This story, again, was inspired by a song. This time, by the words of someone who, I believe, will live forever. The one genious man who I feel will go on to become the poet of the hearts of the twentieth century. A sweet man, Master Bob Dylan. The song is my favorite and the words mean the world to me. I see them as a prayer. I share my feelings with all of you in this piece of fiction. I hope you like it.

This story is humbly dedicated to Shiloh, a great writer and a sweet human being. And to my good... good friend Sarah. You are so right mi amiga, "There's no ship like friendship", Thank you kindly.

If you see bad English... it's because I'm still learning. I beg thy forgiveness.  Beta'd by Malú, the guilty one. Thank you SO much, ..."again-otra-vez",... casi, amá. Whithout you I'd be lost in the oblivion of my own ignorance. The force is strong in you...
Spoilers: Some, for "Private eyes".  Time. Before TSBBS. Rated: PG for language and other stuff.
Warning: If you have a tendency to get too emotional, scared, nervous, or have a weak heart: Go take a pill before you start reading! I have promised some plot on this one. <S>

Forever Young

A prayer for the ones who dance with death.
 
By Killash

 
 May God bless and keep you always,
 

 
 

"I don't want you to go following him around anymore. Honey, it's too dangerous!" Naomi Sandburg's voice sounded anguished through the telephone line.

Jim Ellison didn't like listening in on his partner's conversations, but Blair and his mother had been arguing for a long time now. He wouldn't have decided to do it, but he caught a glimpse of his friend's face and saw something he'd seldom seen before. Dread. Blair was afraid and,  naturally, the Sentinel started to worry.

"Mom, please. Stop it already! There's nothing really solid here! Besides, we have been through this before, I'm not a child and it's my work." The kid replied.

Naomi's words were filled with something close to desperation. "It's not your work, Blair! It's a stupid study, something you can quit whenever you want to. And right now, I tell you, you have to!"

Blair sighed. It had been a while since Naomi and her son had spent so much time arguing about the same thing. She worried too much, the kid couldn't blame her. In fact, he appreciated it. In all his life, he'd never complained about having an overprotecting mother,  it actually made him feel good, important. Cared for.  After all, Naomi wasn't around 90% of the time so the young man treasured the other 10%  deep within his heart.

He loved his mother more than life itself and he cherished every motherly gesture she had with her son. She was his family, his roots, his history... his maker. He didn't like to see her worried, but Blair had his own life, and it was an adventurous one. Blair Sandburg was a Shaman, Guide to the Sentinel of the great city of Cascade. Plus, he was also a police observer. It was a wonderful experience, he was having the time of his life and he knew that, as long as he was partnered with Jim Ellison, he was safe.

Kind of.

Naomi knew that too. That's why, when she called, she never pressed the issue too much. Except today.
 

Today she'd called for that one and only reason. Today was not the same. Today was dangerous.
 

The thing was this: Naomi had a friend who could see the future, and last night, he had seen the young guide enveloped in pain,  trapped, hurt. Dying. And then dead. 
Naomi couldn't stop begging. Her heart was aching with fear but she didn't know what to do either. Everything was so confusing.

Still, there was no doubt in the authenticity of the psychic's words. Charlie Springer had proven himself already, both to Blair and to his faithless, down-to-earth, ultimately skeptic partner Jim Ellison. Jim had seen it! He'd been there! He'd finally believed!

The Sentinel had seen this man in action and the visions had been right.

That was all the proof ever needed.

Springer had helped them solve a kidnapping a year before and had turned out to be the real thing. After that case, Jim and Blair had spent hours discussing the 'pros and cons' of every day's plausibility of sci-fi situations in life and had finally come to the conclusion that everything was relative. Of course, Einstein had said the same thing nearly a century before, it was not a news-flash, so finally, after about six or seven beers, they decided to let it go. They had never talked about psychics or prophecies or misinterpretations of relativity again. But today, as I told you before, was different.

Why? Well, the psychic was seeing things about THEM now. It was getting personal. One vision was of Blair dying, but that was not all. Charlie had also had a vision about Jim. He'd seen the Sentinel flying. FLYING. No wings, no airplane. Jim Ellison had been truly levitating hundreds of feet above the ground and he had kept on flying while Blair frantically tried to reach him.

He'd gone to meet an angel.

Springer had said that Jim had flown for a long time, with the angel, and Blair had been left behind, shivering and scared. He also said he hadn't seen Jim return, so he probably didn't. That's when everything had begun. The psychic also had said that Blair hadn't stopped shivering until the moment he died.

A shadow clouded Blair's heart as he half heard what his mother was saying. He knew that if he gave in to those fears, darkness would win and his mom would always live scared to death.  He couldn't just throw the towel on this one, he had to stand up against destiny and prove it wrong! He had to. For his and Naomi's sake.

Jim sat up straight on the living room couch and closed the book he had been reading. His face had acquired the Blessed Protector look. Blair sighed, Jim was listening in. The sentinel had crashed the party. Now his partner and his mother would gang up on him and the young anthropologist would have to give in. He didn't want that, not now. Not today. Not this one.

"Listen mom, I know you have a point. Don't worry, I promise to think about it but I have to go now. We'll talk later, okay?"

"Think about it? Blair, you have to listen to me..." The woman insisted.

"Mom!" Blair interrupted, his voice serious. "I have been listening to you. I promise I'll be careful. Please, stop worrying."

"Honey!"

"Mom!" He exclaimed. "I love you. I won't die on you. I promise!"

Jim's heart skipped a beat at the statement. Naomi, of course, was in shock. In ten words, the kid ended the discussion for good.

Blair hung up the telephone in silence, lay back on his seat and stared at the ceiling, deep in thought. He knew Jim hadn't heard the first part of the conversation so he didn't know everything about the psychic's ... visions, so an explanation was needed. The kid sighed again, he hadn't a clue on how to approach the subject with his friend or how the ex-solider would react. He only knew he'd actually felt his own heart break at the sound of his mother's pleading and he hadn't liked it one bit.

On the other side of the room, Jim waited patiently for Blair to start talking. On the other side of the country, a woman waited anxiously for her son to reach his next birthday. Nothing really unusual, it was just like every other day, only this time it was different.

Jim stood up and went to sit beside his friend. He put his hand on the kid's shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. Blair knew he could count on Jim for everything, but the supernatural wasn't an easy subject... well, except when you're a fictitious FBI agent with a knockout redhead for a partner.

Blair sighed. What could he do? Nothing. Nothing but hope his partner would open his mind a little bit this time and just listen without judging. That was all the young man needed, a friendly ear. He finally gathered his wits and began explaining.

Miles away, Naomi was scared for her son. Blair couldn't blame her, he was scared too.
 

 
"So, Jim" Blair asked as they both walked silently down the street. "You haven't lectured me or made fun of me, man, and I'm getting worried here." 

Simon had called fifteen minutes before to send them to another crime scene. The pair had gotten there fast enough but there had also been a gas leak at the scene and, though it had been contained, the place was closed to cars for precaution. They had parked Jim's truck down the street and started walking.

"What do you want me to say, Blair?" Jim replied, slightly annoyed.

Blair sighed. *What indeed?* The kid thought. "Nothing." he said. " Actually, nothing." It was the truth. The kid bowed his head and continued walking. A light drizzle filled the cold afternoon air.

Jim frowned and clenched his jaw, he hadn't meant it that way. "Chief," he started, unsure, "I'm not good at this, you are the expert, remember? You are the one who's always telling me to listen to all the mystic babble and the metaphysical displays of knowledge in every corner of Cascade. I don't ... can't have an opinion here... not with this, buddy, I'm not prepared."

*Huh!* Blair thought, his heart sinking. *YOU are not prepared? Who said I was?*

"I understand" the kid said without looking up. He was, in fact, thankful that his friend hadn't laughed in his face when he'd told him everything. Strange behavior for the sentinel he thought he knew like the back of his hand.

"I'm not sure about anything either..." Blair continued, "It's kind of... hazy this time. Maybe it's the weather, I don't know, but if it had happened last week I'm sure I would have just laughed." Blair was lying. He knew he wouldn't have laughed the previous week either. Deep down, he believed, and it bothered him to know so.

"Me too." Jim said, half chuckling.

They kept walking in silence, approaching their destination.

"I'm just..." Jim started saying, his voice trailed off, unsure.

"What, Jim?" Blair was afraid to look at his friend. *Here it comes, I knew it!* he thought.

"I dread the possibility that Springer could be right. "

"Yikes!" The kid said softly, almost sadly and not really surprised. He hadn't stopped looking at the ground. "Where did THAT come from?"

"You tell me!" The sentinel sighed. "I know you think these things are possible... I know YOU have seen more strange stuff than I have.

"Jim!" This time Blair stopped and looked up.

"The Panther doesn't count." Jim remarked and continued.

The kid looked at his friend in disbelief. *Yeah, right.* said his mischievous blue eyes.

"Yet," Jim went on, scratching his head. "I hate it! I hate all of it and I'm sure this guy is... always has been a mental case!"

"Excuse me? You SO lost me, man!" Blair was really lost this time. *Can't you make up your mind, Jim?* he thought.

Jim glanced at the confused anthro and instantly guessed what was really going through his mind. *Well I'm not the teacher here! I'm not good at explaining like you!* Jim thought. He spoke again, this time choosing his words carefully.

"What I mean is that I hate to think that we are not in control of our lives... and although I SAW Springer in action and YOU, professor, always keep reminding me that YES, there are mysterious things no one understands in this world, I'm just... I am not completely convinced. I don't want to be convinced, Chief. It's not right... for me. And it doesn't matter, really, what I think, you know?" Jim turned and started walking again. "The real question here is this."

Silence.

"What?" Blair asked.

"What do YOU think?"

More silence.

"I don't know." Blair said, finally. "But I'm not sure I want to know."

"I hear you." Jim replied. He fell silent for a while, his senses focused on his guide. *Why do these things have to keep happening?* He thought. *Can't we live a normal life for once?* The answer to that one was right there... and everyone knows it. Jim worried about Blair's peace of mind, the kid had a tendency to feel everything too much and that couldn't be good for either one of them. They were giving this thing too much importance, this tension had to be broken, it was not right.

"So I was flying, huh?" He said, trying to ease the dark mood that had overcome them both.

"Yes." The young man replied. A chill ran down his spine.

"Well, there you go, Nostradamus! Men can't fly." He stated, waving his arms. He glanced at his partner looking for a smile that wasn't there. He tried again,  "Do sentinels fly, professor?" He teased, a bit more cheerfully.

Blair knew what his friend was trying to do. Jim was right, they had to lighten up now. Grim faces never helped anybody. "I don't think the ancient sentinels could, but you... "

"What?"

"Well, you are something else, I mean... If you suddenly grew wings, I wouldn't be a bit surprised, man."

"Yeah, right!"

"I would have to go change my pants, though"

Jim chuckled. He was about to say something else but there was no more time for talking. They had arrived at the scene, time to work.
 

   
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
 

 

Two days later, everything had changed. The Major Crimes Division was as busy as a bee-hive and in one corner Ellison and Sandburg buzzed along with the collective. Blair's fears and concerns for the paranormal had long ago been put aside as Crime, a different kind of terror, plagued the city.

Jim and his partner had been called to Captain Simon Banks' office on the seventh floor of Cascade's Police Department building, in downtown Cascade.  The day had been particularly hectic and Jim hadn't taken the last case lightly. In fact, he was furious.  Blair was concerned for his friend, he'd seldom seen him so mad. Ellison was usually calm and detached when it came to his job, he was trained for it, after all, he was an ex-ranger. So, what was so different about this crime?

"Gentlemen," Simon started the meeting. "We have to do something about this, and fast." He continued. In his hand he held a plastic bag with the word EVIDENCE printed on the side. The bag contained the only lead they had on this dreadful case: a note. An unknown man, group or organization demanded ten million dollars as ransom for the return of the 9 year old son of John Craig Marcus, general director of an enormous international corporation based in Cascade.

The threat was tangible, deadly. The note said that either the money was delivered in the next 24 hours or not only the child would die, but hundreds of people would be sprayed with a chemical weapon that would kill everyone in less that ten minutes.  They didn't say what the substance would do, they only promised that the people would die horrible and painful deaths if the demands weren't answered.  Jim felt anger rising from his deeper core, he'd seen before what chemical weapons could do, it was a nightmare that sometimes kept him up at night.

"Damn them!" He exclaimed, banging his fist on the table in frustration. "Who are these people? Where did they come from?"

"I don't know, Jim." Simon said, equally frustrated.

"What if they're lying?" Asked Blair, carefully pushing a chair closer to Jim.

"Not likely, Chief!" Jim said, sitting down on the offered chair without thinking.

Simon walked to his desk and picked up a cigar. "I only know we can't risk it. There's too much at stake here. Marcus has already agreed to pay the money so the only thing we can do is try to track the pick-up guy."

"Sure, like we'll be able to do that without them knowing." Jim sat back and started rubbing his temples while he felt his blood boiling inside his head.

"We will, Jim. We have the edge," The anthropologist assured, keeping a watchful eye on his still enraged partner.

"What edge?" Ellison and Banks asked in unison.

"What do you mean what edge, guys? Come on!" He walked to Jim and put a hand on his shoulder. "The walking, talking, ass kicking tracking machine: The Sentinel." He smiled and waited.

Jim lifted his head and Simon let a shadow of a smile haunt his lips.

"Yeah!" he said softly.

"Yeah!" bounced Blair, excitedly.

"Oh, yeah!" finished Jim Ellison decisively.  In his fury, he'd forgotten who he was. "Let's do it!"

Simon lighted up his cigar and took out a map. "We'll need a good plan."

The Guide allowed a glint of hope into his blue eyes and smiled.
 
   

"Unit two, ready?" Captain Banks' voice sounded loud and clear through the radio communicators. The early morning air was chilly.

"Ready, captain." Brown replied from somewhere across the field. It was six in the morning. Simon, Jim, Blair, Brown, Rafe and two other officers were waiting for John Craig Marcus to arrive with the money at the previously agreed rendezvous point, but he was late. Time was running out so they were now positioning the stakeout teams around the pick-up site. Banks knew it would all be in vain. The pick-up site was an an open field and there were few places they could hide. Simon knew his secret weapon would have to do the trick.

Jim and his super senses.

The captain looked up to the sky and silently pleaded for the well being of the kidnapped child. He'd seen the pain in Marcus' eyes when they had met. He knew that look. A father scared for his son. He'd worn that same look a couple of times himself and he prayed never to go through that again. "Poor Marcus," he thought. "He's got all the money in the world and that doesn't keep him from being another statistic." He sighed. "God have mercy!"

"Captain!" Brown's voice brought him back to reality. "It's too late!"

"What?"

"Marcus just called the precinct. The kidnappers sneaked into his house at four in the morning and collected the money. They tied him and his wife up in their bedroom. The maid just found them a few minutes ago. ."

"Damn!" Exclaimed Simon.

"And the kid?" Asked Jim.

"Nobody knows. They said he would be delivered!"

"Delivered?" Asked Simon, unbelieving.

"I don't know what they are up to, cap. That's what Marcus said. Maybe they'll call later." Brown said, sounding as unsure as everyone felt.

Jim was afraid of this. The criminals had the money, the chemicals and, technically, the power. The boy could be dead. They had failed. He cursed under his breath.

Beside him, Blair cursed as well.

On the other side of the field, Simon kicked the ground in anger and began walking toward his car. The rest of the officers came out of their hiding places too.

Suddenly, Jim's voice on the radio cut the silence. "Wait! I found something."

Jim had been sentinel-surveying the area where the pick-up was supposed to take place. In the middle of the field, too small to spot from far away without sentinel eyes, was a rock. Under it was a note.

"Glendale Park, that's all it says."  Jim held up the note, studying carefully. "It's the same paper, the same ink... same perps."

"Could they have really freed Marcus' boy?"

"Unlikely, maybe they have another surprise for us."

"But then again, they might have left him trapped somewhere, maybe to die."

Sandburg wouldn't stick around to wonder. "Well, stop talking! Let's go see!"  He urged.

They all agreed.

"It could be a trap." Rafe commented as they ran to their vehicles.

"Are you willing to risk it?" Answered his partner with a grim face.

"I hate mondays!" said Rafe, reaching the car.

After that, everything passed in a blur. When Blair opened his eyes again, his heart was frozen with fear and every ounce of his being regretted going to that place unprepared. He should have listened to his mother.
 
 

 
"Close your eyes, Jim. It will come to you." Blair's soft guide-voice filled the cool air of the afternoon.

"I can't focus, Chief!" Jim clenched his jaw in frustration. "I don't know why."

The kid knew exactly what the problem was. "Relax, Man. Tension won't help, it'll be easier if you drown out the inside along with the outside."

"What do you mean?" Jim said.

"You are too worried about the boy.  I don't blame you, I feel the same, but you have to ignore that for a minute and try to concentrate."

Jim didn't argue, the kid was right. He tried to calm down, focus. He closed his eyes.

"Now, open your senses..." his guide said, "Find the kid!"

Jim took a deep breath and took it one step at a time. He opened his hearing... let it travel far away, covering the ground that surrounded them. He heard all kinds of nature sounds, birds, wind, water somewhere... he heard Rafe and Brown looking around a few yards to the left. He heard Simon's even breathing, a few yards to the right, giving orders through a radio. Then he pressed a little more. He heard small animals crawling everywhere, the cracking of branches bent by the wind, a dog sniffing something... his guide's reassuring heartbeat.

Then he let his sense of smell open up. He perceived all kinds of flowers, wet grass, animals, the oil of the cars, Rafe's cologne, Simon's cigar. He allowed his hearing piggyback on his smell... looking for something out of the ordinary... someone... he smelled fear. Adrenaline. He thought Blair was too scared this time, he had to talk to the boy, then something clicked. It was coming from Jim himself. He was too scared. Damn it! The kid was right. The sentinel was letting this case get to him. He tried to calm down again and focus, that's when he heard it. A small, childish moan. Uneven breathing... then he perceived something else... a strange echo, surrounding a kid's voice, and water. Lots of water. A waterfall's sound repeated by echo. The kid was there, somewhere very near the water. In a cave. The child sniffled, Jim smiled. He'd found him.
 
"Over here!" He said, running towards the sound.

They reached the side of the parks huge waterfall. A cement bridge had been constructed on each side to allow people to enjoy the spectacular view. The water fell about a hundred feet and splashed in a continuous white, savage whirlpool. The sound of it was strong, extraordinary. It was a deadly fall, but it was beautiful.

Jim used his enhanced eyesight and started to look for a cave or something big enough for a kid to fit in. He covered every inch of the wall, from down on the floor and then up. He focused his ears and eyes until, at last, he located what he was looking for. A few feet beside the main waterfall, a few feet down from the edge, was a small opening. A man made opening. It was the exit of a big pipe, one of the many that were built below the park to channel the river's water when it rained too much. Right now it was not being used so no water was coming out of it, but there was someone inside. A small person, a child.

"How the hell did he get up there?" He asked aloud.

"You found him? Where?" Blair searched the wall.

"Right there" Ellison pointed to the small opening. He noticed his young guide's hands grasping the metal railing until his knuckles became white. His heartbeat had increased in force and he seemed quite nervous. He scanned the kid's face. What was it?... Of course! It was the height. Jim looked down himself and felt a little chill. It was very... very high.

He patted his partner on the back to give him strength.

"Is he okay?" His friend asked, trying NOT to look down.

"He seems fine from here. Let me see." Jim zoomed his ice blue eyes and gasped back in surprise. Here was something he hadn't expected. He didn't know how to feel now, but confused. "Jeez!"

"What is it?" Came Sandburg's voice, filled with fright. Was the kid hurt? Dead?

"It's not him."

"What?"

Simon's voice came up behind them, "You found something?"

"Captain, we found someone, but it's not him. It's a little girl!"

"A girl?" Banks felt something bad approaching, a strange feeling.

Blair was speechless. *Who can she be? And, how did she get there?*

"She's right there," He pointed. "We have to rescue her."

"I've already called for a rescue team for the boy, just in case, Jim. They'll be here in ten minutes."

"I don't know, Simon, she hasn't seen us and she seems unsure. I'm going down there." Jim started walking to the bridge that connected to other side of the river, there was another cement railing above the opening.

"What? Wait!, Jim!" Simon yelled. "It's very dangerous!"

"How do you think she got there?" Blair spoke at last.

"There are lots of underground pipes to control the river water, she must have crawled inside one of them from.... practically anywhere in the park!"

"We could get to her from inside then?" Sandburg asked. There was hope, claustrophobia was better than fear of heights. At least for him.

"The pipes are too small."  Said Simon, sadly. "Even you wouldn't fit."

"Damn!" Exclaimed Blair and ran to catch up with his partner.
 
 

May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young.
 

 
 
 

The guide reached his friend, who was looking for something long enough and strong enough to support his weight.

"I'm going with you!" Sandburg said.

"No way, Chief. It's too dangerous, you have to stay here!"

"Oh, Man! Jim!" Blair threw his arms to the air in frustration. "I can help you, you know that! I'm your partner! Don't you trust me?

"It's not that I don't trust you, I'm doing it for your mother." Jim smiled. "Besides, have you looked over the side?"

"Jim!" Blair shot. Why did the man have to remind him of his fear of heights every time?

"A bit high for your liking, isn't it?" Ellison kept searching the area, grinning.

"I'm willing to go! I'm not scared." He was lying through his teeth, of course, even the idea alone terrified him, but he couldn't let his blessed protector go alone and he wouldn't admit his fears either. Not this time.

"No way, Darwin. I don't believe you." Jim knew the truth. "You'll just zone out on me down there and I'll have to rescue you too.

The young guide was about to retort back when suddenly, Ellison silenced him. "Sssshhh!" He cocked his head, listening, concentrated on something.

Blair kept quiet. Waiting.

"She's talking"

"To whom?" Could it be the boy?

"Herself."

"Oh." The guide lowered his head. So much for that one.

Suddenly, Jim snapped. "What the hell?"

He'd heard the depth of the fear invading young girl, perched on the edge of the tunnel. He could almost see her eyes, full of unshed tears but he noticed that she refused to give up just yet.

In the tunnel, Cindy stirred. She had to do something. She had gotten that far, hadn't she? This was no time to cry, she had to find a way to go up there. It was the only chance her friends had. She cried out again in despair. "Help!, Mommy!" She said. "I almost can't swim!"

"Jim? What is it?"

"Shhhhh!" Jim cocked his head and listened to the little girl.

"I have to do it, I have to do it!"

Even though she was not as high as the top of the waterfall, the kid hadn't realized the nature of the fall. She didn't know that jumping to that water would mean death. She didn't know.

"Oh, No!" Jim exclaimed, realizing this himself. "She doesn't know!"

"What?" Said a worried Blair.

"I have to go down there."

"Are you out of your mind? You'll kill yourself, Jim!" Sandburg couldn't believe it!

"No. I can do it. I was in the army, remember?"  Replied Jim, seriously.

"No way, man! I'm serious!" Had Ellison gone mad for real, this time? "I'm not letting you do this, it's too risky!" Sandburg held his friends arm with a tight grip.

"Chief, she's going to jump." It was a simple statement but it had the right effect.

Sandburg relaxed his grip, astonished. "What do you mean?"

"I heard her talking. She doesn't see the danger, and she can't hear anyone from there. She'll jump to try to swim to the shore! She thinks she can do it!"

"Oh, my God, Jim. She'll be killed!" Blair was taken aback.

"That's what I want to prevent, Chief. Come on, help me find a rope or something!"

"The rescue team..."

"There's no time, Chief! They won't make it in time!"

Sandburg closed his eyes and finally gave in. "This is SO not a good idea, Jim."

"Ellison, man, you are nuts!" Brown exclaimed arriving behind him.

"I know, Henri, and you still hang out with me"

Simon and Rafe arrived just then. "We found the reason for the note!" Rafe informed them."Another note. They want more money."

"Bastards!" Brown exclaimed.

"Forget about that now, help us look for something to help that girl!" Jim cut in, they had to hurry.

They all started looking.

"I have to get her up here!" Jim muttered, quickly studying the resources around him again. Time was running out. Rafe had brought a harness from his trunk, he liked to go bungee jumping on the weekends, but there was no bungee rope. Suddenly, Jim saw something on the ground, half buried. It was a telephone cable. It led to a small emergency post on the side of the river.

"This will hold!" He said, testing it. "Chief, you have your swiss army knife?"

"Sure, but..." He handed it to Jim, "What are you thinking? Is that thing going to hold?"

"It'll do." The sentinel nodded. "Rafe, can you run to that post and cut it from the other end?"

"Sure" Rafe took the knife and ran.

"You're crazy, Jim" Simon said, worried.

"I have to go down there, Sir."
 
"It's too thin!" Rafe said.

"It'll be okay."

"How do you plan to...?"

"Trust me." Ellison interrupted, buttoning his jacket.

Blair could only help by supporting his friend's decision. He looked down again. *Oh, God! It's SO high!* He thought in desperation. *Why did it always have to be a high place?*

He started checking his friend's locks, knots and harness. "Jim," He warned, staring strongly at his partner, "If you get hurt because of this, I'll come down there and I'll kill you!"

"Okay. But, stay away from the ledge!"

"Yeah, right. Man!" The kid sighed, "Why did you have to be such a solider?"

"A ranger." Jim replied. "There's a difference!"

"Well, I don't see it!" Sandburg frowned. He lowered his gaze, defeated. "I'd prefer it if you were just a boy scout." He finished with another useless sigh.

"Then I would still go, only I would have been more prepared." Jim smiled. Damn, the man! He'd never let anyone have the last word!

"Wise ass!"

"You bet!"

Everything was ready. Jim stood close to the edge. Blair regarded his friend with a look of profound concern. Under it, there was affection, deep in the core, was cold fear.

"Jim!" The kid pleaded again.

Ellison felt a cold chill down his spine as the same look of dread from two days before, filled his guide's face.

"Chief, I promise." Jim suddenly said, quite seriously.

"You promise?"

"I promise, Blair."
 
"Please, please, Jim. Be careful!" The kid asked one last time.

Jim gave his partner a warm look in return. "I will, Chief. Don't worry. This is a piece of cake for me!"

The Sentinel started his descent.

Blair looked over the edge again and immediately closed his eyes. "Sure." He whispered. "Piece of cake!"

Seconds passed but they seemed hours for worried Blair. He trusted his friend, he just didn't trust the universe. He tried to calm down. "Relax," He told himself. *He'll be fine. Both of them will.* He took a deep breath. *I am...* he began repeating to himself, *relaxed.*

*I am*  breathe, *relaxed.*

"Wow!" Rafe exclaimed. "The wind is picking up!"
 
*I am*  breathe, *relaxed.*

"Jim better be careful. He's swinging too much." Brown commented.

*I am*  breathe deep, *relaxed.*

*It's cool. He's looking good!" Rafe continued. "He sure knows what he's doing!"

The young man was reaching semi-relaxed now. Jim was almost there. The young girl was about to be rescued. And then someone said the words and Blair Sandburg's world shattered into pieces.

"He's flying!"

FLYING.

*What?* Blair formed the word in his mind but couldn't say it. His mother's terrified words flashed through his mind. His heart had jump-started on him and he felt out of breath.

"What?" Brown asked for him.

"I said, he's flying. Look, the cable is so thin it's almost invisible. The wind swings him so much he looks as if he's levitating, don't you think?" Rafe answered.

Sandburg felt dizzy, nauseated. His brain was pushing him to move but his body wouldn't obey. It was impossible, it couldn't be.

But there were no such things as coincidences. Right?

"Jim!" His mind screamed. His throat whispered.

Banks had seen it all. From the moment Jim had gone down, Simon had been keeping an eye on the ever-unpredictable police observer. The kid could do something crazy at any given time. The captain had noticed all the changes in Blair face as the kid struggled to regain control over his emotions and saw something different. Something scary.

"Sandburg?" He called, unsure. "You okay?"

"Jim!" Blair finally said. "Flying!" Was all he could add. Terror wouldn't let him talk. He felt numb, his knees were giving in under him, he tried to hold on to something and found nothing. Simon caught up to him, held him up-straight.

"Sandburg!" The captain exclaimed.

"Jim!" Blair said again, his eyes filled with absolut panic. Simon suddenly felt it too.

Just then, behind them, the cable holding Jim snapped.

Continued in...
Part 2

WebCounter  *