Title: It’s in the Holding

Author: Angelee

Summary: Sometimes all it takes is a hug.

It’s in the Holding

"Oooh, look at that. A Yoda Lego puzzle." Blair's looked at it longingly. He's wanted one for the longest time. But being a college student on a fixed income made many wanted things impossible to get.

"Everything on this shelf is 75% off."

Blair turned startled blue eyes at the pretty girl smiling at him. "Really?"

The girl nodded . "Yup. We need to make room for the newer merchandise."

Blair smiled at her making her blink. "Cool. Then I can get Yoda and Vader and still have money left over."

She nodded again, giving him a speculative look that at one time would have had Blair responding whole-heartedly, but right now he had eyes only for Yoda. She sighed regretfully. "Hmm, I suppose so. If you need any help let me know." She left after giving him a final look.

"Okay, It's still a little more than I can afford. It'll be noodles for the next week, but for Yoda and Vader I can do noodles." So lost in thought he didn't notice the man behind him until Blair stepped right back into him.

"Oh, sorry. Didn't see you there. Are you okay? I didn't hurt anything did I? The man didn't answer. Blair looked at him worriedly. "Are you okay? The man didn't look good. He was so pale and a fine sheet of sweat covered a really, really handsome face and he seemed to be trembling slightly.

"Are you okay?" Blair asked again. The eyes staring into his were a beautiful sky blue color, but in their depths was such sadness. They were sad, so very sad. Blair felt his eyes fill with tears. He reached out a hand that wasn't quite steady. "Do you need help? Want me to get someone to help you?"

"Guide?"

"Guide? You want a guide for a toy store? Well, this is the Christmas season. The girl that helped me earlier seemed nice."

"Guide," The man repeated insistently.

"Okay. Don't worry I'll find you a guide."

Blair turned to find someone for this odd, but very handsome man only to be stopped by a low sound of distress. He turned to find that the trembling had increased noticeably. "Are you okay? Maybe I should get you an ambulance. You don't look so good."

Suddenly Blair found himself being held so tightly he felt the air whoosh out of him. "Wow! Hello." He stood there for the longest time stunned into stillness. Slowly his arms came around to hold the still trembling man, stroking the broad back in a manner he hoped was comforting.

He heard a soft sigh as the odd man seemingly lost himself in Blair's touch. After about five minutes the hug stilled continued, the only difference was the man holding him closer than his own mother had in along time seemed to be humming happily. It almost sounded like purring and a hand was stroking his curly hair gently.

"Hmm, as much as I like this your gonna have to let me go. People are gonna start talking. And their gonna close the store soon. And I'm hungry. And I need to use the restroom. So-huh, you wanna let me go?" Yeah he was babbling, but this was an odd situation so he thought he was entitled.

The only response he got was a low warning growl. "Okay, then. I can spend a few more minutes in the best hug of my life. No problem." Another five minutes past with no sign of Blair being released. He liked hugs really he did. And the purring was very relaxing. So relaxing he was starting to get sleepy. The only thing keeping him awake was the fact that he really, really needed to go to the bathroom. "I really like this hug and all, but are you ever gonna let me go?" He got growled at for his trouble. "Please? I gotta go to the bathroom. You don't want me to have an accident all over you do you?" Another growl softer this time.

Blair sighed resigning himself to the fact he was going to embarrass himself very, very soon. Fleetingly he wonder where the store clerk from earlier had gone. Plus the store seemed awful quite for being a few days before Christmas. He wished he could turn his head to have a look.

"Jim, there you are." A loud booming voice started Blair out of his thoughts and his misery. *Jim?* So that was his name. Blair tried his best to turn his head to look at the owner of that voice. Losing a few hairs in the process. A tall, dark man with wire-rimmed glasses hurried toward them.

"I lost you in the Christmas crowd. You shouldn't have run off like that."

"Guide," Jim rumbled softly as if that explained it all.

"I told him I'd find him a guide, but he won't let me go. Please, make him let me go. I've gotta pee real bad. Even my toes are starting to cross themselves."

"Jim, let him go."

If anything Blair got pulled closer. He moaned softly at the added pressure against his bladder. "N…no, mine."

"Jim, nobody's saying different. He's gotta go to the bathroom. Let him go for at least a little while."

Reluctantly, so very reluctantly, Jim let Blair go. Moving as if to follow the curly haired man as he made a mad dash for the nearest bathroom. "No, Jim let him be," Simon told him softly.

Blair came out wiping his hand with a paper towel to find Jim and the as yet unnamed other man standing by the door. He was quickly grabbed and pulled into a tight hug. "Ow! Look, as much as I like hugs and all, you've gotta stop mauling me. I got places to go and things to do and all that jazz." Blair tried unsuccessfully to wiggle free. "And besides I don't even know you." He got growled at. "Did you just growl at me, again? That is like so uncool, man. Come on let me go."

"You might as well stop struggling. He's not going to let you go."

Blair turned his head as best he could being as it was once again squished against Jim’s very broad chest. "Why not? And who are you people anyway? Come on Jim-let me go."

"I'm Simon Banks. I'm Jim's doctor."

Blair was still trying to free himself. "Cool. Give him something so he'll let me go."

"Can't do that?"

"Why the heck not?"

"You're his Guide."

"Look, man I told him I'd find him a guide. Why he needs a guide for a toy store is beyond me. But hey, to each his own."

Blair finally managed to wiggle free. Moving quickly to hide behind Simon as Jim reached for him. "No," Blair told him, hurriedly "I don't want any more hugs." Jim growled loudly as Blair batted at his hands.

Simon rolled his eyes as he was jostled by the two men. "Enough both of you. Jim, go stand over there and keep you hands to yourself. And you-what is your name by the way? Get out from in back of me. I'm not your bodyguard."

"My name is Blair Sandburg. Thanks. I thought I was going to get mauled again. Hey! No! Simon said to stay over there," Blair said when he saw Jim hands reaching for him again.

"Stay, Jim," Simon enforced the command with a finger. " don't move from there."

Jim sank to the floor with a soft pitiful moan. "What's the matter with him?" Blair asked, eyeing him compassionately. "He looks like he's in pain."

Simon sighed. "He is, Blair. Jim's a Sentinel."

Blair's bright, blue eyes widened. "Yeah? Cool."

"No, not really. He just recently came on-line. Meaning all his Sentinel senses are up and running. Enhanced way above what you or I would consider normal for us. The Sentinel is on a totally different scale. Jim, here has five enhanced senses. Totally normal for him, but without a Guild his senses are bouncing all over the charts. It's giving him killer headaches. He can't eat because everything taste odd. Even the most mild of spices are to strong and burn his tongue. He can't sleep-the sheets are to rough Not to mention the smallest noises in the hospital keep him up at night. We found a herbal combination that seemed to be helping, so I thought as a treat we'd bring him to the mall to do some Christmas shopping. He needed the break badly. He's been in the hospital for six months. Since he came online."

Blair whistled sympathetically. "Hmm, not cool."

"No, not cool," Simon agreed. "everything was fine. He was even joking with me. We were on the upper level when all of a sudden he started sniffing the air. Then he took off like a bat out of hell. I lost him in the crowd."

Jim looked up blue eyes lost and unfocused. "G…guide?" He asked softly, beseechingly.

"Why does he keep saying that?"

"All Sentinels need a Guide. Someone to keep them focused and to buffer the outside world when it gets to be to much. We haven't figured out exactly what it is about a Guide that helps a Sentinel. All we know for sure is that there is only one Guide for every Sentinel. And Jim here hadn't found his... until now."

"M…me?" Blair asked, hesitantly.

"Would seem so."

"But I don't know anything about being a Guide. I did read an article about Sentinel and Guides awhile back, but that's not nearly enough as knowing how to take care of one."

"There's not much to know at least not at first. What we've been able to figure out the major factor is chemical and that's simplifying it a lot. Jim is reacting to you. He needs to be around you. To hold you. Just by being around you helps him more than you know."

"That's why he keeps hugging me?"

"Yes."

They both watched as Jim reached out a trembling hand. "G...Guide?"

Simon watched silently as Blair went on his knees in front of the trembling Sentinel. Jim had had such a rough time of it lately. Nothing in modern medicine could help him. The only thing keeping him alive right now was the curly-haired stranger before him. Blair would never know how close the Sentinel was from death. If Blair rejected Jim now he would die and there was nothing Simon or anyone else could do about it.

Blair contemplated the Sentinel before him. Reaching out a hesitant finger he touched it to one of Jim's. "ET phone home," He told him softly with a small, shy smile. His smile widened when it was returned. Shakily to be sure, but it was a returned nevertheless.

"G…guide?" Jim asked, opening his arms wide. Requesting, needing, wanting and so very hopeful. Blair went into them unhesitatingly. No one had ever needed him before. It was kinda nice. The Sentinel pulled him close, sighing contently.

Simon had never seen anything like it in the twenty years he'd been in Sentinel medicine. He'd seen many a good Sentinel die rejected by their Guides. For reasons that made no sense. Never had he seen a man in such terrible need given what he needed from a total stranger. Neither he nor Jim knew Blair from Adam. Yet, here he was with his arms around the hurting Sentinel moving into the gentle rocking motion Jim had started. Maybe, just maybe, Jim would make it.

"Blair, can you go back to the hospital with Jim for awhile?" Simon asked, fighting the lump in his throat.

"Hmm, yeah. I guess. How long is awhile?"

"Two weeks, maybe three. And then we need to have a talk on the care and feeding of your Sentinel."

"Okay, yeah I can do that. Don't have anything to do until after Christmas break anyway. Hey," Blair pulled away slightly from his Sentinel. "does this make you my Christmas present?" Jim's eyes which had been closed opened looking into Blair's he gave him a brilliant smile and a low contented purr. "Cool. This could be the best Christmas present yet. I'm Jewish though. Heck, doesn't matter. I really, really like my present anyway." He burrowed deeper into his Sentinel's arms.

"Jim, we've got to get back to the hospital. Blair said he'd go back with us. Release him so we can get out of here." The Sentinel growled. "Come on, Jim. You can hold him some more later." Another growl this time more forceful and a tightening of the arms around his new Guide.

"Simon…Jim does talk, right? He does more than growl and say *Guide*? Right?"

Simon smiled at the youngster being cuddled to death. "Yes, he does. But right now he's in what can loosely be described as a healing mode. Being near you has started healing all the raw nerve endings being on-line with no Guide caused. Talking would waste the precious healing energy he's getting from you. It's all part of being a Sentinel."

"Healing energy...from me?"

"Yup."

"Just by holding me?" Blair didn't try to hid the astonishment from his voice.

"Simon gave him a tiny smile. "Never though you had it in you did you?"

"No, I didn't. It's cool that I can help him. But he's eventually gonna let me move around, right?"

"Yeah, but it may take a week or two. Jim's been in such pain I'm saying two. Come on Jim-let Blair up. I can't have the Sentinel guards keep the crowds out of the store much longer."

Blair had wondered why they hadn't drawn a crowd. That explained it. Sentinel guards. He did know that Sentinels were very rare and treasured. He remembered reading an article awhile back on Sentinels and the trouble many were having finding Guides. His heart had gone out to them as he'd read on how many of these treasured individuals had died because they couldn't find Guides or the Guides they'd chosen didn't want them. How could they not want them? He'd planned on going to the Sentinel Research Center to offer himself to a Sentinel, but life had gotten in his way and he'd never gotten around to it. Yet a Sentinel had found him. His very own Sentinel. Way cool.

He heard Jim sigh so Blair thought he was going to be released. No such luck as Jim simply put his big hands under Blair's bottom and lifted him up. Out of self defense the curly-haired man wrapped his legs and arms around his Sentinel to keep from falling. "Wow! Lift weights much, Jim? For someone I just met your getting way to personal here." Jim looked at him making a deep rumbling noise from deep within his chest. "Yeah?" Blair asked, understanding in a weird non-verbal sort of way. Another rumble. "Well, okay but you do understand we can only be friends?" Blair told him, widening his blue eyes innocently as he returned the look his Sentinel was giving him. "But, you’re such a handsome devil I might be persuaded to change my orientation just for you." Blair batted his eyes coyishly at Jim as he waited for his response.

Jim quietly looked at him for a long second before giving him a another brilliant smile and what could loosely be described as a laughing purr. He tightened his arms around Blair giving him an affectionate hug before heading toward the exist.

"No wait, Jim. Yoda. Vader. Please, Jim. There's no more and I've wanted them for the longest time. Please, Jim."

Jim turned to look at Simon who rolled his eyes skyward. "Which ones?" He asked resignedly.

"The Lego ones can't miss them. Their 75% off. Thank, man," Blair said over Jim's shoulder as he was carried out of the store trailed by six guards. "I'll pay you back later."

"Boy, Jim-you sure are strong," Blair told his Sentinel as he was carried toward a van with Sentinel Care Facility written on the side. "I would have already dropped you. Well, if I could even lift you that is. And if your hands stay much longer on my butt it's gonna think some really odd thoughts."

Jim met Blair's eyes. "Guide," He was told once again as if that answered it all and for all Blair knew maybe it did.

The Sentinel was reluctant to let Blair go but finally realizing he had no choice without causing bodily injury to his Guide if they tried to get into the van wrapped around each other. The guards who’d been trailing them smiled as the Sentinel stared at the van as if it were the cause of all the world's woes, instead of just his own. It even sounded as if Jim was growling at it as he released Blair for the briefest of moments as he hurriedly got in pulling the curly-haired man in after him.

Simon shoved a bag at Blair. "Here." Eyeing the guards oddly. No one said anything. To professional for that, but the smiling faces of the guards let him know something had happened, but since they were smiling he wasn't going to let it worry him.

"Thanks, man," Blair told him happily pulling the boxes out of the bag. Showing them to a marginally interested Sentinel who was contently nuzzling his nose into his hair. His conflict with the van forgotten. "Will you help me put Yoda together?" A low rumble. "Cool. Vader, too?" Another rumble. "Double cool."

The trip to the facility went quickly and without incident as Blair talked a mile a minute with Simon and Jim who'd fallen into a light doze with his face buried in Blair's curl's.

Simon watched Blair through the rear-view mirror smiling at the sight. The curly-haired youngster didn't care that the Sentinel was wrapped around him like a leech. He was talking away waving his hands around until the Sentinel covered them with one of his much larger ones to stop the wild motions.

"Oh, man I've been grounded," he complained cheerfully.

"Sure have. So you're an anthropology student at Rainier?"

"Yup. Been in college since I was sixteen."

"Your family allowed that?"

"There's only my Mom. She's alright, but not always there if you know what I mean. It's cool though, I'm doing alright."

Blair tried getting his hands free, stopping when Jim growled warningly at him before burying his face deeper into the soft curls, with a contented sigh. He met Simon's eyes in the rear-view mirror. "I need my hands and he won't give them back."

Simon laughed. "Must be killing you, huh?"

Blair returned the smile. "And how."

"Well, we’re almost at the hospital maybe he'll let you go then. Can I ask you something, Blair?"

"Sure, ask away."

"You've never met Jim before, right?"

"Right."

"Why then, are you letting him take such liberties with your person?"

Jim's purring stopped as if he wanted to hear the answer to the question as well. "I don't really know. He was in such bad shape at the toy store and then he grabbed me." Jim made a negative sound. "Well you did. And then he was hugging the stuffing out of me. It was as if something in me was reaching toward him, wanting to make him feel better. Something I could give. An instant connection. It's humming between us right now, almost louder than Jim's purring." Blair's brow furrowed slightly as he tried to puzzle out what was happening. "It's getting stronger." He smiled happily. "It's so cool and it doesn't hurt. Which is a big plus. I just wish he'd let go of my hands."

Simon laughed as they pulled up in front of the hospital. "Okay, lets get you situated and take it from there."

"Jim, no. Stop. I can walk. Geez, here hold my hand instead," Blair complained good-naturedly when the Sentinel reached over to pick him up.

Jim growled, but took the hand pulling Blair to him. "Ow! Damn it Jim, are you made out of rocks? Now I'm going to have a bruised side." Another growl. "Okay, fine if it makes you feel better, but I draw the line on you carrying me. 'kay?

A low rumble. "I thought you'd see it my way. Wait, wait. Yoda and Darth," Blair reached into the van with his free hand to pull out the bag with his toys. "can't leave them behind."

They followed Simon into the hospital. Blair chattering away about anything and everything under the sun. Jim watched his Guide with a bemused look on his face, yet unwilling to stop the happy chattering.

"Here you go. This will be your room for the next two weeks. If you get hungry push nine on the phone and ask for whatever you want. Blair," The curly haired-man looked up at him. "try and get Jim to eat something."

"But what if he growls at me?" Simon gave him a look. "Yeah, okay he's only been growling, but he has been purring a little bit."

"More than a little bit."

Blair smiled up at Jim who had yet to release him. "Yeah, my Sentinel the big, purring, kitty machine."

Jim rumbled at him taking him into a tight hug. Pulling away slightly he began tugging the curly-haired man toward the bed. Blair resisted playfully. "Why Jim, what kind of boy do you think I am?" He got a questioning kind of growl from the Sentinel.

"I doubt Jim can do much of anything right now. Not even for a long-haired cutie like you," Simon told him from the door.

Blair laughed allowing Jim to pull him toward the bed. "Funny! Hey, Simon when will Jim be using real words?"

"Like I said before, when you finish healing him. One to two weeks. It may be less depending on how much quality time you spend together. Blair...Jim almost died. Take care of him. He's a good person and a valuable asset to us all."

"I'll try, Simon," Blair answered distractedly as Jim maneuvered him until he lay full length on top of the Sentinel like a blanket. A low rumble. "Yeah, I'm comfortable. You?" Another rumble. "Cool. Sleep now?" Blair asked, burying his head in the massive chest. He hadn't realized how tired he was. Already mostly asleep he barely felt Jim reach down for the blanket. He drifted off listening to Jim's contented purring.

***

DAY TWO

"Come on, Jim. You've gotta eat. Simon'll think I'm not taking care of you," Blair told the Sentinel, trying a bit of whining for effect. Jim only continued to glare at him.

"Please?"

Jim growled deep in his throat. "It doesn't taste like shit. Hey, how the hell do you know what shit taste like? Do I even want to know? Probably not. Come on Jim-eat. For me. I'll let you cuddle me."

The Sentinel raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, okay not a good bribe. I'll let you cuddle me anyway. Come on, Jim. Eat." Blair presented Jim with one of the prettiest, bluest puppy dog eyes in the known universe. "P...ppplease."

Jim gave the oddest giggle between a purr and a snort. Blair smiled at him. "Good boy. Okay, not a good boy," He remanded quickly at the scowl the Sentinel sent his way. Good thing he was a Guide, that look would have melted a lesser soul. "Do you wanna eat on your own or do you want me to keep feeding you?"

Jim just looked at him. "Okay, I'll keep feeding you." Blair sighed. "God, are all Sentinels such babies or is it just mine? Don't think I'm gonna keep doing this when your better," He warned offering a piece of meat.

The Sentinel gave a short purr. "Well okay, but only on special occassions."

***

DAY THREE

Simon walked into Jim and Blair's room to find them not there. Hearing noises coming from the bathroom he opened the door to find them in the bathtub surround by what looked like millions of bubbles. The tub was overflowing sending water sloshing all over the bathroom floor.

"Hey, I told you I can wash my own hair," Blair was telling the Sentinel who was holding a bottle of shampoo. "I'm not a baby."

A low growl followed by a purr. "Cause it says so on my drivers license, thank you kindly," Blair told his Sentinel snootily, splashing water and bubbles at Jim.

"Oh, very mature, Blair?"

They both turned to turned to look at him. "Hey, Simon what brings you to this corner of our bathroom?" Blair asked, with a welcoming smile.

Simon sat on the closed seat of the toilet. "Came to see how you two were doing."

Blair gave the Sentinel a warning finger as Jim used the distraction to head toward him with the shampoo bottle. "No! Doing good. Jim slept for about twelve hours yesterday." *Growl*. "Okay I slept, too. But how could I not, with you purring loud enough to drown out the band? Knit-picker," Blair told his Sentinel, shoving more bubbles at him.

Jim smiled at him shoving bubbles back. "Oh, yeah," Blair said, slapping the water hard sending it sloshing over the edge of the tub, soaking the bottom of Simon's pants.

"Children, children," Simon scolded, smiling at the look on Jim's face. He'd never seen his friend look so happy and peaceful. Jim still couldn't talk, but it had only been three days. Yet from the way those blue eyes were twinkling it was very clear that the curly-haired youngster was very good for the Sentinel.

"Don't growl at me you overgrown house cat," Blair told him happily, splashing bubbles into Jim's face. Small growl. Blair eyes him haughtily. "I can to-I'm your Guide. I can tell you whatever I like."

The Sentinel wiped the bubbles away with the back of his hand. * Purr. Growl*

"Oh, yeah? You and who's army?” A long succulent purr. "Just you? Ha. Double ha. I'd like to see you try, Sentinel dearest."

Simon broke into the oddest conversation it'd been his honor to witness. "Has Jim been eating, Blair?"

"Yeah. Had a heck of a time getting him to, but yeah he's eating." *Growl.* "Jim wants to know if we can go out for Wonder Burger tomorrow? Hey, we can make a day of it-go Christmas shopping. Wait a minute... Wonder Burger? Talk about a heart attack waiting to happen." *Growl, purr. purr.* "Yeah, I know its your heart, but you're my Sentinel and I just found you and I'd like to keep you around for a long, long time," Blair told him softly.

Simon watched in amazement as Jim's eyes filled with tears giving his Guide a very watery purr. Opening his arms to Blair who went into them quickly sending more water over the tub. Simon sighed, he was going to have to change his pants .

"You know it, man. You’re my Sentinel and I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world." A small quiet purr. "Yeah, I know I haven't know you all that long, but what has that got to do with anything? You're my Sentinel and I'm your Guide. That's all that matters. I've known people five-six years and I don't feel for them what I feel for you, only having known you-what 3 days?"

A small watery growl. "Don't get all mushy on me. You still have to eat all your dinner." Jim gave a very put-on purr. "Tell you what-promise to eat all your dinner and I'll let you wash my hair," Blair told him, looking up shyly at his Sentinel. It earned him a low growl. "Didn't we get into that earlier?" *Growl.* "Was not." *Purr, purr.* "I was NOT going to let you wash my hair."

Suddenly Blair pushed himself away from his Sentinel quickly going to the other side of the tub. "Jim! Did your hands just go where I think I felt them go? Are you trying to take liberties with me, Sentinel? Tell me your not trying to take advantage of your Guide."

Simon looked up from trying to dry the edge of his pants with a towel to see Jim narrow his blue eyes at Blair. Giving him the most sensual purr ever heard from man or beast.

Blair blinked at him, then blinked again. "Yeah, I'm may be your Guide, but that doesn't give you the right to take liberties with my person." A really, really long purr. Blair stared at Jim his eyes wide in outrage. "Oh yeah, just for that I'm not letting you wash my hair."

Jim returned the look decidedly unrepentant. Purring away with happy contentment he opened his arms wide in offer.

Simon sighed as more water sloshed over as Blair practically flew into the waiting arms. "Housekeeping is not going to be happy with you guys." Neither of them were listening, cuddling away with true enjoyment.

Jim's nose was buried deep in Blair's curls. His arms wrapped tight around the smaller body of his Guide. Who was returning the hug, his face squashed into the Sentinel's chest. "Yeah, I'm easy." He said muffledly. "but damn these hugs feel good. Still I'm way, way to easy." Jim didn't seem to mind as he pulled his Guide even closer.

***

DAY FOUR

Simon went to check on them after work. He'd allowed them to have a day pass so they could do some Christmas shopping and just to get out of the hospital for awhile. He wanted to see how thing had gone before he went home. What he found was a hospital room in shambles with plates scattered all over the room on every available surface. It looked like Blair had been trying to get Jim to eat. Offering everything he could think of as temptation.

On the table near the only window in the room, sat the half-finished figure of Yoda. A corner of the room held a Christmas tree, merrily twinkling with colorful light, underneath lay several gaily wrapped boxes. It seemed the trip had been a success. How Blair had gotten the tree in with all the rules the hospital had, Simon would probably never know. It didn't really matter.

On the bed lay the Sentinel and his Guide. Jim's handsome face had been marred by lines of pain for so long, it seemed to be the only way Simon had ever seen him. Now the face was smooth and Jim was practically glowing with health.

Simon picked up the covers from where they'd fallen on the floor carefully covering the two sleeping men. Blair lay in the spot the Sentinel seemed to prefer, right on top of him. Jim's nose as usual, buried in his Guide's curls. It would have been hard to tell where one began and the other ended as tightly wrapped together as they were. If it wasn’t for Blair's flannel pajamas covered with cartoon characters of black panthers and gray wolves, it would have been impossible. Even Blair's wooly socks had the same design. Jim was more conservatively dressed in black warm-ups and black socks.

Jim opened his eyes sleepily when he felt the covers go over them. "Shhh, Jim. It's just me go back to sleep. Close your eyes, sleep. I'll see you in the morning," He whispered to the Sentinel. "Sleep."

***

DAY FIVE-DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE

Simon walked in to Jim and Blair's room to find the two in a heated debate.

"No," Blair told his Sentinel. A long vicious growl. It made both Blair and Simon's eyebrows go up in shock. "Don't take that tone with me, Sentinel," Blair replied, not in the least intimidated by the angrily flashing blue eyes or the snarling, growling and hissing. Hissing?

"Did you just hiss at me, Sentinel?" Blair asked in astonishment. Jim crossed his arms and glared at his Guide in defiance. "You did. You son of a bitch, you hissed at me." *Growl.* If Blair's eyes could have gotten any bigger, they would have.

"I can take your heat anytime, asshole. And besides look around numbnuts, there's no kitchen." Jim arched an arrogant eyebrow growling deeply. "Oh,yeah. If I'm 'a little shit' your a bigger shit." * Growl, growl, growl.* "What? What did you just say?" *Growl.* "Oh, I heard you asshole. I just wanted to get a clearer picture here."

"What's going on here?" Simon asked, eyeing the two men warily.

Blair looked over at him. "We're fighting."

Simon rolled his eyes. "I see that. What are you fighting about?"

"Jim here wants to leave the hospital."

"No, Jim. It's way to soon. Your not even talking yet."

"That's what I told him," Blair said, returning the look Jim shot at him. *Growl, hiss, hiss, hiss, hiss.* Blair gasped. "What did you just say?" *Hiss.* "No, ass. I'm not deaf, I heard you. I just wanted to make it perfectly clear to everyone what you just told me. It's your life and you don't need anyone. N...not even me." Blair raised his blue eyes, hurt clearly visible as they filled with tears.

Jim suddenly realizing what he'd done gave a apologetic meower. His face showing his panic as he tried to reach for his Guide, but Blair held out a hand stopping him. "No, no, I understand. Let me just get my things and I'll move on."

Blair wiped at the tears carelessly. "Yoda's mine," He told the Sentinel as he carefully placing the half-finished piece in the box it'd come in.

"Blair, you can't leave," Simon said, quietly.

"Watch me."

"B…but, Jim needs you."

"No, he doesn't, he just said so."

"Yeah well, Jim's an asshole."

Blair gave the doctor a small smile. "Yeah, that kinda goes without saying." A very small offended growl came from the Sentinel. "Shut-up, Jim," Simon and Blair both said at the same time.

"I don't know, the way I see it, yonder Sentinel is going to have to do major bun-kissing to make up for this. That is if and that's a mighty big if...I forgive him. Plus, he has to admit that he needs me."

Blair looked over at Jim who'd remained silent as order. The Sentinel gave a tiny, tiny meower. "What? What was that, oh great loner Sentinel? What was that you said?" *Purr.* Softly voiced. Another this time with more conviction and a opening of the arms. Jim knew how to play his Guide and now he used it for all he was worth.

Blair shook his curly head. "Nope. Don't think so, asshole. Think you've got me wrapped around your little finger, don't ya?" Jim's eyes widened in surprise giving a stunned little purr. "No. I'm not going to jump into your arms every time you open them. I have restraint. I have conviction and you called me 'a little shit'. That alone will keep me right here. No matter how long you give me that cute, little kitty look. Huh, Simon?" Blair asked the doctor, looking for reassurance and reinforcement.

"Hey man, don't drag me into this. It's your fight."

Blair put down the half-done Yoda and looked over at his very, quiet Sentinel. "Na huh. Don't give me that pouty look, either." He wrapped his arms around himself protectively. "Tears won't work either so don't even think of trying that. Okay, maybe tears will work. No! I won't let it work. I am strong. I am invincible. I am Blair. I can't give in. I won't give in. I won't," He chanted softly

Simon watched the struggle between Sentinel and Guide. Who'd win? He continued to watch with interest. Wishing he had a cigar to at least hold while he watched this drama unfold. Come to think of it popcorn with an extra large coke would be better.

"I'm giving in, I'm giving in," Blair said to no one in particular. "Shit. Shit. Shit." He exclaimed loudly, launching himself at his Sentinel. Who wasted no time in gathering him close. Really, really loud purring filled the room.

"Damn, I'm so weak," Blair complained softly as his face was squished against a very, very happy Sentinel.

"Is everything okay, now?" Simon asked as Jim began to rocking his Guide back and forth like a child with it's most prized possession. Practically dancing around the room with Blair in his happiness.

"Yeah, I guess, but I'm starting to get a little dizzy," Blair answered.

"Okay, I guess I’ll check on you later then."

"Cool. Hey, Simon will you join us tomorrow for a little Christmas party we're having in here?"

"Sure. What time?"

"Hmm, about seven. It's nothing fancy. Cookies, punch, exchanging gifts."

Simon smiled at the two. "Yeah, I'll be here. I probably don't want to know how you managed to get away with breaking another rule, right?"

Blair returned the smile. "Probably not. But hey-we gotta celebrate 'cause I got the best present ever." He was rewarded for that comment by a sloppy kiss being pressed against his forehead. "Hey, what makes you thing I meant you?" Blair asked, looking up at his Sentinel affectionately.” I might have meant Yoda. Jim gave him a goofy grin causing Blair to giggle. "You’re such a clown, Jim. Give me that look again." He got it and another sloppy kiss. "Yuck. Quit sharing your cooties."

Blair continued to giggle as Jim cupped his face and proceeded to spread his cooties all over his face. "Enough, enough. I'm still mad at you. And you’re still not leaving the hospital. And you’re going to eat all your lunch and dinner."

Jim gave a small, negative growl before giving a purr of agreement. "That's my good, obedient Sentinel." Blair wrapped his arms around Jim giving him a tight hug. "Tell you what-if you do everything I ask, I'll let you give me a bath and I'll even let you wash my hair."

The Sentinel tangled his fingers deep into his Guide's hair looking deep into trusting blue eyes. "You'll let me do that anyway Blair and you know it." He watched them widened in surprised delight.

"Hey, you’re talking."

"Hmm."

"All healed?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Jim said, gently moving curly hair off of Blair's face. "Thanks to you."

Blair moved his face into the gentle caress. "Still wanna give me a bath?"

"Hell yeah. There's nothing I'd like better."

"Cool. Let's go. Your still going to have to eat all your veggies," Blair warned.

"Anything you say, Chief," Jim replied, tugging him toward the bathroom. "Anything you say." Blair wasn't the only one who'd gotten the best present ever. The Sentinel thought to himself as he watch his Guide begin to fill the tub with warm water and half a bottle of bubble bath. Yeah, he hadn't done to bad either. Not bad at all he thought as Blair turned to him with a brilliant smile and a opening of his arms. No, not bad at all.