"Unfortunately, Sandburg experienced that firsthand."

  Stoddard nodded. "When Blair didn't come with me, I wondered who would run interference for him as he worked on his dissertation. I did as much as I could from the field..."

  "Chancellor Edwards told me you'd pulled some strings for Blair." Jim locked his gaze with the older man's, trying to convey to him in that one look all he felt. "Thank you," he said finally. "I mean that. I appreciate what you did. I know Blair would, too, if he knew about it."

  Stoddard glanced inside again, his fatherly gaze following Blair's progress as he set the table for dinner. "Well," he said, his voice filled with pride, "Blair is an uncommon young man." He shifted his attention back to Jim. "He deserves to be taken care of."

  The two men's gazes locked. "Not that he can't take care of himself," they said in unison and then laughed.

  Jim glanced over his shoulder and caught Blair watching them, a pleased smile on his face.

  "I knew Blair had found his sentinel when he turned down my offer to Borneo. Did he tell you that?"

  Jim turned his attention back to the professor, nodding. "He did, and I have to admit to you that I was really worried when you offered him that job." He leaned forward in his chair, his gaze returning to the view of the city before him. He could still remember Blair's initial excitement about the offer, Jim telling him to go for it... until he found out Sandburg would be gone for a year... or longer. "I knew how much he admired you," Jim began, guilt winding through him at the admission he was about to make. "I knew how much he wanted to go, to be a part of that expedition. But we'd only been working together a few months and my senses were still way out of line." He returned his gaze to the professor. "It's my fault he turned you down, Eli. I made it pretty difficult for him to accept your offer."

  "He turned me down," Eli said, his eyes showing understanding, "Because he knew where his place was." He smiled warmly at Jim. "I could have offered Blair some field experience in Borneo, a chance to publish a thesis about governmental hierarchy within Borneo's rain forest tribes or some such thing, but that's about all. What he found here, in Cascade, is much more important and longer lasting. I'm glad he stayed. And I know for a fact that he is, too."

  Jim stared at the man beside him, understanding why Blair admired him so much. "Thank you for telling me that. I've never admitted this to anyone, not even Sandburg, but I've always felt a little guilty about holding him back from that trip." He glanced inside again, watching as Blair set the food on the table, knowing he would be calling them inside soon. "I didn't want our association to end up hurting him professionally, but for a while there, I think it did."

  Stoddard waved a hand, dismissing Jim's concerns. "Blair is fine. He has his doctorate and a wonderful career before him. But more important than that, he has a good friend." Eli reached over and gripped Jim's arm, holding tightly. "Believe me, Jim, that's more important to Blair than any degree or job opportunity."

  Jim nodded, knowing the man was right. He glanced behind him as the door to the balcony opened. "Dinner's ready," Blair said, leaning out.

  "Great! I'm starving." Eli pushed up from his chair and headed inside.

  Blair stood at the door, watching Jim, his brow furrowed in concern. "Everything okay? You guys looked kind of serious."

  "Everything's fine, Chief." Jim threw an arm carefully around Blair's shoulders and steered him toward the table.

  After the three men were seated at the table, Jim poured wine for all of them, then raised his glass. "To new beginnings," he toasted.

  "New beginnings," Blair repeated before sipping his wine.

  "And speaking of new beginnings..." Eli said, looking at the two men, a mischievous smile pulling up the corners of his mouth, "I was offered a new job today."

  Blair set his glass down, the smile fading from his face. "You're leaving Rainier?"

  "No, not exactly." Stoddard locked his gaze with Blair's. "I've been offered the position of chancellor."

  Blair blinked in surprise. "You're kidding! Chancellor? Are you going to take it?"

  Eli took another sip of wine, shrugging one shoulder. "I don't see why not."

  "But you won't be able to go out into the field anymore."

  Stoddard laughed. "Blair, my boy, I'm getting much too old to chase around the rain forests. I'm ready to stay home. For good." His gaze shifted briefly to Jim before returning to the meal before him. "Now, let's eat before this wonderful pasta gets cold."

  Jim looked over at the kindly professor, watching him closely as he lifted a steaming fork full of pasta to his mouth, knowing in his heart that there was more to the professor's acceptance of the chancellor's position than an old man's aversion to rain forests. Finally, giving his attention to his own meal, Jim allowed the professor and Blair's banter to wash around him as his thoughts turned to the news Eli had just given them. He suspected that he knew the other reason the man planned to accept this new job. As chancellor, Professor Stoddard would be in the perfect position to watch over Blair's career. To step in if any problems should arise because of his time spent at the station. His time spent with me. Eli Stoddard had found the perfect way to guarantee Blair's future in both his sentinel studies and at Rainier.

  Jim chewed thoughtfully on a mouthful of pasta and let his gaze shift over to Blair. He was talking excitedly to the professor about some of the notes he planned to show him when they were finished eating, explaining some of the theories he'd already proven. And as Jim watched his partner, Blair's one free hand gesturing wildly, he couldn't help but smile.

  The whole world would have to wait to find out all Blair had discovered about Jim, about sentinels... and about guides. For now, his partner could only share his knowledge with this one man--a man he admired greatly. But somehow, Jim knew, that was enough.

  /

  /

  /

  Jim pulled the covers back on the bed, then straightened. Unfastening his watchband, he placed the timepiece on the night stand, then slowly stretched his arms above his head, not even trying to stifle a very large yawn. The dinner with Eli Stoddard had been enjoyable, both the food and the conversation, but he was tired. All that remained was checking the doors to make sure the loft was secure for the night, then he could stretch out in his bed and get a well-deserved night of rest.

  Padding down the stairs, his attention was caught by a slight movement on the balcony. Crossing over to the doors, he was surprised to see Blair outside, leaning on the railing and gazing out over the city. A soft breeze tugged at the young man's hair, lifting it away from his shoulders then setting it down again.

  Quietly, Jim opened one of the balcony doors and stepped up beside his friend.

  "Hey," he said quietly, "I thought you were going to bed." He rested his arms against the railing and looking over at Blair.

  Sandburg reached up to push a windblown strand of hair away from his face, then he turned and smiled over at Jim. "I am. In a few minutes." His gaze returned to the cityscape across the bay. "Dinner was great, wasn't it?"

  "Yeah, it was. I have to admit that I like your Professor Stoddard very much."

  "You do?" Blair asked, delight evident in his voice.

  Jim turned to look into his partner's eyes, happy to see the pleased excitement that shone from within the blue depths. "I do."

  Blair flashed him a brilliant smile, then turned his attention back to the lights of Cascade. The young man became quiet again, introspective. Jim waited for several minutes, enjoying the night air and the view, then he glanced over at his friend. Blair was obviously still lost in thought, his expression a bit sad. Jim moved closer and nudged at him gently with his arm. "You all right?" he asked softly.

  Blair nodded his head slowly. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said just as softly. "I was just thinking about some of the things that happened over the past couple of days."

  A small huff of laughter escaped Jim. "Never a dull moment for us, is there?"

  Blair chuckled and shook his head. "No, there never is." Becoming serious, he straightened and turned toward his partner. "Jim, I want you to know that I really appreciate you becoming involved in this whole thing with Dr. Stoddard and Susan. You were there for me from the very beginning, even when I didn't have a lot of evidence to support my feelings about the whole thing." He paused and smiled warmly. "Thank you," he whispered.

  Jim turned to face Blair. "No problem, Chief," he spoke, his voice low, "I'm glad I was able to help." He smiled fondly at his guide. "Like a very wise man once told me," he whispered, reaching up to touch softly at Blair's cheek, "'It's about friendship'."

  The End

 

 

  Beth Manz, Sentinel - Progressions Series 04 Echoes From Borneo

 

 

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