Series: The Sentinel

Pairing: B/m (not Jim)

Rating: PG

Blair Sandburg slammed the door behind him. "Jim you gotta help me here," he called out as he tossed his backpack into his bedroom.

Ellison ran down the steps in response to the urgency in his roommate's voice.

"You were right!"

"It happens," the surprised man replied, laughing, "What was I right about this time?"

"I wish you'd been here last night or earlier today; I wouldn't have so much to tell you..." Sandburg began, his words coming so fast they ran together.

"Calm down so I can understand you, Chief. What was I right about?"

"Simon, Jim. You were right about Simon. Oh my god, Jim. Simon! Why didn't I see it? I can't believe this. I was so sure you were wrong. I never saw it coming. I mean, we've been hanging out some and he bought me dinner a few times, well more than a few. But I'm a starving grad student. And we talked about Daryl and colleges and police work. And sure he asked about my dissertation, but like he was interested in Sentinels. And sure he told me about Joan and stuff. But I thought it was because of Daryl. And yes, I've been at his house a lot, but with him and Daryl and I thought..."

"Stop, Chief. What are you saying? No more than 5 words in a sentence." Jim pushed his guide down on the couch and sat across from him. "Tell me what is going on. From the beginning if you can."

Sandburg took a deep breath and began to fidget and speak. "The beginning. OK. That's easy. The Jags kidnaping."

"That was about 2 months ago."

"Yeah. Back then. Simon took me out for a thank you lunch the day after. Fed me pizza and talked about how great I was to keep Daryl from doing anything too dangerous and how he was really pleased that I'd got them talking about the future and college and the academy..."

"Woah! Simple sentences. You're losing me. So, two months ago Simon thanked you for helping out with the kidnaping and keeping Daryl more-or-less safe. You've told me about that. You argued with him and told him you should have done a better job. And he convinced you that his kid might have done something really dumb if you hadn't been there."

"Right."

"And somehow your telling Simon to let Daryl chose his own future helped both of them to talk about options."

"Right again. And now, Daryl is considering law school and the academy for _after_ college."

"Simon has told me about that. He's very pleased."

"And he bought me dinner to talk about colleges and scholarships and stuff."

"And, if I remember right, you started tutoring Daryl about that time, too."

"Not really tutoring, although I did that some. Mostly hanging out. We shot hoops and played baseball and talked about coping with Simon."

"You've spent a lot of time at their place lately, too. With me and without me."

"Yeah. Barbecuing and showing Daryl some websites and general stuff, more-or-less. We've gotten real close lately, Jim." Sandburg sighed, but smiled.

"I knew that Blair. I've been glad you've had more friends since I've been so tied up with updating those old case files and all. I don't see the problem or where I'm right in all this."

"It's Simon, Jim. You were right about him. And there's more besides," Blair looked up at Jim as if everything should be clear, but continued before the confused Sentinel could get a word in edgewise. "Last night I was over there."

"It's not getting clearer to me."

"Just be quiet for a minute. This is hard enough without stopping all the time." Blair swallowed, then breathed deeply and continued. "I was over there last night. We were having a good time. We watched Halloween H20. You know that horror movie you didn't want to see. So, we were sitting in the dark. He had his arm around me, so we were sitting real close."

Mmf. Cough.

"Shhh. Don't interrupt me. So the movie ended and we started making out. God, it felt good." Blair stood up, ran his hand through his curls, shook his head, then startled a bit, apparently at finding himself standing. He sat back down and closed his eyes. "More than good, Jim. We've kissed before and we've done all the touching we could do playing tackle football and play wrestling and, well, you know how we are. But, man, we were really..."

"Too much info, Chief. I get it."

Sandburg's eyes popped open. "Oh. Sorry. Mea culpa."

"Go on."

"So we were on the couch all over each other when he walked in. I don't think I ever jumped so fast. I guess he didn't see anything, but I got out of there quick. I didn't want to get in between the two Banks men over this one."

"No way. I hope it was OK," Jim commiserated.

"Must have been from what happened today. Besides I know they've talked about sex and relationships before. Had to have. And both of them have told me that they are pretty open and seeing as both of them are bi and know it..."

"They talk about that!" Jim looked shocked. "I can't imagine ever telling my Dad I was bi or gay or anything. He would have flipped. I'm just glad I never needed to have that kind of talk with him."

"Naomi was cool about it all when I told her. But she'd always told me to be me and do what I felt was best."

"She would be. You know, now that we're talking about it, I seem to remember Simon complaining that Daryl's last SO was too immature. He never said 'girlfriend,' Ellison rambled. "Then again, last time I heard Daryl complain about Simon's dating life, he said he'd never brought home anyone fun. Guess that didn't mention gender either. Hmmm. I did miss some clues there, didn't I."

"Not too many. After all, you warned me about this."

"So last night, he told you..." Jim tried to get the conversation back on track.

"Not last night. Today. I went over for lunch. For a picnic with both of them. When I got there, no Daryl. I was a bit worried by then, but Simon just said we needed some time for the two of us. He told me Daryl would be back in a few hours for our study session. He looked a bit funny when I laughed, but I didn't think about it. After all I enjoy Simon a lot."

"And?"

"He kissed me!"

"Yeah? And?"

"Jim, aren't you listening? Simon kissed me! He leaned over above me when I was lying on the grass and kissed me, tongue and all. And he sort of lay over me, so we were touching. And his hand was on my chest. But he kissed me!"

"Why the shock? Blair, I don't get this."

"Jim, listen to me. Simon Banks kissed me."

"You've been dating him for two months and you just told me about last night. What's the biggie? Did he propose or something?"

Blair blushed bright red. "Oh no! Oh sh..." He covered his cheeks with his hands, elbows in his lap and sat there, quite still, for a moment. When he looked up his color was more normal, but he still looked shocked.

"I thought you understood me. My shock today was that Simon thought we were dating."

"You have been as far as I know. I told you that, Blair. Dinner, cookouts, and hanging out with someone's kid usually mean dating."

"No way, Jim. I hear you. I can see what you're saying. But you've got it all wrong. Simon has it all wrong. I knew he was wanting to get to know me as part of the family. But...me...date Simon! No way. That'd be like dating my non-existent Dad." Blair stood up, arms tense at his side, and took a deep breath.

"Blair, tell me the rest." Ellison looked worried and a bit curious.

"Don't you see? No, I guess you don't," Blair continued, "I'm dating Daryl!"