Title: To Bond a Guide
Author: Angelee
Fandom: The Sentinel
Pairing: Jim/Blair
Rating: Adult
Summary: Will he chose Jim?
Note: Wrote this one awhile back
and forgot all about it till I went searching for a completely different
story.
To Bond a Guide
“Damn, I knew I shouldn’t have eaten that peanut butter sandwich,”
Blair told himself softly. He hurt. His innards felt like they were on fire. “It
was only three days old.”
“Ow! Ow! Ow!” The curly-haired anthropology student panted
heavily as he made his way toward his car.
His arms curled protectively around his middle.
Just before he reached it he lost his lunch. Which consistent of a three
day old peanut and butter sandwich and a bottle of water.
There was no one to see him. The
middle of the night at
Blair wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “That’s the last time I eat peanut butter. Ever.”
He did feel better. He made it
all the way to his warehouse before the cramping started again. Unable to make
it to the bathroom he lost what little he had left just inside the door.
Thoughts of food or cleaning up forgotten as he
curled up on his bed and fell into an exhausted sleep.
The next day found Blair completely wrecked. With dark, purple circles all around his
wide, expressive blue eyes. Making him look like a raccoon. He’d not been able to tolerate the thought of
food much less eaten any. Even if he had any in the apartment. His stomach still doing violent cartwheels
against what little was left of his innards.
Blair limped carefully toward his class only to find to his dismay the
anthropology department had been robbed sometime during the night.
The campus was swarming with police, campus and Cascade’s finest. Moaning softly to himself he carefully sat on
one of the steps leading to the archeology department.
“Hey, do you work or go to school here?”
Blair looked up slowly, to find the most beautiful man, with the
coldest blue eyes he’d ever seen looking down at him.
“Hmm, yes?” Blair
answered weakly.
“Well, which is it, professor? Yes or no? You don’t seem to sure,” The man asked impatiently.
Even sick as he was. The
tone in that cold voice just got to Blair in a way he wasn’t even going to
question.
“Well, tell me who the hell you are and I’ll think about answering you,”
He replied in the same tone.
The cold blue eyes got even
colder. “I’m Jim Ellison. A detective with the
Cascade Police Department.”
Blair wiped the sweat from his broad forehead. He really didn’t feel good and it had nothing
to do with the beautiful, rude man staring down at him.
“Well, you have my sympathies, Detective Ellison.”
“You’re a smart-ass aren’t you?
Not a good thing to be when you’re talking to a police officer. You can answer my questions here or downtown
the choice is yours.”
Blair’s mouth got away from him.
“Ooooh, I’m scared.”
“Okay, that does it,
Rudely and dizzyingly, he was yanked to his feet. “Oh, mama,” Blair gasped softly as everything
around him revolved. “I’m going to be
sick.”
He grabbed at the nearest thing to keep himself from falling. Which happened to be
Detective Jim Ellison.
“Hey, are you alright?”
Blair wrapped his arms around a broad-oh-so warm body. “No,” He whimpered, burying his face into a
very, well-muscled chest.
“What’s the matter with you?” A
voice rumbled against his ear.
“I ate something I shouldn’t have.”
Blair murmured contently when he felt hands rub his back soothingly.
“You aren’t going to throw-up all over me are you?”
“I…I don’t think so. I just need
a minute. I was forced up to fast,” He
said accusingly.
“Well, how was I suppose to know you weren’t feeling well? You could have said something.”
Blair nuzzled deeper into the warm chest. “You could have said you wanted me to get
up. I would’ve. All on my own.”
“Yeah, well you were giving me lip.”
Blair was getting sleepy. “Don’t
let that bother you. I do that all the
time. To everyone,” he replied
contently.
“Hey, you aren’t going to sleep on me are you?”
Those warm soothing hands left his back. Blair gave a small sound of
displeasure. “Hey, put them back.”
Hands cupped his face gently.
Blue eyes searched his. “Are you
on something, professor?”
“Hmm, no. Told you. I ate something I shouldn’t have. Made me sick,” Blair replied sleepily, licking
his dry lips. “But I’m feeling better
now. Could you put your hands back
please?” He asked, pleadingly. “Odd thing to ask a total
stranger, but pretty please.”
Jim smiled down at him, but did as he was asked. “Do you need to go to the hospital?” He asked, resuming his stroking of the thin
back.
“No. Just give me a minute.”
“Okay, Chief. But not to long or
people are going to start talking.”
Blair rubbed his face against Jim’s warm chest. He really was feeling lots better. “About what?”
“Me holding you, genius.”
“Hmm. Okay. I feel better now.”
“Really?” Jim said almost disappointedly.
Yup,” Blair replied pulling away.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. You still have to
come down to the station with me and answer a few questions.”
“Couldn’t I just answer them here?
I’ve got things to do and place to go.”
Blair said softly. Like eating. He was
really hungry all of a sudden. “Besides,
I really don’t know anything.”
“I suppose.”
Blair smiled up at Jim.
“Cool. Wanna get something to eat
with me? He patted his pockets. “Hmm, got any money on you? Don’t get paid till Tuesday and I’m all
tapped out.”
Jim frowned. “Is
that why you got sick. You’re
hungry.”
Blair looked at him sheepishly.
“Kinda. The peanut butter
sandwich was sorta old.”
“Tuesday is a week away. What
were you going to do till then? Eat out
of trash cans?” Jim asked, still
frowning at Blair as he led him toward a blue and white truck.
“I would have managed. I think
I’ve got a couple of tic-tac’s in my backpack.”
Jim unlocked the door to the truck.
“Chief, that’s no way to live.”
Blair got in. “I know, but I’ve
managed up till now.”
Jim got in and started the truck.
“Yeah, I can see that. You look
like a wind could blow you over.”
Blair looked down at himself.
“I’m not in that bad a shape and I feel lots better.”
“As compared to what? A
toothpick’s got more weight on it than you do. Well let’s see how much better
you feel with a hot meal in you.”
***
Jim watched the curly-haired man devour everything that was placed in
front of him with a frown. “Chief, you
really should take better care of yourself.”
Blair took a huge bite of hamburger.
“I know, but it’s hard to make ends meet on a TA salary sometimes. This was one of months when everything backed
up on me.”
“Oh. I’ve got to make a phone
call. My cell phone gets lousy reception
here. I’ll be right back,” Jim said as
he got up from the booth.
Blair nodded watching him walk away as he nibbled on a fry. Wonderburgers weren’t exactly healthy, but he
was hungry. Suddenly Blair started
feeling funny again. It couldn’t be the
peanut butter coming back to haunt him again.
Could it?
Blair closed his eyes swallowing hard as he fought off the nausea. He was positive he was going to lose his
lunch. He was kind sad about that ‘cause
he didn’t know when his next meal would be.
Gentle hands touched his shoulder.
“Are you alright, Chief?”
“I…I…”
“Do you need to throw up?”
“I…I’m not sure.” Blair opened
his eyes, meeting Jim’s concerned look.
“I feel funny.”
“Funny, how?”
Blair gave the detective a rue smile.
“I’m not real sure.” And he
really wasn’t. He’d been about to lose
the best lunch he’d had in a while, but now he was feeling fine. It didn’t make any sense.
“Oh. Maybe I should take you to
the hospital.”
Blair shook his head, sending his long curly hair into his face. Gentle hands, carefully
pushed it off, tucking it behind his ears. Blair murmured softly in contentment. “I’m better,” He said after a long
moment. “Can you take me home? I promise to go to the police station
tomorrow once I feel better.”
Jim nodded. “Okay, Chief.”
***
Blair fell asleep in the truck, not waking until a finger stroking his
left cheek woke him.
“We’re here, Chief.”
Blair looked around groggily.
“Here. I don’t live here.”
Jim gave him a stern look. “It’s
either here or I take you to the hospital.”
“Here it is. Where’s
here?”
Jim led him to an elevator, sighing when he noticed the door held a
sign saying that it was once again broken.
“Here, is my apartment. If you
don’t want to go to the hospital I want you to stay here for few day or until
you start to feel better. Preferably
till you get paid and I know you have money for food,” He said as they climbed
the stairs toward his apartment.
Blair stood in back of Jim as he inserted the key into the lock. He was so tired, he
rested his head against Jim’s very broad, very warm, very comforting back. He felt the Detective chuckle. “You’re not falling asleep back there are
you, Chief?”
“Hmm-hmm,” Blair murmured softly.
“Come on, lets get you inside,” Jim told him, pulling Blair inside.
Blair looked around. “Kinda
sparse, isn’t it?”
Jim looked around too. “Yeah,
but I don’t spend much time here anyway.
Come on I got a spare room. It’s
got a bed in it with your name on it.”
Blair was carefully urged to lie down.
His shoes taken off and carefully placed by the bed. “I appreciate you doing this for me. I really do.”
Jim covered him with a blanket.
“It’s not a problem, Chief. Close
your eyes.”
Blair did. Gently urged to sleep by Jim’s voice and the hand gently
stroking his hair.
He wasn’t sure what woke him. It
might have been that everything was so quiet.
No sounds of passing boats, or police sirens, or the squeal of rats the
size of King Kong roaming his warehouse apartment. Or it might be the smell of something really
nice and appetizing wharfing in through the door. It made his tummy growl.
“Something smells really good,” Blair told Jim as he patted barefooted
into the open kitchen.
“Grilled chicken, yellow rice, steamed carrots, freshly baked rolls and
chocolate cake for dessert.”
Blair stole a carrot. “Oh, man-I
think I’ve died and gone to heaven. When
do we eat?”
Jim smiled at him. “Now. Have a
seat. What would you like to drink?”
Blair gave Jim a hopeful look. “Milk? I haven’t had
a glass of ice-cold milk in so long.” he said longingly.
Jim frowned at him. “Blair, we
need to talk, but it can wait until you eat.”
They ate for a while in companionably silence, until Jim broke it. “So tell me about yourself, Chief,” He said,
biting into a piece of chicken.
“Not much to tell,” Blair replied, helping himself to more carrots.
“There must be something.”
Blair shook his curly head. “Not
really. Tell me about yourself.”
Jim gave him a tiny smile. “Nice
deflect.”
“I thought so,” Blair told him smiling.
“Talk.”
“Okay. I’m a Detective with the Cascade Police department. I’ve been there almost five years. Been divorced for three. I’m also a registered Sentinel, looking for a
Guide.” Blair blanched suddenly. Jim
reached out a hand. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Y…you’re a Sentinel?”
Jim nodded, frowning at how pale Blair had suddenly gotten. “Yeah. Why?”
“N…no reason.”
Jim’s frowned deepened. “You’re
lying. Don’t start lying to me now. What is it?”
Blair rubbed his forehead wearily.
“I know what’s the matter with me.”
“I thought you said you hadn’t eaten right for a while and you were
hungry.”
“Yeah, that’s part of it.” Blair
looked up, eyes sad.
“What? What is it?”
Blair got up hurriedly, knocking over his chair. “I think that I’ll go now. Thank you for the meal. It was really good,” He said righting it before
running toward the door, forgetting all about his shoes.
He never made it, stopped by a strong hand on his arm inches from it. “No, buddy. You’re
not going anywhere. Tell me what’s wrong.
Let me help.”
Blair gave a soft sob of distress, before he buried his head against
Jim’s chest, unable to stop the tears. Strong arms came around to hold him
close, comforting.
“You’re a Guide aren’t you?” Jim
asked softly.
Blair nodded his head. “Y…yes.”
“That’s what’s wrong with you?”
Blair nodded again. “Y…yes.”
Blair felt hands bury themselves into his hair pulling his head
up. “It’s not the end of the world you
know,” Jim told him with a gentle smile.
“No. It’s just that I thought
I’d have more time before having to bond,” Blair replied unsteadily.
Jim kissed his forehead gently.
“It’s still not the end of the world.
If I ask you something will you promise not to get mad?”
“Sure,” Blair said, burying his head back into a big, warm chest. Jim had begun to gently rock the two of them.
“Will you bond me?”
Blair looked up in surprise. Jim
was looking at him as if expecting to get kicked. “Y…you want to bond me. B…but why?”
Jim smiled. “You need to bond
soon or you’re going to get really sick.
It’s already started. I don’t
understand why you hadn’t realized it. It should have been covered in high school.”
“It was. It just that I was so
busy with Finals, and not having enough money and no food I just didn’t realize
that I was going into need,”
Blair said, rubbing his face against Jim’s soft flannel shirt.
“You need someone to take care of you,” Jim told him, stroking his
hair.
“You?” Blair asked, looking up.
“Me,” Jim replied, hopefully.
“It’s a great honor being allowed to take care of a Guide. An honor that hasn’t been
mine. No matter how much I’ve searched.”
“But Jim you don’t really know me.”
“I know enough. You need
me.” Jim’s blue eyes held hope. A hope that was quickly fading as Blair
continued to deny him. “Please,
Blair-I’ll take good care of you. You
don’t have to go to the
“Why do you want me?”
Jim shrugged. “The Sentinel’s
job is not only to be Watchman to his assigned city. It is to nurture and care for his Guide. I don’t have a Guide and very much want one
to care for. I just haven’t had any luck
finding one.”
Blair smiled up at him. “You’ve
been taking care of me almost from the minute we met.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never really understood why Guide’s have always been so needy.”
Jim led them toward the couch.
He lay down on it, gentle urging Blair to lie on top of him. “You can’t fight thousands of years of
evolution,” He told him as he covered them both with a quilt that had been
resting across the back of it. “Guides
are the touchstone to our very existence.
We cannot do our job without your steadying and guiding influence. And a Guide’s needs the Sentinel for what
their body lacks or rather doesn’t have enough of. The influence of a power
aura. If they don’t have a
Sentinel to nurture them and their stronger than the average human’s aura, the
Guide sickens and eventually dies.”
“Did you memorize the manual?” Blair asked, chuckling.
His body moved with the gentle motion of Jim’s response, a happy
giggle. “Hmm, how’d you guess?”
“Don’t know. Maybe
the almost word for word recital of the Sentinel/Guide manual.” Blair told him, rubbing his face wearily
against Jim’s chest.
“You don’t have to answer me right now if you don’t want to. Sleep for a little while. Take what you need from me. It’s alright.
I won’t call you a aura vampire or anything”
Blair looked up meeting the gentle eyes watching him. “Are you sure?”
Jim nodded, carefully pushing Blair’s curly head back down. “Yeah, I’m sure. Rest.”
“Okay,” Blair replied wearily, closing his eyes.
***
When he woke it was fully night and Blair felt
great. He was still resting on top of
Jim. He looked up to meet the Sentinel’s
quietly watching eyes. “W…What time is
it?”
“Going on twelve.”
“Hmm.”
Jim gently stroked Blair’s soft hair.
“How do you feel?”
“Better. I don’t think I could
run any marathons or anything, but I do feel lots better.”
“I’m glad.”
Blair rubbed his face against the soft material of Jim’s shirt. “Jim? Why do you want a Guide? Most Sentinels consider us nothing but one
big burden.”
“Ever since I was little I’ve had this need to nurture. I never knew what it meant until I found out
I was a Sentinel. When I came online the
need grew until it just about drives me crazy some days.”
“Is that why you took such good care of me? A total stranger?”
“Yeah. Partly. What I did for you I wouldn’t do for just
anyone. You were different. I knew that
from the moment I met you at the College.
I let you touch me more than I’ve ever let anyone touch me in my
life. You needed me. With those big blue eyes
looking at me all sad and hurting.
I knew you were different from everyone else and you needed help.”
Blair looked up at him, sighing contently. “I like being like this.”
Strong hands cupped his face gently, warm lips kissed his
forehead. “I like being here like this
too. Bond me. Need me, please. Need me as much as I need you.”
“Alright,” Blair whispered softly.
Suddenly gasped, eyes going wide. “Jim?”
Jim looked at his worriedly.
“What? What is it?”
“I...”
“Are you going into need?”
“I… Oh, God. Oh, God. Help me, Jim,” Blair begged, his body arching
up wildly feeling as if he’d suddenly caught fire. He was hot, so hot. But his body was trembling violently. He’d never in his life felt like this
before. Oh, God-oh, God- he was going to
die. Blair knew it. He was going to die. The room began spinning around him wildly. “Help me.
Help me, please,” he pleaded to the only person in the universe who
could.
To be continued.