Disclaimer: The Sentinel and its characters are the property of Pet Fly, UPN, Paramount, and The SciFi Channel.
This story is part of the 'Second Generation' AU series created by Marianne, where Jim is married to Megan Connor and Blair is married to Aislynn Tyler (an OFC created by Marianne). This series picks up several years in the future with their sons Simon Ellison and Tyler James Sandburg. Other stories in the series, written by Marianne and Jen, can be found at: http://smorgasbord.phpwebhosting.com/2ndGenAU/
Much appreciation goes to TAE and Shallan for their beta work... thank you!
You can blame... I mean, you can thank Gray for the title.
Carole
"Hey, Tyler." Nudging his friend, ten year old Simon Ellison pointed at the sky. "Did you see the moon?"
Tyler's eyes opened wide in wonder. "Look, Daddy! The moon's out," the six year old called with excitement. "And it's round."
"It's called a full moon, Ty," Blair explained, gazing up at the bright orb.
"Look, Uncle Jim. It's a full moon!"
Checking the sky as directed, Jim nodded. "It sure is, Tyler," he said with a yawn.
"Tired?" Blair asked, smiling at the muffled words.
"Yep," was all Jim got out before he yawned again.
Blair chuckled in commiseration. He gestured toward the two boys sitting between them. "After following these two around all day, you should be. I don't know where they get all that energy."
"Are you hinting I'm getting old, Sandburg?" Jim's eyes were twinkling.
"No way, man. 'Cause if you are, I am, too."
"You're not old, Daddy," Tyler said in reassurance, leaning back against his father's legs. "Not like PopPop. He's real old."
"Thanks, Ty," Blair laughed, wondering how William Ellison would feel about that sentiment.
"How old do you think your grandpa is?" Jim asked the six year old curiously.
Tyler didn't blink. "One hundred and ten."
"One hundred and ten?" Jim sputtered, riding over Simon's protestations.
"Yeah."
"No, he's not," Simon finally got in. "He's seventy-seven. Right, Dad?"
Jim draped his arm around his son's shoulders. "That's right, Simon."
"Seventy-seven," Tyler echoed. "That's a seven and a seven. Daddy, is Gramma Naomi seventy-seven, too?"
Exchanging a bemused look with Jim, Blair said, "No, she's not as old as your PopPop."
"How old is she?" Tyler asked innocently.
"You're not supposed to ask," Simon corrected him.
Confused, Tyler looked to his friend for help. "Why not?" he asked.
Simon shrugged. "Dad said some ladies don't like to tell how old they are."
"Oh." Tyler thought for a moment. "How will we know how many candles to put on her birthday cake?"
Trying not to laugh, Blair ducked his head. "Well..."
"I'll just ask her how many candles she wants," Tyler decided for himself.
"Good idea," Jim assured him. He flashed a grin at Blair, then turned as Simon tapped his arm.
"Hey, Dad, can we go fishing again tomorrow?"
Pondering the question, Jim leaned back, crossing his arms and assuming a serious expression. "Depends."
"On what?" asked Simon curiously.
"On what?" Tyler piped up.
With a conspiratorial wink at the younger boy, Jim pointed at his son, shaking his finger. "On whether or not you're going to catch more fish than your old man again."
Simon laughed. "Okay, Dad. I'll let you catch more this time."
"A lot more," Jim suggested.
"A lot more," Simon amended.
"In that case, yes," Jim said, accenting his words with a playful swat to Simon's head.
"Can we go hiking, too?" Tyler wanted to know, jumping back into the conversation.
"Sure."
"And swimming?"
"We can do that, too," Blair assured him.
"Good," Tyler mumbled around a yawn. "Simon's going to help me find some more shells."
"Getting sleepy, kiddo?"
Tyler nodded. "A little."
Blair smiled knowingly. "Up too late last night?"
Nodding again, Tyler admitted, "Me and Simon were talking."
"Sounded more like a pillow fight to me," Jim chimed in. "What about you, Simon?"
Clearly remembering the laughing and horseplay that had lasted well into the early morning hours, Simon exchanged a sheepish look with his best friend. "Just a little one," he confessed.
Jim laughed. "A little one, huh?"
"And then we had a contest to see who could stay up the latest," Tyler blurted out, despite Simon's best attempts to shush him.
"You did, did you?" Blair asked, finding it hard to hide his amusement. "So, who won?"
Tyler's face lit up with excitement. "I did, Daddy."
"You did not," Simon protested, sitting up straight in indignation.
"Did too," Tyler argued back. "You were snoring."
"I was not."
Jim cleared his throat in a deliberate manner. "Do you think we can trust these two to get some sleep tonight, Chief?" he asked in a mock serious tone. "I'd really hate to cancel tomorrow's canoeing trip."
"I don't know," Blair replied thoughtfully, a smile teasing at the corners of his mouth. "Maybe we should split them up."
Both men grinned as the two boys immediately assumed identical postures. With hands folded in their laps and angelic expressions on their faces, they were the picture of innocence.
"We'll be good," they chorused as one.
"I'm sure you will," Jim chuckled, tousling his son's hair.
"You better be," Blair laughingly threatened, reaching down to affectionately squeeze his son's shoulder.
"We will, Daddy, Uncle Jim," Tyler promised. "We'll go right to sleep this time."
"It's almost bedtime now. Are you two ready to hit the sack?" Jim questioned.
"Can we have dessert first, Dad? Please?" Running back to the tent he shared with Tyler, Simon retrieved a bag of marshmallows.
Bouncing excitedly at the prospect, Tyler tugged at Blair's jacket sleeve. "Please, Daddy," the six year old begged. "Mommy said we could, and Simon already made me a stick."
Blair raised his eyebrows in amazement. "After all those fish you had for dinner, you still have room for dessert?"
"Lots of room," Tyler assured him. He patted his stomach. "See?"
"Jim?"
Jim nodded. "Okay by me."
Tyler held his breath, awaiting his father's decision.
"Marshmallows first, and then bed," Blair agreed, smiling as his words brought out an ecstatic "Yay!" from both boys. "But I want you to be careful. Don't get too close to the fire."
"I won't."
"I'll watch him, Uncle Blair," Simon interjected in all seriousness, placing a protective hand on Tyler's arm. "I won't let T.J. get hurt."
"Runs in the family," Blair murmured to Jim. "Like father, like son."
"I know," Jim acknowledged with more than a hint of pride. "Same holds true for both of you, you know." At Blair's questioning look, he added, "Especially when it comes to taking care of your partner."
Blair took a deep breath. "Thanks, Jim, I--"
"Daddy?" Tyler interrupted, his eyes pleading. "What about the marshmallows? Can we do it now?"
"Yes, we can do it now," Blair laughed. He bestowed a grateful smile on Jim before turning to his son. "Marshmallows it is. Let me show you how I used to do it."
Under the direction and watchful eye of Sentinel and Guide, the two boys spent several minutes roasting marshmallows over the fire. At first disappointed to pull back charcoal blobs instead of the expected gooey treats, they soon learned to position their marshmallows over the glowing embers instead of into the flame.
When their stomachs were finally satisfied, and their eyes were beginning to close with exhaustion, Simon and Tyler moved back from the fire, flopping down side by side on the ground in front of their fathers.
With Blair's hand resting on his shoulder, Tyler gazed up into the night sky, mesmerized by the sparkling stars. Simon stared sleepily out into the darkness, his father's fingers methodically, gently, threading through his hair.
Almost asleep, Tyler jerked to awareness when Simon stiffened next to him. A few seconds later, the young Sentinel tilted his head to the side. Tyler's hand immediately went to Simon's back as they unconsciously mirrored the oft repeated mannerisms of the older Sentinel and Guide pair.
Jim caught Blair's attention, gesturing toward the boys, but Blair was already watching, ready to act if the fledgling Sentinel and Guide needed assistance.
"What do you hear?" Tyler asked in a hushed voice.
Simon's look of intense concentration melted into an expression of delight. "Watch," he directed. "Dad, Uncle Blair, watch."
As they obeyed, a doe hesitantly stepped out into the small moonlit clearing. At her side, a spotted fawn tottered on unsteady feet.
"That's Bambi," Tyler whispered in awe.
The deer paused, her head lifted high. Listening and smelling, she evaluated her surroundings. The small fawn, leaning against his mother's legs, nuzzled the warm figure beside him. Suddenly, the doe bolted into action, pushing the youngster ahead of her, and the family of two disappeared into the brush.
"Wow." Tyler watched the clearing, hoping for another glimpse of the two animals. "Are they gone, Simon?"
Simon listened for a moment before nodding regretfully. "Yeah, Chief. They're gone."
"Maybe we'll see them again tomorrow night," Blair offered, seeing the small boy's disappointment.
Tyler's face brightened. "I hope so. Hey, Daddy? Can Mommy and Aunt Megan come camping with us next time? I want Mommy to see Bambi, too."
Knowing not to make a promise with both women working busy schedules, which often included weekends, Blair suggested, "Why don't you ask them when we get back home?"
"Okay, Daddy. I will." The issue settled to his satisfaction, he relaxed back against Simon's side, his gaze returning to the fire. It wasn't long before the lure of sleep drew him in. Simon affectionately pulled him closer, tucking the ends of his jacket around the smaller boy as Tyler rested his head on his friend's shoulder. A few minutes later the older child propped his cheek on Tyler's curly locks and closed his eyes in turn.
"I think the boys are ready for bed."
Blair looked up at Jim's softly spoken words. "So is this dad," he admitted with a wide yawn. "I'm beat."
"Me, too," Jim admitted in turn. Rising to his feet, he paused, surveying his extended family with an air of contentment. A soft sigh escaped his lips, drawing Blair's attention. As both sets of blue eyes met, Jim smiled, his pride and satisfaction obvious to the younger man. "We got lucky, didn't we?"
Understanding immediately, Blair looked down at the two boys with a tender expression. "Friends and family. It doesn't get any better than this, does it?
"Nope." Jim leaned over to carefully pick Simon up, as Blair lifted Tyler into his arms. The two boys were carried into their small pup tent and deposited on their beds.
"I think we've got jammie duty tonight," Jim said, as both boys sagged almost bonelessly on the pillows. Jeans and sweatshirts were quickly exchanged for sweatpants and t-shirts, neither child awakening during the procedure, and then the youngsters were tucked into their sleeping bags.
"Goodnight, son," Jim murmured, brushing a kiss on Simon's forehead. "I love you."
Covering his son with an extra blanket for warmth, Blair smiled as Tyler nuzzled his face into the soft fleece. Leaning forward to kiss Tyler's cheek, he whispered to the sleeping child, "I love you, Ty. Goodnight."
Carefully closing the tent flap behind them, the two men put out the fire before heading for their nearby tent and a well deserved night's rest.
~end~
November 2001