Disclaimer: Just to refresh your memories - They aren't mine. I'm just borrowing
them and I'll return them in better condition than I got them.
pt 10
~later that night~
They sat in the livingroom area relaxing. Nik was on the floor while Blair sat on the couch behind her, his hands lightly massaging her shoulders. The pair were content just sitting, listening to the music. Their conversation was random and casual. After the meal they'd consumed, it was all the activity they could manage. Sandburg had prepared a multi-course meal, thoroughly impressing Dakota. She'd thought he was teasing about the stuffed grape leaves. She thought wrong.
"D'ja get enough to eat?" Blair asked, easing his fingers up her neck to the soft spots behind her ears. He found the action relaxed him as much as it seemed to relax Nik.
"Yes, Blair." She smiled, settling her head back to look up at him. "You wanna ask me again?" It was the fourth time he'd asked the same question.
Somehow, she didn't think he was gauging if she enjoyed dinner, so much as if she wanted him to leave. He had that tone, that inflection that subtly asked if the evening had come to the end - the "take the leftovers and I'll see you at work tomorrow" cliche.
Blair moved his hands back to her shoulders. "Just checking." He relaxed, letting his thumbs turn little circles on the nape of Nikya's neck. There was something going on in his head. They'd been sitting there for a while, just listening to music, talking off and on about nothing in particular. There was a slight silence in the place as the stereo changed CD's. When the music started, his fingers felt the vibrations of Nix's vocal chords. He studied her face as she sang along, every emotion unmistakably played on her face. As the song changed, Blair's mind finally put together the theme. "Nik?" he said softly. "Are you okay?"
She didn't answer immediately, so he asked again.
It took her a few moments to gather her thoughts, debating whether or not the young man wanted the absolute truth; whether or not she wanted to give it. That was provided she even knew it herself. She just shook her head slightly. Nikya smiled sadly and tried to put words to her melancholy. There was only one word she could find.
Taolvik - the Immortal behind the killings.
Nixia knew she hadn't been okay since Elise's death, probably even before then. When Banks had assigned her the case, she'd taken it gladly, intending to do whatever necessary to put the perp away - literally forever. Until Elise's death, Dakota had only wanted to see Vik suffer, the same way his victims' loved ones had. Then suddenly, Elise was gone as well. That's when the anger had begun. That's when Nix decided Taolvik had to be taken out of the Game. Elise's death was only part of it though. Everything Nik had been through had finally caught up with her. Her partner's death in L.A., the move, the other Immortal deaths, even her current desk assignment...
"If you haven't noticed," she said quietly. "I'm not a sit-still kinda person." She heard him chuckle. "I'm feeling a little useless right now."
Blair smiled, then spoke. "I'll bet that's something you've never felt in your life."
"Well, " she said as she stood, stretching out her back. "Not often." She sighed, then motioned for her guest to move off the couch, a smirk finding its way to her face when she saw his momentary panic. "Switch..." Nik took his seat on the sofa, her hands finding his shoulders, massaging them gently as he relaxed into the spot on the floor. Once he was settled back, she explained her problems. "So, what do you think?"
"I think you're lonely, Nixia." Blair said sincerely. "You lost your partner, so you let a friend help you decide to move. Bad enough you're the new kid in our bullpen, but then you find yourself assigned the murder case of three former students - and you really don't know who to trust with THAT information. Add to that the sudden loss of your friend Elise, compounded by two NOT so cooperative partners..." He felt her hands tighten on his shoulders. "You said yourself that Connor and Methos showed up a day too late - you were all alone. Even now, you could still feel that way."
"I suppose you have a degree in psychology, huh?"
He tilted his head back and smiled. "I've had a few classes." Turning to face her, Blair took one of her hands in his. "I can't really identify with everything you've been through, but I know what it's like to be surrounded by people and STILL be alone. My mother moved around quite a bit when I was growing up. She had lots of friends, and I had lots of uncles. Still, we never stayed long in one place. I'd just get into a deep friendship, and we'd move on." He answered the question in her eyes. "Mom's one of the original hippies - protests, free love, counterculture."
Nik looked into Blair's honest eyes, realizing that for such a young man, he had a very old soul - and old souls usually came with great wisdom - whether they knew it or not. "What about your father?" Her hands felt the sudden tension in her friend's shoulders, and she instinctively knew the answer. "You're not alone, Blair. Plenty of women raised children by themselves - whether the history books recorded it or not. During the Crusades, some towns were completely void of men altogether. Made it easy for a woman to carry a sword and NOT be questioned." Working her fingers into the muscles across his shoulders, Nix felt him relax. He even started to sing along with the CD.
"What about your father?" Blair asked simply and was suddenly very afraid of her answer. Nikya's fingers had unconciously spasmed at the question, causing her nails to dig into his shoulder blades. When he grabbed for her hands, she pulled back quickly, retreating into the couch cushions. "Nik? Nixia? What? I didn't mean to startle you with my question. Are you okay?"
She shut out the images, the memories that had haunted her for all her lives. Pain and betrayal and hurt - that had all happened over 2000 years before. Flexing her fingers out, Nix took a couple deep breaths and forced the pain back into the dark corner of her soul. "My father sold me to a man from a neighboring village. He called it a marriage. I called it Hell." She let herself glance down at her companion and found a world of sympathy and comfort in his eyes. It softened her, eased her and brought her out of the gripping hatred. "Sorry, but it wasn't pleasant. I think the therapists would say I have ISSUES."
"Issues?" he said with a smile. "More like VOLUMES..." Catching the pillow she swung at him, Blair hit her back and laughed.
"I wasn't as lucky as you." When he scoffed at her comment, she quirked her head at him. "What?"
"Me? Lucky? Have you NOT talked to anyone else in the department?"
"I'm serious." Standing, she walked over to the CD player, changing a couple of the discs to less somber music. "I didn't meet Methos for a couple hundred years and had to learn to fend for myself. I didn't have someone like Jim to protect me and help me along, like you do. I'd say you're very lucky."
Shaking his head, Blair smiled uncontrollably. "Protect me?" *Is it THAT obvious?* Stepping up behind her, he placed a hand on one hip and tried to look stunned at her revelation.
She smiled and turned to face him. "Play it off all you want, Sandburg. Neither you nor Jim can hide the genuine affection you have for each other. And he DOES protect you. I'm surprised he doesn't sit downstairs in that truck when you come over here. Probably checks in with the uniforms every hour though..." Music playing in the background, Nix stepped forward, feeling Blair's arms wrap around her as he danced her across the floor. His slight blush let her know her assumption about Jim's concern was right on the mark. "It's cool. You two have a connection - beyond the Sentinel thing." At his inquisitive look, she confessed. "I - uh - borrowed a couple of Methos other books."
It was Blair's turn to watch Nix blush. Her commentary on his partner had only slightly embarrassed him, but when she mentioned she'd been reading up on Sentinels, the anthropologist had to smile. "So. You know that there's a direct connection between a Sentinel and his partner, his Guide. But you think that Jim and I are beyond that." A little intimidated by her nod, Blair asked any way. "And what kind of connection would that be then?"
"I think he's become family to you. A kind of combination father and brother. It's a bit blood, bit magic, bit tribal."
Blair stopped moving and looked at her.
"Am I not allowed to have deep thoughts?" Taking the lead, Nix tucked Blair's arms about her and forced him to move to the music. "C'mon, Blair. This isn't anything new to you. You're an anthropologist, for crying out loud. Tribes are your forte, not mine. Surely you can see that you and Ellison are so good together because you understand each other, fit together. Your high points fill the gap of his low points. You complement each other so well, you've become part of each other. Like the ying-yang. Each separate, but fitted perfectly, with that small spot of the contrasting soul in each."
"You've got us all figured out..." he whispered. She smiled with her eyes, leaning back from his embrace to make visual contact. "Not completely." Nix almost laughed at the question in his incredibly blue eyes. "I don't understand how he housebroke you. THAT has got to be one of the eternal questions. Right up there with the Sphinx's riddle." Laughter in her eyes quickly spread to her face as Blair slumped against her, his body shaking with his own chuckles. "Of course - the Sphinx's riddle HAS been solved..."
"Maaaaannnn..."
~~~~~
"Are you sure no one got a look at him?" Captain Banks asked, laying the pictures and paper out on his table.
Rafe shook his head. "The receptionist said some kid handed it to her. We've already located the kid. He said he'd been given $50 bucks to deliver it."
Banks nodded, shifting his cigar from one side of his mouth to the other. "Can he identify the man who paid him?"
"Already got him working with a sketch artist..." Rafe replied.
The package had been delivered to Central Precinct early - VERY early - that morning. It had been addressed to Nikya Dakota, but the lack of a return address had sent a cold chill up Simon's back. Evidently, it had aroused the receptionist's suspicions as well and she'd called the Bomb Disposal unit to come get it first. Once they'd cleared it, the envelope had been delivered to Major Crimes. Per the protocols regarding all suspicious packages, it was given to the department administrator - Simon.
Looking over the photos, Banks got another chill. To make matters worse, he was starting to get a tingle in the base of his skull. "Hnnnnnnn." He moaned as the tingle became a full buzz. Simon stood straight, realizing that Rafe was staring at him. "Tell Dakota and Sandburg I need to see them."
Rafe had no sooner nodded than he heard three familiar voices coming across the bullpen. "You're getting as bad a Jim." The detective commented at Simon's timing. Looking over his shoulder to the far corner of the Bullpen, Rafe closed his file and started out the door. "I'll send the three of them in."
"No." Banks said sternly, returning his attention to the items on the table. "Dakota and Sandburg only. I'll take care of Ellison later."
"Not likely..." Rafe said quietly as he watched the threesome approaching the open office door. "Uh, Captain?"
Without looking up, he knew they were standing there staring at him. "Thank you, Rafe. I'll take it from here."
Unhappy faces met the captain's gaze. Simon didn't know who was more upset - Dakota or Ellison. Of course, the sour look on Sandburg's face wasn't that nice either. It took Banks a couple seconds to decide which officer to address first.
"I took the liberty of opening your mail, Dakota." He started. "It's rather interesting."
Curiosity taking control of her, Nikya made her way to the table to look over the materials. The letter was exactly the same as the other one; same parchment, same penmanship. The descriptive threats were even the same. The pictures, though, were an interesting addition. There were shots of Nik's apartment, the precinct, Rainier, Blair's office, and Jim's loft. Each picture featured either Nikya or Blair, most both.
"Here's a good one of you." She said, breaking the silence of the office. "I liked your hair that day." Picking up the last photo on the table, Nik smiled and chuckled softly.
Jim smiled, then walked over to stand next to Nikya. "I see that hanging around you, Chief, has already affected her mentally." Studying the pictures, though, the smile left his face. He didn't like the fact that some of the pictures were as recent as the previous day. She was still chuckling when he took the picture from her hands and asked what was so amusing to her.
"Look closely - front and back." she said, and motioned for Sandburg to see the picture. The smile on the anthropologist's face let Nik know he was on the same wavelength as she.
The picture didn't seem that amusing, just Sandburg getting coffee from an all- night diner. Flipping the picture over, Jim studied the imprint - standard processing. He gave Nik a blank stare and shrugged. In answer, she pointed to the digital sign in the bank parking lot next door to the diner. It had a time of 3:15 AM. A quick glance at the manilla envelope on the table, and Ellison was chuckling as well.
"Someone wanna clue me in?" Banks asked.
Nikya started the explanation. "The time on the envelope is 4:29 AM. - the time the downstairs receptionist officially received it."
"THIS picture was taken this morning, as I was heading home." Blair continued. "Only a little over an hour before the package was delivered."
Simon processed that information. "So, Taolvik processed his own film?"
Jim shook his head. "Film's got a mechanical print on the back. There are two photo processing shops in the city that are open 24-hours. Only ONE of them is conveniently located in the area of the precinct. Wouldn't be hard to get the clerk on duty to identify the person who brought in the film..."
Simon quickly explained the information Rafe had given him regarding the package's delivery. "So," Banks said with a smile. "We have a tangible link between Vik and this package." That troubled the man, and it must have been obvious to his three officers. They all stopped talking.
"You have a problem, sir?" Dakota asked.
"I'm thinking we do." He replied, then crossed his arms over his chest. "It seems to me that Taolvik probably doesn't care if we DO get the evidence against him."
Blair nodded sadly, realizing the truth of the captain's statement. "So, we bring him in now? Let him know we're onto him?"
"No," Jim said firmly, meeting Nikya's inquisitive gaze. "We keep up the lure. We could get him on the threats, but that might force him to do something more drastic - come after one or both of you. I won't have it."
Simon didn't miss the possessive tone to Ellison's statement.
Nik thought over the possibilities, coming to the same conclusion Jim had. At that thought, she groaned, causing the three men in the office to stare at her. "As much as it pains me, I have to agree with you, Jim."
To Nik's surprise, the large man smiled and gave a throaty laugh. "Now, that didn't kill you. Did it?"
Dakota and Banks looked at each other and groaned.
~~~~~ ~ A week or so later ~
"I said NO and I meant it!" The anger in Jim's voice was matched in his eyes. "Sandburg is NOT going to fight your headhunter."
"I didn't say he WOULD. Just that it's better to be safe than sorry." Nix sat calmly at the bench, running the stone along the edge of a fine broadsword. She and Blair had been discussing the possibilities of their assignment. Over their last couple "dates," the young man had hinted at learning to wield a blade. It wasn't that she WANTED to teach him, but the practical side of her - the 2000+ year old - reasoned that she SHOULD teach him. *Hanging out with me is most definitely dangerous...*
Ellison was in no mood for her to be logical. "What do you mean SORRY?"
"In my experience," she ran the stone along the fine edge, not bothering to look up at the man, "it never hurts to know something that could save your life." Cool violet followed the length of the blade in front of her, then tipped up to connect with iced blue. "I NEVER said he would have to fight, but I know I'd feel a lot better if he had at least the rudiments..."
"For his protection?" Like it or not, that made sense to the former Army Ranger.
She smirked, then lifted the sword between them. "No - for MINE." Standing, Nix flipped the sword around in her hand then walked towards the large man. "'Cause I'm certain you'd take my head off if I let anything happen to Sandburg." He had the audacity to smile as she handed him the blade on her way past him.
The feel of the sword in his hand wasn't as foreign as Jim had imagined it would be. It had been quite a few years since Nash's training, and he'd anticipated taking things slow. There had been NO questioning the fact that ELLISON would re-train, but he'd drawn the line at his partner. Every moment the two detectives had alone they'd spent "discussing" Blair. The kid had gone off an hour before with Methos and Connor, the three claiming to be on the hunt for the best Greek food in the area. It had given the Sentinel and Immortal an extended chance to debate the idea. After twenty minutes, though, it had come to that point.
"NO!"
Nixia sighed. She knew Ellison was protecting his partner. She understood that; understood the dual significance of his position - not just Sandburg's partner, but also the city's Sentinel. She'd let it go for a bit, and come back to it later. As she stood in the staging area, sword up and at the ready, she shook her head and began to give Jim a few words on sword handling.
"You know, Dakota." There was a smirk on his face as he leveled the sword towards her. "Nash - uh - Connor WAS my teacher. And I saw him knock you on your pert little butt the other day. Now, if I remember my training..."
She stepped to, swiping her blade across the space between them. The clang of their swords as he blocked the attack didn't surprise her.
His return attack did, though.
Seeing Nix's eyes flash wildly, Jim lunged forward and laughed. "What, no En Garde or Ready or anything?"
"I think we can dispense with the pleasantries..."
They were well engaged when Blair, Connor, and Methos returned. As they set the bags down in the kitchen, they watched the pair. Nix was obviously the more experienced, but Jim was just one step ahead of her. She'd turn, and he'd turn. She'd lunge, and he'd sidestep. After a couple parries, Nix started to smile. After four failed lunges in a row, she was laughing. The two were enjoying the workout, oblivious to the peanut gallery watching them from behind the couch. They were going on an hour when Nix did a tuck and roll ending up behind the large man. As he turned around, the sun glinted on the pommel of her sword, the light splintering a million ways. It was a shock to his senses - one that almost cost Jim his life.
Nixia was preparing a downward slice when she saw him stopped dead in his tracks. He'd lost his grip on his sword and was staring at - well, at nothing. Seeing his distress, she immediately halted her swipe and dropped her weapon just before striking him, then yelled for Sandburg.
"GEEZ! He's zoned..." Blair rushed to his partner's side, setting a hand on the Sentinel's back and speaking calmly. "Jim. You need to come back to me, buddy. JIM....JIM!!!"
Jim shook his head, getting the last of his senses under control, then looked down at the young man on one side and the woman on the other. Seeing the worry on their faces, he smiled for them. "Check, please."
"Whoa, man." Sandburg said as he lead his friend to a couch. "Nix, get him some water, wouldja?" Moving to sit on the coffee table, Blair leaned forward and asked the important questions. "What happened? Where in the universe did you go, and how'd you get there so fast?"
Placing his hand on the back of his neck, Jim groaned and answered as best he could. "The light hit the handle on her pig-sticker... That's uh - pshhhhh, the last thing I remember. I saw the sun go a thousand ways and I think I tried to follow all of them as they scattered. Does that make sense? I mean, I know we did all those tests and stuff with the revolving lights. This was different, wild. Every little piece of light was worth watching. I couldn't help myself..."
"S'okay, man. It happens sometimes." Letting out a pent up breath, Blair watched his friend suck down half the bottle of water Nik had provided. "We'll just have to work on that."
She had no idea what had happened, only that her heart had stopped as she'd stared into Jim's blank, lifeless eyes. Whatever IT was, she didn't like it and would do whatever she could do to help. *God knows I don't want to hurt the man* Pushing the comment back down her own throat, Nik swallowed hard and directed her question to Blair. "And what would THAT, that episode thingy be?"
Taking a deep breath, Sandburg explained just exactly what a "zoneout" was - and its dangers in just such situations - and the fact that Nik's sword had been the catalyst in this one.
"Mind if I take a look?" He watched her shrug then hand him the sword, pommel first of course. Sandburg examined the handle, noting the large, clear gemstone mounted there. About the size of a robin's egg, it was faceted like nothing he'd ever seen before. "Here's the culprit..."
Ellison glanced sparingly at the stone and its setting, then sat back letting his head rest on the back of the sofa. "Okay, Chief. You know WHAT caused it, now you can take some notes, figure out some sort of training or torture or something..."
Closing his eyes, Jim took a deep breath and tried to relax.
Blair patted his friend on the knee then stood. "Or something... So, Methos... What's all this stuff for and do you REALLY know how to cook authentic Greek food?"
~~~~~
"Where to tonight, babe?"
Nix smiled at Blair's question. They'd been "dating" for a few weeks, and each date was a treat for her. The young man had a zest she envied. Everything he did, every place they went, Blair radiated energy and life, sharing it joyously with her. Normally, Nix didn't frequent museums - too many memories. With Blair, though, she could overcome those memories by sharing them, introduce him to the secrets she held, the wisdom of HER ages. After all, she had quite a few behind her. The jaded immortal was beginning to warm up to the Sandburg charm.
Of course, she could NEVER let him know that!
Blair settled a hand on the woman's shoulder, turning her to face him. "Whaddaya say to a nice dinner, then a long walk on the Battery? We'll take it easy tonight." His breath stopped at the sight of her smile. Unexpectedly, Blair felt Nix pull him to her in a hug. And he wouldn't swear to it in court, but it felt as if she'd sighed and relaxed into his chest as his arms had surrounded her.
A throaty noise reminded them they weren't alone. Looking over his shoulder, Blair smiled as Jim made his way down the steps from his bedroom. "Hey, man. You catch everything?" He watched Jim nod. "Cool." Turning his attention back to Nixia, he asked her where they should go for dinner.
Stretching her body and walking into the window-filtered sunlight, she took a deep breath and sighed. "I'm in the mood for something.... expensive."
Blair didn't miss a beat. "You're paying, then."
She raised an eyebrow, a devilish glint in her eyes. "I'd pay any price to see YOU in a tux..." *Not to mention HIM!* she thought, a small sigh escaping as she mulled over the prospects.
"Whoa! How much?" Jim's voice carried some amusement. "Seriously. How expensive are we talking?"
"Come with us and find out..." Nix picked up her empty coffee cup and walked to the kitchen sink. Her eyes focused on Blair. "Grab your stuff. You can get changed at my place."
Jim walked towards the woman, a stern look on his face. "Just where are you taking my partner?" He crossed his arms over his chest, standing a bit taller and looking just a bit menacing.
"You really ARE possessive, Jim." Nix smiled and explained that she needed to change into something more appropriate for dinner and doubted the two men had anything in their closets for her. In addition, the captain had ordered her to be escorted at ALL times, which meant Sandburg was the best choice to accompany her. They agreed to meet at her place in an hour. A very happy Blair grabbed his "babe gear" and hightailed it out of the loft.
For once, Jim was glad to see them go so fast. It saved him the embarrassment of making the phone call in front of an audience. Punching in the number, Jim hoped for an answering machine.
No such luck. "Hello?" Came the female's voice.
"Uh...Hi...It's Jim."
~~~~~