide together without pain. < that jerking in his cock - gods, do I do that to him? He's so hard - *I'm* so hard; don't know where he ends and I start... > Another of Blair's moans breathed through their kiss into Jim's mouth and he felt the big man shudder. He didn't think he could move right now, every bone in his body turning into something heavy, immobile, shivering.

Jim broke the kiss, propped himself on his left arm in an attempt not to crush the smaller man. Blair, dazed and confused by the sudden interruption, opened his eyes. So dilated, that the normal blue was blotted out. As if in pain he squeezed them halfshut "What?" The small worried voice brought Jim back from marvelling over Blair's kiss-swollen lips, the harsh panting and the sweet sweat that was captured between the morning stubble. He started to trail small, hot kisses down an earlobe, gently suckling on the cool rings there. With the hard tip of his tongue he followed Blair's jawline, then buried his face in the crook of Blair's neck where those soft curls provided a pillow. < Inhale this scent, *his* scent > Tenderly he nibbled sweat off the younger man's skin, enjoying the feel of Blair's groan that vibrated under his questing lips. He shivered with joy when that mild-mannered man in his bed grabbed his biceps with fingers that tried to establish a little bit of control, not bothering if he left a bruise. "mmmhh, love, let me pleasure you..." "Oh yeah , Jim , do it, do anything. pleeease"

One hand clenched on Jim's arm, the other one splayed over the back of the taller man's head constantly caressing that velvety close-crop, Blair pressed that face < those clear , chiseled features, classical in their male beauty> to his body, grunting and freezing into immobility when Jim's lips found a nipple. "Blair, you still with me?" < I don't think so - but what a way to go > "mmh Mmmmhh" "Good, I'm just starting" < He's biting his way down my stomach and still there's this pleasure-pain radiating from my nipple ... oh, hand, his hand is doing this >.

< god, this is a gift - he is not even moaning any longer, just panting - good sound - wonder what he's doing if I lick his navel - arching - mmmmh - not breathing any more! > "Blair!" Almost sobbing Blair sucked in a new gulp of air. Jim's hard slick cock rubbed sensually along Blair's leg undulating slowly, while the Sentinel licked his way down to the inner thighs where softest skin met curly pubic hair. Another shudder, his mouth watered over the most erotic smell of pre-ejaculate and sweat and Blair - he had to have more of it - and so he sucked in first one then the other of Blair's balls.

The younger man started to groan again - incessently. The hand, that still clutched his upper arm, now surely left a bruise. "Just let me pleasure you Blair, Baby" With the wet tip of his tongue he teased the base of that hot hard meat that trickled clear fluid down the shaft. The Guides whole body quivered by now and Blair started to undulate his hips.

< quite impressive, really > Jim followed the thick vein upwards along the erect cock till - < God no prepuce, that swollen head pointing at me, of course - he's jewish, dumbo; will he feel it as intense as I do? > He flicked his tongue over the small slit to collect the clear drops constantly trickling, then probed the tip into that tiny hole - in and out, in and out again always in time with Blair's undulations. < deep, deep moan - he feels it >

But soon it was not enough for him: His mouth closed over the fat head of that marvellous cock. At the same moment Blair stopped every movement as if not to break the spell - Truth was the poor boy concentrated hard on breathing - and an artikel about especially boring counting rites a south american tribe had developed. Then this particularly embarrassing moment was over and Blair plunged again into a pool of ecstasy, while Jim took more and more of his dick into his mouth. Then the massive body shifted, Jim drew a deep breath through his nose and exhaling took all of that dripping cock down his throat.

Never - not in his wildest dreams - Blair had ever imagined such pleasures. Every atom of his body shivered in time with the throbbing of his penis and just when he thought that it could not get any better it did.

Buried deep in Jim's mouth he felt his cock pulsating with every move the Sentinel made. He felt his sac tighten and once again gripped Jim's biceps - and then Jim stopped. With a wail of protest he tried to continue the movement himself - being so close - but the Sentinel clamped down on him, immobilizing him till the burning fire decreased to a bearable hot glow again. And then Jim started again. And stopped again. And started again. When he stopped for the third time Blair actually sobbed: "Jim , man, I'm gonna come just thinking that I cum..." It didn't make much sense but hell... It seemed to satisfy Jim cause the bigger man brought a hand to Blair's mouth, urging him to suck on his fingers. And Blair complied with that urging, the need to suck on *something* almost overwhelming.

Jim chuckled and the vibrations of that sound started to melt Blair again. Finally, finally the Sentinel released the gentle yet strong grip on Blair. One of his wetted fingers found it's way to his guides anus, pressed in.

Desperate in his need to cum the junger man bucked violently at first, then thrust once, revelling in the double stimulation sending pleasure-fire through his ass. He felt Jim swallowing his swollen member, drove it yet a little deeper into that glorious throat and "JIM!!!" spilled. With a grunt the Sentinel tightened his lips around the base of the cock and milked every last drop of cum Blair was able to give. The deathgrip on Jim's biceps loosened.

The Guide opened his eyes - he *had * to watch.- when the Sentinel reluctantly let go of his softening cock, a fine thread of saliva the last conection between penis and lips, while Jim's fiery eyes met his. Weakly he tugged at the bigger man to get those lips in reach, to kiss him, to taste himself while stroking Jim's tongue with his own.

"I'll never be able to return that favour..."

"Blair, Baby , you already have by letting me make love to you. "

"No" with his whole body he rolled Jim over, all the time feeling the still fiercly erect penis of the older man digging into his hips, then his belly. He straddled the bigger man, with the movement pressing that throbbing dick against his belly , rubbing it gently. Then he pushed himself upwards, helped by a smooth thrust of Jim's hips, to claim another kiss, his curls sheltering the classical features of his Sentinel like a curtain. "Blair, " another kiss " Baby, you don't have to".

Another deep kiss the only answer, then he started to grip and release thosse big muscles on that broad heavy chest. He kneaded them while his tongue outlined the nipples till they were pebbly hard and glistening with saliva. Now it was the Sentinel's turn to moan. Each lick a tease, each strand of hair like a deliberate caress, his penis trickling, rubbing over heated skin, he had to open his eyes to confirm that this was Blair - who had never been with a man before - who just right now licked his way down his ribcage. The younger man stopped just briefly at his still sticky stomach < please, don't shy away, you've already tasted my semen, remember? Please love > then with a flat tongue Blair started to deftly clean that stomach making soft approving noises. Like Jim had done it before Blair avoided the straining cock at first, licking round the base, taking his sweet time, gently biting and pulling at the pubic hair, brown, curly - what a nice contrast to the hairless, clean chest. That same broad tongue was now laving the heavy sac < he *is* big here > , the motion moving the balls inside , too. The tip of the tongue found the perfect middle of the sac and traced that especially sensitive line upwards. Jim spread his legs a little further.

The Sentinel was on the verge of zoning out. Admittedly he had experienced male-male sex, but always had paid for it during his time in vice. There had never been gentleness or even such a thing like consideration for the other one - and he had kept it that way , thinking of it as just another kick in a sex-life that had grown shallow on him. Now he lost control over the smell of Blair's musk and sweat, the taste of Blair's semen, the feel of Blair's skin, the sight of Blair's flushed face and the sounds of Blair's wet tongue licking and laving and he loved it. Then this tongue finally found his cock.

Blair surely did not believe that he would be able to swallow *that* *whole* *thing*. < greek-statue-body my ass. They weren't half as pronounced in that area. > Although it had almost the right proportions in comparison with the rest of that tall body. Well, almost. Deep breath < what a smell > . He surprised himself with getting hard again and shifted his body , feet resting on a pillow , snuggling in a 96-position against Jim's chest , nudging his renewed erection against the heated skin of the man at his side. Blair's fist circled the big cock - well, at least the base of it - and clenched it rhythmically. Jim cried out . < NO, don't want to come yet. Blair! His ass next to me - when did he change position? perfect little ass, perfect little opening. Concentrate, damn it. wanna hold you tight, wanna shove ma finger in you > And so he did.

The forward momentum of that finger penetrating his tight muscle ring pushed Blair's open mouth over that throbbing dick. Jim cried out again. The Guide growling deep in his throat, let his tongue seek out carefully, slipped it's tip into that small space where the foreskin gave way to the swollen head. In between he circled the cock-head, swallowing the pre-cum and all the while feeling that maddening finger moving in and out of his ass. Over the roar of his pounding blood in his ears he could still hear the constant moans of the Sentinel. He took more and more of this wonderful cock into his mouth, moving his lips up and down the two thirds of it's length he was able to take , at the same time rubbing his own wet dick against Jim's rippled side tumbling fast to a second orgasm.

Jim felt like being in heaven: Blair's hot mouth engulfed the only important part of his body , Blair's eager ass at his side, his finger impaling the panting and groaning young man - or was that he groaning? Whatever. Another thrust < god, he sssuckss now, aaahhh > His whole body tensed at Blair's ministrations - including that one finger which accidentally scraped along the prostrate once more. Hot thick liquid spurted over Jim's ribcage: a cloud of Blair-scent, Blair-semen rose and that together with another deep suck was enough to send the Sentinel over the edge. He bucked his hips: "Blair! NOW! Get away!!!" But the young Guide stayed. And swallowed. And swallowed again. True, he almost choked at the violent spurts of cum that did not stop while Jim's body cramped and cramped in pleasure - but *he* had done that to Jim < must have done something right > Another spurt - now he'd recovered enough to swallow again.

The Sentinel fell back on his pillow after another wave of pleasure had hit him. His heart was racing. Blair had sucked him dry. His young Guide finally released his softening cock, rested his head on Jim's thigh , still panting, sweaty, eyes half closed, semen trickling from the corner of this lushious mouth. That drop caught Jim's attention. When he concentrated he could actually see every single spermatozoon in this fluid. < yup, senses still here > A tongue broke the concentration. Blair's tongue, licking away that drop with almost obscene carelessness. Very erotic. A shudder shook Jim's body. Another blob of semen escaped his now almost flaccid penis - and again that tongue licked it clean.

"You're" Jim had to swallow hard to get his vocal chords to function again. - The things hard breathing do to you ... - "You're amazing. I never expected you to..." at a loss of words again.

"Neither did I". Damp hair curling even more, clinging to a sweaty forehead; a shaky breath drawn in, eyes suddenly wide, Blair whispered "Did you ... umm... I mean ... like it?"

As an answer Jim sat, a small drop of sweat trickling down his nose as he bent forward, and with the utmost care - as if not to break either the man whose head still rested wearily on his thigh or the cloud of the scent of lovemaking that had created a spell around them, he reached out and pulled the limp man into a tight embrace. Lying back again, he draped Blair to cover his own body totally , then cradled that head with those smokey-blue eyes between his strong hands. They seemed to shake a bit, though. He placed a gentle, and - surprising after what they just did - almost chaste kiss on those luscious lips. In an instant Blair took advantage of his position, by sheer force of will putting more weight on his upper body, melting into the muscled chest beneath him and plunged onto the lips of his Sentinel. He opened his mouth invitatingly and was rewarded with lots of tongue and very satisfying small noises. When they broke apart to do such unnecessary things like breathing , mischief glistened in the younger man's eyes "You *did* like what I did, didn't ya?"

"I love you, Blair" A simple statement , no smile.

The grin faded from Blair's lips, swollen from their kisses, " I haven't said it yet, tonight , I mean: I love you, Jim"

Then, after a moment of thought "Ya know, man, it's kinda funny. I don't wanna go anywhere. That's quite a statement coming from Mr. I'm outta here cause my partner's waiting at home. I'm home, in the arms of said partner and I love the feeling. " Jim didn't say a word to interrupt but he knew that Blair did not need sentinel senses to hear his heartbeat accelerate with every word he said.

"I'm scared, though" Blair continued, "But even that just adds to an overwhelming feeling of ... contentment. You know, I even welcome that fear cause so I won't get careless."

"What is it you're scared of, Baby?"

"Will I change? Will anybody elsse find out about us and what will we do then?"

"I'm afraid you *will* change - not into some gay cartoon-character of course. But already you seem more calm to me than ever. You glow; your smile is even more open."

A soft sigh, then Blair snuggled even closer into Jim's chest - "The same goes for you, Big Guy . At least Simon will know the difference. Your eyes have softened somehow..."

"Simon's my friend. If it's OK with you , I'd like to tell him. I'll feel better if he knows. And not only cause he'll help if and when there's any kind of harassement at the departement. I don't intend to lie about us - just - let's deal with it one at a time. Other than that ... "

"Other than that, let's keep it discreet. My doctorfather is not the most openminded person in the world. Maybe I'll tell a few freinds..."

Gradually exhaustion took over. They fell asleep without even realizing it. Even in his sleep Jim held his Guide in a protective embrace. Even in his sleep Blair dreamt to smile up at his Sentinel.