The Sentinel and all related characters are (unfortunately) the property of Pet Fly Productions and UPN. (Rats!) No copyright infringement is intended through the (harmless, if completely enjoyable) use of the aforementioned program and characters. This story is the property of the author. Just a short sweet nothing I felt like writing. Not terribly original and no real plot. Eh. I like it anyway. :) ________ Doctor Sandburg "*I did it!*" Jim Ellison looked up from his desk in time to see a flurry of curly brown hair and brown leather jacket race into the bullpen like a mini- whirlwind. A battered backpack hit the side of his desk and he had a glimpse of bright blue eyes before he found himself being pulled into an exuberant embrace. Jim blinked and barely had time to grin before the living bundle of energy pulled away to face him. "Hello to you too, Blair." Blair ignored the dry tone of voice as he grinned up at his partner. His eyes were glittering with excitement and he was practically vibrating in place he was so full of energy. "That's Doctor Sandburg to you." "You did it?" Jim asked. Blair nodded, grinning even more widely. "You did it!" Jim grinned and clasped Blair's shoulder with one hand, reaching up to ruffle his hair with the other. "Congratulations, kid! This is great!" "I can't believe this!" Blair paced a few steps away from Jim's desk, then paced back. Jim watched his friend with a content smile. He didn't know a lot about what Blair did for a living -- anthropology just wasn't something he could find any real interest for, despite being a subject of study himself -- but he knew enough to realize how hard Blair had worked for this, how much time, dedication and late nights it had taken Blair to earn the right to call himself 'Doctor.' If anyone deserved this, it was Blair. Their brief celebration had not escaped the notice of the other Detectives of the Major Crimes unit and Blair was soon on the receiving end of a string of congratulations. Taggert especially seemed happy for him. Jim remembered a few times when the burly captain of the bomb squad had put up with Blair's ramblings on one sort of anthropological discovery or another; apparently it had caught his interest. Blair was looking embarrassed at all the attention. Jim knew the young man hadn't really intended to cause a scene, despite his grand entrance. He'd just been excited and wanting to share his good news with his partner. Too bad. Jim's grin deepened. If Blair hadn't told them, Jim would have. They'd been asking anyway. Simon leaned against his office door and watched the commotion with a slight grin. He caught Jim's gaze and lifted and eyebrow. *Do we tell him?* he was asking. Jim shook his head. *Not yet.* They could tell Blair about his new position as official consultant later. Jim had already made the reservations for the celebration dinner. Right now, though, he was enjoying the look on Blair's face. It was a welcome change from the exhausted apprehension that had filled Blair for the last few days. The drive home was filled with non-stop chatter and Blair practically danced into the loft, tossing his backpack into his room as he headed for the living room. He sprawled on the couch, catching the beer Jim tossed him. "Jim?" "Yeah?" Blair closed his eyes and leaned back against the cushions. "I think the adrenaline high is wearing off." Jim chuckled and raised the beer to his lips. "You aren't gonna crash on me, are you, Chief?" Blair grunted. "That better be a 'no.' " Jim said sternly. "Uh-huh." "Cause we have to leave in an hour." "An hour? What?" Blair blinked at him. "Jim, man, I just got some of the best news of my life and all I want to do is kick back and relax and not have to worry about classes or exams for the first time in *years* and you're telling me I have to go somewhere?" "Yep." Jim's expression was one of pure angelic innocence. "Where are we *supposedly* going?" "Seaside Cove." Well, Jim thought as Blair's eyes opened at settled on him, that's certainly gotten his attention. "Seaside Cove? Jim that's one of the most expensive restaurant in Cascade." "And you're one of the best anthropologists in Cascade." Jim smiled. "That about evens out, don't you think?" "Aw, man, Jim. This is great. I mean, I really appreciate it. But I can't let you do that. That's really expensive." Jim shrugged. "It's one night. Besides," he added, "Simon and I are splitting the check." "Simon too?" "Simon too." "Jeez." "Exactly." Jim stood and moved to stand behind the couch, resting his arms against the back and looking down at his friend. "We're happy for you, Chief. And proud of you. We want to do this and you are going to be gracious and accept. Got it?" Blair grinned. "Got it." "Listen, Blair," Jim began. "I know that I don't say it much, but I just want you to know that I know how hard you've worked for this. I meant it when I said I was proud of you." Blair met his eyes and carefully raised a hand. Jim grasped it tightly. "Admit it," Blair said. "You're just happy because I can afford to pay rent now." Jim stared at him and shock and opened his mouth to forcefully deny it. He never got further than that though, because he caught the glimmer in Blair's eye and the tell tale twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Idiot," he said fondly. "Maybe. But you keep me around anyway." "You can cook." "Oh, *thanks.* You make me feel so appreciated." "You are. A lot." Jim dropped the teasing tone as quickly as he'd adopted it. He still held Blair's hand and now he gripped it tighter. "I know I never say this either and that you probably already know it. Doesn't mean it doesn't need to be said, right? I do appreciate you, Blair. I appreciate you as my partner, the only one I've ever completely trusted with my life. I appreciate you as my Guide, for all the times you've kept me from losing myself in a zone-out or going insane from sensory overload. I appreciate you as my friend, the best one I've ever had, the one person who's managed to get through to me. I appreciate you, I trust you." He hesitated only a fraction of a second. There wasn't any doubt to his words, nor did he doubt that they would be misunderstood. But years of military training and a lonely lifestyle aren't easily banished, even in the light of a friendship like this one. "Blair, I love you." He could hear the slight increase in Blair's heartbeat and body temperature. "But don't be expecting any rings or anything, kid." Blair laughed. "Nah. No rings. Never really went for them anyway." "Unless they're stuck in your ear?" "Unless then," Blair nodded. "And, Jim?" "Yeah?" Blair pulled his hand free from Jim's grip, sat up and wrapped his arm around Jim's neck, pulling the bigger man in for a quick hug. "I love you too, Jim." The positioning was a little uncomfortable; leaned over the back of the couch as he was; but the rarity of this sort of sharing was enough to make the moment precious and worth any discomfort. Jim managed to get an arm around Blair's back and held on tightly for a few moments before they both pulled back. With a sheepish smile, Blair settled back against the cushions again. "What time do we have to leave for the restaurant?" Jim glanced at his watch. "Little more than forty-five minutes." "Cool. Bother me in fifteen minutes. Right now I'm just gonna," Blair gestured vaguely, "veg." "Your favorite past-time, I know." Jim swatted gently at the top of Blair's head. "Wear a suit." "Uh-huh." "And a tie." "Ugh." "And since you're comfortable, I'll just grab the first shower." "There had better be hot water left when you're done, man. And I don't mean five seconds worth, either." "Would I do that to you? Don't answer that." Jim held up an hand and backed away grinning. "Fifteen minutes or you won't have enough time." "Don't worry," Blair assured him. "And, Jim?" "Yeah?" "You're right. I did know it." He smiled up at his friend; his eyes, as always, conveying even more than his words. "And I did need to hear it anyway. Thanks." "A pleasure, Doctor Sandburg." ________ end