Rating Warning - I'd probably call this one an R. It's not really graphic, but some people get exactly what they deserve. (I'm not referring to Jim or Blair so don't panic, people)
As promised on list and to those who demanded it, this is the sequel and eventual happy ending to 'A Place to Belong.' This story starts a little less than three years after the first story ended and you will be lost if you haven't bitten the bullet and read the first one. On with the story. *beg*
Thanks to Izzy, Kim, Zerena and EagleEye for their various comments and corrections.
Trishbsc
Rainier University
"But, professor, it's not my fault I can't take this test. My family vacations in the Bahamas every year at this time. Why can't I take a make-up exam when we get back?" Clarisse Kirk whined and flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
"We've already discussed this," Blair replied.
"You DO know you're the only teacher who has a problem with this?" she pouted.
"Clarisse, as I've said before, it's not fair to the other students. That would give you an extra couple of weeks to study the material," Blair answered, trying to remain calm.
Clarisse was a slightly less than C student in his class. His offers to tutor or to find her a tutor had been rejected. What was worse, was that the only reason she was attending Rainier was that her father had donated the new recreation center. She was a spoiled brat who used her good looks and her family's money to get whatever she wanted.
"Oh, like I'm really going to study in the Bahamas," she replied, cocking her head and rolling her eyes.
Blair resisted the urge to bang his head against the wall. "If you want to take a different essay exam from the rest of the class before you leave, I'll allow it. That's the best I can do."
"My father is good friends with Chancellor Edwards. He said he would speak to her if you were going to be a pain about this," Clarisse sneered, gathering her belongings to leave his office.
"If you do not take this exam, you will receive a failing grade. It's your choice, Clarisse."
"We'll see about that, Professor Sandburg," Clarisse replied and, with a final flip of her hair, stomped out of the room.
Instead of using the wall, Blair thumped his head lightly on his desk. "Oh, brother, remind me again why I went to college for this," he asked the statue sitting on his desk. Not that he really expected the statue to answer, but it was getting harder and harder to put up with the politics this job required.
He was teaching full time now and working for several of the other tenured professors on their projects. His tenure review was coming up in less than a month. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to stay at Rainier or not. He was pretty sure Chancellor Edwards would make his life hell if he did.
Blair stared at one of the masks hanging on his office wall. He'd received it from a tribal leader on his very first expedition to the Amazon. He sighed. He rarely got out in the field anymore and he missed it.
As much as he loved teaching, he didn't want to do only classroom work. Yet, his opportunities for fieldwork at Rainier were limited. He was the most junior member of the Anthropology Department and got either the work none of the others wanted or the mundane record searches they didn't feel like doing themselves.
He flipped through his most recent copy of Anthopology Today, which reminded him he still had to put together the background for that journal article. At least he had restored his professional reputation. He had presented several papers during the last year, and all had been well received.
It seemed only those at Rainier were refusing to recognize and appreciate his abilities. He sighed, looking at his office door. Clarisse was going to be a major problem. He could feel it.
He wasn't surprised when, less than an hour later, his phone rang. Before answering, he offered up a quick prayer that this wasn't about Ms. Kirk.
"Blair Sandburg."
"What can I do for you, Chancellor Edwards?" he asked, removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
"I really need to finish this article. Can this wait until tomorrow morning?" He rolled his eyes even though he had expected her answer. "Yes, I can be in your office in ten minutes."
The secretary opened the door to the plush office belonging to the chancellor. Chancellor Edwards was standing by the window overlooking the commons, watching the students below her. Without turning to face him, she ordered, "Have a seat, Dr. Sandburg. It is my understanding that Clarisse Kirk came to see you?"
Ignoring her rudeness, Blair answered politely, "Yes, she did."
"I also understand that you are being unreasonable about her problem?" As she answered, Edwards finally faced him as she moved to sit down at her desk.
"I don't consider a vacation in the Bahamas to be a problem," Blair replied sarcastically. "However, you've been misinformed. I'm willing to let her take a make-up exam before she leaves, but that was unacceptable to her."
"So, I've heard. I don't think you understand the situation. Let's look at this from a different perspective."
Blair found the patently false veneer of reasonability Edwards was projecting as she talked nauseating. He forced his stomach from flipping over at her tone.
"What kind of grade is she getting in your class?"
Blair shifted his weight in the chair, suspecting he knew where she was going with this. "About a C minus."
"And does she really have a future in the field of Anthropology?"
"No, none whatsoever," Blair answered without hesitation.
"Then, give her a passing grade and move on, Dr. Sandburg. Theodore Kirk is an important man to this University. If he wishes his daughter to graduate with a degree, WE will do our best to see to Clarisse's success. Now, I understand that Lucas Fisher and Todd Markwell are both having difficulties in your Anthropology 101 class?"
"They haven't turned in any of the assignments for the last three weeks, they rarely attend class and they failed the first two exams. I'd say having difficulties is an understatement." Blair counted to ten to keep from saying anything more.
"Yes, but you must keep in mind that they are very important to the school's baseball team. Their failing grades in your class render them ineligible to play in the season's playoff rounds. Since this is only an elective for them, I'm sure something can be worked out. Don't you agree?"
"I offered them the opportunity for several extra credit projects and some personal tutoring. They laughed and walked out of the office. There isn't much more I can do," Blair added dryly.
"You're not paying attention to me. In order for this University to survive, compromises have to be made. I suggest you reconsider your position," huffed Edwards.
"I'm not going to pass those two boys when they haven't done the work," Blair answered back firmly.
"Your contract is up in a few weeks, isn't it?" Edwards asked with an evil looking smirk.
"It is," Blair muttered through clenched teeth. Mentally, he started reciting the Greek alphabet. Since entering the office, he'd been counting to keep from his temper from exploding, but that had ceased to have any effect. His mother would have been so proud.
"If you expect your contract to be renewed, you had better learn how this game is played and fall in line, Dr. Sandburg. Once that agreement is finished, it's completely up to me to decide whether or not you stay at this University."
A wave of heat rose from Blair's flushed face as he lost the controls restraining his temper. "I've met every single one of your rules in that contract. I've published eight articles in three different journals over the last few years and co-authored another dozen. That's three times as many as any other professor at this University. When are you going to let me off your shit list?"
"When you realize that I'm in charge here. What I say goes, whether you like it or not. Now, I expect to see Fisher and Markwell's names taken off that ineligible list and Clarisse Kirk will be exempted from that test."
Edwards paused, picking up a folder on her desk. Blair could see the file label said 'Budget.' She looked at the file for a moment then asked, with a raised eyebrow, "Have you met Dr. Little yet?"
Blair was puzzled by the non sequitur. "Not really. I've seen him at the faculty meetings."
"Then you wouldn't be aware that he is the nephew of your department head. With cutbacks in the budget required for next year, one of the Anthropology Department's Assistants is going to be let go. He feels he can't be objective, so he's left the decision entirely in my hands. Do you understand me?" Edwards's look was one of triumph. She was confident she had Blair backed into a corner.
"Yes, Chancellor Edwards. I understand you." Blair started chanting silently, 'Hitting a woman is wrong, hitting a woman is wrong', to keep from hitting this woman.
"You may go now." Chancellor Edwards dropped the file onto her desk and turned the chair to face the window, not giving Blair the opportunity to say anything more.
Blair bit his tongue and stormed out of the office. Oh, how he hated that woman.
A few hours later, Blair was still stewing in his office, contemplating the ways he could dispose of her body without going to jail. He had spent all those years observing Jim and the other Major Crime detectives. He was pretty sure he was capable of covering up a murder.
There was no way he would pass those kids unless they did the work. Edwards would have to do her own dirty work. He sighed looking at the stack of paper sitting on the desk. Just as he was reaching for Professor Walter's field notes on the Peruvian temple that he was examining, the phone rang. "Blair Sandburg,"
"Hi, Blair. This is Jack. I really need to see you. Can you come down to my office?"
"Sure! Is something wrong?"
"I've heard from an old friend of mine about that information you've been asking about. Seems there might be a problem," Jack replied, very matter-of-factly. To anyone who didn't know him, not a single hint of the importance of his words could be deciphered from his tone.
Blair could feel the anticipation growing. He was sure his heart was going to pound its way out of his chest. "I'll be right there," Blair promised as he hung up the phone.
Blair's mind was racing. He had spent a lot of his free time searching for any lead on what had happened to Jim Ellison. The first year following Jim's disappearance, he had searched without ever hearing a whisper of Jim's location. Simon had joined him in his quest from the very beginning. However, without any sign of success, Simon's hope had dwindled along with his participation in the search. An increasing crime rate and a shortage of manpower had reduced Simon's free time to zero.
Blair had questions he needed to have answered. He felt he deserved an explanation for Jim's sudden departure, more than the brief note Jim had mailed.
Blair knocked on Jack's door, then entered before hearing a reply. "Where is he?" he demanded upon entering, slightly breathless after his mad dash through the halls.
"Slow down and have a seat, Blair. I'll tell you what I know."
"Where is he?" Blair repeated.
Jack paused for a long moment before almost whispering, "Peru, he's with the Chopec. He's been there all along."
Blair sank down into a chair as his knees gave way. He should have figured that out a long time ago. With perfect hindsight, Jim's location was obvious. Jack maneuvered his wheelchair so that he was sitting next to Blair.
"How long have you known?"
"For almost two years," Jack admitted shamefully.
"That long!" Blair leapt to his feet and started pacing. "Why the hell didn't you tell me! You know how I feel about Jim." Blair leaned over the desk, using his height to his advantage to lean over Jack.
"It was too dangerous. You'd have gone down there, without any regard for your own safety. I was trying to look out for you, Blair."
Blair could feel the heat rise in his cheeks. Why did his friends think it was their duty to protect him? He was more than capable of taking care of himself.
"I want to hear everything you know, Jack or so help me I'll... I'll... well... it won't be good," Blair wasn't quite sure just what would threaten an ex-CIA agent, but he wasn't about to back down.
"The NSA found out Jim had left the country and gone to Peru about six months after he left. The problem was, they had a hard time finding him and the Chopec in the jungle. Their entry teams kept getting... well... injured," Jack stammered out, trying to be as accurate as possible.
"Injured?" Blair asked, one eyebrow raised so high, his hair hid it.
"Minor wounds, attacked by animals, mild poisoning. For whatever reason, they weren't killed. They just tried to discourage them, at first," Jack explained ominously.
"That implies there's a later."
"About a year ago, the NSA tried a major raid on the Chopec village. Their plan was to keep the warriors busy and take the women and children hostage. They figured Jim would surrender himself to gain their release."
"God, how barbaric!" he yelled angrily. Blair knew just how ruthless the government could get when they thought they could get away with it. Naomi had been bringing him to human rights protests before he could walk.
"It gets much worse, Blair. They underestimated the Chopec women and somehow, Jim and a couple of warriors managed to return to the village before they succeeded. The NSA team suddenly found themselves outnumbered and they panicked. In the heat of the moment, they started slaughtering the children and a few of the women who were trying to protect them."
Tears glistened in Blair's eyes at the horrific images Jack's words painted for him. "How do you know this?" he finally choked out, fighting to keep the tears from rolling down his face.
"One man made it out of the jungle and lived just long enough to report. It was after this that anyone the NSA sent into the jungle was killed. Rumor has it that no white man can make it into Chopec territory and walk out. The autopsies of the first few indicated they were tortured before they were killed. I understand a high ranking NSA official was actually receiving some rather messy packages for a while. Officially, the NSA has abandoned the initiative to bring Jim back."
"And unofficially?"
"That high ranking NSA official is named Director Herman Flynn and he wants revenge. He's put together a 'final solution' to the problem. They've determined the location of the village and an extermination squad is being sent in. The operation is scheduled to start in a few weeks."
"We need to warn Jim."
Jack reached out to grab Blair's arm, but he wasn't quick enough. He had to make sure Blair was listening to him. "There's no way to contact him from the outside."
"Then I'll have to reach him from the inside," Blair replied.
"I agree, Blair. You're the only one with a chance of getting into their territory. But you'll have to take a big risk to do so. Knowing a little about what Jim can do, I think it was the guns and explosives that identified the entry teams. You'll have to go unarmed." Jack was nervously tapping his fingers on the armrest. He didn't want to send his friend into danger, but Blair was the logical choice.
"Whatever it takes, Jack," Blair said with determination. "I've been in the jungle before with only my pack and my Swiss army knife. This will be a piece of cake by comparison."
"Doug Walter owes me a couple of favors and I've cashed them in. Officially, you'll be entering the country as a new assistant administrator at his site. He's on the phone to Chancellor Edwards as we speak telling her that he needs you down there. Officially, you'll be on leave from the University. He'll meet you at the airport and take you to the site, but after that, you're on your own."
Blair waved off the concern. He could handle this situation. Failure was not an option. "Not a problem. How much distance is between the site and Jim's location?"
"A few hundred miles. I have the satellite maps, which show where the Chopec are hiding. Most of the journey you can make by jeep but the last twenty miles is some rough territory. You'll have to go on foot. Get packed. The plane leaves tonight at nine."
"Thanks, Jack, for everything."
"Find and warn him, Blair. Ellison is good people. He didn't deserve the crap this city gave him." Blair made a mental note to check back with his friend about that last statement. Obviously Jack knew a lot more about why Jim left than he had let on, but now wasn't the time. First, he had to make sure Jim was safe. "I will. No matter what it takes."
Jack watched his young friend leave the office. He probably should have told Blair that Jim had been in contact with him after the NSA raid and several times before that. He just hoped Jim had lost some of the overwhelming rage the deaths of the women and children had created.
Blair was in such a hurry to collect his belongings that he almost ran over Chancellor Edwards when he entered his office.
"I just got off the phone with Professor Walter. It seems he needs you in Peru and he's already arranged a flight tonight for you. Is this a problem for you?"
Blair quickly remembered that he should be surprised at his request. "Is there a problem at the site?" he asked innocently.
"He wasn't very clear. He was simply adamant that your presence is required and nothing I said could dissuade him. I assume your TA is capable of taking over your classes."
"Yes, Mark is well prepared and familiar with all the students and their problems."
"I'm sure. I will take possession of your grade book, however. Please inform him that all tests and papers will be graded by someone I shall appoint."
"Mark is capable..." Blair started to say until he was cut off with a wave of Edwards's hand.
"Dr. Sandburg, this is not up for debate or discussion. Turn over your grade book right now."
Blair glared at her for a moment; before he moved to his locked desk drawer and pulled out his official grade book. He hesitated again before releasing the book. He didn't want to do this. It went against everything he believed in. He wanted to fight her on this, but right now it was more important that he get to Peru. He handed her the book with one last glare and walked out of his office.
Somewhere in Peru
Jim listened to the patrol leader's report. According to Nanto, there was no sign of any activity. Just what the hell was Flynn up to this time? It had been almost four months since the last attempt to infiltrate their territory. This was the third outer patrol that had not seen anything. It was too quiet. Flynn had to be planning something major. He wasn't the type of man to just give up.
Jim said good-bye to Nanto. He was one of the finest warriors in the tribe. It was the reason Jim had chosen Nanto for this sector of Chopec territory. It was the sector most vulnerable to an attack. Nanto wasn't fooled easily which had been the main reason Incacha had chosen him when they had come to Cascade a few years ago. Incacha's role as Shaman would have demanded the tribe's best warriors guard him.
The Sentinel moved through the undergrowth with the stealth of his spirit guide. Just one more patrol to check on and he could return to the village for the evening. He had been away far too long and could use the peace brought whenever he spent time there. While the Sentinel part of him felt happier here than back in Cascade, Jim missed some of the luxuries of living in the US and most of all, he missed the friends he had left behind. He hadn't realized what a large part of his life Major Crime had occupied. Now, that was all ancient history. The village held most of what made him happy these days.
With his senses on full alert, he ran through the jungle, hoping to finish his duty before complete darkness fell.
Lima Airport
Blair hoped that the trip so far wasn't indicative of the rest of his mission. The plane had been delayed for several hours before leaving Washington and they had experienced severe turbulence for most of the journey. He was still feeling a little green.
He grabbed his carry-on and made his way to the front of the plane. The difference in the temperatures between Cascade and Lima was startling. The heat as he stepped off the plane felt truly oppressive.
The young man got a better grip on his backpack and headed towards the Customs counter. It was nearly impossible to stand without fidgeting while the woman in front of him looked through her bags for her passport and the necessary documentation for her and her four children. By the time she'd finished and his own bags had been checked and cleared, Blair was ready to explode.
Thankfully, he spotted Professor Walter quickly in the crowds greeting those exiting customs. He made his way through the mass of people and offered his hand.
"Professor Walter, it's nice to see you again. I've compiled those notes you sent me and prepared a draft of the report."
"Don't worry about that now, Dr. Sandburg. You need to be focused on your trip to La Montana."
"Please call me Blair. I don't think we need to be formal."
"All right, and I prefer Doug. That jeep over there belongs to us, actually, you," Walter explained as they started walking in the general direction of the vehicle.
Doug was even taller than Simon, so Blair had to hustle to keep pace with the man. "Thanks for doing this. You've got no idea what it means to me."
"Jack Kelso's a good friend. It's not often I can do him a favor. I was happy to be of assistance."
"Jack's been great. I don't know what I'd have done without his help."
"Blair, I'm not sure why you are really here and please don't tell me, but I feel I should warn you. Someone has been checking into your presence at the site. Two of my students reported that they were questioned the last time they went into the village. They said the men didn't identify themselves but were obviously government agents of some sort."
"I've been expecting that. I don't think it's a good idea for you to be seen with me. They're probably watching the roads to the site. Is there some way you can have someone come out here and pick you up?" Blair asked.
"Already arranged. That's why the jeep's for you. Everything you require for a trip into the jungle has been packed for you. I handled the matter personally, so have no fear of duplicity." Blair placed his bags in the back of the jeep, as Doug continued, "I wish you luck, Blair. Once you are done with your mission, come visit the site. I think you'll find the temple as beautiful as I do."
"If possible, I will. Thanks for your help here. I know you're taking a big risk helping me." Blair reached into his pack and pulled out the folder containing the report he had prepared for the man. He passed the file over before climbing into the jeep and pulling away from the curb. Neither man noticed they were being watched from a few hundred yards away.
It wasn't long before Blair was out of sight of all signs of civilization. Nothing but lush, green jungle surrounded the jeep. There was no indication of traffic for as far as Blair could see. As he was driving, he tried to sort through the jumbled thoughts, that until now, he had put aside. Most importantly, why was Jim living here in Peru with the Chopec instead of Cascade? If it was because of his senses, why hadn't he said something earlier? Leaving town was an extreme act when he could have just asked for help. Not that Jim asked for help often, it just wasn't his style, but he had promised to say something and Jim always kept his promises.
Jack's off-handed comment about the city giving Jim a hard time was even more puzzling. What had been happening those last few weeks before Jim left town? Blair had been very tied up at Rainier, but he would have noticed if Jim had been troubled. Wouldn't he?
After all, Jim was the best friend he'd ever had. Surely Jim realized this. It was the reason for the original press conference. Blair had assumed Jim felt the same way when he had hired the lawyer to restore Blair's position. Their friendship had been the one constant in his life. He had thought Jim felt the same, but now he wasn't so sure. So many questions without answers, but soon he would find Jim and, hopefully, all the answers.
The road came to an end before Blair could finish sorting out what he was feeling. He put his confusion aside and he quickly gathered his equipment and set off for Chopec territory. All too soon, the undergrowth on the jungle floor swallowed him up. Twenty more miles until he could have his answers, but he had to survive the journey first.
Downtown Lima
"He's here." Eric Keller lit a cigar. He had been a mercenary for years now, having been trained by the best NSA could provide. His team had a zero failure rate, but in order to hire them the client had to have major dollars. Five million was the minimum fee.
"In town or at the temple site?" inquired Herman Flynn, a beady eyed little man who had backstabbed his way up the ranks in the Agency. Based on his mousy appearance, most people underestimated him. It was usually their last mistake.
"Neither, he got into a jeep and left alone. That professor who met him at the airport was picked up later by one of his students."
"He's heading straight to Ellison. He must be stopped." Flynn slammed his hand down on the table in his rage. "I have too much invested in this plan to let Sandburg foul it up now. How many of your team are already here?"
"Twenty-five out of the thirty are in the city. It'll only take a few hours to round them up. The others are due tonight."
"We leave tomorrow at first light. Send a few of your men after Sandburg and kill him. I don't want Ellison to have any advance warning."
"It'll cost you," Keller warned, taking another drag on his cigar.
"Money is not an issue. I want them dead, all of them. Ellison made me look like a fool, him and his merry band of savages."
"I'm on it, Flynn." Keller left the room, leaving Flynn alone with his anger.
Flynn moved to the window and looked at the city, muttering to himself all the while. "I lost three of my best teams going after you, Ellison. Now it's time you paid."
A few days later
Blair wiggled his fingers attempting to restore the circulation. The ropes tying his hands behind his back cut into his skin and he winced. The blisters on his hands from using the machete had burst and were equally painful. He had forgotten how difficult it was to travel in the jungle. It wasn't like there were paths cut where he wanted to go. He had been exhausted when he had fallen asleep the previous night.
At least he had found the Chopec or, more accurately, the Chopec had found him. What a way to wake up in the morning, being poked in the back with a spear with another half dozen spears pointed at your head,. Luckily for him, he was pretty sure the leader of this patrol was one of the Chopec who had come to Cascade. He heard them call him Nanto.
He flexed the muscles in his legs, trying to work out the cramps. He wished he could talk to his captors directly. He flinched at another stab of pain from his bonds. More importantly, he wished they would loosen these ropes a little. It wasn't like he wanted to get away from them. It appeared they were taking him exactly where he wanted to go.
They reached the village just before sunset. Blair was exhausted; he hoped Jim would be at the village. As the patrol entered, it seemed everyone was staring at him. Not one of the faces was happy. A few showed signs of fear, but mostly what he saw was anger.
When they reached the village center, the warriors forced him to kneel. Jack's comment about torture and the resulting images flashed before his eyes and for the first time since leaving Cascade, Blair was afraid. What if Jim wasn't here, and the warriors were actually going to kill him? How did he get himself into this mess and how could he convince these people he wasn't a threat to them?
"Sandburg! Is that really you?"
Blair looked up to see the crowd parting as Jim moved forward. He started to stand, but was forced back to his knees. Jim called out something in Quechua and the closest warrior cut the cord binding his hands.
Blair cautiously climbed to his feet and answered, "Of course it's me. I had to find you..."
"Enqueri!" An elderly woman was standing in front of a hut. The only hut Jim could have come out from. She was holding a crying, squirming baby. Amazed, Blair could only watch in silence as Jim turned away from him and took the crying baby from the old woman. The first thing Blair noticed as the baby quieted down and made a grab for Jim's nose was the child's turquoise eyes and light brown hair.
"Whoa," he muttered under his breath.
Jim looked over at Blair. "Come on over, Blair. You didn't come all this way just to stand there."
Blair moved across the clearing to where Jim was standing. He studied his friend carefully. It appeared the last few years had treated Jim well. He had never seen Jim look quite this happy. Jim was making silly faces at the baby who obviously loved every minute of the attention. A part of him felt a little jealous. It seemed Jim was completely happy without him.
Jim gestured for Blair to enter the hut in front of him. "My home, Blair. Go on inside."
Blair ducked to enter the hut. The doorway was low but the hut itself was large, family-sized. Blair swallowed hard, his jealousy increasing. Jim had created a home here, without him.
Jim sat down on a mat next to a low-hanging hammock. Blair could see another baby about the same size as the one Jim was holding, sleeping quietly. Blair allowed his gaze to roam around the hut, he noticed he had attracted the attention of both the baby and Jim. The baby was making a very frustrated face as she was failing to make a getaway from Jim's arms.
"Meet my daughter, Grace," Jim said proudly.
"Those turquoise eyes kinda gave that away, Jim."
"Guess so. Nobody else in the tribe has them," He chuckled.
"So, how come she does?"
"Her mother had green eyes. Supposedly, her grandmother had relations with an explorer who stayed with the tribe for a while."
For a brief moment, Blair entertained the notion that Richard Burton may have traveled further south than Paraguay. He smiled as he recalled someone else named Grace in Jim's life. "You named her Grace after your mother. That's so nice. And who's sleeping over there?"
"Her brother, twin brother actually. As you can tell, he can sleep through anything, unlike his sister here." Grace made another attempt to free herself and Jim ducked away from a tiny fist heading for his face.
"Does he have a name?"
"Yes, his name is Jacob. It was fitting." Jim answered.
Blair was pleased, but a little embarrassed. Jim had named his son using Blair's middle name. He felt honored.
"Does this make me their godparent? How old are they?" Blair asked, making a silly face at the child.
"Eighteen months and they haven't been baptized, but godparent is a good title for you." The child in his arms continued to fuss and cry as Jim tried to settle her.
"Let me hold her. Please?" Blair asked holding out his arms. With a wink he added, "I'm pretty good with kids, particularly girls."
Jim carefully stood the toddler on her feet and allowed her to stumble across the short distance between himself and Blair. He watched as Blair placed his daughter in this lap. He smiled when after only a few minutes the baby stopped fussing and was staring at Blair. A chubby little hand reached out and grabbed Blair's ponytail, pulling hard.
"Oww!"
Jim sat quietly, smothering his laughter as he watched his daughter wrap his friend around her little finger.
Blair managed to free his hair from her grip, only to have her reach for his necklace. Instead of allowing her to grab that, he removed the watch from his wrist and handed it to her. Jim snickered softly, but loud enough for Blair to hear.
"You enjoyed that."
"Yep, nice job, Blair. But then, you do have a lot of experience with both women and Sentinels."
"You mean..." Blair carefully studied the child sitting in his lap who was attempting to take apart his watch. "You're sure?"
Jim nodded proudly. "I'm pretty sure. So is the Shaman."
"Cool."
"Not cool," Jim disagreed, his eyes filled with grief. "I didn't want this to happen. I know better than anyone how painful having heightened senses can be. How is a little girl going to cope with being different from everyone else?"
"At least you didn't use the word 'freak'."
"In Cascade, I would have, but here people understand us. Sentinels don't belong in cities."
"Jiimm..."
"I don't want to argue about it, Blair, at least, not right now."
"Okay, not now, but we will discuss it later on." Blair bounced the baby on his knee and laughed at her obvious joy. "I wonder who her Guide will be."
"I'm pretty sure that would be Jacob. Grace seems to be much happier and quieter when they are together."
"Wow, I should be taking notes. I wonder if baby Sentinels have an instinctive control." Blair, lost in his theories, didn't notice the heated rage crossing Jim's expression until it erupted.
Jim got to his knees and reached across the short distance to pick up his daughter from Blair's lap. He settled her down in the hammock next to her brother as he asked angrily, "Is that why you came down here, to do another paper? Did you want to study a Sentinel in his natural environment? I bet it just made your day now that you've seen my kids. Thinking about turning a couple of innocent children into lab rats? Because if that's why you're here, I'll have that patrol take you back to the edge of our territory."
Blair's face flushed bright red with both embarrassment and anger from the accusation. He may have gotten a little too deep in Jim's personal life during his research, but he couldn't believe Jim had such doubt in his intentions about his appearance in Peru. "No, Jim that's not why I'm here and that was a low blow, I thought we were friends. How could you make such an accusation!"
Some of the anger left Jim's voice as he answered, "Because I know how you get when you're involved in your research. I remember clearly being made to feel like a lab rat. I remember how deeply personal your research got for that dissertation. My private life was on display for the world to see as a result of being a research subject."
Blair's tone was very defensive as he protested, "It shouldn't have happened like that, Jim. Dissertations aren't supposed to be released that way."
"Shit happens, Blair. These are my children. I won't let it happen to them. I won't allow anyone to come near them with the intention of studying them. They're almost all I've got left in this world and I'm not about to let anyone hurt them."
Blair threw his hands up in frustration. "I would NEVER hurt your children." Blair's voice dropped off to a wounded whisper, "I can't believe you think I would."
Jim sighed as his remaining anger fled before the pain he heard in his friend's voice. "Blair, you know as well as I do that I was hurt by some of the things you wrote in that dissertation of yours. I know you would never hurt my children on purpose. You're just not capable of that, but unintentionally, yes, you could hurt them."
"We both know a lot about inflicting unintentional harm," Blair said softly.
Jim nodded. "You're right. We've both caused each other some pain over the years. I regret it and I'm sorry. We probably should have cleared the air between us a long time ago. I'm glad you're here. Maybe we can do that before you leave."
"Sure, Jim." The silence hung in the air between them, but it was no longer frigid. The comfortable silence of friendship being recognized and renewed warmed the very air between them. It was also a short silence as Blair recalled the reason for his presence. "Oh man, Jim. I came here because I needed to warn you. The NSA is coming to destroy the village. You've got to go. They know where you are and this time they don't want a capture. They want to kill everyone."
Jim clenched his jaw along with every other muscle in his body. The NSA was his personal nightmare from hell. "Not that I'm doubting what you say, but how do you know?" He asked through gritted teeth.
"Jack Kelso told me. He said the operation was supposed to be in about ten days now, but the NSA knows I'm in Peru."
"If they think you've warned me, they'll move up the timetable. I have to warn the rest of the warriors. We'll need to move deeper into the jungle. This area, while great for gathering food, isn't as easily defensible as some of our other territory."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No, it's not a good idea for you to be at this meeting. There's still a lot of anger from those who lost family in the NSA's last raid. Some would see you only as a threat. I'd rather you stay here where you are safe. Would you mind staying here? Keep an eye on my kids for me until I get back. They'll probably sleep for another hour, but they'll wake up hungry."
Blair smiled and rolled his eyes at Jim's slightly overprotective nature. Even after a three year separation, Jim's instinct to protect Blair was still there. "I can handle a couple of hungry kids, Jim."
"I'll be back in a little while. Stay inside and you'll be left alone. In here, you're considered my guest."
"Got it. Go on. We'll be fine." Blair gestured to the door with a broad grin.
Jim started to leave, then thought of something important and called back, "And Blair? Just a suggestion, but I would recommend removing your earrings and that necklace before the kids wake up."
"Thanks," Blair said gratefully, remembering a previous incident at one of the communes he had stayed at as a teen that had involved a baby fascinated with his silver hoops that had resulted in a torn earlobe.
It was several hours before Jim returned. Grace and Jacob had awakened as Jim predicted. Now they were fed, changed, and romping happily with their new playmate. Blair was thankful he had taken Jim's suggestion. He had forgotten how grabby babies were. Having two toddlers using him as their own personal jungle gym was tiring. He was just trying to figure out a way to quiet them a little when he noticed Grace move to the door almost a full minute before Jim actually entered the hut.
Jim sat down to eat and play with the kids for a while before settling them down to sleep for the night. He and Blair moved closer to the fire so they could talk softly without disturbing the children.
"Sandburg, did you see anyone following you from the airport?"
"No, there wasn't anyone else on that road for miles."
"A couple of mercenaries were following your trail in the jungle. The outer patrol found them and took care of the situation, but in another few hours they would have caught up with you if Nanto hadn't gotten there first."
Blair swallowed hard as he realized just how close to death he had come. "Remind me to thank him in the morning."
"Sure."
"Um, Jim? What did you mean 'by took care of'?"
Jim hesitated before answering with a sigh, "I don't think you really want to know."
"Jack said something about torture and messy packages. That's not the behavior of the Jim Ellison I know."
"Did he tell you about the NSA attacking defenseless children? The Chopec have their own rules on how to deal with such cowards. I wasn't about to try to change their minds," Jim spat out bitterly.
Blair put together several pieces of the story and asked the question he didn't want to hear the answer to. "Where is their mother? Was she killed in that raid?" Blair asked tentatively, believing he had figured out why she had not yet appeared. All color left Jim's face and his hands started to shake. Blair was sorry he asked.
"YES! Damn it! She was murdered... by those b-bast-bastards who were looking for me," Jim force the final phrase past the constriction in his throat, almost too softly for Blair to hear. "It was my fault."
"No way, Jim. The NSA is to blame, not you," Blair replied vehemently. He clasped Jim's shoulder and shook his friend hard to make sure Jim was listening. "It was NOT your fault."
Light blue eyes filled with tears and anguish matched his gaze. Blair could hear Jim screaming inside for help, even if he hadn't made a single sound. "If you want to talk about, I'd like to know what happened."
Jim spoke softly as the damn he had built after his wife's death broke and the words came flooding out. "She was a wonderful woman, Blair. She was Incacha's daughter. She was studying with another tribe when I was here the first time, so I didn't get the chance to meet her back then. If I had, I might not have left when the Army finally showed up. I never really believed in love at first sight until I met her. The moment I saw her my senses came back. It was overwhelming, just like after my senses first returned in Cascade, until she touched me, then my control was better. She was my Guide here. There wasn't anything she couldn't do. She went on patrol with me. She was my equal and I loved her for that. About four months after I arrived, she told me she was pregnant. I think that was the happiest moment of my entire life, Blair. Well, before the babies were actually born anyway."
Blair could see the anguish receding from Jim's eyes and his color return closer to normal, forced aside by the happy memories of his wife and children. "I can't even imagine that feeling. You were so fortunate to have that. I envy you."
Jim smiled a sad little grin. "We were bonded that same night, before the entire tribe. I wish you could have been there. I needed my best man."
"Me too, Jim."
"I almost lost her when the babies were born. Twins are a pretty uncommon occurrence in these parts. My medic training came in handy even if I did anger the midwife."
Blair slapped him on the arm, laughing, "Using those diplomatic skills of yours again. Simon would be so proud."
He was ignored, as Jim became lost in the series of memories. "She was so weak for about six months after the babies were born, she didn't leave the village. She barely left the hut. She had just started to regain her health when those bastards attacked. If she had been at full strength, they never would have touched her."
"Oh, man, Jim. It wasn't your fault, buddy."
Jim reached the last memories of his wife, pain in his voice and tears in his eyes. "She made me promise to take care of our children and then died in my arms. She swore that I wouldn't have to do it alone. That somewhere, out there, my Guide was looking for me and would help me."
Blair was at a loss. He didn't know what to say to comfort his friend. He gently laid one hand on Jim's arm, letting his actions speak for him. It was a several long moments before Jim regained his composure and Blair couldn't stand the silence any longer.
"Was she right? Who's been guiding you since she died?"
"No one. At first, I had problems when I was running the outer patrol routes. Then I realized that as long as I could hear Grace and Jacob, I wasn't zoning. So we changed the patrol rotation. I go out as far as I can and someone from the outer patrol comes to me if there's a problem."
"A Sentinel needs a Guide. I don't understand how you've managed without one," Blair muttered as his academic instincts came to the fore. How was Jim managing without anyone helping him?
"A Sentinel needs a Guide when fully using his senses. I manage here, because I use my children as my focus. At first, I managed in Cascade because I kept my senses turned down most of the time. Then, after the dream, it wasn't a problem any more."
Blair recalled the last dream Jim had told him of, the dream that had almost ended their friendship. "A dream like the one where you killed the wolf? Tell me about it."
"This was more like what happened in Peru when you told me to follow my spirit guide. I was given another of those choices. I explained why I couldn't use the senses in Cascade to Incacha and when I woke, they were gone."
"Completely gone, just like that. Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was fine, Blair. You were busy and I wasn't exactly having a problem." Jim said quickly in his own defense. "They were gone. Incacha was keeping them for me. When I came down here and saw Ana for the first time, they came back strong as ever. A Sentinel needs a Guide, Blair. But, when a guide is unavailable or there is no use for the senses for whatever reason, I think they go dormant until they are needed again and a Guide is available."
"So that's why they went dormant after Peru."
"I believe so. I didn't need them and didn't have a Guide. They became active again during the Switchman case because subconsciously I needed them. Also, because you were finally ready to guide me."
"And they disappeared because I left you," Blair added bitterly.
"No, because I turned them down and refused to use them. They were my senses, my decision, my choice. You were not a factor in my choice. I knew you would have kept your end of the bargain, Blair. I knew that if I needed you, all I had to do was call."
"Isn't that a Carole King song?"
Despite the somber mood brought about by talking about Ana, Jim chuckled, "Close."
"I'm sorry about your wife, Jim. I wish I could have met her."
"Me too, Blair. In some ways, she reminded me of you. She wouldn't let me get away with anything either."
"Good, because you need someone to look after you."
"Isn't it about time you turned in?" Jim asked semi-sarcastically. He would never admit it to Blair, but he missed the bantering that was naturally a part of their friendship.
Blair ignored the question as he continued to lightly tease his friend. "Yeah, I know exactly how well you look after yourself. You definitely need a keeper."
"Good night, Blair."
"She had it easy. There isn't a Wonder burger or bakery for miles."
Jim turned his laughter into a fake cough. "Say good night, Blair."
"Good night, Blair," Blair answered sweetly.
Somewhere in the jungles of Peru
The team made its way through the jungle, Keller on point. He was the first to find the corpses of his men. They were hanging from a tree. He heard the sound of retching coming from behind him as the others had caught up and saw what was in their path.
"What is holding... Oh my god," Flynn said, holding one hand over his mouth. He was bringing up the rear and had been the last to arrive.
The men hadn't simply been killed. They had been eviscerated completely. Their eye sockets were empty and judging from the slit throats, their tongues had been cut out.
"Sandburg must have had help in getting away," Flynn said after he was sure he wasn't going to lose his lunch.
"Those Chopec savages will pay for this. No one kills one of my team and lives," Keller exclaimed through a clenched jaw.
"We'll have to move faster. I'm sure by now, Sandburg has told them we're coming. We'll make better progress if we burn rather than chop a way through this undergrowth," Flynn suggested.
"Roderick, James, burn us a trail. I need a graves detail."
"No, we'll lose precious time," Flynn whined, contesting the order.
Keller grabbed Flynn by the neck and pinned him against a nearby tree. "I'm burying my men. They deserved better than this and I'm not leaving them out here to rot. Deal with it." Keller walked away and disappeared into the jungle.
Flynn rubbed his throat. He couldn't allow Keller to leave this mission alive. The man had attacked him and shamed him in front of the others in the group. Little did he know that Keller was plotting a similar fate for him.
Chopec Temporary Campsite
The instant the outer patrol reported the first signs of activity, the village moved deeper into the jungle. They had much easier places to set up a defensive perimeter. This new site had a fast moving river on the east side and a steep slope to the south, riddled with caves. The top of the hill was too steep to climb down easily and anyone who tried was exposed the entire trip. This left only two directions Flynn could take to reach them.
Now that they were at the new site and were all prepared, Blair took advantage of the lull to ask the questions for which he had needed to have answers. He and Jim were sharpening sticks to be laid in several pit traps being prepared around the village perimeter.
As he added his finished spike to the pile, he took his chance. Very softly he asked, "Why did you do it, Jim? Why did you leave your home in Cascade? If your senses were acting up so much that you were forced to turn them down, all you had to do was say something. I'd have been there for you."
Jim put down the knife he was using. Now was as good a time as any to have this conversation. Who knew what the next day would bring? "Blair, slow down. I didn't turn down my senses because they were acting up. I didn't leave because of problems with my senses. Well, I did, but not because I didn't have control over them."
"So tell me, why did you leave and be a little more specific than you were in that note you sent me. What was that crap about modern society having no place for a Sentinel? The police department is the perfect place for a Sentinel." Blair made no attempt to hide the hurt in his voice. He was still upset that Jim had mailed him a letter rather than coming in person.
"Not in modern society, Blair. The legal system isn't about justice anymore. It's more about the criminal's civil rights than the victim's rights. It's about technicalities and loopholes. You observed the system for years. You know firsthand the hoops cops are forced to jump through to keep the chain of evidence intact for trials."
"You've put up with those things all along." Blair picked up another stick and began sharpening the end.
"Yes, but I was tired of it. A Sentinel's duty is to protect and preserve justice within the tribe. That just wasn't possible in Cascade. It took me a while to figure that out, but when IA ripped me apart along with my cases, it became pretty clear," Jim admitted as he stared at his feet.
"What about the people of Cascade, the ones who needed the protection your senses provided? Using your senses helped solve cases and put away some serious psychos. You protected a lot of people. They need you."
Jim picked up the knife, but didn't make any effort to resume working. He stared at his reflection in the surface of the blade. "The people of Cascade were afraid of me. I hate to tell you this, but not everyone believed that press conference of yours, particularly after you went back to teaching without any obvious sanctions. I could hear them whispering about me, wondering if I listened into their apartments, like some Peeping Tom. Two people moved out of the building rather than live near me. How do you think that made feel?" Jim asked bitterly.
"We could have explained it to them."
"We! What we? You moved out, too, remember! And explain what Blair? Yes people, if I tried, I could hear you two floors down, but don't worry I wouldn't do that," Jim answered cynically before continuing. "After all, I do have some sense of honor, not to mention that using these super powers leaves me completely vulnerable to loud noises and bright lights often resulting in serious migraines."
"I'm sorry, Jim. I didn't know all this was happening. I don't know what to say."
"It's wasn't your fault, Blair. So, don't you start feeling guilty, I made my own decisions."
Blair wasn't quite ready to let himself off the hook though. "I didn't think about how my moving out would have looked. I just needed space of my own. It wasn't about leaving you. The apartment became available and I had to make a quick decision."
"If you had said something to me about being unhappy, we could have done something. There were other options that didn't involve us splitting up. All you had to do was say something."
"You were going through a lot of crap too. Why didn't you talk to me? You could have said something, too."
Jim shrugged and finished carving his spike. "I know, but I figured it was just as well you weren't close to me. I didn't want you in the line of fire anyway."
A part of Blair wanted to stop talking about the past, but his pit bull nature wouldn't allow him to drop it. "What line of fire are you talking about?"
"Sneaks told me that the Bertelli crime family had a hit out on me. They put up some serious money to make sure 'Superman' couldn't uncover their business. There were two attempts made, but they both missed by a mile."
Blair's eyes widened in disbelief. "I can't believe Simon didn't tell me."
"He couldn't have because I never told him about them. I didn't want any other cops put in danger because of me. There was a lot of bitterness floating around the department. Rumors were flying everywhere and a whole lot of people were pissed off that I hadn't been up front with them."
"I don't believe I'm hearing this after all the cases you've solved. You record was outstanding."
"That was the problem. The captain of the Vice Department didn't believe me when I explained I didn't have the senses when I worked for him. Several of the other detectives were filing complaints with the union that I had an unfair advantage over them when it came to my 'special powers' and that was the only reason I could solve my cases. Therefore, the merit raises I had been granted weren't deserved. They complained to the mayor about my officer of the year award, too. They thought it should be rescinded and given to the runner up. Do you really want me to continue here, Blair? This is like pouring salt into half-healed open wounds."
"No. I've heard enough. I would have thought your fellow police officers would have stood by you. They've known you for years."
"Same goes for your fellow academics. How many of them believed you would commit fraud after your press conference? How many of them were standing by you until I came forward."
Blair couldn't deny Jim's point. People who had worked with him for years had believed him to be a liar and a fraud.
"It's human nature to believe the worst about our fellow man, particularly if jealous about their accomplishments. The fact is, Blair, once Sid released those excerpts to the press we were both totally screwed. There was nothing you or I could do at that point to fix it. Too many people knew what you were studying. I used my senses way too openly on the job. There was no going back and denying them."
"I've just got one more question. Why haven't you called me 'Chief' since I got here? Are you angry with me because I wasn't there when you needed me?"
"No, I'm not mad at you, or upset with you. I still consider you a good friend, but I have to remind myself that in a few days, you'll be gone. Your life is back in Cascade. Mine isn't, anymore. People move on with their lives and leave close friendships behind. It happens all the time. It's not like we can stay in touch. I don't want to try to hang onto something I can't have."
Blair felt a glimmer of hope rising inside him. Maybe it wasn't too late. "Maybe it's something you can have. Maybe we can figure something out. I know we can't go back to the way things were, but maybe we can move forward."
"Maybe we can, but I can't think about this right now. The western outer patrol has spotted Flynn and his men. They'll be here in less than two days. The warriors are preparing a couple of ambushes for them before they get near the village, but I don't know if it will be enough."
"We'll stop them, Jim. Then we'll talk about planning out the future. First, let's get Flynn off your back. The rest of it will be a piece of cake to handle."
"I love that optimism of yours, Chief. I've missed you."
"Missed you too, Jim. Missed you too." Blair paused before asking, "So, what's the plan?"
"Most of the warriors will be involved in the ambushes a few hours travel out from the village."
"So you and I will be with them."
"Not exactly. I'll be with them. You'll stay here in the village." Jim held up a hand to stop the protest that formed on Blair's face. "Sorry, Sandburg, but you don't have the training to move stealthily in this environment."
"You expect me to hide with the women and children. I don't think so," Blair muttered indignantly.
"Actually, the women will be setting up a few more traps in the area surrounding the village. You'll be with the children. There will be two other warriors with you and the kids. Please, I need someone with Grace and Jacob I trust implicitly..."
Blair stared at him without blinking. He couldn't believe Jim was actually saying these words.
"...In case something happens to me, I want someone to tell them about who I was. I'm trusting you with the two most precious loves of my life..."
"All right! Enough already," Blair said through his laughter. "Turn off the mush, you win. I always knew underneath that tough guy exterior of yours is pure marshmallow."
"Thank you for not making me bat my eyes at you, Chief. I didn't want to use my best kept secret." Jim gave him a little half grin in recognition of never being able to fool his partner. "Just don't tell anyone else, Chief. I like my rep the way it is."
"Pathetic, James. When you get back, I'll teach you how to make puppy-eyes, a much more effective weapon."
The invaders had arrived much sooner than anyone had anticipated. The twenty Chopec warriors were outnumbered, but had the advantage of home territory.
Flynn, Keller and twenty-seven men ran into the first ambush the Chopec had arranged. Casualties were heavy on both sides. Flynn's tactics had been straightforward. They were going into the village to burn, blow up or shoot everything living. 'No mercy' had become their battle cry. Seven Chopec were killed in the battle but twelve of Keller's men had died making the odds a little more even.
At the second ambush, the Chopec had fared better. Jim was waiting with them at this confrontation. All the weapons they had retrieved from their enemies over the years, Jim had put to use. Homemade land mines were scattered throughout the area. When the mercenaries entered the area, Chopec warriors and women fired crossbows at them. They were forced to move risking setting off a mine, or be made into perfect targets.
Jim watched as the enemy died or panicked in the chaos and bolted alone into the jungle. He let the Chopec deal with those pursuits. He hadn't spotted his objective yet. Flynn was here and Jim wanted to deal with him personally.
Jim started to dial up his senses, needing them to locate Flynn in the chaos. He reached with his hearing back toward the campsite, seeking the precious sound of his children's heartbeats. Instead of finding them, he found himself locked onto Blair's heartbeat, grounding him once again. Ana's words became clear. It had been Blair all along, his guide who had been searching for him.
He also found his target. For a moment, Jim could only see red. This was the man who had caused the death of his wife. He was the man who was responsible for the death of several Chopec warriors over the past three years.
Flynn was slipping out of the ambush. He was heading towards the village. Jim couldn't allow this. He started running after Flynn armed with both a Glock and a crossbow. He quickly left the sound of the battle behind as he pursued his quarry.
Only a moment later, Jim had his target in sight. "Flynn! Stop right where you are and drop the gun."
Jim approached the man more cautiously as Flynn dropped the gun and raised his hands. "Hello, James. I've been looking for you a long time."
"I know. I'm not interested in anything you have to say. I'm not going to become one of your little toy agents, Flynn."
Flynn shook his head. "That wasn't why I was looking for you. Any agent can do a lot of what your senses can with the right equipment. I believe you learned that from your old friend Yuri. You would also be much too hard to control in the field."
"Shut up, Flynn." Jim's finger tightened on the trigger but didn't fire the weapon.
"No, I wanted to study you, to see what makes those senses of yours work. See if it can be activated in others. Imagine what we can do with a whole army of Sentinels. But you wouldn't cooperate, so if our side can't have you, I had to make sure no one else could. You were a soldier once. You understand," Flynn slowly lowered his arms to his sides.
"Liar! No one but you knew or cared where I was. This was nothing but a game for you, a sick game," Jim answered, again tightening his finger on the trigger. The only thing stopping him from killing this man in cold blood was Blair's voice in the back of his head, screaming that killing this way would be wrong.
Flynn started to slowly back away from Jim as he continued to talk, "If you had only cooperated when I called you back in Cascade, before you forced me to chase you. None of this would have happened. The Chopec would have lived here happily and undisturbed."
Jim dropped the gun. He wanted to kill this man with his bare hands. Flynn quickly realized he had gone too far and turned to run. He only got two steps before he hit one of the pit traps. He screamed as he fell into the pit and landed on several of the sharpened sticks.
Looking over the edge, Jim saw that Flynn had landed on the edge of the trap. Both legs were impaled on the spikes, making it impossible for Flynn to escape. Flynn started yelling, "Ellison! You can't leave me like this. Help me!"
The rumble of a low growl distracted Jim from Flynn's cries. On the other side of the pit, stood the largest black jaguar Jim had ever seen. This wasn't his spirit guide. It was a real predator drawn to the scene by the smell of blood. Slowly, Jim backed away from the pit, allowing nature to decide Flynn's fate.
The jaguar leaped down into the pit. Flynn's screams echoed through the jungle, then in mid- cry, faded away. Jim listened to the sound of the jaguar feeding only for a moment before he heard Blair's voice calling for help.
Jim started running back in the direction of the village. Several of the mercenaries had gotten through to the campsite and his family was in danger.
Blair waved for the last of the children to head up the trail into the jungle toward the cliffs. One of the older children was carrying Jacob. This was their final fallback position. He was the only one who saw three of the mercenaries entering the village. "Jim, if you can hear me, a couple of the bad guys got through."
He watched in horror as they set fire to the closest huts. He grabbed Grace and a forgotten spear and slipped out of the clearing after the others. One of the three spotted him and yelled to the others.
"I need you here, Jim," Blair muttered as he ran even faster.
He quickly caught up with the rag-tag band and warned the other two warriors about the men on their trail. It was too late for them to reach the caves. They would be out in the open if they tried.
The group headed for thickest undergrowth where they could hide the kids from the mercenaries. Blair had just finished hiding Grace and was creeping back toward the village. He didn't want to be too close to where the kids were hiding. Unfortunately, he didn't get far when their enemies found them. The other two warriors immediately set upon two of the three, but the third one headed straight at Blair.
"Where are the brats? Flynn is paying good money for each trophy I bring back."
"Find them yourself. I'm not telling you squat." Blair stood firm, tightly gripping the spear in his right hand."
"You'll tell. I'll blow you away piece by piece until you do and that spear isn't much good against a gun."
"Go ahead and shoot. I'm not telling you anything." Blair was moving forward, keeping the spear at the ready to attack even as the merc pulled the trigger.
~Click~
Blair sighed with relief. The gun had jammed. He raised the point of the spear at his opponent. "Back off, buddy. I'm not letting you get past me." At that moment, Grace moved out of hiding and into plain view. She tripped on the uneven ground and started crying even as she tried to stand up again. She was determined to reach Blair.
The mercenary smirked. "Well look at those pretty blue eyes. That's got to be Ellison's kid. This is even better than killing Ellison. Flynn will just love experimenting with that little urchin. He might even want her alive."
Blair checked quickly to make sure Grace was still well behind him. He moved forward aggressively, feinting with the spear. "You'll have to go through me first."
"Piece of cake, Professor. Oh yeah, I know all about you. You've been in a classroom for the last couple of years. I can see how you'd be a big threat to a soldier like me. Tell you what, you hand over all those kids and I'll let you walk away."
Grace was almost right behind Blair, far too close to the action for Blair's comfort. He could hear her crying 'Bear, Bear'. He knew he had to finish this fast. It seemed it didn't matter how old a Sentinel was, they knew when a Guide was in danger. "No deal. Here's my counter offer. Walk away right now and I'll let you live."
"You're no killer. Everyone knows it. You're one of those flower child pacifists." The mercenary made a move to grab Grace who was up and wobbling on unsteady feet toward Blair still crying loudly for him.
Blair drove the spear into the man's stomach and jerked upwards. The man's eyes widened as he realized he was a dead man.
"You may think I'm a pacifist, but I'm Guide to a Sentinel first and foremost. No one takes what's his." Blair pulled the spear free. He stepped back and watched with satisfaction as the man dropped to the ground. He looked around for any other threat before noticing the other two warriors had returned and were moving to the area where the rest of the children were hiding.
Blair dropped his weapon and picked up Grace. He held her tightly in his arms. "It's all right, Gracie. Uncle Blair is here and no one's going to hurt you or your brother." He looked back at the still twitching corpse. He thought he should be upset at killing, but that wasn't what he felt. He wasn't sorry at all. He would do it again to protect his Sentinel and family.
Grace stopped crying instantly and gurgled happily, reaching for Blair's ponytail.
"Not the hair, kiddo. Anything but the hair," Blair moaned, but inside he was relieved. He would kill again if it meant protecting these kids.
"Nice job, Chief. Couldn't have done better myself." Jim was breathing hard, having heard the initial confrontation and moving quickly to help. He bent down and picked up Jacob who was sitting quietly with the rest of the kids.
"Are they dead, Jim? All of them?"
"The Chopec are finishing off the last few. I heard what was happening here and came to help. Looks like you didn't need me." Jim hugged Jacob before moving to stand next to Blair.
"Always, I always need you around. Haven't you figured that out yet?"
Jim leaned over and kissed his daughter's forehead.
"I've got it now, Blair, and thank you, for protecting them. I don't think I could have handled losing them or you."
"You won't, not ever again."
Jim watched his best friend, making silly faces at his daughter. The beginnings of a plan started to form in his head. But he needed some serious help with this one.
Washington State University
"Eli, this is William Ellison. He's an old friend of mine and he's been talking at length to me about a former student of yours, Blair Sandburg," the Chancellor said.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Ellison," Dr. Stoddard greeted warmly, offering his hand.
"And you, Dr. Stoddard. Please, call me William. Tell me, what do you know about South American Rainforest native tribes."
"Quite a bit, actually."
"Have you ever heard of one called the Chopec?"
"I've heard very little about them. They are very distrustful of outsiders after a run-in they had with Cyclops Oil. It's been difficult to study a people who don't wish to associate with anyone from the outside world."
"What if I told you that I was willing to fund a three year grant to study the Chopec and their ways? After that three years is up, the grant will be continued to fund whatever project is in need of funding, subject to my approval of course."
"Who would I have to bribe?" Eli asked excitedly.
"No one. However, you would have to accept my choice as to the head of the project. He has worked with the person who will be the contact between the Chopec and the outside world for several years and has established a strong friendship."
"Is this where Blair Sandburg comes into the picture?" Eli asked with a chuckle.
"You are a wise man, Doctor."
"I don't suppose you could confirm that the Chopec have a tribal guardian as one of their members. I believe Blair referred to them as Sentinels."
"I can't confirm or deny that. You would have to speak directly with Blair."
"Just wanted to make sure we're on the same page here, William. I have no objections. Blair was my prized student. His fieldwork was always outstanding. My only concern is his current association with Rainier."
"His contract with them is up in two weeks. I believe he would be open to the idea of other employment," William answered.
"Well, Chancellor, what do you think? With Professor Macy retiring at the end of the semester, we do have an opening for a tenured professor in the Anthropology Department."
"You're in charge of the Department. I trust your judgement, Eli."
"Then, William, we have a deal. I'll have the papers drawn up. Can you arrange for Blair to come see me?"
"That may be difficult. He's in Peru. I'll see to it that the papers get to him and relay his answer."
"Thank you, but I'd like to see him in person. The last time I made Blair an offer without seeing him, he turned me down. I have a valid passport. Can you provide a guide?"
"I can get word to him about the offer and arrange a meeting."
A few days later in Peru
Jim and Blair were sitting by the river watching the children play in the shallows.
"What are you thinking about, Chief?"
"I don't want to go back to Washington. I hate it at Rainier. I hate what I'm doing there and what I'm turning into. I really want to stay with you and the kids, but I need to make a living. I still have bills to pay," Blair admitted staring at the sparkling clear water.
Jim tapped his friend's shoulder, searching out Blair's gaze, "What if you could do both? For a while anyway," Jim asked hesitantly, hope visible in his eyes.
Blair stared back at Jim, dumbfounded by the words. "Are you kidding! That would be a dream come true!"
"So, if I told you Eli Stoddard was on his way here to offer you a full tenured teaching position at Washington State and assign you to a three-year project studying the Chopec, that would be a good thing?" Jim answered half-afraid that Blair would be upset for his interference.
"Don't joke around about this, Jim," Blair accused softly, breaking eye contact.
"I'm not and he'll be here in two days. I wasn't sure if you'd appreciate my intervention. The last time I did something like this was when you were tossed a gold badge. I didn't want to repeat the same mistake."
"It's not a mistake, it's a perfect solution. Wow, this is great. We can stay down here. I can write a couple of great articles on the Chopec." Blair was so excited that he couldn't stop rambling. "Hey, I can tell people all about these mercenaries the NSA hired. I mean, I can't name names, but we can sure shine a spotlight here that should protect us for a while."
"Remember to breathe, Blair," Jim said as he scanned the area from any danger to the children playing nearby. Even though Flynn and his men were gone, other dangers always lurked.
"But what happens in three years?"
"We go back to Washington. You'll have a full time teaching position. The kids will be ready to start school. Grace should be able to understand the basics of controlling her senses by then and Jacob will be with her anyway. Just having your guide close by helps with controlling them. We'll get a nice big house out in the country, away from the noise and pollution of the city. I've been thinking about joining the Park Service. I'd be good at search and rescue, don't you think?"
"I don't know, Jim," Blair said with a twinkle in his eye. "The Park Service doesn't pay that well. You may not be able to afford a big house."
"Hmm, you could be right. Any suggestions?"
"I think you need a tenant. Someone to watch the kids when they're not in school and you're out finding lost hikers. If you get the right house, you can have like a second floor apartment with a separate entrance, for privacy, you understand," Blair said waving his arms.
"Sounds good. I think that's doable with a little effort. Know anyone who might be interested in that kind of living arrangement?" Jim asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I know this college professor who will be needing a place to live about that time. He was on this expedition and lost the lease on his old place. Reliable guy who loves kids, can get along with practically anyone."
"When the time comes, we'll pick out the place together, Chief. For your information, I turned the money from the sale of the loft and my 401K over to my father to manage for me. It's become quite a little nest egg while I've been gone."
"Okay, Jim. Hey, you know what the best part of this is?"
"No, what?"
"I get to tell Chancellor Edwards what she can do with herself."
"Can I watch?" Jim asked eagerly.
"Sure!" Blair replied. "Did I tell you about the time she..."
Jim sat quietly and listened to Blair as he told several 'Evil Edwards' tales. Content in the closeness of a friendship, and the possibility of a long happy future ahead.
Blair was toting Grace in a carrier on his back down the hill to the dirt road that lay on the very edge of Chopec territory. Jim was carrying Jacob. He still wasn't sure why they were bringing the babies to this meeting. Not until he saw that Eli Stoddard was not alone.
William Ellison had come to Peru. He smiled and waved at his son. Blair watched as Jim moved forward to hug his father. Blair used this time to take Grace from the carrier and hold her in his arms. As Jim was performing the same task for Jacob, he took the opportunity to hand the baby over to her grandfather before moving away from the family reunion to where Eli was standing apart, watching the scene with a smile.
"Hello, my boy. It's nice to see you again," Eli greeted Blair with his hand offered out.
Blair shook his hand. "It's nice to see you too, sir."
"So, do you have an answer for me?"
"Yes, I accept, both the position and the opportunity to study the Chopec. They are a complicated people. Their ways should be documented."
Eli placed his hands on Blair's shoulders and gave him a little shake. "And here I came all this way thinking I would have to convince you to accept."
"No need, Professor Stoddard. I recognize a good thing when I see it."
"Call me Eli; after all you are a professor too. Blair, I've wanted to tell you for a while now how proud I am of you."
"You always had the faith I'd settle down eventually and become a productive member of society," Blair replied with a wink.
"Not for that, for remembering that our first duty is to protect those we study. I was referring to your press conference."
Blair coughed then cleared his throat. "About that, I should explain..."
"No need, Blair. No need to either confirm or deny. It is ancient history and should remain that way. We should look to the future."
"We all need to look to the future. I think we've found the place where we belong." Blair glanced over at the Ellison family reunion. "At least for now."
"A place, Blair?"
"Well, not place as in location, but with those you love and who love you."
"A wise thought, my boy. I'm impressed with you for understanding that concept at such a young age."
"I've had good teachers, Eli."
Jim stared back at Eli and Blair, grinning broadly at the overheard conversation, agreeing wholeheartedly with his friend's words. He caught Blair's eye and nodded firmly. His Guide smiled back.
The end!
Really!
I'm not writing another sequel, so don't even ask.
Really, I'm not writing another one.
AGH! Back, back you obnoxious plot bunny.