~~~~~
This story is a sequel to Ke Kali Nei Au (The Wedding Song), First Day of Forever, and The Introduction
~~~~~
Jim and Blair are passed out on the deck of their yacht. Jim is shielding Blair. He has an open gash on his head that is bleeding. Blair appears to have no evident injuries. The yacht has washed ashore in Cascade Bay. In the bright, mid-morning light the yacht looks clean and undisturbed. Blair is reviving. With eyes closed, he struggles to sit but is blocked by Jim. He extracts himself carefully and moves away from Jim. He opens his eyes, looks around at his surroundings and immediately panics. He starts shaking Jim.
Blair: Jim! Jim! Get up! Jim! Come on! This is no time to be snoozing. Wake up!
Blair keeps shaking Jim but Jim is not responding. That's when Blair notices the blood trickling down the side of Jim's face.
Blair: Oh my god, oh my god. Jim! Are you dead!? (starts hitting Jim) You can't be dead. Not for another 30 years or so. Jim! Wake up! This is so not good. Not good at all. Jim! I'm not good at these sorts of... situations. I get panicked. You know that. Don't leave me, man. You can't leave me. Jim, get up and deal with this!
In an attempt to control his panic Blair takes a few deep breaths. Satisfied that he's in control he moves Jim so that he's on his back. Blair checks Jim's pulse.
Blair: Jim? Jim, you're not dead. Thank you, thank you, thank you gods.
Still groggy himself, Blair snuggles up to Jim, putting his head on Jim's chest and hugging him.
Blair: It's just a nightmare. We're not in Cascade. We're not in Cascade. We are not in Cascade. Just a nightmare. Gonna rest a bit now, Jim, and when I wake up it's gonna be okay.
Blair falls asleep.
LATER
Jim comes to, groggy and confused. He gently moves Blair and gets up. He walks around the deck, taking in the scene, but doesn't notice the location of the yacht. Jim opens up his senses. His nostrils flare. He checks out Blair to make sure he is okay before following the scent down to the cabin. Blair wakes up and Jim is gone.
Blair: Jim! Jim! Where are you?
Blair looks around and displeased when he realizes nothing has changed.
Blair: It's not a nightmare? Jim?
Jim: (O.S.) Down here, Sandburg. Stay put. I'll be right back up.
Blair is climbing down into the cabin when Jim comes up the stairs. Blair turns around and goes back on deck. Jim follows behind him.
Jim: I told you to stay put.
Blair: You're injured. You should be the one staying put.
Blair takes off his button down shirt and starts wiping the blood off Jim. Jim swats him away.
Jim: I'm just banged up a little bit, Sandburg. I've had worse. You okay?
Blair: What kind of question is that? Am I okay? No, man I am not okay. I could be mistaken, I doubt it, but that (gesturing at the skyline) looks an awful lot like Cascade and I know there's no way we can be in Cascade because we were sailing west, not northeast.
Jim: Sailing west? What are you talking about? We weren't sailing anywhere. We were investigating the Honeymoon Bandit case, remember?
Blair: Honeymoon Bandits? Were you watching those cheesy cop shows again, tryin' to get ideas? Because you swore to me, man, that when we got married you were callin' it quits, done, finished, kaput, no more. This is our honeymoon, Jim, there will be no shenanigans. You are not multi-tasking the crime on our honeymoon, and besides you've always been a low-key kind of guy, so whatever this Honeymoon Bandits scheme is it is most definitely not your style.
Jim: I said investigating, not perpetrating. I'm taking you to the hospital, Chief; you're injured. You're talking crazy. You must've hit your head on the deck when diving away from the explosion. You might have a serious head injury.
Blair grabs Jim by the arms and shakes him.
Blair: I'm talking crazy? I do not have a head injury. (points to his head which is not bleeding, bruised, or injured in any obvious physical way.)
Jim: Head injuries are internal, Sandburg, you can't see them.
Blair: Yeah, well, I've got news for you Jim, if anyone here has a head injury that is visible it's you.
Blair holds up the shirt he was using to wipe the blood off of Jim.
Jim: I told you it was nothing. It's a scratch.
Blair: Well, you investigate then. I want no part of it. If you have no intention of giving up your bad habits then I have no intention in sticking by you. Good-bye, Jim.
Jim lets him walk away. When Blair gets to the stairs to climb off the yacht he stops abruptly and turns around to stare at Jim.
Blair: Explosion?
Jim: Yeah. You must've just rattled your brain. It'll come back to you in a couple of minutes.
Blair is scared and more confused than ever. He watches while Jim surveys the yacht and studies something he's carrying in his hand.
Blair: What's that?
Jim opens his palm to reveal what he's holding. The pieces look like bits of broken ceramic.
Jim: Bomb fragments. While you were out I went over the whole yacht thoroughly and this is all I came up with. (wrinkles up his nose) Well, that and the overwhelming stench of semen. But that's not surprising, you did figure out that part of their MO was to...
Blair: (snorting) We've got good stamina. Hand that over.
Jim reluctantly gives Blair the bomb fragments.
Jim: Be careful. That's evidence.
Blair: Jim, this looks like my favorite coffee mug. That's my ceremonial mug. The one Incacha gave me after that shaman test ritual thing with the crunchy seeds and spiny plants and weird dance. Oh, that's it, is it? You broke my favorite coffee mug? Drugged me so I'd be out of it when I woke up and wouldn't notice it was missing? And thought you'd lay on a story about how someone tried to blow us up to distract me while you commissioned some artist friend of yours to make me a new one? That's low, even for you. How stupid do you think I am? You could've at least broke some boards or something, made it look like there was an explosion.
Jim: Sandburg, you've never met Incacha. I told you about him only because I thought it would distract you and get you to lay off the testing for awhile.
Blair: Ah-hah, you're admitting it?
Jim: Sandburg, I am not taking this trip down loony lane with you, okay? You're the one who figured out their MO, now all we need is to catch them. Which we are not gonna do if I let you stand around here all day spouting nonsense about a reality that is unique to you. I need you to snap out of it and focus. We've got crooks to catch.
Jim carefully takes the pieces back and places them in his jacket pocket for safekeeping. He then reaches in his jeans pocket and pulls out his cellphone. He tosses it to Blair.
Jim: Call Joel, he'll want to have his team go over the scene thoroughly.
Blair stares at the phone and looks at Jim with sadness and worry. He decides to call Brackett instead but gets a message stating that the customer is out of service range.
Blair: He's not there.
Jim grabs the phone out of Blair's hands and dials a number.
Jim: (into phone) Yeah, this is Detective Ellison. I need a forensic unit over at the Marina ASAP and patch me through to Captain Banks. Well, have him call me when he gets in. He can reach me on my cell, I have a lead to follow up on.
Jim hangs up, walks by a stunned Blair and starts searching for something.
Jim: Do you remember where I parked the truck?
Blair: A lead?
Jim: Yeah, there's this other smell I can't identify. It's on the remnants I found. We'll head back to the loft, see if we can figure it out and then get back on the trail.
Blair is still shell shocked.
Jim: Snap out of it, Chief, I could really use your help here with my senses. Maybe we could try that piggybacking thing again or something, I don't know, that's your area of expertise, not mine. I don't see the truck, we'll have to take the Green Monster. Where did you park? Oh, no never mind, they probably towed it by now, we'll take a cab.
Blair snaps out of it and grabs the phone from Jim.
Blair: Fine by me.
Blair phones for a cab and succeeds in leaving the boat this time. He looks up at the sky that has turned overcast. It is now drizzling.
Blair: Maybe we can get to the bottom of this somewhere warmer and dryer.
Jim: (calling down to Blair) You have any money on you? I spent my last five getting breakfast this morning.
Blair starts hysterically laughing
Jim: Right. This isn't funny, Sandburg. I am not taking the bus.
Blair: Trust me on this one, Jim, we're not taking the bus. Check your wallet.
Jim takes out a wallet and is shocked to find it stuffed with a lot of one hundred-dollar bills. Jim turns around and gives Blair a sheepish look and then comes down to meet him. Blair crosses his arms across his chest and waits for Jim to say something.
Jim: Okay, I admit my brain's a little fuzzy too, but I distinctly remembering getting a tip to check out this yacht at the Marina. You don't remember that? Today's your day.
Blair: My day? And what do you mean you don't remember?
Jim: Yeah, your official day at the station. I remember enough. I remember that you were sitting right beside me catching up on some of my paperwork when the call came in. Simon gave us the go-ahead and we headed straight here.
The cab comes. They get in. Jim gives the cabbie the address. They start driving away.
Blair: What else do you remember?
Jim: All I need to remember is that those scumbags are out there on the loose terrorizing my city and you want me to describe in detail everything I did today? That bomb was a distraction. We've been played and we need to figure out what their next move is and stop them before they hurt someone.
Cab pulls up in front of Colette's. They get out. Jim waits for the driver to make change.
Blair: At least some things haven't changed, El-Cheapo.
Blair waits for Jim by the curb and follows him into the building and up to the third floor.
Jim: Where's your spare key?
Blair: Stand there and shut up a minute. Okay, good. See? The thing is? You are acting very, very weird Jim, and it's scaring me a lot. I've never been here before so how could I possibly have a key? I don't know who you think you are, but we were not on our yacht pursuing bombers, AKA, the Honeymoon Bandits. We were on our honeymoon. I don't know much about bombs-except what Brackett taught me, and that was a one-time thing- I'm a cooking man who prefers recipes with ingredients that are organic, but I do know that if there was a bomb it was a baby bomb because the yacht didn't look exploded. And think about it, if there was a bomb, wouldn't we be dead? Dead and dismembered? Not just dismembered but parts strewn about everywhere? And, and, doesn't it bother you that you can't remember everything?
Jim appears to thoughtfully consider what Blair's saying but cannot control his laughter.
Jim: I remember that's it not April, so stop trying to do whatever it is you're trying to do. It's not working.
Jim reaches above the door, finds a spare key, opens it, walks in, waits for Blair to follow and then shuts the door.
Blair: I'm not trying to do anything except find out what the hell is going on with you.
Jim makes himself at home. The loft is clean and looks lived in. Jim hangs up his jacket on the hook, puts the spare key in the basket and then takes a seat on the couch while Blair studies the loft. He is comfortable there. He tosses his coat at a hook, but it falls on the floor. Jim gestures for him to pick it up but Blair ignores him and goes into the kitchen and starts opening drawers. He finds the coffee and sets about making a pot.
Blair: Where's the bathroom?
Jim is agitated but points a finger in the direction of the bathroom.
Jim: We don't have all day.
Blair comes out of the bathroom with medical supplies. He sits by Jim on the couch. Jim tries to swat him away.
Blair: You're still bleeding, so if you won't go to a doctor, the least you can do is let me clean up this wound. I won't help you unless you let me do this.
Blair very carefully and lovingly cleans and bandages the wound.
LATER
Blair hands Jim a mug of coffee and settles into the yellow chair.
Blair: It's Thursday, right?
Jim: Huh?
Blair: Thursdays with us are always a motherfu...uh, ah, it just must be Thursday is all I'm saying.
Jim: Sandburg, every day of the week with you is weird, but I've adjusted, so if we can get on with it?
Blair is not ready to get on with it.
Blair: Nice place. Homey. Whose is it?
Jim: Mine.
Blair points to a tribal mask hanging on the wall.
Blair: Branching out into artifacts too? Art getting too easy to steal?
Jim shoots him a dirty look, clearly saying he's had it up to here with Blair's nonsense.
Jim: It's yours.
Blair: Mine?
Jim: Stoddard gave it to you. Souvenir from the Borneo expedition you turned down.
Jim folds his arms across his chest and gives Blair a stern warning look.
Blair: Oh. Right. Me helping you with your senses. Right? That's what you want help with?
Jim: It's what you do.
Blair: Remind me, again, why don't you, how exactly I do that.
Jim: I don't know, Chief. You try different things.
Blair: Oh. Well. Um, let me think a minute.
Blair has no idea what to do. He looks around the loft and out the window where rain can be seen falling.
Blair: I have an idea.
Jim: What? I'm supposed to applaud?
Blair stares at Jim for a long while.
Blair: You're supposed to be cooperative.
Jim: I'm waiting to hear this great idea of yours.
Blair: I said idea I didn't say it was a great one. Close your eyes and lay down.
Jim acquiesces. Blair quietly walks over to Jim's coat and quietly extracts a pair of handcuffs from the pocket.
Jim: What are you doing?
Blair: I need you to focus here. Do you think you can do that?
Jim: My attention span is just fine.
Blair: Sometimes. Now, I want you to imagine that you're at a private beach. It's quiet. The sky is blue and the sun is warm on your skin. The waves are pounding into shore, kawoosh-swoosh-kawoosh.
Jim: Ah, a little visualization. Fine by me, Chief.
Blair: Feel relaxed?
Jim: Ah yeah. I can almost feel the water.
Blair: That's good. Go there. Feel the water. Keep breathing.
Blair places his fingers on Jim's wrist. Jim's eyes snap open. Blair is smiling.
Blair: Just checking your pulse. Keep breathing. Relax. The sun feels so good against your skin your bones are melting away. The water is wooing you into a state of deep relaxation.
Satisfied that Jim is off in beach land, Blair snaps one ring of the cuffs onto Jim's wrist and the other to the leg of the coffee table before Jim has time to react.
Jim: What the hell is going on?
Blair: That's the 60 million-dollar question.
Jim is furious and trying to rid himself of the cuffs.
Blair: Jim, calm down. You're gonna burst an artery or something. And the jaw? Come on. You and the dentist do not make a good combination- ever. And I don't think there's a bonus that you can offer her that she'll accept this time. I'm trying to help you. Do you trust me?
Jim looks at Blair like he's crazy but stops struggling.
Blair: I'll take that as a yes, but a verbal confirmation'd still be nice.
Jim: Yeah, Sandburg I trust you.
Blair: Good, because I really do have an idea. Now, close your eyes and let me do my thing. We need some atmosphere though. Hang on a sec and think beach thoughts.
Jim relaxes on the couch while Blair rummages through the CD collection.
Blair: Where's the Sinatra?
Jim: The only people who listen to...
Blair: Do not go there. No Sinatra, but plenty of Santana. Santana?
Jim: Hey, I don't make fun of that noise you call music.
Blair stops perusing the CDs and shoots a look at Jim daring him to continue with that line of thought.
Jim: As far as I'm concerned Santana's the last good band there was. You know that.
Blair: Well, apparently you know things I don't know and I know things you don't know, but we'll get to that in a minute. I've got nothing against Santana, mind you, the guy knows his way around a guitar, but...ah-ha.
Blair pulls out a CD, puts it in the player and the loft is filled with soft strains of jazzy pop music.
Blair: I guess Harry'll do.
Blair starts looking around the loft again. His eyes light on the stairs and he runs up to the bedroom. He starts rummaging around the closets.
Blair: (sarcastic) Sharp dresser.
Jim: Not all of us have signed up for the cause of keeping the plaid industry from going out of business. Some of us still save the whales.
Blair: Ha-ha.
Jim: What are you looking for up there? You better not be making a mess.
Blair: Raarh. I don't know. Something shiny like jewelry.
Jim: And you ransack my room?
Blair comes back down.
Blair: You do look kinda sleazy when you wear that gold chain for that gangster persona you sometimes adopt, but...
Blair's eyes fill with lust and he is in dreamland for a moment. Jim tries to sit up but the position is tense and awkward and he lies down again. This snaps Blair out of his lust-filled daze and he comes over and sits by Jim.
Blair: You wanted my help, remember? So that means, shut up, sit still, and do what I tell you. Let me run the show for awhile.
Blair's voice has a soothing effect on Jim and he starts to relax.
Blair: Listen to the music. You're still on that private beach in Hawaii. It's sunny. The sand is warm against your toes. There's no tension anywhere, not in your body or your mind. You are completely relaxed. The waves are rolling in to shore, one after another, swoosh-kawoosh-swoosh, and a copper-haired beauty is slowly rubbing sunblock across your chest.
Jim's eyes are closed and he's smiling. Blair once again pulls himself out of a lustful haze and goes to the bedroom under the stairs. He looks around the cluttered space and finds a prism among some journals and a machine with lots of knobs and wires protruding from it. He searches around until he finds a jewelry box. He finds a plain chain and attaches the prism to it. He goes out to the living room where Jim seems to be enjoying his visualization therapy a little too much. He doesn't even hear Blair return. Blair sits down on the couch beside him. This brings Jim back to awareness. Blair grabs Jim's left hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.
Blair: Ready?
Jim: What's the plan?
Blair: I'm going to hypnotize you.
Jim: Yeah, okay. Maybe there was evidence that I picked up on before the explosion knocked us out.
Blair puts Jim under.
Blair: What's your name?
Jim: Jim Ellison.
Blair: And where do you live, Jim?
Jim: Cascade, Washington.
Blair: Uh-huh. Cascade. And what do you in Cascade?
Jim: I'm a detective. Major Crimes division, Cascade P.D.
Blair: Who am I?
Jim: Blair Sandburg.
Blair: What do I do here in Cascade?
Jim: You're a student.
Blair: What do I study?
Jim: Me.
Blair: I study you?
Jim: You study sentinels.
Blair: I'm a geologist?
Jim: An anthropologist.
Blair: Anthropologist? As in mummies and dead things and dust and broken pottery?
Jim: You love it.
Blair: So, you're a cop and I'm an anthropologist, and we work together?
Jim: Yeah, you help me with the Sentinel stuff and the cop stuff. We have the best solve rate in the department.
Blair: I help you on cases? How'd we hook up? Sentinel stuff?
Jim: A few years ago when my senses first came back online it was total chaos. I couldn't work, couldn't even think straight, so I went to the hospital to find out what was wrong with me, get some tests, and get a prescription or something, you know? Whatever it took to stop the chaos. I thought I was losing my mind. Turns out this doctor they sent in to tell me my test results wasn't really a doctor.
Blair: Huh? That's creepy. Some patient escaped from the psych ward and pretended to be your doctor?
Jim: It so happened that one of the nurses on duty when I came in was your current boff buddy. She faxed you a copy of my chart that sent you into some kind of tizzy and you came rushing over to meet me. You told me doctors couldn't help me but that you knew someone who could. You handed me a business card and took off. There was something, I don't know- off- about you, but I trusted you. To this day I can't explain it. I went to the address on the business card.
Blair: And I was the guy I said could help you?
Jim: Yeah.
Blair: Jim, I never knew. Deep inside you, all along, you had it in you to be one of the good guys. Not that you're a bad guy; you're the best good-guy criminal I know. Jim, I'm hearing you, okay? I am, but I'm a little stressed here and could use a break, so you go back to your visualization while I cook us some dinner and de-freak. Hopefully, these people, whoever they are- you and me apparently- have good taste in food. I could really go for some coconut shrimp in some mango sauce with some lime infused saffron rice. You're on the beach with your best friend. It's pure bliss, man.
Blair leaves Jim in a hypnotized state while he looks through the fridge and cupboards and is not pleased with what he finds.
Blair: Jim, hey, yo? Snap out of it for one sec. For one sec, you're back in the loft. Jim, you really need to go food shopping. At the market. Got it? Okay. Jim, you're on the beach. The sun is your god. You're havin' a great time.
Blair preps the meal and puts the casserole in the oven. He walks over to check on Jim who definitely looks to be in a state of bliss. Blair, still not completely de-freaked, decides to get a shower.
LATER
Blair emerges from the bathroom with a towel around his waist and a towel, turban style around his head. He casts a glance in Jim's direction and determines he's okay before trudging up the stairs to forage for clothing. The phone rings while Blair is getting dressed. He looks panicked, confused, and curious. The machine picks up as someone starts knocking on the door.
Answering Machine Jim's Voice: This is Ellison. Sandburg and I aren't here to take your call, so leave a message and we'll call you back.
Finkelman: (on phone) I just listened to the dispatch tape of you calling in a scene, Ellison and, well, frankly, if it really was you, then I'd appreciate you coming to the station so that we can talk. And bring Blair with you. In the meantime, I'm sending someone over to Prospect to check things out.
The knocking on the door becomes more insistent. Blair removes the towel from his head, grabs one of Jim's shirts and puts it on but is so stressed he forgets to put on some pants. He walks down the stairs in big shirt and towel, uncertain what he should do. He hears voices outside the door, muffled and arguing. He is shocked when he hears a key being placed in the lock. Jim is still languishing on the couch, perfectly happy in his visualization. The door opens to reveal Stephen and William Ellison just as the oven timer goes off. Blair ignores the men and goes to the kitchen, losing his towel in his haste, so that he is now wearing nothing but one of Jim's shirts.
Blair: (mumbling to himself) This can't be real. None of this can possibly be real.
William approaches Jim cautiously
William: Jim? Son? (he notices Jim's injury.) What happened? Can you hear me?
Blair forages the cupboards for plates and glasses. He gets out 4 of each and sets the table. Stephen looks from his dad to Jim to Blair and comes over to help Blair.
William: What's wrong with him? Why is he handcuffed to the table?
Stephen: Blair?
Blair stops what he's doing and takes a good look at Stephen.
Blair: How do you know my name?
William: What the hell did you do to my son, Mr. Sandburg?
Blair: Son?
Blair studies Stephen, looking him up and down.
Blair: And I didn't think it could possibly get any weirder. (to Stephen) Can you get out the silverware?
Stephen complies and Blair walks over to the couch, looking William up and down.
William: I demand to know what's going on.
Blair: Jim has never mentioned you, not once. (he looks at Jim and William and compares them) I guess you do kind of look like him and he does have to have a father, right? I mean, I have one too out there somewhere.
William: (embarrassed) Jimmy and I have had our fair share of problems. (looking at Stephen) I'm afraid I haven't been a very good father to either of my sons.
Blair: He's fine, Mr. Ellison. I hypnotized him is all.
William: With handcuffs.
Blair: He's a danger to himself.
Blair places a hand on Jim's forehead and Jim's smile grows wider.
Blair: Jim, can you hear me?
Jim: Yeah, come on in, the water is fine.
Blair: Jim, I'm gonna count to ten and when I reach zero, you'll wake up feeling energized and refreshed. Ten, nine, eight...
Jim comes out of hypnosis and is immediately on alert. His eyes snap open and he is not pleased to see his father.
Jim: You called my father, Sandburg?
Blair: Yeah, I dialed information and told the operator I wanted the listing for James Joseph Ellison's father. The computer, of course, immediately knew what I was talking about and pulled the number right up.
Jim is not amused.
Jim: I have his number in my address book.
Blair: Oh? (Points at Stephen) His too?
Jim: (nods yes) You know my ATM pin. I didn't think I had to tell you. You already know everything there is to know about me.
Blair: Then why didn't we invite them to the wedding? I mean, it was sort of impromptu and everything and there probably wouldn't have been enough time for them to catch a flight and all, but Kelso knows his tech, we could've hooked up some webcam thing or something.
William: Wedding?
Jim makes the crazy sign and points to Blair.
Jim: Sandburg, get these cuffs off me now.
Blair fetches the keys from Jim's coat pocket.
Jim: Dad, what are you doing here? Blair and I are working on a very important case and a family reunion, never a good idea at any time, is certainly the worst idea I can think of right now.
Blair is stunned by the vehemence in Jim's voice. He undoes the cuffs. Jim stands, stretches and looks out the window. It is still raining, but it is now dark.
Jim: Just how long was I out?
Blair: So, the pickings were slim and it's not an Epicurean delight by any means, but I did manage to throw together a Mexican casserole. Why don't we eat while we talk?
Jim: Dad, Stephen, thanks for stopping by, but Blair and I need to get cracking on this case.
William looks like he wants to depart. Jim glares at everyone and Blair looks to Stephen for support.
Stephen: Oh, come on, Jim, we haven't seen you in seven years and before that our paths only crossed a few times in what? Fifteen years? That's a long time to have to look to the news media to find out anything about my big brother. Blair took the time to cook, the table's already set, and maybe you're not willing to go out on a limb here, but Dad and I...well we've decided that we aren't going to allow you to continue to push us out of your lives. Blair, we'd be glad to join you, thanks.
Blair: All right then. Thanks.
Blair starts walking back to the kitchen to help Stephen with the finishing touches. He shoots Jim a hard look that says don't cause problems.
Jim: Sandburg?
Blair: Yeah, Jim?
Jim: You might want to put some pants on before we eat; my dad's accustomed to formal, not au naturale.
LATER
They are eating in heavy, awkward silence when there is another knock at the door. Jim and Blair don't make a move to get it. William and Stephen watch with interest and are in the process of deciding whether or not to say something when Jim starts loudly sniffing the air.
Jim: It's Finkelman.
Jim pushes back his chair. Blair is concerned.
Blair: Wait. If you really are a cop shouldn't you have a secret password or something?
Jim: Oh, you remember that detail, huh?
Blair: Actually, no. She called while you were visualizing. So, what is it?
Jim: (tapping his nose) And you're the one whose been studying the brotherhood?
Blair: Oh that. Yeah, well, since when do you use your senses so much?
Jim: You are on my last nerve. I'll handle Finkelman; you keep your mouth shut. All of you.
Jim opens the door and gestures for Finkelman to enter. When she sees Jim, she is startled, backs away, but quickly recovers, pulls out her gun and trains it on him. Jim is blocking the doorway, but Blair manages to squeeze by him to poke his head through the opening.
Blair: That's some kind of hello.
Jim: I told you to let me do the talking.
Blair: You haven't done any talking yet and already you have a gun pointed at you; those are some kind of communication abilities you possess. (to Finkelman) Is there a reason you have a gun pointed at my hus...partner? Because as far as I'm aware the only law he broke today, so far that is, was breaking and entering- only he didn't break so much as he just entered.
Finkelman doesn't budge and neither does Jim
Blair: (to Finkelman) You hungry? 'Cause I made this great casserole and there's plenty left if you'd like to...(Jim clamps a hand over Blair's mouth)
Jim: Care to answer his question, Captain?
Finkleman: You've been missing for seven years, Detective, of course I'm going to be on guard. Prove to me you are who you say you are and I'll lower my weapon and call off my backup. They're awaiting my orders to take you into custody if need be. I've made sure all the entrances are covered.
Jim cocks his head and uses his sense to determine that she's bluffing.
Jim: Didn't buy it the first time around either. Good thing, too because...
Finkelman lowers her gun. Jim guides Blair back into the loft where William and Stephen are only a few feet from the door.
Jim: Where's Simon?
Finkelman: You tell me.
Blair: Simon and Daryl are fishing.
Finkelman: Where?
Blair: Jim's got this sweet cabin in Alaska. He agreed to let them borrow it while we were gone.
Finkelman: Detective?
Jim: Sandburg's having some problems today.
Finkelman: (nods at William) Mr. Ellison. (nods at Stephen with some sparking interest) Mr. Ellison.
Jim: You know my father and brother?
Finkleman: Of course. They've been coming to the station regularly since you've been missing. Your father's network and resources sometimes outmatch the department's. Officially it's a cold case but we're vigilant and pursue it during our spare time.
Stephen holds out a chair for her.
Finkelman: Thanks.
Stephen: Thanks for that vigilance.
Finkleman sits down and Blair gives her a plate of food. Everyone is seated at the table again.
Finkelman: Thanks. I didn't know you could cook, Sandburg.
Blair: It's not really considered cooking when cupboard surfing is involved and condiments have to be used instead of sauces. Not to be rude, but who are you?
Finkelman: (to Jim) Is this a joke?
Jim: Sandburg's memory is a little sketchy today.
Blair: Why don't you refresh it?
Jim: We were in an explosion this morning. I think it messed with his head. Just ignore him. (he extracts the bomb fragments from his pocket and places them on the table in front of Finkleman) I found these at the scene.
Finkelman: The one you called in? (noticing his bandaged forehead) Did you see a doctor?
Jim: I've had worse.
Finkleman studies the fragments and doesn't seemed convinced that they are important.
Finkelman: I'm not so certain. No one's heard from you in seven years. You literally show up out of nowhere, call in an explosion that as far as we can tell never happened, and your partner doesn't remember me? (smiles warmly at Blair) I revoked your ride-along when I took over the Major Crimes division.
Blair: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Stephen: I believe him. (to Blair) Her name is Sarah Finkleman.
William: I agree. Something's amiss.
Finkelman: Mr. Sandburg, this is delicious. Do you need to see a doctor? I'd be happy to drive you to the hospital. Both of you.
Blair jumps up from his chair, knocking it over.
Blair: No. No, I don't need to see a doctor. I'm fine. It's everyone else who is crazy.
Finkelman: Okay. So, what's going on? Why don't you remember us?
Blair: Uh, I don't know, I haven't figured that out yet, but what I know is that (pointing at Jim) he's the one who is so freaked out by his gay marriage that he's created this elaborate fantasy world to not deal, with paid actors and everything. Well, Jim, have I got news for you- it's time to start dealing. I thought we got past all this the day I held you hostage and forced you to confront your feelings for me. What happened between then, the I dos, and the sailing off into the sunset? Other than gobs and gobs of mind blowing sex. Was it all a lie? Were you just stringing me along until you could dispose of me? Were you gonna dump me in the middle of the deep blue like some petty thief who stole from you? Who never meant anything to you? Was I an experiment? To prove that you are this hunky, studly, alpha male man and any misgivings you might have had were just some fluke? I deserve better than that. I love you, but...
Teary-eyed and choked up, Blair wistfully stares at his wedding ring, removes it with shaking hands and tosses it at Jim. He slumps over to the couch and sits down. Finkelman, Stephen, and William are confused, but are taken in by Blair's weird confession. Finkleman gives him a blanket to cover his nakedness. She and Stephen sit beside him on the couch while William remains with Jim at the table. Jim is intently examining the ring and is suddenly interested in the wedding band on his finger.
William: So that's where you've been the last seven years? Did you think we wouldn't understand? That we would shun you?
Stephen: We don't care about gender, Jim. We're free thinkers, right, Dad?
William: Of course we are, Jimmy, how could you think otherwise?
Stephen: Why would we care if it's a man who loves you? Love's love and in your case that's saying a lot. After Carolyn left, I was worried you'd end up miserable and alone. Alone and in a nursing home, old and decrepit, body depleted, senses still on overdrive, slowly going crazy, but then Blair came along and I knew it would be okay.
William: Blair rose to the challenge. He never faltered. Not once. He fought for you every step of the way and you are a better man, no, human being, because of him. You're not an easy man to like, let alone love, and you're willing to throw that all away because Blair doesn't have boobs? Well, you're a greater fool than I thought. So, he's acting a little kooky right now, is that any reason to abandon him?
Blair: (to William) How do you know that I fought for him?
William: (embarrassed) Jimmy may have wanted nothing to do with me, but he's my son and I needed to know he was okay. Occasional newspaper clippings and 60 second slots on the evening news aren't enough.
Jim stares at William with disbelief and rage, is about to say something, but shakes his head and collects himself.
Blair: You hired a PI to tail your own son? That's awesome.
Jim: Dad? You invaded my privacy? How could you?
Blair: Jim, ease up. He did it because he loves you.
Jim: Blair's right, we'll deal with that issue some other time.
Jim pushes past William and attempts to sit next to Blair but his protectors won't budge. Jim snarls. Stephen and Finkleman move closer to Blair while William edges closer to Jim. Jim kneels in front of Blair and places a hand on Blair's arm. Blair doesn't look up, so Jim leans in and places the hand on Blair's head, gently stroking the curls.
Jim: I don't know what's going on here, Chief, Blair, I... I'll fix it. Just tell me how to fix it.
Jim unfolds his other hand and gets Blair's ring. He picks up Blair's left hand and gently slides the ring onto Blair's finger. Blair looks up and meets Jim's eyes which are misting with tears.
Jim: Being married to you would not freak me out. In any way.
Blair: It took you seven years to admit you loved me and then when we're finally on our honeymoon, you use the first opportunity that presents itself to develop a case of convenient amnesia, so you'll understand that I'm not entirely convinced of the sincerity behind that comment.
Jim: Blair, I don't know what to say.
Finkelman: Tell him you love him, Ellison.
Jim: I don't know if that's enough.
Blair: Do you?
Jim: Yes, Blair I do, why else would I put up with your shenanigans on a daily basis?
Stephen: That's not very romantic.
Jim: Damn you all. Yes, I love Blair. Blair, I love you.
Blair throws himself at Jim and hugs him hard.
Blair: I'm really worried. I don't know what's going on. You remember this whole life that I know nothing about. I don't know Captain Finkleman. I've never met your father and brother. And the Jim Ellison I know definitely is not shakin' it down on the right side of the fence.
Jim: Shh, okay, I'm listening. Tell us a story and then we'll figure it out...together.
LATER
Blair: That's it.
Finkelman: It doesn't seem...implausible. You and Jim did go to Peru to rescue Captain Banks and his son seven years ago.
Jim: Not in a sci-fi novel, no, but in real life, four people don't suddenly forget who they are, walk away from everything they know and create new personas.
Stephen: I thought that's what Witness Protection did.
William: Stephen, now is not the time to be joking. What if he's our Jim, but you (gesturing at Blair) aren't our Blair?
Blair: What? Like alternate dimensions you mean? So, my Jim is out there with some other Blair having a gay-old time on my honeymoon?
Jim: I am your Jim. I'm wearing a ring too. There are no alternate universes.
They all start squabbling when a bright flash of light appears from upstairs in Jim's bedroom. Naomi appears at the top of the stairs bathed in radiant light.
Naomi: Where is the peace in this room? The love? The sage?
Blair: Mom? What are you doing here? You know how to transmigrate?
Naomi, in her diaphanous gown, entrances Jim, Stephen, and William as she seems to float down the stairs. Finkleman gives Stephen a dirty look. Stephen pats her hand to comfort her. She grabs his hand and holds tight.
Jim: That's your mom? I thought all moms were supposed to look like moms. I never knew Naomi was so young. I can see which parent you inherited the good looks from.
Blair: Ugh. Jim? Don't go there. A week ago she was practically molesting you. And trust me, you were repulsed.
Naomi: Blair, sweetie, don't be so dramatic. Thanks for the compliment, Jim, but I think Blair is every bit as handsome as his father. You just wait. He's going to age amazingly well.
Blair: What did you do? Something very wonky is happening here. Very wonky, mom. Fix it.
Naomi has the decency to look ashamed.
Naomi: I was trying to help.
Blair: Help? Jim thinks he's a cop. How is that helping? He doesn't remember we got married!
Jim: I am a cop.
Naomi floats over to the couch and William and Stephen are frozen in place. Finkelman kisses Stephen on the cheek before removing her hand from his grasp. She gets up and joins Naomi.
Naomi: No, Jim, you're not. Quite the opposite actually.
Jim: What did you do to them?
Naomi: Nothing. They aren't here; they're a figment of your imagination.
Blair: Mom? I can see them too.
Naomi: I can explain that.
Jim: What did you do to us?
Naomi: I really was trying to help, Blair, honey. I know Jim loves you, but he's always been so repressed and I was afraid that he'd let his fear overrule that love, so I had to do something. (she places a hand on Finkelman's shoulder) Sarah agreed to help me.
Finkleman: I specialize in vision quests that test a warrior's bravery, honesty, and loyalty.
Naomi: She has an elixir...
Jim: You drugged me?
Naomi: I might've added a little something extra to the milk.
Jim: What?
Blair: Oh, no. She and Vince are the ones who made sure the yacht was fully stocked.
Naomi: He's my only son. I wanted to make sure you weren't going to break his heart and leave him a broken man.
Jim: I wouldn't do that.
Blair: But you did. You forget all about me.
Jim: Eh, urm, uh, yeah, okay, I forgot the incidentals like....
Blair: Everything. You forgot everything, Jim.
Jim: I didn't forget how I feel about you. That visualization thingie you had me do this afternoon? Some of the best Blair fantasies I've ever had, or were they really memories?
Blair: Really?
Jim: Yes, really. Do you have any idea how crazy you were driving me running around in that shirt and nothing else?
Naomi: Boys!
Blair: Jim passed?
Naomi: Yes.
Blair: But how are we having the same vision? Am I being tested too?
Naomi: I don't know the details. Sarah?
Finkleman: Every individual reacts differently to the elixir. You aren't being tested. I did create a special potion so that you could observe, but you weren't supposed to be a part of the vision.
Naomi: I think it's Jim's special skills and your connection to him in that regard.
Jim: My Sentinel abilities?
Blair: Whatever.
Jim: Sandburg, is that possible?
Blair: How the heck would I know? That monograph never panned out.
Jim: Sandburg, you know everything there is to know about my senses.
Blair: No. I do not. I definitely do not. I know everything there is to know about haute cuisine and making a great foie gras but by no means am I expert on your not-so- ordinary senses.
Jim: You're my guide.
Blair: (to Naomi) See? See what I mean? He's lost his mind. Why doesn't he remember?
Naomi merges into Incacha
Incacha: He's finding his way. You can help him.
Incacha and the loft fade away. Blair is standing alone in the jungle, a black panther in the near distance.
Blair: No, no, no. Not again. Jim? Jim! Jim, don't leave me here.
The panther starts running towards him.
Blair: Oh godohgodohgodohgod.
Just as the panther jumps into Blair's chest he hears Jim say, "Accept the gift," over and over again.
LATER
Blair wakes up in his and Jim's bed on the yacht. He sees Jim hand an empty glass back to Finkleman who accepts it, waves good-bye to Naomi and exits the room. Jim turns his attention to Blair. Jim watches him with concern. Naomi is offering soothing words of comfort to Blair. Blair sits up and shakes himself, convinced he's imagining Naomi's presence at his side. He blinks at her in bewilderment.
Naomi: I'm really here.
Blair: Not a dream?
Naomi: No.
Blair: You drugged us?
Naomi: I was setting the scene for a spiritual journey.
Jim: She drugged us and then stowed away on board with her friend.
Naomi...in case of emergency. Sarah's trained in emergency response.
Blair: We're all alone in the middle of the ocean on our honeymoon with my mom?
Jim sniffs the air
Jim: We're still in the harbor.
Naomi: (shrugs) I paid off one of the goons. (off Jim's offended look that one of his employees is easily bribable) Well, I couldn't have you sailing off, not knowing when or how the dr...herbal aid would take effect. What kind of mother would I be if I left my son and his new husband to take that kind of journey alone?
Jim: A normal one, I'd wager. One who wouldn't even consider such a journey in the first place?
Blair: Should I call Jim's doctor?
Jim: I'm fine.
Blair: You don't know that. You could experience delayed side effects or an allergic reaction or, I mean, we don't understand very much about your senses. Who knows what this could do to your system?
Jim: We? They're my senses. I said I'm fine.
Naomi: Blair, honey, he looks better than fine.
Naomi gets up and comes around to sit on Jim's side of the bed. She kisses him on the forehead.
Naomi: I'm sorry I doubted, but I swear if you ever do anything to hurt him, I will gather up your goons and seduce everything they know about torture out of them and apply it to you.
Jim: Naomi, if I see you again anytime in the next six weeks, I'm gonna...(off Blair's concerned look) give you a piece of my mind and tell you to mind your own business. Capiche?
Naomi: I hear that.
Naomi leaves and Jim calls up to the Captain to reset the course.
Blair: Could we make a sidetrip to Cascade? I'd really like to meet your dad and brother.
Jim: Sidetrip? Cascade's thousands of miles in the wrong direction.
Blair: What's a thousand miles where family's concerned?
Jim calls the Captain again and tells him to change course.
Jim: Speaking of family...
Blair: Yeah?
Jim: I know who your father is. I know where he is.
LATER
After a marathon catch-up make-out session the honeymooners are laying on the deck looking up at the stars.
Blair: Thanks.
Jim: For what?
Blair: For sticking by me.
Jim: You did the same for me. Love can't be contained. Even if I've been dumb enough to deny it, you still felt it. I felt it. Everyone around us felt it.
Blair: Mmm, yeah, feels good, this love stuff.
Jim: Good? Only good, huh? Let me show you great then.
They make love and as they are half asleep Blair regains a moment of lucidity.
Blair: I think you'd make a great cop. I mean, it's a long ways off, you're still taking those first baby steps of not breaking the law, but I can see it, man, see you enforcing the law.
Jim: And you'd be my partner?
Blair: I'll be more than that. I'll be your guide. You know, you should be sleeping. What are you doing messing around with me? We've got a lot of plans to start making tomorrow.
Blair snuggles closer to Jim and they fall asleep in the moonlight.
The End.
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Acknowledgements: Thanks to Patt and Lisa for having the dedication to keep My Mongoose together for all these years. Thanks for including me and allowing me to be a part of something so special. Thanks to Mary Browne for the beta. And a huge thank you to Peter for the beautiful art.