On the Run - part 5

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"You've gotta be kidding me!" Blair stared at his monumentally stupid and suicidal Sentinel.

"Not kidding you, Chief." Even if Blair couldn't feel it, satisfaction was written all over the Sentinel's face. "Barnes wants you, and she knows - or she'll soon know - that she'll have to go through me to get to you."

"And you're just going to sit there and let her take pot-shots at you."

Jim nodded, a half-smile on his face. "Something like that." He glanced around. "Is this all the stuff you've got?"

Blair ignored the small pile of clothes the Sentinel was frowning over. Most of it was David's anyway. "Jim, she'll know it's a trap. If you use me as the bait -" He shut up as the Sentinel swung towards him, fury ripping through his weakened barriers.

"We're not going to use you as bait, Sandburg! Get that into your thick skull right now!"

"She won't go for it, Jim," Blair insisted. "She'll know there's something wrong. If we've just bonded -"

"We did just bond, Chief, remember?" Jim trailed a finger over the bite mark on Blair's neck then leaned in slightly, flicking a glance at the bed Blair was sitting on. "Or do you want me to remind you when, where and how?"

Blair felt his face redden. "I remember." Oh boy, did he remember! "But she won't buy it unless I'm by your side!"

As Jim threw up his hands and turned away, Blair got up, limped past him and stood in his way.

"We've just bonded so we'll have to be together!"

"Edwards will be with you; he'll shield you!"

Blair didn't doubt that. There was no way Jim would leave him alone and vulnerable, regardless of what the separation would do to the Sentinel. In any case, it didn't matter; Blair had to be with Jim to convince Alex they were bonded; convince her she had to make a move. "And because we're not together, she'll know it's a trap!"

"Blair!" Jim's hands settled on his shoulders and held him still. "I'm not putting you in danger. You'll be in the Sentinel suite with Edwards and David." His grip gentled slightly, one thumb rubbing gently across his collarbone. "I can't risk losing you."

"But I'm supposed to risk losing you." Fear for his Sentinel settled like a hard, cold stone in Blair's chest.

"You're not going to lose me, Sandburg."

Blair wished he could believe that.

"Now let's get your stuff together and go. The sooner we do this, the better."

~'~

It didn't take long to pack what little clothing Blair had and Jim frowned over it again before a thought occurred to him. "Chief, where do you live?"

The blank look on his Guide's face at the sudden change in subject amused Jim but he kept his face straight and made a note of the address, raising his eyebrows over the fact that it was obviously a warehouse.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Once we're in the Sentinel suite, I'll send a couple of Sentinels to collect some of your things. Let me know if there's anything you want in particular."

Blair's face lit up. "My backpack, man! It's got my laptop in it. I had to leave it behind when Alex came through the door..." His voice trailed off suddenly and he looked down at the floor. "She could have trashed the place, I guess."

Jim sat on the bed next to him and rubbed one shoulder comfortingly. "She might have been more interested in getting hold of you, Chief. But I'll tell them to check the place over, see what damage she might have done." Forget the couple of Sentinels. If there were any chance of Barnes being around, Jim was taking a team there himself.

"It's uh...not very tidy, Jim." Blair's face reddened.

Shaking the slumped shoulder slightly, Jim replied, "Then we'll blame that on Barnes."

He won a slight smile in return, then it faded as Blair chewed thoughtfully on the corner of his lip.

"What are you thinking?"

Blair looked up and smiled winningly. "My ankle's almost all right now; I could go myself, if you'll give me a ride."

Jim shook his head and got up. "No."

"But -"

"No." There was no way his Guide was going anywhere where Barnes might have been and might still be.

"Is that all you're going to say?"

"No." Jim smiled and shook his head again, enjoying the annoyed look his Guide threw him.

"You're a jerk, Jim, you know that?"

Jim nodded. "Yeah."

~'~

Moving Blair to the Sentinel suite was easily done, although leaving him there, under the protection of Edwards, Doctor Harvey, and several other Sentinels was much harder for Jim. It didn't help that Blair didn't seem to see why he had to be left behind either.

Glaring down at Blair as he sat on the bed, Jim folded his arms and said, firmly, "It could be dangerous, Sandburg. You're not going."

Disbelief seemed to rob Blair of speech for a few seconds and Jim turned towards the door.

"You're risking me by going!"

Jim turned back. "What?"

"If you..." Blair's hands waved in the air for a moment before he finally continued, "die then I'll be left bondless; vulnerable! What's going to happen to me then?!"

At his glance, Edwards and David left the room, and Jim knelt by the bed. "I'm not going to die, Chief."

"You don't know that, Jim. At least if I go with you -"

"No."

Blair gave a strangled groan and fell flat across the bed before sitting up again. "What is it with you and the 'no'?!"

"It's a word, Sandburg. And I get the impression I'll be using it a lot from now on." Jim stood up. "Edwards will shield you while I'm gone. Nothing is going to happen to you -"

"It's not me I'm worried about, you jerk!"

Jim smiled. "I know that. But nothing's going to happen to me either. You stay here, be good. And I'll be back with your stuff soon."

As Jim moved away, Blair's hand latched onto his sleeve and clung on. "Jim, the stuff isn't important; I can do without it!"

Removing the grip on his sleeve, Jim shook his head. "I have to go, Chief. If she's there, this will all be over quickly." He could smell the fear on his Guide but refused to give in to the need to comfort him. "I have to go."

"Jim!"

He ignored the shout and dived through the doorway. Glaring at his second in command, Jim ordered, "Stop him," then continued down the corridor, resolutely dialling down his hearing. The sooner he went, the sooner he'd be back.

~'~

As Jim lunged through the door, Blair pushed himself up. That damned Sentinel wasn't going anywhere without him; he hadn't bonded with a Sentinel just to be treated like spun glass. He limped forward, intent on following, then stopped as Neds and David came in, shutting the door firmly behind them.

"Neds -"

"Just sit down, Blair. He'll be back soon."

Blair could feel Neds' shields wrapping around his mind, protecting him as his own Sentinel's shields faltered around him and died away. Shutting his eyes and shaking his head, he concentrated on pushing the barriers away. He didn't want this alien touch; he wanted, he needed his own Sentinel.

"Sit down, Blair."

Firm hands forced him back onto the bed and he shook his head again, still struggling to escape mentally as his body tightened with resistance.

"David, lie down on the other side."

Beside him the bed dipped, then he was being pushed and pulled, rolled onto his side against his will as warm bodies settled either side of him, their hands and arms holding him in place. Forcing his eyes open, Blair stared into David's concerned face, feeling Neds' arm tighten around him even as those damned unwanted barriers tightened and held, defending him against all.

"It's all right, Blair."

David's voice was soft and Blair could feel the echo of his concern filtering through David's bond with Neds. For a moment, Blair allowed himself to experience what was happening instead of fighting to push it away. He could feel their bond, almost see it as it wrapped warmly around him, drawing him in; protecting him.

Willing himself to pull back, Blair fought against the barriers again, gritting his teeth and mentally pushing with all his might. Damn it, he was stronger than this! But he'd just bonded - a fact that Jim knew very well - which meant that he was weakened. Groaning with the effort as he strove to break free, Blair felt the sweat break out on his forehead. This wasn't his bond, and sure as hell wasn't his Sentinel, but no matter how hard he tried, the shields remained in place.

"Just relax, Blair," Neds' breath was warm on the back of his neck. "Ellison will be back soon."

~'~

Unfortunately for the Cascade Clan, there was no sign of Barnes when they reached Blair's address, however Blair's fears were confirmed: balked of her prey, Barnes had taken her frustration out on his belongings.

"It's all trashed."

Jim nodded at Pais as she stood over the remains of a laptop. "I don't think she left anything undamaged," he replied.

"His clothes look okay." Milano picked up a shirt by its collar, then let go of it again, wiping his hand on his shirt hurriedly. "It's uh...."

Making his way over, Jim stopped a few feet away. He didn't need to get any closer to realise that the bitch's scent was all over Blair's clothing. "Start searching. See if there's anything to be saved." If there was anything, they'd find it but, looking around at the devastation, Jim doubted if Blair would have much left of his former life.

Leaving the majority of his team behind, Jim returned to the Sentinel suite taking two Sentinels and their Guides back with him. While he, personally, didn't feel the need for any bodyguards of his own, he knew better than to bother arguing with his Clan over that one. It wasn't only the Senior Guide Prime who had to put up with unwanted protection.

As he opened the door and stepped into the room he and Blair were sharing, Edwards rolled from the bed and sat up.

"Welcome back." Standing, Edwards held out his hand and helped David scramble off the bed, as Blair slowly rolled onto his back. "Senior Sentinel Prime. C'mon, David."

Before the door had even shut, the Sentinel leaned over his Guide. "Damn!" Throwing off his jacket and kicking off his shoes, he settled himself down and pulled his Guide to him, wrapping his arms and his shields around him tightly.

For a moment, he felt Blair fight him mentally, then the resistance drained away and the taut body relaxed. "Jiiimm."

"That's right, Chief, it's me." Resting his cheek against Blair's head, Jim muttered, "You must have put up a hell of a fight to get into this state." Tightening his arms slightly, Jim reminded himself that it wasn't Edwards' fault, it was his; he shouldn't have gone.

"Not you."

The words were whispered but the Sentinel heard them easily and his self-condemnation deepened. "I know, Blair, I'm sorry." Rocking him gently, Jim added, "But it's me now. Just relax. Everything's going to be fine."

~'~

With his Sentinel by his side, Blair finally felt able to rest easy. He'd known, while he was struggling against Neds' protection, that he was forcing himself towards an overload. He supposed he should be grateful that Jim had returned when he had.

Leaning his face against his Sentinel's shoulder, Blair relaxed even more as sensitive fingers massaged the back of his head. Jim was back, safe and sound. He could put up with a headache for that.

"Do you want me to fetch Doctor Harvey?"

Blair guessed he shouldn't have been surprised that they had a doctor on call but he shook his head slightly. He'd be fine.

"Are you sure?"

He felt Jim pull back slightly and frowned at the movement. This was nice, comfortable. His headache would clear soon, he was sure of it.

"Better safe than sorry."

His moaned protest was ignored as Jim moved off the bed. Opening his eyes slightly, Blair flinched at the light, and shut them again, preferring to listen rather than endure the stabbing pain that came with vision. He heard the door open, a murmur of voices, then the door closed again. For a moment, he thought Jim had left him again, then the bed dipped once more and familiar arms slipped around him.

"She'll be here soon."

To Blair's surprise, it was only a couple of minutes later that the door opened again and a female voice murmured, "Senior Sentinel Prime."

"Doctor Harvey, Jon," Jim's voice took on a formal tone even though he didn't move an inch, "this is my Guide, Blair. Blair, this is Sentinel Doctor Harvey and her Guide, Jon."

For a moment, Blair wondered if he was expected to acknowledge the introductions - he really didn't feel capable - then two voices softly chorused, "Senior Guide Prime," before Doctor Harvey spoke again. "May I examine your Guide, Senior Sentinel Prime?"

Blair felt Jim's jaw rub against his forehead lightly as the Sentinel nodded, then Jim released him and moved down the bed.

"Sentinel Edwards shielded him while I was gone," Jim said.

Cool hands touched his head gently, silently urging him to lift his face up slightly. "I've already spoken with the Sentinel Prime," the doctor replied, her voice quiet. "He told me how hard your Guide fought him. Jon, will you turn off the light, please?" There was a click, then the doctor continued, "Senior Guide Prime, can you open your eyes?"

Blair cautiously obeyed, then opened them wider when there was no stabbing light to be found although the arc of sparkles that was distorting his vision made him blink in a futile effort to clear it. He could feel the Sentinel's breath wafting across his face but, in the darkness, he couldn't see her at all.

"Where does it hurt?"

Letting his eyes slide closed, he whispered, "Right behind my eyes. I think it's a migraine."

He could hear the amusement in her voice as she answered, "I think you're right. Senior Sentinel Prime, I'll give him an injection that should help the migraine to clear. Keep him warm and let him rest until he feels better. He should sleep, if he can."

Blair ignored the quiet sounds that followed and the feel of a sterilising swab wiping the inside of his elbow. The sting of the needle that followed was harder to ignore but it was nothing compared to the pounding in his head.

"He should be fine by morning." Her hand gently touched his shoulder. "Next time you're being shielded, Senior Guide Prime, try not to fight it." He heard her get to her feet. "Senior Sentinel Prime." There was the quiet sound of her footsteps, then the door opened and closed.

"Okay, let's get you into bed."

With Jim's help, Blair didn't find it too difficult to strip down to his t-shirt and boxers before being rolled under the covers, although the heaviness in his head meant that he just wanted to lie down and sleep until the pain went away.

As Jim settled down next to him, Blair eagerly reached for the soothing bond that was wrapping around him.

"Next time you're being shielded," Jim murmured, "just accept it."

Blair sighed. "There won't be a next time, man. You're not going anywhere without me." Tightening his grip on his Sentinel, Blair tucked his head underneath Jim's chin and went to sleep.

~'~

By the time Blair woke up, it was the following morning, his migraine was gone, and his Sentinel seemed to be in an ominously good mood.

"What's up with you, man?" Blair demanded, rubbing the back of his neck as he headed towards the bathroom.

"We're in the papers."

"What?!" Blair spun on the spot, wincing as the movement told on his still-healing ankle.

"Careful!"

"What do you mean we're in the papers?" Ignoring the needs of his bladder, he limped over to the table where Jim was sitting, the paper spread out in front of him.

"'It has been confirmed by the Cascade Clan that the Senior Sentinel Prime, James Ellison, twice decorated Cop of the Year'," Jim smirked at Blair, "that's me, by the way."

"I guessed that seeing as they mention your name," Blair pointed out, his tone only slightly snide.

Jim silently mimicked Blair before he continued, "'Has finally found a Guide. Blair Sandburg, 26, a Teaching Fellow at Rainier University -"

"They know my name?" Blair twisted the paper around so he could see the article better. They didn't just have his name, there was also a reasonably clear photo that, amazingly, didn't make him look like a serial killer, next to a picture of Jim, smartly dressed in a tuxedo. "I don't believe this! How did they get my name?" He glared at Jim. "The Cascade Clan."

"Yep." Jim turned the paper back and gazed at the photos admiringly. "Good pictures, aren't they?"

"Good pictures? You've just painted a bull's-eye on your back and all you can say is 'good pictures'?!" For a moment, words failed Blair then the urgent signals from his bladder sank in. "If I didn't need the bathroom, I swear, Ellison, I'd kick your ass for this!" With as much dignity as he could muster, Blair limped towards the bathroom door.

"You might want to wait until your ankle heals up before you try, Chief." As Blair turned to glare at him, Jim added, "We don't want you making it any worse."

Part 6.