Title: A Sentinel Misunderstanding

Author: Angelee

Summary: A Sentinel Misunderstand

Note: Sequel to It’s in the Holding

A Sentinel Misunderstanding

"Blair?"

"Yes, Jim?" Blair asked innocently.

"Put down the cookie and step away from the cookie tray and no one gets hurt."

"Ah, Jim it was only one cookie," Jim glared at him, arms crossed. "I swear it was only one cookie." The Sentinel continued to glare. "Alright it was three, it was three cookies. I promise not to do it again. Don't hurt me. Please don't hurt me." Blair whined at his Sentinel falling to his knees in front of him as he begged for mercy oh-so-prettily.

Jim started to laugh. Someone as stoically refined as Jim did not giggle, but to Blair it sounded like giggling. It was quite a change from the purring Jim had been doing and or hissing, snarling and such when annoyed or very angry. Jim still purred though. Late at night when they lay curled together on the bed they shared. It was really nice to have a real conversation with his Sentinel. Still they seemed to understand each other before in an odd sort of way.

"Simon's going to be so surprised that you’re talking."

"Yeah," Jim told him with a happy smile. "Hey, what do you want to do with Yoda? We spent a lot of time putting him together and I don't want him to get broken." Back in cleaning mode for their party.

Blair got up off the floor. "I don't know. How about we put him on the windowsill so people can see him and he's relatively safe?"

"Good idea."

The whole Sentinel ward has been invited to the Christmas party. All the Sentinels with and those without Guides. All the nurses, doctors, everyone Blair could find to invite. Even the Sentinel Guards that'd taken care of Jim that fateful day he'd gone to the mall with Simon. The day when Jim and Blair's life had changed forever. As far as Blair was concerned for the better.

"Jim?"

"Yeah?" Jim turned from straightening the bed for the sixth time.

"What now?"

"What do you mean?"

"What happens now that you’re talking?" Jim's blue eyes suddenly held an edge of fear. Blair busy putting more cookies on the tray didn't see it. "I got life. You got a life. Where do we go from here?"

The Sentinel felt as if his world was suddenly spinning out of control. He'd just found his Guide. He'd been given the brass ring to have it violently pulled away from him. Without Blair, without his Guide, he'd die. He'd never felt so alone. Not even when his senses were driving him half mad with pain. Oh, god. Oh, god. Blair wanted to leave him. He'd felt so alone, so alone. The loneliness was devastating. It hurt.

"I...I…d...do… don't un...understand," Was all he could manage to say unable to hide the tremor in his voice.

Blair suddenly realizing what he’d done, hurried to his Sentinel. "NO. No, Jim. That's not what I meant. I'd never leave you," He told Jim wrapping his arms around him from behind, burying his face against the broad back. "All I meant was do I live with you? Do you live with me?" He asked, his voice muffled again the soft sweater. Heartbroken by the fine tremors he was feeling. He'd hurt his Sentinel deeply.

"Oh, God. I never meant to hurt you. Not ever. Not even if you push me away. I'll sneak into wherever you're at and hide under the bed if I have to."

Jim covered Blair's arms with his own. "You won't have to do anything that drastic." He told his Guide shakily. "But I suppose we should talk about what comes next."

Blair pulled free to face his Sentinel. Noticing the pale face and the very fine sheet of sweat covering Jim’s handsome face. "I hurt you. I never meant to hurt you," He said sadly. He reached up to pull Jim's head down to rain butterfly kisses on his cheeks, forehead, eyes, nose, and chin. Ending with a tender kiss on the waiting lips. "I'm sorry. So very sorry."

Jim sighed giving himself to Blair's healing touch. "I know."

"I'll watch how I word stuff from now on. I'm such an idiot."

"Yeah, but you’re my idiot," Jim told him, taking him into a tight bear hug.

"Hey," Blair protested, returning the hug just as tightly. Silence filled the small room they shared as Sentinel and Guide willingly took and gave what the other needed.

Blair pulled away reluctantly. "We need to finish getting ready for the party."

Jim looked around. "I think we're pretty much done. We've got enough cookies to feed an army and enough punch to keep the navy afloat."

"Yeah, you’re right," Blair looked at the clock on the bedside table. "Hey, it's only 5:30, wanna share a bath?" He smiled at the way Jim's eyes lit up.

"Can I wash your hair?"

"You need to ask?" Blair questioned softly as he pulled his unresisting Sentinel into the bathroom.

***

While in the tub sharing another bubble bath, something they both truly enjoyed, they discussed their future together. They decided to live in Jim's loft on Prospect and Blair would give up his warehouse. It was cold and drafty anyway. Plus the size of the rats scared the heck out of Blair.

Jim would go back to police work with Blair at his side as much as possible. Guiding and grounding him as no one else could. Blair would continue his education. That could cause problems, but if it came to choosing, he'd choose his Sentinel, whose very existence depended on him. Jim came first. Jim would always come first. No contest.

He explained that to his still shaky Sentinel, holding him close as he talked. Reassuring and giving all the emotional and physical support he could. Knowing Jim required alot of both, at least right now.

Blair talked quietly to Jim, his voice calming the fear he'd unwittingly caused. By the time 7:00 rolled around his Sentinel was feeling much better. Still a little pale, but much better.

Simon had been angry at not being told right away that Jim was talking. Getting over it quickly when offered a Christmas present of exotic cigars. Expensive exotic cigars. He'd set up a time for Blair's lesson on the care and feeding of a Sentinel. With that done he'd gone to attack the cookie tray. Flirting with the pretty nurse who'd just started working at the hospital.

"It looks like everyone's having a good time," Blair told his Sentinel watching Simon for a moment before his blue eyes turned to see how Jim was handling so many people being in their very small hospital room. Happy to see Jim was fine, no stress. Even the paleness to Jim's complexion was gone. His Sentinel feeling better made Blair's guilt at his stupidity ease. He needed to be alot more sensitive to Jim's feels. He'd hurt his Sentinel deeply. Something he vowed to never do again.

"Yeah. Did you see the way the Sentinel Guards attacked the cookies?" Jim asked in awe.

"Yup. Doesn't the hospital feed those guys? Good thing we've got extra cookies. And the kitchen staff brought sandwiches."

"How did you manage to make friends with them so fast? The kitchen staff hates everyone," Jim asked, pulling his Guide closer to him.

"I made alot of trips down there to get food for you. They gave me ideas on how to tempt the Sentinel's delicate palate. They’re really nice once to get to know them."

"Some of the nurses even brought us more cookies. All Sentinel safe of course," Jim said,o looking over at the heavily ladened table they'd set up next to their illegal Christmas tree.

Blair smiled up at Jim. "Of course. I've got a meeting with Simon day after tomorrow on the care and feeding of a Sentinel by the way."

Jim rolled his eyes. "Like it's that much different than from anyone else."

"Of course it is and you know it. I'm going. I want to make sure I know everything I need to, to keep my Sentinel well, happy and healthy. You can come if you want."

They were sitting on their bed, watching everyone as they mingled, ate cookies and had a good old time. For an illegal party it was going great. Even the hospital administration had come by, enjoying the cookies and punch as much as the rest of the hospital staff. It was no secret how close Jim had been from dying. Also no secret how Jim had found unconditional love and understanding from someone who'd been a total stranger. A stranger found in the mall of all places. Everyone wanted to meet Blair. Especially Sentinels who had yet to find Guides. Seeing Jim and Blair together gave them hope. Hope that they too could be just as lucky and find a Guide as loving and attentive as Blair was to Jim.

"Naw, that's okay. But would the Guide be willing to get his starving Sentinel a sandwich? And maybe some punch?"

Blair sighed as he looked into the pleading blue eyes. "Do you want me to feed you too?"

Jim gave him a goofy smile. "Would you?"

Blair looked at him for a moment. "You're trying to take advantage of you Guide aren't you?"

"Yup. Is it working?"

Blair returned the smile. "Oh, yeah," He answered, him hopping off the bed to do Jim's bidding.

"Blair?"

He turned back to Jim. Seeing the wide open arms he flew into them. This was one thing he could never get enough of. Jim's hugs were the best in the world. He loved them.

"Do you still want that sandwich and punch?" Blair asked, his face once again squished against the Sentinel's broad chest. Having your face squashed against your Sentinels chest wasn't so bad. Blair thought to himself. It was darn nice actually. He could stay this way forever with no trouble. No trouble at all.

"Hmm, in a minute. Let me hug my Guide for a while," Jim told him quietly.

Blair didn't say anything. Nothing to say. He settled himself closer. Listening joyfully to the contented purring coming from deep within his happy Sentinel.