Jim knew someone was in their camp even before his sentinel abilities kicked in....The tingling on his arms, the hair on the back of his neck.....But the feeling was far from uncomfortable or threatening. Chopec. His adopted people. He focused his hearing and discerned that two people stood in the makeshift camp, and as he broke through the brush, this was confirmed. One man. One woman. And neither of them familiar to the Sentinel. He walked over and carefully set Blair down on the sleeping bags and wasn't surprised when both Chopec knelt down on the other side. The woman reached out her hand and touched Blair's stomach. She made a slight noise, almost a clicking sound, but softer, and she frowned as she unhitched a leather pouch from her belt. She directed her words to Jim, but her eyes never left Blair. "Heat some water, please?" Jim didn't hesitate. He pulled out the tin, grabbed a water bottle and as he poured, the other Chopec got the fire going. Minutes later she was mixing a fine powder into the water and handing it over to Jim. He lifted Blair's head and brought the container to the man's lips. The liquid went in and Blair swallowed. When the cup was empty, Jim lovingly set Blair back down and covered him. He now took the time to really *look* at his guests. The man was tall for a Chopec, his hair braided, his face unpainted. He was, perhaps, mid-twenties. The woman, hair worn uncharacteristically short, and in the clothes of a warrior, not a woman of the tribe - was a Sentinel. "I am Elena, this is Yurajmayo", she stated, simply. "You are a Sentinel." She nodded and said, "As are you, Enqueri." "How do you know....". "Apurimac foretold your coming." Her hand rested gently, almost reverently on Blair's shoulder as she asked, "And this is your guide and Shaman?" He nodded, shocked that their coming had been seen. Which was ridiculous. This was the Chopec. "Apurimac saw the Shaman's injury. We must get him to our village. Antiana can help him, but there is urgency. Even now, he wavers and if left to his own devices, he will move from our world." In a part of Jim Ellison, a fragment he seldom acknowledged, he'd known that Blair was making just such a choice. All those months ago, dying had not been his choice, but Blair had been given an alternate path, a trail he didn't even know existed and he'd chosen to return. Even now, Jim could see him, the eagerness, the way he bounded back, tail flicking, and without a single doubt, he'd lept directly toward Jim Ellison. Jim closed his eyes, reached back and called forth the memory of that moment, on the grass, beside the fountain, a dead Sandburg by his side. And in spite of the pain the memory carried, he opened himself up to receive all of it.......And Jim received the shock of his life, because the first emotion that touched him, was ~ joy. Undiluted, childlike, innocent, supreme joy. And it flowed from Blair like Niagra Falls and seemed to explode forth the moment he'd recognized that it was Jim coming for him. He'd simply turned tail and literally *raced* back to him. The next emotion Jim experienced was ~ love. All encompassing, unrestrained, unconditional love. Almost childlike in it's simplicity. And again, it rushed over Jim, molding itself to him, filling every empty cavity, and it came from Blair. It both soothed and electrified the Sentinel. Even as *it* had been happening, Jim had held back, uncertain, needing only to see Blair breathe. But now......now he took it all, experienced it all, reveled in it, swam in it, and as their bodies joined, fused, the final emotion, *his* emotion, washed over him - - - arousal. And Jim Ellison experienced the greatest truth.......the arousal was mutual. A hand, delicately brushing tears from his face brought the Sentinel back to the present. "We must move now, Enqueri. The medicine will hold him here, with us, but not for long." "Yes." #}} #}} #}} #}}   With Jim and Yurajmayo carrying the litter and Elena scouting ahead, they made excellent time, stopping every so often so that Elena could administer more of the medicine. As the day drew to a close, Elena chose a site and they set up another camp. Blair remained unconscious throughout the journey, and Jim knew this was a good thing, but now, settled in, Blair's head in his lap, he realized that he would give anything to have those eyes looking up at him, to hear that wonderful voice. As Elena and Yurajmayo had been setting up, Jim realized that he was witnessing a Sentinel and Guide in action. And he wondered if that was how he and Blair appeared to others. Yurajmayo seemed to anticipate every need of Elena's, often acting before she signaled him. More than once, during the long day, Jim had noticed the touches. A hand on Elena's back, or arm and he knew what was happening. Yurajmayo was grounding the young Sentinel - just as Blair grounded Jim. But Ellison also perceived a difference. Elena and Yurajmayo were clearly friends - good friends and there was no doubt that deep trust and respect were an integral part of the friendship. There was certainly affection, a closeness....but the touches, the nuances, were completely different from those shared by he and Blair. Yurajmayo touched Elena almost ~ clinically. It was his duty, his job. Elena accepted it as part of who she was, and what she *needed* in order to *be* a Sentinel. But there was no - intimacy. When Blair touched Jim, it was, often, a grounding touch....the same hand on the back, the chest, or arm, and sometimes the touch was simple, automatic, and sometimes, the touch was in excitement, or urgency, and sometimes, the touch was even reverent. But they were always, Jim acknowledged now, they were always - intimate. And as Jim defined these touches, as he understood the differences, he also admitted his own repsonses were nothing like Elena's. Where she simply accepted them, he'd often leaned *into* them, seeking them out, touching in return, needing the heat, the warmth, needing the ~ love. He buried his hand in Sandburg's hair, leaning forward, letting his cheek rest on Blair's head as his other arm came around Blair's chest, holding him close, ignoring the two Chopec, his position both possessive and possessed. And finally, irrevocably, Jim Ellison admitted one final truth ---- The love had been there, for the asking. Blair had given it without the words. Night moved on, Elena and Yurajmayo trading guard duties, and Jim held on. And lived, briefly, in the past. He chartered their lives, from their first meeting, to their last talk. He saw the young Sandburg, eager, energetic, accepting so damn easily, using his brilliant scientific mind, or just as often, his gut, or instinct, to solve every problem that arose. As time passed, Blair had matured, but it hadn't been the maturity that comes with age or wisdom, rather it came from seeing a world he'd never have otherwise experienced. And it came from weeks, months and years of being challenged and constantly questioned, sometimes even dismissed and it came from trying to guide a stubborn son of a bitch named James Ellison. His arm tightened around the body, and he was surprised to hear Elena's voice. "You love him." He nodded. She smiled in acknowledgement and with the simplicity born of truth, she said, "Tell him - he will stay." Something in his expression must have signaled his disbelief that anything could be so easy, because she added, wryly, "Apurimac said you have difficulty listening.....but does your Shaman? I think not. Say the words, Enqueri, he will hear them and he will believe." #}} #}} #}} #}}   Early the next morning, they arrived at the Chopec village. Elena had gone ahead, and now the village waited, and silently welcomed their previous Sentinel back into their midst, but the faces were subdued, as many eyes rested on the injured Shaman. A small woman stepped forward and addressed herself to Jim. "I am Antiana, Enqueri, please bring him into my home." Antiana was perhaps, Blair's age, maybe a bit older, but she was completely unknown to Jim. As he started to move forward, to follow her, several of the men gathered around him and one stepped in to easily take the head of the stretcher. These men had been Jim's allies, his fellow warriors, as they'd protected the Chopec Pass, and three of them had traveled with Incacha to Cascade. The group moved into Antiana's hut and it was Jim who lifted Blair from the stretcher to the bed. Once settled, the others, with brief smiles and barely there touches, left the hut. Jim knelt at the foot of the bed as Antiana and Elena examined Blair. The two women talked quietly as Elena's hands moved to the direction of the healers command. Finally, Antiana nodded and Elena, with a hand dropping in comfort on Jim's shoulder, left. The healer stepped over to a small work table and taking a handful of powders from two piles, she mixed, ground, then added water. When she was done, she had a large pitcher full of her concoction. She poured some into an earthen cup and passed it over to Jim, who once again, lifted Blair's head and allowed the mixture to be swallowed. "Twice a day, Enqueri. He must drink of it twice each day. The injury can be healed, if given the chance." Jim knew more was coming, and in the Chopec way, he waited. Antiana recognized the acceptance in the Sentinel's body and nodded her approval. "He walks in both worlds. The choice is his." She sat in a chair by the table, knowing she could do nothing more. Jim could easily have taken the other chair, but instead, he slipped off his shoes, gently manuevered Blair up and then slid into the bed, fitting Blair snuggly to his side. He began to talk softly. It was time for Blair to listen. Antiana gave the two men a small, satisfied smile. #}} #}} #}} #}} Jim stroked, and Jim talked. He talked more in the next few hours than in the last ten years, at least, that was how it seemed to the man. As he talked, he dropped small kisses on Blair's temple, and breathed in his scent. "I'll move your stuff upstairs, as soon as we get home, and maybe, I can make a small office for you, we can build a computer desk, and I'll put in an exercise bike for you, and a weight set for me....yeah, that could work." "I kinda like your funky beddings, those wild native blankets, and furry pillows, I think you should bring those up.....and I don't have a bookshelf upstairs, but we can build one, put our favorite books up there....we can read together, a rainy Sunday, we'll never leave the bed.....I don't think I'll have any trouble keeping you warm." "Would you be surprised to know how many of our co-workers think we're already a couple? Probably not. You know, I even think Simon believes it. And is maybe a little hurt. What do you think?" "I can't help but think how it's been for you, these last several months. I know you love me, and you've suspected I felt the same. I could give you all sorts of reasons why I never just came out and said, "Blair, I love you", I could say, we work together, we shouldn't be lovers, and I could say, while I have a history with men, you don't. But it would all be hogwash. Yes, smartass, I just said *hogwash*. God only knows why I didn't say anything, why I pushed you so damn hard. And I *do* mean God. *She*, as Naomi would say, is undoubtedly the only one who does know." "But I'm there now, Chief. I'm saying it. I love you. I *need* you. I want you. God, what you do to me, Blair. If you only knew. Talk about control. Have you any idea what it's taken? Having you downstairs? Seeing you come out of the bathroom, always bundled up, or seeing youfirst thing in the morning, sleepy, disgruntled, or so damn chipper I have this overwhelming urge to put you in the coffee grinder?" "Would you like to know how many different ways you can say my name? Or how many different expressions of patience your face can have? Or how many directions your hands can go, at the same time? And are you aware of that little hair habit of yours? Has anyone else been subjected to it? The way you sit on the couch, legs crossed, engrossed in some book and you --- eat your hair. You tuck a piece in your mouth and you chew. You do, really. And I have to get up, excuse myself, before I jump your bones. Is this a good moment to say, how much I really want to jump your bones?" "I should say at this moment, since I'm talking about jumping your bones, I should add that I'm a very big fan of your brain. I've had dreams of getting into that brain, and it's kinda like a wild carnival. All color and light, movement and action, sounds and noise. And yet, in my dreams, my senses feel perfectly at home. It's weird. I should be all over the map, but no, I'm as comfortable as I can be. Does it seem weird that I dream about your brain? Well, don't worry, I have dreams about your body too." "Very *X*-rated dreams, Chief. Very." "Now is probably not the time to expound on those.....on the other hand......" "jim?' The voice interrupted Jim's explanation of his *x* rated dreams and he almost told the voice to be quiet, until he realized it was Blair - awake. #}} #}} #}} #}} They'd moved his cot outside, to allow him to soak a few rays and watch the village as it lived the day, so Blair rested, half in, half out of the sun, eyes lazily moving and observing. It had been over twenty-four hours since he'd awakened, to find himself safe in the Chopec village *and* in Jim's arms. Which left Blair Sandburg as one confused man. Okay, he knew *how* they'd made it to the village, had met Elena and Yurajmayo, knew *how* he'd survived, to some extent, and had of course, met Antiana, the healer from hell....and his curiosity about Yurajmayo was off the charts, but he sure as hell didn't understand anything else.....Like the real reason he was still alive. He'd accepted his death, even come to believe it was right, that the fountain *incident* was wrong, but here he was, and there'd been no vision this time, no leap, no sleek, black, beautiful Jim/Jaguars coming to call him back, nothing....Except a voice. That god damned voice, going on and on, capturing his interest, forcing him to hear for words, words he never quite caught. Oh, he'd managed to snag a few, but they'd made no sense what so ever...... Like, bookshelves? Stationary bikes? Dreambrain? And what the hell had the hair eating shit been about? And not that he would tell a soul, but he was damn certain he'd heard something about *x-rated*, he was sure it had been said. So. Blair shook his head absently.....nothing made a damn lick of sense. He noticed a young man approaching and recognized him as Incacha's son, Octavio. He'd met Octavio earlier this morning, and was surprised to find that he was the *unofficial* leader of the village. "It is good to see you outside, Damaso. You are much improved." And that was another thing....they'd already given him a Chopec name. A name he had no clue as to the meaning. And did the Chopec even have a word for *dork*? "Thank you, Octavio. I feel much stronger and I understand that Jim and Antiana are even considering allowing me to feed myself later today." Octavio laughed heartily at Blair's words as he sat down on the mat that rested next to Blair's cot. "Antiana is a strict mother, is she not? And Enqueri is proving an apt pupil. But you will survive, Damaso, you will survive." "Apparently. And perhaps you can tell me why I am called Damaso? Jim refused and Antiana snorted." A sly grin broke out on the young leader's face, his eyes crinkling in merriment. "The name is, a reference to.....Enqueri. He is not.....the man the village knew. The men have seen a - calmness in him. So, they attribute this to his Shaman. You. So - Damaso or *Tamer*. You have tamed the Sentinel, Damaso." Blair would have loved to give out with a great, bellowing laugh at that....He, Blair Sandburg, taming Jim Ellison? Not very likely. But he knew his stomach would protest, so he just harumphed. They were silent for a few moments, both enjoying watching a few children, who played nearby. Finally, Octavio glanced over at the young Shaman and asked, "You are confused, Damaso?" "Confused would be an understatement." Octavio sent up a small prayer to his father, a prayer that his words would help, would explain. He took a deep breath and...... "It is simple. But sometimes the human heart can take the simplest truth, and...." "Confuse it?" "Yes, Damaso, and perhaps, interpretations? Is that the right word?" Blair nodded, telling Octavio that his choice was correct. Octavio, like Elena and Yurajmayo, had been educated in Lima, and all spoke English quite well. Elena had returned to the village in 1992, Yurajmayo in 1990 and Octavio in 1989. "The heart often wars with the mind, and the simple becomes difficult as we place interpretations on the most basic of truth. A shaman, Damaso, moves in many worlds, and you are no different. Your injury, your feelings of," he paused, searching for the right word, then has he found it, continued, "inadequacies," his eyebrow rose, questioning the word and again, Blair nodded. "Yes, then," he continued, "Your feelings of inadequacies and failure moved you to believe that you no longer belonged in *this* world. That you no longer belonged with Enqueri." "But Enqueri convinced you that you were wrong. He spoke from his heart, lifted the dark veil, and you listened, and you - returned." "So, you minored in Psych, Octavio?" Blair teased. "Why, yes. How did you know?" Octavio teased back. "So the voice I heard ---- it was, Jim. But the words. I couldn't understand the words, Octavio." "No, Damaso, but you listened to what they *meant*, yes?" Blair frowned, trying to recall - if he'd *felt* anything as he'd tried so hard to understand........and he closed his eyes, breathed in, and felt ~ warm, safe....and loved. He *had* understood the meanings of the words, if not hearing the words themselves. Jim loved him. Wanted him. So where was the big lug now? Off in the jungle with Elena. What? Was he afraid of Blair's response? Still? "He's a jerk." It wasn't until Octavio laughed and said, "Yes", that Blair realized he'd spoken aloud. "So he goes traipsing around, leaving me here?" "Well, you could hardly go with him, and he wanted to afford you the opportunity to talk with me and Yurajmayo. So, he and Elena went for a - walk." "A walk? A *walk*? Right." "Has our talk not been beneficial?" "Beneficial....um, let me see if I can put this in perspective, Octavio....Jim left *you* to tell *me* that he loved me. Do the names Miles Standish and John Alden mean anything to you?" "I know of your *pilgrim* heritage, yes. So, you are Priscilla?" "Oh, god.....I have to laugh, and it's going to hurt....." and he tried, and it did hurt, but it was worth it. He was Priscilla? Well, he certainly had the hair for it. Shit. "And Octavio? You need a new definition of simple. Simple and James Ellison *so* do not go together." "Is not truth always simple, Damaso?" "No, truth is often the most difficult thing in life, Octavio. And so is Jim Ellison." "Ah, but are you not Damaso? The tamer?" "God, don't make me laugh again." #} { #} { #} { Jim knew that Blair was being well cared for, and yet, he should be there, by his side. But, for all that he'd experienced, there was still a large part of his brain that functioned in Cascade time, and that part could not bear it if he saw.....or maybe he should say, if he *didn't* see in Blair's eyes, what should be there. So, when Elena had said that strangers were on their way, he'd hurried to accompany her, leaving Octavio and Yurajmayo behind to talk with Blair. Now, as they drew close to the trespassers, both Jim and Elena moved into their Sentinel modes. Their bodies dropped low, all senses alert...until Jim picked up a scent.....familiar.... if he could just place it....... Jim straightened, smiling and moved forward quickly, knowing who was just beyond sight. Elena, puzzled but trusting, followed. Twenty minutes later they came upon the *strangers*. "Simon. Out for a mid-day stroll?" Simon Banks whirled at the sound of Jim Ellison's voice, and at his first glance, he grinned broadly. "So, you're alive and well?" "So it would seem. And you just happened to drop by? Peru?" "Well, you know how it goes.....word comes, a friend heads out. Sandburg?" The two men shook and Simon was pounding Jim on the back as he spoke. "Sandburg is...alive. And getting better." Simon frowned and worriedly asked, "He was injured?" "Yes, in the crash. But he went over two days before saying anything. I almost lost him." Simon didn't miss the *way* Jim had said the words, *I almost lost him*, and secretly, he was glad. Maybe Jim had finally acknowledged his feelings for his partner. Especially since Blair's were so patently obvious. "Simon, this is Elena. Elena, this is Captain Simon Banks, our boss and good friend." Elena stepped forward, hand outstretched, and Simon, somewhat confused, took it and gave a hearty shake. "This is William Santiago, Jim. He arranged my transportation and guided me here." Elena had already moved to Santiago's side, a welcoming smile on her face. "William, it is good to see you." Simon and Jim gazed over the two people's heads and exchanged puzzled looks. "I take it you two know each other, Elena?" Jim asked. Santiago's arm was now around Elena's waist, as the two turned, smiling, to Ellison and Banks. "Yes, we met in Lima, many years ago. He visits....often." Santiago reached out a hand and Ellison shook, seeing a great deal in *how* the two stood, so close, so *intimate*. Yes, apparently Elena and Santiago knew each other quite well. #} { #} { #} { Yurajmayo considered the man on the cot. And he was unsure. He was Elena's guide, yes. But Damaso was Enqueri's guide, and a Shaman. How could Yurajmayo possibly assist him? "He won't bite, Yurajmayo." The Guide turned to find Apurimac standing behind him. "He needs you, trust me." "I do not see how *I* may be of assistance to *him*. He is a Shaman, like you, Apurimac. And the guide to The Sentinel of the Great City." "He is also a scientist, and he distrusts his own abilities. He does not understand. He had no teacher, Yurajmayo. Do you see?" The Guide's eyes widened. "No teacher?" "None. What he has done, has been without guidance. So, how can he know?" No teacher. Yurajmayo was stunned. While it was true that his ability to connect with Elena was born with in him, the manner in which he assisted the Sentinel had to be taught, explained. How in all the heaven's had Damaso succeeded? Yurajmayo moved toward the cot. "Damaso, may I sit?" Blair looked up, shading his eyes, and nodded, "Please, Yurajmayo, join me." And Apurimac smiled in satisfaction.   #} { #} { #} {

"But, how did you *know* that a touch would bring him back?" "I wish I could tell you, Yurajmayo, but I can't. It was months before I realized it *was* touch. It is touch that you use for Elena?" "Of course, Shaman. It is always touch. It is the most immediate connection between two people, is it not?" Blair couldn't disagree with that. "Yes. But why our touch, and no one else's?" "That is a connection that is born within us, Shaman." "And if a Sentinel should lose that *touch*?" Yurajmayo knew exactly what Damaso was asking, and it was a question that had plagued him in the begining. The survival of their village depended on Elena. The Chopec had had only three Sentinels in their history. And had grown and prospered during those times. If he should die, what would happen to Elena? So he had questioned their Shaman, Apurimac, Incacha's successor. He gave the same answer now, that Apurimac had given him. "The Sentinel would either choose to no longer *be* a sentinel, or.....they would eventually, sooner than later, follow their guide. Elena would choose the former. She has feelings for.....someone. I believe they will marry soon. So she would live her life, but no longer a sentinel. But if the sentinel had no one else......Like our first sentinel, Onyqui. His guide was also his wife, Canta, Incacha's grandmother, and when she died, he followed, two days later. This cemented Blair's own thoughts. He'd often wondered if Jim would be all right without him, and had made the decision that he would be fine. But now...... "And you, Yurajmayo? If you lost Elena?" He shrugged. "I have no other connection to her. And Antiana and I, well.....I would go on, but there would be a great emptiness." "And if it had been Incacha's grandmother, who had left Onyqui?" "Canta would have followed her husband." As Blair would follow Jim. Blair's eyes traveled over the village, as he worked through what Yurajmayo had shared. He was Jim's Guide. His only guide. And maybe, he was indeed a Shaman. A few corners had undoubtedly been cut, which might explain Incacha's dying oath, that he was passing on the way of the Shaman. *Showing* Blair the way, the path. Giving him the necessary directions, so to speak. And somehow, it had worked. He'd certainly accomplished one of the necessary feats of a Shaman: He'd died. And come back. He'd been to the other side, not once, but twice now. He should get a new stamp for his passport. Blair smiled, a deep, serene smile, born of comfort, of final self knowledge. He was, who he was. A guide, a shaman. A man. Science was also a part of him, but it rested now, between two worlds. To be used, when the modern world required it, but it was not the alpha and the omega of Blair Sandburg. And he now realized, it had never *been* the major part of him. Thirst for knowledge, for understanding, acceptance of so many worlds and cultures, yes, that had been his driving force. A peace settled over him, the peace that comes from finally finding your niche, settling in, shaking hands with yourself, and liking who you were. "Thank you, Yurajmayo. Thank you very much. You have helped me. Where the road was blocked, you have cleared it." "It is my pleasure, Shaman." Now if a certain neanderthal of a Sentinel would get back....... #}{ #}{ #}{ #}{ "How much farther, Jim?" "About.....thirty feet." Banks was exhausted, the worry for Ellison and Sandburg had weighed heavily and he was beyond hearing the normal sounds of a village. But a moment later, they stepped into a clearing, and Simon was gazing at the Chopec village that had given asylum to Jim Ellison all those years ago. The Chopec gave not a thought to Simon as they greeted Elena, Santiago and *Enqueri*. If Simon was with them, he was obviously okay. As they neared the center of the village, Simon finally spotted Sandburg. He lay on a cot, a young man sitting crosslegged at his side. His head turned, obviously at something the man said, and he spotted them. His eyes widened in disbelief as he noted Simon, then he broke out in a huge grin. "Simon? Things so bad in Cascade, you had to come to Peru and drag Jim back?" The big man moved to Blair's side, his eyes taking in the slight pallor beneath the tan, and the body, thinner than Simon remembered. But the eyes, they brimmed with excitement and health, and ~ joy. And a touch of mischief? "Had to drag *both* my best detectives back. And I see you're making yourself right at home, Sandburg?" "Natch. Pull up a mat and have a seat." Jim watched the banter, enjoying it, noting the emotion in Simon, having taking stock of his heart rate when he first spotted Blair, and now, the happiness at seeing him, alive. Simon was a sucker for Blair, plain and simple. But Jim stayed back, still uncertain, and he watched as Octavio was introduced, as Elena introduced Santiago, and Jim noticed a shared look between Yurajmayo and Blair, a very conspiritorial look, and when Antiana joined them, sitting beside Yurajmayo, Jim got the picture. And he still hung back. "Simon, did you get to parachute in?" "Gosh, no Sandburg. I came in the old fashioned way, by chopper. When your flight never arrived in Lima, and it was concluded that the plane was lost, I decided to start here, in the village, to look for you two, hoping the Chopec could help. Little did I know." Blair gave a quick look at Jim, a look that gave nothing away to the Sentinel, then said, "You know, Jim owes you. Fifty, wasn't it, Jim?" The expression on his face was of pure innocence. Simon checked out Jim, then back to Sandburg."Fifty? Okay, what happened?" "Well, Simon, you're really not going to believe this, and it wasn't Jim's fault, not entirely. But you see, the other passenger? On our little charter flight? Was a drug runner. With his samples. Which Jim could smell, of course. From there, we moved quickly into the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral." "And to top it off? The pilot was his compadre. Jim shot the dealer, the dealer shot the pilot. I didn't shoot anybody, but I bravely brought down the plane. Saving Jim's life in the process." Blair huffed on the tips of his fingers, then rubbed them across his chest. Simon's mouth had dropped open in the story telling and he now turned to Jim for confirmation. "Jim? Is this true?" "More or less." "Hey, Jim, what part is more and what part would be less? Did you shoot the dealer?" "That part would be correct." "Did the dealer shoot the pilot?" "Um, yes." "Did I shoot anybody?" "That would be a no. You forgot your gun." "Did not. It was packed. Did I land the plane without injury to you?" "No, Blair, you *crashed* the plane without injury to me." Blair gave a little dismissive wave of his hand and said, "Semantics, Jim. Semantics." The Chopec were enjoying this little by-play, and Simon suddenly felt right at home. But he could feel an undercurrent.....and was at loss to explain it. "And you didn't manage to *crash* the plane without injury to yourself." This last was spoken very gently, very quietly. And Antiana stood, bringing Yurajmayo up with her, addressed everyone. "I believe, speaking of injuries, that we should get Damaso back into the hut, he is tired and I'm sure he and Enqueri would like some time with their friend. Yes?" Everyone nodded, and in minutes, Blair was back inside, food was brought in and the three men were left alone, but not before Yurajmayo invited Simon to have his hut for the remainder of his stay, assuring the man that he would stay with Octavio. **************************************************** The atmosphere in the comfortable hut changed as the three men were left alone. Simon gazed first at Jim, who was standing by the door, studiously avoiding making any kind of contact with Sandburg, then to Sandburg, who lay, propped up, arms crossed over his chest, that Sandburg *I'm gonna get you when you least expect it* grin plastered on his face as he *pointedly* regarded Jim. Simon kept going back and forth, forth and back until his neck started to hurt and he decided food was just the ticket. He walked nonchalantly to the table, placed some fruit and meat on a plate and started to give it to Sandburg. "He can't have solids yet. The liquid in the bowl is his," Jim said quietly. Simon glanced down at the plate, over to Jim, who was now fascinated by his shoes and then to Blair, who grinned and stuck his thumb in his mouth. Oh, yeah, this was going to be fun. "Yes. Well, then. Here you go, Jim. Eat hearty," and he handed the plate back to Ellison, who just shook his head. "Jim. Eat." The voice from the cot was low and gentle. Jim took the plate. Banks gave a little shake of his head. Had Sandburg *always* had this control over Ellison? Simon took the bowl, but before he could give it to Sandburg, Jim took it. "I'll take care of that, Simon. Eat." Jim, hands full, walked over to the bed, sat down in the chair and gave the bowl to Sandburg. Simon grabbed the other chair and pulled it to the other side, went back and filled a plate, then joined his friends. "So, mom. I get to feed myself?" "Don't push it, runt." Blair's eyebrows rose alarmingly at the newest nickname, but he said nothing more as he sipped the thin, but delicious broth. For several minutes, the only sound was of food being chewed, liquid being *slurped*. Blair looked quite content, but a little tired and Simon was quick to note that the younger man finished only half of his broth. Jim ate slowly, still refusing to make any real contact with Sandburg, other than occasionally following the soup laden spoon up to Blair's mouth. Simon could get into such messes when he was around these two. Jeesh. Finally Blair set his bowl on the table at his side, rested his head back and said, "Hey, Simon, do you know the story of John Alden, Miles Standish and the famous Priscilla?" Confused, but willing to play along if it would ease tensions, Simon nodded, and answered, "I'm acquainted with it, yes." "Well, meet Miles Standish", and Blair indicated Jim, who immediately said, "Sand - burg.....", in his best warning tone. "You know, guys, this rescue business is exhausting. I think I'll just turn in, " and Simon stood, gave one last look at both men, dropped his plate on the table and beat a hasty retreat because Ellison had *looked* at Sandburg and the expression said, *Ve Vant to be alone*. Who was he to argue? And how badly *could* Sandburg, injured as he was, beat up Ellison? #}{ #}{ #}{ #}{   After Simon's departure, the two men stared each other down. Blair broke first. "Could you explain the *braindream*?" Taken aback that those would be Blair's first words when they were alone, he managed to squeak out, "Wha'?" "You. Talking to me. I caught a few words, but they made no sense. Like *dreambrain*, or *braindream*....." Shit. He really needed to watch those deathbed confessions. "I....was discussing....your brain. How much I......you know....love it. Andidreamaboutit." "Uh, you dream about my brain? You *dream* about *my* brain?" "Well ---- yes." "And?" "Just ~ yes." "Uh, huh. And the stationary bike? I'm having difficulty connecting dreaming about my brain and a stationary bike." "Oh, that's easy," and he visibly relaxed, much to Blair's delight. "I was just saying how, when we got home, I'd get you a stationary bike, and me a weight set and put them in your room. That's all." Blair frowned, puzzled, "Jim, there's barely room for me in my room. How do you figure the exercise equipment?" "Oh. Well. I was, you know....it was just an idea," he finished lamely. "Okay, how about the bookshelves? I already have some." Uh, oh. "I just thought, it would be nice, if we, um, if *I* built a set....upstairs." "mmm." Blair shifted a bit, feeling only a twinge of discomfort as he tried to mentally put the clues together....Jim's mind could be a booby-trapped maze. It took him longer than it should have, but he chalked it up to almost dying. "OOh, *I* get it. *WE* turn my room into a kind of exercise room, I move upstairs and *WE* build some bookshelves. For *our* books. Right?" Jim smiled softly and said, "Yeah, that's it, Chief." "We'd definitely need bookshelves, for reading on rainy Sundays....," Blair mused. "And you will tell me the next time you dream about my *brain*, won't you?" "Absolutely." "So, it was my brain you found *x-rated*?" "Not exactly, Chief. Try my *thoughts*." "X-rated thoughts about us, I hope." "Absolutely, *Priscilla*." "Stick with runt, it's safer for you." Jim stood and took the bowl and his plate back to the main table, and returned with a cup, which he held out to Blair. "Medicine. Take it like a man, Priscilla." "Yes, Miles. And did you know, Priscilla didn't end up with Miles? Just thought you should know that." "So, you're planning on eloping with Octavio?" "Yep. We leave in the morning. Imagine." "On that note, I'll take *my* leave so you can get some sleep. Octavio is an early riser." "And you're sleeping exactly where?" "I'll bunk in with Simon." "Okay." And Blair waited. Jim walked to the door, and just as he was about to leave, Blair coughed. Jim turned around, Blair just smiled. "You really gonna let me go? Consign me to a night with Simon?" "What? You wanna sleep here? You want me to move or something?" "Fuck you, Sandburg." "Not tonight, Miles, I have a headache." Jim's eyes narrowed, and he strode over, plopped himself down on the edge of the bed, told Blair to, "Shove it over, runt", pulled off his shoes and shirt, picked Sandburg up, slid in under him, settled Blair back in the crook of his arm and pulled up the blanket. And Blair found himself suddenly tense, suddenly - uncertain. He kept his body rigid, fixating on Jim's comfort. "You smell good," Jim whispered, his lips close to Blair's ear. "Antiana - kinda gave me a bath, I changed. You know." His answer was remarkably calm considering how warm he'd suddenly become. "mmm....". And Jim nuzzled in the hair just behind Blair's left ear. Blair's eyes drifted shut, and he unconsciously turned into Jim. "you smell good too." "Manly sweat." Blair chuckled and turned his head slightly, breathing deeply, taking in Jim's scent. He shifted a bit, almost onto his side, and brought his arm across Jim's chest. It felt - strange, the way he just fit into Jim's side. But good too. Like when you're doing a puzzle, and trying piece after piece, fitting, conforming, pushing, trying to *make* the wrong piece fit, then the wonderful feeling you got when you picked up the right piece and it just - - - fit. But of course, the piece had been *designed* to fit. Like Blair Sandburg and Jim Ellison - a perfect fit. He sighed, felt Jim's arm come across his shoulder and felt it tighten as Jim dropped his cheek down on the top of Blair's head. And Blair lay there, in Jim's arms, his eyes drifting closed, and he considered his thoughts of just two days ago, and he experienced a sudden chill......As a question was asked in his mind.... How could Jim love him? Blair might now know who he was.....but that didn't excuse who'd he'd been. Or how he'd treated Jim. So, how could the man love him? "Jim?" "Um?" "Do you ever wonder how could put up with me, all this time?" Little catches in Blair's voice and small tremors in the words gave away the real emotion behind the question and Jim knew he must choose his answer carefully. "I've wondered about several of things, Chief, but that was never one of them. I've often wondered how one 5'7 man could use so many towels taking one shower, and I've really puzzled about the man who needs an alarm clock to remind him to go *to* bed, and how when he still forgets, he manages to follow the big jerk he lives with, all over Hell's half acre. I've wondered all *those* things, a whole lot." "I've also wondered about the man who placed illegal bets to get himself through school, but who balked at a detective *breaking and entering*.....and I've wondered why that man stuck around. But I've never wondered why I *put* up with him. Does that answer your question?"

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