Disclaimer: The Sentinel and its characters are copyrighted by Pet Fly Productions. I am only borrowing them, and promise to put them back when I am finished. Extra special thanks go out to TAE, whose stories provided the basis of the friendship between the guys, your guidance and encouragement were really, really appreciated!! Whatever your thoughts, (good I hope!), I'd like to hear them.
Tara
"I'd like you to look at some pictures for me," the young woman shivered slightly as she turned the pages of the mug book, "let me know if you recognize anyone familiar." Ray sat down at his desk, watching her intently, the last few hours had been a nightmare - there had been a call about a car accident - he'd responded. He hadn't anticipated the blood - he could still smell it on his hands, then he noticed her shoulder's stiffen.
"That's him," she told him timidly, "I'm sure of it." Ray smiled at her.
"That's great," handing over her coat and purse he walked with her to the door of the squad room, "thanks for coming in." Suddenly the building shook violently, a wave of debris was shooting down the hallway. Instinctively Ray grabbed the young woman, shielding her with his body, feeling the impact of the debris on the side of his head as he pushed her to the ground. There was no where to run, the pain was intense. Then there was only blackness as he slipped into unconsciousness, sirens wailing in the distance.
Jim Ellison slipped his t-shirt over his head as he headed downstairs that morning. Blair had the television set on while he was preparing breakfast, and he glanced over at it, surprised to see a familiar face. "Hey Chief come over here quick." Jim called out. "Isn't that Ray?" he said pointing at the television set.
"Hey yeah, it is!" Blair said grabbing the remote to turn the volume up a little more as the reporter continued.
"... the bomb blast ripped through the 27th district building late yesterday evening. Police have begun searching for suspects. Two people were injured in the attack, one was treated and released from the hospital this morning, but the remaining victim, Detective Raymond Vecchio, remains in critical condition and unconscious..."
"Oh man." Blair breathed as Ray's mug shot was flashed on the screen again. Jim reached over to pick up the phone.
"Simon, this is Jim. I need to request some time off, it's personal sir." Jim stood transfixed looking at the television screen.
"I was just going to call you guys," Simon told him, "but obviously you've heard the news."
"How bad is it Simon?" Jim asked, fearing the answer but needing it nonetheless.
"It's bad Jim," Simon told him hesitantly, "from what I'm told the kid took the brunt of the explosion. He paused allowing Jim to repeat everything to Sandburg. "He's got a serious head injury and internal injuries too, the guy is in bad shape."
"What about the investigation Simon? Do they have anyone in custody yet?" The anger in his voice was unmistakable.
"They don't even have a motive yet Jim," Simon explained, "let alone a suspect." He stopped for a moment, "let me know if anything changes Jim." he couldn't ask him not to go - a friend was in trouble.
"You know it Simon," he looked over at Blair who was already stuffing some clothes into a bag, "we're going to grab the next plane out to Chicago. I'll call you when we get there." As he hung up Blair snatched the phone out of his hand and punched in the number for the university.
"Yeah that's right, Anthropology 104, I'm going to need someone to cover my lectures for the next little while, ..." Jim heard Blair explaining as he sprinted up the stairs to grab some of his own supplies.
"I called the airline, the next flight for Chicago leaves in 30 minutes, we better hurry." As he yelled upstairs to his friend Blair hurried around the kitchen shutting off the stove burners and putting things back in the fridge, stopping momentarily to pour two cups of coffee, one of which he handed to Jim as he came back downstairs. Then both men were rushing out of the door, unsure of what they would find when they arrived in Chicago.
Benton took a deep breath as he walked into his guide's ICU room. The only sounds in the room were coming from the monitors above Ray's bed, and the oxygen mask strapped to his face. He felt so helpless, so alone. The last few months had been hard on Ray - learning how to guide Ben's abilities, but he had stuck this out with him. Ben reached out and grabbed a frail, pale hand and gently rubbed it. "I need you to wake up now Ray," Ben whispered to him, Ray didn't stir at all. Ben's eye's showed his exhaustion as he talked to his comatose friend, "I promise you Ray, whoever is responsible for this will be caught, they'll be brought to justice."
"You got that right Ben," the voice from behind him stated quite matter-of-factly, "we are going to catch this bastard, make no mistake about that." Ben raised his head to look into the piercing blue eyes of his brother sentinel as Jim placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Has there been any change at all?" Blair asked the mountie as he looked at Ray's motionless frame. Ben sighed deeply, returning his attention to his partner.
"No. Nothing." Ben said with obvious frustration, "he's been like this ever since he was admitted to the hospital." Ben stood up as a nurse entered the room and walked with the two men.
"What's the investigation yielded so far?" Jim asked as they made their way out of the hospital.
"Not enough." Ben's voice shook a little.
"Well Jim's here now, and you've got Dief. Between the three of you, you're probably going to be slapping cuffs on this psycho any time now." Sandburg said in a low soothing voice. "Hey, come on," he said as Ben's pain registered on his face, "Ray's your guide. Trust me, it will take a lot more than this to break the bond you two share."
Ben mustered up the best smile he could for Blair, "I'm glad you're here." he said softly as the trio piled into Jim's rental car and headed off towards what was left of the 27th district building. On the way they stopped at the consulate to pick up Diefenbaker, and Jim placed a call to Simon.
"There's been no change yet Simon," Jim told him, "Ray's still unconscious and the police down here haven't been able to dig up anything useful yet." He heard Simon softly curse into the phone.
"If I can help, let me know Jim."
"You know I will Simon. Ben, Sandburg and I are heading over to the 27th as soon as I hang up with you to do some of our own digging."
"Just watch your back Jim, and keep me informed." As he said his goodbyes Simon wondered just what his men were getting themselves into.
Half of the building was in ruins, the roof had collapsed and fire had charred pretty much everything in its path. The place was crawling with police officers trying to find something in the rubble. Noticing the three men Lieutenant Welsh approached them. "How are you doing Constable?" Welsh said, the concern evident in his voice. He had come to like the mountie - even if he didn't fully understand what he was doing in Chicago.
"I'm getting by sir," Fraser told him as he introduced his two companions, "this is Detective James Ellison, Cascade PD and his associate Blair Sandburg."
"My Captain has asked me to tell you that the resources of the Cascade police department are at your disposal sir." Jim said grasping Welsh's outstretched hand.
"I'll remember that Detective." Welsh said as he looked at Ben again. "Ray?" Ben shook his head, Welsh's face mirrored Ben's disappointment.
Blair broke into the conversation. "Would it be alright if we had a look around lieutenant?"
Welsh turned to face the destruction, a look of disgust on his face, "we've already been all over this place - and forensics hasn't given me anything to work with yet. That's one of my best men in the hospital, I want some answers now!!" He faced Ellison again, "I don't care how insignificant you think it is, if you find something I want to be the first one to know gentlemen, is that clear?"
"Perfectly clear Leftenant," Fraser told him, "of course we'll keep you informed." Welsh walked off leaving the three men to their search.
Blair started to speak in a low, soothing voice. "Okay guys, now you have to concentrate," he placed a hand on each man's shoulder, "just filter through the normal stuff ..." Ben and Jim followed instructions, Blair realized they didn't need him to keep talking.
Ben closed his eyes, "do you smell that Jim?" he asked wrinkling his nose a little bit.
"Yeah," Jim said as he coughed in disgust, "man that really stinks, what is it?"
Ben sniffed the air again, "aftershave!" he exclaimed.
Blair patted him lightly on the back, "all right, you are good man! Now can you tell where it's coming from?" Ben started to move around lightly smelling his surroundings, stopping as he came to a charred door frame, barely able to hold up its own weight.
"It's the strongest here Chief," Jim told him, pulling his sweater up over his nose, "what was in here Ben?"
Ben opened his eyes for a moment, noticing a deformed snack machine in the corner, "this was the lunch room."
A laugh escaped Jim's lips, "well either someone has a really unusual appetite or this is where our man set the bomb."
Lieutenant Welsh cocked his head to one side as he observed the exchange, his frown deepening as he sniffed the air. "Jack," he said, pulling the older man aside, "do you smell anything?"
A queer look crossed the detective's face, "...sir?"
Welsh dismissed him with a wave of his hand, "never mind detective." Fraser was really concentrating, "Constable?" Welsh said, lightly touching the man's arm. The touch was electric and Fraser's eyes's shot open.
"Yes sir," Fraser said quickly, "is everything all right?"
"Why don't you tell me Constable," Welsh said looking into the man's face, "how did you do that?"
"Do what Leftenant?" Fraser asked him, donning his patented deer-caught-in-the-headlights look.
"That thing, that smelling thing you two were just doing. How does that work?"
"Oh that," Fraser said, nudging Blair for help, "it's an ..."
"Allergy ..., Jim's always had this sinus condition when it comes to certain aftershaves." Oh that was lame Sandburg! Blair told himself as Jim rolled his eyes.
"But he looks fine."
"Oh, it's a slow acting kind of allergy sir," Blair continued, "you'd never know it, but he's going to regret smelling this in a couple of hours." A small child inside of Jim was actually considering sitting down and having hysterics.
"Oh look, sir - it's Detective Huey!" Fraser suddenly said, relief evident in his voice, "good old Detective Huey." Huey approached Welsh shooting Ben a quirky look.
"Sir, there's some more reporters here." Welsh sighed loudly, as he took Huey aside for a moment.
Jim smacked Blair in the back of the head gently, "allergy - that was the best you could come up with Chief?"
"Oh like you could have done better Jim," Blair said smirking, "now could we please get back to concentrating on the aftershave."
"If memory serves, it is a particular brand of English Leather. It's made from several different extracts, one of which has the pungent aroma that we have been detecting." Ben told the two men. The look on Welsh's face was almost comical.
Welsh looked at Fraser, "so what do we propose we do Constable? Go up and down the street smelling people?"
"Well that might be a good start, yes."
Welsh threw his hands up into the air, muttering as he walked away, "just let me know if you find anything else!"
Blair started to re-focus the two men, "okay, let's build on this," he said in a low voice, "can you guys tell where the bomb was?"
Jim and Ben scanned the ground as only they could with their eyes. Then Jim was leaping over a pile of rubble, reaching out to grab something. "What is it Jim, talk to me here." Sandburg called after his friend's retreating form.
"This," he said as he handed Ben a small object, "it looks like a piece of jewelry." Ben turned it over in his hand.
"We should probably get this to the lab." Ben said.
Blair smiled at the younger sentinel's inexperience with his senses, "forget the lab Ben," he told him, "you're a walking crime unit - you can analyze this thing in seconds, lab results take days!" Ben looked at him sheepishly, "just concentrate man," Blair told him gently, "what about fingerprints?" Ben took another look at the ring he held in his hand, focusing in on the corner of the object.
"What have you got Ben?" Jim asked, noticing his friend's intense gaze.
"It's been badly damaged by the fire, but it looks as though there is some sort of inscription here."
Jim peered over his shoulder, squinting a bit, "to Jan, may I never love another - Mitchell." Jim sighed a little, "okay, we have a name."
"May I see that Constable?" Welsh asked him, reluctantly Fraser held out his hand. "What inscription, where is it?"
Fraser pointed to the ring, trying a different tactic, "I realize that without your glasses it might be difficult to read Leftenant, but ..."
"Jack, bring me a bag," he yelled over to the detective as he picked the object up, "bag this and get it up to forensics, and I do mean now Detective!" Huey followed orders. Welsh looked back at Fraser. "I'll let you know the second I hear anything back from the lab Ben."
"Thank you Leftenant." As they walked back to the car Ben explained, "he's a little self-conscious about his eyesight."
Blair took a good long look at his buddies. His mind shifted back to the breakfast that he and Jim had walked out on, Fraser didn't look as though he had eaten either. "I don't know about you two, but I am starving." Blair told them. Jim felt his stomach rumble at the mere mention of food.
"You have a point there Chief," he turned to Ben, "what about you Ben, have you eaten?" He hadn't, in fact he hadn't eaten anything since yesterday afternoon when this nightmare happened, but he could see that Blair was worried about him already - this knowledge wouldn't help him relax any more.
"I am a little hungry." He eventually said.
Ten minutes later they were seated in a nearby diner, drinking coffee and waiting for their lunch to arrive. No one was saying anything and Ben's thoughts drifted back to his friend in the hospital. Jim excused himself to go to the rest room and Blair took the opportunity to reach out to Ben. Reaching across the table he started to speak in a low, soothing voice. "Ray needs you to be strong for him Ben. I know it's hard but I'm here for you, and so is Jim."
Ben looked at him, on the verge of tears. "I just feel so helpless Blair, so ...."
"...so alone?" Blair finished his sentence for him. Ben nodded. "You've always handled things together - what you're telling me is completely normal. It's rough when you don't have each other to lean on but you have the strength to get through this Ben, trust me."
Then there was a strong hand on his shoulder. "This isn't over Ben, not by a long shot." Jim told him as he sat back down at the table.
When their food arrived the trio ate quickly and headed back to the hospital. Sitting beside Ray's bed was a beautiful young woman that Ben had never seen before, she was gently caressing his limp hand. Startled, she looked up when the men entered the room. "I'm sorry," she said, "I'll get out of your way." Ben caught her arm as she walked by.
"Do you know him?" he asked her.
The woman looked back at Ray with tears in her eyes, "he saved my life, I had to come down to see how he was doing." Ben finally understood who she was - this was the woman that Ray had shielded with his own body when the bomb had gone off. "Are you Ben?" she asked him.
Ben was surprised, "how did you know...."
"He was calling out for someone a little while ago - someone named Ben. I just assumed it was you." Then she quietly left the room.
Blair put his hand on Ben's shoulder, "take as much time as you need Ben, Jim and I will be outside."
Ben walked over to his friend's bedside, the bruise on the side of his head had turned a brownish colour. Gently he touched his friend's face. The waiting was killing him. Ben took Ray's hand in his own and squeezed it lightly. "I'd give anything if you'd just wake up for me Ray, do you know that?" Sitting down he sighed, "Blair is trying to help, but I need you Ray." He told him a little more about the investigation before he got up and walked out into the hall.
"Jim and I have been talking about this," Blair told the mountie, "we should check into the different jewelry stores around Chicago, whoever inscribed that ring has to have a receipt or something like that."
Ben took a deep breath, "there are approximately twenty stores which would do this kind of work here, Blair." He paused, "but you're right - it is our best shot, shall we get going?"
The last three hours had given them nothing but a headache, and Blair groaned as the trio looked up at the building before them, "I hope this is it, we're running out of options here." They stepped inside and Ben walked up to the main counter.
"Excuse me ma'am, my name is Constable Benton Fraser, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I was wondering if you could help me." Ben said, attracting the attention of the saleswoman.
"If I can." she told him.
"Do you personally inscribe jewelry for customers?"
"Yes we do," she said lightly, "in fact the man that does it, is in today - I can ask him to come out here for you, if you'd like."
"Please do." Ben replied and she picked up the phone at the other end of the counter, in a few minutes a man in his early forties appeared from the back room.
"Can I help you?" he asked holding out his hand, "my name is Steven."
"I hope so sir," Jim told him, grasping his outstretched hand, "I'm Detective Ellison, my partners and I are investigating the bombing at the 27th District Building."
"I see," Steven asked, "but what does this have to do with me?"
"Well, we've come across a ring," Ben explained, "we were hoping that you might be able to tell us if you inscribed it."
"I'll do my best Constable," he said, "what did the inscription say?" Ben repeated the words on the ring to the man.
"Mitchell, Mitchell ..." Steven repeated to himself as he looked through a stack of invoices he had on the counter, "ah yes, here it is." he held out the bill to them. "I remember the fellow too, said that this was an anniversary present for his wife."
Jim looked at him, "would you be able to describe him for us?" He didn't have to look at Blair to know that he would be taking notes.
Steven thought for a moment, "well he was about your height young man," he said looking at Blair, "dark hair, blue eyes, medium build," he shrugged, "it was a couple days ago, I'm afraid I can't give you much more than that."
Ben looked at the bill, "may we have a copy of this?" he asked handing it back.
"Of course, if you'll just wait here - I'll do that for you now." Ben nodded and Steven went off to photocopy the bill. "I hope that this helps you." he said a few minutes later as he handed Ben the photocopy.
"It does sir, immensely. Thank you kindly." Ben told the man as the trio left the store.
"We have an address, and a name. Why don't we get this show on the road." Ellison told his brother sentinel, concerned at the stress and exhaustion shown on his face.
Ben shook his head gently, "I don't have any jurisdiction, we're going to have to call Leftenant Welsh."
Blair spoke up, "Jim has jurisdiction." but Jim shook his head.
"Sorry chief, this is Chicago - not Cascade." Then he looked at his watch, "It's late, maybe we should all get some rest and talk to him in the morning." They drove in silence back to the consulate to drop Fraser off, then Blair and Jim headed to the nearest hotel.
"Blair?" Jim's voice was soft, "is everything alright Chief?" Blair had been starring out of the window of the car for the past ten minutes - lost in thought. Jim reached over and rubbed his back softly, "talk to me Chief, what's on your mind?" Blair rested his hand on Jim's.
"I'm okay Jim," Blair replied still looking out into the velvety blackness of the night sky.
Ellison pulled into the hotel parking lot, reaching over he put his arm around his friend's shoulder, "come on Chief, let's go inside. We can talk some more then." The two men grabbed their bags from the trunk of the car and headed inside to the registration desk, five minutes later they were inside of their room. Hating to see his friend so upset, he tried to pull him into a hug but Blair pushed his arm away.
Sitting down next to him Jim searched his friend's face, "Chief," Blair knew that tone all too well, "what's really bothering you, out with it."
Blair flopped backwards onto his bed and sighed, "this whole mess has just got me thinking I guess."
"About?"
Blair sighed, "about what would happen if I had to face the possibility of losing you."
Jim pushed back a few strands of dark, curly hair fringing Blair's face. "I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't met you Chief. I'd probably be locked up somewhere in a padded cell, you're my guide, I need you - I'd do anything for you."
"I know what would have happened if I hadn't met you," Blair mumbled as Jim opened a window for some air, "I'd have gone crazy from the loneliness." he pulled his knees up to his chest.
Blair rapped lightly on the door to the consulate but no one was answering, mildly concerned he pushed at the door, surprised to find it unlocked. "Ben's usually more careful than this!" Blair thought to himself as he stepped inside the building.
"No! You can't! NO!!!!" The piercing screams echoed through the hallway of the consulate and Blair ran in their direction. His friend was thrashing around in the small cot that he had in his office - lost in some wild dream. Blair grabbed his shoulders gently, startled Ben sat bolt upright, sweat pouring off of his body.
"That must have been one hell of a dream man," Blair said in a gentle voice as he pulled the older man into a hug, "do you want to tell me about it?" he could still feel the man's body shaking.
Ben inhaled deeply, desperately trying to clear his head, "he was there at the hospital Blair."
"Who, Ray?"
"No, someone else - he was standing over Ray's bed ..." he trailed off, Blair rubbed his arms a little bit. Speaking in a soothing voice.
"What happened Ben?"
Ben looked up, his eyes blazing with anger, "he killed him Blair, and I let it happen." In one fluid movement Ben grabbed Blair roughly and pinned him up against the wall, "I let it happen!" he yelled.
Over the initial shock of being manhandled, Blair grabbed his friend's hands, "calm down, man. Let me help you Ben." His tone was gentle and Ben suddenly realized what he was doing, shakily he let go of Blair. Outside in the car Jim let out his breath slowly, he had almost raced in there when Ben had grabbed his guide.
"Oh God," he breathed, "Blair I am so sorry." The shock in Ben's eyes could have almost been comical if Blair had felt like laughing.
Blair grabbed Ben's arm, "it's alright," he wasn't about to tell him how scared he had really been just then, "Ben do you want Jim and I to go to Welsh without you?"
"No," Ben said wearily, "I'll be alright."
Blair looked at him, annoyed, "you are just like Jim," he rambled on as Ben pulled his brown uniform on, "so damn stubborn!"
"Are you ready to go?" Ben interrupted.
Blair shook his head, "let's go." He was going to have to keep an eye on Ben.
Lieutenant Welsh sat across from his desk looking at the three men before him. Something was bothering Ben, but the younger man seemed to have a handle on it. He listened as Fraser explained the results of their search, even though inwardly he was still wondering whether or not Fraser actually did see an inscription on the ring.
Welsh grinned "So this Burgess guy, here's our man?"
"I believe so, yes sir."
"And you have some evidence to back this up Constable? Something that can stick?"
Ben nodded hopefully, "The piece of jewellery that was found, can be traced back to him."
Ben wouldn't just make this stuff up, even if it is Ray that's in the hospital. Welsh reasoned to himself. "Let's go get this bastard." Choice made - he would trust the mountie.
A woman in her fifties answered the door. "Mrs. Burgess?" She nodded. Welsh flashed his badge. "Ma'am, I'm Lieutenant Welsh of the Chicago police department, this is Constable Benton Fraser, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. We'd like to ask your husband some questions." She stepped back allowing the two men inside of the house.
"Is Mitchell in trouble?" she asked timidly.
"Ma'am please, we can't discuss this with you. Is your husband home?" Welsh said a little irritated.
"He just got home from work, he's sleeping - couldn't you come back later?"
Welsh was losing his patience, "no, we can't come back later ma'am - now either you wake your husband up and have him come to this door or we will do it for you." he was yelling now. Fraser put his hand on the man's arm.
"Ma'am please, we don't want to upset you. We only wish to speak to your husband, it is very important that we do so." he was looking right into her eyes. He could hear her heartbeat, and it was racing. Then a figure appeared behind her, and put an arm around her shoulders, she shivered slightly.
Outside in the car Jim listened intently, "she's afraid Chief." he told his partner.
"Of her husband?" Blair asked.
"Looks that way Chief," Jim told him, "he's standing right by her now, and her heart is about to pop out of her chest."
"If you want to talk to me, then talk to me - don't come into my home and upset my wife!" Mitchell looked at his wife, "are you alright hon?" he squeezed her shoulders, she only nodded.
Fraser could almost see the veins popping out on Welsh's forehead, he decided to take the initiative. "Sir, we would appreciate it, if you would answer a few questions for us."
"Questions? What about?"
Welsh held out the small plastic bag that held the ring to him, a slight look of surprise flashed in his eyes, "Two days ago there was an explosion at the 27th district police building..."
Mrs. Burgess spoke up timidly, "I heard about that," Mitchell looked at her, she continued, "...on the news, is that detective going to be alright?" Her husband was practically glaring at her.
"He's in critical condition ma'am." Welsh said flatly before turning to Mitchell again. "Now, Mr. Burgess, why don't you start by telling us where you were around 5:00 pm that night."
Mitchell donned a smug look, turning to face Welsh, "just what are you accusing me of?" Welsh looked like he was going to deck the man. Mitchell wasn't fazed, "it's all the same with you cops isn't it, protect your own. Find someone to put the blame on as quickly as possible." The hatred in his eyes was hard to miss. Welsh was coming ever so close to his breaking point.
"You're very adept at changing the subject Mr. Burgess," Ben told him, "but you haven't answered the Leftenant's question yet." Mitchell sneered at him.
"You're a Canadian aren't you? What do you have to do with any of this?" Ben didn't like the tone of his voice.
"The man who was hurt, was my partner."
"Sir, unless you can tell me where you were, I am going to have to take you into custody." Welsh was taking out his handcuffs.
Mitchell shrugged, "I was here at home, all night long. Wasn't I sweetheart?" His words practically dripped with sarcasm, and Fraser was almost sick.
She turned to Fraser, her eyes screamed for help, "he was here with me." Ben could tell she was lying. Mitchell walked over to the front door and opened it.
"It's been fun gentlemen, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave now." As they walked out of the door Welsh turned to the man.
"I would advise you not to leave town sir, not until this investigation is over." Then he turned on his heel and stormed away while the door was slammed shut behind him.
"She's lying." Jim and Ben both said in unison as Ben got back into the car. Blair shook his head.
"I think she's afraid of him," Ben told his friends as Jim pulled out of the driveway, "he may have threatened her." Ben looked at Jim, "he recognized the ring."
Jim glanced over at Blair as he pulled out of the driveway, "looks like those psychology courses might actually come in handy Chief."
Janice Burgess watched the two cars drive away from the window, "you did this didn't you Mitchell?" She looked at him, "how many more people are going to have to suffer for Chelsea's death?" He slapped her hard across the face and stormed away, leaving a large red welt on her cheek. She sat down and sobbed.
The next morning Janice was relieved to see Mitchell leave for work. She set about cleaning the house when there was a knock at her door. She recognized one of the men from the other day, but the other two were not familiar. "Please go away," she pleaded, "I don't have anything to tell you." Ben could smell makeup - he looked closer at the delicate face before him.
"Did your husband do this, ma'am?" Ben said as he gently touched her face, he could feel the swollen tissue hidden beneath her makeup. She gathered her collar up around her chin and looked away from him. "We can protect you, but you'll have to trust us." His voice was calm and steady, reassuring - so why was she terrified?
She looked at Ben, "you I trust." she told him.
Jim Ellison spoke up, "a good man was injured in that explosion ma'am."
She glanced around quickly, and then let the three officers into the home. "Mitchell never used to be like this," she told them timidly as she poured four cups of coffee, "but when Chelsea died something inside of him just snapped."
Blair probed her for more details, "how did it happen?"
She sighed, "Chelsea was his sister - she was murdered. She had been dating a cop named Steve." she paused to take a sip of her coffee.
Blair gently touched her arm, "did this man murder his sister?" It would certainly explain his dislike of police officers. Blair thought.
"Oh, no!" Janice breathed, "he was a good man, he never raised a hand to her." She grasped her coffee mug tightly, "Steve had been involved in a big drug case, they caught most of the men, but two got away." She was shaking. Blair put his hand on her shoulder.
"They went looking for Steve ..." he continued for her. She nodded.
"Yes, only he wasn't alone - Chelsea was with him. They just shot her and left her to die. Mitchell's always blamed Steve for putting her into danger. I knew he hated police officers, but I didn't think that he would ever do something like this." she put her head into her hands. Blair walked over to the door to grab the packet of tissues in his jacket.
Ben spoke softly, "ma'am where was your husband that night?"
She looked up into his eyes, there was pain there - well he had said the man was his partner. She shook her head, "I don't know where he was, I wish to God that I did, but I don't."
"Shut up!! Just SHUT UP!!!" Mitchell was standing in the doorway enraged, an assault rifle levelled at Blair's chest, he looked helplessly at his partner. "Imagine my surprise when my neighbour calls me at work and tells me that there are cops at my house Janice!"
Ellison yanked out his own gun, "drop it man," he warned in a low, throaty voice, "if you hurt him, I'll ..."
"You'll what," Mitchell sneered, "two people have already been hurt, your little buddy here isn't going to make much of a difference to me!!" Mitchell grabbed Blair's hair and pressed the gun into his back. "Me and Hairboy here are walking out of here, you follow us - he dies, you got it?" Keeping Jim and Ben in sight he barked at Blair, "hold out your hands boy." when Blair didn't comply Mitchell slammed the butt of the rifle into his head, leaving a large gash just above his right eye, "I said, hold out your hands!" Blair blinked as blood ran down his face.
"Do it Chief!" Jim told his friend, the terror in his friend's eyes was driving him up the wall. He watched Blair submit to Mitchell, while his hands were lashed together. Blair whimpered slightly from the pain and Jim moved towards him.
"Don't even think about it!" Mitchell screamed at the approaching Ellison, he jammed the rifle up against Blair's chin, "you get back over there or I will blow his brains out right now!" Jim's thought's flashed back to what Blair had told him the night before, this was turning into the kid's worst nightmare. He felt Ben's hand on his arm coaxing him backwards, he didn't resist for Blair's sake. Then Mitchell was dragging Sandburg out of the front door, Blair could do little more than stare helplessly at his friends. The look in his eyes tormented Jim.
"Mitchell please don't do this, please I am begging you!" Janice sobbed.
He looked at her, rage burning in his eyes, "you beg me? That's really rich, you betrayed me!!" In an instant he fired one shot, striking his wife full in the chest - she stumbled backwards, bleeding profusely.
"It's okay, I trust you Jim." Blair was whispering, he knew that Jim would hear him. Inwardly Jim hoped that he wouldn't let his friend down. Jim watched from the front door as Mitchell swung open the passenger door of his car and shoved Blair, head first, inside, causing his head to bounce off of the dashboard. Blair's cry of pain echoed in Jim's ears as Mitchell slammed the door almost on top of him and then climbed into the driver's seat, putting the car into gear and pulling out of the driveway. "A little present before I go, just so you don't get any ideas!" he screamed back up the driveway as he shot out each of the tires on Jim's car in the driveway. Then he was gone, and so was Blair.
Ben was crouched by Janice's body, he pressed down on the wound in her chest in an effort to stop the bleeding, and she moaned in pain. "I'm sorry." Ben whispered to her as she gazed up at him. He could hear sirens in the distance, Jim was standing nearby, shaking. His voice was trembling.
"The ambulance is on its way Ben." Ben only nodded as he continued to apply pressure to the wound.
When had he lost consciousness? His head was throbbing, Blair groaned a little bit as he looked around. He was tied to a chair somewhere, and he was alone - not to mention freezing. Blair shivered, he could still feel Mitchell's breath on the back of his neck when he had threatened to kill him in front of Jim. A door opened to his right and Sandburg's muscles tensed when he saw Mitchell coming towards him.
"It's about time you woke up Hairboy!" he teased, enjoying the man's fear immensely. "You know that friend of yours certainly cares about you a lot, for a moment I thought I really was going to have to kill you back there."
Blair didn't like the tone of his voice, "why are you doing this?" That's right Blair, the longer you keep him talking, the longer you stay alive. he thought to himself.
"Why the hell do you care Hairboy?"
"I care, and the name is Blair - not Hairboy." oh perfect Sandburg - piss the guy off more! Mitchell only laughed at him as he walked out of the room.
"Jim, how the hell did this happen!!" Simon Banks yelled into the phone. Jim had to hold it away from his ear. Damn that kid is a magnet for trouble! he thought.
"Simon, I didn't have any other choice!" Jim yelled back, "Sandburg would be dead right now if I hadn't backed down!"
Ben watched the anguish on his friend's face as he talked to his captain, he knew how much Blair meant to the man - Jim would do anything to keep him safe. Then there were doctor's rushing into Ray's room, Ben lept out of his chair and ran down the hall to see what was happening. His partner had his eye's open, finally - Ben was overjoyed. He was about to walk into the room when a nurse stopped him.
"You'll have to wait outside."
"But is he alright?"
"The doctor's are examining him now, they'll talk to you when they're done." she was pushing him out of the doorway, reluctantly Ben let her. He proceeded to pace the floor until a grey haired doctor approached him.
"Your partner is damn lucky he has a hard head Constable," the doctor said with a smile, "he was a little disoriented when he first woke up, but it passed quickly. There doesn't seem to be any permanent injuries, I think it's safe to assume he'll recover completely."
Ben let the news sink in, "this is the first good news I've had in some time, thank you." He sighed deeply, "can I see him?"
"We're moving him to a private room right now, he's stable but I'd still like to monitor him for a few more hours. You can visit him when he's settled in, now if you'll excuse me I have other duties to attend to."
"I heard what he said," Jim said softly from behind Ben, "at least there's one shred of good news." Ben placed his hand on Jim's shoulders.
"You did the only thing you could have to protect Blair, Jim." Ben told him.
"I'm going to head back over to that bastard's house again Ben, there has to be something there to find."
Ben grabbed his arm as he turned from him, "let me tell Ray what's happened, and then I'll go with you Jim."
"I was hoping you would." Jim said.
"Ben!!" Ray exclaimed, happy to see his friend, then he saw how pale he looked, "what's wrong?"
"Blair is in danger Ray."
"Blair? Sandburg? Are we in Cascade?"
"No, we're in Chicago - so are Blair and Jim, they came when they heard about the bombing."
"Is that what it was?"
"Yes."
"You said Blair was in trouble, where is he?"
"We don't know, he's been taken hostage by the man who set the bomb."
Ray looked at his sentinel, "it's alright Fraser - go. Blair needs your help." As Ben left the room Ray gently swung his legs over the side of his bed, standing shakily to his feet.
Jim tried hard to concentrate as he searched the ground for any kind of clue. Ben noticed a faint mark on the road, he crouched down to inspect it. "Jim, what does this smell like to you?"
Jim ran a finger through the smudge and lifted it to his nose, "oil maybe." The sound of someone clearing his throat caused them both to look up into Ray's face.
"Should you be out of the hospital?" Ben asked.
Ray smiled a bit, "the doctor says I have to take it easy - but yeah, I'm okay." Then he turned to Jim, "did you guys find something?"
"Possibly." Jim told him rubbing his temples.
Ray put a hand on the man's shoulder, in his best guide voice he spoke slowly and calmly, "okay, can you track which way this creep went?"
They scanned the ground as only they could, each noticing a faint trail of oil. "His car must be leaking oil." Jim said hopefully.
Ray grinned, "so what are we waiting for, let's get this show on the road."
"Great, this is just great." Jim muttered to no one in particular as the trio stared into Mitchell's abandoned car, parked twenty minutes from his house.
"Just concentrate," Ray soothed, "check things out, is there anything that could help us?"
"Over here," Ben said as he scanned a nearby patch of grass, "judging by the depth of these impressions, I'd say that someone was standing here recently - probably Blair given his weight."
Ray turned to Jim, "Ellison, remember you once told us that you could pick out Blair's heartbeat in a crowded room?"
Jim looked sceptical, "we could be talking some major distance here Ray."
"You can do this Jim, you just have to focus." Ben listened as Ray spoke, "Sandburg needs you man, and you can help him. Just push past all of the normal sounds and reach out for him." Jim turned his hearing up to it's maximum point, any unplanned noises now could send him into sensory overload but he had thought he heard something.
"I've got it!" he breathed happily.
"Okay, where is it coming from Jim?"
Jim turned his body until the sound was the strongest, "it has to be this way." Cautiously the trio started walking, Jim leading them.
Blair moaned softly as Mitchell slapped him repeatedly across the face. As he opened his eyes a glass of water was shoved near his mouth and Blair swallowed gratefully. "Thank you." he whispered to Mitchell as the man moved away.
"I don't want your thanks."
"What do you want?" Jim has to be out there somewhere, Blair thought to himself, I've got to keep him talking to me if I can.
"Justice. I want justice Blair."
"I heard about your sister man, ...." At the sound of his sister's name Mitchell grabbed Blair by his shirt, slamming his head against the back of the chair.
"What do you think you know about Chelsea?" he sneered. Blair bit his lip trying to remain calm.
"I know that she was murdered, but what I can't understand is why you bombed the district building - you already have justice, those men are in jail."
"They deserve to be six feet under instead! Especially cops like your friends, they're always putting innocent people in danger!" Mitchell yelled as he let go of Blair's shirt, Sandburg closed his eyes briefly with relief. "If she had never met that cop she'd be alive today!"
"Maybe," Blair told him, "but you can't just kill someone because you feel angry man!"
"You're damn right I'm angry!!"
"And you have every right to be," Blair told him, "but your anger is running your life - you have to give it up man, before it destroys you."
"That's it Chief, just keep talking," Jim said to himself, the sound of his partner's voice had gotten continually louder over the past forty minutes, "we're getting closer now."
Ray clutched at his chest a little bit, his broken ribs hurting him - flashing Ben a smile he turned back to Jim, "okay, just follow the sound of his voice man, where is it coming from." Jim moved apart from his two friends briefly to try to pinpoint the location. Ben leaned close to his guide.
"Ray, you're not alright are you?" he said, his forehead wrinkled with worry.
"I'm fine Ben," Ray told him, "honestly - I'm still a little sore that's all."
"This way." Jim said as he turned to the right abruptly.
"I don't have to give anything up!" Mitchell was yelling again, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Blair's head. "I don't know why I bothered keeping you alive."
Jim pointed to an abandoned warehouse, "I can see him now, he's not alone guys."
"I'll go around the back way," Ben said as he jogged off, "block off his escape."
Adrenaline raced through Blair's body, he shut his eye's tightly.
"Drop the gun Mitchell!" Jim barked. Blair opened his eyes to see his partner coming towards them, "you okay Chief?" Blair nodded.
"Well not for long!" Mitchell screamed, he raised the gun again.
"No!!" Jim screamed, his finger moved on the trigger of his gun and Mitchell stumbled backwards. Ben launched himself into the man from behind knocking him to the ground. The gun slid off into the corner of the building. Mitchell tried to get up, but Ben put his foot on his back keeping him face first in the ground. He was suddenly aware of Ray's presence.
"You got any cuffs?" he asked Ellison, who promptly tossed him a pair. "Mitchell Burgess," Ray recited as Ben helped him pull the man to his feet, "you are under arrest, you have the right to remain silent...." Ben and Ray pulled Mitchell from the building while Jim examined the ropes holding his partner to the chair.
As he untied him Blair collapsed into his arms, Jim cradled him there for a moment. He'd just shot a man, but if it meant protecting the life in his arms he knew he'd do it again. "I could have killed him Chief, if he'd hurt you - I have it in me." he whispered.
Blair just hugged him a little harder, moaning softly in pain, "You know, I'll be happy if I never have another day like this!" Blair said softly as Jim slipped his friend's arm around his neck to help him out of the building.
"I'm just glad that it's over Sandburg," Jim told him, he looked at the gash on his friend's head, "you're going to the hospital Chief."
Outside Ray was resting up against the wall, Ben was hovering nearby trying to get him to sit down. Blair and Jim exchanged a smile "I called Welsh," Ray told them flashing his cellular phone, "he's on his way." Blair's gaze came to rest on a very pissed off Mitchell.
"He did this to himself Chief," Jim told his partner, "he doesn't deserve your sympathy." Blair rested his head on his partner's shoulder.
"What the hell are you doing out of the hospital, Ray?" Welsh's voice rang out as he pulled up in front of the men.
"He's going back right now Leftenant," Ben told him, then he faced Ray, "isn't that what you were just telling me?"
Ray smiled broadly and put his hand on Ben's shoulder. Welsh in the meantime loaded Mitchell into the backseat of the car. "You're damn right he's going back, he was never released in the first place!"
Nervously Ray ran his hand through his short blond hair, "wasn't I?" He didn't have to look at his partner to know that his face would have a frown on it.
"Don't be a smart ass Vecchio, just get in the car." Welsh told him.
Ben sighed, "you lied to me?"
Ray chuckled slightly, "I exaggerated."
"You lied."
"I embellished." Ben raised an eyebrow at him, "I lied." Ray repeated as he ducked into the car. Ben only shook his head and smiled.
"How's your head Blair?" Ben asked the young man after the wound had been cleaned and stitched up.
"It's okay, they pumped some mighty interesting drugs into me too!" Blair told him, "I'm actually feeling a little sleepy.
Jim touched his friend's shoulder, "easy Chief," he laughed, "you're eating lunch and then you're getting some rest."
"Sounds good to me." Blair yawned.
"Me too," Ray said as he joined the three men, they all raised an eyebrow at him, and he raised his arms in mock surrender, "it's legitimate this time!" he said laughing.
"Just as long as you have someone with you at all times detective." Welsh added as he finished talking to the doctor.
"Didn't I mention that?" Ray said scratching his head. Ben threw his arm around his guide's shoulder.
"You know Ray, perhaps if you are suffering from memory lapses you should really stay in the hospital." Ben told him with a straight face.
"That is just not funny Fraser!" Ray laughed as the men walked out of the hospital.
Jim looked over at his guide as he helped him into the hotel lobby. "If you stare at me any harder man, you're going to burn a hole in the side of my head!" Sandburg joked as they got into the elevator. "Jim," his voice was gentle, "what's wrong?"
Jim's eyes dropped, his tone serious, "I've never been that scared in my life Chief, I was afraid that I was going to zone out on you or something - let you down."
Blair couldn't believe what he was hearing, "that would never happen," he grabbed Jim's shoulder, "Jim, I've never lost faith in you - you're my blessed protector remember?" Jim pulled him into a hug.
Ben watched his friend resting on the couch, his heartbeat was calm and steady. He stood up to go into the kitchen. "Are you leaving Ben?" Ray mumbled.
"I thought you were sleeping," Ben told him, "I was going to put on some more coffee." Ray patted the cushion next to him and Ben sat down.
"Blair told me you had some kind of nightmare when I was in the hospital," his voice was soft, "do you want to tell me about it?"
"I couldn't help you," Fraser said quietly, "when you needed me, I wouldn't do anything." Ray reached over and rubbed his arm.
"You don't honestly believe that would happen do you," his eyes were dancing as he paused, "because I know that it wouldn't Ben." With that he rested his head on the man's shoulder, Ben held him gently.
"Ben's getting pretty good with his senses, man," Blair told him over breakfast the next morning, "you must have worked hard with him."
Ray smiled warmly, "well, I took your advice - you know, start off slowly. It still amazes me to see some of the stuff he can do."
Blair laughed gently, "hey trust me, that will never change." Jim flashed him a devilish smile and tousled his hair as he stood up.
"I told Simon that I'd check in with him today," Jim said glancing at his watch, "he should be in his office about now." As he left Ben excused himself to go to the washroom.
"Hey Blair?"
"Yeah?"
"Does this have to change?"
The puzzled expression on Sandburg's face forced Ray to laugh a little, "what are you talking about?"
"Does a guide ever become obsolete?"
There was a strong hand on his shoulder, Jim had finished his call, "not a chance man," he told him, "you and Ben have a bond that can only get stronger, you're in this for the long haul."
Ray smiled, "good." Blair exchanged a glance with Jim and grinned.
"Oh, yeah Jim," Ray said as Ben returned to the table, "Welsh wanted me to ask you if your allergy was any better." Jim, Ben and Blair all started to laugh, "does anyone want to fill me in here?"
Sandburg was holding his side as a solitary tear rolled down his face, "he remembered that?"
Ray shook his head, "apparently." Blair was still laughing.
"He overheard Ben and Jim at the crime scene, I gave him the best excuse I could think of."
Ray raised an eyebrow in amusement, "the best you could come up with was that he had an allergy," then he started laughing himself, "and Welsh bought that?" Ray shook his head, "well whatever helps him sleep."
Ben looked around the table, he was with the three people closest to his heart. He gently put his hand on Ray's shoulder, "it's good to have you back." Ray threw his own arm around Fraser and smiled.
The End