“Faith” Part 5

By: Laura Tucker

Disclaimer: Don’t own them. Never hope to own them. Just playing with them. Will return them. Pet Fly owns the whole world.

******************Chapter5************************

Thursday-December 24

Christmas Eve

The Loft

8:00 am

Detective Jim Ellison and his captain, Simon Banks, sat at the kitchen table going over photographs in the near darkness.

They knew they were running out of time. The lead had been a promising one but unfortunately, had come too late to be of any use.

David Hamilton had rented the warehouse, only a few blocks from the waterfront and in his own name. He used no fake I.D. and no disguise to acquire the property because his plan would be carried out before he was found.

Banks immediately sent a tactical team out to the address but found the building vacant.

The only evidence left behind was a large pool of congealing blood in one corner of the building and the shirt Sandburg had been wearing the day he had been taken. Jim had recognized it immediately because it belonged to him. Blair often borrowed his shirts, even though they were sizes too big.

Jim looked up from the photos.

“My shirt.”

Simon looked up puzzled. “What?”

“It’s my shirt. Blair’s always wearing my shirts.”

Simon smiled. “Yeah?”

Jim smiled back. “Yeah.”

Jim looked away for a moment and then turned back to the task at hand. Taking a deep breath, he spread the photos out on the table once more, being careful to keep them in sequence.

“There has to be a something here. Something we’ve missed Simon.”

Banks leaned across the table and carefully examined the photographs lying on top.

“Jim we went over that warehouse with a forensics team. There’s nothing there. He clued you in to his identity and then laid out the breadcrumbs for us to follow, knowing he was two steps ahead of us the whole time.

This has all been one big game from day one. He never intended to return Blair, that’s obvious. It’s been about revenge, pure and simple. An eye for an eye.”

“Isn’t that from the Bible?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t see how that could fit in, other than with his personal profile. He’s consumed with hatred toward me. He thinks I abandoned him and my men. He’s a sociopath and a trained killer. That’s a dangerous combination. The things he did to Sandburg…no rational human being could do that. Yet that’s exactly what was expected of us in Special Forces. It warps your mind, sir, I know. You can’t think of your targets as human.”

Simon shook his head. “I don’t know Jim. Something’s bothered me about this from the start. It’s the quotes…somehow they fit in but I’ll be dammed if I can figure out how.”

Both men jumped as the phone rang.

Ellison picked it up the receiver, holding it between them so Banks could her also.

~~~~

“Ellison.”

“Good morning Captain Ellison.”

“How’s Blair?”

“Much to my amazement, he made it through the night.”

“Look Hamilton. You’ve taken your revenge. Even if Blair survives, he can never have his life back. Just tell us where he is and.....”

“And what Jim…. we call it even? You’ll let it go? I don’t think so. You’ll never let go whether Sandburg lives or not. We’re trained killers Jim. You and I both know what happened out in that jungle. There was no black and white, only gray. Our lives were over before either one of us came out of there.”

“I’m not denying what we did was on the line but we had our orders. After I came back, it was a hell of a long time before I could look at myself in the mirror. I didn’t like what I saw David but what we were, what we had to do to survive was all part of it.”

“I’m glad you found a way to justify your actions Ellison, because that’s all it was, self justification. You were a coward and there’s no way around that.”

“Please…I’m begging you. Tell me where to find my partner...... Please.”

“Very good Ellison. Begging is good. Won’t get a hell of a lot from me but begging is good.” Hamilton cleared his throat. “I know you’ve been tracing this call like the good little hero cop that you are. Doesn’t matter now. It’s over. I’m at the corner of Weston and Kemp in a small apartment. The courier service will be at your apartment at exactly 8:30 with the last videotape. Your partner was still alive when I left him but he won’t be for long. Goodbye Captain Ellison. See you in hell.”

Jim was rocked by the sound of a gun going off in close proximity to the phone.

“Hamilton!”

Simon pulled back and stared at the phone still held in Jim’s hand.

“Jesus…I think he just shot himself.”

Simon took out his cell phone and called in, asking for a team to be sent to the address Jim had been given and also confirming that it was the address obtained from the trace. Putting the cell away, he took the phone from Jim’s hand and led him over to the couch, pushing him down gently. A moment later the courier arrived with the package in hand. Simon shook the single video from the large envelope and placed it in the VCR. Sitting beside Jim, they watched as the tape came to life.

Both men sat quietly as the video began to play.

For the first minute and a half, there was nothing on the tape. Then, Lieutenant Hamilton walked in front of the camera and switched on 2 large outdoor flood lamps. Jim squinted to make out the details as Hamilton sat himself down on a small folding stool. Obviously outside, there were no familiar landmarks, nothing that would give them a clue to his location.

“Ellison. Your partner has a few words he would like to say to you. I think now would be a good time since our time is growing short.”

Walking outside the camera’s range he shortly returned with Blair, carrying him as one would a child. With the bright lighting, both men got their first real view of the emaciated man who was laid on the ground in front of the camera.

Jim shook his head. “No.”

Blair was filthy. He had lost a great deal of weight and was shivering from the cold. He was clothed only in the pair of jeans he had been wearing when he as abducted.

Hamilton propped Blair up against the stool he had been sitting on himself just minutes ago and placed a blanket around his shoulders.

For a moment, neither man spoke. Finally, Blair raised his head and looked directly into the camera.

“Jim, I just… wanted you to know that…that I don’t blame you. I know you did all you could to…find me. I want you to tell mom that I love her…and I’m sorry for what I said to her last week. She’ll understand.”

Blair doubled up; coughing so hard that he would have fallen over if not for the fact that Hamilton was holding him up by the arm. When the fit had passed, he looked up weakly.

“I’m sorry. I can’t stand leaving you like this…this really sucks man.”

Then with eyes bright from the fever raging within his body, Blair Sandburg looked directly at Jim and smiled, knowing that his partner would be seeing the video.

“I love you Jim,” he said softly.

Jim reached up and brushed a tear from his face while never taking his eyes from the video. He walked over, kneeling in front of the set and laid his hand against the image on the screen. “Oh Chief,” he said brokenly.

As Blair passed out, Hamilton dragged his body roughly out of camera range and sat back down on the stool.

Jim walked back to the couch and sat heavily down beside his captain.

“Ellison. Your partner will be dead within a few hours. I have taken something from you that meant more to you than your own life. Justice was finally served and I can die knowing that I have destroyed your life as you destroyed mine so many years ago. At 4:22 am, on that morning in a Peruvian jungle, I was judged and found unworthy. My life was given for a country that would sell out it’s own troops for it’s personal agenda.

The video fades to black momentarily.

Then, as the camera is turned back on, it is much lighter out. The lights are turned off and they have moved to yet another location.

A slight fog rolls in against the backdrop of a nature trail leading up a hill. Hamilton is standing a few feet in front of the video camera, holding a shovel.

“Awful hard ground here in Cascade. Even worse when it’s frozen. Built over an old rock quarry I heard.”

Hamilton leaned on the shovel handle and took a drink from a bottle of whiskey, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

“Your partner’s got enough air for a few hours. If you’re half of what the Chopec thought you were, you’ll find him. Put him in a box just like the ones the rebels made for us. Then I buried him.”

Simon leaned toward Jim and laid a hand on his shoulder, squeezing tightly.

Jim closed his eyes and let his mind drift as the tape neared the end.

“You have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

Hamilton began to laugh as the tape faded to black.

~~~~~~~

Getting up from the couch, Jim looked over at Simon.

“Let’s get the tape down to the lab. Maybe they can pick up something that can help pinpoint the location.”

“Jim. We need to get a team out to Chief Matthew State Park now. It’s only a five minutes outside town.”

“Sir, it could be any of the half dozen nature preserves or parks in the area. Without my senses I can’t do any better than guess…”

“He’s at Chief Matthew. That Bible quote he kept throwing in. It’s in Matthew, fifth chapter. Don’t ask me how I know it but I’m sure. It has to be.”

“I couldn’t be that easy sir.”

“It’s a big park Jim. You think you can find him.”

“I can’t sense him anymore. Everything is all screwed up. For a while they were just fading in and out but now they’re almost completely gone. Like the dials are turned so far down I can’t turn them back up. Sandburg always made it work. Without him…I can’t..”

Jim turned away, walking toward the balcony doors. Coming up behind him, Simon laid his hand firmly on his friend’s broad shoulders.

“Get dressed Ellison. We’re gon’na go get the kid.”

*****************Chapter Six**********************

Chief Matthew State Park

Christmas Eve

December 24

10 am

As consciousness returned to Blair, the first thing that registered was the mind numbing cold. He shifted slightly, running his hand along the side of the box in an attempt to find out where he was being held. He cried out as the splintered ends of his femur rubbed against the rough material of his jeans.

Biting his lip, he tried to make out his surroundings, holding down the rising feelings of panic assaulting him.

The stale air in small box smelled of decay and something Blair couldn’t quite identify. Lying very still, he willed himself to breathe and stay calm.

“I can do this…. I can do this.” he mumbled, “Just relax.”

*************************************************

The east end of Chief Matthew Park

10:00 am

Detective James Ellison, his Captain; Simon Banks and a 4-man K-9 search and rescue team stood in the cold drizzle of a wet December rain. Fortunately for them, the warmer than usual weather had held, keeping the snow at bay for the time being.

Captain Banks stepped forward to make the introductions.

“Jim. This is Richard Mitchell from Missoula, Montana. Thankfully, he and his team were still in town from the Cascade Rescue Services Conference.”

Turning to Ellison, the man who held a large Malamute on a leash directly in front of him stepped forward, offering his hand and smiling.

“You just caught us detective. We were heading out tonight to get back home before Christmas.”

Jim nodded sadly and shook the man’s hand.

“Captain Banks filled us in on our way over. We’ll do everything we can to help locate your partner as quickly as possible.”

Jim looked down as the big Malamute nuzzled underneath his hand, staring up at him with impossibly large, azure eyes. The dog growled deeply in his throat, prompting a chill to run through him.

“That’s Starbuck. He’s our best dog. Got an almost supernatural talent for finding people. Spooks us sometimes but if your partners out there, he’ll find him.”

Jim nodded, running his hand gently over the massive head while kneeling down to allow the dog to smell the shirt he had tightly griped in his other hand.

The dog did not sniff the article as he had expected him to do, but rather walked back to Mitchell and sat beside him. He looked down at his dog and walked over to the map.

“He doesn’t work like that. He already has the scent of your partner from you. If he’s in the park he’ll find him.

The ranger narrowed the search down greatly by identifying the area on the videotape where it was filmed. Taking into consideration the time factor between when the different footage was taken and the amount of time it took him to get from location to location, we’ve narrowed it down to a 5-mile square area. That’s actually quite small for a search area in a wilderness as vast as this.

Banks walked up beside Jim squeezing his arm reassuringly.

“We’ll find him Jim.”

Ellison could only nod as he continued to stare at the dog.

He had the strangest feeling that deep within those beautiful blue eyes resided something ancient, something incredibly wiser than himself.

“Let’s move out guys.” Mitchell said as he gathered his team together, including 3 other dogs and handlers.

“Radios on channel 2. Everyone have their maps?” Everyone solemnly nodded agreement as the teams began to fan out, Mitchell grabbing Ellison’s arm before he started to move away.

“You need to keep in the core team with us. Stay with the dog.”

Ellison nodded, still feeling odd as the dog trotted up the trail toward their left. The other teams followed behind, spreading out in a wide search pattern using the trail as a branching off point. Following closely behind the big malamute, Richard Mitchell allowed the animal’s instincts to guide them down the path as they neared the small crest.

**************************************************

December 24

10:20 am

The dog sat abruptly at the top, scanning the mountainous region before him. Raising his head and slightly cocking it to the side, he sat absolutely still as the light rain ran off his thick coat. Seen only by Jim Ellison and the dog that stood beside him, a smaller wolf crossed the trail and lay down quietly at their feet.

Deeply wounded, the wolf rolled on its side as the malamute shifted to lie beside him, nuzzling his neck with his large muzzle.

Banks walked up beside Ellison, an incredible look on his face.

“What the hell is he doing?”

“Shhh. The wolf’s here.”

Simon stepped back slightly as the dog continued to tend the wounds of something he couldn’t see.

“It’s Sentinel stuff right?” he said uneasily.

Jim only nodded, stepping up quietly beside the wolf and kneeling, placing a hand on the smaller head.

He was surprised to find that to him, the wolf had substance, as did it also to the dog.

As he stroked the blood-covered muzzle of the animal, it turned its gaze from the malamute to look longingly into Jim’s eyes.

Jim felt a wave of warmth radiate outward from the wolf, causing a small tremor to run through his body. He closed his eyes. Concentrating on the vision forming in his mind, Jim sat on the ground by the malamute; a faint blue glow beginning to spread outward, surrounding both dog and man until it covered the hillside. Most of the team had now stopped their assent and sat down to await Mitchell’s orders.

Detaching the radio from his belt, the leader of Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue spoke almost reverently as he kept his voice quiet, watching the scene unfold before him.

“Hold up people. Keep the dogs in place.” At that, the dogs were ordered down to await further instructions.

Richard leaned over and whispered to Banks, “I’ve never seen anything like this before Captain…do you know what’s going on?”

Simon shook his head slowly.

“Not exactly. At least not so I could explain it to you. Just wait.”

Both men sat on the ground in unison as Jim continued to sit by the smaller wolf for several more minutes, talking quietly and stroking its fur.

Licking the wolf once more before standing up, Starbuck then wandered back toward his owner and sat down on the damp grass beside him.

As Jim opened his eyes, the blue glow that had descended upon the hillside slowly disappeared, as did the wolf.

Starbuck whined as Richard Mitchell helped Captain Banks to his feet.

Jim walked slowly toward them, squinting slightly at the pain radiating from his temple. Simon put his hand out to him, concerned, but was stopped as Ellison waved him off.

“You were right Simon, Blair’s here. We have to find him soon or it’ll be too late. He’s dying.”

Richard stood by, hand on the great dog’s head, feeling strangely out of place between the 2 men beside him.

“He’s too weak and there’s almost no air left.”

“Can you sense him?”

“Not exactly…not in a physical sense anyway but the dog can.”

Starbuck walked over to Jim, taking his place beside the Sentinel. As soon as Jim looked into his eyes, he saw a residual blue glow surrounding the animal. The dog trotted toward the stand of trees that lay a few feet to the left of the path as Ellison motioned for Banks and Mitchell to follow.

Picking up the radio once again, he radioed his men to stay put.

**************************************************

December 24

10:24 am

Buried behind a wall of dirt and rock, trapped in a small wooden enclosure, Blair struggled to breathe.

As his breath came in small, painful gasps, he closed his eyes in prayer. Seldom in his life had he prayed, being brought up to be independent and believing that if he didn’t take care of himself, no one would. Now, being partnered with James Ellison had challenged almost every aspect of his beliefs over the time that they had been together.

Laying his head against the rough side of the box, Blair began to cry softly.

Then, without warning, he felt a presence at his side. Opening his eyes he saw a large dog trot up and lay down beside him, laying its massive head on his cold chest. Unable to move, he looked around and found himself lying in a field, damp with falling rain. As the dog began to lick the blood from his wounds, to his amazement he felt Jim’s hand stroke his forehead. Turning his face into the touch, Blair looked longingly into the eyes of his friend.

“It’s alright Chief.... I’m here.”

As Blair looked up into the familiar face, he smiled, feeling safe for the first time since the whole ordeal had started.

“Jim.”

“Yeah…it’s okay. I’m here.”

“How?”

“I’m not sure. Does it matter?”

“No.”

“We’re on our way Blair, we’re coming for you soon. You have to hang on.”

Blair shook his head.

“I can’t Jim. I’m sorry…I can’t.”

Jim laid his hand over Blair’s heart, keeping eye contact as he did so, a small smile dancing at the corner of his mouth.

“Yes you can. I’m right here with you.”

A tear ran down Sandburg’s face as Jim gently wiped it away.

“I can’t stay very long but I’m coming for you. I promise.”

Jim continued to sit beside his friend for the next few minutes, comforting him until he felt himself being drawn away.

“I’ll come for you Blair. I promise.” As the field began to fade before him, Sandburg closed his eyes and slept.

**************************************************

10:50 am- December 24

The small team followed the dog for the next few minutes until he took off at a trot, Ellison close behind. He came up short, stopping at the entrance to a small cave, barely more than an outcropping of rock at first glance.

On further examination, Ellison could see that dirt and rock had been piled up against the inside wall of the enclosure making entrance impossible. The dog began to dig frantically, all the while whining and looking back at Jim.

Banks and Mitchell came sliding up to stop only feet from the entrance as Richard took off his rescue pack pulling out 3 small fireman’s hand shovels.

All began to dig in earnest as the dog was pushed out of the way making room for task at hand.

Starbuck lay down with his head on his paws studying the scene playing out before him.

They dug unceasingly for the next several minutes, stopping only to clear away the larger of the rocks from the dirt blocking the entrance. Then, Banks’ shovel hit something solid but with more give than rock.

“Jim! I think its wood.”

Jim moved his efforts over toward Simon as they began uncovering the wooden box.

Moving enough rock out of their way, they shoveled dirt off the top and pulled the box into the open.

Jim took the tip of the shovel and with Banks help, pried off the top.

Falling to his knees, Jim yelled at Mitchell. “Get that chopper in here now!”

Scooping up his partner into his arms, Jim lifted him from the box and laid him gently on the emergency blanket Simon had spread out on the ground.

Even though it was only 35 degrees, all present could feel the heat radiating from Sandburg, his face blotchy red and pale white at the same time. He was shivering uncontrollably when his eyes rolled back in his head as he started to seize. Jim reached for the thick leather strap from his backpack and quickly detaching it, pried Blair’s mouth open and shoved it inside.

“Oh God Mitchell! Where’s that chopper!”

Scooting up beside them, Richard put a hand on the dog’s head as he whined impatiently. “They’re on their way, ETA about 3 minutes.”

Jim sat stroking Blair’s forehead as the seizure continued, giving no signs of easing up.

Banks knelt down beside Jim and Blair, laying his hand on the young man’s leg.

“Maybe I should go wait for the copter?”

Richard stood up as the dog walked over beside him. “We’ll go. They’ll be able to land just a few feet away in that clearing. You stay.”

Simon nodded, looking sadly over at Jim. “It’ll be okay. Helps on the way Jim. We’ll get him to the hospital and everything will be okay. The kid’s tough.”

Jim looked up, tears in his eyes, yet willing them not to fall.

“It’s too late Simon. No one can live through this. My God, sir… look at him.”

“Don’t sell the kid short Jim. He has a good reason to hang on.” He smiled at his friend. “I don’t understand what the hell happened here today or why Sandburg had to go through all this, but I do know something lead us out here. Something I’m not sure I’m capable of understanding or if I even want to, but you have to believe for the kid’s sake Jim. Don’t give up. Blair wouldn’t.”

Jim nodded as he dropped his head, gathering Sandburg’s hands in his, gently holding them to his chest and over his own heart. “I’m here Chief.....you just hang on.”

At that moment, the Life Flight Emergency crew ran down toward them carrying supplies and a backboard. Laying Blair’s blistered hands beside him, he leaned over and touched his lips to his partner’s forehead, saying a silent prayer before backing up to let the paramedics move in.

“I’m riding with him.” Jim stated, as he moved back to stand by the other 2 men. Banks laid his hand on Ellison’s shoulder as they watched the team frantically trying to stabilize his partner enough for transport.

*******************Chapter 7**********************

Cascade General Hospital

December 24

Christmas Eve

1:10 pm

Jim Ellison sat beside his captain, Simon Banks, awaiting word on his partner.

Blair had been brought in by Life Flight and taken directly to the E.R.

A trauma team had been called and was standing by to access his injuries as quickly as possible.

That was over 40 minutes ago.

A slender gray haired man dressed in scrubs and carrying a clipboard walked up to Ellison.

“James Ellison?”

Jim looked up, rubbing the bridge of his nose, trying to lessen the effects of the pounding headache throbbing behind his eyes.

Offering his hand, he stepped forward.

“I’m Mr. Sandburg’s surgeon, Dr. Neumeister.”

Jim shook the man’s hand, nodding slightly.

“I see by his chart that you’re listed as his next of kin?”

“Yes. I’m as close as he’s got and I hold his durable power of attorney.”

The doctor looked at the chart briefly, then back at Ellison.

“Detective. We have very little time. Your partner is in serious condition and cannot make this decision on his own. Let’s go into my office where we can talk privately.”

“This is Captain Banks. I’d like for him to come along if it’s okay.”

“Under the circumstances…I think that would be a good idea. Follow me gentlemen.”

The two men followed the doctor to the elevator and down a long corridor into his office. He then motioned for them to take seats and immediately sat down himself, turning his computer screen around so that they could easily see as he pulled up images from Sandburg’s file.

“I need to speak plainly to you Detective Ellison. There is very little chance of survival for your partner whether we do surgery or not. His injuries are extremely grave.”

Jim leaned forward in his chair as an image appeared on the screen in front of him.

“This detective, is an MRI scan. It gives us an advantage over a standard computerized tomography scan because we can obtain a more detailed picture of Mr. Sandburg’s brain. We can clearly see the bullet lodged behind the optic nerve here.” He pointed the eraser of a pencil at the screen.

“It passed through the trigeminal nerve, slicing soft tissue in front of the optical foramen in his skull. This has resulted in massive swelling and we do not know whether his vision has been permanently damaged or not at this point. If we remove the bullet, we are taking the risk of permanently blinding him. If we do not remove it and the bullet shifts causing a hemorrhage, he will most certainly die.”

Jim closed his eyes, letting the doctor’s words sink in.

“The trauma team is working now to stabilize Mr. Sandburg’s B.P. which had fallen dangerously low during the flight here. He has a punctured left eardrum, a broken femur that is also badly infected due to its protrusion through the skin, a broken nose and three broken ribs. The missing eye is the least of his problems. It was removed with almost surgical precision and no major damage was done to the surrounding tissues. The burns on his hands are from some type of acid. Fortunately, it seems to have been a weakened solution, only burning and blistering the skin but the fumes did blister his mouth and esophagus. Painful, yet not actually destroying muscle or bone.

The bullet is the main problem at the moment.

Jim sat back in his seat, sighing deeply, willing himself to relax as the doctor continued.

“In his weakened condition, he’s a high risk surgery in any case but I see no alternatives Mr. Ellison.”

Simon gripped Jim’s arm firmly, squeezing but saying nothing.

“Mr. Sandburg has been given little water or nutrition in the last few days. He’s extremely dehydrated and nothing short of emaciated. Just stabilizing him for the surgery will be a problem. It will put a great deal of strain on his heart.”

“Do it.”

Simon leaned toward Jim. “Jim…. don’t you think we should try and contact his mother?”

“No. Give me the form.”

The doctor passed the consent forms to Jim as he signed them all, not bothering to read them.

“It has to be done Simon. Sandburg’s in there fighting for his life, I won’t let him down.”

Simon turned to face the doctor. “Doc, is there a chance he could live with the bullet?”

“No. The bullet will shift as he moves around and will kill him. It would only be a matter of time. His sight is secondary to the damage that can be caused by the bullet.”

Jim signed the last form and stood up. “Do it. He fought too hard to hang on…I’ve got to give him this one final chance.”

The doctor nodded, shutting down his computer screen and walking them out of his office and toward the elevator once more.

“Gentlemen, there’s a surgical waiting room on the 4^th. Floor. One of you needs to be here at all times in case he doesn’t make it.”

Jim stopped and turned toward the doctor. “Can I see him first?”

“We need to get him in the O.R. as soon as possible detective. He wouldn’t know you were there…he’s been in and out of consciousness since he was brought in.”

“Please…I need to see him. He needs to know I’m here. He needs to know he’s not alone.”

The doctor smiled slightly. “Give me a few minutes Detective Ellison and I’ll set it up for you.

Only for a moment though. Go down to the ER desk and wait. I’ll have someone take you to him before we prep him for surgery.”

“Thank you.” Jim said as he again shook the doctors hand, getting onto the elevator beside Simon. As the doors closed, Ellison leaned against the wall and covered his face with both hands.

“Jim. Are you sure about this?”

“I’m sure Simon. I can’t just let him die. He means to much to me to let him go like this when there’s still a chance.”

Simon sighed, “It’s your decision Jim. I don’t think his mom would want that for him but..”

Jim brought his hands down and placed them against the elevator wall.

I don’t care one way or the other what his mother would want. She isn’t here is she? She’s never been here for him when he needed her…. what the hell difference does it make whether she approves or not. He’s my responsibility!”

Simon held his hands up. “Okay Jim…I understand. Just relax. I’m not going to call her. That’s for you to decide.”

Jim looked sheepishly at his friend.

 “I’m sorry Simon. I just get…I don’t know…”

“It’s okay Jim. I understand. Remember, I care about the kid too.”

**************************************************

December 24

2:30 pm

A nurse in surgical scrubs walked up to the E.R. desk, coming over to Ellison.

“Sir. We’ve been able to stabilize your partner somewhat and the doctor wants us to get him ready for surgery as soon as possible. He asked me to come get you before hand. You can see him for a couple of minutes, then we need to get him prepped.”

“Thank you.” Jim looked back at Simon briefly before hurrying after the nurse.

Jim entered the small cubicle and immediately went over to stand by the head of the bed.

Sandburg’s face was almost unrecognizable between the deep purple bruising and the swelling around the nose and eye area. A large, clean bandage had replaced the filthy one over his eye socket and his hair had been shaved back several inches from the gunshot wound at his temple. His leg was still in a pneumatic splint, keeping it secure until an orthopedic surgeon could be brought in to attend. Both hands were wrapped in sterile gauze to prevent infection from the burns.

A low moan from the bed captured his attention as he bent over the still form laying his palm gently against Sandburg’s pale cheek.

“It’s okay Chief…. just relax. I’m here now.”

“Jim?”

“Yeah …I’m right here…”

“…hurts.”

Jim touched his forehead to Blair’s temple, his mouth only inches from his ear.

“I know Chief but everything’s going to be fine …you just relax and go back to sleep, let me take care of everything, okay? I promise I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Jim pulled back slightly and kissed him again on the forehead as he had done in the field.

“Just get some sleep and when you wake up, everything’s gon’na to be a lot better…you’ll see.”

As he stood by the hospital bed, a familiar sound began to filter in over the sounds of the equipment. Smiling down at his sleeping partner, he moved his hand to cover Sandburg’s heart.

“God Blair…I’ve missed that sound.”

Ellison jumped slightly as a nurse walked in carrying supplies.

“Mr. Ellison, we need to get him ready for surgery. I’ll need you to step outside please.”

Jim nodded. “Blair. I’m here and I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done. We’ll handle whatever comes next together.”

Jim reluctantly pulled his hand away and walked back to the waiting room to rejoin his captain.

**************************************************

Surgical waiting room at Cascade General

 9:00 pm

Jim Ellison paced angrily as his captain sat, waiting for news. Blair had been in surgery for well over six hours at this point, and although several persons had come and went from the O.R., they had had heard nothing.

“Jim. Why don’t we go down and get some coffee? They can page you down in the break room as well as they can here.”

Jim stopped and shook his head.

“No. I have to be here. I’m okay. I just wish they’d let us know what’s going on.”

“How are your senses?”

Jim took a deep breath, willing himself to relax. “Mostly back on line.”

Simon stood up beside him. “When did it happen?”

“Out there in the field. They’ve been coming back slowly. My hearings still fading in and out but it’s getting better.”

“Good. I still think….”

Jim had tuned Simon out the second he spotted the wolf standing by the OR doors. It walked towards him, head down cautiously and sat at his feet.

Simon looked at Jim, alarmed, and reached out to grasp the man’s shoulder.

“Jim?”

“It’s okay Simon. Just relax.”

Jim knelt down, placing his hand on the wolf’s chest. Closing his eyes, he was comforted by the steady rhythm of the spirit guide’s heart.

Nothing existed for him at that moment in time. He became lost in himself, seconds becoming minutes, until he felt the soft texture of the animals tongue brushing against his hand. Coming back to awareness, he smiled at the animal sitting before him.

“Thank you.”

The wolf tilted his head slightly and then stalked back the way it had come. “Jim. Are you okay? Man, don’t do that. Without Blair to bring you back..”

“He just did Simon.”

“The wolf?”

Jim smiled. “Yeah. He was here.”

“You were gone for almost half an hour. I was ready to get a doctor. I couldn’t bring you out of it.”

“Half an hour?”

“Yeah.”

“Only felt like a couple of minutes.”

Banks sat down once more. “I will never get used to that Sentinel stuff. Gives me the creeps.”

Jim smiled. “I’m okay now. Better anyway.”

As Jim started to sit down himself, the O.R. doors opened and Dr. Neumeister walked through, pulling off his mask.

“Detective Ellison. Things went pretty well, all in all. It was touch and go for a while. We lost him once but he’s a fighter. His rhythms are a lot better too. Heart and breathing is stabilized so we put him on a vent for now. It’ll give his body a chance to heal better if it isn’t working as hard to maintain it’s regular functions.

The bullet came out a lot easier than we thought also. Lots of swelling but no noticeable damage to the optic nerve as we feared. The facial nerve, called the trigeminel was partially severed and we repaired that. Blair may experience some pain and facial tics but it can be controlled through medication.”

The doctor paused. “We had a orthopedic surgeon set the leg. It was a very dangerous break in his fibula because it had pierced the skin and had been left untreated for a while. However, we started him on a course of I.V. antibiotics and with proper therapy, he should regain use of it. The next 24 hours is going to be critical.”

“He’s going to make it, right doc?”

“Mr. Ellison. Your partner made it through surgery, which frankly, I think is a miracle in itself. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

“When can I see him?”

“He’ll be in recovery for the next couple of hours. Then, we’ll be transferring him to Critical Care. Go home. Get something to eat, a shower and come back. I’ll let you see him for a few minutes. He’ll probably sleep through the night.”

Ellison nodded, knowing small victories were all he could count on at the moment.

“Okay, but you have my cell phone number. If anything at all happens…if he wakes up…”

“He won’t Mr. Ellison. Trust me. We’ll take good care of your partner.”

Simon stood up and draped his arm around Jim’s shoulder.

“We’ll go back to your place and you can grab a shower while I scramble some eggs. Blair’s in good hands.”

The doctor walked off down the corridor as the 2 men walked toward the elevator.

***********************Chapter 8******************

Cascade General Hospital

December 24

11:45 pm

James Ellison walked up to the 3^rd floor nurses station and caught the attention of the nurse he had spoken to earlier when Blair had first been brought in.

“Hi Mr. Ellison. He’s doing fine. Sleeping peacefully at the moment. We have him in the C.C.U. right now.”

“Good…the doctor said I could see him for a few minutes.”

“We don’t usually allow visitors in critical care but Dr. Neumeister said that it would be okay for you to sit with him for a little while. You must have made quite an impression.”

Jim felt himself relaxing and smiled, shrugging his shoulders.

“I guess. Actually I think it was Blair. Doc says he’s a miracle patient.”

She smiled and offered her hand.

“My name’s Sharon.”

“Jim.” He shook her hand as she led him down the corridor toward critical care.

“If he continues to improve, we’ll move him to the I.C.U. in the next few hours and then to a private room in the next couple of days.”

She led Jim through the C.C.U. stopping at the last small cubicle.

“Don’t let all the machines scare you. He’s doing a lot better than we thought possible. He just needs to be monitored closely right now.”

“Here,” she pulled over a chair from the corner and slid it up beside the bed. “Sit down. Hold his hand… talk to him.”

She lowered the railing and Jim sat down, picking up Blair’s bandaged hands gently.

“You’re not going to hurt him. Just relax.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome. I have rounds, and then I’ll be back to check on you. Just yell if you need anything.”

She smiled again, patting Jim on the shoulder as she went back to her duties.

Jim turned his attention to his partner.

Making sure no one was looking, Ellison took a deep breath and stood up, laying his hands on Sandburg’s chest. Starting from there, he ran his hands slowly over Blair’s body using his senses to check out the broken bones and bruises that the doctor had mentioned, feeling the repair recently done to his left leg. Then he ran his hands over Blair’s face very gently, letting them linger over the temple area where the bullet had been removed. He still felt a residual heat in the area but the doctor had assured him the bullet had done less damage then they’d originally thought. Sitting back down, he noticed that the blotchiness of Blair’s complexion had almost completely disappeared although he was still incredibly pale. The white bandage over his eye stood out in stark contrast to the bruising on his face.

“Blair. It’s Jim. I’m here. I don’t know how long they’re going to let me stay but I just wanted you to know you’re not alone. Hear me kid? You’re not alone. I may have to go out in the waiting room but I won’t leave. I’ll be around if you need me.”

Jim picked up Blair’s hand once more, this time enfolding it in his own.

“Everything’s okay now Chief...you’re safe.”

Then Ellison lay his head down on Sandburg’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his guide’s beating heart and promptly fell asleep.

**************************************************

December 25

Christmas Day

12:30 am

As Sharon completed her rounds, she walked back to the nurse’s station, putting the charts back into the stand. Brenda, another of the C.C.U. nurses walked up smiling.

“Shar, you have got to see this.”

She pulled Sharon by the arm into the tiny cubicle.

In his sleep, Sandburg had instinctively brought his other hand up and laid it on Ellison’s head, which was still lying on his chest. That’s the way Brenda had found them.

“Is he in your way?”

“No. I’ve been in here 3 times for neuro checks and they slept through the whole thing. Let’s just leave them alone for right now.”

Brenda pulled a blanket around Jim’s shoulders and whispered, “Merry Christmas guys.”

Both still smiling, they walked out together.

“I think I’ll go to Christmas service tonight after I get off.”

“Yeah. I know what you mean. I think this is as close as we’ll ever come to a miracle around here. You heard what that Life Flight guy said about Ellison. Something very weird happened out there in that search field.”

“Somehow it feels good to be part of it, even a small part.”

Sharon smiled broadly. “My shift’s over. I’m going home and kiss my husband and say a few thank you’s of my own.”

Brenda nodded in agreement.

“Sometimes miracles do happen. I guess you just have to have faith.”

Sharon reached over, hugging her friend.

“Merry Christmas Brenda.”

“Merry Christmas Shar.”

The End.

Author’s note: Brenda and Shar are friends of mine from work. They are huge Sentinel fans so I decided to use them in the story. Thanks guys!!!