Sentinel fic - To Bond or Not to Bond, part 1

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NOTES: Thanks to Susan for creating the Cascade Clan and allowing me to play in her universe, and thanks to Susan and Eileen for posting my stories on their fantastic site. Thanks to Georgie for pointing out my sudden inability to tell between 'were' and 'where' and for re-arranging my commas, and thanks to Nancy for all the encouragement she never fails to provide.


To Bond or Not to Bond
by Arnie

"Come in, James."

James Bond, 007, licensed to kill, adjusted his cuffs and sauntered into M's office with aplomb, all the while feeling a little like a schoolboy called in to face his headmistress. "Morning, M. Lovely day, isn't it?"

"Is it?"

Oh. It was going to be one of those meetings, was it?

"Do you have any idea how much of an international incident you could have caused with the Maltese Ambassador and that Pomeranian dog?"

James hid his wince. As usual, M had got straight to the point. "I -"

"If his wife hadn't been wearing a wig, it could have got very messy indeed! And I would have had to clean up your mess for you."

"Yes, M." When M was in one of these moods, it was better to simply agree with her rather than trying to argue.

M stepped forward, her diminutive height no bar to staring down the much taller man. "Sit down, James. I think it's about time we got a few things straight."

James sat, feeling at even more of a disadvantage, and wished that M was not totally immune to his charms.

"Due to your actions at the Maltese Ambassador's dinner party - which, I admit, led to you saving the world from a terrible villain...again - it has been decided that you should disappear for a little while. Not too long, just until the French Ambassador's wife has had plastic surgery."

He bit his tongue. That had been a total accident and wouldn't have happened if the woman hadn't been wearing so much jewellery. He was totally innocent in that regard!

"So, as we've been getting some reports of certain activities among the Cascade Sentinel Clan, it's been decided that you will go and visit Cascade for a while."

Cascade? Wasn't that in Washington State?

"Your cover will be that you're an international businessman, with your own computer technology firm, and you're looking into universities for your nephew to attend. Make sure that you visit every university in the state, won't you?"

"Yes, M."

"Good. Visit the Clan, get to know them, find out if there's anything we should be concerned about. Miss Moneypenny has the files on all the Sentinels and Guides."

Recognising that as his dismissal, James rose to his feet, inordinately glad to be leaving.

"Oh, and, James."

"Yes, M?"

"If you should happen to find a Guide who'll put up with you, bond with her...or him. No matter who they are, we can train them up."

James nodded and left the office quietly, then switched his charming smile on. He could spend a few minutes flirting with Moneypenny, so the entire day wouldn't be wasted.

~'~

M smiled as she dialled a well known number and waited for a very familiar voice to answer her.

"Well?"

"It's done."

"How did he take it?"

"Sulkily, but he'll go."

"What will you do if he does find anything out about the Cascade Clan?"

"I'm not going to admit that it was just a ploy to get rid of him for a while. If he finds anything out, we'll deal with it."

"I knew I could count on you, M."

"I live to serve, Prime Minister."

~'~

James faked a smile as he followed the snooty chancellor around the university. His cover was impeccable...unfortunately, and the chancellor had been most eager to impress this wealthy possible patron and persuade him to send his favourite nephew to Rainier.

"What's down there?"

A look of annoyance, hastily hidden, crossed Chancellor Edwards' face. "That's just the Anthropology Department."

James listened. He could hear jungle drums and a most alluring voice chanting over them.

"My nephew is extremely interested in Anthropology," he claimed, smiling down at the woman.

The displeasure he had noticed before warred with her desire to please such a rich man. As he had known it would, avarice won out. "Well, then, let me show you around the department."

Her attempt to keep him from the sound of the jungle drums and chanting failed as he steered her towards the door. There was a brief tussle for control of the direction they were heading in, but she finally caved and allowed him to reach his objective.

"What a fascinating beat," he told her. He indicated the handwritten notice affixed to the front of the door. "Who is this Blair Sandburg?"

"No one!" she snapped, apparently automatically. A slightly horrified glance met his and she added, "Just a Teaching Fellow and grad student here. He's...rather unconventional."

He smiled, hiding his thoughts. He bet this Blair Sandburg was unconventional - and he'd bet a year's wages that the chancellor loathed him for it. "Could we...?" He put his hand on the doorknob.

"Oh. Of course." It was obvious that the chancellor would rather have introduced him to a large, hungry crocodile than Mr. Blair Sandburg but she didn't have time to find a large, hungry crocodile, let alone arrange introductions, as he was already opening the door for her.

He followed her in, his ears filtering out the jungle beat and focussing instead on the wonderfully soothing voice and inviting heartbeat he could hear.

"Mr. Sandburg!"

The voice stopped chanting and the heartbeat spiked as the young man in front of them jumped. The chancellor's voice apparently had no trouble in cutting through the music to get his attention.

He turned and James smiled, gazing at his future Guide with pleasure. The young man in question was shorter than the Sentinel, with mid-length curly brown hair and large blue eyes...and a most unfortunate taste in clothing. However, that could be fixed.

"Chancellor Edwards!" A smile that should have been beaming but was, instead, faltering, appeared then disappeared as Blair hurriedly turned off the music. "I'm sorry. What can I do for you?"

"Actually, dear boy," James stepped forward, overriding the chancellor's attempt to speak, "we should be apologising to you for interrupting you. The name's Bond, James Bond." He stepped forward and shook his future Guide's hand firmly, and noticed the boy's widening eyes as he was recognised as a Sentinel. His smile grew as Blair stepped back hurriedly. "My nephew is most interested in Anthropology and, as he's considering attending Rainier University, the chancellor most kindly offered to show me around." He smiled again, every predatory instinct thrilling, as his prey retreated behind the desk. "And I think that I've taken up enough of your valuable time, Chancellor Edwards. I'm sure that Mr. Sandburg can show me around the Anthropology Department?" It was phrased as a question but he was positive he was going to get his way.

The chancellor showed her teeth in what he could only assume was supposed to be a smile, however, as it was aimed at Blair, it could have been a snarl. "I'm sure that Mr. Sandburg will be only too pleased to show you around, Mr. Bond." The words, 'if he wants to keep his job' floated in the air between them.

"Of course."

The tone was flat, the voice, lacklustre, but James smiled widely. "I'm sure it'll be a pleasure to be guided by you, Mr. Sandburg."

The double-entendre went unnoticed by Chancellor Edwards as James escorted her to the door and shut it firmly behind her. Turning, he noticed that his future Guide was prepared to defend himself with what looked like a South American fertility artefact. Under the circumstances, he couldn't help feeling that that was rather appropriate.

"There's no need for violence, dear boy. I'm not going to jump on you."

"Look, Sentinel Bond, I have no interest in bonding with anyone, okay?"

"Of course, dear boy, of course! I can take no for an answer. Now, how about that tour?"

~'~

In spite of himself, Blair had quite a good time showing Mr. Bond, or rather, Sentinel Bond, around the Anthropology Department. The man asked intelligent questions, listened intently while Blair raved about various cultures, and made no reference whatsoever to Sentinels, Guides or bonding.

It wasn't until he was escorted back to his office, that the subject of Sentinels was raised between them.

"Actually, Blair, I was hoping that you could do me a favour."

Blair paused as he replaced the South American fertility goddess he'd been ready to brain the Sentinel with. "And what's that?" There was a sigh and Blair's instincts cut in. He was about to be conned, he was sure of it.

"I have to attend a Clan gathering tomorrow night. Unfortunate, of course, but I can't get out of it, and I was hoping you'd go with me. It's a Sentinel/Guide get-together so everyone will be in pairs. As I don't know any other Guide in Cascade, I was hoping you'd help me out."

Blair's hand tightened on the fertility goddess. "I don't intend to b-"

"I know that, Blair. And I respect you for it. Shall we say, seven tomorrow?"

"I don't think -"

"Of course, I know that Chancellor Edwards would be only too pleased to help me find another Guide...so if you feel you really can't help me...."

Blair scowled. He heard the subtle threat in there and wished, with all of his heart, that he could tell the guy to get stuffed. However, Chancellor Edwards would leap at any chance to terminate his contract and he was positive she'd find a way to use this against him. He'd have to play along for now although, very fortunately for him, discriminating against a Guide who refused to bond was illegal, so there was no risk he'd actually have to bond with this guy. "Seven would be fine," he lied.

"Excellent! I'll bring a car around then. Where are you staying?"

"Here will be fine, thank you." There was no way he was handing over his home address to a Sentinel.

"Seven o'clock then. Oh, and, Blair...it's a black tie event."

"I'm sure I can find something suitable for the occasion."

"Excellent. I'll see you at seven tomorrow, then."

"Bye."

Blair waited until the door had shut behind the Sentinel and collapsed into his chair. He'd spent a great deal of his life avoiding Sentinels and now he was going to be smack bang in the middle of a gang of them. "What is wrong with my Karma?"

~'~

The next evening came all too quickly for Blair, without any sudden deaths or major catastrophes that he could use as an excuse to escape the Sentinel shindig he was being dragged to. Naturally, he'd dressed for the occasion; his tie was black. He'd bought it specially that morning from the Good Will shop. He was quite partial to the flamingos on it.

Straightening his black jacket, he brushed off his black jeans and admired his shirt. It certainly was eye-catching. Naturally, it was white...mostly. He'd borrowed it from a fellow student who was addicted to wearing Hawaiian prints and he thought that the large red flowers made a nice background for the flamingos. He grinned at himself in the mirror. Somehow he doubted if Mr. Sentinel Bond would be interested in seeing him again. The shirt alone should be enough to give him a zone out.

Glancing at the clock, he realised that he had to leave now if he was to beat Bond to his office. For a second, he hovered, torn between wearing his outrageous outfit or doing the anthropological thing and blending in with the natives. Stiffening his resolve, he reminded himself that he did not want to bond and if it took looking like a jerk, he was willing to pay that price.

For once the Volvo started like a dream and he took a minute to curse the contrariness of his car. If he'd had a hot date, he could have counted on the Volvo to refuse to start or, if there was a thunderstorm, to break down halfway between bus stops.

He made it safely to his office and lurked there, wondering if he could get away with hitting the sentinel over the head, tying him up in a chair and claiming that rabid anthropologists had done it in order to steal his South American fertility statue. Finally, he shook his head. If he did that, he'd have to get rid of his fertility goddess to back up his story, and she'd done wonders for his sex life. Besides that, the Sentinel would undoubtedly realise that Blair had been the only one there and that he would, therefore, be the only suspect.

A polite knock at the door interrupted him and he jumped slightly. It had to be Bond; the British were always so polite. He suspected it came from years of invading different countries; they had so many enemies now, it paid to be polite to anyone who'd talk to them. "Come in!"

"Ah, you're," there was a micro-second's pause as Bond's eyes widened, then he continued, "here. I see that you had no luck in finding a tuxedo, dear boy. No matter," he talked over Blair as that young man attempted to explain that this was what he was wearing and the Sentinel could like it or lump it, "I happen to have a spare suit and I'm sure it will fit you admirably." He held out a carrier bag that had the name of a very exclusive men's wear store on the side.

Finally, Blair took the bag, glaring at the Sentinel and the bag as he did so.

"Fine. I'll just wait outside." The door shut behind him and Blair heard a delighted, "Why, hello, Chancellor Edwards!"

Furiously, he ripped off his beloved flamingo tie and undressed, hurling his clothes onto his chair as he went. With a very bad grace, he yanked the tuxedo out of its bag and held it up against himself. As he'd expected, it fit to perfection. "Spare suit, my ass!" he muttered, well aware that the Sentinel could hear him. He dressed, fastened the gold cufflinks that had been in the bottom of the bag, and yanked open the door.

"Perfect, dear boy, perfect!" the Sentinel enthused as Chancellor Edwards' jaw dropped slightly.

She recovered quickly and a tight unhappy smile settled upon her face. "Going out, Mr. Sandburg?" she asked.

"Blair's been kind enough to promise to attend a Clan gathering with me," the Sentinel told her. "Well, we must be going." Gallantly, he kissed her hand.

Blair gagged slightly. If the Sentinel had had any idea of how poisonous the chancellor was, he would have demanded a haz-mat suit before he even shook her hand, let alone kissed it. His eyes widened as the chancellor giggled in a girlish manner, and he hoped, fervently, that she wasn't going to start flirting. He really didn't think he'd be able to take it. Fortunately for him, before she could, Bond's hand was at the small of his back and he was being steered towards the exit with Bond expressing profound regrets that he couldn't stay and spend the rest of the evening with Letitia.

Once they were outside, Blair stepped to one side, removing his back from Bond's hand. To his credit, the Sentinel made no protest - not that it would have mattered to Blair if he did.

"Tell me, dear boy..."

Blair glanced at him, then wished he hadn't. That annoying smile of his was still in place, causing several students to swoon in the parking lot.

"...where on Earth did you get that repulsive shirt?"

"Oh, I've had it for -"

"Try again."

He sighed. Damned Sentinels with their lie detector abilities. "I borrowed it from a friend."

"You'll have to introduce me to him so I'll know whom to avoid," the Sentinel drawled.

"You're not likely to be here that long, are you?"

"Oh, I don't know..." the Sentinel eyed him meaningfully. "This place has more advantages than I originally supposed. This way." He stopped by a sports car that was in perfect condition.

"Nice car."

"I usually drive an Aston Martin."

Blair caught the glance thrown over the Sentinel's shoulder at him, as if the man was trying to entice him with the thought of driving a fancy sports car. "I have a classic myself," he replied, shortly.

"Oh? What type?"

"A Volvo."

"Very reliable."

Blair restrained his laughter as he sat in the passenger seat and allowed, not that he had any choice, Bond to shut the car door for him. His Volvo was anything but reliable, but in spite of that, he wouldn't swap her for the world. He most certainly would not swap her for an Aston Martin, Sentinel or no Sentinel.

Returning monosyllabic replies to all of Bond's overtures, Blair managed to keep the conversation to a minimum. He wasn't interested in making small talk with the Sentinel; he just wanted this night over and done with.

Entering the hotel hired for the Clan gathering, he glanced around, feeling the tension rise in him. There were Sentinels and Guides everywhere.

"Sentinel Bond! We're glad you could make it."

Blair glanced up into the brown eyes of the tall Sentinel, then glanced at the shorter Guide beside him who was smiling at Blair shyly. Not one to be impolite, Blair smiled back. He had no problem with Guides; it was Sentinels he was wary of.

"I'm Sentinel Edwards, this is my Guide, David."

"Pleased to meet you," Bond replied.

In spite of himself, Blair was curious. He'd never had a chance to see Sentinels interacting on a social basis before and his anthropological mind was busily taking notes as the two Sentinels shook hands but Bond made no attempt to shake hands with the Guide.

"You both know my name, but this is m...Blair Sandburg."

Blair realised that Bond had been on the verge of saying "my Guide" and, in a fit of pique, he ignored the apparent protocol and stuck his hand out to Sentinel Edwards. "Hi."

He noticed the startled glance Edwards gave Bond and felt the accompanying shock from him as they briefly shook hands. There were no surprised looks when Blair shook David's hand, so he guessed that either it was fine for Guides to shake hands with each other or they'd already expected him to break that social taboo.

Edwards was giving Bond a questioning look, and Blair kept his face straight as he heard the answer, "We're not bonded."

"And we're not going to be." Blair pinned a friendly smile to his face. "I'm just here as Sentinel Bond's guest."

"I...see."

Blair could tell that Edwards didn't see, but he didn't bother offering any explanations.

"Well, let me introduce you around. The Senior Sentinel Prime isn't here yet, but he's due any...ah, there he is. Sentinel Bond, Blair."

Blair followed Bond as the two of them were shepherded across the crowded room to another entrance where a tall man had just entered the room alone.

"Senior Sentinel Prime."

"Edwards, Davi -" The Sentinel stared at Blair. His nostrils flared. "Guide." The word was growled softly.

Blair's view of the Sentinel was interrupted by Bond's shoulder, not that he minded for once. That guy had a determined look on his face that was making the hairs on the back of Blair's neck stand up straight.

"The name's Bond...Sentinel Bond."

"Ellison. Senior Sentinel Prime of Cascade and the Northern Territories." A large hand moved Bond to one side and Ellison continued, his eyes holding Blair's in a hard stare, "And you are?"

"Blair. Sandburg." Blair fought his instincts which were suggesting that he start running now and not stop until he hit Alaska.

"Not bonded?" The eyebrows were raised in interest, the voice soft.

He did take a step back at that.

"Actually, old man, he's going to bond with me."

Bond's shoulder was in the way again and Blair retreated while Ellison's view was blocked. Then backed up again as Bond was moved to one side once more.

"But, as you're not bonded yet, there's no reason why Sandburg and I can't bond."

Blair stepped back even further, panic gnawing at his mind as the other Sentinels kept pace with him. The other Guide seemed to be getting rather nervous too and leaned into Edwards' side.

"Senior Se -" Edwards was interrupted by Bond's hard-edged voice.

"I brought him here!"

Ellison's voice was just as hard. "And you're not bonded to him, so he's free to leave with anyone."

Bond's back was to him but the other Sentinel had his eyes fixed firmly on Blair's face, and Blair didn't like it one bit. Grabbing what was left of his resolve, he stepped forward in between them. "Look, guys, I'm not bonding with anyone, so you can just cut out the peeing on each other's territory bit. When I leave, I'll be leaving alone." He turned his head and gave each Sentinel a hard glare of warning.

He heard identical snorts of laughter from the two Sentinels who wanted to claim him, then, "Edwards."

"Yes, Senior Sentinel Prime?"

Blair found himself moved firmly backwards towards Edwards. "Mind my Guide for me."

His jaw dropped with disbelief. Hadn't they heard a word he'd said? "I'm not -"

"Yes, Senior Sentinel Prime."

"You're awfully sure of yourself, old man." Bond sneered the last two words.

"Yes, I am, aren't I?" The smile on Ellison's face was not a nice one.

Looking around hurriedly, Blair realised that they had the attention of everyone, and the entire room was buzzing with excitement.

"This is ridiculous!" He tried to step forward again but Edwards' hand grasped his arm and pulled him away. "You can't let them do this!"

"The Senior Sentinel Prime can take care of himself," Edwards told him soothingly, obviously believing he needed the comfort of hearing that.

"That's not my problem." Blair tried to yank his arm free, but Edwards' hand remained firmly in place. "What I'm saying is that I'm not going to bond with anyone, so fighting over me is a waste of time."

The Sentinel smiled, his other arm wrapped around his Guide. "It'll be all right, Blair. Just relax."

"He'd be better off with me, you know," Bond taunted as he began to slide his jacket off. "I can take him to exotic places, broaden his horizons...while you can offer," his eyes flicked sneeringly over the room, "Cascade."

Ellison mirrored his actions, dropping his jacket to one side. "I think his horizons will be just fine in Cascade. He obviously didn't come over with you so he must be a native. Far better for him to not have to give up his friends and family."

"Or the rain!"

"I'll buy him an umbrella."

"I'll buy my own umbrella!" Blair all but shouted.

"Quiet, Guide," Edwards murmured. "They don't need to be distracted now."

Blair thought quickly. This was really happening! What was he, a medieval damsel being fought over by two thick-headed knights? He really didn't need these complications in his life, but how could he escape? While everyone's attention appeared riveted on the fight developing in their midst, Edwards' hand was still clamped around his arm meaning that he was going nowhere. Heck, it was a good job Ellison had arrived before he'd had a drink or he might need the -

"I need the bathroom." He kept his voice quiet and mentally crossed his fingers. While Sentinels would ordinarily be able to spot a lie at a hundred yards, he was so agitated that he was positive none of them would be able to tell for sure.

"What?" From the stunned look on Edwards' face and the way the other two were staring at him, he suspected they were buying it.

"Sorry. I know you're busy fighting over me but uh..." he did a little hop dance to emphasise his need, "...I'm getting kind of desperate here."

"Fine." Ellison's tone was flat.

"Fine!" Bond nodded as if Blair needed his permission.

"This way." Edwards led the way to the men's room, his own Guide still tightly tucked into his side.

Blair looked back at the following Sentinels. "Guys, it's okay. I don't need an escort. I think I can find my own way back."

Two feral smiles flashed out at him.

"Not at all," Ellison reassured him.

"My pleasure," Bond chimed in.

Blair gave a half-smile that he knew was as genuine as theirs. Once at the door, he glanced around at the roomful of people, all of whom were watching him with avid interest, and felt himself blushing. "I'll just be uh...." He retreated hurriedly and shut the door behind him, overwhelmingly relieved that they hadn't decided to come in with him. If they had, even if he had been as desperate as he pretended, he knew there would have been no way he could ever have persuaded his bladder to cooperate. Turning his back on the door, he hurriedly scanned the facilities available to him then checked out the stalls. One of them boasted a window, which was good, but he was positive 'his' Sentinels would be listening out for him. How could he hide the sounds of his escape?

He smiled, a pure blinding smile that would have dazzled any passing angel. How simple was this? He locked the door of his stall, trusting to the lock to give him a few precious seconds more, then climbed quietly up onto the cistern and grabbed the window catch firmly. All he needed was a few minutes' grace and he'd be gone. Reaching down, he flushed the toilet then threw the catch and scrambled out, trusting to the white noise of the water to cover his movements. Quietly, he shut the window, then ran.

~'~

The white noise of water filled his hearing and Jim dialled his hearing down, frowning. He hadn't heard his Guide do much except lock the door and flush the toilet. Not that he was into listening to people pee, but he was wary of letting his Guide out of earshot in case he escaped.

His jaw clenched as the realisation hit him and he threw open the door to the men's room, forcing his hearing past the white noise. As he had expected, his Guide's heartbeat was missing. "He's gone!"

"What?" Bond looked genuinely startled. Obviously he had been far too polite to listen in to Jim's Guide.

The Sentinel just managed to stop himself from smirking as he kicked in the door of the locked stall, Bond at his back. If that didn't prove that Bond wasn't Sandburg's Sentinel, he didn't know what would.

Growling softly to himself, the Dark Sentinel threw open the window and looked around. Sandburg's scent was there, rapidly disappearing in the fresh air, but his Guide was out of sight. "We'll have to search for him." He pushed Bond out of the way and headed back towards Edwards.

"That damned..." Bond stopped himself then muttered, "He must be going back to Rainier for his car."

"The university?" Jim demanded.

"Oh! Yes."

In spite of the startled look that was still on Bond's face, Jim realised that his body rhythms were not, in any way, betraying anxiety but seemed to be indicating a high level of complacency and he stopped, grabbing the other Sentinel's arm firmly. "What do you know that I don't?"

The startled look disappeared and a smirk took its place. "Well, really, old man...I suspect that the things I know that you don't would fill an encyclopaedia."

Releasing the arm, Jim leaned against that doorframe, blocking the way out, his gaze calmly regarding the Sentinel in front of him. "You know, Bond, I think you'd be more comfortable in the Sentinel Suite in the City Hall. At least until after my Clan and I find Sandburg."

Bond's eyes opened wider, the smirk disappearing in a flash. "Now, look -"

"I could have you escorted and held there until after Sandburg's found." Jim was pleased to note that he had rattled the other Sentinel as a fine line of sweat appeared on the man's upper lip.

In spite of that, his voice was as laidback as ever. "Hardly sporting though, is it, old man?"

"All's fair in love and bonding...Bond." Jim waited for a few seconds then added, "Or you can tell me what advantage you think you've got." He held up one hand to stop Bond's automatic denial. "You're not worried about losing Sandburg." He paced around the other Sentinel slowly then murmured, "You've got some way to keep track of him, haven't you?" The spike in Bond's heart rate told him he'd hit on the truth. "What and how?"

Bond shook his head then capitulated. "There are micro-transmitters fitted inside the cufflinks he's wearing. I suspected he might try to disappear at some point, although I didn't expect to have to fight another Sentinel for him."

Jim ignored the glare that was sent his way and demanded, "Where's the tracker?"

There was silence as the other Sentinel set his jaw stubbornly.

"We'll find him, then we'll decide who gets him. Fair?"

There was a slow nod then Bond added, "But I keep hold of the tracker."

"Agreed, but we'll take my truck. Edwards!"

Jim left Edwards to send Sentinels and Guides to discover Sandburg's home address and watch Rainier University and the bus and train stations, but claimed two Sentinel and Guide pairs to accompany himself and Bond. He didn't trust Bond as far as he could throw him and he was sure the weaker Sentinel was not above trying to trick him in order to claim Sandburg for himself. While Jim was quite happy to resort to such tricks if need be, he knew that he could easily take Bond in a fair fight. The Dark Sentinel stirred angrily in his mind. Losing the Guide was not an option; if Bond tried to double-cross him, he'd be taken out in whatever way was necessary.

~'~

James raised an eyebrow when he saw the vehicle that Ellison led him to. Fortunately for them, the other Sentinels and Guides would be going in their own cars and not be forced to sit in this 'truck'. Not that there would be room for all of them.

He kept a calm look on his face as he took his place in the passenger seat. His small attempt at diverting the Senior Sentinel Prime and sending him and his Clan off to Rainier University while he, James, tracked Blair using the transmitting cufflinks, had failed. He had never supposed that Blair would be foolish enough to return to the university, as the Guide had to realise that that would be one of the first places they would search for him.

It didn't matter. James was quite sure that he had enough tricks up his sleeve to defeat the other Sentinel and win Blair as his Guide. The other Sentinels and Guides would be a complication but he was also confident that he could overcome them. In any case, if he appeared to win the fight fairly, they wouldn't interfere in his bonding with Blair. He repressed a smile. He was good at winning 'fairly'.

"Hmm?" He realised that Ellison was talking to him and raised his eyebrow enquiringly. It was a good thing that Sentinels couldn't read minds; if the other Sentinel knew what he was thinking, he'd find himself locked up in that Sentinel Suite for sure until Blair was well and truly bonded to his rival.

"I said, 'do you have the tracker?'."

"Oh, of course." James pulled the ultra-thin tracking device from his breast pocket. He had been extremely glad when Q had come up with this modified sleek design as the larger versions had played merry hell with the line of his suit. Turning it on, he tuned into Blair's frequency and pointed, "He's headed that way."

Watching the direction indicator, his mind ran on for a few moments, deliberating the challenges he'd have to face once he'd bonded with Blair. He hoped the boy wasn't attached to his hippie image or his long hair as they'd both have to go. However, time enough to face that once he'd found Blair and they were firmly bonded. A glance at the determined jaw of the Sentinel at his side reminded James of another problem. He'd have to make sure that Ellison was in no condition to interfere until after he and Blair had left Cascade, as there was a risk the other Sentinel would challenge him for possession of his Guide. While it was rare, it was not unknown for Sentinels to fight to the death to win an already bonded Guide, and the Senior Sentinel Prime of Cascade and the Northern Territories would not take defeat lightly.

A bleep from the tracker interrupted his thoughts. "This way now."

Ten minutes later, they were standing outside a derelict warehouse, the tracker bleeping steadily.

James was horrified. "What on earth can the boy be doing here?"

He caught the impatient look Ellison threw him as he replied, "He's not here."

The tracker continued to bleep and James frowned down at it.

Ellison snatched it out of his hand. "Stop relying on those gadgets for a minute and listen!" He stalked off towards the building leaving James behind.

Frowning, James listened, allowing his hearing to sweep through the building. He could hear the faint hum of the transmitters, and the rapid heartbeats of several small creatures - probably, he realised with a flash of distaste, rodents - but there was no soothing heartbeat from his Guide. The sounds of metal scraping across metal interrupted him and he blinked, pulling his hearing back quickly.

Ellison was picking the lock on the front door.

James raised an eyebrow but refrained from commenting as he followed the police detective and the other Sentinels and Guides into the building. If he hadn't read Ellison's file and known that he was an ex-Ranger and ex-Covert Ops, he would have been wondering which of his morally-challenged contacts had taught him to pick locks so well.

The mystery of the cufflinks was solved. The very expensive tuxedo that James had purchased earlier that day was lying in a heap on a shabby couch, the cufflinks neatly laid on top of it. James picked them up. He'd been quite pleased with his forethought at manipulating Blair into wearing them, however, it seemed it had been a waste. Was this where the boy lived? And what on earth had made him get changed?

"It looks like he packed a few things too."

Looking up, he stared at the chest of drawers that had its drawers open and its remaining contents spilling out, then glanced around at the rest of the living area. "How on earth can you tell?"

"Scent. He handled these clothes tonight. Why else would he bother unless he was packing? I'd guess he's planning to run." The ringing of his cell phone interrupted him and Jim paused to answer it. "Ellison."

James eavesdropped shamelessly. It was Edwards, giving Ellison Blair's home address. So this was where the boy lived.

"Yeah, we're here now. I'll phone you if we find anything. Bye."

"His scent's all over these clothes."

James turned to look at the tall good-looking blonde who was delicately sniffing at the tuxedo. "That's only to be expected, Sentinel...?"

"Pais. Lisa Pais. This is my Guide, Karl."

He was glad that he wasn't a sensitive man or the hostile looks he was getting could have bothered him. Obviously, they considered him to be an interloper who was threatening the prospective bond between Ellison and Blair, whereas if he hadn't brought Blair to the gathering, there would be no prospective bond.

"I just meant that if we pass these out to the other Sentinels in the Clan, they'll be able to recognise Guide Sandburg no matter what he's wearing or what he looks like."

James gave the tall blonde another look. Brains and good looks, just his type. He noticed the glare her Guide was giving him and carefully kept any trace of a smile off his face. He'd never been challenged by a Guide before and, while the experience could prove interesting, he had other things on his mind at present.

"That should make it easier to find him."

He glanced over at the Guide who looked like everyone's favourite maiden aunt then did a double-take. Good Lord, she was the Sentinel and the huge hulk who was hovering over her was her Guide. How on earth did she manage -

His thoughts broke off as her steely-eyed gaze met his. That explained everything: she was another M in disguise. Both of them small, sweet-looking ladies with the temperaments of steamrollers. No wonder she needed a large Guide; a smaller one would have been flattened by now.

"Good idea, Lisa."

James' attention snapped back to the conversation at hand as Ellison left the chest of drawers and took charge.

"Dr. Harvey, will you and Jon take Sandburg's clothes to Edwards? Lisa, Karl and I...and Bond, of course, will search for any hint as to where he's gone."

The unconventional pairing nodded and left, James gazing after them as they went.

"She's quite lethal, you know."

"I beg your pardon?" James stared at Ellison.

"Dr. Harvey." A glimmer of a smile appeared on the man's face. "I've often thought that it's a good thing she never trained for Covert Ops. She really doesn't need the extra edge."

James had a brief vision of M dressed in combat fatigues, her face covered in camouflage paint, her belt heavy with knives and guns. He shuddered. "I quite agree," he said, fervently. Changing the subject, he continued, "You know, I think it would be better if I were to continue my search for Blair alone. I'm sure we can cover twice the ground that way."

Ellison's eyes met his. "The Clan can cover enough ground for all of us. You stay with me."

"Anyone would think you didn't trust me, old man," James replied sarcastically.

A glimmer of a smile crossed Ellison's face. "I don't."

~'~

Blair couldn't flatter himself that he was doing anything but scurrying from corner to corner when he finally reached Anne Jackson's apartment. Anne, formerly Andromeda Moondust Orion (daughter of Sirius and Rainbow Orion - previously Kevin and Marion Jackson), was one of his oldest friends.

They'd met at various stages throughout their lives, each time in yet another commune that her parents and his mother had migrated to. After swearing eternal love and devotion to each other at the tender age of seven and six, their previously declared adoration had settled down into a strong friendship that had never waned. No matter where they were, they managed to keep in touch. Anne had cried on Blair's shoulder when her first adult love had turned out to have feet of clay, and Blair knew that no matter what else was going on in his life, he could count on Anne to back him up. After Blair had settled down in Cascade, Anne had soon followed suit, and disappointed her parents by shortening her name to 'Anne', reclaiming their rejected surname and becoming a teacher. Anne had silenced their protests by pointing out that she had considered going to the police academy, and all arguments from them had ceased from that point on.

In any case, Anne was guaranteed to offer Blair a haven to hide away until the Sentinels either stopped searching or died of old age. Therefore, he headed straight for her apartment building and ran up the stairs until he reached her front door.

~'~

Anne hurriedly turned off the DVD she and Marc, a fellow teacher, were watching as a frantic knocking was heard. "What on earth...."

Marc jumped to his feet. "I'll get it!"

Anne followed him down the hall. She was well aware of what Marc was doing. He'd been trying to get her to go on a date with him for months now, and how better to get fair maiden to fall for rugged charms than by defending her against the axe murderer of a visitor who was, even now, thumping on the door again?

"Who are you?"

Anne could see her pseudo-brother looking her would-be rescuer up and down with confusion on his face, and moved past Marc to get his attention. "Blair!"

"Anne! I thought for a minute that you'd moved - I was about to panic!"

"Looks like you're already doing that," Marc muttered, a snide tone in his voice.

Anne gave him a glare. Blair was always more than welcome in her home and any prospective beau of hers had better keep that in mind. "What's up, what's happened?" She let Blair grab her arm and lead her towards her bedroom. Obviously, he needed to talk in private. She foiled Marc's attempt to guard her honour in the bedroom by the simple action of pushing him out of the bedroom, telling him to put the kettle on, and shutting the door behind him, then sat on the bed and put her arm around her favourite friend. "Tell me what happened."

He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. "I was at Rainier yesterday when Edwards turned up in my office with this guy called Bond - a Sentinel."

"Uh oh." Anne sighed. She was very well aware of Blair's empathic abilities and just as aware of his determination to avoid bonding. "He wanted to bond?"

"Yeah, although he didn't come straight out and say that. He just said that he had to go to this Clan gathering and needed a Guide to go with. He would have made trouble with Edwards if I hadn't said yes, so I went."

"And?"

Blair shook his head, words apparently deserting him.

"What?" Anne prodded. "Go on."

Blair blushed then reluctantly continued, "He got into a fight with the Senior Sentinel Prime of the Clan over who was going to bond with me."

"They were fighting over you?"

He nodded.

"So what happened then? You're not bonded, are you?"

"No! I...said I needed the bathroom then climbed out of the window and took off."

She stared at him for a second then burst out laughing. "You left them fighting while you ran off?"

"It's not funny!"

"Blair, it's the funniest thing I've heard all day! I wish I could've seen their faces when they realised you'd gone."

She was relieved to see a faint smile on Blair's face although it quickly faded.

"Anyway, I need a place to hide out for a while. Do you mind?"

"Not at all, you know that. Although, I don't see why you need to hide out at all - can't you just tell these guys to get lost?"

"I tried that. It didn't work."

He flopped back onto the bed and Anne leaned over him knowing he could feel her sympathy. "It'll be okay, Blair. After all, they can't force you to bond. And how much success can two Sentinels have looking for you in a city this size?"

His eyes met hers, despair turning them a sombre blue. "Ellison is the Senior Sentinel Prime of Cascade. He can call out his entire Clan to go looking for me."

"Oh." Anne flopped back next to him. "How big is his Clan?"

"You know the huge reception room at the Majestic Hotel?"

"Vaguely." Anne was sure she'd been there at least once.

"Well, his Clan is at least big enough to fill it."

"Oh, Lord."

"Yeah."

They lay there in silence for a few minutes then Blair rolled over. "So who's the guy outside?"

Anne smiled. It was so typical of Blair that in the middle of a huge crisis, he was able to think of her. "His name's Marc, he's a teacher."

"And?"

"He's a friend."

Blair raised his eyebrows. "Seems to me like he wants to be more than a friend."

Anne sighed, not really willing to start explaining her own problems. "He's not serious."

"But you are?" His quiet voice was filled with sympathy.

Her eyes filled with tears suddenly and she sniffed, resolutely determined to keep her poise. "I would be, but what's the point?" She shrugged. "Come on, I'll introduce you."

~'~

Blair noticed the hard stare he received from Marc during their introductions. He could tell that the guy was jealous as hell and longing to warn him off but not daring to as long as Anne was there. Accordingly, they made polite small talk until Anne excused herself for a few minutes, then the gloves came off.

As soon as the bathroom door shut, Marc leaned forward, his jaw muscle twitching with anger. He opened his mouth to speak but Blair forestalled him.

"There's nothing between Anne and I. We've known each other forever - in fact, she's my oldest friend." Blair lowered his barriers slightly and took the risk of reading Marc. As Marc's brown eyes snapped up to meet his, Blair hurriedly slammed his barriers back into place. The guy had some abilities - there was probably Sentinel or Guide blood in his family somewhere.

"You're an Empath!"

Blair sighed. Bang went that secret.

Marc stared at him, giving Blair the impression that he was attempting to read the situation from Blair's face. "Are you on the run from a Sentinel?"

Now it was Blair's turn to be surprised. "Are you sure you're not an Empath too?"

Marc grinned and shook his head. "I've met a few Empaths; some of my cousins are Sentinels." He added hastily, "You don't need to worry about me though - I won't turn you in if you don't want to bond. It's your decision, after all!"

"Thanks." Blair could tell that Marc was genuine, he just wasn't happy about the guy knowing too much.

"Although, all the Sentinels I know are great. I mean, they are my cousins but, you know, they'd never hurt their Guides. They value them too much."

"It's not that, I just -" Blair broke off as the bathroom door opened and Anne came back.

"What?"

Blair looked at Marc and they both looked at Anne. "He knows," Blair told her.

"And?" There was a warning tone in her voice that couldn't have been missed by the dullest intellect.

Marc hastily answered her, "I'm not going to tell anyone."

"Good!"

"His cousins are Sentinels." Blair slumped in his chair. All he needed now was for Ellison and Bond to come crashing through the door and, somehow, his evening would be complete.

Anne's reply took him by surprise. "He could help us!"

Blair looked up.

"How?" Marc sounded as dumbstruck as he was.

"You can find out what they're likely to do to find Blair." Anne looked pleased with her idea. "Give us an edge. If we know what they'll do, we can work around them!"

"That's actually a good idea," Blair replied, once again surprised.

"I do have them, you know!" she snapped back, her grin belying the tone in her words.

"And anything I don't know, I can find out!" Marc chimed in. "I can ask one of my cousins - they'll know, for sure."

"So...what will they do?" Anne demanded, sitting down on the edge of her seat.

"Well...it depends on who the Sentinel is. If he's a member of the Clan, he can go and ask them to help in finding his Guide."

"We've already covered that one - he's the Senior Sentinel Prime. He can send out his Clan to find me." Blair groaned, another wave of anxiety rising in him at the memory.

"What?!" Marc's shock could have been easily felt by non-Empaths. "You're kidding me!"

"I wish I was."

Anne sounded hesitant, "That makes a big difference then, right?"

"It makes all the difference in the world! The Senior Sentinel Prime's a Dark Sentinel. If he thinks you're his Guide - which makes you a Dark Guide, by the way, and there hasn't been a Dark Guide found in centuries - then he'll never give up. He needs you, far more than an ordinary Sentinel needs a Guide."

Blair's gaze met his. Marc's sincerity was obvious but Blair wasn't willing to give up his life, his dreams, to spend the rest of his life trailing around after a Sentinel.

"Dark Sentinels are even more...primitive than ordinary Sentinels. Don't get me wrong, my cousins are great guys, but when their Guides are threatened, you just don't get in their way. And Dark Sentinels are worse!"

"Which is another reason not to bond with him!" Blair snapped.

"Anyway, there's a complication," Anne chipped in.

Marc stared at her, apprehension written all over his face. "More complicated than a Dark Sentinel on the hunt?"

Blair groaned again and slid deeper into his chair.

"There's another Sentinel after him."

Marc was silent. When Blair looked up, he was staring at Blair with a stunned look on his face.

Finally, he blinked and asked, very quietly, "Is your life always this complicated?"

~'~

Jim shut the cupboard door with a bang. "That's it. There's nothing here." As he expected, Lisa and Karl stood ready for his next orders while Bond was doing his best to ignore Jim's 'I'm in charge' attitude. He frowned as he regarded his rival for Sandburg. Something about Bond didn't add up. He knew that the other Sentinel was a tycoon who ran his own computer technology firm - which explained the transmitter and tracker which were surely not the usual kind of things a businessman took abroad with him - but why was he a businessman? All the Sentinels Jim had known worked at protecting the tribe in one way or another. They most certainly did not set up a firm which specialised in computer technology unless....

"Something wrong, old man?"

Jim's eyes narrowed at the taunting tone. As soon as he got back to the P.D., he was going to have Sentinel James Bond well and truly investigated.

"Just thinking about what to do next. Does Sandburg have an office at Rainier?"

"Well, if you can call it that. Seemed to be more like a storage room to me."

"Then I think that's our next port of call. There might be more information on his computer - an address book possibly. That should give us a few more places to search for him."

~'~

Anne sighed and slumped down on the couch next to Marc, who promptly put his arm around her shoulders. "So, what can we do then?"

Blair hid his smile. Anne had it badly, he could tell. She hadn't even appeared to notice the arm around her and now she was leaning against Marc's side, a contented look taking the place of the frustration from a few moments before.

"Not much, actually," Marc replied.

That got Blair's attention. "There's got to be something I can do!"

"We," Anne interrupted. "I'm in this too, Blair, don't forget that."

"Me too." Marc's voice was firm. "The best thing you can do is keep a low profile - in fact, don't go out at all. Sentinel Ellison is a police detective; he's not going to let that advantage go unused. As soon as it looks like the Clan isn't going to track you down tonight, he'll have an APB out on you. And he'll have the airport, train stations and bus station covered. Do you have a car?"

"Yeah, but it's at Rainier - and I think Bond will realise that."

"Bond? That's the other Sentinel after you?"

Blair nodded, too tired to talk.

"They'll have Sentinels at Rainier too, in case you go back there."

He groaned. "I'll have to call in sick."

"You do that. I'll go and talk to some of my cousins, maybe find out what the Clan's planning. If they'll tell me. And don't worry, I'll be discreet."

"Thanks, Marc."

"No problem, Blair. I'd better get going anyway. We've got work tomorrow."

Blair glanced at the pair of them on the couch and got up. "I'll get your coat," he murmured.

"Oh. Thanks. It's the black leather jacket."

Grinning to himself, Blair retreated to the front door and kept his attention riveted on the coats hanging there. The black leather jacket was easily found and he waited, jacket in hand. Marc was taking his time saying goodbye to Anne. Blair shut his ears to the quiet conversation and kept his barriers high. Voyeurism really wasn't his style.

Finally Marc had gone and Anne moved to make up the couch for Blair to sleep on.

"You feeling any better about Marc?" Blair asked, taking the pillow and pillowcase from her.

She turned her attention to the sheet she was smoothing over the seat cushions. Finally, she shrugged. "Maybe he's more serious than I thought."

"Well, if it helps...that's the impression I got."

He saw her hastily hidden smile and the blush that accompanied it. Yep, she had it badly all right.

~'~

The next morning, Marc went to the Cascade P.D. His cousin Jack, always an early bird, tended to work an early shift so, Marc hoped, he'd be able to talk to him before he went to school. With any luck, he'd have something to tell Anne when he saw her there.

Jack was on duty and he was in the P.D., so Marc showed some I.D. and waited while the desk sergeant phoned up to verify that Jack knew him. A few minutes later saw him in the elevator pressing the button for the fourth floor.

"Hold the elevator!"

Startled, Marc did, and accepted the thanks one of the two tall dark-haired men gave him with a nod and a half-smile. The one who had spoken hit the button for the seventh floor and the elevator set off.

Marc idly watched the numbers changing as the elevator approached his floor. The elevator coming to a sudden stop got his attention and he looked around to realise that both of the men were staring at him, their eyes narrowed. He glanced nervously from one to the other, backing up slightly, although he had nowhere to go. "Is - is there a problem?"

"That depends," one of them answered, his British accent sounding strange to Marc's ears.

"On...what?"

The other one smiled, a feral grin that sent a shiver down Marc's spine. "On how quickly you tell us how you know Blair Sandburg."

Part 2.