This missing scene for Blind Man's Bluff, rated G, originally appeared on the Sentinelangst list.
Laurie Borealis
"I'm sorry."
I heard the bewilderment in Blair's voice as Simon and I helped him down from the hood of the car.
"That's okay," I said, extending my hand toward the vague and luminous shape above me, reaching through blinding golden beams of light until I touched his arm. His muscles were tense underneath the softness of the flannel shirt. His hand clutched my shoulder for a second as he stepped down, then it slid away as the adrenaline and fear suddenly left him. With a tiny sigh, he collapsed heavily against me. I caught him in my arms, and we sank to the floor together.
"We need a medic over here! Now!"
Vaguely, I was aware of Simon giving orders, and of the other people around us, but they no longer mattered. Only one thing mattered, the young man perhaps dying on the cold floor of the police parking garage: Blair, my friend, my guide, who had so innocently eaten the Golden-laced pizza. I wrapped my arms around him, trying to keep him warm, trying to let him know that I was there and would take care of him.
"Hang in there. It's all right," I whispered, pressing him close against me. A tiny movement of his head made me think he had heard my reassurance, and then he relaxed into unconsciousness.
I focused my entire being on Blair then, examining, monitoring, soothing, and the universe narrowed. His curls were soft against my cheek. His skin was clammy, and, beneath it, I could feel fine tremors and a too-rapid pulse. I could hear his heart pounding in his chest, and his breathing slowing down dangerously. I smelled herbal shampoo and sweat, mingled with drugs and pizza and lingering adrenaline, the combination so strong I could taste it. I could see him with every sense except sight.
"Jim, are you okay? Jim?"
Simon's concerned voice reached me as if I were at the bottom of a well. I realized I was rocking Blair against me, concentrating so hard and holding him so tightly that I was close to zoning. "His heart's too fast," I managed to say. "Trouble breathing. Hurry."
"They're coming, Jim. They'll be here in a minute. He'll be all right."
I nodded, then returned to my vigil. At that moment, I didn't need my eyes. My other senses were surrounding Blair, helping me to protect him, to guard him, to do what I was born to do.
I held him until the paramedics came.
THE END