By Tevan

Jim Ellison looked up and down the strip. Business was heavy tonight, as cars slowly crawled along the road, at times pulling in and after a few minutes discussion one of the hustlers would hop in and the vehicle would fad back into the traffic, only to reappear about twenty minutes later, when the hustler was dropped off.

Jim paused to watch a young man approach an older man with a force smile, an unlit cigarette and an offer. The potential client, slowly looked the nervous youth up and down, spoke a few words, to which the hustler paused a fraction of a second, then nodded hesitantly, the client noticing his reticence, shook his head moving away as he did so. The smile upon the boy’s lips fractured as disappointment crashed in upon him, and was replaced by a look of hunger. Not of anticipation lost, but from lack of food, heat and human caring in general.

Ellison moved slowly along the road, heading in the general direction of the luckless hustler. As he walked, he recalled his own time spent on this stretch of pavement. How, with his striking good looks and firm body, he had been far luckier then the disappointed boy, as he had had not suffered from a lack of clients, and after a few short months had made enough money to moved off the open strip, and set himself up independently, which had allowed him to never be subservient to the brutish protection of a pimp, nor trapped into the world of drugs, where the habit made a boy a slave to his trade, and where he was forced to whore his body to pay his addition. Ellison now had his own apartment, car, and a sizeable amount of stocks and bonds, and could now pick and choose his clients, which in turn allowed him to have a very selective and rich clientele who were prepared to pay good money for the services that Jim offered.

As he approached the hustler, eager eyes looked up and the smile that reached the youths lips was genuine, Ellison was a very handsome man, and both would gain enjoyment from their encounter, if the boy could persuade the man to stay awhile.

Jim stopped when the lad approached and listened for a few seconds to his well worn words, as the boy asked for a light. His hand shook as he held up the limp cigarette, which looked as if it had been held for most of the day. Ellison smiled and apologised saying that he didn’t smoke. The smile faltered again, but as it did so, Jim reached out and shaking the other hands as if in parting from an old friend, he slipped the boy the two hundred dollar bills that he had palmed while walking towards him. Saying as he did so, "buy yourself a lighter kid." Then he was moving on.

He felt the eyes of the youth on him as he departed, and he knew that the lad would not heed the advise, but would be back at the same spot tomorrow night, but at least Jim had given him one night off. Glancing back over his shoulder he noted that the lad was no longer standing on the cold pavement.

If asked Ellison would not be able to explain his reasons for being on the strip this night. It had been quite a few years since he had began his trade here, as a sixteen year old runaway, and while he could sympathise with the boys who now stood touting for business, he could not help but be grateful that he was no longer among their number. Maybe that was what had made him come, maybe he needed to be reminded that this was where he started out from.

Sighing he decided to call it a night, smiling as he remembered that he had turned down a very lucrative offer to be here, and all he felt for his trouble was cold and for some unexplainable reason very alone. As he made to depart, his attention caught by the sound of a heart beat which clearly reached his ears, and his sight was caught and held by another strikingly handsome young man further up the strip.

The youth was not one of the hustler, that much was clear, although he did look as poorly dressed as some of them, with holes ripped in his jeans at one knee and the other thigh, a loose shirt, waistcoat and jacket tossed carelessly to cover his upper body, and he had a backpack hanging from his shoulder , he was tossing long silk dark locks of hair back from his forehead as he spoke to a hustler. Jim could hear what he was saying as he approach, drawn almost against his will towards the man/child who had suddenly captivated him.

"So... er... how much... er then?" The question was nervous and came out with difficulty.

The hustler, a man who had been working on strip since his teens, eyed the speaker with anticipation, the buyer was indeed handsome, almost beautiful with his deep blue eyes and lushes lips. Which he was licking in his nervousness. Which only made him more irresistible

"For you.." the hustler began, "Forty in the alley..." he grinned as he finished, "and you’ll really enjoy it... I can guarantee." The male prostitute had been working the strip for quite a few years, and he knew a new-be when he saw one, and while he would love to spent time with the other man, he was also a business man, and knew that if he returned home without any money his pimp would have a few words and punches to deliver to him.

The buyer paused for a few moments, eyes impossibly wide. His expression clearly read that he could not believe that he was asking a male hooker for his services, he looked totally out of place on the cold dark roadway. Taking a deep steadying breath he continued, "what...er... what about... if I...er want to er.... have the... night?"

"Are you a cop." The hustler suddenly asked, his tone hard and brittle, his face tight with anger and suspicion.

This distressed the other man, as he bounced up and down, waving an arm in denial as he replied, "me... me a cop... come on man this is sooo not me." His words and actions must have convinced the hustler because the man settled down and replied.

"One hundred for two hours." The buyer looked slightly shocked at the price, but managed to hide it fairly well, as the hustler went on, "and you pay for the hotel room." This generated a hard swallow for the buyer, as the estimated amount of money needed was mentally added up.

Jim reached the two just as the man/child was about to speak again. To this day Ellison would not know what made him speak out, but the words were issued before he could prevent himself. "Sixty for the night, and I have a room we can use." His words were directed towards the buyer, not the hustler who had drawn himself up to argue the point, but then paused after being lazed by Jim’s eyes, he wisely thought better about causing a scene, as after realising that his pimp was nowhere in sight and could not offer any protection.

The buyer looked slightly taken back at Ellison’s interruption and for some reason it really annoyed Jim, when the boy took on the deer in the highlight look. "Hay man.. I er.. that is.." the buyer spluttered, then swallowing hard he paused as he considered the words. "Sixty for the night..." he asked, his tone slightly relived that he was not going to have to spend all his savings on the hooker, "and you’ll er.. do... exactly... as I... er want?" he added as an after thought.

How Jim didn’t laugh outright into the buyers face he would never know, but he managed to hold onto his humour as he nodded and agreed solemnly. "Whatever you want..." the he added gently, "First timer?"

Ellison could see the words of denial reach the other man’s lips, but he also saw it rejected before the buyer shrugged and confirmed meekly, "er...kinda... I guess so." He said it almost apologetically. He looked like a fallen angle with his clothes, silken hair and innocent expression, and Jim suddenly realised why he had interrupted the transaction. While he might have been away from the strip for a few years, he still kept his ear to the ground, and knew that if this particular buyer had gone with the hustler, he would have received more then he bargained for, and seriously wondered if the pretty man/child might not have ended up on the strip himself by the time the night was over. Rosco, the hooker’s pimp was rumoured to use drugs and brute force to keep his hookers in line and working. The thought of this one falling into such a trap was sickening.

"This way." Ellison snapped, suddenly angry that the man/child for not realising this himself, without a thought he pushed past the hustler, who was still shocked into silence. Jim didn’t bother to turn and check that he was being followed, he could hear the other man clearly as he trotted along just behind him, as trusting as a puppy. Jim felt his anger grow and had to breath deeply to push it to one side and concentrate on the matter at hand.

Ellison had no real idea where they were going as he didn’t really have a room, but he knew that they were cheap to rent for the night, in this part of town, so he turned into the first halfway decent hotel he came to. Pausing he allowed the youth to stumble to a halt behind him as he ordered, "Wait here, while I get the key." With those words he headed towards the reception, and ignored the knowing smile the small, piggy eyed man gave him as he signed the register with a false name, and took the key that was offered. He could tell from the envious expression on the old man face, that he thought him to be the buyer and the boy to be his purchase for the night.

Turning back, Ellison motioned the lad to follow after him as he headed for the stairs. "Did you just rent this room?" the man/child asked, nervousness clearly sounding in his tone, new at this particular kind of thing he might be, but he knew that the buyers usually paid for the rooms, not the hookers. He was starting to get slightly worried, that his purchase for the night might not be exactly what he thought him to be.

"It’s a deal I have with the guy," Jim offered, this tone firm as he explained the lie, "I pretend to sign in and everything just in case the cops call round." Silence greet this statement, but the boy still followed him up the stair. "The guy downstairs is covered and he gets a share of the money for letting me have the room."

Upon reaching the room, Jim opened the door and motioned the boy ahead of him, then closing the door firmly he locked it behind him. He could hear the kids heart beat speed up until it was beating like a frightened rabbit and could easily see the fear that was just beginning to take hold of the lad. His expression clearly read ‘no turning back now.’

"So..." Jim began, falling easily back into his words of his youth when he had spent time on the strip, and wanting to put this young man at his ease, he spoke the words that would him back in command of the situation. "What exactly do you want?" He raised an eyebrow and looked the boy up and down slowly, he suddenly knew what he wanted to do to the lad. Felt himself respond to the mental image, but he pushed it roughly aside, he was not the client he was the purchase. "I’m prepared to try anything once, but I’m not into pain." He continued firmly before letting a slight smile lifting his handsome features.

The kissable lips were wet again as the tongue slipped out to dampen them, and the backpack was held protectively in front of the young man, "Me neither" he offered weakly then added "Blair... Blair Sandburg...." moving forward slightly he held out his hand.

Jim eyed the outstretched hand for several seconds before finally accepting it replying in kind, "Jim."

Blair nodded at the words and the lack of a surname, this he expected. Then as if some bridge had been crossed, a decision made he fought to open the rucksack with eager jerky movements. Saying as he did so, "er... sixty right... that’s what we agreed." As he spoke he pulled out a scruffy wallet and carefully counted out the three twenties.

"Yeah... Sixty." Jim agreed easily as he watched the young man’s actions, the smile was back as he realised that the boy was counting out his life savings. "But you don’t need to worry about that until after." He commented, eyeing the man as he again fought with the backpack, this time he drew out a large pad and pen. "Why don’t we make ourselves comfortable." Jim suggested moving towards the bed a slight frown marring his features at the sight of the pad. As he moved he slowly undid the buttons of his shirt and slipped it from his shoulders. He stood for a few seconds, allowing the youth to take in his form, which he knew was good, the dark trousers and white tank top vest emphasised his muscular body to perfection, he stretched and allow his body to ripple, he could feel the heat in the room rise a few notches.

Blair obviously agreed as he was unable to take his eyes from the body that now sat before him, but after licking his lips and forcing his mind back on to matters at hand, he too sat, but not on the bed as Jim had anticipated, instead he flopped down crossed leg on the floor, slipping on a pair of glasses that he had also pulled from the deep recesses of his backpack. Ellison felt his eyebrow raise as this. "So... er Jim...." Sandburg began, looking up his face filled with eager anticipation, pen poised and ready to write. "how long have... er you been er... a male prost.... er ...doing this for a living?"

Jim looked at the man in front of him in total surprise, before he asked slowly his anger building again, "are you a reporter?" He didn’t think that the young man was, but with the appearance of the notepad, glasses and pen it was the only explanation he could think of.

Blair looked slightly confused for a moment, then realising what Jim thought he hastily shook his head his denial, his long curls washing about his face as he did so, "Oh sorry, no.. no way man... no nothing like that, I’m a student." He offered openly, the innocent of youth once more filling his features, acting as if his words explained everything..

"A student." Jim repeated, now totally at a lost to understand why the boy had asked him up here, and what he was really after. Even as he had that thought another much darker one crowded in upon him as Blair continued, totally unaware of the danger his words were raising.

"Yeah... Rainier University… I’m a grad student… in… in Anthology... I’m doing a..." he stopped as if searching for the right words, it was evidence that he was uneasy with the confession, "I’ve been requested to do a thesis on male prostitution and the affects of working and living in such a closed society." he paused as he witness the look of shock, closely followed by distaste that had slipped across the other man’s face. Heedless of the results of his words he ploughed on," and the way that… that you people survive."

"YOU people... The way that… WE survive!" Jim slowly stood up to his full height, and advanced towards the grad student, then grabbing him by his coat he yanked him up roughly and forced him back until he was pressed up against the wall. "Listen to me you neo-hippie freak," Jim spat, his anger roaring unreasonably in his ears, which was almost drowned out by the frantically beating heart of the man he now held. "WE don’t do this because WE enjoy it, most of us are doing it, because WE don’t have a choice, and because WE want to eat....." As he spoke he had been banging the young man against the walls to emphasise his words, then he gave a final hard shove which sent the boy lumbering back over a dressing table, the notebook and pen went flying. Twisting away Jim headed towards the door intent of leaving. He was unable to explain his sudden rage, or the deep swell of disappointment that washed over him, he had expected more from this man, he didn’t know why he felt that way but he just did.

"Bastard." Came the angry voice from behind him, it was whispered under the students breath, but Jim heard it as if it was shouted. It was all he needed to lose himself into another red haze of pure rage. Spinning back, he again reached and dragged the boy up, Blair let out a yelp of fear at this action, but this time when Jim shoved him backwards, he followed him, pressing his entire hard length against the body of the other man, who struggled weakly to break away.

"You want to know what it’s like to be a male whore... do you?" Ellison gritted out, "want to really have something to write about?" As he spoke he moved his lower body suggestively against the small man, enjoying the feeling of power he got from this action. He lowered his mouth to cover the struggling man, using brute strength to gain entry to the unwilling mouth that cowered beneath him.

Suddenly Blair stopped struggling, ceased all movement. He neither encouraged nor rejected the advances, he just allowed them, as if he knew that he not stop the taller, stronger man even if he wanted to. Jim broke the kiss and looked down into his face, he was caught and held by the shattered look in Blair’s eyes, the look of betrayal. As Sandburg said, his tone low, even and devoid of emotion. "I can’t stop you," there was such loathing in the tone, that it tore at the other man, "but your not going to teach me anything I don't already know."

Realisation of what he’d been about to do washed over Jim and he suddenly felt very ashamed of his actions as he stood back, releasing the small man, who did not move until Ellison had backed further away, giving him room to move away from the hard wall.

Silence ruled for several seconds, with only their harsh breathing cutting the air. Then with a shaky hand and slow movements, Blair reached down and picked up his pad, pen and finally he glasses from where they had fallen and been crushed. He spent several seconds examining them before he slowly put them in his pocket. As he did so he began, his voice brittle and low, "Professor Baker is very well respected at Rainier... and what he say’s goes... at least in the Anthropology department, you see he’s got a lot of pull..." he stopped to gather himself as he tried to explain, unable to explain why he felt compelled to let this man know, that he was not doing this from some perversion of his own. "About two weeks ago, he er... suggested that it might help my grades if I were to take some evening classes with him... at first I was really, really pleased... I mean, I actually thought he was interested in me..." he let out a small bitter bark of laughter at his words as he nodded, reaching down and pick up his discarded backpack.. "yeah well... he was interested in me all right… only it wasn’t academic..." he paused again, glancing at Jim, seeing that the man was listening, he took a steadying breath and forced himself to continued, "well I refused... point blank..." seeing the look this earned him he smiled weakly, but it was without humour, "I guess I am as naive as you thought I was… anyway, shortly after that my grades started to fall... from A+ to D- in a week... he used every excuse under the sun, to down mark me... and he’s even placed me on disciplinary twice." Now that the words had began, he seemed unable to stop them as he built up speed, "His even gone so far as to get me kicked out of the running for the dig this summer, and I can’t do a damn thing about it. No-one will believe me if I took it to further up the line, I mean this guy is like a.. a god to those people..." he stopped again, and pulled his coat more firmly about him, as if it could in some way protect him from the cold that had nothing to do with the temperature of the room. "I need to get good grades for this end of term paper otherwise, otherwise, what with the disciplinary and the rumours he started, I’m out... and he knows it." Blair stropped again, and slowly moved across the room to perch on the bed, as if his legs would no longer support him, reaction of the last few weeks catching up with him, "the bastard time his er.. approach just right... he knows that he’s got me between a rock and a hard place and his just sitting back and enjoying it and this..." He waved his hand about the room, at Jim, "this is part of it, I guess it’s a lesson to teach me, " he closed his eyes again taking a shuddering breath as he finally admitted, "I don’t know… anyway a couple of days ago he cornered me, and explained that if I did this paper on male prostitution and the closed society, he would guarantee me at least an A.. which would at least give me a pass for this semester." He stopped finally looking up and meeting the other man’s eyes as he finished, "I don’t know what to do, as I need that grade."

Jim was captivated. The young man’s innocents caught at him and he was compelled to met the other’s look. "And that’s the only reason why you were out there tonight?" He questioned, wanting desperately to believe Blair.

Blair looked down at his now discarded pad, "Yes," he confessed, then glancing up he continued, the desperation clear in his tone, "I don’t have a choice, I need to get the grade if I’m to stay on Rainier next term... he knows it... and at least this way, with this paper, I have a chance of staying and maybe... maybe he’ll just get tired and leave me alone."

Jim rocked back on his heels, he could see clearly what the other man could not. The Professor was testing Blair, manipulating him into doing something he didn’t want to do, gaining control over the young man’s actions. The next step would be to apply more pressure, more persuasive power until finally he got him into bed. It was a skilled game of manipulation, a strategy that Ellison could see with his street wise years and knowledge behind him. But to Blair, it was purely a way of remaining in university without having to degrade himself any further, the lesser of two evils. Jim could see the move for what it was from the professors point of view, a continuation of the hunt. If Blair was thrown out of school, the professor would never get his pleasure from Sandburg.

Looking at the upturned face, the innocents and beauty of those blue eyes, Jim could fully understand why the professor wanted Blair, had to admit that he had the same attraction, but while he might only be classed as a whore by many, he had never, ever forced or manipulated himself into anyone’s bed, and the thought of someone doing it to this young man, made his blood boil. Moving to sit cautiously back on the other side of the bed Jim asked, "What do you need to complete your paper?" Ellison’s voice was firm, determined, but also very gently, he didn’t want to frighten Blair any further then he already had, and he was now desperately sorry for his action. Now all he wanted to do was prevent the Professor from getting his claws into this particular young man, and if the idea he was forming panned out, then the so called teacher would never be able to abuse his power again, but first Ellison had to settle Sandburg immediate problem.

At first Sandburg looked surprised, then hope flared in his eyes as he licked at dry lips and stated, "just some questions answered, you know... How you started, what got you into it... what’s it like... er... living, working on the strip... do you get.." he paused here and shot the other man a quick nervous glance as he blushed, "pleasure from your er... job?"

Jim smiled, it was warm and reassuring as he began to answer the question the other man asked. At first Blair was hesitant and unsure, as he kept glancing at the taller man trying to gage his temper, but Jim was good at his job, his tone and manner soon had the other man at his ease again, and Blair began to gain more confidence as time when on, soon the questions were coming thick and fast, his pen scribbling over his pad as he made notes, totally absorbed in the project.

Blair paused slightly, pen poised above the pad, when he discovered that Jim no longer plied his trade on the actually strip. He frowned, knowing that it would mean a return trip to the red light area to gather more relevant information, but he pushed that worry aside, as he continued to question the other man, the details Jim were giving him were still vital to his paper.

Slowly the questions turned from Jim’s profession, slipping easily on to a more personnel note, which Jim answered with the same candour as he had the others. Before long he found himself explaining his childhood, his tyrannical father, who always seemed to be disappointed in the young boy who could never do right in his eyes. Jim explained about his time in the army, and the disastrous mission which had left him stranded in Peru. Blair was surprised to realise that the man in front of him was an American hero, according to the ‘News Weekly’ magazine. Jim had been reluctant to mention that, but Blair had questioned too deeply and it had just slipped out. Blair wanted to ask more questions about his time in Peru when Jim mentioned having lived with the Chopeck (Gena need to look up the name of the tribe) tribe, but he swallowed his question on that subject, seeing the pain that thoughts of that time caused the other man. Astonishingly Blair soon found himself explaining about his own free style childhood, with a loving mother who had shroud herself and her child in the beliefs of the flower power sixties. He only paused slightly when he explained that he didn’t know who his father was, but Jim merely commented dryly that considering his own upbringing, he personally would have been better off not knowing his father.

To each man’s surprise, they found that while they did not, on the surface, have a lot in common, they both found it very easy to speak to the other, and soon each felt as if they had known the other for years instead of hours.

As they continued to talk the darkness outside began to turn into the rosy haze of morning, and both men where shocked to realised that it was nearly 7.30 in the morning.

Sandburg reacted to this knowledge, by stumbling up stiffly from his seated position of crossed leg on the bed, pushing his notebook and pen into the backpack, he began to splutter, "Man I’ve got to get out of here.... I’ve got a lecture at 8.30, and can’t afford to miss another of Professor Ryan’s classes."

"Do you want a lift?" Jim offered, also standing up, for some strange reason he did not want the night to end, nor Blair to leave his company. The sound of the heart beat was not a steadying factor in his life, since he had first heard it, his strange hyper senses that had been plaguing over the last few months seemed to have settled down, and for that he was grateful.

Jim words threw the younger man and caused Blair to stop in surprise as he asked, "you’ve got a car?"

Ellison had to hide his smile at the remark and the look of surprise that covered Blair’s handsome features, then as Jim moved towards the door, opening it he motioned the younger man out he offered, as a near whisper into the ear as it passed him, "yes, we do know how to drive you know."

Blair blushed with embarrassment and stammered, "of course, I know that... I mean, I just thought... " he stopped when he realised that he was just digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole. He looked up and flashed a deep smile at his friend.

Jim reached out and playfully tap the back of the other’s head replying warmly, "don’t worry about it."

Blair smiled gratefully and lead the way out of the cheap hotel. Both men ignoring the knowing, leering smile of the old receptionist as they passed. Jim was convinced that Blair would not have noticed him anyway, as he was deep into one of his stories about an expedition he’d been on a few years ago. Jim had to laugh at the image that Sandburg’s words produced.

***

The drive to the University was made in an uncomfortable silence, after Blair had, upon seeing Jim car, blurted out, "boy you must have worked your butt of for this." The mortification on his face was well worth the unintended dig, but it had placed the younger man into a fit of embarrassment that he didn’t seem unable to drag himself out of, and while Jim realised that there was no malice intent behind the others words, all his attempts as starting a conversation fell flat. Until, finally he just contented himself with driving, and giving his companion side long glances.

As they neared the Rainier campus Jim spoke up, unable to hide his concern any longer, "Have you got what you need to do your paper, or do you want to met again?"

Blair shot him a long measuring side long glance before he said hesitantly, " most of it...I think... but er... if I er... if I could have your number.. just in case I need to contact you or something," He hurried on, then stumbled to a stop as he felt like a teenage again asking for his first date, and for some reason it annoyed him, after all they were both men of the world. But if he was honest he also felt uneasy about the fact that he still needed to talk to one of the male hookers who actually picked up trade from the strip, just to give the finishing touch to his paper.

Jim smiled warmly, pleased that Blair wanted to contact him again, and reaching over he pulled out a card which he handed to the young man, who in turn dragged out a scrap of paper saying, "this is my number.." he hastily wrote it down. "just in case… in case you need to get in touch with me."

Jim picking up his unease, smiled and offered, "hay no sweat, maybe we could catch a Jags game some time?" Blair looked pleased and nodded his head eagerly. But the smile fell from his face as Jim continued, "so... no going back to the strip then." Silence filled the car. No getting the answer he anticipated Jim threw Blair a quick look, and could tell from the fast thumbing of the others heart that that was exactly what he intended. Panic rose as Jim insisted his voice raw with anger and sudden fear, "don’t go back to the strip Blair, it just too dangerous."

Blair bristled at his words annoyed at Ellison’s attitude and offered stiffly, his own anger raising at Jim’s words, "I can take care of myself."

"Sure you can." Jim offered soothingly, as he realised that he inadvertently ruffled Blair’s feathers, and he also knew from experience that he would not get his way if he pushed too hard, "but why take the risk, what I gave you last night should be enough to get you an A that I can guarantee, " Ellison knew that if Blair was to put in the worst paper of his life Professor Baker would still give him an A. He was not about to let his prey loose from the confines of his hunting territory i.e. The university, that was why he had given the young man the choice.

Blair turned to look out of the window of the truck, "OK Jim… what ever you say." Even as he spoke the words, he knew that he would return to the strip that night to get the rest of the information he need. He was not a child, and he certainly didn’t need Ellison telling him what to do.

Jim looked at the turned head, and with a sudden flare, his sense heightened, and he knew that the young man was lying to him, but he was also distracted by the sudden input of the other man’s essence as his senses began to catalogue Blair. Within seconds he had inscribe the other man’s sound, via his heartbeat, smell, via his herbal shampoo and natural body odour and Jim could remembered Blair’s taste from just licking his lips, as he clearly could still taste the kiss of the night before, and was surprised at how aroused he felt by just that memory. He suddenly knew that he would not be forgetting this young man in a hurry.

He pulled the car to a sharp stop just inside the campus ground, saying harshly, "I’d better drop you here." The words came out far harder then he intended, and he saw the shuttered look that crossed the young man’s face, and while he wanted desperately to wipe that look away, he knew that to remain would be even more dangerous as the sudden influx of his sense confused and frightened him. He had thought that he had got them under control, but now he could hear the voices, cries and shouts of students as they made their way to the university, the fumes of the cars and motorbikes as the drove by and it all crowded in upon him, almost making him gag. He realised that he needed to get away, back to somewhere quite, alone. Gone was the safe haven of being just near Sandburg, that he had gained during the night, now the man’s presence just seemed to intensify his senses, and Jim was once more scared and confused by his rapidly altering senses and he again feared for his sanity.

Blair took one look at the stony, set face before him, and grabbing up his backpack he leapt from the car, saying, "thanks... for the er.. the ride and everything." He would have said more, but the car jerked as Jim put it back into gear. Blair stepped back and just managed to slammed the door shut as the other man just drove off without saying a word.

Blair was totally confused by what had just happened. One moment Jim had appeared to be fine, the next it was like a totally stranger had token control and tossed Blair out of the car. He pondered it for a few moments as he headed towards the classroom, but then noting the time he pushed it from his thoughts as he realised that he was going to be late. He was glad that this was his only lecture of the day, as he really needed to get home and get some sleep if he was going to return to the strip that night.

***

The further Ellison drove away from the University and Blair, the better he was able to control his reaction to the young man. He had no idea what had caused his sense to flare in that fashion and it was worrying him deeply. For several weeks now, since a lone camping trip up in the Cascade mountains, he had found that his senses would suddenly pitch up into painful levels, nearly driving him insane with the sound, smell and feel of the city as it became to loud, smelly or dirty to touch. The only way to ease the pain was to leave what ever he was doing, and attempt to drive several miles outside of Cascade, into the quieter, cleaner mountain area, where he would stay until his was able to force his jumbled senses to reverted back to normal levels again.

Shaking his head he wondered at the cause. Last night with Blair he had almost felt human again, his senses had dulled until the only noise he could hear was the gently beating of Sandburg’s heart and that had steadied him. The memory of Blair essence returned his mind to his present problem. The young man he had just left, and the professor who was abusing his position of teaching to lure young men into his bed. Realising that his sense were back to an acceptable level, he abandoned the drive into the hills and after returning home for a shower and a quick change of clothes, he made his way towards Cascade’s police Station, in particular the Major Crime division and his long time friend Simon Banks.

Ellison had known Simon Banks, now Captain Banks, when the darker handsome man was a raw recruit, who had walked the beat as a street patrol officer, his first beat had been the tough area of the strip itself, where Jim had first worked. Over the months, after they had first met, a strange kind of friendship had built up. Simon was a fair police officer, who did not abuse his position of authority, by demanding payment for looking the other way, nor asking favours by trade from the hookers who worked the pavement, instead he had proved himself to he honourable man, who had and still was willing to help those on the strip, if they came to him. That was one of the reason why Ellison had first come into contact with the other man, as Jim, knowing Simon to be fair had approached him about a young underage boy, who was being used rather cruelly by a group who worked the strip. The information Jim provided allowed Simon to bust a rather large child pornography ring, and from those foundation a strong friendship had grown. Since that time, if Ellison had come across something that did not sit well with him, he would approach his friend, who would take the matter seriously, and if necessary get the police involved to help solve the situation.

As Ellison entered the bullpen of Major Crimes, he nodded and threw back the greetings that were tossed in his direction, and while Jim was a recognised figure in the Major Crime bullpen, few of the detective actually realised his true profession, suspecting instead that he was some sort of private eye, who assisted their Captain upon occasions. It was a deception that both Jim and Simon allowed as it suited their purpose, and as most of Jim clients were not the sort to welcomed attention, the chances of the deception being discovered were quite slim.

Simon looked up at the knock on his door and his smile broadened when he saw who was there. "Jim" he said warmly as he stood up and motioned for the other man to enter. "Finally come to tell me you joined the force?" It was a long standing joke between them, and one that both men bantered about upon occasion.

"Is that Mocker Coffee I smell?" Jim asked, a smile also crossing his features at the pleasure his old friend took at seeing him. "And you guys still don’t pay enough to entice me to work for you."

"Yes, a pots just brewed. Come in, sit down" Simon said as he reached for another cup and proceeded to pour Jim some coffee. "So." Bank’s continued after he had got himself settled once more, "if you’ve not come to tell me about your enlistment… to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Jim took a sip of the coffee and breathed in the deep, rich smell before he answered, his tone serious. "I visited the strip last night." Seeing the surprised look and raised eyebrow this earned him, he smiled weakly and offered in his defence, "I don’t know why, call it nostalgia... Anyway, I met this young Grad-student from Rainier... he was there.. er gathering background information, so he could to write a paper on the closed society of male prostitution."

"Closed society of male prostitution?" Banks repeated in some surprise, a frown marring his handsome feature. "only a grad student could think up a title like that," then he turned serious as well as he offered, "That’s a bit dangerous isn’t it? I mean the strip can be a pretty rough place."

Jim met and held his eyes as he agreed, "very.. especially for him.. he’s not a bad looking young man, but luckily for him, I got to him just before vultures did." He paused again, before adding, "anyway, to cut a long story short...." Jim went on to explain in great dealt what had occurred the night before, and what he had been told. He kept Blair’s name out of the discussion, but did give the professor name, and answered the questions that Simon asked.

Finally Simon sat back, an angry frown marring his face as he said, "I’m hoping that Dryal will decided to go to Rainier in the next couple of years, and I don’t like the sound of that... that professor being there."

Jim nodded, he knew and liked Dryal, Simon’s son, and could understand the other man’s concerns. "This guys operation is way too smooth." Ellison said, "so I don't think that this kid is the first one he’s had his claws in." Suddenly Jim sat up straighter and growled under his breath as another thought hit him. "Damn." He hissed.

"What?" Bank’s asked concerned by the look of anger that had come to rest on the other man’s face.

"What if he purposely sent Blair.. er this student there, so he would get picked up.. I mean after a few days with those sharks down there, he would be easy meat for that bastard."

"Do you think so?" Simon asked his tone slightly sceptical.

Jim leant back trying to force the anger out of his limbs, "I don’t know, Simon, but you know as well as I do that not all those men down there started willingly, a few shots of golden or the other hard drugs and you’d sell your soul for your next shot, you know that as well as I do."

"Do you think this... Blair." Simon tested the name for the first time, "is in immediate danger then?"

"I don’t honestly know Simon, but I think this has just turned nasty, here is something about this whole set-up that just doesn’t sound right... and yet I can’t put my finger on it.." He paused, finally he shrugged and added, "I don’t know, it just doesn’t feel right."

Simon nodded his head in agreement, as he reached for the phone saying, "I think I’ll just put out a few feelers, see if any other students had suddenly dropped out of sight and turned up on the strip."

Jim waited and drank his coffee while Simon spoke on the phone requesting a meeting with the captain of the vice division, who was another old friend. On replacing the receiver, Bank’s leant back in his chair and asked, "So, if this turns out to be an isolate incident... what do you want to do about it?" If Ellison had brought the problem to him, then he must have an idea of what he wanted to do.

"Well," Jim admitted with a slight smile, he was rarely able to get much passed his friend, "I do have a couple of ideas that I wanted to run pass you, but I have to say that I don’t think this Blair is going to press any charges... he’s already tried going through the proper channels at the University itself and that didn’t do any good."

Simon again leant back in his chair, and taking out a cigar from his case he unwrapped it saying, "well Jim, I’m sure that between us we can think of some way to get that slim ball of a professor off campus." He looked thoughtfully at his phone for a moment before he added, "and if the search turns anything up, then we might just have to do more the get the bastard off the campus."

Jim also sat back, relived that his friend was going to help him, to emphasise this face he lifted his half drunk cup of coffee up in a salute.

***

Blair looked up and down the long street that made up the red light district of Cascade, commonly known as The Strip. The hookers, both male and female were out in force and business appeared to be brisk, but then, Blair supposed, business was always busier on a Friday night.

He pulled his jacket tighter about his suddenly cold body, and wondered, not for the first time, if Jim might not have been right about his returning tonight. Maybe he should just leave and used the material that Ellison had given him the night before, but the student come researcher in him would not let it go. If there was more information out there to be gathered, then he would get it.

He settled his backpack on his shoulder, and began to strolled nervously down the street, looking for a familiar face but honestly knowing that the chances of meeting Jim again on this particular street were unlikely.

He had been walking for about fifteen minutes, rejecting offers and queries. Still not sure if he was doing the right thing, when he spied see a face he recognised, it was the first male hooker from the night before, the one that Jim had literally snatched him away from.

The man saw him at about the same time, and his eyes lit up as he hurried towards Blair, "Hi," he said warmly, while allowing his eyes to run up and down the handsome young man in front of him. Blair could see that the man now supported a bruise to his face, but it was hidden by some carefully applied make-up.

"Hi," Blair returned, glancing about suddenly uncertain as a feeling of unease gripped at his stomach. "What er… happened to your face?" he asked indicating the other’s bruises.

"Oh this." The hooker reached up and tentatively touched his cheek, trying to laugh the matter off he stated, "Nothing, just a little misunderstanding with a.. door." He didn’t explain that in reality the misunderstanding was in the form of his pimp, who had just caught sight of the young man who now stood before him the night before, and had not been pleased that his hooker had let the tasty morsel get away. According to Rosco, his pimp, an informant had told him that this particular young man would be calling on them to do some research, and he had been selected to be the main star in some very interesting movies. The pimp had produced a photo of the young man to prove that this was the man he wanted. That was just before the pimp had started to slap the hooker about the face, which had escalated into a full blown beating as Rosco took out his frustration on his whore.

The hooked glanced anxiously up and down the street and noticed with relief that his pimp had spotted them. The man in question motioned his head to a small dark alleyway, and the hustler knew what was expected of him, when Rosco disappeared into the darkness, with an accomplice.

"Hay... you were here last night...." The hooker began now feeling on firmer ground with the support of his large, brutish pimp, "asking questions... you know… about the strip?" He noticed the way the other’s eyes widened in acknowledgement, which turned to eager interest as he carried on, "you still asking?" Seeing the young man nod, the hooker draped a friendly arm over the smaller man’s shoulder and offered warmly, "Do I have some stories to tell you."

Blair frowned still feeling uneasy, but he pushed those feelings aside, after all this was what he had come here to find out, and if the man was willing to talk to him, so much the better. "OK" he finally said then asked, "how much?" He was still mindful that he was sixty dollars short from last night, although Jim had tried to give him the money back, Blair had flatly refused, believing the Ellison needed to money.

"Twenty." The hooker said eager to get Blair to his pimp, then realising that the offer was too cheap he continued, "if we are only going to talk?" He was now desperate to get Blair into the alleyway, as Rosco would not be pleased to be kept waiting,

Blair licked at his own suddenly dry lips, before he nodded slowly, he turned away seeking a quick place to talk, but a thin boned hand upon his arm stopped him as the hooker advised harshly. "Look, lets use the alley, if I’m gone for too long my pimp is going to want more money... and well, this won’t take long."

Sandburg looked towards the alley in question, then around at the mass of people on the sidewalk. He chewed his lip in indecision but the hooker suddenly stated fear in his tone, "Look if you don’t want to, we can just forget...."

He never finished as Blair made up his mind and interrupted, "all right… lets go."

While the alley was very dark, there was just enough light to see by, once your eyes adjusted, and the hooker seemed to know where he was going. As he led Blair deeper into the darkness, past a rubbish container and a stripped down car. The young student was just about to open his mouth to protest, when another voice snickered in the darkness, and hands reached out to grab him.

It was at this instant that Blair realised he was in trouble. Serious trouble. Before he could react to the first attack, another person grabbed him from behind, hurting him. Letting out a yelp of surprise and pain, he dropped his backpack as he tried to fight, but it was in vain as a swift, hard punch to his stomach robbed him of his strength and his ability to stand. He would have fallen, gasping for breath, if not for the stranger holding him up. Darkness clouded about him and he heard as if from a great distance a voice giving orders, he struggled to stand conscious, still kicking and struggling as he did so.

"Get his jacket off, the little bastard got more fight in him then you would think." The voice snarled, as the first pair of hands reached to obey the command, ripping the coat from his body. Sandburg knew that if they succeeded then he was as good as dead, he had heard the tales of the young people who just disappeared in these alleyways, with that thought in mind he began to struggle in earnest, pulling his arm free he managed to throw a lucky punch that caught the talking man, in a very personal area. The man bellowed in pain and then began to attack the struggling man in earnest. Snarling out obscenities as he did so. Until Blair hung, supported only by the other two men who held him. Finally satisfied Rosco stood back, wiping blood from his hand he snarled, "Get his shirt off," then he added nastily, "I’m going to enjoy using this little piece of shit."

****

Jim heard the noise, a yelp of pain and recognised Blair’s voice, how he knew it was Blair he didn’t know, but he was moving along the Strip, even before the sound had died. He knew with a growing fear that it came from an alleyway at least a block away. Without thought he burst into a run.

As he span into the alleyway, his eyesight flared and he could see as if it was broad daylight, and what he saw sent him into a blind rage. Blair was being held up between two men, he was bare-chested, his jacket and shirt having been ripped off, their tattered remains in the gutter testament to that. The young man was hanging limply between the two figures, and Jim could tell that he was unconscious. But what caused Jim the most terror was the needle that he saw being pushed into Blair’s arm, he let lose an bellow of primeval rage as he saw the plunger pushed home.

The sound of his arrival startled the three men, but Jim was upon then before they could react. The hooker who had lured Blair into the alley, was grabbed by the scruff of the neck and tossed aside like match-wood, and Jim heard the satisfactory sound of him hitting the wall across the alley, and then the sound of spilling trash as he bounced into a bin on his way to the floor. The second man, who had been holding Blair was then targeted, a few well aimed punches and a fierce kick sent him spinning into the wall behind. Where Ellison grabbed the back of his head, but instead of tossing this man aside, Jim slammed his face into the brickwork hard. He didn’t bother to watch as the man also slipped to the floor, blooding pouring from his broken nose.

Blair had been released at this attack and without any support had slipped bonelessly to the floor where he lay huddled, totally unaware of what was going on above him as the drug in his system began to hit home. Rosco, the pimp who had instigated the attack on the young grad student, had been shocked into stillness for several seconds after Jim’s initial attack, and it was this act that cost him his brief change of escape.

Ellison rounded on him still in full primeval rage, and even thought the man tried to defend himself bravely, he was no match for the enraged Ellison. Soon he had joined his companions upon the floor of the dirty alley.

As suddenly as it appeared, Jim felt the red rage leave him, turning he swiftly made his way over to where Sandburg lay, head tossing as he fought the drug that flowed through his system. Jim could clearly see the beginning of bruises on the face and upper body and the split lip that bleed profusely, and knew that the young man was going to be in pain for several days, but his main concerned was the drug that Blair had been given.

Gingerly picking up the needle, and sniffed at the tip. A tangy smell assaulted his senses. He coughed a couple of times as it caught at the back of his throat, but let out the breath he hadn’t been aware of holding when he recognised the drug, while it would knock Sandburg out for several hours, it would have no lasting affect. Jim assumed that it had been the attackers intentions to get Blair away somewhere quite, where they could work on him, to get him hooked on the more deadly drugs that flowed along the Strip.

Carefully he knelt beside Blair, and with a shaking hand he gently removed hair from the other’s face. He could see that the young man was fighting the drug, trying to stay conscious, mumbling as he struggled against it. But Jim also realised that it would be a losing battle, until the liquid was out of his system. Seeing the young man begin to shiver uncontrollably in the chilled night air, Ellison removed his own coat and with a slight struggle of uncoordinated limbs that were fighting him, he managed to get Blair’s arms into it, talking to him all the time as he did so, reassuring the smaller man that he was safe. Then Jim stood up and hefted the lighter man into his arms, as he did so Sandburg regained some semblance of conciseness, and while at first he was confused as to who held him, he settled back after Jim spoke reassuringly to him, and while Ellison was certain that Blair didn’t fully under the words that were being said, he seemed to know who held him as he struggled to get the words out.

"No… no… hosp… hospital." He slurred, as if knowing what Jim was planning.

"Blair," Jim began, fighting to keep a hold of the now wriggling body, "you’ve been hurt and given a drug, I need to get you checked out."

Sandburg began to struggle in earnest as he protested breathlessly, "No… hosp… hospitals... drug... get… kicked out... univers…" he mumbled, slurring into unconsciousness as the drug became to strong for him to fight and he went limp in his rescuers arms.

Jim looked down at the man in his arms, and knew that what he had mumbled was true, if the university caught wind of this, then Blair Sandburg would be out so fast he would not even leave skid marks on the campus grounds.

Shifting his hold on Blair, so that he was resting in a more conformable position, Jim reached down and snagged up his backpack, then without a backward glance at the three men, two of whom were now groaning, he made his way out of the alley, taking the back route, away from the Strip, heading towards his car. If not the hospital there was only one other place he could take the young man. For once he was glad of his army medical training.

***

Blair’s mouth was dry. He desperately wanted a drink, and yet didn’t have the strength to open his eyes and mouth to request one, so he just lay there floating. He felt detached and while he realised that should also worry him, he couldn’t seem to gather the energy to discover why this was, so instead he just lay there and let his mind drift back over his life. He smiled as he recalled how proud his mother had look when he’d told her that he had been accepted into Rainier University.

Suddenly, a sharper, nastier memory crashed into his mind, and he gasped a breath in fear as he fought to struggle upright on the bed, intent on fleeing. He barely made it off the bed before his knees gave out under him, and he landed unceremoniously on the floor with a loud clatter of noise.

The door to the room burst open, and Jim Ellison sped into the room. Concern written clearly on his features. He pulled up short when Blair glanced up at him and demanded, his voice barely above a whisper, "what the hell happening?" The tone was also laced with fear and confusion as he lost the last of his strength and slummed awkwardly back upon the ground. His body refusing to obey him any longer as the drug still coursed through his veins. He lay like an infant, unable to even protest as Jim bent and easily lifted him up, gently replacing him back on the bed, then pulling up the covers until Blair was cacooned in their warmth. Explaining as he did so.

"Your going to be fine Blair, I promise you... You hit a bit of trouble on the strip, do you remember? No... well, they slipped you something to quieten you, but it should ware off soon, you just need to rest... give it a chance to get out of your system."

"What?" Blair tried to ask, but was interrupted by a rasping cough. Jim reached over and picked up a cup, which he held to Blair’s lips and allowed him to drink, supporting his head with the other hand. After indication that he’d had enough, Blair asked again this time in a stronger tone. "What happened.. I remember a hooker.. an alley... but not much.... after...?" He stopped as the memory and the fear washed over him again, the short struggle the sharp pin pick as the injection was pushed home. Then the relief as he felt Jim secure arms catch him up, he could vague remember begging not to be taken to the hospital, but his last conscious thought was that he was safe in Ellison’s arms.

"I’m not sure..." Jim answered honestly, "but I was on the strip, and I heard you cry out." He didn’t bother to mention that he’d been over a block away at the time. "I think that one of the pimps took a liking to you, and well..." a hard edge entered the older man tones, "I did warn you not to go back there... that isn’t not safe."

Blair frowned as the memory of Jim’s actions in the truck flowed over him again, and he licked nervously at his lips, and asked carefully, not wanting to set of the anger he could see laying just beneath Ellison’s words, "Where am I?"

Ellison paused, seeing the confusion and weariness in the other man’s face, he purposefully reining in the temper he could just feel boiling within his gut. He would talk to Blair later, when he was feeling better, about the younger man’s foolhardiness of returning to the strip, for now he just shrugged and offered calmly, "you at my place."

"You place." The surprise was evident, as Blair poke up his head up and scanned the room with more interest, the anthropologist in him coming to the fore.

Jim looked slightly uncomfortable but continued, "you didn’t want me to take you to the hospital, and I didn’t know where you lived, or even if it would be safe to take you back there so ergo... my place."

A sudden weakness washed over Blair and he closed his eyes as he felt himself start to drift again, but he forced them open again just before sleep claimed him and whispered, "Thank you."

Jim felt a smile break out on his face. He had been unsure about bringing the younger man back to his apartment, but his choices had been very restricted. Blair had been totally boneless, as he had carried the man up to the loft apartment that he called home. And it had been several long hours since he had placed the unconscious Sandburg on the bed in his spare room, making him as comfortable as possible before leaving him to sleep it off.

"How is he?" Came a quietly concerned voice from behind him. Jim turned to look at Simon Banks, the smile faltered as the seriousness of the situation press down upon him once more.

"I think he’s going to be fine, he was coherent and asking questions, but he’s sleeping now." He didn’t bother to mention that he knew that by the sound of the other man’s heart beat, that had finally stopped racing, nor could he explain why he could hear Blair’s heart so clearly, as if he was laying pressed up against the man’s bare chest. He shivered at that image and forcibly pushed it away from him, the last thing the younger man needed at the moment was an old hooker lusting after him.

"You should have taken him to the hospital Jim." Simon advised as he stood aside to let the other man out of the smaller room. "You didn’t know what they had in that injection." There was only a slight tinge of accusation in his tone, he would always be first and foremost a police officer.

Jim shrugged as he made way back to the couch, and the coffee that he had left when he heard Blair beginning to move. "Simon, they didn’t want to put him totally out of commission." He stated the words with knowledge, as he knew exactly what they planned for the young man. "Believe me, taking him to the hospital would only have got him tossed out of Rainier."

"And you still maintain that he was a specific target?" Simon questioned as he followed his long time friend across the living room. "You really think that this Professor Baker has that much pull." He sounded sceptically. "That he can tell a pimp like Rosco MacKerson to pick him up." Jim had recognised the man who had attacked Blair and had contacted Simon upon returning home to fill him in on what had happened.

Jim settled back into the comfortable cushions and offered, his tone sincerer, "I can’t give you any definite evidence to that fact, it’s just a gut feeling, consider it an estimated hunch and my knowledge of how these things work, based on my working experiences." The tone had tilted to slightly bitter with the last words.

Simon rubbed a hand over his face, it was late and he was tired and what the hell was he doing here. He let out a sigh as he realised exactly why he was here. He had only been home half an hour when Jim’s phone call had arrived, explaining the evening events. He could tell that his friend was shaken, and had driven over to assure himself that Ellison was alright. Sitting down he asked with growing concern. "Jim... what’s really going on here, I mean..." He waved his hands towards the spare room and the sleeping grad student. "I know that side of it, but there is something else going on... I can feel it.. and it’s about you.. your one of the most assured, confident men I know and yet lately... lately you’ve been.." he stopped knowing that he could not explain in words what he wanted to say, so he didn’t say anything. He just waited for Ellison to explain.

The handsome hooker looked from his friend to his clenched hands, then back again, knowing that he owed Simon an honest answer he took a breath, smelling the varied essences of the lofts as they bombarded his senses, as if to reaffirm what he was about to say, quietly he began, his tone indicating his fear and confusion. "I think that I’m going insane." He was surprised that he could say it so calmly, when his gut was twisting like a thousand curling snakes.

"What!!" that was the last think Simon expected Jim to say. Ellison seeing the shocked look this earned him, knew that he was going to have to explain further.

"It started when I was on that camping trip... you know a couple of weeks ago... Just little flashes at first, I would get hit by a strong smell, so overpowering that I would end up choking, or I would hear something that I could not possibly hear.. a fish jumping out of the water a mile up steam, and I could see it as clearly as I could see you... or take this evening with Sandburg," He paused fearing his friends reaction but needing to say the words now that he had began, so he rushed on, "I was over a block away when I heard him cry out... over a block, and yet I heard him as if he was standing next to me... and now... now I can hear his heart beat... he’s in the next room, with a closed door between us, and yet I can still hear his damn heart beat, it’s like my own." Jim snarled the last words as he leapt up of the couch. "And Tuesday." He began to pace the room, "last Tuesday... when I was dinning with one of my clients I nearly burned the roof of my mouth with some pepper that was in the food... I hit the ceiling went totally ape on him, thinking that he was having a joke, but Jack does not play jokes like that, and then suddenly everything was back to normal and I could barely taste the spice.... it’s like... like..."

"Like your senses are on overload, everything you see, hear, smell, touch is exaggerated....I knew it... I just knew it...." A quite excited voice spoke from the spare bedroom door, and both men span about in shock to see Sandburg wavering before them, clutching the door frame to stay upright. "The way you reacted to noise, the pain when we got onto the campus ground....you can hear my heart beat..." a slight pause while this sunk in then another thought struck Blair and he whispered, "My G-d Burton was right... Sentinels are real." He gasped, his eyes as large as saucers as he gulped in breath, his own senses starting to swirl with the effort it had taken him to move to the doorway, where he had stood listening to Ellison’s words in shock.

Jim blinked in surprise, he had been so intent in his conversation with Simon, that he had not noticed the change in heart rate during his tirade, nor the fact that Blair had even moved. "What do you know about it?" Jim demanded in raw anger and fear, moving towards the wavering man indent to get whatever information he had out of him, even if he had to force him, but Sandburg was to weak to continue as his legs suddenly gave out, and he slipped towards the floor. Ellison leapt forward and just managed to catch him before he hit the carpet.

Simon watched the interplay in absorbed shock, he felt like a witness to some weird soap opera, and while on one hand he wanted to dismiss Ellison’s words as irrational and unbelievable, he was unable to do so as Jim Ellison was not the type to lie, and the anguish in his tone had not been forced, what he said happened had occurred, and weather that meant he really was going insane or not, Simon knew that it was up to him, as a friend to help him. Then Blair had appeared and his words had burned deep into both them, before he collapse.

Simon rose and followed Jim as he scooped up the unconscious man, and gently placed him back in the bed. "What am I going to do Simon?" Ellison asked, as he gently reached out a trembling hand and wiped a lock of hair from Sandburg’s face. "Am I going insane?" The hand trembled and it tore at the Police Captains hand to see his friend so uncertain.

Moving forward he rested a hand upon Jim shoulder, squeezing it as he offered moral support and stated, "No Jim, never.. there is an explanation for this and maybe this kid knows something about it... but whatever happens you not going mad."

Jim remained frozen for a few more seconds, intently studying the face of the sleeping man, before he gathered his shaking soul about him, standing he nodded saying, "well whatever it is, it saved his life tonight."

Simon looking down at the handsome, bruised face and had to admit that what Jim said was in deed the truth. Then realising that he had to get Ellison’s mind of his own worries, he cleared his throat and began, "and the sooner we get this Professor Baker away from him the better or chances of keeping him alive."

Ellison suddenly straighten and nodded, a gleam entering his eyes as he remembered the continual threat to the other man. "That bastard sent him down there to be caught..." Simon watched his friend as he stormed passed him, into the kitchen where he dragged out two beers from the fridge, passing one to him as he continued. "Simon "we’ve got to take Baker out... Blair’s not going to be safe as long as he’s teaching at that University."

Banks accepted the drink and motioned for Jim to follow him as he moved back towards the couch. "And the quickest way to do that is to use Blair as the bait." Seeing Jim about to protest he held up his hand to stop the other man commenting as he continued, "Jim... your plan only works if the guy goes for you, and both of us know that’s a long shot... he goes for young meat, young inexperience meat, the fact that his hitting on Sandburg proves that." Simon added for effect, "and while you might be incredible handsome and don’t let that go to your head, you just not his type, his MO has proved that."

Ellison wanted to argue the point, wanted desperately to point out the dangers that using Blair as bait could mean, wanted to hid the younger man, keep his safe at all cost. And yet he knew that to do that, he had to agree with Simon. The attack on Blair had moved up the agenda on the young man, if Baker was behind it, and Jim honestly believe that he was, then the Professor was no longer willing to wait for Blair to make up his own mind, and that fact alone made him very dangerous. Also the knowledge that he could arrange an abduction from the stripe gave an indication that he carried more weight in that area then either of the other two men had believed. Suddenly realising what Bank’s had just said he repeated, "His MO?" Simon’s next words confirmed his worse fears

"After you left yesterday I did some discreet checking, as you know, and found that there have been eight reports of missing young men from Rainier University over the last year... five of them have turned up dead... and Jim." Simon caught and held Jim’s look, his tone deadly serious. "They didn’t die pleasantly... all were sexually abused, beaten and left to bleed to death. I spoke to my friend in vice, and he said that three of the dead kids had appeared in snuff movies that they had got their hands on, but they have not been able to get any closer to who is organising it... but Captain Jose of Vice is convinced, that someone is spotting the kids at the University, but had no leads to go on. Anyway, I did some further checking on Professor Baker, and I discovered that he had contact with each of the missing kids... admittedly in some cases it was only as a brief acquaintance, but it might have been enough for him to chose them, and set them up."

"Dear G-d." Jim gasped, wiping a hand over his pale face as the implications of what Simon was saying sunk in.

"If Baker is involved in the kidnappings, and if we can get him to talk, we could take down the whole organisation, and both you and I know that the missing kids from the University aren’t the only ones that they are taking, the lord alone knows how many they have plucked off the streets... homeless kids, new in town, the list could be endless and Blair Sandburg might be the only man able to help us stop it."

"But the risk....damn it." Jim began but then paused, even he could hear the uncertainly in his tone, if what Simon said was true then they had to do everything in their power to save those others who might be kidnapped and abused in the future.

Simon leant back in his chair and took a deep swallow of his beer before saying, "I think we should leave it for tonight, both get some rest and then speak to Sandburg in the morning. Let it be his decision." He stopped then added honestly, "I don't like this any more then you do, I don’t like using civilians in police operations, but this might be our quickest route to getting those bastards before they hurt anyone else, or they decided to pack up and start up business in another city, so it’s a risk I’m prepared to take, and believe me, we will watch him, and have him under our protection the entire time." Simon added, seeing the other man waver.

"And I will be there." Jim stated firmly.

"Now Jim..." Bank’s began, but Ellison cut him off sharply.

"No Simon, if you want to use Blair then I’m there, it that simple, we can work on the details but I will be there Simon, because while I trust you with my life, I don’t trust anyone else."

Simon would liked to have argued the point, but he could tell that it would do no good. He knew that he could always go around Ellison, but he also realised that to do that would cost them their friendship, and he was honest enough to admit that was something he was unwilling to do. Also, he was wise enough to realise that if he excluded the other man, then Jim would only find a way to circumvent him, and would still be involved, at least this way he could keep an eye on him, and at the back of it all was the fact that he was intrigued by the senses abnormally that Jim had told him about earlier. He knew in his gut that there was a lot more to that then any of them supposed and frankly he wanted to be around Ellison as that came to light. "Alright," he finally agreed, "but I’ll have to speak to some of my people, but I think it can be arrange."

"What about vice." Jim began, but Simon waved his words aside saying instead.

"I took the case over from Vice yesterday after I did the digging. It is now a Major Crimes issue."

Jim nodded in understanding, and the next fifteen minutes passed in discussing various plans for trapping Professor Baker. Both men knew that a lot of it depended on Blair being willing to be the bait, but Ellison also felt sure, from his brief acquaintance with the young man, that once he knew the facts he would be more the willing to help the police in any way he could.

As Jim closed the front door behind Simon’s leaving, he heard a small groan coming from the spare room, and he hastened towards it. Blair was twisting on the bed, caught in a fevered nightmare, his face open and suffering as the terror gripped him. Reaching out Jim gently smoothed the frown from the sweaty face, and whispered reassuring words. Before he realised what was happening he was sitting on the bed and Blair had somehow crawled up onto his lap. Gripping him tightly as if he was the only reality in Blair’s world of nightmares. Jim sighed and moved into a more comfortable position on the bed, manoeuvring Sandburg so that he was resting easier with his arms. Blair settled back into a peaceful sleep, head resting on Ellison’s shoulder and Jim spend the remained of the night dozing and holding the young man, who had suddenly become, inexplicably so important to him.

***

Blair’s second awaking was much slower and relaxed. He felt the warm presence of someone as he lay, nestled in their arms and luxuriate in the feeling of security he got from the embrace. He never wanted it to end.

Under his ear, which was pressed tightly against the clothed chest of his bed companion he could hear the steady thump of a heart, and it’s gently beat lulled him into a feeling of belonging. He had not been held this safe since he had been a young child in his mother’s arms.

It took some time for him to realise that the chest under his ear was not that of woman, but the hard muscled planes of a man. With a gaps of surprise, he pulled up and away meeting the smiling eyes of Jim Ellison. "I take it you slept comfortably." The older man asked, not releasing his relaxed hold upon the other man.

Seeing only gentleness and concern in the other man’s gaze Blair blushed before glancing down offering hesitantly, "er…very."

Jim discovered that he wanted nothing more then to reach out and capture those rich ruby lips, and follow that up by tilting up the handsome face and dropping rain like pecks upon the upturned features. Blair looked like a fallen angle, his hair ruffled, lips full, slightly parted and smiling, vivid blue eyes relaxed and still shadowed with the confusion of awaking.

"Thank you." Blair began needing to say more, but unable to produce the words that he really wanted to say, so instead he finished weakly, "for last night.." Then realising the implication of his words he blushed even redder, and it was all Jim could do not to crush the man to his chest and ravish his body. "I mean." Blair stumbled on, "for saving me and.. and not taking me to the hospital..."

"How do you feel?" Jim questioned gently reaching out and carefully moving a long lock of hair that insisted on falling across the other man’s face.

Blair smiled warmly and snuggled for a moment before he answered. "Better... a lot better." Then realising that he was snuggling with a man, some of Sandburg’s old energy revived and he gently but firmly struggled out of Jim’s embrace rambling as he did so, "Man I can’t believe what happened last night… I mean those guys were just like totally…" He stopped as another thought struck him, looking about for a clock he continued, "What time is it... I’ve got a glass at ten."

"Blair." Jim began, then bolted forward as Sandburg slipped from the bed and to his knees as he legs refused to obey him. He looked totally surprise as he allowed Ellison to help him stand. "Take it easy... your body’s had quite a shock and it will be quite a few hours before your totally up on track."

"Man I feel....I feel…" Blair blinked a few times as he tried to gather his thoughts and errant emotions. "Dirty." He finally finished as he noticed his torn clothes and filthy appearance. While Jim had removed Blair’s shoes and belt he had been unwilling to remove any more just in case it frightened the other man when he awoke. He knew that after the attack of last night, Blair needed to feel in control and removing his clothes was a sure way of taking that dignity away from him. Blair suddenly realising how his words might be interpreted hastened to add. "My clothes… I’m a mess.."

Jim seeing Blair’s sudden discomfort, hastened to reassure him by saying with another warm smile, "quite understandable… that alley was very dirty, look why don’t you grab a shower, I took the liberty of digging out some jogging bottoms and a top that should fit you," he didn’t mentioned that they had been left by an old lover, "and I’ll get breakfast." Then noting the time he repeated, "let’s make that lunch."

"Sounds like a plan." Sandburg smiled, now a lot steadier on his feet, although Ellison could see that walking still bothered him, but he put that down to his damaged ribs, which while not broken, were nicely bruised and would be very painful for quite a few days to come.

Jim directed him to the bathroom, and after getting him the promised clothes, towels and showing him were the toiletries were, he left the other man to shower, with a firm understanding that Blair was not to lock the door, just in case he slipped. Ellison knew that he could keep an ear on the young man, just to make sure that he didn’t.

As Jim puttered about the kitchen making lunch, the phone rang and he was not surprise when he answered it to discover Simon on the other end. After a brief conversation it was agreed that he would come over later that afternoon to talk over the situation with the young grad student.

Blair came out of the bathroom, a towel covering his head as he tried to dry his hair, he was unable to suppress the small hisses of pain this action caused his abused body, and Jim hearing the gasps and seeing the motions, swiftly advanced towards Blair and steered him to the couch where he sat him down and proceeded to rub dry his hair.

"Man you don’t have to do this." Blair protested weakly, his tone muffled by the large towel as it moved over his head.

"Hay." Jim smiled enjoying the domesticated feeling of the action, "take the pampering while it’s offered Kid, cause your gonna do the wiping up."

"I could get use to this." Blair mumbled under his breath, his tone one of contentment, as he relaxed back against the other man.

Jim heard the words, and had to fight the urge to say that if that was all it took to get him to move in with him then he would dry his hair every day. Ellison gulped back a gasp of shock. Never had he felt such a strong emotion towards anyone, as he did to the man under his hands. He could feel the sensation of the other man filling his mind, body and soul, and licked at suddenly dry lips as he forcible reminded himself that he was nothing more then a hooker, a whore and he was losing money while he pampered this handsome grad student, who had shown total disgust at the thought of sleeping with another man, and while one part of him argued, that it was because Professor Baker was forcing him, he also realised that Blair had never shown an interest in him other then a need to know about his life on the street. Some of his feelings must have transmitted themselves to the other man, as Blair pulled away embarrassed and offered, "Hay man… that was great, but I think I can take it from here."

Jim stood bereft for a moment, before he turned and headed back into the kitchen. As Blair combed his fingers through his nearly dry hair, he watched the other man work in the kitchen, and parts of the previous night flashed through his memory. Frowning he sat up a little straighter and said, his tone barely above that needed to breath, "Jim?"

The other man looked over at him and asked, "what?"

Blair felt his jaw slip over him surprise, Jim seeing this action became concerned and moved towards him as Blair stuttered, "You heard me… you actually heard me.. last night when you said…" he stopped and gathered his excitement before hurrying on, "you have enhanced senses…" he stood and moving over he grabbed Ellison’s arm as to prevent the man from running from him. "You actually have the ability to hear things that no-one else can… to see… can you see?"

Jim nodded, to surprise to even think of denying it, then added for good measure. "I have flashes…" he continued, "it comes and goes, but sometimes I can see a block or more… quite clearly."

"A block." Blair repeated nearly jumping up and down in his excitement, only his injuries prevent him from more strenuous action. "Man that is… is like sooo cool." Then he stopped all motion as he asked eagerly, "what else… touch… taste… smell?"

Ellison closed his eyes, unable to meet the excited expression, these sensations to him were a curse, but Sandburg was acting as if they were a gift. "Yes, sound, sight, taste, touch.. I hate this." He finally added in anguish, feeling Blair begin to bounce again.

All movement from the other man again stilled at Jim’s last words. "You hate it?" he asked, unable to hide his surprise.

Suddenly Ellison lost his temper and pushed away from the other man as he began to rant, "yes, I hate it… like I said, I get sudden flashes… one moment noise is so loud that it deafens me, taste so bad that I can’t eat a damn thing for days, and touch… do you know." he span about and glared at the other man, "what it’s like to not be able to ware any clothes because every item of clothing you process is like a thousand pin digging into you… you can’t sleep in your bed or sit on a couch… or.. or.." he stumbled over the words, "smell.. yes, let’s talk about smell.. how one moment you can be standing in an elevator and the next you want to just throw up because the three people in there with you have sudden become the most foul smelling creatures you can believe… and time" Jim fled over towards the balcony and pointing at it accusingly he continued, "I went out there, one evening to get a breath of air… a breath of fresh air, a few seconds… that’s all I wanted, but no… I suddenly come back to myself the next morning… the next morning" he emphasised, "I stood on the balcony the whole damn night and didn’t even notice…"

"Zone out.." Blair asked sharply, his tone full of concern, "you’ve suffered zone outs?"

Jim just glared at him for a few moments before he let his shoulder slump and queried in defeat, "What the hell is a zone out Sandburg… and what do you know about all this… this damn curse?"

"Jim." Blair began, then moving over he gently reached out, and rested a hand upon the other man’s arm as he gently guided him back to the couch, and after indication him to sit he crouched in front of the other man, wanting Ellison’s total attention fixed on him as he explained, "as you know I’m a grad student as Rainier University and I’m working on my doctorate, and my field of study is a subject called Sentinel’s… Sir Richard Burton the explorer… not the actor." He added with a slight smile, "wrote a monogram, and in it he said that he came upon some tribes… that had… what he called a Sentinel.. a watchman who would patrol the borders, who would look out for the tribe, and protect them, mainly by using his enhanced sensory awareness.. he would warn the tribe of approaching enemy, change in the weather…movement of game… the tribes survival depended on him."

"Hold on a minute now Chief." Jim suddenly interrupted, still not understanding what Blair was trying to tell him, but still not sure he liked the way the conversation was going, "you don’t think that I’m a…"

"Jim.. wait… listen... you don’t understand how important this is…" Blair insisted, raising his hands to prevent the other man from continuing as he hurried on, trying his best to explain, but not taking the time to chose his words with care, "If you are, what I think you are, then your a… a behavioural throwback to pre-civilised breed of man…" As soon as the words were spoken he knew that they were the wrong thing to say. He winced as he witnessed the shutters slam into place over the sky blue eyes, "Hay Jim… I didn’t mean…I…" he was frantically trying to gather ground back, but his mind was suddenly a blank.

"Well I don’t feel like a.. a pre-civilised breed of man." Snarled Jim jumping up from his seat, and pushing past Blair, moving back towards the kitchen. His actions caused Blair to stumbled back onto his backside.

"Jim." Blair said clambering up from the floor, forcibly pushing the flare of pain that this action cause away, as he followed Jim into the kitchen. He reached out and grabbed Ellison’s arm pulling him round to face him. "Most of the people I’ve spoken to, who have exhibited enhanced senses, have shown only one or two… Sight or taste, hearing or smell.. but you…" he stopped trying to think of a way of showing Jim just how important, special he really was. "You.. have all five… Jim… my G-d that makes you… makes you… unique… don’t you realise what this means…. you could be a.. a.. master covert operative. Any rescue team in the Cascade mountain range would kill for you, as you’d be able to track a lost tourist by their smell and hear them a mile away, summer or winter.. hell Jim, your a walking crime lab, the good you could do…, and I can help you.. all we need to do is a few test… just to see how well you can control your… "

Again Jim interrupted, snarling "Sandburg, in case you haven’t noticed I’m a whore not a… solider or a police officer… so I don’t need to be a walking crime lab in my line of business, and I certainly don’t need to be a lab rat for some arrogant little grad student who’s stupid enough to get himself beaten, drugged and nearly raped by some gutter snip pimp on crawls the strip…"

Blair’s face paled, and he staggered back a step as if Jim had stuck him, then with shoulders slumping he nodded slowly, accepting the others harsh words for his foolish actions of the night before and offered, his tone one of abject defeat, "of course.. I’m sorry… I just thought…" he turned away, unable to meet the angry look that Ellison was giving him. But still feeling it on his back he continued, "Listen.. I’ll… er… just get my stuff… be out of your hair in a few minute."

Ellison was stunned, how had the pleasant comradeship that they had shared a short while ago have gone sour so quickly. As he stood there, seeing Blair moving away from him, towards the bedroom where his backpack and jeans were, Jim suddenly knew that he was the stupid one, he needed this man, why he couldn’t say, but he knew that if he let Sandburg leave then he would never get a handle on what was happening with his senses, and the simple truth was that if he didn’t get help soon he would go insane. But what could he say, what words would wipe out the harsh tongue lashing that he had laid upon the other man. Suddenly it struck him, no words asking forgiveness would wipe out what he had just said, but a cry for help might. With that in mind he sighed deeply, not having to force the fear that entered his tone as he spoke, "Sandburg… Blair.. I’m sorry, I know that your only trying to help.. but these senses… the things that keep happening." He waved his hands about, seeing that he had caught the other man’s attention he hurried on, "they are driving me insane.. one moment I’m deafened, the next I can’t even hear myself when I shout… I just don’t know what’s happening and I.." He swallowed hard as he confessed, "I just can’t live like this."

"Jim." Blair was back by his side instantly, a hand resting upon his arm as he reassured, "your not going insane and you can live with it.. I will help you man…" Sandburg’s eyes were alight with concern and an eagerness to help. "I won’t let then overtake your life… we can get through this.. together.. I promise." Blair hesitantly stated, looking into Jim’s open face.

Ellison let a smile of relief wash over his features as he reached out and rested his hand over that of Blair’s repeating, "Together."

Blair as if realising that the emotions had suddenly got too intense, slowly stood back and said, just as his stomach rumbled in agreement, "now how about that food you mentioned?"

"Food." Jim repeated, confused then he remembered the eggs that he had been beating and the coffee that he still have to put on. "no sweat… you just go and rest and I’ll get the food."

The meal was eaten in a comfortable atmosphere, with Blair throwing Jim questions concerning his enhances senses, which Jim answered as honestly as he could. Blair suggested a few things that they could work upon, that would ease off some of the pressure that Jim felt whenever he entered a crowded room, but as the meal passed the looks between them became more intent, until Blair would toss Jim a smouldering, considering glance, then look away with a blush, whenever Jim caught him.

Ellison on his part, was fighting the emotions that were playing just under the surface of his sanity. Blair Sandburg was a grad student who had never, ever been with a man and would more the likely run a mile if he even suspected the lecherous thoughts that were filling Jim’s mind as the watched the other man’s lips close about the food that he had prepared.

Ellison was saved from totally embarrassing himself, by a knock on the door. Even before he opened it Jim knew that it was his friend Simon Banks, the strong smell of cigar that assailed him, confirmed it. "Simon." Jim greeted, waving the other man into the loft. Then turning to Blair he continued, "Blair, this is Simon Banks, Simon this is Blair Sandburg… Simon is the Captain of the Major Crime division of the Cascade police department."

Blair looked at the other man, and felt a rush of emotions sweep over him, they ranged from fear that Jim had reported him for drug use, to terror that both men expected him to report the incident of the night before, to certainty that Jim had somehow set him up. All these emotions flashed across his face, but fear won out as he stammered, "I didn’t, didn’t take those drugs on purpose.... and I certainly don’t want to report what happened last night.." He jumped up from the table, his intention not clear, but he wanted to get away from the two men. But Jim was there stopping him, a gently hand resting upon his arm as the other man said.

"Blair... you not in any trouble, and no… we don’t need you to report what happened last night..." he paused then added, "I’ve already explained to Simon about that."

Simon seeing the confused look that Blair gave them both stepped in saying, "I really here to talk to you about Professor Baker."

"Processor Baker." Blair repeated his confusion complete. Then light dawned as he rushed to deny, "No... no way man, I’m not going to report him for harassment... that is like sooo uncool.. I’ll be out of Rainier so fast my...." He was in full swing now and struggling to get out of Jim grip, but the other man, just held him in place.

"Blair... Blair." Jim repeated stressing the words by a gently shake of the man under his hands, "you are not in any trouble and we are not going to press you to report anyone... but." Now he shot a glance at Simon, "we do need your help."

Blair stopped all motion, as Jim’s words sunk in and his curiosity awakened, "my help."

"Please Mr Sandburg, could we sit down and I will explain." Simon offered motioning to the couch.

Blair threw Jim another long look, then slowly did as Simon asked. Once they were all settled Simon began to explain what had happened since Jim had first met the young man, and what he had found out about the Professor, and the suspected pornographic film ring.

As Simon spoke Blair expression paled and his eyes grew wide. A couple of times he wanted to interrupted, ask questions but both men could see that he was physically restraining himself, until Simon had finished. Simon had purposefully left out the battered condition the dead men had been found in, but he did explain the information he had discovered the day before, and the tentative connection between Professor Baker and the hard core pimp Rosco MacKerson who had tried to kidnap Blair the night before.

"So you think that..." Blair swallowed suddenly looking like he was about to throw up, "you think that... that if Jim hadn’t saved me, I’d be missing person number nine?"

Simon was not pulling any punches as he nodded and said with conviction, "without a doubt Blair, and the word on the street is that Rosco is not very happy with last nights events." This time he looked towards Jim, "and he’s out to save some face, and his turned mean."

"Does that mean that Jim’s in trouble." Blair butted in, looking with concern towards his handsome friend. "That this Rosco might come after him."

"Don’t worry about that Blair." Jim insisted, throwing Simon an annoyed look, "I can look after myself."

"Yes, Jim you can." Simon agreed, "but it would be much better for all concerned if we could break this little set-up, and get them behind bars where they would be unable to hurt anyone." Simon finished pointedly.

Blair sat quite for a few seconds digesting the information that Simon had given him, then looking up he asked, "and you are telling me this because?" he let the question hang.

Simon nodded, the kid was smart that was good. "I’m telling you this because we need to get close to Professor Baker, and shake his tree, and to be honest Blair your the best shot we’ve got."

"And how exactly am I… er… suppose to shake his tree?" Blair was sitting in the chair hunched over and clasping his hands to prevent them from shaking, but his tone was calm, controlled and his real feelings on the matter hidden behind an impenetrable mask.

Simon again looked over towards Jim, but that one glance told him that he was on his own with this one. "Well, basically we want you to tell him that you know what’s going on, and that you’ve done some digging, spoke to some people at the University, and that you are prepared to keep quite for money, and that he leaves you alone… totally."

"And you think he will fall for that." Blair sounded sceptically. "My blackmailing him?"

"It might be enough to throw him, at the very least he will have to contact further up the line to get directions from those above him."

"I don’t think he’ll go for it." Blair stated firmly. Seeing the look this earned him from both men he rushed on to explain, "Oh.. I think that he will believe the bit about the money, but if he reported it up the line, so to speak, then he’ll become a liability and they might just see him as a… a weak link and get rid of him." He paused again letting his words sink in.

"He could have a point Simon." Jim added for good measure, seeing the fault in his own plan. "and it he just might decide to take Blair out instead of negotiating with him."

"Jim I know that this isn’t a fool proof plan, it’s not one hundred percent, and if he does try to hurt you Mr Sandburg, we will be there and once we have him in custody on attempted murder, then I know that we can break him to find out the names of those above him, he will plead bargain, his sort always do."

"Attempted murder." Blair repeated swallowing hard as it sunk in just whom Baker would be attempting to murder as the police rush in. Sitting back he took a deep steadying breath and slowly, but firmly shook his head, "I’m sorry Captain Banks, but I don't think that Professor Baker is going to be that easy to trick, and my previous relationship with the police has never given me a whole lot of reasons to trust you guys."

"Mr Sandburg I don’t know if you didn’t understand me earlier but they are killing people… students, like yourself…" Simon shouted jumping up, his frustration evident, "aren’t you the least bit bothered by that."

"Simon." Jim warned, his tone deadly as he also stood. Captain Banks paused, then nodding slightly he reassumed his seat. As Jim continued, this time speaking to Blair his tone now a lot softer. "Blair, I know that this is very frightening, and I know that you have no reason what so ever to trust Simon, but do you trust me?"

Blair looked confused at the question but answered immediately and with honesty shining in his eyes. "Yes, of course."

"Then I want you to know that I’m going to be with you every step of the way, and we can alter the plan if your not happy with it, it’s not set in concrete, now what part of the plan don’t you like?" Jim silenced Simon’s protest at his words with one look.

Blair thought for a few moments then said, "To be honest… I don't think Professor Baker is going to believe that I could have dug up all this information on him, I mean there isn’t really any evidence to support it… is there?" this was directed towards Simon, but not getting a reply he continued, "I personally think he will just shrug his shoulders, tell me to prove it and give me the lowest grade he could possible think of, before he gets me kicked of campus."

"So what do you think we ought to do?" Jim asked, leaning forward, encouraging Blair to speak his piece, he knew that the young man had an intelligent, quick mind, he had seen it in use the first night they had met.

Blair sat back considering his answer, finally he said, "I think that Professor is a shark, and like most sharks he is only afraid of bigger sharks."

"What do you mean?" Simon asked. Both men could tell that Sandburg was hatching an idea, it was written right across his face.

"Look you said that Professor Baker is only the er.. supply man.. he see the young men and then arranges for them to be picked up, well what if we.. er you guys were in the same business... and you wanted to use his er… abilities and that you were prepared to pay more."

"And why would he believe that any more then the last plan." Simon asked, not totally disliking he idea, but he wanted to see what else the young man had up his sleeve.

Blair licked at his dry lips and said quietly, "you could offer me as a.. a reward for er... helping you."

"No… absolute not." Jim was on his feet and glaring at the both of them, "that is putting you directly in the line of fire."

"No more then the last plan Jim." Simon tried to reason, but his words were pushed aside as Ellison continued.

"No.. No.. in the last plan one of the stipulations was that Baker left Blair alone, totally, this one is putting him right in the middle of it, and say Baker’s wants an sample of Blair before he agrees to play ball with us." The suddenly stricken look on Sandburg’s face indicated that he had not thought of this aspect.

"Jim clam down will you." Simon insisted, "we can work it out, but I have to agree with Blair, this is a more believable plan, and once Baker agrees to help we can follow him up the line, and see who he contacts."

"There are too many holes, too much can go wrong." Jim stated firmly, still not happy with the idea.

"There are too many holes in both plans Jim, so what do we do." Snapped Simon in frustration, "just pack up our bags and leave Baker to keep setting young men up."

Jim slumped back into his seat knowing he was defeated, "No... but I still don’t like Sandburg being in the thick of it."

"Alirght, let’s get him out of it..." Simon began, thinking as he went, "how about you purposefully took him from Rosco last night, knowing exactly what the deal was, and now your prepared to offer him back to Baker for the name of the person who is above him.. you want to make a deal to get some of the action, and your using Blair to get the first step on the ladder."

"I don't think that is believable either." Blair said from his corner of the room. The two other men turned and glared at him, but he just shrugged his shoulders and then looked away, his attitude one of totally rejections as he sat bruised and battered in the chair.

"I hate to say it, but I think that his right." Jim finally admitted, rubbing at his forehead, as if he could push away the headache that was starting to build behind his eyes.

Simon for his turn leant forward elbows on his knees and wiped at his face saying, "Well, we’ve got to think of something and something that will work, otherwise more men are going to fall into this trap and die, and Blair will be a target as soon as he leaves this apartment."

"Why will I be a target?" Blair asked in some surprise, realising that he must have missed something down the line.

Simon looked at him, then answered, "Blair, Rosco has put the word out on you, picture and all... if you go back to the university you can bet your bottom dollar that Baker will let him know that your there." Seeing the confessed look his words earned him he explained in greater detail, "a pimp is only as good as his ability to frighten the people under him, his uses brute force to get what he wants... last night he wanted you, but you got away."

"But that was because of Jim, not because of anything that I did." Blair reasoned, looking over at the man who had rescued him.

"Rosco doesn’t see it that way." Jim put in. "On the street the word will be out that he had a target to pick up last night, namely you and he failed."

"This is insane" Blair exploded, "are you telling me that I can’t leave this apartment, because if I do then this… this pimp is going to be after me."

The two older man looked at each other then Simon offered, "something like that."

"Then how the hell did you expect me to trap Professor Baker? I mean, once he saw me… wasn’t he going to just call up Rosco and have him come and pick me up or something, hell he doesn’t even had to say I have no evidence to back up my accusation, as according to you, I would be drugged up to me eyeballs and shoved into some John’s bed to be taught the tricks of the trade so fast, my backpack would be spinning." Even as he said the words he saw the guilty look that passed over Simon’s face and it stopped him dead, "my g-d that was your plan all along.. wasn’t it... you were going to hang me out for bait, so you could scoop both Baker and Rosco up in the same net."

Blair’s one light of hope in all this was that Jim looked equally as shocked as he felt, so he knew that the other man wasn’t aware of the true plan.

Simon knowing that the game was up turned beseeching eyes towards his friend as he tried to explain himself, "Jim, I don’t like this any more then you do, but this is coming from above me, they want these kidnappings to stop and this is the surest quickest way of doing it."

"You bastard Simon… you really were planning on using the kid as bait." Jim snarled his face twisting in his anger, he jumped up ready to rip into his friend physically, but before he could continue, he was prevented from doing so by Sandburg, who had also leapt up and threw himself between the two men, who now stood eye to eye and glaring at each other.

"Hay Jim man, chill out, this is how the pigs work man."

"I don't work like this." Roared Simon his own rage coming to the fore, he had spent most of the morning arguing with the Chief of police himself, but to an avail, he’d felt like Judas the morning before the betraying Jesus, as he approached the loft and now all he could see was the utter contempt and fury that was shining him Jim’s eyes, and it hurt.

"But your going along with the plan." Snarled Jim, reaching up to push Blair aside, but the smaller man caught his hands and prevented him by saying sharply.

"And so am I."

Jim blinked a few times, unable to comprehend what Blair had just said, "What?" he gasped, turning rage filled eyes upon the smaller man. "What?" he repeated.

"I think that it will work... if I go to Baker and say that I know what’s going on, he’s going to be on the phone to Rosco so fast... and as far as he’s concerned once I’m drugged I’m not a problem... he is arrogant enough to believe that, and lets be honest Jim, it the only shot we’re going to get."

"You are going to trust these bastards, after what they were trying to do." Jim asked pointing towards Simon.

"No." Blair insisted, "I don’t trust them.... but." He paused for effect, his hands still clutching Jim’s arms as he emphasised, "I DO TRUST YOU."

"No." Jim said shaking his head, "This is insane." He pulled out of Blair grip and moved a few feet away needing the distance to get his thoughts in order. Blair followed him, keeping in his personnel space as he argued.

"We don’t have a choice, I don't want anyone else to die in my place Jim... and I know for a fact that he’s been putting pressure on a freshman." The implications of Blair’s words sank in and Jim shook his head in denial.

"I want to do this, with you and your… er abilities… there to back me up... not Simon, not the whole fucking Cascade police force but you... I need you to listen out for me, to see me when I’m too far away to be seen, to protect me went the cops fuck up."

"Now wait a minute." Simon began, but Blair waved him down, his entire attention fixed on the man in front of him as he continued.

"But if you don't want to... then I’ll understand... but I will do it neither the less."

"Blair." Jim said his tone a beg, but what he was asking for, even he was not too sure. Seeing the look in the smaller man’s eyes and knowing that he had already lost the battle, Jim Ellison swallowed hard and reaching out he pulled the smaller man into his embrace, it was a hard hug, that only loosen as Blair whimpered a protested of his aching body and ribs. Looking over Blair’s dark curls Jim said to Simon, "We’ll do it, but this time no lies, no cover up, you keep us informed straight otherwise we’re both out of there."

Simon was shocked, he could almost feel the electricity that passed between the two men, and knew that any person who tried to come between them would fry in it’s effects as surely as if sat in an electric chair. "You have my word Jim, and I never wanted to keep you in the dark in the first place.." he paused and added honestly, "you know that’s not my way."

"I do know that Simon" Jim agreed, "and that’s one of the reasons why I’m agreeing to go along with this... and it’s your responsibility to keep Blair safe and make sure the other cops don't screw us up Simon. Yours... not the Majors, the Chief of Police, not your department, but yours personally and if you fail me Simon, if Blair gets hurt because you bastards hang him any further out to dry, then I swear that I will fine you, and you will pay." The words were spoke so calmly, so coldly that Captain Banks knew that if he nodded his agreement then he was signing his own life away if anything happened to Blair Sandburg. With a very serious face he slowly nodded his head the once and accepted the agreement.

***

Blair walked across the campus of Rainier University. As he walked he felt as if every one was looking at him, but he knew that it was just because he felt so conspicuous wearing the kevlar vest that both Jim and Simon had insisted he put on before leaving them. He glanced back the way he had come, and smiled slight as he remembered the conversation of that morning. Jim was still not happy with the plan that they had finally settled upon, but Blair was adamant that he wanted to go ahead with it.

He had stayed another night at Jim apartment, at the other man’s insistence, and the next morning Simon had turned up with some very expensive equipment that he had proceeded to explain that Blair was to ware. The smaller man had been impressed with the size of the wire tap, but had bulked at the wearing of the vest, but one look at Jim set expression informed him that this was not an area where there was going to be a discussion.

Simon also brought with him another set of baggy clothes for the smaller man. Blair had eyed the shirt with trepidation complaining that it was not his usually style, and stating firmly that it was going to ruin his image, again this was met with stony silence, Blair was fast coming to the conclusion that Police officers on assignments didn’t have a sense of humour, he wondered, with a weary smile of his own, if they left it at the Police Station as they left.

"Testing, Testing," Blair said, his tone low as he glanced back at the dark van that now held the other two men. It was near the end of the car park, just far enough away from the Anthropology building, not to arouse suspicion but near enough for them to get to Blair should he need help. "Flash your lights if you can still hear me." He said, then let out a sigh of relief when after a few seconds as the lights on the van flashed once.

Turning back to the main building in front of him, he squared his shoulders and headed into the building. The sunlight was cut of sharply as he moved in through the doorway and looking about at the milling students who were rushing to class, he wondered which of them were really police officers working under cover. He had to be honest and admit that they all looked like college students to him,

"Blair... Blair.." a voice called out from behind him. He turned and saw Peter Grey rushing towards him. As the other student reached him he blurted out, "Man... where the hell have you been?"

Blair opened his mouth to answer with the background story that Simon had given him, but Peter rushed on, "Professor Baker was after your butt yesterday.. you had an assignment to give him, and he was chasing up everyone to find out where you were."

"Er.. I got caught up..." Blair began, but again Peter interrupted him, this time his tone laced with concern as he noticed the bruise on Blair’s face.

"Man, who told you to duck when you should have dived?"

Blair knowing that Peter was no longer listening to him just nodded, the other boy, pulled a face and said, "Got to go man... just wanted to let you know that Baker’s on your case... if I was you, I’d go and see him… get it over with before you first class.. I mean, he was soooo pissed with you man..." then as if noticing the shirt for the first time he finished, "You have got to shoot the sales assistant who made you buy that shirt"

Then he was gone. Sandburg watched in amazement as he sped down the hallway, moving like an agile gazelle in a herd of buffalo. He paused to talk to a young woman, accepting the piece of paper she hurried to pass on to him, then he was gone around a corner.

Slowly Blair began to move down the hall again. Up ahead he spied another friend and hailed her. She turned and seeing him gave him a little wave and moved over so that they could walk together. "Hay Penny how’s life?" he asked.

"What happened to you?" Penny questioned looking him up and down.

"Got jumped the other night..." Blair explained, "but luckily I only had twenty dollars on me." Again he wheeled over the cover story.

"Blair where did you get that shirt... it’s... it’s sooo sixties." She looked him up and down again, and smiled sweetly at his annoyed look before adding weakly, "Just kidding."

"Peter said that Professor Baker was looking for me yesterday?" Blair asked, moving his pile of books from one arm to another. He saw the face she pulled, before she commented.

"That guy is a king size jerk... he even asked Danny to drop in on your place and make sure you weren’t sick or something, offered to drive him over there and all."

"Did he go?" Blair asked suddenly afraid for his other friend.

"No.. Danny was doing basket ball training last night, and anyway that guy gives me the creeps... but Danny did give him your address, I hope that was alright?" She asked as an after thought.

Blair was suddenly pleased that he’d spent the night over at Jim apartment. "No sweat." He commented, "if Danny hadn’t given it to him, he could have always got it from admin." Which had been Jim argument for him saying over.

"Well whatever." Penny said, before adding, "I think that Baker’s got office hours this morning until 11, so it might be an idea for you to go and beg for your life.. he was not a happy bunny yesterday... was throwing it about that if you didn’t come in and see him by today, then you were out." She let the words hang, giving Blair an opportunity to explain what was happening if he wanted to, but he just pulled a face of his own and answered instead.

"Ar well, I guess I’d better get it over with then." Then as an after thought Blair added, "Penny could you explain to Professor Ryan that I won’t be able to make it to his class today... I’m still feeling a little bit shaken from the attack, I think I’ll just go home after seeing Baker and get some rest."

Penny glanced at him with a critical eye before she nodded in agreement, "Yeah you do look a little bit pale." A loud bell interrupted her, "Damn.." she said, "I’m going to be late... you take care, and if you need anything you’ve got my number." With that she was moving away from him.

He watched her go, and wished that he was going to class with her, but he knew that he was not there for that. Taking another deep breath, he winced at the rips protested, and began to head towards Professor’s Baker’s office.

***

Jim sat in the back of the van and listened as Blair made his way to the Anthropology building. The wire was coming in loud and clear, but Jim was also listening to the heart beat that had become so familiar to him over the last few days.

"Testing... testing.... Flash your lights if you can still hear me." Blair’s tone was nervous, Jim could tell.

Beside him he heard Simon sigh loudly and muttered under his breath, "damn kid thinks he’s James Bond." Then he instructed, "Flash him once." The police officer in the front of the van did as instructed.

Blair moved forward and disappeared into he building. Suddenly Jim felt the claw of anxiety began to rip at his stomach, and he felt himself chewing his bottom lip. The large tape machine in front of him, continued to record Blair’s conversation with his class mates, it recorded the last parting shot from Penny, then silence filled the tape, except for the sound of Blair walking and the occasional noise from other students as they moved passed him.

"I’m going in." Jim suddenly said, reaching for the door handle.

"What?" Bank’s enquired, his eyes reflecting his anger at the suggestion, as he reached out to pull Ellison back.

"Simon I can’t just sit here, I need to be nearer."

"And what good do you think your going to do by barging in on Blair and Baker?" Simon’s tone was as hard as his expression, and his attitude was that he was not to be messed with.

Jim closed his eyes briefly before he stated firmly, "I’m not going to barge in on anyone, but I need to be nearer, just in case… in case…" he faltered, how could he explain what the heart beat had come to mean to him, what the young man had come to mean to him. Finally he just said, "I’ve got to."

Simon paused, his could hear the plea behind the words, could see the need reflected in the other man’s eyes and knew that if he tried to stop Jim, then he was going to be ignored. Taking an annoyed breath he shrugged, knowing that Jim’s army training stood him in good stead, as he offered, "OK Jim, maybe your… ability would be of more use closer to the events, but" he continued his face deadly serious, "If you mess this up and Baker gets away, I swear that you will be offering your favours in the country jail."

Jim threw Simon a dirty look, but he knew that Banks was just concerned for Blair’s safety, although it was not in the man’s nature to admit such feelings. "I’m remember that… the next time you ask me for a…" he paused looking for the right words to hit home, "favour." He finally stated. Then opening the door he was gone.

Turning back to the tape recorder, Simon gave the police technician operating the machine a cold look, and the man hastily turned back to his duty. Not even wanting to know what the conversation had just be about.

With a flash of annoyance Simon realised that he had totally missed Blair entry into Professor Baker’s office.

***

"Blair…" Professor Henry Baker drooled, moving forward, a force smile plastered across his face, as he edge about his desk holding out his hand and motioning Blair further into the room. "I missed you at class yesterday my dear boy, and I thought that you had decided not to continue with your education." The words were slick and icy, and caused a shiver to travel along Blair’s spine, but he hid his reaction well and offered instead.

"Who me, no way man… I er.. just got caught up doing some er…" he paused his mind suddenly going blank before he stuttered weakly, "some er.. research that got out of hand."

"Yes, I can see." Baker said eyeing the still handsome face before him, "do you have er.." he licked at his lips, "bruises all the way down?" A nasty gleam in his eye as he slowly sweep his glance up and down the body before him. Without thinking he reached out and gently made the motion of touching the other man’s face, but Blair pulled back, ducking out of the way just before the sweaty hands made contact. This action seemed to snap Baker out of his fascination with the other man’s injuries, as he became all businessman like again. Shuffling away from Blair, he backtracked behind his desk and slowly resumed his seat. "Do you have the project notes or not?" he asked his tone no longer so friendly.

Blair coughed to clear his suddenly dry throat and nodded his head. He had typed up some rough notes the night before on Jim ultra new computer, and had had to valiantly resist the urge to investigate the files that lay just a mouse click away, ‘did Jim keep his client’s details on file’, somehow Blair doubted he did, but the temptation was there just the same. "I er…" he said coming back to the present with a bump. "I’ve got some rough notes, but they have led me to some er.. very interesting conclusion… here have a read and let me know what you think." He handed over the hastily made up file, and knew that it contained the basic information that Simon had provided about his suspicion on how the pornographic movie ring worked. As Baker opened the file Blair continue, starting to gather confidence as he slipped further and further into the part. "As you can see, I’ve been able to link some of my findings in with some missing person cases here at the University."

"Missing person?" Baker asked glancing up sharply, "from Rainier?"

Blair nodded, moving to stand near the window he glance out, "Yes, it’s makes quite interesting reading, and I feel that.." he looked back into the room as he leant against the wall, "the Cascade Police would be very interested in what I’ve discovered."

Baker’s expression was one of polite disinterest, and Blair would have sworn that he was not shaken by his words, except for the slight shaking of his hands as he scanned the pages before him, and listened to what Sandburg was saying.

"And you feel you can er.. prove what you have written here?" Baker finally asked, looking up, his eyes cold, hard, calculating."

"If I have to… if I needed to."

"Need to?" Baker leapt on Blair’s words.

"I don’t think that the Cascade police are going to help my get my grades, now do you, Professor Baker." Blair smiled at the other man, it was a stunning vision and caused Baker to lick his lips again before he smile in agreement and offered warmly.

"No… I don’t think that they will, and I have to admit that I am most impressed with your er.. research ability, and feel that based on what I have in front of me I could guarantee that you will have no further trouble getting your grades."

Blair seeing that he had hooked the man, smiled and moved onto the next stage of the plan. He leant back against the wall again, and his face took on a far away look as he sighed and continued, "University is turning out to be sooo expensive, I don’t know that I’m going to be able to continue on my course unless I can find.." he pause, looking directly at Baker, his expression cold, "some outside funding, maybe a grant… from an anonymous benefactor?"

"A grant." Baker repeated, this time his face had taken on a twisted expression as he realised what Blair was up to. He raised an eyebrow coolly and raked his glance up and down the young man who stood before him, standing he moved closer and towering over the man sneered, "I would have thought that someone with your…" again the look raked the body, "attributes would have no trouble getting money."

Blair pushed himself up and away from the wall, and moving carefully he side stepped the taller man, moving back into the room, away from the window. "I think that you had better worry about my knowledge and not my attributes… as they are what going to get you in a lot of trouble."

"Listen here you little…" Baker snarled moving swiftly across the room, anger in every step, "I could have you disappear and end up as the main course in one of those little movies you write about in your notes… do you understand me?"

"And I could have a friend deliver another copy of those same notes to the Cascade police." Shot back Blair, moving just out of range of the other man temper.

"How much?" Baker snapped out, no longer moving across the room, but standing ready to attack if Blair should get close enough.

"Fifty thousand a term." Blair shot back, his eyes wide as he stated his demands, "seems reasonable don’t you think?"

Baker fell back in shock before he stammered, "I can’t afford that."

Blair felt anger sweep upon his as he realised that Baker was admitting to being involved with the kidnapping of the other young man, "You’d better have a word with your boss, or Rosco." He slipped in, enjoying the repeat of the shock that settled upon Baker’s face before his features went deadly pale. "Oh did I forget to mention Rosco’s MacKerson’s name in my notes… my… I must be getting careless." He stopped for effect again, as he own voice turned ugly, "and believe me… that is the only area where I am careless… I will be back in one hour, and I hope for your stake that you’ve reach your decision by then, otherwise my next stop will be downtown, and you can take my words that it won’t be to visit the strip." He was almost spitting the words out by the time he’s finished, then turning he reached for the door saying, "you can keep that copy of the notes.. I have others." Then he was out of the room and moving down the corridor.

Blair had to fight his own body not to break into a run, he was shaking so badly that he knew that Simon and Jim must be able to hear his bones rattle over the wire. As he passed the small men’s toilet that was position along the hall, a hand reached out and pulled him inside. He struggle frantically for a few terrifying moments before Jim’s voice penetrated his fear. He slumped weakly against the man, as he realised who held him. He opened his mouth his ask a question, but Jim rested his hand lightly over Blair’s as he tilted his head and listened intently. Then he straightened and smiled down at the man he held so closely in his arm, his body pressed up close and personnel.

"Baker’s just called Rosco… the man is not amused…. " Jim was about to say more when the bell for class went off, and he issued a cry of pain and slumped against the other man as the pain overwhelmed him.

Blair grabbed and held the Jim as he knees threatened to give out. Dropping his books as he did so. Sandburg was pushed even further up against the door, and it caught him on the back of his head as someone tried to enter. "Back off." He cried out, still struggling to support Jim, "These toilets out of order." Whoever it was outside the door, swore then must have thought better of using the facilities as Blair heard the man walk swiftly away. "Jim." He turned his full attention back to his friend who was now taking his own weight, and shaking his head as if to dispel his dizziness. Another thought registered with Blair as he gasped, gripping Ellison’s arms tighter. "You could hear Baker on the phone.. could hear Rosco.. man this is great?"

Jim looked at Blair and then closed his eyes, as the headache flared and burned behind his eyes. Sandburg seeing the pain, continued to hold his friend, but instead of raving about how impressed with Jim, he began to talk Jim through some relaxation exercises that he himself used.

"That’s right." he offered seeing Ellison start to do as he asked, "Take a deep breath… just concentrate on your breathing." He carried on in that vain for a few minutes until Jim opened his eyes and smiled down at him. Blair returned the smile fully, but slowly it turned suddenly serious, as realisation dawned on him that Jim was going to kiss him. He allowed himself to be pushed back against the door one more, slipping one leg between Ellison’s as he face was caught and gently, but firmly held. Jim lips were soft and yielding, and patient.. oh so patient as the worked delicately against Blair’s own lips until his opened to allow full access. The kiss went on for what seemed like ages, the final parting was slow, lingering and just a breathtaking as the kiss itself.

Reaching out Jim pulled lose the wire, just before he broke the connection with Simon he said into it, "We’ll be back to the van in a few minutes Simon." Then he turned his attention to his friend. Jim his eyes smouldering with desire and passion whispered huskily, so close that Blair would feel the movement of his mouth, "when this is over, you and I are going to have a very, very long talk."

"Talk Jim." Blair asked his own limbs shaking with need as he gently pushed his arousal up against the other man’s leg. "You want to talk!"

Ellison gasped in reaction and pushed his own manhood against Blair stomach, hissing "Oh baby, if you didn’t have that kevlar vest on, and a meeting with Simon I would show you exactly what I can do with my mouth beside talk."

Blair turned wide eyes upon the man in front of him and gasp hopefully, "the vest only goes down at far as my hips." He licked his lips as he spoke, a flash of amusement replacing the searing heat of the hope that was still awash in his eyes.

Jim’s face creased as he to smiled deeply and with a knowing look and a raise eyebrows he said, "now ain’t that a fact babe." As he spoke he began to slowly slip down the body before him, until he reached the opening of the pants, gently he reached out and began to undo the jeans, each movement was timed and each button release was torture to Sandburg.

Blair lent back against the door, and prayed to every deity he knew that no-one would try to use the toilets. He was also grateful, that it was one of the smaller ones which were less frequently used. All coherent thought fled as Jim gently worked his jeans down his hips, his hands rubbing at the soft skin of the hips before he carefully pulled out the throbbing erection that was waiting for him.

Blair gasped out loud and groaned Jim’s name as the man went to work on his throbbing member. Unconsciously he began to thrashed his head from side to side, as Ellison nibbled his way, first up one side then down the other plane of the cock that swayed as if it had a life of it’s own, all the while using his other hand to fuddle the balls, and rub gently over the soft skin that waited him, then with a gently blow of air, Jim took the weeping cock into his mouth and began to suck in earnest, glancing up at his lovers face as he did so. Blair was openly groaning now, his sounds urging the other man on, as he played with the bulk within his mouth, first twisting his tongue one way, then the other. The torture was too much and soon Blair was gushing into the willing mouth, before he slipped to the floor totally exhausted, as he slid down he was caught and held in warm arms before he hit the cold stone. "That was… was…" Blair paused, he had no words to describe how good, how right it had felt. "man, I think you sucked my brains out." He finally gasped, then looked ashamed of his words, as he reached up and pulled Jim’s head down he opened his mouth, accepting the tongue that entered him, and trailed about his mouth as if seeking to know every millimetre of his being. He could taste himself on those lips and wanted nothing more then to return the favour, but the kiss lasted until a loud banging started on the door and both men looked at each other in surprise as a familiar voice snarled.

"When you’ve quite finished, I’d like to remind you that Blair had two wires."

The two men in question looked at each other in total shock, before they scrambled up and, while Blair fought to pull his trousers up, Jim opened the door slightly, but leant against it until he could see that Blair was once more respectable. Then he opened it wider to allowed the angry police captain to enter. The man stormed into the rest room and glared at the two men for several seconds before he hissed, "are you two totally out of your minds… we are in the middle of a police investigation here."

"You never been in love Captain Banks" Sandburg asked flippantly, his tone confident despite the wild blush that cover his features. His words brought Jim’s head up, and Blair knew he’d spoken the right words when he saw the deep pleasure and acceptance that shone in his lovers eyes.

Simon on the other hand, was not in a romantic mood, as he removed the chew up cigar end from his mouth and pointing it at the smaller man advised him sourly, "Yes, Sandburg I’ve been in love, but even I have to admit that I never did… it in a men’s toilet with a police wire on."

"You should try it Simon." Jim said, his expression telling his old friend that nothing he could say at the moment was going to put a dent in his happiness.

Simon took a deep calming breath and retorted snidely, "I don’t really care if you bonk like bunnies from sunset until sunrise…"

"Now there’s a thought." Slipped in Blair, unable to hide his own good humour. He fell silent again under Bank’s glare, as the handsome black man continue.

"But we are conducting a police investigation here, and those tapes may be used as evidence in court."

That cause the two men before him to look slightly stricken as the implications sunk in. Then taking pity Simon finally admitted. "Luck for you two, I had the head phones on, and was able to turn the second wire off before you got to… er too involved."

Jim let out a breath that he had not been aware that he was holding and laughed shakily as he clapped his old friend on the arm. "I guess that’s one I owe you Simon."

Simon pulled a face of his own and said sourly, "Well pay me back by helping my put Baker and Rosco behind bars, and breaking this damn snuff film ring."

At the mention of the professor, both men fell serious and Jim offered, "I heard Baker on the phone to Rosco… he told him about Blair’s threat."

Simon perked up and asked, "what did he say?"

Jim looked slightly shamed face and answered, "well… I heard Baker telling Rosco about Blair and his demands and then the bell went off and… it kinda knocked me out for a few minutes."

"Are you alright?" Simon asked reaching out and touching the other man’s arm before he let it slip away as he berated himself, "What the hell am I walking about… of course your alright, you were just…"

Blair interrupted them both before Simon could finish, "bonking like bunnies… I think I like that expression."

Jim looked Blair directly in the eyes and answered warmly, "I think that might take a lot of practice… to get as good as bunnies, Blair."

Seeing the warm look that passed between the two men at the mention of sex, Simon butted in, "do you mind, can we at least get back to business."

"Sorry Simon." Jim offered sincerely, before he let his warm gaze wander over Blair, his expression said ‘later’

Blair swallowed hard as he felt his body respond to the look and nodded his head, he unconsciously licked at his kiss swollen lips.

"Can we get back to the van and get the wire fixed up again." Simon asked in exasperation.

Simon carefully opened the bathroom door, and after checking that it was safe for Blair to leave, he motioned for him go first them Jim and finally Simon followed a few second behind him, allowing Blair to leave the building first.

The trip back to the van was uneventful, and within a few minuets the wire was re-fixed and the reception was back on line as clear as before. If the other detective noticed anything, they wisely keep the matter to themselves after one look at their police captain’s stormy face.

"You got ten minutes." Simon said, glancing at his watch. As he spoke the radio cracked into life as a disembodied voice said, "Rosco MacKerson has just entered the University grounds and is heading your way Captain."

Blair shot Jim a worried look, which the other man caught and he smiled back trying to put as much encouragement in that one look as he could.

To say that Ellison was shocked by recent evens was an understatement. After leaving the van, Jim had made his way into the corridor outside Professor Baker’s office and stood looking blindly at a notice board, while he concentrated his attention into the room further down the hall. He had smiled with pride, when he heard how professional Blair had tossed out the bait and reeled the other man in, and had barely made it into the bathroom before Sandburg had left Baker’s office.

He had listened to the nearing heartbeat as it made it’s way towards him and on impulse he had reached out and pulled the other man into the toilet just as he passed. He was not sure why he had done it, he only knew that he needed to have Blair in his arms, and wanted to hold him so desperately, that he had take the insane risk.

What had followed had completely blown him away. He had know that is own attraction to Sandburg was strong, but had not realised that Blair’s was as equal, but Blair had responded totally, and Jim was on his knees before the man in a blink of an eye. He knew now that Blair Sandburg was the other half of his soul. Had grown to realise that fact as he had laid awake the previous night, just listening to the younger man sleep in the room below.

Now that he had found Blair he was not going to let him get away so easily. Ellison now had enough money to allow him to start up his own small business, maybe he would try for his private detective licences, Simon was always teasing him about it, but the man had also offered to sponsor him if he was to try for it. He could set up a small office somewhere, Blair would still be able to finish his degree, that was important. Jim slowly shook his head as he realised that he was jumping way, way ahead of himself. ‘One suck off does not a relationship make’ he ironically told himself, just before he glanced up at Blair and noticed that the other man had not taken his eyes off him. Jim smiled reassuringly and was pleased to see the younger man relax slightly. The future was ahead of them, first they had to get through the next hour, and both stay alive.

Simon was speaking and his words pulled Jim back into the conversation, and Ellison realised that first they needed to get Baker, Rosco and the others out of the way, make sure Blair was safe before they could talked about their own future.

"So you got any question on the next part of the plan?" Simon was asking Blair.

The other man shot Jim another look, then shook his head saying, "No… just play along with them, then once they make their move, you’ll intervene and arrest them."

"No heroics here Sandburg.." Simon stated firmly, "you just have your say, then dive for cover when they make their move.. we’ll be right behind you and waiting."

"No problem… I got it covered." Blair offered with a wave of his hand, the fingers were caught and held tightly as Jim reiterated Simon’s warning.

"We mean it Chief… No heroics… that means your butt is behind the desk as soon as they start to raise their voices… or sooner if you feel uncomfortable… you get that." Jim was deadly serious and Simon held back, knowing that the other man could impress the seriousness of the situation to the grad student far more effectively then he ever could.

Blair rolled his eyes and answered, "yes, dad" he drooled, "I know the plan and ‘timetable’ is the emergence word if I feel that things are getting out of hand, and I want you guys in there."

"If you say that word Blair, then I will be in the room ten seconds later." Jim advised in all seriousness. Sandburg looked deep into his eyes, and knew that Ellison was just reaffirmation his intention of being Blair’s backup, if the police should fail to act quickly enough he would not.

"To be honest," Simon put in, "I think you’ll be safe until you tell them where you’ve hidden the other copies of your notes."

"Time to go." One of the other police officers in the van said, then added, "Rosco’s just entered the building."

With a heart that was beating so loud that Blair believed that most of the campus could hear it, let alone Jim, he opened the van door and after a brief squeeze of Jim’s hand he was out and heading back towards the building.

As he knocked on Baker’s office door again, he glanced down the long corridor and noticed with relief that Jim had followed him and was standing by the notice board, a short distance away. To anyone else he looked like he was studying the papers that fluttered there, but after witnessing Jim’s ability to hear over a long distance, Blair knew that he was in reality listening to him. "I love you Jim." He whispered, just as the door opened. He knew that Ellison had heard him as the man’s head had snapped towards him. Then Blair slipped inside the office.

Rosco, he noted, was nowhere to be seen, but Blair suspected that he was waiting in the small storage room, that was tucked off to one side of the main office, the door was slightly open.

Blair swallowed and asked unable to hide the nervousness from his tone, "So er… do we have a deal?"

Professor Baker had not wasted the last hour either. He now stood calmly before the smaller man, a false smile fixed firmly upon his weathered face as he informedthe Grad student who stood before him, "you know Blair, I’ve been thinking… trying to blackmail a Professor into giving you better grades is a dismissiable offence, I could have you thrown out of this university."

"Arranging to have students kidnapped, beaten and killed is a criminal offence, and I could have you locked up for life."

"Evidence, my boy…" Baker said, moving slightly closer, Blair backed away, "where is your evidence?" The voice was too oily, to assured and Sandburg began to have his doubts that the plan was going to work.

"I’ve got my evidence." Blair said with more bravado then he actually felt.

"Yes…" Baker agreed, " and I bet it’s with that cheap whore you picked up the other night on the strip."

"What whore?" Blair asked his mouth suddenly going dry with fear for his lover as he realised that they knew about Jim.

Baker seeing the fear almost crowed with glee, he had hit the mark. "You know, the cheap little whore..." he said moving closer, excited by the terror that now flooded the younger man eyes. "Jim Ellison… he lives at." Baker paused for affect before he continued, "Prospect Place."

Blair felt his heart catch and hoped that Simon would end this shambles right now before his newly found lover was hurt. He opened his mouth to say ‘Timetable.’ But the word never got issued as the door behind him opened, and turning he saw Jim pushed into the room. He opened his mouth to yell a warning at him, but the words died on his lips when he saw Rosco MacKerson standing closely behind him.

Ellison was pushed roughly into the room. As he moved Jim threw Blair an apologetic look, knowing that he would never forgive himself for being captured. He had been standing by the notice board, concentrating on the conversation that Sandburg was having with Baker, when he had felt a man walk up behind him, the next thing he knew Rosco was pushing a gun into his lower back, ordering him to casually walk along the corridor with him.

"Jim." Blair gasped, hoping that Simon would realise that the plan had gone awry and sent in the reinforcements.

Before Sandburg could react Baker was upon him, pulling Blair’s arm roughly back behind his body he demanded, "Now, you little shit… where are those other copies of the notes."

"Don’t sweat it Baker… I’ve got people pulling Ellison’s place apart even as we speak." Rosco offered, poking the gun sharply into the man in questions back, as he felt him tense at the attack on Blair. "You move and you die whore… I still owe you." He reached up with his free hand and traced the livid bruise that was spread across his battered face.

"The damn kid’s wired." Baker suddenly cried out as he ripped open Blair’s shirt revelling both the wire and the vest. He struck Sandburg hard across the face and the smaller man went tumbling down, hitting his head hard against the corner of the desk, at the same time that Rosco fired his gun at Blair. The bullet stuck Sandburg in the upper leg, but the lad was already falling into unconsciousness from the forceful blow from the table corner, and didn’t react to this new pain.

"Blair!" Jim cried out in sudden fear as he saw the blood spray, and his lover strike his head hard, but before he could cross the room he felt, and heard Rosco tightening his finger on the trigger of his gun again. Blair was helpless, and dead in the man’s sights, but Baker let out a yell of rage as he shouted.

"You fool, he was wired… the police are coming… you’ve kill him."

It was just enough to distract Rosco from his aim, and it was all the distraction that Jim needed as he span about and attacked the pimp. Kicking him back against the door with such force that the man split the wood before he bounced to the floor the gun went off again, and Jim felt the whisper glancing blow of the bullet as it passed within millimetres of his head, but the gun itself went flying through the air, in Baker’s direction. Ellison could waste not time on his own injures as his mind span, if Baker got the gun, then there was a chance they were both dead and he could not let that happen.

Jim could hear the sound of Simon and his men as they rushed into the building. But they were slow, too slow as Baker made a frantic snatch for the gun, but Ellison was there, like a raging panther he let out a snarl of rage and attacked. The gun was forgotten as the professor felt claw like fingers close about his windpipe and squeeze.

All Jim could see was Sandburg as he hit the desk and fell to the floor, Ellison’s fingers tighten even further and the choking sound became fainter and fainter, until reality slipped back into focus as Jim felt the cold edge of a gun barrel press against the back of his neck and a voice he knew very well said slowly and clearly, "Let him go Jim, let go… otherwise your a dead man."

Jim blinked the sweat and blood out of his eyes, as he felt a snarl twisting his lips but he didn’t let go, not until another more precious voice gasped faintly. "Jim…"

"Blair." Ellison gasped, dropping the man he had been choking, without a second thought and moving over to kneel beside his fallen lover, who was blinking up at him owlishly, confusion clearly showing. "Your bleeding…." Blair said concern etched upon his very pale features, as he attempted to reach up and touch Ellison wounded temple, only to fall away as weakness assailed him, then Jim seeing the eyes glaze over again he demanded desperately.

"Babe don’t leave me, G-d please don’t leave me." But it was too late, Blair had sunk back into unconsciousness, and it was only the continued heart beat that kept Jim Ellison sane.

Simon stood for a few seconds, unable to move as he recalled the man rushing into the building once they realised that the plan had gone wrong, desperately wrong, then barging into the room, having to force Rosco unconsciousness form aside from just inside to door, then seeing Blair laying deadly still upon the floor by the desk, bleeding from a leg wound and turning to take in Ellison crouched over Baker strangling the life out of the man, as his own blood dripped down onto the other’s man’s face.

Turning back to one of his officer Simon barked out, "get a damn ambulance here NOW."

"Already take care of sir." Rafe replied, not taking his eyes off the man who now sat cradling the unconsciousness grad student in his arms. He found it hard to believe that such a tall strong man could hold another person so gently, as Jim rocked slowly back and forth whispering quite words that neither Rafe not the injured man could hear.

Baker was coming out of his stupor, and looking up at the tall dark man holding the gun, then noticing the badge that he wore attached to his jacket, he gasped, "I want… want… that animal… arrested…. He tried… to kill me…"

Simon looked down at him in total disgust and stated firmly, "Oh yes Professor Baker we are here to arrest an animal," he glaze inform the man laying on the floor just who he thought the real beast to be, and the man shuddered as Simon finished, "and where your going… you’ll be the bait not the predator." Banks felt a wave of satisfaction when he noted the expression of terror that crossed the fallen man’s face at his word. He smiled privately to himself, yes this man would break and tell them everything he knew, like most of his creed he was a coward.

"Blair.. Chief…" Jim’s voice reached Simon and tossing Rafe a quick glance he pointed his gun at Baker and snarled, "Get this piece of trash out of here," Rafe and his partner Brown, hurried to obey the order.

Once the room was empty of spectators Simon moved and knelt down beside Jim. "How is he?" he asked, resting a hand on Ellison’s arm, looking into Jim’s own wounded face and not liking the glasses eyes expression the other man was wearing. Simon knew that he was a hairs breath away from being stretched out on the floor beside his lover, and only sheer will power was keeping him from fainting.

"I’m not sure…" Jim stuttered, "my.. I mean.. everything gone haywire… I can’t hear his heart any longer Simon… but" he added shifting Blair away slightly so that Simon could see the raise and fall of the other chest, "he’s still breathing, he’s got to keep breathing."

"Yes Jim… I can see his still breathing and that’s good Jim." Simon answered as the paramedics rushed into the room. "Over here first." Banks ordered as the men stopped beside Rosco, who was now groaning on the floor as he crawled up through the first levels of conscience. The did as asked and within minutes Blair was being carried out of the room on a stretcher closely followed by shaky Jim Ellison who had violently refused any treatment, and was holding Sandburg’s limp hand as if his life depended upon it. With sudden clarity Simon realised that Jim’s life probably did, as he had never, ever seen the man react so strongly to another being as he did to Blair Sandburg.

***

Jim refused to leave Blair’s side as he was loaded into the ambulance and taken to Cascades General Hospital. The whole time one of the paramedics had been seeing to Blair, the other one had been trying to tackle Jim and his injuries, but the taller man had just brushed him aside as he continued watching what was happening to the younger man.

That only lasted until they reached the hospital. As Jim was leaving the ambulance, the step down from the van suddenly seemed longer as he legs buckled under him, fortunately for him, the well trained paramedic had been watching for his collapse and he was caught and held steady until a stretcher was brought out for him.

Ellison remembered very little after being helped to lay down and his next clear thought was of waking up in a hospital bed with Simon sitting beside him, he could feel a heavy bandage wrapped firmly about his head, which ached with an incredible pain, every movement caused him pain, but he pushed it aside as he gasped "Blair!" he tried to sit up but the intense pain caused him to gasped as he slipped back.

"Let that be a lesson to you Jim." Simon said, moving to stand over his friend, an outstretched hand ready to prevent a repeat performance as he continued, "you’ve got a particularly nasty concussion there, so just lay there and do as the doctor says."

"Blair?" Jim repeated the question upper most in his mind.

Simon looked away, gauging his words before he replied, "He came though the operation on his leg alright... the bullet hit muscle, it’ll hurt like hell, but no permanent damage, but... he’s still unconscious... the blow to his head... the doctors say his in a coma.... also his vitals aren’t so good, and they have mentioned transferring him to life support if he doesn’t wake up soon."

Jim closed his eyes, as if that would also shut out the other man’s words. "How long?" he asked, meaning how long had he been out.

"Since it happened… about a day..." Simon answered then continued the report on Blair, "they were talking about pressure on the brain, but after a scan they quietened down on that but then, late last night he took a turn for the worse... had trouble breathing... apparently he’d cracked a few ribs the night he was attacked and well, that along with the other injury has not helped his situation."

"I want to see him." Jim said, again moving, but this time he gritted his teeth against the flare of pain, as he reached out and attempted to pull the covers back.

"Are you out of your mind." Simon spluttered as he forced Jim’s hands away from the blankets and pulled them back into place. "You’ve only just woken up yourself... They still don’t know how you kept moving, after that glancing blow that you got from that bullet… just be thankful and take it easy."

Jim slumped back in defeat as his own pain overcame him, then once he had it under control he looked up at Simon, a silent plead clearly written across his face and reflecting in his eyes. Simon looked at him for several long seconds before he glared and gave in saying, "Alright... alright, but if we get caught then I’m saying you kidnapped me..." Turning he headed towards the door saying, "Wait here will I try to steal some transport for you."

He was back within a few minutes with a wheelchair in tow. Jim was about to protest it’s necessity, but seeing the hard look Simon gave him he relented and meekly allowed the other man to help him into the vehicle. The police captain had to take most of his weight as Jim suddenly found that his legs were too weak to support him.

Simon nearly had second thought when he saw this, but the determined look in Jim’s eyes and the recent memory of Ellison holding the injured Sandburg stilled any comment he might have made. Banks opened the door and glanced nervously out into the corridor, it seemed quite so he quickly wheeled Jim out and round the corner heading towards one of the back elevators.

Once they were under way Jim settled back to suffer the ride, as the world tilted and slid by around him. "What happen with Baker and Rosco?" he finally asked as they waited for the lift.

"Baker’s singing like a canary and Rosco is two floors above us... with a police guard, but the damage you did him, his not going anywhere for a while." Jim smiled at the sound of satisfaction that could be heard in Simon’s tone as the other man continued, "and working on information supplied by Baker, we busted a warehouse over by the docks... got the lot," he paused as he added, "it wasn’t pretty, we found the other two missing students... they were pretty beat up, but they are alive... and subsequent investigation has led us to another three sites they were raided early this morning.... so all in all it was a pretty successful bust." The doors to the elevator opened and Simon wheeled Jim inside. "They Mayor is even talking about giving you and Sandburg commendations."

Ellison pulled a face at that saying. "All I want is a week off with nothing to do but rest..."

Simon suddenly looked concerned at the way the other man’s voice slurred and he asked, "I think I should take you back to your room?"

"No." Came the immediate answer. Then Jim relented and continued somewhat sheepishly, "I er.. I really need to see him Simon… please." The plea was evident.

Simon paused, then asked in total seriousness, "Jim... what’s going on.. between you and Sandburg?"

Now it was Jim’s turn to fall silent as he considered the question, then he answered honestly, "Simon, I’m not sure, all I know is that he had become very important to me."

"Jim, now… don’t take this the wrong way, but isn’t er dating.. in your line of work, er… isn’t that a bit of an hindrance.. I mean, I only met the kid a couple of times, but I didn’t get the impression that he’s into sharing, if you know what I mean."

Ellison let a smile cross his lips as he remembered the possessive lips that had captured his and the feel of the other’s hands as they had gripped his head, holding him in place as his kiss was accepted and returned with equal force. "I know, but I think I’ve got a solution to that…." He answered with relish, then suddenly the realisation slapped him in the face that that might be the only time he felt those long strong fingers grip him like that... if Blair were to die... He pushed that thought away, that was not going to happen, he, Jim Ellison would not allow it.

"Here we are." Simon said as he pulled to a halt outside a large windowed room, Jim was surprised to note that they had reached the intensive care area. Looking in the window he could see Blair laying on the bed, he looked so small surrounded by all the modern equipment that bleeped and hiss, and the tube under his noise that gave much needed oxygen to his body.

"Oh g-d." Jim said, suddenly totally unsure, the bandage wrapped about the other’s head looked so large, but Jim suddenly felt a wave of relief when he spied dark long curls sticking out from under it, he knew how much Blair would have hated to have his hair cut. That thought struck Jim as funny and he had to laugh, it was a gasping sound that ended on a sob.

"Jim.. Jim, are you alright?" he could heard Simon’s voice from a distance, but he didn’t answer right away as he was absorbing Blair’s heart beat, he had not been totally aware of it until now, but he’d been listening to it’s gentle beat ever since he had woken up, and he knew that if Simon had not brought him here, he would have found his partner... yes he liked that term.. he would have found his partner no matter where he was in the hospital. "Jim… damn it answer me otherwise I’m calling a nurse right now."

Jim reached out and grabbed Simon as he made to hurry past, heading towards the nurses station. "Take me in there... I need... I need…" He paused, what did he need, suddenly it came to him, "I need to tell him that I’m here, that his not alone any more."

Simon looked totally unsure of himself, but after a quick glance at the busy nurses station he nodded once and wheeled his friend into the cubical. "Just a few minutes," he said as he push Jim up close to the bed, and then went to stand near the door, giving the two men some privacy.

Jim reached out and took one of Blair’s hands in his own. He was very careful of the tubes and wires that run up and across the other man’s sleeping form. Holding it firmly in both his own he leant forward and said in a hushed tone, "Blair... Blair baby...it’s Jim... I... I really need you to come back now... do you hear me... the doctors are getting really worried, and they… they are talking about putting you on life support what with the coma and all that shit and well... it’s scaring me like hell." He finished, fighting back a sob that wanted to over take his body. He was not some weak minded fool who had no control over his body, he was Jim Ellison, who have never backed away from a decision in his life, and he was not about to start now. Remembering some of the conversation that they had had concerning Jim’s abilities he squeezed the hand and offered, "just get well Blair and I promise... I swear to you that I will do anything... anything you want.... I will willing be your lad rat till the day I die if you’ll just open those baby blues." He waited, holding his breath for Blair to do just that, then seconds ticked into minutes as he waited, holding the hand as if his every life depended upon it, which in reality it did.

"What the hell is going on here?" a loud, shrill woman’s voice suddenly interrupted, turning his head slightly Jim saw a nurse standing directly in front of Simon, who had moved to position himself in front of her. "Let me though...." she insisted.

"Just give them a damn minute." Simon was insisting as he moved to keep the woman out.

Jim tossed Blair a desperate look and stated firmly, "Damn it Blair, if you don’t wake up now, they are going to send me back to my room and... and after this little stunt you can bet they won’t let me see you again." Jim was not aware that he had risen from the wheelchair, nor that he was half leaning on the bed in his desperation. His reached over so that his face was mare inches from Blair, their lips almost touching. Jim could hear the nurse now calling for security, but it was from a long distance away as he concentrated on the man under his gaze. "Blair… please babe... I need you…" He spoke the words as a harsh whisper and quickly pushed his lips to Sandburg’s. It was a fleeting bush of lips, and yet it caused an electric charge to pass along Jim’s body, as if a passing of energy had taken place, then as if to emphasise this, just as Jim lips gently pulled away from Blair’s the other man’s mouth opened slightly and "Jim" was breathed out, it was as silent as the first time Sandburg had tested Jim’s senses and yet to the Sentinel it was a loud as a cry. Turning he said to the two people still arguing by the door, "he’s coming round.." He smiled brightly at the annoyed nurse, who ceased her efforts to by a determined Simon as his words, then as if to verify his words, Blair spoke again this time louder as he questioned, "Jim?" there was uncertainly and fear in the tone as if the unconscious man was missing the weight of the other man’s lips. "Jim." He finally asked, his eyes blinking as he fought to open them.

Ellison turned his attention back to his lover, then reaching out a shaking hand he gently ran it down the stubble cheek saying, "I’m here babe... right here." Then as if to belay his words the world suddenly tilted at a dangerous angle as he over exerted body protested it’s rough treatment since being awoken, and the bed seemed to move as the floor came up to met him, his last conscious thought as he saw both Simon and the nurse rush towards him, was that Blair had spoken, and that he was coming out of the coma... suddenly the room seemed to be filled with people, but Jim was not bothered by it as his world suddenly grew very dark, until the light suddenly switched off and he knew nothing more.

***

His next awaking was a lot slower and he heard the groaning long before he managed to get his eyes open. They were heavy and the lashes seemed to be stuck together, but he bravely fought against the discomfort, until he finally managed to open them a crack.

Bright sunlight flooded the room and he groaned again, suddenly realising that the moaning sound he had been hearing was in fact coming from him. He fought to suppressed another groan.

"Here, drink some water." A voice said, blinking up he saw that Simon was standing over him, a cup with a straw held in his hand, strong hand.

Jim did as asked, but as soon as the straw was moved he asked weakly, "Blair?" Simon didn’t answer instead he just nodded across the room, Jim tilted his head and saw the other man sleeping in the next bed, the blanket was raised above his injured leg, but otherwise he looked very peaceful. "How...what?" he asked shocked.

"You’ve been out for nearly two days Jim." Simon said moving to sit back down. "Blair was released from intensive care yesterday, and I told them that you’d just start wandering again, as soon as you were awake, if they didn’t put him in here as well." He finished in some surprise, "They agreed, but" he added in caution, "your doctor is not very happy with you and she is one mean mother, so you’ve got some major crawling to do... and me." He shuddered as he recalled the tongue lashing that she had give him, "she nearly had me banned from the hospital... I had to promise to be good, just to get back in here this morning."

"Thanks Simon." Jim said and he meant it. "for what you did."

Banks just looked embarrassed and brushed the other man’s heart felt words aside saying, "the kid woke up just after your collapsed, it was like a comedy farce... you laying on the floor out cold, Blair just coming round, that poor nurses had to step over you to get to him... don’t you ever do that to me again." Simon stated suddenly turning serious.

"I won’t… I promise." Jim offered his tone one of total commitment. As he spoke he moved and winced at the pain this caused, while he felt a lot better he was still pretty sore.

"Here." Simon said standing, "I’d better let them know your awake.. I don’t want to get my backside chewed off again, that woman takes big bites." So saying he left the room and Jim looked across as his sleeping friend. He settled back and tuned in the steady beat of the sleeping heart. He felt his eyes drift shut as it lulled him back into sleep. He could not figure out why he was so tired, but he felt relaxed and Blair was safe, so everything seemed right in his world.

He was asleep by the time Simon returned with the nurse, after checking her patient out she smiled and said warmly, "He’s going to be just fine, and sleep is the best thing for him at the moment." Seeing the grateful look this earned her, her smiled widened, she was a very pretty woman and Simon found himself returning the look, as she continued, her hand resting gently on his arm. "Look you’ve been here pretty much the last three days.. why don’t you go home, get some rest, freshen up... we’ll keep an eye on them," seeing the uncertainly flash across the handsome man’s face, she squeezed the arm adding firmly, "I promise... they are both doing fine and will no doubt be awake when you get back this evening.

Simon finally conceded to the wisdom of her words and finally headed towards the elevator. The nurse had remained behind, just to check on the other patient she had said. As he walked he realised that he really needed to get her telephone number that evening when he came back. He hoped that she would be on duty.

***

Blair came awake slowly. He fought his way up from unconsciousness, it was a sensation that he was not use to, and he felt strange and disoriented. He realised as he opened his eyes and blinked wearily about that he didn’t like the feeling at all. The not knowing where he was, causing him sudden fear.

He groaned and tried to move, but found that to move hurt, and in his leg especially. A hand groped up to feel his head, and the bandage that was filtered there, he found it hard to keep his mind in one place as it kept insisting on fluttering from one memory to another. He had a flash of another room, very similar to this but with a lot more wires and equipment attached to him, of hearing a desperate voice and knowing that he had to answer the tone, he’d opened his eyes to see nurses trying to reach him, just as Jim slipped out of sight beside the bed. He was in a hospital. The knowledge of that hit him like a wave of cold water, and he swallowed hard at that realisation. Then lifting his head slightly he looked down the bed and noted that his leg was raised. He had been shot... a bullet had struck him.

The memory of the last week returned in a rush that caused him to swallow hard again, but this time it was to force the feeling of nausea away. To be sick now, in his present inability to move, would not be a good idea. He slumped back onto the bed and closed his eyes, fighting the wave of dizziness that his actions had caused.

Slowly the room settled and he was able to open his eyes again, this time he turned his head to his side and spied another bed, and to his amazement he realised that the other patient was Jim Ellison. His first urge was to try and go to him, but the memory of his dizziness and sickness was too recent for him to attempt such an action. Instead he just allowed his eyes to take in the other sleeping man. He could tell from the constant raise and fall of the bedcovers that Jim was deeply asleep. Another memory flashed upon him. Jim had an head injury... he could recall someone telling him that when he had awoken before, and demanded to know what was wrong with his friend.

He paused, friend. The words didn’t seem right. Yes, James Ellison was a friend, and yet he had become so much more in the few days since they had met. He recalled the brief time they had spent together, the waking to find the other man tending him, after he had first been attacked, the way Jim had stood beside him against Simon Banks, the support and caring that he had shown. Blair felt protected when in Jim’s presence and it was a feeling he had not really felt before, not since he was a child held protectively in his mothers arms, after a nightmare.

He left his mind drift on that note. He remembered the events that had occurred in the men’s toilets at the university. The way that Jim’s lips had possessed him, the feeling of the other man’s hands as they had run possessively over his sexual fevered body. The need he had felt, as he allowed the other man to pleasure him. It had like tasting candy for the first time, and Blair knew that he was now addicted to one James Ellison.

He took a breath and tested his ribs, they hurt but not as much as before. He was not sure how he should react. How he should behave when Jim awoke. How Jim would behave, after all the man was a hooker, a self professed whore, who seemed to enjoy his job. Blair closed his eyes as pain washed over him. Did Jim see him as another client, just a someone not a person, had he only pleasured Blair as a means to an end... to get Baker and Rosco, that thought hurt, and Blair pushed it ruthlessly away, Ellison had never given that impression, in fact the man had been solicitous in his treatment of him. Yet, if Blair wanted to relationship, could he accepted it, Yes, he honestly believed that he could, and would he be able to share Jim, if the man was depended upon his trade to survive. NO. That one word forced itself into his mind, and he could not allocated it a safe place in his mind. No. Jim had come to mean a lot to him, Blair would even use the word love, if he was honest. He loved James Ellison, and he wanted whatever the man was prepared to offer, but he could not, would not share him.

He let out a heart felt groan as the thoughts raced about his injured head. Was he getting too ahead of himself, was he reading more into it then there actually was. Was he just fooling himself to think that someone as handsome as Jim would even give him the time of day after this matter was sorted.

He closed his eyes again as the room tilted as another thought struck him, ‘What about Jim’s Sentinel abilities’, the man was a Sentinel, of that Blair was sure, and he also knew that he could help him, but if Jim didn’t want a relationship, would he be able to act professional enough to still help the man. He knew in his heart that he could never to anything to hurt Jim, but he was also wise enough to realise that seeing, hearing and touching Jim without being able to possess him would be the hardest thing he’d ever be able to do. He swallowed and let out another groan, this one was edged with frustration, even injured and hurting, just thinking about the man was causing him to become aroused.

Just then the door opened and a nurse walked in, hearing the tail end of the groan she walked hurriedly over to Blair’s bed and smiled down at him, "Hurts?" she asked in concern. Blair was pleased that the blankets were raised as he struggled to get himself under control, her tone pleasant as she began to take his temperature and blood pressure, as she worked she talked, "The doctor did prescribe some pain killers if you want to take them... but you’ll be fit as a fiddle in a few days."

"Jim?" He asked, his voice harsh and rusty with non-use.

The nurse paused for a moment sparing a glance towards the other bed, "Mr Ellison is just fine, So Don’t you worry. He’s sleeping a lot, but the doctor isn’t too concerned and his waking up every so often, so we can check him, and do you know that his first question is always about you too." She added, with a gently brush of his brow.

Blair settled back at her words and allowed her to continue her routine of checks, as promised she left the room a short time later, to return a few minutes later with the prescribed medication, and while normally he would have refused the drug, now he just wanted to escape from the thoughts that would not let him rest. So he accepted the drug gratefully and allowed him to pull him down into a deep, healing sleep.

His last thought were that as soon as he was able, he was going to tell Jim just how much he loved him, and if that caused the other man any problems than they would have to deal with them, but it was a fact of life as far as one Blair Sandburg were concern, and Blair was going to chase Jim to the ends of the earth if he had to, to make him see that they were meant to be together, if nothing else the Sentinel/Guide aspect would ensure that. With the pleasant thoughts of just what he wanted to do to Jim’s body in mind he drifted off to sleep. Somehow he knew that it was going to work out just right.

***

The next time Jim awoke he felt a lot better, it was almost like waking from a deep restful sleep, and the first thing that reached his sleeping mind was the gently beat of the heart that had come to mean so much to him.

He slowly, carefully turned over in the bed so that he was facing the sound, then slowly he opened his eyes. A smile crossed his handsome features when he saw that Blair was also awake and looking at him. He felt the heart beat speed up.

"Hi." Blair said, but his eyes saying so much more.

Jim licked at his suddenly dry lips and repeated back, "Hi yourself..." then added, "how are you feeling." He noted that Blair was sitting up and looking quite fit, despite the leg wound, and the larger bandage about his head had been removed and replace with a much smaller one.

"Me?" Blair asked, "I’m fine, the legs a bit sore, but the head’s a lot better and besides... I’m not the one who’s been sleeping for like... forever." The other man groused, but the gently up curve of his lips belied his words. "How do you feel?" He asked a frown crossing his features, as he remembered awaking days before to see Jim sprawled across the floor by his bed. He would have to ask Jim about that image later.

"Fine.. rested." Jim answered then noting the increased heart rate and wondering at it. "What’s up?" he asked.

Blair pushed his fear aside and smiled bright as he answered, "nothing... everything’s alright now." Then he added, "Simon was back last night, but you were still out of it, so it said he’d be back this afternoon."

"What time is it?" Jim asked, suddenly concerned about the amount of time he’d been asleep.

"It’s just past seven, they will be in here with breakfast in a minute." Blair shuddered as he spoke. "Now that is something worth sleeping through."

"Jim." Sandburg suddenly began.

"Blair." Both man spoke at once and then stopped embarrassed, each realising what the other man wanted to talk about. Jim smiled and said, "Later... once we are out of here Blair..." he didn’t add that he wanted to be able to hold the other man when they had that particular discussion.

Blair as if realising why Jim wanted to hold off the talk smiled warmly and agreed, "later."

Suddenly the door flew open and a nurse walked in, seeing Jim awake she smiled broadly and hurried over to take his vitals. "Breakfast should be here in a minute." She offered as she finished writing Jim’s results and bustled over to do Blair. "And the doctor wants to have a word with you Mr Ellison."

Sandburg submitted to her ministrations meekly before looking over to Jim and saying with a cheeky grin, "now your for it, she’s been muttering under her breath for days."

Jim just pulled a face before he settled back on his bed, he knew that everything was going to be alright, suddenly a smell assailed his nose and his eyes widened, Blair seeing the look of distaste that crossed Jim’s face smiled again and offered, "Ar.. breakfast has arrived," as if on cue the door again flew open and it was wheeled in.

***

Four days later the trip back to Ellison’s apartment was made courtesy of Simon, who had insisted on picking them both up. Blair had agreed to stay with Jim at the loft for a few days, mainly because the doctor had refused to release him, unless he had someone with him for the next week, and Jim had been eager to offer his services, as his head was now healed and he felt perfectly fine. Although he also had instruction to rest, he desperately want to spend time with Blair, away from the eagle eyes of the nursing staff who seemed to take great delight in bursting into their room at the most inconvenient times.

"Here, let me." Jim said, jumping out of the car, and helping Blair out.

As the other man struggled to get his crouches under him "Man this stinks." Blair groused trying to pull himself out of the car and get his balance. Jim was there to assist him, and soon had him standing upright. "This is like soooo not funny man." Sandburg was still moaning as they made their way out of the lift and headed towards the loft apartment.

"Chief." Jim began using the nickname that fell easily to his lips. "It’s just for the week, to give the leg time to heal."

Blair suddenly realising that Jim though that he was upset at the prospect of having to stay at the loft relented and offered, "Staying here is not a problem Jim, balancing on these are!!" he motioned towards the awkward crutches.

Jim opened the door and stood aside to let both Blair and Simon enter. As he followed them in Simon turned saying, "Well, I’ll guess I’d better be getting back, call me if you need any groceries and I’ll drop them by this evening as I pass."

Jim nodded, then holding out his hand he shook Simon’s warmly replying, "Thanks for all your help."

"No sweat... you helped us bust the biggest pornography ring in Cascade, it’s the least I can do." He smiled and then departed.

The silence grew between them, now that they were finally alone, until Blair turned and slowly hobbled his way over to the couch were he carefully lowered himself down and laid the crouches aside with a sigh of relief. "How you feeling babe?" Jim asked following him across the room with concern.

"Tired." Blair answered honestly but with a warm smile. "I guess the trip home took more out of me then I like to admit... sorry for being crotchety."

"Hay...no sweat." Jim offered with a smile of his own, "your allowed to be crotchety twice a day with that leg."

"Twice." Blair repeated then added his eyes twinkling, "then I guess I’ll save the next one until after dinner."

"Smart move Sandburg." Jim agreed as he moved towards his answer machine which was blinking madly at him. He pushed the play button and then wished he hadn’t as a stream of calls began to replay. While one or two of them were just normal telesale calls, the majority were from clients concerned by his absence. As the third one finished, with a husky demand that he call them as soon as possible to arrange a meeting, he hit the stop button and then rested his finger on the erase button until all the calls were clear.

Blair watched him do this with quite concern, biting his bottom lip. He was surprised at the feeling of jealousy that swept over him, after all he had no right to place demands upon the other man, all they had shared was a brief experience in the mans toilets at the university just before he got shot, and a few stolen kisses in the hospital. He swallowed hard and offered, "you might have had an important call there."

Jim stood looking at the offending machine that had harshly reminded him of the reality of his life, and angry shook his head saying, "there was absolutely nothing on there that I wanted to hear."

Blair swallowed hard before he commented, his casual ease a lie, "one of them sounded pretty concerned."

"Blair." Jim began, turning towards the other man, who quickly looked away unable to met his eyes, but Jim saw the flash of pain, and he let out a growl of frustration before he moved swiftly over to the other man, sitting down next to him he insisted, "They mean nothing to me... nothing," he paused then taking up Blair’s hand he continued, "They are from a pervious life."

"Previous life?" Blair repeated his tone uncertain, but his eyes suddenly full of hope.

Jim looked slightly embarrassed, had he assumed too much he suddenly thought, but then looking into Blair’s bright eyes he knew that he hadn’t as he continued, "I’ve been thinking about changing my er... lifestyle for a while now. Simon’s been pushing at me to try and get a private detective licence, he said he’d support my application and well, I’ve been thinking about what you said.. about the good I could do.. and it just seemed to make sense..." He smiled at his own choice of words and added, "If you’ll excuse the pun."

"Are you sure?" Blair asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he asked, he knew that they still have a lot to work out, that it was not going to be an easy pathway to walk, yet he wanted it. Desperately wanted what he hoped Jim was offering.

Ellison for his part still held Sandburg’s hand in both of his and asked, "If your prepared to help me with my sense, you know get them under control, and if..." he paused, unsure of the words he wanted to use, but somehow they just came, "Blair... I’ve got be honest with you... what I want goes a lot deeper then just having you here to help my senses... ever since.. ever since we met I’ve felt drawn to you... I can’t explain it.. and I know that your not attracted to men, what with Baker and all.. and this is all so sudden… I mean I’m taking advantage of you.. but I… G-d I need you Blair… would you… please.. stay?" he was stumbling and he knew it, but Blair took pity on him and gently resting a finger over his lips, halting his words as Sandburg looked deep into his eyes, then removing the finger he lent forward and rested his lips firmly against those of his lover.

It was a slow passionate kiss, that built with it’s intensity, until both them were clutching to the other, as if to let go would mean total lost, and neither man was prepared for the pain that would cost. Finally, when lack of air drew them apart, Blair swallowed weakly and asked his tone breathless, eyes bright. "Does that answer your question."

Jim licked at his abused lips and gasped, "what the hell was the question again."

Blair smiled deeply into the other man’s eyes and offered warmly, "I’m not totally sure myself but be assured James Ellison that the answer is yes... yes... YES."

Ellison don’t bother to acknowledge the reply, he just swooped in and captured the lips again, moving his body to cover that of his lover, being very careful of Blair’s injured leg, he laid his body passively over that of the smaller man, crushing him down into the couch. If Blair minded, he didn’t show it as he managed to wrap both arms, and his good leg about the bigger man, pulling him closer. Needing the contact as much as Ellison did.

"Are you sure comfortable?" Jim asked for the third times since they had began, lifting his head as they finished their lovemaking. Blair shirt was now undone and Jim’s had been lifted up so that Blair could gain access to one taut nipple. Both trousers were open, and pulled slightly down. Each man was gasping for breath, and had a slightly glazed expression covering their features.

Blair just smiled dazedly and offered, "Why wouldn’t I be comfortable Jim... I’m home."

Whatever else might have been said was lost as the two men settled against each other again, this time seeking and finding sleep, their forms fitting so perfectly that it was as if they had been created for each other.

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