~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Blair lay in his hospital bed in his private room in Cascade General. It was 10 pm, and he was wide awake, having slept most of the day away. Simon had come by around 7 pm, and they had watched the last quarter of the Jags game together. There had been no news on Jim, and they were both getting worried. Simon had left around 8 pm for some much needed rest, and Blair tried to go back to sleep, but for some reason, he couldn't.

Hearing a strange noise, he opened his eyes to see Incahca standing at the foot of his bed. Blair sat there almost in shock as he assessed the look on the Shamans face. "Has something happened to Jim, Incacha?" Blair asked, suddenly worried about his missing partner.

"Enquire is fine, young one." Incacha answered.

"Then why are you here?" Blair returned.

"You and the Chief that you call Simon must travel to the one who can heal the rift that has formed between you and Enquire." the shaman answered.

"Where do we find this 'one'" Blair asked. Confused at the shaman's cryptic statements.
"Your Chief will guide you." the shaman told him.

"How?" Blair asked.

"Be patient, young one." Incacha answered then faded before his eyes.

Blair sat there confused, then reached to pick up the phone to see if maybe Simon understood any of this. He never got that far, as the door to his
room opened and Simon walked in.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Simon hadn't been home more than five minutes when the phone rang."That better be Ellison, or I'm gonna kill whoever is calling me." he said to the empty house. Reaching over, he picked up the phone on the second ring. "Banks" he said into the receiver.

"Yes, I'm sorry to disturb you at this late hour, but I'm looking for Captain Simon Banks?" the voice on the other end of the line said.

"This is Capt. Banks," Simon said.

"Captain, my name is Detective Jamie Cromwell of the Cascade Police Department in Cascade, Colorado." Jamie stated.

Simon was upset that someone was calling him at home. "Why are you calling me at home, and for that matter, how did you get this number?" Simon shot at her.

"Detective Ellison gave it to me." she stated matter of factly.

"Jim..." Simon said suddenly worried "What happened, is he hurt or something?"

"Calm down Capt., he's just fine. He was exhausted when he got here, and I told him that I'd call you for him so you wouldn't worry." she said trying to calm him down.

Simon looked at his watch *it's 9 pm, he must have driven straight through.* "It's gotta be at least 1000 miles to Colorado alone, and where Cascade is, I have no idea* "Can you tell me why he is there. And just where is Cascade, Colorado anyway?" Simon asked, hoping to clear up some of his confusion.

"I am a Shaman and a healer. The rift that has been formed between Jim and Blair needs to be repaired, and repair is my speciality. We are located about 15 miles outside Colorado Springs to the West North West, she answered him, "How is Blair doing?" she said in a very concerned voice.

"You know Blair is alive and well, but how? Simon asked with the shock he felt in his voice.

"Some people call me psychic," she answered him.

"Wait a minute, does Jim know that Blair is alive?" Simon asked suddenly, concern in his voice.

"No sir," she said "you just confirmed it for me, but I will tell him first thing in the morning."

"Is there anything that I can do to help?" Simon asked, not quite sure that he wanted to know the answer.

"Yes Captain, there are two things" she said in a calm voice.

"OK, number one?" he asked

"I need you and Blair to fly down here tomorrow after he gets out of the hospital," she told him.

"Why?" Simon asked

"Two reasons," she said "one, he needs someone he feels comfortable with to get him down here. Right now, he isn't sure of anything, and that scares him to death. I need him down here so that he and Jim can get this problem taken care of. And two, you are their Chief." she stated point blank.

"Their what?" Simon asked very confused

"First, let me say that I know that Jim is a Sentinel, and Blair is his guide. Now before you go and get all upset with my knowledge of this, let me tell you that their secret is safe with us. And before you ask how I know what I know. Lets just say that I do a lot of work in the spirit world, and in the spirit world, there are few secrets when an answer is needed."

"O...K..." Simon said cautiously "What is number two".

"I want you to call my Captain, and confirm everything that I just told you. I know that you are going to want to check me out, and I want you to feel safe and comfortable around my partner and I." Jamie told him.

"Yes Maam," Simon said, "that would make me feel better"

Jamie gave him her number and the number to her Captain and said "Please call me and let me know what time you will be getting in, and I'll have my partner pick you and Blair up at the airport"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thirty minutes later, Simon called her back with the information that the plane will be in at 2pm at gate 7.

"Oh, and before I forget," Jamie said, "bring enough clothes for about a week. Both cold and warm weather, and also bring your passports."

"What for" Simon asked

"Well, for starters" she began very patiently. "It's going to take several days to teach Jim and Blair, as well as you Simon, how a Sentinel and Guide can be working together more effectively. As well as the Shaman's role and duties that Blair needs to know. And finally," she continued "Alex is still on the loose with her 'guide', and they still have the nerve gas. One week from now, they will be in not only an accessible place for capture, but their buyer will be there as well, thus making for an easier capture."

"How do you know that?" Simon asked, then added "Never mind, don't answer that" when he remembered what she had said about the spirit world and secrets. "OK Jamie" Simon said "I'm gonna take your word for this, as this is your bag of tricks and not mine. Plus, your Captain told me, that whatever has happen, that you are the best person for the job. And that I should trust you explicitly. Please do not let me down." he said to her with the tone of 'If you let me down, you're dead'.

"Alright Captain," Jamie said "I'll see you tomorrow"

With that, Simon hung up the phone, grabbed his keys and headed back to the hospital.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Simon walked into Blair's room just as he was reaching for the phone. Just who do you think that you are calling at 10 pm at night?" he asked Blair, trying to sound stern, but failing miserably.

"Simon?" Blair said surprised."What are you doing here, I thought that you were going home and straight to bed?"

"I was" Simon replied, the proceeded to tell Blair about the phone call from Jamie and the trip scheduled for the next morning.

Blair then told Simon about the vision at the foot of his bed just moments before Simon had entered the room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next morning, Jim woke up to the sounds of birds singing and the smell of fresh coffee. Looking at the clock on the night stand by the bed, saw it read 9:16 am. Sitting on the chair across from the end of the bed were the clothes that he had been wearing last night. Only they had been freshly washed, dried and folded. Sitting there or a moment, he let the last 30 hours or so rerun through his mind, trying to remember why he was there in the first place. Then he remembered Incacha's words. *"You must go to the one who can help you find what you have lost."*

Several minutes later, he went in the bathroom and showered, finding a new razor, tooth brush and paste waiting for him on the sink, then headed downstairs.

By the coffee pot, there was a note saying "I'm out exercising my animals. Please make yourself at home." He poured himself a cup of coffee, and went out the back door.

Sitting in one of the seven chairs that was on the back porch, he watched as the mountain lion that had been in the middle of the road last night when he had arrived there, went flying across the back yard, 20 feet from where he was sitting, and disappearing around the corner of the house. *It must be Jamie*, he thought to himself, remembering the large cat morph in the young woman. A minute later, a wolf came flying
around the corner of the house from where the mountain lion had disappeared, and went across the back of the house in the opposite direction. Several minutes and two passes and later, it was a bear that went flying by. Then, he saw a beautiful eagle heading for the lake that
was behind the house. Opening up his vision, he watched as it swooped down over the water and reached down gracefully with its
talons spearing a nice sized rainbow trout. *Probably at least 5-7 pounds* he thought to himself. The eagle flew over to the base of the cabin steps. Putting down its catch, it backed away several feet and morphed into Jamie.
"Good morning" she said to Jim pulling a Swiss Army knife from her pocket and started to clean the fish.

"Good morning" he managed to return as the shock started to wear off.

"You must have slept well, you look a whole lot better this morning, than you did last night. Of course, staying awake for 48+ hours would kinda wear out anyone I guess. I hope you're hungry" she said looking at the large fish then back to him.
"I do feel bet..." Jim started to say, then stopped as he cocked his head to one side listening.

Jamie took notice as she too was listening. A smile found a way onto her face just before she heard the voice ring out. "Good mornin' partner".

"Michael Lawson" she started "Why is it that you always show up after I've caught and cleaned the fish?" she said with a grin.

"Just lucky I guess" he said laughing.

"Yeah, well you remember that the next time that you ask me for a favor."

Jim, seeing the bantering between the two of them decided that it was safe to relax.

Not realizing the tension in Jim until until she felt it leave, Jamie remembered her guest. Looking up, she said "I'm sorry Jim. Det. Jim Ellison of the Cascade, Washington PD, this is Det. Michael Lawson of the Cascade, Colorado Pd. And if you don't remember too much of last night, I'm Det. Jamie Cromwell of the Cascade, Colorado Pd, and Mike's partner."

They all exchanged greetings as Jamie gathered up he fish and headed inside. Jim started to get up and follow her inside to help, until she stopped him. "Why don't you two just sit out here and enjoy this nice warm weather as tomorrow there will be several feet of snow on the ground." she said matter of factly.

"What ever you say Doc." Mike returned to the retreating figure.

"Doc?" Jim questioned

"Oh, so she hasn't told you?" Mike asked. "OK, for the short version. She has an A.S. degree in Commercial Art with a minor in Video Production. She has her AA, BA, and MA in Anthropology. Her MS degree is in Traditional Chinese Medicine. And she is currently finishing her Ph.D. in Anthropology on Shaminism and Healing. She's got her Paramedic's license as well as having gone through the Police Academy and is a Det. with the Cascade PD. And last but not least, she does Search and Rescue."

"Oh, Lord, Jim said in response. If that's the short version, I don't know if I want the long one."

"Yep," Mike said "It's quite a list."

"And she's going for a Ph.D. in Shamanism as well?" Jim asked. Then said "Just don't tell Sand..." trailing off, suddenly lost in the grief that was trying to overwhelm him.

"Don't tell who?" Jamie asked appearing at the door.

Jim didn't say anything, and Jamie could feel the emotions running through him. Maybe it was better this way. Wiping her hands on a towel, she made her way out the door. As she pulled the chair around so that she was sitting in front of him, Mike sat in the one on Jim's right. Laying her hand on the back of his, she spoke softly to Jim saying

"Jim, can you tell me why you are here?"

He spoke, almost Sentinel soft "I was told to come here, as you were the only "one" who could help me find what I had lost."

"Do you know what that means?" she asked him.

"Not really," he answered her softly, the grief evident in his voice.

"It means," she started "that you were brought here to learn why you must work with your Guide, and why he must work with you" she stated. "And yes, I know that you are a Sentinel and that Blair is your Guide."

"*Was* my Guide you mean" Jim said so quietly that only a true Sentinel could hear.

"No Jim, he *^is^* your Guide" she said waiting for what she knew was coming.

"But I...But he's..." was all that Jim could get out
without losing it.

"Yes Jim," she began "You pulled him out of the fountain, there was no pulse or respiration. But he was given a second chance, and so are you."

"You mean..." Jim started, tears threatening to overwhelm him.

"Yes...Blair is alive, she answered quietly.

"How do you know this? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked, just barely holding the tears in check.

"The reason that I know this is that I am a Shaman and Healer, and it is my business to know all of the facts. As for why I didn't tell you, two reasons actually" she started. "Number one, when you got here last night, you barely made it into the house before you crashed, and if I had told you, you would have jumped back into your truck and headed home. Probably wrapping your truck around the first tree in the road in the process. And number two, I didn't have confirmation until I talked with Capt. Banks.

"May I use your phone? I need to call Simon."

"You can use it all you want, but you won't get through to either of them." she answered him.

"Why not?" he asked confused.

"Because, I'm picking them up at the airport at 2 pm" Mike said.

Jim spun around to Mike. Putting his senses to work, he could tell that both Mike and Jamie were telling the truth. Realizing what was just said, he lost all control over the dam that was holding back the tears, and they came forth with great sobs accompanying them. Jamie just reached over and took him in her arms. He wrapped both arms around her and held on for dear life. Needing the comfort that she was offering. Unconsciously thinking that if he let go at that moment, he would find out that all she had said to him was a lie.

They sat there for almost 30 minutes. She just held him close, offering himthe comfort that he needed at that time. Mike had gone back inside to finish the breakfast.

After he had cried himself out and regained the control over his emotions, they went inside to eat breakfast. Breakfast had consisted of scrambled eggs, the fish, hash browns, home made biscuits and gravy. A fresh pot of coffee was also waiting for them.

Jim hadn't said a word at breakfast. He was too lost in his thoughts. All he could think about was the fact that Sandburg was ALIVE. But the question was, did Blair want anything to do with him ever again. After all that he had said and done to Blair, he could surely understand if Blair wanted nothing more to do with him.

After breakfast, Mike said "Jamie, I've got two interviews on the Richmond murders that I'm helping the S.O. out with, so I'll call you before I head out to the airport, OK?"

"Sure Mike" she said as she was loading he dishwasher. Then stopped.

This did not go unnoticed by either Mike or Jim.

"What have you got Jamie," Mike said "I know that look" he continued smiling. *Jamie is NEVER off duty* he thought to himself.

"Who are these two people?" she asked with that look in her eye that told Mike her vibes were working overtime.

"Well...the first, is a Mrs. Simmons. She is the Richmonds housekeeper..." he said as he watched for any reaction that that name may cause."...and the second is the Richmond's only living heir, a ..." checking his notes "...Jason Johnson." he said, "He is the son of the Richmonds daughter, who was killed in a car accident with her husband six months ago. Jamie shuddered noticeably at this piece of information.

"The grandson, huh?" Mike asked looking for confirmation.

Jamie just nodded, then said "Whatever you do, don't take your eyes off of him. And if you need any help, just call ok?"

"I will", he said very seriously. He had come to trust her instincts, because they always paid off.

"Well, I gotta get going, Jim, I'll see you this afternoon. And Jamie, I'll call if I need anything."

Both Jim and Jamie said their goodbye's as he walked out the door.

Jim got up and helped Jamie get the table cleared and the dishwasher loaded. Then with their coffee refilled, they both retired to the den.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Simon woke up to his alarm at 5:30 am. He was still very tired, but with all that they had to do today, he couldn't afford even five more minutes in bed. He pulled himself up, and made his way to the shower. After getting his breakfast, and his bag packed, he headed out the door, having already called his superior to let him know where he was going, and what was happening. The police Chief was not very happy that he was losing both Banks as well as Ellison for the week, but with Ellison's conviction rate, he figured it was for the best.

Simon got in his car and headed for the loft. Once there, he headed for Jim's room upstairs.*The one room that he didn't shove into the basement.

Thank God.* Finding Jim's duffle bag in the closet, he filled it with a weeks worth of warm clothes remembering that Jamie had said that they were above the 10,000 foot mark and that it tended to be cold even in the summertime. Then remembering she said to bring a passport, he also added some cooler, summer clothes as well.

Leaving the loft, he headed for the university to get Blair's things. Blair had given him the key to is office, so he didn't have to go through security.

Meeting one of the guards making rounds as he was heading for Blair's office, they exchanged pleasantries, and the guard asked how Blair was doing, as he had seen Simon there yesterday. Simon told the guard that Blair was going to be OK, and that he was just there to get a few things for him. After saying goodbye to the guard, Simon headed for Blair's office, got what he needed, then headed for the hospital.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Simon got to Blair's room, Blair was just getting back from the shower. "Hey Simon", Blair said as the older man entered the room.

"Hey Blair, you ready to get out of here?" Simon asked as he walked into the room.

"Been ready," *since I woke up in a body bag in the morgue,* Blair said, then added "What time does the plane leave?"

"We have to be there no later than 10:30 am" Simon answered him, then asked "Has the doctor been in yet to check you out?" as he put the bag on the bed for Blair.

"Right here" said Dr. Richardson, as she walked into Blair's room. "Good morning Blair, Simon" she said as to the two men as she entered the room.

"Hey Doc." Blair said. "You back from your conference already?"

"Yeah." she said laughing "The first one in six years that I go to, and all hell breaks loose. From what this says, you've had a...shall we say...an interesting 24 hours," she added as she looked at his chart.

"I suppose that you could put it that way" Blair said.

"How are you feeling this morning, Blair?" the Doctor asked, concern in her voice at the abnormally quiet young man before her.

"I'm fine," was the reply, then he rapidly added "Can I go home now?"

"Well, let me have a listen to your lungs, and we'll go from there, ok?" she asked as she pulled her stethoscope from around her neck and inserted the ear pieces into her ears. After listening to his lungs and heart, she removed the ear pieces and rehung the scope around her neck. Writing something on Blair's chart, she said, "All of your tests came back negative, and your lungs are clear. I have no medical reason to keep you, although if you have any trouble what so ever, you are here by ordered to get to the nearest doctor. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Maam," Blair said starting to bounce a little at the thought of finally getting out of there.

"I'll take care of him," Simon said as the doctor was writing something on the chart.

"By the way, where is Detective Ellison? You two always seem to be together." she asked.

"It's a long story," Blair said with the tone of 'You really don't want to know.'

"Alright then, you just take care of yourself, ok?"

"I will," Blair answered her. And with that, the doctor gave her the discharge papers and left to go see her other patience, closing the door behind her.

Simon had released the two guards that had been at Blair's door since he put them there yesterday. He was now Blair's guard. So he was keeping his eyes and ears open.

Blair grabbed the duffle bag Simon had put on the bed. He had to use both hands because his ribs were still sore from the CPR, and would be that way for several days.

Heading into the bathroom, Simon heard "Have we got everything that w need?" as he settled himself into the seat by the door.

"Yes," Simon said. "I went by the loft to get Jim's stuff, then to the university for yours. Now I'm here. We're all set."

"Good,"Blair started, "Let's blow this pop stand," he said as he came out of the bathroom and set on the bed to put on his shoes. "Oh, do we have time to go back to the university, I forgot to have you get my back pack." Blair asked as he finished tying his shoes.

"It's already in the car," Simon informed him.

"Thanks Simon...Ok, I'm ready," Blair said as he grabbed his duffle bag off the bed.

Simon reached over and took it away from him as they headed out the door, and down to Simon's car in silence. After getting in the car and were heading to the airport, Simon glanced over to his passenger and noticed the way that Blair was sitting in the seat and asked, "Are your ribs still sore?"

"Only if I try to take a real deep breath, turn wrong or try to pick up something heavy," he told Simon.

"Well, you just try and take it easy and relax," he said to Blair.

Once at the airport, they checked in their three bags. Blair, keeping his back pack. Once on the plane, Blair put on his head phones, hit the play button, settling back and closing his eyes.
Simon, seeing how tired Blair was, just let him sleep. For himself, however, sleep was not an option. He was too worried about his other detective, and the week to come.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~
Shaman School 2b

As Jim and Jamie got comfortable in the den, she turned to him and said,"OK Jim, why don't you tell me the whole story?" she prodded gently.

For the next hour, Jim told her about the crash, Peru, coming back to Cascade and becoming a cop. Then his senses coming back on line, and how he met Blair. After which he told her about how Blair's place had blown up and his moving in with Jim for a week until he found a place of his own. That was three years ago. He told of how Blair had helped him with his senses and turned him into a loving, caring human being. Then he told her about what had started several weeks earlier when he went against Blair and read the intro chapter of his dissertation. Then the jaguar showing up, followed by Alex, and all hell breaking loose. He told her about kicking Blair out of the loft, removing the furniture. The subsequent encounter with Alex in the warehouse and then finding Blair drowned in the fountain.

They sat there in companionable silence, each in their own thoughts for several minutes.

Jim was thinking to himself, *Why in the hell did I just sit here and basically tell her my life story, when even Sandburg doesn't know all of it?

"Because Incacha told you to", his mind supplied.

Well, I'm so lost right now, that I don't think that I could find my way out of a wet paper bag.*

Several minutes later, Jamie broke the silence of the room and he turmoil in his mind, "Jim, I think..." she suddenly stopped.

Looking Jim straight in the eye, she said, "I'll be right back, Mike's in trouble," and with that, she leaned back into the soft cushions of the sofa, opposite of the chair that Jim was setting in, and closed her eyes.

Jim could see what looked like smoke coming out of the top of her head and go up through the ceiling. He wasn't sure as to what had just transpired, so he just settled back to wait.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

.Mike was standing in the study of the Richmod estate. The maid had left him there to wait while she went to let Jason know that the detective was waiting there for him. In less than a minute, Jason
came into the room.

"What can I do for you Detective?" the young man asked.

"I just need some information for my report," Mike answered.

"What do you need to know?" Jason returned.

"Oh, simple things really," Mike started, "Like where were you on the night of your grandparents murder, say around 10 pm?" Mike said, not taking his eyes off Jason. He saw the young man stiffen up like a board, then relax just as fast.

"I was out for a drive," the young man said nervously. "Why, you don't think that I had something to do with the murder, do you?" he asked rather frightened now.

"Young man," Mike began, these are standard questions that we ask everyone that we
interview." Mike said, trying to calm down the slowly agitating young man. "Can you tell me where you were, and if you saw or spoke to anyone that could vouch for you?" he asked.

Jason walked over and sat down behind the desk,"I don't remember." he said as he opened a drawer and pulled out a gun and levelled it at Mike.

Mike, anticipating this, started to reach for his own gun, while at the same time, reaching inside of himself, calling out telepathcally "Oh Jamie, I could use that help right about now."

"Don't even think of it," Jason said to Mike, who was reaching for his own gun. "Put your hands where I can see them," he said to Mike. Mike complied.

At that moment, Mike saw the white wisps of the smoke like substance appear behind Jason. He saw it mold into the his partner Jamie, then saw her walk *into* Jason. At that time, jason got this funny look on his face and laid the gun down on the desk. Mike walked forward, picking up the gun as he circled the desk. Taking Jason by the arm, he helped him out of the chair, turned him around to face the desk. He frisked him, read him his rights and cuffed him. Turning, he saw Jamie standing behind the chair where she had retreated after Jason had put down the gun, and said,

"Thanks Jamie, I'll see you this afternoon."
She nodded in agreement, turned back into the wisp of smoke and disappeared.

Mike turned to his prisoner, escorting him out to his car for the ride back to the station.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On To Part 3