Jim leaned back in his chair, stretching out the kinks in his back. The bullpen was finally quiet after the insane commotion of the past few days, but the welter of paperwork was just beginning. The soft tap of keys from Blair's furious typing was soothing, so when it paused, Jim sat up and turned.

Valerie stood there, coat over her arm, and a sheaf of reports in her hand. She set them carefully on a small patch of open desk space. She stood there quietly for a moment, then looked up with a half-smile. "It was good working with you two. I never would have imagined how nice it is to share a secret."

"You going to share with your bosses?" Blair asked.

"No." She shrugged. "Not everyone else is quite so... at ease with the concept of being different. Maybe someday, but not soon."

Jim nodded, glancing at Blair. "Maybe."

"Well, have fun with the paperwork, gentlemen. Next time we meet, I hope it's not under quite so serious circumstances." She shifted her coat, and swept it on as she left the bullpen.

Jim cocked his head, watching the coat change and glow gold, feathers flaring in a wide sweep. The hawk launched from where Valerie had stood, and cried out, and with a final click, the elevator doors slid shut. The cry echoed faintly, lingering.

"Jim, Jim, you with us?" Blair leaned over and nudged him.

"Yeah, yeah, Chief, chained down with paperwork." Jim sat up and turned back to the desk.

"Hah. Like you even do half your fair share."

Jim tossed him the stack of papers Valerie had left. A few pages escaped and fluttered before Blair caught them. "One report is my share, anything more is above and beyond the call of duty."

"Bet you got a medal for that, even."

"Sure thing. Commendation for most paperwork pawned off on unsuspecting partners." Jim ducked the ensuing flurry of papers that Blair flung at him.

Like this episode? Email the writer: mhall@sound.net
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Stay tuned next week when a chemical spill threatens Cascade, challenging the abilities of Sentinel and Guide in "Hazardous Duty" an all new The Sentinel.

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