Sentinel fic - The Rival, part 3

[dimity_blue]

Part 2.

Triumphantly, the Sentinel tightened his arms around his Guide, holding him closely as their minds joined. His senses were filled with his Guide; sight, sound, touch, smell and even taste, each sense focussed upon Blair and learned to recognise him beyond doubt. No matter how many sights, sounds or smells assaulted his senses, he would always be able to find his Guide. The thrill of possession filled him. His Guide, no one else's. No Sentinel would have the right to reach out a hand to him, no Sentinel would have the right to scent him except at the Senior Sentinel Prime's express command. The thought of Becker flickered across his mind and the Sentinel growled softly, not wanting to frighten his Guide. Rubbing his face into his Guide's hair, he relaxed, then smiled as he felt the smaller man collapse against him. They were bonded now and only death could part them.

Bending, he scooped his unconscious Guide up over his shoulder, and headed towards the door. He was saved from having to open the door when it was opened from the outside.

"What the -"

"Excuse me." Smiling reassuringly at the startled woman, Jim moved past her towards his truck.

"Blair?!" The woman followed him to the kerb. "What's wrong with him...and who are you?"

"He's fine. I'm his Sentinel. And I'll be back later to collect his things." One arm clasping Sandburg's legs to his chest, Jim unlocked the truck's door. Once it was open, manoeuvring the smaller man onto the seat was child's play and he had his Guide safely seat-belted before the surprised woman had finished her objections.

"His Senti...Blair doesn't want to bond!"

He ignored her until he was sitting in the driver's seat, then he smiled, quite happy with the world, through the window at her. "He changed his mind." Putting the truck into gear, he drove away, still smiling as he went.

~'~

Blair's return to consciousness was slow as he fought the extreme tiredness that was keeping him under. It was with an effort that he opened his eyes. Blinking blearily, his fuzzy mind tried to make sense of things.

"Welcome back, Chief."

He blinked at the clock. He knew that voice. Suddenly he gasped and sat upright. "Look at the time!" Throwing himself off the couch, he glanced around then made for the door, only to pull up short as Sentinel Ellison appeared in front of him.

"Where are you going?"

"Work, I'm late." For a second his mind grappled with his memory, trying to make what he knew now into some kind of sense. Had he fallen asleep on Jim's couch? Or... "Oh my God! We bonded!"

Jim smiled, or smirked might be a more appropriate word. "That's right, Chief."

"What were you thinking?" Blair was indignant. "You didn't want to bond! You told me so!"

He got a shrug. "I changed my mind. Do you want some coffee or tea or something? You're probably still tired."

"I feel like I could sleep for a week! But," Blair continued, "I have to get to work - I'm late."

Jim stayed were he was. "The bar? I phoned them."

"Oh...you told them I was sick?"

He pursed his lips and considered, then admitted, "I told them you quit."

"What?!"

"I told them you quit."

"You can't do that! That was my job, man!"

"Uh...not any more."

One hand steered Blair back to the couch, and he went automatically, trying to process everything that had happened. How on earth was he going to cover his rent now? He needed that job - imperfect though it was. He didn't react as his Sentinel sat on the coffee table facing him and rested his hands on Blair's knees.

"It isn't a safe area to work in, Chief, and I can't guarantee that I'd be able to escort you home every night."

Blair glared at him. The fact that he'd been 'escorted' home each night was a sore point that was still rankling, but the Sentinel facing him didn't even have the grace to look shamefaced about it.

"Look at it this way, you won't have to worry about that any more."

He shook his head. It felt as though his life had just been tipped upside down. On one hand, he was now jobless and would have to find another job quickly, and on the other hand, he was bonded. From the smirk on Jim's face, the Sentinel was very happy with the fact that they were bonded, and he was having to fight to keep a huge grin off his face. He was bonded! But he was still annoyed with Jim, of course.

"So, you want that coffee?"

Jim's question interrupted his musing, and he tilted his head back as Jim stood up. "Yeah, coffee would be good, thanks."

"Okay."

As Jim moved away, Blair grabbed a cushion and hugged it to him. Wow, his life had changed. Oddly enough, he had Alex to thank...or blame...for this. If she hadn't kidnapped him, he wouldn't have met Jim, or Becker. He frowned as he thought of the other Sentinel, then smiled. He didn't need to worry about Becker, Jim would deal with him. His head drooped lower and he shifted on the couch slightly then jerked his head back up. He'd nearly fallen asleep then. Where was he? Oh yeah, Becker. He shifted again, trying to keep his eyes open. Becker. Jim. No need....

The thoughts went with him into sleep.

~'~

His next coherent memory was of waking up to see the morning sun peeking in through the blinds. He blinked, confused. Hadn't it been dark before?

"Morning, Chief."

"Hi." Blair sat up, looking around. Did he have that cup of coffee? He didn't remember surfacing at all the night before but he must have as he was undressed to his boxers and t-shirt and he'd acquired a pillow and blankets from somewhere.

"The bathroom's over there if you want to grab a shower. I'll make breakfast."

"Okay. Thanks, Jim." He made his way into the bathroom and splashed some cold water on his face to wake himself up. There were fresh towels on top of the laundry hamper with what looked suspiciously like his clothes. But not the ones he was wearing yesterday.

"Uh...Jim?" He poked his head out of the bathroom and looked around for his errant Sentinel.

"Yep?" Jim wandered over, a frying pan in his hand and a flowery apron around his waist.

Staring at the apron, totally surprised that Jim was the flowery apron type, Blair continued, "Where did my clothes come from?"

Jim shrugged. "I asked Simon to collect your stuff last night. I couldn't leave you alone while you were sleeping." He wandered back to the cooker, obviously not seeing anything wrong in his actions.

Blair left the bathroom. "You had your boss collect my stuff from Melody's?"

"He's a friend too, Chief. He didn't mind."

"But you had my stuff collected?" Blair felt as though he was belabouring an obvious point here.

"Yeah."

"And brought here?"

"Where else would it go, Chief?"

"Well...I...."

"After breakfast we'll go and collect the rest of your stuff from that warehouse. Although you'd better hurry up with your shower."

Blair was astounded at Jim's calm re-ordering of his life. "Say what?!"

"Your breakfast will get cold if you don't hurry up."

"Not the shower part - collect my stuff? Why? Now that we're bonded, Becker won't be a problem and I can go back to the warehouse!"

Jim turned the stove off and put the frying pan down before turning to face Blair. "You're not moving back into the warehouse."

"It's my home."

"It's a warehouse."

"I pay rent on it!"

"Chief, whatever you're paying for it, it's too much."

"Listen, I'll live where I choose to live! And if I want to live in a warehouse, a lighthouse, a shack or a mansion, it's my choice!"

The Sentinel advanced and stood over him. "You're my Guide. That means that you don't live in a rat-infested warehouse. And if I want you to live in a lighthouse, a shack or a mansion, I'll move you into one!"

"You can't decide where I live!"

"Oh? And who's going to stop me?"

"Me! That's who!" Blair was too angry to heed the warning signs until one large hand grabbed the back of his neck and yanked him forward into the Sentinel's personal space. He gulped as his Sentinel scented at his neck, then moaned as his Sentinel's teeth scraped across his Adam's apple.

"Are you defying me, Guide?" The tone was whispered against the soft, vulnerable flesh of his neck.

"No-o." Blair felt as though he was flushing from the feet up as the bonding heat began making it difficult to think.

"Good." The teeth scraped against his neck again. "We'll go and collect your things after breakfast then."

"O-o...kay." The Guide offered no resistance as he was backed up to the couch. His Sentinel's mind was already sliding into his in preparation for the bonding and his thoughts were slowing down. As they sank into the bond, his last coherent thought was that he didn't think it was possible for anyone to be all alpha male while wearing a flowery apron.

~'~

"David!"

David was surprised to see Blair at the station. He'd heard, from about five other Guides, about Blair's rapid exit from the P.D. while being chased by a furious Senior Sentinel Prime and he hadn't expected to see Blair within a mile of the station ever again. "Hi, Blair. What are you doing here today?"

For some reason, Blair was blushing. "Oh, well, I uh...."

"C'mon, Chief, we're gonna be late. Hi, David."

David watched open-mouthed as the Senior Sentinel Prime ruffled Blair's curls as he went past, then he grinned widely as Blair reddened even more, shrugged and followed the Sentinel. Just wait until Neds heard about this!

Hurriedly collecting the files he needed, he ran back to Neds' desk with the grin still firmly in place.

"What are you so happy about?"

"Neds, you'll never guess who I just saw!" He dumped the files on the desk instead of putting them down tidily as he normally did.

"Well, if I'll never guess, you'll just have to tell me, won't you?" Neds replied calmly, reaching for the top file.

"Blair!"

"Sandburg?" Neds shook his head. "The kid must have a death wish. I heard plenty about Ellison chasing him from the building the other day."

David could feel his grin growing. Neds had no idea! "They're bonded!"

"What?" The file dropped from Neds' hand as the shock rippled through their bond.

He nodded eagerly. "I saw them just now."

"Are you sure you weren't mistaken?"

"Positive! The Senior Sentinel Prime touched his hair." As far as David was concerned that was proof positive that they were bonded.

"Well, I'll be..." His own Sentinel sat back in his chair, his gaze reflective. "I guess that's why Ellison was chasing him the other day then." He shook his head. "I hope Becker has the sense to keep his distance once he finds out. Okay, David, c'mon. We have work to do here."

~'~

Just outside the doorway, Becker's mind clouded with anger as he withdrew. He'd heard what Edwards' Guide had said - his Guide was now bonded to the Senior Sentinel Prime. Nausea rose in his stomach. He should have forced the issue sooner. He should have taken what was his instead of hoping that his Guide would realise they were meant to be.

Furious with his Guide and livid with himself, he reeled away down the corridor. He'd get out, call in sick; he couldn't face them today. But just wait...just give it a little bit of time. Ellison would be keeping Blair under his thumb, especially for the first few weeks, but he was patient, he could wait. And sooner or later Blair would be alone and vulnerable. And when he was, he bit his lip as delicious anticipation filled him, oh when he was, Becker would be waiting for him. Waiting to just stretch out his hand and fill the aching void with his Guide's mind.

Dwelling upon that thought, he was almost crooning to the imaginary Guide in his arms as he left the station.

~'~

Blair frowned as he was followed to the rest room by his Sentinel. As the door shut behind them, he glared. "Jim, I've been going to the bathroom by myself for quite a while now. I think I can handle it!"

"I know that, Sandburg." Whistling cheerfully to himself, Jim used the facilities and washed his hands.

Rather uncomfortable with the idea of peeing in front of Jim, even though he knew, oh God, he knew, that nothing he did was really private where his Sentinel's hearing was concerned, Blair retreated into one of the stalls. He listened as Jim dragged out his hand drying, obviously waiting for his Guide, then scowled as he decided he really couldn't hold it any longer. Especially as Jim was now flicking a tap on and off and the sound of that trickling water was making his brain send ever more urgent messages to his shy bladder.

A few minutes later he emerged, knowing there was a flush on his face. Why on earth Jim felt the need to baby-sit him during a toilet break, he couldn't imagine.

His frustration grew throughout the day. Every time he made a move, be it bathroom or break room, his Sentinel was right behind him. Either he and Jim were so well bonded that their bladders were in sync or Jim was nervous about something.

He finally found out what that something was later that afternoon when Jim hauled him off to view the Sentinels' and Guides' break room. Word must have spread - Blair darted a glance at a grinning David - as the room was packed with Sentinels and Guides. Feeling fairly appalled at the sudden 'social situation' shoved upon him, Blair managed to greet David and Neds with genuine pleasure. While he'd only met the Sentinel once after that momentous day in Alex's hotel room, Neds had been friendly without being overbearing and Blair had felt more relaxed around a Sentinel than he would have thought possible in those after Alex/before bonding days.

After a few minutes, he began to relax. This wasn't so bad and the Sentinels were all keeping their distance.

"Okay, Chief, here's the hard part."

Jim's voice was quiet in his ear, but he had no doubt that the other Sentinels could hear him perfectly well.

"Hard part?" He glanced up at Jim feeling puzzled.

"All the Sentinels have to scent you."

"They what?!" Blair just about managed to keep his tone moderate as he figured that the Sentinels present would prefer to avoid having their hearing spiked by their brand new, freaked out Senior Guide Prime.

"It's because you're the Senior Guide Prime. Just relax, it'll be over in a few minutes."

"Now you tell me!" Unable to help himself, Blair leaned into Jim as Neds approached, glad that Jim's arm tightened around him in response.

"Just relax, Blair," Neds murmured to him.

"Easy for you to say!" Blair thanked God that he was the 'a shower a day keeps the flies away' kind of guy - he'd hate to be worrying about BO at a time like this.

As the line of Sentinels shortened, Blair realised that Jim's tension had heightened and that his attention was not fully upon the Sentinels present. Blair would have sworn Jim was waiting for someone unpleasant to walk through the door.

With a metaphorical slap to his forehead, and a total mix of metaphors, the penny dropped. Of course, Becker! Having decided that Jim would deal with Becker, Blair had forgotten all about him. Especially after a weekend of having Jim lay down the law about where his Guide would work and live. Having one flowery aproned Sentinel in 'me in charge' mood all weekend had kind of driven any worries about Becker out of his mind.

Finally they were done, and the two most senior Sentinels were left alone with their Guides.

"No sign of Becker?" Jim's voice was terse.

Neds shook his head. "I haven't seen him all day. No one has."

Jim nodded then said, "I'll check with Personnel." One hand tugged at Blair's curls then, "C'mon, Chief. As soon as the paperwork's done we can head home."

~'~

Jim had mixed feelings after he'd phoned Personnel. While he was relieved that Becker had not been there - the thought of that Sentinel inhaling his Guide's scent raised all his hackles - he would have preferred Becker to accept Sandburg as Senior Guide Prime in front of the Clan. The fact that Becker hadn't, left him in an unsettled mood all evening.

He was aware of his Guide's concern as he prowled around the loft, checking and double checking that the door was locked and the windows secured, but ignored it for now. No threat could be allowed to reach his Guide.

~'~

Blair looked up from his laptop as Jim's shadow passed over him again. He could feel the tension that was being given off by his Sentinel and he knew, as Guide, that it was his duty to calm his Sentinel down.

He gnawed on the inside of his lip. He'd never initiated a bonding before - normally he didn't need to as his Sentinel tended to be a bit on the possessive side. He turned off his laptop and shut the lid. He could do this. How hard could it be?

Standing, he put himself in Jim's way. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." The answer was growled as Jim stepped around him and continued his pacing.

Following his Sentinel, Blair put a hand on his arm, only to be practically shook off as the Sentinel continued his pacing.

The Guide frowned; that was no way for his Sentinel to treat him. Debating to himself for a second, he smiled and retreated to the couch again. A change in tactics was called for.

"Is it Becker who's got you so wound up?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm as he listened to the pacing going on behind him.

His Sentinel growled at the sound of the hated name, and Blair hid his smile.

"You needn't worry, I'm sure that Neds can protect me if he approaches me in the P.D."

The pacing stopped.

"Neds?"

Ignoring the harshness of the tone, Blair nodded as he picked up a book to read. "You know, Sentinel Edwards."

"I know Edwards."

Although Blair wouldn't have thought it possible, the tone was even harsher.

"Why are you thinking about Edwards, Guide?"

Blair shrugged as he flicked through the book, apparently looking for the page he was on. "Well, you know, he's big and strong. Looks like he could defend his Guide."

A shadow fell over the book and the Guide looked up to find his Sentinel looming over him. He kept an innocent look on his face. "Something wrong?"

The book was plucked from his hands and tossed aside, in spite of his protest, and his Sentinel growled as he leaned forward.

The Guide leaned back, and stretched slightly, exposing his neck as he did so. "If you've got something on your mind, just say so." He resisted the urge to grin as he noticed that his Sentinel's eyes were fixed upon his exposed throat.

Sliding onto the couch beside him, his Sentinel leaned in to scent at his neck. "Don't act the innocent with me."

Teeth scraped across his neck and Blair's toes curled in response, his mental barriers dropping at the contact.

"If you need protecting," the voice paused as the teeth bit down, marking him for all to see, "I'm the one you'll run to. Understand?"

The Guide could barely speak but he managed to force out his answer as his Sentinel's possessiveness surged along the empathic pathways of his mind. "Yes, Sentinel."

~'~

Becker continued to be absent from the P.D. for the next few days and, even when he did return, he made no attempt to approach Blair, and frequently appeared to go out of his way to avoid him. Blair was exceptionally thankful for that as the Sentinel gave him the creeps.

Therefore, when he saw Becker disappear through a doorway near the other end of the corridor he was on, he thought nothing of it but simply carried on his way, keeping his barriers high. That was one person he did not want to read.

As he passed by the door he heard it yanked open, but there was only time for one startled gasp before a hand clamped down on his mouth and he was dragged backwards.

Dropping the files, he started struggling. He jerked his head back in an attempt to hit the Sentinel in the face, but the taller man simply held his head firmly in place against his shoulder and swung him around through the doorway. Blair heard the door slam shut behind them before he was turned, shoved back against the wall and pinned into place, the bigger man using his body to hold him still.

The hand was back over his mouth and Becker used that to force his head to one side. Blair was almost hyperventilating as the Sentinel's nose touched his neck and he heard the Sentinel inhale. Memories of Alex and her attempts to bond with him raced through his mind and fuelled his struggles. As the Sentinel's teeth bit into his neck, the Sentinel adjusted his stance in order to press closer to the Guide, and Blair realised his mistake and took the opportunity offered.

His knee jerked up and connected sharply with a certain portion of the Sentinel's body. Man or Sentinel, it still had to hurt like hell and Blair was rewarded with a scream of agony as the Sentinel fell back.

Shoving his attacker away, Blair threw himself through the door and attempted to run. His feet landed on the files and as he pushed forward, they slipped back, and his head hit the wall with a bone-jarring thud.

~'~

Becker straightened as the agony began to ebb, and he blinked away the tears of pain that were streaming from his eyes. He had been so close. His arms had been filled with his Guide, his senses saturating themselves with him, his mind reaching forward, hungrily anticipating the possession of his Guide's mind, and then....

Agony. Sharp, burning pain had filled him, disrupting the bond that had begun to flow between them. As the pain began to subside, he dialled his sense of touch down to zero. He could deal with his injuries later once his Guide was found and bonded to him.

Turning to the door, he was delighted to see his Guide on the floor, a woman kneeling by him. In the remnants of his mind, he recognised her as working in the records office but right now she was touching his Guide. Diving forward, he shoved her away with a feral scream. As she retreated, he yanked his Guide into his arms. He would take his Guide and, once they were away from this place, bond with him ensuring that no one could ever take him away again.

"Becker!"

His head jerked up and he stared at the approaching Sentinel. The rival for his Guide had arrived.

Smiling, he laid his Guide down and threw himself into the fight. He would vanquish his rival and bond with his Guide over the Senior Sentinel Prime's dead body.

~'~

David shuddered as he watched the two Sentinels attack each other. Unconsciously, he moved closer to Neds and held onto his own Sentinel. He could feel the hatred the two feral Sentinels bore for each other and knew that all the Guides present were attempting to block the overriding emotions too.

His eyes were wide as he watched the fight in front of him. David had never witnessed two Sentinels fighting over a Guide before, and hoped he never would again. The Sentinels were savage, and he shuddered once more, pressing even closer to his Sentinel, overwhelmingly glad when a warm arm was thrown around his shoulders and he was held tightly against his Sentinel's side.

Staring at Sentinel Becker, David was unable to drag his eyes away from the blood dripping down his shirt front. At first he thought that the blood was from the punch Sentinel Becker had received in the mouth, but then, as the Sentinel coughed, spitting out yet more blood, he realised that he'd been injured internally. For some reason, Sentinel Becker didn't seem to notice. As each cough brought up more blood and threatened to send him to his knees, the Sentinel rallied and continued to attack Sentinel Ellison, his insane cries making David's stomach churn.

~'~

As Edwards tightened the grip he had on his own Guide, his eyes turned to the Senior Guide Prime who was lying only a few feet from the two Sentinels fighting to the death over him. The kid looked like he needed medical aid but any attempt to approach the Guide at this stage would be taken very badly by both the Sentinels who were determined to claim him.

David shuddered again, dragging Edwards' attention back to the fight. From the blood that was continuously dripping from Becker's mouth, he'd guess that the Sentinel was close to death. Shaking his head, he realised that Becker must have turned down his sense of touch, and of pain, as the man should have collapsed long before now.

He looked at Ellison and shook his head again. The feral Sentinel was in charge. Even if Becker had collapsed or capitulated, he doubted if anyone but Sandburg could have stopped the Senior Sentinel Prime in his tracks. Becker had attacked the Senior Sentinel Prime's Guide, had obviously attempted to force a bond. No Sentinel would stand for that.

~'~

Finally, Becker collapsed; his entire body shaking as it started to shut down. Feebly, he realised that he had failed - his rival would claim his Guide. As his vision started to darken, he tried to reach his Guide but the other Sentinel was in the way.

As life slipped away from him, the last sound he heard was a roar of possession as his rival took his Guide from him.

~'~

Waking up was not much fun, Blair decided. His head was pounding along with his heartbeat and, he panicked, there were a pair of strong arms around him. Becker!

He began to struggle. He wasn't going to bond with Becker but he'd have to hold the guy off until his Sentinel realised he was in danger and came to save him. Not that Blair was into being saved like a damsel in distress but, given the way his head was aching, he was finding it hard to come up with any plan at all apart from struggle like hell - and that was getting him nowhere.

His panic deepened, then a tinge of indignation crept in. Becker was rocking him back and forth, and shushing him like a baby. If he could have got to his feet and given the Sentinel a piece of his mind (no bonding involved), he would have.

One hand was gently cradling the back of his head, while his face was held close to a shirt-covered shoulder. He was about to tell the unwanted Sentinel to back off, right now, when he recognised the man's aftershave and went limp with relief. He was being held by his own Sentinel. "Jim. I thought you were Becker, man."

Getting no reply, he opened his eyes and squinted up into his Sentinel's face. "Jim?" The Sentinel's gaze was intent and he could tell that every sense was focussed upon him. Lowering his eyes, he saw the split lip Jim was sporting and the splashes of blood that marked his clothing, and realisation flashed upon him. "Becker?"

"You don't have to worry about him any more." The answer was growled and the Guide could tell that his Sentinel wasn't calming down.

"What did you do?" He wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer but he had to ask.

The Sentinel's face tightened with anger and a hand swept his collar back as the question was ignored. "He marked you."

The Guide stared up at his Sentinel, unsure of where this was leading. "We're bonded - he didn't break our bond!" Blair wasn't sure if he was reassuring Jim or seeking reassurance for himself but, with perfect timing, they were interrupted.

"Senior Sentinel Prime?"

Blair tried to sit up to see Neds, but Jim wasn't letting go.

"The ambulance is here."

~'~

Lying in the hospital cubicle, Blair fumed...and worried. His Sentinel had not touched him since they'd reached the hospital. He'd hovered, certainly, and paced the perimeter of the cubicle getting in everyone's way. He'd even growled at the junior doctor who'd originally attempted to check Blair's head, making the young doctor back off hurriedly and insist, in a loud voice, that he wasn't going back into that cubicle unless That Man was removed. But he had not, at any point, touched his Guide.

Blair's mental barriers, already battered by Becker's actions, were fraying rapidly and he had no idea what he was going to do. He needed to bond to restore them and his Sentinel was rejecting him. He buried his face in the blanket that was covering him, and thought as quickly as he could with an aching head.

Was it possible that his Sentinel didn't want him any more? His hand crept up to the repulsive bite mark on his neck, his skin crawling as he felt it. It wasn't his fault! He'd fought Becker off. God, why couldn't Jim see that?

He sighed noisily. Jim probably did see that - it was the possessive, territorial Sentinel who was having one hell of a problem with it.

~'~

Having run off one doctor, who was obviously too young to know how to deal with his Guide's probable concussion, Jim was busy arguing with another doctor. Definitely older, probably just as inexperienced. Finally the doctor caved and agreed that yes, the Senior Guide Prime could go home as long as there was someone there to look after him. The doctor paled as a loud growl erupted from the Senior Sentinel Prime's throat. Did he honestly think that Blair would be left alone in the loft at a time like this?

"If Guide Sandburg will sign these, he can leave."

The doctor handed over the forms and Jim watched as he retreated hurriedly.

Turning, Jim looked at the curtain that was separating him from his Guide. His Guide. He glanced down at himself, noticing the splashes of blood that were still covering him. He'd killed to defend his bond today, and he wasn't sure if his Guide would want their bond any longer - not that he had much choice about it. He'd been attacked, marked. He'd been surprised that Sandburg had bonded with him after all he'd gone through with Alex. Now he was thinking that Becker would be the straw that broke the camel's back...or his Guide's spirit.

Every instinct he had was screaming for him to march in, grab his Guide and bond with him until the whole world acknowledged that his Guide was his and no one else's but, while the Sentinel was more than ready and willing to do that, Jim, the detective, was not. Sandburg had been attacked by Becker. While he could not refuse to bond forever - his barriers would collapse sooner or later leaving him empathically defenceless if he did - he might not want to bond for quite a while. Jim was pretty sure that his Guide's barriers were already on the verge of collapse but he could not, in all conscience, try to persuade his Guide to bond again until Sandburg was ready.

"Jim?"

He was yanked out of his introspection so quickly it almost hurt. "Edwards." Then he nodded to David as that Guide moved towards the cubicle to see his Guide.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm fine." He grabbed Edwards' arm and walked him down the corridor a bit so that they were out of earshot of their Guides. "I'm worried about Sandburg."

"If he's being released already, the doctors must think he's fine."

"It's not his concussion, it's... Will he want to bond after this? After being attacked by Becker?" Jim could feel the anger building up in himself. That Sentinel was dead but if he could have brought him back to life just to kill him all over again, he would.

Edwards was about to answer when Jim's hand shot up to silence him. Although he'd been talking, he'd unconsciously been listening to his Guide, and now his Guide was talking, explaining how he felt to Edwards' Guide.

~'~

Hope flared as the cubicle curtain flapped back, but it was David. Blair slumped back against his pillows. Jim must really hate him if he couldn't even come back in.

"Hey, Blair. How are you doing?"

Blair shrugged. "Okay, I guess." He avoided looking at the other Guide and wasn't surprised when he felt David lean on the edge of the gurney.

"You're being released, aren't you? I thought you'd be pleased to get out of here."

He shrugged again. "I'll have to go back to the loft with Jim...and...I'm not sure he wants me to."

"What are you talking about? He just fought to the death for you - I don't think you can doubt his commitment to the b-"

He stopped as Blair yanked down his collar and Blair could see his eyes staring at the bruised bite mark on his neck.

"Becker marked you?" David's eyes jerked up and he met Blair's gaze. "I - I thought -"

"I fought him off. I kneed him in the groin - but I didn't manage it before he marked me. Jim must think...Jim..." He gave a frustrated sigh at his inability to put it into words. "How can Jim want to bond with me now?"

"It wasn't your fault! You can't think that Sentinel Ellison would blame you for that?"

"I don't know any more. I just -"

The cubicle curtain flapped open again and this time it was his Sentinel.

"Okay, Chief, we're out of here. David."

"Sentinel Ellison. I'll see you soon, Blair, okay?"

Neds' voice chimed in, "We'll both see you soon, Blair. Take care of yourself. Well, you take care of him, Ellison."

"I'll do that, Edwards." Jim stood back to let David pass, then approached the gurney.

Blair was surprised when one hand gently pinched his toes. "C'mon, Chief. I've got your release papers, all you've gotta do is sign them."

"Okay, Jim." Maybe it would be better to get back to the loft quickly and get this over with. Whatever 'this' would be.

~'~

Once back at the loft, Blair took a shower, then wandered around until his Sentinel sat him on the couch. That great restorer, tea, was made and a cup placed in front of the Guide with orders for him to drink it.

Blair was surprised that Jim hadn't whipped out the pain pills prescribed by the doctor and he debated whether or not to ask for them. Pills were really not his thing; if given the choice, he'd take something herbal, but his head was pounding and his barriers were fraying. Not that he expected the pain pills to bolster his barriers, only bonding could do that, but at least he'd be able to ride it out without pain from his concussion.

He'd finally decided to take the pills when the mug of half-cold tea was removed from his hands. Glancing up, he realised that Jim was sitting next to him, an intent look in his eyes, as he placed the cup carefully on a coaster and pulled Blair's collar back.

He flushed as he remembered what Jim would be looking at right now. That damned bite mark. He looked down, unwilling to look his Sentinel in the eye but a tap under his chin got his attention.

"Chin up, Chief." There was a smile on Jim's face as he leaned in, pushed Blair's head back and gently settled his mouth over the mark that Becker had left.

The Guide gasped as the teeth bit into the bruised flesh, his fingers digging into his Sentinel's shoulders. The teeth bit harder, and he knew that any trace of Becker's bite would be hidden beneath the bite of possession left by his own Sentinel.

"Jim...."

The teeth eased off and a growl vibrated against his throat. "Claimed and marked, Guide."

With a shuddering sigh that was almost a sob, he dropped what was left of his barriers and joined his Sentinel in their bond. "Claimed and marked, Sentinel."

~finis~

7th December 2004.